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 ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! oo 8 "} > @ < .8 .-._/| .'_'`')`_.' \| ) / (>'/ |_,_ | (,| .' ,'\| `._/ ) \| '`- -- ''-- --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with a donation from Jessica S. From Virginia and one from Brett Moore from Texas! May God abundantly Bless them both for their most generous thoughtfulness! They are contributing to help Keep Shangrala Alive! We sure do thank God for them and all our past most sweet and wonderful angels! Thank You! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL HELP! Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU 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 super scorcher new page is from our friend Linda. If, like me, you admire and are fond of horses or just an animal lover in general, then this one will bring you plenty of oos, awws and smiles for your day. Be sure to check it out along with the video here: \ , |\.--._/| /\ ) )\\/ /( \ / \ /( J `( \ / ) | _\ / /|) \ eJ L | \ L \ L L / \ J `. J L | ) L \/ \ / \ J (\ / _....___ | \ \ \``` ,.._.-' '''--...-||\ -. \ \ .'.=.' ` `.\ [ Y / / \] J Y / Y Y L | | | \ | L | | | Y A J | I | /I\ / | \ I \ ( |]/| J \ /._ / -tI/ | L ) / /'-------'J `'-:. J .' ,' ,' , \ `'-.__ \ \ T ,' ,' )\ /| ';'---7 / \| ,'L Y...-' / _.' / \ / / J Y | J .'-' / ,--.( / L | J L -' .' / | /\ | J. L J .-;.-/ | \ .' / J L`-J L____,.-'` | _.-' | L J L J `` J | J L | L J | L J L \ L \ | L ) _.'\ ) _.'\ L \('` \ ('` \ ) _.'\`-....' `-....' ('` \ `-.___/ sk Beautiful Horses! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/beautifulhorses.html --- ...Stunning animals! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: A Christmas candle is a lovely thing; It makes no noise at all, But softly gives itself away. -- Eva Logue _..--""""--...___ .---, ,' \ `'--.___ / / /`\ \ ``''--:'`--' ( ,'. '. _____..--''` )__/`-'._;__ .-'` _/ e /.-| / \ _/ | |_, ( \ / \______\__\_.-'////// |||||||||}////////;._ __/\ _..----''```` \_ / /. ( / | `'._---:./ '. '---\_;-...______. '. |_, \ ===--- / .` '-' / _.' ===--- /___.._ _..-'`\ / /`' \ '--.______ \ / / \ \ \#\ | | '---------'-. \#\ ---jgs----------| /----------------------\_\-\----------------- |__| ._\ __.' | /______| ..::::::::::::::::::::::::::.. (___#__#____ .::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' '':::::::::::::::::::::::::::::' >THE LITTLEST CHRISTMAS HELPERS by Kathy Whirity It takes a little effort to turn our home into a Christmas wonderland. Each year the totes filled with holiday treasures seems to magically multiply, so it takes a wee bit of motivation to get the halls decked out for the season. Turning on the radio was all we needed to turn on the Christmas cheer. Humming along to the tunes of Rudolph and Jingle Bell Rock helped us along. Bill and I, are a good team. Bill lugs in all the totes and boxes from the garage and I begin the Yuletide task of unpacking everything. Every year, I swear I'm going to take pictures of where everything goes but I never do. I tell myself I'll remember and then curse myself when I don't. This year we had unexpected helpers, our little grand girls, Avery and Gemma. Avery is a little over 3 years old and Gemma will be 2 in December. The Christmas tree was up but a strand of lights was out so Bill sat on the floor trying patiently to replace the defected set. It didn't stop Avery from gathering up ornaments and putting them on the tree. Gemma wasn't so helpful. She'd pick up an ornament and throw it back into the tote. Thankfully nothing shattered. Gemma was more enthused with the variety of snowmen I was unpacking. She began arranging them here there and everywhere. There was no pattern, no rhythm or reason. But we were accomplishing one thing -- we were having a blast with the grand kids. I showed them Baby's First Christmas ornaments that had photos of their mommy and their aunt when they were babies. I tried to keep them all in the middle of the tree, next to the pictures of them in their Baby's First Christmas ornaments. They weren't so impressed with Nonnie's nostalgia. They were too busy hanging Mistletoe on door knobs and wearing wreaths like necklaces. Every year since they've been born I've made it a tradition to buy each one a special ornament. This year, Bill got a train ornament with his name on it and the girls each got a personalized Princess castle. When Gemma, who has suddenly began talking non-stop, opened hers she looked at the pretty pink and purple castle and said, "Once Upon A Time..." When it was time for them to go home, Bill and I looked around our house, that now looked like a couple of dysfunctional elves had visited, and had a good laugh. The joy of sharing this experience with two bright eyed little helpers had reenergized my decorating duties. With Christmas carols blaring in the background I worked fast and furious to get the house done. This Christmas, I have the gift of three beautiful grandkids to share this special time of year. They are definitely the ornaments that decorate my heart with all the love this Christmas season can hold. -- Kathy Whirity __________________________________________________ Kathy is a syndicated newspaper columnist who shares her sentimental musings on family life. She is also a contributing author to The Chicken Soup For the Soul book series. You can visit her website here: http://www.kathywhirity.com =========================================================== >-->Some Interesting History From Our Friend Johanna :) | | . , |_ . ,_ \_/ _,_, |__) _ _ _ _ / \,_ |_|_|_|_/_)| |_|_| |_\_| | (_) |_|_ | _(/_(_|_(__(/_ \__/| |_ __/ __ ___ (_ _ ,_-|-|_ _ ,_ _| | ,_ \_/ _,_, ,_ |__| _ _ ,_-|- (__(_|_|(_|_| |_ (_|_| |_(_|_ _|_| |_ | (_) |_|_|(_ | |_(/_(_|_|(_|_ _..._ _..._ .' _ '. .' _ './ (a) .-'-. / (e) .-'-. '-,-'` | '-,--'` / ; / ; | _ / |/ .\ _ (_\ __..;__ \ ::\ ,/_)._ _;\;``""----...___...---:"`` .-'_ `'. \ '::.()\__) (\())(`._'- `-._ ,:-" '. '. - : ; '::\--;__ _\()`''----...__ `-._ '-. '._ .' | .:::|()\_) (_/`;-. jgs _ ()`-. `""--...____..-'` ;_ .:::| `. \_) _;/_)/).;()'._ (`\.-();/_).__ .::::/().-./`) (_\`;(()(_/(()/(. __.--;();`\_)()\__) .::()--;__:() '-;---()_;\_/()"-._ (_/ (/ /()';();--._\_::'`.();\_)` ,() (_.-(); \._ ``""(_.();_().(`\.-();__)`(_/ `--.__ (_/ (_/() \_) __/(_/|\();__\_)` \_) ` (_/ \_)`-._); >Middle East History By Andrew Tucker Even those who aren't particularly sympathetic to Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu could get a good measure of satisfaction from this interview aired on the BBC during the Gaza crisis: The interviewer asked him: "How come so many more Palestinians have been killed in this conflict than Israelis?" Netanyahu: "Are you sure that you want to start asking in that direction?" Interviewer: Why not? Netanyahu: "Because in World War II more Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyone's mind that the war was caused by Germany's aggression. And in response to the German blitz on London, the British wiped out the entire city of Dresden, burning to death more German civilians than the number of people killed in Hiroshima. Moreover, I could remind you that in 1944, when the R.A.F. tried to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen, some of the bombs missed their target and fell on a Danish children's hospital, killing 83 little children. Perhaps you have another question?" Apparently, Benjamin Netanyahu gave another interview and was asked about Israel's occupation of Arab lands. His response was, "It's our land." The reporter was stunned. Journalist simply don't know the history. The problem is that many journalists simply do not know the history of this piece of land, and are propagating a distorted view on the Middle East conflict. Here are overlooked facts in the current and past Middle East situation. These were compiled by a Christian university professor: * * * * * * * Some Brief Facts on the Israeli Conflict Today 1. Nationhood and Jerusalem: Israel became a nation in 1312 BC, two thousand (2000) years before the rise of Islam. 2. Arab refugees in Israel began identifying themselves as part of a Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after the establishment of the modern State of Israel (in 1948). 3. Since the Jewish conquest in 1272 BC, the Jews had dominion over the land for one thousand (1000) years, and have had a continuous presence in the land for the past 3,300 years. 4. The only Arab dominion over the land since the conquest in 635 lasted no more than 22 years. 5. For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied Jerusalem, they never sought to make it their capital, and Arab leaders did not come to visit Jerusalem. 6. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy Scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned even once in the Koran. 7. King David founded the city of Jerusalem. Mohammed never even came to Jerusalem. 8. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem. 9. Arab and Jewish Refugees: in 1948 the Arab refugees were encouraged to leave Israel by Arab leaders promising to purge the land of Jews. No doubt the Jews, and individual Jewish soldiers, made mistakes during the war of Independence, and some Arab Palestinians suffered hardships. But it was war, and the fact is sixty-eight percent of the Arab refugees left (many in fear of retaliation by their own brethren, the Arabs), without ever seeing an Israeli soldier. The Arabs who stayed were afforded the same peace, civil rights and citizenship in the new State of Israel as everyone else. 10. The Jewish refugees were forced to flee from Arab countries (Jordan, Syria, Egypt ...) due to Arab brutality, persecution and pogroms. 11. The number of Arab refugees who left Israel in 1948 is estimated to be around 630,000. The number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands is estimated to be the same or only slightly higher. 12. Arab refugees were INTENTIONALLY not absorbed or integrated into the Arab countries to which they fled (Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt), despite the vast Arab territory. Out of the 100,000,000 refugees since World War II, theirs is the only refugee group in the world that has never been absorbed or integrated into their own people's lands. The Jewish refugees, on the contrary, were completely absorbed into Israel, a country no larger than the state of New Jersey. 13. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: the Arabs are represented by eight separate nations in the Middle East, not including the Palestinians. There is only one Jewish nation. 14. The Arab nations initiated all five wars and lost. Israel defended itself each time and won. 15. The PLO and Hamas Charters still calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has given the Palestinians most of the West Bank land, autonomy under the Palestinian Authority, and has supplied them. 16. Under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were desecrated and the Jews were denied access to places of worship. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim and Christian sites have been preserved and made accessible to people of all faiths. 17. The UN Record on Israel and the Arabs: of the 175 Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel. 18. Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel. 19. The UN was silent while 58 Jerusalem synagogues were destroyed by the Jordanians in the period 1948-1967. 20. The UN was silent while the Jordanians systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives, and while the Jordanians enforced an apartheid-like a policy of preventing Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall. These are incredible times. St. Paul warned that the end times would be a time of deceit and lies (see eg. 2 Thessalonians 2). Who can deny that we are living in those days? We don't have to agree with or condone everything that Jews or Israel do. And we do have to recognize the miserable plight of the Palestinian refugees. But our attitude towards both the Jews and Arabs MUST at all costs be based on the truth. Without the truth, our supposed love will be misplaced. What will we tell our grandchildren about what we did when there was a turning point in Jewish destiny, and we had an opportunity to make a difference? Ed. Note: God promised the ancient Israelites to give them the land of Israel in perpetuity. As the Bible says, "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever'" (Exodus 32:13, NIV). In speaking about the land of Israel, God said to Abraham, the father of the Israelites: "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:2-3, NKJV). And again, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels'" (Psalm 122:6-7, NIV). Let us make sure we hear this Word of God. ********************************* Peace of mind is the most important character trait because it is the root of every positive virtue. --- ...Awesome bit of history! Thanks Johanna! Isn't it great that it took the guts of Trump to do what has been promised so often by preceding US Presidents? Trump Recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital and Orders U.S. Embassy to Move WASHINGTON — President Trump on Wednesday formally recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing nearly seven decades of American foreign policy and setting in motion a plan to move the United States Embassy from Tel Aviv to the fiercely contested Holy City. “Today we finally acknowledge the obvious: that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital,” Mr. Trump said from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House. “This is nothing more or less than a recognition of reality. It is also the right thing to do. It’s something that has to be done.” Recognizing Jerusalem, he added, was “a long overdue step to advance the peace process.” https://tinyurl.com/ycbwj8ds So proud of our President for doing the right thing. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ___,@ / < ,_ / \ _, ? \`/______\`/ ,_(_). |; (e e) ;| \___ \ \/\ 7 /\/ _\8/_ \/\ \'=='/ | /| /| \ \___)--(_______|//|//| \___ () _____/|/_|/_| / () \ `----' / () \ '-.______.-' jgs _ |_||_| _ (@____) || (____@) \______||______/ >The Christmas Sister One Christmas back in 1958 we didn't have very much, lucky we had a roof over our heads and we were warm. That's a lot to be thankful for. My Dad had been on strike for quite a while and my mom went to work at the Paint Factory and worked very hard as a printer. All the money my mom made had to go to the house payments and bills and what ever we had left over went to food which was not very much. Anyway we knew that we were not going to have Christmas presents and such but Mom always made sure that we would have clothes to wear. She use to shop at the thrift stores and by great big sweaters and unravel all the wool and reknit us sweaters and sometimes she would get two full sweaters. Mom could do amazing things with potatoes and onions and turnips, she always said that there had to be a million ways to cook them. My parents had lived through the war in Glasgow Scotland and they said that when they got their rations that they had to make due until the next time rations came around. Mom said that people drank lots of tea to keep them going. Anyways back to the original story. Some of our Neighbors knew we were pretty hard up and they gave our names to the Salvation Army who at the time gathered up groceries and presents and delivered them to people in need. So Christmas Eve came and their was a Knock at the door and there stood a very tall man with a great big box with ham and chicken and presents and candy and everything you could possibly imagine. Now Esther was 5 and I was 6 and our eyes were bugged right out when the man told us that the box was for us. Big problem! My Dad being a very proud man would not accept the charity and told the man to go away. He was a very stubborn man. The man turned to go. That is when my sister only 12 at the time ran and told the man to stay for a minute she wanted to talk to my father. Esther and I went over to look at the big box of goodies and Lillian took Dad aside and said look at the girls faces you can't take Christmas away from them because of your stupid pride. Be a man and accept the gift graciously as somebody wanted us to have this, that is why our name is on the box. Dad hung his head and went and apologized to the man and a took the box to the kitchen. My MoM cried when Lillian told her what had happened and what she told Dad and because of all the food and presents in the box. I will never forget that Christmas because I got a Fire Truck they thought that one of the children was a boy. Boy or girl it was about the best gift I had ever received. We had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family and I was so proud of my sister. Ester got a doll and Lillian got some perfume. But the biggest surprise was Lillian wanting us to have a Christmas so much that she stood up to my father. And he listened. -JanetF -<>- ___ (___) /` `\ / /"\ \ \_/o o\_/ ( _ ) `\ /` /\\V//\ / /_ _\ \ \ \___/ / \/===\/ || || || || ||___|| |_____| jgs ||| / Y \ `"`"` >Granny's Pearls Maybelle was her name, but everyone affectionately called her "Granny". Granny was a bit eccentric but well loved by our community as well as family. A spry old woman, she was always on the go, never slowing down. Even as children, we had trouble keeping up with Granny. Granny loved pearls. The odd thing was, that as much as she loved them, no one was allowed to buy them for her. She would often buy herself pearls, only for them to disappear. We never understood this. How a person could lose something as valuable as pearls and not seem to worry or care that they lost them, was beyond our small minds and comprehension. On Granny's bedroom dresser was another reminder of how peculiar she was. It was a small golden handcrafted box. Cherubs were delicately carved in the fine gold. Instead of using this beautiful and valuable box for the safe keeping of her pearls, nestled in the soft purple lining were a thorn and a mustard seed. Often, she would loving and tearfully look at the contents or delicately touch the box. How we laughed at Granny. She was such a foolish old woman to keep such nonsense and worthless items in this priceless box all the while unable to keep track of the real valuables. Granny was in her seventies when she was diagnosed with cancer. How angry I was at her God for allowing such a disease to attack and ravish her body. How angry I was at her for the calmness and acceptance she had of her inevitable death. I watched as my lively grandmother became bedridden. I was sixteen the year she died. I cried for myself, for I knew that life would never be the same without her. And I was angry at her for leaving. I was angry at God for allowing her to suffer so much before He took her away. The whole town turned out for Granny's funeral. Again, I was angered. Instead of tears and mourning, I saw smiles, laughter and celebration. It seemed as if they were having a grand party instead of a funeral. Then, one by one people started coming up to the platform to speak, each carrying two small boxes with them. The first to speak was the woman who ran the shelter for abused women. As she spoke, chills began to creep up my spine. "I was married for years to a man who both mentally and physically abused me. Even though I lived in terror with him, the thought of leaving also frightened me. I had two small children and nowhere to go. It was Granny who came to my rescue. At first, she placed in my hand this box with a thorn and mustard seed inside. You can imagine my surprise when I saw what she had given me. But, I listened to her as she told me the reason. Granny explained that everyone has thorns in their lives they must be pricked by, but that with the faith of a mustard seed, any obstacle could be overcome and turned around for good, for themselves and others. It was Granny who gave me the courage to leave my abusive husband. She helped me find a place for me and my children. When I approached her about starting a shelter for other women so they would also have a place to turn to, she smiled and handed me this pearl. Although I have always treasured the pearl, my most precious treasures have been this box with the thorn and mustard seed. Many times when I have faced difficulties, I have looked at them and heard her words." Next in line was the man who ran the alcohol and drug center. He cleared his throat as he began to speak. "I met Granny under the worst possible circumstances that I could have met anyone. I was an alcoholic at the young age of eighteen when I was involved in a car accident that killed a young sixteen-year-old boy. You can imagine my emotions when his mother came up to the jail to visit me. I was prepared for the worst; anger and accusations. What I was not prepared for was the love and forgiveness I received. She told me she knew that her son was with God and that she would someday be reunited with him. She also gave me this box with the thorn and mustard seed with the same explanation that you all well know. When I went to court, they wanted to put me in prison for manslaughter. Granny convinced them that I needed help and not punishment. She even offered to pay for the treatment. The treatment center was the cure that I needed. Granny helped me to get the grants to go to college. After I graduated, I saved every penny I could and a few years later took the money to Granny to repay her, but, she refused the money. So, I used the money to get our local treatment center started. On the first day I opened the center, Granny also gave me this box with the pearl. Do I need to tell you which is the most priceless to me?" Our local beautician spoke next. "I was fifteen, unmarried and pregnant when I met Granny. I was a frightened child about to have a child. I had already scheduled to have an abortion. I felt this was the only option that I had. Granny talked me out of having the abortion and to adopt my child out instead. She said I carried a gift from God that would be a gift to a childless couple. And yes, like many of you, I received the box with the thorn and mustard seed. Granny was with me when I gave birth to my son and when I gave him to his new family. She helped put me through school so I could become a beautician. She also gave me my box with the pearl. But the story does not end there. The family who adopted my son was a loving and Christian family, and my son grew up to be a fine doctor. He has saved many lives in his years, including many of yours." Story after story was told about Granny and her gifts of thorns, mustard seeds and pearls. How ashamed I was as I thought about the countless of times I laughed over Granny losing her precious pearls but keeping the golden box. How livid I was with God for taking such a loving woman from us. Finally, our minister began to speak. "My parents were atheists and raised me the same way. Granny was my neighbor for many years. I often scoffed at her and her "God", yet, at the same time was amazed by and envied her faith, her serenity and the peace that she had. Many times I would visit Granny when I was troubled, just to get a taste of her peace. It took Granny a lot longer to convert me then most, but, she was patient. She kept praying for me and always had her door open. One day I was facing what I thought was a major life crisis and went to talk to Granny. That was the day she gave me my box with the thorn and mustard seed. It was also the day I accepted Christ as my Saviour. When I opened my first church, Granny then gave me my box with the pearl." Then slowly, he opened an envelope and took out the folded paper inside. "Granny asked me to read this at her funeral. It was sealed when she gave it to me, and she made me promise not to open it until today." Slowly, he began to read: "Dear Family, and I say family, for we are all family in the eyes of God. Many of you have been receptionists of my boxes. Although everyone understands the meaning behind the thorns and mustard seed, today, I will explain the meaning behind your pearls. As most of you know, a pearl is a gemstone that is made by different mollusks such as oysters. But let's see how they are made. The making of a pearl is not very pretty and is painful to the mollusk. The start of a pearl is a piece of sand, rock, body of a bug or parasite that gets trapped inside the shell. Inside the mollusk is an inner layer of shell that is made of a lustrous material called "nacre," or mother of pearl. When something gets stuck in its shell, it irritates the oyster, so in defense, the oyster isolates the irritation by gradually coating it with layer after layer of nacre, making the object less dangerous and irritating to its soft tissues. As the oyster keeps adding more layers of this material, the pearl grows bigger and becomes more rounded. It is a slow process that can take up to three or more years for a mature oyster to produce a pearl large enough to become valuable. "In your lives, you have all had these painful irritants, which you have had to coat. You have had to take something painful and create a beautiful, priceless pearl. I know many of you have wondered why I have had to endure cancer and die the death I did. Even though I may not have an answer to that, I do know this, Yahweh was with me through each painful step of my disease comforting me with His Holy Spirit. Do not cry for me, but, celebrate what has been given to me. Even though I had to endure this painful experience, today I get to collect my gemstone, I get the biggest pearl of my life - I go home to Our Father. Love Granny" Today, Granny's golden box, with its thorn and mustard seed, sits atop my dresser. © Kathleen Shelton Poulson -<>- | \ ' / -- (*) -- >*< >0<@< >>>@<<* >@>*<0<<< >*>>@<<<@<< >@>>0<<<*<<@< >*>>0<<@<<<@<<< >@>>*<<@<>*<<0<*< \*/ >0>>*<<@<>0><<*<@<< ___\\U//___ >*>>@><0<<*>>@><*<0<< |\\ | | \\| >@>>0<*<0>>@<<0<<<*<@<< | \\| | _(UU)_ >((*))_>0><*<0><@<<<0<*< |\ \| || / //||.*.*.*.|>>@<<*<<@>><0<<< jgs |\\_|_|&&_// ||*.*.*.*|_\\db//_ """"|'.'.'.|~~|.*.*.*| ____|_ |'.'.'.| ^^^^^^|____|>>>>>>| ~~~~~~~~ '""""`------' >THE WORLD'S UGLIEST CHRISTMAS TREE By: Joseph J. Mazzella I can remember when I was a young boy how we always used to go into the woods around our home to cut down our Christmas tree. There always seemed to be the perfect pine just waiting for us to cut down and decorate with happy hearts. One year, though, when I was no more than five years old I was allowed to go on the tree hunt. As we hiked through the woods I saw probably the ugliest, most lopsided, and scraggly pine tree ever. To my five year old heart, however, it seemed like a great choice. I can remember my Dad cutting it down over my brothers' protests and my Mom decorating the weak, sagging limbs as best she could. I still have an old picture of me and my brother standing in front of the world's ugliest Christmas tree. What warms my heart about this memory is that my Mom and Dad didn't mind if the tree didn't look good or decorate up nicely. They only cared that I loved it and wanted it for our tree. They knew that the true meaning of Christmas didn't come from the lights, decorations, or presents. They knew the true meaning of Christmas came from the love and joy we shared with each other and the love that God had for each and everyone of us. These days my tree is artificial and I smile when I look in the woods and think of all the ugly, little Christmas trees I am saving by having it. The love and joy I share with my family and everyone else remains the same, though, at Christmas time and all through the year. It is a glorious gift from God that keeps on giving and giving and giving. It is like John Greenleaf Whittier once wrote: "Somehow not only for Christmas but all the long year through, the joy that you give others is the joy that comes back to you." Merry Christmas to you. May your tree always be full of light and your heart always be full of love. Joe Mazzella -<>- . | . | . | \|/ \ / -= * =- '. .----. .' /|\ / \ ' | ' -= | .----. | | / /""\ | / \( / m m ' ) ) - ) / /-./~` ( ( `.`\ /| . ) )\ \/_/ / . | . ( ( \_.-'` \ ' / \ \.| -= <*^*^*> =- jgs |\____\\ | ( " ) | _) \ |()'"'()| _.-' , | | (___) | /| . ` ; (`-.___.-') /_/____________/ '-.___.-' >Missing Jesus? About a week before Christmas, Mom bought a new nativity scene. When she unpacked it, she found two figures of the Baby Jesus. "Someone must have packed this wrong," mother said, counting out the figures. "We have one Joseph, one Mary, three wise men, three shepherds, two lambs, a donkey, a cow, an angel, and two babies. Oh, dear! I suppose some set down at the store is missing a Baby Jesus because we have two." "You two run back down to the store and tell the manager that we have an extra Jesus. Tell him to put a sign on the remaining boxes saying that if a set is missing a Baby Jesus, call 7126. Put on your warm coats, it's freezing cold out there." The manager of the store copied down mother's message, and the next time we were in the store, we saw the cardboard sign that read, "If you're missing Baby Jesus, call 7126." All week long we waited for someone to call. Surely, we thought, someone was missing that important figurine. Each time the phone rang, mother would say, "I'll bet that's about Jesus." But it never was. Father tried to explain there are thousands of these scattered over the country, and the figurine could be missing from a set in Florida or Texas or California. Those packing mistakes happen all the time. He suggested that she just put the extra Jesus back in the box and forget about it. "Put Baby Jesus back in the box?! What a terrible thing to do," said mother. "Surely someone will call. We'll just keep the two of them together in the manger until someone does." When no call had come by 5:00 on Christmas Eve, mother insisted that father "just run down to the store" to see if there were any sets left. "You can see them right through the window, over on the counter," she said. "If they are all gone, I'll know someone is bound to call tonight." "Run down to the store?" father thundered. "It's 15 below zero out there!" "Oh, Daddy, we'll go with you!" We began to put on our coats. Father gave a long sigh and headed for the front closet. "I can't believe I'm doing this," he muttered. We ran ahead as father reluctantly walked out in the cold. Tommy got to the store first and pressed his nose up to the store window. "They're all gone, Daddy," he shouted. "Every set must be sold. Hooray! The mystery will be solved tonight!" Father heard the news still a half block away and immediately turned on his heel and headed back home. When we got back into the house, we noticed that mother was gone and so was the extra Baby Jesus figurine. "Someone must have called, and she went out to deliver the figurine," father reasoned, pulling off his boots. "You kids get ready for bed while I wrap mother's present." Then the phone rang. Father yelled "answer the phone and tell 'em we found a home for Jesus." But it was mother calling with instructions for us to come to 205 Chestnut Street immediately, and bring three blankets, a box of cookies and some milk. "Now what has she gotten us into?" father groaned as we bundled up again. "205 Chestnut. Why that's across town. Wrap that milk up good in the blankets, or it will turn to ice before we get there. Why can't we all just get on with Christmas? It's probably 20 below out there now. And the wind is picking up. Of all the crazy things to do on a night like this." When we got to the house at 205 Chestnut Street, it was the darkest one on the block. Only one tiny light burned in the living room, and the moment we set foot on the porch steps, mother opened the door and shouted, "They're here! Oh thank God you got here, Ray! You kids take those blankets into the living room and wrap up the little ones on the couch. I'll take the milk and cookies." "Would you mind telling me what is going on, Ethel?" father asked. "We have just walked through below zero weather with the wind in our faces all the way." "Never mind all that now," mother interrupted. "There is no heat in this house, and this young mother is so upset, she doesn't know what to do. Her husband walked out on her, and those poor little children will have a very bleak Christmas, so don't you complain. I told her you could fix that oil furnace in a jiffy. My mother strode off to the kitchen to warm the milk while my brother and I wrapped up the five little children who were huddled together on the couch. The children's mother explained to my father that her husband had run off, taking bedding, clothing, and almost every piece of furniture, but she had been doing all right until the furnace broke down. "I been doin' washin' an ironin' for people and cleanin' the five and dime," she said. "I saw your number every day there, on those boxes on the counter. When the furnace went out, that number kept goin' through my mind. 7162 7162 "Said on the box that if a person was missin' Jesus, they should call you. That's how I knew you were good Christian people, willin' to help folks. I figured that maybe you would help me, too. So I stopped at the grocery store tonight, and I called your missus. I'm not missin' Jesus, mister, because I sure love the Lord. But I am missin' heat. I have no money to fix that furnace." "Okay, okay," said father. "You've come to the right place. Now let's see. You've got a little oil burner over there in the dining room. Shouldn't be too hard to fix. Probably just a clogged flue. I'll look it over, see what it needs." Mother came into the living room carrying a plate of cookies and warm milk. As she set the cups down on the coffee table, I noticed the figure of Baby Jesus lying in the center of the table. It was the only sign of Christmas in the house. The children stared wide-eyed with wonder at the plate of cookies my mother set before them. Father finally got the oil burner working but said, "You need more oil. I'll make a few calls tonight and get some oil. Yes sir, you came to the right place." Father grinned. On the way home, father did not complain about the cold weather and had barely set foot inside the door when he was on the phone. "Ed, hey, how are ya, Ed? Yes, Merry Christmas to you, too. Say Ed, we have kind of an unusual situation here. I know you've got that pick-up truck. Do you still have some oil in that barrel on your truck? You do?" By this time the rest of the family was pulling clothes out of their closets and toys off of their shelves. It was long after our bedtime when we were wrapping gifts. The pickup came. On it were chairs, three lamps, blankets and gifts. Even though it was 30 below, father let us ride along in the back of the truck. No one ever did call about the missing figure in the nativity set, but as I grow older I realize that it wasn't a packing mistake at all. Jesus saves, that's what He does. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Rare Old Rolls-Royce! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rollsroyce.html Pet Helpers!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pethelpers.html Road Train Trucks!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/roadtrain.html Amazing Cop Cars!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/copcars.html Christmas With Pets!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmaspets.html Dogs And Little Ones!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogslittleones.html Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Look Who's Talking 9!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/talking9.html Ricochet The Surf Dog!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ricochet.html The Force Of Lake Erie! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lakeerie.html Bailey's Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bailey.html Miniature Wonderland http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html God Is Like... http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Puppy Days Of Christmas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/puppychristmas.html A Country Christmas http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/countrychristmas.html Santa Ho Ho Oh-No's http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/santa.html Amazing Grace http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/amazinggrace.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Who Is This Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Angels, Churches, Crosses, Doves Animations http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs.html Christmas Animations: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/agifs_u-z.html Full CHRISTMAS INDEX! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html Yummy Desserts! Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html -<>- RECALLS: Sausage, Butter, Tampons https://tinyurl.com/y7h377ku All Americans, regardless of zip code, should have access to the American Dream. With Opportunity Zones, we get closer to that reality. Tax relief is offered in exchange for long-term investments in the low-income communities that need it most. These poorer areas begin to see more job creation and lasting growth. This private investment fuels human potential in these communities, whereas government spending programs too often extinguish it. https://tinyurl.com/y8ycqu77 ‘We need to know who is coming in and going out’ Yesterday’s tragic terror attack at a Christmas market in Strasbourg, France, reminds us that national security is nothing without border security. Controlling the border is a matter of public safety—one that includes many threats beyond terrorism. From October 2017 through this July, U.S. Border Patrol seized 6,423 pounds of cocaine, 532 pounds of heroin, 439,531 pounds of marijuana, 10,382 pounds of methamphetamine, and 332 pounds of fentanyl from Border Patrol checkpoints. It’s time to make a deal. There's nothing partisan about protecting our borders to encourage legal immigration. Throwback: When Sen. Chuck Schumer believed in securing our border https://tinyurl.com/y8cy97tp Watch: President Trump host Democrat leaders in the Oval Office https://tinyurl.com/ydy542w2 For years, Democrats have acknowledged the need for border security—even voting for it in the past. Why won’t they come to the table in 2018? -<>- Living in True Unity https://tinyurl.com/ydeq5pog What does the Bible say about Christmas? https://tinyurl.com/y85bfxh3 Prayer Changes Things https://tinyurl.com/y92zswt5 Dottie West- Lord is it I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLLpDUFirXI -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Andrea Bocelli & The Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform “The Lord’s Prayer”. This is truly an amazing performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEplqV0scyo Vocal Quartet Il Divo sings Amazing Grace in this stunning music video that is simply awesome. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYMLMj-SibU --- ...Sweet! Thank You LouiseAu! -<>- Revisiting... >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A tribute by Tom Brokaw and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to Colonel Gail Halverson, “The Candy Bomber”. Colonel Halverson acquired the name for his efforts during the Berlin airlift to provide the German children with candy. He called this candy parachute supply effort “Operation Little Vittles” and it was greatly appreciated by the children. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjz8yu5MWC0&feature=player_embedded Music video by Elvis Presley & Martina McBride performing Blue Christmas. This is modern technology at it’s finest as someone has done a GREAT job of editing and putting these two singers together for this all time great song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KK6sMo8NBY&feature=player_embedded --- ...So beautiful! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) What You Might Not Know about the Charlie Brown Christmas Special - http://tinyurl.com/ma4fo6l Bob Welsh - My Christmas Eve - YouTube http://www.youtube.com/embed/WxjZB5S_g7s?rel=0 CHRISTMAS WITH GOGO - a musical by children from South Africa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktdKECaL7BY Santa Vision http://www.santatelevision.com/ The Simple Truths of Service Inspirational Movie http://play.simpletruths.com/movie/simple-truths-of-service/ --- ...Wow! Pretty Cool! Thanks Melody! -<>- >From Our Friend PatDeE :) Hallelujah - Adventi Flashmob a Bazilikánál https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15yjE-ezOh4 --- ...Love it - Sweet! Thanks PatDeE! 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 ========================================================== , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ >Secret Generosity Story Editor: by P. Fletcher Eric Justian Washington, USA Oh the times our young family returned to New York City from vacation with just enough gas and no money for tolls! In 1971 our tight budget nearly ended our family vacation early. We were 30 years old, and had saved up just enough to go camping for two weeks with our young boys, ages 7 and 3. Heading north from the city around midnight, the car suddenly died. We coasted to the side of the New York State Thruway. My NYC born and raised husband was new to driving and had no clue what might cause an engine to die. I dug a flashlight out of the camping gear and we looked under the hood together, blankly. Just then a trooper stopped. He radioed a tow truck and kindly stayed with us while we waited for it. After talking to us he gently broke the news that it was probably an alternator problem. We could expect to pay about $70. I'm certain my face must have mirrored my husband's stricken expression. We'd planned to spend not more than $100 for the whole camping trip. The repairs would end our family vacation. The kind trooper left when the tow truck arrived. The 50-ish driver towed us to the gas station he owned. He prepared to work on our car, "since your kids are asleep and I'm awake." We moved the kids into their sleeping bags and they and I slept on two tired sofas in the station. I needed to be well rested to drive us back to the city. My husband joined the owner in the garage to learn something about cars and engines. When my husband woke me I reached for my purse. But the station owner insisted my husband had done most of the work. He would accept only $10 "for parts". I drove north from there, both of us happy our vacation could continue, though we'd have to pinch pennies for two weeks. For the next seven years we stopped at that station whenever we were near: to get gas, to get a taillight fixed, whatever. The owner always remembered us and exclaimed over how much our sons had grown. The last time we were at the station, just before we moved away to the Midwest, I insisted on paying the old alternator bill. The owner laughed and said it'd been paid many times over from our years of stops. Then he told us the story of the kind trooper who had waited with us in the night. When the tow truck had arrived, the trooper had paid half the bill without our knowledge, and alerted the station owner to our dilemma. Our $10 contribution had been a token. We all laughed as the owner told us how hard it was to invent the white lie about my husband's help that night. I still fondly remember these two people, who helped my family when they didn't have to. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "Earn all you can, save all you can, give all you can." - John Wesley .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >It's Love (By Peder Eide, www.pedereide.com) I am currently sitting on a plane after a concert on my "Love Has Come" Christmas Tour. A bit tired, squished in my seat, and cold because apparently we need to make the airplane feel like a Minnesota winter to keep the holiday mood real. Oh, a blanket would be nice right now... So with Delta-frostbite, I'm trying to type out this devo for Second Sunday of Advent. The second candle on our traditional wreath represents love, a word we recognize as the heartbeat of God the Father. It's actually who He is. There is so much we can write. The power of love, the abuse of the meaning of the word, and so much in between. So for our devo, I want you to focus on what it feels like to be in the presence of the genuine, godly, and what I would call, advent love. Let me introduce you to Lonna Grabenstien. Lonna is a woman who ministers at American Lutheran in Gothenburg, Nebraska. She is a wife of many years, a mom of three awesome children, and now a grandma to three grandchildren. I've known Lonna for most of the years of my music ministry. We just performed our Christmas concert at her church and "loved" is what comes to my mind. From the first step out of our vehicle on our arrival, to the closing of the door of the truck at our departure, I witness from afar the act of loving people like Jesus talks about. As soon as we arrive and Lonna appears in the picture, there are kids begging for her attention, and everyone gets not just a courtesy, but full attention to whatever question they have or even just telling her a story (even if it has no relevance to what's going on.) She listens with more than patience. She listens with joy. It is amazing to see. It's constant. It has a touch of chaos. Every student is affirmed and even blessed with touch and words that have a feeling of destiny. You would think Lonna would get worn down to a level of just being tolerant but there is no way that's happening. Every child feels like her favorite. I think they are. It's love. Then there are the older ones. The junior high, senior high, and adults. It's the same thing. In every introduction of anyone who comes our way, she speaks words of beauty about each person like I'm meeting a dignitary or someone who is about to cure an awful disease. It's not a sale; it's not a pitch. It's real passion and understanding for each person who walks up to us. It's love. When the concert was over, my dear friend Lonna was at it again so pouring thank yous and blessings onto everyone who came for the evening event. And then my heart was touched by how during our loading out of our production gear, she would encourage me with more stories and words of how she could see God moving throughout the whole concert and that there were so many people who needed to hear what was said. It's love. You probably know someone like Lonna in your life. They are out there, and we love to be around them. It's truly attractive and inviting and fun to be around those who love with more than just niceness but with true passion for who you are. We just worshiped on the second Sunday of Advent. It's about love. We remember that God has sent His Son Jesus at Christmas not out of duty, obligation, or need but because of something else. It's love. My question to you is this: Do you realize you could be a Lonna to someone else today? Right now? Like even as you are reading this, there is someone in your life who needs what you have and you can give it to them. It's love. This is a straight-forward challenge, directive, commissioning to you this week: Go give something real, unconditional, powerful, through your words, actions, giving, time, effort to someone very specific in your world and do it because you can. You have all training, skill, and resource necessary to succeed. You can not fail. Why? Because... It's love. God is good all the time, Peder -<>- ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >Spiritually "Out of Breath" (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) In our fast-paced society it is so easy to get so busy that we lose perspective. Have you been spiritually "out of breath" lately? Meditate on this poem by Owen L.Crain: Slow me down, Lord; Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my hurried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me amid the confusion of the day the calmness of the everlasting hills. Break the tensions of my nerves and muscles with the soothing music of the singing streams that live in my memory. Teach me the art of taking minute vacations, of slowing down to look at a flower, to chat with a friend, to smile at a child, to read a few lines from a good book. Slow me down, Lord, And inspire me to send my roots deep into the soil of life's enduring values, that I may grow toward my greater destiny. Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift, that there is more to life than increasing its speed. Let me look upward to the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' As you think about this poem, read Psalm 46: [1] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. [2] Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [3] Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. [4] There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. [5] God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. [6] The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. [7] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. [8] Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth. [9] He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. [10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. [11] The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. 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 ========================================================== _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >-->A Christmas Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen. >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 ************************************************************************