One Bright Shining Star...:) 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. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' *~* 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press These flaming hot new pages are both from our friend Linda. This first one will astound you if you are familiar with ceramics and pottery making. My aunt made ceramics. I was always amazed at the wonderful pieces she did so this one stuck me as most unusual and unique. Be sure to check it out here... _ \`\ |= | /- ;.---. _ __.' (____) ` (_____) _' ._ .' (____) ` (___) jgs --`'------'` Mini Pottery Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/minipottery.html --- ...Wow! Quite impressive! Thanks Linda! This next too hot to handle newbie will take you back to the golden age of comedian with a quotes from one of the greatest wits of all time. Be sure to check this one along the funny video out here... _ _ ,-. / ) ( `. // /-._/ / `\ \ /(_/ / / / ; `-` (_/ / / | (_/ / \ / ) /` jgs / /` Groucho Marx Quotes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/groucho.html --- ...I always liked Harpo Marx the best - All so funny! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: 'May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace, The gladness of Christmas give you hope, The warmth of Christmas grant you love.' , |\ __ | | |--| __ |/ | | |~' /|_ () () | //| \ |\ () | \|_ | | \ jgs \_|_/ () | | | @' () >THE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS by Kathy Whirity The other day a friend asked me if I was sick of hearing Christmas music on the radio. It didn't take me long to answer. On the contrary, I keep the radio tuned to the station that plays only the merry melodies that fill the air at this time of year. Who can get tired of the songs of the season when they keep you in a perpetual spirit of wonder and glee? We've been listening to the same songs for decades and the feelings they bring never lose their emotion, in fact those old songs multiply their meaning as life goes on. Babies first Christmas was made oh so special the year my nephew Ryan was born. Being the first grandchild in the family we fawned over the tiniest new addition. That year the song I loved the most was Jolly Old Saint Nicholas. I didn't know all the stanzas but I crooned what I knew and hummed the rest as Ryan and I rocked away many a cold winter's night. I am now a grandma of three and sing the words I've learned by heart to this younger generation, but the memory of Ryan as the babe in my arms still comes to mind even though it has been three decades and counting. Jingle Bell Rock I remember hearing often on that very first Christmas that Bill and I shared together. Our love was as fresh and delicate as new fallen snow back then. The years have accumulated into a blizzard of family life follies. When I hear the sounds of Jingle Bell Rock I'm reminded of what a rocking good life we have shared all these many years. The day after we've stuffed ourselves with Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings, the totes containing all our holiday hoopla are stacked in the family room. At first sight it looks like a daunting task, especially since each year my collection of decorations grows. With the help of Christmas classics streaming from the radio my home is transformed in all its seasonal splendor in no time at all. It's a fa-la-la-la good time when music mingles with the melody of feelings that only surface at this special time of year. I never get tired of hearing the sentimental lyrics of songs that can, in an instant, transport me back to yesteryear which causes me to belt out notes of nostalgia as grand kids wonder why grandma is acting goofy. No, I'm not hitting the spiked egg nog -- I'm just indulging in the joy of this most wonderful time of the year. The music, like the memories they invoke, never gets old to me. They are the link to Christmases past and present. A chorus of carols will continue to be savored and enjoyed, for time goes by in the blink of an eye as we hum the memories of Christmases gone by. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. Kathy is also a contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series and she and her husband, Bill, reside in Chicaqo where they are happily enjoying life as grandparents. You can visit Kathy's web site at: http://www.kathywhirity.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) * . . . | . * \|/ -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . | . ' >One Bright Shining Star So long ago, so far away On a star filled silent night A miracle of birth took place Oh! What a Holy sight! The Angels filled a starry sky To trumpet in His birth For on this night a King was born And graced all upon this earth. With One Bright Shining Star The Angels led the way To guide them to the manger Where the tiny Boy Child lay. Just One Bright Shining Star They followed on that day And when they found the manger They all knelt down to pray. Peace on Earth, good will to all Sang a choir of Angel voices Jesus comes to us this night And all the world rejoices! ~ Charlotte Anselmo -<>- ________________ |.-----------. | || _____ |ooo| |8 | | |ooo| || | | 7| = | |8 '-----' | _ | jgs ||___________|[_]| '----------------' >Tips: Don't throw those used lemons away After squeezing lemon halves for a recipe, give them a second life to freshen the microwave. In a microwave-safe bowl, cover lemon halves with 3/4 cup water, then bring mixture to a boil (about 3 minutes). Leave the bowl in the microwave for 10 minutes, then wipe inside surfaces clean. Cuts food odors! Luggage makes an ideal storage venue for out-of-season clothing. Slide slender suitcases beneath the bed, or stack them in the attic during the off-season. Clothing stays dust-free, and suitcase handles make it easy to swap out garments as the weather changes. --- ...Great ones! Thanks Fran! -<>- Dedicated to all military troops everywhere. \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >THE SANDS OF CHRISTMAS I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh, And looked across the table where the bills were piled too high. The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix, My stocks were down another point, the Chargers lost by six. And so with only minutes till my son got home from school I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool. The burdens that I carried were about all I could take, And so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break. I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust, No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust. And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh, Eight Humvees ran a column right behind an M1A. A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean. They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight, Their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night. Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind, To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again. There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease, They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs. They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see, They didn't need an ornament - they lacked a Christmas tree. They didn't have a present even though it was tradition, The only boxes I could see were labeled "ammunition." I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side, He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried. I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near And kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear. "There's nothing wrong, my little son, for safe we sleep tonight Our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right. To worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all, Instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall." He looked at me as children do and said, "it's always right, To thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write." And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note, To thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote: "God bless you all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home. Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone. The gift you give you share with all, a present every day, You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay." ~ Michael Marks ~ Merry Christmas and a safe New Year to all troops so far from home! May God bless and keep you safe.I --- ...Awww, so touching! It is good to remember our Troops. Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ _ _ /` ) ( `\ ( `\ / / \ \ \ \/ / __\ '---. \ /___ ( __/ / ) '--. ( / .-----' \__\_../ / .-' / /. .' /.-"""""-._ / .-. -` _.--.._ '-._, | /\ \ -" `' / / \/ / .__ / __..-' '-' _.' /_/ '-..____..-' \ | '--,-' / (_____.,--' __.' \ ( jgs| \ >This is the true story of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer: On a December night in Chicago, a little girl climbed onto her father's lap and asked a question. It was a simple question, asked in children's curiosity, yet it had a heart-rending effect on Robert May. "Daddy," four-year old Barbara asked, "Why isn't my Mommy just like everybody else's mommy?" Bob May stole a glance across his shabby two room apartment. On a couch lay his young wife, Evelyn, racked with cancer. For two years she had been bedridden; for two years, all Bob's income and smaller savings had gone to pay for treatments and medicines. The terrible ordeal already had shattered two adult lives. Now Bob suddenly realized the happiness of his growing daughter was also in jeopardy. As he ran his fingers through Barbara's hair, he prayed for some satisfactory answer to her question. Bob May knew only too well what it meant to be "different." As a child he had been weak and delicate. With the innocent cruelty of children, his playmates had continually goaded the stunted, skinny lad to tears. Later at Dartmouth, from which he was graduated in 1926, Bob May was so small that he was always being mistaken for someone's little brother. Nor was his adult life much happier. Unlike many of his classmates who floated from college into plush jobs, Bob became a lowly copy writer for Montgomery Ward, the big Chicago mail order house. Now at 33, Bob was deep in debt, depressed and sad. Although Bob did not know it at the time, the answer he gave the tousled haired child on his lap was to bring him to fame and fortune. It was also to bring joy to countless thousands of children like his own Barbara. On that December night in the shabby Chicago apartment, Bob cradled his little girl's head against his shoulder and began to tell a story. "Once upon a time there was a reindeer named Rudolph, the only reindeer in the world that had a big red nose. Naturally people called him Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." As Bob went on to tell about Rudolph, he tried desperately to communicate to Barbara the knowledge that, even though some creatures of God are strange and different, they often enjoy the miraculous power to make others happy. Rudolph, Bob explained, was terribly embarrassed by his unique nose. Other reindeer laughed at him; his mother and father and sister were mortified too. Even Rudolph wallowed in self pity. "Well," continued Bob, "one Christmas Eve, Santa Claus got his team of husky reindeer -Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Vixen ready for their yearly trip around the world. The entire reindeer community assembled to cheer these great heroes on their way. But a terrible fog engulfed the earth that evening, and Santa knew that the mist was so thick he wouldn't be able to find any chimney. Suddenly Rudolph appeared, his red nose glowing brighter than ever. Santa sensed at once that here was the answer to his perplexing problem. He led Rudolph to the front of the sleigh, fastened the harness and climbed in. They were off! Rudolph guided Santa safely to every chimney that night. Rain and fog, snow and sleet; nothing bothered Rudolph, for his bright nose penetrated the mist like a beacon. And so it was that Rudolph became the most famous and beloved of all the reindeer. The huge red nose he once hid in shame was now the envy of every buck and doe in the reindeer world. Santa Claus told everyone that Rudolph had saved the day and from that Christmas, Rudolph has been living serenely and happy." Little Barbara laughed with glee when her father finished. Every night she begged him to repeat the tale until finally Bob could rattle it off in his sleep. Then, at Christmas time he decided to make the story into a poem like "The Night Before Christmas" and prepare it in bookish form illustrated with pictures, for Barbara's personal gift. Night after night, Bob worked on the verses after Barbara had gone to bed for he was determined his daughter should have a worthwhile gift, even though he could not afford to buy one... Then as Bob was about to put the finishing touches on Rudolph, tragedy struck. Evelyn May died. Bob, his hopes crushed, turned to Barbara as chief comfort. Yet, despite his grief, he sat at his desk in the quiet, now lonely apartment, and worked on "Rudolph" with tears in his eyes. Shortly after Barbara had cried with joy over his handmade gift on Christmas morning, Bob was asked to an employee's holiday party at Montgomery Wards. He didn't want to go, but his office associates insisted. When Bob finally agreed, he took with him the poem and read it to the crowd. First the noisy throng listened in laughter and gaiety. Then they became silent, and at the end, broke into spontaneous applause. That was in 1938. By Christmas of 1947, some 6 million copies of the booklet had been given away or sold, making Rudolph one of the most widely distributed books in the world. The demand for Rudolph sponsored products, increased so much in variety and number that educators and historians predicted Rudolph would come to occupy a permanent place in the Christmas legend. -<>- _____ .-"` `'. /, \ / /``'--..--'``\ | \__.__.__,___/ \_ {/ e e \} { `}() (__) ()| `/,_.-")("-._,\ { `--`==`--` } .'{ } }'. \/ \/ .' { } } \ -|` `|- / { { } ; ,_\| |/_, ; , '-..____..-' , | \ / | ; : ; | .-.._)---(_.--. | <`;._ _:_ _.| .-\\_.-/_ _ \-._/ | | `'|.-.|'` (\ \_ |a a | \_.'`}`'-.._||_||_..-'\\ _.'_} \ /`\ {_.'`_) '-;-' \{_.' `_)| | '. | \--..__ : __..--'``\\ \\0/\ '/`\_...--"""-. \___/ ``` _/ \___/ |__.'`()/ `\. '-;-..._____...-;-' / ()_.' . ;`\ | | | ()_.-' . |-' | | | \ , ; ; \ _ _ _|_ _ _ / ;-, /___..,-`\ ; /` ` ` | ` ` `\ | / /' \ \ ; \_._._/ \_._._/ |/ / \ \ | |= | | =| / / `> > / jgs .-'-. | | .-'-. / / \ / / /` / | | \ /_/ \/\ /_/_/ \____,__/ \__,____/ /_( |/ /_/_( >A Gift of Giving (As written down by B.J. Cassady) Looking forward to Christmas 1995, to me, described a paradox. How can one enjoy Christmas when their loving spouse recently passed away from cancer, and yet Christmas is a time for celebration... I had a friend, recently divorced, who was going through his first Christmas without his children that he loved so dearly. I called my friend and invited him over to my house for Christmas. He didn't seem overly thrilled, but had nothing else to do. I did the same for another divorced person who had a day without family or friends. I told them to dress nice but withheld my plans from them. The three of us, at my house, made Christmas canes from pipe cleaners, and after an hour I told my friends to get in my van, as I had a surprise for them. So off we went. First stop, a nursing home, left few dry eyes. We visited the ones who had no company, prayed with them and left them little Christmas canes and some candy. One lady, feeling really bad, asked us to pray for her. So we prayed with our hands on her body, and we felt a Power hard to describe. Second stop, Presbyterian hospital...cancer wing. First you need to understand how hospitals work with the sick. If possible, patients are sent home for the holidays. The ones remaining in the hospital live too far, are too ill, or have no support from family or friends. About 1/2 of the cancer wing was deserted. We visited the staff and gave them candy and our little Christmas canes, then we visited the dying and ill. How can one describe being humbled? The patients asked for our prayers. We visited with every patient in the wing. We left the patients with a smile. When we left the hospital, we had nothing else left to give, but we received much. Our emotions were drained, we were exhausted, in tears but felt elevated to a 'high' impossible to describe. We all thought "But for the grace of God'... Last stop. We visited my wife's grave, decorated it, placed candles and sang Silent Night. Our voices were quivering because we found Christmas that day. We gave all we had to give, and it cost us about five hours of our time and about two dollars in pipe cleaners and candy. I said a silent prayer of thanks to my wife for teaching me to give. May we, in this crazy but special time of year learn from the Teacher of teachers, Giving IS better than receiving. Merry Christmas to all, and a happy new year. B.J. Cassady Guthrie, Oklahoma -<>- _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); >GIFTS FROM GOD By: Joseph J. Mazzella I was just sitting down after a fantastic dinner that my wife had made today. I was feeling warm, content, and very thankful to God for my loving family and for my wife's delicious cooking. I was feeling blessed to have been given so much to enjoy, rejoice in, and share in my life. I doubted that there was anything that could make me feel better than I did at that moment. It was just then ,however, that my wonderful daughter yelled for me and my wife to hurry outside right away and see the sky. It had been raining all day long, but now the setting sun was making the breaking clouds in the western sky turn a glorious, shining yellow. That was not all, though. At the same time God was using that beautiful setting sun to create the most fantastic double rainbow that I had ever seen. It covered the whole eastern part of the sky and made my delighted heart sing with its wondrous colors. It flowed from mountain to mountain and opened up a pot of gold in my own soul as I watched it. This Heavenly sight reminded me once again that God's gifts come to us every second of everyday of our lives and that His blessings for us never end. His love for us is endless and unconditional and flows from everything in this life. We can see the gifts of this love in the setting sun, the shining stars, the colorful rainbows, the falling snow, and the glowing moon. We can hear these gifts in the songs of a thousand birds and in the wind whistling through the trees. We can feel these gifts in the hugs of our loved ones and in the smiles of strangers. We can even share these gifts ourselves by choosing to give our own soul's love, joy, laughter, delight, peace, goodness, kindness, and happiness to everyone we meet. God's glorious love for us makes everyday holy. God's endless love for us makes everyday a gift. Let's all join God then in giving the gifts of love and joy to the world. -<>- /\ .--._/ \_.--. `) (` _.-' '-._ '-. .-' `) (' /.-"-. .-"-.\ jgs ` \/ ` /\ //\\ //||\\ // || \\ //\ || /\\ //'.\||/.'\\ //___> <___\\ //------------\\ // \\ // .-"-. \\ // ( (`\) \\ // '-/| `\ \\ // .-"-. / | || \\ // (.-. ) / | || \\ || / /)-' =`-.| || || ||/ / '-| .-""-. | =\| || |/ |'./ (__()__) | | || / /\====\ /==| |=|| /_.-' | >--< |-.-| || jgs |----' `-.-' || >The True Christmas Poem C is for the Christ child lying in a manager. H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger. R is to Remember Him who died that we may live. I is to Inspire us that we may always give. S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise. T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way. M is for the Miracles that bless us each day. A is for the Almighty who always puts us first. S is for the Shepherd who guides us on earth. - Author unknown -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Singapore's Sky Park!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skypark.html Wave Frozen In Time!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wave.html Niagara Falls Frozen!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html Akiane Thru The Years!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy2.html World's Largest Things!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/largest.html World's Largest mirror!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saltlake.html World's Most Spectacular Places! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/spectacularplaces.html The Christmas Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html When Was Jesus Born?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whenjesusborn.html Christmas Animations: (Under X for Xmas) http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Full Christmas Index!- https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- From MommyUnderground: Cleaning On The Fly For The Holiday Guests https://tinyurl.com/qq9cb4u Mot sure how accurate this is - but THINK Before You Donate: http://tinyurl.com/jyo6b55 BEFORE TELEVISION .. THERE WAS THE RADIO - Listen to these old episodes - THE GOLDEN AGE OF RADIO: Here’s an unbelievable collection of all the old time radio shows. Find your favorite, click it, and listen to all the episodes. Click links below for COMEDY, WESTERNS, DETECTIVE, MYSTERY and DRAMA programs featured on Radio:- http://tinyurl.com/ja6uj7c -<>- >In The News: Westwing News: USMCA is Trump's Vision (Not Pelosi's) -- and a Shining Example of Promises Made, Promises Kept https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: Quote of the day: The hoax that started it all https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ VA News: Quilts for Veterans, Tech Vetrepreneurs Wanted, Traveling Veteran Coordinator, Fisher House https://tinyurl.com/vu4vpgd Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Fish, Sausage, Pet Treats http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The Piano Guys light it up for the Christmas holiday season with their mashup of “Let it Snow” and “Winter Wonderland.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N_NPUDUiQc --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend Cloie :) If you were one of the people who said you’d move to Canada if Trump won then election then Welcome Aboard Trump Flight 1600. Welcome Aboard Trump Flight 1600 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ1D_1A9ds4 --- ...TeeHee! Love it! Thanks Cloie! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Data Doctors: Shopping Tricks, Best Wireless, Pet Resource, App Warning & more http://www.datadoctors.com/help/newsletter.cfm?d=201650 --- ...Great resource! Thanks LouiseAu! Nothing captures the wonderfully luminous spirit of Christmas during the dark December nights quite like beautifully sung carols. Ever since I was small, I have been thrilled by their haunting melodies and chants, whether hearing them at church, school, or on my doorstep. Here you'll find 24 of the most memorable, traditional carols, celebrating the season of good will, and the birth of a Savior. These will really get you in the Christmas mood! Let this play for all songs! http://tinyurl.com/jzuvc9g --- ...Beautiful Collection! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Christmas Jingle Cats - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YRLjLaRqAGY ITALIAN CHRISTMAS TIME - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzTBc-ARN5Y Porky Pig - Blue Christmas http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/50s/porkypigsbluechristmas.html --- ...TeeHee! So funny! Love these! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend PeggyT :) Claus's Favorite Cookie Recipes: *Chewy Noels http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0591.html *Chinese Chews/Haystacks http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0623.html *Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0766.html *Chocolate Chip Cookies http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0264.html *Chocolate Chip Meltaways http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0557.html *Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0811.html *Chocolate Christmas Trees http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0377.html *Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies http://www.northpole.com/Kitchen/Cookbook/rec0115.html --- ...Thanks PeggyT - looking yummy! Of course, she's got a million of them - Mrs. Claus that is ;) 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 LouiseAu :) _....._ .-::. ':::-. .:. '::. '::. '. /'::. _::._::. :\ ;. '::'` `:' .::\ |::. / \.::'| | '::.| |' .| |. ':| |.::/ |::. | /__.' | '::.| |. ':| |::. | /`""-._ |_'::.| _.-''`\ | .__'/ `\'_. | | .-| |--. | | _.\ /._ | \_..-' /`\--'\ `-.._/ / | \ | | | / ; \ / \ \ | ;-.____/ \____/::.| |. ':| j::. | g '::.| s. ':| |::. | | '::.| '-..:-' >TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS For Moms Twas 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 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 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're 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, dear Mom. You'll be just fine!" --- ...A Great one! Thanks LouiseAu! I think most poets have worked with this poem - I made an updated version years ago and our newspaper printed it. Don't know what happened to it now - buried somewhere. One day I'll come across it again, I am sure. ========================================================== >-->From HeartWarming: ___ / __'. .-"""-. .-""-| | '.'. / .---. \ / .--. \ \___\ \/ /____| | / / \ `-.-;-(`_)_____.-'._ ; ; `.-" "-:_,(o:==..`-. '. .-"-, | | / \ / `\ `. \ / .-. \ \ \ | Y __...\ \ \ / / \/ /\ | | | .--""--.| .-' \ '.`---' / \ \ / / |` \' _...--.; '---'` \ '-' / jgs /_..---.._ \ .'\\_ `. `--'` .' (_) `'/ (_) / `._ _.'| .' ``````` '-...--'` >LIFE'S ECHO A son and his father were walking on the mountains. Suddenly, the son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!" Curious, he yells: "Who are you?" He receives the answer: "Who are you?" Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!" He receives the answer: "Coward!" He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?" The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention." And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!" The voice answers: "I admire you!" Again the man screams: "You are a champion!" The voice answers: "You are a champion!" The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it. YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU! -<>- _____ .'~ ~ ~`. | a a | `. ~ .' .----'(>o<)`----. ( S S ) `---. o .---' ; o : ; o : / \ jgs / /\ \ .-' ~~ / \ ~~ `-. `.___.' `.___.' >WHY? During my junior year in high school, Mr. Reynolds, my English teacher, handed each student a list of thoughts or statements written by other students, then gave us a creative writing assignment based on one of those thoughts. At 17, I was beginning to wonder about many things, so I chose the statement, "I wonder why things are the way they are?" That night, I wrote down in the form of a story all the questions that puzzled me about life. I realized that many of them were hard to answer, and perhaps others could not be answered at all. When I turned in my paper, I was afraid that I might fail the assignment because I had not answered the question, "I wonder why things are the way they are?" I had no answers. I had only written questions. The next day Mr. Reynolds called me to the front of the class and asked me to read my story for the other students. He handed me my paper and sat down in the back of the room. The class became quiet as I began to read my story: Mommie, Daddy........Why? Mommie, why are the roses red? Mommie, why is the grass green and the sky blue? Why does a spider have a web and not a house? Daddy, why can't I play in your toolbox? Teacher, why do I have to read? Mother, why can't I wear lipstick to the dance? Daddy, why can't I stay out until 12:00? The other kids are. Mother, why do you hate me? Daddy, why don't the boys like me? Why do I have to be so skinny? Why do I have braces and wear glasses? Why do I have to be 16? Mom, why do I have to graduate? Dad, why do I have to grow up? Mom, Dad, why do I have to leave? Mom, why don't you write more often? Dad, why do I miss my old friends? Dad, why do you love me so much? Dad, why do you spoil me? Your little girl is growing up. Mom, why don't you visit? Mom, why is it hard to make new friends? Dad, why do I miss being at home? Dad, why does my heart skip a beat when he looks in my eyes? Mom, why do my legs tremble when I hear his voice? Mother, why is being "in love" the greatest feeling in the world? Daddy, why don't you like to be called "Gramps"? Mother, why do my baby's tiny fingers cling so tightly to mine? Mother, why do they have to grow up? Daddy, why do they have to leave? Why do I have to be called "Grannie"? Mommie, Daddy, why did you have to leave me? I need you. Why did my youth slip past me? Why does my face show every smile that I have ever given to a friend or a stranger? Why does my hair glisten a shiny silver? Why do my hands quiver when I bend to pick a flower? Why, God, are the roses red? At the conclusion of my story, my eyes locked with Mr. Reynold's eyes, and I saw a tear slowly sliding down his cheek. It was then that I realized that life is not always based on the answers we receive, but also on the questions that we ask. =======HeartWarmings======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Let us rely on Him. Let us think and live on our knees; Let us stop believing that we are wisdom, humility, light; Let us not take one step without prayer, Because our perfections will shine very little After our death, before the star and the blue sky. Only God can save us." - Victor Hugo * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| >The Incredible Shrinking Me (By Ron Hutchcraft) A lot of times when I'm introducing my younger son, I'll call him "my baby" which is a little ridiculous if you look at the two of us. The boy I used to pick up is now the man who picks me up. And that's pretty embarrassing. He will sometimes greet me at an airport or some public place, put his arms around me and lift me in the air. When I stand next to this moose in our family, I ask myself, "How did this child of mine ever get so much bigger than I am?" A while back, a disturbing thought occurred to me, maybe this isn't just about my son growing. Could it be that I'm shrinking? I'm sure I used to measure at least 5'8", but the doctor says I'm 5'7" now. Hello! Where did that inch go? Don't you dare tell me it went to my waist either. Actually, I understand as you keep having birthdays that your tissues and vertebrae begin to sort of scrunch together and you start to shrink. That is a pretty depressing thought when you don't have that much to start with in the first place! But shrinking as you get older may not be all bad. In a sense, I actually hope I'm shrinking as I get older in the way John the Baptist described when he was talking about his relationship with Jesus. In our word for today from the Word of God, John 3:30 he says, "He must become greater; I must become less." John's goal was to shrink. I think I understand that better now than I used to. John wanted his life and his work to involve an increasingly smaller percentage of him and a progressively larger percentage of Jesus. In the strange economics of discipleship, the less there is of you in what you do, the greater you become. This is all especially difficult for those of us who want to be "make it happen" people. There are two lifelong battlefields where we wrestle with the Lord over the "me first" thing. One is the area of control. We don't mind giving the Lord time, or money, or service. We give Him loyalty and hard work. We'll give Him anything but control. I want to maintain control of the areas that really matter to me: maybe my career, or my family, my money. I want to control my ministry, or my image, my talent, my plans. For most of us, there is a major control issue that lets the control of Jesus Christ go only so far. And there can never be less of me and more of Jesus until that issue is settled, with my white flag. And maybe you've been through just enough pain, just enough humbling that you are ready to surrender what you have held tightly for so long and tried to control. The other battlefield where our ego wrestles against the takeover of Jesus is the issue of credit. We really want the credit for what we do. We want to be noticed, appreciated, promoted, and admired. Recognition is important to us. But God has said, "I am the Lord; that is My name; I will not give My glory to another." We can't know the power of having Jesus really in charge until we are ready to say, "I don't care if my name's not on it. I don't care who knows. I am here to get people to think about You, Jesus, not me." If you can surrender the control and the credit, you are ready for the incredible shrinking you. Our lives become more incredible than we could ever have imagined as our ego and our interests and our self-reliance begin to recede, and our lives become more about Jesus than ever before. Frankly, I'm looking forward to the years ahead, and to shrinking more and more, so my life can be bigger than ever as I make more and more room for Jesus. [Permission to distribute this material via email, or individual copies, is automatically granted on the condition it will be used for non- commercial purposes, and will not be sold. To reproduce "A Word With You" transcripts in any other format, including Internet websites, written permission is needed.] -<>- | _...._ \ _ / .::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` `------------' >"Mary's Dream . . ." (By Lloyd D. Lance) "I had a dream Joseph. I do not understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our Son. I think that was what it was all about. "The people had been preparing for it for about six weeks. They had decorated the house and bought new gifts. "It was peculiar, though, because the presents weren't for our Son. They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and stacked them under a tree. "Yes, a tree, Joseph, right in their house! They decorated the tree, also. The branches were full of glowing balls and sparkling ornaments. There was a figure on the top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was beautiful. "Everyone was laughing and happy. They were all excited about the gifts. "They gave the gifts to each other, Joseph, not to our Son. I don't think they even knew Him. They never mentioned His name. "Doesn't it seem odd for people to go to all that trouble to celebrate someone's birthday if they don't know Him? "I had the strangest feeling that if our Son had gone to this celebration, He would have been intruding. "Everything was so beautiful, Joseph, and everyone so full of cheer, but it made me want to cry. "How sad for Jesus . . . not to be wanted at His own birthday celebration. "I'm glad it was only a dream. "How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real." 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 God! ] .(\\()//)./ '===========' .----(\)\/(/)----. | ///\\\ | | ///||\\\ | | //`||||`\\ | | T||M | | E||E | | N||R | | D||C | | E||Y | | R||! | jgs '------====------' >-->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 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. 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