Listen, There Is A God ... :) 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 ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) (>, oo / 8 "} > @ < |`.8 .-._/| `-.'`')`_.' ) / / |__, | ( / .' , / `._/ '`- \| -- -`' - --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another Angel! Constance Henes has joined forces to help Keep Shangrala Alive this year with her sweet donation! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a 2009 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! -<>- >-->[Politics] I'm So Excited... .,,~~. ,~"~. { /`,__\ ,Wk > :::: x%F { `}'~.~/ ,' / <, ?::; ,'"7 {`}'\._/ ,' ,' l_ f ,' / ,__/ l_.'`,' ,__}--{_' ,' { `.__.' < / 7 \ \ ) ) / +----+ / \-\`-'`-' / , | 42 |7 ` ` \ \___l,-_,___.' /1 +----/ ) ) k____-~'-l_____.' | f .'.' /===#==\ l j .' `. I===I=I ,' ,' `.`. f } ,' ,' / \ `.`. | } .'^.^.^.'`.'`.^.'`.'`.^. l Y; `. \ } | !`, \ | | l / } ,1 | Hip Hip l/ / !l ,l Hurray! / ,' ! \ \ God is / /! ! \ \ Great / ,f l l___j. \ Today! (_ \l_ `_ ,.-'`--( `.,'`. Y\__Y`--' `-'~x__J j' > ,/ ,^' f__J mab'95 Along with our added angel blessing, I got news that finally we have an expert to show us the facts behind this huge and very costly Obama Health Bill. That excites me because we deserve to know the facts. Truth is so important! We need the full truth - not just half truths! They want us to pay and use something without even knowing what it is! All this debate gave us time to figure it out! >From Christian Coalition Of America: FACT SHEET August is becoming a truly important month in our nation’s history. At town-hall meetings across the country, more and more Americans are speaking out in opposition to Obama’s attempted takeover of our nation’s health care system. But we simply must keep up the pressure. And to do that, we need your help. Here are some brief facts and talking points from the proposed legislation: * The legislation would provide for taxpayer funding of abortion by mandating abortion coverage in the "public" (government run) version of health insurance. * Doctors and nurses would lose their "conscious protections" that keep them from being forced to provide abortion services, or risk losing their jobs. * Liberal groups are even demanding that Congress include mandatory coverage for sex-change operations and related health services! * The "public" (government run) version of health insurance would provide free health care to illegal aliens, but would result in the rationing of care for elderly and disabled American citizens in order to save money. Congressional liberals defeated an amendment that would have expressly banned the rationing of care. * Tens of millions of Americans could lose their current employer-based insurance, as many employers will simply cease to offer their current plans and push employees onto the government plan in order to save money, despite Obama's promise that "if you like your current plan, you can keep it". * The current version of the legislation would make it illegal for Americans to buy, or insurance companies to sell, any individual private insurance plans after the first of the year. * Consumer choices in health insurance will dwindle, as insurance companies go out of business due to competition from a tax-payer subsidized government run system. * The proposed legislation would add between 1 trillion and 1.5 trillion dollars to our national debt - just over the next decade alone. The result will be a call for massive future tax increases to cover the costs, as well as the rationing of care to reduce costs. * The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has reported that the proposed legislation would not reduce the overall amount of money spent on health care in America, undermining Obama's rationale for the bill. * It's socialized medicine, plain and simple. Despite the liberals' desire to avoid using that term, "socialized medicine" is a system that puts the government in control of medical resources and costs - which is exactly what this legislation would do. * It would force all Americans to buy health insurance, whether they want it or not. And use the IRS to fine anyone who doesn't buy the level of insurance that the government mandates. * This plan represents the "foot-in-the-door" to a massive "single-payer" system, where private insurance is completely abolished and all medical personnel work for the government. Obama himself stated in 2003 that, "I happen to be a proponent of a single-payer, universal health care plan." What more do we need to know? Get involved! Remember, only a few votes in Congress stand in the way of this "reform" becoming a reality. Unless Americans take action immediately, this bill could become law in just a few months! But we can stop it. We simply must stand together and speak out with an overwhelming voice and say "NO"! Take this information and pass it on to others. http://www.cc.org/health_care_fact_sheet Health Care Action Center: http://www.cc.org/Health_Care_Action_Center -<>- >-->You Know What Really Gets Me? .-. ## ) * _.-+*'`*+-._ ,## _ _ #. ;### ((.;;.)) ##: .=._.; ,-*:;;:*-. *##:._.=, >##; *-')_@@_(`-* ;###< ---------------`****------(o `` o)-----*****'-------------e:l `-""-' I watch some of these town hall meetings on Fox News - http://www.foxnews.com/ and actually there are a couple things that bothers me besides the name calling from the WH concerning real American people voicing their concerns and the obvious buying support for Obama's Health Bill by the DNC on Craig's List. Many of the leaders at the meetings think the people are there to be taught by them about the health bill. They get upset when people do not want to listen to their pre planned half-truth list of points. Sure. I suppose many people are there to ask questions and hopefully get a real answer, but I think many are there to just let their congress person know whether they do or do not support the health bill that their representative will be going back and voting on. After all, we are a republic and we like our voice heard on matters. If we don't tell them our views, how will they know how we the people want them to vote on these important issues? Another thing that bothers me is this attitude I am seeing that some how our representatives know what is good for us like we are children. They say they hear us and like to know our opinion but when it gets right down to it our form of government is representative and not a democracy so they will do what they want to because they feel it is for the good of the whole country. So while the majority does not want this health bill, they may vote to approve it anyway because they are so much smarter and wiser and know what is ultimately the best for all of us! I just gotta wonder who died and made them God?!! "God manages perfectly, day and night, year in and year out, the movements of the stars, the wheeling of the planets, the staggering coordination of events that goes on the molecular level in order to hold things together. There is no doubt that He can manage the timing of my days and weeks." - Elisabeth Elliot ...And That CERTAINLY Does NOT Include Obama! ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yeah, yeah - I Know - Stop, Drop, And Roll :) ================================================================== ,),-, (\ (>|);----,--`------ `-);' (/ pb >-->From Heartwarmers: SPECIAL KAREN by Corrina Jayne Hyde Simply Karen and I grew up in a little country community. Most of my classmates and I went to school together from the time we were in Kindergarten. Like all seniors in high school, before and after us, we all promised to keep in touch. We did for a while, and then real life got in the way. We all at some point moved off and moved on. Everyone but Karen. Karen was our "special" classmate. Yes, the term used today implies that she was slow, simple and unable to keep up with us. But when we said special we meant just that -- she was special! She didn't have a mean bone in her body and she was completely devoted to us. That earned her our respect, love and protection. After graduation, Karen remained at home with her parents. Her mom died, and she helped her dad with their produce business. Through all of her comings and goings in the town we all outgrew, she would see our families and ask about us. Sometimes she talked to family members that we weren't even talking to ourselves. It didn't matter to her that they seemed hesitant to confide, or be overly negative -- she wanted to know, so she asked. Because of her curiosity, she had a wealth of information, useful and not so useful, about the class of 1979. The few times I talked to her over the years, she would fill me in on everyone, and then pump me for the little details that made my life uniquely mine. Karen found out I was back "home" and started to call. Most of the time I wouldn't talk to her, because I wasn't talking to anyone. But sometimes, for reasons unknown to me, I would answer the phone and just listen to her. She talked about the most mundane things. Where she had eaten, a yard sale she went to, what she bought. She didn't care that I had nothing to say -- my occasional breathing on the other end was enough for her. She would catch me up on everyone and ask me questions I couldn't answer. Then she would just say goodbye, while assuring me she would call again. In my darkness her light started penetrating. I started to look forward to her calls. I started to participate in them. I came out of my room and stepped back into life. Then I got too busy to talk to her. Months went by. I heard from people in the community that she was sick. They said she had cancer. Guilt ridden, I called her and finally made the time to speak with her. We talked for some time. She was so happy that I had actually reconnected with her. She never mentioned being sick. We made plans to go out for pizza the next Monday night. She wanted to invite another classmate of ours that she kept in touch with, Sally. At the end of that call she said, "I love you, Cory." My mind registered a goodbye. I picked Karen up and was unprepared for what I saw. She was skeletal. I knew then it was serious. After dinner that night, Sally and I talked and we both felt an urgency. We wanted to get all of the classmates that we could find locally together and have a class reunion. Neither of us felt that Karen would make it until 2009. What happened next was short of amazing. People we had not seen or talked to for almost 28 years were found with ease. We had phone numbers, addresses, everything we needed. We set it for two weeks away and I started making all the arrangements. No one was more excited than Karen. The "reunion" was at her funeral a few days later -- just 5 days away from the one we had planned. This past May, the class of 1979 met once again for our 30th class reunion. In the year and a half since her death, something amazing had taken place. The contact we made with each other to rally for her, continued after she died. We made a connection, we kept in touch. Our class reunion felt more like a family reunion. And there is nothing simple about that! -- Corrina Jayne Hyde ______________________________________________ Cory is from Atoka, Oklahoma. She says, "I'm working my dream job at the University in Durant." =================================================== >-->From InspiredBuffalo: ,-=-. / ) ( c/=( `-( _/ _/ (_ / `-- ) < , ) )> / \/ \ (/\ / ,' ) \ \ -=` / / | \ \-` / | '\| <_./ \ / | / , \ <,_./ | / | /_ | | ``--.__.-='! | / \ ! '`'"' ("" '`'`"' `) \_'"'`"" "``''"''`" "'"`''' (_ \_ '"`=-'`" `" " '"" `-'`" '"'`' '`'"' '""`'" __ __ / . ) _ gpyy/ .' | /|/ / \ /ejm ` __|/ o ( .\ ``'"'""' \ | \___ '`'"`)| \__`-. '""'` >I Walk By Faith, Not By Sight! (Second Corinthians 5:7.) Hi! My name is Wally Brown. I have an interesting, but true story to share with you. I know it's true, because it happened (and is still happening) to me. This story also has a happy ending, although the ending has not yet been written. My story begins on March 4, 1971, the day I lost my sight. That was strike one, and a very terrifying experience it was, one that I would not wish on anybody. Strike two came very shortly afterward, when the doctors told me that I had a 50/50 chance of living for the next five years, and my chances of living would worsen as time advanced. That experience frightened me even more, if that is possible. I was still a young man, and had been looking forward to a long and happy life. According to the doctors, this was not to be. I was hit with strike three less than ten months later, when I was forced to leave home because of conflict between my wife and myself. That meant leaving behind most of my possessions, a home that I had become acquainted with without sight, and a district that I had become familiar with as a blind person. But the biggest loss was leaving behind my two precious children. In a ball game, you are declared "out" when you have three strikes against you. Humanly speaking, I was "out"; I virtually had nothing left. I could not have become any more depressed, discouraged or disillusioned; I was at the very bottom. I felt as if my life was a mess, and I had nothing to live for. In early July 1972 I met some new friends who invited me to their home. While having a cup of coffee with them on a Saturday evening, they casually invited me to come with them to church the next morning. This was a totally different approach than any I had ever had before. Previously, I had been told by church going people with a pious, sanctimonious, "holier-than-thou" attitude, that if I did not go to church, they were much better than I was. This attitude I resented strongly, but here was a couple with an entirely different approach. Having nothing better to do with my time, I went with them to church the following Sunday morning. There I met a number of sincere, very friendly people. I went with them again, that Sunday evening. Me! Twice to church on the same day! Yes, and I have never regretted it since. That evening was a baptismal service, something I had never heard or witnessed before in my life. I heard people testifying of how they had found a new meaning, a new purpose in their lives, and how Christ had changed their lives and had given them all of these things that I had been searching for. Two weeks later, I went with my two new Christian friends to a summer church camp for young people. Again, around the campfire that Friday night (Aug. 4), I heard young people saying much the same thing: how they had accepted Jesus Christ into their hearts, how they had become real Christians, and how Christ had given them a new purpose and hope in their lives. They also told of how Christ had cleansed them from all their past sins and set them free. Man, I wanted these things desperately and I did not know what to do to have them as my very own. The following Monday afternoon, I had a visit from one of the pastors who had been at this camp. He answered my questions about how I could have this new life in Christ by inviting Him into my heart and have all of my sins forgiven. He gave all of the answers from The Bible. That evening, Aug. 7, 1972, in the quietness of my bedroom by myself, I asked the Lord Jesus Christ into my life, asking for His cleansing and forgiveness. I said to Him that if He could make anything worthwhile out of this mess He was welcome to try. I had blown it and now it was in His hands to do as He wanted to. There was nothing dramatic about that occasion, but I did feel a sense of peace. That night, I became a real Christian for the first time. Yes, I became a child of God, a true Christian as stated in the Bible in the Gospel of John, Chapter 1, verse 12: "Yet to all who received him to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God". Now this was a bit of a shock to me. Up until this time, I had considered myself a Christian. After all, I had lived a reasonably good life, trying to do more good than bad, hoping to earn enough "brownie points" to earn my way into Heaven. Surely I was a Christian. After all I was not a Jew, and I didn't belong to one of these strange cults. I even went to church occasionally, gave money to the church, and on several occasions sang in church choirs. But somehow, the Bible was not interesting to me, and sermons on the Bible didn't seem to make sense. Then I was struck with some basic realities as revealed in the Word of God - the Bible. I was made aware of the fact that I was a sinner as pointed out in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God," and as mentioned in Romans 6:23, "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Searching for answers I came across a statement in Romans 5:8, "but God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." With this revelation and the fact that I was a sinner, I found the answer to this problem in Ephesians 2:8,9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no-one can boast. "and Titus 3:5&6 "He saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." I realized that being saved from the power and penalty of sin and inheriting a place in heaven was a gift from God. All I had to do was reach out and accept this gift and open the door of my heart to the Lord Jesus Christ as mentioned in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and feast with him, and he with me." That's what took place that night of August 7, 1972. It was the beginning of a brand new life as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" or as the Living Bible puts it, "When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same any more. A new life has begun!" This became very evident to me. Although my circumstances and conditions did not change or improve, my outlook made an abrupt about-face and I now realized that I had somebody to walk with me through all of these difficulties. It would be great to be able to say that this was the end of all my problems, but that has not been the case, and not likely will be. Somehow it seems He has given me a pod of peas. The first pea in the pod stands for peace. Although my health continues to worsen and the likelihood of my living for any great length of time is very slim, I am at peace about it. I know that my life is in His hands. As stated in Philippians 4:6 & 7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This unsurpassed peace of God has been keeping my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Also our Lord states in John 16:33, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Now instead of focusing on my problems, I focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, and He takes care of these problems in His own way. Not always in the manner in which I would have chosen, but He does take care of them. The second pea in the pod stands for purpose. He has given me a reason for living and a hope in dying, something I never had before. My purpose in life now, is to share the love of the Lord Jesus Christ with as many as I possibly can. He has done so much for me and I would like to pass on these blessings to others. The third pea in the pod stands for promises. While I am yet on this earth facing all sorts of difficulties and trials, I am comforted with His promise as found in Hebrews 13:5, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." There are several comforting promises in Isaiah 58:11, The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. I know I can count on His leading and guiding. There is also another promise as found in Proverbs 3:5,6, "Trust in The Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. I also take great delight in His promise that He is preparing a place for me when my life on this earth is finished. Scripture to support this is found in John 14:2,3, "In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so I would have told you. I'm going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." I know that life on this earth has been difficult, and likely will continue to be difficult, until the day He takes me to my new glorious home. The fourth pea in the pod stands for prayers answered. Since becoming a Christian, I have learned that God does answer prayer, not always my way but His way. Sometimes He delights me by answering with a "yes" and that is exciting, but there have been times when His answer has been "no", and other times when he has indicated "wait". I have not always understood why, but I do know that He knows what is best for me. So I simply put my trust in Him, whether He answers yes or no. There are some prayers that I am still waiting for an answer to, but I believe that the answers will come when it is the right time. One real source of rich blessing that I am thankful for is having fellowship with others who share a similar faith. I now have the support and prayers of many of God's people, for which I am eternally grateful. In conclusion, I share with you some versus as found in the Living Bible from Philippians 1:20-25, "For I live in eager expectation and hope, that I will never do anything that will cause me to be ashamed of myself but that I will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ while I am going through all these trials here, just as I have in the past; and that I will always be an honor to Christ, whether I live or whether I must die. For to me, living means opportunities for Christ, then I really don't know which is better, to live or die! Sometimes I want to live and at other times I don't, for I long to go and be with Christ. How much happier for me than being here! But the fact is that I am still needed down here and so I feel certain I will be staying a little longer, to help you grow and become happy in your faith". -<>- ha , ,^%--- ha / \> \ ha Yup, "Danger" is my middle name. _/ \/> (_(/_____>,^____) ~-~-~ ~-~`~-~-~-~-~-~-~'~-~-~ ~ejm~-~- -~-~-~-~ ! !! ': !! ' : '! ' ! :' :'! ':! ' '! :'! '!! -~'~-~':! ~-~-~!' ~-~!' >"Strength Vs Courage" It takes strength to be firm It takes courage to be gentle. It takes strength to stand guard. It takes courage to let down your guard It takes strength to conquer. It takes courage to surrender. It takes strength to be certain. It takes courage to have doubt. It takes strength to fit in. It takes courage to stand out. It takes strength to feel a friend's pain. It takes courage to feel your own pain. It takes strength to hide your own pains. It takes courage to show them. It takes strength to endure abuse. It takes courage to stop it. It takes strength to stand alone. It takes courage to lean on another. It takes strength to love. It takes courage to be loved. It takes strength to survive. It takes courage to live. --Author Unknown -<>- MMMMm MMMMMMMMMMM mMMMMMMMMMMMm MMMMMMM mMMMMMMMMMm MMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMm MMMMMMMMM mMMMMMMMMMm MMMMMMMMM mMMMMMMMm MMMMMMMMM mMMMMMMMMm MMMMMMM mMMMMMMMMm MMMMMMMM mMMMMMm MMMMMMMM 0 mMMMMMm MMMMM mMMMMMm o@@@o MMMMM mMMMm MMMMM o@@@@@@o mmm mMMMm MMM mMMMm o@@@@@@@@@oMMMMMM @oo MMM mMm MMM o@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ooMM @@@@o mMm M mMm o@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@o MhhhHHHHHHHHhhhM o@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@o hhHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh oo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@oo hHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHh oo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@ooHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHoo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ooHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHoo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ooHHHHHHHHHoo@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@Chad Lemon@ >SUNRISES AND WALKING STICKS By: Joseph J. Mazzella When I was a boy our church sent some of us on a youth retreat. I had a great time although I didn’t realize it then. Being a teenager I was far more interested in talking to the other teens and joking around than I was in the experiences our youth counselors had planned for us. It is only now many years later that I remember and cherish the lessons they taught. I remember moaning and groaning when they got us up early to watch the sun rise over the mountains. Then I only wanted a few more hours of sleep instead of the breathtaking sight I was seeing. Now, however, I watch every sunrise and sunset that I can. It is the best way I know to share a joyous "Good morning" and "Good night" with the loving God who made me. I remember too a counselor of somewhat generous proportions wearing out a group of us fit, young teens as he led us on a hike up the side of a mountain. He carried two walking sticks with him. One of them was in his hand and he used it to help himself up even the steepest parts of the path. The other was in his heart, soul, and mind and he used it to point out every beautiful thing there was to see along the walk from a single flower blooming in a bush, to a nest of robins living in a tree, to the wonderful view that awaited us at the end. Then I only wanted to head back down the hill and play basketball. Now, though, I try to see the beautiful in everything just as he did. He showed me that God gives us all a wonderful walking stick called our thoughts and that we all can use it to help us travel joyously through this journey called life. Either that or we can beat ourselves over the head with it. The choice is ours. That retreat remains the most fun I ever had 30 years after the fact. I guess sometimes it just takes us a bit longer to get what people, life, and God are trying to teach us. I hope you use your walking stick well, live your life with love, and watch the sunrise every chance you get. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Lays Potato Chips http://www.buffaloschips.com/awewqw.htm Lightening Strike Caught On Tape http://www.buffaloschips.com/axdsd.htm Little Belgian Lad Saluting Canadian Troops http://www.buffaloschips.com/axddfsd.htm Lizard http://www.buffaloschips.com/azsxsz.htm Loading A Bike http://www.buffaloschips.com/acdxfd.htm The New Birth http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/newbirth.html What Happens if You Die? http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=15 Never Give Up! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Flower Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flowerart.html Awesome Hotel http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/qhotel.html I Read The Bill by Tom Wacaster http://earthhopenetwork.net/forum/printthread.php?tid=3023 Obama Health Bill http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/text Country Living- Country Skills Site http://www.kountrylife.com/contents.htm Haunted Hotel II: Believe the Lies http://www.funpageexchange.com/out.php?u=3559&pid=40026&s=n Subscribe send a blank email to: the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ================================================================ .---------------------------. /,--..---..---..---..---..--. `. //___||___||___||___||___||___\_| [j__ ######################## [_| \============================| .==| |"""||"""||"""||"""| |"""|| /======"---""---""---""---"=| =|| |____ []* ____ | ==|| // \\ // \\ |===|| hjw "\__/"---------------"\__/"-+---+' >Big City Bus Driver Story Editor: by Tilas T. Joyce Schowalter Yukon Territory, Canada When I was 20, in summer 2004, I took the bus down to stay with a friend for two weeks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. My friend worked days, so I decided to go exploring on my own. I knew where I was, up in near the UBC Campus. I knew where I wanted to go, the Vancouver Aquarium. It sounded simple. Now, I've lived and grown up in a tiny 1,000-person town in the Yukon Territory all my life, rarely leaving it. Being a "small town girl", I admit I'm fairly ignorant about city life. Soon I was completely lost. Finally I boarded a public transit bus, figuring they must do a circle, right? I rode a good half hour before becoming frustrated and getting off. I walked quite a while, up and down various blocks, no idea where I was. People at home always told me no one cares in the city, so I was afraid to talk to anyone. I got on another bus, and began "bus hopping" again. Finally, after hours, I decided to get on ONE bus, and stay on until I recognized something. I rode that bus well over an hour. Nothing ever seemed familiar. I began to get scared. I had no cell phone, and didn't even know my friend's work number. As I was about to give up and leave the bus, the driver asked where I wanted to go. I told him the aquarium, and he laughed, saying his bus wouldn't go anywhere near, for we were now in Surrey, BC! (Surrey and Vancouver connect.) I sunk back in my seat, really afraid and upset. He asked where I was from, and I told him, how I was visiting and now just wanted to go back to my friend's place. Amazingly, the driver pulled the bus over, stopped and called me to the front. He began printing tickets from his machine and numbering them. He gave me detailed instructions as to which buses to take, and how to understand the bus system. I was shocked. He spent a good twenty minutes with me, telling me everything I needed to know, before giving me the tickets. I thanked him repeatedly, and asked him how much I owed for all the tickets. "Nothing. Just please get yourself home to the Yukon, young lady. You belong there." Thanks to his kindness, I was able to make my way back to my friend's house, a LOT faster then I wound up in Surrey! I don't know what I would have done had that driver not taken the time out of his (and the other passengers) day to help me, and the amazing kindness to simply give me those tickets. I never did learn his name, but I'll always remember him. People had told me that in the city, no one cares, but now I know that's not always true. That driver cared enough to help a foolish young northerner find her way home. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Sandi :) >Tickled Pink! .--. .--. ( (`\\."--``--".//`) ) '-. __ __ .-' / /__\ /__\ \ | \ 0/ \ 0/ | \ `/ \` / `-. /-"""-\ .-` ._-. / '.___.' \ //';\\ \ I / // ;// `;--'`'--;` \\_;// '.___.' //-` ___| |___ ."`-. .-` .---. `-. / ) / .' '. \ / ) / /|| ||\ \ / /`""` / / || || \ \ / / / / || || \ / / / (___||___.-=--. \ / ( -; '-' `-----------.___~; || || || || || || || || || || |'. .'| ; `'--` ( (`-. / __ \ '-.`\ / , .'" `\ \ \ \ / /| | \ \ | | / / | | \ \ | | / / | | \ \ | | | | | | / / \ \ | | | | /` /` \ \ | | | | /` /` | | \ \ | | /` /` | | \ \ | |/` /` | | | | | /` /` \ \ / /_/` /` \ `-` /` || '--'`| || | \--------. jgs | \ \ \ \ \ \ \__\_\_\----'-'-' Hello, Pretty Lady! You have been hit. You have been considered one of the 10 prettiest ladies with a kind, warm and loving heart. Once you have been hit, you have to hit 10 pretty ladies with kind, warm and loving hearts. If you get hit again you know you're really pretty and kind. SEND THIS TO PRETTY LADIES, TO BRIGHTEN THEIR DAY, INCLUDING THE ONE WHO SENT IT TO YOU! REMIND LADIES TO BE INFORMED, AWARE AND BE CHECKED FOR THEIR HEALTH'S SAKE. TELL THEM THAT NO ONE WANTS TO LOSE THEM - AFTER ALL, THEY ARE PRETTY LADIES WITH KIND, WARM LOVING HEARTS.. All you are asked to do is keep this circulating (even if to one person). --- ...Hot pink is my fav! Thanks Sandi! ================================================================ >-->From CupO'Cheer: {} oIIo oIIo || || I. || |: _||_ |: .' || `. |: / || \ |: | :: | |: )_ :: _( |: _)( :: )(_ |: ) ._)::(_. ( |: / II \ |: | .-.|| | |: \(___)( / |: hjw `.__\/__.' I' >COMPLACENCY I once told a man that I no longer voted. He responded by telling me this. The choice of whether I voted or not was why he waded through rice paddies, toted guns, and fought battles. It wasn't long afterward that I began to vote again. I once told a man a lie. He responded by telling me this. All of the decisions that he made were based upon the words that I spoke. I have long since told the truth. I once became upset over a gift I received, because it wasn't what I wanted. The giver saw the disappointment in my eyes and told me this. He chose the most valuable gift he could find, because he felt I should have it. I am since very joyful over each gift that I receive. A man once told me a secret which I quietly whispered in another friend's ear. The man told me this, after hearing his own secret repeated. The reason he told me the secret was because he trusted me, not my friend. I no longer take trust so lightly. I once gave a gift to a friend and she cried. I told her it was just a small gift I had found. Her response was that it was not the gift, it was that I had thought of her. I now give gifts often. The shiny coin was not to be mine, so I had been told. But on my way out the door, it found its way in my hand. When it was discovered that I had stolen the coin, I was quietly taken aside. The owner of the coin told me this. Integrity is given with a choice. I have since chosen to stand with integrity. Once I told a man of all of my dreams. He smiled warmly and even chuckled then asked if I ever planned on living any of them. I now choose the spending of my days very differently. I watched a man daily as he walked ...head down...so focused. I was curious and inquired as to why he never looked up. The look on his face was one of surprise, but he responded. His world was so structured that he didn't have to look where he placed his foot and there was nothing else to look at. I make it a point to never stare at my feet, for fear of creating tunnels. I wanted so much to merely be myself, going unnoticed and not draw attention. And I was told this. The fact that you do not conform makes you stand out all the more. I'm still thinking about that one. -author unknown -<>- >THE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS... "Does Bill make you happy?" the woman asked my wife. "Uh oh," I thought, "Here it comes." Debbie, without blinking an eye, told the woman the truth. "No," she answered flatly. There are many reasons why I love my wife. I love her intelligence, her humor, her nurturing spirit, and her integrity. But most of all, I love her honesty. Luckily for me Debbie continued her answer. She replied, "People cannot make you happy, money cannot make you happy, and circumstances cannot make you happy. True happiness can only come from God who is the source of all good things...including a happy marriage." All too often we rely on other people and things to make us happy. We expect our spouse, kids, parents, or friends to be the source of our happiness. Perhaps you are searching for happiness in your job, at the local bar, at the boutique down the street, or even from your church. Here's the problem with that... People cannot make you happy. They aren't perfect, they disappoint. Things cannot make you happy. Mass acquisition of stuff doesn't equal happiness, just clutter. Circumstances cannot make you happy. Situations are fluid and change like the wind. Organizations cannot make you happy. Group affiliations mean fellowship, but since they are people-led they too can let you down. It's time to stop relying on the things of this world for happiness! True happiness ... Joy ... only comes from above. All good things, including happiness, originate from God. Psalm 16:2 echoes this sentiment. "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Start letting God be the source of your happiness. Listen to what He has to say about you and not what the world tries to get you to believe. God tells you that you are His child. You are loved. He loved you before you were born and will keep loving you long after you leave this earth. Adrian Rogers said, "God doesn't love us because we are valuable, we are valuable because God loves us. His love should suffice for the happiness you seek. He sent His Son as a ransom for you so that you can spend eternity with Him! You have a lot to be happy about when God is your source! Bill Purvis Ministries :: www.billpurvis.com To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. =============================================================== | ____.......__ |\ .' _.--""''`` ``''--._ | \ .'/ ..--'` .-'` .._ | \.' / ..-'' .-' '.`'"-: ' .-'` .-' '. __...----""""""""""--.. \ - ..-'' ``""-._ \ .' _. \ `"- \ _.-'` | /-. \ `-. \ | / `. \ wkm `.\ |/ `-\ `. | "The stars are God's fingerprints. The sun is a mere smidgen of his radiance. The moon is to remind us that he doesn't sleep at night. The vastness of space proclaims the infinity of his wisdom, while the sand pebble indicates his thoroughness with the puniest details. The lion hints at his fearlessness, the bear at his power, the hawk at his keen insight. And yet, those possess only a tidbit of God's omnipotence and omnipresence. Every tree points toward heaven; every bird has a song to sing; even every moment of wind goes in some direction. There is nothing chaotic about our beautiful designed world. All creation has a message to tell. It says, 'Listen, there is a God. There is a God!'" - Brent D. Earles >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food and DAARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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