This is it – the (in)courage online, extreme home makeover reveal!
And to kick off the celebrations let’s give a big round of applause to Amy from Thoughts on the Divine who was randomly selected lucky entry number 79 and the winner of $500 from DaySpring – half for her and half for the charity of her choice!
But man oh man were we ever blown away by your beautiful stories of shared encouragement. You absolutely made our day!
OK, on with the celebrations. Since the site’s being going live over the weekend, we know a few of you got to enjoy a sneak peek. But here now is the first-hand skinny on our new space. We’ve been listening to all your comments and suggestions and taking notes, making lists, and checking them twice. Because we want this space to reflect YOU! So, without further ado, let’s “Move that Bus!” and show you around your lovingly-updated, favorite, beach house, home-away-from-home! It’s what we’ve been counting down to for 30 days after all.
Beautiful new paint & design: We’re bringing the beach house feel right into the heart of this space. Inviting lines, colors, and textures to create a welcoming, relaxing getaway.
Fresh navigation: All those things you said you’d like to add to the beach house – more voices, room for conversation, resources we can share, and community – we’ve added them all.
Daily guest posters: With so many remarkable voices that make up the (in)courage community, we have built on an addition where we can feature a fresh guest voice each and every day.
Room for conversation: Thanks to a move over to WordPress we now have threaded comments integrated into each post. Let the feedback and discussion begin!
Delicious resources: You’ve asked us what our favorite “recommends” are. Well, now we have them all on a single page where you can find the blogs we love, the organizations we partner with, and the causes we can all support.
An (in)courage community: Thanks to the fantastic support of the founders of the BlogFrog, we now have our very own, customized (in)courage community. Just click on the tab “Join Our Community” in the navigation bar and come and visit a while. Share your thoughts, ask a question, offer a suggestion. It’s a place where we can hang out for longer than the length of a post and enjoy getting to know one another.
DaySpring: Supporting us from the beginning as we built this beach house, DaySpring believes in connecting people with the heart of God through messages of hope and encouragement every day, everywhere. We invite you to go and get to know them better.
Monthly (in)courage calendar: We listened when you said how much you loved the downloadable desktop calendar that Dawn created in June. So we’re making this a monthly feature and will have a new calendar available for you each and every month.
{Deep breath…}
Oh girls, we are so grateful for each and every one of you. We are so blessed that the Lord has built this place where we can gather and share our hearts.
Unless the LORD builds the house,
its builders labor in vain. Psalm 127:1.
And we can’t wait to see what He has planned for our next year.
Won’t you join us tonight for a twitter house warming party from 9pm-10pm EST? We’d love to thank you, hug you, and celebrate you with one last giveaway blast. Meet us under the hashtag #incourage. We’ll be the ones with big, goofy grins yelling –
Welcome Home!
Photo by Dawn Camp of 14 of our (in)courage gals who spent the weekend together dreaming up new ways to love on you right here, where you are always welcome – just as you are.
By Lisa-Jo, The Gypsy Mama
Leave a Comment
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
(SQUEAL)!!!
It’s beautiful!
YOU are beautiful! Every single one of you!
deidra says
Oh, you beautiful one! You are a blessing to us here!
Amy says
Love, love, LOVE the new (in)courage!!!
deidra says
We’re so glad to have you here with us! Take of your shoes and stay awhile!
deidra says
Well… take “off” your shoes. Not sure how you’d take “of” your shoes. 😉
Meg says
LOVE IT!!! Everything looks great!
deidra says
A makeover is always so much fun! Thanks for hanging out with us!
Southern Gal says
It’s beautiful. You are a breath of fresh air. All of you.
I don’t Twitter so I’ll miss the party. Have fun!
deidra says
It’s like ocean breezes, isn’t it?
Robin ~ PENSIEVE says
{{waving at Kristen, Amy, Meg & Southern Gal 🙂 }}
LOVE these new changes in the site–all created to better engage and encourage those who delight in hanging out “here”! Isn’t it fun??
Thank ALL OF YOU for faithfully supporting (in)courage–your encouragement back to the writing team (and now GUEST POSTERS) ministers to all of us.
Love y’all :).
deidra says
Hey, Robin! Big hugs, girlfriend!
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
Enthusiastically waving back! 🙂
Kelly Langner Sauer says
Oh, this is so welcoming – I love how you’ve scaled back the clutter – just wonderful!
And that shot of you gals? Hee hee! You’re like friends of mine now, and seeing you all in one place? Awwwhh!
deidra says
Sleek and clean, isn’t it? They did good!
Traci says
You gals are so great! Love the new look and ideas.
Love, Traci
@ Ordinary Inspirations (http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com)
Dawn Camp says
Love, love, love the new site!
Tweets that mention Welcome Home! -- Topsy.com says
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jessica Turner, Annie Downs, Mels_World, Kelly Langner Sauer, Lisa-Jo and others. Lisa-Jo said: This is it! The (in)courage online, extreme home makeover reveal! http://bit.ly/aq3pF0 […]
Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn says
Love the new site, love what God is doing here and totally love and adore all y’all! Thank you so much for all you do, you girls rock! 🙂
Polly says
Just found y’all, what a blessing!! thank you!
deidra says
Welcome! We’re so happy to have you here!
Stacey says
Love what you’ve done with the place!!!!
May God bless all who enter here!
Sarah Markley says
wow, thank you stacey for that. it does feel like home, doesn’t it?
deidra says
Oh yeah! This place rocks! Like a breath of ocean breeze on my face!
wanda says
I LOVE (in)COURAGE CHICKS!!
Praying for another awesome year!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
We LOVE you right back! 🙂
Dawn Camp says
Thanks for being here reading!
Cindi says
This is my very favorite site……!
Many thanks, Cindi
To Think Is To Create says
Thank you Cindi! We’re so honored you read 🙂
xoxo
Arianne
Cecilia says
I wondered why I didn’t have new posts in my reader, makes sense now. I love the new look!
Rebekah says
me too cecilia!! i was like…what is going on?!? at least we know now 🙂 have a GREAT day!
Rebekah says
love the look. love the interaction with the replies (i’m REAL excited about that!) but mostly i LOVE the monthly calendar feature!!!! YAY!!!
i left my june calendar up on my desktop until the end of august. our IT guy at work asked me more than once if i knew it wasn’t june anymore.
i just thought it was so pretty!! 🙂
and i just KNEW i was going to win the $500! ha! 🙂 better luck next time i suppose! 😉
yay (in)courage!!!!! 😀
deidra says
The interaction (I like to refer to it as conversating) is my very favorite part! I love that we can interact with each other!
Traci says
Rebekah I did the same thing!
I had searched the previous site MANY times looking for the updated calendar link!
Love the new site, thanks (in)courage gals!
Rebekah says
traci, great minds think alike 😉
and the only thing i don’t like about wordpress is i like to litter my comments with smiley faces (because i really do have that look on my face when i’m typing these things) and the little emoticons actually show up on here instead of looking like this 😉 and my comments have little round yellow things all over them! i’m sure people think i’m crazy but i think it’s just the ocd.
i guess i’ll have to start putting a little nose on my faces! 🙂 errrr…
🙂
and all that being said…i still like wordpress. i was just kind of kidding about the not liking part. 🙂 y’all know what i mean! 🙂
Rebekah says
oh goodness, wordpress has foiled my attempts at bypassing their smiley face system!!!!
i’m off to plot ways to beat them. wish me luck. 😉
Amy McDaniel says
so good to know I’m not the only one who loves smileys. I guess it’s my own lol. 🙂
Dawn Camp says
I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled that y’all are so excited about the calendar. I left mine on a little too long, too. 😉
Amy McDaniel says
WOW!!!! I can’t believe I won! I am speechless! Thank goodness I can type instead of talk! 🙂 Unlike a previous comment I never even thought about winning the $500. That’s always someone else. I am praying hard about my charity now… Thanks so much to (in)courage and Dayspring! I love that I can always stop by here for the encouragement to face another trying day or to rejoice in a lovely one. Thanks again!!!!!
Melissa Brotherton says
Congratulations! That’s so exciting for you. 🙂
Amy McDaniel says
thanks! I am giddy!
Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace says
Congratulations!!!!! That is so awesome!!!! I’ll lift you up in prayer as you pray about what charity to support. What a blessing to get to bless an organization in need! Yay!!! Hope that you will share what charity you picked with all of us! 🙂
Amy McDaniel says
Thanks! I have a charity in mind….waiting for a little confirmation. I will let everyone know ASAP!
DaySpring says
Congrats Amy! Praying with you and working on the details to send you your prize!!
Amy McDaniel says
Thank you SO much! Can’t wait to hear from you. themcds@hopper.net
deidra says
Congratulations!!!!!
Amy McDaniel says
Thanks!
Rebekah says
congratulations amy!!!! that’s super duper exciting!! 😀
and i think it’s just my rose-colored glasses speaking in my comment about being sure i was going to win. i always think that. and it never happens. HA! but i’ll keep believing! 🙂
and there’s a reason behind you winning. God doesn’t give us blessings like that for nothing! 😀 i know you’re going to be blessed and in turn, be a blessing with your winnings 🙂
congrats again!!!
Amy McDaniel says
Thanks! I usually am the one who just knows it will be me. 😉 I love to enter contests and tell God that it would be a great way for Him to provide a new livingroom suit or car or…. I am just not usually the winner, so I was in total shock when I pulled up the website this morning with my post listed as the winner. Such a blessing! Keep believing and entering you’ll be next! With love, Amy
Kimberly says
Gorgeous! I love it:)
Kristen says
Thanks, Kimberly- it feels like home, doesn’t it? Only with less toys on the floor 🙂
Rebekah says
or clothes! 🙂 as a single girl…it’s clothes. ha!
Nish says
Amazing, beautiful, fresh… I’m loving the new digs, ladies.
And can I just share how thankful I am for all of you? Thankful for the truth and Jesus that is written here. This place has been such an inspiration to me in my own journey. Thanks everyone, for being authentic voices of beauty and grace. Your work here is so appreciated.
Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace says
I completely agree with you Nish! I love how you put that “being authentic voices of beauty and grace”…that is the perfect way of describing them!
Rebekah says
i second that mary joy! “authentic voices of beauty and grace” is so beautifully put and SO. TRUE! 🙂
and i third (?) you nish! they’ve been such an encouragement to me the past year! my life definitely wouldn’t be as full without them 😀
Janet says
It looks beautiful! Love this community God brought together.
Sarah Markley says
he totally did bring this all together, janet. i agree. =)
Mary Joy @Seeds of Encouragement Sewn with Grace says
The new site is lovely! I noticed it yesterday when I was linking up my greeting card post. It is so fresh and restful! Great job on your makeover!!! How fun!!! What a blessing that all of you were able to get together in person and celebrate, pray, talk, dream and plan together!!! Your (in)courage ministry was the first blog I ever visited last year when I was introduced to the blog world (other than my hubby’s). I was hooked immediately! The first article I read was by Melissa Michaels and as soon as I finished reading the article I clicked over to The Inspired Room. I loved it! Then I started meeting the rest of the “girls” by going to their personal blogs once I read them here. All of you have touched my life so much!!!! And you have helped me to follow my dream of encouraging others to spread the love. Thank you from the bottom of my very grateful heart!!!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Oh we just love to hear that! We hope you feel at home, put your feet up on the coffee table and visit with us a long, long while!
Melissa | Madabella: made beautiful says
Yay! I love the beach and I’m lovin’ it! (Did you hear me sing the McDonald’s jingle? Haha!)
I am so blessed to have found incourage and many women who have challenged me in my faith, inspired me and dared me to dream a little bigger. Thank you!!!!
ann says
I love the desktop background – this will be fun!
Erica Hale says
Oh! It’s all so lovely, and thank you so much for working to bring it all about. I can’t wait to see what transpires here in the years to come! Blessed to be here.
Sarah Markley says
thanks erica for the kind words. when you said “years to come” my heart just skipped a beat! so true! i can’t wait to see how God expands this community in the future!!
Melinda says
Love the new look – it’s gorgeous – and so are your hearts!
Jenny says
LOVE it!
Myrtle says
I love the changes. It looks great! Congratulations ladies!
rjb says
sounds like fun!!
Sharon Rose Gibson says
Amazing! I totally love the look! Keep up the work encouraging with your excellent expression of words and beauty! Way to go!
Sarah Markley says
i know! isn’t it beautiful? the design team did a great job. I totally agree.
melissa @ the inspired room says
SOooo happy to be one of the (in)courage bloggers and now to have such a lovely new beach house where we can hang out! So many beautiful hearts here that inspire me every day, love you all! xoxo
CHRISTI says
OH i love it all! yeah! i am so blessed to have found this site and to have met everyone here! Its gorgeous and fabulous and all those good wonderful words! YEAH!
Ashley Pichea says
Can’t wait to take some time to explore and enjoy the community. Thanks for (in)couraging me day!
Sarah Markley says
Welcome, Ashley. So glad you are here!!
Brittany @ The MamaZine says
I started blogging because I love writing but also because I was looking for community. Before the 30 days of giveaways I’d heard about (In)courage but had only stopped by once or twice. During the month of giveaways I began getting the posts in my inbox and realized how wonderful it is. I’m so glad I’m following along now. So many posts these last few weeks have touched my heart and soul. I love the bright, happy, inviting look of the site and look forward to reading everyday!
Sarah Markley says
we are glad you are reading Ashley! Welcome!!
Sarah Markley says
oops. that reply was for Ashley. Sorry Brittany. I’m so glad you are reading. Welcome!!
Bonnie Gray says
It’s like a little fun coffee break here, at this now ROOMY beach house… Fun to jump in here and say HI! … 🙂 love the nested comments .. and the daily guests posts, too! So thankful to be here blogging!
Rebekah says
it DOES feel roomier! 🙂 and i’m so glad you’re here you little faith barista! 😉 your posts always make me think 🙂
Marilyn Yocum says
Love the way you’ve rolled out the welcome mat. Always enjoy visiting here and seeing so many familiar names and faces….and hearing so many different stories, honest and real and meant to incourage. Keep writing!
Marilyn Yocum says
ENcourage. 🙂
bekah says
I love SO MUCH about this makeover it makes my heart hurt.
AHHH!!! Deep welling of tears and excitement and joy over in SA tonight!
L.L. Barkat says
Looks fantastic. I’m having fun poking around in all the new places here. 🙂
melissa stover says
loving the beach picture! what a great group of ladies.
Rachel says
I like the new look and all of the new features! I’m especially excited about the forum section and the daily guest posts.
Thank you (In)Courage girls for all of your hard work!
kim whitten says
Excited to find this awesome place, um, I mean beach house through some of my favorite Twitter friends.
Nancy says
So, I’ve been here a time or two and have friends in blog world who are part of the community. With all the chatter about the redesign, I made the leap and joined. This gray-haired old woman is poking around, getting to know the community, and trying to navigate this thing called a blog frog–old dogs, new tricks! Looking forward to getting to know folks here.
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