Story Time And More... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList 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! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ _..---.._ .' .-'''-. '. / .' _..._'. \ __ : : /`;' ) : : _,="`\ ,--''` ``'.; : |; ,-; : ; __..==""==.,_| `-, `; .\; / ^\ _,.="// '-,_.--._ '.(;_.'__/`_.-'`\ ,.--''`` _..=. `'--.// `` \ `--, '` `- |_\ '-. | `-._ _.;--`-..___,.-'` `'-...-_:',;`==,| \ _.--',=" / /"=;="=, _.' ,=".-'` .' /| ,=" _.--' .-' "=, : .' | ", `;._ .--'.' .-' .' . ; ,;;\_ . '._.'--'` -' / ,;;;._ '-._ .''.__.' `\_ .' '._ / '._ .(` jgs '._ ';./ `;` *~* 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! ================ *~* 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friend LouiseAu. If you are a trivia buff, then this one is right down your alley. I had to look most of these up to verify as I've never heard of them before. It should be absolutely astonishing and most interesting for most of you. Be sure to check it and the video out here... ,__ _, \~\| ~~---___ , | \ | Wash.| | ~~~~~~~|~~~~~| ~~---, _ VT_/,ME> /~-_--__| | Montana |N Dak\ Minn/ ~\~_/Mich. /~| ||,' |Oregon | \ |------| { WI / /~) __-NY',|_\,NH / |Ida.|~~~~~~~~|S Dak.\ \ | | '~\ |_____,|~,-'Mass. |~~--__ | | Wyoming|____ |~~~~~|--| |__ /_-'Penn.{,~Conn (RI) | | ~~~|~~| | ~~\ Iowa/ `-' |`~ |~_____{/NJ | | Nev | '---------, Nebr.\----| |IN|OH,' ~/~\,|`MD (DE) ', \ |Utah| Colo. |~~~~~~~| \IL| ,'~~\WV/ VA | |Cal\ | | | Kansas| MO \_-~ KY /`~___--\ ', \ ,-----|-------+-------'_____/__----~~/N Car./ '_ '\| | |~~~|Okla.| | Tenn._/-,~~-,/ \ |Ariz.| New | |_ |Ark./~~|~~\ \,/S Car. ~~~-' | Mex. | `~~~\___|MS |AL | GA / '-,_ | _____| | / | ,-'---~\ `~'~ \ Texas |LA`--,~~~~-~~,FL\ \/~\ /~~~`---` | \ \ / \ | -jorn \ | '\' `~' Amazing Trivia Facts US http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/triviafactsus.html --- ...I got a kick out of the squirrels and the musical road! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- *~* We Had A Spectacular Month Of Caring And Sharing *~* _ ,. ( ) <--< (-|.O.-. \_O `' \-.\ |\ " M >Be Sure To Visit And Share These With Your Friends... Santa Land Up North! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/santaland.html Amazing Striped Icebergs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/icebergs.html Cut Paper Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/paperart3.html India's Incredible Sights! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/indiasights.html Best Nat. Geographic 4! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bestnatgeo4.html World's Beautiful Lakes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldslakes.html Go Green Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greenart.html Humorous Graphs! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/graphs.html ,ae, ,88888e ,a888b.9888888i 888888888888888 88888888888888Y '8888888888888' "S888888888" unknown "7888888Y "e88j "Y * May God Abundantly Bless All Our Wonderful Contributors! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart. ,-""-. .-""-. / -. \/ -. \ ( ) \ / \ / `. ,' `. ,' hjw `.,' ,-"-,-"-. ( ) ". ." "._." hjw _ _ ( `' ) `.,' >FIRST DEGREE ROMANCE by Joseph Walker Well, it's finally happened. After 33.5 years of marriage and 34 Valentine's Days as a couple (I count that first one because I was TOTALLY concentrating on her from across the room during that church Valentine's dance even though she was so busy being a dancing queen with that one ballroom dancing guy that she didn't even notice me), Anita and I have hit the wall -- Valentinsically speaking. This realization dawned on me last night, shortly after the following conversation (the "I saids" and "she saids" have been omitted because, frankly, I forget who said what): "Well, Valentine's Day is coming up." "Yeah." "So... what do you want to do?" "I don't know." Pause. "What do you want to do?" "I don't know." Another pause. "Do you want to go out to dinner or something?" "We could do that, I guess." Still another pause. "What do you want for dinner tonight?" "I don't know." Pausing yet again. "What do you want?" Sound familiar? Please don't misunderstand. It's not that the fires of romance have gone completely cold in our relationship. It's just that Anita and I are... well... older than we used to be, and we both channel so much energy into daily living that it's kind of hard to generate much enthusiasm for life's hearts and flowers. I mean, do you really think Anita wants to have me chase her around the house all night after she's spent the day chasing information from the world financial markets at her office? Romance is a very different thing for us today than it was 34 years ago. And that's OK, I guess. "Different" doesn't necessarily mean "worse." It can also mean "deeper," "richer" and "more fulfilling" -- especially if we can find a way to follow Janet and Jerry's example. Janet and Jerry have lived in our neighborhood for years. They raised a good family together. They were successful enough in their professional lives that they had a lovely home and the time and means to do the things they wanted to do in their retirement years. But for all of that, there was never any question in the minds of those who knew them well what was most important to Janet and Jerry -- Jerry and Janet, respectively. You could see it in the way they held hands at church. You could hear it in the kind, loving, respectful words they used to talk about each other -- even when the other wasn't within hearing distance. And you could feel it, palpably, whenever you were with them --the stolen glances, the knowing winks, the gentle teasing and words of praise. Every shred of evidence convicted these two people of First Degree Romance. Jerry died recently after a long and difficult illness. And while I don't think any of us who knew them will ever get used to seeing Janet sitting by herself at church, I'm not sure we'll ever be able to see Janet without seeing a little of Jerry there, too. They became so much a part of each other, so inseparably connected, it's almost as if their love transcends death. Which, in a very real way, it does. "I've always drawn strength and energy from our love for each other," Janet told me not too long ago. "That hasn't changed. It's different now, obviously. But the love remains, and still gives focus and meaning to my life." So I guess it's OK if the onset of Valentine's Day doesn't set our hearts aflutter like it used to. Life's seasons ebb and flow, and the only thing we can absolutely count on is that things will change. But change can be a positive thing, even in our most cherished relationships. Hearts can grow fonder even as they grow older. Love can be compelling even when it is calm. Passion can burn at any number of different temperatures. And romance can flourish even when you're too tired to be romantic. Valentinsically speaking, or otherwise. -- Joseph Walker =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) _. ,-.,-"`""-./ \ / \ `-.| .:::.:::. \ / `-._ ::::::::: | "=\ ':::::' | .==" |o_|_ ':' | _o. ` (_) ,;;;,;;;, ; \\ ;;;;;;;;; \ _. /|-. ';;;;;' \ ` `'---'/ \ ';' \ .--._ /-' | ,-`. / `-._( / `-._`-._\ `\ '\ ( ` `'._ _, | \ / ~-. `| | | / `;-.| | | .' \ /| | / .'-. '. | \ | .' `-._ '. | /"` `\ jgs / `"--.,_'-._\-.___.'_ ; / `""";--' `. | / .'` \ /""-. ; / \""-, \ | / | \ | \ | '. |/ '. \ .'`-. / '._ '.,___,.;' '-.___.' `"""----------'` Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains un awakened. - Anatole France For those that have not yet encountered mountains in life, a speed bump feels like the Himalayas. - Marco Alves To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." - Ralph Waldo Emerson -<>- A night of beer and pizza wasn't the only thing I got the wife for her birthday. I also got her some electronics. She has an Apple iPhone which she not only uses for making telephone calls, but also for taking pictures, surfing the Internets and downloading music (which she uses for the Womens' Dance-Kwon Do class she teaches). Basically she uses it like a portable computer. The consequence of this is that she is constantly exceeding her data usage and maxing out her memory. So picking up on her complaints I decided to buy her an ancillary device like an iPod, or an iTouch, or an iPad or some such gadget. The problem is I don't know anything about this stuff. The conversation I had with the guy in the computer store was like a stand-up routine. After I explained to him what I was looking for he asked me, "What kind of phone does your wife have?" "It's an Apple phone." "What kind of Apple phone?" "I don't know." "Well, what service plan does she use?" "I don't know." "What service plan do you use?" "I don't have a service plan." "Why not?" "Because I don't have a cell phone." I don't think he was prepared for that one. That stumped him for a few seconds. Then he asked, "Do you have WiFi?" "I don't know," I said. Finally, realizing he was dealing with a complete ignoramus, he nodded his head and said, "I think understand. Follow me." He took me over to a display of some Star Trek devices and pointed out a shiny piece of plastic. "This model should be compatible with the widest range of other devices. It does everything you said you want it to do, and it's last year's model so it's about 60 bucks cheaper than this one," he said, pointing out what looked to me like an identical piece of shiny plastic. "Sounds good," I said. "How much is it?" Now, I don't want to sound like a cheap skate, but let me just say that now I understand why Apple is the most valuable company in the world if they are charging those kinds of prices for about 12 ounces of plastic. But, I pulled the trigger and bought the thing and it turned out to be a worthwhile investment, at least as far as the wife is concerned. She has been playing with the thing constantly. Hopefully she will get more use out of it than taking dozens of pictures of the dog. - Joe -<>- One day in Japan, during the early days of the occupation following World War II, two of my friends and I boarded a train. After I sat down, I noticed that only the men were seated. All the women with all their baggage and babies on their backs were attempting to keep their balance by hanging onto the overhead straps. When an older woman boarded with several heavy packages, I started to give her my seat. But before she could move, a young man pushed his way in and took the seat. Without thinking, I just grabbed him by the collar and hoisted him to his feet. Then I took the woman's elbow and directed her to sit down. As we say, I was "on a roll" and I simply reached for the next man. I assisted him to his feet also and gave his seat to a woman. We three looked at each other, grinned, and all together started for number three. But he did not wait. He jumped to his feet, and I thought momentarily he might start a fight — in the heat of the moment I had probably gone too far. But I was only 20, and in those days servicemen could get away with almost anything. Suddenly another stood up, then another and another, until every man on the train was standing and every woman was seated. Everyone acted as if it were the most natural thing in the world. No one spoke. One very old man gave his seat to a little girl. Forty years later, after spending 15 years as a missionary in Japan and later working in the States for nearly 20 years as a computer programmer, I was back in Japan visiting with my son Stephen. By that time he had received a Masters in Missions, and was back in Japan himself as a missionary. The event on the train was far from my thoughts as we visited in the home of a Christian lady in the northern part of Tokyo. To pass the time I thought it might be interesting to tell some of our experiences from the great War. She explained that as the war was ending, the Japanese government, trying to sustain the will to fight, warned that if Americans invaded Japan they would rape all the women. "But one day", she said, "three Americans got on a train and made all the men stand up and let the women sit down. We knew then that we had nothing to fear from the Americans." I was dumbfounded. She had not even been born when that happened. She had heard it from a television anchorman who had been a boy on that train and told the story one day on the air. I felt certain we had been the perpetrators. Perhaps he was the one I had pulled to his feet. It had been almost a prank on our part. Yet it still affects people to this day. by Bill Carrell --- ...Great stories! Thanks Fran! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >A Special Valentine My Valentine is specially for you, Not frilly, not syrupy and sweet, Not large in size to show the world, Just expressing My love to you. My Valentine to you is true, To uplift you when you are blue, To let you know that I care, My love is sincere and oh so true. My Valentine for you is sent your way, A gift of love from me to you, Enfolding you in love so great, Your heartfelt thanks does come my way. My Valentine of love please don't forget, My love for you has no beginning no end, As my light of love encircles all, Even those who don't remember but forget. My Special Valentine of love I impart, I love you all with arms opened up, To take and embrace you tenderly, This is My Valentine I do impart. Signed "I first loved you" God, your Father Written By: Joan C. Nelson-Payne Copyright © 2006 -<>- | ____.......__ |\ .' _.--""''`` ``''--._ | \ .'/ ..--'` .-'` .._ | \.' / ..-'' .-' '.`'"-: ' .-'` .-' '. __...----""""""""""--.. \ - ..-'' ``""-._ \ .' _. \ `"- \ _.-'` | /-. \ `-. \ | / `. \ wkm `.\ |/ `-\ `. | >"Reach for your Star" Do not take anything as being forever, because forever is only as long as today. Know that the people who are the richest are not those who have the most, but those who need the least. That we are at our strongest when life is at its worst, and at our weakest when life no longer offers a challenge. That it is wiser not to expect, but to hope, for in expecting you ask for disappointment, whereas in hoping, you invite surprise. That unhappiness doesn't come from not having something you want, but from the lack of something inside that you need. That there are things to hold and things to let go, and letting go doesn't mean you lose, but that you acquire that which has been waiting around the corner. Most of all... remember to use your dreams as a way of knowing yourself better, and as an inspiration to reach for your star. -Nancy Sims -<>- ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >The Secret One day, one friend asked another, "How is it that you are always so happy? You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down." With her eyes smiling, she said, "I know the Secret!" "What secret is that?" To which she replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others." "The Secret is this: I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do. He has never let me down. Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy." The questioner's first thought was, "That's too simple!" But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't! She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, a simple gift from God. Now you know it too! We can't depend on people to make us happy. Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that. Trust HIM! And now I pass the Secret on to you! So once you get it, what will you do? YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too! That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU! -<>- ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >"The Cold Within" Six humans trapped by happenstance in black and bitter cold Each possessed a stick of wood, Or so the story's told. Their dying fire in need of logs, the first woman held hers back For on the faces around the fire She noticed one was black. The next man looking 'cross the way Saw one not of his church And couldn't bring himself to give The fire his stick of birch. The third one sat in tattered clothes He gave his coat a hitch, Why should his log be put to use To warm the idle rich? The rich man just sat back and thought Of the wealth he had in store, And how to keep what he had earned From the lazy, shiftless poor. The black man's face bespoke revenge As the fire passed from his sight, For all he saw in his stick of wood Was a chance to spite the white. And the last man of this forlorn group Did naught except for gain, Giving only to those who gave Was how he played the game. The logs held tight in death's stilled hands Was proof of human sin, They didn't die from the cold without, They died from the cold within. --Unknown -<>- : ;; / | / | .' : .-' ' _.-' / .-*" / _ .-' .' _.-*?' .' .' .-" .' __ .' , .-' .-+. .' _.-*".' / \ .-' _.--**""**-. .-' _.y-:-" .' : `+. .*""*. `. :-. -. \ .' ; .--*""*--. / __ ` _.--. \ |$| -.` -.;/ _.-+. : .' :*" "*..*" y`-' $| ;*" _( \ / +----/ / .'.-'---+ .-._.+' `. -'_.--. :- "_( `*-: | \/\/\/ | /) ` .'___ ' "_( ; `._| | \ )` .'.' `./_" ( : \| | (`._..--**" : .- ; `"' \ | | `----**"T"" " `+. | `. | | ' .' : _.-*"*- | | / / ' .-*" _ | | __..-'\ / bug "+,'___..--| |--**"" `-.__.' "" +----------------+ >The sign reads: WE WOULD RATHER DO BUSINESS WITH 1000 ARAB TERRORISTS THAN WITH A SINGLE JEW. This sign was prominently displayed in the window of a business in Philadelphia. Most would be outraged at the thought of such an inflammatory statement... One would think that anti-hate groups from all across the country would be marching on this business and that the National Guard might have to be called to keep the angry crowds back... But, perhaps in these stressful times one might be tempted to let the proprietors simply make their statement. We are a society who hold Freedom of Speech as perhaps our greatest liberty and after all it is just a sign... You may be asking what business would dare post such a sign? .........Goldberg's Funeral Home! -<>- This was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well. (.,------...__ _.'" `. .' .' `, `. `. ` . .' .'/''--...__`. \ . .--.`. ' "-. '. | '' .' _.' .()) .--":/ ''( \_\ ' (()( ''._' ( \ ' ' `. `--' ' `.: . `-.___.' ' `. . _ _ .' ) .____.-' .'`. (--.. .' \ /\ / / `. .' \( \ /|/ `. .' \__/ `. / | o | \ | | | jro >EXPLANATION OF GOD: "One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way He doesn't have to take up His valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers." "God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things, pray at times, beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because He hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in His ears, unless He has thought of a way to turn it off." "God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting His time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have." "Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church." "Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who had not learned about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him. But He was good and kind, like His father, and He told His father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said, 'O.K.'" "His dad (God) appreciated everything that He had done and all His hard work on earth so He told him He didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So He did. And now He helps his Dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones He can take care of Himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important." "You can pray anytime you want and They are sure to help you because They got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time." "You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God! Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway." "If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids." "But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and He can take me back anytime He pleases. And...that's why I believe in God." -<>- ,,-,-.,-. ,-. ,,-. ,-,-. ,-.-. ,-.. ,-. ,-.,-.-.. (( ( ( ( '( ' ( ' ) ' )' ) ) ) )) \\ \ \ \ \ ,\ /. / / / / // \\ \ /\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /\ / // gpyy'' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '' My final lesson of history is the same as that of Jesus. Love one another. You may think that's a lot of lollipop but just try it. Love is the most practical thing in the world. To love, to be kind, not to be greedy, not to be ambitious, not to be influenced by people but to think for yourself - these are all very practical things, and they will bring about a practical, happy society. Will Durant, 1885-1981 American Philosopher, Historian and Author -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: God's Love Notes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/notes.html Expensive Hotel Rooms!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ehotels.html World's Fastest Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastcars.html WaterCar's Panther!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/panther.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html Who Is Jesus Christ!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Our Valuable Anchor!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Top Reasons To Smile!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smile.html What Friends Are For!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/whatfriends.html Niagara Falls In Neon!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagaraneon.html World's Largest Mirror!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/saltlake.html Lamborghini Aventador!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lambo.html World's Most Expensive Things! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/expensive.html The eleMMent Palazzo Mobil RV!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rv2.html WOMAN - DARKEST BEFORE DAWN! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/womandbd.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html Overcoming the Past https://tinyurl.com/ybaesauq How Do I Bring Christ to People? https://tinyurl.com/y9zosxms Best Love Songs 70's 80's 90's Playlist - Romantic Love Songs Ever - Greatest Love Songs Of All Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woSCgIhRl9s Love Of God - Mercy Me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fla6EO07I3E Amazing Grace - Amira Willighagen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PJWRKkMpHM -<>- America’s Reaction to the State of the Union President Trump’s State of the Union has been a smashing success according to polls, with 76% approving. CBS News reports: https://1600daily.com/2019/02/06/americas-reaction-state-union/ Trump's full 2019 State of the Union address https://tinyurl.com/y88bfmmb Hannity - Awesome Response to SOTU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHmsw0gqet8 The Rush Limbaugh Video Show SOTU Wednesday - Feb 6, 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZwb1SAUlsI Ben Shapiro BREAKS DOWN Trump's Second State Of The Union *2019* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD2SQB5XgSU Mike Rowe on Trump's SOTU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3ivjz1jlhA Ivanka Trump: Empower Women to Foster Freedom “President Trump will sign a memorandum establishing the Women’s Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, or W-GDP” - “This initiative aims to help 50 million women in developing countries realize their economic potential by 2025 https://tinyurl.com/ydfs3gwm ‘I ask you to choose greatness’ https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) The Irena Sendler Project Documentary: Life in a Jar https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=zHod5WVDWEA Life in a Jar overview with Hallmark clips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5owZaMWMRU Irena Sendlerowa 1910-2008 https://irenasendler.org/ --- ...So heartwarming and pertinent since seeing those on the State Of The Union Address! Thank You Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Lost in the Fifties- Another Time, Another Place. The Fabulous Fifties. 1955 was 63 years ago! https://safeshare.tv/x/FEDEwZHZXu --- ...Great memories! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Fran :) Amira Willighagen from "Love In Venice" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGhBOY63HYA --- ...Wow! So beautiful! Thanks Fran! 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 Cloie :) _________________________________________________________ ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||.--. .-._ .----. || |||==|____| |H|___ .---.___|""""|_____.--.___ || ||| |====| | |xxx|_ |+++|=-=|_ _|-=+=-|==|---||| |||==| | | | | \ | | |_\/_|Black| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |\ \ .--. | |=-=|_/\_|-=+=-| | ^ ||| ||| | | | | |_\ \_( oo )| | | |Magus| | ^ ||| |||==|====| |H|xxx| \ \ |''| |+++|=-=|""""|-=+=-|==|---||| ||`--^----'-^-^---' `-' "" '---^---^----^-----^--^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| || ___ .-.__.-----. .---.|| || |===| .---. __ .---| |XX|<(*)>|_|^^^||| || , /(| |_|III|__|''|__|:x:|=| | |=| Q ||| || _a'{ / (|===|+| |++| |==| | | |Illum| | R ||| || '/\\/ _(|===|-| | |''| |:x:|=| |inati| | Y ||| ||_____ -\{___(| |-| | | | | | | | | | Z ||| || _(____)|===|+|[I]|DK|''|==|:x:|=|XX|<(*)>|=|^^^||| || `---^-^---^--^--'--^---^-^--^-----^-^---^|| ||-------------------------------------------------------|| ||_______________________________________________________|| Qryz >Two Good Stories... STORY NUMBER ONE Many Years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was Capone's lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well.. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block. Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example. One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al"Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some resemblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great. So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay.. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read: "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time. For the clock may soon be still." .__=\__ .__==__, jf' ~~=\, _=/~' `\, ._jZ' `\q, /=~ `\__ j5(/ `\./ V\\, Unknown .Z))' _____ | .____, \)/\ j5(K=~~ ~~~~\=_, | _/=~~~~' `~~+K\\, .Z)\/ `~=L | _=/~ t\ZL j5(_/.__/===========\__ ~q |j/ .__============___/\J(N, 4L#XXXL_________________XGm, \P .mXL_________________JXXXW8L ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~YKWmmWmmW@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STORY NUMBER TWO World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way toward the American-fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent.. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor. A Year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It's located between Terminals 1 and 2. SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER? Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son. --- ...Most Inspiring! Thanks Cloie! Here's the facts of this: https://www.truthorfiction.com/butchandeddie/ ========================================================== ..-------------------.__ .'_______ `-. // .-----.\.--------..--------.\ ||' __'|| || || || __ ||' .=(_ )|| ====== || ==.| ||( _) ||'| \\||________||________||// ||'------\) ,--======\\======-._/ ____|| |/ = = `-. _____________ ||'==. || ...... = = `-. `=============`|| ||_ /////.--. = = `. .--. | .---. || | .----|==| \ \ \ \|==| | .' `. || | .' '--'. |-. | | .-|'--'`. .' \ || .' `. |-.'-|=|-'.-| \ / .-==-. \|| / _.----. \ |-.'-|=|-'.-| | | .' .---. `. ||| .-' .---. `. | |-.'-|=|-'.-| | | / .`.- -.`. \ '\_`---- / .`.- -.`. \ | ' '-|=|-' '_____/ [|_|/ / _ \ \|__________| / / _ \ \ `_____.......-----'_____] ; : / \ : ;'----------'; : / \ : ;[_____.......-----'; : : ; \_/ ; : \ / / ; : \_/ ; : \ \ / / \ \ / /. `- -` . \ \ / / LGB . `- -` . . `- -` . `-----` . `- -` . `-----` >Should We Stop? Story Editor: by Jaycey Swenka Clayton Bennett Iowa, USA In 2002, my newlywed husband worked briefly as a tow-truck driver in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Because he was almost always on call, I would ride along to be with him whenever I had the opportunity. One particular day, we had just dropped off a vehicle and were heading to the next pick-up when we encountered a father and his son stopped almost in the middle of a four-way intersection. Their truck was parked off to the side a bit, at enough of an angle to see that many bags of concrete had slid off the opened pickup bed. Some had broken apart on the asphalt. The father had tried to park his truck so it gave them some protection from the oncoming traffic, but as it was a busy intersection during the 5:00 rush hour, it wasn't hard to see that they could easily get hit. Even though they had their emergency flashers on, they were almost hit twice by people flying past, not slowing down in the least, much less stopping to offer help. This infuriated me, not because they were blocking traffic, but because no one passing or waiting at the lights had offered their help. Many sat there waiting for the light to change, watching this man as he and his son tried to pick up the heavy bags of concrete quickly and not get hit. Not one single person stopped to help. I told my husband that you know things are getting bad when even people in Iowa won't stop to offer help anymore. He asked if we should stop and help. "Most definitely!" I replied. I wanted to help -- not because no one else would, but because I felt like I needed to. My husband pulled up behind the truck and turned on his flashing lights. Many people wouldn't notice emergency flashers on a regular truck, he said, but they will notice the lights on a tow truck, even in broad daylight. He wanted me to stay in the tow truck as I was pregnant with our daughter at the time, but I refused. "The more hands out there helping, the faster the job will get done" was my excuse. The man gratefully accepted our offer to help. As we were loading the unbroken bags of concrete back onto his truck, he told us they had just come from a hardware store -- after buying supplies for a deck and patio his wife had wanted for years. He then went on to tell us that his wife was dying of cancer, and that he didn't want to leave her alone for long, as she wasn't doing well. After everything was reloaded, the father offered us some money, which we refused even though we needed it. We told him that we hoped someone would someday do the same for us. Little did we know when we stopped that our reward would be meeting a man on such a poignant, inspiring mission. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "When does proper desire become coveting? I think we can put the answer down simply: desire becomes sin when it fails to include the love of God or men. Further, I think there are two practical tests as to when we are coveting against God or men: first, I am to love God enough to be contented; second, I am to love men enough not to envy." - Francis Schaeffer The Lift , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Looking For Love (By Barbara Sanders) [Edited] Jude 1:21 "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Valentine's Day is upon us once again. With it comes cards, candy, or flowers from our husbands, boyfriends, spouses. Also coming with this approaching day is the fact that not everyone is comfortable with Valentine's Day. Not everyone is fortunate to have a husband, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. Or perhaps some have chosen to live a single life. This is a secular holiday - nothing wrong with celebrating our love for one another. But have you heard the song, Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places? Seems to fit right in here, especially with those that don't feel loved, loving, or have never 'met' their one true love. Perhaps they have looked in the wrong places for love, like chasing a dream and never finding it. Most of us want to be loved, but we rarely realize that what we really have is a longing to be able to be at peace with ourselves. God will give us this peace. We need only ask. But first, let's find HIS LOVE. God loved you before you were born. He loved us all much more than we'll ever be able to perceive. John 3:16, as you may know, says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." He's here today, calling out to the lost, the unloved, the oppressed, the frustrated, those who know no peace - He wants to 'love' you as no other can love. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3) Why not come to Jesus now, confessing your sins, believing that He died for you, and was raised again to go to the Father - and that HE is there at this very moment, at the right hand of the Father. He is the propitiation for your sins and He brings Grace through faith, a free gift, to all of them 'that believe'. Romans 10:9,10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 3:25 "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;" Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" Our Heavenly Father said I LOVE YOU by sending His Son in the flesh, Jesus Christ, to become the 'the way, the truth, and the life'...for each of us. May you experience that LOVE today. "Heavenly Father, today, the day we celebrate the earthly holiday for love, may you draw those that feel lost, without hope, without love, and are searching for the love they've never known. May you fill their life with love, joy, peace, and all the things for which they've searched for years and never found. Give them the kind of peace and love that only can be found through your Son. We give you thanks for the love we feel today and thank you for sending LOVE in the person of your dear Son to the lost and dying world today. We give you praise, honor and glory. In Jesus Christ's name, we pray. Amen." -<>- Success in marriage is more than finding the right person; it is being the right person. .-=-. ////"\\ .=. ( 6 6 ) //"\\ \ - / (/6 6\) _.) (._ )\ = /(-` `:` `\ _(_ ) ( _)-| : |\ \ (_/ `\_/` \ | : |/ / / (_ @ _) \\_ : _/ / \ \)___(/ / |===|_) \/`"""`\/ | L | | | | | | | | | | | |_____| | | | ||| | | | ||| | | | ||| |_|_| jgs / Y \ / T \ `"`"` `"`"` >Top Ten Reasons to Date Your Spouse Frequently! (by Carwin Dover) [Edited] The hecticness of work, community service projects, church activities and family often relegates a marriage relationship to the bottom of the list. At times, it is necessary to give attention to others. It is also important to keep something else in mind. Your spouse is the one most likely to be with you when you are teetering around with a cane! With that in mind, take time to date your spouse regularly. Here are a few reasons why. 1. Marriage Relationships are Dynamic. They are alive and always changing. They need to be fed and stimulated to stay alive. 2. There is Always Something New about Your Spouse. Dating is a good way to create a safe environment. Your spouse is more likely to let you know "what's new!" 3. Invest in the Future. Just like a savings account -- it is easier to add a little to an existing account and watch it grow than to start a new one from scratch. That's because the interest grows exponentially over time. 4. You got Married Because You Dated! It only stands to reason that a good way to stay married is to keep dating. 5. Marriage can be Compared to a Set of Tires. During the course of driving, there is normal wear and tear. Dating serves to maintain alignment, balance and pressure. When done well, your marriage will last a lifetime. 6. Dating is an Opportunity to Focus. Day in and day out, distractions pull your attention away from your spouse. Dates help refocus on them. 7. Remember the Good Times! A good date will often bring up pre-marriage memories. Recalling memories can generate anticipation for your next meeting. 8. Create Your Future. Dates lay the framework for future family gatherings. Great dates attract your spouse and family to want to spend time with you. 9. Laughter is the Best Medicine. Reader's Digest says so! It must be true. Laughing together makes it possible to hurt together when you must. 10. Remind Your Spouse, "I Love You!" There are many ways to say, "I love you!" A date is one of the special ways to honor your spouse. 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 ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >-->I Refuse I refuse to be discouraged, To be sad, or to cry; I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why: I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme; I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team. He's all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His Son's name; Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same. My God knows all that's happening; Beginning to the end; His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend. When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low, I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go. When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace; He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease. When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control; He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul. His great Son is with me. My life is in Jesus hand. The "Son of God" is my hope. It is in His strength I stand. I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my God; He has promised to be with me, As through this life I trod. I'm looking past all my circumstances, To Heaven's throne above; My prayers have reached the heart of God I'm resting in His love. I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face; The battle's His, the victory mine; He'll help me win the race. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!! -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >Valentine's Day With Jesus Jesus does not send perfume To linger in the air Instead He sends salvation, sweet To show how much He cares. He doesn't bring me candy hearts In boxes of delight Instead He always lets me know I?m precious in His sight. He doesn't send out pretty cards Trimmed in shades of red Instead He gave His life for me His precious blood was shed. He doesn't hand out fancy gifts Like we would send to mother Instead He sends a message clear To always love each other. He doesn't give me teddy bears That whimper, ?please be mine? Instead He gave His heart to me I wear it all the time. He doesn't give me roses, pink For all the world to see Instead He gave eternal life That?'s good enough for me! - Marilyn Ferguson © 2003 >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************