A Mom's Mission Field

What is holding you back from that big "yes" that God has put in front of you? Fear? Confusion? Busyness? All of those are valid concerns, but you know what should never hold you back? Money. God has all the money in the universe, and if He calls you to do something, He is more than able to finance it. That's a portion of what McCall Aldridge and I are talking about in this episode. McCall works for Fund the Nations, where she gets to see miracles every day. How cool is that? People are stepping out in faith and God is providing for their needs in ways that surpass their expectations. Have a listen, and I pray that you are encouraged to trust God with your own story. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

Life is hard. We all know people who are going through difficult times but often we hesitate to help, even though we want to, because we aren't sure what to do. We have a confidence problem when it comes to reaching out to our neighbors. In this episode, I talk to Sarah Beckman about her book, Alongside, and how we can take the things we are already doing and use them to minister to others in their time of need. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

How do you raise grateful kids in our entitled society? How do we encourage gratefulness in ourselves? I love this conversation with Kristen Welch, author, mom, and founder of Mercy House Global. She took her family on a journey of providing sustainable jobs for vulnerable women around the world, and in the process her family gained a global worldview that looks a bit more like Jesus. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

Do you feel overwhelmed and confused trying to follow Jesus and serve others? Is that just me? What if God is telling us to slow down and rest while He does the heavy lifting, and when He's ready for us to step in He'll let us know? Heather shares about an extended time of uncertain health and how that forced her to rest. It was in that rest that God was working out the details of her next big assignment. Because she wasn't able to do a thing, there's no way she could take the credit for what happened next. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

How do you make a God-honoring decision when faced with two options that look equally good? What should you do if you and your husband disagree on the right path? How does submission fit in to all of this? On this episode, my good friend Hannah talks about making the decision to leave comfort for the unknown, and how she saw God transform her through this process. You also get to hear about me chasing my baby goat like a lunatic to try to get him to faint. There's something for everyone! Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

Are you facing a Winter season in your soul? Maybe everything in your life is fresh and new like Springtime. On today's episode Amy and Tammy talk about times in their life--a cancer diagnosis while pregnant, a time of estrangement from loved ones--when God used the dry times to build them up and make them stronger. They also talk about times when God asked them to step out in faith to make radical changes that didn't make sense. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

This episode is a bit different because it's not any interview. It's just me, sharing my heart about what I've learned about God's timing and His tendency to answer my prayers at the most inconvenient time, long after I thought that opportunity had passed, in the most amazing ways. If you are in a confusing place with the Lord, where you thought you were doing the right thing only to have God put the brakes on it, this episode is for you. Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, or on the Blog.

Are you struggling with the same issues over and over? Do you feel like Satan's lies are so loud you can't hear the voice of God? In this episode, I'm talking with Christine Chappell, author of Clean Home, Messy Heart.

What does it mean to live an upside down Christian life? The crazy thing is, what we may think of as extraordinary, radical Christianity is what the Bible describes as pretty much baseline Jesus following.  How do we get back to the idea that being a Christian means looking different from society? I'm excited to talk about all these things with the lovely Kayla Craig. She's a mom, a pastor's wife, a podcaster, a children's book author, and more. If you don't know Kayla yet, trust me you're going to love her.

If you've ever wondered how to be a missionary without leaving your neighborhood, today's episode is for you! I'm talking to Shontell Brewer, who has a passion for encouraging families to be on mission together, in whatever form that may take. We talk about tacos! We also talk about why we should take our preschooler's lead when it comes to ministry, and why we should occasionally kiss our husbands in front of our kids' friends. Many thanks to today's sponsor: BinxyBaby.com

How do you raise gutsy kids? It starts with you, momma. On today's podcast we talk about sharing our authentic selves—our struggles, our prayers, and our triumphs—so our kids can see God move in our lives. When our kids see us taking risks and watch God come through, they will be encouraged to be brave for God too.

Do you know Jesus? No really. Do you know that you know that you know Jesus? Who is He to you? Who is God to you? Can you honestly say you love Him? In today's episode we go beyond the textbook Sunday School answers to look at how to evaluate your relationship with Christ. This is fundamental, my friends. Nothing else on earth or beyond matters more than loving Jesus. What does that mean? Where do you start? What do you do about your doubts? If you are ready to move past surface-level Christianity, I can't wait to introduce you to Rebecca Pierce. Rebecca is a wife, a mom, and a podcaster who loves teaching women the basics of walking with Jesus.

Do you believe in miracles? As a follower of Jesus I believe in miracles. I know they exist. I know God still performs miracles. But I've never actually seen one. I don't know why that is, to be honest, but I know that's not the way we're supposed to live. I know we Christians are supposed to see God work in miraculous ways all the time, but we are content to live average lives devoid of any power. I want to change that. That's why I'm so glad to have Vanessa Clark on today's show. Vanessa has an amazing story of watching a miracle unfold in her own home when God healed her infant son of blindness. If you struggle with your faith in God's power or God's goodness or God's concern for our problems, I hope you'll be encouraged today. I don't have all the answers to who God heals and who He doesn't or the whys behind all of that, but I do know God is good and God loves you more than you can ever imagine.

Would you consider your life ordinary? I think many of us would, but can you say you are rocking it anyway? That's what today's guest is here to help with. Lea Ann want you to know the impact we moms have in our ordinary lives, how to overcome when we feel like a failure, the significant influence we have in our intimate relationships, and the ways our past pain enables us to reach out in compassion. In this interview, we also talk about adoption, grace, and the difference between boredom and a burden. Let's embrace our ordinary and change the world for Jesus!

Ladies, do you ever feel weary, overwhelmed, unqualified, and just plain fresh out of amazing? Can I tell you you're not alone. Not even close. I feel like today's guest really opened the door for all of us moms to realize we aren't the only ones who feel that way. Stacey Thacker is the author of an upcoming book called “Fresh Out of Amazing” and she's here to share the moment that brought her flat to the feet of Jesus in the middle of her laundry pile and how her obedience not only helped her find her significance and strength in Jesus, but she has been able to encourage thousands of women through her words.

Mama, do you have big dreams and small children? Are you feeling like those two things can't coexist? Sometimes we feel God calling us to do something—a ministry, a new job, a mission trip, whatever—but we think we need to wait for our kids to get bigger before we get started. If that sounds familiar, boy do I have a guest for you. Tricia Goyer knows what it's like to raise a family alongside a flourishing career and ministry. In this interview she gives us practical tips on how she makes it happen, but she also alleviates the mom guilt. One of my favorite points she makes is that we tell our kids to grow up and fulfill their dreams, but then we never do. Our kids need to see us following God now, not waiting until we're empty nesters.

Today I'm thrilled to be talking to Tara Livesay, a wife, mom, midwife, and full-time missionary in Haiti. On this podcast my goal is to encourage you to say yes to God, whatever that might look like, and see where it leads. When I first found Tara online I assumed she and her husband had always been missionaries, or had training, or whatever, but as you'll see, none of that is true. Their story began by saying yes. And it wasn't even a big yes. It was saying yes to explore the possibility of doing something for God, and He honored that and wove together this amazing life for them. I hope as you listen to Tara, you are inspired to say yes to the next step God is putting in front of you. It might not make a lick of sense, but it doesn't have to. I can't wait to hear what your next yes is!

Does a Christian life equal a life without grief? If you've been a Christian for more than a week I'm sure you know the answer to that, but why are we surprised when hardships come? Jesus promised we would face trials, so it's not a matter of if, but when. Jesus also promised to give us peace that passes all understanding. So how are we supposed to react to hardships?  What can we do to find hope and joy in the midst of our trials? Today I'm talking to Lindsey Andrews. She's a wife, mom, writer, lawyer, and the sister of a man who took his own life after a long struggle with depression. We talk about mental illness and suicide, and the shocking trend of younger and younger children sharing their deep hurts on social media. We also talk about what we parents can do to hopefully make sure our own children feel safe enough to come to us with their struggles before they get out of hand.

Today's episode is one that I've been wanting to do for a long time. The subject of abortion is near and dear to my heart. I haven't personally had an abortion, but throughout our adoption process I've come face to face with desperation, despair, and life situations that I previously had no concept of. Then I start to wonder, what if? What if I had been in a similar situation—what choices would I have made? I think the more I know Jesus and long to be more like Him, the more I truly try to understand people and what their lives look like. What leads to these decisions? What causes people to behave certain ways or believe certain things? How can we as Christians help our brothers and sisters break through Satan's lies and find hope and healing in Jesus? When I met Amber, I knew I had to have her on the show. Her story embodies all the things I was just talking about. She speaks with such clarity and grace that I want everyone to hear her. I'm praying that whatever you are dealing with, this episode will point you toward healing in those deepest broken places.

I love God's timing. Today's guest is a friend of mine, and I interviewed her quite a while ago. The interview wasn't time sensitive, so I've been saving it for a rainy day, so to speak. I decided to air it today and as I re-listened to it I was like, woah. I really needed to hear this right now. Danielle is a full-time missionary but she talks about how her job is secondary to her mission field at home with her family. I've been antsy, especially after my trip to Africa a few weeks ago. I want to do more of that. I'm praying for more opportunities to travel and minister. But I need to do the job God has in front of me right now. If He grants me more ministry opportunities, great! But the details and timing are up to Him. I know for me, personally, it's easier to do the short-term stuff than to endure day after day of the same thing wondering if I'm making a lick of difference. I need to remember what my primary mission field is, which I find ironic considering the name of my podcast. I know you are going to be blessed by Danielle, so let's get started.

Today I'm talking to Bethany Tran, Founder and CEO of The RootCollective, about ethical fashion. That phrase has been popping upmore and more lately, so Bethany breaks it down for us. Changingall of our purchasing habits can be overwhelming, so Bethany sharesways we can all make little changes that add up to big improvementsto the lives of factory workers around the world. We can't doeverything, but we can all do something. If we can make the world alittle better, and then teach our children to do the same, imaginehow different the world will look for our grandchildren and thosewho follow.

If you had to sum up your family in one phrase, what would it be? How would someone on the outside describe your family? Is that the way you want people to describe you? Today I'm talking to Erica Layne about crafting a family purpose statement. We talk about how to distill your unique family values down into a statement that you can teach to you kids. But it's so much more than a cute saying or a family catch phrase. A family purpose statement can help you make decisions about what activities you will participate in, what job opportunities to explore, and how you'll spend your money. Just like in a corporation, when everyone knows your purpose and what direction you are headed in, everything that falls outside of that can be eliminated without guilt. Enjoy the show!

Today's interview is with Francie Winslow. She is a wife and mom of 4. She is a blogger, writer, speaker, and regular contributor for various online magazines and ministries. Today's topic can be a difficult one because the topic of sex in your marriage is so very personal.  I love Francie's Biblical perspective, though, and I know you will be blessed by her words, no matter how your intimate life may be going at the moment. She has so much wisdom to share, so let's get started.

Kelly is a staple in the blogging community where she shares her life with grace and transparency. In this episode, we talk about how to share your life on Social Media without getting tacky, how to make friends as a mom, and why Kelly looks for godly teenagers at church and then stalks their mommas. We also talk about how the Rachel was quite possibly the best haircut in all of history.

Kristin is the heart behind the Turquoise Table, a movement to get people out in their front yard where they can connect with neighbors and build genuine community. Among other things, we talk about the difference between entertaining and hospitality, the importance of family traditions, and our mutual struggle to keep our kids at the table for more than five minutes.Kristin is one of those people who manage to make you feel like she's your best friend, even if you just met. She is a delight. Enjoy!

Often times we try to make ministry complicated. We have programs and strategies and big plans, but is that how Jesus operated? In today's podcast Lindsy Wallace talks about being a missionary in Miami where the main strategy is to live like Jesus, amongst the people, listening to their needs and developing relationships that lead to spiritual connections. With this in mind, every one of us is a missionary to our own neighbors, placed there by God to encourage, uplift, and share the gospel while living our normal everyday lives.

Today I'm talking to Karmen Smith and I can't wait to share her with you. She is a wife, mom, speaker, avid journaler, and a proponent of praying big and stepping out in faith even when you're scared. I needed this interview so much for myself, and I talk later about why, but I know you will be encouraged no matter where on the “Pray Big” spectrum you fall.

Adoption. If you've been around me or this podcast at all, you know I'm a huge fan. And since we've done it three times so far, I get asked A LOT of questions, particularly about private domestic adoption. People usually have no idea there is such a huge need for families here in the US. Since my friends and family all seem to have basically the same questions, whether or not they ever intend to adopt, I figured some of you might want to know these things too. I decided to ask our adoption consultant, Susan, to come answer some of the most common questions.

Special needs moms have my heart, you guys. I have several close friends who are raising children with special needs, and their love and dedication inspire me to be a better mom. Today's guest is no exception. Jennifer Linck is mom to a precious little boy with apraxia and sensory processing disorder. On this episode we talk about what it's like to be a special needs family. Also, we talk about what special needs families need from their churches, neighbors, and friends. Guys, even if special needs don't directly effect your family, I pray you will take Jennifer's words to heart and look for ways to minister to the special needs families in your area.

Today I'm talking to Tracey Casciano. Tracey is a wife, mom, church worker, author, and someone I know a great many of my listeners will be able to relate to. Her latest book, Out of The Darkroom, Into the Light, is a story of faith and forgiveness after child abuse. Although this is a difficult topic, I was so impressed by Tracey's ability to work through her hurt and truly offer forgiveness to those who hurt her. Since we recorded this interview, Tracey's book was nominated for the Christian Small Publisher book of the year award! Way to go Tracey! I can't wait to share her story with you.

Today I'm talking to Kara Kae James. She is one of the founders of Thrive Moms, a ministry for moms to encourage and inspire you to do more than just survive motherhood. I remember when I was a new mom, my own mother told me, “some days you just have to make it to bedtime!” In some seasons of life that is spot on, but when we make survival a habit, we are missing out on the precious peace and fulfillment that God wants to give us every single day.

I had such a fun time recording this episode. I'm talking to Amy Lively and she has a passion for helping us reach our neighbors with friendship so we can eventually reach them with the gospel. And when Amy talks about our neighbors, she's talking about the people who physically live near our actual homes. We already share a neighborhood pool, or an elementary school, or even a property line, so it makes sense that we should also share our lives with these people. And if you're listening and, like me, you don't really have a traditional neighborhood setup, Amy has advice for you to so don't write us off here.The command to love our neighbors applies to all of us, so listen in to hear how to put this command into practice.

Today I'm talking to Kaylie Hodges. Kaylie is a wife, mom, women's ministry leader, and all-around fun gal. She is a joy to chat with, and I know you are going to love her. We talk about life, of course, but specifically her passion for the ministry of sisterhood. This is a topic near and dear to my heart because I've gone through seasons of extreme loneliness, even though I had a wonderful husband and a house full of kids. The absence of girlfriends really weighed heavily on me, and it breaks my heart to know that some of you out there feel the same way. So what can you do about it? Kaylie is advice is to just go first, and she'll explain what that means. I hope this episode inspires and encourages you.

Today I'm talking to Paula Wallace, the author of Bloom in the Dark, True Stories of Hope and Redemption. This is a difficult show, but it's one that I'm sure a great many of you need to hear. Paula was sexually abused at a young age and spent most of her life suffering the repercussion of that before she was able to overcome her past and become, as she says, an Ex-victim. If you haven't experienced abuse yourself, I still urge you to listen closely, because if the statistics are correct you are surrounded by women who are suffering in silence. We need to know their stories so we can enter into that pain and help them find healing.

Today I'm talking to Melissa Eick. Melissa is the Communications Director for a non-profit organization called the Beautiful Dream Society. BDS works to raise awareness, take legal action where appropriate, and offer rehabilitation services to rescued victims of human trafficking. Personally, I knew virtually nothing about human trafficking until a few years ago. I was shocked by what a huge problem it is, even in my own home state. I'm in the Bible Belt for goodness sake! In this interview Melissa does an excellent job of explaining human trafficking in all its forms, so if you are as clueless about this topic as I was, prepare to have your eyes, and your heart, opened.

Hi Guys! It's the first week of January and we all know what that means…New Year's Resolutions. What do you want to accomplish this year? Do you have a reading goal? Do you want to learn a new hobby? What about weight loss? Today's guest is going to tell us what should be on the top of our list. Heather Creekmore is a wife, mom, writer, and speaker who is passionate about helping women overcome their body image issues. I really enjoyed this conversation, but it showed me how much of a distraction my body image is in my everyday life. If you struggle in this area, I am so there with you. Since I have zero words of wisdom on this topic, let's go ahead and hear straight from Heather.

Meg is a mom of two through adoption, living on the mission field in West Africa. I love Meg, and I love her heart and her adventurous spirit, but what strikes me is how young she is, and I mean that in a good way. Meg is in her early 20's and she's been on the mission field since she was 18. If you are anywhere around my age (I'm 37), think back to what you were doing in your late teens/early 20s. I was not on the mission field, I'll tell ya that. The thought never crossed my mind at that point. I didn't really make my faith my own until my mid 20s, and it took me a long time to figure out God's mission for my me. Meg is already in the thick of it. I can't imagine the plans God has for her life and she has so many years ahead of her to do the work.

Today I'm talking to Shannan Martin. Shannon is a wife and mom of 4 who writes about Life, Adoption, Faith, and Home Decorating on her website, flowerpatchfarmgirl.com. In this interview we talk about what it looks like to sell your dream home and move to a neighborhood which is, as she puts it, on the wrong side of the tracks. Shannan continuously looks for ways to build community with her neighbors.  How can we incorporate that into our own lives. What practical needs can we meet every day to ease the burdens of others and show them the love of Jesus? We'll get into all of that. Shannon and I also talk about the day a major decorating magazine photographed her kitchen, and later I find out what tv shows she's currently binging on. You know…the really deep stuff. Shannon is adorable and you're going to love her, so let's get started.

Today I have a very special interview with a gal I'm calling Katie from Alabama. I can't use her full name or her photo, so that's a bummer, but the reason is because of the sensitive nature of her work. Katie works directly with Syrian Refugees. Yes, the refugees who have been the topic of conversation for every politician across the globe here in the past few months. We are going to talk specifically about some time she spent working in a refugee camp in Lebanon, and also about ISIS and the refugee crisis as a whole. Katie knows what she's talking about and her perspective is fascinating.

Asheritah is passionate about encouraging  and equipping women to develop a vibrant relationship with Jesus. Today we're talking about Christmas. How do we find rest amid the chaos? Is it possible to get rid of the chaos altogether? How can we use this season to deepen our walk with the Lord instead of letting our to-do lists rule our lives? Asheritah wrote an advent devotional to help us do just that and we're going to tell you all about it and even give you a chance to win a copy so stay tuned.

Today I'm chatting with McCall Aldridge. We talk about adoption, and loss and the uncertainty that comes with that. We also talk about fundraising, which sounds boring but it's totally not, I promise. McCall is a fundraising coordinator for a company that creates t-shirts for you to sell to help raise money of your adoption, or mission trip, or whatever ministry thing you need money for. It's really exciting and I have so many friends who are in the midst of adoption fundraising. Finally, we talk about her experiences as a Noonday ambassador empowering women around the globe.

Gospel and Grain is a ministry that provides before and after school care to children in the Merkato district of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Their center provides two meals a day, school fees and supplies, and homework help to 152 children, and they do it all through monthly sponsorships from individuals as well as church partnerships. I had a blast chatting with Erica so I know you are going to love her too.

Today I'm talking to my good friend Janet Peek. Janet and her husband Jess are full-time missionaries in Nakuru, Kenya, where they share the gospel, help build churches, provide resources to schools, put on women's conferences, and build relationships everywhere they go. These two are fearless, let me tell you. But although Janet is passionate about the work they are doing in Nakuru, she's also an everyday mom and grandma who lives half a world away from her loved ones. In this episode Janet talks about the decision to move to Africa and how God spoke to her along the way to show His hand in everything. She also tells about life in Kenya and how God is using her past experiences to give her the confidence to step out in new ways to further the Kingdom.

Lauren's message is for everyone. Infertility is a topic near and dear to the hearts of so many women. Even if you've never experienced it yourself, my guess is you know someone who has. As women trying to support each other, it's important for us to understand the impact of infertility. Lauren is a writer, speaker, web designer and she helps run two ministries: The Carry Camp and Created 4 Care. You are going to love her. Enjoy the episode!

Today Jenny lives with her husband and 4 children in a beautiful farmhouse in the Arkansas countryside where she helps run a ministry that provides food for orphans in the Congo. Not too many years ago she was a regular gal who thought she had her life figured out. Then God took her on a journey of faith that was heartbreaking, terrifying at times, and altogether unpredictable. As God led her away from the life she thought she'd have, she learned to let go of her preconceptions and allow God to build her life and family the way He saw fit. This was a longer interview so I'm going to break it up into two episodes. In the first episode we talk about her struggles with infertility, her surprise twins, and all the events that led them to sell their dream house and pursue an international adoption. In the second part of the interview, we talk about the details behind their adoption that almost didn't happen, and we talk about their ministry that provides food for orphans in the Congo. I hope you enjoy our conversation today and come back next week for the conclusion.

Lyndsey is a mom of 6 through birth and adoption, plus she has been a mom to multiple children over the past couple years as a foster parent. It was her experiences as a foster mom that led her to start James Mission, a place for foster families and other families in need to get basic supplies, clothes, and furniture to meet the needs of the children in their care. Lyndsey talks about how God used her past experiences, both painful and practical, to give her the skills and insight she needs to connect with the families she serves. We also talk about how she has made missions a family culture and how her entire family works together to make James Mission a reality.

Christina is writer, a speaker, a mom of 6, and the author of Extraordinary: When ordinary people say “Yes” to an extraordinary God. It's a 6-week Bible study for women of all walks of life who want to let go of their false sense of control and fall into the arms of our Heavenly Father. In this episode we talk about the book, our kids, meal planning, getting control of our schedules, and much more. It's a longer episode but it was all so helpful I didn't want to cut anything out. Enjoy!

Alicia is a mom of 5 and what you might call a reluctant homeschooler. In this episode she talks about being fully obedient to God in every area of her life and the joy she has found in doing that, even if she went in kicking and screaming at the beginning. She also describes how she pours God's Word into her kids in practical ways. And finally we talk about a ministry her husband started that encourages men to be better husbands and fathers through a series of Bible studies based on a popular HBO show.