We’ve been holding some BIG NEWS close to our hearts for a while now, and we’re thrilled to finally share with you that we’re welcoming three new writers to the (in)courage family! As you know, what makes (in)courage so special is that here you’ll find a beautiful collection of voices from different backgrounds and life stages. It’s like getting to have a cup of tea and hear stories from your favorite aunt, grandma, younger sister, or quirky neighbor. We don’t all look the same, worship the same, or hold the same opinions, but the thing that connects us is Jesus! At (in)courage, we’re all about helping each other know Jesus better and live like Him. To do this, it’s our joy to continue to invite a rich diversity of perspectives and experiences to the (in)courage living room. We know that you will love getting to know and learning alongside our phenomenal new contributors.
Please join us in welcoming Barb Roose, Kayla Craig, and KJ Ramsey to (in)courage! They are so eager to meet you too!
Barb Roose:
Hi everyone! I’m Barb, a lifelong Ohioan who thinks about moving south every winter. However, I change my mind every spring when the dogwoods bloom and I resume my daily walks around my historical Victorian neighborhood.
I’m the proud, empty-nest mom of three adult kids. I have one thirteen-year old dog who lives up the street with one of my kids, and I can tell you lots of funny online dating stories. Our family has changed a lot over the past few years. We’ve celebrated, we’ve mourned, and there’s a lot that we’re still trying to gracefully figure out.
During the week, I’m in my office sipping cups of hot tea while writing or connecting with women in some capacity as a speaker, author, and literary agent. For me, the sweetness and spiciness of chai tea energizes me when I’m on a writing deadline or crafting a keynote message. Yet, herbal teas, like Tazo’s luscious Lemon Loaf, are my go-to when brainstorming book ideas with my clients or working with a conference planner about an upcoming speaking event. On many weekends throughout the year, I pack up my tea and teach at women’s conferences and events around the country. My favorite part of those weekends is hanging out with the ladies afterwards and hearing their stories of God’s power and redemption. It fills me up! By the way, if we see each other at a women’s event, know that I’m a hugger. And if we end up going out to dinner, just know that I’m going to eat dessert first.
For years, (in)courage has been a life-giving community to me. Now, it’s a joy for me to join this community so that I can serve you!
Kayla Craig:
Hi, friends! I’m Kayla. It’s an honor to be here! I’m grateful to join such a warm and welcoming space that holds stories with care. I hope my words help you feel a little less alone as we explore knowing a God who is in all things and is making all things new. I consider myself an extroverted contemplative (or is it a contemplative extrovert?), who gets a thrill from deep conversation and learning from others. My background is in journalism, and I hope to bring curiosity and compassion to how I show up not only as a writer, but as a neighbor, friend, and mother, too.
When my husband and I added four children in five years to our family through birth and adoption, I left my role as a journalist to keep up with our wild, wonderful crew and work from home as a writer. Though I’ve worked in newsrooms and spent time as a magazine editor and podcast producer, these days I’m juggling deadlines at home while navigating my sons’ wayward LEGOs and learning to be an advocate for my disabled daughter. I often write about seeing God’s image in our literal and global neighbor, and I’m passionate about catching glimmers of holy moments in unexpected places. I wrote To Light Their Way: A Collection of Prayers & Liturgies for Parents for you when you don’t have the words to pray in this big world of ours that bears the weight of both our weariness and our wonder, too.
My husband and I recently moved back to our hometown, where we were drawn to raising our family in a racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse area — and I fell in love with a magical, big, old house that once was a convent! (If you’re ever in Iowa, come visit — we have room!) I love thrifting and love getting lost in estate sales, and you can usually catch me sipping the strongest black coffee I can find. We have two fluffy dogs (one big and one little) who are always getting into shenanigans, and I have been Jennifer Lopez’s greatest fan since middle school. I have a tender heart, a loud laugh, and I always have room for old books on the shelf and new friends at the table. I’m so excited to get to know you!
KJ Ramsey:
Hello from Colorado! I’m KJ, and I’m so grateful to get to share stories and words here with you in the (in)courage community. Most days you’ll find me hunting for beauty wherever I can, whether it’s flowers on my coffee table, a sunset at our neighborhood park, or golden aspens in the mountains. I’ve been married to my husband Ryan for nearly twelve years, and together we love offering space and solidarity to those who have been harmed in the church. Books and words have been my safe haven since I was tiny, but I spent a lot of my life hiding from the story I was living between the pages of other people’s stories. I used to treat words like an escape hatch. Now I embrace words as a welcome mat.
I’m a trauma-informed therapist and an author with an uncanny ability to choose to write about things that I end up having to live out more fully than I thought imaginable. My second book comes out in June and is about practicing courage, and let’s just say that most days recently I’ve thought, “Why in the world did I choose to write about this?!” Life’s been demanding a lot of courage out of me lately, especially in coping with some debilitating medical challenges. (Of course, I also wrote a book about this called This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers.)
I want nothing more than to welcome you home to your life — even in a story you wouldn’t have authored this way. I pray my words here draw your eyes back to the goodness and beauty in the life you have, with a God who always dwells with you.
—
Barb, Kayla, and KJ, it is truly an honor and joy to welcome you to the (in)courage living room. We are so glad you’re here!
Friends, make sure to come back every day this week because these remarkable women will be sharing their first articles with us. You will LOVE hearing more from their hearts! Leave a comment to welcome them today!
Conchita says
Welcome beautiful ladies/sisters!!
Becky Keife says
Thanks for celebrating with us!
Kayla Craig says
So kind of you to say. Thank you!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you for welcoming us!
Barb Roose says
Thank you for such a warm welcome, Conchita!
linda k williamson says
Welcome so glad you ladies are here to encourage us !
Becky Keife says
And we’re glad YOU are here, Linda.
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you for the welcome!
Barb Roose says
Thank you, Linda! We look forward to serving you!
Ruth Mills says
Welcome! Can’t wait to hear more from each of you. We will be challenged & encouraged by each of I’m sure! Blessings!
Becky Keife says
Yes!!! 🙂
Kayla Craig says
Thank you, Ruth!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you!
Madeline says
What a joy! I am so happy and look forward to the days ahead!
KJ Ramsey says
Thanks for sharing in the joy!
Tandra R. Jones says
Welcome beloved sisters. Embracing you with the greatest virtual hug ever. Can’t wait to read what you share from your hearts throne room. Thank you in advance for being a part of this great Kingdom work.
Becky Keife says
Beautifully said, Tandra! (And I love your name.) 🙂
Kayla Craig says
Thank YOU for the encouragement!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you for welcoming us with such kindness!
Kathleen B. says
Welcome! We are blessed to be the receivers of the wisdom and inspiration of your hearts!
Becky Keife says
Agreed!
KJ Ramsey says
That’s so kind of you to say!
ELMorehead says
I’m looking forward to reading your truth-filled words!
Kayla Craig says
Thank you!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you!
Barb Roose says
That’s our prayer! We look forward to sharing Jesus’ love and truth – as well as learning together.
Sharon A says
Welcome ladies! Looking forward to hearing your stories and learning more about each of you!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you!
Mary Ruth mcNatt says
My heart is so full from reading your introductions. Your hearts shine through and I’m looking forward to reading your devotions and growing with you and with God. Congratulations on the honor and calling to be on this team. I’m praying for you and will pray for you and all the other writers each time I read your articles.
Becky Keife says
Love your heart, Mary Ruth!
Kayla Craig says
Thank you for this thoughtfulness, Mary Ruth! Excited to be here!
KJ Ramsey says
I’m so glad these words filled you! Thank you for praying for us and encouraging us!
Barb Roose says
Mary Ruth, thank you for stopping by and sharing this warm welcome with us. You’re right, we are honored to join such the incredible community of readers and writers!
Dawn Ferguson-Liitle says
My God richly bless you all in this new journey and know you have people from the other side praying for you. Me Dawn all the way from Enniskillen in Co. Fermanagh N.Ireland. I know in my heart you all will be really bless as you all share your heart for Jesus with us women. What Jesus is doing in your lives. I know I say this as well as us other women. We will be looking forward to hearing what Jesus has put in your hearts to write for incourage. So we can also learn from it. Apply it to our lives too. Then grow closer to Jesus. Welcome from the bottom of my heart all you to incourage. You know what you will all have many friends. Like us women. Even if you never get to meet us this side of earth. Plus the other contributors that all ready write on incourage. As I say welcome to the family of God. May go richly bless you and your families as you do this work for him and embark in this new adventure for God. Jeremiah 29:11-13 I know the thoughts that I think towards you. Say the Lord thoughts of peace and not of evil to give furure and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to me and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for me with all your heart. This is what God gave me for you knew Contributors to incourage. Can’t wait to hear what God has to say throw you all. Love big big hugs all the way from the other side of the world. Dawn Ferguson-Liitle xx
Kayla Craig says
Thank you for sharing! I’m very much looking forward to connecting with this community more!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you for taking the time to so warmly welcome us!
Elaine Pool says
Welcome, ladies! Can’t wait to hear from you!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you!
Barb Roose says
Thank you so much, Elaine! We’re thrilled to be here!
d says
Welcome Barb, Kayla & KJ!
Barb, it appears you are & have been a single parent – kudos to you.
Kayla, 4 kids in 5 years – wow & then you stated disabled daughter. Bless you.
KJ, thank you for ‘welcoming me to my life’ ~ that was such a sweet invite.
I’m anticipating reading all your contributions this week & getting to know you better. 🙂
Kayla Craig says
Definitely never a dull moment in my home (or brain). 🙂 Thank you for the welcome!
KJ Ramsey says
Aw, I’m so glad to hear that!
Irene says
Welcome, ladies! I’ve been hanging out here for a long time and I’m not going anywhere! I look forward to your offerings.
KJ Ramsey says
I’m very glad to hear that we can look forward to hearing from you!
Barb Roose says
Irene, I love that you’re such a long-time, precious member of this community. I appreciate the warm and sweet welcome!
Aliza Latta says
Welcome, Barb, Kayla, and KJ! I am so excited that you’re here!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you, friend!
Esther Johnson says
You all sound amazing and I am especially honored to know Barb from our church here in Toledo, Cedar Creek! Barb had always been an inspiration to me and is more so than ever blazing a trail! Congrats for following your heart and faith Barb!!
KJ Ramsey says
What a small world! Love that.
Mary A Walton says
Welcome Ladies! Looking forward to meeting you and getting to know you.
Kayla Craig says
Thank you for the kind welcome, Mary!
Grace Hejnal says
Welcome ladies!! Looking forward to your godly wisdom and insight!
Kayla Craig says
Thank you, Grace!!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you!
Beth Williams says
In Courage,
Welcome ladies. We are glad to have 3 more diverse people to hear from.
Barb-you & I could be twins. I, too love tea. Call me a tea snob but I like Earl Grey, English Breakfast & other flavors. Most of the time you will find me drinking some tea & either watching TV or on computer. BTW I’m a hugger also. The tighter the squeeze the better. Welcome to this great team!!
Kayla-wow four kids in five years & a disabled daughter just wow!! Love that you moved to your hometown. It seems like there is a trend towards moving to small hometowns. Thanks for joining this great team.
KJ-The picture looks wonderful. Would love one day to see the Colorado Rockies. I live near Great Smoky Mountains in upper E. TN. You look like an adventure seeking person. Prayers for whatever it is you are dealing with health wise. Glad to have you with us.
Blessings 🙂
Kayla Craig says
What thoughtful individual greetings! Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Beth. So excited to be here!!
KJ Ramsey says
Thank you for this kind welcome! I hope you make it out west someday 🙂 your mountains are gorgeous too though. I went to college on a mountain overlooking Chattanooga and all those mountains have a special place in my heart.
Melissa Ens says
KJ, your wisdom and writing have been a blessing to me for the last couple years and I’m thrilled you’ll be contributing here! Barb and Kayla, I look forward to getting to know you as well. Thanks in advance for opening your hearts to us here!
Kayla Craig says
Thank you, Melissa! It’s an honor to be here.
KJ Ramsey says
Oh, I am so so glad to hear that! So grateful you’ve found encouragement in my words!
Barb Roose says
Hi Melissa, I’m looking forward to getting to know you. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your comment.
Shauna says
Welcome ladies! I am SOOOOOO stinkin’ excited for you all, but especially for Kayla, whom I met via zoom last year during a writer’s course I took through Sacred Ordinary Days, and for KJ whom I have followed for a while on IG! Looking forward to all these ladies have to share!
Kayla Craig says
Shauna! 🙂 Yay! So grateful to see you again here. I hope you’re still continuing to write!
KJ Ramsey says
Love hearing that you were already following along on IG! So glad you are part of the community here!
Barb Roose says
Hi Shauna! Thank you for stopping by and sharing a warm welcome with us! I look forward to connecting with you!
Lucille says
Welcome to the (in)courage family. All of you brought tears to my eyes through your words of love and compassion I felt coming from you. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
God bless you all. Lucille
KJ Ramsey says
Oh goodness! Thank you!
Barb Roose says
Lucille, you’ve blessed our hearts with your words. Isn’t it wonderful how the (in)courage community includes women from every age, stage and situation in life? I love it and i’m glad that you do, too!
@thenightwillshine says
Welcome ladies!
I do have to say though that I’m most excited to see KJ on here! I found her writing a few years ago through an interview about depression that she did on TheWearyChristian.com.
Looking forward to even more encouragement here on (in)courage!
KJ Ramsey says
I’m so honored by your kind words. So glad you are part of this community!!
Barb Roose says
I’m excited that KJ is here, too! Thank you for the warm welcome!
Renee Swope says
So glad you’re all three writing for inCourage now!! Can’t wait to read your beautiful words Barbara, Kayla and K.J.!!
Barb Roose says
Thank you, Renee! I’m excited to be here and serving with you and the (in)courage team!
Lorna Sharpe says
Welcome, This is a new venture for me,on Dayspring. I would suspect I’m older or “more seasoned” lol.You young ladies sound to be soo fascinating.Its sounds sweetly interesting to hear about life’s stories,devotions.Years ago we sang Brighten The Corner Where You Are&even in senior years I continue with that.Blessings as you continue to inspire others.Lorna
Dara Gunnell says
Love incourage writers and these new ones, how wonderful for you to introduce them or I would not have been so blessed already! KJ especially since living with some things never dreamed God would call me too, her words today inspired me. Thank you.
Nancy says
This is big and exciting news! A warm welcome to each of you ladies. Really looking forward to reading all of your articles.
K.J. – I am half way through “This Too Shall Last.” Truly grateful to have come across it a few weeks ago. So insightful and helpful for my own journey.
Blessings to all three of you!