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Editor's Note
CEO/Radio/TV/Web Host & Personality
Hello everyone! I want to thank everyone for being a part of our Journey and our Online Digital Magazine Our Magazine is simply here to inspire you and help be a Voice for everyone! We love to share your stories with the world This is another wonderful Platform we have put together for you to enjoy We are here to help encourage those who love to write but don't know where to start, have hidden talents as writers, editors, photographers, graphic designers and so much more, to be a part of our Magazine We want to inspire you to embrace new talented writers as some will be sharing their stories for the first time We also have experienced, amazing writers from around the world Here at Inspiration 4 Life, we are a judge free zone and love to give others the opportunities to also live their dreams and passions We have been trying to make this dream come true since 2010 but with so many obstacles that stood in the way, we managed to break barriers and still made our dream come true We inspire you to never give up on your Dreams!
In this Magazine, you will read about some of our amazing Inspiration 4 Life Team, our Members, Partners, Sponsors, Advertisers and more Inspiration 4 Life has covered the Eastside, Westside, Southside, Northside, surrounding areas and also around the world There are no boundaries of the location and type of inspiration we will cover in our Magazine We have covered it all after all these years. We have so many amazing people in our Communities of San Antonio, therefore we will always have stories for you Inspiration 4 Life will always be thankful for our Local Heroes Segment on KENS 5 Great Day SA, Sunday Morning Show from 2011-2015.
Rita Hernandez
Editor-in-Chief
If you would like to be a part of our Magazine or have any questions, you can visit www inspiration4life org/Contact
Leticia Salazar
Owner & Photographer
My love of photography has been a longstanding one. After witnessing me trying to catch a picture of a bird with my iPhone, my husband gifted me a professional camera for Christmas in 2019. Ever since then, our dogs, landscape and wildlife have been fascinating photographic subjects.
I love animals. We own 3 dogs and I love to see my dogs enjoy life through pictures and videos. Paws N Poses was created to provide the same service to you.
Our Passion for Photography
At Paws N Poses Pet Photography, we are passionate about capturing your pet's unique personality on camera. Leticia has years of experience in the field of landscape and wildlife photography, and is committed to providing you with the highest quality work.
Our Creative Vision
We appreciate how each pet's personality shines. We believe in capturing photos in a studio, at home, on a walk, in the water, in short....everywhere. This allows the many faces of your pet come to life!
THE BEST GIFTS ALL YEAR LONG!
EDNA LUGO
Edna Lugo is a contemporary cultural artist who was born in Queretaro, Mexico, and now is based in San Antonio Texas. She is an accomplished musician, stained glass and paper Mache artist and most recently, an emerging successful silversmith. When Edna turned her sights to silversmithing in 2022, she sought the help and guidance of legendary master silversmith, Art Tafoya Her inspirations come from the world around her, most notably the natural world Edna’s intricate pieces, using sterling silver and natural stones, feature elements such as flower, birds, tigers and horses
Edna Lugo Studio / Facebook / Instagram Email ednalugoarts@outlook com Ph 210-996-4830 PO box 242 30131 Bulverde Lane, Bulverde, TX 78163
www.ednalugostudio.com
Mi Familia at the Rim
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Born and raised in San Antonio, Alison has maintained her passion for two things, jewelry and serving others. In every interaction, you can be sure to feel Alison's passion of wearing a timeless quality chain that is as unique and vibrant as the person who wears them.
Each piece tells a story and if you are lucky enough to hear Alison's story, you too will find that there is no better time to be your very best self, than now!
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WHAT IS PERMANENT JEWELRY?
Toxic Relationships!
By Sandra Cerda
When Enough Is Enough!
It’s only September and I’ve received more than my share of messages from people I care about who are trapped in toxic relationships! There is nothing sadder than to learn the people closest to you are not for you and even worse, having to find out they’ve gone over and above to sabotage your peace and work hard to sabotage your other healthy relationships. The good news is your true friends who know you and know your good works will never give ear to those lies and fabrications. But what do you do in the meantime?
For me personally, I remove myself from those people as much as possible. For me, there is nothing more strengthening than to surround yourself with people who are for you, who will hold you up and encourage you through those rough roads.
I make sure to limit as much of myself and as much of their ability to contaminate my peace of mind. More than that, we have God’s permission to do it!
I found in the Word of God where, in Zephaniah 2:5, that “God is a wall of fire all around us, He is the glory in our midst”, meaning he will surround you with an impenetrable wall of protection where nothing can permeate the fire of His presence on your life. It is the will of God to shield you. I am so fortunate to have a small group of women who are very protective of me,
very prayerful over me and speak into my life all the promises of God in order to remind me that God has better things in store for my future than toxicity and negative people who know nothing of my life behind closed doors. Too often there are those few people who have decided they have a license to hinder you, obstruct you and even to tear you down, but they don’t. Too often there are those few people who have decided they have some sort of permission to go behind your back and degrade you to others, disqualify you, demean you with their clique-ish, faultfinding opinions that are so far from the truth of God’s word and character. God is for you, not against you. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; old things are passed away and in God all things are new.
I feel very strongly that the attachments we have with some people are our biggest snare, when our attachment to the Lord and in fulfilling the callings of God on our lives should override any other attachment or seeming obligation.
Don’t be afraid to step out on the paths that God is directing for you, despite what others think. Don’t be a people-pleaser, be a God-pleaser. You’ll know God is pleased with you when you see the continual blessing of the Lord on your work, on your life and by your answered prayers. Some roads, some paths won’t have those people on them and they can be very judgmental about it, even when they say they’re not. God has not called you to slow down, to stop or to give in to their detours simply because of their lack of approval or understanding. They are not your filter God and His word are.
You might be surprised to learn that this also happens in churches and group settings of faith, I believe for the simple reason that the Lord will not have us forming into cliques and small groups where only people who agree with us can hang out. I have a very good, strong and healthy group of people in my life and we don’t all agree 100% with everything, especially politics! But one thing is for sure, we lift each other up and refuse to tear each other down. We surround each other with good, healthy words and not toxic ugliness or mean-spiritedness. I have seen where some leaders can go days and even a week or more not speaking to someone, throwing people out that they cannot tolerate and even speaking against them when they’re in the same room with others! It can be very disheartening but will always leave me wondering what is really going on in that person ’ s life? Are they truly fractured or broken, are they secretly addicted to something or worse, are they backsliding and trying to disguise it? Who do you go to in those times of facing such oppression and opposition? For me personally, I go to the Lord every single time. On rare occasions I will lean on a very strong woman of prayer who always lifts me up above it until I can get my foothold again. We all go through these siftings, and we all have people who are toxic come in and out of our lives. Vengeance is Gods’ and He wants us to give it to Him, whether it’s in the form of frustration or hurt, rejection, misunderstanding or anger, even all of that so that God can intervene for our success. The greatest revenge is success, so succeed in moving on in the Spirit of the Lord knowing He is with you!
Connect with Sandra Cerda and First Time Authors on Facebook. Sandra is an author, publisher and screenplay writer. For more on her work, see Fig Films at www.MaryMagdalene.Film or visit her books on Amazon under Sandra Cerda, author.
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Angie Vivian
Puro Texas Charm
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Rhonda Short - Mature Diva Travel
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Chiquita Bonita Snacks
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Catherine's Pearls
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Tristan Ramires
Heart Chakra Healing
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Enchanting Sweets
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Antoinette Fashions
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Contact Kerri Moody: Planning Appointment
ToClearorNottoClear Ana Banda
Trees are more than just a beautiful part of the landscape; they are a crucial component of our ecosystem. Historically, trees have provided shelter, fuel, and materials for countless generations. They play a significant role in regulating the climate by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen In the Texas Hill country, the Ashe Juniper and Live Oak trees are the dominant native tree species Cedar Elm and Mesquite trees are also thriving in Texas Live Oak trees can tolerate drought and thrive in a variety of soil conditions
Clearing land and trimming trees are crucial first steps for anyone looking to build a new home or for their developments While trees are vital to our environment, providing oxygen, improving air quality, conserving water, and supporting wildlife, there are times when trimming or clearing is necessary for development Understanding the importance of trees, their value and possible historical context of land use should be considered when clearing the land.
When planning to clear the land, it's essential to consider several factors to minimize environmental impact and meet your development goals In our last discussion, we reviewed the importance of utilizing a survey and a topography survey to understand the soil, the trees and the vegetation that is present on your land The survey will outline easements These easements will need to be considered when considering the layout It is crucial to check with local regulations and obtain all the necessary permits before proceeding The initial walk on your property with a professional will help you decide which trees are best to preserve and which trees can be cleared This is important to discuss with the professionals to map out your vision. One important factor to consider is that not all trees need to be removed. Preserving the right trees on your property can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your property while maintain the ecological balance Walking the land with the professional will be the time to mark the areas to be cleared This will be the time to identify the trees to be preserved and to plan out the disposal of the debris
Walking the land with the professional will give you time to consider any structures currently onsite and give you a better understanding of what is beneath the surface
Once you have reviewed the survey and considered the easements to the land, the next step is deciding on the placement of your future build Establishing where you want to place your new build or if there will be several builds You will want to consider the orientation of your new build in relation to the sunlight and landscape.
If you have a large property, such as acres of land, you may want to consider clearing it in steps Clearing the land in stages will allow you to better manage the resources, labor and the equipment needed for the process This also allows you the opportunity to make adjustments if needed and provides that time for unforeseen challenges that you may encounter. This approach can possibly provide flexibility for any future developments on your land and ultimately save you money in the long run Please consider that some trees can very much enhance your property value Some trees may even serve as natural barriers Trees also reduce heating and cooling costs for your home With so many factors to consider, preparing your timeline is crucial I would also look into the possibility of selling some of the trees or the wood to timber companies for lumber or firewood This is all the planning in advance and definitely take the time to contact these companies in advance to map out the land clearing process Also consider that the mulch which results in the trimming and shredding of the trees can be returned to certain areas mapped out to cultivate your land.
Work with local wildlife experts or gather some advice from biologists to carefully identify and protect the habitats. You may run across existing nests or dens on the property
Hiring the right reputable land clearing service is important I would advise you to get multiple quotes and always ensure that the contractors are licensed and insured Be assured that the right team of contractors will have the right up to date equipment and expertise to efficiently and safely clear your land Take notes and do not be afraid to ask all of the questions that come to mind Discuss your plans and ensure that you and the contractor and the designer or builder are all on the same page. Staying in communication will help to avoid any misunderstandings and therefore ensure that your project is completed in a timely manner and to your satisfaction Don’t forget to keep the documentation of your contracts including the contractors and any sales of the trees This is very important if there are ever any disputes about the land use and may be used for tax purposes
As your Texas Realtor, I am here to help you navigate the complexities of land clearing and tree trimming. Whether you’re planning a new build or preparing land for sale, I can provide the resources and guidance you need to make informed decisions Whether you need advice on which trees to preserve, how to obtain the necessary permits, or finding reputable land-clearing services, I can help connect you to the right professionals and provide the support you need to make informed decisions My goal is to make this journey as smooth and successful as possible for you. Let me be a part of your journey to creating your dream property. I’m here to assist you every step of the way Please don’t hesitate to reach out together, we can ensure your project gets off to a great start! Contact me today, and let's work together to ensure your project is a success! This is Ana Banda, your Texas Realtor, powered by LPT Realty, LLC 210 316 8432
DJ FIRME
We are a family owned + operated DJ business! With CEO Alex Sanchez, and myself Co CEO Fructuoso Sanchez Jr and along with my lovely Wife Priscilla Villarreal Sanchez who schedules and finds any and all events in surrounding areas of Seguin and South Central Texas. We love to play music. Music is in our blood and always will be. To us music is an escape from reality just simply hearing a song that takes you back to those golden memories of your life. Ones that you will never forget because you remember that specific time when you hear that song and it's just a great feeling. You could be driving down the road and a song comes on and you can't help but to crank it up and sing your heart out to a favorite song. That is what we enjoy to see when we are out there playing music in any event. We enjoy seeing people enjoying themselves dancing, singing, and of course those gritos never fail. My brother Alex is not just my brother, he is also my best friend and he made my dream come true. I wouldn't have known how to repay him. I love you brother and thank you for making my dream come true. After a tragic accident happened to me a year ago I landed in hospital not being promised to my wife and family that i would see another day! Thanks to God
and all the prayers from friends and family I am still here. I am a survivor of necrotizing pancreatitis in which my pancreatitis exploded. I was in the hospital for two months. I thank God everyday for giving me a second chance at life! After two months in ICU I am here proof of God's existence and love for us.
That's when I said to myself! You know what, I'm going to live my dream now that I got a second chance in life. I have always loved music ever since I was little and what better way to share my passion and dream with the world? That's right to become a DJ. I mentioned it to my wife and she replied why not let's do it and so that's how we were founded. Us three my little brother, my wife and myself love music and have always been part of our lives. She remembers her dad sitting on the porch
listening to music and shining his Stacy Adams shoes. And my Mom and Dad day enjoy music all together as well. It's in our heritage.
My brother with all his hard work says "If we ’ re going to do this, let's do this right so he went out and purchased necessary equipment to start and ever since we have been adding little by little to our set up and getting stronger and bigger by the moment. We are not here to get rich and famous, but to let people know that dreams can be achieved and that life's difficulties can be alleviated through the sound of music. Just remember folks when you hear that one song that brings the best in you, don't be afraid to be you and sing your heart out and dance like there's no tomorrow. I would like to extend my love and gratitude to my wife Priscilla Villarreal Sanchez, she is my second Best Friend and Rock I love You baby. To my brother, thank u Bro without you guys we wouldn't be here today. And not Least MAN UPSTAIRS I LOVE YOU GOD THANK YOU FOR THE SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. Follow
