Live A Life That Matters... :) 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 ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press! :) This super hot beauty is from our friends Bunni and Jo Ann. Plenty of Ooos and awes with this one! Check it out here... , }`-. , , \ \ '-' \ .-'{ _} . | ,`\ / ' ; .-;\ { \ | | / `/ '-.,/ ; | { -- -. ' '`-, .--._.' ; \__ \ \ | ' / |`. ; _,`\ '. '- ' `_- '.`; ; ,-`_.-' ,--. \ ` /` '--' `;.` (` _ .--.\ '._) '-. \ \ `-. ; `-';| '. -. ' __ '. ; ; _,-' / { __'.\ ' '-,/; `-' ';`.- ` .-' '-. `-._' | `; ;`' .-'` <_ -' ` .\ `; ; (_.'`\ _.;-"``"'-._'. `:; ___, _.-' | .-'\'. '.` \ \_,_`\ ;##` `'; _.' /_'._\ \ \__;#####./###. \` \.' .'`/"`/ (#######)###::.. _.' '.' .' ; , |:. `|()##`"""` jgs `'-../__/_\:: /O()()o ()'._.'`()()' Rainbows Of Fall http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fall.html --- ...What beautiful photos! Thank You Bunni And Jo Ann! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ' . ' . . . : . . '. ______ .' ' _.-"` `"-._ ' .' '. `'--. / \ .--'` / \ ; ; - -- | | -- - | _. | ; /__`A ,_ ; .-' \ |= |;._.}{__ / '-. _.-""-|.' # '. ` `.-"{}<._ / 1938 \ \ x `" ----/ \_.-'|--X---- -=_ | | |- X. =_ - __ |_________|_.-'|_X-X## jgs `'-._|_|;:;_.-'` '::. `"- .:;. .:. ::. '::. >FARM AND FAMILY by Stefanie Wass "Where are you spending the holidays?" a friend asks as we meet after church one Sunday. "Are you kidding?" I reply, "There is no option for me. I have been going to the same house for Thanksgiving and Christmas my entire life. We have to drive the kids and all the gear to the family farm in Pennsylvania where my mom grew up. There will be the usual slew of relatives, lots of confusion, the kids will miss their naps..." I sigh just thinking about the day ahead. I am definitely not looking forward to the long car ride with 18-month-old Julia screaming "stuck!" for two hours while she attempts to unbuckle her car seat. My shy four-year-old Emily will not be amused by unfamiliar relatives planting "gooey" kisses upon her forehead. "It would be nice if I could just host Thanksgiving myself some year," I say. But the instant that the words are out of my mouth, I know that my heart yearns each year to return to our 200-year-old Pennsylvania dairy farm. For 34 years I have spent Thanksgiving at the same locale, and I wouldn't have it any other way. It is the old white milkhouse that I will spot first as we drive up the dirt road towards the McEntire Farm. Constructed in 1952 by my grandfather, the little house served as much more than just a holding tank for the milk that was shipped to the nearby dairy. Lessons in hard work and perseverance were taught there every summer as I helped my grandmother wash the milk buckets each morning and carry the milkers back to the barn. Thankful to be one of the youngest of thirteen grandchildren, I watched as my older cousins carried 100-pound milk pails to the bulk tank. Swish, swish. I always wanted one last look at all that milk before heading back home after a farm visit as a little girl. As we park our car alongside the old barn hill this Thanksgiving, I will fondly glance over the pastures and gardens that have been in our family for generations. It is in these gardens that I learned the value of hard work as I hoed weeds until my fingers blistered. It is among the rows of beans and stalks of corn where family gossip has been shared and problems solved over the years. So many of life's problems were put in perspective as we tended God's soil under the hot summer sun. Inside the farmhouse, the warm arms of my aunts, uncles and cousins will welcome me and embrace my children. Warm aromas of all that is good about this holiday will linger -- homemade pies, several turkeys, and fresh garden vegetables. So much about this sixth generation farmhouse will remind me of summers spent there as a young girl -- the big kitchen table where my "Grammie" taught me how to roll out egg noodles by hand, the old Victrola, which can still roll out some pretty high-steppin' tunes, and the big beds covered with Grammie's prize-winning, homemade quilts. I realize that not every family has as many as forty relatives gather at a homestead such as ours every holiday season. Everyone helps prepare the meal, which always is preceded by a prayer of thanksgiving. After the meal, many of my cousins and their children all hop aboard a tractor-pulled wagon as my Uncle Tom takes everyone through the fields for the annual "gathering of the greens". It is there, deep in the woods of Western Pennsylvania, that my Christmas wreath takes its origins. Pine boughs are gathered and then brought back home to be assembled into beautiful wreaths by my talented aunts. The warmth of Uncle Tom's shed provides the backdrop for a wreath making workshop as everyone helps create beautiful Christmas wreaths adorned with bows, pinecones and the like. I feel a tug upon my heart as I see wreath stands for the cemeteries in loving memory of my dad, my uncle and my grandparents. As I bundle up the kids and head back to Ohio with my wreath in tow, I will be filled with the love of our spirited clan. Diaper bags, sippy cups, and toddler tunes on the car CD player won't be able to dampen my holiday mood. Filled with the strength of farm and family, I will say a prayer of thanks to God for all that I have been given. -- Stefanie Wass ___________________________________________ Stefanie lives in Hudson, Ohio, with her husband Allen, and daughters Emily and Julia. Julia's middle name is McEntire, carrying on the family legacy. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Johanna :) VK / | / | / / | / / / | \_/ / /\ \ ( / / \ \ `/ / \ \ / / \ \ /\ / \ /\ .-( / /----------\ \ )-. ( `-' `-' ) `.____________________.' (_) (_) >HOBBY LOBBY - Persecuted because of Christian values A Letter from Hobby Lobby Stores CEO By David Green, the founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. When my family and I started our company 40 years ago, we were working out of a garage on a $600 bank loan, assembling miniature picture frames. Our first retail store wasn't much bigger than most people's living rooms, but we had faith that we would succeed if we lived and worked according to God's word. From there, Hobby Lobby has become one of the nation's largest arts and crafts retailers, with more than 500 locations in 41 states. Our children grew up into fine business leaders, and today we run Hobby Lobby together, as a family. We're Christians, and we run our business on Christian principles. I've always said that the first two goals of our business are (1) to run our business in harmony with God's laws, and (2) to focus on people more than money. And that's what we've tried to do. We close early so our employees can see their families at night. We keep our stores closed on Sundays, one of the week's biggest shopping days, so that our workers and their families can enjoy a day of rest. We believe that it is by God's grace that Hobby Lobby has endured, and he has blessed us and our employees. We've not only added jobs in a weak economy, we've raised wages for the past four years in a row. Our full-time employees start at 80% above minimum wage. But now, our government threatens to change all of that. A new government health care mandate says that our family business MUST provide what I believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of our health insurance. Being Christians, we don't pay for drugs that might cause abortions, which means that we don't cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill or the week-after pill. We believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to our most important beliefs. It goes against the Biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one. If we refuse to comply, we could face $1.3 million PER DAY in government fines. Our government threatens to fine job creators in a bad economy. Our government threatens to fine a company that's raised wages four years running. Our government threatens to fine a family for running its business according to its beliefs. It's not right. I know people will say we ought to follow the rules; that it's the same for everybody. But that's not true. The government has exempted thousands of companies from this mandate, for reasons of convenience or cost. But it won't exempt them for reasons of religious belief. So, Hobby Lobby and my family are forced to make a choice. With great reluctance, we filed a lawsuit today, represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, asking a federal court to stop this mandate before it hurts our business. We don't like to go running into court, but we no longer have a choice. We believe people are more important than the bottom line and that honoring God is more important than turning a profit. My family has lived the American dream. We want to continue growing our company and providing great jobs for thousands of employees, but the government is going to make that much more difficult. The government is forcing us to choose between following our faith and following the law. I say that's a choice no American and no American business should have to make. The government cannot force you to follow laws that go against your fundamental religious belief. They have exempted thousands of companies but will not except Christian organizations including the Catholic church. Since you will not see this covered in any of the liberal media, pass this on to all your contacts. Sincerely, David Green, CEO and Founder of Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. --- ...Amen! Very interesting! Thanks Johanna! ========================================================= >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Scriptures: Remembering God's goodness puts a song in your heart. Read Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock. His work is perfect.) As a member of the body of Christ, you are a necessary part of the whole. Read 1 Corinthians 12:24 (But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it.) Faith is believing that God is present when all we hear is silence. Read John 16:33 (In the world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.) Prayer is the child's helpless cry to the Father's attentive ear. Read James 5:16 (The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man ails much.) Life's greatest joy is the sure hope of heaven and we can know. Read Psalms 116:15 (Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.) --- ...Thanks Bunni! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I especially want to elaborate on that last one... Psalms 116: [15] Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. The Definition of PRECIOUS: of great value or high price, very valuable or costly People who think God takes the life of someone to have them in heaven to help him certainly haven't a good understanding of God and His Word. If a saint - a born again believer - dies, then God counts that as very costly in His sight. Like loosing one of his best on earth. Certainly not something He would want. We are in a spiritual war, so every one of us believers are most precious to God. He needs us here spreading the Gospel not dead [sleeping] waiting for the Return of our Lord Jesus Christ. See these teachings... The Sleep Metaphor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html You Are The Only You God Has http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html ============================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ()_()()_() / ..)(.. \ __/ ( || ) \_ (_/ * * (_) | | | || | | | \_/| \__/ | | > \ / <__,--,__|/|_> unknown >Live A Life That Matters Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten, will pass to someone else. Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance. It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed. Your grudges, resentments, frustrations, and jealousies will finally disappear. So, too, your hopes, ambitions, plans, and to-do lists will expire. The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away. It won't matter where you came from, or on what side of the tracks you lived, at the end. It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant. Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant. So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? What will matter is not what you bought, but what you built; not what you got, but what you gave. What will matter is not your success, but your significance. What will matter is not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that enriched, empowered or encouraged others to emulate your example. What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew, but how many will feel a lasting loss when you're gone. What will matter is not your memories, but the memories that live in those who loved you. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident. It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice. Choose to live a life that matters. -- Author Unknown -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >A SIMPLE SMILE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I went in to take a shower the other evening after a long and busy day. I glanced at myself in the mirror before getting in the shower and noticed a long, frowning face staring back at me. The furrowed brow and down turned lips made it seem older than my thirty seven years on this Earth would suggest. I felt even more tired looking at myself like that, so I decided to try a little experiment: I smiled. The effect was amazing. Almost instantly a bunch of wrinkles appeared around my eyes and in my cheeks, but instead of making me look older they made me look young, happy, alive, and energetic. The furrowed brow above my eyes disappeared and my eyes sparkled with a new light. I felt vital, joyous, and full of love and oneness with God once again. I was no longer tired and I even sang in the shower. And it was all due to a simple smile. The great psychologist William James wrote that we do smile because we are happy, but rather we are happy because we smile. This is so true. God loves us so much and wants us to be happy, full of love, and joyous in our lives. God, however, will not force us to do what we don't want to do. If we want to be happy we have to smile and choose happiness everyday. If we want to be full of love we have to invite God's love into our hearts and souls and then share it with others. If we want to be joyous in our lives then we have to find the joy within ourselves and then give it to the world. Take responsibility for your life then. Choose your happiness, share your love, and give your joy to others today. Know that joy begets more joy, love begets more love, and smiles beget more smiles. We are all journeying down the same road in this life, so why don't we make the trip with a loving heart, a joyous soul, and a smiling face. -<>- ..::''''::.. .:::. .;'' ``;. .... ::::: :: :: :: :: ,;' .;: () ..: `:::' :: :: :: :: ::. ..:,:;.,:;. . :: .::::. `:' :: .:' :: :: `:. :: '''::, :: :: :: `:: :: ;: .:: : :: : : :: ,:'; ::; :: :: :: :: :: ::,::''. . :: `:. .:' :: `:,,,,;;' ,;; ,;;, ;;, ,;;, ,;;, `:,,,,:' :;: `;..``::::''..;' ``::,,,,::'' >Alphabets Of HAPPINESS A--Accept Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions. B--Break Away Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life. C--Create Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams,sorrows, and happiness with. D--Decide Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things all find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way. E--Explore Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself. F--Forgive Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes. G--Grow Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way. H--Hope Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task. I--Ignore Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds. J--Journey Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open- minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow. K--Know Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter. L--Love Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart,there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart there's room for endless happiness. M--Manage Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life. N--Notice Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding. O--Open Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for. P--Play Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness. Q--Question Ask many questions, because you're here to learn. R--Relax Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end. S--Share Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over. T--Try Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish. U--Use Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards. V--Value Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well. W--Work Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance. X--X-Ray Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within. Y--Yield Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road. Z--Zoom Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rears its ugly head. Let nothing interfere with your goals. Instead, focus on your abilities,your dreams, and a brighter tomorrow. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Our Gifts And Callings http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html Best Friends http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html In Days Past http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dayspast.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Value What You Have http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html Top Reasons To Smile http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smile.html Christmas Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Christmas With Pets http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/christmaspets.html Angels, Churches, Crosses, Doves Animations http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Christmas Animations under XMAS: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Miniature Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Just Thinking... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Matchstick Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/matchstick.html Miniature Baby Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/baby.html World Of Big Cats http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigcats.html -<>- >From Our Friend Brenda :) Where Flowers Bloom so does Hope http://www.alighthouse.com/whereflowersbloom.html --- ...Nice one! Thanks Brenda! 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 ========================================================== ) ,%, ) _(___[]_ %%%,&&&, ,%%, (;` /\ %Y/%&&&& %%%% ___/_____)__/ _\__ ,%%, ^^^||^&\Y&^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^%Y/%^^/ (_() ( | /____/\^^^%%%%^^ ` || _,..=xxxxxxxxxxxx, || |(' |LI (.)I| | LI || %\Y% -= /L_Y.-"""""""""`,-n-. ` @'---|__||___|_|____||_ || ___-=___.--'[========]|L]J: []\ __________@//@___________) )______ -= _ _ _ |/ _ ''_ " " ||[ -_ 4 | _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ '-(_)-(_)----'v'-(_)--' jgs----------------------------------------------------------------- >In the Hearts of Mankind Story Editor: by Bruce McCormick Joyce Schowalter Mississippi, USA My wife, three young daughters and I were starting dinner at 7:00 p.m. on Oct. 21, 2001, when I smelled a hint of smoke. As my wife's candles had caused this before, I wasn't alarmed, but started looking around. Coming back from the kitchen the smell was stronger. Suddenly my wife and I both noticed a thin haze near the ceiling of the family room where we were eating. Against everything I've been taught, I opened the laundry room door. Two feet of black smoke rolled from the ceiling with a roaring fire several feet away. (The fire could easily have been embedded in the smoke, I was fortunate.) Our small kitchen fire extinguishers were worthless against the blaze; with a larger extinguisher we could have stopped it. I called 911 and cleared everyone out of the house. Adrenaline flows and you feel like you're not watching reality. You smell smoke. You hear the loud popping of things breaking inside as the fire grows. You watch firemen climb onto the roof and cut holes with chainsaws. As fire leaps from new holes it created in your roof, a sick feeling grows in the pit of your stomach. What should have been controllable is destroying your home. In the midst of this surrealistic horror something incredible happened. I have no explanation for what happened, as I'm reclusive, not someone who associates easily with others. People from the neighborhood started showing up with clothing. One family took our daughters in. Another took in our two big Labrador dogs. People we'd never seen brought us coats, a chair for my wife, food to eat, a sweater for me. One family gave us a piece of paper with a prepaid hotel reservation -- something I'd not even thought of. Over several weeks more families -- some we knew, most we didn't know -- prepared dinner and brought it over. They lent and donated furniture for our rental house, gave us clothing, provided toys for our children, and some included us in their prayers. Unknown individuals and groups took up collections and sent us money. Though so very embarrassing to accept, it was so very welcome, for we were not in the best financial state, and our insurance firm wasn't easy to work with. We had to bear implications that we could've started the fire ourselves from the insurance company investigators. I learned what emotional shock means. Often I would cry just describing the situation to people. I had no comprehension of the kindness of friends and strangers until this happened. I had done nothing to deserve this kindness. Their outpouring was from their hearts, and at their expense -- just to help. I can't thank them all personally, for some I never met, but I am so thankful for them, they were our angels. I have learned a lesson of human spirit and what is in the hearts of mankind: a lesson to be remembered forever. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: ___,@ / < ,_ / \ _, ? \`/______\`/ ,_(_). |; (e e) ;| \___ \ \/\ 7 /\/ _\8/_ \/\ \'=='/ | /| /| \ \___)--(_______|//|//| \___ () _____/|/_|/_| / () \ `----' / () \ '-.______.-' jgs _ |_||_| _ (@____) || (____@) \______||______/ >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Brian, 7, was shopping with his mother in her favorite gift store. His mother was looking at cards, and Brian was smelling all the candles. Suddenly he yelled, "Hey, Mom, come here! Doesn't this one smell like the stuff Daddy puts on under his arms?" -- JoAnne Johnson (mother of Brian) of Chews Landing, New Jersey When Sherri's oldest son was 3, she had to visit the cemetery to be sure that the headstone of a loved one had been placed on the grave. Billy had fallen asleep in the car on the way, so Sherri left him in the car while she walked the few feet to the grave to check. When she came back to the car he was awake, quietly contemplating the scene before him. Unfortunately, he had known of death through the loss of two family members. As they slowly drove out of the cemetery he turned to Sherri, with a very serious look on his face, and asked, "Mom, is this the place where you plant people and flowers come up?" -- Sherri Nussbaum of Ofallon, Missouri Denise's nephew, 3 at the time, went into the bathroom, and upon his return, he seemed a little upset. When asked what the problem was, he told his Papa (grandpa) that "the toilet was throwing up." It had overflowed! -- Denise Theriot of Ocala, Florida _...._ .' '. / _ _ \ | O O | ; ; .-;-. \ '--' / /\.7./\ .-. '. .' .-./\/ )/ (_ \ ) ( / _)/ ` \ '-' '-' /\/ '. () .'\/ | | |/ | () | ; ; | () | ; /\ ; _ / / \ \ _ jgs / ` .' '. ` \ \___.' '.___/ Denise's adopted son came to live with them when he was 13 months old. For reasons unknown to Denise, he hated bath time. Finally, at age 2, he realized that bath time was not a time for screaming and unhappiness, rather it was a fun time to share with your parents. He even allowed Denise to pour water over his head to rinse the shampoo. One of the first times they did this, he said, laughing, "Mommy, it is raining on my face!" -- Denise Theriot of Ocala, Florida When Sandi's daughters were 8 and 5 years-old, Sandi remarried. Her second husband (Bob) wanted to adopt the girls, so one day as they were driving to the store Sandi asked her daughters how they felt about being adopted. Staci, 5, said, "I don't understand what you are saying." Sandi explained that they would go to court and then they would have the same name as "Dad." Staci looked at her mother as if she were truly insane and said, "BOB?" -- Sandi Rezner of Arlington, Minnesota Victor, 4, became tired of his brother Eric, 1, who was bothering his play. Victor took Eric to his parents and said, "Eric needs a nap!" -- Celia Keel of Harveyville, Kansas Lu's brother and sister-in-law belonged to a motorcycle club and won many awards. Lu's sister-in-law's dad, who loved to fish, died. Lu's niece said, "Grandpa won't be gone long." Lu's brother asked her why she was so sure. She replied, "He didn't take his boat along. It's still in the garage." On the way to the cemetery, they passed a large stone with a loving cup urn on top. Lu's niece said, "Look, Dad, that guy won a trophy!" -- Lu Peterson of Miltona, Minnesota , ------- . : . | | '.:.' {}} | .-'|'-. =========== * _ _ (( @ @ )) ..' ( \ / ))) o (( '. \ V / (( <=======[] (= ) ))`. ,. '(( `\ \_(( \___/ ))_\ \_ / | \ (____) / \/^\/ \ / `"` \ ( * ) `. * .' gfj/98 *_**_*_**_*_**_*_**_* Ayron, who is nearly 7 feet tall, lives in the country and doesn't have the opportunity to pass out candy at Halloween. So he asked if he could sit on Lynette's roof to pass out treats. He was on the roof and he lowered down a pumpkin full of candy for each trick or treater. One little boy looked up and took a tiny piece of candy. "Oh, take some more," Ayron said. "It's getting late." The little boy was frightened but he took a handful. As he ran to his mother, she said, "What are you supposed to say?" The little boy, who was very shaken, stuttered, "Merry Christmas!" -- Lynette Reese of Auburn, Indiana Betty and her husband were talking to their 5-year-old grandson Zackery over the phone. He was excited about coming to their house for Thanksgiving. Betty told him they were going to have a big turkey and that Aunt Lori was going to fry it in a new cooker she had bought. Zackery asked, "A real turkey?" Betty told him yes and that it would be very good. Zackery said, "Well I sure hope she gets all the poop out of it before she cooks it!" -- Betty Baker of Dodd City, Texas Sue's 4-year-old granddaughter told her parents, very seriously, "I'll tell you what Grandma needs. She NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF EARS!" -- Sue R. of Texas _ _ _ /` ) ( `\ ( `\ / / \ \ \ \/ / __\ '---. \ /___ ( __/ / ) '--. ( / .-----' \__\_../ / .-' / /. .' /.-"""""-._ / .-. -` _.--.._ '-._, | /\ \ -" `' / / \/ / .__ / __..-' '-' _.' /_/ '-..____..-' \ | '--,-' / (_____.,--' __.' \ ( jgs| \ One day just before Christmas, Meggie, 5, was riding in the car with her mother. There was some snow on the ground in the wooded area where they live. All of a sudden a deer popped out of the woods, stared at the car, and ran off. Meggie sucked in her breath and got all excited. "Mommy," she exclaimed, "I think I just saw Rudolph. He's in our neighborhood!" -- Cynthia Janes (mother of Meggie) of Bridgewater, Massachusetts ========================================================== .-----. ( #-...'`\ \ # | _ )"===="| _ (_`"======"`_) /`""""""""`\ | o _o\ ,_ | (_>| ___ {` `}__ \ '.___/--# _ _ ."` `"=, `;"` `"=, '. ;-._:'\ {_}:_`'=='` _,=="""=,\ / _.-'`\ )===\ <)_/ __ `'--.=" _.====, `| ; _.'` _.;` .---""`====`-'\__.' `| `'_(| ^.^ |)/ ;'` _.:_^} / ()\ / )';_'='_/.' _ .'=_._\___.-|`|| || _ \___..--' \_.-' .'` '.=/(__/` | _`-.=||_||_||_||_|/` | | () | / / o| \ \_/ .=`-`/ \\_/ ; ; /`-,_/ o| |-' /`-..-' ~~ |/ \ ()/ `(`___ o/__/ \_/` / \ '. / _`\ \`""` \ __ __\ \ '-./ __, _.'`\ `; || `'.'._ /-"// {{o '.'. //" // ( `\ \_ || ,/`-.`./ // {{ \/`.`.// // \ .-`\ `\ jgs `\\_/ `'-.// `\\_/ `'; o// \___) `._____.' `"` `"` >-->Beauty of Our Friendship Friendship is a Priceless Gift that cannot be bought or sold, But its value is far greater than a mountain made of Gold. For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer. it has no ears to listen Nor heart to understand, It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand So when you ask God for a gift be thankful if HE sends not diamonds, pearls or riches But The Love of Real True Friends. - Helen Steiner-Rice >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->This is for all you who love food andd DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************