Wake Up America! ... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ !|| !|||| ,/|||| !|'''| `\ | )\ \ ejm / \ \ \ *~* Happy National Day Of Prayer! Please Join us and Pray for God To Bless Our Country - Theme - WAKE UP AMERICA! http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/theme_and_verse * I had a sweet visitor late yesterday afternoon. Paul brought me a lovely potted flower and said 'Happy Mother's Day'. He said a cute little girl had given it to him. She had a tray of them. I quickly looked out my window and saw that she was giving one to our neighbor across the street. Such a nice thing to do I just had to mention this blessing! Whoever was behind this, I really want to say thank you! I especially am pleased for my neighbor as I know her grown children live far away in other states and this had to be especially nice for her. Happy Early Mother's Day everyone! ,"=-. / _),`'". ( /a( ), ) ) C = = ?/ ( )) (_ o-< ) ( `-' \; ( \_ ( | \ ) )| \_/} \ \ \(_;/-|_) )/) `._,--/ / / `!__!! ( (_o)) ---`-._, )--- ------( / |---- | ( | :__/|\_; \ |/ )(\_ /_)--` gpyy \_! Shangy's Full Mom/Dad's Index Page http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/momsanddadsindex.html -<>- >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This flaming hot new page is from our friends LouiseAu, Linda and Geniann. It is one that is sure to fulfill your awww quota for the day. Check it out here... |\__ /| | ( |\\\ / `\\\\ ( (e `\\\\\ | | ``\\\\....________......__,;;;, _ | |\ ``` `.;;; ___..--^/( | | \ `.;; ' o 9 ;;| O | \ |;; `-____ `__// \ |;' ``-.' ;;;,..__| ` ' |' \ '';;; | ' \ /; \ ' | | _.'\ (; \ | |'\| |..______...--' \ |\ \ | , | | | | |; | | \ | / /..___.| |--| | /;' / | | ) / /.' | | | |\ \ | / / | / /' ( ) | | || | | | / ( | | | ( ) ||\ | | | | .'.\ \ | | | | ||( /__( | | / / \ `._ | | | | /_( /__( /_( `._/ / | | | /__( / | /__( by Felix Lee (flee@cse.psu.edu) Animal Moms 3! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalmoms3.html --- ...such a heartwarming sweet one! Thanks Ladies! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: ,--. ,--. ( O ) ( O ) `--' \ `--' \ _ >-. / /| `-.__.' Krogg >FINALLY, A HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY by Sherry A. Smith I am sitting here still sometimes pinching myself, still awed over my miracle. Often overwhelmed with happiness over my miracle. Mother's Day this year is finally going to be a happy day. For many years it wasn't. When I was 22 years old, I found out I was pregnant. I was SO happy. I made so many plans, saw my doctor, ate well and did everything I was supposed to do. But then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, I lost my baby. I was just 21 weeks pregnant when my little boy, Robert, was born way too soon for unknown reasons. He held on for 50 minutes and then died in my arms. It was the most devastating loss I'd ever been through. That was in 1991. Mother's Day was always especially difficult because it reminded me more of the future I'd lost with my baby than any other holiday. I always felt like something was missing from my life and though I have nieces and nephews that I love very much, it just wasn't the same as having a baby of my own. I tried to get pregnant again but it just didn't happen. Then, I found out a few years later that I have Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and the doctors said I'd never get pregnant again. It took a long time but I eventually accepted this, dealt with the loss of my son the best I could, and got on with life. In 1995, I met my current husband, Kenny, whom I've been married to for more than 13 years now. On January 21, 2009, I went to my doctor because I just hadn't felt well for a month. I got a big surprise. My doctor said, "You're pregnant!" Kenny and I were shocked to say the least. I was also VERY worried that something would go wrong and I'd lose this baby too, but I did everything I could, had a lot of special tests and throughout my pregnancy things went fine, for the most part. I kept hoping and praying this baby, whom I learned at 16 weeks was a boy, would live because I knew that at age 40 and with both PCOS and type 2 diabetes, this was my last chance to have a baby of my own. I also didn't think I could handle losing another baby. On September 10, 2009 at 5:17pm, our beautiful baby was born. At age 56, Kenny became a father and at almost 41 years old I became a mother. What a joy it was to hear his first cries and to know that he was healthy and alive! His name is also Kenny and he's a beautiful baby and other than having congenital cataracts and needing 5 eye surgeries, he is doing very well. I so look forward to celebrating Mother's Day this year and am so thankful for my little miracle. It is my hope and prayer that other couples that have been told they'll never have a baby will one day get their miracle, even if it happens later in life. -- Sherry A. Smith __________________________________________________ Sherry say, "I live in Maryland, with my husband, Kenny, my son, Kenny and several cats. I like to write and especially enjoy pen-palling the old fashioned (snail mail) way." Here is the link to Baby Kenny's web site: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/babykenny =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _|_ | _|_ //_/\ __| ||____ ////////////\ /////////////\\ |^^^^^^^^^^||+| | # # # |||| .... ....". ||||||||||||||||| unknown *Small Miracles do Happen* At Christmas time men and women everywhere gather in their churches to wonder anew at the greatest miracle the world has ever known. But the story I like best to recall was not a miracle — not exactly. It happened to a pastor who was very young but his church was very old. Once long ago it had flourished. Famous men had preached from its pulpit and prayed before its altar. Rich and poor alike had worshipped there and built it beautifully. Now the good days had passed from the section of town where it stood. But the pastor and his young wife believed in their run-down church. They felt that with paint, hammer, and faith they could get it in shape. Together they went to work. However late in December a severe storm whipped through the river valley and the worst blow fell on the little church — a huge chunk of rain-soaked plaster fell out of the inside wall just behind the altar. Sorrowfully the pastor and his wife swept away the mess but they couldn't hide the ragged hole. The pastor looked at it and had to remind himself quickly, "Thy will be done!" But his wife wept, "Christmas is only two days away!" That afternoon the dispirited couple attended an auction held for the benefit of a youth group. The auctioneer opened a box and shook out of its folds a handsome gold and ivory lace tablecloth. It was a magnificent item, nearly 15 feet long; but it, too, dated from a long vanished era. Who, today, had any use for such a thing? There were a few halfhearted bids. Then the pastor was seized with what he thought was a great idea. He bid it in for $6.50. He carried the cloth back to the church and tacked it up on the wall behind the altar. It completely hid the hole! And the extraordinary beauty of its shimmering handwork cast a fine, holiday glow over the chancel. It was a great triumph. Happily he went back to preparing his Christmas sermon. Just before noon on the day of Christmas Eve as the pastor was opening the church, he noticed a woman standing in the cold at the bus stop. "The bus won't be here for 40 minutes!" he called and invited her into the church to get warm. She told him that she had come from the city that morning to be interviewed for a job as governess to the children of one of the wealthy families in town but she had been turned down. A war refugee, her English was imperfect. The woman sat down in a pew and chafed her hands and rested. After a while she dropped her head and prayed. She looked up as the pastor began to adjust the great gold and ivory cloth across the hole. She rose suddenly and walked up the steps of the chancel. She looked at the tablecloth. The pastor smiled and started to tell her about the storm damage but she didn't seem to listen. She took up a fold of the cloth and rubbed it between her fingers. "It is mine!" she said. "It is my banquet cloth!" She lifted up a corner and showed the surprised pastor that there were initials monogrammed on it. "My husband had the cloth made especially for me in Brussels! There could not be another like it." For the next few minutes the woman and the pastor talked excitedly together. She explained that she was Viennese and that she and her husband had opposed the Nazis and decided to leave the country. They were advised to go separately. Her husband put her on a train for Switzerland. They planned that he would join her as soon as he could arrange to ship their household goods across the border. She never saw him again. Later she heard that he had died in a concentration camp. "I have always felt that it was my fault — to leave without him," she said. "Perhaps these years of wandering have been my punishment!" The pastor tried to comfort her and urged her to take the cloth with her. She refused. Then she went away. As the church began to fill on Christmas Eve, it was clear that the cloth was going to be a great success. It had been skillfully designed to look its best by candlelight. After the service, the pastor stood at the doorway. Many people told him that the church looked beautiful. One gentle-faced middle-aged man — he was the local clock-and-watch repairman — looked rather puzzled. "It is strange," he said in his soft accent. "Many years ago my wife — God rest her — and I owned such a cloth. In our home in Vienna, my wife put it on the table" — and here he smiled — "only when the bishop came to dinner." The pastor suddenly became very excited. He told the jeweler about the woman who had been in church earlier that day. The startled jeweler clutched the pastor's arm. "Can it be? Does she live?" Together the two got in touch with the family who had interviewed her. Then in the pastor's car they started for the city. And as Christmas Day was born, this man and his wife who had been separated through so many saddened Yule tides were reunited. To all who hear this story, the joyful purpose of the storm that had knocked a hole in the wall of the church was now quite clear. Of course, people said it was a miracle; but I think you will agree it was the season for it! True story - submitted by Pastor Rob Reid who says God does work in mysterious ways. When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need. --- ...Awww, such a sweet classic story! Thanks LouiseAu! Is this one true? Snopes says: What do we know of this tale? It's called "The Gold and Ivory Tablecloth"; it was written by the Rev. Howard C. Schade, pastor of the First Reformed Church in Nyack, New York; it was published in the December 1954 issue of Reader's Digest; and it was anthologized in Alice Gray's Christmas Stories for the Heart in 1998. Since the story is undated, there is no way of telling how long the separated couple reunited by the tablecloth had been apart. The few details contained in the tale seem to indicate that the couple separated sometime after the German annexation of Austria (also known as the Anschluss) in 1938, which means that since their story had been written by 1954, they could not have been split up for more than sixteen years. Certainly sixteen years is a tragically long time to be separated from one's spouse, but if this story had taken place in the 1970s (as presented in the Internet-circulated version), the couple would have been apart for nearly forty years! As for verifying the truth of this remarkable tale, there's precious little to go on. Its author, the Rev. Schade passed away in 1989 and therefore can't provide additional information, and the story as presented is remarkably devoid of detail for a supposedly "real-life" drama: it includes no dates, no names, no locations — no starting point whatsoever that would prove useful in verifying it. And perhaps the oddest factor of all is that apparently no one other than the Rev. Schade — not another writer, not the pastor who reunited the tragically separated spouses, not the couple themselves — ever chronicled this amazing story or identified its subjects. http://www.snopes.com/glurge/tablecloth.asp =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: /\ ,'.' ',' _.,._ _,.-+`'+-._ .|. _.+'` `.' \ (___) ,' \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ _.-~`'~-._ _\_.-+'`'`+-._\ ag `,' `---` >Eternal Ink This poem was sent to me a few months ago and it took me a few minutes to read, but I don't think a day goes by that I do not think about my Eternal Ink. It has changed my way of thinking and I thank God for sending me this letter. Please take these few minutes to read this poem and I hope it blesses you the same way. ETERNAL INK I dreamed I was in heaven Where an angel kept God's book. He was writing so intently I just had to take a look. It was not, at first, his writing That made me stop and think But the fluid in the bottle That was marked eternal ink. This ink was most amazing, Dark black upon his blotter But as it touched the parchment It became as clear as water. The angel kept on writing, But as quickly as a wink The words were disappearing With that strange eternal ink. The angel took no notice, But kept writing on and on. He turned each page and filled it Till all its space was gone. I thought he wrote to no avail, His efforts were so vain For he wrote a thousand pages That he'd never read again. And as I watched and wondered that This awesome sight was mine, I actually saw a word stay black As it dried upon the line. The angel wrote and I thought I saw A look of satisfaction. At last he had some print to show For all his earnest action. A line or two dried dark and stayed As black as black can be, But strangely the next paragraph Became invisible to see. The book was getting fuller, The angel's records true, But most of it was blank, with Just a few words coming through. I knew there was some reason, But as hard as I could think, I couldn't grasp the significance Of that eternal ink. The mystery burned within me, And I finally dared to ask The angel to explain to me Of his amazing task. And what I heard was frightful As the angel turned his head. He looked directly at me, And this is what he said... I know you stand and wonder At what my writing's worth But God has told me to record The lives of those on earth. The book that I am filling Is an accurate account Of every word and action And to what they do amount. And since you have been watching I must tell you what is true; The details of my journal Are the strict accounts of YOU. The Lord asked me to watch you As each day you worked and played. I saw you as you went to church, I saw you as you prayed. But I was told to document Your life through all the week. I wrote when you were proud and bold, I wrote when you were meek. I recorded all your attitudes Whether they were good or bad. I was sorry that I had to write The things that make God sad. So now I'll tell the wonder Of this eternal ink, For the reason for its mystery Should make you stop and think. This ink that God created To help me keep my journal Will only keep a record of Things that are eternal. So much of life is wasted On things that matter not So instead of my erasing, Smudging ink and ugly blot. I just keep writing faithfully and Let the ink do all the rest For it is able to decide What's useless and what's best. And God ordained that as I write Of all you do and say Your deeds that count for nothing Will just disappear away. When books are opened someday, As sure as heaven is true; The Lord's eternal ink will tell What mattered most to you. If you just lived to please yourself The pages will be bare, And God will issue no reward For you when you get there. In fact, you'll be embarrassed, You will hang your head in shame Because you did not give yourself In love to Jesus' Name. Yet maybe there will be a few Recorded lines that stayed That showed the times you truly cared, Sincerely loved and prayed. But you will always wonder As you enter heaven's door How much more glad you would have been If only you'd done more. For I record as God sees, I don't stop to even think Because the truth is written With God's eternal ink. When I heard the angel's story I fell down and wept and cried For as yet I still was dreaming I hadn't really died. And I said: O angel tell the Lord That soon as I awake I'll live my life for Jesus- I'll do all for His dear sake. I'll give in full surrender; I'll do all He wants me to; I'll turn my back on self and sin And whatever isn't true. And though the way seems long and rough I promise to endure. I'm determined to pursue the things That are holy, clean and pure. With Jesus as my helper, I will win lost souls to Thee, For I know that they will live with Christ For all eternity. And that's what really matters When my life on earth is gone That I will stand before the Lord And hear Him say, well done. For is it really worth it As my life lies at the brink? And I realize that God keeps books With His eternal ink. Should all my life be focused On things that turn to dust? From this point on I'll serve the Lord; I can, I will, I must! I will NOT send blank pages Up to God's majestic throne For where that record's going now Is my eternal home. I'm giving all to Jesus I now have seen the link For I saw an angel write my life With God's Eternal Ink. (the actual account of a dream) by Craig F. Pitts In Malachi 3:16 the Bible declares, "Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name." Can you imagine that every time you speak or even think of the Lord, there is a book being filled with what you are saying or thinking? Remember we are on this earth for a short time, so everything you do, do it unto the Lord thy God and you shall have reward in Heaven. Everlasting in Christ, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry --- ...Reminds me of this... , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' Rev.8: [1] And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. [2] And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. [3] And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. [4] And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 'prayers of the saints' = prayers from born again Christians. I learned about this when I was studying TruthOrTraditions.com The Book of Revelation – Free Online Bible Study Seminar http://stfonlinestore.com/revelation.aspx God is saving ALL our prayers to Him and will use them during the last days. I find that absolutely astounding and beautiful! Shows you how important you [a born again Christian] are to God - each and every one of us is most precious to Him! We often think God is not listening or that we are praying against a wall or that it seems that sometimes it is just wasting our time to pray - but even if the devil makes us think these negative thoughts, rest assured your prayers are never ever in vain! God is keeping each and every single one of them in remembrance and will use them during the battle of the end days. God always hears our prayers and answers them accordingly. We just have to have patience and faith of His everlasting love for us. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: God's Holy And Royal Priests! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/royalpriests.html You Are The Only You God Has! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html World Of Squirrels! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worldofsquirrels.html Wild Kisses And Snuggles! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/wildkisses.html Keukenhof Gardens! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kgardens.html Hoppy The Deer! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/hoppy.html Finger Monkeys! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/monkey.html -<>- >From AFA: Texas Attorney General agrees with AFA on Target’s bathroom policy http://www.afa.net/ -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) A really cool Amelymeloptical illusion performed by Lindzee that is mesmerizing to watch. He makes this look so easy as he maneuvers the rings around in a seemingly effortless manner that appear to defy gravity and physics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmFmYLAveWM Alexandra Savina performs a ring dance called Ring-o-graphy - in this creative and entertaining video. The video was directed by Taras Pozdnyakov and features the soundtrack of Drowning Together, Dying Alone from Black Light Burns. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLkU1kZrsWU Lynne Patton, a black female executive who works for Donald Trump, shares with us “The Trump Family That I Know”. You might be surprised by what Lynne has to say about Donald Trump and his family. We are going to bear witness to the most brutal political process ever in the United States as the mainstream media and liberal democrats do everything they can to destroy Trump and prevent him from becoming President. If you don’t like the man then you can vote for Hillary or Bernie, neither of whom is going to receive the same level of scrutiny by the press as Trump will. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxaKUo5naoY --- ...Wonderful! Thank You LouiseAu! I love this Baptist Minister: Jeffress Prayer At Dallas Rally: "We Come Before You Thanking You For Donald Trump." During Trump's September 14 rally in Dallas, Texas, Jeffress delivered the event's opening prayer: Presidential candidate Donald Trump calls Pastor Robert Jeffress to the podium at a rally this week in Dallas. (donaldjtrump.com) “Where is Pastor Jeffress?” Trump asked, looking around. “He’s around here someplace. What a good guy. Where is he? Come here.” Joined onstage by Jeffress, Trump exclaimed: “I love this guy!” http://tinyurl.com/q2epm7h >From Our Friend Geniann... When he's right he's right! Short & NOT sweet but definitely true!! Clint says it all!!!! CLINT EASTWOOD AND A ONE SENTENCE EDITORIAL appeared in the Peoria Journal Star . . . . . "A pen in the hand of this president[Obama] is far more dangerous than a gun in the hands of 200 million law-abiding citizens." Then Clint Eastwood added his words . . . . . "We Americans are so tired of being thought of as dumbasses by the rest of the world that we went to the polls this past November[2012] and removed all doubt." --- ...Love It! Thanks Geniann! This November maybe WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! It is time we as Christians get behind Trump. We Have To Do Something! Christians need to take a stand with God to hold the ungodly down else we get a flood of sin and evil all around us that will drown us in the end taking our children and our children's children with it. We turn the other cheek to a fault - yet didn't Jesus kick their butt out of the Temple when he saw they were going against God in God's house? We need to be tough when we should be tough and be gentle when we need to be gentle. Like the bible says - 2 Kgs.7:3b 'and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?' We have to take action and save our country and ultimately our selves - not voting is NOT A CHOICE - it is letting evil win! Check out - Why Trump: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/whytrump.html -<>- >From Our Friend Geniann :) She sent us one we have here... Baby's Firsts! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/babyfirsts.html --- ...So precious! Thanks Geniann! -<>- >From Our Friend Cloie :) She sent us one we have here... Amazing Human Body! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humanbody.html --- ...God sure did make us good! Thanks Cloie! OK Go - Upside Down & Inside Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWGJA9i18Co --- ...Goes to show you can't trust your eyes any more! Thanks Cloie! Pretty Loaded Tip #4 Are You Distracted Short Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myu7BmyLF7I --- ...Wow! An Eye opener! Better safe then sorry! Thanks Cloie! 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 PatDeE :) ______________________________________________________________________ |.============[_F_E_D_E_R_A_L___R_E_S_E_R_V_E___N_O_T_E_]=============.| ||%&%&%&%_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ %&%&%&%&|| ||%&.-.&/||_||_ | ||\||||_| \ (_ ||\||_(_ /\|_ |\|V||_|)|/ |\ %&.-.&&|| ||&// |\ || ||_ \_/| ||||_|_/ ,_)|||||_,_) \/| ||| ||_|\|\_|| &// |\%|| ||| | | |% ,-----,-'____'-,-----, %| | | ||| ||| | | |&% """""""""" [ .-;"`___ `";-. ] &%| | | ||| ||&\===// `).'' .'`_.- `. '.'.(` A 76355942 J \\===/&|| ||&%'-'%/1 // .' /` \ \\ \%'-'%|| ||%&%&%/` d8888b // / \ _ _;, \\ .-"""-. 1 `&%&%%|| ||&%&%& 8P |) Yb ;; ( > a a| \ ;; //A`Y A\\ &%&%&|| ||&%&%| 8b |) d8 || ( ,\ \ | ) || ||.-'-.|| |%&%&|| ||%&%&| Y8888P || '--'/` -- /-' || \\_/~\_// |&%&%|| ||%&%&| || |\`-.__/ || '-...-' |&%&%|| ||%%%%| || /` |._ .|-. || |%&%&|| ||%&%&| A 76355942 J /;\ _.' \ } \ '-. /;\ |%&%&|| ||&%.-; (, '. \ } `\ \' ,) ,.,.,.,., ;-.%&|| ||%( | ) 1 """"""" _( \ ;...---------.;.; / )_ ```""""""" 1 ( | )%|| ||&%'-'==================\`------------------`/=================='-'%&|| ||%&%&%&%&%&%&%%&%&&&%&%%&)O N E D O L L A R(%&%&%&%&%&%&%%&%&&&%&%%&|| ||%JGS%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&%&&/_.----------------._\%&%&%%&%&&%%&%&%&%&%&%&|| '""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""` >This is too true/sad to be funny. The next time you hear a politician use the Word 'billion' in a casual manner, think about whether you want the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money. A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its releases. A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959. B. A billion minutes ago Jesus was alive. C. A billion hours ago our ancestors were living in the Stone Age. D. A billion days ago no-one walked on the earth on two feet. E. A billion dollars ago was only 8 hours and 20 minutes, at the rate our government is spending it. While this thought is still fresh in our brain... let's take a look at New Orleans ... It's amazing what you can learn with some simple division. Louisiana Senator, Mary Landrieu (D) was asking Congress for 250 BILLION DOLLARS To rebuild New Orleans. Interesting number... What does it mean? A. Well .. If you are one of the 484,674 residents of New Orleans (every man, woman and child) You each get $516,528 B. Or... If you have one of the 188,251 homes in New Orleans, your home gets $1,329,787 C. Or... If you are a family of four...Your family gets $2,066,012 Washington, D.C. ..HELLO! Are all the calculators broken?? Building Permit Tax CDL License Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog License Tax Federal Income Tax (Fed) Federal Unemployment Tax (FU TA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax) IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Tax Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service charge Taxes Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax (Truckers) Sales Taxes Recreational Vehicle Tax School Tax State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Utility Tax Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax (And to think, we left British Rule to avoid so many taxes) STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago... And our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt... We had the largest middle class in the world... And Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What happened? Can you spell 'politicians'! And I still have to Press '1' For English. I hope this goes around the USA At least 100 times. What the heck has happened to our country????? --- ...You hit it on the nail! Thanks PatDeE! This is an old one, but just think and consider this - Obama is NOW calling for $2 Billion to combat the Zika Virus - for RESEARCH. The CDC Says in US States (as of May 4, 2016) Travel-associated Zika virus disease cases reported: 472 Locally acquired vector-borne cases reported: 0 Total: 472 http://www.cdc.gov/zika/ Do the math on this one! All Democrats know how to do is throw our hard earned tax payer dollars at things they think need solved. While America goes Trillions in debt! Here's a perspective on what a Trillion Dollars looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tym9AhMNcP0 =========================================================== === === === === ___===____________oooo___________oooo____________===___ |___===___________________________________________===___| === | /O O\ | === dwb || || jrb === || || === ( | _ | ) || ( ) || _ || _/_-_\_ || \ ooooO /___|___\ Ooooo == ((( )|____^____|( ))) / \ (|)MMMMM| |#####(|) |MILK| (_)MMMM/ \####(_) |____| --------------------------------------------------------------------- __ ____ ___ __ ___ ___ ( )(_ _) ( \ / \( _)/ __) )( )( ) ) )( () )) _)\__ \ (__) (__) (___/ \__/(___)(___/ ____ _ _ ___ ___ __ ___ _ _ __ __ __ ___ _ (_ _)( )( )( _) ( ,) / \( \( \/ ) / _) / \ / \( \ / \ )( )__( ) _) ) ,\( () )) ) )\ / ( (/\( () )( () )) ) )\_/ (__) (_)(_)(___) (___/ \__/(___/(__/ \__/ \__/ \__/(___/ (_) >The Highest Standards in Action Story Editor: by Leih Merigian Joyce Schowalter Virginia, USA I have some long standing health issues that result in daily battles with chronic pain and fatigue. My doctor has placed me on a very restricted diet that consists only of above-ground vegetables, high quality protein, and raw, unpasteurized dairy products. I may not consume root vegetables, legumes, fruit or grains. Needless to say, this is a very difficult and boring way to eat. And, it is not all that easy to find "high quality" protein that is grass- fed and raised without unnecessary antibiotics, growth hormones, and the like. What my diet boils down to is that I spend an inordinate amount of time just finding and procuring the various foods I need to fulfill my doctor's dietary prescriptions. Given my health issues, there are many days when all this effort just seems like way too much work. The weekend of May 20, 2006 someone responded to my needs in a way that reinforced my belief in the basic goodness of people. I had come across an advertisement for a local farm that raises heritage livestock and artisan meats, named "Gryffon's Aerie". As it turns out, they are located only nine miles from me, near Charlottesville, Virginia. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to discover this wonderful farm so close to my own home. I actually began to dream about the meats I'd be able to obtain there. When I arrived, I discovered that the "farm store" was actually a freezer on the porch of the farmhouse. Fine by me. The farmer came out to meet me as I drove up. We introduced ourselves and went up on the porch to check out all the great stuff in their freezer. I began to pick out package after package of meat I planned to buy, giddy in my excitement. What good fortune to have discovered this farm! As we started to complete the transaction, I suddenly wondered if they took credit cards, and asked, "Do you guys take credit cards?" He turned to me and said, "I'm sorry, we don't, but we're working on that." There I was, holding many packages of frozen beef, realizing that I'd have to put it all back and return later. I told him I'd have to come back another day, since I hadn't thought to bring my checkbook. This wonderful farmer then made my day by saying, "That's OK, just send us a check when you get home." Apparently, I'm not the only one who still believes that people are good. You'd better believe I gratefully sent that check the same day, as soon as I got home! EDITOR'S NOTE: The author refers you to: http://www.gryffonsaerie.com =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Laugh&Lift: ___ ((((\\\ 9_9 3)) \= (( __) (__ ,' \_/ `. / :|: \ / / :|: \ \ \ \..:|:../ / `._\_, __/_.' .-)\\-///-. || L || || ^ || |/-->&<--\| | (._.) | | ( @ ) | | /|`"'|\ | //(_\___/_)\\ \\_()___()_// `+---I---+' |\(_)|(_)/| _|j"""""""|j_ | |_______| | |_| |_| hjw >The History of Mother's Day (By Ron Friedrich) If you were to research the history of Mother's Day in the United States, you would see the names of three women who played a prominent role in the creation of the national day of recognition. Julia Ward Howe was an ardent abolitionist in the days of the Civil War. Both she and her husband, Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, devoted their lives to social reform. Dr. Howe established the Perkins School for the Blind, later made famous by a student named Helen Keller. After the Howes met President Lincoln at the White House in 1861, Julia wrote "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," which became the theme song of the Union army. When you read the words of Julia Howe's hymn, you would never guess that she was a pacifist. Not only did she oppose slavery, she opposed war even more. Julia organized women's groups to advocate an end to military conflict worldwide and to fight for women's rights. In 1870 Julia Howe's name became synonymous with the cause to establish a national Mother's Day when she published her Mother's Day Proclamation. Her proclamation had nothing to do with gratitude to mothers. Rather, it was an appeal to "convene a general conference of women" to take up the cause of military disarmament. "Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause," she wrote. "As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel." Ann Marie Reeves Jarvis also lived during the Civil War. She organized women's associations in Virginia churches, which she called "Mother's Day Work Clubs," for the purpose of promoting community health and safety, women's rights, an end to war, and care for wounded soldiers on both sides of the conflict. Throughout her life, Mrs. Jarvis was active in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a teacher in the church school. Once when she taught a lesson on mothers in the Bible, she ended the lesson with a prayer which included this wish: "I hope that someone, sometime will found a memorial mothers day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it." One student in that class who never forgot her prayer was Ann's twelve-year old daughter... Anna Jarvis. In 1905, at her mother's graveside, Anna remember that prayer. There she vowed, "...by the grace of God you shall have that Mother's Day." Anna campaigned vigorously to have the second Sunday in May designated as Mother's Day. She advocated commemorating the day with carnations -- her own mother's favorite flower -- white carnations to honor mothers who have died and red to honor the living. Anna's cause received a boost with support from a prominent Christian retail businessman, John Wannamaker. The movement finally caught on in city governments. Eventually governors of several states offered Mother's Day proclamations. Finally in 1914 President Woodrow Wilson gave official national recognition to Mother's Day. In later years when Anna Jarvis saw the commercialism that became associated with Mother's Day, she regretted having started the tradition. She felt that merchandisers were detracting from the original purpose of the day. Anna, her mother, and Julia Howe all understood that it takes more than a dinner, a card, and some flowers one day out of a year to give mothers the sincere recognition that they are due. Our true appreciation is seen in what we say and do on the other 364 days of the year. SUBSCRIBE INFO Want to receive a Christian inspirational item AND great clean humor in an email to you each day of the week? It's easy and FREE! Read all about Laugh & Lift at http://www.laughandlift.com ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: _ ______ / `'. ,-"` '. / /'-.'. ___ .' \ \/ '.\.' ' | .| .'`\ | /`"'--., / \ , _.--'` \/_ | ,----.| _ `_--;` ``` `\-. | | \ | -- C -- _/ \ \ | \ 0 0 / . | | \| ) | '. _.' |.__/ ; \ `'---` / / __ '. .' | (__) /'-._____,-` \ /---'.-""-.\ '. / ||,- \\ ;---`;-._||-= |\ , ."""-. \ ) `|'.___.' \ ___ \'. / '-. \ /`-`-; / \ ,/ `) \ \| \ `` | | \|| / /'.| )_ / || | | \/ .' \ \ .-'/ ` |` |.-' .-~ ~-~-._ |.'` \ ` '-. \___/,__/ ~` _ `~~-., `-.,_\_)`-.,_\) `~-,___ ~___~,,..-~~/ jgs \___/`\____/'._.' >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY ____ (_ _) . . / / .`_._'_.. / / \ o / / / Pru \ / / _/ /_ `. ~. `\___/'./~.' /.~'`. .`'`.`.'`'`.~.`'~.`'`.~` One day in kindergarten class Jimmy told the teacher that Carrissa and Bailey were spitting in the sandbox. This was unlike the girls to be doing something like this so the teacher called them to her desk and asked them why they were spitting. They responded that they wanted to make sandcastles and they needed water! -- Ginny from Etters, Pennsylvania A mom from Michigan wrote me to say that when her children were little and didn't get their way she would tell them that because she was "president of the Mean Moms of America", she had to say no sometimes! Her niece overheard and said that she couldn't be president because HER Mom was the president! Recently, Abby, 9, and her mother picked up Abby's big sister from college. While visiting the campus bookstore, Abby noticed a display of college logo-embossed shot glasses. "Why are they selling communion cups in the bookstore?" she asked. -- Marti Suddarth (mother of Abby) of Corydon, Indiana, who adds, "Abby is obviously the daughter of tea-drinking Baptists!" _|_ | / \ //_\\ //(_)\\ |/^\| ,%%%% // \\ ,@@@@@@@, ,%%%%/%%% // \\ ,@@@\@@@@/@@, @@@%%%\%%//%%%// === \\ @@\@@@/@@@@@ @@@@%%%%\%%%%%// =-=-= \\@@@@\@@@@@@;%#####, @@@@%%%\%%/%%// === \\@@@@@@/@@@%%%######, @@@@@%%%%/%%//| |\\@\\//@@%%%%%%#/#### '@@@@@%%\\/%~ | | ~ @|| %\\//%%%#####; @@\\//@|| | __ __ | || %%||%%'###### '@|| || | | | | | || ||##\//#### || || | | -|- | | || ||'#||###' || || |_|__|__|_| || || || || ||_/` ======= `\__||_._|| || jgs__||_/` ======= `\_||___ Travis and his wife Summer were rushing to make it to church on time. With three children to deal with -- Chandler, 6, Savannah, 4, and Sienna, 3, plus another child on the way -- it's fairly common that "Mommy" is the last out the door. In order to hurry things along, Travis loaded the children into their carseats, buckled them securely, then sat patiently waiting. After a few minutes, Chandler became restless. He asked his father, "Dad, what's taking Mom sooooo long?" His father replied, "Mom is putting on her makeup." Each passing second must have seemed like an hour to Chandler. Finally he exclaimed, "Gosh Dad! Her face can't be that BIG!" -- Linda Flaherty (free-lance writing Grandma) of Mesa, Arizona Lydia, 5, came to her grandmother, Beth, holding the knob to the door of Beth's coffeetable. "I was watching the movie and this fell off," Lydia said. "Uh-huh," Beth replied. "And that had nothing to do with you?" "No." "OK -- do you want to tell me the TRUE story?" "I was just waving my feet in the air and this fell off." Beth reached over and touched Lydia's nose. "Yep," Beth said. "It's getting bigger!" "Oh," Lydia said, "I was spinning it with me feet and it came off!" -- Beth Fryer of Lebanon, Pennsylvania Last week Connie voted for Dart's story about Amberlyn's scary dream because her kids said similar things and it brought back memories. For example, Franziska, 7, was telling about her dream at brunch. Translated from German she said, "I woke up and I knew it was a bad dream but then I decided to go back to sleep again 'cause I wanted to see the ending!" -- Connie in Vienna The following three stories are from Mike and Janice Langford, grandparents of Brennan, Blake and Cooper, of Pierce City, Missouri: /\ , {Oo\{o\ .=. {o: \:.\ / \ {O:' \:.-'_.-\_)____ {o:. /`~('-./-----.\ }o: // /| `/\ {O:'// /-' /\/\ }o-/( <___ \'/ /\/\/\ /o./ ;--._)====* -\/\/\/ `"`\ \ /.\ `""` \ \ \ \ jgs /`\ ) |/| | _// \| | / || |/ / | `\| ' Brennan, 6, had a very loose tooth. It was a really big deal for him and he wanted Granddad and Nana to see it. They were planning to come on Sunday afternoon and woke up Sunday morning sick. They had to call and cancel. Brennan's mom was telling him that Nana had a fever and was sick so she couldn't come. He was really bummed out. He told his mom, "MOM, a fever wouldn't hurt!" Blake, 5, said some very funny things and everyone at the table was laughing. Blake commented, "I'm as hot as lava!" Cooper, 2, got into trouble and was sent by his grandma to his room in time out. He walked down the hall toward his room and said in a tone that indicated total disbelief, "It's almost my birthday and I'm in time out!" |\ |\ |\ |\ || .---. || .---. || .---. || .---. ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||/_____\ ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) ||( '.' ) || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ || \_-_/_ :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. :-"`'V'//-. / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / , |// , `\ / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | / /|Ll //Ll|| | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | /_/||__// || | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \ \/---|[]==|| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | \/\__/ | \| | /\|_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | /|/_ | Ll_\ | `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| `--|`^"""^`||_| | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | ||/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J L___l___J |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| |_ | _| jgs (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) (___|___) ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ Michelle's son Bandon is stationed in Iraq and was fortunate enough to get to call home recently. He got to speak to both his little girls. While talking to his eldest, Haley, 3, he asked if she would like for him to bring her a camel when he comes home. Haley replied with a big, "Yes, then I can take some pictures!" (Brandon had to explain to her what a camel is.) -- Michelle Anglin of Lanett, Alabama Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== ,--.,-"";-"-. .-;-/ / / .- `\ .-. ` ( ' ' ` ; `\/ \ \ / \ / (. C . ) | .-. | | _ / (` / | \ /}| | )(\ | `-> (____.| / ||| / \=====| | |\| | |====| \ _/ ` \__/=====| |` `-'======| \ |=======/ | |=======| | .--, ########\ |/ / jgs |_|__|| ` `--. ,---;-'--'\ `--. `---`-------'-.___,___.---' >-->CHILDREN EYES What kind of world is it my friend that little children see? I wonder if they see God first because they just believe? Do they see strength in caring eyes who watch them as they play - or maybe love through gentle hands that guide them on their way? Do you think they dream of future times when they would be a king - or just enjoy their present life while with their friends they sing? Do they see the acts of kindness done for people who are poor? Is the very best in everyone what they are looking for? And when the day is over, as they close their eyes to sleep, do they look forward to tomorrow with its promises to keep? If this is what the children see, then it should be no surprise, the world would be a better place if we all had children's eyes. by Tom Kraus "don't blame it on the chidren". >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 ************************************************************************