Archives at Zinester: "The Gift". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "The Gift" - December02, 2005

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

*************************************************

Hello, my friend!

Well, as Paul Harvey says...Now the rest of the story.

Even I am amazed at how my tree story turns out.? Surprised?? No.? It was a gift from God.? Now is end up being "The Gift."

Love always and all ways,

*************************************************

Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"Believe.? Simply believe and all things are possible to one who believes."? Bob Perks

*************************************************

"Wishes" Gift Store

THE BIG EVENT ENDS IN JUST 14 days.

It is our way of covering costs for sending free stories to "friends I never met."

Make a donation if you can.?

If you can't, ? then say a prayer for us that we continue to reach out to the world with hope.

Make a purchase and save 10 % by putting my name, Bob, in the coupon at checkout.

Send a hug in a mug and T-shirt or...?

Tapes, Books, Greeting Cards, Wall prints, Mugs, T-shirts

http://wishes.easystorecreator.net/

Buying? products helps? keep these messages

F R E E

Thank you in advance for your help!

*****************************************************

Today's Message:

The holidays always brings a flood of memories.? Each day, each song, each moment is tied directly to something wonderful that happened somewhere back in time for me.

They don't gather dust like some old antique.? These memories sit well within that place in my mind that I return to often leaving little time for dust gathering.

This year I am making a special place in my? heart for the story of my tree.?

It? is one I? will be? quick to share most any time of year for as long as I live.

It? has been a tradition that we cut down our Christmas tree from a local tree farm located about 45 minutes from where we live.? ? Not just any tree, but one that talks to me.

Yes, I talk to trees and they talk to me.? Not all the trees, just the one that I am to select that year.?

No, I don't hear voices, but I connect to it almost on a spiritual level.? It's a feeling I get that confirms I? have found the right one.

I'll admit that there have been times when we have walked so long around the tree farm they all start talking.? They all look good.

But somehow it always ends up being the perfect tree, the most beautiful and most loved tree of all.

I was told once that the most loved tree on earth at Christmas is selected to be in the Nativity in Heaven.? A most prestigious position indeed.

Which brings? me to? my present day dilemma regarding my pine tree in our front yard.

After struggling with the idea of losing the tree I decided that I would keep it by trimming all of the bottom limbs.? Those branches were clipped and offered to a nearby florist.? They were thrilled to have them.? The thought that part of the tree would end up in floral arrangements gave me peace.? Even more people would enjoy it.

I convinced my wife that the tree would look good the way it was and she agreed that we should keep it.

Then I received a phone call that same evening.

"Bob, I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you.? I understand you called last week to offer your tree as a gift to our church," the man said.

I struggled for words.? ? I wanted to tell him that it was too late but I ended up going into the whole story.? I told him how we raised it from a sapling.? I told him about all the snow storms and dry summers. I mentioned my two sons.? Then I said, "I promised it one more Christmas."

There was silence.? I'm not sure he understood.

"Did your church need the tree?"? I asked.

I couldn't believe I said it.? I thought I settled this whole thing.? We were keeping it.

"Well, yes.? We try every year to get one.? We don't always.? It's a wonderful thing you are doing," he said.

I didn't think I was doing it.? I thought I made up my mind.? ? Why was I even having this conversation?

"Are you familiar with our community? event?"

I was.? That's why I called him.

"Yes,? I understand thousands attend."

"That's what we need it for.? The Nativity," he said.

Oh, Lord.? I can't believe it.? How absolutely perfect.?

The tree that I loved so very much would end up in the Nativity.

The Back Mountain Harvest Assembly presents the Nativity outdoors? with four performances over one weekend in December.? People come from miles around to participate.

This tiny sapling raised with love over the past 16 years? would end up in the Nativity.? I had promised it one more Christmas.? It ended up in wreaths, floral arrangements and as the story goes, a place in the Nativity for the most loved tree.

They are coming for the tree on the weekend.

By the way.? The name of the community production is..."The Gift."?

"I believe in You!"

I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission from the author.

***********************************************

May I Suggest...

Visit my photo album:

Read recent messages:

*************************************************

Your Comments...? If you would like to share brief comment about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com? I will use only first names and no email addresses.

Good Morning BOb and Marianne

Trees Trees After I read your story I was in a Tree
Fever here in Ontario, California trees are everywhere
and I took them for granted as for something to clean
up after. After reading your story I took a walk
around the block I noticed the tree leaves were
falling and are so beautiful. Then in my own yard I
hugged my tree for it gives me shade from the Hot
California Sun. Thank You so much for your tree story.
Patricia

I felt close to you when I read my first of your stories. I cried tears of sadness and prayed and then cried tears of happiness when you told us of Marianne's cancer and her recovery. I sent cards, as it was the thing to do.?

I will always think of the two of you as dear friends. We may never meet, but there will always be that connection.

I ask for your prayers for my daughter, recently diagnosed with MS, and for my 17 year old grandson who seems to be lost to us. And know that you are always in my prayers.

Helen? Caledon, ON Canada

Dearest Bob and Marianne~

Your words are the first I look for whenever I open my email these days.? When my time was short, I would "open" them when I had a moment to savor your words.?

Now, I "make the moment" to savor these words.? Your faithfulness to your readers is such an inspiration to me, Bob.? YOU keep at it.? YOU strive to touch lives.? YOU show the world the gift that is inside of you.? This gift from our Great Spirit helps those of us seeking our path to lower our knees to the floor, and lift our hearts in prayer for wisdom.

Thank you for delivering the Great Spirit to all who seek him.? God Bless your steps, dear friend.

Much love, light, and blessings~Mama T?

Bob,

Thank you so much for the story of words. My husband and I are going thru some tougher times this Christmas. He lost his job. He is having a hard time believing in his self. But I do believe in him, love him and will always be his friend.? I know that this to will pass.? I wish you the best.

Always your friend,

Denise

Bob,

? What powerful words.? I agree with you that they warm the heart.? Yes, I
picked them out as the words that would warm your heart.? I feel those words
towards many of the people that are on your picture gallery and the "Friends
you have never met".? I try to pray over each picture on your gallery at
least once a month.? It is like visiting old friends.? Yes, Bob, I will
always be your friend and I know you will always be my friend.? I look
forward to our meeting in heaven where we will always be friends and we can
become Friends that Have Met.
? I hope that you and Marianne have a very blessed Christmas.

Your friend, Chris (on page 3 of the gallery)

HI BOB:
I WILL BE YOUR TEACHER TILL THE END OF TIME!
HAVE A NICE DAY!
SM THOMPSON: SOUTHAMPTON: ENGLAND: UK:

Bob, I will always be your friend too--even if we never DO meet!? You are loved and held in high esteem by many.? Isn't it WONDERFUL?? I know that same blessing thru my writing--and the greatest secret we share is that we know we could never measure up to what people think we are, even when we honestly share all our imperfections for the world to see.

Thanks for being you, Bob.? Your serendipitous attitude delights me!

Steph

Dear Bob,

Marie said the words we all feel " i will always be your friend"!

Your gentleness and compassion for all things is what makes our friendship very special.? ? A week can not go by without looking forward to the special heartwarming words from "my friend".

"i will always be your friend", Lorraine from NJ

Bob, Boy!? Just think how many people, including me, that you made cry over that tree.? You better save it if you possibly can.? When I was a kid, there was a humungous Cottonwood tree next door, that was so huge that it shaded the whole block all the way around.? But once a year it shedded so much that it looked like snow. The neighbors didn't like that, so they paid someone to cut it down.? It made my Dad so mad, that he went over there, picked up a branch, brought it home and stuck it in th egroung.? Believe it or not, that branch grew into a great big tree.? I never knew you could do that.? And I will always be your friend too, Bob.? I am so fortunate that God found you for me. He really did, you know.? You are more than just a friend, you are one of my kids.? Love ya bunches.? Betty

Words - Found 'em!? That was too easy.? You 'believe in us', even though most of us have never met you other than in the printed word.? That a friend you have not met yet told you they would always be your friend - what else is there?

Money can't buy them, friends just are.? Friends, like the tree, grow when nurtured.? Friends, like the tree, provide protection, peace, comfort, beauty, warmth.? Friends, and trees - PRICELESS.

I just got back from North Carolina, where I spent Thanksgiving weekend moving my daughter into a small two room apartment with her husband and two girls.? Tight quarters, but cozy.? I left knowing that I had it all - my daughter is still my daughter and will always be - but she is also my friend.? How cool is that?

Bob, I'll see you and Marianne in my prayers.? Best friends I never met - yet.

Toby Jo

Bob,

Amazing, I was looking at the 'body' of the letter...but the message was in the closing.? Sometimes, we don't look far enough to grasp the greater meaning.? I'm glad you did.? ? A lesson for us all.?
Thanks for sharing,
God Bless you and Marianne and Family,
Jo Ann
PS: an added thought.? It's like taking a scripture text from the Bible.? If you don't read before and after the true meaning is missed..? ? WE all continue to learn through your wisdom.? ?

**************************************************

"I wish you enough!"
Bob
?
Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.?
Member National Speakers Association.
Visit http://www.BobPerks.com
?
Visit Bob's story site: http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
Sign up to receive Bob's free stories sent three times weekly.
?
"I wish you enough!"
written by Bob Perks (c) 2001
?
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."