Bio: LIVE LIFE INTENTIONALLY... That phrase describes Kendra Smiley's life and the message she brings to her audiences. According to Kendra, life is a wonderful smorgasbord of choices and everyone is responsible for and empowered by the choices they make.

Kendra makes this point by noting, "My mother always used to say, 'All we HAVE to do is die and pay taxes."

Respectfully I would say to Mom, "You're only half right! Paying taxes is a choice (an intelligent, law-abiding choice . . .yet a choice, nevertheless)." Kendra challenges and encourages her listeners to become aware of the myriad of choices in life -- and to make the NEXT right choice.

She has a unique, humorous approach that appeals to listeners of all ages. In each message, she teaches skills essential to move forward in life. She also provides the audience with the motivation to make positive life changes.

Kendra says that the most positive life change occurred when she met and married her husband John. Now after 28 years of marriage, they work together in many ways. They have had the privilege and joy of raising three sons (Matthew, Aaron, and Jonathan), and are active in local youth ministry.

Kendra's speaking has taken her everywhere from the Women's Conference on Possibility Thinking at the Crystal Cathedral in California to keynoting at leadership conferences for youth, a prayer breakfast for bankers, a seminar for Proctor and Gamble, the USDA, the Illinois Department of Commerce, teachers' conferences, Hearts at Home conferences and women's retreats all across the U.S.

She and John have also served as the keynote speakers at the National Marriage Encounter conference and have spoken several times for Successful Farming Magazine.

Kendra graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois and then went on to earn her M.S. from the University of North Dakota. She taught school for several years before becoming a mother and home-based businesswoman.

Her daily show, LIVE LIFE INTENTIONALLY is heard on the New Life Radio network and beyond.

In the spring of 2001, CHRISTIAN PARENTING TODAY will begin to feature Kendra's quips and quotes each month. She is also a columnist in the Hearts at Home Magazine.