Team Hoyt - Dick and Rick Hoyt

Real life heroes - A father's love for his son.
Rick was borned with cerebral palsy...but that never stopped his family from loving him. Watch this clips and it might even make you cry. A very touching real life stories. The song at the end is beautiful. I have included the lyrics.



I CAN ONLY IMAGINE
I can only imagine
What it would be like
When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (2x)

I can only imagine
When that day comes
When I find myself
standing in the sun

I can only imagine
When all I will do
is forever, forever worship You

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (2x)

Surrouned by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you Jesus
or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing halleluiah?
Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine (6x)

I can only imagine
When all I will do
is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine

Role of imagination

I really like what JK Rowling (author of the Harry Potter series) said recently when she was given an honorary doctor of letters degree. She urged the Harvard grads to use their influence and status to speak out on behalf of the powerless. She said

"We do not need magic to transform our world,"

"We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already; we have the power to imagine better."
"Imagination gives one the ability to empathize with others"
"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation,"

"In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity; it is the power that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared."

Rowling described a low point seven years after graduating from college, when she was a poor single mother.

"The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are ever after secure in your ability to survive,"

"You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity."
She called such knowledge

"a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned."

Seven Stages of Grief

I was aware that people go through different stages when grieving. In the last class of Human Development this semester, it was briefly mentioned. It made me curious again and I decided to do some research to find out more. Grief is very personal and individual. Many people experience some if not all of these stages. The stages are not in order. Each stage can happen at different times and in different order.

The seven stages of grieving are

1. Shock or disbelief

2. Denial

3. Bargaining

4. Guilt

5. Anger

6. Depression

7. Acceptance & Hope

The Five Finger Prayer

1.Your thumb is nearest you.

So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.

They are the easiest to remember.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.

Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.

It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.

Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger

- the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

The Praying Hands

Hands of the Apostle or The Praying Hands

by

Albrecht Dürer1471 - 1528

Foggy

It is very foggy this morning. International and domestic flights have been cancelled. Incoming flights have been directed to interstate airports. There have been some reports of accidents on the road due to poor visibility. Be careful out there. Remember to drive safely, be patient and turn your headlights/fog lights on.

Happy Birthday to my brother

Today is my youngest brother's birthday. I wish him good health, happiness, prosperity and a wonderful year ahead. He and his wife are expecting their first child so this will be a very exciting year for them.

Winter

Today is officially the first day of winter. Its cold, foggy and wet. Not cold enough for snow though. Don't get that here except up the mountains. That reminds me it's nearly that time of the year where we have our annual sojourn up the mountains? WHY? Meditate? Search for truth? NO! time for tobogganing and having fun in the snow. Anyway, not till school holidays...which is quite soon.