|
______________________________________
{Heart4Teens.com} *Tough Decision* ______________________________________ If you enjoy this free email service, I encourage you to spread the word to family and friends that we may bring inspiration into the lives of teenagers everywhere! If you are not on the list and this has been passed along to you, you can join Heart4Teen.com readers around the world by sending a blank e-mail to: Heart4Teens-subscribe@myinjesus.com or visit: http://www.heart4teens.com/ Visit our inspirational web site and read all the past articles in our archives, and view the tons of resources we have there for teens! http://www.Heart4Teens.com/Teen_Stories ____________________________________________ Be sure to check out our other inspirational email list and web site! http://www.hearttouchers.com/ To subscribe send a blank email to: HeartTouchers-subscribe@myinjesus.com _________________________________________ I get to share a story with you today from my favorite writer! My wife Kristi! It is her birthday today and I wanted to share this story with all of you and then ask if you might e-mail her to comment on the story and wish her a very happy birthday! Thank you so much... From my family to yours, Michael _________________________________________ _________________________________________ Tough Decision By Kristi Powers "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -- Psalms 139:13,14 It is that time of year again...the time for rainy spring days, the smell of budding flowers, and the sound of chatter on the softball field? As I watch the tear-stained eighteen-year-old, I want to hug out all of the sadness and frustration she is feeling and tell her how much I love her. Tonight may be the last softball game of her high school career. A career cut short because a nagging knee injury needs surgery so that she can be ready to fulfill her athletic scholarship at college. As I gaze upon her face, I cannot help but think of how fortunate I have been to know this beautiful young lady. However, I know how easily her song could have been one that was unsung... It was almost nineteen years ago that a teenager trembled as she tearfully said to her mother and father the words that every parent dreads... "Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant." What a frightening time for a nineteen-year-old as she is just starting her adult life and already facing an uncertain future. What devastation for the parents as this is the last thing they would have chosen for their daughter. Thoughts of "we have failed her" to "I am too young to be a grandparent", fill their minds. In a heartbeat the atmosphere in the house becomes strained and the following nights are long for the teen as she drenches her pillow with tears. Tears that come only when she thinks no one can see or hear her. Many try to persuade her to keep her options open, but there is only one choice for this determined teen. The little life within her has now become her responsibility, and she will sacrifice all she has to see that this precious being grows to be the young man or woman God intended him/her to be. She is at peace with herself, and the choice she has made? A baby's first cries fill the air and an exhausted but proud, teenage mom holds her young daughter for the first time. She is inexperienced, but is determined to provide for her priceless daughter the best way that she can. If the first few days are any indication, she has a tough hill to climb. Because of no insurance, she leaves the hospital early and takes her daughter home, but the baby girl develops jaundice, and they are forced back to the hospital. Her pediatrician tells her to leave the baby in their care and to go home and rest. "You have got to be kidding me!" she exclaims, refusing to leave her baby girl for even a moment. Something inside her clicks, and, with a determination that surpasses anything she has felt up to this point, she comes to grips with the situation. "You are a mom now. Deal with it," she quietly tells herself. Life is not easy and many hopes and plans for the future are set aside. The early years are filled with tests and trials but it is a time in her life that she wouldn't trade for anything. During those rough days and nights, she need only look at this tender creation God has given her to realize that the best things in life are right before her in the smile, the coo, and the laugh of this darling baby girl. Those eighteen years have flown by, and I ponder all of these things as we slowly walk away from the softball diamond today. I think about all the joy this baby girl, who is now a young woman herself, has brought into my life and to those around her. I remember all the basketball and softball games that we as her family have sat through, proudly cheering her on. Not only is she the best all-around female athlete I have ever seen, she is also one of the classiest and I am most proud of who she is off the court. She conducts herself with grace and humility and shows kindness to all who cross her path. I cannot imagine life without my Jen, my darling eighteen-year-old niece. Tonight my heart is bursting with pride, love, and joy for this remarkable being who came into our lives. I shudder to think if she had not been born. How different our family would have been, not to mention the lives of an untold number of people whom she has touched in her everyday life. A scared but determined teenage mom made a tough decision all those years ago, and through it, gave us all the gift of Jen. Kristi Powers NoodlesP29@aol.com Write to my lovely bride and let her know your thoughts on her story! Copyright © 2001 by Kristi Powers, All rights reserved. ________________ Kristi Powers is a full time human development specialist (In other words a Mommy!) Her stories appear in many books, including Stories for the Extreme Teen's Heart, Stories for a Teen's Heart Volume 2, Stories for a Woman's Heart, and the upcoming Chicken Soup for Christian Teen's Soul. She resides in Wisconsin with her husband Michael where she home-schools their two young sons, Caleb and Connor. Kristi has been writing stories about her life since she was a little girl, and loves to share from her heart about her relationship with God. You can e-mail her by clicking on this link: mailto:NoodlesP29@aol.com The story above is from their book: Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" which can be previewed at: http://www.hearttouchers.com/michael_powers __________________________________________________ LET'S GO SURFING DUDE! ~ Planet Wisdom Billing itself as "the online community for Christian students," this site offers a little of everything for young believers. See for yourself. http://www.planetwisdom.com/ A free youth and family Bible study, based on each week of the latest "Survivor Amazon" reality series. http://home.attbi.com/~survivortheology __________________________________________ Thought For The Day: "A good reputation is more valuable than money." --Syrus Verse for the Day: "A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches." --Proverbs 22:1 Teen's Thought for the Day: "Definition of Status: Buying something you don't need with money you don't have to impress people you don't like." Parent's Thought For The Day "If a person can't be a Christian in the place they live, then they can't be a Christian anywhere." --Henry Ward Beecher Writer's Thought For The Day: "Most people don't realize it, but writing doesn't come out of a maelstrom of thought. That's where the ideas come from. The actual writing is done from the calm at the center. It requires a certain mental stillness." --Frank Fradella Coach's Thought For The Day "This is a story about four players named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody. There was an important job for the team to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it but Nobody realized Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Everybody could have done." Deep Thought For The Day: "Why don't they just make mouse-flavored cat food?" --Steven Wright _________________________________________ Reading Books, Changing Lives! For those of you who love to read or love to give out books as gifts... You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! And best of all, every penny from the book sales are going to youth ministry to help pay for a life-changing winter retreat and a missions trip to Guatemala this summer! If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Not only are you changing lives through supporting a youth ministry, but every book included on our website has the power to make a difference in the lives of those you give the books to. Check out this link to find out more! http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books _________________________________________ ALL-STAR Ministry --The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerene Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 4-5 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.) Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager. THIS WEEK: All-Stars: We will continue with the last part of our True Love series. The Outlet: We continue with our Prayer of Jabez for Teens series! _______________________________________________ UPCOMING EVENTS Nationally Known Comedian Ken Davis is coming to Janesville! When: Saturday April 12th 7:00 PM Where: Janesville Craig High School, Janesville, Wisconsin. Cost: 4 pack $40.00, $12.50 in advance and $15.50 at the door. Tickets are available at Lighthouse Books & Gifts, Bible Book Center, Lemstone Books. *********** Coming to Faith Community Church: Saturday, May 3 at 8:00 p.m. New Rocketown Recording Artist "Alathea" Tickets: $3 Advance $5 Door Tickets Available at Lighthouse Books & Gifts, Janesville WI, Bible Book Center, Beloit WI and Lemstone Books, Cherryvale Mall, Rockford IL "Alathea exhibits strong talent" if you're ready for something fresh and invigorating instead of today's all-too-usual pop fare, then Alathea is definitely a group to check out. Gospelsite.net "Indian Creek. It's got a cool Americana vibe with its acoustic instruments and her plaintive delivery. This trio sounds like a star-in-the-making to me." "Music Row magazine (Robert K. Oermann review) "The sound could probably best be described as folk pop, very earthy with touches of country and bluegrass. While there is a very folksy country sound to the instrumentation of this album, it is tempered with a healthy dose of pop songwriting. The results are delightful." ChristianityToday.com ___________________________________________ Change Is Here! All-Stars will be extending its time to 6:00 - 8:30 PM on Sunday nights. 6:00 - 6:30 will be time for the youth to chat and discuss anything they want with the youth leaders or each other. 6:30 - 7:00 PM will be for games or fun activities and then 7:00 - 8:30 PM will be for the lesson and discussion time. Students are still welcome to "hang out" after 8:30 PM if they want, as the leaders are usually at the church until at least 10:00 PM, and some nights even later. (For the past couple of months the students have continually complained that we are running out of time before we get to really discuss the topics in full and asked if we could have longer teaching times... I know, most of you are probably now getting back up off the floor from the shock. We have been most encouraged that the teens have been wanting to stay longer to be able to discuss the lessons more fully.) The Outlet: "Get plugged into Jesus Christ!" (Teen Cell Groups) Wednesday night community groups for teens. The groups are limited to no more than ten teens and will be originally split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community. "The Extreme Teens" (formerly the Core Group) meets from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. (If your teen will also be attending All-Stars that night, they are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or snack to tide them over until 8:30.) We are very excited at what God will be doing with our youth! _________________________________________ Author MICHAEL T. POWERS http://www.heart4teens.com/ "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 by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20 ___________________________________________ Would you like to see your story in Heart4Teens.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here: http://www.Heart4Teens.com/guidelines/ ___________________________________________ "I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!" SUBSCRIBE: To become a Heart4Teens.com Member send a blank e-mail to: Heart4Teens-subscribe@myinjesus.com Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best stories on the Internet! __________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: Send a blank e-mail to: Heart4Teens-unsubscribe@myinjesus.com __________________________________________ Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm __________________________________________ |
 |
|
Touching Lives - One E-mail at a Time! Author Michael T. Powers - HeartTouchers @ aol.com
|