VOICES OF CHRONIC JOY®

Moira is a mother of seven, and grandma to 11 (so far), who enjoys writing, editing, sewing, jewelry-making, reading aloud, and worship.

Sandra is a wife of over 48 years, adoptive mom to two, and “nama” to five. She has worked in multiple nursing specialties, including family practice, OB/GYN, operating room, and public health. She writes from her home in South Florida where she lives on the edge of the Everglades. Sandra loves to hike and photograph wildlife,  — and sometimes even kayaks with alligators! She is addicted to books, Häagen-Dazs® Coffee Almond Crunch ice cream bars, and jasmine tea. Sandra posts photos on Instagram, writes sporadically on her blog, and is a contributing writer and social media team manager for Tweetspeak Poetry. Her daughter is diagnosed with Crohn’s and RA.

Jan and her husband Gerry divide their time between Sterling, Alaska and Sedona, Arizona (where she is a choir director at Sedona United Methodist Church). Jan's love of words fills the spaces in between being a wife, mom, grandmother, and retired music educator.

Sedona also provides Jan and Gerry great Red Rock views and amazing hiking trails -- if you're ever in the area from April through October, do drop by!

Rebecca is a stay-at-home, homeschooling Mama of one. She enjoys gardening, cooking, hand-lettering, coffee, and spending times with friends. God has brought Rebecca and her husband through some very scary health issues, where they've experienced the grace of God ever stronger in their lives.  

Steve was born at home in Haddonfield, N.J. less than a year after Pearl Harbor. He graduated from Rutgers Camden with a BA degree, then MEd from the University of North Florida. He taught science and math for 23 years, then worked for 23 years as a computer analyst.  Now he is retired and homesteading on a small scale. His current interests are in music and Reformed Theology. He is married to Gayl going on 48 years.

Jamie has been writing poems since she was a child, often while perched on the branches of her favorite climbing tree. Throughout her life, she has continued to love both nature and imagery, and the quiet power of listening for the voice of the Spirit in everyday moments. She blogs about chronic illness, poetry, creative presence, and the spiritual path unfolding before her.

Stephen was diagnosed with MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) in 2016 after struggling for years with chronic debilitating symptoms. He also struggles with depression, anxiety, diabetes and widespread pain. Each day he turns to God to be his saving grace.

Stephen asks a lot of questions and battles a lot of demons. He tries to live life one day at a time, often failing. He is a lover of humor, music, film, tv, Broadway, carbs, anthropology, nature and literature.