New Book: "If I Only Had an Angel"

Lori Layne says her experiences in sled dog races inspired her to write "If I Only Had an Angel."

based on a news release of the Grand Rapids Press, "Musher taps experiences on trail in writing children's book about faith," by Paul R. Kopenkosky, Mar 1, 2009

Lori Layne, Fremont's postmaster, has spent plenty of time supervising dogs as well as mail carriers. She says that there is something about how unpredictable dog sledding can be that inspires one to trust in God.

She has written "If I Only Had an Angel, " illustrated by J.D. Williams, (The WinePress Group, $12.99) to share that concept with young readers. The book is a poem about a girl who races dog sleds and who asks God to help her persevere.

Layne recounted times when she was uncertain about venturing on ice with her dogs, or wondering if that last encounter with a tree really caused only a bad bruise, or did a bone break?

Layne said, the "book attempts to answer why she and others are drawn to the loneliness of long-distance racing, despite these uncertainties. You're out there for a long period of time and really can take that deep breath and know God is with you and take it all in,"

Layne began racing after her husband gave her a Husky for Christmas in 1996. She eventually acquired 40 dogs and raced in the Midwest and Alaska before retiring in 2003. Her example was the late Susan Butcher, four-time winner of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

"Guiding a team of determined huskies over a frozen lake and spending solitary nights in a star-lit forest teaches one about divine trust," concludes Lori.

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch