#MomLife

Carol and her husband Clint have had quite an adventure together. From their early days in Calgary, to Dallas, and now San Diego, the glue that holds everything together is their faith. When you ask Carol how she got here, she would say that God directed her path and she trusts in that. Carol completed her Master of Science degree, specializing in Counseling Psychology at the University of Calgary. She was licensed in Canada as a professional counselor and upon moving to Dallas in 1992, Carol attended Dallas Theological Seminary where she completed a Master of Arts degree in Biblical Studies. Since then, she has worked in a private practice for over fifteen years as a licensed professional clinical and marriage and family counselor. Carol counsels clients within a Christian context and also embraces those whose faith may be different or may just be trying to sort things out. Carol’s primary focus is guiding clients to wellbeing; deepening their understanding of their uniqueness; and establishing healthy relationships.  Find out more about her at www.healingfortheheart.com 

Rachel lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Trevor and their four children, Addison, Benjamin, Everett and Annie Jo. Rachel and Trevor lead in various capacities at The Village Church Flower Mound and in the community. Rachel is the founder and director of the Sparrow Collective. Sparrow Collective exists to connect women to Kingdom work in their city! In the Fall of 2020, Sparrow opened a training and event center in the heart of Lewisville where classes, mentorship and restorative dignity programs are provided for the community at large. 

Jennifer Shaw is a Telly Award winning speaker, Amazon best-selling author, singer, songwriter and five-time Top 40 Billboard artist. Her ministry has been featured by Focus on the Family, Insight for Living, FamilyLife Today, Compassion International, Joni and Friends, and many more.  After being classically trained as an opera singer at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, Jennifer became a professor of music at Cedarville University before she felt led into her current role as a speaker and contemporary musician. Her testimony includes tragedy and triumph, being both an adoptive and special needs parent, and losing her father to Lou Gehrig’s disease. With the release of her fifth album, Nothing to Fear, her songs offer hope in any circumstance and also reflect her experiences on the mission field in Asia, Africa, Central America and the UK.

Laurie & her husband Ron were blessed with triplet girls & their eldest son 18 months after the triplets. With FOUR babies under 2, Laurie relied on her faith in Jesus and a lot of coffee to persevere through the challenges of parenting. Eight years later, they had their youngest son. Laurie lives in upstate New York with her husband of 20+ years, and all 5 of their kids. Laurie eventually discovered that sharing both her faith & favorite seasonal coffee drink with a friend fueled not only her energy to keep up with her kids, but her soul as well. That is why Laurie started Coffee House Parenting. As you drink your favorite cup of coffee/tea, Laurie hopes to remind you that you are not alone while she shares how God empowered her for her journey and met her in the day-to-day routines of raising kids.

Heidi Barr Heidi Barr is the author ofWoodland Manitou, Cold Spring Hallelujah, What Comes Next, andPrairie Grown, as well as the editor of The Mindful Kitchen. She works as a wellness coach and occasionally coordinates with yoga teachers and organic farms to offer retreat experiences.   A commitment to cultivating ways of being that are life-giving and sustainable for people, communities and the planet provides the foundation for her work. Heidi studied Health and Wellness at Luther College and has a Master of Arts degree from Luther Seminary in Faith and Health Ministries.  She lives in Minnesota with her family where they tend a large vegetable garden, explore nature and do their best to live simply.  Learn more at heidibarr.com. Ellie Roscher Ellie Roscher is the author ofPlay Like a Girl and How Coffee Saved My Life. Her writing also appears in The Baltimore Review, Inscape Magazine, Bookology Magazine and elsewhere. Ellie hosts the Unlikely Conversations podcast and is a certified yoga instructor. She teaches writing at The Loft Literary Center, and theology at Bethlehem Lutheran Church Twin Cities. Through curious inquiry, commitment to the sacred ordinary and artistic collaboration, her work accompanies people to a more centered, whole, and embodied self. Ellie holds an MFA in Writing from Sarah Lawrence College and an MA in Theology from Luther Seminary. She lives in Minneapolis with her spouse and sons. Find out more on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or at ellieroscher.com. https://12tinythings.com/

Karen and her husband, David Eubank, are the subjects of the recent documentary “Free Burma Rangers,” that follows the humanitarian group they started, Free Burma Rangers.  Their goal is to provide aid and share the Gospel in war-torn regions of the world, focusing on the Burma, Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria and Sudan war zones.  Karen married David, who was himself raised in a missionary family in Thailand, and together they left to begin missionary work in Burma shortly after they were married.  They have now raised their three children with them on the frontlines of their ministry: Sahale 20, Suuzanne 18,and Peter 14. Together they work alongside the over 100 ethnic FBR relief teams in the conflict areas of Burma, Iraq, Kurdistan, Syria and Sudan giving help, hope and love and putting a light on the situation. The Eubank family started the Global Day of Prayer for Burma and the Good life Club family outreach program. According to the Free Burma Rangers website, their team has helped 1.5 million displaced persons to date who would have otherwise died.   For ways to watch the Documentary “Free Burma Rangers,” find it on Amazon or get all the details on this link: https://fbrmovie.com/ To learn more about David & Karen’s ministry, “Free Burma Rangers,” to hear stories, or to get involved, go to https://www.freeburmarangers.org/. For other media posts on Karen, see: Christian Post: https://www.christianpost.com/news/karen-eubank-of-free-burma-rangers-on-overcoming-evil-sharing-the-gospel-in-war-zones.html Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/february-web-only/free-burma-rangers-documentary-eubank-family.html

“Purposeful Parenting: Freeing Parents from the Ignorance and Misinformation of the World, Jonathan & Melissa Brown Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/D-Melissa-Brown/dp/173697260X Melissa and her husband, Jonathan Brown, coach couples in Christian parenting and marriage through their ministry Lifeways for Living.  Go to their website for more information and to book them for your next church retreat or event: https://www.lifeways4living.com/

“Purposeful Parenting: Freeing Parents from the Ignorance and Misinformation of the World, Jonathan & Melissa Brown Purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/D-Melissa-Brown/dp/173697260X Melissa and her husband, Jonathan Brown, coach couples in Christian parenting and marriage through their ministry Lifeways for Living.  Go to their website for more information and to book them for your next church retreat or event: https://www.lifeways4living.com/

To find out more about Mandie or to book her for your worship event, go to: https://www.mandiepinto.com/ Listen to Mandie or purchase her music at: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/mandie-pinto/216072141

Cindy Jacques is living her best life being married to “the most amazing man on the planet” for 11 years while laughing and sometimes crying through the adventure of parenting their 8 year old daughter and 6 year old son. Cindy has also been working in full-time ministry for over 11 years and is currently the Women’s Ministry Pastor at the Rock Church in San Diego. Cindy’s passion is to see women find freedom from the rampant Imposture Disease and step into the fullness of their Christ identity.

Sarah Bianchi “She encountered God many years ago and since has given her life to knowing Jesus and making Him known in all the earth!  She and her husband pastor the families of AllPeoples church right here in San Diego and are resolved to see this city come Alive again.” Jacqueline Garza is a Jesus loving wife and mama of two young children in San Diego. In addition to managing a small business, she spends her days investing in her children and husband. Picking up toys, piano lessons, dinner on the fly, and hide-and-go seek are all part of her every day repertoire. Spending time with Jesus through praise and worship and reading the bible, and being knit into her church community is both the glue to her blessed life and the cherry on top. She encourages women to dive into community and press in to Jesus!

About  Kathrine Cassidy. I’m the daughter of the King of Kings, wife to an amazing husband and the mom of two crazy, awesome boys. I worked as a surgical ICU nurse for many years and taught a few boot camp classes on the side. I quit about three years ago to spend more time with my boys….sure glad I did, because I had no idea that I would be adding teacher to my resume! I have a passion for fitness and finding creative ways to keep my body strong and healthy. I love digging into God’s Word and watching it come alive in my life. I have a huge heart for serving those in need and am still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. While I am not totally certain about my path forward, I can honestly say that I am loving the journey! About Abbey Feely Abbey is a wife, mom of two girls, and history professor in Northern California. She is surviving Covidtide by reading historical fiction, walking, and dreaming of her next vacation.   Do you want to dive into John Mark Comer’s “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”  Find it on Christianbook.com or Amazon. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World: John Mark Comer: 9780525653097 – Christianbook.com The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World: Comer, John Mark, Ortberg, John: 9780525653097: Amazon.com: Books

RECHELLE NAU Rechelle Nau considers herself a Christian Educator. She started with teaching elementary school then creating performing arts programs for kids.  In her 3rd act, God has called her to various projects in women’s ministries.  She is currently launching a new website and podcast called Unabashed You. Unabashed You is a place where women can be uniquely themselves- without apology—where they are wise, know their worth, and enjoy whimsy.  To join the movement, go to unabashedyou.com. Rechelle says: I  my husband Ron, our blended family of his, mine, ours and theirs, being empty-nesters (finally!), encouraging and equipping women to be their best (myself included), great storytelling, RummiKub, Bananagrams, and growing through the joys and sorrows of life.   SHANNON CUNNINGHAM Shannon is married to Paul Cunningham, Pastor of  La Jolla Presbyterian Church, and has two adult children.  Her oldest is now on staff at a church as Director of High School Ministry and her youngest attends Whitworth University. She is a certified Life Coach and an artist who sells handmade ceramic tiles all over the world. Shannon says: I God, La Jolla Pres., our community, my family, my friends, animals, art, worship, podcasts, nature, the ocean   Do you want to dive into John Mark Comer’s “Ruthless Elimination of Hurry?”  Find it on Christianbook.com or Amazon. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World: John Mark Comer: 9780525653097 – Christianbook.com The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World: Comer, John Mark, Ortberg, John: 9780525653097: Amazon.com: Books

Katrina Villon-Smith is the female lead vocalist for the LJPC Worship Band.  She is also a hair stylist, wife, and mother of three.  Katrina shares about growing up in a home where her parents were alcoholics and how that led her to make similar choices.  She began a relationship with Jesus through AA and later met her husband there as well.  Katrina shares candidly about how she felt about herself before coming to faith in Christ and how Jesus changed her identity.  She also shares candidly about some struggles she has had in her marriage but how she is claiming victory through Christ in the midst of those struggles.  We’re so thankful to have Katrina leading worship for us at LJPC and we’re excited to share her story here.