Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *Friendship: A Tribute to Kristi* 4/6/01

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As all of you know, my lovely wife, Kristi, turns thirty-five
tomorrow. My thanks to all of you who have sent birthday
greetings to her. The cards and postcards have been
coming in nonstop, and for that I can't thank you enough!
Kristi told me she could not think of a better birthday present!

To honor Kristi today, I am sharing a little story and song
that took place five years ago...

Kristi, may you know how much you are loved!
Happy Birthday!
Michael
P.S. A very special birthday to our beloved nieces: Jennifer and Kayla!
Jennifer turns 18 today while Kayla turns 11 on Sunday! We love you both!
There is a story about each of them in our upcoming book!

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But before we get to today's story we have a special announcement!

SFTH author David Jayne will be featured PEOPLE Magazine!

For those of you who remember David Jayne who shared his incredible
story and situation with us on March 6, he will be featured in next
week's People magazine! The issue will be released on the newsstand
this coming Friday, April 6th. The feature on him and his situation is
SIX PAGES long and will include some of his writings on Alaska
before he was diagnosed with ALS. For those of you who missed
his story here in Straight From the Heart, you can read it in our archives at:
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/davidjayne

If you haven't read it, you are missing out on an incredible story!

My thanks to Suzie (Suziecow@aol.com) for letting me know about
David's plight back in February, and for the update on the People
Magazine article.
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Friendship (A Tribute to Kristi)

By Christina and Jeff Miller

This particular song, "Friendship," was written by my sister Christina and
her husband Jeff for my wife Kristi when she turned the Big 3-0,
five years ago. I threw a surprise party for my wife at the Olive
Garden Restaurant where we had a good time with friends and family.
The song was written for Kristi during an extremely rough time
in her life, and they wrote it to not only tell her how they
felt about her, but to also let my wife know they were there for her.

So picture this... About thirty people are at the restaurant for
Kristi to help her celebrate her birthday, when Jeff pulls out his
guitar, and Christina starts singing this song to my wife...

(We got permission to play and sing in the restaurant before hand,
as it is not the usual thing you would see while you went out to
eat dinner! They enthusiastically granted us permission, so we
encourage you to go eat at the Olive Garden in Janesville, WI.
They are pretty cool!)

Friendship (Tribute to Kristi)

Here's a song of a person I cherish in this life
Her smile is made of candied kisses
Her eyes are full of light
The path that she has walked upon has been both hard and long
But through the grace of Jesus Christ
Her heart still sings His song......

I say I love you
From my heart to yours
I say I'll pray for you
To help you through the storms
I say I will be there
When you're feeling down
Cause I remember all the times you were with me on that ground

Here's a song of a friendship to last all of time
Built on the sure foundation
Given as a sign
The life that you give to it
Can never be brought down
For no matter what may come your way
You know who to stand upon...

And I say to you stand tall for you are beautiful
And I say to you stay pure it will keep your soul secure
And I'll pray for you always, in knowing Jesus cures
No matter what this life will bring
Your loveliness endures
Yes, no matter...what this life will bring
Your loveliness endures

Copyright 1996 by Jeff and Christina Miller

Tears were everywhere, and even those people at the surrounding
tables applauded them! A special moment for my wife provided by
two wonderful people in our life...

Thank you Jeff and Christina for who you are in our lives...

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If you liked the song, let Christina and Jeff know about it
by emailing them at:
Tinifer@yahoo.com

For those of you who like Christian music, Christina sings lead and
back-up vocals on a CD called "Be Exalted" that can be found at
the following web site:

http://www.wellspringworship.com/
AOL Users Click here: Wellspring Worship

This is not a push for you to buy her CD as she "donated" her
singing free of charge to help out a friend who was putting
together the album. (Just thought I would add that, as the
proud brother!)

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From the E-mail Box!

Note from author Judith Chance who shared her story "Ronny's Book"
with us on Wednesday:

Hi Michael,

There must have been some reason I wandered into my office this morning
a little earlier than usual...

When I saw that I had 72 emails I thought my eyes were going! Or that I
was getting the same message 72 times from someone trying to sell me
something. How inspiring to find 72 different emails from 72 different
people who have all ready Ronny's Book, courtesy of Straight From the Heart!

I haven't found the exact word or words to describe how I'm feeling.
Humbled? Blessed? Connected? Not worthy? Encouraged? All these fit,
to be sure. The response is overwhelming and I imagine it's just
beginning. I'm at a loss for words.

Many readers asked for an update on Ronny, others told me of their
experiences--either as a disadvantaged child themselves or working with
children who need a helping hand. All these stories have touched my
heart deeply and I will respond to each and every letter personally. It
will take a week or so but it's important to me to let people know their
kindness and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much for sharing my story with your
readers, and for making a difference in so many lives every day. Our
lives are richer when people like you come our way.

Many thanks, I'll be in touch again soon. For now, just know that even
though it's a dull, dismal day here in northern Alberta, my heart soars!

My best to you and yours,
Judith
jchance@telusplanet.net

If you missed Judith's story, "Ronny's Book" you can read it in
our archives at:
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/040401/

AOL Users click here: Ronny's Book

*******

From: scfisher@bellsouth.net (Sandra Fisher)
To: Thunder27@aol.com

Michael,
I know I have told you before, but I do just want to say again, how
very much I enjoy the stories, the thoughts, and prayer requests of
others. I pray for these people in need. I think it is a wonderful thing
to know we have such praying, loving and caring people all over the
world. It uplifted me so much this morning, when I came to my computer
and found several email from people who are praying for my mother. It
just blessed me so. It only takes a moment to make someone feel special.

Michael, you have done such a wonderful job with this. I look so forward
every morning to bringing up first..........Straight From the Heart.

Thank you so much,
Sandra Fisher/Eden, NC
scfisher@bellsouth.net

*****

Dear Michael,

Pamela's story "Memory of a photograph" is absolutely beautiful! What
a wonderful memory of loving Grandparents she has!
I hope she has kept the photograph!!
RoseMary Salzman
prsalz@vbe.com

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Thought For The Day:

"Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything
depended on man."--Francis Spellman

Verse for the Day:

"...faith without works is dead."
James 2:26

Kid's Thought For The day:

"Seashells should always be found, not bought."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"I was doing the family grocery shopping accompanied by two
children, an event I hope to see included in the Olympics in the
near future."--Anna Quindlen

Coach's Thought For The Day

"There is no substitute for hard work and effort beyond the call
of duty. That is what strengthens the soul and ennobles one's
character."--Walter Camp

Deep Thought For The Day:

"I tried lifting weights, but they were too heavy."

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REQUESTS:
Please keep my parents in your prayers. They are 80 & 78 and each has
health problems. They are not dealing well with having to have help and not
being well...they are so used to being independent! May God help them and
be with them and with those of us who must care for them, whether they like
it or not! Thank you.
Shirley Lloyd
shirley@lloydhaus.com

From: teefabikun@hotmail.com (Tee Fabikun)

I have just been diagnosed with a form of Breast Cancer and will be having a mastectomy soon. Please pray for me; for healing and hope that the cancer has not /won't spread.
Tee (London, Britain)

_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \    "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \   Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
   \_\/   of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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and the rights of the authors.) This email may be forwarded in its entirety,
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Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)

"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video we gave
them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty seconds my mom was
crying and my dad did too. They said it was the best Christmas gift we
could have given them!! You did such a beautiful job! They were so
surprised and so touched---they really, really, really loved it. Thanks
for helping to make it so special to us all. My mom mentioned how
the songs were perfect for the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli-- College Station, TX

Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html

AOL Users click here: Video Imagery
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