Happy Father's Day Weekend!... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ *~* Happy, Safe And Super Blessed Father's Day Weekend! :) Your thought for the day: _,,,_ //_\\\\ ;/ \\\\; ( '7' ) ; _ ; \ _ / .---)_(---. /\\ <_> //\ ; > / \ <' _; | | | | | | _____| |\_|_|_/_ |_______ / / / / / /| / \/==/------, /==/ //| / (\( - / \\( //|| / / ~~~~ / // || / '------' // || /__________________________// || |-------------------------;; || || || | || |==|| || || || || |==||==| || || || ||jgs|/ / / / / || |/ || (__/ (__/ || || || || || |/ |/ "One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters." -- English Proverb Especially if your Father is God Almighty! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This sizzler is from our friend Bunni. Lots of Smiles for all our animal lovers here. Be sure to give this one plenty of time to load and check it out here... ,---,_ , _> `'-. .--'/ .--'` ._ `/ <_ >,-' ._'.. ..__ . ' '-. .-' .'` `'. '. Brainy Dad > / >`-. .-'< \ , '._\ / ; '-._> <_.-' ; '._> `> ,/ /___\ /___\ \_ / `.-|(| \o_/ \o_/ |)|` jgs \; \ ;/ \ .-, )-. / /` .'-'. `\ ;_.-`.___.'-.; Dogs And Cats Together! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogsandcats.html --- ...LOL! Love all these video animated gifs! Thanks Bunni! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .'```"". / / \ \__/` \ \ |_ _ '. | 6 6 `)/ Worker Dad | /_ | \ _, / | \__.' |_ _| / `'. jgs-` \ __-' >ALL WORTHWHILE by Jane McKinnon Greg will be 33 this summer. He is my son, Amy's husband, and the father of 6-year-old Gregory, 4-year-old Alex and 7-month-old Matthew. Although I think Greg is extraordinary, by the world's measure I'm sure he's typical of many other young men his age. Greg starts his day at approximately 4:30am by making lunches for the two older boys. Then he's off to work as a project manager for a commercial roofing company where he's worked since he was eighteen. His days are long -- often twelve or more hours and then home to help with dinner, homework and baths before collapsing on the couch after the last child is safely tucked in for the night. Weekends are filled with baseball games, soccer games and more work squeezed in between everything else. Just watching all that Greg and Amy do, makes me tired. Vaguely, I remember my own "not-enough-hours-in-the-day" time of life and the feeling that if people died from terminal tiredness, I surely was on my way. But somehow Greg and Amy manage to handle it with much more grace than I did AND to have fun along the way. If you want to see this group, you'd better print out the sports schedules and buy a lawn chair. They are on the move! Occasionally, though, I'm lucky enough to pin them down for an "eat-and-run-the-kids-have-to-go-to-school-tomorrow" dinner, which happened about two weeks ago when I called Greg and Amy with a last minute invitation. Greg and the kids were onboard for a free meal, but Amy had a rare opportunity for a haircut and some pampering so we encouraged her to "go for it" and told her we'd catch her next time. There were hugs all around as each one came in and found his seat at the table. With dinner served, I tried to anticipate needs, but I was always one beat behind. I watched in awe as Greg deftly cut roast beef for Gregory and Alex, passed out Honey Nut Cheerio appeasers to Matthew, buttered corn-on-the cob and scooped applesauce -- all done effortlessly. Dinner was fun. The kids were great. And although we missed Amy, it was wonderful, as always, to see Greg and the boys. After dinner, Gregory and Alex went to the den in search of the always-present M&M stash and I took dishes to the kitchen, leaving Greg and Matthew still at the dining-room table. As I put the dishes in the sink, I turned and watched Greg lower his strong, slender, six-foot frame to Matthew's highchair eye level, laughing and playing with his youngest son. Matthew responded in kind, laughing out loud, his eyes bright and sparkling with delight at his father's attention. Returning from the kitchen to the dining-room, I accidentally stepped into a private moment between father and son, overhearing Greg whisper to Matthew as they both grinned, "When I come home from a long day at work and look at your face and hear you laugh, I know it's all worthwhile. I know it's all worthwhile!" Looking at Greg's tender smile, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the man and father he had become. My mind traveled through years spent standing in the rain at soccer fields, cheering from the bleachers at baseball games, freezing through football games. Memories of scraped knees, parent-teacher conferences, school dances, broken collarbones, girlfriends and broken hearts danced through my head. While tears of gratitude and joy spilled down my cheeks, I found my heart echoing Greg's... "I know it was all worthwhile. I know it was all worthwhile." -- Jane McKinnon ___________________________________________ Jane lives in Wilmington, Delaware, where she is hoping to transition to a full-time career as a writer. She is the mother of three grown sons, the "other mother" of three precious daughters-in-law, and the grandmother of four amazing grandsons. Together they provide a full life and enough material to write a library of books. ___________________________________________ Do you enjoy Heartwarmers? Maybe your friends would too. They can join for free by sending an email to: join@heartwarmers.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) .---. /_____\ ( '.' ) \_-_/_ Soldier Dad .-"`'V'//-. / , |// , \ / /|Ll //Ll|\ \ / / |__// | \_\ \ \/---|[]==| / / \/\__/ | \/\/ |/_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J |_ | _| jgs (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ Thought I would share with you… >Daddy's Poem Her hair was up in a pony tail, Ber favorite dress tied with a bow. Today was Daddy's Day at school, And she couldn't wait to go. But her mommy tried to tell her, That she probably should stay home Why The kids might not understand, If she went to school alone. But she was not afraid; She knew just what to say. What to tell her classmates Of why he wasn't there today. But still her mother worried, For her to face this day alone. And that was why, once again, She tried to keep her daughter home. But the little girl went to school, Eager to tell them all. About a dad she never saw, A dad who never calls. There were daddies along the wall in back, For everyone to meet. Children squirming impatiently, Anxious in their seat. One by one the teacher called On a student from the class. To introduce their daddy, As seconds slowly passed. At last the teacher called her name, Every child turned to stare. Each of them was searching, A man who wasn't there. "Where's her daddy at?" She heard a boy call out. "She probably doesn't have one," Another student dared to shout. And from somewhere near the back, She heard a daddy say, "Looks like another deadbeat dad, Too busy to waste his day." The words did not offend her, As she smiled up at her Mom. And looked back at her teacher, Who told her to go on.. And with hands behind her back, Slowly she began to speak. And out from the mouth of a child, Came words incredibly unique. "My Daddy couldn't be here, Because he lives so far away. But I know he wishes he could be, Since this is such a special day. And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know All about my daddy, And how much he loves me so. He loved to tell me stories He taught me to ride my bike He surprised me with pink roses, And taught me to fly a kite. We used to share fudge sundaes, And ice cream in a cone. And though you cannot see him I'm not standing here alone. 'Cause my daddy's always with me, Even though we are apart I know because he told me, He'll forever be in my heart" With that, her little hand reached up, And lay across her chest. Feeling her own heartbeat, Beneath her favorite dress. And from somewhere there in the crowd of dads, Her mother stood in tears. Proudly watching her daughter, Who was wise beyond her years. For she stood up for the love Of a man not in her life. Doing what was best for her, Doing what was a right. And when she dropped her hand back down, Staring straight into the crowd. She finished with a voice so soft, But its message clear and loud. "I love my daddy very much, He's my shining star. And if he could, he'd be here, But heaven's just too far. You see he is an American Soldier And he died just this past year when a roadside bomb hit his convoy And taught Americans to fear. But sometimes when I close my eyes, It's like he never went away. And then she closed her eyes, And saw him there that day. And to her mother's amazement, She witnessed with surprise, A room full of daddies and children, All starting to close their eyes. Who knows what they saw before them Who knows what they felt inside. Perhaps for merely a second, They saw him at her side. "I know you're with me, Daddy," To the silence she called out. And what happened next made believers Of those once filled with doubt. Not one in that room could explain it For each of their eyes had been closed But there on the desk beside her, Was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose. And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, By the love of her shining star And given the gift of believing, That heaven is never too far. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, An hour to appreciate them A day to love them, But then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry and that you've forgotten your friends. Take the time....to live and love. Until eternity… God Bless. There must be many children in the same boat as this little girl. thanks to our servicemen and their families for the sacrifice they are making to keep our country free. The ULTIMATE sacrifice is being left behind. Don't forget them. PRAY FOR OUR TROOPS!!! "Life Is Short. Live It To The Fullest for It Has An Expiration Date!” --- ...Amen! Thanks Bunni for reminding our Daddies everywhere that they mean the world to some special one! ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ __ / \Y \ __/______\__ `~~// 6 6\~~` C 7 | Farmer Dad \ '='/ \__/ /\ |\ .-`\_\_//\ /-. `|o |\ __ | | | | \ |\/ / | | |o | \ /`\_/ | | | | Y / | | |o |\ / \ \ | | `--' \ \__|o_| `\ /I=[]=| |`/ ) | \ : | | |: | | |: | | |: ) ) \'.|, | |: || | |: || | |: || | |:_||_| |===|==| | | | jgs |& \ \ *( , `'-.'-. `"`"""""`""` >Pounding In and Pulling Out Nails When my daughter was confronted with the fact that she had hurt another child with a mean comment, she cried and wanted to apologize. That was a good thing, but I wanted her to know an apology can't always make things better. I told her the parable of Will, a nine-year-old whose father abandoned his mom two years earlier. Will was angry, and he often would lash out at others with hurtful words. He once told his mom, "I see why Dad left you!" Unable to cope with his outbursts, she sent Will to spend the summer with his grandparents. His grandfather's strategy to help Will learn self control every time he said a mean thing was to make him go into the garage and pound a two-inch-long nail into a 4x4 board. He couldn't return until the nail was all the way in. For a small boy, this was a major task. After about ten trips to the garage, Will began to be more cautious about his words. Eventually, he even apologized for all the bad things he'd said. That's when his grandmother came in. She made him bring in the board filled with nails and told him to pull them all out. This was even harder than pounding them in. After a huge struggle, he did it. His grandmother hugged him and said, "I appreciate your apology and, of course, I forgive you because I love you. But I want you to know an apology is like pulling out one of those nails. Look at the board. The holes are still there. The board will never be the same. I know your dad put a hole in you, but please don't put holes in other people. You`re better than that." -<>- __ __ / \ /| |'-. .\__/ || | | Writer Dad _ / `._ \|_|_.-' | / \__.`=._) (_ |/ ._/ |"""""""""| |'. `\ | | ;"""/ / | | jgs ) /_/| |.-------.| ' `-`' " " >From Roger Dean Kiser Many years ago, as a young juvenile, the woman in the following story helped me. Well, she more than helped me; she saved me and she changed my life. The Ushers died about ten years ago. However, their children always invite me to the Usher Family Reunion every year, held on the second Sunday in June. Never having had a family, as a child, this means a lot to me. Last Sunday, I took many pictures and put them to video and placed them on YouTube for the family to see. It is very hot and humid in Shawnee, Georgia and many of the people are elderly and there are many very young children. I would like to ask if there are a few of you who might help me purchase four Aloha Breeze 20" Industrial Fans from Wal-Mart to mount under the wooden, tin roof of the building so it would be a little more comfortable for that family. The fans cost about $35.00 each. I have enough money to purchase the wiring and plug-in receptacles and my son will drive me from Brunswick to Shawnee and install the fans. The Usher Family has never asked anything from me and they have added so much to my life and the life of my children. WHO CARES? I sat there watching her as she read the local newspaper. I in a chair and her on the antique couch in her living-room. I was not sure why I was even there. Who were these strange people anyway? Why would someone invite a total stranger into their home and give them food and a place to sleep? It was true that I was just a kid. But still that made no difference. They were still strangers to me. There had to be a catch somewhere. There had to be something in it for them. No one is kind to someone else for no reason at all. I would glance at the television and then once in a while I would look back at her face. I watched as she read and changed the expressions on her face. All at once I noticed tears running down her cheeks. "Are you ok?" I asked her. She reached over and she picked up a tissue. She wiped her eyes and then she looked directly at me. "I was just reading an article. It said that four teenagers were killed today in an automobile accident over on University Boulevard," she told me. "But why would you cry for them? You don't even know them," I told her. "I cry for them because they lost their lives at such a young age."\ "I ain't never cried for nobody.'Course I ain't never known nobody that died before either," I told her. She put the newspaper down, sat up onto the edge of the couch and she looked directly into my eyes. "I was told by the juvenile authorities that you were rather a hard- nosed boy. Is that true?" She asked. "I guess. I don't know," I responded. "I don't think that it is true at all," She said. "I can tell that just by looking into your face and your eyes. The truth of the matter is that you do not know how to feel about certain things," she continued. I just sat there not having the slightest idea of what to say back to her. She just sat there staring at me. I looked down at the carpet and then I turned my head and I began to watch the television. "Let me get us a coca cola and let's go out on the front porch," she said, as she got up from the couch. I really didn't want to go out onto the front porch. I knew that I would be asked a bunch of dumb questions. Questions that I could not possibly answer. I just wanted to be left alone until I was returned to the juvenile shelter the next morning. Nevertheless, I got up and I walked out onto the porch. I stood there waiting for her to return. The next thing I knew it was almost four in the morning. She and I had talked for almost five hours. I don't really remember what all was said. I do remember her hugging me and my body going limp, my arms to my sides. I did not know how to react to someone hugging me. I had never felt such a strange thing before. I lay in my bed all night feeling numb and confused. I think I tried to cry but I just couldn't. My life continued to spiral out of control for many years after that. I made my way to the reform school, jail and then on to prison at age twenty-one. I walked out of prison on February 6th, 1969, at age twenty-four, never to get in trouble again. That's been thirty- eight years ago last February. Whatever I have accomplished in my life is due to that woman putting her arms around a very confused juvenile delinquent that night. A lady who later became my foster mother. A total stranger who took the time to make me feel that I had a worth in the world. Someone who made me feel that I was worth talking to; that I was worth having a bottle of coca cola. It is amazing how much money the county, and state probably spent on unwanted children like me. That woman accomplished more in five hours than did the state in fourteen years. All for the price of a bottle of coca cola and a free hug. --Roger -<>- .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ Soldier Dad \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >Will you give this to my daddy !!!!! As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support "Red Fridays." Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and ho me without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon." The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, their were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American. RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday. . WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE. THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD. HAVE A GREAT DAY. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Who Is He? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/who.html Most Valuable http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuable.html Cost Of A Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/costofchild.htm For All Mothers And Fathers! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mum.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html God's Little Love Notes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/notes.html HERO! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Notes To God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cnotes.html Price Of Children http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/child.html Real Three Bears! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bears.html Luxury Golf Carts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/golfcarts.html Auto MotorPlex http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/automotorplex.html Luxury Yacht http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/luxyacht.html Play With Harley! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/harley.html Volkner Mobil RV! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rv.html Extreme Camping! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/camp.html Amazing Street-Legal Airplane http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/transition.html -<>- >From Our Friend Jo Ann :) She sent us one we have here... Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html --- ...An Awesome one! Thanks Jo Ann! -<>- >From Our Friend Jo Ann And KarenF :) My God How Great Thou Art! http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=KL6WYLNX --- ...Most beautiful! Thanks Ladies! -<>- >From Our Friend KarenF :) J MOOS http://tinyurl.com/m9n4t36 --- ..TeeHee! Too weird for me! Thanks KarenF! -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) This is very interesting. I suspect these eagles are not only curious but territorial and are escorting this 'stranger' from their turf! Blessings, -Pat Gliding with eagles over Kodiak, Alaska | Alaska Dispatch http://tinyurl.com/nxput3z Father takes his daughter up for her first plane ride in the new family plane. Lainey is nervous at first, but then begins to enjoy the experience. The video is very moving and will likely bring tears to your eyes. http://tinyurl.com/lcdyktx --- ...Sweet! Thanks PatDeE! Every Man's dream Woman or... What Daddies need to be teaching their big girls... http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=qrhSf8CEgC8 --- ...Oh My! Now That's packing some punch! Love it! Thanks PatDeE! 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 LughAndLift: .---. /` ___|`\ |_/ \| ( -/- ) Minister Dad \_ - _/ .-'|_|'-. / \ / O \ / _____!_____ \ /.-------------.\ \| ,;, |/ | ;;; | | ;;;;;;;;; | | `';;;'` | | ;;; | | ;;; | | ::: | | ';' | | | _| _ __ __ _|_ jgs_/ _ __ ___ __ _\_ _/ __ ___ _ ___ __ _ \_ >Whatever You Do, Do It for Him (By Glynnis Whitwer and Tarnie Coleman) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) Tarnie treasures her early morning walks around the neighborhood before her two toddlers wake up and the day flies into high gear. One particular Sunday morning was especially beautiful ... the sky was azure blue, the air clean and crisp, and the quiet was accented only by the songs of a few cheerful birds and an occasional car. As she turned a corner and started the second leg of her walk, she noticed a beat-up Cherokee ahead of her, driving on the wrong side of the street ... the same side she was walking on. The car stopped, then started, stopped, then started again. Unfortunately it was a very loud car, which disturbed the peace of her morning. Still optimistic and determined to enjoy her walk, Tarnie thought it would be short-lived ... either she would pass the vehicle or it would turn someplace else. Neither happened. The two kept an annoying pace with each other as the car would start and stop, and Tarnie walked ahead of it, then behind it. Tarnie soon realized it was a newspaper delivery man, tossing out papers to those houses on his route. He seemed about 50 years old, and his face was expressionless as he alternately read his map and tossed the papers to the correct houses. Tarnie was frustrated. She wanted the peace and quiet of that beautiful Sunday morning so she could talk with God before getting the family ready for church. But all she got was a strange dance with a newspaper delivery man. Why had God allowed this picture-perfect walk to be so annoyingly interrupted, she wondered. As she started paying more attention to this man in the beat-up car delivering his papers, she realized he was not simply throwing the papers on the driveways ... not just whipping them out to land where ever they might land ... but instead he was intentionally tossing them. This caught her attention and she watched some more. As she did, she realized that each paper he tossed landed right next to, or right on top of, the other newspaper lying on the driveway that had already been delivered. Now, each driveway had two papers, right next to each other. "How great to come out of your house and only have to bend down once to get your papers!" Tarnie thought. What at first seemed an annoyance was actually a show of selfless courtesy. But this was a show that will never be seen, known about, or even appreciated by most of those homeowners who would likely walk outside, grab their papers and go about their days. But Tarnie noticed, and even more importantly, God noticed. She immediately thought of Colossians 3:23 and 24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" (NIV). She realized that if she were delivering papers to Jesus' house, she would make sure they were right next to the other papers so He would only have to bend down once. Tarnie learned a lot that "noisy" early morning. God was speaking to her after all. Watching a normal paper delivery man in a beat-up car, driving on the wrong side of the street, and doing his job in an extraordinary way ... as if He were doing it for the Lord ... was a priceless learning experience. She was reminded that everything - everything - can be done for Jesus! "Dear Lord, thank You for teaching us important biblical lessons through everyday events. Thank You for instilling value and worth in even the most humble tasks. Help me to keep a right attitude about my daily work, and remember that it's all for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. " SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ============================================================== _ ____ Baseball Dad __ / \ .' '. ____......------""""""""````` `\ | `::-/'-....-'\--""``` | | :: | | | | ,:'-\.-''''-./--..___ / jgs \_/ '.____.' ````````````"""""""------------' >My Dad, the Ump Story Editor: by Trisha Mason Joyce Schowalter Texas USA When we were kids my dad sometimes announced our baseball games over the PA system. He called out the batters' names, the count and the play in the field in his big friendly voice. In between innings he sang out an old baseball chant: "Visit the concession stand, Get your Pea Corn, Pop Nuts, Chewing Water and Soda Gum!" Dad always volunteered to umpire our games. He said he didn't think he would be a good team coach because he would push us to win all the time instead of to enjoy the game. So he umpired. One day in 1968 when he was umpping second base I was at bat. The pitch came fast and fell right into the sweet spot on my bat. The crack was wonderful to hear and I was off and running for first base. While racing for first I saw the centerfielder miss the catch, so when I touched first I made the curve and headed for second. Then someone snagged my sleeve and said, "Get back on first!" It was my Dad. He had seen what I hadn't; the centerfielder had the ball and was throwing it to second. I quickly backtracked to first base. I don't remember the rest of the game and probably wouldn't remember that incident -- except for what happened after the game. My Dad came up to and apologized. He said what he'd done was wrong, that he had let his feelings as a father (wanting me to win) get the way of being fair while umpping a game. He said it would never happen again because he was going to the scheduler and have himself taken off of umpiring any of his three children's games. The rest of that season dad umpired for other teams, taking time he would have spent with us, because he had promised to ump a certain number of games. He never seemed to care if we won or lost, but he always told us, with a glow of happiness, he only wanted us to enjoy playing and to play fair. Near the end of my Dad's life he suffered from Alzheimer's and rarely knew who we were, but one spring day we took him out in the wheel chair to watch his grandson, my brother's boy, play baseball. My brother announced the game and called out his son's name when it was his turn to bat. My father saw his grandson Aaron walk up to the plate and his eyes perked up, he smiled and said, "Go, Stan!" my brother's name. Tears ran down my Mom's face between innings, when my bother's voice on the PA sang out: "Visit the concession stand, Get your Pea Corn, Pop Nuts, Chewing Water and Soda Gum!" My dad had faithfully coached us at home: how to throw, catch, bat and run the bases, how to win and lose with grace. He also taught me a lesson in integrity I will never forget. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY __ .-'||'-. .' || '. / __||__ \ Football Dad | /`- -`\ | | | 6 6 | | \/\____7___/\/ .--------:\:I:II:I:/;--------. / \`:I::I:`/ \ | `------' | | \____/ | | , __ ___ , | |======| / | / _ \ |======| |======| ^| | | | | | |======| |~~~~~| | | | |_| | |~~~~~| | |\ [___] \___/ /| | \ \| |/ / `\ \ _ _.-=""=-._ _ / /' `\ '`_)\\-++++-//(_`' /' jgs ; (__|| ||__) ; ; ___\ /___ ; '. ---/-=..=-\--- .' `""` `""` "Z" was picking up toys and vacuuming the living room. She took the washing outside to hang it up. When she came back inside the lounge was a big mess again. She told her sons, "You are driving me crazy." Later that day, they went out for a walk. They met an elderly couple who stopped and asked the boys' names. "I'm Zack. I'm Zerjei and I'm Zander," said the youngest. Then pointing at "Z", Zander said, "This is Mommy. She's crazy!" -- Z. Green of Christchurch, New Zealand The other night Kim was explaining their plans for the weekend to Katie, 3. Kim explained that they would be going to Huntington, W.V. to meet Muther (Kim's mom). She said they would spend the night at the Hampton Inn before Katie and her brother would go home with Muther to spend the week. Katie looked at Kim very seriously and said, "Is the Hampton Inn where Humpty Dumpty lives?" -- Kim Davidson of Kendallville, Indiana kayaking Dad _/\. /_ .^\ / ^. \ _.'^ . ^'. /_. / _\ --.`_~^ - .. /_/ ^ \`\_ ~ ~_ -~_`^ -~ ~^ _~~^~ _ ~^~_~ ^ -/.'_ / | '. \ /\_ '--.. '---.. .". /`-/___^ ^ \ `\ .'^.\_ '-. ~. / | \ '.'. ^ `--^--'|##|'---`-' /_. \ _\ -.__ ~ '. '---. / I \ _ ___ .;;``\/. ' /_/ ^'. _ ^~./ I \ ~^-, .;;;;`\;;, \// . /_, / _\ --.. _ ~ ^~ - / I \ - ~/;;;' `-----;._ .' \ '. ~- ^ ; ,;";, ;. |;;' _., /_.' ^. '_\ ~ '-. '. ; /_|_|_\ ; : \;;' .-' \ . _/'^ . ^ \_ _ '-. '. '. | [_______] | ; |;' / | / _/ | '\ '. '. ; : ; | (| ' ' |) | : /;;' _,=\__..--` /_/ ^.' ^ \ '._\ '. : ; | \_-_/ | \;,=" ___ ' . .' -/ | '. `\ : : ;: |.--"\=/"--.()))" ._ ,;;; `\ /`-/ -^.' ^\ ` -.`\ : ; : (_\ | _;=",./ |;;, |. \ .' --'-,^ .'-.---^-` ; : : ; / |_,="` |-; --. `;;,__/'._//.-' \\|###| / . ' : : _((()/ | \ | .~~._ `''-.. ' `// ' ' __ _.=" ||\__/ \__/|| ^~ `\ ' . . ' .--'` \=" ||`;;;;;;;`||.--~~~^^^~-. .--^, `\ .' . | / .-~~-.| \';;;;;'/ | .--~. -' ___ `\ |/.-- \ _.-'~^~' | `-===-' | ^~~. ,;;;;`\ ://, ' . ;' ,~~^. |^ , ~ - _ ~ .~~-. /::, `\~. `-. _. ~. `~ ^ -~^ - ^ ; _/;;, | : ~. '-._ .__. ~.__ .-~~~--._ .-/;;, \ ^. jgs '._ `=._ ^~._ .__, ;^~ _.-' ~~. .--~~-.__.^ ~. '. The Davidson family is six months into the long process of adopting internationally. Katie, 3, is having a particularly hard time understanding why they can't just go "pick Claire up" each time they go to turn in paper work. The other night they were putting Katie to bed and she said, very calmy, "Claire called me today on my princess cell phone... She said that she is doing fine, but that she is ready to come home!" The Morris family recently traveled to Qatar to visit their son, who is a career Army officer, and their son's family. They were noticing that they didn't see any animals around so Carol asked Jared, 5, why. He said, "Well, Grandma, there are two reasons. One, they hide in the desert. Two, there aren't any!" -- Carol Morris of Auburn, Indiana |\ \\ .-"""-|| / _\__ || |/____`|| ((__,__)| | __.'/ Snorkle Dad '.(_).' .--' '--. /` `\ / \_._|_._/ \ / /| |\ \ / .' | -:- | '. \ \ \ | -:- | / / \ \ |___.___| / / \ \| |/ / | (|'-._.-'|) | \_/| | |\_/ \ | / | | | (_ | _) | | | | | | \ | / jgs_.-'-|-'-._ .-' / \ '-. )_ / \ _( './ \.' Leah was just getting back into her car at the gas station when a sheriff's car pulled in. Leah's car was blocking his way, so she quickly started the car and backed up so he could get by. As he pulled around me, Leah smiled and said, "Sorry..." Her 14-year-old daughter Sarah commented, "Gee, Mom -- if that had been anyone other than a sheriff, you'd have said, 'Stupid...' " Leah vehemently denied it, of course. But after some consideration, she realized she was right! (Leah comments that nobody knows you like your kids.) -- Leah of Tampa, Florida Carter, 5, has been bugging his daddy to quit smoking. The other day his mother was going to the drug store and Carter told her to get daddy a shoulder pad. At first she wasn't quite sure what he meant, then it dawned on her, he meant "the patch." -- Vicki (Carter's mom) of Navarre, Ohio .-. / \ ____\___/ Bowling Dad \ /\ / \____ |\ | \ __ ((() / / -= / \ ///\ _jgs____/___/________________________________-=______\__/______\\\/ When Carter was 3 he had a sleepover at Grandma Elaine's house. In the morning they were having orange juice and Carter made a strange face and told Grandma there was hair in his orange juice. Of course, it was the pulp. Kelly is a large collector of rocks, shells, gems, etc. Their family is leaving soon for a trip to Hawaii. Kelly told them that one place they have to go is "Black Pearl Harbor" so she can look for oysters with black pearls in them. \//// |. .| ( \ ) Weight Lifting Dad \_-_/ __/ \__ /` ^ `\ _ ( \_' % '_/ ) _ [_]--' /| _|_ |\ '--[_] (_\---' | -|- | '---/_) [_] )_____( [_] /\ /\ | \_/ | | | | \ / \ / /-| |-\ ///\ ///\ | | | | =|||(========|||(== \| |/ \\\/ \\\/ jgs / / \ \ \/ \/ Apparently, Kelly must have seen a grasshopper making a high leap in the yard the other day, as she came running in the door shouting, "Mommy! Mommy! I think I just saw Tinkerbell!" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida Casey, 8 was recently asked by the coach of a kids softball team if he would be interested in playing. The sign-up time had passed but since it was very early in the season and they needed another player, they made an exception. Casey has never played on a team but is a really good ball player. He came home and handed his mom the name and telephone number of the coach and then stated very matter-of-factly: "Mom, this team really needs me!" -- Traci Walker (mother of Casey) of Lebanon, Tennessee .--. _/__ ) 0)0`>|_ /V\ \-_.-_ `; /'_/\_ /_. './ Fisherman Dad ;._ `/ `` | |^ '-;._ _.' | |^ ^ ||``` | .'| ^ ^|| | `'`|^ ^ ^|\__,.--;' | ^ ^ | | | ;^ ^ ^; | / \^ ^/\)| | | ^| | | /'-'\ \_ | / .. | |'- | |/ `\| | | | | _|,__| (_/ .' jgs (_.' The Schreiner family had "Family Night" on Memorial Day and they learned about the origin of Memorial Day. Tiffani was telling their three daughters about how the children would participate in a parade and Rebekah, 5, excitedly said, "They had kids back then?!" -- Tiffani Schreiner of Bloomington, Minnesota ,%&& %&& % ,%&%& %&%& %& %& %&% &%&% % &% % &%% %&% &% %&%&, &%&% %&%& %& &%& % %%& %&%& %&%&% %&%%& &%&% %&% % %& &% %%& Relax-A-Dad && %&% %&%& %&% %&%' '%&% %&% %&&%&%%'% % %& %& %&% &%% `\%%.' /`%&' | | /`-._ _\\/ |, |_ / `-._ ..--~`_ |; |_`\_ / ,\\.~` `-._ - ^ |;: |/^}__..-,@ .~` ~ `o ~ |;: |(____.-' '. ~ - ` ~ |;: | \ / `\ //. - ^ ~ |;: |\ /' /\_\_ ~. _ ~ - //- jgs\\/;: \'--' `---` `\\//-\\/// Zack, 9, and his dad Rick were both past due for a haircut. Zack woke up on haircut day and said how glad he would be to get it cut. He said that it was getting very tangly in the mornings. His father told him that he was also glad to get his cut, as it got tangly. too. Zack told him, "Dad, your hair doesn't get tangly... your hair is like... like... like prairie grass." (He meant rather thin and wispy.) -- Joella Givens (mother and wife) of Roseville, Minnesota ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend KarenF :) _________________ (`-----------------') '-. D A D ' S .-' ,| _||_ .-. |, //| -||- |/|| |\\ || | || | || \\| _||_ |// `\ '----' /` '.___ ___.' | | __| |__ _/ \_ jgs |Loving Cup!| '-----------' >The Masterpiece God took the strength of a mountain, The majesty of a tree, The warmth of a summer sun, The calm of a quiet sea, The generous soul of nature, The comforting arm of night, The wisdom of the ages, The power of the eagle's flight, The joy of a morning in spring, The faith of a mustard seed, The patience of eternity, The depth of a family need. Then God combined these qualities. When there was nothing more to add, He knew His masterpiece was complete, And so, He called it ... "DAD!" ~ Yolanda Cohen ~ --- ...Excellent! Thanks KarenF! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chrristian 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 DAARE 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 ************************************************************************