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!