Happy Flag Day! ... :) 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! ================ *~* Happy Blessed Flag Day And Father's Day Weekend! :) ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # I Am Old Glory: For more than ten score years I have been the banner of hope and freedom for generation after generation of Americans. Born amid the first flames of America's fight for freedom, I am the symbol of a country that has grown from a little group of thirteen colonies to a united nation of fifty sovereign states. Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American Faith my gently fluttering folds have proved an inspiration to untold millions. Men have followed me into battle with unwavering courage. They have looked upon me as a symbol of national unity. They have prayed that they and their fellow citizens might continue to enjoy the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, which have been granted to every American as the heritage of free men. So long as men love liberty more than life itself; so long as they treasure the priceless privileges bought with the blood of our forefathers; so long as the principles of truth, justice and charity for all remain deeply rooted in human hearts, I shall continue to be the enduring banner of the United States of America. Poems of Patriotism http://www.usflag.org/poetry.html -<>- _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | Now some of you may know this, but today is also President Trump's birthday! Yes. He was born on Flag Day, June 14 1946! He is now 72. Do you think maybe this is why he is so patriotic and has such deep respect for our American Flag? Happy Blessed Birthday President Trump! May God continue to bless you as you work hard for all of us Americans! Wish President Trump Happy Birthday! SIGN THE CARD >>> https://tinyurl.com/y9ptljtf -<>- Today is President Donald J. Trump's birthday, which coincides with both National Flag Day and the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Army. Read the President's Flag Day Proclamation... https://tinyurl.com/y8dygv86 -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) These flaming hot new pages are from our friend Linda. While I was aware of some of these, others just floored me. It just shows how amazing our world is! Be sure to check both of these out here... %%%% %%%%-( _%%%%%_/ \ ' / _%%%%%%%% - (_) - _%%%%%%%/ \% / , \ %%%%%%%%%\\ \_ %%%%%% \ \\ ) /\_/ /(___. \ '----' ( / ) ---....____/ (_____ __ _ ___ ___ __ _ _ _____ _ _ ___ / )---...___ =-= = -_= -=_= _-=_-_ -=- =-_ ,' ( ```--.._= -_= -_= _-=- -_= _=- ,-' ) ``--._=-_ =-=_-= _-= _ '-._ '-..___( ``-._=_-=_- =_-= ``---....__) `-._-=_-_=- )|)| `-._=-_ gnv '-'-.\_ `-. World's Unique Beaches http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uniquebeaches.html Yesterday I saw a video of a family enjoying the water at Lake Tahoe that I just had to add to this page. Check it out and see if you don't agree it is one of the cutest family videos... World's Unique Beaches 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uniquebeaches2.html --- ...Absolutely beautiful and strange! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: My grandfather always said that living is like licking honey off a thorn. -- Louis Adamic .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >MY REAL DAD by Tina Gomez Christmas 2001 was the first Christmas I spent without my dad. He died in September of that year. When I was growing up I didn't really get along with my dad. I was constantly fighting with him and not listening to him. But when I got older we got along so much better, I don't know why. Maybe because he had stopped doing drugs. He was a heroin addict practically my whole life, and about eight years before he died, he entered a drug program and had been clean ever since. He even got to see my son being born. That's all he ever talked about in his meetings -- how he was there to see his first grandchild being born. He ended up with three grandkids, my son and my brother’s son and daughter. He loved them so much. He spent a lot of time with them and tried to spend time with us too. There were five of us -- I was the oldest at 27, with three brothers ages 21, 14 and 12, and the youngest girl had just turned 10. I guess he was trying to make up for lost time. We knew he had started to get sick, but never really knew how bad until the last year or so. Doing drugs for so long had worn his body down and now he needed a liver transplant. He would end up in the hospital every now and then for a couple of days, but that would be it, nothing real bad. He even spent Christmas 2000 in the hospital. That tiny room was so full, there was all five of us -- three grandkids and my step mom. Too bad we didn't have a camera. I’d give anything to have a picture of that day. We still had our ups and downs, but we always made up. I even got to live with him for a couple months the year before he died. I remember one time while living there I had went out with my cousin and didn't get home until 4am. I was trying to open the door real quiet when my dad pulled it open. I thought I was busted! Here I was, 27 years old thinking I was going to be grounded or something for coming in too late! But all he did was ask where I went and we talked for about an hour before going to bed. Then in September, the month he died, he ended up in the hospital for two weeks, the longest he had ever been in there. When he got out he was told he had six months to live. What!? Not my dad! He was supposed to be there to see his kids and grandkids grow up. Two weeks later he couldn't even get out of bed or talk very well, but we knew when he was telling us he loved us. It was hard for me to go see him that often. I lived an hour away and worked and went to school. Then my car was stolen -- what a time for that to happen. On September 28, the day after my sister's birthday we got to go see him and spend the day with him. By this time he wasn't even responding or opening his eyes. We still sat with him and talked to him. Two days later, the day we were going to have my sister's birthday party, I got a call at work from my aunt telling me my dad had died. The hardest thing I ever had to do was tell my little sister and one of my brothers that our dad had died. My other brothers were already at my dad's house. They kept him home so all the family could come and say goodbye. I tried to understand why he died after doing so well -- he stopped doing drugs and even married my stepmom. I was mad at first, because I thought, "Why did he even quit drugs? He didn't get sick until he quit!" But if he hadn't quit, he wouldn't have seen my son being born and he wouldn't have had a relationship with any of his kids or grandkids. He wouldn't have met and married my stepmom and I wouldn't have realized how much I loved this man who raised me and called me his daughter when he didn't have to. My stepdad, Leonard Fernandez. My real dad if you ask me. -- Tina Gomez -<>- He didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it. -- Clarence Budington Kelland __.--._ .' L `.--._ `/ c '` \ `. : ; `. | ; \ /`. | ' / \ / -.\ \ ^ ;/ _ \ : \`.:/ \| `.| ; | :'' ' ; | | |`. _/_ ; [bug] : : `-._____/ `. / \ | :/ , V\ /"\ __.--; _ : `./ / ; ; : |\_/ | \L _..--. `.L.' |`. __ | | ;`. ; _ \\' `. /`+'.'`. | | | | \CT_; `-. ' / / | |-_| | .-'`.___. `-. / / ; : ; :.-' `-./ /. / \/_/ _ \/ `./ " `._.' >FATHER'S DAY ROOKIE by Joseph Walker Technically, Adam is a father this Father's Day. I know -- he hasn't changed a single diaper, or taken a turn staying up late with a fussy baby. He hasn't rocked his son to sleep, or bounced him on his knee, or tucked him sweetly in his cradle. And there isn't one spit up stain on any of his jackets or collars. But he's still a father this Father's Day. Technically. Adam's first child won't actually be born until September. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we already know he is a boy -- he and Andrea have named their son Alexander -- and that he has Adam's nose and, according to one observer anyway, Andrea's eyes (although I can't for the life of me figure out how anyone could tell that -- I mean, his eyes are still closed, for Pete's sake!). So Adam is still a rookie when it comes to being a father. He's doing a great job of taking care of Andrea through a sometimes-difficult pregnancy, so he's earning his stripes there. But he's yet to step up to the plate and take his first swings at hands-on fatherhood. So you can't blame him if he's a little nervous about it. These are, after all, life's ultimate Big Leagues. The margin for error is slight. You can go from Hall of Fame Father to bush league dad with one raging outburst of anger and frustration. Plus, the other team has great pitchers throwing hard, dirty stuff at you -- stuff like drugs, alcohol, gangs, cynicism and indifference. It's tough being a good dad under the best of circumstances. These days, with an extraordinary array of negative influences swirling all around us and blurring our values and priorities, it can be overwhelming. Especially for a rookie. Thankfully, Adam has a great image in his mind of what a father can and should be. He had a terrific dad, with whom he had a close and loving relationship. He has seen and experienced the positive influence of a good father in his life. But his dad passed away some time ago, so he won't be available to provide on-the-job training and encouragement. His mom is a great lady, and she'll fill in as much as she can. Andrea will certainly put in her two-cents worth from time to time -- you can count on that. And he has older friends and family members who will share their insights, experiences and -- occasionally -- warnings. But for the most part, he's going to be on his own, trying to figure out fatherhood as he goes along. Which is pretty much what we all do, now that I think about it. My dad was around for my first 25 years of fathering, and I did solicit his input from time to time. But for the most part I just winged it. And with Anita's help and God's, things turned out OK -- if you don't count the overwrought late-night lectures, the "Russia has just taken over America" experiment and the incident in the cul-de-sac. Don't ask. Fatherhood isn't a science, it's an art. Which means that there are precious few hard and fast rules, and almost no absolutes. There are no textbooks, no laboratories, no scientifically calculated models that can turn you into a good father. It's something you can only learn by doing -- which means that what you do will occasionally be... well... wrong. But guided by love and fortified by faith, you can overcome your mistakes. And so, thank God, can your children. Even if you're a rookie. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) \|/ AXA /XXX\ \XXX/ `^' >A Simple Pineapple - MUST Read The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today. It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually made up of dozens of individual floweret's that grow together to form the entire fruit. Each scale on a pineapple is evidence of a separate flower. Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. No special way of storing them will help ripen them further. Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness. Choose your pineapple by smell. If it smells fresh, tropical and sweet, it will be a good fruit. The more scales on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste. After you cut off the top, you can plant it. It should grow much like a sweet potato will. This delicious fruit is not only sweet and tropical; it also offers many benefits to our health. Pineapple is a remarkable fruit. We find it enjoyable because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may also be one of the most healthful foods available today. If we take a more detailed look at it, we will find that pineapple is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or sinusitis. The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps get rid of intestinal worms. Let's look at how pineapple affects other conditions. Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue. A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75% of the recommended daily amount. It is particularly helpful to older adults, whose bones tend to become brittle with age. Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's value. Proteolytic means "breaks down protein", which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It helps the body digest proteins more efficiently. Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory. Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis. It also produces mild pain relief. In Germany, bromelain is approved as a post-injury medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation and swelling. Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a cold because it is high in Vitamin C. Fresh pineapple is not only high in this vitamin, but because of the Bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucous in the throat. If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to your diet. It is commonly used in Europe as a post-operative measure to cut mucous after certain sinus and throat operations. Those individuals who eat fresh pineapple daily report fewer sinus problems related to allergies. In and of itself, pineapple has a very low risk for allergies. Pineapple is also known to discourage blood clot development. This makes it a valuable dietary addition for frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood clots. An old folk remedy for morning sickness is fresh pineapple juice. It really works! Fresh juice and some nuts first thing in the morning often make a difference. It's also good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages plaque growth. DO SHARE THIS INFORMATIVE ARTICLE!! --- ...Wow! Who knew? Thanks Linda! I wonder if they have pineapple pills? I don't like pineapple. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ___________,_____ | | # |=====| | | (_) |=====| |> _ |_____|=====| | [_] | | | | |_____|=====| | | |_____| | ] |_____| | | |_____|=====| | | ___ |_____| |> |[___]| | | |[___]|=====| |_____|=====|_____| jgs [###########] >I Remember Papa When I was a kid, a father was like the light in a refrigerator. Every house had one, but nobody knew what either of them did once the door was shut. My dad left the house every morning and always seemed glad to see everyone at night. He opened the jar of pickles when nobody else could. He was the only one in the house who wasn't afraid to go to the basement by himself. He cut himself shaving, but no one kissed it or got excited about it. It was understood whenever it rained, he got the car and brought it around to the door. When anyone was sick, he got the prescription filled. He set mousetraps, cut back the roses to the thorns, wouldn't clip you when you came to the front door. When I got a bike, he ran alongside me for at least a thousand miles until I got the hang of it. I was afraid of everyone else's father, but not my own. Once I made him tea. It was only sugar water, but he sat on a small chair and said it was delicious. Whenever I played house, the mother doll had a lot to do. I never knew what to do with the daddy doll, so I had him say, "I'm going off to work now," and threw him under the bed. When I was nine years old, my father didn't get up one morning and go to work. He went to the hospital and died the next day. I went to my room and felt under my bed for the daddy doll. When I found him, I dusted him off and put him on my bed. He never did anything - I didn't know his leaving would hurt so much. I still don't know why. -<>- Get a Kleenex Buffalo says This was meant to be in our Memorial Day mailing but it does say a lot about a Father's relationship with his son. Change the dates and names and it is something that some of you may have felt. \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz Letters from Bobby Dear Dad, July 10, 1959 Camp is fun!! We played baseball yesterday afternoon. My team won the game. Today we went hiking in the woods. My friend Ted found a snake and got bit, so he had to go to the nurse. He's going home tomorrow. Camp is over in two weeks. I can't wait to come home and tell everyone how much fun I had here. I can't wait to tell you, mom, and Sarah all about it. Your son, Bobby PS. I'll see you when I get home. ~~~ Dad, June 28th, 1967 It's around 9pm right now. I am really tired. Boot camp is harder than I thought it would be. But we are learning a lot. It's the early morning wake up calls that get to me. I think I made the right decision in going into the military. It rained all day. We were all covered in mud because we had to run and crawl through it. I miss everyone!! Gotta get to sleep now. Love, Bobby PS. I'll see you when I get home! ~~~ Dad, January 3, 1968 It's hell over here. Somedays I feel like I have no mind left in my skull. I'm sorry I missed Sarah's 16th birthday. The days seem to run together now. Hard for me to imagine my little sister being so old now. Tell her that I love her, ok? We went to a small village last week. I told you before how our platoon leader is a real SOB--it's hard for me to tell you this..he blew this Vietnamese guy's face off. I can't take it. The only reason he did it was because he couldn't understand what the guy was saying. The set their little huts on fire with lighters. They call it Zippo parties. I have never been so scared in my life. Everyone's scared. You can see it in their eyes. It might be different if we knew these people we're killing-but you gotta get them before they get you. The worst time is whenever everything is quiet. This one guy named Sam just sits and stares a lot. Usually when it's too quiet. He's been here longer than me. It's hard to get close to anyone here, Dad. One of my buddies hit a landmine and not much was left of him. I want to come home! That won't be for a while. Miss you all! Bobby PS. See you when I get home! ~~~ Dear Bobby, July 6th, 1998 I miss you so much, Son. Sorry I haven't written in so long. Every time I would start to--I would break down. It seemed that while the war was going on, time went by so slowly. Now..well, I guess things haven't changed that much. I'm still waiting for you to walk through the front door. To hear your foot falls in the hall in the mornings. They closed down the old High School. They are talking about putting in a mini-mall. We still have all of your letters. We keep them in a steel box in the attic. Your mother pulled them out last night again. She sat up for a long time, reading each line. Sarah married in 1973. You would have liked her husband, Greg. They have four kids. Sarah told them all about you, Bobby. She misses you every day. I am 72 years old now. But time stands still for you, Son. You will always be 19 to me. I just wanted to remind you how much I love you. Your picture still sits on the mantle at home. You are in my heart forever. Everytime that I run my fingers across your name on this Wall..I swear I can still feel you standing beside me. I wish I could change it all. There is no way for me to explain to you the pain we felt when we were told of your death. But I will always be very proud of you. Happy Birthday, Bobby. I am leaving this letter here at the base of this Wall for you. You are finally home. In Heaven with God. Rest Well. Dad PS. I'll see you when I get home.(1998) -<>- _____________________________ /_ __ __ ___ ___ __ _\ _ |__)(__)|[]|(___) (___)/| | (_| ( ) | | | || | | | o [,-.____|__|___________||__|,-.] | __o o _/\ `-' ejm98 |/ `-' | ( \ _]| ) _ c / \ ;(*) /\ |[_ (*).; >A touching story for Father's Day [From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly] I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots. But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck. Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day. Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right? And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life. This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain- damaged and unable to control his limbs. "He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;" Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution." But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. ``No way,'' Dick says he was told. ``There's nothing going on in his brain.'' "Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain. Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? ``Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, ``Dad, I want to do that.'' Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described ``porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. ``Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. ``I was sore for two weeks.'' That day changed Rick's life. ``Dad,'' he typed, ``when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!'' And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard- belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon. ``No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year. Then somebody said, ``Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?'' How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried. Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think? Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says. Dick does it purely for ``the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together. This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time. ``No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.'' And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. ``If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, ``you probably would've died 15 years ago.'' So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life. Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every > weekend, including this Father's Day. That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy. ``The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, ``is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.'' -<>- ,sdPBbs. ,d$$$$$$$$b. d$P'`Y'`Y'`?$b d' ` ' \ `b / | \ \ / / \ | \ _,--' | \ | /' _/ \ | \ _/' /' | \ `-.__ __/' ,-' / | | \ `--...__ /' / | / \ \ `-. `\ / /;;,,__-' / / \ \ `-. / |;;;;;;;\ \ >WALKING THE PATH By: Joseph J. Mazzella Growing up in these rugged mountains of West Virginia I have had the joy of walking many trails and paths over the years. There have been ones that went across sun-drenched meadows and there have been ones that went through shady woods. There have been ones next to roaring rivers and there have been ones next to peaceful lakes. There have been ones going uphill and there have been ones going downhill. There have been smooth, grassy ones and there have been ones full of rocks and holes. Still, each one has had its own special delight. I have loved walking along them all too even though I have stumbled and fallen a few times. When it comes to the path of my life, however, I have stumbled and fallen more than just a few times. Actually, I have hit the ground more times than I can count. It hasn't always been a grassy trail over a sun-drenched meadow for me. It has been a path full of twists, turns, rocks, holes, and obstacles as well. I haven't always kept my eyes on the road or my hand in God's either. Still, no matter how many times I have ended up face down in the dirt God has always been there to forgive me and help me back up. I have learned too that it doesn't matter how many times you stumble and fall. It only matters how many times you get back up. Even if you stumble and fall one million times then you need to rise up and try again one million and one. God is always there waiting to forgive you and help you to walk your life's path one more time. I can see too now why God sent me along this path my life has taken. It lead me to where I am now. Without the growth it gave, learning it provided, and even falls it dealt me I would not be who I am today. I plan on continuing down my life's path then doing all the good I can and helping others along the way. I plan on walking it with a smile on my face, a song on my lips, love in my heart, joy in my soul, and my hand firmly in God's. I know it is leading me home. -<>- .--. .--. / ' .\ |'. ( .-. \ \ . ` /\. /`. / ) ( `.' .' '--'` (\ \.' .' ) \`. \ _/ _..--' `. \ /`'<_/ : )"'``..`-3 : :. `"'. ) / |-.'' (_.-._ | / ( .'`--..J ' |-'( |_| | : >` '. .'' : | Y | < | : > ' \ `_ : '` \ / :- ' || : / ./: | \ .'J /_ ) : | '% | a:f /.-.`). : I | / ( \ ) : .^) `-' `..-' (`"' / ===' >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 home 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 hat.. 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. HONOR THEM AND OUR FLAG EVERY DAY! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Animal Families! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfamilies.html Dog Family Portraits!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogfamilies.html Important Life Truths!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html Inspirational Life Quotes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifequotes.html Church Mouse Wisdom!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Beautiful Exotic Birds 2!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exoticbirds2.html When God Paints!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Australian Fire Tornado!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/firetornado.html Cute Australian Wildlife!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/australiaanimals.html Wild Kisses And Snuggles!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildkisses.html Australian Cockatoo Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cockatoos.html Adorable Wrinkly Puppies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wrinklypuppies.html Kisses Sweeter Than Honey!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kisses.html Real Three Bears! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bears.html Kids With Dads! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidswithdads.html Hero! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Full Moms and Dads Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/momsanddadsindex.html -<>- >Please Visit/Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/y76636qt -<>- What does the Bible say about Easter? https://tinyurl.com/ya6dydw8 Sean Hannity with Trump on North Korea https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvl6sweo8A4 What a 'Nation of faith' looks like The 161st session of the Southern Baptist Convention assembled this week in Dallas, Texas. The Convention includes more than 47,000 churches ministering to more than 15 million people, and its houses of worship can be found in all 50 states and in communities of every size. Read Vice President Pence's words in full to the Southern Baptist Convention. https://tinyurl.com/yat6sqsk Go deeper: How President Trump has stood up for religious freedom https://tinyurl.com/ybxa52f8 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Bananas http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=7 --- ...Great Info! Thanks LouiseAu! The largest flagpole in North America is 400 feet tall and flies an American Flag that is the height of 4 stories. The flag measures 60? x 120? and weighs 220 lbs. A flag of the same size but weighing 350 lbs is flown during rougher weather. This awesome tribute to America was created by Acuity Insurance and is on display at their headquarters in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. A monument at it’s base that honors Veterans that have been killed in action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls1oIstcAGw The American flag has had 50 stars on it for decades but have you ever heard the story about how the 50-Star American Flag was designed by a kid? Way back in 1958, Robert Heft was a high school student in Ohio and his history teacher gave them a class project. Robert was forward thinking and designed a flag with 50 stars in anticipation of Alaska and Hawaii becoming states. His project got a B- from his history teacher and the rest is history as they say. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6_J8rJNiB4 I’m Putting Up the Flag is about a man reflecting on why he puts up the American flag, and the freedom it symbolizes. I wish more people would be thankful for and cherish the Freedom that we have in the United States. We are in tough times both at home and abroad but I’m confident that America will come out strong if people continue to support the ideas and beliefs of the Constitution. So, I’m Putting Up the Flag and I hope you’ll put up the flag as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvHy4aIoQXU --- ...Quite Awesome! Thanks LouiseAu! We have pages to coincide with these here: Nation's Tallest Flagpole http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flagpole.html Jacob's US Flag http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jacobsflag.html WWI Human Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanart.html Proud Of Our Troops 5 Remember the Guy that Wouldn't take the Flag down in his yard? Here's His Story... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ^\_ o_/^ \ ejm97 /_^ `_ \/^ \ / ^ `\ ^ ` >Climbing Over Adversity Story Editor: By Hugh Everett Jason Wallwork Washington, USA In March of 1997, I moved to Yamagata City, Japan, to teach English in a private high school. I soon met several climbers in the area and, one day in May, a friend took me to a local climbing gym. There, I noticed a man climbing up a very steep overhanging wall. He was a highly skilled climber with excellent form -- despite that his left leg ended at mid-thigh. During a break I introduced myself. He said, "I'm Mineo Ono. You can call me John if you want! Since I married my wife, Yoko, people call me John Lennon." Later, I carefully asked Mr. Ono when and how he lost his leg. "Cancer," he replied. "They took it off in March. I'm still in the hospital, but they let me out for a day. Don't tell them I'm climbing, they'd get mad at me!" I was stunned. Here was a man two months after an amputation, climbing cheerily up harder routes than I'd ever dreamt of completing. I spent lots of time getting to know Mr. Ono that year. I visited him in the hospital and, on his days out, invited him and his wife over for dinner. He was always cheerful, even through bouts of nausea from his continuous chemotherapy treatments. His great attitude and ability to even joke about the amputation often surprised me. He said, "I've never used a computer before, and all this time in bed seemed a good opportunity to learn, so I got a laptop. I had to pay to get the phone line extended to my bed, but I'm on the Internet now. I want to study English, so let's practice." He emailed: "My name is Mineo Ono -- M. Ono. I have only one leg, so you can call me Mono!" And: "All this lying around has really made me weak. But since I lost about 10 kilograms with the leg, I can climb as well as ever." Mr. Ono was hospitalized for well over two years, with only occasional visits home. I asked Mrs. Ono if her husband ever got depressed or angry. Her reply was, "Sometimes, yes. But not as often as I would have." His good humor continued after he left the hospital. He wrote describing a small climbing accident. "I was 60 feet up and my artificial leg fell off! Luckily, it didn't land on anyone, and it wasn't badly damaged. I worried that I'd have to buy a new one; they're really expensive!" In April of 2000 I tore a ligament in my knee, and spent three weeks in the hospital. Often I became quite despondent over the loss of function and strength in my leg, and complained. Then I would remember Mr. Ono, and realize how fortunate I was. His attitude and humor in the face of such adversity were lessons I will never forget. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From AndyChaps: O ~O <|\ /|\ | ~o/ | \o ~o/ _o |\ /| |\ |\ /| |\ jgs / | / \ |// > / \ / > >Happy Father's Day, Says Andy A Happy Father's Day to The Dads on my list and those that have to be the dads to those who have none. For some of you, however, Iknow that Father's day isn't something to celebrate, but rather a day of sadness, memories of pain, or perhaps even regret. If this is true of you today, I pray that the peace and healing of God will be upon your souls this day. May God touch your inner being in just the way He knows you need it today. Here is a little funny for all of you! >A father had three very active boys. One summer evening, he was playing cops and robbers in the back yard after dinner. One of the boys "shot" his father and yelled, "Bang! You're dead!" He slumped to the ground and when he didn't get up right away, a neighbor ran over to see if he had been hurt in the fall. When the neighbor bent over, the overworked father opened one eye and said, "Shhh. Don't give me away. It's the only chance I've had to rest all day." (Andy says... Yes, I know this was an original "Mothers" Joke, but it adapts well for fathers too, don't you think?) -<>- /:""| .@@@@@, |: 66|_ @@@@@@@@, C _) aa`@@@@@@ \ ._| (_ ?@@@@ ) / =' @@@@" /`\\ \(``` || |Y| //`\ ."~~~~~". || |#| / | || | .:. | || |#| \ | || A | /6 6\ | || |#| / | || |~|_|_\ e /_|_ .@@@@, :| |=: / | |\ |_|)___`"`___(8 aa`@@@, ||_|,| | |_| \ |~~~~~~~~~| = `@@@ \)))|| | ((( | \_________/ )_/`@' |~~~`-`~~~| `~\~~~~~~| |/ /_\ \| / || @ | | `\ / ()/___\() | || @ |_________| ( || ||~~~~~|| /~|| "` |_________| | || || || /__W_\ | || | || || || ||| |_||__ __|_|| ||_____|| _||| jgs (____)) (:;:;)) ||-----|| ((___) >A FATHER A Father means so many things... A understanding heart, A source of strength and of support Right from the very start. A constant readiness to help In a kind and thoughtful way. With encouragement and forgiveness No matter what comes your way. A special generosity and always affection, too A Father means so many things When he's a man like you... -<>- _....._ .--. _.-' `-._ o/o-;;; ( `-._ _.-' ) (_, z) `:-._'---'_.-:' ,,,, _|-' / : `'''`_,-/`-._ /.. ) /\`--/"\ : [_./_ /_ _(_& _P / \_/, | : :`-/(_`_____ _\-'_/___/ /| : _.-: 8 \=__))____/ | : |'_.-: \_ | / F : | : : //`7/ / / : | :.-: (( (( L_______/ : |o : /_>/_> / Y / : |_.-': / / / : : J J J (`'-._____,-'`) | | | | | | | | | | _J__J__J (_ _) (__(_____) cjr'-..___..-' 2may01 >And so, He called it...Dad 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 -<>- 8 8 .,,aadd88P=8=Y88bbaa,,. .,ad88888P:a8P:d888b:Y8a:Y88888ba,. ,ad888888P:a8888:a8888888a:8888a:Y888888ba, ,a8888888:d8888888:d888888888b:8888888b:8888888a, ,a88888888:d88888888:d88888888888b:88888888b:88888888a, ,d88888888:d888888888:d8888888888888b:888888888b:88888888b, ,d88888888:d8888888888I:888888888888888:I8888888888b:88888888b, ,d888888888:d88888888888:88888888888888888:88888888888b:888888888b, d8888888888:I888888888888:88888888888888888:888888888888I:8888888888b d8P"' `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8:8P"' 8 `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8:8P"' `"Y8b " " " 8 " " " Normand 8 Veilleux 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 ,8, 888 888 __ Y88b,,,d88P `Y8888888P' `"""""' >Just Think About This! >"When you have a minute..." by Bob Perks <> A message of Hope, stories from the road." By Bob Perks ~~~Used by permission by Andychap for "The Funnies" an "Extra".~~~ Hello, my friend! While writing this story today, I happened to stop for a second and look out my window. There, walking the down the road, I saw a young girl carrying a dog leash. The rain was pouring down and she had no umbrella. I ran downstairs, grabbed my umbrella and went outside. "Are you looking for your dog?" I asked. "Yes, I am. His name is Banjo, he's a brown Chesapeake." she replied. She had this innocent, Howdy Doodie, freckled face that didn't hold sadness too well. I gave her my umbrella and told her to keep it. I came up to finish this story. It only took a minute to help that child. It only took a minute for me to know I had to do more. I jumped in my car and drove around the neighborhood. I didn't find him. But it only took a minute to say a prayer that she did. ====== Perks Pearl of Wisdom "It takes so little to make a big difference." Bob Perks ----- All stories are copyrighted 2002 Bob Perks. Today's Message: >When You Have A Minute I've heard that phrase so many times. I've used it myself. When you think about it, it's not much of a request and yet, we often fail to respond to it. I'll admit it. I've probably even groaned or moaned when someone asked it of me. "When you have a minute, will you read this for me?" "When you have a minute, call your Dad just to check on him." "When you have a minute, spend some time with the kids. They've been asking for you." "When you have a minute, call your doctor for the results of those tests." A minute. That's all they are asking for and yet, we think our lives are so busy and out of control that they might as well ask for a day, a week or a year of your time. None of it is possible. Or we think everything else is more important. How sad. It only takes a minute to read the following. Perhaps you'll realize how rushed your life has been and how easy it is to change it. When you have a minute, why not follow through on one of these: It only takes a minute to make a difference in the world. It only takes a minute to calm a fear. It only takes a minute to make a child feel loved. It only takes minute to hold a hand and make the pain go away. It only takes a minute to say, “I’m sorry” and prevent a lifetime of regret. It only takes a minute to stoop down to see the world through the eyes of a child and in doing so change how they see you. It only takes a minute to dial the phone and say, “I just called to say “I love you!” It only takes a minute to stop what you are doing and really listen to what someone is saying. It only takes a minute to smile and get one in return. It only takes a minute to forgive. It only takes a minute to ask to be forgiven. It only takes a minute to send an email to all the people in your address book and say, "I just wanted to take a minute to tell you how incredible you are. I am blessed to have you in my life." It only takes a minute to say a prayer. It only takes a minute to say, “Thank you, God” but a lifetime to list all the reasons. "I believe in you!" Bob Perks <> Please don't remove my name and contact info! If you are about to copy this story to share with your friends, please leave my name, email address. It is a copyrighted story and cannot be edited in any manner. Thanks! LIST OWNERS: If you would like to use just the story feature of this message you must contact me for permission. -<>- ,,,)),, .' `. _/ \_ (_ O O _) | .:(_):. | _.--\ .___. /--._ ,' |`-.___.-'| `. >--.__|| ||__.--< __/ _)l_______l(_ \___ (__\|_|_|_____________|_|_|/___) |#| /o\_______/o\ |#| |#|| _ ||#| |#|| =(.)__ ||#| |#|| ..(___/.. ||#| |#|| _ ||#| |#|| | ||#| |#|| .^. ||#| |#|l_____|_|_____l|#| .-/ /|:::::::::::::::|\ \-. |/ / |:::::::::::::::j \ \| / / /---------------\ \ \ .-/ / / \ \ \-. |/_/__/___________________\__\_\| || || `|_____________________________|' hjw >A DAD SAID (Tongue in Cheek) "You'll sit there until you eat everything on your plate." "Don't worry. It's only blood." "No, you listen to ME, Buster!" "I'll play after I read the paper, calm down." "Don't ask me, ask your mother." "Close the door, were you born in a barn?" "You didn't beat me. I let you win." "Quit acting like a baby!" "Do you think I'm made of money?" "Don't give me any of your lip, young lady." "You call that noise 'music'?" "We're not lost, I'm just not sure where we are." "No, you can't have coffee, it'll stunt your growth." "A little dirt never hurt anyone, just wipe it off." "Get your elbows off the table." "I told you, keep your eye on the ball!" "Who said life was supposed to be fair?" "You call that a haircut?" "This will hurt me a lot more than it hurts you." "'Hey' is for horses!" "If your friends jumped off a bridge would you do it too?" "This is the last time I'm telling you!" "You can marry a rich guy just as easily as you can a poor guy." "You know you're always gonna be Daddy's little girl!" "No, we're not there yet." "Shake it off. It's only pain." "When I was your age, I treated MY father with respect." "As long as you live under my roof, you live by my rules." "Because I said so, that's why." "Do what I say, not what I do." "So you think you're smart, do you?" "Wipe that smile off your face." "C'mon, you throw like a girl." "You want something to do? I'll give you something to do." "I'm not sleeping, I was watching that channel." "What do you think I am, a bank?" "What keeps those jeans of yours from falling off?" "I'm not just talking to hear my own voice!" "This is your last warning!" "What part of NO don't you understand?" "I don't care what other people are doing, I'm not everybody else's father!" "You look like a bag lady!" "You're not leaving my house dressed like that!" "I'm not watching television. I'm resting my eyes." "Am I talking to a brick wall?" "What do you think money grows on trees?" "Don't use that tone with me!" "Act your age." "Enough is enough!" "What did I just get finished telling you?" "Don't make me stop the car!" ========================================================== reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >-->A Father's Love Letter My Child ~ You may not know me, but I know everything about you ~ Psalm 139:1 I know when you sit down and when you rise up ~ Psalm 139:2 I am familiar with all your ways ~ Psalm 139:3 Even the very hairs on your head are numbered ~ Matthew 10:29-31 For you were made in my image ~ Genesis 1:27 In me you live and move and have your being ~ Acts 17:28 For you are my offspring ~ Acts 17:28 I knew you even before you were conceived ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5 I chose you when I planned creation ~ Ephesians 1:11-12 You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book ~ Psalm 139:15-16 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live ~ Acts 17:26 You are fearfully and wonderfully made ~ Psalm 139:14 I knit you together in your mother's womb ~ Psalm 139:13 And brought you forth on the day you were born ~ Psalm 71:6 I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me ~ John 8:41-44 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love ~ 1 John 4:16 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you ~ 1 John 3:1 Simply because you are my child and I am your father ~ 1 John 3:1 I offer you more than your earthly father ever could ~ Matthew 7:11 For I am the perfect father ~ Matthew 5:48 Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand ~ James 1:17 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs ~ Matthew 6:31-33 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope ~ Jeremiah 29:11 Because I love you with an everlasting love ~ Jeremiah 31:3 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore ~ Psalm 139:17-18 And I rejoice over you with singing ~ Zephaniah 3:17 I will never stop doing good to you ~ Jeremiah 32:40 For you are my treasured possession ~ Exodus 19:5 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul ~ Jeremiah 32:41 And I want to show you great and marvelous things ~ Jeremiah 33:3 If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me ~ Deuteronomy 4:29 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart ~ Psalm 37:4 For it is I who gave you those desires ~ Philippians 2:13 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine ~ Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles ~ 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you ~ Psalm 34:18 As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart ~ Isaiah 40:11 One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes ~ Revelation 21:3-4 And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth ~ Revelation 21:3-4 I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus ~ John 17:23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed ~ John 17:26 He is the exact representation of my being ~ Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you ~ Romans 8:31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Jesus gave his life so that you and I could be reconciled ~ 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you ~ 1 John 4:10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love ~ Romans 8:31-32 If you receive the gift from my son Jesus, you receive me ~ 1 John 2:23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again ~ Romans 8:38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen ~ Luke 15:7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father ~ Ephesians 3:14-15 My question is ~ Will you be my child? ~ Romans 10:9,10 I am waiting for you ~ Luke 15:11-32 Love, Your Father, Almighty God ========================================================== __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP >-->Purpose We all have some kind of purpose on this earth, It's not to hurt people or tell them their worth. Everyone was put here with an equal chance, Take a look around you, take a good long glance. Some were meant to heal, and some to teach, Some are used to build, and some to reach. You may not know your purpose just yet, God will tell you, when he knows you are set. Don't rush your fate, it has already been planned. And God will always be there to lend a helping hand. You will go through times that are really rough, But you will always have someone, when the going gets tough. Don't judge others, for when you do, There is always someone else, judging you. Think about things before they are said, Say your prayers before going off to bed. Take time just to sit, and observe all things, A flower and it's petals, or a bird and it's wings. For when you just look at what is around, A new aspect on life could be what you have found. Live for today, live one day at a time. Live for yourself, and for God, that's no crime. For when you do all these things to make your life great, You will find your own way to the pearly white gate. - Author Unknown >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? 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