INSPIRATION 4 LIFE MAGAZINE
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!
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.
Rita Hernandez
Editor-in-Chief
If you would like to be a part of our Magazine or have any questions, you can visit www inspiration4life org/Contact
ATHENA INSURANCE GROUP
Athena Insurance Group is a partnership between my daughter, Jacqueline and I since 2023 Jacqueline earned a Bachelor of Arts in Medical Humanities and a Master of Health Administration. She currently works in a hospital setting and enjoys helping people in need. I hold a Bachelor Degree of Social Work and Master of Education. I, Rosie, recently retired after 30 successful years as an educator. We love to inform, educate and assist people which led us to move forward as health educators. Our mission is to impact the lives of individuals and their families by securing their wellbeing and protecting their loved ones. We offer our services to clarify any doubts or questions about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), Medicare, whole life insurance, mortgage protection and retirement planning We are inspired by our passion to serve our community and enhance their quality of life and protection for an overall equilibrium We are more than happy to assist you with any inquiries at no cost to you and we can be reached via phone or email. Thanks in advance!
ROSIE L. ALMAZAN- 210-538-4423
EMAIL: ROSIEALMAZAN333@GMAIL.COM JACQUELINE ALMAZAN- 210-900-2177 EMAIL: ALMAZAN.JAC18@GMAIL.COM
Athena Insurance Group es una asociación entre mi hija, Jacqueline y yo desde 2023. Jacqueline obtuvo una Licenciatura en Humanidades Médicas y una Maestría en Administración de Salud. Actualmente trabaja en un hospital y disfruta ayudando a las personas necesitadas. Yo, Rosie, obtuve una Licenciatura en Trabajo Social y Maestría en Educación. Recientemente me jubilé después de 30 años exitosos como educadora. Nos encanta informar, educar y ayudar a las personas, lo que nos llevó a avanzar como educadores de salud Nuestra misión es impactar la vida de las personas y sus familias asegurando su bienestar y protegiendo a sus seres queridos Ofrecemos nuestros servicios para aclarar cualquier duda o pregunta sobre la Ley del Cuidado de Salud (Obamacare), Medicare, seguro de vida entera, protección hipotecaria y planificación de la jubilación Nos inspira nuestra pasión por servir a nuestra comunidad y mejorar su calidad de vida y protección para un equilibrio general Estamos más que felices de ayudarle con cualquier consulta sin costo alguno para usted y puede contactarnos por teléfono o correo electrónico ¡Gracias de antemano!
IDENTITY CRISIS! BY SANDRA CERDA
REMOVING THE MASK!
For many, October is the month to dress up in costumes and pretend for a day or so to be someone or something you’re not. Tradition has formed a variety of ways to express this charade, churches have Trunk or Treat, some will call it Fall Festival but for the most part it’s Halloween. If you’ve ever done a study on the origins of this time of the year you might be very surprised to learn how many people take it literally and perform multiple acts of true evil and how much evil this tradition is actually founded on. You would learn what each symbol means in this October time of the year and why it has become shunned by people of faith, as they too have discovered the truth.
In the Bible, Jesus asked his followers, “who do people say that I am?” and they each replied with well thought out answers and those that are very true. “Some say you’re John the Baptist, some say your Jeremiah, others say you’re a prophet.” Then Jesus asked them again, “but who do you say I am?” The answer that Peter gave would change his life forever. It was an answer that Jesus said came from God’s Holy Spirit and one that would be the foundation of the church, forever. Peter’s answer was, “you are Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The first question was asked to get to the second question, the truth. Not everyone knows you, but God does. Not everyone will speak the truth about you or even want to get to the truth, but God does. In our lifetime we can easily change or evolve from different forms of who we are as we grow and mature, but the essence of who we are remains the same. We are all on a journey, and at times we may even masquerade ourselves to be more than or less than our true selves. When we identify with the Lord, we become our true selves and our truest
nature begins to show up. This is the part I want to tap into more and more in my own life. I’ve been serving the Lord and living for God for well over thirty years, and I’m still growing and learning. I’m still changing more and more into the image that God originally intended for me, godly character, godly behavior and instincts and less and less of what my sinful nature pulls me toward. It’s a tug of war but one that can be overcome in your relationship with God.
I’ve done a little bit of everything; I think most people have. I’ve dabbled in the dark side as well, but there’s nothing like crossing over into a strong, healthy life in Christ. I call it, “a step at a time, a day at a time.” It takes decision making and life choices, as do all things, in order to turn your back on the way you’ve been accustomed to living and begin a fresh, new journey toward living right and doing right. It starts with removing the mask and trusting the Lord with who we really are. You’ll get some kick back from people who may refer to you as “holy roller” or say, “te crees ven santito”. That’s all normal and part of the journey, just keep moving forward. It takes a lot of character and spirit to move in the right direction for your life.
What do people say about you? How do they describe you? Do they know who you really are? In that same sense, what do you say about others? How do you describe people who are not in your circle? Do you really know them or is it something you’re repeating from words you’ve heard spoken behind their back? We face an identity crisis, of sorts, when people decide you are a certain kind of person, perhaps you have made them believe that by your own actions. At the same time, we live in a culture where people like “chisme” and often add to what they’ve already heard and make things worse, so the end result is so very far from the truth.
We all go through an identity crisis, sometimes more than once, but I believe it’s part of how we grow out of our former selves and grow into our new self. “Old things are gone, all things become new,” the Bible says. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.” Fall is the season for change! For many people, we are so ready for it and I believe this is a good time for it to take root in your heart. Take the steps necessary to open the door of your heart for the change that is long overdue. Today is a good day for it.
These scriptures can be found in your Bible in the books of Matthew 16:1316, Mark 8:27-29, Luke 9:18-20 and my favorite, 2 Corinthians 5:17. Connect with Sandra Cerda and First Time Authors on Facebook. Sandra is an author, publisher and screenplay writer. For more on her work, see Fig Films at www.MaryMagdalene.Film or visit her books on Amazon under Sandra Cerda, author.
Inspiration 4 Life Business Feature
Art by Blas & Rita FB:
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Angie Vivian
Puro Texas Charm
https://www.instagram.com/puro texas
charm
Facebook https://www facebook com/angie vivian 35
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Rhonda Short - Mature Diva Travel
Website: www.maturedivatravel.com
Instagram @thematuredivas
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheMatureDiva
TikTok @cruisingthroughmudlife
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Chiquita Bonita Snacks
FB: @chiquitabonitasnacks
IG: @chiquitabonitasnacks
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Catherine Pearl Castaneda
Catherine's Pearls
https://www.instagram.com/catherinep earlcastaneda/
https://www facebook com/thebloomingc actusboutiquequemado
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Tristan Ramires
Heart Chakra Healing
Instagram: @heart chakra healing
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Enchanting Sweets
https://linktr.ee/enchantingsweets
IG: @enchanting sweets by alex
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Antoinette Fashions
Website: www.antoinettesfashions.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/shoptoni1463
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shoptoni1463
Email: shoptoni@antoinettesfashions.com
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November Awareness
American Diabetes Month
Bladder Health Month
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Awareness Month
Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
National Epilepsy Awareness Month
National Family Caregivers Month
National Healthy Skin Month
National Hospice Palliative Care Month
National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month
Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
Prematurity Awareness Month
World Antibiotic Awareness Week (Nov. 11–17)
World Prematurity Day (Nov. 17)
GERD Awareness Week (Nov. 17–23)
Great American Smokeout (Nov. 19)
International Survivors of Suicide Day (Nov. 21)
National Family Health History Day (Nov. 26)
Contact Kerri Moody: Planning Appointment
NovemberFeature:MarlanaStricker
byAna Banda
Marlana Stricker is a local San Antonian, raised in Michigan, then moved back to San Antonio while in high school Marlana is a now a mother to 3 beautiful children, a community advocate and owner of Agape Media management
Marlana manages various business ventures, one in particular being Agape media management A g a p e First and foremost means Gods love & is an acronym for Assistance, Guidance, Advocacy, Personalization, Education Community advocacy is her key focus when it comes to guiding, educating and supporting local businesses, nonprofits & our community Marlana launched and is running Agape Media Management, since April 2024 which helps businesses grow their social media presence. She is also actively working on and opening a nonprofit called Mercy for all hearts of Texas Marlana adds that she “has come a long way in the 4 years advocating and helping locals find housing!” She is excited to continue serving our community on another level! “I help by advocating for the people God puts on my path, whether it be helping them with my social media services for their business until they can pay me, or by guiding them to resources or locating and assisting them in this journey called life ”
One beautiful attribute that shines with Marlana is her unwavering faith I admire her so much for this Marlana agrees that her it is her “faith that all things are possible through God who sustains and provides!” Her desire is to help others, from growing businesses and brands to supporting the community locate housing, and becoming a liaison for our neighbors to much needed community resources. Her passion for advocacy and supporting our brothers & sisters is the goal in every venture This holds true when I ask Marlana who her biggest inspiration is in her journey “The words of God!”, Marlana exclaims “So many scriptures stand out! “If I had to choose one, it is “what if it was you? What if that was me? Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself ” -Matthew 22:39 KJV
Marlana is intentional about her actions She adds that she practices asking herself, “if it was me in any situation what would I need help with? What would be an example of love & kindness, not judging in any instance and forgiving ”
Some of the biggest challenges in her line of work are being misunderstood. “When it comes to heart posture that is very important to me. Especially when it comes to our community, doing things with excellence and care.” Marlana wishes more people knew that in her work she not only does her job, but goes above and beyond the call of duty “Whatever we have to do to get you in front of the people, or get them into a home, we will be by their side every step of the way I love when I help my customers/neighbors meet and exceed their goals in their business or personal lives When we not only help people into a home but help them get their items in the home, or help them find the items to furnish their home God is good!”
As a business owner we may often think back and wonder how we could have done things differently or sooner If Marlana had to start her business all over again, she advises that she would “keep track of everything on an excel sheet from who she met, and organize everything in different sections and purpose Instead of spending hours, days, months organizing 5 years of information.” If anyone wanted to do what she does she encourages them to network and attend events that offer resources in helping their mission. “Remember it’s your mission, take your concerns to God and let him guide you The fast road isn’t always the easiest road Always stay organized, and create all your documents and processes as you start implementing them ” “Through experience comes revelation knowledge & wisdom”, she adds “Never give up! You are never behind! You are right where God wants you! He is always on time! Never forget to keep your home in order #1 God #2 you #3 Family #4 job/ministry ”
While Marlana is a community leader, she does seek guidance & mentorship from like-minded individuals “We encourage each other & educate each other. Seek Gods counsel in everything I do. If ’m confused about something I know it’s not from God. For he is not a father of confusion ” 14 How can people get in touch with you for more information? Marlana wants
to add that she is always inviting and welcomes more partnerships, help (volunteers), donations, love & support! She is always looking to learn from other social media platforms & partnerships with landlords that want to help with affordable housing, land owners that have a vision for transitional housing as well. Please reach out to Marlana at FB: Marlana Stricker IG: @MarlanaSticker Web: unitesatx.com search Agape media Email: agapemediamgt@gmailcom
Marlana is offering a starter bundle for anyone looking to hire a social media manager. You may find more info about UnitSATX.com search agape media or just call or Text Marlana at (726) 8880824.
Please join South Texas Business Partnership for this wonderful celebration on November 7th at Embassy at Brooks. Sponsorship and registration details will be posted soon!
Wednesday’s at 12pm on KLMO 98.9FM
Small Business Saturday & Sunday Market
Shop Local San Antonio is joining Mi Familia at the Rim for Small Business Saturday & Sunday Market to support our Local Small Business Vendors and to get your Christmas shopping done for the Holidays!
*Vendor/Market Hours Saturday November 30th 10-9pm Sunday December 1st 10-4pm
18403 I-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257 Mi Familia at the Rim 210-728-4700
