November 2022

3900 N. 1st Street, Suite #2

Abilene, Texas 79603 (325) 673-4521 www.HispanicLifeMedia.com [currently under construction]

PUBLISHER

David A. Hernandez

EDITOR

David Hernandez / Debbie Heep editorial@hispaniclifemedia.com

ADVISING EDITOR AND ACCEPTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Amy Hernández Helen Holguin info@hispaniclifemedia.com (325) 673-4521 Office

ADVERTISING SALES

• Donna Lee (325) 518-8994 donna.lee@amclassabilene.com

• David Hernandez (325) 518-7091 sales@hispaniclifemedia.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT

Debbie Heep Sheila Baccus info@hispaniclifemedia.com

About Us

We are dedicated to serving the Abilene and the Big Country by providing up-to-date information and resources that promote healthy families and homes. We also promote our clients businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhanc ing their public images within the Hispanic com munity.

HispanicLife Magazine is published on a monthly basis and is owned & operated locally.

Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. HispanicLife and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors be yond the cost of the ad. HispanicLife does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, prod ucts or services listed in this publication. 2022 HispanicLIfe Media All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this

1 Chronicles 29:14

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

Let’s con centrate on the phrase “every thing comes from You.”

Did you see the video that made the rounds several

years ago where a man wakes up and so many things around him are wrapped as gifts? The light switch, his clothes, shoes, breakfast, family, briefcase, and car . . . all wrapped up. And the man was so excited and joyful to unwrap each one. He KNEW that everything he had was a gift.

I take so many “gifts” from the Lord for granted. Hon estly, if I think about it, it’s embarrassing. How often do we thank Him for the roof over our head, the comfy bed we sleep in every night, the water running in our homes, the vehicle we drive. Our health, while so many are struggling with theirs right now. Do I ever stop just to thank God that I can move an breathe and function?

Let’s really sit back and think about all we really should be thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

I need an attitude of gratitude! Lord, give me a thank ful heart!

HispanicLife Magazine and all the staff

The Great American Smokeout is November 17

By HealthAdvocateBlog

Quitting is tobacco isn’t easy, but you are not alone. The Great American Smokeout, an initiative from the American Cancer Society, is a way to quit alongside millions of people across the country. It is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November. Whether you choose to quit on this day, or plan to start your journey toward a tobacco-free life on another day, these tips can help prepare you.

•Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit and choose a quit method such as cold turkey, tapering, nicotine replacement therapies, or doctor-prescribed medication.

•Develop a plan that defines your goals, prepares you to quit and will hold you accountable to your commitment to be to bacco-free.

•Remember your reasons for quitting. Are you quitting because you want to live a long, healthy life? Whatever your reason, keep it top of mind all the time!

•Share your decision to quit with people who will support your

efforts. This could be your significant other, best friend, cowork ers, sibling, etc.

•Know your triggers. Recognize people, places and things that you associate with tobacco/nicotine—and avoid them until you feel confident that you can be around them without temptation. Consider these examples:

• People: If you have a smoking buddy at work, politely explain you’re quitting and that you won’t be joining them outside for your routine break.

• Places: If your vape spot is a particular chair on your deck or porch, avoid sitting in it or move it elsewhere to weaken its asso ciation with nicotine.

• Things: If you enjoy a chew or dip after your morning coffee, try swapping your coffee with tea or a brisk walk for a morning jolt of energy.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or about 1 in 5 deaths. Quitting tobacco is one of the best steps you can take toward a healthy lifestyle.

COMMUNITY

LOCAL PEOPLE AND EVENTS

Building a Dream

Oscar Abila had a dream. He built it on hard work, family strength and abundant generosity.

By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine

Creating a dream takes hard work, commitment and vision. Oscar Abila had all three. On Saturday, Novem ber 19, you can celebrate Oscar’s life and vision at his restaurant at 1665 State Highway 351. In addition to food specials all day you’ll find $2.00 beer, $1.00 small margaritas and free sopapillas with each meal. A photo display will help tell the story of Os car’s life and accomplishments.

Born in Ranger, Texas in 1953, Oscar grew up in O’Brien, north of Haskell. While working for Pride Pipeline in Rising Star, he started stopping by a particular convenience store every day where a young lady named Leti cia worked. They married in June of 1993. He passed away in November of 2021.

Oscar and Leticia moved to Abilene with Pride Pipeline, where he pur chased what became the family home. Leticia continues to live there and still uses the same landline phone number.

Oscar had three daughters: Susan, Laura and Melissa and two sons: Tim and Richard, from a previous mar riage. He and Leticia had one son, Roman. Roman and his wife Marisa have two sons: Avram, age ten and Adan, age six. He and Leticia share a total of thirteen grandchildren.

Oscar retired from Pride Pipeline af ter more than twenty-five years, but retirement was not for him. He went to work as the maintenance man at the former Days Inn. While there he stumbled upon a piece of property on State Highway 351. On that property he decided to build his dream.

Oscar had a passion for Mexican food. Armed with from-scratch recipes, Oscar and Leticia opened the first Oscar’s restaurant in November of 2004. His advertising tag-line stated,” If you don’t know Oscar’s then you don’t know Mexican food.”

“We suffered a lot during that time,” Leticia says. “We were very poor.”

Leticia worked the night shift in housekeeping at Abilene Christian University and had been promoted to supervisor. She regularly left work at 6:00 am and went straight to Oscar’s to work breakfast. She continued working at ACU for two more years, for a total of sixteen, before she quit to work in the restaurant fulltime, even though her boss didn’t want her to leave.

says.

Leticia’s sisters, Gladys, Hilda and brother-inlaw Nacho Castaneda joined the family busi ness in the early days. Nacho continues as the primary cook and both still work at Oscar’s. The restaurant employs a total of twenty-one. Oscar’s generosity showed itself daily. He

helped everyone he could, espe cially the Hispanic community. Bus passengers from the nearby Grey hound depot came in often with no money. He told them, “You don’t need money. Get whatever you want.”

When Oscar met someone who shared his dream, he helped them. That’s how more Oscar’s restau rants came to be. Mi Ranchito #1, off Ambler, opened in 2012. Mi Ranchito #2, on Buffalo Gap Road, opened in 2020. Oscar’s #2, also on Buffalo Gap Road, opened in 2021. Oscar and his son Richard were working on another Oscar’s location in Anson when he fell ill. After Oscar passed away Richard decided to go ahead because he believed that’s what his dad would have wanted.

Daughter-in-law Marisa teased Os car about owning his own car lot. He had a love for vehicles. He bought Leticia a 2014 yellow Camaro. He owned a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Ru bicon with custom lift and a 2008 Tahoe with custom life. His classic cars included a 1965 convertible Comet Caliente and his favorite, a 1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne pickup. He even occasionally drove his son Tim’s 2013 Camaro SS.

Grandchildren Mason, Dustin, Spenser, Aaron, Traie, Javier, Car rington, Chioma, Ladasha, Ej and Lewis have all helped in the restau rants over the years. The youngest, Avram and Adan have also started pitching in. No doubt, great-grand daughter Braylynn will have her turn as well.

Besides building restaurants, Oscar loved time at his lake house on Fort Phantom, where he took the grandchildren fishing, and at the family ranch house.

Make plans to visit Oscar’s on November 19. You’ll enjoy great food in memory of a great man.

“Oscar was so proud of making breakfast, es pecially huevos rancheros,” Leticia

Abilene’s Newest Radio Stations: Brand and Programming Reveal

By Alma Renta | Westex Communications

WesTex Communications is pleased to an nounce acquisition of a cluster of heritage Abilene radio stations, adding to its already popular 101.7 The Raider. The all new MY 106.3 will bring genres of mainstream Latino music that will be featured for the first time ever in our local radio market including Reggaeton, Salsa, Bachata, and more. Featuring local bilin gual hosts, My 106.3 will serve the diverse and vibrant Hispanic and multicultural communi ties of the Big Country.

The company also announces major changes to two heritage AM stations now under its own ership: KWKCAM 1340 is now Fox Sports Abilene, featuring programming from Fox Sports Radio, Kansas City Chiefs football, Texas Longhorn football, and Texas Rangers baseball. KZQQ-AM is now NewsTalk1560, featuring the latest newscasts every hour. The weekday lineup includes Brian Kilmeade, Dan Bongino, Ben Shapiro, and Officer Bran don Tatum. Weekend programming on New sTalk1560 features classic radio programs in cluding Dragnet plus a large variety of lifestyle programs in areas such as automotive, home improvement, science, landscaping, and more.

This unique combination of listener-targeted programming will allow us to partner with our local business clients better than ever to help them achieve their marketing goals.We invite all press to the grand launch of the all new WesTex Communications radio cluster includ ing the on-air format reveal of Latino 106.3 FM on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 10AM in our new state-of-the-art studio facilities at 4886 Newman Road in Abilene. Meet station lead ership and the air talent which will accompany you on the radio everyday. Hor d’ouevres and refreshments will be served.

Dyess Signs Intergovernmental Service Agreement with City of Abilene

By Senior Airman Mercedes Porter | 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

Col. Kevin Kippie, 7th Bomb Wing vice commander, and City of Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams signed an Intergovern mental Support Agreement (IGSA) be tween Dyess Air Force Base and the City of Abilene, Texas, Oct. 25, 2022. An IGSA is an agreement between a Department of the Air Force installation and a state or local government to provide, receive, or share installation support services.

“The IGSA strengthens our partnership with Dyess AFB, and is a tangible example of Abilene’s continued support for Dyess,” said Williams. “Our entire community benefits from this outstanding partnership, and the wonderful work of the Military Af fairs Committee in coordinating it.”

The IGSA between Abilene and Dyess AFB will allow the base a maximum ceil ing of $15 million for base sustainment services also marking it as the second blanketed IGSA ever in the U.S. Air Force. The agreement will begin starting the day of the last party’s signature then continu ing for the next 10 years. The money could go to improving civil engineering and lo gistics such as street repair, grounds main tenance and water supply. The IGSA will additionally offer force support services such as custodial, laundry and an auto hob by shop partnership.

“We appreciate our outstanding commu nity partners for their continued support,” said Kippie. “This agreement goes to show just how dedicated the City of Abilene is to improve not only the base, but also the lives of our Airmen and families.”

Drop-Off Sites to Open For Operation Christmas Child

By Naomi Wood | Samaritan’s Purse/Operation Christmas Child, Abilene Area Coordinator

More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during Na tional Collection Week, Nov. 14 – 21.

Operation Christmas Child has been collect ing and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys— to children worldwide since 1993. Anyone can pack a shoebox! In 2022, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

Individuals, families, and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible ex pressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox web page.

“Now more than ever, chil dren around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, pres ident of Samaritan’s Purse. “A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Participants can find the nearest drop-off lo cation and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The on line lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.

First Baptist Church Abilene 1333 North 3rd Street, Abilene, TX 79601

Monday, Nov. 14, [9 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Monday, Nov. 14, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Tuesday, Nov. 15, [10 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Tuesday, Nov. 15, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 16, [2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.]

Thursday, Nov. 17, [10 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Thursday, Nov. 17, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Friday, Nov. 18, [10 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Friday, Nov. 18, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Saturday, Nov. 19, [10 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Sunday, Nov. 20, [1 p.m. – 3 p.m.]

Monday, Nov. 21, [8 a.m. – 5 p.m.]

First Baptist Church Sweetwater 213 East 3rd Street, Sweetwater, TX 79556

Monday, Nov. 14, [4 p.m. – 6 p.m.]

Tuesday, Nov. 15, [4 p.m. – 6 p.m.]

Wednesday, Nov. 16, [4 p.m. – 6 p.m.]

Thursday, Nov. 17, [4 p.m. – 6 p.m.]

Friday, Nov. 18, [4 p.m. – 6 p.m.]

Saturday, Nov. 19, [12 p.m. – 2 p.m.]

Sunday, Nov. 20, [12 p.m. – 2 p.m.]

Monday, Nov. 21, [8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.]

Wylie Methodist Church 3430 Antilley Rd. Abilene, TX 79606

Monday, Nov. 14, [12 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Tuesday, Nov. 15, [12 p.m. – 4 p.m.]

Wednesday, Nov. 16, [12 p.m. – 4 p.m.]

Thursday, Nov. 17, [12 p.m. – 4 p.m.]

Friday, Nov. 18, [1 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Saturday, Nov. 19, [10 a.m. – 12 p.m.]

Saturday, Nov. 19, [1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.]

Sunday, Nov. 20, [1 p.m. – 4 p.m.]

Monday, Nov. 21, [12 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.]

Church of the Nazarene Hamlin 113 SW Avenue C, Hamlin, TX 79520

Monday, Nov. 14, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Tuesday, Nov. 15, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Wednesday, Nov. 16, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Thursday, Nov. 17, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Friday, Nov. 18, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Saturday, Nov. 19, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Sunday, Nov. 20, [3 p.m. – 5 p.m.]

Monday, Nov. 21, [9 a.m. – 11 a.m.]

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Sa maritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will collect its 200-millionth shoebox!

4 Funky Odors in Your House Only Your Guests Can Smell

You could be noseblind. Here’s how to find and eliminate the funk you can’t smell.

By Stacey Freed | HouseLogic

Stand in your kitchen and take a deep breath. Smell that? From last night’s fish to your son’s nasty lacrosse pads (why did he leave them on the table?), you probably can’t detect any of your home’s rankest odors. You’ve got nose blindness.

“You adapt to the smells around you,” says Dr. Richard Doty, the director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsyl vania.

On a sensory level, your processing mechanism becomes less sensitive to the continuous stimuli. Or, on a cogni tive level, you can become habituated to the smells and basically learn to ignore them. Or you can do both.

Here are some of the most common nose blindness culprits and how to ban them from your home.

#1 Pet Funk

There’s one easy way to tell if your home smells like pets: Do you have them? Then, yeah, unless you’re an ob sessive cleaner and groomer, your abode has at least some Fido funk. It could be pee, but more likely it’s just hair, gunky ears, and weeks-old slobber.

The first step to cleaning up pet smells is — sorry, pets — cleaning the pets them selves. Bathe and groom them regularly.

Then, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. If they have a favorite couch or cushion, cover it with a blanket and run it — and the cushion cover — through the wash weekly. Every time you vacuum, start with a hearty sprinkle of baking soda on the carpet.

And use that crevice tool liberally; pet hair loves tight spaces like the border between the carpet and the wall, the edges of your steps, and that little crack of space between the stove and your cabinets.

Hopefully urine isn’t the issue, but to be sure, you can use a black light to out any dried stains your pet was hoping you’d never notice.

Use more of that baking soda followed by a half-water, half-vinegar solution to neutralize the odor. Lots of people also swear by storebought neutralizers, like Nature’s Miracle.

#2 Mustiness

Fortunately, nose blindness only affects one of your senses, and you don’t need your nose to verify a basement with a musty smell.

Mustiness is caused by mildew and mold, which — for better or for worse — your eye balls can easily detect. Do a careful inspection of your basement, from the darkest corner to the surface of every cardboard box or book shelf. If you find gray or white splotches any

— an onion also will do the trick. Cut one in half and let it sit in a bowl in the room. The onion smell goes away in a few hours, and so will the dankness.

#3 Smelly Bedding

Similar to pet odors, knowing if your mattress could smell is easy: Do you have a human body with skin and oils? Do you sleep on it?

Eventually, all the dead skin and body oils you shed while sleeping are going to build up, and stink they will, especially if your bedding is older. You can’t exactly toss your mattress in the washing machine, so you’ll have to deal with it where it lies.

But there’s an easy fix: Sprinkle baking soda on it, let it sit for an hour or more, and then vacuum up the soda. (This works for memory foam, too.) Add a couple drops of essential oil to the soda (drip directly into the box and shake it well to mix evenly) for a pleasant smell. Bonus: Lavender has been shown to help you sleep.

#4 Fridge and Freezer Grime

It’s your fridge and freezer’s job to keep your food fresh, but they need a little help staying fresh themselves.

where, it’s probably mildew. If it’s fuzzy, (oh no!) it’s mold.

First, you’ll want to bust up those existing odors. Then, you’ll want to make sure they never return. Some elbow grease with regular household cleaner will scrub away mildew. Bleach isn’t the cure-all for mold. In fact, it can often exacerbate the problem.

To prevent mildew and mold from returning, consider running a dehumidifier or improving air circulation and sunlight exposure in the af fected area if possible.

For chronic mustiness, you can deodorize rooms by setting out bowls of vinegar, cat lit ter, baking soda, or — as crazy as this sounds

Itty bitty food bits hang out long after you’ve tossed the item from which they came. Although you might not notice the odor creep, you may notice your ice starting to taste funny or see those food morsels start to accumulate in the cor ners of your fridge shelves.

If you see or taste something icky, you can bet others can smell something icky.

To zap odors from from your freezer and fridge, unplug and empty them and do a thor ough cleaning with a mix of hot water and bak ing soda.

You can sanitize with a solution of one ta blespoon bleach and one gallon of water. Let it air out for 15 minutes. Try wiping it down with vinegar for extra odor eliminating, or even leave the door open for a few days.

What better excuse is there for a long weekend away or to treat yourself to takeout?

The Local Makes Preparations to Reopen

By Ashlee Reed | The Optimist, Abilene Christian University

The Local announced their temporary closure Oct. 10 citing COVID’s effect on the service industry and the staffing deficits affecting busi nesses throughout Abilene as the main factors for their decision.

A downtown favorite, The Local is known for offering a unique spin on traditional Mexican cuisine. The Local was established in Novem ber 2019, meaning that after only three months, it was shut down due to COVID in early 2020. Ever since then, pandemic restrictions stifled the vision that those like co-owner Alex Russell have for The Local.

We’re going to increase our operating hours, refocus our attention to the menu, the culture, the beverages, the overall experience now that we really have the op portunity to provide all of those again,” Russell said. “During COVID it’s so much been one or the oth er.”

Russell revealed The Lo cal’s updated vision during an all-staff meeting on Oct. 9. Over half of the staff was able to stay with The Local, including the entire back-of-house staff. Stopgap checks were offered to staff members who had to part ways due to these changes. Retraining began Oct. 19th.

“We were really hoping and presented it in a way that we were hoping to keep all of the staff and sort of go through a re-onboarding process,” Russell said. “You have to agree to continue with this job with new operating hours, new uniforms, a new menu that they’re going to have to relearn [and] a new general manager.”

During this temporary closure, co-owner and executive chef Cody Enriquez has his focus on revamping the menu. If nothing else, he wants The Local to diversify the type of cuisine of fered in Abilene and pair it with exceptional customer service.

“To give them a little piece of something they might not have experienced – that was always something that we catered to,” Enriquez said. “All the favorites that people love us for, those aren’t being altered because that’s the culture.”

Beverage director Jerron Johnson is exploring ways to make The Local’s drink menu even more culturally influenced and exclusive to their establishment. Educating his customers allows him to bring a new palate to Abilene.

“If I can show you what the Old Fashioned’s look like in Oaxaca, Mexico, that will defi nitely tailor more towards what it is that we’re

trying to do here, introduce that spin,” Johnson said. “So if you don’t have your passport and you can’t make it out there, we brought that back to you.”

This trailblazing team of three is eager to re open and serve the various needs of the down town demographic – from the breakfast and lunch break crowd to the date night couples. Enriquez has likened the temporary closure to repairing a plane – it can’t be done in the air. The plane must land before it can take off again.

“I think that’s what this new breath of fresh air brings to me is another way to reestablish the culture that we’ve set,” Enriquez said. “To stomp both feet in the ground like ‘We’re still here, and we’re not going anywhere.’”

The Local plans to reopen no later than Nov. 11. Their updated hours are Tuesday to Sat urday from 10 a.m. to midnight, closing for a transition period from 3-4 p.m. An all-day menu, as well as options exclusive to brunch hours and dinner hours, will be available. Fol low @thelocalabi on Instagram for updates.

at: (325) 673-4521 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

Elma Lidia Gutierrez, passed away on Monday, October 17, 2022, in Abilene, Texas. Elma was born on April 14, 1943, in Taft, Texas to Godofredo and Elidia Luna. She graduated from Martin High School in Laredo, Texas. She married the love of her life Eduardo Mario Gutierrez Sr. on July 6, 1963. Elma was a kind, dedicated mom, and military wife, who was supportive of her husband during his military deployments. She loved ani mals and always had a book to read. Elma is preceded in death by her parents; son, Eduardo Gutierrez Jr.; and sister, Yolanda Vargas. Elma is survived by her husband, Eduardo M. Gutierrez Sr.; son, Ricardo M. Gutierrez; grandchildren, Antonio M. Gutierrez, Rhiannon M. Han son and husband, Ryan; great-granddaughter, Astrid L. Hanson; sisters, Angelica Perez, and Leticia Guardiola; and numerous, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Faustino Lerma Jr, 82, of Hamby, Texas passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, after a courageous battle with cancer the last several months. He died at home surrounded by his loved ones. Faustino was born in San Ygnacio, Texas on January 7, 1940 to Faustino Lerma Sr. and Elia Martinez Lerma. He was the only son and broth er to three sisters. Faustino was no stranger to hard work even as a child, picking crops with cousins and family to help sustain their home. As a young man, he enrolled in the United States Army and served his country for several years. He worked for the US Post al Service two different times, finally retiring after many years of service. He married Minerva Garcia in 1967, with whom he had 5 children. He was known as Grand pa Lerma to 14 grandchildren and several great-grand children. He will be very missed by his family and friends that knew him, but we now rejoice in the fact that he will suffer no more. He has joined his Maker and will reunite with loved ones gone before him. Faustino is survived by his wife of 55 years, Minerva Lerma, his children Luis Lerma (wife Annette), Elia Smithson (husband Bob), Minerva Milne (husband John), Norma Kilgore and Faustino Lerma III. He was preceded in death by his par ents Faustino and Elia Lerma and his 3 sisters Belen Cardonita, Abigail Arredondo and Martha Mendoza.

Jose Ayala, Jr. 77, passed away Thursday, Octo ber 13, 2022 in Abilene.

Jose was born in Tahoka, TX to Jose Ayala, Sr. and Frances Lozano Salazar on October 17, 1945. He graduated from Ector High School in Odessa in 1963. He married Victoria Es trada on February 24, 1990 in Abilene. He served in the Unit ed States Marine Corp. from 1963 to 1984. The medals

he received while serving was the Air Medal Presiden tial Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Republic Notorious Unit Cita tion, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Combat Ari Crew Insignia, Good Conduct Medal Armed Forces Expeditionary & Good Conduct Medal of Period Consensus. After retiring from the Marines he worked as a security guard at McMurry University & Allied Universal Security from 1990 – 2021 He also worked for Mrs. Bairds and Abilene Indepen dent School District. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. When he was little, he served as an Alter Boy.

Jose was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Albert Ayala, sisters, Francisca Ayala, Antonia Perez, Lynda Sheene, Guadalupe Villareal, Many Mes queta & Tillie Ayala.

He is survived by his wife Victoria Estrada Ayala, Daughters, Jody Sue Ayala, Tara Jane Ayala. Stepchil dren, Isidora Mendez, Jr., Elida Mendez, Gerarda Liman, Ellisa Liman. Siblings, Connie Martinez, Josie Garcia, Maorga Hope Hendrix, Lydia Guererro & Pete Ayala.

Phit Kaikratoke, 55, of Abilene, passed away on Monday, October 10, 2022, in Abilene.

Phit was born in Laos to Somjit and Thom Yashanawong on August 9, 1967. She gradu ated from high school and went on to continue her education for several years of college. She and her husband Likit Kaikratoke have been together for 34 years. Phit and Likit have worked side by side managing China Star Restaurant in Abilene.

Phit was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers; Nohn Shanawong and Noi Yashanawong.

Phit is survived by her husband; Likit Kaikratoke of Abilene; son, Sean Pettit and wife Sallie of Abilene and their grandchildren Gage and Macy Pettit; sisters, Pon Panyanouvong and husband Oukeo and their son Ned, wife Flora Panyanouvong grandson Adan and daughter Polly Panyanouvong; Somchay Yashanawong and her son Johnathan Yashanawong; brothers, Phou (Poo) Yashanawong and Vanchai Yashanawong.

Courtesy of: HispanicLife Magazine

a Moment in our arms

a Lifetime in our hearts

Former McMurry Theatre Professor Honored with Prestigious Award

By Robin Daniels | Vice President of Marketing and Communications, McMurry University

Former McMurry theatre professor Charlie Hukill was awarded the Founders Award, the most prestigious award from the Texas Edu cational Theatre Association, Inc. (TxETA). Hukill’s career accomplishments includes directing more than 70 plays, set designs for over 130 plays, and light designs for more than 100 play. TxETA Founders Award is giv en to an individual who has made an extraor dinary contribution to educational theatre in Texas and to TxETA. Hukill was presented with the award at TheatreFest convention in Galveston, Texas. This annual conference for current theatre practitioners, as well as future educators.

“McMurry was graced for almost 35 years, by the talent, intelligence, and good wit of my friend and colleague, Charlie Hukill,” University President Dr. Sandra S. Harper said. “Any prestigious award he receives will not be comparable to the love he has shown our students or to the talent he’s given to Mc Murry University and educational Theater in Texas.”

Hukill’s impact continues at McMurry even years after his retirement from the university in 2019.

“Charlie is so very deserving of his award,” McMurry assistant professor and theatre de partment chair Neena McLain said. “His pos itive impact on the students at McMurry and in the state of Texas is profound. A talented and generous artist, Charlie is a playwright, actor, director, visual artist, designer, and ed ucator. McMurry Theatre and the campus at

large are enormously fortunate that he dedi cated most of his career to our students.”

McMurry University’s board of trustees con ferred upon Hukill an honorary doctorate of the arts in 2021, along with his wife Betty Hukill.

Cisco College to Host Veterans Day Ceremony on Abilene Campus

By Colton Wedeking - Director of Marketing & Public Relations, Cisco College

Cisco College will be hosting a Veterans Day ceremony on November 10, 2022 beginning at 11:00 AM on the Cisco College campus in Abilene.

The event will honor Veterans and ac knowledge the sacrifices that they and their families have and continue to make in service to our nation. A reception will follow the ceremony.

“That degree was the culmination of a lifetime of creativity and constant learning,” Harper added.

His other awards include Volunteer of the Year, KACU-FM; Educator of the Year, Col lege/University, TxETA; and Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, McMurry.

The event will feature the Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard to post the col ors and highlight the missing man table, 2nd Lt. Jonus Reyna, as Master of Cere mony, as well as speakers including Re tired MSgt Larry Prince, Vice President of Education and Sargent of Arms for Toastmasters Club 1071, and Mr. Dig gy Bell, Co-founder/CTO at Spokeadot. The Invocation will be provided by Pas tor Mathew Lubin of Macedonia Baptist Church.

The Cisco College Abilene Campus is located at 717 E. Industrial Blvd in Abilene, Texas.

Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau Partners with Bandwango to Create Digital Round Up Pass

By David Waller | Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau

The Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau has partnered with Band wango to create a new digital version of the Abilene Round Up Pass. The pass, which is available for purchase at abilenevisitors.com/plan/roundup-pass/, gives visitors access to Abilene’s best attractions at a reduced cost. The pass gives access to the Abilene Zoo, Frontier Texas!, the Grace Museum, 12th Armored Division Memorial Museum, Taylor County His tory Center and the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature.

“The Abilene Round Up Pass is a great way for visitors to experience all that our city has to offer at a discounted price,” said Abilene Convention & Visitors Bureau vice president Robert Lopez. “We’re excited to partner with Bandwango on this project and look forward to seeing visitors take advantage of these great deals.”

Bandwango is changing the way that businesses connect with their com munity. Bandwango mobile passes drive consumers to businesses, creat ing a more efficient and effective way for local establishments to market themselves. Bandwango is dedicated to making it easy for businesses to get in touch with their community, and we believe that the best way to do that is by putting the power of mobile marketing in their hands.

EDUCATION

LOCAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS

Vigil Balances Work, School While Studying Diesel Equipment Technology at TSTC

By Ben Barkley. Communications Specialist, TSTC Communications

Jacob Vigil has always been mechanically in clined.

While working full time at The Auto Clinic in Snyder, Vigil is broadening his skills by study ing Diesel Equipment Technology at Texas State Technical College. He hopes that his cer tificate of completion specialization in Heavy Truck will lead to more career opportunities.

Vigil spent his childhood working on different pieces of equipment, and that has carried over to his adult life.

“I love what I do. I always loved to take apart things just to see how they work,” he said. “My dad sold horses when I was young, so I was always hauling hay around. The equipment would break down, and we would be the people to fix it.”

At The Auto Clinic, Vigil said he takes some of his knowledge with him to help repair vehicles.

He hopes to stay with the fami ly-owned business after completing his studies to show his appreciation to owner Robbie Jamison.

“They have been so good to me by allowing me to go to school and work,” Vigil said.

“Unlike my time in the TSTC lab, I work a lot by myself to get the job done when I am in the shop. I enjoy working that way and in the team setting we have in the lab.”

Spending time in the lab has allowed Vigil to learn different aspects of an engine.

“It is nice to learn the more technical side of the engine,” he said. “The electrical systems now are something everyone is looking at in the engine. There is a lot that goes on in mak ing the engine go.”

Jamison said Vigil’s work ethic shows when he is in the Snyder shop.

“He has an enthusiasm I have not seen in a long time,” he said. “He is an absolute joy to have in the shop.”

Instructor Lane White said Vigil is one of the more dependable students in class.

Jamison said what Vigil has learned at TSTC shows when he is at work.

“Jake has a passion for diesel. It is not some thing we specialize in, but it is good to have that experience,” he said. “He is going to have a great career.”

Vigil said he sees himself work ing on heavier equipment in the future.

“I hope to one day work on mar itime engines,” he said. “I have always wanted to work on those types of engines.”

Having his certificate will benefit Vigil in the future.

“I know that I have five years of experience, but to have my certi fication will be an added benefit,” he said. “I knew a lot before I started the program, and it’s good to get that additional knowledge.”

According to onetonline.org, jobs for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists are ex pected to increase 19% in Texas from 2020 to 2030. Such tech nicians employed in Texas can earn an annual average salary of $47,850, the website stated.

“His confidence shows in everything he does. He is a leader among our students, and he wants to be successful in everything he does,” he said.

Vigil said his experience at work is helping him in the TSTC lab.

“A lot of the odds and ends of the things I do at work are the same as in the lab,” he said.

Diesel Equipment Technology is offered at the Fort Bend County, Marshall, North Texas, Sweetwa ter and Waco campuses. It is part of TSTC’s Money-Back Guar antee program. If a participating graduate does not find a job in their field within six months of graduating, TSTC will refund their tuition in full.

TSTC offers Associate of Applied Science de grees with different specializations, as well as several certificates of completion and a Basic Diesel occupational skills achievement award, in Diesel Equipment Technology.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc. edu.

TSTC Diesel Equipment Technology student Jacob Vigil inspects an engine that he had to disassemble during a recent lab project.

Student Loan Forgiveness Application is Now Open

Borrowers have until Dec. 31, 2023 to fill it out.

By Emery Winter | Fox West Texas

The Biden administration first announced its plan for widespread student loan forgiveness on Aug. 24. The plan forgives at least $10,000 in federally held student loans for most bor rowers, and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant re cipients.

At the time, the administration said an ap plication for student loan forgiveness would open in October, but it did not specify any par ticular date. That’s led to many people asking online when the application will be available.

The applications for widespread student loan forgiveness is open as of Oct. 15 on studen taid.gov. People have until Dec. 31, 2023 to apply.

The application was released in a “beta” for mat Friday night, Oct. 15, 2022. The Depart ment of Education said the application will be available on and off until its official launch. Any student borrower eligible for loan for giveness can apply, and the Department of Education says beta applications will be pro cessed and students will receive their debt re lief after applying.

The form is currently online-only, although it can be filled out both from mobile and from desktop. It comes in two languages: English and Spanish.

To complete the application, borrowers will need their name, birth date, Social Security number, phone number and an email address. Applicants will sign their name to confirm they meet the criteria to receive student debt relief, which will be listed on the form.

The application will not require an FSA ID or any documents, including tax forms; al

though, if the Department of Education finds discrepancies between its official records and what the applicant fills out, it will request ad ditional documentation.

Student borrowers who received Pell grants will not need to fill out any additional infor mation to confirm they received their grants. The Department of Education already has that data available to them.

Once a borrower has completed their applica tion, the Department of Education will review the application, determine the borrower’s eli gibility for student debt relief and then work with the borrower’s loan servicer to process the borrower’s relief. The Department of Edu cation has not provided an estimate as to how long it will take to process applications and provide relief to applicants.

The Department of Education will communi cate with borrowers primarily through email. It will email or has already emailed the 8 million borrowers who qualify for automatic relief and do not need to fill out applications. For those who do fill out applications, there will be both a confirmation screen after the borrower submits the application and an email to confirm the Department of Education has received the application.

Although there isn’t currently a paper version available, the Department of Education plans to release one sometime in 2023. That form’s deadline will be Dec. 31, 2023, just like the online form.

The Department of Education has not provid ed a timeline for the official launch of the on line application form.

Angelo State is Helping Felicia Garcia

Fulfill

Her Calling to Help Others

By Angelo State University

A San Angelo native, Felicia’s Angelo State journey didn’t begin immediately after high school.

She instead went to cosmetology school to be come a hairstylist, and that’s where she first discovered her appreciation for making per sonal connections.

“I love having relationships with people,” she said. “Being a hairstylist, I have that one-onone experience with clients.”

Those types of experiences would spark her interest in social work.

“I really like that aspect of working with peo ple, so getting this background in social work, I’m able to say ‘here are some resources to help bet ter yourself or your situation,’” Felicia said. “It ties both of my worlds together.”

“When I realized I wanted to go back to school, I went to Howard College to start on the track to transfer to ASU,” she continued. “I always planned on coming to ASU, it just took a while to get here.”

However, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for Felicia after she joined the Ram Family in 2020.

“Coming from Howard was a very rough transition, and if it wasn’t for (ASU faculty) In grid Russo and Dr. Joel Carr I would’ve dropped out,” she said. “Ms. Russo encouraged me and said, ‘It’s hard for a little bit, but once you push through it you’ll look back and think it was worth the effort. When I was struggling in a class, Dr. Carr would take time and meet with me to explain the areas where I was struggling. It made a world of difference.”

“The social work professors are amazing and will do anything for their students,” she add ed.

That support from her professors has encour aged Felicia to get even more involved on cam pus. She is now president of the Student Social Work Association, and she jumped at the chance this summer to study abroad.

Over the month-long trip, Felicia and other social work students and faculty spent time in the Nether lands, Czech Republic, Germany and Romania, and it was in Bucharest, Romania, where she had a

camp. We got to interact with the children by flying kites and taking pictures with them. We didn’t speak the same language, but we had so much fun.”

“Being that close yet still not being able to do anything about the situation is very frustrating because there is not a whole lot you can do other than show kindness to the people who are going through the ex perience,” she added.

“It opened my eyes to how isolated we are in the United States.”

Set to graduate in May 2023, Felicia plans to continue her educa tion at ASU in the Master of Social Work degree program and possibly even into the new Doctor of Social Work program.

“It’s amazing how they designed the D.S.W. program,” Feli cia said. “This is a clear path from B.S.W. to M.S.W. to D.S.W. It opens the door for oth er students to come here, and it’s a one-stop shop.”

“I plan to get my license and do clinical work,” she added. “All in all, I want to work one on one with victims.”

Not waiting until she walks across the stage, Felicia is already making an impact in the lives of people around her.

life-changing experience.

“We thought we were meeting with the Ro manian relief foundation for the after-school program they have,” she said, “but when we showed up, it was actually a Ukrainian refugee

“I love helping people,” Felica said. “I know it’s such a general statement, but I see some one in need and think ‘how can I help them?’ When I was in need, I had someone to help me.”

“When you’re struggling, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” she continued. “It makes it an easier path when someone is there to help guide you. Sometimes that bridge

“I love helping people. I know it’s such a general statement, but I see someone in need and think ‘how can I help them?’”

Felicia Garcia

Collier Chooses TSTC’s Emergency Medical Services Program to Inspire Others

By Ben Barkley. Communications Specialist, TSTC Communications

Dezeray Collier remembers how first responders treated her grandmother each time they responded to a medical call.

In choosing a career, Collier decided that working as a first responder would be the perfect choice. She is currently a first-se mester student in Texas State Technical College’s Emergency Medical Ser vices program, with plans to continue her studies in the college’s Advanced EMT and Paramedic pro grams.

“My grandmother suffered from diseases, and each time we had to call the para medics, they would be so nice to us,” she said. “They would always give me tips on how to take care of my grandmother. I want to be the person that gives a kid in need the tips they need to help their family.”

Being still in her teenage years has not stopped Col lier from achieving her dream of becoming a first responder. She said her classmates are like family and work to assist each other on different assign ments.

Collier and her classmates are looking forward to their first scenario in the Immersive Interactive lab later this year.

“That will be very beneficial to us as students,” she said. “To have realistic situations around us will only make us better.”

Hicks said she sees Collier’s commitment in the lab set ting.

“She is a very dedicated stu dent and motivates herself to be better,” she said. “She is not afraid to ask questions be cause she wants to be able to perform when she is helping someone in need.”

Having cutting-edge tech nology was just one of the reasons that Collier chose to attend TSTC.

As a child, Dezeray Collier was inspired by first re sponders. The TSTC Emergency Medical Services student wants to inspire others when she com pletes her studies. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)

“I looked at another school first, but when I came here to visit, everyone was so wel coming,” she said. “Tim was very generous with his time. Once he told me how every thing would work, I was in stantly sold on the program.”

When Collier completes her studies at TSTC, she plans to move to Killeen to begin her career as a first responder.

Advertising 1-325-673-4521 • email us: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

“We always talk about what we have learned in class,” she said. “We know that we can depend on each other for help, just like we will have to depend on our team in the field.”

Instructor Tim Scalley and adjunct instructor Mi randa Hicks eased any worries that Collier might have had about her career choice.

“We have great instructors who want to see us succeed,” she said. “They are willing to help us to make sure we know the proper way to perform on a call.”

Collier saw that commitment immediately when her class began working on the medical manikins in the labs.

“It helped when we learned how to work with the airways of a person and were able to see what we were doing right and wrong,” she said. “Having this technology is going to make us better.”

“I know when I complete the entire program, from emergency medical technician to paramedic, I will be ready to help people and hopefully inspire fu ture first responders,” she said.

According to onetonline.org, the need for emer gency medical technicians in Texas was expected to grow 11% between 2018 and 2028. TSTC offers an Associate of Applied Science de gree in Paramedic, as well as certificates of com pletion in Emergency Medical Services - EMT, Emergency Medical Services - Advanced EMT AEMT, and Emergency Medical Services - Para medic. Additionally, the college offers an occu pational skills achievement award in Emergency Medical Services - EMT. The program is available at the Abilene, Brownwood and Harlingen cam puses.

For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu

Alumna Spotlight

VIVIANA MORA

By Jaidyn Kamplain | Hardin-Simmons University

Since graduating from Hardin-Simmons University two decades ago, Viviana Mora ’02 has become a vibrant elementary mu sic teacher in South Texas.

With a passion for teaching students to embrace music and a love for Hispanic performance and art, Hispanic Heritage Month provides an avenue for sharing her captivating culture with young children.

In her classroom, Mora shows her students a map of the world to highlight Span ish-speaking countries before teaching about the styles of music that have emerged from those countries. Together, they watch videos about the different styles of music, learn about Hispanic performers like Selena and Lin-Manuel Miranda, and dance to folk dances like “La Raspa” and “Los Machetes.”

Elementary music teacher

of live music and dance, such as Folklorico or mariachis, or to visit a local culture museum. “These performances mean a lot to me be cause it helps people of Hispanic culture show our contributions to this country and help oth ers understand our way of life a little better,” shared Mora.

Throughout her time at Hardin-Simmons, Mora participated in HSU traditions such as SING, attended football games, held philan thropic events with her sorority, Epsilon Phi Alpha, and participated in Bible studies that helped strengthen her faith.

Ballet Folklorico del Big Country performs at HSU multiple times throughout the year.

Mora believes in the art of music as an opportunity for creating bridges across cultures and encourages anyone interested in learning more about Hispanic culture to attend performances

As an alumna, Mora shared that she is par ticularly proud of the increased diversity in attendance today at HSU. HSU’s Hispanic student population increased from 22% in 2021-2022 to 24% in 2022-2023, mak ing it a single percent shy of the coveted Hispanic-Serving Insti tution designation, a goal HSU has been working towards over the past few years.

Many alumni from Hispanic backgrounds participate in the Hispanic Alumni Association. This group gathers yearly over Homecoming weekend for fellowship, connecting with HSU friends, and awarding a scholarship each year.

Viviana Mora ‘02

Dawson Thrives After a Smooth Transition To The Work World

By McMurry University

For most college students the gap between graduation and finding their first job is some thing that strikes fear.

For Elijah Dawson the transition from his time at McMurry and the work world was smooth.

Dawson graduated from McMurry in 2019 with a degree in Business Adminis tration. Automotive sales was not his plan after graduation, but he said that the cards just played out differently.

“My plan was for Arrow to be only a summer internship, but God had a different plan for me,” Dawson said.

“Arrow was the last place I applied to and the only place that gave me an opportunity, knowing I still had at least two years left in my college career.”

After the internship with Arrow his junior year, the business continued to support him throughout his time in school and offered him a full-time leadership position after graduation.

Dawson has since stayed with Arrow for five years.

Today Dawson has developed the mindset that you are always selling something in your life. In his work at Arrow, he sells an experi ence and customer service.

He said that he learned many of the skills that make him successful while at McMurry in cluding how to communicate with and learn from others.

“The lesson I eventually learned was to meet and talk to everyone,” Dawson said. “You never know who you are going to meet and what they have to offer.”

He wants to share this lesson with current

students as well—don’t be afraid to meet new people and connect as you never know what role they may play in your life. He said that any student wishing to pursue a career in sales should know that the people you meet will be worth it.

Dawson has accomplished a lot in his time with Arrow. He leads others to succeed in their current careers while serving over 600 customers throughout Arrow. The business as a whole has overcome shifts and difficulties in the automotive industry.

“I enjoy working alongside the people at Ar row Point Auto Mall. They are all different and have their own story to tell. They trust me to lead them and help them grow in their posi tions,” Dawson said.

When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2-year-old son in the first home they’ve purchased together. They are also excited to welcome a baby girl in De cember.

Serenity Martinez

By Abilene Christian University

From living in a small town to working in the big city, Serenity Martinez is not your average student. Known for her hyper-focused demean or and southern go-getter attitude, Serenity knew that she wasn’t going to wait until her perfect job came knocking on her door. As a first-generation college student, Serenity knew from a young age that big opportunities don’t just land in front of you, especially a chance to work for a Fortune 500 company like South west Airlines. Read on to hear how Serenity’s hard work and her time at ACU Online led to her getting to the job of her dreams.

Dazed and Confused

Growing up as an only child in rural Ennis, Texas, Serenity understood the importance of working hard, pushing oneself, and taking care of family while trying to have an every day teenage life. And while neither one of her parents attended college, Serenity knew getting an education was how she would thrive profes sionally and personally. Starting off her educa tional journey at Navarro Community College, Serenity wasn’t sure what she really wanted to focus on.

“I changed my major like 40,000 times,” she laughed. “And I took quite a bit of gap years because I just started going through their nurs ing program and took even more classes and finally did another gap year because I said, ‘you know, as much as I respect nurses, I faint at the sight of blood.’ So, I just started working here and there, and when I was working at the World Trade Center in Dallas, I realized, ‘Wow! I ac tually like how this involves business and mar keting, and I think I can actually do this.’ And that’s when I decided, ‘Okay! I’m ready to go back to school.’”

Getting Back To Her Roots

Knowing that she was interested in working with people and in marketing, Serenity wasn’t content with just obtaining her associate’s de gree; she wanted more. Thinking about her future, Serenity flashbacked to a particular con versation she had with her 8th-grade mentor, Ms. McDonald. Remembering how much she admired Ms. McDonald for her sweet person ality and constant encouragement, Serenity re called how her teacher spoke about ACU.

“I remember I was in eighth grade when I first

heard about ACU,” Serenity said. “[Ms. Donald] introduced me to ACU, and since I loved her as a teacher, I kind of told myself, ‘You know, I kind of want to go to school where she went to school because she’s just so wonderful.’”

Fast forward twelve years later, Serenity first encountered ACU Online through a Facebook ad. Immediately after filling out a lead form, Se renity was contacted by an advisor who told her that it was not too late – she could still reach her ideal career.

in Organizational Leadership and B.S. in Applied Communication, and Tony Roach, vice president of customer experience & engagement at South west Airlines, Serenity was star-struck. After ap plying for multiple Southwest Airlines positions and being rejected without an interview, Serenity saw this as her chance to make an impression. And without hesitation, Serenity popped the ques tion to Tony: “Hi, how do I get a job here? I want to work here and think I would be a good fit.”

Taken aback by her confidence, Tony asked her what she would like to work in. Without skipping a beat, she answered, “Something interactive! Maybe something in customer relations.” Seeing her spunk and quick-witted personality, Serenity was hired on as a contractor for Southwest Air lines within a few weeks. For the first time in her life, Serenity not only loved her job, but was enjoying her classes. She was thrilled to wake up every day eager to start something new.

Reaching For New Heights

“I just remember the advisor reaching out to me and telling me, ‘Hey! I think you could be a good fit at ACU Online. It’s fully online, and your classes are preselected. Just give me a call because it’s not too late,’ and I took that as a sign to just go ahead and do it, and it turns out, it was one the best decisions I could have ever made,” Serenity remarked.

In a matter of weeks, Serenity became an offi cial Wildcat eager to obtain her B.S. in Market ing. Dedicating the next two years of her life to finishing school, Serenity wasn’t ready to stop there.

Taking Her Dreams To The Skies

Continuing to work at Starbucks and the World Trade Center, Serenity made a pact with herself. When a new opportunity arose, she was going to take it. And so, she did. It was November 2021 when opportunity finally knocked on her door. Having attended a conference with Dr. Dena Counts, program director of ACU’s online B.S

But with any change, there’s always some amount of difficulty. Focused on passing rigorous courses and tests for Southwest, Serenity quickly learned that flying toward a full-time job, while finishing her undergraduate studies wasn’t going to be as easy as she first thought. And after months of hard work, Serenity accepted a job at Southwest Air lines specializing in customer relations – some thing she says is worth the two-hour drive to-andfrom work.

Having completed her coursework in August 2022, Serenity considers herself lucky to have attended ACU Online for her bachelor’s degree and plans to walk the stage in December 2022. With close family and friends surrounding her and cheering on her every move, Serenity’s next goal is possibly pursuing a master’s degree.

Until then, Serenity is eagerly awaiting gradua tion. Knowing that whatever life brings next and wherever the road takes her, a few things are for sure: you have to work hard for what you want. You have to trust in a higher power. You have to go with your gut. The rest is relatively easy.

Do you want to find your passion while pursuing your career like Serenity? Visit our website or call 855-219-7300 to learn how you can step into a di verse, innovative future at ACU Online.

FAITH&FAMILY SPIRITUAL

AND FAMILY ADVICE

Our Lady of Guadalupe: Who is She and What is Her Significance?

By Victoria Picón | McMurryUnversity, War Hawk Herald

Although Hispanic Heritage Month hasdrawn to a close, I wanted to talk about one of the most iconic images in Hispanic culture: Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Her image appears in all sorts of plac es, from Catholic churches and reli gious candles to jewelry, t-shirts, and even tattoos. Although her image has been seen in many places, specifically in Mexico and Texas, not many peo ple know the origins of this sacred image and what it means to those who revere it. So, who is this woman, and why is she so revered?

Our Lady of Guadalupe is an ap parition of the Virgin Mary as she appeared in Mexico circa Decem ber 1531. As detailed in the Nican Mopohua, a text written in the native Nahuatl language by Don Antonio Valeriano, the Virgin Mary appeared on Tepeyac Hill (located in modern Madero in Mexico City) to Juan Di ego, a Chichimec peasant who had converted to Catholicism.

In the Nican Mopohua, the Virgin Mary appears to Juan Diego and re quests that he tell the bishop to build a temple on Tepeyac Hill. The Virgin Mary appears as an indigenous wom an, more specifically a mestiza—a woman of mixed indigenous and Spanish heritage—and speaks Juan Diego’s native Nahuatl language.

Juan Diego goes to tell the Bishop of this miracle, but is rejected multi ple times until he provides a sign proving the miracle of the apparition. The Virgin Mary obliges to give Juan Diego the sign the next day, but his uncle falls ill. Juan Diego avoids Tepeyac hill in order to find a priest to hear his uncle’s confession before he dies. The Virgin Mary intercepts Juan Diego, reassures him that his uncle will live, and tells him to go to the hill and pick the flowers that appear there.

Juan Diego goes to the hill and finds many flowers that would not normally grow on the rocky, harsh grounds of Tepeyac hill. Juan Di ego carries the flowers in his tilma, and when he drops the flowers in front of the bishop, the

Virgin Mary’s image is revealed on his tilma. Now Juan Diego’s tilma is shown in the Ba silica. Her apparition to Juan Diego and image on his tilma is said to have led to many Aztec

thus she does not belong solely to the Spanish colonizers but to all peoples. Her loose hair signifies her virginity while the black ribbon around her waist represents her pregnancy with Jesus Christ. She wears a rose red tunic decorated with nine different flowers. It is thought that the color represents dawn, the start of a new era. The nine flowers represent the nine tribes from Aztlan (located in present-day Mexico City). Her mantle is a bluish-green hue and is covered in stars. This color rep resents life and fertility and in the Az tec culture is associated with the gods and royalty while the stars mark her as coming from heaven. In just these de tails, she visually shows herself to the indigenous as the Queen of Heaven.

Despite this status, her eyes are cast downward in humility and distinguish es herself as human, not a god. Her hands are also in prayer, as she prays to God and is not a deity herself. She stands in front of the sun, its rays shin ing out from behind her, signifying her as greater than the sun god, Huitzilo pochtli. She stands on a crescent moon, visually showing her power over the moon god or the god of darkness. An angel (who also appears as indige nous) holds her mantle and the hem of her tunic. She is unified with heaven, represented in her mantle, and earth, represented in her tunic.

conversions to Catholicism, helped unify the indigenous and the Spanish, and is now one of the most iconic images in Mexican culture.

Symbols in the Virgin Mary’s Appearance

Part of what makes Our Lady of Guadalupe’s image so different from other Marian appari tions is the distinct Aztec imagery that connects her to the indigenous peoples of Mexico. Start ing with her features, Our Lady of Guadalupe presents herself not “white” but tanned skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. She is mestiza and has a combination of Aztec and Spanish features,

There are more details and symbols in her image, than I’ve described her, but I hope this gives you a better under standing of her visual significance to the indig enous peoples of Mexico.

Her Meaning Now

In many ways this image is now synonymous with Mexico itself, but the religious context of this Marian apparition highlights the Christian idea of God not only to the natives of Mexico, or even to just the Americas, but the entire world. Her image visually represents God’s love for people of all heritages and backgrounds, and the beautiful unity we aspire to achieve through His grace.

Don’t Give Up on Your Dreams

By Joyce Meyer | Joyce Meyer Ministries

What do you want out of life? Do you have a dream for your life, your children, your finances, or your marriage? Is there some thing you are hoping for— an idea, a goal, a plan, or vi sion? Whatever it is that you want, what is it going to take to reach it?

We need to be reaching to ward our dreams all the time because God didn’t create us for passivity or to be static in life. So, if you’ve got your life in park, you need to get it in drive and start moving toward the dreams God has put in your heart.

See, the things you want are not going to just fall into your lap. You are going to have to reach out and grab them. You’re going to have to get a holy determina tion in you that says, “If anyone can have the life God wants them to have, then it’s going to be me!”

But you need to remember that you’re probably not going to get there overnight, so it’s important to find the balance between being content and striving toward those desires.

Paul said he learned to be content in all situations: I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12 NIV). He never got upset about where he was, but at the same time, he continued to look forward to what God had in store for him down the road.

I was good at looking forward. God gave me a big dream for this ministry, but at the time, I didn’t ful ly understand the contentment part Paul was talking about—enjoying where you are until you get to where you’re going. So, I spent a lot of years allowing the dream God gave me to torment me, instead of enjoy ing the journey.

Over time I discovered that while it’s important to keep your God-given dreams in front of you (see Ha

bakkuk 2:2-3), you also have to learn to be content, so you won’t be miserable on the way to the fulfill ment of your dreams. At the same time, we should never allow contentment to make us so comfortable that we forget about the vision.

God wants you to dream. He wants you to plan. He doesn’t want the demands and routines of life or things like fear to keep you from moving forward in life. So, when those things come, we have to be ready to rise up against them. Even something as simple as waking up every morning and saying, “Something good is going to happen to me today,” can put fear and other distractions in their place.

That simple act has power because there is power in your words. Proverbs 18:21 says our words have the power of life or death in them, so we need to focus our words on proclaiming the promises of God over our lives.

When you spiritually connect with God by pro claiming His promises, that’s when your dreams start being fulfilled. You can be like Abraham and Sarah if you’ll just believe and press toward God’s best for you. They were old and having a child seemed impossible, but God gave Abraham a vision that he would be the father of many nations. Be cause Abraham believed God, that vision was ful filled through Isaac and the many generations that followed. (I encourage you to read Abraham’s story in Genesis Chapters 17-21.)

If you have a dream that seems impossible, start saying, “I will have everything God says I can have. I will do everything God says I can do. I will be everything God says I can be.” Because with God, all things are possible!

Maybe it’s time for you to make a new commitment today to start going after your dreams. I encourage you to decide right now to stir up your faith, shake off any fear, remember who you are in Christ, and make a decision to trust God to do the impossible every day you get out of bed. Then you’ll enjoy the journey, one day at a time, to the fulfillment of your dreams.

By Faith

By Kristie Carpenter | The Blended Family Mom

Hebrews Chapter 11 is often called the “Hall of Faith.” Example after example are the men and women who not only believed in God, but put their belief into action – they followed God – had faith.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and cer tain of what we do not see.” (verse 1)

Verse 6 tells us that, “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He re wards those who ear nestly seek Him.”

Based on just these two verses, I can know that my faith is my hope in Christ –even though I do not physically see Him – and I can trust Him completely. Secondly, I can know that God is pleased when I have faith in Him and believe He exists. Thirdly, I can look forward to rewards that He gives when I seek Him wholeheartedly.

So what does this mean for such a small step mom like me in the midst of all the Bible greats listed in Hebrews Chapter 11?

By faith, I can offer up a pleasing sacrifice as Abel did and be commended as righteous. By faith, I can build a marriage, life, family and ministry with instruction from God just as Noah did.

By faith, I can follow where God leads – even in desert places – like Abraham.

By faith, I can leave luxury and comfort to pur sue God’s plan and mission for me – just as Mo ses did.

By faith, I can hear the Holy Spirit’s prompting to be used as a vessel to help save others – just as Rahab the prostitute did.

My own story would say: By faith, I believed in God to build an extraordinary marriage even when there were hopeless days.

By faith, I committed to give my best effort ev ery day to my dysfunctional family even when I felt like hiding out from them most of the time.

By faith, I wrote a book about the reality and rawness of my blended family even though it put our family skeletons up for public scrutiny.

By faith, I ventured out into the social media realm even though I would be open to crit icism and judgement.

By faith, I still trust God with my children even though they are still in the midst of huge challenges.

This chapter focus es on the faith of the people in the Old Testament. We can be encouraged and make our choice to place our faith in God that is beyond our com prehension.

The last verse of chapter 11 sums up the question of why would we want to place our faith in God. Verse 40 says; “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made per fect.”

We have the examples of the past. We have gos pel of Jesus today. God has definitely planned something better for us.

Remember, it is not faith in yourself that brings the miraculous into your marriage and family – it is by faith – in Christ!

Blessings in your Blending!

(Editor’s note: Women’s author, speaker and mentor Kristie Carpenter, aka The Blended Family Mom, has been a blended family/step mom since 2004; her blended family currently includes four children and four grandchildren. Fol low Kristie on Facebook (facebook. com/theblendedfamilymom), Twitter (@BlendedFamilyM), and Instagram (theblendedfamilymom). Her books“The Blended Family Mom,” and “Blended Mom Moments,” are both available on her website at www.the blendedfamilymom.com)

Enough is Enough

By Danny Minton | Elder at Southern Hills Church of Christ

Have you ever come to a point in your life where things go so wrong over and over that you want to yell out, “Enough is Enough?” Sometimes in our lives, we get to the point where dealing with things seems to be more than we can bear. We wonder why we must face one bad thing after another. Sometimes we get up in the morning and decide the best way to handle today would be to go back to bed!

So, let me share our jour ney over the last few months. First, we found termite nests and had an exterminator come out and treat the house. Okay, expensive, but I could handle that. Then I go outside and see wa ter coming from under the foundation, so I call a plumber. Bad news, we had a burst pipe un der the house and had to replace the line. Then, a few days later, the 1930s oak flooring in the front bedroom began to rise from water that had leaked. The entire floor and subfloor had to be ripped out and replaced. Insurance paid some but didn’t cover the water leak repair or the de ductible for fixing the inside. A few weeks later, I’m watching TV, and it decides to turn off on its own. I turn it back on, and ten minutes later, it flickers and goes off again. I check connections and plugs, wait half an hour, then turn it back on. It goes for fifteen minutes, flickers, and turns off. It had a bad motherboard. It’s not worth fixing, so we replaced it. Last night we were preparing a meal to take to a family gathering. We put some potatoes in the microwave to boil. After setting the timer several times, the pota toes were still uncooked. We finished them in another microwave, and this morning I discov ered that the original one did not heat anymore. Next week I go to the doctor, who, I’m sure, will tell me I need to have foot surgery. One negative thing following another made me say to myself, “Enough is Enough!”

Now I’m not on the same struggle level as Job, but I couldn’t help but think about him this morning. He lost everything from possessions to family and still refused to curse God for all that happened. He endured all these trials and still did not lose his love and confidence in God. He said in one way or another, “Enough is Enough; I’m tired of all this.” He could not see any good in his life and even wished he’d never been born.

Life has its challenges, and for some, they be come overburdensome. We don’t understand the struggles we have to face, and some even question, “Why God?” I don’t know anyone who has had a perfect life without heartache or disappointment. We see people publicly and wish our lives could be like theirs, not know

ing what happens in someone’s private life. I can’t count the times I have been surprised to hear that someone is getting a divorce or hav ing issues I had no idea existed. I tell people, “You never know what’s happening behind their closed doors.” So, how do we handle life when it throws us problem after problem? How to get up and keep going when we just want to give up and quit?

In the movie “Sleepless in Seattle,” Sam’s wife has died, and he lives alone with his son. There’s a scene where he talks to a radio talk-show coun selor who asks him, “What are you going to do, Sam?” He answers her, “I’m gonna get out of bed every morning … breathe in and out all day long. Then after a while, I won’t have to remind my self to get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out.”

Life will have its ups and downs. When the downs outweigh the ups, we can begin to question God, asking, “Why?” With that question, we join a long line of “men of God” along with Job, who asked the same question. Men like David, Moses, Josh ua, Elijah, and Jeremiah found themselves asking God, “Why?” Nearly ev eryone comes to some point in their life when they want to know why things are not going as they hoped and planned. Why are things falling apart?

Again, the question arises, “How do we handle things when life is a downer?” Job gives us an answer to how he made it through the worst part of his life. After hearing from friends who did lit tle to help and then listening to God, Job speaks up, “Then Job replied to the LORD: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too won derful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6 (NIV2011)

Job realized that no matter the circumstance, God remained close to Him. God was not the problem. The problem was letting the things that

got him down take priority in his life over the good all around. We must learn to pick ourselves up and realize that no matter what happens, God will always be there for us. In his writings, knowing he had shortcomings and problems in his life, Paul still found time to say, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13 The most challenging road to travel is the one we try and walk alone. If we take the time to look around, we’ll see God right beside us.

The poem “Footprints in the Sand” has more than a dozen people who claim to have written the well-known poem. A couple of the vers es remind us of how God is always there. For those who haven’t read it, it’s about someone walking along the sand and seeing his footprints with the Lord’s beside him. After a while, he only sees one set and ques tions God as to “Why” he left him alone. God then an swers him.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decid ed to follow you,You’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the sad dest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints.

I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”

He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints, It was then that I carried you.”

Remember, we are never alone. When things ar en’t going as your heart desires, remember you can always turn to the Lord. David wrote, “Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; de liver me, LORD, my faithful God.” Psalm 31:35 (NIV2011)

Next time you feel down because of everything going wrong, stop and breathe. Then open your Bible and read Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shep herd, I lack nothing.” (NIV) After you read it, set your Bible aside and offer this simple prayer of thanks, “Thank you, Lord, for carrying me when I feel like ‘Enough is Enough.”

4 Ways to Identify Your Blind Spots

By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well

driver’s blind spots create terrifying near misses and great danger on the road because they threaten the driver and passengers as well as many other in nocent passersby. That’s why mirrors and sensors and other safety features are critical tools to make drivers fully aware of the world around them. In the same way, we all have blind spots in marriage, in work, and ev erywhere else in life.

If we haven’t identified them, we’re probably just unaware of them. And when we’re unaware of them, they can be very destructive. Here are 4 ways to identify blind spots in yourself that can be hurting you and your relationships.

List your struggles. The first step is to look at the struggles that recur in your life that you already know are hard to overcome. This requires a willingness to ask yourself some hard questions and the guts to be honest with yourself about those answers. Start by asking what you would change about yourself if you could snap your fingers and be different. Also ask what you know others would change about you if they could.

Identify common themes among your struggles. A key to solving a puzzle, a whodunit, or just about any work problem is to look for patterns. It’s similar with our blind spots. You might notice that people are consis tently angry with you whether you’re at work, at home, or out and about. Don’t dismiss this theme as “everyone around me is too sensitive.” These patterns are clues. Ask yourself what difficulties you seem to have consistently with people in your life. Then ask yourself what part you play in that.

Ask others for feedback. Even the great King David in ancient Israel admitted to God that he needed help to search and understand his own heart. Be willing to ask loved ones, col leagues, friends, and even your spouse and kids questions such as, “What can I do to be a better colleague/spouse/dad?” or “What weaknesses do you see in me that keep me from becoming a better person?” Of course, asking such vulner able questions requires an openness to listening to the answers. So be prepared to hear them without being defensive. You might even need to add a promise: “I will not try to defend or excuse myself. I just need to see myself through your eyes.”

Identify patterns in the insights, solicited and unsolicited, of others. There are also clues in other people’s unsolicit ed feedback. Maybe employers have cited the same reasons when you’ve lost jobs, or friends or loved ones have had the same complaints when they’ve ended relationships with you. Be willing to consider that some of what people have said about you is more on point than you want it to be. And if the feedback you’re solic iting from people close to you confirms it, take them very seriously.

I’ll close with a personal example. As a writer with a background in law, I choose my words carefully. I’ve often thought—with some pride—that I could inspire, persuade, or charm my wife, Susan, if I could just pick the right phrases to convey something truthfully. But I learned by looking at my own blind spots that my body language often derailed my words be cause I used tones or facial expressions that were dismissive or demeaning. By being open to in trospection and honest conversations, I realized my need to work on aligning my nonverbal and verbal communication. We all have blind spots like this. Who is in danger from yours?

Become an Ambassador of Kindness

ByTony Evans | The Urban Alternative

Our culture has become contaminated and saturated with hatred, racism, meanness and a host of other expressions of contempt. And like a bad virus, it’s spreading through our society.

It’s time for kingdom people like you and me to start spreading good things, including kind ness.

But it’s time for kingdom people like you and me to start spreading good things, including kindness. In 2022, I am launching a national initiative called “Kindness in the Culture” to challenge believers to reclaim the attitude of civility that’s necessary for a peaceful and kind environment in our homes, our workplaces and our society.

It’s time for us all to get involved in making a difference in our conversations, whether they be in our living rooms or on social media or in the public sphere. Those of us who love God should be the first to sign on to a movement for change that begins by simply practicing an act of kindness for a neighbor, a friend or a stranger.

Because kindness is contagious, you can affect others by the way you speak to them and the way you treat them.

You and I can become ambassadors of kind ness, offering a kind and respectful response to everyone we meet. Because kindness is contagious, you can affect others by the way you speak to them and the way you treat them. Let’s not be afraid to commit what someone has called “random acts of kindness.” They make a difference.

So, let’s take up the cause of spreading kind ness rather than sowing discord. Let’s take an honest look at the way we are communicating with others and make the changes we need to make. Let’s surprise someone today with an act of kindness. Let’s spread something good.

CONGRATULATIONS

Five members of Taylor County Sheriff’s Office were awarded for their live saving actions during the Mesquite Heat fire. Sheriff Ricky Bishop presented the Life Saving Award to Lieutenant Jay Jones, Detective Melissa Parker, Deputy Christopher Gladden, Deputy Anthony Casey and Deputy Kevin Waddle for life-saving actions they took during the fire. In May, the two-week long fire burned almost 11,000 acres in Taylor County and destroyed up to 25 homes. Throughout this time, first responders worked tireless ly around the clock to keep residents safe and minimize damage.

HEALTH&FITNESS

Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Get the Facts

By Frederick Health

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and a great reminder for everyone to talk to their providers about lung health.

Anyone can getlung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both women and men. Breathing in toxic or harmful substances can cause cells in the lungs to mutate or change from healthy to cancerous, and Genetics can play a role in your chances of develop ing this disease.

We want to help you stay healthy and education is the first step to making choices that can positively impact your wellbeing. Let’s raise awareness and turn the tide on this disease, together.

Recognizing the symptoms In early stages, lung cancer may not cause any symptoms at all. Symptoms could include:

•A cough that won’t go away or gets worse

•Worsening chest pain with deep breaths, coughing, or laughing •Coughing up blood or rust-colored phlegm •Hoarseness •Shortness of breath •Feeling tired or weak

•Hoarseness •Recurring infections like bron chitis or pneumonia •New onset of wheezing

Additionally, lung cancer that has spread to oth er parts of the body can cause:

•Bone pain •Weight loss •Loss of appetite •Ner vous system changes, such a headaches, dizzi ness, balance problems, or seizures if cancer has spread to the brain or spinal cord •Yellow ing of the skin or eyes •Lumps near the surface of the body if cancer has spread to the skin or lymph nodes

Talk to your provider about getting screened if you have any of these symptoms. Early de tection saves lives. Detecting lung cancer early gives you the best chance for successful treat ment. Talking to your provider about lung health will help determine if you should get screened for lung cancer. Sometimes a biopsy will be

• Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes is the num ber one risk factor for lung cancer. In the Unit ed States, it’s linked to about 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In fact, people who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than those who do not smoke. No matter your age, it’s never too late to quit. If you need help, join our Smoking Ces sation Program.

•Avoid secondhand smoke. Even if you don’t smoke, you have an in creased risk of lung cancer if you fre quently breathe in smoke from other people’s cigarettes, pipes, or cigars.

When you breathe in secondhand smoke, it’s like you’re smoking, too.

recommended. A biopsy is a surgical procedure where a small sample of the impacted tissue or nodule is removed for testing and diagnosis.

Lung cancer is often treated using multiple types of coordinated treatments, including:

•Surgery

•Radiation Therapy

•Chemotherapy

•Targeted Therapies

•Drug Treatments

Understanding your diagnosis and treatment op tions is the first step in fighting lung cancer.

Reduce Your Risk of Lung Cancer

There are steps you can take to reduce your risk of lung cancer.

•Test your home for radon. This nat urally occurring gas comes from dirt and rocks and cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled. According to the Envi ronmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes about 20,000 lung can cer cases each year. This makes radon the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Nearly one 1 in 15 homes in the Unit ed States is thought to have high radon levels. You can find radon test kits online or in home improvement stores.

Maintain a healthy weight. Striving for a healthy weight has endless benefits, including reducing your risk of certain cancers. Need help losing weight? You don’t have to go at it alone. We’re here to help.

•Eat healthy. Choose a diet that emphasizes plant sources, has minimal processed and red meats, includes five or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day, and contains whole grains.

•Stay active. Getting at least an hour of physi cal activity each day is a great way to maintain a healthy weight and promote overall wellness.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes and Hispanics: Understanding Risks and Prevention

By Baptist Health South Florida

More than one-third of U.S. adults have prediabe tes, a precursor to type 2 diabetes. But if you are an Hispanic American, you are more likely to develop diabetes (17 percent), compared to non-Hispanic whites (8 percent), according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hispanic Americans represent a diverse group that includes people of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South and Central American, and other Spanish cultures, and all races. Each has its own history and traditions, some of which include dietary and other lifestyle habits that may make them more suscepti ble to prediabetes and diabetes, says the CDC, the American Diabetes Association and other medical groups.

“Over their lifetime, U.S. adults overall have a 40 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes,” the CDC states. “But if you’re a Hispanic/Latino American adult, your chance is more than 50 per cent, and you’re likely to develop it at a younger age.”

Moreover, diabetes complications can be more se vere among Hispanics, who have higher rates of kidney failure caused by diabetes and diabetes-re lated vision loss.

Prediabetes means a person’s blood glucose (sug ar) level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. If left untreat ed, prediabetes can progress into type 2 diabetes. (November is Diabetes Awareness Month and Nov. 14 marks World Diabetes Day.)

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease, a condition in which your body doesn’t use insulin properly. And while some people can con trol their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to help manage it.

Within the Hispanic culture in the U.S., diabetes risk factors include dietary choices that are high in simple carbohydrates, most commonly found in processed and refined sugars such as the filling in pastries, table sugar, syrups, and soft drinks. But simple carbs are also found in white rice, which can spike blood sugar much faster and higher because it lacks fiber, which can help improve blood sugar levels.

In contrast, foods high in fiber are “complex car bohydrates,” which help slow down digestion and the rate at which they raise your blood sugar. Di etary fiber — found primarily in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — is best known as a benefit to relieve constipation. But fiber also helps you maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease and even some types of cancer.

Many Hispanic Americans don’t understand that their dietary choices are keeping them overweight — in addition to sedentary lifestyles — and it is a challenge to dispel misconceptions about nutri tion and diabetes, says Pascual De Santis, M.D., an endocrinologist with Baptist Health Primary Care.

“I talk about this all the time with my patients,” says Dr. De Santis. “Some say: ‘I eat very well.’ But I say: ‘Compared to what?’ So, they have a standard that has been ingrained in them based on what they see around them. And at some point, they might think that they’re doing something right. We need to show people that the standard they have become used to, especially among Hispanics, is not the correct standard. I encounter this challenge in my day-to-day practice. I have to tell people that what they think is right is actually wrong.”

Weight management is a major risk factor for dia betes and that’s another issue that needs to be clar ified within the Hispanic culture, explains Dr. De Santis. Often, being “plump” is considered healthy by Hispanics. But many don’t realize that just a small percentage of weight loss can help prevent diabetes, he adds.

“Usually, you need to lose 5 to 10 percent of your body weight if you’re pre-diabetic to reduce your risk of conversion to diabetes,” says Dr. De Santis. “So, they may not get to their ideal body weight. I see people who lose 5 percent of their body weight when they’re trying to lose more and they are usually frustrated. I tell them to please celebrate because you have now decreased your risk of be coming a diabetic by 60 percent if you’re a pre-di abetic. So the point is that any type of weight loss, especially 5 percent or more, can actually help you very much.”

Try These 4 Tricks to Quiet Heartburn

By Michael Gollust | ShareCare

If you have been popping antacids like candy lately, consider making some lifestyle chang es. “We can definitely be proactive,” says clinical dietician Amy Freeman, RDN, of Oc ala Health. Sometimes medical factors cause heartburn. “But we can control other things,” Freeman says.

Here are just a few lifestyle changes you can make to get your heartburn under control.

1. Lose weight

Being overweight “changes the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES),” says Free man. This is the valve that keeps stomach juic es from creeping up. Imagine the LES as a fist. If you make a tight fist, you can’t see daylight through it..But if the fist is loose, you can—just as a loose LES allows acid to pass through. “Being overweight lowers that pressure,” she says. “The extra body mass prevents the LES from closing.”

2. Keep a journal

Diaries aren’t just for angsty teenagers. Free man recommends keeping both a food log and a record of symptoms. Tracking both can help you learn what sets your body off. “If I have my morning coffee every day but get rid of chocolate and pepper and that gets rid of my symptoms, I know there’s no need to eliminate coffee,” she says. You might be surprised at what you learn. “A lot of folks will say, ‘I can’t have this,’ but that may not be true for them. By keeping a food and symptoms log, they’ll find something more specific for them.”

3. Skip the soda

In one study, people who consumed at least one carbonated beverage a day had a 30 per cent increased risk of nighttime heartburn compared with those who didn’t drink bub bly beverages. Bubbles and acids in fizzy drinks—which contribute to bloating—set the stage for heartburn.

4. Bump up your dinner

Avoid eating for at least three hours before bed, says Freeman. In another study, people who went to bed within 3 hours of dinner were 7.5 times more likely to have gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) compared with people who waited for at least 4 hours after dining to go to bed.

If you’re still up and about while your stom ach is working, “We’re not in that prone posi tion and working against gravity,” Freeman says. More ways to make gravity your friend: Sit up straight while eat ing and consider raising the head of your bed.

Fanning the flames

Almost everyone experiences heartburn at some point in his or her life. And more than 40 percent of people in the United States have heartburn at least once a month. About 10 per cent of us get it daily (ouch). Whatever bucket you fall into, take heed if heartburn becomes more than an occasional annoyance. Chronic heartburn could be a sign of GERD—a con dition that, when left untreated, increases the risk of esophageal cancer.

A Terminal Diagnosis is Not Keeping One Texas Woman From Living

Amanda Medina was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at the age of 33. Despite the odds she continues to inspire.

By John-Thomas Kobos | Fox West Texas

We continue our Positively Pink: Survivor Se ries with a true go-getter defying the odds of her breast cancer diagnosis while helping others. Amanda Medina hopes her experiences guide others on a similar path... but has one big wish.

If you are looking for someone full of personality straight out of South Texas, you have come to the right place! Born in Richmond south of Houston, Medina got to Taft, Texas as fast as she could!

“This is my little town right here. And I can afford to live here” she laughed.

Sassy, determined, and full of drive, you would never know just by looking at her today that she has stage four breast cancer.

“This is going to sound funny, but I’m so grateful that God just said ‘Here Bam! You’re Stage 4,’ be cause I don’t think I could have handled be ing stage 1,2,3, beat it and then it come back again.”

Medina was 33-years-old back in 2018 when she was told she had De Novo metastatic breast cancer and it was terminal. She was given two to five-years to live.

“The medications I’m on now after going through 10 rounds of chemo...it was told [to me] that it would fail after six-months. I’m going on twoyears. Thank you Baby Jesus for that.”

She has four or five other treatment options be fore considering experimental, clinical trials but this 37-year-old crusader is keenly aware - there is no cure.

“Right now, I’m just trying to live.”

And right now she is winning. Medina, a former dental assistant, keeps busy speaking to doctors

and pharmaceutical companies across the nation searching for a cure while still making time to help others battling this disease in South Texas.

“If they have cancer or they had it, or they are going through it...this is the group they want to be in.”

She started a private Facebook group that current ly has 70 members and counting; all sharing their stories and resources with Medina who neatly or ganizes them into albums.

“So if your triple negative, I put you in an album. If you’re ERPR positive I put you here. Two reached out to me. ‘I have no insurance’. ‘Girl, I got you’, because I’ve been there, done that. ‘This is what you’re going to do’.”

If you can’t tell by now, Me dina does not sit still for long. She just pulled off organizing the inaugural ‘Light up Meta static Breast Cancer 5K Color Run’ at Cole park. Medina says by her count there are only six other women with her type of diagnosis in the Coastal Bend.

And she is not naive. Medina is fully aware there is an end to her breast cancer journey. She makes plenty of time for her 19-yearold son, Samuel and boyfriend of 13-years Joel.

Medina does has one final wish.

“Hopefully, and my family is so big that it’s hard to get everybody on the same page, but that is my ultimate dream...is to get a family photo. That is why these walls are bare. I’m waiting for the perfect photo to put up there. That was my thing when I got diagnosed. I told God: ‘I surrender to you. I’m ready but please give me a chance to be here’. I think he’s not done with me. I’m still here. So...”

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Alfonso

Nourish Yourself to Flourish

By HealthAdvocateBlog

Worrying about the future, overexposure to distressing news stories, and juggling work and home life can quickly result in burn out, lack of energy and motivation, and feelings of hopelessness. As we continue to hope for a sense of normalcy to return, it is important that we make the best of our current situations and continue to adapt and cope. These tips can help you nourish yourself with the goal of flourishing.

Take care of yourself. Nothing is more important than your physical and mental health. Stay on top of preventive measures and regular doctors’ visits, and address health issues as they arise.

Eat well. Nutritious foods are key to good health and sustainable energy levels. Strive to eat a variety of fruits and vege tables, whole grain foods, nuts, seeds, healthy oils and lean proteins.

Avoid loading up on sugar, caffeine and “junk” foods. While they may provide a temporary pick-me-up, they result in a “crash” that can leave you feel ing even more depleted. Enjoy these foods in moderation and as a way to treat your self. Little indulgences of this type can be nourishing!

Allow yourself to rest—without becoming a couch potato! When life gets tough, it can be comforting to enjoy a moment of relaxation in front of your TV or curled up in bed. However, it is important to balance these activities with

movement and exercise to nourish your body and mind.

Set boundaries. Nothing can lead to burnout quicker than blurring the lines be tween work and home life. If you’re able to work onsite, leave your work at work and your home life at home. If you’re working from home, establish boundaries of time, space and thought.

•Time: Stick to a schedule and avoid working outside of normal hours. Don’t work on your days off—you’ve earned them!

•Space: Designate a space in your home for work and keep your computer, phone, notepads, etc. there to avoid your work from spilling into other areas of your home.

•Thought: While it is much easier said than done, try to turn off thoughts of work when you’re done for the day—and on weekends—to avoid thinking and talking about work during non-work hours.

Lose yourself in something you love. Nourish yourself by participating in activities you enjoy. Schedule regular “me” time to ensure you follow through.

Take breaks from the news and social media. A total separation from these things for several days, weeks or even months can be extremely nourishing and allow for more time and self-reflec tion. Also, aim to avoid preoccupation with the actions of others.

Virtual gatherings becoming draining?

Break up the monotony. You may be feeling stuck, bored and like it’s a “Groundhog Day” type of situation. Think of safe ways to make life fun again. Try things such as:

•Schedule a “vacation” day where you plan your day and meals around activities found in places you’d like to go on vaca tion. For example, is a trip to Italy a dream destination for you? Cook an authentic Ital ian meal complete with dessert, play Italian music, virtually explore tourist hotspots, and immerse yourself in the culture from the comfort of your home.

•Plan a movie night and include all your favorite theater snacks. Turn off the lights, raise the volume and replicate the environ ment of the theater in your own home.

•Scan real estate websites and find your ultimate dream house. Imagine what it would be like to live there!

•Pamper yourself. Indulge in a long, hot shower or bath with your favorite scented soap and hair products. Take time to shave, do your hair, and clip, file and polish your nails—anything that make you feel as if you just visited the barber, salon or spa.

•Spend time brightening up your home.

If you have a blue mood or fatigue that seems to linger, or you feel continually overwhelmed, there are professionals who can help. Talk to your doctor.

Politely turn down invitations for virtual gatherings and suggest alternative ways to connect instead, such as phone, text or even write a letter or send a card!

BUSINESS&CAREER

Caitie Pies

By Caitlin Wallace | Owner, Caitie Pies

How long have you been in business?

I started Caitie Pies 4 years ago

What inspired you to start your business? I’ve always enjoyed sharing my food with others. After completing culinary school, I decided that I wanted to do it on a grander scale. I feel like the sharing food with others is the most heart-felt thing someone can do.

Describe your product or service and why it is unique to your competitors’. We mainly focus on hand pies, both sweet and savory. Everything we make is scratch-made and gets to the customer quickly. This way you can enjoy a home cooked meal on your lunch break!

How do you market and brand your business? We mainly use social media apps as well as word of mouth.

Are there any specific prod ucts or ways you market your business to the His panic community?

Since culinary, I got really inspired by the Hispanic and Latin food culture. Which has allowed me to be able to put things on the menu such as Pozole, a Chorizo and Pota to Hand Pie, and soon, Chile Verde.

Have you had a particular role model or mentor who has helped you become a successful business owner? No one person in particular, but I’ve just been inspired by all these other local people who have been brave enough to start their own business and see them grow.

Do you have any advice to share with those who dream of opening their own business one day? Watch, Study, and Practice every day. Find your niche and go for it.

What is the best way for a potential client to make contact with you?

We are open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-2pm upstairs at Under One Roof, 244 Pine St, Abilene, Texas Phone Number: 325-999-8677 Website: caitiepies.com

Email: caitie@caitiepies.com

Instagram: CaitiePies

Facebook: @CaitiePies

I don’t just see a customer.

I see you.

While other insurance companies just see a customer, I see a neighbor in my community. I’m here to get to know who you really are so I can help life go right.

LET’S TALK TODAY.

Risha Sanders, Agent

3228 North 10th St

Abilene, TX 79603 Bus: 325-673-4229 www.rishasanders.net

State Farm Bloomington, IL 1706838

Caitlin Wallace recently opened her Caitie Pies in the loft at Under One Roof downtown.

Caitlin Wallace’s fiance, Edwin Bruno makes a Shepherd’s Hand Pie.

Holiday Marketing Tips for Non-Retail Businesses

By Deborah Sweeney | AllBusiness

If you own a retail business, chances are you’re more than ready for the holidays—there’s no shortage of expert advice to guide you to suc cess. But what happens if you’re a non-retailer? What are some good holiday marketing tips for non-retail businesses to take advantage of this special time of year to drum up new business?

Service-based businesses, such as law firms, landscapers, and plumbers, provide offerings to their clients year-round. Unlike their retail counterparts, however, they’re not as likely to offer doorbuster deals or inspire crowds to line up outside come November and December. But as the owner of a service-based business myself, I can tell you it is still possible for non-retailers to take part in the holidays.

Here are a few ways your non-retail business can create an exceptional seasonal customer experience:

1. Create a holiday discount-One of the top holiday marketing tips for non-retail businesses is to offer customers a discount on your services. Create a special holiday dis count for a percentage off a customer’s next purchase. Distribute news about the discount through your social media accounts, email newsletters, website, and any print mailers or in-store signage.

Encourage existing customers to spread the news and get other interested customers to sign up for your newsletter. This is a win-win for both email marketing and engaging with cus tomers for future updates with your business.

2. Offer a creative storefront experience-So, you might not be selling a tradition al physical product. However, your business still has a brick-and-mortar location, and cli ents walk in and out of this space when they schedule appointments with you throughout the year. Get crafty during the holiday season by offering these additional services:

- Host an open house. Maybe you’re new to the neighborhood or would like to get to know other small businesses in the area. Hold a hol iday-themed open house event with music and snacks, and also provide information about who you are. Keep employees informed about your plans and encourage them to mingle with visitors and answer any questions.

Set up a makeshift “Santa’s Workshop.” You’ve heard of the naughty and nice list, right? Let your customers know you’re here to make the holidays a little bit less stressful for them by taking an item off their to-do list. This can include anything from gift wrapping ser vices to providing a complimentary 15-minute consultation.

- Decorate your storefront. Your foot traffic is much more likely to increase if you physically advertise holiday participation.

3. Give back to a good cause-Does your business support a specific charity? Donate a portion of proceeds to a charity and give back to a cause you believe in. You may also consid er giving back physically, too. Meet with your team to discuss opportunities where you can help out in the community. Your team may de cide to volunteer at a soup kitchen, spend some time at retirement homes, or sponsor families for holiday gifts.

4. Boost employee morale-Employees, from interns to managers, are a major driving force behind successful holiday shopping sea sons. They also work incredibly hard through out the rest of the year, too. The season may be a busy one, but it’s important to show your team how much you appreciate their hard work through creative, fun initiatives.

Not sure where to start? Consider these simple, inexpensive gifts that boost morale:

-Write a thoughtful, personalized thank you card.

-Cater in breakfast or lunch.

-Pair up random team members in the office to send a candy cane gram to (that’s a candy cane with a nice note attached to it).

-Host a white elephant gift exchange.

-Engage in a fun, post-work activity together, such as seeing a movie or going to an ice skat ing rink.

5. Thank your clients and partners

While we’re on the topic of thanking employ ees, don’t forget to thank your current clients and partners. Write out personalized thank you cards and let clients and partners know how thankful you are to have worked with them throughout the year. Share how they helped your business succeed and say cheers to the next year ahead and all that’s to come in the new year and beyond.

Junior Achievement of Abilene’s Business Hall of Fame Recognizes Business Leaders

By Sharon Earnest | Junior Achievement of Abilene, Executive Director

Junior Achievement of Abilene will celebrate its 40th anniversary by honoring the efforts of four outstanding business leaders in our com munity.

These leaders are being inducted into the Busi ness Hall of Fame for their demonstrations of business excellence, courageous thinking & actions, visionary leadership, and community involvement.

For 2022, these four distinguished leaders will be officially recognized as Laureates on Tues day, November 15, 2022 at Station 1 Venue. The Co-Chairs for Business Hall of Fame are Kevin Bredemeyer and Shaun Martin.

This year’s Business Hall of Fame inductees include…

•Norm Archibald, Hendrick Health System

Director - Legislative & Public Policy/Mayor of Abilene 2004-2017

•Darrin Black, President of Pennye Layne Properties, Retired Black Plumbing & Abilene Fire Department

•Byron & Stacie Stephenson, Owners, Shed Market

PREVIOUS INDUCTEES…

2019: Ray Ferguson, Katie Alford, Jack Rentz

2017: Kirk and Kristi Thaxton, Tim Lancaster, Wesley Smith

2014: Bob Surovick, Bud Darby, Marelyn Shedd, Tucker Bridwell

2008: Scott Dueser, Sharon Riley, George Nichols

“Our Name Is Our Promise” said Sharon Ear nest, Junior Achieve of Abilene, Executive Director.

Over the past 39 years Junior Achievement of Abilene has impacted the lives of over one hundred and ten thousand students, involved hundreds of volunteers from the business and military community, and has had finan cial support from large and small business es, foundations and individuals to help grow JA programs and awareness. JA brings the

real world into the classrooms and also af ter-school programing settings with hands-on experiences that teach young people about business, financial literacy, workforce readi ness – tools to give them successful futures. About Junior Achievement of Abilene Junior Achievement’s mission is to inspire and pre pare young people to succeed. The inspiration piece comes from community volunteers who not only deliver our lessons, but share their ex perience. In the process, these volunteers serve as role models helping to positively im pact young people’s perceptions about the im portance of education, as well as critical life skills. Preparation involves our proven lessons that promote financial capability, work and ca reer readiness, and business ownership.

To learn more about Junior Achievement of Abilene please visit our website:: https:// abilene.ja.org/ Help is a Phone Call Away... 24/7 Victim Crisis Hotline 325.677.7895

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ServiceMaster Celebrates 50 Years

By Susan Holland | Director of Business Development, ServiceMaster

Gary Glenn came to Abilene, TX in October 1972 from Dallas to open his own carpet and upholstery cleaning company. The name of his new company was Abilene Shampoo and Steam. He sold his corvette and purchased a van and cleaning equipment and was a “oneman in-a-van” cleaning company. His initial plan was to get the business going well, sell it, and move back to Dallas. The only problem with that plan was that he fell in love with the City of Abilene.

In the late 1970’s the company bought truck-mounted hot water extraction equipment and the company name was changed to A-Town Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning.

In the mid-1980’s the company began to expand into the areas of fire and water restoration, so a new company was formed, Hi-Tech Fire and Water Restoration. Having the two com panies was confusing to the customer and the companies were merged and the name became A-Town I Hi-Tech Cleaning and Restoration.

In 1999, the company purchased its current location at 4402 S Danville. This purchase allowed the company to continue to grow, prosper and employ more personnel. The building houses a large built in area rug cleaning pit along with a large drying floor, an ozone room which can deodorize items from a fire damaged house and a vault area in which can secure custom ers belongings during their rebuild process.

In 2009, the company began nego tiations with ServiceMaster Clean and Restore, the largest franchise cleaning and resto ration company. In 2011, A-Town I Hi-Tech purchased the franchise for the Abilene area and the new name became ServiceMaster by A-Town I Hi-Tech.

In 2014, Chris and Sharon Jeter purchased the company and Gary knew that they would take the company to the next level. Chris came from a background in the restoration industry and had worked for several other restoration companies. Chris’ vision included adding an other service for the company and that was mold remediation which was completed in 2015.

In 2019, the company continued its expansion and purchased the ServiceMaster franchise in the Permian Basin area (Midland/Odessa}.

Currently the company employs 31individuals for both locations and continues to expand.

The companies mission statement is: “To provide the most OUTSTANDING service expe-

5 Benefits of Joining Your Local Chamber of Commerce

By U.S. Chamber of Commerce

A chamber of commerce is an integrated busi ness network that works toward the common interests of small businesses in local areas across the United States. Your local chamber of commerce can offer visibility, credibility, support, and more for your new or growing business.

Here are five reasons why joining a chamber of commerce can be the best thing you do for your business — and how to sign up for your local chamber.

It helps you make business contacts

When you decide to join a local chamber, you automatically open up yourself — and your business — to a network of potential part nerships. Business contacts from your local chamber could become the supportive com munity you turn to one day for assistance or vice versa. In addition, your new business contacts may be the people who serve as your sounding board for new ideas, come up with solutions to internal business problems, and even partner with you on a new endeavor.

It increases your credibility

Belonging to a chamber gives your business

a leg up compared to those who are not mem bers. A company with this level of credibility becomes desirable to consumers, increasing the likeliness they’ll seek out your goods or services in the future. Compare belonging to a chamber as you would having a college degree when applying for a job; it tells your future em ployer — or consumer — you know what you are doing.

While your business’s positive perception in creases, so will your profits as you establish credibility and brand recognition within your industry. Your membership dues could poten tially pay for themselves thanks to the influx in your consumer base.

It expands your network

As your local chamber continues to grow, so will your network. The chamber will hold networking opportunities — usually month ly — allowing you to get to know commu nity members, fellow business owners, and other professionals in your industry. While the events can range from formal to fun, each will allow you to make new connections and foster additional exposure for your business. Your business’s relationships and possible ex

pansion through a local chamber network will often be unmatched.

It

provides key business resources Your local chamber can make a great marketing resource for your company via avenues like its newsletter, website, social media, and more. In addition to networking events, chambers often hold events, such as “lunch and learn,” where members can pick up new skills or techniques. These types of events can offer resources for advancement for all your employees.

Chambers also offer financial resources. Though you will pay membership fees, your chamber can provide financial aid when your business is suffering through times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This finan cial assistance could help you find the return on these membership fees.

It supports your professional devel opment - Most chambers of commerce host events and training sessions geared toward professional development. By providing these opportunities for your and your business’s growth, the chamber creates an avenue for you to improve skills and gain knowledge without

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PROGRAMA DE NÚMERO DE IDENTIFICACIÓN FISCAL INDIVIDUAL (ITIN)

El programa está diseñado para futuros propietarios que no tienen número de seguro social. Martin Jasso está dedicado a ayudarte lograr tus metas personales de ser propietario de una vivienda y te apoyará en cada paso del camino.

¡Podemos ayudarte a través del proceso y lograr tus sueños ser una realidad!

DETALLES DEL PROGRAMA

• La cantidad máxima de préstamo es de $450,000, y cantidad mínima de $30,000

• Disponible para residencias unifamiliares ocupadas como vivienda primaria dentro del estado de Texas

• Opciones de préstamo con enganches de tan solo el 10%

• Para personas sin número de seguro social que puedan proporcionar documentación oficial de ITIN

• El enganche puede provenir de una subvención, obsequio u otras fuentes verificables

• Préstamo aprobado localmente

• El préstamo es retenido y administrado por First Financial Bank; el préstamo no se venderá

¡Comunícate con Martin para comenzar hoy!

Martin Jasso NMLS# 1959764 | 325-627-7029 | mjasso@ffin.com 400 Pine St., Abilene, TX 79605

FFIN.com

breaking your company’s budget. Taking ad vantage of the chamber’s professional devel opment opportunities will help your business make necessary changes, share its expertise with others, and grow.

Once you’ve located your nearest chamber, you can visit its website to fill out an appli cation form and pay any required fees. Form fields and membership fees may vary by cham ber. After you’ve received confirmation that you have been accepted as a member of the chamber, you will be on your way to discounts, benefits, resources, and so much more.

Abilene Chamber of Commerce www.abilenechamber.com 325.677.7241

400 Pine St., Ste. 500

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm