A Visit With Billy Graham... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Too hot to handle one comes from our friend Linda. She sent us a forward of interesting trivia. Normally when I get these, I check them out as most of the time they are totally fictitious or too hard to fact check. As I was randomly fact checking these however, I found that each one was absolutely true! It totally floored me - so much so that I worked overtime just to do it up for all of you. Give it time to load and check this new fun one out here... ( ) ( _ _._ |_|-'_~_`-._ _.-'-_~_-~_-~-_`-._ _.-'_~-_~-_-~-_~_~-_~-_`-._ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | [] [] [] [] [] | jgs | __ ___ | ._| [] [] | .| [___] |_._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._._. |=|________()|__|()_______|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=|=| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ === ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ _______ === <_4sale_> === ^|^ === | === Amazing Trivia Facts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafacts.html --- ...What an awesome one! Thanks Linda Note: For you knit-pickers out there: The one about the vacant houses is not correct now due to the improved housing sells. It is more like 5 and 1/3rd for every one instead of the 6 it cites. But close enough for a "Wow"! This next hot tottie is from our friend Richard. It is a fun whimsical one sure to bring you some smiles. Turn up the sound, give it time to load and check it out here... .-'"""'-. ,____|_______|____, '._____________.' REACH FOR |.-- --.| THE SKY! |(o) (o)| (| |) | U | __ | .___. | YOU'RE MY /||| | | FAVORITE |||| : : DEPUTY! | |/) `.___.' \ / __) (__ \/\ /\ \ / /\ \ \ /\ \ ^ / /\ THERE'S A \ \ / | |0_/\_ \ SNAKE IN \ \/ /| | \ /\ \ MY BOOT! \ / | |0//\\ \ \ \/ | / \ | \ \ |/ .-. \| / / .-'|-( ~ )-| / / HI! \ |--`-'--|/ / MY NAME'S WOODY! \ | | / \| | |/ | | | | | | HOWDY PARDNER! | | | | | | | | | |___|___| YEEEHAH COWBOY! `|---|---|' *| | |* |_._|_._| /' /|\ '\ SOMEONE POISONED jgs / /^ ^\ \ THE WATERHOLE! /__.' `.__\ Spain's Wood Carving Festival http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woodfestival.html --- ...Wow what funny characters! Thanks Richard! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ _ ( Y ) \ / \ /^\ ) //^\\ ( // \\ ) // \\ __ // \\ |=^| // _ \\ __|= |__// (+) \\ /LLLLLLL// ~ \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// |~[|]~| |~[|]~| \\ ^| [|] // | [|] | | [|] | \\ | [|] ^| |_[|]_| |_[|]_| |^ ___|______| | /LLLLLLLLLL|_____________________| /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ ^||^^^^^^^^/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ || |~[|]~|^^||^^^^^^^^^^||^|~[|]~|^||^^ || | [|] | || |~~~~| || | [|] | || || |_[|]_| || | [] | || |_[|]_| || ||__________|| | o| ||_________|| .'||][][][][][|| | [] | ||[][][][][||.'. ."'||[][][][][]||_-`----'-_||][][][][]||"." .(')^(.)(').( )'^@/-- -- - --\@( )'( ).(( )^(.)^ '( )^(`)'.(').( )@/-- -- - -- -\@ (.)'(.),( ).('). ".'.'." ." '.". @/- - --- -- - -\@ '.".'.".'.".'." jgs'' ".".".'.'@/ - -- -- -- -- -\@".'..'".'."'.'.' '.".".''.".''."@/ -- --- --- -- - -\@.".''.".''.".'". >LITTLE COTTAGE BY THE LAKE by Stefanie Wass What a crisp, colorful autumn afternoon. Crimson tipped maples paint the rural landscape as we make our way to my aunt's shady lakeside cottage. Overhead, a flock of geese fly in "V" formation, seemingly pointing us to the Western Pennsylvania border, past miles of roadside pumpkin stands and endless fields of late season sweet corn. Finally, my husband turns down the familiar gravel road. I spot the lake, glistening in the warm October sun. "We're here!" I rustle my girls from the back seat. "Hurry and say hello to everyone." The small white cottage reminds me of a doll house -- the good cozy kind, where friends and family happily gather, spilling out into the yard when the quarters get a bit tight. I smile as I walk past the well manicured lawn, bedecked for fall with orange and yellow mums peeking from cast iron buckets. As always, dried cornstalks climb the back porch rails. I spy a row of perfectly orange pumpkins, gifts from my uncle's garden. I wonder if my girls will remember to take one home at day's end. For years, my uncle has sent home a pumpkin with each child, just in time for Halloween. Hopping out of the car, the girls crunch through the leaves, hoping to sample appetizers on the back porch table. In an instant, their cheeks are stuffed with crab dip, Amish Swiss cheese, and trail bologna. Family seems to be everywhere. Cousins, aunts, and uncles trickle out from the cottage, sharing hugs and gossip in the wooded yard. Gathered in groups, my chatty Scotch Irish clan prepares for our autumn tradition -- an outdoor clambake, held annually on the first Sunday in October. Husks fly off golden ears of sweet corn as we all pitch in, removing silky threads from more than forty cobs. Great aunts, unaware that they could be sitting down, scurry about setting tables, slicing juicy red tomatoes, and taking surreptitious sips of homemade berry wine. The men hover as they always do, around the fire pit. I chuckle at this primitive scene -- men tending the fire and women preparing the vegetables. Why is this always the case? Salty steam wafts upward from the coals as the tempting smells of clams and chicken tease my taste buds. What could be better than this? Somehow, I can't imagine being anywhere else on this idyllic autumn afternoon. Sitting around card tables in the yard, we manage to quiet down for a prayer of thanksgiving. Then, at long last, it is time to dig in. Tearing open the mesh bag of steamers, I can hardly wait to swirl each clam in drawn butter. What a gloriously gritty delicacy. Heaven seems near as a lobster tail is placed upon my plate, followed by sweet potatoes and a cup of steaming clam broth. My daughters, content with an ear of sweet corn each, amazingly don't seem to care that much for seafood. "I can help you out there." my husband teases, reaching for their leftover lobster. We laugh with my cousins as we swap family news and gorge on a final, overindulgent treat -- homemade cheesecake and raspberry pie. As the sun sets, we pour second cups of coffee, warm mugs that prolong our time together, if only for a few precious minutes. "Don't forget to take a pumpkin home with you," my aunt reminds us. "Did you get a candle off the mantel?" Our girls pick their future jack-o-lanterns as I select my party favor -- a homemade cranberry scented votive. In the year ahead, the candle will take me back to this place, filling my house with the light and warmth of family. "Thanks again for the clams, the pumpkin, the candle!" It is the following morning and I am struggling to email my aunt. How can I show my appreciation for it all -- the glorious weather, the delectable food? Finding next year's calendar, I flip ahead to October, making sure to highlight the first Sunday in bright orange marker. Perhaps the best sort of thank you involves simply being present for cherished traditions. Next year, and hopefully for many years to come, I will be there, feasting with family at the little cottage by the lake. -- Stefanie Wass ____________________________________________ Stefanie writes from her home in Hudson, Ohio. A member of the International Women's Writing Guild, Stefanie's essays have been published in The Christian Science Monitor, The Akron Beacon Journal, Chicken Soup For The Beach Lover's Soul, and Chicken Soup For The New Mom's Soul. Additionally, her stories have appeared in newspapers nationwide as part of Chicken Soup's syndicated column. Look for two of Stefanie's stories in the upcoming anthology Chicken Soup: Love Stories, due to be published in February 2008. ------------------------------ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >THE "SLOW TO JUDGE" PRAYER Heavenly Father, help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. Thank you Father in Christ's name we pray. Amen. ========================================================== >-->From Laugh&Lift: >A Visit With Billy Graham /////' ' # o C - | ___ ' =__' ___ (` _ \_ | | _/ ') \ (__\ ,---- _ |----. /__)- | \__ ( ( / ) ) __/ |_X_\/ \. # _.| \/_X_| | \ /( / /\ / | \ / ( , / \ _/ /______/ [:::::::] /*%*%*%*%*\ >%*%#%*%*%| /%*%*#*%*%*\ ######^###### b'ger Muhammad Ali, speaking of his visit with Billy Graham in 1979 said: "When I arrived at the airport, Mr. Graham himself was waiting for me. I expected to be chauffeured in a Rolls Royce or at least a Mercedes, but we got in his Oldsmobile and he drove it himself. I couldn't believe he came to the airport driving his own car. When we approached his home I thought he would live on a thousand-acre farm and we drove up to this house made of logs. No mansion with crystal chandeliers and gold carpets, it was the kind of house a man of God would live in. I look up to him." */The Lift/* ################################################################ # , , # # "Hi,I am Mike. _|\_ /| # # We Scare Because /___ "\----' | # # We Care" /=====\ \ `-. # # \ // .--. \| | \ # # /( [@@] ) / \ # # , | \ '--' / / \------- # # |\_ | \___.-' \----- \ # # __,--'' \. /| _____..----) ) | \ \ # # "----____: \. / | (' / | | \ \ # # `. \/ /\ \._ _./ / | \ \ # # \_./ \ '==== / / \ \ # # \ --- --' / \ `. # # \. _,-; /,--.\ # # \___________/\/ / " " # # \/ /_ # # /`/ | # # _____ _ +"""". / /| / # # |_ _| |__ ___ \ \./ / | / # # | | | '_ \ / _ \ `\ . | / +" S@yaN # # | | | | | | __/ \ |/ # # |_| |_| |_|\___| (_) # # __ __ _ ___ # # | \/ | ___ _ __ ___| |_ ___ _ __ ___ |_ _|_ __ ___ # # | |\/| |/ _ \| '_ \/ __| __/ _ \ '__/ __| | || '_ \ / __| # # | | | | (_) | | | \__ \ || __/ | \__ \_ | || | | | (__ # # |_| |_|\___/|_| |_|___/\__\___|_| |___( ) |___|_| |_|\___( # # |/ # # # # 16.08.02 # ################################################################ *_Somebody Important _* (By Alan Smith) The story is told of a famous football coach who was on vacation with his family in Maine. When they walked into a movie theater and sat down, the handful of people there applauded. He thought to himself, "I can't believe it. People recognize me all the way up here." Then a man came over to him and said, "Thanks for coming. They won't start the movie for less than ten people." Ouch! That'll deflate an ego in a hurry. That's the trouble with thinking you're somebody important -- not everyone is as convinced of that as you are! I heard about one man who was hesitant to go on vacation. When someone at work told him, "Don't worry. We can get by without you here for a while.", his response was, "I know, I know. I just don't want anybody else to find that out!" Humility. One of the most difficult-to-find traits in our society. And one of the most important traits in the eyes of God. How often we try to raise our esteem in the eyes of men when we ought to be showing our willingness to lower ourselves. "When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:8-11) Look for an opportunity today to take a "lower seat." _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 Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-"""-"""-"""--.--"""-"""-""""-. -" I I I I I I I I "-. " MMMMMMMMMMn)))).(((((nMMMMMMMMM " " M .-''''-. "MMM MMM" .-'''-. M " I M' .-'''''-. -MM MM- .'.-''''-. M I I M 'MMMMMMMMM .'''''. 'MMMMMMMMM' M I I M M M$M MM : MM M$M M M I I M MMM M -"".""- M MMM M I I """""" MMMMMMMMM """""" . I I '-....-' : MMMMMMM : '-...-'.' I " . '-....-' - - '-...-' " , '. : .'" " '....' '.....' " "-'...;' : : '....'-" "- ".-----....--." -" "- . -" "- '-...- '.' -" "-.; '-....-' .-" I"-......I" I I I '-- --'I I I I '-- --'I I I I '-- --'I I I TAG I '-- --'I "E.T." >Being Yourself, Becoming Real by: Simon Heighwaya " Your goal is to find out Who You Are." --- A Course in Miracles I heard a story once about an eagle's egg that had got lost or abandoned and was found by chickens. When the eagle hatched, it was loved and cared for by the chickens, brought up to act and behave as if it was a chicken. It knew nothing else. Until one day, the eagle was with his brothers and sisters pecking at the ground, like a chicken, when something made him look up to the sky. High above he saw a majestic sight, a beautiful bird soaring gracefully. Something was stirred inside him, a remembrance, a recognition of 'home'. He asked the chickens, "What is that beautiful bird up there?" The chickens looked up. "Oh that," they said, "that's an eagle, king of the birds. But forget about him, you are one of us, you are a chicken.." I don't know how the story ended and, to me, it is not a case of an eagle being superior to a chicken.just different. The same story has been told about a duck's egg and one day the duck arrives at a great lake just swims, "because he can" --- "it's natural", leaving his family on the shore. As I understand it, it's all just about remembering Who/What we really are, regardless of what we've been told by others or how we have been brought up. A rose will grow into a rose even if it's in the middle of a field of tulips. There is an ancient Indian word "Dharma", which has two meanings. The first is, "Your nature, your true, real, essential nature." The second is, "Your purpose in life". To me the two are inseparable. I believe the word literally translates as Truth. "You are what your deep driving desire is; as your desire is so is your will; as your will is so is your deed; as your deed is so is your destiny." --- Upanishads, India Or, like they said in ancient Greece, "Character is fate". Whatever we are at our most fundamental level, at our most base, whether that be something metaphysical, or something like DNA, I believe that to discover, or remember it is our 'raison d'etre'. And to live in accord, harmony with our deepest selves is the meaning of success. "Above all, to thine own self be true." --- William Shakespeare It's been said that when we die and go back home to 'our maker', we will never be asked why we didn't cure the common cold, why we never made a billion pounds or anything else like that, but simply be asked, "Why didn't you just be yourself?" --- ...Reminds me of these: Want-A-Be http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/want.html I am Who I Am http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/Iam.html -<>- _ _.-'`-._ _ ;.'________'.; _________n.[____________].n_________ |""_""_""_""||==||==||==||""_""_""_""] |"""""""""""||..||..||..||"""""""""""| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| |.. .. .. ..||..||..||..||.. .. .. ..| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| ,,;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;,;;;,;;;,;;,, ;;jgs;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; >Tale of Six Boys Each year I am hired to go to Washington DC with the eighth grade class from Clinton Wisconsin where I grew up, to videotape their trip. I greatly enjoy visiting our nation's capitol, and each year I take some special memories back with me. This fall's trip was especially memorable. On the last night of our trip, we stopped at the Iwo Jima memorial. This memorial is the largest bronze statue in the world and depicts one of the most famous photographs in history -- that of the six brave soldiers raising the American Flag at the top of a rocky hill on the Iwo JimaJapan , during WW II. Over one hundred students and chaperones piled off the buses and headed towards the memorial. I noticed a solitary figure at the base of the statue, and as I got closer he asked, "Where are you guys from?" I told him that we were from . "Hey, I'm a cheese head, too! Come gather around, Cheese heads, and I will tell you a story." (James Bradley just happened to be in Washington, DC, to speak at the memorial the following day. He was there that night to say good night to his dad, who has since passed away. He was just about to leave when he saw the buses pull up. I videotaped him as he spoke to us, and received his permission to share what he said from my videotape. It is one thing to tour the incredible monuments filled with history in Washington D.C., but it is quite another to get the kind of insight we received that night.) When all had gathered around, he reverently began to speak. (Here are his words that night.) "My name is James Bradley and I'm from Antigo, Wisconsin . My dad is on that statue, and I just wrote a book called "Flags of Our Fathers" which is #5 on the New York Times Best Seller list right now. It is the story of the six boys you see behind me. "Six boys raised the flag. The first guy putting the pole in the ground is Harlon Block. Harlon was an all-state football player. He enlisted in the Marine Corps with all the senior members of his football team. They were off to play another type of game. A game called "War." But it didn't turn out to be a game. Harlon, at the age of 21, died with his intestines in his hands. I don't say that to gross you out, I say that because there are people who stand in front of this statue and talk about the glory of war. You guys need to know that most of the boys in Iwo Jima were 17, 18, and 19 years old. (He pointed to the statue) "You see this next guy? That's Rene Gagnon from New Hampshire . If you took Rene's helmet off at the moment this photo was taken and looked in the webbing of that helm et, you would find a photograph... a photograph of his girlfriend. Rene put that in there for protection because he was scared. He was 18 years old. Boys won the battle of Iwo Jima. Boys. Not old men. "The next guy here, the third guy in this tableau, was Sergeant Mike Strank. Mike is my hero. He was the hero of all these guys. They called him the "old man" because he was so old. He was already 24. When Mike would motivate his boys in training camp, he didn't say, 'Let's go kill some Japanese' or 'Let's die for our country.' He knew he was talking to little boys. Instead he would say, 'You do what I say, and I'll get you home to your mothers.' "The last guy on this side of the statue is Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from Arizona. Ira Hayes walked off Iwo Jima . He went into the White House with my dad. President Truman told him, 'You're a hero.' He told reporters, 'How can I feel like a hero when 250 of my buddies hit the island with me and only 27 of us walked off alive?' So you take your class at school, 250 of you spending a year together having fun, doing everything together. Then all 250 of you hit the beach, but only 27 of your classmates walk off alive. That was Ira Hayes. He had images of horror in his mind. Ira Hayes died dead drunk, face down at the age of 32 .. ten years after this picture was taken. "The next guy, going around the statue, is Franklin Sousley from Hilltop, Kentucky. A fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. His best friend, who is now 70, told me, 'Yeah, you know, we took two cows up on the porch of the Hilltop General Store. Then we strung wire across the stairs so the cows couldn't get down. Then we fed them Epsom salts. Those cows crapped all night. Yes, he was a fun-lovin' hillbilly boy. Franklin died on Iwo Jima at the age of 19. When the telegram came to tell his mother that he was dead, it went to the Hilltop General Store. A barefoot boy ran that telegram up to his mother's farm. The neighbors could hear her scream all night and into the morning. The neighbors lived a quarter of a mile away. "The next guy, as we continue to go around the statue, is my dad, John Bradley from Antigo, Wisconsin, where I was raised. My dad lived until 1994, but he would never give interviews. When Walter Cronkite's producers, or the New York Times would call, we were trained as little kids to say 'No, I'm sorry, sir, my dad's not here. He is in Canadafishing. No, there is no phone there, sir. No, we don't know when he is coming back. My dad never fished or even went to Canada. Usually, he was sitting there right at the table eating his Campbell's soup. But we had to tell the press that he was out fishing. He didn't want to talk to the press. "You see, my dad didn't see himself as a hero. Everyone thinks these guys are heroes, 'cause they are in a photo and on a monument. My dad knew better. He was a medic. John Bradley from Wisconsin was a caregiver. In Iwo Jima he probably held over 200 boys as they died. And when boys died in Iwo Jima, they writhed and screamed in pain. "When I was a little boy, my third grade teacher told me that my dad was a hero. When I went home and told my dad that, he looked at me and said, 'I want you always to remember that the heroes of Iwo Jima are the guys who did not come back. Did NOT come back.'" "So that's the story about six nice young boys. Three died on Iwo Jima, and three came back as national heroes. Overall, 7,000 boys died on Iwo Jima in the worst battle in the history of the Marine Corps. My voice is giving out, so I will end here. Thank you for your time." Suddenly, the monument wasn't just a big old piece of metal with a flag sticking out of the top. It came to life before our eyes with the heartfelt words of a son who did indeed have a father who was a hero. Maybe not a hero for the reasons most people would believe, but a hero nonetheless. We need to remember that God created this vast and glorious world for us to live in, freely, but also at great sacrifice. Let us never forget from the Revolutionary War to the current War on Terrorism and all the wars in-between that sacrifice was made for our freedom. Remember to pray praises for this great country of ours and also pray for those still in murderous unrest around the world. STOP and thank God for being alive and being free at someone else's sacrifice. God Bless You and God Bless America REMINDER: Everyday that you can wake up free, it's going to be a great day. --- ...Even with a Government shutdown! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Value What You Have! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html Haunting http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/haunting.html Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Straying From The Light http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/straying.html Walking In Power! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/walkingpower.html Chapel Oak http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oakchapel.html Eagle Rescue http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eaglerescue.html Amazing Athlete Homes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/athletehomes.html Deer Rescue! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/deerrescue.html MAXINE ON HALLOWEEN! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonhalloween.html -<>- >From Our Friend KarenF :) She sent us ones we have here... MACGYVER HOW TO DO IT 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/macgyver3.html 100 YEARS AGO! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/yearsago.html --- ...Great reminders! Thanks KarenF! -<>- From Our Friend Geniann :) Pass the Banana - 25 Powerful Reasons to Eat Bananas http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/25-powerful-reasons-to-eat-bananas --- ...Awesome advice! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Richard :) A video done by Alberta, Canada. The quality of the video is stunning. This is fast paced but the high definition scenery is awesome in what is as Close to 3D as you can get without wearing special glasses. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ThFCg0tBDck --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Richard! -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley :) ripped : chemex http://tinyurl.com/bepwrwu visualping http://tinyurl.com/pw2lauw urban atrophy http://tinyurl.com/nsqerhh --- ...Most Interesting! Thanks Wesley! 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >Contentment - It's All in the Mind Did you know that you can actually “trick” your brain into thinking you’re happy Dr. David Lykken, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Minnesota says, “Emotions are a combination of internal feelings and physical responses that provide feedback to your brain.” In effect, you can consciously initiate or provide the mental and physical conditions that your brain will naturally translate into feelings and emotions -- you basically have the power to influence your mood. Try it for yourself SMILE even when you don't feel like it. You'll think it’s silly but studies have shown that people who force themselves to smile eventually develop a more positive attitude towards challenges and setbacks. Smile the moment you wake up. Smile as you put yourself to sleep. Smile at everyone you meet. LAUGH at the pettiest things. Get some air into those lungs! More oxygen, more energy, brighter day! Ten minutes of laughter a day –- that’s all you need to ensure a life of contentment. You'll be surprised that in Asia, some companies have employed a daily “laughter break”. Employees have to walk to a park, form a circle, and force themselves to laugh non-stop for 15 minutes. Company executives swear that this relaxation break has caused worker enthusiasm and productivity to soar! STAND TALL And WALK FAST. Remember your teacher in second grade? She tapped you with a ruler, screaming, “No slouching! Chin up! Walk tall!” You had no idea that she wasn't just insisting on good posture, she was also making sure you developed a bright and confident outlook in life! STRETCH -– better yet, EXERCISE! Don’t “think” about your workout -– just do it! If you pause, to think about the sweat, the pain, the monotony and the time, you'll find one excuse or other not to do it. So, don't rationalize. Just get up and do it. You know that at the end of the workout, you'll feel good you did it. And if you’re not exactly the workout kind, try dancing! THINK POSITIVE THOUGHTS, speak only positive words. Every time you start to think or say something negative, stop. Change your sentences into the positive. Pessimists complain about their problems; optimists think of solutions. Advise, rather than criticize. Encourage, inspire, motivate –- yourself and others. Pick up a lesson, rather than blame. And always COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. These are just a few of the many ways you can jump start an overall feeling of happiness and contentment. Remember that your emotions are dictated by your perception of the world around you. And your reactions are a product of choice -- you can “choose” to be happy, angry or sad. As Ecrivain Lesage wrote in “Histoire de Gil Blas” in 1735, “I am happy and content because I think I am.” - Unknown --- ...Awesome Advice! Thanks Bunni! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Reminds me of these: Phil.4: [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Think Positive http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Think Happy Thoughts http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/happythoughts.html Top Reasons To Smile http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html The Renewed Mind - Christianity: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html =============================================================== ( ( ( ) ( ) ( ( Y Y ( ) ( ) |"| |"| Y Y | | | | |"| |"| | |.-----| |---.___ | | | | .--| |,~~~~~| |~~~,,,,'-| | | |-,,~~'-'___ '-' ~~| |._ .| |~ // ___ '-',,'. /,'-' <_// // _ __ ~,\ / ; ,-, \\_> <<_' ____________;_) | ; {(_)} _, ._>>`'-._ | | ; '-'\_\/> '-._ | |\ ~,,, _\__ ,,,,,'-. | | '-._ ~~,,, ,,,~~ __.-'~ | | | '-.__ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ __.-' |__| |\ `'----------'` _| | '=._ __.=' | : '=.__ __.=' | \ `'==========='` .' snd '-._ __.-' '-.__ __.-' `'-----------'` >The Saved Birthday Trip Story Editor: by Chris Avera Thomas Wheeler Florida, USA It was 1978, twenty-six years ago. I was eight, and it was my birthday. I was told to make a list of four or five friends who'd enjoy the water theme park in nearby Tampa, Florida. Since we didn't have any spare money, the trip would be a packed lunch and no extras. I didn't care -- I was getting a special treat! The great day arrived and my mother, younger brother, six friends and myself piled into our old beat-up station wagon. We headed out of town for an hour and a half ride to the amusement park, for a day of sun and fun. About halfway to the water park the car started running bad and the "check engine" light came on. My mom pulled the car over. We were stuck, wondering when someone would stop to help. An hour passed. A police officer stopped to see if we were all right and called a tow truck to pick up the car. On the way to the service station, Mom told the officer where we were headed, as it was my birthday and a special treat. The officer dropped us off and left after giving me a short ride in the police car "as a birthday present". At the service station, the mechanic explained the water pump needed to be replaced. The cost, plus the tow, would be $135. Mom started crying and pulled me aside. She explained we wouldn't have enough money to go anywhere but home, and we'd have to save up to go somewhere else for my birthday later. I was disappointed but tried not to show it, knowing even at that age that we didn't have much money. We tried to make the best of the day, the nine of us having a picnic at the service station with the cake Mom had baked. Eventually the mechanic called Mom into the office, saying the repairs were completed, but he had to make a phone call before we could leave. He hung up the phone and said to have a seat and wait. The next thing I knew the police officer came in the door of the service station. He walked up to me with a wrapped present, handed it to me, and wished me a happy birthday. Then he paid the mechanic for the repairs and tow. The officer told mom his family didn't have much money growing up and he knew we didn't either. He said my birthday trip shouldn't be ruined because of something we had no control over. Out of a simple act of kindness this officer changed my life. I'm a single father raising two children of my own now and am not rich, but I remember that day and try to help others in need whenever I get a chance. A small act can change a person forever, and I try to instill this concept into my children's daily lives. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: .',',-. \.. :. '. /_[)) '' ( ,_ -,--. / \_ '._ \ ___ .' .'-._':-' My Big Toe Is Hurtin' so .' '. : \ \\ : __ '. .'__ ''' That tells me it's going to : : '. \ .' '.,,,,,| : : '. \ .' ' \ Rain. I said RAIN, Son! : : .--._ '. \ '. .' : : : / / _ '._. \ :'. '. : : :: : .' '._ \ \.' '. '.'\ :/)_ :: :.' __ '--..: '. ' \): / .\ :: :: : ''---: \_.'\: :--'[/ :: :: : /--...: : :: : :: : : :' : :' : ' : ` : : .'_ : : :` ' : \_,_,_/ ',_,.'::::::. snd .'.' .-' ,(............), .'.' .' .'.' .' '('(' >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Abby watches the news every morning to check the weather and then she discusses with her mother what they should wear or if they need an umbrella. This past week on their way to preschool it started to sprinkle. Abby said, "Hey, I thought it was going to rain later in the afternoon and night." Her mom said, "Yeah, so did I. That's what the weatherman said on TV." Abby replied, "I guess Jesus doesn't have a TV up there." -- Mary Lehman (mother of Abby Smith) of Kendallville, Indiana A 3-year-old was walking with his father down the sidewalk which leads to the entrance of Nancy's family day care home. The little boy said, "Boy, Daddy, Nancy sure does have a lot of MEATBALLS on her sidewalk!" (He meant acorns!) -- Nancy of Eagle, Wisconsin Weston, 6, had been having fevers all summer. The doctors ruled out anything truly bad, but still didn't know what was causing the fevers. In late summer he spiked a temperature of 106 and was taken to the emergency department. He has been having blood drawn, and a lot of other poking and prodding done for a long time now. At the hospital they were doing it all over again. It was 2 a.m. The doctor told him if he didn't settle down and cooperate, she was going to get two nurses to hold him down. Weston was in no mood to cooperate. He looked her in the eye and said, "You'd better bring three!" -- Kas Quimby (grandmother of Weston) of Elma, Washington .--""""--. .-" "-. .' `. .' `. .' `. / \ / \ : ; ; : : ; ; -. ._ : ; -.' `. .' `. : ; / \ / \- : : ") -. V .' ( ; \ `. /\ ' /\ /` / \ : : O;/ O; / / `. __d$b j--^-./.db__ .' Where's My Piece Of Cake? `.-" """( )"" "-.' Darn Tooting No good .' ) -.`----') ( "-. Varmints must have eaten it! .' / /`----"; , \ `. .^._ :\ j\_.---'_/ /`_.--\ /.-' )-"; : )-++j"v `, :`( "-._L ,-:' .+" : ;/.'/: \ ; : ; `+., ,\ .-: :-'/ ; ::_.' `./ ; : y / /l (: ; :-' : ;\ /: ; ( /.'.' \\:_l ; / \________/ \ : """" `" / .' .-: : ; ;-. `. \ _.-'_.-' /`-j--^--^--q-'\ `-._`-._ """ .' ./ . , \ `. """ .`+:' _:----:_ `.+', `'dp,-' "-.gb` :$$$_ _$$$; bug $$$$$$ $$$$$$ Max, 4, was peeking in his grandmother's pantry. A moment later he came her, holding up a box of cake mix, asking innocently, "Nana, please can I open this and have a piece of the cake?" He assumed that there was a ready-to-eat chocolate cake, already frosted, inside the cake mix box, because that's what the picture on front showed. -- Sandi (grandmother of Max) in Florida Debbi approached the garbage with a pair of shoes whose bottoms had worn through. Showing them to Anna, 13, Debbi remarked, "I think it's time for these to go, wouldn't you say?" Anna didn't miss a beat as she bowed her head and remorsefully replied, "Yes, the poor soles." -- Debbi Armstrong of Florida Dylan, 6, is doing very well so far in first grade. His father was bragging that Dylan had made "100" on both a spelling and an arithmetic test. When his grandparents congratulated him for being so smart, Dylan just smiled and said, "It's because I have a big brain!" -- Dennis Smith (PawPaw) of North Carolina Here's another one from Dennis. Dylan's younger brother Dalton, 4, was saying the blessing at lunch. He said, "Thank you, God, for the food and Mommy and Daddy, and Nanna and PawPaw, and the nice weather, and the table and chairs." . `: : : . __.'_ .' : _.--' `-._.' .-'.. .. `. : .-. .--.`. : : : : : : : : :`;; :`; ; : `.`O;' `O;.' : .' .---. .--. ; . : '._ :' ; :: : .-`-.; . .' .': `. ``` `. :-' : : `-.__ ._ _.' : ; : ;``` : `. _.-.' . ``-._ : `.-' : : `-. : _.: ` `-._ `, `._.-' ; `.`-. ;_, _., : `.: ;' ;-' ; : ``.___.' : : ;_..--' `. ; `-.__ ...' : : : jgs :-:__; : : : .-~~~--..__: : :___..---.. .'.' : `, :,' : `; ; `: _.'`._ :,' `~~~'----'' `'-.____....' When Ginger was visiting her 4-year-old grandson in Arizona she took her coffee cup into the family room. He said, "Grandma, you have to go to the table with your cup because it doesn't have a lid on it. We have rules at our house you know!" -- Ginger Kennedy of Garrett, Indiana At the airport they were having lunch and Ginger's 4-year-old grandson -- who is used to thanking Mommy and Daddy at meals for whatever each has cooked -- was told to "thank Grandma for lunch." He was confused. "I don't think I have to thank Grandma," he said. "She didn't cook it. That lady over there did!" Gale is the grandmother of Joshua who just turned 3. This is a shortened version of a conversation she had with Joshua one night as they were getting ready for Joshua to say his prayers. Joshua commented that "Jesus and God -- they are bad." Gale said, "No, they are good. The devil is bad." "The devil is not bad," Joshua said. "He is just understood." Gale figured he meant "misunderstood." She corrected Joshua and emphasized that the devil is bad. "He's not a bad boy any more, Grandma," Joshua said. "You just must of missed that part." Gale says she has no idea where Joshua came up with those ideas! -- Gale Spence of Angola, Indiana Diane's grandson was on a flight from Chicago to Fort Myers as an unaccompanied minor. He was about 5. To try to keep him busy, the people around him started talking to him. When asked why he was going to Florida he said, "To see Grandma Di." The passengers were dismayed. It later became clear to them that he was going to visit his Grandma Diane! The flight attendant was laughing as she escorted him from the plane to the family's waiting arms! She couldn't wait to tell the story. -- Darlene Clark (mother of Grandma Di) of Lehigh Acres, Florida _()_ )( _..-''''''-.._ .' . ' ` . `. .' . . `. .-. : . ...... . : : : . .' ) ( `. . : `. @: . : < > : . : .-----. `.: . :--`--'--: . :.' `. .---:: . : .--. *: . :: _ : .'.' `:. . : :__. : . .' : '.`: : : : -. : `._ `.______.' _.' '`._ .' ' jgs `. `'' .' ``-......-'' `. ``` .' `---' `-----' Wendy's fianc? (and later her husband) Graeme was 16 years older than his baby sister Leanne who had just turned 4. Wendy was trying out a friend's wedding gown and came out to parade it. With her blue eyes getting bigger by the minute, Leanne breathlessly declared that Wendy looked beautiful. She then decided she wanted to also get married and pondered on a prospective bridegroom. An idea dawned and she stated that she would marry "Daddy." Her mother quashed the idea by informing her that Daddy was already married to Mummy. Undaunted, she triumphantly stated that she would marry her brother Graeme. Her mother told her that she couldn't as he was about to marry Wendy. Undeterred, she then chose her older sister Helen's fianc? and once again was told that he was engaged to marry Helen. In sheer desperation, she sobbed as there was absolutely no man left that she knew she could marry! (Leanne is now in her 30's and happily married to Stuart.) -- Wendy Robinson of Sydney, Australia This story comes from England -- and it actually closely resembles a story shared with me a number of years ago by northeast Indiana family. (It shows how kinds minds around the world work alike!) Fiona was trained as an art teacher and a Montessori teacher in Dublin, Ireland, and this is where this story occurred. She was working with 3 and 4 year-olds in the weeks prior to Christmas and they all painted nativity pictures. Fiona was wandering about helping a child here, commenting there. "Look at the wonderful star!" she told one little boy. Then she noticed what appeared to be an "aeroplane" (spelled the British way) in the sky. "What's that?" Fiona asked, thinking that she would have to explain that in those days there were no aeroplanes. "That's Pontious the Pilot," the little boy replied. -- Fiona Pinsker (now in Bristol, England) This next story took me a moment to "get." But it's cute. Mindy's son Sawyer, 3, was with her when she went to mail a letter. When he asked her what she was doing, she said, "I have to mail a letter." He asked, "Is it a ?W?'" -- Mindy Spiridon of Garden City, Michigan .-. ## ) * _.-+*'`*+-._ ,## _ _ #. ;### ((.;;.)) ##: .=._.; ,-*:;;:*-. *##:._.=, >##; *-')_@@_(`-* ;###< ---------------`****------(o `` o)-----*****'-------------e:l `-""-' John, who is 50, remembers when he was 5 and his dad said, "Let me smooth down your cow lick." John immediately asked, "Was it one of Mr. Regan's cows that licked me?" -- John of Lafayette, Louisiana Cindy's daughter and family are big Georgia Bulldogs (University of Georgia) fans. Georgia's school colors are red and black. Cindy's granddaughter Amber, 4, just loves the "Dawgs," as she calls them. Kelli, her mom, took Amber and Briana, 1, to the doctor for a check-up. Amber had to add her 2 cents to everything Kelli was saying to the doctor. Kelli was telling the doctor that Amber is very creative with crayons. Kelli told the doctor that Amber had taken a red crayon and a black crayon and decorated her kitchen floor with them. Without missing a beat, Amber yelled, "GO DAWGS!" -- Cindy Waters of Middleburg, Florida Five-year-old Kendall prides herself on her early reading skill. During the family's recent vacation to Florida, she practiced reading the street signs. When she came to University Dr. she read University Road. "No," said brother Arrin. "Remember road is abbreviated Rd." Kendall quickly corrected herself: "Oh, yes, that says Dr. So it must be University Doctor." -- Rebecca Hayes (grandmother of Kendall) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania /`"'-,__ \/\)` `'-. // \ .--.\ '. //|-. \_o `-. \---._ I Thought This Was My Home? || \_o\ _.-.\`'-' `-. || |\.-'` | `. || | \ \ | `\ \| / \ ,\' / \ `' `---' ; `)) .-' | .-.// .-. .' ,;=D / // / \ .' || |..-' | '-' // (( \ .===. _,// '`'--`'---''',--\_/-;-'` jgs `~/^\` '===' Robert was helping his granddaughters get dried after swimming in the pool. The girls began to bicker. He told them, "If you girls don't stop arguing I'm going to go home." Becka, 6, didn't understand, but Kaylea, 5, quick spoke up, "But this is your home!" and grinned at him. -- Jean and Robert Felfe of Spicewood, Texas ========================================================== ,' __/,-`-. ,' `". .;` _. ._'. .--._ /.` ` _ ` \ __ (,--._`( (0 (0 |,--\ Tiggers are wonderful and Awesome it's \ ,;('-_ __.-----.; | True! Because The Wonderful Thing About `"` \ /`.` | \.--' Tiggers Is That Tiggers Can BOUNCE! _.--\--| ; ;\,..___ But, You Know, God is most wonderful .' _.-';`\ \ / |'---._` And awesome too! Because There Ain't .' .'`|\ \ '---' /'--. '. Nothing That GOD CAN'T DO! He'll | \ `;-----; '. Always Be There Just For You! ;:.\ '...-'`\ / ``'| | |.::. \ | /` \ / \ jgs /.:::. '----' \ >-->God Hath Promised God hath not promised Skies always blue, Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through; God hath not promised Sun without rain, Joy without sorrow, Peace without pain. But God hath promised Strength for the day, Rest for the labour, Light for the way, Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love. Annie Johnson Flint, 1866-1932 American Teacher and Poet >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->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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