An Early Christmas Story... :) 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: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please 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 :) Our First super hottie is from our friends Brenda, Bunni, and Geniann. It is one sure to give you some smiles for your day. Give it time to load and check it out here... _)_ .-'(/ '-. / ` \ / - - \ (` a a `) \ ^ / '. '---' .' .-`'---'`-. / \ / / ' ' \ \ _/ /| |\ \_ `/|\` |+++++++|`/|\` /\ /\ | `-._.-` | \ / \ / |_ | | _| jgs | _| |_ | (ooO Ooo) Making A Baby http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makeababy.html --- ...Such a cute one! Thanks Ladies! This next sizzler is from our friends Fran and Karen. It is one of those that gives you pause because it is one that we can easily identify with. Check it out here... _________________________ (, ______________________ ) | | || | | @@@@ || @@@@ | | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@ | | @@ - - || - @@@@ | | @ c/ || '_ @@@ | | _@| |_ || __\@ \@ | | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/) | | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /| | | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_| | | / \ || ,: '( | | : _/| || |: \ | | : | || |: ) | | : | || |: | | |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_| .---('________________________)--. | / ( |____ __________ _| | /\ ) |___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| / |___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=. b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \ / \ /|/ ,___/| Mirror Reflection http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mirror.html --- ...Very thought provoking and beautiful! Thanks Fran and Karen! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ _ _ _ _ /^\ /:\ /%\ /8\ /#\ /___\ /:::\ /%%%\ /888\ /###\ [_____]:::::]%%%%%]88888]#####] |_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| |=====|=====|=====|=====|=====| | _ | _ | _ | _ | _ | | / \ | / \| / \ | / \ |/ \ | || || | || ||| || | | || || | || ||| || | | || || | || ||| || | | | \_/ | \_/| \_/ | \_/ |\_/ | |_____|_____|_____|_____|_____| jgs |=====|=====|=====|=====|=====| | |:::::|%%%%%|88888|#####| '-----'-----'-----'-----'-----' >CHRISTMAS CRAYONS by Darlene Buechel My childhood was filled with laughter, love, and happy memories -- especially during the holidays, but the yuletide that stands out most is the year of the Christmas Crayons. I was nine that December, little sis Diane was eight and big brother Dennis was 10. Since all of us were sophisticated non-believers in the man in the big red suit, Mom thought she'd be straight with us. "Money's tight so you're each getting one small gift so I can get your dad the dresser he needs," Mom warned. Dennis made a grumpy face, but Diane and I weren't too upset. After all, we had plenty of Barbies and board games to occupy our free time. One day, about a week before Christmas, Dad was at work so Mom brought out a huge box and a gigantic roll of red wrapping paper. "I need you kids to help wrap but remember, Dad's dresser is our secret," Mom winked as Diane and I grabbed scotch tape and Dennis found the scissors. After the box was gaily decorated, Mom let the three of us drag it into her sewing room -- Dad would never look in there. Since we always got up early Christmas morning, we could put it under the tree and surprise Dad when he got up for Christmas breakfast. I knew my parents always stayed up late on Christmas Eve, then put presents out before they slipped off to bed. Since I was nine and had my own alarm, I set it for 12:15am so I could sneak out and look at the loot under the tree. I felt a little sad when I spied only three small gifts that Christmas Eve. I frowned at the smallest tagged "Darlene", but didn't dare shake it, smell it, or touch it. I was old enough to know Christmas held little magic if I already guessed my one and only gift. I trudged back to my room and reset my alarm for 6:15 before slinking back under my smiley face quilt. I was extra quiet so as not to wake my little sister softly snoring under her Strawberry Shortcake blanket on the other twin bed. Two blinks later my shrieking alarm clock signaled Christmas morning was finally here. I popped out of bed and shrugged into my blue fuzzy bathrobe before I yanked the pink quilt off of Diane. We heard Dennis already galloping down the stairs, so Diane and I quickly followed. As soon as we entered the living room I blinked a few times in the hopes our three tiny gifts would have multiplied over night, but no such luck. Without a word we trudged off to the sewing room to get Dad's gift. By the time we'd dragged it under the tree, Mom was in the kitchen putting her famous cinnamon rolls into the oven and we already smelled Dad's coffee perking. "Time for presents. Hurry up!" Diane tugged mom's bathrobe, then all five of us scrambled back into the living room. "Youngest first," Dad commanded when Dennis started reaching for his gift. Diane quickly ripped the festive paper off her cereal-sized package and promptly pulled out a bright red coloring book with a goofy grinning elf on the cover. "Thanks," she squeaked in her best trying-to-be-happy voice. I was next, so I grabbed the smaller box with my name on it and carefully peeled off the paper. "Geeze -- think we got all day?" Dennis grumbled. My smile was genuine as I inspected my big box of 64 Crayola Crayons. "Wow! It even has a built in sharpener. Thanks." Mom and Dad grinned as Dennis ripped the paper off his one measly gift. "Neat. A model car," my brother mumbled with all the enthusiasm reserved for a visit to the dentist for three silver fillings. Mom and Dad chuckled softly, then Mom smiled. "Kids, why don't you help Dad open his present?" The three of us huddled around the huge box while Dad stayed parked in his Lazy-Boy. "Go ahead. You didn't get to open much this year," Dad nodded. The three of us quickly ripped into the bright red paper, and Dennis pulled the tape off the huge brown box. Shouts of "Wow!" and "Groovy!" filled the room as the three of us discovered more than a dozen wrapped gifts nestled inside the big box. Dennis frantically grabbed at all the boxes bearing his name -- boys were such animals! I glanced shyly at Dad to see if he was disappointed. "What about the dresser?" I asked. Mom laughed. "We got a new one last summer, remember? I saved the box for this Christmas surprise." The next moments were a blur of flying paper and gasps of delight. I don't recall the other gifts I gushed over that year, but I think about the Christmas Crayons every December. These days when Christmas means big ticket items like portable DVD players and Nintendo games for elementary school kids, I long for a simpler time when a box of 64 (with its very own built in sharpener!) brought pure joy. Yes, I'm glad my childhood was filled with laughter, love and one special Yuletide -- colored with the joy of Christmas Crayons. -- Darlene Buechel ___________________________________________ Darlene -- a Wisconsin Cheesehead -- enjoys reading, writing, and coloring during blustery winter nights. Some of her previous Heartwarmers include, The Incredible Shrinking Mom, Fistfull of Pennies and Easy Bake Christmas. You can reach her here: mailto:dar@tcei.com ========================================================== >--From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' We want to be served, and served with excellence. This is the mentality of the world. We demand our rights. And if we don’t get our way, we get angry. Jesus Christ came to serve man. He healed us, He fed us, He washed our feet, He prayed for us, and ultimately He died for us. His mission was to set us free from the bondages of hell here on earth and to provide us with eternal freedom in Him. Freedom came with a terrible price. Christ had to die on the cross of Calvary to pay a debt. Our debt! He paid with His death so we can have a NEW LIFE in Him. Not just a make-over, but a brand new beginning. He demonstrated this by teaching us the true way to love. To love as God we put others first. To love like God we look for ways to help and mend brokenness in people’s lives. True love is sacrificial. Jesus facing His death on the cross, did not even defend Himself. He did not complain. He didn’t say it was unfair. He rested in the love of His Father knowing that He completed His mission on earth. The next time you want to fight for your rights, look instead at how you might serve someone. Let Jesus Christ be our example, not the world! -<> >The Best Day of My Life ~Author Unknown~ Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever! There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate! Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger. I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice. Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know. Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me. Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine. And tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures. As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever! --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseA! ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Have I Ever Told You? Have I ever told you Just how much you mean to me? Or did I let the thoughts slip by Like wind blowing through the trees? I was sure I had told you That you meant the world to me Yet, somehow, we have lost our love Such a special love between you and me Now I sit here all alone Since you are no longer in my life Although your memory still surrounds me Like a bird your love has taken flight Still the memories are so precious As I sit all alone on my chair Remembering the touch of your fingers Softly running through my hair Still vividly remembering your words As you told me how very much you cared How so much you wanted and needed me forever To be in your life as our love and our life we shared Then you gently put your arms around me As you looked deep into my eyes Tenderly whispering 'I LOVE YOU' But now, you are gone, and I cry I sit here all alone today With only memories in my heart If only I had said Yes, My Love We would never be apart As Christmas draws near once more I am here alone thinking of you I hope your day is special In everything you say and do I hope as the day progresses A sweet memory of us will come to mind If only for a moment Perhaps a smile will cause your face to shine If you experience a small flashback of remembrance And think of me once more I hope you know how much I'm thinking of You How much I wish you were in love with me once more Feelings I have kept hidden deep within my heart Will never fade or die Although I've tried so hard to forget The lasting memory of You just will not die Now all I can do is wish you A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year As I think of You once more Wishing so much that you were still here with me Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright October 18, 2009 Revised October 26,2011 All Rights Reserved --- ...Awww, so heartwarming! Thanks Bunni! ================================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: o o //@@ o @@ ") @@@ - @ _____ / \ / \ |\____\ / ( X ) | | | | <___=\ | | | \======\ \|_"_| (____ >What Has Formed Me my life for me is so different now been touched by hell, but survived somehow paths I've chosen, some good, some bad have given to me this life I've had sometimes the course I chose to lead has brought me pain, my heart to bleed at times my road and its way may bring such joy within me, make my soul to sing some days so long, some nights so black but it is my life and I won't look back for days to come, full of I know not be thankful now for all I've got for each new day is a giving thing for good or bad, whatever it may bring I keep what is given, return what I can just do my best for my fellow man I'll never regret it, for good or for bad for such are the things in the life I've had as roots, limbs or leaves that make up the tree all things bad and good, has just made … me! Written and Copyright © Beverly Joe Vaughn August 7, 1998 -<>- _________________ |'-========OoO===='-. | ||'-.____'-.'-.____'-. | || | | | | '-| | | | | '-|______|__|______| >The Timeless Gift By Harrison Kelly Shopping for a Christmas gift can be the most nerve-wracking event of the year. Shopping for my wife can be a special challenge. Vacuum cleaners are too impersonal, football tickets are too impractical, and kitchen gadgets are downright impossible. I was at a loss, with Christmas fast approaching. In desperation, I asked my secretary, Sally, to help me pick out a present. We walked side by side in a fast-paced walk, two blocks to the jewelry store. Working in the downtown business district had its advantages; being close to a lot of shopping places was one of them. However, there were disadvantages as well. On the way, our path crossed a couple of homeless men, huddled together by a vent from one of the nearby buildings. I started to cross the street to avoid them, but traffic was too thick. Just before we approached, I switched sides with Sally to keep them from confronting her. They were surely going to beg for money, pretending to buy food, but any donation would surely end up as beer or wine. As we got closer, I could see that one was probably in his mid- thirties and the other was a boy of school age - around thirteen or fourteen. Both were dressed shabbily, the older with a too-tight sport coat ripped at the sleeve, while the boy was without a coat at all, only a tattered shirt separating him from the blowing wind. A quarter or two and they'll leave us alone, I thought. "I'll handle this," I said with my best male bravado. But Sally seemed undisturbed by the sight of the two beggars. In fact, she seemed comfortable in their presence. Before they asked, she offered. "Is there anything I can do for you?" she directed her question to the two homeless men. I was in shock, waiting to pull Sally away from a dangerous situation, but she stood firm. The two men looked at her with surprise until the older one spoke up. "Yes, ma'am. We do need something." Here it comes - the hook, the gouge, I thought. The two panhandlers are looking for a handout, an easy mark. As I watched, I could tell the younger boy was shivering in the winter breeze, but what could I do? "Could you tell us the time?" asked the older man. Sally glanced at her watch and replied, "Twelve-fifteen." He nodded his thanks and didn't say another word. We continued on our way to the jewelry store, and I had to ask Sally about the encounter. "Why did you ask if you could help that man?" "He was cold and in need, that's why," she replied in a matter- of-fact tone. "But he's a bum. He could have tried to rob you or something." "I take care of myself. But sometimes you have to take a chance on someone." We arrived at the jewelry store, and Sally quickly found the perfect gift for my wife - a pair of diamond earrings. While she was there, she bought a man's watch, not an expensive one, but she was always thrifty. Probably a gift for her husband, I thought. As we walked back to our building, the two vagabonds were still hovering around the sidewalk grate. Once again, I tried to come between Sally and the two, but she wouldn't let me. To my surprise, when we got next to them, she pulled the watch out of the bag and handed it to the older man. "Here, I'm sure you know how to use it." He was as shocked as I was. "Thank you, much obliged, ma'am," he said, trying the watch on his wrist. As we walked away, Sally had a gleam in her eyes, proud of what she had done. "Why on Earth did you do that?" Sally shrugged and said, "God has been so good to me, and I decided to do something good for him." "But he didn't deserve it." "Even the poor want something special, and besides, God's done things for me that I don't deserve - but He did them anyway." "He's probably going to buy beer with that watch." Sally just smiled at me and said, "Well, so what if he does? That's not my concern. I did something for good and that's all that matters. What he does with the watch is his challenge." We arrived back at our building and went into our separate offices. I wondered about the encounter, and I thought about the two men. Surely they were at the pawnshop, getting ready for a hot time at Sally's expense. The next day, I was going to lunch alone at a hamburger stand outside our building. As I walked down the street, I noticed the same two men that Sally and I had encountered. They were both still hovering around the heater vent. The older man recognized me and said, "Excuse me, sir. Could you give me the time?" Aha! I had caught him. Sally's watch was nowhere to be found. Exactly what I thought. "Where is the watch my secretary gave you yesterday?" I asked, hoping to stir his heart. He hung his head down and admitted his guilt. "Sir, I'm sorry but I had to do something." It was then I noticed the new parka around the shoulders of his young companion. "Wouldn't you do something for one of your own?" Speechless, I handed him a quarter and continued on my way. As I walked, I started thinking about the incident. He had sold the watch all right, but he bought a coat, not beer, with the money. Sally's act of kindness did have meaning. So did her words: The challenge was answered. As I arrived at the hamburger stand, I suddenly lost my appetite. I turned around and headed back to the office. The two men were still by the grate. I tapped the older man on the shoulder and he looked up at me, obviously freezing. I took my long, gray overcoat off and draped it over his shoulders without saying a word. As I walked away, I knew that my own challenge had been met. The few steps back to my office made my teeth chatter. But, you know...it was one of the warmest trips I have ever made in my life. -<>- | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` >AN EARLY CHRISTMAS STORY Pa never had such 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 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. 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 again 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 this 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. After 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. He turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring in enough to last 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 as 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 with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before, filled my soul. 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 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 brothers and two sisters had 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. 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. Now 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. Don't be too busy today... Share this inspiring message (Author Unknown) -<>- .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || >A Christmas story My husband and I had been happily (most of the time) married for five years, but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if He would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with His word as my guide. God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year, he blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were blessed with a daughter. My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, "If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella." I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him. I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs. When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess. In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children. While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother. I didn't even come close. I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God. I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too. Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife." My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine. My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, "We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes." But he was nervous and said, "The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes." My four-year-old "Mary" said, "That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes." A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing. I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, "Mama- mama." Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived. My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, "We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur." The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation. "I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one," Pastor Brian laughed, wiping tears from his eyes. "For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur." "My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin. -<>- >IT WON'T BE LIKE BEFORE By,Kathleene S. Baker I haven't been home for Christmas, Since my Mama passed away. We've been celebrating at my house, And Dad comes for a nice long stay. Even once grown, I'd think of home, As the holidays grew near. I couldn't always make the trip, But my heart was always there. My age made not a difference, When it came to the holidays. Cause going home for Christmas, Washed all those years away. Family traditions that never changed, Made it special being home. And made me feel like a kid again, No matter how far I'd roamed. Over many years I gathered, A treasure trove of memories. Such as aromas from Mom's kitchen, And her secret recipes. But this year Dad needn't travel, I'll be home for Christmas day. Tho it won't be like it was before, Now that Mama's gone away. I'll smile as I fight back my tears, When we're greeted at the door. Cause Dad will open it all alone, No, it won't be like before. On Christmas day I'll slip away, And go visit with my Mom. Gently placing flowers on her grave, While wishing she wasn't gone. I know her spirit will surround us, As we celebrate this year. Smiling down upon the family, That she loved and held so dear - Lnstrlady@aol.com -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Christmas Animations: For Angels, Candles, Doves http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html For Crosses, Hearts, God, And Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html For Nativity Scenes and New Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html For Prayers, Santa, Sledding, and Snow http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_p-t.html For Words:Merry (Christmas) and Xmas (all other Christmas related) http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Holiday cooking: Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html The Christmas Story http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html Christmas Around The World! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Christ's Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Come Adore Him! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comeadorehim.html Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friends.html No Pass Zone http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephant.html Nanny Animals 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals2.html Expensive Hotel Rooms http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ehotels.html Modern Toilet http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moderntoilet.html Notes To God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cnotes.html Thoughts into Action 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action3.html Home Security! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/security.html -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) This is good information.... I'm sure the simplicity will surprise you. http://www.youtube.com/embed/Y_m6p99l6ME?feature=player_embedded This is hysterical - the Obama health care http://www.youtube.com/embed/4U1ShwjleSE Every song is better when it's played by dogs with hands! You've got to see this incredible performance of "The Little Drummer Boy." The popular YouTube band Walk Off The Earth is joined by some festive furry friends for this rendition of the Christmas classic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5v07eIFfNY&feature=player_embedded Interment aboard the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor results in Eternal Peace for a select few Navy Veterans that served on the ship and survived the attack by the Japanese. Upon their passing these men have requested to be returned to the USS Arizona so they can lie in peace with their shipmates for eternity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgE2KiPd3xg&feature=player_embedded About 125 hours devoted by the artist to produce the video you’re about to enjoy… Hang on to your hat....You won't see these everyday. Very special footage. http://www.youtube.com/embed/hUj65M4T1cg?feature=player_embedded Cat is watching you. The music makes it. Short and so cute! http://www.wimp.com/watchingyou/ --- ...Such fun ones! Great! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Wildlife Film Festival in Missoula , Montana . The majority was shot on location in Yellowstone National Park , Grand Teton National Park, and The National Elk Refuge in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BUOQ_yPW_0s --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Top Secret Drum Corps - Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012 http://www.youtube.com/embed/HW3QVLlK-kE?feature=player_embedded --- ...Nice! Thanks Melody! 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 ========================================================== ||::|:|| .--------, |:||:|:| |_______ / .-. ||::|:|| ."` ___ `". {\('v')/} \\\/\///: .'` `'. ;____`( )'____ \====/ './ o o \|~ ^" "^ // \\// | ())) . | Season's \ || \ `.__.' /| // || _{``-.___.-'\| Greetings \ || _." `-.____.-'`| ___ // ||` __ \ |___/ \_______\ ."|| (__) \ \| / / `\/ __ vvvvv'\___/ | | (__) | \___/\ / || | .___. | || | | | ||.-' | '-. jgs || | ) ||----------'---------' >An Unforgettable Christmas Story Editor: by Twila Ingham Joyce Schowalter Iowa, USA We started rebuilding my childhood home in 2004. Then my husband David fell sick. Progress on our house came to a complete standstill with no interior walls (tough to heat), no kitchen cabinets, etc. In late October, Deb and Rose, my husband's co-workers, came by with a collection they'd taken up at work for us, and we were incredibly grateful. About Thanksgiving, Deb and Rose called again -- to say they were ready to buy building materials to finish the inside of our house. We were stunned! They made a list and did the shopping. They bought ceiling insulation, drywall, drywall joint compound (mud), drywall tape, two windows, primer and paint. Deb and Rose "ran the show". They scheduled volunteers from work. Since Thanksgiving anywhere from four to 14 'Angels' were in our house each weekend, working to make it a home. The first weekend 13 people hung insulation and drywall. Some worked tirelessly for three days. Deb, Rose and Pam came that first Friday and hung ceiling insulation. Not an easy task since it was six inch insulation on eight foot ceilings. The drywallers started Saturday. Deb, Rose, Pam, Chester Linda, Jim, Chuck (6'4" tall and a lifesaver for ceiling work), Zhaia, Steve, Keith, Barb, Janet and Susie spent their entire weekend on this 'little' project. The next two weekends, with a couple weekdays thrown in, they returned to hang, mud, tape and sand the drywall, and put in the windows. Then Jan and Susie painted. Unfortunately, we soon discovered the living room's exterior plywood was so wet it had molded. Deb's response was "How much and what size? Don't worry about money, we've got it covered." Steve got the plywood that night. The next day, the guys knocked down bad wood, nailed up new, then added new house wrap, all in about two hours. Deb asked about storm doors. She indicated they had enough money for one, so she asked me to help pick one out. Then, last week another co-worker asked Deb how they were coming, because he or she wanted to donate to the cause. She said we needed one more storm door, and they donated enough money to buy it. Again, we were speechless! Even though Chester had to work at midnight one night, he and Deb came over to hang the storm doors. The dining room and our grandson's bedroom are DONE, including paint. All of this has been so unbelievable! We're down to final sanding and painting in the kitchen, bathroom and living room. Our 'Angels' deserve a rest and time with their own families through the holidays, so we'll pause a while. Today I'll get out the Christmas tree and decorations. When Kaeden, our grandson, gets home from pre-kindergarten this afternoon, he and I will decorate it together. But what a different setting we're in! What an unforgettable Christmas this is. We can't even put into words how special these people are to us. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: .-----. ( #-...'`\ \ # | _ )"===="| _ (_`"======"`_) /`""""""""`\ | o _o\ ,_ | (_>| ___ {` `}__ \ '.___/--# _ _ ."` `"=, `;"` `"=, '. ;-._:'\ {_}:_`'=='` _,=="""=,\ / _.-'`\ )===\ <)_/ __ `'--.=" _.====, `| ; _.'` _.;` .---""`====`-'\__.' `| `'_(| ^.^ |)/ ;'` _.:_^} / ()\ / )';_'='_/.' _ .'=_._\___.-|`|| || _ \___..--' \_.-' .'` '.=/(__/` | _`-.=||_||_||_||_|/` | | () | / / o| \ \_/ .=`-`/ \\_/ ; ; /`-,_/ o| |-' /`-..-' ~~ |/ \ ()/ `(`___ o/__/ \_/` / \ '. / _`\ \`""` \ __ __\ \ '-./ __, _.'`\ `; || `'.'._ /-"// {{o '.'. //" // ( `\ \_ || ,/`-.`./ // {{ \/`.`.// // \ .-`\ `\ jgs `\\_/ `'-.// `\\_/ `'; o// \___) `._____.' `"` `"` >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Cheryl tells about visiting her neighbors on New Year's Eve. As they were getting ready to leave, Cheryl turned to Alex, 2, and said, "Happy New Year!" His mother said, "Alex, what do you say to Cheryl?" Alex looked at Cheryl and said, "Happy Reindeer!" -- Cheryl D. Fox of Monroe, Ohio Sara has been talking with her son Alex, 3, about God's gift of Baby Jesus. Alex has a baby brother. So many times while playing with the nativity he would point out the mommy, the daddy, the angel and baby Jeremiah, his brother. Sara had Alex repeat "baby Jesus" several times. The other night while preparing for bed, Alex said, "Mommy, let's talk about the mommy, the daddy, the angel and baby Gus!" -- Sara of Kentucky Dylan, 4, was helping his parents decorate their Christmas tree. When his father insisted that he put decorations all around the tree, Dylan asked, "Why put balls on the back of the tree, 'cause nobody cam see 'em." -- Dennis Smith (Dylan's PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina While going through her Christmas crafts books, Connie found a few scraps of paper onto which she had written down some of the wonderful things kids will say. One story was about Maggie, 7, when they spent Christmas in the U.S. They spent a day looking for a dress for the Christmas and New Year's parties and receptions. Connie found out they were even invited to a gathering that was going to have valet parking. When told about "valet parking," Maggie replied, "What color is the velvet?" -- Connie (mother of Maggie) of Vienna, Austria Connie tends to write a year's review and enclose it in their holiday cards. Maggie wanted to know what Connie was going to write about her. When Connie told her Maggie, who was 8 or 9, admonished, "You didn't mention that I have no more baby teeth left!" Obviously, for her that was a major milestone and worthy of the Christmas letter! _ __{_}_ .'______'-. _:-' `'-: _ / _______ `\ .-' \ \.-' `'--./ .' \ \ / () ___ () \ \ \\\# || (___) | \ #\\_|| '.___.' | \___|\ \_________.--./ \\ | \ \--. \\/_________/ / `\ , .\\ /`--;`-. `-.__.'/ / _\\ ,_.' _/ \ \ / | `\ \ /` | '.___.-' \____/\ '--\____/ / \\ \ | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | \ \\ /::.:::.. jgs '.___..-.__.\\__.__.':::::::''''' Joan's family had their large annual gathering at Mamaw's house for Thanksgiving. It is the one time of year when everyone gets to see family members from far away. James, 8, kept saying, "My toy has AA batteries, my toy has AA batteries" over and over. Finally his cousin Taylor, 4, said, "James, will you stop repeating that. You are rattling my brain!" -- Joan Henry (great aunt of Taylor) of Sulphur Springs, Texas Tricia is constantly forgetting things. So she asks her children, Olivia, 7, and Ethan, 5, to remind her about things she needs to remember and they do a great job. One day she told Ethan to remind her to pay their insurance bill at State Farm. After a moment of silence he asked, "Mommy, do you think they will let me pet the cows?" -- Tricia Olmstead of Hillsdale, Michigan When Tom was little his parents were expecting their second child. Asked what he wanted (a sister or a brother?) he replied, "A dump truck!" -- Angela Hoover of Seattle, Washington Leah says the "girl cheese sandwich" story last week reminded her of her niece Chrissy who used to call fried eggs "frog eggs!" -- Leah of Tampa, Florida .-. | \_..---._ \_ .' `;. / _.-'` \ ; .-' _.-'~; | .' .-' \ _....__ ; / .' o | \ | ~_- ~ ' . `'..'; / o /> ; \|/ ~_- ~_.._. ' . \| __,' / /` ~ ~_- ~_.._. . ' '._ _.-;`. ,/ ~ `;.' '_ `""`. ' . \ // `;-'`'-.__ . _/// /. ' .-'`'''o \/ _.-' . .' | ~-...--'` . ' . / (\ o ; ~ _~- ~ ' . .-'` \\ / ~ -~ -_...-'\ \\ o / ~ - ~ ;._ `\ _.; .' `` \__ '. / |\ ` \ ; / \ ; ._..--"""| |""--..__ | | ; ; jgs \ / '. .' `-..__ __..-' Here are some holiday stories from readers in year's past that I have enjoyed: Danny, 8, told his dad some boys at school had told him that Santa was really his parents. So Danny's dad decided it was time to tell him the truth. And he told him about the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy while he was at it. Danny took it all in stride, but seemed kind of sad. Then he looked at his dad and said, "Yeah, and there ain't no turkey, either." -- Patsy Campbell of Portland, Tennessee It was about a week before Christmas and Danielle, 3, was helping her mother decorate Christmas cookies. The radio was belting out holiday tunes and they sang and danced as they frosted. Suddenly Danielle started pouting, and tears fell from her eyes. "Honey, what's wrong?" her mother asked. "They said Santa Claus is coming to town," Danielle said. "But we live in the country!" -- Darlene Buechel (mother of Danielle) of Chilton, Wisconsin Nakita's preschool teacher asked the children about all the people in the manger scene. All the children knew baby Jesus and most knew Mary and Joseph. But they were stumped about who the three men grouped together were. Then, with a smile on her angelic face, Nakita announced: "The Three Wise Guys!" -- Dusty (mother of Nakita) of Barberton, Ohio Allen, 6, was on his way with his mother to see Santa Claus at school. They were talking about what they wanted for Christmas. When Allen asked his mother what she wanted, she said, "Peace and harmony." "Mom, what's a piece of harmony?" Allen asked. -- Jo Ann G. Usey (mother of Allen) of Knoxville, Tennessee Sherri, 10, told her mother she did not believe in Santa, and asked if she could open all her presents on Christmas Eve. It was obvious on Christmas morning that she was really disappointed that there was nothing else under the tree from "Santa," but she didn't say anything. A couple of months later she was shopping with her mother when she said, very seriously, "I may not believe in Santa, but I sure believe in that Easter Bunny!" -- Sharon Sausedo (mother of Sherri) of Hollister, Calif. ========================================================== .=======. \`=====`/ |_______| __/_________\__ S N O W M A N `"";' ';""` / 0 _ 0 \ I made myself a snowman \ /_ | (_) | _\ / As perfect as could be. \\/ /`| |`\ \// '-.\\ \/ | \ \ / / | \/ //.-' __\\| \ '. '._.' .' / |//__I thought I'd keep it as a pet \\ .-'. `'-----'` .'-. // And let it sleep with me. \\.' '-._ .-'\ '.// /` `'''''') ) `\ / ( ( ,\ I made it some pajamas ; O /\ '-..-'/ ; And a pillow for its head. | ( '. / | | O ) `;---'` | ; /__.-' ;_ Then, last night it ran away. .-''-\ O ` / '- But first-- it wet the bed! `. .' jgs '-._ _.-' `" ' - - - ' "`` >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) >A Christmas Kiss Though it’s been many years gone by, It's still so clear to me. My Mother held me in her arms, As we sat near the tree. She was feeling sentimental; Told of Christmas' gone by. She led me to the window and, We looked up at the sky. The night was bright and beautiful! Bright stars everywhere. With no beginning and no end, To all the wonders there. One star seemed to move from the rest, And as we watched it fell. Everything was so quiet and still, It was like a magic spell! I saw a smile upon her face, And tears formed in her eyes. At the moment the star began To fall from darkened skies. "That was a kiss from Grandma" she said, "Who's in heaven above. She sends a kiss each Christmas night To remind me of her love." I think of Mom on Christmas night, A star I wait to see. As I know she's looking down and, Will send a kiss to me! --- ...lovely! Thanks LouiseA! Our memories of our loved ones are what we have till we are united once again with them when Christ Returns! >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? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************