Happy New Year! Be Stong and Courageous too!




 As the old year leaves us and a new one begins I find myself thinking about what this new year will hold. Will it be good or bad, hold hardship and trials or be smooth, easy? I suspect it will be some of both.

I've been thinking a lot about the verse, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes." Romans 8:28

Do I really believe that? Do I really think everything that has happened in my life, in the lives of my family, of my friends has "worked together for good"? I guess if I am totally honest, I'd have to say no.

Dare I be so honest and un-spiritual? But don't we all feel that way sometimes? How can the death of a child be "good"? How can a sick family member be "good"? Not to mention natural disasters, dictators and war.

But I need to remember that God doesn't call these things "good", He says "all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called.."  Because isn't God good all the time? Even when I don't think it, even when I'm hurting, afraid, worried? Of course He is.

Doesn't knowing God is in control, that He works all things out for my good take a lot of worry out of life?

Almost every day I read a passage in the Bible from Joshua.



Joshua 1:5-9





My pastor did a bible study on Joshua and I was so taken with the first few verses of this book. Moses has died and the leadership of the Israelites has been given over to Joshua. It must have been a very daunting task as 3 times in these few, short verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and in verse 6 he tells him to be strong and VERY courageous.

I guess we know that leading the Israelites was no easy task, leading any people is no easy task. There are always nay-sayers, complainers, people who think they know more then you, who have a much better idea, and ones who don't like being told what to do. But one of the best part of this passage is verse 5:

 "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will never leave you nor forsake you." NIV

And also verse 9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; don't be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." NIV

Is it easier to be strong and courageous knowing God is always there? I think so, but I don't alway act like it. Sometimes I don't trust enough, sometimes I don't believe. Is God with me even when I don't trust, don't believe? He is, but I'm sure it makes Him sad, maybe even frustrated. Does God get frustrated? I wonder, how could He not when He has so many humans to contend with. Wouldn't it be the most frustrating thing in the world to have an employee, a child, a friend, a sibling, you had to tell everyday, "It's okay, you can do it. I'm right here to help. You'll be okay. Be brave, be strong." Wouldn't you just want to slap them after a while?! I would. Yet God has to do that with me everyday, because I am anything but strong and courageous. I'm more the terrified type.

I guess I like this passage because it is telling someone, Joshua, who I know had proven his strength and courage many times over, to be strong, to have courage. I guess even the brave get faint hearted at times. Even strong, competent Joshua had to be encouraged.

So go into this new year being "strong and courageous" knowing God is with you, no one can stand against you and God will never leave you. But don't forget the second half of verse 7: "Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

Following God's word is the formula for a successful life. There will be rough patches, maybe even seeming failure, but remember "all things work together for good.." So be Strong and Courageous because God is in Control.

Have a successful New Year.

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!!

Tim firing up his team.

Ah, fall is in the air. Its that time of year when pig skins (Super Pig does not like footballs being called 'pig skins'. She was most relieved to find out that they are not made from pigs anymore) dance across football field all over the country.

Thursday (today) begins the official start of the NFL Football Season and guess who is going to be on TV making a speech about non-existent jobs? No, not *David Garrard! Our esteemed president that's who. Now what would you rather do, watch a football game or listen to a speech full of promise that will never be kept? That's what I thought, this had better be one short speech.

Tim accepting the Heisman

I was really sweating it over the summer while the lockout was going on. Would there even be a 2011-2012 football season? What would life be like with out football?! (I know some of you wives are saying, it would be wonderful, right Jane?) Of course there would be college football. I never watched much college ball. Mostly just bowl games. Then we heard about this kid, Tim Tebow, from Florida U who won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. Youngest player to ever win. Not only that, but when he gave his acceptance speech, he thanked Jesus Christ his lord and savior. Now that was interesting. So I started paying more attention to the Gators and Tim.

Tim playing for Florida U

For my birthday Connie gave me Tim's book "Through My Eyes". What an amazing young man, what an amazing family. I highly recommend the book. I'm just to the part where he is competing for the #1 spot  for QB at Florida U as a freshman . This is one determined kid. He has been working out since the was 5yrs old! And he has always known what he wanted to be. Just reading about his workouts exhausts me. He puts his heart and soul into everything he does and does it to the best of his ability. If he doesn't win, come out #1, get the starting position, he works, I mean works, until he does. His hard work paid off his first year of college ball as he was well respected by his teammates as a freshman. He tells a story of a drill he had to do his freshman year. Two men at each end of a rope pulling until the other gave up. He was paired with a 300lbs lineman. The match was pretty even and Tim looked for an edge, as he always does. He got the guy off balance and he fell, but didn't let go of the rope. Tim pulled him, hand over hand across the gym floor until he was backed up against the bathroom door, he kicked open the door and kept pulling, kept backing up into the bathroom, then kicked open a stall door and kept pulling until the coach finally said enough. It was his goal to win every drill competiton and he usually did. He never quit anything and he never gave up on anything, and  his sophomore year he was the starting quarterback, throwing for more then 20 touchdown and the winner of the Heisman Trophy.

What working out since the age of 5
does for you.

I'm sure many of you saw him crying after a lose to Alabama 2 years ago. A lot of people thought he was a big cry baby, but he explained it in his book. He is so exhausted after a game, he puts so much into it mentally, physically and emotionally that he is spent by the end of the game and crying is a release. He'd been doing it for years. When he played high school ball, as soon as a game ended, his brother would surround him to shield him from the press of the opposing team. They loved to get pictures of him so they could say their team made TimTebow cry. I'm pretty sure he hasn't cried as a professional, not in public anyway.

Not only is he an outstanding athlete excelling in every sport, especially baseball, (yes baseball, infact coaches from other states were willing to fly him in for games if he'd come play for them! and this is when he was in little league. Even in little league it is anything to win). He puts all that same energy into his Christian walk. Everything he does is prayed over by he, his family and friends. He spent most of his summers either over seas (he's been all over the world), in the Philippines, where he was born or somewhere in the US, telling other about Jesus. He made regular weekly trips to hospitals to visit the sick starting his freshman year of college. He also visited prisons. Even though he wasn't the starting quarterback or a star yet, people had heard about him and the college athletic dept was getting calls asking for him to make appearances. This is a young man of unusual character.

Tim is also know for his leadership qualities. His ability to fire up a team, to get them to work harder, play better and to take every practice, every game, as an opportunity to learn and excel.




Tim playing for the Denver Broncos

He plays for the Denver Broncos now and when he was drafted his jersey sold more and faster then any jersey in NFL history. It remained the #1 best seller for over a year. In his first pro game he ran for more then 30yrds for a touchdown and threw for more then 40yrd for a touchdown. He was the first rookie to ever do that. He hasn't play much, I know it must be very hard for him to stand on the sidelines, but when asked about not playing he said, "I trust my coaches."
Tim says he has a passion to play football and to be the best. He feels that way about his Christian walk too. I know if he's not able to play he will find a way to deal with it. He has a super strong support team, his family. They are amazingly close. I know if he's not to play, it will be maybe the hardest thing he has ever faced up to now, but he will do what God wants.

But I have a feeling he will play and excel, he always has. Come on Timmy, you can do it. Let's show these guys!

(added 9/24) Lately Tim has been filling other positons on the team due to so many injuries. He played as a slot receiver in his last game. When asked about playing other positions beside quarterback, he said he is willing to do what ever he can to help his team. He is really a remarkable young man.
 (added 10/12/11) Tim Tebow has been named the starting quarterback for the Broncos. The Broncos are now at 1-4. Lets hope Tim can do well and help them out. I'll be praying for him.

* David Garrard was the quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars until he was let go this week. ={ The Jags are my team, so I hope his replacement does well. They sure haven't impressed in the pre-season.

My Favorite Little People (part 2)

 Why is it that you can watch a baby for hours, laughing and oohing over everything they do? They are so funny, so cute and so smart. Think of all they have to learn and how fast they learn it?

And isn't it amazing how fast you can fall in love with them?

Meet Mr. Justus. Jon and Amy Lewis' second child. He looks rather bored here, but he seems to always find something to do these days to keep busy.

He is one of the sweetest little guys you will ever meet. He loves to cuddle and laugh, and when he's happy to see you, his little arms and legs fly.

He loves to jump too. Whether in a Jolly Jumper or not, he is always jumping, and if anything is within reach, he is grabbing it.

I have a feeling that when he starts to walk, he is going to be a bit more of a challenge then his sister was. Izabella was a very calm baby, she rarely got into anything. Even when she started walking she always looked at you before she touched anything, to see if it was okay. We never had to child prove our house. But I don't think things will be that way with Mr. Justus. There will have to be much child proofing and if you have ever seen my house, you know that is going to be quite a job.

Justus at the beach (the girl all just swoon over him)

But it will be worth it. Who wouldn't want that sweet little face in your home. Besides chasing him all over the house will be great exercise.

I pray he grows up to be a great man of God. That he will be a wonderful son, grandson, husband and father.

I pray he will be a man of courage and always stand for what is right. He has a good start with parents who are already teaching him these things and grandparents and aunties who will always be praying for him.

Sleeping on daddy's lap. He loves to sleep this way.

Like his big sister he too is a fashion icon

He loves a good meal and doesn't mind wearing it.

He also loves a good bubble bath

Dad is already getting him ready to be a Marine



Or maybe a football player









Whatever he grows up to be I know he will be good at it. When you are this cute you can't help but grow up to do something great! 
                                                                    I love you sweet boy!























My Favorite little People (part 1)

Whats better then a baby? Nothing, that's what!

I have always been crazy about babies. As a kid I drove all the new moms in my neighborhood crazy wanting to be at their homes and play with their babies. I just couldn't stand for there to be a baby around and me not holding it.

Lately I've hit the jackpot with co-workers and family having babies. So much fun!

My neice Amy Livingston Lewis has had two beautiful babies and she is so generous with them. She has let me be in their lives from the very beginning.

First came little Izabella. It was love at first sight. Who wouldn't be crazy about a face like that? She was such a happy baby. Always had a smile for you.

One of my favorite memories is caring for her for 2 1/2 days over a Friday night and weekend, when she was about 9 months old.  Her daddy was in the hospital (due to dehydration) all the way across the city and Amy didn't want  her crawling on a yucky hospital floor. It just so happened that Mimi and Papa where in CA, so Amy asked if Connie and I would mind taking her.

 Would we mind?! Is she kidding? I said yes so fast she didn't even get the question all out.

She was sooooo good. She played, laughed, went to bed at 8pm and didn't wake up until 8am and always with a smile. We had a wonderful time with her.

We have gotten to babysit many times since and it is always a joy. She's never a problem and is so polite. Always saying, "Thank you Connie and Roxanna." anytime we do something for her or give her a gift.

Now that she is a bit older, I'm trying to turn her into a crafter. So far she likes it. Connie and I got her a princess table and chair just her size to craft and eat from. It was a big hit, she is a huge princess fan.



The princess table



The artist at work (she had to sit on her knees
 at my desk, hence the  princess table.)



                      Izabella just turned 3 and for her birthday, Mommy and Daddy took her

                      to Disney World where she got to see her favorite princesses in person.



Sleeping Beauty



Bell from Beauty and the Beast. Bell's okay but where is Cinderella?!










And the all time favorite Cinderella (you can see how nervous she is about meeting her very favorite)





And of course the all important Mouse, Mickey.



Is this the cutest picture or what?



Izabella is a Cubbie in AWANA now and is learning bible verses. She does very well. Her mom and dad are teaching her the most important thing in life. To love Jesus. When we had her over night just last month, at bedtime she got into my book case and took something down. I looked at it and it was the bible. I said,"I don't know if you will like that book, it's the bible and there are no pictures." She said, "I want to read the bible." She crawled up on to my bed, leaned back against the pillow and started looking through it. I wish I'd had my camera ready. It was so cute.

Praising the Lord with daddy

No autographs today darling.

She can be a fashion icon or very silly

silly face

She loves her Mommy and Daddy,

And Papa and Mimi.

and most of the time, little brother Justus (as long as he isn't pulling her hair)

She is a sweetie and my life is richer for having her in it. Of course I wrote her into my Super Pig books. She is Izabella Frog and in her story she tries to find the perfect gift for Jesus.
                                                      I think she is the perfect gift.

My hope and prayer for her is she grows up to be a beautiful woman of God. That she will love and serve Jesus and be a light where ever she goes.




I love you my sweet girl!



Happy Birthday To Me!

I'll be 54 in just a few short day.

54!!! How did I ever get to be so old?

 Remember when you thought 25 was really old? I use to think people my age were dead. When I heard someone 50 had died, I'd think, well they lived a good long life. Now I think, Good grief, they were just a child!

The older you get the younger every age seems. 60, they're still a young whipper snapper. 70, that's nothing, still lots of life left in the old girl. 80, may need to slow down just a bit, 90, well okay 90 is old, but you really are as young as you feel and for all you young'ens out there thinking, "I hope I'm dead before I hit 50", you'll be surprised at how young you feel.

I remember my mom saying, My outside looks old, but inside I still feel like a young girl. It made me realize that your insides, your soul, your spirit, really never grows old.

I hope I am aging gracefully. I'm sure all my friends would agree that I have just the right mix of maturity and child left in me. Right guys? Well maybe just a bit more child then maturity. But I still feel young! When I walk passed a mirror in a department store, I always think, who's that old lady wearing my clothes? It is always a shock to realize I'm the little old gray haired lady.

I've thought about plastic surgery. You know, get one of those "life style lifts." Takes about an hour, takes off 20 years, and you can go back to work the same day. (that's what they say in the infomercial) Wouldn't that be fun. Go out to lunch and come back a whole new person. People wouldn't recognize you, or they'd be trying to figure out what was different. "Have you lost weight? Did you get a new hair-do? Did you get a life style lift over lunch?"

But instead maybe I should just eat right, drink plenty of water and get lots of exercise.

Naaaa! I'd rather hang out with my friends,

Maybe take a dance class or two,

or perhaps an art class, 

or maybe just hang out alone, now and then, contemplating life.

Whatever comes I hope I'm up for it. I hope I can grow old without getting old. I kind of hope I'll always be a bit crazy and make people laugh.

Most of all I hope I'll be what God wants me to be. His opinion is really the only one that matters. I hope I'll grow old while growing in the Lord.

What Do You Mean I Can't Sing?!





What I would act like on stage

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a singer in a rock and roll band. I wanted to play the guitar. I wanted to be on stage impressing my millions of fans with my ability to both sing and play, maybe more then one instrument, maybe the guitar and the drums, better then anyone. Of course I never did one thing to try and accomplish that goal. I figured my chances of doing so were pretty much zero to none, so I didn't even try. I figured I'd be a whole lot better at it in my head then in real life. But this didn't stop me from singing. When I was a kid, I'd make up songs and sing them in the back of my folks pickup, my "stage".  I remember being very dramatic about it. I wonder if anyone was watching me? I hope not.

I still do it, not act like an idiot in the back of a pickup, but make up songs. I can sing anything. You name it I have a song for it. For some reason, just about anything a person say to me or around me, makes me think of a song.

me totally cool playing the guitar

The truly sad thing is, no one appreciates it. All day long people are yelling at me, "Roxanna, is that you singing?" "Roxanna are you humming?" "Roxanna please shut up." "Roxanna please don't start." "Roxanna you have many talents, but singing isn't one of them."

me even cooler playing the drums

You can imagine how crushing that would be to my self esteem. I mean really, how many people can do that? Just think up a song out of mid-air? Sometimes the songs I sing are real songs, like if someone said, "I love to dance." I'd sing, "I could have danced all night..." I don't make up all of them, just most. Mainly because I don't know all the words to the song, so I make up the rest. I think that's rather clever, don't you?

Like if someone said, "I'll never get all this work done!" I'd sing, "I can't get this work done, but I don't care, because I have such pretty hair."
Now who wouldn't love that? An artist is never appreciated in his own town.

I write poems too. I wrote one about the accident when I lost my glasses and Connie her wig. It was called, "The Blind and The Bald".

Here is a poem I wrote about one of the hurricanes we had here in Florida.
                                               

 Ode to Fay

Oh Fay, Oh Fay,

What can I say.

Should you come,

Or stay away?

stupid people out in the hurricane

Your swirly whirlies in the sky,

Help us Lord!! WE’ER GOING TO DIE!!

Around and around you go,

Through the ocean to and fro.

One moment you’re in Aruba,

The next,  blowing over Cuba.

On a path toward Florida State,

I’m glad a ONE is all you rate.

The rain it has already begun,

I do not think this will be fun.

If we get off work, now that might be nice,

they wouldn't have to tell me twice!

I’ll pack up my survival kit ,

I’ll call some friends and then we’ll sit.

And eat our cookies and potato chips,

Listen to the weatherman for tips.

None of us we will do what he said.

It won’t matter ‘cause we’ll all be dead!

So Fay, Fay what can I say,

If you do come, please don’t stay.

Just blow right through, take an hour,

But please, please don't take our power.

Please just go and don’t come back.

I’ll even come and help you pack.

            the end



me doing a reading



              

Now is that talent or what? Just imagine that as a song!  But I'll not be deterred! I will carry on with my quest to sing about everything I hear. I can't help it. It's just in me.

And if you don't like it,

I don't care.

I'll do it anyway,

So there.

The End