Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness around the world.

Nov 22, 2006

Today’s announcements

 Just one my day  until the American Thanksgiving, we are continuing with our line up of Thanksgiving Stories and poems.

^{Good news from Sharlett Hunt: sharlette863@aol.com}

The miracle happened!  My dad's surgeon said, "Go home and don't worry.  Go fishing and enjoy your life.  See you in a year."  I am so happy!  Daddy doesn't have to have surgery at this point.  His aneurysm is 4.9 centimeters but his age and health are the biggest factors in the surgeon deciding to wait.   It might increase in size.  He has to keep his blood pressure down but other than that, he can live normally.  They will continue to check the size of this thing.  My daddy was laughing when we got him home.  I will write a story later and let you know all the details.  Love you all and God bless you for praying with our family.  Blessings, Sharlett

^{Remember that all stories and poems were lost because of the computer crash, if you sent me anything in late August, September or October and you haven’t seen it published please send it back again.  Thank you.}

See below for Storytime Angels

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

THE GREATEST THANKSGIVING
by Nancy B. Gibbs

      "Are you going grocery shopping today?" my husband, Roy asked
when I picked up the telephone.
      "I plan to," I answered.
      Thanksgiving was only a couple days away.  Everyone in our
family would be coming to our house.  My funds were limited;
therefore my box of coupons awaited me in the car.  I knew I had to
be creative in my shopping that day.  I had to stretch every dollar.
      For a few seconds, Roy sat silently on the other end of the
line.  "Why do you ask?" I uttered, fearing what he might say.
      "Nancy, there's a family with a half dozen kids that will not
have anything to eat for Thanksgiving.  The little one is only
five-years-old."
      "So what are you saying?" I whispered.
      "While you're at the store could you possibly buy something for
them?"  Roy's words echoed in my heart.  Groceries, a five-year-old,
eight in the family. My head began to spin thinking about the fifty
dollars I had reserved for our family's Thanksgiving dinner.
      In the back of my mind I counted the hungry guests who would be
coming to our house for dinner.  I put my head down on my desk,
already feeling defeated.
      There's no way possible, I thought.  But the compassion I heard
in my husband's voice struck a nerve inside me.
      "Sure," I replied.  "But only if God helps."
      "Thanks, sweetheart," Roy whispered.  "Just do what you can."
He then hung up the telephone.  I finished my work and prayed all the
way to the nearest grocery store.
      I entered the parking lot.  I noticed a big sign in the grocery
store window:  Turkeys - 29 cents a pound.
      "This is the place, Lord" I whispered.  I grabbed my box of
coupons, went inside, secured two buggies, and headed to the frozen
foods.  The turkeys were indeed on sale, but I discovered one big
problem.  When I read the sign posted on the freezer door my heart
sank.  "Limit one."
      "But I need two," I uttered to myself.  I decided to find the
manager.  I explained the problem.  He made an exception.
      After tossing a turkey in each buggy, I began my shopping fury.
It was amazing how many buy-one, get-one free items were being
featured that day.  The first item went into one buggy.  The free
item went in the other.  In addition, I had all the right coupons to
get exactly what both families needed for a hearty Thanksgiving
dinner.  I proceeded to the register and held my breath while the
cashier rang up my groceries.
      To my surprise, I had enough money.  I was even able to purchase
a package of cookies for the five-year-old who had stolen my heart,
even though I had never met her.
      Later that afternoon, Roy and I made a special delivery to a
home filled with children of all ages.  I will never forget the
smiles on the six kids' faces, as they made several trips from my car
carrying numerous bags of groceries inside.
      This event reminded me of a story.  Even though He only had a
few loaves and fishes, Jesus multiplied them and fed five thousand
people.  And to top it off, there was food left over.  I wondered if
God was doing the same thing that day.
      By far, that was the greatest Thanksgiving Day of my life.  My
entire family shared a hearty meal with us.  We had plenty to eat.
We even had enough food left over for the evening meal.
      That afternoon, when I had time to think about what had
happened, I imagined a home, not far from where I lived.  There was a
mother and a father and six children sitting around the kitchen
table, laughing and rejoicing.  They enjoyed the same meal that our
family had shared together that day.
      Then I realized that miracles happen when we step out in faith
and in steps God.  For with us, some things are impossible.  But with
God, all things are possible.

            -- Nancy B. Gibbs   Daiseydood@aol.com

___________________________________________
Nancy is an author, a religion columnist, and an inspirational
speaker. She speaks at many women and senior events.  Nancy's newest
book, Under the Mistletoe, consists of 25 Christmas Love Stories --
one to read every day from December 1st to December 25th.   You can
learn about it at Nancy's website here:  http://www.nancybgibbs.com/

~**~**~

 *Thankful Hearts*

 Norma Liles

When Mother was still living, we always looked forward to a family

gathering but for the last few years, Thanksgiving has always seemed

to be such a lonely time with the thoughts of the loss of Mother as

well as the loss of the fellowship of family.

I was living alone in the little village of my birth when I received a

telephone call from my daughter.  She wanted to know if I would

wish to purchase all the goodies for a holiday meal.  It goes without

saying that this request was an answer to my prayers.

In the meantime, my niece wanted to know if I would like to join she

and her family on this special day and I informed her that my daughter

and family were coming so she suggested that we gather at her home.

My daughter arrived on Thanksgiving morning and had promised to make the turkey and all the trimmings which she did.  When we had everything in order, we took all the prepared foods and ourselves to my niece home. The dining room table was overrun with foods prepared by my niece and my daughter. 

To my surprise, my twin sisters were already there and our timing was just perfect.  Everyone was in a joyful mood.  We remembered to give thanks for the bounty of the food which graced her table as well as for the blessings of the year..

It goes without saying that we all looked like stuffed turkies by the end of the meal but the climax of the day was when my great niece fixed five plates of food to take to those who would otherwise have gone without.

Today, I relish the thoughts of that day and how God has blessed us in keeping our family together, just as Mother would have wanted.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and may God visit you on this most special day with thankful hearts.

NormaLee Liles ©

hoopla214@yahoo.com

Norma is an Ohio native, senior citizen; happy in her own skin, loves the Lord God Almighty, her family, her friends and her computer; pretty much in that order! Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, stories, a few songs; loves to sing; and prefers southern gospel music. She is retired from the busines world where she worked as a data entry operator/supv; is number nine of ten children; is looking fwd

to her next birthday which will welcome #77. (Oct)

Her writings have been featured on: Starfish, Driftwood, Sandollar, Morning Spirit Lift, Prayer of God, Jan Karon, American Poetry Writer's League, Lucy's Inspiration, Faithful Hope reading room, Poetry of Today, Hope in Him, Bonnie's Place, America will remember, News Moose, Penworm Prayer Warriors, Angels on Earth, Canadian Memorial page, Eternal Ink, Heartcatcher and senior writer for Storytime Tapestry.

~**~**~

  "The Thanksgiving Surprise!"

                                        (True Story)

                                              by

                                          Paula (Roe)

                                           Booher

I was 19 and on my way home from the night shift at around 7:15 a.m. in the morning

on Wednesday before Thanksgiving that year.  My job was in Sedalia, a 35 mile drive from our town of Stover, each way twice a day to and from work. Things were pretty bleak and not looking good that we were going to have a meal at all to celebrate the holiday.  Mom was too ill to work and my younger sister had just had a baby on the 17th.  My recollections are a little foggy of the complete story but I will never forget the drive that morning.

The Ralston Purina trucks traveled up and down the road I traveled on daily full of live turkeys every day.  I was driving home like every other day with no particular thought in mind when I saw something white laying on the side of the road just ahead in the ditch.  It wasn't moving...but just ahead of it another large white object was moving indicating that the one ahead of it was still alive.  I knew immediately that the two objects were turkeys and one was still viable to take home and salvage.  Being from the country and knowing How to dress out poultry from years of living on a farm I knew that God had answered our delema with a Miracle.  At this though we had moved to town and were living in a small trailor.

I found a place to turn my 70 Camaro around, retrieved the live turkey, and put him in my trunk.  I couldn't stand the possibility of killing it.  When I got home God even took care of that.  By the time I got home it was dead but still warm.   We had enough trimmings to make the rest of a nice Thanksgiving dinner with a very nice size bird to boot!  My Mom was so surprised when she saw me take that turkey out of my trunk after thinking there would be  no dinner at all that she was in tears.  That was one time I Didn't complain about ripping feathers out of poultry and one Thanksgiving Grace we deeply prayed over from our hearts!  

God Never fails...

When people ask me where my Faith comes from?  This is just One in a whole life of  miracle/stories that I tell them. 

copyright 11/20/2006 7:05a.m.

Paula Deann (Roe) Honeycutt Booher

wrappednword@yahoo.com

Poetry Corner

~**~**~

Foolish Tom

Norma Liles

Turkey day drawing nigh
On that fateful day
Tom he had an idea
To twart the plan of man
Rooster Red always strutted
Bout the escape he made
Never in the pot to go
So Tom engineered a plan.
He gathered all the hens
To share his plan with them
To cheat the farmer
Having a taste for Tom.
The hens were glad to help
So this plan was devised
To hide him in the hen house
Away from all the others.
Farmer Brown changed his mind
Decided it was time
To choose a nice big hen today
For his turkey day.
Tom's plan was twarted
Course I guess you knew
Farmer Brown choose him
Celebrating Turkey day.

NormaLee Liles

~**~**~

Together at Thanksgiving

Norma Liles

In my heart, I thank thee, dear Lord
For all of your blessings this day
The grace that you extend forever
Is most glorious and most free!

Thank you for friend and family
Thank you for bringing us together
With heartfelt love for each other
Creating bonds with you in mind.

The bounty of the harvest
Lies heavily spread before us
The beauty of the preparation
The sweet aroma is awesome.

God in His glory brought us
Brought us together this day
To love & thank Him always
For all the blessings He bestows.

Cherish this time together
Make it a yearly affair
Challenge others to join in
The meeting of thankful hearts.

Norma Liles ©

Readers Feedback

Hi Carol!

The next few days are going to be 'crazy' with holiday cooking and everything.

I want to wish you and yours a very blessed, happy and safe Thanksgiving! 

Take good care.....

love and hugs across the miles.....lori

Carol, - Booby Prize - You are a Winner in all the important things in life my friend that is
for sure.  Keep up the great stories.  Wishing you every joy, Joe Mazzella

This is great, Carol!  I really enjoyed reading it and laughing at the humor of it all!

This is yet another thing that we have in common as I always win the "booby prize" too! 

I tell everyone that my winning the "BIG" prize is being saved up for something really amazing someday!  

hugs......lori

Carol your story – the Booby Prize -

Your luck sounds a lot like mine. I always win liqueur and don't drink. I always said that if I bet on a two-horse race, mine would run the wrong way out of the starting gate!

Carol: I disagreed with you. You won the BIG PRIZE and it's show on your angel's list! Friends are the best valuable asset you could ask for..... AMEN Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

Carol: I have been so cut up in my own little world that I forgot the say CONGRATULATIONS to all the contest winner..... I didn't win the competition, however, I got a bigger prize. The gift of having done something with my oldest son and had a lot of fun doing it.... The time we spend together doing this poem for me was the biggest prize of all. I made a copy of our poem and he has it posted on his room..... That is what I called a WINNER!!!!! Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

Carol. that story from Linda Ondrik, The Search, was very powerful and beautiful. That is true the EYES are the window to our souls.... A person's eyes could speak louder than words......Tannia Ortiz-Lopes

How sweet of Tannia to take the time to email.  How wonderful to have these memories of her grandpa.  I am finding that so many people are praying for my dad and it just makes me feel so much better about his situation.  I do believe that God can heal.   I also know that it is His will not mine.  Thanks Carol for sending me this lovely email. Sharlette

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