A Perfect Friend ... :) 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 ================ "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _.----------------------------._ _.-' '- . '-._ .' _| . . - . ._ '. _.' ' .' '. _| | / _| _| '' '' |_ ' . '. | . -- . '' '' . -- . | .' .' '. -|| || .' '. '. | ' '' '' || .-. ||_ '' '' | '. '' '' || | | || '' '' | | -|| ||- '____|!|____' -|| ||- | | || || |____-+-____| || || '. .' -|| ||_ || |!| || || || _| |_.-|| || || | | || _|| ||-._| _.-' |_|| || || | | || || ||_| '-._ _| |_ |:;;.,::;,.';|--|:;;.| |,.';|--|:;;.,::;,.';| |_ :;;.,::;,.'; :;;.| |,.'; :;;.,::;,.'; _| -' |_ | | |_. _ _| __|_|__ |_ _ |________________________/_______\___________________|______ ,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:.,:. -LGB--------------------------------------------------------- *~* WE NEED MORE 2009 CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a 2009 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Our Friend Sandi wrote a note to inform us: I didn't know if you knew this or not, but A Pittance Of Time actually happened! Terry Kelly was in a store in Nova Scotia in 1999 when the announcement came over the loud speaker. When he wittiness how the father had acted, prompted him to write the song. It just goes to show that something beautiful can come from something ugly. Hope your day is wonderful, your friend, Sandi --- ...awww, Must be why I like this so much - it is true! Thank you Sandi! -<>- >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press: Ever since Sandi sent us the video 'It's A Pittance of Time', I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what I could put with it to make a new page. I so love this video. Well, leave it to our friend Maxy's Pal to come to the rescue! She sent us a 'letter to the editor'. She writes... Marine Story From Today's Naples Newspaper 'GOD BLESS AMERICA AND THOSE WONDERFUL MARINES WHO PROTECT US AND CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES NO MATTER WHAT THE DUTY CALLS. THIS IS 35 MILES FROM HERE.' Read this wonderful letter here! |* * * * * * * * * * OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| | * * * * * * * * * :::::::::::::::::::::::::| |* * * * * * * * * * OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| | * * * * * * * * * :::::::::::::::::::::::::| |* * * * * * * * * * OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| | * * * * * * * * * ::::::::::::::::::::;::::| |* * * * * * * * * * OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| |:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| |:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| |:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO| Proud Of Our Troops 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/troops2.html --- ...Really Moving! Thank you Maxy's Pal and Sandi! Also, if you haven't already, be sure to check out our last new hot page... Niagara Falls Frozen! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Dan :) \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Loan opportunity for those of you who served your country. Thank you for you service. Dan Young Subject: USAA Opened When most of us were in the service, USAA was open to officers only. Enlisted personnel were allowed in the late 1980's or early 1990's. USAA is the insurance, banking and loan company used by military personnel to receive lower rates and better interest than public companies. All honorably discharged veterans are now eligible. Go to http://WWW.USAA.com and establish your eligibility. My truck loan will drop 2% in interst, saving me $4500.00 over the course of the loan! As all Viet Nam veterans are in the computer, it is a simple thing to establish your eligibilty online. Will Lee P.S. I have no children, but you should find out if your children are eligible. This is a great banking resource, with multiple benefits. Auto purchasing, loans, insurance and more. --- ...Great Info! Thanks Dan and THANK YOU For Your Service! -<>- >-->From Our Friend Viv :) >Christmas Cards? ...Make sure to add these to your early list... * One To Cheer Up The ACLU Wanna have fun this CHRISTMAS? It is time to get out your CHRISTMAS card list! Yes, you read this right..... CHRISTMAS cards. This is coming early (really early) so that you can get ready to include an important address to your list. Read on........ Fun with the ACLU...... Wanna have some fun this CHRISTMAS? Send the ACLU a CHRISTMAS card this year. As they are working so very hard to get rid of the CHRISTMAS part of this holiday, we should all send them a nice CHRISTIAN card to brighten up their dark, sad, little world. ....................................................... : .` \ ! / '. .` \ ! / '. : : __ ,-"""-. __ __ ,-"""-. __ : : `-...-' `-...-' : : ' / '____ ` \ ` ' / ,---. \ ` : : / )))) /=====\ : : ( /'e( )a` \ \ : : ) / _/ \_ ) \ : : ( / (_ _) _\__ \ : : )/ \`-`\ _ /\ /\ _/'-' ,-.\/ : : '| \___)_| / \ |_|jj_/, ) : : | |/ \|-----','/ : : \ | ,-"-. |-----' / : : / `--.___| `-.-' `-----'=<\ : : / | ,-. ||||||||\ : : | | \""""""""""""/ |||||||| : : __/ | \__________/ |||||||\_ : : __/ | / / \ \ |\\\\\\\\\__.-. : : .-'_/___________/ /_/ \_\ \\\\\\\\\/_____`-, : : `""""""" : : ,.,-.,-. ,--. ,.,-.,.,-. ,. ,. : : ||/||/|| //_\| ||/`'||/`' || || : : || || || ||--' || || || / | : : || || || \\,-. || || ||//|| : : `' `' `' `--' `' `' `-' || : : // : : ,. ,. ,-.// : : || () || `--' : : ,--. ||,. ,.,-. ,. ,--.||-. ,.,-.,-. ,-. ,--.: : //`-' ||/\\ ||/`' || ((`-'||`' ||/||/|| //-\\ ((`-': :|| || || || || \\ || || || || || || \\ : : \\,-. || || || || ,-.)) || || || || \\-|| ,-.)) : : `--' `' `' `' `' `--' `' `' `' `' `-^-``--' : hjw :......................................................: Make sure it says "Merry CHRISTMAS" on it.. Here's the address; just don't be rude or crude... (That's not the Christian way, you know!) ACLU 125 Broad Street 18th Floor New York, NY 10004 Two tons of CHRISTMAS cards would freeze their operations because they wouldn't know if any were regular mail containing contributions. So spend 44 cents and tell the ACLU to leave CHRISTMAS alone. Also tell them that there is no such thing as a "Holiday Tree". . . . It's a CHRISTMAS Tree even in the fields! Pass this on to your e-mail lists. We really need to communicate with the ACLU! They really DESERVE us!! --- ...So Sweet of you! Thank You Viv! \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz * One For OUR TROOPS! Holiday Mail For Heroes is here again! This year, we are teaming up with our friends at Pitney Bowes for the third time to send holiday cards to service members, veterans, and their families. This is a great way to give back this holiday season - by sharing your kind words and thanks with those who have given a great deal to their country. We will begin accepting cards on November 2nd. Send in your cards to the address below, and please read the guidelines carefully! Holiday Mail For Heroes P.O. Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456 All cards must be postmarked no later than Monday, December 7th. Cards postmarked after this date will unfortunately be returned to the sender. This deadline ensures enough time to sort and distribute cards before the holidays. http://redcrosschat.org/2009/10/27/holiday-mail-for-heroes-2/ ALSO - - - * Send One To ME If You Please I love to decorate my archway with the beautiful cards from my thoughtful friends and relatives. So nice to see every day as I go to work in my computer room! If I get cards early enough, I will gladly RTF! Send To Me and Paul Here: Paul And Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 ============================================================ .========. .-| |-. .''-'`_.|__ __ __|._`'-''. / .--'` | [LI] | `'--. \ .' / _.--'''""""'''--._ \ '. /` .' .-' _.----._ '-. '. `\ | / / .' _ _ '. \ \ | | | | / `_ _` \ | | | / / '. | (o)(o) | .' \ \ | | '._| .-""-. |_.' | | | \ / | \ / | \ / | / / | / \ /\/\ / \ | \ \ | | / | '-.( ).-' | \ | | | | | / \`""`/ \ | | | \ \ / | _.-| |-._ | \ / / \ \ | / .' | | '. \ | / / '. './ | .' / \ '. | \.' .' '._| \/ \/ |_.' `'{` , , `}'` { } { } { } { } { } { } \,/ \,/ '. .' jgs '-.__ __.-' { _}""{_ } / \ / \ /=/=|=| |=|=\=\ \/\/\_/ \_/\/\/ >The Envelope Story Editor: by Lisa Swindler Joyce Schowalter South Carolina, USA In 1998, a week before Thanksgiving, I took our 10-month-old baby daughter to the doctor for a check-up. The nurse commented how well she looked. Fifteen minutes later we were headed to the hospital emergency room. Ruth's oxygen level was below 90 and she was having difficulty breathing. It was her fourth hospitalization that year. Ruth had stopped breathing twice in six months, and was on steroids after being diagnosed as a severe asthmatic. This time they discovered that her stomach acid was going into her lungs; this along with asthma made breathing difficult for her. Five days later, two days before Thanksgiving, we were able to take her home. Her 3-year-old brother Kyle was excited to have his baby sister home; he's always been eager to help "baby Ruth". My husband Sam and I took turns giving our daughter her breathing treatments every two hours around the clock. Thanksgiving came and went despite our sheer exhaustion. Two days after Thanksgiving the smoke detector in our home went off at 5:30 am. The kitchen was in flames, the house filled with smoke. The fire department saved our home, but since the entire house had smoke damage our daughter could not live there. With our very sick 10-month-old and rambunctious 3-year-old Kyle, we moved into a motel nearby. We weren't feeling very thankful. Our real struggles had just begun. I carried the insurance for our family, so I had to work. Sam stayed in the motel with our children by day, cleaned our home by night and fought with the insurance company. They were denying the medical necessity for our daughter to be in a smoke-free environment. For over two weeks we had to pay everything out of pocket, including meals eaten out. I tried to keep my spirits up around my family, but at work it was very difficult to smile. Christmas was a week away. We didn't have the first gift for the children, we had no tree. We hoped our son wouldn't realize Christmas was coming, but no luck. Kyle played with "baby Ruth", telling her about Santa Claus and the toys he would bring her. Between living expenses and medications, Sam and I were at the bottom of the barrel in funds. Christmas looked bleak. Six days before Christmas, one of my friends at work asked me to come to the break room. She hugged me and handed me an envelope. In it was $700! My co-workers -- my friends -- knew that my family needed help. They knew I would never ask for it. At one of the lowest times in my life I was suddenly the happiest. I cried, and went around to thank everyone in the office; I put pride aside and opened up to those who cared. We were able to buy gifts for Christmas, get a Christmas tree, and pay our motel bill. By Christmas day, we were back in our home -- with a renewed faith in mankind. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friends At TruthOrTradition: , |\ | `-._,="""=, \ //o.-)-.\ \ ||/:/:\:\-. `. \\\:\:/:/o_), jgs `->>>8888>;(_)o.-' >Our Gifts & Callings: Your Nov/Dec Sower Magazine is Now Online!! http://www.truthortradition.com/emails/nov_dec2009_sower_email2.html ============================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' / |_ /| / ` |_/ / \ / / '--;_ _\ `\ / |`-.___. / ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >THANKFUL FOR A PURPOSE by Heidi Lynn Poakeart I was eighteen years old, fresh out of high school with a bright future to look forward to, when I received the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. This was a big deal for someone my age to endure. However I chose to fight the battle instead of wallowing in self pity. After major surgery and four months of radiation treatments, I overcame my obstacle and emerged a new person -- someone who took nothing for granted and a person who learned to appreciate everything and everyone around me. Years passed and I received my certification in medical assisting, met a wonderful man, moved to New York and got married. Truly, life couldn't have been any better -- however, I still felt something missing and longed to find my purpose. Having donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, for years, I had always felt a connection and empathy toward the children living with cancer who were being treated there. What a truly magnificent place, especially knowing that no patient was ever turned away regardless of ability to pay. The hospital exuded living, and that is what I was all about. As my 20-year anniversary of being a cancer survivor approached, I wanted to do something special and unforgettable. I organized a fund raiser, calling it "A Mission of Love," and thanks to my generous family and friends, raised $4,000 for St. Jude's, planning to deliver it myself. Three quarters of the money would be given as a monetary donation to the hospital, and what was left would go toward purchasing toys for the children. I also had arranged with the hospital a t-shirt painting activity for any child who felt well enough to participate. Thanksgiving Day seemed the most appropriate day of the year for the mission, and so it was all arranged. My husband and I flew to Memphis with 50 t-shirts and a huge bag of fabric paint in tow the day before Thanksgiving. We went to the toy store and filled three shopping carts with all kinds of toys piled high to the sky. It was as though we were small celebrities when the employees and other shoppers became aware of what we were doing. On Thanksgiving Day, as we pulled into the front gates of St. Jude, it was quite literally my dream come true. I became extremely emotional, as my eyes welled with tears of happiness. After dropping the toys off, we went to a lounge area where there were six children waiting anxiously to begin painting. They picked out their shirts and my husband and I helped them get started. To me, it was as though they weren't even sick, and to see them smile was one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received. When the activity was over and we wished the children well, we dropped off the monetary donation to an extremely grateful staff, and then our visit came to an end. Leaving there that day, I knew I had finally found my purpose. Going to St. Jude filled a feeling of emptiness inside of me that had existed for as long as I could remember, and it genuinely changed my life. I was thanked for giving a donation to a charity that saves lives, but being able to give thanks for my experience was priceless. "All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." -- Danny Thomas -- Heidi Lynn Poakeart __________________________________________________ Heidi says, "I am 39 years old and a 20-year cancer survivor. I live in Westchester County, NY, with my husband and cat. I am currently writing my autobiography and have several short stories published on a few different sites on the Internet, including Heartwarmers. I love Heartwarmers and always look forward to my weekly story." ================================================================= >-->From InspiredBuffalo: .:. .:. \|/ .:. _ \\,/// \|/ | \|/ _/_\_ ___ \\|/// <#> | \|<#> | (") /.-.\ (")\\ \|<#>|/ \| / _ //U\\ |(")| //-\\\ | \| /<#>/ ( ) _ \|_|/ /)v(\ <#>_/|_|/\\ \ |/ |/ \| (_` )_('> | | \/~\/ |||\\\ \| | |/ (__,~_)8 ||| //_\\ ||| \\ |/ \| / \| / jgs _YY_ _[|]_ /_____\ _[|]_ \| |/ |/ """"""""'""'""'"""""'""""'""'"""'"""""''"'"""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >God's Mountain Garden By Bertha M. Sutliff I grew up on a farm in the mountains of northwest Arkansas. As children, my brother and I roamed every inch of the little mountain facing my parents' house. We knew where every giant boulder and animal burrow was on that little piece of mountain bordering my dad's farm. One day, my grandpa came to visit from his home several miles away. We sat on the front porch swing looking at the mountain and he began to tell me a story. It was a delightful tale about him and me living in a little cabin on the mountain. "Can you see it?" he asked. "It's right there by that big acorn tree. See it?" Of course I saw it. What eight-year-old child wouldn't see what her imagination wanted her to see? "We're gonna live in that cabin. We'll catch a wild cow for our milk and pick wild strawberries for our supper," Grandpa continued. "I bet the squirrels will bring us nuts to eat. We'll search the bushes for wild chickens and turkeys. The chickens will give us eggs and we'll cook us a turkey over the big ol' fireplace. Yep, we'll do that some day." From that day on, every time I saw my grandpa, I asked when we would go to live in that little log cabin on the mountain. Then he'd once more spin the story of how the two of us would live in the cabin with the wildflowers and wild animals around us. Time raced on; I grew into my teens and gradually forgot Grandpa's story. After graduating high school, I still saw Grandpa and loved him dearly, but not like that little girl did. I grew out of the fantasy of the log cabin and wild cows. Before long, I married and set up my own house. One day, the phone rang. When I heard my daddy's sorrowful voice, I knew my grandpa had left us. He had been in his garden behind his house and died there, his heart forever stopped. I grieved alongside my mother for my dear grandpa, remembering his promises of the cabin in the woods with all its animals and flowers. It seemed I could once again hear his voice telling me the fantasy we shared. I felt my childhood memories being buried with him. Less than a year later, I went to visit my parents' farm. Mama and I sat on the front porch admiring the green foliage of the mountain. It had been ten months since Grandpa had passed away, but the longing to hear his voice one more time was still fresh in my soul. I told Mama about the story Grandpa had always told me, of the cabin in the woods, the wild cow, the chickens and turkey. "Mama," I said after I had finished my story, "would you mind if I went for a walk by myself?" "Of course not," was her reply. I changed into old jeans and put on my walking shoes. Mama cautioned me to be careful and went on with her chores. The walk was invigorating. Spring had come to the country and everything was getting green. Little Johnny-jump-ups were springing up all over the pastures. New calves were following their mamas begging for milk. At the foot of the mountain, I stopped. Where did Grandpa say that acorn tree was? "Straight up from the house," I thought I heard him say. I began my journey up the little mountain. It was steeper than I remembered, and I was out of shape. I trudged on, determined to find that tree. Suddenly the ground leveled out. I was amazed to see what was before me. Soft green moss covered a small, flat clearing. Dogwood trees, smothered in pastel blooms, surrounded it. Off to the side stood a tall oak tree -Grandpa's acorn tree! Scattered among the tufts of moss were vibrant colors of wild wood violets. Green rock ferns and pearly snowdrops were scattered about as well. I could hardly catch my breath. I don't know how long I stood there - several minutes, I suppose. Finally I came to my senses and sat down on the moss. In all my childhood wanderings on the mountain, I had never seen this magically beautiful place. Was this what Grandpa meant when he pointed out our special spot on the mountainside all those years ago? Did he know this was here? A squirrel darted in front of me. He had a nut in his mouth. I watched as he scampered up the oak tree. No, I didn't see a wild cow or chickens. But in my heart, I knew they were there somewhere. I decided to go tell Mama what I had found. She would want to see it too. Before I left I took one more look. It was the most beautiful place I could have ever imagined. It didn't take me as long to get back to the house. I burst into the kitchen babbling about the clearing on the side of the mountain. Mama calmed me down enough so she could understand what I was talking about. Daddy heard the conversation and tried to convince me there was no such place up there. He knew the mountain and had never seen anything like that. On my insistence, he and Mama decided to go see the amazing place I was raving about. Once again I climbed the mountain straight up from the house. Before I knew it, we were at the top. "We must have missed it," I told my dad. He just nodded and we retraced our steps. We searched for over an hour for that little place on the mountain. We never found it. I was devastated. On the way back home, Mama put her arms around my shoulders. "Sissy," she said, "you know what you saw, don't you?" "Yeah, I know what I saw, and I know it's there somewhere. We just missed it." "No sweetie, it's not there anymore. You saw God's garden. Only special people can see that. Your grandpa loved you so much, and he knew you were grieving inside. Hold that memory in your heart." I'm 52 years old now. Every time I go back to Mama's house and sit on the porch, I remember the secret garden Grandpa told me about. But I no longer go out and look for it. No, I know just where it is. -<>- _,, _.-'` ',\ \ .-;`'(,____ \.-'\ _\-` __.-; \_.-'_.-'0 \/ / .'0 __ | /_.' .'o \ / .-. ,;--._\___/--. __./ | .-/ \ ^_> |\ /\ \ / <;/ \ \_/ |___/__\__|` <; | |) \ o ( <; |__.\ |o \ <; \ \ / o _\ <\.)-'`| =====""` \ /\__/__/^\____.-; | | | | | / \____|\____/ |===||===| jgs __/[](_||__l[]_ / || '. \ '-----'-''-'-.__/ >KEEP THE FAITH All of our thoughts are creative; that is, we create our entire life with our thoughts. What happens when we actively apply faith to our thoughts about our self and our life? Would we not experience a more powerful, meaningful, and fulfilling existence? Of course we would! What exactly is faith? Faith is the fertilizer we give to the seeds of our thoughts. It is the beginning of every dream we have for our self, and no dream can be achieved without faith to light the way. Faith is neither positive nor negative. It resides in our conscious mind, as well as our subconscious mind, and literally propels our thoughts, no matter what they are, to fruition, which in turn creates our reality. Faith is sometimes mistaken for bad luck because it can be used by our subconscious mind to create poverty or misfortune if those are the seeds we have planted for our self. Faith is the thought behind the thought, the one we rarely glimpse until we totally clean out the cobwebs, look deep into our mind, and state with total honesty what we really, really believe about our self. In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill writes "Faith is the 'eternal elixir' which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought!" I challenge you to read that again and again, until the meaning of that statement is more than just an intellectual understanding. Let it sink in deep. Personalize it by applying it to situations of your own that could use some life, power, and action. In my mind, faith is belief to the tenth power. When I say I believe in myself or I believe something to be true, I'm making a statement based on what I know. On the other hand, when I have faith that something will happen, I'm giving up what I know, releasing all control, and accepting that it is done. That is the key that will change your life when you apply it to achieving every one of your heart's desires. There is no limit to the miracles that faith can create, but what really defines faith is the innate trust that the desire or miracle you seek is already manifest. It is done; it has already happened; it is already there waiting for you to open your eyes, reach out your hands, and grasp it! In faith you have already created it! When you come to the point, through faith, of accepting that your heart's desire is already done, you have stepped out of your illusion of lack, unworthiness, and aloneness. You have conquered your negative self talk and cured the thought behind the thought that has always denied you the desires of your heart. It is then that the illusions of pain, lack, disease, and strife will cease to exist. In place of these illusions will be the faith that you can create and experience the opposite of these things by simply knowing that love, peace, joy, abundance, and perfection are available for you to choose. These things are already there, with plenty for all, and it is done! --- ...Check out these teachings... Never Give Up http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Self Talk http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html -<>- _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >See It Through When you're up against a trouble, Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace. When it's vain to try to dodge it, Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer, See it through! Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim, But don't let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worst is bound to happen, Spite of all that you can do, Running from it will not save you, See it through! Even hope may seem but futile, When with troubles you're beset, But remember you are facing Just what other men have met. You may fail, but fall still fighting; Don't give up, whate'er you do; Eyes front, head high to the finish. See it through! ~ Edgar A. Guest -<>- __ / \ _/=Ll=\_ [________] ___ ||/""\|| .'___`. ( 6. 6 ) / /"""\ \ __, ,__, \_--_/ |( 6 6 )| (--| | .-[\~--~/]-. ~\_-_/~ |--| _ _ _ / \ / \ .-' '-. _| | (_||_)|_)\_| / _, `----' ,_ \ /\_____/\ ( |_, | | ,_| \ \| |/ / / ,_/^\_, \ \ >==[]==< / \_(_|-|_)_/ _______, \/__.''.__\/ //=====\\ (--| _, (_, | TT | // \\ | |_ _ ._ |__, , _ ' ',_ _ | || | // \\ _| | |(_|| || \ /_)(_||\/|| |(_| | || | /'---,___,---'\ ( |_, \_, ,_| ,_| |__||__| / / \ \ [__][__] '--,_________,--' jgs |_ || _| |_ | _| (__)(__) (__)__) >LIFE IS GOOD By: Joseph J. Mazzella Life is so good. Life is so beautiful. Life is so glorious. It never fails to amaze me with its wonder and joy. I find it hard to understand at times how so many people can say that life is bad. It is like they are staring at the one bare spot in a field full of flowers and complaining about how barren and lifeless the field is. How do I know that life is good? I just open my eyes, ears, heart, soul, and mind everyday. God does the rest. When I watch a beautiful sunset and realize that Earth might not be Heaven but sometimes it can seem very close, I know that life is good. When I hear the birds singing for joy in the morning and the frogs croaking happily in the evening, I know that life is good. When I hug my daughter and two sons everyday, I know that life is good. When I look through the photo albums of my children growing up in happiness through the years, I know that life is good. When I play with my lovable dogs and pet my purring cats, I know that life is good. When I eat a delicious meal, smell a flower, sing a song, read a book, and just breath in and out, I know that life is good. And when I see the fireflies dancing with a thousand lights around the graveyard in my backyard on a Summer night, I know that life is not only good but is also eternal. If you knew that you had just a week to live would you complain about how bad life is, or would you finally see all the good in life that was always there? Would you spend your final breaths cursing or telling those you love just how much you love them? Don’t miss life. Embrace it in all of its goodness. See how very easy it can be to live and to love. Realize that you can choose to be happy. Know that God is love, life is love, and you can be love as well. Feel how much God loves you, forgives you, and wants you to live in joy. Open your eyes, ears, heart, soul, and mind and let God show you the love that is all around you. Yes, life is good. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Stethoscope http://www.buffaloschips.com/dsgtr.htm China http://www.buffaloschips.com/jksd.htm Super Models http://www.buffaloschips.com/dsfqas.htm Suzuki http://www.buffaloschips.com/dsfasas.htm Swallowing http://www.buffaloschips.com/asdsfsd.htm Holy Alphabet http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/holyalpha.html Who Is This Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Love Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html God's Water Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >THANK OUR TROOPS Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. XEROX IS DOING SOMETHING COOL If you go to this web site, http://www.LetsSayThanks.com you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq. You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to a member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!! It is FREE and it only takes a second. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these? Whether you are for or against the war, our soldiers over there need to know we are behind them. This takes just 10 seconds and it's a wonderful way to say thank you. Please take the time and please take the time to pass it on for others to do. We can never say enough thank you's. Thanks for taking to time to support our military! Think of how those YOUNG men and women, most away from home for the first time, feel being away from friends and family during the holidays, then take a FEW SECONDS to do something to brighten their day - and SPREAD THE WORD! -<>- .-. ,-"""-, / \__ \ | / `\ | \( ^.^ )/ \ - / .-'|;---;|-. (\/ ||___|| `\ \\__/ \__| C|`----`|D __//| | | |====( | | | | _/_/___.---- .===| |====\ /===. | ('------') ( '----' ) | jgs | | >GRAMMA’S FORKS By Raymond L. Miller I was a grown man when my grandmother Amanda Miller died, but it felt like I had lost a parent. That’s how close we were, especially when I was little. “Ray,” she used to say as we toasted marshmallows on long silver forks over her old cook stove, “you are the apple of my eye!” In our big, unruly family, Gramma made me feel special and loved. For a good while I felt a sadness I just couldn’t shake, as if her love had died with her. You should be able to get over this, I chided myself. It wasn’t like me, dwelling on the past, all the hours I’d spent with Gramma while she read me stories from the Bible. Gramma had taught me about faith, yet that too seemed to be fading. One day my wife, Verone, and I went to a lumberyard a ways outside town for some molding. On the drive back I realized I’d forgotten finishing nails. We were headed for the nearest town to find a hardware store when Verone spotted a yard sale. I don’t much like all that musty stuff, but for some reason I stopped. While we were poking around I came across a set of grimy old forks—long-handled silver ones. We’ll use these to roast marshmallows with the kids, I thought. Just like I did with Gramma. That night as I washed the forks, my heart felt lighter, and I thanked the Lord for bringing me a bit of comfort. When I rubbed away the grime, though, I knew they were more than just a couple of yard-sale finds. There on the handles, under years of tarnish, were the initials A. M.—Amanda Miller. These were my Gramma’s forks. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- ,{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ }}}} m m }}}}} {{{{C ^ {{{{{ }}}}}}\ '=' /}}}}}} {{{{{{{{;.___.;{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}}) (}}}}}}}}}} {{{{}}}}}': :{{{{{{{{{{ {{{}}}}}} `@` {{{}}}}}}} {{{{{{{{{ }}}}}}}}} }}}}}}}} {{{{{{{{{ jgs {{{{{{{{ }}}}}} }}}}} {{{{ {{{ }} >GOD KNOWS written by Kelly D. Caron When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried. When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears. If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you. When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... God is by your side. When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn... God has a solution. When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer. If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you. When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you. When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you. When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name. Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing... God knows! as seen in Laugh and Lift -<>- .{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ }}}} a a }}}} {{{{{ ^ ' {{{{ }}}}}}\ .=. /}}}}} {{{{{{{;.___.;}}}}}} '{{{{{{) (}}}}}}' jgs `""'"': :'"'"'` `@` >THIS TOO SHALL PASS! Weekly devotional by Barbara Sanders cross Isaiah 28:19 From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Are you having a bad day? You know that 'this too shall pass'; but, when we are going through it, those are the last words we want to hear from anyone - even a good friend! But I got those words today in an email, not in regard to *my* going through a bad day, but from a friend who is going through one. In fact, she's gone through several the past few days - but in her humor, she says, "this too will pass". We women have bodies that sometimes play tricks on us. IF we all live long enough, we will get one or the other, or a combination of things that just happen to you as you 'age'...and I say that with GRACE. Don't we all need it!! Praise the Lord. Well, if we 'live long enough'....."this too will pass"......but who's going to believe that at our ages? We aren't young enough to be "YOUTHFUL"....but we sure aren't old enough to be "SENIORLY"...... in fact, we are in the prime of life!! AND they say, "this too shall pass"! WHAT a way to go, ladies! :) BUT our GOD is good - ever there in time of need! HE is there when others aren't - not even our families are able to rally us back when we have a case of BLUES caused by AGING PMS! This is a time for Praise, Ladies!! Seriously - as is laughter, praise is a great medicine to the soul!! When you don't feel like praising God, start lifting HIM up and he WILL Lift your spirits! Psalms 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. He inhabits the praises of his people - which means HE takes up his abode within you!! You don't feel like praising? Praise Him anyway!! You've heard of the term 'light at the end of the tunnel' I am sure. In other words, hold on; God hasn't left you - there is an answer for every need out there. For God hath said in His Word: Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. So, when the times get rough, the problems arise, and you feel all along, remember, GOD is there. He's listening to your every cry and he will deliver you '.....in the time of trouble' Psalms 27:5 . Heavenly Father, some of us today are having our problems. They seem so small in comparison to what your Son went through for us, but so BIG to us. We want to be able to give you thanks in all things and to praise you at all times. But, in our way, we are not equipped to overlook what's going on in the natural. Help us to be able to PRAISE you when things go wrong, to be able to look ahead to the light that is surely there, although, at times, we miss you. We thank you, this day, for bringing us through from a valley of dark to the mountain top of light - from indecision to decision, to praise you, regardless of feelings - to praise you at all times, and give you thanks due your holy name. We thank you for it's already being done within our lives!! In Jesus name, we pray. AMEN. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =============================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Are You a Dulled Person? (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) Years ago a young lumberjack asked the foreman of a logging crew for a job. After watching the man skillfully cut down a large tree, the foreman exclaimed, "You can start Monday!" Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday rolled by. On Thursday afternoon the foreman approached the young man and said, "You can pick up your paycheck on the way out today." The young man was startled and replied, "I thought you paid on Friday." "Normally we do," answered the foreman, "but we're letting you go today because you've fallen behind. You just aren't cutting down enough trees." "But I'm a hard worker," the young man objected. The foreman knew what the young man said was true and thought about the situation for a moment. A thought crossed his mind and he asked, "Have you been sharpening your axe?" The young man replied, "I've been working too hard to take the time." It is amazing how easy it is for us to neglect the most obvious. If you are to be used by God as a witness for Him, some of the most basic, obvious needs in your daily life are personal purity and your devotion to God. Just as the young lumberjack neglected the most obvious chore of sharpening his axe, we, too, often fail in the basic areas of daily prayer and devotions or personal holiness. Any tool needs to be sharpened from time to time. How is your quiet time coming along? Is there any area of impurity in your life? Proverbs 24:30-34 (NIV) says: "I went past the field of the sluggard, past the vineyard of the man who lacks judgment; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest--and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man." What you can do to sharpen these areas of your life this week? --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...So true! Check these out... Take The Sword http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/sword.html Overseer http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html Walking In Power http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ================================================================= >-->From AndyChaps: _.----._ ,'.::.--..:._ /::/_,-;._.:._.;,-=_(.-' __ `._ ,;' _..-(((('' .,-'' `-._ _,'<.-'' _..``'.'`-'`. ` _.-((((_..--'' \ \ `.`. -' _.``' \ ` SSt ,' >** That's GOD ** In Happy moments, praise God. In Difficult moments, seek God. In Quiet moments, worship God. In Painful moments, trust God. In Every moment, thank God." Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for... THAT'S GOD... He talks to you through the Holy Spirit. Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for you to talk to... THAT'S GOD... He wants you to talk to Him. Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call from them.. THAT'S GOD... There is no such thing as "coincidence." Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford... THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart... Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it... THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day... In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.... -<>- !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ ** Here I Am Father ** Here I am Father waiting to obey, willing to serve in any way. Thoughts words and deeds I give, Father I desire to faithfully live. I have no needs they've all been met, I've been assured my salvation's set. Whatever time is left I give to You, as I await Your guidance on what to do. I'd set off on my own accord, but we both know that's when I mess up Lord. So until I hear I'm sitting tight, because whatever I do I want to do it right. Here I am a child of the King, "what did I do for it" not one little thing. It was a gift offered to me, one that'll last throughout eternity. I can't compensate in any way, but I can resolve to always obey. ~~ Barbara Philbrook For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity. "In prayer; expect setbacks, but refuse retreat." Dick Eastman Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is, tell the problem how Great the Lord is! The Christian Challenge and Blessing Email Service. To subscribe to this free service send a message with "subscribe" in the subject field to liverite@charter.net. -<>- _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` ** A PERFECT FRIEND ** I need a perfect friend To get me through the day, Someone who's always there To say that it's okay. Without you I don't know where I'd be But you're still here and an angel to me! You deserve so much more than I can give And without you I don't know how I'd live. I need a perfect friend For comfort when I'm sad, Who's there when I am happy, And there when times are bad. I need a perfect friend Who likes me just for me, Someone to understand And then just let me be. I wanted a perfect friend, And I found one in you, Somebody to support me In everything I do. So before it is too late, One message I must send... Thanks for everything that you've done, For you are my perfect friend! ~~~Anon >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd 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 ************************************************************************