The Rewards of Caring... :) 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 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! ================ >-->2 HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This first piping hot new page is from our friends Linda, LouiseA and Geniann. It is sure to tickle your funny bone and give you some perhaps much needed smiles. Click below: __.-=-._ ,""\_ _/"'\ -__o.-' '-._0/ _ | .' \ \ _ ( \| / | | ` (_/ ) )/ / / \\_ ,( \|(___ ___) .(\_/ / \'_| \ \-'''.____.''''--/ `.-.__,__.__.-'/ `-._______.-' _\ \__ /_ \'_ \-. |/ \ / \/ [nabis] staring at you. /o Right Angle Photography 3 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/anglephoto3.html --- ...I love these! Thank You Ladies! This next hot new page is from our friend LouiseA. This budding new artist takes his talent to the streets of China giving us a hilarious perspective. Turn on your sound and give this one plenty of time to load. Click below: |||||||||||/ : :( : : \ : : : -- .`-. : / . .-. : : Y \ : | (@) (@) } : \ .' .' : \ ` - '/ -7 |( . / | |\ / | | J / | | /| | | | | | | | \ | | \ `.___| | `. | `----. | | | .---' VK | / | | Street Photography Art! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/streetphotos.html --- ...These are so interesting and funny! Thanks LouiseA! =========================================================== >-->A Heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS To Our Friend PatDeE :) He Writes.... ((( ,, ( *)======/\==== )( / \ __________/ ) / \ \___EJM96 / / "" \ \____ _/ / (**) \ / \__/ (----------) /____|__//_ ( it's ) | ( a ) | ( girl!) | (____) _|__ \\ 'Last night at 10:27 p.m., my great granddaughter Grace, was born on my 80th birthday. We are exactly eighty years apart. This is such a special gift to me that I really have no words for it.' --- __/ _________ \,/ |. |_ | |. |:| . |//_ |. |/ . \ ) |_________| . o= __|___|__ __________________.___/ |_________[_________]__________________________ | | | __ _____ ___ _____ __ ___ _______ ________ _____ _____ __ | | / // / _ | / _ \/ _ \ \/ / / _ )/ _/ _ \/_ __/ // / _ \/ _ \ \/ / | | / _ / __ |/ ___/ ___/\ / / _ |/ // , _/ / / / _ / // / __ |\ / | | /_//_/_/ |_/_/ /_/ /_/ /____/___/_/|_| /_/ /_//_/____/_/ |_|/_/ | | | | | |_______________________________________________________________________| b'ger ...Aww, Happy belated Birthday Pat! I agree, this is by far the most awesome, amazing birthday present that any grandparent could possibly receive! You are indeed, most blessed - by Grace! Huggums! :) =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: O_ __)( ,' `. (_".`. : : /|` | | ((|_ ,-. "The Rewards of Caring" ; - /: ,' `:(( -\ / -' `: ____ \\\-: _\__ ____|___ \____|_ ; | | '-` : :_____|:|__________________: ; |:| : : |:| : ;_______`'___________________: : : |______________________________| `---.--------------------.---' |____________________| | | |____________________| |SSt | _\|_\|_\/(__\__)\__\//_|(_ >MOVING UPWARD I got to poking through some of the old things I'd saved and came across a wonderful little article from an issue of "Guideposts Magazine." It's by Arthur Gordon and is titled "The Rewards of Caring." He tells the story of how once, as a small boy, he was witness to a near-tragedy. At the beach, a woman stepped off a sandbar into deep, swift water and panicked. At least 20 adults in bathing suits watched, apparently paralyzed, until suddenly a young man ran up, plunged in fully clothed, and brought the woman out. As Arthur Gordon described the episode later to his parents, his admiration for the young man was matched by the contempt he felt for those who failed to act. She was drowning, and they didn't even seem to care. His father looked at him thoughtfully and said, "The world often seems divided between those who care and those who don't care enough. But don't judge too harshly. It takes courage to care greatly." It does take courage to care, to open your heart and react with sympathy or compassion or indignation or enthusiasm when it is easier, and sometimes safer, not to get involved. But people who take the risk, who deliberately discard the armor of indifference, make a tremendous discovery -- the more things you care about, and the more intensely you care, the more alive you become. Caring or not caring can spell the difference between success and failure in a job, in a marriage -- in every human relationship. As Emerson said, "Nothing great was every achieved without enthusiasm." And what is enthusiasm but passionate caring? A famous jeweler once sold a magnificent ruby after one of his salespeople had failed to interest the customer. Asked how he did it, the jeweler said, "My clerk is an excellent man, an expert on precious stones. There's just one difference between us -- he knows jewels, but I "love" them. I care what happens to them, who wears them. The customers sense this. It makes them want to buy -- and they do." In such cases, of course, caring ultimately brings tangible reward, but the great philosophers and religious leaders have always taught this paradox: The most rewarding form of caring is caring without hope of reward. Fortunately for mankind, the world is full of people who go quietly through life performing, as Wordsworth put it, "little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love." The volunteer worker at the hospital, the unpaid canvasser for the community chest, the neighbor who offers to take care of your children while you settle a new house -- such people have no ulterior motive and expect no recompense. They act because they care, and their actions, multiplied my millions, supply the force that keeps the human race moving upward from barbarism along the path of growth. There are people who say that if you care too much, you can get hurt. That's right -- you win some, and you lose some. But the alternative is a pretty bleak and uninteresting existence. -- Wendyl K. Leslie ___________________________________________ Recently nominated for the 53rd edition of The Marquis' Who's Who in America, Wendyl is invites you to visit his website and subscribe to his weekly journal at: http://www.servetolead.net He is also the author of Serve to Lead, which can be reviewed at this convenient website: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1588514595/heart/ref=nosim ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Jacinto :) .--. .--. / ' .\ |'. ( .-. \ \ . ` /\. /`. / ) ( `.' .' '--'` (\ \.' .' ) \`. \ _/ _..--' `. \ /`'<_/ : )"'``..`-3 : :. `"'. ) / |-.'' (_.-._ | / ( .'`--..J ' |-'( |_| | : >` '. .'' : | Y | < | : > ' \ `_ : '` \ / :- ' || : / ./: | \ .'J /_ ) : | '% | a:f /.-.`). : I | / ( \ ) : .^) `-' `..-' (`"' / ===' >What is Hope Hope is knowing that a positive outcome awaits. Hope is not only expecting a dream to come true, But also having a deep assurance That it's within your reach. Hope is saying you can. Hope is knowing that you can improve And that you always get better with practice. Hope is knowing that you can achieve your goals Through hard work and persistence. Hope is looking to the future with joy And having an expectation of Better things to come. Hope is the knowledge that life is everlasting, And that miracles happen every day. Hope is something that never abandons you. Even when your life is filled with Sadness and disappointment, A spark remains inside to help you Get through the rough times. Hope is one of God's greatest gifts to you, Because it's the magic that inspires you To keep trying, learning, loving, and living. --- ...Nice! Thanks Jass! ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) ' ) ` /(l /) ( \ / ( ) * ) ( , ) \#/ \#' .-"#'-. .-"#"=, ( |"-.='| '|"-,-"| )\ | | , /(| | /( , ( / )| | (\ ( \ | ) ) (( )\ ( (| | ) ) ) , ) |/ ( ) \ / ) ) . ) |/ ( ( # ( ( , ) / ) ( * ( \#/| (`# ) `#/| |`#/ ( '( \#/ .-"#'-. .-"#'-, .-"#'-. .-=#"-; `#/ .-"#'-. |"=,-"| |"-.-"|) 1"-.-"| |"-.-"| ,-"#"-. |"-.-"| | ! | | | | | | ! |"-.-"| | | | |._,| | | |._,| a | | | | | | | | | | | p | | | | | | | | | | | x | | '-._,-' '-._,-' '-._,-' '-._,-' '-._,-" '-._,-' >How Will the Church Be Lighted? (Author Unknown) Several centuries ago in a mountain village in Europe, a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople. He made a good decision. He decided to build them a church. No one was permitted to see the plans or the inside of the church until it was finished. At its grand opening, the people gathered and marveled at the beauty of the new church. Everything had been thought of and included. It was a masterpiece. But then someone said, "Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?" The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls, and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. "Each time you are here'" the nobleman said, "the place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark" That's a poignant story, isn't it? The poet Edward Everett Hale put it like this: I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do. What if every member of your church supported the church just as you do? What kind of church would you have? What if every single member served the church, attended the church, loved the church, shared the church, and gave to the church exactly as you do? What kind of church would you be? --- ...Food for thought! Thanks LouiseA! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: _ ///-._ ////////-._ /////////////-. ////////////////`. //////////////// .'`. //////////////// . '.'`. '|`'//////////// . .'.::|` : `'/////// . '.':| | . . `'// ' _|- ::| |. .-._ . | . | .':: | |:|:| | ' ' '.::| | |:|:| :. . .'.':| | . |:|:| . | .._.::: : `':| | ' ////-:| |. . | '/////////-._ | . . : .//////////////-._ : : ///////////////////-._ |. |////////////////////////-._ | . . :`'//////////////////////////-._ | . _.-\\\\``'//////////////////////////-._ | /\\\\\\\\..``'//////////////////////////". : . . /. \\\\\\\\\. .``'///////////////////// .'`. : / _ \\\\\\\\\. ``'//////////////// . .'`. | . / (@) \\\\\\\\\. . . ``'/////////// . '.'::|. {`)._ '| _` .\\\\\\\-`:|#| . . ``'////// '. .'.:| `-{_/`| ||::. \\'`.:|:.|#| |#| . ``'/ ' .##:'::: `-| ||||| |`.'::|::|#| |#| |#| . . '| . .|##|'.:| pils | ||||| : .'::|:.'#| |#| |#| |#| | |##|'::| | ||||| .| .'.:|::.'' '#| |#| |#| . : ' |##|'.:| {`\:|||| : .'::|:_.:. . '#| |#| | .|##|'::: `-{_/'|_ |_.-'/}_/'-._ '#| :. |##:'.:| `'{._('}_)-' `-}_}(-._ . . | ' '` .'::| `-' `-.} /-._ . : .'.'_:-'\ `-}_}(-._ | . _.-')_(-' `-/_)`-.:.-{ \{-' `-{_'_)-'' ^ >No Excuse Sunday In order to make it possible for everyone to attend church next week, we are planning a Special no-excuse Sunday. 1. Cots will be placed in the Chapel for those who say, "Sunday is my only day for Sleeping in." 2. Eye drops will be available for those whose eyes are tired from watching TV too late on Saturday night. 3. We will have steel helmets for those who believe the roof will cave in if they show up At church. 4. Blankets will be furnished for those who complain that the church is too cold. Fans Will be on hand for those who say the church is too hot. 5. We will have hearing aids for those members who say, "the speakers don't talk loud Enough." There will be cotton for those who say, "the speakers talk too loud." 6. Score cards will be available for those who wish to count the hypocrites. 7. We guarantee that some relatives will be present for those who like to go visiting on Sunday. 8. There will be TV dinners available for those who claim they can't go to church and cook Dinner, too. 9. One section of the church will have some trees and grass for those who see God in Nature, especially on the golf course. 10. The chapel will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies to Create a familiar environment for those who have never seen the church without them. -<>- ,-. ( \()Oo `-,---. .-. \ | oO()/ ) \ \ ,--- ,-' |_/ | / ,-. / _/ |_/ \_/ ,-. \_/ s-v >Golden Footprints. Once upon a time, there was a young woman named Sarah who lived in the village below the Mountain of the Golden Footprints. She was feeling very sad and depressed. Nothing or no one could make her happy. She had been very unhappy and depressed for a long time. What is the use of going on, she asked? Nothing anyone said seemed to make a difference. Her best friend went to visit Sarah and told her the story of the Mountain of the Golden Footprints. It is a special place whereas the sun sets you can look out over the city and see sparkling golden footprints on the places and people where you have made a difference. But I haven't made any difference in anyone's life, she said. There won't be any golden footprints for me to see. So why should I bother to go here? But, said her friend, If you don't see any golden footprints, there is a special village on the other side of the mountain. That is a place for all those people who haven't made a difference. It is comfortable and very pretty and there you can be happy. So you see, you have other options besides not going on with your life. If you went to the village on the other side of the mountain, I would miss you, but it would be better than your not being alive. You have nothing to lose. So Sarah decided to give it a try. After all, she only wanted to do something. She could not go on the way she was. Besides, although she was sure she would not see any golden footprints, she had a little glimmer of hope that going there would make a difference in her life. The village on the other side of the mountain also sounded like it could be a place where she could be happy. She walked up the path to the top of the Mountain of the Golden Footprints. It was a long walk and sometimes very difficult, but she had made the decision to go to the top and continued on, although sometimes she just wanted to stop climbing and curl up and cease to exist. She reached to top and came to the lookout point. She was greeted by a woman called Faith who watched over the Mountain of the Golden Footprints. Sarah sat on a rock at the top of the mountain and looked out over her village far below. Although the sun was not setting yet, she felt inside as though she were looking out over her life. She could see her house and the house of her friend, the house of her parents, her school, and many places from her childhood. She remembered many things as she looked out over these places, some sad and some happy. And as she was thinking about her life, the sun began to set. She did not really pay any attention since she did not expect to see any golden footprints. But soon a golden twinkling light began to appear in the park in the middle of the village. She did not still believe it could possibly be a Golden Footprint. Look, Faith said excitedly, There is your first Golden Footprint!" But how could that be, asked Sarah? I don't ever remember anything I did in the park that could have possibly made a difference. That is my department, answered Faith. I have watched people make Golden Footprints from this mountain top for many years. I remember all the Golden Footprints happenings. One day a long time ago, when you were a little child, you went laughing through the park. There was a man sitting there who had just left his wife and child over a silly argument. He heard your laughter and missed his child so much that he returned to this family and lived with them happily ever after. Well, that was kind of accidental. I certainly didn't know I had done that, said Sarah. As she finished speaking, another golden sparkling footprint appeared on the house of her friend. Well, you have loved your friend very much. Remember when she was very sick? You went to see her and brought her flowers and stayed with her and talked many hours and you held her hand. If you had not done that, she would not have survived. But how could that be, asked Sarah? I'm not a doctor. I do not give medicine. How could I have saved her life? The doctor gave her good medicine, but you gave her hope. You gave her strength and courage, so that her body could make the medicine work. And as she finished speaking, the valley below was aglow with Golden Footprints. There was one on the school where her smile and love for learning had inspired a fellow student to stay in school and become a great philosopher. There was one over a tree that she had planted in the yard of her house, and one over the flowers that she had planted. There was one over the place where her stubbornness had convinced the King that the village needed a smoother road for travelers, and he had smiled at her outspokenness and feisty nature. There was a footprint right on top of the roof of her house. That was where she had taken her children one night to watch the stars. There was one over the pub in the village. There was where she had met her husband and where they had fallen in love. I had forgotten all those things, said Sarah. I was so depressed that I only remembered the sad things and not the good things. I guess I have made a difference. And you will in the future said Faith. There are stars to show your grandchildren and a birthday to share with your friend. And your husband needs a romantic evening at the pub. Sarah sat for a long time until the sun had set and the Golden Footprints disappeared and the lights of the village were lit in the streets and homes below and flickered, not as Golden Footprints, but as tiny footprints of fireflies. Soon Sarah would start the climb down the mountain, guided by the tiny lights below. Sarah smiled and thanked Faith. She started on her way down the mountain and knew that someday she would tell others about the Mountain of the Golden Footprints and make a difference in their lives too. Always remember you DO make a difference to many people whose lives you touch every single day. . . including me. ~ Author Unknown -<>- \/ \\ ___ _@@ @@_ ___ (___)(_) (_)(___) //|| || || ||\\ unknown >The Ant and the Contact Lens: a true story. Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb.. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry." She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains.. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me." Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it! The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You." I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will." God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him......I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13) -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Red Hat!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/redhat.html Lean On Me!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/leanonme.html Dreamy Ladies!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/dreamy.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Maxine On Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/maxineonjesus.html Trash Shadow Art!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/shadowart.html Angel Wing Decoys!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/angel.html Playing With Words!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wordplay.html Proud Of Our Troops 5!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops5.html Believe In Your Dreams!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/dream.html Attitude Is Everything 4!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude4.html God's Little Love Notes!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gbumper.html -<>- >From MRC: “A Planned Parenthood official repeatedly refers to the aborted fetus as a ‘cadaver.’ Webster's defines "cadaver" as a "dead body," Are the news media so pro-abortion that they will refuse to report that this Planned Parenthood official is admitting unequivocally that this baby was alive before he or she was killed?" http://tinyurl.com/po36oyu -<>- >From Students For Life: This week the U.S. Senate failed our nation, failed our children and families and made an embarrassment out of a government that is sworn to protect the right to life. They failed to defund Planned Parenthood. In fact, 40 Senators voted to keep sending over half a billion dollars to Planned Parenthood, who has been caught on video haggling over the price of baby body parts and talking about how to skirt the law that bans the selling of these baby body parts. You may be asking yourself, what can I do? Or you may have participated in one of the 65+ #WomenBetrayed rallies last week and want to do more to defund Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood gets close to 46% of its total revenue from the government (aka taxpayers) and we are working hard to stop that money from ever going into Planned Parenthood’s bank account again. But did you know that Planned Parenthood gets a quarter of its revenue from corporations and other organizations? One specific organization – United Way – sends almost $2 million every year to Planned Parenthood through 67 of their affiliates. They say that the money goes towards education inside of Planned Parenthood. Oh really? You can’t just donate to Planned Parenthood and say your donation is earmarked for utilities or staff or paper clips but not abortion. The building and the staff and the utilities all contribute in some way to abortion and are involved it. Any money whatsoever going to Planned Parenthood in any way contributes to the more than 327,000 abortions they commit every year and the harvesting and selling of the body parts of aborted babies. Students for Life of America and LifeSiteNews have partnered together to launch Boycott United Way in efforts to put pressure on the organization to stop funding Planned Parenthood all together. You can send an email directly to the president of United Way at www.boycottunitedway.org and ask him to stop funding Planned Parenthood right now. Two million dollars is a lot of money. We have to stop every cent from going to Planned Parenthood. They are the nation’s abortion giant, doing one of every three abortions – and selling who knows how many baby body parts. At www.boycottUnitedWay.org, you can also contact each individual United Way affiliate and demand they stop sending money to Planned Parenthood. United Way does a lot of good but Planned Parenthood was caught selling the body parts of aborted babies for profit. These are the most vulnerable in our society. If we allow for this kind of atrocity, what does that say about the state of this country, about the state of our souls as human beings that we would allow a baby to be aborted and sold piece by piece? Go to www.boycottUnitedWay.org now and send a letter to the president of United Way demanding they stop funding Planned Parenthood now. For Life, Kristan Hawkins President, Students for Life of America Students for Life of America 9900 Courthouse Road Spotsylvania, Virginia 22553 Office: 540.834.4600 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Red Skelton tells a joke about the funny farm as well as several more in this funny and entertaining clip from The Ed Sullivan Show. The ability to make people laugh a lot in a short amount of time is one of the most difficult things any comedian can do and Red was one of the best at it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_mYPR9dnouQ It's difficult to image a disaster at a funeral home worse than this one that cause a man's ashes to be spilled all over the floor. Apparently the cremated can't even rest in peace at this funeral home. The look on these guys faces is priceless and you can tell how relieved they are when they find out they didn't just just desecrate the dead. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSy3AJkabV8&feature=player_embedded The Dubai Fountains synchronized with "I Will Always Love You" in tribute to Whitney Houston. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5TFXHVe_36I It's one of the coolest things I've ever seen - and it was all captured on a drone. This incredible video was captured off the coast of Western Australia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzpOJ12NxAc&feature=player_embedded --- ...Sweet! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From Our Friend Melody :) Today’s Front Pages | Newseum http://www.newseum.com/todaysfrontpages/ Seniors Helping Seniors http://www.wiredseniors.com/helpingseniors/ GFA Home - Gospel for Asia http://www.gfa.org/ --- ...Great Links! Thanks Melody! 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 Cloie :) _ _( ) ( ) ) _ ( _) ( ) ( ( ) ( ) _ ,-. _ ) ) ( ( ( ,-''' )_( ```-.,' ) `-( ) ) ( __|`-..._______...-'|__ ( ) [=== |==] ____(___ __,.--. | |__,-_''.------.``_-.-''__,.--' | | (( ))-' /| | | \`-...______...-'/ / / | `-..._______...-' `-...______...-' / / | / /`- ,-----. -' `- ,----. -' / / | / /___________________________________/ / | `---------------------------------------' | | _jrei____________________________ | | | | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | | | | |___-_-___-___-_-___-_-_____-_-___| | | | (___________________________________) | | | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | | | | - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | | >Burned Biscuits! When I was a kid, my Grandma liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day. On that evening so long ago, she had placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my Granddad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my Granddad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my Grandma and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that ugly burned biscuit. He ate every bite of that thing... never made a face nor uttered a word about it! When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my Grandma apologize to my Granddad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits every now and then. Later that night, I went to kiss Granddad good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Grandma put in a hard day of work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burned biscuit never hurt anyone!” As I've grown older, I've thought about that many times. Life is full of imperfect things and imperfect people. I'm not the best at anything, I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each other's faults, and choosing to celebrate each other's differences is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship. And that's my prayer for you today... that you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker! We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the basis of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship! So, please pass me a biscuit, and yes, the burned one will do just fine. And PLEASE pass this along to someone who has enriched your life. Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle --- ...A great classic! Thanks Cloie! , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' The Apostle Paul summed this one up for us: Phil.4: [11] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. [12] I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. [13] I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Good old mind renewal - he says - 'I have learned'. People want God to mold them or shape them because they are too lazy to do the tough things - to work, to achieve to accomplish and to learn how to be the best they can be for God. ========================================================= >-->From Our Friend Linda :) | |/ | ,,,,, ,+ /| / \ () | || \ C '\ /|_() || ) _| .'___/,,,// || .'=. (____E.' / / \ || | \)`-\ _F_.' \ c `\ || \ \ !'__/ ) _| || \ \,' / /`._( || |`. .' / \ \ || \ `-' | .-. | | \ E || >====[] | \ |__| | O OE || / |_/ | |___)| `.__j____ \|E || \_ | || __`.________ `. |""|\| \ |\ ||| \///_ _|__|_| \ __ | \ ||`""\\""""//"' \`. \ | |[__]| \ ||.---\\__//---. | | \____| ||__|/ / \|____________|\ |/ | | | / || || /| | | -----| |/------------||-||-/`| |----------| /| | || ||/`-|___| | /\| | || \\._ [____] h| /`.|____| || \\ `-/ '`._ j| `=.\____/ || \\__`-.____) w| ) '`--. _.-||-._ `""""""" | `='====' ,-' ' ` `-. | `-.________.-' | >Does God Exist? A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation. They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists." "Why do you say that?"asked the customer. "Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine loving a God who would allow all of these things." The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept. The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber: "You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!" "No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside." "Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me." "Exactly!"- affirmed the customer. "That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world." --- ...A simple but true explanation! Wonderful classic, Thanks Linda! -<>- ______ /__(___) // || "Those seeing-eye dogs || are amazing. That is || certainly a beautiful || animal, too." || \ || _____ _____ || /\____\ (__/\_\ || (~()=()~) ( O' O' ) || \ (_) / \ () / || __\ - /__ __\_o_/__ || / \/_\/ \ / \/|\/ \ || | | | | | | \|/ | | __||__| | | |___ //\\\ _| | . | | ___jro || |_|_____|_| //o o\\ |_| . |_|\ || (_| |_).../=(O)=\ (_|_/\__|_) \ || | | | ///U\\\ | | | \ || | | | \\\\/// | | | \ || | | | /// \\\ | | | \ / \ |__|__| \\\ /// |__|__| \ /____\ (__|__) (_) (_) /__|__\ \ ______________________________________________/\ _______________________________________________/ >THE WORLD IS MINE - Joy Lovelet Crawford Today, upon a bus, I saw a very beautiful woman and wished I were as beautiful. When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle. She had one leg and used a crutch. But as she passed, she passed a smile. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two legs; the world is mine. I stopped to buy some candy. The lad who sold it had such charm. I talked with him, he seemed so glad. If I were late, it'd do no harm. And as I left, he said to me, "I thank you, you've been so kind. It's nice to talk with folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind." Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two eyes; the world is mine. Later while walking down the street, I saw a child I knew. He stood and watched the others play, but he did not know what to do. I stopped a moment and then I said, "Why don't you join them dear?" He looked ahead without a word. I forgot, he couldn't hear. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I have two ears; the world is mine. With feet to take me where I'd go With eyes to see the sunset's glow. With ears to hear what I'd know. Oh, God, forgive me when I whine. I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine. If this poem makes you feel thankful, just forward it to your friends. After all, it's just a simple reminder that we have so much to be thankful for! Give the gift of love. It never comes back empty! I have been truly blessed with AWESOME FRIENDS LIKE YOU! --- ...A sweet classic! Thanks Linda! ============================================================== \\ ///// | | (| _ _ |) |` | '| | __ | >>>___/\_^__/\___<<< / ||| \ Mike Hertz >Unexpected Return Story Editor: by Angel Torres Joyce Schowalter Florida, USA In December 2005 I was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. I was a Marine being deployed for seven months to Iraq, given leave to come home before going to the desert. It's an 18-hour flight from Okinawa to the U.S. I had to catch a different flight in Houston, Texas to Miami, my destination. There was a delay in Houston, so with a couple spare hours, I decided to grab something to eat. After eating, I stopped at the USO (United Service Organization) to see if there were any Service members heading my direction. I hoped to find someone to chat with during the flight, especially if they were a Marine, or had been in combat. After about an hour at the USO I headed toward my gate. When I got there I sat down in the waiting area, and decided to call my dad about picking me up in Miami. Then I realized my cell phone was missing. I looked everywhere, including the bathroom, restaurant and the USO. Having no luck, I used the payphone. I called my dad and asked him to cancel my account because I'd lost my phone. We share an account because he and my family want to be able to talk to me anytime. My dad asked that I not worry, we'd just get a new phone once I got home. After our conversation, I made my way on board the aircraft with disappointment -- I'd lost all my friends' phone numbers, which wouldn't be easy to get back. The flight was about to close its doors so I walked to the rear of the aircraft to get seated. Two gentlemen were already seated in the same aisle, so I stowed my belongings and sat down. Not even a minute later a flight attendant walked up and asked if my name was Angel. I looked at her, and asked Why? She asked if I'd lost my phone and was the phone she held mine? I looked at her, looked at the phone and just couldn't believe it. I mean, I am in Houston International Airport that houses many different airlines, serving tens of thousands of customers daily. When you lose something like a phone at a place like that, it's bound to be gone forever. She said a gentleman picked up my phone and saw a Marine logo on it, then scrolled down to my dad's number. He called my dad, got my name and flight number, then took time off of his busy travel schedule and proceeded to the gate. He gave my phone to the flight attendant to return to me. That phone was my only way of getting hold of everyone I care about, to be able to see them before leaving to combat, which at the time I thought was the last time. That stranger did me a huge favor that day in Texas, and I am very thankful, even to this day. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From CupO'Cheer: ___ .dSSSS$$pp.. .dSSSS$$$$$$$$; .dSSSS$$$$$$$$$$$ :SSP^" T$$$$$$$$$$b_ dSSP $$$S$$$$$$$b` dSS$;_. .:$$$SS$$$$$$b dSS$$$_ ; __."^TSS$$$$$b dSS$$P;" ""' :lSS$$$$$b :SS$$$ ; ::SS$$$$$$b_. SSS$$$ : ` ;:SS$$$$$$$bp. :SS$$$$b \ -=- .-" SSS$$$$$$$$$$b SSS$$$$$b.`. / d$SS$$$$$$$$$$$b :SS$$$$$$$; ""T :$$$SS$$$$$$$$P^^t--' SSS$$$S$$$ : $$$$$SS$$$$$$$ : :SS$$$SS$; __; _$$$$$$SS$$$$$$ : SSS$SS l;: ; : $$$$SS$$$$$; ; :SS$SS $;: ; : $$$SS$$$$$$; /; TSSSS :$ \ ; ; :$S$$$$$$$$.-"/ `SP; :; ;: ; T$$$$$$$$; /; : ; ; : `.; /)T$$$$$P .' : ; : : ; .'/ :$$$P'.' .'\ ; \ :; / /$P^".' .-" ; : ;: .' .-" / \ `.____/_'.___:--""\ --' .' ) .-" .' "-._ "-._ ..--"")\ :-' : "-. "-._ ---""" /; ; : : \ "-._....____; : : \ :\ `. \ ; ; \ \\ \ \ ; : : `. \\ \ \ : ; ; ;"-t\ `. \ : : : : `; \ ; ; ; ; : \ / : : / ; \-..__ .'; : ; / : ; """T ; : / / ; \ : ; ; ;/ : : \ ; ; ; ; ; ; ; : ; ; / : : : ; ; ; / ; :; : ; ; / : :: ; ; ;_ `""--..__; :_; __ ;____;.-;'; ;.__.: :..t-"" j" ; ; : ; ; ;--"" \ [bug] ; ; ; : ; : \ ; ; : \ ; ; ;. ; ; \ \ ; : / ; ; ; \ \ ; : ; ; ; \ `-. ; ; .' ; ; \ \ ;___/ /______;.-' \ ---; / / ;______: .-' / '-------' >WHY NOT WORRY? "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" - Matthew 6:27 (NKJV) There are certain sins that seem to fly under the radar in Christian category as "big sins" such as kidnapping, adultery, or murder. As a matter of fact, we often justify these sins. One such sin is worry. Make no mistake-Jesus defines worry as sin. He comes right out and commands us, "Do not worry about your life" (Matthew 6:25). There's as much divine authority behind this as the Ten Command- ments, and yet we always seem to renew worry's lease in our hearts. But what could be a more brazen denial of the new life God has given us than worry? It's part of the old lifestyle, outside of Christ's provision and promises. When we worry, it's a real riches to rags story...and yet it's something we slip into so easily. Jesus knows this, so in His Sermon on the Mount He not only tells us not to worry, but He also gives us a very logical reason why we shouldn't. He asks the question, "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?" In biblical times, a cubit was the standard unit of measurement. It was the distance from a person's elbow to their fingertip, which was usually about eighteen inches. By asking this rhetorical question, Jesus is making the strong statement that worrying never extended anyone's life, not even by eighteen inches. In fact, worry only serves to shorten life. Ask any doctor and they'll tell you that worry has never improved a patient's life. It saps a person of peace, strength, and hope, and it causes all types of physical ailments. Regardless of what happens in life, don't worry. It's never going to add anything to your life; it's only going to steal from you. Have a great day! Rizeup.us as seen in Daily Devotional -<>- >WHEN SOMEONE STUMBLES, HELP THEM Written by Bob & Debby Gass '...restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness...' Galatians 6:1 NAS What is the 'spirit' in which we are to restore someone? The spirit of gentleness. 'If anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.' More than likely, the person is already hurting and as fragile as glass; condemnation will only worsen their plight. Understanding and acceptance-not agreement-are what's needed here. The spirit of humility. 'Each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.' We're all cut from the same bolt of cloth; we're all capable of blowing it. Remember, Peter said to Christ, Lord, others may deny you but not me (Matthew 26:33)! And he meant it; he didn't believe it could happen to him! We must be careful about our own lives, examining ourselves, knowing that we too are vulnerable to all types of temptation and sin. Finally, the spirit of love and empathy. Paul writes, 'Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfil the law of Christ' (Galatians 6:2 NAS). In this passage the word 'burden' means 'a heavy load'. It means being willing to walk with them, weep with them and work with them until they've been restored. If the hurting cannot find grace, love and healing in the family of God, where can they go to find it? Dr Charles Stanley writes, 'It should be clear from the Scriptures that we have a responsibility to restore a fallen brother or sister. It should also be clear that this sensitive, delicate issue must be handled with great care, lest we greatly damage our witness to an unbelieving world.' SoulFood: Acts 20-21, Matt 10:21-31, Ps 14, Pro 16:6-7 as seen in The Word For Today -<>- ________ .##@@&&&@@##. ,##@&::%&&%%::&@##. #@&:%%000000000%%:&@# #@&:%00' '00%:&@# #@&:%0' '0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# #@&:%0 0%:&@# "" ' " " ' "" >THE SOURCE OF ALL HOPE [edited] Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God. ~ Psalm 43:5 Sometimes the depression resulting from a seemingly impossible situation is related to a wrong concept of God. David wrote: "How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? . . . How long will my enemy triumph over me?" (Psalm 13:1, 2 NIV). Had God really forgotten David? Was He actually hiding from David? Of course not. David had a wrong concept of God, feeling that He had abandoned him to the enemy. David believed a lie about God, and consequently he lost his focus. His situation seemed hopeless, and hopelessness is the basis for all depression. But the remarkable thing about David is that he didn't stay in the dumps. He evaluated his situation and realized, "Hey, I'm a person with God. I'm going to focus on what I know about Him, not on my negative feelings." From the pit of his depression, he wrote: "I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation" (Psalm 13:5 NIV). Then he decided to make a positive expression of his will: "I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me" (verse 6). He willfully moved away from his wrong concept and its accompanying depression and returned to the source of his hope. If Satan can destroy your belief in God, you will lose your source of hope. But with God, all things are possible. He is the source of all hope. You need to learn to respond to hopeless- appearing situations as David did: "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:5). If Satan can't destroy your concept of God, then he will seek to destroy your concept of who you are as a child of God. He can't do anything about your position in Christ, but if he can get you to believe it's not true, you will live as if it's not, even though it is. The two most important beliefs you possess are who God is and who you are as His child. Prayer: Above all, Father, help me focus continually on who You are and who I am in Christ, and to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Received from: Neil Anderson's Daily In Christ To subscribe: http://www.christianity.com/newsletters/ Found under "Devotionals for Spiritual Growth" -<>- >DEVOURING FIRE He met me at the altar On a sunny, winter's day. My heart was cold; His hands were warm. It took my breath away. His eyes were soft. His face was sad. The tears rolled down my cheek. He knelt me down in front of Him. I trembled. I was weak. "Do you love me?" were His words. "Oh! Yes! My Lord, I do! I take You as my Sovereign Lord! I choose to follow You!" And from the moment that I chose, The Savior as my Lord; A battle of the unseen host, Began to strike His Word. But in my heart a fire blazed, And though it seemed we'd part. I heard His Voice, I saw His Face. They were printed on my Heart. So, don't give up! He's there for you! Just as He is for me! He's waiting at the altar, To truly set you free. © Jaye Lewis, 1999 -<>- =_ ||\ C O C O |||\ C O c O (\/\/ C O (\/\/ ||||\O (\/\/ (\/\/ /| | (\/\/ c O /| | ||||\/\ /| | /| | / | /| /| | (\/\// | /| ||||// \ / | /| / | /|/__|/ | / | /| /| |__|/ | |||/ __\| /__|/ |/__|/ | " /__|/ | / | /| " |__: //| | " " " /__|/ | - c O ! " ( ) c O (\/\/ \ -\ (\/\/ c O /| | ___ \O - \O /| | (\/\// | /| / \/|) ( & )/) / | /| /| |__|/ || ./||\ _____ -\/|\ /__|/ | / | /| " \___/ | \ /\ | (_) | \ " /__|/ | /|\ |__\ -- | |__\ " " /|\ " O ______________ /\/ /________________) O @ / \_|___O /___________| _|/_ \ O @ |/__ /_oo-#= | /( )_\ \-O \|_ | |\\ :|(/| \/ ;/_)_(_ \_\ O / |_\ ||__ |O _( ) \| /| / ( ) O / | |\\ =#-@@| / / / __\| / | ;/__)_( /_oo-#= \/ | //| | __|| ( ) | \/ __|| ___O //| | /_|_| ||__ ejm97 //| | \ \/ )>==O ' ' | |\\ | O \/) __|| /| | .-O ----- //| | / | __|| (=) ) \ __|| //| | \(/| \O //| | ___|| __/%) // | | (%%) \/\| *__| \__* >ORCHESTRA In his book, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Dr. Paul Brand writes: "A kindly looking old gentleman with a more-than-prominent nose and a face seamed with wrinkles crosses the stage. His shoulders slump, and his eyes seem sunken and cloudy--he is over ninety years old. He sits on a stark black bench, adjusting it slightly. After a deep breath, he raises his hands. Trembling slightly, they pose for a moment above a black and white keyboard. And then the music begins. All images of age and frailty slip quietly from the minds of the four thousand people gathered to hear Arthur Rubinstein. His program tonight is simple: Schubert's Impromptus, several Rachmaninoff's Preludes, and Beethoven's familiar Moonlight Sonata, any of which could be heard at a music school recital. But they could not be heard as played by Rubenstein. Defying mortality, he weds a flawless technique to a poetic style, rendering interpretations that evoke prolongued shouts of "Bravo!" from the wildly cheering audience. Rubinstein bows slightly, folds those marvelous nonagenarian hands, and pads offstage. I must confess that a bravura performance such as that by Rubinstein engrosses my eyes as much as my ears. Hands are my profession. I have studied them all my life. A piano performance is a ballet of fingers, a glorious flourish of ligaments and joints, tendons, nerves, and muscles. From my own careful calculations, I know that some of the movements required, such as the powerful arpeggios in Moonlight's third movement, are simply too fast for the body to accomplish consciously. Nerve impulses do not travel with enough speed for the brain to sort out that the third finger has just lifted in time to order the fourth finger to strike the next key. Months of practice must pattern the brain to treat the movements as subconscious reflex actions. . .finger memory, musicians call it. I marvel too at the slow, lilting passages. A good pianist controls his or her fingers independently, so that when striking a two- handed chord of eight notes, each of the fingers exerts a slightly different pressure for emphasis, with the melody note ringing loudest. The effect of a few grams more or less pressure in a crucial pianissimo passage is so minuscule only a sophisticated laboratory could measure it. But the human ear contains such a laboratory, and musicians like Rubinstein gain acclaim because discriminating listeners can savor their subtlest nuances of control." THOUGHT: That's the way we are. We are Christ's Arthur Rubinstein. We are His body. We might even say, we are Christ's orchestra. We each are musicians, and we each have a part to play... ...You are a musician. You have a part to play. You are part of something larger, greater, and grander than yourself. We are creating a symphony of praise to the glory of God. When the Great Maestro raises His baton and signals you to play, as He does now, then on the downbeat, play! You have a part. He has gifted you so that you can play it... Max Anders, Holman New Testament Commentary - Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians & Colossians, 157-158 KneEmail: "For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4.12 Bible reading for 07.18.11: Acts 21.1-17; Psalms 20-22 as seen in KneEmail -<>- To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to cheer316@sc.rr.com. ==================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: . . :"-. .-"; |:`.`.__..__.'.';| || :-" "-; || :; :; / .==. .==. \ : _.--._ ; ; .--.' `--' `.--. : : __;` ':__ ; ; ' '-._:;_.-' ' : '. `--' .' ."-._ _.-". .' ""------"" `. /`- -'\ /`- -'\ :`- .' `. -'; ; / \ : : : ; ; ; ; : : ':_:.' '.;_;' :_ _; ; "-._ -" :`-. _.._ :_ () _; "--::__. `. \"- -"/`._ : .-"-. -"-. ""--..____.' / .__ __. \ : / , / "" \ . \ ; bug "-:___..--" "--..___;-" >THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Zoe, 3, loves to meet new people and ask them what their name is. She was in the church nursery and she asked the girl who was babysitting what her name was. Zoe was disappointed when she heard the response. So later, after church, she told her grandmother, Sue, "That little girl won't tell me her name." The babysitter told Sue, "I keep telling her my name (but she doesn't understand)." So Zoe asked again, "What's your name?" The babysitter replied, "Chantell." "See, Grandma," Zoe said quickly. "She won't tell me!" (Zoe heard the name as "Can't tell!) -- Sue Sherer of Kendallville, Indiana (Zoe is the daughter of Nathan and Sandra Sherer who live in Kouts, south of Valparaiso, Indiana. After spending the weekend in Dayton at the air show, Bret told his grandma Alisha that he saw the Blue Angels and got to sit in a real cakepot (cock pit)! -- Midge Baughman (grandmother of Bret) of Garrett, Indiana Dwayne and his two sons were visiting. They ordered a pizza for supper. After polishing off the cheese pizza they had ordered especially for the boys. Dylan, 5, decided he wanted to try the ham pizza. His dad put a piece of the ham pizza on Dylan's plate. Dylan looked at the pizza, began picking off the pieces of ham and explained, "I just don't want to get any of that 'nasty stuff.'" He was referring to the pizza sauce. -- Dennis Smith (Koen's and Dylan's PawPaw) of Oak Ridge, North Carolina (`. ) ) ( ( \ \ \ \ .-' `-. / `. ( ) `-._ , _ ) ,' (.\--'( \ ( ) / \ \ \_( / ( <6 (6 \_)))\ ( `._ .:Y)__ ''' \ `-._.'`---^_))) `-._ ))) ``` ``` hjw Abbey, who turns 7 this month, has an expansive vocabulary... but she doesn't always use exactly the right words to convey her meaning. The other morning, after finding that the dog had chewed on one of her mom's dress shoes Abbey said, "Mom, I hate to be the bird of bad news (bearer of bad news), but Ruby ate your shoes." Another day, Abbey and her cousin Laine were watching Mike (Abbey's dad) park the riding lawn mower. Laine asked if the dogs could drive the tractor. Before Mike could answer Abbey responded, "Of course not! Dogs don't have supposable (opposable) thumbs." -- Lynn Walkup (mother of Abbey) of Garrett, Indiana The little 3-year-old girl across the street was playing with TerryAnn's grand-daughter the other day. TerryAnn asked her how her dad was feeling as he had been sick. She told TerryAnn he was fine and that he was going to go to "beer" camp the next weekend he was off. (The 3-year-old meant deer camp!) -- TerryAnn Fielding of Brandon, Mississippi First grader Brianna was spending the night with her grandparents. They were talking and playing cards. The TV was on. A child in the show apparently wanted to stay home from school, so she was "playing" sick. Brianna looked at her grandma and said, "I've done that." Startled, her grandma asked, "What have you done?" "I pretended I was sick so I could stay home from school," she answered. "Brianna, how did you know to do that?" Giggling she said, "Well, Grandma, I do watch TV you know." -- Barbara Roney (grandmother of Brianna) of Portland, Oregon _.---. |\---/| / ) ca| ------------; |-/ /|foo|--- ) (' / `---' ===========( ,'========== || _ | | || o/ ) | | o || ( ( / ; || \ `._/ / || `._ /| || |\ _/|| __||_____.' ) |__||____________ ________\ | |_________________ \ \ `-. `-`---' hjw Lauren, 7, asked, "Mom, how old are you?" Her mother said, "I'm 43." Then Laura asked, "How old is Grandma A?" Her mother replied, "She's 64." Lauren said, "So.... Grandma's older than you." Her mother said, "Yes." Lauren said, "She doesn't LOOK older than you." Her mother replied, "YES, she does!" Lauren said, "Well, she's not taller than you." (So her mother guesses taller means older!) -- Tamara A. (mother of Lauren) of Lancaster, Pennsylvania Isaiah, 3, and Elijah, 9, had worn their mother out with their arguing and nitpicking one hot summmer's day. As Mom was sitting and trying to have some quiet time, Isaiah came running up, crying and complaining about his brother taking something from him. Mom sighed and said, "Just ignore Eli, he's just trying to get your goat." Isaiah turned and trotted out of the room. Mom was amazed that this explanation had seemed to work... until she heard Isaiah shriek "Eli, I want my goat back!" -- Tanya Redfield (mother of Isaiah and Elijah) of Minnesota Lake, Minnesota Ava, 2, her mom and grandmother were out taking a walk. Ava spotted some flowers and said, "Oh, Mama, look at those beautiful daisies! Her mother responded with, "Oh, Honey, those are actually marigolds." When they got back home, Ava ran to her grandfather and said, "Oh, Papa, we just saw the most beautiful ACTUALLY's!" -- Melody Taninies (friend of the family) of Ankeny, Iowa .-..--. / \ `. o/' o>| \ .-------. .' | | / `----.___ m__.-'' \__/ J ` __ /| |` | /| / |\/`--' ( / `. .' \ | | | _ _ \ / \ .-' .' \ | \ _ ` `_ ) J L -' .-' | ) \ `. \.' `. _X/ \ |\ .-' | ( \ `````` \ \ \| `-._.-' | | | | | | | |`. \ \ | \ \ \ \ | | | | |-._.-| | | || `. `._`._ \ \_ \ `_ -' |((' | `-)) | | | `.__)__) | `._) `._) | (((/ \))) VK "Ouch!" Marie said. Her friend's child was visiting. The child had stuck her with a pin. "Why did you do that?" Marie asked. "We wanted to see the blood sales," the child said. "You mean blood cells?" Marie asked. "Yes!" the child replied. "It's not a sale going on," Marie said. "It's what it's called!" -- Marie of Rainbow City, Alabama Sam, 3, was sitting at the kitchen table with his baby brother, Gavin, 10 months, eating lunch. Gavin was trying to grab several things from Sam's plate. Sam said to his mother, "Gosh, Mom, Gavin needs some bug spray, he is bugging me!" -- Carrie (mother of three) of Indiana Chris told her two foster children, Dayton, 6, and Skyland, 5, to mind their manners while visiting relatives. She carefully went over the "do's" and "don't's" so that they would know how to behave. They had a tendency to be loud, rowdy and argumentative. The evening went well and Chris was quite impressed with the behavior and manners of the two children. They cheered from the sidelines while Chris's husband, James, won several games of pool. Out of 10 opponents only one beat him. Dayton and Skyland were excited as they cheered, "PaPa... you won again!" Chris was berating herself for being so apprehensive about the children remembering their manners. But then she was brought back to reality as they waved good-bye from their vehicle and Dayton stuck his head out the window and shouted, "Goodbye losers!" _ \`*-. ) _`-. . : `. . : _ ' \ ; *` _. `*-._ `-.-' `-. ; ` `. :. . \ . \ . : .-' . ' `+.; ; ' : : ' | ; ;-. ; ' : :`-: _.`* ; [bug] .*' / .*' ; .*`- +' `*' `*-* `*-* `*-*' Cristina and her husband had been working with her son on doing things on his own ? cleaning his room, brushing his teeth, etc. One night they went out to dinner when Cristina was sick. Cristina's aunt, the family cut up, had been asking Cristina's son silly questions. He had lost his first baby tooth and Cristina's aunt asked him why. He thought a minute and said, "I don't brush my teeth very well." -- Cristina Ware of Rock Island, Tennessee . ,. T."-._..---.._,-"/| l|"-. _.v._ (" | [l /.'_ \; _~"-.`-t Y " _(o} _{o)._ ^.| j T ,--. T ] \ l ( /-^-\ ) ! ! \. \. "~" ./ /c-..,__ ^r- .._ .- .-" `- . ~"--. > \. \ ] ^. \ 3 . "> . Y -Row ,.__.--._ _j \ ~ . ; | ( ~"-._~"^._\ ^. ^._ I . l "-._ ___ ~"-,_7 .Z-._ 7" Y ; \ _ /" "~-(r r _/_--._~-/ / /,.--^-._ / Y "-._ '"~~~>-._~]>--^---./____,.^~ ^.^ ! ~--._ ' Y---. \./ ~~--._ l_ ) \ ~-._~~~---._,____..--- \ ~----"~ \ \ Sally is a high school guidance counselor. Last spring she explained to 6-year-old Danyelle that her seniors were graduating and going to college. Danyelle asked: "Do you have to get another job?" She thought Sally wouldn't have any students left. -- Sally Morris (grandmother of Danyelle) of Wellington, 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 :) [edited] ,,,,, ////""\ . (((/ m m -|- __ )))c = ) | (__) ////-./~` . [] (((( `.`\ :: [] )))`\ \)).-;.' .------, [] (() `._.-'` _( )[] )/ `. | .'`^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^))\`.----'`[] jgs ( \' { ~ - ~~ _ ~ - ~~ - ~ - (( | | [] .-.--\ \ { )) | | [] |_;_._`\ |{ ((__|_|-----[] | ; ``` ;{ )) [] | /``-.____/ `~~~[]~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'-' [] `' (__) (__) >A Morning Prayer "O, dear God, for another day, for another morning, for another hour, for another minute, for another chance to live and serve You, I am truly grateful. Do this day free me from all fear of the future, from all anxiety about tomorrow, from all bitterness toward any one, from all cowardice in face of danger, from all laziness in the face of work, from all failure before opportunity, from all weakness when Your power is at hand. But fill me with Love that knows no barrier, with Sympathy that reaches to all, with Courage that cannot be shaken, with Faith strong enough for the darkness, with Strength sufficient for my tasks, with Loyalty to Your Kingdom's goal, with Wisdom to meet life's complexities, with Power to lift me to You. Thank you for your wonderful, faithful presence. Use me as You will For Christ's sake, in the name of my precious Lord, Jesus Christ, I pray. Thank you Father, God Almighty, I love you. Amen." --- ...A most Beautiful way to start the day! Thanks LouiseA! >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? 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