STORYTIME TAPESTRY

April 30, 2005

Announcing yet another new writer for Storytime Tapestry; today we welcome Cheri C Carlson, writer # 203 for Storytime Tapestry.  Please encourage her to continue to write for us and showcase her wonderful talent.

Now on to the good stuff..........

Animal awareness series endorsed by Shiloh and Hank our mascots; all stories must receive their approval.

Second Chances
Kay Seefeldt

Ivory Bill Woodpeckers aren??™t extinct!  These rare ???magical???
woodpeckers haven??™t been seen since 1944.  Last year a sighting was
made in Arkansas, but kept secret from the general public until more
sightings could be confirmed.  Most Americans had never seen this bird
in their life time until viewing a fleeting, four second home video on
national news today, April 28th 2005.

The sightings were referred to as being a spiritual experience, like
finding the Holy Grail of the bird world.  Native Americans believed
these birds held magic powers. If they do, let it be that their near
extinction teaches us to cherish and not take God??™s creatures for
granted.

We have been given a blessed second chance, by God??™s grace, to protect
this magnificent gift.

The passenger pigeons weren??™t fortunate enough to get a second chance. 
Hunters??™ greed and waste drove this beautiful bird over the brink of
extinction about a hundred years ago.

These birds were about seventeen inches long with pinkish, dark gray
plumage.  In the 1800??™s a flock of passenger pigeons in Kentucky
numbered into the billions.  John J. Audubon once said he observed a
flock that took three days to pass. The effect of their migrations was
like an eclipse of the sun. The sound of their wings, like thunder.
Sadly, the last passenger pigeon died in captivity in the Zoological
Gardens in Cincinnati in 1914.

All my life I??™ve been grieved to think my children, and grandchildren,
all children of America, have been ???robbed??? of being able to behold
their beauty.

Upon sighting the Ivorybill, one searcher said he was bought to tears.
Tears came to my eyes, too, hearing this elating news on TV.  What joy
to know the Ivorybill Woodpecker still exists. Thank you, Lord, for
second chances.  Let us all strive to be worthy of this gift.  That no
other creatures will become extinct on our watch.

???To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given,
and they will have an abundance.  But from those who are unfaithful,
even what little they have will be taken away.??? Matthew 25: 29.

Kay Seefeldt
Birdnest @ Megalink.net

?© 4/28/05


Birds have held a special place in Kay??™s heart from the time she build
a bird feeder and nailed it to a tree in the back yard of her childhood
home and filled it with bread crumbs and corn meal. She and Roy have 6
fids (feather kids) who live with them and travel in their camper.  She
has been published on Petwarmers, Gardenwarmers, 2theheart, MOments of
Reflection, and Storytime Tapestry: ???The Artificial Limb,??? "Clover
Alert," and "Wolfie - World's Most Wonderful Dog," Saga of the
Teachers??™ Revenge.??? Kay thanks God for all the blessings in her life,
large and small.
"May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make
you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you
happy."  -- A blessing for the New Year

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~ 

 $ Financial Freedom $

Joyce C. Lock

A True Testimony of the Journey from Spiritual Poverty to Riches Beyond Measure

     Having been raised/programmed with all the principals of a virtuous woman, Granny also lived in our home (a survivor of the Great Depression).  Additionally, with four siblings, eight to nine people lived in our house at any given time.  Parents being in mission work, we were also the 'home away from home' for uncounted numbers of leaders and missionaries.

     Every which way we turned, there were lessons on being frugal - for which, funds always stretched just a little further.  Also being first born, I was the closest to a big brother there was in our home.  It seemed normal to carry over roles of care-taking/protector responsibilities into adult life.  Neither did it help that the man I married came from a well-to-do family, for which we would not be accepted due to our financial standing.

     Having already come through an abusive relationship, I concluded that if I just did all the right things, I'd never have to live like that again.  Unknowingly, I placed myself in captivity to legalism.

     Thus, from a variety of sources and pressures, I became a work-aholic.  Religious training didn't afford the option of working outside the home.  But, it did provide perhaps every feasible thing imaginable to save or make money while at home.

     Among feats of putting in 16 hrs. per day for 16 yrs.; I was a foster parent to 12 children, a piano teacher, a baby-sitter, a professional rebater, groceries were not bought without a double coupon (stores hated to see me coming and I hated going - $369 worth of groceries for $53 & then to come home and match rebates was more work than any laundry day I ever saw).  I held yard sales, sold craft items, even collected people's left over rummage.
    Being an idea person, there was no end of ways on how to turn nickels into dimes.  If my husband so much as bought a 10 cent candy bar, he was dead meat - as 'spending money' just wasn't there.

     I could keep a column going on how to make a Kleenex last for three uses; how to reuse scrap paper; how to make your own Christmas post cards and name tags; how to use your talents to never have to buy presents again; and, what to do with most every piece of trash - besides trash it (to name a few).

     In spite of the recession, in every way, we appeared to have 3 times our income.  Though, it was impossible to make a budget with funds that weren't there and no one was the wiser.  Through the years, what seemed never ending was being slammed (financially and otherwise) to such a degree that, before we could get up from one crisis, another would hit.  And, no matter what image we could portray, it was never enough to become worthy in my husband's family's eyes.

     Then came the day a friend, from our church, offered to do some remodeling for us.  He needed the money, and we could get projects done due to the cheep rate he offered.  We'd also seen that he was capable of doing good work.

    It was a long story that ended with the interior of our house looking like a construction demolition sight, leaving us; $30,000 in debt for mostly destroyed materials, with an estimate of $240,000 in repairs and replacements, attorneys who wanted our case but said 'you can't get blood our of a turnip', an insurance agent and an insurance adjuster who lied and bailed on us, and an unsafe house to live in.

    In addition, my husband's 15 yr. job was going down the tubes due to the administration's theft of funds.  Income, hours, and benefits were being cut left and right.  It wasn't even possible to file bankruptcy, as we couldn't afford the price of rent.

     The hurt was much deeper than material things.  It attacked my identity, took away my cover for a low self-esteem, and left me feeling broken and defiled that such a person we'd cared for, ministered to, and helped had done such a thing.

     16 yrs. of labor was gone.  I was 16 yrs. older than when we began.  Being emotionally beyond spent, I just couldn't do it again.  I would have been institutionalized before I'd have gotten up to try just one more time.
 
    Finally completely defeated (I guess it takes more to bring down the strong), there was nothing left to do but get on my knees and ask God to give me something to hang on to - as there was nothing left inside of me.  I couldn't hang on any more.

     God took me down memory lane, reminding me of past experiences ... how we got married, not having yet found a place we could afford to rent and how God had provided a nice place (based upon our income) within two weeks thereafter ... how, when we moved to another state and couldn't find a place to rent that would allow children, He made a way for us to purchase a house we wouldn't have thought we could afford (sellers even helped finance the closing) ... and how, when we moved into houses that still echoed once we moved in, God filled them.

    God promised there would be another house, bigger still yet, and that He would do that for us, again.

     Always knowing, in my head, that we couldn't even breathe without God, I had found it difficult to give God all the credit in my heart - being that I'd worked sooooo hard! Seeing how God had been there when I hadn't recognized it as Him, I believed Him when He said He would do it, again.  (After all, God had a good track record.)

    So, this time, I did an about face and decided to let Him do it.  All along, I'd been carrying a weight that wasn't mine to carry and I was, finally, giving it back to God.  No more ideas, at all.  I didn't want that load anymore!!!

     With that promised and settled in my heart, suddenly, anger overwhelmed me.  Once before, already being active in church, the question had come to mind,  "What does Satan think we would do if he just left us alone?  What is he so afraid of that he just keeps picking on us?"

    I didn't know the answer, but determined I was going to find out and get even.  I would take care of God's business and let Him take care of mine.  Whatever God had showed me to do, that I'd put off to a better day - I would do.  Whatever, God showed me to do now - I would do.  What ever God showed me to do next, I would do.  I would do, and do, and do, and do until I found what Satan was so afraid of.  And, when I found it, I would do it.  Then, Satan would be sorry he ever messed with me!

     Suddenly, I realized that nothing I'd ever learned in any church, great or small, had taught me how to overcome these battles.  When attempting to seek council from those thought to be spiritual, I would be shunned.  In time, I came to understand that they didn't know the answers.  Thus, I learned to suffer such attacks, from Satan, silently.

    Verses preached hadn't worked either.  They must not mean what people think they mean.  Evidently, only God knows how to defeat Satan.  I determined that, if I sought God's will and instruction on every given matter, it would be impossible to fail - as Satan can't defeat God.  Therefore, I decided to erase my training and start over (as a little child, ye must be born again to enter the Kingdom of God) and bring my every question to God.

(I know that's not the way man teaches it - but follow on.)

The law made nothing perfect,
but the bringing in of a better hope did,
by which we draw nigh unto God.
Hebrews 7:19

     When verses spoke to me, THEN that was God speaking.  And, since man's interpretation hadn't worked, I would research God's word for definition of those words ... soon learning that God is His own best commentator!

     Having begun seeing the Bible in a new way, I'd search like a detective, looking for How-To's (calling them "Master's Tools").  There's a promise of God's Word not returning void.  So, whenever we'd be advertising a
program or church event, I'd look for a supporting verse.

     Then, without proper tools to find a verse I needed, I spent two weeks, 14 hrs. per day, searching.  I couldn't give up, as that would mean Satan had won.  God promises, if we seek Him with our whole heart, He'll reveal Himself to us.

    Suddenly, the Bible came to life!  I could actually hear the words and they spoke to my heart!  For the first time, I understood the Bible!  It spoke to me in my language!!!

     For the next several months, I wouldn't put God's word down.  There where so many promises, Master's tools, and lessons to be learned - all over the place!

     It was so neat!  God's instruction works!!!  Whatever big or little that I sought God's will on, He blessed!  I learned the real meaning of "except the Lord build the house, those who build are laboring in vain - to not take the name of the Lord in vain."  I also learned to let Him build mine.  God provided and continued to provide tools for me to find deeper things in the Bible, as I was ready to receive them.

       In the process of learning forgiveness at a level few have ever known, I came to realize that I was responsible for what happened to my house, that I hadn't sought God's will on it first.  That was a pretty painful pill to swallow.

    Though, God also taught me to know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em in terms of being manipulated by people who take advantage.

    Seeking God, in all things, became my choice, as only God knows where Satan will be lurking next.  Step by step, letting go of things I had been doing to keep financially afloat, I began taking God with me to the grocery store and wherever else I went.

   The MOST wonderful thing, in addition to all I continued to learn, is this.  I grew in a personal relationship, a moment by moment walk with God, engulfed in His love ... and finally came to terms in that I was already accepted by God the moment I received Him into my heart.  I am royalty, an heir to the throne, a child of the KING!

     In regard to finances, I later realized that Satan had been steeling from us all through the years - even in areas I hadn't recognized.  Having once given myself too much credit as, perhaps, one of the most prepared for being frugal in the world, there were areas I hadn't even seen.  Only God can defeat Satan every time!

     It took 3 mos. just to clean up the construction mess enough for our house to be safe, though it never got repaired.

    God gave my husband a new job (at 3 times our income) (at the very same company who'd promised him employment 15 yrs. earlier) and made provisions for finances to get straightened out - one step at a time. 

    However, we ran into obstacles every time we attempted to thereafter hire help and, not wanting to start another project without God's blessings, restored finances just got saved instead.

     Additionally, just before God replaced lost inheritance and other things that had been stolen from us, He gave me this verse.  "And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." Joel 2:25

    I had no idea what any part of that verse meant at that time.  But, I knew God had just promised to replace ALL that Satan had stolen from us throughout the years.  Tears of joy flowed at the awesome love of God!  It was more than I'd hoped for and more of God than I had ever dared dream.

     It has been 11 years since this part of my spiritual journey began.  We've been free of financial bondage for a very long time now.  And if not really that long, perhaps the memory has faded.  God answered me in the joy
of my heart.  He set me free, as only He can do!

    I haven't seen anything since that was enough temptation to ever go in debt again.  And, the growth with God has been wonderful!  As painful as the transition was, it was well worth getting to know Him in a more personal way.

     The house God promised, that day on my knees, we paid cash for (paid in full).  Not only did we get three times our income, but, again, we live in a house that is three times greater than our income would afford and is more than we ever expected to have in our lifetime.  Only by the grace of God, over 3,300 sq. ft., and I have no doubt but what God will fill it again.

    God was more interested in cleaning the inside of the cup - making it healthy and whole.  And when that's done, He owns it all!!!

     Having learned appreciation for the verse "he learned obedience by the things he suffered" ... when our thoughts aren't lined up with who God is and His perfect will, we're not in our right mind.  Everything God asks of us will prove to be for our benefit, every hard lesson learned will turn to glory.  The battles are in the mind.  To take Satan by force and get our mind back, we have to start all over and come as a little child.

    The greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven are the children.  In all things, God is our strength and OUR GOD REIGNS!

May you find the Peace that only He can give.

In His name,

?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://my.homewithgod.com/blessingsandlessons/

Let God be true, but every man a liar ... Romans 3:4

He that findeth his life shall lose it:
and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Matthew 10:39

?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/

About the Author

   Having grown up amidst Preachers, Evangelists, Missionaries, Church Planting, etc.:

author Joyce C. Lock, has been actively involved in church work most of her life ...

with a huge variety of church related positions and experiences; still serving the Lord,

full time, in whatever capacity He calls her to next. A homemaker, mother of two,

retired foster parent of twelve, and still a young grandmother of nine ...

she is also a published author, columnist, and poet.

Joyce founded and maintains the e-mail ministries "Heavenly Inspirations"
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/heavenlyinspirations-intro.htm,
"Share a Smile" http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/shareasmile.htm,

and, additionally, offers "Heavenly Inspirations - original writings"
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations-originalwritings/;

a free archived resource of varied inspirational writings (by multiple authors).

Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.

The enclosed writings may be used in its entirety,

with credits in tact, for non-profit purposes.

 ~**~**~  

Cheri' C. Carlson

One_Unicorn26201 @yahoo.com

I'm a 40 year old mother of 13 who despite trials and tears, has found much in life to laugh and love about. I discovered on the internet, an outlet for many thoughts and feelings that the outside world looked down their noses at. There I found acceptance and love.

In sharing my stories about my kids, views on the world, personal experiences and poetry, I also found numerous others who felt like I did. Too unique to be normal. Not comfortable with the way people hid their beautiful selves because of what others might think, I wrote a series of "Love Yourself " articles beginning with "Dare to Be Different".

I have to date written over 100 poems, essays and recently, children's stories, all floating around on the internet. I hope to some day be published.

My husband of 13 months and I live with our 5 kids left at home, here in central Indiana. We dream of going back to my home of West Virginia when the timing is right

~**~**~

The Heroes They Are
by
Jaye Lewis

I watched him out of the corner of my eye.  His hands were trembling, and the suffering in his blue eyes haunted me.  His dark hair was a mess, yet he had the face of an angel.  I knew his story.  They had found him floating and tied to a piece of debris.  His uniform was in tatters and black with powder.  He had second and third degree burns.  Remarkably, his face was untouched, and he still looked like a young boy. 

"No!  Please!  I have to save them!  I have to save them!" He cried, when they fished him out of the water.  They gave him shots to calm him down, but for six months he cried and struggled every time, so certain that he must save his buddies.  When he finally came to, he had no memory of his buddies, his boat, or himself.  Of course, Naval Investigations filled in all the blanks. 

He was serving on a "riverboat," in the Mekong Delta.  His boat had been blown apart.  All were lost, except for this one boy.  He was nineteen.  I couldn't help wondering though, who had tied him to that piece of debris, and would anyone go back to find him?  No one ever did.

So, I watched him, thinking about the horrors that he had survived, and his quest to find his buddies and save them.  By the time I saw him in the diner, it had been nearly a year.  If there had been any other survivors, they were long gone.  His struggle touched my heart.  I was only twenty-one, but somehow I felt that the child within him was so much younger, and terribly wounded.

I heard them before I saw them.  The boy was just given his cup of coffee, and he was trying to bring it up to his lips, with trembling hands.  The coffee spilled down the front of his shirt.  With pained compassion, the waitress took the cup and filled it again.  The hoots and hollers from the guys behind me made me swing my head around.  They were having a riot.  They almost couldn't get the hilarious words out. 

"Look at the poor Vietnam vet taking a shower in his own coffee!  Want a towel buddy??!!" 

I jerked to my feet, and I turned towards the idiots with fists doubled, and then I heard the crash.  The coffee cup landed on the floor, and the young man began to weep.  I'll never forget his face.

Forgetting his tormentors, I hurried over, grabbing an empty ice-tea glass.  Taking the coffeepot from the waitress, I poured a cup of coffee into the twelve ounce glass.  Then I handed him his coffee, which he held tightly with shaking hands.  I sat down next to him.

"It's o.k.," I said, putting my arm around his shoulders.

"I can't drink!"  He cried.  "I get it all over me!"

"Oh, gosh! I do the same thing," I assured him.

Then I did something astonishing, even for me.  Taking the glass from his hands, I poured coffee over myself, drenching my best light blue uniform.

 "Some people are just so clumsy!" I cried.  "Gosh, I sure hope I can get past security, at the main gate!"  I grinned. 

Suddenly, he laughed.  Other caring souls followed.  A hush fell over the place, as one by one, the tormentors left the diner.  We sat there together for an hour, swapping stories about ourselves.  Mine always made him laugh.  The waitress brought coffee to me in a large glass.  As the locals finished their breakfast, one by one they came over, patting the young man on the shoulder or taking his hand.  They murmured their "thank-you??™s" and left.

When it came time to pay for our breakfast, there was no charge.  We parted, outside, two kindred souls who never saw each other again.  However, I believe that a healing began to take place in that little San Francisco diner, thirty-seven years ago.  One group of Americans began to look at the military differently, and today the ones who serve their country are treated like the heroes they are.

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

Jaye Lewis is an award winning writer and soon to be Chicken Soup author.  Jaye is a Vietnam Era Veteran and she is married to a retired U.S. Navy Chief Electrician.  They have two grown daughters.  Jaye lives and writes in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.  jlewis@smyth.net

I loved Joyce Lock's shopping story. Sounds like a woman after my own heart. Way to go Joyce!!!!!!!!Didn't see an e-mail address for her so tell her I'll look forward to more--------DKB

Dear Sharlett,

Thanks !!Your story is the same as mine in some areas. I related.



July 1st, I'll have 30 years since my last drink.

I'm a minister and writing a book, "From Crying In My Beer To Laughing With Jesus".



Love and prayers,

Vantrice Burkes

Announcements

Hey everyone if you have the time please help out a fellow member who is starting up

his own newspaper. 

Carol,

Just letting you know I have a website explaining the upcoming paper, should anyone ask. Thank you for running the ad for it.

www.christianlink.com/publish/mwwj

Thanks again, Jim

SHARE SOME COMFORT

A PAID PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY FOR UPLIFTING PERSONAL STORIES

A Cup of Comfort is a best-selling anthology (book) series, featuring powerful true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. Stories are selected for inclusion in A Cup of Comfort based on originality, creativity, and substance.

Creative nonfiction stories are actively being sought for two new volumes:

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, challenging, and magical experiences in a woman??™s life. It can also be an emotional roller-coaster ride and physical endurance test. Never more so than during pregnancy does a woman need a little extra TLC??”and the purpose of each of the 50 stories to be included in this anthology is to bring comfort and encouragement to expectant moms of all ages and backgrounds, whether expecting their first child or their tenth. To that end, we seek uplifting personal stories about the memorable experiences that inspire, reassure, sustain, and delight women during those wondrous and sometimes anxious months of planning, conceiving, carrying, delivering, and finally welcoming home a new bundle (or bundles) of joy. Any topic relevant to this unique time in a woman??™s life is acceptable, as long as the story is positive and meaningful to expectant mothers overall.

        Submission Deadline: July 15, 2005

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

A child??™s diagnosis of autism usually strikes fear in the hearts of parents??”and often turns their world upside-down and their lives inside-out. The incidence of this mysterious neurobiological disorder has risen dramatically in recent years, leaving parents in search of answers, support, and hope. For this collection of 50 inspiring stories, we seek personal anecdotal stories (not prescriptive articles) about the unique aspects of parenting a child with autism and related disorders will provide parents of children with autism and related disorders (Asperger syndrome, Rett??™s disorder, disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder). Possible themes include, but are not limited to: impact on other members of family; creative solutions to everyday challenges; breakthroughs; effective treatments; silver linings; tender moments; helpful support; unexpected positive outcomes; blessings large and small; reasons for hope; adult children with autism. We are most interested in stories written by parents, but will also consider and likely publish some stories written by professionals and family members or friends with intimate knowledge of the child and parents in question.

        Submission Deadline: October 1, 2005

Stories must be original (not derived from another published work), true, positive, in English, and 1,000-2,000 words.

Payment: One $500 grand prize per book; $100 each, all other published stories. Plus copy of book.

Guidelines: http://www.cupofcomfort.com (click on "Share Your Story") or email request to cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com. Additional volumes with varying themes are planned.

Thank you for your consideration
 
Colleen Sell
Editor, A Cup of Comfort
wordsinger@aol.com (direct)
cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com (via publisher)

Prayer Requests

Answer to Prayers

SENIOR WRITERS

Agee, Vance;  Apted, Violet;  Baker, Kathy;  Batt, Al;  Berry, Nell;

Boda, Ginger;  Bryant, Sharon;  Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.;  Crider, Mark; 

Deming, Barb; Goodier, Steve;  Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlette; 

Jacobson, Gary;  Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Jenkins, Pamela;

Liles, Norma;  Mazzella, Joe; Ojeigbe, Georgewaters;

  Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan;  Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam;

Walker, Bill;  Walker, Joe; Warner, Gorden K;

Whirity, Kathy;  White, Robert;

STORYTIME TAPESTRY STAFF

Publisher: Carol Roach-founder

Moderator: Thelma Hartselle-co founder

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