Today is a memorable moment in the life of someone who is very special to Kristi and I.  Today, August 28, is the golden birthday of Mary Jaskolski, or "Jazz" as she is nicknamed.  We have grown to know and love Jazz through playing volleyball with her the past 7 years or so.  She is by far the best woman's volleyball player I have ever played with. She has an incredible will to win, a great attitude, and she is a joy to be around.  But we admire Jazz more for who she is off the court, and wanted her to know that the decisions she's made in life have shown great character, integrity, and incredible unselfishness.  We love ya Jazz and want you to know that we have a special place reserved in our hearts for you...

Which brings me to a quick request!  Since Jazz turns 28 today, on her golden birthday, we wanted to make it a memorable one.  Could you join us in wishing Jazz a very happy birthday?   Her email address is:

If you are from outside the U.S. let her know where her birthday greetings are coming from.  It would be cool if she got World-Wide birthday greeting from all seven continents, as we have members from all seven of them!
Thank you in advance for taking the time to make her birthday special!

Sincerely,
Michael & Kristi Powers

___________________________________________________

 

By:  Danny Mann

In the fall of 1966, back when school started in the fall and not in
the middle of the summer, I began my 12 year stint in the public school
system. Stanley Elementary was a five minute walk from our doorstep. I
could hear the warning bell ring from the front yard, a signal I should
run, not walk, or risk the stigma of being TARDY.

 

I have many vivid memories of the first grade. I remember how large the
school building was -- the halls were so long, the rooms so big. I
remember the smell of the textbooks, the long, humming rows of
florescent lights, the big green chalkboard, and the way we began every
day by standing, placing our hands over our hearts, and reciting the
Pledge of Allegiance. We made butter one day. I'll never forget that.
We added a little salt to it, spread it on some good old fashioned
white-bread, and had one of the best snacks ever.

 

My first grade teacher was Mrs. Fox. I'm not sure how old she was,
about 100 I think, and boy, was she mean! The paddle was still in use
back then, and she used it -- mostly on me. You see, I had a few little
problems -- with sitting still, being quiet, bothering the kids around
me, paying attention, staying in my seat, talking without raising my
hand, chewing gum -- a few little things like that. More days than not,
I got some very special and undesirable attention from Mrs. Fox and her
magic wand. You'd think I disliked her, right? You'd think that because of such harsh treatment, such devastating discipline, I dreaded going to class,
right? You'd be wrong.I couldn't wait to get to school. She was one of my
favorite people in the world. Yes, she was tough, but she was fair. And
more important than that, she loved her job -- and she loved her
students.

 

She didn't teach me to read. My parents had already done that. But she
taught me to love reading. Through the stories she read, she introduced
me to strange and wonderful lands peopled with odd and interesting
characters.

 

She didn't teach me right from wrong. My parents were trying to do
that. But, she laid down the law for her class. I knew the rules -- and
the penalty for breaking them. Tough but fair -- no surprises.

I attended Stanley Elementary through the third grade. I don't remember
much about the second or third grades. I'm sure they were fine. But, I
do remember, even after moving from the first grade to the second,
nearly every day on my way out of the building, I would stop by and say
hello to Mrs. Fox. She was the bar by which all other teachers were
measured. She cared. And while a first grader may not know much about
the world, most first graders can tell when someone cares.

School is cranking up again. All over the country first graders are
reporting to class. I hope there are lots of Mrs. Fox's out there.

In our churches, we have quite a few people who have dedicated their
lives to teaching. It's a hard job -- harder today than ever. Lots of
work for a little money, and they hold the future of our country in
their hands. Lets hold them up to God, pray for them, be thankful for
them, and openly express our appreciation for them. They need all the
prayers and encouragement they can get.

 

In 1984, I spent a year in that little town working for my parents. One
Sunday after worship, I was in Luby's with a few friends from church.
Holding my tray, looking for a place to sit down, I noticed this small
figure sitting by herself. She was very elegantly dressed, big hat and
all. As I got a little closer, there was something about her that
seemed familiar. I stopped and sort of gawked at her for a moment. She
looked up and smiled -- and I knew what was so familiar -- it was Mrs.
Fox! I sat down and visited with her for quite a long time. She asked
if I had been to church. I said I had, and she nodded her approval. She
had been too. She went every Sunday and was still teaching -- not
public school but Sunday school. She was still teaching first graders.
She told me she would probably stop teaching one day -- and with a wry
smile she added, "And the next day, they'll bury me."

Way to go, Mrs. Fox!

  (c) 2000
Danny Mann
102110.141@compuserve.com

Send Danny an email and let him know what you thought of his story!

***********
A little bit about Danny:

I'm the minister of worship for the Sunset Ridge Church in San Antonio, TX.  I've been in ministry for 15 years.  I'm 40, single and legally blind.  I love writing.

___________________________________________________

 

Thought For The Day:

 

"There is no security in life, only opportunity."
(Mark Twain)

 

 

Verse for the Day:

 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him."
Romans 8:28

 

 

Kid's Thought For The Day:

 

"Believing in the Tooth Fairy is easier than trying to figure out how else the money gets under your pillow."

 

 

Parent's Thought For The Day

 

"By the time you talk your child into writing a thank-you note for a birthday gift, it's already broken."
(Bruce Lansky)

 

 

Coach's Thought For The Day

 

"Think all you speak, but speak not all you think.  Your thoughts are your own, but your words are so no more."
(Patrick Delany)

 

 

Deep Thought For The Day:

"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."

 

  _
/_/\/\    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 

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  (RKaGe@aol.com)    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!
 Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html

Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
 The Four Spiritual Laws
http://www.ccci.org/laws/index.html

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