Puerto Rico

Those of us who have experienced your magic will never stop singing your praises. Our flag always flies high, with its bright singular star. Glory to those Taino hands that labored. Glory to those black African hands that labored. Glory to those white Spaniard hands that labored. Because out of those hands, a people was born.

And glory to the hands that work and rebuild today, because out of their hands will come a liberated nation and people.

By: Gabriela Yareliz

We are a resilient people. We aren’t afraid to get our hands dirty.  We are a people who worked the sugar cane fields, picked the coffee, laid down the pavement on mountain roads; we created and manufactured medications, we have had some of those brilliant philosophers and thinkers, and more than anything, we are known as a people who have brought joy and music to the world. We are a beautiful nation, with a big heart. We are never afraid to get loud and dance even if our hearts are hurting.

Our government is not doing enough for Puerto Rico. In fact, the government has recently sent a message to Puerto Rico that it is not going to go out of its way to help, given the fact that the Jones Act will not be waived. I am asking for your support for my island and my people.

As seen on Tumblr, forwarded by Tumblr staff:

“Sometimes we feel powerless. 
This doesn’t have to be one of those times.
There are 3.5 million people in Puerto Rico (Americans, not that it matters) with limited or no access to potable water. And there’s a law called the Jones Act that is impeding supplies from getting through.
The law says that ships going between U.S. ports must be built in America, sailed by Americans, and fly the American flag. Problem is, only two percent of all the world’s cargo is carried by compliant ships. And most of those are off somewhere else.
President Trump can waive the Act to allow foreign vessels to dock. He waived it after hurricanes Harvey and Irma. He needs to do it again.

Please call your representatives and have them demand a waiver for Puerto Rico. Here’s how:
1. Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 and follow the prompts to reach your Senator/Congress Member.
2. Read the script below, filling in the blanks with your information.
“Hi, my name is [NAME], I am a voting constituent living in [CITY/TOWN] and my zip code is [ZIP CODE].
I’m calling to urgently request that [YOUR SENATOR / CONGRESS MEMBER’S NAME] please call DHS to demand an immediate waiver of the Jones Act so that additional rescue and relief resources can get to Puerto Rico.
The destruction caused in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria has been significant, comparable in scale to Katrina. The federal government’s response needs to be increased immediately. We cannot allow a Caribbean “Katrina” to unfold. The safety of 3.5 million U.S. citizens is at stake.
Thank you so much for your time. ​
3. If you can, please consider a cash donation.
These are all good charities:
United for Puerto Rico
UNICEF
Global Giving”

Referendum: Kurdistan

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September 25, 2017, referendum.

I support a free Kurdistan. Wishing the best for our Kurdish brothers and sisters. May you vote with your hearts, for a brighter tomorrow.

“What Being Kurdish Means to Me,” by Sazan Hendrix

“So you see, this referendum is more than just a vote for yes or no. My vote will be dedicated to the head of our family, my Grandfather Siyamand, who sacrificed his own life for Kurdistan, for the moment we are standing in front of right now. His blood along with the blood of so many has been spilled for far too long. This vote is for all of the families who have had to say goodbye to members of their own, the ones who sacrificed their existence for the safety and existence of Kurds and Kurdistan. I vote BALE (yes) for them.” Sazan

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[Image from sazan.me (linked above)]

May you be sovereign; may your people dance in the streets; may you be FREE.

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[First and last image are @hellyluv]

Pray

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Please join us in praying for our loved ones and families. May God give them patience and strength in this difficult time. May God give us peace, as many of us wait in uncertainty.

It is in the midst of these disasters that we see God’s presence, despite the bad. It was in my darkest moments where I felt His presence and saw Him work miracles on my behalf. May all who are suffering feel God’s love and presence. And may they experience their own miracles of light in the midst of darkness. These moments call for resilience, unity, and faith. As we work hand-in-hand, we live out religion in its purest form, love. To embody and reflect love, that is what we were created for.

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Autumnal Asks

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[Image from Tumblr]

Because tomorrow is the first day of fall– let’s celebrate!

autumnal asks
lantern – how did you meet your best friend? What were your first impressions of each other?

I met her in high school. We were total opposites. She was always talking in class, and I was the quiet one in the front row of our freshman English class. She doesn’t remember this, but she didn’t like my lunch box.

frost – if you could give some advice to your younger self, what would you say?

Relax. Things are going to end up being beyond your wildest dreams.

maple – is there a hobby / skill that you’ve always wanted to try but never did?

I wish I could dance like a professional.

harvest – what fictional character do you most identify with? Why?

Sira, from El Tiempo Entre Costuras. She is brave, she experienced loss, and she fought for everything she got. In the end, she lives an adventurous life that is beyond anything she could have planned for herself.

fireside – if you had your dream wardrobe, what would it look like?

Probably Caroline de Maigret’s closet.

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cider – a food that you disliked as a child but now enjoy?

Mushrooms.

amber – share an unpopular opinion that you may have.

We aren’t meant to keep in touch with every face we have ever met. Facebook sucks.

fog – next book you will read?

Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone

jack-o-lantern – if you could look like any celebrity, who would you choose?

I like the way I look. I would like to age as well as Monica Bellucci. She is 52 and looking like a queen.

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spice – a brand or two you are excited to try?

Glossier and Rouje

orchard – share one thing that you’d like to happen this autumn.

A stroll through fall foliage.

crow – which school subject do you wish you had an aptitude for?

No more school. I do wish I would have had a better grade in Criminal Procedure in law school.

bonfire – describe your dream house.

I don’t know. It should have a balcony or terrace where we can enjoy the outdoors. I want it to be clutter free. Simple. Filled with plants, light and life. Filled with love.

cinnamon – if you had to live in a time period different than the present, which would you choose and where?

England during Jane Austen’s time.

cobweb – (if you’ve graduated) do you miss high school?

Nope. They were nice times, though.

cranberry – what’s one physical feature that you get complimented on?

My eyes.

maize – share the weirdest encounter you’ve had with a stranger on the street.

A stranger once told me I had Natalie Wood’s eyes. We were outside of the Empire State Building.

quilt – how do you take your tea (or coffee)? Plain tea. No sweetener.

pumpkin – do you think that humans are inherently good or bad?

We are sinful creatures, but we were made for another, better world.

moonlit – are you a neat or messy person? Is your room / house orderly?

I am normal. My home is pretty clean. I enjoy cleaning. If there is stuff out of place, it is usually clothes or shoes.

flannel – have you ever gone on a bad date?

Yes. I went on one that felt like a job interview.

cocoa – something you would like to learn to make.

A pie.

ghost – autumn motto?

“Your energy introduces you before you even speak.”

Remembering Nabeel Qureshi (1983-2017)

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“All suffering is worth it to follow Jesus. He is that amazing.”

Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity

“Why this Muslim-turned-Christian speaker resonated with so many before his death at 34” By Ravi Zacharias, The Washington Post

Set Free

“Through the Redemption, God undertakes to deal with a man’s past, and He does it in two ways: by forgiving him, and by making the past a wonderful culture for the future.” Oswald Chambers, in Run Today’s Race

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Today, I read something that moved me deeply. You see, lately, I have been on this journey of how I can improve aspects of my life, my reactions, myself– and for some reason, it led me down this bizarre path of comparisons and self depreciation. It happens to all of us at some point in life. We start seeing our flaws glowing brighter and brighter, and what we want is one of those giant white eraser sponges to take away our grime and imperfections. We want to be our best for those we love. And sometimes, we need to hit a pause button before we go all Monica Geller on ourselves.

I read Romans 8:1-4, and it’s a passage I have read before, but scripture always offers us inspiration in the moment when we need it the most.

This passage says: There is no condemnation in Christ. The Spirit gives us life, and it has set us free.

Gary Thomas writes in his book Cherish, “In Christ, our self condemnation offends God; it doesn’t please Him. To walk in condemnation is to call God a liar and Christ’s work insufficient. […] Saved sons and daughters [are] growing more magnificent every day as they are eventually made perfect by Christ Himself at the end.” (pg. 134)

I needed that today. Maybe you do, too. So here is a quick reminder, that you are made perfect in God, through His working in you. Some of us strive too hard for perfection and just end up hurting ourselves and those who love us.

Next time you want to talk down on yourself, remember, there is NO condemnation in Christ. You have been set free by love.

“Live! Come alive!”

“A good marriage, if we cherish each other as God cherished Jerusalem (see Ezekiel 16), is to proclaim to our spouses, ‘Live!’ We see them in their very weaknesses, and even ocasional ugliness, breathe life into each other and refresh each other. Dormant parts of our spouses’ personalities and giftings can come alive under our support and encouragement.

Too many marriages instead breathe death– death to self-esteem, death to peace, death to joy. Our disappointment leads us to attack each other for what we are not, while cherishing grows the best parts of our giftings into their full power and adornment. A good marriage, a cherishing marriage, says to each partner, ‘Live! Come alive! Be all that God made you to be!'” Cherish, pg 94 (A Bride Made Beautiful) , by Gary Thomas

Saying This Once

By: Gabriela Yareliz

As my friend Milica used to say, “I AM ONLY GOING TO SAY THIS ONCE,” so listen up:

Today is yours. No more wasted emotions, thoughts and words.

You are more powerful than you think, and it’s time to acknowledge that. Be emboldened.

Step out of the box you were put in. Take items and people out of the boxes in which you put them.

Use your passion to live a passionately joyeous life. Be intense with your laughter.

Don’t worry about the past; it only shades you if you let it. Step out into the sun.

Someone chose you. Trust their choice, and stop trying to fix yourself.

If something takes away your peace, then it’s too expensive.

You don’t have to be older, thicker, speak a certain language or have a certain personality. You are 20-something, strong and speak enough languages to manage the UN on your own. #worldpeace

Just because things are happening differently than what you envisioned, doesn’t mean they aren’t still fabulous.

Plan, but also, stop planning. Live.

Educate yourself to arm yourself, and then, go win your battles.

Life isn’t perfect. That’s ok. You will be ok.

Don’t lose yourself in your job, in a city, in an image, in a number or in anything else.

Go after your dreams. There are no limits.

Cook until you run out of ingredients. Then buy more.

Stop bringing up past wrongs. Let things go.

Show others the kindness you want to receive.

Stop weighing yourself. Stop criticizing yourself. You are beautiful, so treat yourself as such.

People’s disrespect says nothing about you and everything about them.

You don’t always have to cut your hair or change your look. It’s okay to settle into something for a while. It shows you are committed. You’ve donated enough hair for wigs, now, keep your hair. It’s ok to keep your own hair. You don’t always have to be giving something away.

Every time you spend time in God’s presence, He blesses you with peace. Every time. Don’t let anything or anyone rob you of your blessing.

Be a flamingo.

Wear your glasses. People who wear glasses know everything.

Live life on the edge, sometimes. I dare you to let your phone battery reach 2%.

Forgive those who can’t love you in the way you need them to.

Know that you are never alone.

(What would you tell yourself?)