Meet and connect with fellow Hopelifters, the contributors to Recipes of Hope in the book, Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts
Linda Aalderink
Linda Aalderink is a speaker and the author of Immeasurably More -More Hope, More Joy,- Embracing Life with Down Syndrome. A mom of three, she lives in Michigan with her husband of over 30 years. www.LindaAalderink.com.
Starr Ayers
Starr Ayers is a third-generation artist, writer, and speaker living in North Carolina. As the mother of a daughter with Down syndrome, her heart is to encourage the acceptance of those with life-challenging disabilities and to inspire others to embrace their own uniqueness.
http://365degreelens.blogspot.com.
Robyn Bellerson
Robyn Bellerson has been an educator, teaching in both public and private Christian schools for the past 20 years She is a native Arizonian, still residing in Chandler, Arizona, with her husband Dave and two teenage children. Connect at rbellerson@gmail.com.
Dr. Nadia Brown
Dr. Nadia Brown is a speaker and author who helps women discover and develop their natural leadership skills and abilities. She is the founder of Doyenne Leadership Institute and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband. www.doyenneleadership.com.
Erica Carlson
Erica Carlson is a special education teacher who loves being a military wife and encouraging other military wives. She lives in Sparta, Michigan, with her husband, a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. Connect at Carlson.erica@yahoo.com.
Gia Chapman
Gia Chapman lives in Chandler, Arizona and is a wife and busy mom to five living children, and one through adoption. After losing her infant daughter, Sable Marie, she and her family started Sableswings, a non-profit ministry supporting grieving families. www.sableswings.com.
Sharon Cochran
Sharon Cochran encourages others to walk by faith. Through her experience of her son’s, catastrophic injury, she is building awareness to youth athletes and their parents about protection from head injuries. She is a businesswoman, wife and busy mom to three, who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Connect at scochran518@gmail.com.
Judith Couchman
Judith Couchman is an author, international speaker, and adjunct art history professor. She’s published more than forty books, Bible studies, and compilations, including The Art of Faith, The Mystery of the Cross, and Designing a Woman’s Life. Learn more about Judith at www.judithcouchman.com.
Lisa DeLight
Lisa DeLight is a speaker, writer, and performer. The former general manager of Living Water Retreat Center in Arizona, Lisa currently practices love and hospitality as the Head Innkeeper at The Lodge Bed and Breakfast in Sedona, Arizona. Her personal heroes are her four daughters. Connect with her at lisareneedelight@gmail.com
Anne Denmark
Anne Denmark, a Certified Professional Coach supports people in living out their God-given purpose. Anne serves on the faculty of the Professional Christian Coaching Institute and trains participants at the Speak Up Conference with Carol Kent Ministries. Anne and her husband live in Tucson, Arizona Connect with her at www.lifediscoverycoaching.com
Janet Drez
Janet Drez is a speaker, author, Bible teacher, former women’s ministry director and the founder of Octopus Faith. www.octopusfaith.com. She enthusiastically encourages women to grow deeper with God and become all he intends them to be. Janet is married to her high school sweetheart and they have two young adult children.
Brenda Dull
Brenda Dull opens her home to Christian women in need of replenishment and to four legged friends in need of her pet sitting service, Prayer Paws. She lives in Chandler, Arizona with her two dogs, Honey and Bear. Connect with her at brendadull@yahoo.com.
Bonnie Afman Emmorey
Bonnie Afman Emmorey is the Director of Speak Up For Hope, a non-profit organization, giving hope and encouragement to prisoners and their families. www.speakupforhope.org . She is also the Administrator for The Speak Up Conference www.speakupconference.com. Bonnie is blessed with a husband and two grown sons.
Kim Erickson
Kim Erickson is a passionate Bible study teacher and writer. After losing her three year old son, her sense of urgency ignited to help women study God’s Word and grow. She lives with her husband and living son in Jacksonville Florida. Connect with her www.FindYourWayMinistries.org.
Brenda Evans
Brenda Evans is a former educator and curriculum development writer. She is currently working on a young adult mystery and a series of children’s books. She resides in Chandler, Arizona. Her recipes of hope for losing a spouse are included in the book, Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts.
Mary Jane Farr
Mary Jane Farr manages non-profit and LLC corporations and coaches individuals in business and ministry with her husband through National Consulting Services. As licensed facilitators, they train leaders in the prepare/enrich program and LifePlan. They serve on the advisory leadership council of Marriage Ministry at Scottsdale Bible Church in Arizona. Connect with her at mjfarr@ncs-az.net.
Andra Good
Andra Good is the founder and director of Leigh’s Blankies, a non-profit organization committed to making and distributing blankies to children in need worldwide. She lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband, and two daughters. Connect with her at www.leighsblankies.com.
Linda Grabeman
Linda Grabeman is the author of No Prissy Shoes, a 31-day devotional for women walking through breast cancer. After walking this hard journey herself, she now encourages women with cancer to live with faith and joy, regardless of their circumstances. Connect with her at www.noprissyshoes.com.
Marlae Gritter
Marlae Gritter is the Executive Vice President of Moms in Prayer International, a ministry of mothers who pray for their children and schools: www.momsinprayer.org She speaks and trains globally on how to develop your personal prayer life. Marlae lives in Holland, Michigan, with her husband. They have three adult children, and three grandchildren.
LeAnne Gregory
LeAnne Gregory shares Christ’s joy with others through her music, art and writing.She has led worship for several Hopelifter events. Leanne lives in Clarkdale, Arizona, with her husband. They have a blended family of six grown children, eleven grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Connect with her at jerryleanne2@gmail.com.
Tanya Glanzman
Tanya Glanzman is a speaker and writer known for her ability to offer hope and encouragement wrapped in grace-filled truth. She is the founder of My Father’s Daughter Ministries. She lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Connect with her at www.myfathersdaughter.com.
Alonna Hoogesteger
Alonna Hoogesteger, RN, is a certified Christian life purpose coach and grief facilitator, speaker, and writer. Her uplifting and inspiring messages encourage women whose journeys have been marked with pain, grief, and loss. She lives in Port Edwards, Wisconsin, with her family. Connect with her at rahoogie@gmail.com.
Karen Howells
Karen Howells is a mother, executive coach, wife, business owner, consultant, and writer always looking for opportunities to make a difference in others lives. A native Oregonian, Karen finds life in her fifties is a brand new adventure in faith, growth and purpose. Connect with her at karen@thehowellsgroup.com.
Barbara Hunsaker
Barbara Hunsaker has been an educator for more than twenty-nine years. She is the former principal of Bethany Christian School in Tempe, Arizona and currently serves as the Director of Special Education at Valley Christian High School in Chandler, Arizona. She lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband and their two college-aged sons. Connect with her at jbhunsaker@cox.net.
Robin Johnson
Robin Johnson is an honest, transparent creative writer who lives in Tempe, Arizona with her husband. They have three adult children and 2 grandsons. Read her story of redemption and scandalous grace and connect with her at www.robin-johnson.com.
Erinn Kanney
Erinn Kanney is called to be a “Restorer of Hope” to those who have suffered loss. Her dream is to create “Camp Eric”, a place for people to experience restoration in Christ. Erinn lives in California and works with people with developmental and psychological disabilities. Connect with her at ekanney10@gmail.com.
Debbie Kennedy
Debbie Kennedy is passionate about encouraging grieving people. A former Bible study and support group leader for women who lost children, she currently helps with funerals and hospital visitation at her church and with Hopelifters’ bus trips for grieving moms. Debbie lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband and three living children. Connect with her at debbiekennedy1116@yahoo.com.
Lisa Kowalski
Lisa Kowalski is the founder of Beloved Ministries and the faith based True Beauty Tours: Living like a Divine Princess in a Diva-like World. She is passionate about living out her femininity, becoming an intentional woman God can use, and celebrating life, family, and friendship. Connect with her at lisa@kowalskiclan.com.
Rachel Lewis
Rachel Lewis is a writer, speak and youth mentor. She is passionate about speaking to youth about sexual purity and missions. She lives in Cornville, Arizona, with her husband, loving her new role as mom. Connect with her at rachelrlewis.wordpress.com.
Diane Meehl’s
Diane Meehl’s highest calling is to serve, inspire and showcase people through the written word. An independent copywriter, journalist and editor, she and her family make their home in Phoenix, Arizona. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, and her contributions to the column, The Spiritual Side, can be found at www.ahwatukee.com. Connect with her at www.shiftkeycontent.com , facebook or twitter.
Becky J. Miller
Becky J. Miller is a writer, Moms in Prayer group leader, wife, mom to two grown sons, and an Army veteran, having served six years receiving the rank of captain. She encourages people to apply their faith in practical, everyday situations at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.
Louise Nichols
Louise Nichols is a writer, teacher, and public speaker who is passionate about teaching God’s Word to people seeking a deeper relationship with Him. The author of Reassigned: Evil’s Thief, Louise lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband and daughter, awaiting the arrival of another daughter from China. Connect with her at kurtandlouise@gmail.com.
Deb Niehof
Deb Niehof is the wife of a retired pastor and mother of three adult children. A former educator, she now directs a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, providing education and support to individuals living with mental illness and their family members. See www.nami.org for more information. Connect with her at debniehof@gmail.com
Karen Lynn Ray
Karen Lynn Ray is a licensed and certified associate counselor in Arizona. She provides biblically based psychotherapy for both couples and individuals through Abundant Hope Counseling Center. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and three sons. Connect with her at heartofhope321@cox.net
Kim Slaughter
Kim Slaughter is a support group leader and a small business owner. Known for her compassion and care for hurting people, she is the co-founder of a support group at her church for the loss of a baby. She lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with her husband. Connect with her at kimslaughter@rgrteam.com.
Adrienne Schiele
Adrienne Schiele is a praying wife and mother. She embraces everyday life situations to relate to others and give them God’s encouragement. She lives in Chandler, Arizona, and enjoys camping and riding all-terrain vehicles with her family. Connect with her at schielefamily@cox.net
Sofia Roitmann Trillo
Sofia Roitman Trillo is an author and illustrator bringing hope to hurting children. She’s the co-founder of Fun with a Message, a publishing company promoting books to encourage children with positive life lessons. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband and daughter. Connect with her at www.funwithamessage.com.
Lori Walburg
Lori Walburg Vanden Bosch is a freelance editor and author of the Christian children’s picture books Legend of the Candy Cane and Legend of the Easter Egg. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and two children. She encourages you to check out Friendship Ministries for the intellectually disabled at www.friendship.org.
Shayla Van Hofwegen
Shayla Van Hofwegen is the founder/director of Owl Love You Forever, an organization donating hope boxes to hospitals for families who’ve lost a baby. Her blog, Wegen Tales, encourages women experiencing infertility or the loss of a baby. She lives in Arizona with her husband and adopted daughter. Connect with her at www.owlloveyouforever.org or wegentales.blogspot.com
Shelly Watkins
Shelly Watkins is a budding author and Bible study teacher, with a heart for serving in her husband’s ministry, women’s ministries, missions, and community outreach. She lives in West Frankfort, Illinois, with her husband and is a homeschooling mom to their five children. Connect with her at swatlynn@yahoo.com.
Erica Wiggenhorn
Erica Wiggenhorn is a speaker, author and passionate Bible teacher inspiring women to apply Scripture’s truth and fulfill their God-given calling. The author of Ezekiel, Every Life Positioned for Purpose, Erica resides in Litchfield Park, Arizona, with her husband, and their two children. Connect with her at www.EricaWiggenhorn.com.
Charity Worden
Charity Worden is a worship pastor, drama and music teacher, wife, and mother of six living in Lake Montezuma, Arizona. She also writes scripts and readings to creatively facilitate worship experience and has served at Hopelifters’ events. Connect with her at intherefinersfire@gmail.com.