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{Heart Touchers}   *Living High*  10/2/01

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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
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1918 Liberty Lane
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We continue with our Farming theme this week! 

Darlene shares some insight with us today on the
cost of living.  As her husband Rich says, "It's not
the high cost of living, but the cost of living high".

Be sure to write to Darlene and give her a warm
Heart Touchers welcome!

From my family to yours,
Michael

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Living High

by Darlene A. Buechel

Yesterday I was thrilled to discover that I had $11.37
left in my checking account. Now that may not sound
like cause for celebration -- but it was better than
being negative $11.37.

"Yeah, I'm not broke," I exclaimed as I dropped
my checkbook under the kitchen table, which
caused me to hit my head, stub my toe, and
yelp in pain.

"So you're not broke -- just badly bent!" my
husband smirked.

Today is payday, so my Bank balance is once
again off life support. Since my husband is a
self-employed farmer, we keep "farm stuff" in
his account and "family living" in my account.
One of the reasons his checkbook is in better
shape is the fact that he hates to shop.

My husband Rich is fond of saying that the trouble
with America can be summed up in one sentence:
"It's not the high cost of living, but the cost of
living high". For example, he has the same jeans
he wore in High School. I'm amazed he can still
wear the same size, even if they are a bid faded.
Considering the fact he graduated in 1975, I
think he got his moneys worth! I did, however,
gleefully burn his lime green leisure suit, wouldn't you?

I suppose the main reason my muscle-bound
husband can still fit into his High School jeans
is because his job is so physically demanding.
You try bending and squatting morning and night
to milk over 70 Jersey cows and you would be in
good shape too!

Some people are amazed that we are still farming.
But ever since we bought our 158 acre farm (in 1989)
Rich has been living out his dream. He gets fresh
air, the power to do his job his way, and the
satisfaction of doing what he wants to do. Even
though milk prices can change as quickly as a
teenager's mood, we plan to hang in there
because this is a healthy, peaceful way of life.

We don't need a new car every two years, or
new farm machinery. We are content to enjoy
the important things in life -- fishing in our
pond and toasting marshmallows during
our Saturday night bonfires.

Our kids, both teenagers, don't need designer
clothes or expect a new car when they turn 16.
They get to stargaze on clear spring nights and
catch fireflies on the muggy nights of summer.
We may not have a huge, fancy home with a
crystal chandelier, but we do have values of
honesty, hard work, and simple pleasures.

I guess the next time my bank balance dips
tearfully low, I'll just have to concentrate on the
many things in life that aren't measured in
dollars and cents.

Give me a peaceful summer night with a cozy
fire, cold soda, and family members gathered
around, and I'll never feel broke.

Darlene Buechel
rljersey@tcei.com

Write Darlene and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Darlene Buechel is proud to be a Wisconsin
Cheesehead, farmwife and mom of two. She
enjoys writing in her spare time and has had
a few games and articles published in
Children's Magazines.

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Reader Feedback!

Dear Ken,
    Are you sure your grandfather's name wasn't Robert or Joe...oh my how this brought back so many memories. I thank God for the work ethics those 2 wonderful men instilled in not only me, but all of my family ... along with their wives, who were loving, no nonsense grandmothers who spoiled us with their very best cooking in the whole wide world and let a legacy to live with and up to.
AG
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Thought For The Day:

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God
who has endowed us with sense, reason, and
intellect has intended us to forgo their use."
--Galileo

Verse for the Day:

"Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind."
Romans 14:5

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Don't save time -- use it up."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"Having a family is like having a bowling alley
installed in your brain."
-Martin Mull

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Sports do not build character; they reveal it..."
--John Wooden

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Whenever you read a good book, it's like the
author is right there, in the room talking to you,
which is why I don't like to read good books.
It's too freaky!"

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REQUESTS:

Our teenage daughter has run off.  Her name is Ashalee. She has been cutting school and has been called to appear in court. Instead, she ran off. Please pray for her safe return and for our understanding to get her past the problems and back to the Father. She knows and loves the Lord, but is being pulled away. God has plans for her. We pray for her return to fulfill those plans.
Thank you.
gmjar@worldnet.att.net
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  _
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\  /    HeartTouchers@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! Check out the web page for Michael's
video production business!  Visit:

http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery/

AOL Users click here:   Video Imagery
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm

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