LongDistance




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" October 26, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e- cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join, send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to: subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com. Take a moment to browse our new bookstore at: http://www.write2theheart.com/html/book_store.html You will find books written by, or that include stories by many of our talented writers. You will also find books that aide the budding writer. I highly recommend “Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Guide,” It is a must have for all serious Christian writers. It’s a great tool to find that perfect market for your writing. It would make a great gift for the writer in your life. Their conversations started while in the middle of a family crisis. Soon they developed a friendship that has led the way for a joint venture. A Long Distance Friend By: Kathy Whirity Gracie's advice seemed simple enough. "You need to get yourself a digital camera," was what she told me a couple of weeks ago. I promised her I'd think about it but, in truth, I really hadn't planned on rushing out to purchase this modern piece of picture taking equipment. Gracie takes my lack of enthusiasm in stride but I know she'd prefer it if I was a little more in tune to modern technology. Ours is a friendship that defies explanation. Gracie lives almost 2,000 miles away; chances are our paths would never have crossed had she not found herself stuck in the middle of a family crisis… that involved a member of my family. Her long distance calls to me gave me assurance that everything would be okay. When her calls abruptly, stopped after a few weeks, I found myself missing our interactions, but I came to accept that, under different circumstances, maybe we could've been friends. I never forgot her. The phone rang one hot August night, it was her. I knew right then and there that the new buds of friendship were beginning to take root. Before we knew it a new full-fledged friendship had blossomed, nurtured by endless e-mails and countless long distance telephone conversations. Gracie and I are from to different worlds. She is small town country with an infinite love for all creatures feathered and furry. I am from the big city and the only animals I'm close to are two canine clowns Hannah and Holly, my golden Retrieves in residence. But, for all the differences, we have found that we do have a lot in common - the same quirky sense of humor, we appreciate the same sentimental musings that stir a woman's soul to reach her heart's desires and, oh yes, we share the same love of writing. Through the years we've often shared the dream of maybe doing something together in a literary way. Everything I know about the computer I credit Gracie with teaching me. Gracie recently came up with an idea--why not create a website. A website?! The idea panicked me. I consider myself lucky to be able to e-mail and to instant message is really a treat. My country chum was bound and determined that we'd share the grand experience of writing together. In between our long distance calls and hours of sitting at the computer instant messaging our trials and tribulations of middle age, Gracie built an awesome web site, all in a matter of days. That is where the suggestion of the digital camera came in to play. Gracie assured me that I would need it now more than ever to share pictures over the internet. With having columns on her web site it would be neat to be able to send photos when appropriate. My husband agreed with Gracie and a day later we were the proud owners of a top of the line digital camera that seemed to be able to do everything but physically click and shoot me over to Wyoming in person. Little did I know that the dream of a lifetime would very soon become a reality. I sent my friend a few pictures over the internet. She responded to the photos by saying she prayed that someday we'd have the luxury of standing side by side - if only fate could somehow bring us face to face. The mantra of our special friendship has always been that God works in mysterious ways. How else could this remarkable union be explained? Well, two days after buying what appears to be a camera right out of the Jetson's, my husband Bill talked me into taking a spur of the moment road trip that would end at Gracie's door. We traveled over a thousand miles, over the plains and through the mountains, as the most jaw dropping scenic beauty flowed passed us. I can't count the times I looked over at my husband, at the wheel, at said, "I can't believe we're doing this!" But we did. Gracie was standing at the door ready to greet us when we pulled up. Tears flowed freely as two best friends hugged each other tight, the miles that separated us melting like ice cream on a hot summer's afternoon. Sadly it seemed we had no longer said hello then we were saying good-bye. As I sit here writing this it all seems like a dream, but I know better. The good Lord brought us together for reasons only He can know. What the future holds for us we have no way of knowing, but I do know from where we have been. As long as we're able we'll nurture the seeds that grow gracefully in our garden of friendship. Our friendship is proof that God does indeed work in mysterious ways, blessing us beyond our wildest dreams. Kathy Whirity kathywhirity @ yahoo.com As some of you may already know, Gracie is my nickname for Lori Anton, founder of 'Women With Heart,' a new website celebrating the joy of womanhood. You can visit at: www.womenwithheart.net You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen. They have several long distance plans to chose from. I personally use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my own toll free number without the monthly fee; I only pay for actual calls. My family can call home whenever they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three years in emergency situations. Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more. You can check out all of their telecommunication products and services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir. Looking for an affiliate program? You will be surprised at all the products and services you will have access to. Letters From Our Readers Janet: I really enjoyed your message on Hope! It was encouraging to hear how you used it to get you through the true to life, hurricane in your path. Thanks for your insight. May trusting in Christ keep us all hopeful! Annettee Budzban Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah Chanz Wackerly Robert Henderson David Habighurst Tonia Melissa Bair Matthew Nutter Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.