In the fall of 2003 I was saved and reborn. I sincerely wanted God to use me in some meaningful way so I prayed continually for 2 years asking God to show me what I could do for Him. While on vacation in the Spruce Pine, NC area, I found a Good Life paper. I was so fascinated by it and all the great uplifting articles, I excitedly told my husband I thought God wanted me to bring this back to the Wilmington area. After returning home, I decided to call the publisher, John Pischel. He published his paper twice a month in the Asheville, NC area. I jokingly told him “that’s because you have a wife!” We agreed to meet at the Burger King on Dawson St. and for two hours he explained how to make up ads, draw up the ad outline, do the delivery, etc. I told him I didn’t know any graphic artists but he told me I could use his girl named Manon (Ma-know). I could barely use the computer but I’d paid for the use of The Good Life name so I had to start putting together a paper! Timidly I called Manon asking what she needed me to do and when. She was very patient but I could tell I was a PAIN! So many times I’d send her something with no subject on the email. Or I’d scan an article or picture and she’d have to write me back asking “What is this?” When I started my Good Life, Manon was working on John’s paper, (The Good Life #1) which came out twice a month . She also was putting together, the Good Life #2 and #3 which were monthlies, and I started The Good Life #4. That was a lot of stuff rolling into her that she had to organize, create the ads, send back for proofing, and get the file for each paper out on time. I HAD to learn to mark everything coming from me as #4! Six weeks after meeting with John Pischel I published the very first Good Life Oct. ’05!
I ate, drank, slept The Good Life paper for months. After about eight months just when I thought I had it figured out, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Talk about a test! After all this hard work, would The Good Life paper end? But God! I didn’t have to take chemo or radiation. I had a mastectomy and 2 weeks after my surgery got the Aug. 2006 issue out! My husband took a vacation and drove me so I could deliver the paper as I couldn’t use my left arm much at that time. You might be thinking to yourself, well, after that it’s been smooth sailing for her and the Good Life paper. I found out real early that Satan does not want me to be putting out this paper. Every month there is an attack of some kind and challenge to get that month’s paper out. If it’s not computer problems, it’s problems with a printer, or person, or the internet.
Somewhere after the 2nd year Manon started putting together a weekly Race paper for a new client. Oh my! That one just about took her over the top because the ads for it sometimes came in the same day she was trying to finish up the file to be sent to the printer! I knew to not even attempt to call her on Mondays as she was just too pushed to talk about anything other than that race paper.
Through the years I’ve often remarked to Manon that,” someday I’m gonna write a book about this experience. I will call it, Me, Manon, and GOD!” But through it all, and as far apart as we live, I consider Manon to be one of my closest friends. She knows my heart and the paper is always exactly as I’d envisioned it! I can tell her I’d like something to be in a box and she puts it in just the right place. First I send her an outline, and then articles, and other information. Like a quilter, Manon “sews” everything into a beautiful, little package. Manon has just the right intelligence, street smarts, spirituality, and humor to keep going with this. I visited Asheville a couple of times so my husband and I could meet “my little magician” as I fondly call her.
Manon had been hit by a drunk driver at 7am one Sunday morning when she was 22 years old and just married only 6 days. She shattered her left leg, had a concussion and sustained paralysis in her left arm. She stopped breathing several times at the hospital. The drunk driver left her on the side of the highway. While trying to learn to walk again, she had to be in rehabilitation and have much therapy for 4 years. During that time, she and her husband divorced. There is no bitterness in this lady and she has totally overcome all her injuries. Manon has a heart of gold and wants to help all she can. It is obvious she has a love for The Good Life paper as I owe her monies now and she still helps me saying, ”I know you’ll pay me when you can!” Manon completely did the website and gave it to The Good Life to help it and all the advertisers. Sadly, all the other papers have fallen by the wayside. The Good Life #4 is the only one being printed now. Even the Weekly race paper is gone. If you know of anyone with a business, please ask them to consider calling me about my low rates. For just $30/month you can have an ad approx.2” x 5” like the Hair Studio 116 ad. A quarter size ad is just $75/mo. No contracts! As an advertiser, you can list your church for FREE and your name appears as a “sponsor” at the bottom. Most of my advertisers have been with the paper from the very beginning. Not only do they help others find the paper and possibly a church home and relationship with Jesus, they get good to great results! I can’t believe all the calls I’ve gotten with my dog grooming ad! Service businesses do very well and people want to know where to go where the job will be done well and where they will be treated right! Let them find you in The Good Life paper! Keep Christian businesses in the forefront. In the future I hope to be able to offer my advertisers time on the Big Talker Radio slot along with Pastor Jonathan Ballard and Church of The Living God. So hang in there with me, Manon, and GOD and even better things will be coming! To God Be The Glory!