Happy Valentine's 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 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 ================ __, ,___) __, ,_) ,_) ______) (--|__| _, _ _ (--| /_ | _ ,_-|-',_ _', (--| \ _, _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _|/(_||(/_| || || |(//_) _|__/(_|(_| ( | | ,_| ( |_, |_, ( ,_| _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' jgs \/ \/ \/ \/ *~* May Everyone have a Happy Blessed Valentine's Day! SPECIAL LINKS For Valentine's Day.... POEMS: Friends Together http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/together.html I Need A Hug! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/hug.html It Takes Two! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/two.html Love's Lust! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/desire.html Moody Is My Day http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/need.html TEACHINGS: Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Choose His Children? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html You Are The Only You God Has http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html SPECIAL PAGES: Best Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html Friendship! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html God's Little Love Notes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/notes.html Love Thoughts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html Love Test http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovetest.html What Is Love 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove1.html What Is Love 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove2.html What Is Love 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wlove3.html Would You Care? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/care.html Jesus Laughing Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.htm Akiane Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Tale Of Two Swallows http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/swallows.html Why We Love Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whydog.html Dogs as Best Friends! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestfriend.html Valentine Animations: Care Bears http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Hearts http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html Love http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html Valentine: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) ...:::::::... ...:::::::... .:::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::'.-=.-~, ':::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::' /{,_;--'},'::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::: | .=~`|//| :::::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::: | / ; \ | :::' __, '::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::' || | | | :' .' \/\ ::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::: |\| | | |\ / \ /_| :::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::::::. \ | | /|'/ / | \ /_ | :::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::' ,_ '::: `\ \/|/ / /`.: \ /__/ ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: /\/`'. ':. `\ `./.'/\ : /.--' .:::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: |_\ / \ ::. '. ,/|\/| // '''''::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: | _\ / | .:: | | \ \/// .""'-. ::::::::::::: :::::::::::::: \__\ / .: .'/| | `)`/__//_/_/_\ :::::::::::: ':::::::::::::: '--.\ : /\/_| |} /.---. \ \ \ / :::::::::::' '::::::::::::'' \\ |\/_/| | //` . `'...-' :::::::::::' :::::::::: .-""'. \\\/ /{| |// .:::::....:::::::::::::: '::::::: /_\_\_\\__\`(` | '/ :::::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::: \ / / / .---.\ | | :::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::. '-..,'` .:.`\\ | |} ::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::......:jgs:: \\| | ::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::::: \` | ::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::: {| | ::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::' ':::::::::: | | ::::::::::' ':::::::: | |} ::::::::' ':::::: | | ::::::' ':::::. |/ ::::::' ':::.....:::::' ':::::::::' ':::::' ':' These 2 steaming hotties are from our friend KarenF. We often take things for granted in this great big wonderful world God has created but today we cast a little spotlight on some of them. Just in time for Valentine's Day... Big Hearts In Nature 1 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heartsinnature.html Big Hearts In Nature 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/heartsinnature2.html --- ...Most interesting and fun! Thanks KarenF! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-. .-. ( \/ ) .-. .-. \ .-. .-. ( \/ ) \ ( \/ ) \ .-. .-. / \ / jgs \ ( \/ .-. .-. / .-. \.-.\ ( \/ )/ ( \/ )\ /\ // \ / \ / \ / \ / \/ \ / \ / \/ \/ >MY FAVORITE VALENTINE by Stefanie Wass A shiny red scarf, covered in little white hearts, always seems to find its way out of my dresser drawer this time of year. As I tied the scarf around my neck this morning, carefully hiding the frayed edges underneath my turtleneck, I once again felt like the most special girl in the whole world. Again, I was a ten year old, waking up on Valentine's Day morning, full of expectation, running downstairs and finding, like always, presents and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates waiting on the kitchen table just for me. I felt the love of my dad, a man who never, ever forgot to buy special Valentine presents for his two girls. Dad's gifts, true treasures sent from the heart, did not just arrive on Valentine's Day. Throughout the year he constantly surprised me with tokens of love -- corsage to wear to church on Easter Sunday, new guards for my ice skates, even a bouquet of red roses with a card that said, "You'll always be #1" when I placed out of medal contention at a skating competition. Dad probably didn't realize it at the time, but he actually gave me a present each and every day of my elementary school years. Waking before dawn to leave in time for his shift at a nearby chemical company, Dad didn't get to see me before he left for work each morning. So, he did what he could -- he left me a little note, penned in his characteristic uppercase printing, and placed it by my spot at the breakfast table. For years, I was greeted each morning by his encouraging words: 5:40am Friday Feb. 27, 1981 Dear Steffie, Have a good day at school! Your math homework was perfect, except for one little decimal point! We are going out to dinner after skating today. The Wizard of Oz is on TV at eight if you're interested. Will pick you up at the usual time tonight. Must get ready for work. Love, Dad 5:35am March 18, 1981 Dear Steffie, Have a good day at school! Checked your math. Excellent! Perfect paper! Have fun skating after school. Make sure your homework is done first. Will pick you up as usual after work at 6:45. Love, Dad Sometimes the notes would brief me on the news of the day: 5:35am Tuesday January 20, 1981 Dear Steffie, Have a good day at school! As of noon today we have a new President. The hostages still have not left Iran, but it doesn't look like it will be much longer before they will be on their way. Have fun skating! Take care of your cold. Love, Dad 5:40am January 21, 1981 Dear Steffie, Have a good day at school! On TV Mom and I saw the freed hostages arrive in Germany. Have fun skating and I will pick you up at 6:45. Checked your math. Very good! Must get ready for work. Love, Dad Although Dad passed away ten years ago, I can still hear his voice. Luckily, I saved each and every note in an old scrapbook. Though yellowed by time, Dad's words still speak volumes about a father's devotion to his daughter. A scarf covered in hearts was nice, but by far, my favorite Valentine's gift was the one that I received every morning of my childhood -- letters, penned by my dad -- a man who was never too busy to share both his time and love. -- Stefanie Wass ____________________________________________ Stefanie lives in Hudson, Ohio with her husband and two girls. Her stories have been selected for publication in Chicken Soup For The New Mom's Soul, Chicken Soup For The Beach Lover's Soul, and Chicken Soup's nationally syndicated newspaper column. Stefanie is a member of the International Women's Writers Guild. ========================================================== ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: B E :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' 'oO:Oo' ...... 'oOo' ...... .:oOOOOo:.'o'.:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: M Y :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' 'oO:Oo' ...... 'oOo' ...... .:oOOOOo:.'o'.:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: V A L E N T I N E :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >-->From Our Friend PatDeE :) >Need Washing? If you have seen this before, enjoy reading it again. Hope you do too. A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in WalMart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red-haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.. We all stood there, under the awning, just inside the door of the WalMart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. Her little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in, 'Mom let's run through the rain,' She said. 'What?' Mom asked. 'Let's run through the rain!' She repeated. 'No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit,' Mom replied. This young child waited a minute and repeated: 'Mom, let's run through the rain.' 'We'll get soaked if we do,' Mom said. 'No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning,' the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. 'This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?' 'Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything!' The entire crowd stopped dead silent.. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain.. We all stood silently. No one left. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. 'Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just need washing,' Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They got soaked. They were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed a washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven." I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Send this to the people you'll never forget and remember to also send it to the person who sent it to you. It's a short message to let them know that you'll never forget them. If you don't send it to anyone, it means you're in a hurry. Take the time to live!!! Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- And don't forget to run in the rain! Have a great day, Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. --- ...Aww, a sweet classic! Thanks PatDeE! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) .-. .-. .-.| .-./ | | \/ | / \ / /` `\ /`/` jgs `\/` >Prayer for Change By Roy Lessin [Edited] Father, change me! Change my heart to love You more deeply, change my mind to know You more fully, change my will to serve You more completely! CHANGE ME FROM THE INSIDE OUT! Change my interests, my motives, my desires-- may the things that are the most important to You, be the things that are the most important to me! Jesus, change me! Bring Your mighty rivers to the dry places of my soul! Feed me with the living Bread that can satisfy my hungry spirit! Immerse my heart in the fountains of Your all-redeeming love! Change my ashes into beauty, my sorrow into song, my restlessness into peace, my darkness into light! May the pathway You want me to walk, be the pathway I fully follow! God, change me! Be my Teacher--if I am to know Truth it must come through Your revelation; if I am to have understanding it must be heard through Your voice; if I am to have clarity it must be seen through Your Light; if I am to have wisdom it must be known through Your instruction; if I am to experience change it must come through Your power! May the anointing of Your abiding Presence be the oil that is poured upon me! (Psalm 5l:10, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Psalm 40:3, Isaiah 43:19, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15) --- ...aww to always do the will of the Father! Awesome! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ /'. .'\ /` \/ `\ \ /'. .' \/ '. .'\ / _ ;. .' \/ \/ '. .; _ /` \/ `\/ \/` \/ `\ \ / \ / '. .; _ _ ;. .' \/` \/ `\ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\/ \ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ / '. .'\ /` \/ `\ /'. .' \/ '. .'\ /'. .' \/ jgs \/ '. .' \/ \/ >Thanks for your time A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said... "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important. Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said. As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time. The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture. Jack stopped suddenly... "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked. "The box is gone," he said "What box?" Mom asked. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox: "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most was... my time" Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with a friend," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!" ~~~ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ \ / _ _ /` \/ `\'. .'/` \/ `\ \ / \/ \ / _ _ '. .' _ _ '. .' _ _ /` \/ `\ \/ /` \/ `\ \/ /` \/ `\ \ / \ / \ / '. .' _ _ '. .' _ _ '. .' \/ /` \/` \ \/ /` \/ `\ \/ \ / _ _ \ / '. .'/` \/ `\'. .' \/ \ / \/ '. .' jgs \/ Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true. 1. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.. 2. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you. 3. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep. 4. You mean the world to someone. 5. If not for you, someone may not be living. 6. You are special and unique. 7. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better. 8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it. 9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world. 10. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you. 11.. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks. 12 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy. 13. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great. Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life... for the better. To everyone I sent this to, "Thanks for your time." --- ...aww, such a heartwarmer! Thank You LouiseA! ============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO:' ':Oo:oO:' ':Oo:. :oO: ':O:' :Oo: :oO: ' :Oo: ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >Surround yourself with... People who make you happy, People who make you laugh, People who help you when you are in need, People who would never take advantage of you, People who genuinely care, For they are the ones worth keeping in your life. Everyone else is just passing through. - Author Unknown --- ...Amen! Thanks Bunni! -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >Scriptures: The measures God takes to woo us to liberty may be excruciating at times, but they are often more powerful evidences f His unfailing love than all the obvious blessings we could expound. Few truly know the unfailing love of God like the captive set free. Read Hebrews 12:11 Any time we glorify God, we are displays of His splendor. But right now I want to paint a portrait of a life that truly withholds nothing from God, a life through which God does something only He can do. Read Isaiah 26:8 The Ancient of Days is waiting to build a solid foundation that your descendants can live on for years to come if they choose. He is not asking us to rebuild ancient ruins by ourselves. He is simply asking us to be one of the tools He uses. Read Isaiah 58:12 What do we need when the mountains shake, when our hills are removed? Babies die without it. Children must have it. Adults search for it. We'll only find real freedom in a love that will not go away. Read Isaiah 54:10 Let your intentions be so pure that you reject from your actions any other motive than the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Read 1 John 2:3 You listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help. You defend orphans and everyone else in need, so that no one on earth can terrify others again. Psalms 10: 17-18 Sometimes we would like for things to just be FIXED. But God wants us to know why we continue being oppressed, so that the next time we're in the same situation, we will make different choices. Read Judges 6:8-9 God woos us to a place of absolute freedom. Read Jeremiah 34:17 The job will never get done unless you start it. Read 1 Chronicles 22:16 Learn from your adversities. Troubles can teach us to appreciate happiness. Read Psalms 13:5-6 --- ...Good Advice! Thanks Bunni! ============================================================= ,;;;;;;, ,;;;;;;, ,;;;@@@@@;;;@@@@@;;;, ,;;;@@,;;;,@,;;;,@@;;;, ;;;@@;;;' ';' ';;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@;;; ;;;@@';;, ,;;'@@;;; ';;;@@';;,;;'@@;;;' ';;;@@';'@@;;;' jgs ';;;@@@;;;' ';;@;;' ( ';' (#) ) (#) ( (#) ) (#) >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: This is a true story. Told by me with much love, and gratefulness. I wouldn't be alive today had it not been for this man and the fact that when God spoke to him he obeyed with out any question. For almost three years I've been that calm reassuring voice on the other end of the phone. Telling people of all walks of life and faith that their world hadn't ended and that they were just having a hard time. I was always the one that said, "Suicide is a final decision that we can never take back. However on that cold and seemingly empty Monday morning just a little over a week ago, I was ready to take my own life, and had I not felt the obligation to call this friend and supervisor of mine I would have most likely gone through with it. Now, as I sit here typing up this story to you I am thankful beyond words for the fact that he and God stepped in and stopped me. Below is the story that has forever shaped my life, and has started me off in a new and most wondrous direction. I hope to never see that darkness again, but if I do, I'll always know that I've a friend to turn to, and if he is not available then God most surely is. A VERY HAPPY ENDING As I sit here a little over a week after a scary moment for me I think about how close I came to making a fatal mistake and how sad it would have made some of my closest friends and family had I been successful. I attribute my not making this mistake to the holey Spirit and a good friend who knew to listen to the small still voice that some times shows itself completely out of no place. Rewind to a little over a week ago to a dark moment in my life, and here's the story. On Monday morning I woke after only an hour's sleep to find that I felt much like some one who has just stepped off the edge of the world. I felt as if there was no light at the end of a long tunnel and that the only way I would find that light would be to end my life. However, something deep with in me did not really want this to be so. I felt as if I at least should say good-bye to a special person who had made himself a big part of my life with out even asking to do so. Some years back I had started on a journey that would teach me much, but that would also bring to me a certain amount of pain. Now as I lie there on my bed, unable to stop crying and unable to see any thing but sadness in my life I felt that pull to call my special friend. My fingers trembled as I dialed the phone, and my heart sank as I heard the voice mail answer instead of a volunteer's voice. I felt I must at least leave a message and after I'd done so, I suddenly became scared that he'd not hear it and that he might never know how I felt. The guilt from how badly I'd treated this friend over these last few weeks ate at me, and finally I tried the number again. This time a caring voice answered, and I asked her to please make certain that he heard the message I'd left. Something in my voice made her ask if I were okay, and I honestly told her that I did not feel well. She must've called him right away because just a few moments later my phone rang and it was him on the other end of the phone. As he and I talked, it did not take him long to realize that I was in serious trouble, and after a few direct questions and some hard persuasion he was able to talk me in to going to the hospital with him. As I got ready to leave I figured he'd just dump me off on some one else and be on his way, just as so many before him had done. I couldn't shake the empty feeling I had, nor could I feel any thing but the sad numb feeling that had been plaguing me for days. Now at the emergency room he was telling me he'd not just leave me to face this horror alone. I did not understand how some one whom I'd treated so badly just a few days before could possibly be so caring. I did not understand the fact that he had forgiven me, and that although I'd hurt him badly he was still willing to stay with me, and to see to it I got the help I so badly needed. As the day progressed, I felt many different emotions. I felt fear, and deep sadness. I felt anger, and deep regret for the way I'd behaved, but most of all I still felt that same admiration for this strong man who had such great faith in God and followed his teachings to the letter. At first I thought that maybe he'd just forgiven me because that is what God instructs us to do, but as the day wore on, and as I sat in the middle of the bed there in the exam room crying and feeling very frightened and as he patted my leg or hand to reassure me that it would be alright, I began to realize that he'd forgiven me because he did for sure care about me and what happened to me. It dawned on me that he could've very easily just sent the police to my home, and turned me over to them and gone on with his day, but he hadn't chosen to do that. After six long hours in the emergency room, the hospital staff decided that I would be admitted to a psychiatric hospital there in the area, and it was only then that my friend told me that he would have to go now. I was again very afraid, but before he left me, he put his arms around me and hugged me tightly, repeating over and over to me that I would be alright, and that I would not stay over the edge forever. The love and care that he showed to me that long horrible day stayed with me all through out my hospitalization and now I'm back home, and feeling much better. All because some one was willing to give me just one more chance, and all because God had spoken to him as he listened to that message I'd left, and had told him to not wait but to call me back rite then. Had he let his human side win that day, I do not think I'd be here, but he chose to let the Spirit lead him, and because of that I'm here to tell the tail. Thanks to you God, and thanks to you Lynn for caring enough to be firm and for making me do what I couldn't do alone. I am going to be okay now, and I will rise above this and I will go forward and be successful. I am going to take your advice seriously. You've told me, "Don't Let A Set Back Hold Me Back.". And I'm not going to. I have a new story to add to my testimony and now God can truly work in my life. He couldn't before because I stood in his way, but that has passed, and although I still have some bad days, I know in my heart that there are people in my corner, and that one of them is you. May God give to you a most wondrous blessing and may he remember the most loving act that you performed that snowy cold, and very empty day for me. With Love, and Friendship, To Lynn Sorrell, From, Patty/Tazz! For almost three years I worked as a volunteer, and a Vista (Volunteers In Service To America) For a very wonderful organization called: 2-1-1/Contact Concern. They are a help line that provides not only information and referrals for basic needs, but they are also a listening ear should you become despondent and ready to give up. To find a center in your area you may look on: www.2-1-1 contact concern.org or you can see the United Way web site at: www.United Way.org Or just pick up any land phone line and dial 2-1-1 and you should get a center as close to you as it is possible for them. If that fails, call your United Way agency in your area. Either way never be afraid to phone. -<>- ...... ...... .:oOOOOo:. .:oOOOOo:. .:oOO:'':Oo:. .:oO:'':OOo:. .:oO: 'Oo:oO' :Oo:. :oO: 'o' :Oo: :oO: :Oo: ':oO: V A L E N T I N E :Oo:' ':oO: :Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' ':oO. .Oo:' jgs 'oO:Oo' 'oOo' 'o' >Namaste. Has this ever happened to you? The day after we moved to a small town in Colorado my wife Bev did grocery shopping. We moved few food items with us so she filled four grocery carts full. She asked if she could pay with an out of state check. "We just moved here," she explained, "and don't have local checks yet." They said, "Yes, no problem." But when she began looking for her checkbook, she discovered that she had left it at home. All of the groceries had been checked and sacked. "I'm so sorry," she said, "I thought I had it with me. If I could just leave the groceries here for a few minutes, I'll run home and get the checkbook." "Don't worry about it," the cashier told her. "Take the groceries home. The next time you're in the store you can pay for them." We had just moved from a large city and she couldn't believe what she was hearing! This clerk had never seen her before. But she treated her as if she were a VIP. She was somebody! Don't you love it when you are treated like you are somebody? Because the truth is, we are all somebody. We are all important. And maybe most businesses cannot (and should not) let everybody pay with credit, but even strangers can be treated with honor and respect. "Namaste" is a polite Indian gesture of greeting or farewell. From Hindi, the word literally means "bowing to you." Namaste has also been used to mean "I honor the sacred that is within you." What a remarkable thing it would be to actually honor the sacred that is within each person we meet! Even strangers. Nobody would go unnoticed and everybody would count. Here is an exercise that may dramatically change your life: for one month treat everybody you meet as if she or he is the most important person in the world. The man sweeping the sidewalk, your spouse and children, a teenager in the neighborhood, the elderly woman seated across the aisle from you -- honor that which is sacred in all of them. Give your undivided attention. By your words and actions, communicate to them all how important they are to you. Show them great respect and kindness. You may be amazed at what happens to your relationships! You may not single-handedly solve the problem of world peace -- but in one small way at least, you will make a great difference. Namaste. -- Steve Goodier -<>- .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ | | | H A P P Y | \ VALENTINE'S / __\ D A Y ! / _ / |`\ /' | \ \/_/ `\ /' \_\| / __ `\ /' \/_/__\ `\/' .--='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,-----,--\--,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs __/\_ '--=.\}/ /_/ |\\ \/ >GENTLENESS AND HUGS By: Joseph J. Mazzella In my life I have experienced a lot of different types of hugs. I have gotten the warm hug that goes on forever. I have gotten the bear hug that squeezes the air right out of your lungs. I have gotten the neck hug where the little child jumps in your arms and wraps lovingly around your neck. I have gotten the back slapper hug where the hugger gives you the bam, bam on the back. I have even gotten the leg hug which toddlers all over the world use to melt your heart. The most memorable hug I ever got, however, came when I was a teenager. I was visiting a monastery in the Midwest with several other boys. Our guide took us through the simple rooms where the Priests and Monks lived, worked, and prayed. As we entered a small kitchen one of the Brothers walked in. To say he was intimidating would have been an understatement. He was a giant of a man. He stood well over six and a half feet tall. He must have weighed over three hundred pounds as well. He looked like a lineman for a professional football team dressed in a brown, wool robe. As we talked, though, his kind spirit and delightful sense of humor put us all at ease. That is until he rose to leave. Then he walked right at me to give me a hug. At first I feared he might crack a rib, but when he took me in his huge arms all I felt was the love from his soul. It was the gentlest hug I ever got. Leo Rosten said: "It is the weak who are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong." I learned that lesson first hand in the arms of one of the strongest but gentlest spirits I have ever met in this world. He showed me with one hug that God is love and that our real strength comes from loving each other as He loves us. He showed me that our true power comes when we aren't afraid to embrace our goodness or express our joy. He showed me too that gentleness and hugs will forever go together. May your life always be full of both.( -<>- .-"""-. .-"""-. / `..' \ ; ___ _ _ ; | | | / \| ||_ | ; _|_ |__\_/|/ |_ ; \ _ / \__ \_// \| | / _ / | | \_/\_/ /' | \ \/_/\ /' \_\| / __ `\ /' \/_/__\ `\/' .--='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,-----,--\--,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs __/\_ '--=.\}/ /_/ |\\ \/ >LOVE LETTERS FROM GOD by Lydia E. Harris [edited] As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:5 Read: Isaiah 62:1-5 On Valentine's Day I like to send and receive love notes with the special people in my life. I'm always eager to tear open the envelopes from family and friends and read the special sentiments. The cards may be humorous, sweet, or even romantic if they are from my bridegroom of 40 years. Often I save messages in my "special cards" file to reread later. I treasure another volume of love letters written to me--the Bible. God's Word overflows with messages to encourage, affirm, and guide me. But I'm ashamed to admit, I don't always read it as eagerly as my valentines. Although God's Word is penned with sacrificial love, at times it remains unopened. Busyness, interruptions, and life's cares may cause my disinterest and neglect. Just as love between a husband and wife wanes if it isn't nurtured, love for my heavenly Bridegroom grows cold if I don't cherish my time with Him. Yet God's love for me never changes. In Isaiah 62, I learn He sees me as a crown of beauty and a royal diadem in His hand (v. 3). And He delights in me (v. 4). Not only that, He rejoices over me as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (v. 5). Ponder that thought: God Almighty rejoices over you and me. Incredible! Author Joni Eareckson Tada describes God's amazing love this way: "It's a jump- up-and-down, throw-your-head-back, yell-out-loud, Rejoice!' Jesus is brimming with heartfelt love for you. This is love." Lord Jesus, I'm thrilled by Your love. Give me a deep, consistent love for You, God and God's Word. Day by day, may I fall more in love with God, His Word and You my sweet beloved Lord and savior Jesus Christ! Questions: What causes you to neglect God's love letters to you? What can you do to be consistent? How has God shown His deep love for you? What can you do to fall more in love with Him? -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Extreme Homes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/exhomes.html Best Bed Positions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/playmate.html God's Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html God's Water Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Nanny Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html Peek-A-Boo Panda http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panda.html A Woman's Dream http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woman.html -<>- _______ / /_ / -/- / / / / / / /_______/ / jgs ((______| / `"""""""` >From TruthOrTradition Bible Study: We are excited to announce that we have made our "New Life in Christ: Foundations for Powerful Christian Living" audio class available online for free! This class will introduce you to the foundations of biblical study and Christian living. It covers all the topics necessary to give a beginning student the tools needed to understand and apply biblical truth in everyday life. Each of the 24 sessions is just under 39 minutes. The online class comes with a comprehensive PDF syllabus and further study links. Thanks to the support of our partners and contributors, people all over the globe can now listen to this foundational class for free. We have already heard from a student in a university in the Philippines and a saint from the United Kingdom who have already begun the online class. To listen to this class simply visit http://www.TruthOrTradition.com/audio (Scroll down to the free online seminars) >From Our friend LouiseA :) She sent us one we have here... I Believe... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html --- ...a sweet one! Thanks LouiseA! 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 -<>- .-""""--. _ _ / ) ( \/ ) / --"` \ / _ _ / _`:____ \/ ( \/ ) | .-' `\ \ / \ / .----'./ \/ \ : ,-' ~(.).)\ _ _ \_| \ ._) | ( \/ ) _ _ / | \.__, / \ / ( \/ ) _.--' )`///-,-' _ _ \/ \ / / / _| (_\\ ( \/ ) \/ | (____/____) \ / \ ___/ | _ \/ `---( ` ) `-, .' (__.'._/'._/ |`| | __/ / / // | `--. || /_____) jgs `=---` >-->HE's BACK!! An Awesome UPDATE From Our Friend Buffalo: Happy Valentine's Day everyone. My name is buffalo and I realize it has been almost a year since I have sent out an edition of the Links. My health both physical and mental has improved to the point where I am able to continue sending although it may take some tweaking of the format and won't be a regular thing to start out but hopefully I will be able to fulfill my promise to LynnLynn. Today's material is from two of my favorite Page Writer's Southbreeze and Melva and I hope you enjoy their work too. William aka buffalo ---- Hello Everyone! I am sending you some valentines that I hope you will enjoy. I have selected a few for you to choose from for that special someone You may find a few more on my website. If you would like to see them go to http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com and browse through the holiday section. Have a great day! http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/tomyvalentine.htm Aol Link ......Graphics by April..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/valentine1.htm Aol Link .....Graphics by Star Shine..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/tomorrow.htm Aol Link ......Graphics by Deb..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/willyouvalentine.htm Aol Link .....Graphics by Penny Parker..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/MyValentineToYou2.htm Aol Link .....Graphics by Penny Parker..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/myheartbelongs.htm Aol Link .....Graphic by Ultimate Designs..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/WouldUCouldU.htm Aol Link .....Graphics by Moon and Back..... http://www.reflectionsofsouthbreeze.com/Pages/BeMine.htm Aol Link .....Graphics by Moon and Back..... God Bless each of you southbreeze evemann@charter.net Hugs Melva ********** Mountain Tops and Valleys http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Insp/C/Mo.html Once In Awhile http://silverandgoldandthee.net/R/Once.html I Should Have Known http://www.silverandgoldandthee.com/Insp2/IShould.html A Day of Fun http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Hu/Da.html With The Lord By My Side http://silverandgoldandthee.net/Insp/C/Side_files/Side.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 BabyLissa's and LynnLynn's Trivia - Daily Trivia Game http://my.funtrivia.com/tournament/BabyLissas-and-LynnLynns-Trivia-2463.html If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' jgs \/ \/ \/ \/ >Thy will be done... I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I'm supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I'm praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things." ~~Mother Teresa Please consider the environment before printing this email "I believe that friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly" Please take the time to read this. I wanted to hurry up and read it, but God slowed me down and I read the whole thing. Guess what, God does what God always does, he blessed me and now it is your turn to be blessed. Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well. Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity. When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up. He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?" The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. "Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water. Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?" "I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately," came the calm reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place. A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering. The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack. "Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl. "What's this?" Carl asked. "It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet." "I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?" The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street. Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago. He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden." The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said. The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him." The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. During that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it. One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday." "Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?" "Carl," he replied.. That's the whole gospel message simply stated. Take 60 seconds give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is: 1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this. God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day! 2. Then send it on to five other people. Within hours five people have prayed for you, and you caused a multitude of people to pray to God for other people. Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves. --- ...God's Will be done! Great classic! Thanks Linda! ============================================================== .:::. .:::. :::::::.::::::: ::::::::::::::: ':::::::::::::' ':::::::::' ':::::' ':' ,;;;, ,;;;, ;;;;;;;,;;;;;;; .:::. .::::;;;;;;;;;;; :::::::.:::::::;;;;;;;;;' :::::::::::::::;;;;;;;' ':::::::::::::';;;;;' ':::::::::' ';' ':::::' ':' >Chris's Wings Story Editor: by Jean Ang Anne Wilson California, USA In December 2001, my husband and I took our son Christopher on a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Chris had Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy. When we boarded in Seattle, the pilot, Gary, asked if we wanted to show Chris, 15, the cockpit. My husband carried him in for a look. Chris' face lit up as he told us when he became well he wanted to be a pilot. It made me cry. During our flight the entire crew was great to Chris. When we landed, Gary asked for our address to send Chris a card. Chris was so excited Gary wanted to write to hm. Several weeks later Chris received a beautiful card. Pinned to it was a pair of wings. Gary wrote that he'd earned them while in the service and wanted Chris to have them. We put the wings on Chris and he didn't want to take them off. All he did was talk about the pilot that sent them. He even took them to school to show his friends. Three months later Chris had his 16th birthday. That Saturday there was a knock on the door. It was Gary, who said he was on the way to LA for a flight. He wanted to see how Chris was doing and had a surprise -- he'd brought Chris one of his old pilot jackets. Chris was just beside himself. We immediately put the wings on the jacket and took pictures of Chris wearing it. I'd never seen him so excited. The jacket was his most prized possession. Six months later, on August 10, 2002, Chris passed away. We sent Gary an email about Chris's death, but sadly it was returned. Four years later I found a web page looking for stories about wonderful customer service experiences while traveling on Alaska Airlines. Now was my chance to let the airline know about Gary and what he'd done for Chris. My letter was published on the web site. The next week, I received an email from the airline asking my permission to publish my letter in their upcoming In-Flight magazine. I was honored and thankful that Gary would be recognized for what he'd done. I received a call from Gary two months later asking if he could come over as he had something for me. When he arrived, he opened a box containing a model of a 737 Alaska Airline airplane. There was also a note from Alaska's CEO thanking me for writing the letter. Gary has since been promoted to Captain. This experience taught me the importance of being kind to one another. My older son became a pilot and teaches flying lessons. He is living Chris's dream -- because of the incredible kindness of one person. I will never forget how Gary made one special boy very proud, and how he made such an impact on our whole family. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::/` \/ `\:::::::::::::::::8 8::::::::::\ /` \/ `\:::::::::::8 '8:::::::::::. .\ /::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::\/:::. .:::::::::::8' '8::::::::::::::::\/:::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Quinton, 4, was having lunch and he accidentally burped at the table. When his mom asked him what does he say, he spoke proudly, "I guess that means my tank's full, Momma." -- Rhonda Schmitzer (grandmother of Quinton) of Turpin, Oklahoma Koen, 3, has some behavior problems at day care. Sometimes he gets in trouble for "hitting his friends." Koen stopped by at Nanna and PawPaw's home for a cookie recently, and PawPaw took the opportunity to ask him if he had been good that day. Koen replied enthusiastically, "PawPaw, I didn't hit my friends today, but we jumped up and down on Christian!" -- Lonetta and Dennis Smith (Nanna and PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina Steffanie is a special education teacher's assistant in an all-day kindergarten class in British Columbia. On the 87th day of school (she knows this because 100 days in a kindergarten class is a REAL BIG REASON to celebrate) the classroom teacher and Steffanie were in the cloakroom, helping the students put on their snowy day outside clothing. One of the students wanted help. The little boy expected help right now. The teacher kindly and patiently replied, "I will help you in a moment, and do you know what the magic word is when you ask for help?" The little boy looked up at his teacher and did not offer a reply. His cubby neighbor did, though. She innocently answered with a slight hesitation, "Is is Bibbity Bobbity Boo?" -- Steffanie Beale of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / _ _ '. .' \ / '. .' _ _ /` \/ `\ \/ '. .' \/ /` \/ `\ \ / \/ \ / '. .' '. .' \/ _ H A P P Y _ \/ /` \/ `\ VALENTINE'S /` \/ `\ \ / D A Y \ / '. .' _ _ _ _ '. .' \/ /` \/` \ /` \/ `\ \/ \ / _ _ \ / '. .'/` \/ `\'. .' \/ \ / \/ '. .' jgs \/ Janet has been totally blind since birth. Her niece Aimee has a baby named Elijah, 19 months old. He hasn't learned to talk yet and doesn't see Janet often. Therefore sometimes family members tell Janet when Elijah is looking at her so that she can pay attention to him. He hasn't figured out that if he makes a sound Janet will know he wants something. All of a sudden he started hitting Janet with his hand. She asked him what he wanted and he touched her braille watch. He remembered seeing her check the time the last time he had seen her -- a month ago at least! -- Janet Colby of Brockton, Massachusetts. The recent story about not putting fish in the fish sticks reminded Merry of her daughter Chrissy when she was very young, about 5. She used to love tuna. One day Merry made the mistake of calling it tuna fish. Chrissy said, "You mean, it has fish in it?" From then on she didn't want it. -- Merry of Knoxville, Tennessee Alton, 3, and Ogden, 5, were spending the day with Grandma and Grandpa. Alton was with Grandpa playing a game on the computer when Oggie came to the kitchen and asked for a popsicle. His grandmother checked the freezer and there was only one left. She told him he could have it but he would have to stay with her so his brother wouldn't want one, too. Alton quietly ate his treat. Then his grandmother washed the evidence from his face, instructing him not to tell his brother because the popsicle "would be our little secret." As he walked away, Alton said, "I'll just go tell him I DIDN'T have a popsicle!" -- Diane Schlemmer (grandmother of Alton and Oggie) of LaGrange, Indiana __ _ / /| |\\ \/_/ \_\| / __ \/_/__\ .-=='/~\ ____,__/__,_____,______)/ /{~}}} -,------,----,-----,---,\'-' {{~}} jgs '-==.\}/ Jan picked up her oldest grandson, Lucas, 8. As they drove to the grocery, the subject of names came up. Jan explained to Lucas that his father had picked out his name and she told him there is a wonderful story about his birth and how he got his name and that his mother has written it all in his baby book. Lucas was stunned to hear this and said, "What? There is a book? Why am I just hearing about this?" -- Jan Richardson of Kendallville, Indiana When Joel was getting ready to turn 5, he was asked by his "Auntie Piggie" (his Auntie Becky who raised pigs) how old he was going to be. He held up one hand, and said he was a whole handful. He is now more than two handfuls at 12. -- Amy Meyer of Westminster, Colorado Jaxon, 7, was sick one weekend when he was staying with his PawPaw and Grandma. As he was lying on the sofa he was pressing on his forehead and all of a sudden he exclaimed, "Grandma! Come here quick! I feel my skeleton head!" (His skull!) -- Sandee Dougherty (grandmother of Jaxon) of Ohio Sandee also tells about her grandson, Joey, 6, who heard his grandfather complaining again about something. Joey told him, "Oh, Grandpa, quit your whining!" They both burst out laughing! (\/) \/ (\/) .-. .-. \/ ((`-)(-`)) \\ // (\/) \\ // \/ .="""=._))((_.="""=. / ., .' '. ,. \ /__(,_.-' '-._,)__\ ` /| |\ ` /_|__ __|_\ | `)) ((` | | | jgs -"== =="- The Rev. Dan Barker tells about a child at his Methodist church who had ashes on the forehead because of Ash Wednesday. When Dan asked why the ashes were there the child explained, "It's ass Wednesday." -- Rev. Dan Barker of Kendallville, Indiana Aliyah's grandmother came over on Valentine's Day, and, of course, brought some candy for the kids. Destiny was cooking dinner so she told the children to wait before digging into the sweets. Aliyah's grandmother said something about Aliyah having a sweet tooth. The 4-year-old turned to her dad, opened her mouth, and asked, "Where is my sweet tooth?" -- Destiny Renkenberger (mother of Aliyah) of Kendallville, Indiana Penny teaches 3-year-olds on Sunday mornings. One boy is very outspoken. This Sunday, he was the first to use the potty in their room. The cleaning lady had left the blue cleaner in it. Harrison looked at it, and loudly yelled, "Blue pee!" Then he looked at the other boy sitting at the table, and asked, "Did you do this?" -- Sandi Gosnell of Florida (Penny lives in South Carolina) ..8888888.. ..8888888.. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::8:::::::::::::::8. .8:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::8. 8:::::: ::::' ':::' ':::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ' ::: : :::::8 8:::::: ::: ::: : :::::8 '8::::: ::::. .:::: : ::::8' '8:::: ::::::. .:::::: : :::8' '8::: ::::::::.::::::::. .::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::::::::8' '8:::::::::::8' jgs '8:::::8' '8' Riding home in the car with her Auntie after an afternoon of shopping, Kenzi, 7, began sharing her innermost thoughts about boys. She didn't understand why, but she was sure that one little boy did not like her because he wouldn't let her watch him play his Nintendo. After a moment of thought, she blurted out that she was just sure they would make really good friends. "After all," she said, "we have a lot in common ... his first name is Forrest, my last name is Woods!" -- Rhonda Jalbert (Gramma) of Port Angeles, Washington If something scares Jacob, 2, he will run to his grandmother (Nana) and she will pick him up and say, "Don't scare my baby." One day Poppa cranked the leaf blower and it was loud. Jacob ran to Nana. She picked him up. Before she could say anything, he said, "Scare my baby." -- Cathy of Carthage, Texas One day Marcy was riding her stationary bike. It's a really old one. Her granddaughter asked, "Mawmaw, why doesn't your bike have wheels?" Before she could answer, her grandson said, "It's a practice bike. When she gets good, Pawpaw will put the wheels on!" -- Marcy in Ohio ========================================================== ,@@@@@@, ,@@@@@""@@, ( _ _ , @@@@@ 6.6\@ :\ ( \/ ) {{^\@@@C _-_)@ : \ \ / {{:\\@@@) (@@' : \ \/ (\/) {{::\\ / \---.:.__\_ \/ \`::\( , \---:---._) `"`"; \ \|_.-;====I======{> | \ _.-': / (\/) | `"/ : / \/ // \/ : / \\_ \ :/ \ \ | ( ) ) ) / / / jgs / / /_ (_(____) >-->"The Love of God." by Frederick M. Lehman. Could we with ink the ocean fill, And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a quill, And every man a scribe by trade, To write the love of God above, Would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, Though stretched from sky to sky. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ _ _ \/ \/ \/ _ _ /` \/ `\ /` \/ `\ \ / \ / '. .' H A P P Y V A L E N T I N E' S D A Y '. .' \/ \/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ _ _ /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / /` \/ `\ \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \ / '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ '. .' \/ jgs \/ \/ \/ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 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 andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************