He Took My Place ... :) 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 ================ .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. __, ,___) ______) ,_) (--|__| _, _ _ (--|__ _, ,-|-_ ,_ _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _|___(_|/_)|(/_| ( | | ,_| ( .:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:. *~* May You All Have A Happy Blessed Easter Celebration! :) >-->Links for Easter... Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Bible: For The Joy That Was Set Before Him http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html Last Day! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/lastday.html Easter Joy! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/easterjoy.html Jesus Clinic! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Christ's Life! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Good Easter! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easter.html Bible: Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Bible: Our Valuable Anchor! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Bible: Four Crucified With Christ! http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Study/The_Four_Crucified_With_Christ.htm Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Egg Sculpture Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/egg.html Walk With Jesus http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/walk.html Volkers Easter Tree http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eastertree.html Spring In The Netherlands http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/netherlands.html Playing With Words http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Lean On Me! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html HERO http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html Pysanky Easter Eggs http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/eastereggs.html Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: Desserts http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Animated Angel, Bible, Church, Cross, Easter http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/agifs.html -<>- >-->In The 'Shangy' News... Yesterday ShangralaFamilyFun.com was down due to technical problems on the server's end. I'm happy to report that it is back up and running even faster then before. :) -<>- >>> READER COMMENTS <<<< >From Our Friend CathyG - SHe Wrote: The information about this issue is fiction. Just had to check as I do when anything like this comes through. Hope you don't mind that I am sending verification as to the inaccuracy. Thank you so for all you do so we can be entertained or inspired with your share. This article is fiction. Just thought I would give you a head's up. Love your mail. Thank you so for all you do to make it happen. Carjackers http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/carjackers.htm --- ...Aww, OK. Thank You SO Much CathyG! I love the truth whatever it may be - Not to worry about giving me good info. Normally I vet things before I post them, but have been having more trouble with my eye sight lately so didn't go and check it out first. I am Glad you did! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: | \ / .---. '-. | | .-' ___| |___ -= [ ] =- `---. .---' __||__ | | __||__ '-..-' | | '-..-' || | | || ||_.-| |-,_|| .-"` `"`'` `"-. jgs .' '. >EASTER MEMORIES by Laurel Jean Throughout my life, I have heard many profound interpretations of the Easter story in drama, in song, in written form, and in the words of great speakers. However, my personal experience was the most profound. It was when God taught me to have patience and to trust Him, with the help of loving people and, of course, His gentle creatures. I was seven years old and recovering from the chicken pox. My maternal grandfather (mom's dad) was a patient in the cancer ward of Decatur Memorial Hospital. Grandma was dividing her time, helping to care for me and visiting her husband. Mom was working full time, along with helping to care for me and visiting her dad. That Easter Sunday morning found the three of us -- mom, grandma, and me -- in the car traveling to the hospital. I was very sad, because I was not yet well enough to be allowed to see my grandpa, the hero of my childhood. For as long as I had known him, he had been severely crippled by rheumatoid arthritis, confined to a chair and at this point, completely bedridden. He was slowly dying from cancer of the esophagus. Grandpa had learned Braille so he could help me learn to read. He taught me the basics of everything from music to life in general, and told me countless stories, reading aloud from titles that ranged from "The Holy Bible" to "The Adventures Of Alice In Wonderland". I couldn't imagine not being with this special man on Easter Sunday. But, the rules had to be kept and I would have to sit in the downstairs lobby while grandma and mom took turns visiting grandpa and sitting with me. As the three of us crossed the hospital parking lot, mom and grandma noticed a little wren which had apparently been hit by a car. The bird was still alive, though unconscious. Mom lifted the wren from the ground and handed it to me, instructing me to cradle it in my hands until we could find a paper cup, punch an air hole in the lid, and give the little bird a place to try to revive. In the lobby waiting room, mom and I sat holding the sleeping bird in its container while grandma visited grandpa. Then, mom took her turn while grandma sat with me. As grandma and I were sitting there, who should happen through, but the Easter Bunny! He had been to the children's ward and was accompanied by a very sweet African-American lady who said to my grandmother, "Oh! Let this little girl see the Easter Bunny!" A very tall, very discerning bunny knelt in front of me as I stood, allowing me to touch his furry ears, nose, and whiskers. When I reached his hand, I found a small sack of candy, which he gave to me. I gave him a hug, and before they left, the lady gave me a dollar and wished me a Happy Easter. Mom returned shortly thereafter, and we walked outside. The little wren had begun to move around in the paper container, and as we gingerly lifted the lid, the bird flew away with a renewed sense of purpose. This took place just one month prior to my grandfather's death, and continues to be a treasured memory. I hold very dear the mother and grandmother who respected life down to the smallest of beings, the grandfather who put aside his own pain and suffering in order to make my life better, and the grownups (Bunny included) who put aside issues of "disability" and "skin color" so that I -- a little girl -- could be reminded that God loved me. -- Laurel Jean ___________________________________________ Laurel says, "I live in Shelbyville, Illinois, and am a traveling pianist, singer/song writer, and speaker. As you probably gathered from the story, I have also been blind since birth, and I dedicate a portion of proceeds from my work to promoting and providing Brailled materials, in memory of my grandfather's efforts on my behalf. You are invited to visit my Web site at http://www.laureljean.com You can reach her by clicking here: mailto:info@laureljean.com -<>- _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` >SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY In six hours on a Friday, Just an ordinary day. The people of Jerusalem Went about their way. Some were going to market, Others tending sheep. Thousands to the Temple, With sacrifices there to keep. While the city bustled On this ordinary day, History was changing In an extraordinary way. Within six hours on that Friday The earth trembled to the core. The Temple curtain became torn From the ceiling to the floor! All around was darkness, The sun refused to shine. People groped about them, As if they were blind. On the distant hill They heard an eerie cry From the central figure, Who was about to die. My God, My God, Why has Thou forsaken Me? Came the pleading call From the one upon the tree. In six hours on that Friday God claimed a Victory, Over death and Satan On a cross on Calvary, But not all believe the story, That it came bout this way, That God works His best miracles On an ordinary day. -- Freda Fullerton ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Aligned With God Pastor-speaker Chip Ingram shares in his book, I Am With You Always, that nuclear submarines consist of some of the most amazing technology on the planet. These incredible military vessels can stay underwater for ninety days, but every ninety days the submarine must resurface to maintain proper alignment with the North Star. While under water, the submarine’s navigation system is affected by the earth’s magnetic forces. Because the submarines carry missiles of mass destruction, they must pay close attention to keeping the equipment aligned to the true reference point of the North Star. We’re like that submarine in that we cannot perform at our highest level or complete our mission without maintaining proper alignment with our God. Your heart is the navigational equipment that keeps you on track with God. Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Great Advice! Thanks LouiseA! I want to also add - keep your spiritual ears open - that goes hand in hand with keeping yourself aligned with God. I had an example of that this morning. I have a big floor plant that I wanted to move outside to the corner of our porch so it could get some good sun light. When I came back from lugging it out, I saw what looked like a jelly lid on the porch. The words in my head were, 'Don't worry about it.' so I went about my business getting some plant food mixed up to water the floor plant. It has been in all winter and needed a good feeding. When I went outside again, I noticed it but went to the plant and fed it. Again when returning to the door I thought about going and picking it up since it was just a few feet away from the door, but again I got, 'Don't worry about it'. So I went on inside and took the empty jug back into the house and through the garage. I then set about fixing lunch for my family. I had just about gotten our lunch made when my husband and son went outside and came back in all upset. They said someone had thrown a glass jar on the porch and it had shattered leaving glass all over the place.My son said, 'Good thing you didn't go out there Mom. Your feet would have been shredded!' I told him that I did go out there and had seen the lid but kept getting 'Don't worry about it' so I didn't pick it up. I normally don't wear shoes unless I'm going out some place. If I had not listened with my 'spiritual ears', I could have gotten pretty bad cut. I couldn't see that well. I often have to wait for my eyes to clear up from seeing like one would as in a fog. I couldn't see the glass on the porch, only the lid. God will help and direct us if we allow Him and listen to that little voice in our head. That's often God talking with us through our spirit. It is easy to ignore but always unwise to do so! Pss.46: [10a] Be still, and know that I am God: ============================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .======. | INRI | | | .========' '========. | _ xxxx _ | | /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ | | `-._`'`_/'`.-' | '========.`\ /`========' | | / | |/-.( | |\_._\ | | \ \`;| | > |/| | / // | | |// | | \(\ | | `` | | | \\jgs _ _\\| \// |//_ _ \// _ ^ `^`^ ^`` `^ ^` ``^^` `^^` `^ `^ >He Took My Place "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." According to Doug Batchelor in his book, Broken Chains, "There's a story about two Filipino brothers, identical twins, who lived in Manila and made their living by driving jeepneys, Filipino taxis.* Though they were twins and had similar jobs, they lived very different lives. One was married and had children; the other was single. Then one day, the married brother accidentally struck and killed a tourist with his taxi. Accused of reckless driving, the twin was sentenced to twenty years in the notorious Manila prison--a devastating fate that would leave his wife and children without an income. "One day, his twin came to visit him in prison. He said, 'Brother, your family desperately needs you. Put on my clothes and take my visitor's pass and I will put on your prison uniform and serve the rest of your sentence. Go to your family.' So, while the guards were not looking, the twins exchanged clothes, and the married brother walked out of the prison unchallenged. Do you think the twin who was freed could ever stop thinking about the sacrifice that his brother made in trading places with him?" Though having limitations it is still a powerful illustration of what Jesus Christ did for you and me at Easter time 2,000 years ago when he exchanged places with you and me and died in our place on the cross of Calvary. He did this out of his great love for us to pay the penalty for all of our sins, so we could be freely forgiven by God and receive his gift of eternal life in Heaven to be with him forever. -<>- .-=====-. | .""". | | | | | | | | | | '---' | .-================-' '-================-. j| _ | g|.'o\ __ | s| '-.'. .'o.` | '-==='.'.=========-. .-========.'.-'===-' '.`'._ .===, | _.-' / '._ '-./ ,//\ _| _.-' _.' '-.| ,//' \-' ` .-' `//'_`--; ;.-' `\._ ;| | \`-' . | |_.-'-._| \ _'_ / |; -:- | || -.- \ |; .\ / `'\'`\-; ;` '. `_/ |,`-._; .; `;\ `.-'-; | \ \ | | `\ \ | | ) | | | / /` / | | /| | | | / | / | / |/ /| | \ / / | | /o | | | |_/ | | | | | | | '-=====-' >The View from the Cross (By Dan Case) I remember talking once with a fellow actor about the challenge of performing the part of Jesus in a production. He said that preparing the character the first time changed his life forever. He came to see the world through much different eyes, and grew much deeper in his own relationship with Christ, as he learned to see things as Jesus saw them. I was thinking about that last night. I found myself wondering what it was like for Jesus to hang on a Roman cross and look out on His disciples, His family, and His countrymen. What did Jesus see from His unique vantage point on the cross? Physically speaking, Jesus had a good view of the crowd that had gathered at Golgotha. They were a strange and unusual mix of people, a diverse crowd that, through Jesus' eyes, wasn't really a crowd at all, but rather a collection of individuals, each with their own background and viewpoint. Roman soldiers were rolling the dice just beneath Him, dividing His clothing among them. A group of women were weeping, mourning the death of the one that they had loved and followed. Jewish elders were hurling insults at Him, challenging Him to prove His claim to be the Christ: "He saved others, but he cannot save himself." Jesus' disciples were there, as was His mother. Just as in today's church, there was also a sea of spectators -- the same fickle crowd that hailed Him as King of the Jews just a week before this dark day of Jesus' death. The eyes of Jesus' soul saw all these people with a much different perspective. As He looked at His mother Mary, Jesus felt her pain at watching her son dying such a slow, miserable death. He compassionately commissioned the disciple John to care for Mary after the crucifixion, calling him to care for her as his own mother. The mob of bloodthirsty onlookers must have caused an ache in Jesus' tender heart -- they didn't even begin to understand what was unfolding before them. As Jesus looked down at them, rather than anger and bitterness, He felt compassion. He prayed for them, "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they're doing." Jesus' disciples -- the men with whom He had traveled and lived with for three years -- had no more insight than the ignorant mob. He looked down at them, seeing the confusion and ache of their hearts, knowing that He was the only one on the hilltop who truly understood what was taking place. He knew that their tears would, in time, be turned into shouts of joy, and that fact wasn't dependent upon their understanding, but upon God's faithfulness. In the eyes of His Spirit, Jesus' viewpoint was one that He alone could really comprehend. For the first time in all eternity, Jesus experienced the sensation of being isolated from the Father. He saw the demons dancing with delight, celebrating their supposed victory -- but He also could look forward and see the view just three days later, when those same demons would cower in the darkness. He saw an eternal bridge that was about to be commissioned, a bridge that would allow mankind the same sort of intimate, personal relationship with God that Adam and Eve had enjoyed in Eden, before the fall. As the dying Messiah looked beyond the pain of the moment, He saw 3000 people receiving His salvation on the day of Pentecost, as cowardly Peter, who had denied Him three times, boldly preached under the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for the first time. He saw Saul of Tarsus, vicious enemy of the Gospel, accepting the free gift of grace that Jesus' sacrifice would make possible. He saw an Ethiopian eunuch being baptized by Phillip in a pool beside a roadway. He saw countless generations of mankind, for whom His sacrifice would make possible salvation by grace through faith, for those who would only receive that free gift. He saw Al Capone, D.L. Moody, Adolf Hitler, and Billy Graham, each making their own, personal, eternal choices. And, as He hung there on that cross, close to death, He saw YOU, and He knew your name. And then, although He still had the authority to call a legion of angels to set Him free, He cried out, "Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit." Then, He bowed His head -- and He died. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Face Of Jesus Via Juanita http://www.spiritisup.com/faceofjesuslh.html Our Brother: Inspirational page http://www.geocities.com/have2_laugh/brother.html Easter Wishes http://www.mamarocks.com/easter_wishes.htm Easter Bunny Flash Card http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=1201168741267 The Easter Bunny Dance http://www.joygreetings.com/easterdance.shtml Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: ,_ ,_ (\/) _, _, | '. '. \/ .' .' | \ \ \ / / / '.__\_|_ _|_/__.' /` '. .' `\ / ^ ) ( ^ \ / __.' '.__ \ .' (_ _) '. .' \'-._ _.-'/ '. / '.__)(__.' \ ; .-. '. .' .-. ; /`| / '._)(_.' \ |`\ | \ /--. .--\ / | '--'\ '-.__) (__.-' /'--' jgs )_____) (______( >THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me. My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked him, "What was the best time of your life?" Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question: "When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life. "When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life. "When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life. "When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life. "The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life. "When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life. "When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life. "And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life." Author Unknown as seen in Inspiration Plus -<>- >NEVER FORGET by Sharon Jaynes [Edited] , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Today's Truth "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago" (Psalm 77:11 NIV). Friend To Friend Sometimes it is easy to read about Adam and Eve's failure in the garden and wonder how they could have been so disobedient. But in reality, this is not Adam and Eve's story alone. It is our story as well. We make decisions daily that dishonor God or honor God. We disobey, take charge of our own lives, and become Lord of our own ring. Then like Eve, we try to cover up our shame and even attempt to hide from God. Do you know the first question God asked in the Bible? After Adam and Eve cowered in the bushes, hiding from God, He asked - Where are you? God knew exactly where they were, what they had done, and how the enemy had tricked them. However, He decided to remain in relationship with them and begin the process of restoration which was completed on Calvary's cross. He asks us the same question today when we attempt to hide ... Where are you? I think "but God" are two of most beautiful words in Scripture. The Bible says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). When did we become sinners? The first time we sinned? No, we were born sinners and that sin is what separated us from God. While we were yet sinners, He became the perfect sacrifice for us, not to cover our sin, but to cleanse us forever - once and for all. Salvation Army Officer, John Allen once said, "I deserved to be damned in hell, but God interfered." God interfered, intervened, and intercepted our death sentence. He sent His Son, who paid the penalty for our sin and all we have to do to receive the pardon is to accept His wonderful gift. How do we receive the gift? "If you confess with your mouth 'Jesus as Lord' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9). When you accept Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, you are freed from the penalty of sin (spiritual death and eternal separation from God) and He gives you a new living spirit. Someone once said, "Salvation is moving from living death to deathless life." "All this is from God who reconciled us [joined us back together] to himself through Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:18 AMP). Once there was a Christian group who sang a song with a line that said, "There's a bridge to cross the great divide." However, when they were recording, someone sang, "There's a cross to bridge the great divide." Suddenly, they realized that they had not made a mistake at all. We were separated from God because of sin, but He sent His Son to die on Calvary's cross to bridge the great divide. Why did God do this for us? "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV). The Greeks had three words for life: bios (life of the body), psyche (life of the soul), and zoe (life of the spirit). Guess which word for life is in John 3:16? Zoe - life of the spirit! When you become a Christian, your spirit is reborn and you become a brand new creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV). We were crucified with Christ and now we no longer live, but Christ lives in us (Galatians 5:20 NIV). What about those glaring needs that cropped up as a result of Adam and Eve's sin in the garden? What about feelings of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that so many struggle with today? Here's what the Bible says: "So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so, through one act of righteousness, there resulted justification of life to all men" (Romans 5:18, 19 NASB). All were condemned because of Adam's disobedience and all who accept Jesus are freed because of Christ's obedience. At the moment of your salvation, everything mankind lost when Adam and Eve sinned in the garden was returned to you in Jesus Christ. Once again you have: Significance because of who you are in Christ. Safety and security because of what you have in Christ. A sense of belonging because of where you are in Christ. Your glaring needs have been fulfilled and transformed into your glowing attributes. The question is, why don't we act like our needs have been fulfilled? Why do we continue to struggle with feelings of shame, fear, loneliness, and rejection? Why do we continue to try to get our needs met by our own means? Because even though our spirits are changed in an instant, our minds must be renewed, our wills must come under the control of the Holy Spirit, and our emotions must be reprogrammed. It's a process and that's why Girlfriends in God even exists. We are learning, growing, and reprogramming our minds together. And as we do, we grow more and more spiritually beautiful every day. Let's Pray Dear GOD, all through the Old Testament, the patriarchs told the Israelites to "remember." Today I stop and remember all that You have done for me. I remember what I was like before I came to Christ and I remember all that You have done to bring me to Yourself. Thank you, God Almighty. Thank You, Jesus Christ. May the remembrance of Your mercies be new every morning. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen. Now It's Your Turn Sometimes, when you have been a Christian for many years, you forget just how amazing the gift of salvation really is. Today, I'm not going to ask you any questions, but I do want you to go back and reflect on the verses in this devotion. Write out your own prayer of gratitude for all that God has done to bridge the great divide that separated you from Him. as seen in Girlfriends in God -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== __________________________ |.-----------..-----------.| || _ _ _ _|| ___ _ _ || || | | |/ \| \ \ \/ / || || | | ' | '_/ '_/\ / || || |_|_|_|_|_|||_| /_/ || ||___ _ ___||___ __ ___ || || _|/ \/ _/_ _| _| \|| || _| ' |__ \| || _| ' /|| ||___|_|_/___/|_||___|_|_\|| || || || ||-._________||___________|| ||--,--------..-----------.| |||\ \ || || ||; \ ; ||_ || || \| | _.|| ``''-. || ||\ | | _." .||-""-_) `) || ||_) `" .-.||`` _.-' || || ( ||--'` || || ' . | || || || () \ || .-. || ||\/_ | ||' _;\ || ||_`_____/_.'||____/______|| '---------------------jgs--' >Waiting For The Opportunity Story Editor: by Greg Higgins Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA When I brought my wife and three children to the Midwestern portion of the USA in late 1999, I made judgments about the people in our new home state that turned out to be far from the truth. Coming from the south, I found the people in Illinois to be generally standoffish and somewhat uncaring -- hardly the type of people I would have as true friends. Nonetheless, we settled into life in Romeoville, Illinois, just north of Joliet. My immediate family had never before had to face a situation that involved serious illness or the risk of losing a life. That changed in late March 2007, when my wife went to the hospital for tests to investigate issues with her sight and hearing. The CT scan revealed anomalies in her brain, so the hospital sent her for an MRI. The MRI verified that there was a brain tumor. The immediate shock of such an event on your life is indescribable. We were numb. How dare something like this turn our life upside down? How do we explain this to our three children -- a boy of 13 and twin daughters age 10? Fortunately, the tumor was of a type that was treatable with surgery. My wife spent 8 days in the critical care unit to bring down the swelling in her brain, following which the tumor was successfully removed with surgery. But what has amazed me is the concern and support that we received from our Illinois friends. My assumptions have been proven spectacularly wrong in the past month. While my wife was hospitalized, I tried to manage the house and our three children on my own. Without exception, our friends offered their support to take our children to scouts, dance class, or whatever they could do to give me time to support my wife. They wanted to help give my children a semblance of a normal life while their mother was away. Meals can be difficult when your family spends most of the evening at the hospital supporting a sick family member. Yet I don't think we missed one meal, because our caring friends brought us more food than we could eat. My wife is a teacher at the local high school. Her peers took up a collection, twice, to help us get through the immediate cash flow issues that come up during these tough times. The overwhelming support from close friends, acquaintances, and even strangers, disproves my initial assumption about the people we see every day. They are caring and supportive, and bring to mind the best attributes of our humanity. It has been said that true friends can be hard to find. They may just be waiting for the opportunity to step up and reveal themselves. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: ,_ ,_ _, _, | '. '. .' .' | \ \ \ / / / '.__\_|_ _|_/__.' /` '. .' `\ / ^ ) ( ^ \ / __.' '.__ \ .' (_ _) '. .' \'-._.===========._.-'/ '. / '.__) HAPPY (__.' \ ; .-. '.| EASTER! |.' .-. ; /`| / '._)===========(_.' \ |`\ | \ /--. .--\ / | '--'\ '-.__) (__.-' /'--' jgs )_____) (______( >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Sherri was baby sitting Rachel, 8, while Rachel was doing her homework. Rachel's worksheet said, "Your bicycle comes alive and asks you to go riding." That statement was followed by three questions that Rachel was supposted to answer: Where would you go? Who would you see? How do you feel? Rachel's answers to the three questions were: "around my neighborhood," "to see my friends," "scared because my bike started talking!" -- Sherri Winther of Huntington Station, New York Sister Camozzi met a child who had not been to Sunday School for some time. The little girl's warm greeting was, "Hello, Sister Camozzi, do you still own the church?" -- Sister Lita Camozzi of Toronto, Canada ,_ ,_ __ | '. '. / `\ \ \ \ | ) '.__\_|_ _.=====.\ _/_ /` '. ,;' )(_) `'. / ^ ) // (( '._ \ / __.' || .--. `) ||\__/ .' (_ || .-; `\__ || .' \'-._||_/ ;-./` '|| / '.__)| './ \.--.|| ; .-. '.|\____|___/____/| /`| / '._)=#=#=#=#=#=#=#=| | \ /--. ;#=#=#=#=#=#=#=#; '--'\ '-.__) \#=#=#=#=#=#=#/ jgs )_____) \#=#=#=#=#=#/ `"""""""""` Danyelle brought home her school work from pre-kindergarten. They had been studying the letter "X" that week. She cheerfully said, "Two more letters and I'm outta that school!" -- from Danyelle's grandmother, Sally Morris of Wellington, Florida Angelina was 3 when she went singing this country song around the house, "All my ex's live in Texas." She forgot the words to the next line but that didn't stop her. She made up her own words: "And all my A B C's... they live in Tennessee!" -- Sandy Hester (Angelina's mom) of Jackson, Mississippi Jillie had just been baptized and she wanted to put her faith into action. So she agreed to help out in the young Girls In Action group. As she was leaning down to help a little girl named Haven, the little girl said, "You have pretty all over your face." Jillie thought she had not heard correctly, so she began to wipe her face off. Haven said, in amazement, "Don't you know you can't wipe pretty off!" Jillie's heart melted, and she felt she had heard Jesus through the little girl. -- Jillie Filipiak of Charleston, South Carolina __ __ /`_ \ / _`\ |':\ \ / /:'| \':\ \ / /:'/ \':\ \ / /:'/ \':\ \ / /:'/ \ `\ \/ /` / > < / \ .' '. / 0 __ 0 \ >| _ \/ _ |< \ \ / / '._ '----' _.' /` '. __ .' `\ | |-. `| | _\_(_(_/ \/\_)_)_/_ / ` /\__/`\__/`\_\ ` \ | / () (\ | | ; (), , () , ; | ; | /^\ /^\ /^\ | ; \|\/ \/ \/ \|/ | /`\ /`\ /`\ | ;\/ \/ \/ ()\; jgs _\ () /_ _.-'` '._ () _.' `'-._ /` .'` ``""""`` `'. `\ \_(_(,'` `'.)_)_/ Tina was on the phone with her niece Izzy a few month ago. Izzy is 3 and Tina talks to her almost every day. It just so happened that Izzy's bunny had died that day. Izzy's mom and put the bunny in a box and buried it. Tina said, "Aww, your bunny died... He went to heaven." Izzy said, "Noooo, he's in a box." -- Tina Dorn of New Jersey Carmen, 5, was complaining that one of her legs hurt. Her dad, Steve, asked her what she could have done to hurt herself. Carmen said, "I fell off the bean." Her dad asked her what in the world she was talking about. Carmen replied, "You know, Dad, the balance bean (at gymnastics)." -- Kristen Johnson (mother of Carmen) of Albion, Indiana Lianne had three boys and the youngest sometimes felt left out by his older brothers. Number four was on the way and they were talking about the possibility of a boy or a girl being born. Simon, 5, was asked by his grandmother, "And what do you want the baby to be?" His reply: "a four-year-old!" -- Lianne Trevarthen of Auckland, New Zealand Andrew, 4, was talking to the new neighbors. They asked him what he liked to do for fun and he listed all the outdoor activities that he enjoys. Then Andrew asked the man, "What do you like to do?" The man said, "I like to sleep." Andrew said, "Oh, really? My sister sleeps all the time. You should come over and sleep with her." (His sister was 21 at the time.) -- Jessica Thomas (sister of Andrew) of Cleveland, Tennessee ~ T H E J E L L Y B E A N P R A Y E R ~ __ RED is for the blood he gave. .;;. /;;;. GREEN is for the grass he made. /;;;;\ ,..., |;;;;;\ YELLOW is for the sun so bright. |;;;;|/;;;;;;;::.;;| ORANGE is for the edge of night. \;;;;/\;;;;;/::::\;' __ BLACK is for the sins we made. `''` `''''|::::| .;;;\ WHITE is for the grace he gave. jgs .;;;\ \::::/ ,;;;,:;;;;;| PURPLE is for his hour of sorrow. /;;;;;| `''` /::::::\;;;/ PINK is for our new tomorrow. |;;;;/ .-""-.:::::/''` `''` / \'''` A bag full of jelly beans \ / colorful and sweet, HAPPY EASTER '----' is a PRAYER, is a PROMISE, is a SPECIAL TREAT. Debbi's children (Anna, Kelly and Faith) like to play "television" while riding in the car. Anna, 11, sits in the front seat and uses the mirror on the visor as the TV screen so those in the back can watch. Anna also gets to pick what programs come on. Usually, she will do something familiar like the theme from one of their shows. Last week, she decided to be a newscaster. She began with telling the weather in "Annaland" "Kellyland, "Faithland" and "Daddyland." When she got to "Mommyland", this is what she said: "The weather in 'Mommyland' is bright and sunny for now. There is a presidential election going on there. There is only one candidate -- her name is Deborah Armstrong. Ms. Armstrong has very high polls at the moment, although her polls did dip slightly in 'Kellyland' yesterday when she said the word, 'NO!'" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida ========================================================== _ .-"--._ / \ / ____\ ||\\ / /`( || \\ _| '``'-. | \_\\ ` 9\ , \_ 9 _ '-.= .--'|} | _ \) | / /}} \/ = \ ;_.'/ .=\.--'`\} | `-`__.;---.//` '---./' '.___..-'` `| _/ __.-.__/ _ _ ___ ___ ___ _ _ , .-' .-' ||| | | |/ \| _ \| _ \| | | {|'--. .-/ / |\\ | | | | _/| _/\ / {{\ \ { | /_ / \| |_|_|\___/|_| |_| |_| {/`'--./=. `-\ `\--;` ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ _`\.---' `\\ '-. | | | _|| _ |/ __\|_ _|| _|| _ \ / \ |\ || ) / _/ | _|| |\__ \ | | | _|| / \_/ | |// jgs / __.' '--. |___||_|_|\___/ |_| |___||_\_\ (_) \//_/| ( '--. ___))) //\__/ `-..____))) |/ >-->Easter The beautiful sunrise early in the morning Lets us know of Christ's adorning. He is not dead, He has risen! He lives in our hearts and our sins are forgiven. He is our Savior, Redeemer and Friend. My love for my Lord will never end. He walks with me and leads the way. And I will follow Him each and every day. So on this beautiful Easter morn, When in new clothes you will adorn; If in your heart, He is there, Then all the riches of the world cannot compare. ~ Opal Ricks Whitehead ~ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ttp://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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 ************************************************************************