Featured Reader: Let me introduce you to....

Hello Friends and Happy Monday! We spent the weekend at the lake at the annual Winter "slush" fest. It just figures of all weekends it was very warm in Michigan. On Saturday we hit 50's! I will share some pics later this week. I hope you all had a restful weekend!

I am very excited to introduce you to Jean Stockadle. Jean and I met at one of my favorite social networks. Jean is a fabulous woman who for many years has been helping other Mom's just like all of us. I encourage you head on over to her site and take a peek at her beautiful family and her beautiful work, but first read her interview!

Name:

Jean Stockdale of Jean Stockdale

Family:

I am married to Craig Stockdale. We have been married for 34 years and have 2 grown sons, Jason and Dawson. Jason is married to Patti and they have 18 month old Declan. Dawson is married to Kathryn and have 6 month old Grayson. The boys and their families are building their own households of faith and often show up on my blog! "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in truth" (III John 4).

How did you start blogging?

I write and teach Bible studies for moms. I started in 2006 to encourage moms in the fine art of Christian mothering.

What is your parenting philosophy?

I became a Christian in 1978, just months prior to our first child's birth. As a young Christian, I knew that "training up this child in the way he should go" was incredibly important to Craig and me, but I felt ill-equipped and overwhelmed. My desire to honor the Lord and raise my son to know Him, drove me to become a student of the Word of God. My parenting style was Bible-based, using the precepts and principles of the Word of God to build strong convictions for mothering.

The book of Proverbs became particularly important to me as I earnestly pursued a life of personal holiness and practical righteousness. As my love for the Lord grew, so did my family. Dawson arrived 2 years later and joined our lively family. I certainly have not always done it right. Frustration and fatigue have been my enemies and I have done my share of poor parenting. But I beleive my boys knew I was pursuing the Lord and striving to be an ambassador of Christ in our home. Their understanding of my intent caused them to extend a lot of grace for my failures!

You will never find me without......

a cat on my lap. My faithful friend, Joseph, is a chocolate Siamese. He was a gift to me from the moms Bible study I teach when my oldest child went off to college. These moms knew I would be lonesome and needed "someone to mother." Joseph, unlike most cats, is very attentive to my needs and is seldom far from my side.

Day job:

My love for family and faith caused me to begin to teach a weekly Bible study for moms nearly 20 years ago. Although I did not set out to make this my life's work, the Lord has given me a passion for teaching the Word of God and encouraging women, especially mommas. When our boys were young, Craig and I lived in a secluded area-far removed from family or friends. I suffered from loneliness and longed for fellowship with other moms. I felt alienated and alone in my role as a SAHM. It is the memory of these early days, needing Biblical instruction and tons of encouragement, that has constrained me to invest in the lives of mommas. Raising children is a tiring thankless job most of the time, and I am determined to rise up and call moms blessed!

I currently teach a weekly Bible study for nearly 300 moms of toddlers to teens.Now, having raised and released 2 great men into the adult world, I also share about how to fully release adult children. My love for teaching and encouraging moms, has led me on an unexpected path. About 17 years ago, local churches began to invite me to speak at their women's events. This led to a speaking ministry. I am privileged to travel and speak at Women's Conferences, retreats, and events on the weekends. Should you be interested in inviting me to speak at your church, please contact Ambassador at www.ambassadorspeakers.com.

In 2006, after writing my own Bible studies for my group of mom at my local chruch, I sensed the Lord leading me to begin to publish my studies and produce accom panying videos. My studies are written to instruct moms in the Word of God and encouage them with the Spirit of God. My writing style is laced with practical illustrations, large doses of encouragment, and the liberal use of my sanctified imagination. These studies are self-guided and interactive. They can be done by an individual or, with the additon of the 10-set DVDs (or CDs), in a small group home setting, or as an addtion to your church's ciricullum. I currently have 6 completed video-driven studies being used in 24 different churches.

I launched a non-profit ministry called Standing Near the Cross, Inc. in 2008. For more information on my ministry to moms, go to by clicking on www.jeanstockdale.com. You will find a description of each study and will be able to view the first lesson and video clips of each study.

Favorite Stuff:

Music: Contemporary Christian

Food: Mexican

Tv/ Movies:

Reading: Much of my time is spent reading Bible commentaries for study, but I do enjoy reading for pleasure. I typically read Christian help books for growing strong in daily living or Christian historical fiction.

If you had to wear a T-shirt with your favorite saying on it what would it be?

Seriously?!?!

Favorite stores to shop at:

Stein-Mart, Chico, Coldwater Creek, and Dillards

Other good stuff from Jean:

Craig and I live on 10 acres outside Memphis, TN. with 4 dogs and 1 cat. Craig and our boys work in a family landscaping business, Pine Grove Farm and Landscape. We attend Bellevue Baptist Church, our home church for nearly 30 years.

The Lord has expanded our ministry internationally. Craig and I have been able to make 6 mission trips to teach church leaders ho w to share the gospel, disciple new beleivers, and plant churches. Our travels have taken us to Uruguay, Nigeria, Nepal, Angola, and several trips to India to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

If you would like to be one of my featured readers please send me an email at klacustomcreations@comcast.net. Now head on over to Jean's site but first leave her some comment love!