Friday Glee: January 1, 2016

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Good morning! Happy New Year! As we start a new chapter, I wanted to share some words that have inspired me. May your year be one of spiritual growth and victory.

“Do not give way to fear.” 1 Peter 3:6

“In fact, if you feel a little scared, then you’re probably on the right path. Of course it’s scary. It’s vulnerable. It’s naked. God calls us to stop hiding, to stop dominating, to trust Him, and to offer our true selves.” Captivating, pg. 143

“We do not always get what we want, but that doesn’t mean that we no longer want it. It means we stay awake to the unmet longing and ache. Wait there. Invite Jesus to come there. And He will come. Not always to satisfy us by giving us what we want. But to come Himself; to meet us with His very Person and to satisfy us with Himself… The waiting doesn’t diminish us. As a pregnant woman is enlarged in her waiting, so are our hearts. He [God] is after something much more valuable than our happiness… He is restoring and growing in us an eternal weight of glory. And sometimes…it hurts. But the experience of sorrow in no way diminishes the joy of living. Rather it enhances it.” Captivating, pg. 145-146

“Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks–we will also find our path of authentic service in the world.” Parker J. Palmer

 

“Water is powerful. It can wash away earth, put out fire, and even destroy iron.” Arthur Golden

Be open. Be authentic. Be pure and strong like water. Invite Jesus into the gaps in your life. Grow radiant through waiting. Walk hand-in-hand with the Savior this year.

I hope that at the end of this new year, someone looks at me and says, “She spent another year living in the presence of God.”

¡Gracias 2015!

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By: Gabriela Yareliz

I am about to fall asleep, and I probably won’t wake up until it’s time to see Dilip, Prateek and Harshul. I can’t wait to see these guys. ❤  (This is why sports reporting is the best kind of journalism. You watch a good game, get inspired, watch and travel with amazing athletes who become friends for life). While I wait for these men and 2016, I thought I would give 2015 a proper goodbye.

God, you did some amazing stuff in 2015. Thank you.

I am grateful because my family is well, we are close, and my brothers are growing up to be good men. I am grateful for all we have experienced together and for our summer full of travel and new places. Texas, you were amazing.

I am grateful for having had the opportunity to travel to Florida several times and because I was able to see high school friends on some of these visits. It’s such a blessing to keep friends from high school and undergrad. Friends that become family give life brilliant color.

This year, I graduated with a doctorate and began my professional life in the career of my choice. I love what I do and the people I get to do it with. I witness miracles every day.

I found my first grey hairs, and I finally had time to read more new books.

The year was filled with health.

I am grateful for the “failures” and the things I tried. I am grateful because I choose to grow every day.

I am grateful because I am finding strength in vulnerability.

I am grateful for all of the laughter, hope and new dreams.

I had many answered prayers this year, including meeting new friends and finding a new place of fellowship and spiritual growth.

I am excited about the person I am and the woman I am becoming. I am grateful to God because He has guided my every step, and He walks with me. He never gives up on me. I am grateful to have a family that encourages me, and a mom who is my best friend.

Thank you reader friends for your love, support, letters, texts, emails and time. The blog’s readership grew a lot this year. Thank you for taking the time to read my quirky stories and insight, for laughing with me, for reflecting with me and for sharing.

And I am so excited. I am excited about the new hopes, new dreams, new experiences and new growth that is coming in 2016. I can’t wait for more laughter, more trust, more service, more sharing, more beauty, more family, more friends and more prayer.

I want us to give more love, inspire faith and continue to expect miracles.

2016, you will be utterly fantastic. Bienvenido.

And to my favorite cricket players in the world, I can’t wait to celebrate the new beginning with you! *waiting impatiently with a grin on my face*

[Imagen de Fórmula TV]

Reflections Before Bedtime #58

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“And the more I considered Christianity, the more I found that while it had established a rule and order, the chief aim of that order was to give room for good things to run wild.”

G.K. Chesterton

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I deal with people, day in and day out. I get to see the consequences of people’s choices, and sometimes, how crazy things can come out of nowhere– though it be no one’s fault. Usually, though, there was a choice made by someone somewhere along the way.

Things change, people change, and one decision can make life a burden. One decision can also bring you inexplicable joy you forgot was possible.

Simple things can be encouraging and inspiring. Change can happen quickly, and it’s not always bad. Change often means growth. It can also be well-deserved and providential, almost.

I have seen that one action can change the course of everything.

And a lot of things in life, believe it or not, are once-in-a-lifetime. The most important ones are.

Never forget to choose what matters most.

Make choices that “give room for good things to run wild.”

[Image from Tumblr]

Monday Inspiration: December 28, 2015

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By: Gabriela Yareliz

A new week. New opportunities to be who we want to be. Every choice, every minute, every word, every gesture. Fresh, clean slate.

Recently, I have been enthralled with the beautiful nature I have witnessed. I saw clear skies, at times there were clouds that looked painted in, a glowing sun, a moon with a halo around it, flowers in full bloom– amazing stuff. All so inspiring.

God doesn’t just make things; He makes masterpieces.

The new year is coming this week. I am so excited. It’s fantastic to reflect on all that has been lived and realize that even more amazing times are coming. It’s amazing to reflect on all the pain endured and know that you are that much stronger.

There will be some hard work, some rest, some risks, some assurance, some tears, some laughter, some heartbreak, some love, and we will be filled with the fullness that is life when we pick up of the presence of God that is always near the heart that seeks it.

This week, I am wishing you: delicate beauty, walks at noon under a warm sun (even if it’s just a ten minute break), yummy food, deep rest, intoxicatingly good conversation and a bond with someone so special that the love you have for him or her makes you grow, and it inspires you to be extraordinary. 

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“One of the hardest things you will ever have to do, my dear, is to grieve the loss of a person who is still alive.”

My father’s advice #1 (via northern-proper)

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“If you hesitate between me and another person, don’t choose me.”

(via bl-ossomed)

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“You belong among the wildflowers. You belong in a boat out at sea. You belong with your love on your arm. You belong somewhere you feel free.” Tom Petty

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“I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far–I will find you.” Nathaniel to Cora in The Last of the Mohicans

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“Even to see her walk across the room is a liberal education.” C.S. Lewis

“Romance is the deepest thing in life. It is even deeper than reality.” G.K. Chesterton

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“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” God (Jeremiah 31:3)

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[Images from Tumblr]

Sunday Girl: December 27, 2015

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Just arrived to NYC. I am on a random bus. #adventure

I am in a Cheryl Strayed kind of mood.

        “I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave.”

Cheryl Strayed, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

2016 on the mind

Inspired by the sermon “A Spiritual Vantage Point” by Pastor Dan Graham

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Hello friends,

First things first, the verses that inspired this long letter to you:

Philippians 3:13-14: Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead; I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Our focus will be the part in verse 13 that says, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” I hope that in this new year you are inspired to keep pressing forward knowing that, as C.S. Lewis says, what lies ahead is better than what is behind us.

I think that what Paul is saying in Philippians as his death drew near was that it’s important to see how God has led us in the past, but we should leave the past exactly where it belongs as we move forward. The minister I heard speaking about these verses pointed out that this means our past “failures” and mistakes but also our past successes. There are many ways that we can remain stuck on what was or what we think should be or what we think should have been. We always have an idea of how things should work and unfold.

God wants us to see the present as the best moment, regardless of where we find ourselves, knowing that He has placed us and allowed us to reach the point where we find ourselves. That no matter what, when we let Him take control, He can make something out of what seems like nothing.

Failure, to me, is only when I stop trying. Hope is the most important thing of all. Life has a way of surprising us and being magical.

Recently, I heard about how Michael Jordan didn’t make varsity; Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper because he wasn’t “creative” enough; Steve Jobs and Bill Gates had their ups and downs before hitting it big, and Spielberg eventually got an honorary degree from a university that rejected him three times. Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein were called hopelessly unintelligent, and Fred Astaire was told he couldn’t sing or dance.

I am sure you know all of this, and I hope you continue striving in this new year for all of those dreams and hopes you have glowing in your heart. Your dreams coming true, that doesn’t depend on anyone but God. God knows all things, and He withholds nothing good from those who love Him.

Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” While this has a context in reference to eternal life, I firmly believe God has a purpose for each one of us, and He delights in showing His glory and power through the fulfillment of our purpose and the fulfillment of the dreams He has placed in our hearts. I don’t think there is a defining moment where everything is fulfilled, but that life is an incredible journey, where our purpose is fulfilled moment by moment and day by day. You are living your purpose right now.

Through this building of a life, He wants us to expect more of Him so He can reveal more of Himself to us. He is constantly giving us His best as soon as we are able and ready to receive it.

And as always, in this new year, may you keep your eyes on the prize. Always looking to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith. He who can do more than you ask or think– He who holds the worlds in His hand. Nothing is too hard for Him.

You can do anything. You know that. But just a reminder–in case you ever forget.

I am looking forward to 2016! The best is yet to come. There is healing, hope, joy and miracles waiting. Of that, I am sure.

Merry Christmas

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Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

Dear friends,

I am wishing you a warm and beautiful Christmas. May you find the peace that only God can give.

I am sending you love from sunny Florida.

May your Christmas be all about Jesus, family, forgiveness, love, grace, truth and hope.

xoxo,

Gabriela Yareliz

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Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz
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Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz

May you embark on a beautiful journey where the awe and wonder never end.

Reflections Before Bedtime #57

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Belongs to Gabriela Yareliz. My favorite shade of blue. Florida blue.

“New beginnings tell the story of grace, mercy, and forgiveness—gifts from a loving Father who is worthy of our faith, even when we cannot see what lies ahead.”

Debbie Eaton , Advent Day 4 | She Reads Truth