Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

? 

March 23, 2006

? 

Today??™s announcements

? 

I am announcing another new writer for Storytime Tapestry.?  Mary Dees becomes writer #305.?  She is the cousin of Debra Shiveley.?  Oh how I love to keep it in the family; the Storytime Tapestry Family.?  Please email her and let her know how much you enjoy her work.

? 

From our writer Janice Finley, please say prayers for her. I am going for back surgery next month. Say a prayer for me.? ?  The 1^st link is what they are going to do, and I will be in?  Birmingham, Al. hospital for about 5 days, and in a brace for a month or so. It is?  a bilateral lumbar disectomy with titanium rods put in. OUCH!!! That in itself sounds painful! Can hardly wait??¦It is caused from stenosis in the spine .?  Janice Finley

? 

? My back spinal fusion, metal rod, real bone insert {yeap, I am having a bone transplant from someone else} ? surgery is scheduled in Birmingham , Alabama?  for the 23^rd March. I will be in?  hospital for about 5 days . then io will coming home for 10 days, going back for staples to be out, then for another 25 days, no sitting nor standing, or laying, except for sleep for over 30 minutes at a time.

After that, I will go back for a X ray and start? physical therapy. The doctor wants the transplant bone to?  knit with mine and be stronger before PT starts.?  Of course, it is scary, and everyone is of the unknown. There are many risk. infection, bleeding, spinal headaches, and lots more. I will have partial paralysis . AND I AM SCARED TO DEATH. The doc told us that it will be a rough 3 days, and I will be doped up for at least 2. Whoopee!!?  Please put me on your prayer list. Thank you? Janice.

? 

Understanding Lumbar Fusion Surgery

? 

http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1562.html

? 

? 

Now onto the good stuff!

? 

? 

Today??™s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Short or Tall: Large or Small
Doris B. Fandal
? 

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Are you bothered by your size??  Do you think
you need to lose a few pounds or perhaps you need to
gain a few pounds.?  Are you too short or too tall??  Is
anyone every happy with the size that they are at any
given moment?

I don't believe they are.? 

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  When I was a young child, it never occurred
to me that my size might not be right but as I became
a teenager, size was very important.?  I was a skinny
teenager and it seemed that all of my friends were
just the right size and had the right shape too.?  I
was flat and nothing I could do seemed to make me any
more buxom and I sure did not gain weight.?  I was
perfect for those gathered shirts that were so popular
way back then but never realized it because like every
other teenaged girl, I was looking for perfection.
The other girls seemed to avoid French fries and
milkshakes and I just loved them.?  I ate anything and
everything in sight and I never gained a pound.?  I was
too skinny.?  I was too small.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Then I overheard one of my friends say that
she was too tall. The young man she was dating was
shorter than she and it was just impossible to wear
high heels and be seen with him.?  She was quite fond
of him but did not want to miss wearing those high
heels.?  She compromised and wore those horrible
wedgies (shoes that had wedge heels) but she never
thought she looked quite as dressy wearing them.
Today they would be the shoes she would want to wear!


? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Diets were not the usual thing at that time
unless someone had to be on a special diet because of
health.?  Today, diet is a word that is on everyone's
mind and in a lot of conversations.?  I don't like that
word and I don't plan to go on a diet any time soon.
I will watch what I eat but I won't diet.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  I can say I am not the right size, but I am
comfortable.?  Those high- heeled shoes that everyone
wanted to wear are certainly not on my list of
comfortable footwear.?  I love those flat shoes that
only old ladies wore when I was a teenager.?  But hey,
who cares??  I am now in that "older lady" group and
those shoes are so comfortable.?  Am I large or small,
short or tall??  Well, I am just right for me so I am
average.?  Not too large and not too tall.?  I saw a
sign recently that said, "Short or tall, large or
small.?  We have clothes to fit them all".?  Not only do
we notice our size but the stores let us know that
they too notice and have something for every one of
us.

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Size is unimportant except when it relates
to our health so comfort is the word for me.?  I can't
imagine the agony of being a teen again and having to
worry about my size.?  I am happy just the way I am!
We are all unique and each of us should take pride in
ourselves as we are; if we strive to be the best we
can possibly be, that is all that matters.

?© Doris B. Fandal
I am wife, mother, grandmother, lover of life and enjoy doing crafts, sewing, reading,

computer and?  volunteering as a chemoangel (www.chemoangel.com) and
for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.(www.komen.org)? ? 

? 

I started writing for my own pleasure and as a way of releasing tension soon after I was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 1999.?  I also am a moderator of an online b.c. support group.(4bcsurvivors)?  B.C. changed my life; made me realize the wonder of it all and has

given me many new friends, new experiences, and a joy of living that is not like the joy I experienced before b.c.?  I lost both of my parents to cancer so the fight to find a
cure is very important to me.?  I am an outspoken advocate and try very hard to help educate anyone I see about health issues, especially related to breast health.?  I would love to hear from anyone who reads my stories and enjoys my stories or even those who can tell me how they

might be improved. My e-mail address
is mkayla38@yahoo.com? ? 

? 

~**~**~

? ~ False Prophets ~

? 

? Joyce C. Lock

? 

? ? ?  Being warned of false prophets, little is taught about what a false prophet is.?  The Bible does not? support prophets competing to unveil scripture in hopes of reward.?  The last time I checked, prophets heard directly from God; whether by dreams, visions, or God's voice; leaving no guess work in their message.

? 

? ? ?  A professed prophet said, "I believe the white horse could be a flying saucer."?  God says the white horse's rider is called Faithful? and True (Re. 19:11).?  Do you really think he would be driving a flying saucer?

? 

? ? ?  The black horse must mean something really evil, right??  Scripture says the horses represent the four spirits of the heavens (Ze. 6:5).

? 

? ? ?  A heifer can answer the riddle.?  Can an animal do that?

? 

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  What is sweeter than honey? and what is stronger than a lion??  And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle.?  Judges 14:18
? 
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not ? ? ? ? ? ?  divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.?  2 Samuel 1:23
? 
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  How sweet are thy words unto my taste!?  yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!?  Psalm 119:103

? 

? ? ?  One announced, "We have finally figured it out!?  The twinkling of an eye is 15,000 millimeters of a second." ? Did that make your eye twinkle??  It didn't mine either.

? 

? ? ?  What if Jesus were to say, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard ... the things God has prepared for them that love Him.?  Come, see the mansion prepared for you." ? Notice a twinkle?

? 

? ? ?  God said He would? take the wise in their own craft.?  If it were possible, they could deceive the very elect.?  It just does not? hold up with scripture.

? 

? ? ?  They sought to know about God instead of knowing Him (II Co.2:13-14, II Ti.2:15).

? 

? ? ?  The call of a prophet is to be on the front line of spiritual battlefields, protecting God's children, Je. 23:22, He. 11:28.

? 

? 

? 

?© by Joyce C. Lock
http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/

? 

~**~**~

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Betrayed Image

Mary Dees

? 

Exaggerated to the fullest,

My bliss has been decayed,

Embedding now my sorrow,

For what you have betrayed.

? 

Shaken by a stronger wind,

That can no longer hold you there.

Your current swept me? under

Your strength I cannot bear.

? 

Staggering closer to emptiness,

This war you cannot win.

It tastes sour- your bitterness

As I watch you struggle within.

? 

Deservingly - I wonder,

Does one get back what is thrown?

It's plain to see, though dreadfully,

You've done this on your own.

? 

Your truth shouts loud from inside,

Your anger drawn to your dismay.

Bleeding hope, for you lost all pride,

Can you remember again to pray?

? 

You carry this ache well and so it becomes you,

Although it's not who you really are.

I see the rose beneath the thorns

And so you bear my scar.

? 

Why make others endure,

All pain you can provide.

In the end you can't depend

On the resentment felt inside.

? 

Don't take away - but give us,

Reasons not to feel ashamed.

Knowing you is knowing me

And I believe in your pain.

? 

Crawl slowly from? the shell,

You've merged around your spirit.

Fall deep into that? part of you

That never once would fear it.

? 

By Mary M.Dees

? 

? 

~**~**~

Reunion

Mary Dees

? 

Neglected there, it soon decays,

Wearing stains, while father strays.

Shaken so, a gash cut deep,

Blood doesn't flow, but the pain still seeps.

? 

With tattered dreams,

She still lives his hell.

Years won't banish

What his story tells.

? 

She has perceived,

She lived with his truth,

Other eyes witnessed

His absence through her youth.

? 

His return fit well,

Though she named it a curse.

Aside from the waiting,

His acceptance hurt worse.

? 

It's the eyes, he said,

???I see myself there,

A? mirror reflecting

A? reason not to care.???

? 

And within that instant,

She said ???Yes, it's you.

You must be the vessel

My sorrow ran through.???

? 

She reached out ??“

This time he approved.

The bitterness swallowed

Their union renewed.

? 

Time standing still,

For it mattered no more.

The emptiness they'd lived

Through the years before.

? 

Diminishing now,

No more resentment to retain,

She embraces his memory,

And walks with his name.

? 

By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

? 

Mary M Dees resides in Ohio with her two children. She wrote her first poem at age 13 and has been writing ever since. She currently works as a hair dresser but has? had a lifetime interest in poetry. She also likes to dabble in interior design.

? 

~**~**~

? 

? 

Readers Feedback

Helen Dowd's story and poem touched my heart. Jene Lind.

Hi Carol

Just a quick message .........all the way from Malaysia.?  As a fellow Canadian, I want to encourage you in your writing.?  This devotional about St. Patrick was very informative ........so much so that I'll be doing further searching to get more info.?  In my newsletter to Canada yesterday I mentioned memories from 40 years ago when my mother always had us wear green.?  My grandfather was from Ireland so it was to be expected, of course.

I was born in Sherbrooke so Montreal seems like 'just around the corner' in my memories.?  I've been living here for almost two years but often my mind returns for trips to Canada ........the beautiful autumn of the Eastern Township, the sweet smell of a sugaring off bush in spring, a freshly mown field of hay........ and on and on.?  It's been so hot here lately that I've actually longed for an hour or two of the colder Canadian weather ... and I've been reading about the lingering winter.?  Never fear, it will soon be over.

Again, thanks for writing.?  Follow His leading and you will bless others as you do.?  All the way over here, I have been.?  God bless ..........

In Him

Carolyn Stickland

? 

Carol, thank you for printing Rosanne's story. What a courageous lady she is to write about this. I wish that every rape victim could read her story. I will email her with my thanks.

? 

Barb

? 

Carol,
? ?  You are so good to me my friend.?  You have run so many of my stories
since forming Storytime.
I can never thank you enough for all the good you do for me and all of your
authors.?  You are a blessing to us and your readers too.?  Wishing you every
joy, J oe

? 

I would like to reply to Johanne Christophe Arnold's remarks.

? 

I have long said and am of the opinion that the children of today are lacking in and not only being spiritually dull, but spiritually bereft of any teaching of right or wrong as we of former generations were taught the words of the Bible. We cannot get the spiritual training or of being spiritually fulfilled by any other means than reading the Holy Bible. That is where our sense of right and wrong comes from and it is expressed in many different ways and examples in the Holy Bible, God's Holy Word. If children are not allowed to read or be taught from God's Word the meaning of right and wrong how else will they learn? There is no conscience in those who do not get it from our Creator God. For God is good, all good comes from Him. Evil and the very essence of evil comes from the author of lies and the author of evil himself, Satan or the devil or Lucifer or whatever name you want to call him. He is a deceiver and a liar and a murderer and any unholy adjective you can use to describe him. He walks about like a roaring lion to find those he can deceive and lead astray. This is a spiritual battle. We cannot win it with our children except by teaching them the Word of God. As He says, Duet. 6: 6 through 9: And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; 7: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8: And thou shalt bind them? for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9: And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

? 

Of course that isn't speaking literally that we should wear them between our eyes. But it does mean we should teach our children by the word of Almighty God, Who is all things and in all things and Creator of all things. As the saying goes, "if a machine you have purchased breaks down and you don't know how to fix it, take it back to the manufacturer." God is our? Manufacturer and we should go to Him to fix our nation, our children who are bereft of all teachings of the Bible and He alone? can and will? fix it.

? 

Nell

? 

Prayer Requests and Updates

I will add Hart to the prayer list at church; Janice

? 

Hi all:?  I had the arthrogram today (man o man was it painful!!!!)?  the a
CT scan and the orthopedist called to let me that the dye leaked out i.e.
the rotator cuff is torn!?  and I must have surgery!?  Problem is I need to
wait until be have a discussion with?  MDH's cardiologist and see what he is
planning to do about the valve surgery.?  that is high risk due to his
vascular dementia and kidney disease!
All I know is I'll be in the hospital for several day, six weeks no
driving and a good 5 months for complete healing!?  Has to be done some or
it will reach a point where it can't be done!?  So please keep me in your thoughts!!!
Hugs vona

Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

? 

Agee, Vance; Apted, Violet; Baker, Kathy; Batt, Al; Berry, Nell; Blaine, Pamela; Boda, Ginger; Buhagiar, Victor; Cassady, B.J.; Cavalera, Robyn; Crider, Mark; Deming, Barb; Doherty, Maria; Gilbert, Robert, Jr.; Goodier, Steve; Braun-Haley, Ellie; Harris, Kathy Anne; Hunt, Sharlett; Hymes, Christina; Jacobson, Gary; Kiser, Roger Dean; Kerens, Claudia; Kevin, Tim; Jenkins, Pamela; Liles, Norma; Lily Jodi Flesberg; Lock, Joyce; Marlor, Janice Bumbalough; Mazzella, Joe; Morris, Deepak; Ojeibge, Georgewaters; Petry, Dianna Doles; Roberts, Susan; Shiveley, Debra; Shaw, Bob; Sims, Richard; Streidel, Saskia; Swarner, Ken; Vaknin, Sam; Verhoeff, Jan; Walker, Bill; Walker, Joe; Warner, Gordon, K; Walsh, Sue; Weymouth, Barbara J.; Whirity, Kathy;

Wainland, David; White Robert;

? 

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

? 

?