Karate Party

What a great idea for a birthday party, IT WAS A HIT!

First the teachers (or sanphie's) sent the kids on wild relay races

loaded with humor and silly actions

Then they taught Jacob and his friends some basic Karate defense moves.

After the defense techniques the offensive moves began. Each punch or kick the kids threw were dramatized as the teachers were sent flying across the padded floor. This created an atmosphere of hysteria!

The red paddle seen here is actually a padded clapper so that when the teachers went flying or the kids threw a punch, there was a loud sound effect that led the kids to believe that there punch or kick was the creator of this loud noise.

Yes this is his second birthday cake, spoiled little monkey.

And the favorite venue of the the entire afternoon, Jacob's anutie Aleah

Nursing = Greek

One of the courses I am taking this fall in the nursing program, is called, "Anatomy and physiology." I was a little frightened by it as the pre-requisites for the couse include biology and chem 12, both of which I have taken...ohh....about 9-10 years ago. The college states that if you have not taken a pre-requisite within the last five years, they will make you retake the course. Some how I have slipped through the cracks.

So alas fear of failure has encouranged me to read the text ahead of time to refresh my memory of all those chemistry and biology terms, notations and concepts, and I have encountered a startling discovery. Easily 90% of the terms I have encountered are koine Greek! I am thrilled to no end. After this discovery I found an "important note" in my course outline which states that some time will be spend on learing and understanding Greek words to better understand the anatomy and physiology terms that we have adopted today! This is Great! So far all the Greek terms I have come upon have been previously stuck inside my brain.

In order to keep up my Greek I have been looking for a course in koine Greek here in Victoria to no avail. For now, "fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology" will have to suffice.

metastasis = meta- after + Stasis- standing still

hydrophobis = hydro-water + phobos -fear

Tornadoes and Cougars

So my 4 year old cousin was attacked by a cougar this last week, and was saved by my uncle, check it out;

Instinct saved boy in cougar attack: B.C. father
(CTV.ca News Staff Updated: Thu. Aug. 24 2006 6:35 AM ET)

A B.C. father said it was survival instinct that saved his four-year-old boy from being mauled to death last week by a cougar in a remote northern Vancouver Island park.
Last Friday, Paul Krismer was fishing at Schoen Lake Provincial Park, located 140 kilometres north of Campbell River, B.C., with his wife and two children.
Krismer was casting out from a fallen log that extended out over the lake when he heard a cracking sound behind him in the bush.
"I turned back, and just as I looked back I saw this cougar, kind of in mid leap, about to bite down on my son's head. And needless to say, the adrenaline rush began," Krismer told CTV Newsnet Wednesday from Comox.
Krismer's son, Paul Daniel, was playing on the beach at the time, but heard the cougar approaching and saw the animal jump towards him.
"I remember hearing the bushes crackle, and also I heard my dad drop his fishing rod," Paul Daniel told CTV Vancouver.
Krismer said his son reacted instinctively by hunching up his shoulders and tucking his head down, which protected his neck.
"And of course, that's how cougars want to attack their prey -- to break their necks. But instead, the cougar got Paul's head and knocked him to the ground," he said.
At that point, Krismer ran down the length of the log yelling "Cougar!"
"And when I approached the end of this log, Paul Daniel and this cougar were down on the ground -- the cougar still with its jaws over Paul's head. And its body was laid out on its side next to him and it gave me a perfect place to jump from the height of the log and from the distance of the log, right down with both feet onto this cougar's chest."
The 175-pound Krismer said he expects that blow did some "pretty significant damage" to the cougar, who he described as not quite full grown and around 100 pounds.
"It let go of my son's head at that point. It kind of looked up at me and I stomped it with my left foot. It got up to run away and I kind of got one last weak little kick in as it fled into the bushes."
Paul Daniel suffered a deep bite mark near his skull and other minor puncture wounds and claw marks, but is doing "just fine" and is in good spirits, said Krismer.
When told he looked good during an interview with CTV Vancouver, Paul Daniel responded: "I know. That's because my dad trimmed my hair and combed my hair."
The night of the attack, Krisner and his wife treated their son at the campground and took him to the hospital the next day.
Park officials have not yet found the cougar, and the park will remain closed until Friday as a precaution. They believe the animal is one year old, based on teeth marks on Paul Daniel's head.

Is'nt he adorable!
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And this is a picture of the F2 tornado that ripped through the small town where my mom restaurant is, destroying a farm house, barn and farm equipment. The funnel cloud began right over the restaurant and gas station then moved south to the farm where it touched down and did its damage. No one was hurt and aside from everything being flipped upside down around the restaurant, there was only damage to the gas station and the highway beside my moms restaurant. My mom said that it was wild. Outside one window of the restaurant she watched rain and hail fly completely horizontal in one direction, and outside the opposite window, it was blowing horizontal in the other direction.

My mom made it into the news as well, check it out;



Women hurt in home south of La Broquerie
By JOYANNE PURSAGA, STAFF REPORTER

La Broquerie is about 60 kilometres southeast of Winnipeg.
The woman was taken to Steinbach hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

DITCHED CARS
Other residents ditched their cars along the highway, after hail, rain and wind hid the road ahead, said Cindy Fontaine. (MY MOM!!!!!)

"At one point, the wind came through like the sound of a truck coming at us and rain came in horizontally," said Fontaine. "It pulled highway signs off the road and threw them into the ditch."

She said the windows of Cindy's restaurant were bowed from the pressure.

HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY JACOB!

Seeing as he entered the world screaming, I thought that this morning I would enter his world screaming, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB! WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP YOUR FIVE YEARS OLD NOW!" Amazingly there was no argument as his off button was immediately switched to on. Jacob trod down his ladder rambling a mile a minute. "I'm five now! It's my birthday! I get to go to school now, now that I am five. Mom look what big steps I take now that I am five." (As he attempts to cross his entire bedroom floor in one great big leap) He lands in front of his measuring wall insisting that I measure him cause he must have grown an inch or too since he was last four.

Nicole and Beracah picked up a pirate costume knowing that we had gotten him a pirate ship. Now he gets to wander around the house with a hook on one hand and a sword in the other! Thanks guys! We just hope that he wont try to use his sword on us as he did his karate.

Notice the marijuana bendena(I can't spell). This was a left over from the ones captain Roseanne Fraser purchased for all the leaders to wear at Mom's and Tot's camp!!!! In all it was a blessed day with fellowship laughter and celebration. Jacob even got a marriage proposal, or rather, a statement from an adorable young lady that she was going to marry Jacob some day.

Before and After

Allow me to introduce to you, "Orange impersonating Pink." Okay, so maybe this color indisguise doesn't look quite so bad here, but it looked hideous on the walls, and I swear this picture is blury, thus if you could see it clearly, you would agree with me. (I was going for most commas in a sentence)

BEFORE

AND AFTER

Tag Team Painting

So since Jacob has disappeared for this ENTIRE NEXT WEEK (I have yet to track down his invisible friends to discover his exact location), Pat and I have decided to paint and carpet clean our house. Great fun (yes this is sarcasm at its best). Both Pat and I have this undeniable hatred for the color pink. Even more so for colors that try to be pink but fail to meet the proper criteria for "real pink." The before color of our house was an orange that was uncomfortable with its appearance, thus attempted to impersonate the "real color pink". Results: disastrous. Thus we have covered our "off orange, light pink walls with a nice "masculine" (according to Pat, we wont tell him its really feminine) green. The brighter orange impersonating pink trim, has become a nice comfortable white. (unfortunately the orange impersonating Pink trim did not disappear with out a fight)

So Pat would paint the green walls, and I would go around after him touching up the white (still fighting to be orange impersonating pink) trim that had accidentaly seen a little green within its boundaries. Then Pat would go around after me touching up the green walls that had accidentaly seen a little white from my excursion of touching up after the green that had been left on the trim. Results, we were up all night tag team painting after each other. But alas it is complete and is real quite becoming. Orange impersonating Pink has been conquered, we have over come. Pictures yet to come.

You Know Your Apart of a Post Modern family when...

CONGRATULATIONS TOM AND CHERYL

.....Not only have I had the privilege to see my father get married, my mother (twice), and yesterday topped all. We attended the wedding of my step father! Now how strange is that! I was expecting to have many queer looks as people reacted to my response of who I was and what I was doing at Tom's wedding. But it was actually quite comfortable (and beautiful) with no awkward explanations or bizzar looks. Love you guys

From what I can remember (I think), wine and champagne helps in any potentially awkward circumstance.

Bblaaaaaaa HA HAA Ha! Pat skipped out on the wine, thats why he's looking so incredibly awkward. (p.s. how come I can never get you to cook... in .... an ...appprronnn, HAHAHA)

Strength

Today, my day consisted of approximately 15 hours of stright work! It was wonderful and rewarding. Praise God for the strength to get me through. A bunch of us ripped up all the carpet and junk from this beautiful character home (Future Crystal Meth Addictions Home). Underneath this dirty dusty carpet lay beautiful, somewhat worn hard wood floors. But alas they will be once again hidden by new, fresh and clean carpet. My life resembles the process that these floors have undergone. Inside I am like the beautiful hardwood floors created by my master for His will and purpose. But as life goes on, I cover up more and more of His desires for my life, and throw in my own. The result: DISASTEROUS! I end up just like the dusty stained rugs that were torn away, today. Eventually the rugs in my life becomes to heavy and dirty to bear. So in one motion I find the strength to rip them from what God has desired me to be, and once again I shine with His will and focus on His desires for my life. But again, a "new carpet" comes in as temptation to cover the bare Robin. I give in, and once again the process begins, I cry "My will, and not yours LORD!" I believe I am too weak to accomplish all that He has set out for me. But right there is my gravest mistake. The truth is, I AM too weak to accomplish all that God desires of me, and I realize that I cannot complete His mission on my own. So I quite and find my own way. Instead, I must rely on God's strength and have faith that he will complete a good work in me. In the first place, God never intended for me to accomplish His will with out Him as the source of all strength....I have so much to learn.

Is AIDS God's Judgment? (cont.)

First of all, and very importantly, if by "Gods judgment" we mean that every person infected with AIDS has contracted the disease as a result of God's judgment on a particular sin in their life, the answer to the question of this blog is a very loud and firm NO! Such a thought would be too harsh on infants born with the disease (via mother) and persons who have contracted the disease through innocent blood transfere etc.

ON THE OTHER HAND, all suffering is related to the fall of man and the presence of sin in the world. If there were no sin, there would be no AIDS. In this sense, we can claim that the affliction of AIDS is part of God's judgment. Where the lines lay, is really a question not for man, but for God alone.

Consider that throughout the Bible war is frequently presented as God's judgment on his people. But this does not imply that every person who was afflicted with the consequences of war is guilty of the same idolatly and corruption that brought the nations in question down. Babies and unknowing children die in war. I listen to this statement on the news last night in regards to Lebannon.

The fact of the matter is that if there was no sexual promiscuity, there would be no AIDS; and those who are sexually promiscuous are at greater risk. Last night as well I was watching a current and on going documentary on the HIV problem in Africa. One scene showed two neighbor women in an HIV clinic together. They had gone together to get tested for the disease that was running rampant in their communities. Both women were asked, "Have you slept with new partners since your last testing?" One woman replied, "no." Her test was negative. The other woman replied, "yes." Her test was positive----she will die from AIDS, leaving the burden of her orphaned children on another.

Everyone talks of AIDS as an "epidemic" or a "pandemic" but as hisory had displayed instances of each of these, HIV is in no way related past events. For example, in the black plague, people did not know how the disease was spread and the victims were as random as any one could tell. Of course quarentine is the result in the Plague as well as the new threat of bird flu, but that is not the case with AIDS. We know exactly how the disease is spead and as a result, we are told that we are "all are at risk." (This is a lie!) There is no quarentine. (Though I have heard a very neive and ignorrant comment that all aids victims should be sent to Africa then they should be "nuked"...similar to the ebol outbreak) But this is a down right cruel and insensitive comment, yet is was quarrentine in the other mentioned epidemics that stopped the spread and devistation of the disease.

We are not all at risk for we know how to protect ourselves from the disease. We were all at risk by the Bubonic plague or small pox of cholera. If God's law of celibacy was upheld, and marrital faithfulness, you are not injecting drugs with someone elses needle you may consider yourself, not at risk, infact the chances of picking up the disease are virtually zero. (of course the extreemly rare innocent transmittion of the disease)

So the final say remains that, the overwhelming majority of those who suffer from the disease have engaged in biblically forbiddin practices. Thus unlike the plague, the connection between biblically forbidden behaviour and contraction of the disease makes it harder NOT to see the severe hand of God in AIDS.

I wont take the time to discuss the imlications of homosexuality in corrolation to AIDS. Though extreemly relevant, an other huge topic for another day. In conclusion, some ask, since AIDS can be attributed to the hand of God, should we then sit back and let it take its course with out our hand of aid and compassion? Absolutley not. We as christians are not called to ignore the the homeless, the starving the wounded and the displaced. AIDS victims and those that are affected in one way or another, need our help, our compassion and our prayers. Christ died so save sinners, sinners like me, sinners like AIDS sufferers. So if Christians wander around the earth uttering warnings of God's judgment on those who practice promiscuity and homosexuality, remember that they are guilty sinners telling guilty sinners where to find relief. Forgiveness, love, compassion and self sacrifice.

I know that God has called me into nursing, and Africa. I can personally see a huge corrolation between the two mentioned and AIDS! How I would love to have the privillage of actually helping with my own two hands offering medical aid covered with the love, compassion and forgiveness of Christ.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

AIDS is a basket of diseases that finally prove lethal and that spring form the failure of the body's immune system. This failure is "acquired" meaning that it is not the result of an internal breakdown of organ function. This acquired failure is a result of the effects in the body caused by the HIV (Human immunodeficency virus) virus.

The T-helper lymphocyte is a cell that coordinates the complex reaction of the body's immune system to invaders. These cells are targeted by HIV as well as brain cells, macrophages (scavenger cells that engulf both foreign matter and cellular debris) and colorectal cells (Cells of the colon and rectum). Under a microscope HIV looks like a blob with a bunch of hooks similar to that of velcro. The virus can replicate only by attaching itself to the above mentioned cells which are found only inside the body, thus why it is not possible to contract HIV by sitting on a toilet seat or kissing (as examples).

There are different stages that HIV victims pass through. Upon initial contraction there may be a slight fever or rash. Within about four weeks the victim is capable of infecting others. The time span between when the victim contacts the Virus, until it becomes full blown AIDS can range from 2-15 years. The time span from AIDS to death is usually 1-4 years, though it is important to mention that with new medical treatment, HIV and AIDS victim's life spans are increasing.

AIDS itself is a collection of infections that the body is no longer able to fight. These include tashes, fungal infections, pulmonary infections and Katposis sarcoma (rare cancer). In most victim, the AIDS virus attacks the brain cells directly causing an array of effects.

The reason that HIV is most common among practicing homosexuals is because the membranes in the anal passage are fragile and prone to bleeding. Blood and semen are both very high carriers of HIV. The reason why HIV and AIDS is running rampant in Africa and other third world and maginalized areas of the world is complex. To be brief: The AIDS virus began in central east Africa. The same virus is found in monkeys in the area, how it contracted to humans is unknown, and only leads one to wonder. There is little education in such places of what causes the disease and how to contain the out break. In many parts of Africa, the men go away to work, thus not seeing their wives for long periods of time causes infidelity. Then the disease is brought back home. Wives mothers and children are infected. Most children left orphaned by the disease, will also perish in the same fashion. Strangley enough religion has a hand in the lack of education and prevention. Many catholic leaders refuse to educate there community on the use of condoms as premarital sex and unfaithfulness within marriage is forbidden. Thus abstinence is preached. We live in a fallen world, need I say more.

There are many other higher risk victims such as needle drug users, and areas where poverty and prostitution is high. Also among those who under goes blood transfusions; there is always a risk no matter how careful our blood supplies are monitored, as we have seen.

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STATS:
Global HIV/AIDS estimates, end of 2005
The latest statistics on the world epidemic of AIDS & HIV were published by UNAIDS/WHO in May 2006, and refer to the end of 2005.

Estimate
38.6 million People living with HIV/AIDS in 2005

36.3 million Adults living with HIV/AIDS in 2005

17.3 millionWomen living with HIV/AIDS in 2005

2.3 million Children living with HIV/AIDS in 2005

4.1 million People newly infected with HIV in 2005

More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.

Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.

By the end of 2005, women accounted for 48% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 59% in sub-Saharan Africa.

Young people (15-24 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide - around 6,000 become infected with HIV every day.

In developing and transitional countries, 6.5 million people are in immediate need of life-saving

AIDS drugs; of these, only 1.3 million are receiving the drugs.

The number of people living with HIV rose from around 8 million in 1990 to 38.6 million in 2005, and is still growing. Around 63% of people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa.



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All mentioned above is a break down of what exactly HIV is and whom it tends to target as its victims including the prognosis of imminent death. All of this information can be found on the World Health Organization Website.

So here's the big question that many in the Christian faith (and others out side of it and apart of other faith) would like to vocalize but refrain to as a result of fear of perhaps the answer or there lack of.

IS AIDS GOD's JUDGMENT?

Its not so hard to come across Old Testament stories of death and destruction at the hand of Gods wrath. God has sent manna and water to sustain life, but He also has sent disease, war, famine, fire and sulpher (just as a few examples) when humanity was disobedient at best. What I have just stated above is acceptable and easy to swallow as it occured hundreds and thousands of years ago. There is no memory in our recent ancestors to pass down these instances of God's judgment. (Some more bold--such as myself---may remain open or even attribute other natural disasters and wars to the Hand of God, after all this is His universe and trends remain throughout history; our present era is no exception) Yet the Bible so clearly sets the beginning and final theme of God's immanent judgment and wrath. So who is to say that HIV is not a modern display of God's vengance on mankind for our disobedient and shameful actions.

Carson has written specifically on this touchy subject with the AIDS virus at the forefront of his discussion. The sun is shinning and Jacob is at my feet begging to go to the skate park, I will summerize Carson perspective on the subject tomorrow.

Where Worlds Collide

An incredible week of blessings. A bizarre week of peaceful unexpected confrontation. A week of healing, forgiving, acceptance and anticipation.............
....a week spent where worlds collide.

I was reacquainted with women whom I had the privilege of living with during my first few weeks in Vancouver. Fellow session mates from Newfoundland training college (now commissioned officers), and fellow cadets commissioned from the session a head of our own. Other close friends from the DTES and New West. Family, friends and officers from here in Victoria.

All of whom, I am proud to say, know the same Robin. No lies; no deception; no hidden secrets; no false fronts. You finally realize that God has brought you through something enormous when you can stand blameless, with you head high, as many worlds of different significance and relevance collide around you and with each other.

God I praise you for freedom.