Emerging Courageous
Newsletter
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
Volume 1, Issue 16, March 25, 2003
Renewal
Often in our lives we take time out from our regular
activities to refresh and renew. Last weekend, I joined 37 women from two Kentucky
churches who took the time to get away and attend a Women's Renewal Retreat entitled
Honoring the Body,
Mind, and Spirit at Shakertown, Kentucky. It was held at a beautiful
restored Shaker Village with rustic accomodations. Getting back to the simple
life helped us to get in touch with our spirit within.. We spent some quiet time
in nature, enjoying God's beauty around us. It was wonderful fellowship with
kindred spirits and enriching workshops encouraging us to take care of ourselves
and express God's love through our hands...for what other hands does God have,
than ours? May God speak through each of us as we travel our Life's Journey.
Peace and God Bless, MDP
Response to Ice Storm 2003
by Pat Luckel
Hi Marilyn, After reading this week's message (Newsletter 14), I
had to write to tell you that we here in North Carolina were hit by a very bad
ice storm also in December. I have heart failure and my 89 year old mother
lives with me. I had a state-of-the art pacemaker with 3 wires
implanted in my heart back in June and have been in the process of trying to
build up my body from being so inactive for so many years.
We were warned of the pending storm but when I went out to
buy batteries, etc. the stores were already empty so we had to do with candles
and a couple of flashlights as well. I didn't know how much cold I
could
take because prior to my pacemaker even 50 degrees sent my heart into pain. Like
you, we had a gas fire log in the living room but after 3 days and even with the
rest of the house closed off, the temp of the house was like an
igloo and we had to sleep in the living room with layers of clothing and our
hats. At the time I also had an elderly dog who was confused and she
wouldn't lay in one place so that I could keep her covered and warm.
Like you, I wondered how much longer and how could this be
happening to us. Many states sent power employees who braved the
elements and risked their lives to try to get electricity up as fast as
possible. These are the unsung heroes and it really got me mad
to hear people complaining about them on the radio. They left their
homes and families just for us and even one power employee from Florida lost his
life here on our highways on his way to another town. Such a
tragedy.
I kept telling my mom that I was afraid we'd freeze to death
but she had been through a lot worse than this when she grew up. We have it so
good compared to what people lived without in the early 1900's.
The days were dark and lonely and worrisome but then I got
word that our pastor and two of our parishioners were stranded at the parsonage.
They had a wood fireplace but no water or cooking ability. So I
kicked into high gear and started making soup on my gas cook top. That kept me busy and gave me a sense of purpose. Luckily the
parsonage is only a mile down the road and I was able to deliver food for 2
days. We finally got power back up on the 3rd evening around 6:00
p.m. I can't imagine having to go longer than the 3 days that
we did.
Not that I blame God for this weather but I think He throws
us these little nuisances from time to time to show us that we can survive and
to make us even more thankful for what we have. I know I have more
peace
since this power outage knowing what my body can now withstand and I am more
involved in doing for the homeless than I was before.
I am also better prepared for the next time - which
hopefully won't be anytime soon - with battery powered lamps and more
flashlights and batteries. At least I have learned from this
experience what I need to do
in closing up the house and keeping the pantry stocked with soup making
supplies.
Glad to know you are back to normal and enjoyed your peaceful
rest in spite of everything. Enjoy receiving your newsletter. If I
remember correctly I got your website from Bob Perks.
Pat Luckel, Belmont, NC [email protected]
*Editors Note: Thanks Pat for sharing your experiences. We all
need to be better prepared. MDP
**I hope others will share their experiences of similar situations. MDP
***Highlights of this month's
Emerging Courageous online Magazine:
*Featured Stories of special gifts
brightening those last hours.
+A
Song from Heaven by Bobby Smith
+A
Soft Heart and Hard Boiled Eggs by Ronnie Bray
*Featured Articles of Facing
Fears: anxiety & panic
+The
Mighty Mac Attack by Diane Dean White
+Another
Second Chance by Bob Perks
* Featured Poetry of Responses
to Suffering:
+Never
the Same by Debi Fisher
+In
a World Where Pain Lives by Ruth Gallant
+On
a Clear Day by Bobby Smith
+Taking
Flight by Ruth Gallant
*Inspirational Quotes:
*"Enjoy the little things,
for one day you may look back and realize they were big things." Robert
Brault
* "Don't let life discourage you. Everyone who got where he is, had to
begin where he was." Richard L. Evans
*Letter from the Mailbag:
** I think it is
great to go to gatherings and be uplifted and get our batteries charged.
*Editors Note: In
Memory of Joe Pielmeier, Sr: I
was notified by Joe Pielmeier, Sr.'s granddaughter
Heather that Joe died Dec. 5, 2002. She did a web search for his name and
came across Joe's article "Advice from an Old
Timer" on Emerging Courageous online
Magazine. She would like
to continue contacts with anyone regarding his articles. He has influenced many
people in his lifetime and continues to do so through his writings. She is
hoping to carry on his work. She said," Thank you for helping Joe
to reach out to the world!" Check out Joe's story in case you
missed it before at www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/Oct2002/Old_Timer.htm
Please notify Heather in regard to Joe's
article. Heather's email is [email protected]
"Let
your excellence out. Use your life and resources to bring goodness and light
into the world." Oprah Winfrey
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
[email protected]
****