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{Heart Touchers}   *The Note*  10/15/01

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If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage
you to spread the word to family and friends that we
may bring inspiration into the lives of many!  If you
are not on the list and this has been passed along
to you, join us by sending an e-mail with the word
"Subscribe" in the subject line to:
HeartTouchers@aol.com

Visit our inspirational web site and read all the past
stories in our archives at:
http://www.HeartTouchers.com
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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://HeartTouchers.com/michael_t__powers/

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Special congratulations goes out to my role-model,
mentor, and friend Bill Greer, who was honored this
past weekend with a very special award at the Wisconsin
Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame Banquet.
He was recognized as the 2001 Assistant Coach
of the Year for the state of Wisconsin!  Congratulations
Coach!

A couple of stories in my book are about this classy man
and you can read more about him at our website at:
http://www.HeartTouchers.com and then clicking on the
Heroes button along the left side of the screen...
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We start this week off with a heart-touching story by
author and friend Candy Chand.  Be sure to check out
the link to her book!

May your week be one filled with love, laughter, and wonder...
From my family to yours,
Michael

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The Note

By Candy Chand

Cindy is a lovely woman with a giving heart. Her
desire to help children molded her future. It brought
her through college, as she studied Special Education,
and helps her, even today, as she diligently teaches
in the field. Cindy's prayer was clear from the
beginning--that through her strength, she would
make a difference, reach out to children in need,
and lighten their heavy load.

Even with dreams born of love, and a heart full of
prayers, life isn't easy.  Last year, a menacing
spider crossed Cindy's leg.  She panicked, leaped
in the air, landed wrong, then promptly broke her foot.
It was a painful injury, yet one her doctor promised
would soon heal. 

But he was wrong. As the weeks turned into
months, Cindy began to wonder, "Why am I
still hurting? Why did I have this accident in the
first place? Why must I depend on others to do the
simple tasks I once took for granted?" Cindy cried
out to God, but her prayers went unanswered. That
is, until one day, He spoke.

Nine year old, Mark had Cerebral Palsy. He was a
shy child, who rarely spoke to anyone, and walked
with the assistance of an awkward, heavy brace.
Although assigned to another teacher, Cindy
watched him from afar. One afternoon, several
classes gathered together in a circle. Cindy limped
in, frustrated, almost fuming from the limitations of
her temporary handicap, and sat down beside him.
Mark didn't speak a word, but the following day, he
sent her a note.

The moment she opened it, her eyes filled with tears.
After months of heavenly silence, Cindy finally
understood--why she had struggled so long, why
her limp refused to go away, and why God postponed
one prayer answer in order to respond more deeply to
another. For in the end, it was not through strength,
but through her weakness, she'd finally made a
difference, reached out to a child in need, and
lightened his heavy load.

The note? It simply read:

Dear Cindy,
You are nice. You are pretty. I like you, because
you walk just like me.
Your friend,
Mark

Candy Chand

If you would like to let Candy know what you thought of her
story just hit reply to this email (HeartTouchers@aol.com)
and we will pass all comments along to her!

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Candy Chand lives in CA with her husband and two
children. She is the author of, Under God's Wings,
a collection of true, inspirational stories about
everyday miracles. Under God's Wings is available
at bookstores nationwide or by clicking on the
following link:
Under God's Wings

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Reader Feedback!

Dear Michael,

Thank you and the many wonderful people who sent my friend Judy Fulton a card with caring and uplifting words.  I am grateful to a loving God who would send just the right people into my life at the right time.  I didn't know what to do to lift my friend more than I did.  But you all helped and I'll be here for you as always praying and sending cards when the need arises, God willing.

Judy called me and was in "happy" tears that someone who did not know her would take their precious time to care about her from so many places in the USA.
She is overwhelmed at what to say to you all.  She sends her love and thanks to each and every one of you.  She said she read for "Three hours".  She cried, she prayed and was very moved by the love of so many.  She told me it lifted her and gave her hope. She is composing a little note to send later on.  I'm sending this just to say "Thank you all" before my computer goes out!  It's making funny noises...eeK!
Sincerely with Gratitude,
Linda C.
learnertlc@pngusa.net
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Thought For The Day:

"No matter what a man's past may have been, his
future is spotless."--John R. Rice

Verse for the Day:

"...forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forth unto those things which are before."
Philippians 3:13

Kid's Thought for the day:

 A quiet little 3-year-old came in for his first dental
cleaning and checkup.  The hygienist (who's
great with children) tried to strike up a conversation
but no response.  After the cleaning, the dentist
was called in to do the final check.  The dentist
(who loves children) talked to the little boy, trying
to strike up a conversation.
"How old are you?"
No response.
The dentist then asked, "Don't you know how old
you are?"
Immediately three tiny fingers went up.
"Oh," replied the dentist, "and do you know
how old that is?"
Three little fingers went up once again.
Continuing the effort to gain a verbal response,
the dentist asked, "Can you talk?"
The solemn little patient looked at the dentist
and asked, "Can you count?"

Parent's Thought For The Day

"Some parents bring up their children solely on
thunder and lightning.  But thunder and lightning
never yet made anything grow."

Coach's Thought For The Day

"When you stand on the victory stand, you must
be able to ask yourself: 'Did I win this medal?'"
--Kip Keino, Olympic gold medalist in the 1500
and the 3000 meter steeplechase, from a
speech urging young athletes not to use
performance enhancing drugs.

Deep Thought For The Day:

"If you can keep your head when all about
you are losing theirs, it's just possible
you haven't grasped the situation." -- Jean Kerr

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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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Touchers are owned by the authors and are used with
their permission. We refuse to run stories without
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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!  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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