Power Of Second Chances... :) 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 ================ *~* A REMINDER: For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This too hot to handle one comes from our friend PatDeE. I have always loved the Grand Canyon ever since I first saw it as a young teen so I couldn't resist sharing these awesome photographs of it with you. Give it time to load and check it out here... ---.____ ,/k. ___,---' / ih,__,-----.___ ,-' , `:7b----.__---` _.-/ ' /b.`.4p, --" , ,-' ^6x, `."^=._ Beautiful Grand Canyon! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/grandcanyon.html --- ...Just stunning! Shows God's great handiwork! Thank You PatDeE! -<>- ` : | | | |: || : ` : | |+|: | : : :| . ` . ` : | :| || |: : ` | | :| : | : |: | . : .' ': || |: | ' ` || | : | |: : | . ` . :. `' || | ' | * ` : | | :| |*| : : :| * * ` | : : | . ` ' :| | :| . : : * :.|| .` | | | : .:| ` | || | : |: | | || ' . + ` | : .: . '| | : :| : . |:| || . . ` *| || : ` | | :| | : |:| | . . . || |.: * | || : : :||| . . . * . . ` |||. + + '| ||| . ||` . * . +:`|! . |||| :.||` + . ..!|* . | :`||+ |||` . + : |||` .| :| | | |.| ||` . * + ' + :|| |` :.+. || || | |:`|| ` . .||` . ..|| | |: '` `| | |` + . +++ || !|!: ` :| | + . . | . `|||.: .|| . . ` ' `|. . `:||| + ||' ` __ + * `' `'|. `: "' `---"""----....____,..^---`^``----.,.___ `. `. . ____,.,- ___,--'""`---"' ^ ^ ^ ^ """'---,..___ __,..---""' --"' ^ ``--..,__ *~* We Had A FANTASTIC Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month *~* Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones! Arrows Across The US! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/arrows.html Thoughts Into Action 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/action5.html Statue Of Liberty! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/statueofliberty.html Look Who's Talking 8! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking8.html Hot Air Balloons 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hotair2.html Big Baby Big Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigdogs.html Real Life Mermaid! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mermaid.html Maxine Humor 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxinehumor2.html . .\!i/, ,. .,: ,!i//., . , , -\' _ ` `" `"' '"`' ''" ":/.\'!i/. >- :,' ,-' .: ._ /- `. ..'.. .:. ' .'. -" -; .' `. .;. ` ""' ,: :, .: ; ,\\' -; " .; ". 0 0 ..' ;" ': `. _.----.__ .'' -: =! '` .' (`"""; `. ." .-"""-. ! `--' ! ,-`""''. _____.' .' ;___`.___/\____.'_: .' :_______ :_ .' `._ ,'Bugbyte '""`"" `"'"` *~* Big THANK YOU And Huggums In Christ To All Our Great Contributors! -<>- *~* USER COMMENTS *~* DaleL WROTE: "I am of the understanding that some folk's messages that link to your site are being blocked when sent to aol.com addresses, or were being so blocked until recently. Have you tried to contact aol about these, or are you looking for a means to contact them?" -DaleL --- ...I wouldn't know how Dale. I do know that some servers require a payment to allow non blockage of links or sites. However, I generally leave the contact of servers to the users themselves. They have the most power and influence over them. If you know of folks being blocked, please advise them to contact AOL so they have free access to my family safe site. Thank you for the heads up. I will let our group know! Blessings in Christ :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-.*_, ."". ."". {*(,\}/___ .-"-, | ' | `;)@\*|" `", _.' \ \ / ."". ."". '((/; | .-' | '. .' | ' | *;-.=-=-=._ .;-, | ' \ / __;____..---/' -,\ ; _,__ '. .' .--';`_ __.-'` _/ / ,-..-" "-, ' / `;---'__0 \ .' /,- \. \-. | / (__) \ _.' \_ - - \ _.-,_ { |-'` / 0 __0 7_/ ({\*,;) \,'-`-' /' |/ (__) \ /*(@-'}) ___",_ __ __,;`.--, |/ |` \_,'-;}`.' `'."".,---.._, ) \ \/ /'_.-"/ _`) |`----'`( (= /`-._ .="-,_ __ _,'` / ', \ =";`--'\ '=. /| ()() __`;.____...-'\. | | /` / |\ '. ` | ()@()* /` ' | ,_/.=\ .; | | '. /-' -##@() | .--, `y-'`\ || '--'/| \ \ \`-` ##)@() \ / `) \ '.||_,.--'/ / / ) |/ *`(\A/)() '. | ,-' } || { |.'.| /_.'./ .-.* { >*< }*) `\__/ _..._| |/ { | (\A/) @(/V\)()@() /`--....--` . `} /{ \___{ >*< }()()##()()*{ { ; } { \ / ###(/V\)()@()(####\) { , } | `--.. ,' #########()()##### \ _,' { / <><><><><><><><><> `,_ ,--'{ \ | | } { } ; \ / jgs / } { \ | / ,-` } `-._ _.-'` { `-. .' _,-``, `\ .' } .`\ \(_(_.' `-.__)_)/ `.-' _.-'`'-._ \' `"""` `""""` >THE POWER OF SECOND CHANCES by Teri Goggin-Roberts Theodore Johnson, or "Mr. J" was my fifth grade teacher. He was a tall, slender man with a reputation for fun that made students pray to be assigned to his class. Mr. J was significant in my life for many reasons. As an educator, he brought mundane subjects to life with humor and passion. As a person, he taught me the blessing of an unexpected second chance. One Monday morning, the schoolyard buzzed with rumors about a fire in the school over the weekend. When the bell rang I raced inside, excited by the acrid scent of burnt wood that confirmed the rumors. Homeroom hummed with conversation. Mr. J quieted the class and explained that "Home Economics" would be cancelled due to a fire. He also warned us not to go near the room because it could be dangerous. At morning recess, my friend Kim and I cooked up a plan to check out the damage. A first hand observation would make us heroes at lunch. Since Kim was in a different class, we decided to synchronize a time to go to the bathroom and divert to the "Home Ec" room instead. As the appointed time approached, I ignored a growing sense of dread. I didn't want to face the consequences at home if I got caught but I also couldn't "chicken out" and face Kim after school. When the clock ticked into position, I raised my hand and got permission to "go to the lavatory." Kim was already waiting in the hall. Kim and I safely reached the home economics room. We stood on tiptoes peering through the door window trying in vain to see what was forbidden. A firm grip on our shoulders stopped my heart cold. "Where do you belong? Certainly not here!" I whirled around to find a teacher staring angrily at us. I'd seen angry teachers before, but they were always glaring at someone else, not me. In those frozen seconds millions of thoughts flashed through my mind. My father would kill me for defying a teacher. Worse than that, my mom might be so mad she might not stop him. Utter terror froze my tongue but eventually I stuttered, "I belong in Mr. J's class." My spirits sank even lower when I realized my lie to Mr. J would soon be exposed. The arresting teacher led Kim and I back to our classrooms and knocked on the doors. I stood in the hall as my captor spoke with Mr. Johnson who rubbed his chin and arched his eyebrows as he listened. I wanted to melt into the floor. There was nowhere to hide from Mr. Johnson's angry eyes when they darted toward me during parts of the story. I lived with an alcoholic father so anger meant pain and I was already nauseous from the pain in my head. The teacher swished past, leaving my destiny in the hands of Mr. Johnson -- who now hated me. I blinked hard, fighting back tears of self-loathing. Like home, I desperately tried not to let Mr. J see me cry, instead, I braced myself for a barrage of anger. But Mr. Johnson had a different lesson to teach. Slowly, he knelt down on one knee and hunched his lanky body in an attempt to look me in the eye. When I glanced up from my shoes, I was met with a look of concern rather than anger. He spoke softly and carefully as he explained why he was disappointed in my decision to go where I may have gotten hurt. I was stunned that he cared more about my safety than the fact that I'd broken a rule. There was no yelling and no berating. As I looked into the eyes of the man who could send me to unimagined consequences at home, I began to cry. The full weight of disappointing Mr. J crushed my ten-year-old shoulders. I wiped my tears and wished I'd been expelled so I wouldn't have to return to a class full of staring eyes and spend the rest of the year hoping Mr. J would like me again. But the lesson was not complete. Mr. J stood up, indicating it was time to return to class. My heart was heavy with regret as we walked. The load lifted instantly with the gentle touch of Mr. J's hand on my shoulder. I glanced up and he smiled. My love for Mr. J blossomed in the moment I discovered that he still liked me even after I'd disappointed him. Slowly, it sunk in that he didn't raise his voice or threaten me. He didn't do anything but let me feel the impact of my actions. It was the first time I felt the exquisite freedom of forgiveness. Mr. J made no public mention of my crime, nor did he tell my parents. The rest of the day he smiled and acted normally. I saw the world from a fresh angle. At 10 years of age, I couldn't pinpoint what was different, I just knew I felt better about myself. I also knew I'd never disappoint Mr. Johnson again. Looking back, I can clearly see what was different. When I made mistakes at home the recovery from anger took days. But on that day, trust was restored the moment Mr. J smiled. I learned many things that year, but nothing more important than the power of being granted an unexpected second chance. -- Teri Goggin-Roberts ______________________________________________ Teri Goggin-Roberts taught at a men's prison near Philadelphia where she witnessed the power of unexpected chances. She is writing a book about second chances. If you have any examples from your life and want your story to be told by Teri, please feel free to email her. ========================================================== >-->From our Friend LouiseA :) __..._.-. /.-. '-.) \', \ | o'--D \ / | ;._ _\ '-/ .' __ `\`.-"-. .-"-. .' .' '.|' ' ', / \ '._, New | ; '-._ \ Day / (| /'-.__/ .' \ __ ,' '-. .-' `/ `\.-'| '.' | | '-. | '-. ) jgs \ )-' '-----' >Today Is A New Day Then God said, “Let the waters beneath the sky flow together into one place, so dry ground may appear.” And that is what happened. God called the dry ground "land" and the waters “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, "Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And that is what happened. (Genesis 1: 9-11 NLT) Once the water came together, you could see the ground. Once the ground was dry, God called it fertile. When the water stopped and dried up, there was a new day. It is the same today. When we pass through the waters of depression and feel we are drowning, we get negative. We come up and catch our breath but we can’t seem to get back to where we were. God wants us to do more than that. He wants us to truly see that today is a new day, and we should make new plans -- with His guidance. --- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' ...Aww such a comfort! Thanks LouiseA! Often we get overcome by our own anxieties and stress. When you feel the burdens coming down on you, it is good to remember that you have someone to give them to. You need not have to be one to 'do it all'. Decide to free yourself of such feelings by giving them to God through Jesus Christ your Lord. Just remember these three things... First TRUST GOD to help you: Prov.3: [5] Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Second BELIEVE GOD can help you: Eph.3 [20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Third GIVE IT TO GOD in prayer knowing it is God's Will. 1 Pet.5: [7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. God wants you to be free of your cares and burdens. Just give them to Him! He'll help you and guide you once you trust Him to do so. =========================================================== >-->Story Time From Our Friend PatDeE :) __..._ _...__ _..-" `Y` "-._ \ Once upon | / \\ a time..| // \\\ | /// \\\ _..---.|.---.._ /// jgs \\`_..---.Y.---.._`// '` `' Today I would like to share with you a very inspiring and motivating story about an old woman named Rose who never stopped dreaming. An 87 Year Old College Student Named Rose: The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that that lit up her entire being. She said, "Hi, handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of children, and then retire and travel." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me. After class we walked to the student union building and share a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know." As we laughed she cleared her throat and began: "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. "You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!" "There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change." "Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets." She concluded her speech by courageously singing The Rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the years end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be. Some remarkable lessons we've taken back from her: 1) Laugh and find humor every day. 2) You’ve got to have a dream. 3) You are never too old to learn. 4) Growing older is mandatory, growing up is optional 5) Don't let change overwhelm you, let change help you find opportunities you may have never seen! Rose was 87 when she got her college education. How would you react if you meet a student like her in school? Some may criticize her for her age while others might just be impressed and inspired. This only tells us that it is never too late to pursue our dreams. If you are facing a situation like this, just think of Rose and her story. --- ...So inspiring! Thanks PatDeE! Our only limit is our self! God doesn't limit us so we should never limit our self or God. There are no limits! Praise God! =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend Richard :) _ ( | | __,--./|.--,__ .` \ \ / / `. .` \ | / `. / / ^|^ \ \ / / | |o | \ \ /===/ | | | \===\ /___/ | |o | \___\ | | | | |o | | | | | |o | | | | | |o | jgs |_____/\_____| >Flour Sacks For Clothes I’ve had a lot of flour sack full skirts or dresses growing up. I loved all of mine. J I still have scraps of some of the sacks along w/a several double pillow cases sewed from these sacks. They were excellent material & were made easily. Just like Dan River material (sturdy) of long ago. Dot Some of you may be too young to remember these things! 1930s, 40s + 50s flour sacks >THE FLOUR SACK BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED, WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED, WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS, AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS, AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK, A VERSATILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK. PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO, STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE. THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT; THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT. THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK. THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN, FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN. IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG, OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG. IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK, THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK. BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED. IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS. AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK, FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK! AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE, TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE, AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK, TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE, AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK, WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK! AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT, THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT, TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED, AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED. THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK! WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE, SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE, WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST, MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST) AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK. FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK! SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO, "BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE AND PAPER TOWELS , WHAT DID YOU DO?" TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK, "GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!" All these girls' dresses were made from flour sacks... Panties were made from them too. The boys' shirts and underwear were made from flour sacks or feed sacks also. --- ...Wow! Great bit of History! Thanks Richard! I had to look this one up as all I remember is old burlap bags or what we pretty much have now-a-days. Pretty amazing little bit of history. We have much to be thankful to God for that we are not back in those poor times when we had to reuse most any thing and everything just to get by! "Repair, reuse, make do, and don't throw anything away" was a motto during the Great Depression. - Flour Sacks For Clothes: http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_06.html ============================================================= >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Servants Make Themselves Available By Rick Warren "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4 NASB). Real servants make themselves available to serve. Servants don't fill up their time with other pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called on. Much like a soldier, a servant must always be standing by for duty: "No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:4 NASB). If you only serve when it's convenient for you, you're not a real servant. Real servants do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God anytime? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? As a servant, you don't get to pick and choose when or where you will serve. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allowing God to interrupt it whenever he needs to. If you will remind yourself at the start of every day that you are God's servant, interruptions won't frustrate you as much, because your agenda will be whatever God wants to bring into your life. Servants see interruptions as divine appointments for ministry and are happy for the opportunity to practice -<>- | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLeod "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country. Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate life style" and if someone is offended, that's OK. I can use it to condone sexual promiscuity, by dispensing condoms and calling it, "safe sex...." If someone is offended, that's OK. I can even use this public facility to present the merits of killing an unborn baby as a "viable means of birth control." If someone is offended, no problem... I can designate a school day as "Earth Day" and involve students in activities to worship religiously and praise the goddess "Mother Earth" and call it "ecology.." I can use literature, videos and presentations in the classroom that depicts people with strong, traditional Christian convictions as "simple minded" and "ignorant" and call it "enlightenment.." However, if anyone uses this facility to honor GOD and to ask HIM to Bless this event with safety and good sportsmanship, then Federal Case Law is violated.. This appears to be inconsistent at best, and at worst, diabolical. Apparently, we are to be tolerant of everything and anyone, except GOD and HIS Commandments. Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical... I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank GOD and ask HIM, in the name of JESUS, to Bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands.. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America- the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under GOD." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee Remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion.. Praise GOD that HIS remnant remains! JESUS said, "If you are ashamed of ME before men, then I will be ashamed of you before MY FATHER.." -<>- /\ ,'.' ',' _.,._ _,.-+`'+-._ .|. _.+'` `.' \ (___) ,' \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ _.-~`'~-._ _\_.-+'`'`+-._\ ag `,' `---` >THE LETTER By: Joseph J. Mazzella When I was a freshman in college I received a letter that forever opened a window in my soul. I had just started writing and the editor of my local county newspaper had been kind enough to publish some of my work. About a month later the letter arrived. Sadly, I lost it in the many moves I have made since then, but it’s essence still lives in my heart. Here is what it said. "You may not remember me. We last saw each other in kindergarten and my family moved the next year. We still get the county paper in the mail, though, and when I saw your name I had to write you. You see that first year in school was very difficult for me. I was a tiny, sickly, and homely girl that the other children teased everyday. The thing I remember about you is that you never did. You were always kind to me. When we lined up to go out the teacher always put me beside you and you would hold my hand as we crossed the street. You talked to me and played with me. When you were around too the other kids didn’t tease me. You saw me as a person, not someone different and I will be forever grateful for that. My whole life was better because of how you treated me all those years ago." I quickly wrote back to my kindergarten friend and we corresponded happily for several years before the illness that she had struggled with since childhood finally took her life. I will never forget, however, just how much that simple kindness I had shared meant to her. It made me see that kindness, goodness, love, and joy truly are the most important things in the world. Every act of kindness we do touches another’s heart. Every bit of goodness we share makes the world a better place. Every choice for love we make brings us and those around us closer to God. God blessed us with the power to help, heal, love, and change this world forever. Let’s use that power and make both Earth and Heaven smile. >Links for Your Enjoyment: Tricks For Treats http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/tricksfortreats.html Horse Costumes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horsecostumes.html True Duck Tale http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/duck.html Casa Batllo - House Of Bones http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hbones.html Feather Painting 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/feather2.html Leaf Art Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/art.html Extreme Poodle Makeover http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poodlemakeover.html SUPER PUPPIES! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppy.html KENNEL CLUB DOG CONTEST! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kennelclubdog.html Great White Shark http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatwhite.html Halloween Animations: Bats, Bones, Boo, Devil, Dracula: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Halloween Animations: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_f-j.html Halloween Animations: WORDS: HAL-BOOP WORDS:Hallo http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Halloween Animations: Monsters: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_k-o.html -<>- >From Our Friend Wesley :) Fact Slides http://www.factslides.com/ --- ...These Are Fun! Thanks Wesley! -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) This is a good one for eye contact and hand co-ordination. Move the pail to catch the apples. Have Fun! Let's go, it's Apple Pickin' Time! http://www.ferryhalim.com/orisinal/g2/applegame.htm --- ...Wow! Good thing my basket is small! LOL! Thanks Linda! Difficult landings! http://gizmodo.com/5875760/dont-watch-this-if-you-are-scared-of-flying?hd --- ...Scary! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) How To Sharpen Your Knife With A Cup - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi2gzCrS-fE Cry out to Jesus - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53pCcjIHeuU --- ...Sweet! Thanks Melody! -<>- 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 LaughAndLift: ##, ,## '##, ,##' '## ##' ## __, ## ## __.-' \ ## ## ___.-'__.--'\ | ##, ## .-' .-, ( | | _ '## ##/ / /""=\ \ | | / \ ##, '#| |_\ / / | | / \ '## / `-` 0 0 '-'`\ | | | | \ ,## \_, (__) ,_/ / / | \ \ ##' / / \ \\ / / | |\ \ ## __ | /`.__.-'-._)|/ / | | \ \##`__) \ ^ / / | | | v## '--. '._ '-'_.' / _.----. | | l ,## (_,' '##'-, ` `"""/ `'/| | / ,##--, ) '#/` ` ' |' ##' `" | /\_/#' jgs | __. .-,_.;###` _|___/_..---'''` _/ (###' .-'` ____,...---""``` `._ ( --'' __,.,---. ',_) `.,___,..---'`` / / \ '._ | | ( ( `. '-._) | / \ \ \'-._) | | \ \ `"` | | \ \ | | .-, ) | | | ( ( / / | | \ '---' / / \ `-----` | , / |(_/\-, \ ,_`) `-._) >Get On (Not Off) My Back (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) When was the last time you told someone, "Get off my back," meaning "leave me alone!"? Have you ever told someone, "Get on my back"? A little lady in Korea heard that there was going to be a Christian rally in a town several miles from where she lived. Though she was not a Christian, she was interested in learning more about Christ and decided to attend. Because of the scarcity of cars, she had to walk to the meeting. That night, after hearing the message of the Gospel, she gave her life to Jesus. As she walked home she thought of her husband, who was not a Christian and had been crippled for several years. When she entered the door to their home, her husband immediately knew that something was different about her. She excitedly told him how she had given her life to Christ. Upon hearing her story, he was anxious to go to the meeting the following night so he, too, could hear the Gospel. The wife could not find a ride for her husband, so she carried him on her back. That night when the invitation was given, she carried him to the altar, where he gave his life to the Lord. In the course of the next year, she carried her husband on her back throughout the surrounding area, so they could share with people about Christ. They led over 200 people to a relationship with the Lord Jesus. Mark 2:1-5 (NIV) says: "A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven.'" This man's friends literally carried him to Jesus. There are many ways you can meet a need in a friend's life without literally hauling him on your back. Through those acts of service, however, many of your friends can be "brought" to Christ. Who do you need to "carry" to Jesus today? 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 ================================================================== ___________ .;---------./| // S O A P // | |'---------'| / jgs | | / '-----------'` >Extra Ordinary Story Editor: by David McLaughlan Joyce Schowalter Ayrshire, Scotland It was just another nothing much kind of day, in January 2009. I'd done a little shopping and was walking home with nothing much on my to-do list. I overtook a wee old lady. To be honest, she hardly registered on my radar. Just another ordinary old lady. Then she carefully sat one of her shopping bags down, straightened up and took a deep breath. The bag held a big box of soap powder. I could've carried it all day without noticing, but she hadn't made it fifty yards from the shop before stopping. I walked past... then turned back and asked if she needed a hand. She explained that normally she had a shopping cart and the box wouldn't have been a problem. But as she hadn't much money, the soap was too good a bargain to miss. While she explained I picked up the bag and we started walking. I asked her where she was going then lied and said it was exactly on my way. A few steps along I realised I had to walk really slowly so not to tire her out - which gave us plenty of time to chat. But what would we talk about? She said she was 92 in a month. Then said she was retired from The Salvation Army. She'd joined as a teenager, met her husband, her only love, at the Army College. Then they'd set out on a life of service together. She talked about the work in poor, inner-city areas. How her husband had died suddenly thirty years ago while they were both out doing the good work. She had so looked forward to growing old with him, and didn't understand why it happened, but was absolutely sure it was part of the bigger plan. Wow! As I listened, my admiration grew. I walked her to her door, despite her protests that it must be out of my way. There Mrs Thompson and I introduced ourselves and shook hands. I said it was a real pleasure to meet her. She said when I stopped she saw I had a good face. Walking away, so much ran through my mind. I was touched she'd said I had a good face. I know only too well how badly my heart would fare if held up to public inspection, so if my face looked good that's a step in the right direction. It was an honour to have helped her. Then I remembered how, only minutes before, I had thought of her as just another ordinary old lady. How wrong I had been! The more I get to know people, the more I hear their stories, the more I come to realise there is no such thing as an ordinary person. Mrs Thompson, thank you for helping me! =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: , }`-. , , \ \ '-' \ .-'{ _} . | ,`\ / ' ; .-;\ { \ | | / `/ '-.,/ ; | { -- -. ' '`-, .--._.' ; \__ \ \ | ' / |`. ; _,`\ '. '- ' `_- '.`; ; ,-`_.-' ,--. \ ` /` '--' `;.` (` _ .--.\ '._) '-. \ \ `-. ; `-';| '. -. ' __ '. ; ; _,-' / { __'.\ ' '-,/; `-' ';`.- ` .-' '-. `-._' | `; ;`' .-'` <_ -' ` .\ `; ; (_.'`\ _.;-"``"'-._'. `:; ___, _.-' | .-'\'. '.` \ \_,_`\ ;##` `'; _.' /_'._\ \ \__;#####./###. \` \.' .'`/"`/ (#######)###::.. _.' '.' .' ; , |:. `|()##`"""` jgs `'-../__/_\:: /O()()o ()'._.'`()()' >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY This first story is from our church, Immanuel Lutheran of Avilla, Indiana. Recently the Rev. Thomas Dunbar focused on the word "amazing" during his children's sermon (because Jesus "amazed" onlookers with his miracles). When he asked the children if they knew what "amazing" means there was silence. Then one child offered: "A maze is when you get lost in the corn." (In this area corn mazes are popular at this time of year.) So Pastor Dunbar told the children how an "amazing" event was when men landed on the moon. One child then asked, "Why?" John's daughter was about 4 (she is now 36) when he and his late wife, who was an interior decorator, took her for a walk. A woman came from the opposite direction walking a beautiful Irish Setter. "Oh, Mommy, look at the pretty dog!" John's daughter said. "But do they only come in rust?" -- John Collins of Riverside, Rhode Island Julia, 3, sits and plays with her sticker book or her church dolls while the congregation stands and sings hymns. At the conclusion of the hymn, the pastor says, "Please be seated." Julia's immediate stage whisper response is "I AM seated." -- DonnaMoller (Grammy) of Katy, Texas .-"""--._ __ __ _.--"""-. .'\ '-._ '.'-.--.-'.' _.-' /`. /\ `. ; \/ \/ ; .' /\ / `. `-._ '. ( @ @ ) .' _.-' .' \ /_.-' ""--._ \ /\ .. /\ / _.--"" `-._\ / .-"""---..__ '-._: `--' :_.-' __..---"""-. \ \ ,' `-._ 'J _.-' `. / `._\ `.________.' /_.' .' '. fsc ________________________/____________\_________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Here are more stories from Donna. Julia, 3, was watching HGTV with Grammy when an advertisement came on for a new show. Grammy was surprised to hear Julia say the burly man had a tutu. Then Julia grinned and corrected herself, "I mean he has ataaa-too." (She meant tattoo.) Julia, 3, and her sister Alyssa, 5, were talking to their mother before bedtime when the topic turned to marriage. Both girls said they wanted to marry Daddy when they grew up. Kathryn, their mother, told them they couldn't marry Daddy because he was already married to her. The girls began crying and repeated their wish to marry Daddy. Through their sobs Kathryn said, "God already has a husband picked out for each of you." Alyssa replied firmly, "I hope he's not that red-headed boy from Vacation Bible School!" When Donna's daughter Kathryn (Alyssa's and Julia's mother) was in kindergarten, much to Donna's surprise her entire class was paired up into boyfriends and girlfriends. Kathryn's boyfriend was blond-haired Adam. One day Kathryn announced, "Adam kissed me today." Donna wondered how serious this was (a kiss on the lips or a peck on the cheek?) so she said, "Where did Adam kiss you?" Kathryn smiled shyly and said, "Behind the television set." :: :: . . o / '. / \ .' ' .' | ,' | ..,--'```'. ./ | | ,.-'` ', .' | | .,'` '`,. / / \ / ,.'` `'. / / \ ,. /"`'. , ,..., \ | / , /`'''' ` / , '` `,. \ / /\ \ / | | `'.... \ | | \ | ``|'```,.....| | / `', \/ | | / ./ \.,| /..........., | / / / / / \\ o / |,. / ', .,'` / / / | \ \ .,/ /\ o '1; | / / \ \ `''` / | \, .'' |/ / . \ \ ., | '``,.....,'` \ \ .`' `' / `','` ', .'` . \ | / .. \/` .,,..`''''''` | ., \ \ | |###: \ ., `',. / .,`' `',. \ ` `''\ / .,` .###. | .,,` / `,. `|. / / / #####. / /` /'` `''' | | / `###' / / / | \ ` / / | | / / \, .,'` / | `', .,,,`''| / /` \ /|`'',. .,` | /` / \ `|, , `;;;;,,..`` / / / Mash \| `'\ / / ., ` \,. / .. `', / /` `',....,/ Amy's sister, Holly, was lamenting on getting old as she faces her 20th class reunion. Her 5-year old, Rosie, didn't help when she asked her mom, "What did you use before toothbrushes were invented?" -- Aunt Amy of Butler, Pennsylvania D.J. was getting Noah, 4, ready for bed one night. It was about a week after they had visited D.J.'s grandfather in Ohio who was on oxygen, and had the rubber tubes around his face and up his nose. D.J. told Noah that he needed to blow his nose before going to bed because he had some sniffles. He refused. When D.J. asked him how he would clear his nose he replied, "I'll just get one of those snot sucker things like Grandpa has!" -- D.J. Fett of Fort Wayne, Indiana Timmy, 3, met his Aunt Debbie from Texas for the first time. She handed him a gift and Timmy said, "Thank you." Aunt Debbie replied, "My pleasure." Timmy looked up at his grandmother and asked, "Why did her say blood pressure?" -- Timmy's "Gram" Artie Tyrrell of Colonial Beach, Virginia Natalie, 6, was being tucked into bed and had just said her traditional nighttime prayers when her daddy asked her if she'd learned any new prayers in kindergarten at St. Mary's School in Avilla. "Only the flag prayer," she said. "You know, I pledge allegiance, to the flag..." -- Matt Getts of Kendallville, Indiana _,-='`> _,.-='` _,.='` _,-='` > _ > _.,_ _,-'`\ > _.-'`- `'-._,.-'` /_ > > _.-'`` <>- -< / .-'_> > - /~o , \ | ,' _ > - > > (.-, ` _ \_ \ \ _ > _ > - (_,--=--'` ,`/ \ | _ > > > .-' _,' / / / _ > - > - / ' / / - > > > .-=-. / ___./ .' > > > / Y ```` / > > > .' _/\ \ ,' > > > ,-===--. /` / \ `- ,-` > > ,>_ ,' `\ ( > : \ ..-' > > _,>` `--' \ \ / ) L\ \ `\ >_,.--' ,-'"'\ | `-./ (_\ \_____ `-' <' _/ / ( :\\.``` \ ,-' / `\_;_> `-.-~`'-_ ---._ Y __,.-' `'-...__ __,.-=- \ \ (_,-': _.`\_ ._>._ `-._=' < `-._ \ `'-._ `; L _<`-. \ `'-. \ \~ / `-._ .' `\ \ book of dreams \/ `' L \_ cjr \ ;`'-. 14jul00 \___\,.' When Chris and Sean were 3 and 2 they visited their grandparents in San Francisco. One day their grandfather took them for a drive to see the city. Chris asked his grandfather where they were going and he said, "We're going to see the sights, Chris." Chris was quiet for a minute and then asked very seriously, "Pa, do sights bite?" --Maggie Cron (mother of Chris and Sean who are now 40 and 39) of Auburn, Indiana Here is another story from Maggie. When the boys were about the same age they went to a seafood restaurant that was known for his delicious hush puppies. On the way to the restaurant Maggie was telling the boys about the hush puppies and how much they would like them. Suddenly Sean gently patted Maggie's arm and whispered, "Mommy, are hush puppies made from dead puppies?" One day on the way home from St. John Lutheran School Victoria was talking about what she had learned in third grade that day. She was talking about being drug free and reading the pamphlets that were sent home with her. Then she said, "Mom, I'm going to give you a word and I want you to tell me 'X' if it's bad for you or 'circle' if it's good for you." Her mom thought that would be easy, no problem. Victoria's first words were "cigarettes, smoke" and her mom replied "X." Then she said "milk" and her mom said "circle." The next one was "basketball" and her mom said "circle." Then Victoria said "wine made with alcohol" to which her mom quickly replied "X." There was a long pause and Victoria's mother was waiting for another word, however, Victoria replied, "Mom, Jesus made wine and he drank it." Her mother was speechless. She hadn't seen that one coming! --Heather Antal (mother of Victoria) of Topeka, Indiana When Ave went shopping with Melina, 4, she asked if she could have the shopping list to help cross things off. Ave said, "Mommy's list is in her head." Melina replied, "What did you do, eat it?" --Amy (friend of Ave) in Butler, Pennsylvania | \_ /; _.._ `\~--.._ //' ,(+=\\\\ `//////\ \\/;' /~ (\\\\ ~/////\~\`)' /; )))) `~' | ((`~/((((\ ;'_\'\ /')) ))))) /~/ '" "' _. /'/\_ /^\`((( \ `\/' _.-~/--/ ( =( | , | _/~\_)_}___/^\/~`\.__\|==| /uUUU) ) | | ( / | _-=o|\__ /'/~ \ ' /' | /(((((\`\( |~\/ /' | /' )))))"`\`\|/_/---.._,$$, .,ssS$$$Sss|._/_..-(((' )\)>>> ~\$ ,sS$$$$$$$$$$$|$$$$$$$ |/ //'~`o `\ ,$$$$$$$$$$$$$$|$$S$$$$' ( / \ ,$$$$$$$$$$$$S$$|$$$$$$$' | / ,s$$$ s$$$$$S$$$$$$$$$S|$$$$$$$$ | / $$$$$$ _~,$S""'' ``"S|$$S$$$$$" (_,`\, ,$$$$$$$; /~ ,"' / 'S$$$$$" \_./| s$$$$$$$$$$ (~' _, \==~~) / """ \ | $$$$$$$$$$$$ (0\ /0/ \-' /' \ | | ,$$$$$$$$$$$$$, `/' ' _-~ |= \_-\ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$s (~~~) _.-~_- \ \ ,s|= | `"$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ( `-' )/>-~ _/-__ | |,$$$|_/, `"$$$$$$$$$$$$ /V^^^^V~/' _/~/~~ ~~-| |$$$$$$$$ "$$$$$$$$$$, / (^^^^),/' /' ) /S$$$$$$$; ,$$$$$$$$$$$, ,$$_ `~~~'.,/' / _-ss, /(/-(/-(/' ,s$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ,s$$$$$ssSS$$$' ,$'.s$$$$$$$$' (/-(/-(/-(/-(/' S$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ,$$$$$$$$$$$$$' (/-(/-(/-(/-(/' _s$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ (/-(/-(/-(/-(/-' unknown When Ruby, 3, finally achieved being potty trained, her Daddy said to her, "Wow, Ruby, are you a big girl now?" She replied, "Yeah, but I don't know how to climb ladders yet!" "I love those weird random things kids say and thought you could use this," writes Kathi Fulk (grandmother of Ruby) of Portland, Oregon. Brenda has three children. When her sons, now 35 and 37, were 4 and 6, Danny was learning compound words at school. Danny came home one day and shared with Andy some of his new words like firetruck and bathtub, and what they meant. Then Andy said, "Oh yeah? Then what does brainwashed mean?" They both thought about that for a few minutes and then one of them said, "I guess that is when they hold your head under water for a long, long time." --Brenda Beeman of Meadow, Texas When Brenda's daughter Talitha was very young some asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. She answered, "I'm a doctor." When asked how she knew that, she stated that Mommy told her. It took her mother some time to figure she'd heard her mother say, "She's adopted." Talitha has now gone to heaven. She would be 26 this year. She died at 16. Josh, 5, was devastated that he missed the cut off date for attending kindergarten. He told his grandmother, Gale, "Don't they know that I want to be smarter than anyone in the universe? I already know how to count to 13 -- now I have to start all over. Do you think if I stand on my tiptoes I'll be big enough?" "No, you have to be old enough," his grandmother said. Josh continued, "If I stand on my tiptoes will I be big enough to go hunting with Daddy?" -- Gale Spence of Angola, Indiana .--. .--. / \/ \ | .-. .-. \ |/_ |/_ | \ || `\|| `\| `----. |\0_/ \0_/ --, \_ .--"""""-. / (` \ `-. / \-----'-. \ \ \ () () /`\ \ | .___.-' | \ \ /` \| / ; `-.___ ___.' .-.`.---.| \ \| ``-..___,.-'`\| / / / | `\ ` \| ,`/ / / , / ` |\ / / |\/ , .'`-; ' \/ , |\-' .' , .-'` .-|\--;`` .-' |\.' ( `"'-.|\ (___,.--'`' `-. `"` _.--' `. _.-'`-. `''---''`` jgs `. When "Mamie" boarded the plane with Reed, 6, the pilots invited Reed into the cockpit to look around. Mamie thought he understood the pilots were "driving" the plane, but he had no idea. When they got to their seats Reed said, "Mamie, those guys got here very early and got the best seats!" -- KC Schneider ("Mamie") ofLewisville, Texas Here is another one from KC, from a number of years ago. After hearing "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" all day long from her five little boys, KC said, "I am changing my name from Mommy and I'm not telling anyone my new name." Hours later, when KC tucked her sons into bed, "R.C." (age 4) was crying in his bed. KC said, "Honey, what's wrong?" He said, "I don't know what to call you. Please tell me your new name. I promise not to tell my brothers." R.C. is now 29. And another one from KC. One day while they were shopping for a wedding card at Target, her son Blake, 6, was frantically opening up cards and putting them back in the wrong place. KC rushed over and said, "Stop that. What are you doing?" He said, "I'm looking for the birthday cards with the money in them, like Grandma sends me!" Blake is now 27. And another from KC. Brent, 5, came running into the room screaming, "Help, I got electrocuted." He had gotten a shock when he tried to turn on a lamp. KC said, "You'll be OK. If you had gotten electrocuted you would have died." He thought for a second and said, "Well, I got a Littlecuted." ( .-, / ) .' ( ___ //(.-"""-/ /\ ) .-" "-. |.' _`.\// .-' `..--. ..--/-. .'_` `'-' ___ ( C\ \ / /O\ / O\ | .' ```--`-|_/ / \_/| \__/ | ( | _\-' _ __ / `. \ ,--7 `.(_)_.| .' `. | C._) `.___/' .---._ \ __ \ | `. / `-. \ ,' `. `--' Y \ | ) `-._.--.__ | \ | _.' .--.___.-'`--.\ | | |\ / / ` _ \ | / `v | .'`-' `--._) /::___.' \ / / .---. / `-. \ | _.' _.-' `._ `-. / `. / /.--' `-. `. \ `-.__.' `.'_/ hjw Alex, 7, has a best friend named Will. Alex spent the night with MamaRuthie and Daddy Bob a few weeks ago and while he was there he told them that he and Will have decided to go to the same college. When asked where they were going he told them they were going to Ole Miss. MamaRuthie asked him if he was going there because it is a family tradition and she had gone there and his daddy, John, had, too. He said, "No, we are going there because we heard it is a PARTY SCHOOL!" -- Ruthie Garvin of Humboldt, Tennessee Max, 2, kept taking toys away from his older cousin, Mitchell, 4. Each time Max would grab a toy, Mitchell would whine. Mitchell's mom kept saying to him, "Mitchell, let Max play with that, he is a baby." Upon hearing that a few times, Max took another toy away from Mitchell. Mitchell started to whine. Max replied "Mine! Me baby." -- Carrie Harris of Portage, Michigan ========================================================== _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` >-->Prayer Request - Author Unknown Over the world they flood mailboxes Requesting prayer by proxies, Urgent emails from someone in need Asking for a compassionate deed. Please pray for me some emails read Others for a beloved earnestly plead, Some want prayer for rank strangers, So many deal daily with dangers. As prayer-chains they call for prayer For many or someone somewhere, Prayers in number get Heaven bound By the "you have mail" sound. Some are so sad they cause you to cry It's awful to hear someone may die, Divine intervention they beseech of us And tearfully we pray to Lord Jesus. Some asking seem frivolous or insincere And you wonder why they sent it here But the truth is, there is no foolish prayer, It's important to someone somewhere. The suffering ask that prayer prevail As we read their heartbreaking email And in unison we bow our heads to pray In multitude on any God given day. We pray for the downtrodden on request We pray the oppressed have lasting rest, We pray for the ill and lame with no name For they are God's children all the same. Almighty God in Heaven upon requesting Offers salvation and eternal resting, In His grace all things are healed forever, There are miracles in prayer together. They flood email boxes in a continual stream And are entwined by a common theme, Someone in misery ask mercy from you, Will you pray to God? Is that what you'll do? --- ...my two cents... Yes! So we bow our heads and thank God true For all the prayers He's listened to. We know He is always there for us Through our Lord Jesus Christ we do trust. >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food 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 ************************************************************************