The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="2b65b643.gif"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U><IMG SRC="040bf930.gif" border=0 width="191" height="147" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A><A HREF="id55.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Glance at Reading Readiness"><U>A Glance at Reading Readiness</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Ba"><U>A Look at Peppermint and Slippery Elm Bark</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id105.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Pleasing Palette"><U>A Pleasing Palette</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="A Treasure So Fine!"><U>A Treasure So Fine!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id56.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion"><U>Amazing Grace or Flaming Rebellion</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id43.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Aunt Bettys BBQ Sauce"><U>Aunt Betty's BBQ Sauce</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id146.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Back to School"><U>Back to School</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id41.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Beginnings of Habit"><U>The Beginnings of Habit</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id68.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Being Poured Out"><U>Being Poured Out</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Broccoli Chicken Casserole"><U>Broccoli - Chicken Casserole</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id57.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Educ"><U>Building Habits on the Dry Bones of Education</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id144.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Choosing Curriculum for the new year"><U>Choosing Curriculum for the new year</U></A></div> <div> <B>The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives</B></div> <div> <A HREF="id71.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dwelling in Safety"><U>Dwelling in Safety</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fall: The Season of Change"><U>Fall: The Season of Change</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promise"><U>Fighting Burnout with Scriptural Promises</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="For the Love of Ginger"><U>For the Love of Ginger</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Covenant Journey Part 1</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL "><U>From Claddagh, Ireland to Florence, AL - A Pure Vessel Part 2</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id75.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!"><U>Get Ye unto Your Tents... and REST!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id58.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure"><U>The Habit of Dawdling, The Cure</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id78.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in t"><U>Happy is the Mom Who Puts Her Trust in the Lord</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id72.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Have You Been Working Out?"><U>Have You Been Working Out?</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id79.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="His Love"><U>His Love</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id118.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Home Educators and their Books"><U>Home Educators and their Books</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id83.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling... A New Adventure"><U>Homeschooling... A New Adventure</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Shoals"><U>Homeschooling in the Shoals</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Springtime"><U>Homeschooling in the Springtime</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id82.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homeschooling in the Swamp"><U>Homeschooling in the Swamp</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id133.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How the Created Thing "><U>How the Created Thing </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="How to Prepare a Tincture"><U>How to Prepare a Tincture</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="In the Final Analysis"><U>In the Final Analysis</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Joy of the Lord and His Plan"><U>The Joy of the Lord and His Plan</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id97.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Just Enough Stress"><U>Just Enough Stress</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id110.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Loneliness in the Homeschool"><U>Loneliness in the Homeschool</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id131.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Message"><U>The Message</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nature Studies Indoors"><U>Nature Studies Indoors</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id76.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Nursing ParkerDaniil"><U>Nursing Parker-Daniil</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id126.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Our Teacher"><U>Our Teacher</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id114.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Relationships in the Homeschool"><U>Relationships in the Homeschool</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="S is for Skullcap and Sleep"><U>"S" is for Skullcap and Sleep</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Satans Great Deception"><U>Satan's Great Deception</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Science through a Nature Club"><U>Science through a Nature Club</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id132.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sharing from My Excess"><U>Sharing from My Excess</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sir, We desire to see Jesus!"><U>"Sir, We desire to see Jesus!"</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id42.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Storms of Change"><U>The Storms of Change</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id70.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Strength to Face the Day"><U>Strength to Face the Day</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Two Moms, One Jesus"><U>Two Moms, One Jesus</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Waiting excerpted from Parables from Nat"><U>"Waiting" excerpted from "Parables from Nature by Mrs. Gatty</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id61.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Water and the Blood"><U>The Water and the Blood</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id106.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Why Are You Homeschooling"><U>Why Are You Homeschooling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id84.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Winter... Dormant? Not Hardly!"><U>Winter... Dormant? Not Hardly!</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Your Liver loves Burdock!"><U>Your Liver loves Burdock!</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="301b1263.gif"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> <A NAME="_crooked_pines_publishing___________home"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>  Crooked Pines Ministries</B></FONT>     |     <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Crooked Pines Ministries"><U>home</U></A></div> <div> back to  <A HREF="id32.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Articles by Mary E. Woodis"><U><B>Articles by Mary E. Woodis</B></U></A></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.hisimage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hisimage.org"><U><IMG SRC="05193950.jpg" border=0 width="147" height="149" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> The Comforter: The Fabric of Our Lives </div> <div> By: Mary E. Woodis </div> <div> Background passage: John 14 </div> <div> Key verses: John 14:16-18 </div> <bR> <div>      A<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >s I sit down to write to you today, I am reminded of a familiar carol that goes something like this, “Well, the weather outside is frightful, but inside it’s so delightful …let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.” Brrr… it is, indeed, very chilly outside and the forecasters are calling for snow. I am longing for the time that I can wrap up in my comforter, snuggle with my family and just read a good book.</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>      While reading from Chapter 1 of Esther Burrough’s book, “Empowered” I came across a passage where she spoke of a comforter as a blanket that gives a layer of protection. In this case, it would be protection from the cold, but let’s look beyond the weather outside and turn our eyes inward. Jesus said: </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">John 14:16-18, “And I will ask the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever- The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]: I will come [back] to you.” Amplified Version<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Holy Spirit’s Power </B></div> <bR> <div>      As we face this New Year I wonder… in what ways will our lives be pierced this year to bind us together? The year of 2001 saw many painful experiences both for the homeschooler in The Shoals area and the nation aboard. All of these things worked according to God's ultimate plan to bind us together and make us stronger than we ever knew we could be. It almost seemed, at times, that we were running on borrowed energy and I guess in a way, we were; the Holy Spirit's energy. God Almighty in effect, energized us. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Making of a Quilt </B></div> <bR> <div>      When you are making a quilt/comforter you have two pieces of fabric with some soft and warm substance between them. Then, you take a needle and thread and you stitch all three layers together. This can be done by hand or with a sewing machine. It is often done in a decorative pattern. Many times the stitching is what creates the character of the quilt/comforter. Some of the most beautiful quilts that I have ever seen are those made by hand. With each tiny, even stitch you can almost see the creator laboring over this work of art. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Very Fabric </B></div> <bR> <div>      Sometimes it is not the quilting that creates the character of the comforter but the very fabric that is used to construct the quilt top. In days gone by, quilt tops were made from discarded clothing. Our forefathers (or mothers) made an art out of wasting nothing. When you viewed a family quilt it represented the story of an entire generation. There is Mary's first dress and Jessie's first pair of overalls, in this corner is the end-piece of Grandpas Sunday go-to-meeting tie, over there is brother Tim's first dress shirt, that pretty piece is from baby Robin's lacy church panties. The list would go on and on but with each explanation beautiful memories are evoked and a gentle, reminiscing smile crosses the teller's face. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Making of the Fabric </B></div> <bR> <div>      This is just how our Father must feel as He surveys the quilt top He is constructing in our lives. He remembers just how each piece was used before it is carefully sewn into our lives. Each experience, each person that has crossed our life, each memory - whether good or bad - have all gone together to create the very fabric of our life. Without one single piece, the whole thing would be changed or tragically incomplete and thereby be rendered useless. </div> <bR> <div>      The next time you are faced with a difficult person or situation stop to consider how this may flavor your life and change it for the better or the worse, your action, response or reaction will determine the outcome. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Filling </B></div> <bR> <div>      The next layer that makes up this quilt/comforter is the filling. This can be anything from poly-fiber fill to an old blanket. You can use wool or a down comforter. Whatever you choose, the purpose for this layer is to provide warmth. What you choose to put inside with dramatically effect the outside. If it is a lofty filling, you will have a very puffy quilt. If you choose to you an old blanket, you quilt will be flatter, but it will be very heavy and warm. If you use the poly-fiber fill you can choose the height of your batting, without the weight and still achieve the warmth that is desired. For comfort and coziness I really prefer the ones made with old blankets. I like to feel the weight of the covers and dream about the history of the filling. </div> <bR> <div>      What kind of filling will go into your quilt/comforter? Will it be hard and lump, heavy and warming or light and fluffy? You must choose the filling to fit your purpose, you must decide what is most needful. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>What is Your Backing? </B></div> <bR> <div>      The last layer is the backing. This is usually chosen to match the quilt-top or for the desired texture that will be next to the skin. My favorite fabric for the backing is a cozy flannel, but it really is a personal preference. Whatever you choose to back your quilt with will be reflective of the look you want. Do you want a quilt that can be reversible or soft and cozy, or perhaps, both? </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Strength of the Assembled Quilt </B></div> <bR> <div>      Once you have assembled all of your layers you are now ready to sew them all together. Each time you pierce the fabric you are binding it all together. With each stitch the layers become securely knit together forming one item instead of three. We hear the saying that three heads are better than one and the Bible has wisdom on this point also. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ecclesiastes 4:12, “… a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” </div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Your quilt/comforter will be much more beautiful and much warmer once you have it quilted. Each layer of the quilt/comforter has an important purpose and if even one layer is missing, the quilt will lose its value, strength and purpose. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Your Quilt-top </B></div> <bR> <div>      What kind of quilt-top will we present to the world? Will it be a collection of various experiences and the many people who have come through our lives? Will it be a carefully manufactured quilt top that is ready to stitch with no piecing together? Will the pieces be tiny, postage stamp-size of many different fabrics or huge strips of carefully chosen designs? No one quilt-top is better than the other. All are unique. Each one has been worked together for the good of the owner. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Hand-Stitching of the Holy Spirit </B></div> <bR> <div>      How will our stitches look? Will your quilt-top be quilted or perhaps just hastily tacked and tied? Will you have a machine finish or will there be hundreds of tiny stitches that were placed there by hand, one at a time? I think of the hand stitching as being done by the Holy Spirit as a Christian walks through his life. Some lives are simple and never face very deep pain, others seem to be rocked with excruciating pain quite often and still bear it all beautifully. Some quilts/comforters have small, even stitches and some are hastily sewn with “toe-hanger” stitches. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>A Thing of Great Beauty </B></div> <bR> <div>      I wonder in what kind of pattern will the Holy Spirit stitch us together? Will the design be one of intricate details with many loops and flourishes? Or will it be a simple design of great beauty? Beyond a shadow of a doubt it will become a thing of beauty. There is a great concern during the stitching phase. If we pull away before He is finished, we will fall apart. There have been many times in my life that I have felt as if I had fallen out of my quilter's frame. It feels as if I am being shredded, layer-by-layer. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Trying to Instruct God? </B></div> <bR> <div>      Do you think this might have happened because I tried to direct the stitcher's hand? Perhaps I was trying to instruct God on just where and how my pain (stitches) should be placed in the fabric of my life. Ooo, that is a scary thought, but a thought that makes far too much sense. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>The Quilt/Comforter of Our Children </B></div> <bR> <div>      Then, we come to our children's quilt/comforter. God has instructed each one of us to choose the experiences and lessons that will construct the beginning stages of our children's quilt-tops. That all too familiar quote from Proverbs 22:6 tells us that the design we begin our children's quilt-top with will be the one they will return to at the end. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. Amplified Version<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ephesians 6:4, “Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.” Amplified Version<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">II Timothy 3:15, “And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].” Amplified Version<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div>      Each quilt will be different because of the character of the materials we are using to assemble it. We want our children to be as useful as salt and light, but balanced so they don't overshadow or over-savor the mix. </div> <bR> <div>      Each quilt will have a definite personality that must be taken into consideration if we are to construct an attractive and useful quilt. To fail to do so will put enmity between the Creator and the created thing. We will engender resentment and hostility with our children if we fail to consider their personality in our training. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Seeking Our Comforter </B></div> <bR> <div>      With such a daunting task before us, how are we to make wise choices for the many children in our homes? This is where our Comforter comes in, the one that God left for us, the one that is our security and peace. Jesus said: </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">John 14:26-27, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” </div> <bR> <bR> <div>      I count that as beautiful reassurance that we are not on this journey alone. I have often heard it said when a baby is born that it is too bad they don't come with instructions. John 14:26 tells me that they do come with instructions and a Comforter, too! </div> <bR> <div>      In her book, “Empowered”, Esther Burroughs helps us to understand a little more about this life we are to lead: </div> <bR> <div> “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike, ‘What's next, Papa?’ God's Spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who He is, and we know who we are: Father and children.” </div> <bR> <bR> <div>      And so, who better to train and direct the construction of this quilt top than one of God’s children. We are farther along in our construction so we know just what it takes to assemble a creation that will bring honor and glory to our Father. Whether our backing is smooth and well coordinated with our quilt-top or it is cozy and warm, soothing to the touch, we know that it perfectly matches the top that will one day be finished to our Father's glory. </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Our Instruction Book </B></div> <bR> <div>      When doubt and fear begins to surface about how to go about constructing this quilt, our instruction book once again becomes our guidebook. It tells us exactly what we should do. Look with me at this paraphrase of Romans 12:1-2 from “The Message”: </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="0c022210.gif" border=0 width="34" height="33" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Romans 12:1-2, “So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around life and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don't become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” The Message </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>In Conclusion</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div>      So today, I issue you a challenge. Examine the fabric of your life and test it before our Dear Lord. Do your actions and activities enhance the fabric of your life and fit your Comforter? Are your children being trained so that the very characters of their quilts bring honor and glory to God? It isn’t all up to you; you have an instruction book that you can turn to. The power of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, is released through our prayers. When you are feeling helpless, like you are out of the quilting frame, pray for guidance and release from the bondage on your life. God’s Spirit is within us and all we have to do is ask! </div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="#_crooked_pines_publishing___________home" TITLE="The Comforter: the Fabric of Our Lives"><U><B>Back to the top</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at </B></I><I><B>jessiew@hiwaay.net</B></I><I><B> for permission and more details.</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Crooked Pines Publishing<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Jessie and Mary Woodis<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> 1365 County Road 74<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> Florence, AL 35633</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:jessiew@hiwaay.net"><U><IMG SRC="3093d410.gif" border=0 width="61" height="65" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">jessiew@hiwaay.net</U></A></div> <bR> <div>  mailbox from: <A HREF="http://www.cottagegroup.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.cottagegroup.com"><U><IMG SRC="30a9c6d0.gif" border=0 width="156" height="109" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  rose icons by: <A HREF="http://www.hisimage.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hisimage.org"><U><IMG SRC="30e962d0.gif" border=0 width="150" height="45" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> This page last updated February 2003</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>