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Can I Have a Do-Over?
Have you ever done or said something and suddenly or soon thereafter wished you could take it back or have a redo? Unlike TV shows or fantasy fiction we cannot undo the past. In fact, one of the most certain things we have in life is what has already happened. You must live with your decisions. But how do those decisions affect you in the long term?
Many years ago, 20 now to be exact, I was riding my brother's bike on a warm August day down the sidewalk in front of our family's home in Louisville, Kentucky. I had secured the bicycle after protesting my mother's initial misgivings about me riding a bike that one, was bigger than mine and two had handle brakes which I was unused to. She was baking cookies and decided not to argue with me further. As I wheeled my prize out to the driveway I took no thought for the future, only the impending adventure I was about to enjoy. Less than 30 minutes later I lost control of that bike and went face first over the handle bars and skidded violently into the pavement. Or so I'm told because you see I have no memory of what happened. My face however told much of the story.
I remember waking in the ambulance and being unable to move. I was told to stay still and I can still hear a voice asking my mother questions. I can hear her voice talking to me and telling me it was going to be all right. Little did she know that after they had done a CT scan on me, sewn my bottom lip torn like a piece of paper towards my chin, bandaged my scars and run numerous tests, that four weeks later an aneurysm would form in the upper lobe of my brain.
Our family was out late at another family's house. We got home, and I had become somewhat quiet and non-responsive in the back seat of our '88 Plymouth voyager. My Dad carried me into the house and laid me at the foot of the stairs to the second story of our home. He instructed me to get up, put my pj's on and go to bed. Mom came, but minutes later, and half dragged me up the stairs laying me near the bathroom door. I should insert here that I was a known sleepy head and unresponsive once I was asleep. I began violently throwing up on the bathroom floor and try as I might could not move my body to the toilet. Mom and Dad came in and tried to get me there, Mom kept telling me to sit up and finally Dad said, "Pam, maybe he can't". I tried to respond to my Dad's questions, but it was as if all my motor function skills were gone. Actually, that is exactly what had happened. My aneurysm had bled, instead of bursting like most do and it was causing me to have a seizure.
My family got me to the hospital and wouldn't you know it God had the most renown brain surgeon at the time touring Kosair Childrens' hospital that night. The last time my parents saw me I had tubes out my face, shaved head and taped eyes. 9 and a 1/2 hours later they would receive the words that I was in recovery. But along the way so many things would happen in surgery. The vein around the aneurysm was clear, but they put two titanium clamps in my head to hold the ends of the destroyed vein.
Obviously I survived, and let me tell you I've omitted hours of this story. I had to learn to walk again, saw double vision for months, had the worst headaches you can imagine, days of being carried to the bathroom, being bathed because I had so many wires connected to my body. I still have the scar on my right hand where they tried unsuccessfully to stick an IV in me. I have the scar on my head that runs from sideburn to sideburn that reminds me of all this and more.
All this because I chose to ride my brothers bike on that warm August afternoon in 1996. What if I hadn't? Our decisions do affect us. What if I could have a do over, would I take it? Have you ever wished you could have a do over? Maybe meet someone for the first time again or maybe a second chance at a first date.
I've been thinking a lot about do overs lately. You've heard the saying; "You only get one chance at a first impression". Every day is our only opportunity for what we do with that day. Are you living with regret for things you wish you could change? You can't have those situations back,' but even if you could should you change the past?
The past affects the future. Thank you captain obvious, right? Consider Romans 8:28, a verse we are all likely familiar with, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." God works in and through your decisions to bring about His perfect will. Perhaps you should have made a different choice to avoid painful outcomes but does that limit what God can and, according to Romans 8 will do through that mistake? When we live in the past and dwell on our mistakes, we limit the reality of the sovereignty of God in our lives. That doesn't mean we shouldn't learn from our mistakes or choices, or even that we shouldn't ask forgiveness for when we are wrong, but we cannot allow those choices to control our current reality out of fear or discouragement for what might have been.
If I could go back to August, 1996 when I was standing in front of 2306 Burrell drive, would I change my decision to ride my brother's bike that day? It is not for me to decide. The choice was made and now it is up to me to live with the reality that my decisions have made. God's grace is sufficient for your mistakes and your wiser choices. Do not actively resist that grace by dwelling on your mistakes.
There are moments I have wished I could take something back or have a redo. But I cannot go back. So I'll work on moving forward and using the time I am given. Hindsight is a funny thing, it can be a source of great discouragement if you let it. Let it motivate you to live more fully for Christ and in His grace. Live! Every moment.
Micah Cavanaugh
As Time Goes By
Have you ever felt like God designed you for a specific time and place? Somewhere He put you on purpose? On Sunday evening, just over four weeks ago, I looked out over a field of grass, dirt, and little cabins built of concrete blocks. There is an entrance to this landscape just to the left of my view and through it are driving four large buses, aboard it are 86 Ecuadorean children and numerous young helpers. They are coming because God has a plan that is bigger than we can fathom. Just two short weeks earlier this moment seemed impossible, like it might never happen. You see, every year we host a group of kids in a small beach town on the coast of Ecuador. But this year, because parents were worried about the earthquakes and families didn't have the money, camp was in jeopardy of happening. When Pastor Benjamin informed us that camp would not happen this year, we decided that something had to be done. We prayed, called friends back home, and used social media to spread the word. As a result we raised $10K plus to send 90 kids to camp who would otherwise never have come.
As these kids poke their heads out of the bus windows their eyes are met, many of them for the first time, with the landscape that has for me become so familiar over the last few years. They know nothing of what God has in store for this next week, a fact I will soon realize we share in common. You see, most of these children would never be here but for the donations of so many who sponsored this opportunity for Ecuadorean children to play at the beach, watch skits put on by American young people, play soccer at camp, and most importantly hear the gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them over and over again.
Their faces are a mix of curiosity, pure anticipation, and all out excitement to be here. The hugs are plentiful and the feel of love and welcome of our team from the U.S. is unmistakably genuine. These kids need this love and attention.
The hellos are plentiful but soon over and the week gets started. Time fails me to give you detailed description of the days ahead. They are filled with early morning time alone with God interrupted by children laughing and wanting attention, eating food with 140 people loudly cheering in a mess hall style building, cheers for camp team colors – Verde! Roho! Tomate! Morado! Azul! – and let's not forget the kitchen team, Amarillo!
Rotations everyday give the children time to be split up in individual small groups and hear about God's message of salvation and who He is by experiencing crafts, games, and stories. Beach time, "vamos a laplaya" is a common cry each afternoon. Taking 86 kids to the beach is no small feat but the experience is worth the "trouble". Returning to camp with 100 plus sweaty, sandy, and all out messy people is a daily routine that never gets old.
Then we begin down time and some futball [soccer] with the kids, which rounds out our free time. Every evening, we line up the teams after dinner to the dreaded sound of the whistle. This is an ever threatening call to the kids as they come screaming from every corner of camp so they can win points by being, the first, second, or third team to make it. "Wave your flag" plays over the PA as the children run single file into the chapel where we sing and actually wave each team flag to this popular tune. Verses, songs, and a crazy skit with a serious message, round out the evening.
Saying goodnight, hugs, selfies, water games, stopped up toilets, battidos [milk shakes], quiet times in the hammocks (never), slamming cabin doors, yells of "GOAL!", soccer tournament, serious questions about salvation, more hugs, tense moments playing games, "Una Fila chicos!" [One line kids], more clogged toilets, creepy poodle dogs that bite, mosquitoes, demon ants that bite, ecua volley, beach time, water fights at the beach, waves and holding little handicapped boys afloat – experiencing the ocean for the first time – are just a few memories that flood my mind. But you see, the children are gone and I'm looking at an empty field covered in these memories. The buses are rounding the corner leaving these scenes and this week behind but carrying with them memories that will last, for me a lifetime.
As I look back on three weeks of working with kids, I can say it was not always easy, in fact at times it seemed downright impossible to go on. The truth is life is not easy for the believer. It was never promised to us, and we should never anticipate or expect it to be. We should revel in the difficulties, because whether we know it or not at the time, those are the experiences that will shape our relationships with others and Christ. They define who we are.
The people we worked with, the places we went, and the memories that I will forever hold in my heart serve to remind me of my humanity and need for Christ. We are each of us given times and opportunities designed to be light for Christ and to create a stronger relationship with Him. Will we fail? Absolutely, but only when we fail and see our inability will we turn to Christ and see our total need of Him.
Have you ever felt like God designed you for a time and place? Somewhere He put you on purpose? On Sunday evening just over three weeks ago I looked out over a field of grass, dirt and little cabins built of concrete blocks dreaming about the week that had just passed so quickly, too quickly. Yet, knowing God had me right where He wanted me to be. All the difficulty in the world cannot separate you from the love and success of living a life devoted to Christ when you are looking to Him. Success is not defined by the world but by Someone else. We do not know how or when God will use our inabilities. So, we must keep seeking Him and trusting Him wherever you are, and when you reflect on life you can rest in the knowledge that it's not you that carries the weight of the results. Some things – many things – change, but there is a consistency, an unchanging truth we can and must rest in as time goes by. God has put you just where He wants you, here on earth for a very short time. So, don't waste time fretting about the results or about what is next. Trust in an all-powerful, all-knowing God whose sovereignty should remove all doubt from the believer.
Micah Cavanaugh
Photo Credit: Meagan Wanschura
Fever, Smiles, & Gospel Endeavors
"It's no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then."
Lewis Carroll – Alice in Wonderland
I learned two things specifically on the Global Encounters Christmas trip – now just over a week gone by since we landed back in the states. I learned what Winston Churchill said, "It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we must do what is required."
We had such a short amount of time to work in Ecuador, just two short weeks in which we packed more children's programs and traveling than I've done on trips twice as long. Just six of us traveled to Quito two days after Christmas. Our mission: to spread the gospel, meet and encourage the believers in Ecuador, and open doors of opportunity for future teams to go further into the reaches of this country. God blessed us on all these fronts.
We spent the first week doing morning and afternoon programs in and around Quito. We worked in new places we had never been before and quickly fell in love with the kids we met. Our translators went with us every day and were as much a part of our small team as any member that traveled from the states. Without them, our trip would have been for nothing.
At the end of the first week, we spent New Year's with Pastor Benjamin and our close friends in Quito! Experiencing and participating in Ecuadorean customs were some of the best times I have had. Our team rang in the New Year playing a very aggressive game of spoons and watching fireworks takeover the night sky in Quito.
We had the opportunity to spend a night in Otavalo (a mountain city we have visited in the past) and see some of the kids our summer team had worked with. We experienced a soaking rain in the local market but the team managed to acquire some excellent finds and gifts to bring home.
The second week was a challenge as we knew it would be. We flew to Cuenca, a beautiful city with unique architecture. From there, we were joined by two translators – thanks to our friend Justo Pillman a missionary in the city – and we traveled by van out to the mountainous region of Cochapata. We were informed no American Team had ever stayed in this town before. Pastor Gonzalez, a native of Ecuador, and his family moved their two years ago without anything but the clothes they had. Since then they have begun to build a church building, and as he told me one evening, they are encouraged by the openness of the people.
In the mornings, after a night spent sleeping in a hammock or tent, we made our own breakfast and prepared to work with single mothers and their children. Some of these mothers walked close to an hour through the mountain paths to join us. Later, after lunch, we walked about 30 minutes to work with kids in the afternoon at a local school. Everyone on our team would tell you they were challenged in different ways, but we saw God working. Soccer with the kids and snack time every day for three days was just a small part of the time we spent with these kids.
One night while we were sitting around the table of our campsite, I asked Pastor Gonzalez through a translator what would make a man leave his church and comfort of home and come to this place. He told me that after God laid it on his heart he argued with Him for two weeks, and then he said ok and moved his family here to Cochapata. I told him I wanted to pray for him and through great emotion I prayed with the team gathered around him. I learned so much from a man who gave up his comfort to spread the gospel, and I hope one day to see Pastor Gonzalez in Ecuador again.
There is not enough time to tell you about team leaders being attacked by bugs or of the reunion we had with churches visited in years past by other teams. However, please indulge me for another moment. I will recount one, if not my favorite moment of the trip. I was quite sick and lying in bed last Saturday, the rest of the team had flown home, and only Liz and I remained. Pastor Benjamin had gotten word to Melany, a little girl who I have grown quite close to over the last few years. Melany and her mother showed up where we were staying with gifts and the cutest smile. We sat and caught up on life for about a half hour. Besides making my day, I was and am reminded of the impact the teams in years past have had on so many people in Ecuador.
Emotion overtakes me as I realize words are insufficient to explain what we saw and what God is doing in this country. Before we left Cochapata, Pastor Gonzalez asked me to tell the believers in America to pray, "Please tell them to pray for what is happening here."
Oh, and the other thing I learned on this trip was that there is not enough coffee in the world when you are on a missions trip. Also, I found out that getting a parasite is an effective weight loss program but one that I do not want to repeat. I won't bore you with the details of shaking uncontrollably with fever or body aches. Trust me, it is not the best way to spend your days in another country. However, with proper medication I am on the mend.
Thank you for praying! Please keep praying because God is working all over the world. How do I know this? Because I have seen it.
Micah Cavanaugh
Goodbye May Seem Forever
"Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting." ― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
In early July I flew to Florida and joined 19 others, most of us meeting for the first time, to begin a journey to South America. We landed in Quito late Saturday night on the 11th and as we walked off the plane and officially into the Country of Ecuador I turned to a fellow team leader who was also returning and said, "We are back!" It is always a feeling of excitement to see friends and fellow believers we have worked with in past trips and reignite the memories and make new ones.
We spent a week in Quito doing our normal children's program in the mornings at Iglesia Evangelica Iñaquito (the church we work with in Quito every year). In the afternoons this year we were able to visit Carapungo, a section outside Quito much like a suburb. There we worked with a new group of children and formed new friendships with the church there. Leaving the first week was tough for the team because we formed such close friendships in such a short amount of time, and for some it didn't seem like it could get better.
Normally we would travel the second week to Esmeraldes which is on the coast. However, this year there was a change of plans. We spent the second week just a few hours away from Quito in the mountain city of Otavalo. There is a large population of indigenous people in this city, so many people couple traditional clothing with modern or wear traditional clothing.
The weather in Otavalo is much cooler in the evenings. Sweaters and jackets were handy to have. The kids here were much quieter than we had become accustomed to, so initially things seemed to get off to a slow start, but by the second and third day they warmed up to our team and there was plenty of laughter and good times. By the last day, while saying goodbye there were enough tears shed to fill our team bus to the brim.
We met many new people and created a great relationship with the believers in this city. I was blessed to get to know Pastor Roberto who spoke great English having lived in the U.S. for some time. He told me something before we left that week. He said he knew we usually go somewhere else during our second week as a team (Esmeraldas) but he knew we were meant to be there in Otavalo, because we were teaching the people there how to work with the children. He told me there were so many children as well as adults that were unreached and in need of the gospel. What a blessing it was to spend time with the believers worshipping on Sunday with them and building a bond in Christ.
Perhaps the most memorable time of the trip came when we were staying in Otavalo. We had the opportunity to take the team to an orphanage where only children infected with HIV were staying. I made the decision to only take a handful instead of all 20 plus members. The conditions at the orphanage were very sad. The children did not appear to be on any kind of medication and the place was not well kept. We told stories and tried to teach crafts, but the kids were unruly and out of control. Near the end of our time we opted to give piggy back rides and just play one on one with the kids. Those who went to the orphanage that day could tell you it is something they will never forget, and it continues to lay heavy on their hearts. The conditions the kids were in and their overall lack of any kind of respect for each other or other people was disheartening. Knowing that without medication the life expectancy of these kids is very short was beyond hard to realize. One team member said to me through tears; "It's the faces of the children, I can't forget the faces."
The last week we spent at camp. It's at a little place called Same, and it's about a 3 minute walk from the beach. It is run just like a summer camp. We teach the kids lessons during the day and take them to the beach. The kids are divided into teams with a color for each one and they gain points by winning events together as a team. The kids love the soccer tournament and the events, and there is a lot of competitive spirit that comes out as the week progresses. I was reminded of why we are there at all through a conversation I had with Pastor Benjamin one afternoon. We had returned from the beach, always a stressful though fun time trying to keep 60 plus kids many of whom cannot swim safely in the water. I was sitting with Pastor Benjamin in front of his cabin talking about the trip and different things. We were quiet for a moment when he turned to me and said, "The kids love you, you know? They love your team." I looked at him and said, "How do you know that?" and he said, "Because they tell me, the kids they tell me they love you" tears fill my eyes even now remembering.
Many things happen on a trip with different people, personalities, and sickness. It is easy to get distracted, especially when you have to make sure all the details happen and everyone is fed and safe. Sometimes you forget why you are there. I was brought back to reality with that little encounter. Upon returning to the States I read a quote by John Piper that stuck with me.
He says, "God is pursuing with omnipotent passion a worldwide purpose of gathering joyful worshipers for Himself from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. He has an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the supremacy of His name among the nations. Therefore, let us bring our affections into line with His and, for the sake of His name, let us renounce the quest for worldly comforts and join His global purpose."
We went; we go every day in life as believers to share a gospel of hope to the nations. The hope is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We saw children come to know Christ, and that only happened when the Holy Spirit worked through our team, and the kids saw the love of Christ in us.
How do you say goodbye to a country and a people that captivated your heart? You don't. You keep them with you. The experiences and the memories that evoke emotions every time they come to mind are evidence that your purpose in this world goes so far beyond what you can imagine. God takes us places and leaves imprints of His grace on our hearts and lives so that we can see His glory and be blessed by the time we have had and perhaps someday be reunited with those we were fortunate enough to meet.
Leaving Ecuador never gets easier even though I know, God willing, I will be going back. I cannot let my love for that country, the people there, and the things we do diminish the work that God will do through me right here at home. I encourage you to not let anything diminish where God has you right now. He is the ultimate prize, and He will glorify Himself through your life as a believer. That is more than enough for me.
Micah Cavanaugh
Featured image courtesy of Carpe Diem Photography
When Darkness Veils His Lovely Face
"God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." It sounds so comforting. But how do you tell that to your friend or family member who is suffering through hardship?
I was talking with a friend a couple of nights ago discussing a particular situation he was going through: a situation difficult to see the good in. It had to do with a guy/girl relationship. He told me that even if the situation didn't work out he knew God was going to bring someone along to make it okay. My initial thought might usually be to agree and hopefully bring some comfort to this situation, but, owing to what God has been teaching me lately, I had to disagree. "What if God never brings someone along?" I asked. "In fact, what if God has designed for you to wake up at age 65 still sleeping alone in your bed?" This was not what he was expecting to hear. It is not really what anyone wants to hear at any time but especially when you are questioning your relationship status.
Proverbs 16:4 says, "God has made all things for his own purpose: even the wicked for the day of evil."
God has even made the wicked for an appointed day, according to the writer of Proverbs. How does this work? When Jesus tells Peter to "Let down your nets," in Luke 5:4, Peter had already been fishing all night with no fish to show for it. If Peter had let down the nets when Jesus told him to but caught nothing, would that make God a bad God or Jesus untrustworthy? Remember, he told Jeremiah that he would preach his entire ministry but never see a convert.
What's my point? God is more interested in your holiness than he is your happiness. God has made all things for his purpose. That includes whatever you are currently going through or will go through in the future. God may plan for you to have a spouse and get a job, but what if that is not His plan. Will you serve Him joyfully? God is not in the business of giving us what we want. He is God and he will draw His children closer to Himself. As John Piper says, "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
God is not necessarily most glorified when we are happy with our current situation because we got what we wanted. Remember, Hosea was told by God to essentially go find his harlot wife and bring her back to his home. If I am Hosea my first thought is, "What?! How can God do this?"
Remember, God sees all and is not only watching but causing all things. That's action! Don't believe me?
Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God CAUSES all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
For anyone going through hardship or for those who may be questioning what God is doing in their lives, I want you to know this. God loves you and has a divine plan for your life that includes hardship and tough times, but He is working each of these things out for your good and His glory. Even if you do not see the reasons, there will be a day when you understand. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then I shall know even as also I am known."
Does this mean God gives His children bad gifts? Absolutely not. Just read Matthew 7:11. He loves to give good gifts. But good is often mistaken for what we want.
This side of glory we cannot know all the reasons God is doing what He is doing, but for me it is enough to trust Him and leave the outcome in his hands.
Micah Cavanaugh
Always Trusting, Never Disappointed
How is it that I have been traveling on missions trips for 10 years and I still learn something new every trip I make? You would think after all this time I would be an old pro at traveling.
My excitement for leaving the country this summer cannot be overstated. I looked forward to seeing friends I made last year, reliving old experiences and making new memories. I always assume God is going to teach me something on the trip, maybe through the kids we work with or on our team from the US. God had other plans this year and my training began early when I was denied an exit from the US due to my passport being three months shy of expiration. Long story, but I spent three extra days in Miami trying to get a new passport. My biggest question was, "Why God?!" followed by many exclamation marks. I know God does things for a reason but this seemed absurd.
I still don't know for sure why God had me stay in Florida three extra days and miss traveling with my team and some of the early experiences. I've thought of many different possible reasons, what else can you do when you are sitting for eight hours in the National Passport Agency, but the most important reason is trust. Trusting God is not something I do well. I like to fix things myself or at least live in the illusion that I am handling things. This time God didn't leave me room to "fix it" on my own, as if I could, He walked me through this experience and showed Himself strong. I was one of the last people to get my passport and, just as I got it and ran out of the agency, gratefulness that I can't describe filled my heart. I believe God kept me in Florida three extra days, not just to show me He was in control but to show me He loves me enough to put me in situations where I have to learn trust. My preparation is more important to God than my own comfort or happiness. (Shout out to the awesome Forman family for taking care of everything I needed during my extended stay.)
The first week in Ecuador is spent in the Capitol City of Quito. Our team taught at the church Iglesia Inaquito in the morning with kids, who for the most part go to church with their families and have the benefit of a spiritual influence in their lives. Those of us who were returning reunited with translators and kids we had met the year before. It was refreshing to see so many familiar faces and to be hugged over and over again by kids that remembered us or just wanted a hug.
In the evenings we did the same VBS style program we had in the morning with kids on the outskirts of the city. These children do not all have the benefit of good influences in their lives and you could tell they were hungry for attention and listened closer than the morning crowd. These kids needed more love and our team showed it to them.
The end of the week brought goodbyes, which are always tough, but we knew we would see some of these kids at a camp where we would work two weeks later. The weekend brought some sightseeing and a well-deserved 12 hour vacation. We took the team to a mountain town where we stayed at a very nice hostel owned by native Ecuadorians. Shopping was in order and some sleep. The latter doesn't happen so easily with a team as full of energy as ours.
One 6-7 hour bus ride later found us beginning week two in Esmeraldas, a coastal city with 48% unemployment. Approaching this city I felt a need for the gospel to be spread and for God's Spirit to work. Our days were spent in the schools and at a local orphanage that our host, Pastor Louis, has developed relationships with. Pastor Louis and his wife are the sweetest couple and their love for their city is evident. The temperature is hot and humid on the coast compared to Quito where the average high was 65 degrees during the day. Many showers were taken throughout the day as we went to and from our hotel to regroup for each trip. So much could be said of our trip to Esmeraldas. We visited a little area called Roca Fuerte one of the days we were there. I must say this was a highlight of the trip for me. This small town has very little Christian influence and its occupants are very poor. The children are blessed to have a pastor from the church in Esmeraldas come and work with them throughout the week. We visited last year and it was a blessing to see the progress he has made. They are building a school house to begin teaching these children. There were between 250 – 300 children by the time we ended our program, many of them without shoes or adequate clothing. Tears fill my eyes remembering their faces and the way they clung to us as we tried to leave. Many of our teams had 25-30 kids on them which can get crazy, especially if you are a game team!
We visited an orphanage one of the days and it was definitely another highlight. Last year I met a little boy there who had eight brothers and sisters all orphaned since they were very young. He and one sister were the only two who had somehow made it to this orphanage. Many of the kids come and go so I knew seeing him would be iffy. But, he was there and we were reunited with laughing and making hand motions (the price of not speaking each other's language). When we were preparing to leave he looked at me and said, "When will I see you again?" I smiled choking back tears and confessed that I did not know. But, I told him I would come back even if it took another year.
During the evening I was tasked with leading the youth program. I was less prepared than I would like to have been. But the amazing thing is that God worked through my lack of preparation and my hesitation. These young people listened and responded to each speaker that shared from our team. I am grateful for Elizabeth Fox, Danny, John and Daniel (my brother) who each brought from their hearts a message to these youth. The message of the gospel went to them and I pray it finds its mark!
The last week we traveled to Same Beach for my favorite part of the trip, camp week! We are reunited with many friends from the first week in Quito. This year we did a world cup theme and the kids loved it. I believe it is most Ecuadorian kids dream to one day play professional soccer. Camp is special because we spend all day and night with the kids. They are split into teams and win points together throughout the week that will add up to 1st through 3rd place awards at the end of the week. What a year at camp! We had kids ask how to know Jesus and truly saw their hearts change. During line up (which is always fun, I blew a whistle and mayhem would ensue) Ashley Dickson, one of our team leaders, came running over crying. She said that Denise, one of the little boys on her team, had trusted Christ for salvation. In perspective, this little boy was a trouble-maker and not the one you would go to for laughs during the week. We had to work with him one on one, on more than one occasion. But he spent time with Sammy our translator and asked so many questions about God. But to hear him say the words "Jesús está en mi corazón" (Jesus is in my heart) brought a smile to my heart and caused me to thank God for using this team in the lives of these kids.
Goodbyes to best friends are the hardest things in the world, especially not knowing if you will meet again. Our team, energetic group that they were, invested so much love into the kids. When we returned I was asked by the dad of one of our team members to tell him one thing that stuck out to me about this trip. I told him I have never worked with a team where everyone gave 110% of their heart and passion to the kids. It was a blessing and so refreshing to be a part of Ecuador 2014. I have left out so many stories and parts of this trip that I could tell but for the sake of length I will close. I hope you have made it this far in my writings. If you are still reading this I would have you know that God is doing amazing things in Ecuador. I know He is working around the world but I haven't been to every part of the world so for now I will tell you about Ecuador. Something happened to me the first time I went and a piece of my heart will always be there. I love the people, the food and the culture. Most of all I love that God chooses to take broken vessels that leave the comfort of their homes, go to share, teach and affect the lives of people in other countries and find their lives forever changed.
I am grateful for Pastor Benjamin and Rosita his wife who have become such close family! (My Ecuadorean family.) We would never make it without them. I miss so many, especially little Melany who became such a close friend last year. Being reunited with her was another highlight of my trip! I know I will go back and I look forward to continuing to be a small part of what God is doing in the world for His Glory! Oh yes! You should take a short term missions trip, it WILL change your life.
Micah Cavanaugh
Every true believer should have a heart to see the world come to know Christ. It is not only a mandate from our Savior just before He ascended to heaven, but the gospel is the prominent theme throughout the New Testament.
I am convinced that a heart for missions will flow out of a daily walk with Christ. You and I are called to preach the gospel; it is our commission as believers in Christ.
In Chapter 10 of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, he states that there is "no difference between Jew and Greek" because all are guilty of falling short of Gods glory. He then charges these believers to share their faith and to not hold back (v-14), "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
Paul specifically talks about his ministry of the gospel in Romans 1:6 when he says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." Our commission is not limited to our own country, political persuasion or ethnic background. Each of us has a responsibility to share our relationship with Christ – not only with our friends and family but with those whom we have never met or heard of.
As believers, we are not asked to share the gospel (the good news) that is within us, we are charged with that mandate as followers of Christ. This is why seeing the world first hand is so important. Our interaction with people in our community and around the world by way of serving will open our eyes and hearts to opportunities where we can invest the message we have with those we never thought to look for.
While in Ecuador this past July/August the team I was traveling with spent the evenings of the first week working with kids in a more rural section of the Capitol City of Quito. The children in this area were typically poorer but notably interactive and responsive. On the second evening I noticed a little boy sitting by himself. I went over and asked his name. He hugged his knees and looked between them to the ground and told me in a hushed tone that "Sebastian" was his name. He was noticeably frowning and wasn't participating in the activities so I asked him (via translator), why he was not participating. He told me that he was thirsty. I told him to wait, I went and got a glass of water and brought it to him. Upon finishing the water (he drank all of it) I asked if we could be friends. He looked up at me for the first time, smiled, and said, "Yes, we are friends".
My challenge every day is to practice, as Paul says in Romans 1:6, not being, "ashamed of the gospel of Christ". There are opportunities everywhere to invest the love of Christ. It does require giving ourselves and investing our lives, something I don't always find easy or what I want to do.
I will never forget little Sebastian or his contagious laugh and I will forever remember the sight of him walking away on our last day with him, wearing his purple headband. Missions is not always some great story of preaching the gospel to crowds or risking your life to put a Bible in someone's hands. Many times, as in this case, it is as simple as putting a cup of water in a child's hand, showing them the simple love that comes from a heart transformed by Gods amazing grace.
Micah Cavanaugh


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A peek into the life of me. A Stair stepper NURSE who went from CNA to RN, while being a, WLS patient, Wife, and Mother of 2. Journey with me through the ups and downs of nursing school, the roller-coaster that is marriage and the drama of parenting teens. All while attempting to start a Nursing career, further my education, and lose weight.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Girl Date
Hummm.. what else? So working with an agency nurse is different. Weird how I am the one to answer the questions?
Yesterday I had a very bad thought about a resident. Urgh! Sometimes you just can't help being human and screaming really does piss me off. I also had a talk with my drug seeker about yelling at me for things while I am standing in the hallway pulling meds at the cart.
" Everyday I come in I have the same routine. You get the same things at the same time. You do not have to yell at me while I am at the cart pulling them to tell me you need them. It is rude." We will see how long that lasts.
In other news we are fighting a battle with ants in our cabinets and on our counters. The tiny kind. We have sprayed and sanitized and cleaned and closed every little thing. This SUCKS!! i can feel the little buggers crawling on me!
1 comment:
Since it wasn't that long ago, I remember the point where suddenly I wasn't the newest person on the unit anymore. It's like, "Wait... You're asking ME?"ReplyDelete
More recently, I've worked a little as an agency nurse. I can tell you that it's nice to have approachable people to bounce things off of, since every place does things a little differently. Even if we forget to tell you at the time, we do appreciate the help and advice!

subset: commoncrawl


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Chemical Substance Management
By using environmental friendly materials at product design phase, we not only drive the industry upgrade in the supply chain, but also improve the reuse value of and applicability of product wastes, facilitating the new material cycle.
As an international brand of electronic products manufacturer, ASUS upholds the idea of producer responsibility and supports the preventive approach mentioned in the Rio Declaration of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) by not only securing compliance to global environmental regulations, but also voluntarily managing the chemicals harmful to humans and environment in order to reduce environmental impacts of the products.
ASUS Hazardous Chemical Substance Management Milestone
Hazardous Chemical Substance Management
To safeguard human health and the environment, ASUS uses all chemical substances carefully. We follow regulations that control their use, formulate technical standards that strictly require our suppliers to forbid their use. ASUS defines a hazardous chemical substance as a material characterized by persistent, bio-accumulative, toxic, carcinogenic, or mutagenic features, as well as possible reproductive toxicity or environmental hormone disruption.
Regarding hazardous chemical substances management, ASUS is committed to meet the regulations of international chemical substances as the primary goal. All ASUS products manufactured since 2006 met the requirements by RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC). Besides Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr6+, PBBs, and PBDEs restricted by RoHS, we also manage Ni, PVC, TBBP-A, ozone depleting substances, radioactive substances and other harmful substances. When the substitute is available, we will gradually restrict the use of PVC, BFR, CFR, Be, Sb, and Phalates.
In order to comply with EU REACH Directive which went effective in 2007, ASUS takes the manufacturer responsibility for disclosing the information of SHVC in our products. Please click HERE for the related information.
According to our Precautionary Policy for Green Design, we control the hazardous substances from sources - that is, of the enormous supply chain. To improve efficiency, we use eGreen platform, SRM, for component approval process and ask our suppliers to provide the third-party test report along with the hazardous substances warranty letter. This could efficiently manage our green supply chain and ensure our green quality.
ASUS' Halogen-Free Declaration
The halogens or halogen elements are a series of nonmetal elements from Group VIIA of the periodic table, and the halogenated compounds such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) and Chlorinated Flame Retardants (CFRs) are widely used as the materials of the parts for electronic products, as the gluing technique, or as flame retardant for its effectiveness and economic advantage.
However, if end of life products containing BFRs or CFRs are not properly treated and recycled, they will release dioxin and furan during the incineration process. Dioxin compounds are stored in biological fat, are hard to be metabolized, and will be cumulated through the food chain, thus leading to biological genetic damage and even causing cancer.
According to the recent scientific researches, many halogenated compounds are proven to be potentially harmful to the human and the environment. Among the halogenated compounds, Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs) may interfere with brain development and is carcinogenic, thus they are listed in EU RoHS Directive. In addition, TBBP-A (Tetrabromobisphenol-A) is one kind of BFRs and is used in the electronic products for its effectiveness and economic advantage, but it could pose great destructive impacts to the ecosystem. Another halogenated compound Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is very popular worldwide for its convenience, stable characteristic and low price. Nevertheless, the plasticizer (phthalate) added during using stage will interfere with biological endocrine, and dioxin and hydrochloride produced by incineration at the disposal stage could cause serious environmental pollution.
Based on the precautionary principle, ASUS has defined many halogenated compounds such as BFRs, CFRs, TBBP-A and PVC as hazardous substances and includes them into our internal standard "Hazardous Substance Free Technical Standard" and formulated "Halogen-Free Technical Standard" according to IEC-61249-2-21, which define the allowance concentration of halogens as followed: 900 ppm max for Cl, 900 ppm max for Br, and 1500 ppm max for total halogens.
ASUSTeK has formulated "ASUSTeK GreenASUS Halogen-Free Technical Standard" in 2008 and encouraged our suppliers replacing halogen flame retardant with low environmental impact substances such as nitrogen compounds, phoshorous compounds, hydrates. We have phased in halogen-free on components with high risk, such as PCB laminate, plastic parts greater than 25g, and cable assembly. In 2009, we had introduced some halogen-free sample models to the market. Beginning from September 1, 2010, all newly purchased components, except system modules, PCBs, connectors and cables that still possess technical difficulty and are not economical viable, need to compile with halogenfree policy. ASUSTeK is committed to continuously increase the proportion of halogenfree components used in new products if alternative technologies are feasible and the technologies will not affect product performance, quality, health and the environment. We seek continuous increase of at least 3% annually, preferably 5%, with the goal of more than 85% halogen-free components by 2020.
Learn more:
Other Chemical Substances Management
According to ASUS Precautionary Policy, we not only banned substances that restricted in global regulation such as RoHS and REACH, but also controlled any substance that pose a threat to human health or the environmental. ASUS hold to a rigorous standard of environmental compliance as GreenASUS HSF Technical Standard to remove and replace toxics further and include them in our supplier contracts.
Beryllium is Alkaline-earth metal and belongs to Group IIA of the periodic table. The substitutes are not found yet for its good metallic characteristic. Beryllium oxide has good performance in electrical physics, thermal physics and mechanical properties, so it is important to the use of electronic products. However, beryllium has an adverse impact on the human body during exploitation or waste disposal. In animal experiments, beryllium and its compounds is carcinogenic and toxic. ASUS had listed beryllium as Level 1 restricted substance, which meant immediately prohibit of usage, by early 2013.
Antimony belongs to Group VA of the periodic table. Antimony trioxide is used for flame retardant. It is very popular in the market for its good characteristic and thus is difficult to phase out in a short-term. However, it could stimulate the respiratory and gastrointestinal and is toxic, and it is also a carcinogenic substance. In early 2013, ASUS had listed antimony as Level 1 restricted substance, but with exemption in certain parts.


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He graduated from Guilford High School in 1941 and attended Hebron Academy and also University of Maine. Marsh was a veteran of WW II serving as a Tech Sergeant in the Army Quartermaster Corps of both the European and Pacific Theaters. He became a Lieutenant in the National Guard after which Northrop Corporation of California employed him for 38 years. He traveled world wide as a field service engineer and instructor of the drone aircraft for the company.
Marsh was a member of the Odd Fellows, and Mt. Kineo Masonic Lodge #109, both of Guilford, and was also a 32nd Degree Shriner through the Isis Masonic Lodge in Salinas, KS. His hobbies were playing his theater organ and being a Ham Radio operator. He loved talking with old and new friends over the ham radio.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Foltz Fitzpatrick Loane, with whom he enjoyed 37 years of married life together, making their retirement home in Palmdale CA. He is also survived by his daughter Marsha Loane Hansen and her husband David of Greenville; step-sons, Larry Fitzpatrick, and Michael Fitzpatrick, both of Thousand Oaks, CA, Brian Fitzpatrick, of Seattle, WA, Bill Fitzpatrick and his wife Michele of Las Vegas, NV; a stepdaughter, Kathy Fitzpatrick Newholm and her husband Danny of Palmdale, CA; eleven grandchildren and two great grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Loane Buzzell, and her husband Sidney of Bangor, and Alice Loane Johnson, and her husband Richard of Wallingford, CT; and several nieces and nephews. Marsh was predeceased by his first wife, Sally French Loane of Guilford, who died in 1964.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, January 6, 2007, at Crosby & Neal, 21 Oak Street in Guilford, followed by a time for remembrance and refreshments at the Guilford United Methodist Church. Spring burial will be in the Elmwood Cemetery in Guilford. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in his memory to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, or to the charity of their choice.
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Summer does not yet End! Hotter Summer Night V will be at SM Mall of Asia, by bay on June 2, 2012. Watch of Hottiest Cars, Drifting and HOT Babes.
This event sponsored by: b2bcarshows.com SM Mall of Asia and Repsol Motor Oil. also brought to you by: LLumar, Platinum, Toyo Tires, Anzahl. Aguila Auto glass and Ladder Events Productions.


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Smoky Veggie Chili
|Photo Credit to fitnessmagazine.com
It's the second one down, obviously
1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, drained
1 small can diced tomatoes with green chilies {or 1 can tomatoes, 1 can green chilies}
2 8-ounce cans tomato sauce
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Cooked brown rice
1/4 cup chopped onion1/4 cup cheddar cheese
Combine first ingredients {up to rice} in soup pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve over rice topped with onion and cheese.
{I omitted the onion...don't judge my pregnant snootiness please}.
Recipe Source: Fitness Magazine


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I just have one thing to ask; Dre where is Detox?!
According to VIBE whom got their information from other sources, Dr. Dre has signed up for producer of an upcoming horror movie, "Thaw." Dr. Dre and partner Daniel Schnider will produce the horror film for their company, Crucial Films.
The movie is set to be about an ancient evil spirit that's unleashed as ice thaws in the Yukon. The script is written by Vik Weet, while New Line Cinema will be on the distribution of the film.
I see you Dre, but we're still waiting on Detox.


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With the release of some gameplay via Origin Access of Andromeda on March 16th the internet was flooded with hustle and bustle about the new addition to the Mass Effect series.
Not directly following on as Commander Shepherd, Andromeda seems to be an attempt for Bioware to want to break away from reusing that character as the main character for a fourth instalment – something which I was excited to hear, admittedly bored of the character – preferring the Dragon Age style of creating new characters that live through a world which feels the impact of your choices in the last game, which also helped to provide some interesting RP decisions for Inquisition (having to choose between my Hawke and Alistair left me SHOOK and upset). However, following the copies that were sent out to reviewers and the general consensus following the Access release I've decided to not purchase Andromeda.
Okay, this might be in part because I game on a rather terrible laptop that probably won't run the game anyway.
However, in this Lyte Byte I'm going to explore the main reason for why I'm not going to get the game.
Much of the talk about Andromeda seems to have surrounded its.. frankly comical animations, some of which are detailed in this article but whilst the game has drawn some criticism from these terrible examples of animation (also they removed the dang Paragon and Renegade system to conversations? Like.. how am I meant to play an evil space badass now?!), some have praised the game on the combat system and some of the graphics while playing in the higher resolutions.
However, my main issue stems from a (perhaps selfish) factor.
Of all the romance-able options, gay Ryder (the player character in Andromeda) there are two options for gay males and neither of which are actual squad mates that you can take into the fray with you.
I hate to come off as whiny, and feeling as if I'm entitled to have another Dorian from Inquisition but.. goddamn it! I was so impressed with the diversity shown in Inquisition. From the trans representation being done beautifully in Krem and the different ranges of sexualities across the cast of characters I'd assumed that the team behind Andromeda might follow suit and give us another game with a fantastic range of representation in it.
Alas, I suppose I'm going to have to wait until the next Dragon Age game to have the same form of inclusion – and Andromeda will be an RPG that I will wait until it's on sale to pick up.. and even then, what am I going to do without a Dorian or Iron Bull to keep my Ryder warm at night?
Okay – so!
Maybe I'm coming off as entitled, do you think this is a good reason to not get a game? Should I atleast give it a chance? Are you getting Andromeda? Let me know below!


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- Willy Paul at an interview with Kiss FM revealed details of his upcoming wedding with his girlfriend
- He claims that he is currently working on his upcoming wedding with his woman who is neither a celebrity nor an Instagram slay-queen
- The singer also revealed that he was planning to get married since it is impossible to engage in carnal pleasures until marriage
- In 2016, Willy Paul postponed his wedding saying that he had been misled into rushing to do a wedding
Willy Paul has yet again revealed to his fans that he is walking down the aisle soon.
READ ALSO: "I don't need Diamonds money!" Zari Hassan suffers emotional breakdown
He also added that together with his fiancee, they have decided to stay celibate until their wedding day.
Well this might just be one of his many stunts, we all know he craves attention.
This would be the second time the artist is planning for his wedding after the first one failed, that's if it wasn't fake.
The singer called off his first engagement saying that he had been mislead.
READ ALSO: Woman marries man with cerebral palsy and mobile disability
READ ALSO: Multi-coloured eyed girl Peace looks like a 'Korean beauty' in new photos
"Of course there is a woman. Napanga ndoa, we have been dating for a while. Sijui the specific time but imekawia sana. I plan on marrying her because hakuna anything inaeza happen before ndoa." He said during an interview at Kiss 100 FM.
READ ALSO: Remember the KSh 100 wedding couple? They welcome their first born and we have the photos
He also added the fact that she isn't a celebrity .
"I cannot date a celebrity or these Instagram girls who slide into my DM or a girl who has celebrities liking her pictures, be very careful with such girls." He claimed.
Willy Paul is currently trending on the airwaves with his hit song Jiggy Jiggy.
Have anything to add to this article or suggestions?
Share with us on firstname.lastname@example.com Should Ezra Chiloba leave IEBC?
Source: Tuko.co.ke


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Catatron 3000!
This is what hewman calls an alpha version prototype of the hardware, and he is also still working on the "code" for it (whatever that is…sounds like some spy stuff to me). Supposedly, when he is finished with it, it will automatically send out a tweet whenever… …read the complete post at http://www.shatcast.com/introducing-the-amazing-the-stupendous-the-one-and-only/


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Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Just finished for fall.
Posted by Penny Mae at 8:08 AM No comments:
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
New working materials for the shop
Posted by Penny Mae at 2:07 PM No comments:
Brimfield's Antique Show is always fun
Posted by Penny Mae at 12:48 PM No comments:
More of what you can see at Brimfield's Show
Posted by Penny Mae at 12:44 PM No comments:
Treasures from our 2nd annual Brimfield Trip
A new bunny for the flower gardens. Now she is welcoming guest at the kitchen door.
Posted by Penny Mae at 12:35 PM No comments:
Monday, September 17, 2012
A sneak peek from my day at Brimfield Antique Market
The perfume bottles are for me, the buttons are for new creations.
Posted by Penny Mae at 7:44 AM No comments:
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How to filter values between 0.5 and 1.5 from two columns in excel 2007
Question: How do I filter values between 0.5$ and 1.5$ from two columns using excel array formula?
Array formula in A12:
copied down as far as necessary
Array formula in B12:
Named ranges
List1 (A2:A6)
List2 (C2:C6)
Price1 (B2:B6)
Price2 (D2:D6)
What is named ranges?
How to implement array formula to your workbook
Change named ranges. If your list starts at, for example, F2. Change $B$12:B12 in the above formula to F2:$F$2.
Download excel example file.
(Excel 2007 Workbook *.xlsx)
Functions in this article:
Returns the smallest number in a set of values. Ignores logical values and text
Checks whether a condition is met, and returns one value if TRUE, and another value if FALSE
Returns a value or reference of the cell at the intersection of a particular row and column, in a given range
SMALL(array,k) Returns the k-th smallest row number in this data set.
ROWS(array) returns the number of rows in a reference or an array
IFERROR(value;value_if_error) Returns value_if_error if expression is an error and the value of the expression itself otherwise
Lookup and return multiple values concatenated into one cellThis article demonstrates how to find a value in a column and concatenate corresponding values on the same row. The […]
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your formula
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For a long time, the Turing Test has been the gold standard of artificial intelligence. In its simplest form, a human asks questions and receives answers from either a computer or a person. The goal is for the human judge to correctly decide who is writing back. To date, even the best computers did not fool judges for even 25 minutes.
Last week, Microsoft launched a fairly adept 'chatbot' named Tay aimed at young adults. Less than a day later, Tay picked up generally vulgar language from the Internet at large along with a serving of unfortunate beliefs. As of this writing, Tay is offline and Microsoft has issued a formal apology for Tay's behaviour. Your humble author suggests any efforts on your part to search out archives of Tay's tweets happen not-at-work.
There are three lessons to learn from Tay though that should not be ignored. From security, to allowing the very young unfettered access to the web, and how artificial intelligence (AI) works, I remain both optimistic and rather grateful Microsoft gave us this high profile talking point.
So, security. Just one week ago, our own technology services department warned us of various phishing efforts. In the past, bogus emails tended to look, well, bogus. At least, to those of us who regularly email, it was fairly easy to spot. These days, it is more difficult to detect fake communications. While Tay might have been well funded, the machine learning techniques she depends on are actually quite public, quite well known, and not at all difficult to implement.
Thus, emails that seem fairly well crafted, decently written, and 'on point' to your work or home life may well appear in your inbox. Yet, these emails are created automatically in milliseconds by machine, despite reading as if a human had personally written them. Spotting such emails is difficult, although a veritable war of the machines has begun as counter-measures also benefit from such deep learning techniques.
Another lesson from Tay is that children are perhaps best isolated from the Internet in their early days. Tay was not a bad AI, she learned as she was taught. Subjecting an intelligence, even an artificial one, to the World Wide Web is quite clearly risky before it is sufficiently developed. VC's own Professor Lisa Elsik's Professional Development Interest Group (PDIG) on The Shallows has been exploring precisely this idea. It takes a more mature intelligence to safely interact with networked humanity.
The last point I want to make simply from a technological perspective. I recently had a chance to review Learning Predictive Analytics with R (ISBN 13 9781782169352). Techniques developed in just a chapter or two of this book directly relate to the field of machine learning. Tay, like most learning machines, started off as a combination of human coding and raw compute power. As she was exposed to comments on Twitter, she learned. She learned acceptable syntax and topic combinations. Unfortunately for her, Tay was taught bad things by not very kind people. Microsoft chose to take her offline, and it is unclear if we'll ever see her again.
However, we will meet machines like her again, sooner rather than later. Machines that will do a very good job of passing the Turing Test. Machines that already sort through our data and spot connections, clusters, and patterns that humans cannot see quickly or readily. Fascinatingly, machine learning builds on concepts taught in elementary statistics courses! We must seek opportunities to harness our machines' potential for good because such methods have an extraordinary capacity to create a more transparent, rational world. With Texas' new Mathways projects, we may also have a great many more people who know the building blocks of such concepts and techniques.
It took Tay under 24 hours to learn to speak in support of some of humanity's worst. Just imagine what she could have said if we'd taught her better.


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Discovery sheds light on rare disease
October 20, 2005,
vol. 34, no. 4
By Carol Thorbes
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Working with scientists at the University of California, Davis in the United States, professor Michel Leroux and post-doctoral fellow Oliver Blacque have discovered what molecular defects in primary cilia likely cause Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS).
The team's groundbreaking findings, published in the July 28, 2005 issue of the journal, Nature, "makes the link between normal cilia function and health highly pertinent," notes Leroux. "BBS patients suffer from an unusually large number of different ailments." Obesity, blindness and kidney dysfunction are common illnesses that characterize BBS, a complex, hereditary disease that affects one in 160,000 people worldwide.
Primary cilia are solitary appendages, meaning there is one per cell. They enable cells to sense chemical and physical activities in their external environment.
Cilia are involved in seeing, smelling, hearing, touching, and moving fluid - for example, clearing mucous from the respiratory tract.
"Some proteins linked to cilia function are essential for life," says Leroux. "On the other hand, partial loss of cilia function can cause blindness because specialized cilia are the primary light receptors in the eye."
Having verified in previous research that BBS genes function in cilia, Leroux and his colleagues recently investigated what would happen if they disrupted or mutated BBS genes in C. elegans.
The tiny nematode has virtually the same genome as humans, but 30 times smaller. "Cilia act to sense the environment in C. elegans," explains Leroux. "We used attractants to test and compare the ability of C. elegans with normal and mutated BBS genes to smell their environment. We found those lacking BBS gene function have a greatly reduced sense of smell."
This new research indicates that mutated BBS genes cause cilia to partially malfunction because a key role of these genes is to coordinate the function of molecular motors known as kinesins. Like train engines, kinesins move cargo - such as different cilia components - up to the tips of cilia.
The researchers are now investigating how malfunctioning cilia with defective BBS genes can affect the function of different cells or tissues. "Why BBS patients have a tendency to become obese, sometimes morbidly obese, is not known. One can hypothesize that cilia in some regions of the brain are involved in satiety control, and that their dysfunction would lead to abnormal food intake," offers Leroux.
Without significant funding commitments from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Michael Smith Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and National Institutes of Health, BBS research would not be this far along.
"While directed to a specific group, this research has the potential to benefit many," points out Rod McInnes, scientific director of CIHR's institute of genetics.
A federal, health-related research funding agency, CIHR has contributed approximately $750,000 to Leroux's research so far.


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Kick by Mitch Johnson
In the sweatshop, Budi makes football boots – the boots he sees his idols, the Real Madrid footballers, wearing. The boots he dreams of one day wearing himself. The only thing standing in his way is… everything. And when the gang lord who owns and runs the town gives Budi the ultimatum to steal a pair of shoes from the factory or lose his family, reality threatens to destroy Budi's world of dreams.
"A brilliant debut" --John Boyne author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
"A must-read for fans of Mal Peet" --Tom Palmer, author of Football Academy
"To grow up with stories like these is the beginning of finding another world, lying at our feet." --Khalid Abdalla, star of The Kite Runner
"Fast-paced, funny and involving. Mitch Johnson is a brilliant writer" --Anjali Joseph, author of Saraswati Park
"A dazzling story of family, fate and football and one game-changing friendship" --Peter Bunzl, author of Cogheart
About the Author
After graduating from the University of East Anglia with an award-winning first class degree in English Literature with Creative Writing, Mitch completed Kick, his debut novel for middle grade readers. He was inspired to write it while working in a sports shop where he discovered a discarded, crumpled drinks sachet left in a shoebox between a brand-new pair of football boots. Mitch now works as a bookseller at Waterstones, Norwich, and writes in his spare time.
Pages: 304
Age 11+
Size:19.8cm x 13.2cm
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd (1 Sept. 2017)
Language: English
Additional info
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A Gamer's World: The Way Life SHOULD Be.
I love the idea of bringing gaming to real life. Xplay did something like that called "Real Cheats". For example, if you are so drunk you feel like you are going to throw up, throw your arms up twice, then to the left, down two times and then to the right and BAM! You are good to go for more shots. Though we know this wouldn't really work, it made for a great skit and is an AWESOME idea!
Well, there are more of these ideas coming out in commercials now. Xbox 360 has a great video on the web right now with people pointing their fingers at each other like a gun and blowing each other away. Not only is it just a really fun idea to run around with perfect strangers and play like that, its also an interesting commentary in violence in video games. It is SO obvious that these people are just playing a game and these people look rediculous and like they are having the time of their lives. ITS ALL PLAY and its all PRETEND! Just put them all in Counter Strike, or someother shooter game (DOD2 for the 360 in this case) and its the same idea. Its just. a. game.
Xbox 360 ad
Another commercial on the internet is for Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones where two kids are trying to figure out the controls of the game, but in a real world setting. I'm not gonna say any more, just watch the video. You're new mantra WILL be...xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, I promise you. (Watch out for the triangle though! Those are a BITCH!)
PoP:TTT video


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Pure Nintendo: "As Final Fantasy evolves and deviates from the mold that it originally crafted for itself, Bravely Default instead sees a welcome return to the type of role playing adventure that Final Fantasy once excelled in. Bravely Default is a wonderful concoction of both old and new, maintaining everything loved by the classic Final Fantasy games whilst adding enough fresh new features and mechanics that could ultimately result in Bravely becoming Square Enix's new trump card. Bravely Default's luscious visuals, rich cultural sounds, colourful cast of characters and addictive gameplay all culminate to produce one of the best RPGs not only from Square Enix, but from any publisher in recent years. If your faith in Square Enix has been tested in recent years, Bravely Default should do a great deal to restore that concern."
I don't remember spending so much time playing a demo of a game like I did for Bravely Default, except maybe The Wonderful 101! It's that good. Please bring more RPGs, we need an RPG renaissance, this game and Monolith Soft's X are an excellent start for such a renaissance. I just dream of a time when we could get a sequel for Shadow Hearts on the caliber of SH: Covenant.
This is one of the 40 reasons I'm picking up a 3DS XL next week. The 3DS is dropping bomb's left and right and I just can't ignore these amazing tittles any longer.


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ABC News - Teen battling cancer decides to 'take control,'
The following is an episode list for the MTV animated television series Beavis and Butt-Head. There still seems to be so As women, periods are something we deal with every month. Inside the Mind of a Teen Killer - Google Books Result. It has multiple causes, but it is most often attributed to a lack of calcium or vitamin D.
Doom and Manhunt are not the only controversial firstperson shooter video games. College student Ethan Roser killed by a hammer throw while volunteering at an athletics meet. Teen Ethan Roser killed in freak hammer throw accident.
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a heavy crash:
Paris – Roubaix 2012
a heavy crash:
Want to predict the future? Forecast the winner of Eurovision 2010 before the final with the iGoogle "Predictor" gadget. Based on Google search data, it shows how popular each participant is and then calculates the scores they would get if the voting took place today! 50% of the score on the night comes from a professional jury so we can't predict what their vote will be.
Countries can't vote for themselves – so search data from the participant's own country is excluded.
Here is our song: Tom Dice – Me and My Guitar
Currently Belgium is at place 27 with 9 points.
I created a Facebook page yesterday to see how strong social media really is. If you want to find out more, just check out the Facebook page. 😉


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Boost juice bars have been one of the retail success stories of this decade, with rapid expansion and acquisition taking the chain from its first store in 2001 to not much short of 200 stores today under the leadership of entrepreneur Janine Allis. The fresh, bright, youthful execution of the brand has been one of the keys to the success of the venture.
But in the loyalty stakes, I'm not sure the execution has been handled as brilliantly. Boost's first loyalty device was an unremarkable stamps-on-card, get-nth-juice-free deal. Then came the VIBE club, accompanied by a nice bright piece of plastic, and an unfettered 10% discount on every juice purchased. Great deal for the consumers, but who were they rewarding? Well in my case, I was by any measure an infrequent visitor to my local Boost juice bar, but on one such visit, I was given a VIBE club card - no questions asked! I think I may have just had to hand over an email address - easy-peasy.
So I was a happy camper, but I couldn't help but wonder, why were they frittering away 10% of their margin on me? In my case, I enjoyed the discount, but I'm just not so keen on those bars and it certainly didn't increase my frequency, and I don't think I particularly hunted out a Boost bar compared with the competition. So any sense of rewarding your best customers, or providing an incentive targeted at gaining the maximum sales uplift appeared to be missing.
Fast forward a few years and the impact of whatever happened in the intervening period meant that Boost had to change their tune for their valued club members. And they did so via a simple message - the 10% off deal was gone.
Withdrawing a benefit isn't easy. Perhaps if Boost had garnered its best customers under this scheme, say the best 20% of their juice-buying public that was generating 70%-80% of their revenue, they would have considered providing a 10% discount ongoing. As it turned out it was hard not to avoid leaving a pithy taste among their juice-buying public.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
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Today is such a nice day. (:
It's also Day 6- letter to a stranger
Dear stranger,
Well, that's not specific. Okay, well, hi. I should make this short, since if we talk for too long, you won't be a stranger anymore. Hmm. Was nice meeting you?
K, bye.
Day 6- A song that reminds you of somewhere
"Nothing Left To Lose" by Matt Kearney


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They had multiple chances to win but just couldn't quite get over the hump. The Cougars dropped a spot in the Associated Press poll. Keep going, Harry!. If the case shifts to federal court in New York, home to league headquarters and the site of Elliott appeal hearing with Henderson, the venue is a familiar one.
I said this in an editorial video editorial in The Washington Post http://www.blackmambajerseys.com/ last November that the players and teams that went to the White House to celebrate championships, invited nice jersey store there, a tradition that has gone on for several decades, should be ended with Donald Trump in the White House because his views are diametrically opposed to what we have been best place to buy authentic jerseys told sports are about in this country, that it is a field of meritocracy where everyone is accepted based on their skills, their talent level.
1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ The redesigned 2018 Honda Fit is here the sportiest and most fun to drive Fit yet and to amplify the Fit's enhanced fun factor, Honda is debuting a new integrated marketing campaign, titled "Fit for Fun," focusing on the 'fun' attributes of the vehicle including: a new Sport trim, striking new colors and enhanced technology including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
He proceeded to accrue nearly 900 total yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season.. Don't forget to. WASHINGTON REDSKINS at CHICAGO BEARS REDSKINS: OUT: S Jeron Johnson (hamstring), LB Perry Riley Jr. Jacksonville Jaguars vs Carolina Panthers What you need to know.
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Some in and around the sport have maintained all along there are on field issues as well as the obvious off field considerations, given Kaepernick's reputation for thriving while improvising but struggling as a traditional NFL pocket passer.. Und das in HD Qualitt..
Hernandez's lawyers in his double murder trial have also said Hernandez showed no signs he planned to kill himself, and they have pledged to conduct an independent investigation into Hernandez's death. 26), and political conspiracy thriller DESIGNATED SURVIVOR (Sept.
Additional money may be earned from basketball camps and bonuses provided by the institution. To be perfectly blunt, there is really nothing I like about number 9 and that includes everything from his decisions, work habits, and the corps of receivers he will be throwing to in 2009.
At a rally in Alabama on Friday night, Trump shouted: you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, that son of a bitch off the field right now. According to Musico, the average athlete's wattage would hover around 400 to 500 watts.


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Kemit Realty Investors
Kemit Realty Investors is a real estate company with 1 employee(s). Roderick Smith is the Owner. This company has been part of Connected Investors since 10/08/2017 - Kemit Realty Investors Based out of BIRMINGHAM, AL. Connect with the employees and team members of Kemit Realty Investors on Connected Investors.
Company Team Results
Roderick Smith Owner : Kemit Realty Investors
Looking for Single-familyBio: My name is Roderick Smith. I am primarily a Single-family investor based out of the Birmingham, AL area. I am looking to connect with motivated cash Buyers. I deals ... More been investing in vacant properties for over five years and have had some success making deals. I like no nonsense buyers who know what they want and know what they are willing to spend no haggling. My company offers managerial services for buyers in our area that need someone on the ground to facilitate their rehabs. We also offer marketing to potential renters for those properties after rehab. Special discounted flat fee offered to buyers of our properties for this added service. It will be a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Make sure to Friend me and Like my Connected Investors profile.
In: Birmingham AL, Midfield AL, Bessemer AL, Montgomery AL, Gadsden AL
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After nearly 10 months of nursing the journey Emma and I have been on is coming to an end. I'm not ready to be done nursing and Emma still takes to the breast very willingly. But my milk supply is just not what it used to be.
It was great to have time off during the holidays because I could nurse often, and not have to pump so much, but I also think we were up three or four times a night because she is only getting snacks and not full feedings while nursing. Sometimes I wish our breasts were translucent so we could actually see how much milk is in there and what our little nurslings are consuming!
I'm frustrated because I feel like my body is failing me. Not keeping up it's end of the bargain. Granted I have successfully nursed Emma 2 1/2 months longer than I was able to nurse Sophia but I was really hoping to make it the full year.
I counted the ounces in my freezer last night - 45oz. I send 15oz. of milk a day to daycare...you can do the math. Remember my stockpile? It's all but gone.
I tried fenugreek, I tried nettle, I tried oatmeal. Each pumping I have to work to get 1.5oz. Supply is not keeping up with demand.
The emotional component of nursing it perhaps what is most difficult. I feel that the end of nursing really signals that Emma is no longer an infant, no longer a baby. I won't get that daily, continuous, calming, closeness nursing provides.
And to boot, while cleaning out her lunch bag from day care, she didn't finish 2 ounces of a bottle. 2 ounces of precious liquid gold. 2 ounces that could get us through half of another feeding. 2 ounces that these days takes me 15-20 minutes to remove from my breast. Wasted.
I grounded Emma after that but I don't think she understood. I think she just grinned and clapped.
I will keep pumping until the well is really dry. I am so not ready to be at the end of this road.


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EastEnders spoilers: Stacey Fowler destroyed by Carmel Kazemi's shocking action after big discovery
Stacey Fowler faces more agony in EastEnders as it becomes clear that she is not being trusted around her own children – and things get even worse when Carmel Kazemi makes a startling discovery.
Since learning that Arthur is at high risk of having Brugada Syndrome, Stacey has been heading closer and closer to the edge, unable to cope with the stress.
Following Arthur taking a bad turn, Stacey, Martin and Kush desperately wait for news at the hospital – and they are left shocked when they find out the reason behind his collapse.
It leaves Carmel shaken and after she shares her fears with Kush, he warns her not to interfere and upset Stacey.
Carmel can't help but get involved though and offers to help Stacey with looking after Arthur and it's not long before Stacey clocks on that Carmel doesn't trust her to be alone with Arthur.
As she confronts her son's gran, she eventually breaks down and Carmel comforts her, offering her reassurance and support.
But while it seems that they have made headway with one another, Carmel makes a worrying discovery while alone with Arthur and decides to take matters into her own hands.
Reaching a big decision, Carmel takes action which could have significant consequences for Stacey – but will she end up regretting it?
One to watch: Friday 6th October at 8pm on BBC One.


text: This family holds a very special place in my heart and they always will. It is a very long story but pretty amazing to see how God works through each and every one of us even when we have no clue what he is doing. You would think a family this size would be tough and that it would be hard to keep it together but I had a blast and it was so easy! It was a beautiful day with beautiful people. Does it get any better than that?


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the Mario Juarez Selling team is a FRAUD! ALL of the Account Executives are NOT LICENSED and are acting as Real Estate Sales Agents! There is No Selling Team! PLEASE NOTIFY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF REAL ESTATE! AND ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, OAKLAND ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AS TO THEY ARE NOT REALTORS EITHER AND ARE ADVERTISING AS IF SO...... ASK THE AGENTS TO SHOW PROOF OF THEIR LICENSE! ALL SPANISH, LATINOS, HISPANIC PEOPLE BEWARE OF MARIO JUAREZ SELLING TEAM. THEY WILL TAKE YOUR MONEY!
Posted: 6/22/2010 • Link to this review
Reviews: 1
I worked with a few agents in this real estate company and I can tell you that they are horrible in communicating with the client, they are not helpful and they tend to cancel a lot of house viewing giving different excuses each time. If they cannot work with you they'll avoid all types of communication with you leaving your out in the space clueless. At the beginning they are very friendly just to get you in the door. I would NEVER recommend you to this Real Estate, keep walking forward and look else where.
Posted: 6/14/2010 • Link to this review


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The most important concertPosted: 6 March 2015 Filed under: Harp 2 Comments
I never had the joy of having a 'typical' grandparent until I became a part of my husband's family. Both my mother's parents died early, she was only 24 and my older siblings barely remember her. My father's mother went through a lot in her life and combined with her frail health condition, she wasn't able to act like a stereotypical grandmother* .
However, my in-law grandmother really plays the part, in the sense that they stuff you with food, ask questions about every aspect of your life and offer lots of unasked for but valuable advice. She is the kind of person who really grows onto you and it's never a pain to visit her because you know that that afternoon will be memorable.
My grandfather was a musician and a theologician, until he had several strokes that left him almost unable to communicate or play his instrument. I never knew the kind of person he was before the strokes, but even now his very strong and loving personality remains. He hated the home he lived in, they put on the TV all day and had them listen to Dutch popular music, while my grandfather had always loved classical music. We'd given him an ipod with classical music but he was dependent on the nurses to turn it on for him, so he rarely got to listen to his preferred music genre.
So of course, I really wanted to play the harp for him, but I didn't want to just play some celtic tunes on my bardic but I wanted to play the Handel concerto. That is the most classical piece I know and I felt that only that would be worthy enough for such a first-class musician as he had been. On a 27-string harp the Handel is quite a challenge. I've tried it for fun but there are some spots where you can't change the octave and it just doesn't sound right. Bringing my 34-string harp wasn't an option because we don't have a car, so I resigned to the fact that it would be quite some time before I could let my grandfather hear what the harp sounds like.
A few weeks ago, we were planning to visit my grandparents in their new home, but I also had to take my bardic harp along for a band practice session in another city later that day. I hadn't planned on 'giving a performance' but of course I couldn't let that thing sit in its case…
All the things they say about playing for people are true. It isn't about playing the correct notes, it isn't about complex music, but it is about touching people, telling a story and forging a connection. I first played some celtic tunes to warm up, then I made a go for the 27-string version of the Handel. While it was certainly interesting, it didn't really go as intended. Sometimes I had to stop and go back, sometimes I sort of hesitated. I hoped he'd show recognition the piece of music or maybe show that he liked it. No response, even though he was sitting a few feet across.
So I started improvising a bit over the idea of the Baroque flamenco, the menuet part, then some flamenco-inspired thing – and I don't know what happened but I noticed that my grandfather had noticed the music and was listening very intently. I was suddenly very aware of his breathing and his awareness. I continued to play, most of this piece works rather well on a 27-stringed harp – and I could still feel the tension, his attention.
The baroque flamenco has a cadenza, where you really build up suspense by tapping on the harp sound board – and then you play a few notes in the high register, still keeping the tension –
Anyway, it worked. I finished the piece and I looked at him and he looked at me and I knew I had accomplished my goal, connecting through music. While it was very profound and moving for me, it wasn't like there was a huge silence, the moment lasted maybe a few minutes.
This is what making music is all about, and apparently, you can't force it, it just happens when you least expect it. Sometimes I am really intimidated by all the fabulous professional harpists with their superior tone control, they really can tell a story with their music – but some aspects of this are also available to amateurs, as I discovered that day. Actually, in hindsight, I think that this experience really has a lot in common with what I experience with a patient a while ago! I never felt like I was a very spiritual person, but the spirituality seems to find me…
* Regarding my paternal grandmother: I'll cover this in a blogpost in a while, I discovered that she indeed deeply cared about her grandkids, even though she did not always show it to us in an obvious way.


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Planning Your Next Event at Blumen Gardens
The rustic ambience of Blumen Gardens' event rental space is a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Housed inside a renovated factory, the Garden Room's tall ceilings and exposed brick walls are a rustic, yet modern backdrop. Our staff delights in decorating the hall with a seasonal mix of blooming perennials, house plants, and architectural accents – creating an inviting and professional space that can accommodate up to 250 people.
Not only do we use the space for weddings and receptions (see more at our Weddings page), we also host a variety of gatherings from small parties to large business meetings, including:
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Garden Clubs
We have become a top destination for local AND distant garden clubs.
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Please call 815-895-3737 or email email@example.com for rental availability.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Shaffer Photography
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We do offer photographers access to our gardens for a small fee of $25 that we donate to the Sycamore High School Photography Club. Payment is made by check made out to Sycamore High School (Memo: Photo Club). An appointment must be made to take photos. Appointments may be scheduled for either before or after our open hours of business. Call 815-895-3737 or email email@example.com to schedule your photo session.


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'Not everyone will like my voice' Emily Middlemas responds after Nick Grimshaw rubbishes her X Factor performance
Her voice might be soft but Emily Middlemas just made a loud clap back at Nick Grimshaw.
The Radio 1 presenter tweeted to his two million followers that her performance of Britney Spears' Toxic was 'horrible', and now Emily has hit back at his meanness – and killed him with absolute kindness.
He wrote: 'I just watched someone play the ukulele and sing Toxic by Britney Spears on the X Factor and people pretended it wasn't horrible.'
Bit rude. Might make for some awkward interviews in future.
Well Emily is not as meek and mild as she might seem, and has responded to his harsh critique.
The 18-yer-old was asked by OK! whether she'd been hurt by his words, but the plucky X Factor contestant took it all on the chin.
'I actually took it quite well,' she said.
'Not everyone is going to like my voice and that's fine. He probably shouldn't tweet nasty things though.'
Ooh snap.
She added of his tweet: 'You never know what people's emotions are or what place they are in mentally.'
Emily's taken a fair bit of a beating for her time on X Factor, having been labelled 'boring' by fans for always performing down tempo songs.
But on leaving the show she revealed she'd been petitioning Simon the whole time to allow her to get funky with her music.
She told Metro.co.uk: 'Before the show, that was me. I was more quirky, upbeat and more fun, I guess. I don't really know what happened.
'Every single week I'd try and get my voice heard. And I always said "I really wanna do something upbeat. I wanna do this! I wanna dance around the stage."
'I wanted to show the younger audience that I'm young, that this is me, that there is another side to me. But yeah, Simon just wasn't all for it, really. He didn't "see" any of the things I suggested.'
The X Factor finale airs this weekend on ITV.
MORE: Dermot O'Leary travels to Finland with Saara Aalto as Sharon Osbourne snubs The X Factor homecoming campaigns
MORE: Have The X Factor lined up The Weeknd and Adam Lambert for the final?