2016 Year-End Letter

Year End Letter 2016

Dearest Friends and Family:

As this year ends I reflect on what was accomplished
and what I can do to better my self, my life, and family.
I cannot believe it is 2017. Where did the time go?

My son Tim is now a delivery driver at China Café.
He rented a new home. He is working on getting a car.

My son Ken is doing basics at Black Hawk College.
He wants to be a child counselor.

My wife Jill is still working at the China Café. On her spare time she does many activities with Bethel Wesley United Methodist 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 pretty good.
My son Ken and I spent our father and son time camping at
Coralville Lake like we do pretty much every summer.
My wife and I went to Philadelphia Pennsylvania and Camden New Jersey for my 30th Battleship New Jersey BB-62 Navy Reunion.
I finally made it back to Long Beach California to visit my friend Steve. I had a blast in Cali. I made several videos for my YouTube channel. My favorite is me walking down the Pike District.
I work on my writings. I finished Relaxation Therapy Certification.
I am teaching private karate classes on occasion. I earned my 8th Dan and am one step closer of earning the title of Soke.
I will get it one day with determination. My physical therapist is helping me excel. She has me do some karate and tai chi movements at therapy. I hope to do my martial arts full time and teach a regular karate class again one day.

My dreaded downfall is that I still have to deal with constant pain and tingling through my spine, shoulder and fingers. I go to the VA in Iowa City frequently for pain shots and physical therapy.
Winters are always hard on me.

I pray that 2017 be as blessed as my 2016.
In the next year we are preparing our future to move and to start a new life in Las Crucis New Mexico.
We hope to be in New Mexico in the summer of 2018.
This will be a better climate for my body ailments and a warmer place to retire. I hope to have a ranch home and a couple of horses one day. I plan on opening my own art studio there as well.
I wish all of my friends and family a blessed year ahead.

Have a great 2017 my friends and family!


Mr. Timothy L. Kerofsky, MA and family

Top 10 things Obama has done

1. Got Osama Bin Laden
2. Got relations back with Cuba
3. Enacted the Affordable Care Act
4. Enacted more Environmental Reform including better emission standards
5. Fought for equal pay and equal rights and enacted many policies.
6. Fought for fixing our infrastructure.
7. Ended the Iraq War, which we should not have been in,
And refocused the War back to Afghanistan
8. Reformed education and testing standards
9. Passed Wall Street reform
10. Rebuilt the Auto Industry

Three Reasons why people take Martial Arts!

What I have found is there are three main reasons
why people train in the martial arts.
1. Aesthetics -
people like the exotic art form of the animals like the tiger,
the crane, the dragon, the monkey, the praying mantis, etc.
They like the art of the martial arts.
People, also, like the spiritual aspect of the martial arts, the meditation, finding inner peace, 
and ones true self.
2. Athletics -
Of course Martial Arts is a great way to get in shape and tone the body.
Some of the old school ways of training using stone weights,
hitting the makawari board, the tensation and relaxation exercises,
the kata, the forms, the fighting and take down drills,
will all get one in shape, that is certain.
3. Combative -
Today I feel martial arts went full circle,
and is back to the real combat of Okinawan Te and Jujitsu for example.
With all the gun violence, muggings, rape, murder, bullying,
it is a wonder why people walk out their front door today.
We are truly in a dangerous, evil, violent world in today's society.
And many people come to dojos to learn self defense (Goshindo Uki).
However, with dojos popping up on many street corners,
one has to be weary of just going to any dojo.
Watch out for the so-called McDojos which is a term being used today.
I will talk about that in another discussion...
Anyway, these are the three main reasons why people take martial arts.
Why do you take martial arts?

NEW YEARS RESOLUTION 2016

New Year 2016!

A New Year resolution for each of my
Spiritual, Mental, and Physical well being:

1. Spiritual - To continue to study, learn truth,
    and get closer to Jehovah.
2. Mental - To better my Polish and Spanish,
    and to Finish my Fashion Course.
3. Physical - to continue to learn more healthy solutions,
    of herbs, getting rid of free radicals, my breakfast drinks,
    and overcoming and controlling my pain and tingling.

What I am going to achieve this year:

1. My 8^th Dan (Hachidan) in Shurin-ju Ryu Karate Do
2. To see the Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio
3. To do the rollercoaster challenge in Sandusky Ohio
4. To visit my friend Steve in Long Beach California

5. To get my shoulder and pinching in the spine fixed and ween off the pain pills…

Never Give Up, Keep Striving, even through pain!

My peoples I never give up!

This is what my struggles through my pain is like.

I ask myself:

Can cold, tingling, and pain really be overcome? 
Yes through God, through faith, through prayer.  
But not with chemical foods or drugs;

My pain pills work at times,

but then the body becomes immune to them.

Yes I feel less pain in a warmer climate,

but then one has to move.

(Which will be soon hopefully to Las Crucis New Mexico)

The tens unit worked at first,

but now it is causing me to tingle more.

The therapeutic cane works at times,

but then my shoulder gets tight for me holding it.

The swimming helps and the warm whirlpool helps,

but then I have to go in the cold and drive with one hand to get there.

I love summer, that is certain.

Though I also have blonde fundis

(which is why my eyes are sensitive to light);

and my shades do work for that.

Then I hit the water park and have my summer fun!

No matter what my therapists has me do,

karate, tai chi, yoga, tens unit, whirlpool, therapeutic cane;

I know that none of it works on its own.

Each day I struggle to find a better way to overcome my pain and tingling.

Each day I find the best combination of things to do to keep me moving.

What works most of the time is my breakfast drink,

natural foods, my herbs, my exercises, my swimming,

but in the winter and the freezing cold; the moist air,

I get so tense that sometimes nothing works.

And that is what I am working on now my peoples -

a way to keep my pain in control during the winter

until I get to a warm climate and get my dreams going

of opening my own art studio and dojo for children.

And one day all will be overcome,

and my dreams will be fulfilled.

I have faith in that.

I wrote this blog,

because no matter what life holds

One can never give up,

stay strong always my people;

especially in adversity.

And when it seems all is lost;

the Lord thy God (whomever your God mine is Jehovah);

will always guide you and comfort you. 

And do not ever be afraid to ask for help.

There are family, friends, neighbors, a counselor, 

always someone you can talk to. 

A mentee, karate ka, and friend of mine 

took his life because of bullying and cyber bullying. 

Do not become a tragedy.

When all seems lost, 

there is always hope.

With this I have faith. Amen.

Year end Letter 2015

Year End Letter 2015

Dearest Friends and Family:

As this year ends I reflect on what was accomplished 

and what I can do to better my self, my life, and family. 

I cannot believe it is 2016. Where did the time go?

My son Tim is nearly done with his classes at 

Western Illinois University in Macomb Illinois.

He is working on a BS in math with a minor in computer science and philosophy.

May the lord Jehovah bless him as he finds his way in this world; as he learns and grows.  

My son Ken is doing better in school. He has not been struggling as much this year.

He is in the STEP program and he is working part time after school at the Jackson Hewitt, doing janitorial duties and helps with filing. I am proud of him.  

My wife Jill earned her Health Information Management degree. However she is working in food service again. She works at the China Café. On her spare time she does many activities with Bethel Wesley United Methodist 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 pretty good.

I joined a new church called, “House of the Lord”. I am finding my spiritual self.

I took a trip to Hawaii to visit my Ohana whom I have not seen in 12 years.

I was invited to see Kiley’s High School Graduation. I had a fun time in Hawaii!

I used to go every other year in the Navy, I miss that.

I was a part of my Ohana growing up. I will stay in touch with them more.

My son Ken and I spent our father and son time camping at Coralville Lake.

But we got rained on the entire time. 

We had fun rafting and shooting our BB guns, however.

I work on my writings. I am also working on a Relaxation Therapy Certification.

I am teaching private karate classes on occasion. I am working on the title of Soke.

I will get it one day with determination. My physical therapist is helping me excel.

She has me do some karate and tai chi movements at therapy.

I hope to do my martial arts full time and teach a regular karate class again one day. 

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

Winters are always hard on me.

I pray that 2016 be as blessed as my 2015 and that one day my pain is relieved.

In the next year we are preparing our future to move and to start a new life in New Mexico.

We got the house re-sided, new windows, and the roof was done a couple years ago.

We hope to be in New Mexico in the summer of 2018.

This will be a better climate for my body ailments and a warmer place to retire.

I wish all of my friends and family a blessed year ahead.

Have a great 2016 my friends and family!

Mr. Timothy L. Kerofsky, MA and family

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2016!

10 Things!

10 Things

Timothy L. Kerofsky, MA

10 Things:

1. Believe
2. Baptized
3. Church
4. Bible
5. Spread the Gospel
6. Serve God
7. Tithe
8.  Prayer
9. Good Works
10. Faith

During a church service last week my pastor asked do you truly want to get to heaven.

He gave us a list of 10 things to research.

Yes one can ask for forgiveness and pray, but this is truly not enough.

To be a Christian means to be Christ-like.

To follow the teachings of Christ and lead by his example.

To be compassionate toward others, to be caring, giving,

To be non-violent, war-hating, peace-loving these are the true values of Christians.

We have lost that in a society in where we have to conform to tyranny.

A society were there are terrorism and violence everywhere,

where there are anti-bullying laws in school that do not work,

where there are police in schools that create more problems,

and cause fear to our children,

where there are lies in the government,

where there is corruption, falsehoods, and half-truths.

A society where the government is in control and the people are not.

The constitution says; for the people, by the people…

A society where they are many falsehoods and half-truths in church.

Satan is looking up from hell and smiling at the way the world has become.

The pastor mentioned 10 things which I have listed that Christians have to do.

He is the list and a bible verse that relates to it.

Do some of your own research.

I only put one verse for each…

1. Believe – the first step is to believe in a higher power.

Rather it is YHWH (Yahweh), Jehovah, Jehova, Bog, or whatever.

“For God (Jehovah) so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son (Jesus),

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16 KJV (1611) 

2. Baptized – after you know Christ one should get baptized in him

to receive the Holy Spirit of God!

The Hebrew word for Baptize means to “be immersed in”.

That means to be sprinkled with water does not count as a true baptism.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost.”

Matthew 28:19 KJV (1611)

3. Church – It is important to go to church. Even Jesus went to church.

However, one has to find a true bible teaching church.

And this can be difficult today with all the falsehoods and half-truths taught.

When ones goes to a good Christian church, one learns values, morals, and truth,

one can socialize with other Christians, and one can gain knowledge and wisdom.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;

but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:25 KJV (1611)

Now if one cannot find a true bible teaching church,

All one has to do is gather with friends and have a bible assembly.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:20 KJV (1611)

4. Bible – one must read the bible daily to gain an understanding of Christ,

His word, his laws, and learn how to be Christ-like.

 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Colossians 3:16 KJV (1611)

5. Spread the Gospel – just like Colossians says as will; to teach one another.

Once you learn something about Christ share it with another.

Plant the seed of knowledge and truth.

And then God Jehovah will make it grow in their hearts.

“I planted the seed in your hearts,

and Apollos watered it, but it was  Jehovah who made it grow.”

1^st Corinthians 3:6 KJV (1611)

6. Serve God – is it enough just to go to church? No!

God has a calling for all of us. Sometimes we have more than one calling.

Sometimes we do not know what the calling is yet, but trust in him and he will answer.

And sometimes the calling has already passed; meaning he has already used you.

There are several ways to serve God Jehovah.

One can help at the church with children’s time, with the choir, with bible study.

One can be a deacon in the church; one can be an apostle, or an evangelist.

“Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD.

Yet ye say,

What have we spoken so much against thee?

Ye have said, It is vain to serve Jehovah:

and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance,

and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?

And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up;

yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.”

Malachi 3:13-15 KJV (1611)

7. Tithe – The word Tithe means “10 percent”.

If we give 10 percent of our belongings to the lord he will pour out riches upon us.

He will open the windows of heaven and wealth will pour upon us.

“Honour the Lord with thy substance,

And with the firstfruits all thine increase;

So shall the barns be filled with plenty,

And thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Proverbs 3: 9-10 KJV (1611)

8. Prayer – It is good to pray alone and in public. It is good to pray with others.

It is good to pray for family, for others, and ourselves.

There is nothing more powerful than prayer.

Now there are those that do not believe,

because their prayers are not answered right away.

God will answer prayer on his own time, and sometimes it is not the answer we want.

“Rejoice evermore.

Pray without ceasing.

In every thing give thanks:

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1^st Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV (1611)

 9. Good Works – As a Christian we always should be kind, respectful,

and compassionate toward others. We should always be helpful and show good works.

Like helping a lady cross the street, open the door for someone, giving food to the pantry,

helping in a soup kitchen, volunteering for a fund drive, helping a veteran or many things.

It is not always the big things, but the small things that matter.

"Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16 KJV (1611)

10. Faith – the bible sums up faith like this:

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for,

The evidence of things not seen.”

Hebrews 11:1 KJV (1611)

One can ask how one can gain faith in a being that is not seen.

The bible answers this like this:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10: 17 KJV (1611)

Keep the faith my friends.

Take Care and God Bless!