flickr photo credit by rosmary

I am honored to welcome Courtney Joseph to the Friday Five today! Her blog called Women Living Well is packed with encouragement for women just like you!  She is also one of the featured speakers at the Relevant Blogging Conference which is coming up in October.  Courtney has been married to her high school sweet heart for 13 years, home schools her son and daughter and is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute.  Her passion to see women living well landed her on the Rachael Ray Show in November, 2009. {insert squeal from me!!}   Since then, she blogs regularly about marriage according to God’s word, parenting, homemaking, and more.

1. Where are you from?

I am from Akron, Ohio – it’s not a very fancy place and the town I live in currently, just 15 minutes from there, made the Forbes “Top Ten list” of “Most Miserable Cities To Live In” lol!!!  But truly – if you have visited my blog you will see I am far from miserable!  I love Ohio.  I love the four changes of seasons.  I love the crisp fall air, the fresh fallen snow, the buds in the spring and swimming in the summertime!

2. Where are you looking forward to?

Wow – this is a loaded question!  I have family goals and blogging goals.  I’m not sure I know how to answer.  At one time, I liked to dream/plan about where I’d be in 1 year, 5 years and 10 years.   But I have learned that ultimately –I simply want to be right in the center of God’s will.  So whatever God dreams for me – I want to be or become.  Jeremiah 45:5 has been a verse that I cling to .  It says “Seek great things for thyself, seek them not.”  So, as far as blogging goes, I am seeking nothing but pleasing God.

3. What is your favorite Bible verse/passage and why?

Galatians 6:9 “Do not grow weary in doing good for in due season you will reap a harvest IF you do not give up.” NIV  This has been my favorite verse since college because I do get weary at times.  Sometimes I want to throw in the towel in regards to ministry.  On days when I feel criticized, empty or like a failure, I waver.  This verse reminds me to keep sowing seeds of righteousness!  It strengthens my fervor and keeps me steadfast on the end goal – to reap a harvest.
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4. What book have you read other than the Bible that has impacted you the most?

“Through Gates of Splendor” by Elizabeth Elliot.  It is the missionary story of Elizabeth and Jim going to the Auca Indians.  Jim was murdered by the Indians but Elizabeth stayed and led her husband’s murderers to Jesus.  Now that is an example of a woman who did not grow weary in doing good and she did indeed reap a harvest!  It was this book that moved me to want to attend Bible College.

5. Who inspires you?

Many women inspire me.  My mother, my sisters, my Good Morning Girls (www.goodmorninggirls.org), my pastor, the authors of books on my shelf such as Michelle Duggar, Elizabeth Elliot, Beth Moore, Elizabeth George, Kay Arthur, Sally Clarkson (who I can’t wait to meet at Relevant – woot!)…and the list goes on!

Courtney from Women Living Well

I love that Courtney has her eyes fixed on being right in the center of God’s will!  This shows in everything she does at Women Living Well!  I am a huge fan of her project called Good Morning Girls. GMG is about encouraging one another not to grow weary in spending quiet time each day with The Lord!   I am excited to meet her in person and hear more of her passionate heart at Relevant!  Tickets are still available, and you can find out more by clicking here.   Please let Courtney know how glad you are she visited 29lincolnavenue today, and stop by her blog by clicking on the button below!