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{HeartTouchers.com}   *Alexandra's Locks of Love* 

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If you enjoy this email service, I encourage
you to spread the word to family and friends that we
may bring inspiration the lives of many!  If you
are not on the list and this has been passed along
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Be sure to check out our inspirational list just for teenagers!

http://www.Heart4Teens.com


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Michael's updated book Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter," is finally here! ($13.95)

Visit the link below to preview the book!  Personalized autographed copies are available at no extra charge and we pay the shipping for you!  An E-book version is also available for just $3.25!

http://www.hearttouchers.com/books

Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for and then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send it on its way to you.Credit card, PayPal, Checks, and Money orders accepted! The book is also available through Amazon.com, Borders.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and Booklocker.com

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ALEXANDRA'S LOCKS OF LOVE

By: Kathy Whirity

I have known Alexandra almost her whole life.  She came to my daycare at the delicate age of three months and stayed until she went off to kindergarten, which was this past year.
 
Binnie, as her mom so affectionately nicknamed her, was like the Energizer Bunny. She never stopped moving, never sat still or slowed down. No matter what was going on, at any given time, she was always a step or two ahead of the other children.
 
She has the sweet, outgoing personality of her mom and a heart of gold, giving attitude like her dad. I know that her character is partly the result of her parent's wholesome, faith based qualities but there is also a genuine sense of perception that is all Binnie.

In all of her five years she has shown a unique sense of caring for others that truly surpasses her age.
 
She has brought much joy to my days. Knowing my absolute love for Coke Slurpees, this tiny tot would sometimes insist that her mom stop to get me one before work. Many a morning Heather would find herself in the middle of the breakfast rush at Burger King to get a frozen coke me. Binnie's sole goal was to surprise me -- and surprise me she did with her thoughtfulness.
 
For whatever reason Binnie hated when I'd refer to myself as an old lady. Usually I'd save this remark and dramatize the effect as I'd try to cajole the kids into helping to pick up the toys.  Whether Binnie saw right through the charade or saw me as just a big kid, I'll never know.

I'd like to treasure the memory as a compliment that she she saw past the gray hairs to really appreciate the 'kid' in me.
 
As a toddler in my care Binnie was always slightly hyper, regularly rambunctious and always did everything with lots of love. Her antics awarded her the moniker, Binnie the bull. At five years old she still lives life large -- with lots of love and plenty of pizazz. But we no longer think of her as a bull in a China shop.  She has grown into a little lady with a big heart.

I see her only once in awhile now.  She sometimes comes with her mom to pick up her little brother, David, who spends his toddler days with me.
 
The other day I commented on how long her hair has gotten.  It's almost to her waist.  When she explained her reason for growing it so long I realized just how grown up she had become.

She made up her mind she wasn't going to have it cut until until it was long enough to donate it to Locks Of Love -- a program that weaves human hair into wigs for children who have lost theirs due to cancer or illness.
 
Last week, Binnie and her mom had an appointment at the beauty salon.  She was so excited because she knew she was doing a good deed.  It is what motivated her to sit still and tall in the chair as the hairstylist cut the long ponytail of hair hanging down Binnie's back.

I like to think of Binnie as an old soul in a young body. Most kids her age wouldn't even grasp the concept, let alone part with their hair to help a total stranger.

Locks Of Love is a wonderful program dedicated to helping children.   It is a priceless opportunity for children to help other children by giving a selfless gift of themselves, something that -- like love -- will continue to grow.

Kathy Whirity
kathywhirity@yahoo.com

Write Kathy and let her know your thoughts on her story!

Kathy Whirity lives in Chicago with her husband of 28 years, Bill, and their two daughters Jaime and Katie. Kathy is a columnist for two area newspapers where she shares her sentimental musings on family life.   

If you would like more information on "Locks of Love" please click on the link below.

http://www.locksoflove.org


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Thought For The Day:

"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others." --Sir Winston Churchill


Verse for the Day:

"Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God will be with you whereever you go." --Joshua 1:9


Kid's Thought For The Day:

"The first sip is the best."


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Raising teenagers is a lot like nailing JellO to a tree."


Coach's Thought For The Day

"It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog." --Archie Griffen, two-time Heisman winner ( 5'9'')


Writer's Thought For The Day:

"I do not seek. I find." --Pablo Picasso


Deep Thought For The Day:

"If you don't like my driving, don't call anyone. Just take another road.
That's why the highway department made so many of them."


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http://www.bizstudio.com/main/home.htm?bpn=A16435



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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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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!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books


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A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook is, since our book is being offered in both print and EBook versions.  An EBook is a book that can be downloaded and read right on your computer. The advantage of ordering the EBook is that is costs less, $3.25 (No other charges), as compared to $13.95 for the print book. Plus your EBook will arrive the same day you order it and you can begin reading the stories right away!

EBooks are read via Acrobat Reader, which is software that is already on your computer. So for those of you who don't want to wait for the print book to be delivered, check out this link to order the EBook version of Heart Touchers "Life-Changing Stories of Faith, Love, and Laughter."

http://www.hearttouchers.com/books