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{Straight From the Heart}   *October's Fascination*  10/16/00
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Welcome to "Straight From the Heart!"

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Straight From the Heart
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com
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This week will be filled with stories that have to do with Autumn, nature, or just plain being outside and enjoying God's wonderful creation!  The fall is the most wonderful time of the year, as far as I am concerned, but I find that it is fast passing me by and I haven't taken the time to get outside and enjoy it too much this year.  Kristi and I plan on going up north to do some camping with the boys in the next week or two, and I can't wait!!  Some of my best memories are of being in the woods, hunting, hiking, or just sitting quietly with my back against an ancient Oak tree, watching the sun come up, as I lose myself in the beauty of what God has created.
 I may sit down and write about Autumn in the next couple of weeks, but just in case I don't, I thought today's story by Mary Emma Allen, pretty much captures my love for this glorious season!
Have a great week everyone, and don't forget to check out our updated web site to view the awesome graphics and changes that have been made!
Michael
Straight From the Heart
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com

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OCTOBER'S FASCINATION
(A Miracle in God's World)

By Mary Emma Allen

  The chatter of squirrels, the frolicking of children in piles of
leaves, the cooler air and nip of frost, and apples gathered in the
orchard....these are signs of yet one more of God's seasons.
 With the onset of October and its brilliant colors, I think of why this
is my favorite month of the year.
 October usually is our most colorful month where I live.  A once-a-year
spectacular occurs to keep everyone "ooing" and "ahing" over the gold and
scarlet, orange, copper, and bronze trees against a backdrop of
evergreens.
 The skies seem brighter blue; the air is crisp and frosty.  You feel
exhilarated and glad to be alive.

    Frosty Coating

 We wake up to heavy coverings of frost on trees and grass and bush. 
Jack Frost has taken his paint brush and touched the land.  When the sun
comes up, it highlights a frost-covered world, where everything from
roofs and cars and grass and trees are coated with frost as thick as
light snow.
 A light mist clings to the lower mountain slopes and makes this appear
almost a mystical world.

    Warming Up in Afternoon

 The afternoon sun warms up the world; it's time to rake the leaves.
 Youngsters frolic in the piles and experience exciting times, the kind
that create memories for the years ahead and bring back thoughts of days
ago to those of us who were children in the leaves.
 We wander through the woodlands and come home invigorated.  As we invite
their territory, the squirrels, busy with gathering their hoards of nuts
for winter meals, chatter at us, and the bluejay gives a call.

    Birds Get Ready for Winter

 The honking of the geese on their long journey to the South is heard
while we work in the out-of-doors.  Flocks of smaller birds wing their
way to warmer climates, too.
 But the chickadees stay behind, serenading us as winter approaches and
make us think of stocking up with their favorite seeds.

     God's Gifts To Us

 The variation of the seasons and the joy of experiencing them constitute
another of God's gifts we can look around us throughout the autumn days.
When troubles lay heavy or a disappointment occurs, we can take a walk in
the brisk autumn air and know that God's love for us is constant.

Mary Emma Allen
me.allen@juno.com

Send Mary Emma an email and let her know what you thought of her writing!

Mary Emma Allen is a children's writer, book author, and columnist. 
Visit her Web Site: 
Mary Emma Allen
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea

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Thought For The Day:

"Men are not influenced by things, but by their thoughts about things."
(Epictetus)

Verse for the Day:

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
Philippians 4:8

Kid's Thought For The Day:

"Eat chocolate chip cookies while they are still warm."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"You feel completely comfortable entrusting your baby to them for long periods, which is why most grandparents flee to Florida at the earliest opportunity.
(Dave Berry)

Coach's Thought For The Day

"Many men fail because they quit too soon.  They lose faith when the signs are against them.  They do not have the courage to hold on, to keep fighting in spite of that which seems insurmountable.  If more of us would strike out and
    attempt the "impossible," we very soon would find the truth of that old saw that nothing is impossible...Abolish fear and you can accomplish anything you wish.
(C. E. Welch)

Deep Thought For The Day:

"All the darkness in the world cannot put out the light of one small candle."

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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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