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*Tough Decision*

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I get to share a story with you today from my favorite writer! My wife Kristi! It is her birthday today and I wanted to share this story with all of you and then ask if you might e-mail her to comment on the story and wish her a very happy birthday! Thank you so much...

From my family to yours,
Michael

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Tough Decision

By Kristi Powers


"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -- Psalms 139:13,14


It is that time of year again...the time for rainy spring days, the smell of budding flowers, and the sound of chatter on the softball field...

As I watch the tear-stained eighteen-year-old, I want to hug out all of the sadness and frustration she is feeling and tell her how much I love her. Tonight may be the last softball game of her high school career. A career cut short because a nagging knee injury needs surgery so that she can be ready to fulfill her athletic scholarship at college. As I gaze upon her face, I cannot help but think of how fortunate I have been to know this beautiful young lady. However, I know how easily her song could have been one that was unsung...

It was almost nineteen years ago that a teenager trembled as she tearfully said to her mother and father the words that every parent dreads... "Mom, Dad, I'm pregnant."

What a frightening time for a nineteen-year-old as she is just starting her adult life and already facing an uncertain future. What devastation for the parents as this is the last thing they would have chosen for their daughter. Thoughts of "we have failed her" to "I am too young to be a grandparent", fill their minds. In a heartbeat the atmosphere in the house becomes strained and the following nights are long for the teen as she drenches her pillow with tears. Tears that come only when she thinks no one can see or hear her.

Many try to persuade her to keep her options open, but there is only one choice for this determined teen. The little life within her has now become her responsibility, and she will sacrifice all she has to see that this precious being grows to be the young man or woman God intended him/her to be. She is at peace with herself, and the choice she has made...

A baby's first cries fill the air and an exhausted but proud, teenage mom holds her young daughter for the first time. She is inexperienced, but is determined to provide for her priceless daughter the best way that she can. If the first few days are any indication, she has a tough hill to climb. Because of no insurance, she leaves the hospital early and takes her daughter home, but the baby girl develops jaundice, and they are forced back to the hospital. Her pediatrician tells her to leave the baby in their care and to go home and rest. "You have got to be kidding me!" she exclaims, refusing to leave her baby girl for even a moment. Something inside her clicks, and, with a determination that surpasses anything she has felt up to this point, she comes to grips with the situation. "You are a mom now. Deal with it," she quietly tells herself.

Life is not easy and many hopes and plans for the future are set aside. The early years are filled with tests and trials but it is a time in her life that she wouldn't trade for anything. During those rough days and nights, she need only look at this tender creation God has given her to realize that the best things in life are right before her in the smile, the coo, and the laugh of this darling baby girl.

Those eighteen years have flown by, and I ponder all of these things as we slowly walk away from the softball diamond today. I think about all the joy this baby girl, who is now a young woman herself, has brought into my life and to those around her. I remember all the basketball and softball games that we as her family have sat through, proudly cheering her on. Not only is she the best all-around female athlete I have ever seen, she is also one of the classiest and I am most proud of who she is off the court. She conducts herself with grace and humility and shows kindness to all who cross her path. I cannot imagine life without my Jen, my darling eighteen-year-old niece.

Tonight my heart is bursting with pride, love, and joy for this remarkable being who came into our lives. I shudder to think if she had not been born. How different our family would have been, not to mention the lives of an untold number of people whom she has touched in her everyday life.

A scared but determined teenage mom made a tough decision all those years ago, and through it, gave us all the gift of Jen.


Kristi Powers
NoodlesP29@aol.com

Write to my lovely bride and let her know your thoughts on her story!

Copyright © 2001 by Kristi Powers, All rights reserved.
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Kristi Powers is a full time human development specialist (In other words a Mommy!) Her stories appear in many books, including Stories for the Extreme Teen's Heart, Stories for a Teen's Heart Volume 2, Stories for a Woman's Heart, and the upcoming Chicken Soup for Christian Teen's Soul.

She resides in Wisconsin with her husband Michael where she home-schools their two young sons, Caleb and Connor. Kristi has been writing stories about her life since she was a little girl, and loves to share from her heart about her relationship with God.

To e-mail her just click on this link: mailto:NoodlesP29@aol.com

The story above is from their book: Straight From the Heart "A Celebration of Life" which can be previewed at: http://www.hearttouchers.com/michael_powers


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Thought For The Day:

"You cannot live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you." --John Wooden


Verse for the Day:

"And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased." --Hebrews 13:16


Kid's Thought for the day:

"You are tall enough when you can reach the light switch."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"From good parents come a good son." --Aristotle


Writer's Thought For The Day: 


"We regret that The Atlantic has no place for your vigorous verse." --Rejection letter sent to poet Robert Frost, four-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize


Coach's Thought For The Day

"As long as young athletes can learn from men and women coaching...from their homes, form their churches and classrooms, a code of ethics by which to live...to respect the rights of others and learn to play the game of life as well as the game of athletics according to the rules of the society in which they live...Those children have won the greatest championship any person could ever win." --Jesse Owens- 1936 Gold medalist in track


Deep Thought For The Day:

If quitters never win, and winners never quit, what fool came up with, "Quit while you're ahead?" --Steven Wright

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Reading Books, Changing Lives!

For those of you who would like to purchase the books from the HeartTouchers.com bookstore via your credit card, you can now do so!

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! And best of all, every penny from the book sales are going to youth ministry to help pay for a life-changing winter retreat and a missions trip to Guatemala this summer!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books
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MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.HeartTouchers.com

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
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Video Imagery --Michael's Video Production Business

Dear Michael,

I just wanted to take a minute to thank you for the beautiful video you made for me! It was so special to see both of my parents in tears as they watched their children grow up in pictures before their eyes! I loved the way you made Estania's part set aside from the rest--that was the part that really got them! The music was beautiful. My mom kept blubbering, "What song is that?" I don't know how you did such a beautiful job with the video in such a short time. I really appreciate your doing it so quickly. You have a wonderful gift, and I thank God that you are using it to create such sentimental memories. I hope that I can find my niche like that in an area that I love. Your video gave us one of our most lasting Christmas memories! I hope yours was filled with moments to be treasured forever! Love, Trisha Silverhill, AL

Let me make you a video from your photos! Check out my video production business by visiting: http://www.hearttouchers.com/video_imagery

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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you? http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm

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