... The table was adorned with colored eggs and flowers, and the children were seated together where conversation could flow easily. I thought about how God brings people into our lives at just the right time and how fortunate we were for their friendship. We were getting settled and feeling like the south was almost as good as our northern home when Steve came home and announced that they wanted him to consider another position, but it would mean moving-a move back to Michigan. ... been a busy winter adjusting to a new school for the children, as well as making friends and feeling settled in a suburb of Atlanta. With two in elementary and one in junior high it was a fragile age, and building friendships without peer pressure was important. The days were warm and the azaleas were out in full bloom by mid February. The new life and spring flowers helped us to enjoy our new home. We had joined a nearby church and met a ...

... on the children. It sounded like she didn't get many gifts to open, so I had always given her a small package-new dish towels, the next year's Relief Society lesson manual-not much, but something for her to open. I was touched when at church on the day before Christmas, she had given me this small package, saying it was just a token of her love and appreciation. As I took off the bow, I remembered my friendship with her and was filled with gratitude for knowing her and for her kindness and sacrifice in this giving me a gift. But as the paper fell away, I began to tremble and cry. There in the small brown box was the Baby Jesus! He had come! I realized on that Christmas Day, that Christ will come into our lives in ways that we don't expect. The spirit of Christ comes into our hearts as we serve one another. We had waited ...

... they, too, believed in love. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it," Love from your Valentine" I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh- ...

... The Color Of Friendship Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite. Green said:" Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority" Blue interrupted:" You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing" Yellow chuckled:" You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is ...

... with hate. We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was ...

... perfectly selfish and stupid. Why would I think that at this time? He's dying and I'm upset because they chose to tell him he had three months. Why not four? Five or six are good numbers, too. I realized afterwards that three was perfection to me. Everything about that number meant happy things in my life. Nobody should make three a bad number. The truth is it is just a number. There is power in one. There is friendship and love in two. In the Bible, the number three often times reflects divine perfection. Okay, he could have it. Divine perfection. The sum of all he was, all I ever knew him to be as a friend, a husband and a father could be described as divinely perfect. I spoke to Jim two more times before he died. Yes, three in all. He died on the third of the month just three days shy of his three ...

... to hear. Maybe something I longed to hear again, but with a different tone. It was Administrative Professionals Day and although we had already made plans for gifts and a small lunch, I wanted to thank them in my own way. So I purchased two small potted mums on my way to work that morning. I walked in the door and handed one to each of the two wonderful ladies who do so much for all of us, but it was their friendship I was acknowledging today. They were both very appreciative. Later after the celebration ended one told me she had forgotten what day it was. So this really was a wonderful surprise. It would be the very next day that what I had done would return to me hundred fold. When I walked in the door that morning, I was greeted with the same beautiful smile I saw each day." Bob, I just wanted to tell you how great it was for ...

... rebel in her own right, settled in to her new world. She adapted pretty well to the few things that we asked of her. The" rules" were few and simple. Stay sober, go to meetings and work on building a foundation for the rest of your life. What everyone else looked at was what a generous gift we were giving to her. What I found out was what a wonderful gift I was given! Amber and I developed a friendship that is priceless to me. She is the same age as my oldest daughter, and I look at her daughter as the granddaughter that I haven't had yet. Amber lived with us for about a year and a half and during that time she worked and went to school to start a new career. Amber lost her mother, Carol, unexpectedly one morning and she walked through that with grace and dignity. She has regained her self respect, her dignity, her family ...

... that effect, anyway. She sided with a sinner. How did Mary Magdelene feel when Jesus sided with her? I don't know. I can't imagine it. But I do know how it feels when someone good is on your side, even though you're someone bad. It's amazing. I'd like to say the church leaders changed their mind. They didn't. I never went to Antioch again. I still remained friends with Alicia, but eventually, as many high-school friendships do, we lost contact. I never see Alicia anymore. I never see Mrs Waterford. I never see anyone from that wonderful Waterford family. But I think of them every day. Mrs Waterford, if you ever see this, I'd like to tell you something. I'd like to thank you for being such a wonderful person. I'd like to thank you for remaining on my side. But most of all, I'd like to thank you for showing me what true ...

... quickly turned to laughter at her ready response of," Bring it on over, Honey, bring it on over !" Our clothes were never cleaner, brighter, or less wrinkled than during the almost two years that Betty faithfully and lovingly did our laundry. Then when our little foster daughters were placed in their" forever home" through adoption, we both knew it was time for me to resume the task, and although she no longer does our laundry, our friendship remains strong. She laughed one day when I told her I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I still do. [by: Ronni Wintermote (MountainWings.com)-from Margrit, via InspiredBuffalo @lighthouse.net] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... " I am a child of God. But do I really see God in my life and those He places within it? I need to" look closer" Take time to really examine every aspect of your life. Make a list of all the labels you place on who you are and ask yourself if you really" see" yourself and others. If you are in search of love, look closer. You are loved. If you are in search of friendship, look closer and see those who consider you one. If you are in search of a better relationship with those in your family, look closer and see how really important they are. If you can't find Christmas this year, look closer. There in the manger, no, in your heart, you will find Him. Everything you need, you have, if only you" Look Closer"" I believe in You !"~Bob Perks~[ by: ...