Papa Villaneva-99 Years old

On March 22, 1921, my grandfather was born in Mexico. Papa was born as a premature baby. He was told by his mother he looked like a rat. They did not know he was going to live but he did live after 96 years. 

His story on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NMyMco_8Ek4  in Spanish. 

My grandfather is living the American dream. My grand father generation is call the, "Greatest Generation," because as one said, " Men and Woman fought not for fame or recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do." My grand father is a man of doing the right thing for his family and also a man of respect. 

I was honored as his granddaughter to know my grandfather almost 39 years of my life. I looked to my grandfather as my 2nd dad. I spoke a little Spanish but we communicated to each other somehow. We laughed, smiled, sang,hugged, prayed, sat together in quietness & ate together. We created many memories together for a lifetime. Papa taught all of us to always put family first. To reach out to others, love others, and pray for them. Sharing the Gospel. Worship and look to Jesus. My papa lived the American Dream. In my Papa’s early years, he was motivated to find a better life in the great state of Texas in 1949 with his family. Papa worked hard in the fields of America with his family. Later on in his life he worked in a factory with his family & my grandma. Papa didn’t read really well in Spanish and learned to read the Bible at age of 53. He loved the Lord. Papa retired to be a farmer and a missionary to his local community with my grandma. As a child during my summer visits it was my papa who sang and preached the Bible. At the end of the service papa would pray for many people after church or in his home during the day or night. Many people would look for my papa to pray, including myself. Papa would quote a verse then pray for you. You would feel papa’s prayers through the Lord. When papa lost my grandma in 1997 my papa went to visit all of his family members and traveled all over Mexico. My papa preached & prayed for many people. I found out later papa supported & helped build a church in Reynosa, Mexico. Papa was a very humble man. He impacted us grandchildren to do something great in the Lord, our family’s lives & in our jobs.

¨He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”

Psalm 91:1 ESV

https://www.bible.com/59/psa.91.1.esv

My papa's life was very interesting before he found the Lord. 

One of my papa's favorite mariachi songs is, "One Day at a Time", https://youtu.be/Jqmf_nf6uyg.

Living By Faith

35 Years Young!

Where did the time go? I was 25 years old, 10 years ago in the month of September. I was 25 years old and thinking of school, and work. When I was 25 years old my life was consumed all about me. Little did I know that things were going to change for me a year later when I watched my father fight colon cancer. Life is not all about me, it's about somebody else. Be strong when someone is weak. Love the Lord when things go wrong in your life.

This past year in my life, I had decided to make some changes in my life and make some major goals for my future.

Health was most important factor in my life. No, I don't need to lose weight, but exercising is on top of my list. Cancer is my fear in my life. I was not being active in my daily life. I purchased Fitbit and notice I had 2,000 steps in my daily walk. Scary! Also, my mother and my younger sister advice me to work out. These ladies push me to better myself and my body. Thanks mom and sis!

Clifford, my sis and I working out @ www.vargasbjj.com/jiu-jitsu.html

Less about social media and focus on volunteering, exercising, catching up at home, watching my favorite shows, hanging with my family and friends. Please forgive me if I miss your birthday, commenting on your vacation, family's pictures, pet's pictures, or your friend's pictures, or your status. I have to a balance to my life. Computers do not rule my life. I choose to live in the real world.

Growing up in the hospitality industry appearance is very important to the public. I found when you exercise all the time less makeup and working less on your hair. This was a huge sacrifice that I was making this year.

Worship and Prayer in traffic. I found the best times you can have with the Lord is in traffic @ 8am. Patience is key during this time. I found myself avoiding accidents and not having a flat tire on busiest highways in my hometown. Thank you, Lord for protecting me!

Lastly, this week, my cousin passed away from cancer. This was my dad's older brother- step daughter, Tracy Crowe Fash. I watched her fight breast cancer. I was not close to my cousin, but I prayed a lot for her. I was believing for a miracle for this young woman. I felt it was a duty as my dad's daughter to prayer for her. I watched Tracy beat cancer 1st time and watch the pain of Tracy fighting for her life 2nd time. Tracy lived her life to fullest with her family, colleagues and with friends in her last days.

As, I turn 35 this month, I leave words from my cousin, https://twitter.com/TracyFash : "I may have a non curable cancer but I can't help feeling so blessed by the wonderful people in my life." #lovelife#needacureforcancer

Psalm 91:4-5(CEV)

“4 He will spread his wings
 over you and keep you secure. His faithfulness is like 
a shield or a city wall.5 you won’t need to worry 
about dangers at night
 or arrows during the day.”

Many hugs to my dad's family, Tracy's friends & love ones.

Forget me Not!

Today my dad would be 61 years old on 06.28.2015. I want to remember my dad with the words he had written on September 08,1999 during his morning devotion. He had written this devotion call,"Forget Me Not." Daniel R. 

I hope you are encouraged today. 

From his oldest daughter, Isleen R.

Hello Summer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a while since I have written anything on this blog. Life has kept me busy since February. Yes! I didn't even had time to write all these months until now.

Now, the summer season has arrived. Hello Summer!! The summer season is my favorite time of the year. Last night, I had very interesting dream last night. It had to do with the summer season and fall season. I had walked in a Target store and enjoyed seeing the summer store front with all the colors and designs everywhere. The store had lots of colors around the store that brought life to the store. ( One thing you don't know about me is that I love designing & decorating).

2^nd part of the dream, I had walked in Target it was The Fall season. Summer had ended. All the summer items were on clearance. All colorful summer designs were gone from the store. It was depressing for me. I had walked through all Target aisles looking at all Fall colors in the store. Then, I had woke up from the dream in shock. What was this dream tell me? Will my Fall season be sad for me? I don't know what my summer season is going to be like for me? I don't know what my Fall season be for me? As, I had turned to my Bible the Lord talks about different seasons in our lives.

“Ecclesiastes 3

King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” 

I will not go too much in context of this Bible verse. I will say... seasons come and go. We are not in control of our seasons. There are times we don't know what is going to happen next. The real test in your life is how you are going to react in the different seasons. The Lord has shown me to Trust in him  in the winter, summer, fall or spring season. 

Lastly, I promise, I will share my summer season with you in my pictures.

Enjoy the summer season, Y'ALL! See you soon! :)

Iamisleen

Winter Olympics 2014

In the celebration of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia which I wanted to do something special online. I wanted to celebrate some of countries that I love with the small things that I have collected over the years through traveling.

Mexico

South Korea

Japan

England 

Israel

China

Accepting Changes

Everyone will be writing review of their year in 2013 and their goals of 2014 online. I would write about my year but it's already on my blog. Here is a small video that you can check out out my year in review for 2013 by clicking here. My goals for 2014 is something that I will keep in my journal.There is a lot that I would like to accomplish in 2014 but I would like to keep it private. I want change in 2014 in my life.

I will share my dad's writings about three changes that occurs in our lives: Natural, Self Induced (brought on by oneself or itself) & Uncontrollable Changes. This will make you think about you life this past year in 2013 and help you plan your goals for next year in 2014.

My dad, J D Rodriguez wrote this on 01.05.2000****************************************

Writing the year 2000 on our checkbooks, Daylight Savings Time, Graying, Loosing/Making Friends, Loosing Hair, Loosing your figure, Kids growing up, The weather, Your Memory not being the same, Spending & Making Money.

Matthew18:13, “And he said, “ I tell you the truth, unless you Change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Changes comes when we least expect them. Changes come through many ways. Some changes we accept them while others we reject them initially. God put animals on this earth so we could learn much from them. If they could talk, I'm sure we would know more information about ourselves regarding change. There are three type of changes of which includes Nature Change, Self-Induced Changes, and the Uncontrollable Changes. We mostly accept the Natural and the Self-Induced Changes except when there is a conflict with other human relationships. The final kind of change, which is the Uncontrollable, become a decision we have to make whether we accept the or reject them.

Natural Changes

Live Right ( Everyone accept a good man)

Prov. 16:7 “ When a man's way are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.

Self-Induced Changes

All seem to be lifestyle inflicted of which can be bad or good:

Positive: Setting positive goals, exercising, good diet, making each day count, living to the server instead of serving to live, keeping positive NO MATTER WHAT, & knowing your place with God/family/friends/and habits

Negative: Gambling, drinking (too much of drinking) hating, mindless music, cursing, living fast, spending trying to keep up with the Jone's, not loving to love but living to putting trust on possessions ( material) instead of God and loved ones, treating people as things instead of living breathing beings, living an immortal lifestyle ( No).

UNCONTROLLABLE CHANGES:

ILLNESS, AGING, DEATH, TAXES, I'm sure we can mention others like visiting the MOTHER IN LAW (my dad loved his Mother in Law, Maria) unwanted Relatives, hurtful friends like BILLS, Etc. But Seriously, I was young and had a great job in Sales when I was called into my managers office. My wife was 8 months pregnant (with me) and I got laid off. After laying around feeling sorry myself, it took courage to find another job because of my PRIDE/ my expectations/my success story/my routine had been ripped apart. That experience was a turning point in my life. It taught me well to always prepare for the unexpected. (my dad was laid off several times in his career.)

Things we can learn from animals regarding changes:

1. They're born without being cuddled and wrapped in a blanket or a nice soft pillow to rest on. ( My dog Gigi ( Toy Poodle), always sat on a nice pillow on the family couch)
2. Many Species have to do their own work in their birth instead of the mother pushing them out.
3. Their weaning period from their mothers can be instantly, days or just a few months.
4. No one knows when a sparrow dies except God and their parents.
5. Animals don't call their parents or their siblings on Holidays.
6. Sometimes it's hard to tell when they're sad, hurting, cold or even dying.

A mind set that can help you with unwanted changes:

1. Realize change do not have to ask you for permission to come. They come regardless.
2. You can not stop change. YOU ARE NOT IN CHARGE BUT Change is in charge.
3. It's how you direct the change to flow where you want it to flow.
4. Do not just see, hear,feel, taste change but ask yourself, “ Why Am I am so special that I can not accept this change?”
5. Lastly, the very first step in knowing how to handle change is knowing you have change standing right in from of you!

Must Have Make Up for All Holiday Parties

Every girl needs to look good for all the holiday parties this year. I have researched from drug store to high end stores for the best make up. I found that if you spend a little money on a few items then your make up is flawless for the holiday parties. I'm not a make up artist but I have learned to find the best products. Also, I have asked a few make up artists for advice. I am giving away some of my secrets to all lovely ladies! Enjoy!

Before your big party prepare your face with these products weeks in advance. I had really bad adult acne weeks ago.I had called my cousin who is a make up artist to advise me really good products at Origins since I couldn’t see the dermatologist. I have to say these products actually worked for me! I was shy taking pictures at my cousin's wedding in the beginning of November. I was not shy taking pictures at a big event in Dallas last weekend.

See the difference:

Mom & I

After, I had used the products:

These are the products that I had used:

You need a good moisture and a primer:

You need good tools to apply you make up: Try Sephora make up brushes. The cost is about $60 but it's worth it. You need eye liner brush,concealer brush, lip liner brush, blush brush and other brushes to apply your make up.

Clinique Superblanced Make Up. This foundation sops up skin with Biopol, a milk-derived protein. “ My face stayed matte until the evening.,” said one tester. It contain chamomile extract to help reduce redness. I love this product. I have very sensitive skin and this is the best foundation for your face. This cost is about $23 each bottle. Best foundation to use at holiday parties. 

Cheapest mascara you find under $10! Use water proof mascara! This is the best mascara for your $$$!

Best power you will ever spend! Loose Shimmer power:

Best Eyebrow kit and very inexpensive!! You find this eye brow kit at Target or your local drug store. I have seen eyebrow kits that cost more that $60. This eye brow kit is less than $10. Tip: Make sure you find someone who can wax or threading your eyebrows before the big event:

Excellent lip stick and moisture for your lips that will last for hours. Trust me your lip stick will last more than 24 hours!

My favorite eye liner:

Don't forgot to curl your eye lashes.Tip:Use eye lashes curler under the blow dryer for 1 minute before curling your eyelashes.

This eye lashes curler is from Revlon

This is best concealer to use under your eyes. I used this every day. I have used other concealers in the past but this is the best product for your $$$. I have a very busy schedule and you can't tell that I have tired looking eyes.

Secret Camouflage Concealer

Undercover pot concealer

A must have blush product for all the holiday parties There are 4 different blushes that will last all night long. When you take a close up picture you blush is flawless. I have used this product for years. I haven't found another blush product like this product.Pink Mosaic is called.

Eye shadow kit to have in your purse. I am very simple when it comes to eye shadow. You can find this eye shadow kit at Victoria Secrets for about $18.