A Brief Look At My Favorite Superheroes

by tiffanyLife, other updatesPosted on No Comments
A Brief Look At My Favorite Superheroes

I learned about superheroes in middle school or high school. They fascinated me, but at the time it wasn’t something that went beyond watching cartoons. There was an X-Men animated series that aired from 1992 to 1997 that I watched. I loved Wolverine even before the movies came out. For the longest time, Wolverine was my favorite superhero.

Once I found comics in my adult life and superhero movies came out, they introduced me to an entire cast of other heroes to root for. However, Wolverine always held a special place in my heart. Yes, I love Squirrel Girl and Laura/ X23, but it was tough for a replacement to come along. Laura was a very close second though. Starlord, Thor, and Iron man were great, but they weren’t Wolverine.

It wasn’t until SHAZAM came out that I found a new favorite. Yes, Wolverine will always have a special place in my heart, but my current favorite superhero is SHAZAM. He is just so fun.

Squirrel Girl is a very close second. I love her as a character and she is such a random hero. Her comics are fun, but for my favorite superhero, I have to go for one with more power. If they were in the same universe, I bet they would be friends. They both are lighter and humorous characters.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

My Helpful Journal Prompts

by tiffanyLife, Non-fiction and Articles Portfolio, other updatesPosted on No Comments
My Helpful Journal Prompts

I love journaling. It is a great way I can start my day mentally organized and with my feelings in check. Writing down things helps me get the day off on the right foot.

Part of my journaling time is spent bullet journaling, which is basically making lists. I love making lists, so this is very helpful and enjoyable. My lists also charge me up and put a positive spin on my day.

The topics/ lists are:

  1. Dreams/ Ideal Life
    • This is where I will list out the things I want to happen.
  2. Why I’ll Make It
    • I was feeling discouraged a while back and had a hard time believing my dreams and goals would come true. I wanted to change my outlook, so I listed out reasons I will achieve everything I set my mind to. This list recharges me each time I write it. It is interesting to see how my reasons change from day to day.
  3. Woo-hoo Moments
    • I tend to look to the future and forget that I am doing good things now, as you can tell by the first two bullet journal ideas. Writing lists about good things I’ve done the day before helps me stay present and reminds me to look for the good stuff in the day ahead of me.
  4. Gratitude
    • I think this is self-explanatory. I list out things I’m grateful for, whether it’s the sun shining, a good cup of coffee, or an answered prayer. It’s important to make sure you take time to be thankful for what you have.
  5. Prayer
    • I like to journal out my prayers to keep track of them. Also, I pray out loud and in my head. If I do pray out loud it’s easy for me to lose track of the prayers. When my prayers are jotted down on paper, then I can refer back to them and know God answered a prayer.
  6. Shema
    • Shema statements, as I know them, are brief statements that reflect your love and commitment to God. The practice of journalling them is so I can practice different ways that I could bring up my faith to others. My theory is that if I am continually looking for ways to say I love God then when I have a chance in public to do so I won’t have to think of the words to say. I’ll already have them in my head because I’ve journaled a bunch of different ways.

I hope my journaling prompts help you or you at least found enjoyment and insight from them.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Changing To A Dance: A Poem

by tiffanyPoetryPosted on No Comments
Changing To A Dance a Poem
I'm changing this fight
into a dancce.
I will not war
not against my own life.
Instead the trumpets
will be the rhythm of my feet.
Turn the battle cries 
into songs of praise.
This will be a new day,
one with no more fighting
 not against my own life.
I'll allow the ebs and flows
to direct my dance,
know it's God's will.
I will follow.
I will go.
He leads, I follow,
without a fight,
just a dance.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Grandma’s Painting: My Most Prized Position

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Grandmas painting

Growing up, I thought I wanted to follow in my grandpa’s footsteps and become a vet like he was. As I grew, I changed courses and followed closer to my grandma’s path. My grandma was an artist. She would make quilts and paint pictures. Each one of her grandkids received a quilt and painting from her. It was a wonderful tradition that I greatly value. In fact, one of my most prized positions to this day is the painting she painted for me.

The painting is of her barn on an early autumn day with sheep grazing in the foreground. This barn was on the property where she raised her kids and her grandkids would visit. Her home is such a wonderful childhood memory and I thankful that I have a painting of her barn to remind me of it. I am not home until I hang this painting near a door so that if there is a fire, I will easily be able to save it. It ties me to my family and acts as a reminder of my past. It is love on canvas and I love this painting.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

My October 2020’s Monthly Update

by tiffanyLife, other updatesPosted on No Comments

Every month I do these quick update videos on my YouTube channel. They are my version of video newsletters.

They are focused specifically on my art business, which includes both my visual art and writing. I do sometimes add personal life updates since they may affect my business.

I will be starting to add them here, on my site, so that it is easy for all to access them. Starting next month the updates will post here a bit earlier in the month. However, you can always get notified of them if you subscribe to my channel.

My October 2020 Monthly Update

Looking Back At A Changing Life

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Looking Back At A Changing Life

It has been over a year since I had my last professional headshots done for my book To Love. I just redid my profile pictures myself and it made me start to think. What has changed over the year?

  1. I published To Love. It is a 5-year project that is completely done.
  2. I left my kitchen job to pursue my art business full time (I’m still at my part-time church job).
  3. My Patreon page was started.
  4. Love Nerd and Tiff’s Tips both started in between these 2 pictures.
  5. I opened and post regularly to 2 Print On Demand stores.

Basically, I did a lot, and even without taking into consideration all the changes in the world I can say my life has changed a lot in this past year. Life is a crazy adventure for me right now, but I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I love the personal growth I’m experiencing in this chapter in my life.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Life Is (A Poem)

by tiffanyPoetryPosted on No Comments
Life is a poem
Life is a dance,
swirling and twirling
moving all around.

Life is a journey, 
learning and growing
moving all around.

Life is a battle,
striving and fighting
moving all around.

Life is always changing 
as we dane on journey on
fighting our battles as we stand our grounds.
Want More?

If you would like to read more of my poetry please take a look at my portfolio. You can also watch a few of my poetry readings.

Saying Good-bye To Toxic Boys: A Book Review

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say Good-bye to Toxic Boys a book review

Last week I mentioned the book Jesus Freaks. I’m still reading it, but I recently finished “Saying Goodbye To Toxic Boys” by Greg Bee. It is such a good book that I need to share it with you.

I meant Greg earlier in the year at a poetry open mic night at @legendarycollective, before COVID shut down most gatherings. He mentioned his book during a break and my friend and I both bought copies. There was a delay in me starting to read this book, but I’m glad I did. This book is an open and well-written book.

“Saying Goodbye To Toxic Boys” is told in an ultra-realistic style in the first person. This book feels like the author lived this story. He does not hide from traumatic topics and allowed the characters to have faced tragedies.

One thing I appreciated from this book is that the opening has a trigger warning. The author recognized that although this book is about healing emotionally, his readers may need to know about topics that could hurt their healing. It showed respect and caring for his audience.

My main take away from this book is that life can be a painful rollercoaster, but sharing life with friends and those you love makes it easier to heal. At its core, this book is about healing and growing from past traumas.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries The Great Book I’m Reading

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Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries book review.

I love to read and figured I would share a book I’m currently reading. It’s Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries by DC Talk. It’s a bunch of true short stories about Christians who led or helped revolutionize the Christian faith. They are great stories of men and women who were bold for God and changed the world because of it. I’ve been taking my time reading it, but so far it is great.

Want More?

If you would like to keep more up to date with what I am doing I am on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can also read about my life in my series God Shows Up or in the category “Life.”

God Shows Up blog series

God Shows Up At Elevation

by tiffanyGod Shows UpPosted on No Comments

I currently work for a church in the Santa Cruz Mountains called Elevation. Elevation has been around since early 2009, and I joined the church family in late 2009. Throughout the years I have seen how God shows up at Elevation. This will be more of a background to what Elevation is rather than specific stories of God showing up.

It was the second church I went to as an adult with my friends, and we quickly became a part of this wonderful church. After a few major life changes with me, I became the admin for Elevation in 2018. That is not where the story of Elevation starts, though.

The story of Elevation has to start with the pastor, Chuckk (yes, spell check it has 2 k’s). His openness to share his past, personality, and love is one reason everyone involved with the church feels safe to be themselves.

It is a beautiful thing when a group of people can be authentically themselves as they journey towards a personal relationship with God the creator. When there are no walls or barriers to break through, you can then learn and grow with people on the same journey as you.

What makes Elevation, Elevation?

The quick answer are the people. Like every church, those involved and belong to that church makes the church what it is. Church is not about the building or even the weekly service. The church is the people who make up the community of believers we hang out with.

The skill of musical people and other creative people are part of the culture of Elevation. This is also one reason I fit into this church. We are weird creative people who love God.

We must be cool because we meet at a nightclub. The actual location of the building doesn’t matter. We just need a space to meet. Plus, more people may be all right going to a nightclub and not a cathedral or other church building.

I’ve learned a lot from being part of Elevation and see God show up a lot throughout the years of being part of Elevation. It is such a beautiful group of God-loving people.

God Shows Up At Elevation
Want More?

For more information about my amazing Church, you can go to Elevation’s website.

For more blog posts in this series, you can visit my God Shows Up page. I also have a YouTube series that goes hand in hand with this written series.