Heart Touchers

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*Christmas Cans* 12/21/01

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Happy Holidays from HeartTouchers.com

We wanted to let everyone know that for from now on
we will be offering our book, Straight From the Heart
"A Celebration of Life" for only $13 (instead of the
regular price of $14.95), and best of all, we will
pay the shipping! So if you have any interest in
purchasing an autographed copy of the book for
yourself, or as a gift for your loved ones, now is
the time to get it!

To order your autographed copy send a check or
money order for $13 (We pay the shipping!) for each
book made out to Michael T. Powers, and then send it to:

Michael T. Powers
1918 Liberty Lane
Janesville, WI 53545

To preview the book by reading some of the stories visit:

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/michael_t__powers/

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Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life

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"Christmas Cans"

By Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com

They had been friends forever. Or at least it seemed
that way. Jenny and Cathy had attended school together
since first grade. Now in 8th grade, they tried desperately
to spend as much time together as they could. Next
year they would begin a transition into the upper grades,
where classes were larger, schools consolidated, and
when they would begin to make educational plans that
would set the pace for college and beyond.

"Let's make 8th grade fun!" said Jenny at the beginning of school.

"We'll have a blast," Cathy joined in.

The first few months of this school year were just that,
everything two girlfriends would want, including boys!

Then suddenly things changed. Christmas was
approaching and Cathy seemed to withdraw from the scene.

"Mom, I don't know what's going on, but Cathy
doesn't hang out any more," said Jenny.

"Is she having trouble with her grades?" asked Mom.

"No, it's not that. I've been trying to get her to go
shopping with me, like we always do at Christmas.
She keeps saying "I can't." The Holiday dance is
coming and I was hoping she'd be there, but she
said she can't go this year. She didn't participate
in the school play, and she dropped off the committee
for the annual food drive. "I can't", "I can't" she
keeps saying but won't say why. I'm tired of hearing
"I can't," Jenny said in frustration.

"Then she hasn't told you?" asked Mom.

"Told me what?" asked Jenny.

"Cathy's mom is a single parent with four kids to
raise. I don't know how she does it. Two months
ago she lost her job. The whole economy thing has
hurt many families. Cathy is probably just too
embarrassed to tell you. I'm sure her mom just didn't
have the money this year to let her do all those things," Mom said.

"Oh, Cathy. Mom I really didn't know," said Jenny.

"That's why her Christmas has been filled with "can'ts"" Mom explained.

Jenny walked away without saying a word.

Early next morning, before Jenny's family was awake,
she headed down to the kitchen. Her mom was
awakened by the sound of someone rummaging through the garbage.

Finding Jenny there mom asked, "What are you doing?"

"I just needed something for...my science project today," said Jenny.

"From the garbage?" replied Mom.

"Trust me," she said and headed off to shower for school.

A few days passed. Mom was concerned about how
Jenny was handling all of this. But every time she tried
to speak with her, Jenny would tell her, "I don't have
time right now. I'm working on a project." Then out
the door she flew.

Over the next few days they saw little of each other.
In the hustle of a typical modern day family everyone
seemed to pass each other like speeding race cars.

That is until Mom got a call one day.

"Mrs. Jeffries, this is Mrs. Cabrini. I'm just calling to
tell you how wonderful your Jenny is. All of us here
at the senior high rise have enjoyed her help so much.
I don't know how we ever got by without her."

"Well, ... thank you, ... Mrs. Cabrini," Jenny's Mom
said with some confusion.

After a few questions Mom found out what was going
on, but couldn't understand why. Jenny had been
working at the senior center, running chores, cleaning
and decorating for many of the residents. Each of them
gladly offered her money for all the great work she did.
Mom just didn't know what she planned on doing with
that money she made.

Then yesterday Jenny finally confessed.

"Mom, I know I should have told you about it. But I really
needed to do this on my own," Jenny said.

"But..."

"Please, Mom let me explain," Jenny nervously interrupted her.

"I was so angry with Cathy for not telling me about
her Mom. I was angry because she wouldn't do all
the things we always did at Christmas. She kept
saying "I can't" and I couldn't believe that Christmas
ever meant "I can't" so I decided to help."

Jenny then reached under her bed and pulled out a
huge coffee can wrapped in red foil. Appearing to be
very heavy, she carefully placed it on the table nearby,
she slowly turned it around until Mom could read the
note on the front. It said:

"Christmas "Cans"

Then she handed her a flyer that read:

"I have a best friend who can't find Christmas this year.
She "can't" celebrate, she "can't" buy her mom a present,
she "can't" even help others.

You see, her mom lost her job and it seems they "can't"
do the things they always did at Christmas.

So I will do chores, run errands, help you decorate if you
will help me fill this with "Christmas "cans," that is any
amount you can afford to pay me. It will help me to help them.

There's a lot of things kids "can't" do, but I "can" do
anything for my friend.

I'm doing this so she "Can" have a great Christmas.

Love,
Jenny

Mom hugged her and as they sat there she thought about
all the others in the community and throughout the world
who "can't" seem to find their Christmas this year.

What "can" you do to help others?

"I believe in You!"
Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com

Write Bob and let him know what you thought of his story!
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Bob is a professional speaker, author, member of
the National Speakers Assoc., and the National
Writers Assoc. Sign up for Bob's FREE weekly
messages, "I Believe in YOU!" by visiting:
http://www.BobPerks.com or send an email to:
Ibelieveinyou-subscribe@topica.com
All stories remain the property of Bob Perks Copyright 2001

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Reader Feedback!

Just to let you know your two friends are on my list of prayers. May the
Jesus that healed the man at the pool heal both your friends. The
healing of the mind as well as the body for both of them. We have a
friend who just had a stroke that needs our prayers also. The Lord is
not too busy to take care of all of these needs at once. I give Him the
praise and the glory for what the outcomes will be for all of our
friends. Blessings and Merry Christmas --
MC
romans83839mc@juno.com

Michael,

I just wanted to let you know I stand with you in praying for your two special people in your life. Thanks for letting us know how you are praying. I stand firm in those prayers and have been petitioning before God all afternoon and will continue to be in prayer as long as it is needed. Right now I don't work so I spend a lot of time in intercessory prayer. Thank you for giving me the privilege of standing with you in prayer, and thank you for such wonderful inspirational stories each day! God Bless you and have a Blessed Holiday!
Brenda

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Thought For The Day:

"It is what we give up, not what we lay up, that
adds to our lasting store." --Hosea Ballou

Verse for the Day:

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on
earth... but store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven...For where your treasure is there your
heart will be also." --Matthew 6:19-21

Toddler's Thought For The Day:

"If it is closed, it must be opened. If it does not open,
it must be screamed at."

Parent's Thought For The Day:

"The main purpose of holding children's parties
is to remind yourself that there are children more
awful than your own."

Coach's Thought For The Day:

"The Lord gave us two ends to use; one to think
with, the other to sit on. Which one we use will
determine how well we do in life. In other words,
heads you win, tails you lose."

Writer's Thought For The Day:

"It's an adrenaline surge rushing through your body.
You have this spark of an idea that keeps threatening
to burst into flames and you have to get the words
out on paper to match this emotion or picture in your
head. After this comes the work of cleaning up the
mess that you made." -- Janet West

Deep Thought For The Day:

"Have you seen the latest invention? It's a microwave
fireplace. You can sit around it for a whole evening
in eight minutes!"

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REQUESTS:

Dear Michael:
I am certain many of your readers watch Oprah. In October, she had a
remarkable 11 year old on her show named Mattie Stepanik. He was born and
suffers from Muscular Distrophy and several other ailments. He considers
himself a peacemaker and has written several books of poetry. He is quite a
remarkable young man. Currently, he has a sore on the back of his head which
doctors say if they operate, he will not survive, So, when Oprah asked him
what he wanted for Christmas, he said all he wanted were prayers to get
well. People can go to www.oprah.com to read more about it. I, however, was
so impressed with this young man, I am asking you to forward this prayer
request on to your readers. I believe in the power of prayer and KNOW it can
help Mattie to heal. Thank you and merry Christmas to all--- Blessings,
Iris Sauber
iriss@erols.com

What a hoot to hear that someone else had oranges like we did! I think I will revive that tradition this year with my own children! I had asked for prayer earlier in the week, as my Dad passed away Sunday. I can sure feel your prayers, folks, so keep em coming! I can't imagine this kind of loss without a strong faith. I feel as if my faith is like two steel rods running through the core of me and holding me upright. I have been able to laugh and enjoy the holidays in spite of the loss. God orchestrated many things in our lives, but one thing is that my parents stayed in Florida every Christmas for the past 11 years. I haven't spent one with them lately, so it won't be as tough.
Anne Jones
DAJSB@aol.com
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_
/_/\/\    MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ /    HeartTouchers@aol.com
/_/ \    "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
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Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

"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 surprised
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-- 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! Visit:

http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery/

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