TWO YEARS LATER . . .
This month marks two years since we began as an on-line magazine working out of PHOENIX, AZ. We weren't experienced in being magazine creators, we just had an idea and a DESIRE to somehow represent Jesus through the creative abilities He gave us. Two years later, God has done CRAZY work in and through us. People want to question ifGod is real, but for us, seeing Him TRANSFORM a small idea we had and breathe life into it, expand us into a print magazine featured in San Diego, Phoenix and Las Vegas only strengthens and grows our FAITH in Him. What will Angelic Magazine look like in another two years from now? The reality ofour DREAMS await. When JESUS walked on water, His disciple Peter called out to Him and said, "Lord ifit's you, call me out on the WATER to you. " Jesus responded and said, "COME. " At Angelic Magazine, we want to have walking on water type offaith. IfJesus calls us to come and do things that seem IMPOSSIBLE to people but are POSSIBLE with God, we're coming.
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PHOTO-SHOOT IMAGES BY SARAH BEL GRAY HAIR AND MAKEUP BY PEARL ESPINOZA LOCATION: PAYSON, AZ
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Twenty year old PHOENIX native, Alex Gleason, shares her story ofbattling CROHN'S DISEASE and the blessing ofGod's HEALING.
t was on April 1, 2010 that I received lifechanging news. For the past year I had been dealing with the symptoms of a moderate to severe case of Crohn’s Disease. I really didn’t know what to expect from my life at that point, my mind was swimming with questions. Will I always be in pain? Is there a cure? What medicines treat this? For the next three years my life consisted of over ten hospital admittances, over fifteen different forms/kinds of medicines, countless days of missed school, and a trying patience. It all seemed so impossible, wondering if I was in a perpetual state of agony or wondering if I had been punished for some unknown sin to me. Boy did I have the wrong perspective entirely! It was in that time that I realized how blessed and loved I was. I had my family by my side, my close friends always there to support me and a highly impressive medical staff that would assist me in anything. I also learned to appreciate the little things, “stopping to smell the roses,” if you will.
Every day without pain was a blessing, being able to hold a job and have my employers support me was a blessing. In July of 2013, my life changed again. I received a surgery that not only removed my problem areas, but it also gave me a new lease on life. While I know this may only be a temporary fix, I will not let this life-long condition haunt my every waking moment. I vowed to myself from that hospital bed to carpe diem life! Every day was to hold new opportunities. Since then I have really lived. I have done so much in such a short amount of time, and with this New Year I already see countless adventures to be held. I am so grateful to be here. I am so blessed, every moment of every day for what I was given. What I experience was no punishment or sick twisted form of torture; it was the learning experience of a lifetime. I am so thankful for all that I am given, and I thank God every day for that.
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SHAWN GRAY 1. Why do you choose Jesus? Because I truly believe He chose me first, and pursued me with a love beyond anything I have ever experienced. 2. How does your faith influence your music? As a worship pastor, faith is at the very heart of the music I play. Faith saturates every note I play and song I sing. It is the heartbeat of what I do. It is not simply just music that I am playing, but it's meant to be an offering that I bring before my God. 3. If you could ask Jesus one question and He had to answer it, what would your question be? I am often asking Jesus questions, but have learned over the years that the best answer is to simply trust in Him. I think the greatest questions I could ask, have been answered in the Person and life of Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture.
4. What are your goals with music and ministry? In Colossians 3:16-17, the Bible says "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." I believe I am called to focus my ministry toward the local community and the churches around our area. My goal in worship ministry is to build up a culture of people that engage with Jesus from a deep and heartfelt place, that Jesus Christ would be revealed and through the music I play, and as He is revealed, that He would then be worshipped. 5. How has being married and being a father changed or enhanced your relationship with God? It is amazing to see how in each new stage of life, I am constantly learning something new. As a husband, I have begun to realize the love that Jesus has for His bride, and how He desires to be in that same kind of loving relationship with me. Especially how it takes time, and effort propelled by that love to constantly strengthen that relationship. As a father, I have begun to understand the absolute and unconditional love that God has for me. Regardless of the mistakes I have made, or will make, I will always be His son. It is amazing to begin to have a deeper understanding of the heart of God.
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oy vanilla latte, laptop on and open, phone in hand, social media apps launched. For some, this might sound like the beginning of a work day, or perhaps a study session in the library. For fashion lovers around the world—it’s Fashion Week February 6th marks the first day of New York Fashion Week’s Fall 2014 Collections, and I am counting down the minutes and seconds until I get to watch the live stream of my favorite designers’ shows, click through hundreds of fashionable images, and tell my friends how much I love it all, in 140 characters. I am positive that all of you stylish readers are too. !
So, how should we bide our time until next month, when we can gush over how spectacular Oscar de la Renta’s show was (because it always is) or how great Karlie Kloss looked (because she always does)?
ALL RUNWAY PHOTOS ARE FROM STYLE.COM
Yummy sherbet trousers at 3.1 Phillip Lim proved that fashion can be
chic, and decidedly wearable all at the
same time.
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I find that looking at last season’s collections is the best way to prepare: a bit of a refresher on current trends, while giving you something to look forward to—that “Oh, I can’t wait to see what they do next season!” moment. Ralph Lauren’s stunning cape dress was one such moment. The vibrant color and dramatic movement is fashion at its best. Lupita Nyong’o showed us just how well it translates off the runway when she wore it to the Golden Globes last month.
Cynthia Rowley’s party themed
presentation reminded us to have fun with fashion!
If any one person evokes mystery and anticipation each season, it is most certainly Marc Jacobs. His over-the-top runway designs, seemingly odd styling choices, and high-fashion aesthetic is what fashion is all about—fantasy. I would love to chat with you all things fashion! Be sure to tweet me what shows your most excited about this season @KristianneYoung.
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A MOTHER'S LOVE By Otilia Ceh
am a Phoenix-based photographer, a wife of ten years and mother to a five year old, four year old, and two year old. Pressing the shutter button on a camera freezes a given moment in time. I love taking photos because I'm a bit obsessed with capturing the emotions, ages, stories, events, fashions, and timelines of my family and being able to do this for others. Sharing and displaying a photograph with someone is like giving them a window into your life at the moment it happened. In addition, I enjoy the back story of any given photograph. My back story- the image I want to leave you with, and my defining moment as a photographer- sets us back to four years ago when I was twenty six years old and pregnant with my second child. During our ultrasound, the doctor informed my husband and me that we were having a girl and that she has a very high chance of having Down syndrome. Due to the risk of miscarrying, I refused to get the amniocentesis shot which would give us a more clear answer, so I was stuck in the abyss of waiting until she was born to know the truth. Close friends and family told us to faithfully pray for healing, and pray that she didn't have this diagnosis. But I could not, and would not. I could not pray to the God I knew and loved to give me a “better” daughter. I knew that if she indeed has Down syndrome, it happened at the first splitting of cells, it's in her DNA, it's a part of her. It's not something that could be reversed or as they said, “healed.” I knew that God makes all things beautiful and according to His purpose and above everything, I knew that God does not make mistakes. He makes us in his image and that included Chloe, one way or another. So instead I prayed for her to be healthy. I prayed for wisdom in raising her. I prayed that her brother, Jacob, who was 13 months at the time I got this news, will be the older brother she needs and that any future siblings of hers will love her unconditionally regardless of the outcome. I prayed and prayed and prayed. I poured myself in books about Down syndrome and what to expect. I wanted to be prepared because I was afraid of not knowing what to do if indeed I was going to be the mother of a child with special needs. I learned that 90% of children with down syndrome are aborted, and this broke my heart. My doctor couldn't believe that I wanted to keep her and sent me to a geneticist who also assumed I would abort. I told them I would never kill my baby and that I loved with all my heart already because she was mine. I learned that 80% of parents who have a child with a disability get divorced. I learned that many people who have down syndrome have learning disabilities, many have visual and hearing impairments, many have thyroid problems, many have heart defects, many develop dementia at an average age of 50, many have low muscle tone, many have gastroenterology problems, many have one set of teeth, many have sleep apnea, many have a higher chance of childhood cancers, many have neck instabilities and I learned that the list goes on and on. I learned people who have Down syndrome require countless hours of occupational, physical, and speech therapy. In the end, it didn't matter how much medical knowledge I'd accumulated about Down syndrome. It wouldn't have prepared me for the emotions I'd feel. In the beginning, when she was a newborn, all I could think about was her future. I was mostly afraid of the world being cruel to Chloe. I was saddened beyond belief of all the things and experiences she would miss out on such as true love, a fulfilling career and lasting friendships. I was afraid for her to live in a world where the vast majority saw her as an inconvenience, slower than the rest and incapable of adding to society. I was afraid that people would mistreat her in my absence, call her retarded to her face or behind her back and not allow her to thrive. I was afraid of what would happen to her when my husband and I were too old to be a caretaker for her. I grieved when I should have celebrated. After having had the blessing of being Chloe's mom for 4 years, I learned the most important thing of all- that I wouldn't want her any other way. She has Down syndrome. But that's not who she is. She is not Down syndrome. She is not a long list of medical issues. She is a beautiful blue-eyed, blonde haired little girl who has stolen my heart again and again. She is the girl who learned more than eighty signs in sign language, who learned how to walk at age 2 instead of 3, who can belt out the hymn Holy Holy Holy word for word. She is the older sister who pulls everything off of my bed to allow her younger brother to jump with her as they laugh and play. She is the younger sister who plays tag and hide and seek and duck duck goose. She is the student who rides the bus but doesn't forget to wave good-bye, blow her kisses to you, or sign “I love you.” She is the daughter that dances in the rain,
splashes in the tub, and enthusiastically runs to greet her daddy every time he comes home from work. She is the niece who remembers your name and the car you drive and your favorite activities. She is the photographer who loves to take selfies on your phone. She is the chef who insists her mixing is better than yours. She is girly girl who reads to her dolls and puts her barbies to sleep. She is the tomboy who loves to wear her brothers t-shirts and play ball. She is the engineer who loves building with duplo blocks. She is the helper who knows each family member's shoes and which bin they belong in, what clothes go in what laundry pile and which side of the sink the dirty dishes go in. She is the artist who proudly displays her completed circle and ability to cut paper and hold a crayon the correct way. She is the patient who screams and has high anxiety at every doctor visit but thanks the doctors and gives them a hug before we leave. She is the epitome of innocence and the masterpiece that God created with His own hands, almond eyes and all. What a beautiful and precious and special gift she is! To define my career at this moment in my life is to say that I am officially a full-time homemaker. My days are not full of taking momentous photographs of my clients. Instead, they are full of mediating between whose turn it is to have a piggy-back ride, giving life lessons, providing encouragement and practicing the art of distinguishing between jibber jabber and real words. When my children will have graduated “home time” and moved on to kindergarten, I will develop my career as a photographer once again and allow it to be a blessing to others. My personal/career goal is to use my talents for good. I want to give away a photo session free for families who have children with special needs for every photo session I get paid to do. I want to show families that God will “bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:3.
Fifteen year old Ainsley Holbura is a members of her Romanian community. cancer survivor. She possesses a Each member of the photo-shoot genuine kindness in her spirit and it is team comes from a Romanian exuded by her ability to communicate community located in Phoenix, Arizona and the love and faith she has towards God. collectively as well as indivually, they each Although she is young in age, share a passion for Jesus. Otiliah Ceh who's Holbura carries a wisdom and grace of testimony is featured inside this issue was God within her that is an anointed gift the photographer for this photo-shoot. He has blessed her with. To watch the video of Angelic Magazine was given the Holbura sharing her opportunity to get an exclusive video testimony as well as to interview with Holbura as she shares read the testimonies of her testimony and story for the struggle the hair stylist, makeup she experienced as a girl but what has artist and wardrobe prepared her to now be a walking light stylist who took part in as a young woman. the photoshoot Holbura Along with the video interview, is featured in, visit Holbura took part in a fashion photoshoot featured in this issue ofAngelic WWW.ANGELICMAG.COM/AINSLEYSTESTIMONY Magazine that was conducted by :
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By Angelic Editor
met Carolyn in the fall semester of my senior year at Arizona State University. We were both Sun Devils and shared a mutual friend. We never got in depth with knowing one another well, but she carried a positive energy about herself that left an impression. A year had passed and my ambitions as a fashion photographer were increasing. I was finished with ASU and had giant dreams but no real direction for how to grab a hold of them. For fun, Carolyn did a photo-shoot with me during that post-college dream wandering stage I was floating in. While we were taking the photos, I remember her telling me how she wanted to be an ICU nurse, maybe even become a traveling nurse. I told her I wanted to represent Jesus somehow, but I didn't know how to
do it through fashion photography. Four years have passed and the reality of our lives have come full circle. Carolyn became a traveling nurse and I created Angelic Magazine. God heard each of us confess our dreams that day and in His timing, our dreams have come true. Angelic: Why Jesus? Moote: Growing up in the Christian environment, I was pretty much told to believe. Most of my life that's what I did. I grew up with an amazing family, with great parents. I went to a Christian high school. When college came around that's when the real world was presented to me. I was outside of my normal Christian bubble for the first time and it was very different from what I grew up in. I decided to experience that life and kind of strayed from what I knew. But I realized I was no longer happy, I no longer had that light in me that I used to have and it was after college I went back to my roots, and today I cling so tightly to God.
Q. What prompted you to want to become a nurse? A. I truly believe the Lord designed me to be a nurse. My dad is a physician and I have my mom who is the most amazing woman in the world. She's the most compassionate, kind, caring person and when you combine those two together, you get a nurse. Q. Being surrounded by sickness, where do you see God in that environment? A. Can I say I'm the light He's placed there? I don't want that sound any kind of way but I feel He's designed me to be a nurse so that His light can shine through me. I feel that as I've matured as a person and in my faith, I realize I am that light that steps into a patient's room when they're in a very dark time in their life. I've been given the responsibility to spread His light to those who might not see it. Q. What's the reality of being a traveling nurse? A. It's an adventure. You have to have humor from the heaviness of nursing, but I get to travel, help people and see different places. I was just working at the USC Medical Center and now I'm in San Diego.
Q. What's next for you? A. Before, I used to try to control my life and tell God what should happen next but I'm learning to let go, pray and really listen to what He wants for me. I'm ready for whatever He wants for me and I'm trusting Him that He'll reveal it to me. In the meantime, I'm learning to just enjoy the adventure. Q. If you could ask Jesus one questions and He had to answer it, what would you ask? A. Why have you blessed me so much. Q. Last question, how does a nurse add a sense of fashion to her work attire? A. We're really limited to what we can wear, but for me, I like to add earrings. That's my little thing that I do. 13 ANGELICMAG.com
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Valentine's Day means lots of different things to different people. It's largely regarded as a day where Cupid's arrow of love is celebrated across the world, but what is true love? Angelic writer Sheila Paliga explores the meaning of love that is entwined by this day of chococlate and red roses.
ove is in the air! It's February, which means Valentine's Day is just upon us. Hearts, red roses and chocolates catching our eyes at every turn. I've celebrated this day before with my mom, my sister and best friend. This is my first year celebrating with a boy, my husband. I've been on Pintrest for the last week looking for gift ideas, DIY projects, and recipies for that special day. I keep hitting a wall when I think about what to do to make my husband feel my love. I firmly believe that love isn't love until you make the other person feel it (Thank you Mr. Bob Dylan). You can feel love for a person all you want, you can think about it, you can say it, but until you act upon it and it is understood by another person, it is wasted. Making someone feel your love means understanding what nakes them feel loved otherwise it is lost in translation. Love is meant to be shared. It is meant to be given. It isn't bought, crafted or made, although those can be great ways to show it. It is not always received or understood but that shouldn't stop us from trying to give it. My husband called me today while he had a break (which always makes me feel loved). He told me, "I heard a new scripture today..." In which he bagan to quote probably the most well known scripture - John 3:16 I laughed off the seemingly rediculous joke only to realize that scripture really meant something to my husband in that moment. While I was distracted by the verse I had memorized before I was a Christian, my husband was overwhelmed by the truth and newness in the words.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16 NKJV) God made a way to show us his love for all eternity. I don't know about you, but that is an overwhelming thought and a beautiful gift. A gift of love that we only need to receive. Receiving love can be a difficult thing. Giving love can be difficult. Both are beautiful and from God. In this short amount of time being maried (two whole months!), I have learned that with true love there are no strings attached. It is sacrificial, it grows in the difficulties, and it is only felt when it is expressed. Love is fun, exciting and will never get old. My husband has shown me his love by holding me when I feel sick. He helps me finish cleaning when I am tired, even if he worked all day. He giggles with me daily, washes my feet and prays over me. I try to love my husband by having dinner ready for him after a long day of work, packing his lunch and sending him texts throughout the day to let him know I'm thinking of him. I enjoy doing these things, which is an added bonus. If I really want him to feel my love though, it's simpler than that. I scratch his back and pray for him. My husband and I both agree that we are first loved and filled by God, to fill and love each other, to be sent out to love others. The greatest command God gave us is to love. The greatest example He gave us was His only begotten Son. You don't need a valentine to show love. The world is full of broken, hurting, and lonely people who could be made to feel God's love. How will you show someone love today? Happy Valentine's Day dear reader, with all my love.
ALEXIA LOMBARD FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER - A GE: 21 - L AS VEGAS, NV How did you get into photography? Photography was actually a transition for me. I originally went to school for painting at Les beaux Arts de Versailles in France. I thought, at the time, that painting was my calling and I was going to do everything in my power to become the best painter this world had ever seen. Throughout school I dabbled a little bit in sculpture as I figured that would be beneficial to my painting. What i did not realize was how beneficial these things would be for me later on. I first picked up a camera my last year in college, when one of my best friends came to visit me in France. I remember the two of us roaming around Paris with her little red Canon Powershot and taking pictures of everything from our visit to the Chateaux de Versailles (The Castle in Versailles) to our stroll down Les Champs Elysees eating little raspberry macaroons . Everything became so clear to me, I needed to create and capture my own moments, not re create someone else's. Not long after I got back to the states I bought my first film camera, and it's been love ever since. How would you describe your photography style? My style of photogrpahy would be defined as simple yet elegant . At least that's what I aim for it to be. I want people to feel something wonderfull when they see my photos. Perhaps its a memory, or maybe just a pleasant feeling. My work is definitely geared toward fashion and beauty, as fashion is definitely a huge love of mine. Beauty is as well, but not the typical beautiful girl with the perfect tan and flawless makeup. To me, beauty is a much greater thing then most people make it out to be. Beauty is the way the light grazes her face. Beauty is how she acts. Beauty is within. Beauty is raw. It is the little things that create this magnificent aura that people simply cannot turn away from. Not to turn this interview into a poetry session, but that truly is the way I see things and the way I choose to shape my photographic style. What's the best part about living in Las Vegas? In my opinion, the best part about living in Vegas is that, for the most part its convenient since everything is so close together. Also, everyone in town pretty much knows everyone. This really benefits us Vegas artists. We come together and 16 ANGELICMAG.com
collaborate on amazing projects. I am always amazed at the effort and time everyone is willing to put into their craft to perfect it, and how generous they are to share it. I've come to know some wonderful people and talent and it really is a very rewarding thing. How would communicate to people in Sin City that Jesus isn't scary? Truth be told, many people are afraid of Jesus. I also know that being from Sin City people automatically assume that we are a city without Jesus. That could not be more wrong. I have grown up and lived here my entire life. Went to a Catholic school from the time I started school till the time I finished it. I realize having been in a Catholic environment does not auomatically mean that someone truly has Jesus in their hearts, but a lot of the people that I have been surrounded by throughout my life have definitely shown me that being in Sin City did not mean we could not be followers of Christ. In my opinion, there are a lot of opportunities for people here in Las Vegas to find Jesus, but it is up to them to decide the path they choose to follow. Those who have already found their path must stay strong to it and help fortify that community within this city.
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