Joann Claypoole, Author at Inspire A Fire

Joann Claypoole is an author, speaker, master stylist/colorist, and former spa-girl entrepreneur. She's a wife, mother of four sons, “Numi” to four grandbabies, doggie-mom of two. The award-winning author of The Gardener’s Helper’s (ages 5-9 MJ Publishing2015) would rather be writing, hiking in the mountains, or inviting deer and other wildlife to stay for dinner near her western NC writing retreat. Visit her website: joannclaypoole.com and Wordpress blog: https://joannclaypoole.wordpress.com/

Finding Wisdom and Strength in the Love of the Father

June 12, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Father, Featured, Fire Starters, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, parenting, Prayer, Relationships

Wisdom, strength, and what? It’s hard to believe the mid-point of 2020 is fast approaching. Without a doubt, people from all walks of life will one day say this was one of those historical years

surviving or thriving on a socially distant mother’s day

May 9, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Mom, parenting, Prayer, Relationships, Thankfulness, Trust

A socially distant Mother’s Day? While on a recent video meeting, I found myself reminiscing with one of my sons about the Mother’s Day gardens we sowed, games we played, and the stories we shared.

Peace In uncertain times

April 10, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Prayer, Relationships, Relationships, Thankfulness

A time for everything? We’re told these are uncertain times. What about yesterday, last year, or twenty years from now? Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Isn’t any time an uncertain time? As we pray

The Mystery Of Gentleness and Perfect Powerful Peace

March 13, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Prayer, Relationships

Perfect Father My dad had a way of warming hearts with his smile. If he were here today, my twenty-one-year-old son might say, “Pop’s authentic,” but, Noah never met him. My husband and three older

With All His Heart

February 29, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Marriage, praise, Prayer, Relationships, Relationships, Thankfulness, Trust, Valentine's Day, Worship

A love of a lifetime… I remember the vow my husband and I made to love each other until, when old and gray, death would part us. It wasn’t something I’d ever dwell on. Death

The warmth of winter and all its wonders

January 10, 2020 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, parenting, Relationships, Rest, Thankfulness

Stories by the fireside… We didn’t have a fireplace in our New York City apartment, although my dad continued his fireside storytelling tradition throughout the winter months—minus the crackling fire of course. I remember many

The Most Glorious Christmas Day

December 13, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Christmas, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Greatfulness, Holiday, hope, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Prayer, Relationships, Worship

December 2019 ~ Central Florida. Most northerners know winter takes on a whole new meaning in Florida. There’s no snow. No sleet. No winter coats and hats—and sometimes no temps below hot. That means we

Ghosts of Golden Autumns Past

November 8, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Family, Featured, Fire Starters, Greatfulness, Holiday, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, Relationships, Relationships, Thankfulness, thanksgiving

Autumn 2008 ~ Western North Carolina. A whispering wind shook the trees as if to announce her arrival. Amber, orange, and crimson leaves glided down and carpeted the ground. Autumn had arrived in all her

Where He Leads Me

October 11, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Leadership, Love, Prayer, Relationships, Thankfulness

Consider the called… With blind trust, goosebumps, and heart-stopping moments, a motley crew faced obstacles and their worst fears along the way to lifelong friendships and brotherhood. Jesus had called them onward to feed multitudes

Hope Has a name

September 13, 2019 Joann Claypoole Blog, Culture, Devotions, discipleship, Faith, Featured, Fire Starters, God's Glory, Greatfulness, hope, Hope for tomorrow, Inspiration, inspire a fire, Joann Claypoole, Love, praise, Prayer, Relationships, Thankfulness, The Hope of God

Everyone is thirsty… When scorching temperatures make me weary or superstorms threaten to consume my tiny piece of a gigantic puzzle, it’s good to know the magical seasons of harvest and joy, are right around