Meet (in)courage
Meet (in)courageAMBER HAINESAmber Haines, originally from the rural Appalachian foothills in Alabama, lives in Arkansas with her husband, who is an attorney and an amazing gift-giver. Amber has a degree in English/Creative Writing and persevered through half an MFA in Poetry at the University of Arkansas before she and Seth birthed three boys within three years. They are in the process of learning how to live in true community, to care for the orphan, and to love the broken body of Christ. Amber is a southerner, a struggler, and a straggler. She believes that the purpose of imagination and art is to know God and that it is the kindness of a righteous God that leads her to repentance. Read her blog HERE, and tweet her a little HERE. ANN VOSKAMPFarmer's wife, mama to 6 & author of NYTimes Bestseller One Thousand Gifts, Ann blogs wild grace @ A Holy Experience. When the kids and the washing machine sleep, she washes her real dirt down with words and The Word. Some of her words find themselves in an award-winning series for curious kids, A Childs Geography, of which all profits are donated to Compassion. Other words can be found at Laity Lodge's High Calling where she serves as a contributing editor and other words advocate for the poor as she is a blogger traveling with Compassion. The only words that really matter are the ones she lives. This convicts her. She has a background in education from York University and the University of Waterloo, home educates their six farm kids, and makes a mess of things every day. She clings to grace. She's more of a rare peeper than a regular tweeter, but everyday in the fringe hours, early and late, she blogs about the mess and the grace and the everyday wonder at a Holy Experience. ANNIE DOWNSAnnie Downs is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tennessee. Flawed but funny, she uses her writing to highlight the everyday goodness of our great God. Annie has been telling stories her whole life. As a child, growing up outside of Atlanta, Georgia, she loved talking to anyone who would listen… whether she was telling true tales or not. Annie received her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia, preparing her for a short-lived but memorable career as a teacher in elementary schools. Now as a writer, Annie uses those same skills from the classroom to engage, entertain, and educate her readers. Annie is a huge fan of the Internet, singer/songwriters, waffles with peanut butter, and sports of all kinds, especially four square. You can read more from Annie at her blog, AnnieBlogs, or follow her, AnnieBlogs, on twitter. ARIANNEArianne is a freelance writer and mom of three boys and a baby girl, living in Charleston, South Carolina. She sifts through the dinosaurs and trains and fluffy cloth diapers to find her inner steel magnolia, hoping to one day catch up on the laundry. Her heart is healing and thriving from living life as a mom of autism and from losing her daughter in 2010 at almost 19 weeks pregnant. The way God has transformed and renewed her soul is nothing short of a miracle. You can read more from her at her personal blog To Think Is To Create or on Twitter. HOLLEY GERTHHolley Gerth is a cofounder of (in)courage, author, counselor, life coach, wife to Mark, follower of Jesus, and friend to YOU. She'd love to have coffee with you. As the next best thing, she hopes you'll stop by and say hello at Heart to Heart with Holley. KRISTEN WELCHKristen writes at her parenting blog, We are THAT family, and offers an honest mixture of humor and inspiration. Her first book, Don't Make Me Come Up There, a book for busy Moms, will be in bookstores March 1, 2011. Kristen and her family are launching a non-profit ministry in Kenya, Africa, in the fall of 2010 called The Mercy House Each Wednesday, Kristen hosts the Works for Me Wednesday blog carnival. Kristen’s blog was recently named to the 2010 ALBIE Top 50 Mom Blog list and the 2009 Neilsen Online Power Mom 50 Blogger list. Kristen lives on sweet tea, the love and support of her best friend of 15 years and the laughter of her three hilarious children. Follow Kristen on twitter as @WeareTHATfamily. LYSALysa TerKeurst is a New York Times bestselling author and speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has lead thousands over the past 15 years to help make their walk with God an invigorating journey. Not only does Lysa speak about adventures in faith, she lives them! When Lysa’s family adopted 2 boys from Africa, it inspired her community to adopt over 45 children from the same Liberian orphanage. Her family’s amazing story captured the attention of national media, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, the 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman’s Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio. In the midst of her ministry, though, Lysa is a real, everyday woman who simply seeks to glorify God through her life and family. She and her husband, Art, reside near Charlotte, North Carolina, with their five priority blessings named Jackson, Mark, Hope, Ashley, and Brooke. Follow Lysa's journey at her personal blog. MELISSA MICHAELSMelissa Michaels is the creator of The Inspired Room, a pastor’s wife at Voyage, and a mom of three. When she isn’t super gluing her hands to baseboard molding, you can find her eating chocolate and daydreaming about living in a cottage by the sea. Follow Melissa on twitter as @theinspiredroom or at facebook.com/theinspiredroom.fans STEPHANIE BRYANTStephanie Bryant is the co-founder of @incourage & @SqueeInc. She is quickly becoming known as a Creative Mastermind & Visionary Cultivator at @SqueeInc & S. Bryant Social Marketing. She's a courageous big dreamer, lid lifter, & visionary schemer. Stephanie puts wings to dreams, inspiring individuals and organizations to live their God-sized adventure, and uses Social Media to positively impact the Kingdom. Follow Stephanie on twitter at @inspiredbryant or her site, www.sbryant.me. ROBIN DANCEIn a scandalous, decades-long affair with her husband, Robin also confesses mad crushes on her three teens. She’s Southern as sugar-shocked tea and advocates talking to strangers, creative punctuation, stopping to smell the posies and walking in rain. Her favorite emotion is laughing through tears and she's convinced laughing IS divine. People and places inspire her, but Creation's marvels steal her breath. Her "prayer without ceasing" is Lord, I believe...help my unbelief. Robin plays with words and thoughts at www.pensieve.me where she hopes you'll drop in from time to time. She adores (in)courage and is lavishly blessed when readers take the time to read her bio and (gasp!) comment. DAWN CAMPDawn Camp is a homeschooling mother of eight who lives life with a camera in one hand and a glass of sweet tea in the other. A Photoshop and Lightroom enthusiast, she is an “evangelist” for NAPP (the National Association of Photoshop Professionals). Seeking the sublime that exists within the mundane is her goal as a photographer. She never ceases to be amazed by God's creativity in answering prayers, and is thankful that He is “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). You can find her blogging at My Home Sweet Home and tweeting as @DawnMHSH. TSH OXENREIDERTsh Oxenreider is the author of Organized Simplicity, and writes about living simply at Simple Mom. She is currently "in between" countries with her husband, Kyle, and kids Tate, Reed, and Finn, having just moved back from the Middle East before heading off to their next adventure (her 6-year-old has been on 49 airplanes and counting). Her blog was nominated for Best New Blog of 2008, and has been mentioned on Apartment Therapy, HGTV, Better Homes and Gardens, Food Network, and more. In early 2010 she founded the network Simple Living Media, home to five blogs about simple living. Her passion is to encourage all walks of women to find peace wherever God has them and to cultivate joy about blooming where they're planted. She also loves coffee, and she hates wearing socks. ANGELA NAZWORTHAngela Nazworth is a flawed and forgiven wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She’s also an encourager, a lover of good books, coffee, girl's night out, sunshine, and waterfalls. In the 11 years since she got married, Angela and her family have lived in 11 different homes in 8 different cities in 6 different states. This year, she and her husband switched places...he became a stay-at-home dad and she reentered the work force as a Corporate Communications Specialist for a prominent bank. Angela believes the creator of the universe is both the author of and lead character in her life story. With every experience she learns more about who she is in Him...and takes another step on her journey. ANGIEAngie is the proud wife of Todd Smith of Selah, and the blessed mommy to Abby, Ellie, Kate, Charlotte, and Audrey Caroline, who passed away the day she was born, April 7th, 2008. Angie was inspired to write Audrey's story, and began the blog www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com in honor of her. You can read more about Audrey's story in Angie's first book, "I Will Carry You" available at bookstores everywhere. Her greatest desire is to share her heart and love for the Lord. Angie holds a Master's Degree in Developmental Psychology, and loves to write about topics related to parenting and child development. She is grateful for the opportunity to share her heart here on (in)courage as well! Follow Angie on twitter as@angelac519. JENNIFERJennifer is a mixed media artist living in rural Nebraska - gravel roads, fresh air, peace and quiet. She is married to her best friend, her patient and supportive husband, Heydon. Art has been a lifelong passion of hers. She has been blessed to know since she was young that art was the gift GOD granted her for this journey. She wants her work to reflect the beauty of God and she hopes it brings joy and inspiration to those who see it. You can read her words and see more of her art on Studio JRU. | BONNIE GRAYBonnie Gray is the writer behind Faith Barista, serving up shots of faith for everyday life. She is fascinated with the challenge of keeping faith hot and fresh in the daily grind. Her writing springs from the belief that the beauty of faith often takes place when life goes off script. Her blog is syndicated by Crosswalk and Revelife, with articles published nationally by McClatchy Tribune and Christianity Today. In her search for God's calling, Bonnie has thrived through a variety of transitions in life. It turns out she was living out God’s calling all along — walking by faith in everyday life. To others it might look ordinary. But, the inner life is where Christ lives. Bonnie continues her faith journey as a native Californian living in the heart of Silicon Valley with her best friend Hubby Eric, wrangling their two heaven-sent boys on the homestead. Join Bonnie at Faith Barista, Facebook or Twitter @TheBonnieGray, as she shares encouragement in the ultimate ministry called Everyday Life. DEIDRADeidra is an East Coast girl living in an empty nest under a great expanse of sky in the American Midwest. She will forever be stunned and amazed by grace. Deidra and her husband have been married for nearly twenty-five years, and they are the parents of two adult children. She knows what it's like to wonder, "Will this marriage survive?" and "Have I totally messed up my kids?" She has a deep appreciation for words in flesh and is passionate about the Word made flesh. She believes in the hopes and dreams of women, and - whether speaking or writing - seeks to use her words to encourage and lift and inspire hope. Deidra is a contributing editor for TheHighCalling.org and writes at Jumping Tandem You can follow Deidra on Twitter @jumpingtandem. EMILY FREEMANEmily Freeman is a writer who encourages girls of all ages to create space for their souls to breathe. She is the author of Grace for the Good Girl (Revell). She and her husband live in North Carolina with their twin daughters and twinless son. HEATHER GEMMEN WILSONHeather Gemmen Wilson loves to laugh. She says, "Through all the circumstances of my life, I have gained more than I have lost ... and I'm not just talking weight." Heather is married to her best friend, Lawrence W. Wilson, a pastor, and they have a colorful blended family of six kids, two daughters-in-law, and a grandson. Heather is a best-selling author, an international speaker, and professional book editor. She is probably best known for her powerful story of keeping her child conceived through rape as told in her memoir STARTLING BEAUTY. JENNIFER SCHMIDTJennifer Schmidt is a full time family manager that writes about her never ending pursuit of “Balancing it all...the good, bad and ugly” at her personal blog: Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. As a motivational speaker and worship leader from NC, Jen finds joy in encouraging women. Yet she still sees her most demanding, yet rewarding, audience as her own family. As a mom of five and frugal living expert, Jen shares with humor and authenticity on a myriad of topics. You can find her on any given day dreaming about a clean house, chauffeuring, meal planning, home schooling, thrift store hunting, or quite possibly on a stage sharing both her beauty and bedlam as a daughter of the King. Follow Jen on twitter as @beautyandbedlam. JESSICA TURNERJessica Turner blogs on The Mom Creative about motherhood, memory keeping, faith, and frugal living. Every day is a juggling act as she balances working full-time, making memories with her family, photographing the every day and trying to be crafty. She also enjoys connecting with online friends via Facebook, Twitter and her latest addiction, Pinterest. Jessica and her husband, Matthew, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their two young children, Elias and Adeline. LAINIELainie Button, marketing manager for Blessings Unlimited, has the kind of laugh that drifts over to you and makes you smile. Her blazing blue eyes would flit around the room from time to time and you’d know she was looking for beauty. Because that’s just what she does, wherever she goes. And when she finds it she brings it back to those she loves. Whether it’s a new piece of art, a striking swatch of fabric, or the kind of jewelry that stops you in your tracks, she’ll find a way to pass it along. Whenever you discover something you like here just think of her smiling and saying, “I found this just for you.” And, of course, Lainie sees the most beauty of all in two treasures she won’t ever give away—her faith and her son Micah. LISA LEONARDLisa Leonard is mommy to two boys, David, 9 and Matty, 7 and wife to Steve. In between school and work they spend their time playing outdoors on the central coast of California, eating chocolate chip pancakes, tapping tunes on the piano (David) and choreographing elaborate light saber duels (Matty). Lisa also creates handmade jewelry and plays at photography. You’re invited to visit Lisa Leonard online and get to know her! LISA-JOLisa-Jo lives in between countries, callings & kids, believes motherhood should come with its own superhero cape, and as the Community Manager for (in)courage loves dreaming up ways to serve you all. South African by birth and American by marriage, she and her husband have two young sons who color their lives and complicate their frequent travel. After a decade in international development work, Lisa-Jo is convinced that no matter what the zip code, God is intimately interested in who we are, where we’re headed, and loves us beyond time zones, cultures or insecurities. She welcomes you to follow her on twitter as @thegypsymama. MARY CARVERMary is a {new} stay-at-home mom of a sweet, sassy preschooler and wife to her high-school sweetheart. When she’s not snapping photos left and right, reading a good book or watching a certain reality TV dance competition, you can find Mary (avoiding housework) curled up on the couch with her laptop. After delivering a premature baby – who needed to stay home more than she needed to go out – Mary got a little stir-crazy. And when her husband began working evenings, Mary got a little bored. But then she discovered blogging, and life has never been the same. Mary blogs about an imperfect life at Giving Up on Perfect, where she writes about family, faith, books, diet-friendly and fiber-filled foods like granola bars and nachos, celebrity look-alikes and chick flicks. You know, the important stuff. SARAH MAESarah Mae has a past that would be her present if it weren’t for Jesus; His wild saving grace and gentle leading keep her in awe. She is the wife of Jesse (her rock and super handy-man dude) and the mommy of two lovely daughters and one busy little boy. Her days are spent hanging out with her babes, indulging in dark cherry mochas, homeschooling, admiring beautiful words, dreaming of wild blue skies, and creating the sweet aroma of home. She is the author of the bestselling eBook 31 Days to Clean-Having a Martha House the Mary Way, she writes at Like A Warm Cup of Coffee, and is the founder and co-host of The Relevant Conference. THE NESTERThe Nester, who writes anonymously, is a home stager, redesigner and design school drop-out. She and her husband and their three boys have moved 14 times in 16 years of marriage and they are currently content to be renting. Nester’s favorite place to be is home and you can usually catch her there moving furniture. In her spare time she writes a blog called Nesting Place {which she considers her second home}, occasionally speaks about blogging and imperfect decorating, and tweets as @thenester. SARAH MARKLEYI'm the mother of two little girls, the wife of an amazing husband who'd rather play the guitar than anything else and I love to write. I spend my weekends watching my daughters ride horses and play soccer. I blog daily and my greatest wish is to see women healed and marriages made healthy. ESPECIALLY HEATHERHeather is a brain cancer survivor who lives life on the edge. She loves her family, her bald head and, most of all, her Savior’s grace. She lives in the sunny yet very humid state of Florida with her husband, three children and 2 dogs, a miniature schnauzer named Bailey and a Boxer named Max. She homeschools her two oldest children. Her youngest child, Emma Grace went to be with Jesus on April 22, 2011 after a long and valiant fight with a transplanted heart. She was 9 years old. Heather blogs about her trials in raising Emma Grace as well as her own personal journey with cancer and faith. Her motto is "It is not about the hair, Its about the heart..." GITZSara Frankl blogs at Gitzen Girl about her "after" life. The one she embraced after illness stripped her of the potential for a job and family and status. While most of her life is spent isolated, she loves that she lives in the age of technology where authentic communities form at the touch of her fingertips, and Skype allows her to see her 10 nieces and nephews growing into amazing adults. Now, she is choosing joy every day, fully embracing her moments and learning that being homebound doesn't have to limit who you are in life, it just limits your location. You can follow Sara at her blog Gitzen Girl or on Twitter @gitzengirl KRISTEN STRONGKristen is an Air Force wife, enthusiastic mama and freelance writer. She is a joy hunter-downer who writes of looking upward for fresh-air encouragement at Chasing Blue Skies. Originally an Oklahoma girl, she has since traveled far and wide with her military man. She and her husband David have 3 precious young'uns, twin sons {age 11} and a daughter {age 8}. Kristen and her family enjoy their home under the wide-blue-skies of Colorado. |
courage on http://www.incourage.me){kind=link}
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