Amazing Answers to Prayers

In the last month, I've had some amazing answers to prayers. Prayers that started over eighteen months ago. Sometimes it feels like a wilderness, the waiting for answers and healing.

After the car crash Christmas of 2011, I spent four months with hours and hours each week in physical therapy and doctor visits, then into a shoulder surgery, and then back into another seven months of PT.

Discouraged, I wondered what my lesson would be in all the lost time. Besides making my mark on the world ;) How would all that lost time translate into something good? God promises to work all things for good for those who love the Lord. He had me really curious as I thought I wandered the wasteland.

Angie's Mark on the World
Crash spot a few months later the ground is still torn up.

(It doesn't seem like all that time passed. But it took a year from turning in the manuscript to the release of A Healing Heart, in April 2013. That entire year rather than waiting for my book to release, I was in recovery from the car wreck and surgery.)

Have you ever been in that place where you had no idea how to pray? With so much time spent recuperating from the shoulder, neck, back injuries the creative part of me chomped at air. I wondered how long until life felt normal again. Writing and speaking, still so important to me, had to slow down to fit in all the medically necessary appointments. I prayed for it all to be over, to be healed, and to return to the writing world. And God answered.

But God allowed me to wait for some very good reasons.

1. How it felt to have a long illness.
2. How to help my fitness and weight loss clients with comprehension and compassion for injuries.
3. Editing for income.
4. Changing directions I wouldn't have thought of prior.
5. Learning, learning, learning to overcome a fear of driving.
6. Opening my eyes to opportunities.
7. New friendships and deeper relationships with old friends.
8. Trust. That people really wanted to help and I didn't need to do everything myself.
9. New ideas for more novels because of the many experiences in the long process.
10. A willing heart to take the path God puts me on.

Rainbow near the crash site.
God's love shines in every circumstance and He does bring good out of rough circumstances even if it takes a long time for us to see it.

Is the Story, Hunger Games, Fiction?

Is the story, Hunger Games, fiction?

The same day I saw an ad for the movie, Hunger Games, this article came through my inbox from Assist News. I don't think Hunger Games is fiction. I think it's very, very real. Reminds me of the Roman gladiators or the cage fighting happening on US TV every night. Tell me what you think after reading this article or seeing a televised cage fight right in your living room.--Angie

Monday, March 12, 2012

Iraqi Teenagers Stoned to Death for Western Dress and 'emo' Haircuts

By Michael Ireland

Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

BAGHDAD, IRAQ (ANS) -- Religious extremists in Baghdad have stoned to death at least 90 Iraqi teenagers with "emo" appearances in the past month after an inflammatory interior ministry statement dubbed it "devil worshiping," activists said.

An online article published March 9 at http://english.al-akhbar.com  says that  Iraq's Moral Police released a chilling statement on the interior ministry's website condemning the "emo phenomenon" among Iraqi youth, disturbingly declaring its intent to "eliminate" the trend.

"The 'Emo phenomenon' or devil worshiping is being followed by the Moral Police who have the approval to eliminate [the phenomenon] as soon as possible since it's detrimentally affecting the society and becoming a danger," the statement read.  "They wear strange, tight clothes that have pictures on them such as skulls and use stationary that are shaped as skulls. They also wear rings on their noses and tongues, and do other strange activities," it continued.

The website says that religious extremists caught onto the interior ministry statement, and have been harassing and killing teenagers with "strange" or "emo" appearances.
"A group of armed men dressed in civilian clothing led dozens of teenagers to secluded areas a few days ago, stoned them to death, and then disposed their bodies in garbage dumpsters across the capital," according to activists.

The armed men are said to belong to "one of the most extremist religious groups" in Iraq, the website stated. "First they throw concrete blocks at the boy's arms, then at his legs, then the final blow is to his head, and if he is not dead then, they start all over again," one person who managed to escape told the Al-Akhbar website.

The website goes on to say that Iraq's moral police was granted approval by the Ministry of Education to enter Baghdad schools and pinpoint students with such appearances, according to the interior ministry's statement.

The exact death toll remains unclear, but Hana al-Bayaty of Brussels Tribunal, an NGO dealing with Iraqi issues, said the current figure ranges "between 90 and 100," the website said.

"What's most disturbing about this is that they're so young," she said.

According to the web report, Al-Bayaty said the killings appear to have been carried out by extremist Shia militias in mostly poor Shia neighborhoods and said she suspected "there's complicity of the Ministry of Interior in the killings."

Photos of the victims were released on Facebook, causing panic and fear among Iraqi students, the website said. The web report said a young man with long hair expressed alarm at the government-ordained harassment of teenagers with Western appearances.

"I have long hair but that doesn't mean I'm an Emo. I'm not less of a man if I have long hair. Let's not say that if I have long hair, I'm a homosexual, but I have long hair because this is my style, this is me," he told Iraq's Al-Sharqiya television network.

Safiyyah al-Suhail, an Iraqi MP, said on Thursday that "some students have been recently arrested because they were wearing American jeans or had Western haircuts."

The web report explained that the interior ministry has not disclosed the number of teenage victims, but released a follow-up statement on Thursday warning extremists "not to step on public freedom of Iraqis."

News of the gruesome deaths drew a stern reaction from Iraq's prominent Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who criticized the stoning of the young men as "an act of terrorism."

The Director of the Moral Police of the Interior Ministry released a statement, saying "The 'Emo phenomenon' or devil worshiping is being followed by the Moral Police who have the approval to eliminate [the phenomenon] as soon as possible since it's detrimentally affecting the society and becoming a danger."

The website further explained that 'Emo' comes from the English word 'emotional' and the phenomenon is popular among teenagers not only in Iraq, but in most societies. They use their appearances and movements as a method to express their emotions and embody their will and their view of life in their behavior.

Colonel Mushtaq Taleb al-Mahemdawi said: "The Emo Phenomenon was discovered a while back by members of our force in Baghdad. A report has been made and given to the Ministry of Interior to receive an approval to carry on with the investigation and to know how to eliminate the phenomenon."

He added: "The Ministry of Interior took this situation very seriously and received an approval from the Ministry of Education to set a plan under my full supervision and to allow us to enter schools in the capital."

"There are some cases of the spread of this phenomenon specifically among schools in Baghdad, but we are facing great difficulty in the lack of women on the force who would allow us to carry the investigation more accurately since the phenomenon is more popular among girls between the ages of 14 and 18."

"They wear strange, tight clothes that have pictures on them such as skulls and use stationary (sic) that are shaped as skulls. They also wear rings on their noses and tongues, and do other strange activities."

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** Michael Ireland is the Senior International Correspondent for ANS. He is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London (United Kingdom) newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB UK, a British Christian radio station. While in the UK, Michael traveled to Canada and the United States, Albania,Yugoslavia, Holland, Germany,and Czechoslovakia. He has reported for ANS from Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel, Jordan, China,and Russia. Michael's volunteer involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International of P.O.Box 1649, Brentwood, TN 37024-1649, at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International where you can make a donation online under 'Donate' tab, then look for 'Michael Ireland Media Missionary' under 'Donation Category' to support his stated mission of 'Truth Through Christian Journalism.' Michael is a member in g ood standing of the National Writers Union, Society of Professional Journalists, Religion Newswriters Association, Evangelical Press Association and International Press Association. If you have a news or feature story idea for Michael, please contact him at: ANS Senior International Reporter

---

** You may republish this story with proper attribution.
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.com

What do you do when . . .

Life gets so busy.
The to-do list is too long.
The phone keeps ringing and you can't get anything done.

Stop.

It sounds counterintuitive, but when the world starts to crash in on you, stop.

Everytime the list, work, busy life starts to hammer me I instinctively start to push back harder. It feels like if I just get one more thing done I'll be back on top of things. Then it all comes tumbling down and I feel even more overwhelmed.

The last few weeks I started to recognize when I took time out to rest, I'm more productive. How strange? So I tried it again. One more time it proved fruitful. Hmm. Starting to see a pattern here.

What about you? Are you willing to stop and rest for the sake of productivity?

Are you intentional?

How was your day?

Some days seem to be filled with productivity and others, well, they kind of get away from me. Yesterday was one of those. No matter how hard I tried, I felt like the day was slipping into the sea of lost causes.

Frustrated, I reworked my to-do list and tried again. But to no avail. At the end of the day I realized part of my problem was fatigue. I'd been going and going faster and faster until my day was no longer productive but frenetic.

Today I did much better. Then it started to feel overwhelming again. So you know what I did? I intentionally took the afternoon off. I took from about 2:30 p.m. until well after dinner and just relaxed. The shocker came. Yep, yep, yep. When I pulled out the work I needed to finish, I did the same amount in less time.

As I look back over the last few weeks, I can see the pattern. Every time I pushed too hard, my productivity went down. Now I'm refocused. Not on all that has to be done. That's on the list. I'm refocused on taking intentional time off to revitalize and refresh.

Will you take intentional time off? What would that look like? How can you plan for it?

Angie

The Power of a Thank You Note

Rough day?

And the sigh is as long as the face.

Then the unexpected happens. It's not related to this day. It's not related to the events of the week or even the month. It's a surprise from something forgotten. A kind turn given and forgotten.

A thank you note shows up in the mail.

The day brightens.

For a moment, your mind flickers back to that tiny deed. It was nothing. It didn't cost much time or effort.

But somehow, you touched a life enough to warrant a thank you.

The blessing? The sense of appreciation shows up on the day you need it most. The day you feel like life is just a little too hard. Challenges just a little too big for you.

But God knew. He knew when He nudged you to say yes to a small deed that meant the world to someone else. He knew you'd need that encouragement that minute. God prepared a special angel kiss way before you knew you'd need it.

The power of a thank you note isn't the words, oh they are often very beautiful and inspiring. The power of a thank you note is attitude altering, affirming, and awesome. It's stunning how enriching that powerful note can be.

Do you send thank you notes? Did you ever think they might actually be a gift set up by God for the person receiving it? Is it possible God is working through you when you send a thank you note to speak encouragement right into the soul of someone?

Greg Hennis- Not the Way I Thought It Would Be

Please welcome my guest today, Greg Hennis. His interview about his broadcasting career is found on thefaithgirls.com but I've asked him to share his testimony on God Uses Broken Vessels in order to reach out and help others who might have experienced something similar or need encouragment. Greg is a broadcaster in New Jersey with the radio show, Second Chances on LiftFM 98.5, and on television. His heart and talent are to help others understand that God is a God of second chances. Please enjoy my new friend, Greg, and his testimony. ~Angie

Greg's testimony: Not the Way I Thought It Would Be

My first paying job in the broadcasting field at 16 was in itself a blessing from above. After spending my first couple of years in local radio, in 1990, God opened a door for me to get in on the ground floor of local cable TV. I thought it would be short term. I'd married, and life seemed good, until my marriage came to an end. I wasn't living for the Lord and God was not the center of my marriage or my life. 

Several years following I began to feel a tug to own a broadcasting company. I talked many times over the next 8 years with the owner of the company I worked for about buying his business. He always seemed like he wanted to talk about it but never really moved forward. I even did a extensive business plan and spoke to area banks about a loan, but it never went any further. I felt stalled out.

God began to get my attention for the first time since I was a child in Sunday School. I met my wife Carrie, and through her, I rededicated my life to God. One of the first things God did through prayer was take away my 15 year habit of smoking. I tried every trick know to man, but God spoke to me and said, "Greg I can't take them from you if you don't put them down." It took me a week but I did what God said. From that day forward I have not even had a desire to smoke. Praise God!

    

Back to my desire to own a broadcast business. As the calendar rolled to 2008 I was entering my 18th year of working for a local company, making a great living but inside I felt more and more depressed about continuing. The signs of change were all around me but they hadn't directly affected me. The owner of the company had left his wife and the economy was quickly going down. Finally we lost too many customers due to the economy. Approaching Thanksgiving things in the industry seemed hopeless and dim. A week or two prior, I spoke to the owner and felt in my spirit this time would be the final time I asked. He blamed the lack of desire to sell on his estranged wife, but I knew inside it was just to keep me with the company. I was the top salesman and brought in most of the revenue. 

The first day of work following the Thanksgiving Holiday, I was more down than ever. While I was out of state that day doing a project for a customer, the bookkeeper, a former employee, and a saleswoman (who kept watch) were in my office trying to steal information from my personal laptop. I found out when I returned. I was shocked. Loyalty is important to me, but I knew that after 18 years I was leaving and not looking back. Ironically, it was in the worst economy and I wasn't even nervous. 

I went on a 17 day fast, I became closer to God than ever. On January 1, 2009 Advantage Broadcasting and  Advantage Radio Ministries began operations. In 2005 while I was looked into starting a company, I thought I would need a minimum of $500,000 to secure equipment, office space, etc. The miracle? I started it for under $30,000 when I cashed in my 401k and God did the rest.

Throughout the next several years, God has blessed me. I've grown and learned many things. In the begining of 2010 business was great. My business was doing well. God even opened a door to get my church on TV every Thursday night in prime time in over 2 million homes in the Philadelphia market with many people being saved and set free. 

But life was about to throw me another curve. In May, my largest customer began to bounce large checks and fall behind. Soon he owed us thousands. Next thing I know the state closed down his business. Then my former employer attempted to bring a personal law suit against me. What else could happen? Things were tough! My business was in debt and I had an angry ex employer trying to bring me down anyway he could for things that werent true. Finally, after weighing my options, I realized the only way to get myself out of this financial mess and was to declare personal bankruptcy. 

It was a hard thing to decide. I had a great credit score and never had a late payment on my credit report. But I knew what had to be done. In early 2011 it became public knowledge that it was filed. My former employer learned there'd be no suit due to the bankruptcy and he was angry. He began notifying broadcast outlets who did business with me, customers, and anyone who would listen that I had personally filed. He always gave the impression it was the business to try to hurt me. 

Not only do I all this stress, but I have to start calling all my customers and business contacts and tell them myself. Very Humbling. After the first few it got easier and then in February, I was doing a interview on my Christian radio show, "Second Chances", and the guest said something that made it all seem worth while. She said the things in life that we try to hide are the things that God wants us to share to be a blessing and help to others. Since then I haven't stoped encouraging people by sharing what I just shared with you. They all say the same thing, "WOW, God Is Good."

And I say to that, "Yes he is."

What my ex employer doesn't know is that because of God's love for us, he gives us the strength to forgive. I have forgiven him and even feel pity for him dealing with the bitterness he has. I hope God's love will one day heal him.

I'm clearly not out of this yet, as you read this today, but what I can say for sure without question, if you live for God he will NEVER leave you or foresake you and he always provides. It's not always how we think he will, but he does. He's never let me down. He will never let you down either.

Working Toward The Goal

lately so many projects and ideas compete with the must-do list. I started to feel overwhelmed. Then I sat down and made a list of what needed to be done and when. Short project to enable me to complete many larger projects.

To my surprise, I make lists all the time, listing the projects caused my production level to leap forward. Today I finished three main items I thought would take all week. Wow!

Making lists isn't new to me. But cleaning up odds and ends seems to make that list grow and grow. By writing only the names of the projects I grabbed hold of the bigger overview. Instead of overwhelmed, I was inspired and motivated. I knocked out those three projects in less time than I thought possible. Now I can move on to the next project with the confidence I built in the accomplishments of today.

What inspires and motivates you to become ultra productive?

Come visit the faith girls blog and see why I was so nervous to post!

Mrs. High Energy is Back!

Hah! Figured it out! So excited! I went from feeling like this even after a good night's sleep...

Sleepy Panda

Caffeine became my crutch...And having felt like that all day for the last several months...

Super sloth in the afternoon

I was ecstatic to realize I didn't need a nap today to feel like this...


How?

I did the unthinkable! Yes, the thing most people dread... I had my annual check up and learned something about myself I didn't know. Something that might be helpful to other people too.




I learned that all I needed was to supplement with some folic acid and Vitamin D3. In fact, my doc helped me understand the right amount for me. I'm feeling a lot better and am thrilled that I can see it will keep getting better as I build my immunity and minimum needs back up. (By the way, minimum needs of folic acid are not those touted on cereal boxes. Doc says that's just enough to stop the rickets but not enough to help with fatigue, diabetes, and colon cancer.)

How did I get so tired? Coping with Colitis is a difficult chore. I've spent a long time discovering the foods I can and cannot eat. Dark greens and fresh vegies are a real problem for me. But there are other people out there that can eat them and just don't.

My doc was thrilled with all my blood tests, blood pressure, heart and all my results. Except this one thing kept plaguing me, fatigue, but my thyroid numbers were doing fine. So we ran back through my regular daily diet. Because the colitis interferes with the foods that have folic acid and I live in a Northern clime, she determined I had some deficiencies we could clear up simply. Yahoo! I'm all about simple.

So once I undersood that certain elements in our diet really do matter for energy, protection from diabetes, bone density, and metabolism then I saw dramatic results in how my body functions.

For me, it was such a dramatic difference after even 2 doses of higher level folic acid and Vitamin D3 that I'm astonished. I'd forgotten to ask how long until I'd see results. I wish I could express to you how different this is. Maybe Snoopy does. My eyes are not burning. I'm not yawning. I'm not dragging through the afternoon like I have for the last year. I feel elated!

Do you know what else she said? Keep eating what you're eating. It's working well and add the supplements. Oh yes, I am sticking to her advice!

Something so very simple and yet so crucial. May I suggest you talk to your doc, evaluate your personal requirements, and recover from the fatigue?

We'll Snoopy dance together :-)

Is fatigue an issue for you?


Keep eating what you're eating because it's working...
Here's how I eat. :-)
Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance

When Someone Else Puts You First

Ever have someone do something amazing for you?

I had a recent disappointment. But instead of letting me drop through the cracks, one person wanted to make sure things went right for me. She's a lovely soul, mind you, but I had no reason to expect that disappointment to blossom into a spectacular garden of opportunity. But God knows ahead of time when things are going to feel like we are losing and has a better plan already in place.

An appearance that would allow me to be in North Carolina canceled this coming weekend. But it seems that it's working out even better. Instead of a short few days with only one appearance, now I will have the potential for 8-9 days! I'll be able to spend more time and actually speak into the hearts I long to reach.

In addition, I'll have the joy of being able to connect with family members that I have rarely seen in the last 15-17 years. By recognizing the benefits of being patient, both my personal and professional life will have a more joyous experience.

Sometimes I think we live only in the immediate and miss the reality that waiting may be more beneficial than rushing in and attacking the problem. I'm still surprised, but I think it's a better plan for me to take several deep breaths, pray, and believe God has something better planned. He's actually proving to me this year that He is faithful in the small things so that I will trust Him with bigger things.

Does that twist on scripture surprise you?

I started to realize lately that what God asks of us He already models. He says that when we are faithful in the small things, He can trust us with bigger things (paraphrased). So it makes a lot of sense to me that God is showing me how to learn more trust through small steps. I trust Him more and more because He's coming through in the small ways.

It's affecting me so much that I'm now watching for the little things God will do to prove His love and ability to provide. But I'm also conscious that I need to be faithful in the little things too! It's become a conversation between God and I. The more I see attributed to God, the more I want to be faithful. I have begun telling Him about it each time I see Him come through with an answer to prayer.

Now I see how God works through others to help us feel in community with Him. I see how He has been showing faithfulness to me. I see those little things I want to be in synch with God's will because He first showed me how to believe He will do what He says.

When someone else puts you first, do you see God's hand reaching out for you? Do you see Him providing for you and/or answering your prayers?

Angela Breidenbach
http://www.MyGemOfWisdom.com
Gems of Wisdom, June 1, 2011, Sheaf House/Journey Press

When Things Go Wrong They Are Often The Most Right

Some days glow when you wake up. They feel warm, wonderful, and welcoming. Others, well, they are what they are--at the start. The question is how will day end?

Over the weekend, I had the most wonderful opportunity to speak at the Naked Truth conference. It was geared to Christian singles. Little things went wrong like little foxes released in the field. They created a lot of havoc.

The worries I had were over a new presentation in a different style on power point. Very little sleep, unfamiliar setting without a simple internet connection, not knowing how to get the technical tools working, and of course a few forgotten little items made me start to stress.

But I had a fabulous experience. No matter what seemed to go wrong, warm and friendly people jumped in to help. By the end of the day, after hearing the hearts that shared with me, I was more blessed than any one present. The stories I heard after sharing mine were not only encouraging, but also a bonding. I couldn't help smiling, hugging, and feeling like my treasure chest was full of the gems other people had filled it with all through the day.

All those little things people did to step in for small needs added up to great blessings even though they started as little stresses. All those little helps prove that no one succeeds on their own and no one achieves the heights of their dreams all by themselves.

I may have woken rushed and exhausted, but my day ended with the glow.

In what way has your needs, your mishaps turned around to lift you up?
What people have helped you achieve goals and dreams?
How do you show your gratitude to those that have walked the road with you and helped to carry the load?

Building Confidence in Following Leadership

"Genuine spiritual leaders seek to empower their followers. Any leader who fosters extreme dependence among their followers is in reality, just someone who wants to control them. A sincere leader welcomes questions and challenges from their followers; anyone who forbids dissent or punishes it is not sincere." (C) Marcia Sirota MD 2010


I followed a link from twitter to a longer explanation of Avoiding the Spiritual Sociopath. Out of that note post on facebook, I found this wonderful quote. Recognition that leaders who cannot accept challenge, questions, forbid dissent, and/or punish disagreement help put motivation into the equation.


It's too easy to follow blindly. Too easy to figure out folly later. Then too hard to get out.


By watching how leaders behave, we can begin to see abuse of power, manipulation, and insecurity. My experience with leaders who demand total control is that they are often the most insecure. They lack confidence and the ability to achieve maximum potential for their businesses, family, and employee productivity.


Sometimes it's hard to recognize. Ask yourself: 
Do I fear my boss, pastor, friend?
Do others?
Am I more productive when this person is around?
Am I less productive and/or indecisive when answering to this person?
How am I treated when I ask a question?
Is my opinion valuable to this person?
Will I achieve the dreams and goals God set in my heart following this person? 


What did you learn from your answers?


Did you notice the description of a sincere leader in the quote? We could also call that a confident leader. A confident leader accepts questions, challenges, and ideas from others especially those in the trenches.


One of my favorite television shows lately is, Undercover Boss. I love to watch what those corporate leaders are learning. In the agreement, these people can't disclose who they are. The struggle to right something happens, but also the recognition of expertise from the people that actually do the hired work in the levels below the CEO's normal day job. I like that these people have been willing to recognize the challenges and be in a place of discovery. I have a lot of respect for their ability to be vulnerable.


Your thoughts?


Angie Breidenbach
http://www.MyGemOfWisdom.com

Courage Is As Courage Does

How do you become a courageous person?

The simple answer? Do what has to be done. Period.

But it isn't always simple, is it?


I saw my horse from inside the house and did a double take. She didn't normally sleep inside the fence of the stall. She would never lay her huge head on a fence rail and lay in a pool of water.

I ran out and tried to help her get up with encouragement and a little pulling, then pushing. No go. I ran in for the phone and called for help. I ran back out, phone in hand, still talking.

Missy thrashed and the phone plunged under six inches of ice water, out of my reach. It was going to be a while before the vet could get there and now I couldn't even call a neighbor. I had to do something or she'd freeze to death. And then she started trying again, thrashing in the puddle. I pulled, shouted encouragement, and slipped on ice. She thrashed so hard that she pushed herself into a deeper part where her nostrils went below the water.

I didn't have time to think, I had to act. In I went. I had to hold her head above the water or she'd drown. I live in Montana where we'd just had a heavy snow during the week. It was freezing, around 30 degrees. It warmed up from the sub-zero of the week before. But Overnight it rained and a deep puddle formed, with ice under it. As I stepped in to grab Miss Piggy's head, I slipped and went down on my knees. (Her official name is Missy, but she never stopped eating and so I dubbed her Miss Piggy.)

Since she was too big for me to lift, I talked to her as I rubbed her muscles to try and keep her warm. My hands went numb in her icy, slick coat.

She tried a few more times to get up. Each time I'd fight with her. Down on ice like that, the danger was intense that she'd freeze and I might slide under her. At one point, I was able to balance her head on my boots while I leaned across her body to rub her down around her heart. As she continued to try, we went into deeper water near the stable muck pile and all I could do was hold her head again--and wait.

My miniature horse, Spanky, kept coming over to lend support. He'd nuzzle my cheek or hers with soft, warm fuzzy lips. Sometimes he'd push his face into the back of my neck and help me try and push up Miss Piggy. But we kept ending up splashing back in the ice water. Filthy liquid doused my face and hair. It ran under my coat and up my sleeves.

Miss Piggy wrestled hard and sent both the horse trough and me flying and then landed back in another even deeper pool. Her ears went under. I was immediately back in with her to keep her up and breathing. I balanced my elbow against one thigh, crossed my hand to my other leg in a makeshift tripod for her head. I held on tight while I tried to keep massaging her massive neck. My legs and arms burned and trembled. I switched arms laboriously every few minutes to keep from wearing out.

By the time the vet arrived, every muscle in my body was on fire from the effort and I was soaked to the skin. We were both covered in slime from the manure pile run off, both shivering.

He'd brought a friend with him. Together we were able to lift her head and put on her bridle. Then all three of us worked on the ropes to haul her to her feet. After several tries, the slime won. The halter winged over her head and sent two grown men and me flying backward into the muck as if we'd been thrown from a sling shot! Missy slammed down hard too. I started crying.

Another halter, more rope, we worked to roll her to the other side. At that point, the leg she'd been lying on flopped over at the hip. My heart broke with it. I knew.

About two hours into the most courageous battle of Missy's life and one of the most devastating for me, I had to let her go. My  vet put a hand on my shoulder and helped me. I held her head out of the water again, but to cradle her in love and calm her as we waited for the medicine. She tried one last time to get up. I told her to rest because soon she'd be pulling a chariot in heaven.

I know God was with me in that moment because that image glowed in my mind. I could really see it, the glowing chariot. It came out of the blue as a surprise comfort. I even asked God to send her back for me when it was my time. I told her it would feel like tomorrow to her, but I'd miss her in the waiting.

I'd put every ounce of strength, prayer, and emotion into saving my horse in the most epic battle against the circumstances, evidence, and elements. And lost.

This is Miss Piggy and I a few years ago.

She was a gentle, sweet gal. I believe Missy knows how much I loved her and how hard we tried to save her. I believe God was with us the entire time. He gave me the ability to keep going, not give up, and kept me safe from hypothermia when by all reason, I should have had it. I expect to see her again.

I saw so much courage in her battle to stand with a broken hip. I'll never forget the effort we both put into the simple act of standing up. I'll remember that in tough times I need to fight with that kind of intensity, that kind of determination.

So I learned courage is as courage does what is needed without care for how we look in the doing. The facts were that I was too small to lift a horse, the weather was too cold, ice was under the water, I'd lost my means of communication, and I was covered in slimy manured ice water, but the only fact that really mattered was my horse needed me.

Courage isn't clean and pretty. It's messy and scary and usually unplanned. Courage is action in the face of need. Sometimes courage is holding on or standing firm when further action isn't possible.

Courage soothes, encourages, and stands guard. It sometimes takes you places that are icy, where you are in deep without options or help, and hurts. It takes everything you've got to keep going past your own capability--yet you keep going into God's territory of strength beyond your own.

Courage is being willing to get dirty, do what needs to be done, and have hope when you don't know the outcome. It takes even more courage to admit defeat, say goodbye to a courageous beauty like Missy, and take the walk of grief.

Miss Piggy (Missy) is on the left. She was a mountain trail horse, stocky and heavy. Curious and well-mannered.

One heavenly view :-)

Good bye, Missy. I'll look forward to the day we ride across the clouds. I thank you for your courage and the courage I found because of knowing you. I thank God for the time I had with you here.

Angie

Slight Deviation to Courageous Beauty Interviews

Hi all,


I hope you won't mind a short intermission from our interviews. We've had a scheduling conflict with getting a couple back. I'll post as soon as we are able. In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy a sample of platform building while we wait.

Mrs. International pageant contestants in Chicago, July 2009.

I began interviewing the people that know how to build a platform best this month because I'm writing a book called Courageous Beauty. All about confidence, courage and inner beauty. 

I know it might sound strange, but the people who know best how to build a public platform?

Beauty queens. 

They have it down! In order to compete for those titles, their platform must be so solid and focused that there is no doubt who they are and the work they do. 

A beauty queen brands herself, creates an elevator pitch, back cover blurb (actually a 60 second speech about who she is and what she does), as well as learns to interview exceptionally well about her product...herself as a brand. She is required to turn in a Bio Sheet that is really a one sheet for the judges to look over prior to the interview. Which, by the way, is timed and 4-5 minutes (depending on the pageant) with each judge. She must impress each judge in 1/3 the time an author has with an editor or agent! She must impress ALL the judges or not win. So it's speed dating on steroids with the publisher committee meeting acceptance or rejection without the benefit of an agent or champion in the committee room.

I was so stunned at the results that I began posting them. I'm going to begin interviewing pageant judges this week so I can start posting those in the next few weeks. What stands out to them? With speed dating as the form of interview, how can they even begin to choose between contestants? What could you say about your support work outside of your book and then about your book in 4-5 minutes that would sell it?

I'm just stunned at what I'm learning from them all. Believe deeply in what you do and you cannot help but talk about it everywhere.

I don't think you can learn about building a platform watching a pageant on television, but I do think you can understand how to build a solid expert platform in following a beauty queen through her interviews, appearances, getting to know her work behind the scenes, etc. It's nothing short of spectacular. They pick something very emotionally seated and go after that area with gusto for years. Targeted and focused, these women change laws, speak to audiences all over the world, and raise funds for programs they believe in through countless hours of community service. 

They learn the issue inside and out. They'll do hundreds of appearances that they've booked themselves (contrary to popular opinion, beauty queens do not have teams of publicists working in the background to get them bookings.) They create their platform themselves by amassing speaking opportunities. 

That is what an author needs to do. Be willing to learn. Be willing to start. Be creative about where and how to get your name out there.

What does a beauty queen know that authors need to know?

Make the phone calls to book the speaking opportunity yourself.

Ask what they are looking for before you tell them what you will do so you can tweak it to meet their audience need.

Look for opportunity at every single public event you attend.

Ask for business cards and contact information in order to make a speaking request and follow up immediately.

Carry your card and hand it out.

Share what you believe in when asked and how you are living it out in your daily life. Inspire them to do the same. They will want you to speak to their group and invite people to meet you.

Be interested in helping other people with what you know.

Be "on stage" and professional everywhere so people will trust your behavior.

Dress professionally for your position.

Be passionate about the issues you represent.

Smile, smile, smile, smile, smile because you make people glad to be in your presence.

Use your experiences, good and bad, to change the community around you through being an active volunteer. It's fulfilling and the gravy is an incredible network.

Hire a personal coach or join Toastmasters or both. 

If hiring a coach isn't in your budget, look for ways to find a mentor and actually ask someone to mentor you. (I did this in addition to coaching and Toastmasters.)

Begin building your platform immediately so it will pay off down the road.

Send out proposals to be a speaker.

Book in advance. You cannot wait until the book is nearly on the shelf. Build that resume'.

Realize it's a numbers game. Not everyone will book you to speak or appear at an event. But enough will. Impress enough and the bookings come faster and easier.

That's the short list :-) No one can run out and do all of these all at once. You build on the skills and build the platform into your daily schedule. You cannot suddenly, overnight have the platform. It's built over time by purposeful action aimed at what you are passionate about and hold dear. It comes out in your writing, speaking, expression. 

I am a Weight Watchers Ambassador. I never applied for the position. I had to first spend 8 months losing weight, learning, gaining experience. Then I worked for them locally for a year. Then I began building a platform for competing in pageants in order to get a bigger voice in the vast world. From that, Weight Watchers offered me the opportunity to speak for them sometimes on television and at events.

What I'm saying is that you have likely been building your platform, you just haven't formally recognized it.

Where do you volunteer? What do you get asked to do? What's your job? What is a recurring theme in your writing?

Think about the last year or two or five. Write down the places you've been unwittingly building your platform. Now go do it on purpose and continue to build that "resume'".

Angie Breidenbach

http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com

http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com

The Burning Need to Share

I'm conflicted. Maybe you have been at different crossroads as well.

Conflict causes choice. Once you come to that place, you have to make a decision which trail you will follow or even forge.

That's where I am right now, deciding to follow a known trail or forge one of my own into self-publishing.

The non-fiction book I've written (Insanity Rules: Gems of Wisdom) has done very well in several arenas. And yet it is still not published by the standard publishing world. I've taught online with it, created a line of jewelry that is well received, and am now finishing a workbook to use in seminars and regular online classes.

I've been asked by hundreds of people where they can buy this book. Well, if something doesn't pop soon, I'm going to have to make it available because it is getting too frustrating to keep making people wait on something that can really help them battle internal pirates and discover their own gems of wisdom. I need to tool for people to use in classes and seminars.

Why am I so determined about this book? Because every time I use it to teach, I have people tell me it helps them and improves their lives. I cannot let that go. It's my calling to share from what I've been given. We experience, we learn and we share. That is life. That is my heart--to help people with what I've already been through.

I have turned it over to God. What do I do Lord? How to I proceed? Which path?

I love Jeremiah 6:16 that says, "Stand at the crossroads and look. Search for the ancient way and walk in it..."

While the people in Jeremiah's time refused, I am standing. I am standing and looking, searching. I will walk in it when He brings the dawning of recognition that it is the way I should go and not depart from it.

If you feel so drawn, please pray for God to show me very plainly what path I'm to follow from the crossroads I'm standing at and looking down. Online classes start in October from my website, www.MyGemofWisdom.com and I need the tool to do a better job teaching. I need to help my web gurus at Camna finish details to upload all the information on the online classes and Purposeful Life Coaching in between some very busy weeks as well. I know enough to keep heading in that direction. What I don't know is the detail of the book project yet.

I appreciate your prayers very much :-)

Angie
You can see more about the Gems of Wisdom series and jewelry at www.MyGemofWisdom.com

Professional Fashion and Fun-Mrs. Montana International

Reader Question: How do you know what to wear to an event like Mrs. International?

Angie: I researched it by going to the website and looking at lots and lots of photos :-) Ultimately, I fell back on my own sense of self. What do I like to wear and feel confident in any time? I have had a lot of fun shopping for just the right outfits that promote my personality and professionalism. I've stretched a little too. I've worn a lot of solid colors and decided to try on a few dresses with bold patterns. They still have my figure in mind and I fell in love with them. It was just as much fun finding accessories for each outfit as it was the dress! Leopard print-never! Ahem, but I did and I can't tell you how elegant it looks. I promise photos after the competition. ;-)

Angie: The first thing I look at in choosing clothes whether for the competition or for my personal choice is does it fit me physically and personality-wise? We need to look at our body type and dress to enhance who we already are and not how it looks on someone else. I have to honor my own sense of modesty to maintain my comfort in public. (I don't think I need to be intensely sexual. In fact, I think it's harder to get people to listen to what a woman is saying if she is too immodestly distracting.)

The next thing I look for is the simplicity of care. If it is too hard to take care of or travel with, I don't buy it. Bald truth. Why make your life harder than it needs to be? I tend to lean toward beautiful colors and tailored lines made out of fun to touch and wear fabrics. My interview dress is a gorgeous non-wrinkle jersey. All my rehearsal wear and appearance outfits are also fun to touch and non-iron. The lines fit my figure well, though sometimes I have to have them altered.

I also want the clothes to be something I can wear later for appearances, church or fun social events. So I'd say those 3 values are how I shop.

Reader Question: Why do you alter?
Angie: I happen to have a very small back/rib cage. Clothes don't fit me well there and hang like a sack. I've found a wonderful seamstress at Kathy's Bridal here in Missoula. She adds darts or takes in seams so my clothes fit me well and I feel more confident in them.

Tip: If you've never altered your clothing, I'd suggest trying one or two outfits/dresses that have always bugged you. Loving the piece is fine, but it should make you feel comfortable and confident. Get suggestions from friends or ask your favorite dry cleaners for referrals. It's amazing how great the right fit makes you feel and look! It's really about the confidence.

Are Nightmares a Problem?

Nightmares and night terrors are a significant issue for many people. Not only their own, but for their children. I'd like to share some tips on dealing with our subconscious dreams that have worked for me and my children over the years.

Reprogramming the dream. As a child, I woke up in sweats from horrible night terrors. One brought on by a friend because my black kitten jumped in her lap. She ran out the glass sliding door screaming because black cats were bad luck. The glass slider slammed and fell off the track over wooden steps. That night, at 6 years old, I had my first night terror of pirates killing my family. And they'd gotten in through the broken door!

That dream recurred several times over my childhood. The same dream. The same fears. I began fighting it. I'd force a new dream. That didn't work but had some solace. So I tried taking the old dream and spinning a new ending in my waking mind.

I learned how to put new images in my mind and redream the dream over the years. It changed and morphed until finally succumbing to the new scenes. As I entered my adulthood, I became so good at it that I could begin reprogramming the dream before fully awake. I do that still to this day.

Comfort. Everyone has a bad dream. But when a child wakes crying or screaming from it, they need help learning the skill to reprogram. I began working with my kiddos as they woke. I'd ask them to tell me about the dream and then I'd help them think how to change it into something pleasant. I never said it didn't matter. I also never told them to just go back to sleep. I'd hold them, calm them and then start telling the dream back to the kiddo with that child as the hero combating whatever they feared in the dream. I'd give them tools or weapons in their dream world. It's really a case of using your imagination until theirs takes over.

Recognizing key stress times. Being aware of events that cause a fearful reaction can help too. If your child is expressing fear verbally, help them talk it out well before bedtime. Then come up with some fun, fanciful things to dream about as you tuck them in. Stay a few minutes after lights out. Chat about those fanciful ideas and then walk out leaving the little one to muse. Use children's books or make up your own. Put the child into the story. Now if he wakes up with a bad dream, you can easily slip back into that story too or weave it into the dream to help overcome the fears. Make sure your child becomes the lead character. It fuels the imagination into overcoming the obstacle they fear.

Music. Sing! If you really can't sing, there are tons of great CD's. Let your child help pick it out. Make it an adventure.

Speaking of adventures, check out Adventure in Odyssey stories on tape or CD. You can get them from Focus on the Family online. We love these fun stories with unique voices. (Truthfully, I'm excited to start on the next generation with these fun adventures!)

Hopefully this helps :-)

Sweet Dreams,
Angie

Preparing for the Journey

I'm heading out tomorrow to Denver. (Hmm, I mean today as it is 2 a.m.) One of the things I do in preparation for travel is to stay up late at night. I can only say that my house gets really peaceful in the middle of the night and I seem to remember more and leave behind less this way. For all my plans, I'm sure something will not be perfect. It never is. Can anyone else relate?

This particular journey has many business parts as well as social joys. I've taken notes to keep it all straight. But who knew I'd find some thrilling, unexpected opportunities along the way?

Because planned meetings never confirmed, I will meet with the jewelry designer of Pamba Toto jewelry as we create the new line of Gems of Wisdom. So cool! I'll also get to go flying in a home made airplane owned by my friend's husband. (He even said I could try my hand at the controls!) My heart is jumping up and down at this extra blessing. I feel like, holy cow, I am going to fly in a way I never have before! A way I have dreamt about!

I think life is so exciting. Surprises keep popping up in ways I couldn't imagine even a day ago as I felt frustrated by the loss of one expectation. We plan, begin to pack, and execute the plan step-by-step. But we don't know how it will ultimately unfold. We must be willing to flex to take advantage of sparkling adventures that present themselves once--and only once--because things didn't go as planned.

Every trip I've ever taken has had numerous misadventures like missing a plane because a crazy guy drove the wrong way on the highway in Georgia. He stranded us for four hours outside of Atlanta with hundreds of others. We convinced the driver of another stranded vehicle to open a breakfast bar! The Dolly Madison delivery truck agreed to set up shop in the middle of a huge freeway and we ate breakfast right there with tons of other people stuck between on/off ramps. We even started a craze for shopping in the Dolly Madison "store." We've had a blizzard with -20 degrees Farenheit before the wind chill factor in Canada! That led us to explore the crime and mounted police museum in Calgary. We had the most amazing time when the management opened it up just for us and our six kids to explore. We were actually locked inside for 2 hours, all by ourselves, playing detectives! A most excellent misadventure thanks to an arctic blizzard!

You just never know how things will pan out when you are willing to flex in the face of failure.

So what do you do when things go sideways?

Plan, pack and prepare for the best with a willingness to punt. Bring your curious side out and indulge in wonder.

I tend to learn a lot about where I am going ahead of time. I have a voracious curiosity. I can explore in case the intended falls through. I figure there's too much of the world to see to worry about minor issues. It's probably God's redirection anyway. Maybe he wants me to learn something totally different. Who am I to say, "Um, God, I'd rather . . ."

Uh, not. I'd have missed out on the most beautiful and emotive singer in Turkey if I had pouted instead of punted. Twenty-Four years have passed and she still stands out clearly in my memory as a spectacular misadventure!

The jewelry designer and the impromptu invitation to fly were not in the original plan. But I jumped on them when they were offered. Ah flexibility is a joyous way to celebrate the gift of life. I feel confident that when I close my eyes to this world that I will not regret indulging in those unexpected moments.

Will I get to fly a home built small plane? That's now the plan. Will I meet with the jewelry designer? That's now the plan too. But if something odd happens, I'm sure it is in God's plan regardless and I have too many options to be disappointed :-)

And if I do get to fly, I'll be sure to tell you all about it!

Tell me about some of your excellent misadventures.

Angie

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I think we need to look at this from a little different angle. Too often we ask what a person wants to be when we really mean what do they want to DO.

I honestly don't care what a person does for a living. It matters what the are. The person sweeping and cleaning a hospital is just as important as the doctor treating patients. Could that doc safely treat patients in a pig stye? Of course it's possible, but not safe. Not only that, but a place that is disorganized and filthy causes confusion. Less people can receive care in mess and chaos.

So let's ask that question again: What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a person who helps others with things they cannot do themselves. I want to be a person of love, integrity, justice and kindness. I want to be a person who lives out my purpose.

In order for me to "be" those things, I have to have a place to learn them.

So as a parent, I began to realize that my children did not need me to teach them to do. My children needed me to pour into them how to "be." All those other things about jobs fall into place when a child learns to be who God made them to become.

It's more about character than it is duties. It's about the depth to your personhood. All those DNA factors of talent and bent come into play here. When a person recognizes who they are on the inside, the outer accoutrements fall into place.

How? You'd be surprised at trusting your interests or the interests of your child. Let them explore. Passionate interests will emerge. A man who works with passion is an amazing force of nature!

That exploration sometimes comes in trial and error. Excellent! You'll know when something doesn't fit. It's easy. You won't want to be there, you'll begin to make excuses, or even feel stress. Move on to the next thing just like trying clothes on at a store. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. You may wish you could blink like Jeannie and make it happen, but wishing and blinking won't change what's on the inside.


(Okay, not my most flattering photo but I do love I Dream of Jeannie and got it for Christmas from my 19 yr old daughter. And for those that wondered, yes, I do wear aprons most days all day long, lol. Is that too old-fashioned?)

When you sit around your dinner table or walk the dogs with your kids or run them to activities, how will you approach this concept? Will you model the behavior? Will you discuss it?

I told all of our kids (and keep telling them) I don't care if you go to college or what job you choose, I care that you are a person of character. No matter what life choices we make, that sense of being is most important to becoming who and what you are meant to BE.

What do you want to BE when you grow up?

Does it have a new meaning for you?

Angie

Do you like to read?

I love to read! I read all over the board from self-help non-fiction to how-to and a huge variety of fiction. I read because I grow when I read. I've read parenting books to be a better mom, relationship books to have a better marriage and even speculative fiction that has helped me grow spiritually.

The speculative fiction surprised me. It was Demon-A Memoir. Short version, a fallen angel wants his story told and he finds a way to show how his job is to cause destruction in one person's life. LOVED IT!

Now I'm reading three books at a time. I'm reading a biblical fiction book, Havah: The story of Eve (also by Tosca Lee and I adore her writing) and Coming To Grips With Genesis which is a non-fiction apologetics book that I will be posting a review on in about a week. The third is a critique for a fellow writer and it's romantic inspirational fiction.

I hear other people like to read a variety of books too. I do it because one is to relieve stress, one is for work, and the third is returning a gift that has been done for me. But I regularly read 3-5 books at a time. It's just the eclectic way I live my life.

The thing I most love about reading is that I can find something to meet my mood, curiosity or relaxation any time. But I also like what I've learned from books. I feel like I've gained an entire world of knowledge that I use every day. It's such an amazing gift, reading. I feel like I'm a better person for all the gems of wisdom that other people have poured into me through their writing.

Are you eclectic? Do you recognize personal growth when you look back at who you were 2, 5, or 20 years ago? Do you read one book start to finish or do you read eclectically?

Today, I'm feeling very thankful. I'm thankful that God created the desire to write so that people like me who love to read could enjoy such a talent.

Angie

Looking for Self-Respect

Oh my goodness, I was just sitting there today. Just a sittin'.

Inside the smallest cubicle of a Jiffy Lube, sat two teen girls, a young man, my husband and me. We could not NOT hear any and all conversation around us. But what happened to self-respect and discretion?

I am actually astounded at the conversation between the two girls. These young ladies spoke freely in front of strangers about their drug and sexual choices and one decided she was not going to college. O-k-a-a-a-y. Her friend asked if she was afraid of being kept out of college if she were to get a drug charge on her record. The language moved into the obscene.


The response? Nope. Didn't bother her at all because she didn't plan on going. But, don't ya' know, if she did want to go to college, her parents would just pay for it.

The manager popped his eyes in surprise at the sounds coming from a "lady."

But then the one gal decided to impress the other with her prowess at manipulation. She confessed quite proudly that she had intentionally enticed her boyfriend to the dark side. She scowled that he had been a good one (that believed in no sex before marriage) and that she'd taught him how to smoke. She went on to say that he no longer believed in no sex before marriage because she'd made sure of that. She was so happy to have given him his first cigarette and stood there watching him become addicted.

What?

What??

In all this, she didn't notice the employees behind the counter, or the other people in the tiny room. She didn't see the disbelief or worry in the expressions. Neither girl noticed how horribly uncomfortable the conversation was for all the hostages to it.

My heart broke for her. In all her proud bravado, she didn't know she had caused harm to another soul. She didn't even recognize the harm she did herself. And her friend chortled along with her, encouraging further damage.

Truly? I wanted to say something, but what?

These young ladies seemed like they'd never learned discretion, but worse, they really did not have a love for themselves or others. They seemed so lost in the chase for pleasure even at the expense of others.

As a stranger, I wasn't in an appropriate place to intervene. Nor did I want to escalate the scene. I have to say I was honestly stumped. Had it been just the two girls and me in the room, I might have entered the conversation gently. Smiled and showed interest and drawn them out. But when there are several men around, it puts a different dynamic on the situation.

Tonight I will be praying for her. But I'm also going to pray for the young ladies of our country who have been led to believe that this kind of behavior is somehow okay.

I wonder, what would you do?

Angie