One Day To Live And Change... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo .---. / ,-- \ .--. ( (^_^) ) .--. ,' \ (.-`-'(_) / `. / `-/ \ `. \-' \ : (_,' . / (.\_ ") \ . `._) : | `-'(_,\ \ / /._)`-' | | . `.\,O,'.' . : | | . : ! /\_ /\ ! . ! | | ! |-'-| : ""T"" : |-'-| | | | |-' `-'| H |`-' `-| | `-' | H .:| `-' | . H !|| | : H :!| | ! H !|| | | H ||| | | H ||| Ojo 98 /_,'V.L|.\ ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. (Please be aware that Paypal puts 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' or other retail type stuff in. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to donate 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. So sorry for any confusion with this. Just trying to give you an easy and secure online option.) 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! ================ * 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our Friend Norma sent us a hearty recipe sure to warm you up on those cold wintry days. You Can Find it under 'Meals And Breads' Here... ( ) ) _.(--"("""--.._ /, _..-----).._,\ | `'''-----'''` | \ / '. .' jgs '--.....--' Easy Beef Vegetable STEW http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html --- ...Sounds very easy and yummy! Thanks Norma! Our too hot to handle new page comes from our friend Linda. I jumped on this one practically as soon as I got it in my email from her. It is one for a series that I especially love but hadn't gotten anything new for almost 5 years. It is one not to let you down either. It is just as rich and astounding as the other pages in this series. Be sure to give this a little of your time and check it out here... __________-------____ ____-------__________ \------____-------___--__---------__--___-------____------/ \//////// / / / / / \ _-------_ / \ \ \ \ \ \\\\\\\\/ \////-/-/------/_/_| /___ ___\ |_\_\------\-\-\\\\/ --//// / / / //|| (O)\ /(O) ||\\ \ \ \ \\\\-- ---__/ // /| \_ /V\ _/ |\ \\ \__--- -// / /\_ ------- _/\ \ \\- \_/_/ /\---------/\ \_\_/ ----\ | /---- | -|- | / | \ ---- \___| unknown Wall Mural Art 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wallart5.html --- ...Wow! Love their imagination! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ ( ) ,,,,, \\ . . , \\ | - D (._) \__- | | | \\|_ , ,---- _ |----. \__ ( ( / ) _ | \/ \. ' _.| \ ( ) | \ /( / /\_ \ // \ / ( / / ) // ( , / / , (_.) |......\ | \, / / ) \--- b'ger /___/___^// >TURNING POINT by Ben Mueller I heard a quote from a body builder once that went something like the following: "Each day you either become a little bit stronger or a little bit weaker, but you never stay the same." My interpretation of this is that every day we should strive to be the best that we can be in all areas of life. Even on days when you are struggling, it is important to remember that it just takes a positive attitude to turn things around for the better. My dad took me to my first Green Bay Packers game when I was eight years old. At the time, I really did not know much about football other than it was a tough guy's sport. All I knew was that the Packers were playing the Cincinnati Bengals and that the Packers were not a very good team. The had lost all previous games in that season and it had been years since the Packers had a winning season. The year was 1992 and I was astonished at the atmosphere and crowd of being at a football game. I thought that it was the coolest thing. On one particular play, the packers quarterback Don Majowski hurt his ankle and had to leave the game. I remember a negative comment from a nearby fan who stated that the Packers had no chance of winning now. Out stepped the Packers back up quarterback Brett Favre. The beginning of the game did not go well for Favre and he ended up fumbling the ball four times and getting sacked often. Despite the fact the he was struggling, Favre kept the team in the game and they were down by six points with less than a minute to go in the game. Favre had the ball and threw a long pass to Sterling Sharpe. Then, with eight seconds to go, Favre threw the winning touchdown to wide receiver Kitrick Taylor. The crowd went wild! Favre ran around the field celebrating, and first year coach Mike Holmgren was as happy as could be. The Packers carried on that momentum for the rest of the season and just missed the playoffs at 9-7. Even though they missed the playoffs that year, the 1992 season was a special season for the Green Bay Packers. It marked the beginning of the Brett Favre era and also the start of a dynasty in which the team would win the Super Bowl in 1996. From that 1992 game forward, Favre began the longest consecutive starts streak for a quarterback in NFL history. As a Packers fan, I have witnessed many up and down seasons since then, but this game helps instill a special memory -- a memory so powerful that I feel like a turn for the better can happen anytime. Who would have ever thought that game would have ended the way that it did? And who would have thought that a great NFL quarterback and team would have been born on that day? -- Ben Mueller __________________________________________________ Ben is a writer and triathlete from Sheboygan, WI. He has had stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ >{An Et-Ahem] Picture This... A group of Marines standing and bowing their heads because they're praying. This incident actually took place at a recent ceremony honoring the birthday of the corps, and it has the ACLU up in arms. "These are federal employees," says Lucius Traveler, a spokesman for the ACLU, "on federal property and on federal time... For them to pray is clearly an establishment of religion, and we must nip this in the bud immediately." When asked about the ACLU's charges, Colonel Jack Fessender, speaking for the Commandant of the Corps said, "F*** the ACLU. GOD bless our warriors. Send the ACLU to Afghanistan! Then watch those sob's pray." Please send this to people you know so everyone will know how stupid the ACLU is getting in trying to remove GOD from everything and every place in America. May God Bless America, One Nation Under GOD! What's wrong with the picture? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! GOD BLESS YOU FOR PASSING IT ON! --- ...Absolutely! Thanks Geniann. . . . . ,-,--. __| //``-, \ \_`\ )\a-a-? \ \ \_`(_=_/_-`__ \__, , \| | _ _,' ___7 ) | (_)(_`__(_,---' | ( _( ) | / /_| |________| __/__/__|__|_________) _________(__,_|)/ (__)|/____\(_______________ mic I add this to our inspirations today because it is so much a part of what we will be celebrating this Jan. 20th with the inauguration of President-elect Donald J. Trump. We voted for Trump because he was the one who was direct and true and not persuaded by political correctness. Political correctness has only taken away our core value of majority wins vs may hurt some ones feelings. To bend way over backwards to not offend the few means we offend the majority. Political correctness says that's OK as long as the little guy gets top consideration, who cares about the feelings of all the others? This may sound like a stupid idea, but it is what we have had to live with while dealing with the extreme left - 8 years of this from Pres.Obama. They seem to feel so ashamed of themselves that they want to undo whatever it is they are ashamed of in their own heart by making all of us cater to those they are actually against and feel have been wronged by themselves and society. The more they are against something or someone, it seems the more they push everyone to treat that thing or that person with the utmost respect no matter how much it may hurt every one else. Then of course there are those who are complete haters who just want to get rid of the majority who believe the opposite of themselves so they do these so called righteous movements to hide their own hatred for them. Thank God for Trump who will put an end to all this madness! The trouble is, all these PCers and haters have had their way for 8 years and are having a hard time letting go of their power. They will make things as difficult as they can for our new President and all his supporters. Please Pray with me: Dear God, please help all those against President-elect Trump soften their hearts to not be such an opposition but to join in and be an asset with the Trump Administration to make America great again through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >YOU WILL NEVER BE SORRY... ...for thinking before acting. ...for hearing before judging. ...for forgiving your enemies. ...for being candid and frank in love. ...for helping a fallen brother. ...for being honest in business. ...for thinking before speaking. ...for standing by your principles. ...for closing your ears to gossip. ...for bridling a slanderous tongue. ...for harboring pure thoughts. ...for sympathizing with the afflicted. ...for being courteous and kind to all. ...for making Jesus Christ your Lord. ...for witnessing the Gospel of Christ. ...for loving God Almighty with all your heart. -<>- _.- -._ <--> <--> /\ __ / \ \__/ fl >The Echo [edited] You hear so much about memories at this time of year. From Thanksgiving Day on we are bombarded with the idea that we are not only making memories but somehow building upon them. It is the sites, sounds and smells of the holidays that trigger vivid flashbacks for me. The turkey taking center stage, the cranberries and sweet potatoes all make me think of mom. The first Christmas bell, carol, or even laughter I hear, readies my mind for a long journey home and the loving sounds only family can provide. But, oh how a whiff of chocolate, peanut butter cookies or pumpkin pie can set my soul a dancin' down memory lane! It's easy for me to venture back to things I hold close to my heart. It takes very little to find myself remembering people, places and things which somehow mixed in with the very essence of who I am today. I swear if they checked my DNA, they'd come up with elements of chocolate chip cookie mixed with genetic traits of dancing when the spirit moved me and smiling when I hear my wife's voice. Memories are as much a part of who I am as today's choices become a part of all I will become. But what about this new years eve thing? Just below the sound of horns tooting and bubbly bubbling, lies the stark reality of the passing of another year. Many struggle with all they wanted to do and didn't. Some struggle with all they think they can never accomplish and still others bask in the glow of success beyond measure. For the first time in my 57 new year celebrations I have discovered the real truth about time. "The Echo." If I take away all the fond, sweet feelings of the past and remove the element of regret from things I wanted to do right or things I did wrong, I am left with the facts. Everything I do in this year will be reflected in how I see my life on new years eve that year. Thus, my theory of "The Echo." If you stand in a canyon and shout, "Hello!" "Hello" comes back to you. You can't yell, "How are you?" and get a reply, "Fine. Thanks for asking!" This year is like a canyon. You stand on the edge on new years eve and what you put into it will come back to you. The more you put in, the more will come back. If you love more, you will get more love back. If you fear more, fear will come back. So, this next new years eve when you find yourself reflecting on the year remember, it has nothing at all to do with memories. It's "The Echo." What will you get back at the end of the year? "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com -<>- ____ _.' : `._ .-.'`. ; .'`.-. __ / : ___\ ; /___ ; \ __ ,'_ ""--.:__;".-.";: :".-.":__;.--"" _`, :' `.t""--.. '<@.`;_ ',@>` ..--""j.' `; `:-.._J '-.-'L__ `-- ' L_..-;' "-.__ ; .-" "-. : __.-" L ' /.------.\ ' J "-. "--" .-" __.l"-:_JL_;-";.__ .-j/'.; ;"""" / .'\"-. .' /:`. "-.: .-" .'; `. .-" / ; "-. "-..-" .-" : "-. .+"-. : : "-.__.-" ;-._ \ ; \ `.; ; : : "+. ; : ; ; ; : ; : \: ; : ; : ;: ; : : \ ; : ; : ; / :: ; ; : ; : ; : ;: : : ; : ; : : ; : ; ;\ : ; : ; ; ; ; : `."-; : ; : ; / ; ; -: ; : ; : .-" : :\ \ : ; : \.-" : ;`. \ ; : ;.'_..-- / ; : "-. "-: ; :/." .' : \ \ : ;/ __ : \ .-`.\ /t-"" ":-+. : `. .-" `l __/ /`. : ; ; \ ; \ .-" .-"-.-" .' .'j \ / ;/ \ / .-" /. .'.' ;_:' ; :-""-.`./-.' / `.___.' \ `t ._ / bug "-.t-._:' >One Day To Live "You are a total summation of everything you believe and see in the world," I said. I was speaking to a small group recently, sharing my thoughts and ideas for the new year. I went on to urge everyone to look for the opportunity to see life in the details. "For having spent this time together today, we are now a little bit more than we were yesterday," I concluded. "You are now a part of me wherever I go." As it happens after every talk I share, people come up to offer their kind words, general comments and ask a few questions. From experience, I know that some will be brief and some, well they will dominate the little time I have until the next speaker takes the podium. I will make every attempt to speak to each person waiting even if I must take them out to the hallway in order to permit the meeting to go on. Eye contact is key. I don't pretend to listen, I try to "see what they are saying." At times I will also use my eyes to indicate that we need to wrap up so I can greet the next person. I look away and past the person speaking with me a few times. I make eye contact with the people still patiently waiting and if necessary, I will hand signal an individual I see edging away, giving up the wait. "Don't go!" I tell them. "I do want to speak with you!" is my last effort to politely end a conversation. Keeping a promise I made to myself, I did speak with about a dozen people that day. As I was gathering my notes and adjusting my tie, I heard someone say, "It's also what you didn't see." I looked around and saw no one. Shrugging it off, I continued my effort to collect myself. I picked up my belongings and turned quickly, nearly running into a man standing directly behind me. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were there, my friend," I said. "I didn't mean to startle you," he said. "I heard your talk." "Oh, thanks for being there." "It's also what you didn't see," he said. Not having any idea what that meant, I looked over my glasses and paused for a second before asking, "What didn't I see?" "You said, "You are a total summation of everything you believe and see in the world," he explained. "Yes, I did." "I believe it's more about what you don't see." I shook my head affirming the notion and asked him to explain. "Yes, it's easy to say that we need to see life in the details, but we must also learn what to look for." He was right. "So, we are what we choose to see," I said. "Your job is to teach us what to look for," he added. He then shook my hand, placed his hand on my shoulder, smiled and walked away. I sat down and thought about what he said. It's easy to see the light but we need to value the darkness, too. There you will find the lost and lonely who are always left behind. Anyone can find a rose in a field of dandelions, praise its beauty and bathe in its perfume but who will see the value in what appears to be weeds? We can celebrate the first one to cross the finish line, but who will see the magnificent effort of the one who finished last? You can stand in awe of the master architects who built the Taj Mahal but who is moved by the maintenance workers who clean and shine it daily? You can climb to the top of a mountain and pound your chest for having accomplished the feat. But who sees the miracle in the creation of both you and the mountain? Yes, you are a total summation of all you believe, all you choose to see and all you don't. Maybe God really gives us just one day to live, but many chances to see it differently. What have you been missing? "I believe in You!" ~ Bob Perks ~ Bob@BobPerks.com -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Angel Falls!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelfalls.html God's Paintings!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Awesome Photos!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/awesome.html Walk With Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html Would You Care?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/care.html Who Is This Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Thoughts For Today!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thoughts.html Angels Are Watching!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html What Friends Are For!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/whatfriends.html Beautiful Bridges!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bridges.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Until We Write Again!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html Lighthouses Of The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html Friendship!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/friendship.html Best Friends!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/bestfriends.html Just Thinking!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thinking.html Small Thoughts!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smallthoughts.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Dream a Dream ~ Charlotte Church & Billy Gilman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7qJtH3nYeM&feature=youtu.be --- ...So Beautiful! What a great job! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) I got a new guard dog to guard my house. He cost a little more than I thought I should pay. But, I think when word gets out, we'll be a relatively crime-free neighborhood.... She sent us one we have here: Dog Warriors! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogwarriors.html --- ...Awesome! Thanks LouiseAu! What a Feeling - Flashdance (1983) https://www.youtube.com/embed/atrqRDgEhsY?autoplay=1 I've Had the Time of My Life - Dirty Dancing (1987) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BQLE_RrTSU Beauty and the Beast - Beauty and the Beast (1991) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YSKhahIdCA Can You Feel the Love Tonight - The Lion King (1994) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1hcc1QvM2Q My Heart Will Go On - Titanic (1997) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHG2oizTlpY --- ...Awe inspiring! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== _____________________________ /_ __ __ ___ ___ __ _\ _ |__)(__)|[]|(___) (___)/| | (_| ( ) | | | || | | | o [,-.____|__|___________||__|,-.] | __o o _/\ `-' ejm98 |/ `-' | ( \ _]| ) _ c / \ ;(*) /\ |[_ (*).; `[Now what?] >Stranded Story Editor: by Therese Allen Joyce Schowalter California, USA "Whoever said it never rained in Southern California never lived here," I thought as I crossed Vermont Avenue at Manchester to catch the next bus home. It was pouring buckets of cats and dogs, and I was soaked! My watch said midnight but it wasn't that dark because it was a commercial area. "Good. I'll be home soon," I thought as I saw the #220 heading north toward me. "You want this bus?" the operator asked, looking down disdainfully at me from behind the wheel. "Yes." I decided not to say I liked showering outside at midnight in my clothes. "I can't pick you up when your wheelchair is not up on the island." "I travel this way at least four times a day and no other drivers have any problem letting the lift go all the way to the street," I explained as politely as possible. I knew I had to be nice -- the driver had the power to leave me. Most people wouldn't believe this could happen, but I knew better. "I don't care what other drivers do. I know the policy. I know what this bus will do, and I cannot pick you up," the driver snapped while she kept her well-manicured talons on the steering wheel. She slammed the door and sped away. All I could do was watch the bus drive off while I was left on the street, getting more drenched with each passing minute. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, three people appeared. "Did that driver just do what we thought we saw? Drive off without you?" one man asked. "Yes," I stammered, trying not to shiver with the cold. "Did you get her badge number?" a woman inquired. "No, she wouldn't give it to me, but I have the bus number, time, and location. I will report her first opportunity I get." "Here," a second man said, "Let us help you get dried off. We'll wait here until the next bus comes for you." As they all pitched in to dry me off, I couldn't figure out where these people came from -- let alone how they found all their supplies so quickly. They put each of my legs in a plastic garbage bag to keep me from absorbing any more water. They made another bag into a scarf, and draped towels around my shoulders for warmth and protection. They gave me coffee which was hot, with just the right amount of cream and sugar: the perfect antidote for this blustery night. The first man wrote down what he had observed, and compared notes with me. Gratitude threatened to overwhelm me. At 12:30 a.m. the next bus came along, and as I'd done countless times before, I boarded it when the driver put down the ramp for me. As this happened in 1987 I've long forgotten their names, but my gratitude to those three people is still fresh. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Linda :) . ' . ' ' . ' . . . . . .; . .': . .' : . : ; . \./ . .' . :;|.;: . 'd '' |' |' .| | | | | :. ' | | | | b c | | . '', | ') | : | | |c | | | | | | | __| :|__ .-"" .| , |. ""-..-"". ::.--""|. |""--.:: : :. '.;:__.+:. .:"__:' : "-.._" " _..-" : "" ".. """""" .." ""--....--""grp >Change * You cannot change anyone but yourself. When people don’t live up to your expectations, it’s not unusual to feel responsible for changing their behavior, especially if they are close to you. You may try and try – but when you don’t succeed, you end up feeling depressed and like a failure. Changing another person can be a frustrating, impossible goal. Realize that people only change when they want to. Changing someone else is not your job! When you put yourself in the position of controlling the uncontrollable you place a heavy burden on yourself. Not only do you feel weighted down, but you use up tremendous amounts of energy in this pursuit. Instead, channel your focus toward things that you can control, such as yourself. It’s a much more peaceful and productive way to live. ©Jane Powell -<>- *Accept The Things You Can’t Change What you resist, persists. If you are resisting something, you are feeding it. Any energy you actively fight, you are feeding. If you are using negative energy to push something away, you are inviting it to stay. Choose to accept what is, be positive and proactive, let go of the need to control every tiny detail, and embrace peace in the process. * The fact that you can Not only are you already highly capable, you are capable of becoming even more capable. Exercise your capabilities, and nothing is beyond your reach. When you’ve enjoyed great success you can step forward and create even more. When you encounter disappointments and obstacles, you can raise your own level of ability to get beyond them. The way to make full and increasing use of your capabilities is to have an authentic reason. True desire will push your effectiveness higher and higher. Know that you can, know why you must, and you’ll find a way to get it done. Put your amazing abilities to good use by giving yourself a powerful and meaningful reason to do so. Do not agonize over why you can’t. Accept, acknowledge and express with your actions the fact that you can. Every situation is your opportunity to put your dynamic capabilities to good use. Every day is a day in which you can make a real difference in a meaningful and effective way. - Ralph Marston God never said it would be easy. God said it would be worth it! --- ...These are excellent pieces of advice! Thanks Linda! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' I think of what God teaches us about this in His Word: Often I hear couples saying they will endeavor to change their mate concerning this or that. I have to remind my own kids about this when they talk that way to me. This perhaps is the Most persuasive for you too to understand about changing others. Prov.22: [6] Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. This is God telling us that people learn the way they will go when they are a child and more importantly God tells us they will not depart from it. Notice God did not use the word SHALL. - 'he will not' - Which means that this isn't absolute - not always the case but God said it so more often than not it will be the case. That means you have very little chance of actually changing an adult. Like this says, you are more likely to be able to change yourself then someone else, but even this will take determination and effort on your part to be able to change. It is called in the Bible renewing your mind to the Word of God. We are often taught things contrary to God's word and it takes work for us to undo what we have been taught and renew our mind to God's Will. Rom.12: [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Col.3 is also a good reference for renewing your mind. Renewing your mind also is part of this advice. It reminds you that YOU CAN. As a Christian, you have God In Christ IN YOU! Do you think there is ANYTHING God cannot do? How about Christ? You have God's spirit in you. You are God's child. Let that sink in. Remind yourself: Phil.4: [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 'through Christ' means the things you do must be godly - according to God's Word and Will - AND it means you can tap into Christ's power to accomplish it. How cool is that? We are like Christ in this world. Col.1: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Jesus said... John 9: [5] As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. John 5: [19] Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. AND Jesus gave us this to chew on too... John 14: [12] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. Notice the use of 'shall' - that's no ifs, ands, or buts - absolutely, positively! So when you think you can't do it - think again. Eph.5: [8] For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .--._ .'""""-t--. /_. .-._ \ `. __.-. :/o: "o.` ; .'\.-" .--."-._ . /; ; :/ _;. ( `-._\ .-" "--._.: : :s, t,-"/ j"_. _._\`\ ___._.._.._/ _. _ \; .--. / "-: / 'o.` \.o`; ; .-"" ( "" / "-. : : ;,: . .$; :/:_.---.-. :: .-""""^._ / \_.gp.____.-j ;; ' __ :_; _.--`-.t ; Y ( : ;`^$$P^" ; : \ ' ` ; : ; l--t"'.;_ ,_.-. ; ; / \ ( : \ t-.___ / ;/ ,---=-: \ ;o; .o.` : : .-" \ ) ; `.; """\ .' .o' :o; ; : ; ; ; : ""--.._ `. : .'"-. Y .d.: : ; Ts,-. .-: `-- .' "-._`.; .' \ \ .---, ; : ---. ` : ; \ :.---: : ;-- __; : ;--.. " ) ; _:tjtjt-; ; : """"-.__L./ '^:;:^' `-._ bug : : /\ : >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Danielle, 8, was learning to count change with coins printed on the math page. Sally pointed to a Kennedy half dollar, and asked Danielle if she knew which president that was. Danielle replied, "No, but he's worth 50 cents." -- Sally Morris of Wellington, Florida As Irma was helping Adriana, 12, study her science facts they came to one question that asked what the lab rules were. Adriana got most of them right but she was stuck on the last one, which was "clean up properly." Irma tried to give her a hint by saying, "What is it that I want you to do every night?" Adriana thought about it and responded, "Read and follow directions?" -- Irma Cisneros of Phoenix, Arizona Paige, who was turning 5, was having a birthday party two days after her actual birthday. On the day of her birthday her mom wished her a happy birthday but Paige spoke up, "No, it is not my birthday until I eat cake!" -- Great-Mamow Jean Reesor of Battletown, Kentucky Alex, 10, and Ben, 8, were in the car with their mother listening to the radio. An advertisement for a furniture store came on and the announcer said, "No interest until next year." When Ben heard that he asked, "Would anyone want that?" as though it were a bad thing. His mom asked, "Do you even know what that means?" He replied, "It means you won't like it until then?" -- Therese (mother of Alex and Ben) of Liverpool, New York .---. .---. ( -o- )---( -o- ) ;-...-` `-...-; / \ / \ | /_ _\ | \`'.`'"--.....--"'`.'`/ \ '. `._.` .' / _.-''. `-.,___,.-` .''-._ `--._ `'-._______.-'` _.--` jgs / \ /.-'`\ .'. /`'-.\ ` '.' '.' ` Tanva's husband went on a hunting trip and brought back some assorted drink flavored Jelly Belly jelly beans. Adalyn, 3, wanted some for her snack and said, "Momma, I need a snack... some smelly beans!" -- Tanva Huval of Eunice, Louisiana Christian, 3, was watching cartoons with his grandmother. He was sitting on her lap in a recliner near her window seat which was decorated with photos, figurines and potted plants. Christian looked at Marilee and said, "An'Ma, you need to clean up your house." Marilee asked him how about his house and he replied, "I poured out my toys in my room and I need to clean it up." So Marilee cleaned up her window seat. -- Marilee Stone of Alapaha, Georgia The rest of this week's stories are from Bill Santoro of Pennsylvania: When Bill's daughter was about 3 (she is 19 now) he and his wife were talking about a dear friend who is wheelchair bound. They mentioned her "few handicaps" did not stop her from enjoying life. Later their daughter asked if she could have a "few candy-caps." Later when Alex learned what handicaps were she had a favorite doll that their dog had chewed on. The doll's left leg was missing. Bill's parents saw the doll and told Alex they would buy her a new one. Alex explained that the doll was not broken -- she was just "hadicapped." ____________________________________________ ///\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\\ /\\{}//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\//\\{}/\ /\/&%&%&%&/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\&%&%&%&\/\ ||&%&%&_.' '._&%&%&|| ||&%&.' _____ '.&%&|| ||&%& | | \ &%&|| ||&%& | | \ &%&|| ||&%& | | \___ &%&|| ||&%& | | \ &%&|| ||&%& | | \ &%&|| ||&%& ~~0 __|_|___________| &%&|| ||&%& 0 / /\/ /____|____________) &%&|| ||&%& /_oo-#= __ . / \_|__________________| &%&|| ||&%& | \/ /_/ |/__ | )( )( &%&|| ||&%& |\ | | |\\ :| )( )( &%&|| ||&%& / \ |, &%&|| ||&%&& ~ ~ /|\ &&%&|| ||ejm97 &&&%&|| ___||&%&&&&=======================================&&&&%&||___ Bill's son, Justin, is autistic. One day in speech class his teacher asked, "Justin, what are the four seasons?" Justin was stubborn that day and refused to answer. When the teacher told him he could not go to lunch until he answered, Justin told him, "The four seasons are concertos by Vavaldi." When Bill's daughter made friends at a lsummer camp for Easter Seals, she asked Bill if he knew Joel, her latest best friend. Bill told her he met so many peoplein the camp that day -- maybe she could describe him. She said he was the boy who was always smiling and telling jokes. Bill told her that he still did not know which boy he was, could she describe what he looked like? She said he always wore a baseball cap backwards. Bill's wife walked over and Bill asked her which boy was Joel. She said he was the quadraplegic in the wheelchair. Bill asked Alex why she didn't tell him Joel was the boy in the wheelchair (the ONLY child in a wheelchair). Alex said, "Oh yeah, I forgot." Pnina, 4, was helping to set the table for her parents, two older brothers and herself. She informed her father, "I don't have to count out five forks; I just count out two and then take three more." -- Brandel (mother of Pnina) of Jerusalem, Israel .---._ .--(. ' .).--. . .-. . ( ' _) .)` ( .)-. ( ) '-' ( , ). `(' . _) (') _________ '-' ____[_________] ________ \__/ | _ \ || ,;,;,, [________] _][__|(")/__|| ,;;;;;;;;, __________ __________ _| LILI |_ / | |____ | | | | ___ | | ____| (| .--. .--.| | ___ | | | | | | ____| |____ | /|/ .. \~~/ .. \_|_.-.__.-._|_|_.-:__:-._|_|_.-.__.-._|_|_.-.__.-._| +=/_|\ '' /~~\ '' /=+( o )( o )+==( o )( o )=+=( o )( o )+==( o )( o )=+= ='=='='--'==+='--'===+'-'=='-'==+=='-'+='-'===+='-'=='-'==+=='-'=+'-'jgs+ Ruth babysits for her grandson Ty Loshe, 2. Santa brought Ty a train set and now he "needs" some new trains. Ruth asked him if he would like the new ones for his birthday (in March) or Christmas. He said, "No! Neither one! I want them for my train set!" -- Ruth Coppess of Decatur, Indiana Elisabeth's little nephew Justin met Elisabeth's mom for the first time when she was well into chemo treatments for her cancer. She was delighted to have her son and daughter-in-law along with their kids sleeping over during the week of her last bouts of treatment. As Elisabeth's mom was getting ready for bed she removed the kerchief that she wore to cover her bald head. After little Justin went in to kiss "Grandma" and "Grandpa" good night per his Dad's instructions he came out of the room and asked, "Daddy, is your Mommy a Grandma or a Grandpa?" -- Elisabeth Butterfield of Tampa, Florida Faith, 9, was practicing the piano, which is against the back window, when a large flock of robins landed in the backyard. Her dad started counting the robins, and when he reached 30, she looked up at him and smiled as she said, "They came for the music." -- Debbi Armstrong (mother of Faith) of Orlando, Florida Here's another one from Debbi. Tiny 5'1" Grandma had been bugging Faith's Daddy about getting a check-up. When he announced to the family that he had scheduled a physical, he said it was to, "Get my mother off my back." Faith then asked, "Why? Does she weigh more than you?" unknown ..--------------------.. |``--------------------''| | | | ,,,;;;;;;,,, | | ,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;, | | ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; | | ;;;;;;;;;''' _ '';;; | | _'''_ _ (_' | ` | | |_) |_ |_) ._) | | | .| |_ | ..... | | :::.. ...::::::::: | | :::::::::::::::::::: | | '::::::::::::::::' | | '''::::::''' | | | | | ';----..............----;' '--------------------' Kay was getting things out of the refrigerator and she asked Jake, 6, what he wanted to drink. He grabbed a Red Bull. Kay said, "Honey, you can't have that." Jake replied, "My doctor said it was OK!" -- Chet and Kay Swartz (parents of Jake) of Chino, California Mary Ann was caring for her granddaughter Ava, 3, while her parents were away. It came time for them to leave the house and Mary Ann was encouraging Ava to move a little faster to get her shoes on. Ava continued to dawdle and play with her princess wand. After several tries, Ava's grandma began to get impatient as she was getting no results. Finally she firmly told Ava they had to go and could she please put on her shoes. Ava looked up at Mary Ann, waved her wand and said, "Grandma, you're a pain in the wand." -- Melody Taninies of Des Moines, Iowa Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== /\ <<<<< () [] >>>>> ___||____|____ _______||____ ____||___|___ | ____ ____ || ____ ____ || ____ ____ | | |VV| |VV| || |WW| |WW| || |UU| |UU| | | |==| |==| || |==| |==| || |==| |==| | | |__| |__| || |__| |__| || |__| |__| | | ____ ____ || ____ ____ || ____ ____ | | |VV| |VV| || |WW| |WW| || |UU| |UU| | () | |==| |==| || |==| |==| || |==| |==| | () ()\/() |__| |__| || |__| |__| || |__| |__| ()\/() ._\()/_. || || ._\()/_. || | || || | || || | ______ || ______ || ______ | || || | ____ | 42 | || ____ | 44 | || ____ | 46 | | || || | |VV| | | || |WW| | | || |UU| | | | || || | |==| | o| || |==| | o| || |==| | o| | || || | |__| | | || |__| | | || |__| | | | || __||_| | | || | | || | | |_||__ || |_______|____|_||______|____|_||______|____|_| || ||/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/_____/____\||lc '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' >-->What Is Your Address? There is a family nobody likes to meet, They live, it is said, on Complaining Street. In the city of Never-Are Satisfied, The River of Discontent beside. They growl at that, and they growl at this; Whatever comes there is Something amiss; And whether their station be high or humble, They are known by the name Of Grumble. The weather is always too hot or too cold, Summer and winter alike they Scold; Nothing goes right with the folks you meet Down on that gloomy Complaining Street. They growl at the rain, and they growl at the sun; In fact, their Growling is never done. And if everything pleased them, there isn't a doubt They'd growl that They'd nothing to grumble about! And the worst thing is that if anyone stays Among them too long he will Learn their ways, And before he dreams of the terrible jumble He's Adopted into the family of Grumble. So it were wisest to keep our feet From wandering into Grumbling Street. And never to growl whatever we do, Lest we be mistaken for Grumblers too. -Author Unknown --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...The Bible says... Phil.4 [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. But, I am glad to say goodbye to President Obama... :) What He SAID... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kuTG19Cu_Q What He DID... http://www.usdebtclock.org/ >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE: Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************