This story is an example of three human beings, each with their own intentions and desires, who came together with such synchronicity and wonder that the experience can only be described as a divine creation.  Here is a perfect example of divine love, combined with right action which resulted in perfect spiritual outcome.  The universe orchestrated the events and made unbelievable connections with spectacular accuracy…almost like a paintbrush gliding across a canvas.  Each person got what she wanted and all three lives are forever uplifted.

Jan Hammers was always interested in health and nutrition; she leaned towards alternative methods of healing over traditional medical treatment.  Seventeen years ago, Jan created Living Natural Magazine to provide information on the healing arts, alternative therapies and natural ways of living that was otherwise unavailable to the community.

Over the years, the publication changed its look and content somewhat, but the soul of the magazine remained true to its original essence.  Some time ago, Jan started thinking about retiring and selling the magazine.  (In August of 2006, Jan turned 80 years old!)  Jan felt she wanted the magazine’s legacy in the hands of someone special.  It didn’t feel right to announce the magazine was for sale to just anyone/everyone.

Betsy Morgan Coffman met Jan in 1990 and still remembers something very special about Jan’s presence…excitement and a realization about the magazine followed.  She knew immediately that she wanted to associate with Jan and Living Natural, AND that this association was going to be very successful.  Betsy shares, “something stirred inside of me.  It felt like love, creativity and contribution all rolled into one.  The feeling was pronounced, but I didn’t understand it.  I just accepted it.  NOW, I understand it.  That moment was the beginning of something that was to become a very important part of my life!”

In the mid-eighties, Betsy was teaching classes at First Church of Religious Science (now The Albuquerque Center for Spiritual Living) and connected with a special student, then named Karen Stover.  They became instant best friends.  Karen left Albuquerque after a couple of years to live in Arizona.  She married and raised a daughter.  Betsy continued raising her two children in Albuquerque, and though she stopped teaching at First Church, she always kept her love of the Church alive.  Karen and Betsy lost touch.

During Karen’s time in Arizona, she grew professionally – creating, operating and selling a successful marketing/advertising agency.  Karen also contributed to the success of various employers using her skills and business savvy.  As a function of her agency, Karen worked closely with a wide variety of business owners and produced many print ads, brochures, TV and radio commercials, press releases and the like.

In the spring of 2006, Karen’s Albuquerque friend Lyn, who had kept in touch and visited Arizona occasionally visited again.  This time, she brought Karen an unexpected gift.  She placed in her hands a copy of Living Natural Magazine, and said, “Look at this!  Did you know that your old friend Betsy Coffman is in this magazine?”  Karen couldn’t believe it.  She was so excited to have a connection to her old friend as they had not spoken in 17 years.

Karen emailed Betsy immediately and the two planned a reunion. Once together in Albuquerque, they realized their friendship was just as strong as ever…as if no time had passed at all.  Laughter and tears abounded.  During the visit, Betsy shared with Karen that she had been praying for an assistant for a long time.  Betsy had built her channeling business to a very successful point, and needed some help.  Karen felt so connected to Betsy, Lyn and Albuquerque; she started thinking about working with Betsy and moving back to the Land of Enchantment.

During this magical visit, Betsy received a call from Jan.  She was ready to retire and wanted Betsy to have the magazine!  Jan also had felt the incredible connection with Betsy all through the years and wanted her magazine to be carried on with love.  Jan wanted the essence of the magazine to be preserved and felt Betsy was the right person to carry on her legacy.

Betsy didn’t know anything about running a magazine, but she knew she wanted it.  All of a sudden Betsy realized…Karen!  That was why God brought us back together!  We were supposed to do the magazine together!  Karen had all of the skills needed.  This is what Karen had been preparing for all of her life.  Betsy proposed to Karen that they purchase the magazine together and that Karen run it.

That weekend, Karen attended a Sunday service at First Church, and it sealed the decision for her.  Being at the church again felt like coming home.  She saw the synchronicity and perfection of it all, went home, packed, and arrived back in Albuquerque in two months time!  Within days of her arrival, she was working on her first issue as the new Publisher of Living Natural Magazine.  Three weeks later, the September/October 2006 issue was born.  This story was originally published in that issue.

From Living Natural’s humble first issue under the direction of Karen Larre, the magazine has grown and improved in a number of areas.  The magazine’s page count has increased from 32 pages to 56 pages.  Distribution has been significantly improved and the number of copies printed each issue has risen from 14,000 to up to 20,000 copies.  Color has been added inside the magazine and is now offered to advertisers affordably for use with both ads and articles.  Our website will continue to evolve and add content over time.  

Who knows for sure?  All we know is that we will continue to grow and improve the magazine in all the ways we feel guided to do so, with love and humility.

Blessings from Living Naturally Magazine, New Mexico’s holistic magazine and resource guide –since 1990.