Dear Daughters: Recent Episodes

Susie Davis

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast with author, encourager, and mentor, Susie Davis. This is the place for you to hear about the kinds of things that are practical and helpful in living a godly life. It’s also a starting point for conversations to have with the people in your life you love or lead.

What does it look like to be a lifelong learner?

Recently, my daughter Sara and her five-month-old baby Annie, came to visit us. Annie was in the middle of hitting some development milestones and what a delight to behold. I I loved watching Annie’s little eyes and ears take in all the new sights and sounds at my house. Her infectious smile and laugh made us so joyful.

What if we took delight in learning new things? How would that change the way we viewed life? Would a commitment to becoming lifelong learners give us more joy? Join me as we talk about what it looks like to be a lifelong learner and making way for delight in your everyday life.

SHOW NOTES

Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

God is the Creator, inherently creative. And he made you in his image. So that means: you are creative. Learning to see yourself as creative is the first step in using creativity as a spiritual practice.

Last week, we talked about the practice of creativity as a way to calm our anxiety and soothe our soul in Dear Daughters Episode 219. This is the second part in a two part series on creativity.

I hope you learn more about how God created you to be creative. And I hope you find practical ways to express your creativity in a way that brings you joy and peace.

Listen in to a practical approach to the practice of creativity as spiritual discipline.

SHOW NOTES

Join me in reading, Whole Brain Living, Beyond Anxiety, and The Anxious Generation
Listen to my episode on Joy Journal & Simple Prayers
Listen to Liz’s story Living Each Day as Your Last
Jaclyn’s story about her anxiety: Finding Joy Amidst Anxiety
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

In the beginning God created …

God is the Creator. He is creative. He made us in his image. So our birthright is creativity. But sometimes we get in our own way and doubt the creative gifts God has given us. As well, we miss all the things God has for us because of the way he created our brains. Yep, that whole right brain/left brain situation.

In this first episode this brand new year, we’ll be looking into a practice of creativity and how it’s helps to quiet our anxious thoughts and soothe our spirits.

I invite you to pull up a chair and listen in as Jaclyn and I dive into the practice of creativity.

SHOW NOTES

Join me in reading, Whole Brain Living, Beyond Anxiety, and The Anxious Generation
Listen to my episode on Joy Journal & Simple Prayers
Listen to Liz’s story Living Each Day as Your Last
Jaclyn’s story about her anxiety: Finding Joy Amidst Anxiety
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

How do you live each day like it’s your last?

How can we manage to live each day with delight and gratitude and a big ole thankful heart? And how do we express gratitude and love to those nearest and dearest in a 'last day' kind of way? I will let my friend, Liz, lead the way for us.

Liz Benigno is a dear friend, a best friend, a bright light, a woman of wisdom. She is also wildly funny, an adventurer and terrifically fun to be around. How grateful I am for her presence in my life and yours. I’m forever thankful to have her words and thoughts and laugh right here – just a click away on any day I want to be with her. Aren’t you?

I’d love to encourage you to listen to all the episodes with Liz in sequence. Here they are as follows:

Dear Daughters 5
Dear Daughters 216
Dear Daughters 217

SHOW NOTES

Buy and share Liz’s book, Francine Rasberry
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

You’ve probably heard about people that have had a white light kind of pre-death experience. There are some books and even movies out there that recount those kind of experiences but I’ve never talked with anyone who had one, nor did I know before this interview that my friend, Liz Benigno, had one just weeks ago in her hospital room.

Liz and I sat down a few weeks back and talked for an hour and a half, which created a trio of thirty minute interviews. This is the second of three. I encourage you to listen to the previous episode (DD 216), because it builds to this one. And of course, I would love for you to come back and visit when I post the final episode in a couple weeks.

Her story today is especially inspiring because she unpacks her story with God as well as letting us know about an intensely personal and one of a kind white light pre-death experience.

What’s your God story? It’s one of my favorite questions to ask. And everybody has a God story, even if you don’t believe in God. That’s a story, too. And there’s nothing like verbalizing where you are spiritually and where you think God is to better understand that story.

SHOW NOTES

Check out my shop for some goodies! Little loveys show up there all the time.
My FAVORITES on Amazon.
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.
Discover How to Share Your God Story.
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

I started The Dear Daughters Podcast way back in 2016 as a way to encourage younger women. Especially women in the midst of what I call: the ‘decade of big decisions.’ It’s the time in life when you’re finishing school, deciding on a career, getting married, starting a family. All these kinds of momental decisions that lay a path for the rest of your life.

I wanted to be a voice – and provide voices of wisdom via interviews with people I felt could encourage you in living your one beautiful life before God. That’s why way back in the beginning days of the podcast, I invited my friend Liz Benigno on the show.

In that interview (Dear Daughters Episode 5) we talked about a lot of things. In particular, how she had recently finished treatment for breast cancer. At that time of course, we had no idea that her cancer would resurface nor would her fight be complete and that eventually, the cancer would be discovered in different parts of her body. She was re-diagnosed in September 2022. She has now gone through months of treatment. She's rode the roller coaster feeling good and not good at all, been in and out of the hospital, grieved her prognosis, and even planned her funeral.

Right now she uses this analogy to describe her life: She’s at the airport but her flight is delayed – and she’s waiting. She says, while she’s waiting, she’s attentive to God’s voice. She wants to do all the things he has planned for her. One of those things is recording her thoughts in this interview. I offered a couple weeks ago. She accepted. Here we are. Without further ado – my dear friend, Liz Benigno.

SHOW NOTES

Check out my shop for some goodies! Little loveys show up there all the time.
My FAVORITES on Amazon.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter.
Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

We have some exciting news to share here at the Dear Daughter’s Podcast. After 7 years, with so much gratitude, we have brought this podcast series to a close – and this is the final episode!

Today, I sit down with Tori, one of the members of my team, and we reflect on the time I’ve spent on The Dear Daughters Podcast — some of my favorite memories, what I’ve learned, what I’ve loved, and what’s next. (And don’t worry! We have a new podcast that is live RIGHT NOW!!)

SHOW NOTES

Listen to the Simple Prayers Podcast or subscribe wherever you love to listen for weekly prayers.
Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

If you know me, you know that one thing I love to collect are vintage copies of books I adore. Around this time each year, I find myself coming to the same worn book that's perched on the bookshelf in my office: Let's Keep Christmas by Peter and Catherine Marshall.

In today's podcast, I sit down to give a live reading of this book to you and yours, in hopes that this story that started as a sermon reminds you that "Keeping Christmas" is something we do when we honor Christ all year long— but especially at this time of year. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

Wishing you and yours the Merriest Christmas and Happiest New Year.

SHOW NOTES

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024.
Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

I can't believe that 2023 is coming to a close already. Can you? Today on the podcast, Tori and I look back over this year and talk about the wonderful things that have happened this year, but also the not-so-wonderful things. I hope that you take time to sit down and ask yourself and your loved ones reflective questions as December comes and goes.

What were you grateful for this year?
What did you learn about yourself this year?
What is something small and something big that you're dreaming of for next year?

It's so important to be curious about your own story as well as others. Who's someone that you could ask one of these questions to?

SHOW NOTES

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024.
Read about our Acts 2:46 Dinners here.
Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Creating whimsy over the holidays is one of my favorite things to do when we have the whole family at home. Today, Tori and I go through the ways that I've incorporated different traditions into my family's Christmas each year.

Whether we're making a yummy milk punch, eating at the table, or opening gifts— there are so many ways that you can make this holiday a little more magical.

SHOW NOTES

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things in 2023.
See The Davis Girls' Christmas Competition Song here!
Listen to the Holiday Blunders Podcast Episode.
Milk Punch Recipe to make this season!
Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's already here. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Tori and we talk about different questions that you can ask at your table this year— and we even do a few rapid-fire Thanksgiving questions!

I so hope you like it as much as we did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

SHOW NOTES

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

How do you stay hopeful during the holiday season?

In last week's episode, I had the chance to sit down with my sweet Dad, and talk about all things gratitude. This week on the podcast, I sat down with Tori, and in a similar vein to gratitude - we talk about having hope around the holidays and what that has looked like for me over the years, even in the seasons that have felt less hopeful than others.

I hope you like it!

SHOW NOTES

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Do you ever wonder how to stay grateful and joyful? Today on the podcast I invited my dad, an expert in staying grateful in all things.

We talked about the last 9 months of his life and all the changes he experienced after his prolonged illness. Our hope is that you listen in and get a few tips on how to maintain an attitude of gratitude during all of life, regardless of circumstances.

Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Psalm 118:24
Grab a copy of Trees and Other Poems
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Our phones, TV’s, tablets – and everything in between are such large parts of our lives – and for a good reason. We’re able to connect with our loved ones, the world, listen to music, and so much more.

We are back this week talking about all things NON-tech for The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn and I are discussing ways that technology impacts our lives, the value in unplugging to be present, and different ways we try to put down our phones. From reading to riding horses, we cover it all.

And if you’re looking for a wonderful and whimsical way to unplug (maybe next weekend, September 16th in particular!), I would love to take you along with my husband Will and I to see the Texas Painted Churches!

SHOW NOTES

Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th.
Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Learn more about Community First here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Communication opens the door for so many different things: vulnerability, discomfort, uncertainty — but it also offers the opportunity for true connection. The more vulnerable and willing you are – the more opportunities you will have to experience something awesome with the people around you. Even more so, when you decide to be a good communicator – the rich reward is relationship with someone dear.

Here’s another episode in The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn is back and we’re talking about things like tips for opening up communication at your table, being mindful of what you say on social media and we talk books and how they can impact communication in your life.

I hope that this encourages you to think deeply and ask curious questions or even try out being comfortable with what I call a ‘pregnant pause’ to see what God can do in that space.

And oh, I would so love for you to come spend the day with me and see the Texas Painted Churches on September 16th! We only have a couple spots left!

###### SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES

Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th.
Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Learn more about Community First here.
Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

We’re mixing things up this month on The Dear Daughters Podcast with The Learning Series. I love learning and the thought of all things back to school has inspired this entire series— I’m a true believer that we can never stop learning.

This week I have a dear daughter, Jaclyn Byrd, on the podcast with me. It was Jaclyn’s idea to talk about creative writing this week. She started as a journalism major at school and found a deep love for creative writing while in school at the University of Texas. She walks us through how she found this passion from high school and into college, showing us how that love for writing transformed for her is inspiring in so many ways! I think you’re going to just love it.

We discuss things from journaling, to little love notes from my children, writers block, writing on Instagram, and even down into my own personal experiences in writing Unafraid, Dear Daughters, and The Grace Guide.

Writing can look different for people in all seasons of life. It can be in a journal, on a post-it, on a social media—anything. If you’re thinking of writing—whether you have spent years doing it, or maybe only a few minutes… my prayer for you is courage to start by writing a loved one a hand-written letter as a way to bless them.

I hope that you enjoy this.. and I hope that I might get to see you soon, next month, on the visit we take to the Texas Painted Churches on September 16th! More than anything, I pray that you know that you’ve been given a voice that is worthy of sharing.

SHOW NOTES * Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th. * See more of Emily Boone’s beautiful photographs on her website here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Learn more about Community First here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We’re mixing things up again with a new series as we enter August and, believe it or not, a new school year already. I love learning and the thought of school has inspired my next podcast series: The Learning Series!

This week I have my husband, Will, on the podcast with me. Will was a history major at Baylor University … he has always been fascinated by it. So he is going to walk us through a quick history lesson on this week’s episode! But wait! If that sounds a little boring to you, stick around and give it a listen … I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Because it is no ordinary history lesson … it is about the magnificent Texas Painted Churches that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s in our great state. Their history starts in Eastern Europe in the mid-1800s … across the Atlantic Ocean to Galveston Island … and on to to Fayette County. The faith of the people who made that journey to start these churches is humbling and inspiring.

Listen in to learn more rich history from Will … and if you’re as awestruck already as we are, come experience four of the Texas Painted Churches with us!

I hope that you are inspired by the faithfulness of these church founders … and I hope that you’ll come with us to experience them in person. Most of all, I pray that we can have that kind of great faithfulness that those walking behind us can stand on.

SHOW NOTES * Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th. * See more of Emily Boone’s beautiful photographs on her website here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Learn more about Community First here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

It is a gift to be invited into someone else’s house, to share a meal at their table. Inviting someone to your table says, “you are a part of this family.”

I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to The Home Series this summer. I think of it as a little guide to creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home as much as I have loved talking about it. And this week, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about table setting.

The table is a safe space to feed people and enjoy deeper conversation. So how do you create that safe space? How do you get people to open up and join in deeper conversation? What food do you serve? What if you only have two chairs at your dining room table? All these questions and more are asked and answered on the podcast. Listen in!

I hope that you welcome others into your home, to your table, and include them as your family … and I pray that you and your people experience the Holy Spirit at your table and in your home.

SHOW NOTES * Get a 5-minute hour glass from my shop to help guide conversation at your table. * Listen to my playlist on Spotify at your next table gathering. * Listen to Jaclyn Byrd on DD Episode 158; Finding Joy Amid Anxiety. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Learn more about Community First here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

“Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes.” – C.S. Lewis

This week on the Dear Daughters podcast, as we move through our Home Series, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about creating an office or workspace you love (even if you don’t have a spare room for an office!).

God created us in his image and that includes being creative. But it can be hard without a place that inspires us and draws us to Him. For me, it’s important to have things that light me up in the morning in my workspace.

I pray that God gives you a space (even if it’s in a re-utilized closet!) that you feel inspired when it comes time to step into your place of work.

SHOW NOTES * "Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes." - C.S. Lewis * Check out Mary Gregory's Art here! * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Learn more about Community First here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

I love looking back on the homes I have been able to create over the years. They have inspired this summer season on the Dear Daughters Podcast: The Home Series. I’ll guide you, room by room, in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God.

Last week we talked about God being the original homemaker. He is also the original gardener. Life started in the Garden … and we are given a beautiful world to live in. I love that I can feel the peace of God looking up at the big blue Texas sky or surrounded by the mountains in Colorado or even just tending to my geraniums on the patio.

Gardening is a beautiful and important piece of homemaking.

Listen in to this week’s episode as we talk about why gardening is important … how to use whatever space is available to you, whether it’s a little pot on the window sill inside or a big garden in your backyard … plus, practical ways to create that garden space at home, like collecting pots at estate sales and discovering the plants that suit you.

I hope that you give gardening a shot, even if you don’t think you have a green thumb. I pray that you discover it is more than just planting something pretty … I pray that you feel God with you when you are tending to your plants and that you find shalom in His creation.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to DD Podcast Episode 183: Joy in the Garden | Veronica Godoy. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Welcome to the Home Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! God is the original homemaker. That’s what a listener said to me in an email a few weeks ago, inspiring this series. God made a safe, beautiful home for Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He wants us to have a safe, beautiful home, too. So how do we create that?

Listen in to the Home Series this summer as, room by room, I’ll guide you in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God.

I have sweet Jaclyn Byrd on the podcast with me. She just got married, is moving to a new home in San Antonio, TX, and has ALL the questions about how to create a cozy home … starting with the bedroom. Here are a few of those questions, asked and answered on the podcast (along with a few decorating and laundry pro tips).

Why is it important to invest in your bedroom?
How do you pick a mattress?
What kind of sheets are the best? Do you change out the bedding for different seasons?
What is the first thing you think of when building a bedroom?
Does “less is more” apply to decorating a bedroom?
What are the must-have pieces in a bedroom?
TV in the bedroom … yea or nay?
Do you have a signature touch?

I’m praying that Jac can create a lovely bedroom for her and her husband in their new home. I hope that you, too, can create a bedroom that is a refuge where you can find rest and respite so that you can fully live your one beautiful life. And most of all, I pray that we would all be grateful for the honor of building the home that God has gifted us and that we would be found faithful where we are.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to DD Podcast Episode 173: Joy at Home with Whitney Walker. * Learn more about Elisabeth Elliot on DD Podcast Episode 144. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Welcome to the 200th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast! Can you believe it? The very first episode of the Dear Daughters podcast was recorded in 2016 in my home, in Sara’s room. I wanted to be a spiritual mother to my daughters and the young women around them who were in and out of this home. And now here we are at the 200th episode and I’ve been wondering what in the world to talk about for weeks.

I realized the theme of home has been weaving its way in and out all this time. Even now, my daughters Emily and Sara are here, cozied up on the sofa, to join me on the podcast and I’m just thinking of all the times they’ve been cozied up on the sofa together in this home.

Together we reminisce on past seasons and talk about how meaningful home is and what makes a home special. Sara and Emily share their favorite things about home, what they have brought into their homes from childhood to now, and what big dreams they have for their homes. There are a few tears (on my end) and a LOT of laughter. I’m so glad they’re here and I’m so glad you’re here listening, too.

I pray that you are able to find delight in building your home. My prayer for my daughters and for me and for you is that our homes are full of comfort and beauty … that in it we and anyone who walks through the doors feel safe and seen and heard.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to “Send Me the Moon” by Sara Bareilles here on Spotify. * Listen to Episode 187 with Emily here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

It’s March! I am sooo glad it’s here because last month was a hard month for our entire family.

A little backstory: Shortly after Austin’s February freeze, my dad came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized for two weeks. I am so grateful to report that he’s home from the hospital and getting better every day. He still has the sparkle in his eye. He still tells me he loves me every time he sees me. He still is making everyone laugh. And he still believes with all his heart and soul that “this is the day the Lord has made … I will rejoice and be glad in it.” His faith is inspiring.

So this week, listen to Episode 199 … a re-issued, from-the-archives, dad and daughter conversation that’s filled with all the wisdom and all the tears and all the joy. But the best part might be when Papa signs off with Mimi … so listen to the end. :)

If you haven’t already, meet my dad, Bob Gerrie. He is an inspiration to all who come in contact with him. People often joke about ‘getting Bob-ed’ by his enthusiastic, warm welcome. At the time we recorded this in 2019, it was Father’s Day, and I asked my dad to come on the podcast this particular week, for a Dad/Daughter conversation. We talk about family legacy, about what real wealth means to him! I’m so deeply grateful to have a father like Bob Gerrie.

SHOW NOTES * Here’s the video: Don’t Let the Old Man In * Download Real Wealth by Jay W Gerrie * Listen to the episode with my mother here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

We don’t have to fear every trial and testing that comes our way … these things can be the making of a beautiful, steadfast spirit.

Who inspires you to keep going when things get hard? Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. This week I invited my new friend Katy Rose (that’s her real name!) to be my guest and talk about her latest inspiration

Katy is a talented artist, illustrator, and author. She lives in Texas with her husband of 18 years (her high school sweetheart) and their four children, who spark her creativity and greatly influence her art.

Queen Elizabeth II experienced many difficult and unexpected things in her life … but she kept going. Her “steadfast spirit” inspired Katy to live her own steadfast life and write her new children’s book, Lilibet the Brave: The Unusual Childhood of an Unlikely Queen. Listen is as Katy and I dig a little deeper into what we can learn from the Queen’s childhood and what we can gain from Katy’s book (children and adults alike).

I pray that we can find our light and bravery so we can do the things God calls us to do, right where we are … and cultivate a beautiful, steadfast spirit.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Lilibet the Brave: The Unusual Childhood of an Unlikely Queen, written and illustrated by Katy Rose. * Learn more about Katy Rose, her book, and her artwork on her website. * Follow Katy on Instagram. * Get your own copy of A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie. * Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

A Diary of Private Prayer

One good friend changes everything.

I have a treat for you, friend. It’s a final episode from The Story Series and feel that it’s the perfect time to share it with you. If you missed The Story Series (episodes 185 through 193) I hope that you will go back and listen here. It’s all about stories because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper, those stories always leads to an awe of God and his goodness. My guest for this episode is Bailey Hurley, and her story is no different.

Bailey Hurley is a treasure. She lives in Denver with her husband, Tim, and their two children, Hunter and Liv. She has a M.A. in Leadership from Denver Seminary which she uses to build meaningful community and ministry along with all the things God has taught her through her own friendships. Bailey also offers friendship events, coaching calls, and more to help women all over navigate their friendships. And she used all of that experience to write her first book, Together is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends.

Bailey and I talk about how to make friends, how to deepen those friendships, how culture has affected our view of what friendship is and how to adjust expectations. We also talk about how to evaluate a friendship and recognize when it’s time to part ways, how to have hard conversations, and the importance of reconciliation. I think that you will be encouraged and learn so much from Bailey … so listen in!

I pray that you find meaningful community where you are. I hope that you you have the courage to be vulnerable and to have the hard conversations and to give grace and to do the work to build a healthy, beautiful friendship.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Bailey’s book, Together is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends. * Visit Bailey’s website and read Bailey’s blog to get more encouragement and community-building resources. * Listen to my husband’s (Pastor Will Davis) message about “Garden Friends” at our church, ACF. * Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF to help you navigate your role as a friend. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

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You are on a sacred journey with God.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2023! Thank you for starting your year with me. I wanted to spend the first few episodes celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you set resolutions and make plans and wonder what in the world are you supposed to be doing with your life.

To be able to ask the question, “What am I supposed to do with my life?” … to have the opportunity to wonder … is a gift from God. I understand feeling anxious not knowing what’s next but you don’t need to feel anxious. It’s a time to have faith and be content, knowing you’re right where God wants you. I want to talk to you about how you can lean into this time of ambiguity. Let’s talk about three things:

Why you are here.
Who you will be.
What you will do.

We all have roles and goals even as we wonder what we’re supposed to do in life. I want to help you discover those roles and goals. So listen in … I hope this helps give you a little direction and encouragement on your sacred journey with God.

We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. — A.W. Tozer.

SHOW NOTES * Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Live quietly and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Happy new year, friend! Here we are … 2023. And I’m so glad you’re here with me. I am excited for the year to come and I wanted to spend the first few episodes of the Dear Daughter’s Podcast celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you think about resolutions and plans and what’s in store for you this year.

I’m normally the one to make big plans and resolutions but this year is a little different. This year, I feel like God is pressing pause on my plans. I feel like He is asking me to simply be content. Maybe you’re like me … or maybe you do have big exciting things coming up … or maybe you’re somewhere in between.

No matter where you are, we are both in a place to be obedient to whatever God has for us. We all have assignments, we all have roles God has given to us, and we are called to be in constant companionship with God. So that’s what I want to talk about today. Listen in … I think you’ll be happy you did.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to DD Podcast Episode 142: The Art of Divine Contentment | Thomas Watson. * Get a copy of The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. * Get a copy of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

The Art of Divine Contentment

The Practice of the Presence of God

It is a good thing to observe Christmas, but it is even better to keep Christmas … – Henry Van Dyke

It’s Christmas time. Lights, shopping, trees filled with tiny twinkling treasures. I hope you and yours are enjoying the season. To celebrate, I wanted to jump in with one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite authors.

Henry Jackson Van Dyke Jr. was an American author, educator, diplomat, and clergyman. He was born on November 10, 1852, in Germantown, Pennsylvania to a strict Presbyterian family of Dutch origin. He graduated from Princeton University and went on to become a professor of English Literature for over twenty years. He entered Princeton Theological Seminary in September 1874 (with no actual desire to become a minister); however, in 1875 at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, he gave his first sermon on “The Voice of God.” Interestingly enough, he penned the lyrics to Beethoven’s famous “Ode to Joy” melody and it became the beloved hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.”

Van Dyke also wrote a short sermon entitled, “The Spirit of Christmas” which is beautiful, timely and I’m sharing it here with you today.

It inspired Peter Marshall who wrote Let’s Keep Christmas. This charming book is one that I am constantly on hunt for at estate sales. And I just happen to have a few copies in my shop. Take a look here.

SHOW NOTES * To check out the Christmas books I referenced, take a peek at ‘ChristmasReading‘inmy Amazon Shop. * To buy a copy of Let’s Keep Christmas, visit my shop on my site here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

We are inherently significant. – Rachael Adams

I hope that you have enjoyed listening to the stories of incredible women the past several weeks as much as I have. If this is your first time jumping in, I’m so glad you’re here now … welcome to The Story Series! Be sure to catch up on the other episodes, too.

This week Rachael Adams joined me on the podcast. Can I just tell you … she is a delight. Rachael lives with her husband, Bryan, two kiddos, Will and Kate, and two Doodles on a farm in small town Kentucky. She hosts her own podcast, The Love Offering Podcast, and just published her first devotional, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life.

Rachael wants you to know that you are inherently significant. In the beginning, God created mankind in His image and said they were very good … before we did a thing. We look at everyone around us and think that we aren’t doing enough or that what we are doing isn’t as good. But a little prayer, a little quiet time, a little offering … is good. God can do anything with just a little. Listen in as Rachael talks about significance and contentment, valuing that work you are already doing, and seeing what God has for you in everyday encounters. She shares practical ways to make the little things you do go a long way.

I hope that you see significance in all the little and big things in life. I pray that you feel significant no matter what you’re doing or where you are in your story … because you are significant for just being you. I pray you know how much God loves you.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Rachael’s book, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life * Visit Rachael’s website. * Listen in to The Love Offering Podcast. * Follow Rachael on Instagram and Facebook. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life

He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. We’re right in the middle of this series all about stories. Because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God.

I am so excited that Asheritah Ciuciu is joining me on the podcast this week. Asheritah is married to her high school sweetheart, Flaviu, and has three kids: Carissa, Amelia, and Theo. She is a speaker, an author, founder of One Thing Alone Ministries for women. Asheritah met Jesus in the back of her parent’s Subaru when she was a little girl. She grew up as a missionary kid in Romania with her mom, dad, and two brothers. She loved listening to their stories from the mission field and as she joined them in the field she developed her own passion for sharing the Gospel. And she does it through the power of stories.

Listen in as Asheritah talks about a few of the things that are so important in her life: stories, quiet time with Jesus, and the Word of God.

She shares parts of her own story … how God called her to Himself … the moments she can look back on and say, “oh that’s when He was present with me.” How God used her desires, even as a 17-year old girl, to impact so many women now.

She talks about the importance of reading Scripture and spending time alone with God … and shares resources for how to practically do that in our busy lives.

She believes in the power of story. Especially telling children stories—the stories of Jesus in the Bible and our own stories of Jesus—so they can know “He will be faithful and present and good toward them all the days of their lives as well.” Her new children’s book, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, encourages us to share both kinds of stories with the children in our lives (and I’m so excited to talk about that, too!).

I hope that you are encouraged to share your stories of Jesus with the people in your life. And I hope that you’ll seek out Jesus and the understanding of who He is. Because my prayer for you and for me is that we will get to know more and more of who Jesus is every day of our one beautiful life.

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SHOW NOTES * Visit Asheritah’s website. * Learn more about One Thing Alone Ministries. * Follow Asheritah on Instagram. * Get a copy of Asheritah’s new children’s book, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids. * Get a copy of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional

Embrace your pain to discover hope and healing. – Toni Collier

Toni had to grow up too fast. She went through a verbally abusive relationship with her father and then her first husband. She was saved and then hit rock bottom … and then she went searching for God again. She reconciled with her family. She married the love of her life, Sam, and became a mother of two. Toni is also an author and a speaker, a podcast host and a ministry founder … and she’s a hope coach.

Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. This series. all about stories. Because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God.

This week I was OVERJOYED to invite Toni Collier all the way from Atlanta, Georgia, to my home in Austin, Texas for some Coffee & Conversation. We had a lovely live audience. There were a lot of tears, but a lot of laughter, too.

Join us as we listen to Toni tell us her story and talk about her road to hope and healing and redemption. Her story and her ability and willingness to open up to us is sacred. We talk about our shared brokenness … that there is no shame in brokenness … and how in it we can experience the unconditional love of God. She reminds us that healing isn’t linear and that it gets painful before it gets better. She talks about practical steps we can take toward healing. Most of all, Toni wants us to know is that we have the freedom to be broken and that there is always hope.

Oh, gracious. I just love Toni, don’t you? Join me in praying protection and wholeness over her as she continues her ministry and her own healing journey. I pray that over you, too. I hope that you can, as Toni would say, “be brave enough to be broken.” I hope that you seek God wholeheartedly, whether you feel whole or broken, and that you feel His unconditional love, grace, and healing. And I pray that you have hope.

   SHOW NOTES * Order Toni’s book, ***Brave Enough to Be Broken***.

Visit Toni’s website.
Listen in to the Still Coloring Podcast.
Follow Toni on Instagram and Facebook.
Learn more about Toni and Sam’s Atlanta-based church, Story Church.
Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up.
Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Brave Enough to Be Broken: How to Embrace Your Pain and Discover Hope and Healing

It’s never too late to pursue what you love and start a new season of your story.

Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. I love to ask deep questions and listen to people’s stories because when you get to know someone’s story, you can experience the awe of God. Listen in and experience it with me.

This week my friend and artist Mary Gregory is joining me on the podcast this week. Mary has always been creative and she is one of the most generous humans I know. Mary learned that it’s never too late to pursue what you love and start a new part of your story. In 2011, when her two daughters were out of the nest, Mary pursued her art career full time with her husband, David, who manages the business and production aspects of Mary Gregory Studio.

“When you are an artist and you see something you just have to get it out somehow.”

Mary has always been drawn to art and nature. She loves to go on long walks and observe God’s creation … and listens to what God wants her to paint. Mary hopes to always honor God in her art no matter what she is painting. She wants to send beauty and joy into the world. Listen in as she talks about things like her painting process, Round Top, and how she balances art as a business and art as a passion.

Are you as inspired by Mary as I am? I hope that you look for God in the world around you. I hope you find ways to be creative in your own way. And I hope that you never give up on those big God dreams.

SHOW NOTES * Check out Mary Gregory Studio online. * Find Mary’s art for sale year-round at the Cottonseed Trading Co in Round Top Village! * Get details about Round Top! * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

There’s something in all of us that craves the sanctuary of the Garden of Eden.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We are deep in the heart of The Story Series and I’m so glad you’re here. Join me as I ask questions and listen to other women’s stories right here on the podcast. It’s one of my favorite things. Because when you get to know someone’s story, you can experience the awe of God.

I’ve invited Jamie Erickson to the podcast this week. Jamie and I have a mutual love of vintage books, thrifting home goods, and creating a cozy space for people. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 20 years and they have five kids. Jamie was a teacher in the classroom for many years and now is the founder and lead writer of The Unlikely Homeschool and co-host of the Mom-To-Mom Podcast. She is the author of Homeschool Bravely and released a new book in September called Holy Hygge. I’m so excited to have her on the show!

Jamie was inspired by her husband’s Danish roots and the Danish lifestyle practice of hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh). To sum it up, hygge embodies comfort and coziness and contentment. Julie embraces hygge through the lens of the Gospel to make home a place where people feel God. Listen in as Jamie and I dive into the principles of hygge and the importance of each:

Hospitality
Relationships
Well-Being
Atmosphere
Comfort
Contentment
Rest

I hope that you can create the hygge you desire in your own home … that your home is a place filled with the comfort, coziness, and contentment that can only come from Jesus. And I pray that you share that comfort and coziness and contentment with other people.

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SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence. * Get a copy of Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow. * Check out Jamie’s book recommendation: The Residence. * Follow Jamie and the Unlikely Homeschool on Instagram and Facebook. * Listen to the Mom-To-Mom Podcast and follow on Instagram. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

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Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence

The Residence: Inside the Private World of the White House

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We are in the middle of The Story Series here and if you’ve been around the podcast for awhile, you know how much I love to ask questions and listen to other people’s stories. Because you know what? Your story is one of the most unique and beautiful things about you.

This week I’ve invited Jolie Helms onto the podcast! Jolie is a wife and mother, married for 23 years with two children, ages 20 and 22. They live in College Station, TX. Jolie is also a creative and an entrepreneur … and a storyteller.

I met Jolie at Round Top a few years ago and fell in LOVE with her beautiful, whimsical, blanket coats and the stories behind them. Before moving back to College Station, her family lived in Malaysia for three and a half years. That’s where she grew in her marriage and in her relationship with her kids. It’s also where she learned about kantha quilts, her inspiration for her business, Sapana. Sapana means “dream” in Hindi … and that’s what Jolie did.

Listen in as I talk with Jolie about her story … her love of travel and experience in Malaysia, her dream of starting Sapana and how it became a reality, her heart for other women and how she’s impacting their stories, and how she’s sharing the rich stories of every handmade item sold in her shop.

Are you encouraged and inspired by Jolie? I hope that you are. I pray that you are able to realize your dreams and find ways to make them a reality, whether in big ways or small. I hope that you pray big and ask for God’s favor … and that you can see it all over your story.

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SHOW NOTES * Visit Sapana’s online storefront. * Follow Sapana on Instagram and Facebook. * Get more info about The Round Top Antiques Show! * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Your story will lead you to your purpose.

That’s why I love stories. I love to ask deep questions and hear other people’s stories. Because that’s when you encounter the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast!

This week my daughter Emily Boone is on the Podcast! She takes beautiful photos for a living … helping capture people’s stories in little moments. She has a beautiful perspective on story and so much wisdom to share. I’m so glad you’re here to listen.

Emily loves the story of Moses. She loves that, “the beginning of his life didn’t necessarily foreshadow the glory that was coming later in his life.” She says that the scripture itself is evidence that the things that you live through can inform who you’re made to be, what you’re meant to do, and how God is meant to use you.

Your story will lead you to your purpose. There’s no universal step-by-step way to find it because everyone’s story is so unique. But Emily has a few tools that can help in that journey.

Study your story. Look at the highlights and pain points in your life and find themes.
Take inventory of you. What are your passions, desires, gifts?
Look at what you have, what’s in your hands. What opportunities or tools do you already have?
Pray. God wants to do this with you.

It’s OK if you don’t fully know your purpose … but I hope you know that there is always purpose right where you are.

I hope that you are able to trace the dots from Moses’ story to your story … that maybe you can see pieces of what God did in his life in your own life. I pray you know that where you are right now is important … but I hope that share your story and look for what God has for you.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Visit Emily’s website. * Get the details and register for Soul Care Supper at The Franklin! * Get a copy of my book, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

I love knowing people’s stories. I love to ask questions and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast!

This week I’m inviting a new friend on the podcast, Crystal Woodman Miller. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids. We have something in common that connects us … but it is something that we would have never chosen for ourselves. Crystal was 16 when she hid in the library during the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her life was marked by tragedy … but she realized that she was also marked by hope.

Crystal found her purpose in writing and speaking and advocating for trauma survivors and she’s sharing her purpose with us today. We get to hear pieces of her story and the wisdom she has because of the tragedy and healing she has experienced, including:

Pray scripture over your people.
Keep your mind focused on God.
Remind yourself of God’s truth.
Find practical tools to help you feel safe and heal.

Pray with me for hope and healing for those whose stories are marked by tragedy. I hope that you know your story is important and that you share your story with others. And I pray that you see God as you connect all the dots.

SHOW NOTES * Visit Crystal’s website. * Get copies of Crystal’s books: Marked for Life and A Kid’s Book About School Shootings. * Learn more about Triumph Over Tragedy. * Check out Red Rocks Church. * Get a copy of my book, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Marked for Life: Choosing Hope and Discovering Purpose After Earth-Shattering Tragedy by Crystal Woodman Miller (5-Mar-2006) Paperback

A Kids Book About School Shootings

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! It’s time for a new season and I am so excited about this one. It’s all about stories. I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God.

I am just delighted to introduce you to this week’s guest. She is Missions Pastor at Austin Christian Fellowship, wife to John, mom to Parker and Ben (and new daughter-in-law, Dani) … and dear friend to me! Her name is Michelle Brigance and she has an amazing story.

Listen in as Michelle shares her story from her first impression of God and experiences with the church to teaching at church and sharing Jesus with countless people … and then shares what she discovered to be the most important things to remember when you talk to others about God, like watching your words, not pretending to have all the answers, and expressing your faith in a tangible, down-to-earth, everyday kind of way.

I hope that Michelle’s story is encouraging to you. I pray that you are loving those who don’t believe that same things as you, asking questions, listening to what’s on their heart, and being with them as their story unfolds. I pray that you see the awe of God in other people’s stories … and in your own.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to Michelle’s message at ACF, “How to Talk to People About Jesus” * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

We’re wrapping up The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast this week! I hope these conversations have helped bring a little more joy to your everyday life. In this last episode, I’ll be talking about JOY and taking good care of your body with Natalie Betzer, a functional nutritionist and wellness consultant … who also happens to be my niece. :)

Natalie lives in Austin with her husband, Drew, and daughter, Davie. She earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Natalie is a functional nutrition and wellness consult … and the founder of Natalie Betzer Wellness. I went through one of Natalie’s coaching sessions and learned so much. With her help I was able to better understand what my body needs, change some not-so-healthy habits, and make healthier choices.

Natalie wants to help you to redefine your approach to health. She teaches you how to build your health on a foundation of self-awareness, kindness and gratitude. Instead of focusing on rules and restriction, she teaches you to eat intuitively in the moment, dropping good and bad beliefs about food. The ripple effect of these shifts can make a profound difference in all areas of your life. Your health stops being a chore, and instead becomes a sustainable lifestyle that is satisfying, energizing and actually fun! THIS is a joyful approach to health!

Our bodies are the home of our soul. They enable us to love our people and do the things we need to do in a way that glorifies God in this one beautiful life he has given us. That’s why it’s so important that we take care of our bodies. Listen in as Natalie walks us through some of the key things and offers some tips for a healthier lifestyle, from what a balanced meal is made of to sustainable meal prep.

I pray that you take care of yourself and find JOY in the body that God created for you. I hope that

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SHOW NOTES * Visit Natalie’s website. * Follow Natalie on Instagram. * Get your own bento box here and Decor Tellfresh storage containers here. * Check out the Nutribullet I use for all my smoothies here. :) * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

nutribullet Personal Blender for Shakes, Smoothies, Food Prep, and Frozen Blending, 24 Ounces, 600 Watt, Gray, (NBR-0601)

We’re still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. I am so excited this week because I love my garden and creeks and mountains and a big blue sky and we are talking about joy in nature!

Verónica Godoy spent most of her life out in nature, climbing trees and playing on the beach in Argentina where she grew up. God opened her eyes to the biology of His creation when she was just 8 years old and she knew then that it was what she wanted to study (and sure enough, she earned both a B.S. and PhD in biological sciences). She has been a scientist and a teacher, and now works at A Rocha, a national community of Christians working in biodiversity conservation to take care of our environment.

God gave us the important assignment to tend to and care for His glorious creation. We must be good stewards of nature, caretakers of the world around us. To be good stewards, first we need to care. To care, first we need to know. Listen in as Verónica and I talk about our JOY-filled responsibility of caring for our non-human neighbors … and how we develop the eyes to see their needs and a heart for that mission. Veronica invites us so warmly and graciously to take care of God’s creation and in turn receive so much joy from nature … I can’t wait for you to hear all she has to say.

There is so much we can learn about God in nature. I hope that you take the time to enjoy God’s creation and I pray that you become a good steward of the trees and flowers and birds and all the wonderful things God has made.

SHOW NOTES * Learn more about A Rocha USA. * Join the Love Your Place online community to take courses, join events, and connect with others who want to take care of the environment. * Learn more about Picnics En El Arroyo. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

We’re still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. This week we’re looking at joy a little differently because a lot is going on in the world … we’re going to talk about the search for joy in the midst of hard things.

Meredith McDaniel is an author and counselor at her practice, Milk & Honey Counseling. Meredith is a beautiful soul and she is joining me this week to talk about the desperate plea for all of us … “God, how can I find you?”

Joy almost sounds frivolous when there is so much despondency around us. When our world is threatened, we feel our fear and worry and anxiety rise. We’re often trapped inside a false reality of hope, wishing for what was … rather than facing the discomfort and acknowledging that we’re out of control. It’s then that we’re really in a position to release ourselves to joy. Because there is a hope that abides in the middle of where you are, no matter where that is, or what is happening. When we rest in knowing it doesn’t all hinge on us … that’s where freedom and joy start to enter the picture.

SHOW NOTES * Check out Meredith’s website. * Learn more about Milk & Honey Counseling. * Sign up for Meredith’s newsletter and get a free Narrative Journal. * Get a copy ofMeredith’s book, In Want + Plenty. * Get a copy of Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World. * Read Susan Cain’s books, Bittersweet and Quiet. * Read the Texas Monthly article here. * Listen to DD Podcast Episode 118: Finding God in the Hard Times with my friend and 8th grade classmate, John Ray. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

I hope that you open your eyes to the love notes that God is leaving just for you and know that you are not alone. I pray so many things for you … that you rest in knowing it does not all hinge on you, that you see the hope in the middle of it all, and that you can hold the joy next to the hard things.

In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God's Provision in a Land of Longing

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole

We're talking JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to bring a little more joy to your everyday life. We’ve talked about joy at home, joy at the table, and now we’re going to talk about joy in relationships.

This week I have my husband, Will, next to me to start this next part of the series about how to find joy in your marriage. Will and I have been married 37 years this week, and we’ve had days that have been really joyful and we’ve had days that have been really difficult.

Listen in as we dig deeper into ways to keep the joy in your marriage like these:

Practice gratitude.
Have a marriage mission.
Play together and play apart.
Observe Sabbath.
Pray.

I pray that you are able to find so much JOY in your marriage. I hope that you and your spouse can use your marriage to bring joy to others around you, too.

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SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Pray Big for Your Marriage by Will Davis Jr. * Get a copies of my books, Loving Your Man without Losing Your Mind and Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World. * Learn more about Canines 4 Christ. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Pray Big for Your Marriage: The Power of Praying God's Promises for Your Relationship

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God. So listen in and enjoy … right now we’re talking about the secrets to joy at the table and I’ve invited my favorite table experts on the show.

This week my favorite table expert is Kristin Schell. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Tony, and one of their four children—the others have left the nest. She loves loving her neighbors, and she wrote a book and travels all over to encourage others to love their neighbors, too. Kristin is known for her Turquoise Table, which started a movement of Turquoise Tables and Front Yard People (ordinary people who create community right where they live) across the country. I’ll let Kristin tell you more about that herself.

Kristin believes that our deepest need is to belong, our deepest desires to feel needed and included. And an invitation to the table is a reminder that you belong, that you are welcome. And you know what? We are all in a position to offer that to someone in some way. It will look different for everyone. Our lives have seasons, and so does the table. And it doesn’t have to be an invitation to dinner, it can be an invitation for coffee or a walk or needlepoint.

The important thing is to do just as it says in Kristin’s favorite verse, Romans 12:13: Take every opportunity to open your life and home to others. So let’s dive a little deeper into what that looks like today.

I hope that you feel like you belong. And I hope that you will help others feel like they belong, too. My prayer for you and for me is that we will take every opportunity to open our lives and our homes to others.

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SHOW NOTES * Follow Kristin on Instagram. * Check out Kristin online. * Get a copy of Kristin’s book, The Turquoise Table! * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard

I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God.

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! Right now we’re talking about how to find joy at the table and I've invited some of my table experts to the show.

Jen Schmidt lives in North Carolina with her husband, Gregg, and is a mom of five children and two daughters-in-law. Jen shares her heart for Jesus and hospitality on her blog, Balancing Beauty & Bedlam, and “accidental author” of her book, Just Open the Door. And, she now owns the Becoming Cottage to host ministry events (a lifelong big God dream of hers). Jen loves opening her door to people, engaging in deep conversation filled with truth and grace, and blessing everyone who sits at her table … or stands around her kitchen island. I hope this conversation we have is a blessing and an encouragement to you.

We can learn our own kind of table ministry from Jesus. Jesus was always inviting, always including, always wooing, and he centered so much of his ministry around the table, feeding people, meeting people, loving people. But we overthink this.

So, on this episode we dive a little deeper into what it looks like practically for us to ”evangelize at the table” … to be a blessing to others and simply live out what is so important in our lives, wherever we are in our lives, with intention.

I hope that you will be brave and not overthink it and make the invitation. You have exactly what you need. I pray that you can be a blessing and a light to others.

SHOW NOTES * Learn about Your Table Ministry * Check out Jen Schmidt on Instagram and online: Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Follow the Becoming Cottage on Instagram, too. * Get a copy of Jen’s book, Just Open the Door. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So this podcast series is all about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy…and now secrets to finding joy at the table. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God.

Let’s kick things off with my dear friend, Amy Hannon. Amy is a hospitality cheerleader, author of a beautiful cookbook, and owner of a beautiful storefront in Arkansas called Euna Mae’s, named after her grandmother. She is married with three kids and has a big heart for ministering to others.

Amy says that the setting of the hospitality inside your home that is so personal and so real and gives so much delight and joy that it allows us to create deeper relationships with people. I think so, too.

We were made in God’s image and our purpose is to reflect His glory. Amy believes that God gave women a heaping dose of tenderness and intuition, the ability to nurture, care, and meet needs .. and that’s a sacred part of who we are. Do you believe that?

Listen in as Amy and I talk about what it looks like to have a heart of hospitality. All you need to do is open your door, make simple food, set a lovely scene, and let God run wild.

I hope that you know that you are in the right place and the right season to reach out to the people right by you and make a lasting impact in their lives. I pray that you experience the awe of God by listening to people’s stories at the table.

SHOW NOTES * Check out Amy Hannon online and on Instagram … keep an eye out for her new book coming in the fall! * Shop Euna Mae’s online to get cute kitchen-y things, a copy of Amy’s cookbook, Love, Welcome, Serve, and discover fun events. * Sign up for my workshop on April 27th: Your Table Ministry! Spots are limited. * Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up. * Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So this podcast series is all about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy…secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life.

We just wrapped up the first few episodes of finding joy at home. Now I am so excited to talk about finding joy at the table. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God.

The believers gathered together and ate a meal with gladness and simplicity of heart. Acts 2:46

At the table, you are sitting to enjoy a good meal with the people you love. Most importantly, you can talk about God at the table. You can minister to people at the table.

So to kick us off, I want to share tips for hosting a dinner party! It can be intimidating. You many think that you don’t have the space. You may think that you just aren’t cut out for hosting. But here’s the thing. You can do it.

From #1: Check the family calendar to #10: Gently direct the conversation and ask meaningful questions about spiritual things, I am sharing 10 easy steps you can follow to host a joy-filled dinner party and talk about God.

I hope that you will gather a few people you love around your table and minister to them. I pray that you experience the awe of God at the table.

SHOW NOTES * Try one of my homemade bread recipes: Amish Bread, Rustic French Bread or Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread. * Become a Newsletter Friend to be the first to know about the upcoming Table Workshop! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

The joy is in creating. Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! It’s all about finding joy in the places and things and people closest to you because I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. This week we are wrapping up the first part of the JOY Series, talking all about creating a home you love.

This week, I have Kennesha Buycks with me (again!) to get her perspective on creating a beautiful home.

Kennesha lives in Seattle with her husband and four kids. She created Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand that focuses on finding and celebrating the story of each home, and her new online shop where she sells unique and antique things she finds. I love her perspective and creativity and wisdom and can’t wait for you to listen in to our conversation.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the things we don’t like in our home. When that happens, Kennesha asks the question, What can you do? Kennesha believes that the joy is in creating. There’s always something we can add to bring in a little flavor and joy to your home. And she has so many good ideas for how to do that.

I hope that you can find joy in creating and ”storying” your home, whether you add a little bit here and there or take on a big decorating project. I hope that this first part of The JOY Series has been inspiring and empowering … and I pray that you find joy in a home that you love every day.

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SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to stay in the know and get weekly-ish encouragement! * Check out Restoration House Blog. * Take a look at Restoration House Shoppe online. * Follow Kennesha on Instagram. * Hire Kennesha to ”story” your home! * Listen to DD Episode 99: Coffee & Conversation with Kennesha Buycks. * Follow Kennesha’s advice and go to Scott Antique Market in Atlanta. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Check out the Round Top Antiques Fair. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Estate sale shopping is an exercise in creativity. It’s about connecting the dots of the stories behind the treasures you find.

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So we’re going to talk about the secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life by creating a home you love.

This week, Tori Dear is with me to talk about the joy of antiques, thrifting, and estate sale shopping. Listen in as we talk about everything from my favorite estate sale finds and stories to my estate sale routine (including a McDonald’s coffee run of course) and tips that may help you in your estate sale endeavors.

I hope this inspires you to explore new places and I hope that you find little treasures that bring a bit more joy to your home.

But, here are just a few of my top secrets to shopping an estate sale well.

Find a website that works for you with tracking down estate sales in your area! I use EstateSales.Net, plug in my zip code, and see what’s coming up in my area. Typically estate sales are posted in the middle or towards the end of the week for upcoming weekends. (Tip: Be sure to check through the photos they post too and see if anything catches your eye! You can normally tell pretty quickly if they have treasures that look like something you’d love.)
If you do see something that you absolutely have to have be sure to get there a minute or two early! Some estate sales have folks lining up at the door before they open at 9am- or something even 8am!
Be willing to get creative! Sometimes treasures come in the form of the $1.00 section in the garage. I especially love for vintage aluminum loaf pans. I snag these and then find an alternative way to use them— like storage for ziplock bags.

You can use the link below to hear even more tips to estate sales!

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to stay in the know and get weekly-ish encouragement! * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Check out the Round Top Antiques Fair. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Learn more about Storyline and Kirby Holmes * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Your physical space is a place for peace and joy because things in our physical space hold connection to relationships and emotions.

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So we’re going to talk about the secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life by creating a home you love. This week we’re going to dive into organization and how it can bring peace and joy to your home.

Meet Jenny Aldridge, my guest this week on the Dear Daughters Podcast. Jenny says that she looks at the world so differently than she did three years ago … before she jumped out of the boat so start a new business. Jenny is an organizational coach. She helps people organize their closets and kitchen pantries to shed the negative and bring peace and positivity to their spaces. And she does it all with so much love and acceptance.

Listen in as Jenny talks about home organization, from why we hold onto things that can cause us clutter and stress to how an orderly closet can give us more confidence and peace. Plus, you’ll want to write down her three tips to start tackling your closet and kitchen.

I hope this is both encouraging and practical. I pray that your home can be an organized, orderly, place of peace and joy.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to stay in the know and get weekly-ish encouragement! * Follow Jenny Aldredge on Instagram. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

What you surround yourself with every day has lasting power.

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So we’re going to talk about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy…the secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life.

This week we are going to talk about finding joy at home and I am so excited to introduce you to my guest, Whitney Walker. Whitney is a boutique residential interior designer and works out of her studio, Farrington Lane. She lives in Austin with her husband, Bill, and their three young boys.

Does your home bring you joy? Whitney says that the key to a home you love is to invest in things you love that enhance your daily life. Start by identifying the intention of your home and what level of investment you want to make. Maybe the first step is just a pretty piece you find at an estate sale or maybe you’re ready to invest in a major change. Listen in as we dive a little deeper into the things that can make the greatest impact, including original art, sentimentality, and color … and how to start creating a home you love.

I hope that you find those things that enhance your home everyday. I continue to pray that your home brings you joy and that you let yourself dream big about and pray big for a home you love.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to stay in the know and get weekly-ish encouragement! * Check out Farrington Lane in Austin. * Follow Whitey Walker and her design hero Angie Hranowski on Instagram. * Learn more about Christ Church. * Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So we’re going to talk about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy …the secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life.

The first part of The JOY Series is about finding joy at home.

My home brings me such joy. It’s where my people gather, where little treasures are, where memories are created. I love home.

You know what helps create joy in your place? Pray for your home. I prayed for all my homes, from our first house in Austin to our current home, to the Franklin. God has given me so much to be grateful for and that gratitude brings so much joy into our home.

I pray that your home brings you joy, too. I hope that you let yourself dream big about and pray big for a home you love.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to stay in the know and get weekly-ish encouragement! * Stay at the very charming Franklin in La Grange, Texas! We’re now taking inquiries… * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

How do I sort through all the hard things that have accumulated in my life the past few years?

Thanks for joining me in this mini-mester on the Dear Daughters Podcast these past few weeks as I tackle your deepest questions and biggest tangles. Let’s wrap up our time with one more question I get all the time.

This week’s question is: How do I sort through all the hard things that have accumulated the past few years? How do I understand the why behind all the suffering?

You need soul alignment to help you sort through all the really big, hard questions in your life.

There are three questions I want to address to help you find soul alignment:

How should I think about suffering?
How should I feel about suffering?
What should I do about suffering?

I pray that your heart and mind align with God’s purpose in your story. I pray that you allow yourself to feel the heaviness of suffering and allow the grief to bring us through to the other side of suffering … and that it softens your heart and leads you to help others.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * REGISTRATION for Soul Care School is LIVE! * Become a Newsletter Friend and get registration info on Soul Care School firsthand! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Why can’t I find or make time for myself?

That’s a question I get from women quite a lot. So let’s talk about it and see if you can wonder a bit on the why beneath it.

It’s the last week of this mini-mester on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m so grateful you’re here, friend. Let’s keep tackling your deepest questions and biggest tangles.

Three ways to make time for you starts with soul goals. You need prioritize the inside health of who you are (those soul-ish parts of you) … your heart, mind, will, and personality. Time to play, to be quiet and to experience joy. Can you think of a time that we need more soul care than right now?

It’s all about the little things that bring rest and delight into your life and create a cozy place for people to be invited into.

Soul Goal #1: Schedule you into your calendar.

Excuse: I’m too busy. You make time in your daily schedule to brush your teeth, to eat, to work and take care of your family … you prioritize a lot of things but what about your soul? You don’t think you’re worth it so you put you at the bottom of your list. But you are worth it. Bump yourself up to the top of your list.

Soul Goal #2: Create something irresistible in your schedule that helps you rest.

Excuse: I don’t know what to do to get rest. What did you like to do as a child? What’s a hobby you wish you had more time to do? Slow down and get to know you. Find what is restful and enjoyable for you.

Soul Goal #3: Be more like Jesus.

Excuse: It’s selfish to take time for myself. Here’s the thing. Jesus took time away. Jesus knew what his assignment was and he wanted to walk it out wholeheartedly. God isn’t asking us to hold everything and everyone together. That’s his job. He wants us to live out our assignments wholeheartedly and that requires us to take care of the body and soul he gave us.

I hope that you realize it’s not selfish to take care of yourself. I hope that you discover the things that give you rest and make time in your schedule for them. And I pray that you become more like Jesus, walking out your assignments wholeheartedly.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Discover Soul Care School! REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW!! * Become a Newsletter Friend and get registration info on Soul Care School firsthand! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Do you get a little prick in your heart when you think about someone you have unresolved conflict with?

I’m so grateful you’re here, friend. Let’s keep tackling your deepest questions and biggest tangles in this mini-mester on the Dear Daughters Podcast.

This week’s question is: What do I do when I have unresolved conflict in my relationships?

You need soul space. You need space to sort things out so you can walk in wisdom in the midst of unresolved conflict.

When you have unresolved conflict, you need to start with two things.

You need a listener … a mentor, pastor, spiritual director, therapist, depending on the longevity and severity of the conflict … to help us gain wisdom and perspective.
You need an appointment with them to make space for yourself to catch up with all the pain.

Sometimes we need to address conflict head on … sometimes we need to address it gently … and sometimes we don’t need to address it with the other person at all. But to know how to address the conflict we need to be walking in wisdom. We need to see things the way God sees them and be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting in our lives.

I hope that you seek out a listener and the soul space you need to handle unresolved conflict. And I pray that you make space for the quiet work of God’s wisdom in your life.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Discover Soul Care School! * Become a Newsletter Friend and get registration info on Soul Care School firsthand! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Why is the world so confusing? Welcome back to week two of this mini-mester on the Dear Daughters Podcast! Let’s keep tackling your deepest questions and biggest tangles.

This week’s question is: What do I do when the world so confusing?

You need soul perspective. The kind that brings peace and rest and joy again.

There are two “worlds” you live in:

1) The Big Wide World … in your neighborhood, city, state, across the country, and across the globe. You don’t have much control over this world. And you have to remember that you are getting glimpses of this world through other peoples’ perspectives.

2) Your Small World … your personal world, your relationships, your choices, etc. You have more influence here but it is not meant for you to manage on your own.

O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:1

Confusion and chaos in your world creates all kinds of fear and anxiety. I hope you know that you are not meant to live like that and you don’t have to live like that. I pray that you take everything to God. Don’t miss the wonder of today worrying about tomorrow.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend and find out Soul Care School firsthand! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Have you been feeling extra stressed out and exhausted lately?

Welcome back to the 2022 mini-mester on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m tackling your deepest questions and biggest tangles every Monday and Wednesday for the next couple weeks.

This week’s question is: Why am I so stressed out and exhausted?

The answer is simple: You need REST.

God modeled rested in the very beginning of creation on the seventh day. When Jesus was exhausted, he went away. We were created to need rest, body and soul. You need a Sabbath. You need a God date. A day to enjoy and delight in the little things that refresh your body and soul.

You can take a break from everything in your life because God is in control. All those things are part of the beautiful process started by God … and he will complete that process, too.

So I hope you feel encouraged and hopeful about your one beautiful life. And if right now, you don’t feel like your life is very beautiful … I want you to remember that you’re still in the middle of your story.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend and find out Soul Care School firsthand! * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Have you ever wondered what you’re supposed to do with you life?

This next couple weeks on the Dear Daughters Podcast, I’m taking these kinds of questions head-on in a mini-mester kind of way. That’s what I’m talking about on the podcast this month to celebrate 2022. Join me here Monday and Wednesday for the next couple weeks as I dive in with your biggest questions, your deepest tangles.

The number one question I get from women is: What am I supposed to do with my life?

I love when women ask that question because it shows me their heart. It means that they are earnestly wanting to know the right thing to do—the thing that will please God. It means they are asking: What is my soul purpose?

Here are the three truths you need to know … and what I’m talking about on the podcast today.

You were made by God.
You were made for God.
You were made to love God.

I pray that you know those three truths and filter everything in your life through them … because that’s where your soul purpose is found.

SHOW NOTES * Get more soul care resources here. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and find out about all the workshops and events coming up. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

After the last two episodes about holiday blunders and setting healthy boundaries during the holidays, this week we’re talking all about Christmas!

I’m sharing a few important reminders for the Christmas season, like to keep Christmas simple and to not miss the wonderful gift of Jesus. And I share three secrets to the season.

I’m also answering some questions like, Christmas Day or Christmas Eve? and matching pajamas or ugly Christmas sweater?

So thanks for listening in! I hope that you experience the joy and wonder and peace that Jesus brings.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to Episode 162: Setting Healthy Boundaries During the Holidays. * Listen to Episode 163: Learning from Holiday Blunders. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and find out about all the workshops and events coming up. * Follow me on Instagram. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Holidays are just a little bit happier with pie, don’t you think?

In last week’s episode we talked about holiday blunders. The week before we talked about setting healthy boundaries during the holidays. This week we’re talking about all things pie! Maybe you’re a pie expert or maybe you’re like Tori and you’re making a pie for the very first time. Either way, this episode is for you! I’m sharing tips and answering questions you asked. Here are just four of the things I want you to know—and there’s plenty more, so listen in…

Try a custard pie first (like pumpkin or buttermilk)—they’re the easiest kind of pie.
The pie crust might just be the most important part of the pie.
Use a glass pie dish (go thrifting or estate sale shopping to find one).
If it looks a little messy, that screams homemade pie.

I’m praying that your holidays are filled with joy and wonder and peace—and pie! And I hope you are surrounded by friends and family who will share that pie with you.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to Episode 162: Setting Healthy Boundaries During the Holidays. * Listen to Episode 163: Learning from Holiday Blunders. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and stay in touch—and this week, get some of my favorite pie recipes! * Make the No-Roll Pie Crust. * Try the All-American Girl’s Buttermilk Pie. * Check out the Pray As You Go podcast. * Follow me on Instagram. * Learn more about the Archibald Project. * Listen to DD Podcast Episode 116 with Whitney Runyon, co-founder of the Archibald Project. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

You want to be your best but sometimes the holidays can mess with your best intentions.

In last week’s episode we talked about setting healthy boundaries during the holidays. This week, I'm here to talk about all the things we tend to do that can make the holidays more difficult (I’m calling them “holiday blunders”)—and how to experience the holidays in a healthier (and more enjoyable) way. Here are some of the blunders. Can you identify with any of these?

Forcing old family expectations.
Missing the point of gift-giving.
Trying to be someone you’re not.
Taking on more than you can handle—and not asking for help.
Not discussing expectations.
Ignoring grief that is triggered by the holidays.
Giving the holidays more significance than any other days of the year.

I hope this helps you experience the holidays in a new way. I pray that we are able to set healthy expectations and keep the holidays simple so we can fully enjoy this beautiful season. And I continue to pray that your holidays are filled with joy and wonder and peace.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to Episode 162: Setting Healthy Boundaries During the Holidays. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and stay in touch. * Follow me on Instagram. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Ready or not we’re headed into the holiday season once more! I hope the next couple episodes of the podcast help you to have the most beautiful holidays.

The holiday season is joyful and wonderful but it can also be stressful and exhausting if your priorities get out of whack. That’s why I want to take a couple minutes to talk about setting healthy boundaries. Here are a few things discussed in this holiday episode:

Why boundaries are important during the holidays.
How to stay connected to God during the busyness of the holidays.
How to give a kind “no” when it’s one thing too many.
How to choose where to spend your energy during the holidays.
Ways to honor and set aside time with your priority people.
Ways to set a boundary in conversation.
How to practice soul care before the holidays.

I hope that you get to spend time with family and friends and all the people you love this holiday season. I hope that your holidays are filled with joy and wonder and peace. My prayer for you and for me is that we are able to set healthy boundaries so we can fully enjoy this beautiful season.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to DD Episode 78: On Creating Healthy Boundaries. * Learn more about Soul Care here. * Download the Pray As You Go podcast. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and stay in touch. * Follow me on Instagram. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

This week I am sooooo excited to spotlight Brandy Barr’s incredible story on the Dear Daughters Podcast. She found the way to extend ongoing forgiveness and grace after her husband’s infidelity. I am honored for her to share her hard yet hopeful story with you.

Brandy is a spiritual mama. Here are a few things you should know about Brandy:

She was born and raised in Tyler, Texas, and moved to Austin in 1993 after she married her high school sweetheart.
After 7 years of marriage, she discovered that her husband cheated on her. After counseling and another betrayal, they divorced.
She is the mother of two boys, Taylor (21) and Jackson (16).

. Then something happened that surprised even Brandy. God prompted Brandy to get to know the woman her husband remarried. Here are a few of the incredible things that followed:

Brandy invited the woman and her daughter to church.
Brandy baptized the daughter.
The women asked Brandy for forgiveness … and she was able to extend grace.
She accepted Christ and Brandy baptized her.
They all have Sunday dinners together.

The verse she went back to over and over is Matthew 6:33. So that’s what she tried to do every day.

Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Brandy says that’s how God makes it good and he had not forsaken her. I pray that you seek God first. I pray that you can forgive when it feels impossible. And I pray that you listen to the Holy Spirit so He can help you live your one beautiful life.

SHOW NOTES * Registration is open for the Worry-Free Workshop – you’re invited! * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement and stay in touch. * Follow me on Instagram. * Visit Brandy’s website. * Learn more about Young Life and support your local area. * Learn about the Young Life camp in Texas, Lone Hollow Ranch. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Anxiety can make you feel all alone. Like you’re the only one. But you’re not. You are not alone. I had the privilege of meeting some of the loveliest, bravest women at my workshop last month and I want to spotlight some of the important things we uncovered together.

Here are a few of the things to know…

You can be free.
You are not alone.
There is joy on the other side of anxiety.
Listen closely to the hope you hear from God.
Finding peace and freedom isn’t one size fits all.

I pray that you can find joy and freedom and peace … it’s not one size fits all, so my prayer is that you discover the steps you need to take, however big or small, so that you can love and live your one beautiful life.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement … and find out about the next workshop. * Follow me on Instagram. * Support and learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast: Round Top Round Table edition! My daughters Sara and Emily are here with me to inspire you to all kinds of creativity! And we’re also here to let you in on all our secrets to make the most of the Round Top Antiques Fair.

Emily revealed that she feels like the best version of herself at Round Top (and loves the kettle corn). Sara loves staying in Round Top because she gets to flex a different creative muscle and be imaginative there. I love how freeing Round Top feels. It’s a whole beautiful experience! We hope you get to experience that feeling someday, too, in your creative mecca – wherever it may be.

SHOW NOTES * Check out more about the Round Top Antiques Fair. * Visit Rachel Ashwell’s Shabby Chic website. * Check out the Vintage Round Top. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement … and stay up to date on all the fun things. * Visit Emily’s beautiful site. :) * Support and learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :) * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

For even more details, visit my site here.

Welcome to my first Spotlight Mentor Session. If you’re on the lookout for a mentor, it’s an opportunity for you to hear what it would be like to have a mentor sit down with you and ask questions about your life. If you’re curious about being a mentor, it’s a chance for you to hear how easy and natural it is to create space for a younger woman to reflect on her life.

I’m thrilled for you to meet Jaclyn. She’s 19 years old. She goes to the University of Texas. She loves Jesus. And she has a lot of questions about life and loves the opportunity to sit with someone a little older and wiser to talk to about all the things. I think a lot of us wish for that, too.

Let’s start with who a mentor is…

Someone a couple steps ahead of you.
Someone who is curious about your life.
Someone willing to listen and ask the right questions.
Someone who wants to be with you in the good as well as the messy parts of your life.

This week we’re drinking coffee and talking through a few of Jaclyn’s questions:

What does it look like to live with joy?
How do I handle confrontation with love?
How do I handle my anxiety in a healthy way?
What does it look like to be light in dark situations?
How do I protect myself but still stay tender-hearted?

I hope that you have someone a little older and wiser in your life. And I hope that you find practical ways to live with joy and peace, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

SHOW NOTES * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement … and stay up to date on all the fun things. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Read The Body Keeps Score. * Support and learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Raise your hand if your kids are teaching you things about yourself that you didn’t know you needed to know.

Thanks for listening in to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here for the Spotlight Series. This week, let me introduce you to my new friend, Sarah Bragg.

Sarah Bragg is a mom, a horsewoman, an author, and an encourager.

She just moved from Atlanta back to Tennessee, where she grew up.
Sarah has been married to her husband Scott for 16 years. They have two daughters in middle school, Rory and Sinclair, and a hound dog named Murray.
She wrote a new book called A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself and hosts a podcast, Surviving Sarah, to encourage women to grow and become their most authentic selves … and equip them to do more than just survive life.

Join me and Sarah as we talk about what we can learn as we parent … not just about how to be a better parent but also about how to become our most authentic selves. We talk about the importance of being kind to ourselves and we talk about how to breathe and take a step back when we get overwhelmed.

I hope that you find this conversation encouraging and helpful to living as your most authentic self whether you are a mother or not. My prayer is that you can learn about who you are and love who God made you to be.

SHOW NOTES * Visit Sarah’s website and follow her on Instagram. * Listen to Sarah’s podcast, Surviving Sarah. * Get a copy of A Mother’s Guide to Raising Herself: What Parenting Taught Me About Life, Faith, and Myself. * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Support and learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

How do you find freedom from your fears…and stay free? What things can you do to help you manage anxiety? And how do you best love someone who struggles with fear and anxiety?

These are the questions you asked and I’m here to answer them!

Thanks for listening in to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. Especially because we are starting a Spotlight Series this September. To start things off we’re highlighting YOU and will answer all sorts of questions that you are wondering.

We’re continuing to field your questions related to various topics this season. This week we are continuing to talk about fear, worry, and anxiety. If you missed the first part of this episode, be sure to go back and listen here.

These are a few things we talk about this week:

How trauma and anxiety in your mind connects to trauma and anxiety in your body.
How a creative outlet or hobby can help you handle fear.
How to walk in freedom from your fears and anxiety.
How to love someone who struggles with fear and anxiety.

I hope that the things I have learned can help you overcome your fear and anxious thoughts and I hope that you ask God to help you when you are fearful or anxious. I continue to pray that you laugh without fear of the future … and I hope that you pray this prayer for fear-ers in your life, too.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to part 1 of How to Handle Fear & Anxiety. * Register for the Creative Courage Workshop! * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement … and fun things like the Proverbs 31:25 phone wallpaper AND the 7 Everyday Prayers PDF. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Read The Body Keeps Score. * Read The Texas Monthly article here. * Support and learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

How do you give your worries and fears to God … and not pick them back up again? When you feel worry or fear, what can you pray? What are the signs that you are over-worrying and not just planning?

These are the questions you asked and I’m here to answer them!

Thanks for listening in to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. Especially because we are starting a Spotlight Series this September. To kick off the series we are highlighting YOU and will answer all sorts of questions that you are wondering.

I’m here with sweet Tori Dear, who I asked to take care of Madeline the Cat and within three hours of meeting her – I asked her to join the Susie Davis Ministry team.

She will be fielding your questions related to various topics this season. And this week (AND next week!) we are talking about fear, worry, and anxiety. Because we’re not meant to be bossed by worry.

Listen in as Tori relays your questions like the ones below. I hope that the things I have learned can help you overcome your fear and anxious thoughts.

How did you overcome anxiety and fear?
How do you give your worries and fears to God … and not pick them back up again?
What words have you used with your kids to talk about fear and anxiety?
How do you find healthy people you can reach out to for support?
When you feel worry or fear, what can you pray?
What are the signs that you are over-worrying and not just planning?

Ask God to help you when you are fearful or anxious. I pray that you invite the Spirit to overwhelm your heart and mind with peace. I pray that you are able to leave your anxieties with God and that you are able to shift your focus from the “what if” and “oh no” to all the wonder in life. I pray that you laugh without fear of the future.

SHOW NOTES * Register for the Creative Courage Workshop! * Become a Newsletter Friend to get a weekly-ish dose of encouragement … and both the Proverbs 31:25 phone wallpaper AND the 7 Everyday Prayers PDF. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Support and learn more about Community First! Village here. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Get more info about the Community First! Pop-Up Art Show at ACF! * Listen to DD Podcast Episode with Alan Graham. * Follow me on Instagram. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Guess who’s on the DD Podcast with me this week … my youngest daughter (and current roomie!), Sara Davis Regan!

Sara and I talk about everything from funny stories about sharing our space again to how to make the most of where you are and the way creativity can save your perspective to the benefit of having people provide wisdom and encouragement in every stage of life.

I pray that you get creative when things get hard, like how Sara and David turned “the Katy Wilderness” into a place of abundance in their lives. I hope you let God reframe the way you see things … that you find the connection between the goodness of God and his plan for your life and the joy to be found right where you are.

SHOW NOTES * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Follow Sara on Instagram. * Be on the lookout for the Creative Courage Workshop registration – COMING SOON! * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Join us Sundays online at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.

Have you ever thought about this? You are the one person that has the most impact in your walk with God. And that’s why it’s so important that you pray for yourself.

Praying for yourself is not selfish. It’s like putting the oxygen mask on first so you can care for others.

There are so many reasons why you should pray for yourself. Here are a few:

Because God speaks to you through prayer.
Because you love yourself … or because you don’t.
Because it helps your spiritual growth.
Because there are holes in your life that need to be filled (by God).
Because how you are doing affects everyone around you.
Because prayer fills you with the Holy Spirit.
Because prayer deepens intimacy with God.
Because prayer giants in scripture prayed for themselves, too.
Because prayer is soul care.

I pray that you would love yourself … pray for yourself … and love to pray for yourself. I hope you are able to be yourself in prayer and that you find what works for you to help you talk to God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Pray Big for Yourself by Will Davis Jr. * Get the FREE download of 7 Everyday Prayers. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Sign up to be my newsletter friend! * Follow me on Instagram. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Pray Big for Yourself: How to Pray God's Word Over Your Life

God knows your children and loves them more deeply than you can imagine. He knows what’s best for them and will take care of them. Prayer is a way to invite God to move in the heart of your child and to entrust your child to God.

Prayer is an amazingly effective parenting tool. Prayer not only blesses your child but also changes your own heart as a parent.

If you’re new here … welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast July “mini-mester” edition! I’m hosting a month-long series on prayer with my husband (and prayer specialist) Will Davis, Jr. I’m so glad you’re here.

Will and I talk about what prayer can do and share prayer promises with scripture when your child is making you anxious or for …

your child to walk in the truth and light.
your child’s future spouse.
your child to love to pray, love to worship, and love God’s Word.
your child to hate sin.
your child to grow in wisdom.
your child to love and follow Jesus.
life perspective.
a servant’s heart.
grace for your child.

I pray that your joy is made complete … not when they make the honor roll or when they get into a good college or when they have a successful career … but when you know your child is walking in the light with God. I also hope that you know you are God’s beloved child. And I pray you feel the abounding love and grace your Heavenly Father has for you.

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SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Pray Big for Your Child by Will Davis Jr. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Learn more about Young Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Pray Big for Your Child: The Power of Praying God's Promises for Your Child's Life

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Why does marriage seem so hard? And what is one thing you can do to bring more peace and joy into your marriage? That’s what we’re talking about today on the podcast.

Marriage is the physical representation of God loving the Church and the Church serving God. Marriage is so good but also incredibly hard because in essence, you are trying to become one with someone who is not you. That’s why it needs prayer.

These are just a few things Will and I talk about …

What a healthy marriage looks like.
How prayer can help marriage.
There is grace for all parts of your marriage (even failed ones).
What to pray for your spouse and your marriage.
Prayer promises for your marriage.
Dealing with disappointments in marriage.

My prayer is that your marriage becomes more and more like the model of Christ and the Church. I hope that you pray for and pray with your spouse. I hope that you pour out grace on yourself and your spouse and every part of your marriage. And I hope that you and your spouse have hearts to know God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Pray Big for Your Marriage by Will Davis Jr. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Pray Big for Your Marriage: The Power of Praying God's Promises for Your Relationship

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Welcome, welcome! After a little break in June, I'm back with a focus on prayer this July.

Prayer is simply communication with God. It opens you up to God’s presence. And it doesn’t have to be complicated.

For me, it starts the minute I open my eyes. Prayer is a conversation I have all day. Will says it’s as natural as breathing, that we’re created to interact with God through prayer.

This week I’m sitting here in my little home office with my very special guest: my husband (and prayer specialist) Will Davis, Jr.

Listen in as we start a conversation about prayer and address questions like:

What is prayer?
How does prayer cut through any doubt or disappointment in God that may have come from personal experiences?
How can prayer make a difference in your life?
What should we pray?

My prayer for you and for me is that we learn how to say “on earth as it is in Heaven” so that God’s reality may be our reality … that our lives reflect the rhythms and the peace of Heaven. I hope that you can be more and more at home in prayer with God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Pray Big by Will Davis Jr. * Get a copy of my book Unafraid. * Learn more about Community First Village & the Art House. * Learn more about the Other Ones Foundation. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Pray Big

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

As you know, I have been revisiting my favorite spiritual classics … books written by authors who have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. This week I am diving into the works of J.B. Phillips … but this week is a little bit different because I have a very special guest joining me: Peter Croft, the youngest grandson of J.B. Phillips.

J.B. Phillips is a man who left an incredible legacy that changed so many lives, and Peter started a non-profit that highlights that faithful life. Today on the podcast Peter shares some insight into his grandfather’s work and stories of his incredible life. A few facts to start:

J.B. Phillips was a Greek scholar and graduated from Cambridge University.
He was a pastor in southeast London and led a youth group during the. They couldn’t wrap their minds around Paul’s letters, which shocked him and prompted him to communicate these letters in a way the young men would understand. He saw their lives change because they understood scripture.
In the 1940s, with the help of C.S. Lewis, he wrote the first popular modern translation of the Bible. He first wrote Letters to Young Churches with an introduction by C.S. Lewis. Four million copies were sold and he ended up writing the whole New Testament, completed in 1952.
Phillips wrote a total of 26 books, including his translations. He described his translation works as “rewiring the house with the electricity still on.” And in Ring of Truth he wrote that “if he was convinced of the truth before he started his translation work, he was a hundred times more convinced after it.”

Peter says this of his grandfather: “The act of translating for him clearly had an effect on his soul… The way the Scripture spoke to him was amazing… He wanted people to experience the Scripture as a living document.”

One of the verses that really came alive for me in his translation is Romans 8:18: “In my opinion, whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has in store for us. The whole of creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their home.”

I hope that you experience the Bible as a “living document.” My prayer for you and for me is that all of creation can stand on tiptoe and see us living a faithful life, carrying out the work that God has for us.

And won’t you please join me in praying for Peter and the good work he is doing?

SHOW NOTES * The mission of the J.B. Phillips Society is “To passionately convey the living quality of the New Testament to a new generation, through the works and witness of J.B. Phillips.” Visit the website here. * Subscribe to the J.B. Society newsletter here. * Donate to the J.B. Phillips Society here. * Listen to Peter Croft’s podcast, New Testament Readings on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Google Play. * Follow the J.B. Phillips Society on Instagram and Facebook. * If you have a favorite quote or verse translated by J.B. Phillips, please reach out to Peter to let him know. * Get a vintage copy of one of J.P. Phillips’ books in my online shop. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive lots of goodies like The Soul Care Kit! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life is a book about you. And it’s a book about God. It’s a guide to help you celebrate your story, both the joyful and painful parts. I wrote it to help you discover all the things that show God’s great love and endless grace for YOU.

I launched The Grace Guide one year ago this week … right when we all needed a bit of extra grace for ourselves and others each day. Thank you for taking the time to celebrate on the Dear Daughters Podcast with me this week!

My hope is that you’ll find the everyday peace and joy that comes from believing God loves you always and has grace upon grace for you.

So … let’s celebrate one year of this little book offering BIG grace, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life!

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life. * Get The Grace Gift Bundle (a lovely little gift for someone you love). * Visit Euna Mae’s! * To sign up to get The Grace Guide Discussion Notes/Questions, sign up for my newsletter list here. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive lots of goodies like The Soul Care Kit! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

A spiritual mama is what I call a woman just a little further down the road with wisdom to share and a dear daughter is a young woman in search of spiritual guidance. I wrote Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation as a bridge between these two generations.

I knew I couldn’t possibly walk right alongside every dear daughter in the world but I could write a book to encourage them and share what wisdom I have gleaned in my life…and hope that they, in turn, would use that book as a tool to be a spiritual mama to someone else.

This book is so important to me and I want to take this week on the Dear Daughters Podcast to celebrate because my beautiful little book is two years old!

We’re not meant to walk through life alone. Everyone needs a spiritual mama, no matter how old you are. I believe that woman helps you do these things:

Reclaim the vision for your life.
Meditate on whatever is true, right, noble, pure, and lovely.
Listen more closely to the voice of God in your life.

“When the Holy Spirit in one woman recognizes and responds to the Holy Spirit in another woman, safe places become sacred places.” ~ Sophie Hudson

My hope is that you find a spiritual mama who can be a safe, sacred place for you … and I pray that you seek out the dear daughters in your life.

A big happy birthday to this little book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation!

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation. * Get the Dear Daughters Book & Bandana Bundle (a perfect little gift). * Get a copy of Giddy Up, Eunice by Sophie Hudson. * Listen to 2 Things Every Women Needs to Know About Mentoring * And listen to this episode: 3 Must-Have Mentoring Conversations * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive lots of goodies like The Soul Care Kit! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other)

Need more prayer in your life but not sure where to start? I’m pleased to introduce you to a fabulous old book called A Prayer of Chain Across the Ages written by Dr. Selina Fitzherbert Fox, who herself was pretty fabulous. She’s another author I’m featuring this season who fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end.

Dr. Selina Fitzherbert Fox lived an incredibly interesting life devoted to serving others. There is so much to learn about her … here are a few highlights:

Dr. Selina Fitzherbert Fox was born in 1871.
In 1899, she received her medical qualification from the London School of Medicine for Women and the General Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne. By 1903, she had qualified as an M.D. from Durham University.
In 1900, Dr. Fox spent a year in India as the Assistant Medical Officer at the Lady Kinnaird Memorial Hospital in Lucknow for the Zenana Bible and Medical Mission.
In 1901, she was appointed medical officer of the Church Missionary Society’s missionary training school, where she stayed for two years.
The Society decided the mission was too expensive and to focus its attention on missionaries overseas instead. So, Dr. Fox founded the Bermondsey Medical Mission in 1904 and devoted the rest of her life to it. By 1907 over 6,000 patients has been seen along with nearly 4,000 home visits. In 1929 the hospital was officially opened as The Bermondsey Medical Mission Hospital by the then Duchess of York, later known as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
At the outbreak of WW1, Dr. Fox was appointed as Women Superintendent and Deputy Medical Officer to the Aylesbury Prison for women.
In 1958, Dr. Fox was admitted to the hospital she herself had founded and died in December 1958 at the age of 87.

Wow. She sure didn’t waste one minute of service to Christ. What a life!

My hope is that upon learning about these heroes of our faith, we are inspired to live anew with perspective and hope in our own lives.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages by Dr. Selina Fitzherbert Fox. * Learn more about Apartment Life. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Follow me on Instagram. * Download the FREE Fear Free Guide by signing up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

A Chain of Prayer Across the Ages: Forty Centuries of Prayer, 2000 B.C.-A.D. 1912

It’s nearly Easter. And I want to talk about someone today on the podcast who inspires me with her life and art and work.

As you know, I have been revisiting my favorite spiritual classics … books written by authors who have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them.

This week I’m introducing you to Corita Kent.

Corita lived from 1918 to 1986. She was an artist, educator, and advocate for social justice.
At 18 years old, she entered the religious order Immaculate Heart of Mary, eventually teaching in and then heading up the art department at Immaculate Heart College.
She created hundreds of beautiful serigraphs because she wanted her art to be affordable and widely available. She didn’t number any of her works because she didn’t want any one print to be more valuable than the others.

I have been collecting her work via collaborations with author Leslie Brandt. These are charming books with Corita’s art AND Brandt’s paraphrase of sections of the Bible.

My hope is that we stop running from God and follow after Him. I pray you remember that God loves you and is just waiting for you to trust Him … and I pray that you do.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Jesus Now by Leslie Brandt & Corita Kent. * Watch this video about Corita. * Visit this website devoted to Corita, her art, and the Corita Art Center. * Learn more about Community First! Village, Young Lives, and Heart of Texas Pregnancy Resource Center. * Learn more about other ACF Ministry Partners here. * Get your ticket to Soul Care Saturday on May 8, 2021! * Follow me on Instagram. * Download the FREE Soul Care Kit that I created just for you. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life!

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Jesus/Now

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

A sweet listener emailed me and asked if I would feature Elisabeth Elliot on this season of the podcast … well here she is!

As you know, I have been revisiting my favorite spiritual classics … books written by authors who have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them.

Elisabeth Elliot is an amazing woman who lived a faithful life, and I am so excited to share her words with you. Two books I want you to know about are Let Me Be a Woman and Discipline: The Glad Surrender. Here are a few interesting things about her:

Elisabeth was born December 27, 1926, in Brussels, Belgium, where her parents served as missionaries.
While at the college, she met Jim Elliot. After graduation, Elisabeth went on a missionary expedition to Ecuador with other students from Wheaton, including Jim Elliot. In 1953, Jim and Elisabeth were married and continued to serve in Ecuador. They had a daughter, Valerie Elliot Shepard.
Jim was killed by the Auca tribe in Eastern Ecuador. Elisabeth did not give up on the people of the tribe and she continued to live in the region with her daughter and Rachel Saint, the sister of another one of the missionaries killed by the Auca tribe.
From 1988 to 2001, Elisabeth could be heard on a daily radio program called Gateway to Joy, produced by the Good News Broadcasting Association of Lincoln, NE. Today, we can listen to reruns of the program on the Bible Broadcasting Network.

Elisabeth was not afraid of tackling the hard things and speaking the truth. She experienced tragedy and felt fear but she lived with faithfulness and courage because she had this outlook on her beautiful life: “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” Elisabeth also said, “The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman.”

My hope for you and for me is that we let Christ change our hearts and make us into the women he wants us to be. And I pray that you can live faithfully and fearlessly because you trust God with your one beautiful life.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot. * Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Elisabeth Elliot. * Listen to Elisabeth on the Bible Broadcasting Network. * Learn more about Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First! Village in Austin, TX. * Shop the Community Art House! All the arts and crafts are created by the residents of Community First! Village. * Follow me on Instagram. * Download the FREE Soul Care Kit that I created just for you. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Let Me Be a Woman

Discipline

If there is one thing I learned over the last year, it is the importance of stepping back from the news and media to re-engage in a habit of reading spiritual classics. The authors who I’ll be featuring on the podcast have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them. I want to invite you to come along with me this season and dive into the wisdom of these faithful followers of Jesus.

This is a book that was a stalwart for me while in college at Baylor and I still rely on it today. It is God Calling edited by A.J. Russell. Here are a few things interesting things about this book.

A.J. Russell was an editor for a London newspaper in the early 20th century. While we have him to thank for the book, Russell did not write God Calling.
Two women met every day to pray and listen for God together. Then they would write down what they heard God say. Those pages became God Calling. There is an entry for every day of the year.
The first copy of God Calling was published in 1935. Read more info about the history of the book here.

My hope is that you take time for prayer and to be alone with God. I pray that you listen for His voice and hear what He has to say to you. I pray that you know that God is with you and that you let that knowledge bring you contentment and fill you with rapture.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of God Calling edited by A.J. Russell. * Learn more about Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First! Village in Austin, TX. * Shop the Community Art House! All the arts and crafts are created by the residents of Community First! Village. * Follow me on Instagram. * Download the FREE Soul Care Kitthat I created just for you. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life!

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

God Calling (Inspirational Library)

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2021!

If there is one thing I learned over the last year, it is the importance of stepping back from the news and media to re-engage in a habit of reading spiritual classics. The authors who I’ll be featuring on the podcast have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them. I want to invite you to come along with me this season and dive into the wisdom of these faithful followers of Jesus.

This next book is one that I read and reread over and over. It is The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. Here are three things you should know about Thomas:

Thomas Watson was born in 1620. He was an English, non-conformist Puritan preacher and author … I counted over 17 books! History says he was brilliant … genius-level smart.
Around 1647 he married Abigail Beadle, daughter of a minister of Puritan convictions. They had seven children in the next thirteen years, four of whom died young. In 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love’s plot to recall Charles II of England.
In 1686 he died suddenly while praying in secret.

Thomas writes so many quotable, one-line truths in The Art of Divine Contentment. Here are five of my favorites:

“It is our work to cast care. It is God’s work to take care.”
“A gracious spirit is a contented spirit.”
“Here is the difference between a holy complaint and a discontented complaint: in the one we complain to God, in the other we complain of God.”
“Comfort depends on contentment.”
“Contentment lies within a man, within the heart.”

I want to share three ways I have found contentment:

Taking my troubles to God in prayer.
Taking care of what I have.
Talking to my spiritual director or a close friend who has wisdom beyond mine.

I think we are people who struggle greatly with contentment. It’s an area that requires a lot of study and a lot of time. I hope this inspires you to seek true, divine, contentment.

My prayer is that you cast your cares on God, that you nurture a gracious spirit, and that you find contentment so you can love your one beautiful life. I pray that you have a smile for God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson. * Learn more about Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First! Village in Austin, TX. * Shop the Community Art House! All the arts and crafts are created by the residents of Community First! Village. (And they currently have a Valentine’s Day special!) * Follow me on Instagram for a chance to win one of those pretty ceramic hearts I talked about (plus lots of pretty pictures and encouragement, too). * Follow Honey Holden on Instagram. * Download the FREE 2021 Goal Guide that I created just for you. * Listen to my 2021 Hopeful playlist on Spotify. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, a guide for extending God’s grace to yourself and others.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Art of Divine Contentment: In Modern English

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2021!

If there is one thing I learned over the last year, it is the importance of stepping back from the news and media to re-engage in a habit of reading spiritual classics. The authors who I’ll be featuring on the podcast have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them. I want to invite you to come along with me this season and dive into the wisdom of these faithful followers of Jesus.

This next book is oh so lovely. It’s Hidden Art by Edith Schaeffer. Here are a few interesting facts about Edith:

Edith Rachel Merritt Schaeffer was born November 3, 1914, and died March 30, 2013. She was a Christian author, wife of Francis Schaeffer, and mother of Frank Schaeffer and three other children.
In 1970, Edith and Francis founded L’Abri in Switzerland. L’Abri is a Christian organization that hosts guests worldwide. In the ’60s, L’Abri’s guests included backpackers, hippies, and even celebrities like Timothy Leary and Eric Clapton.
Barry Hankins, a professor of history and religion at Baylor University, wrote, “Without L’Abri, Schaeffer would never have drawn the audience that made his many books possible.” He said that without Mrs. Schaeffer, “there would have been no L’Abri.” Hankins described Mrs. Schaeffer like this: “On one hand,” he said, “she held a very traditional, biblical view about women’s subservient role. On the other, she was assertive, even competitive with her husband ... She embodied marriage equality … She would never use the term, of course, but in some ways, she was the model of a sort of evangelical feminism.”

I am most enamored by Edith’s idea of hidden art at home. She believed that we were all created by the Creator to be creative, whether that’s gardening or decorating or painting or writing … Don’t you just love that?

Edith wrote, “Art in various forms expresses and gives opportunities to others to share in and respond to things which would otherwise remain vague, empty yearnings.” How do you like to create?

My hope is that you find ways to both express and share in many forms of art every day. And I pray that you are forever in awe of the Creator.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Hidden Art by Edith Schaeffer. * Or consider a vintage copy of some special books from my own library featured in my online shop. * Learn more about L’Abri today. * Learn more about Mobile Loaves and Fishes and Community First! Village in Austin, TX. * Visit the Community Art House to buy the notecards! The artwork for some of the cards was created by Robert Maresh. He was inspired by his very own tiny home and hopes that his art embodies the beauty that can be found at the Village. * Download the FREE 2021 Goal Guide that I created just for you. * Listen to my 2021 Hopeful playlist on Spotify. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life,a guide for extending God’s grace to yourself and others.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

The Hidden Art of Homemaking

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2021!

If there is one thing I learned over the last year, it is the importance of stepping back from the news and media to re-engage in a habit of reading spiritual classics. The authors who I’ll be featuring on the podcast have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them. I want to invite you to come along with me this season and dive into the wisdom of these faithful followers of Jesus.

This next book is the most-often quoted in my journals from the time I became a believer: My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Here are a few things you may not know about Oswald:

Oswald Chambers was born on July 24, 1874, and died November 15, 1917. He only lived 43 years.
He wrote 30 books. My Utmost for His Highest is his most popular and has never been out of print … isn’t that crazy?
He was a minister and started a Bible training college. After starting the college, he moved to Egypt with his wife and daughter where he took an assignment at the Y.M.C.A. (he had a huge heart for the soldiers and preached many of his sermons there).

And a bonus fact: All of Oswald’s books were transcribed from his sermon notes by his wife, Gertrude “Biddy” Hobbs Chambers. Wow!

“God expects his children to be so confident in him that in any crisis, they are the reliable ones. Our trust is in God up to a certain point, then we go back to the elementary panic prayers of those who do not know God. We get to our wit’s end, showing that we have not the slightest confidence in him and his government of the world… What a pain will go through us when we realize we might have produced downright joy in the heart of Jesus by remaining absolutely confident in him no matter what was ahead.“

I love the idea of “being a downright joy in the heart of Jesus” like Oswald Chambers writes about. I want to be confident in God in all circumstances. For me, what overrides fear is not getting wrapped up in the chaos that creates panic and makes us think God is absent … and instead, looking to God amidst the chaos.

The best kind of faithfulness is doing the thing God has set before you, without fear. My prayer for you and for me is that we can live our lives with the utmost confidence in God and be downright joys for Jesus.

SHOW NOTES * Get a brand new copy of My Utmost for His Highest in paperback or gift edition. * Or consider a vintage copy from my own library ... there are three vintage copies of My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers available to purchase: Copy 1, Copy 2 & Copy 3*. * You can also access a My Utmost for His Highest daily devotional online here.* * Download the FREE 2021 Goal Guide that I created just for you. * Listen to my 2021 Hopeful playlist on Spotify. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Discover my newest book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, and experience the grace upon grace God has for your life.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My Utmost for His Highest: Classic Language Paperback

My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Paperback

Welcome to the the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2021!

If there is one thing I learned over the last year, it is the importance of stepping back from the news and media to re-engage in a habit of reading spiritual classics. The authors who I’ll be featuring on the podcast have fought the good fight and remained faithful to the end. There’s just so much we can learn from them. I want to invite you to come along with me this season and dive into the wisdom of these faithful followers of Jesus.

One of the first books I picked up last year was A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie. Here’s a little history on John:

John Baillie was born on March 6, 1886, as the oldest of three boys. He was named after his father, who died when he was just four years old. John experienced more tragedy in life with the loss of his youngest brother in May 1914, and then two close friends in WW1 later that same year. He began to volunteer for the Young Men’s Christian Association (Y.M.C.A.) with British armies in France, where he met his wife Jewel Fowler, and they married in April 1919. John Baillie was an esteemed theologian and pastor, served on the faculty at New College in Edinburgh, and Auburn Theological Seminary and Union Seminary in New York, and was named a Companion of Honour to Queen Elizabeth II. He died on September 29, 1960, at age 74, leaving a legacy of faithfulness that we can all learn from.

What really strikes me about John Baillie (among all of his amazing achievements) are the beautiful books he wrote, like A Diary of Private Prayer.

John Baillie lived his life to the end being faithful to God. My prayer for you and for me is that we will be inspired to be faithful to the end, too.

SHOW NOTES * Get a brand new copy (or two or three) of A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie. * Or consider purchasing the vintage copy from Susie’s own library. But there’s only one vintage copy of A Diary of Private Prayer available, so be quick! * Download the FREE 2021 Goal Guide that I created just for you. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Get a copy of Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

And discover my most recent book: The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life!

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

A Diary of Private Prayer

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

There’s often a big difference in expectations and reality. To have happy holidays this year, we need something we can’t plan, orchestrate, or create … we need God’s Spirit and God’s grace.

Welcome to the Holiday Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. The 2020 holiday season is here and it’s going to be different from anything we’ve ever experienced. I want to see how you’re doing and make sure you are taking good care of you … and I want to help you have grace for a new way of doing things over the holidays this year.

If we hold on too tightly to expectations, it can steal our joy when reality doesn’t look like we hoped. We need to open up our hands, release those expectations, and accept what God has for us.

I pray that, especially in this holiday season, you open your hands to God and have the grace to see things with new eyes and a childlike heart.

SHOW NOTES * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Learn more about CommunityFirst! Village. * Listen to the Dear Daughter’s Podcast Episode 20 with Alan Graham, founder of CommunityFirst! Village. * Check out art by one of my favorite artists, Clifton Hayes. * Shop Penny Hunt's beautiful note cards in the Art House online shop here! * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, a simple guide for extending God’s grace to yourself and others.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Jesus wants to take our fear and give us, in its place, true peace. Get a copy of Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Gathering at the table is good for your soul … a time when we are present with each other, connect with each other, and receive nourishment from the food, from each other, and from God above.

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

I love how serving a simple meal at the table brings us together. It’s a passion of mine that started from this verse in Acts 2:46-47.

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

I pray that, especially in the upcoming holiday season, you find creative ways to be with the people you love.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of God Calling by A.J. Russell. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Get Unexpected Connections by Matthew Peacock, Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Hope. * Learn more about donating to or volunteering with Partners in Hope here. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Jesus wants to take our fear and give us, in its place, true peace. Get a copy of Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World.

Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, a simple guide for extending God’s grace to yourself and others.

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

God Calling (Inspirational Library)

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

What if you made the choice to break away from your regular routine and change up the scenery?

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

One way to take care of your soul is by changing your scenery. It can change your attitude, refresh your heart, renew your mind, and bend your will toward God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of God Calling by A.J. Russell. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Get Unexpected Connections by Matthew Peacock, Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Hope. * Learn more about donating to or volunteering with Partners in Hope here. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life is a guide for extending God’s grace to yourself and others. Order your copy!

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

God Calling (Inspirational Library)

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Do you have a hobby? Do you ever take the time to just play? Having a hobby can be really good for your soul.

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

Today I am encouraging you to build time for a hobby in your life. Because when you’re walking with God, a hobby can be a spiritual practice that brings you closer to God.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Order your copy of The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life! * Get Unexpected Connections by Matthew Peacock, Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Hope. * Learn more about donating to or volunteering with Partners in Hope here. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

Find a hobby:

Horseback riding
Writing or journaling
Cooking or baking
Gardening
Hiking or camping
Golf
Walking or running
Reading
Drawing or painting
Knitting or sewing
Swimming
Kayaking or paddle boarding
Cycling
Scrapbooking
Collecting

Find my newest book, The Grace Guide here!

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

The Practice of the Presence of God

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Are you looking for ways to calm your soul? To find real rest inside and out?

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of Thomas Watson’s book, The Art of Divine Contentment. * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Get Unexpected Connections by Matthew Peacock, Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Hope. * Learn more about donating to or volunteering with Partners in Hope here. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Listen to my Home playlist on Spotify!

Find deep contentment right where you live. Pick up The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

A Diary of Private Prayer

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

What do you do when your heart is broken in two? What do you do when your mind is consumed with negative news? How do you soothe your weary self?

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing, revisit some of the things we talked about during the Summer Soul Care Series, and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

There is a difference between self-care practices and self-soothing practices. Self-soothing can be healthy or unhealthy … and it’s important to understand which you are choosing when you’re hurting. Healthy soul care is the thing that helps long term.

SHOW NOTES * Get a copy of John Baillie’s book, A Diary of Private Prayer. * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Get Unexpected Connections by Matthew Peacock, Founder and Executive Director of Partners in Hope. * Learn more about donating to or volunteering with Partners in Hope here. * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. * Listen to my Home playlist on Spotify!

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Unexpected Connections: How God is Rewiring a Community to Fight Social Isolation and Grow the Kingdom

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

A Diary of Private Prayer

How can you give yourself grace … the kind of grace that God has for you? It starts by learning to be kind and generous to yourself.

Welcome to the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I want to see how you’re doing, revisit some of the things we talked about during the Summer Soul Care Series, and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

So I have found one of the best ways to start being kind to yourself is by becoming a compassionate observer of your own life. Try to see yourself the way God sees you … as a beloved daughter … and live each day with that outlook and that grace.

SHOW NOTES * Download the Understanding Your Soul PDF. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan‘s music on Spotify! * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you!

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Welcome to the first episode of the Fall Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m going to take eight weeks (God willing) to see how you’re doing, revisit some of the things we talked about during the Summer Soul Care Series, and share some new ways for you to take good care of you.

I want to remind you of a few things. First, your soul is where God dwells. What a lovely thing that He chooses to live inside of us. Second, your body is the house of your soul. Your soul is made up of four components:

Mind … how you think and understand the Word of God.
Heart … the seat of your emotions and feelings.
Will … what enables you to make decisions and take action.
Personality … the unique and beautiful way God made you.

The really great news is that when you submit your soul to the Holy Spirit of God, something miraculous happens. You’re made new.

SHOW NOTES * Download the PDF of the diagram of your soul. * Purchase your own copy of A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie. * Get encouragement in your inbox each week: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan‘s music on Spotify! * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you!

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

A Diary of Private Prayer

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Welcome to the Summer Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m going to take a few weeks on the podcast to spend some time making sure you’re taking good care of you.

There is so much going on in the world right now. There are so many questions. And there are no real answers … because we don’t have any. Only God holds all the answers. And he holds all our days, too. I pray that you take care of your soul and protect your spirit from getting sucked into a spiral of worry and despair trying to get all the answers. I’ll help you. Start with five minutes.

SHOW NOTES * Get your own five-minute hourglass in my online shop. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to Sara Davis Regan’s dreamy new album, Riverland! * Watch the Tiny Desk Style Concert via Zoom with Sara Davis Regan featuring her brand new album, Riverland. * Visit Sara Davis Regan’s website and sign up for her newsletter list.

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Welcome to the Summer Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m going to take a few weeks on the podcast to spend some time making sure you’re taking good care of you.

“The smallest and gentlest acts keep us grounded as we husband our lives with care.” – Julia Cameron

Staying grounded in your life is a way to care for your soul. It gives us space to listen to God and listen to ourselves. Tending to small things in our everyday lives help us to feel grounded. How can you tend to your real life?

SHOW NOTES * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to Sara Davis Regan’s dreamy new album, Riverland! * Watch the Tiny Desk Style Concert via Zoom with Sara Davis Regan featuring her brand new album, Riverland. * Visit Sara Davis Regan’s website and sign up for her newsletter list.

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Welcome to the Summer Soul Care Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast. I’m going to take a few weeks on the podcast to spend some time making sure you’re taking good care of you.

Have you read any good stories lately? Stories are good for your soul. They help you take care of you. So I want to encourage you to find a good book that leaves you believing that God is in charge of the world. You’re in the middle of your story, but God is writing your story.

SHOW NOTES * Pick up a good book like Heidi by Johanna Spyri or Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery – both are included in this beautiful box set by Rifle Papers. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to Sara Davis Regan’s dreamy new album, Riverland! * Watch the Tiny Desk Style Concert via Zoom with Sara Davis Regan featuring her brand new album, Riverland. * Visit Sara Davis Regan’s website and sign up for her newsletter list.

Order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Puffin in Bloom Collection

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

I hope you’re taking good care of yourself. This summer, I want to encourage you to experience soul care in a very practical, everyday way.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Summer Soul Care Series. I’m going to spend the next few weeks on the podcast helping you take good care of you.

One way you can take good care of yourself is to make sure you have wise teachers in place in your life, especially during times of crisis and chaos. Your number one teacher is God, and you can always count on him and his Word to help you walk in wisdom. But there are other teachers too. Listen in to discover more.

SHOW NOTES * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter! * Join my home church Austin Christian Fellowship online. * If you need rest, click here to get a FREE Soul Care Kit just for you! * Listen to Sara Davis Regan’s dreamy new album, Riverland! * Watch the Tiny Desk Style Concert via Zoom with Sara Davis Regan featuring her brand new album, Riverland. * Visit Sara Davis Regan’s website and sign up for her newsletter list.

Find The Grace Guide online:

Amazon | Cokesbury | Barnes & Noble | Target

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Well this is a first! It’s a Tiny Desk Style Concert via Zoom with Sara Davis Regan featuring her brand new album, Riverland.

But before we dive into new music, a few things you might not know about Sara:

“My family nickname is Aunt Sardie Pants.”
“I love trail running.”
“I do things I love until I break.”
“I am deathly scared of roaches … and splinters.”

Need more, listen in to DD Episode ‘Questions to Deepen the Mother-Daughter Relationship’ with Sara. And here we are in Round Top, where we love to shop til we drop. Can’t wait til next Fall when we go back to the Round Top Antiques Fest.

SHOW NOTES * Visit Sara Davis Regan site here and sign up for her newsletter list! * Follow her on Instagram. * Join her newsletter here. * Sara’s first interview, DD Episode 3 * Banjo Ben Clark * Also, you might want to listen to this episode (with my other daughter) too! On Mother Daughter Relationships with Emily DD Episode 18 * If your heart feels weary, get a FREE Soul Care Kit from me to you! * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Get a Book & Bandana Bundle! It includes a signed copy of Dear Daughters and one of my favorites, Jenni Earle’s ‘Chin Up Buttercup’ Bandana. * Order now to get the Grace Gift Bundle! It’s a signed copy of The Grace Guide plus my favorite lavender lotion from Hummingbird Farms!

ORDER THE GRACE GUIDE ONLINE HERE:

Amazon | Cokesbury | Barnes & Noble | Target

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

One of my favorite things over the last year on the Dear Daughters Podcast was listening to my guests read a letter to their younger selves.

In celebration of my new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, I am featuring four of my favorite letters in BONUS episodes. In this final episode, I am featuring Chrystal Evans Hurst.

In DD Episode 96, Chrystal offers so much truth about how to end the cycle of unhealthy thoughts and bring our thoughts into the light of God’s truth. Listen to Chrystal as she speaks tender words of wisdom to her younger self and encourages her to show up for her life starting now.

So a question for you: What would you like to say to your younger self?

That God loves you.
To love the woman you are becoming.
To not be so hard on yourself and others.

My new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, is a book designed to help to experience the grace upon grace God has for you by reflecting on your life and your memories. I hope you’ll pick up a copy.

SHOW NOTES * Read Chrystal’s book, She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You * If your heart feels weary, get a FREE Soul Care Kit from me to you! * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Get a Book & Bandana Bundle! It includes a signed copy of Dear Daughters and one of my favorites, Jenni Earle’s ‘Chin Up Buttercup’ Bandana. * Order now to get the Grace Gift Bundle! It’s a signed copy of The Grace Guide plus my favorite lavender lotion from Hummingbird Farms!

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

We are made to hold the presence of God … the God who holds all things together holds us.

K.J. has been reckoning with an autoimmune disease, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), for 11 years. It’s been an “unpredictable companion” in her life that not only propelled her into her counseling career but also propelled her to experience and hold the presence of God.

K.J. Ramsey (BA, Covenant College, MA, Denver Seminary) is a licensed professional counselor, writer, and recovering idealist who believes sorrow and joy coexist. Her writing on the integration of theology, psychology, and spiritual formation can be found in publications including Christianity Today, RELEVANT, and The Huffington Post. She and her husband live in Denver, Colorado. K.J.’s first book, This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers, invites us to the wonder that before God ever rescues us, he stands in solidarity with us. It’s the book that she wished she could’ve had as a 20-year-old who’s suffering never went away.

K.J. says these four things about herself:

“I ended up at Denver Seminary where I got my Masters in Counseling…after seeing my own counselor and realizing A, we all need space to process the suffering in our lives but B, that it could be a career that was a lot more flexible for what my body needs. And then I also needed a better climate and the more dry climate of Colorado is a lot better for my body.”
“One time we saw someone with a German Shorthaired Pointer at a restaurant sitting outside, and it was the most beautiful dog we had ever seen and it was so sweet. We caught the bug and about 5 weeks later, we got one. His name, Merton, is after Thomas Merton, who is one of my favorite authors.”
“I was a figure skater growing up.”
“I am a total nerd.”

Listen in to my timely conversation with K.J. In seasons like we’re all in right now sheltering-in-place, we have the invitation to pay special attention to the hurt in our lives in a way that we can’t when we’re so hurried. We all have pain that persists … K.J. reminds us that our present pain is always experienced in the presence of God and the more we learn how to be present to our pain and to our hard circumstances, the more we get to experience unity with Jesus and the grace God gives us. I think she will comfort you with her heart and wisdom.

SHOW NOTES * K.J. Ramsey’s website * Get K.J.’s book, This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers * Find K.J. on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter * Snag your ticket for Cookies & Conversations via Zoom with Melanie Shankle and me! * Get the free Soul Care Kit here! * Click here for the free PDF of my prayer for you and your people. * Big shout out and thank you to Austin Christian Fellowship who is sponsoring the podcast. * ACF wants you to know about Community First! Village, a 51-acre master-planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. * Listen to the DD Podcast Episode with Alan Graham, founder of Community First! Village * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Order the Grace Gift bundle! It includes a signed copy of The Grace Guide PLUS Lavender Lotion No. 145 from Hummingbird Farms.

This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers

One of my favorite things over the last year on the Dear Daughters Podcast was listening to my guests read a letter to their younger selves.

In celebration of my new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, I am featuring five of my favorite letters in BONUS episodes, and this time I am featuring Rebekah Lyons.

In DD Episode 103, Rebekah revealed some of her own battles to overcome fear and anxiety, and talked about how her pain can become purpose … all of ours can. Listen to the kind and gentle words she speaks to her younger self, as well as the tender promises she believes God would speak to her now.

So a question for you: What would you like to say to your younger self?

That God loves you.
To love the woman you are becoming.
To not be so hard on yourself and others.

My new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, is a book designed to help to experience the grace upon grace God has for you by reflecting on your life and your memories. I hope you’ll pick up a copy.

SHOW NOTES * Read Rebekah’s book, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose * If your heart feels weary, get a FREE Soul Care Kit from me to you! * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Order now to get a special Grace Gift bundle! It includes a signed copy of The Grace Guide plus my favorite lavender lotion from Hummingbird Farms!

Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

YOU can do big, hard, and scary things.

Jennifer has found freedom in her business, her time, her finances, and most importantly, her faith, through years of releasing more and more over to God. What started as a desire to help pull her family out of financial desperation became a calling to help other women find the courage to do the same.

Jennifer Allwood is a business owner, business mentor and coach, speaker, author and podcast host for The Jennifer Allwood Show. Jennifer uses her self-started business to inspire women to believe that they are enough, motivate them, and give them permission to lean into their calling. Her new book, Fear Is Not the Boss of You, is all about getting unstuck, move past overwhelm, and taking action in spite of fear. Jennifer lives in Kansas City with her husband and three kiddos, and she stands firm in the idea of using her business as a way to serve God and her family.

Jennifer says these four things about herself:

“My kryptonite is raw chocolate chip cookie dough, that is always always always my food of choice.”
“I’m not a TV watcher, but I love movies and Netflix.”
“Massage is my love language.”
“I used to twirl batons in high school…I used to twirl two at a time and I used to twirl fire batons. My mom was a baton twirler as well. “

Jennifer is a firecracker! She talks about her new book and her passion for coaching women in business, how giving her life to God changed everything, and how “being stuck stinks.” Listen in … I think she’ll give you some confidence to take that next step you know you need to take as so many things around us are changing.

SHOW NOTES * Jennifer Allwood’s website * Get Jennifer’s book, Fear is Not the Boss of You: How to Get Out of Your Head and Live the Life You Were Made For * Find Jennifer on Facebook: @themagicbrushinc * Follow Jennifer on Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest * Order my new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life! * Click here for the free PDF of my prayer for you and your people. * Big shout out and thank you to Austin Christian Fellowship who is sponsoring the podcast. * ACF wants you to know about Community First! Village, a 51-acre master-planned community that provides affordable, permanent housing and a supportive community for men and women coming out of chronic homelessness. * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Get the free Soul Care Kit here!

Fear Is Not the Boss of You: How to Get Out of Your Head and Live the Life You Were Made For

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

One of my favorite things over the last year on the Dear Daughters Podcast was listening to my guests read a letter to their younger selves.

In celebration of my new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, I am featuring five of my favorite letters in BONUS episodes, and my next guest is Liz Carter.

In DD Episode 80, Liz and I talked about finding contentment in all of life’s messy, painful, joyous reality. Listen to Liz’s tender, compassionate, comforting words she speaks to her teenage self.

So a question for you: What would you like to say to your younger self?

That God loves you.
To love the woman you are becoming.
To not be so hard on yourself and others.

My new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, is a book designed to help to experience the grace upon grace God has for you by reflecting on your life and your memories. I hope you’ll pick up a copy.

SHOW NOTES * Read Liz’s book, Catching Contentment: How to be Holy Satisfied * If your heart feels weary, get a FREE Soul Care Kit from me to you! * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

The Grace Guide will show you how to love yourself like your good Father has always loved you and how to live your one beautiful life.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Catching Contentment: How To Be Holy Satisfied

Understanding that we don’t need as much stuff as we think we need is freeing. God has given us what we need and more than we know.

Kathi used to be buried in clutter. She wouldn’t let friends into her home, she wasn’t doing the things she needed to do … she was living half a life. But she began to live in a new way and found freedom in a clutter-free life. Through that journey, she also learned that God has given her everything she needs.

Kathi Lipp is a speaker, a podcast host, the coordinator of The Clutter-Free Academy on Facebook, and the author of 20 books including her most recent, The Clutter-Free Home: Making Room for Your Life, and coming soon, Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Heart and Home for Any Crisis Big or Small.

Kathi says these four things about herself:

“I absolutely adore my husband, Roger, like I have a deep crush on him it’s not even funny.”
"We have a knock-off Puggle. We think she’s actually a Boxer Chiweenie. But we also say she’s part Velociraptor.”
“My dad was a hoarder so this clutter stuff comes very naturally.”
“I hate our current situation, but I’m loving that I get T.V. time because I don’t get enough.”

Listen in to my conversation with Kathi. She knows all about organizing and decluttering the home, which is so timely since we’re all spending more time than ever in it. I want your home to be a place of peace and comfort! Kathi is truthful and encouraging and I hope this episode helps you take the next step to “dedicate, decide, declutter and do-your-thing” with your space.

SHOW NOTES * Kathi Lipp’s website * Get a copy of Kathi’s most recent book, The Clutter-Free Home: Making Room for Your Life * Preorder Kathi’s book Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Heart and Home for Any Crisis Big or Small * Tune in to The Clutter Free Academy Podcast with Kathi Lipp here. * Find Kathi on Facebook and join The Clutter Free Academy Group! * Follow Kathi on Instagram and Twitter * Get my book, Get The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life! * Big shout out and thank you to Austin Christian Fellowship who is sponsoring the podcast. * ACF wants you to know about The Archibald Project, a non-profit ministry that seeks to help orphans worldwide. To hear more, listen to DD Episode 116 with Whitney Runyon * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music.

The Grace Guide will show you how to love yourself like your good Father has always loved you and how to live your one beautiful life.

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Clutter-Free Home: Making Room for Your Life

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Ready for Anything: Preparing Your Heart and Home for Any Crisis Big or Small

One of my favorite things over the last year on the Dear Daughters Podcast was listening to my guests read a letter to their younger selves.

In celebration of my new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, I am featuring five of my favorite letters in BONUS episodes starting with the one and only, Pam Tebow.

In DD Episode 93 , Pam Tebow and I talked about the value of looking back and writing a younger self letter. Listen in to this woman of wisdom and amazing spiritual mama as she shares her letter to her younger self.

So a question for you: What would you like to say to your younger self?

That God loves you.
To love the woman you are becoming.
To not be so hard on yourself and others.

My new book, The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life, is a book designed to help to experience the grace upon grace God has for you by reflecting on your life and your memories. I hope you’ll pick up a copy.

SHOW NOTES * Read Pam’s book, Ripple Effects: Discover the Miraculous Motivating Power of a Woman’s Influence * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

Pre-order your copy! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

The Grace Guide will show you how to love yourself like your good Father has always loved you and how to live your one beautiful life.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

ORDER ONLINE HERE:

Amazon | Cokesbury | Barnes & Noble | Target

My book, Dear Daughters, is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Ripple Effects: Discover the Miraculous Motivating Power of a Woman’s Influence

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Where is God when things go terribly wrong?

John Ray has been my friend for a very long time. He is the pastor of Grace Church of Northwest Arkansas in Fayetteville, a missionary and a spiritual director … and he knows firsthand about suffering.

John says these four things about himself:

“I’m adopted, which has been one of the forming experiences of my life.”
“I am married to a phenomenal introvert. Jane Ray is a fantastic woman.”
“I’m the dad of four daughters who are all radically different, one of whom we lost when she was 10 years old.”
“I feel like I won the lottery and didn’t buy a ticket by getting to do what I do.”

John was in the eighth-grade classroom with me when our classmate and friend walked in with a rifle and shot and killed our teacher. His mother attempted suicide not long after. He struggled with the reality of being adopted. And he lost his daughter, Olivia.

But John says this: “If I really find the courage and grace to go into the deepest wounds that I have … God is there. He has never forsaken me, he has never abandoned me, even when the world has been traumatic and evil.”

Listen in to my friend, John Ray. I hope our conversation is an encouragement to you.

SHOW NOTES * Reach out to John for spiritual direction here. * Read the Texas Monthly article about the murder here. * Big shout out and thank you to Austin Christian Fellowship who is sponsoring the podcast. * ACF wants you to know about The Archibald Project, a non-profit ministry that seeks to help orphans worldwide. To hear more, listen to DD Episode 116 with Whitney Runyon * Want to find a mentor? Sign to get The Mentor Map free! * Deeply grateful for Sara Davis Regan for providing her music. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

What happens when you take the time to take care of yourself? What happens when you give yourself grace?

This week, I interviewed five women to talk about what happens when you take time for soul care.

Are you ready for their stories?

Melissa Tate is a food writer who lives with her husband on their family horse and cattle ranch in Rockwall, TX. Her primary life roles include: mother, step-mom, daughter, sister, and friend. Melissa came to Soul Care Saturday because she longs for rest in her life…and she learned that she deserves and needs soul care.

Melissa says, “I can be confident in what I’m doing because I am where God wants me to be.“

Cheyenne Kizer is a dental hygienist and women’s leader at her church, Coryell Community Church in Gatesville, TX. She is married to her high school sweetheart and mother to two children, and she is also helping to build a mentor program as a member of the school board. She made the time in her busy schedule to come to Austin for Soul Care Saturday, where she realized a little bit more of God’s grace for her and how she needs to give that grace to herself.

Cheyenne says, “I am probably becoming a better listener to how He feels about me and how He loves me and how He created me. Although in the big picture it’s not about me, He wants to use me for Kingdom purpose and I am thankful for that.”

Mollie Dreibrodt lives in New Braunfels, TX with her husband, Canaan, and 10-month old daughter, Charlie. Canaan gifted Mollie with a ticket to Soul Care Saturday after a hard and scary season. She has learned that a lot of good can come from being vulnerable and asking for help and that she needs to give herself permission to be emotionally vulnerable.

Mollie says, “Sometimes our perfect plan is not exactly His perfect plan and we need to nurture ourselves and nurture our relationship with God so that His plan is how we’re living our lives.”

Brooke Griffin is a certified child-life specialist and a pastor’s wife, and she lives with her husband in Oklahoma. Her mom encouraged her to listen to the Dear Daughters podcast and they gifted each other tickets to Soul Care Saturday for their birthdays (just one day apart). How fun! She ended up sharing things she never expected to share and learned how hard she can be on herself…and the importance of giving herself grace.

Brooke says, “Christ loves me and He loves so many things about me, and I want to learn to love those things too…and just guarding my heart in that way and my mind, and letting Christ have control of my mind.”

Tracy Ammann Waight is a recent empty nester and divorcee (and just a really cool human) living right here in Austin. Her ex-husband gifted her a ticket to Soul Care Saturday, and she says it was the best gift he’s ever given her. Hearing the other women’s stories has given her strength in her day to day and she learned more than anything that God has her back.

Tracy says, “My stuff is just stuff. And it’s all stuff I can handle with God and with peace and grace.”

I just love these women. And I am so grateful they came on the show to share their stories and their wisdom. I am crying and laughing, feeling inspired and learning so much from each of them. I hope that you are too!

SHOW NOTES * Join me over on the Dear Daughters Facebook Group * The Archibald Project website * The Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 116 with Whitney Runyon * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Come to The Grace Gathering on May 1st, 2020!

Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Have you given all your dreams and desires to God? He wants to do more than you can imagine.

In December of 2010, Whitney Runyon felt a stirring in her spirit that began an amazing journey for her and her husband … and for so many orphans and adoptive families.

Whitney Runyon was a wedding photographer. And her husband, Nick, was an airline pilot. But after seeing the impact of photos she took of an adoption in 2011, they formed a orphan care advocacy 501c-3 and named it after the little Bulgarian boy who’s adoption started it all, Archibald. In 2014 they quit their jobs to run The Archibald Project full time. The Archibald Project produces stories that are helping to bring an end to the orphan crisis by inspiring new people to get involved in orphan care.

Whitney says these four things about herself:

“I am obsessed with history…like kings and queens.”
“Nick and I only watch TV together. We don’t really ever separate.”
“I love the color black. Way before it got popular these days. I used to want to be Wednesday Adams.”
“I grew up in theater my whole life.”

Whitney joined me with a few friends in my living room at Dear Daughters Coffee & Conversation where she shared her story, the impact of orphan care through TAP and wisdom about truly submitting your dreams and desires to the Lord and letting Him lead … and what can happen when you do. I hope her story nudges you to give your dreams to God.

SHOW NOTES * The Archibald Project website * Follow Whitney Runyon on Instagram * The Archibald Project on Instagram * The Archibald Project on Facebook * Podcast: Around the World with the Archibald Project * Check out Whitney and her family on the GAP homepage! * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Come to The Grace Gathering on May 1st, 2020! For $25 off, enter the code EARLYBIRD

Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

There is so much more good in the world than there is bad. Let’s find the bright side.

Melanie Shankle thought she was too far gone. She wasn’t shown the grace and mercy aspect of being a Christian, so by the time she got to college she felt like there was no hope and no going back. Then God met her in a bar in a bathroom, and he pursued her patiently and faithfully and showed her that no daughter of his has ever too far gone…and how to look on the bright side.

Melanie is a speaker, the author of four New York Times bestselling books, and the creator of The Big Mama Blog. She lives in San Antonio with her husband, Perry, and daughter, Caroline. In 2006, she felt God’s call on her to be a full-time writer after pouring over parenting blogs and starting her own while on maternity leave. Her newest book, On the Bright Side: Stories About Friendship, Love, and Being True To Yourself, is described as “the ultimate guide to help you discover the power of relationships, the unchanging truths of life, and importance of giving up comparisons.”

Melanie is an open book and tells us these four things about herself:

“I don’t like Chinese food. So there’s that. In particular, I don’t like water chestnuts. I think they’re a really weird texture.”
“I sleep with like seven pillows at night. I’m a very high-maintenance sleeper.”
“I was a Judy Blume nut.”
“As a fourth-grader, I would get up, and eat my cereal and read Erma Bombeck. I thought she was so funny.”

Melanie and I had a blast sitting in my living room, laughing and talking about all sorts of things: how the world seems to have forgotten about love and mercy and grace and that we all need to be reminded that there is light; how God meets us right where we are; the precious role of a mother and how to stay sane while raising kids; our mutual obsession with Cheer on Netflix … I hope she encourages you and helps you look for the bright side!

SHOW NOTES * Melanie’s Big Mama Blog * Melanie’s book: On the Bright Side: Stories About Friendship, Love, and Being True To Yourself * Melanie’s debut children’s picture book: Piper and Mabel: Two Very Wild But Very Good Dogs * Melanie’s Instagram * Melanie’s Facebook page * Melanie’s Twitter * Follow me on Instagram for a chance to win a signed copy of On the Bright Side * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Get involved with Young Life * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Sara Davis Regan’s song about chronic longing. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Come to The Grace Gathering on May 1st, 2020! For $25. off, enter the code EARLYBIRD

Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Piper and Mabel: Two Very Wild but Very Good Dogs

On the Bright Side: Stories about Friendship, Love, and Being True to Yourself

We want to leave our kids with more than just memories, we want to leave them with a legacy.

Rodney and Michelle Gage have always been all about family. When their oldest was 6 or 7 years old, they had a family pow-wow to decide what their family would be all about…and they want you to know it’s never too late to do that with your family, too.

Rodney and Michelle are the founding and lead pastors of ReThink Life Church in Orlando, FL. They have been married for over 28 years and have devoted more than 25 years to full-time ministry. They co-authored a new book, Family Shift: The 5-Step Plan to Stop Drifting and Start Living with Greater Intention that seeks to help families find God’s best possible life for them and get back to the basics of what’s really important.

Michelle tells us these four things about herself:

“I grew up in Oklahoma. I’ve got roots where I’ve loved riding horses…cowboy-cowgirl back roots.”
“I’m the oldest of four girls and I love the position of being the oldest.”
“We moved to Orlando, FL from Texas to plant a church. We lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area right after we got married and we lived there almost 10 years.”
“I’m a worship leader…and I’ve had a ministry to women for quite some time.”

Michelle and I talk about the importance of establishing core values for your family, identifying each family member’s individual goals, passions and struggles, finding life-giving friendships, and teaching by example. I love Michelle and her heart. I hope she encourages you to shift your focus back to what matters most and live with greater intention.

SHOW NOTES * Michelle & Rodney’s book: Family Shift: The 5-Step Plan to Stop Drifting and Start Living with Greater Intention * Family Shift website * ReThink Life Church Website * Michelle’s Instagram * Family Shift on Twitter * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin! * Get involved with Young Life * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here! * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Come to The Grace Gathering on May 1, 2020! Early Bird Tickets are available here. * Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Family Shift: The 5-Step Plan to Stop Drifting and Start Living with Greater Intention

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

What if our eyes shifted from what we need to what we already hold in our hands?

Meredith McDaniel is all about experiencing the hope and peace of God here and now by looking for the manna in her life and being a “manna maker” for others.

Meredith is a licensed professional counselor in Davidson, NC, and owner of her private practice Milk + Honey. She just wrote her first book, In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God’s Provision in a Land of Longing. Inside the pages, she takes us alongside God’s people as they escape from Egypt and wake up each morning to manna, God’s provision for them in desert places.

Meredith tells us these four things about herself:

“I love music. It is a daily part of my life.”
“I really love Havarti dill cheese.”
“Right now I have a thing for blue leather.”
“Books have always been something I’m really drawn to…because of the stories that are inside.”

Meredith and I talk about the longing that everyone feels and how it can unravel us, but that God is always pouring out abundance on our lives … we just have to look for it. If we can trace God’s hand throughout our stories, we can see the “manna” that reminds us of His presence and provision in our lives. I loved my time with Meredith. She is a calming presence and so inspiring. I hope she encourages you and helps you see the manna in your life!

SHOW NOTES * Meredith McDaniel’s Website * Meredith’s book: In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God’s Provision in a Land of Longing * Milk & Honey Counseling * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Get involved with Young Life * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Sara Davis Regan’s song about chronic longing. * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here! * Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life * Find my current book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Here’s the info on Soul Care Saturday!! * Pencil in The Grace Gathering for May 1st 2020

In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God's Provision in a Land of Longing

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

You have been given a gift and it’s up to you to decide how you use it. And if you decide to use it to love on others and to be present with others, that matters.

Morgan Harper Nichols has loved making art since she was five-years-old. From an early age, her parents encouraged her that she was created to create, but it took much longer to feel like she had permission to share her art with the world … and now she uses it to bring encouragement and extend grace to others.

Morgan is a writer, artist, and musician. All of the work she creates is inspired by people and their stories … how is that? Her new book, All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living, is a gorgeous collection of illustrations, poetry, and prose meant to share hope, grace, restoration, and freedom.

Morgan says these four things about herself:

“I’m sarcastic which tends to surprise people.”
“Most of the movies and TV shows I consume are super light-hearted.”
“I love cheese. I’m a huge cheese fan. All the kinds. My mom loves sharp cheddar cheese and passed that on to me.”
“I collect coffee mugs. I think coffee mugs are cool.”

Morgan and I talk about how we can learn so much through people’s stories and how they can fuel us to be who we were created to be. In the moments we see ourselves reflected in those stories, in relationships, in art and the things around us … those are the moments we are reminded that we are not alone and that we do belong. My time with Morgan was just a dream … I love the way she is so encouraging, but also has a little sass. I just know you will find her as delightful and inspiring as I do!

SHOW NOTES * Morgan Harper Nichols’ Website * Morgan’s shop, Garden24 * Morgan’s book: All Along You Were Blooming * Morgan’s Instagram * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Young Life * The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Here’s the info on Soul Care Saturday!!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

The start of healing is embracing it is a process and experiencing God through that process. We get to participate with God in writing a new story. He is the author of all our healing.

Aundi Kolber grew up walking on eggshells and white-knuckling her way through life. She never imagined as a twenty-year-old that she would be the person she is now … free, healthy, healing.

Aundi is a new author and seasoned licensed professional counselor (MA, LPC) in Castle Rock, CO. She specializes in trauma and body-centered therapy and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology.

Her first book, Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode—and into a Life of Connection and Joy, helps equip people like you and me to stop pushing through feelings and start understanding and processing emotions in healthy ways.

In her own words, Aundi says these four things about herself:

“I’m only 5’4″ but I played college basketball and I’m still the leading scorer at my high school and was actually inducted into the hall of fame this past February.”
“I have the weirdest and goofiest nicknames for my kids.”
“I absolutely love water. I grew up right next to the Pacific Ocean.”
“I love Disney stuff. I never thought I would be a Disney Mom.”

Today, Aundi and I talk about how God designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles, and the importance of what she calls “paying compassionate attention” to all parts of ourselves: body, mind, and soul. I am so thankful for my time with Aundi. I think our conversation will help encourage you in your own process of healing … and maybe even help you start it.

SHOW NOTES * Aundi’s Website * Aundi’s book: Try Softer * Aundi’s Instagram * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Wind River Healing Warriors Ministry Scholarship Info * Learn more about Wind River Family Camp and book your trip for this summer! * The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Coffee & Conversation with Melanie Shankle * Here’s the info on Soul Care Saturday!!

Find my book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Your God-given identity is the truest thing about you. No matter your past, God has a new name for you. It’s deeply personal and it’s beautiful, better than any name you could choose for yourself. What is it?

Esther Fleece Allen hid a deep, dark, painful past and lived out so much trauma. God was the only constant in her life…so she hung on to Him and lives out her new name.

Esther is an author, speaker, millennial leader, and Founder & CEO of L&L Consulting, Inc., where she helps Christian ministries develop innovative strategies for sustainability, development, outreach, and marketing. She also is a graduate of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics Business Program, has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications from Oakland University, and is currently in Seminary studying Women’s Leadership.

In her own words, she says these four things about herself:

“I’m probably more serious than I should be. I really do study the Bible in my free time. I really do love it.”
“I have laugh attacks. I just can’t stop.”
“I love shopping. I feel the Lord when I shop.”
“I love mountain climbing. I love hiking. I’ve climbed several 14ers.”

Today, Esther and I talk about her story and how God meets in us in lament, and the freedom we can have living out the name God gives us. I think you’ll be smiling through tears just like me, as you hear stories from her beautiful life. I’m so grateful for my conversation with Esther, and I know you’ll find encouragement and freedom from her message.

SHOW NOTES * Esther’s Website * Esther’s new book: Your New Name: Saying Goodbye to the Labels That Limit * Her first book: No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Stop by my church Austin Christian Fellowship if you’re in Austin * Wind River Ministry getaway info * Learn more about Wind River Family Camp and book your trip for this summer! * The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Coffee & Conversation with Melanie Shankle * Here’s the info on Soul Care Saturday!!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Your New Name: Saying Goodbye to the Labels That Limit

No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Who are you comparing yourself to and what kind of heartache is it creating in your life?

Richella Parham is a spiritual mama with all kinds of hard-earned wisdom on learning how to be free from the comparison trap that wrecks so many lives.

Richella is an author, on the Board of Directors at Renovaré and is a member of Redbud Writers Guild.

In her own words, she had these four things to say about herself:

“I am one of three sisters. And I have three sons.”
“I am a military trivia/history nerd.”
“My oldest son is a naval aviator.”
“My home is neat but my desk is a mess and my closet is a catastrophe.”

Today, Richella and I talk about finding freedom from constant comparison in real and practical ways based on her new book, Mythical Me. I think you’ll be challenged and encouraged by her wisdom.

SHOW NOTES * Discover more about Austin Christian Fellowship * Wind River Ministry Getaway Info * Wind River Family Camp * Richella’s Website * Her new book, Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison * The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson * The Power of Habits by Charles Duhigg * The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life * Music by Sara Davis Regan * Keep in the know: Sign up for my newsletter here!

UPCOMING CALENDAR EVENTS * Here’s the info on Soul Care Saturday!! * Coffee & Conversation with Melanie Shankle * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here.

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

The Art of Divine Contentment

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Mythical Me: Finding Freedom from Constant Comparison

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life

“I’ve done something terrible.”

Becky Powell faced the unthinkable on May 16, 2013, when her husband Mark called and confessed he’d done something awful. Within hours, she learned that he had taken his own life and, over a period of several years, millions of dollars from friends and colleagues. Everything she believed to be true, the very fiber of her marriage, was called into question.

Within a week, rather than planning carpool runs and volunteer fundraisers, she owed almost one hundred creditors millions of dollars and had her own team of ten lawyers. She was also the subject of open FBI, SEC and DOJ investigations-and faced potential criminal charges. And, although she instantly denounced every cent of Mark’s $15M in life insurance and promised to repay every penny taken, her lawyers knew that in reality she faced years of court battles and lawsuits, and possible jail time.

Yet from that first horrific moment, God was there. He showed up in his Word, in Becky’s friends, in her lawyers and in the generosity of those around her. He worked miracles. MSNBC, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others covered the first moment, but what about the last? What about the story in which God gives your next breath because you can’t find it on your own? What about the story of a mom and three kids trying to make sense of their pasts, present and future while living under a microscope?

Awful Beautiful Life is Becky’s journey through the two years surrounding Mark’s death and how she overcame. It came down to a loving God who surrounded her, a present and dedicated family, and friends, who made her life, offered her sanctuary and showed up for her and her kids in tangible ways. This is a story of remarkable grit, strength and what the Body of Christ in action looks like.

I’m excited for you to meet my friend, Becky, and hear her story.

SHOW NOTES * Join the weekly-ish newsletter! That’s where you’ll hear first about events / gatherings plus get a short encouraging note from me. * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Stop by my church if you’re in Austin at Austin Christian Fellowship * Join the waitlist for Soul Care Weekend next Spring in Austin!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Awful Beautiful Life: When God Shows Up in the Midst of Tragedy

Do you need some rest for your weary soul? Taking time for yourself, even a few days, can make a big difference in your life. Find the clarity you’re looking for and the rest your soul craves. Reclaim your God-given vision and live your one beautiful life!⁠

Last weekend, I hosted a dozen women in my home for the very first Soul Care Weekend. You might think, “Yes, I need rest for my soul … but what exactly does Soul Care Weekend look like?” Good news, Maddie Dyess is here today to talk about what SCW did for her as a busy college student – and what it can do for you.

We talk about what soul care looks like in a practical way and Maddie talks vulnerably about how Soul Care Weekend helped her and her mom connect in a deeper way.

Here are four interesting things about Maddie:

“I’m a college student at Ole Miss.”
“I’m the oldest of four siblings.”
“I like flowers and taking care of plants.”
“I’m in a sorority and that’s a big part of my life.”

I know you’ll love meeting Maddie and you’ll be so encouraged by our conversation.

SHOW NOTES * Join the weekly-ish newsletter! That’s where you’ll hear first about events / gatherings plus get a short encouraging note from me. * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Stop by my church if you’re in Austin at Austin Christian Fellowship * Join me for Coffee & Conversation with Becky Powell – just ONE spot left! * Join the waitlist for Soul Care Weekend next Spring in Austin!

Throughout our busy and distracted days we hear so many different voices. What would happen if we slowed down, and listened to what God is saying to us?

Leighton Ford describes himself as an “artist of the soul and a friend on the journey.”

Leighton is an author, evangelist, mentor to emerging Christian leaders across the world, President of Leighton Ford Ministries, and in his own words, these four things:

“I have a very long name.”
“I have very long legs.”
“I’ve lived a very long life.”
“We haven’t known each other for very long.”

Today, Leighton and I talk about his passion for mentoring and his new book “A Life of Listening: Discerning God’s Voice and Discovering Our Own”. I think you’ll be smiling through tears just like me, as you hear stories from his beautiful life. I’m so thankful for my conversation with Leighton, and I know you’ll be so encouraged by his message.

SHOW NOTES * Leighton’s Website * Leighton Ford Ministries Whole Life Mentoring * His New Book A Life of Listening: Discerning God’s Voice and Discovering Our Own * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * Stop by my church if you’re in Austin at Austin Christian Fellowship * Join me for Coffee & Conversation with Becky Powell – just ONE spot left! * Join the waitlist for Soul Care Weekend at my home next Spring in Austin!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

A Life of Listening: Discerning God's Voice and Discovering Our Own

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Are there wounds or losses from your past that seem too big or too complicated to be healed? Are there difficult people in your life that continue to create drama and pain? What if healing could be possible?

Sarah Mae’s passion is to encourage women to walk in healing and freedom, even when the wounds are still open.

Sarah Mae is a mom, teacher, author, podcaster, and in her own words, these four things:

“I can tie my hair in a knot with one hand.”
“I have a motorcycle license.”
“I was never the cool girl.”
“I have two puppies – a yellow lab and an elkhound husky.”

Today, Sarah and I talk about her newest book, The Complicated Heart: Loving Even When It Hurts. Sarah shares her story of learning to love and forgive her alcoholic mother, and her journey of healing and grieving the wounds from her childhood.

SHOW NOTES * Sarah’s Website * Her New Book The Complicated Heart: Loving Even When It Hurts * The Complicated Heart Podcast * Sarah’s book: Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul * Sarah’s Facebook post: Eve Didn’t Have a Mother * Sarah’s blog post: Women, Let’s Get To It (On Mentoring in the Church) * Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend * Follow her wood-working husband on Instagram! * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Speaking of rest and renewal, there is ONE spot left for Soul Care Weekend at my home October 18-19th in Austin!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Complicated Heart: Loving Even When It Hurts

Having a Martha Home the Mary Way: 31 Days to a Clean House and a Satisfied Soul

Do you feel like it’s a struggle sometimes to see God in the everyday, ordinary moments? How could we be transformed if we took a breath of fresh air and lingered a little longer in the Scriptures?

Ruth Chou Simons shares her journey of God’s grace intersecting daily life with word and paintbrush. Ruth and her husband, Troy, are grateful parents to six boys—their greatest adventure.

Ruth is a mom, artist, author, speaker, and entrepreneur and in her own words, these four things:

“I was born in Taiwan and immigrated to the U.S. when I was three years old. So, English is my second language (Mandarin is my first language).”
“I was a biochemistry major before I studied art.”
“I never intended on having six children, and I never thought I could be a mom to boys.”
“I love all weird and ethnic food. I love to try any food – the strangest food possible.”

Today, Ruth and I talk about the importance of community and doing life together. Ruth also shares how we can find beauty in the everyday moments, and the ways we can worship and experience God, even as we do such tasks like folding laundry!

SHOW NOTES * Ruth’s website * Ruth’s new book: Becoming and Beholding: The Art of Everyday Worship * Ruth’s Shoppe: Gracelaced * Ruth’s blog post: “Advice I Would Have Given Myself 16 Years Ago” * Book-signing at Fabled Bookshop & Cafe in Waco, TX, November 1 * Book-signing at Barnes and Noble in Austin, TX, November 2 * Find Ruth on Instagram * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Here is the info on Soul Care Weekend at my home October 18-19th in Austin! There are just a few spots left.

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

What do you do when fatigue or discouragement creeps in your life? Or what about when anxiety hits? How do you find and sustain emotional, relational and spiritual health?

An old soul with a contemporary, honest voice, Rebekah Lyons revealed some of her own battles to overcome anxiety and depression—and invites us to discover and boldly pursue own God-given purpose from a place of freedom.

Rebekah Lyons is a mom, teacher, author and in her own words, these four things:

“I LOVE starting the day with a walk outside.”
“I have been on a journey working on my energy level for the last couple of years.”
“I don’t really watch TV.”
“I grew up in Florida, St. Petersburg, and I love going to the beach.”

Today, we’re talking about her latest book, Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose. Rebekah vulnerably shares how she purposefully took time to seek rest and respite in her professional and personal life. I just loved my time with her, and I know you will love her too!

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SHOW NOTES * Rebekah’s Website * Her New Book Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose and she also has a Study Guide. * The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma * Parker Palmer’s Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation * Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning * New music on the podcast via my own daughter, Sara Regan Davis. * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Speaking of rest and renewal, join me for Soul Care Weekend at my home October 18-19th in Austin!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Rhythms of Renewal Study Guide: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose

Man's Search for Meaning, Gift Edition

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

We are called to do everything to the glory of Christ, including friendship.

Meet Kelly Needham. She’s a mom, author and in her own words, these four things:

“I’m a classically trained violinist and that’s how my husband and I met.”
“I love jigsaw puzzles.”
“We had a jigsaw puzzle table growing up – and I have one in my home today.”
“I love making Indian food.”

Her short online bio reads like this: Kelly Needham is an author, speaker, and blogger and hopes to convince as many people as possible that nothing compares to knowing Jesus.

Today, we’re also talking about her latest book, Friendish. I’m grateful for Kelly’s insightful words and encouragement to make our friendships God-honoring relationships. I’m sure you will feel grateful too!

SHOW NOTES * Kelly’s website here. * Her new book, Friendish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion. * The interview with my daughter, Emily Boone. * New music on the podcast via my own daughter, Sara Regan Davis * Want to find a mentor? Sign up here for The Mentor Map here. * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Now here is the info on Soul Care Weekend at my home October 18-19th in Austin! There are just a few spots left.

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

*Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.*

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Friend-ish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Never for a moment think that God has forgotten you.

Meet Lisa-Jo Baker. She’s a mom, author and in her own words, these four things:

“I am a motherless daughter. I am always on the lookout for mother nourishment.”
“God who loved me through the dark seasons and filled the motherly role.”
“I swore I would never have children and yet I am a mother to three children.”
“I’m originally from South Africa which explains the accent.”

Regarding this interview she also said, “Scooch up a little closer friends, if your mom passed away or left or is emotionally unavailable or in whatever way possible has left a mom-shaped hole in your heart.

Here’s the thing —we have a father God who also beautifully and tenderly and wholly mothers us. This has been my story. He has mothered me and then also consistently brought women into my life who fill that mom hole in so many different ways. With their laughter and their questions and their caring and their gift packages and the way they help with my kids and champion my work. It hasn’t been just one woman, God has used a community that spans time zones and countries to fill in the ache that never really leaves us motherless daughters alone.”

Today, we’re talking about her latest book, The Middle Matters. Woohoo! I’m deeply grateful for Lisa-Jo’s voice of encouragement to women, and especially mothers. I’m sure you will feel grateful too!

SHOW NOTES * Lisa-Jo’s website here. * She describes her newest book, The Middle Matters, as ”a love letter to an ordinary life that includes the most un-beautiful places.” * Additional books: Surprised by Motherhood and Never Unfriended * Her Bible Study: We Saved you a Seat * This post on Mother’s Day for the Motherless Mother * Out of the Ordinary Podcast with Lisa-Jo Baker and Christie Purifoy * New music on the podcast via my own daughter, Sara Regan Davis * My story about God’s rescue from fear:Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Now here is the info on Soul Care Weekend at my home October 18-19th in Austin!

Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!

Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected About Being a Mom - Lisa-jo’s Story of Becoming & Being a Mom, and in the Process, & Discovering

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding & Keeping Lasting Friendships

We Saved You a Seat - Bible Study Book: Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Middle Matters: Why That (Extra)Ordinary Life Looks Really Good on You

This is the 100th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast recorded live just last week in Springdale, Arkansas. First I have to say that I’m blown away and entirely grateful to God for his ever present help on this journey. From the very start of this show, my end goal was to encourage you with helpful, practical advice on how to live a godly life. And I have to say, every guest on this show has brought so much wisdom to that conversation.

It only seems fitting that the 100th episode takes place in my dear friend, Amy Hannon’s kitchen at Euna Mae’s because that’s where my passion for mentoring started – in my kitchen. I loved making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for my children and their friends. I loved asking them questions and hearing about their lives and their thoughts about God. Mentoring for me was organic. It started in my home with my own children – and then it extended to their friends. Isn’t it beautiful the way God develops ministry out of home and overflow?

When I gathered with the women at Euna Mae’s, I told them two very important things about mentoring. This is what I said.

No matter your age, these two things are true:

You are a dear daughter.
You need a spiritual mother.

Every one is a dearly loved daughter of God. And every daughter deserves a spiritual mama. (And the world needs more spiritual mamas!) I hope this episode will inspire you, no matter where you are in your journey with God, to seek out a mentor and to be a mentor.

Thank you for listening in, for encouraging me with your kind ratings and reviews. And now, here we go! The 100th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast!

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SHOW NOTES * Join my newsletter to hear all about upcoming events. * Visit Euna Mae’s in Springdale, Arkansas and have some FUN! * See my kitchen counter hug here. :) * The AirBNB in Springdale: The Grove Cottage * If you’d like for me to come to your place and speak, email me here! * Be sure to check out my book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Do you long to create a home that offers both beauty and comfort? A space that offers both respite and connection?

Meet my new friend, Kennesha Buycks. She is the creator of Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand/blog that focuses on creating spaces that go beyond merely the aesthetic and focus on creating soulful, restorative aspects of home.

When Kennesha is not busy being a wife to her amazing husband or a mama to her four kids, she spends her time writing, blogging, and encouraging others to live life uniquely and with passion.

Her new book, Restoration House: Creating a Home That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter, demonstrates how to embrace both your story and your home.

Here is our interview, recorded live in a special format called Dear Daughters Coffee and Conversation that was recorded right here in my home, with a handful of wide-eyed listeners, just like me.

###### SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Join my newsletter to hear all about upcoming events! * Restoration House: Creating a Home That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter * Restoration House Blog * Kennesha’s Instagram * Find Kennesha on Facebook * Find Kennesha on Pinterest * Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Restoration House: Creating a Space That Gives Life and Connection to All Who Enter

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Meet my dad, Bob Gerrie. He is an inspiration to all who come in contact with him. People often joke about ‘getting Bob-ed’ by his enthusiastic, warm welcome.

In celebration of Father’s Day, I asked my dad to come on the podcast this week. We talk about family legacy, about what real wealth means to him, oh and of course we cry all the tears! I’m so deeply grateful to have a father like Bob Gerrie.

I know you'll be inspired. Here's my dad!

SHOW NOTES * Here’s the video: Don’t Let the Old Man In * Download Real Wealth by Jay W Gerrie * Listen to the episode with my mother here. * Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation * La Grange, Texas Book Signing at The Busy B * Come see me in Springdale, Arkansas at Euna Mae’s. * Join my email list to hear all about upcoming events and receive The Grace Guide free!

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Over the years mentoring women, I’ve started to see reoccurring themes in our conversations. As well, Bailey Greenlees (my magnificent ministry assistant), has also seen these same themes while mentoring college women.

Today on the podcast, Bailey and I share our three must-have conversations while mentoring women. We touch on ideas that we talk about with our dear daughters frequently, and we share some great books and tools to take with you as you love others well!

I’ve linked below all the books and tools that Bailey and I chatted about on today’s episode. Bailey is a cutie and I just adore her, I know you will too!

SHOW NOTES * God Calling * My Utmost for His Highest * Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation * The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God * The Book of Comforts: Genuine Encouragement for Hard Times * Catching Contentment: How to Be Holy Satisfied * Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World * Gift of the Sea * As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life * Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation * The Grace Guide * DD Episode: How to Deal with Disappointment | Liz Carter * DD Episode: Spiritual Growth & Transitions | Janet Davis * DD Episode: How Memories Impact Your Spiritual Life | Casey Tygrett * Dear Daughters Coffee & Conversation with Kennesha Poe-Buycks * La Grange, Texas Book Signing at The Busy B * Come see me in Springdale, Arkansas at Euna Mae’s.

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God

My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Language Gift Edition

Gift from the Sea

God Calling (Inspirational Library)

The Book of Comforts: Genuine Encouragement for Hard Times

Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Catching Contentment: How To Be Holy Satisfied

Parenting in today’s world is always rapidly changing, so it makes me grateful to have a friend that’s a parenting expert. My friend, Vicki Courtney, is speaker and an author of many books about parenting including 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter and 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son.

Vicki is a wife of 31 years, a mother of 3 grown children who all have families of their own, and she's a grandmother of 6. OH JOY! So she’s a spiritual mama with some homegrown experience. Together, we generated 6 secrets to being a good mom. I think you’ll like them.

I’m so thankful for Vicki. Her experience and wisdom is needed in today’s ever-changing culture.

###### SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Vicki’s website * Find Vicki on Instagram * 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter * 5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Son * Vicki’s first episode on the Dear Daughters Podcast * The Grace Guide * The Dear Daughters signed book + bistro mug bundle is here for a limited time! * Dear Daughters Coffee & Conversation with Kennesha Poe-Buycks * La Grange, Texas Book Signing at The Busy B * Come see me in Springdale, Arkansas at Euna Mae’s.

Dear Daughters:Love Letters to the Next Generation is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Son, Revised and Expanded Edition

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter, Revised and Expanded Edition

Do you wonder feel anxious or worried about what you should be doing with your life?

Well, good news ahead. My conversation with Chrystal Evans Hurst is packed with truth about how to stop the cycle of insecure and unhealthy thoughts. Chrystal is an author, encourager, and a deep well of wisdom. In her book, She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You, she holds your hand and cheers you on to end the cycle of toxic thoughts and actions in your life. Our conversation was incredibly impactful and helpful in remembering to bring our thoughts into the light of God’s truth.

Chrystal is a wife of 18 years, a homeschooling mother of 5, and a grandmother of 2. OH JOY! Her desire is to teach others to love God, love others, and to love themselves.

We need more women in the world like Chrystal. I’m encouraged by how she is living her life in a way that is honoring to God and how she is encouraging so many women beside her to do the same.

SHOW NOTES * Chrystal’s website * Find Chrystal on Instagram * Chrystal’s Chronicles Podcast * She’s Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You * Show Up for Your Life: What the Girl You’ll be Tomorrow Wants You to Know Today * Kingdom Man: Every Man’s Destiny, Every Woman’s Dream * Kingdom Woman: Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities * The Dear Daughters signed book + bistro mug bundle is here for a limited time! * Dear Daughters Coffee & Conversation with Kennesha Poe-Buycks * La Grange, Texas Book Signing at The Busy B * And be on the lookout for my visit to Arkansas to visit Amy Hannon.

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Show Up for Your Life: What the girl you’ll be tomorrow wants you to know today

She's Still There: Rescuing the Girl in You

Kingdom Woman: Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

Who am I? What am I about?

If you have ever asked yourself those kinds of questions, then you likely have also had to look back at your story. Author and spiritual director, Casey Tygrett, says that remembering your past is often one of the most courageous things you can do. He spent the past few years researching and unpacking the idea that we are who we are, because of our memories. And his newest book, As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life, speaks to these questions and more.

Casey serves as Theologian in Residence at Parkview Christian Church near Chicago, Illinois. He and his wife, Holley, have been married for 18 years and have one daughter, Bailey.

I’m deeply grateful for the work that Casey is doing. We talk about letting God redeem our past, for the good of our present. It’s something that has impacted my life, and I’m sure will impact yours too.

Casey is amazing, listen in!

###### SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Casey’s website * Casey’s Podcast: otherWISE * The Apprentice Gathering * As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life * Becoming Curious: A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions * Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World * Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * The Dear Daughters signed book + bistro mug bundle is here for a limited time!

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Becoming Curious: A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions

Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World

As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life

If love helpful books and beautiful journals, you’ll love meeting Valerie Woerner, the owner of Val Marie Paper and author of Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday. Her mission is to create practical tools, including her original 6-month prompted prayer journal, and content that equips women to cut through the noise of everyday life and find fullness in the presence of the Lord.

She lives in South Louisiana with her husband Tyler and two girls, Vivi and Vana. And guess who lives on the same block? Her grandpa and her twin sister! Val’s the nicest kinda girl that makes you want to move on the block with her.

I’m also especially appreciative of her passion for prayer. We talk about that quite a bit. I hope the resources she’s created help you pull in closer to God.

Val is lovely, her she is!

SHOW NOTES * Our friend Meredyth Cann who introduced us :) * Val Marie Paper * Val’s instagram * Grumpy Mom Takes a Vacation * Prayer Memoir Journals * Psalm 145:4 * How to Find a Mentor * My church: Austin Christian Fellowship * Will’s books on prayer here. * The Dear Daughters signed book + bistro mug bundle is here for a limited time!

Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday: Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious, and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in Motherhood

Pray Big

Mother’s Day is just around the corner so this week on the podcast, I’m featuring another mother that you’ll love getting to know. This spiritual mama travels and speaks across the country, encouraging women to use the incredible influence God has given them to eternally impact their world.

She has appeared on Good Morning America and has won national awards for her ministry work. She and her husband, Bob, live in Florida; they have five grown children (one of whom is literally known worldwide) and eight grandchildren.

Today, I’m talking with Pam Tebow. She’s an amazing and inspiring women. She’s the kind of spiritual mama that will make you want to be a better wife, mother and human. For most of her life, she served quietly and faithfully as a wife and a mom but now, because of her Heisman Trophy winning son, Tim - people know her everywhere.

Pam has written a new book, Ripple Effects which is about discovering the power of a woman’s influence. Her story will help you remember that you have influence. Lots of it, right there where you sit. And that’s true whether you’re holding a baby or sitting in a cubicle at work. You can inspire those in your sphere of influence by doing the small faithful things. Pam’s life is proof of that …

So here is her interview, in a special format I’m calling Dear Daughters Coffee and Conversation that was recorded right here in my home, with a handful of wide-eyed listeners, just like me.

SHOW NOTES * If you’re interested in joining me for these live interviews (and we’ve had people drive in from all over to join me and my guests) then get yourself on my newsletter list because that’s where you’ll hear firsthand who is coming to town! * Ripple Effects: Discover the Miraculous Motivating Power of a Woman's Influence * In celebration of my new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation listen to my interview with my sweet mother, Mimi, right here …

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Ripple Effects: Discover the Miraculous Motivating Power of a Woman’s Influence

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Want to know how to raise healthy teenagers?

Well, we’re gonna dive into the answer to that question and more. Since Mother’s Day is just around the corner, I’m going to be talking with several moms I admire and unpack what it looks like to be a spiritually healthy mom raising spiritually healthy kids.

Today I’m talking with friend, neighbor and fellow author, Kristin Schell, who happens to be the mother of several teenagers. You might remember her as the founder of The Turquoise Table movement which is a ministry designed to help you reach out and love your neighbor.

But she’s also the mother of 4 kiddos. Her son, their oldest, is finishing his freshman year in college. And the other three, her daughters, are in that middle school to high school phase.

Here’s my friend Kristin!

SHOW NOTES * Kristin’s feature in Southern Living * DD Episode 6 with Kristin * Also DD 77 Episode with Kristin and all things Thanksgiving * That episode with my daughter, Emily Boone ~> DD Episode 18 ‘On Mother-Daughter Relationships’ * Also, on Episode 87 ‘On Building Healthy Mother-Daughter Relationships’ * With my youngest daughter, Sara Regan, DD Episode 88 ~> ‘Questions to Deepen the Mother-Daughter Relationship’ * Come to the Hearth and Soul Book Signing Celebration with Kristin and me!!! * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Dear Daughters is meant to be a bridge between two groups of women–dear daughters and spiritual mamas. Dear daughters are young women in search of spiritual guidance and spiritual mamas are women just a little further down the road with age-old wisdom to share. Each group has valuable insight for the other and the hope is that the reader will invite someone to come alongside them, pore over the included letters together, and pass along wisdom and advice that will make both lives more beautiful, wherever they are in their God story.

This book, ideal for a gift, is a casebound hardcover with ribbon.

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

In celebration of my new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation, releasing today … it is my DELIGHT to introduce you to my mother, Peggy Gerrie. (Though she goes by Mimi.)

She is one of the MOST important people in my life. She is the reason I have energy and love to give to dear daughters in my life. I am so excited for you to know her better. :)

I’m also thrilled for you to meet my dad, Bob Gerrie. Though he’s better known in our family as Papa. Together they are quite the team.

It’s my honor to introduce them to you!

SHOW NOTES * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation * Will’s sermon on contentment at ACF. * Our family favorite verse is Psalm 118:24 says, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.

Good news is: The preorder bonus is still available! Order your book now and you’ll get 16 questions to dive deep AND you’ll get 4 of our favorite family recipes. Because my favorite place to ask questions is at the table. SO gather your people at the table with some good food and dive deep in conversation.

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE!

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

So this week, I’m bringing you another podcast interview with a live audience. It’s my second in a series of interviews where I invite an author friend for coffee and conversation, and I invite you into my home too. This week, Emily P. Freeman is joining me for this special format I’m calling Dear Daughters Coffee and Conversation.

Emily P. Freeman has been on my show before, which was all joy. Listen to DD Episode 19.

If you’re interested in joining me for these live interviews (and we’ve had people drive in from all over to join me and my guests) then get yourself on my newsletter list because that’s where you’ll hear firsthand who is coming to town!

In today’s special episode, we’ll be celebrating and discussing her brand new book, The Next Right Thing. It’s a book designed to help you uncover the next right steps in your life. If you’ve ever agonized over something big like what you’re supposed to do with your life, or even something small like if you take a certain class. Or even a medium assignment like what preschool your kids should attend, well then you’ll love hearing Emily today on the podcast. Because not only does she explain how to find the next right steps, she also literally walks someone through it.

SHOW NOTES * Friends University * The Next Thing Podcast * The Next Right Thing Book * Parker Palmer’s Thoughts on Creating a Clearness Committee * Emily’s beautiful Instagram * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

If one of your next right steps is to find or be a mentor, I’ve got really good news. My new book, Dear Daughters, is out NEXT week!

And actually, it’s a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving. Good news is: I have a pre-order bonus that you’ll love. Order your book now and you’ll get 16 questions to dive deep AND you’ll get 4 of our favorite family recipes. Because my favorite place to ask questions is at the table. SO gather your people at the table with some good food and dive deep in conversation.

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE! Also, in celebration of Dear Daughters release, I'm hosting The Grace Gathering! I’ll be leading with my daughters, Emily and Sara. As well, Honey Holden and Hayley Morgan will be on stage. This is a multi-generational event. Young women, older women all coming together to focus on our GOOD GOD. ###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions

So this week’s podcast is pretty exciting for two different reasons …

First, this is my very first podcast with a live audience. I decided to invite podcast guests to my home for coffee and conversation so that you could sit with us, listen in and then ask all the questions. I’m really excited about this format called Dear Daughters Coffee and Conversation.

If you’re interested in joining me for these live interviews (and we’ve had people drive in from all over to join us) then get on the mailing list because that’s where you’ll hear firsthand who is coming to town!

The second piece of exciting news is to kick off my DD Coffee & Conversation series … Audrey Roloff is on the show! Audrey and her husband, Jeremy, were on the TV show Little People, Big World. Matter of fact, their wedding was televised. Did you see it? It was beautiful. And she and her husband Jeremy have a beautiful love story.

They have a brand new book out this week called: A Love Letter Life. Inside the book which they co-authored, they encourage couples to intentionally pursue a love story that never ends.

I know you’ll love getting to know Audrey just like we do in this interview.

SHOW NOTES * Audrey’s website * Always More * Audrey’s Instagram Feed * Audrey and Jeremy’s site: beating50percent * Young Life * All that talk on mentoring: Did you hear DD Episode 86 called An Inside Look at a Mentor Relationship with Hayley Morgan? * Here’s the info on the DD Coffee and Conversation with Pam Tebow * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

###### JOIN ME AT THE GRACE GATHERING!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

Oh hey, there’s a pre-order bonus when you buy *Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation!*

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE! Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

A Love Letter Life: Pursue Creatively. Date Intentionally. Love Faithfully.

I believe that questions are the best way to know people better, to hear where people are with God and to help people find their way in life.

Questions like …

What’s your God story?

What’s your guy story?

And if you could reach back in your past and sit next to your younger self, what would you say to her?

These kinds of questions are also an incredible opportunity to deepen a mother-daughter relationship. :)

These are the questions I asked my special guest on the show today. Because I wanted to give you a template for how to dive deep in conversation over the important things. And I asked these questions to an important person in my life. My youngest daughter, Sara Regan.

Sara is 25 years old. She’s a musician, a worship leader and an all-around incredible human. Sara is married to David, who is a Young Life director in Katy, TX. Sara and David are all about discipleship. Matter of fact, Sara says

Discipleship is legacy.

I hope that if you’re helping people grow in Christ, whether that’s a toddler you’re taking care of or some high school girls you’re meeting with or a young mama … what you’re doing is LEGACY. And it’s important and it matters.

If you haven’t heard: Sara is going to be at the Grace Gathering in Austin on April 12th!

She’ll be weaving the event together with original music. It’s going to be phenomenal. Honey Holden, Hayley Morgan and my oldest daughter, Emily Boone, will be leading too. Yep we’ll all be together on stage and I’d love for you to be there too!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

You’ll be encouraged and inspired and you’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel God’s presence there. So buy your ticket and come on!!

###### SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

SHOW NOTES * Sardie Pants is Sara’s family nickname… FYI * Sara’s first interview, DD Episode 3 * Sofar Music | Austin * Mindy Smith’s Come to Jesus * Might want to listen to this episode too! On Mother Daughter Relationships with Emily DD Episode 18 * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Oh hey, there’s a pre-order bonus when you buy Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation!

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE! Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

You know, I get a lot of questions about how to build or maintain good relationships in family. And I especially get questions about how to have good relationships between my kids and me. So today, I invited my 29-year-old daughter, Emily Boone, on the show to talk all things about the mother daughter relationship.

We talk about a lot of things including what healthy boundaries look like between us. We also talk about what she wished she could have told me when she was younger. And oh my gracious. If you’re in the middle of mothering, you’ve just got to hear that. It will encourage you and challenge you. And it might just make you cry.

If you haven’t heard: Emily is going to be at The Grace Gathering in Austin on April 12th! She’ll be sharing about some really big transitions in her life as a newlywed in a new city, figuring out all kinds of things, and the inevitable loneliness and confusion that we all feel in those kinds of big transitions.

If you’re listening and you’re in any kind of transition like: the big jump from high school to college or college to post grad or maybe even the really big jump from mom and dad’s house to doing married life as a young wife, Emily will have some incredible things for you to hear about at the Grace Gathering. As will Honey Holden, Hayley Morgan and my youngest daughter, Sara Regan. Yep we’ll all be together on stage and I’d love for you to be there too!

You’ll be encouraged and inspired and you’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel God’s presence there. So buy your ticket and come on!!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

But for now, here’s my Emily.

SHOW NOTES * Emily Boone Photography * Visit Navasota, Texas and be charmed. * On Mother Daughter Relationships with Emily DD Episode 18 * Join us at ACF on Mother’s Day and hear Emily and me teach together! * Look at how brave Howie is … * Emily’s insta * Bowie’s insta * My story from fear to freedom, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World * My new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Oh hey, there’s a pre-order bonus when you buy Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation!

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE! Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

Do you wish you had a mentor? Or would you like to be one? Or maybe you're just curious what a mentor relationship looks like?Whether crave deeper discipleship, a mentor relationship or a spiritual friendship, this is the show for you. Today I'm talking with Hayley Morgan. She's someone I've mentored over the years. And this episode, we go through the who, what, when, and how of a mentor relationship that works. And we even talk about mentor relationships that didn't work. I know you'll get a TON of insight listening to our conversation today.

Hayley is an author and business owner. She’s wife to Mike, mama to four boys and a dear daughter to me. If you don’t already know her, I know you’ll love hearing her heart.

Also if you haven’t heard: Hayley is going to be at the Grace Gathering in Austin on April 12th! Yahooo!! I want you to meet her and hear her incredibly tender letter to her younger self when she felt lost and torn apart when her parents split up. It made me cry and then it made me thank God for how he came through for her BIG TIME. That’s all I’ll give you for now. You gotta come to the event and hear the rest.

###### JOIN HAYLEY AND ME AT THE GRACE GATHERING!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

At the Grace Gathering, you’ll also hear me and Honey and and my very own daughters, Emily Boone and Sara Regan. I’d love for you to come. I know you’ll be encouraged and inspired and you’ll laugh and you’ll cry and you’ll feel God’s presence there. So buy your ticket and common!!

But for now, here’s Hayley.

SHOW NOTES * What’s SAD? * Hayley was my very first guest on the DD podcast. Here’s DD Episode 1 * Hayley’s second show: DD Episode 53 * Hayley’s gorgeous Insta feed :) * Clare Loughrige’s book, Spiritual Rhythms for Enneagram and DD Episode 84 * Suzanne Stabile’s book, The Road Back to You and DD Episode 45 * Nellie Taft * Myquillyn aka The Nester: DD Episode 74 * Preach to Yourself: When Your Inner Critic Comes Calling, Talk Back * Nellie Taft’s Tom’s Pop-Up

Oh hey, there’s a pre-order bonus when you buy Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation!

BUY THE BOOK AND GET 16 CURATED CONVERSATION CARDS + 4 RECIPES FREE! Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Preach to Yourself: When Your Inner Critic Comes Calling, Talk Back with Truth

Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation

I adore Stephanie Holden (aka Honey Holden). She’s a southern girl, a mama to 3 grown up girls, a grandma, spiritual mama, and a pastor’s wife. I love talking with Honey because she’s the real deal. She loves Jesus and she loves the church and she loves her family.

Today on the show, we talked about a lot of things including how to build a family that is connected and close and fun. And I figure Honey is the perfect go-to on a fun, Jesus-loving family. :)

I also wanted to interview her because in celebration of the launch of of my new book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation, I am hosting The Grace Gathering featuring my dearest daughters and favorite spiritual mamas who will encourage us to explore the ways God speaks through various seasons of life!

And since Honey is one of my favorite spiritual mamas, she’ll be joining me on stage at the Grace Gathering on April 12 in Austin.

SHOW NOTES * Stephanie’s interview on contentment: DD Episode 72 * Join the Dear Daughters Book Launch Team

Need more grace in your life? Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

AND

###### JOIN HONEY AND ME AT THE GRACE GATHERING!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

If you know your Enneagram number and sometimes wonder, “What’s next?” then you’re going to love meeting Clare Loughrige.

Not only is Clare is the co-founding Lead Pastor of Crossroads Church and Ministries in Marshall, Michigan which she started with her husband, Scott, more than 25 years ago but she also provides preaching, teaching, and spiritual direction for the leadership team. In addition, she is a formally trained spiritual director for leaders with The Transforming Center in Wheaton, Illinois.

And (wait for it) she has written two books about the Enneagram, her most recent being Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation. This book is filled with exercises to engage, challenge, encourage, and sustain you to grow in greater awareness and lead you to spiritual and relational transformation via your Enneagram identity.

Whether you know much about your Enneagram number or not, you’ll love Clare’s rich content about relational and spiritual transformation in this interview.

I’m so glad for you to meet her!

SHOW NOTES * Clare’s new book, Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation * Enneagram Motions of the Soul Training in Michigan with the Loughriges * Ruth Hayley Barton’s podcast: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership * Scott and Clare’s podcast: Enneagram and Christianity * Join the Dear Daughters Launch Team

CLARE’S LETTER TO HER YOUNGER SELF

Dear 30-year-old Clare,

You are enough. Rest. Replenish. Retreat. Let solitude and silence quiet your inner performance-oriented driven self. Practice creating for an audience of One. Allow your young children to re-orient you to your essential-self. Let God love you without proving you are worthy of love. Let your acts of justice emerge from silence and listening. Allow the slow wheels of justice to grind slowly. The arc of the moral universe is long, and it is a long way to heaven. Take slow, presence minded, purposeful steps. You desire to do God’s will and that pleases God. Allow the slow work of God to work in you as well as the world you want to serve. You are loved for yourself. Be open. Be present. Be love <3

Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

AND

###### JOIN US AT THE GRACE GATHERING!

###### MORE INFO AND TICKETS HERE!

Finally … grateful, grateful for Davis sharing her music for the DD Podcast. :)

Spiritual Rhythms for the Enneagram: A Handbook for Harmony and Transformation

In a world of constant chaos and conflict, homes are often the only places of peace where souls find rest.

Everybody longs for that place of comfort called home. And in today’s noisy world, home there’s an instinctive yearning to make that space a place of refuge and beauty. Author Christie Purifoy, calls this art of creating such a space, “placemaking.”

In her new book, Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty and Peace she explains what it means to build a space of beauty and peace, whether that’s in a tiny apartment you feel you’ve outgrown or a massive dream house. Whether an untamed garden or a messy work space.

Christie Purifoy earned a PhD in English Literature at the University of Chicago before trading the classroom for an old farmhouse, a garden, and a writing desk. She lives with her husband and four children at Maplehurst, a Victorian farmhouse in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Christie is inspiring and I’m glad for you to meet her.

SHOW NOTES * Christie’s new book,Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty and Peace * Texas A&M traditions * My story about how God spoke through a hike in the mountains is in Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World. * Christie’s Instagram * Psalm 90:1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! * Join the Dear Daughters Launch Team

CHRISTIE’S LETTER TO HER YOUNGER SELF

Dear Twelve-year-old Christie reading her copy of The Secret Garden for the third time,

I know that book is filling your heart with a sweet but painful ache. I know you want a garden of your own. I remember how those descriptions of an English springtime blooming with daffodils sent you straight outside into your father’s Texas garden. But I also remember what you found there: mosquitoes, fire ants, scorching heat, and a humidity so thick it took your breath away. You gave up.

You did not ask your Dad “for a bit of earth” as Mary had in the story. You would never grow beautiful things. Didn’t have what it takes, apparently. Best to stay indoors and read another book and another book and another book until the Texas summer finally gave way to the first cold front of November.

Dear girl, so hungry for beauty. Keep reading those books. Keep dreaming of daffodils with yellow trumpets though you have never seen them with your own eyes. That desire for a bit of earth has been planted in you by your Maker. It is good no matter that it hurts so much right now. Don’t stuff it down too far. Don’t see it as a sign of your own failure. Nurture it with stories. Feed it with the roses your mother cuts from your father’s garden and places in a jam jar on the kitchen table. Enjoy the Texas wildflowers in March, those fields of red and blue. They are every bit as beautiful as Mary’s secret garden, though they need no care from you.

One day you will understand why you read that book so many times, and you will give thanks for the ground beneath your grownup feet. You will understand that this is no ordinary ground. It is ground prepared for you–prepared for your spade and your watering can, your dreams and your desires–years before you knew it would be given to you. And when the daffodils you planted bloom by the hundreds you will sing a song of praise to the God who calls forth music from yellow-petaled trumpets.

Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and Peace

"God has equipped you for this season. He has made you strong. Walk in it. Chin high, shoulders back. And fight for what’s important. Fight for connection, privacy, wisdom … these moments are full of wonder and wretchedness. God will use these days."

Meet Kate Merrick. She’s an author, speaker, mom of three, and the cofounder of the Reality family of churches with her husband Britt. She also specializes in making up dances to The Greatest Showman soundtrack, riding a surfboard, horse, or roller skates, and adding more butter to pretty much everything. She lives in Carpinteria, California with her family, five chickens, two goats, and two miniature donkeys.

Kate’s new book is Here Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overcoming World.

She also has another book, And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering, which tells the story of her losing her daughter to cancer.

Kate is all joy and I’m glad for you to know her better.

SHOW NOTES * Kate’s new book: Here Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overcoming World. * Kate’s interview on DD Episode 21 * Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. * Justin Earley on DD Episode 79 * Join the Dear Daughters Book Launch Team

KATE’S LETTER TO HER YOUNGER SELF

Dear 34 year old Kate,

“Yes, this is heinous, this awful cancer diagnosis.” And, “You are ultimately not in control, but God is.” I want to say, “Honey, sweet, sweet mama, you’ve got to trust God. Worrying only gives you ulcers and makes everyone around you anxious.” I want to say, “God has equipped you for this season. He has made you strong. Walk in it. Chin high, shoulders back. And fight for what’s important. Fight for connection, privacy, wisdom, for your son who is thrown in the middle of the crisis. These moments are full of wonder and wretchedness. God will use these days.”

Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

And Still She Laughs: Defiant Joy in the Depths of Suffering

Here, Now: Unearthing Peace and Presence in an Overconnected World

Remember the time I offered to homeschool all the children? Yes, it would be in the interview with my new friend, Jessica Smartt.

Jessica’s a former English teacher turned homeschooling mom of three. She’s an ESTJ, an iPhone addict (in recovery) and anxiety overcomer. She’s also an allergy mom (only slightly neurotic ;), loved by God, and wife to Mr. Fix Anything. She runs a mean 12-minute mile and can make just about anything dairy free.

She’s on the podcast today creating a life giving community and family via making meaningful memories. Jessica’s new book, Memory Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life into Your Home, is about all that and more.

I’m excited for you to get to know her!

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SHOW NOTES * Jessica’s new book: Memory Making Mom * Natalie Coulter’s Watercolor Journal Mint and Maple * And my interview with Natalie on DD Episode 40 * Speaking of memory making, this is interesting: The Power of Moments

JESSICA’S LETTER TO HER YOUNGER SELF

Dear 30 year old Jessica,

You know what you need to do. Put down the phone, stop the frantic cleaning, and don’t worry about rushing to the next place you need to go. Enjoy your children! Now take a deep breath — whatever you are worried about, God has it handled. You don’t have to manage the entire universe. One day, one moment at a time. When you feel lost or anxious or guilty, go back to the basics and back to the rituals that bring you and your family life. You know what’s important! Ask God for help and go do the right thing.

 Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact

Memory-Making Mom: Building Traditions That Breathe Life Into Your Home

Suffering from a lifelong disease, I’ve been told I can’t possibly be contented. Contentment happens to us because of circumstances, after all – right? But what if contentment found in Jesus is something that everyone can experience? Something we can chase and then catch hold of?

Meet Liz Carter. She’s an author and blogger who writes about life in all its messy, painful, joyous reality. She likes Cadbury chocolates and turquoise, in equal measure, and lives in the UK with her husband, a church leader, and two crazy teens.

Liz is the author of Catching Contentment: How to be Holy Satisfied. The book digs into contentment in difficult circumstances. I’m delighted to introduce you to Liz because she can talk honestly about “rejoicing in the Lord, even in the rubbish of life.” And we’ve all got rubbish in life, right?

I’m excited for you to meet her.

Here’s Liz!

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SHOW NOTES * Liz’s new book: Catching Contentment: How to be Holy Satisfied * The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson * My favorite tea: Yogi Breathe Deep Tea :)

LIZ’S LETTER TO HER YOUNGER SELF

Dear Younger Liz,

Here’s the thing I want you to know most of all, though: God hasn’t let you down. God’s not given up on you, or made you sick deliberately, or refused to heal you because you don’t deserve it. God loves you passionately within your illness, and something else, too. God feels your pain. Sits next to you and weeps with you when it hurts too much, holding your hand, saying ‘I’m here.’ God has never forsaken you or left you alone, even in those times you feel more alone than ever. It’s like David says in Psalm 139 – even our darkness is light to God, and God will be there wherever we go, whether to the heights or to the depths. And God’s right there in your depths, dear one, so hang on. Keep on holding on.

 Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

Yogi Tea, Breathe Deep, 16 Count

Catching Contentment: How To Be Holy Satisfied

The Art of Divine Contentment

Cadbury Selection Box of 10 Full Size British Chocolate Bars

Justin Whitmel Earley was just about to turn 30 when he had a complete anxiety collapse. The years that followed were extremely dark. He went from being a former missionary in China, to a few short years later, an anxious lawyer, medicating with alcohol. He felt like a failure as a father, husband, worker and human being in general.

In his recovery, Justin discovered that habits form us more than we form them. He believes the answer to our contemporary chaos is to practice a rule of life that aligns our habits to our beliefs. His new book, The Common Rule, offers four daily and four weekly habits, designed to help us create new routines and transform frazzled days into lives of love for God and neighbor.

These are concrete, doable practices, such as a daily hour of phoneless presence or a weekly conversation with a friend. These habits have been lived out by people across all walks of life―businesspeople, professionals, parents, students, retirees―who have discovered new hope and purpose.

I can’t wait for you to meet him. Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 79.

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SHOW NOTES * Visit Justin’s website here. * Buy The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction * Pre-order Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation * Sign up for my weekly newsletter and be the first to know about upcoming events.

  JUSTIN’S LETTER TO HIS YOUNGER SELF

Knowing what I know now, I would have first, gently told myself, there is SO much hope. Suffering and trials and personal failure are real but God’s grace and redemption means that EVEN those things will be used for his good. It doesn’t erase the suffering, but it does help in walking through those things differently.

Want to write a letter to your younger self?

Get the free GRACE GUIDE here

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction

Can I start with some BIG news that I’ve been dying to talk about …?

A precious little boy was born into the world. His name is Caleb David Davis. And he is my grandson. He was born 3 weeks ago. And ohmygracious, he is beautiful. Little blonde fuzzy head. Tiny wonderful human. My heart is exploding.

My grandma name is Zuzu. And Will’s name is Bear. Yes, Zuzu and Bear. Sounds like a cartoon or a children’s book. And I love it. Caleb was born the week before Thanksgiving so we’ve been traveling back and forth to Denver to see him. Lots of travel. Lots of wonder. And lots of big feelings for me.

All the travel plus the holidays kinda knocked me off center. And it reminded me of the importance those tiny daily things I do that keep me healthy and centered. Like good sleep and daily writing and eating healthy.

I was on a call last week with a woman I just adore (I’ll call her Jane) that just completed the Dear Daughters Mentorship Program. Jane asked me some very interesting and poignant questions about navigating the holidays in a healthy way with the people in her family. Because she recognizes unhealthy patterns in her family of origin that she doesn’t want to get sucked into. She recognizes that she is susceptible to walking into situations without boundaries, which creates all kinds of crazy for her.

So we’re going to talk boundaries. Because boundaries are insulators. And we’re going to talk about boundaries because the holidays are coming up and that’s often the time we need healthy boundaries most of all.

Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 78.

SHOW NOTES * Wanna talk over lunch? Sign up here! * Barbara Taylor Brown’s An Altar in the World * DD 66 Episode: Boundaries for Soul with Allison Cook * Allison’s book: Boundaries for Your Soul * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here. * Dear Daughters Mentorship Program in 2019 * Davis Music Tour Dates

Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies

An Altar in the World: A Geography of Faith

Today on the Dear Daughters Podcast, I’m talking with Kristin Schell of the Turquoise Table about all things Thanksgiving. This is the final episode in what I’m calling the Thanksgiving Trio which is three episodes with three of my favorite table people. The first was with EP 75 with Bri McKoy, the second was EP 76 with Jen Schmidt and last but certainly not least is with my friend and neighbor, Kristin!

Kristin reveals her biggest Thanksgiving blunder and how that led her to create one simple rule to follow every Thanksgiving. I think you’ll benefit from hearing what that rule is and how it makes everything much easier for Kristin over the holiday. As well, she talks about allowing space for real connection with the people at the table. Kristin is just the best at creating space to spend quality time with her people.

Kristin is a hoot. You will just love her. And you also might love winning a signed copy of her book + a cute pie tea towel + a couple Capri Blue Fir & Firewood Candles. Just jump over to my Instagram to enter to win!

SHOW NOTES * Kristin’s DD Episode 6 * Cranberry Jalapeno Salsa * Musings for Gatherings * Rebecca Rather’s Apple Pie Recipe * Sarah Harmeyer’s Neighbor’s Table * Dear Daughters Mentorship Program in 2019

… grateful, grateful for Davis sharing their music for the DD Podcast. :)

Need some good recipes and gathering ideas for the upcoming holidays? Yeah, me too. So I called on the experts. Last week on the Dear Daughters Podcast | Episode 75, I talked with Bri McKoy. We talked about the most important part of the holiday and how to mix in gratitude when you're feeling lonely.

This week, I invited Jen Schmidt to chat all things food, memories, and thanksgiving wonder. She’s great at breaking big things down in manageable pieces whether that’s cooking for 30 people or handling the holidays with the best mix of hope + reality.

Jen has spent the last decade encouraging, challenging and cheering on women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives on her popular lifestyle blog, Beauty and Bedlam. She’s a wife, mother, and ‘accidental author’, as well as a fellow table person and thrifter.

I loved hearing from Jen. I know you will too! And ohhhh, don’t forget to jump over to my Instagram and enter to win a signed copy of Jen’s book + a darling apron + Capri Blue Candle!

Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 76.

SHOW NOTES * Episode 49 with Jen Schmidt * Jen’s Gratitude Rolls * Jen’s Make Ahead Mashed Potatoes * 11 of my favorite Thanksgiving Recipes (including all kinds of P-I-E!) * Jen’s book, Just Open the Door * The Dear Daughters Mentorship Program Info and Waitlist for 2019 * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here to keep up with upcoming events, classes and gatherings.

Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year. I love gathering around the table with my dearest people, sharing affirmations and bumping elbows as we reach for one more slice of pumpkin pie. This season I’m extra grateful because I have a grandson coming Thanksgiving week ~ oh JOY!!

Thanksgiving often gets overshadowed by twinkly, glorious Christmas, so I thought it would be extra wonderful to highlight Thanksgiving by talking with a few of my very favorite table people over the next three weeks.

My first table friend is adorable Bri McKoy. Bri is a writer, food blogger, air force wife, and a fellow Enneagram 7. Today on the show we talked about how to graciously hold gratitude and sorrow in both hands, and how to be fully present in the Thanksgivings we have, not just the ones we dream of. We also talked some of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes, of course.

I can’t wait for you to hear from Bri today! And ohhhh, don’t forget to jump over to my Instagram and enter to win a signed copy of Bri’s book + Ina Garten’s How Easy is That?

SHOW NOTES * Bri’s happy Instagram * Bri’s earlier interview on the podcast ~> dd episode 38 * Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes * Ina Garten’s Herb- Roasted Turkey Breast * Bri’s favorite kitchen tool ~ the food mill * Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table * Interested in the Dear Daughters Mentorship Program? More info here. Or join the waitlist here. * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here and you’ll get access to a FREE 4 week Bible study on how to live worry-free.

Barefoot Contessa, How Easy Is That?: Fabulous Recipes & Easy Tips

Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table

Weston Stainless Steel Food Mill , 2 Quart Capacity, 3 Milling Discs, Dishwasher Safe

It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. ~ Myquillyn Smith

I’m so excited to have Myquillyn Smith, otherwise known as The Nester, join me on the show today! She’s a writer, a homebody and a contentment evangelist. Her motto is, ‘It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.’ Isn’t that just lovely? I love her passion for helping women love their most important space, their home.

Myquillyn, her husband Chad, and their three boys have moved 14 times (!!!) over the course of their married life, so Myquillyn can relate to the challenges of loving your rent house when you aren’t allowed to paint, and shopping your home when you don’t have the budget to shop.

They now live just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, where she gets to watch her peonies bloom every year and enjoy her happy place, the pool.

On the show today we talked about contentment, coziness and the gift of margin in our homes and in our lives. We talked about how so often the things that we wish were different about our lives eventually become the stories that we share to encourage others, and how they may even be our path to discovering what we love the most. She also shared a few tips for finding the perfect sofa, oh joy!

Myquillyn does so many wonderful creative things like writing at The Nester, contributing to Hope Writers, and hosting the Nest Fest and other gatherings in her sweet white barn. I absolutely can’t wait for you to meet her.

SHOW NOTES * Come to our Austin coffee/book signing to celebrate Myquillyn ~> tickets here! * Myquillyn’s newest book, The Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff * Alli Worthington * Study on how clutter effects women ~> The Clutter Culture * One sofa with timeless lines: the camelback sofa * Anthropologie statement pillows * Myquillyn’s book launching tiny house/barn * Nest Fest * Teachers Myquillyn admires: Emily P Freeman, Edie Wadsworth (her ‘cozifier mentor’), Angela from The Painted House, and Tsh Oxenreider. * Favorite bath products ~ Dr. Teals lavender epsom salts * The Dear Daughters Mentorship Program * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

Dr Teals Lavender Epsom Salt - Soothe and Sleep - 2 bags (6lbs total)

Cozy Minimalist Home: More Style, Less Stuff

Hey there, dear one.

I see you wrestling under the sadness, afraid that it’ll crush you. I know that the world can be scary and hard, and that our list of losses only grows longer as we get older.

But there is good news.

I believe that if you name what you’ve lost, if you sit with your grief and let it show you what has been taken from you instead of wrestling against it, that is the first step on the path back to joy.

Today I’m talking about grief and loss, and about how those things can be teachers. How they can make us soft and wise, rather than hardened and angry. I hope that you’ll tune in, and take the time to respond to the prompts. Then I hope you’ll share it with someone you love who needs to hear it.

###### SHOW NOTES

My book Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World
Isaiah 61.3
Best Baked Eggs
Share these show notes with a friend, or rate or review the show on iTunes
Join the Dear Daughters FB group
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter
Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven.

Here’s my prayer for you.

That you will be a woman who daily surrenders to God’s plans. Even when those plans bump into tragedy or hardship. That you will grieve, list losses and take steps back to joy. That you will be soft and kind and open to God and this great big world full of hurting people. Not hard and angry and loud. But tender and beautiful. I pray that you’ll know that you are loved more deeply than you could know, and you are not forgotten. God hears your prayers. He sees what you’re going through. And He is with you. Always.

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Do you find yourself enduring the season of life you’re in, rather than embracing it? Do you find yourself always expectantly looking ahead, putting the opportunities of today on hold because you’re distracted by your dreams for what’s next? Maybe you don’t even want to want to be content with what your circumstance is right now, you just want it to end! Well, today’s episode is for you, friend.

I’m so excited to welcome Stephanie Holden, otherwise known as Honey Holden, to the show today. She’s a Southern girl, a pastor’s wife and a spiritual mama. She radiates such contentment, wisdom and an awful lot of whimsy – so I wanted you to get to know her. Today on the show, we’re talking about walking gracefully through life transitions, which I know is something you want to do too. And I think you’ll find that what Stephanie shares applies to any season of life where you’re feeling discontent, or where beauty and grief are bumping elbows.

Stephanie has been married to her husband Nick for 30 years. And she’s being doing ministry with him for 20 years. They have three adult daughters and 4 grandchildren. She loves thrift stores, popcorn, and little celebrations… and isn’t Honey just the most whimsical grandma name you’ve ever heard?

Honey is such a delight. I can’t wait for you to meet her.

Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 73.

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SHOW NOTES * Tara Royer Steele * Letter to the 16 year old me ~> Dear Me. * Honey’s favorite fall recipe is chili… maybe make a big pot + this delicious creamed cornbread recipe from the Bald Pate Inn I talked about on the show. * You’ll definitely want to follow Honey on Instagram * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here and let’s get in the Bible together.

Do you sometimes feel like you’re doing life alone? Do you wish you could have someone who was right there with you, day in and day out, to encourage you?

Today I’m talking about the importance of strengthening your inner self to know more and more about God’s love so that you can feel his love and power in your life every single day. So you can feel the companionship of the Holy Spirit as a leader, teacher and comforter.

I also talk about how this spiritual life we’re after is not something that’s done all on your own. There’s a time for self-leadership, of course. But there’s also a time to let yourself be led and a time to lead others – and all of those roles may bump elbows in the same season of life, or even all in one day! Listen in and link arms with a spiritual mama or a dear daughter and learn more about loving God and loving the people around you – together.

###### SHOW NOTES

Ephesians 3.16-18
Join the Dear Daughters FB group
The Dear Daughters Mentorship Program Registration IS LIVE!! Sign up now. It’s a small group/online class-like setting, so there aren’t a lot of spaces available.
Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven.
Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about the new things I’m working on!

I’d like encourage you to reach out to those women in your day to day life who are just a few steps further down life’s road. I pray that this episode has brought someone to mind, and that you can just go have coffee in her kitchen and talk about God and life. But if no one did come to mind, I hope that you’ll join me in the Dear Daughters Mentorship Program this fall. I’ve had many women ask me if I’ll mentor them, and turning them away breaks my heart – so this program is the result of a lot of prayer and Big God Dreaming, with hopes that it will help you, whatever your season of life.

I’m so excited to have Shelley Giglio join me today because she is basically a professional spiritual mama. Shelley is one of the most intentional people I know about bringing dear daughters alongside her in life and helping them know and love God more. So today, I wanted you to feel like you’re getting a little mentoring/spiritual mama time with Shelley, too.

We talked about letting God redeem the disappointments in our lives and how our perspective changes when we put God in front of our circumstances instead of behind them. We also talked about how we are to live as ‘place makers’ in the Kingdom which was incredibly compelling.

Shelley and her husband Louie have spent the last thirty years of their lives either living on campus with college students, or leading students all over the world to live for God. They currently lead Passion City Church in Atlanta, where they have 750 dear daughters connected to mentoring through their womens’ ministry, The Grove. Also on her resume ~ the Passion Conference and sixstepsrecords.

Shelley is wise and kind, and I hope that as you listen you feel like you’re sitting in my living room and having coffee with us while we talk about God and life.

SHOW NOTES * Baylor University * Shelley and Louie's church, Passion City Church, in Atlanta * The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis * Shelley and her cute dad * DD episode 64: A Father’s Influence and DD episode 65: Your Dad’s Influence on How You See God * sixstepsrecords * James 1.8 ~ a double-minded man leads himself nowhere * Shelley’s women’s ministry ~> The Grove * London the super cute, missional golden doodle * The Dear Daughters Mentorship Program * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

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The Great Divorce

Do you sometimes feel like you need someone in your life a little older and wiser to remind you that God is still good, and that everything will be alright? Though you may already believe it for yourself, sometimes it’s comforting to hear it from someone else you trust. I hope you have someone like that in your life to speak the truth over you with confidence.

When I think of the role of a mentor, I think of someone who helps you reclaim the vision for your life. Someone who helps you to meditate on, ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely.” Someone who helps you listen more closely to the still, small voice of God in your life. Couldn’t we all use more of that?

Today I’m talking about the importance of having a mentor. To have someone to speak into those areas of our lives that feel foggy and unclear. Consider this a permission slip to be in a relationship with someone that is solely focused on the health of your soul.

SHOW NOTES * Sophie Hudson’s book, Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other) * The Dear Daughters Mentorship Program ~> sign up for the wait list and I’ll send you an early bird registration link as soon as it goes live. * Also join the Dear Daughters FB group * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven.

If you are hungry for mentoring but haven’t yet found someone in your day to day world, I’d love for you to join me in the Dear Daughters Mentorship Program this fall. I’ve had many women ask me if I’ll mentor them, and turning them away breaks my heart – so this program is the result of a lot of prayer and Big God Dreaming, with hopes that it will help you whatever your season of life.

It’s a small group/online class-like setting, so there aren’t a lot of spaces available. But if you hop on the waiting list here I’ll send you an early bird email when the registration goes live, so you’ll be the first to know.

Sign up for weekly-ish my newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about the new things I’m working on, and you’ll also get access to a free bible study with video teaching on how to live your life unafraid!

Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other)

There are some days when I feel like I’m building a legacy- maybe if I’ve had a really meaningful conversation with a dear daughter, or done something that seems like it could have some big impact. And there are other days that feel small like when I run errands, fold the laundry and make dinner for my husband. Maybe you can relate. You may not feel like you are building a legacy when you pray with your friend about her job interview, or when you care for a sick toddler, or make a phone call to check in with a family member but there’s good news … you are leaving a legacy. Yep, even when you do simple things like running errands, folding laundry and making dinner.

Today on the show I talk with a lovely mother-daughter team, Jackie Green and Lauren Green McAfee, about the opportunities we have to build a legacy that outlives our lives. And spoiler alert, you don’t have to be famous to leave a legacy. Jackie and Lauren’s new book, Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy, is all about that and more.

SHOW NOTES * Only One Life: How a Woman’s Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy * Museum of the Bible * This Dangerous Book: How the Bible Has Shaped Our World and Why It Still Matters Today, co-written with Jackie’s husband Steve Green * Jackie’s husband is the president of Hobby Lobby * Elizabeth Ann Everest, Winston Churchill’s nanny * ‘The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World‘, William Ross Wallace * Queen Elizabeth II * The Servant Queen and the King She Serves * Proverbs 3.5-6 * Keep up with Lauren ~> website, twitter, instagram * …and Jackie! ~> only one life book, facebook, twitter * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here. * Sign up here for info on the virtual online mentoring program.

The Servant Queen and the King she serves

This Dangerous Book: How the Bible Has Shaped Our World and Why It Still Matters Today

Only One Life: How a Woman's Every Day Shapes an Eternal Legacy

If you’ve ever wondered what your calling is, then this episode is for you because today I talk with Beth Booram who has written a whole book on understanding what it looks like for God to birth a dream in your life. Beth walks us through the the gestational process of birthing a dream as well as providing a bit of direction and encouragement.

Beth is a spiritual director and author, who also runs an urban spiritual retreat center in her home in Indianapolis. She’s written four books, and is writing her fifth with her husband. She is a fellow table person, Big-God-Dreamer and question-asker, and I am just giddy to have her join me on the show today.

I can’t wait for you to meet Beth. Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 67.

###### SHOW NOTES

Sustainable Faith Indy
Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God, co-written with Brent Bill
The Wide Open Spaces of God: A Journey with God Through the Landscapes of Life
Picturing the Face of Jesus: Encountering Christ through Art
Beth’s newest book ~ Starting Something New: Spiritual Direction for Your God-Given Dream
…and her forthcoming book, co-written with her husband, On the Lookout for God
Sustainable Faith in Cincinnati
Acts 2.46 Table
Colossians 3.23
Liz Alig – Fair Trade Fashion
Beth’s site
Julie and Julia
DD episode 61 ~ Are You Listening to Your Heart?
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

The Wide Open Spaces of God: A Journey With God Through the Landscapes of Life

Picturing the Face of Jesus: Encountering Christ through Art

Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God

Julie & Julia

Starting Something New: Spiritual Direction for Your God-Given Dream

Do you feel like you’re in control of your emotions? Or do you feel like your emotions control you? When you’re caught up in a feeling – whether it’s anxiety or anger or envy – do you feel overwhelmed? I have definitely felt those things before, so I’m particularly grateful to talk with Alison Cook on the show today about boundaries for the soul and Spirit-led self leadership.

Alison is a speaker, counselor, and writer who is passionate about helping people fully live out their God-given potential. She received her Ph.D. in religion and psychology and has served as a counselor for over 20 years. She lives in Boston with her husband and two teenage kids, where they are active in The Salvation Army.

I can’t wait for you to meet Alison. I hope this will be an important and encouraging episode for you.

SHOW NOTES * Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies * DD Episode 64: A Father’s Influence and DD Episode 65: Your Dad’s Influence on How You See God * Navigators * To get extra resources to go with the book ~> Boundaries for Your Soul * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT So often we have the negative emotion – the anger or the anxiety – and we think we need to get rid of it, instead of inviting God to be with us in it. ~ Alison Cook

To befriend your feelings: Extend compassion or curiosity to whatever it is you’re experiencing. ~ Alison Cook

That inner ‘guilt-tripper’ is often what’s protecting you from grief. It’s guilting you to protect you from what’s really going on, which is feeling grief and sorrow. ~ Alison Cook

Boundaries for Your Soul: How to Turn Your Overwhelming Thoughts and Feelings into Your Greatest Allies

How would you walk through your days if you knew you had the perfect Dad? When things get bumpy, would you worry and strive and rely on yourself – or would you endure with confidence that you could always count on your Dad to step in?

I wonder how all of our lives would be different if we lived in the confidence that God is the perfect dad. How brave would we be? How much more grace and goodwill might we be willing to extend? What might we be willing to risk for our Big God Dreams, knowing that our Dad was always there to help?

Last week we explored how our relationships with our fathers affect our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Today on the podcast we dig deeper into how our dads’ personalities shape how we perceive God’s personality.

If you’ve ever felt like God is distant or uncaring, I hope you listen in and know that God loves you passionately and personally. That His heart is full of love for you, and that when you are able to look at Him clearly, without any distortion, you will always see a proud-Dad smile beaming back at you.

SHOW NOTES * Part one of this series ~ DD Episode 64: A Father’s Influence * The God of All Comfort: Isaiah 40.1-2 * The God Who Strengthens the Weak: Isaiah 40.28-31 * The God Who Knows You: Psalm 139.1-6, 28-29 * My interview with my daughter, Sara: DD episode 3 * Stay tuned for more info about my first Dear Daughters LIVE Online Mentor Session by signing up for my newsletter. * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven.

What if I told you that there is one relationship in your life that has probably influenced your view of God more than any other relationship? That the closeness, safety, acceptance and love (or lack of those things) that you felt in that relationship would become your framework for how you receive those things from God?

I look forward to celebrating my dad on Father’s Day. He’s always cared for and provided for our family with selflessness and joy. I never questioned if he loved me because he told me he loved me and he showed me he loved me. But I know that for so many, Father’s Day stirs up a lot of insecurity and heartache, a lot of disappointed hopes and anger.

Today on the podcast we’re going to look at how our relationship with our earthly fathers impacted our view of God, making sure that there is no distortion in how we see our Heavenly Father.

SHOW NOTES * Will’s sermon on God as Father at Austin Christian Fellowship * Stay tuned for more info about my first Dear Daughters LIVE Online Mentor Session on Sunday, July 15th by signing up for my newsletter. * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven.

Almost every big change in life, almost every big success, is a compilation of tiny steps forward. If you have a Big God Dream in your heart but it seems unattainable right now, saying yes today to the next small step is next best thing to do. And then do it all over again tomorrow, and the next day and the next.

In this episode, Sarah Mackenzie and I talk about how she started living her dream by giving God a bunch of little yeses, even when she was feeling unprepared and unqualified. I love Sarah’s gumption. It’s the kind of thing that had her invite a prominent writer on her podcast before she had even started the podcast. She says she put her trust in God, believing He would give grace right when she needed it. And it certainly worked out! She had over four million downloads on The Read Aloud Revival Podcast this month! Yahoo, Sarah!!

Today we talk about her lovely new book: The Read Aloud Family. And we talk about how she manages marriage, family and a having an enormous online resource that spreads all kinds of good news. We also talked up a pretty impressive book list that you’ll want to check out for yourself and for the kids in your life.

I can’t wait for you to meet sweet Sarah! Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 63.

SHOW NOTES * The Read Aloud Revival Podcast * The Read Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids * The Read Aloud Handbook, Jim Trelease * Nurturing Competent Communicators with Andrew Pudewa * Andrew Pudewa on Sarah’s podcast ~ RAR #1, RAR #89 * Eavesdropping on the Soul, A Conversation with Katherine Paterson * A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children, Katherine Paterson * Gates of Excellence: On Reading and Writing Books for Children, Katherine Paterson * Tomie dePaola’s books, Strega Nona * Sarah’s happy insta feed * A Chef’s Life on PBS * Austin Christian Fellowship * Teaching from Rest: A Homeschoolers Guide to Unshakable Peace * best picture books for age 4-8: Tomie dePaola’s Strega Nona Series, The Circus Ship by Chris Van Dusen, and Paul Galdone’s Folk Tale Classics (Henny Penny is my favorite :) * best early chapter books for age 8-12: The Wilderking Trilogy and The Wingfeather Saga * best books for teens: The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom * Honey for a Child’s Heart: The Imaginative Life of Books in Family Life, Gladys Hunt * The Rabbit Room with Andrew Peterson * Beverly Cleary’s books * The Little House books * What Sarah’s reading now ~ The Penderwicks by Jeanie Birdsall, and Everybody Always, by Bob Goff * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids

The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition

Strega Nona

The Hiding Place

Honey for a Child's Heart

Henny Penny (Folk Tale Classics) (Paul Galdone Classics)

A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children

Gates of Excellence: On Reading and Writing Books for Children

Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakable Peace

The Circus Ship

If you love God, but don’t feel like you can trust Him, I understand. For so many years, I struggled with worry over whether God was really looking out for me. When bad or hard things happened, it made me feel anxious and worried.

Like what happened in the news just this week ... the Santa Fe school shooting. Lord, have mercy. That shooting took place forty years to the day that I witnessed a murder in my own classroom as a middle school student. I understand the long road to healing a lot of those students will be walking down – the same one that many of you are probably walking down from your own personal traumas and fears.

If you love God, but don’t feel like you can trust Him, you need to know that God has only grace for you. And He wants to give you peace. Jesus said, My peace I give to you.

Today’s podcast is about discovering ways to reject worry and receive peace. It’s about finding a practical way to practice peace and walk in it.

SHOW NOTES * When you start ‘should-ing’ yourself, you’re shaming your heart ~ DD Episode 61 ‘Are You Listening to Your Heart?’ * Mary Oliver’s ‘daily presentations’ and her poem, Mindful. * Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver * My book, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World * The Unafraid Book Club To Go * The Christianity Today Article, School Shooting Survivor: How I Stopped Being Afraid * Faith pleases God ~> Hebrews 11.6 * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Find my daily updates on Instagram. * Keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

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Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver

Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World

Are you allowing your heart to have space in your daily life?

That might be a strange question but over the last two months I’ve had two dear daughters and one spiritual mama come to me because they were feeling stuck, worried and anxious about things in their lives. Then after talking things out, and walking metaphorically around their lives … I saw with all clarity, they were so in their heads with their issues, that they weren’t giving their hearts voice.

They were working their lives, checking off things on the spiritual list, and quieting the little cries of their hearts. And I do it too sometimes. By prioritizing, analyzing, thinking, planning, working … instead of listening and feeling.

Today on the podcast, we’re going to get curious about the why behind the reluctance to listen to our hearts.

I hope today’s podcast will encourage you to love God holistically.

SHOW NOTES * The Next Gen (Mother’s Day/Mentor) Message at Austin Christian Fellowship * You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 * John Eldredge’s Waking the Dead * Guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 * Contact Bailey if you’d like me to teach or facilitate at your event or gathering. * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

Want to join me for an Acts 2:46 Table experience? Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about all the gatherings coming up.

Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive

Do you feel like your life is a mess? Just one mistake after another? Do you ever wonder how God could take the mistakes you’ve made and turn things around? Tricia Goyer felt that way almost 30 years ago as a despairing teen mom and then she prayed, “God, if you can do anything with my life, please do.”

I loved getting to talk with her today about the way God radically answered that prayer and about her beautiful, better-than-a-fairy-tale love story. We also talked a lot about walking through the hard things and what happens when we dare to take our life journey with Jesus.

Tricia lives in Arkansas with her husband and TEN kids. :) In addition to homeschooling her seven kids who still live at home, she has also written 71 books, and writes online. Tricia is a spiritual mama to look to for life advice and wisdom.

SHOW NOTES * Tricia’s latest book, Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time * Join me for the Acts 2.46 Table (Breakfast) for spiritual conversation and Austin’s best breakfast tacos. * MOPS International * Ecclesiastes 4.6 ~ ‘better one handful with tranquility than two with chasing after the wind’ * Voxer ~ like a high tech walkie talkie * Tricia’s favorite family board games to connect with her kids: Dominion, Settlers of Catan, and Mancala * Pork Verde ~ cube and fry pork chops til cooked through, then add tomato sauce, a can of green chilies, and cheddar cheese. Cook until the cheese is melted, then serve over rice. * Experiencing God Day by Day devotional by Henry Blackaby * The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom * The Little House series * Sonlight, literature-based homeschooling curriculum * Hank the Cowdog series * Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs by Tomie dePaola * Joy, from Young Living * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Youth Hunting. * Get the Dear Daughters Podcast Prompts and keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

Dominion: 2nd Edition

Walk It Out: The Radical Result of Living God’s Word One Step at a Time

Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs (Picture Puffin Books)

Hank the Cowdog Set

Experiencing God Day by Day: Devotional

Pressman Mancala - Real Wood Folding Set, with Multicolor Stones by Pressman

The Little House (9 Volumes Set)

Catan Board Game (Base Game) | Family Board Game | Board Game for Adults and Family | Adventure Board Game | Ages 10+ | for 3 to 4 Players | Average Playtime 60 Minutes | Made by Catan Studio

The Hiding Place

Who encouraged you? Who took time to listen to you? Who was it that provided a safe haven? Who showed you how to live out your faith? Who was an organic, everyday mentor to you?

What’s the best gift at Mother’s Day? I think it’s gratitude. And not just for your mom, though she certainly deserves it, but also for the spiritual mamas who shaped you as a young woman.

Besides my own mother, I can think of three women in particular who loved me well. I look back now and can see how each of them played such an integral role in contributing to the person I am today. Do you have those people too?

I hope today’s podcast will encourage you to thank those spiritual mamas who may not even realize the impact they had in your life. That you’ll feel compelled to look back and remember the people who showed you how to love Jesus in a daily, real way.

SHOW NOTES * Sophie Hudson: DD Episode 7 * Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other * Find Jen Wilkins quote here. * Acts 2.46 Table (Breakfast) * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Dear Daughters Podcast Questions Episode 58 * Keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

Join me for an Acts 2:46 Table experience soon! Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll be the first to know about all the gathering coming up!

Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other)

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~ Mary Oliver

Do you feel like you don’t know what you’re supposed to do with your life? Do you wonder if you’re too young or too old? When you think on the things that would really make your heart happy, do you feel under-qualified or maybe even over-qualified?

Today on the podcast, we’re going to wonder about the things you’d love to do with your one beautiful life. We’re going to try to identify several things that God is leading you to do. Whether it’s invite more people to dinner or start a Bible study or whatever.

For me, gathering women around my table to talk about God, like at this Acts 2:46 Dinner, is something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. And now God is giving grace to do just that. (Pretty pictures of the gathering provided by my photographer daughter, Emily Boone). You have things like that too.

I pray that you will take some time to talk with God about those dreams that are in your heart. I pray that these questions give you a little clarity as you move forward. And I hope that you’ll say a loud and joyful YES! to the things He has given you to do today.

SHOW NOTES * Acts 2.46 Dinner & Worship under the Stars * Discovering Vocation: DD Episode 44 * Psalm 37.4 * So thankful for cute Bailey’s help! * Prioritizing Goals: DD episode 46 * Hayley Morgan has a new devotional out: Always Enough, Never Too Much * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Get the Dear Daughters Podcast Prompts and keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

Always Enough, Never Too Much: 100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and Start Living Wild and Free

"Think of God often, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone." ~ Brother Lawrence

If you’re like me, there are probably a bunch of tedious little tasks lined up and waiting for you today, like folding the laundry, unloading the dishwasher, or going to the grocery store…. those things that take us away from ‘the big things.’

But what if there is big blessing for us in those small tasks when we invite God to be present with us? Today I talk about how those days of small things can turn into big opportunities for worship and communion with God when we shift our perspective towards gratitude.

SHOW NOTES * Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence * My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers * What are You Created To Do? DD episode 55 * St. Therese’s definition of holiness, and what I’m supposed to be today. * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Get the Dear Daughters Podcast Prompts and keep up weekly by signing up for my newsletter.

My Utmost for His Highest: Updated Edition

The Practice of the Presence of God

This week on the podcast, I talked with Amy Hannon of Euna Mae’s and Kristin Schell of the Turquoise Table about true, biblical hospitality. And good news – it’s much simpler than we often make it and often more fun.

It doesn’t matter what your house looks like or how good the food is – all that hospitality requires is being available and welcoming. Ordinary moments around the table or in the front yard become holy when we’re truly available.

“All the other stuff,” as Kristin says, “is just gravy. Good, Amy Hannon style gravy.” Today on the podcast we talk about the difference between hospitality and entertaining. We hope it will encourage you to have spiritual eyes to see the people around you, to release your expectations, and open your front door.

SHOW NOTES * Kristin Schell: DD Episode 6 * Amy Hannon: DD Episode 39 * Amy’s cookbook, Love Welcome Serve: Recipes that Gather and Give * Kristin’s book, The Turquoise Table: Finding Community and Connection in Your Own Front Yard. * Coffee with Amy Hannon at Kristin’s turquoise table on April 18th * Romans 12.13, hospitality means ‘love of strangers’ * Join me for the Acts 2.46 Dinner and Worship under the Stars * I love Bob Goff’s new book, Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People and especially the idea of making friends in three minutes. * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Sign up for my newsletter.

Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People

Love Welcome Serve: Recipes that Gather and Give

My whole life, in one sense, he has been an experiment in how to be a portable sanctuary, learning to practice the presence of God. ~ Richard Foster

Everywhere you go, as you practice the presence of God in your life, you’re like a small sanctuary to the people closest by. So that means when you’re on the way to work and you stop for coffee and interact with the barista in the morning, you’re standing there as a respite. Giving life to the person you’re talking to.

Or maybe as you hold your infant, or read to your toddler … you’re offering them sanctuary as you abide with God. Maybe in your high pressure job, with people that don’t know or maybe even care about God. There you are, a portable sanctuary.

Do you struggle to understand what you are created to do? Do you see yourself as a minister? Because you have that capacity. That’s God’s big plan by the way, you and me ministering His love and light to the people in our lives. And that’s what we’re going to talk about today on the podcast.

SHOW NOTES * Colossians 1:16 * Max Lucado’s book: You Are Special * Story of Paul and the blinding light * Discovering Vocation: DD Episode 44 * Understanding Identity: DD Episode 45 * Prioritizing Goals: DD Episode 46 * Richard Foster’s book: Prayers from the Heart * Join us at the Acts 2:46 Dinner + Worship Under the Stars * Listen to Liz Benigno: DD Episode 5 * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Get the Dear Daughters Podcast Prompts by signing up for my newsletter. * Send me an email if you have questions you’d like us to talk about in upcoming episodes.

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You Are Special (Max Lucado's Wemmicks) (Max Lucado's Wemmicks, 1) (Volume 1)

Prayers from the Heart

Do you remember the first time you thought of God? Was it a good or bad first impression? How did that impression lead you on a journey with God?

If you've wished you could sit at my table and talk, I've got good news! These are the kinds of questions I'm going to be asking you on the Dear Daughters Podcast in the 'Questions' Episodes.

I've always hoped the Dear Daughters Podcast could be a place for you to hear about the kinds of things that are practical and helpful in living a godly life.

And that it would be a starting point for conversations I hope you have with the people in your life you love or lead.

Now it’s also a place for you to a-n-s-w-e-r questions to grow closer to God and others by understanding yourself better.

I'm adding something new to the mix by inviting you to a one on one conversation with me. It will be a much shorter episode, just 10 minutes, where we dive deep together.

Hope you like it!

SHOW NOTES * God is with you. Matthew 1:23 * Hillsong’s Emmanuel * Join us at the Acts 2:46 Dinner + Worship Under the Stars * Check out my story in Instagram to see pictures of my backyard. * Emily Boone Photography * Thanks to Davis Music for use of her song Fifty Seven. * Get the Dear Daughters Podcast Prompts by signing up for my newsletter. * Send me an email if you have questions you’d like us to talk about in upcoming episodes. * Read Sandra’s comments on her first impression of God.

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God’s fingerprints are everywhere in our lives. Be on the lookout!

Do you struggle between wanting to honestly express yourself on social media, and wanting to post a perfectly curated picture that kind of looks more like what everyone else is posting? Are you thirsty for authenticity? Do you need someone to remind you that because of Jesus, you are always enough and never too much? If you relate to any of these, I know you will love today’s interview with Hayley Morgan.

In this episode, Hayley and I talked about authenticity on social media, the importance of self care and creativity, and also about the necessity of doing the quiet + hard work with God in everything from raising children to living with integrity. Hayley is quirky and wise. And she is passionate about seeing women walk into their unique calling and gifting. She is a wife, mom to four boys, writer, speaker and entrepreneur. I can’t wait for you to meet her! Here’s the interview on the Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 53.

SHOW NOTES * Wild and Free * Nellie Taft * Pre-order Always Enough and Never Too Much Devotional and then sign up to win a trip with Hayley and Jess! * Cute Bri McKoy * Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way * Fast and Furious Florals * Britt Bass * Brynn Casey * That salad dressing here: Buvette Cookbook * The ‘Instagram Effect’ article Hayley talked about … * Austin Kleon, Copying is How We Learn * Emily Boone’s Aside Retreat * Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here. * Schedule a consultation here.

See more show notes at susiedavis.org

The Artist's Way: 25th Anniversary Edition

Always Enough, Never Too Much: 100 Devotions to Quit Comparing, Stop Hiding, and Start Living Wild and Free

Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She Is Both Too Much and Never Enough

Buvette: The Pleasure of Good Food

Do you want to journey deeper into self-awareness, but feel like you need a guide? It can be confusing to hear people rattle off a bunch of numbers and letters trying to help you better understand yourself if you don’t have enough context.

Today, I talk with Anne Bogel about her latest book, Reading People, which gives an in-depth look at seven different personality frameworks. We also talk books (LOTS of books), the glory days of the 80’s hit-wonder, Color Me Beautiful, and our thoughts about book to movie adaptations.

Anne is a wife, mom to 4, bookworm and author. She writes online at Modern Mrs. Darcy and hosts the What Should I Read Next? Podcast. I can’t wait for you to meet her!

Anne’s book, Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything
The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self Discovery, by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
Anne’s newest book, I‘d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
The book that made the biggest impression on Anne in 5th grade ~ Where the Red Fern Grows
Isn’t this just one of the most important books anyone reads? To Kill A Mockingbird
See all of L.M. Montgomery’s books but Emily of New Moon and The Blue Castle are two of our favorites.
Sweet Valley High & The Babysitter’s Club
Anne’s favorite work of nonfiction that she read in her 20’s ~ Dallas Willard’s, The Divine Conspiracy… and her favorite fiction from her 20’s, Jane Eyre.
Anne is just bursting with creativity. I love the idea of her Book Journaling for Book Lovers class!
Anyone remember being draped for Color Me Beautiful?
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.

See more show notes with pull-out quotes here.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Emily of New Moon

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

Color Me Beautiful: Discover Your Natural Beauty Through the Colors That Make You Look Great and Feel Fabulous

Baby-Sitters Club SET: Books 1-12

The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery

None

Jane Eyre (Baker Street Readers)

To Kill a Mockingbird, 50th Anniversary Edition

Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything

The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God

Are you or someone you love in a season of suffering? Whether it’s the suffering that comes from loneliness and unfulfilled hopes, or the heartache that comes with illness or loss, author and teacher Laurie Short has comfort for you. In her new book, When Changing Nothing Changes Everything: The Power of Reframing Your Life, Laurie talks about the ability to expand your perspective by reframing your life stories.

She shares a very personal story of how when she finally got engaged at forty-three years old, it ended in a dissolved relationship. She also shares (with great joy) how God brought her just the right man at forty-nine years old. I hope that it gives you courage to love your one beautiful life - even the painful parts - and that it brings you some comfort in whatever you might be grieving.

Laurie is a wife, stepmom, speaker and author based out of Santa Barbara, California. I can’t wait for you to meet her!

Laurie’s book on grace and suffering, Finding Faith in the Dark: When the Story of Your Life Takes a Turn You Didn’t Plan.
Dear Daughters Episode 45 with Suzanne Stabile about the enneagram
Jeremiah 29.11, and the part of the chapter most people skip over… Jeremiah 29.4-11
“Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.” ~ C.S. Lewis
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.
Schedule a consultation here.

When Changing Nothing Changes Everything: The Power of Reframing Your Life

Finding Faith in the Dark: When the Story of Your Life Takes a Turn You Didn’t Plan

Are you looking for real friends who will walk through life with you? The sort of friends who you can say anything to? Today on the podcast, Jamie Ivey talks about how to find those kind of friends. The kind you can talk to about the hardest things, the kind that speak truth and walk out life with you.

We also talk about freedom and authenticity and about parenting. Lots of good stuff. Jamie is a wife, mom, podcaster, speaker, and a newly published author of: If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free.

She and her husband live in the Austin area with their four kids. I can’t wait for you to meet her. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 50.

Show Notes:

Jamie’s new book, If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free
Susie’s book, Parenting Your Teen and Loving It: Being the Mom Your Kid Needs
Jamie and Aaron’s beautiful glamping retreat center, Green Acres
She Reads Truth Proverbs study ~ The Way of Wisdom
Jamie’s upcoming Happy Hour Live, May 4-5th
Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter here.
Schedule a consultation here.

If You Only Knew: My Unlikely, Unavoidable Story of Becoming Free

Parenting Your Teen and Loving It: Being the Mom Your Kid Needs

Jesus is the author of invitation. ~ Jen Schmidt

Jen Schmidt has spent the last decade encouraging, challenging and cheering on women to embrace both the beauty and bedlam of their everyday lives on her popular lifestyle blog, Beauty and Bedlam. She’s a wife, mother, and ‘accidental author’, as well as a fellow table person and thrifter.

Today we talk about how to get past some of the barriers that keep us from opening our homes, how to take hospitality on the go, and what you actually need to live a hospitable life. We also discuss her new book, Just Open the Door: How One Invitation can Change a Generation

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 49.

See all the show notes: www.susiedavis.org

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Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation

As women, we have this tendency to sabotage our own calling to shine. There’s a lot of confusion out there about shining and pride and hiding and humility. God has called us to live radiant lives, and that’s not prideful. That’s the calling of God. ~ Janet Davis

Janet Davis is one of the best listeners I’ve ever met ~ both to other people, and to the Holy Spirit. She is a spiritual director, speaker, teacher, and has written two books. Janet works with women in particular, and I have loved getting to meet with her over the last few months to listen together to what God is saying through her in my life. She is wise and nurturing, a perfect spiritual mama.

Today we talk about transitions and grieving and… crones (intrigued?). I cannot wait for you to meet Janet!

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 48.

Do you need a guide to fight fear, wrestle worry and overcome anxiety?

Meet Alli Worthington. Alli is a speaker, author, and business coach who lives with her husband and their five boys in Nashville, Tennessee.

She’s the author of a new book, Fierce Faith: A Woman’s Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety.

Today we talk about breaking the cycle of anxiety, giving ourselves grace, and staying healthy while on social media.

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 47.

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

Fierce Faith: A Woman's Guide to Fighting Fear, Wrestling Worry, and Overcoming Anxiety

Be aware of where your time is going. Decide what’s going to be important to you. If you don’t, everybody else is going to decide it for you. ~ Will Davis III

Do you have goals and dreams but for whatever reason aren’t able to achieve them? Well, then I hope you get some big encouragement and direction from today’s podcast with Will Davis III.

Will is a realtor, trail runner, mountain climber, husband to beautiful Amy, and my son! He also has an amazing mind for systems and strategy. He recently helped me make changes in my schedule by looking at priorities and goals. As a result, it has helped me feel more free, more organized, and much more effective.

So excited to have you join us as we dig into priorities, goals and strategy. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 46.

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

The Enneagram is a tool that awakens our compassion for people just as they are, not the people we wish they would become so our lives would become easier. ~ The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery

As we continue diving into these questions surrounding vocation, identity and God’s plans for our lives, it just seemed right to explore the Enneagram so I called in an expert.

Suzanne Stabile has taught over five hundred Enneagram workshops over the last twenty-five years. She has written two books on the subject, hosts The Enneagram Journey podcast, and continues to teach on the subject at events on a regular basis.

In addition to all of this, Suzanne also coached high school and college women’s basketball coach, taught senior theology, started a social services program for the elderly, and raised four children. She lives in Dallas, Texas with her husband, Joe, where they run the ministry they started together in 1985, Life in the Trinity Ministry, and chase around their seven (soon to be eight!) precious grandbabies.

So glad to have you join us as we explore the Enneagram. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Podcast Episode 45.

Find all the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

What am I supposed to do with my life?

That’s what we’ll be looking into over the next few weeks on the podcast. The questions surrounding vocation, identify and then what to do with those two things in developing a strategy to accomplish God’s plans for our lives.

Today, I’m so excited to have my husband Will Davis Jr. join me for another episode of the podcast. Besides being a church founder and pastor, I wanted to interview him because he is someone who has known what he’s meant to do with his life since he was eighteen years old. He has laser beam focus and has a lot to say about the Bible and vocation.

So glad to have you join us as we explore vocation and how to love your one beautiful life. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 44.

Show notes: www.susiedavis.org

Alexandra Kuykendall lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and four daughters, where she writes about relishing life, hosts The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast with our mutual friend Krista, and speaks about expectations, contentment, and purpose. She worked for MOPS International for ten years and still regularly contributes to their blog.

In this episode of The Dear Daughters podcast, we talked a lot about releasing expectations this Christmas (which she talks about in her new book), focusing on what matters, and the beauty of brokenness. Alex also shared the recipe for her home-run holiday dessert. ;)

I can’t wait for you to meet Alex. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 43.

All show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Will Davis Jr. is a pastor, writer, mountain-climber, intense human, father, and my own sweet husband. Together we started Austin Christian Fellowship in 1993. He’s passionate about surprising unbelievers with the credibility and relevance of Jesus’ message, and teaching about the power of prayer. He’s written ten books, writes online at willdavisjr.com

Even more important, he’s been an incredible dad to three pretty fabulous children (including our Sara, pictured with him above … how could I not include the most recent wedding photos??!).

We talked a lot about parenting, letting go, good family relationships and prayer.

I can’t wait for you to meet Will. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 42.

See all show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Kris Camealy is a fellow table person and writer living in a cozy rural community outside of Columbus, Ohio with her husband and four kids. In addition to homeschooling their kids and trying to figure out the trick to the prettiest pie crust, she also writes online, is the founder & editor-in-chief of the beautiful hospitality site Grace Table.

I loved getting to talk hospitality with her today. Can’t wait for you to meet Kris! Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 41.

Show notes: www.susiedavis.org

Natalie Coulter is the Founder and Creative Director of Mint and Maple where she works to equip people for the creative life. She is an old soul with a youthful spirit, a personality test junkie, a professional dreamer, and wife to Josh. She’s also an enneagram type 7, and an absolute delight.

In this episode we talked about creativity and owning a small business and a whole lot of whimsy. She recently released her Art Journal Kit and I want to buy one for everyone I know. :)

I can’t wait for you to meet Natalie!

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 40.

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

Amy Nelson Hannon lives in Springdale, Arkansas in the heart of the Ozark Mountains. She is married to her college sweetheart, who she believes, is still the funniest boy in the world. Her three greatest gifts came packaged as Grace, Luke, and Isaac.In May 2014, after almost 13 years as a wedding stationer, Amy pursued her dream of opening a kitchen boutique in her grandmother’s name. Because like Euna Mae (pronounced‘yoo-na’), Amy loves to be in her kitchen making food for those she loves.

Amy’s hope is that she inspires hospitality in your heart and encourages you to love deeply, welcome gladly, and serve faithfully so that in all things God will be praised. (I Peter 4:8-11)

I can’t wait for you to meet Amy!

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 39.

Find all the show notes at susiedavis.org

Bri McKoy is a writer, air force wife, dog mama, food blogger, and table person living with her husband, Jeremy, in Hermosa, California. She believes in following in Jesus’ footsteps as He broke bread around the table with his disciples, and making the table a place to welcome others into our stories.

Bri also works with Compassion International and writes online at Our Savory Life. She just released her first book, Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table. Giveaway details below!

I just cannot wait for you to meet Bri.

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 38.

All the show notes: www.susiedavis.org

Come and Eat: A Celebration of Love and Grace Around the Everyday Table

Oh y’all, it’s so hard to list everything Jess Connolly does in one little paragraph. Jess is a teacher, writer, entrepreneur, wife, mother of four, and church planter. One of her greatest joys is gathering with women and being as honest as possible with them about how good God is and how much He loves them.

She writes online at jessconnolly.com, is the founder of the All Good Things Collective, and pastors Gospel Community Church with her husband, Nick. She helped co-found She Reads Truth and The Influence Network, and co-wrote Wild and Free with sweet Hayley Morgan. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her family, and she loves coffee, color, and the local church. Her new book, Dance Stand Run is out next week!

I can’t wait for you to meet Jess.

Find all the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She Is Both Too Much and Never Enough

Dance, Stand, Run: The God-Inspired Moves of a Woman on Holy Ground

Karen Wright Marsh is a fellow table person, storyteller, writer, and theologian. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her husband where she runs the non-profit, Theological Horizons. She also created The Bonhoeffer House out of their own home because she wanted a space for "meals and interactions and meetings about faith, thought and life." Don't you just want to go to her house for pie right now?

Karen has three adult children, and acts as mom and mentor to dozens of college students who come over for food and deep conversation and all the comforts of home. She just released her first book, Vintage Saints and Sinners: Twenty Five Christians Who Transformed my Faith.

I can’t wait for your to meet Sharon!

For all the show notes, visit www.susiedavis.org

Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith

Sharon Hodde Miller is a writer, speaker, Bible teacher, pastor’s wife, and mother, who loves writing about Jesus for the women in his church. She regularly contributes to sites like: Her.meneutics, Relevant, (in)courage, and Propel. Sharon lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons. She is releasing her first book baby, Free Of Me: Why Life is Better When It’s Not About You today, and is expecting her first girl baby to join their family in a few months!

Today we talk about how to intentionally and honestly use social media, the important of the church family, dealing with insecurity, and of course, food. I can’t wait for your to meet Sharon.

Find all the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Free of Me: Why Life Is Better When It's Not about You

Lindsey Nobles is a gatherer of people, an "architect of affiliation" and one of the builders of IF: Gathering. She has lived all over the country but loves the South (and as you will hear ... the Central Time Zone ;). She writes on the internet at www.lindseynobles.com and currently consults for non-profits. She is one of my favorite people to talk with about ministry, God and food.

I think you'll love hearing her vulnerable thoughts on transition, self-care and where she's headed next.

I’m so excited for you to get to meet her today. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 34.

All show notes at www.susiedavis.org

"What does it look like to love God for the next ten minutes? What does it look like to love the person in front of me for the next ten minutes? That’s the Great Commandment." ~ Jan Johnson

Jan Johnson is a spiritual director, speaker, instructor at Richmont Graduate University, and writer of 22 books (!!). She says that everything she writes or speaks on flows out of these three areas: spiritual formation, partnering with God in caring for the voiceless, and living with purposeful intentionality. Isn’t that lovely? She lives in Simi Valley California with her husband, has two adult children and two little grandbabies. In Heaven we’re going to try to live next door to each other. ;) I can’t wait for you to meet her today on DD Episode 33.

All show notes: www.susiedavis.org

"He never leaves your side. He’s always right there holding your hand. And you know what? You’re gonna be awesome." ~ Tara Royer Steele

Tara Royer Steele lives in Brenham, Texas with her husband Rick and their two boys, where they make pies, cater for Royer’s Roundtop Cafe, run the Pie Haven and lead camps on soul restoration through their newly launched Brave Gathering. Tara and her family just transitioned from one wonderful season to follow God in faith and join him in this big new work. I can’t wait for you to hear all about it.

Find all the show notes here.

"This is how change works. It’s stealthy. It delicately changes you and your perspective while you’re in it, and it is not until you are fully out of it that you look in the mirror and notice a difference." ~ Andrea Lucado

Andrea Lucado is a full time freelance writer, coffee drinker, and author of English Lessons: The Crooked Path of Growing Towards Faith. Andrea has had her own crooked path meandering from San Antonio, to West Texas, all the way to England, then back to Tennessee. She now lives in Austin, Texas (yay!) where she regularly contributes to She Reads Truth and Relevant Magazine, and writes online at her own website about Jesus, love, and grace.

All the show notes here.

"You have a hardwiring from God, and it’s a beautiful hardwiring. And if you can discover what that is, that points to the reason you’re here." ~ Bill Hendricks

Bill Hendricks is a native Texan, Executive Director for Christian Leadership at the Hendricks Center, and President of the Giftedness Center, where he helps people understand their unique giftedness. He lives in Dallas with his wife, Lynn, and has three adult daughters. He has written over 20 books, including his latest, The Person Called You: Why You’re Here, Why You Matter & What You Should Do with your Life.

I’m excited for you to get to meet him today. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 30.

Find all the show notes here.

The Person Called You: Why You're Here, Why You Matter & What You Should Do With Your Life

I believe that each best choice that I make will add up to the best life that I can live. ~ Esther Emery

Esther is an off-grid homestead wife, mama, and author. She lives with her husband and three children in a yurt (!!) in the forest (!!!) where they maintain a blog and You Tube channel about the simple life.

They raise goats, and bake bread, among many other amazing things. She just released her first book, What Falls From the Sky: How I Disconnected from the Internet and Reconnected with the God Who Made the Clouds, in December.

I love talking with Esther because she makes me think big about God and people and change.

I’m excited for you to get to meet her today. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 29.

All the show notes are right here.

"As we’re trying to find a better self, it’s not a construction project, it’s an excavation project. We’re learning to letgo of those things which are not us." ~ Kelly Flanagan

Kelly is a licensed clinical psychologist and writer whose words have appeared in The Huffington Post, Reader’s Digest, Babble (Disney’s parenting website), and The Today Show. He blogs regularly at UnTangled about marriage, parenting, and exploring the redemptive life. He and his wife Kelly, (so fun, right?!) and their three children live in Dixon, Illinois.

You know how I love having psychologists on the show and I’m excited for you to get to meet him today.

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 28.

All the show notes are at www.susiedavis.org

"This world is huge. It is majestic. It is worth exploring just for the sake of knowing it." ~ Tsh Oxenreider

Tsh Oxenreider is a podcaster and blogger at The Art of Simple, and has published several books including Notes from a Blue Bike and her newest, At Home in the World. Her writing has also been featured in the Washington Post, CNN, Real Simple magazine, and more.

Tsh currently lives in Georgetown, Texas with her husband and three kids where they live simply, work on their fixer upper, and eat tacos several times a week.

I’m excited for you to get to meet her today.

Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 27.

All the show notes here: susiedavis.org

"Instead of trying to parent the way that God parents us, we get mad that God doesn’t parent like we do. God allows negative things into our lives. He disciplines those that He loves. He doesn’t parent like us because He knows that’s an emotionally crippling way to raise a child." ~ Dr. Jimmy Myers

As a licensed professional counselor and Owner/Executive Director of The Timothy Center, Dr. Jimmy Myers focuses on helping others find God’s solutions to life challenges. In the many years of ministry to teens and their families, Dr. Myers’ experience has shown him that it is never too late to turn a family around. Dr. Myers has spent more than 25 years writing, ministering, and speaking nationwide on the subjects of discipleship, teenage life, and Christian parenting. He and his wife, Beth, are the parents of 3 children and their spouses, and proud grandparents to 4 grandchildren.

Jimmy is the co-author of the forthcoming, Fearless Parenting, with George Barna. I’m excited for you to get to meet him today. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 26.
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Show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Fearless Parenting: How to Raise Faithful Kids in a Secular Culture

"Curiosity is a life raft." ~ Casey Tygrett

Have you ever thought of curiosity as a spiritual discipline? I never did until I met Casey Tygrett.

Casey is a pastor, spiritual director, and author of Becoming Curious : A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions(coming May 2 ~ yay!). Casey lives in Rockford, Illinois with his wife and daughter where he serves as the teaching pastor at Heartland Community Church in Rockford, Illinois.

I’m excited for you to get to meet him today. Here’s the interview on Dear Daughters Episode 25.

All the show notes (and there are a lot!) are at www.susiedavis.org

Becoming Curious: A Spiritual Practice of Asking Questions

"Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is waste time." ~ Shelly Miller

Meet Shelly, your Sabbath mentor. At least that’s what Myquillyn Smith calls her. Shelly is married to H (yes, his name is one letter!), an Anglican minister who resources church planting in the UK and they are the proud parents of two children, Murielle and Harrison.

When Shelly isn’t at St. Barnabas Church in Kensington, you’ll find her clicking keys at a desk or walking around the city with her camera, exploring new places and meeting people.

I’m excited for you to get to meet her today and hear about her book, Rhythms of Rest.

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

"God is not looking for perfect mothers to raise perfect daughters. He’s looking for imperfect mothers who are raising imperfect daughters in an imperfect world … and desperately dependent on a perfect God for the results." ~ Vicki Courtney

Vicki Courtney is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is an author and ministry leader. She is also my friend. She is the kind of friend I can call to untangle questions about ministry, parenting, writing … and just about anything else. She is a woman full of wisdom and grace.

I hope you enjoy my interview with Vicki in Dear Daughters Episode 23.

Show notes at susiedavis.org

The world may tell us we’re too much and never enough. But we can walk wildly in who God created us to be and rest freely in the work Jesus did for us. We do not have to be confined or conformed by cultural expectations. We are unchained from our past and unafraid of our future. ~ Jess Connolly

If you want to know what it looks like to run after God, meet Jess Connolly. Aside from starting a church with her husband, Nick, she is a mom to four young children, a small business owner and an author.

She started Naptime Diaries Shop in 2011, selling scripture prints out of her home. She helped co-found SheReadsTruth in 2012. After that, she co-founded and led The Influence Network with Hayley Morgan. She also co-wrote Wild and Free with Hayley and is working on her second book which is a solo project.

See the show notes at susiedavis.org

In 2013 Kate Merrick said goodbye to her 8 year-old daughter Daisy Love when she left for heaven. She wrote on grief, joy, and struggle on prayfordaisy.com. Kate is making her way back toward laughter and finding life to be filled with good things.

Kate Merrick is a pastor's wife, writer, speaker, and mom to a teenager and toddler. She and her husband Britt cofounded the Reality family of churches in 2003, which began in Carpinteria, California, and has grown to include Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Stockton, San Francisco, Boston, London, and Honolulu.

That's the official bio, but let's be honest ... she's a nouveaux-hippie at heart, Kate has a fondness for her mom’s blouses from the 70s, loves to cook food she grew and meat she raised, and she is one of those people who uses coconut oil for everything—like Windex.

She willingly lends her chandelier earrings to her toddler, dances hard at weddings, opens the sunroof when she’s driving, and still checks to see if her dress twirls. Most of all, she enjoys the freedom of being wholly loved by God who has given not only his friendship to a total sinner, but every sweet thing in life.

Show notes at susiedavis.org

The single greatest cause of homelessness is a profound, catastrophic loss of family ~ Alan Graham

What does it really look like to love your neighbor? What does it look like for you to share your life and somehow be family to people who may not be just like you?

Alan Graham answers those questions in profound and practical ways. In 1998, he started a ministry to feed the homeless here in Austin. Since then, he harnessed over 18,000 volunteers to serve over 4,000,000 meals to the hungry.

Oh, yes. That’s amazing but that’s not all. He also started a new movement to house the homeless. And the model is called Community First! Village. He writes about this and more in his new book called Welcome Homeless.

I'm just gonna make an ask here. Will you read the book, check out the ministry and ask God what he might like you to do in your community?

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

Welcome Homeless: One Man's Journey of Discovering the Meaning of Home

"Sometimes I think I’m afraid to listen to desire, the gentle heartbeat of my own life, the thing that makes me come alive because I discount that God speaks within me and to me through the Holy Spirit." ~ Emily Freeman

Are you afraid to listen to the gentle heartbeat of your own life? These are the kinds of things Emily Freeman thinks about and it’s one of the reasons I love reading what she’s writing. She is the best kind of contemplative: thoughtful, creative and also playful.

I’m excited to share this podcast with you because it’s going to make you think deeply about all kinds of important things. And it’s going to inspire you to love your one beautiful life. Aside from that, all the books y’all. Lots of recommended reading. I can’t wait.

See all the show notes at susiedavis.org

The mother-daughter relationship is one that is delicate, beautiful and let’s be honest … sometimes fraught with boundary issues. As a mom of two young adult daughters and a daughter-in-law, my heart goal is to make sure that I love and honor them in the new stage they are in as young married wives.

Not always the easiest thing because what I’d really love to do is beg, cajole and/or guilt them into moving back to Austin. (And maybe even living with me. Ha.) Of course, I know this is not the smart thing or the loving thing. So I have to constantly make the choice to be a wise, spiritual mama. A mother who gracefully lets go of the very people she loves the most.

Which brings me to this whole notion of working through various seasons of life (like watching your kids grow up and move away) with deep contentment. In light of those two things, I thought it would be a fabulous idea to have my own daughter, Emily Boone, on the show and talk with her.

Emily is a photographer living in Navasota, Texas with her darling husband, Kenton, and her furry babies: Bowie and Howie.

See all the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

"I thought I could pour myself into ministry and make the pain go away. But God started breaking down walls, helping me look honestly at my pain, and teaching me how to really grieve." ~ Hilliary Cheatham

In this episode of the Dear Daughters podcast, I talk with Hilliary Cheatham. She is a story-telling photographer in China as a missionary. She lives and works at Show Hope.

Hilliary is also a very dear daughter of mine. She roomed with my daughter, Emily, when they were at Baylor, she lived in my house post-grad and helped me immensely during the season I was writing Unafraid and dealing with an ongoing pain syndrome.

She is bright joy, constant hope and I know you’ll love hearing how even the hardest thing couldn’t touch her trust in God.

All the show notes at susiedavis.org

"Sometimes there’s no getting around tough circumstances, but changing the way you handle them can make a big difference. It doesn’t take much to go from feeling completely in control to completely overwhelmed. Sadness, isolation, anxiety… whether it’s a lifelong struggle or a season of life that just doesn’t seem to be passing, we all experience times when it would help to have someone in our corner." ~ Dr. Ashley Stafford

In this episode of the Dear Daughters podcast, I talk with Dr. Ashley Stafford. She is a psychologist in private practice in Austin, TX. Ashley provides counseling services to adult individuals, couples, and families as well as neuropsychological testing to adults. Ashley’s areas of interest include anxiety spectrum disorders, adjustment disorders, and marriage and family issues.

Ashley is a dear daughter who also happens to be my niece which means we sit around the table many Thanksgivings or Christmases just being family. And talking about family. And everything in-between. I know you’ll love her knowledge, wisdom and humor.

See show notes here.

How are you feeling about those new year resolutions? Already tired underneath the weight? Yeah, I’ve felt it too.

That’s why I’m trying something a little kinder and more centered on this truth: Only God knows the future you. Resolutions, best efforts and inspiration will wane. So when it does, the best new prayer is …

As You wish

Totally got that from The Princess Bride. Not at all concerned about the fact that I somehow made dialogue from a comedy into a prayer. Because this year, I’d love contentment with God to win over any and ever best idea or goal I have for my life. I’m digging deep into ‘as You wish’ and ‘Your kingdom come’ in my life. I talk about that today on the podcast and a few other things.

Show note links at www.susiedavis.org

Kind of a different format on the podcast today because I wanted to touch base and catch up with you. And I also wanted to talk about how Christmas time while wonderful, can make things wonky. And wonky sometimes makes for lonely or sad feelings. And I just don’t want you to feel lonely or sad. I want you to know everyone feels those confusing Christmas-y feelings sometimes. I've certainly felt them.

Also wanted to share a quick and yummy breakfast idea for Christmas morning. As well as a few ways to deepen conversation around the table. And some last minute gift suggestions. These things and more.

See all the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

One of the things I love best is introducing you to people like Lana Rush. She is a pastor’s wife, mother to three beautiful girls and spiritual mama to many. She’s a woman full of wisdom and God’s kind of deep joy.

In this episode, she shares honestly about some of her greatest struggles in being the parent of a child with special needs. She opens up about how she and her husband handle the challenges differently and how they’ve managed to stay close despite setbacks.

We also chat about how we make our homes a respite and our love of books. Between the two of us, there are nearly fifty books recommended because we tend to suggest reading the whole series of books we love. That’s a lotta great Christmas present suggestions if you ask me.

All links are on the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Do you dream of owning your business? Working your own hours? Living your Big God Dream? Then you’re going to love meeting Lauren Gaige in this episode 12 of The Dear Daughters Podcast.

Lauren is a graphic designer who built her own business with just ten a couple dollars in the bank. The heart behind Lauren and her brand is to help women start a successful business and/or blog by providing a luxury website design, amazing support, and an affordable online presence without the headache! She is great at helping people overcome the technical issues of running an online business.

Not only that but Lauren is a dear daughter I’ve mentored the last ten years. And in this podcast, we talk about our cross generational friendship and the amazing (and FUN!) things God has done in our lives together.

Jesus is it.

I met Lisa Whittle in Austin years ago through a mutual friend and discovered we shared a literary agent. Lisa is a truth-teller, a bold communicator and she has a bottom line approach to everything: Pointing people to a passionate pursuit of God.

Lisa is the author of six books, including her latest, I Want God,and her forthcoming (April 2017), Put Your Warrior Boots On.

Today on the show, we talk about her social media fast and the signs to look for when you might need a break from Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. Things like this:

You’re not sure you’ll speak with wisdom online.
You don’t trust what you may say online.
When social media takes up so much energy that you’re too weary to spend time with the people you love the most.

We also talk about what she's reading and her peanut butter pie recipe ... which she shares just in time for Thanksgiving.

You can find all the show notes are on susiedavis.org

I Want God: Forever Changed by the Revival of Your Soul

Put Your Warrior Boots On: Walking Jesus Strong, Once and for All

Relationships are the key to life.

That’s Carolyn Dixon’s motto. She spends her days counseling people how to have healthy relationships with God and others. Carolyn received her MSW at The University of Texas after her youngest son went to kindergarten. From there, she spent twelve years at (a residential psychiatric treatment center) and part-time at a private counseling center focusing on relational issues with individuals, couples and families. Now she is full-time at Abundant Life Counseling Services in the Austin area.

Carolyn has been married thirty-three years to her husband, Donnie, who is the discipleship pastor at Canyon Creek Church. They have four grown sons and one grandson.

I love her to pieces and I’m glad to call her my friend. I think you’ll like her an awful lot too. :)

All the show notes as well as a load of great books suggestions on marriage and parenting are on the blog at www.susiedavis.org

Oh y’all. Today on the podcast I talk with one of my all time favorite people, Shauna Niequist. She is a bookworm, a beachbum, and a passionate gatherer of people, especially around the table. She is married to Aaron, and they live in Chicago with their sons, Henry & Mac.

She is also the New York Times bestselling author of Present Over Perfect and a few other fantastic books. Shauna and I met when we launched IF:Table a couple years ago. And I truly adore her. I know you will too.

We talk about this and more:

When you are failing at the most important things in life.
Administrating and caring for your children vs just being with them.
Trying to “out responsible” other people.
Over-valuing work life in exchange for a deep relational life.
Bowing to the pressure to always be on.
The fatal design flaw of hustle life-style.

All the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living

What if your family turned completely upside down three weeks before your wedding? And then you discover a few days later that your dad was leading a double life? How do you function when everything feels absolutely surreal? Like you’re in a bad movie?

Meet Chloe Hamaker. She walked through a dark time in her life and God not only brought her through, He brought joy and peace and light into her life.

Chloe is a graphic designer and brand consultant. She’s also a social media coach, small business owner champion and a brand/presentation specialist. But to me, this girl is pure sunshine. She is a dear daughter that I’ve known since she was in second grade. We met when I was teaching drama at Regents School of Austin and re-met at IF:Gathering several years ago. I love Chloe’s work because she doesn’t advocate a bunch of fancy marketing techniques; instead, she helps you discover how to be authentically ‘you’ online.

Hear Chloe’s inspiring story and listen as she gently encourages artists and entrepreneurs to share their work.

I only took one book on vacation this fall. Because well, the aspens were turning and I knew it would have to be one good book to pull me away from porch-sitting and staring out at the front range of the Rocky Mountains. That one book was Sophie Hudson’s Giddy Up, Eunice. It’s hands-down the best reading on the topic of relationship for spiritual mamas and dear daughters. Sophie pulls from important stories in the Bible that highlight why it’s actually in our spiritual DNA to encourage each other cross-generationally. All the show notes on susiedavis.org

Giddy Up, Eunice: (Because Women Need Each Other)

Do you have a big God dream? Is there something you wish God would do with your life that is so big and so fabulous that it sounds crazy to speak out loud? Or maybe you wish God could use your life to speak to the people in your neighborhood but you don’t know where to start? If any of these questions tug at your heart, then you gotta meet my friend, Kristin Schell. Because that’s just the kind of thing God has been doing in her life the last three years. All the show notes at www.susiedavis.org

I once read that in the next five years, you become just like the people you hang out with … which is why I meet with my friend, Liz. She is a cancer survivor (though she hates me mentioning that) and also a bit of a goof. She is a fantastic wife and mother. And she is a mentor to hundreds of young women. She is the kind of person I want to be like and she is a person I think you’ll really like getting to meet.

In episode #4, I talk with Jamie Ivey about her relationship with her husband and her honesty with him about her past. She says the things she's done yesterday or twenty-five years ago don’t define her, only Jesus does. We also talk about her best marriage tips, some favorite books and her newest success in the kitchen.

Today on the podcast, I talk with my very own dear daughter, Sara, about the real life and not so pretty 'in-between Instagram moments' in our life. We talk about how comparison kills creativity and unpack how to get through arguments with people you love ...

Want a better marriage? Then you'll love listening to what therapist Rick Reynolds has to say on the show today. Rick talks about the most important things you can do in your marriage, how carrying shame isolates and how people-pleasing is actually one of the most self-centered things ever. All that and more in episode 2 of the Dear Daughters podcast.

Hayley Morgan is one of my favorite people. She is wife to Mike and mom to four darling little boys. She co-authored the best-selling book, Wild and Free, with Jess Connolly. It was creativity that brought us together and her bold ask for mentoring that made us the friends we are today.

Host Susie Davis shares a little about herself and talks about why she started the Dear Daughters Podcast.