Andy Morgan, the singles pastor, was the first one to ask me for input. He wanted material that could guide single adults toward appropriate self-care. Vickie Bare, director of children’s ministries, wanted to talk about spiritual practices for children. Doug Calhoun, the missions pastor, asked for disciplines to help missionaries restore their souls. Dave Mahar, the high school pastor, was looking for spiritual practices that connected with high school students. Bob Geelhoed, the care and counseling pastor, encouraged the use of the growing catalog of disciplines in the “Growing Your Soul” curriculum. Both our senior pastor, Dan Meyer, and our executive pastor, Greg Ogden, invited me to introduce our elders and staff to various spiritual disciplines. Then they gave me time in staff and elder meetings to guide people into these practices. How could this book not be for them? They are often my instigators and inspiration.

Eventually Doug and Marilyn Stewart, on staff with IVCF, took my growing compilation of spiritual disciplines to Russia for use with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES). When they returned, they suggested other disciplines for the growing file. I am indebted to these friends and their desires, encouragement, insights and love.

Dave and Marcia Courtney and Greg and Paul Rocque offered their wonderful homes to me for writing. Ruth Haley-Barton, Rich Plass and Mary Jo Valenziano, urged, prodded and encouraged. Shirley Morlock and Jim and Ruth Nyquist plowed through the manuscript as it evolved. Glenda Simpkins-Hoffman offered creative input. Kathleen MacDougal and Rama Ziegenhals kept the word book in front of me—for years! Joe Sherman, Christine Anderson and Cindy Bunch carried me across the publication hurdle. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.

A cadre of spiritual friends cared for my soul throughout the process. Lovelace Howard and Gallaudet Howard are beloved sounding boards. Louise Midwood, Kathy Keller, Jane Frazier, Cindy Widmer and Gayle Somers remain my teachers through reunions and a “Round Robin Letter” now in its fourth decade. I am also deeply accompanied by my covenant group: Karen Mains, Marilyn Stewart, Linda Richardson, Sybil Towner and Jane Rubietta. These friends have shaped my soul.

I would be remiss not to mention the spiritual tutors that I know only through books: Dorothy Bass, Eugene Peterson, Gerald May, M. Basil Pennington, Dallas Willard, Phyllis Tickle, Fredrick Buechner, Richard Foster, Henri Nouwen, Richard Rohr, Jonathan Edwards, Francis de Sales, Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, Ignatius Loyola, St. Benedict, Julian of Norwich and many more. Their ideas, voices and examples have shaped my own words and experience of the disciplines.

My parents, Phil and Coralee Ahlberg, were my first examples of people who faithfully practiced spiritual disciplines. They launched me into memory verses, prayer and “offering.” My husband, Doug, serves and loves me to the end. In him and our children, Nathaniel and Annaliese, I have better love than I ever deserve. Thank you parents and family for never giving up on me. You are images of Christ to me.