Drinking From My Saucer... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This hot scorcher comes from our friend Linda. God's creation never ceases to amaze me - so much creativity, even down to mushrooms! Check this out here... ____ _.-'78o `"`--._ ,o888o. .o888o, ''-. ,88888P `78888P..______.] /_..__..----"" __.' `-._ /""| _..-'' "`-----\ `\ | ;.-""--.. | ,8o. o88. `. `;888P `788P : .o""-.|`-._ ./ J88 _.-/ ";"-P----' `--'\`| / / | / | | \| / |akn `-----`---' Most Beautiful Mushrooms! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mushrooms.html --- ...Wow! I never knew there were so many awesome ones! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: | ,' `. / \ /-,-,-,-,-\ | J .--. | / oo \/ / -- | < \ / [] `--' || /''\ >MAGICAL TIMES OF A LOST ERA by Chris Smith Thoughts of summer remind me of my childhood at age eleven, my most memorable summer. Even now, if I close my eyes and remember, certain smells and sounds become vivid in my mind. In our small rural East Texas town most people earned a living in the agriculture industry. We had a small farm which produced enough food for our family and plenty to sell for our livelihood. My best friend lived across the road. On hot summer days we rode our bikes all over the countryside. Her dad had a huge watermelon patch. When we became overheated from our exertion, she and I would ride by that patch and help ourselves to a watermelon. Each of us would pick out a juicy, ripe one. We would lift it above our heads and let it drop to open it. That first bite was pure sweet nectar. Sweet, sticky juice would ooze through our fingers and drip from our chins as our throats were cooled and our thirst was quenched. Occasionally my dad would take me to town for a root beer served in a frosty mug. But not even a frosty root beer could have topped our raid of the watermelon patch. When evening came the whole family would sit on the front porch with bushel baskets of fruits and vegetables. We husked corn, shelled peas, snapped green beans, and sliced squash, okra, and fruits for freezing or canning. This was done outdoors around sunset because it was cooler. No one had air conditioners. Many times our neighbors would see us and join us. Adults told stories which could bring a tear to your eye or have you rolling in laughter. More likely than not, someone would start singing a gospel hymn and, one by one, others would join in. One song would lead to another. Before long, the work was finished. We would thank all our helpers by making homemade ice cream. It was made in a freezer that you had to turn by hand. That task always fell to the children. If we had a large crop to prepare we would start at dusk and have a neighborhood "fish fry" as several families would volunteer. The children would help for a while then be allowed to play. One of our favorite games after dark was chasing fireflies, or lightning bugs, as we called them. We put them in a Mason jar with a lid and watched them light up the night like a lantern. Soon, we would set them free and chase down some more. Surrounded by the twinkling fireflies and the night sounds of frogs, locusts and crickets crying for rain, it seemed we had entered a magical land. We played games long forgotten by today's generation -- Red Light-Green Light, Red Rover, Mother May I? King of the Mountain, Chase, and Freeze are a few I can remember. We certainly worked up an appetite for that homemade ice cream. Closing my eyes I can still feel the first velvety spoonful filling my mouth and sliding gloriously down my throat. It was almost a spiritual experience as I cherished each bite. Sometimes, before dark, the adults would join us in one or two of our outdoor games. We had a huge thick jump rope and we'd take turns turning it while others -- adults and children alike -- jumped two and three at a time chanting, "Cinderella, dressed in yellow, went upstairs..." It was such fun! Sometimes a sudden rain storm would come and we would run for cover. Then as quickly as it came, it would be gone. If I had to name one of my favorite memories from childhood, it would have to be the smell after a summer rain. The hot earth barely dampened by the brief downpour gave the soil a refreshing, yet heavy smell you could almost taste. These were the magical times of a lost era. Many of the folks have gone to see their Maker. Still, each memory is embedded in my heart and in my mind forever. -- Chris Smith ========================================================== >-->From our Friend Bunni :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Scripture God is the ONLY true God. He rose Christ from the dead who died for our sins! Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 (Christ rose again the third day and was seen by over five hundred brethern.) You cannot fail in your witnessing to others about Christ if you give your witness to the best of your ability and with a heart motivated by love. Read 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 The powers of evil around you are no match for the power in you. Read 1 John 4:4 (He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.) God gives by promise that we may take from faith. Read Luke 2:19 (Mary kept these things and pondered.) Friends, to be rich in God is far better than to be rich in goods. Read Luke 12:15 (Take heed and beware to convetousness for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.) --- ...Amen! Thanks Bunni! -<>- \. - - . ' _ , -`. Gee, God, I could use some extra cash ' _,' _,' I'm too busy to work for it right now. ' ,-' _/ / ' ,-' \ _/ __,,_ / ' ,' \ _' ////6 6 ' ' _\' \\\' > ' , _,-' \ _______ ) _= \,_,--' \ \\__ __/ /_\ \ \\+/ ___ \ \ \\| '/ ),__) \ \\ /\/ ( +\ \ \\ \___`-.________ \ \\__,( \_____ - \ \ \`---\/\----), ) \ \ ||+=+=+=+=/ /\ \ \ ||________| /\ `. \ \ ||------- )/-\\ ) \ ejm/b'ger \|| ,'/ \\ \ \ / / '-` \/ >The Drive Through Place Hi, This is St. Peter's Place, may I help you? Yes, I am in a big hurry, I have some place to go. I will take an instant healing, and 3 blessings please. The next customer comes through, saying: I need for my marriage to be healed, I don't have time to work on it, or pray, so could you just give me the marriage blessing, and fix it please? The next customer is equally unaware when saying: I need the blessing my neighbor has, could you help me win the lottery? I am going on vacation next week and could use the extra money. People lining up with the greatest intentions, the least faith, and almost no relationship with God, yet expecting instant gratification when they pray. Suddenly God is the "fix it" man. We do not have to do anything on our part, it is all His job. While I was watching a famous newscaster tonight, He was talking about his concept of God. A God who would forgive everyone, because He was merciful. A God who never got angry, who never judged, but only loved people. A God who never did a trial after we die, but fulfills nebulous needs while we are alive. A God we don't need to have a dedicated or holy, righteous relationship with. A God of convenience. A God of people's own making to suit whatever lifestyle they choose to live. This is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is what the world is saying nowadays. Oh I will take the God that never judges, so I can sleep with everyone in town, or smoke and drink or do drugs, but God will still love me. I will never have to confess or change, because God is merciful. A drive through God. Where do people come up with this stuff? My friends, this is why we have a Bible. 1. It tells us who God is. 2. It tells us what He expects from us. 3. It tells what happens to those who disobey. 4. It tells how to find salvation through Jesus Christ. The Bible says Jesus is the truth, the life, and the way, there is no other way to God, except through redemption in Jesus Christ. This means we have to be proactive. We have to: 1. Recognize we are a sinner in need of salvation. 2. Recognize Jesus died for those sins, and to receive His salvation we must take certain steps. 3. Confess our sins to God, every one we can remember, then we make a public confession of that faith. 4. When we repent of our sins, it means we leave them behind, we walk away from them, we get into the word, and live as Jesus taught. We make a conscious effort to change, and ask God to help us change the things we cannot, so we can be right before Him. Forgiven, renewed by the blood of the Lamb of God. There is no other way! We cannot pick and choose the parts of the Bible we like or don't like or agree with or don't agree with. We cannot tell God who to be, or what His laws and concepts should be. It is like this. We must accept Him for who He is, we must live righteously before Him, by accepting His son, and repenting of our sins, and then walking right by reading His word, praying and living a holy life. Anything else, is straying from the truth. You can make up all the thoughts about God you want, the newscaster can justify his lifestyle by being in denial about God, the person who has strong addictions will deny God to justify his sin. The person steeped in sexual sin or perversion will try to justify a kind, all loving God, to leave out any part of the scripture that might convict them of sins. Sin is a reality. God is not only a merciful God, but a God of judgment. The drive through thing won't work. If you want a relationship with God, there is one way. The right way, through Jesus Christ. Any other way leads to eternal death. Now that you have been told, there is no excuse. Pass this to others, so they may know that there is no excuse that will stand before God's all knowing judgment and wisdom. He sees all, knows all, knows every where you have been, every thought you have had, every deed you have done. Everything that is done in darkness will be bought into light. Where you will stand in that light? There is only one way. You either choose life or death by your decisions. - Millie Plastaras --- ...So True! Thank You Bunni! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Some of us think because God is love that we can just go about our merry way and not do according to the Will or Word of God. That because of His great mercy and grace he will simply accept us for who we are even if who we are in his eyes is dirty filthy sinners. We forget that God who is love is also light, truth, and holy. Sinners on the other hand are dark, liars, and unclean. How can God have anything to do with them? We must come to God through Jesus Christ so we can be forgiven our sins and be made clean without sin. Afterward we must keep ourselves clean from sin by keeping God's Word which we learn to do through His bible - which is His Word. We are not perfect so at times we must confess our sins to get back into fellowship with God. Remember, God is holy and cannot have anything to do with that which is not light and holy. Realize that sin is darkness... 1 John 1: [5] This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. In God is no darkness at all. Think of sin as darkness and you can easily see the picture. God is like a torch in the middle of a moonless night. To come close to God and be in His light you simply need to stand next to him. You'll feel His warmth and benefit from His light. But to have fellowship with Him, to be very close, to be one with God, you must be like Him with no darkness at all. Like adding a match to the torch, they both are lit. You cannot have both a dark match in with a lit torch. Darkness and light do not go together. 2 Cor.6: [14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? It is the same with God. If we want communion with God we must stay in His light and not make excuses to sin. That simply brings us into darkness and away from God. People rationalize their sin and say, "God would want me to be happy." But it is not about being happy it is about going against God and sinning. Your choice. God never makes us do His Will. But if we want the benefits of being close to God we do His will gladly. What makes God happy, ultimately makes us very, very happy. Easy to remember. :) 1 Peter 2:9 But you [plural: all of you] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare [the verb is plural] the praises of him who called you [plural: all of you] out of darkness into his wonderful light. Check out these great teachings for more: Straying From The Light http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/straying.html God's Royal And Holy Priests http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html ================================================================= >-->From Our Friend KarenF :) _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >GOD Will Find YOU... Father John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago, writes about a student in his Theology of Faith class named Tommy: "Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. My eyes and my mind both blinked. He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long. I guess it was just coming into fashion then. I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day I was unprepared and my emotions flipped.. I immediately filed Tommy under 'S' for strange... Very strange. Tommy turned out to be the 'atheist in residence' in my Theology of Faith course. He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God. We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew. When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, 'Do you think I'll ever find God?' I decided instantly on a little shock therapy. 'No!' I said very emphatically. 'Why not,' he responded, 'I thought that was the product you were pushing.' I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!' He shrugged a little and left my class and my life. I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line -- He will find you! At least I thought it was clever. Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was duly grateful. Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to see me. When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe. 'Tommy, I've thought about you so often; I hear you are sick,' I blurted out 'Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks...' 'Can you talk about it, Tom?' I asked. 'Sure, what would you like to know?' he replied 'What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying? 'Well, it could be worse. 'Like what? 'Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals, like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies in life.. I began to look through my mental file cabinet under 'S' where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.) 'But what I really came to see you about,' Tom said, 'is something you said to me on the last day of class.' (He remembered!) He continued, 'I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me Then you said, 'But He will find you..' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time. (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!) 'But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.. But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit 'Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an afterlife, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'' 'So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad.. He was reading the newspaper when I approached him.. 'Dad. 'Yes, what?' he asked without lowering the newspaper. 'Dad, I would like to talk with you.' 'Well, talk. 'I mean . It's really important.' The newspaper came down three slow inches. 'What is it?' 'Dad, I love you, I just wanted you to know that.' Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him. 'The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me..' 'It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. 'I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to. 'Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop, 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give you three days, three weeks.'' 'Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him.' 'Tommy,' I practically gasped, 'I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.' Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it would not be half as effective as if you were to tell it. 'Oooh.. I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class.' 'Tom, think about it. If and when you are ready, give me a call.' In a few days Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it. He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined. Before he died, we talked one last time. 'I'm not going to make it to your class,' he said. 'I know, Tom.' 'Will you tell them for me? Will you . tell the whole world for me?' I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best.' With thanks, Rev. John Powell, Professor, Loyola University, Chicago --- ...Love this story of Tommy! Thanks KarenF! ======================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: A college student was in a philosophy class which had a discussion about God's existence. The professor had the following logic: "Has anyone in this class heard God?" Nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class touched God?" Again, nobody spoke. "Has anyone in this class seen God?" When nobody spoke for the third time, he simply stated, "Then there is no God." The student did not like the sound of this at all, and asked for permission to speak. The professor granted it, and the student stood up and asked the following questions of his classmates: "Has anyone in this class heard our professor's brain?" Silence. "Has anyone in this class touched our professor's brain?" Absolute silence. "Has anyone in this class seen our professor's brain?" When nobody in the class dared to speak, the student concluded, "Then, according to our professor's logic, it must be true that our professor has no brain!" The student received an "A" in the class. -<>- _____ / _))) / / 6 6 ( ( \ / ,' __= / _ ) /_ ) ( /\__~__|( /\/__)__) ) ( /\ (_ \| \__'/ \ :o / \ /\ _/ ) \/ | | | | | ) | /| ) / |________| | / \ | |/ ____\!_______ / )\ /( '-.\_ .. b'ger /,/ .. . >The Deadly Second Look By Rick Ezell "One evening, David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful . . ." (2 Sam. 11:2 NIV). David was king of Israel. He wrote many of the Psalms. As a devout Jew, he was a person of faith and character. But one spring night, he became careless and curious. He should have been out with his men fighting a war, but instead, he takes a stroll on the roof of the palace. And down below, he sees a beautiful woman bathing. He glances, and then he stares. This is a beautiful woman, he thinks to himself. His thoughts are not innocent. He desires her; he craves her. He is alone; and he is lonely. He finds out about her. He sends for her. He seduces her. He wanted what he wanted, and being king, of course, he could get it. And he got it. Eventually, he has his lover's husband killed to cover up his sin. And, to add to the ugliness of this picture, the baby she conceives dies. What's wrong with this picture? David was in the wrong place. He should have been leading his men on the battlefront. Instead, he relaxed at the palace with time on his hands. He was alone. He lacked the emotional support he needed to keep his hormones in check. He allowed his mind to wander. He was thinking impure thoughts. He lounges, then he lingers, then he lusts. Lust reaps its greatest havoc on our lives, when we are in a tempting place, when our mind is not guarded, when we choose to face life alone, and when we are spiritually distant from God. Lust is a craving, a yearning, a longing, and a passion. Lust, according to The American Heritage Dictionary, "is a sexual craving, especially when excessive; to have an inordinate desire, especially a sexual desire." While we most often think of lust involving sex, it is not limited to that domain. We can lust for power, for a car, for a house, or for children. Adultery starts in the head, before the bed. First, Satan gets our attention. Then, he engages our feelings, resulting in action. Once something has our attention, then it is easier to get our feelings. And once our feelings are engaged, then it is easier for our actions to follow. Whenever I have shopped for a new car, the salesperson encouraged me, "Go ahead. Take it for a test drive." He wanted to engage my emotions and my feelings with the smell of the new car and the feel of the drive. And once something or someone has my feelings, then it is easier for my actions to follow. This is what happened to David when he seduced Bathsheba. He was out for a walk. He looked. Then he looked again. It has been said, "You can't help the first look, but you can avoid the second look that becomes lust." The woman got David's attention. Then, lust got his feelings. The second look created the desire. And once his feelings kicked in, he was easy prey for temptation. Lust gives no thought to the consequences, no consideration of what might lay ahead, simply the thrill of a particular moment's challenge. A moment of passion may yield a lifetime of pain. Have you noticed that we lust for or lust after? Lust, then, always involves objects. At its most basic level, it is a preoccupation with objects of our desire. We lust after or for something or someone, not with something or someone. Lust reduces the other person to a non-person. Lust accepts any partner for a momentary service. It has nothing to give. It has nothing to ask. It reduces everything to a mere object, one to be acquired, then discarded when it's used up. Lust treats people like football players treat a football. That ball is cradled and cuddled. Players will risk life and limb to protect the ball, when their team has it on offense. But once the football crosses the goal line and a touchdown is scored, then it is thrown, pounded, and spun on the ground. Then, the player will dance around and mock it. Finally, it is ignored. Its purpose has been served. It was merely an object used to accomplish a goal. If you have been the object of someone's lust, you know how demeaning it feels. Lust is deadly. (Consider what happened to the baby born to David and Bathsheba.) Oh, surely not, you say. But think about it. Where do promiscuity, rape, incest, pornography, prostitution, adultery, many unhappy marriages, and a lot of divorces come from, if not from lust? And to add to its destruction, it causes bitterness, guilt, disillusionment, and strained relationships. Its consequences are mental, social, vocational, and spiritual heartbreak. Rick Ezell -<>- _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown >Friendship, A Blue Shawl and A Hug It was an unlikely friendship-Lee had dropped out of school in 10th grade after her father died. She married an abusive man at the tender age of sixteen to avoid being put in a foster home, since her mother had abandoned the family years earlier. When I met her in 1995, she hadn't attended church in years. I, on the other hand, had five years of university education and worked for a mission organization. However, Lee and I had a common bond. Besides the sisterhood of being women and mothers, we both understood suffering. (My husband was bipolar and I had lived on a roller coaster for years before he was diagnosed.) Lee had left her first abusive marriage, remarried and now had two children. My husband first met Lee's husband while doing recycling. Lee's husband hauled scrap metal-wash machines, water heaters, stoves, and refrigerators-to earn part of his living, along with his disability pension. Times were hard for them. After we had known them for several years, in 1998 my husband felt we should give the family Christmas presents. "I'm sure they won't have much of a Christmas this year," he told me as we shopped for them and their daughter and son, eight and twelve. When we arrived with the gifts just before Christmas, we discovered that their two children had been taken away from them by child welfare a few days earlier. Child welfare maintained they weren't able to care for them properly. Their children were later found to have a form of autism, but not before they went from foster home to foster home. Our friends spent years trying to get their children back. The family seemed to go from one disastrous situation to another. I would call Lee, just to talk and encourage her. Sometimes I would hesitate to call because it meant spending an hour on the phone, mostly listening. She rarely asked how I was doing, but the amazing thing was that what-ever I did tell her, she remembered accurately the next time I talked with her. When Mother's Day came that year, my husband said, "Why don't you give Lee something for Mother's Day? I'm sure it will be a sad time for her." That began a tradition. Every Mother's Day, I would buy her a geranium, a chrysanthemum or a carnation plant, which she carefully kept growing year after year. Later, she began to give me something on Mother's Day as well. One time she gave me an apple seedling that she had grown from a seed. I had told her how apple seeds needed to go through freezing weather before they would sprout. My dad used to put apple seeds in the freezer before he would plant them. So she tried it and it worked! She thought an apple seedling would be a reminder of my father who had died in 1989. I also told her the story of how in 1976, my grand-father was getting ready to visit his adult children and their families and give them their yearly Christmas gifts-a box of chocolate covered cherries. That year, on his way to deliver the cherries, he had a massive stroke and died a couple days later. After hearing that story, Lee gave me a box of chocolate covered cherries each Christmas for the past five years. Our telephone conversations continued. Lee would end every conversation with, "Remember I love you," to which I responded, "I love you too, Lee." She would then say, "Give yourself a hug for me." Not having worked outside her home for years, Lee was fearful of getting a job. When she did get a part time job as food demonstrator at a local food store, she found that she loved doing it, and she blossomed in that position. She loved people and they loved her. Over the years, I invited her to ladies meetings and outreach events at church many times, but she never came. She didn't drive, and her husband was angry with "conventional religion" and God for the many things that had happened in their lives. Not able to share my faith openly, I shared many of the Christian stories I had written. She always enjoyed reading them. She also began working on a craft of her own-carving thimbles from pieces of wood, a form of folk art. Her creativity was rewarded in local competitions, and she gave me several as gifts. When my husband had a severe stroke in 2004, she began listening to me and hearing my pain. "You're a brave lady," she told me, to which I responded, "I'm only doing what I need to do." In 2005, Lee entered the hospital for bladder surgery. Hers was a worst case scenario, and her cancer-filled bladder was removed. Because of her life-threatening reaction to chemicals, doctors were unable to do either radiation or chemo. In May 2006, my son and daughter had a surprise 60th birthday party for me-I didn't suspect a thing. When I walked into our house, it was filled with 35 special friends from my Bible study, work, and my Christian writer's group. Lee, her husband and son were there as well. Her gift to me was a large, beautiful blue shawl. With it was a note that said: "This shawl was made for you by me. It has 172 rows, 144 stitches in each row, altogether that is 7,568 stitches. With every stitch, I thought of you. The happy times we shared. The devastating times. Our childhood memories, recipes, gardening tips. Our husbands and our kids. We laughed together, cried together, prayed together even a couple of times when I was in the hospital. You let me talk your ear off and forgave me for being selfish with your time. I have wrapped your shawl around me and hugged it, so every time you wear it, you will get a hug from me. Thank you for your friendship and your love. I treasure it every day." Four months later I learned that Lee was having surgery to correct complications from her bladder surgery a year earlier. In the past, her surgeries had led to life-threatening situations, so I was deeply concerned. I asked her on the phone if she could remember ever accepting the Lord as her Savior when she was a child, since I knew she had gone to church at one time. Yes she had, years back. Then when I called her at the hospital on nearly a daily basis, I prayed with her each time. A couple times she surprised me by saying, "Can I pray for you?" And she did. Remaining in the hospital for weeks, she rapidly lost weight and her condition deteriorated. The source of her problem eluded the doctors until emergency surgery revealed terminal cancer. My adult daughter and I spent time with her at the hospital. When she was unresponsive, I gently said, "Lee, remember I love you." She struggled to open her eyes and responded weakly, "I love you too." I talked with her, read Scripture to her several times and we prayed with her. My daughter gave her foot massages and brushed her long tangled hair. What did she still want to do before she died? My daughter helped her make a list. On the list, among other things, were to taste a scallop, listen to a certain Keith Urban song, and contact some relatives she hadn't seen in a long time. She was able to do those things. And after nine years in the welfare system, her seventeen-year old daughter finally came home as Lee was dying. Lee bravely fought a month longer than predicted, drawing her final breath on February 11th. She was 51 years old. How does one measure a life? Achievements? Awards? A monument? Lee left few of those things. Maybe a better measure is lives that have been touched. Lee touched many, including mine. I promised Lee just before she died that I would write a story about our friendship. So Lee, this story is for you. You were the brave lady. As I'm sitting here at my computer, your blue shawl is giving me a hug. By Janet Seever, -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Kinkade - Painter Of Light! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kinkade.html Salvation Mountain! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html God's Water Paintings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html God's Spring Paintings! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gspring.html Attitude Is Everything 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude5.html Wal-Mart Greeter http://www.adreamandasmile.com/Smiles/Wal_Mart_Greeter.html Inviting Friendship http://www.adreamandasmile.com/Frdshp/How_Inviting.html !7 Angry Notes From MYant http://noneedtoapply.com/17-hilarious-angry-notes-from-your-neighbors/ Current Events Test http://pewresearch.org/politicalquiz/quiz/index.php Platypus Via Dianne http://tinyurl.com/ybbk7kn Beautiful Frogs Via Dianne http://www.funonthenet.in/articles/beautiful-frogs.html -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) All of you dog and Cat lovers have to watch this! This little Yorkie is only 23 weeks old! http://www.youtube.com/embed/M21V3jIUgnA --- ...Awww, such a cutie! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) The Landfillharmonic Orchestra - inspiring! Have a look at this! http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=UJrSUHK9Luw Here's a great story that could have been a tragedy. This 15-year-old hero and his friend chased down a child-abductor on their bikes. He rescued a 5-year-old girl and carried her back to the authorities. His name is Temar Boggs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd31e02l3jk&feature=player_detailpage --- ...Such a heartwarming story! Thank God he was there! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From our friend Linda :) Owl And Pussy Cat http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=mWhD5bc6Fmg&vq=large --- ...TeeHee! Cute together! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From our NancyF :) If your day is somewhat stressful, watch this. It is truly calming. You are about to see something beautiful. and calming. Watch And don't forget to share it with friends and family. http://tinyurl.com/nhu4kuk -<>- >From our Friend Melody :) She sent us one we have here... 12 Year Old Paints Visions of The Lord This young girl has been painting visions from the Lord for many years which is surprising since she was raised in an atheist household. God gives powerful gifts to each and everyone of us. As you can see, painting is hers… Akiane: Child Prodigy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html --- ...She stuns me! Thanks Melody! Actually she started painting at age 6! See her timeline here: Akiane Thru The Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy2.html 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 ========================================================== | I wouldn't do that | if I were you... : / J / o\_ /o ~~~~~~~~~/(_/~~~ ~~~(__\~~~ ~~~~~~ b'ger >Just Come Back Later Story Editor: by Guy Slater Joyce Schowalter Tennessee, USA My wife and I moved to the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee in November of 2005, from a large metropolitan area to a very rural area. While moving we had the help of our adult daughter and our 2-year-old granddaughter. During the hectic days of moving into our new home, we ate out in the local community a lot. One evening we decided to have dinner at "Cindy's Catfish Kitchen." Cindy's is a buffet style restaurant, all you can eat. It had been a long day of moving boxes and furniture, and tomorrow would see us on the long drive back to our former home for another load, a thousand mile long trip. We were all tired, and our granddaughter was cranky to top it all off. But the buffet was great, and we ended our meal feeling rested and relaxed. When I went to pay our bill, card in hand, the waitress cashier told me that Cindy's didn't have the ability to take either credit or debit cards. Being from the "big city," using a credit or debit card was the norm. Oops! I had no cash in my pocket, but about 10 miles back down the road I'd seen a bank with an ATM. I told the lady that I would leave my family there and return in a few minutes to pay for our meals. "Oh, y'all don't have to do that," she told me. "You just come back some time and pay us then." WHAT!? These people had never seen me before, did not know if I would ever return, yet they trusted me to return to pay for three adult meals? This is not something that I had ever encountered in the big city, that's for sure. We have lived here for almost six years, and every single week I see other acts of trust like this happening. It may be a "country" thing, or just plain Southern hospitality. Whatever it is, I certainly like it, and I pass on this kindness every chance I get. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY ################ #+++++++++OOO### #+++++++++OOO### #+++++++++OOO### #+++++++++OOO### ################ #+++++++++OO## #+++++++++OO## m1a On world environment day, Prabhav and his father planted a few seeds in a pot. Prabhav was very impatient to see the growing plants that day itself. When his father told him that you have to water the seeds for a few days, and then plants will come out of the seeds, Prabhav said in an all knowing tone: "When the seeds are filled with water, and they open their mouth to BURP, plants will come out, right?" -- Janaki of Bangalore, India Lindsay, 6, and Katelinn, 4, were playing with moon sand in the kitchen. Katelin kept telling Lindsay to do something, but Lindsay didn't want to. Lindsay finally had enough and told Katelinn, "Stop it! I am going to use my imagination my own way!" -- Janice Bruce of Wolcottville, Indiana Here are some more stories from Janice. Lindsay and Katelinn were playing with make-up and they came to Janice to show her how beautiful they were. Katelinn had an "x" on her forehead with lipstick and Lindsay had it all over the outside of her lips. Janice gave them a bath but the lipstick wouldn't come off. "Next time you put lipstick on, make sure it's only on your lips!" Janice said. Lindsay replied, "Mom, you know I can't color in the lines!" . \ | / _\|/_ .' ' ' '. ___ _.|.--.--.|.___.--'___`-. .'.'|| | ||`----'"` ``'` .'.' ||()|()|| .___..-'.' / \ `----'"` / .-. \ (.'.(___).'.) `.__.-.__.' jgs |_| |_| `.`-'.' `"` When Katelinn gets gum with a hot flavor she asks Janice to "chew the hot out of it" and then let her chew it. Janice had killed a deer with a bow and arrow. Katelinn asked her if she had killed it by running it over with her van! Amy pulled up to the drive through window at the bank and Riley, 2, yelled out, "I want chicken nuggets and fries please!" -- Donna Kensky of Fort Wayne, Indiana Dorrie couldn't figure out why her adorable 2-year-old granddaughter Lydia was pulling her curly blonde hair this way and that way, exclaiming, "My hair is broken! My hair is broken!" Then Dorrie realized, don't we always say, "Come let me fix your hair!" -- Grandma Dorrie of Massachusetts _ (_) H _ _ H (o)_(o) _ H ( ^_^ ) (_) H.---...__ ;---: H H| `-._ (_(.)_) H H`. `\ (O)_(O) H H--=============+----------------------------------------.H H%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%|Z7Z7Z7i _ _ _ i*_*_*_*i|L|L|L|i@_@_@_@i/ H H%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%|######i%%%%%%%i @ @ @ i*******i&&&&&&&/`-H H---------------|######i%%%%%%%i@ @ @ @i*******i&&&&&&/ @ H H_______________|######i%%%%%%%i @ @ @ i*******i&&&&&/@ @H H `~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`.@ H H `--H (_) (_) '-' kat '-' Tamara went into Lauren's room one recent morning to wake her up. Tamara was patting her back, talking to her, tickling her and such to get her to wake up. Lauren, 10, was lying on her stomach with her eyes closed. Then Lauren reached out her arm and started poking Tamara in different places with her finger. Tamara asked her what she was doing. Lauren said, "I'm looking for the snooze button!" -- Tamara of Lancaster, Pennsylvania Instead of always telling their children what to do, Kathleen's son and daughter-in-law give their children two choices. One evening Alex wanted everyone to watch the video he chose. But it was his brother's turn to pick, so his mother asked, "Alex, do you want to watch Achille's video or go to bed?" He didn't answer. His mother asked him the question again. He still didn't answer. Finally his mother said, "Alex, if you don't answer this question, I am going to have to send you to bed." He thought really hard for a moment and then asked her, "Can I have another question?" -- Kathleen McDade of Denver, Pennsylvania Anne went out to dinner with her step daughter and son-in-law and their two children. The youngest, Rylie, 5, asked Anne if she was her aunt and Anne replied, "No, I'm your grandmother because I'm married to your grandfather." Rylie replied, "You can't be my grandmother. You aren't old enough!" -- Anne of Cherry Valley, Illinois ___ /L|0\ / | \ / \ / | \ / \ / __ | __ \ / __/ \__ \ / /__ | __\ \ /___________________\ / | \ / _|_ \ / ____/___\____ \ ___________[o0o]___________ O O O JoAnne's husband passed away in November 2003. The following June JoAnne took her daughter who was 11 and son Brian who was 7 to Disney World. It was their first ever airplane trip. Brian had a window seat. He was fascinated as they were taking off. When the plane got above the clouds he said, "Hey Mom! I think I can see Daddy over there watching us!" -- JoAnne Johnson of Blackwood, New Jersey Natalie, 5, told her father, "I'm lucky." When Matt asked her why she's lucky she said, "Because when I was a little baby inside Mommy's tummy I always wanted a daddy just like you -- handsome and with glasses!" -- Matt Getts of Kendallville, Indiana Here's another one from Matt. When they were at SeaWorld in Florida Natalie was fascinated by the roller coaster and all its screaming passengers. Matt asked her if she'd like to go on the roller coaster, and she said no, it would be too scary. "Would you go on it with Daddy?" Matt asked. Natalie said emphatically, "No, it would be too scary!" After a minute or two of thought she said, "Maybe... MAYBE if Jesus came with me I'd ride on it!" Nolan, 4, was "helping" his mom Lisa with the dishes when she asked him who's birthday would be next week. He replied, "Yours, Mom." And he was right. Then she asked him how old she would be and he replied "33, Mom, and that's old." Well of course Lisa didn't like that very much so she asked him if she LOOKED old and he replied, "No, but you will when you are 33??? just like Daddy." -- Lisa Billingsley of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina RECIPE FOR A HIPPOPOTAMUS SANDWICH ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ -by Shel Silverstein A hippo sandwich is easy to make. All you do is simply take One slice of bread _.---.) One slice of cake, (^--^)_.-" `, Some mayonnaise, ) ee ( | One onion ring, (_.__._) / One hippopotamus, `----', ,' One piece of string, jgs )_|--')_| A dash of pepper-- ""' ""' That ought to do it, And now comes the problem... Biting into it! Jacob, 3, was watching Cathy cook breakfast. He said, "I don't eat bacon but I'll look at it." Cathy laughed and said, "You are already full of bologna." Jacob replied, "I didn't eat any bologna so I'm not full with it." -- CathyYoungblood (grandmother of Jacob) of Carthage, Texas As the family was going to the dining room for a meal, Grandpa lost his balance and fell over the chair arm into his recliner. Into the stunned silence came the voice of Erin, 5, "Well, that's something you don't see every day!" -- Marcia Gilbert (grandmother of Erin) of San Antonio, Texas Kyle, 11, and his mother Christal went to see a movie during the day, as he was out of school. Some of the buildings in the strip mall where the movie theater is were being torn down, rebuilt or remodeled. Kyle looked out the window, pointed to a building being torn down, and said, "I guess that's what happens when you don't pay your rent!" He'd been hearing so much lately on the news about how people are losing their jobs, homes and businesses, that Kyle thought that was what it meant to "lose your business." -- Christal Bricker of Colorado Springs, Colorado ___________,_____ | | # |=====| | | (_) |=====| |> _ |_____|=====| | [_] | | | | |_____|=====| | | |_____| | ] |_____| | | |_____|=====| | | ___ |_____| |> |[___]| | | |[___]|=====| |_____|=====|_____| jgs [###########] The Brickers have been "summer cleaning" for over a week. They are going through every nook, cranny, box, etc., to get rid of things they don't need and finish the construction projects. They made it up from the basement to the main floor where they are scrubbing everything. Caitlin, 17, scrubbed the refrigerator and it looked amazing. Kyle, 11, came in and said, "WOW Caitlin! Our refrigerator looks brand new!" Caitlin said, "Yes, it's like having a new refrigerator without the new refrigerator payment!" Amelia, 2, came to see her grandmother's new house. When she saw the jacuzzi tub in the master bath, she excitedly exclaimed, "A poool!!" -- Amy Morris (grandmother of Amelia) of Brunswick, Georgia Stacy was driving in their van one day when Luke, 7, said, "Mom, do you have life insurance?" Startled, she asked, "What?!" He continued, "Well, do you have insurance?" She said, "Well, yes I have insurance on you guys and insurance so that if anything happened I know you would be taken care of." Marc, 5, said, "Mom, I don't want you to die." Stacy said, "I don't want to die either but that's part of life. Everything is temporary. No matter what it is, it will go away eventually." Luke agreed. "Yes," Luke said, "everything is temporary EXCEPT for permanent marker!" -- Stacy Fry of Kendallville, Indiana ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) . `:. `:. .:' ,:: .:' ;:' :: ;:' : .:' `. :. _________________________ : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ : ,---:".".".".".".".".".".".".": : ,'"`::.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.::' `.`. `:-===-===-===-===-===-:' `.`-._: : `-.__`. ,' met. ,--------`"`-------------'--------. `"--.__ __.--"' `""-------------""' >Drinking From My Saucer I've never made a fortune, and it's probably too late now. But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow. And, as I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. Haven't got a lot of riches, and sometimes the going's tough! But, I've got loving ones all around me, and that makes me rich enough. I thank GOD for his Blessings, and the Mercies He's bestowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. I remember times when things went wrong, My faith wore somewhat thin. But, all at once the dark clouds broke, and the sun peeped through again. So LORD help me not to gripe, about the tough rows I have hoed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. If GOD gives me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough. I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, to help others bear their loads. Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. -Author Unknown --- ...Aww so beautifully said! 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