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Agape

Give Joy – Get Joy

“For somehow, not only at Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others, is the joy that comes back to you.” ~ John Greenleaf Whittier As you consider how you and your family might be able to give this year, there is a way you can give that will have a long and lasting impact at Agape. Our horses make all the difference here. They teach our riders about life – how to work together, how to be respectful, how to share, how to trust, how to communicate, how to have boundaries, how to

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The thrill of hope

“Hope is not what you’d expect; it is what you would never dream. It is a wild, improbable tale with a pinch-me-I’m-dreaming ending… Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks.” ~ Max Lucado I’ve been reflecting on what hope is, what hope does, why hope matters. Maybe hope isn’t simply something you do. Maybe hope is actually also like a gift you receive. Maybe hope is about the journey of anticipation more

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Celebrating 12 Years with Mustang Randi

“One day God stood and wondered who would want the lonely, desolate places…It would take a strong soul…A soul not afraid to be alone, but stronger in a group…a soul that could see another’s heart, open up to them when needed and become one with them. A soul that was willing to allow another into their space and hold them up when the world was pulling them down. A spirit wild and free but kind, understanding, and forgiving. So God created the wild mustang.”   ~Laura Tatum Cowen A spirit wild and free, but kind, understanding, and forgiving. That is Randi.

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Rest in Peace, Sweet Jake

[vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ width=”2/3″][vc_column_text] As the National Anthem played over the loudspeakers, Jake proudly and steadily walked around the outdoor ring at Agape South,a rider sitting up and carrying the American flag as it fluttered out behind them. There is no image more fitting of Jake’s legacy than this. His entire life has been one of service. He began with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Mounted Patrol at age two. At age 16, IMPD felt Jake was ready to leave the streets of

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A Christmas Gift for Jitterbug

In 2001 a plucky little bay pony joined the Agape herd and began serving small riders in therapeutic riding and all manner of people in equine facilitated learning. Though he is only 13 hands tall, his personality is indomitable and his disposition always joyful. His name, of course, is Jitterbug.  Our dear Jitterbug is now 29 years old and has served in more than 5,400 lessons at Agape since 2001 (WOW!). While he remains joyful in his service and mischievous in character, we cannot deny that he shows a little less pep in his step. That is why we want

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Introducing the Pint-sized Dynamic Duo | Thomas & Jitterbug

His physical therapist noticed it right away. “He has much more hip strength,” she said. Meet Thomas. You might first notice his tiny walker, complete with Hawaiian license plate, but you’ll quickly see his smile. You just can’t help but smile when he smiles, or laugh when he laughs. He is a tiny ray of sunshine and at four years old, one of our youngest riders. He’s also one of our newest riders. His mom, Mary Kate, drives him from Lafayette each week for his lesson, a trip she says she’s glad to make. “I see him using his legs

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Meet the newest tiny ‘Agapen’ – Eli Zander Bocik

On April 30, 2016, our family grew from 2 to 3 when we brought Ari home through the miracle of adoption. Adoption changed our lives in every way, but the most notable way is how it has shown us the deep love of our Heavenly Father. When we got the call on Friday, April 29th last year and only had a few hours to decide, we leaned in and we listened. We knew we were to respond with ‘yes’ even though we were terrified of the unknown, the suddenness, and the unexpected. Looking back on that night now, we are

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10 Ways to Experience the Helper’s High

Achoooo! Nope. Not going to apologize this time. Today, I’m sneezing random acts of kindness everywhere and I’m not going to apologize for it. In fact, I want you to catch it and then spread it with me. Why?

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Dear Future Agape

Yesterday, we shared with you a note that our founder wrote for the time capsule reflecting on our history. Today, we share a letter that our Executive Director wrote to our future leadership, staff and volunteers that was also sealed in the time capsule. Agape’s history is rich with grit and faith. Our present is overflowing with commitment, passion and hope. And we know that our future is strong and bright. For everyone who has walked with us through this journey – Thank  you. Again – we ask that at the very end of our 30th anniversary year that you

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All Things – A letter from our Founder

    As 2016 comes to a close, we are beginning to look ahead to the next chapters of our story. Our 30th anniversary year has been filled with so many wonderful memories and celebrations. Our founder, Cheryl Miller, reflected on the past three decades and wrote this letter for our time capsule. As we wrap up 3 decades of horse-assisted services we know one thing for sure – that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose. The difficult, the happy, the sad – All things have

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How far do the lessons learned from the saddle travel?

Everyday Agape instructors and horses zone in on teaching skills that strengthen someone’s life not only when they are in the saddle, but more importantly the skills they need to grow in every area of their life. While the goals vary from person to person depending on the challenges that one is facing – whether it’s communication skills, processing skills, coping with emotions, or even motor skills – the ultimate mission is that each participant that comes to our barn leaves better equipped with what they need to thrive in their world outside of the barn. We often battle the misconception

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