Thursday, March 24, 2011

In Defense of Creation...

Taken from Earth Age:

Those who hail evolution as a “fact” are either ignorant of the facts, or lying about them. The fact is that scientists have only been able to create 13 of the 20 amino acids that make up protein molecules. And even these (almost always) consist of 50/50 mixtures of L-type (left-handed) and D-type (right-handed) amino acids. This is about as far from making a living organism as a piece of silver is from a computer (with monitor, printer, and electricity) running Windows XP. For even the most "simple," self-replicating, bacterium contains many thousands of protein molecules, of 600 different types, that consist of left-handed (only) amino acids --each of which is connected in just the right order, like words and sentences on a page, while the most basic protein molecule (only 8 amino acids long) has never been observed to form naturally.

The most basic self-replicating bacterium is called Mycoplasma genitalia. It consists of at least 40,000 protein molecules of 600 different types, has 482 genes, and can't survive on its own but requires the aid of a more complex "host" organism. To suppose that one of these extremely complex creatures came into being by itself (over Billions of years) is an unsubstantiated speculation of the highest order and is NOT based on empirical (i.e. observed) science, but rather upon a blind faith in the power of matter to somehow organize itself by time and chance, while overcoming the destructive forces of nature such as heat, oxidation, hydrolysis, and numerous toxic chemicals.

For example, is there any reason to expect that a "Creative" bolt of Lightning, or "Ocean Bubble" could ever produce a half-way-formed "pre-mycoplasmic" organic blob of cells, that would --in 100 Billion years --make itself more and more complex, to the point where it could maintain and Reproduce itself ? Or would such a (hypothetical) halfway formed blob of chemicals simply decay and degrade via natural processes? Like it or not, the facts of science declare that such an imaginary "pre-creature" would not complete this process on its own, but would instead merely decay back into the unintelligent matter from which it came. In other words, a belief in evolution is based much more on (blind) faith, as opposed to scientifically observed facts.

For example, living organisms possess a molecule called DNA. This molecule contains the information needed to make a specific life-form, and which enables it to maintain and repair itself. The DNA molecule is mysteriously broken down into genes. One DNA molecule may have thousands of different genes (i.e. protein blueprints) in it. These genes are (relatively) small portions of chemically coded information that are used to make protein molecules. The DNA cannot "decode" itself, but requires the aid of numerous proteins (that also don't form naturally) to do so. If a DNA molecule were compared to a book, then its genes would be the equivalent to individual (long) words or sentences of that book, and the DNA equivalent to the Book itself, but the living organism itself is even more complicated than that because it can actually reproduce itself, and because.... The DNA in Living organisms can make molecular copies of itself called RNA (with near perfect accuracy) and transfer that information to ribosomes. In other words, the RNA molecule is a mobile copy of DNA. Meaning that once the RNA copy is complete, it literally travels to a different part of the cell (i.e. the Ribosome) where the information is used to make proteins. Ribosomes are tiny protein factories that take the information from the RNA and use it to make homochiralic proteins from L-type amino acids. Proteins are not known to form naturally in slime-pools, or Ocean vents, or Laboratories, but rather are only made by living organisms. The great majority of living organisms are also quite fragile and require a protective membrane to enclose them and to keep harmful substances out. If they get too hot or too cold they will die. If there isn't enough oxygen, or if there are poisonous substances present they will also die.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Cole's Miracle



A little over 7 years ago Kirstin and I experienced nothing short of a miracle with the birth of our son Cole. Since I have pretty much neglected my blog for some time and I needed space to explain the situation for an acquaintance I felt it was a good time to get this moving again :-)

It basically started out with Kirstin having a feeling that something was not right with Cole about 4 weeks before his due date. He was not being active like he had been and this worried her. After a call to the OBGYN it was decided to go ahead and visit the hospital and run a few tests just to make sure all was ok.

Well, they stuck a small pig tail looking device in the top of Cole's head to monitor his heart rate and many other things I can not pronounce much less spell. His heart rate stayed constant and his movements were very few which alarmed the doctor and nurses greatly. The next thing I know we are hearing it is time for a emergency C-Section.

Everything happened really fast at this point. My wife was taken to the OR for prep and I was taken to a changing room to get some make shift scrubs on. Once I got inside the C-Section started withing minutes. I watched as the doctor made the incision across my Kirstin's lower mid section and remember her side stepping an ocean of amniotic fluid that came next. I was nervous and knew something was really wrong but never let my wife in on it. The doctor pulled Cole from the incision she had just made and I noticed that Cole was the color of an elephant. He was grey, not moving and not crying. Cole is our second child so I knew
how the first delivery went and how Logan looked. This was a complete 180 from that.

Cole was handed from the OBGYN to our Pediatrician who immediately went to work trying to get Cole to breathe. I remember taking a step to go see what was happening and another doctor taking my arm and telling me to stay with Kirstin. I lied to Kirstin and told her everything looked fine and that they were just getting him to move. It took around 6 minutes for the doctor to get Cole to breathe and somewhat cry. From there he was taken to the nursery and put on oxygen.




Next thing I know it is being explained to me that he probably had been sitting on his cord and swallowed meconium. Then MUSC sent their Meducare Ambulance for transport from East Cooper Hospital. I then had to leave Kirstin at East Cooper and follow EMS to MUSC where we would spend the next 2 weeks.


When I got to MUSC I was told by doctors that he probably would not survive the night. They led me back to where he was and all I could see was him hooked up to an uncountable number or wires and hoses.



From the time we knew something was wrong Kirstin and I began to pray. This was the biggest storm we had ever faced and we had to completely depend on God to give us strength and pull Cole through. We depended on our church family for support and prayer as well. You see I have always been a Christian but I had not always been the spiritual leader God expects me to be. I had just started back to regularly going back to church maybe 2 months before this happened.

Now back at East Cooper they told Kirstin that once she was able to shower on her own she would be able to discharge and go to MUSC with Cole. So that day she showered on her own and headed down with me to MUSC ;-)



Over the next 2 weeks we were told numerous things were wrong with Cole. His liver and heart were not working right, he had to have frozen plasma injected constantly, and his lungs were not strong enough to support life were the first troublesome issues. How did we handle this? We prayed. We also had a church family praying and fellow Christians all over the world praying.

Next up they told us that they had found hundred tiny bleeds on his brain and that if he survived them (which was slim) he would be vegetable like. We turned to God again and prayed.
The next day they did another brain scan and could not find any bleeds. The doctor actually said to us, "I do not understand this...I have never seen this happen before. Ever." He may not have known why but Kirstin and I did.



Over the last week of being at MUSC Cole slowly recovered from every thing that was wrong with him. Finally a nurse came in and asked us if we were ready to take him home...it was New Years Eve 2003. As we got Cole ready to head home the doctor explained to us that Cole probably would never use his arms and legs. They were so weak from all the damage he had suffered and would not recover. The doctor also explained that his speech may be affected as well. We really didn't care, we just wanted our son home.



After his birth we had to follow up with the High Risk Clinic at MUSC once a year so they could assess his disabilities and help us with any rehab he might need. Every year we had doctors read his chart outside the room. They would walk in and look at Cole then walk out to make sure they were in the right room. Every one of the doctors would tell us that there is no reason that Cole should be alive. Science said Cole should be dead but God had other plans.



So here we are 7 years later and Cole has absolutely no effects from all the issues he had! As a matter of fact we nickname him Calvin from Calvin and Hobbs as well as Tornado because he has two speeds: High and Sleep.



Through this ordeal Kirstin and I learned to rely on God totally. We saw nothing short of a miracle. My personal opinion is that God used this storm to bring us closer to Him. He taught me to rely on his timing and his mercy. He made me grow as a Christian and a father. We never know for what purpose God places these trials in our lives. We never can see the big picture that God can.

While going through the trial of Kirstin's chronic illness (which I will need an entire book to chronicle) I had two different friends tell me something that helped he. At different times each of them told me, "You never know who is watching you go through these times. You don't know who you are affecting and possibly turning to God because of your compassion towards your wife and how you care for her. God is using your trouble for a greater good".

That helped to sustain me through some of the roughest points in Kirstin's illness. They were right and I will never know why God allowed my trials. I just know he used them for his greater good. And when I finally make it to Heaven I hope He will tell me, "Well done my good and faithful servant..."



Friday, October 29, 2010

Words With Friends - Let's play!

I've invited you to a game of Words With Friends on the iPhone and iPod Touch!

Tap here to download it from the App Store.

See you in the game!


    "Hope knows no color"

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Aislynn Update…

Aislynn has been doing great and starting to really grow. She is working on talking and almost has Cole and Logan’s names down. She says thank you, milk, please, momma, daddy, and several others. She has really been a blessing and thank everyone who has helped us.

 

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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Christmas Cards…

It is time to start scheduling your Christmas photo shoots. I have several different designs to choose from. Email me at googephotography@gmail.com to schedule your session. Now through October 11th I am only charging $50.00 for the 30 minute session! Below are a few examples of designs we have available…

 

Back

Front

 

Inside Spread

Saturday, September 05, 2009

All In God’s Timing…

 

We often say in Gods timing but do we truly know what that means. I am going to tell you about my last week here in Haiti. Let me know what you think.

I was scheduled to bring Sammy back to Haiti Sept. 1. Unknown to his family so that we could get the reunion on tape with out them knowing he was coming.

4 weeks before this scheduled trip. I receive an email asking if I still worked in Haiti. There were these Christian bands and Rap artist who were going to raise money for AMH and some others working in Haiti. Would I be in the Miami area on Aug. 21.

Well I was not to be in the Miami area and I really did not want to miss the first days of school with my children. But if I were to fly to Miami on the 21st. It only made since and saved funds to go on to Haiti early and return Sammy.

So we made plans to come to Miami for the concert and then fly onto Haiti with Sammy. I went to the Embassy where he was received as a Star (No one including me ever thought he would make it )

The next day I got tickets for me and Bill Nathan to go to Port de Paix to take Sammy back to his mother and father. We did not tell any of them. We went and were met at the airport by a driver. But Sammy’s bag did not make the trip. So we had to spend the entire day at the small airport waiting for the late flight to bring us his meds and formula all of his clothing.

It was almost to late to travel to Sammy’s home town (3) hours away Basin Bleu. But we went. Got there right before dark. Took Sammy to his Uncle then his parents house. The reunion was wonderful. We stayed at Missions of Love they were wonderful and did not even know we were coming. The next day I went back to Sammy’s house to see him before we started back to Port de paix. We were driving and the doctors said to me. Have you ever seen triplets survive in Haiti. I told him know, it is even rare for twins to make it. He pointed out a road and said that two months ago there were triplets born down that road. Do I want to go take a photo of them. Sure I was seeing the small village and people that would be great. So we went.

Well we got there and in a bed was 3 of the smallest human beings I have ever seen. They were all ill, running a fever and barely breathing. The mother said she had been praying for God to send an Angel to take them. And just that day I had worn my Angel Missions T-shirt. She said she thought he would send an angel to take them to heaven. She was so happy to see me. Mom is also ill. They showed me mom has NO milk, they had been given 3 cans of formula when the babies were born but they were empty. Showed me the empty cans. I was told for the last 8 days all they could give them was sugar water. (Not clean water but out of a dirty creek)

They asked me to take the babies. Please make them well like you did Sammy. How do you say No to that. I prayed and both the doctor and I thought that two of them would not make it through the night. The doctor even said maybe you should wait come back tomorrow to see if they are still alive. I looked at the parents told them that there were no promises that they would live even tonight but if they wanted I would take them to Port au Prince and try to get medical visas for them. I told them over and over that they may die.

The father, doctor and myself picked them up and headed out to the car. I do not think they wanted to give me time to change my mind. We looked all over the small village No formula or even powdered milk anywhere to be found. We went to Sammy’s parents and asked for a little bit of formula and a bottle. We got a dropper from the doctor and started to feed them back at Missions of Love, We got a few droppers in each baby. I threw all of my stuff in a bag and we headed to Port de Paix.

I knew of a Missionary there who had said we could stay with them anytime we were in town. So we went. 3 ½ hours later we arrived. Me, Bill and 3 babies. (Lashbrook Family Ministries) They took us in and helped me to do all necessary for the next 2 days to keep these little angels alive. They gave us formula, bottles, diapers, cloths, they stayed up with me and them and we fed them every 2 hours. Well sure enough they came around. I also got medication for them all as soon as we got into town. Called the US doctor and asked how much to give each of them. 1 cc because they are so small. We gave them on drop of cough meds and Tylenol around the clock all fevers broke.

Hanna, Vance, Audra, Julie, Keith, took such wonderful care of us and they already have 115 children depending on them.

On Sunday we returned to Port au Prince by air. Me Bill and 3 smaller than new born infants. (remember now that they are 2 months old).

Showed up at St. Josephs gave Michael the scare of his life. He is happy my clinic is next door. He also has been so very helpful and my boys are priceless as always.

We got Dr. Jack on Sunday to see all 3 babies he was amazed at how they look. How well they are doing and how small they are. The littlest has Pneumonia and the other have horrific colds. Fevers that come and go. But it has now been 5 days and all are still alive.

We are working on Medical visa’s for all three. We are praying for their recovery and the funds to come in for me to get them all to the US.

I started this out in Gods Timing. His timing is always perfect. If I had not listened to him and went to Miami and then on to Haiti. These 3 beautiful little girls would not be here now.

Please keep us in prayer. For all who live close in Virginia we are going to set up a volunteer sheet for people to come to the house and help us with the babies around the clock. Please consider signing up for a shift here and there. For anyone who feels led to help with the expense please send donations to Angel Missions Haiti (for Grace, Hope and Faith) I named them this so I could keep up with them. There given names are very close to the same name. Wayne, Waylande, Wayline. I am very sleep deprived and need to keep straight in my head who I am working with at all times. We are recording all intake and out take of formula. Had only a few vomiting spells.

Thank you to everyone who is helping and will help with these babies soon. Love V

4 days after getting them

Hope, Grace, Faith (Grace and Faith are identical)

These are preemie cloths that are way to big on them.

New born diapers cover them all the way to their chest

Vanessa A. Carpenter

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

I Heart Faces Wedding Bells…

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I ♥ Faces

 

This Photo was taken at the beach of the 2 flower girls…someone or something was apparently waaaayy more interesting than I was ;-)

 

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

A Day at the Aquarium..

Kirstin and I took the kids to the SC Aquarium a couple of days ago. They all had a blast! Here are a few pics from the day:

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We called these the “Singing Fish”

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Getting 3 kids to smile and look in the same direction is impossible:

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Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Guitar Hero…

 

Logan and Cole rockin’ out on Guitar Hero to Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”..

 

 

Monday, June 22, 2009

Let’s Hear it For the Boys…

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It’s “Boy’s Week” over at I ♥ Faces this week so in honor of that here is Cole. He was not happy with me when I took this shot ;-) I was trying to work out some off camera lighting and he was tired of being my muse…

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Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Week 23 at I ♥ Faces with a theme of “Sepia.”

smallbuttonWeek 23 at I ♥ Faces with a theme of “Sepia.” 

Meet Aislynn…this is the little 18 month old girl we are in the process of adopting from Haiti. She came to the US to have surgery and while she was here her mom passed away back in Haiti. Her grandfather said he could not care for her and signed over legal guardianship to us. She has been a real blessing to our

 

 

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Monday, June 01, 2009

I Heart Faces….

Button - Pets

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This is our English Mastiff Hadley. She is about 140lbs and 6 years old. I look forward to seeing all the cool pets this week on www.iheartfaces.com!

 

 

 

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Cole Jammin’ on the Guitar…

I walked upstairs and found Cole jammin’ to his Kids’ Bop Cd. Of course he stopped singing when he saw me but he kept playing!

Monday, May 18, 2009

I ♥ Faces Entry…

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"I am submitting this photo into the www.iheartfaces.com Blurb Book photo contest. I am granting I ♥ Faces permission to use my photo in a printed version of a book for commercial use and possibly advertising of a photo book on both the Blurb and I ♥ Faces web sites."

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Some Time with Steve..

Today I got to spend a little time with someone I met on Twitter as Murphy24p. Steve is a videographer who does work at Seacoast Church at the Mount Pleasant campus. He is involved with some great ministries and needed a headshot or two for a conference he has coming up. These were some of my favorites:

 

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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Worst Pain Ever…

I woke up this morning and started getting ready for work. Then out of no where the most excruciating pain I have ever felt hit my left side. It felt like a muscle was contracting so hard it was going to burst. Like a knife being jabbed into me. This pain brought me to my knees! Kirstin was up and took me to the Summerville Medical ER. Everyone there did a great job in diagnosing my kidney stone. I received wonderful pain medicine that took the edge off. The Doc said I may hurt like that some more as the stone travels my kidney…great!

I am so glad that Kirstin was there to drive me to the ER and comfort me. She was a huge help! The Summerville Medical ER staff also did a great job and I thank them for their compassion!

PS..Mike- I am sorry I made fun of you when you had one ;-)

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Ravenel Bridge Run 2009…

Here are a few pictures from the 2009 Cooper River Bridge Run:

 

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