{ Meet Angela Umphers Rueger ~ The Abundant Heart }

Warm Blogger

Angela’s blog The Abundant Heart was one of the first blogs I read when I started on WordPress. Reading the blog of someone who lives in Florida gave a Minnesotan like me warm fuzzies. 

While I was knee-deep in snow and ice, Angela was posting photos of palm trees swaying over a pleasant outdoor lunch on the back patio.

But I didn’t just like the weather on her blog, I loved the way she wove her earnest thoughts about scripture and hymns and godly living all together. She considers The Abundant Heart a ministry, and it truly is. 

Busy, Talented Lady

Angela and her husband recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary! Having raised three children, Angela wants to devote more time to her writing and other interests. Over the years, she has juggled many different tasks. Before moving to Florida, Angela owned her own cleaning business and was a high achiever at H & R Block. During tax season, she is known to a small group of clients as the “Tax Lady.” She also sings in the church choir and plays piano and guitar. And, she ministers to local college students by handing them gift bags every quarter that are stuffed with words of encouragement and goodies. 

But What About Her Day Job?

Angela has actually taken a short sabbatical from writing lately to become a full-time artist. In particular, she creates mixed media art and home decor items from the parts of old pianos. Angela has a growing Etsy shop called Encore Old Pianos and it’s an ideal place to find a unique gift for any music lover. Angela also sells her unique upcycled goods at regional craft fairs, art shows and a gallery called the Sand Dollar Cottage. She is also working on securing a spot in a busy local antique store. She hosts a blog called Encore Old Pianos that shows how she does her work and lists upcoming events. Angela posts current creations on Instagram (@angelathepianolady).

 

More About Angela

When Angela isn’t writing or creating or reaching out to others, you might find her reading her favorite book, The Holy Bible. 

Other books she has enjoyed include Not My Will by Francena H. Arnold and Humility by Andrew Murray. 

It’s been fun to *meet* Angela Umphers Rueger. She’s a woman of faith, intelligence and creativity. She brightens up the blogger world, and not just because she’s from the Sunshine State 🙂

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{ Meet Esther Goetz ~ The Dolly Mama }

It’s funny how people float in and out of your life. Your best high school buddy has disappeared, but the girl you didn’t know, who sat in the back row of homeroom, is now your dear friend and neighbor. 

In a way, Esther Goetz is that kind of person. She was the friend-of-a-friend at our college on the outskirts of Chicago. I knew she was outgoing and friendly, and had grown up in Ethiopia as a missionary kid, but I didn’t know much more about her while we shared the same campus,

We went on with our separate studies and friends and lives. Graduation scattered everyone to build their own careers and families all over the map.

Fast forward three decades, when I stumbled upon a blog called The Dolly Mama.

Here I found someone with a kindred world view, words of truth, and a winsome sense of spunk. Esther’s photo and name looked familiar, and later I discovered that she was the Esther from college years, molded and sharpened by a life yielded to God and His Word. 

After college, she married Allen; they have four adult children, one son-in-law and a feisty toddler grandson. Esther and her husband lead the marriage mentoring ministry at their church (they have met with over 120 couples over the past 15 years!) Esther also leads a women’s group.

Her blog reflects what she does in real life, as she discusses faith, family and friendship.

Besides family, church, blogging, leadership and more, Esther likes to read! Right now, she is enjoying The Next Right Thing by Emily Freeman, and her three favorite books of all time are:

• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
• The Shack by Paul Young
• Boundaries by Henry Cloud

Whenever I visit Esther’s blog, The Dolly Mama,  I often end up crying or laughing. She inspired me to choose a Word of the Year– her 2020 word is HYGGE.

Some of her recent posts have titles like these:  

• Fighting For Your Child’s Heart
• Keep ‘Em Coming
• The Place Where Love’s Root Can Dig Deep
• One Of A Kind
• Broken Together

So visit Esther Goetz at the Dolly Mama.  Say hello, and be encouraged and inspired!

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