Twas The Night Before Jesus Came... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ .-----------------------------------------------------. | __ ___________________ | _________________ __ | || / / '.|.' \ \ || ||/ / ___ -= + =- \ \|| | / ******* .'|'. ___ \ | | / /-====) | ******* \ | || | / -( | (_.- )) || || / / _/ )- ) )) || || | |-( _ \_( (( || || / | \ //| _ )) ) ) || || / \ \/\/ |\\ /'-( ( || || | |\ / *** \/\/ / ) ) || || `-;./==;-' .=. \ / ( ( || || | \ _\/(_)\/_ '-;==) ) || || | \ |'---'| / ( ( || || | \ _| |_ / ) ) || || _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( || || .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. || |jgs `""---`-----` `----`----`""` || *~* May You Have A Very Merry, Safe And Blessed Christmas! >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hottie comes from my son Victor. He sent me one I couldn't resist doing up. 9-Year-Old Kenyon had only one wish for Christmas. Check out this very heartwarming story that happened not far from where I live. Also be sure to see the video here - Sure to give you some Smiles... Christmas Miracle http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blindsees2.html -<>- . ' ' . ' /\ ' + ' || ' + |\ || /| ' - . \\||// . - ' -= <>>>><<<<> =- . - ' //||\\ ' - . |/ || \| + . || . + . || . ' .||. ' \/ >-->In The News: Speaking of a miracle... >From BizarreNews: Is it a Christmas tragedy or a Christmas miracle? For one newborn in New York, today's story just might turn out to be a miracle. A maintenance worker at the Holy Child Jesus Catholic Church was startled to hear the sounds of a baby crying coming from the church's altar. When the custodian investigated the sound he found a baby crying inside the nativity scene, which had been set up as usual for Christmas. "The secretary burst in and said, 'Father, there's an emergency in the church, you have to come,'" Rev. Christopher Ryan Heanue said. Inside Baby Jesus' spot in the manger was a newborn, a few hours old at most. Bishop Octavio Cisnero, also there, couldn't believe his eyes. "There was a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes, in a towel," said Cisnero. "The umbilical cord was still hanging from the baby." EMTs checked out the baby, and he appeared to be healthy. Heanue said surveillance video captured an anonymous woman entering the church about 20 minutes before the baby was found. While the mother obviously did not want the little bundle of life, Rev. Heanue said the parish has taken a special interest in the baby and some members have expressed an interest in adopting. "This child, we believe, is a gift, almost, to this parish," he said. It is not clear if the woman will face charges if she is identified. -<>- AND Not to be out done.... Is God Alive? Are Angels Real? After the following stories, if you are undecided, I think you'll swing toward the affirmative! From ConservativeTribune: CHILLS: Strange Voice Gives Mom 1-Word Command... Seconds Later She's Running to Her Baby http://conservativetribune.com/strange-voice-mom-command/ >AND From Our Friend Melinda :) Cokeville Miracle, True http://www.slightlywarped.com/crapfactory/awesomemysteries/mirableofcokeville.htm --- ...Wowsers! Brings tears how awesome God is! Thanks Melinda! This is a tremendous story and they even made a movie of it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jn20a71m45M Another more in-depth story of it here... http://www.ldsliving.com/Cokeville-Miracle-Movie/s/79933 Reminds me of this teaching... Are Angels Real? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html -<>- >-->From Our Friend Linda :) MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! * . . . | . * * . \|/ . . -->*<-- . /|\ . ' | ' * | . * . | . ' _ _ .:. . ( | .-. ___ .'_`. WWW \w/ \V/ |/(_)\ .'.-.`. `(_)' (_) (_) (_) |// \\ `/(_)\' // \\ _/ | _/ | _/ | _ _ \/| |/ //)_(\\ \| |/ %%__/| $$__/| &&__/| _-(_)- _-(_)- | | | /(o___))\ | | | | | | | | `(___) `(___) | | | ` / \' | | | | | | | | jgs // \\ // \\ | |_| /_____\ |_| |_| |_| |_| >The Meaning Behind All Our Christmas Decorations We ALL know about Christmas DECORATIONS. Year after year, we PULL OUT the boxes, PUT UP the decorations, then TAKE them DOWN, and store them away for NEXT YEAR. (It’s a lot of WORK) If you’re going to go through all that EFFORT every year, it’s going to be a LOT more MEANINGFUL if you understand the HISTORY and the SYMBOLISM behind those decorations. Let’s EXPLORE them today... The Colors Red and Green: RED symbolizes the BLOOD of Christ, offered in sacrifice for our sins. GREEN is the color of LIFE. EVERGREENS in the middle of winter give us HOPE that new life will come even after the cold of winter. To a world that was DEAD to sin, Jesus Christ brings NEW LIFE. WREATHS: The CIRCLE symbolizes the ETERNAL nature of God. You trace the LINE of a circle, and it NEVER ENDS. Jesus Christ is the ETERNAL Son of God, without beginning and without end. Also symbolizes the crown of thorns he endured on the cross for our salvation. Christmas Tree: This custom comes from Germany. St. Boniface was a Catholic archbishop in Germany in the 8th century. He helped to replace PAGAN practices with CHRISTIAN faith. There was a huge OAK TREE at Geismar, that was considered SACRED by the pagans. It was dedicated to the god Thor. In the year 723 AD, Boniface CHALLENGED that pagan practice, in the presence of HOSTILE tribesmen, and CUT DOWN the oak tree and pointed to a little FIR tree growing next to it, and said: “This humble tree’s wood is used to build your homes: let CHRIST be at the center of your households. Its leaves remain evergreen in the darkest days: let CHRIST be your constant light. Its branches reach out to embrace and its top points to heaven: let CHRIST be your Comfort and Guide.” So when you see a Christmas tree, let its EVERGREEN foliage remind you that the love of God NEVER DIES, and let its SHAPE remind you that HEAVEN is your ultimate goal. Ornaments on the Tree: Dec. 24 used to be observed on the Church calendar as the Feast of Adam and Eve. In the Middle Ages, there were religious plays called “Mystery plays”. They told story of Creation and Adam and Eve. A PROP for those plays was a Tree of Paradise: FIR tree with RED APPLES on it. These EVOLVED into our tree ornaments. Star: It reminds us of the star that guided the Wise Men to where Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Poinsettia Flowers: These are native to Mexico and Central America, and they bloom in the short days of winter. The shape of the bloom is like the STAR of Bethlehem. The colors are the traditional Christmas red and green. Flores de Noche Buena – Flowers of the Holy Night: In the Mexican Christmas tradition, a YOUNG GIRL wished to bring a PRESENT to baby Jesus, but had no MONEY. The girl, Pepita, could only pick WEEDS along the road as she went to visit the Christ child. But as she neared the ALTAR in the church to present her Christmas gift, the simple weeds suddenly TRANSFORMED into the vibrant, beautiful Flores de Noche Buena. Candy Canes: Their shape is that of a SHEPHERD’S staff: to guide the sheep. This reminds us of the shepherds who were the first WITNESSES of the birth of Christ. Also: Christ is our Good Shepherd. The prophet Micah says in today’s First Reading: “He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock.” COLORS of the Candy Cane: WHITE: symbolizes the Virgin birth and the purity of Christ, RED: symbolizes the blood of Christ, offered in sacrifice for our sins. STRIPES: remind us of the marks from his SCOURGING in his Passion, like it says in Isaiah 53 and I Peter 2, “By his STRIPES we are healed.” Christmas Holly: Prickly, pointed LEAVES: are another reminder of Jesus’ Crown of Thorns. Red BERRIES: a reminder of the drops of his BLOOD shed in SACRIFICE for the sins of humanity. The Letter to the Hebrews in today’s Second Reading says: “We have been consecrated through the OFFERING of the BODY of Jesus Christ once for all. Candles: Symbolize the fact that Christ is the LIGHT of the World. He DISPELS the DARKNESS of sin. Candles in Windows: Have a specific history in Ireland. During the Penal Times, when the English government ruled Ireland, they took over Catholic churches, tore down Catholic monasteries, made it ILLEGAL to celebrate the Mass. Catholic PRIESTS were expelled from the country, and were subject to instant EXECUTION if they were FOUND. Priests traveled in SECRET, and celebrated the Mass in HOMES at night. At Christmas time, Irish Catholic families would leave their DOOR unlocked and CANDLES in the windows, to signal to the PRIEST that he could come and stay and pray with them. The English SOLDIERS would ASK about the candles. The Irish people would reply: “They are to let Mary and Joseph know that they can come to stay here at our house.” The soldiers would say, “SILLY Catholics!” Nativity Scene: It was invented by St. FRANCIS of Assisi for Midnight Mass in the year 1223, in the little town of Greccio, Italy. They used live ANIMALS, and local PEOPLE took the roles of the people in the Gospel event. It was a very CREATIVE way to MEDITATE on the mystery of Christmas. So, THIS WEEK, as you sit and look at Christmas decorations, PONDER the MEANING and the HISTORY of all those beautiful CHRISTIAN customs. They remind us of Jesus Christ, the last Adam, the only begotten Son of God, born of the virgin Mary to be God's sacrificial LAMB, who HUMBLED himself and gave His life for ALL humanity on the cross so that we might be saved, have eternal life and be reconciled back to God by His complete SACRIFICE of LOVE to us who believe. See: 1 Cor.15:45, John 3:18, Luke.1:25-32, John 1:29, Acts 8:32, 1 Pet.1:19, Rom.5:10, and 2 Cor.5:18 By understanding the MEANING of these Christian symbols, you can SHARE them with others, and DRAW HEARTS AND MINDS to Jesus Christ our beloved living LORD AND SAVIOR. Be Sociable, Share! AT LEAST THE WORLD SHOULD KNOW THE TRUE REASON FOR CHRISTMAS. --- ...Aww, so beautiful! Thank You Linda! Praise God for our Lord Jesus Christ! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarming: .-""```""-. ,-"```````"-, ; .-"-. ; ; .-=-. ; '=/=====\=' ', /=====\ ,' |/"""\| "=|/"""\|=" \ ^ ^ / |\^ ^/| /'._.'\ ||'-'|| / _ \ / | _ | \ / /|\ \ /\/ /|\ \/\ | \_/ | \_/ | | \_/ | \_/ | | |/ \| | | |/ \| | \__| |__/ \__| |__/ >=;=====< | | | | | | | | \'/ | | | | |-=*=-| | | | | /.\ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | .-------------, | | < ~-_~-_=`|( :) > | | \`"""""""""""`/ | | \ /____| jgs |;,;,;> <_/\_/ / \ `"""""""""""` >A PARENT'S PRAYER O Heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly. Keep me from interrupting them or criticizing them. Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me. Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me. May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power. Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal but guide me hour by hour that I might demonstrate in everything that I say or do that honesty produces happiness. May I ever be mindful that my children are children and that I should not expect of them the judgment of adults. Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions. Bless me with the bigness to grant them their reasonable requests and the courage to deny them the privileges I know could do them harm. Make me fair, just and kind, and fit me, O Lord, to be loved, respected and imitated by my children, and help me always remember that better parents raise better children. -<>- >'Twas the Night Before Jesus Came 'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house Not a creature was praying, not one in the house. Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care In hopes that Jesus would not come there. The children were dressing to crawl into bed, Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head. And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap. When out of the East there arose such a clatter, I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash! When what to my wondering eyes should appear But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here. With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray I knew in a moment this must be The Day! The light of His face made me cover my head It was Jesus! returning just like He had said. And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself. In the Book of Life which He held in His hand Was written the name of every saved man. He spoke not a word as He searched for my name; When He said "It's not here" my head hung in shame. The people whose names had been written with love He gathered to take to His Father above. With those who were ready He rose without a sound While all the rest were left standing around. I fell to my knees, but it was too late; I had waited too long and this sealed my fate. I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight; Oh, if only I had been ready tonight. In the words of this poem the meaning is clear; The coming of Jesus is drawing near. There's only one life and when comes the last call We'll find that the Bible was true after all! copyright 1993 Bethany Farms, Carrollton, IL You can find a printable copy of this poem on WorldVillage.com. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseA :) | '.|.' -= + =- ___ .'|'. ___ ******* | ******* /-====) | (_.- )) | / '( )' ) )) / / _/ \_( (( | |-( _ _ )) ) ) / | \ //| |\\ /'-( ( / \ \/\/ *** \/\/ / ) ) | |\ / .=. \ / ( ( `-;./ ;-' _\/(")\/_ '-; ) ) | \ |'---'| / ( ( | \ _| |_ / ) ) _/ | /\ /\ | ( ( jgs .-/ / '=' \ ( )-. `""---`-----` `----`----`""` >Remember Why As the holiday season approaches Excitement fills the air Family dinners, friends together So many things we share. The hustle and bustle of shopping Bright glitter fills each store Ribbons and bows and lights Trees and toys and more. Santa is such fun for all With children on his knee But remember why we celebrate As you decorate the tree. For Christmas is a time for joy A miracle on earth A baby born in Bethlehem We celebrate His birth. -<>- >I Love Christmas The older I get ... The closer I feel to old friends as I write my Christmas cards... The more I cherish old ornaments... The more fondly I remember Christmases past... The longer I hold on to a Christmas hug... The more I realize Christmas is a matter of the heart... The tighter my throat gets when I sing "Silent Night"... The more I enjoy giving than receiving... The longer I sit at night in the glow of the Christmas tree... The more wondrously beautiful the Christmas story... The deeper my awe at God's infinite love... The more I love Christmas! Merry Christmas! -<>- >Let's Give A Little Jesus This Christmas... Let's give a little Jesus, a thoughtful word or deed, an act of generosity for someone who's in need. Let's give a little Jesus, to everyone we meet... the salesclerk or the server, the person on the street. Let's give a little Jesus, that's what really counts... not what's spent or bought, for whom, in what amounts. Let's give a little Jesus, to everyone, large and small, for Jesus, the Messiah, is the greatest gift of all. --- ...Aww, Favorite sweet ones! Thanks LouiseA! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Fran :) _.-"""-. .' \ `\ .' .-' '. _ | /.__ ) C, ^ \ .' `'-. ( ;-.-' / '. ) | / \ / _., ; . ';-"`;_.'\ | '. \ | / .* ** *, |___ `'-..___.|__/--' * .--. * | ```"""-----'/ '*/_ _`\*'`\ )"""----....___.; _.`.|^.^ ?;` .' .' '.`'. .;-.-'\_- /-.',( / '. \ /_.' ;.| |'--....___ ___..--` \ .;' .-' .; L.._ __ ```` __..-' /; / `.' / ;._`__````""--""`` \ .'( _.'`.' /` 7 | ``""";--.._ | /`,'`'"".`"` '.' .' | 7 | | `' | \__.` '. _`;.' .' \__| .--'._; / |_`""-'` | .' \__/` jgs `'-.___.; .-; `\...._/-' {_}-' \ \ `-.._ | / `"-' >WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN WHEN WE PRAY? This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen and is so true: I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels. My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, ' This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received. I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section. The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth. Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section, my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed." How is it that there is no work going on here? ' I asked. "So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments" "How does one acknowledge God's blessings? " I asked.. "Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord.. " "What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked. "If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. " "And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity." "If you woke up this morning with more health than illness .. You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. " "If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation . You are ahead of 700 million people in the world.." "If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world." "If your parents are still alive and still married ...you are very rare." "If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair......." Ok, what now? How can I start? If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all. Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you care to, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are. Attn: Acknowledge Dept. "Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people with whom to share it, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen" If you have read this far, and are thankful for all that you have been blessed with, how can you not send it on ??? ? I thank God for everything, especially all my family and friends. --- ...Amen! I sure am THANKFUL! Thank You Fran! ============================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: * * * * * * .===.""* * /'::::\ *\_ (` '::|* / \ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; _.-'; \ _`'._.' /| .-'/. ` '._(_\_.' / | .-'` | `. .-' .' | \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' \ '-._ _.-' _.' \_ '--._.-'` _.' '._ \ _.-' jgs '-._\_.-' >A Place in Paradise On Christmas Eve, a rich man sells his place in heaven to a poor man to make a profit. But the joke's on him... By Paulo Coelho, based on a Hasidic tale by David Mandel Many years ago, in the northeast of Brazil, there lived a couple who were very poor and whose only possession was a hen. They managed to scrape a precarious living from the eggs laid by that one hen. On Christmas Eve, however, the hen died. The husband, who only had a few pennies to his name, which was certainly not enough to buy food for that evening's meal, went to seek help from the village priest. Instead of giving him money, the priest merely remarked: 'God never closes a door without opening a window. Your money will buy you almost nothing, so go to the market and buy the first thing you're offered. I will bless that purchase and, since Christmas is the time for miracles, something will happen that will change your life for ever.' The man wasn't entirely convinced that this was the best solution, but he went to the market anyway. One of the traders saw him wandering aimlessly about and asked what he was looking for. 'I don't know. I don't have much money, but the priest told me that I should buy the first thing I was offered.' The trader was very rich, but even so he never let slip an opportunity to make a profit, however small. He took the man's few coins and in exchange gave him a note scribbled on a piece of paper. 'The priest was quite right. Now I've always had a kind heart, and so, on this festive day, I'm selling you my place in Paradise. Here are the deeds!' The other man took the piece of paper and moved off, while the trader glowed with pride at having closed yet another excellent deal. That night, while he was preparing for supper in his house full of servants, he told the story to his wife, adding that it was thanks to such quick thinking that he had become as rich as he was. 'That's shameful!' said his wife. 'Fancy behaving like that on the day Jesus was born! Go straight to that man's house and get the piece of paper back, or you'll never set foot in this house again!' Alarmed by his wife's anger, the trader decided to do as she said. After much asking around, he managed to find out where the man lived. When he went in, he found the couple sitting at a table that was completely bare apart from the piece of paper. 'I've come because what I did was wrong,' the trader said. 'Here's your money. Now give me back what I sold you.' 'You did nothing wrong,' replied the man.'I followed the priest's advice and I know that what I bought from you is blessed.' 'But it's just a piece of paper. Besides, no one can sell someone else their place in Paradise. If you like, I'll give you double what you paid for it.' However, because he believed in miracles, the poor man refused to sell. The trader gradually increased his offer, until he reached the sum of ten gold coins. 'That's no good to me,' said the man. 'In order to give my wife the life she deserves, I need one hundred gold coins. That is the miracle I'm waiting for this Christmas Eve.' In despair and knowing that if he lingered any longer, no one in his own house would have supper or go to midnight mass, the trader ended up paying one hundred gold coins to get the piece of paper back. As far as the couple were concerned, the miracle had happened. As for the trader, he had done as his wife had asked. His wife, though, was filled with doubt. Had she been too hard on her husband? As soon as midnight Mass was over, she went to the priest and told him the story. 'Father, my husband met a man who said that you had told him to go to the market and buy the first thing he was offered. My husband, seeing a chance to earn some easy money, wrote him a note on a piece of paper, selling him his place in Paradise. I told my husband that he wouldn't eat in our house tonight if he didn't get that piece of paper back, and he ended up having to pay one hundred gold coins for it. Did I go too far? Could a place in Paradise really cost that much?' 'Firstly, your husband was able to show great generosity on this, the most important day in the Christian calendar. Secondly, he became the instrument of God through whom a miracle was performed. But to answer your question: when he sold his place in heaven for a few pennies, it wasn't even worth that much; however, when he bought it back for one hundred gold coins simply to make his wife happy, that, I can assure you, made it worth much much more.' -<>- , / `\ / _\_\ | | | \;"``"/ / (-\-| ___ | `-=-( /.-.\ .(`-.__/-,// || /;;\`- 7;;// The Gift of the Magi (a Christmas classic) by O.Henry One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all. And sixty cents of it was in pennies. Pennies saved one and two at a time by bulldozing the grocer and the vegetable man and the butcher until one's cheeks burned with the silent imputation of parsimony that such close dealing implied. Three times Della counted it. One dollar and eighty- seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas. There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating. While the mistress of the home is gradually subsiding from the first stage to the second, take a look at the home. A furnished flat at $8 per week. It did not exactly beggar description, but it certainly had that word on the lookout for the mendicancy squad. In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young." The "Dillingham" had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called "Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good. Della finished her cry and attended to her cheeks with the powder rag. She stood by the window and looked out dully at a gray cat walking a gray fence in a gray backyard. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day, and she had only $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. Twenty dollars a week doesn't go far. Expenses had been greater than she had calculated. They always are. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. Her Jim. Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. Something fine and rare and sterling--something just a little bit near to being worthy of the honor of being owned by Jim. There was a pier-glass between the windows of the room. Perhaps you have seen a pier-glass in an $8 flat. A very thin and very agile person may, by observing his reflection in a rapid sequence of longitudinal strips, obtain a fairly accurate conception of his looks. Della, being slender, had mastered the art. Suddenly she whirled from the window and stood before the glass. Her eyes were shining brilliantly, but her face had lost its color within twenty seconds. Rapidly she pulled down her hair and let it fall to its full length. Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Youngs in which they both took a mighty pride. One was Jim's gold watch that had been his father's and his grandfather's. The other was Della's hair. Had the queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy. So now Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. And then she did it up again nervously and quickly. Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet. On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. With a whirl of skirts and with the brilliant sparkle still in her eyes, she fluttered out the door and down the stairs to the street. Where she stopped the sign read: "Mne. Sofronie. Hair Goods of All Kinds." One flight up Della ran, and collected herself, panting. Madame, large, too white, chilly, hardly looked the "Sofronie." "Will you buy my hair?" asked Della. "I buy hair," said Madame. "Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it." Down rippled the brown cascade. "Twenty dollars," said Madame, lifting the mass with a practiced hand. "Give it to me quick," said Della. Oh, and the next two hours tripped by on rosy wings. Forget the hashed metaphor. She was ransacking the stores for Jim's present. She found it at last. It surely had been made for Jim and no one else. There was no other like it in any of the stores, and she had turned all of them inside out. It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, properly proclaiming its value by substance alone and not by meretricious ornamentation--as all good things should do. It was even worthy of The Watch. As soon as she saw it she knew that it must be Jim's. It was like him. Quietness and value--the description applied to both. Twenty-one dollars they took from her for it, and she hurried home with the 87 cents. With that chain on his watch Jim might be properly anxious about the time in any company. Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain. When Della reached home her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. She got out her curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work repairing the ravages made by generosity added to love. Which is always a tremendous task, dear friends--a mammoth task. Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close- lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. She looked at her reflection in the mirror long, carefully, and critically. "If Jim doesn't kill me," she said to herself, "before he takes a second look at me, he'll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl. But what could I do--oh! what could I do with a dollar and eighty- seven cents?" At 7 o'clock the coffee was made and the frying-pan was on the back of the stove hot and ready to cook the chops. Jim was never late. Della doubled the fob chain in her hand and sat on the corner of the table near the door that he always entered. Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. She had a habit for saying little silent prayer about the simplest everyday things, and now she whispered: "Please God, make him think I am still pretty." The door opened and Jim stepped in and closed it. He looked thin and very serious. Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two-- and to be burdened with a family! He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves. Jim stopped inside the door, as immovable as a setter at the scent of quail. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that she could not read, and it terrified her. It was not anger, nor surprise, nor disapproval, nor horror, nor any of the sentiments that she had been prepared for. He simply stared at her fixedly with that peculiar expression on his face. Della wriggled off the table and went for him. "Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way. I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present. It'll grow out again --you won't mind, will you? I just had to do it. My hair grows awfully fast. Say 'Merry Christmas!' Jim, and let's be happy. You don't know what a nice-- what a beautiful, nice gift I've got for you." "You've cut off your hair?" asked Jim, laboriously, as if he had not arrived at that patent fact yet even after the hardest mental labor. "Cut it off and sold it," said Della. "Don't you like me just as well, anyhow? I'm me without my hair, ain't I?" Jim looked about the room curiously. "You say your hair is gone?" he said, with an air almost of idiocy. "You needn't look for it," said Della. "It's sold, I tell you- -sold and gone, too. It's Christmas Eve, boy. Be good to me, for it went for you. Maybe the hairs of my head were numbered," she went on with sudden serious sweetness, "but nobody could ever count my love for you. Shall I put the chops on, Jim?" Out of his trance Jim seemed quickly to wake. He enfolded his Della. For ten seconds let us regard with discreet scrutiny some inconsequential object in the other direction. Eight dollars a week or a million a year--what is the difference? A mathematician or a wit would give you the wrong answer. The magi brought valuable gifts, but that was not among them. This dark assertion will be illuminated later on. Jim drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it upon the table. "Don't make any mistake, Dell," he said, "about me. I don't think there's anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or a shampoo that could make me like my girl any less. But if you'll unwrap that package you may see why you had me going a while at first." White fingers and nimble tore at the string and paper. And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails, necessitating the immediate employment of all the comforting powers of the lord of the flat. For there lay The Combs--the set of combs, side and back, that Della had worshipped long in a Broadway window. Beautiful combs, pure tortoise shell, with jeweled rims--just the shade to wear in the beautiful vanished hair. They were expensive combs, she knew, and her heart had simply craved and yearned over them without the least hope of possession. And now, they were hers, but the tresses that should have adorned the coveted adornments were gone. But she hugged them to her bosom, and at length she was able to look up with dim eyes and a smile and say: "My hair grows so fast, Jim!" And them Della leaped up like a little singed cat and cried, "Oh, oh!" Jim had not yet seen his beautiful present. She held it out to him eagerly upon her open palm. The dull precious metal seemed to flash with a reflection of her bright and ardent spirit. "Isn't it a dandy, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You'll have to look at the time a hundred times a day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how it looks on it." Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled. "Dell," said he, "let's put our Christmas presents away and keep 'em a while. They're too nice to use just at present. I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. And now suppose you put the chops on." The magi, as you know, were wise men--wonderfully wise men--who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days let it be said that of all who give gifts these two were the wisest. O all who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Full Christmas Index http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/christmasindex.html The Christmas Story http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/christmasstory.html The 90/10 Principle http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/giving.html The Blue Ribbon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html The Bible http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thebible.html Church Mouse Wisdom http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/churchmouse.html God Is Like http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/godislike.html Jesus Clinic http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/clinic.html Cuddle BeBe Rag Dolls http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ragdolls.html Porcelain Doll Art http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/porcelaindoll.htm Kids On God http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kidsonGod.html My Precious Child http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/mychild.htm Wisdom For Life http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wisdomforlife.html Old Barns, Old People, Old Friend http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/barns.html -<>- >From Our Friend Linda :) Flash mob(of 4)at British school lunch. https://www.youtube.com/embed/JNgCM7zp30M --- ...Teehee! Thanks Linda! -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) The Piano Guys share with us a wonderful music video of Silent Night featuring tenor legend Placido Domingo. The music video was filmed in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City, one of the largest cathedrals in the world, and also features the children from the Cathedral School Choristers singing Silent Night. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMvURdq8V6U&feature=player_embedded A different kind of 12 days of Christmas compiled by Americas Funniest Home Videos - America's longest running funny video television program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9wBLwI5ZEjs French magician Dany Lary performs at the French TV show "Le Plus Grand Cabaret Du Monde" (The World's Largest Cabaret) hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKELUgPncns&feature=player_embedded The Piano Guys along with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir share with us a wonderful music video of the song Angels We Have Heard On High. This moving video of this Christmas Hymn came to life when over 1,000 people came together to make it and break a Guinness World Record at the same time. The music video had 1,039 participants which far surpassed the previous record of a video with 898 people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=PrLoWt2tfqg A beautiful video of Silent Night - performed By Sissel that is relaxing and enjoyable to watch. I love looking at all the wildlife and outdoor scenes as the song is sung. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EMH-3evZV8&feature=player_embedded --- ...Love these! Thanks LouiseA! -<>- >From our friend Fran :) Christmas Prayer http://www.mamarocks.com/christmas_prayer.htm A GIGGLE with the GOATS Jingle Bells Holiday Performance - YouTube https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/b4_EdJ-XkUA?rel=0 --- ...Teehee! Nice ones! Thanks Fran! 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 ========================================================== .-""""""""""-. / `\ / .--.---.-.-.--.-;. ; { ' . ' . ' . '} | {__'_,__.__'__.__'_} | / _ _ \ | ; / \ / \ ; | | |0| |0| | \ | \_/ \_/ | .-'\; \ / ; |. ' \ '. .' / \ ` / '. '-.__.-' .' '--' '-._ _.-' jgs '''' >Climbing Over Adversity Story Editor: By Hugh Everett Jason Wallwork Washington, USA In March of 1997, I moved to Yamagata City, Japan, to teach English in a private high school. I soon met several climbers in the area and, one day in May, a friend took me to a local climbing gym. There, I noticed a man climbing up a very steep overhanging wall. He was a highly skilled climber with excellent form -- despite that his left leg ended at mid-thigh. During a break I introduced myself. He said, "I'm Mineo Ono. You can call me John if you want! Since I married my wife, Yoko, people call me John Lennon." Later, I carefully asked Mr. Ono when and how he lost his leg. "Cancer," he replied. "They took it off in March. I'm still in the hospital, but they let me out for a day. Don't tell them I'm climbing, they'd get mad at me!" I was stunned. Here was a man two months after an amputation, climbing cheerily up harder routes than I'd ever dreamt of completing. I spent lots of time getting to know Mr. Ono that year. I visited him in the hospital and, on his days out, invited him and his wife over for dinner. He was always cheerful, even through bouts of nausea from his continuous chemotherapy treatments. His great attitude and ability to even joke about the amputation often surprised me. He said, "I've never used a computer before, and all this time in bed seemed a good opportunity to learn, so I got a laptop. I had to pay to get the phone line extended to my bed, but I'm on the Internet now. I want to study English, so let's practice." He emailed: "My name is Mineo Ono -- M. Ono. I have only one leg, so you can call me Mono!" And: "All this lying around has really made me weak. But since I lost about 10 kilograms with the leg, I can climb as well as ever." Mr. Ono was hospitalized for well over two years, with only occasional visits home. I asked Mrs. Ono if her husband ever got depressed or angry. Her reply was, "Sometimes, yes. But not as often as I would have." His good humor continued after he left the hospital. He wrote describing a small climbing accident. "I was 60 feet up and my artificial leg fell off! Luckily, it didn't land on anyone, and it wasn't badly damaged. I worried that I'd have to buy a new one; they're really expensive!" In April of 2000 I tore a ligament in my knee, and spent three weeks in the hospital. Often I became quite despondent over the loss of function and strength in my leg, and complained. Then I would remember Mr. Ono, and realize how fortunate I was. His attitude and humor in the face of such adversity were lessons I will never forget. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Linda :) A very nice story! May God Bless us, our children and all the citizen's of this great land with this same "sharing, caring and thoughtful" attitude. _... o_.-"` `\ .--. _ `'-._.-'""-; _ .' \`_\_ {_.-a"a-} _ / \ _/ .-' '. {c-._o_.){\|` | (@`-._ / \{ ^ } \\ _/ `~\ '-._ /'. } \} .-. |>:< '-.__/ '._,} \_/ / ()) | >:< `'---. ____'-.|(`"` \ >:< \\_\\_\ | ; \ \\-{}-\/ \ \ '._\\' /) '. /( `-._ _____ _ _____ __.'\ \ / \ / \ / \ \ \ jgs _.'/^\'._.'/^\'._.'/^\'.__) \ ,==' `---` '---' '---' ) `"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""` >A CHRISTMAS STORY TO REMEMBER It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted for Christmas. We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. After supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read Scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible instead he bundled up again and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it long though I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight." I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.. Outside, I became even more dismayed. There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick, little job. I could tell. We never hitched up this sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said. "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high side boards on. After we had exchanged the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood - the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all Fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?" "You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? Yeah," I said, "Why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand. "What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes, they're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy." We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy? Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us; it shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt, could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children - sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last. I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said. He turned to me and said, Matt, go bring in enough to last awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and as much as I hate to admit it there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing there with tears running down her cheeks with so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy that I'd never known before filled my soul. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people. I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his angels to spare us." In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth. I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes. Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their Pa and I was glad that I still had mine. At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt, here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two brothers and two sisters had all married and had moved away. Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say May the Lord bless you, I know for certain that He will." Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that, but on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunny sacks and I knew what I had to do. Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand." I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Now the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children. For the rest of my life, Whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night, he had given me the best Christmas of my life. Author: Rian Anderson --- ...What an awesome heartwarming story! Thanks Linda! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _.--"""""-.._ __ .'_ _ '. / \ / ` ` `'-. `\ | \/| \_ ___ _ `\ \ \ _..; )` _ `_"--.\ | ;" \ | a/ a (`\ | | _.; /_.<_..___, )\\ | \_.-' | ;-.__,__..-' '.'. / | ; / ( ) \_| | \( ( ( )/ \ \ ( ( .'\ / \ , \ _.' '-'`. `| '-(.___.--' ,;,-\_, \ | o: .-'(())_/ ; ; : |.-' / `'. | \ o: \ .-\ \ _/ ;--._ _:_ \ / \ |\ ) `'|.-.|"'\\__.-`'-'\| /``'-.._||_||_..\ _.' / '-;-' \__.-' \ /``'--..__ : __..--'``\ \_ ``````````` _/ `'--,...__ __...,--'` | ```;``` | \ | / \_ _ _ | _ _ _ / /` ` ` `|` ` ` `\ \_._._./ \._._._/ |= | | =| jgs .--'-. | | .-'--. / | | \ \______,__/ \__,______/ >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Caralie, 4, was visiting her grandmother, Pat, and helping to put up Christmas decorations. Pat has a beautiful white crocheted angel and she was wondering if she should put it on top of her tree or set it on a table. Pat has often called Caralie, "My little angel." So Caralie commented, "I think you better put that angel on top of the tree. I couldn't stand still that long ... especially if I had to go potty!" -- Pat Glass of Kendallville, Indiana One time when Caralie was in the car with Pat, they heard the song that goes, "Caroling, caroling, now we go..." Caralie said with excitement, "Grandma, listen they are singing my name!" When Emily was 4, her favorite Christmas carol was "Away in a Manger." The family's favorite part was when she sang the line, "The little Lord Jesus is probably hay!" -- Marcia Borka (aunt of Emily) of Faribault, Minnesota L E T I T .--._ S / (`{_} ) *\ N / | |* '. O /_...._* \ ;' ____ '.| W _ _ / .' `'. \ _ /` `| / `\ _ (_/ e e \_) _/ ` / | ' |_ | /) | ( '. _.-' '. .' ) \ // , / .' `._) `(_.' '. /'(/"""`_.;,_.'* / \ * './ `----`\.:\\ / \ * \ :: :: :| .|| * / '. ':: :: _/:'|' / '. * `````/` |* .' | * /.:'/ | \ * ,'` /* / .'._ / .:'| _.'. .' `"|.:' \ '. / \' .:. \ ; \ .:' '-._ ; " "-. _| ':' .:' = |- "`` --. | '. .:' = | ; `-:_= ; \ / jgs '. .' `"- ... -- "` When Amanda's son was 6, they were going to Amanda's mother's house where he was going to spend the night. He had been playing on Amanda's nerves the entire day and finally, right before they pulled into Amanda's mother's driveway, she put the standard "mother's curse" on him, saying, "When you grow up, I hope you have a child just like you." He looked at Amanda with big crocodile tears in his eyes and said, "Gee, Mommy, I thought you wanted me to be happy!" -- Amanda H. of North Carolina Jonathon, 7, came home from school and told his mother he had a headache. She told him to lie down awhile and see if it would go away. "I don't think that will work," Jonathon said, "'cuz I think it is a mind drain." His mother asked, "Do you mean migraine?" He replied, "No, it's a mind drain 'cuz it hurts really bad." -- Diane (mother of Cassie and Jon) of Kettle River, Minnesota _.--"""--, .' `\ .-""""""-. .' | / '. / .-._/ | `. | | \ \ .-._ | _ \ `""'-. \_.-. \ ` ( \__/ | ) '=. ., \ / ( \ / \ / /` `\ | / `' '..-`\ _.-. `\ _.__/ .=. | _ / \ '.-` `-.' / \_/ | | './ _ _ \.' '-' | / \ | | .-. .-. | M E R R Y \ / o| |o \ / | / \ | C H R I S T M O O S E ! / `"` `"` \ / \ | '._.' \ | / | \ | | || _ _ / /|\ (_\ /_) / jgs \ \'._ ` '_.' `""` `"""` Last year Diane's truck broke down and she had to borrow one from a friend to get Cassie, 3, from daycare. When Cassie saw the friend's truck, she asked, "Where is Daddy's truck?" Diane told her it was broken and Cassie said, "Mommy, you have to get some tape!" Kelci, 4, is used to her grandmother picking her up from school every day except on the days that her dad is off. Her grandmother has spoiled her by putting pretzels in the truck so that when she picks her up, Kelci has a snack. Last week Kelci said when her dad picks her up from school he should have some "pencils" (pretzels) for her in the truck like her grandmother. -- Tanva Huval of Eunice, Louisiana On a recent road trip to Anchorage, in very hazardous weather, Cori, 5, was told to be very quiet and not talk for a while so her Mom could concentrate on driving. After some time, Cori asked, "Mom, are you talking with God?" "As a matter of fact, I am," was the reply. Cori was quiet for another minute, then said, "God, Please give my Mom good driving lessons!" -- Chris (mother of Cori) of Kenai, Alaska _ __{_}_ .'______'-. _:-' `'-: _ / _______ `\ .-' \ \.-' `'--./ .' \ \ / () ___ () \ \ \\\# || (___) | \ #\\_|| '.___.' | \___|\ \_________.--./ \\ | \ \--. \\/_________/ / `\ , .\\ /`--;`-. `-.__.'/ / _\\ ,_.' _/ \ \ / | `\ \ /` | '.___.-' \____/\ '--\____/ / \\ \ | \\ | | \\ | | \\ | \ \\ /::.:::.. jgs '.___..-.__.\\__.__.':::::::''''' Samantha, 4, woke up one morning not feeling very well. She said, "Mom, you know that frog that gets in your throat sometimes? I think he's sitting on a bone in my neck." She had a stiff neck. -- Shanna Breeding (Samantha's mom) of Kimberly, Idaho The family was packing things for a camp-out. Connie's husband came in with a chain saw and placed it next to the camping things. Connie looked at little Jamie and wondered out loud, "What do you suppose that's for?" Jamie said, "Probably to filet the fish!" -- Connie Meister of Neosho, Wisconsin Julie, the teenage sister of Jamie, was lamenting how unfair life is. He wanted to console her with the wisdom of "Put your past behind you." But it came out, "Put your past in your behind." __ /\ __ __ /\ __ __ /\ __ __ /\ __ \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ <_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_> /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ \/ _ _\/ _ ___ ___\/_ _ \/ .\/. + | | | / \ | \| \| | | ' .\/. -=><=- | || ' || '_/| '_/\ / -=><=- '/\' |_|_||_|_||_| |_| |_| * '/\' __ /\ __ _ _ ___ _ _ ___ _ _ _ __ __ /\ __ \_`\/`_/| | |/ \| | | || \ / \ | | |/ _/\_`\/`_/ <_>()<_>| || | || |_ | || | || ' |\ /\_ \<_>()<_> /_,/\,_\|_|_|\___/|___||_||___/|_|_| |_| /__//_,/\,_\ \/ _{}_ \/ .\/. * .' '. + .\/. -=><=- ' + /_......_\ + -=><=- '/\' _ __ _ ."` `". * '/\' __ /\ __ | | ______ \ __ /\ __ \_`\/`_/ |; |_.-'o o`-._/ \_`\/`_/ <_>()<_> || | V | ' <_>()<_> /_,/\,_\ ||_ , |\ `'----'` / /_,/\,_\ \/ '-.` .-';'---.--.--'; * \/ .\/. * || | \ '. \ * .\/. -=><=- _||_ /'-.____\ `\ ; -=><=- '/\' / ) | | |`\ + '/\' __ /\ __ ' | _.' \ \ \ \ ' __ /\ __ \_`\/`_/ \ || ()\ \\\ \ \_`\/`_/ <_>()<_> \|| \\\\\\ \ | <_>()<_> /_,/\,_\ || () |_/ /_,/\,_\ \/ * || ; * \/ .\/. || () ' '. .\/. -=><=- ' .'|| '. -' '-. -=><=- '/\' .-' || `" " ` `--. '/\' __ /\ __jgs __ /\ __ __ /\ __ __ /\ __ \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ .\'/. \_`\/`_/ <_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_>-=>*<=-<_>()<_> /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ '/.\' /_,/\,_\ \/ \/ \/ \/ Grandpa and Grandma Ackerman and Aunt Deb had gone to Florida. They had brought Alex, 6, and Kaylie, 3, back some souvenirs. Janet, the mother of Alex and Kaylie, was passing the things out. After about two or three things, she handed each one a package that was wrapped up. As they were opening the packages, Alex yelled, "MOM! LOOK! THEY BROUGHT US BACK DEAD STARFISH!" -- Janet Hart of Wolcottville, Indiana 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 :) . | . | . | \|/ \ / -= * =- '. .----. .' /|\ / \ ' | ' -= | .----. | | / /""\ | / \( / m m ' ) ) - ) / /-./~` ( ( `.`\ /| . ) )\ \/_/ / . | . ( ( \_.-'` \ ' / \ \.| -= <*^*^*> =- jgs |\____\\ | ( " ) | _) \ |()'"'()| _.-' , | | (___) | /| . ` ; (`-.___.-') /_/____________/ '-.___.-' >Christmas Is The Thought It's that time of the year again When Christmas is the thought Baking, shopping and wrapping Each and every gift that's bought. Putting up the Christmas tree Each branch is lit so bright Each ornament brings a memory It's such a lovely sight. Cookies baking in the oven The smell of cinnamon fills the air Smiles and laughter in our hearts Joy and happiness is everywhere. One tiny thing that I must mention And we wouldn't want to miss A sprig of mistletoe hung real high For a sweet little Christmas kiss. One more thing, and it's important Let's try to get it right Tis a birthday we are celebrating Jesus was born on Christmas night. --- ...Awww, So true! Thank You LouiseA! , , /\\ / \ | )|-""-, , \ /' \ ,_ , .'<_ / |"""-, _> `'-,'(_.-' _< , | ' '/::. `\ >_.--(.. ) .=;` / \_...._ .' _ ._o)`'` / V-'`\/`` { .' `'-....-' ; `"--'.--.=; * * * `/ / ::' / C ..\ * * | {;;}| :: | \ _.) * .:::.__* | , {;;;} \ ':| / \ * /'::::\ *\_ \ \ {;;} '-, \./ \)\) (` '::|* / \ .-' _.'.,____, _/`| `-| );/ _.,--`-.`_;/.-/ ; \ \` \ ( ( /` ,\|_ '--'_:-' `. `'._.' /| \ \ \ \ | ).-' .-'/. ` '._.-._.' / | jgs \ \ \ \ / .--'\ \ .-'` | `. .-' .' | \ \ \ \ / / \,\ \ \ \`. `-.__..--' _.-' .' , `#;==''` \ |\ /|# \ '-._ _.-' _.' .'( _.=' | \/ /._, \_ '--._.-'` _.' { `` _.=' | / ' ;--._, '._ \ _.-' { \` ; / \ / ' ) '-._\_.-'` _,_ `. `'=..' .=' ) /\ /, / _, /' '\ ,_ `=._ .=' / |/)|/(_ ((') \u u .-""._) \ '-`\\`__ | / -._\ /'--) | ':`----./.-. | `-._} {_} |_ \ | _.' _/, ``'""-`\ `.__.' `""{_} /_ / |`= `" `-.( ,__/. `""""`"` '^' ="`-` `"` >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 ************************************************************************