Humans of Downey - Mari

"The way I want my children to be like me is to be drawn to God. I love God so much, I love Jesus and I love to pray. When you love something, when you've found some place great to eat, you tell others, 'You've got to eat here. The food is great.' Because you want to share the source of your joy with others so they can feel the same joy. So, I want my children to enjoy that goodness of God. I love God and I know the power of prayer. I know the impact of having a relationship with Jesus Christ on my life. So, I pray this prayer a lot, 'God, turn my children's hearts towards you.' I pray the scriptures for my children. You can't go wrong when you pray appropriate scriptures for you children.

"I've committed my life to Christ. I'm a single mom. I don't date and I've said, 'Lord, I'm your vessel, just use me.' So, I want my kids to have that attitude of 'We don't care what the World thinks. It matters what God thinks.' People are asking, 'Why don't you date? Get a boyfriend.' But, I'm so happy. I have such peace and I'm so content even in the difficult situations in my life. I want that for my kids, and others that I care about, but especially for my kids. But you can only get that from the peace of knowing Christ.

"A character trait of mine that I don't want my children to replicate in their lives is having a fear of rejection or of what others think of them. Scripture says that God's perfect love casts out fear. So, I want my kids to have the character trait that trusts God in every situation. Including when others say negative things about us of when the World looks down on us. My children have been created in the image of God, so God wants them to act like it and not be afraid of what the World thinks. I want them to believe that God's love covers them and that they have the mindset that they have nothing to fear, including what others think or say. Because it won't change who they are. I want them to be confident in who they are. It doesn't matter what's said or an event that happens or a misdeed that's done to them. Nothing changes the truth that they are loved by God. And they can be confident in that."
~ Mari

P.S. Mari was praying for me when I took this picture

Humans of Downey - Mario

"I came from Cuba when I was six. Our family was fleeing Castro's communist take over of Cuba during the first Freedom Flights. But during that time of travel with my family, I knew I was loved by my parents because of the way they protected me. We were rich in Cuba and poor when we arrived in America. Then we worked hard to make it to middle class. I never had a doubt about their love.

"My first experience of puppy love was in high school. But it is a different experience when you are in love as opposed to being loved. I've been blessed with my wife. I've been married 30 years and known my wife 35 years. That love that comes with the comfort and knowing that you are going to spend the rest of your life with one person. Knowing that person is always there to share your dumbest moments, your funnest moments. It's great to have someone else to look at the world with. I'm truly blessed.

"Now, every person I meet, I try to give the other person a sense of comfort. A smile is a very easy thing to give so with every relationship I have I want them to have a sense of comfort when they are with me. I want them to know that there is nothing behind what I do."
~ Mario

Wedding on the course

Yesterday I showed you the Hackers restaurant at Rio Hondo Golf club. While my wife and I were there for dinner, we noticed a group down on the lawn. It looked like a wedding rehearsal so I asked if I could come back and take pictures for DDP. And they agreed.

This is Nichole and Manny who have chosen such a lovely venue for their wedding and reception. I'm sure they will have many happy years of marriage. They chose to start their marriage overlooking a golf course.

She said oui!

Tonight we celebrated the engagement of Allison and Drew. Allison, of course, is one of Downey Daily Photo's bloggers and photographers.

If you've followed our blog for any length of time, you'll know that we love Paris! So it was only fitting that tonight's celebration had a French theme. From quiche to eclairs to champagne and French wine, we feasted and toasted in French.

Congratulations, Allison and Drew!

O Holy Night

I recently heard O Holy Night on the radio and was moved to tears by the touching lyrics. Written originally as a poem by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 1847, the phrasing is old, but the message is clearly shared.  

O Holy Night, verse 3:
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

It was a good reminder to me because I'm easily distracted by doing, when my focus just needs to be loving those around me...even if the one I need the loving attitude toward is the guy in the car ahead of me who happens to be driving 45 miles per hour on the freeway.