An introduction

Hey guys! My name is Stephanie Morrill, and I’m thrilled that Sarah asked me to blog here a couple times a month. Since I’m far from being a household name, here are a couple things you should know about me:

1. Today is my birthday. I’m 26 and regularly surprised to find myself surrounded by such grownup things—a husband, a daughter, a mortgage payment, a sedan, and a CostCo membership.

2. I live in the Kansas City area. It's where I did most my growing up, and where I imagine my daughter will do hers as well. Ben and I briefly lived in Orlando right after we got married, but grew tired of cockroaches, tourists, and air you can practically drink with a straw.

3. I write books for teenage girls. My debut novel, Me, Just Different, released in July. It’s the first of three books in The Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series. Out with the In Crowd comes out in January and So Over It next July. Rather than do a big plug here, I’ll just say you can visit my web site, http://www.stephaniemorrillbooks.com/, to read the first chapter of Me, Just Different, sign up for my newsletter, and follow my journey as a young author.

4. My only talents are reading, writing, and drinking coffee. Remove any of those three from my day, and I get majorly cranky. For as long as I can remember, I’ve preferred spending my Friday nights curled up on the couch with either a notebook or a good novel.

5. A big question I’ve been asking myself recently is, what does it mean to live a life fully surrendered to God? Particularly now when my writing career regularly pushes me out of my comfort zone. My life has changed drastically in the last two years, first with a baby and then with a book contract, and I tend to be such a control-freak that surrendering to God is a real struggle for me.

Hope everyone has a great day! I’m off to dig into some Starbucks Java Chip ice cream. It can’t be a bad birthday when there’s coffee ice cream around.

Long Walks & All The Rest

Hello everyone out there in Blog Land!

My name is Shannon Beveridge, and I am so excited to have the opportunity to share my life and my thoughts on life with you; hopefully you'll be half as excited to read about them! I am 24 years old, and I have to say that at times that sounds older than I feel!

I was raised in a Christian home, for which I'm so grateful, by my dad who was and still is in full time ministry, and my mom who home schooled me, my older brother and my younger sister. I currently work part time at Grace Church as the Sr. High Youth Director. Which means I get paid to hang out with teens which is really awesome! I also teach several Hip-Hop dance classes and coach Gymnastics. Needless to say I was a gymnast for 12 years and I love dance! A little known fact about me is that I have always loved to watch Ice Skating, and 2 years ago I decided to take it up! It's never too late to try something new.

My other hobbies include: hanging out with friends, especially in Downtown Fredericksburg - being with my family and my boyfriend, all whom I love very much - Ice Cream!! Any time of day or night and everyday of the year! - Alternative music - My favorite movie is You've Got Mail, it's so witty and well written, and as far as Chick flicks go, just the right amount of Chickage (definitely a word I invented). I love roller coasters - the Washington Red Skins - going to the beach - I'd love to learn to surf one day! The shows I'm currently into include 24- Go Jack Bower! The Biggest Loser, because it changes people's lives, and American Idol, but honestly who has time to watch a show that comes on 3 nights a week? - my favorite books include: Mere Christianity, The Hiding Place, & Blue Like Jazz - I also love reading children's books, Roald Dahl books are my favorite! - I love watching sunrises and sunsets!

I've decided that introductions are awkward because it feels like you're trying to make yourself sound good, or they start sounding like a personal ad... did I mention I enjoy long walks on the beach? :)

I love missions and traveling. I lived in South Africa for 3 years from age 18-21, attending and then leading at a Christian discipleship program called Year of Your Life. While in the program those 3 years we did missions in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. Other countries I've done missions in include Kenya, England, Dominica, and Mexico. I love Jesus and telling others about what He's done in my life.

I'm so very excited to be on this journey with all of you as we discover who we are called to be as girls, who God is, and as we allow Him to reveal the good life He has for us!