Thankful For A Purpose... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com :) The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. If every one would chip in $25 or more, we'd be good for the whole year! So Please - I need your help today! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU 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 Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all 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! ================ >For Those Celebrating early... __, ,____) _______) (--| | (--| _, (_, |__| _, _ _ | |_ _ ._ |__) , _ ' ',_ _ _| |(_||_)|_)(_| _| | |(_|| || \ /_)(_||\/|| |(_| ( | | ,_| ( |_, \_, ,_| ,_| *~* Have A Happy, Blessed And Safe Thanksgiving Celebration! :) >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This Flaming hot new page is from our friends Linda, LouiseAu, KarenF and PatDeE. It's one to tickle your funny bone and give you plenty of smiles and a few chuckles for your day. Be sure to check this humorous one out here... .---. (_---_) (_/6 6\_) ( v ) `\ /' .-'': ;``-. / \,Y./ \ / (:)___ \ : .-'XXX`-.`\_; `.__.-XXX-.__.'\_ / / XXX \ \ `\_ / XXX \ `\ / XXX \ _`\___ jgs / \ (`--"""-') / \ (=-=-=-=-) `--...___ ___...--' (________) Senior Cartoons http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/seniorcartoons.html --- ...Oh My! HaHa! A rich one! Thanks my friends! Our smoking hot new page is from our friend Sharon. It is one that if you are like me, will surprise you and give you some Smiles for your day. Be sure to check this sweet one out along with its cute video here: . : : _..----..__ __..:'.-'''-.-'' . : .' , ''' ' : .' / ' ', ( -=o):(o=-) . : : , ''. ; .' __: : : : , '.0.''.-'.)) : __..-- : : ._.-'__| ':''. . : , .. :.-' __.' / ; . .' , : _.' '. '.'' / / ' .:. .'. :--:'_..--'''.)) . ' -' __.--' .''::' '-. .-''. '. . __.--' :...: __\ '. '..)) ' __.--' ::'':.--'' '.))) __.--' _..--:.::' . . __.--' :' .:. __.--' ' .::' : __.--' jrei __' .::' ..--'' ':::' Thanksgiving Raccoon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rescuedraccoon2.html --- ...TeeHee! Incredible! Thanks Sharon! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: 'Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.' -- Marcus Tullius Cicero It doesn't seem possible, but Thanksgiving is upon us. For our international friends, Thanksgiving is an American holiday that is celebrated to give thanks and count our many blessings. It's next Thursday, November 26. ______ .-"""".._'. _,## _..__ |.-"""-.| | _,##'`-._ (_____)||_____|| |_,##'`-._,##'` _| |.;-""-. | |#'`-._,##'` _.;_ `--' `\ \ |.'`\._,##'` /.-.\ `\ |.-";.`_, |##'` |\__/ | _..;__ |'-' / '.____.'_.-`)\--' /'-'` //||\\(_.-'_,'-'` (`-...-')_,##'` jgs _,##`-..,-;##` _,##'`-._,##'` _,##'`-._,##'` `-._,##'` >GRACE ON THE TRACKS by Roger Dean Kiser Once again, at the age of twelve, I had run away from the orphanage. It had not even entered my head that tomorrow was going to be Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving Day just happened to be one of the few days that we kids got to eat all that we wanted. I was headed out of Jacksonville, Florida, and I think I was westward bound -- whatever that direction was. All I knew was that someone had told me that I was born somewhere in California, and I had a mother and father out there somewhere. It was November so it was getting a little cold as the sun went down. I knew from past experience that I could not stay on the main road as the police would be looking for me. They would return me to the Duval County Juvenile Hall or worse, back to "The Orphanage". As I walked along, I came across some railroad tracks which I thought I would follow in hopes they might lead me to my mother somewhere in California. After about an hour or two of walking the tracks, I came across a large bonfire. There were several men standing around in a circle trying to stay warm. "Where you headed kid?" yelled one of the men. "Going to California to find my mom and dad," I hollered back at him. "Going the wrong way kid," he said, cupping his hands over his mouth like a bull-horn. Slowly I walked over to where the men were standing and I asked if I might get warm by the fire. "Get that empty can over there and I'll give you a cup of hot beans," said one of the men who was sitting on an old stack of tires. They sure were good beans too! I think I ate two whole cans. Sure was nice of them to give me some of their food. "Might as well stay here for the night," said the man with the sling on his arm. I know my eyes got real big and I got a little scared when he put his good arm around me. "It's gonna be ok kid. I'll look after you," said the man who had given me the beans. I slept pretty good considering how cold it was out there by the tracks. There were a few old army blankets that smelled real bad, but they sure were warm and itchy. The next morning we had beans once again for breakfast. That was the first time I ever had coffee and it was real good tasting. Made you feel real warm inside. After breakfast we cleaned up our mess and burned it all in the fire and then we poured water over the fire and made it go out. For most of the day we walked down the railroad tracks. Once in a while, we would sneak over a fence and steal some fruit to eat. I didn't like stealing but that fruit sure tasted awfully good. Right before dark one of the men went into a small store and asked if he could do some work for a loaf of white bread and some meat, but the store man told him "No." Later on, I went back into the store and when the man wasn't looking I stole that loaf of bread and two packs of meat which had bad tasting pickles in it. That night we had fruit, pickle meat sandwiches, and beans for Thanksgiving Dinner. I called it "Supper". I never knew that poor people like hobos ever said grace before they ate, especially after stealing food. But they did, and they really meant it too, because I could tell it in their voices when they all said "Amen". "How come you people always say grace when you eat. You're like me. You ain't got nothing to be thankful for," I said. "Ain't you got two arms and two legs kid?" asked one of the men. "Course I got two arms and two legs," I told him. "Then you got something to be thankful for," said the man, as he raised his pants leg and showed me his fake leg. "Did the big war do that to you?" I asked him. The man did not answer me. He just got up from his seat on the ground and walked away off into the darkness. "It's OK kid. He just takes the war harder than the rest of us. We were all in the war," said his friend. "You was in the war too?" I asked. He looked down at the ground without answering my question. Then he broke into tears and covered his face. I sat there not knowing what to say. I just sipped on my warm coffee and tried to stay warm. The next thing I remember it was morning time. The four men all told me goodbye, except the one who could not talk -- he spoke with his hands and fingers. Then they jumped on the slow moving train and left me standing all alone beside the railroad tracks. I took my two good arms and my two good legs and I walked back to the orphanage. When I saw the head matron, Mrs. Winters, I told her, with my mouth that could speak words, that I was very sorry I had run away and that I was very ashamed for not being thankful for all that God had given me. -- Roger Dean Kiser ___________________________________________ Roger is a Heartwarmer Gem and the founder of the Sad Orphan Foundation. You can subscribe to his free mailing list to get updates on the Angel Pal Project by clicking here: mailto:warmers-on@mail-list.com -<>- .========. .-| |-. .''-'`_.|__ __ __|._`'-''. / .--'` | [LI] | `'--. \ .' / _.--'''""""'''--._ \ '. /` .' .-' _.----._ '-. '. `\ | / / .' _ _ '. \ \ | | | | / `_ _` \ | | | / / '. | (o)(o) | .' \ \ | | '._| .-""-. |_.' | | | \ / | \ / | \ / | / / | / \ /\/\ / \ | \ \ | | / | '-.( ).-' | \ | | | | | / \`""`/ \ | | | \ \ / | _.-| |-._ | \ / / \ \ | / .' | | '. \ | / / '. './ | .' / \ '. | \.' .' '._| \/ \/ |_.' `'{` , , `}'` { } { } { } { } { } { } \,/ \,/ '. .' jgs '-.__ __.-' { _}""{_ } / \ / \ /=/=|=| |=|=\=\ \/\/\_/ \_/\/\/ >THE RICHEST THANKSGIVING OF ALL It was November, 1976. I had just moved back to Jacksonville, Florida, with my three young daughters after many years away. We were struggling, and I wondered what kind of a Thanksgiving I was going to be able to have for my children. We were living in a small trailer, and I was looking for a job while trying to convince my girls, and myself, that this was all an adventure. My youngest child, Helen, was barely three years old. But from the beginning of her first lisped words, Helen seemed to have a sense of decency and wisdom way beyond her years. The children were all excited about Thanksgiving. The anticipated feast was all the girls talked about. Two days before Thanksgiving, there was a flash fire in a nearby home, and a young family lost everything. The entire community became involved in the rescue of the couple and their young daughter. Shelter was donated by a church, and it seemed that everyone was involved in the collection of food, household items, bedding and clothes. I was thankful that even I was able to spare a few things. Brigades of busy people willingly donated their time, as well as money. I was certain the tragedy was especially hard for the family this close to Thanksgiving, and I was grateful that someone was available to come to our house and pick up our donated items. Helen was very thoughtful for one so young, and I made myself a little crazy imagining what she must be thinking about the fire. Finally, on the afternoon before Thanksgiving, two lovely women came to our house to collect our donations. How I wished I had more to give, I said, as I helped carry the donations out. They reassured me that the family would be well provided for. The girls and I stood outside chatting, as the ladies climbed back into their station wagon. All of a sudden Helen shrieked, " WAIT! Don't anybody move!" She streaked into the trailer door, crying aloud, "WE FORGOT SOMETHING!" I looked apologetically at the ladies, but before I could follow her, Helen was back outside, holding onto her favorite teddy bear -- the bear that I had made for her birthday, just two months before. Helen held out the bear, her green eyes searching my face. "Mommy," Helen implored, "the little girl doesn't have any toys. She needs this bear! I have to give it to her." My heart quaked. I thought about the few toys Helen had and how many hours I had spent sewing that little bear. Now she wanted to give it away. We stood in stunned silence, the ladies staring at me. I struggled with my feelings. All the love I'd put into that bear. All the things we needed and didn't have. Surely Helen could find another toy. Then I stooped down to face Helen, who was still holding out the bear -- worry lines creasing her little forehead. I searched her little heart shaped face, my fingers brushing aside her red- gold hair. My eyes filled as I realized that my heart would never be as big as the heart pounding in that little chest. My voice broke, as I said, "Of course, Helen, you're right. We forgot the toy. How thoughtful of you to remember." Helen, grinning, handed over the beautiful bear. When the ladies drove away, I took my little girl and held her close. For she had made our Thanksgiving the richest Thanksgiving of all. -- Jaye Lewis ___________________________________________ Jaye is a Heartwarmer Gem and lives with her family in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia. Jaye says, "This is a true story about my daughter, Helen, who is now 28 years old. Helen is studying to be an engineer. She still has red-gold hair and green eyes, and she is still one of the most remarkable people I've ever known." -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >THANKFUL FOR A PURPOSE by Heidi Lynn Poakeart I was eighteen years old, fresh out of high school with a bright future to look forward to, when I received the devastating news of a cancer diagnosis. This was a big deal for someone my age to endure. However I chose to fight the battle instead of wallowing in self pity. After major surgery and four months of radiation treatments, I overcame my obstacle and emerged a new person -- someone who took nothing for granted and a person who learned to appreciate everything and everyone around me. Years passed and I received my certification in medical assisting, met a wonderful man, moved to New York and got married. Truly, life couldn't have been any better -- however, I still felt something missing and longed to find my purpose. Having donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN, for years, I had always felt a connection and empathy toward the children living with cancer who were being treated there. What a truly magnificent place, especially knowing that no patient was ever turned away regardless of ability to pay. The hospital exuded living, and that is what I was all about. As my 20-year anniversary of being a cancer survivor approached, I wanted to do something special and unforgettable. I organized a fund raiser, calling it "A Mission of Love," and thanks to my generous family and friends, raised $4,000 for St. Jude's, planning to deliver it myself. Three quarters of the money would be given as a monetary donation to the hospital, and what was left would go toward purchasing toys for the children. I also had arranged with the hospital a t-shirt painting activity for any child who felt well enough to participate. Thanksgiving Day seemed the most appropriate day of the year for the mission, and so it was all arranged. My husband and I flew to Memphis with 50 t-shirts and a huge bag of fabric paint in tow the day before Thanksgiving. We went to the toy store and filled three shopping carts with all kinds of toys piled high to the sky. It was as though we were small celebrities when the employees and other shoppers became aware of what we were doing. On Thanksgiving Day, as we pulled into the front gates of St. Jude, it was quite literally my dream come true. I became extremely emotional, as my eyes welled with tears of happiness. After dropping the toys off, we went to a lounge area where there were six children waiting anxiously to begin painting. They picked out their shirts and my husband and I helped them get started. To me, it was as though they weren't even sick, and to see them smile was one of the greatest gifts I could have ever received. When the activity was over and we wished the children well, we dropped off the monetary donation to an extremely grateful staff, and then our visit came to an end. Leaving there that day, I knew I had finally found my purpose. Going to St. Jude filled a feeling of emptiness inside of me that had existed for as long as I could remember, and it genuinely changed my life. I was thanked for giving a donation to a charity that saves lives, but being able to give thanks for my experience was priceless. "All of us are born for a reason, but all of us don't discover why. Success in life has nothing to do with what you gain in life or accomplish for yourself. It's what you do for others." -- Danny Thomas -- Heidi Lynn Poakeart __________________________________________________ Heidi says, "I am 39 years old and a 20-year cancer survivor. I live in Westchester County, NY, with my husband and cat. I am currently writing my autobiography and have several short stories published on a few different sites on the Internet, including Heartwarmers. I love Heartwarmers and always look forward to my weekly story." =========================================================== >-->From Daily Encounter: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >How to Please God "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'"1 In God's economy there is a place of service for every single member of His family; that is, for every individual Christian in the church, or what the Apostle Paul called "the body of Christ." Every one of us is equally important. As Paul said, "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!'"2 And every one of us has at least one gift with which to serve God. The important thing is to know what your gifting is and put it to good use serving God - first at home - then in the church and Lord's work - and in some way everywhere you go. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, you can use that anywhere. You are probably familiar with the words of Henry Van Dyke who said so simply yet so eloquently: "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." If you aren't sure what your gifts are, ask yourself what is it that you like doing best and are good at doing? Or ask those who know you best, as they will see or sense what you are good at doing. There are also several spiritual gifts or strengths tests that you can take. Remember, too, that people are the "instruments" God uses to get His work done on earth and, like a doctor's scalpel, the sharper the instrument, the more effective work God can do with the instrument. For example, if you have a desire to write, sing, teach, preach, or be a "butcher, baker or candlestick maker" then get the training necessary to be the best at what you like doing best. Then seek ways to use your gifts even if in seemingly humble ways to begin with. My job for several years as a young teenager was to collect and put away the hymn books in our small countrified church after every service. When we are faithful in the little things, God will lead us to bigger things if we so desire and are so gifted. Regardless, every responsibility is of equal importance in God's service, and we will be rewarded, when Christ comes, not according to our gifting but according to our faithfulness. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to know what my talents are, get the training I need to sharpen them, and find a place where I can put these to best use in serving You--and thereby help make my world a better place in which to live. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Matthew 25:22-23 (NKJV). 2. 1 Corinthians 12:21 (NIV). <:))))>< !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ >How's Your Aim? "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."1 Somebody has facetiously said, "Blessed be he who aimeth at nothing for he shall surely hit it!" On the same theme, Bill Bernbach made the following insightful comment: "If you stand for something, you will always find some people for you and some against you. If you stand for nothing, you will find nobody against you and nobody for you!" It is true, if we aim for and stand for right, for justice, for integrity, for truth, and are committed to doing the will of God, there will always be opposition. Chances are the more worthy our cause, the greater will be the opposition--and the temptation to discouragement. However, when we get to the end of life's journey, how rewarding it will be to have the Savior welcome us to Heaven with the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!" What Jesus will say to us when we meet him face to face will totally depend on what we are doing and how we are living today. We have that opportunity now. As a favorite one-liner puts it, "It is choice, not chance, that determines our destiny." Suggested prayer: "Dear Lord, grant that I will so live that when I meet you face to face, I will hear your wonderful words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord!' Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. Matthew 25:21 (NIV). <:))))>< , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes "He [Jesus] came unto his own, but his own did not receive him."1 Way back in AD 10 Julius Frontinus said, "Inventions have reached their limit, and I see no hope for further development." Even Thomas Edison, the great inventor, was at times himself a doubting Thomas. He said, "Fooling around with alternating current is a waste of time." In 1934 Albert Einstein, of all people, declared, "There is not the slightest indication that nuclear energy will be obtainable." For many of us if change doesn't compute with what we have seen or experienced, there can be a tendency for us to reject it. Most of the religious people of Jesus's day died without ever having found their Messiah even though they were looking for him--and saw him in person. They rejected him because he didn't come in the way that they expected, nor did he do what they expected a Messiah to do; that is, to come in great power and overthrow the Roman rule. When God wants to do a new, or at least a renewed, work in many of our churches, organizations, and/or individual lives, sometimes we don't want to see it because we resist change. True, there are some things that don't change, such as moral principles as taught in the Word of God; and we need to stand firm on these issues. And while the gospel message never changes, we need to change some of our methods of communicating it. The Internet and email have revolutionized communications, but take a look at the average church web site and you'll be hard pressed to find a relevant gospel message. What you will mostly find is an electronic bulletin board for the church members. Once again we're mostly using this incredible God-given means of communication and outreach to "preach to the choir." You don't catch fish in the bathtub--you go to where the fish are. It's the same with reaching the non-church community. We need to go where non-church people are, and that's outside the four walls of the church. To do this effectively we need to have a message that is relevant to the needs of non-church people - spoken in non-churchy language and addressed to the felt needs of non-church people. Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please give me the insight to see what changes I need to make in my life, and give me the courage to do what I need to do to implement these changes so I will be a more effective Christian and a more effective witness to your saving power in my life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus Christ's name, amen." 1. John 1:11 (NKJV). When copying or forwarding include the following: "Daily Encounter by Richard (Dick) Innes (c) 2016 ACTS International. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ---------------------------------------------------------- UUUUUUUUU| HHHHHHHHHH | |AAAAAAAA |UUUU UUUUUU C |HHHHHHHHHHHHH | LLLL |AAAAAAAAAAA |UUUUU UUUUU /\_________ HHHHHH |LLLLLLLLLL |AAAAAAAAAAAAA|UUUUU ==== / |######| ======================================= QQQQ |\ |#####/ PPPPP | UU | IIIIIIIL | TT QQQ / | |<_____ PPPPPP | UUUUUUUU | IIIIIIILLLLL| TTTT === ` ` o o ======================================= VK >Two For One With God "Are you going grocery shopping today?" my husband, Roy asked when I picked up the telephone. "I plan to," I answered. Thanksgiving was only a couple days away. Everyone in our family would be coming to our house. My funds were limited, therefore my box of coupons awaited me in the car. I knew I had to be creative in my shopping that day. I had to stretch every dollar. For a few seconds, Roy sat silently on the other end of the line. "Why do you ask?" I uttered, fearing what he might say. "Nancy, there's a family with a half dozen kids that will not have anything to eat for Thanksgiving. The little one is only five-years- old. " "So what are you saying?" I whispered. "While you're at the store could you possibly buy something for them?" Roy's words echoed in my heart. Groceries - a five-year- old - eight in the family - My head began to spin thinking about the fifty dollars I had reserved for our family's Thanksgiving dinner. In the back of my mind I counted the hungry guests who would be coming to our house for dinner. I put my head down on my desk, already Feeling defeated. There's no way possible, I thought. But the compassion I heard in my husband's' voice struck a nerve inside me. "Sure," I replied. "But only if God helps." "Thanks, sweetheart," Roy whispered. "Just do what you can." He then hung up the telephone. I finished my work and prayed all the way to the nearest grocery store. I entered the parking lot. I noticed a big sign in the grocery store window: Turkeys - 29 cents a pound. "This is the place, Lord" I whispered. I grabbed my box of coupons, went inside, secured two buggies, and headed to the frozen foods. The turkeys were indeed on sale, but I discovered one big problem. When I read the sign posted on the freezer door my heart sank. "Limit one." "But I need two," I uttered to myself. I decided to find the manager. I explained the problem. He made an exception. After tosing a turkey in each buggy, I began my shopping fury. It was amazing how many buy-one, get-one free items were being featured that day. The first item went into one buggy. The free item went in the other. In addition, I had all the right coupons to get exactly what both families needed for a hearty Thanksgiving dinner. I proceeded to the register and held my breath while the cashier rang up my groceries. To my surprise, I had enough money. I was even able to purchase a package of cookies for the five-year-old who had stolen my heart, even though I had never met her. Later that afternoon, Roy and I made a special delivery to a home filled with children of all ages. I will never forget the smiles on the six kids' faces, as they made several trips from my car carrying numerous bags of groceries inside. This event reminded me of a story. Even though He only had a few loaves and fishes, Jesus multiplied them and fed five thousand people. And to top it off, there was food left over. I wondered if God was doing the same thing that day. By far, that was the greatest Thanksgiving Day of my life. My entire family shared a hearty meal with us. We had plenty to eat. We even Had enough food left over for the evening meal. That afternoon, when I had time to think about what had happened, I imagined a home, not far from where I lived. There was a mother and a Father and six children sitting around the kitchen table, laughing and rejoicing. They enjoyed the same meal that our family had shared together that day. Then I realized that miracles happen when we step out in faith and in steps to God. For with us, some things are impossible. But with God, all things are possible. -<>- _____ / \/_ //\__(\_\ |\ ^ ^ | .//_O \O_ \ \_ (_) / \ \_/ / __/\ /\__ / \ \ / / \ / \/\/\/ \ / | . | \ / | . | \ JRO >We Belong to the Kingdom of God The story is told of Frederick William IV of Prussia who once visited a school and quizzed the students. He held up a stone and asked the children: to what kingdom does this belong? They responded: mineral. He then, pointed to a flower and asked: to what kingdom does this belong? They answered: plant. He then pointed to a bird flying by outside the window and asked: to what Kingdom does that belong? They replied: animal. Then he asked: now, to what kingdom do I belong. He had raised a profound theological question. To what kingdom do we belong? On a literal sense, we are, off course, part and parcel of the animal kingdom. I belong to the same kingdom as my dog Ruff. He has many human traits. He can pout, he can get excited, he has a temper (as some of you who have visited the parsonage have discovered). But yet, Ruff does not understand time. He cannot grasp that there is a point beyond which he will not live. Only humans can grasp time. Ruff cannot tell right From wrong. It is not within him to share. His limited mind cannot set goals. All of those are human traits. The magnificent thing for humans is that it is within us to rise above purely animal desires and become a part of another kingdom -- the Kingdom of God. -<>- , }`-. , , \ \ '-' \ .-'{ _} . | ,`\ / ' ; .-;\ { \ | | / `/ '-.,/ ; | { -- -. ' '`-, .--._.' ; \__ \ \ | ' / |`. ; _,`\ '. '- ' `_- '.`; ; ,-`_.-' ,--. \ ` /` '--' `;.` (` _ .--.\ '._) '-. \ \ `-. ; `-';| '. -. ' __ '. ; ; _,-' / { __'.\ ' '-,/; `-' ';`.- ` .-' '-. `-._' | `; ;`' .-'` <_ -' ` .\ `; ; (_.'`\ _.;-"``"'-._'. `:; ___, _.-' | .-'\'. '.` \ \_,_`\ ;##` `'; _.' /_'._\ \ \__;#####./###. \` \.' .'`/"`/ (#######)###::.. _.' '.' .' ; , |:. `|()##`"""` jgs `'-../__/_\:: /O()()o ()'._.'`()()' >A Thanksgiving Story It was the day before Thanksgiving - the first one my three children and I would be spending without their father, who had left several months before. Now the two older children were very sick with the flu, and the eldest had just been prescribed bed rest for a week. It was a cool, gray day outside, and a light rain was falling. I grew wearier as I scurried around, trying to care for each child: thermometers, juice, diapers. And I was fast running out of liquids for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $2.50 - and this was supposed to last me until the end of the month. That's when I heard the phone ring. It was the secretary from our former church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the congregation. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by the church on my way to the market. I arrived at the church just before lunch. The church secretary met me at the door and handed me a special gift envelope. "We think of you and the kids often," she said, "and you are in our hearts and prayers. We love you." When I opened the envelope, I found two grocery certificates inside. Each was worth $20. I was so touched and moved, I broke down and cried. "Thank you very much," I said, as we hugged each other. "Please give our love and thanks to the church." Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children. At the check-out counter I had a little over $14.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier one of the gift certificates. She took it, then turned her back for what seemed like a very long time. I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, "This gift certificate is a real blessing. Our former church gave it to our family, knowing I'm a single parent trying to make ends meet." The cashier then turned around, with tears in her loving eyes, and replied, "Honey, that's wonderful! Do you have a turkey?" "No. It's okay because my children are sick anyway." She then asked, "Do you have anything else for Thanksgiving dinner?" Again I replied, "No." After handing me the change from the certificate, she looked at my face and said, "Honey, I can't tell you exactly why right now, but I want you to go back into the store and buy a turkey, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie or anything else you need for a Thanksgiving dinner." I was shocked, and humbled to tears. "Are you sure?" I asked. "Yes! Get whatever you want. And get some Gatorade for the kids." I felt awkward as I went back to do more shopping, but I selected a fresh turkey, a few yams and potatoes, and some juices for the children. Then I wheeled the shopping cart up to the same cashier as before. As I placed my groceries on the counter, she looked at me once more with giant tears in her kind eyes and began to speak. "Now I can tell you. This morning I prayed that I could help someone today, and you walked through my line." She reached under the counter for her purse and took out a $20 bill. She paid for my groceries and then handed me the change. Once more I was moved to tears. The sweet cashier then said, "I am a Christian. Here is my phone number if you ever need anything." She then took my head in her hands, kissed my cheek and said, "God bless you, honey." As I walked to my car, I was overwhelmed by this stranger's love and by the realization that God loves my family too, and shows us his love through this stranger's and my church's kind deeds. The children were supposed to have spent Thanksgiving with their father that year, but because of the flu they were home with me, for a very special Thanksgiving Day. They were feeling better, and we all ate the goodness of the Lord's bounty - and our community's love. Our hearts were truly filled with thanks. By Andréa Nannette Mejia (c) -<>- .---. |_X_| ___ [_____] / _ \ // \\ | / \ | | " | || " || __\___/__ __\\_//__ /\_______/\ / | U | \/ _ : _ \ ( (|___|) )/ \ : / \ \ \_ / \ _/ \ /=====\ / / /| |\ './___:___\.' ; | | ; | | | | | | | | | | | \_____/ | |--|--| '._______.' |LI|LI| jgs \/ \/ \_/ \_/ >Love in Action In her book, Living with Love, Josephine Robertson tells a story: "In 1883, a youthful clergyman, the Rev. Joe Roberts, arrived by stagecoach in a blizzard to minister to the Indians of Wyoming. This great, wild area had been assigned to the Protestant Episcopal Church by President Grant. Soon after Joe Roberts arrived, the son of the chief was shot by a soldier in a brawl, and Chief Washakie vowed to kill the first white man he met. Since this might mean the start of a long, bloody feud, young Roberts decided to take action. Seeking out the tepee, 15 miles away in the mountains, he stood outside and called the chief's name. When Washakie appeared, Roberts opened his shirt. "I have heard of your vow," he said, "I know that the other white men have families, but I am alone. Kill me instead." The chief was amazed and motioned him into his tent. "How do you have so much courage?" he asked. Joe Roberts told him about Jesus, his death, his teachings. They talked for hours. When Joe left, the chief of the Shoshones had renounced his vow to kill and resolved to become a Christian. Washakie had seen love in action. Every group which calls itself Christian would do well to decide what it should do to make love visible in the home, church, community, and world. For unless love becomes visible, it is not love at all." -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment :) Christ's Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesuslife.html Beautiful Roses!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/roses.html Rainbows Of Fall!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fall.html Who Is Jesus Christ!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html God's Most Beautiful!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mostbeautiful.html Our Valuable Anchor!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html 90/10 Principle!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giving.html Thanksgiving Through The Years!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanksgiving.html Easy Recipes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html Fall & Thanksgiving Index! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanksgivingindex.html -<>- Be Ye Thankful http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Be_Ye_Thankful.htm The Basics - Bible Study Index http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Basics/Basics.htm The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength https://tinyurl.com/y2w4fujz Leaning on the Everlasting Arms https://tinyurl.com/y4ffjt6w From Christian Life Daily: It’s Atheists Who Hate the Human Body, Not Christians, And Here’s Why / Young Woman Engages Aspiring Teen Media Artists for Christ in a Powerful Way / Devil Mad, Witches Rattled’ As Satanists Attack Popular Pastor / Atheist Turned Pastor Is Leading Revival in This Former Communist Country / U.S.-Led Coalition Says: ‘No International Right to Abortion’ And More: https://www.christianlifedaily.com/ Say THANKS to Seniors And Caregivers http://www.letssaythanks.com/ Who Says God Isn't Alive? The Gimli Glider by Wade H. Nelson http://www.wadenelson.com/gimli.html -<>- >In The News: VA News: COVID-19 Vaccine for Veterans, Free Customer Experience Certificate, Changes to Patient Billing https://tinyurl.com/yxfo86ap Hannity 11/17/20 https://www.bitchute.com/video/WHEEBXftry42/ GOP congresswoman-elect Victoria Spartz: I’ve seen what happens when socialism runs out of money https://tinyurl.com/yxuvclo2 Candace Owens: Obama’s book is ‘despicable,' he’s the first President to leave WH ‘hating America’ https://tinyurl.com/y58k7rnu U.S. Navy Creating New Fleet for Indian Ocean To Counter China https://tinyurl.com/y24k9cmj Nikki Haley's advocacy group calls out Georgia Senate candidate Raphael Warnock in latest video ad https://tinyurl.com/y6rqnlls Lawyers Have STEPPED UP To EXPOSE Even More ELECTION FRAUD! [VIDEO] https://tinyurl.com/y5re642u Montana Elected a Republican Governor. Expect Constitutional Carry in 2021 https://tinyurl.com/y2dswoba ISIS Commits These Unspeakable Acts After Joe Biden Proclaimed “President-Elect” - While Americans await the certified results of the presidential election, the media has already anointed Joe Biden. This is having major repercussions around the world as America’s enemies, normally kept in check by Trump, are now feeling emboldened knowing Biden is weak. And nowhere has this been more deadly than in Mozambique where ISIS fanatics just committed these unspeakable acts. https://tinyurl.com/yyxju9r2 Colin Kaepernick Calls For The Release of a Convicted Cop-Killer / PBS Strikes Deal with Apple to Bring Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas Specials Back to Traditional TV / Danish Study Finally Published – Masks Don’t Work / More Trump Votes Found Georgia https://reliablenewsnow.com/ Disgusting – Joe Biden Publicly Admits He Supports 'Transgenderism' In Little Children - If there was any question about where Biden stood on protecting the innocence of children – his bizarre comments hinted at the unthinkable policies he wishes to enact. It’s no secret, Joe Biden is no friend to unborn babies or conservative families. https://tinyurl.com/y4gp2bhd Trump Attorney Tells Biden to Concede or Face Life in Prison https://tinyurl.com/y66luky4 Westwing News: https://www.whitehouse.gov/westwingreads/ WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Latest Product Alert: E. Coli Found In Salad Kits http://www.emergencyemail.org/products/?fmt=text Latest Health Alert: More Masks and Lockdowns As COVID Cases Splikes http://www.emergencyemail.org/health/?fmt=text Click to Give Free https://tinyurl.com/y2abb8d2 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Shemika Charles - the undisputed Queen of Limbo - is a two-time Guinness World Record holder for Limbo Dancing. https://youtu.be/mfs-awjEWDo Old Gas Stations: A wonderful look at old gas stations that anyone can appreciate as the gas was cheaper, the service was better, and the times were more simple. This compilation of old gas station photos includes both black and white as well as color photos. I’m sure many a collector of gas pumps and signs will be envious of some of the ones in these photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TQVS5QALUg A wonderful look at some old service stations set to several great songs from the 1950s including “59 Ford” by The Firebirds. This compilation of old gas station photos includes both black and white as well as color photos plus some that have been digitally colorized to really make the gas pumps and signs stand out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_5Ixkf-HNI --- ...Pretty Cool! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From LaughAndLift: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' A focus on God - rather than mere gratitude or guilt for all our stuff, health and "blessings" - will best restore us to being people who are truly thankful in ways that give Him more glory. It is then we will do as the psalmists says: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice." (Psalm 105:1-3 - NIV) "Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength." (Psalm 29:1) .:. .:. \|/ .:. _ \\,/// \|/ | \|/ _/_\_ ___ \\|/// <#> | \|<#> | (") /.-.\ (")\\ \|<#>|/ \| / _ //U\\ |(")| //-\\\ | \| /<#>/ ( ) _ \|_|/ /)v(\ <#>_/|_|/\\ \ |/ |/ \| (_` )_('> | | \/~\/ |||\\\ \| | |/ (__,~_)8 ||| //_\\ ||| \\ |/ \| / \| / jgs _YY_ _[|]_ /_____\ _[|]_ \| |/ |/ """"""""'""'""'"""""'""""'""'"""'"""""''"'"""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Portions of the Original Thanksgiving Day Proclamation from Abraham Lincoln: "In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign states to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere, except in the theater of military conflict, while that theater has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the field of peaceful industry to the national defense have not arrested the plow, the shuttle, or the ship; the ax has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than theretofore. Population has steadily increased notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege, and the battlefield, and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union. In testimony wherof I have herunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed." [Signed] A. Lincoln No wonder that Mr. Lincoln was so greatly used of God in a critical time in American history. -<>- 'Negative thoughts are like birds. You can't keep them from flying around your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.' __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The Man Who Walks on Water (By Marilyn Ferguson. Copyright 2005 Marilyn Ferguson. Used by permission. http://www.marilynspoetry.com) [Minor editing] Just as Peter on the lake I set out on a quest My boat is drifting out to sea God puts me to the test. The depth is deep, the width is wide A storm is setting in The waves are thrashing all about I feel a fear within. A figure looms, within the mist I tremble in the night He seems to walk on water My heart is filled with fright. "Fear not," says He, "Have courage," I do not bring you harm. For it is I who comes to save There's no need for alarm." He bids me walk on water His flowing robe, I see But I lose faith as I step out Upon the angry sea. My trust is gone, I start to sink I panic as I go I cry out "Lord, please save me!" Strong winds begin to blow. His staff is there before me His mighty hand comes out He plucks me from the churning sea Why did I ever doubt? Into the boat, the wind is still He calms the restless sea If He will soothe a violent storm He'll do the same for thee. Oh precious child of little faith You are His son or daughter Look to the One who calms the sea The Man who walks on water. -<>- "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'THANK YOU?'" - William A. Ward The Laugh... ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB >Dogs and Yeast Rolls Do NOT Go Together (By Kathy Hewitt, Muskogee, OK) [Edited] We have a fox terrier by the name of Jasper. He came to us in the summer of 2001 from the fox terrier rescue program. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this type of adoption, imagine taking in a 10 year old child whom you know nothing about and committing to doing your best to be a good parent. Like a child, the dog came with his own idiosyncrasies. He will only sleep on the bed, on top of the covers, nuzzled as close to my face as he can get without actually performing a French kiss on me. Lest you think this is a bad case of 'no discipline', I should tell you that Perry and I tried every means to break him of this habit including locking him in a separate bedroom for several nights. The new door cost over $200. But I digress... Five weeks ago we began remodeling our house. Although the cost of the project is downright obnoxious, it was 20 years overdue AND it got me out of cooking Thanksgiving for family, extended family and a lot of friends that I like more than family most of the time. I was however assigned the task of preparing 124 of my famous yeast dinner rolls for the two Thanksgiving feasts we did attend. I am still upset at the electrician for getting the new oven hooked up so quickly. It was the only appliance in the whole house that worked, thus the assignment. I made the decision to cook the rolls on Wednesday evening to reheat on Thursday morning. Since the kitchen was freshly painted you can imagine the odor. Not wanting the rolls to smell like Sherwin Williams latex paint #586, I put the rolls on baking sheets and set them in the living room to rise for 5 hours. After 3 hours, Perry and I decided to go out to eat, returning in about an hour. An hour later the rolls were ready to go in the oven. It was 8:30 pm. When I went to the living room to retrieve the pans, much to my shock one whole pan of 12 rolls was empty. I called out to Jasper and my worst nightmare became a reality. He literally wobbled over to me. He looked like a combination of the Pillsbury dough boy and the Michelin Tire man wrapped up in fur. He groaned when he walked. I swear even his cheeks were bloated. I ran to the phone and called our vet. After a few seconds of uproarious laughter, he told me the dog would probably be OK, however, I needed to give him Pepto Bismol every 2 hours for the rest of the night. God only knows why I thought a dog would like Pepto Bismol any more than my kids did when they were sick. Suffice to say that by the time we went to bed the dog was black, white and pink. He was so bloated we had to lift him onto the bed for the night. Naively thinking the dog would be all better by morning was very stupid on my part. We arose at 7:30 and as we always do first thing; put the dogs out to relieve themselves. Well, there was a slight problem though - namely that the dog was drunk. He was running into walls, falling flat on his butt and most of the time when he was walking his front half was going one direction and the other half was either dragging the floor or headed 90 degrees in another direction. He couldn't lift his leg to pee, so he would just walk and pee at the same time. When he ran down the small incline in our back yard he couldn't stop himself and nearly ended up running into the fence. His pupils were dilated and he was as dizzy as a loon. I endured another few seconds of laughter from the vet (second call within 12 hours) before he explained that the yeast had fermented in his belly and that he was indeed drunk. He assured me that, not unlike most binges we humans go through, it would wear off after about 4 or 5 hours and to keep giving him Pepto Bismol. Afraid to leave him by himself in the house, Perry and I loaded him up and took him with us to my sister's house for the first Thanksgiving meal of the day. My sister lives outside of Muskogee on a ranch, (10 to 15 minute drive). Rolls firmly secured in the trunk (124 less 12) and drunk dog leaning from the back seat onto the console of the car between Perry and I, we took off. Now I know you probably don't believe that dogs burp, but believe me when I say that after eating a tray of risen unbaked yeast rolls, DOGS WILL BURP. These burps were pure Old Charter. They would have matched or beat any smell in a drunk tank at the police station. But that's not the worst of it. Now he was beginning to fart and they smelled like baked rolls. God strike me dead if I am not telling the truth! We endured this for the entire trip to Karee's, thankful she didn't live any further away than she did. Once Jasper was firmly placed in my sister's garage with the door locked, we finally sat down to enjoy our first Thanksgiving meal of the day. The dog was the topic of conversation all morning long and everyone made trips to the garage to witness my drunk dog, each returning with a tale of Jasper's latest endeavor to walk without running into something. Of course, as the old adage goes, "what goes in must come out" and Jasper was no exception. Granted if it had been me that had eaten 12 risen, unbaked yeast rolls, you might as well have put a concrete block up my behind, but alas a dog's digestive system is quite different from yours or mine. I discovered this was a mixed blessing when we prepared to leave Karee's house. Having discovered his "packages" on the garage floor, we loaded him up in the car so we could hose down the floor. This was another naive decision on our part. The blast of water from the hose hit the poop on the floor and the poop on the floor withstood the blast from the hose. It was like Portland cement beginning to set up and cure. We finally tried to remove it with a shovel. I (obviously no one else was going to offer their services) had to get on my hands and knees with a coarse brush to get the remnants off of the floor. And as if this wasn't degrading enough, the dog in his drunken state had walked through the poop and left paw prints all over the garage floor that had to be brushed too. Well, by this time the dog was sobering up nicely so we took him home and dropped him off before we left for our second Thanksgiving dinner at Perry's sister's house. I am happy to report that as of today (Monday) the dog is back to normal both in size and temperament. He has had a bath and is no longer tricolor. None the worse for wear I presume. I am also happy to report that just this evening I found 2 risen unbaked yeast rolls hidden inside my closet door. It appears he must have come to his senses after eating 10 of them but decided hiding 2 of them for later would not be a bad idea. 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 ========================================================== _..._ .~ `~. / } \ _.'`~~/ {_,} -( ,'-,___.' / |_ /| / ` |_/ / \ / / '--;_ _\ `\ / |`-.___. / ^^^jgs^^^`--`------'`--`^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >-->THE THANKFUL BOX It's just a little box that we use at this time each year, But what is in that little box will always bring a tear. It's something that we do each year for all to benefit, Everyone has placed a little note inside of it. We all named it our "thankful box" and what the notes will say, Are all the things we're thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day. One of us will read the notes as we all sit around, And slowly read what each note says and what we've written down. We do not sign the little notes or put our names on it, But as the little notes are read we know just who they fit. Sometimes the notes are thankful for a loving mom and dad, Sometimes the notes are thankful for a victory that they had. Sometimes the notes are thankful for a husband or a wife, Sometimes the notes are thankful for a new start with their life. A new one in the family will draw a note or two, Especially if the stork has brought it to our family new. Each year we read the little notes and then we laugh and cry, Realizing that this year has almost passed us by. The year is drawing to a close and there has been some change, Some thankful things are near to us but some are out of range. This year as we read the notes they seemed to ring out clear, We didn't take for granted many things we had this year. Some things that were read from the notes we never heard before, It seemed we took them all for granted until this new war. Thankful for our freedom... yes, the words now come alive. Thankful for our way of life and not just to survive. Thankful that we have a home with friends and family, Living free and just enjoying all that we can see. Having laws and government that still protect our rights, Having those in charge so we sleep peaceful through our nights. Yes, this year has made our thankful box more meaningful, But the last note found inside our box made life seem beautiful. Scribbled in a crayon were some printed words in blue, We knew one of the kids had done it, which one, no one knew. They always needed help to write, so this was very odd, It was just a simple message that spelled out, "Thank You God." By James "PoppyK" Kisner |_| _, _ _ ___ | |(_||_)|_)\_| .'=:-\ ___ | | ._| /.='( ` | |_ _ ,_ |/ , _ . .,_ _ /. ^=.'-._..---. | | |(_|| ||\/_)(_|||/|| |(_| | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, ._| ._| |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ give thanks... './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->ShangyFunList AD RATES: $20 will get your a message (of up to 40 words) out to all self-subscribed readers and $5 more will give you the same message also put up for all web site readers. Email me to secure dates. Ad Request ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -->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 **********************************************************************