Sometimes life is overwhelming – sickness, death, divorce, mental anguish,  … We have been through life’s tough times too and know you need something to help get you through.

Hangin’ on Faith is here to provide hope and encouragement during those times. We are reaching out to help in various ways.  On this website are stories from real people who may have gone through similar situations. Sometimes reading about how someone else has prevailed will give you the strength and encouragement to make it through too. Read our stories to gain hope for yourself or share with another.  Most storytellers are even available for contact for more personal help and sharing. 

 Knowing there is a way to make it through a difficult time may provide a ray of hope...  

Newsletter - Wish you a blessed Christmas season!

With Thanksgiving

In honor of my nephew, TJ, and others who are in harms way in Iraq and all the Veterans, I want to highlight our "yellow" products.  
I once heard someone say, "Even if you don't support the war, you can still support our troops."  Yellow is commonly used to symbolize a lot of things: bladder cancer, testicular cancer, teen suicide, missing persons, equality and deployed soldiers.  Right now the deployed soldier definition is near and dear to my heart as my nephew, TJ, who works for our government, is currently serving somewhere in harms way in Iraq.  So, during the holidays he, like so many other men and women, will not be home for the holidays. 
 
I often see the yellow ribbons magnets on cars along the road and desperately want to pull them over and show them the Hangin' on Faith magnet and if they are not a believer, share how with faith in Christ they could feel some relief and even peace.  And I think how our yellow Hangin' on Faith cross could be a great gift for someone who is serving or is left behind to worry or care for their family.  I would show how we haven't  forgotten them and know we are thinking of and praying for them. 
 
Another way to help our troops stay connected through the holidays is by supporting  the "Cell phone for Soldiers" program.  Simply mail your old cell phones, any brand, any condition, with or without a battery, to Cell Phone Recycling Center, 2555 Bishop Cir. W, Dexter, MI  48130-9916.  For more info see: www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com  

As Christmas approaches consider reaching out to families you know who are impacted by war and let them know you care and are praying. 
 
"'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 a hope and a future.'"   Jeremiah 29:11 


I'm in awe of what I've seen God do through that wonderful newspaper article  we referenced in ourlast Newsletter. The article Yonat Shimron wrote inthe Raleigh News and Observerhas made it as far north as Maine, as far south  as Florida and didn't even stop going West at California but made it into a paper in Hawaii! Clearly the word is getting out about Hangin' on Faith.  Better still, the products are doing what they were designed to do! I learned that someone who received a Hangin' on Faith cross was questioned about it by her Manager the 1st time she wore it which opened an opportunity to share her story with her manager! Now that is spreading the Word! Please help us continue to spread the message of our Savior and this ministry and our purpose to offer hope and encouragement through any sort of trial!

Other news articles included in this issue:
Armed Services Deployment
Soldier Deployed

Oh! I know lots of you said they haven't seen my photo on those Yoplait containers referenced in the last newsletter. I finally saw one myself! On the bottom of the container is a personal photo AND references Hangin on Faith!

God's Blessings to You!
Kathy Wood

President and Founder,
Hangin' on Faith Ministries.

Facing the Holidays During Difficult Times
by Debe Czerwiec


The Halloween decorations are down, the Christmas ones have begun to go up, and a great big dread has already started to drag you down. How are you supposed to get through the so-called "season of joy" when you are feeling anything but joy? I hope some of my thoughts will make this time better, and yes, even joyful at times, for you. These suggestions have helped many others like you.

* First, let's take a look at the One whose birth is the reason for all the celebration. Isaiah 53:3 tells us that He was "a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief". Jesus stood at the grave of his friend, Lazarus and wept. He suffered grief and sorrow and loss, and he understands how you feel. No one in history moved further away from his home and his Father, to live in a world that was completely foreign to him - God living with humanity. He understands change and loss and distance and disruption. Please don't try to carry your burden alone when One who understands so well is willing to carry it with you.

* Don't try to do everything the same way you have always done it!! Above all, this is the most important advice I can give. If you always have your holiday meal at the same place, have it somewhere else this year. Change the menu or the time of day. If gifts have always been opened in the evening, switch to the morning. If your family has always gone to the late service on Christmas Eve, switch to an earlier service. Don't let the absence of a loved one, or a change in your circumstances be the only changes, let it be one of several. I promise you, holidays will be easier to face, this way.

* Don't ignore the absence of one who has died or is missing the celebration because of a life altering event. Acknowledge the absence, place a rose on the dinner table In honor of the ones not there. Light a memory candle and have each person share a favorite memory or story about the loved ones. Surely there may be tears but just as surely there will be laughter. That's OK and much better then trying to bury your feelings and end up frustrated, feeling miserable, sad and all alone. You can feel joy being with those you love and sorrow missing those not able to be with you, whatever the circumstance, adapt and begin a new tradition.

Plan to do something in honor of those unable to be part of your celebration. One meaningful thing you can do is "give" gifts. With the help of your pastor or a social services agency select an individual to receive the gifts. I know of a family that takes turns each year planning and giving a gift to Jesus. Your gift in someone else's name would be a wonderful act for you, for the recipient, and for the person whose name is honored and remembered. "May the Lord watch between us while we are absent from one another". Amen.