Remembering September 11, 2001

By: Gabriela Yareliz

It is September 11 today. Eleventh year since the tragedy that struck so many innocent lives.

Today, I went to the Night of Remembrance at the Manhattan Seventh-day Adventist Church, and it was phenomenal.

A lot of people showed up, and the musicians were wonderful. Poets shared (The Two Titans and Heroes were the poems of the night), musicians shared pieces they wrote and covers to other songs while the rest of us cried and sat there meditating on meaningful words.

I thought about how we can never doubt God’s goodness no matter how much sin and selfishness makes us lose in this world, and that we must remember, as my mom always reminds me, that God gave it all for us.

I remembered being on the air force base that day, eleven years ago, and how everything changed for all people in the military. The fear; the uncertainty; the goodbyes.

Politically, one can go into depths talking about this–but I won’t. I want to keep it focused on the people and lives lost and sacrificed; the true heroes who ran into collapsing buildings; the men and women who lived with fear in their hearts from then on–

While walking home tonight, when the street light made traffic stop, photographers would run into the street to take photos of the lights illuminating two light towers. Eleven years later they are still getting those pictures. Eleven years later we are reminded that the FRIENDS skyline is not the same. The sky in New York is healing. For now, we will sleep in the glow of the new Freedom Tower inspiring us to never forget the lives lost and inspiring us to never lose hope.

 

 

Desires

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Taken from the writings of Ellen G. White.

“Ask, then; ask, and ye shall receive. Ask for humility, wisdom, courage, increase of faith. To every sincere prayer an answer will come. It may not come just as you desire, or at the time you look for it; but it will come in the way and at the time that will best meet your need….

God answers, not always according to your expectations, but always for your good.—(Gospel Workers, 258.) – {Pr 188.2}

Nothing can drown the soul’s desire. It rises above the din of the street, above the confusion of the multitude, to the heavenly courts. It is God to whom we are speaking, and our prayer is heard.—(Christ’s Object Lessons, 174.) – {Pr 188.3}”

Rain–nothing ever grows without it…

Rachel Lampa Lyrics

It’s dark so you can see the light

and it’s hard
so you can know it’s right.
And rain, nothing ever grows without you.

I Didn’t think that the sun would rise,
I kept confusing all the truth with lies.
Something told me I just could not let go, now I know.
And holding on is gonna see you through,
So go don’t let go no matter what you do.
And Love through the anger, love through the pain.
Love through the storm and love through the rain.

It’s dark, so you can see the light and it’s hard.
so you can know it’s right.
And rain, nothing ever grows without you.
And hurt is just a chance to heal,
And tears are just a call to feel
And pain, Beauty’s just a word without you.

Yeah, Beauty’s just a word without you.
And the sun is breaking through the clouds,
can you feel it shining on you now?
You were lost and now you are found
and don’t forget ,no don’t forget.

Thoughts by Tony Evans:

You can take a seed and deocrate it, and there, you have a decorated seed.

But when the seed dies, when it is buried, when it breaks–then you see it in all of it’s glory. It becomes broken to grow and give fruit.

 

Alone

By: Gabriela Yareliz

 

Alone

Toad went to Frog’s house.  He found a note on the door.  The note said,

“Dear Toad, I am not at home.  I went out.  I want to be alone.”  “Alone?”

said Toad.  “Frog has me for a friend.  Why does he want to be alone?”  Toad

looked through the windows.  He looked in the garden.  He did not see Frog.

Toad went to the woods.  Frog was not there.  He went to the meadow.  Frog

was not there. Toad went down to the river. There was Frog. He was sitting

on an island by himself.  “Poor Frog,” said Toad.  “He must be very sad.  I

will cheer him up.”  Toad ran home.  He made sandwiches.  He made a

pitcher of iced tea. He put everything in a basket. Toad hurried back to the

river.  “Frog,” he shouted, “it’s me.  It’s your best friend, Toad!”  Frog was

too far away to hear. Toad took off his jacket and waved it like a flag. Frog

was too far away to see.  Toad shouted and waved, but it was no use.  Frog

sat on the island.  He did not see or hear Toad.  A turtle swam by.  Toad

climbed on the turtle’s back.  “Turtle,” said Toad, “carry me to the island.

Frog is there.  He wants to be alone.”  “If Frog wants to be alone,” said the

turtle, “why don’t you leave him alone?”  “Maybe you are right,” said Toad.

“Maybe Frog does not want to see me.  Maybe he does not want me to be his

friend anymore.”  “Yes, maybe,” said the turtle as he swam to the island.

“Frog!” cried Toad.  “I am sorry for all the dumb things I do.  I am sorry for

all the silly things I say.  Please be my friend again!”  Toad slipped off the

turtle.  With a splash, he fell in the river.  Frog pulled Toad up onto the island.

Toad looked in the basket.  The sandwiches were wet.  The pitcher of iced tea

was empty.  “Our lunch is spoiled,” said Toad.  “I made it for you, Frog, so

that you would be happy.”  “But Toad,” said Frog.  “I am happy.  I am very

happy.  This morning when I woke up I felt good because the sun was

shining.  I felt good because I was a frog.  And I felt good because I have you

for friend.  I wanted to be alone.  I wanted to think about how fine everything

is.”  “Oh,” said Toad.  “I guess that is a very good reason for wanting to be

alone.”  “Now,” said Frog, “I will be glad not to be alone.  Let’s eat lunch.”

Frog and Toad stayed on the island all afternoon.  They ate wet sandwiches

without iced tea. They were two close friends sitting alone together.

Lobel, Arnold. Days with Frog and Toad. New York: Harper Collins, 1979.

I Love Lawyers

By: Gabriela Yareliz

I love lawyers. Some of the people I most admire, belong to this noble profession.

The equalizier who taught forgiveness: Nelson Mandela -South Africa

The coolest Secretary of State, ever, and a woman who knew that with God’s help, nothing could stop her: Hillary Clinton-USA

The best president and humanitarian: Bill Clinton-USA

The Puerto Rican Patriot, whose life was cut short by the U.S. for believing in freedom: Pedro Albizu Campos-Puerto Rico

The “Wise Latina” in the Supreme Court: Sonia Sotomayor- USA

The famous Latin musician and advocate against injustice, in music and words: Ruben Blades-Panama

The father of a nation, who exemplified love and search for Truth: Mohandas Gandhi-India

The incredibly intelligent and beautiful President of Argentina (and former first lady): Cristina Kirchner-Argentina