Friends,

I have left the story on the update about the Thoroughbred fillies for some time now. One reason I did it was because changing the letter means a part of this story may be forgotten, and many people including myself were not ready to forget it yet. Another reason I left the letter about the Thoroughbred rescue, foster care, and tragedy of losing Sabre's Sweetheart up was because it is a big part of the everyday life of ASAP Inc. - what we stand for and what we are prepared to do on behalf of the horses. People like Kellie and Amy and their families are fiercely loyal and expect nothing in return for their selflessness. The GREAT news is that the same veterinarian who did their health checks within an hour or two of them arriving at Amy's in Oshkosh and administering antibiotics, etc. is the very person who may be the fillies' adopter! Keep your fingers crossed - this would really be a "happily ever after".

Tragedy has been striking all of us in some form lately. Our friend Kellie's husband lost his mother a little over a week ago now, and we also experienced the death of a friend's 16 year old daughter in our community. It was of a particular shock to me because Angie, the mother, worked with me in my classroom in Viroqua and we were very close. Angie is a Christian - what a surprise (NOT!) that God would put us together working with special children! Angie has five children, the oldest being severely disabled and living in a residential setting. The next oldest was Jenna. Angie shared with me years ago how scared she was when she found out she was going to have another baby, for fear of it being severely disabled like her oldest. She prayed and begged God for a healthy child, and promised Him that if he gave her a normal baby she would raise that baby and give him or her to the Lord. Jenna was born, and seemed to have it engraved in her heart to follow the Lord from the very beginning of her life. She grew in wisdom and was a very sensitive and loving child. She was a true gift. Last Thursday morning Jenna got up, got dressed, and got into her car. She drove onto highway 56, a two lane highway, and within two miles of home she skidded on a slippery corner and her car went out of control, and was hit broadside by a pickup truck coming the opposite direction. Jenna was dead instantly. My friend Angie had lost her precious daughter.

Now.... I think I would react hysterically, in anger, crying out to God and gnashing my teeth. My reaction when I heard what happened was so severe that I couldn't catch my breath! I had to compare it to losing my own 16 year old daughter, and I consider her my soul mate as a daughter in numerous ways. I feel I couldn't LIVE without her!

Instead, Angie looked up and her faith remained strong. The funeral was Monday, and the funeral service ITSELF was two hours long, with people from all corners of our world coming to pack the church. So many people got up to talk about Jenna! Why? Why did this happen? The least I can do is list a portion of her obituary to show the extreme faith of this young woman, that can serve as an example to me, and to many who read it: "Jenna's greatest love was for Jesus and her hope that all could share in her understanding. Underlined in her Bible is her favorite verse, Hebrews 10:23-24, which reads: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Jenna and Angie helped ASAP out by feeding horses voluntarily when we had a need. Their compassion for them was overwhelming. Please remember Angie, her husband, and their three younger daughters in your prayers.

I want to thank Lynn C. in Minnesota, who has been writing letters to companies and asking them to help ASAP! Most recently today, we received a Horse Clipper set valued at $152! Thank you also to Dale L. for his $200 donation for the horses in most need, and the Burtons for $100 donation this past week. We couldn't keep going without you! Also, thanks to Amy H. in Oshkosh and Adrienne in Trempealeau for your free time spent caring for horses in foster care at no charge to ASAP. We love you!

ASAP Inc. is the oldest horse adoption program in the western Wisconsin region. Being the oldest, we can pride ourselves in having the longest track record in experience dealing with people from all walks of life fairly and diplomatically. We are also experienced in working with the Standardbred breed and the industry, who supports us wholeheartedly. We go the extra mile for you and for the horses - to insure their safety and happiness. We continue to have a vision, and we won't lose sight of the vision despite the cold, hard look at resources and structure. We are a half and half organization at this point: 50% of our horses coming in are rescue/rehab, and the other 50% are perfectly sound, young horses. We have been proud of not asking for a lot of help - until now. It is time to get real - and to help everyone realize that as more and more horses come into the program that need us, it will perpetuate a need for us to ask you for help - whether that is by providing a service such as foster care or hauling, or for financial needs.

We thank you for your continued support, and I certainly appreciate all the encouraging e-mails and inspirational ones I receive on a daily basis! Hope to see you at the farm soon!

Until later,

Susan

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