Casting My Crown in the Snow

It's been a little over two years since posted on this blog last, with the announcement that after being blessed with the opportunity to meet the amazingly fearless Jennifer Adams (Ms. Wheelchair America 2014), I was inspired to start my own business while competing for Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2015. But, I never really wrote about the outcome. So much came out of that experience, not including a title and crown. Truth be told, I've been declared runner-up twice now. Though the loss still stings at times, I wouldn't change it. God used it to reveal my calling and to give me a friend who could ignite my desire for adventure.

Over the last two years, Jennifer has constantly encouraged me to take leaps of faith not only with my talents, but in life as well. So, once she started Making Dreams Come True, Inc., and asked me to be one of the first people to actually go on an adaptive sports adventure with her, I had to say yes! Early in the planning stages, I realized I only really had one choice. It was time I faced cold weather on my own terms and learned to make my muscles bend to MY will instead of vise vera. At the time I had no idea just how incredibly apt that decision would turn out to be (God definitely had a plan for the whole thing). Therefore, we decided I'd go skiing with Higher Ground in Sun Valley, Idaho January 29-Febuary 4.

The crazy thing was just as the holidays were approaching and we were making the final arrangements for the trip, I found myself in the hospital two separate times for different emergencies. They both made me feel even more trapped in my own body. But, I trusted God would give me the strength to make this trip happen and He did, abundantly. I wanted to have control over my muscles, which is exactly what I got.

At the start of my first run down Dollar Mountain (Quarter Dollar), I discovered it would take my entire core to steer the bi-ski and nothing else... no hands. I internally panicked for a second: Am I still too weak for this? We would find out soon enough. Fortunately, I was given two of the coolest instructors ever! Anders and Neil never missed a beat in terms of grasping my intelligence and knew exactly what cues my body needed. Plus, they were both just really kind in general. By the time I finished my second run, all fear was gone, the fire was lit... And I WAS BACK. I just wanted to fly! So I did. I skied the entire 3-hour lesson without a break. "Brooke, you're hard core!" was all the guys could say. You bet I am! Anders and Neil were both very impressed with my balance. That was a first. By the end of my second day, I'd conquered the Half Dollar run and my instructors decided I was ready to take on Bald Mountian at River Run– where the experienced skiers go. I was a little sore, but I was totally game and the cold wasn't bothering me!

My final runs down Bald Mountain were completely exhilarating! Withh each one, my focus got shaper and I felt powerful, like Elsa from "Frozen." Everyone at Higher Ground is so encouraging!

And to top the week off, I was invited to share the spotlight with Jennifer as a guest speaker at the Supper Club fundraising dinner for Higher Ground. Jennifer understands my passion for sharing my story and wants to help bless more people with it. The vision of Making Dreams Come True, Inc. isn't just about adaptive sports, but also supporting people's life dreams. Thank you, my fiercely beautiful friend, it was an extremely blessed week skiing with you. I found my way back to life on those mountains.

 

Blogging as an Author: Anyone Reading My Thoughts?

I've heard it said that a serious writer in this computerized day-and-age should, at the very least, have a regularly updated blog where reader can get updates on an author's projects, thoughts, etc. This is a quick task for most authors and can be done with plenty of time left to focus on their actual stories, however it's easier said than done for me.
Having Cerebral Palsy greatly limits my overall mobility; making typing, handwriting and speaking tedious work. Still, I know without a doubt being "An Author of Faith and Fiction" is my calling, part of the purpose the Lord had in giving me a life on this earth. I dearly love weaving together tales that have the potential to bring God's goodness and affection for His children alive for someone. Therein lies my dilemma.
I understand the value in blogging and desire to share my heart with my readers, but I'm starting to wonder if I'm wasting precious typing time and energy just writing to the black void of cyberspace, like Julie Powell first thought in "Julie & Julia." I realize I haven't posted anything in a couple weeks (because up until this weekend I've been in pain, overly tired and just not feeling like myself), but in my last blog I posted a little piece of the revision work I'm doing on The Little Butterfly Girl and asked for feedback. No one responded.
Is anyone out there? Please let me know if you are...

Blessings ✞

"Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." - Colossians 3:12, NLT

A Tender Moment...

Please allow me to tell you a bit about the world of The Little Butterfly Girl (for those that aren't already familiar with the story) before you read and enjoy the following, newly added scene.
Bridget Saunders is 11-years-old and knows the Lord better than most, truly beautiful, with the heart to prove it. Yet, she's bound by her wheelchair and uncooperative muscles, which makes her feel like she really should be living in one of her favorite storybooks as some strange elfish creature. Jesus has a better idea, of course. He knows the gifts of a butterfly, wings and all, will bless Bridget for her unfailing faith and also help her restore the faith of a special friend.



“Whenever you are with Me, you will stand,” Jesus promised. “Your disability is just a tool you can use to share your faith with others… It’s not how I see you.”
“I’ve dreamed of hearing You say that,” Bridget confessed tenderly. “What do mean my disability is just a tool, though?”
Jesus smiled adoringly at Bridget. Her meaningful questions always gave Him such pleasure and He’d been particularly looking forward to answering this one. “Well, Dearest, I know your disability brings you many struggles and times of sadness when you can’t blend in perfectly with your friends. Yet, you carry this glowing ball of joy in your heart, so bright even the blind can see it.”
“I do? If that’s really true, then it’s only because You’re always with me, helping me find ways to get through the hard stuff. I can feel You hug me a lot,” Bridget interjected. He hugged her tightly again, just to prove the point further. They both laughed gleefully.
“That’s exactly it, Little One. A lot of people wonder about you because they see you stuck in that chair, having to work extra hard to do the small things they don’t even have to give a second thought to, and don’t understand how you can still remain genuinely happy. A great many of them will be bold enough to ask to explain it throughout your life…”
“Well, that’s easy. I’ll just tell whoever asks about all the blessings You’ve given me and how I don’t do anything without Your guidance,” she explained matter-of-factly.
The Lord kissed Bridget’s forehead with a pleased chuckle. “There now, see? You answered your own question. You do understand why I allow your disability to work for Good.”
Bridget sat still, thinking for a moment. A smile danced on her lips. “Yes. Yes, I do… And wow… I just figured out what the Apostle Peter meant when he wrote that we should keep You in our hearts, so when anyone asks us to give a reason for our hope, we can explain it.”
“Tell me…”
“People have to know You really well and be sure of Your work in their lives so they don’t get scared and mess up if someone asks what they believe…”
Jesus nodded, a proud twinkle in His eyes.
“When I am not afraid to tell someone that You give me unshakable happiness, even when my muscles are frustrating me to death, it gives me a chance to introduce them to You, so they too can be loved and blessed like me.” Bridget sat up tall and grinned widely at Jesus. “I knew I’m supposed to help people some way or another!”
“Yes, I know, and a father could never ask for more than that from his beautiful daughter. I also know you have other goals and dreams, as well,” He continued, as His hands gently fingered her curls.

This conversation is not in my original version of the book and it should be. I want people to understand why God allows disabilities to happen sometimes... What do you think? I'd greatly appreciate feedback.
Blessings!

Update: So Close, Yet So Far...

Do you ever have those days or blocks of time when you're on the threshold of something big... you can see the door you need to open very clearly, but you can't get close enough to get your fingers around the handle? I've been in that place for the past few weeks. Perhaps in explaining this experience here and sharing my thoughts with you, I can make sense of it myself.
Everyone comfy? Here it goes. I initially self-published The Little Butterfly Girl because first, it had been my focus for so many months that I was just happy to see it print and second, I was secretly afraid of the whole query letter, looking for an agent/publisher process. Promotion hasn't been easy by any means, but I've had the most success speaking and doing signings at various disability conferences. Bookstores are a whole other animal to deal with, though. And yet, I was even nominated for the Schneider Family Book award, which honors authors and illustrators that capture the dramatic essence of kids living with disabilities. And in May I was invited to do an interview for Exceptional Parent Magazine.
Still, I feel in my heart that Bridget's story hasn't yet reached its full potential. It has many more places to go. I think the Lord still has more He wants to do with it, truthfully, because I haven't met one reader who's not been inspired or encouraged by Bridget and/or Jeremy in some way. It's quite a blessed and humbling experience to be approached by young girls who say, "I wanna be a butterfly, like Bridget. She's cool!" I wish I could give them each a pair of wings.
Although, I was never completely satisfied with the version that's on the market now... but, being as determined as I am, with the echos of those precious little ones in my head, I've decided to revise the book and tackle my original fear/dream of landing an agent. My query letter is yet to be written because I'm still doing publishing research and I want the manuscript to be as flawless as possible before agents ask to see it. I just wish I could type faster than I do. It's difficult to post regular updates here and make headway on my revisions. Yet, with constant faith and prayer, I'll find a way... Look for story details soon. As always, I appreciate your feedback, encouragement and prayers.
Blessings!

"Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come." - Jeremiah 33:3, NLT