STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

May 5, 2005

Happy Birthday, Nancy Cantafio, publisher of Inspired Buffalo, from your friends, here at Storytime Tapestry

Please read the prayer request from B.J. Cassady today.  I just cannot understand the cruelty of some humans. 

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

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

A Family Member Passed Away Today
Tink and Poo
Tinkerpoo2000@yahoo.com

Somewhere there is a family tonight that is in
mourning.  A family is short one member.  Others may
not notice, or think much about it. It was only a dog
that died. There are millions of dogs. Come to think
about it, there are millions of people also.  Soon they
too will die, in some cases few take note of it. Most
people are in a way like saying so someone died, means
nothing to me the family will miss them, and have a
time to be sad.

A dog lives but so short a time.  A life is but a few
short years. A dog brings into a house many things.
Some people don't understand just what comes with a
dog.  They become a family member, that is if the
family will make them a member.  By becoming a member
of the family, they are taken care of. Also take part
in what ever is going on. They know the comings and
goings of the others. They never understand why the
people go and leave them for a time.  That is why you
get the greeting when you get home.  Some will talk
about it for a while.  Where have you been and why?

They watch you eat, are you going to eat the whole
thing? How about me?  I'm starving can't you see? You
say it isn't good for me to eat? Well in that case
it may be bad for you; I notice you??™re getting a little
heavy on the hips. But of course we are nice, we
wouldn't think of saying that right out.  The others
that walk upright might say it, not us.

Yes somewhere tonight a house is a bit quite, a family
is missing one family member. The little bark, the
tail thump, the padding feet to greet you is not
there. The slop kiss is gone.

One of the family that had so much love to give has
gone over on the other side.  Will sit there by the
Bridge and wait. No matter how long it may take. Will
sit there waiting till one day the mist lifts, and
here you come.  The tail will go 90 miles an hour, the
feet will fly to greet you, and you will be getting
all the saved up slop kisses.  Oh joy, happy times are
here again.
 

Bill Walker

wildbill6807 @yahoo.com

Well I??™m a story teller, not a writer. Never learned the art of fancy English. I

happen to live in Nebraska, but I??™m still Missouri. Never married, all the Dollies I

ever took a second look at was too smart. Now at 74, just turned that other day, I

figure they all home safe. I love Doggies and Dollies in that order. Lost my two

true friends this year, that be Tinker and Poo. So I found me a new one. This

time a little girlie Peke. She is a normal female. Got a mouth, talks all the time.

She will never be a great writers of stories like Tinker and Poo. They have

about 50 stories on HWS. And now writing back from Rainbow Bridge.

I just try to write about people, places and things best I remember. Have something

over 250 stories on HWS. under three names.    

Today's Queue Stories
~**~**~**~ 

God Wants to Heal You! -
Joyce C. Lock

    Many years ago, God led me through scripture to show me that Jesus healed all who came to Him, no exceptions ... and that healing is still available for us, today ... God doesn't change ... according to your faith be it unto you.  Even in Paul's case, grace always has a point of redemption.

    My mother was in excruciating pain with Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Thus, for years, I sought, searched, warred, and even spiritually crawled through battle after battle, when I could no longer stand ... as I wanted to learn how to heal!  When I could no longer crawl, I begged God to hold on to me, to not let me fall.  It would have been easy to have given up had there not been a greater love than for myself.

    Only, through that, what God taught me was inner healing ... the zillions of ways that cleaning the inside of the cup would cause the outside to take care of itself.  As a result, my insides were clean!!!  And, that is what I share with whomever will receive.

    However, the stress, hurt, and loss of everything I'd ever loved or placed any faith in, other than God, (often emotional abuse in the name of religion, from those who hate whatever they don't understand) finally caused an inner explosion of sorts, a breakdown, and I developed an anxiety disorder that left me without the ability to even remember who I'd just sent an e-mail to.  All short term memory was gone.  I could barely stand when holding on to something, making walking through a room by myself next to impossible.

    None-the-less, I was determined that Satan would not stop me from serving God and I began spending 18 hours a day sitting and (mostly) sleeping at the computer.  Then, when I'd finally give up and lay down, the sofa was only a few, hunched over, steps away.  The good news is that I got to help hundreds in building their web sites, encourage many to work together instead of against each other, and several individual ministries were developed.  God can always turn what Satan is doing into something good!

    However, for the next 6 months, I used a cheat sheet of sorts ~ just to get out the daily e-mails ~ sending apologies for the repeats.  The next few years, of not moving from the computer, wreaked other havoc on my body.  Since doctors offered no solutions except more drugs, I began seeing a Chiropractor ~ as when the body is in correct alignment, it can gradually heal itself.  The process of making a come back had been at a snail's pace ever since.  But, every little bit counts.

    Though, not even the Chiropractor could correct it all.  So, when I learned of an area church that believes in healing, I became excited ~ finally, someone who believes God, too!  Thus, I requested them to pray over me.  Of all the things I've ever heard about phony faith healers, none of it was true.

    After the church service, not a show of any sorts; it was semi-private when they prayed.  All they did was touch whatever part of the body they were praying for.  And, they knew to pray for things I hadn't even requested ... like lymph nodes!  All I know about that is, when this seems to be the year for cancer in our family, my tests came back negative.

    In addition, instantly, my shoulders went into right alignment, something that hadn't happened since the sixth grade!  And, the curvature in my back was gone!

    Their faith is based on the fact that all forms of sickness and poor health have demonic properties, that you don't even have to be sick to die, that God never makes anyone sick, that sickness does not come from God.

    Also, they said I could expect to be sore the next day, as my bones were not use to being in right alignment and I would need to command my own body into place, whenever it would slip out of alignment again.  Though, by this point, I did not want to do battle with Satan ever again ~ no more battles!  No ........ !!!  The battle belongs to the Lord.  What God does is a done deal! 

    Only, my hip hasn't been so cooperative and it was another area not even the Chiropractor could budge.  So, I'd wait until I'd had enough of limping and the pain it caused, then ask someone to pray over it again and again.

    I know that it is God doing the healing and I've witnessed Him using others to accomplish this purpose.  Also, I am not a bit afraid of demons.  We know each other quite well.  But, what I had begun to doubt was that I would be able to do this type of healing, too (God, through me, of course).

    Comments would be made like, "You don't have to have the gift of healing to do this."  "When you learn how, you can do this for yourself."  Learn how?  I had already been listening for God, asked a few questions, and finally have an answer to share.

    Of all the types of healing there are, this one is the easiest and most pain free method of healing we can do for ourselves.  Faith is the hardest thing to give, in complete surrender, but takes the least amount of effort in accomplishing ... no battle at all!  Yea!  And, you can do it, too!

    Scoot your buttock to the back of a straight chair.  Lift your legs slightly, then just gently hold them.  Do you notice a slight vibration?  Keep your legs lifted until the vibration stops.  That vibration is God moving your hips into right alignment.

    Now, stand up and reach toward heaven.  Lift holy hands, stretch just a little, reach for God.  Feel the vibration?  Envision God taking impurities from your body (feeling them leave through your finger tips), putting your body into alignment where your blood will flow correctly, removing the Satanic forces that cause you to not be well, healing the inward parts.  When the vibration stops, just Praise the Lord!

    If you can't lift your arms, but only your hands, turn them upward.  If you can only move your toes, lift them upward.  If you know how to put parts of your body into place on your own, go for it.  Just know that wherever you are, and however many times a day you get the urge to do so, until Satanic forces get the message, just do it.  God wants to heal you!

    Then, as we start believing God is who He says He is, He'll show us more!  And, just to think ~ what all we might accomplish if our spiritual body were in right alignment, too!  I want to receive some praise reports!

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,
and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. Matthew 4:23

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;
and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

?© 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.

 ~**~**~  

 Reflections

Kathleen Ann Shelton

It??™s peaceful and quiet.  Just as any mother would do, I quietly peep in on James to check on him, then, silently slip out of his room.

My mind wanders back to a day over thirty years ago, when as an excited teenager, I came home from work and told my mother I had met the man I was going to marry.  I still see hear her laughter as she asked me what was his name and I said I didn??™t know,  Then, when she asked me if he was at least cute and I replied ???No Mom, he??™s geeky, but mom, his eyes, his smile-I??™m going to marry him???.  I still see everyone??™s shock and dismay when two weeks later we eloped.

I remiss about how as two young teenagers we both continued to go to school, work and yes, had our own place, paid our own bills.  Too young to understand what hardships we were going through, just content to be together.  I smile as I remember graduation day, when he and I, husband and wife, expecting our first child, graduated together. 

The years flew by quickly and we had two more children.  Still, we remained together.  Not only were we husband and wife, but best friends.  Yes, we fought, we argued many times, but, always made up and slept wrapped in each other arms. 

My mind leaps a few years ahead.  To the day, unknown to us, disaster silently struck our family.  He was a mechanic and was working on a truck for Johnnie.  Johnnie was an alcoholic and always had his beer with him.  That day, he kept pressuring James to have a beer with him.  Finally, James caved in and that was the last time of sobriety for many years. I cannot help but wonder what if I had stepped in, spoken up and told Johnnie to back off. However, it is too late for regrets now.  Two years later, after fourteen years of marriage James and I divorced.

I remember with horror how I came home from Christmas shopping, excited because I had found a child??™s guitar for my son, only to discover that his dad had kidnapped him.  The seven years of aching and weeping.  The anger and resentment that took a deep hold within me.  I remember the day my son called my job, searching for me, hoping I had stayed at the same place.  The tears of relief and joy.

My mind switches to years later when I watched how alcohol was destroying him.  The day it actually hit me, that it was an uncontrollable disease that needed a cure, the poem, I wrote. Even now, I have it in my files.

James

James leaned his head on the table in despair

His hands trembled, his body shook

Sweat pored out his glands

Like water in a brook

This disease took everything from him

It left nothing-had taken it all

Yet, even though he cursed it

He couldn??™t escape the alcohol

Some would look at him with pity

Others showed outright contempt

They couldn??™t understand alcoholism

And what the disease meant

Although he knew what it had done

He couldn??™t seem to put the bottle down

He had attempted so many times before

But, the alcohol always won

It had destroyed his family,

Cost him his children and wife

Ravaged his body and his mind

And soon would cost him his life

At one time James was a different man

A man with laughter and a smile in his eyes

But as the disease increased in strength

His inner spirit began to die

In the memory of the man he once was

I beg for public awareness and understanding

That this disease is just that-a disease

It takes control-it??™s so demanding

And I appeal to those with the knowledge,

The ability and the skill

To somehow find a cure

Before another life it steals

As for James, I watch him spend his last days

In a world where reality has been lost somewhere

And I cry for him and the outcome

For him and all the other ???James??? out there

Kathleen Ann Shelton

   Kathleenannshelton @yahoo.com

Again my mind switches to the day I made the promise to care for him and how I didn??™t expect to be called upon to keep it.  Yet, in the end, was and because of it, was healed of my own anger and bitterness towards him.

I see him as he is now.  Like a child.  His mind is lost somewhere between childhood and manhood.  But, he is happy and delightful.  How I enjoy his company, how I get frustrated with him, and how I would not change him being here.

Self pity sometimes creeps in when I get lonely, when I ache for a companion, yet, know that this is not to be.  Then I hold him next to me, comforting him, just giving him the needed touch, and my maternal instincts rise sharply.  Strange as it may seem, now, he has become as one of my children.  I??™ve become protective of him like a mother hen. 

I see him struggling to accomplish simple tasks, such as tying  his own shoes.  The frustration he encounters because he is yet unable to button his own jeans-his hands and fingers won??™t cooperate.  Yet, I see the determination he has to push beyond his physical limitations.  How, like a baby, he crawls everywhere, pulls himself up  I also see the pride that he takes in every little accomplishment. I can still see his face, the joy and dignity restored when diapers were no longer needed.  I also recognize the pride that I have in him.

I reflect upon the irony of life. How it came to be that once he was my husband, is the father of my children, and yet now, he is my child.

Kathleen Ann Shelton

Kathleenannshelton @yahoo.com

 ~**~**~  

My Mom Cooked Supper For Me
by Sheila Embree

The smells from the kitchen were becoming more intriguing by the minute! I didn't know WHAT was being cooked in there; it was nothing I'd ever fixed before, that's for sure!

I sat in my recliner covered in blankies, chilling from the effects of the IVIG infusion I'd just received the last several hours to fight my myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disease.  IVIG Day here is always an automatic "Mom's Day Off" because I inevitably feel like warmed over whatever the day of, and a few days afterward.

I had forewarned Mom about this when she came up to visit for two weeks. She sat and watched the home IV nurse stick me three times trying to get an IV started and kept me company while the stuff ran in. We had a nice visit, the three of us - although I'm sure she was a little ticked at the nurse for hurting me:)  "It's not the nurse's fault," I reassured her. I just have lousy veins!

"Come and get it!" my mom announced. My husband told me to stay put, he'd bring my supper in.  I was amazed to see the prettiest beef stew I'd ever seen in a bowl, and it was so hot, fragrant and delicious-looking!  I'm a great cook, but beef stew is not one of my strong suits. So getting it is a real treat!

I devoured the entire bowl with relish, enjoying every last tidbit. Then my husband brought me a refill! I was quite the little piggy!

It was an extra special treat when I realized, with a tiny tear forming in my eye, that it was the first time my mom had ever cooked dinner for me and I'm 45 years old! You see, my mom has visited me several times here in Nebraska but I've never turned her loose in my kitchen before. We just met eight years ago, you see; I was raised by my adopted mom, who died in 1995.

Mom, you can cook for me anytime.

 Sheila Embree
SLT7863@aol.com

About Me:

Sheila has been married to Ron for 25 years and is mom to two
teenagers, John and Carianne. The family resides in Papillion,
Nebraska along with three miniature schnauzers, three elderly cats,
an elderly foster schnauzer Casey Ann,

and a variety of foster animals who pass through needing help.
Sheila volunteers as a foster mom for Helping Hands for Animals of
Omaha, NE. Her
interests are writing, gardening, painting, crocheting,
and other crafts. You can see her handiwork, which she sells
to help with expenses for her rescue dogs, at <A
HREF="http://members.aol.com/sheilaschnauzies/Schnauzies.html">
http://members.aol.com/sheilaschnauzies/Schnauzies.html</A>

Writers Feedback 

I just loved The Joy of My Salvation by Joyce C. Lock!  She has written so many beautiful stories that I really enjoy and this one was exceptional!  Thanks.  Sharlett Hunt

Janet Seever's story about her husband's stroke really touched my heart.  It is further proof that God can lead us through anything.  She is a very strong lady and I admire her courage.  God bless, Sharlett Hunt

Gosh my story has been a blessing to me as it seems to touch so many!  I am on top of the world today!  God bless, Sharlett Hunt

This is a heart touching story.  (Janet Seever) - Thank you for sharing something so personal with us.

Dianna

Proud founder of:
Women With A Unique Soul
www.womenwithauniquesoul.com
Webmaster of Short Stories
http://diannapetry.tripod.com
Webmaster of Poetry From Life
http://www.geocities.com/diannawv/
Poems By Dianna
http://members.tripod.com/~poemsbydianna/PoetryofLife.html

Carol, thank you for this story. I can relate in many ways. Both my wife and I have lost a

spouse.Her and I met in a support group. I admire Janet's devotion to her husband.

I look at my new wife and melt. I never miss a chance to hug her, hold her, touch her, tell her

I love her, and smile at her.

We laugh and play like kids.

Both Ginny and I know life can end at any time.

We cherish what we have and are afraid to miss out on anything wonderful.

Janet's story reminded me of this.

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

I have a friend that found out her niece has breast cancer.She asked me to send to my friend's on here for a prayer wheel to be started. She's a survivor of breast cancer herself. Please pray for Cindy Corbett.

Thanks.

Joyce

Hello everyone,

First, thank you mightily for the prayers that you lifted in Jeremy's surgery which has been

successful after what was to be five hours but lasted over seven.  He is on a respirator as

I speak to be taken off during the night; has blinked his eyes but the doctor wishes to keep

him asleep during the night.  His dad is with him, sleeping in a recliner and has reported

that Jeremy's color/blood pressure is good; almost unbelievable but he does face more

surgeries even after this one being #5 due to the scar tissue which builds.  His aorta valve

and an artery had grown together and the scar tissue was unbelievable plus they were

standing by ready to give him blood as there was a possibility of his bleeding to death but

that was never necessary.

I will update you as I know more so please keep him in your prayers.   We are so full to

know that he has survived the surgery and oh yes, the crew had a human aorta to use instead

of an artificial one.

Blessings/Love, NormaLee

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

Moderator: Clara Westerfer

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