{Straight From the Heart} *Winter Woodland* 1/17/00
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to write me (Michael T. Powers) and let me know what you think!
My wife left to go down to Florida to see her mom for a few days,
and I am getting a quick education on being a Mr. Mom. Four days
without mommy........There is definitely a story here to write if
I have time!
Come home soon Kristi!
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It is with great pleasure that I introduce another author to everyone
here on Straight From The Heart. Mary Emma Allen is an experienced
author with many books and articles to her credit. Her piece, "The
Magic of a Winter Woodland," really caught my eye, as I am a great
lover of the outdoors. Here words took me back to some wonderful
memories of my own experiences in nature. Hope you all enjoy!
Michael
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THE MAGIC OF A WINTER WOODLAND
By Mary Emma Allen
The magic of a winter woodland is a marvel to behold. From our
home on wooded acreage, my family and I enjoy the wonders of nature.
If we stand on our deck during a snow storm, we'll often hear the
flakes pattering against the tree trunks and see them making designs
against our clothing. The children squeal with delight as snowflakes
tickle their noses and melt on their faces.
The evergreens are bent low with snow, and we find animal tracks
criss-crossing the white ground. Birds hover around the feeder and fill
the air with their song.
Woodland News
As one naturalist has said, you can read the "woodland news" in
the snow. It's a "late night extra of who's in town."
Perhaps you'll see rabbit tracks or the tiny footprints of a
mouse. The chickadees and bluejays may call as you walk through their
woodland realm. Squirrels are noisy as they bound from tree to tree.
The trees rubbing together often seem to creak and moan.
A Hike Through the Woods
I've always liked to hike or snowshoe through a winter woods.
It's shrouded by a silence that makes each snap and crack of frosty
branches, each bird call or animal's movement seem magnified.
When I was a teenager, I often took our two dogs and walked along
the trail behind the barn. Usually there was a broken path to follow
where Father had taken the tractor and wagon to get some wood for our
furnace and cook stove.
It was relaxing and refreshing to hike through the snow. The
dogs bounded on ahead, their barks ringing out in the frosty air as they
followed an animal track or tried to find which tree a squirrel was
calling from.
On A Snowy Evening
One snowy evening when my daughter was younger, she and I
explored the woodland beyond our home on our skis. We broke trails
through the fresh snow, felt the snowflakes against our faces, and
enjoyed the experience immensely. Even though it was after dark, the
snowy landscape was light enough for us to see where we were going...and
we were never out of sight of the lighted windows of our house.
Explorations for Any Age
Now, with my grandchildren, we explore the acres that surround
our house in the woodland. It's fascinating to see these wonders through
a child's eyes.
However, you don't need children to enjoy the winter woodland.
Sometimes you may simply look at the snow covered trees and land from a
distance. On other occasions you'll trek through them with family and
friends. It's a time for renewal, for fun from the immediate
pressing cares of the day, for being thankful that we have simple
pleasures to enjoy.
Mary Emma Allen
me.allen@juno.com
Send Mary an email and let her know what you thought as you read her writing!
BIO - Mary Emma Allen is a columnist, children's writer,
newsletter editor, book writer. Her books are: When We Become the
Parent to Our Parents, Writing in Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont, Tales
of Adventure & Discovery, and The Magic of Patchwork.
Her E-mail is: me.allen@juno.com
Click here: Author Mary Emma Allen
Web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea/
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REQUESTS:
From: tg_pratt@yahoo.com (Tawana Pratt)
There is a 9 year old boy named Luke, in Children's
Hospital that needs our prayers. He is struggling with
life threatening injuries received in a car accident
that claimed the lives of his wonderful parents. He is
surrounded with caring family and friends and I know
God is tenderly watching over him. The surgery was
successful so hopefully tonight will be his last night
in ICU...regular room tomorrow!
Please pray for his doctors, his family, and his recovery. Thank you so much.
From: Smartmcs@aol.com
Please pray for God's will in the life of my 14 year old son. He is
mean and hateful to us his parents. Nothing we do is right in his
eyes. He is verbally abusive and threatening to us. Counseling is
necessary but impossible. It would take great physical strength to
get it done. Thank you and God bless.
Here was a request that was sent out on Saturday. Make sure you
read the update that follows!
Michael
From: sanni_m@hotmail.com (Sandra Millsap)
Dear Michael,
I have an urgent prayer request. A close friend's son is in a coma with
a serious head injury. His brain continues to swell, a blood clot has
formed at the base of the brain and the next 12 hours are extremely
critical.
The young boy's name is Josh Connell, a 7th grader from Danville, AR.
Please pray for this young boy and his family as they wait for a miracle.
Thank you for your help.
UPDATE
Dear Michael,
Thank you so much for sending out the prayer request on Josh so quickly. I
am so happy to report that MANY people have responded and God has heard our
prayers. Josh was in such critical condition just 2 days ago and today's
report is a miracle in itself. His CT Scan this a.m. indicated that the
swelling in his brain has stopped and while the blood clot is still there,
it has stopped growing larger. Josh has awakened to recognition, remembering
the accident, all reflexes are working and he is asking questions! Praise
the Lord for answering the prayers of His children! He remains in ICU, but
the prognosis is looking good and we rejoice in this miracle. I am saving
all responses to this prayer request and will forward them to the family...I
want them to see how many fellow Christians have been lifting them up during
this time. Again, thank you and God Bless!
In His Service, Sandra
For those of you who remember Jessica Beals and the trouble she was having
with her pregnancy and the possibility of a premature birth...
Here is an UPDATE:
From: Beals7OfUs@aol.com (Donna Beals)
HI ALL..............I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW WHAT WAS UP
HERE IN THE BEALS HOME!!! WE TOOK JESSICA INTO BELOIT THURSDAY EARLY
MORNING TO SEE IF SHE WAS IN LABOR (SHE HAD BEEN HAVING MILD
CONTRACTIONS SINCE MIDNIGHT AND WAS PRETTY DISTRAUGHT) BELOIT
MONITORED HER AND THE BABY FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS AND THEN THEY SENT
HER HOME AND TOLD US TO CALL HER HIGH RISK OB DR. IN MILWAUKEE........
MILWAUKEE OB DR. SAID HE WANTED TO SEE HER IN MILWAUKEE SINCE SHE WAS
STILL HAVING CONTRACTIONS SOOOO BRING HER UP THERE RIGHT AWAY TO
MONITOR HER AND LITTLE BUDDY......THEY KEPT HER IN MILWAUKEE UNTIL
LATE THIS MORNING (FRIDAY) THEN SENT HER HOME....SHE IS NOW HOME......
DILATED TO 2 AND IS STILL HAVING MILD CONTRACTIONS....THEY SAID TO
BRING HER BACK WHEN THE CONTRACTIONS ARE HARD AND CLOSER TOGETHER
(THEY WERE 5 MINUTES APART BUT NOT REAL HARD OR REAL CONSISTENT) OR
BRING HER BACK IF HER WATER BREAKS......THEY WERE ABLE TO MONITOR
ZACHARY'S HEARTBEAT SO IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL TRY TO LET HER DELIVER
VAGINALLY!!!! I HOPE IT WORKS OUT THAT WAY!!! CALL HERE AND WE WILL
LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE PHONE FOR INCOMING CALLS IF WE HAVE TO TAKE HER
TO MILWAUKEE AGAIN!!! JUST A LITTLE FYI!!!
ALSO AT THIS TIME I AM PLANNING ON RUNNING DAY CARE MONDAY MORNING
AS USUAL UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENS....SOMEONE WILL CALL MY DAY CARE
PARENTS IF THERE ARE CHANGES!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS.....KEEP THEM COMING!!!!!!!!~DONNA
UPDATE:
From: jdh@ipa.net (Becky Holloway)
Wanted to share this wonderful news.....the doctors had said my
brother would have to remain in New Orleans a minimum of 100 days
following his release from the hospital . Now just 40 days after
the transplant, he's being released to come home!!!! Praise the
Lord.....and thanks for all the prayers.
Joyfully,
Becky
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Thought For The Day:
"Why is it that there is never enough time to do the job right, but
always time enough to do it over."
Verse for the Day:
"The plans of the diligent leads to plenty, but those of the hasty
lead to poverty."
Proverbs 21:5
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Once you're wet it doesn't matter how much more you get rained on."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"You know your children are growing up when they stop asking you where
they came from and refuse to tell you where they're going."
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, and
the lesson afterwards."
(Vernon Law, former pro baseball player)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Being healthy is merely the slowest possible rate at which one
can die."
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html