Thanks for the warning about Yahoo. We noticed a large increase of spam coming from Yahoo mail addresses a few weeks ago. By the way, we stopped clubbing seals here in New Zealand a few years ago, about the same time our cousins in America stopped shooting Indians. Small point but mention it least it becomes follore. Cheers Adrian Verry

The census taker knocked on the lady's door. She answered all his questions except one. She refused to tell him her age. "But everyone tells their age to the census taker," he said. "Did Miss Maisy Hill and her twin sister Daisey Hill tell their ages?" she asked. "Certainly," he replied. "Well, I'm the same age as they are." she snapped. The census taker simply wrote on the form, "As old as the Hills."

NASA Science News for April 3, 2002 By manipulating a new form of matter called Bose-Einstein condensates -- or "BECs" for short -- researchers are bringing astrophysics from deep space right into their laboratories. One of their creations might be a "pet" neutron star. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/03apr_neutronstars.htm?list489379 ---

>From one of my toomany lists I'm on! Erick The USA Register http://www.theregus.com/content/6/24520.html Yahoo! Rips! Up! Privacy! Policy! By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco Posted: 04/03/2002 at 05:31 EST Yahoo! changed its privacy policy last week, contemptuously exposing all of its registered users to third-party spam, marketing offers and cold calls that they'd previously said they didn't want. As from now, Yahoo! mail users are exposed to a dozen unwanted "Special Offers and Marketing Communications", and users who've left their phone numbers with the portal will discover that they've been "agreed" to cold calling and junk snail mail, for good measure. You can change your preferences manually. This entails setting over a dozen "Enroll Me" options to "No". You'll also need to change the "Special offers from selected Yahoo! partners brought to you by Yahoo! Delivers" to prevent third-party spam, and most importantly (if you've left a mail address or phone number), deselect the contact options. A robotic email sent to Yahoo! users at the weekend failed to point out that they'd just been opted-in to a blizzard of spam. Instead, the portal pleaded: "Your privacy is very important to us here at Yahoo! … Our commitment to privacy hasn't changed." The email then begs users to provide even more detailed personal information with which they can be spammed: "We invite you to take this opportunity to update your personal information so you can continue to receive content and advertising that is most relevant and interesting to you." "Please do not reply to this message" Which by any measure, amounts to something less than full disclosure. Such a policy change is illegal, even in the most distant and barbarous seal-clubbing reaches of the British Commonwealth, Register readers point out: "In Canada, this action is illegal," notes Jennifer Friesen-Mercurio. "The actions of any organization must comply with the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Privacy, and the protection of human rights, is enshrined within the fabric of our laws. A person has the right to not have their life exploited for profit by marketing groups. or used in any way without their knowledge or consent. Even government officials are bound within these laws." Here's where you can delete your Yahoo! account. ® Related Stories Yahoo! charges! for! email! services! Yahoo! president! to! quit! Yahoo! to! shed! 400! jobs!

Several planets are assembling toward a rare alignment later this month, when five of them will crowd into a patch of sky small enough that all will be visible in a single glance. The setup will provide a planet-watching opportunity that won't be repeated for a century. Even now, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn form a nearly straight line in the west each night. By late April, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Saturn will all bunch up in the western sky just after sunset, with bright Jupiter also nearby. Three of the planets -- Venus, Saturn and Mars -- will crowd into an even smaller patch of sky in early May. The five-planet array is a "standout" of the 21st Century, says Robert C. Victor, an astronomer who volunteers at the Abrams Planetarium of Michigan State University and has specialized in predicting and observing unusual configurations of the planets for nearly four decades. Victor said there will be only three other chances in the coming 100 years to see five planets so tightly grouped, in September 2040, July 2060, and November 2100. "But the groupings of 2040 and 2100 will have some of the planets barely above the horizon as darkness is falling, so viewers will likely have to resort to using binoculars," Victor said. "None of these three groupings will be as accessible to casual skywatchers as the upcoming spectacular gathering in late April and early May." Anyone with a clear view of the western sky will be able to observe the events as they unfold, night after night, with no equipment required. How it works A wide variety of different conjunctions and configurations involving the planets typically occur during the course of any given year. It is highly unusual, however, when three or more bright planets appear to reside in the same small area of the sky. >From our Earthly vantage point and during much of the year, we can readily observe Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn with our unaided eyes as they revolve around the Sun. Each of these planets appears to move against the starry background at their own speeds and along their own tracks. Because they move at different speeds and at varying distances from the Sun, the positions of all five planets at any particular time is unique to that particular moment. All of these naked eye planets -- and the Moon as well -- closely follow an imaginary line in the sky called the ecliptic, an important reference point in many respects for astronomers and skywatchers. The ecliptic is the apparent path that the Sun appears to take through the sky, over the course of the year, as a result of the Earth's revolution around it. Technically, the ecliptic represents the extension or projection of the plane of the Earth's orbit out towards the sky. But since the Moon and planets move in similar planes, these bodies, when visible in our sky, always stay relatively close to the ecliptic line. Twelve of the constellations through which the ecliptic passes form the Zodiac; their names, which can be readily identified on standard star charts, are familiar to millions of horoscope users who would be hard pressed to find them in the actual sky. Ancient readings Ancient people probably took note of the fact that the planets, resembling bright stars, had the freedom to wander in the heavens, while the other "fixed" stars remained rooted in their positions. This ability to move seemed to have an almost magical, god-like quality. It's no wonder the planets came to be associated with the gods. Evidence lies in their very names, which represent ancient deities. The skywatchers of thousands of years ago must have deduced that if the movements of the planets had any significance at all, it was to inform those who could read celestial signs what fate held in store. Indeed, even to this day, there are those who firmly believe that the changing positions of the Sun, Moon and planets can have a decided effect on the destinies of individuals and nations on the Earth. But is there any chance that the impending planet lineup might have any influence on our lives in any way? "Forget it," says Michael Shara, an astrophysicist at New York's Rose Center for Earth and Space. "No astrologer can predict from planetary alignments or any other celestial configuration when a specific event, good or bad, will occur on Earth." Astronomical amnesia Some people have suggested that the combined gravity of various planets lined up could tug at Earth and create colossal tides or even earthquakes Scientists say there is no basis for this. In May 2000, a similar planet line-up occurred. In its advance, there were numerous astrological predictions of earthquakes, floods, wars and other disasters. Despite all the ballyhoo, absolutely nothing abnormal or unexpected happened that was in any way tied to the alignment, scientists say. "The planets in the night sky are always shifting in and out of celestial liaisons," says Ed Krupp, Director of the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles. "Astronomical amnesia allows us to forget the last time we saw them assembling for such a performance. We also usually fail to recall that none of the influential magical thinking attributed to the previous event ever materialized." Victor, of the Abrams Planetarium, suggests even the most casual skywatchers make a concerted effort to go out and look up this spring, since planet gatherings will be few and far between in the next few years. The most compact gathering of Venus, Mars and Saturn that will be visible in the western evening sky from May 3-10 this year is just one of only five such planet trios easily visible in a dark sky between the years 1980 and 2050. The best view, he says, will be during the evenings of May 5th and 6th, when these three planets form an eye-catching compact triangle. The next time a tight planet trio will be seen in a dark sky will be in early August 2010, again involving Venus, Mars and Saturn.

I do..I have been an ER nurse for nearly 30 years and I can tell you these observations are accurate and then some. I love my work and am so proud to be an RN. My mother and my Grandmother were nurses also. Sharon When friends meet, hearts warm...proverb

I Do too, thanks for this one. _______________________________________ Get Your Free Personal Email at: http://www.sa360.com

Finding Your Easter Sunrise By Cindy Bollinger There is a stopping point in the North Carolina mountains called Pretty Place. Pull off the main road and follow a dirt one to a clearing, and there stands an open- air chapel on the side of the mountain. Simple concrete benches encompass a stone pulpit. The area is open on all sides so you can see the breathtaking beauty of the scenery. A feeling of reverence permeates the place. People talk quietly, as though in church, in this wonderful place of solitary reflection. At Easter time about twenty years ago, a group of friends and I decided to attend the sunrise service at Pretty Place. I had always wanted to go but never managed. I was an emergency-room nurse and had to work on this particular Easter Sunday, too, but worked it out to go to the service, and then go to work my shift. We got up about 2:00 A.M. to make the drive to Pretty Place. We arrived in the dark, parked and proceeded toward the chapel. A huge gathering of people collected in and around the chapel. In darkness, a simple nondenominational church service was held including a hymn, a prayer and a short message. I was content just to sit and enjoy the tranquility, the smell of earth and pine, and feel the coolness of the morning air on my skin. I heard the birds and the sounds of the woods around us and enjoyed the pleasure of being with my friends. The sky lightened as the day broke and a glowing orange ball began to appear as if it was rising out of the earth. One minute there was a gray canvas and the next, a glowing sphere of orange, yellow and pink rose, filling the sky. Then, more quickly than they had come, the crowd took their leave to return to the real world. I headed for work. I arrived feeling peaceful and ready for the day. The ER was quiet, too. Since there were no patients, I began cleaning and restocking. I heard the familiar announcement, "patient in the hall," and then the sound of a male voice calling for help in desperation and panic. I entered the hallway to see a man carrying a small, limp, breathless child. Traces of blood and discoloration smeared one side of her pale face. No other wounds were visible. The man handed me the little girl dressed in a frilly dress, lace-trimmed socks, patent- leather shoes and a crushed Easter bonnet. His words spilled out. He couldn't see her when he backed the family van out of the driveway. She was dressed and ready for church. She saw her daddy leaving. She ran behind him. She only wanted to go with her daddy. I rushed her into critical care, leaving the father in the hallway. Someone would come shortly to get him to fill out the paperwork and show him to the family waiting room, not the usual waiting room, but the small, softly lit, private waiting room where families and friends await bad news and pray desperate prayers for the lives of their loved ones. As the call of Code Blue went out over the hospital loudspeaker, a team gathered to do all that was possible to save this child. Her Easter clothes were cut away and she was intubated. We began CPR, started an IV, and gave her drugs to attempt to restart her heart and lungs. It soon became obvious her neck was broken. We continued to resuscitate her, doing everything within the power of man and medicine. We couldn't give up the life of this small child. Often a knowing, an intellectual process, says there is nothing to do, but the heart pushes us beyond this knowledge to try anyway. So try we did. After the hopeless resuscitation ceased, I slowly removed the tubes with tears in my eyes, a huge lump in my throat and heaviness in my chest. We took care of the details of preparing her body for death and for her family to see her. The emergency-room doctor went to the family room. His words to the father started with, "Your little girl is dead. There was really nothing we could do, but we tried." He talked, trying to explain what had happened. He listened for a little while to give the father a chance to respond. The cry we heard coming from this man as he was given the news still touches me at the core of my very being. Some of us have experienced the misfortunes in life that enable us to understand the pain and loss this man must have felt. It's been twenty years since that Easter Sunday. I am married now and have four children of my own. I traded in the job of being a nurse for that of being a full-time mother and homemaker. Not an Easter has passed since that I do not remember that little girl in the arms of her father on that Easter Sunday. I can always recall the pain and agony of that father's cry at the news of the death of his daughter. Now, as a parent, I understand that cry in a way that I couldn't at that time. Medical personnel must learn to deal with the pain and suffering of others in order to do their job. We witness human misery, loss of limb and life, loss of family and, at times, the horrible unspeakable things that people do to each other. My saving grace is always that when I remember that little girl dying, I also remember the profound experience of being at the Easter sunrise service. I'm glad that on that morning I made the effort to go. I remember the magnificence of that sunrise there on the side of a mountain and the awe I felt taking it all in. I experienced two opposite ends of the spectrum of human emotion that day - wonder and despair, life and death, joy and suffering, breathtaking beauty and profound sadness. I wrap the beautiful memory of the sunrise service around me to protect me from the hurt I felt at the death of the little girl. That memory of the sunrise was the armor I carried into battle that day as I went to do my duty in the ER. As a nurse or a doctor or anyone who deals with pain and suffering, we must care for ourselves in order to serve others. We cannot give water to others from an empty well. We must take time to refill the well - to find our Easter sunrise. .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

Easter in Jackson By Allison C. Miller The pounding rain began in the middle of the night. The people of Jackson, Ohio awoke to the sound then went back to sleep. The next day the rain continued, and the water began to rise. Statistics said Jackson floods once every one hundred years, but no one believed this would be the flood of the century. People were evacuated from their homes to higher ground, leaving everything behind. Buildings in the low- lying areas were immersed in water. People watched as dogs, cats, cows and other animals were swept away. Cars and trucks were carried miles from their homes. The people felt helpless as they watched Mother Nature show her power. My roommate, Susan, was home in Jackson that weekend of March third, 1997. When she returned to our house in "The Ghetto" of the University of Dayton, she told us of the floods and how her powder blue Beretta had been destroyed. Her grandmother was rescued while standing on her bed holding her oxygen tank, immersed to her chest in water. I was a senior at the university, in the second phase of my student-teaching experiences. I worried about lesson plans, finding a job, where to go after graduation and leaving my friends. My worries suddenly seemed to pale in comparison to the problems of Jackson. Susan returned to her sixth-grade student-teaching experience the following Monday. She told the story to her students and showed them pictures from the newspaper. Her inspired and compassionate students took action. They stopped raising money for their trip to Camp Kern and began raising money for the flood victims. They sold lollipops, wrote letters to the community asking for donations and collected their own money. Even first-graders donated money. Mountains of clothes, furniture and food piled up. Susan's class made Easter baskets from shoeboxes and filled them with candy and toys as well as toothpaste, soap, toothbrushes and shampoo. She and I loaded her mom's black Chevy Beretta to the ceiling with the Easter baskets. On the trip there, I wondered what I would see; I couldn't imagine losing almost everything. Dusk was beginning to set in, and I felt nervous when we arrived. My stomach dropped when I saw some houses reduced to the railroad ties that had been their foundation. The smell of river water permeated the air. No carpet, furniture, plumbing or appliances remained. Knowing that only days ago this had been someone's home pained my heart. How many children had grown up here? What kind of memories lingered? Would the house ever be rebuilt? The monster flood had dulled its roar and retreated, but its impact would be long-lasting. We drove from house to house, knocking on doors, ready to begin our mission. I was filled with trepidation. Would families who had been devastated by floodwater want an Easter basket? The gesture was beginning to seem useless. "Hello, I'm Susan Moore, and this is my friend, Allison. My sixth-graders at Pennyroyal Elementary made Easter baskets for you when they heard about the flooding because they wanted to help." Their faces lit up as they opened their gifts. As we entered one home, a husband and wife were crouched over their floor with hammer and nails. When he opened the box, he began to cry. "I can't believe those kids did this. Let me give you some money for their school." As I glanced at what was left of his home, I could not believe his generous spirit. He eventually conceded to write a thank- you note instead. One woman ran out to find us after opening her box, tears rolling down her face. "I collected bunny rabbits, and I lost them all in the flood. There was a small pink rabbit in my box. I can start my collection again. Thank you." The burly man standing next to her also had tears in his eyes. My heart was warmed as I played the small role of messenger in this tribute to the good in the human spirit. So often we hear of the shortcomings of our youth, but these youngsters answered a cry for help and gave proof that generosity and love prevail. .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

"What is Crucifixion?" Before you begin reading, close your eyes and try to imagine that hilltop 2000 yrs. ago, the throngs of people milling around to get a glimpse at the cause of so much disruption, the dust, the muffled conversations of some, the shouts of others, the guards in uniform pushing the crowd aside, the rough hewn timbers, the hammer, the nails and a simple, some say plain, man. ______________________________________ "What is Crucifixion?" A medical doctor provides a physical description of crucifixion ... The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He places the point of a heavy, square wrought iron nail in that depression and drives through the wrist deep into the wood with several blows of a large hammer. He moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement. The cross is then lifted up and dropped into place in a hole prepared beforehand. The left foot is pressed backward against the right foot, and then against the timber of the cross. With both feet extended, toes down, the knees flexed nearly 90degrees, a single nail is driven through the arches of both feet and into the timber. The victim is now crucified. His entire weight is hung from three rough wrought nails As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet. Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. With His weight on His outstretched arms, air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He must push down on the single nail holding His feet in order to lift His chest to exhale. As the arms and legs fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them with relentless, throbbing pain. With these cramps comes the inability to push upward to breathe. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subside. Occasionally, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber. Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compresses the heart. It is now almost over - the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level - the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues - the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in tiny tastes of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues ... finally; he can allow his body to die. «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» Your Daily Verse For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6/KJV BIT OF WISDOM: The evidence of God's presence far outweighs the proof of his absence. TRIVIA QUESTION: Q. What were the names of Noah's sons? And how old was Noah when the flood came? A. See Genesis 6:10 See Answer below. «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» RECIPE: SAVORY LEG OF LAMB & POTATOES *********************************************************** INGREDIENTS: 2 large lemons, zest of 1 removed in strips with peeler 1/4 cup fresh rosemary leaves 3 large garlic cloves 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 7-pound leg of lamb 2 1/2 pounds small red potatoes 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off and discard pith from zested lemon and cut off and discard zest and pith from other lemon. In a saucepan of boiling water blanch zest 1 minute and drain in a colander. Cut each lemon crosswise into 6 slices. In a small food processor blend rosemary, garlic, zest, 1 tablespoon oil, lemon juice, and salt until mixture is chopped fine. With tip of a small sharp knife cut small slits all over lamb and rub rosemary mixture over lamb, rubbing into slits. Arrange lemon slices in middle of a large roasting pan and arrange lamb on them. Roast lamb in middle of oven 45 minutes. Quarter potatoes and in a saucepan cover with salted cold water by 1 inch. Bring water to a boil and cook potatoes, covered, 5 minutes. Drain potatoes in colander and in a bowl toss with remaining tablespoon oil. Arrange potatoes around lamb and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Roast lamb and potatoes, stirring potatoes occasionally, 55 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers 140 degrees. for medium-rare. Transfer lamb to a cutting board and let stand 15 minutes. Increase temperature to 450 degrees roast potatoes and lemons in one layer 5 to 10 minutes more, or until golden. Transfer potatoes and lemons with a slotted spoon to bowl and toss with chives. Transfer potato mixture to a platter. Slice thinly across grain and serve with potatoes. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and lemon wedges. «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» THE LITTLE TREE THAT STOOD TALL Once upon a dream In a forest far away There lived a little sapling Who would grow up some day He looked around about him The trees were strong and tall I will grow up some day, he said And be the greatest tree of all The little tree began to grow The months and years went by He looked round about one day And then began to cry I'm so very little Among the trees so tall Why, on why dear God Am I the smallest tree of all? The God spoke from heaven Some day you'll take a fall But you will learn in darkness Whose the greatest tree of all The little tree was fearful For future things unseen Why does God not love me? Why is He so mean? One day there came a woodsman Among the mighty trees he found The little tree that trembled And cut it to the ground The little tree began to weep He thought that all was lost Until he stopped to realize He'd been cut to make a cross Upon that cross the third Man died Now the little tree stood tall For it was then he realized He was the greatest tree of all ! DWoodPaPa@aol.com «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» Bible Quiz: by Darryl Clemmons The anger of the Lord was kindled against me For I brought other gods and bowed with my knee I had walked in God's ways and did right in His sight But I turned away from Him Which I know was not right A hundred talents of silver to soldiers I did give But God stopped my plans Now how shall I live? My money I gave But He said He would provide Then I turned my heart I was so filled with pride. ( Last Weeks Answer is: Benjamin ) ( This Weeks Answer will be posted here next Monday ) «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» 'Words from the Heart' by Deborah Zook 1. He drew a circle that shut me out, But love and I had the wit to win; We drew a larger circle that took him in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 2. The center of God's will is our only safety. When we obey him every path he guides us on is fragrant with his lovingkindness and his truth. ...Psalm 25:10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 3. A wife doubles a man's pleasures and divides his cares. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 4. In the old days a fool and his money were soon parted. Now it happens to everyone. :-\ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 5. Men want to improve only the world; but mothers want to improve their whole family. That is a much harder task. «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» A. His sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth. See Genesis 6:10 "Noah had three sons: Shem, Ham and Japheth." Noah was 600 years old at the time of the flood. See Genesis 7:6 "Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters came on the earth." «¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤» .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

Hot Water ========== A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed just as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one, he placed carrots; in the second, he placed eggs; and the last, he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes, he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her he asked, "Darling, what do you see?" "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked, "What does it mean Father?" He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water. "Which are you?" he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?" How about you? Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Or are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a divorce, or a layoff have you become hardened and stiff? Your shell looks the same, but are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain, till its peak flavor reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets the hottest, it just tastes better. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make things better around you. When people talk about you, do you give praises to God? When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, does your worship elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean? Author Unknown .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

The Easter Bunny By Beth H. Arbogast When I was a little girl, every Sunday my family of six would put on their best clothes and go to Sunday School and then church. The kids in elementary school would all meet together to sing songs, and then later divide into groups based on their ages. One Easter Sunday, all the kids arrived with big eyes and big stories about what the Easter Bunny had brought. While all of the kids shared their stories with delight, one young boy, whom I shall call Bobby, sat sullenly. One of the teachers, noticing this, said to him, "And what did the Easter Bunny bring you?" He replied, "My mom locked the door on accident so the Easter Bunny couldn't get inside." This sounded like a reasonable idea to all of us kids, so we kept on going with the stories. My mom knew the true story, though. Bobby's mom was a single parent, and she suspected that they just couldn't afford the Easter Bunny. After Sunday school was over, everyone went off to church. When my dad came to meet us my mom announced that we were going home instead. At home, she explained that to make Bobby feel better, we were going to pretend to be the Easter Bunny and make a basket of our goodies for him and leave it at church. We all donated some of our candies to the basket, and headed back to church. There, mom unzipped his coat, hung the basket over the hanger, and zipped up the coat and attached a note. Dear Bobby, I'm sorry I missed your house last night. Happy Easter. Love, The Easter Bunny .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

> I DO > > Do you know what it feels like to enter the room of a child who is > delirious with fever...crying out in moans..reaching out in the darkness > for some comfort from the frightening world of sickness..I do. > Do you know what it feels like to stand in the hallway of a busy > Emergency Room and watch the Rescue Workers racing frantically towards > you as they bring in the victims of the automobile wreckage just five > blocks away..I do. > Do you know what it feels like to see the young man, gasping in pain > from what you know to be a massive coronary..watching you with eyes full > of fear...fear of the unknown..I do. > Do you know what it feels like to hold the hand of an elderly dying > woman..to stroke her brow and offer words of comfort as she laborously > tries to take her last remaining breaths..I do. > Do you know what it feels like to walk down a lonely corridor at > midnight..to enter a waiting area..to appoach a family huddled in some > chairs in the far corner.. to sit with them and quietly and as > painlessly as possible tell them that their loved one has passed on..I > do. > Do you know what it feels like to hold the hand of a young, single, > teenge girl who is battling with a decision of whether or not to bring > another life into this world..to offer her counseling and guidance..to > pray that your words to her have helped..I do. > Do you know what it feels like to see the young man who is fighting the > addiction to drugs..to see the look on his face when he realizes that > just last month he was in a group session which you led.. where he > promised you then he would never touch those drugs again..I do. > Do you know how it feels to coach the laboring mother who is giving > birth..her hand squeezing the life blood out of your hand as they are > clasped together..and to witness the joyous birth of her first born..I > do. > Do you know how it feels to see the look on a worried, anxious wife's > face..and to see the relief and joy spreading across her very being as > you tell her that her dear husband is going to be "just fine!"..I do. > Do you know how it feels when a highly respected surgeon takes a moment > to approach you in the cafeteria to offer his thanks and appreciation > for your assistance in a surgical procedure he performed a week ago..I > do. > Do you know how it feels to walk into a dark, back room and > cry..sometimes tears of sadness for those who did not "make it" that > evening..and sometimes tears of joy for having just witnessed a "medical > miracle"..I do. > Do you know how if feels to don a starched white uniform and go to work > "just one more day"..because by doing so, you know you make a > difference..I do. > I do all of these things and more..for I am the nurse behind that door. > > Written by: Emily A. Park (DixieSong53aol.com) > .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

A little boy is telling his Grandma how everything is going wrong. School, family problems, severe health problems, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which, of course, he does. "Here, have some cooking oil." "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross, Grandma!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those are all yucky!" To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order,they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!" God is Crazy About You. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart! If you like, Send this on to the people you really care about ...I did. I can feel your smile warming my world already! Hope your day is a .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

Thought you could all use a good laugh this morning - enjoy! It was around Christmas time and all the kids were really hyper. A little boy came into the first-grade classroom and put a coffee mug filled with toy soldiers on the teacher's desk. She asked what it was for, and he said ........................ this is really good wait for it ..... "The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup." .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

Becoming a Grandma By Robin Lim After three days of labor, my daughter Deja had her first child, a beautiful seven-pound four-ounce girl. I was amazed to observe that the instant she saw her new baby, the pain of childbirth was immediately replaced by the bliss of motherhood. Of those first few heart-stopping minutes of becoming a grandmother, one particular moment stands out for me. A moment set apart from everything else that was happening by the sudden depth of our connection - daughter, mother and grandmother. My beautiful daughter turned to me, her eyes shining with a light I had never seen there before. "Mom," she said, "now I know how much you love me." .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

ABC's (Whoever came up with this one must have had some divine guidance, I was impressed!) * A lthough things are not perfect * B ecause of trial or pain * C ontinue in thanksgiving * D o not begin to blame * E ven when the times are hard * F ierce winds are bound to blow * G od is forever able * H old on to what you know * I magine life without His love * J oy would cease to be * K eep thanking Him for all the things * L ove imparts to thee * M ove out of "Camp Complaining" * N o weapon that is known * O n earth can yield the power * P raise can do alone * Q uit looking at the future * R edeem the time at hand * S tart every day with worship * T o "thank" is a command * U ntil we see Him coming * V ictorious in the sky * W e'll run the race with gratitude * X alting God most high * Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but... * Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad! "I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen. "Good Friends are God's Angels on Earth." ~ Catch a Falling Star~ .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

Author Sabrina Recently, I had an experience at church that I will never forget. During the Sunday morning service, the pastor asked each member of the congregation to make a list of his sins on a sheet of paper, as the Spirit led. After a time of reflection and prayer, each person walked up to the front of the church and nailed his folded piece of paper, which represented his sins, onto a large wooden cross. When it was my turn, I laid my folded "list of sins" onto the end of the crossbar and struck the nail with the hammer that had been provided. The sound of the hammer connecting with the nail was deafening--not to my ears, but to my spirit. The realization that, in effect, my own hand had driven the nails into our Savior's flesh was overwhelming. In that moment I was struck with the reality that because Jesus knew I would be in this world in the year 2001 and would not be able to live a sinless life, He--the One who spoke the world into being--had chosen to lay down His life for me so that I could have everlasting fellowship with Him. I already knew this, of course; I have been a Christian for many years. But the act of virtually nailing Him to the cross with my own hand made His sacrifice more real than ever before. On the way back to my seat, I listened to the thunder of nails being hammered into the cross by those who were doing as I had just done. I watched as scores of other people streamed toward the front to nail their sins to the cross, and once again I was struck with the awesomeness of the sacrifice. Tears began to stream down my face. I heard the Lord say, "I did this not only for you, but for the whole world!" It was an echo of His words recorded in John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (NKJV). The full impact of what Jesus did for us all reached the very core of my being.I think sometimes those of us who have been Christians for a while get so excited about hearing the "hottest" leader on the speaking circuit or reading our favorite minister's latest book or attending conferences that we often forget the basics of our faith. How much more basic can you get than what Jesus did on the cross? I believe that if we do not grasp the enormity of this act, we will be hard pressed to successfully share with others what our Savior has done for us.And isn't that what we were commissioned to do? (see Matt. 28:18-20). Jesus told us to go out and share the good news of what He has done for us so that others will be drawn to Him--something we cannot do effectively unless we ourselves realize the great price He paid for the forgiveness of our sins. Won't you join me today in reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made for us? Ask Him to make it so real to you that your own gratitude swells and you start to burn with desire to share the good news with those who don't know their true state or aren't aware that He has already paid the price for their sins. I guarantee your faith will grow-- and the kingdom of God will expand as well. May God's love touch your heart today and draw you closer to Him Sabrina This stationary is from Sabrina, the writer of this story, She allows everyone to use any of her stationary so please feel free to snag it.' Have A Blessed Easter! .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

"The deepest hunger of the human soul is to be understood, to feel heard, to feel validated ... The deepest hunger of the human body is for air. If you can listen to another person, in depth, until they feel understood, its the equivalent of giving them air." (Steven Covey) ~ ~ ~ "One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little. They act impulsively without thinking. I always try to think before I talk." (Margaret Chase Smith) ~ ~ ~ "Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting." (Elizabeth Bibesco) "A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!" He receives the answer: "Coward!" He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." Again the man screams: "You are a champion!" The voice answers: "You are a champion!" The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it." YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!" Little Things In Life Too often we don't realize what we have until it is gone; Too often we wait too late to say "I'm sorry - I was wrong." Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones we hold dearest to our hearts; And we allow foolish things to tear our lives apart. Far too many times we let unimportant things into our minds; And then it's usually too late to see what made us blind. So be sure that you let people know how much they mean to you; Take that time to say the words before your time is through. Be sure that you appreciate everything you've got' And be thankful for the Little Things in Life that mean a lot. Happy Easter .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³

What Are You Here To Do? By Jim Warda What are you here to do? O.K., so that question might have caught you off guard but off guard can be a great place to start. So, again, I'm curious. What are you here to do? The thing that, when you think about being it, you almost catch fire. Because I've been noticing your wild eyes lately. In fact, I had meant to tell you earlier. But, somehow life got its hands on me. But, the truth is that I've seen your restlessness, the way you just can't seem to get comfortable, like sitting in a leather chair with shorts on. And I've heard your fingers tapping against the railing as you make your way down the stairs. And you're humming a song from a high school play you never tried out for. And I know that look. The one that means you're getting clear on who and what and why you want to do what you're going to do with your life. And even more definite about the fact that you're intended for a quest, a quixotic blaze of goodness and glory. So, please let me know, what is it? What gifts are you going to gift us with? What tales will you tell with your lips and your song? What chills your skin with the thought of just doing it? What widens your eyes simply by saying it? I'm so excited that I just can't contain myself. And, you know how impatient I can be, so I'll just ask again. What are you here to do? Oh, and I almost forgot. Are you doing it? .·:*´¨`*:·..·:*´¨`*:·. *: * Richiele * * *·. .·* `*·-:¦:-*´ ³´`*:»§«:*´`³