Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

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

April 9, 2006

Today’s announcements

Announcing another new writer for Storytime Tapestry; Devyani Mehta because writer # 313.  She is alive and well and here to share her first hand experience of the Tsanami that wrecked havoc upon the world and also brought the world together with love and kindness as well.  Please email her and let her know what you think of her story.

Dear Carol,

I have already sent a card to Sgt. Downs that Ellie told us about.  His story got to me.  I have a son a year older than Sgt. Downs, and like Ellie said, "It could be my own family member."  I also have a nephew in Baghdad right now, and he has been injured but his injuries were not as bad as Sgt. Downs.

I also am shipping a box to Sgt. Downs tomorrow.  I know what these soldiers like to receive so I have fixed up a box of assorted goodies for him.  I haven't met a guy from Tennessee yet that doesn't like Peanut Butter Fudge and an assortment of candies.

This is why I began Operation We Care when the war first began.  This is why I repeatedly tell all American's as well as Canadians that we NEED to support our troops.  For God knows, they are dealing with so much more than we can imagine.

Like Ellie, I would like to see everyone on Storytime drop a card to this young soldier.  So come on guys, step up to the plate and join me in lifting the spirits of one man that could use some support.

Thank you Ellie for letting us know that someone out there needs us.

God Bless,

Sharon Bryant

Operation We Care

http://www.dk-ink.com/operation_we_care.htm

For Our Troops

Now onto the good stuff!

Today’s Queue Stories

~**~**~

I Remember

Devyani Mehta

devyanirmehta@yahoo.com


"I remember how, in such a short time, I experienced
almost every emotion a human being could ever feel
perhaps, in one lifetime.
I remember the calm of the sea, as I played with my
children, on the beach.
I rememeber the excitment of seeing a strange wave
breaking the smooth, straight line of the horizon, and
then the warning advice from hotel staff, to clear off
the beach before the emergence of this "freak" wave.
I remember the mixture of feeling mesmerized as I
watched the white frill making its way towards us, and
then an inviting feeling of adventure suddenly
changing into fear as I heard the loud rumbling of
giant waves speeding up.
I remember the urgent call of my husband, holding our
two daughters, becoming an angry yelling.
I remember being stuck to the sand beneath my feet,
being torn between the beckoning of my husband and
that of son Om, who was kneeling over an injured crab,
wanting me to capture him with my camera. I remember
how unphased Om was, with everthing else happening
around him.
I remember the rumbling sound becoming louder,
thunderous, and how I ran to Om, grabbing his arm,
pulling him away from his crab. Running up to higher
ground, joining others running towards the shelter of
the hotel, I remember a loud, crashing, splash, noise
everywhere,gasps and screams....
I remember the night of 26th December 2004,in our
hotel room in Penang, Malaysia- it is very strongly
etched in my memory...my thoughts, feelings, emotions,
stiffled tears, my heartbeat, flashbacks, dreams,
aspirations, sentiments, cherished memories, lessons
and blessings...and as I lay there huddled with my
family, in the dark, only the glow from a candle,
listening to the continuous sounds of sirens and din
of voices...
I felt the deepest of Gratitude to the Grace of God,
for every breath we were breathing, as I prayed for
the transformation of the trepidation of being taken
away to "the other side", like those that were, into
the most powerful Faith to believe that we would live
to do what the Divine wills on this planet that we
love so much.
I remember the vast, intense, spiritual and emotional
experience of the Tsunami."

Devyani Mehta

devyanirmehta@yahoo.com

I have lived in Africa for 20 years, and in London, UK
for 20 years, which is where I am now.
I am of Indian origin, born in Tanzania.
One of my favourite places is Cape Town S.Africa where
we lived for 3yrs.

I am married, have 3 children and we travel
extensively. We were on holiday in Malaysia when we
experienced the Tsunami.
I think that those who died were chosen to go into the
non-physical realm to do work on the "other side" in
order to uplift this planet...it makes things feel
less traumatic.

~**~**~

 Just a “Break”
Tales out of School
By Vance Agee

In the early years of my assistant principalship I had much to learn, but I knew the power of doing the “right thing”, even if it deviated somewhat from printed handbooks. The purpose of “rules” should be the operation of a good AND caring school. The goal of education should be to change lives!

One day a teen student had been sent to me who had broken a minor rule, but still a rule. As I was about to assign her to some appropriate penalty, such as detention, she angrily murmured that she never “got a break”.

I asked, “You have never gotten a break?”

“NO!”

I believe that she was being truthful. I quickly recalled the many “breaks” which I had received in life.

I tore up the paper on my desk. “OK, now you have your break. Here’s your pass.”

She stood in a type of shock.

Then she quietly left. Very quietly.

She now had her “break”.

________________________________________

The reader my decide whether that break or a detention would have done more to change a life for the better. VA

Vance Agee

vgagee@adelphia.net

~**~**~

Are You Tired, Yet?

Joyce C. Lock
    Are you tired of having more days at the end of the month than money?  Perhaps you've missed family time, due to overtime, just to make ends meet.  Maybe, your credit card bills are rising, too.  Only, Murphy's Law goes into effect about the time you'd intended to keep your word and pay on your debt.  Suppose you borrowed from Peter to pay Paul, then failed at keeping your word to Peter, too.  Exhausting creative ideas to your financial dilemma, the end of your rope could be near.

    Are you ready to give up and admit the solution is beyond your control?  That would be a really good place to start because, then, we're ready to look higher for answers.

    Our enemy is the same one it always was.  "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10) and he can not be dealt with by earthly methods.  That's why God gave us 'how-to's', like this one.

"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another:
for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:8

    Are we listening, really listening?  Or, are we still in the mode of learning everything the hard way?  If you want the answer, pay attention.

Owe no man any thing ...

    Not if the car breaks down, the furnace goes out, or anything else goes wrong. God isn't kidding.  Don't forget that He gets jealous.  Your faith, for the remainder of your needs, is to be placed in none other than Him.  If you have a debt to pay, pay it first. Just don't make any more debts. 

But to love one another ...

    If another is left holding the bag (so to speak), likely putting them in a financial bind because you didn't make payment(s), you have multiplied your bondage and theirs.  And, God cares about them, too.  Thus, you have not really loved anyone ~ not even yourself.

For he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

    When loving God, we will love others.  And, only by loving others can we truly love ourselves.  In following the above, you will have fulfilled the requirement/met the provision for God's blessings in overcoming financial bondage.

    Then, once you have set your path in this direction, you will become amazed and so blessed (step by step) at God's creative solutions.  Your money stretches further, you will need less of it, and debts gradually become smaller.  Then, once you experience the wonderful freedom of being debt free, you will wonder how you could have ever chosen any other way.

    Once we have nothing left to lose, we discover God really does have the answers!

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

Poetry Section

~**~**~

Spring

Janice Finley

S is for the Sunshine, to warm the earth and sky

P is for the Primroses, a sight to gladden eyes

R is for the Rain, much needed to help things grow

I is for the Insects, spreading pollen where e'er they go

N is for the Nightingale, who sings a pretty song - and –

G is for all the Glories, we enjoy this Season long.

Janice Finley

finleyj@otelco.net

~**~**~

A Womans’ Poem

Janice Finley

He didn't like the casserole

And he didn't like my cake.

My biscuits were too hard...

Not like his mother used to make.

I didn't perk the coffee right

He didn't like the stew,

I didn't mend his socks

The way his mother used to do.

I pondered for an answer

I was looking for a clue.

Then I turned around and smacked him...


Like his Mother used to do.

Janice Finley

finleyj@otelco.net

~**~**~

Prayer Requests and Updates

Hello folks and thank you for the prayers!  My son in law is still in a holding pattern.  When he saw his family doctror on Friday, he referred him to a dermatologist.  He has an appt with that dr on Tuesday.  I will keep you abreast of the latest when I am informed.  Again, Thank you so much for the prayers, Normie, Cheryl, Earl; daughter and son in law.  hoopla214@yahoo.com

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; Westerfer, Clara; White Robert;

Storytime Tapestry Staff

Carol Roach - Founder/publisher

Thelma Hartselle - Co-Founder, Moderator

Clara Westerfer – moderator

Bob Johnston - moderator