You are my all in all
With faith, let us all give praise to our Lord!
~ I have been really busy for two weeks and now I will take another week off before I further discuss on various issues.
Joshua
Friday, October 23, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The World's Greatest Dad.
Do you remember when we get our dad the cup with "The world's greatest dad" word on it on Father's Day? It is an award to all the dads out there (Dads who own that cup). I believe that if we could only name a person to the world's greatest dad award, it would be no other than the father who love his son so much, that he would run a marathon, trialthon , the ironman trialthon for many years for his son. Please enjoy and be touched by the video clip below.
He truly loves his son so much. It would be a challenge to all dads out there, including myself (If I ever become a dad). It's truly demonstrate an undying love for a person. Evenmore, the father truly reflect the image of God, whom all of us are created in the image of God.
For those without dads out there, do not be wary for you too and in fact all of us has one Heavenly Father who loved us so much that He sent His only begotton Son , Christ to suffer to the point of death in our place. Our Redeemer, Jesus Christ truly lives.
We are thankful that Team Hoyt continue to be an undying inspiration for us all. The father who loves his son so much and dearly and how much the son believe and trust in his father. Bless them both. Team Hoyt! Thank you! Cheering you both all the way!
God bless us all and thank God for being our Heavenly Father for loving us so much!
Joshua
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
An emaciated and malnourished child
Kevin Carter's 1994 Pulitzer Prize award-photograph."In March 1993 Carter made a trip to southern Sudan. The sound of soft, high-pitched whimpering near the village of Ayod attracted Carter to an emaciated Sudanese toddler. The girl had stopped to rest while struggling to a feeding center, whereupon a vulture had landed nearby. He said that he waited about 20 minutes, hoping that the vulture would spread its wings. It didn't. Carter snapped the haunting photograph and chased the vulture away. However, he also came under heavy criticism for just photographing — and not helping — the little girl:
"The man adjusting his lens to take just the right frame of her suffering might just as well be a predator, another vulture on the scene "
- Adapted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Carter#Prize-winning_photograph_in_Sudan
While people continue to harp on criticsms directly on Kevin Carter, let us look at the bigger picture. Thousands or even ten of thousands of human (no lesser than those who are reading this from the computer screen) die everyday because hunger and malnutrition. How much longer that the world must go on like these?!!!
In humility and with deep regret, I have not done enough and have never being doing enough to assist in alleviating the sufferings of poverty and hunger that hundreds of millions people are facing at the very moment.
The picture has such a deep impact on me that it has changed the entire course of my life personally. No child should go to bed in hunger. The world according to FAO (United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation)is producing nearly twice the amount of food/resources that required by the current 6.7 Billion human beings. In January 2009, FAO estimates that 1.02 Billion/ one-sixth of the world population is malnourished.
As ordinary citizens of the world, we should realize how lucky for those who are reading this from the computer screen (One assumes that when you own a computer and internet connection, you should not be malnourished). It is not only for us to realize how lucky we are but also to take action to HELP our fellow humankind. Living in ignorance and greed must not be our way of life eventhough it has encroached deeply into our society.
Back to Kevin Carter's award winning picture. We may never know if the emaciated girl in the picture survived the day after the picture was taken eventhough we all hope that she does and still living today. Everyone is responsible when a fellow human die in hunger, especially for those who know that this is happening. Let this picture change our course of life, living a life to honor God (for those with faith) by sharing our fortunes with the less fortunate, for others, may it serve as a wake-up call that we are just ordinary people nothing more special than the girl who struggled to a feeding station while being watched by a vulture.
There is no person on earth that could be untouched by this poignant picture unless that they're heartless. It is true that charity begins at home, conserve resources and let not a single grain being flushed away as watse from today onwards, start looking for viable and reliable route to help a child or a community battling poverty and hunger even with a penny/ a cent a day from tonight onwards.
Let us not repeat the mistake that Kevin Carter had done. Let us lend our hand and a reassuring embrace with love and encouragement to the less fortunate today starting with a prayer now.
Joshua
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi's extended house arrest
Today 11th of August 2009, a Myanmar court in Yangon sentences Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to an (another extension) 18-months house arrest due to an alleged "violation" of her house arrest order in May 2009 which has been extended unlawfully and immorally multiple times since 2000. The alleged "crimes" that put her under such extensive unjust series of continous house arrests are controversial, or simply because she is elected democratically as the Prime Minister of Myanmar in 1990.An oppressive junta-military controlled government has refuse to allow the living symbol of democracy walk as a free woman again. Simply because of the fear of democracy, the fear of what is right and good.
The 64 year old world icon for democracy and freedom ; victim of ultimate oppression and tyranny has spent 14 years for the last two decades mainly under house arrest.
As the world outcrys the lastest unlawful and immoral verdict of an partial / biased Myanmar court (none to the suprise of many in the world) delivered on 11th August 2009. It is another wake-up call that oppression, dictatorship, tyranny, draconian, ruthless, merciless and harsh leadership cannot be allowed to govern in any organisation, council, state and nation!
This latest round of oppression must be condemned absolutely without reserves!
Free Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and return democracy and rule of law and mercy to the people of Burma!
All unjust and merciless actions will not be left unnoticed and ignored as long as God- the Guardian of all that is good lives.
Joshua
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Terry Gallagher - An inspiration from heaven
Hello everyone,
Terry Gallagher is a loving husband to Mimi, a great father to three beautiful children (one adorable girl with alopecia), a coach, mentor and a very dear friend of mine is diagnosed with colon cancer on 7th January 2008. Terry and family have ever since beaming like a great lighthouse in a world of turbulence, trials and suffering, not shining towards themselves but towards to God. Bringing us back to what truly matters in life.
Their faith has been the strongest and never a slightest hint of blaming God or others for their pain at the moment. Even going through many the tiring and invasive procedures to treat his cancer, Terry never forgets to put a smile on his face for his family and never forgets to acknowlegde his friends and supporters. We're blessed that Terry continues to inspire us everyday through his faith and family. Let us all say a prayer to thank God for him and ask the Lord to sustain Terry and family according to His wisdom and grace as they fight and win this battle of cancer.
Their faith has been the strongest and never a slightest hint of blaming God or others for their pain at the moment. Even going through many the tiring and invasive procedures to treat his cancer, Terry never forgets to put a smile on his face for his family and never forgets to acknowlegde his friends and supporters. We're blessed that Terry continues to inspire us everyday through his faith and family. Let us all say a prayer to thank God for him and ask the Lord to sustain Terry and family according to His wisdom and grace as they fight and win this battle of cancer.
I have attached one of the post from Mimi, Terry's wife (Hope you find it inspirational and helpful)
Want to know more about Terry's latest update? Please drop by his website journal at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/terrygallagher . Drop him a message and support him and his wonderful family. I am blessed greatly to know Terry and his family and have the blessing of meeting them in 2007 and look forward in meeting them again.
"Hi this is Mimi. It has been a LONG time since I last posted but I have enjoyed reading Terry’s take on life lately.
Tomorrow is a big day for us and we ask that you keep Terry and our family in your prayers. We are meeting with Dr. Grothe, our oncologist at 9:45 to review the results of the CT scan that was performed on Friday of this past week. Thanks to Jamie Engel who drove Terry to and from Mayo for the day of tests. Jaime’s assistance with transportation allowed me the opportunity to host a gathering for Rose’s dear friend, Sarah Larson, who will be moving, with her family, to Kansas at the end of next week. The Larson family has been a rock for us and was instrumental in assisting us with our initial visit to Mayo. We firmly believe that God placed them in our lives when we so needed them and now He is moving them to Kansas to continue doing His work here on earth. We will miss them terribly and we wish them many blessings in their new home and new community.
We are all anxious about the news tomorrow and are hopeful that we will have stable conditions or shrinkage. We know that stable is good as it means that the treatments are arresting growth and shrinkage would be a HUGE bonus!!! The kids are nervous as they know that this time around is far more challenging than one year ago.
We had a family meeting before Terry’s last surgery to let the kids know of the new challenges with the recurrence of the cancer. Tommy commented that “this isn’t fair”. He is correct. Many things in life are not fair. Yet we did explain that God has given us a gift. We know that Dad has cancer and we now know that he is no longer “curable” according to today’s drugs etc… We also know that every day is a gift and God has given us the opportunity to know the importance of making memories, every day. Each day our kids and Terry or Terry and I have an opportunity to make memories. Whether the memory is a great vacation or just watching a movie with dad or learning something new from dad we can make each and every interaction into a memory. Terry and I knew that we should have been living with this mentality all along but we were so busy in our day to day activities that we failed to make the most of every day. We encourage each one of you to make a memory today and every day with your loved ones. We are fortunate to understand the need to make memories and recognize that many lives are lost in a moments notice without ever having or taking the time to leave behind the memories that were desired. Make the most of everyday. Hug and kiss the ones you love and let them know how important they are to you.
Thanks for your continued prayers and all of your support. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives.
May God Bless You Today and Always!!!
Mimi "
I am practically in tears after reading this post, I was saying to myself "the husband, the wife, the children shouldnt be going through all this at all".
Tomorrow is a big day for us and we ask that you keep Terry and our family in your prayers. We are meeting with Dr. Grothe, our oncologist at 9:45 to review the results of the CT scan that was performed on Friday of this past week. Thanks to Jamie Engel who drove Terry to and from Mayo for the day of tests. Jaime’s assistance with transportation allowed me the opportunity to host a gathering for Rose’s dear friend, Sarah Larson, who will be moving, with her family, to Kansas at the end of next week. The Larson family has been a rock for us and was instrumental in assisting us with our initial visit to Mayo. We firmly believe that God placed them in our lives when we so needed them and now He is moving them to Kansas to continue doing His work here on earth. We will miss them terribly and we wish them many blessings in their new home and new community.
We are all anxious about the news tomorrow and are hopeful that we will have stable conditions or shrinkage. We know that stable is good as it means that the treatments are arresting growth and shrinkage would be a HUGE bonus!!! The kids are nervous as they know that this time around is far more challenging than one year ago.
We had a family meeting before Terry’s last surgery to let the kids know of the new challenges with the recurrence of the cancer. Tommy commented that “this isn’t fair”. He is correct. Many things in life are not fair. Yet we did explain that God has given us a gift. We know that Dad has cancer and we now know that he is no longer “curable” according to today’s drugs etc… We also know that every day is a gift and God has given us the opportunity to know the importance of making memories, every day. Each day our kids and Terry or Terry and I have an opportunity to make memories. Whether the memory is a great vacation or just watching a movie with dad or learning something new from dad we can make each and every interaction into a memory. Terry and I knew that we should have been living with this mentality all along but we were so busy in our day to day activities that we failed to make the most of every day. We encourage each one of you to make a memory today and every day with your loved ones. We are fortunate to understand the need to make memories and recognize that many lives are lost in a moments notice without ever having or taking the time to leave behind the memories that were desired. Make the most of everyday. Hug and kiss the ones you love and let them know how important they are to you.
Thanks for your continued prayers and all of your support. We are blessed to have all of you in our lives.
May God Bless You Today and Always!!!
Mimi "
I am practically in tears after reading this post, I was saying to myself "the husband, the wife, the children shouldnt be going through all this at all".
Want to know more about Terry's latest update? Please drop by his website journal at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/terrygallagher . Drop him a message and support him and his wonderful family. I am blessed greatly to know Terry and his family and have the blessing of meeting them in 2007 and look forward in meeting them again.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
This post is actually my comment to a blogpost featured on Alopecia World forum
"Normally, hair growth have three to four phases. The anagen (active growing phase), catagen ( involuting/ regressing phase) and telogen (arrested phase) and less notible exogen (shedding phase)UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. At any time most of the hair (about 90%) is in the anagen phase, a few % in catagen, and about 10% in telogen phase.The hair on our head have long anagen phase (several years) and short telogen phase ( a few months) while our eyebrows have shorter anagen phase (several months) and longer telogen phase (more than a few months). This explains why our hair in much longer and actively growing on our head while our eyebrows are shorter.Many studies have related alopecia areata with the hair growth phases/cycle. Many results suggest that the T-lymphocytes have held the hair follicle arrested for a much longer period (abnormal) in the telogen phase, as well as catagen phase (which then is related to exogen...when the hair shed).So basically, for people like me with alopecia universalis. I have about 80% of the hair on my scalp under abnormally long telogen phase or catagen phase while only a few dozen strands scattered across my head with normal hair growth phases. Thats why I still need to shave my head at least once every two days to keep my head clean.While we still couldn't predict our hair loss, we still know what is happening to our hair.You can check more information about what happened to our hair follicle as in alopecia areata at my blog @ http://joshuablogspace.blogspot.com/ and click onto the alopecia archive/label starting on February 17th ( a series of article about alopecia areata) which I have written a few months earlier.Hope you'll find it useful and informative.Take care.jt"
Joshua
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
God made everyone for a reason.
A blog adapted from Alopecia World (http://www.alopeciaworld.com/) posted by Alex "Did things change or am I just noticing them more?"
"I've had Alopecia for as long as I can remember. My entire life I've dealt with the stares and double takes, just like everyone else. For the most part, it didn't bother me...at all. I would brush it off and not take any notice to it anymore. Walking through the mall or anywhere else, I expected people to look, so I almost stopped realizing when this happened. Why then, is it starting to bother me all of a sudden? It doesn't make any sense.
Since I was little I've always gotten compliments. People constantly tell me how they wish they could be as confident as I am. Strong and confident. Am I strong? Confident? Does not caring what other people think make me confident? Or does it just help me mask the reality of living with a disease that is not "acceptable" (for lack of a better word) in today's superficial world? I don't know anymore.
And who do I talk to? Of course I have everyone on this website and people that I've met at the conventions over the years, but words just don't seem to cut it anymore. What is there to do? I have beautiful wigs, but that's not me. I don't feel like I should hide who I am to please other people. Then what is it?
Maybe it has nothing to do with Alopecia. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm depressed and don't know why. Maybe this is my scapegoat. Again, why? I have a great life: family, friends (I think), a home, clothes, food. I have more than some people unfortunately can only dream about. What am I missing that is making me feel so miserable lately?
Music is my therapy. I just sit and listen. I think about the words and how I can relate or not relate. As I was writing this I had my iTunes on shuffle (I cannot even think without some background music.). "Lucky" by Britney Spears just came on, and I think that is pretty much how I feel right now. "She's so lucky, she's a star, but she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart thinking, if there's nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night?" This pretty much sums up everything I'm feeling right now. "
My reply to Alex is:
"Hi Alex,
I might have too much to say again. Nope, reading your blog has not bored me to death, how could it be if one of my alopecian friends needed a pair of listening ears?
I agree that the society has placed too much on superficial look than it actually worths, and it doesn't mean that when most part of the society is wrong, we should also adhere to the value.
If there is people judging us by how we look or what we have or not have physically, then I feel sorry for them. As I have said in my earlier reply to another post, the works and values of people who hold on in their life will stand the test of time, for they will be remembered for decades, centuries because of their works and inspirations. I couldn't think of one person who is remembered for centuries to come because of their physical attractiveness. Even the prettiest girls and handsomest boys cannot escape the reality of aging and eventually meets death.
Let me set you a story, tulips and roses are planted in city gardens where many people can adore. They bloom into glorious beauty and colour under the breath of spring. People in the city and by the road, would stop by, complimenting the flowers and take pictures of the flowers...etc...but soon enough they fade away and be forgotten.
However, the fruit trees are different. For example, the apple trees, they are not planted in city streets where many people can come and adore, a fruit tree may look like an ordinary tree where people does not appreciate, but when it blooms and bear fruit...the apple tree is the most beautiful of all...and it does not stop just there, the fruits supply nutrients and become food that feed the hunger and provide to the poor, countless people benefit from it.
The society may not think that alopecians are beautiful, we may not be the jewel of city, we may not be "attractive" to a big part of the society. But do not be disheartened and discouraged because I am sure then, when the time comes...you'll realize you're better than many "superficial" people out there.
Talking about Britney Spears, she had all the she has or a person could ever ask for, famous, rich, pretty, a partner, a family but yet it all meant nothing to her because of her poor choices.
At the end of the day, it is the choices we make in life will change everything and not whether we have alopecia or not.
Joshua "
God made everyone for a reason, and everyone is important! Remember that! If you're not a beautiful tulip, you might very well be a blossoming fruit tree!
"I've had Alopecia for as long as I can remember. My entire life I've dealt with the stares and double takes, just like everyone else. For the most part, it didn't bother me...at all. I would brush it off and not take any notice to it anymore. Walking through the mall or anywhere else, I expected people to look, so I almost stopped realizing when this happened. Why then, is it starting to bother me all of a sudden? It doesn't make any sense.
Since I was little I've always gotten compliments. People constantly tell me how they wish they could be as confident as I am. Strong and confident. Am I strong? Confident? Does not caring what other people think make me confident? Or does it just help me mask the reality of living with a disease that is not "acceptable" (for lack of a better word) in today's superficial world? I don't know anymore.
And who do I talk to? Of course I have everyone on this website and people that I've met at the conventions over the years, but words just don't seem to cut it anymore. What is there to do? I have beautiful wigs, but that's not me. I don't feel like I should hide who I am to please other people. Then what is it?
Maybe it has nothing to do with Alopecia. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm depressed and don't know why. Maybe this is my scapegoat. Again, why? I have a great life: family, friends (I think), a home, clothes, food. I have more than some people unfortunately can only dream about. What am I missing that is making me feel so miserable lately?
Music is my therapy. I just sit and listen. I think about the words and how I can relate or not relate. As I was writing this I had my iTunes on shuffle (I cannot even think without some background music.). "Lucky" by Britney Spears just came on, and I think that is pretty much how I feel right now. "She's so lucky, she's a star, but she cry, cry, cries in her lonely heart thinking, if there's nothing missing in my life, then why do these tears come at night?" This pretty much sums up everything I'm feeling right now. "
My reply to Alex is:
"Hi Alex,
I might have too much to say again. Nope, reading your blog has not bored me to death, how could it be if one of my alopecian friends needed a pair of listening ears?
I agree that the society has placed too much on superficial look than it actually worths, and it doesn't mean that when most part of the society is wrong, we should also adhere to the value.
If there is people judging us by how we look or what we have or not have physically, then I feel sorry for them. As I have said in my earlier reply to another post, the works and values of people who hold on in their life will stand the test of time, for they will be remembered for decades, centuries because of their works and inspirations. I couldn't think of one person who is remembered for centuries to come because of their physical attractiveness. Even the prettiest girls and handsomest boys cannot escape the reality of aging and eventually meets death.
Let me set you a story, tulips and roses are planted in city gardens where many people can adore. They bloom into glorious beauty and colour under the breath of spring. People in the city and by the road, would stop by, complimenting the flowers and take pictures of the flowers...etc...but soon enough they fade away and be forgotten.
However, the fruit trees are different. For example, the apple trees, they are not planted in city streets where many people can come and adore, a fruit tree may look like an ordinary tree where people does not appreciate, but when it blooms and bear fruit...the apple tree is the most beautiful of all...and it does not stop just there, the fruits supply nutrients and become food that feed the hunger and provide to the poor, countless people benefit from it.
The society may not think that alopecians are beautiful, we may not be the jewel of city, we may not be "attractive" to a big part of the society. But do not be disheartened and discouraged because I am sure then, when the time comes...you'll realize you're better than many "superficial" people out there.
Talking about Britney Spears, she had all the she has or a person could ever ask for, famous, rich, pretty, a partner, a family but yet it all meant nothing to her because of her poor choices.
At the end of the day, it is the choices we make in life will change everything and not whether we have alopecia or not.
Joshua "
God made everyone for a reason, and everyone is important! Remember that! If you're not a beautiful tulip, you might very well be a blossoming fruit tree!
Joshua
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