(in)courage began more than four years ago as a God-sized dream in the hearts of Stephanie Bryant and me {Holley}. We watched this little space on the web grow in ways we never thought possible and welcome in women from all around the world. When God asked Stephanie and me to move on to other adventures, he provided Lisa-Jo Baker to step in for the next season. Since then (in)courage has launched the (in)RL conference, partnered with the Bloom book club, begun (in)courager groups and much more.
And as (in)courage keeps growing, God just keeps bringing along the people needed to turn vision into reality. Today I get to share with you about the newest member of the (in)courage team, Crystal Stine. She’ll be joining us as Editorial and Marketing Manager. That’s a fancy way of saying she’ll be watching over the words around here, helping the team, and continuing to connect with you in lots of wonderful ways.
Many of you probably already know Crystal because she’s been a part of this community for quite some time. She’s one of the most encouraging women I know, has a smile that lights up a room, and is great at cheering women on in whatever God is calling them to do. I’ve gotten a front-row seat to watching God prepare Crystal for this position before either one of us even knew it would exist. I’m thrilled that all of you are going to get the chance to engage with her in new ways, too.
Thanks again for being part of (in)courage. This space belongs to you and we’re here to love on you!
And now I’ll hand it over to Crystal and let her share her heart with you about this new adventure…
****************I remember sitting in my home, surrounded by girlfriends as we watched the first (in)RL together. We paused the video to chat about the dreams God was putting on our hearts – to be mothers, to grow as wives, to spend more time with Him – and I said, “One day I’m going to work for (in)courage.” I had no idea why I said it, or why God asked me to share it with those women, at that time.
I remember writing a blog post about cheering for others when it’s not your turn during a season when I was feeling particularly overlooked and under-appreciated. My heart so desperately wanted to be chosen, to be picked first and yet, God had me waiting. Not just waiting, but learning how to encourage someone else when they received what I wanted, and I didn’t understand why it just couldn’t be my turn.
I remember the day I lost the only career I’d ever known. The job I cherished because of the title, not because it held my heart. As God revealed all the idols I had created in that position and humbled me to share my story with Holley and the God-Sized Dream Team, the community I’d been pouring into surrounded me with encouragement.
This job? God has been preparing the way – for years. Those friends I shared with during (in)RL have been my strongest dream supporters and prayer warriors. All the overlooked times weren’t God saying, “no” – just, “Not this one, not now. Save room.” And what I thought I’d lost with that former life and career? The loss opened the door for gifts beyond anything I could have hoped or imagined.
These words, in this space? They’re precious to me. The women who write here, the community who embraces one another in comments, encourages, loves, and prays here? You are part of my story, of God’s work in my life. It is nothing less than pure joy to join (in)courage as my full-time home, with this wonderful team.
With much gratitude, love & chocolate,
Crystal
Crystal is a writer, speaker, freelance editor, occasional song-writer, and lover of words and coffee. She also proudly wears the hats of wife to her high-school sweetheart, Matt, and mama to their toddler, Madison. Crystal is passionate about building authentic community – online and in real life – and has a heart for encouraging women. You can find her writing at crystalstine.me, MothersofDaughters.com, and she been featured at incourage.me, HolleyGerth.com, Allume.com, and HowTheyBlog.com. She would love to connect with you on Twitter at @crystalstine.
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So excited for you Crystal! You are such an encouragement. I love your words, and your heart for the Lord and for His girls! Blessings in this new adventure!
Thank you so much Barbie!
Crystal,
You are proof that good things come in small packages. So excited for you in this new role that God has been preparing you for :). I will keep you in my prayers as you embark on a God-sized adventure. All the best to you!
Blessings,
Bev
Small packages & faux hawks, huh? 😉 You are always such an encouragement on these pages!
I am so happy for you, Crystal!! Thank you for the way you encourage and lead. God is good and you are loved. We all are….amazing!
“God is good & you are loved” – well that’s going to be printed & hung right by my computer 🙂
Oh my heart is jumping for JOY for you, sweet friend!! You are the real deal. May your words speak directly to that dear one who is in that very same place today. Love you.
Love YOU – and seeing all these God Sized Dream friends here today? A blessing beyond words. Can you believe we’ve all been cheering for each other for over a year?
Congratulations! Continue to rock the light girlie!
I’ll just keep taking tips from you, Sonya 🙂 You do an amazing job and your smile shines so bright!
YAY! Congrats Crystal!!! Can’t wait to see God move in and through you! 🙂 celebrating you today, friend!
Wishing we could all be together for coffee and chatting today 🙂
Yay the “official” announcement – so proud of you and can’t wait to see the impact you have on the community here!!
So proud of YOU! Heading over to the God Sized Dreams site to read your words next 😉
I’m so excited to see this dream come true for you! I can testify that you ARE a cheerleader for women, and your smile does indeed light up the room. God’s timing is so perfect but in our humanness we usually can’t see that, especially during the waiting times. I can testify to that, too. I’m so proud to call you a friend!
Your words are like a big hug this morning 🙂
Wow! Congratulations…I know God has great things planned for you, this space and all involved.
Thank you Mary!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH……freaking out over here in AZ! Yay! So excited. I was praying and hoping THIS was the big excitement but to see it in print is so cool! Yay God!!!
Wish I was freaking out with you in person Carey! And not just because it’s some ridiculously cold temperature here & you live in a warmer state 😉
Even though we were 70 today I have been cold all day. I think I am feeling sympathy cold pains for ya’ll.
So happy to see your smiling face here! God’s using you in a mighty, beautiful way – here and everywhere.
Thank you Kristin! I just love seeing what God is doing with all of our dreams – He’s the God of the impossible, isn’t He?
Yay for more of your sweet heart and beautiful smile over here! Congrats, Crystal! incourage is so blessed to have you and so are we!
Well now I’m just starting to blush 😉 Thank you so much Erin!
Congratulations to you, my beautiful friend! You are such a sweet encouragement in my life, and I’m cheering my heart out for you! 🙂
I can hear the cheering from here … and imagine your beautiful smile in my mind 🙂 Praying we have more in real life moments together this year!
Congratulations Crystal! It’s so exciting to see how God’s been working on something long before we knew what He was working on!
Amen! Thanks Laura 🙂
Happy Day to you Crystal. Of course it’s “Roses” for you. Not to minimize but KIMsays was my ‘coffee’ this a.m.
Us humans seem to excell in ‘missing it’ when it comes to His timing.
SUPER reminder for me this a.m.
Being in the dumps from looking at TRUTH which is what HE specializes in is often harder than we can manage. It is the patience built that brings the eventual release from the tension. Obviously needed PATIENCE! Thanks again to Crystal and KIM.
Hindsight is 20/20, isn’t it Maggie? I have missed God’s plan and His work in my life more often than I’d care to admit. But that’s the most amazing thing about the God we serve – He’s the God of the impossible, and faithful to keep working behind the scenes in our lives, even when we’re oblivious to it 🙂
I’m reminded of “in God’s way, in God’s time” and I needed that reminder this morning, thanks!
That has been on repeat in my head for the last several years – along with the truth that His way is better than mine, and His timing is perfect. I’m more likely to want to know it all “now” and He’s graciously teaching me the art of waiting 🙂
Crystal,
(in)courage GOT IT RIGHT! I remember the post you referenced about cheering others on when it’s not your turn. You’ll never know how it spoke to my heart. It was a guidepost for me about waiting on God, knowing that His Plans are better, His Timing is Perfect, and that ALL things, even the ones we’d rather forget, work together for good to them that love God. I am praying joy and dreams unleashed!
Peace and good to you, dweet dreaming sister.
“Joy and dreams unleashed” – ooh I love that so much Chelle! What a beautiful word to have prayed over me this morning! You are a blessing.
Crystal… One of the greatest joys for me this past year is watching you watch God pursue you!!! I am humbled by your faith and it makes me smile to see you here “officially.” I can not think of a better person suited to the heartbeat of (in)Courage. You’ve blessed me time and again friend with your bench building awesomeness… God is breathing His holy breath under the wings of your dreams friend and I just love watching you soar!!!!
“bench building awesomeness”….love that 🙂 And thank you for joining me over, and over again on that bench – my life is richer because of you!
I LOVE this! You are perfect for this! So excited to see where this takes you! You are the awesomesauce!
Ha! thank you Laura!
A true testament that God closes doors to open better ones 🙂 Love ya sis! Congrats, you’ll rock this and I can’t wait to see how God uses this new opportunity.
Love you, sis 🙂
Crystal – this is so awesome! You truly are a gift to us within the (in)courage community. Our own interactions (between you and I) have been very limited, yet your warmth, sincerity, and genuine heart for our Lord is so very evident with every word you share. God is using you to build His kingdom in such an incredible, beautiful way. I stand in awe of the work He is doing, and am so glad you are part of the team at (in)courage with this new job. Congrats! 🙂
What beautiful words – thank you so much Amy!
Carthwheels! Herkie! Spirit fingers! Back flip! (Ouch, that last move hurt.) 🙂
So thrilled to read this news this morning!
*snort*…I adore you. Also, you’ll have to teach me to herkie? I have no idea what that is (hangs head in cheerleading shame)
You were made for this girl. So happy for incourage and you!
Janelle
Thank you, friend! Wearing my necklace today, by the way 🙂
I never doubted….not once! Right where you belong girl!!!!
XO,
Stacey
I could not have gotten here without you, your friendship, your prayers….I love you, girl 🙂
Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3 Love <3
🙂 and hugs 🙂
lol..best..comment..ever!
You were made for a time such as this. You’re sweet, sassy, loving spirit has blessed me more times than I can recall. So very happy and full of praise for this next chapter in your journey! Love you! xxoo
You called me sassy 🙂 That makes me smile so much!
Crystal – Congratulations! So happy for you! You made me feel welcomed & gave me courage to leave comments when you didn’t even realize what your words were depositing into me. For that, I am grateful. This post truly teaches that when God say, “Wait” it does not mean “no” it means “not yet”. His ways & times are always perfect. Thank you for this encouragement this morning! Blessings,
Joanne
So blessed by your kind words, Joanne! And you inspire me to tell more people when they’ve had that impact on my life!
I smiled the whole time I read this! You are amazing!! So glad God (and Holley!) picked you! Be blessed!!
Thank you so much Marina 🙂
I love this site! It is such an inspiration to me. I sort of lurk around on here commenting very little but always, ALWAYS, without fail, am ENCOURAGED. Congratulations to Crystal! Maybe I will come around a little more often 🙂
I hope you do, Michele!
Loved your post about cheering from the sidelines, great wisdom there! Thanks for sharing and praying God uses you in this exciting new role!!
Thanks Danielle!
So excited for this new chapter for you, Crystal! Praise God for His provisions and purposes!
Love you, girl! Can’t wait to see you in a few months!
Congratulations and His Blessings to you on this wonderful announcement. How exciting to read these words this morning. Yours was one of the first voices I heard as I stretched tentatively into the (in)courage community, and your encouragement and commitment to community have continued to be an inspiration. I’m so happy that God is unfolding this dream and His purpose for you in this way. Cheers!
I love that you stretched tentatively..and now I see you as jumping boldly 🙂 You are a gifted encourager, friend!
I’m so excited for you! It’s awesome how God has prepared you for this place of ministry, even before anyone knew what He was doing! I know you are going to encourage women and bring God some glory in your new role here! 🙂
Thank you Rosanne!
I am so happy for you!! I knew God had something great in mind for you, I am so glad you were faithful in the waiting, you encouraged us all to cheer from the sidelines. I can’t wait to see what God does in you and through you on this new journey!!! I am overjoyed for you!
Isn’t it wonderful how we can see God’s hand so clearly in the lives of others, even when they can’t see it themselves? Your comment inspires me to share those moments more often, because that is a beautiful encouragement!
Crystal, your story is a bit further along than mine but it sounds so familiar! And, it is a big boost of encouragement! You are already someone I have seen here and listened to in building community. I love seeing someone so passionate about this ministry seamlessly join a staff I thought you were already a part of. Love you and so excited to see you take on an official title!
Thank you so much, Hope! Praying that God will give you a little glimpse of what’s a little further down the road – I know He has good plans for you!
Girl I am so stinking excited for you and proud.. and totally not surprised. Thank you for your heart of love and encouragement, for dreaming– and for whenever I look at your site, or your words I am always inspired to dream more!
Dream big, and dream boldly Jenn! You can never out dream the plans God has for you 😉
How great is our God! So excited for you Crystal..2014 will be amazing for you!
Thanks Veronica!
Yay Crystal! Trust, believe, walk forward in faith. It can be hard to do so because we can’t see what’s around the corner, especially when what is right in front of us looks a lot like a major failure.
I am reminded of Jeremiah 29:11, words that are close to my heart:
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
One of my favorite verses! Thanks Kim!
Congrats girlie! So happy to see Jesus working in your life/ministry! You are super encouraging!
Amy
Thank you so much, Amy!
Congratulations Crystal! I have already learned so much from you. You have taught me to be faithful in the waiting. Thank you for all you do (and will continue to do) this community. Blessings in this new adventure!
Oh Amy, that means so much to me. Thank you for those kind words!
“Save room.” – So Much Yes!!! I love that! Oh how we can tend to fill all the way up in our waiting and in our wanting – but He is the One who whispers to us softly – Save room! #Swoon!
Congratulations girlie! So excited for you!
~K~
Oooh..I’ve decided that #swoon is my new favorite hashtag 😉
Ahhh, the light just got warmer and the fresh air sweeter with you in the beach house, Crystal! So thrilled to have you, m’friend! xoxo
{{squee}}…thanks for making room for me on the big comfy sofa 😉
Yay! I am SO proud of you Crystal! You have been our biggest cheerleader on GSD and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you, sweet friend! Best of luck to you in this new calling!!
So glad that being an online cheerleader means I can wear yoga pants and not those short little skirts 😉 Y’all would NOT want to see that! (hehe..and thank you!)
Crystal, so very happy for you! Love seeing how God will use you! Hugs!
Thank you Wendy!
How wonderful are God’s ways, and perfect in his timing! Congratulations Crystal! I look forward to getting to know you better as you take your appointed {and anointed} role at (in)courage. 🙂
Ooh..appointed & anointed…I love that a lot! Thanks, friend 🙂
Welcome Crystal!!
Thank you!
Crystal,
I loved the post about cheering others on when it’s not your turn. It spoke to me about waiting and being patient. I have a hard time with both. God knows the plans He has for us..we just have to be paitent and wait on Him to move.
Congratulations to you and In Courage. I believe you will make a huge impact for Christ and women’s lives in this ministry! God Bless!! 🙂
I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the last year (or 10) has been that God always moves. We just don’t always see it right away 😉
Congratulations Crystal! I’m so excited for you. I can relate to your story. God is good though.
Thanks Lisa!
Yay! How exciting Crystal. You go girl! You seriously amaze me. Love, Kristin
And YOU amaze me 🙂 So fun how God has brought us together over the last year!
Crystal,
You give me hope as I wait on The Lord and look for a job in this prolonged season of unemployment. Courage is my word for 2014!!
Praying that God would provide, Grace. And that is a beautiful word for the new year!
CRAZY thrilled to have you!!!!!
Crazy excited to be here!!!!
Crystal, years of waiting…………I can appreciate the questions, puzzlement, confusion, and questions during the past years. I am waiting, and I’ve yet to discover the meaning of God’s verse to me.
“Feed my sheep. 18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go. ” from the book of Luke.
God bless you in your new calling, I am certain that you will find that none of your experiences have been wasted. God redeemed them all!
Oh He has, Debi, He has redeemed! It’s been beautiful. And I simply can NOT wait to see what happens when the time is right for you to learn what God intends to do with that amazing verse!
Crystal, thank you so much for sharing your journey and for waiting. This post spoke to my heart today. God bless and congratulations!
Thank you Katie!
Crytal- we women need encouragers like you- how exciting you have this new role. I have been blessed by you over and over again reading you blog posts.
May God anoint you afresh today and may you be filled with His mighty Holy Spirit more than ever before, to be equipped and enabled to fulfil this role always giving out of the overflow and never running dry. As you bless all of us, may the blessing me multiplied to YOU.
With love and appreciation for who God made you to be,
Mary, New Zealand
Oh Mary! That is so beautiful! I’m off to print that out and hang it right beside my desk for those “am I really capable of this, God?” days 🙂
Crystal is my fave.
And Holley.
Holley is my fave, too.
xo
a
Um. Nope. YOU are my fav. Totes. Totes my fav. (shhh…now don’t tell Huffington Post I said that)
Yeah! Congrats my fellow God-sized Dreaming friend. I remember reading those posts you mentioned and recalled thinking, it’s only a matter of time for her. I’m so happy to have a backseat look at God blessing your faithfulness in the small things.
Oh Kacey! I just love that, and I am so thankful for you!
Welcome, Crystal! I’m so glad you’re here. 🙂
Thanks so much, Dawn!
thanks for sharing your story and reminding those who have a desire to be used by God to encourage others, that some times His answer is wait because He’s still working on us and refining us…I’m right there now and am thankful for a husband who puts up with a lot and lovingly reminds me to wait and trust God for His perfect timing if He so chooses to use me in the way I desire…I have a lot of rough edges and am being humbled and pruned often…it’s not pleasant, but I know it’s necessary…
Thankful for the struggles that are necessary to become beautiful in His time! 🙂 Excited to have you on board…I’m a newcomer to (in)courage and have enjoyed the emails I receive…most of them hit home to right where I am in my journey to become more like Christ! 🙂
Oh Kelley, I’m still in the middle of so much of that pruning and smoothing. It’s hard, girl. But God has great plans for you – and when His timing is perfect and you get a small glimpse of the “why” behind the journey? What a blessed day that will be 🙂 And we’ll all be here to cheer for you then, and every step along the way! (and #fistbump to your hubs – that’s a good man!)
I was so happy to read this Crystal! I don’t know if you would even remember me, but you helped me out a great deal with the book that I was writing last year, and I thanked God for you then and now!
Because of how you blessed me, I know God will continue to use you for His glory. I just could not be any happier to see you as a part of this team!
Maxine! Oh friend, what a blessing to see you here 🙂 You are a joy!
Congratulations Crystal! I’ve watched your journey for the past year or so and it has been such a blessing to see how God has worked in your life. Dreams do come true!
Thank you Darlene!
Oh my.
You and (in)Courage.
Together.
What could be better?
I’m so so thrilled for you. What a beautiful heart you have. I just know you’ll bring so much joy and wisdom to the team at (in)Courage. Yay! 🙂
Oh I just adore you Denise! Thank you so much for those sweet words – you are such a blessing to me 🙂
Crystal, welcome! So happy you’ll be helping to lead this beautiful place. And thank you for sharing the waiting and the laying down of pride and letting us in on some pieces of your journey here. What encouragement to so many of us!
Thank you so much Ashley!
Oh I just love me some Crystal Stine! Love. So excited that you are joining this amazing team!
And I love ME some Lara! Praying I get to see you in real life some more this year – or maybe at least another Google Hangout 😉
Words escape my excitement for you in this role. I am so proud of you and couldn’t think of a better person for this important “job” (that probably doesn’t feel like a job!) Keeping lighting up the world, girl!! Love you!!!!
Christin, you know me so well 🙂 A job that doesn’t feel like a job? Oh that describes it PERFECTLY!
Yay! 🙂 So Glad your God-Sized Dream came true!!! This place is such a blessing & I know you are proud to be part of it!
Congratulations Crystal & welcome! I look forward to ‘hearing’ from you.
Congratulations on your new position. Since in your position you will “watch the words around here,” could I make a suggestion that you help guide the team to use future postings to encourage all women, not just those who are married and/or mothers of young children? There is a huge demographic of women who may be turned off to posting after posting that is either a) explicitly about marriage and motherhood or b) is about some other topic, such as forgiveness, but every example is based on a life of marriage and motherhood.
Yes, there are some who are single who post here. I am not disagreeing with that. But what I am seeing seems to be a decrease in these postings. (in)courage is becoming like many churches in America–oblivious to what is going on outside of the “four walls” and refusing to admit that not everyone’s situation looks like theirs. More diversity in this matter would be appreciated and would make for a richer community for all–one where all are welcomed, regardless of what they check on a demographic sheet.
Thank you for the congratulations! I read every word of what you shared, and I’ll certainly consider this as a I move forward in my new role. I appreciate you sharing your heart!
Crystal,
Congrats and your words here are encouraging and inspiring:”All the overlooked times weren’t God saying, “no” – just, “Not this one, not now. Save room.” And what I thought I’d lost with that former life and career? The loss opened the door for gifts beyond anything I could have hoped or imagined.”
All the best on your new position,
Dolly
Chrystal, My heart was so blessed to hear your story… and how it led you to us at (in)courage. You are a gift to us. Congrats on all God has for you– and for us with you here.