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{Heart4Teens.com} *The Can Do Girl*

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THE "CAN DO" GIRL

By Susan Stevens


As I stood in the driveway watching my daughter Lori with her long red hair flying behind her -- and Maggie, part quarterhorse, part Appaloosa, with ears that looked all mule, I smiled.

They were running down the dirt country road near our home as they did everyday since Lori was given the opportunity to ride "the big horse."

I remembered when we bought Maggie. My son Jeff, Lori, and I went to see her, and a Shetland pony, with the possibility of purchasing them. We ended up buying both the spirited 3 1/2 year old filly, and the feisty little pony we called Ben.

Maggie was a bit thin, but healthy and stood 16.2 hands high (a good size for a horse.) In the days that followed we wormed her, had her hoofs filed and shod, gave her a lengthy bath, a good brushing and began to introduce her to her new surroundings.

Jeff was the first to ride her. Maggie wasn't too happy with him and didn't like the bit used on her bridle -- so getting her saddled, bridled and ready to ride was always a chore.

She was a mover, and loved to run. The trouble was she also liked to run right under tree branches, knocking the rider to the ground. Maggie proved to be a hand full when she ran under a branch and Jeff ended up breaking a couple of ribs.

During this time, Lori (who had only been on the smaller Shetlands and Welch ponies) bugged me constantly to let her ride Maggie. Knowing what it took to control Maggie, I always denied Lori a chance to get on her.

At the end of a rather hectic day, Lori again pleaded with me to let her ride Maggie. Tired of her constant nagging, I gave in and told her I would let her ride the horse for a short time, but if she got hurt it was to be the last time I wanted to hear her ask. She agreed.

I helped her get everything out of the tack shed. We put on the blanket, then the saddle. Finally, the bridle. Maggie not only stood there quietly, but actually lowered her head into the bridle as Lori held it up. I buckled the strap and taking a deep breath, told Lori to climb into the saddle. Maggie's big brown eyes seemed serene, and one ear turned back toward my daughter sitting proudly on the back of this "wild" animal.

Lori took hold of the reins and began to walk Maggie around the driveway. They went through trees to the dirt road and back to the house. To my amazement the horse was a perfect lady. Lori's 'brief' ride turned into more than an hour, and when she got off the horse she said her legs "feel like jelly."

The next morning Maggie was at the fence nearest the house and 'calling' for Lori. Oh, we thought it was hay she wanted, but we soon learned it was Lori's wake up call. Lori would grab something to eat, then out the door she'd fly with a special treat for Maggie.

It wasn't long before the two could be seen running over the hills in our area. Neighbors always on the lookout for Lori and Maggie, then letting me know they were nearby. There were times Lori rode Maggie to our little country church and tied her to a tree in the back. The kids loved it and would take turns sitting on Maggie as Lori walked them through the trees and back again.

Lori and Maggie would go down to the lake behind our place for afternoon swims together, or visit neighbors along the back roads. The story may not seem so unusual to most, but to me it was a miracle.

You see, Lori is developmentally disabled (it used to be called retarded) and while I always tried to encourage her to go beyond the limits doctors set, nothing did more for her than Maggie.

Doctors, teachers, programs, and even I, often failed my daughter, but Maggie taught her more about responsibility, love, and independence than any human could have. In this case, the 'teacher' not only taught the student -- she taught me a valuable lesson as well. To let go!

What if I had not given Lori the opportunity to ride Maggie that evening?

How sad it would have been for my daughter if I had not allowed her to stretch the limits one more time.

Today she is still stretching her limits. She lives on her own, maintains her own apartment, budgets her money, and is proving she CAN do it despite the doctors who said she couldn't.

Susan Stevens
Summr@email.msn.com

Copyright © 1999

Write Susan and let her know your thoughts on her story!
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Susan Stevens lives in Washington State where she is in management for a human resources company. She is the mother of 5 sons and 2 daughters, as well as the grandmother of 13. She enjoys her hobby of writing poetry and short stories.

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Reading Books, Changing Lives!

For those of you who love to read or love to give out books as gifts...

You can now order a number of different autographed best-selling inspirational books for the same price you would get them in the store, the shipping to you is paid for, and you are helping change the lives of teenagers and those they come in contact with! And best of all, every penny from the book sales are going to youth ministry to help pay for a life-changing winter retreat and a missions trip to Guatemala this summer!

If you love to read inspirational stories, these books are most likely those you will eventually buy anyway. And how cool would it be to be able to buy books like those in the Chicken Soup series for your friends and family with a personalized autographed message by one of the contributing authors! How's that for a unique gift! Not only are you changing lives through supporting a youth ministry, but every book included on our website has the power to make a difference in the lives of those you give the books to. Check out this link to find out more!

http://www.HeartTouchers.com/books

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LET'S GO SURFING DUDE!

Acquire the Fire - www.teenmania.org/ - Nationally renowned youth evangelist, Ron Luce, hosts this fast paced MTV style program that incorporates video clips, comedy, testimonies, music artist interviews and a teen audience that give substantial answers to the current issues facing teens today.

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Thought For The Day:

"When you are laboring for others, let it be with the same zeal as if it were for yourself."


Verse for the Day:

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." --Philippians 2:4


Teen's Thought for the Day:

"There are times when silence is golden, other times it is just plain yellow


Parent's Thought For The Day

"Every mother is like Moses. She never enters the promised land. She prepares a world she does not ever get to see."


Coach's Thought For The Day

"We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through." --Peter De Vries


Deep Thought For The Day:

"I bought a box of animal crackers, and it said on it, 'Do not eat if seal is broken.'    So I opened up the box, and sure enough..."

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ALL-STAR Ministry

--The Youth Church of Faith Community Church in Janesville, WI

If you are in 6-12th grade and live in the southern Wisconsin/northern Illinois area and would like to check us out, we meet every Sunday night from 6:30-8:00 PM at Faith Community Church which is located at 2931 Lucerene Dr. in Janesville, WI. (About 4-5 blocks south-east of The Skating Place.)

Currently we have students from Fort Atkinson, Milton, Janesville Craig, Janesville Parker, Orfordville, Clinton, Beloit Memorial, Beloit Turner, South Beloit, and Hononegah. E-mail me back if you have any questions about our weekly meetings or would like to come to any of our events that are listed below... We have way too much fun and then, most importantly, talk about issues that are relevant to you as a teenager.

THIS WEEK:

All-Stars: My Mom and Dad are not my Enemy...

The Outlet: Family Matters

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday May 27: Taking a trip to Rev'd Up in Rockford.  Go-Karting, Mini Golf, etc. Details and times forthcoming.

Saturday June 21: Bowling at Blackbridge Bowl. 1 - 4 PM.

Wednesday July 9: Trip to Great America!

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Change Is Here!


All-Stars will be extending its time to 6:00 - 8:30 PM on Sunday nights. 6:00 - 6:30 will be time for the youth to chat and discuss anything they want with the youth leaders or each other. 6:30 - 7:00 PM will be for games or fun activities and then 7:00 - 8:30 PM will be for the lesson and discussion time. Students are still welcome to "hang out" after 8:30 PM if they want, as the leaders are usually at the church until at least 10:00 PM, and some nights even later. (For the past couple of months the students have continually complained that we are running out of time before we get to really discuss the topics in full and asked if we could have longer teaching times... I know, most of you are probably now getting back up off the floor from the shock. We have been most encouraged that the teens have been wanting to stay longer to be able to discuss the lessons more fully.)

The Outlet: "Get plugged into Jesus Christ!" (Teen Cell Groups)

Wednesday night community groups for teens. The groups are limited to no more than ten teens and will be originally split into Jr. High and High School ages. This night is for those teens who want to dig deeper than what we do in All-Stars, but may not be ready to be a part of the Extreme Teens. These cell groups will also be doing special activities with each other as the year goes on to build community.

"The Extreme Teens" (formerly the Core Group) meets from 5:00 - 6:00 PM at the church. This group is very extensive with weekly homework, memorization, service projects, etc. Students interested in this group will have to fill out an application, provide references as to why others think they should be involved with this, and sign an agreement as to what is expected of them. (If your teen will also be attending All-Stars that night, they are encouraged to bring a sack lunch or snack to tide them over until 8:30.)

We are very excited at what God will be doing with our youth!

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Author MICHAEL T. POWERS
www.Heart4Teens.com

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

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Would you like to see your story in Heart4Teens.com? Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here:

http://www.Heart4Teens.com/guidelines/

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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?

http://www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm
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