Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? Hello! My name is Brooke and I’ve been married to my best friend, T.J., for eight years, and a mother to the light of my life, June, for a little over two years. I am the Creative Director for the lifestyle brand @walkinlove. I have been a professional photographer for almost 10 years, and turned 30 this past October. I believe that God has called me to infuse this world with beauty, purpose and love. Oh, and snack trays.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? I live in Manheim, Pennsylvania (which is part of Lancaster County), and have lived here all my life. I suppose I technically lived in Virginia for two years off and on, while attending Liberty University, but otherwise I’ve been a small town girl forever!

How do you carve out time with God everyday? To be really honest, my God time looks different every day. Somedays it’s first thing in the morning, reading a few passages on my iPhone, and other days it’s during my daughter’s nap time, or in the evening right before bed! I make an effort to have my devotional time during the peaceful moments of my day, when I can be still and really meditate on what I’m reading or praying.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Share with us why you love it so much. In recent years, my favorite bible verse has been James 4:8, “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you.” I love the promise that God will draw near to you if you seek Him.

What is your best organizational/planning tip, other than your Anchored Press Devotional Planner, of course? Oh boy, I have a lot! Due to my job, a lot of my organizational tools are team and social media related! I love and use apps like Later and Snug everyday to help organize my social media tasks, and would also suggest Dapulse as a workflow management system for a team. My main “tip” though, would be to “plan the work, and then work. that. plan.” The weeks where I set aside time, hours at a time even, to plan out my work and life schedule, are always incredibly helpful to my overall productivity, and feeling of peace.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? I love to cook, so I have a lot of favorite meals that I lean on, but recently it’s been quesadillas - loaded with seasoned black beans and fresh corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and sharp cheddar cheese! Topped off with salsa, avocado and a fresh squeeze of lime! Geez, now I’m hungry!

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? My favorite God story is probably how God used the birth of our first child, June Morrow, over two years ago, to be the catalyst for huge changes in our lives. My husband and I have spent the last several years simplifying, throwing out or donating over 60% of our belongings, closing businesses that caused us strain, focusing on what matters most to us, and improving our communication — in both marriage and business.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? My three favorite books would have to be Chasing Slow, the Harry Potter series, and Ready Player One. #dorkyiknow

We are dying to know  . . . what you are “Practicing” in your current season of life. Goodness — lots of things. With a toddler at home, I’d have to say I’m practicing patience on the daily. I’m also working hard to practice self-control lately, with everything from food to phone time.

DRAW NEAR TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NEAR TO YOU.  JAMES 4:8

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? My dad was a pastor when I was growing up and our house was always filled with God’s love. As I grew and matured in my faith, God truly gave me a heart for mission work. I adore people from all cultures and walks of life. In my youth I served on mission teams, locally & globally.

When I married my husband Steve—my soul mate—God blessed us with two beautiful kids. I was a stay at home mom for over a decade. Never forget that motherhood is your FIRST ministry. I didn’t do one global trip! Instead I poured into their little hearts & minds. I volunteered at every vacation bible school and led their discipleship groups at our church. Then God opened up my global work again. This summer will be my 4^th trip to Rwanda with Saddleback Church. What a joy that both of my kids are going and we get to serve TOGETHER! Additionally, last year I landed my dream job with an amazing organization called Children of the Nations. I am honored to advocate daily for orphaned & destitute children in Sierra Leone, Uganda, Malawi, Haiti & the Dominican Republic.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? I was born & raised in Southern California and have never lived anywhere else. I’ve had the privilege of traveling around the world, and each time I come home I’m thankful for the sunshine & sandy beaches. My husband and I are blessed to have our entire, big, extended family here.

To be perfectly honest, sometimes it’s hard coming back to Orange County after a trip to Africa! You hold a baby in your arms that hasn’t eaten in days, then return to such excess on every level. Suddenly, the things you thought were so important pale in comparison. That’s why I chose the topic of Beauty! It’s easy to become self-absorbed and focused on the wrong things.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? The yearly Bible was a game changer for me. It’s the entire Bible organized into 365 readings. Each day you get Old Testament, New Testament, a Psalm & a Proverb. When I finish, I simply start again. Each time I start over I’m amazed at the new things I find! It only takes about 15 minutes, so it’s easy to be consistent even if I have other Bible studies or devotions I’m working through.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Share with us why you love it so much. Psalms 34:4-5 “I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look God are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.” This has been my life verse! I’ve seen God’s faithfulness in these words. As I look to God and seek Him, there is a radiance that follows, and freedom from fear & shame.

What is your best organizational/planning tip, other than your Anchored Press Devotional Planner, of course? I keep a big binder in my kitchen with all of my important information in there-any documents I need to access often: website user names & passwords, class lists, sports schedules & health forms.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Tacos! We use ground turkey to make it a little healthier & I usually throw mine into a big taco salad.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? Part of the reason I love mission work is it challenges me to grow. God takes me to new levels of faith each time. One of my greatest fears is public speaking and I have to laugh that God is calling me to it more and more. When we step out in faith, and into our greatest fears God covers us. My sweet pastor Rick Warren always says, “Courage isn’t the absence of fear. Courage is moving ahead in spite of your fear.”

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich (my favorite relational book), Say Yes to God by Kay Warren & The Hole in Our Gospel by Richard Stearns (my two favorite inspirational books), and Fasting by Jentezen Franklin (my favorite Spiritual book)

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look God are radiant; their faces are never covered in shame.”  PSALMS 34:4-5