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The Niche Market Contest . . .
"Vessels" Word Count: 943 From the guidelines: This chronic illness/pain newsletter is the monthly support newsletter of Rest Ministries, Inc., serving people who live with chronic illness or pain. It is a place you can share your Christian testimony in regard to your illness journey. Style: &And He Will Give You Rest has been described as a letter from a friend and a hug from God. Articles should be written in an upbeat, personal tone. We especially like articles that deal with day-to-day issues of living with illness/pain, using Scripture to validate the point. In quoting scripture, use the NIV version. Length can be 300 to 1000 words. Vessels
After being diagnosed with diabetes, I tortured myself by reading statistics and lists of possible complications. Treatment seemed an unending tightrope of tedious balance with overeating a slow suicide and under eating an unacceptable risk. Questions lashed my mind. Why me? How will my life be affected? How could I look so normal on the outside while inside I was wasting away? I was only seventeen. My godly parents encouraged me to seek answers in the Bible. Pouring through the pages, I found little consolation until I came across a passage in Romans. One verse eased my soul, though it didn't sound particularly comforting. Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? I contemplated the verse in light of my expectations for the future. In self-pity, I concluded I wasn't a vessel for noble purposes. How could I be with an illness that infested every aspect of my life like an invasive spider web? I was flawed, and therefore a pot of common use, made that way by the Potter himself. I swallowed, resigned; yet my childhood Sunday School teachings stayed stubbornly with me. Three strongholds couldn't be shaken. My thoughts are not God's thoughts. He loves me. I can trust Him. Thus reassured, I eventually adjusted to the special precautions I had to take, and returned to a joyful, if cautious, state of mind. Years later, when I became an elementary school teacher, I discovered how God could use my diabetes to touch lives in a way that couldn't have been possible without the disease. My role was instructor and mom-away-from-home. I provided children with learning, encouragement, compassion, and acceptance. They returned my nurturing methods with love, respect, and admiration. I could do no wrong in their trusting eyes. Each year, God placed a student in my class who struggled with a disability such as diabetes, hearing loss, asthma, or Tourette syndrome. Some students were withdrawn, depressed, or defiant. Most tried their hardest to appear normal. And each year, God nudged You must convey to all the students that they need not be created perfectly to be perfectly created. So when the time was ripe, I addressed the entire class, playing on the children s natural curiosity. Someone in this classroom spent a lot of time in the hospital dealing with doctors and needles, I'd begin. Instantly, I had the undivided attention of the class. Every child dreads needles. This person, at the present time, cannot be cured, and must deal with an illness every single day. A few anxious students craned their necks, looking around as if expecting a deformed monster to lurk nearby. This person looks like you on the outside, but something doesn't work quite right on the inside. Even so, in the heart, where all the things that really matter are stored, she is very much like each of you. She has the same dreams, hopes, and plans. The one thing she doesn't have is your understanding. I'd pause for dramatic effect, every saucer-like eye in the room riveted on me. The disabled child would be squirming a little, thinking, of course, I was discussing them. I did this intentionally, knowing that when I revealed myself, an instant bond would be forged between the two of us. That person is ME. After audible gasps, I'd whip out my medical paraphernalia and explain diabetes. I'd answer questions with honest candor, watching the way the classroom unconsciously extended compassion and understanding both to me and that significant child in their midst. Diabetes was the needle I used to prick protective shields. I memorized reactions. The listless girl with hearing loss perked up, gawking in disbelief. The child in leg braces gave an impish grin, then set her mouth in a determined line. The diabetic boy brightened in excitement, then nearly burst with exuberant pride. I could feel their emotional connections like a warm blanket around me. These children with chronic illness saw that I was loved and valued in spite of my limitations. I was someone with special needs who didn't flinch at asking for help. I faced similar challenges and survived with joy. I experienced the discomfort of being different, but embraced my difference anyway. I knew their fears and questions, their confusion and anger. I was one of them. And since I was loved despite inadequacies, they opened their hearts to the notion that they were lovable too. I'd like to think that as the year progressed all the students crossed a new hurdle--learning to love and accept themselves and others just as they were created. I prayed that the lesson of living with a chronic illness without fear made a lasting impression. It made an impact on parents who noticed a difference in their child's attitudes. How did you get Alison to wear her hearing aides? She refused to wear them in Kindergarten. Bobby's so excited that you are a diabetic just like him. Now he's actually trying to keep his blood sugar levels normal. Scott misbehaves everywhere but in your class. Why is that? Diabetes became the common ground, the key to opening doors of opportunity to share my faith without stepping on toes as a public school teacher. I sympathized with parental guilt, reassured them in their efforts at treatment, and explained how thankful I was that God had turned my disease into a blessing. I am a diabetic, a vessel of noble purpose.
Second Place Winning Entry "Out to Pasture, Caring for your aging
Equine" Word Count - 974 words 40% freelance written. Eager to work with new/unpublished writers. Monthly tabloid covering horse owners and the horse industry. Nonfiction: "We would prefer more general stories, no specific local events or shows." Book excerpts, essays, general interest, historical/nostalgic, how-to (training, horse care and maintenance), inspirational, interview/profile, personal experience, photo feature. Length: 800-1,400 words Tips: "Our writers must be knowledgeable about horses and the horse industry, and be able to write features in a readable, conversational manner, but in third person only, please." Out to Pasture: Caring for Your Aging Equine
There are many factors that determine equine life expectancy. Genetics, attitude and the level of preventive care received over a lifetime all play a role in longevity. Some factors are beyond our control, while others are left to the discretion of the horse owner. But even with the best circumstances, once a horse has reached his twenties a certain amount of normal degeneration begins to take place. You can't stop the process, but by being informed and aware you can make life a lot more comfortable for your old friend. If you are noticing signs of failing health in your horse, it's not too late to make changes that can improve his situation. Through a routine examination, your veterinarian can advise you on the proper treatment and management of any existing condition and administer preventive care. At the same time, you will be blessed with peace of mind. Simple awareness of the special needs and potential problems of the older horse will allow you to act quickly should the need arise. Feeding and Weight Loss Weight loss is a common problem in aging horses. The causes are various and can often be remedied by changes in feed or feeding practices. However, extreme weight loss may be a sign of more serious illness, such as liver or kidney problems. Animals experiencing sudden or severe weight loss should be seen by a veterinarian, who will offer the best feeding recommendations. The following are some common causes for weight loss. · Dental problems. If your horse dribbles feed from the sides of his mouth or coughs while eating hay, he may be experiencing problems with his teeth. Having them floated may help, by eliminating sharp edges that cut into his cheeks as he chews. But in old age, it's likely that his teeth have simply worn down to the extent that he cannot chew properly. In this case, the only remedy is a change in feed. Easy-to-chew options include pasture grazing, chopped hay, high-fiber pellet feeds that can replace hay completely or moistened alfalfa cubes - essentially pre-chewed hay. · Inefficient digestion. The digestive system of the older horse does not utilize food as efficiently as it once did. More nutrients are required for maintenance despite the animal's decreased activity. Aging horses need a diet that is higher in fat and other nutrients than regular feeds. Consider switching to a feed that has been developed especially for the needs of seniors. If necessary, additional fat can be provided in the form of vegetable or corn oil (up to two cups per day, increasing gradually - spread out over several feedings). · Competition for food. An older horse is not likely to win a scuffle over food with younger pasture mates. If you feed your horses in a group, be sure to observe the elder's place in the pecking order. He may not be getting his fair share. Separating him from the youngsters may solve his weight loss problem. Changes in Water Intake A constant supply of fresh water is essential for good health and regulation of body temperature, especially in the older horse. Be on alert for any drastic changes in normal water intake, as this can be a sign of potential illness. For example, excessive drinking and urination is symptomatic of pituitary and/or thyroid dysfunction. Shelter and Stabling It may seem that a warm stall is the best protection for your older horse, but though adequate shelter is essential, your horse's aging joints and muscles will benefit from freedom of movement. A stall with an attached outdoor run, or pasture with a sturdy shelter from wind and weather is ideal. If your horse's winter coat is thin or you experience extremely cold temperatures, winter blanketing may also be advisable. Depending on the nature of the animals involved, having equine companionship can be beneficial to a horse's psychological health. But if there are frequent skirmishes between horses, the older horse will experience stress that is harmful to his health. In such cases, a smaller companion animal - such as a small pony or goat - may be the best option for combating loneliness. Exercise Horses that are accustomed to an active lifestyle can become bored and even depressed if all activity stops. Though retiring your aging equine may seem compassionate, it can actually be detrimental to his well being. Gentle daily exercise will help stiff joints and muscles stay limber and promote both physical and psychological health. In most cases, regular exercise will lead to a happier, healthier horse. Routine care Routine preventive care is perhaps more important now than ever before. · Hoof care - Continued daily cleaning and regular trimming
of hooves is crucial to the aging horse, especially in animals suffering
from arthritis or other chronic lameness problems. Awareness and diligence are the keys to keeping your older horse in the best possible condition. We all know that there is no fountain of youth, but conscientious care will give your aging equine the very best chance for healthier, happier golden years.
Third Place Winning Entry "Preserving Your Family's History" Word Count: 800 MEMORY MAKERS E-Mail: editorial@memorymakersmagazine.com Preserving Your Family's History
Scrapbooking has been around for hundreds of years, though recently it has enjoyed a newfound popularity. Thomas Jefferson was a scrapbooker, so was Mark Twain. Throughout his life, Thomas Jefferson kept scrapbooks that he filled with newspaper clippings, drawings, diary entries, dried leaves, poems, and other memorabilia. Mark Twain's scrapbooks contained items that represented his life and the times in which he lived, such as pictures, souvenirs, and articles about his books and performances. He even patented a scrapbook with self-adhesive pages in order to make adding to his scrapbook quicker and easier. Scrapbooks from the past are a bit different from the scrapbooks of today. They didn't have many family photographs because cameras weren't widely available until the late 1800s. Prior to photos, scrapbookers clipped articles from newspapers and saved letters, greeting cards, and drawings for their scrapbooks. The scrapbooks created by Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain are now displayed in museums; the books give insight into the lives of the creators, as well as a glimpse of what life was like during their lifetimes - a piece of history that has been preserved. If you've ever spent hours researching your family's history, you can appreciate the importance of a family album. A family album preserves your family history for future generations. A family album should include photos of each family member and facts about each person featured in the album. Creating Your Family's Album When creating your family album, decide what the focus will be. You may want to create a page for each family member, or if your extended family is large, focus on family groups over individuals. To get started on your family scrapbook, gather photos, memorabilia and as much history as you can find on your family. Interview some of your family members to get a variety of interesting stories and different aspects of historical or family events. Once you have your contents gathered, you are ready to start your album; Purchase an 8" x 10" or 12"x12" scrapbook; the number of photos you plan to use will determine the size of the album. Keep in mind that the larger the album, the more photos and accessories you will need to fill it. Here is a simple outline to follow when creating your family album: * Use the first page as an introduction to the family. Write a poem, a bit of history about the family, or create a family tree. * Use a two-page spread for each family member, or group, one to include photos and the other to include journaling. One of the most valuable additions to your scrapbooks is journaling. To put it simply, journaling is the "who, what, why, when and where" of your photos. List as much information about each family member as possible. If you don't have many personal facts about your relative, simply include their name, birth date, birthplace, and their spouse and children's names. Here are some suggestions of categories to include in these profiles: * Hobbies and Interests
* Letters exchanged by family members Use the last page or your album to write a summary about your family or if you didn't create a family tree on the front page, create one on the last page. Alternatively, you may want to include a 'Time Capsule' page reflecting what life was like in the year the family album was created, include newspaper or magazine clippings. A family album will be a treasured item in your family for many years to come. A well-created family album will ensure that your family's history will never be forgotten.
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