A Simple Blessing ... :) 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 ================ _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site, scroll down 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 YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ * 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 newest too hot to handle page comes from my son Victor. He saw this in the news and we both thought it such a blessing that I just had to do up a page to share God's greatness and this boy's awesome believing with you. Be sure to see the video here... ,_ )\ /,( \)/ .--"T"--. |`"-----"`| |:. | |:: | ,-|::. |-, \`"--...--"`/ '-. .-' `| |` ,| | ,\\///, \ \\()>//()\\\ '-. >>//<\\\<<___.-' jgs `""` A Christmas Miracle! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/miracle.html --- ...Thanks Victor! About made me cry - So heartwarming! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Your morning thought for the day: Christmas gift suggestions: | \ ' / -- (*) -- >*< >0<@< >>>@<<* >@>*<0<<< >*>>@<<<@<< >@>>0<<<*<<@< >*>>0<<@<<<@<<< >@>>*<<@<>*<<0<*< \*/ >0>>*<<@<>0><<*<@<< ___\\U//___ >*>>@><0<<*>>@><*<0<< |\\ | | \\| >@>>0<*<0>>@<<0<<<*<@<< | \\| | _(UU)_ >((*))_>0><*<0><@<<<0<*< |\ \| || / //||.*.*.*.|>>@<<*<<@>><0<<< jgs |\\_|_|&&_// ||*.*.*.*|_\\db//_ """"|'.'.'.|~~|.*.*.*| ____|_ |'.'.'.| ^^^^^^|____|>>>>>>| ~~~~~~~~ '""""`------' To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. >THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS HELPERS by Kathy Whirity It takes a little effort to turn our home into a Christmas wonderland. Each year the totes filled with holiday treasures seems to magically multiply, so it takes a wee bit of motivation to get the halls decked out for the season. Turning on the radio was all we needed to turn on the Christmas cheer. Humming along to the tunes of Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock helped us along. Bill and I, are a good team. Bill lugs in all the totes and boxes from the garage and I begin the Yuletide task of unpacking everything. Every year, I swear I'm going to take pictures of where everything goes but I never do. I tell myself I'll remember and then curse myself when I don't. This year we had unexpected helpers, our little grand girls, Avery and Gemma. Avery is a little over 3 years old and Gemma will be 2 in December. The Christmas tree was up but a strand of lights was out so Bill sat on the floor trying patiently to replace the defected set. It didn't stop Avery from gathering up ornaments and putting them on the tree. Gemma wasn't so helpful. She'd pick up an ornament and throw it back into the tote. Thankfully nothing shattered. Gemma was more enthused with the variety of snowmen I was unpacking. She began arranging them here there and everywhere. There was no pattern, no rhythm or reason. But we were accomplishing one thing -- we were having a blast with the grand kids. I showed them Baby's First Christmas ornaments that had photos of their mommy and their aunt when they were babies. I tried to keep them all in the middle of the tree, next to the pictures of them in their Baby's First Christmas ornaments. They weren't so impressed with Nonnie's nostalgia. They were too busy hanging Mistletoe on door knobs and wearing wreaths like necklaces. Every year since they've been born I've made it a tradition to buy each one a special ornament. This year, Bill got a train ornament with his name on it and the girls each got a personalized Princess castle. When Gemma, who has suddenly began talking non-stop, opened hers she looked at the pretty pink and purple castle and said, "Once Upon A Time..." When it was time for them to go home, Bill and I looked around our house, that now looked like a couple of dysfunctional elves had visited, and had a good laugh. The joy of sharing this experience with two bright eyed little helpers had reenergized my decorating duties. With Christmas carols blaring in the background I worked fast and furious to get the house done. This Christmas, I have the gift of three beautiful grandkids to share this special time of year. They are definitely the ornaments that decorate my heart with all the love this Christmas season can hold. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. She is also a contributing author to The Chicken Soup For the Soul book series. You can visit her website here: http://www.kathywhirity.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) _____ _______ ,/_ ``-._ / \ ,|: `'-..__ ___| |_ ,|:_ ``'''-----''''`_::~-.......-'~\ ,|:_ _: . ' . : |:_ _: . ' . | |:_ _: ' . ' | |:_ _: ' . ' : |:_ __,,...---...,,:_,.-'''''-.,_/ |:_ _,.-`` | | |:_ ,-` | | |:_ ,` | | `|:_ ,' | | |:_ / | | `|:_ / | | `|:_ : | | \: | | | \:| | | ~ norse viking axe cjr4may99 >A simple lesson - Sharpen your Skills Once upon a time a very strong woodcutter asked for a job with a timber merchant, and he got it. His salary was really good and so were the working conditions. For that reason, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he was supposed to fell the trees. The first day, the woodcutter brought down 15 trees. "Congratulations," the boss said. " Carry on with your work!" Highly motivated by the words of his boss, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he only could bring 10 trees down. The third day he tried even harder, but he was only able to bring down 7 trees. Day after day he was bringing lesser number of trees down. "I must be losing my strength", the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. "When was the last time you sharpened your axe?" the boss asked. "Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees..." That's right. Most of us NEVER update our skills. We think that whatever we have learned is very much enough. But good is not good when better is expected. Sharpening our skills from time to time is the key to success. --- ...Good lesson! Thanks Linda! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This works for all of us - our body, soul, spirit, mind and heart... * exercise and take care of yourself to keep your body strong. * study the Bible to improve your knowledge of God and Jesus Christ for your soul. * speak in tongues to keep your inner spirit (Christ in You) well fed, strong and healthy by keeping closely connected to God. * study to improve your knowledge and to sharpen your mind about the things you should know going on around you and at your work. * Keep God, Jesus Christ, family, friends and all loved ones close to you to ensure your heart stays strong. If we don't do these on a daily basis, we will find like the axe cutter that we cannot be our best at whatever we are trying to succeed at. As children of God, we must do our best to always be at our best for God through Jesus Christ our Lord. By so doing, when we are called upon to serve, we will be able to do so proudly knowing that we have done our best to be one of God's Best! I always tell my kids. Just do your best. If you do your best and you know you have done your best then there isn't any reason to feel bad if things don't work out. Strive to do better next time, but if you have given it your best, then that is all you can do. Never feel bad when you have given it your best. God never expects any more from us than our best. I remind them of what my grade school teacher used to always say: Good, Better, Best Never let it rest Til your good is better And your better is best Repeat above We learn something new every day. If we are not learning and striving to get better with each new day, then we are dead. Einstein's thoughts: I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious. - Albert Einstein A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new. - Albert Einstein If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough. - Albert Einstein Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions. - Albert Einstein Most people say that is it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character. - Albert Einstein =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx Love that is hoarded molds at last Until we know some day The only thing we ever have Is what we give away. - Louis Ginsberg -<>- ,--, |__ _ ___/ /\| :__|_|__/ __ ;( )__, ) /-\|__/-\_/ ; // '--; \'/ \'/ \ | ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >A CHRISTMAS STORY by Rian B. Anderson Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from receiving. It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible, instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though, I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. When we had exchanged the sideboards Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" " You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. -<>- _,--._.-, _,--._.-, /\_r-,\_ ) /\_r-,\_ ) .-.) _;='_/ (.; .-.) _;='_/ (.; \ \' \/S ) \ \' \/S ) L.'-. _.'|-' L.'-. _.'|-' <_`-'\'_.'/ <_`-'\'_.'/ `'-._( \ `'-._( \ \\ ___ ___ \\, ___ \\ .-'_. / \ .'-. \\ .-'_. / \\ /.-'_.' '._' '.\\/.-'_.' \('--' '--``\('--' snd \ snd \\ `\\, diddled by jgs \| >Thorns Kind of long, but good... Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What's worse, Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. "Had she lost a child? - No--she has no idea what I'm feeling," Sandra shuddered. Thanksgiving? "Thankful for what?" she wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child? "Good afternoon, can I help you?" The flower shop clerk's approach startled her. "Sorry," said Jenny, "I just didn't want you to think I was ignoring you." "I....I need an arrangement." "For Thanksgiving?" Sandra nodded. "Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special." Jenny saw Sandra's curiosity and continued. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling. Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?" "Not exactly!" Sandra blurted. "Sorry, but in the last five months, everything that could go wrong has." Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you." The door's small bell suddenly rang. "Barbara! Hi," Jenny said. She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom. She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers. "Want this in a box?" Jenny asked. Sandra watched for Barbara's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems and no flowers! She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither woman did. "Yes, please. It's exquisite," said Barbara. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I'd not be so moved by its significance, but it's happening again. My family will love this one. Thanks." Sandra stared. Why so normal a conversation about so strange an arrangement? she wondered. "Ah, said Sandra, pointing. "That lady just left with, ah....." "Yes?" "Well, she had no flowers!" "Right, I cut off the flowers." "Off?" "Off. Yep. That's the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet." "But, why do people pay for that?" In spite of herself she chuckled. "Do you really want to know?" "I couldn't leave this shop without knowing. I'd think about nothing else!" "That might be good," said Jenny. "Well," she continued, "Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she faced major surgery." "Ouch!" said Sandra. "That same year, I lost my husband. I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time, spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel." "What did you do?" "I learned to be thankful for thorns." Sandra's eyebrows lifted. "Thorns?" "I'm a Christian, Sandra. I've always thanked God for good things in life and I never thought to ask Him why good things happened to me? But, when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time to learn that dark times are important. I always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others." Sandra gasped. "A friend read that passage to me and I was furious! I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God." She started to ask Jenny to "go on" when the door's bell diverted their attention. "Hey, Phil!" shouted Jenny as a balding, rotund man entered the shop. She softly touched Sandra's arm and moved to welcome him. He tucked her under his side for a warm hug. "I'm here for twelve thorny long-stemmed stems!" Phil laughed, heartily. "I figured as much," said Jenny. "I've got them ready." She lifted a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerated cabinet. "Beautiful," said Phil. "My wife will love them." Sandra could not resist asking. "These are for your wife?" Phil saw that Sandra's curiosity matched his when he first heard of a Thorn Bouquet. "Do you mind me asking, "Why thorns?" "In fact, I'm glad you asked," he said. "Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but we logged through, problem by rotten problem. We rescued our marriage – our love, really. Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in here for flowers. I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose stems- stems!-as a reminder of what she learned from "thorny" times. That was good enough for me. I took home stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us. I'm pretty sure this stem review is becoming a tradition." Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left, said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!" "I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said to Jenny. "Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love. Do not resent thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take twelve long- stemmed thorns, please." - Author Unknown --- ...My two cents... Let's be clear: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' God doesn't give us the bad stuff - He ONLY gives the good stuff: Jas.1: [17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. That is why we need to ask God to intervene in our lives to keep from getting the bad things. But we live in the devil's world so, if and when we get the 'thorns' of life, we are, like this story suggests, to be content and thankful. Not for the bad but thankful that God is always there to comfort us during tribulations and work to make things turn out for good for us. Keep this in mind: Apostle Paul having gone through many trying times - 2 Cor.11: [24] Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. [25] Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; [26] In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; [27] In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. [28] Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. [29] Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? [30] If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. Through all that, he said... Phil.4: [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. He didn't gripe or whine but he learned to be content. Because he knows he had to renew his mind and do what God wanted him to do - which is... Eph.5: [20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; In so doing, he knew and understood... Rom.8: [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. -<>- >A Christmas Gift by Jeanette Johnson Christmas 1979, when I was 19, my Mom and I went into Boston to do some shopping. As we walked down the street, we noticed an elderly lady, leaning against a building, softly weeping. People were taking a quick look at her and continuing on, and I am ashamed to admit I was ready to do the same. But not my Mom. "What's wrong dear?", Mom asked. She seemed hesitant to speak to us at first, but mother's kind voice let her know she had nothing to fear. She explained that she had been at Mass. When she kneeled to pray, she left her purse on the pew, and when she stood back up it was gone. She had walked down to the downtown shopping area in hopes of seeing someone she knew, but after almost an hour she had not seen a familiar face. "It's freezing out here, let's get you some tea," said my Mom. We bought her some tea and a pastry, and she explained that she took the subway from home just outside Boston each day to go to Mass. Mom listened, I mean really listened, to the lady. Then she explained, as gently as she could, that the world was a different place than it was years ago, and one just had to be cautious, especially when going somewhere alone. She kept talking to the lady until she had finished her tea and Mom was sure that she was calmed down and no longer scared. My mother said that she would get a cab to take her home, but the woman wouldn't hear of it. "Please," she said, "I take the subway every day, I am very used to it. You have been too kind already." But Mom did not just give her a quarter and send her on her way. We took her down to the station and waited for the train with her. As it pulled up, Mom squeezed a five-dollar bill into the lady's hand and put her on the train. We walked back up the stairs to continue with our Christmas shopping. "That was nice, Mom," was all I could manage to say without crying. "Thanks" was all she said. She could have gone on and on about what a rotten world this is when elderly ladies get their purses stolen at church, and how people need to help one another, but she didn't. She knew the lesson was learned, and no preaching was necessary. After telling my Dad about what happened, we never really talked about it again. She was wise enough to know that I would carry what I learned that day for a long time. This whole episode took less than a half-hour out of my life, but 20 years later, I remember it like it was yesterday. The wonderful example she quietly set that day has stayed with me, and has affected my actions on many occasions. On that day, she made me a better person. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Come Adore Him! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comeadorehim.html Christmas Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Shifou Mountain Footpath http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shifou.html Signs For Woman http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wsigns.html Remember Bumper Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bcar.html Pets Being Pets http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petsbeingpets.html Strange Buildings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/buildings.html Northern Lights Over Teepees http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teepees.html Men Will Be Boys http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/menboys.html Life's Little Oops 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops3.html The Real Bambi And Thumper http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bambi.html God's Most Beautiful http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mostbeautiful.html When Was Jesus Christ Born? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Winter Wonderland And Life Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lessons.html Full Christmas Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html Bible Study Menu: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/BibleStudy.html -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Irish People Try American Christmas Treats - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM3jeYUXLS0 ITALIAN CHRISTMAS TIME https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzTBc-ARN5Y Relaxing Fireplace with Christmas Music - Piano Relax https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W6koWS_sRI O Holy Night - Josh Groban - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zh-yR0pbmU --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From our Friend LouiseAu :) Have you ever seen a ventriloquist's dummy that can speak while being completely unassisted by a human being? If you don't believe that it's possible, your opinion is about to be changed thanks to the stellar efforts of Paul Zardin and his sidekick, Sam. You might recognize this highly-talented ventriloquist from his numerous national television appearances and stage performances. Paul and Sam were on the last season of America's Got Talent, as well as previously winning The Big Talent Show. Other TV appearances include the Jerry Springer Show and the Generation Game. Another big credit for the duo is their appearances at the Royal Variety Performance, which is an annual variety show held in aid of the Royal Variety Charity and attended by senior members of the British Royal Family. It is viewed on television around the world. Watch Sam come to life, completely by himself, in the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me5ihmdlAk4 --- ...Awesome! Thanks Louise! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Photographs of the World http://tinyurl.com/z4ub8xe --- ...Nice! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Football fan, or not - this play is well worth the watch. http://tinyurl.com/hlme5g8 --- ...So heartwarming! Thanks Linda! 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 ========================================================== _________ |\ /| | \ / | | `...' | |__/___\__|ldb >One Little Envelope Story Editor: by Lisa Joyce Schowalter Colorado, USA My sophomore year in college was particularly difficult, and not only because of the classes. Most of the friends I'd made in previous year weren't around, and the living situation with my roommates was tense and uncomfortable. I was having health problems complicated by a sleeping disorder and depression, and, as I'd chosen to attend college in another state, I had no family around. Compounding all this was a distinct lack of funds. Almost all college students are strapped for cash, but after paying for tuition and books and a couple of unavoidable emergency expenses, I was completely broke. My parents were in the middle of a bankruptcy, so they were truly unable to help. A full course load and no cell phone meant I couldn't find a job, even on campus, and I couldn't get another loan to help offset living expenses. I found I had to cut back on a lot of things, including food. After a month, money was so tight I was unable to even buy groceries. I didn't have a meal plan on campus, so I only ate once, maybe twice a day, relying on cheap things like Ramen noodles and eggs, and the occasional fruit the neighbors let me pick from their trees. It wasn't a healthy diet by any means, and it took a toll on my body and mind. My energy levels flagged, and I struggled with classes. Combined with insomnia, anxiety and depression, I lost about 20 pounds in less than two months and the health center nurse diagnosed me with malnutrition. I needed help, but didn't know where else to turn. I grew up middle class, not wealthy by any means, but rarely lacking for the necessities, so this was a tough experience. It's amazing how we take such basics as food for granted, until they're suddenly out of reach. One day when I got back from class, I found an envelope sitting on my front porch with my name on it. It contained grocery store gift certificates -- $300 worth! No name, no note, and nobody I asked knew where this had come from. No one would admit to it either, so I didn't know whom to thank. It was an exceedingly generous gift, exactly what I needed most, which eased a lot of my stress, and was probably the only thing that saved me from a nervous breakdown that semester. It contained enough extra to see me through three semesters of college. It also allowed me to save enough money to get myself in a better financial situation. That one little envelope had a huge impact for me. Someone reached out a helping hand for me when I needed it the most. Since I can't repay my anonymous angel, I've used their inspiration to pay it forward whenever I see someone else's need that I can meet. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Cup O'Cheer: , .__ ._ \_. _, _. ' \/ \.- / \/ .-_` // |/ \, .-""""-. \. ' \`. || \.-' / F Y .-.`-( _/\ V/ \\//,-' >-' ._, F Y .__/ `. \. ' J ) ./ / __._/ J \, I ' _/ \ \ | | / / .'-'.-' `._, ( L \_.--.| \_. ' .___ `\: | / .--'.-'" \ \ '\ . L / \\/ ._/`-.` \ .'.' .'---./__ ' \__ '\ ) \._/ `-.__. ` \\_. ' .---. \ / / , ` ` --' \\ ): // \, `-.`__.' `- \ / / _/-.---.__.- . _.-`.'/ /'\_, ._ >--.-""'____.--"`_ ' /.'..' \ \ _/` _ .---._\ \'/ '__./__.-.. / .-|( x_.-'___ | :' / _..---_' \ .:' /`\ `. `..'.--'\ /.' /`-`._ `-,' ` ' I '_.--'__--..___.--._.- ` `. `\/'/ _. _.-' _.____./ .-.--""-. .-" ' _..-.---' \ -._ .--.\ / /-./ / .---'-//.___. .-' \__ .--. ` `. '`- ,--'/.-. ^. .-.--. ` _/ _// ./ _.. .' `. \ \ |_. /' | >. ' | \._.- ' _..' `.' . `. ) | |\ ` ./ \ \' ) c| / \ \_.. .--' ,\ \_/` : ) (`-. `.|`\\ \' / ,-. | ` ./` ._/ `\\'.--.,-(( `.`.__ | _/ \ |) `--._/` ______'\ | < __________ //' // _) )/-._`. (,-') ) / \_. /\. _____ a:f | | .__./ // '\ |// `.\ '\ ( ( <` ._ ' > | _. / ..-\ _ _/ \_. \ `\ \_ `---.-'__ . / `- _.' / ` _/| J /` `-,,-----.`-. ' .:' '` ' < ` f I // `­\_, ' \. J I/\_. ./ __/ `: I .: K ` ` \/ ) `, J L )_(_ . F .-' J / `. . I (. . I _.-.._ ' <' \ ) _.---.J/ :' L -' .:. \. _.->/ _.-'_.) ` `-.`---.,_. :< ( \ .--"" .F' J) `.`L.__`-.___ .: |-'\_.| Y ..Z )) `--' `- . ) | > : . ' :' / ) L_J .x,. L_J ., .:<., .'` ` :J.,` . ;.+K,:. .,L+., >YOU WILL BE LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED (MQ) Psalm 1:1-3 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers. (NASB) Thoughts It's amazing what can happen to you, your life, and the people around you, when you do things with God first in your heart. I know that I have been blessed with the love of the outdoors-- watching the sun come up on a lake in northern Manitoba. The colors that God paints the sky as the fog rolls off to unveil a new day--leave me breathless, along with the smell of pine trees and the ever-present allure of big fish. It's at those times that I feel like that grateful tree planted by streams of water. The fruit I yield is passing on what I have learned and experienced to others. My leaves will never wither as long as I branch out and share what knowledge I have gained. Those are the times that I feel more prosperous than the richest man. (Jim C) Action Point Never keep to yourself what insight, tip, or tactic you have learned. Always share it with others so that they may make it even greater than when you discovered it. In that way, it becomes worth more than if you would have just kept it for yourself. Sportsmen's Tip of the Day When fishing for Northern Pike, as your lure gets closer to the boat, speed up your retrieve. This will often cause a massive reflex strike from a following fish. Be prepared; these can be some of the most explosive strikes you will ever encounter! as seen in Sportsmen’s Devotional -<>- _______ / ) /_____ | ______ ( ' ) / / __\ _____ |. '| / | \ | / )) |____|/ |`-----' /_____)) `-----' `------' cf >JESUS FEEDS MY SOUL Bread is eaten daily. Some fruits are available only in season. Some drinks are made only at holidays. Not so with bread. And not so with Jesus. He should be brought to our table every day. We let him nourish our hearts, not just in certain months or on special events, but daily. Bread can meet many needs. So can Jesus. He has a word for the lonely as well as for the popular. He has help for the physically ill and the emotionally ill. If your vision is clear, he can help you. If your vision is cloudy, he can help you. Jesus can meet each need. A Gentle Thunder John.6 [35] And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. [48] I am that bread of life. Can you see why Jesus called himself the Bread of Life? I can think of one other similarity. Consider how bread is made. Think about the process. Wheat grows in the field, then it is cut down, winnowed, and ground into flour. It passes through the fire of the oven and is then distributed around the world. Only by this process does bread become bread. Each step is essential. Jesus grew up as a “small plant before the Lord” (Isa. 53:2). One of thousands in Israel. Indistinguishable from the person down the street or the child in the next chair. Had you seen him as a youngster, you wouldn’t have thought he was the Son of God. He was just a boy. One of hundreds. Like a staff of wheat in the wheat field. But like wheat, he was cut down. Like chaff he was pounded and beaten. “He was wounded for the wrong we did; he was crushed for the evil we did” (Isa. 53:5). And like bread he passed through the fire. On the cross he passed though the fire of God’s anger, not because of his sin, but because of ours. “The Lord has put on him the punishment for all the evil we have done” (Isa. 53:6). Jesus experienced each part of the process of making bread: the growing, the pounding, the firing. And just as each is necessary for bread, each was also necessary for Christ to become the bread of life. “The Christ must suffer these things before he enters his glory” (Luke 24:26). The next part of the process, the distribution, Christ leaves with us. We are the distributors. We can’t force people to eat the bread, but we can make sure they have it. “I am the bread that gives life.” John 6:35 as seen in Upwords -<>- _____ (((\\\\\ )_ \\\| / \\|\/ \\( ), & \) ( (( |` \\ ))) _ | \` __| ` | , \ ` , \ | \ ,\ , \ ' \/ \_ \/ \ `_,`-._ ` \ ejm / `-. _ \ ` / ,`. \ === / '== =`. | ==== / | === ` / /========= / | / , /______| / , ======== __-' | = === / ,======= ' - -- ( \ \ \ ` \ ` \ ` \_____ \ / ` _/ / '-- ' >ENDLESS MERCY By Shawneda Marks Nothing was going as I had hoped or planned. Continuing with life simply felt unbearable. School, relationships and living seemed to take too much effort. Somehow I convinced myself that everything bad that happened to me was my fault; I must be cursed. So I left a suicide note in my homework folder letting my new family know that I loved them and that the problem was me, not them. I was afraid I’d ruin them too. I prayed and asked God to forgive me for running away from Him and for taking my life. I prayed that He would please let me come home to heaven to be with Him because I didn’t think I could deal with the pain of living anymore. Moments later I swallowed an entire bottle of medicine prescribed to my foster mom and lay down to die in my sleep. Being an honor roll student before I landed in foster care meant my parents didn’t check my homework. That night was different. Instead of finding my note the next morning, my foster mom found it an hour after I went to sleep. I was rushed to the hospital. My social worker arranged for me to talk to a psychologist about the things I’d been through before I was placed in foster care. She and my parents encouraged me to talk, instead of trying to pretend it never happened. Something amazing occurred; when I faced my pain, I realized it didn’t hurt as much anymore. I feared my parents, family and friends would reject me because of the suicide attempt. Instead of rejecting me, they loved me more. I completed counseling, finished high school and each day of life looked brighter. On rare occasions during a special event – like before my senior trip, before I left for college, the day I was married, and the day he became my first paid reader – my Dad would put his arm around me, squeeze me and say, “I’m so glad you didn’t miss this!” No matter how selfish my actions, how much I hurt Him, myself and the others around me, God continued to send goodness and mercy behind me. His mercy and loving-kindness saved me from myself that night. And since then, it has kept me time and time again. I’m thankful for its benefits new each morning. His mercy, literally, saved my life. Scripture Of The Day: "Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, extend to the skies, and Your faithfulness to the clouds." - Psalm 36:5 (AMP) -Shawneda Marks Shawneda Marks, awareness author, penned the award-nominated inspirational HIV awareness novel It’s In My Blood, and the women’s devotional for empowering emotional healing, Diamond Butterfly. Learn more about her passion to empower healthier living at http://www.shawneda.com. as seen in Streaming Faith Devotionals --- ...We are no good to God if we are dead. He needs us as living soldiers of the cross - not asleep waiting for Christ to return! The devil is the one wanting people dead - not God! If you think you will be closer to God once you are dead then think again! Mark 12: [27] He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. The devil is deceiving you. The devil hates people. God loves you. -<>- \/ | |/ \/ / \||/ /_/___/_ \/ |/ \/ _\__\_\ | /_____/_ \ | / / __ _-----` |{,-----------~ \ }{ }{{ }}{ {{} , -=-~{ .-^- _ ejm `} { >FIFTEEN-CENT SURPRISE Mary Englund Murphy It was December 1963. Jack and I wanted to give each other something special on our first Christmas together, but we had no extra money for gifts. We had dated, fallen in love, and married all in the span of three months. We were young, in love, and broke— flat broke. Jack was a private in the Marine Corps. He was stationed at the Naval Weapons Station, Charleston, South Carolina. The nicest house we could afford on Jack's ninety-dollar-a-month salary was half of a rickety old duplex. It sat smack-dab in the middle of a cow pasture on the backside of Goose Creek. It was drafty, the roof leaked, and it had no hot water. But we were together, and that was what mattered most to us. Unknown to me, as December rolled along, Jack was determined to surprise me with something on our first Christmas together. On December 19, he hid a small hatchet under his field jacket. He slid his hands into his work gloves, pulled his cap down to keep his ears warm, and took a moonlit stroll to the back side of the cow pasture. About an hour later he returned with a pathetic little pine tree and a huge grin. That little tree's scrawny branches spread out like angel's wings to me. I welcomed the surprise with childish delight. 'Here's an empty coffee can, Jack. We can stand the tree in it,' I said. Jack filled the coffee can with South Carolina clay and jammed the tree's tiny trunk into it. I draped one of my scarves around the can. Then I decorated the pitiful tree with my earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. The rhinestones glittered like tinsel. 'It's not the biggest tree in the world, but it's the most beautiful Christmas tree I've ever had,' I said as I planted a kiss on Jack's cheek. I leaned on his strong shoulder and sighed with happiness. But Jack wasn't satisfied. He wanted a gift to place under that tree. On Christmas Eve he stopped at the PX on his way home from duty. He had a grand total of twenty-one cents in his pocket. For an hour he walked up and down the aisles searching for something - anything - he could buy for the love of his life with such meager ­savings. He had almost given up when his eyes locked on to a small sign that read '15¢.' He grabbed one, paid for it, and headed home with his treasure tucked inside the pocket of his field jacket. That night Jack and I ate bologna sandwiches in front of our Christmas tree. We sang Christmas carols and snuggled near the gas space heater. Around midnight Jack disappeared into the bedroom. He reappeared with his right hand hidden behind his back. His mouth went dry and his hands shook as he announced, 'Close your eyes now. It's a surprise.' 'Oh, Jack, you shouldn't have spent money on a gift. We can't afford it.' 'I couldn't let Christmas come and go without doing something special for the most beautiful girl in the world. Close your eyes, and hold out your hand.' I must admit I was excited. I giggled like a kid. Jack placed his treasure in my open palm. 'I know it isn't much. But, well, it's your favorite and you're my favorite.' He exhaled loudly. 'Merry Christmas!' I opened my eyes. Resting in my palm was a miniature box containing four chocolate-covered confections. I pulled the little treasure close to my heart, then wrapped both arms around my hero's neck. 'This is the most wonderful gift I've ever received. It's so good to be loved by you, Jack. I can't believe that you're all mine. You're the best thing about my life.' In the years that followed, our finances improved. Each Christmas the trees got fancier. Each year the presents got bigger and more expensive. But for thirty-four Christmases one gift occupied a place of honor under our Christmas tree. Every year until his death, Jack gave me his love—wrapped in a box of chocolate. And every year he became more and more my hero. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: /\ .--._/ \_.--. `) (` _.-' '-._ '-. .-' `) (' /.-"-. .-"-.\ jgs ` \/ ` /\ //\\ //||\\ // || \\ //\ || /\\ //'.\||/.'\\ //___> <___\\ //------------\\ // \\ // .-"-. \\ // ( (`\) \\ // '-/| `\ \\ // .-"-. / | || \\ // (.-. ) / | || \\ || / /)-' =`-.| || || ||/ / '-| .-""-. | =\| || |/ |'./ (__()__) | | || / /\====\ /==| |=|| /_.-' | >--< |-.-| || jgs |----' `-.-' || >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY One afternoon Dawn took a break from cooking and went outside to visit with her neighbor and her kids. All of a sudden Dawn noticed that Luke, 8, was standing fairly close to her. He wasn't saying anything but he kept getting closer to Dawn. She didn't think much of it but his mom said, "Luke, what are you doing?" He looked up at Dawn and said, "You smell so good!" Dawn was flattered thinking that he liked her perfume. Then he went on to say, "Have you been to Pizza Hut lately?" Since Dawn had been in the kitchen cooking chicken cacciatore earlier, she had absorbed the Italian scents! - Dawn Carl of Fort Wayne, Indiana Annie told this story a about a conversation with her son. Jayden, 4, came in to his parents' room in the middle of the night and said, "Mommy, I'm scared. I want to sleep with you." Annie told him, "Go back to your bed. Tell Jesus you're scared and He will be with you." A few minutes later, Jayden was back in his parents' room. Annie said, "Did you talk to Jesus?" Jayden said, "Yes. He told me to sleep with you." - Laurel (friend of Annie) of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania Mattison's mother informed her, "Now that you are 4, I want you to start picking up your toys at night before you go to sleep." "What does 4-years-old have to do with it?" Mattison asked. "Well, you are old enough to start doing it yourself," said her mother. "No," Mattison replied. "At 4 years I am just old enough to get them out - but I'm not old enough to pick them up!" - Joan Henry (grandmother of Mattison) of Sulphur Springs, Texas Linda shared this story about her friend Betty who was trying to teach her son Mark, nearly 3, the song "Jesus Loves Me." Mark stopped singing and asked, "Why can't we ever sing 'Standing on the Corner Watching all the Girls go By?' - Linda Segedy of Lincoln Park, Michigan _....._ .-::. ':::-. .:. '::. '::. '. /'::. _::._::. :\ ;. '::'` `:' .::\ |::. / \.::'| | '::.| |' .| |. ':| |.::/ |::. | /__.' | '::.| |. ':| |::. | /`""-._ |_'::.| _.-''`\ | .__'/ `\'_. | | .-| |--. | | _.\ /._ | \_..-' /`\--'\ `-.._/ / | \ | | | / ; \ / \ \ | ;-.____/ \____/::.| |. ':| j::. | g '::.| s. ':| |::. | | '::.| '-..:-' Here is another story from Linda about her granddaughter. Linda told Kaylie, 3, that what she said to Grandma wasn't very nice and that it made Grandma very sad. In her sweetest most tender voice Kaylie responded, "It's O.K., Grandma, God is with you!" Cindy's aunt, whose name is Mary Ellen, has the nickname Harry Melon as a play on words. She's been Harry forever. When she was at her daughter's house, her grandson had a friend over. The friend asked her grandson, "Why is your grandma named Harry?" He responded, "Oh, that's not her REAL name." The friend said, "What is it?" and he responded, "I think it's Harold!" - Cindy Bannister of Camarillo, California Isabella, 5, and Zoe, 3, went camping with with Susan after a family wedding. They had never been in their grandparents' trailer before. Isabella looked around puzzled and finally asked, "Where are we going to sleep, Grandpa?" Keeping a straight face, Dick replied, "On the table." "Oh, won't that be too hard?" Isabella questioned. She was relieved to see that the table broke down and turned into a comfy bed with cushions. -Susan Osborn (grandmother of Kolton and Shelby Osborn and Isabella and Zoe Titus) of Fullerton California Susan's granddaughters, Isabella, 6, and Zoe, 4, live in London, so Susan talks to them and reads books together with them on Skype quite a bit. One day Susan had just finished reading a storybook to Zoe. She looked into the kitchen and discovered that her meal was ready. She quickly said, "I'm going to un-Skype you now, Grandma. Goodbye!" Click. Susan turned to her husband and said, "Dick, I've been un-Skyped, and I didn't even know it was a word." __...-------...__ _.-`` ``-._ .-' @ ()() [] '-. .' () @ '. .' [] () '. .' @ .:. [] ()() '. / ()() ':' [] ) / () _.--""`````""--._ \ ( .:. @ .'\/ \/ '. @ > / ':' .' -|` `|- '. () \ ( [] ) ,_\| |/_, ( ()() ) ; @ / \ / \ ; | ; .-.._)---(_.--. ; .:. > | () ) \_.-/ \-._/ ( ':' [] | ( ()() | | a a | < > | ) \ /`\ ( ()() ) < ; | | '. ; () @ | ; [] @ \ \0/\ '/`\ ,__ __,; ( \ |__.' / / "-._.-" \ \ () '. / _.' .| _'-_/ \_-'_ | ( ()() '._ '---' _.' | .- \_/ -. | \ [] '--.._____..--' \___.-' ;-.___/ ( @ [] / / \ / '. ()() .:. @ / / \ \ '. () ':' () @ / / .'\ \ '. @ ()() /_.'.' \ \ '-._ [] _.-' '._\ `-..__jgs __..-' ```--------``` Kolton, 11, recently came to Susan's house to help with chores to raise money for a trip his Pop Warner football team was taking to Orlando, Fla., to play in the Division II Super Bowl. He needed some spending money for the trip. After working very hard for about five hours, he said, "Grandma, I do it 75 percent for love and 25 percent for the money." Zelma was babysitting Cheyenne, 3, one day. Cheyenne picked up Zelma's reading glasses, put them on and said to Zelma, "Hi, Grandmother Zelma. I am Grandmother Cheyenne!" - Zelma Feltner (neighbor of Cheyenne) of Kendallville, Indiana One day when Zelma was babysitting a 3-year-old came to her and asked, "May I please have a pocket puff?" Zelma was puzzled and said, "I don't know what you want." Later, another 3-year-old came to her and said, "Zelma, can I please have a Popsicle?" The other 3-year-old said, "That's what I want - a pocket puff!" While playing an educational game, "Pop-pop" asked Bruce III, 13, "Why is Virginia called a colonial state?" Bruce raised his finger and answered very matter-of-factly, "It is where they cloned a lot of people." He knew the correct answer, but he is a ham, and his answer left everyone in stitches. - Cindy Lauderdale (mom) and Carol Guise (Mimi/grandma) of Ocala, Florida Cathy has a home day care in the basement of her house. The doors in the room are each a different color. The green door is to the stairs that go up to Cathy's home area. Cathy had an appointment one afternoon and Nana came to watch the kids that Cathy keeps. On the way home Kammi was telling Mrs. Joyce that she really liked that lady who was keeping them this afternoon. Nana had on a pretty flower shirt and Kammi commented that she liked the shirt. Mrs. Joyce told her that was probably the uniform that Nana wears to work. And Kammi told her that Nana did not go to work today because she had to watch the kids because Ms. Cathy went into the green closet and never came out! On the way to Cathy's house the next day Kammi was asking Mrs. Joyce if she thought Ms. Cathy got out of the green closet! - Cathy of Dillard, Georgia |\.-./| /= =\ /= e e =\ >\=_ Y _=/< (,,)^(,,) |.:.:.:.| | | |, /( | |)\ )/ | |`-;o` | | )\ | ; \/.'\ jgs / / | .' \ / .' ;-' /'. .'` | \ / './_.' Sylvia named her first daughter Sara Lee and they called her by both names so she could decide which she wanted to use when she grew up. When she was little and Sylvia was explaining what her name was to people Sylvia would tell them that it was spelled like Sara Lee pound cake so they would know there was no "h" at the end of Sara. One day someone new asked her what her name was and she very proudly said, without a moment of hesitation, "Sara Lee pancake!" - Sylvia (mother of Sara) of Princeton, British Columbia, Canada John came into his parents' bedroom and asked if he could sleep with them. John does this occasionally but this time he snuggled extra close. In the morning when they were getting dressed his father asked him why he had come to bed with them. Sometimes John remembers and gives a couple of highlights as to what was troubling him but this time he went into great detail about a bad dream. "I had Bad Dream, Part Two," John said. It was a continuation of a dream from a previous night. In the dream John and and his father were being chased by a dinosaur called "Green Spinney." Green Spinney was trying to get into their house and John said he ran and jumped behind the couch (his little hiding place) and covered up with three blankets. His dad asked him if it ended well. John replied, "Yeah ... when I woke up!" - Gary Housholder (father of John) of Avilla, Indiana The Viti Family, including their 6-year-old daughter, Ava, were attending mass one Sunday. During the quiet, prayerful time prior to the start of the celebration, Ava was looking at the bulletin and suddenly exclaimed in a rather loud voice, "Oh, my gosh, Mom!" Very startled, Ava's mother, Susan, responded immediately, "Ava, what's the matter?!" Ava replied, without realizing how many people's hearts were pounding from fright, "Today is 8-9-10!" The date was Aug. 9, 2010. - Melody Taninies of Ankeny, Iowa When Chris, 4, his mother's friend Gary. Chris was nicked named ??~Tougher' because he would ram his tricycle into the wall and the like. His mother's friend bent over to him and said, "I am tougher." Chris responded, "I am tougher." This went back and forth for a few times until Chris hauled off and punched his mother's six foot tall friend in the nose and gave him a bloody nose. The friend backed off and said, "I guess you are Tougher." -BJ Cassady (mother of Chris) of Guthrie, Oklahoma /`\ | ( | | | | | | .--'--. | | _.--""`````""--._ .'\/ \/ '. .' -|` `|- '. / ,_\| |/_, \ / # \ / \ ; # .-.._)---(_.--. ; | \_.-/ \-._/ | | | a a | | | \ /`\ | ; | | '. ; \ \0/\ '/`\ / \ |__.' / / '. / _.' .' '._ '---' _.' jgs '--.._____..--' Sandy tells about her great-niece Gabbi, 10, who was looking at two girls who are twin sisters in her mother's yearbook. Gabbi asked her mom, "Are they turtle twins? Her mom asked her what she meant by "turtle twins." Gabbi said, "You know, the kind that looks nothing alike!" Her mom said, "Oh, you mean fraternal twins!" - Sandy Shook of Kendallville, Indiana Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== * * * * * * .===.""* * /'::::\ *\_ (` '::|* / \ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; _.-'; \ _`'._.' /| .-'/. ` '._(_\_.' / | .-'` | `. .-' .' | \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' \ '-._ _.-' _.' \_ '--._.-'` _.' '._ \ _.-' jgs '-._\_.-' >-->A SIMPLE BLESSING A simple story told of a time might make the difference of frame of mind. A simple sentence said so sincere might help someone make it another year. A simple heartfelt caring type word might help a person that's now so absurd. A simple minute spent sharing true might be the thing that you're needing do. A simple break from all that's within might be the thing to help you begin. A simple blessing that you don't see might just be found in someone like me. ©By Bill Pearce >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? 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