It's Been Forever.....

It's been so long since I last posted I wonder if I should bother. I've been busy with so many other things, so have neglected my blog.

What have I been busy with, you're all dying to know? Well I've written another Super Pig book. Yes I know you're so excited. This is some of the artwork for one of the new stories, Chrissie Cow Gets Jealous.I'm hoping the book will be out before Christmas.

The other hobby that keeps me very busy is my card shop I opened on ETSY. I love making cards and decided to try selling them. I never believed they would sell and I'd be closing the shop after a few months. But much to my great surprise and joy, I am only 9 cards away from having sold 400 cards. It's hard to believe I have made that many.

So if you are looking for a good gift for your kids this Christmas or the perfect card, I can supply both. I am shamelessly promoting myself. =}

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoxiesCardShop

Hope all is great with you.

THEY'RE HERE!

Izabella's Christmas Dream can be purchased at amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and ordered from your local bookstore. It is not stocked in stores. The prices vary, but I have seen it on amazon for around $3.20, with postage it would be about $7.00.

The Adventures of Super Pig, two: Contains 6 stories with illustrations within it's pages and is a rewrite of some of my favorite stories from my first two books, which are no longer in print. It can be purchased from me while my supply lasts. Price: $14 for (1) $25 for (2)  -  Postage included.

 

If you are interested in purchasing a book, please email me at : superpinkypig@gmail.com  for details, put Book Order in subject line.

They can also be purchased at any local bookstore but you must ask for it to be ordered. Also for sale on line at : amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and other online book stores. Search by my name. Prices will vary at different online and local bookstores.

Ever Been Really Excited?

Well thats how I'm feeling these days. I hope to have 3 Super Pig books out by Christmas. You should be excited too. I just solved that ever present problem, "What should I buy so and so for Christmas?"  =}

My illustrator has been very busy working on new artwork for the 6 new stories I have written. It is so great, and I can't stop bring it up on my computer and looking at it. I'm hoping the kids and parents will feel the same.

I will be sure to let you know when and where to buy the books.

The first to be published (in just a few weeks) is "Super Pig and Izabella's Christmas Dream."
Here is just a small preview of the artwork and what the covers, front and back, looks like. You can see why I'm so excited about the artwork. I can't stop looking at it!

Cover of the book

Back cover

First page

The animals of Hollyhock Farm gathered around the
 baby Jesus

Baby Jesus and His gift from Izabella

The Fellowship Of Suffering

What is your definition of suffering?

There is a book titled, 'The Insanity of God.' It was written by a missionary who worked with a very poor and seemingly hopeless people. For years he tried to help them but with little success and if he did reach someone for Christ, they were badly persecuted. He finally said, "God, you must be insane."

He became so discouraged and faint of heart that he left, but he decided he would visit countries around the world where people are persecuted for being Christians and see how they endured.

In a country in Russia, when it was still the USSR, he met a man who spent seventeen years of unimaginable torture in a wrenched prison, just for being a Christian. When asked how he kept his faith, he said it was because of two things.

Everyday when he woke he stood in his tiny, filthy cell, faced east, raised his hands to God and sang a song of praise. The other prisoners mocked and screamed at him to shut up, they threw human waste at him in protest, but nothing deterred him.

The second thing he did was write down every bible verse and hymn he had memorized. He scoured the prison for any scrap of paper and used a tiny pencil stub if he could find one or a piece of charcoal. When he had completely filled the paper, he would stick it high on a leaky drain pipe that ran through his cell as an offering to God.

The guards always tore them down and he would be badly beaten. This happened day after day, but his faith remained strong. One day the guards dragged him from his cell, beat him horribly and told him his wife had been arrested and his children were now wards of the USSR.

After days of this he finally broke. He could take it no more. He agreed to renounce God and sign a paper saying there was no God. All he had to do was sign that paper and he could go home. "Yes, bring me the paper, I'll do anything, sign anything, just let me go home and find my children."

He was taken back to his cell and the guards went to prepare the papers. As he sat on his bed feeling forsaken, his family and friends in his hometown felt an urgent need to pray for him. They gathered and did just that. God allowed the man to hear the prayers of his family and friends. He heard his wife and children praying for him and he knew the guards had lied. His family was safe and together.

When the guards returned with the paper, he refused to sign, saying God had shown him his family. The guards dragged him from his cell and out to the common area to execute him. As they dragged him through the prison, the other seven hundred incarcerated men, the same men who had ridiculed him, stood and lifted their hands to God and began to sing.

The terrified guards jumped back from the man and asked, "Who are you?" He answered, "I am the son of the living God."

He was released a short time later to go home to his family and he sat among them and his friends as he told his story.

This is a shortened version of his story, I'm telling it from memory. I left out many amazing things that God did for this man.

He endured unimaginable torture, hatred, filth and no doubt, much of the time, starvation, with no real hope of an end except death. Yet he endured, his faith wavered only once and God revived him.

Is this suffering? I say yes, and then some. Have I ever had to really suffer? No.

There are many elements to suffering, and I can't truthfully say I have endured any of them, maybe a broken heart, pain over the death of a loved one, but never real poverty, or hunger, nor homelessness or persecution. Could all these things happen one day? Of course, and I don't doubt that Christians here in the US will one day be imprisoned and executed for our beliefs.

Do I want to suffer? No, but there is something amazing about those who have suffered and endured. They are forever changed. It has made them strong and brave, compassionate and impatient with the small, silly stuff. They see miracles and have an unshakable faith and I would like to be like that.

The fellowship of suffering isn't an exclusive club; millions are persecuted and put to death for their faith. You'll not hear much about it on the news, it may be called 'genocide', but don't be fooled, those dying are Christians. More Christians are killed today than ever in history.

When the Sudan in Africa was ravaged by 'genocide', thousands of young boys were left alone. When the killers swept through their villages, they were out in the field caring for the cattle, most far from their village. As a result these boys came together and began a thousand mile walk to Kenya.

The Red Cross set up food and water station along the way for the thousands and thousands of young boys and the strange and eerie silence that surrounded them. The worker said the boys were so exhausted that none spoke, it was completely silent. Many lay down to sleep not waking in the morning, having died during the night of exhaustion and starvation.

Camps were set up for the boys and most lived there until turning eighteen. They were clothed and fed, and received a good education thanks to the dedicated missionaries who ran the camps.

You would think after going though such a horrendous ordeal they would be angry, bitter. Several of these young men came to the US and were given a tour of a Boeing factory. When asked what they thought of what they had seen, one answered, "How great is our God that He has given man the ability to do such amazing things!" No bitterness at all.

The Fellowship of Suffering, is not one people are clamoring to get into, but it is one that causes you to shine like gold, refined by fire and nothing can dull that shine.


The Insanity of God is written by Nik Ripkin. The Lost Boys of Sudan was an NBC TV special, really amazing.

Stupid Things

Stupid Things

Sometimes I do stupid things,

I know better, usually,

Because in my head a bell rings,

A little voice saying, "Don't do that!"

But, you know, I do it anyway.

Sometimes I wish someone had sat,

On me when I didn't listen to that voice.

Sometime it's not so little.

I know I didn't have to, I had a choice.

But we humans can be so dumb,

And if I want to do something,

I tune out the voice, make myself numb.

Then I'll say, "How come I'm in this mess,

I don't deserve it!"

But I know I do and I must confess,

I want someone else to take the blame,

I think, "It's not my fault!"

But deep down inside I feel the shame,

Of doing what I shouldn't do.

And I bet,

Sometimes you feel it too.

I wrote this poem after doing several stupid, unChrist like things. That little voice said, "Don't do that, don't say that, don't post that!" But did I listen? NO, of course not.

Now I have damaged my witness. I'm very grateful God forgives, but people aren't so forgiving and they have long memories. 

I had to block people on twitter because they were real unhappy about something I said, which I didn't even think about and had no idea it would get such a reaction. Gay people are so sensitive! I hadn't thought a thing of it and the other day I check my twitter responses and saw all these unhappy people. I couldn't even remember what I had said, and I assure you it was not directed at anyone and not intended to be offencive in anyway. But it got swift reaction, gay supporters don't mess around, let me tell you. So I thought it prudent to block them so they couldn't continue to harass me.

I don't mean or think we shouldn't stand up for what we believe in though.

Anyway I got into trouble several times this week and felt very defeated for a day, but I got over it. I do hope people will forgive and come to see how wonderful I really am.  =} But most of all I hope I learned a good lesson to think, to remember I may be the only Jesus some people see and act accordingly.

Let Me Tell You About My Friend Evelyn

I think I have told you that I belong to a writer's site called FanStory. It is a site for writers who want to improver there skills. You post your stories, poems, even books and get feedback from other writers. It has been really helpful in improving my Super Pig stories.

Another great thing about the site is meeting some amazing people, Christians, people who are into horror and, new agers. A really interesting mix. One of the people I 'follow' (you are notified when they post anything), is writing about 6 books at once. They are all very well written, but how she keeps them all straight I don't know.

You have people from every age, I follow a 13 year old and an amazing 86 year old named Evelyn Fort Stewart. It's Evelyn I want to tell you about.

Many of the writers on FanStory have had such horrendous lives. Have been badly abused as children or adults and out of that comes amazing writing. Evelyn is one of these.

She lived a live of terrible abuse at the hand of a demented husband. She had come from a loving home, the youngest of twelve children. She was sheltered, loved and cared for by two hard working, loving parents. She grew up in a tiny town where everyone was related, the town was even named for her family. Evelyn has shared many wonderful stories of her growing up years on FanStory and the amazing family she belonged too.

I started following Evelyn when I saw one of her stories featured on the site's home page. Here was this picture of this wonderful looking woman wearing a big cowboy hat. I had to check out what she was writing about and was hooked after the first story. To get on the home page, you have to be very popular with the reviewers. Every one of Evelyn's posts get featured on the home page.

At the end of one of her posted stories was a video of a woman reading an excerpt of Evelyn's book "Behind Closed Doors." The woman read of one of many incidences of abuse that Evelyn suffered and I was appalled and fascinated at the same time. I knew I had to get that book. I ordered it that evening from amazon.com.

As soon as I received it in the mail I began to read and was amazed at the skill of her story telling. The book is so well written though self published and unedited. She did a masterful job.

The book begins with a 13 year old Evelyn being sent to the big city of Charleston South Carolina, where her parents hoped for a better life for her. I can't imagine being sent all alone by train to a big city I had never been too. Though scared, Evelyn drew on what her parents and a kind nanny had taught her about faith in God. She found a place to live and a job. Her brother lived in the city as well, so her parents sent her without fear knowing her brother would be there for her. Unfortunately her brother had to do double shifts at the Naval shipyards where he worked so saw little of Evelyn. But this was one brave, resourceful and bright young lady. An excellent worker, she had no trouble securing good jobs, and became very self sufficient.

One day her brother came to visit and brought a co-worker with him. Evelyn's life took a dramatic turn as a result of that visit and her journey to survive began. Tricked into a loveless and abusive marriage at 16, Evelyn used her intelligence and faith in God to survive. Her life would become a constant battle to survive abuse and keep from being devoured in poverty. 
The book is hard to put down and is fascinating and heartrending at the same time. I grew to have a love and have great respect for Evelyn. I am proud to call her a friend. Evelyn not only survives. but manages to raise 3 wonderful children.

I highly recommend the book which can be found on amazon.com or you can contact Evelyn directly and order a copy at: Evelyn Fort Stewart, 412 Cooper St. Mountain Home, AR, 72653. Send a money order for $28.95, this includes shipping.

Evelyn now works for a domestic abuse rescue center when she helps women and men of domestic violence escape or get the help they need after escaping. Evelyn was married during a time where nothing was being done about domestic abuse, women had no rights and men could do just about anything they wanted. Thank heavens we have grown much wiser over the the last few decades.

A New Book Coming Soon To An Online Store Near You.

I'll soon be a published author again. I have submitted my book, "Izabella's Christmas Dream" to the publishers and hope it will be out by June!

I'm am so excited! I also hope to have the rewritten and republished Super Pig book out by July and my third out by Nov. Not sure about the last as it will need all new artwork and that takes more time, but hoping for the best.

The first SP book will be 8 rewritten stories from my first two book, The Adventures of Super Pig and Super Pig to the Rescue.

I have changed the stories, some just a bit and some a lot. I am having a hard time coming us with a name for this book so if you have any ideas for a title, send them to me.

Thanks so much for being such great fans. Super Pig would be nothing without you and my illustrator Don Cononge, who does all the great artwork and formatting.

Another Book In The Works

I'm excited to write that there is finally a Super Pig book in the works. I had hoped to have one out last year, but with the illness and death of my younger sister Sherry, it had to be postponed.

In some ways the postponement was a good thing as my publisher is now having a sale, two books for the price of one. I am republishing some of the stories from the first two books (the publisher went bankrupt so those books are no longer available for purchase)  and a book with all new stories.

I will keep you updated on the progress as I know you are all just dying to get your hands on a new book.

Many if you know I have joined a writing site where I can post all my work and get feedback and reviews on them. This has been so helpful and I'm hoping my writing has improved greatly. I get mostly good feedback, which is very encouraging. The reviews really enjoy the stories too, so I'm hoping the parent
who often has to read the same story over and over will enjoy it too.

The writing site is called Fanstory so if you any of you are interested in posting your work and getting helpful feedback I would recommend it. I have found there are many Christians on the site and many are popular among the membership so they are getting read by many and being a witness.

I have gotten to know a few of the members and some have the most tragic life stories. I am amazed they are able to function at all let alone write the amazing stories they do. They use their life experience to fuel their passion for writing, some have become Christians and many do acknowledge that God has a part in their lives. It is interesting to say the least.

Some have physical handicaps, one is almost blind, but is one of the top writers and reviews for the site. She has gotten to know and fall in love with another writer on the site and they now plan a life together. Another couple met on the site and have since married, and I don't doubt there are many others. It is a fun and interesting community.

I try to be a witness and an encouragement on the site. I hope I'm doing that. I pray for many of the fellow writers as I hear their life stories or an illness or just troubles they have.

I have gotten to read some of the best books on the site. There are many amazing writers and it has been fun to get to preview their work before they publish.

Anyway, stay tuned to this channel to hear more exciting announcements about the next book.

God Bless, Roxanna

The Walking Alive

I just saw a friends tweet, he said he was playing the video game The Walking Dead. I tweeted back and asked why no one played The Walking Alive, I mean who needs all the exercise when you’re dead.

If I were The Walking Dead and had to be hunting down people for my next meal, I'd get a car. I mean these guys look like they are having a hard time walking anyway. Walking around dead must take a lot out of you. Yeah, I’d defiantly get a car or maybe a motorcycle. Yeah that would work. You could go as fast as you want because who’s going to give a ticket to a zombie?

The thing that’s really weird about zombies is you can kill them. Now how do you kill something that is already dead? I don’t really understand that. Zombie killers always have big guns and they may have to shoot one a bunch of times, but they eventually fall down dead, again.

And they can’t talk; they just go around saying, “Awwwwwwwwwww.” I don’t think that’s a word.

In a lot of these zombie movies, the walking dead are usually the only ones out and about. Everyone else is hiding, usually in a bedroom with a bunch of other people. They are always on the floor watching the doors and windows for a zombie attack.

Now since everyone is hiding and no one is minding the stores, wouldn’t you help yourself to something a lot nicer than rags? I mean these guys are always in rags. What’s up with that? I’d be finding me a Neiman Marcus or something on Rodeo Drive and I’d help myself to a little Versace, or Michael Kors or Dolce&Gabbana. You know, I sure wouldn’t be going around in rags. Maybe a nice pair of Jimmy Choo’s and a Coach bag to match. I mean if your a zombie, it's not like you have any moral code you follow or care about laws or anything.

I saw on Ebay that you can buy a Zombie Survival Kit. I don’t know what’s in it, maybe an extra face to eat off, some big guns I’d expect and a note that says, “Get out of there you idiot!” Because if you are living where there are zombies, someone needs to tell you to get out of Dodge.

It’s weird that our society is so into zombies. What started this zombies-vampires, all this dead come back to life stuff? It’s rather disturbing. I belong to a writing site where you post your work to be critiqued and get feedback from other writers. Some of the writers are great, some not so. 


I have noticed that the most popular stories seem to be horror. Lots of vampire stuff. I don’t read those. Others aren’t about vampires but are very dark. 


People are really fascinated by the dark side, but they kind of want a happy ending. Or maybe people are hoping that they don’t have to stay dead once they die. They can come back as a vampire or a zombie. I don’t know why you would want to, but maybe it brings a bit of comfort to think death isn’t really dead.

Well I know of One who came back from the dead and He didn’t come back as a zombie or vampire. He came back so we wouldn’t have to face death and punishment. He came back from the dead to give us life, hope, peace and a since of worth and purpose.

So if you are afraid of death and you’re hoping to be a vampire or a zombie one day, I have a much better idea. Jesus died so you wouldn’t have to, He doesn’t want zombies, (because if you don't have Him, you truly are The Walking Dead) He wants to give us an abundant life, one full of promise. So if you are thinking of buying one of those Zombie Survival Kits, I have a better deal, buy a bible instead. It’s the original survival guide.

Chocolate-The Elixer of Life

What would life be like if there were no chocolate? It's just too horrible to think about so I won't even attempt an answer.

Today my department from work went to a place in Orlando called Farris and Foster Fine Chocolates.
It is in the Kohl's shopping center across from Waterford Lakes. This was a team building activity. We get to do those at my place of employment. You just call something really fun a 'Team Building Activity' and they let you do it!!



First thing you see when walking in the shop

Anyway, the first thing we noticed when we arrived at F&FFC was the door was extra wide. What do you think that means? I personally didn't think it was a real good sign. So you go through the really wide door into, well pretty much heaven on earth. There is chocolate everywhere, and everything is chocolate covered.

We were shown to a long table that had parchment place mats, molds, a little paper hat to wear and a plastic apron. We were later given gloves to wear and told if we licked our fingers, we had to get a new pair of gloves.

Candy making table





Hats and aprons on

Our very nice instructor

A very cute, nice girl gave us instructions on how to fill the molds, and we were shown all the wonderful things we could use as fillers.

Then we were let lose to explore our creative side in chocolateering. I was not very creative, you would think I would be, but I don't really like a lot of junk in my chocolate, I guess I'm just a purest. I do like peanut butter in my chocolate so I did use a lot of that.

Some little chocolateers ready for duty

Getting into the candy making thing

My pound of candy, mainly PB&C

But the other girls were not purest and did many creative things, but I would not want to eat their chocolate.

Other peoples candy which I wouldn't eat

 

Yucky stuff in candy

We were given a container to put our candy in and we were allowed to make a pound. This was all paid for by our generous boss, Connie, but if we went over a pound, we had to pay the difference ourselves. I went $3 over. Still a very good deal.

Our generous boss showing off her pound of candy

Thus far I have only eaten a smidgen of my candy. I have shared a lot of it, so I wouldn't eat it all myself, but I still have much too much left. I kept it at work so I wouldn't eat anymore of it and will try to force others to eat it tomorrow, thus saving myself many calories. Although our little instructor girl did said they had taken all the calories out, but since they have that extra wide door, I don't believe her.

Some co-worker chocolateers

Me being shy (I'm just such a shy person)

Super Pigmania Maybe

In these days of Linsanity and Tebowmania, I was thinking how about 'Super Pigosity', or something better.

Maybe I should have a contest to see who can come up with the most catchy name for all the hype that is sure to surround our super hero once my book is published and the public goes totally bonkers over it.



Writing Super Pig stories is truly one of my greatest joys.  I have never really grown up, so it fun to indulge myself in this make believe world of talking animals and super heroes. I've always had a
great imagination.

When I was a kid I would pretend I was real tiny, like Tinker Bell tiny. No one would be able to see me and I could hide behind plants and chair legs. I think I really wanted to be tiny and not seen. Then I could hide from life.

Maybe that's why I write about a super hero who though at times is afraid, still never hesitates to do what she can to save someone in need. She is so many things I never was and still am not.

I am hoping to get my new book out before Christmas. I'm rather glad the first books are no longer available as I can now rewrite the stories and make them better. I think my writing has improved greatly, well at least it's improved some and I feel much better about the stories now. I am combining my favorite stories from the first two books and will hopefully have some new ones.

I would like to have just a holiday book with all the holidays Super Pig has celebrated, plus her birthday. I think there are at least 6 stories. Not sure if that's a good idea or not. What do you think?

I'll keep you posted about how things are going on my Super Pig Books page. I'm going to keep it up more now that a book is in the works.  Do 'super' fun stuff so my page will be the very best. Right? Okay well it will be good anyway.

Thanks for hanging in there with me guys. You've been great fans and I REALLY appreciate you.

What Would Tim Tebow Say?

Saturday, January 14^th, marked the end of the season for the Denver Broncos and Tim Tebow. If you are a Tebow fan, like me, it may have felt as if the season went on forever. It was a constant shift from euphoria to “Oh Man!!!!”  From getting into the playoff through the back door, (so to speak), to a spectacular win against the Steelers, (setting several records), to a crushing defeat, yet again, at the hands of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

For the many ‘Tebowits’, this defeat was hard to take, a heart breaking loss. For the “haters” it was justification for more taunting and hating. For many of the commentators and sports analyst it was an, “I told you so.” And many jumped off the Tebow band wagon.

But what was it like for Tim Tebow? In a career that started with Pop Warner Football and saw many more wins than loses? That included high school championships, college championships and the Heisman, not to mention many other prestigious awards; what was it like to lose in a humbling, and as many stated, humiliating fashion?

Tim has been dubbed “God’s Quarterback,” and “The Mile High Messiah." He is said to be the most polarizing figure in football history. Never has so much been filmed, photographed, printed, said and debated, about one player.

 He has been constantly criticized for everything from his throwing style to his stance on Christianity, especially for his up front, unapologetic practice of praying on the field and thanking his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at every press conference, win or lose. And this has all been debated on ESPN, by NFL Network, by every commentator and sports analyst on every sports broadcast and in every newspaper in America and probably overseas.

Why is it that a man who is said to be no good at his craft gets so much attention? I couldn’t watch ESPN without hearing about him.

What is it about Tim Tebow that causes so many to love him and so many to hate him?

I believe, (my own personal opinion), that many haters are just jealous. When someone gets this much attention and is adored by millions (1 ½ million alone subscribe to his facebook page), you are going to have those who feel inferior and feel a need to bring someone of his stature down to their level or lower. Many hate because they just like hating and many hate him because they don't want to live up to his standards. One man was quoted as saying, "I can't wait until they find him in a room full of hooker, face down in a mountain of cocaine." Gee, don't hold anything back. Tell us how you really feel. I guess that is perferable to having a good example for your kids. Really?

And I believe he is hated for his faith by those who have no faith, who don’t believe in God, and others who believe but feel your faith should be kept private and out of sight. I read comments all the time that say he is sinning by praying in public the way he does. They quote Matthew were it says, “Don’t pray like these… but go into your closet.”

Others say he preys on the weak minded; he is a “terrorist” who uses religion as a weapon. He is a phony, a hypocrite, he is arrogant because he believes his way is the only way, and on and on and on.

I don’t think any player in NFL history has received so much criticism when so many others are so much more deserving. How many athletes have been arrested for and accused of rape, domestic violence, assault, weapons charges, indecent exposure and much more, and hardly a word said. I guess these things are not nearly as offensive as praying in public.

Mr Suh. But he seems like such a nice guy

Ndamukong Suh, the infamous defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions was suspended for 4 games after banging the head of a Green Bay Packer into the turf after a tackle, then getting up and stomping on him. And this was not his first infraction. No public outrage as far as I know, but I guess a player trying to kill his opponent is preferable to praying in public or talking about Jesus.

Rob Gronkowski, the much acclaimed wide receiver for the New England Patriots, was photographed shirtless because he had given it, a jersey, to a porn star he was being photographed with. It went viral of course, his reason… she has over 70thousand followers on Twitter and he thought if he was photographed with her, he’d get more followers too. 

Rob Gronkowski (Rob did have to apologize to his
teammates and owner for his antics)

This 22 year old young man has had a stellar season, catching over 90 passes from Tom Brady, 17 being touchdowns, and ran for over 1300 yards, and that wasn’t enough to get Twitter followers? I guess not. Where was the outrage over that? Here is a young man who could have had a positive influence, but instead sent out a message to young boys everywhere that porn is okay. Now he is forever linked to this girl and she is using his name to farther her career.  I've read many of the comments on articles written about this incident and most of them say, “Good for you Rob.” No outrage, no “what a bad example!” Nothing said on ESPN, or NFL Network. No sports analysts saying “Shame on you!”  No boycotting Patriot Games.

What a sad commentary on our society when we think nothing of antics like these, but show venomous hatred for one just because he expresses, in a very non-threatening way, his love and thankfulness to and for his Savior, and is just a really decent guy.

But Christians knew it would be this way. Jesus Himself told us it would be, and I know Tim is not surprised or caught off guard by it. I also know this, because of Tim Tebow’s desire and determination to share his faith, millions have heard about Jesus. Because of him John 3:16, (along with other verses) have been quoted on national TV and newspapers and probably in many other countries around the world. How amazing is God, that He can use those who may despise Him, i.e., liberal newspapers, talk shows, and the haters, to get His word out.

And what causes so many to love Tim? Strangely it is the very same things the haters hate him for.

At the beginning of this article I asked, “What was this loss (the playoff game against New England) like for Tim Tebow?”  Well let me quote him. 

“Overall, it still wasn’t a bad day,” said Tebow. “It was a good day because before the game I got to spend time with *Zack McLeod, and make him smile and that made it a good day... Sometimes it’s (the good) hard to see, but it depends on which lens you are looking through.”

*Zack is a 20 yr old young man who suffered a traumatic brain injury while playing football.  Tim flew him in for the game as part of his foundations W15H program.

Tim with some of the kids from "Make a Wish". In connection with the Tim Tebow Foundation W15H program, Tim flies a special guest, usually a child suffering from cancer or another life threatening condition, along with his whole family to one of his games. Tim pays for game tickets, plane tickets, hotel rooms, a car and all meals. Tim spends time before and after the game with his guests. All have said they get his undivided attention and it an experience they will never forget.

So I think I will take Tim Tebow, for all his wonky mechanics, last minutes heroic, and humiliating loses over all the Rob Gronkowski’s of this world. I’d rather chose, as an example, someone who loves the Lord, follows after Him and is a winner at life, than one who may be an outstanding winner at the game of football but is losing out on all the best God has for him.

“Sometimes I pray before games, during games, after games ... regardless whether I win or lose … whether [I'm] the hero or the goat, it doesn't matter, I still honor the Lord and give Him glory because He's deserving of it. Just like my faith shouldn't change, neither should that … You can still honor the Lord with how you handle things.”  Tim Tebow

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!