Emerging Courageous Newsletter 62 
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor
June 22, 2004

Today's Message by Joe Cool:

Magical Moments by Joseph J. Mazzella

I had a truly magical experience last night while I was out walking my dogs after dark. Like most magical moments it caught me off guard. That seems to be the time when magic and miracles work the best. That seems to be the time that they can get past all the negative thoughts and daily baggage we carry with us and fill our hearts with their love, joy, and light.
     This magic moment came at the end of a long day when all I wanted to do was go to sleep. What I got instead was a wonderful sight. The fireflies had returned once again to the woods here. They were dancing away in their twinkling lights. It was a joyous dance of celebration and life under the bright shining stars of the night sky and the light and smiling face of a full moon.  The sight made my lips smile, my heart jump, and my spirit sing in joy. It filled me with more energy, vitality, and love than I’d had all day long. It made me glad to be alive and reminded me once again that there must be a loving God and a glorious Heaven out there if Earth can be this beautiful.
     Life is full of such magical moments. Life is full of miracles, love, joy, beauty, and delight. Life is full of goodness, kindness, happiness and wonder. Life is God’s glorious gift and we should never take it for granted. Take the time to notice the magic then. Take the time to take it into your heart and let it fill your soul. Take the time to become one with love, joy and God. Take the time to share all of these things with the world. Don’t make magic have to catch you off guard to feel its wonder. Open your life to it, create it in your own soul, and give it to everyone everywhere. God loves us all and wants us all to live magical lives full of love, joy, and light. Let’s not pass up the chance to be a part of the magic.

*Joe, Thanks for taking time to share your magical moments. Marilyn

Message from Bob Perks:  It's up to you  
" I do hope your week is all you wanted it to be. 
No? 
Then I suggest you get working on it. 
It is, after all, up to you." 
Bob Perks

Thoughts worth contemplating: 
"There are people in your life who will either lift you up or weigh you down.
Which one are you?" A Mountain Wings original

Poetry worth sharing:

~   Light For My Journey  ~ by Donna Wallace ~

I need some light for my journey

For the road seems dark

and all uphill

and I lack both

in strength and will.

And my true direction

is unknown to me

Lord give me light

so that I can see....

Then light all of

my days and nights

And let my path

be always in sight.

Allow me, one day,

to reach my end

I trust in you, Lord

for you're my friend.

Please Lord, bless me

with faith and trust

And always, Lord

Light is a must.

Bless me Lord,

I pray to you,

with Light for my Journey.....

Love and Light,

Donna Wallace  

Inspirational Story - Determination: The Pickle Jar

From the mailbag:  

Thanks Marilyn for posting my poem "Fibromyalgia Angel". I hope it can be of some comfort to others. I will pass on your site info to all  of my friends. Good news, I am being published in a book next month: Recovering the Lost Soul. It has stories of people overcoming adversity.  Take Care Donna Webster

 I'm so happy you're sharing my poems with others....and appreciate the link back to my new site. :) The song "The Upward Climb" is one that I listen to myself these days anytime I feel kind of down. I had written it for a friend, but I think it applies to us all. Elaine Hall

Love the newsletter (61 Dream Big), thanks for a burst of inspiration! Lisa Hammond author of Dream Big

I sent my granddaughter Misti a copy of your e-mail today (newsletter 61).  she loved  it and copied some of it off and sent it from work to her husbands e-mail.  They are young people and Christians and expecting their first little one in December.   I will be sending her things from you to enjoy. hugs and love, Leona Ebling

Book is here and I can't put it down.  I know that many, many people have "trials and tribulations" and keep smiling, but—you know what--we rarely hear about them or hear their story. Bonnie Bryant