Category: Family Life

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 98

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John 8:1-11

But Yeshua  (Jesus) went to the Mount of Olives at daybreak,He appeared again in the Temple Court where all the people gathered around Him and He sat down to teach them. The Torah-teachers and the P’rushim (Pharisees) brought in a woman who had been caught committing adultery and made her stand in the center of the group. They said to Him.” Rabbi, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery. Now, in our Torah, Moshe ( Moses) commanded that such a woman be stoned to death. What do you say about it?” They said this to trap Him so that they might have ground for bringing charges against Him; but Yeshua bent down and began writing in the dust with  His finger. When they kept questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them,” The one of you who is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then He bent down and wrote on the dust again. On hearing this, they began to leave, one by one, the older ones first until He was left alone, with the woman still there. Standing up, Yeshua said to her,” Where are they now? Has no one condemned you?” She said, ” No one, sir.” Yeshua said,” Neither do I condemn you. Now go, and don’t sin anymore.”

-The Complete Jewish Bible– David H. Stern

I love this Bible story because Jesus showed us true compassion so that we may do the same with others. Enjoy your  week end!!

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 95

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Today started out quite disappointing but along the way I managed to pull myself up by my bootstraps…with a little help of course!  First I was disappointed about something I was really looking forward to doing soon but it’s on hold for now. Then later on in the day I found out some disappointing news. I had enough of it and I decided to take a long nap. Then my daughter invites me out for a late lunch early dinner which I guess you could call it “brinner” 🙂

Sometimes God wants to bless you through your kids and I say let them! Don’t be proud, humble yourself and receive their blessing, they’re just trying to give back a little of what you gave them.

Walking home from the Mexican restaurant we ate at, my daughter asks me,” What is honorable these days mom?” I want to share a list of things I believe are honorable and if you come up with some of your own, good for you!

WHAT IS HONORABLE:

1. Working your problems out with a difficult spouse so your children can see that there are adults who care enough to work things out. This also shows them marriage is no picnic at times.

2. Honoring your dreams by pursuing them.

3. Telling the truth even if you risk losing someone.

4.Telling your kids the truth instead of always acting like everything is fine and trying to protect them. Your kids see right through you anyways and they know you’re only protecting yourself. Also, no one was ever hurt from knowing too much truth; it’s the lies that do the most damage.

5. Telling some one you love them even if they don’t reciprocate it.

6. Being able to love that person who hurt and traumatized you.

7. Forgiving yourself fully.

8. Embracing yourself with all of your quirks.

9. Not running away from life.

10. After a relationship dies, still having hope that you will find love again.

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 93

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Expect the Unexpected from Me!

One of my daughters just turned 16 this week-end and to celebrate her day we had a costume party. I am one who doesn’t like to be put in a box. Weeks before her party we were brain storming for costume ideas. Eventually everybody decided on theirs and I still hadn’t quite decided who to dress up as. Then one night my son suggested I dress up as Slash since I already have hair like his. I laughed out loud at the outlandish suggestion and then I said to myself, ‘Why not??’ So that’s what I did and I had a blast. Saturday as I got ready for the party I was glad to have the chance to not wear any make up , wear my hair in its natural state-I didn’t use any of the hair products I normally do to relax hair as curly as mine and look as unattractive as possible. THAT, was so freeing and I dare say I enjoyed hiding behind the big hair and dark sunglasses. I also went as far as wearing fake tattoos only to find out that you really don’t need to get real ones when fake ones don’t come off too easily 🙂

So this week I dare you to do something so totally unexpected that you catch yourself by surprise..try it, it’s liberating!

 

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 91

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ROOSTER

Along time ago I was going through a rough time and I had a great friend from Texas. Rooster was his name and he had a bigger than life personality. I wondered a lot back in those day when my ship was going to come in. Rooster was a man who had lived live fully and now at the twilight of his life, he was doing his best to love people right where they were. One afternoon I visited him at his RV which was parked across the street from mine. He was having a tough time breathing because the Santa Ana winds were blowing the desert sand everywhere and this was messing with his very bad lungs. “Rooster,”  I asked,” when is my ship going to come in?” He paused, letting my question sink in for a few minutes then he starts laughing. I looked at him laughing with him not sure why but he had a contagious laugh so I couldn’t help it, Then he said,” Well darlin’ I’ve had several come in during my life time only they all ship wrecked later on.” That set us both off and we couldn’t stop laughing for several minutes. Then he stood up, his over 6 ft frame filled the 30 ft. trailer he called his home on wheels. He pulled me to him and gave me a big bear hug. I never had gotten hugged from my father so I closed my eyes and imagined that if my own papi was still with me, I’m sure that’s what it would feel like. I dedicate this post to my dear friend Rufus Maxwell AKA ROOSTER. I know you’re in heaven my dear friend and we miss your cock-a-doodle-doos you used to do every morning from your trailer. That seems like a whole other life time ago. Happy Saturday blog world 🙂

365 Snap Shots of Life Blog Challenge: Day 78

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Happy Sunday everyone! This is a picture I took when I visited  Rodeo Drive for the first time back in January. It’s funny how Hollywood can make something out of nothing. In reality Rodeo Drive is just another street on the map of the world. I took this shot to prove my point. If I hadn’t told you where this is, you would have thought, so what? This is just another street scene God only knows where. I left out anything that might give the street away on purpose to prove my point. Riding down Rodeo Drive with my whole family in tow in our SUV, along with other tourist who were doing the same thing, made this just another address.

365 Snap Shots of Life: Day 64

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THE HORSE THAT DAVE BUILT

When my kids were all at the age when they think you can do anything, they asked me to make them a horse. At that time they were all in love with Zorro and anything to do with horses. I am not at all handy with tools,but I did try to assemble a horse out of scrap wood their dad kept in the shed. Needless to say, it was a huge failure. When their dad came home that night, I turned the project over to him and he looked at me as if I had lost my mind. He laughed at my poor attempt but then he went to the shed and brought out more wood and he made a horse as our kids watched him. When he finished it a short while later, they all squealed in delight. That wood horse brought many smiles to my kids for a long time after that. Happy Sunday everyone

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012

365 Snap Shots of Life Blog Challenge: Day 60

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Technology is simply amazing. I wonder at times what heights technology will reach by the time I have grand children. I have a lot of family I have never met; some are in the USA, others in Colombia, my country of birth.  I really didn’t think I’d ever  meet some of these relatives. That is until recently when I traded in my lap top for a new one with a web cam. When I brought it home my kids were so excited because they informed me that now I’d be able to Skype. I decided right away to Skype my brother whom I have not seen since I was 2 years old. After that I couldn’t stop. Last night I met my niece for the very first time. Another miracle because up to this point I only knew of her by being friends on Facebook. It’s such an amazing feeling to look at someone I’m related to and it’s like they just dropped in for a cup of coffee and a chat. They say technology is shrinking our world and I agree. No longer do I write a letter and snail mail it to Colombia and wonder if the person will ever get it. Now, if I want to, I can chat face to face with the ghosts from the past. Now, that’s the kind of progress I like. So I dedicate this post to my beautiful niece  Johanna…it is so GREAT to finally meet you!

-Eva Santiago copyright 2012