One of my favorite parts about being the Community Manager of (in)courage is getting to connect with the amazing women behind the screen. I haven’t (yet) had the privilege of meeting all 27 writers in person, but I have met the two women we’re shining the spotlight on today! Jennifer Dukes Lee and Stephanie Bryant are as warm and fun and genuine in real life as they are on the page. And I know they’d love nothing more than to meet you at a nearby coffee shop, lean in close, and share all the things about the beautiful brokenness of life and writing, ministry and dreams, and walking with Jesus.
But since most of us don’t live in the farmlands of Iowa or Arkansas to make an in real life meetup happen, I’m delighted to bring you this edition of the (in)courage Contributor Spotlight! So fill up your mug with something yummy and come back to get to know two of my favorite women and watch the videos of our recent conversations. I know you’ll be encouraged!
Meet Jennifer Dukes Lee
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m the wife of an Iowa farmer, mom to two girls, and an author of books, including my latest: It’s All Under Control. I love queso and singing too loudly to songs with great harmony. Once upon a time, I didn’t believe in Jesus. Now He’s my CEO. Before I wrote books, I wrote news stories. I used to cover crime, politics, and more as a news reporter. Now, I use my reporting skills to chase after the biggest story ever: the redemptive story of Christ. I blog and offer lots of resources over at www.JenniferDukesLee.com. I cling to the hope of a cross, and I’m passionate about sharing the Good News through story.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I have been a contributor since 2014.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love all the different voices, pointing to the same Person: Jesus. I love that you can come here as you are, not as you wish you’d be. I love that you don’t have to have it all together in this place. I love that every word, every story, every image is intended to bring us closer to the heart of Christ.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about raising teen girls, which is so funny, because when the girls were younger, I dreaded the teen years. I was scared to parent teenagers, maybe because I remembered how eye-rolly I was at that age! But I love this stage so much. It’s exciting to watch our daughters discover their own gifts and passions, and then pursue them.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
I have a new book that just came out a couple of days ago! It’s All Under Control is a journey of letting go, hanging on, and finding a peace you almost forgot was possible. People often ask me, “Who did you write this book for?” I wrote it for you, but I also write it for me. I wrote this book, because I needed it. This is a book for women who are trying. Trying to hold it together for the sake of the family. Trying to give our best to our churches and jobs. Trying to be there emotionally and physically for the people we love.
I was so excited that my publisher asked me to also write a companion Bible study workbook. It’s a six-week journey of letting go of the things you can’t control, finding the strength to hang on tighter to those you can, and finally learning how to tell the difference.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: Grilled cheeseburgers and Iowa sweet corn with lots of butter
- Salty snack: Chips and queso (confession: I exercise to support my queso habit)
- Sweet treat: Paleo brownies made by my friend Jodie at Blue Acres Market
- Hot drink: Coffee
- Thing to do with friends: Play cards or Pegs and Jokers; dinner dates in downtown Sioux Falls, SD, (the nearest city to our farm); laughing at ourselves while we work out at Boot Camp
- Thing to do alone: sing loudly to worship music
- Place to go: Northern Minnesota
- Way to recharge: Taking a slow stroll around the lake
What’s your favorite place to connect online?
The best ways to connect with me are on Instagram and Facebook.
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I had the best time talking to Jennifer on an extra special day — the birthday of her third book! Lean in close for our conversation as Jennifer helps unpack what kind of woman will find herself in the pages of It’s All Under Control, what surrender really means, and how we can start letting go of what isn’t ours to hold and hang on to what is.
Meet Stephanie Bryant
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I live on a ten-acre hobby farm in Northwest Arkansas with my husband, Barry, of fifteen years and our miracle daughter Gabrielle, who recently turned five and started kindergarten. We have seen God come through in many miraculous ways in our life together. We prayed for Gabrielle for seven years before she arrived. We prayed for land to have a home and small farm for six years and God brought us to our special spot in the middle of town. If you’re curious, we burnt down the existing home, cleaned up the land and now we have honeybees, an orchard of apple and pear trees, chickens, plus a dog and a cat. My daughter is saving up for a horse. We love to invite others into our farm to retreat from the world.
Before children, my degree and work experience was in Marketing. I was the Marketing Director for a bank, Director of Product Development for a ministry and worked for DaySpring, launching (in)courage, until I started my own consulting company focusing on business coaching, marketing, social media for small businesses, nonprofits, bloggers turning published authors and creative entrepreneurs. With my daughter in school now, I’m following God’s leading into a new season that is unfolding as quite the Jesus-led Adventure.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I am the co-founder of (in)courage. I was the vision and business mind behind the brand. Not until about a year after we launched (in)courage did I start writing for the site. Since my background is business, it’s taken me years to embrace the words God has given me to share with you through these blog posts.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love that God planted an idea in my heart years before it became a reality with (in)courage. God had a vision for His daughters to be in Christ so they would have courage to live out His word, their calling, and to be in community with each to accomplish His goals for His Kingdom. The organic growth and steadfastness of (in)courage since 2009 is proof to me how much God loves His daughters. Both the writers and the readers of (in)courage have become beautiful friends. Considering where some of the original writers are today (best selling authors, ministry leaders, business leaders, and world-renowned speakers) and what projects the current writers are embarking on, I’m thankful to know how God uses the behind the scenes of (in)courage to empower the team and help launch each contributor into a larger Kingdom impact.
What are you passionate about?
Just like I was at the launch of (in)courage, I am passionate about living a courageous life for the Lord and empowering others to do the same. I want to guide God’s daughters into dwelling with God in His truth, living in courage with the calling of God on their lives, whether in their home, the workplace, or ministry, and empowering women to live in their personal promised land with Love.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
God is waking me up very early most days to study Exodus. God has put a passion in me to learn as much as a I can about His promised land and lead the next generation to it. I’m humbled to have the Holy Spirit pouring insights into me through His word. I’m praying about next steps, and I’m excited about all the expressions of this Jesus-Led Adventure.
What is your favorite. . .
- Special Meal – Meal cooked by my husband — filet with mashed potatoes, vegetables from our garden, and homemade yeast rolls
- Salty Snack – Smart pop
- Sweet Treat – Yellow cake with chocolate frosting for every birthday
- Hot Drink – Chai latte with almond milk
- Thing to do with friends – Long lunches, weekend trips, and movies
- Thing to do alone – Shop. I love to look at all the colors, packaging, trends, and styles
- Place to go – Italy. We just went to Italy for my 40th birthday, and I can’t wait to go back!
- Way to recharge – Workout
What’s your favorite places to connect online?
You can find me on Instagram @StephanieSBryant. I’m currently redesigning my site.
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In the 15 minutes before Stephanie and I went live, there were a whole host of technical difficulties and we weren’t exactly sure where this conversation would go. Thirty minutes later, all I could say was, Wow, God! Click play to hear us talk about what it means to dwell in God’s presence and adventure in the Promise Land.
Stephanie,
First a HUGE Thank You for starting and co-founding (in)courage!! I’ve been coming here for a LONG time and I love that it is a place where you can “put your feet up on the coffee table” and relax and just be yourself. I’ve journeyed with you through the miracle birth of your daughter and watched your dream for your farm life come to fruition. Founding anything is hard and then turning it over is even harder – like letting go of your baby. So glad you’ve continued to be a part of (in)courage and have developed that “inner writer” 🙂 I continue to come here each morning….it’s kind of like brushing my teeth….just something I have to do to get my day going. God bless you.
Jennifer,
What an inspiration you’ve been to me in my writing journey. The highlight of my participation in the She Speaks Conference last year was getting to meet you face to face and share in conversation with you. You are just as sweet and caring in person as you appear on the internet and through your writing. You ARE a master story teller and I’ve laughed and cried through your heartfelt stories. To me, you are “the little engine that could”…you give all of us “little writers” out here encouragement that you don’t have to have a huge platform in order to have God take your (His) message and run with it. It has been such a pleasure and honor to be on your launch team for “It’s All Under Control”!! Ladies reading this, this is not a paid advertisement: Jennifer’s book is AWESOME. If you struggle with trying to keep it all under control (humanly impossible to do) and feel like you’re failing if you don’t, then this book is a must read. God wants us to have the BEST life possible not the BUSIEST, and Jennifer’s book gives some concrete ways to make that happen as well as sharing some great stories to illustrate her precepts. I loved “Busy Boobs” – so glad the editors left that in lol. I’d love to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you in person. From one java junkie to another….you’re the BEST!
Love and blessings to you both for ALL that you do in the Lord’s service,
Blessings,
Bev xo
I am literally crying, reading these words, Bev. I can’t begin to tell you how much this comment means to me. I treasure it. I adore you, dearest Bev. Thanks for always being here, always ready to encourage everyone — the writers and the commenters. You are a treasure.
Bev! Thank you for such kind words & following along with my journey. And always being so supportive! I love that we can start our day together.
Jenifer,
Congratulations on your book launch! This book will help many women, especially control freaks. We tend to want to do it all & fix everything. Thanks for obeying God & writing this much needed book. Women need to prioritize our lives & give ourselves Spiritual Whitespace. Making room for margin. We also need to learn to run to Him for help when things go crazy. You are living the life I dream of. Would love to live in a small rural town on a few acres with neighbors miles away. I guess I lived in big city to long. Thank you for a glimpse into your life. I love learning about the women behind In Courage.
Stephanie,
Thanks for obeying the leading of God almost 10 years ago & starting In Courage. This has been a blessing for me. I have made many friends & had the privilege of praying for many here. God has truly blessed you & your family. You are an inspiration to many women who have dreams-pray long & hard for them & watch God work. I pray God continues to bless you in every aspect of your life. Can’t wait to see what is next.
Blessings 🙂
Oh Beth, Thank you so much. I love (in)courage, and I love that we are represented in such diverse places and life circumstances. It’s a joy to represent Iowa. 🙂
Thank you for being so faithful to pray & encourage us all! It means so much that God has used my story to help others with their long awaited promises. I hope yours, too!
The highlight of my month getting to spend time talking with you two!!
Jennifer – I love the way you allow God to use your own struggles and faith journey to learn more about Him and in turn provide meaningful resources that lead women into a similar freedom. If I ever make it out to Iowa I’d love to join you for a slow stroll around the lake!
Stephanie – I have no doubt that God has been speaking to you about the Promised Land for a looong time for such a time as this! I love the way you hear from the Lord and help others to listen more closely too. Next time I’m in Arkansas we need to grab a Chai latte with almond milk together!
Love you girls!!
It’s always a joy to visit with you! I’m going to keep you to that chai date. Wish we were real life neighbors! XX
I had so much fun in our Facebook Live conversation on Tuesday. You are such a blessing. I’d love to take that walk with you! xo
Jennifer, I look forward to reading your book! Your season of raising teenage girls sparked my attention. I was used to teenage boys who for me were easy as pie. My daughter has now turned 13 and it seems to be more challenging for me to keep that connection we have always had. I find I need to be more intentional with raising a teen daughter. Any suggestions?
God’s Best,
Nora
Here are some of my favorite ways to connect with my daughters:
1 – Make individual date nights with them. We have to be super-intentional about this, because they are getting busier, but we are still making it work.
2 – We still do nightly prayers individually with each of the girls. This is a great way to connect with them.
3 – Text them fun messages. I think it’s great to meet kids where they are. Kids are on their phones, so while I leave them fun little handwritten notes, I love texting them little “I love you” messages or silly things to make them laugh, etc.
4 – Find a way to serve Jesus with them. Our girls and I grew a whole new level of “close” when we served on short-term missions together in Haiti.
5 – Value and nurture their gifts. We believe in helping our girls become the best versions of themselves by pointing out and finding ways to help them develop the God-given talents they have. We invest, for instance, in private music lessons. It’s so fun to see them grow!
I hope those five things are helpful for you!