Indulge www.indulgemagazine.com.au
Summer 2011
spirit|soul|body
Senior Pastor Kelly Horne
COMPLETE
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Fun Ideas to Make Christmas Special
Getting Unstuck in 2012 Dr Cris shares some great tips
Christmas Treats
Fun recipes to make and give
A Vintage Christmas Beautiful Fashion with Flair
It’s our 1st birthday! Indulge | December/January 2011 | 1
w: b: m:
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www.nspstudio.com.au http://blog.nspstudio.com.au 0431 882 123
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 3
Indulge eMagazine is part of the iluvthoseshoes Project which seeks to empower women in their journey through life by resourcing them, spirit, soul and body. Empower = make more confident; to give authority Resource = source of help; solutions to problems
Publisher
iluvthoseshoes Project www.iluvthoseshoes.com
Editor-in-Chief
Charissa Steffens editor@indulgemagazine.com.au
Creative Director
Natasha Smith info@nspstudio.com.au
Technical Director
David Steffens info@indulgemagazine.com.au
Senior Editors Christy Carey Nicky Hurle
Theological Advisor
Reverend Malcolm Keynes (Dip. Ministry)
The Cover
Cover Senior Pastor Kelly Horne Photography Natasha Smith, NSP Studio Photography
Fashion Editor Tanya Epis
Food Editor Angela Frost
Contributors
Dr Cris Beer Melissa Bettenay Senior Pastor Kelly Horne Nicky Hurle Candice Schmidt
iluvthoseshoes Project www.iluvthoseshoes.com
General Enquiries T 0450 066 116 E info@iluvthoseshoes.com
Indulge eMagazine is published monthly by the ILTS Project Pty Ltd (ACN 147832906). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. ILTS Project (“the Publisher”), their related companies and officers herby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of the publisher, or any person’s actions in reliance therein. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement of the Publisher. Views expressed by contributors are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher. All reasonable efforts have been made to trace copyright holders by the Publisher. The Publisher and the authors do not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of any action taken by readers in reliance on the recommendation set out in this magazine.
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Advertising
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Accountants
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
spirit
soul
Double Celebration Giveaway Great presents for readers to enjoy
Senior Pastor Kelly Horne
Nicky Hurle
21 Fun Ideas to make Christmas Special
Dr Cris Beer
Vintage Christmas
Celebrating our 1st Birthday
Tanya Epis
Dare to Dream
Melissa Bettenay
08
Candice Schmidt
The Indulge Team
Complete
Out of the Blue
body
Angela Frost
Getting Unstuck in 2012
22
Christmas Treats
38
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 5
from the editor
O
ne year ago we launched the first issue of Indulge! It has been an exciting and fulfilling year for all of us who work on the eMagazine as we have shared so many amazing and inspiring journeys with you. The more time I spend working on Indulge, the more I am enamored with our loving Father and how He truly transforms lives. He can take the broken, hurting, and disenchanted and bring healing, hope and purpose – it is for this very reason that we produce Indulge.
ourselves grow, learn and stretch; we have felt God at work in our hearts and have been blessed to see this particular dream take shape as a reality. Follow your dreams, girls! Pastor Kelly Horne shares her story with us this month in our ‘Spirit’ section. She is a woman who has followed God’s plans for her,never saying no to Him, even though it has not been an easy or normal path. She is a wonderful ‘God gal’ and you will enjoy reading what she has to say.
I wish to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has contributed to Indulge, from those who contribute every issue to those who have contributed on one or two occasions; we have been blessed to share the journey with you no matter how big or small. Most of all I wish to thank our readers. I am always delighted when I attend a conference or receive an email and someone shares how much they enjoy reading the magazine. We have really seen God moving through Indulge over this last year and that is genuinely rewarding.
Our ‘Body’ section is all about Christmas this issue. We have some great fun ideas to create special family moments, a beautiful ‘Vintage Christmas’ fashion special and delicious treats that you can make and give as gifts.
In our ‘Soul’ section this month I have asked our original team to share with you some thoughts on what it has meant for them to be involved with Indulge. I wanted to encourage those of you who have a dream in your heart to step out and see what happens. Launching Indulge was a big risk for all of us; we had various skills, but not one of us had worked on a magazine before in this capacity and we have had to walk by faith on many a day. Yet, we have each experienced
Speaking of gifts… I am very excited to offer our readers some great giveaways this month to celebrate our birthday and Christmas! To find out how you can be in the draw for one of our great gifts check out the details on the opposite page. Merry Christmas to you and all your family! May you be Indulged in the Father’s love as never before!
Merry Christmas
Love Charissa
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1
Natio Wellness Hand Pack
2
Indulge Cook Book
Double Celebration Giveaway
3
Christmas Music Michael Buble & Hillsong
4
Adorne Bracelet
To celebrate our 1st Birthday and Christmas you have the opportunity to be in the running for any of these four great gifts by following three easy steps.
1. ‘Like’ our Indulge eMagazine Facebook page 2. Subscribe to Indulge at www.indulgemagazine.com.au {It is FREE} Indulge | December/January 2011 | 7 3. Share {forward} one of our December emails that you will receive as a subscriber. Gifts drawn 20th December and winners notified by email
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SPIRIT Indulge | December/January 2011 | 9
Complete Words: Kelly Horne Photography: Natasha Smith NSP Studio Photography
K
elly Horne is the Senior Pastor of Bribie Christian Church. Her background in education, missions and worship, along with her love for people and her unswerving commitment to pursue God, have converged, bringing her to this significant position and time. Those who know Kelly recognise her as a highly accomplished and eminently capable servant of God. - Pastor Joy Graetz
B
e afraid, be very afraid! As a primary school teacher, I knew that two halves equalled one whole. Today, walking in the reality of my shoes, I must ask, how can that equation work? From a young age, I heard and accepted that all I had to do was find my other half and I would be complete. From this ingrained
thinking came the idea that one broken, fractured half only needed to find another broken, fractured half to achieve a “whole” – to be complete. The logical follow-on is that, if one is complete with a partner, one is incomplete without a partner. For me, the feeling of “less than good enough” was burned into my heart for many years. Like most of my friends, I thought I’d be married and somehow “complete” by my early 20’s. As the years have passed by, many comments have been made, looks and advice given, and smart remarks spoken about my single status. My name is Kelly Horne and the shoes that I walk in are the shoes of a single 40yr old female. That wasn’t my plan; certainly isn’t my ideal; but it is my reality; and I am a whole person regardless of this fact. I tell my story to simply state that our marital status does not and should not define who we are. Completeness or wholeness is not found in whether or not we are married or to whom we are married; neither is it defined by gender, social status or culture. Wholeness is found in discovering who Jesus Christ is. As we determine to give all of our broken self to Him, His completeness becomes ours. We are made complete in Him alone.
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“What we focus on we empower”
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 11
If it is true that we are whole in Jesus, then what excuse is there for us to remain in a state of brokenness, feeing only like a fractured half of some unattainable “whole”? I know many people who use their singleness as an excuse for not fulfilling the call of God on their lives. That said, many married people use their partner’s unwillingness as an excuse for confinement. Here is a fact … if we want to find a reason or disqualification for not fulfilling our call or destiny, we will find one. What we focus on, we empower. My choice has been to focus on what I could do in my life rather than what I couldn’t. This focus empowers faith rather than fear. That doesn’t mean I haven’t been afraid, because I most certainly have. My choice is simply to do life afraid. Many people, systems and circumstances have scared me (and will probably continue to do so). However, by choosing to enter those situations, although afraid, I have found the faith to believe and the hands to hold me. As I think over my life, I can pause on many moments in time when I was afraid. In sharing some of them with you, I hope to inspire you to keep pursuing God, even when afraid – even very afraid!
When I resigned my teaching position in a lovely Christian school, I was confident that I knew what God wanted me to do next - that I was doing His will. I had applied to attend a School of Worship with YWAM in America the following year, after having completed my Discipleship Training School a few years earlier. As I arrived home from school after handing in my Letter of Resignation, I collected the mail and excitedly opened a letter from America. I can remember my world spinning as I read the words announcing that the Worship School was cancelled for the following year. Questions lead to doubts that, in turn, lead to fear. Should I race back to my school and retrieve my resignation letter from the principal’s desk? What would I do next year? Was it really the voice of God that had led me to resign a job I loved? Yes, I was afraid but, by choosing to walk forward in faith, I refused to be held captive by fear. God spoke as strongly to me as He did to Joshua in Chapter 1, verse 9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (NIV).
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elf to Him, His completeness becomes ours.� Indulge | December/January 2011 | 13
As I walked into the unknown, God led me to Bible College and then to Bribie Christian Church where I became the Kids’ Pastor … none of which I could have planned or foreseen. Fast-forward about four years. After two short-term mission trips to Ukraine in 2004, I found myself afraid once again as I prepared to move from beautiful Bribie Island (where 24°c was “cold”) to Kiev, Ukraine (where -24°c was “cold”) for six months, to help establish a women’s ministry network. With language taken away as my primary form of communication, you can bet that I was afraid. Dr Lois Burkett says, “Learning stops where there is fear, pain or intimidation.” During this season, I could choose to halt all activity or to move through the fear I felt into faith. This was a season where I had to choose daily which way I would travel. It was not easy, but God was faithful and I grew immensely in Him during this time. I had been on staff at Bribie Christian Church for seven years when I was asked to take on the position of Senior Minister. I could easily have allowed myself to be disqualified. After all, wasn’t I a woman? And a single woman at that?! This was another opportunity for fear to raise its ugly, limiting and confining head. I agreed to take on this role and immediately found myself challenged for being a woman and for being single - as if I could change either of those two elements! I didn’t know if I could do the job but I knew God and I knew what He had said to me. Yes, it’s been a challenging season. Yes, I’ve had battles to fight. But I wouldn’t change any of it because, in finding myself as I walked with Jesus, even fearfully, I have found my purpose and my destiny. This brings me up to the present day and, if you will allow me, I simply must boast in the goodness and faithfulness of God. This
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year, at Bribie Christian Church, we officially opened Bribie Care Centre. We brought preexisting ministries of the church together to be under one roof - The Mercy Shop (our Op Shop), Bribie Storehouse (our food distribution shop) – along with the newly developed Bribie Wholeness Centre. Our Wholeness Centre currently incorporates a professional counselling practice, Bribie Healing Rooms and prayer ministries. It is anticipated that a fully functional Wholeness Centre will have GP’s, physiotherapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, etc., all working together with the counsellors and prayer ministries to see people made whole – body, soul, and spirit.
When I turned 18, a friend gave me this scripture from 1 Thessalonians 5:24: “The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it.” My encouragement to you is to empower faith by focussing on the possibilities, not the problems. You can be all that He wants you to be because, though you may be afraid, He will be faithful to you. I am a single, 40yr old Senior Minister who has the most amazing privilege to pastor God’s favourite people at the best church in the centre of God’s universe – Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia! My name is Kelly Horne and I am complete in Jesus. +
“I simply must boast in the goodness and faithfulness of God.”
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 15
For information about Bribie Christian Church you can go to their website www.bribiechurch.com.au or call 07 3408 0355
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Indulge | December/January 2011 | 17
Everywoman has a story...
Out of the Blue
{my journey through post-natal depression}
Words: Melissa Bettenay Photography: David Steffens
W
hen I look back on what I went through it all seems so surreal. I sometimes ask the questions; Did this really happen to me? Did I want to forget that I even had a baby? Did I really have thoughts of suicide? I wrestled with the fact that I was brought up in a Christian home, I had amazing parents, was a strong Christian and a minister’s wife. I knew what the Bible said; all those scriptures like “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and Psalm 23. Come on! How could this be? It sometimes brings a tear to my eye. I don’t think it’s because I am not healed, but rather my heart goes out to ladies who also find themselves in this situation. There is such a sense of loneliness, a sense of abandonment, a sense of being lost in a world that previously was so enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. I was a successful Sales Team Manager for a very large organisation; I had a good career. My husband and I were happily married and very heavily involved in our local church with youth and kids ministry. After 7 years we decided it was time to have a baby. The pregnancy had one major hiccup (another story to tell someday), but, all in all, pregnancy was amazing. I never suffered the typical morning sickness, rather, I remained a little queasy all day every day.
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40 weeks came and my baby arrived. I stayed in hospital 5 days to try and get everything right, but came under stress with so many well meaning visitors and trying to learn to feed and waiting for my milk to come through properly. Bouts of depression would fill my mind. Ironically, I would describe this time as amazingly beautiful and of feeling so loved, yet also so overwhelmed and undone. For the next 6 weeks at home I had all the help you could ever want. I was living the dream. Parents came to visit, my husband had time off work, people from the church popped over and they did all the work! All I had to do was look after my baby and me. Despite this and all the well-meaning family and friends, it felt like I was losing control. I was a visitor in my own home. Caitlin was a beautiful baby, but cried an awful lot. My husband, mother, and I would take turns walking the house with her until she finally settled. After many weeks and a lot of sleepless nights we went to a clinic and found out that she had reflux and I wasn’t producing enough milk at night! That made me feel so bad; I was leaving my baby hungry without knowing! To supplement feeds was the only option and this contributed to my world of failure as a new Mum.
People would always tell me, “Mother’s milk is best!” So after so much success in my career and life, I was shattered that this apparently simple task was beyond me. The feelings of depression and of low self-worth really kicked in when everyone went back to their own lives and I was left “holding the baby.” How could it be so bad just Caitlin and I? But life seemed so out of control! I had no energy to do anything; I was eating for a whole army and couldn’t seem to shake these overwhelming feelings of being alone. I began to think that it would be easier if I went away, that life was too hard. No one seemed to notice or suspect that I was slowly falling into a hole. I had perfected the art of putting on my mask when I went to church and out in public. Perfect is what I wanted to be because that’s how I felt the world saw me.
it wise to make an appointment for some advice, which could be helpful to our crisis. After crying many tears and sharing my thoughts and journey from birth till then, the doctor gave me the diagnoses. She told me that what I had was classified as a “mental illness” which she then went on to say was referred to as Post Natal Depression! Wow another spin out; now I had a mental illness. I was given some options of medication and also a recovery plan. I made a personal choice not to take the prescription for the medication. But I also agreed to have regular checkups and the choice was always there if I needed it.
Over the next 24 hours Cameron and I realised the seriousness of my condition and despite his heavy work load and ministry commitments, he took even more time out to spend time praying with me Finally my whole world came crashing down. and helping with Caitlin. Some days were good, It was in that defining moment when driving some not so good. But as time moved on, I began along the highway with my baby, suicide crossed to rekindle my love for Jesus and find strength my mind and I began to entertain thoughts of in Him. When I read over the words on the slamming my car into a tree. A few moments later, pages of my Bible I had to begin to believe them after those very thoughts, it was almost like I was again. It was a process of letting go and letting shocked back into existence. I went from living in Jesus once again revive my soul and take control. a daze to becoming aware again of who I was and Ephesians 6 is a favourite of mine. I love every that God had a plan. verse especially from V10: ‘Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full Looking back it was as if a separation had taken armor of God, so that you can take your stand place between the world I was living in and the against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is one I wanted to be in. My friends, my church not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, and family thought I was strong, confident and against the authorities, against the powers of this amazing; I was living a life that just wasn’t going dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil according to all the preparation made and the in the heavenly realms.’ prayers prayed. It sounds so dramatic to say that it was a matter of life and death but when that thought flashed through my head I knew I was emotionally a wreck. That very day, I sat my husband down and told him how I was feeling. He seemed bewildered and a little surprised I had not shown him this side. We knew that Jesus was the only one who could heal my soul, but we also understood that doctors have a place and thought
“I began to rekindle my love for Jesus and find strength in Him” Indulge | December/January 2011 | 19
This was not about church or family or even about me. This was about the enemy trying to gain a foothold in so many destinies. The one thing left to do was to take up my weapons of warfare, put on my armour and fight. So with every bit of strength I could muster, I would wake each morning and begin the climb up out of that deep hole that I had called mine. Holding my dear sweet daughter in my arms, I knew I had to be whole again. The alternatives meant that not only would she suffer, but my marriage, my life and our ministry together. The doctor’s plan was good; it involved healthy eating, exercise and making sure I had time with friends. We reinitiated our date nights and asked a trusted friend to look after Caitlin, even if it was for just a couple of hours. I needed to get away and find myself again- in Jesus! Putting Jesus first became my priority and even though circumstances had not really changed; there were still so many feeds per day, I got wiser with my time and would sit, feed, read and pray. Once we told a few close friends and family, the love and support was amazing. It all seems so obvious as I look back over the pages of time, but living the moment I just couldn’t find the necessary head space to even contemplate prayer. My road to recovery took
a lot of determination and time; it was a slow process and I really needed to deal with changing how I felt and what was on my mind. Today I am free from the symptoms of depression and there has been no reoccurrence or relapse even after our second child. I have been completely healed and liberated. It’s amazing how the devil can get a foothold in our lives and cause so much pain and strife. But while we have breath to breathe God can rescue us from any sickness. Melissa spent 12 years in PNG as a child to missionary parents. She met and married Cameron in Brisbane and they moved to Townsville, where they spent 14 years. Melissa worked as a Sales Team Manager, started a family, was actively involved in her church alongside her husband as Kids Leaders, Youth and Assistant Pastors. Melissa was also part of the ACC North Queensland District Ladies Leadership Team for 5 years. She now resides on the Sunshine Coast with her husband and two children. Melissa is part of the ACC Sunshine Coast District Ladies Leadership Team. She is actively involved in pastoral care, youth and ladies ministry in her local church. Melissa is passionate about life and has a heart for young girls. She currently writes self –esteem programs for girls that are being used in schools, communities and youth environments. For speaking engagements please contact Melissa on 0433028979 or melsgift@bigpond.com
If you or someone you know is suffering from Post Natal Depression there is help available PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Association) 1300 726 306 or www.panda.org.au CCAA (Christian Counsellors Association of Australia) www.ccaa.net.au
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Indulge spirit|soul|body
Subscribe... Share... Support...
www.indulgemagazine.com.au Indulge | December/January 2011 | 21
Celebrating our
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Ist Birthday
... it’s been a dream come true!
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
SOUL
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 23
Charissa Co-creator and Editor-in-chief
I am often asked how did Indulge begin; quite simply it began with a dream. A dream to illuminate the power of God in lives, a dream to help women receive the extraordinary love of the Father and a dream to see women resourced and enabled to make a difference in the world. Our dreams are important, they have purpose and we should allow ourselves the space to dream big. Dreams are hard work and risky (lots of faith moments have transpired!) but we the capacity to do more than we ever could imagine when we partner with God; it all comes down to trusting in His goodness and never failing love for us. This past year coordinating and publishing Indulge has been magnificent. There have been amazing moments of joy and tears as I have listened to the stories of many wonderful people. I am humbled to have been allowed to bring those stories to thousands of people around the globe. And my heart will always remain grateful to those who have joined me for this journey, in particular my beautiful sister Natasha and her creative genius behind the camera, David my wonderful husband with a great understanding of all things IT related (so not me!) and each of our team who bring their talents to every issue to make it special. Harriet Tubman said “Every great dream begins with a dreamer…” Go ahead girls… dream big for 2012!
Natasha Co-creator and Photographic Director
God is so amazing and I feel privileged to have been part of the creation of indulge. A few years ago I felt God wanted to show his daughters just how beautiful they are to him. He wanted them to not see themselves through the eyes of a fallen and imperfect world but through the truthful and loving eyes of their heavenly Dad. It is something we perhaps hear often but He did not want us to just hear it, but to know it in the very depths of our being. He wants to bring restoration and fullness to all of us. I also felt that every person on this planet has a story. Our lives are a tapestry of events that weave together to make a whole picture that represents our lives. Through indulge we share some of those pinnacle God moments that altered the course of our lives. And through sharing these moments to hopefully inspire or encourage others in their journey. These last 12 months have been wonderful, as we have seen the beautiful things God has done through the sharing of these stories. There are so many more moments to be shared, so much more love to be lavished. I feel this is just the beginning, only the tip of the iceberg, of what God is about to do with His beautiful daughters. How exciting to see all that our God is about to do and for Indulge to be a part of that is a dream come true. 24 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
David Technical Director
Anyone can dream, but it takes a special person to turn that dream into an awesome reality! I’m proud to say that person is my wife and best friend. Being married to an Editor-in-Chief of a successful emagazine has been a rollercoaster ride and the pressures of delivering a high quality product has certainly not been without its challenges. Our trust in God’s promises to fulfil our dreams gets us through. He has surrounded us with so many talented people and opened doors to places we could not have gone alone. One year on from our first edition our checklist of the goals we set is looking very healthy! Who know’s where 2012 will take Indulge and the iluvthoseshoes Project. I look forward to the journey
Christy Senior Editor
It’s been a great thrill for me to be involved behind the scenes at Indulge. I have seen the magazine evolve from its inception and as it continues to grow and thrive I know it will touch the hearts of many readers all over the world. Built on the shared testimony of women, Indulge reflects the wide range of experiences that we all have as individuals but also celebrates our commonality: we are sons and daughters created by the most high God, adopted into his Kingdom by his love and grace. I thank God for the willingness of the magazine’s founders to follow the vision that God has given them. Long may Indulge continue to shine his light into dark corners and celebrate the gift that has been given to us all.
Candice Counsellor/Writer
I first meet the editor of Indulge, Charissa, while we were preparing for and facilitating a White Butterfly Retreat. I had a desire in my heart to write especially in the areas of parenting, relationships and being emotionally healthy and free to be all God created us be. When I was invited to write for Indulge I knew it was a wonderful opportunity and a delightful birthing of this dream. Each article I write takes time and research and I LOVE it. I feel fulfilled, like I have stepped into a role God has graced me for. There is no greater joy than sharing some of my life lessons and finding it has helped another person and made a difference in their world. I thank God for divine inspiration and the Indulge team for the amazing work they do. I have loved being a part of the Indulge journey. It really is a great magazine! Free to live... laugh... love
Indulge | December/January 2011 | 25
Tanya Fashion Editor/ Photographer
It has always been a dream of mine to use my hair, makeup and photography skills for a magazine and boy what fun l have had this last year. l love the work l do for Indulge, it’s actually not really work when you love what you do so much (Shhh don’t tell the editor l said that). l get inspired by the women l work with and each month the magazine brings a story that really makes me stop, look and listen. I think everyone that works for the magazine really loves what they do and l think that shows in our work and how we work together as a team. l respect all the women that l work with. Bring on 2012... l have a few surprises up my sleeve!
Angela Food Editor
Feels like only yesterday for me when we did our first Indulge photo shoot for Christmas last year! I have loved creating new recipes and renewing old one’s each month for Indulge. I’m thankful to God for choosing me to be part of an amazing team and being able to reach so many people through this God inspired magazine. I can’t wait to see what God has for us in 2012, the sky’s the limit when you have God on your side !!
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Cristina Physician/Writer
Since having the opportunity to share my heart with women in the articles I have contributed to Indulge I have experienced such professional and personal satisfaction. It has been my honour to be able to impart my knowledge and experiences with our wonderful readers. It has also been my hope and prayer that I have reflected God’s message to women of all ages that they are valued, loved, and precious to Him; and that they can live a life of wholeness, peace, and freedom from personal struggles. What’s so beautiful about this experience is that I have personally grown in my own closeness to God as I have witnessed a gift for writing unfold in my life. I believe this is part of God’s wonderful plan for all of His daughters that we use our gift to help others and see our lives being enriched and transformed in the process.
Nicky Senior Editor/Writer
Writing for Indulge eMagazine has been one of the highlights of this last year for me. From the moment I saw the debut issue, I wanted to assist in the empowerment and edification of Christian women through the Spirit, Soul and Body of the publication. In many ways it was my life saver as a purposeful undertaking in which I could impart in to the lives of others messages from my heart and God’s as I came to terms with a new life, a new occupation and a new city. I thank God for his blessings and for the fact that the Indulge team are only a Facebook away! Congratulations to all on achieving the eMagazine’s first year anniversary and I look forward to being involved in the months and years to come. Indulge | December/January 2011 | 27
Dare to
best interests and our welfare. No, this is not a message about personal prosperity or putting ourselves before others, but it is important that we recognise and heed what God is saying to us, especially when it directly concerns us. Let me give you a personal example.
Dream Words: Nicky Hurle
I
t’s ok to have a dream... it gives us hope. In fact without a dream, a vision or future hope filled aspiration, Proverbs 29:18 states that “where there is no vision, the people perish:” Dreams and hopes are part of what make us human and the nature of dreams causes them to nurture hope and foster faith. Waiting is hard sometimes, but keep in mind that after Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus in which he received a vision, and much more besides, it was years before he actually began his ministry. During the interim he was prepared and equipped by God and circumstances were directed to enable him to fulfil his purpose. Sometimes our own plans and dreams seem deferred and we can feel a little “heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12), but as we are exhorted in Hebrews 11; “...faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Sometimes we may not even recognise our dreams for what they are. In God, not all dreams are the “one person making a difference in the world” kind of visions... sometimes they are heart desires placed in us and nurtured by the Lord for our
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For the last five years, at least, I have had dreams about running. Psychologists could probably have a field day with that, but I never told anyone. The running in my dreams was not in fear or away from things, but the kind people do on athletics tracks and along street pavements... a freeing kind of running that puts the wind in your hair and the air in your lungs and imbues a sense of self awareness and confidence. For anyone reading this that knows me, they will know that I am the last person anyone would describe as sporty. I hated the outdoors, detested the beach, reviled exercise and never played sport in my life (well, except for that 6 months of Hockey in Year 11, which will never be mentioned again!) When I got my present job as a House Parent at the Australian Institute of Sport, people were most confused: Me! In a sporting institution? But...? Hey, the job was to look after athletes, not be one! However, one of the supervisors I worked with, Brad, was a long distance runner of some note and it was nothing for him to talk about the 85km or so that he covered a week. Jeremiah 29 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.” God knew the plans; it was time for me to catch up and be freed from a little captivity of my own. Brad complained one day that he needed to have a new hobby, and before I knew what I
was saying, I had asked him to take me on as a project and teach me to run. He didn’t laugh at me, refused an offer of payment, but agreed to take me out to the football field at the back of the AIS and teach me. The OCD kicked in and I rushed out and bought running shoes and kit (including compression bras so I didn’t knock myself out), because you know, you just have to be dressed right! Day one arrived and I met him on the field. He asked me to run as far as I could and then walk the rest of the way round the pitch. I ran for longer than I could, because I was embarrassed at how quickly I got puffed, and could barely keep standing when I finally stopped about a third of the way round. He congratulated me (which I could barely hear through the pounding of my heart and the rasping of the air in and out of my lungs) and told me that I had the basic style and he could work with that. He put me through some warm up exercises and stretches and then told me to run for 30 seconds and walk for a minute and a half, and that’s how we progressed for the first week or so. He worked on my technique, extended my running times and gave me stretches to do afterwards to stave off the aches and pains. God, what am I doing? How am I going to keep this up? I’m a middle aged woman slogging around a football pitch without an ounce of fitness or grace! Is this dreaming I had really a leading or is it just a fantasy? Those are the kind of questions I asked myself as Brad took me out to the field 3 or so times a week for the next 5 or 6 months. He was there beside me every step of the way and did all the hard yards with me, encouraging me in every session to reach that little bit further or push myself that little bit harder. After this Brad had to leave to go to another job, and I needed to strike out on my own and find my own motivation, but he left knowing that he had changed my life! Although I have lost some time recently, I am now running at least three times weekly 20-25 minutes at a time and for about 3 km. It’s not marathon worthy or going to break any records, but it’s more than I have ever done. I now have a
cycle as well and as the warmer days arrive here in Canberra, I will be doing the lakes and using the amazing labyrinth of cycle paths that will take me from one side of the city to the other. I have lost 10 kg and I am fitter than I have ever been in my life. How, you might say, does this benefit the kingdom of God? As I reach the big 50 next year, I will be healthy and energetic and ready to take on whatever he has in store for me. Acts 20: 24 states: “...my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.” Through God’s grace and Brad’s commitment to me as a friend, my body no longer rules me. My body was a stumbling block for me so I have “thrown off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles so that I might run the race marked out for me...” (Hebrews 12:1) Literally! My dreams of running have now become reality, no longer deferred, and there is nothing sick about my heart. Now is the time for a new dream that will take me closer to the purpose that God has in mind for me. “God speaks in different ways, and we don’t always recognize his voice. Sometimes in the night, he uses... dreams to make us turn from sin and pride and to protect us... (Job 33:1417 CEV).
“where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18
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What are you dreaming about? Is there something that you should put into action as one year closes and another begins? Something God has been revealing to you through dreams and/or visions? Don’t make any New Year’s resolutions, but make commitments to your God and Father to act upon the things you believe he is speaking to you about. Don’t delay any further. If it is not the right path for you, he will close the door. Maybe your dreams are big community or mission based promptings, but maybe too, they are just a still small voice speaking to your very heart about something you need to do for you. Have a blessed Christmas and a consecrated New Year, and I’ll see you out there!
Nicky is a talented and passionate educator who has taught in both Primary and Secondary school in a career that is a vocational calling. She has a Biblical Diploma and a recently completed Masters in Gifted Education. Her involvement with young people spans more than twenty years in various roles including youth leader and mentor. Nicky is currently a House Parent at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra where, with her husband David, she is responsible for looking after the welfare of residential athletes. She is presently writing her first novel and loves reading, movies and music.
To help celebrate Christmas Australian Girl® has two of their beautiful books “The Rainbow Necklace” by Jacqueline Larsen to give to Indulge readers. Simply go to www.australiangirldoll.com.au and name the five dolls the books are based on in an email to us at info@indulgemagazine.com.au
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Two Books for Indulge Readers!
Welcome to our Blog
Don’t miss our regular updates on our new blog! Our team will post inspirational thoughts, words of wisdom and creative moments to brighten your day.
www.indulge-magazine.blogspot.com Indulge | December/January 2011 | 31
Getting Unstuck in 2012
Secrets to living a healthy, more vibrant life!
Words: Dr Cris Beer
H
ave you ever been stuck in traffic on the way to work and wondered, “If only I’d chosen another route”; or been stuck in the longest queue in the supermarket wondering if you should have chosen a different line; or even stuck in front of the TV watching mindless hours of reality shows wondering if you should have spent your time more fruitfully. Well what about stuck in a routine of bad habits that leave you feeling tired, strung-out, overweight and unfit. Have you ever thought to yourself, “Why is it so hard to change?” I know I have. For many years I battled with wanting desperately to improve my lifestyle, but not knowing how. I felt like it was an uphill battle every time I tried to make a change and everything felt like an enormous effort. I was tired of living the way I was living and too tired to do anything about it. That is, until I discovered a secret. This secret of human psychology is actually well-known to behaviouralists and seems too simple at first, but certainly holds the key to the life we’ve always wanted.
principle simply as; “…self-control and discipline add protection to my life (Proverbs 25:28).” This protection comes about through creating a positive lifestyle. So how do we create such a lifestyle? Well I like to put it in everyday terms as; ‘what is practiced becomes a habit and a habit practiced becomes a lifestyle.’ In fact, it has been said in behavioural psychology circles that what is practiced for 30 days becomes a habit and a habit that is practiced for another 30 days becomes a lifestyle. So a new activity or behaviour will seem unusual to you at first, perhaps even difficult, but after a while it becomes second nature. As an example, for those of us who are avid morning exercisers, think of the first time you put on your walking shoes to go for an early morning stroll. Everything in your being attempted to convince you otherwise. It just plainly felt wrong to be getting up at an unholy hour to exert way more energy than you felt you had. But after a while, if you persisted, your body got used to the idea and went with the flow. Sooner or later, you found yourself waking before the alarm, shoes on and out the door without thinking about it too much. This activity had evidently become a habit and therefore a lifestyle. Sooner or later, when someone exclaims how fantastic you are for doing such a good thing for your health you humbly reply, “It’s just what I do.” Well it is now, but in the beginning it took effort.
“Where the mind goes, the man follows.” Joyce Myers
Joyce Meyer even emphasised it in her CD series; ‘Where the mind goes, the man follows.’ Andy Stanley discussed it in his insightful book ‘The Principle of the Path.’ Psychologist, Robi Sonderegger re-iterated it as a pivotal principle in his book ‘Free to Be You.’ But before these wonderfully talented literary greats ever thought of ways to describe this principle, it was first introduced in the oldest book ever written by the wisest man said to have lived. Solomon put the 32 | www.indulgemagazine.com.au
In brain psychology terms, any change initially takes effort and a decision of your will (also known as ‘willpower’), but willpower was never meant to carry you through indefinitely. This would simply be too mentally and emotionally exhausting. It is simply a fleeting burst of motivation that gets you started along the right track. What maintains the change in your life longterm is a lifestyle alteration.
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Be Consistent
It is what you practice consistently that becomes a habit and therefore a lifestyle. Initially don’t break the routine until it becomes a habit. This is true for bad habits as well. That is, what you consistently don’t practice becomes a lost habit.
So what are some simple strategies for breaking some bad habits and replacing them with better habits in your life?
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As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. If at first you don’t succeed, just try again tomorrow. The important thing is that you practice the activity or behaviour more times than not in a month. This means you can forget a few days without it breaking your habit-forming pattern overall.
Focus on the short-term goal to be achieved in 60 days
If your goal is to eventually walk for 60 mins 3 times per week write this down and the reason why you would like to do this – is it to feel better, to get fitter etc. I suggest not making weight loss a goal in the short-term as a loss in body weight should ideally come naturally as the result of change in lifestyle over a period of time. Rapid weight loss doesn’t usually last.
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Don’t Be Hard On Yourself
Lastly, remember that the greatest habit to make is that of spending time with our Creator. Only out of a relationship with our Heavenly Father can we truly change for the better. Any effort undertaken on our part to alter outward appearances or even the appearance of perfect outward behaviour, will feel empty and unsatisfying if we don’t do this as a priority in our lives.
Break the goal up into smaller weekly goals
Taking the goal above of eventually walking for 60 mins 3 times per week, if you are just starting an exercise program it is best to be realistic. Start by doing 15 mins twice per week for instance and slowly build up over a course of several weeks. There’s no rush. Remember life is a marathon and not a sprint.
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Reward yourself
Keep a tally of your weekly goals and reward yourself with something enjoyable (preferably non-food related as this defeats the purpose!) e.g. a massage, pedicure, DVD night at home.
Cristina was born in Portugal to Portuguese parents and immigrated to Australia at the age of 5 years old. She has lived and studied for the most part on the Gold Coast. Cristina attained university degrees in Biomedical Science and Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery. She is also a qualified personal fitness trainer and nutritionist. “I have a special interest in holistic medicine, with a focus on natural and anti-aging medicine”. She is currently working in general practice on the Gold Coast. “I have a burning desire to see people live whole, healthy, and balanced lives in the fullness of God’s plan for them”.
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It’s beginning to look a lot like
Christmas...
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Fun Ideas to Make Christmas Special
Christmas is a great time of year to create happy family memories and traditions. Here are some of my favourite ideas:
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Have fun putting decorations up together as a family. Wear Christmas hats, play Christmas Carols, have yummy Christmas treats and get creative. Make sure you take some photos!
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Each year, go shopping with the kids and add something new to your decorations – new lights/tinsel/baubles etc. Have a special kids tree to hang the handmade decorations from school or home. Try making tinsel out of popcorn threaded together using a needle.
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Buy a special decoration for each child each year. Find a keepsake box to store the ornaments. By the time they leave home, they will have some gorgeous decorations and memories of Christmas’s past.
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Type a letter to family and friends to include in Christmas cards. Include a family pic too (we send by email). Get each of the kids to do a summary of their year gone by. Print the letters and create a keepsake family folder to add the newsletter to each year.
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Consider the gift of a photo book to loved ones with a collection of the year’s favourite family photos – make an extra one to store with your newsletter collection.
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Make your own Christmas cards. Get coloured paper, Christmas stamps and stickers, scissors that cut patterns, glue and glitter/glitter pens and have fun together. Recycle old Christmas cards by cutting out the pictures and adding them to the new handmade card. My kids love sticking a mini candy cane onto the cards.
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Buy brown paper and make your own wrapping for family presents. Get Christmas stamps or dip your kiddie’s hands in paint and press onto the paper.
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Bake cookies/fudge/rocky road/mince pies etc. and put in pretty boxes or wrap in cellophane, tie with a tag and pretty ribbons and give to your neighbours or friends. (Check out the recipes in our Christmas Treats section on pages 40-45)
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Go to a Christmas Carol event and sing all your favourite songs. Dress all in a Christmas theme.
Nativity story. Then go around the table and have each person say what they are thankful for this Christmas season or say one thing they love about each person in the family.
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Make a gingerbread house together.
Take a drive to go see the Christmas lights or take a walk around your neighbourhood with torches. Some local councils have competitions, so look on their website to see where the houses with the best lights are.
Christmas is about giving. Talk to the kids and decide on a random act of kindness to do for someone. Alternatively donate toys/ clothes/food or fuel vouchers to someone in need or volunteer at a charitable organisation. World Vision and Compassion have gifts you can buy to give to families in need overseas.
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Watch Christmas movies together.
Have a Christmas Past, Present and Future evening (see Christmas Carol story). Get out your photo albums/scrapbooks and talk about; Christmas Past – remembering those who are no longer here to share it with us; Christmas Present – discuss what one thing makes Christmas special for each person; Christmas Future – talk about your hopes and dreams for the coming years ahead.
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Invite some friends or a person or family you have never had over before and enjoy a meal and play board games together.
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Have a big clean up and encourage the kids to clear out toys and clothes they no longer use and donate or bless someone else with them.
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On Christmas Eve set up candles, play Christmas music, have a special drink like grape juice, some nibbles and read the
Get the kids to do a show - act out the nativity or a Christmas story.
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Play some Christmas games after dinner like Present Scramble and Secret Snowman. On Christmas Eve or Christmas day go to a church service.
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Make a birthday cake for Christmas day and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus – eat the cake for breakfast!
Merry Christmas!!!
Candice desires to see people thrive in every area of life. She has been married for 16 years to a Paediatrician and they have lived in South Africa, New Zealand and Canada but have called the Gold Coast, Australia home for the last 4 years. They have four children between the ages of 4 and 12. Her passion is to “Live well, laugh often, love much”. She has a Degree in Psychology and a Diploma in Counselling. She loves to help people live to their full God-given potential spirit, soul and body. She enjoys counselling and watching God bring healing and restoration. She is a trained facilitator of ‘Toolbox Parenting’ which offers families hot tips on parenting well. Indulge | December/January 2011 | 37
Model wears Original Vintage 1950’s Fox Fur Coat. Necklace by Rima of Melbourne. Headpiece by Diva.
ya Love Tan
xx
Hair, Make-up & Photography: Tanya Epis Photography Model: Emily Blom Styling: Rycki Symons Academy of Design
Vintage clothing is the popular look at the moment. I love it when this happens as it means I get to wear all my grandmother’s antique jewellery and a few of my mother’s pieces as well. As they have both passed away, the pieces are affectionately priceless. I have some beautiful vintage earrings from my grandmother and every time I wear them, l feel close to her. I am sure she would be very happy knowing that they are once again a pleasure to behold. Now, I too can pass on my pieces, as my daughter recently wore a necklace to her formal, that I wore to my formal, another special moment. This beautiful coat is an original from the 1940’s and it was one of my very first vintage buys from Melbourne. Styling this shoot with Rycki was spectacular; the pearls, flowers, vintage fabrics and accessories embody feminine beauty. Be indulged by the beauty of our Vintage Christmas special and inspired to enjoy the festive season in style.
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Model wears Vintage style dress by Rycki Symons Creations.1960’s Vintage crystal necklace courtesy of Tanya Epis.
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Model wears Vintage Bustier dress by Rycki Symons Creations. Pearls are stylists own.Â
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Model wears Vintage lace skirt and satin frill top by Rycki Symons Creations. Gloves and Necklace are stylists own. Headpiece from Myer.
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Christmas Treats Delight your family and friends with these indulgent Christmas gifts! Photography: Tanya Epis Photography
Angela Frost Food Editor
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Christmas Florentines Makes approx. 24 | Cook 10 minutes 2 cups Corn Flakes 3/4 cup flaked almonds 1/2 cup mixed peel 1/2 cup cranberries 1/4 cup currants 1/4 cup pistashios 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 cups white chocolate - melted 1. Preheat oven to 180°c 2. Combine Corn Flakes, almonds, peel, cranberries, currants and pitashios. 3. Add condensed milk and stir evenly to coat. 4. Place heaped tbs amounts of mixture on a lined baking tray about 3cm apart and cook for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on trays. 5. Melt chocolate and spread over bases of biscuits. Place biscuits chocolate side up on a tray to set.
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Mini Christmas Cakes Makes 12 muffin size cakes Cook 35 minutes | Prep 15 minutes 1 cup sultanas 1 cup dried figs - chopped 1/2 cup currants 1/2 cup mixed peel 200 mls brandy 190g brown sugar 2 eggs 1/4 milk 250g plain flour 1.5 tsp baking powder 1. Preheat oven to 160°c and grease well a 12 cup capacity muffin tray. 2. Place all the dried fruit in a saucepan. Add brandy and simmer over a low heat till all the liquid has been absorbed. Set aside to cool completely. 3. Cream butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Add milk, flour and baking powder, mix to combine. Add cooled fruit and fold until combined. 4. Divide mixture amongst the 12 capacity muffin tray and bake for 35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.
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White Chocolate Log Serves 8-10 Prep 10 minutes Chill 1 hour 250g Cream Cheese - softened 100g white chocolate - melted 1 tbs caster sugar 1/4 cup cranberries 1 cup roasted hazelnuts - chopped roughly To serve - any sweet biscuits or crackers 1. Combine Cream Cheese, chocolate, cranberries and sugar in a bowl. Chill for 1 hour or until firm. 2. Form into a log shape and coat in nuts. 3. Chill again until ready to serve with biscuits or crackers.
Gift Giving
Wrap your treats in clear cellophane and tie with some beautiful Christmas ribbon or line a decorative box with some tissue paper and fill with your goodies. Your family will be delighted to try your homemade treats.
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