Hey there, I’m Josie, author of the award-winning picture book Howie’s Broken Hee-Haw.

I’m a small town Wisconsin girl with big dreams. I love sharing God’s gifts of beauty, hope, and adventure. When I’m not writing or taking pictures, you’ll find me cuddling my Teddy Bear dog, reading a good book, drinking coffee, eating chocolate, or in search of adventure!

Oh, you wanted to know a little more than that? Well, the first thing that comes to mind when someone asks me who I am is that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. That relationship defines all other aspects of my life – who I am and what I do.

From the time I was young, I wanted to serve the Lord overseas. After high school, I spent the next decade of my life in preparation of this goal. I went to college, worked in a church, and went to seminary. My mission agency appointed me to my first four-year term serving God in Southeast Asia. My dream was finally coming true!

A few months before my scheduled departure date I got sick. Really sick. God encouraged me during some really difficult years with Romans 12:12, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That pretty much says it all!

After two years of living with a mystery disease, I was finally diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. It seems like once you’re diagnosed with one illness, more follow. I have also been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Dermographism. Several years ago I discovered natural medicine and received a diagnosis of Chronic Lyme disease. But God! I’m already healed spiritually, and I’m on a long and slow journey toward physical healing too. God is working through it all and I’m so thankful for the things He’s teaching me through suffering. 

Living with chronic illness has been a blessing and a curse. To be honest, it stinks to high heaven. However, through it, I have discovered some gifts I didn’t know I had. Gifts like photography and writing for adults and children. Gifts that God is using to bless people all over the world.

Life today finds me learning more about who I am in Christ, living out my publishing dreams, taking photographs, and working with Broken but Priceless Ministries. It isn’t how I imagined life would look in my 40s, but it’s a life I truly love!