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*Christmas Cans* 12/21/01 ______________________________________ 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 the thousands of HeartTouchers.com readers around the world 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 ____________________________________________ Happy Holidays from HeartTouchers.com We wanted to let everyone know that for from now on we will be offering our book, Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" for only $13 (instead of the regular price of $14.95), and best of all, we will pay the shipping! So if you have any interest in purchasing an autographed copy of the book for yourself, or as a gift for your loved ones, now is the time to get it! To order your autographed copy send a check or money order for $13 (We pay the shipping!) for each book made out to Michael T. Powers, and then send it to: Michael T. Powers 1918 Liberty Lane Janesville, WI 53545 To preview the book by reading some of the stories visit: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/michael_t__powers/ AOL Users Click below: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life _________________________________________ "Christmas Cans" By Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com They had been friends forever. Or at least it seemed that way. Jenny and Cathy had attended school together since first grade. Now in 8th grade, they tried desperately to spend as much time together as they could. Next year they would begin a transition into the upper grades, where classes were larger, schools consolidated, and when they would begin to make educational plans that would set the pace for college and beyond. "Let's make 8th grade fun!" said Jenny at the beginning of school. "We'll have a blast," Cathy joined in. The first few months of this school year were just that, everything two girlfriends would want, including boys! Then suddenly things changed. Christmas was approaching and Cathy seemed to withdraw from the scene. "Mom, I don't know what's going on, but Cathy doesn't hang out any more," said Jenny. "Is she having trouble with her grades?" asked Mom. "No, it's not that. I've been trying to get her to go shopping with me, like we always do at Christmas. She keeps saying "I can't." The Holiday dance is coming and I was hoping she'd be there, but she said she can't go this year. She didn't participate in the school play, and she dropped off the committee for the annual food drive. "I can't", "I can't" she keeps saying but won't say why. I'm tired of hearing "I can't," Jenny said in frustration. "Then she hasn't told you?" asked Mom. "Told me what?" asked Jenny. "Cathy's mom is a single parent with four kids to raise. I don't know how she does it. Two months ago she lost her job. The whole economy thing has hurt many families. Cathy is probably just too embarrassed to tell you. I'm sure her mom just didn't have the money this year to let her do all those things," Mom said. "Oh, Cathy. Mom I really didn't know," said Jenny. "That's why her Christmas has been filled with "can'ts"" Mom explained. Jenny walked away without saying a word. Early next morning, before Jenny's family was awake, she headed down to the kitchen. Her mom was awakened by the sound of someone rummaging through the garbage. Finding Jenny there mom asked, "What are you doing?" "I just needed something for...my science project today," said Jenny. "From the garbage?" replied Mom. "Trust me," she said and headed off to shower for school. A few days passed. Mom was concerned about how Jenny was handling all of this. But every time she tried to speak with her, Jenny would tell her, "I don't have time right now. I'm working on a project." Then out the door she flew. Over the next few days they saw little of each other. In the hustle of a typical modern day family everyone seemed to pass each other like speeding race cars. That is until Mom got a call one day. "Mrs. Jeffries, this is Mrs. Cabrini. I'm just calling to tell you how wonderful your Jenny is. All of us here at the senior high rise have enjoyed her help so much. I don't know how we ever got by without her." "Well, ... thank you, ... Mrs. Cabrini," Jenny's Mom said with some confusion. After a few questions Mom found out what was going on, but couldn't understand why. Jenny had been working at the senior center, running chores, cleaning and decorating for many of the residents. Each of them gladly offered her money for all the great work she did. Mom just didn't know what she planned on doing with that money she made. Then yesterday Jenny finally confessed. "Mom, I know I should have told you about it. But I really needed to do this on my own," Jenny said. "But..." "Please, Mom let me explain," Jenny nervously interrupted her. "I was so angry with Cathy for not telling me about her Mom. I was angry because she wouldn't do all the things we always did at Christmas. She kept saying "I can't" and I couldn't believe that Christmas ever meant "I can't" so I decided to help." Jenny then reached under her bed and pulled out a huge coffee can wrapped in red foil. Appearing to be very heavy, she carefully placed it on the table nearby, she slowly turned it around until Mom could read the note on the front. It said: "Christmas "Cans" Then she handed her a flyer that read: "I have a best friend who can't find Christmas this year. She "can't" celebrate, she "can't" buy her mom a present, she "can't" even help others. You see, her mom lost her job and it seems they "can't" do the things they always did at Christmas. So I will do chores, run errands, help you decorate if you will help me fill this with "Christmas "cans," that is any amount you can afford to pay me. It will help me to help them. There's a lot of things kids "can't" do, but I "can" do anything for my friend. I'm doing this so she "Can" have a great Christmas. Love, Jenny Mom hugged her and as they sat there she thought about all the others in the community and throughout the world who "can't" seem to find their Christmas this year. What "can" you do to help others? "I believe in You!" Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com Write Bob and let him know what you thought of his story! ________________________ Bob is a professional speaker, author, member of the National Speakers Assoc., and the National Writers Assoc. Sign up for Bob's FREE weekly messages, "I Believe in YOU!" by visiting: http://www.BobPerks.com or send an email to: Ibelieveinyou-subscribe@topica.com All stories remain the property of Bob Perks Copyright 2001 _________________________________________ Reader Feedback! Just to let you know your two friends are on my list of prayers. May the Jesus that healed the man at the pool heal both your friends. The healing of the mind as well as the body for both of them. We have a friend who just had a stroke that needs our prayers also. The Lord is not too busy to take care of all of these needs at once. I give Him the praise and the glory for what the outcomes will be for all of our friends. Blessings and Merry Christmas -- MC romans83839mc@juno.com Michael, I just wanted to let you know I stand with you in praying for your two special people in your life. Thanks for letting us know how you are praying. I stand firm in those prayers and have been petitioning before God all afternoon and will continue to be in prayer as long as it is needed. Right now I don't work so I spend a lot of time in intercessory prayer. Thank you for giving me the privilege of standing with you in prayer, and thank you for such wonderful inspirational stories each day! God Bless you and have a Blessed Holiday! Brenda _________________________________________ Thought For The Day: "It is what we give up, not what we lay up, that adds to our lasting store." --Hosea Ballou Verse for the Day: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...For where your treasure is there your heart will be also." --Matthew 6:19-21 Toddler's Thought For The Day: "If it is closed, it must be opened. If it does not open, it must be screamed at." Parent's Thought For The Day: "The main purpose of holding children's parties is to remind yourself that there are children more awful than your own." Coach's Thought For The Day: "The Lord gave us two ends to use; one to think with, the other to sit on. Which one we use will determine how well we do in life. In other words, heads you win, tails you lose." Writer's Thought For The Day: "It's an adrenaline surge rushing through your body. You have this spark of an idea that keeps threatening to burst into flames and you have to get the words out on paper to match this emotion or picture in your head. After this comes the work of cleaning up the mess that you made." -- Janet West Deep Thought For The Day: "Have you seen the latest invention? It's a microwave fireplace. You can sit around it for a whole evening in eight minutes!" ___________________________________________ REQUESTS: Dear Michael: I am certain many of your readers watch Oprah. In October, she had a remarkable 11 year old on her show named Mattie Stepanik. He was born and suffers from Muscular Distrophy and several other ailments. He considers himself a peacemaker and has written several books of poetry. He is quite a remarkable young man. Currently, he has a sore on the back of his head which doctors say if they operate, he will not survive, So, when Oprah asked him what he wanted for Christmas, he said all he wanted were prayers to get well. People can go to www.oprah.com to read more about it. I, however, was so impressed with this young man, I am asking you to forward this prayer request on to your readers. I believe in the power of prayer and KNOW it can help Mattie to heal. Thank you and merry Christmas to all--- Blessings, Iris Sauber iriss@erols.com What a hoot to hear that someone else had oranges like we did! I think I will revive that tradition this year with my own children! I had asked for prayer earlier in the week, as my Dad passed away Sunday. I can sure feel your prayers, folks, so keep em coming! I can't imagine this kind of loss without a strong faith. I feel as if my faith is like two steel rods running through the core of me and holding me upright. I have been able to laugh and enjoy the holidays in spite of the loss. God orchestrated many things in our lives, but one thing is that my parents stayed in Florida every Christmas for the past 11 years. I haven't spent one with them lately, so it won't be as tough. Anne Jones DAJSB@aol.com ___________________________________________ _ /_/\/\ 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 ___________________________________________ The copyrights to the stories that appear in HeartTouchers.com are owned by the authors and are used with their permission. We refuse to run stories without the author's permission and contact info listed after the story. We also refuse to publish stories listed as "author unknown." (All of which violates Copyright Law and the rights of the authors.) This e-mail may be forwarded in its entirety, but please do not cut and paste the stories to be used elsewhere unless you have contacted and been given permission by the individual writer. Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who graciously share their stories with us! __________________________________________ 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 ___________________________________________ Would you like to see your story in HeartTouchers.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here: http://www.HeartTouchers.com/guidelines/ AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines ___________________________________________ SUBSCRIBE: "I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!" To become a HeartTouchers.com Member send an e-mail with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@AOL.COM Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best stories on the Internet! __________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: All you have to do is send an e-mail with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to: HeartTouchers@aol.com Give it a day or two to be processed... __________________________________________ 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 __________________________________________ A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook is, since our 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 AOL Users Click here |
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Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
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