... The Little Messenger With tears flowing down her cheeks, my youngest daughter said," Mom, I'm pregnant" My first reaction was silence. My second was immobility. My third was crying and my last reaction was screaming," I can't believe you did this !" I was raised in a Christian family and ... concerned. Quickly my mind flooded with thoughts of ways to rid her and our family of the situation she brought upon us. A single mom of two daughters, I struggled for 10 long years after my divorce." How could you ?" I asked her. For the first several days, I was in shock ... screaming," I can't believe you did this !" I was raised in a Christian family and had morals and values that despised the words spoken from my daughter's lips. She was 15 years old. How was she ever going to take care of a baby? What about school? Her whole future was headed downhill ...

... daughter's wedding day she has visions of the flowing white gown and a beautiful bouquet. She pictures her husband, the father of the bride, walking their daughter down the aisle, arm in arm while tears of happiness blur her view. Never in those days of anticipating her daughter's Cinderella day did she once think about ... ~Kathy Whirity~Bio: Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, their two daughters Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a family life columnist for two area newspapers. [By: Kathy Whirity Copyright 2005 ... The Wedding Dress When a mother dreams of her daughter's wedding day she has visions of the flowing white gown and a beautiful bouquet. She pictures her husband, the father of the bride, walking their daughter down the aisle, arm in arm while tears of happiness blur her view. Never in those days of ...

... family was saved, his daughter's honor preserved, and a dowry for her marriage secured. Some time after, Nicholas secretly provided a dowry for the second daughter. Still later for the third. But on the third occasion, the girls ' father stood watching. As soon as the bag of gold thudded on the ... . He had heard about a family destitute and starving. The father had no money for food, much less the dowry needed to marry off his three daughters. He was ready to send his oldest girl into the streets to earn a living as a prostitute. Under the cover of night, Nicholas threw a bag ... gold coins through the window of their humble dwelling. In the morning the father discovered the gold. How he rejoiced: his family was saved, his daughter's honor preserved, and a dowry for her marriage secured. Some time after, Nicholas secretly provided a dowry for the second daughter. Still later for the third ...

... The Heart To Let Go It's seems like just yesterday those little notes signed, “( heart ), your only daughter ,” would pop up around the house for no special reason. I often wondered if she was trying to tell me something. Maybe I was giving more attention to her older brothers than to her, maybe she was feeling insecure about our relationship, or maybe she was just being the loving little girl that blessed my life everyday. Bottom line is this: ... show for it. Then one day, it all began to fall apart, right before my eyes. I was shocked to find that our car was missing one morning, when her father got up for work. We checked our daughter's room, only to find her missing as well. Frantic, we began making phone calls; to her cell phone, her friend's homes, etc. No response. Then finally she answered, and confessed that she was “ on the ...

... Lessons From a Child Two of the greatest teachers in my life are my children. There is no doubt in my mind that parenting has taught me more than any other life experience. My lovely daughter offered a lesson today on the way home from school. Every conscious man who has ever raised a daughter can testify to a special bond between himself and" daddy's girl". This idol status can be amusing, but one has to be careful when they know they ... driveway, there stood Cady in the back yard, tail wagging and ready for some supper. I have resolved to repair my fence in an effort to prevent any future escapes. Mostly, however, I am determined to consider my daughter's feelings with a little more compassion before spouting some anger-based dribble. Children are such incredible teachers. Thank You Father, for mine! [by: Elliott Teters, Copyright 2003 (teters @planetkc.com)-from '2TheHeart '] Inspirational Stories ...

... . We gently led her through the process of how to change her world. Amber is a single mother to a beautiful little girl who was 3 years old at the time. Amber hadn't been able to be a mother to her daughter with the lifestyle she'd been living, and this was another adjustment for her to make. Chloe, her precious daughter, was welcome at our home too. After a while they were able to spend more and more time together and re-establish ... . I have all the faith in the world!~Trish~Trish is from California, and says," I am a grateful woman in recovery, living a life beyond my wildest dreams. I'm happily married with two grown daughters, a fabulous grandson with a second grandchild on the way" [By: Trish, Copyright 2008-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... hospital room that afternoon as weeping for joy became a family affair. Words cannot begin to describe the feeling of holding the tiny hand of your granddaughter only minutes old. Or seeing the brand new daddy, the man who loves your daughter with all his heart, cradle his infant baby while sharing the precious moment with his beaming wife. A fitting song kept playing through my mind-a song that Bill and I have been listening to for months." I Saw God ... was to jump up and down and shout with joy for this news meant that I would be a grandma. Then the reality hit-first we had to endure the 9 month waiting game. As each month went by and our daughter's belly grew, so did our excitement. The fun of shopping for baby clothes and planning the shower took up some of the time. Then, when her due date came and went, I found myself asking hopefully if every ache and ...

... of college I was scouting around for a place to live, as my roommates had dropped out of school. One Sunday after church the pastor put his arm around me and said," I understand you need a room. Our daughter is in New Zealand this year as a foreign exchange student. If you'd like to stay with us you may use her room" To be honest, I really didn't want to stay with" the preacher's family" I was 19 years ... . By this time I seemed to have been adopted into their family-her people became my people, as it was put so beautifully in the old biblical story of Ruth. I happily accepted the offer. As I vacated the daughter's bedroom, I thought it might be nice to have a little sister to look after. But when I later met my new sister, I realized that this idea of looking after her might be more interesting than I first imagined. We ...

... Dreams As Special Sherry Moore Budniak of Lagrange, Kentucky, had never thought of dreams as special. She had just had her third daughter and also had gone through a tubal ligation, due to her rocky marriage. She would not bring any more innocent children into this household, she had decided, where things were more like a nightmare than a dream. But her husband still wanted out, and soon left her. Sherry worked hard to keep her little family together ... to love and appreciate her. Several years passed, and then Sherry met Chris, a wonderful man and an answer to her prayers. Soon they were married." Chris is a caring husband, and a wonderful stepfather to our daughters ," Sherry says." And he never once mentioned his regret at not having a child of his own" But Sherry knew how he felt. And when she consulted her physician, he believed that there was a chance Sherry could become ...

... my soul, and we have shed buckets of tears. Although my daughters go to a different school, in another state, no place seems safe anymore. Especially for us, because we have a connection to Virginia Tech. My daughter, Helen, spent three semesters at Virginia Tech. She was accepted into their engineering program with the highest honors and she spent much of her days inside the building where the carnage took place. That's where all her professors ' offices were ... The Lips Of God This has been a week like no other in Southwestern Virginia, the home of Virginia Tech. So many questions have filled my soul, and we have shed buckets of tears. Although my daughters go to a different school, in another state, no place seems safe anymore. Especially for us, because we have a connection to Virginia Tech. My daughter, Helen, spent three semesters at Virginia Tech. She was accepted into their engineering program ...

... ," he said!." Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come in and fill our home with wealth" His wife disagreed." My dear, why don't we invite Success "?. Their daughter was listening from the other side of the room. She jumped in with her own suggestion:" Would it not be better to invite Love?. Our home will then be filled with love"" Let us heed our daughters advice ... said the husband to his wife." Go out and invite Love to be our guest" The woman went out and asked Love to please come into their house and be our guest" Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 men also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady said:" I only invited Love. Why are Wealth and Success coming in too ?" The old men replied together:" If you had invited Wealth ...

... good enough for my son ," it began." He never should have married you. You're a terrible mother to my grandchildren" I quickly placed the figure back in the pack and withdrew another. It was Donna, Joan's youngest daughter. Her head was bandaged from the surgery that had failed to resolve her epilepsy. A third figure was Joan's brother. Addicted to drugs, he had been convicted of killing a police officer." I see why her burden is so ... " All of them seemed to be of equal size. But each was labeled with a name." There's Joan's ," I said. Joan was married to a wealthy businessman. She lived in a sprawling estate and dressed her three daughters in the prettiest designer clothes. Sometimes she drove me to church in her Cadillac when my car was broken." Let me try that one" How difficult could her burden be? I thought. The Lord removed my burden and placed ...

... a one of them raised their hand for the 30 million. (Although I briefly thought that 30 million would buy some quality child care and help further the cause for equality) However, I did realize that it wouldn't make my daughter see, nor would it replace things many other children needed. Ten years ago I would have been convinced that the money was my answer to happiness. Now it's secondary to what is really important. I know now that all the times ... little girl see? Well, if you can't, I guess I understand. Miracles might be in short supply today, but just for the record thanks again for letting me see. Amen. Pat Linkhorn is the mother of two daughters with disabilities. Kimberly is 17 and has Autism and Krystal is 15 and is blind due to prematurity. Pat works as a mentor to other parents who have children with disabilities, helping them navigate the educational system. [Pat Linkhorn, ...

... Sh! Sh !" said her mother." You wouldn't want them to hear, would you ?"" But Mommy, he's ugly! How can that pretty lady stand to look at him ?" The mother glanced toward the couple her daughter was pointing at, quickly taking her child away. But every day during the sea cruise, they saw the couple. Whenever they did, Nancy buried her face in her mother's clothes." Mommy, I just can't stand to look ... spoke a soft greeting, smiling down at Nancy. Smiling shyly back, while snuggling close to her mother, the little girl blurted out." Why are you so pretty, and your husband so ugly ?" Maria gasped at her daughter's rude question. She was about to scold her when the young woman spoke." No, wait !" she said," I've noticed your child looking at us quite often. I would like to tell her a story about my husband ...

... Things She Gave Me ” It doesn ’ t matter where I live when May comes calling with colorful flowers and the newness of spring time, and the soon to be Mother ’ s Day celebration, I ’ m happily transported back to a small town in Michigan and a little white church on Main Street. Although we lived in the city, each Mother ’ s Day weekend we ’ d make the trip to my grandparent ’ s home for the annual Mother and Daughter Banquet at the church where my mother, grandparents and their parents before them had attended. My mother would bring a basket of spring flowers, either home grown or bought at the City Market, and colored ribbons with accessories. While grandmother prepared a covered dish, we ’ d make corsages for my great-grandmother, her twin sister, my grandmother, and one for my mother and a smaller one for me. My youngest recollection of going to the little white church where all ...

... The Powers Of Love By all accounts, the Powers ' household was like any other in the Mt. Greenwood community. With five daughters close in age, and a son, there was, no doubt, never a dull moment for their patient parents. And I thought having two daughters less than two years apart was a challenge! Like any other family overflowing with females, they fought, snuck each others clothes and, in coming of age years, shared the all important teen-age secrets. They supported each other in bad times and shared the laughter in happy times. Not much has changed in the years since they have grown into adults. I recently read an empowering story about the Powers women. They have joined forces to fight breast cancer with what they call Team KA-POW. Membership to this team includes many friends and family who support Annie and Kathleen, both cancer patients who are dedicated to raising funds to find a cure for this ...

... The Show Did you ever stop to notice how the world puts on a show? Did you ever take a minute just to stop and watch the snow? Have you ever seen a rainbow in a droplet of God's tears? If you haven't, my good friend, you've wasted all those years. A young Mother and daughter wasted no time at all. After the first big snow of the season, they headed directly to the local park. All bundled up and ready to go, they loaded their sleds, a few extra socks and mittens into the back seat of the car and headed to the" best place on Earth to slide !" as Mom put it. She had grown up in a small town just a few miles from where she and her daughter now live. Going back there to ride down the hill together has always been special to her. As a little girl playing with her friends she often declared" One day ...

... was special. If I had the choice of having love or spotless matching linen in my house, I know which one I'd choose. And then there was Mrs Waterford (Alicia's mum). Before I go any further, I should mention that the Waterfords were strict Catholics. (You may have guessed that around the time I said" ten children "). So when I met Mrs Waterford I expected a preachy judgmental woman who considered me a bad influence on her daughter. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the exact opposite applied. Mrs Waterford welcomed me into her home as if I were her own daughter. She was not only beautiful on the outside, but inside where it really counted. After I had known Alicia for a while, Alicia suggested I accompany her to Antioch (her youth church group). I readily agreed, partly because it sounded like fun, partly because there were boys involved, but mostly because I had ...

... The Autograph It was June of 1968, and I was fleeing for my life, carrying my two-month-old, baby daughter. My brother had managed to scrape together enough money for a first class ticket on an airplane traveling from Atlanta to Detroit. My first marriage had become too dangerous, and as I flew home to be with my family, I felt very agitated. Anything, God, I silently prayed. Anything to break the monotony of my own tortured thoughts. At that moment, my baby bobbed over toward a smoker, a bit of drool dripping from her chin. As she studied him with wide-eyed wonder, she let out an enormous belch, right in his face! It was all I could do to keep from laughing! The man gave a disgusted grunt, and stepping over us, he retreated down the isle into the back of the plane. I never saw him again. Behind me, across the isle, I ...

... holiday-a day when stores were closed and more importantly, there was no school. I knew about the war, but I was free to play. I knew people died for our freedom, but I could sleep in. I knew my parents had little when they were growing up because of the war, but I had food on my plate and a day to watch TV. The real meaning of the day was distant to me. Years later, my daughter joined the Brownies. The first year she was a member, I set the alarm to wake us on the morning of 11 / 11. She had to participate in a parade. Every Brownie, Girl Guide, Cub Scout, and Scout had to participate in the parade. It was a day to remember those who died for our freedom. My wife and I left our daughter with the Guide leader and proceeded to the Canadian Legion, where we waited for her. ...

... The Daffodil Principle Several times my daughter had telephoned to say," Mother, you must come see the daffodils before they are over" I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead." I will come next Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said," Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch !" My daughter smiled calmly and said," We drive in this all the time, Mother"" Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home ...

... The Pebbles Many years ago in a small village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a large sum of money to a village moneylender. The moneylender, who was an awful, mean man, fancied the farmer's beautiful daughter. Since the farmer was unable to pay the debt, the moneylender proposed a deal. He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter. Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter. He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an empty money bag. Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag. If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her father's debt would be forgiven. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her father's debt would still be forgiven. But if she refused to pick ...

... father and his ill sister, I was just about ready to fall over in sheer exhaustion. However, something inside keeps you going because, well, you have to. As we were leaving our last appointment, I was walking behind the three of them and noticed an old woman with a cane and special walking shoes attempting to step from the curb and get into the waiting car. At first I thought for certain that the driver, whom I assumed was her daughter, surely would get out and help her. She didn't. I knew I had to get to my own car and unlock it so that the others could get in. But, how could I pass this woman by? The wind was cold and strong and she looked as if she would fall. I stopped and asked her," Do you need a hand ?" She looked at me as if surprised. Not afraid, but surprised." Yes I do, ...

... Kindness is Contagious My 9-year-old daughter and I were flying from our home in Charlotte, North Carolina, to spend a week with my husband in Miami, Florida. Mike had been in Florida for five months working for an Internet start-up company. We were excited about the trip because we had seen him only five times in five months, and Kallie missed her dad terribly. As usual on the Charlotte-to-Miami flight, the plane was totally full. I had noticed a troop of Boy Scouts at the gate and commented to my daughter that if anything happened, we would be OK with all those Scouts on our flight! Little did I know. Because we did not get our boarding passes until we arrived at the gate, Kallie and I could not get seats together and were separated by the aisle. That wasn't such a big deal, except that Kallie was nervous about the trip and had counted on my reading to her the whole way. ...

... a challenge. The ever changeable weather! As we gathered around the table to eat that afternoon we were making our plans for Thanksgiving dinner, and who was bringing what. We always tried to invite a new family from church over, thinking perhaps they would be alone on Thanksgiving in a new area." Mom, our youngest son said, did you notice Mrs. Mitchell sitting in church today? She was blowing into her handkerchief and wiping her eyes" Our daughter said she thought it must be because her son had just passed away. I was stunned. My husband and I looked at one another and asked how she knew about this, we hadn't heard a thing! We knew about her son; but only that he had been wounded in the war, and didn ’ t live in the area." I guess she hasn't seen him for a while, he lived some place in another state, and I only knew about ...

... been working with her for about a year-and it was tough sledding with Annie-the Perkins institute for the Blind opened its doors. They were able to help her and she went on to study and became a teacher herself. Annie came back to the Tewksbury Institute to visit, and to see what she could do to help out. At first, the Director didn't say anything and then he thought about a letter he'd just received. A man had written to him about his daughter. She was absolutely unruly-almost like an animal. He'd been told she was blind and deaf as well as 'deranged ' He was at his wit's end, but he didn't want to put her in an asylum. So he wrote here to ask if we knew of anyone-any teacher-who would come to his house and work with his daughter. And that is how Annie Sullivan became the lifelong companion of Helen Keller. When Helen Keller received the Nobel Prize, she was asked who had ...

... Magnolia I spent the week before my daughter's June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle... so many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he'd wanted to give her away since she was about three years old! To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church. After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked ...

... Riding Tandem" When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer" -Corrie Ten Boom Teaching a child to ride a bike can be difficult. I watched as my daughter worked with her son as they went back and forth on the street in front of the house where we were all staying on vacation. I sighed wistfully as I watched because it didn ’ t seem that long ago that I was doing that very thing with her. We were on Hilton Head Island and there are bike trails everywhere but Ben hadn ’ t yet gotten the hang of riding a bike on his own. I guess we could have found some training wheels somewhere but Ben was getting old enough that he wanted to ride without them. Since we were in a strange place, we decided that Ben just wasn ’ t ready to go on the bike trails ...

... in the air." Tibor, thank you! I thank you for your courage. Many years ago, you made a decision to flee your homeland, cross a guarded border, and make your home in Canada. This lady beside me was born in a far-away country but now sits beside me as my wife. It was your strength and courage that made this possible" With a trembling voice, I continued," Tibor, thank you for giving me your daughter" The room was quiet, except for muffled sobs. I returned to my seat and wiped the tears from my eyes. The afternoon flew by. We danced, hugged, and excepted words of encouragement. At one point during the festivities, I managed to find my mother-in-law alone. I crouched beside her chair and said," Mom, you made it. I'm so glad you're here" She hugged me," Michael, I'm very happy. All I ever ...

... own front door. She thanked the woman, then ran into the house to show her Mama the new coat. After she had finished telling her story, she saw that her mother was crying. She put a small arm around her mother's thin shoulders." I thought you would be happy, Mama ," she said softly." But if you want, I'll take the coat back. See? I still have my old one" The mother gathered her little daughter on her lap and hugged her." I" m not unhappy, honey ," she sniffed." I'm overcome with joy. I knew that I would never be able to buy you a new coat for Christmas. Even used coats down at the mission cost too much for me. So I prayed to God that he would provide you with a new coat. And He did-and a finer coat than I ever imagined" The mother kissed her daughter on the ...

... been sucked out of me, too. The summer skies opened with life giving rain. After three years of drought, there was a new day for our gardens and our little tree. Perhaps by some miracle our Canadian princess would find life again. I must confess that I talked to God every day. Like a small child, placing my hand into the sheltering hand of my Father, I begged Him for that little tree. One day, my husband and daughter shouted at me." Come outside !" they called. Hastily, I covered my mouth to protect my lungs from the raw spring wind, and I hurried into the back yard." Look at the tree! Look at the tree! It's growing buds !" Hardly daring to hope, I journeyed over to the garden, and I searched, as my daughter gently guided my eyes to the tips of each tiny branch. There they were! Tiny growth buds, tender ...

... day Bill and I took a ride that found us passing the same place we picked pumpkins with the kids. Sadly, we witnessed its demise with no signs of the traditional Halloween happenings. Apparently the farmland has been gone for a long time. It is now a sub-division with clusters of homes scattered all around the area. The only trace of hay, apple cider and friendly faced scarecrows to welcome us are in the memories of two aging parents and their now grown daughters. These days we purchase our pumpkins at the local grocery store. Lately we have resorted to painting on smiling faces in stead of carving them. They are quite smaller than the gargantuan gourds our children use to choose. Autumn is a special time of caring and sharing. It's a time to be thankful for the harvest that we reap, both nutritional and spiritual. In the harvest of our lives I am grateful for the bounty of love and memories that are mine to ...

... Vacancy It was the festive ambience of a family at Christmas. Sisters-in-law, brothers-in law, parents-in-law, nephew, nieces. Nearly twenty in all. On this Christmas-past, I am a sponge. I soak in all that I see and hear. My daughter is just a few months old and we all agreed to meet in Colorado for Christmas. One family has an air mattress and sleeping bags in the basement. A hide-a-bed couch serves to accommodate another family; spare bedrooms are filled to capacity. One sister, in full joy, proclaims that she has the cutest baby on planet earth, while another exacts a proclamation of equal conviction with general disagreement on all sides while I quietly gaze at my own daughter, who is without question the cutest child by far. I turn and look near the fireplace, the rest of the guys are working on a jig saw puzzle (well over a million pieces if memory serves). Our children ...

... and let his feelings be known. His wise mother sat him down and said," Wait a minute, Son. You must remember, that machine never belonged to us in the first place. That we ever got to use it at all was a gift. So, instead of being mad at it being taken away, let's use this occasion to be grateful that we had it at all" The lesson proved invaluable. Years later, John watched his eight-year-old daughter die a slow and painful death of leukemia. Though he struggled for months with her death, John could not really begin healing from the loss until he remembered the old Bendix." I am here to testify ," he said," that this is the only way down the mountain of loss .when I remember that Laura Lou was a gift, pure and simple, something I neither earned nor deserved nor had a right to. And when I remember that the appropriate response ...

... Secret Day" I'm keeping it a secret ," young Heather said as she knelt beside her bed saying her prayers. Mom was just outside her door when she over heard the conversation between her daughter and God. It had been predicted that this day would be an average Spring day, as far as the weatherman could see. But his forecast was based on scientific facts, not the prayers of a little girl. For by the end of this otherwise normal day, it would be a glorious one. Mom and Dad were up early as usual, to get ready for work. Like any other day they fumbled in the morning fog that filled their minds. Like robots they went about their daily routine. Reaching in to start the shower, Mom came across a note taped on the wall. Opening it she read," You are loved !" printed in mixed colorful crayon. Dad came walking in just then." I found this ...

... Illinois. But that shirt helped. I smiled, remembering that Mother had worn it when she was pregnant, 15 years earlier. That Christmas, mindful of the warm feelings the shirt had given me, I patched one elbow, wrapped it in holiday paper and sent it to Mom. When Mom wrote to thank me for her" real" gifts, she said the yellow shirt was lovely. She never mentioned it again. The next year, my husband, daughter and I stopped at Mom and Dad's to pick up some furniture. Days later, when we uncrated the kitchen table, I noticed something yellow taped to its bottom. The shirt! And so the pattern was set. On our next visit home, I secretly placed the shirt under Mom and Dad's mattress. I don't know how long it took for her to find it, but almost two years passed before I discovered it under the base of our living-room floor lamp. ...

... to rescue me. Let's not forget the incident when, without my knowledge, a small branch became entangled in the underside of the car. Such a horrible racket and I was terrified the car was going to blow up. Once more my knight in shining armor came to my aide. He still laughs when he thinks about my episode last year's while reading Frank Peretti's book" Monster" After girls ' night out, I sat in the car reading waiting for my daughter to complete her adult clogging class. Unfortunately, the class ended in the middle of the scene where the kidnapped woman sees the creature's glowing eyes in the deep dark forest. I have to drive home without knowing the outcome. Then after dropping my daughter off, and driving back home, I see one lonely deer eating across the street. Yes, one lonely deer whose eyes reflect ominously in the headlights of the car in the dark of a moonless night. Upon arriving ...

... Junior and Sammy This is the story of Junior, the cat, and his" daughter" Sammie, the Pomeranian. We were blessed with Junior, an oversized cat, who sees himself as delicate and fragile, and expects to be treated as such. Junior was given to my son and we think he was about two years old. He had ruled the house alone and happily so for many months. I had told my son about seeing a story on the news regarding some" meth head" that had burned his dog alive because the poor thing wouldn't quit barking, and it had no water or food. This must have made a huge impression on him. He had attended an auction with several of his friends, which was to benefit Toys for Tots. A local woman had donated a registered Red Pomeranian puppy, not quite 6 weeks old. Two of the folks who were bidding were known to be drug users, and ...

... that I would have one of my own, just a slightly different model. Lately the weather has not been cooperating with our plans to hit the bike paths and we've only had the chance to ride once. Aside from the weather I knew this summer would be excitedly different than last. This time last year we were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first grandchild. For the soon to be grandpa and I, the countdown began the moment we found out our youngest daughter, Katie, was expecting. Needless to say the pregnancy seemed to drag on forever. Now, looking back, we can't believe how fast the time has flown since her birth. Our bouncing bundle of joy has blossomed into a beautiful baby girl. Just the sight of her causes old gramps and me to giggle with glee. It's also the reason that this summer season found us on the hunt for a baby carrier for the back of my bike. I discovered, ...

... take turns as she now heads down to the waters edge alone and longing for what was and what is. Having been there myself, my mind fast forwards seeing them both in future times. The scene as I see it: They have returned to this beautiful resort by the sea every year now. It has become a part of the family tradition. Dad now has made his mark and successfully played the role of father for about two decades. This time his daughter is walking on the beach by his side, holding his hand." Daddy, We've been coming here now since I was a baby. You have given me a lifetime of memories here ," she says." I can remember the first time we brought you here ," he tells her." Daddy, when I was away at school I missed being with you a few summers. I want you to know it wasn't easy ," she says." It just wasn't ...

... raise my children for the last 14 years. I am so thankful and would not change my decision for one minute. But it seems that my job is only part-time now. I can remember wanting time and complaining that there was never any time for ME! Days were filled with tending to scraped knees, changing diapers, baking cookies, watching Sesame Street, and going to play group or the grocery store. Oh, Lord, how I long to have one daughter in the shopping cart, holding my son on my hip, and my eldest daughter trailing behind asking," Can we get Oreos, mommy, pleeeease ?" And while my children will always need me, their demand for my time continues to diminish. I'm scared, God. Please help me to trust You. Help me to trust that You know exactly what You have in store for me. Help me to trust and know that it is good, and that it ...

... had gotten from him. He was still alive when I was working on the manuscript, and in his senility, when I read him parts of it, he said, “ That is exactly like it happened. How did you know ?” He had forgotten that he had given me the information on his and mom ’ s early married life. Dad was proud of me. He also raised a son that went into mission work in this country. His second youngest daughter was / is an amazing mother, and his youngest daughter is a fantastic pianist. Dad raised four other sons by a second wife, after our mother passed away. My father was easy to talk to about doctrine, or the Bible, or missions or things like that, but there were some topics that he never discussed, and that was anything to do with the ‘ facts of life. In our days, talk of ‘ sex ’ or ‘ facts of life ...

... looks down from Heaven, I want her and all the other mothers to know that they made a difference. Your love is unique and no one can take your place. I send Blessings to all mothers, and to mine specifically, for the the goodness of their souls and for the life they gave us. May they be forever blessed.~Karen Carroll~< mndlvme at msn.com >Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved Karen lives in Central New Jersey with her 3 daughters, 2 dogs and a cat who loves to cuddle and then take a nip of your arm. She says," Family life is hectic and wonderful and memories of my parents who are long gone makes me more aware of how important my children are" Please take a minute to let Karen know what you think of her story:? subject = SkyWriting.Net-Blessings to all Moms "> Karen Carroll [by:? subject = SkyWriting.Net-Blessings to all Moms "> Karen ...

... Diaper Spelled Backwards Last August I was feeling somewhat bummed by the thought of turning 49. After all, with the big 5-0 breathing down my neck like a demented dragon, I was starting to feel tired, achy, and old. Then I opened a gift from our daughter, Dani, and her husband Mark-an empty silver picture frame with" Our First Grandchild" engraved on the bottom! I gasped and grinned until Dani finally said," Read it out loud" Then my husband gasped and grinned too." Congratulations ," I said." Did you tell Mark's parents yet ?" Mark said they just came from there (his parents live about a mile from our house) and he gave his Mom a similar picture frame engraved" Happy 26th Grandchild" Can you imagine? Of course, Mark is the youngest of nine kids, but that still seems like a huge pile of grandkids to dote over. The great news ...

... Best Job In The World I've been a mom (mother) for over 15 years now, and along with gaining spider veins, 25 pounds, and a few dozen worry wrinkles, I've also gained knowledge. For instance, I learned a major lesson when my darling daughter, age 3, put her peanut butter sandwich in the VCR slot. It seemed she wanted to" watch" her lunch instead of" Little Mermaid". Trust me. VCR's do not eject Peanut Butter Sandwiches! In the twelve years since that sticky incident, I've also learned the following gems of wisdom: A new mom really can get by on 3 hours and seventeen minutes of sleep per night. You could use the bags under your eyes to pack for a cruise, but at least the sweet smell of poopy diapers can act as smelling salts to revive you. If it's 2am and your toddler whines," Mommy, my tummy hurts !", you have ...

... to fight for God and right and all. He told all that would listen that Jesus was truly God. He would not budge an inch you see when he stood for his First Love. Another Bishop would not bend, he would not listen to his friend. Nicklaus after all the words, four months of talk went on, used his fists instead! And then he still fought on and won! A poor family lived in Nicklaus ’ parish. The three daughters faced lives of poverty and shame if no one would help. With no money for a dowery they had no way to wed. No husband meant shame and disgrace. It also meant no one was there to take care of her, for women could not work. So good" Saint Nick" dropped gold coins into drying stockings while they all slept in bed. Did he drop it down the chimney or in a window by the bed? Who knows? Who really ...

... expect to have and to hold, the whimsy of wedded bliss, we need to really listen to the language of our husband's love. It will serve us well all the days of our married lives. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY Roses are red, violets are blue, May the language of love be heard by you.~Kathy Whirity~Bio: Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 29 years, Bill, their two daughters, Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers, Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. [by: Kathy Whirity Copyright 2005-submitted by: Kathy Whirity (kathywhirity @yahoo.com)] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... Cave Babies My son told me how his daughter, little one-year-old, Tessa, was demanding to have the remote control for the television. He said she reminded him of a cave man, or perhaps a cave baby in this case, because of the way she was acting. She kept reaching and screaming for the remote. On a whim, my son decided to give it to her and see just what she would do with it. Upon finally receiving the prized remote, she pushed the buttons over and over but nothing happened. She tried screaming at it several times but still nothing happened. Next, she took the remote over to the television and smacked it against the TV, whacking it again and again as she yelled louder and louder at it. Finally, since nothing else seemed to work, she decided to try tasting the remote. It evidently didn ’ t taste good so she looked at it hard, screamed at it ...

... The Dark Candle A man had a little daughter-an only and much-beloved child. He lived for her-she was his life. So when she became ill and her illness resisted the efforts of the best obtainable physicians, he became like a man possessed, moving heaven and earth to bring about her restoration to health. His best efforts proved unavailing and the child died. The father was totally irreconcilable. He became a bitter recluse, shutting himself away from his many friends and refusing every activity that might restore his poise and bring him back to his normal self. But one night he had a dream. He was in Heaven, and was witnessing a grand pageant of all the little child angels. They were marching in an apparently endless line past the Great White Throne. Every white-robed angelic child carried a candle. He noticed that one child's candle was not lighted. Then he saw that the child with the dark candle was his ...

... dance. As I looked to the heavens, I smiled and lovingly said," Thank you. First, for the dance, but more importantly, for teaching me so much about life"~Michael Segal~msegalhope at aol.com Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter Shawn. Currently Michael is working on two book projects and a CD, entitled POSSIBLE, with some of his short stories, available on his website: http :// www.inspirationbymike.com. Youtube: http :// www.youtube.com / watch? v = hNeRqpaoNpQ [By: Mike Segal Copyright 2009 (msegalhope at aol.com)-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... for taking my vegetables ," the man replied." Then this is what I most desire ," the young girl said relieved." Perhaps this is true, yet you will hear the matter of grace ," the man insisted," Should I extend grace, you would be invited to come and gather any vegetables from my garden that you like at any time you like. It would be as if you were a member of my family with all the rights of a daughter" Miriam marveled at the gifts offered to her. She knew that she did not deserve the man's kindness and yet she longed in equal measure for both mercy and grace." Sir, I do not deserve either mercy or grace. For I deserve a punishment and am in no way deserving of the rights of a family member. Still, I could not leave with a pure heart without an equal measure of both ," Miriam said with a tear gleaming in her eye ...

... this idyllic autumn afternoon. Sitting around card tables in the yard, we manage to quiet down for a prayer of thanksgiving. Then, at long last, it is time to dig in. Tearing open the mesh bag of steamers, I can hardly wait to swirl each clam in drawn butter. What a gloriously gritty delicacy. Heaven seems near as a lobster tail is placed upon my plate, followed by sweet potatoes and a cup of steaming clam broth. My daughters, content with an ear of sweet corn each, amazingly don't seem to care that much for seafood." I can help you out there" my husband teases, reaching for their leftover lobster. We laugh with my cousins as we swap family news and gorge on a final, overindulgent treat-homemade cheesecake and raspberry pie. As the sun sets, we pour second cups of coffee, warm mugs that prolong our time together, if only for a few precious minutes ...

... love ?" the Creator finished." Come, I will show you" Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow." There, see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter" The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen tenderness. Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters. He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at the warmth." Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest creation"" Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter" A stench enveloped the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed," What is it ?" The Creator spoke only one word:" Selfishness" The angel stood speechless as they passed ...

... whose lives she so dramatically touched by her inspiration will never forget her. That is why I believe that the most beautiful rose, both inside and out, is" THE MARNIE ROSE"~Michael Segal~msegalhope @aol.com BIO: Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter, Shawn. Mike is a social worker at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and an author (currently working on 2 book projects: an autobiography and an anthology of his own short stories). He also is a very popular inspirational speaker sharing his" recipe" for success, recovery and happiness. Please visit his website, www.InspirationByMike.com or call Sterling International Speakers Bureau, toll free in the USA / Canada, at 1-877-226-1003 for more information. Also, every year there is ...

... to leaks. In the winter the snow builds up on the low sloped panels. Heat lost through the poorly insulated roof causes it to melt during relatively warm days. Water trapped under the snow seeps into the seams. At night, when the temperature drops, the water freezes and forces the seams apart. This continues all winter long. By spring you're living in a sieve. During one particularly nasty spring storm, one with high winds and heavy rains, my daughter approached me," Dad, there's a leak in my ceiling" She grabbed my hand," Come on, Dad, hurry. It's a big leak" I hesitated. The first ball game of the year was on TV. How bad could it be? It was probably just a small drip. She pulled me down the hall and into her room." See, dad !" She pointed at her ceiling." Look !" She wasn't exaggerating. The water ...

... A Box Of Kisses The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said," This is for you, Daddy" He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her," Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's supposed to be something inside it ?" The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said ," Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All for you, Daddy" The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged for her forgiveness. It ...

... adults 2 to 1-easy. After my husband found what he was looking for, we grabbed a quick bite to eat in the Food Court. I felt a little restless and decided to stay behind and do some research at the book store. I grabbed a pile of reference books, found myself an empty chair, and started making notes. Four hours slipped away from me. Still feeling restless, I decided to use the gift certificate from the bookstore my daughter had given me for Christmas. I found a beautiful book called 'The Quiet Little Woman ' by Louisa May Alcott, and picked it up for my granddaughter. Then I found 'A Memory of Christmas Tea ' by Tom Hegg, and picked that one up for myself. Since both of the books were Christmas books, they were 50 %off. Perfect. My gift certificate would cover the cost of both of them. My research was done, my shopping was finished and ...

... Where Two Ways Met The boys were so excited and happy as we shopped all day before our Doctor appointment at three that afternoon. My husband Charlie had the job of keeping them busy while I picked out gifts to put under the tree. We had purchased new coats, gloves, and snow boots for both boys and a pram suit for our little daughter. Charlie and I also had new warm winter coats. Our car was piled with gifts and food in the trunk and our old coats were in the back seat with the boys. My wait was much longer than expected as the doctor had been called to an emergency at the hospital earlier in the day. I came out of the office to face a terrible snowstorm. The blizzard conditions were growing worse all the time. My husband was concerned as to our making it back to our country home about seven miles from town. He thought about us staying in a motel for the ...

... her again because I was sure I would see my own shame mirrored in her eyes. I often think about Rosalyn and the way she turned to save me that day. I spent a great deal of my life letting the bricks of anger, hurt and rejection wall me in. I kept good people like Rosalyne out and surrounded myself with the kinds of people who I thought I was. I eventually did see that and I have changed my life. My own daughter is eight now and I have had the opportunity to send her to school with her own little bag of macaroni. I wrapped it up with a heavy heart that morning thinking of those turbulent days past. I thought of Rosalyn and the little gift she tried to share with me and I give a silent prayer of thanks for all the people like her that make this world a better place to live in. [by: John Gaudet, Copyright 2003 (drmrjohn62 @yahoo.com ...

... this. They wish they could do it. You ’ re doing great kid, but we ’ re not finished. This is our big moment. Ready? Stop! Drop! Splash! Up! We ’ re outta here! You ’ re doing great! Just keep doing what I do and you ’ ll be fine" Those two pelicans have gone on down the coast, but I see similar scenes everyday. There is the mother who sits with her daughter sharing her years of experience as a wife, a mother, and a lady. There ’ s the father showing his son how to hold a baseball bat and how to stand at the plate. An older mechanic patiently explains the strange noise under the hood to the new guy. An experienced teacher illustrates her technique of classroom discipline to the recent graduate. The long-time student of the Word explains a text to his disciple. Jesus when he asked Peter," Do you ...

... more. Each time these difficult periods came 'round again, the music ceased and tension, fear, and strife shoved aside the joy and began to rule. Christiana and her peers lived only for the times of joy, pouting and resisting those that kept them from their fun. At one particularly dark and trying hour, Celeste and Chaucer, who had been on this flight much longer and had learned to take things more in stride, hovered near their lovely and delicate daughter." How do you manage to remain so calm when our enemies are near ?" Christiana asked." My dear ", said her father," When we began this journey, before you were born, the father of snowflakes, the one who formed us, spoke a promise for us to hold close to our hearts along the way"" Long ago ," he said," because the snowflake journey is fraught with enemies, I sent my perfect snowflake to the earth ...

... not sure what my sister would have done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch with-someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write-one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I truly love them. I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is. a gift from God. [by: Ann Wells, Los Angeles Times-from 'The Inspired Buffalo ' (the-inspired-buffalo @yahoogroups.com)] Inspirational Stories ...

... fall out of formation" and to join the barnyard ducks-the worldly ways of life. But look what happened to Wally. He thought he would just" check-it-out" for awhile and then leave when he wanted to. But he couldn't do it. Sin is like that. Sin is a trap, and it has a way of changing us into people we don't even want to become. Eventually we lose touch with who we really are-the sons and daughters of the Most High. We become barnyard ducks. Addendum-James 5: 19-20 (NIV)" My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins" [Author and orginal source unknown.] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... I heard sweet little Betty's voice on the other end, my own voice shook as I said," Betty, do you still want to help me with my laundry ?" My tears 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. ...

... A Little Girls Prayer Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor from England to Zaire Africa, told this as it happened to her in Africa." One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator. (We had no electricity to run an incubator) We also had no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates." And it ...

... comfort in time gone by; comfort in accepting the fact that, for most of us getting older means getting better. Even if it does take us a little longer to reach our goals, we succeed with patience, wisdom and stamina. And that's a light bulb moment that shines bright for those who believe.~Kathy Whirity~Bio: Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 29 years, Bill, their two daughters, Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers, Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. [by: Kathy Whirity Copyright 2005-submitted by: Kathy Whirity (kathywhirity @yahoo.com)] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... Spelling Lessons “ That was really stupid ” I said out loud as I was reading over something I had written down incorrectly. “ We don ’ t say that word, Mom ,” my son, Jeremy, quickly informed me as his little daughter was playing on the floor with her dollhouse. That was really obtuse ” I quickly rephrased my words as I dredged up a vocabulary word from my high school days. “ Thanks, Mom, now she ’ s going to be telling people that they are O-B-T-U-S-E ”, he spelled. “ S-O-R-R-Y ” I mischievously spelled back to him and then thought better of it because that is probably one word that doesn ’ t get used enough anymore. Jeremy seems to have taken a sudden interest in spelling lately. For example, I hear him saying such things as: “ I H-A-T-E it when that happens ”, “ In this game you have to K-I-L-L the monsters with lasers ” and “ This D-U-M-B ...

... I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied." If I were any better, I would have already been raptured! Wanna see my scars ?" And he recited a bible verse. I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place." The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon to be born daughter ," Michael replied." Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live. Then all these bible verses came to mind and comforted me." Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness ?" I asked. Michael continued," .the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into ...

... While pulling weeds from my small garden one day in June, my husband arrived home just before noon to tell me my grandmother was ill and in the hospital. Of course, my first thought was getting home to see her, but I was way" too pregnant" for the airlines to allow my emergency flight to the states. When we got word that my grandmother had passed away, I went into false labor. Later that week, I delivered my precious daughter. When Lorena was a year old, we were finally shipped back to American soil. It was a bitter sweet home coming because my beloved grandmother wouldn't be there to welcome us back. My two younger children would never know her or be held and hugged by her. While showing off my three children to my favorite uncle, he asked me if I'd like a" trinket" from Grammie's jewelry box. I was thrilled to be able to visit Grammie's house once again ...

... of each kind ), ten beautiful grandchildren and a precious great grandson. They are all the joy of our live. The story I want to tell you is a true story about our grandson Joshua, who is 24 years old now. The incident happened when Josh was about two years old -maybe less, I'm not sure. But, it happened when he was at the age where he was just learning to walk. It was shortly after lunch that day. Our daughter, Theresa, was over and she brought Joshua with her. After lunch, as I most always did, I went upstairs to brush my teeth and shave before I went to work. I worked the second shift at that time. Directly at the top of our staircase there is a window, and setting next to the window at the top of the stairs, we kept a large heavy exhaust fan during the warm weather, which we used when we went to bed ...

... of lightning streak diagonally from north-to-south. It was a spectacular display of nature, one we safely watched from a distance." Wow! Did you see that one boys ?" I asked my grandsons." No! We missed it again"" Guys, you have to focus, these things happen fast. If you don't focus, you'll miss them" Later that night, after the boys went to bed, I sat out on the deck while Ginny, her daughter, Heather, and her son-in-law, Nathan, watched a show on TV. They laughed each time I screamed," WOW! That was a good one" Alone with my thoughts and the lightning, I remembered the meteor shower. The lightning was the same. The flashes of light were gone in the blink of an eye. I asked myself," Mike, how many of life's meteors and lightning bolts have you missed because you weren't paying attention ?" I had ...

... think you better" My kids were used to my eager enthusiasm but they were also aware of some of my health problems." I can do that, just watch me !" I wasn't over the hill! I still knew how to have fun." Well mom, you best be careful"" I'm fine, come on let's do it. You get on that side and I'll get on this side ," I said to my teenage son. My two younger daughters and youngest son gleefully looked on as our cheering section. I was raring to go and not going to let those kids get one up on their mother! That first bounce-well let's just say we didn't quite synchronize our jumps and I flew up into the air like a ball shot out of a cannon and landed very hard with a thump on my rump." Mom, Mom, Mom-are you all right? Mom are you OK? Here let us ...

... teachers and other staff were also gathering around to see what was happening for the new week. When the school year drew to a close, Laurie took each and every" good deed" report filled in by the students and teachers and attached them to one long continuous sheet of paper. This was to be the final reminder to all, that little things do make a difference. She chose a time when only teachers were at the school and she and her young daughter literally wrapped the entire school walls with hundreds and hundreds of kindness reports. What was it that motivated this young woman? She says," it all came about because I could see some of the younger children in the elementary school were worrying over bullying. Others concentrated too much energy on reporting the wrong choices of others. I was looking for something to counteract this when I came up with the idea of reporting one another on acts of kindness. I sincerely believed and ...

... . I guess we broke traditional protocol, but we had a face-to-face meeting with God we would never have had if we hadn't. The service was unbelievable. Just five short months after the April 20 tragedy, Mr. Scott shared the" untold" stories from Columbine, the stories the liberal media may never tell, the stories he has dedicated every waking moment of the rest of his life to sharing. He talked at length about the 12 students, including his daughter Rachel, who left this world on April 20. Of the 12 students who died, eight professed to be Christians. As Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris (the two gunmen) came down the hill behind the school to begin their assault, their first target was Mark Taylor. At the very moment bullets pierced Mark's body, he was witnessing to two of his friends about his relationship with Jesus Christ. They next turned their guns on Rachel. Three weeks earlier Rachel had ...

... love that he feels for each one of us. He had truly shown me how to forgive. I Saw Jesus Again as I read about The Jesus Prayer. It is a meditation where you repeat a phrase over and over again to Jesus. The first time I said The Jesus Prayer, I said," Jesus, the son of God, have mercy on me" I had been laying in bed for some time saying the prayer when my six year old daughter came into the room, and asked me for a glass of water. When I rolled over and opened my eyes, I saw a small cross in the corner of my bedroom, up next to the ceiling. It was wooden, about four inches long, with four gold bands around all four sides. I looked at it for several long seconds. I saw it clearly, and was able to make out all of the details it. When I looked away it ...

... big meal that year; only that it was a wonderful Thanksgiving because of the memory that Grandpa helped to make. When we trust God and know He holds the future, we can be assured that He has some special plans. I think Grandpa knew that this may have been his last Thanksgiving, and wanted to make sure that year was special. He passed away the following spring. Grandma sold the old house we loved so much and moved to live with her daughter in Florida. A number of Thanksgiving years run through my mind as I recall my youth, yet whenever I see a Christmas card with a sleigh on the cover, it brings back a vivid picture of that day with my grandparents and loved ones. I ’ ll always be grateful that God allowed Grandpa to share that last Thanksgiving with us and for the memory of the family sleigh ride, with the bells ringing and the horses that took us through a glistening white blanket ...

... ten laps, on this, my first day as a swimmer. Tired, yet invigorated, I am bursting with accomplishment." I am going to do twenty laps on Thursday !" I boast to my husband over lunch later that day." I think I will try a few strokes of front crawl, too" What started as therapy for my back quickly turned into a workout that I actually enjoyed. Tuesday and Thursday mornings become my time. With my youngest daughter in preschool, I find myself looking forward to peaceful morning swims. Gradually, I begin to complete greater distances. Ten laps become twenty, and remarkably, even thirty. Splashing forward, I am surprised to feel so free. My spirit soars with each stroke. Who cares if my form isn't the model of Olympian perfection? In the water I am powerful and strong. Adjusting my goggles, I dive beneath the surface. Insecurities are washed away as I set and ...

... . People want to believe that getting better is possible. People enjoy stories with happy endings. And people want to be positive. Kevin Everett's story reminds us that sometimes there are happy endings.~Michael Segal~msegalhope @aol.com Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter Shawn. You can learn more about him by visiting his website at: http :// www.inspirationbymike.com [By: Mike Segal Copyright 2008 (msegalhope @aol.com)-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... since been moved from assisted care to the nursing home, and although I visited her regularly, I was always surprised by the relentless progression of her Alzheimer ’ s. When I arrived, my mother was resting in her chair. I laid my hand of her shoulder and she looked up at me with her charming smile. The sparkle in her eyes still danced, but much slower now. “ Who are you ?” she asked kindly. “ I ’ m your daughter Gail ” But she no longer understood that world or the relationship in represented. “ And what do you do ?” she asked. “ I write books ,” I answered. “ She does too ,” she said, pointing to a photograph of me on her nightstand. I picked up the picture and held it close to my face and smiled. “ See, it ’ s me, Gail ” A very dim light came on. “ It ’ s you ” I ...

... asked me." It's the words. They don't always fit the person I need to buy a card for"" Oh, that's the problem ," she said." Really ?"" I don't read the cards"" Well, how do you know it's the right one ?" Placing her finger on her chin, looking much like the famous statue," The Thinker ," the young child said," It looks like them" Her mother then explained that her daughter doesn't buy cards for what they say. She buys them for how they look." When Granny is sad, I buy her a card that looks happy. My best friend is sick. I found a sunshine card for her ," the child said." If I describe my friend, could you pick out a card for her ?"" Yes, of course. It would be better if I could see her, but tell me what she looks like" I ...

... realize I did not have a choice in leaving a job I hated with a passion to pursue a last career that would fulfill me and I could say I truly loved. This was my destiny. When I arrived at my home airport of Detroit, MI, my three sons and my mother were all lined up waiting for me and each one holding a red rose. They were there to show me their enduring love and support for a woman (their mother and daughter) who took the biggest risk of her life to pursue her dream (at 50 ), who believed in herself strong enough to try and to see her in uniform for the first time, the uniform she had been waiting a lifetime to wear. A true story about the life of: Denice R. (Bush) Barth; Flight Attendant, for life.~Denice R. (Bush) Barth~September 20, 2009 Copyright 2009 [Denice R. (Bush ...

... was just sitting down after a fantastic dinner that my wife had made today. I was feeling warm, content, and very thankful to God for my loving family and for my wife's delicious cooking. I was feeling blessed to have been given so much to enjoy, rejoice in, and share in my life. I doubted that there was anything that could make me feel better than I did at that moment. It was just then, however, that my wonderful daughter yelled for me and my wife to hurry outside right away and see the sky. It had been raining all day long, but now the setting sun was making the breaking clouds in the western sky turn a glorious, shining yellow. That was not all, though. At the same time God was using that beautiful setting sun to create the most fantastic double rainbow that I had ever seen. It covered the whole eastern part of the sky and made my delighted heart ...

... bell. We took turns hiding it in the tree. The others had to find it. We played" Find the Bell" until mom yelled at us for shaking the tree to make the bell ring and reveal its hiding spot. Mom knew how much the bell meant to me. The year I had my own family, she gave me the bell. I played the same game with my own children. I picked up a pretty red ball. When our daughter was two, we'd put Vanessa down for her nap and decorated while she slept. We wanted to surprise her. When we finished, I sat back with a glass of eggnog and waited for her to wake up. I can see her now-running from her room, fully charged and ready to take on the world. She was five feet from the tree before she looked up and stopped. Her eyes opened wide. Her jaw dropped open, as she emitted ...

... . (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess) I was thrown in jail and told that my punishment was death. I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that 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 ...

... style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. Max is the first author to win the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year three times-1999 for Just Like Jesus, 1997 for In the Grip of Grace and 1995 for When God Whispers Your Name. Max serves as the pulpit minister of the Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio, Texas. But he says his greatest accomplishment is finding a one-in-a-million wife in Denalyn and having three unbelievable daughters: Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. You can visit his website at: http :// www.MaxLucado.com [by: Max Lucado, Copyright 2005-from 'Heart Touchers ' (Stories @HeartTouchers.com)] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... , there are similarities-like the laughter of children enjoying the summers of their childhoods that can spark in our youthful hearts, our own mid summer's memories. Good bye summer till next time, when the beautiful rays of sunshine will once again warm our happy hearts while leading us to the bliss of new beginnings.~Kathy Whirity~Bio: Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago where she shares her life and love with her husband of 28 years, Bill, their two daughters Jaime and Katie, and two rambunctious retrievers Holly and Hannah. Kathy is a newspaper columnist who writes sentimental musings on family life. [By: Kathy Whirity Copyright 2005-submitted by: Kathy Whirity (kathywhirity @yahoo.com)] Inspirational Stories SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... busied myself packing for an upcoming camping trip. In a short time, I heard the back door open and Frankie's voice yelling," Can you go upstairs now ?" As I walked up the steps I went through a mental checklist." Hmm, it's not my birthday, it's not Mother's Day-what could he be up to ?" I brushed my hair and tried to ignore the sound of chairs scraping, kitchen cabinets slamming and muffled conversation. Soon my nine-year-old daughter Sarah, a last minute recruit into the conspiracy, announced through giggles that I could come downstairs." Eyes closed-except for stairs ," she said. Once downstairs, Sarah held my hand and helped me stumble my way through camping equipment and eventually into the kitchen." Open your eyes !" Frankie and Sarah shouted in chorus. I couldn't believe what I saw. The kitchen table was covered in a pile of balloons. Frankie walked up to me and handed me ...

... good ," he said." The cancer is back" The tears swelled in his eyes, and I said how sorry I was to hear that. The baseball season ended, school began, and Tracy started chemo treatments. It was a long process for her. She went to school as much as possible, other days were hard for her. I kept in contact with Karen, praying for this little gal we all had come to love so much. Our daughter was graduating that spring, and although baseball resumed its place in our lives, we had an open house for our graduating senior, and invited Tracy and her family. Tracy looked a little thinner but wanted her picture taken at the open house as she was wearing a new blond wig! Everyone was going in so many directions that fall. I tried my best to keep up with Karen and how Tracy was doing. Her good days were getting to be fewer, yet ...

... own obstacle. I believe that is the definition of being human. I thought of that as I smiled even more and gave CoCo a sugar cube for helping me achieve my goal.~Michael Segal~msegalhope @aol.com BIO: Shot in the head during a robbery, Michael Jordan Segal defied all odds by first surviving and then returning to college. He then earned two degrees with honors, married his high school sweetheart, Sharon, and became a father to their daughter Shawn. Mike is a social worker at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston and an author (currently he has two book projects he's working on: an autobiography and an anthology of his short stories). He also is a very popular inspirational speaker sharing his" recipe" for recovery, happiness, and success. Please visit his website, www.InspirationByMike.com or call, toll free in the USA / Canada, 1-877-226-1003 for more information. [By: Mike Segal Copyright 2006 (msegalhope ...

... said," No room" They had no desire to be disturbed. A sizeable gratuity changed their minds, and we enjoyed a modest breakfast in a grand setting, assisted by a man for whom serving us was clearly a burden. Michelle waited on tables at Royal Blue, an all-purpose diner where I used to have an occasional breakfast. A single mother, she worked the early morning shift seven days a week, needing extra hours to provide for herself and her daughter. Michelle was casual, friendly and efficient, gliding among the tables, coffee pot in hand, always welcoming, always welcome-even at the back table where the stern-looking owner and his cronies gathered daily to pass the morning hours. One morning a group of women circled a table at the front of the restaurant. The conversation was loud and lively, much of it concerning the quality of service these days. There were comments to Michelle about the length of time it ...

... with every soldier from every nation on every front line of armed conflict. It's a simple dream: survival. May it be his. Especially today. And on the other hand, I'm also concerned about Hudson, who is doing volunteer service for his church in Russia. Hudson has already faced numerous threats and challenges from those who don't think well of Americans in Russia, and evidently things are getting worse. Hudson is someone else's son, but he's dear to my daughter, Beth, and therefore dear to me. And I want him to be well and safe-today and always. Let's see. that's one hand and four" other hands" Way more than I can" handle ," if you'll pardon the expression. So I offer my positive thoughts and encouragement, and commend them all to God, and trust that He will look after them wherever they are. Because I can't. It's a helpless feeling, isn't it? Whether ...

... He made a sign that read, Free Hugs, and stood at the Pitt Street Mall-one of the busiest streets in the center of Sydney. He put his arms anyone who accepted his offer. At first, he left his wallet at home, had a friend watch over him, and expected to be ridiculed. After fifteen minutes, a woman approached him." My dog died today ," she said." It's also the first anniversary of my only daughter's death. I could use a hug" Juan was quoted as saying," That first woman, it was more than a hug. It meant something to her" Others joined Mann. They opened their arms to others. His message spread across the city. Afraid of lawsuits, officials banned the free hug movement. But the people protested and more than 10, 000 people signed a petition to allow him to continue his mission. Shimon Moore, the lead singer of ...

... finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us." No thank you. I have plenty" And he held up a brown paper bag. When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn't take long to see this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five kids, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury. He didn't tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was prefaced with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that he had no pain from his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, I put a camp cot in the children's room for ...

... In an effort to help her understand, Pappy told her the story of how the bell had been in his family for so many years, and that was why he didn't want to sell it. The little girl looked up at him, and with a giant tear in her eye, sweetly said," I guess I understand. Thank you, anyway" Suddenly, Pappy thought of how the rest of the family was all gone now, except for his estranged daughter whom he had not seen in nearly a decade. Why not, he thought. Why not pass it on to someone who will share it with a loved one? God only knows where it will end up anyway." Wait. little lady" Pappy spoke just as the little girl was going out the door-just as he was hearing his bell ring for the last time." I've decided to sell the bell. Here's a hanky. Blow your nose" ...

... argument that left her suspecting I would leave. If so, it was certainly a more heartwarming sentiment than her reaction on another such occasion when she tearfully whimpered," Are you going to take your stereo ?" Her works of art are mostly buried in boxes, but the queen of my kid art mementos sits in a kitchen cupboard. Yes, it's housed in the catch-all cupboard, but it's on the front of the top shelf where I can see it. My daughter made it when she was 7. A detergent bottle cap with a styrofoam ball. Plastic fork, handle broken and inserted to stick out just enough to hold a recipe card. Pink carnation to cover the ball, pink ribbon trimming the bottle cap, and voila! The absolute best recipe holder ever! And indeed it is. Because it was my first Mother's Day gift ever! It's not packed away. It's there where I can glance at it occasionally, a reminder ...

... my children and caressed the love of my life. They held my rifle and wiped my tears when I went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote the letters home and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse and walked my daughter down the aisle. Yet, they were strong and sure when I dug my buddy out of a foxhole and lifted a plow off of my best friends foot. They have held children, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when ...