As you gather at the (in)courage table, we pray that your soul is nourished by the stories we share. We pray that you leave this place knowing you are not alone because you have a sisterhood alongside you and a loving Father who always goes with you. We hope this is a place where you can come just the way you are. Where you can laugh and cry, nod along in “I’ve been there too,” receive prayer, and be empowered by the Spirit’s truth-infusing care.
At (in)courage, stories are the vehicle God uses to encourage our hearts and unite us in love. As we shine a light on God’s faithful fingerprints in our lives, we also want to flash a spotlight on our beloved writers!
So, we’re kicking off a new series called Contributor Spotlight to help you get to know the amazing women behind the words. Each month we’ll feature two or three of our regular contributors. (Including our ten new writers!) Whether you’ve been a loyal reader since the beginning of (in)courage or you’ve just found your way here recently, we hope you’ll pour yourself an extra cup of steamy goodness and join us in getting to know this month’s featured contributors.
Meet Dawn Camp
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a wife and mother of eight children: four grown, three married, one recently graduated, four still living at home. We have one grandson, one granddaughter, and another grandson due on Labor Day. We’ve homeschooled our children since 1993 and just finished our ninth year with Classical Conversations, a one day per week classical model program for homeschoolers. I tutor Challenge II, which is approximately 10th grade. I have four published books, all compilations, the first three with Revell and the most recent, With Love, Mom, released in March from Harvest House.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I wrote a guest post the first month and then was asked to be a regular contributor, so I’ve been here since the site’s beginning in 2009. It’s been such a blessing in my life.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love what a positive and supportive community we have here, both publicly and privately. The women of (in)courage love on each other and pray for each other so beautifully.
What are you passionate about?
I enjoy taking pictures and playing in Photoshop; I hope to capture people in honest, unguarded moments and see God’s creation in new ways and greater detail. I’m a loyal friend and hope to be an encourager to the women God places in my path, both in real life and online. Our family has used essential oils for years, but recently I started teaching classes; I love getting together with other women, sharing what I love, and teaching, so this is a sweet spot for me.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
My husband started a new job last summer and we’re getting our house ready because realistically, we should sell and move closer to his office; he spends as much as three hours a day driving to and from work. We love our house and our neighbors; we’ve been here almost 13 years. Still, there’s a sense of excitement in new beginnings. We would not only be closer to our older kids who live there — and therefore closer to our granddaughter and our grandson due in September — but also to our church and many of our friends. We’re working on projects, emptying our basement, and monitoring local housing prices. I’m excited to see what the future holds!
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: either hibachi from a Japanese steakhouse — steak with pineapple, salad with fresh ginger dressing, fried rice — or pulled pork barbecue with mac ’n’ cheese, french fries, or fried okra, and sweet tea with lemon
- Salty snack: popcorn — I’m obsessed with our Salbree Microwave Popcorn Popper; my new favorite is adding butter, sea salt, and a drop of Black Pepper essential oil and two drops of Lime oil.
- Sweet treat: gummy bears
- Hot drink: Earl Grey tea with lavender (Harney & Sons Victorian London Fog when I’m at home, or London Fog Tea Latte at Starbucks)
- Thing to do with friends: I love a good ladies’ night out either to a restaurant or in a home
- Thing to do alone: read, take a run, or a walk with my camera
- Place to go: to the movies; I also love going downtown to the High Museum
- Way to recharge: My love language is quality time and I love movie date nights with my husband, preferably on opening weekend with a big tub of buttered popcorn!
How can readers keep in touch and learn more about what you’re up to?
I’m on Instagram @dawncamp, Facebook @My Home Sweet Home – Dawn Camp, and I blog at dawncamp.com.
Hear more from Dawn in her recent Facebook Live interview with (in)courage Community Manager, Becky Keife!
_____
Meet Dorina Lazo Gilmore
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was raised in Chicago and transplanted to Fresno, California after college when I took a job as a newspaper reporter. I am definitely a California girl now. After my husband died from cancer in 2014, I began writing and speaking about the grief journey and how God truly brings beauty from ashes. By God’s wild grace, I married Shawn in 2016 and we are raising three daughters to love the cultural diversity and beautiful landscapes of the world. I love a good cup of coffee, live jazz, and chasing sunsets.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I just started last month, although I have been a guest contributor in the past.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love how (in)courage connects women across cultures and many different experiences around common themes and God’s Word.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about helping women navigate grief and discover God’s glory on the journey. I love seeing women from diverse backgrounds flourish in their God-given callings.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
I just published two Bible studies, Glory Chasers and Flourishing Together, and I’m excited about sharing those messages with women. I love speaking for women’s events and retreats. I’m also working on a new book project!
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: butternut squash ravioli with alfredo cream sauce
- Salty snack: nachos with loads of toppings
- Sweet treat: organic dark chocolate, and more chocolate
- Hot drink: dark roast Costa Rican coffee
- Thing to do with friends: trail running, hiking, cooking new recipes
- Thing to do alone: running, reading
- Place to go: I love to travel anywhere along California’s Coast, Italy, and Hawaii.
- Way to recharge: time at the ocean, reading a book, and watching my girls play in the waves
How can readers keep in touch and learn more about what you’re up to?
Find me writing my story at DorinaGilmore.com and hanging out on Instagram at @dorinagilmore.
Hear more from Dorina in her recent Facebook Live interview with Becky!
_____
Thank you, Dawn and Dorina, for sharing a slice of life with us! We’re so thankful for your stories and the way God shines through you!
Leave a Comment
Dawn & Dorina,
Dawn, I guess I’ve been reading almost as long as you’ve been writing here at (in)courage. I have loved your posts and your gorgeous photography – what a gift in capturing God’s creation. I am just in awe that you home schooled all your children. That in and of itself is a REAL accomplishment. So glad you’ll be continuing as part of the writing team. I enjoyed, after all these years, getting to know a few tidbits more about you.
Dorina, welcome! No matter what grief stricken road we walk down we all need someone there who has gone before and can be a compassionate and comforting hand to grab as we walk. Looking forward to what you will be sharing with all of us.
Blessings to you both,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev! I wrote recent graduate in my interview, but we actually have the graduation ceremony this morning for our 18-year-old daughter, our fifth child. Only three more to go!
Bev, you’re welcome means so much! And yes, I am grateful for those who have walked before me!
Well, Dorina, it looks like we’ve got something else in common—a love of live music and live jazz! 🙂
Yay! So much to talk about when we meet!!!
Yes, to live jazz–and thanks, Dawn and Dorina, for your great contributions here!
Thank-you both so much for contributing. While we all might have different stories to tell, we all have something in common that binds us together.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
Yes, Penny! So true!
I love that reminde, Penny!
Dawn: I, too, am very impressed you have homeschooled eight children and continue with the four still at home. BRAVO! I pray God will quickly lead you to the perfect house for your family and the moving process goes smoothly. Make sure the popcorn is in a well-labeled box! (I love popcorn too.)
Dorina: So glad to see you here! I believe you were part of Glory Writers where I was first introduced to your story of God’s “wild grace.” I pray God’s blessing on your ministry of writing and speaking!
Nancy!!! So fun to hear from you here! Always a glory writer!
Dawn and Dorina, I love you girls so much! Such a joy to get to know you more through your stories. xx
Love you, friend! Anticipating our face-to-face time soon!
Dawn: So glad to have gotten to know you through In Courage. God has blessed you immensely. Super glad your hubby got a new job & all is well with the family. I was blessed & proud to pray for you during that time. Bravo for homeschooling 8 children. He has placed a teacher’s heart in you. May the move go smoothly & you find the right house quickly. Keep on writing & teaching. Blessings 🙂
Dorina: Welcome to In Courage. Your story sounds just like the book of Ruth. God planned a “Boaz-kinsman redeemer” for you. His plans are always best. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Everyone will eventually walk a grief stricken road of some kind. It is good to have mentors to help along the way. This world cries out for diversity. People of differing back grounds & callings need to get together. We have so much we can learn from each other. I pray God’s blessings over you, your family & your ministries. Thank you for your willingness to serve God. Blessings 🙂
Ah yes, the book of Ruth is so special to me and encouraged me so much on my journey of moving forward after my husband’s death. Her story compels me to share mine!
Awe. ♥ — What a fun new little series. 🙂 Will enjoy getting to know all the hearts behind (in)courage a little more. Dawn, how did I not know/remember that you have eight kids?! Good luck with your potential move. (And, I want to try the black pepper/lime popcorn, too! I don’t have black pepper yet…it keeps getting bumped from my cart every month! I did make it with lime, though, a couple of times and that was a fun treat.) — Dorina, so glad to get to know you new friend. I’m so sorry for your loss. ((hug)) I look forward to reading your words at this table. (P.S.) The ocean is one of my happy places, too!) — I look forward to watching the interviews. I’ll leave this tab open on my computer so, when I have enough extra time this week, I can come by and listen. 🙂 ♥