Merry Christmas Weekend... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ __,_,_,___) _______ (--| | | (--/ ),_) ,_) | | | _ ,_,_ | |_ ,_ ' , _|_,_,_, _ , __| | | (/_| | (_| | | || |/_)_| | | |(_|/_)___, ( |___, ,__| \____) |__, |__, | _...._ \ _ / .::o:::::. (\o/) .:::'''':o:. --- / \ --- :o:_ _::: >*< `:}_>()<_{:' >0<@< @ `'//\\'` @ >>>@<<* @ # // \\ # @ >@>*<0<<< __#_#____/'____'\____#_#__ >*>>@<<<@<< [__________________________] >@>>0<<<*<<@< |=_- .-/\ /\ /\ /\--. =_-| >*>>0<<@<<<@<<< |-_= | \ \\ \\ \\ \ |-_=-| >@>>*<<@<>*<<0<*< |_=-=| / // // // / |_=-_| \*/ >0>>*<<@<>0><<*<@<< |=_- |`-'`-'`-'`-' |=_=-| ___\\U//___ >*>>@><0<<*>>@><*<0<< | =_-| o o |_==_| |\\ | | \\| >@>>0<*<<0>>@<<0<<<*<@< |=_- | ! ( ! |=-_=| | \\| | _(UU)_ >((*))_>0><*<0><@<<<0<*< _|-,-=| ! ). ! |-_-=|_ |\ \| || / //||.*.*.*.|>>@<<*<<@>><0<<@>>>>>| ( ~~~ )/ (((((((()))))))) ~~~~~~~~ '""""`------' `w---w` `------------' *~* May You Have A Safe And Very BLESSED MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hot new page is from our friend LouiseAu. It's a fun, interesting one showing us how people around the world celebrate their special events. Be sure to check it out here and watch the short video for extra thrills: Festivals Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldfestivals.html --- ...Wow! Amazing! Love the Holi and tomato ones! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >Speaking Of Celebrating... -=[ Peace Greetings ]=- 12/98 | | . , |_ . ,_ \_/ _,_, |__) _ _ _ _ / \,_ |_|_|_|_/_)| |_|_| |_\_| | (_) |_|_ | _(/_(_|_(__(/_ \__/| |_ __/ __ ___ (_ _ ,_-|-|_ _ ,_ _| | ,_ \_/ _,_, ,_ |__| _ _ ,_-|- (__(_|_|(_|_| |_ (_|_| |_(_|_ _|_| |_ | (_) |_|_|(_ | |_(/_(_|_|(_|_ _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); Merry Christmas From The White House: ‘We broke every record’ President Donald J. Trump joined members of Congress for a ceremony on the White House South Lawn yesterday after the Tax Cuts Act passed both chambers on Capitol Hill. “We broke every record,” President Trump said. “$3.2 trillion—just think of it—in tax cuts for American families.” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell cited tax cuts as just the latest victory in “a year of extraordinary accomplishment for the Trump Administration.” His list included cementing “the Supreme Court right- of-center for a generation” and halting the over regulation of the U.S. economy. Watch yesterday’s ceremony on the White House South Lawn. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3ypu3N-43s -<>- >From CCAGW: BIG NEWS! The House of Representatives and Senate just passed the Conference Report to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This marks the first time in a generation that Americans will benefit from comprehensive tax reform. The legislation will now head to President Trump for his signature. Passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means that American families will pay less in taxes, and most will be able to file their tax returns on a postcard. The bill also makes good on the President’s pledge to spur economic growth and job creation by lowering taxes on businesses to encourage them to invest, hire, and grow. In addition, when more money stays in the pockets of hardworking Americans, it’s not wasted by Washington’s politicians and bureaucrats on frivolous and unnecessary government spending programs. --- ...I am Dancing for Joy for this! I happen to live in small town middle America. When Obama took office, I noticed small business becoming more and more at risk. Many places shut down and empty buildings became the norm from town to town and city to city across the USA. It was even worse right before Obama Care took affect. Places closed simply because they couldn't afford to stay open or didn't want to bother with the huge Obama Care mandates of over 5,000 pages. Small mom and pop businesses just couldn't handle all the extra legalities and red tape of staying in business. Under President Obama even a small business like a child's lemonade stand had to be registered! I remember buying loops from my Dime Store and then going door to door as a child and selling my home made pot holders - 15 cents each, 2 for a quarter. The thought that a child doing that now could be in serious legal trouble is appalling. But that is what President Obama did: https://tinyurl.com/jecc9gj Thank God for President Trump! He has spent his first year in office rolling back these horrible rules and laws under Obama so that small business can once again thrive and more jobs will be available! Now with the new tax reform bill, I am dancing a jig in anticipation of all the wonderfully new businesses and factories that may pop up around the USA! I love free enterprise and the capitalistic choices it gives to consumers! Being from a larger city, you might not get what I am saying. But here in my small area, we lost restaurants such as KFC, Dominoes, Papa Johns, Ponderosa Steak House and Long John Silvers - to name a few. Add to that many other small franchised owned stores and restaurants along with over 10,000 factories lost since President Clinton and you can see how much the Democrats and President Obama has hurt America. President Obama with all his rules, EPA and oppressive regulations from his big government expansion ideology, took away much of American consumers freedom of choice. We were left with boarded up vacant buildings and store fronts marring our downtown city areas. We still have many vacancies to fill even now. But, I am very optimistic that with God helping our President, Vice President and Republican Congress, that we'll see a whole new frontier to our once blighted city and town landscapes. Dictionary meaning of 'New Frontier': A slogan used by President John F. Kennedy to describe his goals and policies. Kennedy maintained that, like the Americans of the frontier in the nineteenth century, Americans of the twentieth century had to rise to new challenges, such as achieving equality of opportunity for all.' That will mean not only jobs, jobs, jobs - as President Trump likes to say, but also lots of new places to shop and dine at! Love it! Love the prospect of all the new choices and the lowered costs that all these new places will give as they compete for our business. That's why I am so elated! I see President Trump with our Republican Congress achieving 'equality of opportunity for all' with this new tax cut bill and all that they have achieved for America this year! Here's The Tax Cuts Scoop: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ This is just the start of companies handing out bonuses, raising wages and increasing spending... Expect a stampede of companies handing out bonuses, raising pay, spending on capital projects and giving to charities, with the windfall from the newly passed corporate tax cuts. https://tinyurl.com/ycky646m Hell freezes over: Media start admitting that Trump's first year isn't a flop https://tinyurl.com/y7nlxd52 Latest From Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/ Latest From MRC News: https://tinyurl.com/ya6uruck Latest From TrueDailyNews: http://truedaily.news/category/news/ Latest From CCAGW: https://tinyurl.com/ya2e66yx -<>- ) _ \ ) (_) _ () \ .-'` \ ) {_} () .-'````'-. / ) \ / `'-. ___ /.------. \| \ () \ .-'`___`;/ __ `\ | __ () | .'.-'` __'.| o/__\o |/ / /| \/ / o /__\o\ \\// /; // / ._ \_| \\//|`-.__.-'|\ '; / / \ .' \-.___.'| || |/ \/ `._ '-/ | || '.___./ . '-.\_.-' __'-._||_.-' _ / .`""===(||).___.(||)(||)----'(||)===...__ `"jgs"`""=====""""========"""====...__ `""==._ `"=. `"=. `"=. >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Here's the list of what Trump has succeeded in accomplishing in his first year. Can you imagine where we will be in three. Next year promises to see the downfall and jailing of the Clintons and their pack of evil friends. Please share this with all of your friends and even those other people to. Below are the 12 categories and 81 wins cited by the White House. >Jobs and the economy Passage of the tax reform bill providing $5.5 billion in cuts and repealing the Obamacare mandate. Increase of the GDP above 3 percent. Creation of 1.7 million new jobs, cutting unemployment to 4.1 percent. Saw the Dow Jones reach record highs. A rebound in economic confidence to a 17-year high. A new executive order to boost apprenticeships. A move to boost computer sciences in Education Department programs. Prioritizing women-owned businesses for some $500 million in SBA loans. >Killing job-stifling regulations Signed an Executive Order demanding that two regulations be killed for every new one creates. He beat that big and cut 16 rules and regulations for every one created, saving $8.1 billion. Signed 15 congressional regulatory cuts. Withdrew from the Obama-era Paris Climate Agreement, ending the threat of environmental regulations. Signed an Executive Order cutting the time for infrastructure permit approvals. Eliminated an Obama rule on streams that Trump felt unfairly targeted the coal industry. >Fair trade Made good on his campaign promise to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Opened up the North American Free Trade Agreement for talks to better the deal for the U.S. Worked to bring companies back to the U.S., and companies like Toyota, Mazda, Broadcom Limited, and Foxconn announced plans to open U.S. plants. Worked to promote the sale of U.S products abroad. Made enforcement of U.S. trade laws, especially those that involve national security, a priority. Ended Obama’s deal with Cuba. >Boosting U.S. energy dominance The Department of Interior, which has led the way in cutting regulations, opened plans to lease 77 million acres in the Gulf of Mexico for oil and gas drilling. Trump traveled the world to promote the sale and use of U.S. energy. Expanded energy infrastructure projects like the Keystone XL Pipeline snubbed by Obama. Ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to kill Obama’s Clean Power Plan. EPA is reconsidering Obama rules on methane emissions. >Protecting the U.S. homeland Laid out new principles for reforming immigration and put hardliners in charge of his program. Made progress to build the border wall with Mexico. Ended the Obama-era “catch and release” of illegal immigrants. Boosted the arrests of illegals inside the U.S. Doubled the number of counties participating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement charged with deporting illegals. Removed 36 percent more criminal gang members than in fiscal 2016. Started the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program. Ditto for other amnesty programs like Deferred Action for Parents of Americans. Cracking down on some 300 sanctuary cities that defy ICE but still get federal dollars. Added some 100 new immigration judges. >Protecting communities Justice announced grants of $98 million to fund 802 new cops. Justice worked with Central American nations to arrest and charge 4,000 MS-13 members. Homeland rounded up nearly 800 MS-13 members, an 83 percent one-year increase. Signed three executive orders aimed at cracking down on international criminal organizations. Attorney General Jeff Sessions created new National Public Safety Partnership, a cooperative initiative with cities to reduce violent crimes. >Accountability Trump has nominated 73 federal judges and won his nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. Ordered ethical standards including a lobbying ban. Called for a comprehensive plan to reorganize the executive branch. Ordered an overhaul to modernize the digital government. Called for a full audit of the Pentagon and its spending. >Combatting opioids First, the president declared a Nationwide Public Health Emergency on opioids. His Council of Economic Advisors played a role in determining that overdoses are under-reported by as much as 24 percent. The Department of Health and Human Services laid out a new five-point strategy to fight the crisis. Justice announced it was scheduling fentanyl substances as a drug class under the Controlled Substances Act. Justice started a fraud crackdown, arresting more than 400. The administration added $500 million to fight the crisis. On National Drug Take Back Day, the Drug Enforcement Agency collected 456 tons. >Protecting life In his first week, Trump reinstated and expanded the Mexico City Policy that blocks some $9 billion in foreign aid being used for abortions. Worked with Congress on a bill overturning an Obama regulation that blocked states from defunding abortion providers. Published guidance to block Obamacare money from supporting abortion. >Helping veterans Signed the Veterans Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act to allow senior officials in the Department of Veterans Affairs to fire failing employees and establish safeguards to protect whistleblowers. Signed the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act. Signed the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act, to provide support. Signed the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 to authorize $2.1 billion in additional funds for the Veterans Choice Program. Created a VA hotline. Had the VA launch an online “Access and Quality Tool,” providing veterans with a way to access wait time and quality of care data. With VA Secretary Dr. David Shulkin, announced three initiatives to expand access to healthcare for veterans using telehealth technology. >Promoting peace through strength Directed the rebuilding of the military and ordered a new national strategy and nuclear posture review. Worked to increase defense spending. Empowered military leaders to “seize the initiative and win,” reducing the need for a White House sign off on every mission. Directed the revival of the National Space Council to develop space war strategies. Elevated U.S. Cyber Command into a major warfighting command. Withdrew from the U.N. Global Compact on Migration, which Trump saw as a threat to borders. Imposed a travel ban on nations that lack border and anti-terrorism security. Saw ISIS lose virtually all of its territory. Pushed for strong action against global outlaw North Korea and its development of nuclear weapons. Announced a new Afghanistan strategy that strengthens support for U.S. forces at war with terrorism. NATO increased support for the war in Afghanistan. Approved a new Iran strategy plan focused on neutralizing the country’s influence in the region. Ordered missile strikes against a Syrian airbase used in a chemical weapons attack. Prevented subsequent chemical attacks by announcing a plan to detect them better and warned of future strikes if they were used. Ordered new sanctions on the dictatorship in Venezuela. >Restoring confidence in and respect for America Trump won the release of Americans held abroad, often using his personal relationships with world leaders. Made good on a campaign promise to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Conducted a historic 12-day trip through Asia, winning new cooperative deals. On the trip, he attended three regional summits to promote American interests. He traveled to the Middle East and Europe to build new relationships with leaders. Traveled to Poland for the annual. G-20 meeting where he pushed again for funding of women entrepreneurs. --- ...WOW! What a list! Thanks so much for sharing this LouiseAu! Oh, but he is supposed to be this deranged KKK white supremacist! How could he do such great things and stand with Jews (Israel), women, and minorities... UN defies Trump, rejects US recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital by 128-9 https://tinyurl.com/yalfkqay Since 1995 US Congress has admitted this but it took all presidents up until President Trump to finally keep their campaign promise and do the right thing by making it official. Hurray for President Trump! After all, Jerusalem has been Israel's capital for some 3000 years! High time the world admits it and faces the truth of this matter. Ivanka Trump says Hispanic unemployment is at its lowest rate ever. She's right. https://tinyurl.com/ybzxv55y Trump is bringing our country back to 3 and 4% GDP - which Obama never achieved: https://tinyurl.com/z2bjlvh Just think of what all our President could do if he had all the help of Congress! This is the things the American public is never told by news networks here as they all (but a few like Fox) get their talking points from the Democrats! A bunch of left supporters - coverage of President Trump by them is still averaging 90% negative! They don't respect us or our choice in choosing him for President - By us I mean the ones who Hillary called 'irredeemable and deplorable' just because we support Donald Trump for President. They call him the worst President... http://www.newsweek.com/trump-worst-president-obama-bush-689873 This is what they say the nation is suffering from: This Simple Trick Will Help Liberals Get Over Trump Derangement Syndrome https://tinyurl.com/yazxyg3n =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: We have two short Christmas stories today from two beloved writers -- Bobbi Hahn and Maria Harden. Perfect for this time of year! As we end this year, and this decade, we want to extend to you our heartfelt appreciation for your loyalty and support. Please accept our sincere best wishes for a joyous holiday season and a safe and healthy New Year. Merry Christmas! ____ .-" +' "-. __, ,___, /.'.'A_'*`.\ (--|__| _,,_ ,_ |:.*'/\-\. ':| _| |(_||_)|_)\/ |:.'.||"|.'*:| ( | | _/ \:~^~^~^~^:/ __, ,___, /`-....-'\ (--|__| _ |' _| _, , jgs / \ _| |(_)||(_|(_|\//_) `-.,____,.-' ( _/ >A HUMBLE LOAF OF BREAD by Bobbi Hahn It seemed like the perfect gift for my father. You know how hard it is for adult children to select gifts for their parents. After all, what do they want and/or need, really? Flannel shirts and ties had been given in abundance over the years, and since he'd retired, shopping became even more difficult. He was passionate about photography, but I wouldn't have had the slightest idea of what sort of equipment he might like. He was a marvelous gardener, but the tiny garden at their row house in Philadelphia (before they were known as town homes) had no need of plants or seeds in December! I had discovered a wonderful cookbook called Visions of Sugarplums, by Mimi Sheraton, and decided to make something for him from it because it contained recipes from all the countries that celebrate Christmas. He was of Czech descent, and the recipe for a sweet, braided bread containing almonds sounded perfect because he loved anything I made, and he also had a sweet tooth. We purchased all of the ingredients, and my husband numbered the braids in the illustration so we'd be able to keep them straight. It smelled divine as it baked, and I was thrilled with its crusty golden color when I removed it from the oven. We were living in Ohio by that time, so I packed it carefully with their other Christmas gifts and sent it off to Philadelphia. I was not prepared for its reception. My father called with lavish praise for the bread, saying he couldn't believe his eyes when he opened the aluminum foil. With great emotion, he told me that when he and his brothers were very young boys, it was traditional for the bread -- called vanocka -- to be prepared every Christmas Eve. I had given him back a beloved childhood memory, all without thinking! Legend said that every living being in the house had to partake of the bread before midnight of Christmas Eve, for luck. So all the dogs and cats, the occasional mouse, and whatever other creatures lived under their roof had to have a morsel. That year, my husband and I began a tradition for our sons by preparing a vanocka for our home, as well. Cats and dogs were treated to a bite, much to the delight of our young sons. I made the bread each Christmas until my father died. That year, I just couldn't bring myself to make it because it brought back memories of how happy I'd made him with such a simple gift, and it broke my heart that he would no longer enjoy it. I haven't made it in the several years since. But this year, I'm going to have flour dust all over my kitchen again, and the scent of baking bread and roasted almonds will fill the air. Our youngest son and his wife will be sharing Christmas with us, and it's time to remember the joy a humble loaf of bread unwittingly brought to my daddy. -- Bobbi Hahn __________________________________________________ Bobbi is a freelance writer, poet and calligrapher who lives with her husband and two cats beside a lagoon on a barrier island off the coast of South Carolina. She says, "The book is still available, so if you're looking for some marvelous, traditional Christmas recipes, find a copy! It's amazing how similar some of the recipes are from one country to another, differing only by a few ingredients. One country might use almonds, another walnuts. I love these traditions!" You can find a copy of the Visions of Sugarplums book Bobbi refers to here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060140364/heart __________________________________________________ __ [_ | _____||_____ .'` _ || .'`\ ,;;, / _[_]_ || / | _(\()/)___ | (") \/ | | /__(/\)___/| | >/ . \< | || || || | \_:_/ | _.'| || || '-----...----`\ |____||____|/ | | \ | | | '.__/ jgs | | >IN THE NAME OF CHRISTMAS by Maria Harden Sometimes people amaze me, for different reasons, but recently it was a good kind of amazement. As a group, our office at work does a couple of Christmas Cheer hampers, targeting families in need. This year, it is two families from a Women's Shelter. One is a mom with five children, the other mom has four children. They live in suites at the shelter because it's a safe haven for them -- a life away from the abuse they have endured at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends. Donations to the hampers have been rather sparse so far, although we still have several days before the delivery date. It will pick up. It always does. One of the men who works on my floor came to me with an $80 cash donation. It was money, he said, that had been given to him in memory of his mother who passed away last December 21. He had saved it while pondering a suitable charitable organization to donate it to, and decided on this women's shelter. A very generous and kind man to think of this. His mother would have liked it, he said. The money will be used towards gifts or clothing for the children, and gift cards to grocery stores. Meanwhile, our office receives a daily newspaper, delivered in any weather by a faithful carrier. Yesterday, we got a card from the newspaper carrier wishing us a Merry Christmas and advising us of his contact information in case of a delivery problem. He also enclosed a self-addressed envelope if we should wish to provide him with a gratuity. My first thought was, "Oh yeah. Merry Christmas, and where's my tip?" But then I realized he delivers to downtown businesses and most likely never gets a thank you, let alone a gratuity. My workplace pays the invoice but I have never seen anything additional included. It made me think of that movie "Pay It Forward" that came out a few years ago. When I get my paper delivered at home, my paper carrier gets a much deserved gratuity at Christmas, so I thought I would surprise the office paper carrier and send him one myself. After all, 'tis the season, right? I slipped a twenty dollar bill into the envelope and mailed it off with an unsigned note of appreciation. I know it's not much but I hope he at least appreciates the thought. The man at work who made the generous donation in the name of his mother made me think of passing it on. Maybe the carrier will be inspired to do something for someone else too. I'd like to think so. In the spirit of Christmas, I encourage you to pay it forward or pass it on if you are so inspired. Do it because you want to, without expecting anything in return. Do it in the name of Christmas! -- Maria Harden __________________________________________________ Maria has written for Heartwarmers in the past, as well as other on-line publications and anthologies. She is not afraid to say those two words that seem to be banned from daily vocabulary these days -- Merry Christmas! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) , , , , |\_.'/ )`-'\__, |\_/ .`(_ / `. ( _| . '_.-'` '--. `'. '-(_)' ( /.-. `(_)(_)`--' ` \/ / . '-. '`) : ( `-. ' .-' )'/ jgs `; >Woman and the Fork There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. 'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply? 'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my Right hand.' The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. 'That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked. 'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor. The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ... the best is yet to come.' The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share. Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND... and I'll bet this will be an Email they do remember, every time they pick up a fork! And just remember... keep your fork! The BEST is yet to come! God Bless You --- ...TeeHee! Such A sweet Classic! Thanks Geniann! -<>- ___ / __'. .-"""-. .-""-| | '.'. / .---. \ / .--. \ \___\ \/ /____| | / / \ `-.-;-(`_)_____.-'._ ; ; `.-" "-:_,(o:==..`-. '. .-"-, | | / \ / `\ `. \ / .-. \ \ \ | Y __...\ \ \ / / \/ /\ | | | .--""--.| .-' \ '.`---' / \ \ / / |` \' _...--.; '---'` \ '-' / jgs /_..---.._ \ .'\\_ `. `--'` .' (_) `'/ (_) / `._ _.'| .' ``````` '-...--'` >A minute with God My name is God. You hardly have time for me. I love you and will always bless you. I am always with you. I need you to spend 30 secs. of your time with Me today. Don't pray, just praise. Today I want this message to go across the world before midnight. Will you help? Please do not delete it and I'll help you with something that you are in need of. Just dare Me! A blessing is coming your way. Please drop everything & pass it on. Why are prayers getting smaller, but bars and clubs are expanding? Why is it so easy to worship a celebrity, but very difficult to engage with God? Think about it, are you going to forward this or are you going to ignore it because you think you will get laughed at? Forward this to all your friends. 80% of you won't. God said if you deny me in front of your friends, I will deny you on the day of judgment. When one door closes, God opens two. If God has opened doors for you, send this message to everyone. Forward if God's been good to you! God has been very good to me, He has given me a wonderful family, great friends, great health for the most of my life and so much more! THANK YOU LORD! AMEN! AMEN! AND AMEN!!!!! --- ...Yes Indeed! Thanks Geniann! _ __/\/,\__ \_\_\_/_/ <__=(_)=__> \_/\_\`_/ / /\ \ /_/| \ \ (U)| |\ \ .-"-. | (U) / \ .-"-. ;= ; \ |= _|= ; (_________) _| `----()-`_______) jgs |= `--()--` (_________) `--()---` I am most thankful for all of you! A big Heartfelt Hug and Thank You to all our Shangrala Angels and contributors! You helped keep the emails and the site going this long hard year! A big Thank You to all of you sweet readers! You give me purpose and joy in my life. I love sharing what you share with me to all our group! I love being able to 'Pay It Forward' with each email I send out. Thank You for your support and being part of my world and sharing in it! You are some of God's best and I truly do Thank God for giving me the opportunity to host this group and my web site over the past 20 years. It has been a tremendous blessing to me and I pray I have been able to give you some blessings by way of smiles in return. Merry Christmas And God's Best now and throughout the coming New Year! (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ____ .-" +' "-. /.'.'A_'*`.\ |:.*'/\-\. ':| |:.'.||"|.'*:| \:~^~^~^~^:/ /`-....-'\ jgs / \ `-.,____,.-' >We Have Become Dull "If a dead man is raised to life, all men spring up in astonishment. Yet every day one that had no being is born, and no man wonders, though it is plain to all, without doubt, that it is a greater thing for that to be created which was without being than for that which had being to be restored. Because the dry rod of Aaron budded, all men were in astonishment; every day a tree is produced from the dry earth ... and no man wonders ... Five thousand men were filled with five loaves; every day the grains of seed that are sown are multiplied in a fullness of ears, and no man wonders. All wondered to see water once turned into wine. Every day the earth's moisture, being drawn into the root of the vine, is turned by the grape into wine, and no man wonders. Full of wonder then are all the things which men never think to wonder at, because they are by habit become dull to the consideration of them. " St. Gregory the Great, Moralia (translated: Morals on the Book of Job, 1844-50). Gregory I (540-604) is a Catholic Saint and was Pope (590-604). -<>- .--._.--.--.__.--.--.__.--.--.__.--.--._.--. _(_ _Y_ _Y_ _Y_ _Y_ _)_ [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] [___] /:' \ /:' \ /:' \ /:' \ /:' \ /:' \ |:: | |:: | |:: | |:: | |:: | |:: | \::. / \::. / \::. / \::. / \::. / \::. / jgs \::./ \::./ \::./ \::./ \::./ \::./ '=' '=' '=' '=' '=' '=' >Christmas Lights I used to be really particular about Christmas lights - like not liking the white ones because they were too plain, but when the Lord showed me this, my perspective changed. Now my lights shine for the Glory of The Lord. When I see YELLOW lights, I remember the star which shown above the manger in Bethlehem when Christ was born. When I see the RED lights, they remind me of the blood Jesus shed for my sins and yours. When I see the blue lights, I am reminded of the bruises that Jesus bore for our iniquities. When I see the GREEN lights, they remind me of the new green grass of spring which symbolizes the newness of life which Christ gives us. When I see the brilliant WHITE lights, they remind me of the purity that we receive through the cleansing of the blood of Christ. All mixed together they are the most beautiful site in the World because they Glorify The Lord Jesus Christ and Praise His Holy Name, NO WONDER JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON -<>- _.-O-._ o_o_o_o_o \_`___`_/ } /. .\ { } | _c_ | { __}_\www/_{__ (((( { } )))) | |o { } o| | | |o {_} o| | |_\o _ o/_| \_/==L_I//\_/ \)-.__//-(/ | : //: | | :|/ : | | : | : | | : | : | |---|---| jgs |__ | __| (___|___) >Wrong Number Miracle Mom was going to miss mortgage payment if she sent daughter money By ERIC S. PAGE Virginia Saenz could hear the desperation in the voice of the telephone message. It was 5 a.m. on the day before Thanksgiving, and the caller, Lucy Crutchfield, was trying to tell her daughter that she'd send money for groceries -- but she'd have to miss a mortgage payment to do it. But Crutchfield dialed the wrong number. Instead of getting her daughter, she got Saenz, a real estate agent from the San Diego suburb of Tierrasanta. "I know right now we are all struggling," Saenz said. "Lisa on the phone, she sounded so desperate for her daughter, it broke my heart." Saenz did the only thing she could think of -- she called Crutchfield back and said not to worry. Crutchfield would pay the mortgage, and Saenz would handle the groceries. "She said, 'You have the wrong number ... don't worry any more,' " Crutchfield recalled. For Crutchfield, it was a holiday miracle. Her house is already in foreclosure. Her mother recently passed away, and Crutchfield is now trying to pay off her house. She had a money order prepared to make a mortgage payment on that house -- but was going to cash it in when her daughter called asking for money. "I thought I was going to lose that house, too," Crutchfield said. Saenz told Crutchfield to keep her money and promised to take care of her daughter. The real estate agent then called Crutchfield's daughter. "I asked her what she would like, what her kids like, and then I felt really bad because she said she only wanted eggs and milk," Saenz said. "When somebody only asks you for eggs and milk, they are in a really bad situation." So Saenz went grocery shopping on Thanksgiving morning with her 14-year-old son in tow to tell her what kids liked to eat. They bought food for a Thanksgiving dinner and enough groceries to get Crutchfield's daughter through the end of the month -- her next payday. She said the act of giving made "the day special for me." "I helped somebody," Saenz said Friday. "I think it's what anybody would have done." Eric S. Page reports about all things San Diego, but he draws the line at cat stories. You can follow his updates at twitter.com/espage or send him a story idea. -<>- .------. ( #-....'`\ \ # | _ )"====="| _ (_`"======="`_) /`"""""""""`\ | o _o\ | (_>| \ '.___/--# '. ;-._:'\ )`===| <)_/ __ .---""`====`--'\__.' `| / ()\ / \___..--' \_.-' | () | ; ; \ ()/ \ '. / _.'`\ `; ( `\ \_ \ .-`\ `\ jgs \___) `.______.' >12 days of Christmas There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me. What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas? From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ. Two turtledoves were the Old and New Testaments Three French hens stood for Faith, hope and love. The four calling birds were the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the First five books of the Old Testament. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of Creation. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes. Nine ladies dancing were the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit: - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control. The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments. The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven Faithful disciples. The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in The Apostles' Creed. So there is your history for today. This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening and now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol...so pass it on if you wish. -<>- ||::|:|| .--------, |:||:|:| |_______ / .-. ||::|:|| ."` ___ `". {\('v')/} \\\/\///: .'` `'. ;____`( )'____ \====/ './ o o \|~ ^" "^ // \\// | ())) . | Season's \ || \ `.__.' /| // || _{``-.___.-'\| Greetings \ || _." `-.____.-'`| ___ // ||` __ \ |___/ \_______\ ."|| (__) \ \| / / `\/ __ vvvvv'\___/ | | (__) | \___/\ / || | .___. | || | | | ||.-' | '-. jgs || | ) ||----------'---------' >The 25 Days of Christmas Christmas. A treasured family holiday, a time full of joy and love - and my husband Shawn was six thousand miles from home in Iraq. I felt no joy, and my heart ached for him. How could Christmas feel like Christ-mas this year? This would be the first Christ-mas we would spend apart in our six years of marriage. And something greater pulled at my heart. Our daughter Faith, six months old and born while Daddy was in Iraq, would have her first Christmas with Mommy . . . but no Daddy. My heart hurt, and my mood was gloomy. I knew I had to quit focusing on what I couldn't change. If not for my sake, for Faith's. My heartache was killing the holiday, and I didn't want that for any of us. I decided that a person can either have a pity-party or pick herself up and make the best of it. I began racking my brain. How could I find joy in such an unhappy situation? How would I help it be Christmas for us? I knew it would be especially difficult for Shawn to get in the mood, being in a desert with no good-old North Dakota snow or traditional mistletoe. And, then, it hit me: Why couldn't he have snow, or, at least, the mistletoe, over there? I decided to send him a care package labeled, "The 25 days of Christmas." There would be twenty-five gifts, each a reminder of our treasured holiday. However, there was a rule for the package: He could only open one gift each day until Christmas. That would be tough for him, I knew, but it would give him something to look forward to every day. Besides, isn't torturous anticipation of opening gifts part of Christmas? That thought put a loving smirk on my face! My excitement built as I began putting together his package full of Christmas touches: a pine-tree-scented air-freshener so he could have the smell of Christmas, a candy cane so he could have the taste of Christmas, a Christmas music CD so he could have the sounds of Christmas, some cotton balls so he could have some snow for Christmas, hot cocoa so he could have a sip of Christmas. . . . Well, maybe he'd have to make it chilled cocoa! And, of course, the mistletoe, with instructions pending his arrival home. Putting together this package put the spirit of Christmas in my heart. When Shawn finally received the package and called to thank me, I could hear it in his voice, too. And I guess you could say Christ-mas for us was what it was supposed to be - full of joy and full of love. I mentioned the rule that he could only open one gift at a time each day until Christmas. . . . Well, this year for Shawn we'll have to mark "naughty" instead of "nice" for when Santa's "making his list and checking it twice." By Chanda Stelter (c) -<>- (\ (\ /) /) \\|| ||// > / \ < //\\ //\\ (/ /,\ .-. /,\ \) | _ _ | \<.I.>/ | |\ | _ | \ @ _.... _ \(_) / `@-------"` ` \ `"""`\ @ \/ @-@' \ | / | | | | /\ \ / / ,) .-"";"`'. ( / // / \ /`-. '-. / // / | / `-. \ /_// /` / / \ | (_(/ / /_/ | | /_/ jgs (_( |_| (_( (_( It was almost Christmas as the young boy went into the pet shop looking for a puppy. The owner showed him a litter in a box and the boy picked up each one looking, examining them and putting each back in the box. After several minutes he walked back up to the owner and said, "I picked one out, how much will it cost?" The man gave him the price, and the boy promised to be back in a few days with the money. "Don't take too long." the owner cautioned, "Puppies like these sell quickly." The boy turned and smiled knowingly, "I'm not worried," he said, "Mine will still be here." The boy went to work, cleaning, doing jobs and saved his money. When he had enough for the puppy, he returned to the store. He walked up to the counter and laid down a pocket full of wadded bills. The store owner sorted and counted the cash. After verifying the amount, he smiled at the boy and said, "All right, son, you can get your puppy." The boy reached into the back of the box, pulled out a skinny dog with a limp leg, and started to leave. The owner stopped him. "Don't take that puppy," he objected, "He's crippled. He can't play. He'll never run with you. He can't fetch. Get one of the healthy pups." "No thank you, sir," the boy replied. This is exactly the kind of dog I've been looking for." As the boy turned to leave, the store owner started to speak, but remained silent. Suddenly, he understood. For extending from the bottom of the boy's trousers was a brace - a brace for his crippled leg. By Max Lucado -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Pay It Forward http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/payitforward.html Making A Difference http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/makingdifference.html Random Acts Of Kindness http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/actsofkindness.html The Real Bambi & Thumper: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bambi.html Especially for dog lovers: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aboutdogs.html Living Tree Church http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/treechurch.html Short Life Stories http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/lifestories.html More Abundant Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/abundantlife.html No Words Needed http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nowords.html Thankful For You http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankful.html Thank You God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html New Night Before Christmas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nightbefore.html The Christmas Story! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html How True It Is! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nyear.html Yearly Friendship Renewal! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/renewal.html Shangrala's Christmas And New Year Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html -<>- >Please Follow/Visit Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/y86f27fz -<>- >From JohnMcCain: Merry Christmas! https://www.countryfirstpac.com/christmas/ -<>- >From Dr JeremySmallwood: Wishing you a Happy Christmas and New Year and prosperous 2018. http://www.electrostatics.net/Happy_New_Year2017-18.htm -<>- >From VoiceOfTheMartyrs: Share Christmas Joy with Our Persecuted Family https://tinyurl.com/y7da35mb -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) What does the way you speak say about where you’re from? Truthfully answer all the questions on the following quiz to see your personal dialect map. https://tinyurl.com/ya72puzb --- ...Amazing! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A never before behind the scenes look at Santa’s Elves making toys for Christmas at the North Pole. Dog and Cat lovers might recognize a few of these elves as looking a lot like our canine and feline friends. This might explain why some toys arrive on Christmas morning already broken. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6NS77HLjEE 13 dogs and 1 lucky cat enjoy a holiday feast together at the dinner table. They have a nice turkey to eat and plenty of vegetables and other sides to fill their bellies. The cat doesn’t seem too excited about the holiday meal so perhaps it’s wondering what’s for dessert. This holiday feast was made possible by Freshpet with the help of the Humane Society of Utah and some of their dogs that are available for adoption. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhg7Xm4FXAY --- ...TeeHee! Sweet ones! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) _____ .-"` `'. /, \ / /``'--..--'``\ | \__.__.__,___/ \_ {/ e e \} { `}() (__) ()| `/,_.-")("-._,\ { `--`==`--` } .'{ } }'. \/ \/ .' { } } \ -|` `|- / { { } ; ,_\| |/_, ; , '-..____..-' , | \ / | ; : ; | .-.._)---(_.--. | <`;._ _:_ _.| .-\\_.-/_ _ \-._/ | | `'|.-.|'` (\ \_ |a a | \_.'`}`'-.._||_||_..-'\\ _.'_} \ /`\ {_.'`_) '-;-' \{_.' `_)| | '. | \--..__ : __..--'``\\ \\0/\ '/`\_...--"""-. \___/ ``` _/ \___/ |__.'`()/ `\. '-;-..._____...-;-' / ()_.' . ;`\ | | | ()_.-' . |-' | | | \ , ; ; \ _ _ _|_ _ _ / ;-, /___..,-`\ ; /` ` ` | ` ` `\ | / /' \ \ ; \_._._/ \_._._/ |/ / \ \ | |= | | =| / / `> > / jgs .-'-. | | .-'-. / / \ / / /` / | | \ /_/ \/\ /_/_/ \____,__/ \__,____/ /_( |/ /_/_( >Quotes: Christmas day is a day of joy and charity. May God make you very rich in both. ~ Phillips Brooks ~ Good news from heaven the angels bring, Glad tidings to the earth they sing: To us this day a child is given, To crown us with the joy of heaven. ~ Martin Luther "Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave." ~ Mary Tyler Moore. "Do not run from the truth. There be nought so hard to live with as a lie." ~ Kathryn L. Nelson >PINK CHRISTMAS SURPRISE The VA Hospital doctors and pharmacy had been waging war with my husband Ken's rheumatoid arthritis for years, providing the latest medicines as quick as they became available. His long monthly trips for checkups also necessitated serums specially packed in Styrofoam coolers surrounded by frozen ice bags. We stored the bags out in the small fridge-freezer on our back deck. He is a WWII Army Air Force vet, and had business near the VA Hospital just before Christmas. He decided to divest our burgeoning freezer of countless ice bags by returning them back to the pharmacy. It was just a nice way of telling the VA he was an appreciative veteran. Upon his return home that evening, I inquired as to his day with the doctors. All had gone well, but he looked tired and remarked that the pharmacy was very glad to have the cooler box and ice bags back. n "One thing though," he mentioned offhandedly, "they wondered why all the freezer bags were pink." "Pink?" I queried. "What do you mean, pink?" "Yeah, pink," he adamantly muttered again. "But haven't you ever noticed, the pharmacy bags are always white?" I insisted. "Beats me. I thought they came in colors," as he heaved an unconcerned sigh and tilted his recliner back for a well-deserved snooze. While I stared unfocused into the fridge trying to conjure up a dinner idea, the deepest recesses of my mind kept wandering back to pink. Pink, pink, pink, why would those bags turn pink, I mulled over and over? Suddenly a light came on and the awful reality began setting in. Oh mercy no, it just couldn't be as I raced into the laundry room to check out the freezer, then downstairs to the old freezer in the basement where sure enough, the answer loomed before me. "Jumpin' Jehosafats, Pops, you gave away my stash of frozen strawberry daiquiris that I made last summer!" "Sorry dear, thought they looked a little different. You can whip up some more can't you?" Ken concluded as he tossed me a devilish grin. Our marriage was a good one. First, we kept faith with both our Christian upbringings, and secondly, we didn't hesitate to state our minds. Long ago a friend had advised that keeping it all in was best, even though her marriage failed. That wasn't going to happen to us for after fifty years we had amiably exchanged a few honest words uttered over a myriad of touchy subjects. But there are times, circumstances, and an old friend's well meaning advice when one keeps it all in, especially when a husband is unwell. Chagrined to the core, and finally slightly amused, I took the phone in hand to catch one of the VA pharmacists who seemed tickled pink when he heard my name. The jig was up and all I could say was... "Whatever you do, don't throw the pink bags out that my husband returned to you today. They were my stash of strawberry daiquiris, so treat them with care and enjoy your holiday on us." "Ma'am, we opened one up after hours in the back room, and are sharing it as we speak. They're the best. Thanks, Mrs. C., and tell that old maChrn of yours he can cross our palms with strawberry daiquiris any time. He really knows how to liven up a long day." With little left to say, I sent my compliments to all and raised my cup of coffee in an appropriate toast... "Here's to you, VA Pharmacy. Divvy them up and have yourselves a Merry Little Christmas." -- Kathe Campbell --- ...TeeHee! A cute one! Thanks Fran! ================================================================ ___,@ / < ,_ / \ _, ? \`/______\`/ ,_(_). |; (e e) ;| \___ \ \/\ 7 /\/ _\8/_ \/\ \'=='/ | /| /| \ \___)--(_______|//|//| \___ () _____/|/_|/_| / () \ `----' / () \ '-.______.-' jgs _ |_||_| _ (@____) || (____@) \______||______/ >Elves On a Ladder Truck Story Editor: by Thomas Horne Joyce Schowalter Maryland, USA December 24, 1988 our firehouse ambulance was racing in response to a baby being shaken out a window three stories in the air. Police were also en route. Dispatch relayed that the baby was being used to extort money from the mother. On arrival we indeed saw a baby being waved out a window by his feet three stories up. As we ran up the stairs my partner said, "Distract the guy for a minute, I'll get the baby." A crying 5-year-old child opened the door, "He's hurting my brother!" I entered, speaking as calmly as I could. Wild-eyed, the assailant said, "Don't touch me, cop, or I smash the brat." I said, "I'm a firefighter. I only want to check the baby." Suddenly a pair of hands appeared and grabbed the child. From the apartment's kitchen, my driver had gone out the window and reached across to grab the child -- three stories up. WildEyes looked at his now-empty hands, charged past me and escaped. Breathing raggedly, I surveyed a desperately bleak room. One bare bulb, broken furniture, an empty drawer for a crib. My partner came in holding the baby very close to himself, saying over and over, "He's all right. He's all right." We gathered up mother and two other children. Downstairs we met an army of police officers. As we loaded up the family, the officers took the perpetrator's description. With the madman's picture etched into my brain, I described him from top to bottom. After transporting the family to children's hospital, we took another call. When the officers caught the assailant he fought, bruised two officers, and ended up needed stitches. Back at the station, a senior firefighter asked me for every detail. When I finished, he said, "You can't fix the world but you can mend parts of it," and got our shift together. "We have a family to care for," he said. "It's Christmas eve! Most stores are closed," we chorused. The captain replied, "I think this shift could pull it off on Christmas day." No one argued further. Groups went to the grocery, a toy store, and a child care supply store. Between us, we assembled Christmas for a family that needed everything. Next item, the only unpurchased Christmas tree left from our department's tree sale fund-raiser. The crew shortened that poor scraggly thing and trimmed it to a decent shape. A 24-hour pharmacy yielded lights and ornaments. We called the hospital and found the baby's evaluation would take several more hours; the family would be sent home in the morning. At 11:00 p.m. we were finally ready. But back at the apartment building, the apartment door had a double-cylinder jimmy-proof lock. We laddered the apartment, and hauled all the supplies up the ladder. Two different police officers came by with more items. We all agreed that at least for one day, the baby's brother and sister and yes, even his mom, could believe in Santa Claus. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Fran :) | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` >Christmas Is The Thought It's that time of the year again When Christmas is the thought Baking, shopping and wrapping Each and every gift that's bought. Putting up the Christmas tree Each branch is lit so bright Each ornament brings a memory It's such a lovely sight. Cookies baking in the oven The smell of cinnamon fills the air Smiles and laughter in our hearts Joy and happiness is everywhere. One tiny thing that I must mention And we wouldn't want to miss A sprig of mistletoe hung real high For a sweet little Christmas kiss. One more thing, and it's important Let's try to get it right Tis a birthday we are celebrating Jesus was born on Christmas night. ~ Charlotte Anselmo ~ --- ...Amen! Thanks Fran! M E R R Y C R I S T M A S ! :) >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://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 ************************************************************************