Preach The Word... :) 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: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This hot new page comes to us from our friends Linda and PatDeE. A very sweet inspirational heartwarmer! Be sure to watch the 'give ya shivers' video too! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Thank You God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html --- ...Aww, wonderful! Thanks Linda and PatDeE! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .---. (_---_) (_/6 6\_) ( v ) `\ /' .-'': ;``-. / \,Y./ \ / (:)___ \ : .-'XXX`-.`\_; `.__.-XXX-.__.'\_ / / XXX \ \ `\_ / XXX \ `\ / XXX \ _`\___ jgs / \ (`--"""-') / \ (=-=-=-=-) `--...___ ___...--' (________) >EXPECT NOTHING by Jeannie Paslawsky My Aunt Helen celebrated her 97th Birthday on December 8, 2010. Amazing! More amazing is her life and attitude. Her parents moved to Tamaqua to a house on Railroad Street in 1918. The fourth of ten children, she spent her early years picking coal and huckleberries to help the family get through the Great Depression. She has so many warm and good memories of growing up in tough times. She shared one bed with two sisters. She saw many things including the Hindenberg blimp, just before it met its demise in New Jersey. Being on that street, she also witnessed hundreds of "Troop Trains" taking the boys off the WWII, often handing homemade treats to them through the open windows. During her young adult life, she and Uncle Pete traveled, sometimes with Aunt Josephine and Uncle Joey, visiting shrines and baseball parks around the country. Aunt Helen lost Uncle Pete to Cancer in September, 1965. I remember how brokenhearted everyone was about it. Uncle Pete was a great guy with a most generous heart and terrific funny bone. After Uncle Petsey died, she moved from their apartment back home to Gram Baddick's and her childhood home. Many people in town know her as one of the servers in her clean crisp white uniform and apron at the St. Jerome's First Holy Communion breakfast. Some of the ladies made and served the class breakfast while parents waited in the back of the gym which was decorated by none other than... Aunt Helen! Aunt Helen decorated everything and anything using just about everything and anything! I remember one centerpiece that was a styrofoam base sporting a Christmas yard scene. Strung atop was a miniature Santa Claus and sleigh. It was such a magical scene! Aunt Helen always had a ton of construction paper to use and make things. She would often sit and color with me either in a book or on a page where you would draw a picture adding sparkles if you wanted! Nobody else ever had sparkles at their house! Aunt Helen is also the only aunt who would make peanut butter and marshmallow on crackers! She also had Oreos. I asked my mom why she never made these and she explained, "I bake cookies. Why would ever you want to eat those store bought cookies?" Over the years our photos show her sitting on the floor with one or many of us kids, playing a game or quietly telling us a story, or coloring. Truly, it was more her presence that we enjoyed. Not so much what she did, but just being with her. That is the greatest lesson -- it is not about the stuff, it's about the love, attention and time that she gave us. When she turned 80, I asked her for some sage life advice. She told me, "Jeannie Marie, expect nothing! Take the word 'expect' out of your vocabulary. Then, everything nice in life will be a wonderful surprise and your will never be disappointed!" At 97, she still lives by her advice. May she live as she hopes for 100 years as we say in Polish -- "STO LAT!" -- Jeannie Paslawsky __________________________________________________ Jeannie was born and raised in the anthracite region in Tamaqua, PA, and now resides in Willow Grove. She has worked in telecommunications and was always an avid writer. She enjoys the outdoors, family times, reading, and watching non-professional sports, except for the Phillies! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Preach The Word! "How divinely full of glory and pleasure shall that hour be when all the millions of mankind that have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb shall meet together and stand around him with every tongue and every heart full of joy and praise. How astonishing will be the glory and the joy of that day when all the saints shall join together in one common song of gratitude and of love and of everlasting thankfulness to the Redeemer! With what unknown delight and inexpressible satisfaction shall all that are saved from the ruins of sin and hell address the Lamb that was slain and rejoice in his presence." - Isaac Watts -------- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown Take Me to the Cross (By David Langerfeld) There's an old story (which has been made into a song) about a little boy who was sitting on the steps of a busy street corner crying. A policeman walked up to him and asked what was the problem. The little boy was lost and didn't know where he was. He didn't know his address, only his name. He and the policeman walked up and down several streets looking for some landmark the little boy might recognize - but with no success. Finally, as they rounded a corner, the boy shouted out loud with excitement. In the middle of the block was a church with a cross on top of its steeple. The little boy exclaimed, "I know where I am. I know the cross. Take me to the cross - I can find my way home from there." There are many people in your life who need you to take them to the cross. They live next to you. They serve your table at the restaurant. They play Golf and Bridge and Tennis with you. They watch the soccer and baseball games with you. You see them behind the cash register when you're shopping. You see them behind the counter when you're buying gas. You see them in the park, at school, at work, waiting in line. They may be smiling on the outside, but they're unhappy on the inside. They need God. They need His Love, They need His Salvation. They need someone to take them to the cross. Who will you take to the cross today? "To be a missionary, you don't have to cross the sea, you just have to see the cross." --- ...Beautiful! Thanks LouiseA! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Preach The Word! Paul the Apostle teaches this quite well: 2 Tim.4: [1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; [4] And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. [5] But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. ========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ! .':'. .':::::'. .':::::::::'. .':::::::::::::'. || % || || .-. || || / \ || || /_____\ || || O || .'||_________||'. .' .'"^"^"^"^"^"'. '. .' .'"^"^"^"^"^"^"^"'. '. .' .'"^"^"^"^"^"^"^"^"^"'. '. .'_.'"^"^"^"^"^"."^"^"^"^"^"'._'. >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 ~ -<>- ,--. _/ <`-' ,-.' \--\_ ((`-.__\ ) \`' @ (_ ( (_) ,'`-._(`-._/ ,-' )&&) )) ,-' /&&&%-' ,' __ ,- {&&&&/ / ,' \| |\&&'\ ( | |' \ `--. (%--'\ ,--.\ `-.`-._))) `---'`-/__)))`-._))) hjw >The Pretty One This was the last litter of puppies we were going to allow our Cocker Spaniel to have. It had been a very long night for me. Precious, our only black cocker, was having a very difficult time with the delivery of her puppies. I laid on the floor beside her large four-foot square cage, watching her every movement. Watching and waiting just in case we had to rush her to the veterinarian. After six hours the puppies started to appear. The first-born was a black and white party dog. The second and third puppies were tan and brown in color. The fourth and fifth were also spotted black and white. "one, two, three, four, five," I counted to myself as I walked down the hallway to wake up Judy and tell her that everything was fine. As we walked back down the hallway and into the spare bedroom, I noticed a sixth puppy had been born and was now laying all by itself over to the side of the cage. I picked up the small puppy and laid it on top of the large pile of puppies, who were whining and trying to nurse on the mother. Instantly Precious pushed the small puppy away from the rest of the group and refused to recognize it as a member of her family. "Something's wrong," said Judy. I reached over and picked up the puppy. My heart sank inside my chest when I saw the little puppy had a cleft lip and palate and could not close its little mouth. We had gone through this once before last year with another one of our cockers. That experience really hurt me when the puppy died and I had to bury it. If there was any way to save this animal I was going to give it my best shot. All the puppies born that night, with the exception of the one small pup, were very valuable because of their unusual coloring. Most would bring between five to seven hundred dollars each. The next day I took the puppy to the vet. I was told nothing could be done unless we were willing to spend about a thousand dollars to try and correct the defect. He told us that the puppy would die mainly because it could not suckle. After returning home Judy and I decided that we could not afford to spend that kind of money without getting some type of assurances from the vet that the puppy had a chance to live. However, that did not stop me from purchasing a syringe and feeding the puppy by hand, which I did every day and night, every two hours, for more than ten days. After that the little guy had learned to eat on his own as long as it was soft canned food. The fifth week I placed an ad in the newspaper, and within a week we had taken deposits on all of the pups, except the one with the deformity. Late that afternoon I had gone to the store to pick up a few groceries. Upon returning I happened to see the old retired schoolteacher, who lived across the street from us, waving at me. She had read in the paper that we had puppies for sale and was wondering if she might buy one from us for her grandson. I told her all the puppies had been sold, but I would keep my eyes open for anyone else who might have a cocker spaniel for sale. I also mentioned we never kept a deposit should someone change their mind, and if so I would let her know. Within days all but one of the puppies had been picked up by their new owners. This left me with one brown and tan cocker as well as the smaller puppy with the cleft lip and palate. Two days passed without me hearing anything from the gentleman who had placed a deposit on the tan and brown pup. So I telephoned the schoolteacher and told her I had one puppy left and that she was welcome to come and look at it. She advised me that she was going to pick up her grandson and would come over at about eight o'clock that evening. Judy and I were eating supper when we heard a knock on the front door. When I opened the door, the man who had placed a $100 deposit on the dog was standing there. We walked inside where I filled out the paperwork, he paid me the balance of the money, and I handed him the puppy. Judy and I did not know what to do or say if the teacher showed up with her grandson. Sure enough at exactly eight o'clock the doorbell rang. I opened the door, and there was the schoolteacher with her grandson standing behind her. I explained to her the man had come for the puppy just an hour before, and there were no puppies left. "I'm sorry, Jeffery. They sold all the puppies," she told her grandson. Just at that moment the small puppy left in the bedroom began to yelp. "My puppy! My puppy!" yelled the little boy as he ran out from behind his grandmother. I just about fell over when I saw that the small child also had a cleft lip and palate. The boy ran past me as fast as he could, down the hallway to where the puppy was still yelping. When the three of us made it to the bedroom, the small boy was holding the puppy in his arm. He looked up at his grandmother and said, "Look Grandma. They sold all the puppies except the pretty one, and he looks just like me." Well, old Grandma wasn't the only one with tears in her eyes that day. Judy and I stood there, not knowing what to do. "Is this puppy for sale?" asked the schoolteacher. "My grandma told me these kind of puppies are real expensive and that I have to take real good care of it," said the little boy, who was now hugging the puppy. "Yes, ma'am. This puppy is for sale." The lady opened her purse, and I could see several one-hundred dollar bills sticking out of her wallet. I reached over and pushed her hand back down into her purse so that she would not pull her wallet out. "How much do you think this puppy is worth?" I asked the boy. "About a dollar?" He replied. "No. This puppy is very, very expensive. More than a dollar," I told him. "I'm afraid so," said his grandmother. The boy stood there pressing the small puppy against his cheek. "We could not possibly take less than two dollars for this puppy," Judy said, squeezing my hand. "Like you said, it's the pretty one." she continued. The schoolteacher took out two dollars and handed it to the young boy. "It's your dog now, Jeffery. You pay the man." I think it must be a wonderful feeling for any young person to look at their selves in the mirror and see nothing except "the pretty one." ~ Roger Dean Kiser ~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Honoring Nature http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/honornature.html No Words Necessary! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nowords2.html Microscopic Winners! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/micro2.html Best Of Nat Geo 2012! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/natgeo2012.html Extraordinary Photos! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/extraordinary.html Why We Love Dogs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whydog.html Iceland's Volcano http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/volcano.html World's Largest Mirror! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saltlake.html World's Unusual Tunnels! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tunnels.html Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rainbowtree.html 2012 Most Stunning Photos 1!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moststunning1.html Scientists Unveil New Species!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/newspecies.html Winter Wonderland And Life lessons!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lessons.html -<>- >From Our Friend Karen :) IF YOU LOVE JIGSAW PUZZLES..... Daily Jigsaw - Play Online Game and Free Online Puzzle Game … http://www.shockwave.com/gamelanding/jigsawpuzzles.jsp JigCard Gallery - Display larger image and control jigsaw http://www.jigcardgallery.com/JigCard/Jig1.asp JigZone.com Jigsaw Puzzle Games http://www.jigzone.com/ Jigidi - Free Online Jigsaw Puzzles http://www.jigidi.com/ --- ...Great ones! Thanks Karen! -<>- >From Our friend Melody :) Use up Leftovers | BigOven http://www.bigoven.com/recipes/leftover THE BURNING BUSH - Home of the Burning Bush Devotional http://www.theburningbush.net/ Letters To The Pastor - Best of the Net Humor from Humorama http://www.dobhran.com/humor/GRhumor56.htm The World's Smartest Horse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZALv7mjiSg --- ...Wowsers! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) This is an a amazing dance group that dances with creations of and using Shadows. They are called Piloblus and are one of the first groups to perform this kind of act. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_vsNbeHNM Underwater footage shot whilst scuba diving in the Fiji islands and Tonga. Featuring colorful coral reefs, huge schools of tropical fish, sharks, humpback whales, underwater caves, scuba divers and much more marine life from the south Pacific. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mcbHKAWIk3I What happens when two tiny owls mistake an HD GoPro camera for a meal? Cuteness, that's what! You have to check out this adorable video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rd9iQQVyk-c&feature=player_embedded --- ...Aww so adorable! Thanks LouiseA! If you want more of the owls - here they are on YouTube: baby owl video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzy-Fio2tjo -<>- >From Our Friend Bunni :) NMNH - Virtual Tour - This site is unbelievable... Here is something really special, a virtual tour of the Smithsonian Museum room by room. It is really something with a 360 degree viewing by using your cursor. You easily spend days/weeks looking at everything. Just marvelous for kids and adults. Follow the blue arrows on the floor to move into new rooms. Shows inside and outside of the museum and there little cameras here and there which show detailed info on certain things. If you click on the floors (upper right corner) you get a floor plan of that floor and you can click on a blue circle and go directly to that room. Truly incredible web site. Watch it in full screen when you open this up. Use the roller on your mouse to move in and out. Hold down your left button to directionally move your view. Look for the "arrows" on the floor and click on them. They take you to other places. Notice too at the top right you have buttons for ground, first, and second floor. These give you the building layouts. Virtual Tour Of The Smithsonian Museum Of Natural History http://www.mnh.si.edu/vtp/1-desktop/ --- ...Super resource! Thanks Bunni! 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 CupO'Cheer: | ,|, ||| / | \ | | | | | | / | \ | | | | | \ / \ | | | | | | \ / | | 8 | | | ""8"" / | \ 8 / \ ,\ ,d8888888888888|========|="" | ,d" "88888888888| ,aa, | a | ,d" "888888888| 8 8 | 8 | ,d8888888b, "8888888| 8aa8 | 8,| ,d" "8888888b, "88888|========|="" | ,d" "8888888b, "888| a a | a | ,d" ,aa, "8888888b, "8| 8 8 | 8,| /| d" "b |""""""| |========|="" | | 8 8 | | | ,aa, | a | | 8aaaa8 | | | 8 8 | 8 | | | | | """" | ,,=| |aaaaaaaaaaaaaa|======""""""""""""""""" Normand Veilleux >CHANGING THEIR TUNE Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! PSALM 133:1 At one point, both our sons, Benjamin and Samuel, were students at the same university. One evening Samuel called home to talk, and he was interrupted by a young lady who came through the room and asked Samuel to let her talk to us. She said, "Did you hear what happened at the Campus Crusade meeting the other night?" "No," we answered. "Well," she started in, "first of all, Benjamin got up and shared how he was going to be taking a year off from school to go volunteer as a missionary in Estonia. Then, after he finished talking and sat down, Samuel stood up and told everyone what a phenomenal brother he had—how much he loved him and admired him, how much of a mentor he had been to him as a younger brother, how he had helped him make his way around as a freshman at college. Then Samuel sat down next to Benjamin, put his arms around him and just hugged him. It was so cool." It was one of those moments when you sit back, take a deep breath and go, "Thank You, Lord! It has all been worth it." These were the same sons who argued and fought each other so often that we often threatened to draw a line down the middle of their bedroom and declare each side a foreign country, off-limits to the other person. Barbara and I had our moments when they were teenagers when we wondered if they would ever get along. If you find yourself in a similar situation—with children who fight like competitors in the World Federation of Wrestling—I want to encourage you that there is hope. Pray and ask God to knit their hearts together. God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all that you ask or think. DISCUSS Talk about your children's relationships with one another. Write down one developmental action step that you want to train each of your children with. PRAY Pray for perseverance and wisdom as you continue training and teaching your children. as seen in Moments Together For Couples -<>- _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` >LIKE A SHEPHERD By Os Hillman He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart (Isa 40:11a). Sometimes we can see Christ modeled in the most unusual ways. Gerry, our neighbor, is a shepherd to the neighborhood dogs. Once Buddy, the roving black lab of the neighborhood discovered that Gerry was a wellspring of treats by simply pushing open his broken front door, he began bringing other dogs on his visits. They made themselves welcome in his front foyer. One of them was an older cocker spaniel named Joe Cocker. But unlike Buddy, Joe didn't leave after thirty minutes. He ended up staying for two days! Finally Gerry called the name listed on his dog tag and found out that his owner lived up the road. As Gerry started to walk him home Joe stopped as soon as he reached the hill because he was too weak to climb it. So Gerry picked him up and carried him home. It was not a short walk and Joe was not a small dog. Day after day this routine continued and I was amazed at how much Gerry grew to love that dog. He'd let him stay at his house for days at a time and Joe was content to just hang out with him and loved to sleep on top of his dirty laundry. Then one day Gerry got a call from Joe's owner to let him know that Joe had died. When Angie called Gerry to see how he was, he choked back the tears as he talked about him. Jesus is often referred to as the good shepherd in the scriptures and his followers are referred to as His sheep He carries close to His heart. There are times in our lives when Jesus knows that we cannot make it up our own hill in life. It may be because we are facing financial ruin, debilitating health or insurmountable grief. But no matter what the reason, we can trust that Jesus is there to carry us. Allow Him to pick you up so you can find rest in His arms and comfort in hearing His heartbeat as he carries you close to his heart. as seen in Today God is First -<>- _ ,:'/ _..._ // ( `""-.._.' \| / 6\___ | 6 4 | / \_ .--' (_'---'`) / `'---`() ,' | , .'` | )\ _.-' ; / | .'` _ / /` / .' '. , | / / / \ ; | | | \ | | .| | | \ `"| /.-' | | | '-..-\ _.;.._ | |.;-. \ <`.._ )) | .;-. )) (__. ` ))-' \_ ))' `'--"` jgs `"""` >AMAZING GRACIE'S DEVOTION This month I began writing one column after another, but nothing clicked. I finally realized my mind's been on a subject that I've been postponing putting into words. But now it is time. My dog, Gracie, is coming to the end of her life. If only she had lived the life she deserved. She was a year old when she was found abandoned on the streets of Fall River. When my husband, Bob, and I brought her home, she was terrified of us. One day she was next to me while I was making soup. As I often do when I cook, I was singing. When I belted out "Oklahoma," I raised my large spoon toward the ceiling for emphasis. She hit the ground on all fours and, petrified, scooted away as if I was going to hit her with the spoon. Clearly she had been abused. She wouldn't even let us hug her. Finally one glorious day, Gracie made a decision. While cooking spaghetti, I told Bob, "Pasta is done when you fling a piece to the ceiling and it sticks." I balanced a gigantic clump of spaghetti on a huge spoon. "Dare me?" "No!" I whipped the spaghetti straight up. We watched the glob of pasta dangle from the ceiling before it plopped to the floor in one big heap. Bob said, "I guess it's not done." Had I seen Gracie watching us, I'd never have swung the spoon. But there she stood, smiling, as dog lovers can attest dogs actually do. Then she planted happy sloppy kisses all over my face. "Oh Gracie." For the first time, she let me hug her. "Welcome to your home, my golden dog." Though it may seem silly, lately I've been singing my own version of "Amazing Grace" to her. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound That saved and strengthened me. You once were lost, but now you're found Instead of spending her middle years doing fun dog stuff, all she wanted to do was protect me. After my spinal cord surgery, I could barely walk. She always worried about me. I scrunched her cheeks, "No more worrying. I want you to play, have fun. Be a dog!" But year after year, she would not leave my side, even for her breakfast or dinner. She was my keeper. Instead of playing in our fenced-in backyard, she'd sit outside the glass slider, looking in and watching me. I told Bob how sad this made me. "Gracie has never been happier, Saralee." "But she's always on full alert. She never has fun." "This is her purpose. She was born for this. She is a lifeguard in every sense. The fact that she is YOUR lifeguard is the biggest gift you could give her. She is honored. She is noble. And she is happiest when she is serving her higher purpose." It is because of Gracie that I re-learned to walk, though I was scared. But with her assistance, I did it. 'Twas Grace that taught my heart no fear, And Grace all fear relieved. How precious was that Grace was here The hour I first believed. Gracie, on my left, wore a harness. I had the grip of the leather as well as her strong body next to me for balance. With no training, Gracie knew to take one step, then waited while I took one step. After we repeated this process 4 more times, I shouted, "HALLELUJAH!" Gracie gave me a billion kisses while we hugged. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; 'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far And Grace will lead me home. Those glory years sped by all too soon. Now, nearly 15 years old, she is feeble and in rapid decline. Though her eyes are cloudy, she sees shapes and knows which shape is me. Though she's stiff and aches, she always walks by my side. Though she can no longer hear, she feels the vibrations of me getting out of bed, and slowly pulls her body up from her heated dog bed to resume sentry duty. Sometimes I wonder if she is hanging on because she believes I can't make it without her. Last week, out of my love for my beautiful dog, I told her something very hard to say. I believe she heard me. "Gracie, my golden dog." I glided my fingers through her fur. "I could never have walked without your help. But I can walk by myself now." I kissed her forehead. "You will forever be my hero and my lifeguard." I whispered through tears, "No matter how far I will walk, you will always be on my left. No matter how long I live, I will always see you, looking carefully in front of my path, making sure I am safe." And then, it was painfully hard to say, "If you're too tired, you can let go now, and rest in peace my golden dog. Oh, my Gracie." I lay next to her with my head on her shoulders. "Thank you." When her flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease. I shall possess, within my veil Her loyal and eternal peace. - By Saralee Perel To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ========================================================== .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >Some Little Action I Can Take Story Editor: by Marie Clark Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA Rain began to pour down in buckets as my husband and I left a lovely Philadelphia restaurant and headed back to our car. Purse in one hand, dinner leftovers in the other, we raced toward the parking lot. My husband Mark popped the trunk and I threw leftovers and purse in, and then jumped in the car. As we pulled out of the parking lot onto the one-way street, we both noticed a couple struggling along in the rain. The woman was short and slightly built. She was pushing the man, who was in a wheelchair. Although the night was cold and wet, neither was dressed warmly. This was an area in Old City, where the sidewalks have been around since the revolution and show it in each bump and crack. We could see the effort it took to propel the chair down the walk. We drove slowly by them, each of us wishing we could help them. But what could we do? Our car is small -- we could never have fit both them and the chair into the back. It was silent in the car as we headed for the bridge. Suddenly, my husband made a quick left, and then another. I understood he was heading back, looking for the couple, but I didn't know why. We didn't see them immediately. They must have cut through one of the numerous local alleyways. We made another pass around the block and then, giving up, headed back for the bridge. Just as I was saying, "They must live nearby. I'm sure they're OK," we saw them in the headlights. Mark pulled the car slightly ahead of the couple, who stood looking at him a little fearfully. He went back to the trunk and opened it. "He's giving them the leftovers," I thought. But no. He reached into the trunk and came out with my big, brand-new golf umbrella. He'd noticed it when we opened the trunk earlier. He approached the couple in the pouring rain and opened the umbrella. He handed it to the man and smiled at him, without saying a word. Then he jumped back in the car and we drove away. I had a lump in my throat the size of a grapefruit when I looked back at the two strangers under the huge umbrella. I'll never forget the looks on their faces. And I'll never forget the smile on my husband's face as we headed home. Mark has never told a soul about this. That's just the kind of guy he is. But that event stays with me now, and I find myself looking for opportunities to help others out, even when it seems certain that I am not in the position to help. I am always surprised by how often something will occur to me -- some little action I can take that makes a difference to someone else. You never know what you might have forgotten in your own trunk! =======HeroicStories======= >-->From AndyChaps: , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ >** Unlocked From The Outside ** I've had a lot of friends in law enforcement.. And I've even had the opportunity to ride in the front seat with a police officer. But the experience I had recently had a totally different feel to it. I was speaking at a large youth festival, and I had to get across this festival's grounds quickly to my next speaking venue. Two police officers working security said, "Hey, hop in our squad car - we'll take you over there." Well, I jumped into the back seat of the police car and I quickly realized that I had never experienced a little of what it feels like to be on the custody end of things like that. There was this wall between me and the officers in the front seat. And when we arrived at our destination, I tried in vain to open my door. No way. My officer friend had a good laugh at this as he said, "Ron, there's no way you can get yourself out of there. You see, somebody has to let you out." I've decided I am not excited about being in the prisoner seat any more. "There's no way you can get yourself out of there." That's a feeling many of us have experienced, without ever being physically locked up. It's like there are these hurtful emotional and spiritual cycles that we just can't seem to get ourselves out of. Maybe you know what it is to be trapped in a cycle of destructive behavior, or of damaged relationships, or maybe you've been in a cycle of guilt and shame over repeated mistakes, or a cycle of slavery to behavior you just can't seem to change, or even a cycle of unfulfillment, where one experience after another fails to give you the peace and the meaning you've always hoped for. There are no bars, no prison walls, but we know the feeling of being locked up in a way of living we can't get out of. Just like a prisoner in a cell - or me in the prisoner seat of a police car - somebody has to let you out. And for 2,000 years, "the" Somebody has been doing that for millions of us spiritual prisoners. In fact, in Isaiah 61:1, our word for today from the Word of God, He announced His reason for coming to earth this way: "The Lord has ... sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners." Jesus understands the powerful force that ultimately keeps us locked up in our destructive cycles. He said, "Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin." (John 8:34) Sin is simply our hijacking of our life from the God who was supposed to run it. And because we're away from our Creator, we're trapped in this self-run orbit where life just doesn't work right. It took the coming - and the dying - of the Son of God to break the enslaving power of sin. By taking the death penalty for what we've done, Jesus has the power, not only to save us from our own hurtful ways, but to save us from the eternal penitentiary the Bible calls hell. He's come from the outside to let you out, to set you free. But He waits for your invitation to do that - your invitation to Him to come into your life, forgive every sin, and change you from the inside out. That glorious freedom that so many have experienced you can experience, beginning this very day. It begins when you tell Jesus, "I'm Yours." If you've never really opened up your life to Him to do what only He can do - and you want to - I want to send you my booklet, "Yours For Life", that I wrote about this new beginning. Just let me know that you want it. Jesus has been setting prisoners free for a long, long time. This could be your day to finally be able to say - "Free at last, free at last - thank God Almighty, I'm free at last!" Today's Daily Wisdom is written by Ron Hutchcraft, based on his popular radio broadcast, "A Word With You" which can be found at: http://www.gospelcom.net/rhm/awwy/awwymenu.htm -<>- ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` ** Following Him ** Psalm 119:26 "I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your principles." Psalm 119:73 "You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands." I've been reading through Psalms again lately, and I love it because the psalmists cover such a broad range of prayers. Sometimes they come before God for vengeance, sometimes for justice. They come to Him for forgiveness, for comfort, for strength, and sometimes they come just to be near God. It seems I can always find my heart expressed in the Psalms, whether I'm angry at someone, or weary, or full of overflowing joy. This time, though, when I found myself in Psalm 119, the similarity to my own life was a little too close for comfort. How often do I start right out by telling God my plans? (I'll let you guess.) But Scripture tells us over and over that God has His own plans for us. I need to say to Him, "Show me where You want to lead me, and I'll follow." But instead, I say, "Here's what I have in mind, Lord. Come along with me." I get the impression that the psalmist told God his plans, and God answered, "No." What a humble reply to that answer! "Now teach me your principles." The psalmist gets things in the proper order. When God tells him he's all wet, then the man asks God to teach him. Later, the man shows that he has learned some of those principles when he acknowledges that God is his Creator. The next line made me laugh when I read it, because sometimes I don't have the sense God gave a tree stump. I need Him-God Almighty-to give me the sense I need to be able to follow His commands. I need Him to teach me His principles. I need Him to remind me again and again that He is the One in control, and I'm not. My need for Him is endless, and like the psalmist, my need for Him is "Now." If you're like me, a little senseless at times, come to the Lord and tell Him what's on your heart. He will answer. Then open yourself up to His teaching and see where He will lead you. May His good sense and great blessings be yours. ~~~~Brenda McGill: -<>- _ xxxx _ /_;-.__ / _\ _.-;_\ `-._`'`_/'`.-' `\ /` | / /-.( \_._\ \ \`; > |/ / // |// jgs \(\ `` ** LIFTING MY BURDENS ** There is a man from Galilee Who meets me everyday He is the Son of God, the Everlasting One who means so much to me. He Meets me in the morning The noontime or the eve He always walks beside me My cares He does relieve. He is my Comforter in time of need I could not live without Him He is my Jesus, yes indeed. Trusting in Him, my Savior is so divine I invite you, my dear brother to share His love sublime. He will take all your burdens and cast them in the seas. I could not live without Him. He lifts all my burdens....bringing sweet Peace. -<>- _ (_) <___> | |______ | |* * * ) | | * * (_________ | |* * * |* *|####) | | * * *| * | (________________ | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | | * * *| * | | | | |* * * |* *|####|##############| | |~~~~~~| * | | | | |######|* *|####|##############| | | |~~~' | | | |######|########|##############| | | | | | | |######|########|##############| | |~~~~~~| | | | | |########|##############| | | '~~~~~~~~| | | | |##########JGS#| | | '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | | | ** THE FLAG ** By Sherrod L. Fielden Andy Says...A touching tribute from our Cowboy poet from Meridian, Texas. ** The Flag of The United States Of America ** It's hard to explain the way I feel, to be back on America's shore. It's been too long since I've been home. I won't need to roam anymore. Because I have been selected for my most important task -- covering my soldier as he leaves the plane, what more could a flag ask? The young man lying beneath me once harbored big hopes for his life. With Captain's bars and eyes full of stars, a hero to his family and wife. Willing to go to right the wrong, and run the terrorists to ground. In a cave of stone he died alone, his death song knows no sound. Now the longest day lies ahead, his grieving widow tries to cope. With the loss so great a burden, all she really has left is hope. The salute fired, "Taps" hangs in the air... lonesome arrived as the bugler blew it. Fold me up right, tuck my corners in tight -- she needs me to hold to get through it. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) | \ / .---. '-. | | .-' ___| |___ -= [ ] =- `---. .---' __||__ | | __||__ '-..-' | | '-..-' || | | || ||_.-| |-,_|| .-"` `"`'` `"-. jgs .' '. >GRANDMA Letting my thoughts wander back To the first time I met her Just a nice older lady Sweet So friendly and kind As to church each Sunday And Thursday we'd go There she'd be Sitting at the end of the row As she would glance over To watch us come in The smile that she gave us Seemed to say "We're all kin" She's not my real Grandma Same bloodlines, you know But the blood of Sweet Jesus In both our veins flows The sweet presence of Jesus On her countenance did shine Her life for her Saviour She lived all the time From that very day A little seed started to grow Just a tiny seed of love But it grew and it grew! As she would tenderly smile With such love on her face That little seed grew Just a little bit more Each time that I'd see her The love of her Jesus shone through And that tiny little seed Just blossomed and grew One day she put her arms around me In such a sweet loving way "I love you" I heard her So tenderly say Oh! At those beautiful words That little seed just exploded! That little seed of love in my heart Just grew all out of proportion! I rushed out to the store And tried desperately to find A card that would tell her Of these wonderful new feelings of mine The tears in her beautiful eyes I still can remember When I told her that day I adopted her as my Grandma Oh, My wonderful Lord I thank You and praise You For giving to me one of life's sweetest treasures Another beautiful Grandma to love and to cherish Lord, I ask that you bless her And keep her so safely Till the day you say to her With such love Oh, so sweetly "My child, Oh, My Child Your race now is run Come Home with Me Forevermore A crown of Life you have won." Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright 1986 All Rights Reserved --- ...Aww, I love this one! Thanks Bunni! _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ NOTE: Please Pray for Bunni's sister Joyce - she is having heart troubles and kidney problems. She needs all our prayers so she may get the surgery she requires and recover to full good health again in Christ's name. Many Thank yous! God's Sweet Blessings on your Life! :) >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 ************************************************************************