Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? I’m a mom of 4 girls, ages 7, 10, 12 and 14. I’m also a blogger and the author of two books for teen and tween girls, Liked and 10 Ultimate Truths Girls Should Know. Between my personal life and professional life, I am fully immersed in girl world. I have a passion for empowering girls through faith and helping mothers and daughters have those important conversations that can help a girl in her teenage years.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? My family and I live in Birmingham, Alabama. I grew up in Tuscaloosa – an hour away – and the only other place I’ve lived is Huntsville, so my roots run deep here in Alabama.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? I read, either the Bible or a Christian book, and while I like to read in the morning, it often happens at night before bed. That’s one of my favorite times of day, when the house is quiet and my mind is finally able to wind down.

What is your best organizational/planning tip? Write things down. I’m big on to-do lists because I need visual reminders to keep me focused.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Breakfast for dinner.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? I’ve gone to church my entire life and always considered myself a Christian, but not until the year I turned 40 did I feel a real heart conversion. A deeper desire to truly know and please God. It was triggered by a series of stressful events – like a tree that fell on my house and two close calls with my kids – that brought me to my knees. I’ve heard it said that it’s okay to come to faith a few steps ahead of your kids, and that’s often how I feel. Wanting them to grow spiritually has motivated me to work on my own spiritual life and treat this as a lifelong journey where I always have something to learn.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? This is hard! I’d say the most-changing books are Mere Christianity, The Purpose-Driven Life, and Redeeming Love.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Philippians 2:13: For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

We are dying to know . . . your very best piece of advice for parenting teenage girls! See the good. Especially for us moms, who tend to be critical of ourselves, it’s easy to come down hard on our daughters. Girls today face a lot of pressures, stress, and uncertainty, and while we clearly must do our job as parents, we should also stay mindful of building them up and reminding them of how loved they are – by us and their Maker. I think one of the best prayers is to ask God to help us see our daughters through His eyes and love them with a heart like Jesus. If we can do that, everything else will take care of itself.

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. PHILIPPIANS 2:13 NLT