Simple Heroics And More... :) 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 ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Lately, my son and I have been discussing today's moral problems. This started to burn in my heart, so I decided to get it done. Check out our newest teaching. I pray you enjoy it. :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Straying From The Light http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/straying.html -<>- This hot sizzler is from our friend Jo Ann. I do love these festivals especially the creativity of their designs! Check out our newest art page here... ______ .-'' ____ ''-. /.-="" ""=__\_________ |-===wwwwww|\ , , , , , /| \'-=,,____,,\\ ` ' ` ' // '-..______..\'._____.'/ jgs `'-----'` Watermelon Art 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/watermelon2.html --- ...What a fun one! Full of smiles - Thanks Jo Ann! -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->From our Friends At TruthOrTradition.com Summer Fest 2012 - July 12-14 - Free Registration http://tinyurl.com/d4lw8cc Spirit & Truth Fellowship International | 180 Robert Curry Drive | Martinsville, Indiana 46151 =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >SIMPLE HEROICS by Joseph Walker It was the simplest of gestures, really. But something about it was terribly poignant and profound -- and instructive to anyone looking for solutions in today's complex world. Sixteen-year-old Brian had been asked to participate in a program at church. Never much one for public speaking, he accepted the invitation apprehensively. His younger sister, Gretchen, knew of his anxiety, and tried to soothe him with some good-natured teasing. "Don't worry about it, Brian," she reminded him more than once. "You can't really disappoint anyone because nobody is expecting much." You know -- the sort of thing you'd expect from a little sister. On the appointed day Brian was in his place wearing his best clothes, a fresh haircut and the most strained smile this side of Miss First Runner-Up. Blame part of that on pre-speech jitters. Blame a little more on the car accident Brian was involved in on the way to church -- not to mention the broken rib he sustained in the collision. "Look at it this way," I whispered to him as the meeting got underway. "The worst thing that could possibly happen has already happened. It's clear sailing from here on in." Well, not quite. When Brian rose to speak, the pocket on his jacket somehow became tangled with the armrest of his chair. The unmistakable ripping sound elicited an audible gasp from the congregation, and brought a pained expression to Brian's mother's face. As Brian turned to see what the ripping was, he lost control of the book he was holding, and it fell on the foot of the woman sitting next to him. The congregation was beginning to titter, and he hadn't said a word. I saw him glance at the door. I'm sure he considered running, and I doubt any would have blamed him. But he bravely made his way to the podium and began to present his message. He was doing a pretty good job, all things considered, when I noticed something unusual -- blood. Dripping from Brian's nose. And not just a little. At first Brian was unaware of what was happening, even though it was painfully obvious to those in the congregation. Then he absently rubbed his nose, and stopped speaking in mid-sentence when he saw the bright crimson fluid that stained his hand. To his credit, he plunged ahead with his remarks, as if he hoped no one would notice the blood running down his face. He tried to disguise his feeble attempts at wiping the blood with his hand, but unfortunately, he only succeeded at making the mess worse. Most in the congregation were transfixed. It was sort of like driving by an accident on the freeway. You didn't want to see it, but you couldn't keep yourself from looking. Then one person decided to stop being a spectator. It wasn't until she had almost made her way to the front of the chapel that I noticed Gretchen. You might expect that a little sister would be taking secret delight in her brother's humiliation, but not this 12-year-old. As Brian continued speaking she walked purposefully up the aisle and directly to his side, a look of sincere concern on her face. She handed him the handkerchief she was carrying and stood there with him, her arm around his waist as he quickly mopped his nose, mouth and chin. When he finished he handed the hankie back to her. She smiled at him, gave him a quick squeeze and returned to her seat. Brian finished his talk, and I'm not the only one in the congregation who thought his performance after the incident was more confident than before. Nor was I alone in feeling that the day's greatest sermon had been preached -- wordlessly -- by his sister. Like I said, Gretchen's gesture wasn't exactly overwhelming. Still, it was heroic in my view, in part because of its simplicity. Gretchen didn't worry about whether or not taking a hankie to her brother in the middle of a church service was appropriate. She didn't form a committee to study her options. She just saw someone who needed help, and she provided it. You don't have to look hard to find everyday parallels, do you? We stumble upon similar situations all the time -- the disoriented tourist on the street, the elderly woman struggling to reach that first step on the bus, the lost child in the department store. Usually it doesn't take much to ease the trauma of the moment -- some pocket change, an outstretched hand, a few kind words or a couple of minutes of time. But too often we choose not to get involved, assuming that others will come along to offer the kindness we keep to ourselves. And usually, others do. It seems there's always a Gretchen around who is willing to step outside herself and do what needs to be done. But the world can always use a few more. Yeah, I know -- there's the risk that our helpful zeal will lead us to say or do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But the way I see it, that risk is worth it -- especially when you consider the prospect of someday being the one who is up there with a bloody nose. And without a Gretchen in sight. -- Joseph Walker ========================================================== >-->From Laff&Lift: "No Christian leader is more effective in his leadership than when he is alone with God, on his knees." - Alan Redpath */The Lift/* , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' *_The Gallery of Unfinished Projects _* (By Roy Irwin) Ever have one of those weeks where everything you do seems to go wrong??? At the beginning of this past week I single-handedly managed to turn our living room into the "Gallery of Unfinished Projects"! Follow me as we start our tour...and please watch your step! Our first stop is the gas grill that came 90% assembled. It's obvious that they stopped at 90% because the last 10% requires a team of engineers from NASA to finish it. To the right of that is the chair that came in a box marked with the 'warning' "Some Assembly Required". As you step over the paper on the floor to your right, you'll see the programming instructions for our VCR. After celebrating the minor success of making the timer stop flashing "12:00", I'm now waiting for my seven-year-old nephew to show me how to program something on the VCR other than the "Snow Channel" that I have become so good at taping!... For a time, each of these projects consumed my every waking (and sleeping) thoughts. The harder I worked on these projects, the worse their condition became and the madder I became. Perhaps you can relate to similar situations that you have had. I'm amazed at how easy it is to be so busy with the trivial, that we lose focus of what is really important. It wasn't until the end of the week when my wife suggested letting the 'Gallery' sit for a couple of days, did I calm down, collect my thoughts, pray for God's forgiveness and wisdom and finish each of the projects. Sometimes, the best thing we can do is to just stop - stop 'doing' and start 'listening'. Let me share with you a couple of examples of what I mean. I read a story recently about an ad that ran during the Depression Years requesting a Telegraph Helper - someone who could send and receive Morse Code, the dot and dash code for communicating. A young boy went to the office where the job was being offered. The office was already full of other applicants, each desperately needing a job. Everyone was watching the door marked 'Private', for behind that door sat the manager who would make the hiring decision. The room was filled with conversation. Suddenly, the young boy who had arrived last, jumped up and walked past the waiting applicants, and into the manager's office. Everyone was stunned into silence! A few moments later the boy came out and announced that everyone could go home because he had been awarded the job. The crowd erupted in anger! Who was this boy who had jumped ahead of each of them? The boy explained that while they were all talking, he was listening. The manager had been taping on the door in Morse Code, "Whoever hears this message may come in and have the job." Each of the men had been too busy to hear the sound of the offer! I met someone years ago who told me that God gave us two ears and only one mouth so we should listen twice as much as we talk. I've learned over the years the wisdom of this advice! The Bible says in James 1:19-20 "...Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (NIV) Perhaps Psalm 46:10 sums it up best: "Be still, and know that I am God... " (NIV) Are you busy? Are you frustrated by some problem? Is something occupying your time, thoughts and energy and robbing you of God's peace? May I share with you a lesson learned once again this past week - a reminder if you will - that Jesus Chrisst is alive and well. He is the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end. There is no problem that is too big for Him to handle. Take your burden to Him. But most of all, He wants each of us to spend time with Him and enjoy His rich fellowship. It is only in spending time with Him that we learn to be more like him. "Dear God, it is so easy for us to become busy with trivial things and not hear your voice, or see you at work in our lives. Help us to be still, and to spend time at your feet, listening to what you have to share with us. Help us to become the people that you want us to be. Help us to be more like you every day. Amen." *_Quick Jokes_* "To do is to be" -- Descartes "To be is to do" -- Sartre "Do be do be do" -- Sinatra ---------- _,._ __.' _) <_,)'.-"a\ /' ( \ _.-----..,-' (`"--^ // | (| `; , | \ ;.----/ ,/ ) // / | |\ \ jgs \ \\`\ | |/ / \ \\ \ | |\/ `" `" `"` A flock of sheep are grazing in a field, happily going "baa baa" to each other and discussing life as usual when suddenly they hear a "moo mooooooooooooooooooo!" They look around and see only sheep. They carry on grazing as before. "Moooooo mooooooooooo mmmoo!" One sheep can hear it all too clearly next to him. He shuffles away a little from his friend, a worried look on his face and then asks "George, why are you mooing. You're a sheep. Sheep go 'baa!'" His friend replies gladly: "I know, I thought I would learn a foreign language!" ---------- A college student with a young child was pleased when her daughter became eligible to attend the day care center at the University. The director of the day care gave the mother a tour of the facilities. To assure herself of the center's high standards, the young mother asked about the curriculum. "Well," said the director, eyes twinkling, "today we are studying the children's favorite philosopher: Play-Doh." (Copyright 1998 Argyle Giraffe Productions. This may not be resold or used for the enhancement of any product sold without the written permission of Argyle Giraffe Productions.) _SUBSCRIBE INFO_ Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ================================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >Hero Bill Walker wildbill6807@yahoo.com Today I talked to a hero, a man who was in the Korean War. He opened a drawer on his desk at his little shop. He showed me his Bronze Star. Told me how he had it. Put me to thinking a bit. What he told me made me think of others who had the Silver Star, and that one called Medal of Honor. . In some cases did no more then what he did to be holder of the Bronze Star. You see he laid his life on the line.. Seen a plane on the end of a run way in trouble. it was being attacked by snipers in the hills. The plane was at a stand still, crippled. This man got into a Jeep and took down the run way. He got the man out of the burning aircraft, even being wounded his self, and to safety. I said wounded, You see he took a bullet in one leg, still got the man out of the burning aircraft. I asked about the Purple Heart? He said for some reason he never got that. I thought all it took was a wound due to some action on part of an foe to get that, guess I was wrong. Max said he once in a while looks at his one medal, and thinks back. Yes I would too, he went beyond the call of duty. Seen a fellow soldier in trouble, never gave thought to his own hide, went to try to save him. He could have been killed his self in trying. A true American Hero. I have seen these holders of medals with them, the medals and ribbons on display that is. Not Max, he has his in a drawer of a desk in his shop. Don't say much about it, once in a while maybe takes it out and looks at it and remembers that day so long ago. I was told a long time ago, a real hero don't say much. I think this fits Max real well. I have known him for years, never knew this. Yes today I talked to a real American Hero. Max is the name. -<>- ____ __ __ ___ ____ ______ / __/ \ / | _ \ | _ \_ _| \__ \ , ^ , | _ \| _ / | | /____/_|\_/|_|_| \_|_| \_\ |_| -by Shel Silverstein >Your Own Best Friend Most people report that they do not usually feel confident. But exciting things can happen when we actually believe in ourselves. Here is a man who believed in his own ability even as a boy, and that confidence helped shape his adult life. At the turn of the last century, a young boy quit school to help with the family expenses. When he was fifteen, he became interested in automobiles and worked in a garage. He subscribed to a correspondence home study course on automobiles and, after a long day in the garage, studied at the kitchen table by lamplight. When he felt ready, he walked into the Frayer-Miller Automobile Company of Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. Frayer noticed him, he asked, "Well, what do you want?" "I just thought I'd tell you I'm coming to work here tomorrow morning," the boy replied. "Oh! Who hired you?" "Nobody yet, but I'll be on the job in the morning. If I'm not worth anything, you can fire me." (Try that in TODAY'S market!) Early the next morning the young man returned to the plant. Noticing the floor was thick with metal shavings and accumulated dirt and grease, the boy got a broom and shovel and set to work cleaning the place. Because of his self-confidence and work ethic, Eddie Rickenbacker's future was predictable. He went on to excel in many fields, including automobile racing, piloting World War 1 planes and founding what was to become one of America's largest airline companies - Eastern Airlines. There is no magic bullet to instantly become a self-confident person. But it begins with one of the most important relationships in your life - your relationship with yourself. People wwho become more confident habitually encourage themselves. They become their own best friend. Rob Bremer asks the question, "If you had a friend who talked to you like you sometimes talk to yourself, would you continue to hang around with that person?" If the answer is "Yes!" you are on the track to becoming more self-assured. Without confidence, you are not likely to move far in the direction of your dreams. But become your own best friend and almost anything will be possible. - Steve Goodier -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Proud Of Our Troops 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html HERO http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html You Are The Only You God Has! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Attitude Is Everything 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude2.html Think Positive! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Salvation Mountain! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/salvation.html Corner Of Paradise http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/corner.html Harvest Moonbow! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/moonbow.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 If You haven't joined LynnLynn's mailing List yet, send a blank e-mail to LynnLynns-links-subscribe@Yahoogroups.com ========================================================== >-->From our Friend Bunni :) | \ ' / __ __ .-. _\ \/ /_ __ -=== ( ) ===- /__oOoo__\/ /__ '-' /_/\__\oOo__/ / . \ || /_/\__\ | || || ~^~~||~^~||^~^^~^~^=^=^~=~=~^=^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ ~^ ~|| ~~|| ~^~ ~^= =~^=~^~^= ~^~^~ ~^~^ ~^~ ^~ || ^ ||~^ ~^~ ~^==~^==~^~ = ~^=~ ~^ ~^~ .'. ||.'.||.' ..'..''.'.'. '.'..'.' .'''..''.' jgs || || ''. O ~O/ '' '' || /|\/| ' . ' . ' . ' . /| |\ . . ' . / | / | . . ' ' ` ` ` ` ' ' >Moment By Moment With Him Sometimes we so easily forget how unpredictable our lives may be. We make plans for our tomorrows and our futures not realizing they could change instantly. Then one day, you wake up, and it happens. Something occurs that's not at all like you've planned, your life has now taken a new direction and it may be difficult for you to understand. God never promised that we'd never have struggles. That there would always be sunshine and not rain. But He said He'd never leave nor forsake us and with His presence we will forever be sustained. When God takes us from the height of the mountain, and then places us in the valley of despair, it's here we can learn total dependence upon the One who will always be there. Oftentimes it's only through the midst of the trials we see God works in ways we'd never have dreamed. He accomplishes so much beyond our understanding and now things may not be at all what they'd seemed. We may not know why God allowed such a hardship. We must learn to trust in the One who knows best for our future is seen by Him only, and in Him we can confidently rest. So when the unexpected may arise in our lifetime and the way God is leading seems dim, may we face it not ONE DAY at a time, but instead, MOMENT BY MOMENT with Him. - Unknown -<>- . . : . _ '. _.:._ .' (_) '-. .' '. .-' _;_ ' - ./ \. - ' / | \ - - | | - - """" \ | \ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" `|\ ` | \ / / jgs / /_ ` >Secret to Unshakable Confidence ‘There are no limits when you trust yourself.” Think about the most self-confident people you know. What is it that makes them that way? Self-confident people don't second-guess their capacity to succeed, nor do they wait for others to encourage them. They trust their own abilities to do what needs to be done. Stop waiting for others to tell you what you can do. Start putting your faith in your own strengths and talents. Instead of questioning whether you can reach your goals, move forward with conviction and confidence. You have incredible gifts. If you allow yourself to follow them, you’ll achieve great things. Go ahead. Follow your abilities. They will lead you upward on a path that is has no limits! ©Jane Powell -<>- >You will always complain about lack of time. Instead put little bit of effort; Plan & organize your life. You will realize that you have time for everything. ~~unknown --- ...Great inspirations! Thanks Bunni! =========================================================== >-->From CupO'Cheer: QUOTES _ ________ _( )_ | .##@@&&&@@# ( ` )_ \ _ / ,##@&::%&&%%:.( ) ( `) -= (_) =- #@&:%%000000 (__ (_ . _) _) / \ #@&:%00' / / / / / / | #@&:%0' / / / / / / Diana H. Chaytor #@&:%0 dchaytor@jach.hawaii.edu #@&:%0 ~NO RAIN, NO RAINBOWS~ http://www.islandnet.com/~chaytor jgs#@&:%0============================================================= "We will see, dear friends, one day in the clear light of heaven, that every page in human history, however stained by human sin, has nevertheless something of God's glory in it." --Charles Spurgeon "Pray for whatsoever you will. In the name of Jesus you have permission, not only to stand in the presence of God, but also to pray for everything you need." --O. Hallesby Teach your children why you believe what you believe. Don’t ask them to accept your beliefs blindly. Don’t be afraid to teach them to think for themselves. God’s Word can withstand the test. --Paul Meier "The greatest desire of the true Christian is to draw nearer to God. Can you say, honestly, that the greatest thing you desire at this moment is to know God better, and to realize His presence? If you can, you are a Christian. If you cannot, you had better examine the foundations again; for when a man is in Christ he has a new nature, and this new nature cries out for God." --Martyn Lloyd-Jones -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >THE FERTILE PASTURE "Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands" Mic 7:14). "I've called you to pastor the bank," said the Lord to my friend Chuck. "Pastor the bank? How does one pastor a bank, Lord?" "The things I taught you I want you to teach others," came the reply. There is a people who live isolated in fertile pasturelands. They long for a shepherd who will help them discover their own inheritance. They are the lost majority in the marketplace who are living lives as though they are a child lost and aimless in a deep, dark forest. Though most do not know it, they long for a pastor who will reveal to them their destinies. Your staff, which represents your vocation, is the means by which God is going to use you to pastor those in your sphere of influence in the workplace. A fertile pastureland means there is a great harvest that can come if only there is someone to do what is necessary to bring a harvest from it. This is where you will derive your inheritance. The people you serve will be the spiritual inheritance God has allotted to you. This forest is more fertile than all other potential fields because the power and authority represented by this forest has the potential to impact far greater fields. This forest has CEOs, presidents of nations, entertainment moguls, media tycoons, and educators to name just a few. They are the shapers of society who have yet to meet their Maker. Are you willing to use your staff to be a shepherd to those in the fertile pasturelands? as seen in Today God is First -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >SON REFLECTORS [edited] What does the moon do? It generates no light. Contrary to the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let it do what it was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration, yea, verily, romance. The moon reflects the greater light. And it’s happy to do so! You never hear the moon complaining. It makes no waves about making waves. Let the cow jump over it or astronauts step on it; it never objects. Even though sunning is accepted while mooning is the butt of bad jokes, you won’t hear ol’ Cheeseface grumble. The moon is at peace in it place. And because it is, soft light touches a dark earth. What would happen if we accepted our place as Son reflectors? Such a shift comes so stubbornly, however. We’ve been demanding our way and stamping our feet since infancy. Aren’t we all born with a default drive set on selfishness? I want a spouse who makes me happy and coworkers who always ask my opinion. I want weather that suits me and traffic that helps me and a government that serves me. It is all about me. . . . How can we be bumped off self-center? . . . We move from me- focus to God-focus by pondering him. Witnessing him. Following the counsel of the apostle Paul: “Beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, [we] are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Cor. 3:18 KJV). Beholding him changes us. —originally from It’s Not About Me O Gpd, change our focus from a me-focus to a God-focus. Work your will in our lives that we might be instruments to do your work and to tell others of your great love. Let our lives reflect your holiness through thick and thin. Help us live in pursuit of what you want rather than what we want. May we keep a firm grip on our faith no matter what hard times come our way. In all we do, may we honor you, In Jesus Christ's name, amen. Sing praise to the Lord, . . . and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. Psalm 30:4 From From Live Loved: Experiencing God’s Presence in Everyday Life Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado as seen in Daily Posterous Spaces -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. You can find me on Facebook as Kimberly B. O'Brien Quiggle. ============================================================= `::` / ` `;:` .;:; / .;:;. .;:;;, .;:;:, ::; ` ::;;': ::;;': ::;;': _ ';:;;' ';:;;' ';:;;' ';:;;' >'. || _ >'. || _ >'. || _ >'. || _ `> \||.'< `> \||.'< `> \||.'< `> \||.'< `>|/ <` `>|/ <` `>|/ <` `>|/ <` `||/` `||/` `||/` `||/` ^jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Weeds to Pull Story Editor: by Dawn Joyce Schowalter North Carolina, USA Several years ago we moved to North Carolina. My husband headed to his new job, and I remained behind to sell our house and arrange the move. During this stressful time there was one crisis after another, including a dear friend's suicide. When I arrived at the new house I was exhausted and emotionally bankrupt. It was wonderful seeing my husband, but when he left for work I was so overwhelmed with the tasks ahead, I sat on the floor amongst the boxes and cried. As I plowed through unpacking my spirits refused to lift. One weekend we drove to check out a boat for sale. It wasn't what we wanted, but "John", the elderly gentleman selling it, was kind and we chatted. When I admired his beautiful rose garden he said it was his wife's. She'd been away several weeks but would return the next day. As I remembered my lovely garden left behind, a tall weed caught my eye. So his wife wouldn't regret seeing it on returning, with John's permission I pulled it. Months passed but I couldn't seem to find "my place" in our new community. I joined the local garden club but although the ladies were very kind, most were retired and had been friends for years. I didn't feel part of the group. As my depression grew deeper I drank to try and ease the pain. I felt this move had cost me everything: job, friends, happiness. One day, while totally miserable and pondering suicide, the telephone rang. I'd stopped answering calls for weeks, but for some reason I picked up. A lady from the garden club had special native plants to give me, but had been ill and missed club meetings for months. For some reason I started telling her my whole miserable saga -- everything! I was embarrassed even as the words spilled out of my mouth but couldn't stop. "Elaine" quietly listened, made no judgmental comments and said she would help. She promised to call every morning to get me back on track. She kept her word and called faithfully, being an encouraging friend, though ill and bedridden herself. With Elaine's positive comments I slowly progressed. One evening she invited my husband and I over for tea. She was able to sit up, plus still had plants for me. We started driving, yet some things seemed familiar. When we pulled in the drive at Elaine's address my husband and I just sat quietly and looked at each other. There was the beautiful rose garden where I had pulled a giant weed! Elaine and I still chat most mornings. With a twinkle in her eye she makes sure we thoroughly relish each and every joy that comes our way. She's taught me so much through words and example -- from surviving disappointments with dignity to gracefully accepting the changes of aging. I've helped her pull many more weeds from her garden and she continues to help me pull weeds from my soul. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Kidwarmers: _ _ / '-' \ ; ; /'-| |-'\ | |_______K | \ '-------' / '.___.....___.' | ; : ;| _|;__;__.|_ | Y | .--. .--. \__.'^'.__/ /; \ / ;\ |_ ; _| | ' | | ; | { `"""` } |; | |' | { } | ; | | ; | { } | | |; | ;`-.__.'| |: ;| | ; \ |; ; |_____/ ; | | '.'-----' ' -_ .' / \ '. - _ ' ; ; _ - .' '. - - ; ; .------` `--------. ;| jgs |; , | | ; | |. ; | | : :| | . | |; ; | |; , | | ; | | . | |; ; | `"-----"` >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Ben, 3, had an adorable new baby sister. He called his Grandma Jo to tell her about Emily. Ben said Emily had red hair and was really cute but he didn't know why his Daddy Bryan said she was "a door bell! " -- Jo of Plymouth, Minnesota Here is another one from Jo. Family relationships can be confusing in this day and age. When Bryan was 6, his father and step-mother had a baby. They were talking about families in school that week so Bryan told the class he had a mom, brother, dad, step-mom, and beaming with pride, he announced he had a brand new "ex-step-half-sister!" .--'} _ , ,<{.-'{:} -====;o`\/ } __ (( '--.} \-`\-'----. \_\ \\ __ \ |-..-'` ___\_))_/_/ /\/\ /_/ (( `--` jgs \\ While visiting a local amusement park Claire, 4, was so excited and wanted to go on every ride. She pointed to the roller coaster and exclaimed, "I want to go the roller toaster!" -- Alison Hummel (mother of Claire) of Danville, Pennsylvania Kenzie, 2, thinks of her father as a hero. One day he picked her up from daycare and as he was getting her out of the carseat she saw that he had several scratches on his hand and arm. (He had been in the woods hunting over the weekend. ) Kenzie was rubbing it and said, "Daddy has a boo-boo?" and he said "Yeah, Daddy has a boo-boo." She then looked at him so seriously with much caring and love and asked, "Did a tiger bite you?" -- Patsy Campbell (grandmother of Kenzie) of Portland, Tennessee Alice's daughter had to have a hysterectomy so her sister took care of little Shawn for the weekend. Shawn's aunt was explaining to him about the surgery, and to be anatomically correct, she told him that his mother was having her uterus out. Melissa explained to him that the uterus is where babies grow. Later, at a restaurant, Shawn told the waitress that his mother had surgery. She said she hoped she was better. Then in a voice heard around the world, he said, "Yep, she had her baby maker cut out!" -- Alice Riley of Nashville, Tennessee , __ \/ __ /\^/`\ /o \{}/ o\ SPRING IS IN THE AIR! | \/ | \ () / | | | `> /\ <` ,,, \ \ / @@@@ (o/\/\o) {{{}} _ _ '\\//' @@()@@ _ ) ( ~Y~ @@@@ _{ ' }_ || @@@@ _(_)_ wWWWw .oOOo. @@()@@ { `.!.` } || ,/ (_)@(_) (___) OO()OO @@@@ _ ',_/Y\_,' || ,\ | /) (_)\ Y 'OOOO',,,(\|/ _(_)_ {_,_} |\ || |\\|// vVVVv`|/ @@@@ _ \/{{}}}\| (_)@(_) | | | || | |;,,,(___) | @@()@@ _(_)_| ~Y~ wWWWw(_)\ (\| /) | | || / / {{}}} Y \| @@@@ (_)#(_) \| (___) | \| // \ \||/ /\\|~Y~ \|/ | \ \/ /(_) |/ |/ Y / \|/ |// jgs `\\//`,.\|/|//.|/\\|/\\\|,\|/ //\|/\|.\\\| // \|\\ |/,// ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Many years ago when Lynda's daughter, Kristen, was young, there were a lot of commercials on radio and television for a CD by Zmfir, who played the pan flute. There were many jokes about this commercial. One day, Kristen got Lynda aside and said that she really wanted the Zamfir CD. She liked the music. Lynda pretended mock horror and told her they would have to buy that incognito. Kristen said very seriously, "No Mom, we can get it right here in Wesleyville." -- Lynda S. Kelley of Erie, Pennsylvania Debbi's third grade class was writing stories. They were given four cards. Each group had a character, a prop, a location, and a problem, and they had to come up with a story using what was on their cards. Antynisha picked a card that read "GRUNGE: a rock musician." When Debbi told her that was someone who played rock music, she asked, "You mean, there are people who play music just for rocks?" -- Debbi Armstrong of Orlando, Florida Cali, 3, was helping her mom pick clothes up off the couch. It was a hot day outside and Cali got a long-sleeved sweater from the couch. She told her mom she could not put this sweater on because she might want to go back outside and she would have a hot stroke! -- Cathy of Dillard, Georgia .-. __ / \ __ ( `'.\ /.'` ) '-._.(;;;)._.-' .-' ,`"`, '-. (__.-'/ \'-.__)/)_ \ /\ / / ) '-' | \/.-') , | .'/\'..) |\ |/ | \_) \ | | \_/ | \ / \|/ _, jgs / __/ / | _/ _.' |/__/ \ When Nick was about 3 they were driving and came across the unpleasant odor of a skunk that had been hit by a car. From his carseat in the back he blurted, "Whew, I hear a snunk!" Obviously he meant to say he smelled a skunk but for the last 16 years any time anyone in the family smells that odor they "hears a snunk!" -- Christine Searle (mother of Nick) of Ohio Bridget turned 13 this April. Last year on her birthday they were in Florida at Disneyworld. Her mom told her there was no way to top that party and they would have to go back to square one and celebrate like they did when she was younger. Her reply: "Sorry, a Happy Meal just won't cut it anymore." -- Nancy (Bridget's mom) of Negaunee, Michigan Christy babysits for JoAnn, 2. One day they were talking about families, and Christy asked JoAnn what her name was. She said, "My name is DoAnn." Then, Christy asked her what her Mommy's name was. She said, "It's Balerie" (Valerie). When Christy asked her what her Daddy's name was, she said, "McDonald! Daddy is McDonald! I like fries!" (Her daddy's name is Donald.) -- Christy of Lynchburg, Virginia _.. ;-._ .' `\ .' `\/ ; | `\.---._| .--; . ( .' '. / _ \_ './ _. `-._ ( = \ )`""'\;--. / {= (| ) /`. / .'| ( =_/ )__..-\ .' / / \ }/ / ;.____.-;/\ .` / '--' | .' | \ \ | ; \ ' / |. ; \/ ) .'`-. / ; | /\ /__.-' , \_.' | | ; ; |\ |`| | | \`\ | | | | \ `\ | | ; ; | ; | | / / | | | |/ / ; | | / / \ \;/ / \ \ / \ Y/ jgs | | | | | | | | \ | \_/ On the first day of kindergarten Matthew was so excited to start school in California. His grandparents were vacationing with Matthew's family and were fortunate enough to be able to go with Matthew and his mom (Alicia) to school on the first morning. They took lots of pictures. The grandparents also went with Alicia to pick Matthew up after school. Earla asked Matthew how his first day at school went and he replied, "It was okay, but I'm not going back. "Earla had to break the news to him that from now on he would be going to school until he was 18 years old as it was the law. He just looked at Earla and said, "Oh no." -- Earla Hollon (grandmother) of Pasadena, Texas Here is the letter, exactly as she wrote it, that Christie's daughter left for the Tooth Fairy. "Dear Tooth Fairy, I'm so glad I lost this tooth! I spent a month trying to pull it out. OH! By the way. When do you think I'll get my molars? You can look in my mouth if you want to. Can you talk to my dentist about all the money he's costing my mom? Thank you. Well I better stop talking so you can grab my tooth and go to the other kids. Love, Peyton" -- Christie Lewis of Twin Falls, Idaho A friend of Jordan, 7, broke Jordan's bike and so his parents purchased him a new one. When Jordan's father gave him his new bike he said, "You know the three rules about your new bike, right?" Jordan quickly replied, "I know. I know. Nobody rides my bike. Nobody rides my bike. Nobody rides my bike! " -- Jordan is the son of Alicia and Patrick Snow of Kendallville, Indiana __ .-.' '.-. .-( \ / )-. / '..oOOo..' \ , \.--.oOOOOOOo.--./ |\ , ( :oOOOOOOo: ) _\.\/| /'--'oOOOOOOo'--'\ '-.. ;/| \ .''oOOo''. / .--`'. :/|'-( / \ )-' '--. `. / //'-'.__.'-; `'-,_';// , /| '(( |\/./_ \\ . |\; ..-' \\ |\: .'`--. \\, .' .--' ))'_,-'` jgs //-' // // |/ Here is another one from Patrick. He, Brian, 8, and Jordan, 7, went shoe shopping. Jordan found some Sketcher shoes. They were $30. Brian told Jordan he couldn't have them. "It's not about the name, it's about the price! And you can't have them!" Brian told his younger brother. One day, out of the blue, 4-year-old Jacob declared that he was all done with school. Confused by the sudden change in attitude, his mother asked him why. His response: "The fridge is full." (After that comment his mother took down some of his artwork so there would be room for more!) -- Julie Nusbaum of Hamilton, Indiana ========================================================== .-=.-~, /{,_;--'}, | .=~`|//| | / ; \ | __, || | | | .' \/\ |\| | | |\ / \ /_| \ | | /|'/ / | \ /_ | ,_ `\ \/|/ / /` \ /__/ /\/`'. `\ `./.'/\ /.--' |_\ / \ '. /|\/| // | _\ / | | | \ \/// .""'-. \__\ / .'/| | `)`/__//_/_/_\ '--.\ /\/_| |} /.---. \ \ \ / \\ |\/_/| | //` `'...-' .-""'. \\\/ /{| |// /_\_\_\\__\`(` | / \ / / / .---.\ | | '-..,'` `\\ | |} jgs \\| | \ | | | {| | | | | |} | | |/ >Rose Petals http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/rose.html It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so sweetly, When in my hands they fade and die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine? So I'll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to Him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way. The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Father knows. I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose. >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 Chrristian 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 DAARE 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 ************************************************************************