Posts
Check out this masterful goal by Cristiano as he flicks this bouncing deflected cross off the heel and through the legs of the Villa defender and into the back of the net.
The last angle shows most clearly what took place.
Enjoy.
-Wes
Monday, March 31, 2008
Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Aston Villa
Friday, March 28, 2008
Faith and Medicine
The following story appeared in Yahoo News.
Police are investigating an 11-year-old girl's death from an undiagnosed, treatable form of diabetes after her parents chose to pray for her rather than take her to a doctor.
An autopsy showed Madeline Neumann died Sunday of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that left too little insulin in her body, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said.
She had probably been ill for about a month, suffering symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness, the chief said Wednesday, noting that he expects to complete the investigation by Friday and forward the results to the district attorney.
The girl's mother, Leilani Neumann, said that she and her family believe in the Bible and that healing comes from God, but that they do not belong to an organized religion or faith, are not fanatics and have nothing against doctors.
She insisted her youngest child, a wiry girl known to wear her straight brown hair in a ponytail, was in good health until recently.
"We just noticed a tiredness within the past two weeks," she said Wednesday. "And then just the day before and that day (she died), it suddenly just went to a more serious situation. We stayed fast in prayer then. We believed that she would recover. We saw signs that to us, it looked like she was recovering."
Her daughter — who hadn't seen a doctor since she got some shots as a 3-year-old, according to Vergin — had no fever and there was warmth in her body, she said.
The girl's father, Dale Neumann, a former police officer, said he started CPR "as soon as the breath of life left" his daughter's body.
Family members elsewhere called authorities to seek help for the girl.
"My sister-in-law, she's very religious, she believes in faith instead of doctors ...," the girl's aunt told a sheriff's dispatcher Sunday afternoon in a call from California. "And she called my mother-in-law today ... and she explained to us that she believes her daughter's in a coma now and she's relying on faith."
The dispatcher got more information from the caller and asked whether an ambulance should be sent.
"Please," the woman replied. "I mean, she's refusing. She's going to fight it. ... We've been trying to get her to take her to the hospital for a week, a few days now."
The aunt called back with more information on the family's location, emergency logs show. Family friends also made a 911 call from the home. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes and immediately called for an ambulance that took her to a hospital.
But less than an hour after authorities reached the home, Madeline — a bright student who left public school for home schooling this semester — was declared dead.
She is survived by her parents and three older siblings.
"We are remaining strong for our children," Leilani Neumann said. "Only our faith in God is giving us strength at this time."
The Neumanns said they moved from California to a modern, middle-class home in woodsy Weston, just outside Wassau in central Wisconsin, about two years ago to open a coffee shop and be closer to other relatives. A basketball hoop is set up in the driveway.
Leilani Neumann said she and her husband are not worried about the investigation because "our lives are in God's hands. We know we did not do anything criminal. We know we did the best for our daughter we knew how to do."
I am sadened by this tragic story. My heart is burdened for the families and loved ones that knew this sweet child.
The story leaves me wondering some tough questions about faith and medicine.
Are they enemies? Which do we put our trust in? And can they work together?
What are your sentiments on this story, the parent's decision, and the relationship between faith and medicine?
Police are investigating an 11-year-old girl's death from an undiagnosed, treatable form of diabetes after her parents chose to pray for her rather than take her to a doctor.
An autopsy showed Madeline Neumann died Sunday of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition that left too little insulin in her body, Everest Metro Police Chief Dan Vergin said.
She had probably been ill for about a month, suffering symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, loss of appetite and weakness, the chief said Wednesday, noting that he expects to complete the investigation by Friday and forward the results to the district attorney.
The girl's mother, Leilani Neumann, said that she and her family believe in the Bible and that healing comes from God, but that they do not belong to an organized religion or faith, are not fanatics and have nothing against doctors.
She insisted her youngest child, a wiry girl known to wear her straight brown hair in a ponytail, was in good health until recently.
"We just noticed a tiredness within the past two weeks," she said Wednesday. "And then just the day before and that day (she died), it suddenly just went to a more serious situation. We stayed fast in prayer then. We believed that she would recover. We saw signs that to us, it looked like she was recovering."
Her daughter — who hadn't seen a doctor since she got some shots as a 3-year-old, according to Vergin — had no fever and there was warmth in her body, she said.
The girl's father, Dale Neumann, a former police officer, said he started CPR "as soon as the breath of life left" his daughter's body.
Family members elsewhere called authorities to seek help for the girl.
"My sister-in-law, she's very religious, she believes in faith instead of doctors ...," the girl's aunt told a sheriff's dispatcher Sunday afternoon in a call from California. "And she called my mother-in-law today ... and she explained to us that she believes her daughter's in a coma now and she's relying on faith."
The dispatcher got more information from the caller and asked whether an ambulance should be sent.
"Please," the woman replied. "I mean, she's refusing. She's going to fight it. ... We've been trying to get her to take her to the hospital for a week, a few days now."
The aunt called back with more information on the family's location, emergency logs show. Family friends also made a 911 call from the home. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes and immediately called for an ambulance that took her to a hospital.
But less than an hour after authorities reached the home, Madeline — a bright student who left public school for home schooling this semester — was declared dead.
She is survived by her parents and three older siblings.
"We are remaining strong for our children," Leilani Neumann said. "Only our faith in God is giving us strength at this time."
The Neumanns said they moved from California to a modern, middle-class home in woodsy Weston, just outside Wassau in central Wisconsin, about two years ago to open a coffee shop and be closer to other relatives. A basketball hoop is set up in the driveway.
Leilani Neumann said she and her husband are not worried about the investigation because "our lives are in God's hands. We know we did not do anything criminal. We know we did the best for our daughter we knew how to do."
I am sadened by this tragic story. My heart is burdened for the families and loved ones that knew this sweet child.
The story leaves me wondering some tough questions about faith and medicine.
Are they enemies? Which do we put our trust in? And can they work together?
What are your sentiments on this story, the parent's decision, and the relationship between faith and medicine?
Thursday, March 27, 2008
David Beckham
A couple of weeks ago I had the absolute pleasure of watching David Beckham play. Some friends and I had the opportunity to catch the game in Frisco as FC Dallas faced off against the LA Galaxy (Beckham's team) in a charity game.
This was more than just a preseason game for Beckham though. As some of you may know he has faced a lot of adversity in the sport in recent years. Last season when he joined the Galaxy he played very little due to injuries. As international friendlies, World Cup qualifies, and Euro 2008 picked up it appeared that Beckham's time with England's national team might have expired.
Frank Capello, England's new coach, who is very familiar with Beckham's abilities after their time together at Real Madrid, was hesitant to call him up since he has been in offseason with the Galaxy while most of the leagues elsewhere in the world are in full swing.
With preseason games like the charity event in Frisco picking up it was time for Capello to see just exactly what kind of form Beckham was in.
Capello must have been as pleased as we were with Beckham's abilities and fitness because last night in France, Beckham started for his 100th Cap with England.
Monday, March 24, 2008
It's More Than Just a Good Idea
My father-in-law gave me this book for my birthday and it is really hitting home. I am realizing that I am more of a visionary than I thought. I am only six chapters in but already it is worth the read.
Here’s a few simple things that have made a big impact in me:
*Most if not all biblical visionaries experienced a “desert” period in pursuit of their vision. We are in Abilene!
*The wait refines the vision and the visionary. I guess that’s why it hurts sometimes.
*To focus on the “how” (how things will come together) of the vision instead of the “giver” of the vision would be counterproductive.
-Wes
Thursday, March 13, 2008
DIRTy Hair
You would think that the weather 20 minutes WEST of Abilene would not be that different...that assumption is highly incorrect.
On Tuesday and Thursday I have a speech pathology internship in Merkel and you would not believe the horrific weather changes that occur just 20 minutes away. Everyday the wind feels like a tornado is about to sweep you away. Merkel doesn't ever need a weather man because all he would say is, "It's going to be another windy day. Hang on to what you got."
I used to be kinda okay with the forceful wind - now I'm just annoyed. My hair feels like dirt...which is the only thing that can be blown around in Merkel.
Just felt compelled to share this information with those who read our blog.
~ Ellen
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Down South
I've been following the news of Latin America as closely as possible (limited because of language barrier) over the past couple years. Earlier this week tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, Venezuela, and most recently Nicaragua have grown unstable. Colombia has long struggled against its own people (rebels). The guerrilla group that has given Colombia all this trouble is known as Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (or FARC). They have been responsible for many murders, kidnappings, bombings, drug trades, weapon trafficking, and other high crimes.
Recently Colombia has become increasingly frustrated with its neighbors, Ecuador and Venezuela, for their allowance of the FARC to take refuge just their side of the Colombian border. On Saturday, the Colombian military attacked a group of around 25 rebels that were encamped about a mile inside the borders of Ecuador, killing more than twenty on foreign soil.
Venezuela and Colombia's relationship has been strained in the past few months due to complications in a prisoner exchange between Colombia and the rebel group, FARC. Venezuela has played the mediator during the exchanges and crossed some line along the way in the eyes of Colombia.
They said some words, yanked diplomats back home, threatened trade, etc. Now this.
Venezuela stepped in quickly to make clear to Colombia that if the same thing happened inside of their borders, there would be war.
Colombia claims that hey have uncovered rebel laptops which yield evidence that Venezuala can be linked to supporting the rebels financially (300 million dollars worth).
With already uncomfortable relations in this region, things have thickened quickly following the attack.
-----------
Chavez, Venezuela's president, has been itching for war or at least paranoid of a possible attack for months now. He has been buying Russian fighter planes, submarines, and machine guns left and right.
Correa, Ecuador's president, is recently elected but has been snuggling often with other socialist/dictators like Castro and Chavez.
Uribe, Colombia's president, has been getting cozy with the United States as they try to tighten down the screws on the drug trade that is rampant in this region. Colombia's army is U.S. backed. With this warm and fuzzy relationship between U.S. and Colombia, Colombias' neighbors have become nauseous to say the least.
-----------------
I pray that things cool down soon. Join me.
If you want to keep up with this story, yahoo news does a pretty good job of keeping me up to date.
Recently Colombia has become increasingly frustrated with its neighbors, Ecuador and Venezuela, for their allowance of the FARC to take refuge just their side of the Colombian border. On Saturday, the Colombian military attacked a group of around 25 rebels that were encamped about a mile inside the borders of Ecuador, killing more than twenty on foreign soil.
Venezuela and Colombia's relationship has been strained in the past few months due to complications in a prisoner exchange between Colombia and the rebel group, FARC. Venezuela has played the mediator during the exchanges and crossed some line along the way in the eyes of Colombia.
They said some words, yanked diplomats back home, threatened trade, etc. Now this.
Venezuela stepped in quickly to make clear to Colombia that if the same thing happened inside of their borders, there would be war.
Colombia claims that hey have uncovered rebel laptops which yield evidence that Venezuala can be linked to supporting the rebels financially (300 million dollars worth).
With already uncomfortable relations in this region, things have thickened quickly following the attack.
-----------
Chavez, Venezuela's president, has been itching for war or at least paranoid of a possible attack for months now. He has been buying Russian fighter planes, submarines, and machine guns left and right.
Correa, Ecuador's president, is recently elected but has been snuggling often with other socialist/dictators like Castro and Chavez.
Uribe, Colombia's president, has been getting cozy with the United States as they try to tighten down the screws on the drug trade that is rampant in this region. Colombia's army is U.S. backed. With this warm and fuzzy relationship between U.S. and Colombia, Colombias' neighbors have become nauseous to say the least.
-----------------
I pray that things cool down soon. Join me.
If you want to keep up with this story, yahoo news does a pretty good job of keeping me up to date.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)