A Father's Love Letter... :) 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 or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our hottest new page is from our friends Linda and Geniann. Plenty of little known gems here to spark your interest. Check it out here... . .. __..---/______//-----. (( ) .".--.```| - /.--. =: ( VROOM! )) (.: {} :__L______: {} :__; __--( __- -_= ) *--* *--* jnh Amazing Trivia Car Facts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviacarfacts.html --- ...Awesome! The limo was a mind blower! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Your morning thought for the day: A father carries pictures where his money used to be. Today, we start a short series of Father's Day stories. Father's Day is June 19. You'll enjoy Shelley's story about her dad and his inventions... er... his creative pursuits! \\\ ____ ________``` \ =|- [________] \ | =| | _ | | \ __ ejm |__=|- O--(_) `.______.' \ O=======(__) /|\ (/(|(\ >MARTHA STEWART, HE IS NOT by Shelley Madden The satellite dish had stood in my father's yard over twenty years. It watched over us kids growing up, moving out to explore the world and start families of our own. In it's day, it was the landmark of our neighborhood, shining aluminum pointing into space, as it cupped the sky, casting a giant shadow beneath its twelve foot expanse. Passerbys would slow to admire its massive size, many would stop for closer inspection. We would gather in front of the TV, my younger brother flipping through the channels as the dish groaned and turned outside, searching through space for a new signal. We were infatuated with TV land, thousands of channels awaited us, if we could only figure out what buttons to push when. Too soon, it was outdated, replaced by new inventions. It was quickly forgotten, where it silently stood representing a bygone era. It collected leaves in the fall, caught snow in the winter. It rose proud in the spring storms, then lay quiet in the summer heat. Divorce and retirement found dad living alone in his old house, passing time on many projects. During his daily excursions he could be found poking around in our small town's community dumpster, or behind the car wash, looking for Objects d'Art which only he could breathe life into once again. His garage was soon brimming with other's castoffs -- broken, unwanted things waiting for their chance to become useful once again. The satellite dish loomed over my father and his projects, as he took parts off broken lawn mowers, using them to bring life to another old mower. It waited patiently in the background watching him fix old clocks, or rebuild a broken rocking horse he had brought home. It stood silently while he crafted an old headboard into a bookcase. He tinkered day and night, creating things with his skilled hands, hands never slowed by time or age. As soon as he finished one creation, he would begin another. One summer day, I came to visit, but something was missing from the yard. The satellite dish was gone. In its wake was a large hole, followed by drag marks slicing across the lawn. The yard now looked oddly barren, reminding me of a Thanksgiving table missing its centerpiece. I could almost feel my memories fade as I gazed solemnly at the bare spot in front of me. I followed the path of churned dirt and crushed grass around the side of the house, to the back yard. My mother would have had a fit if she were still here and seen the mess dad had made. There it was. A giant spacecraft had crashed in the backyard. The neighbors would surely think my father had gone mad. I could see myself calling the old folks home for a tour in the very near future. I took a closer look, trying to understand what I was looking at. Framed by the blue sky and the old pecan tree, stood the satellite dish, reigning in new found glory, standing proudly with a new purpose. Never at a loss for creativity, never at a loss for time, my father had welded an eight foot pole into the center of the inverted dish. It was now a giant upside down bowl. He then cemented it into the ground upright, creating what was perhaps the world's largest patio umbrella! He stood beaming beneath, BBQ tools and grill at the ready. He had set in its shadow his old patio chair, and a small table. He had what no man in town had, perhaps what no man in the state had -- an indestructible relic of days gone by given new meaning once again by his skilled hands. An old memory was now ready for new memories. And he had done it alone. The former satellite-dish-now-turned-patio umbrella was once again watching over us. As time passed, grandchildren and great- grandchildren would play below, as if under the petals of a giant flower protecting its nectar. It sheltered us against the sun, protected us from the rain. It gave new meaning to holidays and birthday parties. Folks continue to stop and gaze at it in awed silence. Dad's masterpiece now proudly bears the colors of his alma mater, and tiny white lights are laced around its broad rim -- lights which cast a warm, almost other-worldly-tin-foil glow around my father as he sits quietly beneath, reading a book, perhaps thinking of days gone by, or maybe even planning his next invention. For which I patiently await. -- Shelley Madden __________________________________________________ Shelley is a freelance and short story writer, who enjoys raising horses and poultry. She is a native of Wise County, Texas. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Cloie :) [Political Humor] .-=. ___ . .-;-%%i:-%%, ==. / /,.-.;--:/ _, '"-\j / \ \==== ,%% i | %. ,;"""t_____ |__,|". i%%. \+ `'"f`','%| |;" .-`.__.O-< "`; `%+ (_,+--'"\_)%/ `.%% %" ._%/ __+.,-. ' %. ,( j-"". `. ,%%| .'-;`. ) )-' "" :. ( [ `-'`-' . ,.%%i `-\.__ ..-" ""`] t. " ..%%f \, .""; >. ,-. ,_% ,' i t/ f:% ( `' t ,' j Garfield `.. `. \; %+.--. ,--.._ `. `.t, % -=%% j , "`-| ) +"\. -=%/ (( f t "t" ) J..-" \_\ ,.__.\. ).-" "" "-" LS >Run By Idiots [style of Jeff Foxworthy] If plastic water bottles are okay, but plastic bags are banned, — you might live in a nation (state) that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If you can get arrested for hunting or fishing without a license, but not for entering and remaining in the country illegally — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If you have to get your parents' permission to go on a field trip or to take an aspirin in school, but not to get an abortion — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If you MUST show your identification to board an airplane, cash a check, buy liquor, or check out a library book, or rent a video, but not to vote for who runs the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If the government wants to prevent stable, law-abiding citizens from owning gun magazines that hold more than ten rounds, but gives twenty F-16 fighter jets to the crazy new leaders in Egypt — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If, in the nation's largest city, you can buy two 16-ounce sodas, but not one 24-ounce soda, because 24-ounces of a sugary drink might make you fat — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If an 80-year-old woman who is confined to a wheelchair or a three- year-old girl can be strip-searched by the TSA at the airport, but a woman in a burka or a hijab is only subject to having her neck and head searched — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If your government believes that the best way to eradicate trillions of dollars of debt is to spend trillions more — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If a seven-year-old boy can be thrown out of school for saying his teacher is "cute" but hosting a gender exploration or diversity class in grade school is perfectly acceptable — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If hard work and success are met with higher taxes and more government regulations and intrusion while not working or part time work is rewarded with Food Stamps, WIC checks, Aide For Dependent Children, Medicaid benefits, HEAP [Home Energy Assistance] benefits, subsidized housing, low-interest government home loans, and free cell phones — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If you pay your mortgage faithfully, denying yourself the newest big-screen TV, while your neighbor buys iPhones, time shares, a wall-sized do-it-all plasma screen TV and new cars, and the government forgives his debt when he defaults on his mortgage — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. If being stripped of your Constitutional right to defend yourself makes you more "safe" according to the government — you might live in a nation that was founded by geniuses but is run by idiots. THINK BEFORE YOU VOTE IN ALL UPCOMING ELECTIONS. MOST OF THE IDIOTS RUNNING THIS COUNTRY SAY ONE THING AND DO THE OPPOSITE KNOWING THAT THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED THEM IN DO NOT PAY ATTENTION! LET'S SEE IF I GOT THIS RIGHT!!! IF YOU CROSS THE NORTH KOREAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET 12 YEARS HARD LABOR. IF YOU CROSS THE IRANIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU ARE DETAINED INDEFINITELY. IF YOU CROSS THE AFGHAN BORDER ILLEGALLY, YOU GET SHOT. IF YOU CROSS THE SAUDI ARABIAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE JAILED. IF YOU CROSS THE CHINESE BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU MAY NEVER BE HEARD FROM AGAIN. IF YOU CROSS THE VENEZUELAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE BRANDED A SPY AND YOUR FATE WILL BE SEALED. IF YOU CROSS THE CUBAN BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU WILL BE THROWN INTO POLITICAL PRISON TO ROT. IF YOU CROSS THE U.S. BORDER ILLEGALLY YOU GET... A JOB, WELFARE, FOOD STAMPS, SUBSIDIZED RENT OR A LOAN TO BUY A HOUSE, FREE EDUCATION, FREE HEALTH CARE, A LOBBYIST IN WASHINGTON, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS PRINTED IN YOUR LANGUAGE THE RIGHT TO CARRY YOUR COUNTRY'S FLAG WHILE YOU PROTEST THAT YOU DON'T GET ENOUGH RESPECT AND, IN MANY INSTANCES, YOU CAN VOTE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I HAD A FIRM GRASP ON THE SITUATION! PLEASE KEEP THIS GOING!!! ...... FORWARD TO ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP AMERICA ! --- ...Thank You Cloie! >My Two Cents On This... The radical left thinks they can riot at Trump rallies and on the streets to get their message across and cause the people to back down and go their way via bullying and intimidation. They are trying to erase conservatives freedom of speech where ever they can through violence and mayhem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DsD6QfDZ20 And Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5pdy07cLwg We do NOT live in Mexico so why the Mexican flags and the ripping and burning of our American flags? The Mayor and the media say it is Trump's fault for not condemning the violence. But Trump says over and over he advocates peace and not war. We are 1st and primary Americans! A strong country of legal immigrants - NOT Illegal immigrants. As you see in these videos, the illegals and others who take up the Mexican Flag are not supporters of America - they are proud supporters of Mexico! It is ridiculous to live in one country and disrespect its flag while proudly displaying the flag of another country according to your ethnicity. For instance do we see our African Americans burning American flags while proudly carrying African flags? Or our German Americans or Or our Asian Americans or our Irish Americans doing this? We are all AMERICANS Proud of our country! We embrace our American flag and our heritage - not the country where our ancestors originated from! We must take America back. We are the melting pot of all races - the land of the free and the home of the brave... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 2 Tim.1: [7] For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. It is time we bring Common Sense back to America and let the majority of sound minded Americans rule! Check these out... Why Trump?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whytrump.html Nice Trump Speech - America First! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zckyQv4CLwc =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,______________________________________ |_________________,----------._ [____] ""-,__ __....-----===== (_(||||||||||||)___________/ "" | `----------' Krogg98[ ))"-, | "" `, _,--....___ | `/ """" >A FATHER’S FORGIVENESS By: Joseph J. Mazzella When I was a boy I always wanted to be a cowboy. I remember my Mom worrying about me getting sick from the heat in the summer, because I wore a thick blue sweater all the time. No respectable cowboy, however, would wear short sleeves so I sweated while I played. I was overjoyed too when one day my parents gave me a bb gun. It looked just like a lever action rifle that all the cowboys used in the movies. I spent hours each day during those summer months shooting at stumps and pretending to be John Wayne. I even mastered the one-handed, swing, cock and shoot move I had seen him do in a movie once. At least that is what I thought. As I was coming into the house one afternoon, though, I tried it one time too many. The gun that I thought was empty let out a soft pop and a bb flew across the room and parted the hair of my Dad who was asleep on the couch. My Dad took one look at the bb hole a half inch above his head, walked over to me, took my gun, walked outside, and calmly broke it in half. I didn’t cry too much over this. I knew how close I had come to hurting my Dad with my stupidity. I didn’t expect to ever get another bb gun either. That is why I was so surprised when my Dad bought me another one the next year. I guess he thought I had wised up enough to know how to use it this time. I never put a single bb in the new gun, but in my imagination John Wayne rode again. I eventually outgrew my cowboy stage, but I never did outgrow my appreciation for my Father’s forgiveness. He showed me that even when I messed up in the worse way I was still loved. He gave me another chance and let me know that I was forgiven whether I deserved it or not. He shared with me some of the unconditional love and forgiveness that our Father in Heaven has for us all. May we always embrace and share that love and forgiveness as well. -<>- OFTENTIMES WE ASSOCIATE late-night TV shows, such as the Tonight Show, with celebrities... However, on January 21, 2009, Jay Leno interviewed an unusual guest: 15-year-old McKay Hatch. In 2007, Hatch founded his first No Cussing Club at his junior high school in South Pasadena, California. According to McKay's website, www.nocussing.com, the teen was dismayed at the language many of the children at his school, including some of his friends, were using. Rather than just put up with it, as so many of us are prone to do, he decided to do something about it. He mentioned it to his friends and actually challenged them to stop cussing. He says his friends were shocked; most of them didn't even realize they were using offensive language, and certainly had no idea it was bothersome to Hatch. Surprisingly, and very pleasantly so, they accepted his challenge to stop swearing, and thus was born the first No Cussing Club. The word spread and after one month the club had 50 members. When McKay got into high school, he founded a similar club, and had over 100 students join immediately. The word has further spread until today there are over 20,000 members in 25 countries. Club members take the "No Cussing Challenge," committing to use better language. However, this is not just a "negative" challenge, to not use bad language, but a "positive" challenge as well, to use "polite, respectful, and kind language." Further, the club's motto is, "Leave people better than you found them." This concept has impacted not only the recipients of the kind language, but the speakers as well: McKay relates that many club members have noticed a change in their own lives from using positive language. And the concept has progressed to the club members "looking for opportunities everyday to help people and lift them up through their words and actions." (Liana Stanley) KneEmail: "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." - Ephesians 4:29 Bible reading for 05.15.09: John 4:31-54; 2 Kings 22, 23 -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Babes In Christ!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/babesinchrist.html God's Holy And Royal Priests!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html Limos In US History!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/limos.html Most Expensive Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/expensivecars.html Antique Automobiles!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/antiquecars.html World's Fastest Plane!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastestplane.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html New Office Policy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/office.html Whale Rescue!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whalerescue.html Undersea Restaurant!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/undersea.html Taking a Catnap 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/catnap2.html Celebrity Private Jets!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/celebrityjets.html Amazing Human Body!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanbody.html Lamborghini Aventador!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lambo.html World's Unique Boneyards!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/boneyards.html Amazing Human Progress 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanprogress2.html Secrets Of The Secret Service!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/secrets.html Amazing Street-Legal Airplane!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/transition.html World's Most Spectacular Places 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spectacularplaces3.html -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Japanese Mustang http://tinyurl.com/zqcgdpl --- ...Very Interesting read! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Libraries http://tinyurl.com/hlvm92t Rainbow Roses http://illusion.scene360.com/flowers-and-plants/7426/real-rainbow-roses/ --- ...Absolutely beautiful. Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Business Magician Kostya Kimlat fools Penn and Teller with his amazing and incredible card trick. As a result, Penn gets extremely jealous! Kostya Kimlat is a sleight-of-hand magician, motivational keynote speaker, and expert in the role of perception in life and business. He is the author of the forthcoming book "Think Like a Magician." With 20 years of experience, Kostya has performed in over 200 cities on five continents for companies like Sysco, AT&T, GE, Siemens, NASA and the Orlando Magic NBA Team. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SCFXV6o7cro An amazing gymnast performs the traditional Indian pole gymnastics sport called 'Mallakhamba.' Mallakhamba is a traditional Indian sport inwhich a gymnast performs feats and poses on a vertical wooden pole. It was originally used as a supporting exercise for wrestlers as far back as 1135 AD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRXzbPzGwZA&feature=player_embedded --- ...Wowsers! Shocking talent! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) View this beautiful car and listen to this wonderful, seemingly ageless lady. And remember, no power steering or brakes. she even had to adjust the spark on the steering wheel https://www.youtube.com/embed/qxCpK1W_Gjw?feature=player_embedded --- ...Sweet! Thanks Geniann! When you listen to this, remember... the commentary was broadcast 49 years ago on April 3, 1965. It's short... less than three minutes. You will be amazed. How to do it by Paul Harvey! http://stg.do/9LDc --- ...Sounds so much like today! Sad. Thanks Geniann! 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 ========================================================== ___________ .;---------./| // S O A P // | |'---------'| / jgs | | / '-----------'` >Cut the Soap in Half Story Editor: by Ian Chai Joyce Schowalter Selangor, Malaysia In 1989, I was away from home, attending the University of Kansas in the USA. I found an advertisement for a summer job as a programmer at Forschungsinstitut fur anwendungsorientierte Wissenverarbeitung an der Universitat Ulm, in what was then West Germany. I was delighted to be offered the job; a good opportunity to see part of a new continent. Naturally, I expected things would be different -- big things, like language and culture. But I never expected small cultural differences would affect me. Both Malaysia and the USA emerged from the British Empire, so we have common standards for the way many things are done. For example, I was surprised that little things like how doors fit into door frames were different. The bread was also very different. While it was fun at first to eat the various kinds of brotchen, after some time I longed for the white, square, soft bread I was used to. And the big things were not that bad: the folks in the village of Ulm mostly didn't speak English well, but were very friendly and helpful nonetheless. One of these small differences, however, tripped me up early in my stay. The first few days my employer put me up in a bed-and-breakfast hotel. Then I found a small studio apartment to rent. It was evening by the time I got settled in, and I walked down to the village to buy some provisions. To my surprise and horror, every single shop was closed! I was alone, with no food or any other kind of provisions. I wandered around for a while in a daze. I was about to walk back to the apartment, resigned to taking a soapless shower, going to bed without supper, and having no breakfast the next morning. Then I saw a university student. Why are the shops all closed? He explained that (unlike in the USA where there are all-night grocery stores, or Malaysia where grocery stores are open late at night) all shops in Germany (in 1989) closed at 6 p.m. But he didn't leave it at that. He took me back to his room and shared his supper with me. Not only that, he took out a knife and cut off half his bar of soap, half his cheese and half of his bread. He gave it all to me so that I would be able to shower and have breakfast the next morning! It was clear that he did not possess much. But what he had, he was willing to share with a poor Auslander (foreigner) wandering the streets of his village. Although we exchanged contact information, I didn't see him much after that. In the sixteen years since, I've even forgotten his name. But I still remember his kind deed, which has inspired similar actions in my own life. He is one of the biggest reasons I think fondly of my time in Germany. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Fran :) _____ _____ ,ad8PPPP88b, ,d88PPPP8ba, d8P" "Y8b, ,d8P" "Y8b dP' "8a8" `Yd 8( " )8 I8 8I Yb, ,dP "8a, ,a8" "8a, ,a8" "Yba adP" `Y8a a8P' `88, ,88' "8b d8" Normand "8b d8" Veilleux `888' " >Empty Heart Day We who have lost a spouse have many names for the day our spouses died. The most commonly used is, "Their Angel Day". Ginny and I use that for Harvey (Her first husband) and Georgia (My first wife). Angel Day ...the day they went to Heaven. We dread those anniversaries. Memories sneak up on us. We're afraid of the pain the memories they bring. The first year is the worse. It's the year of the firsts: first birthday, first anniversary, first Christmas, first child's birthday, first vacation ...all without them. Every special moment is painful. They are missed. They are gone forever. Their angel days bring us pain. Those days are not as bad as we expected. It was all in our minds. We spent too much time worrying about how we'd feel. When the day came, we realized it wasn't as bad as we expected. We smiled at the memories we shared and were glad for the time we had them. One lady recently told me, "I call it my 'Empty Heart Day.'" "Empty Heart Day" is so right. It's the day we lost the filling of our heart. Without their love, our hearts were empty, like a pie without a filling ...just a crust. There is hope. You can refill the pie of your heart. Gin and I did. Ginny and I found a new filling for our hearts. -Michael T. Smith -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >What my Dad taught me Both of my parents were teachers at a nice school. Mom taught fourth grade there for 28 years. Dad was a well-educated, "strong, silent type" who taught sixth grade. He had a Master's degree in two areas and was a principal of a school for awhile, but decided he'd rather teach kids than put up with the hassle of being a principal, even if the money wasn't as good. When I was four we moved to a new house in a "good" part of town. The grade school was a half a block away, but the middle school we kids would have to go to wasn't nice. In fact it was a bad place to be: smoking, fights and knives were common. One of the fights that I got into happened because I said, "You can't beat me up." I was right, but I had to prove it. It was a tough place to be and 30 years later I still rely on some of the lessons I learned. But because of where we lived, we had to go there. It would have been unheard of for us to attend a private school since my parents were teachers. Before my older brother started attending, my dad decided to transfer there and be a remedial reading teacher. Dad applied and was accepted with the unspoken understanding that when he did this, it was for the rest of his career. Once I was old enough to attend, I walked the mile to school with dad. Well, dad walked and I had to trot to keep up. I walked with him because I was too scared of being caught on the street alone and getting beaten up. Occasionally, I'd talk to him about problems that I was experiencing with other kids. His answers were blunt and tough: he was a disciplinarian and his word was the way it was going to be. He never spoke of why he transferred. I only remember that at the time, it seemed like kind of a weird thing to do. We didn't think a whole lot about it but he spent close to twenty years at that school. But we never realized that he did this for us. He transferred from a great job to a bad school so us kids would have someplace to go in case of trouble. It was only years later that my mom mentioned it as an aside of a conversation we were having, and I was stunned. I began to think of the sacrifice that he willingly made for us. I felt small and petty. I began to see dad with different and more understanding eyes. I've now got two kids and, more than ever, I'm beginning to understand what he had to deal with. It is my hope that I can someday live up to the example that dad set. by Steve Booth --- ...Great heartwarming stories! Thanks Fran! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY _ mMm _[_]_ /(_)\ (_) //)^(\\//:\\ /(/&@&\)\|~|/ / /-~`~-\ ||| `/ \||| `-------'-'-- Ella, 3, asked, "Mom, how did you know my name was Ella when I was born?" She also asked one day, "Mom, why didn't you and Daddy invite me to your wedding?" - Erin Doucette of Fort Wayne, Indiana Landyn, 5, came home from school and said, "Mommy, I got a new favorite food. I had Salisbury steak today and it was yummy, but it didn't have any berries in it!" - Korey Call (mother of Landon) of Kendallville, Indiana During the Trinity Preschool graduation Tammy was able to share some memorable quotes from the preschoolers. A quote that seemed appropriate as an innocent reminder for Memorial Day came during the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. After holding the flag, one of the preschool boys in Tammy's class said, "You know, Mrs. Comparet, we can't let the flag touch the ground because we have to honor the good men!" It was a great reminder of the men and women who risk their lives for our freedom. - Tammy Comparet of Kendallville, Indiana Every Sunday, without fail Joe took his niece and nephew to church. After church he would stop at the bakery across the street for hard rolls and then cook a nice breakfast at home for the entire family. One Sunday Joe's mother, who lived with them, was very ill and Joe was afraid to leave her alone for even the hour or so. Therefore he dropped the kids off at church leaving strict instructions that Brian, 3, was to mind his older sister Pamela, 7, and not leave the church until Joe came back for them. When Joe returned, Pamela was furious. She said she would NEVER go to church with Brian again! Pamela explained, "Everyone was quiet as the priest was preparing communion and suddenly Brian started singing "~Tiny bubbles, in the wine, makes ya feel happy, makes ya feel fine.'" Pamela said when she told Brian to be quiet he just started singing louder! Joe wrote, "The Sunday night before, the legendary Hawaiian singer Don Ho was on the Ed Sullivan Show and I guess he made quite an impression on Brian." - Uncle Joe Stanford of New Haven, Connecticut |\ /| |\ /| | \ / | |\\ //| | | | | | \| |/ | \ | | / \ || || / \ |_| / \||_||/ .' '. .' '. | | |o o| / \ /= Y =\ `'-. .-'` `'-.^.-'` _| |_ _| |_ /` `\ /` `\ | / \ | | | |/ \| | ( ) | / \ /\ \ / /\ | .-~-. | | '._)_.' | \ { } / \ / jgs \ '-=-' / \ '.___.' / .--' ;---; '--. .--' \---/ '--. `-------' '-------` `-------' '-------` Katie, 3, had a new Easter dress to wear to church. It came with a matching doll dress. Because "Wolfie" is her favorite stuffed animal, Katie dressed her wolf in the dress. She insisted on taking Wolfie to church so that she could see Jesus. When they got home from church, Katie reported that "Even though the teacher told us that Jesus is alive, we didn't see Him!" - Bonnie Scarlett of Tacoma, Washington Here is another Katie story. They were getting ready to go to school and daycare, and her older sister Hayley had already closed the trunk of the car. Since big sister Sabrina needed to put her backpack in the trunk as well, Bonnie popped the trunk. When Katie tried to close it, Bonnie told her, "Please leave it open, Sabrina needs to get in there." To which Katie responded, "Why does Sabrina get to ride in the trunk?" Just after saying the blessing before dinner Nolan, 6, said, "Mom, I don't think there will be green beans in heaven." - Lisa Billingsley (mother of Nolan) of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina When Joyce's daughters were small there was a new package of Oreos in the cookie jar. Their father asked for some and a glass of milk. When Joyce went to get the cookies she was surprised to see all of the vanilla centers had been licked out and the outside cookies replaced whole in the cookie jar. Joyce asked Beth, about 3, "Who ate the center of the Oreos?" She replied, "Jennifer did it." The only problem was her sister was only 6 months old at the time. - Joyce Siedentop of Wall, New Jersey ,,,)),, .' `. _/ \_ (_ O O _) | .:(_):. | _.--\ .___. /--._ ,' |`-.___.-'| `. >--.__|| ||__.--< __/ _)l_______l(_ \___ (__\|_|_|_____________|_|_|/___) |#| /o\_______/o\ |#| |#|| _ ||#| |#|| =(.)__ ||#| |#|| ..(___/.. ||#| |#|| _ ||#| |#|| | ||#| |#|| .^. ||#| |#|l_____|_|_____l|#| .-/ /|:::::::::::::::|\ \-. |/ / |:::::::::::::::j \ \| / / /---------------\ \ \ .-/ / / \ \ \-. |/_/__/___________________\__\_\| || || `|_____________________________|' hjw Kate, 4, is always looking out for her mother. Her mother overheard her tell her dad for Mother's Day: "Your job is to take me to the store, and MY job is to pick out a present. We need to get (Mom) a nice present AND a card." - Jennifer Decker (friend of Kate and family) of Angola, Indiana Here is another Kate comment. About the royal wedding, Kate said, "I don't like the flowers. I don't like her gown, and the CROWN IS SUPPOSED TO BE GOLD! I'm going to throw her in the dungeon!" Ryan and his wife took the family on an Easter vacation which included stopping at the Biltmore Mansion. As they were driving up to the mansion, Adian, 7, gasped and said, "Is that where God lives?" - Darlene Clark (great-grandmother of Adian) of Lehigh Acres, Florida Stella, 4, has extremely soft baby teeth. She recently had a lot of dental work done. As there was so much, they put her in a surgery center and put her to sleep to do it all at once. This in itself was very stressful on the household, but one of the "stress relief" moments was the day after. Part of the dental work was six silver caps on her molars. With caps, she cannot eat any "gummy" candy or her gummy vitamins! She is totally distraught over this and being the drama queen that she is, was kicking up a fuss over "never getting to eat gummies again!" Her grandmother told her that when she was a teenager she would be able to eat gummies again. With a very straight face, Stella put her hands on her hips and said, "Well, it's a long way from here to there!" - Suzy Payne (Nana) of Springfield, Oregon Here is another one from Suzy. Stella helps Grandma and Nana with baking quite often. She makes bread and rolls with Grandma and it's kind of become the thing to make banana bread with Nana. Stella walked into the kitchen and saw some brown bananas on the counter. She turned and said, "I definitely see banana bread in our future!" \ / \\ // )\-/( /e e\ ( =Y= ) /`-!-'\ ____/ /___\ \ \ / ``` ```~~"--.,_ `-._\ / `~~"--.,_ ----->| `~~"--.,_ _.-'/ \ ~~"--.,_ /jgs\_________________________,,,,....----""""~~~~```` Zoie was at her father's home having a family dinner. Steamed carrots were among the food items on the table. Zoie was reluctant to try the carrots. Zoie's dad Kyle was trying to get her to take one bite to try them. Kyle said, "Bunnies love to eat carrots." Zoie refused the bite. Kyle said, "Rudolph eats carrots." Still no bite. After several more attempts, Kyle said, "Carrots are good for your eyes and they help us see better." Zoie looked puzzled. Then she told her dad, "I don't want carrots in my eyes, Daddy!" - Julie Conley (Nana of Zoie) of LaGrange, Indiana Here is another story from Julie. Zoie and her dad attended a wedding. Sitting on her dad's lap she was good, taking the ceremony all in. After the bride and groom kissed, Zoie looked at her dad and asked, "Are Nana and Pappy (her grandparents) married?" Her father said yes. "Are we married now, too, Daddy?" Zoie asked. The 4-year-old regularly in Carol's charge colored Carol a picture (scribbled with exclusively red crayon) of a little boy dressed like a pirate and wielding a sword. Carol complimented him profusely and displayed it on her refrigerator. Each time he visited he would ask, "You like that picture?" Again and again Carol reassured him and praised his work. Six months later, he asked again if Carol liked the picture and she repeated the compliment. This time he further asked, "You like all that blood?" (referring to the red crayon). Carol said, "Gross, you never told me that it was blood!" - Carol Young of Albion, Indiana Zelma was babysitting Cheyenne and Odin, both 3. Cheyenne was playing a game and Zelma told her she had to share it with Odin. Cheyenne looked at Zelma and said, "Zelma, you aren't my best friend any more until you change your attitude!" - Zelma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana Cheyenne was pretending to talk on the phone. She was "calling" Zelma and she said, "Zelma, you need to come in the room with me so that you can hear me because too many people are instructing me." (She meant interrupting.) .--. .--. (_ _) "SICK" (_ _) I CANNOT GO TO SCHOOL TODAY )( -by Shel Silverstein )( Said little Peggy Ann McKay. /__\ /__\ [____] __,--"""""""--,__ [____] "I have the measles and the mumps, ) ( _/ \_ ) ( A gash, a rash, and purple bumps. \__/ / ((((((()))) \ \__/ My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, [ _]/ (((((((())))))) \[ ] I'm going blind in my right eye. [(_`"-._((((((( ))))))--"`_) ] [ ) (((( ,_ _, )))) ( ] My tonsils are as big as rocks, [ / (() |*| |*| (() \ ] I've counted sixteen chicken pox. [/ ()) ''' ''' ()) \ ] And there's one more- ( (() '' ^ '' (() )] ...that's seventeen! [ ())'. C====O.'()) / ] And don't you think [(\_/) (() '-._____.-' (()( ( ] ...my face looks green? ./o o\())____/ \____())____) . :(= Y =)@-----'---`-----@--------: My leg is cut, my eyes are blue- |/`----'/|\ /|\ \It might be instamatic flu. |``________________________________ I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke | |\'.'''.'''.".'.'".'..'".'.'.'."" I'm sure that my left leg is broke. Zelma's granddaughter Breann, 6, was sick with a bad cold. Breann overheard her mother telling someone, "Breann looks bad. Under her eyes it is all puffy." Later Breann put eye shadow under her eyes. When her mother asked why she had eye shadow on, she said, "Mom, I am trying to hide those bubbles under my eyes." Conversation between siblings: Jaedan, 10: What else could we give Mom for Mother's Day? What would make her really happy? Whitney, 6: We could clean our rooms and go the whole day without fighting. Jaedan: No way! We can't do that! Whitney: Why not? Jaedan: Cuz then she will want us to do that every day! - Joan Householder of Albion about the children of her niece Kim Householder of Fort Wayne. Here is a story from Kim, mother of Jaedan and Whitney. Whitney was standing in the window holding her Easter basket. Kim asked her what she was doing. Whitney replied, "Waiting for Jesus. You said He came back to life today." Kim said, "Oh, is He coming here?" Whitney replied, "Yes, I told Him last night when I said my prayers since He died for me He could have my candy this year!" Ethan, 10, was on an ACRES nature hike this spring. A hiker overheard Ethan comment, "I like to eat edible things from the forest. And I like to eat non-edible foods too. Sometimes I make mistakes." - Ethan is the son of Corey and Nadine Kline of Kendallville, Indiana In anticipation of their first visit to friends in their new home, their 3-year-old called to give Carol directions. The 3-year-old told Carol, "It is a red house with a long basement and when you see the pig farm you are there." Carol whined and asked, "Is this a LONG ride?" She hesitated and truthfully said, "Yes, it is." Carol lamented, "Oh, no!" The 3-year-old quickly said, "Just take a nap." - Carol Young of Albion, Indiana . .' `. .' .'. `. .' .' `. `. .' .' `. `. .' .' `. `. .' .'| _________ |`. `. `'| | | | | |`' | | | _ _ | | | | | | ( " ) } | | | | | \ / | | | | | | " | | | | | | | | | | |,+' | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | } | | | | | | | | ,,,,,,,,|,|,|,,,,,,,,,|,|,|,,,,,,,,,,,,,, VK After visiting a few hours at the home of friends, their 3-year- old daughter went up to Carol, cupped her hands around Carol's ear and said, very discreetly, "Carol, you have been here for a long time and you haven't gone to the bathroom yet!" Carol said maybe the comment was a result of the girl's parents trying to potty train her younger brother. Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >-->A Father's Love Letter My Child ~ You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus gave his life so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift from my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ Romans 10:9,10 I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32 Love, Your Father, Almighty God >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 ************************************************************************