Reach Up And Believe... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another donation from our long time Shangrala Angel, M.D. from MO! She has been stepping up to the plate to help Keep Shangrala Alive with her sweet donations year after year! We sure do thank God for her and all our past wonderful angels! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP! Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ .' `'. / _ | #_/.\==/.\ (, \_/ \\_/ | -' | ,\ = / /| .-'|`-. __.' / | / | `-.__.' .-\ /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` >-->In The 'Shangy' News Well, we had a long Summer with advertising our new sponsors. Unfortunately, I regret to inform you that it didn't pan out. I was hoping they would help with our Shangrala website expenses. However after displaying their ads over 130,000 times and having almost 400 people going to their online businesses, not one penny was generated for Shangrala. With the summer ending along with some of their sales and zero revenue made for us, I have taken down their ads off of over 225 website pages I had tried them on. It is discouraging to say the least. It took a lot of my time and effort to put their ads up and then take them down. I had tried sponsors about 10 years ago to help generate income with no success but I had hoped that they would be better now. Obviously not. This leaves us with over $500 short this year in paying for the website expenses. I still have resources up my sleeve to help meet these obligations but any donation you could send my way would greatly help! Thank you! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press This flaming hot new page is from our friend KarenF. If you are like me, you find elephants to be endearing, especially baby elephants. Their antics often bring us smiles for our day. This one is sure to give you your aww quota for the day. Be sure to check it out along with the funny video here too... .---. .--. ___/ \ / `.-"" `-, ; ; / O O \ / `. \ /-' _ J-.__; _.' (" / `. -=: `: `, -=| | F\ i, ; -| | | | || \_J fsc mmm! `mmM Mmm' Baby Elephant Fall http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babyelephantfall.html --- ....Awww, so cute. Reminds me of all loving moms. Thanks KarenF! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: "Ashes to ashes. Garage sale to garage sale." -- John Green .--. .--. ( (`\\."--``--".//`) ) '-. __ __ .-' / /__\ /__\ \ | \ 0/ \ 0/ | \ `/ \` / `-. /-"""-\ .-` ._-. / '.___.' \ //';\\ \ I / // ;// `;--'`'--;` \\_;// '.___.' //-` ___| |___ ."`-. .-` .---. `-. / ) / .' '. \ / ) / /|| ||\ \ / /`""` / / || || \ \ / / / / || || \ / / / (___||___.-=--. \ / ( -; '-' `-----------.___~; >THE PINK CADILLAC by Diane Dean White It was one of those days that made me want to head out and see what type of sales were going on around the area. Garage and estate sales were very popular during the mid 90s and especially in the spring, summer and fall. I had a small antique display in a shop in a nearby town and was always looking for items to add to it. Unless there were some things really worth looking at, it usually didn't take me five minutes to stop and check out a sale and get back into the car. On this particular fall day, the weather was pleasant and I decided upon an early start. I knew as soon as the doors opened the best buys were available. I also knew that all the antique dealers would be the first people in line when the sale began at 9am, and I wanted to beat them! As I was getting ready, I overheard our son telling someone that he would hitch a ride with me because I was ready to head out. He had loaned his car to his younger brother. I told him I'd drop him on my way, but I wanted to make a couple of stops en route to his destination. He agreed to "one or two" stops. Down the road and past the corner deli and barber shop we went, and made tracks along a lone street where a house sat by itself. It was a new home, and the lawn hadn't been seeded, but the double car garage held a number of possibilities of tables. The outside driveway did too. The balloons on the mail box and several signs boosted "Sale Today." Yes, I love those signs and they always speak to me! I went into the garage and greeted the young mothers sitting together. I knew that I wasn't going to want anything among the baby items, but I did check out the little area of "I'm sick of this, but who knows what it might be worth" table. Everyone seemed to be collecting some little animals that came in boxes of Red Rose tea bags. I scanned the place and walked towards my son who was looking at tables outside with goodies on them. I noticed he was pretty intent upon a pink car with white trim that was among other items, and he whispered, "Mom, look at this." He took the seat out of the middle of a Pink Cadillac convertible. I tried to figure out exactly what the car was supposed to be. A cookie jar? It was too shallow to hold many cookies. Then I noticed the little slots in the white seats, and I figured it was an ash tray. The car was all pink with white around the wheels, the interior of the seats, and accents in front, with chrome trim. One of the young mothers from the garage yelled, "It belongs to my brother, but you can have it for a buck." I always feel like I can do better and returned, "How about 50 cents?" She replied that would be fine and we left with our Pink Cadillac, for whatever purpose. I continued onto bigger and better things that day, or so I thought. When I got home I looked over my "finds." I couldn't shake the idea that this Pink Cadillac was sort of special, and since our oldest son had found it, I guess it was. During the following weeks when we went to antique shows I'd check out the cookie jars. My hubby explained that it was a 1957 Cadillac Convertible and not an ash tray! The dealers who had the "cookie jars" were interested in knowing about the Caddie Convertible, and told me they had some with Elvis and other characters in the seats. It was made by McCoy. I knew that this wasn't a McCoy, because I had looked for markings and found nothing. But I also knew that it was in good shape and worth something. The cookie jars we saw following my 50 cent buy, showed prices of $175 on up for Pink Cadillac Cookie Jars. Well, it has been over 14 years now and I've never sold that car. I don't go to garage sales with our oldest son anymore, who now lives out of state. And I can't seem let go of the memories of that fall day years back. Somehow it seems like that '57 Pink Cadillac is still a special treasure of a special time in my life. -- Diane Dean White __________________________________________________ Diane is a wife, mother, grandmother and author and a frequent contributor to a variety of magazines, books and other publications. She is the author of Beach Walks and Carolina in the Morning, and makes her home in Florida with her husband Stephen. You can visit her website to read more of her stories at: http://www.DianeDeanWhite.com =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Geniann :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' This is by a daughter of a murdered couple in Raytown, MO, who had a Bible and Bookstore on 63rd street. She says: When I had to testify at the murder trial of my parents a week ago, I was asked to raise my right hand ... The bailiff started out "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?" I stood there and waited but she said nothing She said "Do you?" I was so stunned I blurted out "What happened to "so help me God?" She came back with "Do you?" I replied yes, but I was perplexed. Then the judge said. "You can say that if you want to." I stopped, raised my right hand, and finished with: "So help me God!" I told my son and daughter that when it came time for them to testify, they should do the same. I don't know what can be done about it, but it's time for us to step up and DO something. NBC this morning had a poll on this question. They had the highest number of responses that they have ever had for one of their polls, and the percentage was the same as this: 86% to keep the words, 14% against... That is a pretty 'commanding' public response. I was asked to send this on if I agreed .... Or delete if I didn't. Now it is your turn. It is said that 86% of Americans believe in God. Therefore, I have a very hard time understanding why there is such a mess about having "In God We Trust" on our money and having God in the Pledge of Allegiance. Why is America-- our nation -- catering to this 14%? If you agree, pass this on, if not, simply delete .... In God We Trust If You Choose To Delete Perhaps Then You Are Part Of The Problem Me? I'm Passing It On. It seems to get worse daily. AGREE OR DELETE (although I pray that you will forward this...) --- ...Yes Geniann it is perplexing. Thank You! Makes you wonder why we don't pledge allegiance to the flag or want displays of flags or crosses across our great land. Most of us are happy with it while only few take offense by it. =========================================================== /) .-"".L,""-. ; :. : ( 7: ) : ; ctr "..-"-.." >-->Happy Johnny Appleseed Day! :) There really was a Johnny Appleseed and his real name was John Chapman. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts in 1774. His dream was to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. ... He always carried a leather bag filled with apple seeds he collected for free from cider mills. 7 Facts on Johnny Appleseed Learn about the man and the legend that go well beyond his fruitful name. https://www.biography.com/news/johnny-appleseed-story-facts =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,`/ /L',_ ,\',` \ ` ,V ||/ )\ ,( / \ /, ` \ /' '| / | / | ejm `-. -._ >The Greatest Success Of All "Skipper, a special message just came in for you from the admiral," the sailor said to his captain as he saluted. "I have it right here." "Read it to me," the captain ordered. The sailor read, "You are without a doubt, the most conceited, self-absorbed, EGO-MANIAC ever to command a ship in the United States Navy." The skipper responded, "Have that communication decoded at once!" For some people, it's all about them. For others, it's all about you. Like author Leil Lowndes says, "There are two kinds of people in this life. Those who walk into a room and say, 'Well, here I am.' And those who walk in and say, 'Ahh, there you are.'" Which are you? Are you more focused on getting your own needs met, or on easing the burdens of others? Are you mostly trying to make yourself happy, or are you interested in the happiness of those around you? Albert Einstein reminded us that "life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else." And toward the end of his life, he removed the portraits of two scientists -- Isaac Newton and James Maxwell -- from his wall. He replaced them with portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Albert Schweitzer. Einstein explained that it was time to replace the image of success with the image of service. Maybe the greatest success of all is when we realize that it's not all about us. And maybe the greatest happiness to be found is when we share the happiness of others. ~ Steve Goodier ~ -<>- ============;===========;() # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # #:::::: # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # jgs # # # # # # # >Welcome Home Story as told to me by a Viet Nam Veteran who prefers to remain anonymous. The other day I was walking into the local Wal-Mart store when I noticed an older man walking beside a younger man. The younger man was wearing army fatigues. I was curious so I stopped and asked, "Excuse me young man, but I was just wondering if you were in the service or are you just wearing fatigues?" The young man stated that he was really in the army and then his Dad added in a strong voice that was filled with pride, "This is my son and he has just returned from his second tour in Iraq." I told him how glad I was that he had returned home safely and then I said, "Young man, I would like to do something for you that no one outside of my family did for me when I returned home from serving in Viet Nam." "What is that?" he asked. "I'd be proud to welcome you home by shaking your hand if I might and say thank you for your service to our country," I said as I held out my hand. The young soldier and his Dad both stood a little taller as the young man stuck out his hand which I readily grasped and we just stood there, the three of us, with our right hands joined. We were three strangers drawn together by a common bond, we all understood, not needing to say anything more. After nodding to each other, I started to break the grasp and walk away but the young soldier seemed to have something on his mind as he hesitated, and then he stopped me before I could move. He was quiet for a moment and then he looked me straight in the eye and then he ever so clearly uttered the words, "Thank you. . . and . . . Welcome Home". We then parted company as we went our separate ways. I finished buying the supplies I needed, walked on home, and oh yeah - I cried. (Anonymous Viet Nam Veteran) We often forget to be thankful to those who serve our country, protect us from terrorism, and preserve our freedom. We have veterans living today that have served us in WWII, Korea, Viet Nam, and The Persian Gulf. We have those on active duty who are serving our country right now in Iraq as well as other places around the world. Today the average age of a WWII Veteran is 81; we are quickly losing them from the battlefield of life. They are now leaving us at the rate of 1500 per day. I see many of them carrying our flag in parades and participating in military funerals. They tell me the veteran's organizations need more veterans to help them with these duties now. This is due to the failing health and the deaths of most of the WWII veterans who have kept these organizations alive with their unswerving dedication and patriotism. Perhaps it's time we expressed appreciation with a card or a phone call to someone we know personally while there's still time. It shouldn't have to be Memorial Day or Veteran's Day for us to be appreciative toward all of our veterans no matter where they served. The point is that they served and gave of themselves that we might live in freedom. We can also show our appreciation to those serving us right now by writing letters, sending e-mails, or sending packages to our soldiers. *Today is a good day to be grateful, there's no time like the present and it's the only time that we have for certain. When we see or hear of a soldier coming home from war, most important of all, let's remember to give them a heartfelt, "Thank you . . . and . . . Welcome Home!" ~ Pamela Perry Blaine ~ pamyblaine@... -<>- .-"""""""-. .' __ \_ / / \/ \ | \_0/\_0/______ |:. .' oo`\ |:. / \ |' ; | | |:.. . \_______ | |::.|' , \,_____\ / |:::.; ' | . '| ====)_/===;===========;() |::; | | ; ; | | #######:::::: /::::.|-| |_|-|, \ #######:::::: /'-=-'` '-' '--'\ #######:::::: jgs / \ #######:::::: ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# ############# >The Helmet - Honor Never Repaid A shot ripped through the air, Blood mingled with the blowing dirt, It lodged within his shoulder Leaving the young soldier badly hurt. The force of the bullet Pushed him to the dust. He lay there so stunned, But did what he must. He got up to his knees, That he might help his fellow men. Staggered a couple feet, Yet stumbled once again. He fell back to the ground And looked across from him. He saw his helmet laying there, A gouge marked the rim. He groaned in pain and knew That he was going to die, But knew its for a good cause, Then breathed his last sigh. Once again another soldier Had died to keep us free. A true American Patriot. Who fought for our country. And we give thanks today For the sacrifices made. For all Americans know Honor never can be repaid. ~ Alyssa Marie Bentham ~ -<>- ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` >Finer Than Wealth I love the story about an angel who suddenly appears at a faculty meeting and tells the dean of the college that, in return for his unselfish and exemplary behavior, he will be given his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom. "Done!" says the angel, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and a bolt of lightning. Now, all heads turn toward the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispers, "Say something wise." The dean looks at them and says, "I should have taken the money." Though wealth is highly regarded in our world, I rather suspect this fictitious academic made the better choice. Wisdom, like many other virtues, is usually more difficult to obtain and can be far more satisfying. I've heard it said that when our hearts are empty, we collect "things." On the other hand, when our hearts are full, we tend to lose interest in most of the "stuff" of life. The "things of the heart" become all important. Things like love and joy and peace. Or wisdom. Or hope. Or faith. And the wonderful truth is that these gifts are given freely to any who will take them! None of us has to live without love. There really is joy to be found in this life. And we can know peace - now. Fra Giovanni gave us these immortal words in 1513: "No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today. Take heaven! No peace lies in the future that is not hidden in his present moment. Take peace! The gloom of this world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within reach, is joy. There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see, and to see we have only to look. I beseech you to look. Life is so generous a giver . . . ." You have already been offered things even finer than infinite wealth. Will you grasp them and make them yours - today? ~ Steve Goodier ~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Our Valuable Anchor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html The Sleep Metaphor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/sleepmetaphor.html Advice For Living http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/advice.html Amazing Trivia Facts http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/triviafacts7.html Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Beautiful Mathematics http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mathbeauty.html Church Mouse Wisdom http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html Dreamy Ladies http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html Thank You God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thankgod.html Important Life Truths http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html True Heroes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trueheroes.html My Precious Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html God Moves When You Move http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/God_Moves_When_You_Move.htm Nation's Tallest Flagpole! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/flagpole.html FALL/HALLOWEEN Index! https://tinyurl.com/y4xyz2w8 -<>- _..._ (,-'-,) / `"""` \ | /_ _\ | .--.\( _ )/.--. / .' '-...-' '. \ | / _/|\_ \ | / | -' \|/ '- | \ / \__..-'-..__/ \ ( / \ ) '-'._/ \_.'-' / \ ( ) jgs \ / `'-._____.-'` Stories of Faith #03- Danger on Highway 101 https://tinyurl.com/y2s4wkfx --- _ === _ / \(_)/ \ | / \ | | \\ // | \_/ \_/ .--" / \ `"-. ( ( '.___.' ,') (__,-. )--' jgs '.____)--' ...The Angel Stories Reminds me of this... One Sunday when I was a teen, a group of us young female adults were going by car 46 miles away to our Church's Men's Advance to help out with food serving and cleaning. We were on a small back road. The car was full and we were talking and at times singing Christian songs as we traveled. We went on to an old back road that was a short-cut. We had to go over a single lane bridge and right as we came to it, we saw a big white Ford car coming in the opposite direction. Neither of us had time to stop. I was seated in the back seat right behind the driver. All 5 of us suddenly got quiet knowing the extreme danger we were in. Like deer in the headlights, we couldn't do anything expecting a horrible collision between our two cars. I watched in silence as in slow motion the other white car seemed to go right through ours. I was dumbfounded. It was at least 2-3 feet inside of our car traveling through us like nothing. Both appeared like ghost cars to me. Our driver quickly stopped on the other side of the bridge. The other car just kept on going until it was out of sight. Like the ones in the stories from the video, we never talked about it. Just amazing at what God can do! See Also: Are Angels Real? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html -<>- Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience https://tinyurl.com/y4snjrn9 The Gift of Grief https://tinyurl.com/yxosqqk9\ -<>- >In The News: President Donald Trump's full UN address https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6sWD45TQFE Trump Stands Up for Religious Freedom. He champions the issue at the U.N. more vigorously than any of his predecessors. https://tinyurl.com/y4x73rl7 Gingrich says the Democratic Party has 'lost its mind': Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich weighs in on Speaker Nancy Pelosi's formal impeachment inquiry announcement. He says Pelosi should have launched an investigation into Hunter, Joe Biden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvh9jYLLKOE Giuliani: Democrats stepped into more than they realize: President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani reacts to Democrats' impeachment inquiry on 'The Ingraham Angle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPsiSM4H8ZY Nunes: This could be the end for Biden's campaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cju1HdCuUKw Graham calls for an investigation into Biden's ties with Ukraine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXKuINC7JLE Can You imagine the buzz in this little Ohio town Sunday? With a population of 9,782 Wapakoneta Ohio welcomed the President of the United States AND the Prime Minister of Australia! Wow! What a blessing for the home town of Astronaut Neil Armstrong! President Trump Delivers Remarks at Pratt Industries Plant Opening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wifRRGpWWrk Trump visits Ohio manufacturing facility with Australian prime minister https://tinyurl.com/yyeg359l The Trump WHISTLEBLOWER Story Is A SHAM! | Huckabee https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZM2UPqFZuc The truth about global warming https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fA5sGtj7QKQ Pelosi’s Impeachment Surrender Proves Dems Still Can’t Get Beyond 2016 https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: How to waste a year of America’s time https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: Fish, Furniture, Medical Devices http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: One of the Biggest Public Health Challenges of Our Time, CDC Warns http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- Revising... >From Our Friend Geniann And we think its a big deal when we see a black snake in the rough. Top 10: Animal Encounters on the PGA TOUR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43vii7vT44I --- ...LOL! Great to watch! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAU :) I would imagine that it's incredibly hard to simply live in the same house with 11 other brothers and sisters, but these family members manage to do that, and a whole lot more. The Willis family members all have a great musical talent, and once they properly introduce themselves (which takes a bit of time) their combined family performance will delight you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7h8J48UXoBc A lady is stunned to learn how much the Boston Red Stockings baseball card collection is worth that her Great Great Grandmother has kept in the family since 1871. The Antiques Roadshow appraiser even gets a little choked up at the end as she calls this baseball card archive the greatest archive she has ever had on the show. This is a grand slam collection of baseball cards for sure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wACD_Nl8o4E Many people have visited Niagara Falls and enjoyed the view but when you see Niagara Falls from above you truly realize how spectacular it is. Filmed using DJI Phantom Quadcopter. Soiuntrack is "The In-Between" by A New Normal. If you have a drone and are considering filming Niagara Falls please remember that this video features an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operating in United States and Canadian Restricted Airspace and permission was required from the appropriate government agencies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cfoLYTKObiU An interesting look at a helicopter tree trimmer with a massive saw that is used to cut tree limbs that are growing to close to power lines. As I watched this my first thought was I hope that pilot never runs the saw into the power lines cause that would probably knock out a huge section of the electrical grid and be disastrous for the pilot. Despite the risk this appears to be an efficient way to keep the power lines from having outages due to overgrown vegetation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1yj5QtFu2RA --- ...Seems very dangerous! Thanks LouiseAU! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html 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 ========================================================== >-->Purifier of Silver , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." Malachi 3:3 This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it." If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Please pass this on to everyone you know. Right now, this very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they will be a better person in the end. ========================================================== >-->From Max: _..._ ,;;;;;;;;;, / _,' _ \ | \ - - / | \_> - <_/ ,__.-"""-.-`. .'-.-"""-.__, '-. /_.'-.-'._\ .-' \_ / .-.-. \ _/ './ \/|/ \|\/ \-' | | | | \__.' '.__/ | | | | | | | | | | jgs \__,_,__/ >THE PARABLE OF THE STONES by Max Lucado I MUST WARN you, reader; before you begin. These words are ancient jewels mined from the quarry of my life. Read them only if you dare treasure them. For it would be better to never know, than to know and not obey. The hand which writes them is now old, wrinkled from the sun and labor. But the mind which guides them is wise. wise from years wise from failures wise from heartache. I am Asmara, merchant of fine stones. I am a seller of stones. I travel from city to city. I buy jewels from the diggers in one land and sell them to the buyers in another I have weathered nights on stormy waters. I have walked days through desert heat. I have dined with kings. I have drunk with paupers. My hands have held the finest rubies and stroked the deepest furs. But I would trade it all for the one jewel I never knew. It was not for lack of opportunity that I never held it. There was a chance in Madrid when I was young. No, it was not for lack of opportunity. It was for lack of wisdom. The jewel was in my hand, but I exchanged it for an imitation. And now I fear my days will end without my ever knowing the beauty of the precious stone. I have never known true love. I have known embraces. I have seen beauty. But I have never known love. If only I'd learned to recognize love as I have learned to recognize stones. My father taught me about stones. He was a jewel cutter. He would seat me at a table before a dozen emeralds. "One is true," he would tell me. "The others are false. Find the true jewel." I would ponder?studying one after the other. Finally I would choose. I was always wrong. "The secret, "he would say," is not on the surface of the stone; it is inside the stone. A true jewel has a glow. Deep within the gem there is a flame. The surface can always be polished to shine, but with time the sparkle fades. However, the stone that shines from within will never fade." With the years, my eyes learned to spot true stones. I am never fooled. The stones I purchase are authentic. The gems I sell are true. I have learned to see the light within. If only I'd learned the same about love. But I've been foolish, dear reader, and I've been fooled. I've spent my life in places I shouldn't have been, looking for someone with sparkling eyes, beautiful hair, a dazzling smile, and fancy clothes. I've searched for a woman with outer beauty, but no true value. And now I am left with emptiness. Once I almost found her. Many years ago in Madrid, I met the daughter of a farmer. Her ways were simple. Her love was pure. Her eyes were honest. But her looks were plain. She would have loved me. She would have held me through every season. Within her was a glow of devotion the like of which I've never seen since. But I continued looking for someone whose beauty would outshine the rest. How many times since have I longed for that farm girl's kind heart, her sweet smile, her faithfulness? If only I'd known that true beauty is found inside, not outside. If only I'd known, how many tears would I have saved? I'd trade in a moment a thousand rare gems for the true heart of one who would have loved me. Dear reader, heed my warning. Look closely at the stones before you open your purse. True love glows from within and grows stronger with the passage of time. Heed my caution. Look for the purest gem. Look deep within the heart to find the greatest beauty of all. And when you find that gem, hold onto her and never let her go. For in her you have been granted a treasure worth far more than rubies. Seek beauty and miss love. But seek love and find both. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. -- Proverbs 3 1:10 (NW) -- ========================================================== _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` >-->"Reach Up And Believe" "Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil." The journey each of us walks is not always a meadow full of flowers. Sometimes it is a journey up a mountain, loose rocks and steep inclines. We so often loose sight of the beautiful scenery because of our attempts to hold on. We have to struggle with many things in this world that makes us feel alone. Arthritis grips us tight and wrenches pain from within. Diabetes cuts our feelings ulcerates our skin. Cancer files away at the cells of our body and leaves us weak. Blindness takes away our vision and paints our world black. Mental disabilities hold our thoughts and leave us in a lonely room. Cruelty of others cuts our hearts and leaves us empty. We were born to celebrate, to reach up and believe. We were born to rejoice, to lift our hands to life. We were born to sing, to paint rainbows with our voice. We were born to love, to hold the hands of gentleness. We were born to share, to be a blessing to those around us. Reach up, my friend and believe for that is God's dream. Lift your hands, my friend and live for that is God's purpose. Paint your world, my friend with songs for that is God's compassion. Hold on, my friend with gentleness for that is God's love. Bless those around you, my friend for you are God's gift. No less than a flower planted by angels and nurtured by the hands of God - Author Unknown >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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. 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