Family Does Matter... :) 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!! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press! :) This first one is SMOKIN' Hot! It comes from our friend KarenF. It totally amazed me so I had to share it with all of you! Check it out here... ________ .##@@&&&@@##. ,##@&::%&&%%::&@##. #@&:%%000000000%%:&@# #@&:%00' '00%:&@# #@&:%0' '0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# "" ' " " ' "" Fire Rainbow Cloud http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firerainbow.html --- ...Wow! So beautiful! Thanks KarenF! Our next super hottie is from our friend PatDeE. Many mixed emotions with this one! An excellent tribute. Check it out here... .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ Semper Fidelis http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/semperfi.html --- ...So very moving! Thank You PatDeE! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,-'-. _., . ( '("'-' '). ( ' (( |. )\/( ) '( )) | () |" | | ') ( . ,-. ,-.. __.) /) / ' / / /) / / PjP >ESCAPING THE STORM by Grace Housholder Earlier this summer when Dean and Brenda Rummel were traveling from Colorado to their home north of Kendallville, Indiana, they took a new route to avoid Chicago's traffic and potholes. Dean is a real estate agent and Brenda is principal of Prairie Heights Middle School. Their motorcycle trips have taken them to every state except Alaska and Hawaii. However, on this trip, their motorcycle broke down in the middle of nowhere -- but really they were in just the right place. The breakdown led to numerous new friendships. Terry and Pat Svetlecich brought them back home in their motor home and pulled the motorcycle on a trailer. They even dropped the bike off at a Honda shop. "That's just me," Terry told the Morris newspaper. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" In return, the Rummels insisted their new friends stay the night in Indiana and made them a home-cooked meal. The Morris, Illinois, newspaper wrote about the Rummels' experience because Brenda sent a thank you note to the community. People who read her letter to the editor asked the newspaper to tell the rest of the story. I found out about the story through a random Google e-mail alert. * * * * I called Dean and Brenda and told them I had read about them online in the Morris newspaper. They had not seen the article. Then Dean shared with me another story from the same remarkable journey. The day before their breakdown they were whizzing through Iowa on I-80. Surprisingly, the low fuel light went on. Dean knew he shouldn't be low on fuel, but he also knew he couldn't ignore it. There weren't many places to get fuel so he got off at the nearest exit and found a gas station. When he "filled up" he found out the tank would only take about three gallons. It confirmed what he thought and the gas level was not low. A shove on his shoulder made him turn around. It was a woman who seemed to have come out of nowhere. "There's a storm coming. Power lines will come down. High winds," she said. "Get off the road." Dean and Brenda were startled. The sky at the gas station was clear. There was no storm in sight. They did not understand the woman's concern and they decided to continue on I-80 to their destination 100 miles away. The woman's tone was urgent. "Folks, get off the road," she repeated. "Get off the road! There's a bad storm coming!" The woman's persistence and her urgent tone made Dean change his mind and head for Iowa City, 12 miles away. As they sped toward Iowa City, storm clouds suddenly popped up. They increased their speed, racing toward Iowa City. With every passing moment the sky became more threatening. They found a hotel and quickly checked in. The minute they shut the door behind them, the storm struck with fury. Raging winds threw tree limbs across the road. The storm was so strong that the electricity went out for 2-1/2 hours. Escaping the storm's fury seemed like a miracle. Looking back, Dean believes the woman who warned them and then disappeared must have been an angel. -- Grace Housholder ______________________________________________ Grace is the editor of our sister publication, Kidwarmers. She loves collecting short stories about the funny things kids say. We publish one of her stories at the end of every Heartwarmer. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend PeggyT :) _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ PRAY THIS EVEN IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE IT! IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE. Dear Lord, I thank You for this day, I thank You for my being able to see and hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and understanding God... You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you... I ask now for Your forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord. Please keep me safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please broaden my mind that I can accept your will for me. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart. Continue to use me to do Your will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak... Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank You that I believe that you help change people and things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it, through Jesus Christ, Amen! God Bless! Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves! Jesus Christ, I love you and I need you, you are my Living Lord for I know God raised you from the dead to save all of us from our sins. Come into my heart, please. Pass this message to as many people as you can, except you and me. Know that you are already blessed by the person who sent this to you. --- ...Sweet! Thanks PeggyT! ======================================================== ,--. //^\\\ ,;;;, . ((-_-))) (-_- ; /_\ )))((( >..'. .:. .--. |SSt| ((_._ ) /. .| :-_-; /-_-)) _))A ((_//| S || ,`-'. ))-(( `( )`' |___|),;, C \\_/,`I )) \ / | | |`' |___(/-'|___() ,-. )( | | | | | | | | | (-_-) _____ /__\ |_|_| |_|_| |_|_| (\I/\.__|A|R|T| `'' `-'-' `-'-' `-'-' `'-`' `o' `o' >-->Family Does Matter - A full teaching from Jerry Blount: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' One Christian's thoughts on … Chik-fil-a, Sodom and Gomorrah and The culture war currently underway in the USA. Over the last month we have seen in dramatic terms how intolerant evil is of good. One man spoke of his faith in the Bible as the Word of God, and the traditional God given definition of marriage. There were immediate calls for boycotts etc. against the entire company because of one man's faith in God. Here is his initial statement, "Chick fil a Anti Gay Statement" "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say ‘we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage' and I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about." Have you noticed how "intolerant" and vicious the "tolerance" movement is? Have you noticed the vicious attacks that Christians regularly endure simply because they are Christians? The fact is that the war between light and darkness has been going on since the Garden of Eden. We have been an incredibly "blessed" nation as we have purposely submitted ourselves as a people to the God of heaven. "In God we trust" has actually been the underpinnings of our society. So… how does a "blessed" people become a "cursed" people? Clearly if we embrace same sex marriage as we have already embraced infanticide we are one step further down the path to Sodom. Sometimes we overlook the obvious. This process of "blessed" to "cursed" has occurred many times in the history of the world. Israel was a "blessed" nation that became "cursed" multiple times. Sodom was a "blessed" community as well. Consider Lot's assessment… Genesis 13: 10. "Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere--{this was} before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah--like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar." How did they become so "cursed" that God literally destroyed them off the face of the earth? The common answer is perversion. That is absolutely true, but like many issues there is more to it. What does it take to become "cursed"? How did we reach the point that one man can confess his faith and left wing hate groups immediately start trying to destroy him? The answer is the same. God has answered this question directly. Our society despises the answer… Ezekiel 16 6. "Now your older sister is Samaria, who lives north of you with her daughters; and your younger sister, who lives south of you, is Sodom with her daughters. 47. "Yet you have not merely walked in their ways or done according to their abominations; but, as if that were too little, you acted more corruptly in all your conduct than they. 48. "As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "Sodom, your sister and her daughters have not done as you and your daughters have done. 49. "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had arrogance, abundant food and careless ease, but she did not help the poor and needy. 50. "Thus they were haughty and committed abominations before Me. Therefore I removed them when I saw {it.} 51. "Furthermore, Samaria did not commit half of your sins, for you have multiplied your abominations more than they. Thus you have made your sisters appear righteous by all your abominations which you have committed. Note that God lays out 4 definable explanations for the curse of Sodom… each of which clearly apply to us as a nation right now. 1) arrogance 2. abundant food 3) careless ease 4) not helping the needy. Let me note each of the 4. 1) Arrogance Perhaps the best way to illustrate the first "Arrogance" is to provide you a link to the man who is now our president ridiculing the fact that many of us are led by scripture… God. Do you want to hear him as he arrogantly chides the faith of most of us? He ridicules what is actually in Leviticus, Deuteronomy and the Sermon on the Mount. He concluded by saying, . "Folks haven't been reading your Bible!" Barack Obama http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnmS_vULPxw Do you want to hear Michelle Obama demanding that we discuss political issues at church because they are "moral issues?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-pt81o-9KU I actually agree with her on the moral aspects of their agenda… However, I don't agree on the purely political aspects of their agenda. Christians are required by God to answer questions put to them by worldly people. I Peter 3: 15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always {being} ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; So yes, if the first lady wants to question us about our moral stance relevant to her agenda, she deserves a response. 2) Abundance of food. This is one of those things that is an upside down blessing that is often a curse. Today we feed everyone. There is no reason for anyone in our country to starve… ever! Why is it a curse? Abundance takes away motivation, leads to innovation through boredom. If you are too busy feeding your family, it is hard to find time to cheat on your wife. But when you are fed whether you are a responsible citizen or not… you get bored with a moral lifestyle. I recall a lady that once called me asking for assistance. She went on and on about how life was so unfair to her. She concluded the conversation by, "And I am just sick and tired of eating bologna." At which point I burst out laughing. I know that I shouldn't have, but it just hit me un- prepared! I responded by saying, "Lady, I was going to invite you over to our home for lunch… but we are having bologna!" In our abundance, a significant portion of our population from our leaders on down have fallen pray to an attitude or destruction. This attitude is directly described in the Bible's most graphic description of how the entire world cursed it itself! Romans 1 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 3) Careless ease. Note that each one of these things are interrelated. We have abundant food so our government subsidizes sin. Single mothers no longer need to worry about the consequences of sin. The government will put them up in government housing, feed them, care for them and indirectly pay them to sin. Yes, I know that many are single parents through circumstances beyond their control. . . But when you go into a government project what do you really find there? Single parent families, with children from multiple fathers. It used to be that if a girl got pregnant… the man would marry her. Today it too often results in her getting a long term pension as a reward for her behavior. What of the fathers? Never in the history of the world have we seen such a large scale abandonment of children by their fathers. But, often it isn't the fathers… the mother doesn't really need or want them. She can go on to the next man on a whim. Her provider is now the government. Do you suppose that Lyndon Johnson envisioned the chaos to the family that he would create when he began this system in the 60's? How has it worked for us? For the first time in the history of our country the majority of the young men that do enter into marriage were not raised by their fathers. They have not witnessed what they are supposed to become. I don't know that I realized how "blessed" my upbringing was… my father loved my mother till the day she died (and still does). He worked long hours and taught me to do the same. What does a welfare mother, (or father) teach their children? Isaiah 46 9. "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; {I am} God, and there is no one like Me, 10. Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; We have now moved on from arrogance to boredom. Because of said boredom our society has begun to redefine the family. In this argument over same sex marriage be sure we don't leave out the overall abandonment of marriage as God defined it long ago! Our social policies have been redefining what constitutes a family and who should provide for it… for a long long time. Did you hear the rest of Mr. Cathy's statement? "We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy said. I went to Chik-fil-a on the now infamous Wednesday and waited in the long lines. (the above photo is one of many identical scenes across the nation as people came in support) There I saw the last hope of our country. The godly core who are often ignored in the media that go about living a godly life. It was eye-opening. I have been to amusement parks and other public events with long "hot" lines. At Chik-fil-A I saw a different kind of people. I did not see one person cut in line. I did not see one argument. I did not see one person at the counter fussing… or cussing. Can you imagine going an amusement park and waiting in line for an hour in the heat… no profanity? Instead of demeaning Christianity and Bible ethics our leaders should be embracing it. 4) Not helping the poor… consider that in our country we pay people to be poor. Let me throw something inflammatory out. Do you have a right to eat? The resounding answer of our worldly people is "yes." The Bible answer is "not necessarily!" II Thessalonians 3:10. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either. 11. For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 14. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. How would you like to go to both presidential conventions this summer and just read this passage? If our government would implement this blatant command from God…they wouldn't have such a hard time balancing their budget. Instead of taking taxes people could be paying them. There is an exponential side to this discussion. We pay people to be immoral, and ultimately lazy… Then we are surprised when their attitudes undermine everything that once made us great. The people that still work aren't as motivated because the government takes the fruits of their labor from them by force and gives it to undeserving people. That is discouraging to the best of people. Go to virtually any government office you choose… and just stand there. Or better yet, just stand in line! How well is it run? How many people are standing around? How many people does it take to do virtually anything? How did Sodom go from being "blessed" to being "cursed"? The Bible answer is by doing exactly what we are doing! Yours in Christ Jerry Blount www.JerrysChristianJottings.com Minister for the Pillar church of Christ 530 E Harry Wichita, Ks 67211 316-320-4321 --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Family DOES Matter! Also see... Gay Agenda http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/gayagenda.html Crossed The Line http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/crossedtheline.htm ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: + (|) _____.___.|_|. | / \ |===| | / \ | o | |__/__v__\|, ,| | | | | | || || |/| . . . |','| ||| A A A | , | ||| M M M | | wtx --------------------- >THE WISDOM OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. "War is a poor chisel for carving out a peaceful tomorrow." "Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance." "In the end, we will not remember the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." "Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see." "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." "I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant." "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." "Science investigates, religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control." "We have guided missiles and misguided men." "We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." -<>- .:##:::. .:::::/;;\:. ()::::::@::/;;#;|:. ::::##::::|;;##;|:: ':::::::::\;;;/::' '::::::::::: |O|O|O|O|O|O :#:::::::##::. .:###:::::#:::::. :::##:::::::::::#:. ::::;:::::::::###::. ':::;::###::;::#::::: ::::;::#::;:::::::::: :##:;::::::;::::###::: . .:::::; .:::##:::::::::::::::: ::::::; :::::::::::::::::##:: Dani >A DOG'S LOVE By: Joseph J. Mazzella It was raining on the day I took my St. Bernard, Buddy to the vet for the last time. It was raining on my windshield, it was raining in my eyes, and it was raining in my soul. My heart was heavy with the sadness of knowing that I would soon be losing a friend who had always touched my soul with his sad face and sweet personality. When he was a puppy I used to carry him around in one arm. Now his 170 lb body was ancient and ailing. Throughout all his life he had protected us with his strength and loved us with his gentleness. He was a part of our family and taking him on this last ride was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. My voice like my spirit felt broken as I told the vet that it was best to end Buddy's suffering now. I had watched over the last year as he slowed down. He was in a lot of pain. He seemed more and more irritable and uncomfortable with each passing day. Finally there came a point when I knew it was time to let him go. His days here on Earth may have been short by our standards, but every single one of them was full of love. A person who didn't own dogs once asked me why I would put myself through such pain. Why would I bring dogs into my home knowing that eight, ten, or fifteen years later I would be losing them to death? I couldn't answer him at the time, but looking back on Buddy's years with us I think I can now. A dog's love is unconditional. It is pure. It is strong. It is blessed. It gives us such great happiness. It reminds us of what God's love for us must be like. It shows us what our own love is capable of becoming. A dog's love makes us better. If I have to suffer this pain then to have that love then I will do so gladly. Take care dear Buddy until I see you again. You made me better. You helped me to love. You gave me so much joy. I will forever cherish in my heart the years we had here together. -<>- G __ \\ ,,)_ \'-\( / \ | ,\ \|_/\\ / _ '.D / / \ | /_\ /_\ snd '- '- >THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!! - CELINE & ELVIS This will give you cold chills. For those of you that didn't see the show, Celine Dion appeared to walk out and stand next to Elvis as the two sang a duet of the classic "If I can Dream." It was like he was raised from the dead. Everyone has been asking how it was done. ET said tonight it was a hologram. Totally amazing what they can do now. Estimated cost of this was said to have cost between $50,000 to $100,000 and it is said it took months and months to create. Prior to the performance, Celine practiced with an Elvis impersonator However it was done, it was totally amazing. She sounded great singing with Elvis. The duet was fantastic. Celine Dion in front of a LIVE studio audience. This is absolutely unbelievable how they have done this. It really - really does look for all the world that Elvis is actually standing there live on stage singing along side Celine Dion in front of the live American Idol audience. Watch and listen to the audience going berserk, as they themselves think they are actually seeing Elvis right there in front of them. A truly amazing use of modern day technology brings Elvis Presley back to life in front of your own eye's. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtMnwZKOtwA --- ...Just think - when Christ returns and we are all together we'll have duets like this for all eternity to entertain and bless us for the Glory of God and Jesus Christ our Lord! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Stretching For The Lord http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/stretching.html The Sleep Metaphor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html 90/10 Principle http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Angel Wing Decoys http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Alcohol And Drug Use http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html Real Drug Raid http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/drugraid.html Doug Landis Mouth Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mouthart.html Hand Painting Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hpaint2.htm Best Buddies! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestbuds.html Car Show 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/carshow2.html Festival Of Citrus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/orangefest.html Moses Bridge http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mosesbridge.html Play With Harley http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/harley.html -<>- >From our friend JoeL :) he sent us one we have here... Animal Friends 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends3.html --- ...aww, such a sweet reminder! Thanks Joel! Barack Obama Mocks Jesus Christ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNCklX2wZy4&feature=related --- ...Not very Godly is he? Thanks JoeL! Obama Supporter Interviews Her 2008 Self http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbX5EwSp_W8&feature=related --- ...That's what happens without God at the reigns! Thanks JoeL! I think we have a good replacement team... Check this out about Paul Ryan... Fox Runs Montage Splicing Together Quotes From Paul Ryan And Ronald Reagan http://tinyurl.com/9tpbgd2 -<>- >From our Friend Bunni :) >Pray For America... http://www.greatdanepro.com/Pray%20For%20America/index.htm --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Bunni! 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 If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ========================================================== . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >Trust Him Story Editor: by Bonnie Buttron Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA I work for a sub contractor at a job site in Illinois. Because several of us have done exemplary work, each time the contract was up for renewal the job site management always requested that we stay. Thus, I have had the opportunity to become acquainted with the employees. I have worked on this job site for over thirteen years, always part time. One day while at work in the summer of 2008, my mind was in despair as to how I was going to handle the many problems associated with my son's illness. He has schizophrenia. He had stopped taking his medication and his symptoms intensified. His behavior became more erratic, and his and my frustrations were accelerating. My mind was seesawing back and forth with thoughts. I should be home. How am I going to convince him he needs to take this medication? What is he doing in my absence? What am I going to find at home? I need this job in order to make ends meet. How do other people manage in the same situation? Then there were worries about overcoming the stigma attached to this illness. And angry thoughts, as all attempts to receive help have been stymied by bureaucrats, with mental health funding slashed by politicians. What am I going to do in the future for myself and for him? What's going to happen to him after I'm gone? I'm 63, have major heart muscle death from a heart attack, two cervical discs herniated, and severe osteoarthritis throughout my whole body. My symptoms were severe that day: the spinal cord arthritis was causing muscle spasms in my hand, charley horses in my calves and an excruciating headache. In general, I was starting to decline into a depressed mood. Linda, an employee who had confided in me about her Crohn's disease and the fact her daughter was enrolled in college and was finding it difficult to adjust, stopped by to say goodnight. I asked her how she was, and how her daughter was. She said that she was feeling better, and her daughter was doing fine. She asked about my son. All she knew about my son was that he suffers from organic brain syndrome. I told her he was not doing so well. Linda replied, "Trust him but most of all just love him," and she left. Those words resounded in my whole being. I do love my son, but on this day I let my fears and frustrations overshadow this fact. Most of all, the words "trust him" really struck home. I had allowed his illness to deflect me from his basic nature and personality. I started remembering all the issues he has, yet he still works at overcoming them. I have had too many people, professional and otherwise, advocate the futility of expecting anything from my son. Linda saved me spiritually, emotionally and mentally. I keep her words ever-present in my thoughts. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,(((((((((())))))))), ,((((((((((()))))))))))), ,(((((((((\\\|///))))))))), ,((((((((((///|\\\)))))))))), ((((((((//////^\\\\\\)))))))) ((((((' .-""- -""-. ')))))) ((((( `\.-. .-./` ))))) ((((( -=(0) ) (0) )=- ))))) '(((( /'-' '-'\ ))))' ((((\ _, A ,_ /)))) '((((\ \ / /))))' '((('. `-o-' .')))' jgs '-.,___,.-' THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Jonathan, 5, learned all of his letters and numbers in preschool. While at his brother's ball game this summer, he went to the restroom and then told his mom that now he could spell boys ."That's great," she said. "Spell boys." Jonathan replied,"M-E-N." -- Norma Schmucker (grandmother of Jonatthan) of Spencerville, Indiana Glen and Julie were eating Sunday lunch with their sons, Nathanael, 5, and Jacob, 7, Sunday when Julie briefly choked on a piece of food. Glen asked Julie, "Did something go down the wrong way?" Nathanael (who had recently watched a DVD about whales), commented, "No, Daddy, Mommy just has something stuck in her blow hole!" -- Glen and Julie Werling of Ossian, Indiana This is a story from Debbi's friend Tania. She told Debbi to pass it on to Kidwarmers. Tania told her daughter Mikaila, 4, that she was hot. Mikaila suggested that her mommy sit in the freezer for a little while. Then Mikaila added, "Oh yeah, and while you're at it, could please hand me an ice cream sandwich?" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida .-"""-. / _ _ \ _..._ | (') (') | .'_ _'. _.-._| ._____, |_.-._ / (.) (.) \ (== |-| `-` |-| ==) _.-._| ,_____. |_.-._ `"` \ M / `"` (== |-\ '-' /-| ==) '._____.' `"` '.__M__.' `"` // \\ __// \\__ _\\ //_ jgs (___) (___) (___) (___) Here's another story from Debbi. Debbi was telling a friend about the birth of her daughter, Faith. When Debbi told her friend that the doctor had to maneuver Faith's head into place, Faith, 11, spoke up from the back seat, "They put MANURE on my head? YUCK!" --Debbi Armstrong (mother of Faith) of Orlando, Florida Kendall, 7, and her family were traveling from Chicago to New Jersey. As they passed through Indiana's industrial zone, Kendall saw a huge white pile near a construction area. When she asked what it was, her mother answered that it was a pile of salt. Ten minutes later Kendall wanted to know when they would pass the pile of pepper. --Rebecca Hayes (grandmother of Kendall)) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania When Gloria's husband died it was decided that their three sons would be the pall bearers. They then asked the grandsons if they would like to assist. The youngest grandson said he would have to think about it. After much deliberation, he announced, "I guess I'm going to be a polar bear for my grandpa's funeral!" -- Gloria Baumgartner (grandmother) of Fort Wayne, Indiana ____ .--' `'-. / \ | | | | \ .-"""-. | / `'-. | /' \ | | _,-'"-._) |____/ .-'` ()_/' /|===/ / ()_,.-"__"-. /` `~~/ / '` \/ | | '` ./' / | ./'\ '-' .' \ ./'._ `-._ .'| jgs `--' `".,_`""""`/\/ `"-.,/ Here is another story from Gloria. Many years ago when their sons were little there was a tragic drowning of a little girl in a lake in Michigan where they vacationed. When they returned to the lake many months later, they noticed that when their young son was taken out in a boat he seemed as though he were searching for something. When asked what he was looking for, he explained, "I'm looking for the head -- they found the body." Cathy just built a new house and they have no grass yet. It had been a rainy week when she took her grandson Jacob, 4, out with her to feed the dogs. She picked him up so he wouldn't get his shoes muddy. When he saw that Cathy was getting mud on her shoes, he said, "Nana, hurry and pick yourself up! You're getting mud all on your shoes!" It was hard for Cathy to explain that she couldn't pick herself up! -- Cathy Youngblood of Carthage, Texas Jacob enjoys coming to Cathy's house on a daily basis because there is always something going on there with the house being built, the driveway being poured, etc. He likes to see everything that's going on. One day he came for lunch and then returned home for a nap. He called later in the day, saying, "I'm ready to come back. I haven't seen you in a long day!" _______ .--'' __|__ ``--. .' .--'__|__`--. `. .' .-' _|_ `-. `. .' ___ ' | ` ___ `. : ' _ `-._`_.-' _ ` : | .-' `. ` .' `-. | | `....:_ _:....` | | .:::::::::\_ _/:::::::::. | | ::::::::::::^:::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::::::::::::::: | | `````:::::::::::::''''' | \`-._ ; : : ; _.-'/ \ `-`.: :.'-' / \`-._ `: :' _.-'/ jgs \-._`-`. .'-'_.-/ \ `-.`.___.'.-' / `-.____________.' Kathleen lives 2.5 hours away from her grandchildren Alex, Achilles and Ambrielle, so she doesn't get to visit very often. Alex, 5, was telling his mother, "I am from Earth, right Mommy?" "Yes, Alex." "And you and Daddy and Achilles and Ambrielle are from Earth too, right, Mommy?" "Yes Alex, we are all from Earth." And Alex replied, "Well, everyone is from Earth except Nana. She's from Mars!" (Nana is still laughing!) -- Kathleen McDade of Denver, Pennsylvania When Bonnie's son Larry was 6 (he's now 43) he loved worms, snakes, hunting, fishing and was a real dare devil. But Bonnie discovered he had a soft side, too, the day she found the kitchen window covered with live butterflies. Thinking she could get a closer look at this wonder of nature from the inside of the house she slowly approached the window and much to her surprise the butterflies flew all around the kitchen. Her first words were "Larry!" He answered, "Mom, it's supposed to be cold outside tonight and they don't have any way to keep warm. If I hadn't caught them all and brought them inside they would have died." (They set them free the next morning.) -- Bonnie Brownell of Albion, Indiana Darrel and Tina had taken their grandson Eli, 4, camping over the 4th of July when a friend's older granddaughter asked his name. He only said, "Eli." She asked his last name. He wasn't sure what to answer so Tina asked him, "What does Mommy call you when she's mad?" Eli promptly pointed his finger at his grandmother and said, "Go to your room!" -- Darrel and TinaRensberger of Warsaw, Indiana _.---,_ .' `'. \ __..-'\ }-"` \ /__,,..---.._| \ | |---..__ | / ``"-./ .'---...__ | .' ``"-./ ,--./...,,,__ / '--.'__ __```.-. /._ / ` ` ' `=/.-.|-._) | .-. .-. "\\ / || O| | O| ""=='_\ .-' '-'o '-' ""=\` `''--/- ""=-,\--._ .---|- ( ""=-. \` \ /`)"=."=|'-. '. _.-' ' "=|\| (`----` '="=|/ `-. "=/` '. =/ \ =| .-. |` "=| ( ~._ | "==| _.-~`\ \ ~. |'"="| _.-~ ) ; ~-.|.-._|_.-~ / / _-( /-.__ ( '._..--~~`/`/-'\-._ `~~- ; jgs /"=| |" =\~-...___.-~ /=" / | "==\ / = (_ \ "==\ ;="= `\_) =="\ Barbara was in the grocery store with her grandson Dylan, 7, and his family. Dylan tried to climb under the top of the shopping cart onto its bottom shelf, and in the process he snagged the fingernail of his pinky finger, tearing the nail back. After leaving the store, the family approached the gas station in their car. Dylan asked, "Can we park in the handicapped space now?" -- Barbara Briles of Cutler, Indiana Chris, 5, went out to eat with members of his extended family. The restaurant was crowded but they finally got seated and were trying to decide what to eat. A family member said she would love a salad but better not because it would not agree with her. Chris responded in a very loud voice, "because it will go right ‘fru' her (right through her)!" Needless to say the family member was embarrassed because everyone in the area heard his comment. -- Angie White (aunt of Chris) of Virginia Earlier this summer Matt Getts wrote an article for The News Sun about Mallory Jackson's lemonade stand. She was raising money to help a family in need. Because of the article, Mallory, 7, doubled the amount she made. And she even got some radio publicity. With all the extra attention, Mallory was beside herself. At one point she said, "Mommy, can I have a break? Now that I'm famous I don't get a break anymore." -- Dawn Jackson (mother of Mallory) of KKendallville, Indiana ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say. .*. *' + '* , , *'|'* |`;`;`;`| | |:.'.'.'| | |:.:.:.:| | |::....:| | /` / ` \ | ( .' ^ \^) |_., ( \ -/( ,~`| `~./ )._=/ ) ,, { | ( )| (.~` `~, { | \ _.' \ ) } ; | ;`\ `)-` } _.._ '.(\, ; `\ / `. }__.-'__.-' ( (/-;~~`; `\_/ ; .'` _.-' `/|\/ .'\. /o\ ,`~~`~~~~` \| ` .' \'--' '-` |--',==~~`) (`~~==,_ jgs ,=~` `-. / `~=, ,=` `-._/ `=, >WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.. When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,' Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.' -Author Unknown I AM SENDING THIS TO ALL OF THE PEOPLE I KNOW WHO DO SO MUCH FOR OTHERS, BUT THINK THAT NO ONE EVER SEES. LITTLE EYES SEE A LOT .. Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child. How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sending this to someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. --- ...I love this! Family Does Matter! Thank You Linda! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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