Simple Things... :) 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 ================ *~* 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 For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts 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! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* Our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected by the school shooting in Florida. May God wrap His loving arms around all those who are suffering from this heart-wrenching horrific massacre through Jesus Christ our Lord. President Trump addresses the nation on the Florida school shooting that killed 17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXNBTaSSemc -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming red hot new page is from our friends Linda, Richard, LouiseAu and Peggy. It is full of heartwarming smiles for your day. Be sure to take a little me-break and check it out here... .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx Love Speaks http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lovespeaks.html --- ...Aww, so sweet! Thank you my friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: _ .--. ( ` ) .-' `--, _..----.. ( )`-. .'_|` _|` _|( .__, ) /_| _| _| _( (_, .-' ;| _| _| _| '-'__,--'`--' | _| _| _| _| | _ || _| _| _| _| _( `--.\_| _| _| _|/ .-' )--,| _| _|.` (__, (_ ) )_| _| / jgs`-.__.\ _,--'\|__|__/ ;____; \YT/ || |""| '==' >THERE YA'ARE by Joseph Walker I learned something wonderful about living a few weeks ago -- at a funeral, of all places. Then again, maybe it isn't so unusual to learn about living at a funeral. The best and most fulfilling funerals I've ever been to are funerals during which life is celebrated, and examples are shared of a life well-lived. And this was definitely one of those funerals. If you had known Patty, you would understand. If I had to choose one word to describe Patty it would be "joyful." In all the years I knew her, I never saw her without a smile. She was happy. She was positive. She was upbeat. She was joyful. Even as she waged her personal, private war with cancer, she found reasons to smile and laugh. And so she insisted that her funeral be joyful. Because she knew that the end was coming, she outlined her funeral and personally invited those who she wanted to speak. She instructed them carefully that this was not to be a tearful, anguished funeral. She wanted laughter and smiles and... well... joyfulness all around. Joy in the mourning. And to a great extent, the speakers complied. Her father shared sweet and funny stories from Patty's childhood. A college roommate had the entire congregation laughing as she regaled us with lively stories from their college days. Then her husband, Jay, got up and talked about the heavenly reunion that was taking place between Patty and her grandpa, and how the two of them were probably doing something called the Oopa Dance together. Of course, Jay had to demonstrate the dance, which consisted of a series of moves that were part Hokey Pokie, part Funky Chicken and part being tased. It was hysterical. I've never heard laughter that loud at a funeral. And somewhere, I'm sure, Patty was smiling. Of course, there were also some tender moments during the funeral, and some moments of profound instruction. One bit of wisdom really resonated with me – a philosophical approach to living that has made a difference for me on more than one occasion during the past few weeks. I commend it to you. It's called: "There ya'are." In straight English it would be: "There you are." But you can't say it that way, or you'll miss the whole point. It's "There ya'are" -- almost "There yar," but with a little hesitation between the "y" and the "ar." Sort of like "ya'all." "There ya'are." Got it, ya'all? Jay explained that this simple phrase came to summarize Patty's approach to the vicissitudes she encountered during the last few years of her life. When a rude driver would cut her off in traffic, she wouldn't rage or vilify – she would just shrug her shoulders and say, "Well, there ya'are." When she found out she had cancer, she didn't shake a fist at the heavens and cry "Why me?" – she looked at Jay and said, "Well, there ya'are." And with each progressive downturn in her health, she wouldn't moan or complain – it was just, "Well, there ya'are." To me, the phrase doesn't suggest resignation or defeat. Once again, if you knew Patty you'd understand that. She was a fighter, and she battled her illness valiantly right up to the end. She fought, she worked, she tried, she suffered and she prayed. She fought so hard that there were some who knew her who wondered if she wasn't accepting the reality of her situation. But she did. Just a few days before she died, when it was clear that the end was coming, she looked at Jay and smiled weakly. "Well," she said, shrugging her shoulders, "there ya'are." That wasn't surrender on Patty's part. That was acceptance of life as it is, with its sometimes frustrating, sometimes painful realities. Patty would be the first to say that if you can do something about whatever it is that is distressing you, you should do it. If you can fix the problem, fix it. If you can change the situation, change it. If it's tweakable, tweak it. Adjust it. Repair it. Make it better. But if you can't -- and sometimes in life you just can't -- then get ready to do the Oopa Dance. Because... well... there ya'are. -- Joseph Walker -<>- reICareI reICareIC ICareICareICar ICareICareICare reICareICareICareI reICareICareICareIC CareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareI ICarICareICareICareICareICare CareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareI CareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICaICareICareICareICareICareICareI ICareICareICareICareICareICareICar eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICar ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc eICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareI reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICa reICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareIc ICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICareICare reICareICareICareIICareICareICareICareIca ICareICareICareICareICareICareICarICa reICareICareICareICareICarICare areICareICareICareICareICa ICareICareICareICare areICareICareICa eICareICareI -Grim CareICar reIC eI >SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AND LOVE by David Welch The story of how I met, and then fell in love with my Valentine might be what some people would say is an odd way of meeting, but in our case it has worked for us. God has a plan for all of us though, and we understand we are together because God brought us together for a reason. I have never questioned God for the health troubles I've had to deal with, and try and live in the present. I look forward to the future, but never blame God for what troubles I've had during my past. My name is David Welch, and I've been a diabetic since I was four years old. Since I was 23 I've had many health problems -- blindness, loss of my kidneys, open heart surgery, and now I'm in a wheelchair. The one thing I have enjoyed doing since my health has declined is to use my computer with a screen reading program for the blind. One evening, I downloaded a program I had heard about called Freedom Chat, which was for blind people. Chat programs are something I really never enjoyed, but I'm so glad this time I tried it out. I didn't call anyone when I got online, but I received a private message from a young lady asking who I was. We started chatting and we both had health problems and felt comfortable with our conversation. Come to find out she was legally blind in one eye and completely blind in the other, along with being deaf in one ear. She had Lupus which had created many of her health problems. We chatted several times as the weeks went by, but neither of us thought much more of it than just a friendly conversation. I found out that she was from Thailand, but had become an American citizen nearly twenty years earlier. Her name was Nualanong Pumyam, but wanted to be called an American name, Nicole. Nicole mentioned to me that she was in school still working on her English, and computer skills using JAWS, the same screen reading program that I was using, and I thought I could help her out with her school work. We spent many evenings on the phone, with free long distance service, working on the computer skills, and her English. I had no problem helping her with her computer skills -- but hey, I probably need a little help at times myself with English! The one thing I kept telling her, was she should never trust anyone that she chats with. I told her many times she should go out and enjoy her life, but never agree to meet some guy that she was talking with over the Internet. I wanted Nicole to understand that meeting someone she had been chatting with over the computer could be very dangerous! As time went by the two of us started feeling much closer, and she said she would love to see what Kentucky was like. We managed to arrange for a plane ticket so she could visit Glasgow, Kentucky, where I live. Yes, we did exactly what I had been preaching for her to never do, and brought her to my hometown. With help from my brother driving me to the airport in Nashville, we picked up Nicole. It didn't take her long to notice a big difference between the people in San Jose, California, and the southern hospitality of the people that she would meet here in Kentucky. She said the people in Glasgow all seemed so friendly, and she fell in love with the town. The visit turned into a move to Glasgow, and she has never returned to California since. Actually, as I mentioned, Nicole fell in love with Glasgow, but we fell in love with each other as well. We have been together now for four years, and we have built a good life with one another, and on July 5, 2009, Nicole became my bride. I may not have the ability to always provide her with material things, like other men might give their girlfriend or wife, but we certainly give each other loyalty, respect, happiness, and most significantly... love! -- David Welch =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ...:::::::... ...:::::::... .:::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::'.-=.-~, ':::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::' /{,_;--'},'::::::::::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::: | .=~`|//| :::::::::::::::::::::. .::::::::::::::::::::: | / ; \ | :::' __, '::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::' || | | | :' .' \/\ ::::::::::::. .:::::::::::::::::::::: |\| | | |\ / \ /_| :::::::::::::. ::::::::::::::::::::::. \ | | /|'/ / | \ /_ | :::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::' ,_ '::: `\ \/|/ / /`.: \ /__/ ::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: /\/`'. ':. `\ `./.'/\ : /.--' .:::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: |_\ / \ ::. '. ,/|\/| // '''''::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::: | _\ / | .:: | | \ \/// .""'-. ::::::::::::: :::::::::::::: \__\ / .: .'/| | `)`/__//_/_/_\ :::::::::::: ':::::::::::::: '--.\ : /\/_| |} /.---. \ \ \ / :::::::::::' '::::::::::::'' \\ |\/_/| | //` . `'...-' :::::::::::' :::::::::: .-""'. \\\/ /{| |// .:::::....:::::::::::::: '::::::: /_\_\_\\__\`(` | '/ :::::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::: \ / / / .---.\ | | :::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::. '-..,'` .:.`\\ | |} ::::::::::::::::::::::' '::::::......:jgs:: \\| | ::::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::::: \` | ::::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::::: {| | ::::::::::::::' ':::::::::::: | | ::::::::::::' ':::::::::: | | ::::::::::' ':::::::: | |} ::::::::' ':::::: | | ::::::' ':::::. |/ ::::::' ':::.....:::::' ':::::::::' ':::::' ':' >The Best and Worst Charities! — WHERE DOES CHARITY MONEY GO??? — Some interesting stats in this message. The Terry Fox organization contributes $0.83 for every dollar raised to cancer research. The Canadian Cancer Society: $0.22 for every dollar raised. Admin costs for the Terry Fox Run are low because most of the admin costs are paid by its many volunteers. Only $0.17 is used for run promotion and supplies. Every person organizing & managing absorbs all expenses other than the run donor sheets and some signage. Do you know that the CEO of Shriners’, the Imperial Potentate, makes $0.00 per year? How about that for a salary? There are 22 hospitals helping kids in Canada , the USA and in Mexico . His salary is matched by the Provincial Potentate’s income which is also $0.00 per year. So the next time you see a Shriner in a mall, selling whatever, give generously. As you open your pockets for yet another natural disaster, keep the following information in mind. We have listed the charities from the highest (worst paid offender) to the lowest (least paid offender). The worst offender, for the 11th year in a row is UNICEF,whose CEO receives $1,200,000 per year, plus a Rolls Royce for his exclusive use wherever he goes, and an expense account that is rumored to be well over $150,000. Only pennies from the donations go to the UNICEF cause (less than $0.14 per dollar of income). The second worst offender this year is Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. Her salary for the year ending in 2009 was $651,957 plus expenses. She enjoys 6 weeks fully paid holidays including all related expenses during the holiday trip for her and her husband and kids, and 100% fully paid health & dental plan for her and her family...for life! This means out of every dollar they bring in, about $0.39 goes to charity causes. The third worst offender, again for the 7th time, was Brian Gallagher, President of the United Way. He receives a $375,000 base salary (US funds), plus so many expense benefits it’s hard to keep track as to what it is all worth, including a fully paid lifetime membership at 2 golf courses (1 in Canada, 1 in the USA), 2 luxury vehicles, a yacht club membership, 3 major company gold credit cards for his personal expenses and so on. This equates to about $0.51 per dollar of income going to charity causes. Fourth worst offender, in the fourth spot for every year since this information has been made available since 1998, is amazingly yet again, World Vision. Its President (Canada) receives $300,000 base salary, plus a home valued in the $700,000 – $800,000 range (completely furnished, all housing expenses, including taxes, water/sewer, telephone/fax, HD/high speed cable, weekly maid service and pool/yard maintenance), fully paid private schooling for his children, upscale automobile, and a $55,000 personal expense account for clothing/food, plus a $125,000 business expense account. And get this: because it is a "religious based" charity, World Vision pays little or no taxes, can receive government assistance and does not have to declare where the money goes. Only about $0.52 of earned income per dollar is available for charity causes. Of the some sixty-odd charities we looked at, the lowest paid President/CEO/Commissioner was heading up a charity group in Canada. We found, believe it or not, that it was... Ready for this? I think you might be surprised… It is none other than... The Salvation Army‘s Commissioner Todd Bassett, who receives a salary of only $13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization. Which means about $0.93 per dollar earned, is readily available and goes back out to local charity causes. Truly amazing… ..and well done, "Sally Ann” and the “ Shriners”!!!!!!! No further comment is necessary.. So think twice before selecting the Charity of your choice. Which one really does the best for the most, or the least for the most, for that matter????? Remember that charity starts at home. Let’s look after the people of this country. 99% of people probably won’t forward this. I just did! It is better to be informed than not!!! --- ..Absolutely! Thanks Linda! One thing for certain - when it comes to money, never second guess it! Always do your homework and make sure who you give to. Lots of bad crooks out there! Here's the low-down on The Clinton Foundation https://tinyurl.com/hz9dtqr =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) God is the best friend you will ever have and Prayer is merely the technical term for having a chat with Him. Lord, Let me tell You about some things that are on my mind and then I'll Listen while You tell me what You think. There is not one moment that we are separated from God's care unless we Choose to be. Lord, You provide for my daily needs and deliver me from Evil. You are my refuge. Thank you! -<>- ||__|| |__||| ..______________________________________||__||___________ . | [Home sweet Home] |__||| .____. . | .________. ||__|| |/\ *| . | wwwwwwwww | .'| |__||| |____| . | |)__|__(| (Moo) | .' | __||__||__. . /| | |\ | /| \\|(__)| | /__|__||/_/| . /%| | '=======' |(oo)| | |_._____._|| . |@/ | | \/ |o | |_|/^^^\|_|| . |/ |_____________________|____| ,|____|_|*****|_|/________ . . | , ____________ . . ._. . __________. |. =/ o o /= . / /| . /_/-----/_/| __ =/ X . /= | / /|| . ( ( ' ' ( (| /'--'\ =/___________/= . | /_/|/| . (_( ' ' (_(|/. .\ | |||/|| / /=====/ /| '||' | ||/|/ /_//____/_/ | || _ ,/| . | |||/ (o|:.....|o) | || '\`o.O' _ | ||/ |_|:_____|_|/' _||_ =(_*_)= ( | . ' ' /____\ ) ( _) . | . / \( -Steve- |____________________________________________________(/`-'\)_____. -Stewart- >LET ME SHOW YOU TO YOUR ROOM "In my Father's house are many rooms . . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2 Every once in a while when I travel to speak at a conference, the organization puts me up in a five-star hotel. You know the type— lobbies with lavish flower arrangements, a staff that is sensitive to your every need, robes in the bathroom that are so big and fluffy you could safely fall into them from a five-story building, and exotic soaps ready to fill your shower with fragrant aromas. I'll admit I'm carnal enough to love staying in those kinds of places. Do I have a witness? But here's the flip side. Most of the time when I travel, I feel like I'm on a points program with every budget motel across the States. You walk in carrying your own luggage, wait in vain for someone to greet you as you bang the little bell on the desk next to the vase with the wimpy plastic flower in it. When you finally get to your room (on your own, thank you), you can't help but notice that the towels look like somebody cut up some used sheets. On the sink there's a tiny little bar of soap all wrapped up like they don't want you to use it, and if you take it into the shower it goes down the drain. So now, let me ask you, where would you rather stay—really? Just as there's no comparison between a five-star hotel and the local economy motel, we can't compare our experience on earth with the wonders that await us in heaven. That's not to say that there are no wonderful aspects about earth. Without question, God created a beautiful world for us to live in. But let's face it: we're a fallen race living in a fallen place, which means that, inevitably, living in this place is going to be a disappointing experience. Which is exactly how the disciples must have felt when they met with Jesus in the Upper Room. They had been following Him for 3 years and thought He was the one who would make Israel a wonderful place to live. In their mind, they had won the lotto! They expected that He would restore Israel to its former glory and that they would be the big shots in the government. Until, that is, Jesus unraveled their dreams. In John 13, He told them that one of them would betray Him and that He was leaving them and they couldn't go with Him. In the other gospels, we read that He also told them of His suffering and warned them of the fact that they would suffer for Him as well. But, knowing that no matter how bad it gets in this place, Jesus knew that He had a better place for them just down the road. So He turned their eyes to the future and said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. . . . In my Father's house are many rooms. . . I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:1-2). And, as Paul reminds us, it is a place that is "far better" (Phil. 1:23). What an amazing promise! Of course, those of us who grew up in King James world might be wondering what happened to the "mansions." If we're totally honest, that probably has a lot more appeal than "rooms"! And in case you're thinking about carrying a KJV with you into heaven and asking for an upgrade, don't worry about it. When you are shown to your room, you can bet it will be like no other place you've ever stayed. So, next time you feel that you're stuck in a really bad place, don't forget what's ahead. As a friend of mine recently said, "If Jesus is your Savior, the future is your friend!" --- ...Just don't be in a hurry to get there! All in good time. We all have to wait on the Return Of Our Lord Christ Jesus for the resurrection. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Thes.4: [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep(dead), that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus (the saved dead) will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep (dead). Has this happened?... [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Since we have not seen or heard Jesus Christ descend from heaven then the dead are NOT In Heaven with God right now - they are asleep waiting for Christ's return! The Resurrection! [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' See this teaching for a further understanding... In What State of Being Are the Dead? https://tinyurl.com/ydzcbd6e -<>- ,==o // // xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx // /_/ | x__[__]____ ______ //_.-._ | | |[___________] / + | //%.o-o-' '-'(_)= (_(_)(_) '-o---o-' n4biS >HEROS By: Joseph J. Mazzella My wife is a hero. I think I have known this for a long time now. My wife is a hero in the way she has helped me to raise our two handicapped son's with so much caring, love, and strength over the years. My wife is a hero in the way she has stuck by me through all the years of struggle and financial hardship we have gone through in our marriage. My wife is a hero too in how she decided to follow a life long dream and become an E.M.T. after 17 years of marriage and bringing 3 beautiful children into this world. Even though she was already in her mid-thirties and working a full time job my wife took the E. M. T courses for months on her free days and got her certification. She started on a new career of helping others with her talented hands, intelligent mind, and kind heart. I think I got the full view of just what a hero she is when we were on a family outing and watched a horrible car accident happen right in front of us. Without a second thought my wife sprang into action. She had my daughter call in the location of the wreck while she ran to the scene to help the injured. I watched on with pride as she did her job with skill, caring, and calm. I felt honored to be married to such a wonderful woman. Being married to my wife has given me a new respect for all the heros out there who put themselves in harms way to protect and help us all. I thank God for all those who have dedicated their lives to being E. M. T. `s, police officers, firefighters, and soldiers. They help all of us to spend our days in peace and safety. Their sacrifices help each of us everyday to live freer, healthier, more joyous, and more loving lives. Is it hard being married to a hero? Actually, it is one of the easiest things in the world. My hero brings out the best in me. I always choose and share more love and joy because of her. -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >It's Up to Me I get discouraged now and then When there are clouds of gray, Until I think about the things That happened yesterday. I do not mean the day before, Or those of months ago. but all the yesterdays in which I had the chance to grow. I think of opportunities That I allowed to die And those I took advantage of Before they passed me by. And I remember that the past Presented quite a plight. But somehow I endured it and The future seemed all right. And I remind myself that I Am capable and free. And my success and happiness Are really up to me -<>- .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / | -= | /| ( | |/`< ) ) ( ; -=| _| ) \ \ / ____ /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / _ .'`/| _ / | '-._( __\ (__/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==========` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >Thanks? For What? By Bob Perks, Bob@BobPerks.com () It's not an easy task to find yourself heading into the holidays when there's little joy in your life. It had been a bad year. One that would be remembered for the loss of two loved ones. A year that saw financial despair and job loss. Then there were the health issues. Not everyday concerns but life threatening attacks. Nothing, but nothing went right. Still, the family gathered as always for the Thanksgiving Day feast. They came from all around the country to share once more in what was always a beautiful family tradition. The setting was the same as always at Grandma's house. Aunt Ester would bring her famous sweet potatoes. Uncle Joe would play the piano in the great room. Mom would set the table while Dad...well Dad would watch football. Aunts and Uncles, brothers and sisters would hug that warm loving embrace that says it's been much too long. Or would they? "It's really not the same without her here," someone said. Uncle Peter pretended not to hear it and continued on with an almost believable smile on his face. "Do you remember when George would tell that funny story about his first Thanksgiving turkey?" "It was really not that funny, but to hear George tell it. You laughed because of him!" There was an uneasy silence in the room. "Time for dinner!" Grandma announced. One by one each of them took their place at the table. There was an awkward moment when they discovered the two empty seats where they always sat. "Maybe it's time for Sissy and Jack to move up to the big table." Someone said. "Yes, come sit here next to me," Uncle Peter motioned. "I could use some company right now." "Okay, everyone bow your heads for Grace," Grandma told them. "Lord, we are gathered here once again in thanks for all your blessings. We are grateful to you for the bounty of this feast and for the family we share it with. Amen." It was now the tradition of this family to take the time to share one thing they were each thankful for from the past year. "Who would like to go first?" Grandma asked. There was silence. An uncomfortable moment that most everyone dreaded this year. "Come, now. Who will start?" Jack, now the youngest one there at the grown up table rose to his feet and tried to slip away. Jack had lost his mother just a few weeks earlier after a long struggle with cancer. "Jack, you have not asked to be excused," Grandma said sharply. "Perhaps you would like to begin?" Oh, this was a tough moment. Grandma deserved the respect of a young man, but stirred in him a fire that only youth enjoy. "Thanks? For what?" he said sharply. "Thanks for taking my mom? Thanks for Uncle Dan losing his job and having to sell his house? Thanks for the cancer that has taken all too many lives?" he said with anger in his voice. "Thanks for what?" Most of the adults sat quietly with their heads lowered. Some struggled to hold back tears. It was a difficult time and no one there went unaffected by the loss and tragedies of this past year. Then suddenly a small voice could be heard. "Thanks for the love." Heads raised slowly. Looking around the room to see who had spoken, you could hear the rattle of the dishes and the scraping of the chairs against the floor as some re-positioned themselves to get a better look. "Who said that?" Grandma said softly. Nervously the young child raised his hand and could barely be seen in the far corner of the room. It was the children's table, occupied this year by only two. The others had been promoted to fill the vacancies at the adult table. "Jacob, please stand up," Grandma urged. "Tell us again. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?" "I am thankful for the love. You can lose a job. God can call all of us home. What will always remain is the love. The love. I'm thankful for the love." The stillness in the room was unsettling. "I'm thankful for you Jacob," someone said. "Well, I'm thankful for...ever having your mom in my life. Even if only for such a brief time," Jack's father said. "I'm thankful for the memories," someone else added. "I'm thankful for the chance to start over with a new career," Uncle Dan said. "I'm thankful for cranberry sauce!" the little child yelled out. Everyone was laughing. Jack returned to his seat as he listened to the others announce what they were thankful for. "My golf score!" "My new dress." "My trip to the Grand Canyon last summer with our neighbors. It was awesome!" Finally it went full circle right back to Jack. There was a sudden hush in the room as everyone waited to see if he would join in. Then looking up, with tears in his eyes Frank said, "Thanks for being my Mom!" Family rushed to his side and surrounding him they hugged, kissed and held his hands. "Let's eat!" Grandma said. The young man in the corner whispered, "See, God? Thanks for the love." May this holiday season bathe you in His Love. I am thankful for yours! "I believe in you!" Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com () copyright 2004 Bob Perks I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission from the author. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: God's Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html God's Water Paintings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/water.html Nanny Animals http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html Peek-A-Boo Panda http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panda.html Rotating Skyscrapers http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/skyscraper.html Rose Petals http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/rose.html Small Thoughts http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/smallthoughts.html Truth About Work http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/work.html Veggie Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/veggie.html True Duck Tale http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/duck.html Notes to God and turn your sound up: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cnotes.html Our Valuable Anchor http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Are Angels Real http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Signs You're Having A Bad Day http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/badday.html Running Horses http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/runninghorses.html Trucks! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trucks.html -<>- >Please Visit/Follow Me On StumbleUpon: https://tinyurl.com/yb6gr3k4 -<>- Awesome Pie Crust Recipes! https://tinyurl.com/y9p4ck4d Ben Shapiro DESTROYS Transgenderism And Pro-Abortion Arguments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkONHNXGfaM -<>- >Articles From TruthOrTraditon: Manners & Customs in the Bible https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLABA94862BB0916FF The Bible as a Work of Literature https://tinyurl.com/y87bkt2a The Pieces of the Puzzle https://tinyurl.com/y76jvhng How Do We Know that Jesus was the Promised Redeemer? https://tinyurl.com/ycubk5qf Worship – Fun and Not Fun https://tinyurl.com/ybg2xn3w Why read the Bible? https://tinyurl.com/y9ox8at7 -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) Ana Yang Gazillion Bubble Show - YouTube https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KMrvR836TFI?rel=0 --- ...Neat! Thanks Fran! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A month ago, magician Darcy Oake amazed the judges and audience of Britain’s Got Talent when he pulled birds out of thin air. His new performance is even more astounding! Magician Darcy Oake does the ultimate disappearing act. But where does he go? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5N0MDF1CYQ --- ...Amazing! Thanks LouiseAu! Revisiting... >From Our Friend KarenF :) A beautiful coat! (YOU ARE GOING TO WATCH THIS MORE THAN ONCE ...(OH, YES you are). http://elrellano.com/videos_online/4624/circo-roncalli.html --- ...A fun shocker! Thanks KarenF! A video done in Alberta, Canada. The quality of the video is stunning. This is fast paced but the high definition scenery is awesome in what is as close to 3D as you can get without wearing special glasses. http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ThFCg0tBDck --- ...Awww, most beautiful! Thanks KarenF! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The road is built on several small islands and reefs, and is crossed by eight bridges, several roads and overpasses. This road gives a view of the open sea, which is rare on the roads along the Norwegian coast. You can see fjords and mountains near the road. The spectacular road quickly became a tourist attraction, insofar precautions should be displayed while driving, because of the attendance of the road by the local population and visitors. How did they build these roads? Driving in Norway - Imagine you are driving. http://www.youtube.com/embed/4T4vc1QqiPM?feature=player_embedded --- ...Wowsers! Too Scary! 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 ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) _______ /______/"=, [ | "=, "=,, [-----+----"=,* ) (_---_____---_)/ (O) (O) Emiliano We were in our 20's, with two small children — our ability to take a vacation constrained by a very tight budget. Many times in the 1960's and '70's we returned to New York City from vacation with just enough gas and no money for tolls. But one vacation in 1966 almost ended on our way north from NYC. The car stopped suddenly around midnight on the New York State Thruway. We coasted to the side and discussed our next move. My NYC born-and-raised husband had only driven for about a year, and had no clue why an engine would die. I dug a flashlight out of the camping gear, and we both looked under the hood — blankly. Just then a trooper stopped. He called a tow truck, which arrived after an hour. The trooper stayed, gently breaking the news that it was probably the alternator, about $70 to repair. We had the cash — but had planned to spend under $100 on our two-week vacation. I'm certain my face mirrored my husband's stricken expression. The trooper left after the tow truck arrived. The 50-ish driver owned the nearest gas station, in Saugerties, New York. When we arrived, he decided to work on our car, "since your kids are asleep and I'm awake". We moved the kids into sleeping bags, then they and I slept on the two tired sofas in the station. Thus I'd be awake enough to drive whenever the car was ready — back to the city, of course, since we'd be broke. My husband followed the owner into the garage to learn something about cars and engines. When my husband woke me, I reached for my purse to pay the bill. But the station owner insisted that my husband had done most of the work. He would accept only $10 for parts. I drove north, both of us happy that the vacation could continue, though we'd have to pinch pennies for a couple of weeks. Whenever we were in the area for the next seven years, we stopped at that gas station: for gas, to get a taillight fixed, whatever. The station owner always remembered us, and exclaimed over how much our sons had grown. Before we moved to the Midwest, I insisted I must pay him the old alternator bill. He laughed and said it had been paid many times over because we always stopped in. Moreover, the trooper had alerted him to our dilemma and paid half the bill. Our $10 kept his portion to his labor charge. We all laughed as he related how hard it was to invent the white lie about my husband's help. Ever since, our two grown sons, my husband, and I all stop for stranded motorists and use our cell phones to call help. Sometimes our cash pays for towing. Remembering the night we were almost penniless, we're simply honoring the gas station owner and the trooper who taught us the true meaning of interdependence. - Pat Fletcher --- ...A wonderful Story! Thanks Fran! =============================================================== \\\\ c oo | .U __=__ ,,, |. __|___ oo ; ||_/ / / U= _ 0 \_/__/__E o /. .| | (___ || |~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'----'~| I---||| |-----------------------| I ||| | c(__) | ^ '--'' ^ ^ Petrus >Doctor Tim Story Editor: by The Patient Joyce Schowalter USA Over 25 years ago a friend recommended a doctor to me. The doctor had a private practice and his office was nearby. Best of all, he favored "preventive and natural medicine", important to me as I seem to be allergic to half the substances known to mankind. Foods, chemicals, dyes, you name it, I'm allergic. I appreciated he was a small business owner, being one myself. I didn't have insurance, because one month of insurance cost more than I usually spent in three years at the doctor. (Even 25 years ago, policies for one person were extremely expensive.) So I went to see Doctor Tim. He was a great guy, very helpful, very respectful. Afterwards, the gal at the front desk printed out a bill for $80. As I was writing my check, Doctor Tim came up, took the bill, drew a line across it, and wrote in "$60.00". I was floored. "Look, he said, "If we bill an insurance company, it takes an incredible amount of our time, energy and money. Insurance companies don't pay the full amount of the bill, and it takes a long time for us to be paid. People who pay in the moment deserve to pay less, it's still better for us." "Wow, thanks!" I replied. Years later, Doc Tim joined a big medical business in my metro area, in charge of one of their offices. At that big business, still uninsured, I had to pay full price. Then one day the front desk clerk said, "If you're paying today, self-insured, there's 20 percent off your bill." Amazing. Next time I told Doc Tim, "Great news on the 20 percent off!" He said, "Let me tell you a story about that. "I went to meetings for two years, saying that I thought our self-insured customers deserved this. People finally agreed. But the computer guys said they had to change the system to accommodate it. Next meeting, same conversation. "Finally, after two years, I sent a bill out front with the instructions, 'Take 20 percent off, patient is self-pay." The front desk did just that. Soon my phone lit up with the billing department, 'Why did you do this?' "I told them I did it because they'd been talking about it for years, plenty of time to get it done, and I was going to continue. Within *one month*, the 20 percent off was in the computers, system-wide, for all our locations." Needless to say, my jaw dropped. One person, one conviction to do what was right, thousands of patients paying a more "fair" rate, probably still more money than insurance companies paid. Imagine how many people, how many families that would help over the years. It's probably been 10 years. I still don't see the doctor often. But when I do, there's 20 percent off my bill. On my behalf, and the thousands of people who don't know the story: Thank you, Doctor Tim. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laff&Lift: .-"-. * ( + / \ . ) ) ) |# | ( * . ( . \___/ . + .-"-. * /^ + ( / \ ) ( .-"-. ) + . |# | ( * / \ ( ) \___/ ) ( |# | ( ' * /^ ) \___/ ( * ' ( ^\ * ' . \ , , , , , ' \ + "Folks, the grass is not greener on that side of the fence. And the grass is not greener on this side of the fence. The grass is greener where you water it." - Frank Fried The Lift ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >Nipping Negative Reactions (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) [Edited] Have you noticed how easy it is to react in a negative manner when something negative happens in your life? Doubt may creep into your thoughts and cause you to question God and His Word. Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) says "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Samuel Hearne was an adventurer who took an expedition to the mouth of the Coppermine River. He recorded that a few days after the journey was started, Indians stole most of the expedition's supplies. What was the explorer's comment on the theft? Surely he must have been upset and distressed about so great a loss. Not so! The optimistic Hearne wrote: "The weight of our baggage being so much lightened, our next day's journey was more swift and pleasant." Remember, negative reactions only make a bad situation worse. Choose to look for the bright side of problems this week. Keep tabs on the results of your optimistic outlook. You might also want to keep a record of how your perspective is changed. -<>- "I willingly believe that the damned are, in one sense, successful, rebels to the end; that the doors of hell are locked on the INSIDE." - C.S. Lewis (emphasis mine) The Lift Note from Chris: I wrote this a year ago and sent it out then. Its message is so important that I just was sensing today that maybe it was time to send out again. May we all examine ourselves today and make sure we aren't in any sin that we are rationalizing as OK... - Chris >Rationalizing Sin (by Chris Long) http://www.laughandlift.com/personalarticles/rationalizingsin.html -<>- "Abandonment of self-centeredness is the triumph of trusting Christ in our lives." - Brennan Manning The Lift _|_ ____|____ #%@@ /~~~~.~~~~\ @@%# @%%#%%, /~~~~/ \~~~~\ ,%%#%%@ %%@@%%@%/~~~~/ : \~~~~\%@%%@@%% `@%%%@#@/____/ (X) \____\@%%%@#@` @@\@%%@`|.`.| ___ |.`.|`@%%@/@@ `#%/@ |:x:|| .||:x:| @\%#` || |:x:|| ||:x:| || -_|| _-|:x:||~ .||:x:|-_ ||_- !-!-!-!-!-|___||___||___|-!-!-!-!-!lc >His Message and His Ministry (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, http://www.gdwm.org) Ahithophel was a highly regarded advisor to King David; "Now in those days the advice Ahithophel gave was like that of one who inquires of God" (2 Samuel 16:23). But when David's son, Absalom, rebelled and sought to become the new king, Ahithophel joined with Absalom. Ahithophel had reason to be angry with David; he was the grandfather of Bathsheba and had watched as David violated his granddaughter and then had her husband killed (2 Samuel 11). In his anger Ahithophel advised Absalom how to defeat David, but God had other plans; "The Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom" (2 Samuel 17:14). When Absalom refused to follow his advice, Ahithophel took the rejection very personally. 2 Samuel 17:23 "When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself." Ahithophel had once been close to God and was used for many years to give godly direction. But at some point Ahithophel began to take too much ownership of his ministry. He determined his self-worth based on the results of his ministry and began to use his gifts for his own selfish purpose. When his message was no longer trusted and his ministry was not going in the direction he desired, his self-worth fell and he found he had no reason to continue. God has called each of us to be His messengers and has given us a ministry of sharing the Gospel; "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:20). Some are called to preach a message of hope to a large congregation. Others have been called to instruct a small group or to encourage just one...but we have all been called! We are never responsible for the outcome of a ministry, only for the obedience of faithfully delivering His message. God remains in complete control of any and all results: "My Word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). As we walk in obedience, His purpose (not ours!) will be accomplished. We must never lose sight of the One who called us to serve. Our worth is in being a Child of God, not in the praises we receive or in what we can accomplish. We must continue to be obedient messengers who proclaim the Good News, teach the truth, and encourage at every opportunity. And when we become discouraged, we must check our focus and always remember...this is His message and His ministry. 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 ========================================================== . | . \ | / `. \ ' / .' `. .-*""*-. .' "*-._ /.*" "*.\ _.-*" : ; ____ """"': .. ; _.-*" \ `.__.' / "*-._ .' `-.__.-' `. bug .' / . \ `. / | \ ' | ` >-->Simple Things The shimmering sunlight's majestic glow, a velvet night with thousands of twinkling stars. Deep colors of a breath taking rainbow, hummers drinking sweet nectar from their jars. A crystal clear sky of the deepest baby blue, billowy clouds so soft, fluffy, and white. The wonderful smell of newly mowed grass, the sound of raindrops falling at twilight... Memories of special treasured moments, a handpicked flower given for no reason at all. Fresh coffee brewing in the morning, piles of dried leaves burning in the fall... A colorful bouquet of assorted wild flowers, enjoying a relaxing boat ride at the lake. Horseback riding through the trails in the woods, double chocolate on a walnut cake. Watching old home movies all day long, sitting around a cozy warm fireplace. The sound of my daughters laughter, a true genuine smile on someone's face. A surprise phone call from an old friend, flying a pretty kite on a windy day. Planting lots of flowers in the springtime, watching the squirrels run and play. Sitting on my back porch in the late evening, waiting for deer that sometimes timidly appear. Love to watch as the geese are flying over, Knowing cooler weather will soon be here. I have always admired the simple things in life, may I never take for granted one single day. For I have been truly blessed in more ways than one, enjoy the beauty...life is much too short to waste it away... © Angela Wilson 11-17-04 -<>- . , )). -===- ,(( ))). ,((( ))))). .:::. ,(((((( ))))))))). :. .: ,((((((((' `))))))))))). : - : ,(((((((((((( ))))))))))))))))_:' ':_(((((((((((((((' `)))))))))))).-' \___/ '-._((((((((((( `))))_._.-' __)( )(_ '-._._((((' `))'---)___)))'\_ _/'((((__(---'((' `))))))))))))|' '|((((((((((((' jim `)))))))))/' '\(((((((((' `)))))))| |(((((((' `))))))| |((((((' /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ /' '\ '---..___..---' >-->Angels Unawares Be kind to everyone you meet And let the Light shine through. Make joy in life a lasting treat As folks encounter you. Be careful how you plan your day. Ask God to help you choose. Take time to listen, when you pray. By faith, you never lose. Bring peace to those who fear the worst. Bring hope where there is none. Give water to the souls who thirst And glorify the Son. Be gracious, loyal, kind, and true. Be thoughtful, just, and fair. Do everything the Lord would do. For, He is standing there. Reach out to those in pain and grief, And show them someone cares. Bring love and life, and sweet relief; Like angels unawares. For, angels come in many forms And many different sizes. They walk with us through all the storms. They often wear disguises. So, be an angel, if you can. You do not need the wings. Just share your faith with fellow man And God's eternal things! Jim Lake © 2004 >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? 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