Stewardship, Special Hands And Adoption... :) 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ .'''. ' ' '. .' '.' ' ' ' /")\ / /\ \ / ()""() |=( . .) | '(o)| /______| | | _ / ____ \ _ ( ) / \ ( ) |_|/ \|_| tre *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form 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. 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 MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This sizzling hot new page is from our friends Bunni and Deci. For those of you who love innovative architecture and design, you'll appreciate this one. Here are some most unusual homes. Check this one out here... _ _ ( Y ) \ / \ / \ /^\ _ ) //^\\ -= (_) =- ( // \\ ) // \\ / \ __ // \\ |=^| // _ \\ __|= |__// (+) \\ /LLLLLLL// ~ \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// \\ /LLLLLLL// |~[|]~| |~[|]~| \\ ^| [|] // | [|] | | [|] | \\ | [|] ^| |_[|]_| |_[|]_| |^ ___|______| | /LLLLLLLLLL|_____________________| /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ /LLLLLLLLLLL/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ ^||^^^^^^^^/LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL\ || |~[|]~|^^||^^^^^^^^^^||^|~[|]~|^||^^ || | [|] | || |~~~~| || | [|] | || || |_[|]_| || | [] | || |_[|]_| || ||__________|| | o| ||_________|| .'||][][][][][|| | [] | ||[][][][][||.'. ."'||[][][][][]||_-`----'-_||][][][][]||"." .(')^(.)(').( )'^@/-- -- - --\@( )'( ).(( )^(.) '( )^(`)'.(').( )@/-- -- - -- -\@ (.)'(.),( ).('). ".'.'." ." '.". @/- - --- -- - -\@ '.".'.".'.".'." jgs'' ".".".'.'@/ - -- -- -- -- -\@".'..'".'."'.'.' '.".".''.".''."@/ -- --- --- -- - -\@.".''.".''.".'". Unique Homes http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/uniquehomes.html --- ...I love this one! Such concepts! Thanks Bunni And Deci! -<>- *~* We Had A Spectacular Month Of Sharing And Caring Last Month! clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap clap Clap clap clap clap clap , clap clap clap Clap clap clap . \ ` YEA \ ( (\ ) / Praise God! ` ` / _\ , \(") ___ .- )=| (` ') ' _ /'| |-n___n ' (/\| a:f____________|_L___J__ < L _______________________ ~I Am Pleased To Announce That We Had A Donation For Shangrala~ * Florence (Cloie) L. from NH Praise God! Cloie again stepped up and gave a donation in April to help keep Shangrala Alive! She is indeed Our Sweet Angel! May God Bless Her Through Jesus Christ For Her Giving Heart! *~* Please Visit And Share All Of Our Newest Web Pages :) Old Stars And Their Cars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/starscars.html Humor With Cooking! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bookpaperart2.html Amazing Light Pillars! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lightpillars.html Garage Door Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/garageart2.html Important Life Truths! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifetruths.html Through Daredevil Eyes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/daredevil.html Metro Museum Of Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/metmuseumart.html Metro Museum Of Art 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/metmuseumart2.html Longest Glass Bridge! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/glassbridge.html Revenge Parking! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/revengeparking.html _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* May God Bless All Our Sweet Contributors! They Give Us A Bit Of The 'Spice Of Life' With Their Kind Forwards And Links! :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! >FINALLY, A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY by Sherry A. Smith I am sitting here still sometimes pinching myself, still awed over my miracle. Often overwhelmed with happiness over my miracle. Mother's Day this year is finally going to be a happy day. For many years it wasn't. When I was 22 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I was SO happy. I made so many plans, saw my doctor, ate well and did everything I was supposed to do. But then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I lost my baby. I was just 21 weeks pregnant when my little boy, Robert, was born way too soon for unknown reasons. He held on for 50 minutes and then died in my arms. It was the most devastating loss I'd ever been through. That was in 1991. Mother's Day was always especially difficult because it reminded me more of the future I'd lost with my baby than any other holiday. I always felt like something was missing from my life and though I have nieces and nephews that I love very much, it just wasn't the same as having a baby of my own. I tried to get pregnant again but it just didn't happen. Then, I found out a few years later that I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and the doctors said I'd never get pregnant again. It took a long time but I eventually accepted this, dealt with the loss of my son the best I could, and got on with life. In 1995, I met my current husband, Kenny, whom I've been married to for more than 13 years now. On January 21, 2009, I went to my doctor because I just hadn't felt well for a month. I got a big surprise. My doctor said, "You're pregnant!" Kenny and I were shocked to say the least. I was also VERY worried that something would go wrong and I'd lose this baby too, but I did everything I could, had a lot of special tests and throughout my pregnancy things went fine, for the most part. I kept hoping and praying this baby, whom I learned at 16 weeks was a boy, would live because I knew that at age 40 and with both PCOS and type 2 diabetes, this was my last chance to have a baby of my own. I also didn't think I could handle losing another baby. On September 10, 2009 at 5:17pm, our beautiful baby was born. At age 56, Kenny became a father and at almost 41 years old I became a mother. What a joy it was to hear his first cries and to know that he was healthy and alive! His name is also Kenny and he's a beautiful baby and other than having congenital cataracts and needing 5 eye surgeries, he is doing very well. I so look forward to celebrating Mother's Day this year and am so thankful for my little miracle. It is my hope and prayer that other couples that have been told they'll never have a baby will one day get their miracle, even if it happens later in life. -- Sherry A. Smith __________________________________________________ Sherry say, "I live in Maryland, with my husband, Kenny, my son, Kenny and several cats. I like to write and especially enjoy pen-palling the old fashioned (snail mail) way." Here is the link to Baby Kenny's web site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/babykenny =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) \ | / -- * -- / | \ /') ./') ('\. ('\ /' /.--''./'') (''\.''--.\ '\ :--'' ; ''./'') (''\.'' ; ''--: : ' ''./') ('\.'' ' : : ''./' '\.'' : :--''-..--'''' ''''--..-''--: dp >ONE SPECIAL PAIR OF HANDS Have you ever stopped to think Just for a moment What that one special pair of hands really did for You From the day He was born in a manger. So small and innocent Until the day He was nailed on the cross for me and You He never lived as a rich man as He lived on this Earth Working with his earthly father each day of his early life Until He went to preach his heavenly Father's words Showing Love to all no matter their place in life He never lived as a rich man as He lived on this Earth Working with his earthly father each day of his early life Until He went to preach his heavenly Father's words Showing Love for all no matter what their strife Love was so richly shown in his days of ministry Preaching and teaching every day Showing miracles as He healed the sick and the blind This was our Saviour's life day by day Clearly Love could be seen during his days of ministry As daily He would teach about God's great love for man Doing miracles as He lovingly healed the sick and the blind The people could clearly see how Love ruled his life day by day So swiftly the time drew near when He would give his life He loved us so much that He would freely give His All His life and His blood to be sacrificed on that old rugged cross What more could He give to purchase our soul's salvation His love so great He would not spare Himself the pain and suffering As terrible pain raced through his body so we could live forever He suffered so on the Cross that day Giving up his life So we could eternally be with Him. He Loved us that much How much He had to love us to give His Life for us that day Those nails driven through his hands and his feet His precious blood dripping from His tortured body to the ground Sin's price to pay so man could be saved from Hell's eternal flames What a special pair of hands were nailed to the cross that day They were nailed to that old cross for me and for you I humbly bow accepting the great sacrifice He made for me Forever I will Praise Him. My Jesus, My Saviour through all eternity! THANK YOU, MY JESUS. AMEN AND AMEN!!! Bunni (Phyllis Smith) Copyright November 9, 2010 All Rights Reserved --- ...Beautiful! Thanks Bunni! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __-----__ ..;;;--'~~~`--;;;.. /;-~IN GOD WE TRUST~-.\ // ,;;;;;;;; \\ .// ;;;;; \ \\ || ;;;;( /.| || || ;;;;;;; _\ || || ';; ;;;;= || ||LIBERTY | ''\;;;;;; || \\ ,| '\ '|><| 1995 // \\ | | \ A // `;.,|. | '\.-'/ ~~;;;,._|___.,-;;;~' ''=--' - Daniel C Au - >THE PENNY Remember this every time you pass that little penny in the parking lot. I always thought that it was for Good Luck, but I love this version better: I found a penny today Just laying on the ground. But it's not just a penny, this little coin I've found. Found pennies come from heaven, that's what my Grandpa told me. He said Angels toss them down. Oh, how I loved that story. He said when an Angel misses you, they toss a penny down. Sometimes just to cheer you up, to make a smile out of your frown. So, don't pass by that penny, when you're feeling blue. It may be a penny from heaven, that an Angel's tossed to you. --- ...My two cents... Reminding you to Trust In God And that you're dearly loved. So turn that frown around and smile, At God looking down from above. -<>- >JOY ALONG THE WAY A senator once took Will Rogers to the White House to meet President Coolidge. He warned the humorist that Coolidge never smiled. Rogers replied, "I'll make him smile." Inside the Oval Office, the senator introduced the two men. "Will Rogers," he said, "I'd like you to meet President Coolidge." Deadpan, Rogers quipped, "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch the name." Coolidge smiled. A sense of humor is a marvelous gift to have. It is one of the most important means we possess to face the difficulties of life. And sometimes life can be difficult. I deal professionally with issues which are critical: relationships breaking apart, people losing jobs, people facing serious illness or agonizing with someone close who is suffering, addictions, grief and heartache. Without a sense of humor about my own life, I don't know if I could survive! I take what I do seriously, but I try not to take myself too seriously. Like the New York City cab driver who said, "It's not the work that I enjoy so much, but the people I run into!" Here is an experiment: look for and find as much joy as possible for one full day. Try to enjoy the people you run into, the work you do, your leisure time and your relationships. Don't forget to enjoy yourself - and take enough time to enjoy God. I believe that if you try this experiment for one full day, by evening you will bask in the glow of a rekindled spirit. It just takes a day to find joy along the way. -- Steve Goodier -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Lean On Me http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html HERO http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hero.html World's Fastest Cars http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastcars.html Real Fantasy Trees http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/trees.html Real Pencil Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pencil.html HOW TO QUIT SMOKING http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/quitsmoking.html Akiane Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Are Angels Real?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Animal Friends 3!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends3.html Rescued Squirrel!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rsquirrel.html Maria The Goose!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goose.html Value What You Have!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html Attitude Is Everything!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Kisses Sweeter Than Honey!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kisses.html Military Motivational Posters!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/military.html You Are The Only You God Has!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html Mother's Day Animated Images http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_p-t.html Mother's Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/momsanddadsindex.html -<>- >In The News: Trump marks National Day of Prayer, signs executive order on religious freedom! http://tinyurl.com/k2b8b92 Obama’s Team Asked NSA For Info On More Than 30,000 Americans Circulating Over 6000 Reports WITHOUT Removing Names [VIDEO] http://tinyurl.com/ksb4fa7 The President and the Vice President Join Education Secretary Betsy DeVos at a School Choice Event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugnd-uKHvGY -<>- >From ReturnToOrder: God gives us many ways to come to know Him. One is by means of material objects that reflect His Supreme Perfection. Please see my article on this fascinating topic: How Material Things Can Lead Us to God http://tinyurl.com/kfeo3qp -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Benefits of Lemon Water https://wellnessmama.com/35192/benefits-of-lemon-water/ A wonderful look at nature and the beauty of pollination. Louie Schwartzberg is a Filmmaker who has been filming flowers for over 35 years using time lapse photography. He shows us the amazing world of pollen and pollinators with stunning high-speed images from his film "Wings of Life". Louis was inspired by the vanishing of the honeybee, one of nature's primary pollinators. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MQiszdkOwuU The footage of the Himalayan Mountains was recorded at 24,000ft above sea level. The team had to use oxygen masks, due to the high altitudes, but the result is the clearest, most beautiful shots of the Himalayas and Mt. Everest ever caught on camera! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-hTVNidxg2s --- ...Wow! Stunning! Love these! 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 Geniann :) _______/_____ D'-. | / ) '(o)'-.....'(O)' ind >Story Time! This is the story of Alex Miller and his wife, Imogene. They lived in East Orange, Vermont on an old, rather small farm. Alex was, what many would call, a miser. He and Imogene didn't spend much money. Alex even salvaged old rusty nails from burned out buildings to repair his roof. He drove an old ratty VW Beetle. When it died, he found another VW Beetle to drive that was even worse. Ratty VW Beetles began to litter his property. Alex and Imogene's neighbors believed that they were paupers with no money and would help them out from time to time with cash, food and other things. The Millers weren't above taking charity. Alex Miller died in 1993. Imogene followed in 1996. With no money, the local church took a collection both times to pay for the Miller's burials in the churchyard cemetery. Shortly after Imogene's death, the state began the process of taking possession of the farm property for back taxes that were owed. The state collectors arrived to prepare the farm for an auction. They didn't think that it would sell for much as it was very run down and junk such as the VW Beetles was everywhere. While going through the Miller's papers, the sheriff discovered a cashe of bearer bonds that were taped to the back of a mirror on one wall. He thought that he should do a complete search of the house and outbuildings to see if there might be anything else that could be of any value. He had no idea what he was about to discover. What they found out amazed them...and the neighbors. Alex Miller had graduated from Rutgers University. He had been the son of a wealthy financier. He and Imogene originally lived in Montclair, New Jersey. It was there that Alex had founded Miller's Flying Service in 1930. He flew a gyrocopter, (a small, homemade one passenger helicopter), for mail and delivery service all through the 1930s. Alex had a little secret that no one but him and his wife knew about. He loved cars. Actually, he was obsessed with them. His favorite cars were Stutz. But he collected others as well. Alex wanted to keep his privacy and he was paranoid about tax collectors. So he and Imogene looked around for a new home. It would have to have space for his collection of cars. They settled on the Vermont farm. Alex didn't trust banks anymore than he did people. So he had most of his cash exchanged for gold and silver bars and coins. These he buried around their new farm. He disassembled the gyrocopter and stored it in an old one-room school house that was on his property. Over the next year or so, Alex built several dozen sheds and barns for his collection. These he built from scrap lumber and recycled old nails. These structures would hold his collection. As was said before, Alex loved Stutz cars. Stytz Blackhawks, Stutz Bearcats, DV16's and the 32's. He had been buying these cars since the 1920s. When Stutz went out of business, Alex bought a huge supply of spare parts for his cars which he also stored in his sheds. He had also bought Locomobiles, a Stanley and a springfield Rolls Royce. These cars Alex never drove. He just loved having them. He moved them into his buildings in the middle of the night. Each car was completely wrapped in burlap to keep anyone from seeing what he had. Over the next several years, the farm began to appear run down. But Alex still bought more and more cars. At times he would sell a few parts to make some cash rather than taking from his underground bank supply. Alex would also work long hours making and creating parts copied from the originals by hand. Collectors knew Alex and bought parts from him. They saw him as a good businessman but they also knew that, at times, he would cheat on items. None of the Miller's neighbors had any idea what was going on. The auction that was planned was a three day affair and was billed as, "The Opening of King Stutz Tomb." It would be conducted by Christies Auction House and would take place September 6,7,8, 1996. Many celebrity auto collectors were present as well as others. In that three day period, millions of dollars was raised. Many items actually sold for far more than they were worth. The IRS took a big portion of the proceeds for back taxes. Afterward, the sheds and barns were mostly empty. Final tally: $2.18 million at auction $1 million in gold $75,000 in silver $400,000 in stock And they never got to enjoy it! See all here: http://coolcatcorp.com/millerauction/MillerAuction.html --- ...Wow! What a story! Thanks Geniann! Such a sad thing. They're life was a show of living like paupers so that they could amass a fortune that would never go to benefit them or anyone else. What a waste. Their pursuit of happiness was actually fruitless as they couldn't take it with them and they didn't give it to any charity. They simply let it slip into the deep recesses of the government swamp. What will they tell the Lord when they stand before him and He asks what they did for God Almighty? They'll no doubt stammer about how they had safely hid all that they were given stewardship over and how well they protected and saved it. To what end? It reminds me of this teaching from Jesus in , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Matthew 25: [14] For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. [15] And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. [16] Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. [17] And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. [18] But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. [19] After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. [20] And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. [21] His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. [23] His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24] Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: [25] And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. [26] His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. [28] Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. [29] For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. [30] And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Check out these teachings on the above for better understanding: Five Lessons for Our Lives from the Parable of the Talents How should Christians think about work, success, and wealth? https://tifwe.org/five-lessons-for-our-lives-from-the-parable-of-the-talents/ Financial Stewardship: God's Heart Concerning Money and Possessions http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/financialstewardship.html ============================================================ ___ ((((\\\ 9_9 3)) \= (( __) (__ ,' \_/ `. / :|: \ / / :|: \ \ \ \..:|:../ / `._\_, __/_.' .-)\\-///-. >Three Penny Momma Story Editor: by Don L. Creacy Joyce Schowalter Kentucky, USA The year was 1958 and I was seven years old when I first met my Momma. It's not important how we three children fell into the child- care system, nor how we came to live at that orphanage. Simply stated, the man our birth Mother had run off with didn't want to raise three hungry children after she was killed in a car accident. So there we were. I vividly remember holding each sister's hand through a chain link fence: separated on the boys' and girls' sides. It remains important that we three children stayed close. One day they got us all "fixed up" and took us to the courthouse to see the Judge. To insure good behavior, the social worker gave me three pennies for the gumball machine... "if we were good." When we arrived they walked us right past the gumball machine and, to our great joy, into a room with our biological Dad. The Judge told me, as the oldest, that if I wanted, we could go with our Dad and the new Momma he had for us. I looked her over, a large sweet-smelling, pillowy woman in a flowery dress. I reached into my pocket, pulled out those three pennies and asked her, "If I give you these three pennies will you take care of them?" Somehow she understood I meant a different kind of question. She replied, "Yes Honey, I will." I turned to the Judge and told him we would go with her. For the next twenty-five years she cooked and cleaned and slung hash at the Calico Kitchen all night long only to come home to three more hungry mouths. She wasn't perfect, I don't know anyone who is, but she raised and reared us when necessary. Finally, we were all three out of the house and married and raising families of our own. Life was good. Then Dad chose to leave with another woman. We kids were devastated. I wanted to show Momma my support, love, and appreciation for all her gifts and sacrifices. I wrote her a letter and told her that no matter what happened or what anyone else in the world did, she would always be our Momma. To emphasize my point, I taped three shiny new pennies into a card and sent it to her. She called. "I don't need three pennies to remember you children. Besides, I still have the first three." That was fifteen years ago. Momma died this spring, we buried her on Good Friday, but because of her, we will never again be motherless children. As we sorted her things out, I opened her jewelry box drawer. There in tiny individual plastic bags, lay three pennies, dated 1957, 1957, and 1958. I have them in my pocket at this moment. No one will ever make a movie or write a book about her, but to me and my sisters, she is the world's best Three Penny Momma. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: __________ /\____;;___\ | / / `. ())oo() . |\(%()*^^()^\ More Valuable Than Gold %| |-%-------| % \ | % )) | % \|%________| ejm97 %%%% >Highly Valued Mist (vapor) (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, www.gdwm.org) [Edited] Many struggle with insecurities, low self esteem, and general feelings of inadequacy. While it's true we are called to, "in humility consider others better than ourselves" (Philippians 2:3), we also must walk with a sense of identity, purpose, and worth. And while it's true that in the context of eternity we are "a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), this seemingly insignificant "mist" is dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe. Our real sense of identity, purpose, and worth, will only be realized as we understand that our value is never attained through the things of this world which all pass away. Our value comes only from our Heavenly Father who has adopted us as His child and made us an heir of His Kingdom! Romans 8:15-17 "You received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." The eternal inheritance we receive through this adoption makes everything of the world seem extremely insignificant. We are a child of God! This is our identity. While we walk on this earth, we are to be "conformed into the likeness of His Son" (Romans 8:29). This is our purpose. And in our adoption, we are made "co-heirs with Christ." This is our worth! As this world tries to pull us down, let's remember our Father owns ALL; "Every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). He owns it all, created it all, and nothing is beyond His reach. As others try to continually show us our faults and put us down, let's remember that Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us - one day we will be made perfect and walk down streets of "pure gold, like transparent glass" (Revelation 21:21). Let's pull these truths together into a victorious Christian life. Let's hold on very loosely to anything of the world which artificially determines our worth and passionately cling to our worth in Christ; "For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). Let's live our life as a "vanishing mist" while remembering we are co-heirs with Jesus in the Kingdom of God. Let's always remember that we are indeed a highly valued mist. --- ...My Two Cents... For your better understanding of the word 'adoption' used in the bible: FAQ: I know that as Christians we are “born again of incorruptible seed” (1 Pet. 1:23). Why then do several places in the Church Epistles speak of our being “adopted” by God? Adopted by God http://www.truthortradition.com/articles/adopted-by-god ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _.-----. _.-----. , .-' .--. \ .-' `-. (c__ .' ( `-)----' `. / `-._.' (\ VK >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Charlie, 4, and Sawyer, almost 2 and large for his age, came in from playing outside. As they walked in the door Charlie was holding his head and crying. His mother asked, "What happened?" He replied, "I got hit with a rock." His mother said, "Sawyer, did you hit him in the head with a rock?" Sawyer yelled, "I had to! We were playing David and Goliath!" (Charlie is fine.) - Amanda Tonagel (mother of Charlie and Sawyer) of Syracuse, Indiana Max, 7, was eating dinner at his grandmother's house. He was hungry and ate everything on his plate, so his grandmother remarked that he was a member of the "Clean Plate Club." Max looked at her without a comment. When it was time to go home, he asked, "Nana, what was the name of that club you told me I'm a member of?" - Sandi Pound (grandmother of Max) of Lehigh, Florida Dawn is visiting her aunt in Illinois. Her cousin's daughter Anna was eating chicken nuggets at home when she asked her mom for some "Q-Bar sauce" to put in her chicken. Anna got very indignant when people started laughing. - Dawn Keen of New Mexico When Madison (Maddie), now 13 was about 3, she loved the bright yellow color of mustard. At lunch each day, she would insist on Nanna putting mustard on her sandwich. Every day, Nanna reminded Maddie that she didn't like mustard, and when Maddie took her first bite, she would make a face and say, "I don't like moos tard, Nanna." They repeated this ritual for several days before she finally became convinced that she gave up on mustard. - Dennis Smith (PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina _...----. _, _,-'_...--'`/ ,^__\__ ,' ,' /( _,.' | | `-._; \/ ,-' | / / \ \-. \ ,' \ \ \ < / < \ ,: / | < `.\ > / \ ,' | _,-'/ / / \ \ \ \/ _; ,-' ; / `. \ / \ /`<__,' \ /| ; (O) > | > < \ \`^. / :| / :\ |_.--. < ,` / / ( > :| >) ;/,=' `.\ \ | / / __/ \ ;| \ ,' |) ,'/ / | ) |/-.`. / \| `. ,' | `--=='` > | `./`-.\ `-._ : `. / / \ \ ;`.__/ `-.\ `-._ \ |_ : < _; < SSt ``'.:``-._____\_,-'-..___,\ \`.|`._\ `--..__ `._ `-' ````````` Here are some more stories from PawPaw. Lark Amelia VonSeggen turned 3 in February, and she is very conscious of her full legal name. Nanna asked her, "Do you know your mother's whole name?" Lark replied, "Sure, Mom VonSeggen." Koen, 5, must be addicted to pizza, but he eats only cheese pizza. Pepperoni pizza was in the oven when he said, "I don't like pepperoni on my pizza, because it makes me "nervous." Nanna removed the pepperonis and put them on PawPaw's pizza. Everyone was happy! Nanna and PawPaw were on the couch sharing a bag of popcorn and drinking diet sodas. After sampling their popcorn, Lark picked up PawPaw's canned diet soda and took a drink. She set it back in the holder and said, "I spilled it in my mouth!" Amy took the kids for a smoothie. While waiting in line, a very tall young man walked in and was standing behind them. Wyatt, 6, asked the man, "How tall are you?" He replied, "Six feet, 10 inches." Wyatt then asked, "Are you in heaven?" Wyatt is on the autism spectrum and lives in a literal world. - Sent to Amy Harrison of Fort Wayne, Indiana, by her sister sister Sue Serrato, of Maumee, Ohio. .'|_.- .' ' /_ .-" -. '> .- -. -. '. / /|_ .-.--.-. ' > / / (o( o( o ) \_." < '-'-''-' ) < ( _.-'-. ._\. _\ '----"/--.__.-) _- \| AoS "V"" "V" Ella, 3, said, "Mom, you don't have to throw trash away. You can uncycle it!" She meant recycle. - Erin Doucette (mother of Ella and Eva) of Fort Wayne, Indiana Josh, 13, and Brian, 12, were getting ready to take a train ride to Illinois to visit their grandma and grandpa. To prepare for the ride, Brian was filling out the ID card in his wallet. When he got to blood type, he asked, "Should I put warm-blooded?" - James Tew of Kendallville, Indiana Josh had got in trouble for a minor altercation with his brother, and as punishment had to write a short essay on the appropriate way to deal with anger. He ended by saying that next time if he had an issue he would talk to Mom, because if he had handled it that way "then I would not be in trouble, and Brian would be writing this essay." _ )_ `. )_ `. \ )_ `. `| )_ `.` / )_ `-.` | )_ `-.` ` \ )_.- ` ` \ )_.-` ` \ )_.-`\ /\ \ )_.-| \O \ | \ \ _ / / \ _ ) `-._ / /O\ /O\ \ _.-` ( ) `-/ `-' `-' \-` ( ) _.-| __ |-._ ( )_.-` \ .-' `-._ / `-._( LGB \ `-.__.--`/ `-._ _.-" `` Jordan, 5, spent the night with Christina. She does a lot of crafts so they spent hours coloring, painting, playing with stickers, etc. Jordan was writing all over a piece of paper, and told Christina she was writing a letter. Christina looked at her paper and it was a bunch of squiggles. Jordan said, "You can't read it, I am writing in Chinese." -Christina Hicks (Jordan's aunt) of Paducah, Kentucky Colton, 8, was discussing with his grandmother the merits of buying a package of Star Wars toys in a two-pack versus a single pack for six dollars. Of course, being the senior citizen that Peggy is, she mentioned the fact that candy bars were a dollar now, and when she was his age they were only a nickel. Colton gave her a wide-eyed, innocent look and said, "How come, Grandma, didn't they make dollars then?" -Peggy Verburg of Angola, Indiana Zelma was babysitting her neighbor Cheyenne, 2. Cheyenne was eating doughnuts. After two doughnuts, Cheyenne asked, "Can I have more doughnuts, Zelma?" Zelma replied, "No, you might get sick." Cheyenne said, "OK, Zelma," and walked away. About five minutes later she came back said, "I know, Zelma. You can get a doughnut and share with me, OK?" - Zelma Feltner of Kendallville, Indiana Here is another story from Zelma. Breann, 5, is the granddaughter of Zelma and Lloyd. Breann went with Zelma and her mom to get Grandpa a birthday present and a cake. She was so excited when she put candles on the cake, but Grandpa was walking around singing, not paying attention to her. Breann said to Zelma, "That Grandpa sure is a crazy little Birthday Boy!" __, .-'_-'` .' {` .-'````'-. .-'``'. .'(0) '._/ _.-. `\ } '. )) _<` )` | `-.,\'.\_,.-\` \`---; .' / ) ) '-. '--: ( ' ( ) '. \ '. ) .'( / ) )/ ( '. / '._( ) .' jgs ( ( `-. On Christmas a few years ago Aliza was playing with Grandpa who was drinking a beer. When he had finished he asked Aliza to please take the bottle to the kitchen. She put her hands on her little hips and said, "Grandpa, that' is not my responsibility," and went back to playing. -Delbert and Mary Cortner (grandparents of Aliza) of Kendallville, Indiana Jean's granddaughters were spending the night after Jean and her husband celebrated their 58th anniversary. Jean remarked to Kaylea, 7, that she could never please her PawPaw no matter what she bought him. Jean's husband was standing behind Kaylea's chair, and she looked up at him and said, "Then don't get him anything else." -Grandmother Jean Felfe of Spicewood, Texas o o /^^^^^7 ' ' ,oO))))))))Oo, ,'))))))))))))))), /{ ' ,'o ))))))))))))))))={ > ))))))))))))))))={ `, ))))))\ \)))))))={ David Riley ',))))))))\/)))))' \{ '*O))))))))O*' Beth's teenage grandson Devon took over babysitting his 8-year- old sister Lydia when all of the adults had to be elsewhere. He even said he'd make supper for her. Lydia later reported to Beth that he was a great babysitter. "He made me robin noodles!" Lydia said. (Beth bets they were much tastier than the Ramen noodles she usually has!) - Beth Fryer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania It was Nancy's birthday so her 15-year-old daughter Bridget fixed dinner for her. Bridget doesn't like to use the oven, but she did. She also used the microwave. She put candles (the re-lighting kind, which almost made Nancy hyperventilate) in mini-eclairs, because Nancy didn't want to be tempted to have a whole cake around. After dinner she cleaned up everything and put the dishes in the sink. Nancy walked out to the kitchen to clean up the dishes. Bridget asked where Nancy was going and Nancy told her. Her response was "no, no, no!" Nancy thought that meant she was going to clean up! Bridget said, "Wait until morning, then it won't be your birthday anymore!" - Nancy Stoll of Negaunee, Michigan Miri, 4, kept running up to Grandpa while he was watching TV and throwing herself at his body and hugging him. Grandpa would put his arms around her and hug her and say "I love you, Miri!" Miri would say, "I love you, too" then go and play for about 5 minutes and then run back to her Grandpa and hug him again, so Grandpa would hug her and tell her again, "I love you." After about the fourth or fifth time of hugging Grandpa and having him hug her back and say, "I love you," she stood up and said, "I wish you would quit saying that, I'm getting tired of hearing it." -Grandparents Linda and Larry Willis of Altus, Oklahoma Here is another Miri story. When Grandpa got a haircut, which he badly needed, Miri looked at him and just stared. He asked, "How do you like my haircut?" Miri stood there a minute and finally said, "It's just wrong, Grandpa, just wrong!" ____ /\| ~~\ /' | ,-. `\ | | X | | _|________`-' |X /' ~~~~~~~~~, /' ,_____,/_ ,/' ___,'~~ ; ~~~~~~~~|~~~~~~~|--- / X,~~~~~~~~~~~~, | | | XX'____________' | | /' XXX| ; | | --x| XXX,~~~~~~~~~~~~, | | X| '____________' | o |---~~~~\__XX\ |XX | | XXX`\ /XXXX ~~~~~~~~'~~~~~~~' `\xXXXXx/' \XXX /XXXXXX\ /XXXXXXXXXX\ /XXXXXX/^\XDCAU\ ~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ During a power outage of 11 days in Marlow, Okla., people were trying to keep warm however they could. The Hales were lucky enough to have a fireplace and wood, so Susan's husband, Matthew, started a fire. He asked their son Jacob, 7, if he was doing OK. Jacob's reply: "I have a cat and I am warm, and the fire makes me warm. Warm plus warm equals Totally Warm!" - Susan Hale Marlow, Oklahoma Susan's daughter, Taylor, 2, came into the kitchen looking for a snack. She climbed on and off the table, then took off down the hall. A few minutes later, she returned, complaining, "That a YUCKY apple, Mama." Susan offered her a new snack, and she took it and went to the living room to watch TV. A short while later, as Susan went to check her e-mail, she found her "yucky apple." Sitting on the computer desk was an orange with a small bite missing from the peel! Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) ,---') ( =_=( ) .__/ ) _/ _/_( / (__/ _ _) //)__(\ _\\///==j=\\__ `-' \ \ /\_-- \ \ / \ \ /__/\__\ / ( / \_ gnv//__/ \_\__\ >Another Chance If we might have a second chance to live the days once more, and rectify mistakes we've made to even up the score. If we might have a second chance to use our knowledge gained, perhaps we might become at least as fine as God ordained. But we can't retrace our steps, however stands the score. Tomorrow brings another chance for us to try once more. --- ...Praise God for that! 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