Thanksgiving Leftovers And More ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ ___ .'=:-\ /.='( ` /. ^=.'-._..---. | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ Giving Thanks... './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' *~* I PRAY ALL OF YOU HAD A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING! :) Thank you for your prayers! Thank you for your support! Thank you for your words of encouragement and all your email sharings! Thank you for your financial offerings! Thank you, thank you, and thank you! (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! -<>- _ _.-'`-._ _ ;.'________'.; _________n.[____________].n_________ |""_""_""_""||==||==||==||""_""_""_""] |"""""""""""||..||..||..||"""""""""""| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| |.. .. .. ..||..||..||..||.. .. .. ..| |LI LI LI LI||LI||LI||LI||LI LI LI LI| ,,;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;;,;;,;;;,;;;,;;,, ;;jgs;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; >President Trump’s Thanksgiving message to Americans It's that time of year again, as many Americans travel far and wide to be with loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday. Gathering in places of worship and around family dinner tables, it is a time to give appreciation for all that we've been blessed with. "On Thanksgiving Day, we recall the courageous and inspiring journey of the Pilgrims who, nearly four centuries ago, ventured across the vast ocean to flee religious persecution and establish a home in the New World," President Donald J. Trump wrote in his 2018 Thanksgiving Proclamation. Facing dangerous conditions and uncertainty, the more than 100 Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth, Massachusetts, and "instilled in our Nation a strong faith in God that continues to be a beacon of hope to all Americans." In recognition of their journey, President George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation on November 26, 1789. But it was under President Abraham Lincoln that the day became a true national celebration on the final Thursday of November each year. "We give thanks for the family, friends, neighbors and loved ones who enrich our lives, lift our spirits, and fill our days with joy. And we give thanks to God, who continues to shed his almighty grace upon this magnificent land that we all love so very much," President Trump said yesterday from the Rose Garden. "We are truly blessed to be Americans." Thanksgiving at the White House, then and now https://tinyurl.com/y8cjd45u -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hot new page is from our friend Geniann. It will give you your aww quota for the day along with tips/reminders of things that dog (and cat) owners need to keep in mind. Be sure to check out this adorable one here... __ /\/'-, ,--''''' /" ____,'. ) \___ '"""""------'"""`-----' pb Tips For Dog Owners http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dogfacts.html --- ...What a sweet one! Great tips! Thanks Geniann! Our Friend VJ sent us a wonderful recipe. It's perfect for those large get-to-gathers - (just double it for more guests). It's a particular favorite in my area and I was never sure how to make it as good as the restaurants. I had one recipe but it looked like it was a bear to make and took hours of cooking time so I never tried it. This one is great because it is so quick and easy to make yet super yummy! Check it out here under MEALS AND BREADS: Easy Shredded CHICKEN Sandwiches By VJ http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html --- ...Excellent! Just like down town! Thanks VJ! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks. -- Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act II We wrap up our Thanksgiving celebration today with two very special messages. First, a marvelous PoppyK poem about "The Thankful Box", and then, a short story from Jaye Lewis about her most memorable Thanksgiving. We are thankful for many things, but most of all, YOU! Our Heartwarmer members from around the world have made this the best online community on the planet! Have a safe and joyous holiday weekend. -<>- _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ >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." -- James "PoppyK" Kisner ___________________________________________ PoppyK is Heartwarmer's Poet Laureate. His poetic stories offer hope, peace and joy in times of trials and tribulations. You can read more about him, and learn about his books and poetry at: http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?PoppyK1 -<>- ___ .'=:-\ /.='( ` /. ^=.'-._..---. | =^.'=.'^//"(_`\\)8, |^.'=' .=||/' `\||;8.-' \'.^,=^'.||; ; ||8/:_,_ './-`\= \\\.-./;//,_/`- \ jgs \__/-/'-\888::((()),_ /:. .O__/ (_88:::(())):. `8':. ' >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." =========================================================== .:. .:. \|/ .:. _ \\,/// \|/ | \|/ _/_\_ ___ \\|/// <#> | \|<#> | (") /.-.\ (")\\ \|<#>|/ \| / _ //U\\ |(")| //-\\\ | \| /<#>/ ( ) _ \|_|/ /)v(\ <#>_/|_|/\\ \ |/ |/ \| (_` )_('> | | \/~\/ |||\\\ \| | |/ (__,~_)8 ||| //_\\ ||| \\ |/ \| / \| / jgs _YY_ _[|]_ /_____\ _[|]_ \| |/ |/ """"""""'""'""'"""""'""""'""'"""'"""""''"'"""^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ >-->Traditional Thanksgiving? by emb Thanksgiving around my house sure has changed. When I got married, we'd spend every Thanksgiving at his parents, Christmas Eve at his parents and Christmas day at my parents. It was a lot of hustle and bustle packing up the kids and everything, but it was well worth it for the fun and loving family gatherings. Now his parents are gone and my parents are gone. I have become them. It is all on me now to do what I can to make the best of the holidays for my grown children and for my grandchildren. It is a lot of work, but very rewarding. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and to thank God for my family and for all of you, my friends, that make life so much more enjoyable! And then I watch the news. My teacher in the Word used to tell me not to bother with the worldly news as it would simply give me a bunch of negatives. However, I have found, now that I am older, that the news is important as it lets me know how the world is doing and what I need to do and pray for. Politics were never a must for me but with the spiritual warfare we are experiencing these days, it is best to keep vigilant concerning it because our freedoms are often at jeopardy. This little ditty came across the news about Thanksgiving. I wish our schools and colleges would teach our youth about American history. Our students today are engulfed with liberal thinking teachers who seem to care more about spreading their ideology then teaching the truth. Somehow, Thanksgiving is now too racist for some college students to celebrate. It goes back to them being taught that when the pilgrims came here to settle, that America was taken over by them and the poor Indians - now referred to as Native Americans - were slaughtered in the process. Is Thanksgiving 'racist'? College students react (VIDEO) The University of Oregon hosted an event, titled "Thanks But No Thanks- giving," which labeled the holiday as a "celebration" of "ongoing genocide." ""we're celebrating taking away land from Natives." https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=11551 However, all through history, there has been a changing hands of land brought about by those we refer to as conquerors. According to the dictionary, a conqueror is - one who conquers - one who wins a country in war, subdues or subjugates a people, or overcomes an adversary. The most famous was Alexander III of Macedon, known as Alexander the Great. He became king upon his father's death in 336 BCE and went on to conquer most of the known world of his day. https://www.ancient.eu/Alexander_the_Great/ Here's a timeline of conquerors in history http://www.timelineindex.com/content/select/844/1023,844 The pilgrims coming to the new world and settling here became at odds with the natives who were already very territorial. They had their own tribes and fought each other quite often over land and hunting areas. They became not so pleased with the new settlers who were taking over their territory and hunting areas. It was no surprise that war was inevitable. And as always, a mix of cultures sure didn't help either. Here's an overview of it... https://tinyurl.com/c7kwqbq What they fail to teach our youth is that the 'white' man was not near as cruel as the Spaniards were back then. The Spanish went about conquering the natives in a most cruel and horrific way claiming they were doing so in the name of Christianity and God but in reality were ruled by their insatiable greed for gold. Caution, the following is very graphic in describing the evil works at the hands of these Spaniards. Spanish Treatment of the Natives The Spaniard Bartolome de Las Casas was a Dominican monk and historian who wrote extensively about the condition of Indigenous peoples under the control of the Spanish. Later colonizing powers, such as the English, would use de Las Casas’s accusations and assertions as “evidence” that their own imperialism was more beneficial to natives than that of the Spanish This brief excerpt is from his best known work, A Brief Account of the Destruction of the Indies. https://tinyurl.com/y7c4a899 What gets me though, is that our tradition of Thanksgiving came from a time when the pilgrims were at peace with the natives. In fact, there were almost twice as many natives at this first three day feast of thankfulness for their harvest, family and friendship than there were pilgrims. Over half of the surviving pilgrims at that time were children. Get some historical perspective here: https://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/homework-help/who-were-pilgrims Here too from the writings of a pilgrim child: https://tinyurl.com/yc8h623b To say Thanksgiving is a racist celebration in honor of genocide of natives is totally unfounded and ignorant of any historical facts. Today, like then, we celebrate our blessings, family and friends by giving God thanks for all he has done for us and our loved ones. Let's not erase history and take away a wonderful American tradition simply because of hate and ignorance. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Study the Bible to be wise; believe it to be safe; practice it to be holy ------------- >Church Bulletin Bloopers! This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the Church. Children will be baptized at both ends. Tuesday at 4 P.M. there will be an ice cream social. Will ladies giving milk, please come early. Wednesday The Ladies Literary Society will meet. Mrs. Johns will sing "Put Me In My Little Bed" accompanied by the Pastor. Thursday at 5 P.M. there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become Little Mothers, please meet the Minister in his study. This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mrs. Jackson to come forward and lay an egg on the altar. The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon. This evening at 7 P.M. there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the Church. Please bring a blanket and come prepared to sin. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morning at 10 A.M. All ladies are invited to lunch in the fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done. A songfest was hell in the Church Wednesday Morning. The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David, the sin of Rev. and Mrs. Adams. The Associate Minister unveiled the Church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: "I Upped My Pledge--Up Yours." -<>- .---. |_X_| ___ [_____] / _ \ // \\ | / \ | | " | || " || __\___/__ __\\_//__ /\_______/\ / | U | \/ _ : _ \ ( (|___|) )/ \ : / \ \ \_ / \ _/ \ /=====\ / / /| |\ './___:___\.' ; | | ; | | | | | | | | | | | \_____/ | |--|--| '._______.' |LI|LI| jgs \/ \/ \_/ \_/ >New Preamble To The Constitution "We the sensible people of the United States, in An attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guide lines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, and delusional. We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights." ARTICLE I: You do not have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything. ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone--not just you! You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be. ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful, do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy. ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes. (This one is my pet peeve..get an education and go to work...don't expect everyone else to take care of you!) ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care. ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, intentionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprised if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair. ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others. If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure. ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!) ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights. ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (lastly...) ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!!!! If you agree, share this with a friend. No, you don't have to, and nothing tragic will befall you if you don't. I just think it's about time common sense is allowed to flourish. Sensible people of the United States speak out because if you do not, who will? -<>- ( ) ( ___...(-------)-....___ .-"" ) ( ""-. .-'``'|-._ ) _.-| / .--.| `""---...........---""` | / / | | | | | | \ \ | | `\ `\ | | `\ `| | _/ /\ / (__/ \ / _..---""` \ /`""---.._ .-' \ / '-. : `-.__ __.-' : : ) ""---...---"" ( : '._ `"--...___...--"` _.' jgs \""--..__ __..--""/ '._ """----.....______.....----""" _.' `""--..,,_____ _____,,..--""` `"""----"""` >Coffee A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some equisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. After all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress." "Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink . What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other's cups." "Consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. He brews the coffee, not the cups ... enjoy your coffee. -<>- ]=[ .' `. `.-v-.' .-._.._ /_______\ ..--.`-._ `-| .---.| `--.._ `.-v-.' | |.-.|| _..--` `.-o-.' | |'-'|| _..--` `.-o-.' .-..| '---'|..--` .--. -._.` _|..---..|_ .` `-._ |__..---..__| `--.._ `--.._ | _ | |_|| `.-v-.' `.-v-.' `--.._ `. | |_|| _| `--..` __|_..---.._|__ |___...---...___| | _ | _| `.-o-.' | | | _| _ | | |_| | _ | _....--```. `.-v-.' | _ | | ||..--`` ..-..` `.-o-.' _..| _ |_ |_|| ..`` -` | | | | _ | _.-` | |_| | _ |.-` __ __ | _ | | | | || || .--`| _ | |_| | ________||_______|| | | | _| _| /_ _ _ _/ \\_ _ _/ \\ | | | | _ | /_ _ _ _/ \\_ _/ _ \\ |__...---...__| /_ _ _ _/_ _\\ / | | \\ `.:::::::::::::::::: _..-'__...---...__'-._ /_ _ _ _/| | | |\\ |_| |\\ `-._:::::::::::::: |_..-' | _ '-._/_______/ |_| |_| \\ _| `.:::::::::::: | _ _ | _ | _ |_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _| ., `-.::::::::: | _ | _ | _ |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_| ,. `.::::::: | _ _| _ | | | -| _ _ | ., `.::::: |_. .-._ | _ _| | | | _ _______|_ ., `-.:: -' `-' `'._.`-._.--'`--.._| _ /_ _ _ _ /\ ,. ,. `. `... ., ., `-._ _ / _ _ _ _/ -\ _.- `. ,. ., `-./_ _ _ _ / _ \ ,. _.-`:::: .' ,. `-. ____/| |_||\ .-':::::::: _.' ,. `-. -| _| .'::::::::::: ., ,. `. |-__ | ., .'::::::::::::: ,. \|| || .-':::::::::::::: ., ,. ,. || || .'::::::::::::::::: ., __.--.:::::'::::::::::::::::::: LGB _.-``-._=:..-_.,=`:;.,-=.'-._..---``..::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ``--..` :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: >Light at Work By: Vonette Bright "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Colossians 3:17) Jean wanted her new business to honor God. But she didn't know where to turn for answers. Then a successful businessperson pointed to the Bible and said, "Here's the best business manual I know." After 25 years of walking with Christ in the corporate world, Dr. Stephen Graves is still amazed at how much practical sense the Bible has to say about today's business environment. The Bible is so rich with information on building a team, growing profits, casting vision and forecasting growth. It talks about handling change and handling people, learning how to ask questions and learning how to listen. You'll learn about growing leaders and growing markets, time management and project management. Friend, turn to God's word. It IS the best business manual I know! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Animal Friends 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html Margaret The Giraffe http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/giraffe.html Amazing Horse Trainer http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/horsetrainer.html Endangered Wolf http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wolf.html Bailey's Jesus http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bailey.html The Giver And The Gift http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html Angels Are Watching http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angelswatching.html Unique Designer Shoes! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shoes.html Woman's Dream http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/woman.html Give Praise http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/praise.html Directions Home http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/home.html Right Angle Photography http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto.html 90/10 Principle! http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html Thanksgiving Through The Years! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanksgiving.html Thanksgiving Story http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/alices.html Veteran And Troop Pages http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/911andtroopsindex.html Christmas Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html -<>- Some of Shangrala's Best Pages http://www.amazafamily.com/index.html -<>- From TruthOrTradition.com - New Article: The Pursuer of Your Heart I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness. https://tinyurl.com/ycmkdkqa Poetry eGreeting Site http://www.passionup.com/?noemail=1 Standing on the Promises https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lofNq0U2xk0 Tis SO Sweet To Trust In Jesus - Casting Crowns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdgkvnsHjM Amazing Grace - Peter Hollens feat. Home Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n145-J8ejg How Great Thou Art - Home Free https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXQpDDcrN-w Dueling Jingle Bells - United States Navy Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQAcu2b-OI White Christmas - United States Navy Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPAqyC6GMw8 Do You Hear What I Hear? (Home Free) (Christmas A Cappella) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIQQDYaoWpc WhiteHouseNews: https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600daily/ Latest Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/ Latest From AFA: http://tinyurl.com/j7lakqw Students For Life https://tinyurl.com/yd5nxmu6 Latest From OperationRescue: http://www.operationrescue.org/ Today's Best Conservative Humor! https://theusawire.com/2018/03/8092-todays-best-conservative-humor/ -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) The story of Thanksgiving as told by college students. Their reciting of the first Thanksgiving is as inaccurate as it is hilarious https://youtu.be/Q2IOcEmQyRk --- ...HaHa! 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 ========================================================== _.------._ _.-' '-._ / \ '------------------' | .--------------. | | | || | | |[] || | | | |======||======| | | | || | | | | || | | |[]======||======[ | | |======||======| | | | || | | | | || | | |[]======||======| | | | || | | | '------''------' | |__________________| LGB >Dimes for a Stranger Story Editor: by Hope Pesner Joyce Schowalter Pennsylvania, USA My mother has always been one of those rare people that sees the good in everyone and does good things 'just because.' Life hasn't always been kind to her; she lost my oldest sister to leukemia in 1963 and just lost my father in 2007 after nearly 51 years of marriage. She's had her ups and downs, but has always maintained a positive, sunny outlook on life and has been very helpful to people. As an example, when I was in girl scouts in junior and senior high school, my mom drove me home from the meetings. She always waited for all the other girls to get picked up before driving home. She said, "I wouldn't want my daughter to wait alone, so I don't want any of the girls to wait alone." In the late 1970s, my other older sister had to have a pair of clogs, a hot fashion at the time. They were heavy slip-on shoes with tall soles. One day at home after school, my sister was chasing after our dog while wearing the clogs. She fell down and hurt her ankle and leg, prompting a necessary visit to the hospital emergency room. My mother immediately shifted into crisis mode, packed my sister into the car and drove to our local hospital. Because she was in such a rush to get to the hospital with my sister, my mother didn't call from home to tell my father that they were going to the emergency room. This was long before cell phones, instant messaging, texting and the Internet; so when she got to the hospital, she realized she needed to get in touch with my father immediately. He worked as a retail store manager and she wanted to let him know where they were. While waiting for my sister to be examined, my mother made her way to the pay phone to place her call. She put her dime in and called my father. She told him what had happened and where they were. After she hung up, the phone returned several additional dimes that mom wasn't owed. Realizing that the phone was broken, my mother decided to leave the extra dimes by the phone. She told us she left the money there because it was an emergency room -- in a crisis people might not remember to bring change with them to make that emergency call. She left the dimes there for someone else who might need them. I've often thought about her decision from an adult's perspective. I realize that someone seeing the money by the phone may have simply taken it, because not everyone was as trusting as my mother. But I like to believe that my mother's faith was well-placed, and that someone who needed them found the dimes waiting there. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift: "In the created world around us we see the Eternal Artist, Eternal Love at work." - Evelyn Underhill / / / / __.__ / .-' `-. / _ / .' `. .' '._ / / / _.--._ \ ( )' .-'-. ; / \ | / '(._)--' (-'|'-) | | / | | / / / / O | | \_ _/ | / / . ' '=;-|-' | `--' / ______ . q|p | .' /' '\ .___. ( ) /| ._ `. | ,"""", | |"""| |""",.-"'"._ / | | `-. '. | | | | | | ,., '. | | `. \ '____' | | 3-| | | '. | | | / \ ' __ | | | | | | | | | ' ;| | | | 2-| | | | | | | / .@< ; ;| | | |~~~| | | | | >@ | | '(u) | || | | | 1-| | | | | (u)' / ~~~| |~~~~~~~~~| ||~~| |~| |~~| |~~~~| |~~~~~~~~ `--' '---'' '-' '-' '-' '-' )=;;') >';;=( ########################PjP#################################### >Name Them One By One (By Mark Phillips) It was a typical Indiana spring day. Outside the house, it was raining. Inside the house, it was raining. Water slowly dripped from the ceiling, reminding me that when you replace your own roof, there's nobody to get mad at when it leaks. I should be a pretty good roofer, I spent two summers roofing when I was in college. Of course that was in West Texas, where rainfall averaged 16.5 ounces a year (prior to last year's drought). Could it be that I was a really bad roofer all along and just never had my work tested? I opened the closet, took out my wife's green raincoat and my Indiana Jones hat, and headed outside. I stood under the edge of the garage, looking sternly up at the spot where the leak was, hoping that if I stared at it long enough and hard enough it would stop. It didn't. Out came the ladder, and up I went. I began squirting sticky black roofing cement into the roof valley, pressing it into place with my finger. As I worked, the rain continued to fall. Eventually, a perfect rain channel formed down the back of my coat, funneling all the water that hit my back directly down into the back of my shorts. And then it happened. As I stood there in the rain, I heard the bells at the nearby retirement home begin to chime. And as the notes played, the words to a great old hymn came into my mind: "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed..." I began to smile as the song continued: "When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost." "Here it comes," I thought. The bells sang, "Count your many blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." I stood on the roof, soaking wet, my hands covered with tar, grinning and singing, "Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings and see what God has done." And so I did: It was 75 degrees outside instead of 35. I had some extra roof cement in the garage. The water could have leaked one foot away, onto the computer. I did actually have an hour of unscheduled time available (softball practice was rained out). All in all, as roof leaks go, it was a pretty painless one. And the bells reminded me of that. You may read this and say, "Well, Mark's just one of those saccharine-sweet smilers, a guy who always sees the glass as 'half- full'." Wrong. My glass is completely full, and runs over every single day with blessings. And while there are days that I'm too pig-headed or self-centered to see it, most days I am amazed at what I have. And even though I don't know you, my guess is that your days are mostly pretty good too. "Count your blessings, name them one by one. And it will surprise you what the Lord has done." --- ...Here's the song he is referring to: Count Your Blessings_Hymnal_MV https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wODZDmBimiM -<>- We must use things and love people; not the other way around. ____ /^\ / -- ) / | \ (____/ / | | \ / / /_|_|_|_/ / | / / __ __ __ | / /__ __ __ [ ]__[ ]__[ ]. / /[ ]__[ ]__[ ] |__ ____/ /___ __| | / .------ ) | | / / / | | / / / | ~~~~~~~~~~~~-----------~~~~~~~~ldb~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >Don't Get Too Attached (Author Unknown) When I describe it, you'll be able to visualize it. I'm certainly not the first person who has observed it. But there is a lesson in it we both may have overlooked. There are some children on a beach. They're playing at the edge of the water. Giggling. Building sandcastles. They seem so intent on the project. You get amused at how meticulous and careful they are with crumbly corners and tiny turrets. The looks on their faces as they screw their mouths around and stick out their tongues in earnest concentration are priceless. Then a big wave starts to close in! But the kids don't panic. They do the strangest thing. They jump to their feet, scream with excitement, and watch the waves wash away their creations. There is no hysteria. No sadness. No bitterness. Even little children know the fate that awaits sandcastles. So they are neither shocked nor angry when the tide comes in. You and I should be so wise. The stuff of this world is about as permanent as sandcastles on a beach. Yet we get so caught up in it, defensive over it, and depressed over the loss of it. But God didn't create you for this world. Your destiny is not bound up in cash and bonds, land and houses, fame and monuments. So living to be a hundred years old is far less important than living well - even if for a relatively short time. Beautifying your body is not nearly as urgent as living with a pure heart before 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 =========================================================== \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >-->A Different Christmas Poem The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight. The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve. My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream. The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near. Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child. "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts, To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times. No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am. I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... an American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home. I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother.. Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall." "So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son." Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us. " PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us. LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN 30th Naval Construction Regiment OIC, Logistics Cell One Al Taqqadum, Iraq -<>- ,-=-. [[_ @~] ((a a)) ` = ' _.-) (-._ /( ("+") )\ / \ \./ / \ (=<( \/8\/ )>=) \ \- 8| -/ / \/_> 8|<_\/ ;-.__;,-; | | | | | | | | '-.___,;' ) ) / ' |( ) ( \_ /_|^--' gpyy \_! >10 WAYS TO SUPPORT THE TROOPS compiled from the resources offered on the website of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which everyone should check out. http://www.iava.org/index.php 1. Any Soldier Sergeant Brian Horn from LaPlata, Maryland, was an Army Infantry Soldier with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Kirkuk when he started AnySoldier to help care for his soldiers. He agreed to distribute packages that came to him with "Attn: Any Soldier" in the address to the soldiers who were not getting mail. Sgt. Horn is no longer in Iraq but AnySoldier continues and has expanded to include all branches of the Armed Services in harms way. http://anysoldier.com/index.cfm 2. Books for Soldiers Books For Soldiers is a soldier support site that ships books, DVDs and supplies to deployed soldiers and soldiers in VA hospitals. http://booksforsoldiers.com/ 3. Adopt a Platoon The AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support EffortTM is a nonprofit 501C-3 organization managed nationwide by volunteer mothers to ensure that deployed United States Service members in all branches of the military are not forgotten by providing needed mail support. https://www.adoptaplatoon.net/site/ 4. Soldiers' Angels Soldiers' Angels is dedicated to making sure no troop goes unloved. It was started by a mother whose son requested letters for fellow Soldiers while oversees. You adopt a Soldier, make personal visits, send needed items, or other needed things. The organization also provides support to families of military personnel who are oversees. http://www.soldiersangels.org/ 5. Operation Helmet Operation Helmet provides helmet upgrade kits free of charge to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to those ordered to deploy in the near future. In addition to providing enhanced blast protection, the helmet upgrades are much more comfortable and stable than the 'strap/sling' suspensions that generally come with standard helmets. http://operation-helmet.org/ 6. Operation Comfort Operation Comfort Warriors is a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government. OCW ensures that patients at U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books, calling cards and more. OCW also provides larger items such as ping pong tables, entertainment centers, computers, kayaks and other recreational goods for use by wounded warriors in common areas. https://www.legion.org/troops/operationcomfort 7. Homes for Our Troops Homes for Our Troops, Inc., mission is To build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Evaluated as one of America’s Top-Rated Veterans and Military Charities https://www.hfotusa.org/ 8. Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund More than half of the brave men and women who have given their lives in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere have left behind a spouse or children. These families must now face their future without a husband or wife or father or mother. In addition to their grief, many of them must also address the questions of finding work, where to live, how to raise their children, how to provide for their education, and even how to get food on the table. http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/fallenheroes/index.php 9. Operation Uplink Operation Uplink is a program that keeps military personnel and hospitalized veterans in touch with their families and loved ones by providing them with a free phone card. Operation Uplink uses contributions to purchase phone cards and distribute them to servicemen and women who are separated from those they care about. https://tinyurl.com/ybzmjfw6 10. Operation Homefront Operation Homefront was created to channel volunteer support to help the families of deployed military personnel. With hundreds of thousands of service members deployed for war with Iraq, and countless others around the world fighting the war on terrorism, thousands of spouses and children are left behind, many in need. Operation Homefront is there to support military families while their loved ones are deployed. http://www.operationwearehere.com/FamilySupportOrganizations.html ~~~~~~ |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Veterans Administration Aid & Attandance Benefit Program Information http://www.veterana id.org/index. php A couple more organizations that help us help others: http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home.html Operation Care Packages: Links here for lots of ways to help/support: Home http://www.operationcarepackages.org/index.html Supply List http://www.operationcarepackages.org/SupplyList.html Kids http://www.operationcarepackages.org/OCPKids.html Online Store http://www.operationcarepackages.org/Products/OnlineStore.html >Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah Shangy! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html FUN URLS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Christian Foundational Class http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61 NEW LIFE IN CHRIST! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -->This is for all you who love food and DARE to make it at home Yep. You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy, good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html Home Recipes >Got A good Recipe? SHARE IT HERE: Share A Recipe ************************************************************************ >TO SUBSCRIBE:Visit Here This Weeks regular Shangy emails OR For the Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ************************************************************************