Brenda S. Jacobson

Hi, I'm Brenda, the author of Something to Stand On. I'm a mother to four grown children—two boys and two girls—and I've been married to my husband, Don, for over 40 years. I have become "Nana" to my one grandchild and I'm shamelessly advocating for more.

I've always been a passionate person. Whether I'm focused on growing tomatoes in the yard or raising awareness about violence against women, I go all in. I've been mentoring younger moms in my church for more than a dozen years, and was a parenting coach for women recovering from addiction. I've also had the privilege of speaking to groups of women around the world. A few years ago a friend talked me into summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro on behalf of women in war zones suffering unbelievable gender violence. I still can't believe I did it!

Here are five random things I love:

Coffee by the fire in winter. Let's just say my husband is justified in describing my coffee as "dessert in a cup."

Being outdoors. Whether I'm hiking, horseback riding, or water-skiing, I always feel the Lord's presence when I'm enjoying nature.

Gardening. Right now, my garden includes tomatoes, asparagus, blueberries, grapes, apples, pears, basil, apricots, and more!

Hospitality. Whether I'm hosting a Fourth of July party or taking in an out-of-town friend for the week, I love having people in our home.

Photography. I've captured special moments with my camera for decades. Photographying weddings, concerts, family portraits, senior pictures and home interiors. And of course, personal family vacations and holidays.