Happy Thanksgiving 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: 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 ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ ** To Those Who Are Celebrating Early This Year: __ / \ _/=Ll=\_ [________] ___ ||/""\|| .'___`. ( 6. 6 ) / /"""\ \ __, ,__, \_--_/ |( 6 6 )| (--| | .-[\~--~/]-. ~\_-_/~ |--| _ _ _ / \ / \ .-' '-. _| | (_||_)|_)\_| / _, `----' ,_ \ /\_____/\ ( |_, | | ,_| \ \| |/ / / ,_/^\_, \ \ >==[]==< / \_(_|-|_)_/ _______, \/__.''.__\/ //=====\\ (--| _, (_, | TT | // \\ | |_ _ ._ |__, , _ ' ',_ _ | || | // \\ _| | |(_|| || \ /_)(_||\/|| |(_| | || | /'---,___,---'\ ( |_, \_, ,_| ,_| |__||__| / / \ \ [__][__] '--,_________,--' jgs |_ || _| |_ | _| (__)(__) (__)__) *~* Have A Happy, Blessed, Safe Thanksgiving Celebration! :) >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) I Am Most Thankful To God Almighty and To His Son, my Lord Jesus Christ for all they do for me and my loved ones. There is nothing I can ever do that is great enough to repay. I remain their humble servant. I am most thankful for all of you too! You bring me much joy with all your sweet caring and sharing! Thank you my friends! -<>- >HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This red hot page comes from our friend Richard. Seeing the kids carving a pumpkin this year really makes me appreciate this art so much more! Be sure to check this out here... /\ .--) )--. /`./`""` \.`\ | | : |: |. | \ | .|. | / jgs '._\__:__/_.' Extreme Pumpkin Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pumpkin2.html --- ...Some really amazing work here! Thanks Richard! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / ( | -= | /| ) ( | |/`< ) ) ; -=| _| ______ \ \ / .' `. /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / ___ .--'`/| _ / | '-._( ____\ (____/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==============` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >MAMA'S TREASURED RECIPES by Donna Hunter Churchwell I'm sure when mama put up her pear preserves in the summer of 2003, she didn't realize at that time she wouldn't live another year to make more. Nor did she probably realize either just how really special those pear preserves were going to be today. Or maybe she did. What makes them so special is because my mama made them. And having them around to eat makes me feel like my mama never left us because I'm still enjoying her cooking. Nothing tastes better in a homemade, hot, buttered biscuit than my mama's pear preserves. But now that I'm on the last jar of her preserves, I'm not eating them up so fast. I'm slowing down to savor, to cherish the last bit of pear preserves. For when that last jar is gone, so probably will the feeling I get when I eat them. Mama was not only famous for her pear preserves but she was famous for her Christmas fruitcake, too. I was never crazy about fruitcake because I really hated those little cherried fruit pieces that were in it. So when mama made her batch of Christmas fruitcakes, she'd always slice me a piece whether I wanted it or not and serve it to me with a cup of coffee when I visited with her and my dad. I'd always eat around the fruit and eat the nuts and the breading. But when mama died in December 2004, there were no more famous fruitcakes that Christmas or the next Christmas after that. I missed my mama's Christmas fruitcake. One day, during Thanksgiving holidays in 2006, while visiting with my dad I happened to come across my mom's recipe tin in her pantry. She had volumes of recipe books, loose recipe clippings from magazines and recipes shared from friends. But finding the recipe tin was like finding a treasure chest. It held mama's most beloved and treasured recipes. I brought the recipe tin to the table, sat down and started sifting through each recipe. There were many recipes handwritten by her and by my grandma who had died 12 years before. In that treasure trove I found grandma's famous recipe for "Pot dodgers." I'm not sure if that recipe was one that my grandma created from scratch or not but when I mention the word "pot dodger" around others, I always get the same question: "A what?" It happens to be a patty made of cornmeal and water and boiled in the juice of turnip greens. Maybe to others they're called something else but I grew up enjoying them simply known as "pot dodgers." As I dug deeper, I found my mama's famous Christmas fruitcake recipe. Ker-ching! Bless my sweet little heart! I had hit the recipe jackpot! I took the recipe tin back home with me and immediately wrote out a shopping list of items I would need to make the Christmas fruitcake. On the list was cherried fruit, of course. The first grocer I shopped at didn't have cherried fruit. So I shopped at other grocers until I found cherried fruit. I couldn't believe I was shopping for something that I hated for so long. But alas, I found it and put several containers of it in my cart. As I checked out at the register, I realized the expenses she had in making those Christmas fruitcakes. She didn't make just one fruitcake -- she'd make about a dozen at one time to share with friends and family. I also had to buy cheese cloth and bourbon. The cheese cloth was soaked with bourbon and then wrapped around each fruitcake to add its warm flavoring. Then each fruitcake was wrapped tightly in aluminum foil and placed in a cool, dry, dark place for a few weeks to ferment. After the preparations, I realized how much time, money and love she had placed into each of those fruitcakes to share with her family and her friends. A few weeks passed and it was time to sample the fruitcake. I was surprised at how much it tasted like her fruitcake but something still was missing -- my mama. Maybe unbeknownst to her, she did more than make preserves that day. She paved tradition. She ensured memories. She preserved her warmth and her love for her family. In every bite of pear preserves and every recipe in her recipe tin, her memory continues to warm our hearts and feed our bellies. That was my mama -- always thinking ahead about her family. -- Donna Hunter Churchwell ____________________________________________ Donna has enjoyed writing short stories to share with her family and friends since she was a child in the 70s. Today she lives with her two young children in middle Georgia. Though she has never embarked in trying to publish any of her stories, she continues to share them through email with family and friends. ____________________________________________ .:. .:. \|/ .:. _ \\,/// \|/ | \|/ _/_\_ ___ \\|/// <#> | \|<#> | (") /.-.\ (")\\ \|<#>|/ \| / _ //U\\ |(")| //-\\\ | \| /<#>/ ( ) _ \|_|/ /)v(\ <#>_/|_|/\\ \ |/ |/ \| (_` )_('> | | \/~\/ |||\\\ \| | |/ (__,~_)8 ||| //_\\ ||| \\ |/ \| / \| / jgs _YY_ _[|]_ /_____\ _[|]_ \| |/ |/ """"""""'""'""'"""""'""""'""'"""'"""""''"'"""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING MEAL by Michael Jordan Segal I can still imagine the scents and the tastes -- steam coming from the crispy brown skin of the 25 pound Turkey bird, sweetness from the marshmallow covered yams, whipped mashed potatoes covered with gallons of thick gravy, and oven baked rolls as well as pies. As I was envisioning that perfect Thanksgiving meal, a smile came to my face. That smile became even broader as I remembered watching football games on TV after the meal. Well, even though those memories are nice ones, they are not actually mine. They might have been my "hallucinations" of what a perfect Thanksgiving would have been like growing up. See, my parents got married on Thanksgiving over 40 years ago. My mother stated she refused to cook on her anniversary. That meant no oven browned Turkey, no mashed potatoes; not even any yams. My mother was busy preparing for her anniversary. Growing up, I always felt "deprived" at Thanksgiving time. While other families were sitting around their dining room tables with a beautifully stuffed bird in the middle, my family always ended up at the same empty Italian restaurant ordering the same large cheese pizza. I always felt cheated near the end of November. However, that was many, many years ago. Now, I realize what the true beauty of the Thanksgiving meal is. Whether it's at your dining room table, a pizza parlor, or anywhere else in the world, the beauty of the Thanksgiving meal is having family and loved ones being together with each other. Looking back at my Thanksgiving meals with my family I realize that the turkey does not make the Thanksgiving meal -- the people do. Well, that and a good football game. -- Michael Segal ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) _..----...__ .-" `"-. | | |__.==========.____| | | .======. | | ____ | | | | | | _.-' ""--.._ |__| '======' |___ | .' '-. _.-'`` '==========' ``""'--.._ / \' '. / ,,,,,,,,, |._.,,;;;''''''''';;;;;;;;;, | ; .;;;;;;;;;;;\ | ,;;;;;| .) .) `;;;;;;;;, / | /;;;;;;;;;;;;;;| ;;;;;/ (_ ';;;;;;;-'` | /;;;;;;;;;;;;;;|| ;;;;;| `;;;;;; | |;;;;''' '/| ';;;;\ '----' ;;;;;' | |;;;' (' (' \\ `''''`---.___.- __;;''` ; |;;' _) \`) |~\ .-' '---'` ``"-. \ |;;;, .___. |/ / \_/__ _/\ _..,/`\ '-._ \"` `-' .'--"----"; `; '-..-/ \| `;;,--`-._____...-' ; ; ; `; \| || / `\ ; ' . ; \ || / / .-""-.\ . ; ; . ; || /`-./ // \\ ; ' . ; | || ; | `'--./| \'. ; ; ' | || | | | \-' ' ; | || | \ \ \ _ ; ' . | |/ \ >--------'. ` `''-._ , ; ; ;'-. _/' \/ '-._ \`'--. / `, / `'---...___/ / ,/---. /\ / \ ; `"""` ; \`- / / \ / \ ; ,-' /-' \ / \'----'----{ .' \ / \ `""` __..-' / \'----..------'''`` / / \ | .-' / \ | | \ / / \ ) '. .'----; ;------; '-._ _.-'___ | |____ | `'--..._______...--'` //__//__| //__//__| jgs | _| _|_ .--'`---` .--'`---` \ |__.\|___.\\_\ ( ( | / / `""\_____..__'.______..___/ \___.-\___.-._____/ >THEN THERE WAS YOU Looking out my window I see the trees with thier dead leaves falling softly to the ground. It is such a sad sight to see but this is how I pictured me. Before You. I was like that tree. I was losing all my beautiful foilage and slowly dyin. Slowly giving up on life. Then, like a miracle ... There was YOU. My leaves begin to magically come back to life and I can actually hear them begin to rustle in the light breeze. With each new breeze that kisses them with the gift of life they take on more life and vitality. I hear them begin to rustle once again as they change from dead, yellowed colors to beautiful shades of red and orange. I see beautiful golden colors that shine brighter than the sun as they begin to shimmer through the now vibrant foilage. A light mist begins to fall coating each leaf with drops of life giving moisture. The mist is You, enveloping each leaf with love, making them feel alive again after feeling only death for so long. The tree can't help but reach out its branches begging for more and more. How would the leaves survive without the mist?? It would surly begin to wither and slowly begin to die once more. The beautiful leaves would once again begin turning yellow from lack of the source of their life giving strength. This is but a simple illustration but it is how I have come to think of you, my love. I once was those slowly dying leaves withering away from lack of the things I needed to survive and be truly happy. But then There was YOU Because of your strength, when I am weak, and your love that makes each day bright even though it may be dreary outside, I feel alive once again. I am so grateful for your love that you so freely give to me for it makes me feel warm and secure. Because of You, my love, I am truly alive again. So vibrantly ALIVE!! I will Love You with All my heart and soul NOW AND FOREVER, MY LOVE! Phyllis Smith (Bunni) October 9, 1999 Revised November 9, 2013 All Rights Reserved --- ...Aww, a sweet love poem. Thanks Bunni! This one does, however, remind me of this poem: Autumn Of Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/life.html -<>- _.-/`) // / / ) .=// / / / ) //`/ / / / / // / ` / || / \\ / )) .' jgs // / / >WHERE will YOU Spend Eternity?? The Day IS coming That day shall surely come As a thief He'll come so quickly Taking only those awaiting and ready will go We who are ready and waiting For the return of our Lord Longing and Yearning For the glorious day our Lord will return We know from the scriptures We are now living in the last days As in sin and lust We hear the scoffers saying "Where's the promise of His coming? For since our Fathers fell asleep Nothing has changed and things continue So what we sow We'll NEVER reap" How ignorant we have become And so willingly deceived As in the days of Noah they perished Likewise today No warnings will we heed For just one simple reason Has God given us this extra time To confess our sins and turn to Him But still we continue to wallow in sin He loves us so much His Only son He sent to die So on the day of His Returning Up to His side we all could rise If the warnings we do not heed Turn a deaf ear to His earnest pleas Who but ourselves can we blame When taking our last breath and give up our soul Our home in Heaven given up WHAT A CRUSHING THOUGHT Is Sin REALLY worth the loss of your soul Jesus gave his ALL so your soul could be saved Shed His precious life's blood for You One day time won't matter anymore Call out to Jesus today for forgiveness For one day ... time just won't matter any more "WHERE" WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY??? Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright October 1987 Revised October 8, 2013 All Rights Reserved --- _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' / |_ /| / ` |_/ / \ / / '--;_ _\ `\ / |`-.___. / ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ...A great reminder Bunni! Unlike Steve Jobs who didn't seem to worry about planning for his future, I've done like the squirrels knowing the cold winter snow will come, I've planned for mine. I have set up my eternal nest egg to make sure all shall be well for me come my future time. I'm not talking this earth but, I've got my sights on eternity. I've squirreled away my nest egg of salvation with Jesus Christ keeping it all safe and secure for me. I have no fears of it being lost or stolen. God through Jesus Christ is the keeper of my heart, my soul, my everything. I am in good hands - the best hands. My future is well planned and perfectly safe. How About Yours? Rom.10:9,10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." ============================================================= >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) _,, _.-'` ',\ \ .-;`'(,____ \.-'\ _\-` __.-; \_.-'_.-'0 \/ / .'0 __ | /_.' .'o \ / .-. ,;--._\___/--. __./ | .-/ \ ^_> |\ /\ \ / <;/ \ \_/ |___/__\__|` <; | |) \ o ( <; |__.\ |o \ <; \ \ / o _\ <\.)-'`| =====""` \ /\__/__/^\____.-; | | | | | / \____|\____/ |===||===| jgs __/[](_||__l[]_ / || '. \ '-----'-''-'-.__/ U.S. State Constitutions & God (Verified true - see: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/god-constitutions.htm ) America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions, often right-off-the-bat in their preamble: --- This is one we have here: WHO IS 'WE'? President Barack Obama said in Turkey: 'WE do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. WE consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.' I found this very interesting. Do you know the Preamble for your state? Check it out here: WHO IS WE? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whoiswe.html --- ...Love this one! Super love the video! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- _.-._ /| | | |_ || | | | | || | | | | _|| ` | \\`\ ; \\ | \\ / jgs | | | | | | They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With their rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears. This class would NOT pray during the commencements, not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it. The principal and several students were careful to stay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, but no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families. The speeches were nice, but they were routine until the final speech received a standing ovation. A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened. All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED !!!! The student on stage simply looked at the audience and said, 'GOD BLESS YOU' And he walked off the stage... The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God's blessing on their future with or without the court's approval. Isn't this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends....and GOD BLESS YOU!!!! This is a true story; it happened at the University of Maryland . Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole Country!! --- ...Thank You LouiseA! We need to stand up for our rights as Christians in this country! No reason why the few should dictate the rules for the majority. We worry so much about offending the less then 10% while the rest of us 90% are the ones offended and being denied our rights of freedom. -<>- , ,_ , .'<_ _> `'-,'(_.-' _< >_.--(.. ) .=;` All things bright and beautiful, `V-'`\/`` All creatures great and small, * * * All things wise and wonderful: * * The Lord God made them all. * .:::.__* -Cecil Frances Alexander * /'::::\ *\_ (` '::|* / \ __ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; /` ,\__ _.-' `. `'._.' /| | ).-' .-'/. ` '._.-._.' / | / .--' .-'` | `. .-' .' | / / , , \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' , _.==''` \ |\ /| \ '-._ _.-' _.' .'( _.=' | \/ /._, \_ '--._.-'` _.' { `` _.=' | / ' ;--._, '._ \ _.-' { \` ; / \ / ' ) '-._\_.-'` _,_ `. `'=..' .=' ) /\ /, / _, /' '\ ,_ `=._ .=' / |/)|/(_ ((') \u u .-""._) \ '-`\\`__ | / -._\ /'--) | ':`----./.-. | jgs `-._} {_} |_ \ | _.' _/, ``'""-`\ `.__.' `""{_} /_ / |`= `" `-.( ,__/. `""""`"` '^' ="`-` `"` >Energized "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Romans 15:13 A man flying home from a mission's project was weary. He worried that his overseas trip had been only partially productive, and he dreaded coming home to his desktop of work. Pulling out his Bible, he began thumbing through it; and, like a flash, certain verses about joy came to mind. He reached for a pen and paper and began writing them down: In Your presence is fullness of joy. . . . These things I have spoken to you, that . . . your joy may be full. . . . The joy of the Lord is your strength. . . . By the time he finished, he had a list of fifteen "Joy Verses" from the Bible, and those verses energized him like a divine tonic. He knew the Lord wanted him to return home and plunge into his work with joy. We often need a jolt of energy to make it through the day, and the power of God's Word applied by God's Spirit gives us the continual strength we need. He energizes us. Perhaps that's what Paul had in mind when he spoke of God's "energy, which so powerfully works in me" (Colossians 1:29 NIV). Do you need renewed strength today? Remember that spending time with Jesus energizes the soul. Recommended Reading: Colossians 1:24-29 --- ...Great reminder! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- -=====- -=====- _..._ _..._ .~ `~. .~` ~. ,_ / } { \ _, ,_\'--, \ _.'`~~/ \~~`'._ / ,--'/_, \'--,_`{_,} -( )- {,_}`_,--'/ '.`-.`\;--,___.'_ _'.___,--;/`.-`.' '._`/ |_ _{@} {@}_ _| \`_.' / ` |-';/ _ \;'-| ` \ / \ / | _ {@}_ | \ / \ / '--;_ _ {@} _Y{@} _;--' \ _\ `\ {@}\Y/_{@} Y/ /` /_ / |`-.___. / \Y/\|{@}Y/\|// \ .___,-'| \ ^^jgs^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^`--`'------`--`^^^^ >Prayer for those who are stressed (Author Unknown) Lord, I need your help. I am feeling the strain of stress. My body is agitated by worry and fear. I confess to you my inability to handle it alone. I surrender my mind to you. Take charge of the control center of my brain. Think your thoughts through me and send into my nervous system the pure signals of your peace, power and patience. I don't want to have a divided mind fragmented from your control. Forgive my angers rooted in petulant self-will. Make me a channel, a riverbed, of Your love to others suffering as much stress as I. Help me act on the inspiration You gave me rather than stifling Your guidance. Take charge of my tongue so that it becomes an instrument of healing. Make me a communicator of love and forgiveness as I cheer others on to their best. I commit my schedule to you, Lord: help me to know and do your will. Guide me in doing your will on your timing so that I don't burn out doing the things I don't really want to do, or fearing to do what is your best for me. Set me free from the tyranny of acquisitiveness and the lust of seeking my security in things rather than in my relationship with you. I long to be the person you created me to be and not anyone else. Forgive me when I take my signals of success from others and not you. Most of all, Lord, help me to catch the drumbeat of your guidance and live by your timing. Here is my life - invade it, fill it, transform it. And I thank you in advance for the healing of my life and for giving me strength to conquer the stress of daily life. In Jesus Christ's name, Amen. --- ...Amen! Thanks LouiseA! ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ *"_"* __ /`_`\ __ .' '. | / \ | .' '. , / ')\^_^/(' \ , \`--' . (_.> <._) . '--`/ '.__.' '._/ \_/ \_.' '.__.' / , _ , \ \ \_/|\_/ / \ //^\\ / \/` `\/ | | | | | | | | .. ..:::.| | ..::::. .. ..::::..::::... .::::::::| |:::::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::.:::::::::::| |:::::::::::::::::. ':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::| |::::::::::::::::::' '':::' '::::::::::::::::\_.__./:::::::::::::::'' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' jgs '::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::'' '':::::'' '''::::::'' >Two For One With God "Are you going grocery shopping today?" my husband, Roy asked when I picked up the telephone. "I plan to," I answered. Thanksgiving was only a couple days away. Everyone in our family would be coming to our house. My funds were limited, therefore my box of coupons awaited me in the car. I knew I had to be creative in my shopping that day. I had to stretch every dollar. For a few seconds, Roy sat silently on the other end of the line. "Why do you ask?" I uttered, fearing what he might say. "Nancy, there's a family with a half dozen kids that will not have anything to eat for Thanksgiving. The little one is only five-years- old. " "So what are you saying?" I whispered. "While you're at the store could you possibly buy something for them?" Roy's words echoed in my heart. Groceries--a five-year-old--- eight in the family--- My head began to spin thinking about the fifty dollars I had reserved for our family's Thanksgiving dinner. In the back ofy mind I counted the hungry guests who would be coming to our house for dinner. I put my head down on my desk, already Feeling defeated. There's no way possible, I thought. But the compassion I heard in my husband's' voice struck a nerve inside me. "Sure," I replied. "But only if God helps." "Thanks, sweetheart," Roy whispered. "Just do what you can." He then hung up the telephone. I finished my work and prayed all the way to the nearest grocery store. I entered the parking lot. I noticed a big sign in the grocery store window: Turkeys - 29 cents a pound. "This is the place, Lord" I whispered. I grabbed my box of coupons, went inside, secured two buggies, and headed to the frozen foods. The turkeys were indeed on sale, but I discovered one big problem. When I read the sign posted on the freezer door my heart sank. "Limit one." "But I need two," I uttered to myself. I decided to find the manager. I explained the problem. He made an exception. After tsing a turkey in each buggy, I began my shopping fury. It was amazing how many buy-one, get-one free items were being featured that day. The first item went into one buggy. The free item went in the other. In addition, I had all the right coupons to get exactly what both families needed for a hearty Thanksgiving dinner. I proceeded to the register and held my breath while the cashier rang up my groceries. To my surprise, I had enough money. I was even able to purchase a package of cookies for the five-year-old who had stolen my heart, even though I had never met her. Later that afternoon, Roy and I made a special delivery to a home filled with children of all ages. I will never forget the smiles on The six kids' faces, as they made several trips from my car carrying numerous bags of groceries inside. This event reminded me of a story. Even though He only had a few loaves and fishes, Jesus multiplied them and fed five thousand people. And to top it off, there asfood left over. I wondered if God was doing the same thing that day. By far, that was the greatest Thanksgiving Day of my life. My entire family shared a hearty meal with us. We had plenty to eat. We even Had enough food left over for the evening meal. That afternoon, when I had time to think about what had happened, I imagined a home, not far from where I lived. There was a mother and a Father and six children sitting around the kitchen table, laughing and rejoicing. They enjoyed the same meal that our family had shared together that day. Then I realized that miracles happen when we step out in faith and in steps God. For with us, some things are impossible. But with God, all things are possible. -<>- ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` >We Belong to the Kingdom of God The story is told of Frederick William IV of Prussia who once visited a school and quizzed the students. He held up a stone and asked the children: to what kingdom does this belong? They responded: mineral. He then, pointed to a flower and asked: to what kingdom does this belong? They answered: plant. He then pointed to a bird flying by outside the window and asked: to what Kingdom does that belong? They replied: animal. Then he asked: now, to what kingdom do I belong. He had raised a profound theological question. To what kingdom do we belong? On a literal sense, we are, off course, part and parcel of the animal kingdom. I belong to the same kingdom as my dog Ruff. He has many human traits. He can pout, he can get excited, he has a temper (as some of you who have visited the parsonage have discovered). But yet, Ruff does not understand time. He cannot grasp that there is a point beyond which he will not live. Only humans can grasp time. Ruff cannot tell right From wrong. It is not within him to share. His limited mind cannot set goals. All of those are human traits. The magnificent thing for humans is that it is within us to rise above purely animal desires and become a part of another kingdom ---- the Kingdom of God. --- ...With God's Kingdom comes this: 1 Cor.2: [13] Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Need Some Easy YUMMY Recipes? Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html STORY TIME - Alices Restaurant http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/alices.html God's Water Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Take The Sword http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/sword.html Overseer http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/overseer.html Proud Of Our Troops 2 http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/troops2.html Niagara Falls Frozen! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html Holy Alphabet http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/holyalpha.html Self Talk http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/selftalk.html 5 Fundamental Truths About Our Gifts And Callings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Disney Character Bushes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/disneybush.html Eagle Vs Swan http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eagleswan.html Flower Dog Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerart2.html There Has To Be http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/therehastobe.html Thoughts For Today http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.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 ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: .-. <*****> .-. / _ \.-----./ _ \ | /:\(((((()))/ \ | ||' :(( '_' )): `|| ||: \`---'/ :|| || :/' ) `\: || ||: / (,) \ || || / ,__[_]__, \:|| ||:\___)_=_(___/ || || : || ||: || || / | | \ || ||:| | | |:|| | / | | \ | |/ | | \| | | jgs | | |~~~~~| ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >AN AMAZING FIND! There is an old story handed down from the country of Serendip (present day Sri Lanka). In this story there were three princes who traveled the country and quite by accident would discover amazing and unexpected things. In 1754 after discovering these stories, Horace Walpole coined the word, "Serendipity". The basic understanding of the word I prefer would be: "The art of finding what you're not looking for." (From Horse-Feathers, by Charles Funk). As I thought about this understanding of the word, I though of how much of our Christian life is a serendipity. How many things do we find unexpectedly which turn out to amaze us. I think that is why we sing songs like, "Amazing Grace," or "I stand amazed in the presence "or" Oh what wondrous love." Our journey through life with Christ, the creator and sustainer of the universe is amazing, especially when you consider his sacrifice for and his fellowship with us. I can hardly read any section of the scripture that I don't find some new understanding, run across some tidbit that I've somehow over looked in the past or suddenly awaken to a new insight. Christianity is never boring, it is always amazing, always a serendipity. This has always been the effect that Jesus has had upon people. In Matthew 7:28 we are told that people were amazed at his teachings and the authority he exhibited. In Mark 10:24 we see that his disciples were amazed at his teaching. He revealed hidden treasures unexpectedly then as he does now. The question is, what we do with the treasure, how we deal with the serendipity of life in Christ. Well the scripture doesn't leave us hanging on that on that point, but gives us some instructions concerning how to deal with these unexpected treasures. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." (NLT) May your life be a continual amazing serendipity! Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart -<>- .--,.-, /.-',\:.\ .===. ,;;,;;, /; \\:.\/ _) ;;;;;;;;; |' \\:( _,`'> ';;;;;' |; \\(_/ ._= ';' |; ;/ /`|\ /, _/ |-' `\ /; __//( \_,;;,;;, |; __/ / \ /);;;;;;) | _/|/ / \/`';;;;;' ,;;,;;, |/ / ( ';' ;;;;;;;;; ( .-, \ ';;;;;' ) /`\ ) \ ';' '._/|/| |.' jgs _// \| | / || |/ / | `\| ' >I'VE GOT NOTHING TO BE THANKFUL FOR When thinking about our upcoming Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S., the old Bing Crosby song popped into my mind. I believe it was from the movie "Holiday Inn," which is a great old movie and I recommend highly! Anyway, Bing is sitting at a table full of all of the holiday trimmings and is really down and depressed because his girlfriend has left him for another man (and career). He sits there feeling sorry for himself and singing the song, "I've got nothing to be thankful for." Of course he is reminded that he does have other options and. well you'll have to watch the movie to see how it ends. Sadly, this is not an unusual problem in our world; it may be even more prevalent in our present financial climate and job market. We have so many people in our world who have lost their jobs, lost their homes and who are struggling to just put food on the table or pay for fuel for heat. Then our advertising world floods or airways, newspapers and magazines with words and pictures which portray what should be the perfect holiday. Everyone should be well fed, in comfortable homes, surrounded by friends and family, be smiling, with no problems in their lives, a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. We tend to look at that image and say, that's not my life. I'm barely scrapping by; I've got nothing to be thankful for! It is my belief that it's not so much a matter of what you have, but how you count the blessings you do have. You may be having a tough time, but in almost every situation, if you will stop and look around you, you will find someone else who has more difficulties. I think that at some point, everyone should go and set in the emergency waiting room at a hospital in a major city. I've had occasions to do this on more than one occasion and it opens your eyes to what real tragedy and loss is. I could give you a list of things for which you could be thankful, but I don't think I really need to do that. You are wise enough to understand those things yourself. The problem is that we don't stop and count our blessings nearly as often as we should. I would suggest that you stop and do that right now. I do want to share with you that for which I am most thankful. I am thankful for you! You are a blessing for my life as one of God's children and because of that I have everything to be thankful for! Relationships are the most important thing in the world. If I loose all that I have in the physical world I hope to hold you in my heart and be held by you. Let me end this with the words of the Apostle Paul from Philippians 1:2-6, where he writes, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (NIV) The key phrase is, "I thank my God every time I remember you." Do you really have nothing to be thankful for? Russ Lawson, Messages >From The Heart -<>- , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' >8 THINGS TO DO ON THANKSGIVING BESIDES WATCH FOOTBALL by Sandi Duncan ~ From: Farmers' Almanac Blog It was a great meal, the dishes are put away and it’s now time to break out the remote for a little football. Or is it? How about trying something different this year. Here are 8 ideas. Please feel free to add your own. Touch Football: Instead of watching a game, why not set up your own match of touch football? No need to get too competitive. Just choose sides and have a bit of fun on a grassy field. Take a family walk. Once your Thanksgiving meal is finished, get up from the table and head out the door for a refreshing walk. Regardless of your group size, heads will turn when others see your group walking down the street. Pinecone Turkeys. Ask children to pick up pinecones from the nearby woods or area outside the house. When they return, cut out colorful turkey feathers from colored constructions paper. Glue your Thanksgiving turkey together, inserting the feather in between the pine cone leaves. Use red felt to make the turkey’s comb. Now, they have a souvenir from the day. Draw Names. Thanksgiving Day is an ideal day for drawing names for Christmas gifts. Most of the family members are gathered in one place and Christmas sales begin the next day! Sharing Thoughts. This is a good time to sit around and share some of your most memorable moments of your past Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday, or just tell a funny story about another family member or pet. Help someone if you can. Extend your generosity and blessings beyond your own family. Take advantage of having family members to bring canned foods, clothing, books, pet food, etc. and donate them to local shelters (women’s, homeless, animal). Make annual predictions. Each member of the family makes a prediction for lifestyle or other changes for brothers, sisters, cousins, parents and other family members. The predictions are then sealed and reopened the next Thanksgiving. The family member who is most accurate wins the drumstick or some other prize. (You can also do world event predictions, like who might win a political race, what might happen in the stock market, etc.) Donate Blood. As a family member, there is no greater form of “giving” than to give the gift of life. -====- .--._ ( __) .--. ( / -( /.-. \( | _/ / /-'\ \) (\ /\ / /-'/`\(_ ) ) /\/ /_/-'/-' \\ '-' / /_/-'/-' | '.__.' /_/-'/-'/ | /_/-' | \ / \ _.-' \ (` / jgs '----'`'------' >WHEN WORRIES RISE When worries rise with many fears found within the coming years seek the One that can be found standing on His solid ground. Let not sickness steal your joy. Find the peace that can deploy. Let Lord Jesus show you true how now can become anew. Let your worries fall from now as you let God show you how. Find the rhythms in the days smiling greatly with God's ways. ©By Bill Pearce Oct 27, 2011 -<>- __ {\ <__> {\ \ _)( _ { ~\ \ _______ //|! _.-'| {* \ \ <:<:<:>:> //||! | | { ~ * \ \(((//^^\ //|||! | () {* ~ \((((/ e e //||||! () { * ~ * |))))c o ) //|||||! {* * ////'_/~` //||||||! {~ * (((( `.`\ //|||||||! _ `{.~ ~ )))`\ \))_.-||||||! |`-._ _. `{ ~ *(() `\_.-'`|||||||! | | |=' `{.__.* `-*. ||||||||||! () | | .* ~ *.||||||||||! () () .*. * ~ *.|||||||||! .* . . *.||||||||! .* ~ * *.|||||||! .* * ~ *.\|||||! jgs .* ~ . *. `\|||! .* * . ~ * ~ *. :~~: ..* ~ * ~ *. .::::::. ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* ~~* .::::::::::. >OUR SPIRITS BLOSSOM WHEN WE SING God sets the lonely in families, He leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:6 An Open Doors colleague, Ron Boyd-MacMillan, shares the following insight from his teaching, “Why I need to encounter the Persecuted Church.” Chinese evangelist, Mrs. Yang, was visited by another full time preacher who was very downcast. The preacher wanted to buy a tape player, but had no money. Mrs Yang sat down and just began to sing to him. Her voice was deep and scratchy, the tune barely discernable, the words simple: I am a wanderer, my home is in Heaven/Life is fleeting/Our home is in Heaven/In this world we have many trials/And sadness and sickness/True happiness is not in this world/But in Heaven! Mrs. Yang sang as if before the Lord Himself. Every word poured out from her core with total conviction! Tears rolled down her cheeks, her hands clenched the air, and she beat time on her hip. Soon the visiting preacher had joined in, and I watched them, roaring out the hymn together, smiles over both their faces. The preacher left, still with no money for his longed for tape player, but refreshed and encouraged! Then again, I watched one morning as Mrs. Yang went out into the hills to pray. I followed her at a discreet distance. First she prayed for twenty minutes, then she sang, walking around, for another twenty minutes. For the next hour she read her Bible, making notes, planning the day’s sermons. After that she sang again, for another half hour. I confessed I had been spying on her, and asked “Why do you sing so much when there is no one to hear?” She said, “My father once told me, ‘One of the sweet things about the Christian life is that you will do things because they are commanded, and then you will spend the rest of your life gaining deeper insight into why God’s commands are so good.’ So singing is a command! In the Psalms we are constantly exhorted to sing praises to our God! But as for why, I confess it is one of those wonderful mysteries my father told me about! You see, while in prison, I could pray and read Scripture, BUT nothing raised my spirits like singing! Maybe it’s because singing somehow concentrates all of the body on the praise of God, BUT I have found it essential to the maintenance of a positive spirit!” Then she looked embarrassed. I said, “What is it? You were about to say something, but you have gone all reticent.” She replied, “Well, it’s just that an old lady told me something that really sums up the main reason I sing. She said, ‘Our spirits are like flowers, and song is the sun! Just as flowers only truly open when the sun shines, so our spirits only blossom when we sing.’ I believe that. I don’t know how, BUT it’s true! Since my prison cell, I cannot do without song, and I am very frightened that as China gets more open, and the churches get more organized, we are going to leave the singing to the professionals. This would be terrible. The only way you can have a full blossoming spirit is to sing to It!” RESPONSE: Today I will make my spirit blossom positively by singing to the Lord in the Spirit! PRAYER: Ask God to impact all Christians with this valuable insight of singing praises to Him! STANDING STRONG THROUGH THE STORM (SSTS) -A daily devotional message by Paul Estabrooks © 2010 Open Doors International. Used by permission To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================= >Yukon Dinner for Five Story Editor: by Tilas T Brian Forte Yukon Territory, Canada On Christmas night 2003 in Watson Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada, it was snowing and around -20C (-4F). My brother had to work the graveyard shift at the local hotel. So, my Mom made up a big plate of dinner to take to him. While we were delivering the works (including pie), a man at the front counter was renting a room. He saw the plate of food, smiled and said "Oh wow, homemade Christmas dinner." "Haven't you had dinner yet?" asked Mom. He told her no. "Well wait here, we'll go get you a plate." The man looked at my mother, shocked, and said "Oh no, no. I have my daughter and my three grandchildren with me, please don't worry about it." He was going to get his family something from the bar. My brother told him all they had were those lousy pre-packaged roast beef sandwiches. And the hotel's restaurant was closed. Actually, in a tiny 800-person town 6° south of the Arctic Circle, on a cold Christmas night, pretty much everything was closed. Mom told him that she would go make him a plate. He kept insisting she shouldn't but my mother wouldn't hear of it. She and I came home and she dished out a huge platter from all the extra dinner we had. Back at the hotel we got the man's room number from my brother. Mom knocked on the door. A young woman answered, and mom walked in with the platter, plates, forks, and a whole pumpkin pie. The woman's eyes went wide as she kept repeating "Oh my gosh, thank you!" Her father (whom we had met earlier) returned a moment later, shocked that we actually came back. His three grandchildren, who looked to be between 2 and 6, looked at the platter, then at us. It turned out the kids hadn't had anything other than chocolate bars and snacks since they started driving early that morning. They were headed for Alaska and, before starting out that day, they'd called ahead to a small hotel to be sure it would be open. When they arrived, however, they were told there was no room at the inn. That booked-out inn was about 3 hours south of Watson Lake in good weather, twice that in the cold winter. Between towns this far north, there's nothing on the roads but occasional seasonal gas stations (which are, of course, closed for the winter). Nonetheless, they continued down the road until they reached Watson Lake, where they could at least get a room for the night. My Mom didn't know these people. When she met the man at reception she could have ignored his story and walked away. Instead she helped them, simply because she could. She shared our dinner with complete strangers so they (and we) could have a Merry Christmas. I have never been so proud of my mother in my life. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: _......._ :_ _: ,______ ''''''' ______, {_=_-=._'-. .-"""""-. .-'_.-=_=_} {-=_- `'.\ / \ /.'` =_-=} {-_= \\| (_((_(( |// =_-} {-_=- \( (* *) )/ =-_=} {_-=_=- ) ) ^ ( ( -=_=-_} {_=_-=- (_\ '-' /_) -=-_=_} {_-_=_ `) (` -_=_} {_-= .-`\ /`-. -=_} {_= / ^ \ =_} '-/ _.=. .=._ \-' \/_) ` (_\/ /\ /\ jgs / '. .' \ / '.' \ / \ / \ ';';';';';';';';';' | | | | | | |-|-| / / \ \ `"` `"` >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY When Deanie was 4 she was looking for her favorite pink and white plaid shorts, and having no results. Finally she asked, "Where are my square (plaid) shorts? I can't find my square shorts! Are they in the wetter or the dryer?" -- Kellie Holland (Deanie's mom) of Essexville, Michigan Barb's granddaughter is in kindergarten. There was a boy in her class that wasn't listening to the teacher. The teacher said to him, "Since you don't want to listen, you sit at that table by yourself." After a few minutes, Barb's granddaughter raised her hand and said, "I don't want to listen either. Can I sit with him?" -- Barb Fratus of Pleasantville, Pennsylvania A few weeks ago when northeast Indiana was experiencing bad storms Darlene Frye's grandchildren, who live in Ossian, became worried about their grandparents when it was announced on TV that Kendallville was under a tornado warning. Darlene's daughter-in-law called to see if they were okay. She asked if Darlene could reassure the children. Darlene began talking to a very upset 7-year-old Collin. She told him they were fine, and as a matter of fact, the stars were out and the moon was shining bright. Darlene asked him if he could look out the window and see the moon. When he told her he could, she told him that they were looking at the very same moon at exactly the same time. Collin replied, "I already knew that... Because I can see your reflection!" -- Darlene Frye of Kendallville, Indiana ____ / __ \ __/==LI==\__ `"///""""\\\"` ( . . ) \ __ / ;.__.; /` /\ `\ | /::\ | /\ / :: \ /\ / \/ :: \/ \ /\/`>==::==<`\/\ (_/ / :: \ \_) /__________\ | || | |- || -| jgs \.-||-./ /LI/\LI\ (__/ \__) Eileen's 2-year-old great-grandson was excited about having his birthday in a few days. When asked how old he would be, he always said he would be four and held up four fingers. His mother tried to explain that he would be three, that three came after two but he wasn't convinced. He told her that he had to be four because when he tried to hold up three fingers the fourth came up too. -- Eileen Fulton of northeast Indiana As they leave home Lisa and her son Nolan usually say goodbye to the trees and the grass and the fence and the cows, etc. One day Nolan, 3, got in the car to go to Lisa's sister's house. As they were driving down the driveway he said, "Bye, bye house, can't go with us." -- Lisa Billingsley of Scaly Mountain, North Carolina Lisa is expecting a new baby in April and they have been talking to Nolan, 3, about the arrival of his new baby sister. In church Nolan asked, "Where is little bitty Chloe?" Lisa responded that she is in her belly. Nolan got the bottom of Lisa's shirt and in front of the whole congregation raised it and said, "Let me see." Here's another one from Lisa. When Lisa was asked what they will name their second child, Nolan, 3, responded, "Little Bitty Chloe in Momma's Belly." Told that if it was a boy the baby's name would be Boone Andrew, Nolan said, "Baby Boone in Daddy's belly." _,--"^^"-.,_ _.-"~^`~-. .-~`^~"-._ ,="`"-._ .----. _.-"`"=, ;_ "-. (0 )( 0) .-" _; .' `~"=,_ '.\ \/ /.' _,="~` `. ;_ "-. _.-) (-._ .-" _; : ^~"-.,___.' ( ) `.___,.-"~^ ; : _: `--' :_ : '._,-~"` :': :': `"~-,_.' '.,_.-`. .'`-._,.' jgs :__.-`-.______.-'`-.__; // \\ (((~ ~))) Lindy was baby-sitting grandson Jake when he was about 4. They were outside swinging on his slide swing. They were just talking and talking. Then he became very quiet and was looking straight up into the sky, so Lindy said nothing and waited. What came out of his mouth next she will treasure forever: "You know, Grandma, this is just like we are on a little date!" -- Linda Swartz of Trabuco Canyon, California Breann, 3, was singing "Jesus Loves the Little Children" with her mother. When they got to the part that goes, "Jesus died for all the children," Breann asked, "Mom, did Jesus diaper ALL the little children?" -- Velma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana, grandmother of Breann, daughter of Wayne and Paula McKillip of Huntertown, Indiana The board of directors of Junior Achievement met at Rome City School for lunch in the school cafeteria to learn about JA programs there. The board includes Kendallville Mayor Suzanne Handshoe. While the board members were waiting to get their food in the cafeteria one of the students came up to Handshoe and asked with awe, "Are you the mayor?" Handshoe replied, "Yes." Then, referring to the other board members standing near to Handshoe, the student asked, "Are these your bodyguards?" Pat and John flew to Florida last spring to visit their kids and 3-year-old granddaughter, Charis, and to meet for the first time their 3-month-old grandson Caleb. Charis came with her father to the airport, but she was quite shy and would not even say, "Hi." Pat got in the back seat with Charis and John got in the front seat with Charis' dad. After about 10 minutes of travel in total quiet, Charis felt comfortable enough to utter her first words of welcome: "Grandpa, you and Caleb need more hair!" -- Pat and John Cannon of Auburn, Indiana .========. .-| |-. .''-'`_.|__ __ __|._`'-''. / .--'` | [LI] | `'--. \ .' / _.--'''""""'''--._ \ '. /` .' .-' _.----._ '-. '. `\ | / / .' _ _ '. \ \ | | | | / `_ _` \ | | | / / '. | (o)(o) | .' \ \ | | '._| .-""-. |_.' | | | \ / | \ / | \ / | / / | / \ /\/\ / \ | \ \ | | / | '-.( ).-' | \ | | | | | / \`""`/ \ | | | \ \ / | _.-| |-._ | \ / / \ \ | / .' | | '. \ | / / '. './ | .' / \ '. | \.' .' '._| \/ \/ |_.' `'{` , , `}'` { } { } { } { } { } { } \,/ \,/ '. .' jgs '-.__ __.-' { _}""{_ } / \ / \ /=/=|=| |=|=\=\ \/\/\_/ \_/\/\/ Danielle wore a Medieval gown with a laced bodice for Halloween. She didn't really know what Medieval meant. After she put her costume on, she started to snarl and walk around like a monster. Her mother asked her what she was doing. "I'm Mad and Evil!" Danielle said. -- Sally Morris (mother of Danielle) of Wellington, Florida When Corey and Casey were 4 and 3 (they are now 26 and 25) a pregnant woman stood in front of them at the grocery check-out line. Casey gently poked his little finger into the woman's tummy and in a loud stage whisper said, "She's growing a baby in there." On the way home, there were many questions as to just how that baby got in there. Their mother explained that when a Mommy and Daddy would like a new baby, they ask God to help them. Casey asked how God knows they want a baby. A very grown-up Corey said, "Casey, they call the special (telephone) number!" -- Roseann Dunteman (mother of Corey and Casey) of Paradise Valley, Arizona The temperature has started getting cooler and children are starting to wear their jackets to Head Start. One cool morning Cassie noticed a 3-year-old little girl shivering. She was wearing a light sweater and Cassie commented that the sweater wasn't keeping her very warm. Cassie asked her if she had anything heavier in her backpack. The 3-year-old replied, "My lunch box is heavier!" -- Cassie Campbell of Paris, Kentucky One day one of Cassie's little ones was acting up. Cassie had spoken with him several times, but nothing worked for long. The children were getting exasperated. One of the other boys looked at Cassie and said, "You need to call his Dad." Cassie said, "Calling his Dad might not work." The boy answered, "Then you can call my Dad. He'll spank him!" Sickness is a common hazard in the preschool classroom. Unfortunately, Cassie cannot handle the sight of a child vomiting. One day, as she was helping a child get settled at the lunch table, he threw up all over Cassie. Cassie's assistant took him and got him cleaned up and Cassie rushed out to get cleaned up and to settle her stomach. While Cassie were gone, one of the kids asked the staff member who was watching the class what happened to the sick child. She answered, "He got sick, but Ms. Judy has him and he'll be all right." He looked at her and said, "O.K., but who has Ms. Cassie?" ####### ##[_]## ,;###########;, <<:{{\|@___@|/}}:>> <<:{{| ( /___\\) \}}:>> <<:{{/\ \\___/( /\}}:>> <<<<:{{| \ _.| |(_\/ |}}:>>>> <<<:{{|`\,'| '-' |'./`|}}:>>> <<<:{{|`\/ \___/ \/`|}}:>>> <<<:{{ \// ) ~ ~ ( \\/ }}:>>> <<:{{`{///' ~ ^ ~ '\\\}`}}:>>> <<:{{,=`. ~ ^.~.^ ~ .`=,}}:>> `-,__.__,-' \ | / jgs // \\ .---'( )'---. `---'-` `-'---` Here is a story from Santiago, Chile. Diego's mother used to help him organize his notebooks, books and snacks in his backpack... But invariably Diego would forget it. As his classmates started to take notes, he would look out the window and see his mom standing there with his backpack. Finally, his teacher got tired of letting him go out to get his backpack from his mother, and she figured out a solution to this daily problem -- she wouldn't let Diego enter the classroom each morning unless he had his backpack! -- Diego Reyes L?pez (now 23 and an engineering student in Santiago) Cali, 4, was sitting beside the wall. She bonked her head twice and told her mom, "I hit the wall and then the wall hit me back." -- Cathy of Dillard, Georgia ========================================================== == == <^\()/^> <^\()/^> \/ \/ \/ \/ /__\ . ' . /__\ == /\ . | . /\ == <^\()/^> !_\/ ' | ' \/_! <^\()/^> \/ \/ !_/I_|| . ' \'/ ' . ||_I\_! \/ \/ /__\ /I_/| || -== + ==- || |\_I\ /__\ /_ \ !//| | || ' . /.\ . ' || | |\\! /_ \ (- ) /I/ | | || . | . || | | \I\ (= ) \__/!//| | | || ' | ' || | | |\\!\__/ / \I/ | | | || ' . ' * || | | | \I/ \ {_ __} | | | || || | | | {____} _!__|= || | | | || * + || | | | || |__!_ _I__| ||__|__|__|_|| A ||_|__|__|__||- |__I_ -|--|- ||--|--|--|-|| __/_\__ * ||-|--|--|--||= |--|- | | || | | | || /\-'o'-/\ || | | | || | | | |= || | | | || _||:<_>:||_ || | | | ||= | | | |- || | | | || * /\_/=====\_/\ * || | | | ||= | | | |- || | | | || __|:_:_[I]_:_:|__ || | | | ||- | | _|__| ||__|__|__|_||:::::::::::::::::::::||_|__|__|__|| |__|_ -|--|= ||--|--|--|-||:::::::::::::::::::::||-|--|--|--||- |--|- jgs|- || | | | ||:::::::::::::::::::::|| | | | ||= | | ~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^~~~~~~~~~ >-->Prayer for Difficult Times Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path. I have sworn and am determined to keep your righteous judgments. I am deeply troubled; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing tribute of my lips, and teach me your judgments. My life is always in my hand, yet I do not forget your law. The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments. Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; truly, they are the joy of my heart. I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes for ever and to the end. ~ Psalms 119:105-112 |_| _, _ _ ___ | |(_||_)|_)\_| .'=:-\ ___ | | ._| /.='( ` | |_ _ ,_ |/ , _ . .,_ _ /. ^=.'-._..---. | | |(_|| ||\/_)(_|||/|| |(_| | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, ._| ._| |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ give thanks... './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. 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