Tag: love

Christmas 2016

xmas-tree-2016

It’s not officially Christmas in our household until the tree is up, so, here it is: The Garcia Family Tree 2016. Our tradition is to put up the tree while listening to the best Christmas playlist ever including The Carpenters, Future of Forestry, Sleeping at Last and Mannheim Steamroller, to name a few. I leave you with a post from my personal Facebook page that I wrote following our election here in the states. It’s kinda what I’m working on this year: Today I have an opportunity to love… I have another day to love!! …to love my wife, my children, my grandchildren and my neighbor – across the street and around the world. Today I have an opportunity to, deep down in my heart, change my attitude, and remember that the darkness in my heart needs redemption. Today I have an opportunity to be… to be the love, to be the change, to be the joy, to be the light…that I want to see in the world. That’s on me… whoever the president, king, queen, or, ruler is here or around the world….that’s on me…

a father’s love

a father's love

A wonderful moment between a father and his little girl, as the loud sirens of police cars and fire engines approached during our homecoming parade.

 

you bring me life

you give me life

you bring me life

see these shells

see shells

See the shells? I never thought that I would hate seeing sea shells. I love the shore…I love the ocean, but these shells…these shells I would rather not see. Do you see these shells? These jagged, dirty, sad, colorless shells serve as the sidewalk…the road beneath the bare feet of those beautiful children who run across these shells, which occasionally are submerged in sewage…see the shells?…these shells supporting a young boy whose silent stare and precious smile invade my heart…shattering my bent to complain about the smallest inconveniences in my comfortable smart phone filled life…see these shells? I will never again see shells without remembering to pray for the precious men, women and children of Cite Soleil in Haiti. I am eager to return to this city, these children…I don’t want to see these shells, but I will return for all those unseen children….those unseen families….

happy valentines day

At the altar

She was 20…. I was 21… now we are a bit older… but we are still on the journey of love and commitment… we are still kneeling at the altar… I am so grateful for my beautiful bride. Happy Valentines Day.

happy new year

happy new year

I am leaving for a missions trip to Haiti on Dec. 28 and won’t return until after the new year, so here is my last post for 2015. Thank you WordPress family for your visits, your kind comments and for your encouragement. You are all an incredibly talented bunch! Looking forward to the journey with you in 2016. Happy New Year!

new year time

spykidz

sk

Just had to post an image of the amazing day camp that we do each year at our church. This is SpyKidz 2015: Crux Grotto! Our sanctuary was transformed into an amazing environment of music, dance, video, skits, fun and, the hope of God’s love for over 500 kids!

happy father’s day

my parents

My mom and dad…. two precious treasures in my life…. today I want to honor my dad…this is a bit long, so bear with me.

As far as I know, my dad has never won an award. In my heart, the trophy case of awards for my dad would have to be ten stories tall – there are so many! I’ll share a few with you:

Here is the award for his hard work and sacrifice. For most of his life he worked three or more jobs, waking up in the dark, coming home after dark… providing with all his might for our family. In more ways than one, he is the strongest man I know. Thank you dad…for your sacrifice and all it taught me.

Here’s another one: the laughter award. Life was not easy for my dad, but he knew how to smile and laugh so hard…. tears of laughter were common. I may never know how deep that well of laughter is…he is still drawing from it. Thanks for the smiles dad and for teaching me to enjoy family and friends until tears from laughing flow.

Oh look! Here’s the commitment award. My dad’s love for my mom is towering, immovable and exemplary. I find it difficult to explain his love for my mom, only because it is so rare and precious. Vows to love in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, in joy and in sorrow… sometimes I think my parents were the original authors of those vows…their love is so enduring. It’s by no means perfect….well… like the time they had an argument that resulted in my dad locking himself in the bathroom, which, turned a frightening tear filled moment for all us young boys into – yup – laughter. You have no idea how grateful I am for your committed love for mom. I love you so much for that.

He was not the perfect dad, but God brought to my life the perfect dad to teach me, mold me and guide me. The Lord was kind to send me a flawed, loving, giving man whose heart of kindness and love is still speaking into my life. I love you dad. I hope I can live, love and sacrifice – with all my flaws – just like you did.

side by side

side by side

My last image (for now) from a trip to Puerto Rico with my folks back in 2013. This is to honor mom and dad…. side by side for over 50 years. Their love strong…their union impenetrable… their commitment exemplary… I am so grateful to call them mom and dad and for the legacy of love and companionship they have given me.

in a quiet moment

quiet moment

in a quiet moment