The Game's Not Over... :) 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 ================ *~* 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! ================ _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ *~* Our Thoughts And Prayers Go Out To All In The Path Of Hurricane Matthew. May God Bless you and yours and keep you safe in the name of Jesus Christ. If you haven't left yet - then like the bible says... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 2 Kgs.7: [3b]...Why sit we here until we die? Time to get the heck out of dodge! The sooner the better! -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu and Brenda. It is sure to tickle your funny bone. This shows why some people really deserve to only get minimum wage. Check this one out here: Only ONE Job 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/onejob3.html --- ...LOL! Rich! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .---------. _ |:: [-=-] | | | |_________| |~| |_| ,;;;;, I\ ,__ ,;;;, __, ///\\\\\ I |{ / . . \ } / " \\|| I | ) ( _ ) ( \_= _/// I |{___'-. .-'___}\___ )_\ I ||~/,'~~~~~,\~~|'---(( \ I \ // \\ | \ \ \ I \/ // | | /-/ I (/ (/ | |/||\ I | | | | I | | |____/ I :-----_o_-----: || | I | /~~|===|~~\ | (( | jgs I || |===| || ||_/ /^\ "~ '^^^' "" ((__| Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person. -- Dr. David M. Burns Do you know what it feels like to be wheeled into surgery, moments before you're anesthetized? Mary Jane shares her experience that she had kept hidden for over 20 years. >HIDDEN FEARS by Mary Jane West-Delgado I just saw a movie about a man who was given a diagnosis of cancer and had a slim chance of coming out of surgery alive. As I sat in the theater alone (my husband is out of town for two days), I couldn't help but think about my own history of brain surgery to remove a tumor that was thought to be cancerous, and that removal of it may cause a stroke during surgery. The scene in the movie that really hit home with me was when, in the pre-surgical room, the family was present until the last second before he was taken away. This is a moment of panic for everyone. As I sat in the theater watching this family and patient clinging to each other, I realized that I had never told my family how very afraid I was after leaving them behind in that room. Though the surgical team was very pleasant and attentive, they were also necessarily pre-occupied and sterile, leaving me to fend for myself emotionally. I lay there worrying about waking up with severe disability, or maybe not waking up at all. I needed someone to be holding me until I was asleep. I really did, but I never told anyone. I was the mother of three toddlers at the time. My doctor advised me to get all of my affairs in order prior to surgery. I wrote letters to each of my children, to be read if they had to grow up without me. Our oldest son was 4 years old, our only daughter was 2, and our youngest son was 11 months old. I felt that I had to be strong for them -- I had to be sure that my kids weren't afraid. I couldn't show my fears, I thought I had to be in "mommy mode" until the very end. It's no secret that a patient and family are desperately afraid at these times. What hit me at this moment during the movie is that, in all these years since then, I never told anyone how afraid I was. I suddenly felt as though I had missed an important step in the grieving process of my own trauma. Those few moments in the surgical suite, before drugged induced sleep, are cold and lonely and downright scary no matter how old you are. So, there I sat in the theater, sobbing uncontrollably for not having let anyone know that I really wasn't the brave little warrior that I had pretended to be. It doesn't matter that I was already a mother at the time. It doesn't matter that I am now 26 years post-op and in good health. What matters is that when I came home from the theater, I emailed my family about it and then cried on the phone about it with my husband. I got it all out, finally. Gosh, I feel so good, now that I've told everyone! -- Mary Jane West-Delgado __________________________________________________ Mary Jane West-Delgado has been published on Heartwarmers twice before with "Cheerleader Mom" and "Wearing 9/11." It is the personal connections she's made, and continued emails from children and parents that make writing a complete joy. Mary Jane is a retired physical therapist and current algebra/chemistry tutor, transplanted from Wisconsin to the Central Coast of California. --- ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) ...Sometimes the only one we can tell our deep down fears to is our Father in heaven. After all, He is the one that went through it with you and totally understands all of your feelings. It is He too and our Lord Jesus Christ who will be there for us and wrap their arms around us in our moment of need. All we have to do is ask and they will be there for us comforting us - every single time - no matter what - no matter where. Jesus Christ spoke of our permanent 'comforter': John 14: [16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; [26] But the Comforter, which is the holy spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 15: [26] But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: The comforter is spirit that you get when you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord according to the bible: Romans 10: [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. The comforter is God in Christ in you... Col.1: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: See this teaching to learn more: The importance of speaking in tongues. http://tinyurl.com/zvpxeq9 =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _ _ / | / \ | | /\ \ \| |/ / \ Y | /___ .-.) '. `__/ (.-. / / | ' | |___| [_____] jgs | | >"The Five-Finger Prayer" (Author Unknown) 1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty." 2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers. 3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance. 4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them. 5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "the least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinky should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. --- ...Nice! Thanks LouiseAu! -<>- __ /_/\/\ \_\ / /_/ \ \_\/\ \ \_\/ unknown >The High Cost of Living (Author Unknown, Provided by Student Discipleship Ministries, TX) Matthew 16: [24] Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. [25] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. [26] For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? [27] For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. What does Jesus say about "profit" in this passage? How do you think that relates to your life? When the city of Pompeii was excavated, the body of a woman was found, embalmed by the ashes of Vesuvius. Her feet were pointed in the direction of the city gate, but her face was turned back in the direction of her outstretched hand. Just beyond her frozen fingers was found a bag of pearls. In her flight to save her life she had hesitated, though death was hot on her heels. Her hesitation likely cost her life. Was a bag of pearls really worth that price? How much is real life worth to you? What is it that you are reaching out for that could cut you off from the life the Lord has for you? Sometimes the very thing we want most may cost us more than we ever dreamed. Think about that area and make a choice to turn away from it, turning your face toward the Lord. --- ...Thanks LouiseAu! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Here is a teaching to help us understand what 'soul' is according to the bible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsNzkt3tYZs Continue with this teaching... To get CLEAR on Soul: Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZoE74k2TcI Part 2 of 2 What is the soul? / Where does your soul go if you die? Nephesh / Psuche http://tinyurl.com/huns2h6 =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ,@@@@@@@, ,,,. ,@@@@@@/@@, .oo8888o. ,&%%&%&&%,@@@@@/@@@@@@,8888\88/8o ,%&\%&&%&&%,@@@\@@@/@@@88\88888/88' %&&%&%&/%&&%@@\@@/ /@@@88888\88888' %&&%/ %&%%&&@@\ V /@@' `88\8 `/88' `&%\ ` /%&' |.| \ '|8' |o| | | | | |.| | | | | jgs \\/ ._\//_/__/ ,\_//__\\/. \_//__/_ >ALMOST HEAVEN By: Joseph J. Mazzella There is a reason why the beautiful state I live in is called "Almost Heaven" West Virginia. John Denver's song had it right. It often feels like Heaven here. Right now outside my window the Autumn leaves are beginning to change colors. The radiant reds are glowing in the sun. The peaceful yellows are rustling in the breeze. The brilliant burgundy's and outrageous oranges are making entire trees as bright as flowers. Even the fallen leaves are turning the paths into multicolored, crunchy carpets that are a delight to walk on. I can hear children laughing and see adults smiling as they stroll through these leaves and enjoy the wonderful scent of them in the air. Everywhere I look I can see God's colors painting the trees and mountains with beauty. If it isn't Heaven here then it certainly is close. It isn't just the mountains that make it Heavenly here either. I can see bits of Heaven in so many of the people too. There is a kindness in their smiles. There is a gentleness in their voices. There is a goodness in their actions. There is a patience in their manner. There is a peace in their souls. There is a love in their hearts. And there is a joy in their lives. Everyday they grow a little more in oneness with God. Everyday they bring a little more Heaven into this world. I feel truly blessed to live in such a beautiful state with such good people. West Virginia, however, isn't the only place that can be Almost Heaven. Anyplace on Earth can be Almost Heaven if we take our Heaven with us. How much Heaven is within you? No matter how much you said take heart in knowing that it can always be more. God gives us that choice every single day. Everyday we can choose to love more, give more, care more, and help more. Everyday we can choose to bring the joy of Heaven into our hearts and souls and then share it with the world. Everyday we can live in Almost Heaven while still here on Earth. -<>- __ _|_ |+-==| .'.':`.`. | |+--=| / / | \ \ /'\ '+ -=| ^^^^^^^^^^^ //|\\ =| &C O__u | u O~ O ^^^^^ /\_u/\/uuu|uuu\/\ &C /|\_@| C__@ /) ( '--------' ,| /\_ \@@@@|@@\/\ /_| \_\ | /_| | ( ( `,o--------') /| / | /|\ |\ /'\ /__\ /`' | <| _|_ //|\\ /| /> /|\ \` .'.':`.`. ^^^^^ / / | \ \ %%|%% O _|_ ^^^^^^^^^^^ %%%|%%%_/\\ .'.':`.`. C_/ | '-------' ) / / | \ \ d}<|8888|888 {b | / \ ^^^^^^^^^^^ _888/\_88888|8888_/\ /|\ | \ ~C | O '--|(-------+----' ,| /),\_ O | \/|\/ | |_\ | \ | |/_( o /( ) /|\####|###### O | | \ /|\ | \\ (`' )_( \|'-----------'/\\ /\ / | |\ | _o / ) ejm |/ /|\ (`' /| /> \ \ >RED MARBLES I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me. "Hello Barry, how are you today?" "H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good." "They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?" "Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time." "Good. Anything I can help you with?" No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas." "Would you like to take some home?" asked Mr. Miller. "No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with." "Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?" "All I got's my prize marble here." "Is that right? Let me see it" said Miller. "Here 'tis. She's a dandy." "I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?" the store owner asked. "Not zackley but almost." "Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble". Mr. Miller told the boy. "Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller." Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store." I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one; each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. "Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt." "We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho" With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds & gifts; Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take your breath. Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old friend...Green stoplights on your way to work...The fastest line at the grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your keys found right where you left them. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Autumn Of Life!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/life.html Our Valuable Anchor!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html The Giver And The Gift!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/givergift.html Never Give Up!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html The 23rd Psalm!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/psalm23.html Lean On Me!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Jesus Laughing Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/Jesusart.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Playing With Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Akiane - Child Prodigy http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Butterfly's Story!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/butterflystory.html When God Paints!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints.html Blind Woman Sees!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindsees.html Believe In Your Dreams!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html Attitude Is Everything 4!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude4.html Fall And Halloween INDEX! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/halloweenindex.html SHANGRALA Home INDEX Page! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Jumpy The Dog http://www.flixxy.com/jumpy-the-dog.htm --- ...TeeHee! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Check out Fall Popcorn Balls http://tinyurl.com/j2uthk6 --- ...Yum! Reminds me of my mom's popcorn balls! Thanks Melody! I think instead of Molasses she used white Karo syrup. I don't think she used the cinnamon, nutmeg or ginger either. She'd use orange and green food coloring in two batches for Halloween decor. Wrap each in wax paper. That was back when we could pass these out for treats to the Trick Or Treaters. She'd pass out over 500 of these! Back when they had 3 nights for the kids. But can't do that now - only store bought stuff is acceptable. Evil took that fun part away. -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) 50 Best Documentaries on Netflix http://tinyurl.com/zm2s52e Atlantis - documentary https://www.youtube.com/embed/v1Sg0labHKg?autoplay=1 What The Ancients knew - Japan - documentary https://www.youtube.com/embed/A3at1K-SzCk?autoplay=1 The Sumerians - Documentary https://www.youtube.com/embed/lESEb2-V1Sg?autoplay=1 7 Wonders of the Ancient World http://www.youtube.com/embed/VawFVfcBi8I?autoplay=1 Egypt - Beyond the Pyramids http://www.youtube.com/embed/7SADGRxbd0A?autoplay=1 --- ...Great links! Thanks LouiseAu! Notable for his long-running television program The Benny Hill Show, Alfred Hawthorne Hill was a world famous English comedian known for some really classic hilarious sketches. So enjoy this golden oldie, where Mr. Hill will give us all a lesson about picking up women in New York. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq1t1iFmsv0&feature=player_embedded I'm a huge fan of Mr. Bean. He can always make me laugh my head off without saying a single word. Among all the hundreds of hilarious Mr. Bean sketches, this is one of my all time favorites, as Mr. Bean makes the most unusual (and a bit embarrassing) sandwich. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS1ePEZZCDY&feature=player_embedded --- ...LOL! 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 Our Friend Gh0striders :) __ __ ,-' `' \ _---``-- / _ _ ; __ `. / / `' \; /`----- ) / .-/ ,( ), \-. ; | \( \ / )/; | - _5 `7 -; / ( ___-' `-____ | ( ___`-_ \ ____| \ / `,/ \ _(\__ / \ \ ; \ .' /' `i. / | | \ _-'( _\__-/ `- | | ` ,` `_ | BP Good friends are like Angels; you don't have to see them to know they are there. --- ...Thanks Gh0striders! Leads us to this one... >-->From Our Friend Linda :) ,-`"-=') =/////// ,== _,_(((((-`6\ ==.| /,,...\\\C _| .--. ((((\\\\\` _, /;_| )9 )))))./ `. / } _\,_ ,-'))) \ / /=-. ,-./ \/ '))) . /\_/ / \ (,-.%\ / /-' ') \/\ / ( \ (/ \ ' /( ' `-/ \( \ ,- / ( `-' \ . / / \ \ &_) /\ \ | ( /--.- \ \----,------=;% | _/ _); `. ` `-. .`\ ) +++/ \ ,," %&-. ; \\| `-` `-=.;_,.__.__\_,/ )_/___+_/_________\,"(_//_(__)______:-._) gpyy >Vitamin F This is so true!!!!I loved this and wanted to share it with you.. Why do I have a variety of friends who are all so different in character? How is it possible that I can get along with them all? I think that each one helps to bring out a "different" part of me. With one of them I am polite. With another I joke. I can sit down and talk about serious matters with one. With another I laugh a lot. I listen to one friend's problems. Then I listen to another one's advice for me. My friends are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. When completed, they form a treasure box. A treasure of friends! They are my friends who understand me better than I understand myself. They're friends who support me through good days and bad. Real Age doctors tell us that friends are good for our health. Dr. Oz calls them Vitamin F (for Friends) and counts the benefits of friends as essential to our well being. Research shows that people in strong social circles have less risk of depression and terminal strokes. If you enjoy Vitamin F constantly you can be up to 30 years younger than your real age. The warmth of friendship stops stress and even in your most intense moments, it decreases the chance of a cardiac arrest or stroke by 50%. I'm so happy that I have a stock of Vitamin F! In summary, we should value our friends and keep in touch with them. We should try to see the funny side of things and laugh together and pray for each other in the tough moments. Some of my friends are friends on line. I know I am part of theirs because their names appear on my computer screen every day and I feel blessed that they care as much for me as I care for them. Thank you for being one of my Vitamins! --- ...Aww. What sweet thoughts! Thanks Linda! ================================================================ >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) ^^ @@@@@@@@@ ^^ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ^^ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ ~~~~ ~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ ~~ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& ~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ ~ ~ pjb >A love that never fades Black...Slow fade in... Scene: Sunlight gently washing over the trees as it slowly rises. Birds already busy with their day are seen darting back and forth, pausing along the shore line of the lake, then off about their business. Gentle ripples of water reflect the sun's advance radiating like electric impulses softly kissing the pebbles along the shore. Appearing motionless, perhaps mesmerized by the scene before him, you can see the silhouette of one man and the distant town lights giving up the night watch to the light of day. From the right enters a young woman. She carefully approaches him. So as not to startle him she pauses after a few steps, then continues closer. "You are up early," she says softly. He runs his hand through his hair and rubs his eyes. "I never went to bed," he says. "Oh, Jim. Don't tell me you've been here..." "Yes, for the most part," he says interrupting her. She reaches for him placing her hand on his shoulder and running it down his arm until she grips his hand, squeezing it gently. "What did it accomplish?" she asks. "Fade," he replies. She cocks her head slightly trying to understand. He repeats, "Fade. Like fade in, fade out. He said his life is fading." "Oh. Your dad." He turns quickly toward her, and when she looks he turns his head away, unable to look her in the eyes. "I'm afraid," he says quietly. "I'm scared to face this. I mean, I never saw someone die before." His hand begins to quiver as he raises it towards his face. Then placing it over his eyes he begins to cry. Not weeping, but the tears of a frightened child standing alone, feeling lost. "Oh, Jim. I wish I could make this easy for you. But death isn't easy, dying is," she says. Wiping the tears from his face he asks, "I don't understand. What's the difference?" "Your father is dying. It's time. His dying is a natural transition in life. He's ready, you're not. Dying for him is easy because he's lived so hard. He worked hard. He played hard. He loved even harder. He's complete. He's ready. But death is hard. Hard for all who loved him. Hard for all who will miss him. Hard to accept and hard to live with." "Fade. It's the thought of him fading away. Like...like going to darkness," he says. "He is so brilliant! So bright...he shouldn't just fade." "So that's why you stayed here all night," she says. "To see a bright day fade into night," he confirms. They both looked out to the horizon. The sun now shining bright, and the distant lights gone. "You stood here to see the sun set, the day fade into darkness," she tells him. "But over time you also saw the sun rise again. The darkness gave into the light. So will your grief. Your pain will be great and the loss even greater. "Contrary to what everyone will try to tell you, it does not fade. What does happen is the realization of how great your love was for him. The grief, the loss, the pain is like this lake. It runs deep. In the darkness, it is there and you will fear it because you cannot see it. But in the light of day, as the night fades, all of this is revealed and you are in awe of its magnitude and beauty. The same thing you feared in darkness. All the factors are the same. All the things remain. "Just like your love for your father. It is here now and will be afterwards. In the darkness and in the light. In the darkness you will grieve. In the light you will see how beautiful it is." Jim turns toward her and they embrace. "Now, go to him to see how beautiful it is and always will be," she whispers in his ear. The sun shines. The birds fly. The ripples kiss the beach. The young man and woman exit to the right. Fade to darkness. See the light. By Bob Perks --- ...Thank You Bunni! !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ Praying that you are and stay cancer free in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. ... ;::::; ;::::; :; ;:::::' :; ;:::::; ;. ,:::::' ; OOO\ ::::::; ; OOOOO\ ;:::::; ; OOOOOOOO ,;::::::; ;' / OOOOOOO ;:::::::::`. ,,,;. / / DOOOOOO .';:::::::::::::::::;, / / DOOOO ,::::::;::::::;;;;::::;, / / DOOO ;`::::::`'::::::;;;::::: ,#/ / DOOO :`:::::::`;::::::;;::: ;::# / DOOO ::`:::::::`;:::::::: ;::::# / DOO `:`:::::::`;:::::: ;::::::#/ DOO :::`:::::::`;; ;:::::::::## OO ::::`:::::::`;::::::::;:::# OO `:::::`::::::::::::;'`:;::# O `:::::`::::::::;' / / `:# ::::::`:::::;' / / `# unknown Death is our enemy. , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' 1 Cor.15: [26] The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. Praise God death shall be conquered! 1Cor.15 [54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Until then we have this comfort 1 Thes.4: [13] But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [dead], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep [already dead]. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ) ( ) _( )_ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' )| |_| | _ _ __ ( ` ' ) > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < | _ |( ) ( ) /'_ `\ > < (_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_)| | | || (_) |( (_) |(_, ,_) (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) (_) (_)`\___/'`\__ | (_) ( )_) | ( )_) | \___/' \___/' unknown =========================================================== >He's My Brother By Stan Cascino Story Editor: Kent, England Joyce Schowalter I was in the hospital having treatment following a motorcycle accident. In the bed next to me was a man named David. He was having treatment for leg problems, like myself. However, David had been partly strangled by his mother's umbilical cord at birth and suffered terrible brain damage. He couldn't talk, could barely see, could hear little, and could only express himself in grunts. Promptly at 8:00 a.m. the next morning, David's elder brother Ron appeared. The patients were mostly awake, taking medication, but the nurses had been unable to get David to take his medication and were getting perhaps a little bit exasperated. On arriving, Ron, in his middle fifties, took David's hand and put it up to his own face to allow David to touch him and to recognize him. David calmed down straight away and allowed his brother to clean, dress him, and as breakfast arrived, to feed him. After breakfast, Ron cleaned David up again, found a spare wheelchair and took him for a 90-minute walk. After settling David in his chair, Ron handed him some magazines, not to read, but just to hold, which pleased David. Several hours later, a younger man arrived with his wife. They greeted Ron, the young man's father, then greeted David by touching his hand to their faces. David recognized them both, and Ron then went to eat. Ron returned an hour later, the young people left, and Ron stayed, taking his brother to the toilet, cleaning, feeding and connecting with him, until 8:00 p.m. Ron then put David to bed for the night. Ron returned at 8:00 the next morning. This went on for nearly two weeks until David was well enough to go home. Naturally, I got to talking to Ron and gradually heard his story. Ron was eight years old when David was born and, right from the start, his mother and father instilled the values that would be his the rest of his life. They loved both boys very much, and looked after David for as long as they could. When their parents could no longer manage, the now grown-up and married Ron took David into his home to look after him. Ron's children used to take their uncle out in a wheelchair, defending him from other kids who mocked him. Many years later, David needed nursing home care. Ron found one which cares for David well, near where he lives, so the family can visit daily. When David came into hospital, Ron knew he would be totally disorientated and extremely distressed. Hence Ron's daily 12-hour visits -- for which he took time off work. I felt totally humbled by Ron's selflessness, and his love for his brother, which love was mirrored in his own children. When Ron came to take David back home, I asked him to shake my hand, and I told him that I was proud to do so. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughAndLift; "We ask less of this life because we know full well that more is coming in the next. The art of living with suffering is just the art of readjusting our expectations in the here and the now." - Joni Eareckson Tada The Lift | | | _ | | <_> | | | | | `-._ | |`-._| | | _________________________________|____ `-._ `-._ | `-._ `-._ | kat `-._ `-._ >The Game's Not Over Until It's Over [Never Give Up] (By Rocky Henriques) Anyone going through a difficult time needs to remember that the end has not yet come, and that our Heavenly Father may have all manner of wonderful things in store just around the bend in the road. USA TODAY once reported a story which demonstrates this fact very well. Milwaukee Hamilton High School had a 22-15 lead against Milwaukee Marshall with just a few seconds left in a football game one Friday night in September of 1983. It appeared to be a sure victory. With only four seconds remaining, Hamilton, which was on its 40-yard line, snapped the ball to Jose Alba. Alba ran back toward his end zone to run out the clock, then tossed the ball into the air as time expired, thinking the game was over, and the victory belonged to him and his teammates. But, remember-in football, the play is not finished until the ball is downed while in the possession of a player. So when the ball came down, one of Marshall's players, Floyd Heard, picked it up on the five and ran it in for a touchdown. Then with time expired, Marshall attempted the two-point conversion-and made it. They won the game 23-22. There are many times in our lives when we're on the losing side of the scoreboard, and time is running out. If Floyd Heard had believed what the circumstances told him, he would have walked to the sideline, accepting defeat. Yet that is what we do so many times in our lives. The game - nor life - is over until it's over. Be encouraged! Don't give up! Stay the course! "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up." (Luke 18:1 NIV) "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9 NIV) -<>- "In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends." - J. Churton Collins The Lift .-'''''-. |'-----'| /`-.....-`\ | <_} | | .-\-. | _,._ | /# ` \ | __.-` `"""-. | \ / | ..--' `"-. `)_,._ \ '-'-' / (` )--.-"``` `"-.`'-----'` '-----------' ( ) jgs `-------------` >Waiting For God (Author Unknown) ... /` `\ / \ |\~~~~~~~/| | \=====/ | | /`...'\ | |/_______\|ldb Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter: "Dear Ruth: I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit. Love Always, GOD" Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would GOD want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets. "Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents. "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm. "Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here in the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it." Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to. "Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him." "Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!" "Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders. Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!" Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox. ... /` `\ / \ |\~~~~~~~/| | \=====/ | | /`...'\ | |/_______\|ldb "That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it. "Dear Ruth, It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal. And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat. Love Always, GOD" The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed. "'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:35-40 SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .-~~~-, ( ) ( ) -^x^- ( ) /~ ~\ ( ) | | ( ) | | ( ) | __ _, (~~~~-( ) /\/\ (. ).) `_'_', ( ) C __) (.( .)-( ) | /~~~ \ (_ ( ) / \ ~====' /_____/` D) /`-_ `---' \ | .__|~-/^\-~|_/_ |^^^^^^^|| | __. ||/.\ | |OooooO \ ---. \ | | \ _ _- ,`_'_' .~\ \|__ __|-____ / ) < -(. ).) > \ ( .\ (. ) \(_/ ) ~- _) \_- ooo @ (_) @ \(_//. / /_C (-.____) /((O)/ \ ._/\~_. / |_\ / / /\\\\`-----'' _|>o< |__ | \ooooO ( \ \\ \\___/ \ `_'_', / \ \__-| \ `)\\-^\\ ^--. /_(.(.)- _\ \ \ ) |-`--.`--=\-\ /-//_ ' ( c D\ \_\_) |-___/ / \ V /.~ \/\\\ (@)___/ ~| / | / | |. /`\\_/\/ / / / | ( C`-'` / | \/ (/ / /_________- \ `C__-~ | / (/ / | | | \__________| \ (/ -Artist Unknown _____ . . .___ __ . . . .__ __ __ . . __ | | | | (__` | |\ /| | \ (__` / \ |\ | (__` | |---| |--- \ | | \/ | |__/ \ | | | \ | \ | | | |___ \__/ | | | | \__/ \__/ | \| \__/ >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Connor Long, 4, grandson of Karen Lomont-Long, at the end of the first day of pre-kindergarten asked his teacher if he could call home! When she asked him why, he said, "I want to tell my dad to bring my sleeping bag. I want to stay here and go to school again tomorrow!" - Joyce Lomont Crowl of Indiana A favorite little fellow called and said, "Guess what?" Of course, Carol, asked, "What?" He said, "School starts tomorrow and you HAVE to start babysitting me again." Carol heard a holler in the background and he said, "Just a minute, Mom is yelling at me." He came back on the phone and said, "I did that wrong. School is starting tomorrow, would you LIKE to babysit me again?" Carol said, "I'd love to." He said, "Well, you can." - Carol Young of Albion (from the journal she has kept over the years) Another story from her journal. A dark piece of meat in the creamed chicken and biscuits prompted the 3-year-old to suddenly screech, "There's something in my dinner!" Her older, wiser 4-year-old brother leaned over, studied her plate and after a bit of hesitation he calmly said, "It won't hurt you. It's a worm. The chicken ate it." While watching "I Love Lucy" the Rummel family can't help but notice that the women are constantly serving the men. So Brad told daughter Olivia, 9, "Boy, those were the good old days, huh? Girls always getting everything for the boys..." Olivia said, "Nope, not the good old days to me - just makes the boys seem lazy." - Brad Rummel of Kendallville, Indiana As they prepared for an upcoming wedding, Ella, 4, said, "I know, let's get them a purse!" Her father explained to her that a purse wouldn't be appropriate for both of them. Then Ella suggested a trophy: "You know the statue you get when you win something? It could be shiny and have the state on it." Ella asked what state the wedding was going to be in, to which her father said, "Illinois." Ella continued, "Yeah, we could put Illinois on top and have flowers all over it!" - Steve and Erin Doucette of Huntertown, Indiana _ /X \ _------_ / \ | | | | | __ __) | / \/ \ /\/\ (o )o ) /c \__/ --. \_ _-------' | / \ | | '\_______) | \_____) |_____ | |_____/\/\ / \ unknown The following stories from Doug in Ohio are about his cousins and the children he works with at church. When Dan, now in his early 30s, was 4, they were having a family picnic at their grandparents' home. Doug said he was getting some ketchup for the table, and Dan said, "Are you gonna eat the table!" Another memory is from when the boys were 10 and camping in their grandparents' yard. Grandma was giving a list of instructions and things Dan couldn't do, and he said, "Are we allowed to breathe?" In AWANA, at the Wednesday night children's' program, Doug was telling Chris, 7, about how to give out tracts telling about Jesus. Doug happened to mention leaving one with the tip in restaurants, and Chris said they only went to McDonalds. Doug said Chris could still leave one for a busboy, and Chris said, "I can't give one to a busboy; I don't ride the school bus." Another favorite from AWANA was when the kids were done saying their memory verses and Doug tried to occupy them with a thought puzzle. He gave them this familiar question: "You are the pilot of an airplane. It goes 2 hours from Cleveland to Atlanta, then 4 hours from Atlanta to New York, then 1 hour back from New York to Cleveland. What is the pilot's name?" Of course, the correct answer is the child's own name but out of the blue, Luke, 6, said excitedly, "Amelia Earhart!" (Doug told another worker that's where the missing world famous aviator has been all these years -flying in circles from Cleveland to Atlanta to New York! /`. /\ _/ `..'_ J._-*"; +*" ( X ) | `. " " :._ .' , , / .' \ _L L_/ / `. -..' `.' `.-' `+ ; * :__* : / `.__.' ).' :__. _ " ) ; (c .*"*, ,_ _ '"'T / o`: ) l_.--. _ : : [bug] ,-`.__.\_\ `..*__..--'; .*' ( "*-' ;**--..__.;_ ""')"" :_. *-+, ("*- ._| __..-\ +-* "*+ ;..__ ;**"" `\ \ +*'_.* ""**+ : `* `*" / \ . . ; : ; : ` ' \ / .`- \ : ; . ; : : : ; ' \ / _..-*"`- `-. ( ) `*-..__..---..___.'`*-*" Brenda had been stressing the importance of independence to her granddaughter, Shila, 7, while they were waiting for the 4th of July fireworks to begin. She felt she had made her point until Shila thoughtfully said, "You know Nana, you can live without your independence. Amber's doctor took out her independence and she's still living." - Nelda Owen (great-grandmother of Shila) of Albion, Indiana Tracey Ferguson-Anders teaches kindergarten in Seymour. Last month at school a 6-year-old student from her class last year said, "My mom is having dental surgery today and my papaw is picking me up." Tracey remarked, "My mom is having dental surgery today, too!" Concerned, he looked up and asked, "Well, who is picking you up today?" - Nancy Franke of Seymour, Indiana Several months ago Sandi started working as a part-time nanny to two precious little sisters, Julia, 4, and Caroline, 21 months. Caroline's favorite word lately is "Yeah." No matter what Sandi asks her, she replies, "Yeah." Since Julia is like Sandi's shadow, Julia heard Sandi ask Caroline after her nap, "Are you thirsty? Do you want some milk? Do you have on a wet diaper?" To all three questions, Caroline answered "Yeah!" Julia added a question of her own: "Caroline, do you want a BUG sandwich?" "Yeah" responded Caroline with great enthusiasm! While Caroline was napping, Julia pretended that she and Sandi were cooking on her toy stove. Julia told Sandi she was going to cook her a bowl of green beans. Since that's one of Sandi's favorite vegetables, Sandi said, "Oh, goodie gumdrops!" Julia's quick response was, "No, not gumdrops! GREEN BEANS!" Another time Sandi was giving Julia her bath, and forgot to remove her wristwatch, which got soaking wet. As soon as Sandi realized it, Sandi said, "Oh, ratz!" Julia asked, "Is that what you're supposed to say when your watch gets wet - Oh RATS? Why RATS?!" - Sandi of Lehigh Acres, Florida |\/\ ,. / `' |,-, / /_ _/ / (.-,--. / /o/ o \ / \_\ / _/ (__`--' _) / | (_____,' \ \_ _\_ `._..-' `._ / ,' `. .'| / \ |_| | | || |______| |/ | |\ / | | \ / | | \ `. | | \ ( `-.._____| |---i `. _| | / | (_ \ | | | | | |_)| `-+--f--`-^-'--' | | | | | | | | _,(`--'), | | .-' `--'_t(`--'), / .-' `--' | `-..___/ (_)| hjw `-.._____..-' Around the campfire while camping with a group of 15 families from their church, Ellie, 4, asked Kimberly, 13, if she got her teeth pierced. Kimberly was wearing braces. - Ruthann Rutherford of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania Kendall, 9, went to the beach with her family and had her first experience riding the waves on a "Boogy Board." She did it so successfully, she proceeded to give her mom instructions: "Wait until the wave folds over, then jump on. That's the way, Mommy. Don't get discouraged. You're getting the hang of it. Good for you, Mommy. Yaaaaayyyy, Mommy. You did it!" Kendall's mom was laughing so hard at her daughter's instructions, she could hardly get the hang of it! - Rebecca Hayes (grandmother of Kendall) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania Jordan's mother Alicia has been teaching her kids how to treat stains. She told them if they get something on their clothes never to rub it, dab it with a wet cloth and just keep doing that until it comes off. Jordan, 11, was at school lunch and his friend's ketchup packet exploded all over his shirt. He was frantically wiping it off because it was a new shirt and it was white. Jordan kept telling him, "Don't wipe it! Dab, dab, dab it!" -Rita Maurer (grandmother of Jordan) of Kendallville Briana, 9, and and Barb were talking about ages. Barb told her she was in her early 50s and her sister was in her late teens and her other sister was in her mid 20s. Briana said, "I'm in my late 9s!" - Barb (grandmother of Briana) of Titusville, Pennsylvania Zelma was watching a 3-year-old and told her someone new was with them today. The 3-year-old asked Zelma, "Is he a guy, girl or a kid?" - Zelma Feltner (child care provider) of Kendallville, Indiana |^^^^^^^^| | | | | | | | _ _, .---------------. | (.).) | | | .-^--_ | Where's My | \ ' _____) | CRACKER! | | \ (__ /_-----------------' / -__/ / \ / / . | / / / | / \ / ' / \ / / / . / / / X / / / / |--| |____ \/\_/ |--| ----. / |\ \----' / /| | \ \ `_/_|_. `- Zelma took Cheyenne to a birthday party. Cheyenne's mom went to work and her dad forgot about the party. When Zelma picked up Cheyenne for the party, Cheyenne said, "Zelma, I'm sorry I didn't dress fancy for the party. My dad forgot about the party." Zelma was babysitting Cheyenne who was combing through a 3-year-old's hair and spraying it with water. Her sister, Dakota, 11 months, took the water. The 3-year-old said, "Look, Cheyenne, she is getting our water." Cheyenne replied, "That's OK. We will deal with that later." Michael, 5, entered kindergarten this year. When Grandpa asked Michael how his first day went, Michael proudly exclaimed that it went "really good" and that he was so excited that he did not get detention! - Pat and Kathy Young (grandparents of Michael) of Kendallville Another day after school Grandpa asked Michael what he did in school. Michael said that he played. Grandpa asked him if that was the only thing he did all day. Michael said, "No, we did something else and it was really important, but I don't remember what it was!" Ryan, recently turned 3. His grandmother asked him how old he was now. He replied, "I'm 3. I finished with 2." - Joyce Siedentop (grandmother of Ryan) of Wall Township New Jersey ___ _____ .'/,-Y" "~-. l.Y ^. /\ _\_ "Doh!" i ___/" "\ | /" "\ o ! l ] o !__./ \ _ _ \.___./ "~\ X \/ \ ___./ ( \ ___. _..--~~" ~`-. ` Z,-- / \ \__. ( / ______) \ l /-----~~" / Y \ / | "x______.^ | \ -Row j Y ->Homer<- Laci, 6, was accidentally knocked over by Joyce's Lab Molly. Laci landed flat on her backside and started crying. Joyce told her to come to her and she would give her a hug and rub the sore spot. As Joyce was holding her a tearful voice asked if Joyce could "kiss it better too." Joyce looked at her pretending to be shocked. Laci replied, "Yes, but I won't tell anybody." They looked at each other and both burst into giggles. That took care of it. No backside kissing necessary. - Joyce Siedentop (grandmother of Laci) Joyce share this as "food for thought" for parents: "When I was in 8th grade (age about 13) my friend asked me to go to the local teen canteen with her. I told her I couldn't because my parents said I couldn't go there until I was in high school. She replied, 'I wish my parents cared that much about me.'" She quit school and had a very hard life until she discovered a marketable talent for art. While shopping at recently Roseann noticed a big sister (about age 7) pushing her little sister (about age 4) in a cart. As they walked through the meat aisles, their conversation went something like this: Big: Do you know where bacon comes from? Little: Pigs Big: "Do you know where wings come from? Little: Chicken Big: Do you know where steak comes from? Little: (stumped for a moment and thinking very hard) Humans? - Roseann Dunteman of Scottsdale, Arizona \ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ / \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ | | | | | | | | | __----__ __----__ | |/ \ / \| | | | | --|\ * / \ * /|-- / | --____-- --____-- | \ | (-| / \ |-) | \ |. \____/ .| / --/ \-- / \ `--______________________--' \_ _/ `---__ __---' `----' unknown Carol Young of rural Albion, Indiana, shares more stories involving young people in her life. Carol was sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with an elementary fellow on his front step while waiting for the school bus. In a concerned tone he shared, "I am not going to be in a hurry to move away from home. I will probably HAVE to get an apartment some time, but just as soon as my dad and mom are dead, I am moving right back in here!" A number of years ago a young fellow, about 10, told Carol that he'd heard that, "Before you can be old and wise, you have to be young and foolish." He said, "I am in my young and foolish time." Carol cautioned him not to be too foolish or he might not get old! Each time Carol took the 3-year-old to the library, he ceremoniously parked his imaginary bicycle in the bike rack and then retrieved it on their way back to the car. One day, Carol laboriously got him with his snowsuit fastened into his car seat when he suddenly remembered, "I FORGOT MY BICYCLE!" Carol suggested they leave it and get it next time. He didn't miss a beat and said, "Somebody will steal it!" Linda Mowry of near Fremont, Indiana, shares these stories: Nana (Marge Lewis of Fort Wayne) gave Elizabeth, 6, and Austin, 4, a Candyland game at Christmas. They were clearly familiar with this type of game. While Elizabeth asked older cousins to play with them, Austen announced, "Somebody won't win." _____ _.--"" ""--._ _.-" "-._ .F Y. .F Y. / ..___ ___.. \ F / | """""-------""""" | \ Q F F (.-"""-. .-"""-.) Q Q F F .' `. .' `. Q Q J F /| o | | o |\ Q L | J .`. .' `. .'. L | | F ( " `-...-'( )'-...-' " ) Q | | | `. _.-' '-' `-._ .' | | Y | L .' `. J | J L| Q' `F |J Q | | J L C D J \ \ ---...____..--- / _/ `L .-' `. .' `-. P |`L (|`-.__ __.-'|) J'|__ | `-._`-..__"""""__..-'_.-' | """.. _..--""-..-' `. `-..__"""""__..-" .'\ `-. .-" L `-._ """"" _.-' L *****:::. ." | ""--.........--"" Q *****...L At a family gathering Nana was telling about putting a new floor in the living room and dining room. Now they only needed to get an area rug. Elizabeth was very interested and rushed over to ask, "You're getting an Ariel rug?" Recently Mommy (Angie Lewis Gaydos) heard Elizabeth's distressed cry, "There's a spider!" Mommy told her to brush it off. Elizabeth said, "I can't; Austin's the Hero!" Amanda, 6, knows that her mother Kristy puts her hair in a bun. So Amanda asks for a "hot dog" (clip) in her hair! - Kristy Day (mother of Amanda) of Auburn, Indiana Kate, 4, Jennifer's friend's daughter, was with her mother in the car listening to public radio. Kate looked at her mom and said, "My toe loves jazz." - Jennifer Decker of Angola Janet had to take her grandson, Hunter, 4, into the office with her last week to finish up some work she was doing in a medical office. To occupy him, she took him into the Play therapy room to pick a couple toys that they could take into the room Janet was working in. He played with those toys for about five minutes and then asked, "Mimi, can I play in that toy room?" Janet replied, "No, you can't ... the doctors here use this room to make kids feel better." He went back to playing for another minute and then said, "Mimi ... I don't feel very good." - Janet Stork of Kendallville, Indiana _____________________________________________________________ | |_ _| || | __| / __|| || \/ | _ \/ __|/ _ \| \| |/ __| | | | | | _ | _| \__ \| || |.,| | _/\__ \ (_) | .` |\__ \ | | |_| |_||_|___| |___/|_||_| |_|_| |___/\___/|_|\_||___/ | | _ __ _ __ ___ __ _ __ __ ___ | | /_\ | _) /_\ |__) | | \ /_\\ /'(__ |\ ||/ _ |__| | | | /___\__|__)/___\|__\_|___|__//___\|__ __)__|_\||\__||__|_|_ | || _.-'-``-._ | \:::::::::' / || || ,'::::::'' `. | /::::::' \ || || ::::::' : | \::::: / || || |:::' | | /;'`--'`--'`--'`.\ || || ;::: . , : | \_.`--'. ,'- '._/ || || :-------::-------: | /: o :: o :\ || || `.__o__.;:.__o__.' | \:.____.;:.____.'/ || ||_____(.:::::(:_)_____.)______|______(.:::::(:_)_____.)_____|| || _ _ | || || ,':`._.':`. | \`.`.'`.'`.'`'( || || ..-':::::::' `--.. | :::::::::'' : || || \::::::::: / | |:::::' | || || _`.:::::: `._ | |:::: | || || .':::_.`--'. ,'--'._ `, | (.----. ,----.) || || `.::: o :: o : ,' | : o :: o : || || ,':`.____.;:.____.' `. | `.____.;:.____.' || ||__`.:(.:::::(:_)_____.)_,'___|_______(.::::(:_)____.)___SSt|| '-------------------------------------------------------------' David's 10-year-old nephew Dustin was trying to explain to his mom what being mature meant. It went like this, "Mom, I know what being mature is. It's when your voice gets deeper and you start growing hair under my arms! Because I don't have either of these yet, I guess I'm an amateur!" - David Sims (uncle of Dustin) of Carson, California Janis and Ron camped with the twins recently in a camper they had just purchased. The experience was new for all of them. But as they were getting ready to leave, Janis could hear Kayla from behind her saying in a very sad voice, "Bye, Camper, I am going to miss you, Camper!" - Janis and Ron Sproat (grandparents) of Butler Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== | | + \ \\.G_.*=. `(H'/.\| .>' (_--. _=/d ,^\ ~~ \)-' ' / | ' ' a:f >-->THE KING IS COMING So humbly I come into your Holy Presence My Saviour and My God My soul is happy and filled with joy As praises from my lips rise to You, My Lord Such wondrous things you have done You saved my soul from terrible woes soon to come How could I not thank You and praise You, my Lord Your selfless sacrifice on Calvary my salvation has won I kneel at your feet my Saviour and my Lord You are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen I see you looking at me with so much love You smile at me and my heart just sings I can only kneel before You in awe You loved me so much You chose to die for me on that terrible cross My sins to pay so I could feel Your loving embrace My precious Jesus You are the only one Who ever cared that much for me You suffered those horrible lashes of the whip Then you were nailed on that tree for ME! Thanks to You I am free of all sin and strife My soul sings out in praise to You my Lord and my King For I know You are coming back for Me I'll rise up into the sky to meet YOU my Lord and my King In Heaven I will forevermore be with You How the thought makes my heart sing! Just thinking of being FOREVER with YOU My eyes flood with happy tears as Your praises I sing Oh Jesus Please come back soon I yearn so much to see your precious face Walk those streets of gold and hear the angels sing To their almighty King as they bow to worship You One day as I hear that mighty trumpet sound out so loud I shall mysteriously disappear from the confines of earth The joys untold of being forever with YOU my Jesus! My King is coming soon!! The day of my heavenly birth!!! Amen! Come Quickly Lord Jesus! Phyllis Smith (Bunni) Copyright March 2, 2010 All Rights Reserved --- ...We shall delight in the Lord Forever More! Thanks Bunni! >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 ************************************************************************