April 2024 Inspiration 4 Life Magazine by Inspiration 4 Life

inspiration4life.org

April 2024

INSPIRATION 4 LIFE MAGAZINE

ALL OVER SA, TEXAS AND AROUND THE WORLD!

a t s e n Fi itio Ed

HEART OF GOLD STORIES NONPROFITS SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SAN ANTONIO EVENTS FILM & DOCUMENTARIES LOCAL CELEBRITIES

HEALTH, FITNESS & WELLNESS SPORTS & GAMES CULTURE, FOOD & MORE

Contents 3

RITA HERNANDEZ Editor’s Note (Cover Credit: Rita Hernandez)

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ANA BANDA South Lake Tahoe and North Lake Tahoe

ROSALIND RIDER It’s Already Done Ministries

SANDRA CERDA Life & Death. The Power of Words!

ROBERTA TAPIA Mary Kay

FIESTA Fiesta Guide

CAROL MOSES REED Unapologetic Street Gospel

Stay tuned for more great Issues of Inspiration 4 Life Newspaper. We will cover more amazing topics such as Ministries, Leadership, Communities, Local Heroes, Fitness, Beauty, Fashion, Sports, Events, Art, Gala's, Markets and so much more! Trademark and Copyright Laws Protect Inspiration 4 Life Newspaper. No part of this Newspaper may be reproduced without permission. Articles are submitted by Team Writers and images by Advertisers. Inspiration 4 Life Newspaper is not responsible for Content submitted. Copyright 2024

Editor's Note

CEO/Radio/TV/Web Host & Personality Hello everyone! I want to thank everyone for being a part of our Journey and our Online Digital Magazine. Our Magazine is simply here to inspire you and help be a Voice for everyone! We love to share your stories with the world. This is another wonderful Platform we have put together for you to enjoy. We are here to help encourage those who love to write but don't know where to start, have hidden talents as writers, editors, photographers, graphic designers and so much more, to be a part of our Magazine. We want to inspire you to embrace new talented writers as some will be sharing their stories for the first time. We also have experienced, amazing writers from around the world. Here at Inspiration 4 Life, we are a judge free zone and love to give others the opportunities to also live their dreams and passions. We have been trying to make this dream come true since 2010 but with so many obstacles that stood in the way, we managed to break barriers and still made our dream come true. We inspire you to never give up on your Dreams!

Rita Hernandez Editor-in-Chief

In this Magazine, you will read about some of our amazing Inspiration 4 Life Team, our Members, Partners, Sponsors, Advertisers and more. Inspiration 4 Life has covered the Eastside, Westside, Southside, Northside, surrounding areas and also around the world. There are no boundaries of the location and type of inspiration we will cover in our Magazine. We have covered it all after all these years. We have so many amazing people in our Communities of San Antonio, therefore we will always have stories for you. Inspiration 4 Life will always be thankful for our Local Heroes Segment on KENS 5 Great Day SA, Sunday Morning Show from 2011-2015. If you would like to be a part of our Magazine or have any questions, you can visit www.inspiration4life.org/Contact

Get Inspired! Be Inspired! Stay Inspired!

BUILD ON YOUR LAND….A LOT TO THINK ABOUT! ANA BANDA My name is Ana Banda and I am a Texas licensed Real Estate agent. I am licensed to assist you with all of your real estate needs. I do specialize in purchasing land, selling land and building on land in San Antonio and the surrounding areas. I work with a team that includes but is not limited to builders, mortgage lenders, designers, surveyors and other agents. I am a Texas born girl! I was born and raised here in San Antonio, Texas. Over my lifetime, I have experienced many day trips and weekend getaways to all parts of Texas. I truly enjoy my drives to the hill country. On a regular weekend, you can find me picking up my coffee and heading out to explore a nearby place. The love and curiousity of discovering new places has offered me pleasant memories and continued eagerness to learn more about my Texas home town. I am quite fond of learning the history of the land here in south Texas. Day trips are one of my favorites! Day trips to the hill country and surrounding areas consist of discovering new hiking trails, rivers, breath taking views, barbeque places, live music, antique shops and so much more! I appreciate meeting the locals and welcome their guidance for must trys in the area. Weaving through the country roads has offered me an advantage when searching for buildable land. Now, as a real estate agent, I see the land with different eyes. I take advantage of my love for day trips by always searching for possible investment opportunities for myself and my clients. My love for socializing, connecting and building relationships with the new people that I meet on my day adventures, has also broadened my reach. Just 30 minutes south of San Antonio, you will find the city of Poteet. Currently, I have two land listings in the city of Poteet, Texas. In the last year, I have frequented the city of Poteet on my many day trips. This is just one of many towns that surround San Antonio. It has been exciting to visit the city of Poteet and participate in some of the city’s events. I attended the groundbreaking event for a new city splash pad that will be opening this month at the city park. I also attended the free Cowboy Breakfast that brought the city’s community together for fellowship which included the enjoyment of delicious food options, drinks, entertainment and important resources for the community. This was all thanks to the local businesses. Just recently I was honored to sit and listen to some local Poteet residents who shared some fun facts and history about the city of Poteet. This event was held at the Poteet Public Library. It agree that is so important to capture the stories told by the residents

themselves. The people of Poteet show pride and excitement for the development in this

area. How exciting to visit a city and be welcomed by their city’s council! The Poteet mayor, the city manager, the council and local residents in this city have all welcomed me into their community. Some of the locals have informed me about how pleased they are with the City Manager, Melissa M Popham. Residents mentioned that they are excited for the changes and developments taking place for their city. Poteet the example of a town that embodies and represents the state’s nickname, “The Friendly State”. Poteet is so much more than the annual Strawberry Festival. Poteet is a gem of a town and I am pleased to see the community involvement and interest in preserving the city’s history and plans for its future. With my love for travel and exploring the hill country, not only am I bringing some exposure to some of the forgotten places but it allows for my search for possible land deals for my clients. Guiding my clients to build on their properties has become a passion of mine. As I continue to travel the Texas roads, I find that it only fuels my passion to be a part of the development of our state. I work with local builders, contractors, architects and agents to bring the build process to fruition for our clients. One of my team members is Melanie Simmons. Melanie and I have partnered up to assist with the build on your lot process. Melanie is a south Texas girl, born and raised in Freer, Texas. Freer, Texas is in Duval County and is about 2 hours south of San Antonio down Hwy 16 or Hwy 281. Before real estate, Melanie was in the medical field for 15 years. Melanie has a heart for helping families and has brought that heart over to her new role as a real estate agent. “Every home buyer and seller has their own story” she adds, “being in this business allows me the opportunity to take care of my clients with care, compassion and trust.” When deciding on your new home, Melanie and I want to encourage you to think outside the box! We want you to consider building your own custom home on your land as one of your options. Building on your lot can be affordable, and we would love the opportunity to show you how! You will have a LOT to think about, but Melanie and I will walk with you every step of the way. We will be hosting upcoming meet the builder events and informational sessions. We look forward to offering knowledge and guidance to our community and are excited to be the resource for your build on your lot projects! Stay tuned for more real estate topics. If you have any questions please reach out to me! You can reach or follow me: Phone: 210.316.8432 Email: anabandamedia@gmail.com FB: Ana Banda, Realtor at LPT Realty LLC. Hablo Español. Melanie Simmons, Realtor at LPT Realty LLC, 210.797.0040. Publications: www.streettalkmagoftexas.com Email: anabandamedia@gmail.com www.inspiration4life.org/magazines

THE BEST GIFTS ALL YEAR LONG!

Life & Death The Power of Words! By Sandra Cerda I guess my journey with a love for writing began in the 5th grade and had a major turning point by the 9th grade. The three most influential people in my early education happen to be two Language Arts teachers and a Music teacher, as well as Mrs. Gump from my school, Beacon Hill in San Antonio. Then I met the Lord. I somehow would always turn to writing or music and would pen through seasons of my life. Hard and troubling times, times of love, and of frustration, times of darkness or despair ~ and would see the hand of God through it all . I couldn’t always see that I didn’t always know God’s presence like that. I work hard to line my pages with prayerful hope that a person would begin to see God more clearly than ever before, that in the very middle of trying circumstances, God’s spirit would quicken you, remind you of his ability to come through for you. My hope is that in the very moment of your need, a spark, a song would rise in your heart and you would feel the refreshing touch of his mercy, lift you up! That is his presence! I am learning more and more, the ways of God; how he is with me in literally every breathing moment of my life. Many of the most difficult times have come when my children have gone through great tests and trials in life. Having faced and endured great, great difficulties, as many others have, I’ve found that a very calm, reassuring strength rises through me, to lift me, reminding me that through it all, God is merciful, and good. Like the time I stood at the foot of my son’s hospital bed, with no medical hope for his recovery after a four-time rollover accident. My husband was told to prepare us all for my son would not survive the night. But I didn’t know that. I didn’t know we had already lost him at least three times before surgery and once during surgery. All I knew was my son’s head was wrapped in blue from brain surgery and we needed a miracle, we needed to grab a hold of God for my son. 12

Or the time another son was kidnapped and tortured for eight days while I listened and recorded the torture, praying. Praying for a miracle. Praying for mercy. Pleading the kidnapper would stop and release my son. Or the time a daughter began to suffer strokes, three of them in all. Or the time another daughter began to suffer seizures for no apparent reason. We needed the God of miracles to step-in, to intervene. Doctors were clueless but we knew there was a God of mercy and we needed him quickly.

There is a place in God where we all retreat to hear his voice. Moments where time stands still and you find yourself settling your faith for the journey ahead.I don’t know how I came through so many years without the Lord in my life, before accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. How I survived. It was a very personal decision at the cross-roads of my life over thirty years ago. We all face those cross-roads sooner or later. I know those days have made me strong and able to withstand great adversity. Those trying moments, where no one can come through for you but God have a way of forging you and shaping you into the person you truly ought to be. No one can face that place for you or make that choice for you. My prayer life has been shaped by so many difficulties where I’ve seen the Lord bring me and my family through. Somewhere between praying and standing in faith, a shift occurs in my spirit and I find myself thanking God for the answer before any change has occurred. Sometimes I don’t think anything really begins to happen as a result of praying until this shift has occurred. As I am reminded of God’s faithfulness in the middle of my prayer, my own faith is stirred and rekindled to believe for the impossible, to reach further into the God-kind of faith. And God comes through, without fail. What a tremendous God we serve! My sons survived and are thriving today, my daughters are free from their strokes and seizures. They’re all healed by the hand and mercy of God! Despite our situation or the details of our pain, and circumstance, despite what angers us about life and all its unfairness, God remains true to his people and will see us through. I’m so grateful to my San Antonio teachers back in the ‘70’s, Bonham Elementary, Beacon Hill, Woodlawn Hills, Horace Mann and Longfellow! Like many kids, we moved a lot! I am all about the place where refreshing touches our soul and we are again enabled to take on the task before us: to be a light in a dark place, where others can find their way to hope in Jesus. I want to be able to say at the end of the race, I have finished well. Let us journey to the place where the waters of faith run deep! Waters to swim in! Refreshing that can only come from the Father, as he covers his child. Peace in the midst of the storm. Taken from the book, Water Me, Lord ©2013 All Rights Reserved. Available on Amazon. You can learn more about me and my work online at www.MaryMagdalene.Film 12

EDNA LUGO Edna Lugo is a contemporary cultural artist who was born in Queretaro, Mexico, and now is based in San Antonio Texas. She is an accomplished musician, stained glass and paper Mache artist and most recently, an emerging successful silversmith. When Edna turned her sights to silversmithing in 2022, she sought the help and guidance of legendary master silversmith, Art Tafoya. Her inspirations come from the world around her, most notably the natural world. Edna’s intricate pieces, using sterling silver and natural stones, feature elements such as flower, birds, tigers and horses. Edna Lugo Studio / Facebook / Instagram Email ednalugoarts@outlook.com Ph 210-996-4830 PO box 242 30131 Bulverde Lane, Bulverde, TX 78163 www.ednalugostudio.com

Hi there! I'm Roberta Tapia, a proud mother of 3 incredible young adults. For the past 23 years, I've been married with my high school loving husband Mario Tapia. With a heart for helping others, I dedicated 24 years of my life to the medical field, where I found fulfillment in making a difference in people's lives. However, about 1 year and 7 months ago, I embarked on a new adventure with Mary Kay, and it's been nothing short of amazing!

Being a part of

Mary Kay has allowed me to combine my passion for skincare and beauty with my desire to empower and uplift others. I'm thrilled to continue this journey and share the joy of Mary Kay with everyone I meet. Join me as we celebrate beauty, confidence, and the wonderful journey 20

of life together!"

Born and raised in San Antonio, Alison has maintained her passion for two things, jewelry and serving others. In every interaction, you can be sure to feel Alison's passion of wearing a timeless quality chain that is as unique and vibrant as the person who wears them. Each piece tells a story and if you are lucky enough to hear Alison's story, you too will find that there is no better time to be your very best self, than now!

MODISH AURA DESIGNS PERMANENT JEWELRY WHAT IS PERMANENT JEWELRY?

THE PROCESS INVOLVES WELDING TOGETHER DAINTY BRACELETS, NECKLACES, ANKLETS OR RINGS SO THAT THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED A LA CLASP. A TRAINED WELDER LINKS TOGETHER A TINY "JUMP RING" THAT SECURES A CUSTOM FIT CHAIN. TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT OR PRIVATE PARTY, CONTACT ALISON: FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM @MODISHAURADESIGNS IN PERSON AT THE PAINTED TREE BOUTIQUES, SPACE P9 (NEXT TO NORTH STAR MALL}

Mi Familia at the Rim 18403 IH 10W Shop Local San Antonio Markets Saturday’s 10-9/Sunday’s 10-4

Brick at Blue Star 108 Blue Star Shop Local San Antonio Markets Saturday’s 10-4pm

May 4th & 5th May 11th June 1st & 2nd August 3rd & 4th September 7th & 8th October 5th & 6th November 1st, 2nd, 3rd December 14th & 15th

June 15th August 10th September 28th October 12th November 16th December 7th

Contact Rita Hernandez for Vendor opportunities. Text: 210-237-7496

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