Top 5 Friday: (in)courage

TOP 5 FRIDAY is when we each list five of our favorite things, depending on the topic. Feel free to join in via the comments or by posting on your own blog and linking back here. Play along. It’s Friday.

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I clearly remember when my friend Shannon introduced me to Holley and Stephanie in January of 2009.

Fast forward a bit… and the next thing you know I’m one of the monthly contributing writers for (in)courage. If you aren’t sure what (in)courage is, take 3 minutes and 54 seconds to learn.

And if you haven’t read my articles over there, and you have absolutely nothing more pressing to do right now and you are spent on Pinterest, here’s all my (in)courage pieces.

So today, for our Top 5 Friday, I want to tell you the Top 5 things I love about (in)courage.

#1. The writing that these women do.

I read (in)courage everyday because I love the writing. It’s varied and inspiring and just plain good. I’m a better writer because of this community of women.

#2. The books these women write.

Somehow, many of the (in)courage bloggers became writers who became authors. [See #1… it probably has something to do with that.] There’s Angie and Emily and Ann and Lysa and little ol’ me and Holley and the list could go on and on.

Publishers are seeing what (in)courage peeps already know- these women are really fine writers. They have brought the English language under submission and they rule over it for the glory of God.

#3. Beach weekends.

We have touted (in)courage as a beach house for your heart and twice now the magical fairies behind (in)courage have made that a reality for the writers. I was there last year [proof in these two posts], but they are gathered together right now and I’m missing it. [Whah whah.] But it is a wonderful weekend where computers are set aside and real life hugging and eating and crying happen. I look forward to 2012.

#4. Online friendships.

You know, there is really something to be said about the ability to build friendships through the computer. I think that is true of you and me, right? I mean, I write, you comment, I reply, and we are friends. And the same is true over at (in)courage [though you’re like, my BEST internet friend, seriously]. Somehow (in)courage has built this space where women feel free to say what is on their heart and be open and honest and I love it.

#5. Real life friendships.

Man oh man has my life been changed by (in)courage. I think of the weekend in June that I spent with Emily and Nester. The part I didn’t tell you was we went out to dinner one night and over a burger I spilled my guts about a boy and my heart and heartbreak and lack of resolution and all that means. They listened, they suggested, they spoke into it. There are a small handful of people on the planet that know the details they know- because I love them and trust them both. Their family is very very dear to me- grandparents, kids, all of it. And (in)courage is the house where the friendship was built. And there are other girls and more stories than I have space for. But my real life has been shaped and changed by my (in)courage sisters. I’m super super grateful.

So why talk about (in)courage today? 

Because they made a HUGE announcement last night that I’m excited to share.

(in)courage is have a conference that EVERYONE can attend.

On April 27 & 28 we’re having (in)RL and it will be in every city that an (in)courage reader wants it to be. Crazy idea, huh? But it’s going to be awesome.

[What I’m also saying is, there’s gonna be a BIG ol’ party in Nashville…. Jessica and I are throwing down and we want all the Nash-gals to be there. So if that’s you, you’re invited.]

Read through the website to get a full understanding and you can play a version of Where’s Waldo and see how many times you can spot my face and that one purple shirt that I wore a lot in 2010.

Yay for (in)courage and yay for online friendships and double yay for (in)RL!!

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YOUR TURN!

You don’t have to list 5 things [but you always are welcome to], but I’m wondering how your online friendships have blessed your life? 

And if you read (in)courage, why do you love it?

Let's be friends!

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