Daniel
It was an unusually cold day for the month of May. Spring had arrived and everything was alive with color. But a cold front from the north had brought winter's chill back to Indiana. I sat with two friends in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of ![the town squire. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be caring all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
63 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Small Victories
Standing in the noisy cafeteria of the old school, I was watching the students line up for lunch. Having wearied of trying to "cut" in line on each other, they were intently moving toward the food. As I continued to watch their progress, I began to remember scenes from my ![own grade school days. This old school building was somewhat similar to mine.
I could still remember coming into the warm building with the funny smells of furnace heat and cleaning liquids. I visualized the rooms, heated with old-fashioned steam pipe radiators and the hand-turn heat regulators. I could picture the Spartan desks in long straight rows, with scratched and scared surfaces, and the small cloak closets with wood doors folding in along the back of the room.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
62 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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The Messenger: A Soulmate Story
It was a beautiful sunny day in Seattle, which is so unusual for the 4th of July; a day for fireworks and celebration honoring our country's independence. That day, little did I know that I was soon to receive a very special message from the most unusual messenger.
It ![was early in the afternoon and I was seriously busy refinishing some very old windows out on my back porch. All of the doors and windows throughout my home where open, letting in the light and fresh air.
My life was certainly going through some changes. Only a month before, I had been struggling with a relationship that I knew needed to change form. A few days earlier I had said my goodbyes. I had always heard that when one door closes another door opens, but I didn't know if I was fully prepared to step into the new door that was presenting itself so quickly. You see, I was finally realizing that the dearest male friend that I had ever known, was the soul mate I had been looking for my entire life. What a shock to my senses this was! I had always thought of myself as an intuitive person, but I didn't see this one coming. It was like I had a veil pulled over my eyes.
Needless to say, I was filled with bliss from this new awareness. But also scared and a bit unsure at the same time. They say that the chance of someone single in their mid forties finding true love, is like finding an old vintage](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
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62 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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The Angel Project
I held onto the hand of my shivering granddaughter as we waited our turn to get into the huge barn-like building. We couldn't see inside because of the length of the line up and so we passed our time watching the outside lineups.
Volunteers were busily placing frozen ![turkeys into bags at the head of one line up and in the other, families and individuals were receiving milk.
The parking lot was filled with trucks and cars and still more were waiting to get onto the lot. Strangely, though vehicles were blocked, no one honked nor appeared impatient. It seemed surreal as though everyone had been touched by something magical.
Finally we could see into the building and I was overcome with emotion as my eyes took in hundreds of overflowing boxes. Each box filled with care represented not only hours of time on the part of volunteers, but the generosity and caring of hundreds of people. The boxes were filled with food for empty stomachs. Some boxes sported brand new toys, gifts from anonymous individuals throughout the town and area, toys for children who might otherwise go without.
I suddenly felt self-conscious, aware that tears were flowing freely down my cheeks. I was touched by the display of kindness. I turned away from the crowds of people to wipe away the tears, and just as I did I was to see everything in a kind of mist and glow-like appearance. How fitting to see the](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
62 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Cranberry Sauce and Pumpkin Pie
Turkeys and cornucopias and pilgrim hats. Seasoned stuffing hot from the oven. Creamed onions, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. Uncles and aunts and cousins to play with. Grandmothers and grandfathers with family gathered round. Children waiting for the Great Pumpkin rise ![over Charlie Brown's pumpkin patch and dads watching college football. A day to relax and maybe rake leaves in the afternoon.
But Thanksgiving? How much will our celebrations on Thanksgiving have to do with giving thanks?
A glance at the first Thanksgiving brings it all back. On December 21, 1620 the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth rock. Through the dead of winter the colony struggled with poor and meager food, strenuous labor, a biting wind that chilled to the bone, and the ravages of disease. Nearly half the 102 Mayflower passengers did not live to see Spring refresh Cape Cod Bay.
But God sent Indians--Samoset, Squanto, and Massasoit--to help the English settlers plant and hunt and fish. The bountiful harvest that autumn led Governor Bradford to invite the Indians to celebrate God's goodness. Ninety tall braves accepted the invitation to join the Pilgrims in a feast of Thanksgiving to God for His blessings.
The Pilgrims lived close enough to the soil to know how dependent they were on God's Providence. They had learned to thank God in the midst of the bitterness of winter past. And they were quick to thank Him during abundant blessing, too.
We teach our children to say](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
62 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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A World of Smile
About ten years ago when I was an undergraduate in college, I was working as an intern at my University's Museum of Natural History. One day while working at the cash register in the gift shop, I saw an elderly couple come in with a little girl in a wheelchair.
As I ![looked closer at this girl, I saw that she was kind of perched on her chair. I then realized she had no arms or legs, just a head, neck and torso. She was wearing a little white dress with red polka dots.
As the couple wheeled her up to me I was looking down at the register. I turned my head toward the girl and gave her a wink. As I took the money from her grandparents, I looked back at the girl, who was giving me the cutest, largest smile I have ever seen. All of a sudden her handicap was gone and all I saw was this beautiful girl, whose smile just melted me and almost instantly gave me a completely new sense of what life is all about. She took me from a poor, unhappy college student and brought me into her world; a world of smiles, love and warmth.
That was ten years ago. I'm a successful business person now and whenever I get down and think about the troubles of the world, I think about that little girl and the remarkable lesson about life that she taught me.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
61 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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My True Best Friend
I couldn't believe I was here... I couldn't believe this was happening to me. I just stared there looking at my Best friend of 5 years, laying in a casket. She died on Halloween 1996. She had just turned 16. I didn't know it then but it was the beginning to a whole new era ![although feeling like the end. My older sister went to the visitation with me.
Since Andrea was always at our house they too had become friends. She walked up there with me to see her. I kept thinking to myself no way this is real...I just talked to her yesterday and heard her laughing. I remember looking at her smiling face. It hit me then how precious life is..how your here one minute then gone the next.
She was driving and lost control boom she was instantaneously out of this world, and out of my life. Andrea was a daughter of a preacher in our town..she had a love for the Lord, but was kinda rebellious. I kept thinking what must her parents be going through.
Practically our whole high school was there, we were juniors. I kept telling my sister I cant believe I lost my Best friend...who will I turn to now?? What good could ever come of this?? How will I go on??
I am now a Christian, I owe most of it due to the fact that I realized how precious life is, how fast we can be taken. I didn't want it to be too late for me. I wanted to lay my head down at night and now if the LORD were to come right now that I would be saved I knew I had to make my life right. In a letter I wrote to my sister..now in the military and away from home...
Sissy, I just wanted to thank you for being there for me at the worst time in my life. Nobody was there for me but you. The whole time I was morning and said.. over losing my best friend I had realized I hadn't just lost a Best Friend, but I realized who my true best friend really is..... You. Love, Nikki Don't wait till its too late....We are here today...gone tomorrow.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
61 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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God Hath Not Promised
GOD HATH NOT PROMISED
SKIES ALWAYS BLUE
FLOWER STREWN PATHWAYS
ALL OUR LIVES THROUGH
GOD HATH NOT PROMISED
SUN WITHOUT RAIN
JOY WITHOUT SORROW
BUT GOD HATH PROMISED LIGHT FOR THE WAY
STRENGTH FOR THE DAY
REST FOR THE LABOR ![GRACE FOR THE TRIALS
UNFAILING SYMPHATY AND UNDYING LOVE](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
60 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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The Power of Encouragement
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent. ![Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.
The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti’s judgment. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student?
Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
60 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Christian Math
A ten year old public school boy was finding fifth grade math to be the challenge of his life. Science? A piece of cake. Geography? No big deal. Spelling? Ha! Give me a break...but MATH? It was devastating! To not only him, but his mom and dad, too! And not that they ![weren't doing everything and anything to help their son...Private tutors, peer assistance, CD-ROMS, Textbooks, even HYPNOSIS! Nothing worked.
Finally, at the insistence of a family friend, they decided to enroll their son in a private school. Not just ANY private school, but a Catholic school. Nuns. Daily mass. The whole shootin' match. Well, the first day of school finally arrived, and dressed in his salt-and-pepper cords and white wool dress shirt and blue cardigan sweater, the youngster ventured out into the great unknown. His mother and father were convinced they were doing the right thing. They were both there waiting for their son when he returned home.
And when he walked in with a stern, focused and very determined expression on his face, they hoped they had made the right choice. He walked right past them and went straight to his room - and quietly closed the door.
For nearly two hours he toiled away in his room - with math books strewn about his desk and the surrounding floor. He only emerged long enough to eat, and after quickly cleaning his plate, he went straight back to his room, closed the door, and worked feverishly at his studies until bedtime.
This pattern continued ceaselessly until it was time for the first quarter report card. After school, the boy walked into the home with his report card - unopened - in his hand. Without a word, he dropped the envelope on the family dinner table and went straight to his room. His parents were petrified. What lay inside the envelope? Success? Failure? DOOM?!? Patiently, cautiously the mother opened the letter, and to her amazement, she saw a bright red](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
60 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Guardian
I have had psychic experiences since I was small, the first being fear...anyway, in 2000 I had a massive emotional breakdown and a total of six months in a clinic. Before and after there were many times where I needed a guide and sure enough they came in some shape or form ![and even when people did hurt me. Something seemed to always get them back for their actions.
I don't know if I have a living guardian or a spiritual one or both...but I will say this now...I find it hard to believe in Churches but it never disturbs my belief in God, even when I'm angry with him, he has never walked away. He has never left me to really get seriously hurt.
He has held my hand without me even realizing until afterwards and he has rescued me in the final hour to make me continue living.
I have met people that just seem to know me and all the pain in my head and they are there just when I need them. I will always believe I have a guardian angel and I won't hate God no matter what goes wrong. Even when I yell at him, he still looks out for me.
One day I nearly jumped from the top floor of college in High Wycombe in the UK a just as I was really about to get up there and do it, this guy appeared from a class room and said very calmly,](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
60 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Finding God Within and Without
How do I find You God?
God is Love.
If you have ever loved,
If you have ever been loved,
You have experienced God
from Within and Without
God is Truth.
If you have ever told the truth,
If you have ever discovered Truth,
You have experienced God
from Within ![and Without
God is Beauty.
If you have ever helped to create something beautiful,
If you have ever witnessed beauty in any of it's myriad forms,
You have experienced God
from Within and Without
God is Good.
If you have ever done or thought something good,
If you have ever recognized goodness in or through another,
You have experienced God
from Within and Without
All of those experiences, those gifts,
of Love, Truth, Beauty and Goodness
were directly from God through you. or to you.
Glad to Meet You God. let's hang out together.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
59 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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A Tear to the Eye
Barbara was driving her six-year-old son, Benjamin, to his piano lesson.
They were late, and Barbara was beginning to think she should have cancelled it. There was always so much to do, and Barbara, a night-duty nurse at the local hospital, had recently worked extra ![shifts.
She was tired. The sleet storm and icy roads added to her tension. Maybe she should turn the car around.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
59 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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Anyway
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will ![be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
58 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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The Year of My Christmas Miracle
I had smoked ever since I was twelve and by the time I was sixteen, I was given permission to smoke in the house. In those days we had no idea of the dangers of smoking. I am one of those people who does things all the way and so,when I smoked, I really smoked and that ![meant it was about two packs a day, non-stop, that I was smoking for most of my life.
When I was in my late thirties, I got pregnant and had my two youngest children one right after the other. When I was in my forties I got Breast Cancer and had a mastectomy. The first thing I wanted after my surgery was a cigarette and during my entire stay in the hospital I spent much of my time going downstairs and outside for cigarettes. I went through eight and a half grueling months of chemotherapy and I still didn't quit smoking. When I was about forty five, I was learning just how hard it is trying to get by on disability payments with no child support and yet somehow I still found the money for my cigarettes.
Christmas was upon me. I was flat broke and very depressed. Fortunately, one of the local churches sponsored families for Christmas and we were picked, so my children would have a Christmas after all. I was grateful. However, I was not in a very festive mood so we didn't take part in the usual Advent preparations that my children were used to that year. On Christmas morning my little boy asked me what I was giving the Baby Jesus for His birthday and I was crushed because I had nothing. I hadn't even baked the birthday cake for baby Jesus and we hadn't saved any good deeds to fill the manger with straw, like in other years.
Yes, I was crushed but the look on his face told me he was even more crushed. The next thing out of my mouth was not at all what was on my mind. I said](http://www.bandu2.com/_binc/images/site/three_dots.gif)
קטגוריה: סיפורים »
58 קורא »
תאריך: 07/03/2010 21:44 »
על ידי: LAURA
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