10/15/00: Headlines, Baby's Ears

Hi,

I had a fairly low-key relaxing weekend. I finally posted some of the
pictures that I took from last week's APEX/NAAAP conference. I wished I
had snapped more pictures, but I didn't get a chance to. You can see the
pictures (including the one of me with Garrett Wang of Star Trek Voyager)
at:

http://www.zing.com/album/pictures.html?id=4293486375

The only response for last week's question was Audrey Hepburn.

This week's thought provoking question is: "If you were stranded on a
desert island and could have with you only one object you currently own,
what would you take?"

This week's humor was forwarded from Jennifer Chin. The puzzle is from
"The Ideal Problem Solver". Finally, the inspirational piece was forwarded
from Kelly Chu.

Enjoy!

-Josh.
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BEST NEWSPAPER HEADLINES OF 1999

1. Include Your Children When Baking Cookies
2. Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Experts Say
3. Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
4. Drunks Get Nine Months in Violin Case
5. Iraqi Head Seeks Arms
6. Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?
7. Prostitutes Appeal to Pope
8. Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
9. British Left Waffles on Falkland Islands
10. Teacher Strikes Idle Kids
11. Clinton Wins Budget; More Lies Ahead
12. Plane Too Close to Ground, Crash Probe Told
13. Miners Refuse to Work After Death
14. Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
15. Stolen Painting Found by Tree
16. Two Sisters Reunited after 18 Years in Checkout Counter
17. War Dims Hope for Peace
18. If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last a While
19. Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
20. Man Struck by Lightning Faces Battery Charge
21. New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
22. Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Space
23. Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
24. Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
25. Typhoon Rips through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
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Puzzle: Monk hiking

One morning, exactly at sunrise, a monk began to climb a tall mountain.
The narrow path, no more than a foot or two wide, spiraled around the
mountain to a glittering monastery at the summit. The monk ascended the
path at varying rates of speed, stopping many times along the way to rest
and to eat the dried fruit he carried with him. He reached the monastery
shortly before sunset. After several days of fasting and prayer, he began
his journey back along the same path, starting at sunrise and again walking
at variable speeds with many pauses along the way. His average speed
descending was, of course, greater than his average climbing speed.

Prove that there is a spot along the path that the monk will occupy on both
trips at precisely the same time of day.
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Baby's Ears

"Can I see my baby?" the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was
nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny
face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall
hospital window. The baby had been born without ears. Time proved that the
baby's hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred.

When he rushed home from school one day and flung himself into his mother's
arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of
heartbreaks. He blurted out the tragedy. "A boy, a big boy...called me a
freak."

He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow
students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a
gift, a talent for literature and music. "You might mingle with other young
people," his mother reproved him, but felt a tenderness in her heart. The
boy's father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be
done? "I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears, if they could be
procured" the doctor decided. Whereupon the search began for a person who
would make such a sacrifice for a young man.

Two years went by. Then, "You are going to the hospital, son. Mother and
I have someone who will donate the ears you need. But it's a secret" said
the father. The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person
emerged. His talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became
a series of triumphs.

Later he married and entered the diplomatic service. "But I must know!" he
urged his father. "Who gave so much for me? I could never do enough for
him." "I do not believe you could," said the father, "but the agreement
was that you are not to know...not yet."

The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come... one of the
darkest days that ever pass through a son. He stood with his father over
his mother's casket. Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand
and raised the thick, reddish-brown hair to reveal ... that the mother had
no outer ears. "Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut," he
whispered gently, "and nobody ever thought mother less beautiful, did
they?"

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real
treasure lies not in what can be seen, but what cannot be seen. Real love
lies not in what is done and known, but in what is done but not known.

WITH THAT, let us PRAY.

Many times we send out e-mails, such as dirty jokes or famous sayings, or
motivational phrases, yet we never take the time to pray for one another.
Let us start praying for one another more now than ever before. When you
receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing
attached. This is powerful. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we
receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying
for one another.

Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. Lord, show
them new revelations of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to
minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give
them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed
confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness,
or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength
as they learn submission to Your leading. Where there is spiritual
stagnation, I ask You to renew them by Revealing Your nearness, and by
drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal
Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking
them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life. Bless their
finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to
support, and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize
the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in
You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. In
Christian love, Your Friend in Jesus.