Ah There You Are And More... :) 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 ================ * 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! ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) An eye, by F.L. Catalyst : Visual Anterior axis pole Anterior \\ | chamber \..|.. / Conjunctiva .:``\\'|'```/'. | ,:''..'"\"|""/'..`<-----Cornea ..,:',;'____\\| ____`;.`:... Iris----->;-~~~~..-\+--..~~~~-;./'~~`Ciliary body ,;'.:;;;==(Lens X `)=|;;;;. `; `\ Medial ,;'' ;'|'''| `:.. |\ ..;' |`````:. `;|, rectus->' Ciliary | ```+\\' | `:./' `:. .;',;' .;muscle | | \ Posterior :. :;.`: ,',' ;; Lens | \\ chamber ;; ;.` ` ;' ;: ligament| \ ;; ; ; ;: | \\ ;; ; ; ;: Vitreous | \ ;<-------Retina ; ;:. | \\ ;; ; `; `:. | \ ;';<------Choroid `; `:. Optic | \\ ;',' ; `; `:`. disk | \ ;';' <------Sclera `; `: :./ | \\Fovea,';' ;' `, `.;..,, | \| .'',' .;' `;. .:::: ```...|...'''\/'.:' ;' Dura,' .:::::`,,,,..|..,,,,''' ,;'' ; /:::::: ''|'' ..;'' /Optic:| ;,....|....,,;''' nerve:| ; ``+'' | Posterior pole -Catalyst- >Prayer Request: Some of you may know I suffer from eye troubles. I have an inherited degenerative cornea condition. Both my brothers suffer from it as well. My worse symptoms started 3 years ago. I'd wake to find my eyesight all cloudy like in a fog. After about a half hour they would clear up and I'd have normal vision. 'Degenerative' means the condition continues to worsen until you become totally blind. My eye doctor says I am considered legally blind right now. Fortunately for me, my son found these highly magnified glasses made in Germany for folks like me, or else, I would not have been able to do my work on the group and the website like I have been doing this year. Sometimes my vision is too bad even for them. It varies from day to day. Wednesday I am going for a cornea transplant surgery in my worse eye. I will have the part of my cornea that isn't replacing the cells needed to clear my lens with a good one. I also will be getting a correction to my extreme stigmatism that has troubled me for most of my life and having a cataract that is also causing me blurry vision in my left eye removed. Since I along with God through Jesus Christ are the only ones working on this group and the web site, I ask for your prayers that all will go smoothly and my healing will be quick and complete so I will be able to get back to work without too much down time. I do not know what condition I will be in so am unsure of how long I will be unable to work. The doctor had said it takes a month or so to heal. I am hoping to be back within a week or two. But I will do what is best and won't risk losing my eye. Please do continue to visit and share the web site links with all your friends and family even in my absence. The site will need the traffic revenue. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! Great Big Huggums and God's Blessings! :) -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This first hot new page is from our friends Nancy and LouiseA. This artist is from my home state. It boggles my mind how good he is! The video is excellent too! Check these out here... ____ /^\ / -- ) / | \ (____/ / | | \ / / /_|_|_|_/ / | / / __ __ __ | / /__ __ __ [ ]__[ ]__[ ]. / /[ ]__[ ]__[ ] |__ ____/ /___ __| | / .------ ) | | / / / | SheDragon | / / / | ~~~~~~~~~~~~-----------~~~~~~~~ldb~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sand Sculpture Art 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sandart5.html --- ...Wow! Really Expert Art! Thanks Nancy And LouiseA! This next sizzler is combined from forwards from our friends Nancy, Linda, Geniann and Bunni. This artist is truly amazing! His work is outstanding! Be sure to be amazed by the videos here too! .,' .'`.' .' .' _.ood0Pp._ ,' `.~ .q?00doo._ .od00Pd0000Pdb._. . _:db?000b?000bo. .?000Pd0000PP?000PdbMb?000P??000b?0000b. .d0000Pd0000P' `?0Pd000b?0' `?000b?0000b. .d0000Pd0000?' `?d000b?' `?00b?0000b. d00000Pd0000Pd0000Pd00000b?00000b?0000b?0000b ?00000b?0000b?0000b?b dd00000Pd0000Pd0000P `?0000b?0000b?0000b?0b dPd00000Pd0000Pd000P' `?0000b?0000b?0000b?0bd0Pd0000Pd0000Pd000P' `?000b?00bo. `?P' `?P' .od0Pd000P' `~?00b?000bo._ .db. _.od000Pd0P~' `~?0b?0b?000b?0Pd0Pd000PdP~' Extreme Pumpkin Art 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pumpkin3.html --- ...I love this! Thank You Ladies! -<>- _ \ `. ' \ ) | .-` \_/ `. .' `. .` `. / `. `. .` .` \ | \ / \ / \ / \\ // /\ \ / ,-. :'' \ \ / / | \ \ \ | | | \ \ \ / / \ | \ | | / | | | / / / .._ | | ,._/ \ \ \/ # \/ \/ ##\ | | \ ### / /\ \###/ | | `---' //\\ `-' / \ | _..._ | / \ / .-" _..._ `-. \/ \| `.-' `-.` / `-._ /// _.-` `-.________.-" LGB ^~^ We Had An Extraordinary Month Of Sharing And Caring! * Be Sure To Check These Out and Share Them: World's Unique Boneyards! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/boneyards.html Witty Comebacks! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comebacks.html Jeff's Paper Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paperart2.html Did You See That 2? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto2.html Right Angle Photos 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto2.html Kids Being Kids 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kids2.html Halloween Lip Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lipart2.html Newsworthy Animals 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newsanimals2.html Newsworthy Animals 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newsanimals3.html Identity Theft 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/identitytheft4.html Macro Spider Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spiders.html Weird Old Vehicles http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldvehicles.html Bucket List 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bucketlist2.html .0. / \ ; \_/ ; | | | | | | _______; ;_______ `======='\ /`=======` \ / _ | | _ _( \____|=|____/ )_ ( .---. .---. ) `-' / \ '-' / HUG \ ; ; | .---.|__, jgs : / :--' .--\ \ | `" `"".-' < =""` `"== `""""""` =""` `"""===="""` =""` `""==="""` ^ May God Abundantly Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! * =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .----. _.'__ `. .--(#)(##)---/#\ .' @ /###\ : , ##### `-..__.-' _.-\###/ jgs `;_: `"' .'"""""`. /, JOE ,\ // COOL! \\ `-._______.-' ___`. | .'___ (______|______) >STICKING TOGETHER by Darlene Buechel Every October, as crisp Wisconsin air transforms trees into magical shades of red and gold, my thoughts turn to ghosts, goblins, and chocolate covered cherries. It's October 1968 and I'm a freckled face, pigtailed, Catholic school third grader. "Mom, can we get my costume today?" I beg after I've finished my Saturday chores of dusting the living room and feeding Frisky, our yellow, fluffy, Heinz-57 dog. "Yes, Darlene. We'll go to the Dime Store later." Wow! A trip to the Chilton Dime Store was the highlight of any kid's Saturday. Back in 1968, I was one of the few lucky girls whose mom hated sewing. So, while Mary Lynn, Dawn, and Jodi would have dorky homemade ballerina, princess, and hobo costumes, I was gonna be a scary, creepy, "store-bought" witch. That afternoon, I piled into a back window seat of the station wagon with Dennis and Diane. I was the middle child who -- luckily -- never had to sit in the middle since I'd get car sick if my head wasn't bobbing out the window like a St. Bernard. I don't remember what 9-year-old Dennis or 7-year-old Diane picked out that day, but I grinned from pigtail to pigtail as the blue haired store clerk put my long black dress and pointy hat in a huge white bag. Since Halloween was a whole two weeks away, I'd have plenty of time to try out my cool costume. I practiced my witches cackle during a rehearsal for Frisky. The poor dog barked, ran in circles, and dashed into her dog house. Ah, sweet success! I found the little plastic broom Diane and I used for playing "house" and hopped on for a trial run. With all these dress rehearsals, I was sure to be the grooviest witch of all! Door-to-door begging wasn't allowed in our little village of Hilbert, so the local civic group threw a party in the High School gym each Halloween. During this grand event, kids could play games, watch movies, and eat cupcakes with fancy orange and black sprinkles. Best of all, each kid got a goody bag of treats and got to compete in the costume judging contest. This was my big year! I wasn't sure what the prizes were, but to be singled out for one would make me feel less of a "middle child" and more of a star. Finally, the big moment arrived. "Okay, kids. Form a circle and walk around the gym until the music stops. Then please sit down so the prizes can be awarded," the mayor's voice boomed across the shiny gym floor. I grabbed my broom, straightened my pointy hat and perfected my scowl. I rode my broom around the gym as the scratchy record player belted strains of "Hey Jude" and "Spooky". Finally, right in middle of "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on my Head" the music stopped! Everyone plunked down on the cold, tile floor as the mayor listed each age category. Mine was the 7-10 year olds. Great! I was competing against my brother and little sister. Oh well, they hadn't frightened poor Frisky until her hair stood on end, so my costume must be better. I held my breath and crossed my fingers, pigtails, and pointy black shoes for luck. My heart beat like a tom-tom as Mary Lynn placed third in ages 7-10. I smiled as she stood with the winners, but I was sure to keep my eyes crossed as I did so. "Second place goes to Darlene Totzke," Mr. Mayor shouted. My ears were ringing, and my hands started sweating through my black gloves. "Get up there!" Diane nudged, almost knocking off my pointy hat. I stood proudly in the winners' circle as Dawn snagged the first place spot for our age group. It figures that I placed second, but for once I didn't care that I was in the middle. My scary scowl turned into a grin as I accepted my $5 prize money and a big box of chocolate covered maraschino cherries. When we got back home, Dennis drooled as I proudly carried my cherries into the house. "She's gotta share, right mom?" Dennis pleaded. Diane locked her lips too, as she struggled out of her costume. "It's up to Darlene," Mom smiled, "you kids each got a goodie bag anyhow." I thought it over a long time, which for an 8-year-old amounted to about five seconds. "Nope, I'm eating them all," I grinned. By bedtime, I had only two cherries left. Great! I'd save them for tomorrow. My stomach rumbled as I brushed my teeth and buttoned my pj's. When I laid down on my Judy Jetson bed sheets, I could feel myself turning green, and not in a good witchy way! "Mom, Darlene's gonna be sick!" my sister yelled from her twin bed on the other side of the room. Some lessons have to be learned the hard way. It took ten years before I ate another chocolate covered cherry, but I do get a craving for them each October. Last Saturday, I carefully placed a box of chocolate cherries in my cart at the local Wal-Mart as I passed the Halloween aisle. "Oh look, sweetie -- A Power Puff Girl's costume -- and there's Cinderella," a smiling mom gushed to her scowling little girl. "I wanna be a witch!" the girl insisted. I grinned and gave her a thumbs up as I handed her a small plastic broom. We witches have to stick together! -- Darlene Buechel ___________________________________________ Darlene Buechel, a Wisconsin cheesehead, enjoys reading, writing, and downing healthy doses of fruit -- especially if smothered in chocolate. Some of her previous Heartwarmers include The Incredible Shrinking Mom, Belly Laughs and Easy Bake Christmas. You can contact her by clicking here: mailto:dar@tcei.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ___ / \ /'8-8'\ |- _| ( ._) ) O O ( ( |\ | _ | (_/') \ -'/ \_'===/|\_/|\=== /`-'/. /.\___/.\ \ / // /.\ /.\ ;\_____________ `__''| | | | \ An old man was sitting with his 25 year old son in the train. The train was about to leave the station. All passengers are settling down in their seat. As the train started, the young man was filled with lots of joy and curiosity. He was sitting on the window side. He put out one hand and feeling the passing air, he shouted, "Papa see all the trees are going behind". the old man smiled and admired his sons’ feelings. Besides the young man was one couple, sitting and listening to all the conversation between father and son. They were little awkward with the attitude of the 25 year old behaving like a small child. Suddenly the young man again shouted, "Papa see the pond and animals. Clouds are moving with the train". The couple was watching the young man embarrassingly. Now it started raining and some of the water drops touched the young man's hand. He was filled with joy and he closed his eyes. He shouted again," Papa it's raining, the water is touching me, see papa". The couple couldn't help themselves and asked the old man. "Why don't you visit the Doctor and get treatment for your son." The old man said, "Yes, We are coming from the hospital today, my son just got his eye sight for the first time in his life." Moral: "Do not draw conclusions until you know all the facts." --- ...Awww, Thanks Linda! ================================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >A Time to Be Silent A pilot had turned off his radio in order to elude the enemy, but as he came across the channel, he turned it on again and began turning the dial to find the proper frequency, which changed from time to time. His plane was almost out of petrol, and he was terrified of what might happen if he ran out and did not find his way precisely toward the goal he was seeking. As he twiddled the dial, he broke out in perspiration. Finally, he caught a faint signal and adjusted the dial. The signal came in strong and clear. He changed his flight path onto the signal and landed safely at his airport. We're all trying to do that in life. We're trying to pick up those signals that tell us who we are, what direction we ought to be headed, and where home is. As we fiddle with the dial and adjust the signal receiver in our lives, we begin to hear in the stillness and the quietness a voice telling us where home is. We are able to readjust our patterns and head homeward. That's the promise of the text. If we will be still, we will know that God is God; we will know which way to go toward God. -- John Killinger -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / |._, | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >AH, THERE YOU ARE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I misplaced my joy this morning. I woke up to find it missing like a set of lost keys. I started looking for it everywhere. I looked for it in the morning paper. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in my books. It wasn’t there. I looked for it in some music. It wasn’t there. I looked for it while I ate breakfast, got the kids ready for school, and headed out the door this morning, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. When I finally got back home I decided to take a walk. I thought that if I couldn’t find my joy then at least I could get some exercise. The last leaves of Autumn were thickly covering the ground. I walked for awhile on this beautiful, crunchy carpet and breathed in the fresh, cool air. It was so peaceful and wonderful. After walking for a bit I stopped and smiled. I suddenly knew where to look. I glanced down and saw my joy peeking up at me from deep inside my soul. It had been sitting there right next to my love and God’s love just waiting for me to find it. "Ah, there you are," I said. Then I laughed at myself for not knowing where to look all along. It is amazing how we so often look for joy in every single place except the only place where it can truly be found, within ourselves. We are like a person running around searching for the glasses that are perched on the top of his head. We need to stop the search. We need to look deep into our souls and see the joy that has been sitting there all along. It isn’t hidden and it isn’t hard to find. It is there shining brightly right next to God’s love and our love. It is just waiting for us to smile down and say, "Ah, there you are." Reach down and grab that joy today. Choose it, rejoice in it, and live in it. Take it along with your love and God’s love and share it with the world. And if you ever misplace it again remember where to look for it first. -<>- >Change A Chinese general put it this way: ''If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must first be changed. If my nation is to be changed, my hometown must be made over. If my hometown is to be reordered, my family must first be set right. If my family is to be regenerated, I myself must first be." -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >Words Have you thought lately about how powerful words are? A spoken word can change the course of history, alter a person's future, give someone a job, pass a law, or start a war. Words are powerful and may be used either for good or for evil purposes. Proverbs 12:18 says: "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Even though words can be destructive in relationships and hurt others, they can also be used for encouraging and blessing others. Warren Wiersbe said the following were words that dynamically changed the atmosphere of his home: "Please" "Thank You" "I'm Sorry" "I Love You" "I'm Praying for You" Of course, when you use these words, you need to make sure that you mean them! If you say "I'm Praying for you" make sure that you actually are... Try using these powerful words this week in your home, at your job, or at school. Make notes of how the use of these words affects those around you. -<- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Want-A-Be http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/want.html I Am Who I Am http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/Iam.html Choose His Children? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html Never Give Up! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Creation Vs Coincidence http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/creationvscoincidence.html God's Instructions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/instructions.html Artistic Coffee Mugs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/coffeemugs.html Leaf Art Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/art.html Adorable Wrinkly Puppies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wrinklypuppies.html Invisible Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/invisible.html Running Horses http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/runninghorses.html World Of Squirrels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofsquirrels.html Extraordinary Photos http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Fun With Statues http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/funstatues.html Great Engineering Achievements! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/engineering.html -<>- >From our Friend LouiseA :) The Poppy Girls sang beautifully for charity at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance. And just when you think the performance is over, something incredible happens. This video will make your day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkkTMhZk-5Y&feature=player_embedded Have you ever been frustrated by packages that show up crunched or broken? I know I have. Watch this video to find out how they get that way. The worse FEDEX drivers ever. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WCGBNj-aSwA TD Canada Trust, a personal and commercial banking service, turns their ATMs into Automated Thanking Machines to reward their loyal customers across Canada. Needless to say, it's a wonderful surprise for everyone going about their daily business. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUkN7g_bEAI --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) When Lala the king penguin hits the road with his backpack on, his favorite destination is the fish store. There he’s a well-liked customer. And when he returns home to his Japanese family’s house, there is an air-conditioned room waiting for him. Years ago (circa 1996) Lala's family rescued him from a fishing line and when he was fully recovered, he refused to leave. He's been the family pet ever since. This video was filmed in 2006 when LaLa was 10 years old. http://www.flixxy.com/pet-penguin-goes-shopping.htm Eye popping illusions Darcy Oake's Jaw-Dropping Dove Illusions - Britain's Got Talent 2014 http://tinyurl.com/kxed92w --- ...Wowsers! 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 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >IN GOOD COMPANY By Myrtle “Cookie” Potter, San Mateo, California The minister approached me after church. “We’re going to check in with people who haven’t been here for a while to make sure they’re okay and let them know they’re missed. Will you help?” It was the 10th anniversary of my mother’s death, and visiting strangers was the last thing I wanted to do. “Not today,” I said. “I’m sorry.” As I left the church, I prayed, Lord, I’d give anything to feel Mama near again. For years after Mama died, I had met with her friends to laugh and talk, remembering her cheerful ways, her parties and how she made time to visit the housebound. The word visit stung my conscience. I went back to the minister. “I’ll help after all,” I said, and he handed me a name and address. When I drove to the house, a woman answered the door. “I’m here to see Cora Heinecke,” I said, introducing myself. “Cora’s in bed,” the woman replied. “She’s one hundred years old, you know. But she loves company.” She led me to a dark bedroom, where she raised the shades and told Cora, “You have a visitor. Mrs. Potter is from the church.” Cora sat up. “Lillian Layton’s daughter?” she asked. “What a blessing!” I looked at her, unbelieving. It turned out that Cora had been a close friend of my mother’s! For more than an hour we talked about Mama. It was a discovery I never have forgotten: When I reached out to others, Mama came nearer to. -<>- >SHINING THROUGH THE CLOUDS Grumps Grumpy people can only affect your mood if you allow it. The sun and stars can still shine in their presence. When we're in a good mood, we shine like the sun. But if we find ourselves in the presence of a person, or people, in a grumpy mood, it can feel like a dark cloud approaching to dim our radiance and block our positive way of seeing the world. We can remind ourselves that clouds pass, while the sun and stars continue to shine above. Then it's easier to think of these "grumps" affection- ately, knowing that they only have the power to affect our mood if we allow it. With the power of change firmly in our hands, we can choose how to respond to a grumpy person, or a grumbling group of people, with confidence and understanding. Like a lighthouse, we can continue to shine through the darkness, offering our light to help others find their way back to their own. We can send them a silent prayer of peace or a sympathetic smile. We may sense that reaching out to offer a comforting touch or hug can ease their frustrations and cause the clouds to dissipate. If they need understanding, we can sympathize without reinforcing the negativity they may be experiencing by directing their attention someplace more positive. Helping them find the humor in their situation might be appropriate and is a great way to lift spirits, or a logical approach may help them see all the good in the situation, in their lives and in the world. We might find that someone we encounter often seems to be in a perpetual state of gloom. Our tendency in such cases may be to try to avoid them, but instead we can make the choice to offer support that comes from the heart. We may be inspired to ask if they would like some help or to offer suggestions that have helped us in the past. We can include thoughts of their health and happiness in our times of prayer and meditation. When we lend our energy to uplift another in any way, we improve our own lives while making the world a better place for all of us. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- >HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOURSELF? by Jane Powell “There are many ways to know yourself.” You are a multifaceted person. Discovering yourself can be the adventure of a lifetime. Learning how comfortable or uncomfort- able you are in certain situations, if you’re outgoing or quiet, what makes you happy or sad, and knowing what you’re good at and what you’re not, is part of nurturing a balanced life. Do you know all those things about yourself? Or, are you too busy, too stressed, or too focused on someone else to care? Knowing as much as you can about yourself makes decision- making easier. When you know “you,” it’s easier to ensure that your choices are the right ones. This knowledge is your key to harmony and balance. So, take the time to know yourself. It’s the only way to make certain that you live a happy, fulfilling life. as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- >MAY GOD BLESS YOU THIS DAY... TO BE PART OF THE PLAN! I am trying to get into a routine of staying at work an extra hour to take advantage of the exercise room they make available for me. It makes sense. I go and walk on the treadmill or use the weights for an hour, letting the worst of the traffic get home ahead of me. In the meantime, I lose weight and keep my heart healthy. I went twice this week which I thought was good. Hey! It's a start! One day last week I just didn't feel like it, so I left for home. But on the way I got that guilty feeling and decided to do my walking in the neighborhood. It's a good alternative since I have a nice circle to walk around and get to see my neighbors. With dinner an hour away, I tied on my walking shoes and set out just a little before dark. I saw several people, including a young mother walking with her two young kids on bikes. The youngest, around four years old, reminded me to walk on the side of the road as I had ventured "too close to the middle of the street." I started to say something back about him wearing all black so close to dark but just said, "Yes Sir", and obeyed him. The loop is a little short of a mile and I had the urge to do a third lap even though it was now dark. Two laps were enough to dismiss my guilty feeling but I followed my urge. I was catching up to the mother with the two kids on their bikes when I noticed the four year old veering further into the street. At the same time, I caught a glimpse of headlights rounding the curve. Doubting the vehicle could see the child all in black, I leaped to the middle of the street in my white shirt and sneakers, waving my arms frantically as any scared parent would do. I cannot tell you if the driver saw me or the child first, but the car did stop and tragedy was avoided. For the rest of the walk I could not help but wonder. Did God make me too tired to exercise at work? Did He lay the guilt trip on me to get up, tie on my shoes and walk? Was it Him that convinced me to go that extra lap? I can't answer those questions but it did confirm something to me. God has a plan for everything we do! But that's not the point of my story. What I realized as more important than His plan for my actions is MY plan for His actions. God most definitely has a plan for each of us and uses different methods to get His plan communicated. He has sent angels to tell us His plan. He has used dreams and visions to get His message across. Sometimes He uses guilt, urges or the power of the Holy Spirit to reveal His desires for us. But in each case, we have to do something. We have to tie on our shoes or His plan never happens. God had a plan for Noah, but he had to build a boat. God had a plan for Abram, but he had to leave his father's land. God had a plan for Paul, but he had to travel to Damascus. God has a plan for you and me, but we have to tie on our shoes and go. Jesus is the ultimate teacher and in many instances, He used action verbs in His plan. He told the lawyer after the story of the good Samarian, ...GO and do likewise. (Luke 10:37) Matthew 28:19 tells us all to GO ye therefore into all nations... I am sure many other examples can come to mind of instances where Jesus told someone something to do—get me a donkey...bring me the fishes and loaves—but you get the idea. His plan involves: 1. Listen for God's callings, 2. Have faith and trust in His plan in His time, and finally, 3. Tie on your shoes and go! And I can tell you, there are few joys greater than knowing you were put in a particular place at a particular time to serve as a vessel for our Great God! Be encouraged through the grace of Christ, John John McMath lives in Stone Mountain, GA, with his lovely wife, Sandy. John is a member of the Board of Directors of Ciloa, an avid hiker and backpacker, and an otherwise fine fellow. as seen in A Note of Encouragement -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================= >How Could She Tell? Story Editor: by Crystal C. Clayton Bennett Oregon, USA Early in 1999, our family had to drive several hundred miles to Billings, Montana, to visit a hospitalized family member. Between travel, lodging and having given most of our available cash to help relatives out with expenses, we had very little money when we left to return home. It was dusk when we drove out of Billings. We didn't notice at first that our headlights were dimming, and that's probably why we missed the exit for the interstate leading home. After about 40 miles we began to see that nothing along the highway was familiar. In 35 more miles we saw an exit to a town that wasn't anywhere near where we were supposed to be. With eight miles to the next exit, we realized the headlights were dangerously dim. The car began to sputter, and I had to turn off the lights to keep it running. At the foot of the exit ramp there was a small post office. The car stopped running completely as we pulled into the parking area. I soon determined that the alternator wasn't working. It was 7 p.m. and we were in Rosebud, Montana, a tiny town with no services. To make things worse, heavy snow was falling. We needed to find our family a safe place to spend the night, then find an alternator to fix the car in the morning. We couldn't see any other buildings, and the rest of the town was nearly a mile away. Even if we walked there, we knew, there was probably no motel or parts store. Just then a lady stopped to check her mail before heading home. I asked if she had a few minutes to help charge up our battery and where we could find food, lodging, and car parts. She gave what we needed and more. She suggested we go to Forsyth, about seven miles away. We followed her with only our parking lights on so the car wouldn't die again. She led us to a motel, where she insisted on paying for the room. While were settling into the room, she returned with a meal she had purchased for us. The next morning she came back! She took us to the parts store and insisted on buying an alternator for us. While I was fixing the car, she got us another meal -- and when we were leaving, she filled our tank and insisted that we take some money for the trip home. She did all those things for us when we had just asked for a jump-start and a few recommendations. How she could tell what else we needed, I don't know, or why she gave us so much. But I know how much it meant to us. Perhaps her greatest gift was to give us a memory of one person who would do so much for complete strangers. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: , , /^\ ___ /^\_/ `...' /` ,__\ ,' ~ ( ,___\ ,, ., \ \___ \\\ .'.' .-. ) .'.-\\\`.`. '.-. ( / (==== ."". ( o ) \ ,/u `~~~'| / `-' ) "")^u ^u^|~| `""". ~_ / /^u ^u ^\~\ ". \\ _ /u^ u ^u ~\ ". \\ ( \ )^ ^U ^U ^U\~\ ". \\ (_ (\ /^U ^ ^U ^U ~| ". `\ (_ _ \ )U ^ U^ ^U ^|~| ". `\. (_ = _(\ \^ U ^U ^ U^ ~| ".`.; (_ -( _\_)U ^ ^ U^ ^|~| "" (_ = ( ^ U^ U^ ^ U ~| (_ - ( ~ = ^ U ^U U ^|~/ (_ = (_^U^ ^ U^ U / (_- ~_(/ \^ U^ ^U^," (_ = _/ |^ u^u." (_ (/ |u^ u.( (__/ )^u^ u/ /u^ u^( |^ u^ u/ |u^ u^( ____ |^u^ u( .-' `-, \^u ^ \ / ' .---. \ jgs \^ u^u\ | ' ` ; | \u^u^u:` . `-' ; | `-.^ u`._ _.'^'./ "-.^.-```_=~._/ `"------"' >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Sarah, 4, had just come from her first wedding. She told her grandmother that the bride had on a pretty white dress and Josh (the groom) had on a "black mosquito suit." She meant tuxedo! -- Grandma Suzze of Decatur, Indiana When Celia took a cold chocolate pie to her grandson Victor's house and pulled the plastic wrap off to get it ready for whipped cream, Victor, 4, said, "MMMmmm, chocolate pizza!" -- Celia Keel of Harveyville, Kansas Phillip, 8, and his nephew Ryan, 4, were arguing back and forth. Ryan was telling Phillip how to do various things. Phillip, being the older and wiser of the two, finally told Ryan, "You don't have any sense." Ryan promptly replied in a very serious voice, "Yes I do. It's in the car." -- Myra, mother of Ryan and sister of Phillip of South Carolina A friend of Sherri's took her little boy Dylan, 5, to the beauty salon for a haircut. After the girl cut his hair she said, "Now I will put a little mousse in your hair." Dylan looked up at her and asked, "What part of the mousse?" -- Sherri Princell of Santa Clarita, California __ |::| |::| _..---.._ |::| .' / \ `. |::| / / \ \ |::| / / \ \ | | / | | \ | | | | ___ | | | | _`'..._-.|____|__|\\/|__|____|..| | ___ ____... | .- - - - - - - -. | .| |_ `' ____. /.-----------------.\ .| | ```.. ``.. //' `-._ _.-` '\\ | | .. ...-' ||' /.-.\ /.-.\ '|| `..\...`'` ---._` \\:_ \(o)/...\(o)/._:// .----..--- LGB ___.._ __.... ._....._.....___ '' ___.._ __.... ._....._.....___ As a first grade project, Jay's granddaughter, Baillie, was studying the planets in our solar system. When she arrived home from school, Baillie's mother asked what she had learned. She replied, "I know almost all the names of the planets -- they are, The Moon, Pluto, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars and Your Highness (Uranus)!" -- Jay Miller of Slaterville, Utah S.T., a 4-year-old in the hospital, had an uncomfortable tube in her nose. The doctor came in and asked if he could (finally) take it out. Without hesitating the little girl told him, "You have to ask the nurse first!" -- Erika Kiefer (the patient in the next bed was Erika's) of Baltimore, Maryland Starla's daughter Sara, 4, was hungry. Starla told her to wait... Dad was making dinner. Sara wrinkled her nose and asked what he was making. Starla said, "Steaks and stuff." Sara cocked her head and asked, "Is that kind of like mis-STEAKS?" -- Starla Smith of Cedar Rapids, Iowa /^\ /^\ { O} { O} \ / \ / // // _------_ // // ./~ ~-_ / ~----~/ / \ / : ./ _---_ ~- | \________) : /~ ~\ | | / | | :~~\ | | | | | | \___-~ | | \ __/`=1C______\. ./ \ ~-______-~\. .| ~-_ /_____________________________________~~____ John McDonald When Janet had her birthday a few weeks ago, her son Alex, 7, asked her how old she was. Stretching the truth a little, Janet said, "I'm 29." Alex thought for a moment and then said, "Well, Mom, you can't be 29! You were 29 last year, so you have to be 30 this year!" -- Janet Hart of Wolcottville, Indiana Kennedy, almost 2, was staying at her grandmother's house. Her grandmother would say, "Kennedy, what does a cat do?" Kennedy would say, "Meow." Grandmother would say, "Kennedy, what does a cow do?" Kennedy would say, "Moo." After going through other animals, her grandmother said, "Kennedy, what does a dog do?" Kennedy said, "Poop in the house!" -- Shane Housholder (father of Kennedy) of Fort Wayne, Indiana A homeschool group went on a field trip to a children's museum in San Antonio, Texas. It was an interactive museum where children can touch and explore things. One of the exhibits was a real airplane where the children can take turns being the pilot and using the microphone to speak to the children who are pretending to be passengers. Shawn, 8, was taking his turn when his mother informed him it was time to leave. Shane grabbed the microphone and shouted, "People, we have to land this plane, and we are going to crash! I want everyone to evaporate! Evaporate this plane now!" -- Mary Ann Boyd (mother of Shawn) of Pleasanton, Texas .'|_.- .' ' /_ .-" -. '> .- -. -. '. / /|_ .-.--.-. ' > / / (o( o( o ) \_." < '-'-''-' ) < ( _.-'-. ._\. _\ '----"/--.__.-) _- \| AoS "V"" "V" Debbie's 15-month-old, Jared, loves to chatter. And he loves to be tickled, as with most babies his age. The other night at the dinner table, his mother Debbie was eating a baby dill pickle and Jared was opening and closing his hand at Debbie, as if he wanted one. So she gave him a pickle and told him what it was. He grabbed it and started to "tickle" it with his fingers while saying, "tickle-tickle" with the biggest grin on his face! -- Debbie Pipkin of Michigan ========================================================== _ ,="` `""=, o / ,=="""'=; , __ ~ / ,--'/=,) o \`\\"._ _, | .='/ <9(9.=" / _ |||;._//) / (J ^\ \ o_/@ @ /// |=( .' .' \ '='/ '-. ( (`__, ,`\| / / \`-;_ \ '.\_/ |\_.' ~ / | /` _ \ ) `""``` | , ; /`\/ `\ \ /.-._///_ |/ ' \_,\__/\ \.-'.'----'` \| '. \ \ /`-, ~ `\ _.-'\ (`-` .' `-.-' _.-')__./,--' .--'`,-'`'""` ` \ /`"`-` | ~ | / ~ | .-'__ .' \ ;'"` `""----'` \ \ '. `\ jgs ) `-. ~ / `-._ | , `-, ~ \ .' `''----` `.( ` >-->BE YOURSELF The world would like to change you; There are pressures all around, You must decide just who you are, Then firmly hold your ground. You have an image of yourself, An ideal sense of you; And to this vision you must always Struggle to be true. You know what you are good at, And you know where talents lie; But if you're ruled by others, Your uniqueness could pass by. Remember, there is much to learn, All new things aren't good, Wisdom lies in what you've learned And what you have withstood. So be yourself and don't allow The world to take control, Preserving your identity Is life's most precious goal. -by Bruce B. Wilmer >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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