Michelle Alden is a new author but has considered writing a personal hobby and outlet for as long as she can remember. She grew up on a ranch in Northern California and spent many weekends traveling to horse shows throughout the northwest. During those trips she would most often spend hours reading and then writing in journals. Riding horses, playing tennis and softball, and swimming filled most of her childhood and teen years.

Michelle came to Idaho in 1984 to attend Northwest Nazarene University where she majored in Religious Education with dreams of working with kids. She was a youth pastor through college and then started her family in 1989. She has five children, four horses, two dogs and a couple of cats in the barn. Michelle and her husband live outside of Boise, Idaho where she is the director of a non-profit organization in her small mountain community and co-director of a camp for abused children. She is also a third degree black belt instructor for Boise Community Tae Kwon Do. She plays tennis and loves riding horses with her daughters.  She is passionate about working with children and families and is specializing in working with childhood abuse and healing. Her organization was given the 2007 Outstanding Service Award. She was named one of the 2011 Idaho Business Women of the Year.

30 Things About Me

1. I survived being born prematurely, being neglected, and being abused as a very young child. I learned to be quiet and watch and even back then I knew Jesus. He held onto me.
2. I was adopted when I was six. The first thing my dad did was put me on a horse named Red.
3. I started riding horses again in 2008. Until then I didn’t even know I was missing that part of my life and how much horses had helped me as a child.
4. I always wanted to be a mother and have a big family. I thought I would adopt and have about 12 (cheaper by the dozen you know).
5. I also thought it would be easier to raise kids!
6. I do still wish to adopt a child someday.
7. I always wanted to help kids. From the time I was in 6^th grade I knew I would work with kids. I was greatly inspired by The Cross and the Switchblade.
8. When I went to Royal Family Kids Camp the first time (a camp for kids that have been abused and are in foster care), I saw the kids get off the bus and I knew “these are my people”. It was an incredible healing moment. I love helping with that camp and those kids!
9. I played tennis through junior and senior high and 3 years in college. What got me playing was flunking a PE test on how to keep score in tennis when I was in 7^th grade.
10. I have never drank, smoked or done drugs unless you count caffeine and chocolate.
11. I am a 3^rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do but I am afraid of confrontation.
12. I think being a parent is a way to re-do your childhood and be the parent you never had.
13. I love being alone in the early morning (and awake, I don’t really sleep in)
14. I wish I had more time to spend with my friends both far away and near
15. I want to live in Australia for part of the year and live here the other part.
16. I love to sing when I am in the car, in the shower or not afraid of being heard, but I don’t think I can really carry a tune…thanks to Am. Idol (playstation) I had this confirmed by what’s his name!
17. I want to learn to play the drums someday
18. I have never wanted to sky dive and hope to God I never have to!
19. I love it when you laugh so hard that you cry.
20. I named my youngest daughter after Anne of Green Gables
21. The same week that From the Inside Out was accepted to be published, my birth family and I were also reconnected.
22. I have learned that what you really believe about Jesus shows the most when you go through tough times.
23. Sometimes I have dreams that I have tons of money and I am buying stuff I want and then I realize in the dream that it is probably not real but a dream and so I can’t really have all the stuff I bought.
24. I have a lot doubts about myself and my abilities and sometimes I am more surprised at my success at things than anyone else.
25. I want to always keep trying new things and pushing the limits of who I think I am.
26. I love collecting quotes. One of my favorites is: “Are you going to stay in the natural limits of who you are?”
27. I love movies and books that are romantic comedies. Wit, humor, love and happy endings are paramount.
28. I also like real to life drama movies like Antowne Fischer.
29. I want to encourage people to go deeper in their walk with Jesus and have a real relationship with Him.
30. I am the kind of person that meets each day expecting great things.