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If you prefer to read this online, you will find it as https://www.angelfire.com/ia/stburst/expansion.html "December, 2000"

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Here's hoping your holidays are a joy every moment! Here's my Holiday Greeting, especially for you!

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It's CONTEST time again! Looking for a quote to use for each Expansion Encounter throughout the year.... so let's hear something that rhymes with 2001! You'll get your very own page at my site, which will be shared in the February issue of Expansion Encounters! (Limit to send: 5 phrases.) Dusty

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"To know my writing is to know me." So now, here I share some Winter Holiday thoughts that may be of interest.

Embracing this Moment
- Dusty Reed

Driving to work on wintry days, if there is ice or snow, has been a constant frustration.

It was becoming such an obsession that I began calling in to stay home from work if there was even one little drift of snow across our driveway. I listened carefully to see if school was cancelled. If school buses weren't running, I certainly wasn't going to! I gathered every excuse of inclimate weather to avoid driving in it. I even worried myself into any of it before it happened. I began dreading the oncoming season and complaining to everyone about me. That is now history.

The Lord finally got my attention through a book I am studying, the scrolls in Og Mandino's "Greatest Salesman in the World." This is the third time I have gone through the study over the past twelve years.

What I am discovering, simply by reading the lessons as prescribed, is not only a release of the frustration but a new love for each day - each moment - for whatever it brings. There is no tension, no complaining, no over-concern.

I do not know the "mechanics" of how this works because I have studied and prayed about this in the past but it didn't "click" until just recently. As Scripture relates, I don't know how it happened. "I do know that once I was blind but now I can see."

My philosophy for many years has been to enjoy each moment to the fullest. Now, a bit deeper involvement, awareness, has surfaced that I am also loving every moment. I embrace this moment, enjoying and loving it... to the fullest. I greet this day with love in my heart.

(above written December 1, 2000)

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Spirit of the Season
- Dusty Reed

The spirit of the season plays on my emotions. Attempting to prepare packages and greeting cards early, I can relax and enjoy baking, making candy and good fellowship with family and friends.

The special feeling increases with the church youth program. A narration is presented as children enact the nativity, bringing smiles to everyone watching. Greetings are exchanged with everyone as we step into the cold night air. All is good and I offer gratitude.

The mystical essence of the holidays peaks during the high school vocal and orchestra performance of which our son participates. The music lifts me right out of my seat as the vocalists line up along the isles and sing a capella, "Carol of the Bells," and later, with orchestra adding to the power of the music, everyone stands as they sing the "Hallelujah Chorus." It indeed brings the Spirit of Christmas front and center.

It sustains me! I continue through the holidays and into the new year looking forward to next year's special high school Christmas concert.

May your holidays be filled with music and joy as the Spirit of the season brings good will toward all!

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Winter Wonder
- Dusty Reed

Laughter of children
as we tumble
through white fluff
drifts.
Tobogganing down
a slope too deep
to sled.
We giggle
and go again
before moving on
to add a new friend
to our games
in the snow.
Two big balls of snow,
one too big to lift
and then a smaller third.
Into the house
to get an old scarf
Two twigs for arms.
He carries a big smile.
We dance around
our new friend.
Eventually we tire
of our play
in the dazzle of sunlight
upon the jewel of winter.
We gather
in a warm home
for hot choc and cookies.
Soon we are out again
along the dull frozen glaze
no longer shimmering
with movement of waves.
Rather, it stands still
awaiting the blades
of children and grown ones
to dance through the sparkle
of moonlight.
We skim across the surface
laughing, singing
with occasionally a bump
as others assist
to help the first-timer
get going again.
A bonfire toasty
draws skaters
to find some warmth.
Eventually, the moon moves
across the star-studded sky
Good-night's are heard
as all becomes quiet.
The night is still.

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A few more of my articles:

Memories

Communication Through Listening

Good Old Days

Drifter

Self Awareness - Conscious Energy

Many of my articles are listed at my "Front Door" You can find more of my articles at my site listed at my home page (Front Door) under "Crafts," "Kitchen" (recipes), "Devotionals," "Self Awareness," and "Poetry."

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Here are a few sites I find very worthwhile:

Our son, Shawn is celebrating his 18th birthday this weekend - a big event, even for his mom and dad. He has added some more new poetry online since the last issue of Expansion Encounters. He would be delighted if you would care to visit: Shawn's Poetry"

"Our mission is gifting life changing books, products and events to children and youth in crisis." I Am Foundation

People of the world are ready for GOOD NEWS!
ANGELS AND MIRACLES GOOD-NEWS-LETTER ©2000

Spirits Evolving


LoveIsGod is an interactive site with some good stuff happening!

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Enjoy every moment to the fullest! - Dusty

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Working toward consideration and to better humanity, we want to encourage free enterprise, free speech. We are Life Now, a spiritual happening on and off the Internet.

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