9-11, Warm Wishes, And Love... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ ( (_) ### . (#c __\|/__ #\ wWWWw \ \-. (/. .\) /\ /`\/\ /\ |\/ \_) (_| `\.' ; ; `' ;`\ `\; ; . ;/\ `\; ; ;| \ ; .' ' ; / |_.' ; | /) ( ''._;/` | ' . ; |.-' .:) | | ( .' : | |,- .:: | | ,-' .;| jgs_/___,_.:_\_ [I_I_I_I_I_I_] | __________ | | || | | || | _| ||_|__|_|| |_ /=--------------=\ / \ | GOD BLESS AMERICA! | *~* Shangrala's 9-11 And Troop Pages: Animated 9-11 images http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Angel Wing Decoys http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Bleed American http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/bleed.html Chevy: American Pride http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevypride.html Dog Warriors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogwarriors.html Fighter Aircraft http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fighteraircraft.html Freedom Isn't Free http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedom.html Friendly Fire http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendly.html From Russia With Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teardrop.html HERO! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Hero's Truck http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/herotruck.html K9 9/11 Heroes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/k9-11.html Lambeau Field Tribute http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/footballvet.html Lest We Forget http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget.html Lest We Forget #2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget2.html Liberty Air Show http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/liberty.html Proud Of Our Troops http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops.html Proud Of Our Troops 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops2.html Proud Of Our Troops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops3.html Proud Of Our Troops 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops4.html Proud Of Our Troops 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Proud Of Our Troops 6 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops6.html Ray's Freedom Rock! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/freedomrock.html Rolling Memorial 9-11 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/trucking.html Semper Fidelis http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/semperfi.html USS New York LPD-21 Tribute http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ussny.html War Pics: Daily http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily.html War Pics: Daily 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily2.html War Pics: Daily 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daily3.html War Pics: Sleepy? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/sleep.html War Pics: Humor 1 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor.html War Pics: Humor 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor2.html War Pics: Humor 3 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor3.html War Pics: Humor 4 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/humor4.html Where Was God? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/where.html Why My Son? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/why.html =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: + .-"-. * + ( / \ ) .-"-. ) + . |# | ( * / \ ( ) \___/ ) ( |# | ( ' * /^ ) \___/ ( * ' ( ^\ * ' . \ , , , , , ' \ + ) | | | | | ) . * . @%@%@%@%@%@%@ ( ) ( { happy } \ ( * ) * { birthday! } ) ( ( jgs %@%@%@%@%@%@%@% ) >I TOLD HIM by Corrina Hyde It's been an interesting year! I'm staring 41 right in the face, and like all people, birthdays always give me inspiration to reflect. But there are two things that above all else define me now. First, I had a very invasive surgery in February, and I'm now 105 pounds lighter! And, I'm in love. The weight loss gives me hope I'll live for another 40 or 50 years and being in love gives me a reason to live. Both events happened around the same time. One I was sure about, and had no reservation, but the other is something I almost missed out on because I was too afraid. If your wondering which is which, let me give you a hint -- I fairly danced into the hospital and couldn't wait to have my surgery. The being in love thing was a little harder. I had become very comfortable with just being Ms. Cory -- the wonderful, loving, single woman, who took home everyone's kids. I have quite an image in my community. Being a pre-school teacher, nursery worker, church van driver and City Clerk, it's safe to say that I have a sterling reputation. Throw in living next door to the preacher and there you have it! So it was with some trepidation that I first wrote Arley. As a matter of fact, it was something that I did only after talking with Brother Kerry at length and getting his input. I grew up with Arley's family. His cousins and I went to school together, we went to church camp together, and even though he was five years older than me, I was aware of who he was in our small country school. When I first moved to this small community, it was some months before I settled down long enough to take in my surroundings. When I did, I realized that the names on the mailboxes across the street from the church were familiar to me. I asked Brother Kerry and he confirmed to me that these were the same people I had grown up with. I marveled at the coincidence. Arley's brother and wife lived with their children across from the church. Arley's father lived next to them, across from Brother Kerry. I had my surgery in February and Arley's father died in March. I went to the family to offer my condolences and my help. While talking and visiting with them, I learned that Arley had inherited his father's house. I asked if he would be moving in any time soon, and this is when I learned that he was in prison, soon to be paroled. To say I was shocked was an understatement! I had no idea. I didn't remember the incident that had led to his incarceration, nor did I know the details. They asked if I wanted his address to write him, and not knowing what else to do, I took it. I then went straight to Brother Kerry and told him. Of course, he knew the situation having lived across the road and becoming good friends with Arley's Dad. I asked him to share with me, and he did. He encouraged me to write him, and explained to me that his Dad had loved him very much, believed in him, and had gone to visit him twice a month until his health became so bad he couldn't make the trip. What happened next was six months of letters, several months of phone calls, and a determination to bring this man home. I almost let what people would think determine my course. I almost let the bias and prejudice that we all have against people in prison keep me from getting to know this person. I continue to be amazed at the reaction of the people who are dear to me. How they tell me that they can see that I am in love and am loved and they are happy for me. I tease him that they are just glad to see I'm capable of it! You see, Arley offered me something that no one else has. Here is a man who technically has nothing. He will come home and start all over. He will only have the house that his father left him. He gave me everything when he offered me his family. He asked me to become a member of his family. He not only asked me, he called them each individually and asked them to accept me. And they did. It's all been very overwhelming for someone who has spent the last 15 Christmases alone. Now, my house is full of love and laughter. I am included in all things that transpire across the street. I am family! I have sent Arley pictures steadily over the last 6 months while I went through my metamorphosis. He has praised and encouraged me all the way. This Sunday, I will get to see him for the first time since we were in school. I've told him in letters, I've told him on the phone, but I can't wait to look him in the eyes and tell him again -- that I love him! -- Corrina Hyde ___________________________________________ Corrina met Arley, as planned, and became officially engaged on Sunday, September 8 -- her birthday. Congratulations, Corrina! You can reach her by clicking here: mailto:chyde@prodigy.net ___________________________________________ ()__ ||**Z__ ||**|**=Z____ ||**|**=|====| ||==|**=|====| ||""|===|====| || `"""|====| jgs || `""""` >UNFURLED TO LIFE The flag laid crumpled at the curb, held in place by the storm sewer grate. No one knows if it was there an hour, a day, a month, or a year. It lay prostrate on the ground, brought low by an unexpected event that snapped the cord that bound it to daily life. Someone stopped, noticing when others did not, stopping when others did not. That person went out of their way, as many have in their lives, and took action to move things towards their rightful place. He picked up the flag, and carefully brushed the ever-clinging dust and dirt off of it, picking a few pieces of debris carefully from it. The man walked over to the nearest streetlight post and tied the flag as high as he could reach with its remaining frayed cord. Perhaps it was not flying in the air as grand as it once knew, but it rustled its flagged face into a freshened breeze, once again unfurled to life. -- Daniel James ___________________________________________ Dan is a Heartwarmer Gem who lives in the northwestern United States of America. ___________________________________________ ======;===========;() #######:::::: #######:::::: #######:::::: jgs #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# >SEPTEMBER'S GRIEF by Ginger Boda "Grief has it's own timetable, one that does not always follow our fervent desire to move on." I recently saw the comment in reference to the terror that struck our homeland on September 11, 2001. I gazed at the sentence for a long time, pondering its truth. I've not been a stranger to grief and heartache. I was sixteen when I lost my own mother and nineteen when my father passed away. Both died from terminal illness. Many family members and friends have since died as well, causing grief to become a familiar face to me. Sure, there were some periods of reprieve in between the pain, but the pain truly never goes away. It just lessens its grip. I was told, "After the loss of a loved one occurs, there are stages of grief one must pass through." I imagined it to be somewhat like an obstacle course or driving test. Drive straight ahead, do a figure eight through those orange cones, look back and go in reverse, parallel park and sit for a moment, look both ways, climb that hill, then go back to where you began. You get the picture. If only the experience was so predictable, but I've learned that grief is not a test of such simplicity. There is no grading system. No instructor to fail or pass you. There is no point A, ending at point Z, indicating that the test is over. And the obstacles one faces are not the same for another. There are no set rules. In my own grief, I remember many friends who said all the wrong things to me. I didn't blame them, because I knew that they meant well. Sympathy was given, but empathy was harder to find. The most difficult comment to hear was "Well, they are in a better place now." It was true, but it hurt. The second was, "Don't you think it's 'bout time for you to get on with your life and stop grieving?" That fervent desire to move on was present, yes, but most of the time it was embedded in the hearts of others, rather than my own. In fact, I had no idea how I was going to "move on" let alone know when, or why. The day our country watched in horror, as so many innocent lives were taken without warning, was a day of much grief and shock that none of us will forget. These last two years have been filled with memorials and tributes through country songs, celebrity concerts, photos and prayer lists, angel projects and flag waving. Confusion and helplessness merged with pride and determination, as we've all tried to cope with the devastation. But if we took a closer look, we would discover the ones who have had the most to contend with -- the ones who were left behind. A baby somewhere, born after 9/11, whose first word wasn't "Dada." A toddler now, his own features are mirrored in the photo of a loving parent he will never know. The new bride who became a widow, before her wedding band had the chance to make an indentation on her finger. The mother of teens who has cried at night, wondering how she'll raise them alone. The young boy filled with anger for the pain in his heart and the little girl who has wondered who would walk her down the aisle one day. The husband who has struggled to part with his wife's belongings, and just stares out the window. The parents who've incessantly watched old home-movies of their child's smiling face, while they cling helplessly to one another. Yes, these are scenes of heartache for those who've been left behind to gather up the pieces of their lives, while life goes on. Whether we're driving down the road, or looking out the window of our homes, it's obvious that life HAS moved on, regardless of the pain. The seasons changed. New grass has grown. Fresh flowers have bloomed. The rains fell, and the sun has risen and set each day. There has been a predictable timetable for nature, for schooling, for sports, for elections. For just about everything -- except grief. And "when" it comes upon us, is just as unpredictable as "when" it leaves us alone. September's grief was huge. And there are still many walking wounded. "What can we do?" We can grieve alongside those who hurt. We can listen to their hearts, as they talk about the memories, or dream about what could've been. We can affirm their feelings. For those of us who pray, we pray for healing to come, for memories to turn from painful to pleasant, for splintered and angry hearts to be softened. Yes, grief may appear to have its own timetable, but God knows what it is. And only through His strength can the ones left behind follow their fervent desire to move on. I know. I've been there. Many fellow Americans suffered tremendous loss on that September day. We have not forgotten their grief. And may these simple words, "In loving Memory," earnestly portray this promise from the heart... "We Will Always Remember -- with Love." -- Ginger Boda ___________________________________________ Ginger lives in California with her husband, Mark, of 26 years, and three grown children. She has contributed to various online publications, weaving faith, tradition and humor into her stories and poetry, striving to lift the spirit, and encourage the soul of the reader. Ginger also loves gardening, reading, and collecting hearts of all shapes and sizes. You can contact her by clicking here: mailto:Rhymerbabe@aol.com ========================================================== >-->Tell Me A Story, Tell Me A Story - OK! . , |_| (/ \) |`=' L L ... J / ;._// |\ | |\ `|' ,;,| _L L `'`'" _............._...-": j '.\_\_\_\_\_\_\.:`_`.-:| `-._:_:_:_:_:_:.-.-'||.===. //||'.-'::|| // JJ |||| ___ // LL ||||---' - ||__.""---''-|\ __ - ____.--|| __ -- __ ___.--- __.---' __ - //-- ____.---' __.--' __. -- - __"_.--' ' .-- __.----' l42 __.--' >It's Story Time - by emb :) Paul and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary on the 8th by taking our son Victor, our daughter Tammy, and his mom Pat, out to eat at one of our favorite restaurant. We had a good time together. Tammy and I stayed out in the car after hugs goodbye to Pat while Paul and Victor escorted her back to her room at the nursing home. While waiting, Tammy noticed a full grown Praying Mantis on the top of the back windshield of the car beside us in the parking lot. We were thrilled as we hadn't seen one for many years. Tammy thought they were going extinct! It was a rather warm afternoon. Tammy said, 'To a person who is into music, they'd say he is dancing. He keeps rocking back and forth alternating picking up his feet. His little feet must be getting too hot.' We were hoping Paul and Victor would come out in time to see him as we knew they would enjoy checking him out too. But then a silver haired lady started making a beeline to the car. We were worried she'd scare him and he'd hop off. But she got in and he stayed where he was. Thankfully she was busy doing something and didn't take off right away. This gave Paul and Victor a chance to see him too. Victor wanted to know if I wanted him to remove the Praying Mantis but I could see she was putting her car in reverse and there was no time. Paul followed her around the parking area to the highway and commented that he was still hanging on but had moved on down to the bottom of the back windshield. We got separated from her as we got on the highway and couldn't see if he was still there. We were going at a good 45-50mph as we headed back to town. Once in town I noticed she had turned into a shopping center so I asked Tammy if she could see him. She said, 'Yep, he's still there!' Paul laughed and said, 'They got some good little claws on them!' I told them that I thought he probably had been with her all the way from her own house and would probably ride on back home with her. We all got a big kick out of the little fellow. Later I was thinking how fitting to see the Praying Mantis during our wedding anniversary. Like many married folks he was in it for the long haul. He braved the scare and stood his ground with the car door slamming and the start of the engine. He lowered himself and hung on during the high winds of adversity. And finally, when things got too hot, he just danced. What tenacity! Now that's a true trooper! Paul and I figure we've made it so far in our marriage because we take our vows to God and to each other seriously. AND we have stopped short of ever crossing the line of disrespecting each other. No cheating, no name calling and absolutely no hitting, shoving or spitting on each other! We set that rule before we got married. My Mom had some nasty fights with my step dad so I laid it out to Paul before we got married that that would be a deal breaker. He agreed. If you can't respect your life partner, then it is time to move on. Cheating, name calling, and hitting are way over the line. No one should have to live with a person who treats them that way. The couple in the recent Video on the news - NFL Ray Rice and his woman shouldn't have been with each other let alone marry each other. Neither one treated the other with any kind of decent human respect. Way out of line. Love just doesn't do that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltFKdYzDavU After all, God is love. How can we use that word - love - if we treat the one person we are supposed to 'be in love with' like we would treat an arch enemy? =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) The more you give, The more you get The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly. The more of everything you share, The more you laugh, the less you fret. The more you'll always have to spare. The more you love, the more you'll find That life is good and friends are kind. For only what we give away, Enriches us from day to day. -<>- _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >By RACHEL ZOLL AP Religion Writer September 12, 2001 Anne Marie Striebel was angry when she went to a Mass mourning Tuesday's attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Even after praying, she wanted revenge. "I know this sounds horrible, but I would like to see public punishment," said Striebel, among a few hundred worshippers at the Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. "Who hates us this much?" Stunned by the malice that left multitudes dead, the nation turned to their clergy and to God as they struggled for understanding, filling churches and attending vigils, praying for U.S. leaders and the survivors of the attack. Terry Walsh, who works for a company that sells discount airline tickets, attended a Mass at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Dallas "to gain closeness to God and renew my strength. "I pray for God to stop people who commit acts of violence, hatred and evil," Walsh said. Archbishop Edward O'Brien, who leads the Catholic archdiocese for the military, was in an annual retreat in Washington with 50 armed services chaplains when word of the attacks reached them. They held a special Mass meant for times of war, then tried to return to their military posts. "We were all numb watching the TV," O'Brien said. "We prayed for peace in our hearts, for peace in our community, for an end to the evil that does such tremendous and unimaginable damage." At a Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, Cardinal Edward Egan told worshippers the Rev. Mychael Judge, a Fire Department chaplain, died in the attack. But Egan warned against "imaginings of retaliation." "Hate never begets peace," Egan said. "Justice does." The prayer line run by Unity, a nondenominational Christian movement based just outside of Kansas City, was swamped, spokesman Tom Taylor said. "Our prayer ministry normally gets several thousand callers a day, but we've been flooded," he said. "I don't honestly think we'll be able to answer all the calls that come in." The Rev. Paul Akin, pastor of a First United Methodist Church in Iowa, spent the afternoon hurriedly typing his sermon for a special prayer service. "I want to talk about that sense of brokenness and vulner- ability we feel and a sense of God's abandonment of us in the face of great tragedy," Akin said. "God's heart is the first to break and this is not God's vision for the world." President Bush asked the nation to pray for the families of the victims and quoted the Book of Psalms: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me." A special service was held at Bethany Church in Greenwood, N.H., the church attended by Tom McGuinness, co-pilot of one of the planes that smashed into the World Trade Center. Bethany pastor Fred Cheney said when McGuinness' wife, Cheryl, got word of the crash, her first response was, '"My Tom is with Jesus."' One woman told the worshippers, "We felt evil today. Lord, we pray for your mercy tomorrow." Copyright © 2001, The Associated Press -<>- (.,------...__ _.'" `. .' .' `, `. `. ` . .' .'/''--...__`. \ . .--.`. ' "-. '. | '' .' _.' .()) .--":/ ''( \_\ ' (()( ''._' ( \ ' ' `. `--' ' `.: . `-.___.' ' `. . _ _ .' ) .____.-' .'`. (--.. .' \ /\ / / `. .' \( \ /|/ `. .' \__/ `. / | o | \ | | | jro >The Most Beautiful Flower The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the flower to his nose and declared with surprise, "It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the very best one. "You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight? Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight. Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see beauty, and appreciate every second that's mine. And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as that young boy, another weed in his hand About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man. -Author unknown -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >Tomorrow by Michael Mack Tomorrow smile at someone That you've never seen before. Take time to think of others that You feel compassion for. Tomorrow tell somebody How they brighten up your day. Let random acts of kindness Put your feelings on display. Tomorrow hug your children Somewhat tighter than before. Be sure to think of all the things You can be thankful for. Pat your dog a little longer. Hug and kiss your husband/wife. Thank our God for granting you Another day of life. -<>- _.--. _.-'_:-'|| _.-'_.-::::'|| _.-:'_.-::::::' || .'`-.-:::::::' || /.'`;|:::::::' ||_ || ||::::::' _.;._'-._ || ||:::::' _.-!oo @.!-._'-. \'. ||:::::.-!()oo @!()@.-'_.| '.'-;|:.-'.&$@.& ()$%-'o.'\U|| `>'-.!@%()@'@_%-'_.-o _.|'|| ||-._'-.@.-'_.-' _.-o |'|| ||=[ '-._.-\U/.-' o |'|| || '-.]=|| |'| o |'|| || || |'| _| '; || || |'| _.-'_.-' |'-._ || |'|_.-'_.-' jgs '-._'-.|| |' `_.-' '-.||_/.-' >So Little Time So little time to say the things You'd really like to say - Before you even find the words, The time just slips away. So little time to do the things You feel that you must do. So treasure, like the purest gold, The time God's given you. So little time to dream your dreams, For youth has passed its prime, And all too soon you realize That there's ... so little time. So little time to reach the height To which you're bound to climb, For swiftly pass the waning years, And there's ... so little time. So little time to pass regrets, And less, to make amends, Yet God can heal the deepest wounds In chosen, cherished friends. So little time to share God's love And beauty here on earth, And know, before His endless time, Their meaning and true worth. Oh, yes, there is so little time To seek the hidden door That opens up to heaven's time, Where time's forevermore. -Unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Through The Darkness http://www.passionup.com/fun/fun841.htm National Prayer http://www.mamarocks.com/national_prayer.htm You Are The Only You God Has! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Hong Kong (CNN) -- Authorities have killed almost 5,000 dogs in one Chinese city after rabies was blamed for the death of five people, http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/08/world/asia/china-dogs-rabies/ China's Craze For Dogs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chinadogs.html China Wal-Mart http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chinawalmart.html Canyon Skywalk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skywalk.html Japan's Crop Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cropart.html Montreal Gardens! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/montreal.html Harvest Moonbow! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonbow.html Butchart Gardems! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bgardens.html God's Night Lights! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Enter At Your Own Risk! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/risky.html Chinese Olympic Cousine! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/olympic.html Lighthouses Of The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html Beautiful Bridges 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges2.html Extraordinary Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Magic, Magic! http://biggeekdad.com/2011/08/double-fantasy-magic-duo/ --- ...Cool! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Celebrated Dutch illusionist Hans Klok is running against the clock while performing his illusions faster than he ever did! Don't miss this incredible performance. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YrhympYRjSI I've seen marching bands do some pretty impressive things during halftime, but this one takes the cake. You've got to hear these talented students play the theme songs to classic television shows. And, their marching formations will really blow you away. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qhGB5Pd3ko8 --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseA! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== _______ ___/_____ _)____ .-'-' ____)______) | .-' ______)__) | --- _______)) | `-. _______)) `---.___________) VK >Warm Wishes Story Editor: by Susan L. Miller Joyce Schowalter California, USA In 1994, on a cold, foggy winter day in San Francisco, California, my friend Bill was strolling down the street, chatting with his wife, Nina. He noticed a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk, rubbing his hands together to keep warm. Bill walked on another block or so, but something was nagging at him. Spontaneously Bill went back, took off his own gloves and gave them to the man. The look of pure astonishment and gratitude that Bill received in return inspired him, and he determined to do more. The next day he went to a store, bought all their gloves, and walked the streets giving them out to other homeless people. Then he began turning this simple gesture into a non-profit organization called "Warm Wishes". In early December, 2002, I was with 300 volunteers who met at Unity of Marin Church in the San Francisco Bay area. Warm Wishes brought together all kinds of people, aged 3 to 80, in a great spirit of joy and service. We filled each of 5,000 sturdy waist packs with warm thermal socks, ski gloves, a knit hat, and a rain poncho. The final touch was a holiday card hand-made by an elementary school student. We packed over 33,000 items in 90 minutes! We created special packs created for women and children who are in homeless shelters, and for police officers, fire truck and EMT drivers. In eight years, Warm Wishes has helped over 20,000 people stay warmer and dryer throughout the winter months. After the packing, the real heart of the Warm Wishes project begins. Groups of two to four people take the bags to the streets, and distribute them to homeless citizens. Bill stresses that we should give out one bag at a time, and really look at and connect with each recipient. I carry a few bags in my car to hand out when I see someone on the street in need. The first time I approached a homeless man, sitting alone in a park with all his belongings in a shopping cart I was scared. Since it was daylight and other people were around, I decided it was safe. I walked up and handed him the pack, saying I hoped he would accept this gift. His gaze, which had been glassy and unfocused, sharpened. Then he looked right at me and said, "Warm Wishes! I've been hearing about you folks -- God bless you!" I went back to my car and cried for ten minutes. Clearly, I had received more than I had given. Other people who have discovered Warm Wishes have become excited and created chapters in Colorado and New York City. I would say thanks to my friend Bill for creating this organization that has inspired me so much. But I know what "thanks" Bill would prefer. If you were touched by this story, please connect with Warm Wishes, and join Bill in helping people in need. EDITOR'S NOTE: The author recommends: http://www.WarmWishes.org =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: . . :"-. .-"; |:`.`.__..__.'.';| || :-" "-; || :; :; / .==. .==. \ : _.--._ ; ; .--.' `--' `.--. : : __;` ':__ ; ; ' '-._:;_.-' ' : '. `--' .' ."-._ _.-". .' ""------"" `. /`- -'\ /`- -'\ :`- .' `. -'; ; / \ : : : ; ; ; ; : : ':_:.' '.;_;' :_ _; ; "-._ -" :`-. _.._ :_ () _; "--::__. `. \"- -"/`._ : .-"-. -"-. ""--..____.' / .__ __. \ : / , / "" \ . \ ; bug "-:___..--" "--..___;-" >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Alex, 4, was talking about how his friend's grandma has a cat and could he have a pet, too. His mother said maybe in a few years when he's old enough to help take care of it. Alex replied, "But I'll use kind words to my pet!" -- Krista Bayer (Alex's aunt) of Sandston, Virginia ... So then Alex asked if he could have a parrot. He said he would keep it in its cage, but then asked, "Why does it need to be in a cage?" His mother explained that without a cage the parrot would fly away. Alex said matter-of-factly, "But that's OK. We could just get a helicopter and a hook and attach it to him and bring him back home!" Several years ago, Robin's family was given a kitten. The kitten purred rather loudly. Matthew, 3, followed Robin in the kitchen. In a very serious voice he said, "Mom, we have a problem... the kitten makes a funny noise with his head!" -- Robin Temple of Hillsborough, North Carolina _ \`*-. ) _`-. . : `. . : _ ' \ ; *` _. `*-._ `-.-' `-. ; ` `. :. . \ . \ . : .-' . ' `+.; ; ' : : ' | ; ;-. ; ' : :`-: _.`* ; [bug] .*' / .*' ; .*`- +' `*' `*-* `*-* `*-*' William, a foster child, became very close to Mary's dog Tigger. When it came time for William to leave his foster home, he said he would miss Tigger. So Mary decided to write William a good-bye letter from Tigger. His foster mother sat him and his sister down to read to them Tigger's letter and talk about how they felt about returning to their natural mother. When she reached the end of the letter William exclaimed, "Mommy, Tigger knows the alphabet!" -- Mary Lenahan of New City, New York Sharon's daughter, Kathy, 5, was an animal lover. They lived in the country and Kathy rode the bus to school. One day she got off the bus and came running to Sharon. "Mommy, Mommy, I went to pet the kitty and he peed all over me!" When Sharon opened the door she could smell that the "kitty" was a skunk! (Kathy survived just fine. She is now 39.) -- Sharon Rimmer of Clinton, Iowa Stefany's 4-year old great niece Alyssa was visiting last week while Stefany was doing some weeding in her back yard vegetable plot. When Alyssa was getting ready to leave with her grandma (Stefany's sister), Stefany asked if she would like to take a cucumber home because she knew Alyssa loves them. Stefany walked over to the plant, plucked off a cucumber and handed it to Alyssa -- who looked at the cucumber in astonishment and said, "Aunt Stefany, why do you keep them there [in the yard]? Grandma keeps hers in the fridge." -- Stefany Redisi of Chicago, Illinois ._ .-' `-. .-' \ ; .-'\ ; `._.' ; | | | ; : ; : ; : / / ; : , ; | .-"7| .-'" : .-' .' : .-' \ .' .' `. .' `-. ""-.-'`"" `",`-._..--"7 ; . `-.J `-, ;"`.;|,_, ; _.' | `"" `. ."""--. o \:.-. _.' ."" : ,--`; , `--/}o,' ; ; .___.' / ,--.`-. `-..7_.- /_ \ : `..__.._; .'__; `---..__.-'-.`"-, .' `--. | \_; \' `-._.-") \\ `-, `. -.`_): `. `-"""`. ;__.' ;/ ; " `-.__7" `-..._.'`7 -._;' ``"-'' `--.,__.' fsc Trevor, 8, came out onto the porch with two mint patties in his hand. He had just finished chewing one and he stuck them in his mouth, one after the other. His mother said, "Did you ask?" He shook his head, "no." Then he went down the steps, turned to his mother and said with a grin, "It's a free country!" His mother was stunned... and later she and her husband had a talk with Trevor about what "free country" means. -- Lisa Clark (mother of Trevor) of Ashland, Ohio Paulette's friend Maria lost her husband in an automotible accident last spring. Alfonzo, 5, goes with his mother to the cemetery every Sunday to take flowers to his father's grave. This past Sunday, Alfonzo hurried back to the car to leave. "Mommy," he said, "can we get some mosquito spray? The mosquitoes won't let me cry." -- Paulette Burk of Pasadena, Texas Brian, 4, was giving his mother a hard time about going to bed. She had finally reached her limit and sternly told him to go to the bathroom and get in bed. He threw up his hands and said. "OK - OK, don't have a heart burn (heart attack!) -- Kim (Brian's mom) of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania * * __ * ,db' * * ,d8/ * * * 888 `db\ * * `o`_ ** * * * _ * * / ) * (\__/) * ( ( * ,-.,-.,) (.,-.,-.,-.) ).,-.,-. | @| ={ }= | @| / / | @|o | _j__j__j_) `-------/ /__j__j__j_ ________( /___________ | | @| \ || o|O | @| |o | |,'\ , ,'"| | | | hjw vV\|/vV|`-'\ ,---\ | \Vv\hjwVv\//v _) ) `. \ / (__/ ) ) (_/ Freddie, 3, was visiting the pediatrician for a routine check up. He was having a wonderful time in the play area of the waiting room when his name was called. As his mother took his hand to take him to the examination room, he scratched his bottom, looked up at her and asked, "Well, am I sick?" -- Sue (mother of Freddie) of Carmel, Indiana ========================================================== .-. __/ ( , '-.____\ u=='/ \ /_/ \ .-'' | ( ____/_____ _>_/.-------- \/// // snd // >-->THE BEAUTIFUL COLOR OF LOVE What color is God, Asked the child with skin so fair Is he white like me, Does he have light hair? Is God dark like me, Asked the child with skin of golden hue, Has he hair that's dark and curly, Are his eyes black or blue? I think God is red like me, The Indian boy is heard to say -- He wears a crown of feathers, And turns our nights to day Each one of us knows that God is there In ALL the colors above But be sure of this, the one color he is, Is the beautiful color of love So when your soul goes to Heaven, When your life comes to its end -- He will be waiting, and his hand to you Will he extend. There will be no colors in Heaven, Everyone will be the same. You will only be judged by your earthly deeds, Not your color or your name So when your time comes, And you see God in his Heaven above, Then you will see the only color that counts, The beautiful color of LOVE. -- Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************