Stuffed With Tradition ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* 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!! ================ >-->OoooWEeeee!! (>, oo / 8 "} > @ < |`.8 .-._/| `-.'`')`_.' ) / / |__, | ( / .' , / `._/ '`- \| -- -`' - --- VK/ejm I'm doing a 'Happy Angel' dance! Why? Because Shangrala has been blessed with another donation from our most faithful Shangrala Angel, William Lysak from Canada! This is his FOURTH year in a row of stepping up to the plate to help Keep Shangrala Alive with a sweet donation! We sure do thank God for him and all our past wonderful angels! If you'd like to help too and be counted as a 2011 Shangrala Angel, please visit the site and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL page comes up. 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 ALL OUR ANGELS MOST ABUNDANTLY! ================ _..----...__ .-" `"-. | | |__.==========.____| | | .======. | | ____ | | | | | | _.-' ""--.._ |__| '======' |___ | .' '-. _.-'`` '==========' ``""'--.._ / \' '. / ,,,,,,,,, |._.,,;;;''''''''';;;;;;;;;, | ; .;;;;;;;;;;;\ | ,;;;;;| .) .) `;;;;;;;;, / | /;;;;;;;;;;;;;;| ;;;;;/ (_ ';;;;;;;-'` | /;;;;;;;;;;;;;;|| ;;;;;| `;;;;;; | |;;;;''' '/| ';;;;\ '----' ;;;;;' | |;;;' (' (' \\ `''''`---.___.- __;;''` ; |;;' _) \`) |~\ .-' '---'` ``"-. \ |;;;, .___. |/ / \_/__ _/\ _..,/`\ '-._ \"` `-' .'--"----"; `; '-..-/ \| `;;,--`-._____...-' ; ; ; `; \| || / `\ ; ' . ; \ || / / .-""-.\ . ; ; . ; || /`-./ // \\ ; ' . ; | || ; | `'--./| \'. ; ; ' | || | | | \-' ' ; | || | \ \ \ _ ; ' . | |/ \ >--------'. ` `''-._ , ; ; ;'-. _/' \/ '-._ \`'--. / `, / `'---...___/ / ,/---. /\ / \ ; `"""` ; \`- / / \ / \ ; ,-' /-' \ / \'----'----{ .' \ / \ `""` __..-' / \'----..------'''`` / / \ | .-' / \ | | \ / / \ ) '. .'----; ;------; '-._ _.-'___ | |____ | `'--..._______...--'` //__//__| //__//__| jgs | _| _|_ .--'`---` .--'`---` \ |__.\|___.\\_\ ( ( | / / `""\_____..__'.______..___/ \___.-\___.-._____/ *~* HAPPY BLESSED THANKSGIVING To All Who Celebrate Early! *~* >-->In The 'Shangy' News :) Both our friends Bunni And Jo Ann sent us some very yummy sounding recipes that I added to the web site... Philly Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bread By Bunni And Spanish Roasted Potatoes with Tomato Sauce By Jo Ann Both are under the MEALS & BREADS category here... ####### ##[_]## ,;###########;, <<:{{\|@___@|/}}:>> <<:{{| ( /___\\) \}}:>> <<:{{/\ \\___/( /\}}:>> <<<<:{{| \ _.| |(_\/ |}}:>>>> <<<:{{|`\,'| '-' |'./`|}}:>>> <<<:{{|`\/ \___/ \/`|}}:>>> <<<:{{ \// ) ~ ~ ( \\/ }}:>>> <<:{{`{///' ~ ^ ~ '\\\}`}}:>>> <<:{{,=`. ~ ^.~.^ ~ .`=,}}:>> `-,__.__,-' \ | / jgs // \\ .---'( )'---. `---'-` `-'---` Easy-Does-It Home Recipes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html --- ...So wonderful and just in time for Thanksgiving! Thank You Ladies! -<>- >Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This red hottie is from our friend John-Paul. Animal lovers will all agree our K9 friends are the best! They are there for us through thick or thin and proved it once again during the 9/11 tragedy! This introduces us to a few of those heroes. Be sure to check out the awesome videos too! __ / \ / ..|\ (_\ |_) / \@' / \ _ / ` | \\/ \ | _\ \ /_ || \\_ \____)|_) \_) Ruth Ginsberg K9 9/11 Heroes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/k9-11.html --- ...So heartwarming! Thank You John-Paul! ============================================================ >-->From Heartwarmers: .:. .:. \|/ .:. _ \\,/// \|/ | \|/ _/_\_ ___ \\|/// <#> | \|<#> | (") /.-.\ (")\\ \|<#>|/ \| / _ //U\\ |(")| //-\\\ | \| /<#>/ ( ) _ \|_|/ /)v(\ <#>_/|_|/\\ \ |/ |/ \| (_` )_('> | | \/~\/ |||\\\ \| | |/ (__,~_)8 ||| //_\\ ||| \\ |/ \| / \| / jgs _YY_ _[|]_ /_____\ _[|]_ \| |/ |/ """"""""'""'""'"""""'""""'""'"""'"""""''"'"""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >THANKSGIVING, THE OLD FASHIONED WAY by Patty Cotter The "tradition" is now in its fifth year. I would not have thought that such an early morning venture to my mother's house 30 minutes away on a cold, dark morning, would be so much fund that I didn't even have to mark it on the calendar as a reminder. The tradition, as I now think of it, started the first Thanksgiving after my father died, less than one month prior. I knew the first set of holidays would be difficult for my mother. I thought it would be the right thing to do -- to drive to mom's early Thanksgiving morning to help her prepare the stuffing, prep the turkey, and put the bird in the oven. But mostly to keep her company in the now quiet house. Since we usually eat early afternoon, arriving at mom's by 6am meant getting up and out of my house by 5:30am. First stop in my old hometown is to pick up two coffees, a muffin to share and the morning paper, then drive the two remaining blocks to the house where I, as well as mom, grew up. In the quiet of the morning, mom and I begin preparations for our Thanksgiving meal with the family. Over the past few years, we have expanded on our routine. Not only do we make the stuffing and the turkey, but we also set the table with the china my grandmother used and even peel all those potatoes and prep the other side dishes. As we work through our list, the aroma of turkey begins to fill the kitchen. Working side by side with mom, the comforting smell of turkey in the oven, my grandmother's china taking center stage on the table, and the quiet dawning of the day is something I have come to cherish each year. I love working next to her, chatting as we work. It's wonderful to have those several hours together, just mom and me. In this day and age, when "blogging" and "twittering" have replaced old fashioned communication, this tradition has become that much more important to me. Something I hope continues for many more years to come. Love you more, Mom! -- Patty Cotter __________________________________________________ Patty says, "I am married to my best friend Frank. Cooking and antiquing are my passions. My biggest dream is to indulge both my passions by owning and operating a bed and breakfast in the country!" ================================================================== |_| _, _ _ ___ | |(_||_)|_)\_| .'=:-\ ___ | | ._| /.='( ` | |_ _ ,_ |/ , _ . .,_ _ /. ^=.'-._..---. | | |(_|| ||\/_)(_|||/|| |(_| | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, ._| ._| |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ give thanks... './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' >-->What's so great about Thanksgiving? What is so Great about Thanksgiving? I think the best thing about it is that it reminds us to be Thanks-Living all year round. It is a time to gather with friends and relatives and give thanks to God for our many blessings - not only of today but from all year through. Here is a great teaching on this... _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' / |_ /| / ` |_/ / \ / / '--;_ _\ `\ / |`-.___. / ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >Be Ye Thankful There are many places throughout the Bible where we are exhorted to be thankful to God for all He has done for us. Even if it seems like times are bad, and we appear to be in the midst of problems, if we are thankful, it is all much easier to bear. Perhaps it is like the difference between an optimist and a pessimist. One sees the glass of water as half full, the other as half empty. The thankful person is happy to have the half full glass of water. What does God do for us that we should be thankful? Even in the Old Testament there are records of giving thanks. II Samuel 22: 47 - 50 -- The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me. And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name. GOD PROTECTS US from violence. When we are in fellowship, and following the Word, God can protect us from every evil that may try to come at us. For this we should truly be thankful! I Chronicles 16: 34 -- O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever. GOD IS GOOD, AND He is MERCIFUL towards us. This means that He withholds merited judgement. For this too, we are thankful. Psalm 92: 1 - 5 -- It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High: To shew forth thy loving kindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night, Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound. For thou, Lord, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands. O Lord, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. This psalm tells us that it is a good thing to give thanks to God, and to praise His name. He has made us glad because of what He has done for us, and for ALL His great works. Psalm 100: 4, 5 -- Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. In the Old Testament, the believers were constantly reminded to give thanks to God for being good, merciful, and faithful. God hasn't changed, and we should thank Him for the same things in this age. In the Church epistles, there are other things mentioned for which we should be thankful. Romans 1: 8 -- First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. Romans 16: 4 -- Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Colossians 1: 3 -- We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, These three verses show how Paul was thankful for his fellow believers. He was thankful that they were faithful to the Word. He was thankful that they put their own lives on the line to help him move the Word. Finally, Paul showed his thankfulness by praying for other believers. Instead of thinking our 'old man' thoughts, we are exhorted to be thankful: Ephesians 5: 4 -- Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Thankfulness can also help prevent anxiety. If you are being thankful for what God has done for you, how can you worry? Philippians 4: 6 -- Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. We are heirs of God, and that should make us thankful. He has saved us from the power of the adversary if we stay in fellowship, and given us eternal life! Colossians 1: 12 -- Giving thanks unto the Father, which [who] hath made us meet [adequate] to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom [by the work] of his dear Son. The book of Colossians has many verses about giving thanks: Colossians 2: 6, 7 -- As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. According to verse 6, we are to walk like Christ. We are born again (rooted) and we renew our minds (built up) to be established in the faith. AND, we are to ABOUND in giving thanks. Colossians 3: 15 -- And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Colossians 3: 17 -- And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. We are to be THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING in our life, whatever we DO, whatever we talk about. Colossians 4: 2 -- Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Continue means to be steadfast in prayer, and we are to be watchful or awake, and give thanks. Ephesians 5: 20 -- Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Once again, give thanks to God for all things, in the name of Jesus Christ. Finally, I Thessalonians sums it up very nicely. The last chapter lists a number of things that believers should do on a daily basis: I Thessalonians 5: 15 - 18 -- See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. First, we do not try to overcome evil with evil. This is also mentioned in Romans. Romans 12: 21 -- Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Second, we are told to rejoice evermore, or always be joyful. This is also mentioned in Philippians. Philippians 4: 4 -- Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Third, pray continually. We should pray for others, and for situations, throughout the day which is mentioned in I Thessalonians 5: 17 above and many other places in the Church Epistles. Finally, in everything give thanks. No matter what happens, we are to be thankful, because it is the Will of God. Think about it. No matter how bad things may seem, you always have something for which you can be thankful. Being thankful keeps your mind off of any mental tribulation and on the positives, blessings and benefits of God. Your personal adversary will go out of his way to pressure you if you are standing on God’s Word. God says we should not only be able to handle it, BUT WE SHOULD REJOICE because we must be doing something right! So count your blessings and always remember: YOU CANNOT BE NEGATIVE WHEN YOU ARE THANKFUL. Being thankful puts your mind at rest. This is another area where we can work on renewing our mind. There is a lot to remember. Take one thing at a time and simply do your best. Surely, God will help you. I Thessalonians 5: 18 -- In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. From: http://www1.itech.net/~ydl/Thankful.htm =============================================================== >-->From SermondFodder: .-'"`/\ // /' /\`\ ('//.-'/`-.; \ \ / /-. __.__.___..__._.___.\\ \\----,_ .:{@&#,&#@&,@&#&&,#&@#&@&\\` \-. .-'-. .:{@#@,#@&#,@#&&#,@&#&@&,&@#&&\\, -._,"- \ .{#@#&@#@#&#&@&#@#@&#,@#@#&@&&#@#\ \// = \`=\__ `{#@,@#&@&,@&#@,#@&#@#&@#&@,&#@,#/\/ =`-. -_=__ `:{@#&@&#@&#@&#@,#&&#@&,@#/.' / / "/.-', / `:{@#&,#&@#,@&#&@&,@&#/.-// //-'-_= ",/ jgs `~`~~`~~~`~`~`~~`~( / , /__,___.-" \ \\/ `\\\' >CRAZY LANGUAGE Have you noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love? Have you ever run into someone who was combobulated, gruntled, ruly or peccable? And where are all those people who ARE spring chickens or who would ACTUALLY hurt a fly? You have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out and in which an alarm clock goes off by going on. English was invented by people, not computers, and it reflects the creativity of the human race (which, of course, isn't a race at all). That is why, when the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it. -<>- Unheard Message Back when the telegraph was the was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office. The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in. Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified. Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled." The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!" The employer said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his." "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live" John 5:24-25 Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Copyright 1994 by Youth Specialties, Inc. -<>- .-""-._ / ___/ \ _&_ _.--""|/ `\| // \\ .' ( ^/ ^ )'. / / \ \ / | _ | \ // / \ \\ | _\____/ | /_/_/_\_\_\ | .' \____/-._ | .-"-. | / `; /# \ | / / _|_.---\ | | |.-.; :--.-(_/.____/.-""\___/"-. / \ / ~~/ /\ \{"=.______.="} /--. ; /___/_~~/ ; .--\"=...__...="} / \-/ `\______|/ \-.______..-; | /`| | \ | |||| || | /_ | |_______/ | |||| || | \_/| |-------' |--'||'--._|| | | | | || |> |______| |____________|._ || _..-;| | [___] | `||() || |______ |\/|____________|jgs|| () (__) \__/ (__) () >Symphony in F Feeling footloose and frisky, a featherbrained fellow forced his father to fork over his farthings. Fast he flew to foreign fields and frittered his family's fortune, feasting fabulously with floozies and faithless friends. Flooded with flattery he financed a full-fledged fling of "funny foam" and fast food. Fleeced by his fellows in folly, facing famine, and feeling faintly fuzzy, he found himself a feed- flinger in a filthy foreign farmyard. Feeling frail and fairly famished, he fain would have filled his frame with foraged food from the fodder fragments. "Fooey," he figured, "my father's flunkies fare far fancier," the frazzled fugitive fumed feverishly, facing the facts. Finally, frustrated from failure and filled with foreboding (but following his feelings) he fled from the filthy foreign farmyard. Faraway, the father focused on the fretful familiar form in the field and flew to him and fondly flung his forearms around the fatigued fugitive. Falling at his father's feet, the fugitive floundered forlornly, "Father, I have flunked and fruitlessly forfeited family favor." Finally, the faithful Father, forbidding and forestalling further flinching, frantically flagged the flunkies to fetch forth the finest fatling and fix a feast. Faithfully, the father's first-born was in a fertile field fixing fences while father and fugitive were feeling festive. The foreman felt fantastic as he flashed the fortunate news of a familiar family face that had forsaken fatal foolishness. Forty- four feet from the farmhouse the first-born found a farmhand fixing a fatling. Frowning and finding fault, he found father and fumed, "Floozies and foam from frittered family funds and you fix a feast following the fugitive's folderol?" The first-born's fury flashed, but fussing was futile. The frugal first-born felt it was fitting to feel "favored" for his faithfulness and fidelity to family, father, and farm. In foolhardy fashion, he faulted the father for failing to furnish a fatling and feast for his friends. His folly was not in feeling fit for feast and fatling for friends; rather his flaw was in his feeling about the fairness of the festival for the found fugitive. His fundamental fallacy was a fixation on favoritism, not forgiveness. Any focus on feeling "favored" will fester and friction will force the faded facade to fall. Frankly, the father felt the frigid first-born's frugality of forgiveness was formidable and frightful. But the father's former faithful fortitude and fearless forbearance to forgive both fugitive and first-born flourishes. The farsighted father figured, "Such fidelity is fine, but what forbids fervent festivity for the fugitive that is found? Unfurl the flags and finery, let fun and frolic freely flow. Former failure is forgotten, folly is forsaken. Forgiveness forms the foundation for future fortune." Four facets of the father's fathomless fondness for faltering fugitives are: 1) Forgiveness 2) Forever faithful friendship 3) Fadeless love, and 4) A facility for forgetting flaws Fortuitous Felicitations From Sermon Fodder and Joke A Day Ministries. To subscribe drop an email note to Sermon_Fodder-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please leave this attached if you forward this to friends. ======================================== .-""-. /) (\ ,;;;, ( ' \' ) // \\\\ \ = / ( ' ' ) jgs )--( \_=_/ >Why Are We Here? So we were lying on our backs on the grass in the park next to our hamburger wrappers, my 14-year-old son and I, watching the clouds loiter overhead, when he asked me, "Dad, why are we here?" And this is what I said. "I've thought a lot about it, son, and I don't think it's all that complicated. I think maybe we're here just to teach a kid how to bunt, turn two and eat sunflower seeds without using his hands. "We're here to pound the steering wheel and scream as we listen to the game on the radio, 20 minutes after we pulled into the garage. We're here to look all over, give up and then find the ball in the hole. "We're here to watch, at least once, as the pocket collapses around John Elway, and it's fourth-and-never. Or as the count goes to 3 and 1 on Mark McGwire with bases loaded, and the pitcher begins wishing he'd gone on to med school. Or as a little hole you couldn't get a skateboard through suddenly opens in front of Jeff Gordon with a lap to go. "We're here to wear our favorite sweat-soaked Boston Red Sox cap, torn Slippery Rock sweatshirt and the Converses we lettered in, on a Saturday morning with nowhere we have to go and no one special we have to be. "We're here to rake on a jack-high nothin' hand and have nobody know it but us. Or get in at least one really good brawl, get a nice shiner and end up throwing an arm around the guy who gave it to us. "We're here to shoot a six-point elk and finally get the f-stop right, or to tie the perfect fly, make the perfect cast, catch absolutely nothing and still call it a perfect morning. "We're here to nail a yield sign with an apple core from half a block away. We're here to make our dog bite on the same lame fake throw for the gazillionth time. We're here to win the stuffed bear or go broke trying. "I don't think the meaning of life is gnashing our bicuspids over what comes after death but tasting all the tiny moments that come before it. We're here to be the coach when Wendell, the one whose glasses always fog up, finally makes the only perfect backdoor pass all season. We're here to be there when our kid has three goals and an assist. And especially when he doesn't. "We're here to see the Great One setting up behind the net, tying some poor goaltender's neck into a Windsor knot. We're here to watch the Rocket peer in for the sign, two out, bases loaded, bottom of the career. We're here to witness Tiger's lining up the 22-foot double breaker to win and not need his autograph afterward to prove it. "We're here to be able to do a one-and-a-half for our grandkids. Or to stand at the top of our favorite double-black on a double-blue morning and overhear those five wonderful words: 'Highway's closed. Too much snow.' "We're here to get the Frisbee to do things that would have caused medieval clergymen to burn us at the stake. "I don't think we're here to make SportsCenter. The really good stuff never does. Like leaving Wrigley at 4:15 on a perfect summer afternoon and walking straight into Murphy's with half of section 503. Or finding ourselves with a free afternoon, a little red 327 fuel-injected 1962 Corvette convertible and an unopened map of Vermont's backroads. "We're here to get the triple-Dagwood sandwich made and the football kicked off at the very second your sister begins tying up the phone until Tuesday. "None of us are going to find ourselves on our deathbeds saying, 'Dang, I wish I'd spent more time on the Hibbings account.' We're going to say, 'That scar? I got that scar stealing a home run from Consolidated Plumbers!' "See, grown-ups spend so much time doggedly slaving toward the better car, the perfect house, the big day that will finally make them happy when happy just walked by wearing a bicycle helmet two sizes too big for him. We're not here to find a way to heaven. The way is heaven. Does that answer your question, son?" And he said, "Not really, Dad." And I said, "No?" And he said, "No, what I meant is, why are we here when Mom said to pick her up 40 minutes ago?" Grace & peace - John A. Bright Pastor, Painter-Bethel Charge UMC, Eastern Shore of Virginia --- . . : . _ '. _.:._ .' (_) '-. .' '. .-' _;_ ' - ./ \. - ' / | \ - - | | - - """" \ | \ """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" `|\ ` | \ / / jgs / /_ ` ...Consider this... Ecclesiastes 12: [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear [respect] God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. This is why when people try to do things to hurt me on purpose thinking it will cause me to be depressed or greatly upset me, I figure they do so without knowing me very well. I learned a long time ago that people do what they want to do and I cannot let what they do bother me so much. If what they do is mean or nasty, I've learned to lift them to Father in the name of Jesus Christ so that they may get help because I know they will get their just reward sooner or later from God Almighty. I learned to mostly ignore them and not give them control over my own personal life. Granted, people have greatly hurt me over the years by their actions and/or in-actions, but I adopted the motto - 'to each his/or her own'. After all, We are the ones accountable to God - why should we allow any one else to control our life? We will all be accountable for our own works when we stand before God. We must just keep doing the best we can for God - that is all we can do - giving God our best - that's our duty. =============================================================== >-->From Our Friend John-Paul :) ___________________ / _________________ \ |/ \| || || || .-""-. || || / \ \ || || | /`-._| || .-""-. || |/ . . | || / / \ || ( _\ ) || ;_.`\ | || |\ = | || /. \ | || /\ \_._/ || /_ )\ / || /\_\___//\ || = `( || /` \ \| `\ || \__/ \ |\/_____|__;_____\_/| )__/ \ jgs \___________________/ /| / /`\ / ` / | | | | >"Today I Woke and Was Every Thing I Wanted To Be" Today I woke and was every thing I wanted to be. I forgave myself for everything that ever made me feel ashamed, and I felt free. I loved everyone everywhere, even those that hurt me, And I sent Love to those that have lost their way, To navigate a beautiful day. I wasn't afraid of any thing any more. I realized I was endowed with all the power of the universe: to Think, to feel, to Create, And to love that I have Created, As never before. I revealed this was the sum total realization for myself, and all things in life are related. I realized that `Right Now` is the only moment there ever really; IS, WAS, Or EVER WILL BE. For me, So opened wide, eyes to see. I now knew that all my past, except what was good, was gone, And I made a pack with myself to hold this feeling as if were a little child in arms, (Indeed it was), And never shall I be alone again. For `The Great GOD Almighty` is with me, In me, and without deviation, or interruption, directs me. Yes, ever since life began. "Today I Woke And I Knew I Was Everything I Wanted To Be"!! Though we may be miles apart, the love in one`s Heart knows no distance. (john-paul) --- ...so true! Thanks John-Paul! Reminds me of this poem... Good better best Never let it rest Until your good is better And your better is Best! Always give your best to God and life will go your way because God Will be Always On Your Side! Prov.3: [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Rom.8: [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? ============================================================= __ .' `'. / _ | #_/.\==/.\ (, \_/ \\_/ | -' | ,\ = / /| .-'|`-. __.' / | / | `-.__.' .-\ /-. | | { _/ \_ } | | `| | | | | '. | | .' jgs '-.| |.' `"` >-->From TheMasti: When I was a kid, my mom would prepare special breakfast every now and then. And I remember one night in particular, after a long, hard day at work. On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: Honey, I love burned biscuits. Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone! You know, life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. What I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other’s faults - and choosing to celebrate each other’s differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship! Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own. God Bless You..... now, and always.... So Please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burnt one will do just fine.!.!.!.! And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life... -<>- >The Meaning Of Peace: The Real Meaning of Peace "There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures. But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace. Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Do you know why? "Because," explained the king, "peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace." ==================================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: .-"```'. / \ \ / / `\__/ | .' _ _| \(\ 6 6 | \ _\ | |\ `~`= `/ | '.___.' .'` \ |_ jgs '-__ / `- >Faith to Move Mountains (By Steve Troxel, God's Daily Word Ministries, www.gdwm.org) [Edited] Jesus said, "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16), but true belief clearly implies a willingness to obediently follow. The gift of eternal life is given to those who have faith in Jesus. This precious gift is never linked to a specific amount of faith; rather, the only requirement of the gospel is that our faith be genuine. In fact, Jesus stated that a small amount of faith can accomplish more than we can imagine. Matthew 17:20 "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." This is amazing! Jesus used the example of a mustard seed because it was the smallest seed known. A few chapters later He made a similar statement; "If you have faith and do not doubt...you can say to this mountain, 'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done" (Matthew 21:21). If we are a child of God then we have already been given sufficient faith by Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). There is therefore NO obstacle which cannot be cast aside! Of course, genuine faith also implies an alignment with the will of God. Jesus even said, "He can do only what He sees His Father doing" (John 5:19). This is [one reason] why we don't see individuals moving physical mountains today - it's not in the will of God. However, it's most definitely in God's will that we move all mountains which threaten to block our path toward Him or hinder His plan for our life. If we really believe, we ought to be living our life according to His truth and the faith we have been given! Though we may face mountains in our job, relationships, finances, health, kids, or parents; though we may face temptations or addictions which appear impossible to conquer; though we may battle a low self esteem which says we can't, we must believe the Word of God is true! "With God ALL things are possible" (Matthew 19:26). Though we may not understand, we must believe, in faith, that God is infinitely greater than the bounds of our understanding. We are not walking alone and NO problem is beyond His ability to direct. If we desire to live the full life God intends - the life that honors Him with every move and even every breath - then God's Word must become our foundation. Whatever problems we face, we must fall on our knees with humble submission to His will and seek His face in prayer. Then we must rise up and step forward, without doubt, and, in His strength, believe we have been given the faith to move mountains. -<>- "The way we act behind the wheel is far more indicative of our walk with God than the way we act praying in a pew or smiling over a well-marked Bible." - Charles R. Swindoll The Lift / .- |/,-'` _.-'''-._ _.;.--._.--.;._ .oOo0Oo./( O / \ O )\ ` 'The Fool hath said In His _oOoOoO0o '-' '-' ; _//|||||||| (_) | Heart there is no God' ~ Pss.14a / __)|||||| . . | | __)|||||| `-.___.-' | .-. _ | ___)|||||| \.-./ ; | | / | |~~\\|||||||\ `-` / __| |/ /_ | |`====;__'._ _.'__ (_ _) \ /\"""""/\ `\ `| .'` '----------.`-`\^/`-`. \ |~~| | /~\ |`\ \ | | | |\| | \ `y | jgs | |\| | \ / | |\| | '.__.' |___|\|___| |===\_/===| | | | L | | | | | | | < < | | | | |____|____| .---' / \ / /| | '.______.' | | | | \__/ Three "Oh God's" (By Rob Shep) [Note from Chris: I always try to avoid any cursing in an issue, but for this one I'll make an exception... -Chris --- ...Ditto! This OMG is just cursing to me! ANY Time you are using God's name and you are not PRAYING or teaching - then you are using God's name in VAIN. There is no excuse. Exod.20: [7] Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. There are three ways to say "Oh God." 1. Oh God, she's so annoying. Oh God, I spilled the milk. God blank! I am so annoyed. 2. Oh God, where are you? Oh God, where are you in the hurricane? Oh God, where are you in that abuse? Oh God, where are you in my pain? God blank you! 3. Oh God, I'm broken for you. Oh God, I don't understand but I'm searching for you. Oh God, I am desperate for you. Oh God you are my God and I will ever praise you. No matter what goes on in this world I will desperately cry out, Oh God. Three types of Oh God. Two lead to cursing. One leads to reverence. Where are you with your use of Oh God? SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com =================================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .-""""-._.'| / '.| | / | / ( | -= | /| ) ( | |/`< ) ) ; -=| _| ______ \ \ / .' `. /) '._ _.-""-.< .' `\/) / / \ / ___ .--'`/| _ / | '-._( ____\ (____/_/=, ( \| \ -=/ /--;==============` ._,;'\==='-,..__/__/__.' `'--/,/ || ' \ / | / || ' \ \/ . || ; jgs / / || | | . || | / '=------| / ' ; ; ;| `-.___.___.___.___._/ >STUFFED WITH TRADITIONS by Debbie Farmer I haven't wanted to bring this up, but something strange happens to people on Thanksgiving. I don't mean that they suddenly change their hair color and go on shopping sprees or anything like that. I mean that something compels otherwise reasonable people to make the same traditional family Thanksgiving stuffing recipe year after year, no matter what. If you don't believe me, ask my friend Kathy. Most of the rest of the year she successfully tries to avoid cooking. But each Thanksgiving, she wakes up at dawn and spends hours HOURS in the kitchen making Wild Rice Stuffing with Pearl Onions and Bacon Bits, a traditional family recipe that's been passed down from mother to daughter for five generations. "Why don't you just sleep in and buy a container of instant stuffing mix?" I suggested one day over coffee. But I could tell by the way she rolled her eyes and said, "But that's not the way we do it," that it would just be plain wrong. Then there's Kathleen. For as long as I've known her she has had a policy on adding handfuls of olives to her stuffing. Oh, not because of any special flavor or because her family particularly likes them but because, as she put it simply, "That's what my mother always did." It doesn't seem to matter that her mother actually hates olives and has no idea why she did it that way either. But things could be worse. Due to a cruel twist of fate, my friend Carol's husband insisted on bringing along his own family's stuffing recipe when they got married. Since Carol didn't want to bother making two different batches, she decided to merge them together, and now her Thanksgiving stuffing is a mostly inedible concoction of brazil nuts, buttermilk, chopped onions, and pineapple. There are, of course, always the exceptions. My neighbor Sue refuses to make any stuffing at all because last Thanksgiving her family's traditional "apple-almond-sage stuffing" recipe fell under suspicion. It started when she found out that a certain cousin Hiedi follows a traditional recipe for apple-walnut-sausage stuffing that was given to her by a great-aunt who was known for her orange-walnut-fennel stuffing. I ask you, how do you get to the bottom of that? However, we all know what's clearly going on here. Thanksgiving stuffing, in a subtle way, connects each generation as few other foods can. Sure, over the years the recipes may change a bit, and you might not be able to explain exactly why you're supposed to add a cup of crushed oysters to the bread crumbs, but that's OK, everyone just goes along with it anyway. Then, of course, there are people like me, whose traditional family stuffing recipe comes from the back of a crouton box. I'm not sure what this says about my family -- except that I come from a long line of people who can't cook. Or perhaps they're just practical. Either way it's not much of a legacy. And, truth be told, I'm not sure what to do about it except to try to change the recipe. In fact, this year I think I'll add a dash of vermouth and some dried cherries and maybe even an oyster or two. And if my kids complain about it I'll just calmly explain that it's OK if they don't like it. In fact, they don't even have to eat it. The most important thing is that we're creating a new family tradition to pass on together. And then -- well, then, we could all leave and go to a restaurant. -- Debbie Farmer --- _,, _.-'` ',\ \ .-;`'(,____ \.-'\ _\-` __.-; \_.-'_.-'0 \/ / .'0 __ | /_.' .'o \ / .-. ,;--._\___/--. __./ | 'Not This Year! .-/ \ ^_> |\ /\ \ / <;/ \ \_/ |___/__\__|` <; | |) \ o ( <; |__.\ |o \ <; \ \ / o _\ <\.)-'`| =====""` \ /\__/__/^\____.-; | | | | | / \____|\____/ |===||===| jgs __/[](_||__l[]_ / || '. \ '-----'-''-'-.__/ ...Teehee... as tradition has it? - BahHumbug - I'm going to treat myself this year. Funny huh? All these years I was killing myself making the traditional Thanksgiving dinner after my husband's Mom quit having one, it suddenly dawned on me this year how brainwashed I am and that it was all my own doing! All year round I do the grocery shopping, cooking, the dishes and the cleaning. So what happens on a Holiday? I increase all my normal shopping, cooking, dishes, and cleaning by at least three times to come up with the super holiday feast for the whole family. All well and good for them, but where is my holiday? Excuse me, but I can't even enjoy the normal festivities because I am too wore out and stressed out trying to make sure everyone else has a good meal that meets their expectations of a traditional holiday dinner just like Grandma used to have. It is not easy taking over hosting the Thanksgiving Family meal like she always used to do! I had never even cooked a turkey before! I've even gotten so stressed in the early years that I upset those I was trying to bless! .-. ,-"""-, / \__ \ | / `\ | \( ^.^ )/ \ - / .-'|;---;|-. (\/ ||___|| `\ \\__/ \__| C|`----`|D __//| | | |====( | | | | _/_/___.---- .===| |====\ /===. | ('------') ( '----' ) | jgs | | Now I've actually gotten pretty good at it - like a grandma pro or something. However, this year I had to stop and say 'Am I Nuts?'!! Stupid of me! So this year, I am trying the early bird restaurant thing with the family and then we'll just have some traditional desserts along with a regular meal on Thanksgiving Day. I'll see if I don't actually enjoy the holiday with my family more. Worse case, I'll just go back to working myself to death next year - never know until I at least try it! Right? -<>- _.-"""-. ." \ `". / .-"---._ \ |_/ _ _ `\_| / | o o | \ \/ 7 \/ \ .___. / '._ _ _.' jgs ) ( >I live to Thee Jesus, I live to Thee, The loveliest and best; My life in Thee, Thy life in me, In Thy blessed love I rest. Jesus I die to Thee, Whenever death shall come; To die in Thee is life to me In my eternal home. Whether to live or die, I know not which is best; To live in Thee is bliss to me, To die is endless rest. Living or dying, Lord, I ask but to be Thine; My life in Thee, Thy life in me, Makes heaven forever mine. -<>- .;;;;;. .3333o ;;;` e\ /a Y33 ;;( > < )33 /\\ _< o@*O@o >_ .-/ /\ ||/'--( *O\@/o )--'\|| || \ \ _ > < _ / / || || \ \| |~| / \ |~| |/ / || || \ '-'__...._|_|__\___/__|_|_...__'-' / || || '--/` `\--' || ||.--'` | | `'--.|| || | | || ||'===== '--...._________________.....--' ====='|| ||.-"""""-.||| | | |||.-"""""-.|| || || || | | ||| || || ||-'|| ||__|__ __|__||| ||'-|| || jgs ||_.___) (___._||| || >'Twas the Night of Thanksgiving... 'Twas The Night Of Thanksgiving, But I Just Couldn't Sleep. I Tried Counting Backwards, I Tried Counting Sheep. The Leftovers Beckoned - The Dark Meat And White. But I Fought The Temptation With All Of My Might. Tossing And Turning In Anticipation, The Thought Of A Snack Became Infatuation. So I Raced To The Kitchen, Flung Open The Door And Gazed At The Fridge Full Of Goodies Galore. I Felt Myself Swelling So Plump And So Round, 'Till All Of A Sudden I Rose Off The Ground. I Crashed Through The Ceiling Floating Into The Sky With A Mouthful Of Pudding And A Handful Of Pie. But I Managed To Yell As I Soared Past The Trees Happy Eating To All, Pass The Cranberries Please. May Your Stuffing Be Tasty, May Your Turkey Be Plump May Your Potatoes And Gravy Have Nary A Lump. May Your Yams Be Delicious, May Your Pies Take The Prize May Your Thanksgiving Dinner Stay Off Of Your Thighs. -<>- .{{}}}}}}. {{{{{}}}}}}}. {{{{ {{{{{}}}} thinking }}}}} _ _ {{{{{ }}}} e e }}}} {{{{{ ^ {{{{ }}}}}}\ -=- /}}}}} {{{{{{{;.___.;}}}}}} {{{{{{{) (}}}}}}' jgs `""'"': :'"'"'` `@` >Sharing Today I went shopping in our neighborhood grocery store. I started with my Thanksgiving grocery list, But as I shopped I added more and more. Thinking of other delicious foods, I knew I'd end up buying out the store! I was in a grand and happy mood thinking of the coming holiday, Excited that once more our family would be together for another Thanksgiving day. I soon found myself on the baking goods isle, And there stood two boys to whom I gave a big smile! As I stood there filling my grocery cart, I heard the boys talking and what I heard broke my heart. The youngest said "Mama, can we have these"? "For our thanksgiving day, these cookies, oh please?" I looked into the Mother's face, It was full of sadness, and of tears I saw a trace. As she looked down into her son's big eyes, She said, "Son there will be no cookies, cakes or pies." Her boys, as one, said "Mother why? We've tried to be good" and tears filled their eyes. I turned away to finish filling my cart, but their voices I still heard and it broke my heart. The Mother said "Boys, I'm buying some bread, we have peanut butter at home to spread. I got you boys milk and cereal too, And that is all that I can do." The boys never uttered another sound, Just stood there with their heads hung down. I again turned away to finish my chore, Of buying foods from all over the store. But the weary looking Mother with her boys so sad, Would not leave my thoughts, as I pondered what all I had. I thought about our Thanksgiving feast, And the fact that we'd have more than we could eat. Right then and there I turned around, And back tracked till this Mother I found. I said to her, "I couldn't help but overhear your boys when they asked about Thanksgiving this year." "God has richly blessed my family and me And through me He wants to bless you, you see." As I slipped some money in to her hand, I told her this was all God's plan. The true feeling of Thanksgiving now I knew, Was to reach out and help just one person or two. For when we help someone who really needs us, All the more God's gonna bless us. As I walked away I felt such joy, That God had allowed me to help this Mother and boys. And I knew that when the big day finally came, and my family were all gathered 'round, My thoughts would also be with a Mother and children, Having a happy Thanksgiving somewhere across town. ~ E. Vandergrift ~ -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment Domaci Mazlicek http://www.buffaloschips.com/012118.htm Drum Girls http://www.buffaloschips.com/012119.htm Escape Rescue http://www.buffaloschips.com/012120.htm Ever See A Snake Yawn http://www.buffaloschips.com/012121.htm Faryl Smith Britain's Got Talent http://www.buffaloschips.com/012122.htm For The Joy That Was Set Before Him http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/joy.html Stretching For The Lord! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/stretching.html Thank You Lord! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Life Is...Continued http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lifeis2.html Christ's Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Northern Lights Over Teepees http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/teepees.html Lighthouses Of The World http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html Chinese Wal-Mart http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chinawalmart.html All Occasion Cakes 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/aocakes2.html Why Dogs Bite People http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogsbite.html Visit our site at http://www.inspiredbuffalo.com If you are looking to join any of our other fine e-zines visit www.buffalosjokes.com =================================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jo ann :) _,,,_ .' `'. / ____ \ | .'_ _\/ / ) a a| / ( > | ( ) ._ / ) _/-.__.'`\ ( .-'`-. \__ ) `/ `-./ `. | \ \ \ jgs | \ \ \ \ |\ `. / / \ >Sisters A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As they talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. Don't forget your Sisters," she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them. "Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do. "What a funny piece of advice!" The young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!' But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life. After more than 50 years of living in this world, here is what I've learned: THIS SAYS IT ALL: Time passes. Life happens. Distance separates. Children grow up. Jobs come and go. Love waxes and wanes. Men don't do what they're supposed to do. Hearts break. Parents die. Colleagues forget favors. Careers end. BUT.........Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters,sisters-in-law, Mothers, Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life! The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other. Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on to all the women who help make your life meaningful. I just did. Short and very sweet: There are more than twenty angels in this world. Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are playing. And one is reading her email at this moment. --- ...Awww, a sweet one! Thank you Jo Ann! ================================================================= o#######o o###########o o#############o ################# ###### \########o '#;^ _^,/---\#####! ,` /^_ .-~^~-.__\# / ^\/,,@@@,, ;| | \!!@@@@@!! ^, #. .\; '9@@@P' ^, ###./^ ----,_^^ /@-._ ^--._,o@@@@@@ ^;@@@@@@@@@ ^-;@@@@ >He Rolled Up His Sleeves Story Editor: by Wendy Morris Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA Soon after I graduated from college I worked in a small but well-known photographic studio. I was one of three women in an office of 20 people. Jack, the owner, was a nice old man who was rather dapper in appearance. Some employees regarded him as a mere figurehead, someone who didn't want to retire. Yet, Jack opened his house each summer for a company picnic and generally was like a grandfather to everyone. He and his wife took my husband and I to the opera, which was a new experience for us as we were newlyweds and never did anything more exotic than dinner and a movie. All of his employees were treated as family. My job was to make certain that everyone had the supplies they needed, that photographs leaving the studio were perfect and to generally act as support to the photographers. One elderly gentleman had worked at the studio for decades and was well loved. He worked in a small room and remained there most of the day as he had been struck by polio as a child, and had limited use of his legs. He got around slowly on crutches, but had difficulty carrying anything that couldn't be in a bag, so I often checked on him to see if he needed anything. Usually he just requested coffee. One day this man must have been ill and needed to get to the restroom facilities, but he couldn't reach them in time. This resulted in an overwhelming mess. No doubt he was beyond embarrassed; he left the building before anyone discovered the mess. As the employee who generally took care of the place, I knew I would be expected to clean it up. I was prepared to quit and leave the building myself rather than go anywhere near it. Jack came in to see what the ruckus was about. After surveying the scene and without hesitation or saying a word, he rolled up the sleeves of his custom-made shirt and cleaned up after his friend. After that I knew Jack would never ask me to do anything that he wouldn't do himself. I took that lesson and applied it to many situations in my life. I have pitched in and helped when I easily could have delegated tasks to employees. I have not been afraid to get my hands dirty, and have in turn earned respect from my friends and coworkers when I've jumped in and tackled unpleasant tasks. I will never forget the kindness and support Jack demonstrated that day. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From KidWarmers: I recently received an email from Fern Boldt, a grandmother who drove 16 hours with her grandchildren from Ontario to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She told me she learned much during the time with her grandchildren. _....._ ." ", / ___/_ \ | /- -\ | \ ( ^\^ ) / '.!\_=_/!.' _<\)_(/>_ / \ / \ / '-' \ | /\__,__/\ | \ \ ) ( / / \/\ /\/ \/\ /\/ |)/---\(| | |___| | |/\___/\| |\ ^ /| | `"""` | |_______| | | | jgs | | | )_|-'\_ / /T"._\ '-' Here are a few of Fern's observations: -- Once they're "uncorked" at 4am to get an early start, there's no putting the stopper back in before 10pm. -- Video players in vans must have been inveented by grandparents who travelled with grandchildren. Five videos make 16 hours on the road fly by faster. -- No matter how many hours you've been at tthe beach, it's always sad to leave. -- Hair washed in ocean water doesn't comb wwell. -- Sand sticks a lot better when you're wearring sun block lotion. -- With the amount of sand that's brought hoome every day in the van, it's surprising there's any left by the ocean. -- Mini-golfing with two 6-year-olds is not like real golfing. -- Taking grandchildren shopping is like takking a fox on a tour of a chicken house. -- If you take a few choice bites out of a sslice of bologna, you can make it look like a happy face. : ) -- Riding a scooter down the sidewalk is alsso fun for grandmothers. -- If someone can't go out for ice cream connes and wants you to bring one back for them, it's not really a good idea on a very hot day. -- You can plan a surprise birthday party foor a seven-year-old with the help of four cousins without anyone snitching. -- Playing the game of jacks with grandkids is seriously competitive and hilariously funny. -- No matter how many books you read at bedttime, it's never enough... Then it's time to ask Oma a hundred questions: How many brothers and sisters do you have? How did you meet Opa? What's it like to be old? -- Grace Witwer Housholder -<>- THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY _._ _._ ///\\ //\\\ //. .|\||. .\\ //\_-_/_/\_=_/\\/) \/_) `\_ `\// /_| |_\| |\/ \\___// \___/\ /\) \/ \ /_______\______\ |_|_| |_|_| jgs (__/__)(__\__) Mary's 3-year-old twins love singing nursery rhymes to each other. Madison sings her favorite rhyme this way: "Row, row, row your boat, jump into the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is just ice cream!" -- Mary Paldino of Youngstown, Ohio Rachel was a pre-school teacher for nearly three years. On "show and tell day" Cody brought a toy sword which was a hit with the other 5-year-old boys, especially one named Jake. Jake asked Cody where he had bought such a great toy. "At Target," Cody replied. "What aisle?" Jake asked seriously. -- Rachel Toth of San Diego, California _____ ."` `". __ / \ __ / & /"""""\ & \ / /\ /` 9 9 `\ /\ \ | | /` ^ `\ | | jgs / / \ '-' / \ \ /.-' `-._____.-` `-.\ Josephine, 5, Rachel's "drama queen," told Rachel quite happily, "I want to be Snow White and eat an apple and die!" While driving home from Fort Wayne recently, Michele could see that there was a storm near Albion, where she lives. She commented, "The lightning must be hitting close to home." Michele's 3-year-old grandson, Blake, said, "Maybe your home is on fire, Dammaw!" Michele replied, "Oh, Blake, don't say that!" Blake replied, "But I already said it!" -- Michele Rathke of Albion, Indiana __ _,, /\\\ sSSSs \_ ( s\_SS (\/`"`\.__/`"`\/) \/|_(\/'-')=(\/ /,| |__\ /\ //||__ ||\\//` \\'--.) \\`` jgs (/ (/ Michele was babysitting for Kendra, 4, and Mackenzie, 5. Kendra was in the bathroom with the door closed, but Michele heard a cabinet door slam shut. When she came out, Michele asked Kendra to please not get into Michele's bathroom cabinets again. Mackenzie piped up, "Yeah, Michele, knows what you are doing in there. She can hear you with her over-sized ears!" While Bonnie was saying goodnight to her 6-year-old, Sabrina, she thanked her for being such a sweet girl. Sabrina replied, "Well, Mommy, you need to thank God, because He made me!" -- Bonnie J. Scarlett of Tacoma, Washington Kaitlyn has a close relationship with her dad and likes to go "help" him after pre-school at the church where he is the caretaker. When she was 4, Kaitlyn was talking to her teacher about helping Dad work. Her teacher asked, "What does your daddy do?" Kaitlyn proudly replied, "My dad works for GOD!" -- Annette (mother of Kaitlyn) of Montana _)_ .-'(/ '-. / ` \ / - - \ (` a a `) \ ^ / '. '---' .' .-`'---'`-. / \ / / ' ' \ \ _/ /| |\ \_ `/|\` |+++++++|`/|\` /\ /\ | `-._.-` | \ / \ / |_ | | _| jgs | _| |_ | (ooO Ooo) Brian and Cathleen took their newborn, Emily, to meet her cousins in Oklahoma. Erin and Savannah were delighted with her and watched everything the adults did with Emily including changing her diapers. The girls were sitting right beside Brian the first time he changed one of Emily's messy diapers. When he opened her diaper he said, "Ew! She pooped!" Erin looked at him and asked, "Didn't they tell you she would do that?" -- Christal Bricker (friend of Emily's Mom) of Colorado Springs, Colorado Jackie's niece was forever trying new sweets and foods. If she didn't like them, she would hand them to her father to finish off. One day she came in and handed him a half-sucked piece of candy. Her father was quick to spit it out and said, "Yuck, that is a horrible one!" Jackie's niece piped up, "Yes, I know. Max (their 3-year-old German shepherd dog) didn't like it, either!" -- Jackie of Arkansas _._ //\\\ ///\\ |. . ) ( . .| \_=_/ \_-_/--' `\ /_) `\-| | \ /_| |_\| |_| \\___// |---|/ | | | | | | | | | | | |_|_| |_|_| jgs (__/__)(__\__) Dylan, 3, and his friend Landon were playing outside one evening and rushed into the house to tell their moms, "There's a vampire on the porch and he keeps pulling his curtains!" The mothers thought it strange, but didn't check it out until the boys insisted. Under the porch light they saw a bat, spreading and contracting his wings. -- Barb Mattson (grandmother of Dylan) of Clearfield, Iowa After a few minutes of VERY unusual quiet, Jodi thought that she should check on her son Cody, 3. She called out, "CODY, What are you doing?" After a brief pause a little voice called back, "WHY? Did you SEE me doin' somethin'?" -- Mandy of Evansville, Illinois ================================================================== God made us sisters, Hearts made us friends. .--. /`\| / .;;.;;;;. '-.""""-./;;;;;;;;;\ / / \ \;;;;;;;;;;| / | \;;-;;;;;/`\ .' / | \ '| \()| ;. __'._/ | \__.\ _/;;`--/ } / '.-'`"""`'-._ \;;;-'\.' \ __\'-.__-' /`-' _.' \ ;\-_- //`''-'-._.-' | __|_'---'`-..______,.____.../__ |_.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._.._| __| || || || || || || || || || || | |\ | || || || || || || || || || || | \\ | || || || || || || || || || || | |\\|_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_||_| ||\|.---..---.--.---.--..--.---..-.| || ||jgs \ / / | || | || || || || \/_ / _|==||==| || || || | |`\ ( `-| '-| || || \ _\_/ '.__/\__/ || >-->Build a Bridge When you can not see eye to eye And a raging river of Differences and misunderstanding Divides the country of Peace Then build a bridge. Make it strong with Agape's arches And set it deep upon Wisdom's foundation. Make it span soul to soul creating A masterpiece of harmony to unite the divided land. Landscape each side with the flowers of understanding And destroy the weeds of egotistical will, For there is greater beauty in diversity and variety Than in a mundane and unchallenged view. Without diversity of thought and manner How can the flower come to fruit or its leaves heal? The strength of a Nation begins with the unity Of soul to soul, mind to mind. Agree to disagree if you must, But I challenge this Nation to grow. Build bridges to span troubled waters And clear the vision to see this Country's Greatest need is unity. N JL >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chriistian 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 DARRE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :) Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? 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