Top Ten Reasons A Trump Palin 2016 Ticket Makes Sense

By Dan Getz/
Dance4ONE
Dallas, TX


1.  They are both the ying and yeng of feminism.  They would, by nature, keep themselves in check on this subject.

2. They both are believers and supporters of faith, family, freedom and country.

3. They both believe in and support the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS.

4. They both don't always say things right, but what they say IS right.

5. They both are NOT politicians.

6. They both believe in and support BETTER PROTECTING OUR BORDERS.

7. They both know how to make money and KEEP IT.

8.  They both believe in and support significantly cutting government waste and reducing our country's deficit.

9. They both have a sizable, 1,000,000 to 10,000,000 following of . registered supporters i.e. voters

10. Both could easily defeat the only current democratic contender...Hillary Clinton.

#TrumpPalin2016
@Dance4PAC
@Dance4ONE

In Midst of Warfare, Blood Diamond Battles, and Danger – One Kansas City Doctor Makes Difference

Emily Lohman

writer | performer | awareness raiser | nature lover | difference maker

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BY Emily Lohman

Dr. Nicholas Comninellis was waiting for me at The Classic Cup for breakfast and our interview wearing a plaid shirt and jeans and jumped up to give me a hug when I walked in. Even with an impressive list of achievements and accolades and a biography that could be as long as the Bible, Dr. Comninellis could not be more down-to-earth and personable. “Please,” he insisted as always, “just say Nicholas.”

Nicholas is the founder of INMED Institute – The Institute for International Medicine, in Kansas City, Missouri. The educational non-profit corporation operates with a mission to equip healthcare professionals and students with the skills needed to serve the world’s most forgotten people.

In just a few weeks, Dr. Comninellis would be returning to conflict-ridden Angola, a country in South Africa with a complex history of corruption, violence, and civil warfare. However, he was very eager to talk about his recent trip to Estes Park, his family, and his friends.  “Don’t you ever feel anxious or worried before heading back to Angola?” I had to eventually ask. He answered so positively “Oh, I am really looking forward to going back; I always am.”

WATCH: TEDx Featured Speaker Dr. Comninellis discussing “Controversies In Short-Term Medical Missions” earlier this Spring.

“Ok, tell me more about your daily situation there. What is it like? What are you encountering?” I asked.

He paused. I am confident there was much on which he could make comment that could never be covered over a brief breakfast. “Well. The human needs crisis in Angola is just endless – it’s enormous. There is a lot of preventable disease. You find just a general lack of knowledge regarding personal health care. Hunger is rampant; these are a largely impoverished and forgotten people.”  He described the tragedy of newborn death rates, his role in directly promoting maternal health, and the work that the hospital does to prevent lifestyle related diseases.

It was immediately apparent that Dr. Comninellis is not a drop-in “voluntourist” – a person who vacations in varying locations while fitting in infrequent volunteer work simultaneously. It has been growing in popularity in recent years. On the contrary, Dr. Comninellis has worked tirelessly over decades to build lasting partnerships and establish a healthcare presence in the region. It was in 1988 when Nicholas accepted a position in Angola, with the International Mission Board, SBC.

When I asked about times in which he has performed surgeries for which there was an inadequate supply of tools or technology, he tried not to laugh and said “Every time. Every day.It is part of the draw for me.” I really could not imagine. “You enjoy being without modern medical supplies?” I asked. “Well no; it is more along the lines of being without the automation, the high-tech tools, I am in a place where I’ve got to do it all – all the guesswork, the manual calculations, it’s intense. It’s very rewarding.”

Dr. Comninellis has a lengthy history of working in emerging countries, with refugees, and in war-ridden and impoverished areas. “Have you ever been in immediate danger?” I asked. “Well. Typically, most of the people in the area tend to be thankful for the work. I would say, on average, I am left alone. But there has been a few occasions of danger; it is very dangerous at night. Gun shots and violence, all kinds of conflict happens at night. We see some of the aftermath at the hospital during the day.”

“Are these domestic conflicts? What is happening?” I asked.

“There are soldiers. There is still immense civil conflict; military conflict. The fighting happens at night.” With difficulty, Nicholas talked about being rescued in the nick of time via helicopter before the surrounding area was invaded and occupied and hundreds killed. “Another time I felt very worried was in the middle of the night there was banging on the front door of my residence there. It was soldiers and a government official. I had treated a young boy who became well and who, unbeknownst to me, was a relative of the official now standing at my door.”

“So what did they want?” It was hard for me to visualize this situation.
“They were there to let me know I had their protection.”
“What keeps you going back? Why do you put yourself in harms way throughout the year, when you could just stay in Kansas City?”

“Along with my faith and desire to be the hands and feet of Jesus, I have a passion to leave a legacy. I want to make a long lasting impact on a community – an impact that lasts long after I’m gone. I want to leave a legacy.”

For comprehensive information regarding Dr. Nicholas Comninellis’ work and medical mission education, visit the INMED website. All images from INMED Flickr.

Reposted by Dan Getz, Dance4ONE.

We Made It

by emilyrlohman
www.EmikyLohmanessays.com

Claire didn’t see it, but when I got to the edge and there was no mountain left to climb and I could see the whole world in front of me, tears were unexpectedly filling up my eyes. Coming over the last switchback and up and over the last tree, the wind hit me in the face and blew my hair all around and there I was above it all with the warm sun and the cold wind and the limitless view of the earth.

For a second, I could see my whole life in these small consecutive bits and pieces up to that point and I stood there, mainly grateful, and partially in awe at the small power within me that was enough to bring me there that day – not just up the mountain, but to the present point in my curious little life.

I stood there with Claire and was biting my lip trying to stop crying as she was taking pictures of me. The whole way, I’d definitely been the slow one coming up the vertical switchbacks with my small shin injury.

She stood there at the top of each section saying “You got it, you got it, you’re fine.” And I’d say “I know, you don’t have to do that.” And I’d laugh because that’s what she’s always done for 30 years straight. “You got it, Emily. You’re fine!”

It was silent and not another person was in sight.

I’m not sure why it was at this point of the trip that everything got to me, but it did. There were four steps left…three…two…one – and the wind picked up and all at once miles and miles of the most glorious earth came into view just as the sun broke out from the clouds it stopped me from breathing for a second. I said out loud “Oh my god, I’m here. It’s me. It’s me and I’ve made it.”

I thought of the years of my life. Five. Seventeen. Twenty-nine.

Turning thirty had kind of made me nervous at first but standing there with prehistoric seabed turned mountain ranges and ancient glaciers and 200 year old cottonwoods and pines made me feel small and so brand new to the world.

For a while everything was still.

I was still…and wild and young. I sensed the shortness of life and how fast it goes by in this world. I thought about the time I’d spent out in it and the life I’ve made for myself. I felt the cadence of my rested and clear conscience.

Right there I knew, that all my efforts were my own. All of my limits were still unknown. I felt my heart; that same heart that I’ve always had with the most quiet golden sound that always rings so true and clear, beating like it was welcoming me to that place as though it had been there before.

I stood there steady and straight and I knew I’d won over everything that ever came my way. I felt like I had the sun in my DNA because I’ve risen with the mornings after the darkest nights and from the wildest dreams.

The gleaming rays of light rested on me like they knew me and I felt in my soul the arrival of what to me is the most elusive of feelings: Home.

I felt like I was facing myself and experiencing my experiences and recognizing young dreams and long passed memories and their changes over the years, like they were old friends.

I saw endless valley and sparkling water and clouds at my fingertips and the ranges stretching on beyond us. I saw myself as I was and I was deeply content with it. I saw the years go by like photographs in my mind and I felt everything.

I thought of me. I thought of Claire. I thought of all we had been through together in 30 years that no one else will ever know.

A part of me recognized something about the wild there in a way I really didn’t expect. I felt blessed by the universe to be there with Claire. Something about the climbing and effort felt familiar and I realized that in a way, it was not a new experience for us, even though we were seeing everything there for the first time. It had a way of resembling life.

Through the rocks and sliding avalanche areas, over the thick mud and sideways pouring rain, in the cold and damp and unmarked trails, against advice and through the nights – we made it. Feeling small and powerless and finding out we were stronger than we knew and could do anything we wanted – we made it. When people doubted us or criticized us or tried to hold us back and keep us down – we made it. And we were standing there together.

It was here after a very long time of tirelessly blazing on that we rested and realized just how far we had actually come. I took a deep breath and stood there for a long time.

I noticed Claire next to me after a while. I put my arm around her. We don’t normally hug or anything. I said “Hey we did it.” And she kind of looked at me and saw my face and looked away and said “Ya. We did it. We made it.” She smiled. We were quiet.

And I had a feeling that neither of us were really talking about the mountain climb.

-Written after a month long trip celebrating my 30th birthday with my twin Claire who is my divine strength and forever friend. Happy Birthday to us; here’s to more. xo

Reposted by Dan Getz/DANCE4ONE on 

The Elle #2 Story

By Dan Getz
8-9-15, 11:30 am
Dallas, TX

It has now been 12 days since I met "Elle #1", ran The Elle Story on Facebook and my blog, and began, with two others that stay with me at The Salvation Army, to give away bottled water in Dallas, TX.

To date, 18 cases, or 432 waters have been given away to the Homeless, Hurting and THIRSTY in MY city, and $21 has been raised to give entirely to The Salvation Army, Carr's Center (Dallas, TX).

On, or about July 29 144 waters were handed out in less than about 15 minutes throughout Parkland Memorial Hospital through the resources (food stamps), giftings and obedience of just THREE men, including myself. To fully understand this beautiful story of Grace and Love, please be sure to read THE ELLE STORY at:

www.dance4ONE.blogspot.com. OR Facebook (Dan Getz OR Dance4INE Group or Page).

Elle Grace McClellan, or "Elle #2 was born less than a year ago, and came into the lives of Pastors Earl and Amica quite unexpectedly. They already had two children of their own, and were not looking to adopt. Pastor Earl, clearly African American, often jokingly remarks that he is actually white, and his black skin color is only an illusion. So the fact that Baby Elle was Hispanic had no bearing whatsoever on their decision to accept Ellle as their own. She needed a home, caring parents and a family to care for her, so they gladly stepped forward, and said in unison, "Elle, YOU are OURS. We want you; We love you; and We are happy to allow you to assume our name and be one of the McClellans."

I got to "meet" "Elle #1" for the first time about 3 weeks ago. She is absolutely full of LIFE, and precious beyond words. Yesterday I recievef a "double" blessing in getting to "meet" the second Elle I now know. I cannot wait to see what tremendous things the Lord has in store for these two Elles as they learn to walk out their faith and WE begin to see the "rest of the story" unfold within this"bleep" ...in the midst of eternity... and what God graciously calls TIME.

The Ellie Story
By Dan Getz

Those of you who know about Microsoft have heard of Bill Gates. But, perhaps a lesser known man well known for Microsoft's giant success was Robert Bach.

Robert Bach once said. "What the caterpillar views as the end of the world, the Master calls a Butterfly.". Patience is a virtue that produces endurance, more often than not, through significant adversity, obstacles and intense pain.

I met Ellie's mom about 3 years ago, and two years before Ellie's conception. We met while waiting for a train in the West End. We talked about God, both of the churches we went to, and her testimony of walking out of addiction. At some point in the conversation, she asked me where I lived. I told her that, truthfully, I was staying at the Salvation Army, after losing nearly everything: my wife due to divorce; my 3 beautiful children, through severe alienation tactics; my job, a very lucrative position and long-standing position as a Sr. Financial Analyst, due primarily to company politics; and my health through massive blood clots in both of my legs, a blood clot on my lung, heart surgury, a very deadly staph infection in my knee, and a myriad of other issues that nearly killed me at least 4 times.

As we were about to part ways, she told me she wanted me to meet her sister, who worked at Baylor. When she came out, she admitted that she had gone to her sister to ask for enough money to give me $10 and a starbucks, because she had recently lost a job, and was fighting to keep from losing everything herself. She also gave me a homemade Valentine heart (it was summertime) that said, "Jesus Loves You.". We then exchanged Facebook contact information, promised to go to church together (which we did right away) and have remained friends on Facebook throughout the past 3 years.

Well, this past Sunday, I not only got to see and hug Tanna at church after not seeing each other face to face during this entire time, I got to meet ELLIE, who will be ONE in September!

Well, the story gets even better! I had always wanted to somehow "pay" Tanna forward, and when someone donated not only a really nice combination bike cart/stroller they found for a steal at The Salvation Army Thrift Store, but a nearly new bike as well, it become VERY apparent the depth of God's ABUNDANT LOVE, GRACE and MERCIES He chooses to extend to each and every one of us every day!

After using "Ellie's Cart" yesterday to hold and distribute 6 cases of water (144 bottles) to the homeless, medical staff, and visitors in about 30 minutes, it became VERY APPARENT that not only could Ellie's Cart save 1000's of LIVES from dehydration and heat stroke in the month before she receives her cart for her birthday, we could duplicate this model 1000's of times and worldwide!!!!

Change a Life, change your City. Change a City, change your State. Change a State, change your Nation, and MY FRIENDS, You and We, TOGETHER, have changed the WORLD!!!

If you would like to contribute financially or physically as a volunteer for these "Water Drops" you may PayPal danieljgetz@Gmail.com. 25% to 100% of ALL proceeds will be contributed to Charitable Organizations like The Salvation Army, Wounded Warriors, Save The Children, The Cambodia Project, S.O.U.L. CHURCH and Worldwide NGO's that already have "troops on the ground" helping those who have no, or have lost a voice of their own.

The Cody Story

By Dan Getz
Dallas, TX

On July 5, 2015, a 22 year old man's life changed in a split second...and forever. Alone in a field, with a few firecrackers left over from the previous day's celebration of his country's freeddom, he decided to light one in particular, and call it a night. Unbeknownst to him, the Chinese Made firework was DEFECTIVE, and blew up in hand and completely severed 3 of fingers, one which was able to be reattached by doctors, leaving him only two fingers and his thumb.

After hearing Cody's screams of sheer agony and pain, friends were able to help him walk somewhere between a 1/2 mile and 1 mile to a location, where careflight met him and took him to Parkland Memorial Hospital. The flight alone cost $50,000, and his medical bills to date are around $750.000.

Doctors, in order to save his hand, have, through breahthrough technology, temporarily attached his hand to a main aftery in his stomach (like the man in China where doctors have attached a man's hand to his ankle).

Today, probably sometime this morning, and after 5 previous surgurys, doctors will be surgically removing his hand from his stomach in preparation for one or more skin grapghs. The risks of death are considerable.

Cody has one word for kids, and adults alike. "LISTEN. LISTEN to your parents, Listen to authorities. LISTEN to your teachers. Do Not play with fireworks because you never know which one could cost you your life!"

Cody's outlook on life is optimistic. He considers himself lucky to be alive. He knows he has a Destiny and a purpose for something great. Pray for Cody today as you work, play and breathe. Pray as you take pufposeFULL steps . Be THANKFUL and stay ALIVE. Cody is, as so should we!