Christopher L. Smith

"I wish I could just die," I said to myself as my teeth chattered and my body shook with cold. Knowing I would probably still wake in the morning with my hair frozen to the door, I curled up in a ball, trying to find some warmth in the car that was my bedroom. Sadness consumed me like an infection; it had become the norm for me to wake up every day feeling broken. Most nights like this, all I could hope for was to die in my sleep to be rid of the pain. Despite the terrible nights, I still woke up, dressed, and went to my only refuge, my high school. This was my life, often alone, cold, sad, and hungry. My youth was different than most, but this was my reality. However, despite the hardship that was my life and being homeless, something led me on, something saw me through. I survived, I found hope, and eventually, a life even better than I had imagined. Even though I so often faced darkness, I discovered light, laughter, and happiness. I journeyed from that broken, homeless teenager sleeping in the car to eventually being a Medical Doctor at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins. But most important of all, I found me, I found joy.This is my story. Homeless to Hopkins.

"I wish I could just die," I said to myself as my teeth chattered and my body shook with cold. Knowing I would probably still wake in the morning with my hair frozen to the door, I curled up in a ball, trying to find some warmth in the car that was my bedroom. Sadness consumed me like an infection; it had become the norm for me to wake up every day feeling broken. Most nights like this, all I could hope for was to die in my sleep to be rid of the pain. Despite the terrible nights, I still woke up, dressed, and went to my only refuge, my high school. This was my life, often alone, cold, sad, and hungry. My youth was different than most, but this was my reality. However, despite the hardship that was my life and being homeless, something led me on, something saw me through. I survived, I found hope, and eventually, a life even better than I had imagined. Even though I so often faced darkness, I discovered light, laughter, and happiness. I journeyed from that broken, homeless teenager sleeping in the car to eventually being a Medical Doctor at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins. But most important of all, I found me, I found joy.This is my story. Homeless to Hopkins.

Thirty years ago, the world ended. Giant electrovoric ants and pterodons came through a rift in space-time, millions of humans died, and that was that. Thirty years later, humanity has rebuilt . . . to an extent. Without electricity, human ingenuity has provided some creative solutions, but most folks survive at the subsistence level, farming to keep themselves and their families fed. Chuck Gibson never thought he'd have to leave his family's farm. The simple life of a rancher was enough for him. A dying stranger proved him wrong. Now, he’s on the road of destiny, accompanied by a mystic warrior monk, a beautiful dragon tamer, a runaway cultist, and a mysterious drunken lecher, all of them searching for the key to reclaiming humanity’s future and past. Each of them carrying a single spark of hope. But will that hope be enough to light the beacons of freedom once again? Or will they face the next century in bondage to the last century’s technology? About The Valley of Shadows by John Ringo: ". . . fast-paced . . . building to an exciting climax . . . Ringo and Massa have written an end-of-the-world novel that is unconventional and entertaining."—Daily News of Galveston County About Black Tide Rising, coedited by John Ringo (featuring stories by Kacey Ezell and Christopher L. Smith): “. . . an entertaining batch of . . . action-packed tales. Certainly, fans of Ringo’s particular brand of action-adventure will be pleased.”—Booklist "This anthology broadens Ringo’s Black Tide world, serving up doses of humanity amid the ravenous afflicted. Comedy has a place in this harsh reality, and these stories stir adventure and emotion at a frantic clip throughout. Zombie fiction fans will be thrilled."—Library Journal About the Black Tide Rising Series: “Not only has Ringo found a mostly unexplored corner of the zombie landscape, he's using the zombie frame to tackle a broader theme: the collapse and rebirth of civilization. The zombie scenes are exciting, sure, but its the human story that keeps us involved. A fine series.”—Booklist on the Black Tide Rising Series About John Ringo: “[Ringo’s work is] peopled with three-dimensional characters and spiced with personal drama as well as tactical finesse.”—Library Journal “. . . Explosive. . . . Fans . . . will appreciate Ringo’s lively narrative and flavorful characters.”—Publishers Weekly “. . . practically impossible not to read in one sitting . . . exceedingly impressive . . . executed with skill, verve, and wit.”—Booklist “Crackerjack storytelling.”—Starlog About the work of Kacey Ezell: "Gritty, dark and damp. Much like the war itself."—Michael Z. Williamson, best-selling author of A Long Time Until Now "I loved Minds of Men."—D.J. Butler, best-selling author of Witchy Eye

Mathematics may not have been your favorite subject in school. Yet, mathematicians see great beauty not only in the elegance of their work, but also in some of what is formed. Fractals are one such area of mathematics and this book shares the world of fractals with you. Fractals consist of patterns that repeat themselves. The way they repeat means that you can see the same pattern on the large scale that you also see on a small scale as well. The patterns that are created can be both intricate and simple at the same time. This elegance can provide a sense of beauty. Contemplating them can draw you into their structure and to the way different parts of the design relate to each other. You are invited to experience the beauty and drawing-in of these fractal images. Within this book there are more than thirty designs for you to be able to color. Just as fractals have different levels of complexity that they can be viewed at, so too you can decide to color these at the level of complexity that is comfortable for you. May you enjoy the time you spend with these.

Mathematics. Just the mention of the word will generate different reactions. Some people have strong negative reactions from not liking the subject in school. Other people think of the way that mathematics is helpful in their lives. This book is designed to help you see some of the beauty that can be found in mathematics. Fractals are elegant (especially to mathematicians) but also can generate beautiful patterns.Frequently, fractals are colored in. Their patterns can be seen as they take on different colors. At times the pattern can be seen in the whole of what you are looking at but then you see that the same pattern exists in the details. Those very details that seemed simple to start are full of complexity.This book has parts of over thirty fractals (in addition to the ones that were in the first book in this series). Relax or be drawn into the complexity - the choice is yours as you engage these drawings. Chose the level of complexity you will color at and be comfortable or challenged. Whatever you do, enjoy your time on these pages.

Have you ever yelled at your partner because your work day was too stressful?Have you ever been too tired at work because the baby cried all night?Our lives at home and work interact with each other, but too often we are not even aware of what is going on. It is possible to improve your life's balance by tracking how they interact and making changes as a result. Whether you use this workbook while seeing a counselor or therapist or if you use this on your own, you can get new insights and begin to change your behaviors. In so doing you can move along on your journey to wholeness and peace.

This book is different from other books that you might have used. At the same time elements of it will be familiar if you have enjoyed using adult coloring books, journals or other spiritual resources. What this book does is combine together elements from each of these. This hybrid approach will allow you to interact with the sacred in a variety of ways.Inside this book, you will be taken to eight different sacred spaces to explore a window that is in that place. You will be invited to color that window, learn a little about that sacred location and the type of sacred window that it is, to re-explore coloring the window with some new questions and knowledge in your mind, and then final to capture some of your reflection.As you go on these journeys, the hope is that it will deepen your faith, even a little. In fact, you can gain some of this benefit even if you only do part of the activities. How will this be helpful on your journey? What questions will be generated from thinking about sacred windows and their messages to you and others.

Have you ever walked a labyrinth? Are there times when you know you just need to be and not be focused on a purpose?This book utilizes a combination of elements of adult coloring books and journaling to help take you on a journey through a number of labyrinths without you even having to leave your home. You will be guided in a few different ways to explore and interact with the different labyrinths that are presented. The labyrinths vary in shape and size and include a number of variations on the labyrinth. Periodically as you go on these journeys, you will also be given the opportunity to reflect on the process and what has gone on for you in the process.Some people chose to go on one or more pilgrimages in their lifetime. Labyrinths set up in churches were intended to be a way to take a pilgrimage without going away. Now, you have the opportunity to engage in these spiritual paths without even leaving your home. As you journey on these paths, the hope is that your faith will be deepened, even a little. How will this be helpful to you and your spirit? Set aside some time for the journey and see.This book is the second in the Sacred Colors Series, a series that provides interactive ways for the reader to engage the sacred, including the important role of color.