Miracles And Hope... :) 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 ================ >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic For everyone who loves Christmas animations, I updated the Gallery with 50 more animations just in time. Easy to use. Just copy and paste them or right click and save image as. Give the page plenty of time to load... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_x.html -<>- >HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This smoking hot one is from our friend KarenF. She gets us even more in the mood for Christmas with this little adorable one! Be sure to watch the video for more Smiles! Give it time to load and check it out here... __ ( ( ) ) _ / / ___ /:;-/_ ( ( \ ___ __/::::;;;-. ) ) \ / _ \/ _\`".:::::/\/ / ) ) (_( \/ / \__ `";/ /\/ ( ( (_(_) /`_>-~-\/ /\ \_\ \/)'O_O`\/ / /-.(_),-\/ ( .:_|_:. ) /`--'U,-.'\_ ,'\,-. (_,,),:| ___ ,'__(,,_)___,:::| / _ \ |||||||||||||:::| / / \ \|||||||||||||:::| __ ( ( \ |||||||||||||:::| ( (\ )_) \|||||||||||||::;'__) )\ hjw |||||||||||||;'_____/\/ """"( ("""""" ) ) (_( Puppy Days Of Christmas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppychristmas.html --- ...LOL! Such a cute one! Thanks KarenF! \ =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,-.-. / ,-. \ ,-. ( |a a| ) ,-. : `( : o ; )' : ____|____(_.>-<._)____|____ (_| / \ |_) || : `.|,' : || '|___..--|_\_|_/_|-...___|' ; | /SSt\ | : / ; ;| ,'|`. |: : \ / /| /|;._____.:|\ |\ \ / ,' `' / ;| |: \ `' `. \ `' / / | | \ \ `' / / ; : \ \ / / /| |\ \ \ / / / | | \ \ \ / / / ; : \ \ \ / / / /| |\ \ \ \ ( / / / | | \ \ \ ) `(_ / / ; : \ \ _)' `'.(_./___\._).`' >A CHRISTMAS VISIT by Kathy Harris It was December 22, a Saturday, and the last weekend before Christmas. She was getting some last minute shopping done. After making her purchases she walked with her son over to the cottage covered in artificial snow that sat in the middle of the shopping mall. She had promised her son that he could visit Santa. Her son was eight years old -- tall and lanky like his father. He had dark auburn hair and gray-green eyes, a sprinkle of freckles on his cheeks and a wistful smile. His voice was gruff for a boy so young, prompting many folks to refer to him as the "little man." Since his father's untimely and sudden death seven months earlier, he had tried to fill his daddy's place by volunteering for extra duties around the ranch and his once-boyish mannerisms quickly gave way to an assumed adult demeanor. Juggling her packages she gently prodded her son forward when the elf assistant informed them it was her son's turn to sit with Santa. She couldn't hear what the shopping mall Santa and her son were saying, but she couldn't help notice her son's expression. His gray-green eyes sparkled with unshed tears and his lips trembled as he nodded his head in response to something Santa said. An elf with a camera told her son to smile as he snapped a couple of shots. Her son looked past the camera. His thoughts miles distant. The only one who smiled was Santa. Once in the car she asked her son what he had told Santa he wanted for Christmas. He turned his head toward the window. His words bounced off the glass with a dull echo. "I want to tell daddy I love him. I want him to hug me and tell me, 'I love you, Buddy!' when he tucks me in at night." She tried to draw a breath past the painful lump in her throat. "I know, honey. We weren't able to say goodbye. We weren't there to hug him up and savor his goodness one last time... I'm sorry, hon." He hung his head. "Me, too," he muttered in his gruff little boy voice. The hour it took to get home was quiet. That evening as they decorated the tree a storm crept out over the flat range, groaning with snow laden clouds and whining winds. Soon wet heavy snow was pounding at their windows and icy fingers of the wind crawled under the doors and into the house. "We'd better check on the horses. I'm concerned this storm will spook the mare who's due to foal any day now. And I want to make sure the chickens are locked up good and tight." "Okay, Mom. I'll check on the chickens." He picked up the boxes of ornaments from the floor and placed them on the nearby couch. "We can get to the rest of this later." She cast a proud glance at her son. "Yes, my little man. We can." She grabbed their coats and scarves from the coatrack. They bundled up and went outside. The flood light from the roof of the barn was little help as the gusting wind tossed thick folds of snow everywhere. Pushing against the wet and cold she reached the barn, threw back the retaining bar and went inside. She flicked the lights on and took a relaxing breath. It was suddenly more quiet and calm within. She scanned the stalls. All was peaceful. The horses were fine. The pregnant mare dropped her head over the stall half-door and huffed a welcome. He opened the door to the coops and warm air brushed 'round him. The heat lamps were on bathing the chickens in a red glow. They were settled in for the night. Some sleeping, while others clucked softly in the shadows. He pulled his scarf tightly around his neck as he shut and bolted the coop up. As he turned towards the barn he was stopped short by a sound. There, in the blustery snow was a dark shape. A whimpering sound issued from the quaking creature. The boy gingerly stepped closer. He saw a black ball of fur. The head trembled as it whined piteously. The wind died down and the boy got a better look at the animal. "Come here, pooch." He coaxed softly. He squatted down nearer the dog and held his hand out. The black dog stood slowly, then reached over and licked the boy's hand. Holding his arms out the boy called the dog to him. In a bound the dog crawled into his arms -- all the while licking the boy's face. He met his mother just outside the door to the barn. She gasped when she espied her son and the creature in his arms. "What do you have there?" She knew, but she was caught by surprise. "Can we go inside?" he implored, staring down at the dog. "He's freezing out here." "Umm." She nodded and hustled herself and her boy towards the house. Shutting the front door behind her she faced her son. "Let's take a better look at him, shall we?" She drew closer then wrinkled her nose. "He will need a hot bath. Then some food and water." He grinned and rushed off with the dog. In moments, the tub in the bathroom was being filled with water and she could hear her son talking to the dog reassuringly. Half an hour later son and dog emerged. She studied the dog who now followed closely behind her son. He was of medium size, bright-eyed... and smiling. She watched as the dog ate. "Your father had a black dog and he loved that dog a lot. He used to tell me stories about him. Said his name was Jeremy." He nodded at the dog. "May we keep him?" She didn't have to give his question much thought. She'd not seen her son this animated in months. "Sure. What are you going to name him?" Her son paused, then gave his answer. "Buddy." For the next two days boy and dog were inseparable. They played and worked together. Come bedtime, Buddy followed the boy to the bedroom, jumped up on the bed and settled down for the night. Christmas Eve, before the boy fell asleep, Buddy squirmed over to him, placed his paws on the boy's shoulders and snuggled up against him. The boy hugged him close and Buddy covered his grinning face with dog kisses. "I love you," he whispered, then fell asleep cradling the black dog in his arms. Christmas morning the boy woke up to find Buddy gone. He hurriedly changed clothes then ran out of his room, calling after Buddy. He couldn't find Buddy in the house so he rushed outside. There, in the snow were paw tracks. Buddy's. He followed the tracks, calling for the dog, when suddenly, the tracks disappeared. The boy canted his head. "Oh!" he burbled with a giggle. He then took a deep breath. "Oh," he said again as understanding flooded him. He bowed his head and whispered, "Thank you." Hearing her son crying out as he hurried through the house she bolted after him. When she caught up to him she glanced down, following the boy's gaze. She studied the tracks, puzzled. "Where's Buddy? Did you find him?" The boy reached up and grasped his mother's hand. "I'll tell you when we get inside." With a light tugging he pulled her back in the direction of the house. It had begun to snow. "Let's go, Mom." She looked back at the tracks. The snow was quickly filling in the depressions, obscuring the dog's path. She turned back to her son. He was pulling her faster toward the house. He looked back at her and a bright smile blazed across his face. "I'll race you back!" He let go of her hand and dashed across the yard. As he reached the porch he threw his arms over his head and let out a big whoop. Behind his mother, a tall lanky figure bent down just as a smaller, darker figure ran up to him. "Good dog, Jeremy. Come on!" The black dog wriggled into the man's arms. "You did good, boy!" The tall lanky figure smiled, and there was a sparkle in his green eyes. He then turned into the swirl of snow, and vanished. -- Kathy Harris ___________________________________________ Kathy says, "I live in central, sunny California, where I share my life with my husband and our furry family. I work full time for a living, and I write in order to live fully. My works have been featured in Heartwarmers, Petwarmers, 2TheHeart, StoryTime Tapestry, Starfish, Driftwood, CatTails, Insight of the Day, Moments of Reflections, Gwen's Place Newsletter, Women with Heart, and Eternal Ink. I am also a weekly columnist for the publication, Frank Talk, which is distributed in three counties in Michigan." ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) + * + + + `.!.' * + + -=x=- + .'!`. * + + ! * + + + + + * + * + ,-. * //"\\ + * + * // \\ * // = \\ + w w w + + //___o O \\ \O O O ||\_/|\|\ || + |\ `|\ '|\ _ ___||_Y_| \_\||_________|_\_|_\__|_\ hjw >SCRIPTURES A person's character is determined by his motives, and motive is always a matter of the heart. Read Titus 2:7 (In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptiblity.) God has givne you a gift of life on earth and the promise of eternal life. Now, He wants you to celebrate those gifts. Read Psalms 118:24 (This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.) Whether we accept it, or even believe it, whether we act upon it or whether we don't, the Word of God WILL increase and things will happen just as God says they will. Just read about it. It's happening. Our ultimate authority for anything we believe isn't our heritage, our traditions, or what our local body of believers dictate. Our ultimate authority is GOD and His Word. Read Acts 6:7 , Acts 6:10 and so many more. With each new dawn, life delivers a package to your front door, rings your doorbell and runs. Read Psalms 118:24 (This is the day that the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.) None of us are good enough to make it to heaven by our own efforts. Why would Jesus have had to endure death and suffering if we could do it alone? God's plan for all of us is to ask for His mercy, confess our sins and trust Him for our salvation. Read Colossians 3:55 In good times and bad times, God Never Changes! Read 1 Kings 10:23 to 11-4 God loves us and our number one reason for living on earth is to love God in return. Read 1 Peter 3:12 The Church is to be a place of loving acceptance, not acceptance of sin but certainly a place where a person can be appreciated for being a child of God and a special creation of God. Read 1 Peter 2:17 God is engineering our circumstances with a definite result in mind. Read 2 Peter 3:18 Spiritual growth is a process. There is an order. Lessons must be learned before other lessons can be assimilated. Read 2 Peter 3:18 --- ...Thanks Bunni! ========================================================= >-->From Laugh&Lift: | + | /^\ + --=<-*->=-- + \·/ | ____ ... + .. ... | | |__,'[] `,__ _' `__ /\|/\ _' `___|_ []| ______|__ __|_ [] | /#\ |[] __| []| | | []| | | | # | | | | | | | | | '.,_#.- - ' . - · - ' - . . - ' - . _ . - ' - . _ _ MAY YOUR PATH ` ' /\|/\ ' ' /\|/\ /#\ LEAD YOU TO PEACE AND ' ' /#\ # ' ' # /\|/\ # HAPPINESS ' ' # /#\ # ' ' # EVERYONE ' ' #________ |OOShy A heart full of love has no room for envy. */The Lift/* >Room 127: How to Leave "the old things" Behind* (By M. Moneypenny) [Edited] I turned the key into the lock of Room 127 and opened the door. It was just what I needed - a tiny bathroom, a small seating area and a double bed. I tossed my overnight bag on the bed, laid my book bag on the coffee table and threw myself into a slightly overstuffed chair. "Well, here I am," I declared. "Okay God, you've got my undivided attention for 24 hours," I challenged. "Show me, I beg you! Please show me why I'm so miserable. Helloooo, are you there???" I don't think I really expected Him to walk out from behind the bathroom door. Yet I was hoping for something. But in reality, had a note dropped from the ceiling with my name on it, I would have hesitated to pick it up. It would have been just my luck that God was sending me a moving notice, without a forwarding address. That's exactly what the last couple of months had felt like - God didn't seem to be the least bit interested in the events of my life. So you see, I really needed for Him to show up in Room 127. As I mentioned before, I took just two things with me - a small overnight bag and my Bible book bag. Now it may sound like I was running away from home but I wasn't. I just needed a break from the telephone, my children, my husband, cooking, laundry and anything else that had my name on it. And to be honest, the fact that my family helped me pack my bag was probably a pretty good sign that they were ready for me to take a break, too. So I did. I needed to be somewhere that I could talk out loud to God without the possibility of being overheard. I needed to work though my thoughts by writing down words and drawing pictures without anyone looking over my shoulder. I needed to be able to embrace whatever emotion I was feeling at the moment without anyone trying to console me. And that's exactly what Room 127 afforded me - the luxury of being alone - with God. I grabbed my book bag and emptied the contents on to the coffee table. Besides the usual pen, pencil, hi-liter and Bible, I also had a copy of The Message. I put both books on the coffee table and began to thumb through them. As I waded through Romans, I began to slow down when I reached the eighth chapter. I continued to read verse-by-verse, first in my Bible and then in The Message. As I reached verse eleven my attention began to peak and then verse fifteen hit me right between the eyes. "With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's! So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent? There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid grave tending life." Romans 8:11b-15a, The Message "Grave tending? I've never heard of such a thing!" I thought to myself. I snuggled back into that slightly overstuffed chair and began to imagine what grave tending might look like. In my mind's eye, I watched as someone paced frantically around an old gravesite. As I looked closer, I saw that it was me! I was carrying a shovel, a garden hose and a large can of deodorant. Sounds ridiculously silly and morbid, doesn't it? Well, apparently that's how a person looks when they're grave tending. The shovel was used to dig up that which is buried. The water from the garden hose helped clean off the dirt and decaying rot. A big spray from the can of deodorant temporarily masked the stench of death with a sickeningly sweet smell. And, once the whole process was completed, a valiant effort was made to prop up the now clean-smelling dead. It really didn't matter how I propped up the things that I had just tended. That which was dead eventually fell over. Why? Because there is no life in that which is STILL dead. But I was determined. I tried over and over and over again. "Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." Romans 6:6 (NAS) You may be thinking that I had lost my mind. But I hadn't. I was grave tending. I was trying to mix the old and the new - the dead and the living - who I once was in Adam with who I now am in Christ. Yes, I was attempting to breathe life into those old things that once seemed to satisfy so I could continue to depend upon them. Things like faith in myself; a lifestyle maintained by rules and guidelines; a behavior-based identity; a righteousness established by works, and things of the like. Though I knew intellectually that through my co-crucifixion, death and burial with Christ these things had been laid to rest, I guess I thought there was still something in that grave that would benefit me. I know. It's ugly, degrading and utterly senseless. But please tell me that you can relate! Have you ever found yourself trying to breathe life back into something that is no longer of any benefit to you - especially when it's utterly senseless and the ugliest of behavior? Well, chin up, dear friend. I don't think we're alone. Apparently the apostle Paul was seeing something similar in Galatia. In Galatians 4:9 he says, "But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?" Sounds like grave tending of some kind had been going on in Galatia or Paul wouldn't have written about it. Second Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Thank goodness! He alone lays to rest that which is dead and gives life to the new creation. Looking at grave tending from that perspective makes me want to retire my gravesite equipment for good. And just to be safe, I think it's better that I leave it under lock and key! Under lock and key. If you'll remember, that's were all this started - I had been standing in front of the door of Room 127 with a key in my hand. Anything had been possible and I was not disappointed. What a wonderful time of unbelievable discovery, refreshing encouragement and merciful reminders of His great love. But now it was time to go home. As I made my way towards the office to turn in my key, I turned around just in time to see the maid service stop outside the door of Room 127. I had to laugh out loud. I knew what she would find. The tiny wastebasket in the bathroom was not only holding a few tissues but also a shovel, a garden hose and a large can of deodorant! "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20 -<>- >The Great Physician (Author Unknown) Welcome to the Great Physician Office hours are as you come, He's a Specialist in all problems And His day is never done. He can heal a heart that's broken He can mend the spirit, too, No matter what your ailment He does have the cure for you. His fee for service never alters He serves rich and poor as well, He's our one chance for Salvation, He alone saves us from Hell. There's no fee for services rendered All He asks is that we believe, That He bled and died to save us And all His blessings we will receive. Do you have a special problem That is troubling you this hour? Then just simply leave it with Him You can find no greater power. Don't delay in seeking treatment Please, my friend, don't hesitate, For His office is soon closing And He'll shut and lock the gate. I wouldn't want you to suffer While the Doctor's so close by, Your whole life will be much better If my Physician you will try. In Case of Emergencies . . . When You Have Sinned . . . Call Psalm 51 When You Deal with Fear . . . Call Psalm 34:7 When You Need Someone to Trust . . . Call Proverb 3:5 When Someone Comes Against You . . . Call Isaiah 54:17 When You Need Christian Assurance . . . Call Romans 8:1-30 When You Need God's Mercy . . . Call Psalm 56 When You Get Tired of Doing Good . . . Call Galatians 6:9 When You Get Angry . . . Call Ephesians 4:26 When You Feel like You Can't Go on . . . Call Philippians 4:13 When You Need Help . . . Call Psalm 121 SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ============================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __________ __________ |`. ,'| | ()[]| | `.__.' | | ____ | | | | ==== | |__________| |__________| (c)Mike'97 >Tender Mercies I wrote a letter to God today and I know each line He heard I think He felt my meaning even before I wrote a word I thanked Him for each tender mercy that He's given me day to day I thanked Him for love and friendship a hope and joy to light my way I hope you can know the value that I place on all of these for the wealth of all my mercies my heart and soul they do please as you read the letter I wrote today somewhere in your heart you hold your own treasure of tender mercies to keep you strong and make you bold so stop each day, pause just once if not a letter, drop God a line let Him know how much it means that your tender mercies you can define Written and Copyright © Beverly V December 1, 1998 -<>- ____ ___ _.--"""-, / ) / \ .' `\ / _\ / \/ \ / .-' / _ | /.-.--.-.-.)/ / ( )\_ .\|(_._.__._._) / \,' \/ \ \ / : , | 0 _ 0 |/ : \ _/ (_) |`\ ,' `; "\ \ / / | | | /'. '._.' .' / \_,' .( '-----'` .'-. '-._ .-'\ '. [ `''''') ) `\ { ( ( ,\ / /\ '-..-'/ ; .-' ( '. / | .' ) `;---'` | /' /__.-' } / / O ' '----' ; / ! ___ { ! }/ \ ( _--- / | ___----'(__ .-' !\___/ .---' / .-.--' '------'------ --( ____)/ _-' (;(;;---'' (_(_(;; miraculis /jgs >The Night before Christmas for MOMs 'Twas was the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode, only one creature was stirring, and she was cleaning the commode. The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds, while visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie, flipped through their heads. The dad was snoring in front of the TV, with a half-constructed bicycle on his knee. So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter, which made her sigh, "Now what's the matter?" With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand, she descended the stairs, and saw the old man. He was covered with ashes and soot, which fell with a shrug. "Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug." "Ho-ho-ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake." "Your gift was especially difficult to make." "Thanks, Santa, but all I want is some time alone." "Exactly!" he chuckled, "I've made you a clone." "A clone?" she asked, "What good is that? Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit-chat." The mother's twin. Same hair, same eyes, same double chin. "She'll cook, she'll dust, " she'll mop every mess. You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & the Restless." "Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream come true! "I'll shop. I'll read., I'll sleep a whole night through! " From the room above, the youngest began to fret. "Mommy?! I scared... and I'm wet." The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart." "Hey," the mom smiled, "She knows her part." The clone changed the small one, and hummed a tune, as she bundled the child, in a blanket cocoon. "You the best mommy ever. " I really love you." The clone smiled and sighed, "I love you, too." The mom frowned and said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal. " That's my child's love, she's trying to steal." Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear, " Only one loving mother, is needed here." The mom kissed her child, and tucked her into bed. "Thank you, Santa, "for clearing my head. I sometimes forget, it won't be very long, when they'll be too old, for my cradle-song." The clock on the mantle began to chime. Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time." With the clone by his side Santa said, "Goodnight. Merry Christmas, Mom, You'll be all right. -<>- () vvvv .-" "-. .'___ `. / /_/_/ \ ____ | /_/_/ | .%%%%%%. | | /%/_/%%%%\_ \ .::::.%%%%%%%%(_{}-o `. .::::::::%%%%%%%%/ `-._/:/_/::::::\%%%%%' o-3_)::::::::::|"""" \::::::::::/ `::::::::' `````' hjw Sometimes, people come into your life & you know right away that they were meant to be there...to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help you figure out who you are or who you want to become. You never know who these people may be, but when you lock eyes with them, you know that very moment that they will affect your life in some profound way. And sometimes, things happen to you that at the time may seem horrible, painful & unfair, but upon reflection you realize that without overcoming those obstacles, you would never realize your potential, strength, willpower or heart. Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck. Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these tests, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. Safe and comfortable, but dull & utterly pointless. The people that you meet affect your life. The success and downfalls that you experience can create who you are, & the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones. If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart - forgive them because they have helped you learn about trust & the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but also because they are teaching you to love & open your heart & eyes to little things. Make every day count. Appreciate every moment & take from it everything that you possible can, for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people you have never talked to before, & actually listen. Let yourself fall in love, break free & set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual & believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will. Create your own life, then go out & live it. Alicia M. Smith -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment The Christmas Story http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html When Was Jesus Born? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Christ's Bell! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bell.html Come Adore Him! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/comeadorehim.html Christmas Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasworld.html Value What You Have http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html Financial Stewardship http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html Winter Wonderland And Life Lessons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lessons.html Akiane Through The Years http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy2.html Amazing Homes Around The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ahouse.html -<>- >From our Friend KarenF :) Beautiful Christmas Quotes http://www.mamarocks.com/beautiful_christmas_quotes.htm The Night Jesus Came http://www.mamarocks.com/night_jesus_came.htm Merry Christmas http://gpsinformation.info/main/merryxmas.swf --- ...sweet! Thanks KarenF! 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 ========================================================== >-->Story Time From Our Friend Geniann :) ....................................................... : .` \ ! / '. .` \ ! / '. : : __ ,-"""-. __ __ ,-"""-. __ : : `-...-' `-...-' : : ' / '____ ` \ ` ' / ,---. \ ` : : / )))) /=====\ : : ( /'e( )a` \ \ : : ) / _/ \_ ) \ : : ( / (_ _) _\__ \ : : )/ \`-`\ _ /\ /\ _/'-' ,-.\/ : : '| \___)_| / \ |_|jj_/, ) : : | |/ \|-----','/ : : \ | ,-"-. |-----' / : : / `--.___| `-.-' `-----'=<\ : : / | ,-. ||||||||\ : : | | \""""""""""""/ |||||||| : : __/ | \__________/ |||||||\_ : : __/ | / / \ \ |\\\\\\\\\__.-. : : .-'_/___________/ /_/ \_\ \\\\\\\\\/_____`-, : : `""""""" : : ,.,-.,-. ,--. ,.,-.,.,-. ,. ,. : : ||/||/|| //_\| ||/`'||/`' || || : : || || || ||--' || || || / | : : || || || \\,-. || || ||//|| : : `' `' `' `--' `' `' `-' || : : // : : ,. ,. ,-.// : : || () || `--' : : ,--. ||,. ,.,-. ,. ,--.||-. ,.,-.,-. ,-. ,--.: : //`-' ||/\\ ||/`' || ((`-'||`' ||/||/|| //-\\ ((`-': :|| || || || || \\ || || || || || || \\ : : \\,-. || || || || ,-.)) || || || || \\-|| ,-.)) : : `--' `' `' `' `' `--' `' `' `' `' `-^-``--' : hjw :......................................................: >Miracles and HOPE The most precious e-mails I have ever read - just received from a friend! I am happy to share it with You with Warmest Smiles & Blessings for the beautiful season we are just beginning!! Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa at the McAllister Mall in Saint John. The child climbed up on his lap, holding a picture of a little girl. Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? "Yes, Santa,' he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly. Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed. "She misses you," he added softly. Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face, asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas. When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but halted. "What is it?" Santa asked warmly. "Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but.." the old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors. "The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ... she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa, any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa." Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon. He knew what he had to do. "What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do." When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to the Hospital. "Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face. Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother earlier that day. "C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly. Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa. They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said, he would wait out in the hall. Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and saw little Sarah in the bed. The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day. A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead. And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah. Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, Ho, Ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little Sarah, weakly as she tried to escape her bed to run to him IV tubes intact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug. A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at him with wonder and excitement. Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches from the effects of chemotherapy. But, all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of, huge blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears. Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes. Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year. As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands. Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in angels. "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed. "Well, I'm going to ask angels watch over you." he said. Laying one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He asked that, God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease. He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly, "Silent Night, Holy Night....all is calm, all is bright." The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed at them all. When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at McAllister Mall this time next year!" He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE. "Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed between them and they wept unashamed. Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and rushed to Santa's side to thank him. "My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly. "This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him. One year later, Santa was again back on the set in Saint John for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap. "Hi, Santa! Remember me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment. "You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped. Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before. He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes. That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus. He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed. Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas! If you believe in miracles you will pass this on...I did! --- ...ABSOLUTELY! Thanks Geniann! ======================================================= /())) //( oo (/|| _ \__ /||||/ '._-' / \ |\ / \ \ \_____ | \ \.___ /==, | ='.___/=. | ) '.______ | (______( | || snd |_|| _/ | |_\ '---'--' >A Language of Their Own Story Editor: by Aliza Garofalo Joyce Schowalter New York, USA My 8-year-old daughter Briana and I try to visit my mother in Florida every summer for at least a week -- even though it's hotter there than where we live in New York. That's where we were in August of 2004. My mom's condo has a huge pool framed with palm trees on the Intracoastal waterway, so of course there are always a few children splashing around in it. Briana always looks forward to making new friends down at the pool while we are there. The first day we were there, Briana and I walked to the pool hand in hand. I picked a lounge chair that had a full view of the pool and sat myself down to read a magazine and sun myself. I watched out of the corner of my eye as Briana, an excellent swimmer, swam around by herself. Then at one point, I looked up and saw her gesturing to another little girl around her age. As they played together in the pool, diving under the water and laughing, I saw them gesturing to each other again and again. I assumed the girl was deaf. Soon the girl offered a bag of potato chips for Briana to share. Briana then motioned to her to follow her to the drinking fountain. The whole afternoon was spent with the two girls gesturing and laughing together. Even though other families had come to the pool with children near 8 years of age, the other kids had all stayed in the shallow end. Because Briana's new friend was also a very good swimmer, they were able to swim together from one end of the pool to the other. I smiled to myself that my daughter always found it so easy to make friends, no matter where we were or what the circumstances. They played with each other and with the girl's brother all afternoon in the hot Florida sun. When the sun began to set families began to leave the pool area. As we got ready to go and Briana was drying off, I asked her if the girl was, in fact, deaf. She replied "No," the girl was on vacation from Russia and didn't speak any English. The two girls played together the whole week we were there, laughing and gesturing and making themselves understood. I was so proud of my daughter, and thought how the world of adults might imitate their example. Instead of letting a little thing like language keep them from making a friend, Briana and this girl enjoyed a week together by making up a "language" they could both understand. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY _/_ \_ __ \\_ / \_/ ,< ==-o _| * \ __, /_) \_\__// * / ^\-' //\ \ \\ \ ') /_) ),-. // \\ (( )) * _\\ //_ . ..((__)(__))..b'ger Codie, 3, was learning holiday songs at day care. One Sunday after church Codie's grandmother asked him if he could sing "Jingle Bells." Codie replied, "I not know 'Jingle Bells,' but I know Taco Bell!" -- Nancy Wilson (grandmother of Codie) of Georgia Danyelle had her picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus at a Christmas garden. Later she told her grandpa that it wasn't the REAL Santa. Danyelle said she heard the Santa's voice, and "the real Santa is in the mall." -- Sally Morris (grandmother of Danyelle) of Wellington, Florida Here's another one about Danyelle. When her grandmother asked her to pick up her toys before bedtime, Danyelle said, "Mema, will you help me?" Mema (grandma) said, "I'm tired. I worked all day." Danyelle replied, "I worked harder than you. I did Hooked on Phonics!" ______ _.' _..._\ _/ .'_..._ ' .' / /.'==..=\: '._\ \\ O _O<' _/_/ ._'._).'_ / \_/ .=== \ \ \ | / | \ \ \ | |/ '-._ | . / '.\ / wtx \__\ Jacquelyn was 3 when her parents finally convinced her that it was OK to sit on Santa's lap. When Santa asked Jacquelyn what she wanted for Christmas, she told him, "YOU have BAD breath!" Her 6-year-old brother exclaimed, "Jacquelyn, you're not supposed to say that!" -- Heidi (mother of Blake and Jacquelyn) of Texas This past Thanksgiving, Michelle's family made the long journey from South Carolina to Massachusetts to visit family. Michelle's son and daughter slept for most of the ride on the way, but on the way home her son could not sleep. As they approached the Delaware Memorial Bridge and came to the toll booth he asked, "What is this?" Michelle told him it was a toll both and they had to pay money to go over the bridge. To that he said, "I thought this was a free country!" Michelle and her husband didn't know what to say -- so they just laughed. -- Michelle Rego of South Carolina Evelyn tells this story about her little brother. When he was three, on Christmas morning when he saw all the extras Santa had left, he exclaimed in a loud voice, "Santa did come, didn't SHE!" -- Evelyn Rucker of Lubbock, Texas ____ {} _ \ |__ \ /_____\ \o o)\)_______ (< ) /#######\ __{'~` }#########| / { _}_/########| / { / _|#/ )####| / \_~/ /_ \ |####| \______\/ \ | |####| \__________\|/#####| |__[X]_____/ \###/ /___________\ | |/ | |___/ |___/ _| /_| / (___,_(___,_) snd Carly, 3, was eating a candy bar. She broke off a small piece and handed it to her mother. Cheryl said, "No thank you, but thanks for offering." Carly quickly responded, "I didn't give you any money!" -- Cheryl Sisson (mother of Carly) of Phelan, California Shannon, 7, was on Santa's lap the day after Thanksgiving. When he asked her what she wants for Christmas, she said, "For all the soldiers to come home safe." Santa had to dry his eyes after her comment. -- BJ (Shannon's grandparent) of Guthrie, Oklahoma Ben, 8, is not one for public affection in front of his peers. Case in point: his mother Nici takes the boys to the bus stop on her way to work and Zach, 11, always gives Nici a kiss and a hug before getting out of the car. One day when she dropped the boys off, Nici noticed that the boys were the first ones at the bus stop. After receiving Zach's kiss and hug, Nici said to Ben, "Since no one else is around do you think you might want to give me a kiss and a hug?" He looked at her, then looked around and replied, "I better not chance it!" -- Pam Bailey (grandmother of Ben and Zach) of Kendallville, Indiana * * * * * .--. \/ \/ \/ \/ ./ /=* \/ \/ * * ... (_____) \ ^ ^/ \ \_((^o^))-. * (o)(O)--)--------\. \ ( ) \ \._. | | ||================((~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~))| ( ) | \ \__/ ,| \. * * * * * * ./ (~~~~~~~~~~) \ * ||^||\.____./|| | \___________/ ~||~~~~|~'\____/ * || || || || A || || || | jurcy * <> <> <> <> (___||____||_____) ((~~~~~| * Pam recalls that when Lucus, who is now a teenager, was less than a year old, she discovered a way to get him to take a nap. She would turn on the radio, pick him up and dance with him until he went to sleep. She got away with this only a few times. He quickly figured out that the minute she turned on the radio and headed for him, he was going to end up asleep. So when she headed for him, he would run away... and nap time was no more! Emily's aunt just gave birth to her first child. Being the precocious 4-year-old that she is, Emily had a lot of questions. The answer to one of those tough questions was, "You were just a twinkle in Mommy's eye." During the family Thanksgiving dinner, there was much talk about the new baby. That of course opened the door to a number of questions as to when Emily's mother and father were going to have their next baby. A few days later, with the talk of babies still fresh in her mind, Emily asked her mother, Jodi, "Mommy, has Daddy put a twinkle in your eye yet?" -- Mark Brayton (father of Emily) of Kendallville, Indiana Bridget, 10, recently started 4th grade. She came home from school and told her mother she was so embarassed at school that day. Her mother asked her what happened. Bridget explained that each student had to read a sentence to themselves and then do what it said. The student before her had a sentence that said to go and turn off the light. The student then turned off the light. When it was Bridget's turn she walked up to the teacher and smacked her on the head. The teacher of course was shocked, but asked her to read her sentence again. Bridget read, "Smack the teacher's head." It was supposed to be "Shake the teacher's hand!" "Did you learn anything?" her mother asked. "Yes," Bridget said, "never read in the dark!" -- Nancy (mother of Bridget) of Negaunee, Michigan Brandon Lee, 8, had taken a bath getting ready for church. His mother noticed that he smelled really good. She asked him what he had washed with in the bathtub. He told his mother he had used the bottle that said conditioner. "Why did you use that instead of soap?" his mother asked. Brandon replied, "Because it said extra body!" He's really into growing up lately and he wanted some extra body! -- Debbie (mother of Brandon) of St. Louis, Missouri _..__ M E R R Y X - M A S .-" `. .-' `. E V E R Y B O D Y .' \ `-. / `. \ ! ! ! ! ! / _...._ \ \ : _.-"" o o ""-._ ; ; ;-" .__. "-: : : __.--.--.--.__ ; ; : .-" / \/ \ "-. ; : :.- : ,-. ; -.; ; ; < ; ;o: O : > : ; `._ : `-' ; _.' : / \ /\ / \ \ : \ `-+' `+-' / ;. `-; `-'; `. / \ .' : `--' : `: ;' ; ; : ; : : \ / : ; `-..-' \ / : . `-; ; ;--' \ / ; :-' , : `--: ;`-' bug \ / `. .' `. / `-'\ .' \ .' `./ `-' Tauna tells about a little boy in her aunt's kindergarten class who kept trying to leave for home after lunch. She sat him down and explained that he was in all-day school now. The little boy sat there thinking about what his teacher had said. Then he asked, "I just want to know who the h*** signed me up for this!" He didn't agree to the all-day stuff and he wanted answers! -- Tauna Kemp of Petersburg, Virginia About seven years ago, Donna and her husband took their three children, Alexandra, 4; Joshua, 2, and Logan, 8 months, to see Santa at the local mall. As Santa held all three children on his lap, he asked Alexandra if she had been good this year. She replied, "Yes," with a broad smile. Then he asked Josh the same question. Joshua looked down at the candy cane he held and in a quiet voice he said, "No... but I was good today..." -- Donna Addley of Needles, California ========================================================== ,,aadd8888888ba, .o8P""' `""Y8o. .88"' _____ `"88. .dP' /~ / ~\ `Yb. .8P j' f , ~/' "8. .8" |\ d 7' "8. .8| | H /| |8 o8 | \`H / | 8b 88 | H / | 8) 88 | \ N | 8) 88 |\ `H / | .8P Y8 \ H' / o8' `8| \H/ a8' `8o H a8' Yb. H .od' "8o V .dP' "V8o,,. ,,od8" ``""YY8888888PP""' Roberto De Feo >-->Hope Is The Thing With Feathers By Emily Dickinson Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune--without the words, And never stops at all, And sweetest in the gale is heard; And sore must be the storm That could abash the little bird That kept so many warm. I've heard it in the chillest land, And on the strangest sea; Yet, never, in extremity, It asked a crumb of me. >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 Chriistian 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 DARRE 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 ************************************************************************