Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *The Gift of Life* 4/27/01

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Today's story is by my favorite writer in the whole world! My wife Kristi!
Take some time to let her know what you thought of her story today by
sending her an e-mail...
Our thanks again to all of you for being a part of SFTH. We love and
appreciate you! Next e-mail heading your way on Sunday night!
Michael

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The Gift of Life

By Kristi Powers

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's
womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your
works are wonderful, I know that full well." -- Psalms 139:13,14

It is that time of year again...the time for rainy spring days, the smell of
budding flowers, and the sound of chatter on the softball field...

As I watch the tear-stained eighteen-year-old, I want to hug out all of the
deep emotion she is feeling and tell her how much I love her. Tonight
may be the last softball game of her high school career. A career cut
short because a nagging knee injury needs to be operated on so that she
can be ready to fulfill her athletic scholarship at college. As I gaze upon her
face, I cannot help but think of how fortunate I have been to know this
beautiful young lady. However, I know how easily her song could have
been one that was unsung...

It was almost nineteen years ago that a teenager trembled as she
tearfully told her folks the words that every parent dreads...

"Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant."

What a frightening time for a nineteen-year-old to go through as she
is just starting her adult life; a life that is already faced with an uncertain
future. What devastation for the parents as they know that this is the
last thing they would have chosen for their daughter. Thoughts of "we
have failed her," to "I am too young to be a grandparent", fill their minds.
The atmosphere in the house becomes strained in a heartbeat, and the
nights become long for the teen as she drenches her pillow with tears.
Tears that only come when she thinks no one can see or hear her.

It is a story that happens all too frequently. In fact, right now there are
many young ladies who face this problem -- a problem filled with hard
choices. Many try to persuade her to keep her options open, but there
is only one choice for this determined teen. The little life within her
has now become her responsibility and she will sacrifice all she has
to see that this precious being grows to be the young man or woman
God created him/her to be. She is at peace with herself and the choice
she has made...

A baby's first cries fill the air and a proud, but exhausted, teenage mom
holds her young daughter for the first time. She is inexperienced but
provides for her priceless daughter the best way that she can. If the
first few days are any indication, she has a tough hill to climb. Without
insurance, this young mom leaves the hospital early and takes her
daughter home. But the baby girl develops jaundice, and they are
forced back to the hospital. Her pediatrician tells her to leave the baby
in their care and to go home and rest. "You have got to be kidding me!"
she exclaims, refusing to leave her baby girl for even a moment. Something
inside her clicks and with a determination that surpasses anything she has
felt up to this point, she comes to grips with the cards that have been dealt
to her. "You are a mom now. Deal with it," she quietly tells herself.

Life is not easy for the first few years, and many hopes and plans for the
future are set aside. The early years are filled with tests and trials but it
is a time in her life that she wouldn't trade for anything. During those rough
days and nights she had only to look at this tender creation God had given
her to realize that the best things in life are right before her, in the smile, the
coo, and the laugh of this darling baby girl...

Those eighteen years have flown by and I ponder all of these things as we
slowly walk away from the softball diamond today. I think about all the joy
this baby girl, who is now a young woman herself, has brought into my life
and those around her. I remember all the basketball and softball games that
we as her family have sat through, proudly cheering her on. And I fondly
reminisce that not only is she the best all-around female athlete I have ever
seen, she is also one of the classiest. She conducts herself with grace and
humility and shows kindness to all who cross her path. But more importantly,
it is for who she is off the court, that I am most proud. I cannot imagine life
without my Jen, my darling eighteen-year-old niece.

Tonight my heart is bursting with pride, love, and joy for this remarkable being
that was brought into our lives. I shudder to think if she had not been born.
How different our family would have been, not to mention the untold
number of people she has touched in her everyday life. All of us would have
a void that could not be filled.

However, a scared, but determined teenage mom made a tough decision
all those years ago, and through it, gave us all the gift of life.

Kristi Powers
NoodlesP29@aol.com

Send an e-mail to my lovely bride and let her know what you thought of her story!

A little bit about Kristi:

Kristi Powers is a full time human development specialist (In other words a
Mommy!) She resides in Wisconsin with her husband Michael and their two
sons, Caleb and Connor. Kristi has been writing stories about her life since
she was a little girl, and loves to share her from her heart about her
relationship with God. Look for more of her stories in their upcoming book
called, Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life", due out in the next
couple of weeks!

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When Kristi and I walked away from Jen's softball game this last Tuesday
night, I thought to myself, "If this is her last high school game, what a
fitting ending for her." One would think that possibly she hit the game
winning homer and was mobbed by her teammates and carried off the
field on their shoulders. But no, that didn't happen. Don't get me
wrong. Jen has always been the star of any team she has played
on, and she played her usual good game. No, the ending to this game
reassured me of how special this young lady is...

The game was tied going into the last inning, and Jen's team had a runner on
second base. At bat was a young lady who had not played the entire game.
She was as nervous as could be and with two strikes on her, she looked like
she just wanted to go home. But Jen, who was in the on deck circle, kept
reassuring her that she could do it. She fouled off the next couple of pitches,
all the while being reassured by Jen that she could do it! The next pitch was
a line shot that deflected off the pitcher's glove and rolled towards the
shortstop, who picked the ball up and whipped it to first. The batter beat
the throw and the runner who was on base headed towards the plate...
She slid safely home, narrowly missing the catcher's tag. The girl who
scored the winning run, bounced up from the dust and then ran and
leaped into Jennifer's outstretched arms as they celebrated their
hard fought victory...

That is why our Jen is so special. Not for her incredible God-given abilities.
There are many who posses athletic prowess. But for her remarkable
unselfishness, and her practice of always putting her team's goals and
her teammates ahead of her. Rarely is there an athlete with her skills that
also displays the humility and character that is evident in her daily life.

So Jen, if that was indeed your last high school game, I couldn't have written
a better ending myself...
I love ya!
Michael
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Thought For The Day:

"Choice, not chance, determines human destiny."

Verse for the Day:

"...I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore
choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."
Deuteronomy 30:19

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"If you wait until you are sure you will never take off the training wheels."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

"Children need more models and less critics."

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"Players become what you tell them they are."

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Ask me about my vow of silence."

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REQUESTS:
Michael, Please pray for my 70 year old mom, Mae, who is an 18 year BC survivor and just had a mole removed and was told there is cancer present. She goes back in 3 weeks for more tests. Thank you for the wonderful work you are doing.
Vicky
fvboley@bellsouth.net
*****
Thank you for your wonderful e-mail that comes everyday. I always look
forward to reading the stories, the quotes and praying for those who need
prayer. I pray daily for the people on this list. I have a request today.
Please pray for my 4 year-old son Christopher. He has been in the hospital
since Tuesday with bloody diarrhea and has been diagnosed as having the e
coli bacteria. He has been very sick and has not been able to eat or drink.
Thank you for your prayers and God bless you. In His love,
Court Furber
thefurbers@juno.com
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_
/_/\/\    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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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!
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http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html

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