FOLLOWING THE SON FROM MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD :)
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Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Story Of A Tear (Janelle Spiers, 10 y/o)



My friend Amy’s 10 year old  daughter wrote a story for a school assignment.  The assignment was to write from the perspective of a raindrop, falling in Yellowstone National Park and journeying to the Gulf of Mexico. Her daughter wrote, instead, from the perspective of a tear..

The Story Of A Tear
By Janelle Spiers
I am a tear. I am a tear welling up in the eye of a girl. She has just gotten word that a loved one is in Haiti. In Haiti, a terrible earthquake has destroyed everything.
I will now begin my journey; it is a journey of sorrow and a journey of hope. As I trickle down her cheek she leans over to say a prayer, and I fall into Yellowstone Lake.
When I fall into the water, I start to sparkle out among the fern. All around me I can see beauty and the evidence of a living God. I think about these things as I make my way out of the lake and into the river.
Days later I  reach Yellowstone River. I’m in Montana, which is the name of a popular hotel in Haiti, where many people were trapped. God knows each one by name, and He has not forgotten them.
I go through Lake Sakakawea, the Missouri river, through Lake Oahe and back into the Missouri. I head into Kansas City and join the big, roaring Mississippi river. The roar causes me to think of the people crying out in pain. I shudder at the thought. So many people died. So many loved ones lost - so much agony, suffering, and pain. How can they go on unless they have hope – hope in the One who can turn ashes into beauty. I share their sorrow, and like them I must go on. 
I sail down the Mississippi River all the way down to New Orleans. Suddenly, I think about hurricane Katrina, which devastated this city just five years ago. How terrible it was! I realize that the people here are moving beyond their grief and on with life. They’re rebuilding their lives and regaining hope! 
I make a sudden sally through the delta and I chatter as I flow right into the Gulf of Mexico! 
But my journey doesn’t end here. I make my way toward Haiti to share my grief but also my hopes; hopes for the people too not only survive but to thrive. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous 
Right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

HOLDING YOUR HAND


 Sitting in church today ...thinking about the word TRUST which in American Sign Language is signed like you are grasping something with both hands I was prompted to write this...

HOLDING YOUR HAND

I am holding YOUR hand when I can't even stand.

I am holding YOUR hand when I don't understand.

I am holding YOUR hand, knowing YOU are near;
Walking beside me calming my fears.

I am holding YOUR hand, I am trusting YOUR heart;
Thank You for being here, never to part



Saturday, January 30, 2010

For my family on the FRIENDS OF DAVID facebook page (you know who you are) :)


Do Not Be Anxious


25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? [1] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

A Rainbow of Colors At Disney's California Adventure Park (Disney Parks Blog)


A Rainbow of Colors at Disney’s California Adventure Park


Rainbow at World of Color
A true sense of the world of colors took shape over the Paradise Bay lagoon, the future home of “World of Color,” at Disney’s California Adventure park earlier this week following one of our many rain storms. It was captured by one of our building-mounted cameras.

World Renowned Juggler Joins La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil (Disney Parks Blog)


World-Renowned Juggler Joins La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil

posted on January 29th, 2010 by Thomas Smith, Social Media Director, Disney Parks

Announcing…a new act at La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil. World-Renowned juggler Anthony Gatto is permanently joining the team of La Nouba artists at Downtown Disney in the Walt Disney World Resort.
La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil
Anthony, who holds 11 world records in juggling, uses simple hoops, clubs and balls during his act. What makes his act remarkable is speed and seemingly impossible accuracy with props — it’s hard to look away.
The new act will be added permanently to the 90-minute shows beginning February 5. The La Nouba performance (no intermission) plays at 6:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The show is dark on Sunday and Monday.
Tickets are $65, $81, $99 and $114 for adults (plus tax) and $52, $65, $79 and $91 for children ages 3 to 9 (plus tax). Tickets can be purchased at the box office, at the plaza level of the theater, by calling (407) 939-7600 or oncirquedusoleil.com. or disneyworld.com.
In addressing a question from a guest in the comment box...Mr Smith said that the juggling act will be replacing the stacking chair act.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Artists Come Together To Help Haiti (from the Katinas)



(http://thekatinas.com/blog/)

I will be posting more about this song and the people behind it when I can! :)

Hats for Haiti



For more information on how to bid on the hats....
http://krochetkids.org/home.php
(please copy and paste into your browser)

Monday, January 25, 2010

What It Is Like To Be A Compassion Sponsor In Haiti (Amanda Panda)


Harvery

By amandasuzanne
It’s late. But I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about her. I have been writing this post, in my head and on paper for over a week now. And it’s time…


This is Harvery (2006).
I had lost my child from Peru. (She looked just like a china doll.)

I was sad and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to pick another child. I had just been disappointed – after 6 months of supporting her, her mother decided it was too difficult to walk her to and from the child development center – and I had bills to pay and a busy life and lots of reasons not to sponsor a child. But I decided to anyways.
I had always had a heart for Haiti. I hoped one day I might be able to go there and see Haiti and visit her. I wrote her my first letter. I think it was a pretty lame one. I wasn’t sure what to say or how to talk to a three year old.

She wrote me (actually her mom wrote for her) and told me that she was three years old and had three sisters. She drew me a picture. It was a red circle.
I prayed for her.
The letter writing thing got easier, more natural, it became more of a dialogue. I told her about my life and about how much I loved her and prayed for her. I responded to her questions and asked her questions of my own – what is your favorite game? What do you like to study at school? She answered my questions and told me about her life.

I have been rereading some of her letters – she thanked me for choosing her… repeatedly. I wonder – had no one ever chosen her before. Singled her out and said, “You are special, you are worthy.” Perhaps this is one of the most valuable parts ofsponsorship.


I got an updated picture. She did not look all that happy. She looked a little hardened. By a hard life? I wondered… Did she enjoy being in Compassion’s program?

Then, when I was planning another trip to the Dominican Republic (my heart dies a little every time I am away for more than six months), I decided. It was time to go to Haiti too. I recruited a Dominican friend to go with me. I made plans. I was nervous, but excited. Then, right before we were supposed to depart, the plan started to go South – my friend had a death in the family and couldn’t go. We tried to reschedule, no luck. I had to go. She had been told I was coming. I could not disappoint her. I went alone. Well, not really, the Lord went with me. He made a way and provided and kept me safe. And boy, was I in for a treat.



Harvery ran into my arms and I picked her up. She kept rubbing my arm, “Are you real?” Also, “You’re white, and that is a bit strange.”

In one of her letters, when talking about mother’s day and how much she loves her mother and enjoyed celebrating, she asked me, “Do you love your mother? I love you like my mother.” I think I was a little nervous to meet her mother, what will she think of that? Will she like me too?

She warmly embraced me. She smiled. She was so sweet and loving to me. Later, as we talked, it became clear that she, too, had read every letter and knew me intimately. “What about that friend, that you visited last year, how is she and how are her three children?” I had to strain to think of who she was referring to; she remembered everything though.


Havery’s little sister spent the day with us.


And she captured my heart.
We visited the Compassion child development center (HA-804) and we visited Harvery’s home. It was an amazing glimpse into her life. And I got to hold her in my arms. And my heart grew. And if there was any doubt about how real she was to me it had been washed away. She was amazing and I would always love her. She would always be in my heart. And I couldn’t wait to see what she would grow into, what she would become.

I am going back.

Not now, because I’m not a trained relief worker and I don’t speak Creole (although my rusty French almost allows me to get by a little) and I don’t have any medical expertise (I have often wondered why God did not give me one ounce of interest or talent at science.) For now all I can do is give.

But soon.


Because I need to kiss this cheek.

And hug this neck.


And be captivated by this little one again.


And just be with all of them.


And praise God together.

My heart is heavy. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by sadness. It’s difficult to wait and wonder. It seems impossible to hold on to hope – it even seems unreasonable and uneducated. But then I realize, God is beyond reason. He is not limited by circumstance or hardship or devastation. He holds the universe in His hands and He sits sovereign on His throne. The Lord Jesus is hope Himself. And He is comfort and joy. And my heart rests in Him.



Oh, P.S., I got another updated picture of Havery shortly after my visit. Even when she is 18 and going to university, I will always remember her like this.
(taken from www.amandaisapanda.wordpress.com)


Sunday, January 24, 2010

How Do You Pray?? (Jill Ferrell)

This was a friends response to another friend admitting her unbelief in praying for our friend David Hames...and since we got some not so encouraging news from the Hotel Montana...(we got after Jill wrote this) I feel the same way..but have peace about it (weird I know...see my IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL BLOG...I wrote earlier today)


Jill Ferrell 
It's funny sometimes... because it's not really my "faith" that is small, for I KNOW that God can do anything. But, rather, it's my response to that knowledge that wavers. What do I do with that knowledge? What do I do with verses like, "ask and you will receive" and "say to the mountain move from here to there and it will"? All the while knowing that God's will for every specific situation is not described in the Bible. In another words, I know He CAN, I just don't know if He WILL. I hate being in that place really. It feels so wishy-washy. And I know that God can be trusted and that whatever the outcome, He knows best. But still... Jesus said we would do even greater things than He did... so that leads me to believe that I've got to go for broke when it comes to using the authority God has left with us through his Holy Spirit and by his Name. I looked up in a commentary last night what it means to "be still and know that I am God." Well, really, I was just interested in the "be still" part! I was worried that it might mean for me to stop striving over this... to just let God do what God is gonna do... to just say, "your will be done, Lord, your will be done." But there wasn't a whole lot on it! The whole verse basically means to realize that God is in control. It doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything while we are waiting. It means, rest in and feel relieved by the fact that God is more than able to handle every situation. So while I'm waiting on Him and His awesome ability to handle this, I'm gonna follow all the other mandates I read in scripture and continue speaking to the rubble to move, speaking to the ground to give up it's hidden treasure (Isa 45) and begging God to please let David go home to his family... until He's made it clear to me that I can stop. And during all that I will be still and know that He is God. I don't know if it's right or not... Lord? Please correct me if I'm wrong!!! Thanks for letting me share friends!!
about an hour ago · Report

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

I was reminded of this hymn by my friend Julie whose young son Westin is going through a very tough battle with cancer. And it also reminds me of to BE STILL AND KNOW I AM GOD (Renee's mandate to those of us who are praying for David's rescue.)

I thought I would share with you the history behind this song and its author Horatio Spafford (I got this information from Wikipedia-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul)



IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spafford’s life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.


So it is my hope that you can come to terms with what is going on with our friend David and come to a point that you can say IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say "It is well, it is well with my soul

Tho Satan should buffet , tho trials should come, Let this blest assurance control.
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin O the bliss of the glorious thought, My sin not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more Praise the Lord Praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll:
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend, "Even so" IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!

Prayers For David Hames (part 2)

This is a prayer that I just wrote for my dear friend David Hames.



Thank you for being a God who wants what is best for His children.

Thank You for hearing our hearts cry and our pleas on behalf of David.

Though I don't understand the reasoning behind the long wait to get David on his journey home...YOU DO!!!

And when you in your infinite wisdom finally free David from the rubbl
e I pray that we can clearly see what YOU have had in mind for Your Son, David and for all of us since the beginning of time.

I LOVE YOU LORD AND TRUST YOU with my life and with David's life...

May YOUR will be done now and forever!!!

AMEN!

Prayers For David Hames (written by Teressia Ward-Zack)

In the last 12 days I have learned to keep my prayers open. They are always there! Prayer isn't something I'm thinking about, it
is something I'm feeling with every part of my being. I am praying with
belief and trusting in GOD’s PLAN. I am praying GOD’s will be done. I am praying with hope
and THANKSGIVING for David and for his family! I am praying with LOVE for David because so many still need his trainings, and his LOVE on Earth. {David, I'm handing you over to GOD’s will. With LOVE and with all the POWER of His name. Amen.}

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Latest on the Search For My Friend in Haiti

PLEASE PRAY!!! (this was posted about an hor ago)


Melanie Dobson Thanks to Dan Woolley's pictures and description, the rescue workers on the ground know exactly where David Hames was last seen. We were told this morning that workers hear tapping in the location of Dan’s photos. The workers are finding large pockets of open area within the rubble, and we continue to pray that David is in one of these pockets. We do not know how long it will take to remove the walls where David was last seen, but we are praying for silence at the Hotel this afternoon, that workers can clearly hear the location of the person tapping. And we pray that David is there along with multiple other people waiting to be rescued. Thank you Dan!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

RECIPE TO HELP HAITI (From Compassion International Blog)


Posted: 19 Jan 2010 10:51 AM PST
No GravatarI know so many of us are riveted to the news, to our emails, to Facebook, or wherever else we can scrap together some information about the Haiti earthquake. Many of us are wishing there was something more we could do to help, some way to respond to the unimaginable things we are seeing.
There is one vital action that is always open to us: Prayer.
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” – Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
If you’re trying to find someway to respond, consider calling together a prayer group. Spend the night praying for Haiti and make one of the most traditional Haitian dishes, Soup Joumou, which they use to celebrate the new year.
Things to Pray:
  • For the safety and rescue of David Hames and for peace and encouragement for his family
  • For those still trapped in the rubble
  • For those working to rescue people
  • That roads would be passable to get in water, food, medicine, and other aid
  • For our staff, church partners, and children
  • That reliable communication channels can be established
  • For efficient and strategic responses to the crisis
  • For God’s will to be done
  • For God to get all the glory
Ask your friends to each bring $5 or $10 to help pay for the soup and give the rest of the money to relief or rebuilding efforts. You can cook the soup together and use it as a time to build relationships, share prayer requests, and support one another.
Soup Joumou (Pumpkin Soup)
4 cloves garlic
1 t thyme
¼ t black pepper
1 t salt
1 c sliced green onions
1 pound of stew meat
3 quarts water
1 whole scotch bonnet or habanero pepper
1 pound pumpkin (or winter squash such as butternut), peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium turnips, cubed
4 potatoes, cubed
1 pound cabbage, finely chopped
4 ounces vermicelli pasta (or any thin pasta), broken in half
2 limes, juiced
salt and pepper
Combine the first five ingredients in a large plastic bag. Add the stew meat and shake to coat the meat. Leave in the bag for an hour. Bring the water to a boil in a large pot, and add the meat and chili pepper. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 2 hours. Remove the meat and set aside. Remove the pepper and discard.
Add the pumpkin and carrots, and cook covered until very tender, about 20 minutes. Puree the pumpkin and carrots in the broth, using an immersion blender. Or puree in a standard blender and pour back into the pot. (You may need to do this in several batches.) Add the meat back to the pot.
Add the celery, onion, turnips, and potato to the soup, bring to a boil, and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Thin the broth with as much water as needed—it should not be too thick. Add cabbage and cook 15 more minutes. Add the vermicelli and cook until it is tender. Thin again with water as needed. Stir in the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

Recipe reprinted from Passport to Prayer: A Journey of Compassion by Michael and Amber Van Schooneveld with permission from the publisher.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Unique Opportunity To Help The People Of Haiti

Send me a message if you want to participate in Hugs 2 Haiti and dont live in Colorado Springs :)

HUGS 2 HAITI
NEEDS KNIT OR CROCHET SQUARES

The squares will be joined together to make afghans for the people of Haiti to lie on
and/or to use as a cover.

Please consider using any remnants that you might have left over from holiday gift making
The following is preferred
Size
9 in x 9 in

Yarn Type
Any Washable Yarn

BUT since we are asking people to work from their remnants we will take whatever size squares you make in whatever yarn you have from your stash.

Completed squares will be collected at

KNITTERS KOVE
1817 N Union Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
During regular business hours



Please contact Kelly at the information below to get  her surface address as Knitters Kove is not prepared to take packages for H2H

Point of Contact
Kelly DeBardelaben
786-427-5674/kdizne@gmail.com






Sunday, January 17, 2010

Prayers For Haiti

I have to just list the link to this wonderful blog entry that my new friend Keely Marie Scott posted on her blog. She has wonderful pictures on this blog that I could not get transfered over to this blog...and without those pictures this blog is not nearly as powerful...

so enjoy and remember to say PRAYERS FOR HAITI

Thursday, January 14, 2010

WOAH! :)

 


Yes the apple really is that big! :)

It is a honey crisp and when I saw I knew that I had to buy it for several reasons...

1. had to document the size :)

2. I have never had a honey crisp apple so I thought it would be fun to try.

Probably not going to eat it tonight so I will post another blog when I do eat it to tell you how it tasted :D

KD <>< :)
Posted by Picasa

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Wounded Vets to Participate in First Warrior Games

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 7, 2010 – Some 200 wounded active duty members and military veterans will compete in the inaugural Warrior Games May 10-14 in Colorado Springs, Colo., Defense Department officials announced today.
The U.S. Olympic Committee will host the games, and events will include shooting, swimming, archery, track, discus, shot put, cycling, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, Army Brig. Gen. Gary Cheek, commander of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command, said at a Pentagon news conference.

Athletes will be recruited from each of the military services, including the Coast Guard, through an independent selection processes. Many already participate in some kind of training with Paralympics coordinators, but the competitors also will train with Olympic and Paralympics coaches at the Olympic training facilities in Colorado for about a month before the actual competitions, Cheek said.

The competition is open to military members and veterans with bodily injuries as well as mental wounds of war, such as post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury.

The Army will be represented by 100 soldiers chosen out of a pool of almost 9,000 wounded warriors. The Marine Corps will send 50 competitors,the Air Force will send 25, and the Coast Guard and Navy will combine to send 25 more, Cheeks said.

“The value of sports and athletic competition and the fact that you can get great satisfaction from what you do is really what we're after,” he said. “And we're really looking for this opportunity to germinate this program in May and have it get bigger and stronger.”

The goal isn’t necessarily to determine the best athletes, but rather to maximize wounded veterans’ abilities, and to show them their true potential through competitive sports, he explained.

“While we've made enormous progress in all the military services in our warrior care, … it's not enough,” the general said. “And what we have to do with our servicemembers is inspire them to reach for and achieve a rich and productive future -- to defeat their illness or injury to maximize their abilities and know that they can have a rich and fulfilling life beyond what has happened to them in service to their nation.”

The general added that an Olympic-style event will challenge those servicemembers to prove to themselves that they have abilities within them that they can carry over into everyday life.

“Our hope is that, by doing this every year, we can extend that down into all of our warrior care programs … of increasing adaptive sports and physical activity and defeating these wounds,” he said. “From that, it becomes part of the life of that servicemember, and it will expand into their everyday life and all the things that they do.”

Adaptive sports rehabilitation has proven time and again to have a positive, long-lasting effect on wounded warriors, said Charlie Huebner, Paralympics chief for the U.S. Olympic Committee.

Huebner noted that adaptive sports have positive effects on wounded veterans in their continued education, family life and in the work force, though that’s not the Paralympics’ goal.

“The outcomes that we see every day utilizing physical activity as part of the rehab process -- higher self-esteem, lower stress levels, lower secondary medical conditions … young men and women pursuing higher education at a higher level, young men and women being employed at a higher level -- those are outcomes we see every day with the population we serve,” he said.

Since 2003, the Paralympics have worked in partnership with the Veterans Affairs Department, providing adaptive sports therapy to veterans. And through the annual Warrior Games, Huebner said, he hopes to expand their standing commitment to veterans and servicemembers.

“Our armed forces are the best in the world,” he said. “And our athletes want to be the best in the world at the Olympic and Paralympics games. That is a core part of what we do at the U.S. Olympic Committee.”

Related Sites:
U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command
U.S. Paralympics Committee

Adaptive Sports Inspire Wounded Veteran (American Forces Press Service)

Adaptive Sports Inspire Wounded Veteran

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael J. Carden
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2010 – Wounded military members struggle with an endless set of challenges in overcoming their physical and mental disabilities. And no one may understand what it takes to get past those hurdles better than Army veteran John Register.

John Register, associate director of community and military programs for the U.S. Paralympics Committee, speaks at a Pentagon news conference Jan. 7, 2010. DoD photo by R.D. Ward
.
Ironically, Register’s left leg was amputated in 1994 following an accident in which he jumped across a hurdle. A member of the Army’s World Class Athlete program, he landed wrong and dislocated his knee while training for a track and field event.

Register now directs the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Paralympics military programs for disabled veterans. He was in the Pentagon yesterday to help the Defense Department and U.S. Olympic Committee announce the inaugural Warrior Games, which will take place May 10-14 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Gulf War veteran attests that overcoming his disability was difficult, but the power of sports helped him to discover a newfound sense of “liberation” through Paralympics sports and competition. He said he believes the Warrior Games and adaptive sports rehabilitation can have the same positive effect on others.

“The inaugural games, the Warrior Games, will be a great event,” Register said. “But I think that the greatest thing that’s going to come from this is the impact that will happen after the games are over, the legacies that will be left in the communities when the people return home to share their experiences.”

The Paralympics division of the U.S. Olympic Committee has been working with wounded veterans since 2003 to enhance their lives through sports. Many military members dealing with amputations, loss of limb function and even traumatic brain injury have garnered a second chance at life, using sports to build confidence and self esteem, said Register, a two-time Paralympian and silver medalist.

Sports were a very important part of Register’s life. He was a collegiate all-American and a member of the Army’s World Class Athlete Program in track and field. But for a short time, all of that changed. His six-year Army career ended along with his Olympic dreams the day he decided to let the doctors amputate his leg.

“I was faced with a choice: either to keep my limb and use a walker or wheelchair or some other type of assistive device to get around for my mobility, or to undertake an amputation,” he said. “I chose amputation, and when I did so, my life immediately changed.”

Register began swimming and was fortunate enough to reach the world-class level again. He competed in the 1996 Paralympics Games, and two years later began running and competing once again in the long jump. He won his silver medal in the games in Sydney, Australia.

“Through faith and family and sport -- especially sport, and Paralympics sport -- I really found the liberation of freedom, so to speak, as I once enjoyed life as I knew it,” he said.

As the associate director for community and military programs for the Paralympics, Register now focuses on helping other disabled veterans realize their potential. He said he hopes to help all wounded veterans realize that just because they’re disabled, they’re not incapable.

“No matter how we come to our life-defining moments in time, we have a choice in which we can move forward,” he said. “We can either choose to settle into our setbacks, or we can soar forward knowing that we have those support networks and support groups around us that can help us get to and get back to those active lifestyles that we once enjoyed before we were injured.”

Adaptive sports also provide an opportunity for recovered veterans to give back to newly injured troops. Athletes often participate in their communities and at veterans hospitals as mentors and role models, sharing their experiences and helping those who are less optimistic about their disabilities.

“Through sports, we begin to carve a new path in their lives by allowing the servicemember to see their continued value to society and regain an active lifestyle, whether that's with their family or friends or their military or civilian communities,” he said. “Sports really does make a difference.

“Yes, it was the platform for me,” he continued, “but I can do anything I want to now, because … I've found myself again. And when I've found myself again, I can get back and engage into life.”

Related Sites:
U.S. Paralympics Committee
Related Articles:
Wounded Vets to Participate in First Warrior Games

Why Visiting Disney Alone Isnt So Bad? (from http://wdwcentral.wordpress.com)

I found a new friend from seeing this on Twitter :) and as I read it through and thought about all the many times I have been at WDW Parks by myself I realized that the reasons given in this blog were oh so true :)

ENJOY! KD <><>

5 Reasons Visiting Alone Really Isn’t So Bad

I’ve never taken a solo trip to Walt Disney World before – but while in the parks, my party has split up a few times to do their own thing. While it may seem like traveling to WDW alone is boring, awkward, and lonely, there are more pros to it than cons. Here’s why experiencing the magic solo really isn’t so bad.

[1] Be an early bird or a night owl. Or both. When you travel with family or friends, there is a great chance that some people are early birds and some are night owls. This means that there’s obviously going to be conflict when deciding what time to get to the parks and what time to leave. When you’re by yourself, you have all power. Do what you want. Get up early and stay up late all on the same day. It’s whatever you feel like.

[2] Let your vacationing style rule. I talked earlier about our different vacation styles – some people (like me) are only interested in getting every ride done, while others tend to take it easy, have a snack, then do a ride or two. When traveling with other people you’ll once again have a conflict. Some want to have a snack, while others want to keep riding rides. If you’re visiting solo, it’s up to you! Take a look in a gift shop if you want – then ride some rides, then eat a snack.

[3] Eat what and when you want to. Eating alone is probably the most boring and awkward thing to do during your solo visit. But don’t focus on that. Instead, keep in mind that you get to choose when and where to eat. You’re in control of your stomach for the entire trip – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat at fancy restaurants, counter-service places or even McDonald’s. It’s all your decision.

[4] Buy as many or as little souvenirs as you want. Usually when you travel with others (no matter how many times you’ve been), someone in your party wants to get something. Well now that you’re all alone, you don’t have to buy anything you don’t want to – or you can buy anything you do want to. It’s really a happy situation! Also, if you don’t even want to look in a gift shop, that’s totally cool too. No one will mind.

[5] You can do something ‘Goofy’. For me, it’s riding the Haunted Mansion many times in a row during the Extra Magic Hours – which means I’m the only one riding – so I take some…confession time…flash pictures simply to see what the attraction looks like with the ‘lights on’. Everyone has their little quirks and silly things they like to do. And when you travel by yourself, you’re completely free to do them.

Obviously, the main point through this entire article is that you have complete freedom to do whatever you want to do (as long as it’s legal, of course). There is no one there to criticize you – it’s absolutely up to you. And it doesn’t matter if anyone thinks it’s stupid, silly, a waste of time, or anything else – because no one will be there to care!

from http://wdwcentral.wordpress.com/

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Two Questions...From My Mom

I got this as a forward from my Mom who NEVER forwards anything so you know it has to be good..ENJOY :)

Life really boils down
to 2 questions...



1. Should I get a dog.....?













OR...


2. Should I have children?
















Now that I made you smile
, pass it on to someone else who needs a laugh today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just to let you know I'm thinking of you today. No matter what situations life throws at you... No matter how long and treacherous your journey may seem.. Remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel.




You're laughing aren't you? That's good 'cause my job here is done!


Have a great day
and remember to give thanks....


Cats are so dramatic
!!