I don’t have many tables in my life where I can pull up a chair and sit with a group of friends who are in vastly different life seasons, where I can hear stories on one side about life as a single, young, career woman and on the other side listen to the beauty and challenges of being a work-from-home mom with littles, where I can gaze across the way and learn about launching young adults and leaning into an evolving stage of ministry. But that is what we have here at the (in)courage table.
Many voices, one heart. Many life experiences, one shared commitment to know Jesus and make Him known.
Every month we shine a light on a few women behind the words of (in)courage. Pull up a chair, prop up your feet, and enjoy getting to know our beautiful friends, Aliza Latta, Anna Rendell, and Jen Schmidt.
Meet Aliza Latta
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a twenty-four-year-old Canadian girl (hi, fellow Canadians!). I just graduated college last month, and now work as a journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). In journalism school, I learned that one of the fundamentals of being a journalist is being a voice for the voiceless — which is exactly what I long to be. It’s the framework in which I view the world now.I’m an Enneagram four, so slightly dramatic with lots of emotions that change every ten minutes. My first love is writing stories — real or fiction — and I published my first novel, Come Find Me, Sage Parker, last summer. I consider myself an apprentice of Jesus. I like the word “apprentice” more than “follower” because He’s the teacher I will learn from forever, and I want to actively be studying who He is every day.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
Since 2014. I can’t believe it’s been four and half years already.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love how we are all different — each with different passions and homes and experiences and childhoods and perspectives — and yet we can all come together.
What are you passionate about?
I sort of alluded to it before, but I’m really passionate about telling stories that matter and being a voice for the voiceless. I am convinced stories are key for human connection, and I want to spend the rest of my life telling them.
I’m also extremely passionate about being an aunt. My nephew and niece are my favourite people in the world!
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
I have an upcoming art show! If you’re local to the Greater Toronto Area in Ontario, you should come to my Christmas art show happening on November 24th at The Spice Factory in Hamilton at 7 PM. It’s going to be a great evening where I’m selling a collection of original art I’ve been working on the past few months.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: I love mashed potatoes and would eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day.
- Salty snack: Chips
- Sweet treat: Ice cream
- Hot drink: Coffee
- Thing to do with friends: Going to my favourite restaurant The Mule to eat delicious tacos
- Thing to do alone: Is this super millennial of me? I honestly love Netflix.
- Place to go: London, England. But if I can’t fly somewhere, I love going to my sister’s house.
- Way to recharge: Reading a good book
What’s your favorite place to connect online?
Instagram is my favourite — @alizalatta. Direct message me and tell me how you’re doing and your Enneagram type. That’s one of my favourite conversations. You can also check out my website — alizalatta.com.
Get to know our beloved Canadian sister more and watch this video of our recent conversation where Aliza tells the story of going from her highest high this summer to her lowest low in one whirlwind moment. I was so touched by listening to Aliza share about her journey of grappling with God’s goodness and learning who He is in every season. I know you will be too.
Meet Anna Rendell
Tell us a little about yourself.
I am an author and speaker who lives in Minnesota with my husband of eleven years and our three kids ages six, four, and three. I work from home as the (in)courage Digital Content Manager, and I completely love what I get to do and who I get to work with here at (in)courage. I’ve written two books – both seasonal devotionals for moms – and besides raising my kids, I think writing devotions is my favorite thing God’s called me to yet.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I joined as a monthly contributor in 2014 but have been on staff in some capacity since 2012.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I love the open door we have for all women, and I love that that is now more intentionally reflected in our writers. All of our walks of life, ages, cultures, stages, and church affiliations are different; the one thing that binds us is that we are all Jesus girls.
What are you passionate about?
I love how God loves women. I love learning about His heart for us, and seeing what that can do for our daily lives and our hearts toward our kids, marriages, and friendships. His love affects everything and can literally change our lives.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
I just released my second devotional called Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul: 25 Devotions for Autumn. It’s been such a sweet season of seeing women reading and sharing it, and now it’s nearly time to move into the season of Advent! My first devotional is called A Moment of Christmas: 25 Devotions for Time-strapped Moms, and it’s an advent companion for mothers. I wrote both books because I found that I was doing all that I could to help my kids experience the joys of the seasons but doing very little for my own heart. I can’t wait to see what God does with these books this year; it’s always a humbling and wild journey to live into His calling and plans.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: Fondue! We usually fondue on my birthday, and it’s so fun.
- Salty snack: Popcorn with real butter
- Sweet treat: Chocolate anything
- Hot drink: One-pump Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Thing to do with friends: Drink coffee while our kids play
- Thing to do alone: Read or take a walk
- Place to go: The shower! Also, I love taking walks around a lake with my family – here in Minnesota, we have a lot of lakes and we walk around them year-round. (Yep, even when it’s literally freezing out. We have a saying that there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.)
- Way to recharge: Currently I’m loving the new (in)courage Bible for my quiet time, taking my dog for walks on my favorite trail, and going to a concert or show with my husband.
What’s your favorite place to connect online?
My favorite place to spend time online is Instagram, hands down. Facebook is a close second, and my website is a great place to find my books and speaking schedule.
I’m so glad Anna is one of our featured contributors in November because fall is her favorite season, whihc gives way to Christmas (also her favorite!) and we had some much fun chatting about talking about what it means to take care our of souls during these busy months. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and press play!
Meet Jen Schmidt
Tell us a little about yourself.
With a question like this, we are often supposed to give the professional bio, but for my (in)courage sisters, there’s nothing too “official” about me. My days are spent daydreaming about a clean house, whipping up 10 Minute Dinners, and wondering why I am still on a search and destroy mission for unmatched socks after all these years. With five children, a few too many animals, and a precious husband of twenty-five years, I spend much of my time brainstorming tangible and creative ways to live out our worldview based on the greatest commandment of loving God and loving others.
While my bio offers bullet points such as speaker, author of Just Open the Door, worship leader, and conference host, my greatest joy is found in the seemingly everyday moments with family and friends. It’s right there where real life happens, where Jesus is made known amidst both beauty and bedlam, and where His name glorified.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I can hardly believe it myself, but I’m one of the original contributors. I’ve been sharing here from the very beginning. At that time our eldest was entering high school, and now he just got married. How does that happen in what feels like one short minute?
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
Since I’ve been able to hold a front row seat here for the last nine years, it’s been a joy to watch this community unfold and see how the Lord allows His story to be written amidst the everyday. To welcome women from all different backgrounds and create a safe place to point others to Him through the good, bad, and let’s be honest, even those painfully ugly moments of everyday life is an honor that will never get old.
What are you passionate about?
It’s been said that you know you’re passionate about something when you can’t stop sharing about it. There’s nothing I love more than gathering women around the table complete with chips and salsa (bought on sale, of course) and coffee and chocolate. Because I view our home as one of the greatest vehicles for kingdom purpose, I spend a lot of time encouraging women in a variety of creative aspects — many which stem from my heartbeat of living on less and loving it. I believe that the phrase “trash to treasure” is a counter-cultural gospel message, and it’s such fun to peel back the layers of that story.
I have a passion for building strong families and taking intentional steps in cultivating a generational legacy. Our home is loud, loaded with love and life, and it’s a place where we embrace both the beauty and bedlam of our everyday. I share my imperfections freely, and I’ve spent ten years chronicling my family fun ideas, recipes, thrifted finds, traditions, money saving tips, and the many ways I’ve been refined over at my blog, Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
After the holidays, I will be knee deep in plans for my annual Becoming Conference which takes place July 26–28, 2019. Nestled in the mountains of North Carolina, it’s the ultimate girls weekend getaway at an affordable price and open to women from all walks of life. We focus on all things heart and home and feature workshops on DIY home décor, meal planning, traditions, hand lettering, creating a peaceful home, money saving tips, decluttering, and more.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: Can you believe that I simply love a great burger and fries (made in truffle oil if we want to be fancy)?
- Salty snack: French fries
- Sweet treat: Hot out of the oven chocolate chip cookies
- Hot drink: Coffee . . . always coffee
- Thing to do with friends: I love to go deep, so sitting around the table, coffee in hand, taking a conversation to the next level is pure joy to my soul.
- Thing to do alone: Treasure hunting at the thrift store.
- Place to go: Anywhere when my whole family is together.
- Way to recharge: Reading fiction, creating, learning new things.
What’s your favorite place to connect online?
Instagram (specifically stories) is my favorite place to hang out because it feels like how blogs used to be – authentic and spontaneous. If you’re not on Instagram, I regularly share blog posts links and information at my Facebook page or you can find a decade worth of creative content at my website. With lots of freebies, my site is perfect for the holidays. I recommend signing up for my email because I’ll offer some beautiful printables and menu ideas.
I love Jen’s big heart for opening her door and making hospitality simple and accessible. In our recent interview, she shared two brilliant ideas for connecting with others in easy and meaningful ways this holiday season. Let’s just say a Thanksgiving Leftover Potluck might be a game-changer for all of us. Pour another cup of tea and hang out some more with Jen and me!
Enjoy this post? Get caught up with all our past contributor spotlights!
Anna, Aliza, and Jen: I’m so grateful for your warm smiles, big hearts, and diverse gifts you share with all of us!
(in) sister readers: Thanks so much for hanging out here today! I wish we could shine the spotlight on YOU!
So tell us: What are your favorite ways to recharge?
We love learning about our contributors! Come get to know @alizalatta, @annaerendell, and @beautyandbedlam: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Hi Ladies,
Aliza, first I love that you consider yourself to be an “apprentice” to Jesus. You’re not just following, but you are learning to walk in His footsteps…to become more like Him. My husband and I love Canada!! It gives me a chance, in some parts, to practice my very rusty French. As huge hockey fans, we know the words to “Oh Canada” quite well. I love your fresh voice here!! You are wise beyond your years.
Anna, Who better to be a community coordinator? Your smile is contagious and you just have a way of making people always feel welcome. I don’t know how you do it all with your precious band of littles?? But you do it well. Joining with you in loving all things Fall!! You have always been so welcoming to me here.
Jen, I feel like I’ve “watched” your children grow up. I’ve learned a lot from you about living more simply and on a tight budget. You are truly the one who throws open the door for friends and strangers alike. I loved your book on Hospitality….Martha Stewart couldn’t hold a candle next to you because you focus on “Hey, there you are….come in…how are YOU?” vs. “Hey, look at me and my wonderful home and awesome food and decorating.” Do put me on the mailing list for “Becoming” as I am an NC gal and adore the mountains!
Thanks ladies for making this a rich and diverse place to prop up my feet and sit a spell. I look forward to watching your videos!! I’m mending from having my gall bladder removed and it will be nice to get to know you better 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Hi Ladies,
Aliza, first I love that you consider yourself to be an “apprentice” to Jesus. You’re not just following, but you are learning to walk in His footsteps…to become more like Him. My husband and I love Canada!! It gives me a chance, in some parts, to practice my very rusty French. As huge hockey fans, we know the words to “Oh Canada” quite well. I love your fresh voice here!! You are wise beyond your years. I keep a picture of Jesus holding the helpless lamb close to His beating heart of love….it helps me through times of grief and suffering….I wish I could send that picture to you. God IS good yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Anna, Who better to be a community coordinator? Your smile is contagious and you just have a way of making people always feel welcome. I don’t know how you do it all with your precious band of littles?? But you do it well. Joining with you in loving all things Fall!! You have always been so welcoming to me here.
Jen, I feel like I’ve “watched” your children grow up. I’ve learned a lot from you about living more simply and on a tight budget. You are truly the one who throws open the door for friends and strangers alike. I loved your book on Hospitality….Martha Stewart couldn’t hold a candle next to you because you focus on “Hey, there you are….come in…how are YOU?” vs. “Hey, look at me and my wonderful home and awesome food and decorating.” Do put me on the mailing list for “Becoming” as I am an NC gal and adore the mountains!
Thanks ladies for making this a rich and diverse place to prop up my feet and sit a spell. I look forward to watching your videos!! I’m mending from having my gall bladder removed and it will be nice to get to know you better 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thanks for the kind words, Bev! I just love this place so much.
Bev, I feel as though I can always come to you for encouragement. Even though you couldn’t send that photo to me… I can picture it in my mind! Thank you for that. xx
In Courage,
Aliza-interesting that you consider yourself an apprentice. That fits so well as to who we should be. Not just followers of Jesus but a people who continually learn from Him. Like you I love helping the helpless or less fortunate. Which explains my Enneagram score of 2 (helper). Always enjoy your writing here. You bring a youthful experience to the table.
Anna-Congratulations on your new book. I am jealous that you get to work from home. I wish my hubby & I could do that. You are spot on with Fall/Autumn being a big chance to see God in all His splendor. How do you find time to write devotions? Your life is so rich & full/busy, I,too, love long walks on trails. Being in nature helps me to see God more fully.
Jen-I feel I’ve grown up with you. Read your writing from the beginning. You and I could be twins in the thought of living a Godly life on a budget. Rachel Ray has nothing on you. Your entertaining style isn’t about the “perfect house w/gourmet food”. It is about the people around the table. Just love that you bestow love on others in the midst of chaos. Your hospitality style is so much like my pastor’s wife. She & hubby invite singles, widows, widowers, married people whose spouse is working the holiday over to their home for a meal. We all bring food & share our lives with others. Family traditions are important. It is so like Jesus to invite others into your home & family.
Welcome ladies to the In Courage family, I have enjoyed reading & learning more about each of you. You all bring something special to the blog. It would be so nice to have all the In Courage family gather together & meet each other. God bless you all for the work you are doing!
Blessings 🙂
Thank you Beth. It’s been a balancing act for sure and also a gigantic blessing! I always say that I write in the cracks of the day, which is true. My oldest is in school, and my girls are in part-time preschool, so I have a few daytime hours to get things done as well.
Hi Beth – thanks so much for your encouragement. PS. I love Enneagram 2’s. 🙂
LOve this Spotlight session!,
It’s great as we read and feel we know each contributor more!
Awesome, thanks to you all ladies !
My fave recharge is devotional, reading, relaxing by the water, and soaking in a bath with moisturizing bath melts!
I love the way you recharge, Jen. Especially relaxing by the water.
Aliza–Though we are decades apart in age, we still have some faves in common. Ice cream and coffee, meals out with friends, and recharging with a good book are surely just a few examples. Praying God’s blessings on all your endeavors–journalism, authorship, art, etc. You are one busy girl!
Anna–I, too, am the mother of three children (adults now), and we have three granddaughters. ‘Love what you said about no such thing as bad weather. (“Made me smile!) We now live in the Midwest after forty years in Florida. The right clothing does indeed make all the difference! Praying God’s blessings on those seasonal devotionals for busy moms. A worthwhile project, for sure!
Jen–I’m with you that anywhere the whole family can be together, that’s my favorite place. And count me in on coffee and conversation, reading, creating, and learning, too. Praying God’s blessings on this summer’s Becoming Conference–no doubt a time of time of fun, refreshment, and renewal!
Nancy, are you missing that Florida sunshine about now? I just heard the Midwest may get walloped by snow this weekend… we shall see! And we shall bust out the good warm clothing! 😉
Yup! Give me my Cuddle Duds, Smart Wool socks, a fleece jacket, and a scarf around the neck, and I’m all set–to head from the bedroom to the kitchen! 🙂
Thank you so much for your prayers, Nancy! They mean more to me than you know.