Blog Authors
Sherry Davis Hires (Blog Editor & Blog Contributor)
Sherry Davis Hires: une femme d’un certain age; Jesus-follower since age 10; lawyer. Married to tall, dark, and handsome husband who is an accomplished amateur chef; mother of beautiful, witty, daughter; companion of a 15- pounds- of- ferociousness terrier named Hercules. Voracious reader; rememberer of arcane/ useless trivia; Francophile; lapsed piano player; former foreign language major; unrepentant wearer of Rod Stewart hairdo for longer than it was really fashionable (no, it was NOT a mullet!). Has tried and enjoyed fencing, parasailing, and hot air ballooning, as well as snails, sheep/goat cheese, and various preparations of Brussels Sprouts. Detester of group text messages; staunch proponent of the Oxford comma. Currently embarked on a journey to becoming a kinder, gentler person who loves with the love of the Lord and finds Joy each and every day.
Flea Christenson (Blog Contributor)
Flea Christenson is a former professional blogger and networker in the pet industry. Her life changed, for better and for worse, with a stage III cancer diagnosis in 2016. Since then she's moved to a farm, been diagnosed with cancer AGAIN (still in treatment), and is managing to find the joy in the midst of her toughest battle, the battle to live and thrive with cancer. Her current loves are her handsome Hunny, weaving on tapestry looms and caring for pigs, goats and sheep. You can find her at www.facebook.com/thegoodflea/, Fleabyte on IG, or on Twitter as thegoodflea.
Cheri Cowell (Blog Contributor)
Cheri Cowell can be found in a crowded room by simply listening for her laugh. Cheri's laugh is contagious. The funny thing is, personality-wise Cheri is a no-nonsense, take-charge woman. She's also endured a lot of hardships, which she shares in her writing. So, if her joy is not personality-driven and it is not based upon an easy life, where does this come from? Cheri joined the Joyopolis community so she could help others who may not have a bubbly personality or who may have junk in their lives know that they, too, can be filled with joy. CheriCowell.com In addition to her own writing, Cheri is the founder and director of EABooks Publishing. EABooksPublishing.com
Janis Whipple (Blog Contributor)
Janis Whipple lives in the Tampa area, her 14th city of residence. When you ask where she’s “from,” she simply says, “the Southeast.” She’s an avid Georgia Bulldog fan (her alma mater, with a bachelor’s in journalism) and also has a master’s degree from seminary (don’t let that intimidate you!). She’s a former non-profit communication specialist and in-house book editor.
Since 2001 Janis has been a freelance editor and book coach, and works with both publishers and individuals, but particularly loves to help writers bring their stories to the page to reach others with their passionate God-given message.
She loves music, especially from the 60s and 70s (and she knows all the lyrics to Best of Bread). She sings on her church’s praise team and loves guiding people into worship. She loves enjoys beaches, storytelling, creative activities and people, theme parks, travel, teaching workshops, and coaching writers of all ages, and just hanging out —with the occasional spontaneous nap.
Lucia Davison (Blog Contributor)
Lucia Davison is a wife, mama of three, life coach, and writer. She is passionate about leading women out of overwhelm into the abundant life God created them to live. By using biblical principles and neuroscience tools, she leads her clients into the life of peace, joy, and freedom they were called to. Lucia lives in Orlando with her husband and son. You can find more from Lucia along with free resources at www.learningtolivelight.com and also schedule a free 30 minute discovery call with her at https://bit.ly/luciadavisoncoaching.
Rob Duford (Blog Contributor)
Rob Duford is the founding and pastor of Orlando North Church in Altamonte Springs, Florida. He has served in various roles in the church world - youth pastor, young adult pastor, internship director, and now, lead pastor. Rob was born and raised in Midland, Michigan (home of the Dow Chemical Company and certain infamous biological implant materials). He did his undergraduate studies at Lee University and later completed his MBA from Regent University and his Masters of Biblical Studies from Reformed Theological Seminary.
In 1994 Rob did the most courageous thing of his life when, at Lee University, he asked a girl way out of his league on a date, and shockingly she said yes. Twenty-five years later Rob and Melanie are still madly in love and spend most of their free time succumbing to the schedules of their two teenage kids.
The passion of Rob’s life and ministry is to spread the message of the hope found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ particularly by living a life centered on bringing fame and glory to Him.
Cara Gordon (Blog Contributor)
Cara Gordon is a stay at home mom who is hardly ever home. Cara homeschooled her two children over the last fifteen years. Cara is 45 years old, the mother of two adult children, Nonna to one granddaughter, and has been married to Brent for 25 years. Part of Cara’s purpose is to make people laugh, however unintentional it may be! Cara believes our relationship with God is the single most important part of life. Her greatest joy is watching her kids and others grow and mature in Christ as He reveals His purposes to them. Cara enjoys studying God’s word in depth, reading and drinking coffee with friends. She also loves to encourage those in her life to walk closely with the Lord all the days of their lives, to know who God says they are, and to know they are loved by the King!
Caragordon.wordpress.com
Cindy Kline (Blog Contributor)
Cindy Kline grew up in an Italian family, surrounded by love, food, and love of food. Her motto is, “We aim to feed.”A retired Special Education teacher, her interests still revolve around children, as well as writing, reading, sewing, and soap-making. She can be found in the kitchen, the garden, and on the playground, most days. Cindy values lifelong relationships and has never met a stranger; or at least anyone stranger than she is.
Christie Self (Blog Contributor)
Christie Self is married with four grown children. She loves ministering to people with her husband, playing with her grandchildren, photography, being outdoors, working out, reading, organizing, creating beauty in her home and singing joyfully even though it's off-key!
Christie learned to organize out of a need for visual peace and order. Her mom never moved from her forever home--and her things didn’t move from it either. After living with so much, Christie wanted to live in less cluttered spaces and so began the process of learning to organize first in her own home and then in the homes of others. It gives her great pleasure to help others find peace and joy as they develop new skills and reap the rewards of creating beautifully organized spaces.
Jeremy Bell (Blog Contributor)
Jeremy serves on the Pastoral Team at Grace City Church in Sorrento, Florida. With a background in student ministry, he previously served for seven years as the Pastor of Worship and Mission at an awesome church in central New Jersey. Jeremy has a degree in Bible and Ministry through Bethel College in Indiana and a Master’s Degree in Christian Leadership.
Jeremy is madly in love with his beautiful bride Stephanie, and they enjoy playing MarioKart and visiting Disney’s water parks with their three amazing sons, Caden (Mr. C), Logan (Logie Bear), and Ryan (Ry Guy Mo Mo).
In his spare time, Jeremy participates in full contact origami. He is an expert in stucco, a black belt in shuffleboard, and an outlaw in international botany circles. Critics worldwide swoon over his original line of corduroy evening wear. Chuck Norris fears him, and the Dos Equis guy finds him interesting.
That last part wasn’t true (or was it?), but Jeremy thought it would be fun to see if anyone actually read this far…
Laurie Barker Copeland (Blog Contributor, Founder)
Laurie Barker Copeland is an author, jewelry designer and Joyopolis founder. Her books include The Groovy Chicks Road Trip to Peace, and The Groovy Chicks Road Trip to Love, and her stories have appeared in numerous magazines and compilations. Most recently, she combined her love of design with writing and developed her Stories By Design line of jewelry. The loves of her life are her family: 95-year-old Dad; John, husband of 38 years; adult child, Kailey and her husband Ryan. She loves laughing, travel, acting, board games, holiday traditions, friend gatherings and the study of personalities. Laurie is most happy when she sees God work in her life and others.