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{SFTH} *The Big Screen* 5/14/01
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We start this week off with a wonderful story by friend Linda Ferris.
Linda is a Heartwarmer Gem and many of her stories have been published
most notably, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Stories For the Heart, and the
Heartwarmers books...of which she just finished up doing a book signing this
past weekend in Michigan!
Please give her a warm Straight From the Heart welcome by sending
her an e-mail after you read her story!
Thanks!
Michael
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THE BIG SCREEN
By Linda Ferris
I was the oldest of five children back in the 60's. We lived in a nice little three
bedroom bungalow in Lincoln Park, Michigan. Mom and Dad worked so
hard, yet always found the time to spend with us. My mother always
laughed when she said "we were an especially active bunch" and the
only place they could take five active children back then, where they
could also find time to be alone, was the "drive-in" movies!
We always looked forward to going to the drive-in! Mom would fill a
big brown grocery bag, with homemade, hot buttered, popcorn. We would put
our pajamas on underneath our clothing, gather our pillows and blankets,
hop into our nine passenger station wagon, and off we'd go.
On the way there, Dad would make a special stop at the penny candy
store, where we were all allowed to fill a little brown bag with all kinds
of penny candy. We were so excited, as we carried our treasures back to
the car, knowing we couldn't eat it until the cartoon began.
We would get there early, so that we could play on the playground,
right under the BIG screen -- all the time having great anticipation for
the movie projector lights to flash on. We kept a constant watch.
As soon as it started to get dark, the screen lit up, and we would
race back to the car, tearing off our outer clothing right down to our
pajamas. The car was filled with commotion, as we giggled and squirmed,
filling our bellies with candy and popcorn.
There were always two cartoons playing before the movie back then,
great ones, like Felix the Cat, The Coyote, and Tom and Jerry. But what
was just as exciting was the ticking clock advertisement for the
refreshment stand, with dancing hot dogs, candy and ice cream. That came
on right before the movie. It was all that five rambunctious kids could
hope for, and by then, stay awake for.
Yeah, Mom and Dad were pretty clever. For they now had five children
all in their pajamas, exhausted from playing in the night air, appetites
satisfied, and fast asleep BEFORE the two feature films were even showing.
As I got a little older I would watch a little of the movie before giving in
to sleep. And as the others slept, I felt comfort in watching Mom and
Dad, as they looked at each other and smiled, his arm around her,
enjoying the peace and quiet.
We would get home around 2 am -- pretty late for us -- as Mom helped us
drag ourselves and our pillows to our beds and as dad carried in the little
ones.
I was disappointed the day they closed the last drive-in in our town.
It will always hold special memories for us -- those days of penny
candy, pajamas under our clothes and station wagons.
Linda Ferris
LAFRN10@aol.com
Send Linda an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Linda is a registered nurse who makes her home in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She has one grown son, who is now out on his own with plans of getting married in June of 2002. She said she enjoys helping her Mom care for her Dad, since his stroke, spending time with her family, writing short stories, and enjoying the life God so graciously gave her.
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From the E-mail Box!
Michael,
I am a Ghanaian from West Africa and a strong believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you very much for the opportunity to learn and read so much from you. You just cannot begin to tell how motivated and touching these stories are.
Thank you very much and may the good Lord richly bless you. I am married with four little children, the last being five months.
Even though life in Ghana is very hard and making ends meet is almost next to impossible and we have to do without basic necessities, the Love of God and His Provision for us keeps us going.
I have come to learn and to rely upon his provision. After paying my tithes I leave all in God's hands and believe me, He does do wonders still.
PRAYER REQUEST
I am currently living in the same house with my in-laws and it is not easy. My husband and I have acquired a plot of land and are praying for the Lord to help us put up our own building, could you all please talk to the Lord on our behalf so we can make it and pretty soon. December and Christmas in our own home would be very nice.
Thank you and God richly bless you.
Abena Asabea
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Though For The Day:
"Man can live about forty days without food, about three days without
water, about eight minutes without air... but only for one second
without hope." --Hal Lindsey
Verse for the Day:
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Kid's Thought For The Day:
The teacher asked her class what each wanted to become when they grew up. A chorus of responses came from all over the room.
"A football player," "A doctor," "An astronaut," "The president," "A fireman," "A teacher," "A race car driver."
Everyone that is, except Tommy.
The teacher noticed he was sitting there quiet and still.
So she said to him, "Tommy, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Possible" Tommy replied.
"Possible?" asked the teacher.
"Yes," Tommy said. "My mom is always telling me I'm impossible. So when I get to be big, I want to be possible."
Parent's Thought For The Day:
"Don't ask the Lord to guide your footsteps unless you are willing to move
your feet."
Coach's Thought For The Day:
"Leaders are ordinary people -- with extraordinary determination."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Sign on the door of a maternity ward in a hospital: 'push, push, push'."
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UPDATES:
To my dear friends,
Again, our Lord Jesus came through for us, as we prayed He would. My mother got a wonderful report. Her liver tests came back negative and all else looked good. I just want to thank you all for your prayers and especially to Michael and his family for SFTH. If it weren't for them all these specials prayers would not be going up all over the world to our Heavenly Father. I thank Him most of all for His answer to our prayers and a special thanks again to all of you. May He be so close to you right now that you can smell Him. Praise His Holy Name!!!!!
Love in Christ,
Sandra Fisher/Eden, NC
scfisher@bellsouth.net
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Hello all and Praise God!!
Thank you to everyone who prayed for my daughter and sent me e-mails of encouragement. God is SO good and I feel SO blessed.
Shantelle's surgery "couldn't have gone better" as said by the surgical team. I certainly agree and I have only the Lord to give credit to. The doctors were able to obtain "clear margins" which means the tumor is completely out. They were able to close the incision without skin grafting and the sutures do not need to be removed! She came out of anesthesia VERY well and her pain is being well-controlled at this time. These were all of our concerns and God provided miracles for each of them! I am so relieved and extremely thankful for His protection and guidance through this surgery. What a merciful God he is!!
Again, thank you for all the prayers. They certainly were heard and I appreciate them all!
God bless,
Donna
Dmdand3@aol.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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Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who
graciously share their stories with us!
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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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