Fw: Everyone has been issued a special job by our Lord.

 

 

  God Bless you one and all.

Where ever you are you have a job to do there.

 

A teacher in New York decided to honor each of her seniors in High School by
telling them the difference each of them had made. She called each student
to the front of the class, one at a time.  First, she told each of them how
they had made a difference to her, and the class. Then she presented each of them with a blue ribbon, imprinted with gold letters, which read, "Who I Am Makes a Difference."

Afterwards, the teacher decided to do a class project, to see what kind of
impact recognition would have on a Community. She gave each of the students
three more blue ribbons, and instructed them to go out and spread this
acknowledgment ceremony.  Then they were to follow up on the results, see
who honored whom, and report to the class in about a week.

One of the boys in the class went to a junior executive in a nearby Company,
and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue
ribbon, and put it on his shirt.  Then he gave him two extra ribbons and
said, "We're doing a class project on recognition, and we'd like for you to go out, find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person, to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened."

Later that day, the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been
noted, by the way, as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat his boss down,
and he told him that he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The
boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive asked him if he would
accept the gift of the blue ribbon, and would he give him permission to put
it on him. His surprised boss said, "Well, sure." The junior executive took
the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss's jacket, above his heart.
As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said, "Would you take this extra
ribbon, and pass it on by honoring somebody else. The young boy who first
gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school, and we want to keep this
recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people."

That night, the boss came home to his 14-year-old son, and sat him down. He
said, "The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office,
and one of the junior executives came in and told me he admired me, and gave
me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine! He thinks I am a
creative genius! Then he put a blue ribbon that says, "Who I Am Makes a
Difference", on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and
asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon, and I thought about you. I want to honor you. My days are hectic and when I come home, I do not pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good enough grades in school, and for your bedroom being a mess. Somehow, tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You're a great kid, and I love you!"

The startled boy started to sob and sob, and he could not stop crying His
whole body shook. He looked up at his father and said through his tears,
"Dad, earlier tonight I sat in my room and wrote a letter to you and Mom,
explaining why I had took my life, and I asked you to forgive me. I was going to commit suicide tonight after you were asleep. I just did not think that you cared at all. The letter is upstairs. I don't think I need it after all." His father walked upstairs and found a heartfelt letter full of anguish and pain.

The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch, but
made sure to let all of his employees know that they made a difference.

The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning,
and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his
life...one being the boss' son. In addition, the young boy and his
classmates learned a valuable lesson,

"Who you are DOES make a difference".


Smile and know that I think that you are important, or you would not
have received this in the first place. Who you are does make a difference,
and I wanted you to know that.

Isn't this a wonderful story? I'm passing the blue ribbon to you, for who
YOU are does make a difference, too.

May GOD BLESS YOU. Have an awesome day, and know that someone has thought
about you today!



A prayer for today:

Lord, Thank you for my friends and family who really do make a difference to
me.

AMEN

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stephanie Cates
Certified Beauty Advisor
Independent Sales Representative
AVON
To Buy or Sell: 
stef326@hotmail.com
http://www.youravon.com/scates
http://www.myspace.com/avonladystephanie

Summer Lytle dies from child abuse - murderous stepmom has MySpace profile

Girl endured 'torture'
4-year-old's mother located; medical inquiry in abuse case to continue
Jody Lawrence-turner And Amy Cannata
Staff writers
March 14, 2007


Summer Lytle was killed by "homicidal violence," Spokane County's medical examiner said Tuesday.

Dr. Sally Aiken said she will continue to examine the body of the 4-year-old girl to pinpoint the exact cause of her death Saturday.

In other developments Tuesday:

•Summer's mother was finally located, so she can be informed of her daughter's death. The woman's identity has not been released, but police said she lives in Poulsbo, in Western Washington.

•The Washington Department of Social and Health Services released a statement saying that despite the agency's previous contact with Summer's father and stepmother, abuse was not apparent to workers.

..>
..> "What is very unfortunate about this case is that we did not receive any referrals alleging the severe abuse outlined in the court documents released yesterday," said Martin Butkovich, Spokane regional administrator for children's services. "It appears that the family did its best to hide the abuse from people who might have seen something and reported it to us."

•A veteran Spokane police detective compared the apparent abuse endured by the girl at the hands of her father and stepmother to that of a prisoner of war.

"Shock treatments, sleep deprivation, use of water as torture, beatings … there is no other way to describe it but torture," Spokane police Sgt. Joe Peterson said Tuesday. "This is the worst case of just systematic abuse."

Summer was pronounced dead late Saturday in the emergency room at Deaconess Medical Center.

Charged with homicide by abuse are Jonathan D. Lytle, 28, and 32-year-old Adriana L. Lytle. Each is in the Spokane County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Investigators said the girl was found not breathing in a bathtub, where her father and stepmother had left her for several hours. The couple tried to revive her, they said in a court document, using their hands and feet to perform CPR. Jonathan Lytle took Summer to the hospital after resuscitation failed.

The case is the 12th child death involving abuse that Spokane police have investigated since 2000.

"In all the cases, you feel horrible," Peterson said. "The nightmare of what the children must go through not physically, but mentally, is something that I can't even conceive of."

According to court records, Summer's death ended a regimen of abuse that included a dog's shock collar, burns to her face, a bite mark and extensive bruising. Torn-out clumps of the girl's red hair were found in the apartment and in a nearby trash bin.

"There's no justice that could ever be done," Peterson said.

After the birth of Summer's stepbrother – Adriana and Jonathan Lytle's son Jon – about eight months ago, the DSHS Children's Administration provided parenting help to the Lytles through the First Steps program, officials said. Workers discontinued contact with the family in October.

"The Spokane family was not brought to our attention again until Sunday when Summer was pronounced dead at Deaconess Medical Center," said DSHS spokeswoman Kathy Spears. "The case will be reviewed and that information – when completed – will be publicly available."

Adriana Lytle seems to present a mixed public face on a MySpace page apparently maintained by her and last updated a day before Summer's death.

A woman calling herself angeleyes0921 confesses to illegal behavior, including drug use and shoplifting. Pictures of angeleyes0921 on the site are of the woman seen in court on Monday.

Although there are a few portraits of baby Jon Lytle, no individual pictures of Summer are posted.

Two group shots posted in December, however, show a small, red-headed girl with an impish smile. In one, Summer poses with her father and baby brother. In the other, captioned "Merry Christmas from the Lytle Family," all four pose with Santa as Adriana holds onto Summer's hand.

According to the probable cause affidavit for her arrest, Adriana Lytle called Summer a "pig" in interviews with Spokane police. A year earlier she wrote on her MySpace page that Summer "is the sweetest little girl."

In a March 9 blog entry, angeleyes0921 writes about her happiness at her one-year anniversary. "Time flies when you are having fun."

A day later, Summer was dead.

Here is the stepMONSTER's profile: www.myspace.com/angeleyes0921

Campaign 7 - order now!!!!

Just a note to let you all know that I am now taking orders for AVON Campaign 7.  You can drop me a message if you would like to see a catalog or you can view online by going to my AVON website at http://www.youravon.com/scates .  All orders are due by Wednesday, March 28, 2007.  Don't forget that Easter is coming up soon so check out all the neat gifts in the current AVON catalog!  Happy shopping, everyone!

 

 

Stephanie Cates
Certified Beauty Advisor
Independent Sales Representative
AVON
To Buy or Sell: 

stef326@hotmail.com
http://www.youravon.com/scates
http://www.myspace.com/avonladystephanie

Read these 3 news stories and tell me we aren't living in a sick, sick world!!

Story #1 (March 15, 2007):


BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The body of missing 6-year-old Christopher Barrios has been found, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed to FOX News on Thursday.

GBI spokesman John Bankhead told FOX News he heard the news shortly after 4 p.m. EDT.

Christopher had been missing since last Thursday.

A reporter from local FOX affiliate WAGA who was on the scene said officials have put up crime scene tape in an area around the Brunswick, Ga., airport, less than 1 mile away from the child's home.

WAGA reported that a Department of Natural Resources officer found the body lying on the ground covered with something, although officials would not say what the covering was.

Police earlier found several shovels around the homes of a convicted sex offender and his associates during their search for the missing boy, according to local reports.

One shovel was found late Monday night in the home of the prime suspect in the case, George Edenfield, and three more were found Wednesday night around the home of another person of interest now in police custody, Glynn County Police Chief Matt Doering told local FOX affiliate WAWS.


Edenfield, a 32-year-old convicted sex offender who lives across the street from the Barrios family, has been named a suspect in the case. His father, mother, and a family friend, had been providing people with false information and leads for several days as to Christopher's whereabouts.

"My hopes jumped back up that he's alive and that we're gonna find our baby alive and he's gonna come back home," Christopher's grandmother, Sue Rodriguez, told FOX News just hours before the news of her grandson's death surfaced.

"They haven't found no baby's body and as along as that's not so, I'm gonna continue to hope and pray that he's alive and that he's coming home."

George Edenfield's mother, Peggy, and his father, David, as well as family friend Donald Dale were arrested this week and charged with obstructing an officer, providing false information and concealing the death of another — meaning they gave leads to police about where Christopher's body was that never panned out.

Asked whether she believed the Edenfields and Dale knew where Christopher was, Rodriguez earlier said she thinks the four are "playing like they're crazy" in leading frustrated police around to different spots only to come up empty in their search.

"I've begun thinking they are a little bit off but I think there's a lot playin' and this ain't no game," she said.

Investigators on Thursday searched another pond for the boy. Searchers had been combing the same general 5-square-mile area for a week in their search for Christopher.

"We hope we find him," Glynn County Police Capt. Jim Nazzrie told FOXNews.com Thursday before the news of Christopher's death. "I'm very hopeful we're going to find him alive ... you always have that hope that someone will be found alive."

Police searched a thicket of dense pines Wednesday night where Edenfield's father, David, and Dale told investigators they had buried the boy's body there. They also searched a pond near the mobile home park in which both the Barrios and Edenfields live.

But hours of searching with high-tech gear failed to turn up any sign of the child. The search was suspended for the night around 10 p.m.

Police said Monday night was the last night the people in custody referred to Barrios as a child and not a body, WAWS reported. Investigators also began searching areas outside of Glynn County later this week. They said they also wanted to talk to other persons of interest.

George Edenfield, a convicted sex offender who was taken into custody on unrelated charges of violating his parole and, as of Thursday afternoon, still had no charges against him in Christopher's disappearance, is the main suspect in the investigation.

In one interview, police said he told them he knew where the boy was located, but in another, he said he didn't know anything about his disappearance.

David and Peggy Edenfield and Dale were charged with "concealing the death of another person," a charge based on false statements to police, Nazzrie said.

"All that is under state law, if you told me you buried a body and you took me out there and you couldn't produce the body ... then we charge you with that because you say you have knowledge of it," Nazzrie said. "It probably won't hold up in court but it's still a charge."

The Edenfields and Dale were charged with obstruction of justice and making false statements to investigators about where Christopher may have been, and whether he was alive.

"The father and his friend basically confessed to burying little Christopher," Nazzrie told FOX News on Wednesday. "They took us to the area, several areas … for some reason they want to lie about it, they can't remember where they buried the body or if they did bury the boy," he said.

"[George Edenfield] actually said that he had hurt the boy and his momma and then had moved the boy," Nazzrie said. However, police have "no reason to believe [Christopher] is dead," he added.

The obstruction charges carry a bond of only $235.50 per person, while the giving false statements charges carry a bond of $1,104 per person. No bond was set for the "concealing the death of another person" charges, or for George Edenfield's parole violation.

Christopher was last seen last Thursday night walking on a road not far from the homes of his father and grandmother, who live in a mobile home park about a half-mile from Interstate 95 just outside the port city of Brunswick on the Georgia coast.

On Monday, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued a Levi's Call, the state's equivalent of an Amber Alert.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Story #2 (March 15, 2007):

INDIANAPOLIS — A man stabbed his 11-month-old son in the back, threw the boy out the car window with the kitchen knife stuck in his back and then drove away, police said Thursday. His 5-year-old son managed to escape unharmed.

"He was conscious, but the knife was buried all the way to the handle," said Speedway Detective Jim Thiele. The boy, Devin Chandler, was in stable condition at a hospital Thursday.

Officers had found Kevin Chandler's car but were searching for him. Thiele said Chandler is homeless and had been staying with some friends or family.

Police think 31-year-old Chandler and the boy's mother, Angela Limbrock, were arguing as they prepared to leave Limbrock's apartment on the west side of Indianapolis Wednesday night.

Limbrock handed Devin to Chandler so she could retrieve his car seat inside the home. As she left the car, she heard Chandler swear at the boy and turned around to see him throw Devin out of the car window, according to a police report. When Limbrock picked up her son, she saw a knife in his back, the report said.

She ran back to the home, where residents called for an ambulance.

"We're still trying to determine motive here, but at this point I have no reason to believe he did this to get back at the mother or anything," the detective said.

Speedway Police Capt. Charles Upchurch said Thursday that the department will ask prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant if they do not locate Chandler.

"I don't know why anyone would want to harm an 11-month-old baby," Morgan said.

Chandler has been arrested several times for crimes including domestic battery, auto theft and driving while intoxicated, records show. He served time in an Indiana prison for cocaine possession and carrying an unlicensed firearm near school property, records show.

In 2005, police arrested Chandler after he allegedly kicked Limbrock in the head and body.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Story #3 (March 15, 2007):

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A Clifton, Colo., woman was jailed Wednesday on suspicion she had her grandchildren perform sexually explicit acts while a man she met on the Internet watched.

The 49-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday on charges including child abuse and sexual assault on a child. No bond had been set. The Associated Press was not naming the woman because it could provide information that would identify the victims.

Her arrest stemmed from an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement roundup linked to Matthew Hughes, 26, who was arrested in December on Internet child pornography charges in Canada.

Internet chat messages indicated Hughes and the grandmother communicated with each other. Investigators traced the woman through her screen name, according to an arrest affidavit.

The woman allegedly told investigators she had her granddaughters touch her at the request of a man who watched via a Web camera, the affidavidt said.

The woman, who is married, told Mesa County sheriff's investigators that she occasionally watches the children when their mother is away.

Investigators who visited her home this week said five children under the age of 15 were at the home, which had feces on the floor and moldy food in almost every room, according to the affidavit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


What a sick world we live in. Why do people have to prey on innocent children. It just makes me so mad! We need to pray for all of these families involved. And people please.....PLEASE.....if you have children keep your eyes on them at all times and be careful about who you leave them with!





Stephanie Cates
Certified Beauty Advisor
Independent Sales Representative
AVON
To Buy or Sell:
stef326@hotmail.com
http://www.youravon.com/scates
http://www.myspace.com/avonladystephanie

My Beauty Advisor Certificate

A Reminder About AVON Campaign 6

Hello to all my beautiful friends:

Just a reminder that all orders for AVON Campaign 6 are due to me no later than 8pm tomorrow night (Wednesday, 3/14). You can also go online to my personal AVON website and order by going to www.youravon.com/scates . If you live locally, just choose representative delivery and I will deliver your products to you. If you do not live in my immediate area, then choose direct delivery for only $3. And don't forget, those of you that live locally and order $15 or more will get a FREE gift from me whether you order directly from me or online (sorry, but I can only offer this to customers that live in my delivery area)!! So get those orders to me, and I look forward to talking to each of you soon!! Thanks and God bless!!

Stephanie Cates
Certified Beauty Advisor
AVON
stef326@hotmail.com

My AVON business

Hi everyone! As some of you already know I have completed my training and I am now a Certified Beauty Advisor for Avon. I finished setting up my website this afternoon, so now you can place your orders directly through the site if you wish. Please go to
www.youravon.com/scates to view catalogs online and/or place orders. If you have any questions or suggestions, please drop me a line! Thank you all and God bless!!

If you're gonna buy....why not buy from your friends!!

We have added several items to our online store.  Please stop by to check it out when you get a chance!!  And don't forget if you need Avon products, I'm your girl for that too!!  ;-)

 

I love you all.  Here's the website link:  http://www.annointedgifts.ecrater.com

 

Love,
Stephanie

Fw: 3 bullets

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an
old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting
and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a
rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.
The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree. As he went
further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only
one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim
high, and stay focused."

However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He
brought the gun down and aimed at the deer.
But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so
he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.
Still, the voice said again to him, "I said pray, aim high, and stay
focused." So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then
aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.
The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer. The handle fell
off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it.

And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond. When he
stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and
a turkey to eat for his family. The snake (Satan) was dead simply
because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:
Pray first before you do anything. Aim and shoot high in your goals,
and stay focused on God. Never let others discourage you concerning your
past. The past is exactly that, "the past." Live every day one day at a
time and
Remember that only God knows our future and that He will not put you
through any more than you can bear.
Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only
He has prepared in advance for you in your favor. Wait, be still and
patient. Keep God first and everything else will follow.

Fw: fyi - The First Sentence is Pretty Powerful

First sentence is pretty powerful.

God determines who walks into your life.... "It's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go." I need this
back. If you'll do this for me, I'll do it for you....

Father, God bless all my friends in whatever it is that You know they may be needing this day! And may
their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you.
Amen.

Now send it on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you. Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life.

P. S. Five is good, but more is better. Who else do you know that needs prayer.

Make it a Wonderful Day ! !

 

My new CD

Get Stephanie's new CD "Testify" by visiting www.annointedgifts.ecrater.com  
or by going to
www.myspace.com/stephaniecatesgospel

Prayer request for Rev. Micheal Miller - ICU CARE

Please pray for this pastor! God is still in the healing business!!

Love,
Stef

> This Beliefnet prayer circle is being sent to you by Brenda:
>
> Rev. Micheal Miller - ICU CARE
>
> Link for prayer circle:
> http://www.Beliefnet.com/rd.asp?milestoneTypeID=6&q=74731
>
> Brenda's message is:
> please pray for my Pastor he in UNC Hospitals in icu and the dr's can't
seem to find out what the problem is he in on a ventalator and not doing
well, they don't know if it's mini strokes or sizers or what ,please send up
many prayers for him he is 53 yrs old
> ____________________________________________________________
> This message brought to you by Beliefnet.com, your source for religion and
spirituality on the web.
> http://www.Beliefnet.com
>
> What's your spiritual type? How forgiving are you? Find out! Take one
of our fast fun quizzes now!
> http://www.Beliefnet.com/features/quiz/index.html
>
> Check out the most interesting spiritual community on the web.
> http://www.Beliefnet.com/boards/index.asp
>

A few IMPORTANT things (from Stephanie)

My CDs are finally ready! Sorry it's been almost a month past the projected release date, but I think God was trying to teach me patience ;-)


You can go to www.myspace.com/stephaniecatesgospel to listen to a few of the songs. Those of you who still want to buy one....get with me!!


My friend, David, who produced the CDs did a marvelous job and I am very excited about these CDs. I feel like I have really accomplished something. And I am very proud of the work David and I did on these CDs. Anyone interested in booking David's studio for recording time or for a photo shoot, go to www.myspace.com/charmedone2476 .


Please remember to keep praying for Kristy Howard. I went to see her in the hospital this evening and she is in a lot of pain and having a really hard time of it. So she is not out of the woods yet, and she seriously needs your prayers. God can do what the doctor's can't!! And because she is my friend, I am depending on all of you to call out her name to God to help her get better. Please just keep praying!!


And speaking of praying.....I got a wonderful praise report about little Kayla (my sister-in-law's granddaughter). She went to the doctor this week and the skin graft was 100% successful!!! They said everything looked GREAT. And according to the doctor's report it was 3rd degree burns, not 2nd as we had originally thought. So I know it was all those prayers that worked!! The doctors did what they had to do, but God was the one who healed her hand! Please continue to remember her in your prayers and don't forget to thank God for what He has done (AND what He is GOING TO DO!!!).


And, on a final note, don't forget that family portraits are being made at my church, Lighthouse Chapel, tomorrow (Saturday) from 10am to 8pm. Sitting fee is $9.95 and you get a free 11x14 cardboard-backed portrait. So stop by and see me tomorrow and have your picture made!! (I will also have my CDs there with me if any of you want to pick one up!). To get to Lighthouse Chapel take Burch Bridge road until you get to Burch Bridge Cafe and turn onto St. Regis Drive which is directly in front of the cafe. Lighthouse Chapel is right there on the right after you turn onto St. Regis. It is a white church and the sign out front still says "St. Regis Chapel" but that is us! Hope to see you all tomorrow. I love you!


(Don't forget about those prayer requests!)


Love,
Stephanie

Prayer Request for Kristy

My good friend Kristy Howard went to have a very simple surgery today and they "nicked" a major artery. They had to open her up further to repair the bleeding artery and she lost a lot of blood and now, instead of being able to come back home tomorrow, she will be in the hospital for at least 4 more days because they have to watch to make sure the artery doesn't come back open. Please pray for Kristy that God would heal that artery and speed her recovery.


Please pass this on so others can pray for Kristy. Thanks and God bless.

Love,
Stephanie

**And just on a side note - - my personal opinion: Isn't it scary that it seems like you can't even go in for a minor procedure these days without the doctor almost killing you??? I pray I don't ever have to have anything done that would require a hospital stay.

Anointed Gifts

My husband has opened his own internet store (with a little help from me!!). I would love for you to all go check it out. We have some really beautiful items for sale there and the prices are really reasonable. We have searched high and low to find good quality items and the absolute lowest prices and what you see in our store is the best of both worlds. Also, you will find some things there that you can't find at Walmart or Sears!! So go check it out and stop back here to let me know what you think!! God bless!

Love,
Stephanie

Here's the link: http://www.annointedgifts.ecrater.com

God Has Kept Me Here For A Reason

God Has Kept Me Here For A Reason

Repeat after me:
God has kept me here for a reason. I survived because He has a plan for me. All my bad relationships, the addictions, the consequences, the bad credit, the repossessions, the death of my loved ones, the back stabbing from my friends, the negative thoughts, or the lack of support; I made it because I am blessed! I release and let go of all past hurts, misunderstandings and grudges because I am abundantly blessed! I recognize them as the illusions they are, and sent from the enemy to kill my spirit, steal my joy, and destroy my faith; For God is all there is. All else is a lie!

Now give yourself a hug, wipe your tears away and walk in victory!!!!!!!! I love you, but more importantly, God loves you BEST! Be blessed and know that you are at one with THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD! And may the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other. Genesis 31:49. Amen!

Now since you are a true child of God, you know that with every blessing, a blessing is required! So be a blessing to another, by passing this on. IF YOU DO IT RIGHT NOW, GOD WILL BLESS IT RIGHT NOW!! Be Blessed

"The Will of GOD will never take you where the GRACE of GOD will not protect you."

"Friends warm you with their presence, trust you with their secrets, and remember you in their prayers"

Fw: prayer request

Please help me pray for little Kayla!!

Love,
Stephanie

----- Original Message -----

From: cbbryant12

To: Stephanie
Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 5:00 PM
Subject: prayer request

Hi Stef
I wanted to let you know that Kayla burned her hand Saturday with an iron that was left on. She has a second degree burn from her knuckles to her fingertips. I talked to Lisa today, and she had been back to the doctor today and everything looks good according to the doctors. No infections and the dead skin is coming off and seems to be healing fine. Say a prayer for her that there won't be any scaring or nerve damage.

Rosie

CD release date has been pushed back to Wed, Jan. 30

Hi everyone!  I just wanted to let you know that my CD will not be released until next Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2007.  The release date was pushed back to allow for some more work on the CD.  Sorry for any inconvenience.  If you have emailed me and told me that you want a CD, you don't need to do anything....I will just get back in touch with you when they are ready.  If you haven't responded, and you want one, just drop me an email to let me know.  Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers and support!

 

Love,
Stephanie

My new cd is coming out!

Hey everyone!

 

I just wanted to let you all know that my very first professional CD will be released next week.  It is a collection of 6 of my favorite Gospel songs plus a bonus track!  I am very proud of this accomplishment and I thank God for letting this come to pass.  If you would like to buy a CD, please email me and let me know.  The price is $10 and if I have to mail it, then it would probably be about an extra $2 for shipping.  The CD will be released around next Wednesday (January 24, 2007).  So get your order in now to secure a copy for yourself!  If you can't get a CD this time around, please keep me in your prayers that this CD would be a tool for ministering to many people.  Thanks to all of you for your love and support.  I love you!

 

Love,

Stephanie

Fw: 4 Wives

Sent: Friday, January 19, 2007 12:14 AM
Subject: Fwd: 4 Wives

In a message dated 1/18/2007 9:54:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, Mdmmam1 writes:

4 Wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives.

He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No way!" replied the 4th wife, and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"

"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King now took notice of her and said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul; often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us in the end and throughout eternity.

Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Pass this on to someone you care about - I just did.

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect.
It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!

Fw: What The Bible Says About Death

>
>
>
> > WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT DEATH
> >
> > Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death! Make a
> > personal
> > reflection about this. Very interesting, read until the end.
> >
> >
> >
> > It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7): "Be not deceived; God is not
> > mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Here are some men and women who mocked God:
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > JOHN LENNON: Some years before, during his interview with an American
> > Magazine, he said: "Christianity will end, it will disappear. I do not
> > have
> > to argue about that. I am certain. Jesus was ok, but his subjects were
> > too
> > simple, today we are more famous than Him" (1966). Lennon, after saying
> > that
> > the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times..
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > TANCREDO NEVES (President of Brazil ): During the Presidential campaign,
> > he
> > said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove
him
> > from Presidency. Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before
being
> > made President, then he died.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > CAZUZA (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet): During a show
in
> > Canecïo ( Rio de Janeiro ), whilst smoking his cigarette, he puffed out
> > some
> > smoke into the air and said: "God, that's for you." He died at the age
of
> > 32 of AIDS in a horrible manner.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > THE MAN WHO BUILT THE TITANIC: After the construction of the Titanic, a
> > reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be. With an ironic tone he
> > said: "Not even God can sink it" The result: I think you all know what
> > happened to the Titanic.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > MARILYN MONROE: She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of
a
> > show. He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her. After
> > hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said: "I don't need your
Jesus".
> > A
> > week later, she was found dead in her apartment.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > BON SCOTT: The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he
sang:
> > "Don't stop me, I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell".
On
> > the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked
by
> > his own vomit.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > CAMPINAS/SP IN 2005: In Campinas, Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went
> > to
> > pick up a friend. The mother accompanied her to the car and was so
worried
> > about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter -
> > holding
> > her hand, who was already seated in the car: "MY DAUGHTER, GO WITH GOD
AND
> > MAY HE PROTECT YOU."
> >
> >
> >
> > She responded: "ONLY IF HE
> > (GOD) TRAVELS IN THE TRUNK, CAUSE INSIDE HERE IT'S ALREADY FULL"..
Hours
> > later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident,
> > everyone had died, the car could not be recognized what type of car it
had
> > been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact. The police said there was
no
> > way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the
> > trunk was a crate of eggs, none were broken.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Christine Hewitt: A Jamaican Journalist and entertainer, said the Bible
> > (Word of God) was the worst book ever written, in June 2006 she was
found
> > burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name
that
> > was given so much authority as the name of Jesus. Many have died, but
> > only
> > Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > JESUS!!!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > P.S: If it was a joke, you would have sent it to everyone. So are you
> > going
> > to have courage to send this? I have done my part, Jesus said "If you
are
> > embarrassed about me, I will also be embarrassed about you before my
> > father."
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

We all just wanna be rock stars???

I originally posted this on my MySpace blog, but I thought I would put it on here too.  You never know who you might bless!!  :-)

If you like, you can visit my MySpace page to view all of my blog entries there, because I don't always post the same ones here.  Just go to http://www.myspace.com/stephanieangelcates and click the link that says "blog".

Please read below my most recent post.  I hope you are blessed by it.

Love,
Stef

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK...I only have a few minutes, because I have been sitting here longer than I should have already.  But I just had to take a minute to share this with you:

I was listening to the radio on my way home from work today.  I don't remember which station, but it was one of the pop/rock stations (yes, I listen to secular music on occasion....please don't bombard me with messages about the evils of non-Christian music!  I am getting to a point here!)  Anyway, this song comes on that I can tell is by Nickelback.  Nickelback is a rock group that, in my opinion, is pretty good, musically speaking.  But this was one I hadn't heard before.  So I turned it up and started listening to the words.  I was totally shocked by what I heard.  I am going to put the lyrics below, but please be advised THERE IS A CURSE WORD IN THESE LYRICS. 

"Rock Star" by Nickelback

I'm through with standing in line
to the clubs I'll never get in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
and I'm never gonna win
This life hasn't turned out
quite the way I want it to be

(Tell me what you want)

I want a brand new house
on an episode of Cribs
And a bathroom I can play baseball in
And a king size tub big enough
for ten plus me

(so what you need)

I'll need a, a credit card that's got no limit
And a big black jet with a bedroom in it
Gonna join the mile high club
At thirty-seven thousand feet

(Been there done that)

I want a new tour bus full of old guitars
And my own star on Hollywood Boulevard
Somewhere between Cher and
James Dean is fine for me

(So how ya gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life for fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair and change my name

[CHORUS]
'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
Live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'as we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With the bleach blond hair
and well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I wanna be great like Elvis without the tassels
Hire eight body guards that love to beat up assholes
Sign a couple autographs
So I can eat my meals for free

(I'll have a quesadilla haha)

I'm gonna dress my ass
with the latest fashion
Get a front door key to the Playboy mansion
Gonna date a centerfold that loves to
blow my money for me

(So how ya gonna do it?)

I'm gonna trade this life
For fortune and fame
I'd even cut my hair
And change my name

'Cause we all just wanna be big rockstars
Live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'as we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With the bleach blond hair
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and
today's who's who
We'll get you anything
with that evil smile
Everybody's got a
drug dealer on speed dial
well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

I'm gonna sing those songs
that offend the censors
Gonna pop my pills
from a pez dispenser
Get washed-up singers writing all my songs
Lip sync 'em every night so I don't get 'em wrong

Well we all just wanna be big rockstars
Live in hilltop houses driving fifteen cars
The girls come easy and the drugs come cheap
We'll all stay skinny 'as we just won't eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest bars
In the VIP with the movie stars
Every good gold digger's
Gonna wind up there
Every Playboy bunny
With the bleach blond hair
And we'll hide out in the private rooms
With the latest dictionary and
today's who's who
We'll get you anything
with that evil smile
Everybody's got a
drug dealer on speed dial well..
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar
Hey hey I wanna be a rockstar

 

After listening to this song, I started thinking....does everyone want to be a rock star?  Is that the kind of life everyone wants?  "Everybody's got a drug dealer on speed dial"???? 

If Nickelback was trying to make the "rock star" life sound appealing, I'm afraid they failed miserably.  At least, as far as I can see.  Maybe this song was written tongue-in-cheek, but the fact of the matter is that most musicians (not just rock.....we're talking Pop, Country, Rap....all of them) do live this kind of lifestyle.  Some have sold their soul for the fancy house and the "fifteen cars".  Don't get me wrong....a nice house, fine cars, lots of money.....that all sounds good.  But at what cost?  Nothing in life is free.  Even salvation.  Salvation is free for US, but it cost God His only Son.  Everything has a price tag.  What good is it to have a "bathroom big enough to play baseball in" if you have to spend eternity in hell, where you will be begging for a single drop of water?  What good is a "credit card with no limit", if you don't have any peace or happiness?  What good is "my own star on Hollywood Boulevard" if my name hasn't been written in the Lamb's Book Of Life???

You see, I guess a few years back I finally grew up.  Not physically, but spiritually.  When I came back to the Lord, He gave me a whole new outlook on life and the things in it.  I realized that the THINGS that we chase after in this life, often bring us more pain and heartache than they are worth.  That's why, for the past 5 years or so, I have been more intent on becoming famous with Jesus.  I don't want fame or fortune down here.  Who needs a "brand new house on an episode of Cribs" when I have a MANSION in heaven, built just for me, that nothing in this world could ever compare to!!  Who needs "eight body guards" when I have the ultimate Protector and Advocate?  His name is Jesus, and He can protect me more than 1,000 bodyguards ever could!!  He protects me sometimes when I don't even know I'm in danger.  What bodyguard can see into the future???

So....."we all just wanna be big rock stars"???  Thank you, Nickelback, but no thank you.  Unlike you, I wouldn't "trade this life" for anything!  As a matter of fact....I think the words to the song need a little re-working.  How's this:

"God's Star"

I'm through with wasting my time
with a world I'll never fit in
It's like the bottom of the ninth
and in the end I win
This life has turned out
better than what I wanted it to be

(Tell me what you want)

I want the joy of the Lord 
and all His peace
And a heart big enough to fit everyone in
And a King for a father good enough 
to save a wretch like me

(so what you need)

I'll need a, a life that's an example
To show Jesus to everyone
Gonna join the mile high club
When Jesus raptures His church away

(Gonna really do that!)

I want a new desire to serve Jesus
And my name written down
in the Lamb's Book of Life
even though I'm so unworthy

(So how ya gonna do it?)

I'm gonna live this life for Jesus alone
For Him, I'd do anything!

[CHORUS]
'Cause we all should wanna be big God stars
Live in righteousness, love, and peace
The blessings come easy and the joy come cheap
We'll never be hungry, cause God gives us enough to eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest ways
Giving God our all, each and every day
Every good Christian's
Gonna wind up there
Every saved person
With room to share
and well..
Hey hey I wanna be a God star
Hey hey I wanna be a God star

I wanna be great like Paul and win the masses
Look at the world through rose colored glasses
Work for Jesus
He provides my meals for me

(I'll have a quesadilla haha)

I'm gonna dress myself
in godly fashion
one day go Home to my brand new mansion
Got a best friend that said He would never leave
nor forsake me

(So how ya gonna do it?)

I'm gonna live this life for Jesus alone
For Him, I'd do anything!

'Cause we all should wanna be big God stars
Live in righteousness, love, and peace
The blessings come easy and the joy come cheap
We'll never be hungry, cause God gives us enough to eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest ways
Giving God our all, each and every day
Every good Christian's
Gonna wind up there
Every saved person
With room to share
And we'll hide out in our private closets
Saying prayers that God will
always answer
He'll get you anything
if it's His will
Through prayer you've got 
Jesus on speed dial
well..
Hey hey I wanna be a God star!

I'm gonna sing those songs
That bless my sisters and brothers
Gonna be good and
love one another
Make Jesus the subject of all my songs
To minister to those who feel like they don't belong

'Cause we all should wanna be big God stars
Live in righteousness, love, and peace
The blessings come easy and the joy come cheap
We'll never be hungry, cause God gives us enough to eat
And we'll hang out in the coolest ways
Giving God our all, each and every day
Every good Christian's
Gonna wind up there
Every saved person
With room to share
and well..
Hey hey I wanna be a God star
Hey hey I wanna be a God star

THIS PASTOR HAS GUTS

 

THIS PASTOR HAS GUTS...
Thought You might enjoy this Interesting Prayer given in Kansas at the Opening Session of their Senate. It seems Prayer still upsets some People. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the New Session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your Forgiveness and to seek your Direction and Guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good', but that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our Spiritual Equilibrium and Reversed our Values. We have Exploited the Poor and called it the Lottery. We have Rewarded Laziness and called it Welfare. We have Killed our Unborn and called it Choice. We have Shot Abortionists and called it Justifiable. We have Neglected to Discipline our Children and called it Building Self Esteem. We have Abused Power and called it Politics. We have Coveted our Neighbor's Possessions and called it Ambition. We have Polluted the Air with Profanity and Pornography and called it Freedom of Speech and Expression. We hav e Ridiculed the Time Honored Values of our Forefathers and called it Enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our Hearts today; Cleanse Us from Every Sin and Set us Free. Amen!"
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The response was immediate. A number of Legislators walked out during the Prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is Pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving International Requests for copies of this Prayer, from India, Africa and Korea. Commentator Paul Harvey aired this Prayer on his Radio Program, "The Rest of the Story" and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this Prayer sweep over our Nation and whole hear tedly become our desire so that We again can be called "One Nation Under God."
If possible, please pass this Prayer on to your Friends. "If You don't stand for Something, You will fall for Anything." Think about this: If You forward this Prayer to Everyone on your e mail list, in less than 30 days it would be heard by the World.

 

An Invitation to a Birthday Party

> You are cordially invited to
>
> A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!
>
> Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
>
> Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
> but He's always around, so the date is flexible...
>
> Time: Whenever you're ready.
> (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the
> fun!)
>
> Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there.
> (You'll hear Him knock.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
> He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
> new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the
> last.
>
> Tickets: Admission is free. He's
> already paid for everyone...
> (He says you wouldn't have been
> able to afford it anyway...
> it cost Him everything He had. But
> you do need to accept the ticket!!
>
> Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
> far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"
> followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!
>
> Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those
> people who already has everything else.
> (He's very generous in return though.
> Just wait until you see what He has for you!)
>
> Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
> Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
> Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
> Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
> (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> R.S.V.P. Very Important!
> He must know ahead so He can
> reserve a spot for you at the table.
> Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
> reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."
>
> Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!
> Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
> see at the party, share this with someone today!
>
>

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CATES FAMILY TO YOUR FAMILY!!

I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperous New Year. God bless you!

My husband's blog

My husband has posted some wonderful videos on his MySpace. Go to www.myspace.com/jandscates and go to his blog to view. My personal favorites are "By His Wounds" and "That's My King".

I promise you that you will be blessed by them. And feel free to add him to your friends list and comment while you are there.

We all have an obligation to get God's Word out to the world. These videos are an excellent way to do that so feel free to add them to your profile as well!!

Again, his MySpace address is www.myspace.com/jandscates

I love you all!

God bless!

Love,
Stephanie

Early Christmas with Grandpa

| View Show | Create Your Own

Fw: Stephanie has sent you a blog on MySpace.com!

> This is a message from Stephanie:
>
>
>
> Stephanie thought you might enjoy checking out this blog on MySpace.com!
You don't have to join MySpace.com to view the blog. Just use the link
below.
>
> http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog&friendID=17803245
>

And FYI if anyone is interested you can view my MySpace page at
http://www.myspace.com/stephanieangelcates . If you come to my page and
want to add me as a friend, please drop me a message letting me know that
you came there from my Blogger page so I will know that people are actually
reading this!! ;-)

Until next time.......be blessed!

Love,
Stephanie

Our Yahoo Auctions

We have listed some really nice items on our Yahoo Auctions page. (We are starting to use Yahoo more than Ebay due to the outrageous fees that Ebay charges!!) Please visit our page to check out our items and be sure to forward this to your friends!! The more traffic we can drive to our auctions the better, so we would greatly appreciate your help!! Here's the link:

http://auctions.yahoo.com/show/auctions?userID=jandscates

Thanks so much. God bless!!

Love,
Stephanie and Bo

Fw: WALMART (we just went there last night)

Please read this....it happened right here in Burlington......

Stephanie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One of our employees here at Labcorp. Her daughter went to Walmart
Saturday night, when she was going to her car, a lady fell at the back
of her car. She through her pocketbook and bags in the car and stepped
back to help her, she was just lying on the pavement. When she got to
her she looked up and saw two other girls running towards her, it
scared
her so she jumped back in her car. There was a man beside of her in
another car, she rolled down her window and ask if he would help. He
just yelled at them and said we are calling 911, all three took off
running, ( YES EVEN THE ONE WHO HAD FELL ) so please if you go to
Walmart and someone falls behind your car and seems to be hurt, just
tell them you will call 911 or run over them. Nothing seems to amaze
me
anymore, but at Christmas time they seem to fall out of the sky.

This was at Walmart on Garden Road.

Check out our Yahoo Auctions Page!!!

We have listed some really nice items on our Yahoo Auctions page.  (We are starting to use Yahoo more than Ebay due to the outrageous fees that Ebay charges!!)  Please visit our page to check out our items and be sure to forward this to your friends!!  The more traffic we can drive to our auctions the better, so we would greatly appreciate your help!!  Here's the link:

 

http://auctions.yahoo.com/show/auctions?userID=jandscates

 

Thanks so much.  God bless!!

 

Love,

Stephanie and Bo

Fw: SANTA'S PRAYER IS ANSWERED

> Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at
> Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a
> picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling.
>
> "Your friend?" Your sister?
>
> "Yes, Santa," he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he
> said
> sadly.
>
> Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw
> her dabbing her eyes with a tissue.
>
> "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the
> child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly.
>
> Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face,
> asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.
>
> When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the
> child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted.
>
> "What is it?" Santa asked warmly.
>
> "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the old
> woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to
> collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
>
> "The girl in the photograph .. my granddaughter .. well, you see ..
> she
> has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the
>
> holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa
> ... any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's
> asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."
>
> Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave
> information
> with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could
> do.
> Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon.
>
> He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that
> hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "this is the
> least I can do."
>
> When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening,
> he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was
> staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to
> Children's Hospital.
>
> "Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.
>
> Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier
> that day. "C'mon .... I'll take you there," Rick said softly.
>
> Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.
>
> They found out which room Sarah was in.
>
> A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.
>
> Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and
> saw
> little Sarah on the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her
> family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met
> earlier that day.
>
> A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently
> pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.
>
> And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a
> chair near the bed with weary, sad look on her face. They were talking
> quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family,
> and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and
> forcing
> a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho,
> ho, ho!"
>
> "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed
> to
> run to him, IV tubes in tact.
>
> Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender
> age
> of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and
> excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald
> patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he
> looked
> at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to
> force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon
> Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women
> in
> the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to
> the
> bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully,
> whispering "thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining
> eyes.
> Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the
> toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good
> girl
> that year. As their tim e together dwindled, Santa felt led in his
> spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for
>
> permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the
> entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands.
>
> Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in
> angels.
>
>
> "Oh, yes, Santa ... I do!" she exclaimed.
>
> "Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you, "he said. Laying
> one
> hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked
> that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease He
> asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he
> finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing softly,
> "Silent Night, Holy Night - all is calm, all is bright." The family
> joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of
> hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When
> the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held
> Sarah's
> frail, small hands in his own.
>
> "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that
> is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with
> your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at
> Mayfair
> Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that, to
> this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to.
>
> He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or
> toys -- but the gift of HOPE.
>
> "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright.
>
> He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room
>
> Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed
> between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother
> slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank
> him.
>
>
> "My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This
> is
> the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.
>
> One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee for
> his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went
> by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.
>
> "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!"
>
> "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down
> at
> her.
>
> After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each
> child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.
>
>
> "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.
> Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little
> miracle
> and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely
> recognized
> her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much
> different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He
> looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines
> smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.
>
> That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.
>
> He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing
> about
> -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed.
> Cancer-free. Alive and well.
>
> He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you,
> Father. ' Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"
>
> If you believe in miracles you will pass this on. I did!!
>
> LIFE IS GOD'S GIFT TO YOU ...
>
> HOW YOU LIVE IT IS YOUR GIFT TO GOD, YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES.

Fw:

This was sent to the Church email. I wanted to share....

Love,
Stef

----- Original Message -----

From: James Cates

To: lighthouse
Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 10:16 PM

I love all of my family at lighthousebaptistchrch my father god and my brother jesus has so much for us to do and one of the things is love ever body.I love you all so much and god bless you all love brother bo. __________________

Fw: Psalm 55:22

> > > I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted
> to=
> > > share it with my family and dearest friends:
> > >
> > > I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in
> traffic=
> > > on Colorado Blvd.., and the car started to choke and splutter and
> die -=
> > > I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only
that
> =
> > > I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to
> w=
> > > ait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make
> t=
> > > he call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and
> i=
> > > t looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I
> got=
> > > out to see if she was okay.
> > >
> > > When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs
> than=
> > > that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard
> wi=
> > > th dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her
> up=
> > > , and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.
> > >
> > > At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman,
> the=
> > > ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in
a
> =
> > > car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.
> > >
> > > I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept
> sa=
> > > ying "I don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other
> s=
> > > ide of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California
> and=
> > > that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you
> were=
> > > praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her
> I=
> > > was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."
> > >
> > > I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump
so
> =
> > > she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked
> t=
> > > o the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift
> cert=
> > > ificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the
> kid=
> > > s in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump
> eati=
> > > ng fries and talking a little.
> > >
> > > She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City .. Her
> boyfriend=
> > > left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She
> knew=
> > > she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation
> h=
> > > ad finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5
> y=
> > > ears. They lived in California and said she could come live with them
> an=
> > > d try to get on her feet there.
> > >
> > > So she packed up everything she owned in the car She told the kids
they
> =
> > > were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going
to
> =
> > > live there.
> > >
> > > I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her
for
> =
> > > safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So,
are
> =
> > > you like an angel or something?"
> > >
> > > This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year
> ange=
> > > ls are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."
> > >
> > > It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of
> cour=
> > > se, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got
> m=
> > > e home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but
> I=
> > > suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.
> > >
> > > Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the
> flutt=
> > > er of their wings...
> > >
> > > Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain
thee.
> =
> > > He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
> > >
> > > My instructions were to pick four people that I wanted God to bless,
> esp=
> > > ecially for the months in 2006 , and I picked you.
> > >
> > > Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed and a copy back
> t=
> > > o me.
> > >
> > > This prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we
receive.
> > > There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one
> an=
> > > other.
> > >
> > > Here is the prayer:
> > >
> > > "Father, I ask You to bless my children, grandchildren, friends,
> relativ=
> > > es and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new
> revelation=
> > > of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their
> spi=
> > > rit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and
> m=
> > > ercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through
> Yo=
> > > ur grace, In Jesus' precious name. Amen."
> > >
> > > I know I picked more than four and you can, too.
> > > When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could You
> pleas=
> > > e get that for me?"
> > >
> > > Being blessed is GOOD...being HIGHLY FAVORED is best! <?XML:NAMESPACE
> PR=
> > > EFIX =3D O /> =
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>

In Honor Of Silent Worship Mime Ministry

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Some More Pics For The Mime Team

A special picture of the mime team

I made this special for the mime team. I love you guys!! Keep up the wonderful work for the Lord!!