My New Year Letter!

Dearest friends and family;

As this year has ended I reflect on what was accomplished and what I can do to better my next year. I cannot believe it is 2014. I wonder where time went.

My son Tim is nearly done at Black Hawk College. He still plans on going to the University of Illinois for his BS in Electrical Engineering degree. He is now working on the floor at Toys are Us.

My son Ken is doing better in school. He looks forward to joining the soccer team or the football team next year. He has not been struggling as much this year. As him and I work out at the YMCA I hope to build up more confidence in him self.

My wife Jill is enrolled at Black Hawk College working on a Medical Coding degree. She goes fulltime. On her spare time she does many activities with the church. She works with the cookie walk, Pricilla circle, bible camp, and plans for the Liturgists.

Me; will, for the most part, this year has been good. I finished my Masters in Arts with a minor in Sociology degree from Regina University.

I stay active swimming at the YMCA and with my art and writing.

My art was on display for two months at the Artery in Rock Island.

I finished typing my Battleship journal, but have a ways to go on my auto-biography. I volunteer cleaning toys once a month at the Bethany Home.

God has blessed me with a promotion in the Sea Cadet Core to Lieutenant,

which I only worked as a Training Officer for two weeks. I have found a joy in teaching teens about the Navy and in mentoring others. I received a Quilt of Valor along with my uncle Gary this year. I was also honorary promoted to Kyoshi – 6^th degree black belt in Shurinju Ryu Karate Do this year. I do not teach karate anymore, though.

The only downfall is that I still have to deal with constant pain and tingling through my shoulder and fingers. I go to the VA in Iowa City frequently for pain shots and physical therapy.

I pray that 2014 be as blessed as my 2013 and that my pain is relieved.

I pray for all my friends and family out there to have blessed year ahead.

Have a great 2014 my friends and family!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Mr. Timothy L. Kerofsky, M.A. and family

One day I will be Blessed!

One day I will be blessed;
lord I pray and will be faithful.
Jesus I am waiting for you.

Lord through the hands of time
I will find my blessings.
My dreams will come true.
This I have faith in.

My dreams of:
my own art studio and dojo for children,
and traveling to Columbia to visit my sponsored child.


Through my pain and suffering,
I get temped through the serpent,
but always return to the lord
and ask him to forgive me.

Lord through my faith;
bless me with a daughter.
This is what my heart truly desires.

Lord, thank you for listening.
Amen.

Pay it Forward

Thought of the moment:

If each person would do one good deed to another,
we would have a much better world.
Like the movie, "Pay it forward."
It happened in the drive through,
where others were paying for the meal before theirs.
This is a start.
A lady at the Y held the door open for me today,
that was nice.
And a gentleman carried some drinks I bought at Hardees for me today; 

I get Mello Yellow there sometimes.
There are some nice people,
but we need more.
I have two deeds to pay forward,
I hope it rubs off onto others.

 

As I reflect on this more,

I have done many good deeds through my volunteering throughout the years:

from teaching a free Karate class, 

to mentoring and tutoring children, 

through reading to the Kindergarten class, 

through volunteering at the Literacy Connection,

and through washing toys at the Bethany Home.  

But, I will never stop paying it forward to those who have done a good deed to me. 

So if someone does a good deed for you, 

do a good deed for someone else, 

maybe we will have less selfishness, violence, and turmoil in this world, 

and we will get along better.

My Reflection!

My reflection -
When I reflect I know how good God is.
No matter what happened in my life I always strove forward,
when I fell Jehovah lifted me up,
when I got ill he touched the healing hands of Jesus upon me,
when I did well I did not always praise him,
but he forgave me,
When I did bad I got angry,
but he still lifted me up
and when I think of tomorrow I know he will be there for me again.
When I fight for benefits,
maybe god is telling me he has another plan for me.
As I study his word I seek him.
He will not let me fall to deep.
I put my trust in him.
Only god knows what my future holds.

I am so thankful this day!

"Give Thanks to the God of heaven
for his love endures forever."
Psalm 136:26 NIV

"O give thanks unto the God of heaven:
for his mercy endureth for ever."
Psalm 136:26 KJV

"Blessings hemmed with praise will not unravel."
Anonymous

 Dearest Lord Jehovah,
I give you all the praise and glory for the new roof,
I give you thanks for guiding me in my life and lifting me up when I fall.
Teach me to praise you by remembering your goodness toward me.
Help me to show thanks to those in my my life who help me,
and help me to nurture those relationships.
In your holy and precious name I pray. Amen.

Life is good!

Updates for this month.

I went to the pain clinic to get my  pain shots.

Now my pain is in control.

I started a new course on becoming a pastor.

I am doing studies in theology and religion.

I am planning on opening my own art studio for children.

And finally came up with the finances to get a new roof on my house.

God is good!

Reflections this morning.

This morning studies:
Though have have much on my mind and have to vent at times
I still read my inspired faith, look up the bible verse, and study gods word.
This is what keeps me going my friends, shipmates and peeps.
I know the lord will not give me more than I can handle.
For he is truly good and he has plans for me.
I do much with the church being on the board of trustees as the secretary,
on the education committee doing children's time one Sunday a month,
helping with cleaning the toys at the Bethany Home,
and do readings to children.
Sometimes when I am in pain I feel that I scare people,
I get goofy at times, because I do not want to scream
but this makes me look childish.
I reflected on this and hope to do better.
Once a week I have a bible study here at my house
and learn from the those who teach me.
I swim and do my physical therapy,
get my massage once a month,
and strive to better myself.
I am slowly working to learn what I need to know for my 7th dan,
but only once a month. I do not want to over do it.
Those who I have frighten through my pain I apologize,
those children whom I inspired god be with you,
and those who pray for me I thank you.
I know I can't force people to like me,
but will always strive to inspire others;
and be less goofy as I control my pain.
Thank you always for being with me. 

I am in need of prayers!

Pray for me my friends.
My life is a turmoil.
Roof needs fixed still,
bills coming in,
got a loan to fix my car,
which I don't know how I am going to pay back,
have a social security disability meeting tomorrow
in which my lawyer is for the administration.
She is not on my side.
I fought for three years as a disabled veteran
to get my social security benefits.
Now they are slapping it back in my face.
The Social Security Admin said that college is like work, no it is not.
Work would not let me miss 10 days due to pain during winter classes, would not give me extra time on testing due to lack of focus caused from equilibrium imbalance, nor would they let me leave when feeling pain.
When I worked at Per Mar Security I had trouble staying awake
when taking my pain pills, and nearly lost the job.
My supervisor wrote a letter to the VA stating that I am unemployable.
But non of this matters to Social Security.
You have to have no limbs or be a minority to get benefits.
Pray for me and all I am going through.

What my life become inspite of being bullied!

Thought of what I became through being bullied:
Though I am different,
I overcame animosity.
I excelled in my life because of it.
Now have a masters degree, a high ranked black belt,
and served a long Naval career.
Retired from the Navy and became a Sea Cadet Officer.
Have a wife who works with the community, runs the food pantry food,
and works on the worship committee.
Have a son who has a academic scholarship at University of Illinois
to become an engineer; who excels in math, music, and arts.
Who likes to parkour and holds a black belt in karate.
Have another son who likes soccer and football.
But who gets bullied like I did.
He will overcome and excel; I have faith in that.
Now I work as the Board of Trustees Secretary for
Bethel Wesley United Methodist Church,
work with Children's Time once a month,
Sing in the Choir,
and teach an art class once a week.
I volunteer to help others overcome their animosity at the Bethany Home.
And I overcame the bullying in my life.
To all those who made fun of me,
called me names,
put me down,
and told me that I was not going to amount to much.
SCREW YOU!

Why?

Why? This is a question I ask myself at times.

Why? Am I here?

Why? Am I am pain?

Why? Do I struggle?

Why? Can't we all get along?

And Why? Have I not been blessed with a beautiful daughter? 

Why?

As I reflect I realize I bring on many of these things myself
through the decisions I made in life.

The decision to join the Navy, made me stronger in character. 
Made me stronger as a person; but had its downfalls as well.
I loved to travel. I saw many exotic  countries; yet fought in wars
in Lebanon, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. 
I loved the sea life; yet was put down and struggled while on ship.
I loved socializing and meeting new people;
yet sometimes this led to mis-understanding.
Then I was injured when a cabinet fell and knocked me partly down a ladder-well;
causing muscle damage in my right shoulder, arthritis in my knees,
nerve damage in my neck, and pain and tingling through my right hand fingers.


Some of these things are not absolutely my fault,
but  are due to factors of the environment, community, and economy.

The environment causes me pain when it gets colder. 
The community is anti-social this day in age.
In this, so-called, high tech area of cell phones, twitter, and facebook;
I realize we are less social today, than we were back when I was a kid.
When I was a kid there were neighborhood block parties
where people socialized and got to know each other.
Where nieghbors were trustworthy and everyone knew each others children.
If a child was lost. A neighbor could take them in and call the parents. 
Not today.
It is nothing but mass messaging and it is anti-personal.
And the economy we struggle with monies and it is tough to make ends meet.

I ask Why?

But the answer is we make our own fate.
We have to pray daily and be guided by the lord.
We have to help one another and be more social.
And when someone needs guidance, encourage them.
Then we will have a better world.

Then when I keep the faith,
I will be blessed with an beautiful adopted daughter of my own one day.
God is good and I will praise him. 

Camping Trip at Lake McBride 2013

Camping Trip at Lake McBride:

Thursday 4 July 2013:

On this 4^th of July we made sure all the camping gear was in the van, all of the stuff I pulled out yesterday. We got most of the van loaded yesterday as well. Today we made sure that we did not miss anything, because we are leaving for Lake McBride the first thing in the morning.

Tonight we lit our display of firecrackers, bottle rockets, mini fireworks, smoke bombs, and snakes. It was fun. Afterwards we went to the movies. I saw, “White House Down”. Jill saw, “Heat”. And Ken saw, “Despicable Me 2”.

Friday 5 July 2013:

It is 10AM and we are on our way to Lake McBride. At just before noon we arrived in Solon Iowa. Ken wanted pizza, so we stopped at a place called DD’s Pizza. It was not worth it. It was the worst pizza I ever had. We left nearly a whole pie there and we did not get any money back. The customer service was terrible. The sauce was completely bland. It was right out of a can. The server told us that there is nothing she can do about it. That is what the owner wants. She also said that she likes the sauce. She must have been out of her mind. She does not know what good pizza is. Chicago has good pizza. Solon Iowa has shitty pizza.

At 1PM we got to a camping site by the lake and set up camp at site 56. We got the tent set up, the air mattresses blown up, and everything. We then went exploring around the lake.

Today Ken and I made a friend, Sydney who is a 10 year old girl who was fishing on the pier. I hope she does not forget me and what I did for her. It is a long story. When Ken and I went exploring we saw her fishing so we got our fishing gear and decided to go fishing ourselves. We chatted with her and she was a kind well-mannered girl. She offered us live bait to use. We all sat on the pier fishing. Giggling and having fun. Then I took off my shoes and rolled up my jeans to put my feet in the water. I slipped, but the water as not too deep. It went up to my knees. I pulled myself back up on the pier and continued fishing. Then Sydney took her shorts off, she had a full one-piece swimsuit on, and jumped into the water. There was a sign that said no swimming, but we did not see it at that time. She drifted toward the deep water and the current took her. She yelled, “Help” I jumped in and grabbed her and pulled her toward the pier. We grabbed her stuff and Ken and I walked her back to her camp. She was shook up a bit. I talked to her dad, and told him what happened. Instead of thanking me and shaking my hand, he swore at me. Instead of giving her a hug; he swore at her. He was not very polite and I was thinking to myself. Why were you not watching your daughter? The grandparents were there and I said Hi to them. I asked him about his tattoo. He said he just got out of prison. I thought he was kidding, but he wasn’t. Anyway I tried to do the right thing and help a child. We said goodbye. They ended up leaving the camp. Thank God. I pray for her, because of the bad influence of such a family. Ironically she was too polite and friendly to be with such a family. If I ever had a daughter she would be treated with respect. They are the most precious of children. Anyway, Ken and I went back to fishing for awhile. Then we changed out of the wet cloths and hung them on a clothesline we strung. Then my wife got back from paying camp fees, she missed the entire incident.

At 3PM we left and went down to the beach. My wife bought some floatee chairs for the beach. We swam, floated, played football, and I read some of my book at the beach. We had a blast.

Then at 5PM we left to go back to camp. We just got a fire going and had the Coleman stove lit. We were starting to make dinner, when all of the sudden this couple arrived and said that this site was reserved for them. It was way under all of the cards that was on the post. So we had to pack up the camp and find another spot. I put out the fire and cooled the wood, Ken grabbed the spare pieces. We were not letting them have our wood. Then we took everything out of the tent, deflated the mattresses, and threw everything in the back of the van. We found a spot at site10. Then we had to reset up camp.

At 7PM we finally ate chops from the campfire. Then Jill did the dishes. Then we reorganized the back of the van the best we could. Afterwards I went to socialize with some fellow campers. I met a nice gentleman named Justin and his family. He had a 4 year old girl and I told him what happened earlier today. He told me that he would have been watching his daughter and that I did the right thing. He said he would have thanked me. He had a 10 year old son, and two dogs, a golden retriever and boxer, as well. They said that they come up here camping on the 4^th of July weekend. They are from Davenport.

At 9PM we sang some campfire songs and had some s’mores. Then we tried to get some shut eye. But it was too loud. At 1030PM the state park rangers came around, to tell everyone that it is quite time. But it went out the ears of most. The campers next to us got drunk and played loud music until 2AM. My friend Justin and his family were pretty polite. But no one could quiet other disrespectful campers. At 3AM we finally fell asleep.

Saturday 6^th July 2013:

It is 5AM and I am up after only sleeping two hours. I slept outside as well, since the tent is not that big. I got some wood to split and got the campfire going again. Then I lit the stove and started making some bacon. My wife came out of the tent and said she did not sleep well with the screaming kids, loud music, and disrespectful campers. I hear her. No one could really sleep.

I turned around to get my pills out of my bag and the bacon pan slid off the stove. This entire trip has been a mess so far. My wife put new bacon on the pan and we cooked eggs as well. Good old fashioned camp food of bacon and eggs. The breakfast was good.

At 8AM Ken and I headed down to the beach. We rented a canoe and attempted to go canoeing for an hour. Ken could not get the hang of it, so we rented individual kayaks. Ken tipped over in his kayak and I jumped out to get him and then pulled his kayak ashore. I asked if he wanted to try it again and he did, so I made sure his life jacket was on properly and he got back in his kayak and paddled out. I thought he had the hang of it, so I paddled out in mine and followed around the lake for an hour. I looked behind me and did not see Ken; he was just a few yards from shore. I paddled to find him and then tethered his kayak to mine and pulled us both back to shore.

By then it was 1030AM and my wife was back from shopping in town. She went to go get another air mattress, since mine popped. I made me a peanut butter, black jam, and crumbled potato chip sandwich. Then went down and joined Jill and Ken at the picnic table. Ken was eating geedunk from the snack machines. Jill made herself a sandwich and we all ate.  We then hung around the beach for most of the day.

At 2PM we left the beach to go back to camp. Jill said she was tired and wanted to sleep, so she did. Ken and I left to go find some trails. It was nearly an hour drive to the other camp areas like Sugar Plum. We explored the other camping areas. Then ended up in the town of Sugar Plum and was lost. This jogger stopped and she gave us directions to the dam and the fossil gorge. After exploring the fossil gorge we found the nature trail and then the Veterans Trail. We walked the Veterans Trail with a fellow veteran who arrived on his motorcycle at the same time. His name was Reverend John Poggenpohl he helps out fellow veterans who are homeless and those in prison through his ministries. He is noble.

At 6PM we made it back to camp and then cooked some chicken on the campfire. We ate and then went into town to get some burn ointment and some pain pills. My family got sunburned badly. On the way there we discussed what our next move will be. Since the campsite was so loud and my family was burnt we decided to leave camp. When we got back from town we broke down camp quickly. Unfortunately, the stakes for the tent would not come out. The lady next to us gave me a stake puller, but it bent. So I cut the straps and broke down the tent. I took down the clothesline and did one last good deed. The new camper next too us did not know how to play the guitar and asked me to play a song on his. So I did and then showed him so chords.

At 9PM we arrived in Iowa City and at the Comfort Inn Hotel were we stayed in a cool air conditioned room. Ken and I cooled down and swam in the hotel pool. He could not sleep with his wax build up, so at 3AM Jill left to get some hydrogen peroxide. At 3:15 AM she arrived back and Ken flushed his ears.

Sunday 7 July 2013:

Afterwards we finally slept until 9AM. We got up and went down to the free continental breakfast. We then left for home at 10:30AM. At just before noon we arrived back home. I actually wanted to go back to the lake and check out the other trails. But my family wanted to go home. So the camping trip was cut short. It was kinda a waste. 

Life is a mess right now!

Oh my god Jehovah, help me through these trying times.
Help me through this stress and my personal issues.
Lord remind me who I am.

Lord God, Jehovah, let me nor my family struggle no more.
Let us have our roof fixed soon, let us have our ceiling fixed,
let us have our new door and eventually windows and siding.
Let us have our new tiles and let us have a nice home to life our life's in. 

Let us have no more financial troubles,
let my friends over come their troubles as well.
In your great and precious name I pray.
Lord forgive me for my sins.
Let me do those sins no more.

In your great and precious name.
Amen!

Grades at Regina

Found out that I got an 89 percent on my master's thesis.
A 91 percent in my Art 546 class, 
a 86 percent in my Rel 513 class,
a 96 percent in my Soc 515 class, 
and a 93 percent total in my philosophy class.
91 percent over all and a 3.64 grade point average at Regina University.
I graduate on Wednesday.

Wait that is today.
I am happy to have accomplished this.  
LT Timothy L. Kerofsky, M.A.  

Thankful for the lords guidence; prayers of redemption and a daughter to cherish. Amen.

"My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

I will think of this in my times of distraught; temperamental and stress. 

Lord, Jehovah, I thank you for for allowing me to come across this verse.
I have been distraught lately; temperamental and stressed.
Thank you father for your goodness and for your guidance in my studies.
In your name; the name of Jehovah I pray! Amen.
 
 "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, 
a stronghold in times of trouble." (Psalm 9:9-10)

Lord, Jehovah, I will feel troubled no more; my life I give to you. 
Your well lord; my hands. 
Guide me and lead my heart.  

"It is the Lord who goes before you. 
He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. 
Do not fear or be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Lord, Jehovah, I know you will not forsake me; 
though I have forsaken you with my actions; 
hatred toward those who have done me harm, 
and my temperament  and cussing at times.
Forgive me father for I have sinned. 
Let me sin no more and purify my heart. 

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, 
and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

 Lord I fear no more and will face my troubles head on. 

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; 
who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; 
so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." 
(Psalm 103:2-5 KJV) 

Lord, Jehovah, I will follow you with my heart, soul, and mind.
I have faith in you that you will bless me with a adopted daughter one day.
Anything is possible with you. 
Lord, Jehovah, the almighty ruler, creator of all things, and my redeemer
in your well, let it be done. Then bless me with what I desire.
A daughter whom I will cherish for the rest of my life. 
Father, Jehovah, I believe it to be so. Bless me.  
In your great name I pray. Amen.

Listen for his Voice

With the support I get with my church community;
I am always feeling welcome.
Been a rough week, but I overcame.
God, Jehovah, is good all the time.
It was a pleasure to help lead the church
in liturgy reading this morning.
Barbara did a inspiring job leading us.
What a wonderful message;
Jesus and the sheep.
Carolyn lead a blessed prayer.
Prayers go out to the community,
to the Boston Bombing victims,
to the tragedy at the plant in Texas,
to the troops,
to Pastor Sonya and her familia,
and the children of the world.
In Jesus name. Amen.

 "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice:
and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them,
and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
John 10:1-4 KJV

"And the sheep follow him: for they know his voice."
I learned that this week, he helped me overcome.
He guided me, found another path for me,
and helped me to remain focused today at church.
I will pray at night, read my Gnostic books again,
meditate on him, and continue to listen for his voice.
God, Jehovah, is good all the time.
And I am thankful for what he has given me.
Amen

Prayer today!

 Domingo 7 April 2013:

Prayer for this Sunday:

God, Jehovah, forgive me for my transgressions.
From the past, present and future.
Help me to remain strong in you.
Help me to overcome my fears and failings.
Guide me on the right path.
Keep my thoughts pure,
as I meditate and reflect,
release my sins.
In your well let it be done.
I give myself to you lord.
Help me to focus as I study.
Help me to overcome my pain.
Lord as I go out into the community,
help me to plant the seed into others,
of your good deeds,
and keep me calm.
May I anger no more.
Bless the troops this day and always.
Bless the pastor, the church, and the community.
In your name, Jehovah, I pray. Amen.

This is what I prayed during communion today.

Pass it on!!!

PASS IT ON!

It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That's how it is with God's Love,
Once you've experienced it,
Your spread the love to everyone
You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the tress are budding
The birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming;
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing, it's fresh like spring,
You want to pass it on.

I wish for you my friend
This happiness that I've found;
You can depend on God
It matters not where you're bound,
I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

I'll shout it from the mountain top - PRAISE GOD!
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.

My reflection!

"True will power and courage are not on the battlefield, 
but in everyday conquest over our inertia, laziness, and boredom." 
D.L. Moody

General Orders of the Navy Sentry

1. To take charge of this post and all government property in view.

2. To walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing.

3. To report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce.

4. To repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own.

5. To quit my post only when properly relieved.

6. To receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only.

7. To talk to no one except in the line of duty.

8. To give the alarm in case of fire or disorder.

 

9. To call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions.

10. To salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased.

11. To be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Sailors Creed

Sailors Creed:

I am a United States Sailor.
I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America
and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me.
I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy
and those who have gone before me to defend freedom
and democracy around the world.
I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with
Honor, Courage and Commitment.
I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.

Birthday

 OK my friends this was my birthday yesterday.
All I planned to do was listen to some tunes,
catch up on some reading,
write some letters,
and have a nice relaxing day.
Instead my finance officer called and
I spent five hours working on gathering papers for a closing.
After getting stressed I listened to some tunes,
and then went out to eat at Harris pizza.
Then I came home and watched the movies, "Blue Crush 1 and 2" 2 was better.
That was pretty much my day.
Thank you all for the Birthday wishes.
God be with you always.
Even on bad days.

Boy did I eat last night.
I did not eat anything during the day, since I got busy.
So I had a basket of fries, a Rueban Sandwich, and a medium Garden Pizza.
Along with a couple of Miller High Life Beers.
From 5:30PM to 7PM yesterday (April 3rd 2013) at Harris Pizza!

Rejoice

"Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
1st Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV

Donald Ducks Thought

So funny and true to some people. Hate to say what I am thinking, but here in America we got way too many jerks. I liked the respect I got in Asia. I like the freedom of the people of Croatia. And I liked the architecture of Europe. Though I found much rudeness in France, we have much rudeness and stuck up people here. Look at the major cities and the escalation of crime. Now I would never compare America to the turmoil of the Middle East, but we have our share of problems. Much to deal with; starting on fixing our education (like it is in Sweden, Jordon, and Qatar; some of the highest standards are there), controlling gun violence (like Germany where you would hardly ever see the gun violence, guns are pretty much banned), and fixing our economy (the paper monies which are really a promissory note is one of the root causes of our break down, the billions of dollars of spending, borrowing what we do not have, and the funding of wars we should never have been in). Back in the days of trade and gold standards that was our true worth, now we have bad examples in our own government with paper money spending and borrowing. Another thing I liked about Asia is that I would trade a zippo lighter for a pair of snake skin boots, or give a navy white hat for a new shirt. Anyway I am done venting what I really feel. I know we have much more issues, but to me these are the major ones. Thanks.

Valentines Day!

Valentines Day 2013:

What a heck of a busy day for Valentines Day.
Got up late though.
Woke up at 11AM and made a Vi shake,
Went to the YMCA to do a full work out and swim
from 1130 to 2PM,
Came home and worked on my writings until 5PM,
Watched a Dark Angel episode with Ken,
then I got ready to go out for dinner
dressed my best,
Took my wife Jill out and
ate a great French Meal at Le Figaro from 7 to 8:30 PM.

What a great classic French dinner tonight:
Lobster Bisque,
House Salad with Raspberry vinaigrette,
Crab stuffed Shrimp with Burgundy cream served with rice pilaf,
Sous Vid'e cooked French cut green beans,
Steak Oscar (steak with crab and lobster and cream sauce on top),
And a beer instead of wine. Though I do like wine.
Came home and decided to get a banana split at Whities:
cotton candy, rocky road, and gummy bear ice cream,
covered with marshmallow topping, whipped cream, nuts
and a cherry.
Then watched Beverly Hills Cop 1 with Ken from 9 - 10:30PM.
Now I am reading a new book I opened,
not new; but a classic - Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
(Samuel Langhorne Clemens)...

Good Night Poem

 Good Night Poem:

Have a good night.
May your dreams be bright.
When you awake.
May your body not ache.
As you spend the day with cheer,
may your dreams appear.
Than have love,
from god above;
as you dream bright again.
By T. Kerofsky

Little Things Matter!

It is the little things that matter my friends;
to brighten someones day.
Like getting a Happy Valentine from the kids at church,
giving a pair of socks to a homeless person,
a pair of gloves to a child in need,
tutoring a child,
giving a card to a friend to show you care;
instead of posting happy birthday in an email
or on a Facebook page,
(though I got shunned from a so-called friend for doing this)
giving a family Christmas card,
giving a toy to a child at an orphanage,
and many other things.
What else can you do that matter?

Watch

Watch

“Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habit.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”

― Lao Tzu

Random thoughts!

With what I have seen and done in my life;
it is a wonder I am still sane.
With the military and combat I endured,
with the bad I seen,
and the way I was treated.
With the injuries I acquired,
and pain I suffer.

It is a wonder I have not gone insane.
I try to overcome and stay strong,
but sometimes I feel like I am going to fall.
I pray daily and try to inspire others.
I tutor and mentor children
and sing at the church.
I am still haunted by bad dreams and hardly sleep however.
Pray for me.

Pain can be overcomed!

 Pain in my life:


As I reflect I think of all the pain I have went through in my life.
Some of this pain is from what bad I have done, some is from not having a proper diet, and other pain was unavoidable.

The pain that was unavoidable was caused from an accident on the ship.
The accident itself could have been avoided all together, however.
If the cabnet was properly being moved, the proper equipment was used,
and if was properly bolted. My pleas were ignored, and I was caught in the middle.

Now I deal with much pain and tingling because of it.
I have head rushes and an imbalance.

I still deal with emotional pain from the bad I have done
and from things that I have seen.

While in the Navy I have seen many bad things around the world,
I have seen people living in slums,
I have seen children with no clothes in poor countries,
I have  abuse, violance, and things that haunt my dreams.

Some of these things are:
My first combat with the Battleship New Jersey BB-62
where we fired 276 rounds at Lebenon.
 When I worked on the boarding team from 1994-1996,
boarding drug boats and catching human traffickers. 
When I saw those abused, naked, little girls crammed in a cargo hold,
to be sold as sex slaves, it sickened my stomach.
The war on Terroism in 2004,
were I saw many people getting killed,
while working with the security team.

There is also much bad that I have done,
bad in which I hope god will forgive me.

To overcome this pain,
I meditate,
I pray,
I do right by helping others,
I take prescriptions from the VA,
but most importantly I eat a proper diet.

Since I cut down my red meat,
I have been more energitc,
I feel less pain,
and I lost wieght.

I hope this has inspired someone out there,
those that have simular issues they faced.

Take Care and God Bless!

Vi Challenge

Vi Challenge:

         Today on 12 January 2013 I started the Body by Vi Challenge. My intent is to regain muscle strength I lost during my disability rehab, to get better tone, to be more energetic and in less pain. I, also, intend on getting my wife and son to join as well. They will get in better shape and feel better about themselves.

     The challenge is 90 days of drinking a healthy shake to replace a meal, being active, and getting fit. Many people gain more muscle tone, become more energetic, and feel better about themselves. I know I will.

    The other thing about the visalus company is that one can make some extra monies by selling the shakes. So, I not only joined the challenge, but become a promoter as well. Anyone can use extra cash. 


Are you up to the challenge? 

Click on link above...

New Year 2013

Dearest friends and family;

As this year has ended I reflect on what was accomplished and what I can do to better my next year. I cannot believe it is 2013. I wonder where time went.

My son Tim made it through English class and now is ready to focus on his upcoming engineering studies. After one more semester at Black Hawk College, he plans on going to the University of Illinois for his BS degree.

My son Ken is doing better in school. He looks forward to joining the soccer team next year. He has not been struggling as much this year. As him and I work out at the YMCA I hope to build up more confidence in him self.

My wife Jill is enrolled at Black Hawk College working on a Medical Coding degree. She goes full time. On her spare time she did many activities with the church. She worked with the cookie walk, Pricilla circle, bible camp, and the Halloween party in which Ken also helped.

Me; will, for the most part, this year has been good. I finished my BA in Art degree from Western Illinois University. Now I volunteer as a tutor at Washington Elementary School. It is through the Literacy Connection.

I stay active swimming at the YMCA, and through community activities.

I helped with the soup kitchen, gave gloves to tots, and teach an art class.

I sing in the choir, do lay reading, and help with the Sunday school.

God has blessed me with a promotion in the Sea Cadet Core to Lieutenant,

which I will be starting in March of 2013. I have found a joy in giving to others and in helping with the community. My biggest joy is when a child I tutor or mentor excels.  

The only downfall is that I still have to deal with constant pain and tingling through my shoulder and fingers. I go to the VA in Iowa City frequently for pain shots and physical therapy.

I pray that 2013 be as blessed as my 2012 and that my pain is relieved.

I pray for all my friends and family out there to have blessed year ahead.

Have a great 2013 my friends and family!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!