The Power Of Believing... :) 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 ================ * 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 Goes out to the family, friends and fans of Prince. May God bless them and help them through this trying time of loss. Prince was a legend. Too soon gone. http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/21/entertainment/prince-estate-death/ -<>- >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) Our first flaming hot page is from our friends Karen and Geniann. It is a rib tickler and should give you some smiles and giggles. Give it time to load, sound up and check it out here... _ , (_\______/________ \-|-|/|-|-|-|-|/ \==/-|-|-|-|-/ \/|-|-|-|,-' \--|-''' \_j________ (_) (_) hjw Shopping With Men! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/menshopping.html --- ...I had a ball with this one! Thanks Ladies! Our next red hot new page comes from our friend Linda. It is one to give you your dose of aww for the day. Give it time to load and check it out here... .. ./AHBA. /HBAHBAHBA\ /BAHB /AHBAHBAHBAHBA\. HBAHBAHBAHBAH. .BAHBAHBAHBAHBA\ /HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAH\. AHBAHBAHBAHBAH. .AHBAHBW~~~~~"\WAHBAABAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB\ . BAHAHBAHBAAHBA. HBAHBAA """"""~~~~"""""~~"\BAHBAHB\ .AH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHB HBAHBAH \YAHBAH BAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAI .,/ YAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA..;II. .AHBAHBA HBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBAHBA`~ AHBA\ IHBAHBA HBAHBAHBA/~ ~~ _ HBAH. \ .....,/ \ . ..YBAHBAH BAHBAHBAI . /ABAHBAHBAHL\ \ ,;|MAMA\\ ~\ ,. IAHBA HLAMBAY/ /A,. /BAHBAHBAHBAHBL I \AHBAHBAHD /BIHBD \WBAH BAIIMBBAD Y bABY''A:.\YHBIHIAIIIIBA>.Wo..IHBAHBA\..YBIIBAH..BAHI BIIIIHIIIL A IAH/ AAA__~BIIBIIBIIYI/;/AI;/BIIIIIIA::BIIIIAI:::BI .IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII.. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII. IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGN94. Animal Family Portraits! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfamilies.html --- ...Awww, these are so adorable! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend Bunni :) I received a call from the cancer center this morning and....... the tests came back fine. NO cancer. Just thought I'd let you know the good news. I sure am happy to hear that and have to thank God for taking care of me so well. I give Him all the credit. So all I have to d now is get appointments to have the port flushed out every 5 to 6 weeks. All I can say is I am so happy to get the good report this morning and just had to let you know Hugs....... Bunni --- ...Awesome! I am jumping up and down with joy for you Bunni! Praise God! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,,'''''',, ;;;;;,,,, '', ;''''''':;;;,, ', ``` '''' '';;;, ; .-' ` _ `;;',; ( , ' ',) '; ;; `;'`', , / ; ,:, ,' --' ',-' ; ( ;:::: ; ' ;,;;--;;' ; , , `;;;; `, ;, , , ,;;;' ; ; , , ,;;;' ; `;`'`;;;;' ; ,' ;;;' jv ;;; >THE POWER OF BELIEVING by Joseph Walker As I think about it, I'm not sure I ever really bought into that Easter Bunny stuff. Santa Claus was one thing. He was human, chubby and groovy in long hair and a beard. As a heavy-set child of the 1960s, I could relate to that. But how do you relate to a rabbit -- especially one with no name, no discernable personality and a propensity for laying multi-colored chicken eggs? Thankfully, I grew up in a family of believers, so it really didn't matter how I felt about Easter's benevolent bunny. Not only did I learn to believe, but I also learned something about the power of belief -- in myself, in principles and in other people and causes. But I worry a little about children who grow up in this age of disbelief. Experiencing the fun of a harmless fantasy like the Easter Bunny is one thing. But how do they cope with life in a world where belief itself is belittled, where faith is ridiculed and reality extends only as far as one can see hear, smell, taste or touch? A few years ago national attention was focused on a deep, dark cave in the mountains near where I live. A Scout troop had entered the cave to do a little exploring. Despite every precaution that had been taken to make it a safe and exciting adventure for all, one young man was separated from the troop and lost in the depths of the cave. For several days rescue crews worked around the clock, searching every twist and turn in the underground cavern. With each passing hour hopes of finding the boy inside the cave dimmed, and new theories were advanced. Perhaps he had simply run away. Or maybe he had stumbled out some other entrance and was now lost in the mountains. Or perhaps he was already... well, nobody wanted to say it. But everybody thought it. Everybody, that is, except the boy's parents. "That wasn't an option as far as we were concerned," the boy's mother said. "Eventually we would find him -- safe and alive. We were certain of that." There was little reason to cling to that belief. Those who were familiar with the cave claimed it had been thoroughly searched -- several times. Common sense dictated that time was running out and that other options needed to be considered -- like when to say "enough." But like Kris Kringle himself says in A Miracle on 34th Street, "faith is believing in something even when common sense tells you not to." And the boy's parents had faith. They wouldn't give up, and they wouldn't let anyone else give up, either. And sure enough, the boy was found -- hungry, thirsty and frightened, but otherwise healthy. And how did he manage to survive his ordeal in the cave? "I prayed a lot," he said, "and I never stopped believing that someone would find me." Of course, I'm aware that not every crisis ends so happily, no matter how much faith and belief is exercised. But how many tragedies have been averted because believing people refuse to be dissuaded or discouraged by common sense? Many people view belief, faith and hope as the feeble stepchildren of knowledge. I understand that feeling. Sometimes I lean a little that way myself. But while it's true that the pursuit of knowledge is a value to be cherished, there always comes a point at which knowledge ends. Always. That can be a scary place for those who have no faith in belief. But for those who have learned to walk in faith and to trust the power of believing, the absence of absolute knowledge isn't any more of a problem than life's other realities. You just move on -- in whatever direction you believe is best. Your course may be uncertain and your step may be slow and cautious. But hopefully -- or maybe we should say "full of hope" -- you move on. With or without the Easter Bunny. -- Joseph Walker __________________________________________________ Joseph is a Heartwarmer Gem from Utah. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >DELIGHTING IN ONE ANOTHER We don't often hear the word esteem used very much these days, yet scripture tells us to esteem and delight in one another. One definition of esteem is to hold in high regard. That means we are to honor and value one another. Even if we don't always agree with one another, even if others don't necessarily act honorably, we are to honor and esteem people because they are valuable in the eyes of God. Think of it this way: If you had a costly piece of jewelry, you wouldn't just wear it to the gym or leave it on the kitchen sink. No, you would treat it carefully. You would put it in a safe place and protect it. Well, when we see others as valuable the way God sees them, we will treat them carefully as well. We should be careful in the way we talk to others. We should look for the good in them and honor them for who God made them to be. Remember, the way we treat others is like sowing seed, and it will come back to you. Choose to esteem and delight in one another. Sow good seeds, and you will see a harvest of blessing in your own life in return! -- Dr. Tim Emerick --- ...Absolutely - giving = receiving! Thanks LouiseA! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The KJV has 'delight' in the new Testament in one verse only: Rom.7: [22] For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: How true is this? While I do not delight in everyone as this teaching seems to suggest I should, [hard to see the good in evil doers], I do delight in those who are born again of God's spirit - 'the inward man' - and who are doing according to God's Word - 'in the law of God'. I value all life, but I 'delight' in my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - Christians - who are doing their best to put God first in their lives! They are a delight and a treasure unto me! I Praise God for each and every one of them! May God Bless them and keep them safe always through Jesus Christ the Lord! Col.3: [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. [17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Rom.12: [10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 1Thes.5: [11] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 John 3: [23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. -<>- >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >Do Everything for the Love of God Contributor: Carla Powell Brother Lawrence was a French monk who lived from 1611 to 1691. You might think that a man who was born nearly 400 years ago would have very little to say to today's working people, but he had some great insights into our theme of ministry in daily life. Brother Lawrence (The Practice of the Presence of God, p. 81); wrote: "It is not necessary to have great things to do. I turn my little omelette in the pan for the love of God; when it is finished, if I have nothing to do, I prostrate myself on the ground and adore my God, who gave me the grace to make it, after which I arise, more content than a king. When I cannot do anything else, it is enough for me to have lifted a straw from the earth for the love of God. People seek for methods of learning to love God. They hope to arrive at it by I know not how many different practices; they take much trouble to remain in the presence of God in a quantity of ways. Is it not much shorter and more direct to do everything for the love of God, to make use of all the labors of one's state in life to show Him that love, and to maintain His presence within us by this communion of our hearts with His? There is no finesse about it; one has only to do it generously and simply." -<>- . | . / \ I / \ ,g88R_ d888(` ). _ - --== 888( ).=-- .+(` )`. ) Y8P( '`. :( . ) .+(`( . ) .-- `. ( ) ) (( (..__.:'-' .=( ) ` _` ) ) `. `( ) ) ( . ) ( ) ._ ) ` __.:' ) ( ( )) `-'.:(` ) ) ) ( ) --' `- __.' :( )) .-' (_.' .') `( ) )) (_ ) ` __.:' --..,___.--,--'`,---..-.--+--.,,-,,..._.--..-._.-a:f--. >WHEN IT’S CLOUDY By: Joseph J. Mazzella It was a glorious, sunny day. The purple clouds of the morning had given way to golden sunshine that kissed the world with its warmth. Birds were singing in the trees even though Spring was still a few weeks away. The breeze was fresh and clean and just being outside filled me with joy. It was one of those special reward days we get from time to time when both the weather and the world seemed right. I took some extra time walking my dog and talking to God. I thanked Him for the day. I thanked Him for my life. I offered Him the rest of my time here to share His love, shine His light, and spread His truth. As I walked along too I kept my eyes open for the first Daffodil, Tulip, or Dandelion to pop its head through the soil. I knew it was only a matter of time before the lengthening days and warming sunshine awakened them all. It would be such a delight seeing them stretch toward the sun and share their beauty with the world once again. After a while I kicked off my shoes and walked barefoot on the cool grass. I looked once again at the sun shining down on us all. At that moment, however, I realized something. While I have always been the happiest when the sunny days of life blessed me with their goodness, I have grown the most when it’s cloudy. Maybe that is why God gives us clouds and rain as well as sunshine in this world. Our joy may be easier when the sunlight of blessings fills our days, but our love grows the most when the clouds block the light. The next time the clouds of life cover the sunshine above don’t despair. Turn to the light that always shines: the light of God’s love within us. Let your own love and faith grow stronger. Use what you learn to be better and to help others as well. Life is full of both sunshine and clouds but the light within us can never be covered unless we let it. -<>- _ _ ('< >') \(_)________( \ (___________)\\ ( ) \ | | | | | | _| |_ (_______)lc >FEATHERED FIDELITY by Michael Smith It's a sad reality. All relationships start with love and promise, but all too often we see them weaken, crumble and finally fail. It's too bad all relationships don't go to the birds. I know that sounds strange, but read on. Many years ago, when I was just a young boy, a small yellow bird hit our front door. When I looked outside, I saw its tiny, unmoving body on our deck. I opened the door to see if it was just stunned, or worse, dead. I was kneeling over it when my mom joined me. "Michael, I think it may be dead. I heard the bang on the glass. It hit pretty hard." "Mom, should we bury it?" "I'm not sure, Michael. When I first looked out I saw another bird land beside it. It looked like it was trying to pick this one up. I think we should let nature take care of this. Let's put it on the roof of the car and see what happens." We placed the unmoving, little bird on the roof of my dad's car and went back into the house. From our living room window we watched as the bird's mate flew to its side, carefully grip the back of the dead bird's neck in it's tiny beak, and with a strength only love and devotion could provide, lifted its mate in the air. It carried the body from the car, across the street, over the meadow on the other side and into nearby trees. It flew only a few feet off the ground. Sometimes it would get up to six feet high and then the weight of its companion would pull it lower again. Its struggle was great, but the desire not to be parted from its mate was greater. Thirty-five years later, I stepped out of my home on a warm summer morning. I looked toward my next door neighbor's -- we lived in attached townhouses -- and noticed a single strand of a spider's web strung from the bush by the corner of their townhouse to the wheel of one of their cars. I thought it was strange for a spider to spin such a web, especially just one tiny strand. I moved closer to investigate. When I reached down to break the web I discovered it wasn't a web at all. It was a piece of fishing line. I gave it a tug and saw it was tangled in the bushes, and the other end was knotted under the car. One of the boys was sitting on the front deck of the house. I remarked, "Looks like someone booby-trapped your friend's car." He came closer to see what I was talking about. I gave the line a tug. It was tightly jammed under the wheel of the vehicle. "Strange, it seems to go all the way under," I said. I walked to the back of the car and saw a robin. It fluttered to get away, but the line, which was wrapped around its tiny leg, held it firm. The poor bird flapped around on the pavement with only a foot of line for it to move. Slowly I approached and reached to grab it. When my fingers first touched his feathers it squawked and flapped away from me. I moved faster on the second attempt and managed to get a grip around his trembling body. It squirmed and twisted its head to snap at me, but I held tight. The boy came closer for a look, and then went for a knife. When he returned I realized he would probably break the poor bird's leg when the knife pulled the string tight before cutting it through, so I sent him for scissors. He came back and we carefully removed the string. The bird was free, but I held him a little longer, so I could remove one last strand of the line from his tiny leg. It made a great effort and escaped from my grasp. He flew low across the pavement, under a row of mailboxes, and up into a tree. It was free again. Then I noticed a second robin fly down from a nearby tree and land next to the newly-freed robin. It had stayed close by, as its mate struggled for freedom, and would not have left until freedom or death ended their relationship. The birds I witnessed mated for life and the struggles that come with it. Now don't you wish a lot more relationships would go to the birds? I know I do. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Return To Me - God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/return.html Christianity And The Renewed Mind http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/christianity.html My Precious Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.html Rich VS Poor http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/richvspoor.html That's God! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thatsgod.html Until We Write Again! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/write.html World's Fastest Plane! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/fastestplane.html Bird Sculpture Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birdart.html Fairy Garden Pot Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/potart.html A Little Froggy! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/frogart.html Naval Fleet Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/navalart.html Aww Animals 5! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals5.html Tale Of Two Swallows! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/swallows.html Australian Cockatoo Story! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/cockatoos.html -<>- >Advanced Bible Study Menu: ALONG WITH Studies On 'Jesus Christ Our Passover' http://www.absolutebiblestudy.com/Advanced/Advanced.htm -<>- >From AFA: The American Family Association is calling for a boycott of Target after the retail giant said it would allow men to use the women's restrooms and dressing rooms in their stores. On its web site this week, Target announced, "[W]e welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity. ...Everyone deserves to feel like they belong." Target's policy is exactly how Sual predators get access to their victims. And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women's bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go? [Not to mention who wants their little girl checking out men's privates when even their own dad is modest around them? AND what dad would feel comfortable sending his little girl into the Ladies room where a full grown man may be lurking?] Share your concerns on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/target. When sharing this on social media use #BoycottTarget. _______________________________________________________________________________ |% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %| | % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % | |% % % % % %_____________________________ % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % | | % % % % %| _________________________ | % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %| |% % _ % % |O| |O|% % % % % % % % % % _ % % % % % % % % | | % /_\ % %| | // | | % % % % % % % % % /_\ % % % % % % % %| |% =|= % |O| |O|% % % % % % % % % =|= % % % % % % % | | % % % % %| | // | | % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % %| |% % % % % |O| |O|% % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % % | |==========| | | |======================================| | SHOWERS |O| |O| | | <===== | | // | | ________________ | | |O|_________________________|O| |________________| | | |_____________________________| | | _ | | ______________/;____________ |~ | =)_)= | | /` .--T--|--T--. `\ ____ | | (_( | | /_________'------'------'________\ /PUSH\ |__%______%__| )_) | | | _____ ____ ____ _____ | /______\ .` `. | | | |__~__| | | | | |__~__|| | | : : | | | | | | | | | | '. .' | lc________| | {| |} | |_____| |______\`'-'`/____________| | | | | | | |______| | | |_________|____|_|____|________| |___| [Whoops! Sorry! I accidentally sent the following to the whole group! BY ITSELF! I deleted it - too late though - ratsinfratsin!] Sign the AFA Pledge to Boycott Target Stores Now! http://tinyurl.com/zp5b7n4 Please share this email with family, friends and Sunday School members. Transgender in Women's Bathroom (Social Experiment) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHt7EBCgJnI From Western Journalism Look What IMMEDIATELY Happened To Target After Announcing Transgender Bathroom Decision http://email.liftablemedia.com/t/i-l-hdjypk-uklreijy-i/ --- ...The world may be going crazy but we don't have to go with it! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Lasagna Cupcakes Are Real, and They Taste Amazing - ZergNet http://tinyurl.com/j9z2zz9 Megadrought - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utTXL13qtxI a guerre civile en france - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0j4Vm-XVIY&feature=youtu.be --- ...Sad! And Scary! Reminds me of Trumps awesome video here... THE SNAKE - Narrated by Donald J Trump https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeJ-iv3MOTo&feature=youtu.be -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) Obama cuts funding for soldiers to fund his illegal alien voters http://tinyurl.com/zk2njxb --- ...Crazy! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) During a non-stop, dynamic, superbly choreographed dance exhibition, this amazing performing duo, Elena and Victor, puzzle a flabbergasted audience with staggering, flashing costume transformations, which happen in front of our incredulous eyes in fractions of a second. Their elegant metamorphoses is simply unbelievable. http://tinyurl.com/jsx8skm Really cute and adorable animals of all kinds. http://tinyurl.com/hoxpfrh --- ...Awww, Thanks LouiseA! 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 ========================================================== _..._ .' . . '. : ' : :--.'-.:.-'.--; `--.`-.:.-'.--' `-.:.-' : cjr : : little weed >Weeds to Pull Story Editor: by Dawn Joyce Schowalter North Carolina, USA Several years ago we moved to North Carolina. My husband headed to his new job, and I remained behind to sell our house and arrange the move. During this stressful time there was one crisis after another, including a dear friend's suicide. When I arrived at the new house I was exhausted and emotionally bankrupt. It was wonderful seeing my husband, but when he left for work I was so overwhelmed with the tasks ahead, I sat on the floor amongst the boxes and cried. As I plowed through unpacking my spirits refused to lift. One weekend we drove to check out a boat for sale. It wasn't what we wanted, but "John", the elderly gentleman selling it, was kind and we chatted. When I admired his beautiful rose garden he said it was his wife's. She'd been away several weeks but would return the next day. As I remembered my lovely garden left behind, a tall weed caught my eye. So his wife wouldn't regret seeing it on returning, with John's permission I pulled it. Months passed but I couldn't seem to find "my place" in our new community. I joined the local garden club but although the ladies were very kind, most were retired and had been friends for years. I didn't feel part of the group. As my depression grew deeper I drank to try and ease the pain. I felt this move had cost me everything: job, friends, happiness. One day, while totally miserable and pondering suicide, the telephone rang. I'd stopped answering calls for weeks, but for some reason I picked up. A lady from the garden club had special native plants to give me, but had been ill and missed club meetings for months. For some reason I started telling her my whole miserable saga -- everything! I was embarrassed even as the words spilled out of my mouth but couldn't stop. "Elaine" quietly listened, made no judgmental comments and said she would help. She promised to call every morning to get me back on track. She kept her word and called faithfully, being an encouraging friend, though ill and bedridden herself. With Elaine's positive comments I slowly progressed. One evening she invited my husband and I over for tea. She was able to sit up, plus still had plants for me. We started driving, yet some things seemed familiar. When we pulled in the drive at Elaine's address my husband and I just sat quietly and looked at each other. There was the beautiful rose garden where I had pulled a giant weed! Elaine and I still chat most mornings. With a twinkle in her eye she makes sure we thoroughly relish each and every joy that comes our way. She's taught me so much through words and example -- from surviving disappointments with dignity to gracefully accepting the changes of aging. I've helped her pull many more weeds from her garden and she continues to help me pull weeds from my soul. =======HeroicStories======= >-->Story Time From Our Friend PatDeE :) ,.--'`````'--., (\'-.,_____,.-'/) \\-.,_____,.-// ;\\ //| | \\ ___ // | | '-[___]-' | | | | | | | jgs `'-.,_____,.-'' >An old man and his bucket of shrimp It happened every Friday evening, almost without fail, when the sun resembled a giant orange and was starting to dip into the blue ocean. Old Ed came strolling along the beach to his favorite pier. Clutched in his bony hand was a bucket of shrimp. Ed walks out to the end of the pier, where it seems he almost has the world to himself. The glow of the sun is a golden bronze now. Everybody's gone, except for a few joggers on the beach. Standing out on the end of the pier, Ed is alone with his thoughts...and his bucket of shrimp. Before long, however, he is no longer alone. Up in the sky a thousand white dots come screeching and squawking, winging their way toward that lanky frame standing there on the end of the pier. Before long, dozens of seagulls have enveloped him, their wings fluttering and flapping wildly. Ed stands there tossing shrimp to the hungry birds. As he does, if you listen closely, you can hear him say with a smile, 'Thank you. Thank you.' In a few short minutes the bucket is empty. But Ed doesn't leave. He stands there lost in thought, as though transported to another time and place. When he finally turns around and begins to walk back toward the beach, a few of the birds hop along the pier with him until he gets to the stairs, and then they, too, fly away. And old Ed quietly makes his way down to the end of the beach and on home. If you were sitting there on the pier with your fishing line in the water, Ed might seem like 'a funny old duck,' as my dad used to say. Or, to onlookers, he's just another old codger, lost in his own weird world, feeding the seagulls with a bucket full of shrimp. To the onlooker, rituals can look either very strange or very empty. They can seem altogether unimportant ... maybe even a lot of nonsense. Old folks often do strange things, at least in the eyes of Boomers and Busters. Most of them would probably write Old Ed off, down there in Florida. That's too bad. They'd do well to know him better. His full name: Eddie Rickenbacker. He was a famous hero in World War I, and then he was in WWII. On one of his flying missions across the Pacific, he and his seven-member crew went down. Miraculously, all of the men survived, crawled out of their plane, and climbed into a life raft. Captain Rickenbacker and his crew floated for days on the rough waters of the Pacific. They fought the sun. They fought sharks. Most of all, they fought hunger and thirst. By the eighth day their rations ran out. No food. No water. They were hundreds of miles from land and no one knew where they were or even if they were alive. Every day across America millions wondered and prayed that Eddie Rickenbacker might somehow be found alive. The men adrift needed a miracle. That afternoon they had a simple devotional service and prayed for a miracle. They tried to nap. Eddie leaned back and pulled his military cap over his nose. Time dragged on. All he could hear was the slap of the waves against the raft. Suddenly, Eddie felt something land on the top of his cap. It was a seagull! Old Ed would later describe how he sat perfectly still, planning his next move. With a flash of his hand and a squawk from the gull, he managed to grab it and wring its neck. He tore the feathers off, and he and his starving crew made a meal of it - a very slight meal for eight men. Then they used the intestines for bait. With it, they caught fish, which gave them food and more bait . . . and the cycle continued. With that simple survival technique, they were able to endure the rigors of the sea until they were found and rescued after 24 days at sea. Eddie Rickenbacker lived many years beyond that ordeal, but he never forgot the sacrifice of that first life-saving seagull... And he never stopped saying, 'Thank you.' That's why almost every Friday night he would walk to the end of the pier with a bucket full of shrimp and a heart full of gratitude. /Reference:/ /(Max Lucado, "In The Eye of the Storm", pp..221, 225-226)/ Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. --- ...What An Awesome Story! Thanks PatDeE! From Truth Or Fiction: https://www.truthorfiction.com/rickenbacker/ The Truth: The story about the plane crash and the seagull landing on the head of Eddie Rickebacker is true, according to the autobiography of Eddie Rickenbacker. The story of the man feeding the seagulls in the eRumor came from excerpt from a book by popular minister and inspirational author Max Lucado. The version circulating on the Internet contains details that did not appear in Lucado’s book titled “In the Eye of the Storm.” Rickenbacker was a pilot and a hero during WW I who became an ace and was presented with The Medal of Honor. The crash at sea took place in 1942 when he was sent by the U.S. government on a tour of the Pacific theater. The four-engine B-17 bomber on which he was a passenger went off course and ran out of fuel at sea. He went on to be a race car driver, an aviation consultant, and airline executive. Rickenbacker was not the founder of Eastern Airlines but was very influential in the General Motors acquisition of Eastern Air Transport, a compilation of North American Aviation and Pitcairn Aviation Company that was owned by Clement Keys. When General Motors acquired the company from Keys they renamed it to Eastern Air Lines. In January of 1934 Rickenbacker began his term general manager for Eastern Air Lines and later served also as the company’s president. ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: ______________________________________________________________ TRP| | |DBL| | | |TRP| | | |DBL| | |TRP| WRD|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|WRD| |DBL| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |DBL| | ____|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___| | |DBL| | | |DBL| |DBL| | | |DBL| | | ____|___|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___|___| DBL| | |DBL| | | |DBL| | | |DBL| | |DBL| LTR|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|LTR| | | | |DBL| | | | | |DBL| | | | | ____|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|___| |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | ____|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___| | |DBL| | | |DBL| |DBL| | | |DBL| | | ____|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___| TRP| | |DBL| | | |***| | | |DBL| | |TRP| WRD|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|***|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|WRD| | |DBL| | | |DBL| |DBL| | | |DBL| | | ____|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___| |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | ____|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___| | | | |DBL| | | | | |DBL| | | | | ____|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|___| DBL| | |DBL| | | |DBL| | | |DBL| | |DBL| LTR|___|___|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___|___|LTR| | |DBL| | | |DBL| |DBL| | | |DBL| | | ____|___|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___|___| |DBL| | | |TRP| | | |TRP| | | |DBL| | ____|WRD|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRD|___| TRP| | |DBL| | | |TRP| | | |DBL| | |TRP| WRD|___|___|LTR|___|___|___|WRS|___|___|___|LTR|___|___|WRD| Sue Teves >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Adriana, 7, was playing Scrabble with her mother Irma. Irma put down the word "sir" and Adriana said, "What's that word?" Irma told her, "sir." Then Adriana looked at her tiles and put down the word "up" in front of "sir." Irma said, "Upsir is not a word." Adriana said, "Yes, it is, Mommy, you know 'that's upsir.'" (Adriana meant, "That's absurd!") -- Irma Cisneros of Detroit, Michigan Debbie's daughter and her family are Jewish, while Debbie and her husband are Christian. Debbie's daughter is vegetarian and her son Max, 4, knows that he doesn't eat meat. He gets confused about the diet, though, thinking that they don't eat meat because they are Jewish. This became real evident when he was at Debbie's house and saw Debbie give her dog a treat. After thinking a moment, Max asked if there was meat in the treat. When Debbie told him that there was, he said, "Oh, then Scruffy's not a Jewish dog, he's a Christmas dog!" -- Debbie Rose of Savannah, Georgia Elaine's friend's child told her mother that some kids were talking about a gun at school. The mother was greatly upset and said to her little girl, "Honey, you know what to do if you see a gun?" The little girl looked at her mother and said, "Well, of course... I duck!" -- Elaine Mathews of Dayton, Texas Christal has a son and a daughter and she encourages them both to do their best. When they watch the television show, "Survivor", they cheer for the girls to do well and cheer for the boys for trying so hard. Kyle, 5, told Christal, "It's most important that the boys tried hard." Christal said, "Yes, Kyle, that's the most important thing." Kyle thought for a few minutes and said, "Dad is very important." Christal said, "Yes, he is." Then Kyle said, "And Mommy is very important and Caitie is very important and Kyle is very, very, very, very, very important!" -- Christal Bricker (mother of Caitlin and Kyle) of Colorado Springs, Colorado &&& && && &&&&. &&& .&&&&& && &&& &&&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&& & &` && && .&&&&& &&&; &8 .&&&: && &` & && 8&& & `& && && .&_ oO_&.-.-. && ( __ -/--' &&~ .'-__-'& Don't Eat That! &&&~`'\`& &&&~` _& &&&&` && &&8&&&& &&&&&&& & &&&&&&& &&;&&&&&&& &&&&&&&&&& ~~~ .~~~~~ `&&&&&&&&& ~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~;!&&&&&&&&&&~/~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~\~~~~&/` \`~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~ `~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~ ~~~~ ~~~~ BP Victoria, 6, often visits her neighbor Linda and feels free to ask for just about anything she wants to eat or drink. But there are times she needs to check with her parents to see if she can eat certain things because she has acid reflux. In a recent conversation, Victoria said, "I had some chocolate and it didn't throw me up!" -- Linda Whittaker of South Carolina Brogan, 4, was telling Grandpa and Grandma about a cat that had come to their house on a very cold day. The cat was climbing on a patio door screen that Brogan's dad had recently installed. "My Dad's going to be mad at that old alley cat," Brogan said. "Why do you call the cat an alley cat?" Grandma Linda asked. "Well, Grandma... he didn't have a collar." -- Linda McCoy of Albion, Indiana Terry, 2, went shopping with his mother Shirley. They were standing at the meat counter and Shirley let him choose the Thanksgiving turkey. Naturally, he chose the biggest one. The butcher was nearby and volunteered to take Terry into the meat locker. When he returned, Shirley asked, "What did you see in there, Terry?" As loudly as he could, he responded "DEAD HORSES!" To this day, 44 years later, that butcher says Terry ruined his business with just two words! -- Shirley McGinnis of Illinois o .==. (\`".\| _>` (_--. _=/d ,^\ ~~ \)-' ' - a:f - / | ' ' Janice's granddaughter, 4, came over with bandages on both knees. When Janice asked her what happened, she replied, "My stick horse threw me off!" -- Janice Finley of Arab, Alabama Michelle's father is bald and has a beard. When Michelle's little girl was 3, he was rocking her to sleep. It was a beautiful sight. Just as she was closing her eyes, Michelle's little girl sighed and said, "Pepe, why is your head on upside down!" -- Michelle Munroe of Wareham, Massachusetts ,---__,------__---. ,'////<: = ]\\\\\`. ///__---^~~"""~~^---__\\\ //,' D E T E C T I V E `.\\ / \ __---^~~~^---__ / \ /,. \,' /.-----.\ `./ ,.\ // `. MMM ,^. MMM ,' \\ //.--. ~~^^---^~ ~^---^^~~ .--.\\ / '> \ __--'^^~~~^^`--__ / <' \ \ / _-^ o L I c ^-_ \ / \ ,' P __--^^^^^--__ E `. / \ \ ,-^ ^-. / / i \,' ,^-__-^~/\^-__-^. `./ i | /|#`|`.| ||**\ */-\ | ! '>#| `|`.||--/* \*<' ! / /|#|_|#_|||________\ \ -Felix Roy Mariposa- / \ * *||.| |#| |/ \ i \**\ */-[]|`.|#| / i | \-/* \/~~\`|`.|/ | | /`. `. ./_[]_\.`,' ,'\ | ! / `-. ^|______|^ ,-' \ ! \ `. ~~^--_____--^~~ ,' / \ `-_ BALTIMORE _-' / `. ^~--._________.--~^ ,' ^-_ _-^ ^~--__ 1 6 4 __--~^ `. ,' `-' Joann works in a major department store, with state troopers as security guards. One evening, a trooper and Joann were talking when a little boy, about age 6, approached the trooper, obviously taken with all of his equipment. The trooper said, "Hello," and the little boy asked about his gun ("It's awesome!"), the bullet holder, the handcuffs, the pepper spray, and Ron explained everything. Then the little boy saw Ron's plain black tennis shoes and said they were very "awesome" shoes. Then the little boy asked, "Do they light up when you run?" -- Joann Herstek of Florida Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) ,"``", / (-\-| ___ | `-=-( /.-.\ .(`-.__/-,// || / \ | // The Lord is My Shepherd (By Grace E. Easley) The Lord is my shepherd, And I am His lamb, Who loves me in spite Of the way that I am. Who sees something in me, That other folks miss, And I sometimes think maybe, Because of this I've never felt bitter, Unloved or alone, Though sometimes I grieve for My loved ones now gone. For I've always believed in The words He has said, That the spirit lives on, Though the body be dead. And I feel closer to Him, Because of His care, And I know when I call Him, That He will be there. So I fear not the shadows, So dark and so dim, For my shepherd will carry me Safely through them. --- ...Amen! Thanks LousieA >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 ************************************************************************