Because Of Love 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 or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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 AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends Geniann and LouiseAu. It will give you many smiles as you ponder who in your own life you are most thankful for that brings you much joy. Check this heartwarming one out here... hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses& & hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hu &hugs&kisses s&h es&hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss gs&kisse es&h sses&hugs&kisses&hugs&k s&kiss ses& isses&hugs&kisses&hugs &kiss s&kis sses kisses&hugs&kisses&hu ugs&kiss s&ki isse &kisses&hugs&kisses&h &hugs&kiss gs&k kiss s&kisses&hugs&kisses& es&hugs&kis ugs& &kis gs&kisses&hugs&kisses sses&hugs&k hugs s&ki ugs&kisses&hugs&kisse kisses&hugs &hug gs&k hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss s&kisses&hu s&hu ugs& &hugs&kisses&hugs&kis ugs&kisses& es&h hugs s&hugs&kisses&hugs& i hugs&kisse ses& &hug es&hugs&kisses&hug k hugs&kis sses s&hu ses&hugs&kisses&h & hugs& isse es&h sses&hugs&kisse s& &kiss s gs&ki hugs&kis s ugs&kisse sses&hugs&ki i ses&h k k sses& & &kis gs&kisses&hug isses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kis gs&kisses&h &kisses&hug es&hugs&kisses g gs&ki ugs&kisses& s&kisses&hu ses&hugs&kisses u ugs&ki ugs&kisse ugs&kisses&h sses&hugs&kisses h hugs&k hugs&kiss hugs&kisses& isses&h gs&kisses& &hugs&k hugs&ki s&hugs&kisses kisses ugs&kisses s&hugs& &hugs&k es&hugs&kisse hugs&kisse es&hugs& &hugs sses&hugs&kiss s&kiss &hugs&kiss ses&hugs s&hug isses&hugs&kis gs&kiss s&hugs&kis sses&hugs s&h &kisses&hugs&ki ugs&kisses&hugs& i isses&hug es& s&kisses&hugs&k hugs&kisses&hug k kisses&hug e ugs&kisses&hugs& &hugs&kisses&h & &kisses&hu hugs&kisses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kisses&hu s&hugs&kisses g gs&kisses&h es&hugs&kisse u ugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&h -- Matt Ryan Thankful For You! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankful.html --- ...Awww, such a sweet one! Thank You Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. -- H.U. Westermayer Joe Walker reminds us that there is more happening, and remembered, around the Thanksgiving table than meets the eye. It's what's in your heart that matters most. Have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving weekend. .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / | -= | /| ( | |/`< ) ) ( ; -=| _| ) \ \ / ____ /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / _ .'`/| _ / | '-._( __\ (__/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==========` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >TEASING, BASKETBALL AND CANDIED YAMS by Joseph Walker There will be a few new faces around the dinner table this Thanksgiving Two of them will belong to new great-nephews who were born this year: Roman and Miles. Of course, neither of these sweet little boys will actually be sitting with us at the table. They'll mostly be napping while being passed from mommy to aunt to Grandpa Padilla (who never met a baby he couldn't rock to sleep.) But they'll be there when we gather, and occasionally their cute little cries will remind us how thankful we are for their safe arrival in a world that has seen far too much un-safety lately. The other new face will belong to Brian, our new son-in-law. We're still in the figuring-each-other-out phase of our relationship with Beth's new husband, and so far, we are all getting along famously. But he hasn't yet experienced a full-fledged Padilla family gathering, where the humor is raucous and the teasing is profound. I'm sure Brian's height will come up (he'll be the only male there under 6 feet tall - not counting grandpa, Roman and Miles) and the fact that he is from... you know... Texas. We'll see how Brian handles being the new kid on the family chopping block -- and we'll be thankful if he decides to stay married to Beth anyway. There will also be a few familiar faces that won't be seen around the table this year. Joe Jr. and Andrea and their families live too far away to make the trip home for Thanksgiving. Aunt Neala and Uncle Lou are in Europe somewhere, visiting their daughter who is stationed there with her Army officer husband. And then there are those -- I won't name names, but you know who you are, AmyJo -- who actually think it is important to occasionally spend Thanksgiving with outlaw... er... in-law families. Can you imagine such a thing? Neither can I -- at least, not until next Thanksgiving, when we will be feasting with the Walker clan (at which time we will introduce Brian to the traditional Walker pre-Thanksgiving basketball game, where the phrase "no compound fracture, no foul" was born.) And then there are those influences that will be there even though we won't be able to see their faces. For me, my mother is there every Thanksgiving in the candied yams (which, out of respect to mom, I won't eat. I figure if mom couldn't live to see me eat yams, no one else will, either.) Dad will be by my side, coaching me for the umpteenth time on the finer points of turkey-carving (I forget, dad. Am I supposed to cut WITH the grain or AGAINST it?) My brother Bud will be there, sampling everything before it makes its way to the table, just like he always did. I think about Bud every Thanksgiving, no matter where I am celebrating it, because nobody loved this holiday more than he did. It brings together his two favorite things in all the world -- family and food. If you could throw a little horseback riding into the mix, Bud would be in heaven. Which, come to think of it, he is. Grandpa Schaeffermeyer will be sitting in that comfy chair, smiling that vacant smile that seemed to suggest that as happy as he was to be there with us, he'd a lot rather be camping at the mine -- snowy winter weather notwithstanding. Grandpa Jess will be out on the porch trying to smoke as unobtrusively as possible while Grandma Lujan bounces back and forth between fussing in the kitchen and cooing over fussy babies. They will all be there -- whether or not we can see them. That's the way it is with family and tradition. It isn't just about turkey and dressing, candied yams and mashed potatoes. Nor is it as simple as bonding through good-natured (mostly) teasing, or through blood, sweat and tears shed innocently (sort of) on a basketball court. It is the mingling of new faces and old, the seen and the unseen, bound by love, respect and heritage. A heritage that now includes Roman, Miles and Brian. Thankfully. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$'`$$$$$$$$$$$$$'`$$$ $$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$ $$$$$$$ '$/ `/ `$' .$$$$ $$$$$$$$. i i /! .$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$.--'--' $$$$$$ $$^^$$$$$' J$$$$$$ $$$ ~"" `. .$$$$$$$ $$$$$e, ; .$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$.' $$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$. $$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$ $by&TL$ ------------------------- I LOVE YOU ------------------------- >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 we shared 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 with me Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright October 18, 2009 Revised October 26,2011 All Rights Reserved --- ...A tender reminder to keep our loved ones close. Thanks Bunni! -<>- .-------. |(~\o/~)| _.||\/X\/||._ ,-" || \ / || "-, ,' () ||o X o|| () ', / () ,-|| / \ ||-, () \ : o ,' ||/\X/\|| ', o ; .----------._)~ ~(_.----------. |\/)~~(\/\ (~\ /~) /\/)~~(\/| |(X () X) >o >-X-< o< (X () X)| |/\)__(/\/ _(_/|\_)_ \/\)__(/\| '----------' ) ( '----------' ; o ', ||\/~\/|| ,' o ; \ () '-|| \o/ ||-' () / ', () |(~\X/~)| () ,' '-._ ||\/ \/|| _.-' '|| \_/ ||' || X || ||\(/\/|| ||=)O(=|| ||/\/)\|| || X || || / \ || ||/\X/\|| jgs |(_/o\_)| '._____.' >What Would I Do?? You are always there, My Lord Every time I need you so much All I need to do is reach out anytime And there you are patiently waiting for me How would I ever get through each day How could I face my problems big or small If You weren't here so close beside me Only You can shelter me from each and every fall That day when I first met You I wasn't very strong I was just bobbing along down life's murky stream Living out my life from day to dreary day Then there was YOU The answer to all my dreams You were like a mighty lighthouse to me Your gentle smile made me feel so strong And although at times I feel so weak inside Just to see your smile helps me cope all day long I hear heavenly music soaring up around me Lifting my soul into glorious songs of praise You alone have set my spirit free I lift my voice as my love rises up to You in praise I sing my love song to You my Jesus For You have set my soul free from sin and care I will give You praise forever as my spirit soars For what would I do ... If You didn't care? The day You hung there between Heaven and Earth Shedding your precious blood as you suffered so much You gave YOUR LIFE to prove just how much you care So a home forever with You is where we will eternally be AMEN! Phyllis Smith (Bunni) All Rights Reserved May 25, 2010 --- ...Sweet! Thanks Bunni! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) _|\ _/|_, ,((\\``-\\\\_ ,(()) `))\ ,(())) ,_ \ ((())' | \ ))))) >.__ \ (((' / `-. .c| hjw / `-`' >Because of Love A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end. As they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?" The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, "Yes, I could use a pair of new boots." His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love." Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts? So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One". In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss. By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us. And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand. The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms. Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light. Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new year's crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift--- Because of love. Only Because of love. Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts. 1 John 4: [10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. --- ...Such a heartwarming classic story! Thanks Geniann! ============================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >It's Not Easy Let's be honest. Ethics is not for wimps. It's not easy being a good person. It's not easy to be honest when it might be costly, to play fair when others cheat, or to keep promises that are inconvenient. It's not easy to stand up for our beliefs and still respect differing viewpoints. It's not easy to control powerful impulses, to be accountable for our attitudes and actions, to tackle unpleasant tasks, or to sacrifice the now for later. It's not easy to bear criticism and learn from it without getting angry, to take advice, or to admit error. It's not easy to feel genuine remorse and apologize sincerely or to accept an apology graciously and truly forgive. It's not easy to stop feeling like a victim, to resist cynicism, or to make the best of every situation. It's not easy to be consistently kind, to think of others first, to judge generously, or to give the benefit of the doubt. It's not easy to be grateful or to give without concern for reward or gratitude. It's not easy to fail and still keep trying, to learn from failure, to risk failing again, to start over, to lose with grace, or to be glad of another's success. It's not easy to look at ourselves honestly and be accountable, to avoid excuses and rationalizations, or to resist temptations. No, being a person of character is not easy. That's why it's such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement. -Michael Josephson -<>- , (`-.-/( .:::::., `-.__) ``:\:: . /7_.-, '. -. - - `:::' .- ( `_.= \ `--._ / _?'` ___.-' -`"' \ - / )----'''' - .-' `--.. `--' ,' .-' `\ --' )---'' ) ) | _| ( \ L / | \ )__ _ \ \ `---' `--' L \ | \ \ \ L ) L_ ( \ | \ . J a:f | `. \ _.-`--=' \ ) ( _-' `--'\ '"' / ' J (,_./ >The Wind Doth Blow Clara Wersterfer Standing on the lookout point on the mountain the wind blew with such force one couldn't raise your head or open the eyes wide enough to see the scenic overview of the beautiful valley below. I sought the shelter of the gift shop and sat, angry that I couldn't stand on the crest of the mountain and enjoy the view. The gale force wind had spoiled my Sunday outing. I had always disliked wind. As a child, it was difficult for Mother to get me to go outside to play on windy days. When the temperatures dropped, the wind chill factor made it seem so much colder. Papers from overfull trash cans blew into our yard. It was my job to pick them up. Mom's pot plants turned over on our front porch, spilling dirt breaking plants and pots. I hated the wind. My husband and I bought a house on three acres of land. Seemed that all I did was pick up twigs and small branches from the yard to prevent the lawn mower from grinding them and dulling the blades. More reason to hate the wind. Shortly before Christmas that year, a friend I hadn't seen in a while, paid me a surprise visit. When I answered the door, the wind was blowing hard. "Look what the wind blew in" laughed my friend. "This is the first time in my life I appreciate the wind since it blew you my way" I retorted as we hugged. "Are you kidding me? I love the wind." Jan said, settling in an easy chair. "Think of all the good things it does. It carries plant and flower seeds from one place to another. Combs all the dead twigs and limbs out of the trees, making them easier to pick up. Pushes the beautiful sailboats around on the waterways. It even blows dirt from one place to another, changing paths. It strips the leaves from the trees to make room for new ones, depositing them on the ground to protect your plants from freezing. The wind works harder than the sun, moon or rain. Think of hot summer days when a nice, cooling breeze comes along and fans your body. Those lovely little breezes are baby winds. I could go on and on about the wonders of the wind. My thoughts are that it is one of God's special things that He made for our benefit. In His wisdom, knowing our needs, He provided the wind." Suddenly I felt very ashamed for having berated poor Mr Wind all these years. My friend had given me a different perspective on one of God's most valuable creations. Henceforth the wind would receive more respect from me and a lot less complaints. I even sent a Thank You note attached to my prayers that night. -<>- |><|~|><| /(((9)))\ //) -_- (\\ (((( ._. )))) ))))---(((( ((((`---')))) (___|xXxXx|___) \ | | / / ^ ^ ^ \ / \ (_._._._._._) \ | / ( | ) | | | hjw |-|-| /`-^-'\ (__,^.__) >Daddy's Poem Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home. Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone. But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today. But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone. And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home. But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all. About a dad she never sees a dad who never calls. There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats One by one the teacher called a student from the class. To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, a man who wasn't there. 'Where's her daddy at?' She heard a boy call out. 'She probably doesn't have one,' another student dared to shout. And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say, 'Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day.' The words did not offend her, as she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on. And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak. And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique. 'My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know. All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so. He loved to tell me stories he taught me to ride my bike. He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him. I'm not standing here alone. 'Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart' With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress. And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years. For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, doing what was right. And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud. 'I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far. You see he is a American soldier And died just this past year When a roadside bomb hit his convoy and taught Americans to fear. But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away.' And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day. And to her mothers amazement, she witnessed with surprise. A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes. Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side. 'I know you're with me Daddy,' to the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt. Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed. But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed rose. And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star. And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far. Take the time...to live and love. Until eternity. God bless! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Thanksgiving Story - Alices Restaurant http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/alices.html Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html 90/10 Principle! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Attitude Is Everything! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html The Giver And The Gift http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html Give Praise http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/praise.html Directions Home http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html Human Chameleon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chameleon.html Mountain Biking http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mountainbiking.html Until We Write Again http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html I Give Thanks By Southbreeze http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/IGiveThanks.htm -<>- >Please Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/y9tg6vgs -<>- >Product Alerts https://tinyurl.com/y98u39nl -<>- >-->From Our Friend Victor :) >Toilet Found in 3,000-Year-Old Shrine Verifies Bible Stories Against Idol Worship Archaeologists have discovered a symbolic toilet from the eighth century B.C. in Jerusalem that could be a clue to religious reforms in the Kingdom of Judah. Religious reforms, in this case, is a euphemism for quite literally defecating on the holy places one wishes to drive out of business. The stone toilet sits in Tel Lachish, a sprawling Iron Age city and the Kingdom of Judah's most important one after the capitol, Jerusalem. It was found in what the archaeologists believe to be a gate-shrine within Israel's largest ancient city gate. The ruler at that time, King Hezekiah, enacted campaigns of religious worship and reform that made their way into the Hebrew Bible on multiple occasions. In one corner of the shrine sits a stone seat with a hole in the center. The archaeologists believe that not only is it definitely a toilet, it’s a toilet that was installed for the express purpose of literally desecrating the shrine. Hezekiah, it seems, was just following instructions against idol worship in the scriptures: “Then they demolished the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the temple of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day” (2 Kings 10:27). Read More Here: http://tinyurl.com/yapmo895 --- ...Most Interesting! Thanks Victor! I looked up their bible reference... “Then they demolished the pillar of Baal, and destroyed the temple of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day” (2 Kings 10:27). ...Simply because I was suspicious of the word 'latrine' - so the King James Versions says... 2 Kings 10:27: 'And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.' I'm not familiar with that word - draught - so I googled it: The archaic definition of DRAUGHT or DRAUGHT HOUSE is an out-house. ... There are few modern dictionaries that define draught as it is used in the Bible. Which made me laugh! That's perhaps the best way to disgrace a fake god - use the shrine that was made to worship them into an out-house! So much like our Father! He sure is awesome! Shows how much He despises false gods and is displeased with idol worship! Thanks again Victor! How did you find that little tidbit of smiles? God's Word is always so interesting! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Arlington at Christmas Everyone should hear about this. http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/wreaths.asp --- ...Very Sweet! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Karen :) SPECTACULAR - THE REAL "SISTER ACT" http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=FcLF5wopyjo --- ...Awesome! Thanks Karen! 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 ========================================================== _________________ |'-========OoO===='-. | ||'-.____'-.'-.____'-. | || | | | | '-| | | | | '-|______|__|______| >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The story goes that some time ago a mother punished her five year old daughter for wasting a roll of expensive gold wrapping paper. Money was tight and she became even more upset when the child used the gold paper to decorate a box to put under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift box to her mother the next morning and then said, 'This is for you, Momma.' The mother was embarrassed by her earlier over reaction, but her anger flared again when she opened the box and found it was empty. She spoke to her daughter in a harsh manner. 'Don't you know, young lady, when you give someone a present there's supposed to be something inside the package?' She had tears in her eyes and said, 'Oh, Momma, it's not empty! I blew kisses into it until it was full. The mother was crushed. She fell on her knees and put her arms around her little girl, and she begged her forgiveness for her thoughtless anger. An accident took the life of the child only a short time later, and it is told that the mother kept that gold box by her bed for all the years of her life. Whenever she was discouraged or faced difficult problems she would open the box and take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a very real sense, each of us, as human beings, have been given a Golden Box filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children, family and friends... There is no more precious possession anyone could hold. Friends are like angels who lift us to our feet, when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly. --- ...A beautiful heartwarmer! Thanks LouiseAu! ========================================================== _.------._ _.-' '-._ / \ '------------------' | .--------------. | | | || | | |[] || | | | |======||======| | | | || | | | | || | | |[]======||======[ | | |======||======| | | | || | | | | || | | |[]======||======| | | | || | | | '------''------' | |__________________| LGB >Dimes for a Stranger Story Editor: by Hope Pesner Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things 'just because.' Life hasn't always been kind to her; she lost my oldest sister to leukemia in 1963 and just lost my father in 2007 after nearly 51 years of marriage. She's had her ups and downs, but has always maintained a positive, sunny outlook on life and has been very helpful to people. As an example, when I was in girl scouts in junior and senior high school, my mom drove me home from the meetings. She always waited for all the other girls to get picked up before driving home. She said, "I wouldn't want my daughter to wait alone, so I don't want any of the girls to wait alone." In the late 1970s, my other older sister had to have a pair of clogs, a hot fashion at the time. They were heavy slip-on shoes with tall soles. One day at home after school, my sister was chasing after our dog while wearing the clogs. She fell down and hurt her ankle and leg, prompting a necessary visit to the hospital emergency room. My mother immediately shifted into crisis mode, packed my sister into the car and drove to our local hospital. Because she was in such a rush to get to the hospital with my sister, my mother didn't call from home to tell my father that they were going to the emergency room. This was long before cell phones, instant messaging, texting and the Internet; so when she got to the hospital, she realized she needed to get in touch with my father immediately. He worked as a retail store manager and she wanted to let him know where they were. While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother made her way to the pay phone to place her call. She put her dime in and called my father. She told him what had happened and where they were. After she hung up, the phone returned several additional dimes that mom wasn't owed. Realizing that the phone was broken, my mother decided to leave the extra dimes by the phone. She told us she left the money there because it was an emergency room -- in a crisis people might not remember to bring change with them to make that emergency call. She left the dimes there for someone else who might need them. I've often thought about her decision from an adult's perspective. I realize that someone seeing the money by the phone may have simply taken it, because not everyone was as trusting as my mother. But I like to believe that my mother's faith was well-placed, and that someone who needed them found the dimes waiting there. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Our whole society...is focused on the celebration of Christmas. With the excessive commercialism which begins in our country immediately after Halloween (once it started the day after Thanksgiving), with the secular gaiety and extravagant glitz, with the sickening efforts to sanctify profit-making, the "Reason for the season" (that's the by now too-commonplace cliche among evangelicals) is ignored more often than not. The mind-boggling mystery of God-in-the flesh tends to become a mere stimulus for our economy." - Vernon Grounds The Lift 9 ,--.-'-,--. \ /-~-\ / / )' a a `( \ I WANT MORE! ( ( ,---. ) ) \ `(_o_o_)' / \ `-' / | |---| | hjw [_] [_] >Gimme More! (By Chrissy Tucker) [Minor editing] I saw some wall decals in a magazine not long ago and all of a sudden wall decals were all I could think about! I was consumed. I of course had to hop online and order several of them immediately (with money we really didn't have). For some reason I imagined my house would implode if they weren't hanging on my walls within a week. So I anxiously waited for them to arrive. Five very long days later, they did! It took me a couple of days to get them up, but I did and they look good. Mission accomplished. *Sigh*. That high is over. Now what? Now it's a detachable shower head! Are you like that too? Stuff, stuff and more stuff. I'm much better than I used to be, but sometimes I do regress. We think, "If I could just get (fill in the blank) that would make life easier and I'd be happy." Are you sure about that? I have countless stories like the one above. If it's not new jeans, new shoes, a new movie or the latest trend, it's something else. Maybe we do it with our kids instead of us, but we honestly think we can't live without this stuff. I happen to think that it's because there is a hole in us that is shaped so that only one thing can fill it - and it ain't stuff! We have a void in us that needs to be filled. Some fill it with food, others with things, and still others with goals or work. Once we get what it is we've been wanting, a few days later, we're over it. That thing we thought would make us so happy didn't deliver like we thought it would, and now it's on to the next! For some reason though, we can't seem to recognize this obvious trend in our own lives. It's easy to see in others. I say "our" because most Americans live like this. I'm sure you've noticed. For example, someone almost gets a house paid for and they just have to go upgrade to a bigger size - back into debt they go. Or they have to trade in for that new car every couple of years. Oh, they'll tell you it's because of the warranty, or the trade value, etc. But it's probably not. It's a little thing we call greed. I once heard someone ask why we don't have [such visible] demonic activity in this country like they do in such countries like Haiti and third world countries. The answer was that the devil doesn't need it in America. He uses "stuff". In a country like that, whose people have next to nothing, other means have to be used. Touch a nerve? There's a reason for that...we're taught that it's all about us! One advertising slogan is "Have it your way!" Do you think there was thought put behind that? Of course! The world teaches us to look out for number one. Christians are buying into these lies of Satan. "Chrissy, are you telling me that it's wrong to have things? We work hard and deserve to be able to purchase things with our own money as long as we don't go into debt." First let me say if you are not in debt, good for you. You are in the itsy bitsy minority. Secondly, it's not your money, it's God's. And thirdly, I'm not telling you to not have nice things. I don't think Jesus means that at all. What I am telling you is to seek Jesus more than things. Is your life producing fruit? Are your toys and stuff producing fruit for the kingdom? Are your designer jeans going to get you a nod from Jesus or a nod from the neighbor? Be honest with yourself! God already knows! We are Christians. We are called to be different. We are called to be in the world, not of the world. Think on this: If your house burned down today, and the single thing you had left was your faith in Jesus, how would you react to that? How would that set with your soul? Read the story of the rich young ruler. Christ already knew that this young man's earthly treasures meant more to him than anything else. Stop seeking more stuff to fill the void and fill it with the only thing that can: Jesus Christ. Matthew 19: 21-22 "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Let's store up some treasure in heaven. -<>- To be faithful in little things is the big thing. The Lift _.-'`'-._ .-' _ '-. `-.__ `\_.-' | `-``\| jgs `-.....-A # # >The Pickle Jar (Author Unknown) The pickle jar as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully. "Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back." Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly. "These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me." We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm. "When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again." He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other. "You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters," he said. "But you'll get there. I'll see to that." The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed. A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me. "When you finish college, Son," he told me, his eyes glistening, "You'll never have to eat beans again...unless you want to." The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms. "She probably needs to be changed," she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes. She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room. "Look," she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the coins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks UP! SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From AndyChaps: Muffler bearing -- reduces the heat in the exhaust manifold. 4 bolt flange type. .'. ______________.'(_)`.______________ | _ .' `. _ | | (_) .' `. (_) | | .' `. | | .' `. | | .' .:::::. `. | | .' .::'''''::. `. | |.' .:' ':. `.| .' .:' ':. `. .' .'. .:' ':. .'. `. `. '.' ':. .:' '.' .' `. ':. .:' .' |`. ':. .:' .'| | `. '::.....::' .' | | `. ':::::' .' | | `. .' | | _ `. .' _ | | (_) `. .' (_) | |____________`. _ .'____________|LGB `.(_).' `.' >Check Under the Hood "But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips." Colossians 3:8 "The root issue you are dealing with is fear. The physical symptom is control, and when you cannot control, you get angry because of unmet expectations." These were the words I spoke during a conversation in a restaurant to my friend who was separated from his wife. He described his anger and how he never saw some of these characteristics in his life until he entered this marriage. A friend once said to me, "Anger is like the lights on a dashboard. They tell you something is going on under the hood. You must find out the source of the problem." Whenever we have expectations of another person and those expectations do not materialize, our tendency is to get angry. The source of the anger is often the fear that the unmet expectation will negatively impact us. We fear that our finances, our well-being, our image, or any number of things may be impacted by the unmet expectation. My friend's wife had not met his expectations in many areas of his life, so then, many times it resulted in harsh words that damaged his wife's self-esteem. Now, it was leading to a marriage crisis. Jesus often spoke of living as though we were dead. How can you live as though you are dead? "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 6:11). It is a choice each of us must make. Once you become dead to that which stirs an emotion in you, God is free to change that situation. Until then, you can expect God to allow that situation to remain until you reckon yourself dead to the effects of the issue that causes you to struggle. Is there something that causes anger within you? Ask God what the source of that anger is. You might be surprised at what you find. Then ask God to give you the grace to reckon yourself dead to that issue. You will find new freedom in your relationships and your own peace of mind. TGIF Today God Is First, Copyright 2002 Os Hillman. Marketplace Leaders -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Keep The Faith All of our thoughts are creative; that is, we create our entire life with our thoughts. What happens when we actively apply faith to our thoughts about our self and our life? Would we not experience a more powerful, meaningful, and fulfilling existence? Of course we would! What exactly is faith? Faith is the fertilizer we give to the seeds of our thoughts. It is the beginning of every dream we have for our self, and no dream can be achieved without faith to light the way. Faith is neither positive nor negative. It resides in our conscious mind, as well as our subconscious mind, and literally propels our thoughts, no matter what they are, to fruition, which in turn creates our reality. Faith is sometimes mistaken for bad luck because it can be used by our subconscious mind to create poverty or misfortune if those are the seeds we have planted for our self. Faith is the thought behind the thought, the one we rarely glimpse until we totally clean out the cobwebs, look deep into our mind, and state with total honesty what we really, really believe about our self. In his book, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill writes "Faith is the 'eternal elixir' which gives life, power, and action to the impulse of thought!" I challenge you to read that again and again, until the meaning of that statement is more than just an intellectual understanding. Let it sink in deep. Personalize it by applying it to situations of your own that could use some life, power, and action. In my mind, faith is belief to the tenth power. When I say I believe in myself or I believe something to be true, I'm making a statement based on what I know. On the other hand, when I have faith that something will happen, I'm giving up what I know, releasing all control, and accepting that it is done. That is the key that will change your life when you apply it to achieving every one of your heart's desires. There is no limit to the miracles that faith can create, but what really defines faith is the innate trust that the desire or miracle you seek is already manifest. It is done; it has already happened; it is already there waiting for you to open your eyes, reach out your hands, and grasp it! In faith you have already created it! When you come to the point, through faith, of accepting that your heart's desire is already done, you have stepped out of your illusion of lack, unworthiness, and aloneness. You have conquered your negative self talk and cured the thought behind the thought that has always denied you the desires of your heart. It is then that the illusions of pain, lack, disease, and strife will cease to exist. In place of these illusions will be the faith that you can create and experience the opposite of these things by simply knowing that love, peace, joy, abundance, and perfection are available for you to choose. These things are already there, with plenty for all, and it is done! -<>- >See It Through When you're up against a trouble, Meet it squarely, face to face; Lift your chin and set your shoulders, Plant your feet and take a brace. When it's vain to try to dodge it, Do the best that you can do; You may fail, but you may conquer, See it through! Black may be the clouds about you And your future may seem grim, But don't let your nerve desert you; Keep yourself in fighting trim. If the worst is bound to happen, Spite of all that you can do, Running from it will not save you, See it through! Even hope may seem but futile, When with troubles you're beset, But remember you are facing Just what other men have met. You may fail, but fall still fighting; Don't give up, whate'er you do; Eyes front, head high to the finish. See it through! ~ Edgar A. Guest : Posted From: [the-inspired-buffalo] -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Thanksgiving Prayer Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings each morning, thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes tightly closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you Lord, that I can see. There are many who are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the effort of rising, thank you, Lord that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden. Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely. Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord for the food we have. There're many who have no job. Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for the gift of life. ~author unknown ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Adria :) __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >IF I SAID NOTHING AT ALL They say that a picture paints thousands of words And actions speak volumes where love is concerned I could preach you a sermon hoping you would agree But in my silence would you see God in me? *I'm gonna give you no arguments to try to make you believe Just evidence of the changes in me If I said nothing what would it say to you If I testify by living the proof If I couldn't speak the words I pray the truth would be heard What would my life say to you if I said nothing at all I look in the mirror and it tells me the truth Could you see my reflection in the things that I do If I'm a believer then I'll live my beliefs If I am a Christian then Christ should be seen* Every eye will see His glorious face Every ear will hear His voice on that day For He is Lord of all and forever will be But I pray that today you'll see Him living in me By: Adria Stevens --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Adria! >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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