Totally Awesome Grace - About the Authors

Totally Awesome Grace

If I Hear God Knocking, Do You Think I Should Answer ?

About the Book Authors...

Judy Burhans is the mother of anywhere from seven to 10 children (10, at last count, depending on the status of foster children, adopted children and natural children) whose greatest fear is running out of things to do; hence, the book.

Kay Bradburn has recently retired from teaching technical writing at UAH and is enjoying all of her free time babysitting a first and only grandchild. She also enjoys "nesting" in her country home and watching the squirrels watching her.

Sandra McCutcheon is the mother of two grown children, and also a grandmother for the first time (It must be in the water, these grandchildren). Sandy works as the Minister of Parish Education at her home church in Huntsville and loves music and being "in charge" of something. Her hippie days are over - maybe.

Karen Zecher is the mother of three young ones and spends much time teaching her children at home. When she's not busy with teaching and housekeeping, she's looking for more stories to write. . .(smile, smile!)

Susan Sadler currently has four grandchildren, three daughters, two great-grandchildren, and a partridge in a pear tree. . .oops! Sorry! Wrong song. . .She also loves to play music and handles a violin with a love that shows in the music she produces.

All the authors live in the Huntsville/Madison area, an area known primarily for its high-tech engineers, rockets and mystery of space. Like the scientists who launch their rockets into outer space with a specific target or mission in mind, these women are stepping out in faith that some of their stories will hit a target in your heart and make you feel the power and love of God in your life. Enjoy the read!

About the Daily Devotion Authors...

Heather (McClure) Roberts: Heather is a native of Huntsville, Alabama. She is part of the third generation of teachers in her family. She received her elementary education degree from Athens State and taught third and fourth grades and worked in middle school special education until her daughter was born. She has been married to Chris for almost four years and is a stay-at-home mom and aunt who cares for her daughter, Courtney, and her niece, Caitlyn, which keeps her up and running! She enjoys singing, reading, and playing outside with them. Heather heads up the Family Life Committee at Grace Lutheran. She served as the 2003 Gulf States District Young Women’s Representative at the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) International convention. Her favorite hobby is singing in the choir at church. She also directs a children’s choir and co-leads a College and Career Bible study group.

Susan Sadler (Co-author of “The Knock-Knock Book”): Loves the Lord. Mother of three girls, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Leads Praise and Worship Service and plays and teaches hand bells. Has worked for the past 29 years for a periodontist. Hobbies: plays with Celtic group (“Celtic Blessings”) reads, gardening.

Laura Praske: Laura is a child of God who serves Jesus as the Director of the Joshua Leadership Institute for youth ministry and the Assistant Director of Training and Curriculum Development for Tentmakers Leadership Training. She currently lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband Brad. She has a BA in Management from Luther College, a Masters of Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary and has been on staff with Tentmakers for 10 years. She has served as the Director of Youth Ministry in a 2000 member church and has been an active volunteer in youth ministry at three churches. Her interests include backpacking, spending time with family and friends, and reading.

Sue Beuning: I currently serve as Communications Specialist for Tentmakers in Minneapolis, MN. I'm married and live in Bloomington, MN, with my husband David. For almost 20 years I've been involved in church or ministry work in various roles, and I love talking with people about Scripture and theology. I'm convinced that the way we see and understand our Father affects everything we do -- every thought, prayer, decision, and act! I received my Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Bethel Seminary in 2002. I love to read, garden, cook, walk in the woods, and entertain friends in our home. Thanks for the opportunity to write devotions!

Sandy McCutcheon (Co-author of “The Knock-Knock Book”): Sandra F. McCutcheon was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. She left for Europe two days before her 21st birthday, and didn't call the south home again for 20 years, after much travel. When her husband received a job offer in Huntsville, they gladly made plans to move back to her home town. She loves to write and present Bible studies, speak at retreats or conventions as a Christian encourager, and lead others into Christ-centered worship. She has been married to Bob 29 years, and they enjoy their adult children (daughter D'Arcy and husband David with grandson Nathanael Colin, and son Joshua).

Angela Reeves: Angie resides in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with her husband, Pastor Jim Reeves. She has three daughters, all with children (and one due any day, now!), and a son, currently in basic training in the Marine Corp. Angie works as an RN, serves on the Mission Board for the Southern District of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and plays the keyboard for their worship services in Laurel, Mississippi. For fun, Angie writes devotions, does counted cross-stitch, rides a bike for miles and miles, and finds pilates fun!

Kay Bradburn (Co-author of “The Knock-Knock Book”): Resides in Huntsville, Alabama, retired from teaching at UAH, and currently having a great time being a “Na-na” for Adam, the first grandchild (That is what “Adam” stands for, isn’t it?). Kay and her husband, Charlie, are currently in the travel mode, but thanks to computers and cyberspace, Kay can continue to write devotions while anywhere in the world.

Sarah Burhans: Sixteen-year-old Sarah has bursts of devotional thoughts and insights that are clearly seen through the eyes of a teenager/young woman. She has some devotions that she thinks of, but doesn’t write, so she says to her mom, “I had this thought that you can write about. . .” Sarah is home schooled, enjoys music and photography, and plans to be a dentist, someday.

Judy Burhans (Co-author of “The Knock-Knock Book”): Still looking for things to do, especially with all the wonderful women listed in this website. As long as God gives her words to write, she’ll probably continue to bore you all, once again!

There’s a little poem that has gone around on the Internet that pretty much describes all these women who are contributing to the daily devotions. It goes like this:

As I’ve told you before,
Life is not a journey to the grave
With the intention of arriving safely
In a pretty and well-preserved body;
But rather, to skid into heaven broadside,
Thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming:

“WOW! What a ride!”

May you enjoy our devotions and this website. Our prayer is that you find a Savior you want to know better; that you want to delve into Scripture to see where we’re coming from; and that you have a wild ride while you’re at it!