MICHELLE LAYER RAHAL is the award-winning author of "Straining Forward". She is a former radio news reporter, elementary school teacher, educational consultant, and published educator with an undergraduate degree from Hofstra University and Master of Education degree from the University of New York at Buffalo. She lives in Northern Virginia where she teaches Bible study classes, cooks gourmet meals for fun, and can often be found curled up with a good book. She is married to Greg, who makes her laugh every day.