Welcome to episode 2 of the Special Christmas Break episodes. This week, I speak with Gayl Wright. In upstate South Carolina, from her log home bordering the woods, Gayl loves to encourage others as she writes from her heart about life and faith. She has been married to Steve for over 50 years. Daily, they enjoy reading and discussing the Bible and other books. They are parents of 7 (one son is now with the Lord) and have 14 grandchildren. Gayl enjoys visiting with friends and family, taking daily walks, and exploring creativity through various outlets, including nature photography and art. Gayl is the author of Journey Into Light: 31 Days Adventuring with God and Through A Glass, Darkly: Daily Hope in Light of Eternity.

Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gayl.wright

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gaylwright8408

Substack: https://substack.com/@sunflowerpoet?utm_source=user-menu

Blog: https://gaylswright.blogspot.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gaylwright

Twitter: https://x.com/GaylWright

*What is The Prudent Woman Retreat 2026 all about?

This year, we’re gathering around a powerful theme: REDEEMING THE TIME.

From January 16–18, 2026, step into a 100% virtual retreat designed for the woman who longs for a deep, intentional encounter with God—right where she is.

Whether you’re curled up on your couch, away on a quiet getaway, or tuning in between life’s responsibilities, this retreat lets you meet with the Lord in the way that fits your life.

What You’ll Experience

✨ A fully online, flexible retreat — engage when and where it works best for you.

✨ 13+ transformational breakout sessions crafted to help you grow, focus, and stay rooted in the Word.

✨ Real interaction with each speaker through our private community platform.

✨ Unlimited access to all recordings — perfect if you’re busy during the live sessions.

✨ An exclusive online group where you can discuss, connect, and ask questions in a safe, faith-filled space.

✨ A digital conference notebook filled with listener guides and actionable worksheets to help you apply what you learn.

Click Here to Join the Prudent Woman Community

Get ready to pull away with God—intentionally, deeply, and purposefully—without leaving the comfort of your home.

For enquiries, email: theprudentwomanretreat@gmail.com

Facebook Community: https://web.facebook.com/groups/1025357944935593

For those not on Facebook, a dedicated Youtube Playlist for all the sessions would be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@IFEOMASAMUEL/playlists

Welcome to the first Christmas Break special episode of a Cup of Gratitude. All of December, I will be sharing fellow speakers from the Prudent Woman Retreat. This week, I speak with the founder, Dr Ifeoma Samuel, your down-to-earth Bible Study writer and speaker, passionate about helping women grow in faith through the Word. She is happily married to her heart throb, Obiora, and together they are blessed with a daughter and a son. You can find her Bible Study Group on Facebook: "Purposeful and Meaningful." She is on FB and IG as @Purposeful and Meaningful Bible Studies and Devotionals. Books are available on Amazon. Purposeful and Meaningful.com. The Prudent Woman Retreat will be happening in the FB Group, The Prudent Woman Community. All resources and relevant links can be assessed here.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1D5ypXfpui/?mibextid=wwXIfr

What is The Prudent Woman Retreat 2026 all about?

This year, we’re gathering around a powerful theme: REDEEMING THE TIME.

From January 16–18, 2026, step into a 100% virtual retreat designed for the woman who longs for a deep, intentional encounter with God—right where she is.

Whether you’re curled up on your couch, away on a quiet getaway, or tuning in between life’s responsibilities, this retreat lets you meet with the Lord in the way that fits your life.

What You’ll Experience

✨ A fully online, flexible retreat — engage when and where it works best for you.

✨ 13+ transformational breakout sessions crafted to help you grow, focus, and stay rooted in the Word.

✨ Real interaction with each speaker through our private community platform.

✨ Unlimited access to all recordings — perfect if you’re busy during the live sessions.

✨ An exclusive online group where you can discuss, connect, and ask questions in a safe, faith-filled space.

✨ A digital conference notebook filled with listener guides and actionable worksheets to help you apply what you learn.

Click Here to Join the Prudent Woman Community

Get ready to pull away with God—intentionally, deeply, and purposefully—without leaving the comfort of your home.

For enquiries, email: theprudentwomanretreat@gmail.com

Facebook Community: https://web.facebook.com/groups/1025357944935593

For those not on Facebook, a dedicated YouTube Playlist for all the sessions would be found here: https://www.youtube.com/@IFEOMASAMUEL/playlists

This week I speak with Deborah Rutherford, who loves Jesus, being a wife to Don, singing old hymns, and nature walks. She is an author, poet, podcaster, and an award-winning makeup artist who has swapped her brushes for a pen. She is the founder of the Behold-Her Beauty Podcast and Blog, where she enjoys cheering others on. Her books include "Unexpected Blessings: 40 Days of Discovering God's Best," forthcoming "Prodigal Daughter: Poems of Light for the Lost Ones," and she is working on a beauty and faith book represented by the Blythe Daniel Agency. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

LINKS:

https://deborahrutherford.com

https://www.instagram.com/deborahrutherfordwrites/ https://www.facebook.com/Mrs.DeborahRutherford/ https://deborahrutherford.substack.com/

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week, I speak with Na’Kedra Rodgers, who is a powerhouse Christian Motivational Speaker, Author, and Entrepreneur who brings a burst of sunshine wherever she goes! Famous for her boundless optimism and grit, to sprinkle biblically rooted encouragement across the globe, lighting the way for women wrestling with faith or on a quest for purpose. Na’Kedra is a multi-time published author who writes in both nonfiction and children’s genres. Na’Kedra is a recipient of the 2024 NCTRCA Outstanding WBE Award, 2025 Community Impact Award, and was also recognized as a 2025 Epsilon Tau Business Honoree. Na’Kedra stirs others' courage to boldly flaunt their faith, as she has facilitated workshops and served as a panelist at Christian Speaker and Writers Conferences across the United States. Off-stage, she relishes family moments with her hubby, Kelvin, and their two lively daughters, Chloe and Harley. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life

Amazon: https://a.co/d/3xsr1dM

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/optimistically-mommy and-me-nakedra-rodgers/1147902978

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

Today I speak with Janet Hart Leonard, who is an award-winning newspaper columnist, author, and speaker. She speaks to women who think that God has written only a one-hit wonder for their lives. In her unique and quirky way, she shows them through scripture that He is writing a Greatest Hits Album for them throughout their lives. (Look at Naomi in the book of Ruth.) Janet is a cheerleader, without the cartwheels, who brings the scriptures to life with her wit, whimsy, and way with words, encouraging others to find joy in the midst of difficult circumstances. She’s been there and still is finding her way through the times when life isn’t fair. She has learned to dance in the rain as well as the mud, all the while enjoying a cup of coffee with sweet cream and inviting others to join her. She is the author of When the Hart Speaks and is currently writing Book #2, Vintage Wisdom. Things I Wish I Knew before I Got Old. Book #3 will be a fiction book about a hairdresser in the hills of Kentucky in 1989. Audrey Grace holds a lot of secrets, including what happened to the missing preacher...who isn’t a good man. Stay tuned.

Contact her: janethartleonard@gmail.com

www.janethartleoanrd.com

Her column, From the Hart, is published every Monday in The Hamilton County Reporter. She is a popular speaker at the Taylor University Professional Writers’ Conference, women’s retreats, and church events. She will make you laugh, cry, and most of all... give you thoughts upon which to ponder.

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week, I speak with Jac Filer, a lifelong resident of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, who presently lives with his family and dog. Since 2020, he has been enjoying a second career as a writer. Jac’s books include the Advent devotional Preparing for Jesus, the Biblical novel Coin and Dagger, and his new memoir, The Widower and the Washer. We look at his childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in his life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

Links:

Website: https://jacfiler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jacfilerauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacfilerauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26377965.Jac_Filer

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week I speak with Dr. Jerry L. Woodbridge who is a Christian author and educator specializing in grief support and education. After experiencing the sudden loss of her husband, she guided her own children through grief, inspiring her to write books that offer hope and healing. Her works include Trading My Sorrows: For the Joy of the Lord, which explores widowhood and faith-based healing. Joy Overcame Sorrow, a children’s book on grief and resilience and Joy’s Journal, which provides guided questions, thoughtful prompts, and space to write, as you explore Joy’s story while making sense of your own emotions. As a dedicated 40-year educator, Jerry has impacted countless lives, teaching students from K-9th grade and mentoring doctoral candidates in higher education. She currently serves as an assistant professor in the School of Education at Liberty University, where she is known for her caring, supportive, and inspirational teaching style. We look at her childhood up to the present to find the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this encouraging episode!

Facebook: jerry.woodbridge.7 Instagram: jerrywoodbridge7 Website: https://www.drjerrylwoodbridge.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa

This week I speak with Sarah Krizek who is the author of Beyond the Surface, published in August 2024. She was born and raised in the Hudson Valley, New York. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College. When she is not writing or reading, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two children. We look at her childhood up to the present to fond the beautiful thread of Jesus in her life. You won’t want to miss this amazing episode!

www.sarahkrizek.com

*Theme Music “Blessed Time” by Ketsa