Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *His Gift To Me* 8/9/01

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Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart: "A
Celebration of Life," is finally here! Close to 200 pages
of true short stories filled with love and laughter await
you! Visit our web site to order the EBook, or to order
by credit card! You can also read some sample stories
from the book here!

http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/

To order your autographed copy at no extra charge, send
a check or money order for $18 ($14.95 for the book and
$3.05 for shipping and handling) made out to
Michael T. Powers, and then send to:

Michael T. Powers
1918 Liberty Lane
Janesville, WI 53545

For two books add $4 for shipping and handling and for three
books add $5 for shipping and handling. If you want four or
more autographed copies of our book you only pay $5 for
shipping and handling.

Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and
then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send it on its
way to you.

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Today we learn that Amy might just be stronger than she
thought -- thanks to her father...

May Amy's story be the jump-start to a fantastic day for you!
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HIS GIFT TO ME

By Amy S. Toohill

My father was my Rock of Gibraltar, my strength. He was
such a strong man with so much wisdom. As the youngest
of ten children, you'd think I'd just get lost in the crowd--but
my Dad and I had a very special relationship. He used to
call me "Schnook". I grew up with chronic pain and had a
real hard time as a kid fitting in. My Dad was always there
for me lending me a shoulder to cry on and an endless supply
of hugs. He gave the kind of hugs that made you feel so safe
and protected. And he never gave up on me, even when I wanted
to give up on myself. He gave me the strength that I didn't
think I had.

In July of 1992, my Dad was diagnosed with terminal brain
cancer. He was given two weeks to two months to live. On
October 10th--two and a half months later, my Dad's final
journey here on earth ended. It's was the hardest thing I've
ever experienced in my life. I felt as if my world had
crumbled all around me. My Mentor, my Rock was
gone. But as hard as the experience was, in those
two and a half months, I learned so much from him.
Lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

From the moment that my Dad was diagnosed with cancer,
he started to prepare himself and everyone he loved for his
final journey. He faced his death with such grace and dignity.
He left no words unspoken. We shared so much those two
and a half months and made so many memories.

One particular memory will always stand out in my mind. It
was a day in September, about a month before he died. I went
out to the hospital to spend my evening with him like I did
every day. I could tell something was on his mind. He told
me that he wanted me to read something that he wrote and
let him know what I thought. He handed me a piece of paper
and as I started to read, I realized that it was his eulogy. He
had written his own eulogy for his funeral. Although I wanted
to rip it up and pretend that he was going to be with me forever,
I knew that this was very important to him and so I read it. It
was so beautiful, yet I can't imagine how difficult it must have
been for him to write.

I never considered myself a strong person, in fact just the
opposite. I always looked to my Dad for strength, and he
was always right there ready to give it. On that day in
September, as I read my father's eulogy through my tears,
an overwhelming sense of pride came over me. I was so
proud that my Dad actually felt that I was strong enough
to handle that. That he felt comfortable enough to share
such a personal and emotional thing with me. I can't tell
you how honored I was that he wanted to share that with me.

My Dad has been gone for seven and a half years now. It's
been hard, and not a day goes by that I don't think about
him and wish he was here with me. I miss him very much.
I miss his wisdom, I miss his hugs and most of all, I miss
hearing him call me "Schnook". But I feel his presence and
I take a lot of comfort in knowing that he is up in Heaven
looking down on me. It's ironic, he was always my strength.
But that day in the hospital when he asked me to read his
eulogy, I think it was his way of showing me that I had my
own source of strength inside of me the whole time ... and
that I was going to be OK. That was his gift to me.

Amy S. Toohill
tfarmz@farmwagon.com

Write to Amy and let her know what you thought of her story!
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My Dad told me before he died that he'd talk to the "Man
Upstairs" about giving me a life filled with love and happiness.
Six months later I met my husband, Bob. We've been married
now for almost six years and reside in DeWitt, Illinois with our
two dogs Kayla and Angus.

From the E-mail Box!

Ken's story sends a big thank you to all the people out there who do
have compassion about their fellow man. I'm printing it to give to a
lady gate guard in a plant that I go to everyday. She's so special in
that she's bubbly and happy to everyone that goes in and I'd like to
make HER day for a change. I'll also carry extra copies for those I run
into that I think needs a big thank you for their effort to make things
better.
Thanks
Reflections by;
Mark Crider
mark@cccoating.com

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Just want to add my thanks for such inspiring words early in the morning;
makes me feel like I am truly blessed!
Cruz/arizona
cesquer@juno.com
chemoangel
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Thought For The Day:

"One man that has a mind and knows it can always beat
ten men who haven't and don't." (George Bernard Shaw)

Verse for the Day:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Kittens are cute, but they have sharp teeth."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"If you want to bring your family closer together, buy a smaller car."

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Self discipline is when your conscience tells you to do
something and you don't talk back." (W. K. Hope)

Deep Thought For The Day:

"I'm really glad the guy who invented the Ray Gun was
named Ray. Being shot with a Fred gun just wouldn't
sound as cool."
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REQUESTS:

Dear Friends and Family,
My son Dee and his family have had a bad few months...Dee has had three
surgeries causing him to miss work ... They are behind on their house payments
and have been told that they must come up with $1800.00 by Sept 3rd or lose
their home.
I know God has a way to help them so I'm asking you to pray that they can
see the way in time...
As to me I again feel a great weight on my heart for them...
Thank you all and God bless you
Becky
russ@bearriver.net
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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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Purchase your copy of Michael T. Powers' new book! For
a sneak preview, visit:

http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/order_our_book_

AOL Users Click below:
Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm

AOL Users click here: The Four Spiritual Laws
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A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook
is, sinceour book is being offered in both print and EBook
versions. An EBook is a book that can be downloaded
and read right on your computer. The advantage of ordering
the EBook is that is costs less, $8.95 (No other charges),
as compared to $14.95 + shipping and handling for the print
book. Plus you can download the EBook and begin reading
the stories in a few minutes! EBooks are read via Acrobat
Reader, which is software that most of you already have on
your computer. And if for some reason you don't, it can be
downloaded free of charge at the web site. So for those of
you who don't want to wait for the print book to be delivered,
check out this web site to order the EBook version of
Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life."

http://www.booklocker.com/bookpages/michaeltpowers01.html