Friends Without Faces And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This piping hot new page is from our friends Linda, LouiseA, PatDeE and Geniann. It is one sure to bring you some SMILES for your day. Turn on your sound and give it plenty of time to load... Click below link: Redneck Innovations http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/redneckinnovations.html --- ...LOL! This is a hoot! Thanks my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friends at TruthOrTradition: REMINDER: Join us Sep 18-20 in Indy! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >The STF National Conference Event Description: Salvation is a free and wonderful gift from God to all who accept Jesus Christ, but salvation is only the beginning. What God really desires has always been to have a relationship with mankind, a mature spiritual relationship that is intimate and reciprocal. At this year’s conference we will explore the topic of spiritual maturity, what it looks like, what it takes to achieve, and what we can all do so that we can grow into the fullness of what God desires for His children. “...So that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” (Col 1:28) The STF National Conference is a time when people from all over the world are invited to spend a weekend together to be encouraged, inspired, and better equipped in their walk with the Lord. There will be inspirational teachings, praise and worship, workshops, presentations and instruction in the use of STF products and resources and, as always, times for fellowship and friendship. Our conferences have always proven to be a time of much spiritual refreshment and encouragement, so please consider attending this year’s conference—it just won’t be the same without you! View Video and Register Here: http://www.stfonline.org/event-items/2015-stf-national-conference =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: |) /\ |\ | /` | |) \/ | \| \] . __________ |) /\ |\ | /` | /________ /| |) \/ | \| \] . | X|I | | | | | | |) /\ |\ | /` | |IX * III| | |) \/ | \| \] . | | | | |____VI___| | |) /\ |\ | /` | | / | | |) \/ | \| \] . | / | | | / | | |) /\ |\ | /` | |( ) | | |) \/ | \| \] . ejm |_________|/ |) /\ |\ | /` | |) \/ | \| \] . >WASTING PRECIOUS TIME by Joseph Sica I recently visited a friend in the hospice unit at one of our local hospitals. As I was talking with Bill, a gentleman walked into the room. Bill began to cry and so did the gentleman. The gentleman leaned over the bed to embrace Bill. After a few moments the gentleman, Ken, said to me, "He's my brother. We haven't spoken in over 25 years." Caught by surprise by his comment, I said, "You're kidding me?" "No," replied Ken. "We had an argument over a piece of property and have been estranged from each other." Bill said, "Ken, you haven't met my children." Then Bill introduced his children to their uncle. I left the hospice unit thinking, there's something wrong when we can't forgive. Life is short and it's difficult to make up for all the time that has been lost. This experience caused me to think the power of forgiveness and the need for it in our lives. Sure, when someone says something or does something to cause us harm, it hurts. But we need to move beyond the hurt, to healing, which comes from forgiveness. I like to think of forgiveness as the bold choice we make to clear out of our lives resentment, bitterness, anger, hatred, and revenge. We need to ask ourselves, "Do I want to waste precious time and energy carrying around these nasty feelings?" It's the unfinished business we may have with a spouse, parent, child, brother or sister, or friend which we need to take care of before it's too late. Holding on to the past only weakens the relationship and keeps us from mending it and putting it back together. When we refuse to forgive, the other person owns us. Often forgiveness is not for the other person, it's for us -- to let it go and begin again. Charlie came to see me about a problem he was having. He was angry with his father for dying. He said, "He died just when I was getting to know him as a buddy, a friend. We'd fish, hunt, and golf together. Now it's all gone." I told him, "You have unfinished business with your father. Go and tell him." "He's dead," Charlie said, "How can I?" I said, "Get in your car and go to the cemetery and tell him how angry you are with him." He left me looking confused. Two weeks later, Charlie came and told me, "I feel better. I drove to the cemetery and stood over his grave and dumped my angry. Then I closed my eyes and said to myself what I felt my dad would say. Wow, I never realized how much energy keeping all that anger inside can do to a person." I agreed and applauded Charlie for what he did. Forgiveness brings healing, freedom, and peace back into our lives. It opens our eyes to see what happened. It calls us to break down the walls, stop the silent treatment and put an end to the cold war. One day, the roles of wronged and wrongdoer may be reversed. Use today as an opportunity to open a door that has been closed too long. Forgive. Let it go. Put it behind you and see how much better you will feel. Give it try. It works. -- Joseph Sica ___________________________________________ Father Joe Sica is a priest from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. His book, Embracing Change, 10 Ways to Grow Spiritually and Emotionally, is now available. You can review and purchase it at this convenient Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1585952486/heartref=nosim =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ... ;::::; ;::::; :; ;:::::' :; ;:::::; ;. ,:::::' ; OOO\ ::::::; ; OOOOO\ ;:::::; ; OOOOOOOO ,;::::::; ;' / OOOOOOO ;:::::::::`. ,,,;. / / DOOOOOO .';:::::::::::::::::;, / / DOOOO ,::::::;::::::;;;;::::;, / / DOOO ;`::::::`'::::::;;;::::: ,#/ / DOOO :`:::::::`;::::::;;::: ;::# / DOOO ::`:::::::`;:::::::: ;::::# / DOO `:`:::::::`;:::::: ;::::::#/ DOO :::`:::::::`;; ;:::::::::## OO ::::`:::::::`;::::::::;:::# OO `:::::`::::::::::::;'`:;::# O `:::::`::::::::;' / / `:# ::::::`:::::;' / / `# unknown >Death and Grief.. very well written analogy I'm old. What that means is that I've survived (so far) and a lot of people I've known and loved did not. I've lost friends, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, grandparents, mom, relatives, teachers, mentors, students, neighbors, and a host of other folks. I have no children, and I can't imagine the pain it must be to lose a child. But here's my two cents... I wish I could say you get used to people dying. But I never did. I don't want to. It tears a hole through me whenever somebody I love dies, no matter the circumstances. But I don't want it to "not matter". I don't want it to be something that just passes. My scars are a testament to the love and the relationship that I had for and with that person. And if the scar is deep, so was the love. So be it. Scars are a testament to life. Scars are a testament that I can love deeply and live deeply and be cut, or even gouged, and that I can heal and continue to live and continue to love. And the scar tissue is stronger than the original flesh ever was. Scars are a testament to life. Scars are only ugly to people who can't see. As for grief, you'll find it comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, you're drowning, with wreckage all around you. Everything floating around you reminds you of the beauty and the magnificence of the ship that was, and is no more. And all you can do is float. You find some piece of the wreckage and you hang on for a while. Maybe it's some physical thing. Maybe it's a happy memory or a photograph. Maybe it's a person who is also floating. For a while, all you can do is float. Stay alive. In the beginning, the waves are 100 feet tall and crash over you without mercy. They come 10 seconds apart and don't even give you time to catch your breath. All you can do is hang on and float. After a while, maybe weeks, maybe months, you'll find the waves are still 100 feet tall, but they come further apart. When they come, they still crash all over you and wipe you out. But in between, you can breathe, you can function. You never know what's going to trigger the grief. It might be a song, a picture, a street intersection, the smell of a cup of coffee. It can be just about anything...and the wave comes crashing. But in between waves, there is life. Somewhere down the line, and it's different for everybody, you find that the waves are only 80 feet tall. Or 50 feet tall. And while they still come, they come further apart. You can see them coming. An anniversary, a birthday, or Christmas, or landing at O'Hare. You can see it coming, for the most part, and prepare yourself. And when it washes over you, you know that somehow you will, again, come out the other side. Soaking wet, sputtering, still hanging on to some tiny piece of the wreckage, but you'll come out. Take it from an old guy. The waves never stop coming, and somehow you don't really want them to. But you learn that you'll survive them. And other waves will come. And you'll survive them too. If you're lucky, you'll have lots of scars from lots of loves. And lots of shipwrecks. Hugs, Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is . The way you cope with it is what makes the difference . Psalms 118:24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. --- ...Renewed mind. Thanks Linda! It's been 10 years since I lost my mom. I find I can cope with the loss thinking that I will see her again when Christ returns as Lord of Lords and King of Kings and we are taken home where we belong. Then I will see her and be able to dance with her and hug her once again. Until then, I push back the tears and carry on, for my duty and love for God and my Lord must be that I serve and do the best I can for them while here on this earth. I do find it difficult when people I know talk about how they miss her and want to dance with her again. I know how they treated and hurt her by their absence the last couple years of her life. It's as if they are trying to make amends for it now and deceive others into thinking how close they were with her, when I know the truth. If they really cared, they would have picked up a phone and given her a call or visited her while she was at the nursing home. They are all show for others. If they really do care now, they will have to wait until they get to see her again in heaven to make up for how they treated her on earth. For Now she sleeps. 1 Cor.15: [49] And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. [51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. [55] O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? [56] The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. [58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-----. _.----"""""""----._ _.---//-"""-\\---._ .------.___ ( ) ( (/ `-' ) ( ___|-|`"""---..___..---""| _|`"--._________.--"'|_ `---'""" | | (_| |_) | | `--) (--' ________ | | | | _.--""""" """"----._ | | | (_ _)--.----------------. | | \`""---...________...----'/__/___ || `-.__ __.-' \___ __/ ""-----"""""""-----`' VK `""-----""' ""`-----------'"" >One Potato, Two Potato by Roy Davis Clovis, California Just after relocating to a new town, my father was let go from his job as a welder. Dad diligently searched for work, and Mom tried to scrape together meals for my brother, sister and me. Soon my parents had spent all their savings. When things got desperate, a nearby farmer offered us potatoes from his field. We ate potatoes three times a day: fried for breakfast, baked for lunch and mashed for dinner. Several weeks passed and Dad was still unemployed. Mealtimes grew quiet and morose. After breakfast one morning Dad pushed his chair away from the table and headed outside. I followed, and saw him rummaging under the seats in the car. He found some coins, pocketed them and said, "Tell your mother I'm going to town. I'll be back before supper." What is he doing? I wondered. When he returned he was clutching a small brown bag. He whispered to Mother, who shooed us out of the kitchen. "We're going to have a special meal to celebrate," Dad announced. "Celebrate what?" I asked. It didn't seem like we had much to be happy about. And surely Dad would have told us if he had found work. "Life, Roy. We're celebrating life. Things may be tough for us right now, but I know that with God's help we will get through this. He has truly blessed us." Then Mom brought out dinner. Mounds of pink, green, blue and orange were piled on our plates! What's this? After devouring the first bite, I knew: mashed potatoes. But because of all the colors, they were fun to eat. My brother, sister and I giggled as we ate, and the cloud that had been hanging over us at mealtimes was lifted. A couple of weeks later Dad found a job. We happily quit our potato diet. My father had bought food coloring with those coins. His purchase brightened our meals that night, and his philosophy continues to color my life. Now, when my family experiences tough times, I make rainbow mashed potatoes as a reminder of how fortunate we are. -<>- _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ >"IT IS NOT RELIGION" IT IS NOT RELIGION. IT IS A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ONE WHO IS THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. FOR, HE BRINGS LIFE ABUNDANTLY FROM KNOWING HIM PERSONALLY. THIS I KNOW AS A TESTIMONY. IN HIM, WE LIVE, MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING. BUT, WE NEED TO BEGIN SEEING IT IS HE WHO SETS US FREE FROM RELIGION THAT DOES MAKE ITS OWN RULES. THESE KIND OF PEOPLE, IN GOD'S EYES, ARE FOOLS LEGALISTICALLY. HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HIT BY SOMEONE WHO WILL HIT YOU WITH THE BIBLE, BUT WITHOUT GRACE? THEY USE IT AND CONDEMN YOU TO YOUR FACE. THEY USE RULES THAT BIND US AND DEPART FROM THE TRUTH OF HIS MERCY AND KINDNESS AND REMIND US OF OUR INADEQUACY. THIS COMES FROM THE ENEMY, WHO COMES TO ACCUSE THE BRETHREN BUT DOES NOT SEE HIS OWN SIN. BUT, GOD LET'S US SEE TRUTH THAT MAKES US FREE TO BE HAPPY WITHIN, FREE FROM SIN. RELIGION BENDS IT, HERE AND THERE, AND IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM FAIR. BUT, THERE IS ONLY ONE WHO REALLY DOES CARE, JESUS. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH HIM. BUT, MAN'S RESTRIC-TIONS THERE CAUSE THE SIN ~ BY NOT BELIEVING COMPLETELY. SETTING APART A WORD HERE AND THERE, BUT NOT BELIEVING ALL THERE IS IN THE BIBLE, MAKES A PERSON RELIGIOUSLY UNABLE. DEAR ONE, SEE THAT YOU ARE MADE IN HIS IMAGE. GOD LOVES YOU SO VERY MUCH HE GAVE A GREAT SACRIFICE. SO, JUST KNOW THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH. BUT, KNOWING THE ONE WHO GIVES YOU BREATH, AND KNOWING HIM IN A PERSONAL WAY, GUIDES YOUR DAY. AND, SALVATION WILL SHOW YOU HIS WAY. MIRACLES WILL BEGIN FOR YOU AS YOU SEEK HIM AND PRAY. TALK TO HIM. SEEK HIM IN HIS WORD. HOLD HIS TRUTH CLOSE TO YOUR HEART. YOU WILL FIND, HE WILL NEVER, EVER DEPART. FOR, YOU SEE, IT IS ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP, SO SWEET AND TENDER. HIS MERCY IS KIND AND NOT RELIGIOUSLY DEFINED. GOD WILL RENDER HIS WRATH ON THOSE WHO ARE RELIGIOUSLY AFAR FROM WHO HE REALLY IS. IT IS ABOUT A RELATIONSHIP, NOT RELIGION, THAT WILL DELIVER YOU FROM THAT NATURE OF SIN. LET THE LOVE BEGIN BY SEEKING HIM. -<>- .-*"""*. / \ : .--. .-: | / _."._| |_: 'o /o: :P \ | `-| `. _' ; |`. `- / [bug] ; |`-._/ _/ `. : .-' `-. `+._._ .' ``- ' `-.`. / \ `.\ : \ \: : .-' .L ; ._ \ .' \ /`) `. |\ /`\ \ | :. : ' ; ; \ : :' ; | : | `--J / ._/ ; .-' /'-'; : \ :_.-' .' :`. L_.-' _.-' \ -.-' / / |`. | / _.' .' ; .' : \ : .' | .' .' / / \ .-' : .'.-'`-- : -' : `.-' \ _.-' | | " | \ | ; ; c :| >God Is My Strength My strength cometh from my Father above...... And was given to me through His wondrous love. Even before I was given birth....... His plans were made for me here on this earth. But for years I let satan take me for a ride; I had such a strong will and was filled with self pride. All through the years God had helped me to survive; It was His loving hand which kept me alive! I had to be broken and lose everything; That's when I found that to God I could cling. I knew He had always remained by my side; And no longer from Him did I want to hide. He took my weakness and gave me His strength; I promised Him then I would go the length. I would do whatever He asked of me; For with Him was where I wanted to be. Now He's Lord of my life and He's in control, And to do His good pleasure is my life and my goal! He gave His all so that I could live; Now all that I am to Him I will give. Because of His mercy and grace shown to me; One day with Him I will spend eternity! ~Helen Johnson~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: God's Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Rescued Squirrel!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rsquirrel.html God's Night Lights!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Angel Wing Decoys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Zoo Animals!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/zoo.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Salvation Mountain!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Cano Cristales River!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cristales.html God's Water Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Akiane - Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Three OLD Men!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oldmen.html Attitude Is Everything 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude2.html Extreme Poodle Makeover!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poodlemakeover.html Bible Study: Our Valuable Anchor!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- >From Tea Party News: Missing Wife Found By Police & Has Completely Different Story to Tell Compared to Her Husband's http://tinyurl.com/pq8y53d -<>- >From John MeCain PETITION: Defund Planned Parenthood Will you join me right now and sign my petition to Defund Planned Parenthood? http://tinyurl.com/o5vu32z -<>- >Voice Of The Martyrs Danjuma: A Scar and a Smile Bearing The Marks Of Christ http://tinyurl.com/qdsnqxt -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Explosive New Book Charges Obama Invites Attack on U.S. http://tinyurl.com/oks746o --- ...Interesting read! Thanks PatDeE! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Mathieu Bich performs one of his amazing magic tricks, which even other magicians can't figure out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YjiTAkKhG28 17-year-old Clara Neto gets a standing ovation for her powerful performance of 'In The Arms Of The Angel' by Sarah Mclachlan on X-Factor Portugal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqejBqX6jTQ&feature=player_embedded A wonderful look at some beautiful wild animals set to a wonderful musical soundtrack from Living Music Action. Planet Earth is filled with amazing creatures and wildlife that I never grow tired of watching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Hodomt6bBOw A beautiful and relaxing video for you to enjoy. This is a good video to watch after you've had a stressful or hectic day because between the relaxing music and beautiful scenes of nature and people I think it'll help you forget about your day. If you've already had a relaxing day then this is the perfect way to end it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=50MukADPNCA --- ...Nice! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Because Congress was too incompetent to investigate and convict Hillary for her criminal behavior while secretary of state, a college student was inspired to create this video! I wonder when Hillary got her facelift? Where's the $6 Billion? Best Hillary Clinton commercial yet. Pass it on............... https://www.youtube.com/embed/TfG0bSK6fH4 --- ...HaHa! Good one. Sums it up. Thanks Geniann! She Sent us one we have here... Rich Vs Poor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/richvspoor.html --- ...A great one! Thanks Geniann! So many people are jealous of others sparking hate over how 'rich' they appear - yet if they stop and count their own blessings they will see that when they keep God first in their lives, they lack nothing and have all they need! Phil.4: [19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. The great truth about the poor was revealed by Jesus... Mark 14: [7] For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. No matter have much we want to 'share the wealth' and take from the rich to give to the poor - this is not what God wants us to do. Jesus said we will always have poor people. He didn't say that we should give all we can to them. He said we can do them good whenever we feel like it. There is nothing saying we have to - it is up to our own choice. It is how it should be. If we take from the rich to give to the poor - it is stealing. Jesus says people have a choice to give unto others. It is time we quit our greed and jealousy over what others have and we don't. Like the Apostle Paul wrote: Phil.4: [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. He said 'he learned' = renewed mind - that in whatever state he was in, to be content. 'Content' means - in a state of peaceful happiness, a state of satisfaction. Unlike the people who Jesus was speaking to, we do have our Our Lord with us always and that should be enough... Rom.8: [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. [37] Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. [38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, [39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Why? Because we who are born again of God's spirit Have Christ In Us! Col.1: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) _ _ / \ _ _ _ / \ | | / \/ \/ \ | | % | |I| || || |=o | % % | | j_jj_jj_j | | % v % V | | ||_________|| | | .:,>@<%% >@<| ; | | | || || | | | | ~*~ | |% *| |:X:| |I| || || | | | |*'|`\|/|| ~@~ * ,||/|`|'|_| |_||_||_| |_|,||,|/ |,||Vv,`|',v`|v hjw >Carl's Garden Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would! always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity. When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?" The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. "Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?" "I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately," came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place. A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. "Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl. "what's this?" Carl asked. "It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet." "I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?" The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink.You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago. He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden." The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said. The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him." The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday." "Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?" "Carl," he replied. That's the whole gospel message simply stated. Take 60 seconds give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is: 1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this. Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day! 2. Then send it on to five other people. Within hours five people have prayed for you, and you caused a multitude of people to pray to God for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves. GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE --- ...A sweet classic! Thanks Geniann! ============================================================ _ _( )_ (_ O _) (_) ,-. _ _________/_ _________/_ \( )_ \ / / \ / / (_ O _) )=====@=( )=====@=( (_) ____/_________\____ ____/_________\____ | /^\ /^\ | | /~\ /~\ | _| \0/_\0/ |_ _| \a/_\a/ |_ (_ _ (_) _ _) (_ _'(_) _ _) \( \___/ )/ \( \___/ )/ \\\___/// \\ ,-. // ,-._\\___//_,-. __ \\___// __ |* *`-._,-' * | |* *--._,--'* | | * * (_)* * *| | * * (_)* * *| |* _,-' `-.* | |* ,-' `-.* | `-' `-' Stef00 `./ \,' >The County Fair Lesson Story Editor: by Darryll Sherman Joyce Schowalter Washington, USA My son, Christopher, is disabled. Although 21, he's about the size of a 6-year-old, with the functioning mind of a toddler. He can only walk with assistance, his main ride is a wheelchair, and he doesn't feed himself. Thankfully he eats regular food, but we feed him everything. While he uses the toilet well, scheduling is important, so he wears diapers full-time. He doesn't talk, but makes enough noises that we can tell if he's happy, hungry or not feeling well. We're fortunate that for the most part, he is healthy. Happiness in life for him is simple. He loves to eat, laugh, and play with toys. He loves to swim (kicking around hanging on a "noodle" while being attended to), watch bright lights (perhaps fuzzy for him), and watch fireworks. Being the parent of a disabled child causes me to see life differently. I've had to accept that people react inappropriately when they see him since he's different. They make assumptions based on what they see and think. In 2009 we took Christopher to a local County Fair. He likes the animals, loves to watch the lights and rides, and likes the bright, fun environment. Near the evening's end my wife and I were pushing him through the games area to the exit. We tried hard to avoid eye contact with all the carnies challenging us to knock over lead-laden pins or throw darts at balloons. As we kept our pace up and ignored them, we heard one guy calling after us. He continued to yell, "Hey! Wait a minute!" Glancing back, we saw he was actually coming after us with something in his handŠ He caught up to us. Grinning widely, he said, "Here, I think your son dropped this." He held out a silly stuffed animal we'd never owned. We explained that another child must've dropped it. With twinkling eyes, he winked and said, "Here, I'm sure this belongs to your son," and pressed it into our son's lap. Still smiling, he walked away to our joint "Thank you." Time stood still as my eyes filled with tears and I realized what had just happened. I'd been as guilty as anyone at stereotyping people who work carnivals, "the carnies," as unclean, sleazy, chain-smoking, etc. Perhaps there are elements of truth to those stereotypes, however, hundreds of people that evening had gawked at or ignored our son or tried to avoid us. Yet this guy chased us down to give Christopher a gift. He didn't have to. I'd never suspected "someone like him" would do such a thing. The simplest of gestures from one person showed me the error of my ways and reminded me to judge not, lest I be judged. That ugly little stuffed orange orangutan sits in a prominent place in my son's room. It poignantly reminds me to not judge someone from their outward appearance, and to not make assumptions based on who they are and what they do. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: ,-'-. _., . ( '("'-' '). ( ' (( |. )\/( ) '( )) | () |" | | ') ( . ,-. ,-.. __.) /) / ' / / /) / / PjP >MASTER OF THE STORMS "Ride your motorcycle today," were the words that I was hearing in my spirit. When God speaks, I do my best to heed the words. I looked out of the window. It looked cloudy. It looked like rain and it didn't seem wise to ride my motorcycle. I checked the weather report quickly on my computer. 80% chance of thunderstorms was the result. Not just rain - THUNDERSTORMS! "Ride your motorcycle today," I heard again, this time clearer and more insistent. I've learned to listen to the voice even when it doesn't exactly agree with my logical sensibilities. So I put my briefcase in the luggage box on the back, put on my helmet, cranked up and took off. As I left the subdivision It felt that the bike (a BMW RT1100) wasn't riding as smooth as normal. Was it just me or was the bike unbalanced? A truck went by me and the driver blew the horn and yelled out the window, "You've got a flat tire on the back!" I was halfway to the office. I stopped and looked at the back tire. I couldn't really get a good look at it while sitting on the bike but it wasn't completely flat, just flat enough to cause the bike to wobble slightly. So I slowly continued on to the office. I had not ridden the motorcycle in awhile so I figured the tire just lost air as the motorcycle was sitting. I called my wife and asked her to drop off the portable air pump I keep in her van on her way to pick up the kids. Then the rain came. It poured down. I looked out of my office window at the bike being drenched in the parking lot and thought that it needed a good washing anyway. By closing time the rain had stopped and my wife had left the air pump on the bike seat. I pumped up tire. As I turned the pump off I heard a slight hissing. I looked closely and saw that the tire had a nail or screw in it. It was a slow leak. I figured that I could make it home and patch it later so I cranked up and drove off. The sky looked dark and ominous. Then the bottom fell out. In 30 seconds I was absolutely drenched. I'm on 42 (Do42.com) so that meant no complaining about anything. It was refreshing I thought and at least since I was thoroughly drenched, I absolutely couldn't get any wetter. I slowly drove along as thunder rattled my helmet. Lightning flashed every few seconds. It was as if I was in the maelstrom of angry winds, electricity and water. The rain was so heavy that I could barely see. I was expecting lightning to strike around me at any moment because the thunder was a constant crack and rumble. In the midst of all of that seeming mess, I heard Him speak, "You have storms ahead but remember during the storms that I will be with you. I am the master of the storms and I am sending you into them, have no fear for I am with you." With a tire oozing air, a waterfall of water pouring over me, lightning flashing like police lights and thunder booming like canon fire, I rode on. I was aware of it all but completely at peace and unafraid. Oddly enough, I was quite comfortable. I walked into the house dripping a steady stream of water. "Look at you!" my wife and kids exclaimed. "It was a magnificent ride," I said. It was. You have storms ahead but always remember those words spoken in the midst of the storm. "I am the master of the storms, have no fear for I am with you." ~A MountainWings Original~ -<>- ___________ .;---------./| // S O A P // | |'---------'| / jgs | | / '-----------'` >CLEAN SLATE Lamentations 3:23 In the movie Clean Slate, Dana Carvey plays a private detective involved in a murder investigation. The problem is that he has anterograde amnesia and is unable to remember any details of his life from the day before. So each day as he wakes up he listens to a tape reminding him of who he is and why he is here. Just like Carvey's character, sometimes it's easy to forget day-after- day just who the real "you" is. It's not a bad idea to pick up his habit -- beginning each day with a reminder of who you are and why you are here. You don't get it from a tape, you get it from the Word. Who are you? A child of God. A friend of Jesus. A new creation. Whole and complete. Forgiven. Accepted. Chosen. Renewed. Alive. And that's just the beginning. Each new day is a clean slate, another chance to live the life God called you to live, to be the person he called you to be. Forget yesterday. Remind yourself today of who you are in Christ, and who Christ is in you. Let this be your identity. Let this determine who you are and what you do. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:23) as seen in Monday Memo -<>- .. ____ ____ . | / + \ || || /+ . \ . | |o x.| =**= _ =**= | o x| . | |____| || _( )_ || |____| . | || /_____\ || . | ______________//| |/__________________ . |_______^________/ | + | /____^_____ . . _U_ / |___| // _U_ . | /_______________________________________// | . /|\ |______________________________________|/ /|\ >INVITATION Far too many Christians anticipate the end of the sermon, when the preacher uses those well-worn words, “As we stand and sing...” In fact, many can sense when the preacher is nearing those words, and they begin to tune out, thinking that–finally–the service is about done. Closing a sermon is difficult, because a preacher wants to spend so much time on the “meat” of the sermon that the conclusion often gets left out of the preparation process. So, we default. We end the same way nearly every week, with no real thought to how this will bring the sermon to a fitting end. We just know it will, well, bring the sermon to some end! Preachers, we need to do our best to make those last few moments of the sermon well worth the mental effort of the hearers. Many “tune out” because they have heard us conclude every sermon for months or even years in basically the same way. How many of us end nearly every sermon with the “challenge” to “pray more and study more,” then we ask them to stand and sing? If I have heard that every week for months on end, I am not too likely to listen very closely either. But, listeners, you have a responsibility, too. Your preacher’s heart is aching for someone to respond. He wouldn’t be preaching if his heart was not “in it” (or, he shouldn’t be!). He has prayed for this moment all week. He may “default” often, but it is not due to a lack of compassion or love for the lost or erring. You owe it to him to listen through to the end. Some already have enough "build-in" distractions. Are we adding to their distractions? And, listeners, you owe it to the lost to keep listening! It is deeply distracting when people are putting away Bibles, closing up cases for glasses, and even grabbing car keys while the preacher is making one last appeal to someone (anyone!) to respond to the loving invitation of our Lord. What if your distracting actions cause someone to think that this just isn’t important? Do we ever think about that, or do we, as listeners, too often “default,” too? So, this week, as your preacher angles toward those words, may he strive for a deeply moving and helpful conclusion, and may we who hear listen through with a view toward eternity, all the way through. And then, we will stand and sing! Adam Faughn at http://www.faughnfamily.com/ KneEmail: "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!”'And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22.17 Bible reading for 08.02.11: Romans 5; Psalms 60-62 as seen in KneEmail -<>- . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' >CHAPERONE TO HEAVEN By Renee Coy, Strafford, Missouri I was clearing up the breakfast dishes when the phone rang. “Something’s happened to your mom,” my dad said. He was trying to keep calm, but I could hear panic in his voice. “The ambulance should be here any minute.” A rush of cold swept through my body, as if I could feel the blood draining to my feet. “Ambulance?” “I found her collapsed on the floor. Hurry over! I’m alone here.” I stumbled upstairs, jerked on my shoes and ran out to the car. Luckily my family all lived close together. My parents were only a few minutes away. I pulled out of my driveway and sped down the two-lane highway. Mom hasn’t been well since the accident, I thought as I drove. She’d been hit by lightning and hadn’t truly recovered. God, be with her! The front door to the house was thrown open when I arrived. I found my dad performing CPR in the hallway. Mom was stretched out on the floor in front of him. He looked up at me as I entered, his eyes full of anguish, his face white to the lips, sweaty with fear. I knew I’d carry the picture of it in my mind forever. “Hang on, Mom,” I said, dropping to my knees to help Dad with the compressions. One, two, three… I counted them as I’d been taught in a life-saving course I’d taken at school. But would CPR be enough to help Mom? I touched my fingers to her wrist. No pulse. “Dear God, help us!” I said. “Help her, God!” I leaned out the front door to search for the ambulance. The two- lane highway stretched out in both directions. Empty. About a hundred yards west, a gravel road turned off it toward a creek and picnic area. All quiet. Not a soul to be seen. How long since Dad called for help? I thought. When will they get here? “God, we need you!” I said. I started to turn from the doorway. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a flurry of movement across the road. Suddenly there was a man there. Alone. Where did he come from? Not a second before the road had been empty. The man took slow steps one way, then turned on his heels and walked in the other direction. He held his hands clasped behind his back, his head hung low as if in serious contemplation, and he paced. Back and forth, slowly and with determination. Why was this stranger pacing in front of our house? I knew everyone in our small community. I’d never seen this man in my life. “It’s no use!” Dad said. The man was still visible through the open door. He looked agitated, as if waiting for something. “I hear the ambulance!” I said. The white vehicle pulled up with its whirling lights and screeching tires, and a team of EMTs jumped out. “We need oxygen! She’s not breathing!” I called to them. Dad and I got out of their way. All I could do now was pray. I bowed my head and prayed harder than I ever had before. When I opened my eyes I was looking at the man again. He was still pacing back and forth, his hands clasped behind him, his head bent. His loose, soft-gray tunic came down to his knees over loose brown trousers. I could see even from a distance that his outfit was made of linen. The intricate weave of the material seemed to shine in the early morning light. On his feet were braided leather sandals. Even in the chaos of the moment the man looked out of place. This was a farming community. Men wore Levi’s or overalls with plaid or denim shirts. On another day I might have puzzled over where the man could have come from, but this wasn’t another day. The wall clock ticked away the minutes as the EMTs gave Mom oxygen. There was no change. One of them took her pulse again. He looked up at me and shook his head. “She’s gone.” I covered my face and wept. The EMTs took Mom into the ambulance. Two of my aunts and uncles happened by and comforted Dad as best they could. I walked out to the road as the ambulance pulled away. How can this be happening? I thought as the taillights disappeared around a bend in the road. It didn’t seem real. I had prayed for God’s presence here. But Mom was gone. My aunt Leila came up beside me and gave me a squeeze. I barely felt it. She started to lead me back into the house and then paused. “Who is that man?” she asked, nodding across the road. He had stopped his frantic pacing. Now he was walking right up to me. Although his expression was calm and soothing, the air around him almost seemed to crackle with energy. His clothing glowed with the strange sheen I’d noticed earlier. His eyes were large and dark. His voice, when he spoke, was low and smooth. “I am sorry about your mother,” he said, looking into my eyes. Before I could reply he went back across the street. He hadn’t bothered to check for traffic. “Who is that?” Aunt Leila asked again. “How do you know him?” “I don’t.” So how had he known it was my mother who had just died? We went inside, where the rest of the family was watching. No one had seen the man before and between all of us we knew everyone in the vicinity. I lingered in the doorway to see where the stranger would go. He returned to the spot where he had been pacing. Then he was gone. I stepped out into the yard and looked up and down the highway, and down the gravel road. There was no sign of him. One second he was there, and in the next second he was gone. As if he had vanished right before my eyes. Everything about this stranger was adding up to something incredible. This was no man. That night in bed I went over every detail of what I’d seen, from the flutter that had announced the stranger’s presence to the kindness in his eyes. I knew he was not a man. Nor was he a healing angel sent to save Mom’s life, or a warrior angel like I’d read about in the Bible. This was a different kind of angel. An angel who waited to escort Mom to her new home in heaven. -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .-. __/ ( , '-.____\ u=='/ \ /_/ \ .-'' | ( ____/_____ _>_/.-------- \/// // snd // >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Andre, 6, asked his mother how old she is. She replied, "How old do you think I am?" He told her, "Fourteen," and she laughed. Then Andre asked, "How old is Aunt Holly?" His mother said that he should do the math, and if she is 14, Aunt Holly would be 5. Frustrated, Andre responded, "No, no, no, Mommy. What is that in people years?" -- Amy (mother of Andre) of Butler, Pennsylvania Last October Maggie, 2, and her mother carved a Jack-O-Lantern for Halloween. When her mother lit the candle inside the pumpkin, Maggie burst out singing, "Happy Birthday to you!" -- Jeff Kaiser (father of Maggie) of rural Albion, Indiana .... ,''. : __ \|_.' `: _.----._//_ .' .'.`'-._ .' _/ -._ \)-.----O '._.'.' '--''-'._ '--..--'-` .'.'___ /`'---'. / ,-'` snd _<__.-._))../ /'----'/.'_____:'. \_ : \ ] : '. \___: \\ : '. : \\__ : .' :_______________|__]__________: .' .' __ '. :.' .' .' '. '. .' .' '. '. .' .' '. '. _.' .'______________'. '._ [_0______________________0_] Little Savanna was driving with her mother. Savanna looked out the window and then at her mother and said, "Hey, Mom, this road doesn't have any line in the middle. You can take the whole thing!" -- Irene Lafferty (grandmother of Savanna) of Rhinelander, Wisconsin Amber and her fiance were babysitting Amber's nephew, Taryn, 6. Amber's fiance, Brent, decided to have a beer. Taryn quickly said, "Brent, you better not drink too many of those beers because tomorrow you are going to get the hang of it (hangover)!" -- Amber (who is now married to Brent) of Alberta, Canada One Sunday, many years ago, Virginia's daughter, Chrisy, went to the restroom during Sunday School. She was gone for quite some time and her teacher asked her if she had been procrastinating. Very indignantly, Chrisy said, "No, I was going potty!" -- Virginia of Albany, Oregon ___ ___ / \_.--. .-. .-. .--._/ \ | '-' / \ '-' | \___ \.___./ ___/ ,'---.__.-'::;::`-.__.---'. \'.'.'/::::::;::::::\'.'.'/ ____ '---|:::(88);(88):::|---' |----| __ \,-' ..;.. '-./ | | J J |::::::;::::::| .-| .-| |::(_):;:(_)::| '-' '-' ___....::::\::::_;_::::/:::....___ / \:::::/;'-""---""-':\::::/ \ `---.'::::/::::d88M-K88b::\:::'.---' _, |::::d8888PY888b::| _,-' \ /`-. |:::d8888P::Y8888b| \ \ / / |:d88888P;:::Y888PX. \ \ ,-/ / _.XXXX888P:;::::PXXXXXX. \ .-\ `" .-/ / 'XXXXX"::;:::,'XXX''\ .-\ '-' `" | 'X\\::;::// ' | `-' | |)---(| | \______/' `\______/ M-K Jalyn, 8, was told to clean up her room before her mother had a dinner party. "How come when people come over we have to clean up the house?" Jalyn asked. Her mother said, "We don't want people to think we live this way." Jalyn replied, "Isn't that sort of like lying?" - Jamie (mother of Jalyn) of Weatherford, Texas Christal was having a terrible time getting Kyle, 5, to pick up his toys. Christal's cousin Karen suggested, "Just tell him, 'Well, the trashman comes tomorrow so if you don't pick them up I will have to give them to the trashman!'" Christal tried this new tactic with Kyle and it worked like magic! Then a few weeks later she told Kyle again that he needed to pick up his toys. He didn't want to and so she said, "Well, you know the trashman comes tomorrow and I will have to give him all of the toys you won't pick up, like this new Batman." Kyle jumped up, took Batman out of his mother's hand and said, "UUUGGGHH, I HATE that TRASHMAN!" -- Christal Bricker of Colorado Springs, Colorado Jonathan, 3, was pushing a cart in the toy store aisle and talking to himself. His mother heard him saying, "Part of me (pardon me) coming through. Part of me coming through!" -- Peggy Allsman (mother of Jonathan) of Fresno, California _._ _._ |||| |||| ||||_ ___ _|||| | || .-'___`-. || | \ / .' .'_ _'. '. \ / /~~| | (| b d |) | |~~\ /' | | | ' | | | `\ , /__.-: ,| | `-' | |, :-.__\ , |'-------( \-''""/.| /\___/\ |.\""''-/ )------'| | \_.-'\ / '-._____.-' \ /'-._/ | |.---------\ /'._| _ .---. === |_.'\ /--------.| ' \ / | |\_\ _ \=v=/ _ | | \ / ' `. | | \_\_\ ~~~ (_) | | .' `'"'|`'--.__.^.__.--'`|'"'` \ / `,..---'"'---..,' :--..___..--: TO INFINITY... \ / |`. .'| AND BEYOND! | :___: | | | | | | | | | |.-.| |.-.| |`-'| |`-'| | | | | / | | \ |_____| |_____| ':---:-'-:---:' / | | \ jgs /.---.| |.---.\ `.____; :____.' Casey, 5, recently graduated from preschool. He was told congratulations many times, so now when he refers to the graduation ceremony he calls it "gradulation!" When Casey was about 3 his mother remarked that she and his father enjoy taking good care of him. Ever since then when someone teasingly says to Casey, "You are spoiled rotten," he says, "I am not spoiled. I am well taken care of!" -- Traci Walker (mother of Casey) of Lebanon, Tennessee Gabe, 6, and Ian, 4, were sitting in the back seat of the car coming home from Sunday School. Ian piped up with, "Mamaw, did you know that when we go to Heaven, we will have new bodies." Before his grandmother could answer, Gabe said, "I just hope they don't make me a girl!" -- Grandmother Deenie Daugherty of Des Moines, Iowa Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) o o //@@ o @@ '') @@@ v @ _____ / \ / \ |\____\ / ( X ) | | | | <___=\ | | | \======\ \|_"_| >Friends Without Faces by Thomas Teague We sit and we type, and we stare at our screens, We all have to wonder, what this possibly means. With our mouse we roam, through the rooms in a maze, Looking for something or someone, as we sit in a daze. We chat with each other, we type all our woes, Small groups we do form, and gang up on our foes. We wait for somebody, to type out our name, We want recognition, but it is always the same. We give kisses and hugs, and sometimes flirt, In IMs we chat deeply, and reveal why we hurt. We do form friendships - but - why we don't know, But some of these friendships, will flourish and grow. Why is it on screen, we can be so bold, Telling our secrets, that have never been told. Why is it we share, the thoughts in our mind, With those we can't see, as though we were blind. The answer is simple, it is as clear as a bell. We all have our problems, and need someone to tell. We can't tell "real" people, but tell someone we must, So we turn to the 'puter, and to those we can trust. Even though it is crazy, the truth still remains, They are Friends Without Faces, and odd little names. --- ...Awww, so true. Thanks Jass! > Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes > Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ > TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************