Heat Wave Texts

By: Gabriela Yareliz It feels hotter than hot in NYC, lately. Also, how is it almost July? Truly. This is our PSA that summer is waiting for no one. As talk of mayoral election swirls in NYC, people are already looking toward fall. It’s insane. We still have three months of crazy heat left. TheContinue reading “Heat Wave Texts”

Florida Forever

By: Gabriela Yareliz The Florida Panthers are back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. I told you guys, they are undeniable. One of the TNT commentators (I think it was Lundqvist) said this team is a masterclass in teamwork and the game of hockey. They are. This team is fierce. Their coach— iconic. Underlying everything is their belief.Continue reading “Florida Forever”

Snoopy

By: Gabriela Yareliz I am staring at this girl who has used her bronzer like self tanner as this train barrels toward the bridge tunnel. I forgot my bronzer, I think to myself. I did not forget my self-tanner. It’s one of those mornings. I woke up feeling like I had had a stroke (orContinue reading “Snoopy”

Forecasting

By: Gabriela Yareliz Last night at church, Erwin McManus reminded us of something powerful— our hope and anticipation for the future is tied to whether we believe God is good. Erwin walked us through Ezra, where the people of Israel laid the foundation for the new temple (the temple known as the inferior temple. Ironically,Continue reading “Forecasting”

Contribution

By: Gabriela Yareliz Why does the world breathe easier today because you are in it? This was a question that came up in Dr. Amen’s brain course, which I am finishing up. The world isn’t fair, the course reminds us (hilarious that they thought we needed that reminder), but rather than looking for what isContinue reading “Contribution”

Florida Heat

By: Gabriela Yareliz Even if two teams play brilliantly, only one wins. There will always be someone who falls second. Even if it’s barely second in a game that goes into overtime. (Overtime is something we can talk about later— life sometimes feels like an OT. You are exhausted, but still in the game, fightingContinue reading “Florida Heat”

Only the Brave

By: Gabriela Yareliz I loved this message from Erwin McManus. It was a powerful reminder of the call to courage, and the role our measure of courage plays in laying hold of the life God can help us achieve. The interesting thing is courage is a decision. It is up to us. The message isContinue reading “Only the Brave”

Whole

“Entitled people are never happy.” Dr. Amen brain course By: Gabriela Yareliz We live in a “blame-y” culture (borrowed the term from Emma Grede). It’s someone around us who is to blame or the government. We complain about things for precious hours we won’t get back. We become overly absorbed in pointing and feeling cheatedContinue reading “Whole”

Hints of Camouflage

By: Gabriela Yareliz Memorial Day had me thinking about military culture and the strong influence it has in general American culture. Honor, duty, and service are keys to the American spirit. If you go into environments where perfectionism thrives, you will find hints of military culture: a school, sports, a summer camp, a church orContinue reading “Hints of Camouflage”