When Time Passes You By... :) 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 ================ *~* Please Consider Giving To ShangralaFamilyFun.com The cost of the website has gone up dramatically due to the ever increasingly wonderful pages and photos being added each week to entertain you and our fellow Christian families. While the ads on the website do help, I don't want to drag the site down with tons of them to pay for it. I need your help! "We are each of us angels with but one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" -Luciano Decrescenzo ~ CALLING ALL CARING ANGELS ~ , _/ \_ _,--. < , > .-'.' /(/.\ .' .' .""". `/ ` / / / \ /) ; ; ,_.;._ _;-'}/ | | '. )( /' | | /'-._/\_.-' ; ; \_.' \ , \ \ / | _.'/ '. `'-\ /.-/.;,\ '-._ `"""""`_.|`"""`| jgs `"("\/")` |# | \(_/ `-...-' *~* WE NEED CARING And SHARING Angels *~* >Do You Want To Be A Shangrala Angel? If you'd like to help and be counted as a Shangrala Angel, the easiest way to do that is through online giving. It is easy to use, and most of all, it is secure. Please visit the site, scroll down and click on the donate button. A Secure PAYPAL form page comes up. NOTE: Paypal will generate a 'Quantity 1' and 'Price per item' form. Just ignore the price per item and put whatever it is you desire to give in there. With Paypal, you will have your normal receipt for your 'payment' donation in USD (United States Dollars). You can put a memo in there if you'd like. Any amount is greatly appreciated and needed! PLEASE Visit Shangrala to Help: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/index.html OR If you'd rather send us a donation, Please MAIL it here: Elrhea Bigham 502 S. Harrison Van Wert, OH 45891 *~* THANK YOU! MAY GOD BLESS YOU MOST ABUNDANTLY FOR YOUR GIFT! ================ * 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! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) >From Our Friend Norma :) UPDATED Recipe - An Adjustment in a recipe... Easy Beef Vegetable Stew - Under Meals Here: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/easy.html These adjustments make it soooo much better, I make it this way now. These added ingredients made it so much better, depends how spiced up you want it, but the 2 cans of stewed tomatoes is definitely needed, if you don't want to add the other items, that's okay. --- ...Thanks so much for the update Norma! -<>- This red hot steaming new page is from our friend Linda. Sure to tickle your funny bone and give you some chuckles along with lots of smiles. It helps those of us who care for little ones to know we are not alone during those trying times with them. It's just... ,==. / 66\ \c -_) `) ( / \ |~~~ / \ \ | (( /\ \_ |~~~ \\ \ `--`| / / / |~~~ jgs_______ (_(___)_| Kids Being Kids 5 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/kids5.html --- ...Oh Gee! Lots of smiles here! Thanks Linda! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: , , {\ /} {~ \ ,__/~} {~= ;`'_)=} `{~,;) \~} `;/ \)=-" ~~( )/`==" /)) jgs \\\ ``" >"STORIFYING" by Kristine Lowder Say the word "family" and what comes to mind? Most people think of folks they're related to by blood or adoption -- mom and dad, grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and so on. I realized that all of my most cherished memories involve family. Ditto the biggest challenges, most hair-raising adventures, greatest triumphs, deepest heartaches and happiest moments. Family is where life happens. Where we share our lives, our hearts, and our stories. No one was better at "storifying" -- telling or spinning stories -- than my uncle, Norman Naas. In fact, there are no words for my Uncle Norm. He used them all. In spades. Uncle Norm smoked like a chimney, loved a roaring fireplace, good food, fine wine, and traveling. He loved feeding and entertaining friends, Romans and fellow countrymen by the bus load. The more, the merrier. Even in retirement Norm was a party waiting to happen. The thing I remember best about Norm was how much he loved books. Outside of dad, Norm was the best-read person and most voracious reader I've ever met. His rambling, bougainvillea and camellia-draped house groaned with books. They were everywhere, sprouting like weeds in a garden. You couldn't sit down without first removing a book from your planned perch. Books populated the kitchen, family room, living room, bathroom, bedrooms, coffee and kitchen tables and every available space. Even the garage housed shelf after shelf of books. When we visited Uncle Norm, I looked forward to afternoons when I'd climb into my uncle's ample lap with a book. "Well dear, what do we have today?" he'd ask, adjusting his glasses and oohing and ahing over my selection. "Ah, this is a good one!" he'd smile, even if it was the same "one" we'd read nineteen times in the last two days. Not surprisingly, Uncle Norm could quote entire scenes out of Shakespeare. He'd tell us about writers and literature for hours. Not lectures. These were more like command performances. Norm gobbled up books like a starving man, barely taking time to chew. After dinner Norm would regale us with his "storifying" expertise. Remember that Mel Gibson movie from 1993, Man Without a Face? Gibson plays Justin McLeod, a former teacher turned recluse after his face has been horribly disfigured in an auto accident. Known as "Hamburger Head" to the locals, McLeod is the subject of many rumors and wild stories. Chuck Norstadt (Nick Stahl) is a young boy determined to get into the same military school as his father. Desperate for a tutor, Chuck encounters the reclusive McLeod, and together they begin to help each other deal with a world that has shunned them both. There's a scene where teacher and student are reading Shakespeare (I think it's The Merchant of Venice). Except that they're not really reading it. At least, not in the usual sense. They're interpreting the text, acting it out with costumes and props. Teacher and student aren't reading the story. They ARE the story. That's what listening to Uncle Norm tell or read a story was like. Uncle Norm and I corresponded regularly when I was in high school and college. We did this the old fashioned way -- with paper and pen and postage. This was before email. A running dispute developed over an arcane theological point. I was as right as Norm was, as shy as a cyclone in making my own case on paper. I recall how disappointed I was when my uncle stopped writing. No, that's not it. Not exactly. His letters petered out slowly, over time. Like twin guttering candles. So did mine. It wasn't until my junior year in college that I noticed that I never heard from Uncle Norm anymore. I never asked why. An "oops" moment. I didn't detect any rancor between us -- we just got busy elsewhere and moved on. Another oops. Norm died a few years later. In one of my last missives to my uncle, I told Norm how much I liked to listen to him talk when I was a child. His rich, sonorous bass was as smooth as glass. That was nearly forty years ago. I sometimes wonder what else Norm might have said -- what else I might have said -- if just one of us hadn't allowed the other to drift. It's easy to take people for granted, isn't it? Especially family. How many things we would, could, should say and share and laugh about or argue over or lean back in our chairs and storify -- and never quite seem to get around to it? That uncle, that aunt, those parents, siblings, children or spouse seem as regular as the seasons. We mistake familiarity for permanence, which is a clever but deceptive chimera. That's why I choose to thank God for uncles. For books and letters and storyifying. And family. If we let Him, God somehow smooths out the frayed edges of our oops-blotted lives, rewrites the smudges and slips in something new and fresh and beautiful. He can give us a fresh start. A blank page. A second chance. A new story. Like the one I'm writing now. Uncle Norm would've loved that. -- Kristine Lowder __________________________________________________ A multi-published author, Kristine Lowder resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Chris, their four sons and one yellow Labrador Retriever. =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend LouiseAu :) _____________ __________ /\ \_____ _ (\ -=- \ |; _____|_| `\ --=-= \ \/____________/ \ -==--=- \ __ ) -==-==- ) jgs \/ ( =-==-= ( \ -=- \ /_) -=- ) `""""""""""` >When Time Passes You By: Now ain't it funny when time passes you by It don't leave no tracks but in your minds eye Looking forward to yesterday when it was tomorrow You can't take the time back or ask time to borrow. You have time a coming but then it is all gone Standing in one place time don't stay so long Time stretching out a head even to the horizon and sky Looking back time is just memories to you and I. Time like the puffy white clouds in a clear blue sky Changing always changing and then it passes you by Time O time can't you stop for a minute and at least say hi Time never gets old like me it just passes me by. I'm rich with all of the time that I've spent Perhaps if I ask God for more time even to rent Where O where is all of that time when yesterday was tomorrow Can't I reach back to that time and then just borrow. --- ...A thought provoking one - Thanks LouiseAu! I tried fixing the grammar - but it was too much. O (_) _ )_( _ /`_) H (_`\ .' ( { } ) '. _/ /` '-'='-' `\ \_ [_.' _,...,_ '._] | .:"`````":. | |__//_________\\__| | .-----------. | | | .-"""-. | | | | / / \ | | | ||- < -|| | | | \ \ / | | | |[`'-...-'`]| | | | ;-.___.-; | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | _|||_ | | | | | | >===< | | | | | | |___| | | | | | | ||| | | | | | | ;-; | | | | | | ( ) | | | | | | '-' | | | | | '-------' | | jgs _| '-----------' |_ [= === === ==== == =] [__--__--___--__--__] /__-___-___-___-___-__\ `"""""""""""""""""""""""` We often let time pass us by - hoping things will be better tomorrow, not taking care of our today. - Not taking advantage of the minutes between a show or time we must wait - Not realizing how long a couple minutes wasted is until we spend that time fretting or working out God gives us time on this earth. We are not guaranteed how many minutes we will have. Each day gives us 24 hours - 1440 minutes to use as we please. God gives us the choice to use our time anyway we want to. We can spend our minutes on earth pleasing Him or we can spend our minutes on earth pleasing ourselves or someone else. Our time is our own. We are given this time for a reason. Like giving a child money, God is eager to see how well you spend your time. When we are before our Father, Christ will lay out before Him, all the ways we have spent the time given us here on earth. May we all not be embarrassed before God Almighty, our Father. May we smile and anticipate that our Father will be pleased with us and our efforts while on earth just as a child is eager and proud to show a parent what they bought with their money. Don't let time slip on by. It is most precious. It is what God gives us to 'run a good race' - do our best for him and achieve our prize in heaven for our accomplishments! 1 Cor.9: [24] Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. Phil.3: [14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: __ .---. __ / ` .-.7,--. / `. .-''. -, , \ '--.- -; | ) / ,` / \ ,_) / '-. / ( ( | / .' ) \ '. `--,/ .---' ,-.| `--. / '-, -' .' .==,=; `-,.;--' / ,' _;--;| /_...=' || jgs || .==,=. ||/ '.\ ,||`'=...__\ || || ||, || || || >Hope “...I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5) You Still Have Hope (Author of this poem is unknown) If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope. If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope. If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope. If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope. If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope. If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope. If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope. If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope. If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope. If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope. If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope. If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope. If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase...."yeah....BUT.." then you still have hope. Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can. It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in. Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage. Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it. Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction. Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return. And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places. NEVER lose hope. (unknown) -<>- _ _ (,\- )_ /` b `-D | ,__/ \,_____,' / \ /_|--|___|\ / \ \ |\_) / _'-' / | / \ / \| |` \__ | /_\ ___) jgs (____) >Thoughts On Being Old The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know. Old Age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body, the wrinkles, the baggy eyes, and the sagging butt. And often I am taken aback by that old person that lives in my mirror (who looks like my mother!), but I don't agonize over those things for long. I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging. Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60&70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love .. I will. I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set. They, too, will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect. I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day. (If I feel like it) -<>- .----. _.'__ `. .--(#)(##)---/#\ .' @ /###\ : , ##### `-..__.-' _.-\###/ jgs `;_: `"' .'"""""`. /, JOE ,\ // COOL! \\ `-._______.-' ___`. | .'___ (______|______) >Awakening A time comes in your life when you finally get it ... When, in the midst of All your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the Voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child Quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder Once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world Through new eyes. This is your awakening. You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to Change...or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the Next horizon. You come to terms with the fact that you are neither Prince Charming or Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever After" must begin with you...and in the process a sense of serenity is born Of acceptance. You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will Always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are...and that's OK. They are entitled to their own views and opinions. And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself ...and in the Process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval. You stop Complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or Didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on Is the unexpected. You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say And that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always About you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself... and in the Process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance. You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they Are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties...and in the Process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness. You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around You, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been Ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you Should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you Should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should Make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should Marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your Parents, family, and friends. You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you Begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really stand for. You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to Discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have Bought in to begin with... and in the process you learn to go with your Instincts. You learn that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you Stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next Fix. You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated Ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation Upon which you must build a life. You learn that you don't know everything, and that it's not your job to save The world. You learn to distinguish between guilt, responsibility, and the importance Of setting boundaries and learning to say NO. You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and That martyrs get burned at the stake. Then you learn about love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to Stop giving and when to walk away. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would Have them be. And you learn that alone does not mean lonely. You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing Things over and ignoring your needs. You learn that feelings are perfectly OK...and that it is your right to want Things and to ask for the things you want...and that sometimes it is Necessary to make demands. You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, Kindness, sensitivity, respect, and you won't settle for less. You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you Take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more Time to laugh and to play. You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you Deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy. -Author unknown -<>- ______ '-._ ```"""---.._ ,-----.:___ `\ ,;;;, '-.._ ```"""--.._ |,%%%%%% _ , '. `\;;;; -\ _ _.'/\ .' `-.__ \ ,;;;;" .__{=====/_)==:_ || ,===/ ```";,,,,,,,;;;;;'`-./.____,'/ / '.\/ '---/ ';;;;;;;;' `--.._.' / ,===/ '-. `\/ '---/ ,'`. | ; __.-' \ ,' jgs \______,,.....------'''`` `---` >Twenty Things to Remember (Trust) 1. Faith is the ability to not panic. 2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry. 3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday. 4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape. 5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot. 6. Do the math. Count your blessings. 7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. 8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me. 9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted. 10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging. 11. The most important things in your home are the people. 12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional. (Preach it!) 13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open: Come on in. 14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry. 15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead. 16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments. 17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay. 18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure not to get stuck on the pot too long and be sure to flush when you're done. 19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck. 20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: Alcohol And Drug Use http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/alcoholanddrugs.html Never Give Up http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/nevergiveup.html Our Gifts And Callings http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/giftscallings.html The Blue Ribbon http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/blueribbon.html Think Positive!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/positive.html Semper Fidelis!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/semperfi.html Thank You Lord!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/thanks.html Are Angels Real?- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/angelsreal.html Animal Friends!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends.html Rescued Squirrel!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/rsquirrel.html Maria The Goose!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goose.html Detroit Autorama!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/detroitauto.html Akiane Child Prodigy!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/prodigy.html Value What You Have!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/valuewyh.html Attitude Is Everything!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html You Are The Only You God Has!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/onlyyougodhas.html -<>- >Please Follow Me On StumbleUpon: http://tinyurl.com/k9npl58 -<>- >In The News: This is Super Scary - Watch This around 30:00 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dga7i3-BOXc Liberal Mom Aghast As Huge Guy Wearing Lakers Jersey Walks Into Ladies’ Room [VIDEO] http://tinyurl.com/mhpgl46 Latest from MRC: http://em.mrc.org/lzBdb000Y96q0S0K80L0P0R From StudentsForLife: Shocking email... This video showed a longtime abortionist for Planned Parenthood describing in grave detail her abortion procedures...even joking that she needs to “hit the gym” more so she’s better able to break the bones and joints of the babies she aborts. http://tinyurl.com/kz37l28 Krauthammer Tells McConnell To Channel Clint Eastwood If Dems filibuster Gorsuch [VIDEO] If Schumer wants to trigger the nuclear option, I would quote Clint Eastwood with those immortal words... http://tinyurl.com/kb5vaao Judge Napolitano Is Back And He Stands By Obama Wiretapping Claims Judge Andrew Napolitano made his first appearance on Fox News Wednesday since making the claim that President Obama surveilled Trump Tower during the 2016 election nearly two weeks ago... http://tinyurl.com/n92k5pr It’s a Proud Day for Vietnam Vets Thanks To President Trump President Trump signed into law an act of Congress that honors Vietnam veterans with their own day of recognition, says the White House.... THANKS VETS!!!!! http://tinyurl.com/lho7jg7 -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseAu :) Every magician likes to involve a pretty girl in his magic tricks but it's not often that the pretty girl is also a magician herself. This magic duo performs a stunning illusion on the French TV show The Worlds Greatest Cabaret hosted by Patrick Sabastien that will leave you wondering exactly how they pulled this trick off. This magical act won an award during the World Magic Awards in 2009 and it's easy to see why as it is very entertaining. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKns1uatyNg Magician Adrien Wild amazes the audience on The Greatest Cabaret in the World when he performs his double levitation illusion. I would imagine this magical illusion can be easily explained given the dark background being used but I still enjoyed watching the performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0REB81gmzbY --- ...Awesome! Thanks LouiseAu! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Karen :) ___ ,_ '---' _, \ `-._|\_/|_.-' / | =)'T'(= | \ /`"`\ / jgs '._\) (/_.' | | /\ /\ \ T / (/ \)\ )) (( \) >FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY In Florida, an atheist created a case against Easter and Passover Holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays..." The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists." The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fools Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that, if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned..." You gotta love a Judge that knows his scripture! --- ...Well said! Thanks Karen! I am torn on this one since my own Birthday falls on April 1st! =============================================================== _ _ _ ( '.__.' ) ( '.__.' )_.' '._ _.;| || || || //\\ //\\|__|| ||__||--|| ||--||| || || ||\// \\// || || || || || || || || || jgs || || || || || || || /__\ /__\ >West Chicago Rescue Story Editor: by Laura Sosnowski Joyce Schowalter Illinois, USA In 1995 I broke my left foot on a bike ride. I could still drive, so kept up my busy life despite the cast and crutches. One Sunday I drove to a picnic in a forest preserve an hour from home, in my comfy, but unreliable, white Skyhawk. The picnic was great, with good food, good friends, laughter, and good weather. Late in the afternoon I said goodbye and began my drive home. I took the scenic route through West Chicago, a tiny town about 25 miles west of Chicago proper. Everything closes down on Sunday there, driving through you wonder if anyone even lives there. As I started up a bridge the Skyhawk started to jerk. The car's alternator was mounted with only one bolt, which occasionally loosened, eventually resulting in the car's battery dying. I thought, Not now, not here! The car died. I rolled backwards onto the gravel shoulder for safety, and pulled the emergency brake. Of course it was starting to get dark. If I got out to walk, where would I go? And on crutches? How long before a car would come by, and would they stop to help? It would be one very expensive tow to my hometown mechanic. Then I saw a house right there at the bottom of the bridge, with a family outside having a picnic of their own! Some of them were looking in my direction; some were clearing away the apparently completed picnic meal. I couldn't get down the dip off the road into their gravel driveway with crutches, so I got out, leaned on the car and waved one crutch over my head. Their response was immediate. Three people ran up to the car to see what I needed. I told them my story and they leapt into action. If finding them outside wasn't lucky enough, this was the home of the family who owned the in-town auto mechanic shop, just one block away. They promised to tow the car to their shop, fix it the next morning, and call when it was finished. That was too good to be true, yet I still needed to get home. One woman asked me where I lived and I told her. West Chicago is about 45 minutes from my home, and I couldn't ask her to drive me. It turned out she lived in the town next to mine. I couldn't ask her to leave the party because of me, but she insisted she was leaving now anyway. Unbelievable luck again, I had a ride and she refused to take any gas money for her trouble. I was so grateful. I was delivered safely home. The car was fixed the next day as promised. The bill was reasonable, and they attached a second bolt to the alternator so the problem was fixed forever. I was so grateful I sent a thank you note. I'm still amazed at how very kind and honest they all were. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From LaughOrLift: "It is a fundamental principle in the life and walk of faith that we must always be prepared for the unexpected when we are dealing with God." - D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones The Lift .-'''''-. |'-----'| |-.....-| | | | | _,._ | | __.o` o`"-. | | .-O o `"-.o O )_,._ | | ( o O o )--.-"`O o"-.`'-----'` jgs '--------' ( o O o) `----------` >A Glass of Milk (Author Unknown) One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Year's later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day on, he gave special attention to the case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words: "PAID IN FULL WITH ONE GLASS OF MILK." (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love is shed abroad through human hearts and hands." (Note from Chris: This story has been verified to generally be, at least at core, a true story) -<>- The Laugh ."". _ | | _ (` ':():' `) '-'|/\|`-' / \ /| |)-.--._ ( | / _| | `| )| (/` ) | | / | /) /'--:__/ ( |/ / | ( ' \ | \ `. / jgs | | >YOU KNOW YOU ARE GETTING OLDER WHEN..... 1. You and your teeth don't sleep together. 2. You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren't wearing any. 3. At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, pop and you're not eating cereal. 4. Your back goes out but you stay home. 5. It takes two tries to get up from the couch. 6. Your idea of a night out is sitting on the patio. 7. You say something to your kids that your mother said to you, and you always hated it. 8. All you want for your birthday is to not be reminded of your age. 9. You step off a curb and look down one more time to make sure the street is still there. 10. Your idea of weight lifting is standing up. 11. Your address book has mostly names that start with Dr. 12. The pharmacist has become your new best friend. 13. It takes twice as long -- to look half as good. 14. You have more hair in your ears and nose than on your head. 15. Everything either dries up or leaks. 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: {} , A {} / \, | , .--. | =|= > /.--.\ \ /` | ` |====| ` | |`::`| | .-;`\..../`;_.-^-._ /\\/ / |...::..|` : `| |:'\ | /'''::''| .:. | \ /\;-,/\ :: |..ASCII..| |\ <` > >._::_.| ':ART:' | | `""` / ^^ | ':' | | | \ : / | | \ : / | |___/\___|`-.:.-` | \_ || _/ ` | <_ >< _> | | || | | | || | | _\.:||:./_ | jgs /____/\____\ >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY When Chris was pregnant with their second child, she and her husband discussed how they would tell Vivian, 4, about the baby. Everything they had read on the subject said to be honest but keep it simple when explaining. So they said, "Mommy has a baby brother or sister in her tummy and soon the baby will join our family and share your room." Vivian asked, "How did the baby get into your tummy?" Trying to keep things as simple as possible, Chris replied, "Daddy put it there." Vivian said, "Oh," and ran off to play. A few days later Vivian came in from playing next door and announced, "Mommy, Larry's mommy has a baby in her tummy, too." Then Vivian noticed her grandparents sitting in the living room. Running to them to give them hugs, she said her loudest voice, "And I know how the baby got in his mommy's tummy because my mommy told me so... My daddy put it there!" -- Chris Smith of Atoka, Oklahoma Here's another one from Chris. After Sunday School last Sunday, Airianna, her 7-year-old granddaughter, was telling Chris about her Sunday School lesson. "This little boy had three fish sticks and three breads and Jesus took them and made sandwiches for thousands of peoples!" Airianna said. One day last fall, Debbie was in their garden picking grapes to make grape jelly. The bugs where bad that day, so she parked the van close by and let Abby, 4, play in it (with the window cracked) right next to her. She was having fun putting on layers of lipstick and chewing all the gum as fast as possible. Debbie almost had her basket full, when she heard this: "Psst, Mommy, psst... hey Mommy, are you having a Grape day?" Debbie said, "What did you say?" Abby said, "Don't you get it? Are you have a Grape (great) day?" -- Debbie Walterhouse of Kendallville, Indiana |\ // \\ _!_ \\ /___\ \\ [+++] \\ _ _\^^^/_ _ ,a_a \\/ ( '-' ( ) {/ ''\_ /( \/ | {&} /\ \ {\ ,_oo) \ / \ / _> ) {/ (_^_@\_________________ "` >:::;-'`""'-. .=. {/ \___)))*)---------------"` /:::/ \ (.=.`\ {/ /=; @/ / /|| {&} | \ `\{/( \/\ ( / (\ / \ `. `\ ) ) / / \'-.___.-' jgs \ // /_/_ _/ / \ \ '==''---)))) /___| /___| Jim was picking up his daughter at day care and loading her into the car when she said, "Chezzus." He looked behind himself and saw the cross hanging from the rearview mirror and said, "Yes, Honey, that is Jesus. He died on the cross for us." The next day he picked her up and she said the same thing. So Jim told her again about Jesus dying on the cross. She grabbed his face with her little hand and with the other one she pulled out what she was talking about -- a hand full of cheese crackers (Cheeze-Its) that she had in her coat pocket. -- Jim of Livonia, Michigan In the produce section of the grocery store, Alicia was trying hard to pick the best melons. Jordan, 5, asked her why she was smelling them, and she explained that the best melons have a special smell. Jordan, wanting to be helpful, went to the cucumbers, picked one up, inhaled deeply and said, "I don't smell anything!" -- Rita (grandmother of Jordan) of Kendallville, Indiana Caleb, 4, was playing with Play-Doh when he said, "Hey, Mom, look." He had a blue strip of Play-Doh stuck across his nose. His mother looked puzzled, so he said, "Breathe Right Nasal Strips!" -- Patricia Stover (mother of Caleb) of Red House, West Virginia Vi was in the restroom at a high school basketball game at Angola. A little boy was talking with his mother. He was looking for something -- his mom told him to look on the left. "Which left?" he replied. "The left on my side or the left on your side?" -- Vi Wysong of Wawaka, Indiana _ _ _ _ [_]___[_]__[_]___[_] [__#__][__I_]__I__#] [_I_#_I__#[__]__#__] [_]_#_]__I_#_] [I_|/ _W_ \|#] [#_||{(")}||_] [_I||{/~\}||_] [__]|/\_/\||#] [_I__I#___]__] [__I_#_I___#_] [#__I____]__I] .-. [__I_#__I__[_] __|=|__ [_#_[__#_]__#] (_/`-`\_) [__#_I__[#_I_] //\___/\\ [_I__]__#_I__] <>/ \<> [#__I__#_]__I] \|_._|/ [_I#__I___I_#] .:. <_I_> [#__I__]_#___] -=o=- ||| [_I__I#__]___] ':' jgs /_|_\ \\[__]#___][__#]//, \|/ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Lita's gold tooth has attracted children's attention from the day it was hammered into her head. Children from across Canada have pointed to her mouth, commenting on the gold tooth when meeting Lita for the first time. One day at a Mother's Day family event, one of the 3-year-old guests, looking like a doll in her long blue gingham dress and red ringlets, pointed to Lita's tooth and asked, "When you were a widdle, widdle baby did you have that tooth?" She kept asking. Lita realized what she really wanted to know was: Were you born with it? -- Lita Camozzi of Toronto, Canada After waking up from his nap, Evan, 3, asked if he could have some Fruit Bites for a snack. Phyllis, his childcare provider, suggested he have some grapes instead, and he agreed. After eating a small bowlful of grapes, Evan said, "I don't like grapes. May I have some Fruit Bites now?" -- Phyllis Myers of Butler, Indiana ,)))))))),,, ,(((((((((((((((, )\`\)))))))))))))), *--===///`_ ```((((((((( \\\ b\ \ ``))))))) ))\ | (((((((( ,,,, ( \ |`. )))))))) ____ ,)))))), \, / ) ((((((((-.___.-" `"((((((( `" / ))))))) \`))))) / ((((`` \((((( _____| `)) / |))))) / \ | / ((((( / --.__) / _\ / ))))) / / / /'`"~----~` `. \ (((( / / / /` `-._ `-. `))) /_ ( / /` `-._ \ (( /__|` / /` `\`-. \ `) / /` `\ \ \ / / \ \ \ jgs /_ ( /_()_( /__|` /__/__| When Diane was 8, they were driving through Syracuse one weekend. She wanted to drive by her father's office. Her father said, " We'll pass it, but I don't know if you'll recognize it because they just painted the building a different color." Diane then asked, "Did they tell you what color they were painting it so you'll know where to go to work?" -- Debbi Armstrong (sister of Diane) of Orlando, Florida Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== * * *%%* ,,,,, *%%* *%%%%%* W*W*W*W *%%%%%* *%%%%%%%* {//"\\}*%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%*{{/6.6\}}*%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%*{{( = )}}*%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%%*}}}}) ({{{{*%%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%%%* {{{{ }}}} *%%%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%%%%%* We are each of us *%%%%%%%%%* *%%%%%* angels with only one wing*%%%%%* jgs *%%* And we can only fly *%%* * embracing each other. * -Luciano Decrescenzo >-->THERE IS SPRING By William A. Ward Where there are love and generosity, there is joy. Where there are sincerity and sacrifice, there is friendship. Where there are harmony and simplicity, there is beauty. Where there are prayer and forgiveness, there is peace. Where there are moderation and patience, there is wisdom. Where there are conflicts and crises, there is opportunity. Where there are wonder and adventure, there is growth. Where there are adoration and confession, there is worship. Where there are compassion and concern, there is God. Where there are faith and hope, there is spring. (¯`v´¯) `*.¸.*´ ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨) (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. Huggums!... :) Shangy! >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 ************************************************************************