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Here's wishing everyone a happy Valentine's Day!  In the spirit of
love, send a card on the 14th to someone who is unattached for the
moment and let them know you're thinking of them.

Happy birthday to Stephen's big brudder, Harold!  Now -- how many
years in a row does this make you 29?

Folks, I was touched by the blessings that have fallen into the lap
of Edward Sims, a firefighter whose love for his family is felt in
this story alone.  Find out why his son has "understanding hands."
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UNDERSTANDING HANDS

Every day children do things that make those around them take
notice.  My son Joseph did this to me.  He is a young boy of seven
with red hair and freckles, the fifth of five boys our family has
been blessed with, very shy around those unfamiliar to him, but
comfortable around family anywhere we might be. 

He has yet to want to venture off to his Sunday school class by
himself, so we have allowed him to accompany us to "big people's
church," as referred to by some of our other children and their
friends.  Joe would sit and read, color, write, and sleep next to us
from birth to the present, and I often wonder if he even hears what
Pastor Chip teaches us each Sunday.

Well, I don't have any profound statements said or acts he has
performed to tell you about, but one subtle action while he was
playing with some Christmas presents.  Like his brothers, he loves
playing army and sneaking around the yard, stalking after his
brothers or friends.  We don't as a rule buy toy guns but will allow
toy replicas to be made.  Now, being post 9-11 and with all the talk
about the war on terrorism, guns and conflicts that have been in the
forefront of discussion and the television news, some discussions
have ensued. 

Joseph has often hung around when I've worked on wooden projects and
has learned to saw, shape, and nail using my tools.  This past
Christmas he received a small kit of his own tools.  Eager to use
them, he literally hounded me for scrap wood.  We found some together
and off he went to a place in the garage, out of sight behind a pile
of stuff to begin construction.  Thinking I wouldn't interfere with
his design, I only asked how things were going from across the
room.  "Okay, Dad," were the replies.  I figured this must be special
because the time and sounds of effort were growing!  I said,
"Hey, Joe, what 'ya making?" to hear, "Something, and I'll be done
soon."  It was going to be the best toy gun in the neighborhood, was
my thought.

Soon Joseph emerged from behind the pile of stuff with his project in
hand, the very first construction with his new Christmas tools. 
Smiling and proud, he approached me and stretched out his hand to
give me a look.  Then he said, "This is for you, Dad."  As his
creation fell into my hand and all I could think about was, "He does
get it - what Pastor Chip says on Sundays - it doesn't just go over
Joe's head, but it touches his heart as well."

He smiled, but even before he told me what he made it was obvious it
was a cross, to which he added, "For you to hang up."  This little
cross is proudly displayed above my work bench for all to see and
talk about - when observed - and to know it was built by two small,
understanding hands.

Edward Sims
[email protected]
Copyright © 2002 by Edward Sims. All rights reserved.
~~~~~~~~
About the author:  My wife Terri and I are the proud parents of five
boys living in Central California.  I work as a firefighter in a
small coastal community and my wife homeschools our younger boys. 
Reading, writing, swimming and anything to do with family are the
things I enjoy most.  God has blessed me with a wonderful wife and a
great bunch of boys and at their ages you don't need much else to
stay busy, believe me.
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The Sad Orphan Foundation has been established to specifically help
orphans in the United States of America.  The intent of this
organization is to make sure that a minimum of 90-95% of all the
donations received go directly to the children. Not to groups,
organizations and/or Societies who tend to pay themselves large
salaries and in the end leave the kids getting little or nothing. I
want these kids to know, without any doubt, whatsoever, that the
world outside the orphanage really cares about them. I want them to
know that not having a mother and a father is lonely, yet it is
survivable.

What I plan to do for these children may not have much of an effect
right now. But in the years to come they will remember the kindness
that was showed to them. I know this for a fact. Common sense tells
us that we never harm those who are kind to us. Kindness is the only
path leading into the heart of the orphan, or abused child. It is
then, and only then, that we can start to build a lasting
relationship based on love and trust.

The money given to this foundation will not be wasted. There will be
no fancy envelopes or stationary. These items, if necessary, will be
purchased from the dollar store.  I will not spend one penny on
anything that the orphanage itself should have purchased for the
children.  If by chance, these children are taken to Disney World,
Universal Studios, a water slide, movie or the like, I, as the
President of the foundation, will make sure that the lowest possible
fare(s) have been achieved.

It is hoped that someday computers will be placed in the orphanages
and that I can start a program, which I will call "e-doptions." I
want the children in these orphanages to have access to the people
who are helping them. I want them to look forward to receiving e-
mails and encouragement from those who care about them. When the day
comes for these children to leave the orphanage, I do not want them
to feel, as I did, that it really does not matter if they go North,
South, East or West. I want them to know that no matter what
direction they travel in (to make a life for themselves) that there
is someone near who cares for them.

Those who wish to make a donation please send a check or money order
to:

THE SAD ORPHAN FOUNDATION
c/o Author, Roger Dean Kiser, Sr.
100 Northridge Drive
Brunswick, Georgia 31525

NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS: Please do not send cash. Your check or money
order will be your receipt for your tax deductible contribution.

For more information please visit Roger's web site at:
http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/foundation.html
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QUOTE FROM LESSER KNOWN PEOPLE

"Hey, Dad!" Ethan, our six-year-old, said.  "I know how to get rid of
a tattletale!"

"How?"

"You put the tattletale in a bag, blow the bag up like a balloon, and
then you POP the bag!  Cool, huh."
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FROM OUR FRIENDLY E-MAIL CARRIER

In response to "Without a Prayer?" by Jaye Lewis
(http://geocities.com/jenniferioliver2001/020502.htm)

I made a copy of this whole E-zine;  it was so good!  Hope to send
some money for the orphans, too.  I love Roger Dean Kiser's writings
and have written to him several times, myself.

Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for printing "Without a Prayer?"  I
have gotten immediate feedback, that has touched my heart.  It is so
wonderful to have someone touched by a story that I've lived, and to
know that, perhaps, this writer has helped in the healing process of
someone else.  I think your StoriesofHeart, will really take off! 
The layout is great, and your sweet spirit is written all over it. 
I'm looking forward to Tuesday mornings, and you've not let me down! 
Bless you, as you continue to bless others. - Jaye

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

In response to "Heave Ho" by Betty King
(http://geocities.com/jenniferioliver2001/012902.htm)

Betty King is an inspiration, as is the gentleman working with the
Sad Orphan Foundation.  Those who face challenges through humor and
commitment are always admirable. - Beth

Reading this story had me in tears.  It reminded me of my sisters. 
This is something that could and would take place between us.  Thanks
for lifting my spirits==I needed an encouragement at the moment I
read this story.  Betty is a fantastic writer.  Hollywood needs her
clean humor.  Keep on Keeping On,  Betty. - Sincerely, Tennie
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LOVE,
JENNIFER I. OLIVER AND FAMILY
[email protected]
When you are born, you cry and everyone is happy. So live your life
in such a way that when you die, everyone cries and you are happy.

                                                   - Unknown

The quote above is derived from "To live that in thy last long sleep,
Smiles may be thine wile all around thee weep." - Nellie L. Wallace,
June 24, 1873
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