We really can’t say it enough. (in)courage exists because of YOU!

You, dear reader, who pulls your seat up to this table. Every time you read a post, we know that you are trusting us with both your time and your heart. We don’t take your investment for granted! It’s because you are so dear to us that we want to keep giving you opportunities to get to know the women behind the words of (in)courage. Who are these writers? Well, in another edition of Contributor Spotlight, we’re tickled to give you deeper look into the lives of two more of our writers: Becky Keife and Kaitlyn Bouchillon.

So settle into your favorite chair and know that we are so very glad you’re here.

Meet Becky Keife

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m mama to three spirited boys, ages ten, eight, and six, and wife to my husband, Chris, for thirteen years. (Life is loud and my exposure to wrestling, body humor, and dirt surpasses all hope and expectation.) We live in the suburbs of Los Angeles and enjoy hiking through the beautiful foothills near our home. I love taking deep breaths on shady trails and snapping photos; my boys love looking for snakes (which I always pray we do not find) and ninja training with their amazing dad.

I’m grateful to serve here at (in)courage as your Community Manager alongside the most incredible team a girl. Seriously, the (in)courage staff is amazing! I’m also a writer and speaker, which points to the fact that at my core I’m a word girl who comes alive when I’m encouraging other women. I love the work God has given me to do. I couldn’t dream of a better job.

How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
I officially became a contributor last April when we added nine other fantastic new writers to the team. But I’ve been writing for (in)courage in different capacities since I came on staff as an editorial coordinator in September 2016.

What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
I was a reader and a huge fan of (in)courage even before I started working behind the scenes. I think my favorite thing has remained true throughout the last nine years: (in)courage is made up of many voices and one heart. I LOVE the diverse backgrounds, life stages, experiences, and perspectives of both our contributors and our community members. I love that (in)courage is a place to come and learn, to wrestle through our no-tidy-bow stories, and ultimately know that our sisters will keep on pointing back to Christ who holds it all together.

What are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about God’s fierce with-ness. God promises to go before us and be with us, to never leave us! What if we really lived like we believed it? Our job is to train our eyes to see and our hearts to respond to His presence. I especially love helping young moms grab hold of this truth. Having three kids in less than four years rocked my world! Recognizing that God was really with me in the thick of the diaper days and sleepless nights changed everything.

(I’m also passionate about championing women, shady trails, Voxer, and my curling wand — but, ya know, in a different kind of way.)

What personal project are you most excited about right now?
My first book is coming out in October! Eek! I’m not quite ready to spill all the detail beans, but it’s a message God has been writing in my heart and life for a decade and I cannot wait to share it with you all. Stay tuned!

Also, this isn’t a “personal project” but one that I am personally passionate about is the Women of Courage Online Bible Study going on NOW here at (in)courage! One of my favorite parts has been recording video discussions with a different (in)courage Bible contributor each week. We dive into the backstory of her devotion, explore the intersections between God’s Word and our stories, and examine what it means to live as women of courage. It’s not too late to join us! We have five weeks left in this study, and I would just love to have you be a part of it. You can sign up here.

What is your favorite…

• Way to start the day: Bible, journal, cozy blanket, couch, Jesus, and me.
• Thing to wear: Jeans, a t-shirt, and comfy cardigan — I like feeling wrapped up.
• Sweet treat: This is like asking me which of my kids I like best! I LOVE THEM ALL. But top on the list would be ice-cream, pie, brownies, dark chocolate, and anything cinnamon-sugary. 
• Salty snack: Chili Cheese Fritos are hard to beat (unless you’re tortilla chips and fresh guac!).
• Hot drink: Almond milk latte (no foam), but I also love a great cup of coffee, vanilla chai, and all kinds of tea.
• Thing to do with friends: Dream and pray over Voxer, hike as the sun rises, sit long and talk with a hot cuppa something.
• Way to recharge: Sunday naps, hiking, curling up on the couch with a book.
• Thing that makes you laugh: My three amazing kids! They are so ridiculous and awesome. I’ve also watched all ten seasons of Friends at least half a dozen times, but it never fails to make me laugh. Pivot! 
  

What’s your favorite place to connect online?
Instagram — all the way! Pretty please come connect with me there @beckykeife. You’ll find me sharing the beauty of creation, the hard joy of motherhood, and glimpses of God’s fierce with-ness in the thick of my imperfect, wouldn’t-trade-it story. (I’ve also been known to talk about grief, anxiety, and embracing my awkwardness. Are you awkward too? Let’s be friends!) My little squares are a safe place to be real and cling to Jesus together! Come say hello and tell me one of your favorite things.

Meet Kaitlyn Bouchillon

Tell us a little about yourself.
I’m an author and speaker who grew up in Florida but has made the Magic City (Birmingham, Alabama) her home. I’m a big fan of chips and queso, have never turned down an iced vanilla latte, and last year I fell down the Enneagram rabbit hole (I’m a 2).

Most days, you can find me working from a coffee shop. I started my own business a few years ago, and I work as a Virtual Assistant to several authors, speakers, and companies.

How long have you been an (in)courage contributor?
Although I’ve served behind-the-scenes for nearly seven years, next month will be one full year as a contributor! I love connecting with you on this side of the screen and am looking forward to continuing to do so more this coming year. Is there anything specific you’d love to hear more about, something you wish more women wrote about? Leave a comment below . . . I’d love to hear, and I’m paying attention.

What’s your favorite thing about (in)courage?
There are many things I could say — the always-open door, the different voices and backgrounds represented here, the contributors I’m grateful to call friends. But one of my very favorite things? You. (in)courage is a community, and I’m reminded of this every time I read the comments here on the blog or on social media posts. Thank you for reading along and for faithfully and courageously showing up in the comments! I really am glad you’re here.

What are you passionate about?
My first book, Even If Not: Living, Loving, and Learning in the in Between, released a few years ago. In many ways, I wrote it for the woman who is desperate to discover God’s goodness and presence in the middle of a storyline she never would have chosen.

Although that message is still so much of my heartbeat, I’m also passionate about seeing life through that lens in the middle of our “regular” days, too. I’m convinced we’ll find Him to be faithful and kind, good and present in the everyday mundane. I like to call it the “beautiful ordinary now.”

What personal project are you most excited about right now?
This sure would be a great time to announce something exciting or brand new, but the honest truth is that my next personal project is simply to rest. For too long, I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. I truly love what I do, but between working overtime every day for the past several months, moving in January, and all the regular “life things,” I’m worn out. Resting doesn’t come naturally to me (hello, Enneagram 2), and there are two or three exciting projects on the horizon, but first . . . I’m taking the month of April to say a whole lot of “no’s” and instead simply be. It’s time to rest.

What is your favorite…

• Way to start the day: I’m self-employed and work from home, so any day that starts slowly and involves working while wearing pajamas sounds great to me.
• Thing to wear: You guessed it — pajamas. (Or leggings with an oversized sweater and scarf . . . which is just a more put-together version of pajamas.)
• Sweet treat: Brownies or vanilla ice cream with strawberries.
• Salty snack: Does chips and queso count?
• Hot drink: Will you still be my friend if I admit that I don’t like hot drinks? No ma’am, no thank you. The only thing you’ll hear me order is water with lemon or an iced coffee with vanilla.
• Thing to do with friends: Sit and talk, preferably over coffee or a meal.
• Way to recharge: Read! I was the child who often brought a book to the dinner table, and judging by the four stacks of books currently piled around the foot of my bookshelf, not too much has changed.
• Thing that makes you laugh: I’m a sucker for a well-timed GIF (especially if it’s from Parks and Rec).
  

What’s your favorite place to connect online?
Hands down, Instagram is my favorite of all the social medias! And my monthly(ish) newsletter is my favorite way to connect with readers. I love creating beautiful prints for subscribers and lock screens for social media friends. You can subscribe here, and I’ll immediately send you nine prints, or check out the lock screens saved in my Instagram Highlights.

You’ll love this interview where Kaitlyn shares about feeling our feelings, not rushing through grief, and accepting an assignment to rest. It’s such an encouraging conversation! 

Want to catch up on past Contributor Spotlights? Find them all here.

What fact about Kaitlyn or Becky did you connect with?
Tell us how you came to (in)courage or something you’re excited about. We’d love to celebrate with you!

 

Grab your cup of coffee or tea and come get to know @beckykeife and @kaitlyn_bouch in this month's Contributor Spotlight! Click To Tweet Leave a Comment