Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *The "Can Do" Girl* 5/21/01

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It has been some time since I had the pleasure of sharing one of Susan Stevens'
stories with all of you. If you have joined our list recently and are not familiar
with her writing, you are in for a treat...
Michael
P.S. I was told that my book should be available by the end of the week, so Lord
willing, the long wait is almost over! Stay tuned!!
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THE "CAN DO" GIRL

By Susan Stevens

As I stood in the driveway watching my daughter Lori with her long
red hair flying behind her -- and Maggie, part quarterhorse, part
Appaloosa, with ears that looked all mule, I smiled.

They were running down the dirt country road near our home as they
did everyday since Lori was given the opportunity to ride "the big horse."

I remembered when we bought Maggie. My son Jeff, Lori, and I went to
see her, and a Shetland pony, with the possibility of purchasing them. We
ended up buying both the spirited 3 1/2 year old filly, and the feisty
little pony we called Ben.

Maggie was a bit thin, but healthy and stood 16.2 hands high (a good size
for a horse.) In the days that followed we wormed her, had her hoofs filed
and shod, gave her a lengthy bath, a good brushing and began to introduce
her to her new surroundings.

Jeff was the first to ride her. Maggie wasn't too happy with him and didn't
like the bit used on her bridle -- so getting her saddled, bridled and ready
to ride was always a chore.

She was a mover, and loved to run. The trouble was she also liked to run
right under tree branches, knocking the rider to the ground. Maggie
proved to be a hand full when she ran under a branch and Jeff ended
up breaking a couple of ribs.

During this time, Lori (who had only been on the smaller Shetlands and
Welch ponies) bugged me constantly to let her ride Maggie. Knowing
what it took to control Maggie, I always denied Lori a chance to get on her.

At the end of a rather hectic day, Lori again pleaded with me to let her
ride Maggie. Tired of her constant nagging, I gave in and told her I would let
her ride the horse for a short time, but if she got hurt it was to be the last
time I wanted to hear her ask. She agreed.

I helped her get everything out of the tack shed. We put on the blanket,
then the saddle. Finally, the bridle. Maggie not only stood there quietly, but
actually lowered her head into the bridle as Lori held it up. I buckled the
strap and taking a deep breath, told Lori to climb into the saddle.
Maggie's big brown eyes seemed serene, and one ear turned back toward my daughter sitting proudly on the back of this "wild" animal.

Lori took hold of the reins and began to walk Maggie around the driveway.
They went through trees to the dirt road and back to the house. To my
amazement the horse was a perfect lady. Lori's 'brief' ride turned into
more than an hour, and when she got off the horse she said her legs
"feel like jelly."

The next morning Maggie was at the fence nearest the house and 'calling'
for Lori. Oh, we thought it was hay she wanted, but we soon learned it was
Lori's wake up call. Lori would grab something to eat, then out the door
she'd fly with a special treat for Maggie.

It wasn't long before the two could be seen running over the hills in our
area. Neighbors always on the lookout for Lori and Maggie, then letting me know
they were nearby. There were times Lori rode Maggie to our little country
church and tied her to a tree in the back. The kids loved it and would take
turns sitting on Maggie as Lori walked them through the trees and back again.

Lori and Maggie would go down to the lake behind our place for afternoon
swims together, or visit neighbors along the back roads. The story may not
seem so unusual to most, but to me it was a miracle.

You see, Lori is developmentally disabled (it used to be called retarded)
and while I always tried to encourage her to go beyond the limits doctors
set, nothing did more for her than Maggie.

Doctors, teachers, programs, and even I, often failed my daughter, but
Maggie taught her more about responsibility, love, and independence
than any human could have. In this case, the 'teacher' not only taught the
student -- she taught me a valuable lesson as well. To let go!

What if I had not given Lori the opportunity to ride Maggie that evening?

How sad it would have been for my daughter if I had not allowed her to
stretch the limits one more time.

Today she is still stretching her limits. She lives on her own, maintains
her own apartment, budgets her money, and is proving she CAN do it despite
the doctors who said she couldn't.

Susan Stevens
Summr@email.msn.com

Send Susan an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Susan Stevens lives in Washington State where she is in management for a human resources company. She is the mother of 5 sons and 2 daughters, as well as the grandmother of 13. She enjoys her hobby of writing poetry and short stories.

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From the e-mail box!

It's 3 am and fantasy has found me... A young man with wit and inspiration,
and also from original homegrounds. I'm astounded by the discovery.
Your works just proved to an old hen what young chicks are capable of!
I'm delighted!!! Being as my blood pulse is motivated by midnight's cascading
words, I'm sure you'll understand my message. Good Luck and more
importantly GOD BLESS your endeavors, as you take up the job of
world inspiration, and project panoramic harvest views of family unity!!
Sherry
skersey@neark.com
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Thought For The Day:

"When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it
were for yourself."

Verse for the Day:

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others." --Philippians 2:4

Kid's Thought for the day:

"Apologize for it before your mother notices the stain on your shirt."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"Every mother is like Moses. She never enters the promised land.
She prepares a world she does not ever get to see."

Coach's Thought For The Day

"We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another,
but to see one another through." --Peter De Vries

Deep Thought For The Day:

"I can't even think of one way to skin a cat!"

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REQUESTS:

Update from Susan on Jeannie and her two babies that we have
been praying for... They came early but are both doing well!

May 18, 2001

Patrick Stephen Powers 4#, 3 1/2 ounces
and Mary Therese Powers 3#, 15 1/2 ounces

Both babies cried on their own after being born and are doing quite well.
They will be in the hospital for at least a week. I want to thank you all for
your prayers and good wishes. If you'd like to send Dave & Jeannie
congrats yourself, their e-mail is:
dpowers@gallatinriver.net

Again, I thank you for lifting this family to the Lord. The next few months will
include much adjustment and patience. We glorify God and praise him
for these two new, precious lives! (can you tell I'm a proud new aunt?)
Blessings to you,
Susan
susanmcd@ameritech.net

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Michael

I wanted to let everyone know that my mom is doing great and went to see her cancer specialist today and he told her everything was clear and looked good. She will go back in August to start her 3 month check ups. We are praising the Lord and thanking him, for we know he has taken care of all of this. When she had her surgery 2 weeks ago for hernia repair the surgeon did exploratory surgery also and found nothing. My mom's reply was "I knew that God healed me from the very beginning and now he is just proving it to everyone else." I just want to thank everyone for all their prayers and their emails. God has a big, wonderful, and caring family.

God bless you all.
Sherri
no1cheed@hotmail.com

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Michael,
I want to update you and all the prayer chain on the two requests that I recently asked prayer for.

My son has told me that his job is safe for a while. He said that he got word that any further down sizing had been put on hold. I praise the Lord for this. My brother in law who had open heart surgery on April 30 is recovering wonderfully. He is a pastor and the people of the church are bringing meals to the house and the nurses in the congregation come in and help my sister with the nursing duties. Please keep the church in prayer during this time of recuperation. They need good and trusted people to step in the gap for them during this time.

Praise The Lord for hearing and answering prayer. Prayer chain thank you for being there for me.

Later, Pat
Dimond8130@aol.com

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Michael,
Do you know anything about David and Briana Marshall? A few weeks ago she was pregnant with her first baby and then there started to be severe complications with her and the baby. He is a pastor of a church in Villa Rica, Geo. I have not heard anything about them. Is there anything you can find out for me. I and my church have been praying for them.
God Bless You and I pray you have a good day in the Lord,
Sharon
Iluvjc2000aol.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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