Happy Veteran's Day Weekend! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | # # # #:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ # # # #:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ # # # #:::::: jgs / \ # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # H A P P Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # V E T E R A N ' S D A Y # # # # # # # # # # # # # # W E E K E N D ! # # # # # # # >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press This smoking hot new page is from our friends Linda and LouiseAu. Intricate artwork always fascinates me. I especially appreciate what is known as Origami artwork. The artists start out with a single sheet of paper and with expert folding skills they make beautiful works of art. Be sure to check out this collection of highly skilled artists here: Origami Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/origamiart2.html --- ...Totally Awesome! Thanks Ladies! -<>- .''. .''. *''* :_\/_: . :_\/_: . .:.*_\/_* : /\ : .'.:.'. .''.: /\ : _\(/_ ':'* /\ * : '..'. -=:o:=- :_\/_:'.:::. /)\*''* .|.* '.\'/.'_\(/_'.':'.' : /\ : ::::: '*_\/_* | | -= o =- /)\ ' * '..' ':::' * /\ * |'| .'/.\'. '._____ * __*..* | | : |. |' .---"| _* .-' '-. | | .--'| || | _| | .-'| _.| | || '-__ | | | || | |' | |. | || | | | | || | ___| '-' ' "" '-' '-.' '` |____ jgs~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *~* We Had A Spectacular Month Of Caring And Sharing *~* Be Sure To Visit And Share These With Your Friends... Military Dogs 3! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/militarydogs3.html Police Dogs 3! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/policedogs3.html Arabian Sand Cat! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/sandcat.html Hey, If It Fits 2... http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/fits2.html Cute Little Antelope! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/antelope.html Look Who's Talking 14! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/talking14.html Playing With Food 6! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/food6.html Through Daredevil Eyes 2! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/daredevil2.html Ricochet And Jose! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochetjose.html Tricks For Treats 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tricksfortreats5.html _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Wonderful Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you. We have a fascinating piece for you today -- written 18 years ago, just after the 9/11 attack, in a Romanian newspaper. It's about freedom and what makes America different from the other countries of the world. We will be commemorating Veteran's Day on Friday, and the services of millions of citizen soldiers who have sacrificed their time, and many times their lives, over the past 240 years to buy the freedom we enjoy today -- something that we should not, and cannot, ever take for granted. .--.-,-.-.-,-.--. | \ / | | \ / | | .===,=,===. | _/\_; .-'`^`'-. ;_/\_ ( /` /_________\ `\ ) | | |===========| | | | | | | | | | | | , | | | | | ;_{_________; | | | |/===`>========\| | | ;-._<`________.-; | | | | U | | | / | |___________| | \ | | |jgs | '-------------------------' >GREEN WITH ENVY bv Cornel Nistorescu, Romanian Newspaper Executive Why are Americans so united? They don't resemble one another even if you paint them! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations. Some of them are nearly extinct, others are incompatible with one another, and in matters of religious beliefs, not even God can count how many they are. Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, the secret services that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed on the streets nearby to gape about. The Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand. After the first moments of panic, they raised the flag on the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a minister or the president was passing. On every occasion they started singing their traditional song, "God Bless America!" Silent as a rock, I watched the charity concert broadcast on Saturday once, twice, three times, on different TV channels. There were Clint Eastwood, Willie Nelson, Robert de Niro, Julia Roberts, Cassius Clay, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Silvester Stalone, James Wood, and many others whom no film or producers could ever bring together. The American's solidarity spirit turned them into a choir. Actually, choir is not the word. What you could hear was the heavy artillery of the American soul. What neither George W. Bush, nor Bill Clinton, nor Colin Powell, could say without facing the risk of stumbling over words and sounds, was being heard in a great and unmistakable way in this charity concert. I don't know how it happened that all this obsessive singing of America didn't sound croaky, nationalist, or ostentatious. It made you green with envy because you weren't able to sing for your country without running the risk of being considered chauvinist, ridiculous, or suspected of who-knows-what mean interests. I watched the live broadcast and the reruns for hours, listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who fought with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that would have killed other hundreds or thousands of people. How on earth were they able to bow before a fellow human? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit which nothing can buy. What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their galloping history? Their economic power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases which risk of sounding like commonplaces. I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion. Only freedom can work such miracles! -- Cornel Nistorescu, Managing Director Romanian newspaper, Evenimentul Zilei September 24, 2001 =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) o /\ /::\ /::::\ ,a_a /\::::/\ {/ ''\_ /\ \::/\ \ {\ ,_oo) /\ \ \/\ \ \ {/ (_^____/ \ \ \ \ \ \ .=. {/ \___)))*) \ \ \ \ \/ (.=.`\ {/ /=; ~/ \ \ \ \/ \ `\{/( \/\ / \ \ \/ \ `. `\ ) ) \ \/ jgs \ // /_/_ \/ '==''---)))) >AMERICAN VALOR [edited] BENGHAZI: The stunning part of this story is that Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty killed 60 of the attacking force. Once the compound was overrun, the attackers were incensed to discover that just two men had inflicted so much death and destruction. Just think how much could have been accomplished if they had the support of their Commander-in-Chief! The news has been full of the attacks on our embassies throughout the Muslim world, and in particular, the deaths of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others in Benghazi, Libya. However, apart from the shameful amount of disinformation willingly distributed by the Main Stream Media and the then current Obama administration, there's a little known story of incredible bravery, heroics, and courage that should be the top story of every news agency across the fruited plain. So what actually happened at the U.S. embassy in Libya? We are learning more about this every day. Ambassador Stevens and Foreign Service officer Sean Smith, along with administrative staff, were working out of temporary quarters due to the fact that in the spring of 2011 during the so-called Arab Spring, the United States cut ties with then president Moammar Gadhafi. Our embassy was looted and ransacked, causing it to be unusable. It is still in a state of disrepair. Security for embassies and their personnel is to be provided by the host nation. Since Libya has gone through a civil war of sorts in the past 18 months, the current government is very unstable, and therefore, unreliable A well-organized attack by radical Muslims was planned specifically targeting the temporary U.S. embassy building. The Libyan security force that was in place to protect our people deserted their post, or joined the attacking force. Either way, our people were in a real fix. And it should be noted that Ambassador Stevens had mentioned on more than one occasion to Secretary of State, 'Hillary Clinton'ť, that he was quite concerned for his personal safety and the welfare of his people. It is thought that Ambassador Stevens was on a s..t list.ť A short distance from the American compound, two Americans were sleeping. They were in Libya as independent contractors working an assignment totally unrelated to our embassy. They also happened to be former Navy SEALs. When they heard the noise coming from the attack on our embassy, as you would expect from highly trained warriors, they ran to the fight. Apparently, they had no weapons, but seeing the Libyan guards dropping their guns in their haste in fleeing the scene, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty snatched up several of these discarded weapons and prepared to defend the American compound. [it should be noted that these two brave former American Navy SEALs had asked permission to help the embassy but were told at least twice to 'Stand Down'. They however couldn't stand by knowing the embassy needed immediate help and was getting none.] Not knowing exactly what was taking place, the two SEALs set up a defensive perimeter. Unfortunately Ambassador Stevens was already gravely injured, and Foreign Service officer, Sean Smith, was dead. However, due to their quick action and suppressive fire, twenty administrative personnel in the embassy were able to escape to safety. Eventually, these two courageous men were overwhelmed by the sheer numbers brought against them, an enemy force numbering between 100 to 200 attackers which came in two waves. But the stunning part of the story is that Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty killed 60 of the attacking force. Once the compound was overrun, the attackers were incensed to discover that just two men had inflicted so much death and destruction. As it became apparent to these selfless heroes, they were definitely going to lose their lives unless some reinforcements showed up in a hurry. As we know now, that was not to be. I'm fairly certain they knew they were going to die in this gun fight, but not before they took a whole lot of bad guys with them! Consider these tenets of the Navy SEAL Code: 1) Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate, 2) Serve with Honor and Integrity On and Off the Battlefield, 3) Ready to Lead, Ready to Follow, Never Quit, 4) Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your teammates, 5) Excel as Warriors through Discipline and Innovation, 6) Train for War, Fight to Win, Defeat our Nation's Enemies, and 7) Earn your Trident every day. http://navyseals.com/nsw/seal-code-warrior-creed Thank you, Tyrone and Glen. To the very last breath, you both lived up to the SEAL Code. You served all of us well. You were courageous in the face of certain death. And Tyrone, even though you never got to hold your newborn son, he will grow up knowing the character and quality of his father, a man among men who sacrificed himself defending others. God bless America! - Dr. Charles R. Roots Senior Pastor; Former Gunnery Sergeant, USMC; Captain, U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps (Ret) This should be passed on and on and on. NO TRUE AMERICAN WOULD OBJECT TO RECEIVING THIS MORE THAN ONCE ...SO PASS IT --- ...So sad that Hillary and Obama let our people in Benghazi down! Thanks Johanna! Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Glen A. Doherty https://tinyurl.com/y2mq53rw Remembering CIA’s Heroes: Tyrone S. Woods https://tinyurl.com/y5gvu7xs =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: Just to Touch You I THINK WE CAN RELATE TO THIS TODAY. _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >Our Prayer for the Veterans today: May God in all his wisdom watch over us and keep us safe. As we have such trials and pain inflicted upon us in such a way. Dear God reach out and touch the soldiers in a very special way. As they are sent to serve our country so very far away. They have left their loved ones to carry heavy loads. their hearts are often heavy when they go down the very strange roads. We pray and write and listen for a call, We hope that no one comes to tell them their soldier took a fall. We learn to be brave and pick up and carry on. But there are others who know he or she will never come back home. I was one of the lucky ones who never got a call. for I have had God's love to help me stand tall. When we salute our veterans this time, let us not forget, that we are the lucky ones and he or she has no regrets. Written By Luci G. 11-8-03 -<>- o=(=(=(=(=(=(=)=)=)=)=o !-'-'-'-/_\-'-'-'-! ! ! , /___\` ! !! !!! , / | \` ! ! !! ,|___|___` !!! !_,| |_______|` `_! !-`| | | |,-! !!!! | | ! !! !!!! | | !!!! !!!!_|_______|_!!!! !!!!___________!!!! !!!! !!!! !!!! !!!! !!!! !!!! ejm !!!! !!!! >Something To Think About Today, I stood at my window and cursed the pouring rain. Today, a desperate farmer prayed for his fields of grain. My weekend plans are ruined. It almost makes me cry, While the farmer lifts his arms and blesses the clouded sky. The alarm went off on Monday and I cursed my work routine. Next door, a laid off mechanic feels the empty pockets of his jeans. I can't wait for my vacation, some time to take for me. He doesn't know, tonight, how he'll feed his family. I cursed my leaky roof and the grass I need to mow. A homeless man, downtown, checks for change in the telephone. I need a new car. Mine is getting really old. He huddles in a doorway, seeking shelter from the cold. With blessings I'm surrounded; the rain, a job, a home. Though my eyes are often blinded by the things I think I own. - author unknown - -<>- Beautiful Words A friend sent me this. They certainly kept it quiet, This is long, but very good...save it for when you can read it (about 3 minutes) >Terrorist Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it? His trial is over. How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on TV? Everyone should hear what the judge had to say. This is worthy of your time. The real eye opener is that the News did not report anything on it. US District Court Judge William Young statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid --------------------- US District Court Judge William Young made the following statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to prison. It is noteworthy, and deserves to be remembered far longer than he predicts. I commend it to you and anyone you might wish to forward it to. (I hope you will read every word! Pray for more judges like this one.) --- ...Thanks to God answering prayers and being able to use President Trump, we now have more great judges like this one! Praise God! ___________ \ / )_______( |"""""""|_.-._,.---------.,_.-._ | | | | | | ''-. | |_| |_ _| |_..-' |_______| '-' `'---------'` '-' )"""""""( /_________\ `'-------'` .-------------. jgs/_______________\ >JUDGE WILLIAM YOUNG, SENTENCES THE SHOE BOMBER "January 30, 2003, United States vs.. Reid. Judge Young: "Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you. "On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. "On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the other. "That's 80 years. "On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of $2 million. "The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines. "The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment. "The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further. "This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. "Let me explain this to you: We are not afraid of any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. "There is all too much war talk here. And I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, where we deal with individuals as individuals, and care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for justice, you are not an enemy combatant. "You are a terrorist. "You are not a soldier in any war. "You are a terrorist. "To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. "Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or that happens to be your view, "You are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. "We do not sign documents with terrorists. "We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice. So war talk is way out of line in this court. "You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. "A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders. "In a very real sense Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were and he said you're no big deal. "You are no big deal. "What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. "What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? "I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I asked you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty, and admit you are guilty of doing. "And I have an answer for you.. "It may not satisfy you. But as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know. It seems to me you hate the one thing that is most precious: You hate our freedom. "Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, and to believe or not believe as we individually choose. "Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it everywhere from sea to shining sea. "It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. "It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, and will go on in their representation of you before other judges. "We are about it. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. "Make no mistake though: It is yet true that we will bear any burden, pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. "Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. "The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice.. Justice, not war. Individual justice is in fact being done. "The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged. And juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically - to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice. "See that flag Mr. Reid? "That is the flag of the United States of America. "That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. It always will. "Custody, Mr. Officer. Stand him down." (How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on our TV sets? ZERO! Please pass this around. Everyone needs to hear what the judge had to say.) -<>- ()__ ||**Z__ ||**|**=Z____ ||**|**=|====| ||==|**=|====| ||""|===|====| || `"""|====| jgs || `""""` >Armistace Day "stolen" from: http://hummingwolf.livejournal.com/448004.html From "Armistice Day 1918", the Prologue to Savage Peace: Hope and Fear in America, 1919 by Ann Hagedorn: Somewhere beyond the mist and the misery on that November morning, six men met in a railcar to end a war. News of the truce moved through the trenches on the trembling lips of soldiers waiting for the screams of flying shells to cease before they believed what they were told. Some heard it first from their captains who distributed strips of paper that read: "Cease firing on all fronts. 11/11/11. Gen. John J. Pershing." Others would never know. They were the unlucky ones killed in the fragile hours before 11 A.M., before the fighting abruptly stopped. The silence, so unfamiliar, was almost as unsettling as the sounds, as if a giant hand suddenly lay across this land of rotting flesh to hush the din of battle. Silence. Prayers. Tears. Then came the roar of cheering and the popping of bonfires piled high with captured ammunition and anything that could burn. The madness was ending, or so it seemed. And fear was giving way to hope. "One minute we was killing people," a soldier later said, "and then the world was at peace for the first time in four years. It seemed like five minutes of silence and then one of us said, 'Why don't we go home?'" "I shall never forget the sensation," wrote an officer who climbed out of the trenches when he saw rockets signaling the cease-fire. Onto the open, unprotected ground, he walked toward the front lines of battle. The sun shining on his vulnerability, he moved tentatively, as if the earth beneath each foot might cave in. First he saw German helmets and caps vaulting into a distant haze and then beyond a ridge he saw German soldiers dancing a universal jig of joy. "We stood in a dazed silence unable to believe that at last the fighting was over." Thank you to all veterans out there, living and dead. May you one day see the time when at last the fighting is over. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Bleed American http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bleed.html Dog Warriors http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogwarriors.html The Blue Angels http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueangels.html Fighter Aircraft http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fighteraircraft.html Final Toast http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finaltoast.html Lest We Forget http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lestweforget.html Kilroy Was Here http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kilroywashere.html Military Dogs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/militarydogs.html Proud Of Our Troops http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops.html Normandy Then/Now http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/normandy2.html FULL 9/11 And Troop Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html Fall/Vets/Thanksgiving Index! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- Do People Become Angels When They Die? https://tinyurl.com/y4x88ojm Because He lives I can face tomorrow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M-zwE33zHA One Day At A Time w/lyrics as performed by The Heritage Singers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=648cvX76_tI Steven Curtis Chapman - "Warrior" (feat. scenes from War Room) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYEgOh_b-Co Steven Curtis Chapman - I Will Not Go Quietly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTat8Eu1dvk When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwuUHtRXDFE Manhattan Declaration Digest https://tinyurl.com/y3pfqnbe -<>- >In The Veteran News: Veterans Day Discounts, Find Battle Buddies, Free Veteran Programs from Emory Healthcare https://tinyurl.com/y6op8sz8 Text Messages and VA Appointments - Receive reminders via VEText Life is busy, and sometimes, little things can fall off the radar, like remembering an upcoming VA appointment. The good news is that VA reminds Veterans of their appointments by text. If you don’t already, you can start receiving appointment reminders via VEText today. Learn more. https://tinyurl.com/y3otgx58 Treating PTSD: Stay Connected November is home to many holidays, but only one honors you for serving this great country. That holiday is Veterans Day. This November, we would like to bring awareness to something that many Veterans suffer from: PTSD. Learn more. https://tinyurl.com/y5anb3wy FULL 'My HealtheVet' Update | November 6, 2019: https://tinyurl.com/yxnn27ge -<>- >In The News: Trump Formally Exits Paris Climate Disaster “President Donald Trump is keeping his word and getting America out of a bad deal. The poorly negotiated Paris climate accord imposed unfair, unworkable and unrealistic targets on the United States for reducing carbon emissions,” https://tinyurl.com/yyoum5gj Westwing News: 'Coup Has Started,' Whistleblower's Attorney Said in 2017 https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: JUST CONFIRMED: 158 judges and counting “President Trump has appointed, and the Senate has confirmed, 158 life-tenured federal judges . . . Few legacies will be longer lasting than this judicial one. These new judges are principled constitutionalists who have demonstrated excellence and professionalism throughout their legal careers,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) writes in Fox News. https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Poultry, Beef, Vegetables, Tractors http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: Apples pose possible health risk, FDA warns http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) "Wild Antarctica" is a beautiful look at the wildlife and scenery of the Antarctic Peninsula. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJCJ8dMcfks A heartwarming and inspiring look at people who go above and beyond the call of duty to save Man's Best Friend. https://youtu.be/FnmgrnQ9wc0 --- ...Love these! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ___________________________ | ________________________ | | | || | | || | | .*`. || | |____ / | || | | | / | || | | | `O.__,. || | | | _//------. || | | |/ \ \ || | | / '-------' || | |____\ ) || | | | '---/ , || | | | / | | || | | | / ` , || | | ._. ' ' || | | ( , || ----- | |------- ( ; ----- ||------ | | ( ; || | | (___, || | | ( ( ) || | | {( ) || | ------------------------ | | mb | |___________________________| >Dimes for a Stranger Story Editor: by Hope Pesner Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things 'just because.' Life hasn't always been kind to her; she lost my oldest sister to leukemia in 1963 and just lost my father in 2007 after nearly 51 years of marriage. She's had her ups and downs, but has always maintained a positive, sunny outlook on life and has been very helpful to people. As an example, when I was in girl scouts in junior and senior high school, my mom drove me home from the meetings. She always waited for all the other girls to get picked up before driving home. She said, "I wouldn't want my daughter to wait alone, so I don't want any of the girls to wait alone." In the late 1970s, my other older sister had to have a pair of clogs, a hot fashion at the time. They were heavy slip-on shoes with tall soles. One day at home after school, my sister was chasing after our dog while wearing the clogs. She fell down and hurt her ankle and leg, prompting a necessary visit to the hospital emergency room. My mother immediately shifted into crisis mode, packed my sister into the car and drove to our local hospital. Because she was in such a rush to get to the hospital with my sister, my mother didn't call from home to tell my father that they were going to the emergency room. This was long before cell phones, instant messaging, texting and the Internet; so when she got to the hospital, she realized she needed to get in touch with my father immediately. He worked as a retail store manager and she wanted to let him know where they were. While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother made her way to the pay phone to place her call. She put her dime in and called my father. She told him what had happened and where they were. After she hung up, the phone returned several additional dimes that mom wasn't owed. Realizing that the phone was broken, my mother decided to leave the extra dimes by the phone. She told us she left the money there because it was an emergency room -- in a crisis people might not remember to bring change with them to make that emergency call. She left the dimes there for someone else who might need them. I've often thought about her decision from an adult's perspective. I realize that someone seeing the money by the phone may have simply taken it, because not everyone was as trusting as my mother. But I like to believe that my mother's faith was well-placed, and that someone who needed them found the dimes waiting there. =======HeroicStories======= ?---?From CupO'Cheer: 8 8 8 \ 8 \ 8 8 8\, ___ ,/8 \ 8 \\//"\\// 8 8 \('_')/ 8 (8'---`-'---'8) 8`"-. .-"`8 8###|===\###8 jgs #####\ \ \### \ \ \ \()() >A SWING AND A HUG Matt 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? A Swing and a Hug It was a warm, sunny, Saturday afternoon some fifteen or sixteen years ago. I had volunteered to take my two older kids to the local playground while my wife put the youngest down for a nap. As soon as we got there my daughter headed for the swings and asked for a push. As I was helping my daughter to go higher and higher, I noticed another little girl 3 swings down trying in vain to get her own swing going. Her elderly grandmother was sitting quietly on a nearby bench and smiled at me. I gave my daughter one last big push and then walked over to the little girl and asked if she could use a push too. She smiled and said "Yes!" I soon had her feet soaring towards the clouds while she laughed happily. For the next two hours I found myself pushing swings and playing tag with my son, daughter, and the other little girl. By the time we headed home I was physically exhausted but my spirit was still flying higher than those swings. Two years later I was exhausted again after a long day's work. Still, I needed to pick up my kids from the local grade school before heading home. I stood wearily in the parents' waiting area watching for my children. Suddenly, I felt two tiny arms wrap around my stomach. I looked down and there was the little girl from the playground smiling up at me. She gave me one more big hug before heading off to catch her bus. As I watched her go I didn't feel quite so tired anymore and my spirit was once again soaring in the Heavens. In this life every single bit of love we share finds its way back to us again. It may travel from heart to heart or it may blossom in the soul where it was planted. It may take seconds or it may take years. God's law of love, though, is never broken. What we give, we get back. What we sow, we reap. The love we share, the kindness we give, and the joy we create will always come back to bless us in this life and even more so in the next. -Joseph J. Mazzella as seen in The Illustrator -<>- O ~O <|\ /|\ | ~o/ | \o ~o/ _o |\ /| |\ |\ /| |\ jgs / | / \ |// > / \ / > >TERMS TO KNOW FOREIGN FILM -- any movie shown in Texas theater that isn't a western. OPTIMIST -- girl who regards a bulge as a curve. MAGAZINE -- bunch of printed pages that tell you what's coming in the next issue. COLLEGE -- The four-year period when parents are permitted access to the telephone. EMERGENCY NUMBERS -- Police station, fire department and places that deliver. OPERA -- When a guy gets stabbed in the back and instead of bleeding he sings. BUFFET -- A French word that means "Get up and get it yourself." BABY-SITTER -- A teen-ager who must behave like an adult so that the adults who are out can behave like teen-agers. TATTOO -- Permanent proof of temporary insanity. TRAFFIC LIGHT -- apparatus that automatically turns red when your car approaches. DIVORCE -- postgraduate in School of Love. PIONEER -- early American who was lucky enough to find his way out of the woods. PEOPLE -- some make things happen, some watch things happen, and the majority has no idea what's happened. SWIMMING POOL -- a mob of people with water in it. SELF-CONTROL -- the ability to eat only one peanut. SALESMAN -- man with ability to convince wife she'd look fat in mink. CANNIBAL -- person who likes to see other people stewed. EGOCENTRIC -- a person who believes he is everything you know you are. -<>- __ @@;, ( ; ? : ); _| |_ | | || | | _| |_ | \ \ \/ || \/ ___ / / | __| |\ __||____||___||______/| | ||| | |_______ _________| | ||| ||| |____ | | ____| ||| Design by \ \______ ) | | / ______/ / || | | | | | /___| || Samule J. Neptune || | | |_ /| | |\ _| || || || | \__, / | | | \<__/ | || >JUST COME BACK LATER By Guy Slater My wife and I moved to the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee in November of 2005, from a large metropolitan area to a very rural Area. While moving we had the help of our adult daughter and our 2-year-old granddaughter. During the hectic days of moving into our new home, we ate out in The local community a lot. One evening we decided to have dinner at "Cindy's Catfish Kitchen." Cindy's is a buffet style restaurant, all you can eat. It had been a Long day of moving boxes and furniture, and tomorrow would see us on The long drive back to our former home for another load, a thousand Mile long trip. We were all tired, and our granddaughter was cranky To top it all off. But the buffet was great, and we ended our meal Feeling rested and relaxed. When I went to pay our bill, card in hand, the waitress cashier told Me that Cindy's didn't have the ability to take either credit or Debit cards. Being from the "big city," using a credit or debit card Was the norm. Oops! I had no cash in my pocket, but about 10 miles back down the road I'd seen a bank with an ATM. I told the lady that I would leave my Family there and return in a few minutes to pay for our meals. "Oh, y'all don't have to do that," she told me. "You just come back Some time and pay us then." WHAT!? These people had never seen me before, did not know if I Would ever return, yet they trusted me to return to pay for three Adult meals? This is not something that I had ever encountered in The big city, that's for sure. We have lived here for almost six years, and every single week I see Other acts of trust like this happening. It may be a "country" Thing, or just plain Southern hospitality. Whatever it is, I certainly like it, and I pass on this kindness Every chance I get. -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >YOU ARE NEVER ALONE We are crushed but not forsaken, Our hearts are broken on roads we have taken. We rise up at the break of dawn, living is not easy but we carry on. Many sorrows, have passed us by, We grieve Lord and we wonder why? Some lives have taken such a turn, We never could have imagined, But lessons we learned. Take nothing for granted, So fragile are we, We live moment by moment And count upon Thee! Our crippled emotions, can barely arise, We need your help Father, Please brighten those skies. So many twists and bends in our road, We could not foresee this, Please carry the load. The sky is dark, and storms all around, We are sinking fast, We need solid ground. We must walk on, Get our strength from You, These burdens are heavy But you will carry us through. All you suffered, To set us free, Oh the agony you went through, in the Garden of Gethsemane. Beaten and bruised, tormented by men, You stood up To be beaten again! Sleepless and hungry, on you walked, Facing the Giants And Oh how they fought. You surrendered Your life, and took the fall, So we could be saved, And Heed Your Call! You paid a price We cannot pay, Gave us your ALL To save us that Day! Now you intercede for us, Before the Throne, Calling our Names, So we are never alone! You did for us what we cannot do, You gave us Your Life, Lord we want to be with You! © Mary Ann Trott -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >IT IS THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS (By Kerry Doyal, Grace Bible Church) [Minor editing] Great news: Deepening your mark for Christ on others can be very easy! Expanding your impact for God is not usually complicated. Brace yourself for a cheesy phrase on how to increase impact for the Lord. I hope you will stick around for an explanation. Here's the cheese: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." For those still with me, I even have a verse that will justify everything. Pitiful, huh? My assumption is that you desire to maximize your service for Christ seen in changed lives by His grace. That is where we are heading, but first, a story: Paul, an apostle of Jesus, is in jail - again - this time in Rome. Always the disciple-maker, he is writing letters to churches he has served. One is a joy-filled thank you note to the church he started in Philippi. These generous souls had supported him many times in the past, but most recently they lost contact with Paul. Concerned about his babies - believers he was growing into maturity - Paul had sent co-laborers to check on various churches' health. Epaphroditus stopped in on the church in Philippi and was glad to see they were doing well. They were glad to hear news about Paul and be able to reconnect. Seizing the opportunity, they sent a gift back to Paul via Epaphroditus. They once again had a chance to show their love through support. With this backdrop, we better appreciate Paul's words in Philippians 4:10, 11, 14. "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want... Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction" (NASB). The Message reads: "I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess - happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. ... I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me - it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles." Expressed thoughtfulness touches people deeply - even the mature, confident, competent, content types, like Paul. Though their gift was appreciated, it was their concern, their thoughts of him that was valued most. "Thanks for thinking of me!" he writes. "Not that I was in need because, I have learned to be content. Nevertheless, your gift was appreciated. It was a sweet smelling sacrifice that pleases God" (vs. 18). That is lofty language. Thus my cheesy ministry advice: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." When we keep people in our hearts and minds and then express it, we set off parties of praise to God. Prisoner Paul "mega-rejoiced." So do people when you revive your concern for them by expressing it in any one of thousands of ways (chocolate being near the top of the list :) ). Practical acts of kindness encourages others and prompts praise to God. Though Paul had learned contentment - how to live with a little or lots - he was still stirred by their present. They remember him. He was not forgotten. They had ongoing love for him and their gift was proof. Hallelujah. Which life-prisoners would throw a party of praise if you were to let them know you still thought of them, loved and appreciated them? A card, a call, an e-mail, flowers, a txt msg, a gift, dark chocolate. Simple words and acts of love leave deep marks. Some two thousand years later, we still hear echoes of Paul's thanks. Are people disposable or expendable to you? They serve your purposes for a season and then you are done - moving on. "Next!" Hold on a moment, please. The Greatest commandment was to love God. Number Two was to love people, as much as we already love ourselves - untold bunches. People are precious and fragile- they need love, to be remembered, respected and thanked. Many folks are often refueled with hope and purpose by someone simply saying "thanks, good job, I appreciate you, care for some chocolate?" God's love for us was shown in giving His one-of-a-kind, only- one-qualified Son to die for us rebels. He considered our need and - dare I put it so blandly - did something about it. He did not simply hatch a plan back in eternity; He acted on it, conveying His glory, grace and covenant love. Just maybe He is a worthy model to emulate. Soap box alert: We have gotten so used to doing ministry via church programs - which can be great tools of God - that we forget to love on people outside the "ministry" we have. "They are not in my class. Sorry." It seems God only works in 13-week segments, in hour-long blocks inside church buildings. We do our thing and are through for the week. Thus the anemic church (please read Ephesians 4:11-16). Extending and deepening your ministry is not hard: show genuine concern for others in practical ways. Do you keep-up with people or forget them? What long-lost friend, old teacher or student can you track down and convey your love, respect and fond memories? Who do you need to let know that they are in your thoughts and prayers? Seems that telepathy is faulty stuff. Thinking it is not enough. Thus the profound advice: "Put your mind to it and then just do it." Okay, all the cards on the table: yes, this is Pastor appreciation month (did I mention chocolate?). But, pastors are not the only ones who need blessing. After you thank current and former Shepherds, keep going (read James 2:14-17; 1 John 3:16-20). How about that Camp Director, neighbor, Sunday School teacher, Queen of the Casseroles, Deacon, Elder, nursery worker, Youth worker, Mom, Dad, secretary, bus driver...? It was in response to the kindness of these same Philippians that Paul wrote: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen" (Phil. 4:19, 20 - NASB). Amen indeed! Now, go get 'em. To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================= .---. ___ /_____\ /\.-`( '.' ) / / \_-_/_ \ `-.-"`'V'//-. `.__, |// , \ |Ll //Ll|\ \ |__// | \_\ /---|[]==| / / \__/ | \/\/ /_ | Ll_\| |`^"""^`| | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J jgs |_ | _| (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ >-->From InspiredBuffalo: Veterans Day This Monday is Veterans Day. Originally, it was a day set aside to honor the Veterans of World War I because the signing of the Armistice which ended World War I took place on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Since that time, it has become a day to honor the Veterans of all wars. To all of our Veterans, thank you. We salute you, we are grateful for your courage and your sacrifice. We are blessed by your commitment and your service. As we honor our Veterans on this special day, I share with you an "Encourager Classic", a poem dedicated to Christian Soldiers... __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >"I Am A Soldier" By Cindye Coates I am a soldier in the army of my God. The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, Prayer, and the Word are my weapons of Warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, ...trained by experience, ...tried by adversity, ...and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army; But, I will not get out, ...sell out ...be talked out ...or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs, me, I am there. I am a soldier. I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, ...petted, ...primed up, ...pumped up, ...picked up, ...or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, ...remind me, ...write me, ...visit me, ...entice me, ...or lure me. I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, ...saluting my King, ...obeying His orders, ...praising His name, ...and building His Kingdom! No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts. I do not need to be ...cuddled, ...cradled, ...cared for, ...or catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. When Jesus called me into this Army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even. I will win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain. I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will not turn around. I am a soldier, marching, Heaven bound. Here I stand! Will you stand with me? --- ...I'm a soldier in the army of the Lord https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7JnmBEPZYQ To All Our Vets: (Ż`v´Ż) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨Ż`•. Big Huggums And THANKS! :) Shangy! >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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 **********************************************************************