You can find Bettie blogging from her home in a small town in southeast Wisconsin - at bettiegraseasons.com, walking forward with Jesus, in the middle of her own pain and weaknesses from multiple chronic illnesses. The beauty of nature is a joy that calls to Bettie, as do her family and seven young grandchildren. She and her husband have been married for over 40 years and take great joy in their weekend coffee breaks together. In addition, Bettie is the Chronic Joy Prayer Pond coordinator.

Karin is a handmaiden of the Lord; saved by grace; a worshiper; a poet; a broken heart; a lover of words; hungry for truth; amazed by love; on the Potter's wheel His work in progress. After five years in Africa Karin and her beloved husband of twenty years Rick are back in rural Canada where chronic pain drives her to the feet of Jesus. She is powered by prayer, love and many cups of strong coffee. Author of From Ashes to Glory (A Psalm a Day)

Dana is a freelance writer and poet. She lives with Bipolar and Fibromyalgia, and believes firmly in the promise of Jeremiah 29:11, which states, “’I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.’” By sending hand-written notes to friends and neighbors, Dana hopes to encourage people to find joy in the midst of whatever struggles they find themselves. She stands firm on the motto that we are not alone, knowing that can make all the difference.

Sara is the author of He’s Making Diamonds: A Teen's Thoughts On Faith Through Chronic Illness and the founder of the annual Diamonds Conference for chronically ill Christians. She loves to write and have adventures - be it a new board game with her family, trying a weird food, or diving into a fantasy book. Sara is a TCK, a Lymie, and a Young Life Leader. She is also a Chronic Joy Contributing Writer and a #PenToPaper Ambassador.

Megan is the author of The Joy of Poetry. She lives in the Texas Hill Country, where she writes and edits from home. Links to her work can be found at her website, meganwillome.com, or on Twitter, @meganwillome. Her day is incomplete without poetry and tea.

Heidi is a loving wife and dedicated mother to three beautiful children. Her journey with chronic illness began in childhood as a witness to the progression of a genetic, neurological disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth. She completed her BSN in 2006 and has been professionally assisting those with chronic illness since. In 2009, Heidi’s daughter was prenatally diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect, PA/IVS. In 2014, Heidi’s son was diagnosed with a sensory processing disorder and food allergies. As an effort to gain additional knowledge, she went back to school and completed an MS in Health and Wellness in 2017. Throughout her experience with chronic illness, Heidi has learned that prayer is a powerful gift and that the presence of God is felt in many unexpected ways.

Sean Keller is a creative entrepreneur passionate about empowering people through vulnerable storytelling. His drive to share raw, truthful content flows from wrestling through his own health journey since age 12. That struggle serves as his foundation for connecting authentically to Jesus, people and his craft.

Mike retired from a 37-year career as CPA for Briggs & Stratton Corporation, where he developed the tax department, worked as assistant treasurer, chaired the company retirement plan committees and managed the plan investments. In addition, Mike is an ordained elder and has managed church finances at several churches. In 2006, he was on a team that assisted an inner city non-profit academy in developing its finance and strategy plans. Mike has been married to his wife Mary for 52 years. They have four adult children and six grandchildren, and have fostered more than 20 pre-adoption infants for Milwaukee County, before adopting their daughter Samantha, who has been on a ventilator for more than twenty-five years. Mike’s wife Mary has a chronic autoimmune disease. Daily, he experiences the role of caregiver, supporting and advocating for both his wife and daughter.

Julie is a mother, wife, ordained minister, and a founding board member. She and her husband have three adult children. Julie became personally aware of chronic pain when her daughter began experiencing constant and excruciating back pain, resulting in surgery. Yet the pain continued and other unexplained issues began – nausea, stomach pain, and inability to keep food down. During her senior year in high school, her daughter became gravely ill with gastroparesis and spent much of her senior year in and out of the hospital. The quest for relief and solutions, the ongoing struggle of chronic illness, and the anxiety that accompanies both has drawn Julie to seek to know and speak of God’s presence in and through the reality of chronic pain – both for the one experiencing it and for those who love them.