Monday, July 12, 2010

Holding Hands...

This picture is remarkable. The hand of a 21 week old fetus clasping the finger of a surgeon trying to save his life. I don't know how anyone could every support abortion. And, I definitely do not see how anyone could support it after seeing this amazing photo.

The baby at 21 weeks could have legally be aborted. Luckily, the mother carried for this little one. The 21 week old fetus went through a spinal operation in order to save it from serious brain damage. Baby Samuel Armas has spina bifida, which lead to his spinal cord not developing properly. A talent surgeon and staff performed surgery on the fetus through a slit in the womb. The surgery was very risky because the fetus would not be able to survive outside the womb if anything went wrong. Luckily the surgery was a success.

Baby Samuel had "not yet felt the touch of his mother's skin against his own and he knew nothing of life outside her womb. But perhaps Samuel Alexander Armas will be able to shake Dr. Bruner's hand again".

His mother and father decision not to abort the birth led a miracle. Samuel was born on December 2, 1999. Below is a picture of Baby Samuel, from 2003, at 3 1/2 years old. The miracles that science and love can bring when used together are incredible.


Thursday, July 8, 2010

BODY and HEART...

Can you imagine swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and then run 26.2 miles?

That is what it takes to be an Ironman!

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman?

Can you imagine becoming an Ironman while carrying an extra 110 pounds?
That is exactly what Dick Hoyt did. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman. Dick Hoyt is an Ironman that carries around an extra 110 pounds every time he competes in the Ironman triathlon. The extra 110 pounds that he carries brings him the most joy. That extra 110 pounds gives him the will to go on. That extra 110 pounds is his inspiration. That extra 110 pounds is the REASON he competes. That extra 110 pounds is his son!

His son, Ricky Hoyt, suffers from cerebral palsy which has left his body crippled. While his body is crippled, his mind and his heart are full. His full heart convinced a loving father to be his legs since he couldn't use his own. His full heart convinced a loving father to punish his own body for his son. His full heart convinced a loving father to trek across America. His full heart convinced a loving father to go to the ends of the Earth for his son.

"Dick is the BODY."
"Rick is the HEART."

"Rick COULDN'T compete without his DAD."
"Dick WOULDN'T compete without his SON."

What a story of LOVE!

More on the Hoyts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDnrLv6z-mM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8hOOvM0t0&feature=related

Monday, July 5, 2010

"Courage + Believe = Life"

John Challis, a senior from Freedom High School, who succumbed to cancer, left an inspiring impression on a Pennsylvania community. He fought until the end, while keeping a positive attitude and outlook on life.

“I could live with it, but it ain’t gonna go away. Never will. But, I can live the way I’m livin’ for the rest of my life, and I’m fine with that. I’m strong enough to do that. And, I couldn’t have lived the rest of my life knowing cancer got the best of me.”

What an inspiring young man. He continued to fight, continued to compete, and he continued to LIVE!

"Live for today, don’t worry about tomorrow."
"Courage + Believe = LIFE" -John Challis


from CourageForLife on Vimeo.



More on John Challis below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut1XjcFRVLA&feature=fvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8ViYTmpxzk&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1lTgwuMpNM&feature=related

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Thank a Soldier...

On this 4th of July holiday, I could not help but to share another inspiring video clip. This July 4th, please remember to thank a soldier for the sacrifices that he/she has made. Many have sacrificed their time, their families, their health, and their lives in order to keep this nation free. Thank them! Let them know that we care about them and we appreciate the sacrifices they are making on our behalf.

It is a shame, but the clip below was only aired once on television during the Superbowl. The commercial always reminds me that I should thank a soldier for all his/her hard work, dedication, and love for our nation. The world would be a better place if we all thanked a soldier more often. This commercial gives me goosebumps. This is how it should always be when a soldier passes by. To all those soldiers out there. Thank you for being a warrior. Thank you for protecting me. Thank you for serving our nation.

Happy 4th of July!

"Nobody Asks To Be A Hero..."

At this time, I cannot help but think of all those men and women, who fought, bleed, suffered, and even left this Earth in order to protect our great nation. During the midst of all the fun, excitement, and festivities that this holiday weekend brings, please take the time to reflect on those amazing individuals who have sacrificed so... much for all of us. Countless Americans have laid the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. I could never thank their families enough for the sacrifices that they have made.

So, to all those amazing individuals, who served our country proudly…I THANK YOU with ALL my HEART! To those members of the armed forces (past and present) that I am proud know (Robbie Puckett, Shorty “Baby Goose” Wilkinson, Jim Crowe, Adam Magnuson, Chad Whitney)…you fellas are truly heroes. Thank you for all that you have done for my family and me.

The clip below is from the film "Black Hawk Down". This amazing film captures the hearts and souls of the American soldiers that we are lucky enough to call our own. I am so thankful for all those heroes who have fought to keep me FREE.

“Nobody asks to be a hero; it just sometimes turns out that way.” –Sgt. Eversmann

Thursday, July 1, 2010

"Don't EVER Give Up..."

At the 1993 ESPN Espy Awards, Jimmy Valvano gave one of the greatest speeches ever. With his body ravaged by cancer, he was a fountain of positive energy and inspiring words. He encouraged everyone to "laugh daily, think daily, and be moved to tears daily". What great advice from this incredible man! He urged us saying, "Don't give up, don't EVER give up". He never did. Even though, he would leave us just eight weeks after giving this speech. He reminded us that "Cancer can take away all my physical ability. It cannot touch my mind; it cannot touch my heart; and it cannot touch my soul. And those three things are going to carry on forever."

Enjoy this amazing speech from a truly incredible man!