Happy Blessed Halloween ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@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 ================== ___ \--/ .' `"-._ Since this is the time /`-' '-`\ / , `'-_.-. for goblins and bats, / \ / /`'. ,' _ | /.'|/\ /\|'.\ `-' `-. ,' ,'\\/ \/ \, ,' ee`-. Halloween spirits and / ./ ,(_ \ , ghosts and cats, (_/\\\ \__|`--' || ///\\| \ || ////||-./`-.} .--|| Weird happenings and / `-.__.-`_.-.| witches brew, | '._,-'`|___} `; / '. |/ || ,;'` | '.__,.-` || ':, These are the things | | || ,;' I wish for you: / / _,.||oOoO.,_ | | \-.O,o_O..-/ / / / \ May the only ghost | / / \ that comes to stay, | | | , | / | \ ) ( ) / Be the Holy Ghost jgs | \ ,'.(:, ),: (_.'. to guide your way. / /'.' ="`""="="=="= '. `'"---'-.__.'"""` ` "" "" `"" ,, , ,, ,\\//, .--') ,\\//, ,\\\///, ,, / / May the only spirit ,\\\///, \\\\//// ,\\//, | / you chance to meet, \\\\//// \\\/// ,\\\///, /'.\ (_.'\ \\\/// ###### \\\\//// \ / ###### ////\\\\ \\\/// '--. .---' Be the spirit of love ////\\\\ /////\\\\\###### ( " ) and warm friends sweet, /////\\\\\//////\\\\////\\\\ '-' //////\\\\\\/,///\\\/////\\\\\ _ ///////\_?_\\(_) //////\\\\\\, ( \ May the only tricks .'`---`'. _j_/////\\\\\(_) ) ) you are /.'a a \.'`---`'. jgs ( ( .-""-. A.-.A asked to do, |: ^ /.'d\ /b \ \ \/ \/ , , \ \' www |: ^ | \ \ =; t /= '._____.'\' VVV / \ |"". ',--' Be the trick '._____.' / // | || of getting /_,)) |_,)) a friend or two. >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Our new page - Animals 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals5.html Got a sweet comment... Hi-- I wanted to tell you how much I enjoy the new Animals 5 page! You did a wonderful job puttng all the pics together. Your friends pictures are especially beautiful in this page. Thank you for sharing with all of us, your newsletter pals! :) Sandy D. (drifty) --- ...Thanks So Much Sandy! Most appreciated! -<>- >HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press... Two of our friends sent us the same forward and I agreed with them. It deserved doing up a page! But what got me really motivated was that one of the ladies, Lorriane, also sent an ASCII picture called Christ's Bell. This is beautifully done in scripture to resemble a large bell. It, like the cute photos 'Says It All'. This comes to us from forwards from both our friends Viv and Lorraine. Check out this new page here... '. `~~`~`~~^`~~`~^~^`~~`~~`~^~`. .` / `> ' . ' ". _ '-"` . ` ' . | . ' / .' ,'~^~^~^`^~~^`^~`~~~^~~~^; ' ' | .-' \ ` : ` . "| /| : | . | | / | ' " | __.--~\ | | : . | `~--.__/ | . ' | \ | .' | ' "| _.-") \_| . _ .|.-"_.-" / \______// |.-" / \___/_ \ | .| / | /\/ /" | / | ./ / | _.( |_ \__/ ' '| __ _.-"_.-\ / \: | . | _.=~\ _\.-"_.-' `) \`.=\ .' | _.=~_.=~\\.-\-" / | \=\__ | | .=~_.=~_\\_/ / `) \ __) '| =~_.=~_.=` ( / |` . | ~_.=~ )__/'| ' " '| | . " | ' .| '-"_'"-'_"'-_'"-_''_"-"-_"-\ \/' ' . '`\/"/- '"-_-"'_ -_ --"-"_jgs_""-_'"--"'_-"-'\\/.\\' / /".\,//\//'-"-_'"-"'_ -"-'_-"_-"-_"-"'_'-"-"_``"-`"_`'""-`''""'-_'"-"-_"'"- Says It All http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saysitall.html --- This one from our friend Jo Ann is so Hot it is smoking! I saw it and worked late last night to get this page done! Such a cute and adorable one! Check it out here... o o-'*'-o \*\|/*/ .-'---'-. / \ | .---, | | / e e \ | \| ^ |/ ()._-_.() ,/\'._.'/\. / \/ \/ \ | ^^_____^^ | |oOO` `OOo| \| '._____.' |/ | | | TRICK | | or | \ TREAT / '._______.' |_ | _| \ | / \_|_/ jgs /--T--\ (__/ \__) Sweet Baby Overload! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/sweetoverload.html --- ...I loved this! Thank You Jo Ann! *~* Thanks & Huggums to All Our Contributors! You Make Our Day!! ================================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: _ / ) / / / / /\ / / .-```-. / ^`-. \ \ / \_/ (|) `o \ \ / .-. \\ _ ,--' \ \/ / ) \( `^^^ \ \/ ( ) \ ) ) / jgs ) /__ | (__ (___))) (__))) >FRIGHT NIGHT by Patsy L. Buker Nothing says Halloween like a really good scare. Haunted houses abound with ghosties and ghoulies and the screams of terrified victims. I am not one who usually runs the gamut of haunted houses, but my husband and sons convinced me that I wasn't a complete person unless I experienced a good Halloween scare. Fortunately, for my boys, this year a Haunted Forest was available. Now a haunted house, to my mind, would seem enough, how big can a haunted house be? But a haunted forest? That invokes mental images of miles and miles of trauma-induced psychosis. Still, I wanted to be part of the group -- as much a part as one lone female can be in a male-oriented household. It was agreed by all the males that we would visit the Haunted Forest on Saturday night. That gave me all week to prepare and all day Sunday to recover. Saturday night arrived. Was I ready for this? I didn't think so, but off we went. The night was very dark and cold. I had enough winter gear on to be warm even in the worst-case scenario. Unfortunately, it also made me somewhat challenged in my ability to move well. We soon arrived at the Haunted Forest. A huge line was waiting, but I took this as a good omen -- the gates might close before I actually got in. Slowly the line climbed forward and about an hour later we finally made it to the entrance. The entrance was guarded by vampires and the eerie sound of screaming echoed through the forest. I handed the vampire my ticket and we stepped onto the unlit path. The vampire hissed, "Stay on the path if you value your life." Well, I can tell you, I value my life! I was going to hug that path like glue. My men grouped around me and we started off. I tried walking with my eyes closed, but kept tripping over things on the path. I opened my eyes and continued tripping over things on the path. It was so very dark and trees lined the path on both sides with their spiny limbs reaching up to grab the sky, I hoped. We stumbled on. Most of the time we were only guided by the feel of the path beneath our feet. As we came around a corner and into a small open space lit by the moon, we looked up and the Headless Horseman came towards us, riding on a huge grey maniacal-looking horse. We began to run down the path and I was screaming, of course. I stopped running thinking that we had left the Horseman behind. But I turned around and staring me right in the face to my total and utter terror, was the Headless Horseman's horse -- nose to nose. I turned and ran again as fast as I could. I heard my men ahead of me and as I came around another corner, "Jason" armed with a chain saw came towards me. I ran faster of course down the dark path into nothingness. My men were ahead of me and I could barely seem them by the light of the moon. As they hit a corner in the path, my husband tripped over my smallest son and down they went. Very solicitously, Jason ran over and leaned down to help them up. Jason asked my men if they were okay, and when they said "yes," Jason immediately revved up his chain saw and after my men he went. I edged by and ran for the trees. I was alone. Alone in the Haunted Forest! How did that happen? Where was everyone? I was too old for this sort of thing. Scary things scare me! With my hands out in front of me, I blindly made my way forward, knowing full well that giant spiders were waiting to jump on or catch me in their web. A giant snake dropped down from a tree and stared me in the face. A bat landed on my head. A hand reached out and grabbed me! I didn't want much more of this, I can tell you. Finally, my oldest son came back and found me. "Where have you been, mom, we've been looking all over for you." Like I had run away or something! "I've been right here trying to find my way out. And I want out, and out now!" "Oh, come on, mom," he said, "it isn't that bad." Sure, he could say that, he wasn't the one left all alone, in the dark. Thankfully, he took my hand and led me along the path to safety. I made it. I was back in the light, back in the center of real people, and alive! And not too soon for me! -- Patsy L. Buker ____________________________________________ Patsy is a legal secretary and lives in Boise, Idaho. She is married, has three sons, a dog and a cat. She has written several romance novels including Fiona and Riley's Journey. Her pen name is P.L. Parker. ===================================================================== GREAT PUMPKIN IS COMIN' TO TOWN (Sung to the tune Santa Claus is Coming to Town) .--. Oh, you better not shriek, you better not groan, /`-'/ You better not howl, you better not moan, .----,_| (__ Great Pumpkin is coming to town! { ="""`/`""`__ `'-. /`---'`_\ /_ ' \ He's going to find out | ' / \ / \ ' | from folks that he meets, | . / _| | _\ . | Who deserves tricks and who deserves treats; | \(o/ \(o/ | Great Pumpkin is coming to town! | ,__) /\ (__, | / |\ \/ /| \ He'll search in every pumpkin patch, | | '._ _.' | | haunted houses far and near; | \ `|_| / | To see if you've been spreading gloom, | ' `\ /` ' | or bringing lots of cheer! | . \-.--/ . | \ . '--' . / So you better not shriek, you better not groan, '-...-'._ _.'-...-' You better not howl, you better not moan; jgs `` Great pumpkin is coming to town!! >-->From Our Friend Becky :) >The Law is the Law I really love this one This is one of the better e-mails I have received in a long time! I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over! So Be It! THE LAW IS THE LAW So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words 'under God' to be on our money, then, so be it. And if that same government decides that the 'Ten Commandments' are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it. I say, 'so be it,' because I tr y to be a law abiding US citizen. I say, 'so be it,' because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart. BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE? Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and cannot post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life. I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day. I'd like the ' US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays.' After all, it's just another day. I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have to worry about getting home for the 'Christmas Break.' After all it's just another day. I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be 'politically correct.' In fact.... I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our government says that it should be just another day... What do you all think???? If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the 'minority opinions' and begin, once again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people. SO BE IT........... Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country! 'Amen' and 'Amen' Touche! These are definitely things I never thought about but from now on, I will be sure to question those in government who support these changes. At the top, it! says 'I hope this makes its way around the USA several times over!!!!!' Let's see that it does. --- ...Amen! -<>- >Why Women Cry... A little boy asked his mother, 'Why are you crying?' 'Because I'm a woman,' she told him. 'I don't understand,' he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, 'And you never will.' Later the little boy asked his father, 'Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?' 'All women cry for no reason,' was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, 'God, why do women cry so easily?' God said: 'When I made the woman she had to be special.' 'I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.' 'I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.' 'I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.' 'I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.' 'I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. 'I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.' 'And finally, I gave her a tear to shed.' 'This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.' 'That tear holds more then men could understand.' 'If a man was to shed her tear it would look enormous.' 'For a woman's tear is full of unconditional love, power, sacrifice, beauty, pain and compassion.' 'All ten fold of what a Man is able to feel.' 'And that is my son, why I made her as close to being Supernatural.' 'She's my gift to the world she's an Angel on Earth.' 'Love her and praise her for there will be no other here on Earth that will Love you like I do then your Mother.' 'You see my son,' said God, 'The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.' 'The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides.' Please send this to five beautiful women you know today. If you do, something good will happen - You will boost another woman's self-esteem -<>- You are 1 of my 11, don't open until you can respond. Hi, I am picking 11 people who have touched my life and who I think would want to receive this. In case you are not aware! , Saint Theresa is known as the Saint of the Little Ways, meaning she believed in doing the little things in life well and with great love. She is represented by roses. May everyone who receives this message be blessed. Theresa's Prayer cannot be deleted. REMEMBER to make a wish before you read the prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. Just share this with people and see what happens on the fourth day. Sorry you have to forward the message, but try not to break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. Read the prayer below. May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be confident knowin g you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. Now, send this to 11 people within the next 5 minutes. And remember to send this back. I count as 1...you'll see why. --- ...Nice! Thanks Becky! ==================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Tony In Australia :) Where is Heaven?? Its been said that someone once asked John Quincy Adams, at the age of 94, how he felt one morning…..Mr Adams replied” I feel just fine! Thank you, but the “house” I live in, is not so good!” So here we have it, although the ‘house’ we live in may be aging, falling apart, sick and weak maybe, we,…. you and I as Christians, can still feel strong! Strong in the thought that Our Lord came with a message! A message of Salvation and telling us quite clearly…..There IS! A Heaven…. He taught it! And I believe it….! There are mentions all through the Bible that I can quote, pertaining to the fact that Heaven is a “place” the best scripture I can think of right now is found in John, Chapter 14 and verse 2, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. A “place” for you.. “where” I am…. “There” ye may be….. all these words I have put in italics, signify a ‘location”, or as Jesus put it “a Place”… Paul was certain! He said,“We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord..” Paul used that word “confident” many times, he said “we know! we are confident!” “we are ALWAYS confident”….and Paul wasn’t alone in his confidence, Abraham said he was looking for a city ‘which hath foundations”, whose Builder and Maker is God….Amen? I guess you have been asked (as I have) do I believe that Heaven is a ‘place’… well my answer HAS to be YES! A resounding YES!… Jesus says he will prepare a “place” for me…not just a small space in someone’s mind after I am gone! But a large place! He speaks of mansions! (maybe he knows how much junk I have hoarded! ).. A “place” He says! So I take it Jesus is talking about a ‘place’ as real as Sydney or Adelaide, as real as New York or Washington…! I don’t ‘know’ where heaven is… I have been asked many times, but I don’t ‘know’ exactly where it is, no one ‘knows’! no one even as so much as an inkling! But I know one day, in a ‘twinkling”! I will know….! If anyone, ANYONE had even the slightest clue where heaven is, there would already be a queue hundreds of miles long!…Amen? Psalm 48 verse 2 says…” Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”….. North here is mentioned..and its worth noting that Moses was told to pour the blood of sacrifices on the northern side of the altar… toward God…I don’t really concern myself at this point in time, about where exactly “heaven “ is….. because I know wherever it is, Jesus is There! Preparing a ‘place’ for me and He WILL BE there! Halleluyah! Amen..! What do YOU think? Brothers and Sisters? Will we ‘know’ each other when we get there?? Well, I don’t know about you, but my Bible tells me that there will be a “grand reunion” with those who have gone before me! So I believe there will be people I will recognize! Praise the Lord! What about kids? Will they be ‘saved” even if they aren’t baptized?? I believe so! Bible says that God doesn’t hold children accountable for their sins until they reach an age of ‘accountability”…that I believe is a “spiritual age”… to me, I can find plenty of evidence that a child’s sins are covered by the “atonement”until they are old enough to be accountable for their sins and actions… All our questions will be answered when we arrive in Heaven, Bible says “no more pain, no more sufferings and anguish”…just Peace! Joy! And happiness….. Some think that we will just sit around and talk about past lives, some think that they will be able to take along a fishing rod or golf clubs….but I believe strongly, that we will find greater pleasure, greater joy in serving God! The Bible tells me that! It says there will be no more curse! But the throne of God and the Lamb shall be in it! “Throne” it says! Not “thrones”!! Jesus! The One who came to bring His Glorious message of Salvation is there! Waiting for the right moment……. Surely! With all the signs round about us! The World is reaching that final day when God will come and judge His people….are you ready for Him? Do you understand what I mean when I say “ready” ? Today is the day when you must go to your brother or sister with no speck in your eye and forgive and seek forgiveness, if you don’t’…that’s at least two others who will be “ Left Behind” Can you bear that on your conscience??…. Is there some other “wrong doing” that only YOU can make right? Go and make amends! Go and fix it… don’t wait…it may be a split second too late…. “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.” Br Tony ---- ...Thanks Tony! A Good reminder that 'He's Coming!' Until then all ghosts, spooks and goblins are just the adversary sent by the devil to fool us into thinking our departed loved ones are lingering in agony amongst us or have gone to eternal bliss while we reside here on earth awaiting that glorious day when we can join them! HA! One Day - One Day - In A Twinkling - Oh Yeah! Praise God for that Day! Until then let us do the work God wants us to do and let us not be ashamed before him on that Glorious Day knowing we did our best! ====================================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul: ~A Winters` Day~ Snowflakes glisten with prism lights, Reflecting sunshine, Nature`s sight. Drifts so high on country lanes, Blankets of white, Like coats, Shrouds window panes. Mountains of snow beside frozen streams, High as roofs, Where blizzards teems. Ponds so solid that skaters can glide, Round and round, >From side to side. Trees now icicled - feathery plumes, Like a magic forest, With snow filled blooms. O`, beautiful, a country scene, With icy way, As GOD above, Creates, a wonderful, Winters` day. Always~~~~John-Paul --- ...Awww, Sweet! Thanks John-Paul! =========================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: __ __ | |_| |______ _,___ _,___ _ _ \--/ | _ |__ | __ | __ | |_| | /`-' '-`\ |__| |__|__-_,_| ,___| ,___|___, | / \ |_| |_| |_| /.'|/\ /\|'.\ __ __ _ _ \/ | |_| |______| | |______ __ _ __ ______ ______ _,____ | _ |__ | | | __ | | | | --__| --__| __ \ |__| |__|__-_,_|_|_|______|_______|______|______|_| |_| ,-"-._ _.-"-, )'. `-. _,,,_ .-` .'( | `'. `-"` `"-` .'` | \ .-' '-. / _ .' .--. .--. '. '-(-' _ / (.=.| |.=.) \ _ . '._(_) : \_o/ .-. \_o/ : ( )_.' \ : ( ) :.-' ,-''-.; .___ .-`Y`-. ___. ;_.'-, \ '-.\ \ .--( .'. )--. / _./_| '._.-'`'-., _;-'\_/'-;_ ,.-'`'._`/ jgs_.',_.-' / `'''` `.___.' `'''` \ '-.__`-, '. -'/_.-| ; ; | \ _/ ';'` \ / \ /'---', / . '._,__,_,' ',_,__,_,' \ / . .'\ .'\ : \ ; \\\ \\\ ; | : /'._.' \\ /'._.' \\ ' | | ( ______/ ) ( ______/ ) | | : `~~~~~~~` .-. `~~~~~~~` : | | : / `\\ : | | _, ( __/ ) _, : | | : \ : `~~~` : .' | | `-._ _,' | | . \`--._ __.--'// : | | \ `'\\ /` .'/ | ; : `. `~~~~` _.'.' ' ; \ . `-._ _____.'.-' / \ . . `'~~~~~'` . ' / `._ _._ '_._ _._' _.___.' `""` `"""` `""""` `"""` >Halloween: A Dangerous Time for Black Cats Carol Roach winterose@videotron.ca Halloween is just around the corner and with it comes all kinds of freaky things. Black cats have gotten a bad wrap throughout the centuries. Everyone knows that that a black cat is bad luck right? Well I guess so because I had too black cats and bad luck, but you know what I had bad luck even before I had a black cat. One thing just does not go with another. Through out time people have been blaming anything and everything on bad luck. If you break a mirror it is seven years bad luck, if you put new shoes on a table it is bad luck, if you open an umbrella in the house it is bad luck. Superstitions are legends and myths that do not have any basis in reality, yet people continue to believe them. Even though the ancient Egyptians revered cats, the western world has not been so kind to them. In medieval times in Europe the punishment of death was handed out to anyone who was found to harbour a cat in their homes. Black cats in particular received a bum wrap. Black was the color associated with evil and evil was associated with witches during the 15th century in Europe. These superstitions gradually make their way over to North America. In Europe, whenever there was bad luck of any kind such as a bad harvest, it was naturally the witch that was blamed for it. Black cats were their familiars, their companions in evil. Black cats were said to have special powers and witches could even transform into black cats. Many women and their black cats were put to death because of the widespread paranoia over witches, evil, and black cats. Unfortunately many of these women said to be witches were actually shamans or healers, knowledgeable in herbal remedies. Their important service to the community was lost because of their untimely deaths. These myths and superstitions have trickled down through the centuries and still there are people of today who are afraid of black cats. Many animal shelters report that they have difficulty having pure black cats adopted. Since Halloween is the time for witches, goblins, and ghouls of all kinds, of course the black cat will be a favorite Halloween display. However, the sad part is they are not only a display in a fictitious scene on someone’s balcony, they are actually sought out, mutilated and sacrificed by some very sick-minded individuals. Black cats as well as other animals have been sacrificed on Halloween since the medieval times either by satanic cults or the Christian church. However, www.snopes.com maintains that actual historical accounts of this practice cannot be verified but the legend lives on. Scopes did contact various animal shelters to ask about the phenomena and was told that the amount of animal abuse in general rises during Halloween time and is largely the result of kids torturing animals rather than actual satanic cults. Either way, these animals are being needlessly hurt. Pet shelters across North America warn black cat owners to keep their pets in the house about three weeks before Halloween just in case. The Montreal SPCA will not allow black cat adoption around Halloween as a precautionary measure. Satanic rituals or kids setting cats on fire either way be safe rather than sorry keep all your animals at home around Halloween, especially your black cats. Sources: http://www.petcareinsurance.com/us/history-tails.asp?page=ht-012.html http://www.jg-tc.com/articles/2007/10/31/news/doc4727e6068b2ca088718386.txt http://www.petloveshack.com/hallow.html http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/blackcat.asp -<>- >Dancing With God When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, Both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, And attentiveness from one person And gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "U" and "I". "God, "U" and "I" dance." God, you, and I dance. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust That I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead. My prayer for you today is that God's blessings And mercies are upon you on this day and everyday. May you abide in God, as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead And to guide you through each season of your life. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. If God has done anything for you in your life, Please share this message with someone else. Interceding in prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards; So let's continue to pray for one another. And I Hope You Dance -<>- >SAIL ON By: Joseph J. Mazzella My friend and neighbor gave me a book recently. It is called Parables From The Sea and was written by Robbins Wolcott Barstow. What amazed me about it was that in the first few pages I found a paragraph that describes my friend perfectly. It goes: "I often think of the way some people are always leaving trails of light and gladness as they sail on through life. There must be a great many who do for I know a lot of them. They are the kind of people you are happy to meet anywhere, in a shop or on a street or at home." That quote made me think not only of my friend but also of all the other people over the years who have blessed my life’s voyage with their light and gladness. There was my Mom and my Grandma whose shining love guided me over the rough waters of childhood and all the storms that went with it. There was my Aunt and my Dad who kept me sailing on through the heartbreak after my Mom and Grandma died and back towards a joyous horizon once again. There were my two brothers and three children who taught me how to find the joy in life even on the fiercest days when the waves crashed against my ship. There were my teachers, neighbors, and friends who showed me the many ways to steer my boat into the peaceful harbors of love and happiness that life gives us. Each and everyone of these people taught me a little more about sailing the ship of my life. Each and everyone of them showed me as well to always look towards God’s North Star and to always set my sails with the winds of His love. May all of you always sail on towards greater love and joy in your own lives. May all of you always bless those around you with trails of light and gladness as well. But most of all may all of you always keep your ships guided by God’s, loving light and never forget the true place that you are sailing towards. -<>- >You're Different But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness'" (2 Cor 12:9). Angie and I were in Switzerland visiting an acquaintance I had met briefly almost ten years earlier at a Christian conference on the island of Cyprus. We had stayed in contact over the years as he had become a big fan of TGIF and had the devotions translated into German. I had felt led to make the trip from Germany, where we had been attending a conference. I was sitting in the kitchen talking with my friend when I said, "You are different. There is a different spirit about you than when I met you ten years ago on the island of Cyprus. I have to admit, I thought you were a bit aloof," I confessed to him. "Hmm, you know Os, I thought the same about you." We both chuckled at our observations. There was a difference in both of us because something dramatic had happened in both of our lives. My friend was a very successful businessman in Switzerland and was running a family business when things went very wrong. He lost millions as a result. Although his fortune was not totally wiped out, it impacted him greatly. It brought a humility and new found trust in God that had not been there before. I had a similar story. I had gone through a seven year "pit experience" in which I had major loses in family, business and personal income. Now we were both on the other sides of our "pits." We could recognize something in each of us that had resulted from our experiences. There was a level of humility that was not there before. It reminded me of a statement a friend of mine made years earlier: "Beware of any Christian leader who does not walk with a limp." Sometimes God creates circumstances in our lives to create humility and greater dependence upon Him. It is because God works greater through weakness than strength. I often tell others, "You can get humility voluntarily or involuntarily. It is much easier if you get it voluntarily -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Too Good http://www.buffaloschips.com/6249.htm Toom Bumper http://www.buffaloschips.com/62410.htm Train Drives Thru Bangkok Market http://www.buffaloschips.com/62411.htm Training Goldfish http://www.buffaloschips.com/7201.htm If I Die Before You Wake http://www.buffaloschips.com/070202.htm Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ============================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: >SHE'LL GET THROUGH by Trish Being a woman in recovery I have become much more aware of my journey. I get wonderful opportunities to listen to God's quiet voice and act upon it. A couple of years ago, I was having my quiet time and the phone rang. My husband asked me if I would be willing to go meet a young lady who might be ready to get sober. My first instinct was, "No, not really." But I agreed to go meet this woman. There wasn't anything spectacular about her story, but that's when God's quiet voice stepped in. I offered this woman an opportunity to change her world, if she was willing. I told her that we had extra room in our home and if she was serious about getting sober, she could have a fresh start with us. She was pretty skeptical but agreed to consider the offer and keep in touch. We were in the process of planning a 50th wedding anniversary for my in-laws so it couldn't happen right away. She kept her end of our bargain and stayed in touch with me consistently. About two days before she was going to move in I started questioning my offer. My mind started assaulting me with "I don't even know this person!" and "What if?" I decided that I would just trust the process and see what God had in store for all of us. So Amber's mother brought her to our house and dropped her off with a heartfelt "thank you." She moved in and began her journey into recovery. We had already met with Amber and established some ground rules. The first rule was that if she wasn't sober, she didn't live here anymore. We gently led her through the process of how to change her world. Amber is a single mother to a beautiful little girl who was 3 years old at the time. Amber hadn't been able to be a mother to her daughter with the lifestyle she'd been living, and this was another adjustment for her to make. Chloe, her precious daughter, was welcome at our home too. After a while they were able to spend more and more time together and re-establish their relationship. Amber, who is rather skeptical by nature as well as a bit of a rebel in her own right, settled in to her new world. She adapted pretty well to the few things that we asked of her. The "rules" were few and simple. Stay sober, go to meetings and work on building a foundation for the rest of your life. What everyone else looked at was what a generous gift we were giving to her. What I found out was what a wonderful gift I was given! Amber and I developed a friendship that is priceless to me. She is the same age as my oldest daughter, and I look at her daughter as the granddaughter that I haven't had yet. Amber lived with us for about a year and a half and during that time she worked and went to school to start a new career. Amber lost her mother, Carol, unexpectedly one morning and she walked through that with grace and dignity. She has regained her self respect, her dignity, her family, and her life is rich and full today. She may not have everything she thinks she wants just yet, but she's well on her way! I don't take credit for her sobriety in any respect. I just opened a door for her that she was willing to walk through and she has chosen to change her life. For my part, I am eternally grateful that I have the opportunity to make an impact on some lives along the way. Amber has moved into her own apartment for the first time in her life and she is self supporting. She has provided a quality lifestyle for her and her daughter. She has every reason to be proud of the life that she lives today. Yet she finds herself at another crossroad in her life and I don't have any question that if she keeps doing what she's been taught that she'll get through this one just fine too. I have all the faith in the world! -- Trish ____________________________________________ Trish is from California, and says, "I am a grateful woman in recovery, living a life beyond my wildest dreams. I'm happily married with two grown daughters, a fabulous grandson with a second grandchild on the way." ==================================================================== >-->From PetWarmers: DESERT KITTY by Sandy Ash My family loved to take trips together when we were young kids. We would go camping, fishing and horseback riding. We also loved to play games in the car to pass the time while we traveled from one destination to another. On one particularly long trip, my brother started a game of his own with "OH Look!" We all looked, and of course, there was nothing there. He laughed at having fooled us all. Well, that started it, and soon we were all doing it. My mother, who had the patience of Job, as well as my poor father, soon had enough of this silly game. So as we pulled over into a rest stop in the middle of the Kayenta Desert for a Kool-aid and vanilla wafer break, my mother said, "Enough is enough. No more of this. The next one who says 'Oh, Look' will have to do clean up duty after dinner." Well that would have stopped it because we all hated clean up duty. But as I was sitting up in front with my parents and looking up into the brnaches of a tree we had parked under to get some much needed shade, I saw something that I never thought I would see in the middle of nowhere. There was a small orange and white striped tabby kitten, clinging to the branches in the tree. He was so small and I could see his silent meows and the desperation in his eyes. Being the animal lover I was, I said, "Oh Look. A kitten! There is a kitten in the tree." My mother replied, "Sandy I have had enough of this game and it needs to stop!" "But there really is a kitten in the tree, Mom. Really there is!" My mother, at her wit's end, asked my father to get out of the truck and show me there was no kitten. Well, imagine his surprise when he saw that poor thing up in the tree. My older sister climbed on his shoulders and took the kitten in her arms and lowered him to my brother's waiting arms. We took him in and gave him Kool-aid and vanilla wafers, as we had nothing else to give him. When we arrived in the next town, we tried to find a home for him but no one wanted him. So, armed with several cans of tuna, we made our way to the Grand Canyon camp ground. There we tried to convince the friendly ranger to take him. But once again, we were foiled in finding a home for this kitten. I guess we were just destined to bring this little guy home to join our spoiled tabby, Mutzi. We decided to name him after the desert we found him in, and because he was the color of the sandstone there. That is how Kayenta, the desert kitten, came to live a long and happy life with us. -- Sandy Ash ____________________________________________ Sandy lives in Colorado with her spoiled rotten Maine Coon Kitty, T.S. Elliott, and her hearing dog and current set of Angel Ears Gypsy Rose Lee Doggy -- a large, loved and spoiled rotten German Shepherd. ==================================================================== >-->FUN Places to Net Visit :) |\-/| =( )= / \ | | / \ _\ _/._ .' `))` '. / (( , \ ; , \) , ; ; /c\ , /c\ | | /_\ | | |\ , , , , /| | \ \_`.`.`.`.`_/ / jgs '.____.___.____.' >From Our Friend Lorraine :) Hi Shangy, I couldn't remember if you had these feathers on your website or not so I figured I would forward them to you. They are really beautiful. Whoever does the painting sure is talented. What a blessing. Have a blessed day. God bless you, -Lorraine --- ...Thank You Lorraine. And Yes! I scooped these up as soon as I saw them! I Love the art too! Feather Art Painting http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/feather.html I did this one up about the same time I joined the yearbook. I used the feather background that I put with the angels on the bottom for the background to my yearbook home page. You can visit me there here: Shangy on the Yearbook: http://www.myyearbook.com/shangy If you are on the yearbook, be sure to add me as a friend! I try my best to keep up with all my friends on there! I love having new friends! Hope to see you there! :) -<>- >From Our Friend Viv :) If you have not seen this video on LAMININ by Louie Giglio, please take the time. It is amazing..........Viv Colossians 1:15-17 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. The cool thing about Laminin... http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=152b5103d741aca61093 --- Art in the Eye of a Needle - Video http://www.maniacworld.com/art-in-the-eye-of-a-needle.html --- ...Awesome Talent! I find this art so amazing I did a page on it... Mykola Syadristy is an amazing artist! He is a master of microminiatures and holds the title of Honored Master of Folk Arts of Ukraine. The creative art of this master proved the creation of a new word – "microminiature". The art of microminiatures has been his hobby for forty years. All the microminiatures were made by hand with unique technology for each. Here are a few samples of his work. Enlarged to show detail. Enjoy :) http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/microart.html -<>- >From Our Friends Del, Casey, & MrWu :) I thought that this was a good comment on present times. http://home.att.net/~hideaway_today/t133/noah.htm --- ...Thanks Del! A Cool Classic! I like the way it is done up and of course, this reminds me of our page on our modern day Noah... JOHAN'S NOAH'S ARK! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/noahsark.html -<>- >From Linky&Dinky: NOTHING BESPEAKS more of MANIACAL DEVOTION than gourds whittled in effigy. http://yeswecarve.com/ DON'T SCREW UP, BE HAPPY Men's Health mag reveals 40 unspoken rules to happiness. http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/pursuit_of_happiness/index.php STEPHEN KING "COMIC BOOK" FREE ONLINE Oops, I meant to say "graphic novel". Dang it all! http://www.simonsays.com/specials/stephen-king-nishere/ TONIGHT, READ 'EM SHORT HORROR STORIES by pumpkin-light. http://www.horrormasters.com/Themes/Horror_Short_Stories.htm BLOODY FINGER WRITING For spooky missives from the dead. http://www.bloodyfingermail.com/message.php -<>- >From LynnLynn's Links: Reach Out http://summerhoosier.250free.com/HTML7/ReachOutGoodmans.html Happy Halloween Via Kathleen http://terrisfp.com/hallo1/ghost1.swf HALLOWEEN http://www.loratrue2000.com/poems/halloween.htm Camp Blood: The Home of Jason Voorhees http://campblood.shiversofhorror.com/ Freddy Krueger File http://www.houseofhorrors.com/freddy.htm Boris Karlof Links http://www.karloff.com/links.html Chucky in Child's Play http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094862/ The Wolf Man - Lon Chaney Jr. http://www.lonchaney.com/wolfman.html THE PIT! ~ Bela Lugosi Wavs http://www.seahaas.com/thepit/lugosi.html Melva/Trust In God http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Insp/B/Tr.html John w/ A Talking Picture Of You http://heavens-gates.com/fifties/talkingpicture/ Doggie Zone http://whiteshadow.com/Default.htm Kitty Korner http://www.petplace.com/cat-videos.aspx?p=19 http://cats.about.com/ Tractor Drift http://buffaloschips.com/61611.htm Trust Driver http://buffaloschips.com/61612.htm Twin Tower STory http://buffaloschips.com/61613.htm UFFDA http://buffaloschips.com/61614.htm Unreleased Bud Ad http://buffaloschips.com/61615.htm Wife http://www.buffaloschips.com/61621.htm Wing of Angel http://www.buffaloschips.com/61622.htm Wish http://www.buffaloschips.com/61623.htm Xmas Lights http://www.buffaloschips.com/61624.htm Xtrema 2C http://www.buffaloschips.com/61625.htm If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ================================================================ _...----. .' .-'` ,''--..; / | _______/________|_______ `-----/// _\ /_ \\\-----` .---./ / o\/o \ \.---. <(_ /// \__/\__/ \\\ _)> _.---. '-. // oo \\ .-' .' .__`\ o /// __..--..__ \\\ / \`\| o-'*'-o //| '\/\/\/\/' |\\ / ; ' \*\|/*/ ;--. """" .-; | _ _ | .-'---'-. / \|||-....(|||`\ | (o) (o) | / \ /\ /\|/ | | .---, |/ \ / ; ' | | / e e \ | '. .' | '-. \ \| ^ |/ '---' | \_ ()._-_.() T R I C K | .._.----/` \ ,/\'._.'/\. ' . | / ``"-/||\ \ / \/ \/ \ O R | | `7, | ^^_____^^ | | . /// _ | |oOO` `OOo| T R E A T ; |' / |_) _ | \| '._____.' |/ / \-| |_)/ \ _ | |:: | '.__ __,; `| \_// \ | |:: | ````` | | \_/ ; |:: | | \ / \::. /_____________| ``'--..___/ '._______.' '-| | |-' | |_ | _| | | | __.-; \ | / /-._|_.-\ \ \_|_/ /`'-.|.-'`\ / jgs /--T--\ / .'. \'-..____.---''''`` (__/ \__) \____/ \___/ When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween. "The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity." - Francis Maitland Balfour ---> Visit my CyberHome - ALWAYS OPEN HOUSE :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/index.html Shangrala ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->Bigham's Computer Rescue - PC Sales & Serrvice You can trust us to provide you with quality computer sales and repair. We've been servicing the Van Wert area since 1981 and can help you with all your computer needs. Please phone us at 419-238-5806 ************************************************************************ -->This is for all you who love food and DARRE 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: This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR Send a BLANK email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************ -->Want to ADVERTISE in The Shangy FUN List Publication? >To ADVERTISE: Advertise ************************************************************************