Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

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March 25, 2006

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Today??™s announcements

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Thank you for your continued prayers for the return of my beloved Seti, my Himalayan male cat.

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Now onto the good stuff!

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Today??™s Queue Stories

~**~**~

Listen: Dreams and Love Are Calling
?© 2004
Julie Jordan Scott

"In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities"

Janos Arany

The Dream sat quietly - largely unnoticed, and reflected
on an undream-filled life.

Here are her words.

"I sat on my well worn perch, a space unknown to many but
very present in each being's life. It is a place where heaven
and earth meet. It is a place where the heart and mind are one.
It is a sacred place, a heavenly grounded place, a place
where physical matter manifests richly and ripely following
the desires of my host.

Today, I chose to look from above and I was concerned at
what I saw.

I looked down at her and wondered what happened to that
feisty kid at the typewriter, the one who fell into the zone and
wrote with reckless abandon.

Now the only writing she does is an occasional, make it very
occasional, letter. Perhaps a report for work.

She created me so long ago, filled me with book ideas and
characters and intriguing story lines and then? She deserted
me for "real life".

What is "real life"?

When do I, the Dream, get to be noticed again?

The worst thing is to be invisible, unnoticed, as if I don't exist.

You would think she, of anyone, would know what that is like.

After all, she is the one who still cries as a full grown woman
when people don't "get" her. It reminds her of the old wounds: of
her sister ignoring her existence in the hallways at school, of her
friends deserting her as happens during the tumultuous years
of puberty, it reminds her of lost loves, of colleagues not listening
to her ideas or pretending not to listen and then presenting her
ideas as their own.

She has felt invisibility and she has felt me ??“ she has connected
to my heart beat and to my Dream-Call, yet? Here I sit, once again
unseen and untouched.

I remembered that old Dr. Seuss story, "Horton hears a who" when
"Who-ville" ??“ an entire village-world lives on the tiniest, most
microscopic dust speck.

Horton the elephant hears the singing, chanting, cacophony
of shouts blending into a chorus of "We're here, We're here,
we're here!"

Can she hear me?

Does she know I am still present?

I felt my chin sink into my chest, despair dribbling over into
my being.

She looks so empty and devoid of passion: at least to me.

She has a full calendar, a steady social life, a sometimes
satisfying career ??“ but is she really alive?

"Can you hear me?" I cried out.

The tormented dream that I have become speaks again,
"I am here. I am here. I am here!"

PassionActivator: Do you have a dream that is settled
deeply within you that is calling out to you? From the depths
of your heart do you hear it say "Listen to me, I am here!
I am here! Please??¦..hear.... and respond.... to me......"

It is never too late to join your dream, say yes to your
wildest wishes.

Say- and act upon - your Yes Now. Activate Your Passion.

Julie Jordan Scott

julie@5passions.com

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Julie Jordan Scott is a Writer, Speaker, Success Coach, Actor,
Workshop Facilitator and Mother Extraordinaire who created
the DreamActivation program to ignite your dreams.
Use the Power of DreamWitness, Focus and Intentional
Action to live your wildest dreams now....
http://www.5passions.com/dreamactivationnew.html

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~**~**~

CHRISTMAS MASS AT ST. JOSEPH??™S

Gabriel Morgan

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? ? ? ?  The congregation at St. Joseph??™s had swelled to capacity on Christmas Day.?  It was hot and the mid-morning light gleamed through the glass windows at the back of the altar.?  From my seat in the front pew the red, yellow and pink roses in front of the statues of Jesus and Mary looked stunningly beautiful.?  I felt immensely proud of my husband as I gazed at the image he had created of Mary and the baby Jesus in the manger. It stood behind a nativity scene which was placed in front of the altar. The colours in his painting, together with the cobalt violet blue and white agapanthus (better known as Star of Jerusalem) in vases each side of it, were in perfect harmony with the colour of the roses.?  The light intensified the colours and truly transformed the altar area into a new splendour.? ? 

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? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  ???A light will shine on us this day:

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?  the Lord is born for us.???? ? ?  Ps. 96: l

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? ? ? ?  A sense of peace prevailed among the people who seemed to be relaxed and happy after the pre Christmas rush.?  They waited expectantly for Mass to begin.?  We were blessed by having a visiting Priest from Rome to celebrate.? 

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? ? ? ?  Annie, our organist, had not arrived.?  I was told she was not well and we must proceed without her.?  With a full church congregation, I realised how much we depended on Annie.?  She travelled miles by car each Sunday, after already attending Mass at her own Church, to play the organ for us.?  Now it was up to me to choose a hymn appropriate for Christmas morning, one which everyone might know by heart.?  So Mass began with ???Silent Night??? without accompaniment, a cappella style.? ? ? 

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? ? ? ?  A chorus of voices filled the Church.?  Mass became alive.

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? ? ? ?  The Priest began the Liturgy, and through his homily strengthened the wonder of the gift bestowed on us in the birth of Jesus.?  In a unity of spirit, people from all walks of life filed up to communion to receive the body of Christ.? ? 

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? ? ? ?  At the end of the Mass, without Annie, I searched for inspiration for the final hymn.?  My eyes upon my husband??™s image of the baby, Jesus, in a cradle, led me to announce, ???Let us sing - Away in the Manger.???

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? ? ? ?  The congregation responded in full voice, and in that small Church of St. Joseph the true spirit of Christmas was felt.?  Jesus was manifest in our hearts.? 

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? ? ? ?  As I left the Church on that Christmas morning, I thought of the special gifts I had received throughout the year by being part of this small community of worshippers at St. Joseph??™s.? ? 

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The gift of Annie, whose strong will in witness of her faith allows her to dedicate herself to our needs, despite the fact that she no longer drives and must find transport.?  Her generosity of heart and true affection are indeed an image of the spirit of Christ.?  It is to Annie I feel a debt.?  Her example is my strength.? 

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The gift of our Parish Priest who, regardless of ill health, continues to travel to St. Joseph??™s to bring us the Eucharist.?  In him, we encounter our Lord.? 

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The gift of friendship, shared joys, struggles and united prayers in faith, all a comfort to the soul.? 

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Along with everyone who attended Mass that morning, I left in peace, with a full heart, and an abundance of blessings to partake of my Christmas feast.

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Gabrielle_Nicholls @hotmail.com

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About Me:
I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA IN EAST VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. I AM

MARRIED TO? ? ? FELLOW WRITER AND ARTIST, MICHAEL MORGAN. I

BELIEVE IN PEOPLE, IN LOVE, AND IN WRITING I FIND THIS THE

DEEPEST WAY OF MAGNIFYING IT. I LIKE THE GENTLE. I HONOUR

WHAT HAS BEEN PROVEN TO BE OF GOODNESS, QUALITY AND

BEAUTY. THE ANGELS AND SAINTS INSPIRE ME.

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~**~**~

~ A Cross to Bear ~

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? Joyce C. Lock

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? ? ?  Being misunderstood can feel like a cross to bear.?  When wounded, people have found art, poetry, and music as avenues of statement.?  Even when our heart gets ripped, as others judge things not understood, God understands. There's comfort in knowing God is never blinded to our need, which offers wondrous things to share.

? ? ?  Sometimes, as we seek comfort in others, God allows them to fail because He wants to be that special person in our lives. Knowing such doesn't immediately eliminate struggles of emotional abandonment.?  We're glad God loves us.?  We just want another to care besides Him.

? ? ?  Once realized that none loves like God, He becomes appreciated in newfound ways. Then, we're ready to share with others ... "Do you know how special that is? ? Of all the people in the world, God choose you to reach down and love."?  He says, "You are so special to me.?  Would you let me be your friend?"

? ? ?  When people's response to us is, "No, I don't want to be friends," that hurts.?  Seldom do we consider how God feels when we say, "No," to Him.

? ? ?  We're created in God's image. ? Whatever we long for, He does too.?  He desires not yours, but you ... someone to walk and talk with, listening to His inner most thoughts as well as hearing yours.

? ? ?  Once realizing God's heart is like ours, we begin to avoid noticing outward appearances ~ to see needs of other's hearts. Only then, can we start to love like Him.

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

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Poetry Section

~**~**~

Afraid to Sing

Mary Dees

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Release for me, this despondent frown,

I wear again today.

Alleviate this pain for me,

I don't want to go away.

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Resurrect my welcome emotion,

And participate if you care.

The labor I have in store for myself,

Is plenty a load to bear.

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Reveal to me another reason,

That I should still believe.

My memory is stained with grief,

And nobility I can't receive.

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Gazing at the horizon,

I am aware of just one thing:

My voice will never be heard

If I am? afraid to sing.

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By Mary M. Dees

marlena7694@yahoo.com

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~**~**~

This House

Mary Dees

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In this house there are memories,

That is why it still stands tall,

And there is faith in Heaven??™s sake,

Built in these reconstructed walls.

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In this house there? are moments,

When family gathers round,

And in prayer we say our thanks

For precious feelings found.

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These walls have cradled our happy times,

And have endued the hard ones as well,

And it remains throughout the years,

As a testament to tell.

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For this isn't just a house,

Built just for hearts to roam.

It is? also a dwelling,

That we love to call our home.

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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.

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~**~**~

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Readers Feedback

Hello Bill, - March 18, 2006 I have often wondered about which was the most important; Christmas or Easter and usually when asked, I would chose Easter but then I have to agree with your input on Storytime_Tapestry. It takes both to complete the cycle.? ?  Norma Liles

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Prayer Requests and Updates

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Senior Writers

Chief writer: Sharon Bryant

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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;

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Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer ??“ moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator

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