Success Story Radio

As I begin today’s show, I am truly thankful to God for our military service men and women who have given the ultimate sacrifice and to those who are now serving. In 2004 I had the honor of meeting our then Commander In Chief , President George .W. Bush at Camp Pendleton There I met the founding president of the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, Mrs. Karen Guenther. My 2 guest today are Sondra Saylor, Director of West Coast Case Management and Wendy Lethin Director of Community Relations at Camp Pendleton. Both have been with the fund since it was founded back in 2004 . Both husbands were in the First Marine Division at the time, deployed to Iraq. “Semper Fi” is the short version of the Latin phrase: Semper Fidelis, which directly translates to : Always Faithful. The mission: to bring families to the bedside of the injured. Many MUST take leave from their jobs, often without pay, and incur additional expenses for childcare, lodging, travel, specialized equipment, and other necessities. Few families are prepared for the expenses they face. They need financial help, and they need it quickly. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund was created to meet this need. Now celebrating 5 years of serving those who preserve our freedom. Semper Fi meets the challenge of our injured and critically ill Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and their families!
http://www.semperfifund.org

I first met her when she joined the NLBWA-SD Chapter in 2005. That same year Ms. Lopez opened her law practice, the Law Offices of Virginia Lopez, and represents clients in bankruptcy, real estate and consumer law. She is also a licensed real estate broker and counsels clients in real estate matters. Ms. Lopez is a United States Army veteran. She credits her strong Army training as the foundation for her success. Upon leaving the United States Army, she continued to serve in the Army Reserves while attending college. Ms. Lopez received her A A degree at Palomar College then transferred to UCSD and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. In 1999, Ms. Lopez obtained her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. Her biggest challenge facing civilian life was not having order in her life. It was hard she said. So going to Palomar College was the best move as it brought opportunity to explore her educational potential. Her secret of success: INFORMATION IS POWER. Everything I have done is because I made the decision to seek out information. Early on I learned there is vast information from how to study and pass exams, set goals, write resumes, to how to run a business, etc. We just need the discipline and patience to find it one step at a time. Email her at virginia@lopezlawyer.com
http://www.lopezlawyer.com

Armando Telles is a young man living his values and making success strides. Here is a college student developing his way in life, yet way before he knew better, his father drove him to realize that “quitting is never an option”. The eldest of 9 children moved to Sacramento after Junior High as an attempt to change their perspective of life. As radical and senseless of a decision it was to moved (for a gang related teen from Southern California), it saved his life. Towards the end of high school a mentor told him, “one day you will come to the fork in the road and HAVE TO make the decision of what side of the road you want to be on”. Ever since he heard that, he never forgot it. This is what began his student and community involvement organizing career. After graduating from high school he almost slipped back into the “gang life” but instead made the best decision to join the Marins. He spent his 20th birthday in boot camp (2000). When September 11, 2001 happened his life became very clear as to why he was serving his country. Having traveled to, and throughout 15 different country ports, he came out of the Marines even better, stronger and smarter. Currently finishing his AA degree at Palomar College and will be attending CSUSM in pursuit of becoming a history teacher and or youth counselor. He’s involved in M.E.Ch.A. and Encuentros Leadership of North San Diego. His secret of success is love the Lord and give back to your community always.
http://www.palomar.edu

Her success story is rare and reminds us of how we can give the gift of life. Five years Teri’s friend at work ask the staff if anyone would be willing to be a kidney match for her brother David back east. As all of his family members were tested, none were a match. He had been on Dialysis for 3 years and his life was ending. Teri offered and was a perfect match. Right away the surgery was done. Teri now had a whole new set of family she had never met before. David and all of his family members welcomed Teri as if their own. Teri has always held a remarkable positive attitude. Her faith in God was reunited when the night after the kidney transplant at 3am she had a visit from Jesus. There was a peace that came over the room and a white glow with Jesus in the center told her that “you have done well and are a child of God, you will have a prosperous life”. She has no regrets and would do it all over again. She is thankful to others who have played a part as an organ donor. Give life to another human being is the greatest gift of all. Life is precious and giving blood, donating your organ (living or dead) is for the sanctity of life. Potential Donors sign up every day on Matching Donors web site and around 600 have gone through with the surgery either from the web site or a hospital in the last 5 years. Teri is an “Anonymous Living Donor” which is the rarest of all donors. Her secret of success is dream big, pray hard, give to others in every way possible, and give unconditional love.
http://www.livingdonors@kidney.org