Rev. Samuel Robles Jr.

I'm writing this just a couple of hours after witnessing the inauguration of President Barack Obama. It was incredible to see the coverage on TV, and witness such a historic moment. The whole time I was watching the TV, wondering what must have been passing through the minds of President Obama, President Bush, Pastor Rick Warren, Rev. Joseph Lowery, the people standing and watching yards away, etc. There were so many images that impacted me, such as seeing President Obama and President Bush walk and share together before, during, and after the inauguration ceremony.

And as the shift of leadership in the United States was happening before my very eyes, I was thinking about the 24 Youth and Young Adult Hispanic/Latino(a) leaders that I shared with this past weekend in Orlando. It was an incredible leadership seminar, and I am still in awe at the incredible leaders that attended. They are full of vision, passion and hope for the Hispanic community and Church in the US and Canada. Likewise, I feel as though I witnessed this past weekend a shift in the term labeled upon them as "the leaders of tomorrow" to "the leaders of today."

Despite various opinions and critique, I am thankful for President Bush's service to this country, and I pray that God may continue to be with him and his family.
I pray that God may be with President Obama as he now serves as this country's President, and that God may give him the strength and wisdom needed to make the correct decisions necessary, and that God may protect him and his family from harm.

I am thankful to God for this leadership seminar, and the wonderful youth and young adults that I met. I pray that God may give them all wisdom and vision to make a difference in their families, churches, schools, and communities. That they may truly be the leaders, visionaries, and prophets that we need today.

One of my favorite Disney movies is "Meet the Robinsons." I love that movie!
There's no doubt that when one watches that movie, the line that stick to the brain is "keep moving forward." That line has been an inspirational message to me, one that Hilda and I refer to often. I view this new year as a time to "keep moving forward."
I cannot complain, 2008 was a blessing to me and my family:
I graduated from seminary;
I was ordained;
we moved to Orlando.

Now, just a few days into the new year, there's much anticipation for:
the Hispanic Youth & Young Adult Leadership Seminar I am directing and facilitating in a few weeks at Walt Disney World;
the General Assembly and its youth activities this upcoming summer;
the new church we're planting here in Orlando that is starting up at the end of this month!

Juggling all of these events and dreams simultaneously can be extremely overwhelming at times, but I have faith in a blessed outcome. I am thankful to God for all of God's blessings and faithfulness. It's because of God that I find the motivation and strength to "keep moving forward."