Here at (in)courage, we often feel the longing for deeper connection. We praise God for the blessing of this online platform, this virtual table where we can pull up pixilated chairs from all corners of the globe and commune together over the bread of a shared story. Your responses here on the blog, your likes and hearts and comments on social media all give us the reassurance that someone is listening, that the conversations we share here matter.
Oh, how we wish we could all gather around a real table! To be able to clink coffee mugs in celebration for the things God is doing in your life, to look into your eyes and see that you’re honestly unfine, to lean in close and hear your whole story.
While we can’t bring this wild dream to fruition (yet, anyway), we thought we could start with sharing more about us. So, here’s a chance for you to lean in and get to know the women who faithfully pull up their chairs behind the scenes, behind the screen, to make (in)courage the connecting, empowering, you’re-not-alone-in-this-messy-life place that it is.
We’re continuing the new Contributor Spotlight series we kicked off in May! Each month, we feature two or three of our regular contributors. (Including our ten new writers!) Whether you’ve been a loyal reader since the beginning of (in)courage or you’ve recently found your way here, we hope you’ll scootch in close and get ready to learn something new about these fabulous friends.
Meet Grace P. Cho
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Korean-American woman, writer, and leader. I carry the complications of holding multiple cultures and languages in my being, and I only recently began to see the need for and the power of my own voice.
I’m a mother of two, and it is by grace alone that I actually love and like my kids now (the first few years of motherhood were ROUGH). I’m a wife of a chef/baker, and for both of us, food is our love language. If I could, I’d have you over and feed you some homemade Korean food.
I grew up overseas because my parents are missionaries, so I thought and hoped to become one myself. Instead I grew up and became a suburban mom. I learned the hard way that living a God-glorifying life doesn’t mean we have to leave all that we possess and go to a third-world country. We can glorify Him wherever we are, whatever we’re doing.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
Just a couple of months! I was first brought on as the Editorial Manager, but now I get to edit and write for (in)courage. It’s words all day every day, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I’m biased here, but I think our staff is incredible. There is so much work that goes into making this community and blog happen, and now that I get to be behind the scenes, I have witnessed the love, intention, and effort they pour in. It is commendable and admirable.
What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about people knowing who they were created to be and helping them figure out how to live out their calling. This looks like discipleship and mentoring, and it’s the best when I get to do it at the table over food or coffee.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: Sushi or tacos
- Salty snack: Chips and salsa
- Sweet treat: Ben & Jerry’s ice cream
- Hot drink: All the coffee, please
- Thing to do with friends: Eat and share life together
- Thing to do alone: Read books
- Place to go: New York City
- Way to recharge: Alone time and enough sleep
How can readers keep in touch and learn more about what you’re up to?
My handle is @gracepcho on all social media platforms, but Instagram is my favorite, and I’d love for you to follow my Facebook writer page.
Want to know Grace more? Hear her share about her sweet spot in work and ministry and what it’s like to live through a season of transition in her recent interview with (in)courage Community Manager, Becky Keife!
Meet Patricia Raybon
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m a Westerner, raised in Colorado where I still live. It’s big sky country, so there’s no place out here to hide. That openness brings a simple honesty to my approach to life, including my writing. I’m not a fancy writer. I just seek to tell the truth as the Lord shows it to me. That was my aim when I started as a newspaper reporter at The Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News, my two “alma mater” newsrooms.
Midlife, I switched to education, teaching a slew of bright undergrad and graduate students in the journalism program at the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus – a career highlight for me. Now, as a full-time published author and essayist, my greatest commitment is to know and share the Truth, our Jesus. Inspiring me are my husband of forty-two years, our two amazing grown daughters, a fun and wonderful son-in-law, and five of the cutest grandpeeps to be found. My introvert heart loves them all, along with everyone the Lord blesses me to meet on this journey called life. Every day I’m grateful.
How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I’m a brand new contributor – still surprised by God’s invitation to join this amazing community. I keep pinching myself.
What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
Two things, actually. First, I love the physical beauty of the (in)courage site. It’s pretty to look at, and every time I visit the site, it makes me smile. Second, I love the kindness of the women who comment and discuss on the blog. It’s such a contrast to many online communities where people are screaming at each other or putting down others. At (in)courage, the women on board are honest but loving. The world needs that.
What are you passionate about?
Racial healing. I grew up enduring anti-black racism, and it’s a scourge. So hurtful and wrong. The Lord has gifted me to write about faith and race – with grace. Sure, I’m passionate about other things — Bible teaching, gardening, travel, movies, home organizing, lazy-day weekends reading biographies, history, and great fiction. But my assignment from God is to encourage racial healing through my writing. Tough work, but so needed now.
What personal project are you most excited about right now?
I’m on deadline to finish book proposals for two exciting projects – one exploring my journey from bitterness to forgiveness, and one examining what God sees in us. In short, who does God say we are? As a writer, I’m excited to tackle these two topics and see where they land.
What is your favorite…
- Special meal: Thin-crust pizza
- Salty snack: Buttered popcorn, but hold the salt
- Sweet treat: Dark chocolate
- Hot drink: Mint tea
- Thing to do with friends: Breakfast!
- Thing to do alone: Garden and read
- Place to go: The Colorado mountains!
- Way to recharge: Time alone to think, read, declutter or garden.
How can readers keep in touch and learn more about what you’re up to?
I enjoy connecting on Twitter (when I have time), and I love meeting people on my blog at PatriciaRaybon.com.
Hear more about Patricia’s passion for racial healing and how God is challenging her to live with love and grace — she shares it all in this video interview!
Miss a past Contributor Spotlight interview? No problem!Find all the videos on our handy-dandy YouTube playlist.