Death And Heartache... :) 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 ================ *~* 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! ================ Today's super hot new page is from our friends Linda and Melinda. One of those jaw droppers you have to see to believe! Be sure to check it out here... .-'"`/\ // /' /\`\ ('//.-'/`-.; \ \ / /-. __.__.___..__._.___.\\ \\----,_ .:{@&#,&#@&,@&#&&,#&@#&@&\\` \-. .-'-. .:{@#@,#@&#,@#&&#,@&#&@&,&@#&&\\, -._,"- \ .{#@#&@#@#&#&@&#@#@&#,@#@#&@&&#@#\ \// = \`=\__ `{#@,@#&@&,@&#@,#@&#@#&@#&@,&#@,#/\/ =`-. -_=__ `:{@#&@&#@&#@&#@,#&&#@&,@#/.' / / "/.-', / `:{@#&,#&@#,@&#&@&,@&#/.-// //-'-_= ",/ jgs `~`~~`~~~`~`~`~~`~( / , /__,___.-" \ \\/ `\\\' Sunken Treasure In A Field! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/steamboat.html --- ...Incredible! Thanks Ladies! It is no wonder we have such a hard time finding things! Never dream it would wind up there! -<>- *~* We Had An Excellent Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month! __ .---. __ / ` .-.7,--. / `. .-''. -, , \ '--.- -; | ) / ,` / \ ,_) / '-. / ( ( | / .' ) \ '. `--,/ .---' ,-.| `--. / '-, -' .' .==,=; `-,.;--' / ,' _;--;| /_...=' || jgs || .==,=. ||/ '.\ ,||`'=...__\ || || ||, || || || >Be Sure To Share These With Your Friends And Family :) Pet Confessions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/petconfessions.html Life's Little Oops 14! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoops14.html Where's Rudolph? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/reindeer.html Amazing Trivia Facts 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafacts2.html Amazing Trivia Facts 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafacts3.html Elephant Rescue 4 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephant4.html Dog Family Portraits http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogfamilies.html Disney Wisdom http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/disneywisdom.html Big Baby Big Dogs 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigdogs2.html Brilliant Women Inventors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womeninventors.html Singapore's Sky Park http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skypark.html Humorous Boat Names http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/boatnames.html _ /_) (8_))}- . \_) '. .--. . , .-.-,_, : '. .' )`-.>'` ( '---'`; / `\ | . | | | _.' \ / / .' `=(\ /.=` ' `-;`.-' '._ `)| , ` ' ' ' ' ' || .-'| ,_|| \_,/ , \|| .' |\|\ , ||/ ,_\` |/| |Y_, '-.'-._\||/ >_.-`Y| ` ,_|| \|| || jgs || |/ * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Wonderful Contributors! :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ) ( ( ) ( ) ( ) ) ( ) ( /^\ /^\ /^\ /^\ /^\ /^\ jgs (_K_) (_I_) (_S_) (_S_) (_E_) (_S_) >CHOCOLATE KISSES by Kathe Campbell Back in the dark ages when I turned eleven in Ms. Daisy Blogg's classroom, the most wonderful thing happened -- I fell in love. It was magical as Buddy O'Toole and I zinged whimsical grins across four rows of sixth grade desks. I was tall for my age and just about as gangly as they come, while Buddy was short and just about as round as they come. But it hardly mattered, for nearly all the boys were shorter than the girls. My mother assured me I was experiencing "puppy love" and that Buddy was just slow shedding his baby fat. Memories of chocolates and surprises beset my every thought as Valentine's Day drew near. I could barely wait to hear what our teacher had planned as our tall classroom windows glittered with familiar sweet red angels and assorted hearts. Would we cut and paste tiresome construction paper, add bits of ribbon over paper lace doilies, and exchange the results? Gladly, no. We had made that big step from childhood to upper classmen and could create our own valentines at home, or purchase them at the local five and dime. "Please bring a decorated container with your name clearly marked on the outside," announced Ms. Blogg. "You will make enough Valentines for every box." How familiar that sounded as I pondered two scruffy and cantankerous boys who still dipped pigtails in inkwells despite the principal's wrath. And, of course, equality prevailed to include our class haughty and mean-spirited girl. While the ladies fancied Valentine greetings, the sixth grade boys were not as sold on the custom, suddenly all too juvenile, silly and mushy. Regardless, Buddy told me to make sure my container was at least as big as a shoe box, that he had been working on an idea. 'Twould be my first experience on cloud nine. Walking to school, none of us escaped the cloudburst and squall swirling about the playground as we and our Valentine treasures ran for cover. The swings and trapezes banged and twirled, ensnarling their chains around and around, then a sudden lull while they untangled at breakneck speed. After placing our wet boxes on the window sills above the radiators, we spent the morning glancing the wrinkled and fading coverings. Ribbons and string hung in limp shambles making strange arrays of bleeding pigments and hues upon all they touched. Nontheless, for the girls the day drug endlessly as we contemplated the party and sharing of our treasures. As Ms. Blogg read the history of Valentine's Day aloud, a sudden psst, psst, psst, emanated from the radiator. The class broke out in giggles as we watched chocolate drip, drip, dripping from a corner of the big red shoe box marked, "Kathleen." I glanced over at Buddy, but there were no smiles or giggles, just horror written all over his face. He had spent his allowance on the newest Hershey sensation -- foil-wrapped chocolate kisses, each pasted meticulously upon a sensational card. For Buddy, the welcomed three-o'clock bell rang and the class gathered their Valentines under their coats for the drizzly trek home. I caught up with Buddy in the hallway and asked him to meet me across the street at the library. After choosing a corner spot, I set the table with his lovely chocolate-covered card and the knurly candy kisses. We sat and talked until a grin crossed Buddy's chubby cheeks. We then finished off the remains of a Valentine box neither of us ever forgot. -- Kathe Campbell __________________________________________________ Kathe lives her dream on a Montana mountain with her mammoth donkeys, a Keeshond, and a few kitties. Three children, eleven grands and three greats round out her herd. She is a prolific writer on Alzheimer's, and her stories are found on many ezines. Kathe is a contributing author to the Chicken Soup For The Soul and Cup of Comfort series, numerous anthologies, RX for Writers, magazines and medical journals. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >A Hearty Home Prayer to Thank the Lord for My Family Having a roof to live under is a luxury. Having ample food on your table every day is luck. And above all, having a family to care for you is a blessing. The unconditional love of a family is something we should all be thankful for, notwithstanding the messes we make, the chores we complain about, the heartbreak we experience, and the distances that separate us. Let us all express our gratitude to the Lord, for having given us a comfortable house for us to live in and a warm family that makes it a home. Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of nice clothes to wear. And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were so warm and comfortable last night. I know that many have no bed. My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels and dirty lavatory; they are so convenient. Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs cleaning. It has served us faithfully for many years. Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today; It has baked so many things over the years. The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that we all enjoy in the yard. My kids are healthy and able to run and play. Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me says You have richly blessed my family. I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully. Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf. Even though I keep my eyes closed from the morning light as long as possible, Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind. Even though I huddle in my bed and put off 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, my children are so loud, 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 not balanced, Thank you, Lord, for the food on our table. There are many who are hungry. Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are 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 freedom and life. Many don't have such an opportunity to serve you. --- ...Such a wonderful one! Thank You LouiseA! Brings to mind these... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Eph.5: [20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Col.3: [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-. / .\ .' . .'. .-'. . . '-._ .' .. . . . . '. /. . . . .\ / . . . . .. . . \ |. . . .. . . ... | / . . . . . .\ | . . ._______ .. . . . ..| | . /product\ . . . . | |. . { of. }. .. . ..| |. . \__Aos__/. . ..| | . . . . . . . | |. . . .. . . ..| \ . . . . . . . / | . . . . . . . | \. . . . . .. . .' \ .. .. . . / ':_ . . . ... _.' '-.. . . .-' '._..' >Lemonade and Grace Max Lucado "Lemonade, 5˘ " The e is larger than the L. The m is upper cased; all the other letters are lowered. The last two letters, de, curve downward because the artist ran out of room on the poster board. Norman Rockwell would have loved it. Two girls sit on the sidewalk in little chairs behind a little table. The six-year-old is the cashier. She monitors a plastic bowl of change. The four-year-old is the waitress. She handles the ice. Pours the drinks. Stacks and restacks the paper cups. Behind them, seated on the grass, is Dad. He leans against an oak tree and smiles as he witnesses his daughters' inauguration into capitalism. Business has been steady. The Saturday afternoon stream of patrons has nearly emptied the pitcher. The bottom of the cashier's bowl is covered with thirty-five cents of change. With the exception of a few spills, the service has been exceptional. No complaints. Many compliments. Part of the success, though, has been due to the marketing strategy. Our street doesn't get much traffic, so we did a little advertising. As my daughters painted the sign, I called several families in the neighborhood and invited them to the grand opening of our lemonade stand. So all of our clients, thus far, had been partial. I was proud of myself. I leaned back against the tree. Closed my eyes. Turned up the radio I had brought. And listened to the baseball game. Then I heard an unfamiliar voice. "I'll have a cup of lemonade, please." I opened my eyes. It was a customer. A real customer. An unsolicited neighbor who had driven by, seen the sign, stopped, and ordered a drink. Uh-oh, I thought. Our service was about to be tested. Andrea, the four-year-old, grabbed a cup that had already been used. "Get a clean cup," I whispered. "Oh," she giggled, and got a clean cup. She opened the ice bucket, looked in, and then looked back at me. "Daddy, we are out of ice." The patron overheard her. "That's OK. I'll take it warm." She picked up the pitcher and poured. Syrupy sugar oozed out of the pitcher. "Daddy, there's just a little bit." Our customer spoke again. "That's fine. I don't want much." "I hope you like it sweet," I said under my breath. She handed the cup to the man and he handed her a dollar. She gave it to Jenna. Jenna turned to me. "Daddy, what do I do?" (We weren't used to such big bills.) I stuck my hands in my pockets; they were empty. "Uh, we don't have any..." I began. "No problem," he said, smiling. "Just keep the change." I smiled sheepishly. He thanked the girls. Told them they were doing a great job. Climbed back into his car. And drove off. Quite a transaction, I thought. We give him a warm, partially filled cup of lemonade syrup, and he gives us a compliment and a payment twenty times too much. I had set out to teach the girls about free enterprise. They ended up with a lesson on grace. And so had I. For all the theologizing we preachers do about God's grace, the kind stranger modeled it better than the best of sermons state it. Perhaps the story of the stranger who brought grace to our street is a good place for us to wrap up this book. For this story is the story of each of us. Each of us has seen our ice melt in the July sun of stress. Who hasn't attempted to serve the best, only to find that the best has already been served and that the pitcher needs to be refilled? And there's not a person alive who hasn't wondered what God does when what we promise and what we produce aren't even close to being the same. Lemonade stands and living life would be high-risk endeavors were it not for the appearance of gentle strangers on our streets. But, thank God, they come. And, thank God, He came. For isn't God the stranger who became our friend after looking past the dregs and into our hearts? And aren't we not much more than surprised children, amazed that what we receive is twenty times, yea, verily a million times, more than what we ask for? The next time your calm becomes chaos, think of that. The next time you find yourself in a storm and can't see God on the horizon, reflect on the lemonade stand. And if your walking on the water becomes floundering in the deep like Peter's did, lift your eyes and look... A Gentle Stranger may be bringing grace to your street... and to your life. -<>- _ /) mo / ) |/)\) /\_ \__|= ( ) __)(__ _________+______/ \______+__________ __-- | R.I.P. |-_-- __ _-- - | ___ __________ ___ | -_-- __ || | | | {| /| | || __--- -_ --__- || | | | {| /|| | ||-- - || | | | {| /||| | ||__-- __-- -__|| | | | {| |}||| | ||-- __-- ||_|_|_|_{| |}|||_|_|| -__ --__- -|| | | | {& |}||/ | ||--- __-- || | | | {| |}|/| | ||-__ -- __--|| | | | {| |}/|| | ||__-- -__ -- || | | | {| &}||| | || __ --- __-|| | | | {| |}||| | ||_---__- -- - -_ || | | | {| |}||| | || -- __ejm 97|| | | | {| |}||| | ||_--__- _--- _________||_|_|_|_{| |}|||_|_||______________ |}|/ |}/ |/ >Being There By Debi L. Pettigrew Do you know of someone Whose precious child has died? Perhaps she is a neighbor or friend With whom you can confide. You assume that she is suffering A tragedy so deep, That there is nothing you can do Since all she does is weep. You feel that if you see her There is nothing you can say That would make her precious child come back Or make the pain go away. And if by chance you meet her And have to face her grief, You'll do your very best To make this meeting brief. You'll talk about the weather Or the lady down the lane, But you'll never mention her child - That would cause her too much pain! And when the funeral's over, And all is said and done, You'll go home to your family, And she'll be all alone. She'll go on, she'll be all right, time heals - Or so it seems, While she's left alone to pick up the pieces Of her shattered life and dreams. -OR- You can open up your heart And find that special place Where compassion and true giving Are awaiting your embrace. "Today I'm thinking of you in a very special way," Or, how about "I love you!" Are some loving things to say. Sometimes a very simple task Like picking up the phone, Can help her feel not-so-quite Desperately alone. Whatever comes from a genuine heart Cannot be said in vain For the truth is, it's these very things That lessen her great pain. And when you let her talk about Her child who is now dead, You'll know this is far greater Than anything you've said. So will you reach out with all your soul And let her know you care? For in the end there's no substitute For simply BEING THERE -<>- _|_ | .-'''''-. .-' '-. .-' :::::_::::: '-. ___/ ==:...:::-:::...:== \___ /_____________________________\ ':'-._________________________.-'_ ':::\ @-,`-[-][-^-][-]-`,-@ / _| |_ '::| .-------------------. ||_ @ _| ::|=|* ___ _ ___ *|=|'.| | ':| |' ))_) )) ))_) '| |::.^| _:|=|' ((`\ (( (( '|=|::::::. _| || |' _ '| |:::::::. |_ |=|'1634 _( )_ 1789'|=|':::::. | || |' ( (_ ~ _) ) '| | ':::' |^||=|* ) (_) ( *|=| '::' | '-------------------' .::::' |_____________________.::::::' .'___________________.::::::'' |_______________.::::'':::''' .'_____________.::::::''::::'' .:::'''' LGB .'::::' .:::::''':. .:::::' >Death Death sets a thing significant The eye had hurried by, Except a perished creature Entreat us tenderly To ponder little workmanships In crayon or in wool, With "This was last her fingers did," Industrious until The thimble weighed too heavy, The stitches stopped themselves, And then 't was put among the dust Upon the closet shelves. A book I have, a friend gave, Whose pencil, here and there, Had notched the place that pleased him,-- At rest his fingers are. Now, when I read, I read not, For interrupting tears Obliterate the etchings Too costly for repairs. - Emily Dickinson --- ...The hardest thing for us to deal with is the death of someone we know and love. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' When Jesus' friend Lazarus died, Jesus wept. Grief is normal. The bible does give us hope and helps us with this... 1 Thes.4: [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep[dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope[no hope because they have no life in Christ]. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [born again Christians] will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent[stop] them which are asleep[dead]. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The bible tells us that we shall be with our born again loved ones again in eternity. Our sadness is our loss at them not being with us now. We, however, can think of them as like being away on holiday or vacation. When Christ returns, we shall reunite with them and be with them forever! Just a matter of time. This is why it is so important to witness the Gospel! We want all people to have the opportunity to overcome evil and confess Jesus Christ as their risen Lord and Savior so they too may have eternal life - Live the more than abundant life Jesus came to give them and so God can claim the victory over evil for them! 1Cor.15: [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 2 Tim.4: [1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: The Bible!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html Love Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html When God Paints!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html You Have 6 Minutes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html In A Blink Of An Eye!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eye.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Full Bible Study Menu http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/BibleStudy.html -<>- >Friend Me/Follow Me On StumbleUpon :) http://tinyurl.com/gvrfgue -<>- >From Carmen :) 3 New Songs Free! http://tinyurl.com/h6nl693 -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) SPITFIRE 944 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/embed/ie3SrjLlcUY Little Red-Roofed Church | Amish 365: Amish Recipes http://tinyurl.com/gw2jqtp --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) She sent us an adorable one we have here Breeze And Buttons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/breezeandbuttons.html This video takes you to people around the world and shows them in fantastic situations. The photography is absolutely outstanding! It's fast moving. Blink and you will miss something. BBC Human Planet http ://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=2HiUMlOz4UQ&vq=large --- ...Cool! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda :) Why Bill Gates is being blamed for the Zika virus http://tinyurl.com/zuuzkq7 3 YEARS AFTER HER SON IS MURDERED http://tinyurl.com/z5llvsp --- ...Wowsers! Thanks Melinda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Nobody can help bobbing their head a bit listening to "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen. But this Cockatoo can't stop itself from going full-on footloose! Here's a bird that's as good a dancer as any human. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cJOZp2ZftCw Can you hold your breath for 51 seconds? That's what you're going to have to do to make it through this harrowing video. But the Blue Angels? It's all in a day's work for these ultra-skilled pilots. Never- before-seen first-person view of the tightest formation flying you'll ever see. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Eyk-XHuOyBM How much enjoyment could you possibly get from watching some guys twirl pens? No exaggeration: a lot! It will make you want to pick up a pen and try all their tricks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voqYX8_VjvQ&feature=player_embedded --- ...HaHa! Thanks LouiseA! 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 ========================================================== ________ \______ \ _______ ____ _____ _____ ______ | | \ \_ __ \ _/ __ \ \__ \ / \ / ___/ | ` \ | | \/ \ ___/ / __ \_ | | \ \ \___ \ /_______ / |__| \___ > (____ / |__|_| / /____ > \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ >Dreams Sometimes Come True by Stephen Arsenault Washington, D.C, USA At age 25, I was assistant manager for a video store, but wasn't challenged enough. With an empty feeling inside, I knew I had potential to do better, so after five long years I quit. I had a week to find a new job to meet my car payment, rent, etc. Just a week. Having quit on Monday, Tuesday my friend Jeff called. Jeff has cerebral palsy and asked me to care for him because his regular worker would finish that week. The next day I applied at the company which hired his caretakers. I started working with Jeff the following week. It was difficult, as I provided full-time care, made far less money than previously, and it required working more hours than I could be paid for. But it was rewarding. I began to believe in Jeff, to see he had so much potential. That summer Jeff decided to go back to school. To make it happen, I'd need to go, too, so with the interest we both have in computers, we applied at a local college. They accepted us and the only drawback was my tuition money. I wrote student loans explaining my situation. At that point, many people pressured us not to go back to school. People said Jeff probably couldn't do the work because of his disabilities. I understood people wanted him to be realistic about what he attempts. I decided to yield, to abandon my chance for school, and was hired part-time at city hospital as a patient-care attendant. The morning I planned to quit the school called — and said to start anyway, don't worry about money. We started. Daily we left Jeff's place at 7:00 a.m. and went to school until 5:00 pm. That fall I nervously wrote and called about my student loan — still no word. After Christmas, I miraculously received my money, and finally paid the school. During the 19 month class many people left because they couldn't handle it. Jeff soared to the top of the class and excelled in all subjects. He was amazing. My marks weren't that great, but I passed every course and we both graduated. When I pushed Jeff across the stage graduation night his wheelchair seemed lighter. I cried that night when I got home — we did it. At one point, I nearly gave up because people said I couldn't do it, because there was no money. We had a goal, went the distance, and made it across the finish line, not alone but together. You should have seen Jeff's face at graduation... when they called him up for the "outstanding achievement" award. We are presently working at "on the job training" at a software company. Underneath it all, we owe our chance to the people at student loans. We're not sure where this road will lead, but it's already taken us farther than I could have imagined. It is proof that dreams sometimes come true, with a little help at the right time. Email Subscriptions to HeroicStories are FREE. Sign up here: http://www.heroicstories.org/ =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: ... ;::::; ;::::; :; ;:::::' :; ;:::::; ;. ,:::::' ; OOO\ ::::::; ; OOOOO\ ;:::::; ; OOOOOOOO ,;::::::; ;' / OOOOOOO ;:::::::::`. ,,,;. / / DOOOOOO .';:::::::::::::::::;, / / DOOOO ,::::::;::::::;;;;::::;, / / DOOO ;`::::::`'::::::;;;::::: ,#/ / DOOO :`:::::::`;::::::;;::: ;::# / DOOO ::`:::::::`;:::::::: ;::::# / DOO `:`:::::::`;:::::: ;::::::#/ DOO :::`:::::::`;; ;:::::::::## OO ::::`:::::::`;::::::::;:::# OO `:::::`::::::::::::;'`:;::# O `:::::`::::::::;' / / `:# ::::::`:::::;' / / `# unknown >QUOTES "When it comes time to die...make sure all you got to do is die." - Jim Elliot "The greatest need in the world is the transformation of human nature. We need a new heart that will not have lust and greed and hate in it. We need a heart filled with love and peace and joy, and that is why Jesus came into the world. He died on the cross to make peace between us and God and to change us from within by His Spirit. He can change you, if you will turn to Him in repentance and faith." - Billy Graham "If we are going to touch the people of our communities, we too must know their sorrows, feel for them in their temptations, stand with them in their heartbreaks." - Billy Graham None of us can long survive, let alone prosper without the sincere prayers of others offered on our behalf. God has designed the Christian life as a community event, not as a solo endeavor. --Charles Stanley -<>- _ _V.-o / |`-' (7_\\ jg >THERE IS NOTHING TO FEAR “Into thine hand I commit my spirit. . . ” ~ Psalm 31:5 Last winter when Beth and I moved from Texas to Georgia, we loaded our four golden retrievers into the back of my Suburban. Beau, his mate Muffy and their two-year-old pups Bear and Buddy snuggled into blankets in the back of the truck for a seventeen- hour-long drive. Our retrievers quickly adjusted to their new home. They loved the large backyard with plenty of room to chase a ball. Soon after we arrived, however, Beau began to have spasms of sneezing. I was sure it was allergies. But our new veterinarian told us that Beau had inoperable nasal cancer and had about three months to live. Beau was thirteen years old, a ripe old age for a golden retriever. He didn't seem to be in pain; he enjoyed his food and romped with the younger dogs. However, slowly he grew more tired. Finally, as the cancer advanced and his breathing grew labored, I knew that the most loving thing to do was to release Beau from suffering. As we entered the veterinarian's office, Beau was calm, almost regal. His nose was bleeding badly but he seemed not to care. Walking into the examining room, he suddenly leaned against the wall and slowly slumped to the floor. Beth nudged me and whispered, "Look at him. He's relieved. He's ready to go." Beth and I held Beau in our arms as the shot was administered and he slipped into a deep and peaceful slumber. We cried a lot, more than I have wept in years. But amid our pain was peace, completion and profound thanksgiving. Beau taught me a lot about living. And in his final moments he taught me a lot about dying too. Somehow my best friend let me know that all will be well and there is nothing to fear. By Scott Walker as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- __ ___ / / ___( (\_( ) )/ / |\___` \\_\/_/_/_\ | | ____/\_\`._._...^\ | ||\__/ '_\ \`_._\.;\ \|| | | | | | | || | |^| | | | \ | | | | \|ejm__| |____| >REACHING THE GIFT Bring a small toy and place it on a high, out-of-reach place before your Children’s Sermon. Tell the children you’d like to give a gift to someone, and ask for a volunteer who thinks he can jump very high. After allowing a volunteer to display some “practice jumps”, show him the gift that is out of reach. Undoubtedly, he will try but will be unable to grasp the gift. Tell the children you’d like to introduce them to a friend of yours (before the sermon, choose someone tall from your congregation to fill this role). Tell the volunteer that if he simply asks your friend for help, the gift will be in reach. Have your “friend” lift the volunteer high enough to reach the gift. Ask the children why the volunteer couldn’t get the gift by himself. Use this opportunity to explain that the Bible tells us that we are “short”: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Continue to explain that you have a friend named Jesus who will be glad to help any of them reach the gift of eternal life, if they’ll simply ask Him for help. You can continue with the rest of the “Romans Road” or explain the gospel in your own words. as seen at www.RobertJMorgan.com -<>- \ /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \ /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \ /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ \ / /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ () - - /\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \ /\\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\ \ /\\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\ //\\\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\///\\\\\\\\\ \\\\\\/\\\\\\\\\\\\ (\_ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ / \ | \ \ \ | | / / == ==== == >ANALOGY This darkness is so dense I can’t see even a hint of light. All around there are obstacles that trip me up in this perennial night. But, look, there on the horizon... is that a glimmer of gray I see? Is it possible that from this stifling darkness I can actually be free? Yes! YES! There it is... the light of the Son is breaking forth! He’s bringing His Light into my life ...Oh, God! It really is a new birth! Lord, the morning was so wonderful, I really basked in all Your Glory! But now the noontime heat is here and I fear this is a different story! It’s storming all around me ...this wind is destroying all I’ve built. OK, Lord, I see it was all my efforts, and I’m suffering now from guilt. What’s that, Lord? I’m forgiven? So now it’s time to relax ...time to serve You quietly... teaching others Your Holy Facts. Father, I know my “day” is ending and the colors are wondrous to see! Thank You, Lord, for putting on this “Welcome Home” show just for me! Virginia Archer 12-12 -<>- , {\\ * { \\(} / {_` ;--' / \ /__/ jgs // `` >I DON’T WANT TO GROW UP! By Mary Southerland [edited] Key verse: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT) Devotion: I remember the first time I saw the movie, “Peter Pan”. I was a little girl, totally mesmerized by the character of Peter and wanted to be just like him. After the movie was over I immediately ran into my back yard and jumped out of a tree – trying to fly! Fortunately, nothing was broken and I quickly decided that I could be contented with being like Peter in other ways. So I vowed to never grow up! I agreed with him that the adult world seemed frightening; it was very large and demanding, completely beyond my control. But life goes on and I somehow managed to navigate the treacher- ous waters of life, finding myself happily married with two children. Once again I wished that time would stop or at least slow down so that my children would stay babies. Of course, that wish did not come true either. Today, Jered is a sophomore in college and Danna is a junior in high school. They are wonderful young adults who bring us great joy and teach us so much about life. The desire to grow is a healthy desire and a natural process in human development. The same principle is true when it comes to our spiritual develop- ment and growth. If the desire to grow is not present in our lives there is something wrong with our spiritual health. Healthy Christians grow and mature. It is natural for the Christian to grow and mature in Christ. God not only wants us to grow, He commands it! The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Corinth, correcting them for their childish attitudes about the spiritual gifts of tongues, knowledge and prophecy. He encouraged them to grow up, to put away their fears of 'cannot do' and to seek to grow more confident with God's love, faith and hope. We can apply this same encouragement to our lives today. It is time for us as Christians to become mature believers by putting away immature attitudes and actions. One of the most obvious marks of maturity or immaturity is how we use words. Mature believers do not speak like children. You never know exactly what a child is going to say but we naturally expect childish words to come from children. Paul is saying that a great measurement of maturity for us as Christians is how well we use words. Our words need to be controlled. In the book of James we find a sobering challenge. “We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way.” James 3:2 (NLT) If we can control our tongues we can control ourselves. James, a disciple of Jesus, compares the tongue to the rudder on a ship, a bit in the horse’s mouth or a spark that starts a huge fire. The tongue is powerful and difficult to control. Our words can give or destroy life. Once a word is spoken it is eternal, never to be unspoken. Our words need to be encouraging. One of the highest responsi- bilities in the body of Christ is to practice encouragement. A word of encouragement may be a life preserver to someone drowning in the storm of life. Our words need to be truthful. Mark Twain said, “A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” Lies hold us in bondage while truth sets us free. We need to be extremely careful what we say and how we say it because the spoken word is powerful. It can bless or curse, express praise or whisper slander. It can be a tool of blessing or a weapon of destruction. How we use the tongue is a dead give-away of our spiritual maturity. If we do not learn to control our tongue, it will control us! It is time to grow up in our words. My prayer for today: Father, I confess that in many ways I am still so childish and lack maturity. I now lay those areas before you and ask that you take control, teaching me your ways. Lord, help me to control my tongue and speak words that would encourage and build others up. Right now, I give myself anew to you and pray that in the days to come I will grow up so that others will see you in my life. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. Application steps: Take some time to evaluate the maturity level in every area of life – especially in the words you speak. Reflection points: In what areas have I grown since becoming a Christian? What are the areas in which I need to mature? How would others describe the words that I speak? ___My husband ___My children ___My neighbors ___My co-workers ___My friends How can I mature and grow in the use of words? Who is there in my life that needs a word of encouragement today? How can I meet that need? Power verses: Ephesians 4; 15 Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head. (NCV) Colossians 1:10-11 We pray that you will also have great wisdom and understanding in spiritual things so that you will love the kind of life that honors and pleases the Lord in every way. You will produce fruit in every good work and grow in the knowledge of God. God will strengthen you with his own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come, but you will be patient. (NCV) James 3:5-6 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (NIV) Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone. Colossian 1:28 So we continue to preach Christ to all men. We use all wisdom to warn and to teach everyone. We are trying to bring each one into God’s presence as a mature person in Christ. (ICB) as seen in Growthtrac Encouragement To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316kim@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: ___ _.-' ```'--.._ .' `-._ / `. / `. / `. : ( \ | ( \_ ) `. | \__/ '. / ) ; | (___: \ _/__/ ; : | _ ; .' |__) : : |` \ | / / / \ |_ ;| /`\ / / \ ; ) :| ;_ ; / / \_ .-''-. | ) :/ / .- ` .--.' / : _.----._ ` < : -'........'- `. `. `''''` ; `'-.__ ,' ``--. :'-------' jgs : : .' '. >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Sharon's twin daughters, Katie and Cera, are from China. Last year, when they were 5, Katie came home from school with this announcement: "Thomas said he knows babies come from Mommy's tummy. But not me -- I came from China!" -- Sharon Stroh of Angola, Indiana Here is another story from Sharon. This past Christmas she took Katie and Cera to Fairview Missionary Church's Bethlehem Marketplace. Once again the event was a huge success, drawing large crowds and conveying the feeling of an actual visit to Bethlehem 2,000 years ago. Katie and Cera were very impressed with all the sights and sounds. A few days later they drove by the church on the way to go shopping. All the cars and trucks which had transported animals were gone. Looking out the window Cera proclaimed, "There is no one in Bethlehem!" While getting out of the shower, a friend of Melva's went from the bathroom to the bedroom to get her underwear. As she entered the bedroom from the bathroom, her 11-year-old son entered the bedroom from the hallway. Since she was on the way to get her underwear, she of course had nothing on and he saw a completely naked mother. He was surprised and screamed at the top of his lungs. Since she didn't know he was there and he screamed, Melva's friend then screamed at the top of her lungs. After getting dressed she went to talk to him and said, "I am so sorry you had to see me naked like that." He replied, "That's OK, Mom, just be glad Daddy didn't see you like that!" -- Melva Brown of Oxford, Ohio \ , |\.--._/| /\ ) )\\/ /( \ / \ /( J `( \ / ) | _\ / /|) \ eJ L | \ L \ L L / \ J `. J L | ) L \/ \ / \ J (\ / _....___ | \ \ \``` ,.._.-' '''--...-||\ -. \ \ .'.=.' ` `.\ [ Y / / \] J Y / Y Y L | | | \ | L | | | Y A J | I | /I\ / | \ I \ ( |]/| J \ /._ / -tI/ | L ) / /'-------'J `'-:. J .' ,' ,' , \ `'-.__ \ \ T ,' ,' )\ /| ';'---7 / \| ,'L Y...-' / _.' / \ / / J Y | J .'-' / ,--.( / L | J L -' .' / | /\ | J. L J .-;.-/ | \ .' / J L`-J L____,.-'` | _.-' | L J L J `` J | J L | L J | L J L \ L \ | L ) _.'\ ) _.'\ L \('` \ ('` \ ) _.'\`-....' `-....' ('` \ `-.___/ sk Kelly, 3, lives in the country. One day his grandparents drove out in the country where they live. When they arrived he tried to say something, and Shari said, "What happened, you can't talk?" He looked up, so cute, and said, "Someone stole my voice away." -- Shari Mallory-Maxa (grandmother of Kelly) of Austin, Texas Ethan, 12, was tossing a ball up and down to pass the time away. Deanie, 10, joined him. When it was Ethan's turn and he kept the ball to himself too long, Deanie complained, "It's my turn to throw up!" -- Kellie Holland (Ethan and Deanie's mom) of Essexville, Michigan A few weeks ago, Wendy's children, Marcy, 6, and Coby, 4, were discussing politics with their mother. Wendy told them who she voted for, and Coby announced that he voted for Barack Obama. When Wendy explained that he must be at least 18 years old to vote, he replied, "Mom, when you weren't looking, I went up to my room, and I voted for Barack Obama!" -- Wendy of Corunna, Indiana Every morning when Calvin 2 gets up and it is sunny he tells his parents, "The sun is up." At night he will say, "The sun is not up, but I don't need go bed," and when it is cloudy he will say, "The sun needs to come from the clouds." -- Lorraine Belt (mom to Calvin) of Las Vegas _,,,,_ .(((()()()( ())()()))()) ((,.""-,(()()) \ @ ) @ )/)() .'-. - (C)) ( (_. ` .)) \ .___. .' __`.____.' \_____ /( " /))_\.-' ( `\ / ( _ o/(o " _ \ `. ( /. . o)/o ( \ / ( . o/(o . " .)\ ) ( )( _ o)\o _ . )( ) ( (.' o)/o `. )/ / \ ( . "o((o . . ` _/ ) (/)____o)/o______(c`-.) |)_|__[H]___|___(//)' ( ) : \ ) `'' (_) ( ) \ (_ ) ( . ( ) ( ( ) (\ / ) ) ( ( ( ) ( ( ) ./ \ ( .( ) ( ) ( ) |"^"") ("^"") | / \ | pils ),,,,) |,,,,/ /,,,,( ),,,,( .-',,,,,) /,,,,\ ((((_).-' (_)()))) Over the weekend Stacy was putting a bed together; she almost had it done when Marcus, 4, came in and said, "Wow, Mom, you can make beds, too!" -- Stacy Fry of Kendallville, Indiana Milinda and her 3-year-old daughter were rooting for the Colts to win their playoff game. The little girl wanted to know which team they were rooting for. Milinda told her the white (jersey) team. The Colts lost. The next weekend they were watching football again and Milinda's daughter started rooting for the team in the white again. Milinda told her this time they were rooting for the team with the black jerseys... the Steelers. Without hesitation Milinda's daughter said, "Mommy, we can't root for the Steelers because they are not very nice if they steal!" -- Milinda Abel of Auburn, Indiana Imogene's husband was bedfast for five months and passed away in November. Their 4-year-old great-granddaughter, Raven Elizabeth, came to see him often and he adored her. He was fortunate to have a complete air-controlled bed with several controls and Raven learned all of them. He would tell her what position he would like to be in and she would take him there. After he passed away, Raven's mother explained that Pap-Paw had gone to heaven to live and she would not be able to see him any more. She cried and cried and said, "My poor Pap-Paw." After a while she wiped her face, composed herself and asked, "Did he take his bed?" -- Imogene Johnson of Ligonier, Indiana Trevor, 3, keeps his family laughing. This past summer he was at his Grandma Fox's house. When she asked him to pick up his toys, he said, "I can't. My back is killing me." -- Grandma Angie Klarke of Bluffton, Indiana .---. .---. ( -o- )---( -o- ) ;-...-` `-...-; / \ / \ | /_ _\ | \`'.`'"--.....--"'`.'`/ \ '. `._.` .' / _.-''. `-.,___,.-` .''-._ `--._ `'-._______.-'` _.--` jgs / \ /.-'`\ .'. /`'-.\ ` '.' '.' ` When Trevor's parents announced they were going to have a new baby, Trevor asked, "Does that mean you're giving Isabella away?" (Isabella is his 16-month-old sister.) One day Trevor pointed to his Grandma Klarke's kitchen cabinet and insisted on "mashed potatoes." It was a strange request. He usually asks for candy. Finally, his Grandma Klarke figured out he wanted the game Mr. Potato Head! Doris was caring for Tyler for the day. After he visited the bathroom he came up to Doris and said, "Mamaw, I know where you keep your spare teeth." He had looked in her denture cup and had seen her lower denture soaking. -- Doris J. Reesor (great-grandmother of Tyler) of Battletown, Kentucky One day quite awhile back Larry was conversing with his middle son Brandon. "What kind of video games did you have when you were a little boy, Dad?" Brandon asked. Imagine the shock Brandon went through when Larry told him they didn't even have TV. "What did you do, Dad, I mean for fun?" Larry replied, "We played outdoors, Son." (Larry says the shocked look on his face was worth a thousand words!) -- Larry A. Houston .'*.*'.==. .==.'*.*'. '*/X@*' ( ) '*@X\*' //X@ '. .' @X\\ "X@ \ / @X" ____xX@ ' ' @Xx____ ( ____) (____ ) '....------._____| |_____.------....' .'__||_________||___ ___||_________||__'. ''------------------' '------------------'` Here is another story about "way back when." Ogden, 6, was watching TV with his little brother. The program mentioned an event in the year 2001. Ogden turned to his little brother Alton and said, "Did you hear that? The year 2001... That was the Olden Days!" -- Diane Schlemmer (grandmother of Ogden and Alton) of LaGrange, Indiana Having a grandchild who loves vegetables and anything that tastes weird or unusual, Roger decided to cook sausage and sauerkraut for supper. As the smell traveled throughout the house, Madison, 5, came walking into the kitchen and said, "Papa what's that de-gusting smell?" "You will love it," Roger replied. Sure enough she loved the meal but at supper she continued to tell Papa that the smell was "de-gusting... just like him." -- Roger Kiser of Georgia Kari was making lunch for her son Ethan and her niece Ainsley, both 4. Ainsley asked what they were having and Kari said she was going to make them grilled cheese. Ethan ran into the kitchen and said, "But Mom ... I don't want girl cheese, I want boy cheese!" -- Kari Reith of Huntertown, Indiana Karlee, 2, had soiled her BIG GIRL panties. Her mother spent the entire cleanup time going over the whys and hows of using the toilet. When cleanup was finished she said, "Karlee, next time you have your big girl panties on and you need to poopy where are you going to go?" Without missing a beat Karlee answered, "To a hiding place." -- Alyce Sherman (grandmother of Karlee) of Glenvil, Nebraska __ __ / '. .' \ | |`\ \ / /`| | \.--' '-' '--./ .' .-'"'"'-. '. / .-(((( ))))-. \ .' / =/_o/___\o_\= \ '. .' / .-' '-. \ '. / / / \ \ \ / | \ \ / / | \ | \ /-`.__.__.`-\ / | \ \ ` \.-./ ` / / \ '-._ , '-' , _.-' / '. /()`'-'-=-'-'`()\ .' jgs `/`\ '()()()()()() /`\` When Abby, 4, and Reed, 7, kept referring to parmesan cheese as "sprinkle cheese" their father insisted that their mother keep correcting them. Several days later as they were eating pizza, Abby asked, "Can you please pass me the Papa John cheese?" -- Jeaneen (grandmother to Reed and Abby) of Bluffton, Indiana Stella, 2, has decided that she can't touch/kiss/hug "boys!" This includes her Dad and Grandpa. While getting ready for bed one night, Nana told her to give hugs and kisses to Grandma and Grandpa. She was very willing to kiss Grandma, but would have nothing to do with Grandpa. Nana told her to at least blow Grandpa a kiss, which she was more than happy to do. When she finished she said, "There, now that wasn't so bad, was it!" -- Suzy Payne (Nana) of Springfield Oregon While eating dinner one night, Mommy got up to get herself some more water. She asked everyone at the table, one by one, if they needed anything while she was up. Each person answered, "I'm good." When it came to Stella, Mommy asked her if she needed anything to which she replied (with a BIG smile on her face), "I'm not good!" Lydia is a 2nd grader in the school district where Beth teaches. She loves to join Beth to work in her middle school. While Beth works, Lydia sometimes explores the hall areas. A colleague happened to be working there too during one of Lydia's recent visits. She later told Beth that she came upon Lydia in a locker area in another wing, hiding behind a pillar. Beth's colleague greeted her and Lydia said a whispered hello. The woman whispered back, "Are you hiding from someone?" Lydia nodded. "Who?" she asked. Lydia jumped up, pointed her finger and said, "You!" -- Beth Fryer (grandmother of Lydia) of Lebanon, Pennsylvania Logan's parents were trying to get him to use "please" and "thank you." One night at dinner with Logan's grandparents, Logan's father asked Logan, "What words do Mommy and Daddy like to use?" Logan, 2, thought for a second and said "Time out!" -- Dolores Tichenor (Logan's great-aunt) of Angola, Indiana _..._ ,--. /.---.\ .---/____\|--. ` ( '----' ) `-..........-' __|`--(__ /'~~~/\~~'\ / _/| ) \ / /\ \ _/ | | \ _/ / \ \ _///)\ ( ) ) / )/ ) )><><| ( L/(_, / / , `\ ) / / ( / | \ ) / /( ( )_._._._( | / ) \ / / \ \ | / ( \( | | |\ | / ) _|__/ \__|_) | / \__ \ / \ /( | / `. |_ / \ _| )| / \|- | | -| |( / ,--. | | ,--.\\ / gnv|____\`'==--/____|-` Three-year-old twins Tyler and Gregory went with their mother to meet their father at a pizza place for the lunch buffet. The boys both wanted pepperoni pizza, but there was none. When more pizzas were brought out, Tyler asked if any were pepperoni. Their dad Eric responded, "No it looks like they brought out everything but pepperoni." Tyler said, "Ewww, butt pepperoni -- that's gross. I don't want that." Nicole and her husband just started laughing. And needless to say Tyler didn't eat pepperoni that day! -- Nicole Beuchel (mother of Tyler and Gregory) of Fort Wayne, Indiana Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. 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"-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >-->Heartache It isn't the thing you do, dear, Its the thing you leave undone That gives you a bit of a heartache At setting of the sun. The tender work forgotten, The letter you did not write, The flowers you did not send, dear, Are your haunting ghosts at night. The stone you might have lifted Out of a brother's way; The bit of heartsome counsel You were hurried too much to say; The loving touch of the hand, dear, The gentle, winning tone Which you had no time nor thought for With troubles enough of your own. Those little acts of kindness So easily out of mind, Those chances to be angels Which we poor mortals find~ They come in night and silence, Each sad, reproachful wraith, When hope is faint and flagging, And a chill has fallen on faith. For life is all too short, dear, And sorrow is all to great, To suffer our slow compassion That tarries until too late: ,;;;;;;, ,;;;;;;, ,;;;@@@@@;;;@@@@@;;;, ,;;;@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@;;;, ;;;@@;;;' ';' ';;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@';;, ,;;'@@;;; ';;;@@';;,;;'@@;;;' ';;;@@';'@@;;;' jgs ';;;@@@;;;' ';;@;;' ( ';' (#) ) (#) ( (#) ) (#) And it isn't the thing you do, dear, It's the thing you leave undone Which gives you a bit of heartache At the setting of the sun. - author unknown >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? 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 ************************************************************************