Digging Deep for Treasures with Cecille Valoria

Have you ever watched someone look at something they absolutely adore? Maybe it's a mother gazing at her newborn, or an artist admiring their masterpiece. That look of pure delight and joy... Now imagine something even more profound: the Creator of the universe looking at you with that same expression of absolute delight. That's exactly what we discover in Zephaniah 3:17. Tune in to this first episode in 2025 as we dig deep into this verse.

Doug and Leslie Davis encourage and equip couples in their relationship with Jesus and each other. Doug's 30 years as a pastor and Leslie's 15 years as a counselor has allowed them to develop a framework of wisdom and insight that propels their ministry. They are passionate about guiding others through the process of redemption, edification, and rejuvenation. Doug has accomplished this through many revivals, retreats, and ministry events. Leslie through the counseling office, women's events, and retreats.  Doug and Leslie minister together through HeartCall Ministries, a marriage ministry that encompasses speaking, online ministry and The Vision-Driven Marriage Podcast.  To connect with Pastor Doug and Leslie: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-vision-driven-marriage/id1665947928 https://heartcallministries.org/ Mentioned in the podcast: Steady On Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steady-on/id1530478791 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/steady-on/id1530478791 ·       The Love Languages by Gary Chapman ·      To access The Love Languages Quiz: https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language

The renowned author, Jill Churchill wrote, “There's no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, I invited two beautiful mothers to join me in conversation about motherhood. Caroline Cormier is a mom four heavenly babies and one earthly 21-year-young daughter, a lover of all things Disney, crafter, and travel lover. God, family, friends, everything else is how she prioritizes her life. She finds the bright spot in everything, and always see the good in everyone else. She was born in New Jersey and has lived in Texas and Oregon in addition to California. She's been blessed with the ability to be a stay-at-home Mom, allowing her time to take care of her mom. She writes: Life is always good! I have known Gail for more than twenty years, but it brings me joy to know her more as our friendship grows. Gail was born in Accra, Ghana, Africa, a fact I didn't know until this podcast. She grew up in SF Valley, CA, was a home childcare provider and a homeschooler mom. She is a lover of God and His glorious Word, The Bible. I hope this episode blesses you, moms, moms to be, grandmas and all who love like a mother loves.  

My guest today is Alison Kozlow. Ali is a widow, chronic illness warrior, and mom to two boys and a 75 lbs. fur baby. Ali loves reading, taking nature walks, and sipping on a steaming cup of coffee. Her mission is to encourage others to put Jesus "first in their lives and to look to Him for hope and healing. Ali's life verse is Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (WEB) She lives in Northern Ontario, Canada. You can connect with her at: h6ps://www.facebook.com/alikozlowwriter or h6ps://www.instagram.com/alikozlow/?hl=en

Psalm 100:3 tells us, “Know that the LORD, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture." In this psalm and numerous other passages in the Bible, we and our relationship with God is compared to that of sheep and his shepherd. Like sheep, we need not only food and water, but also shelter and safety from predators as well as the valleys of darkness in life. In this episode, my guest, Hadassah Treu shares with us how God, as her good and faithful Shepherd, sees her through her valley of darkness and how He, too, can do that for you. Hadassah Treu is an award-winning Christian author, blogger, and poet, the Encouraging Blogger Award Winner of 2020. She is passionate about encouraging people on the journey of faith and a deeper walk with God. She is a regular contributor to the faith-based platforms Devotable and Koinonia; COMPEL Proverbs 31 Ministries Blog writer and Freelancing Community Group leader, and Blogger Voices Network contributor. Hadassah is a contributing author to several faith-based devotional and poetry anthologies. She has been featured on (In)courage, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Living by Design Ministries, Thoughts About God, Aletheia Today, Today's Christian Living, and other popular sites. Connect with Hadassah on her blog https://onthewaybg.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Inyour stagram, Pinterest, and YouTube. Sheep facts are taken from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheep.

Are you at a fork in your journey in life? Do you expect a change to happen? Is there a transition looming soon? Often when we see changes coming it throws us off-kilter. We ask ourselves—Am I going to be able to handle this? Transitions and changes in life happen. So how do we deal effectively with them? I hope you'll stay tuned as we look at how Jesus prepared His disciples for the change that was going to take place in their lives.

Storms are scary and devastating. As a child growing up in the tropics, we experienced a lot of them--they were called typhoons. Though they could be scary, a lot of my friends and I welcomed them. We used to swim in the waters that pooled in front of our yards and loved the strong shower we got from the gutters of our homes. Storms do not only occur in nature, but we also get them in our journey through life as well. They could come from our finances, relationships, health, and other areas of life. We can expect them. In John 16:33, Jesus tells His disciples: “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” We see this in our own lives—storms come into our lives. But like Jesus told His disciples, we are to take heart. Today, we will be looking at Mark 4:35-41 to help us navigate through the storms in life. Stay tuned.

Every new year, I anticipate a word God gives me that is my word for the year. Last year, it was rejoice. Join me in this episode as I look back at Twenty-Twenty-Two and explore reasons why we ought to rejoice.

Are you in desperate need of hope? Then join me as we dig into Psalm Sixty-Two to discover the secret to finding and accessing it.

In this episode we uncover some treasures from Psalm 46:10 and other verses from this chapter. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV) I hope this episode blesses you and draws you closer to our God.

What are idols? Check out this episode with my guest, Lisa Marsh, where we talk about digging deep to find the idols we have and confronting them. Lisa Marsh is a graduate of La Sierra and Loma Linda Universities where she earned an associate of arts degree in Human Services, as well as a bachelor and master's degree in Social Work. She has over 25 years of social work experience working for, and in partnership with, the California Public Child Welfare System. She has also served for more than a decade as an Adoption Social Worker in the private/non-profit sector, securing “forever homes” for hundreds of foster children in counties throughout the state of California. In 2015, Lisa made a professional transition into the world of academia as a Title IV-E MSW Liaison and adjunct faculty for the Division of Social Work at California State University-Sacramento where her focus was on building future social workers purposely for the field of Child Welfare. After seven years of teaching at CSU-Sacramento, in February 2022, Lisa accepted an appointment as the Director of Field Education for the Bachelor and Master programs within the Division of Social Work. Lisa has a passion for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ particularly to women who are in various seasons of life. Her desire is to make an impact on EVERY WOMAN for the Kingdom of God. She believes that God has called her and will continue to equip her to steward the gifts and talents He has graciously given her to embrace, encourage, and speak life into her sisters in Christ. Her soul's desire is to encourage and empower women to overcome the shame of their past, the doubts of their present, and the fear of their future. Lisa and her college sweetheart, Gerald Marsh, have been married for 25 years. They live in Northern CA and have been serving in leadership roles in their home church for 20 years. Lisa will be the upcoming Keynote Speaker for the Christian's Women's Retreat. The dates are the weekends of Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 and Oct. 7-9, 2022. If you are interested in attending, please click this link to register: https://www.ourchristianladies.com/home To connect with her, follow her on IG www.instagram.com/marshianmama

Are you going through an illness, a problem, or a challenge right now? Or have you been going through one for a while now? What happens when you continue to struggle, and your prayers do not seem answered at all? How do you hold on to the hope and faith you profess? My guest, Kelly Sunshine Polhamus, is currently experiencing this and knows how it feels. In this episode, she shares on how she keeps going. I hope her story and our conversation blesses and encourages you. Kelly is a wife, a mother, and a former elementary school teacher for twelve years. She as bachelor's and master's Degree in Elementary Education and a master's degree in Biblical Counseling. She became a stay-at-home mom/homeschool teacher and later owned a private tutoring business. She is an online church host for Community Christian Church and leads an online Bible Study based on The Chosen series. When not doing all these things, Kelly volunteers at their local state parks besides going to the beach and enjoying the outdoors.

I love flowers, the ocean, the mountains, fog, sunrise, sunset, hummingbirds, and ladybugs. In general, I am a nature-lover. How about you? There is so much we can learn from nature. In fact, Jesus used illustrations involving nature to share the truths and lessons He wanted people to learn. In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, I will be sharing the lessons I learned from my hydrangeas. We focus on verses found in John 16:33, Jeremiah 17:7-8, and Psalm 91:1. I hope it blesses you.

Donna Thompson is a believer in Jesus Christ, a daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Her friends and family also call her Dee. For the past 6 years she has worked at a Sexual Violence Resource, Child Advocacy, and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Center as an Advocate and MDT Coordinator. Prior to her current position, she was employed for 9 years at a domestic violence and sexual violence coalition, working as the Training Coordinator for the last four of those years. She believes in the value of community, authentic sisterhood, and connecting and cultivating relationships with other women of faith so that they can change the intentional and divisive narrative women can't get along. She recently started a podcast called Sisters Doing Life Together to give women, who may never be known by many but certainly known by God, a platform to encourage other women by sharing their personal stories of faith and their love for Christ. Her belief is that we thrive best in our relationship with Christ and each other in community and “when you belong to a sisterhood, you never have to do life by yourself.” To connect with Dee: https://www.instagram.com/sisters_doinglifetogether/ Podcast: Sisters Doing Life Together

Do you love taking pictures? My husband and I do. We are avid photographers. He loves to take portraits and pictures of people, and I love capturing nature. One other thing I am inclined to take pictures of are benches. Stay tuned and find out why.

Matthew 19:26 tells us “But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” He is the only One who can turn impossibilities to possibilities. I hope you will be encouraged by this bonus blog.

*Disclaimer and a note on the content: This episode contains a brief discussion of trauma and abuse and would not be child-friendly. So, if you listen to this podcast with your young ones, consider listening to it on your own at this time. It contains sensitive information and I advise listener discretion. I would also be amiss if I don't first acknowledge and remember the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for the freedom that we enjoy today. To their families—thank you. Happy Memorial Day everyone! Angie Baughman is a trauma and abuse survivor and speaks openly about her ongoing journey towards deeper healing. Angie loves planning trips to Walt Disney World, sipping cups of hot tea, and watching medical or crime dramas. She lives in Southern Illinois with her husband, Matt, and two sons, Alex (17) and Josh (12). Angie is a licensed pastor and trained in leading inductive Bible study through Precept ministries. She regularly writes, speaks, and teaches on knowing and living by God's promises. She is the author of two Bible studies, host of the weekly Steady On podcast, and creator of the Step-by-Step Bible study method. She serves as an Intern on Kathi Lipp's ministry team and an Academy Mentor for FlourishWriters. To connect with Angie: Email: angie@livesteadyon.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/angiebaughman421 Podcast: Steadyonpodcast

Change is hard. Sometimes it is easier to just continue with the status quo--that which is familiar and comfortable. But when God reveals to me an attitude or something in my character or ways that need changing, then I need to allow Him to do His work in my life. My stubbornness can get in the way. Allowing Him to transform me into who He wants me to be requires not only discipline but humility as well. Hebrews 12:11 tells us: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (ESV) The prayer I pray when I come to a time like this is--"Lord, let me learn what You want me to learn quickly." How about you? My guest today knows something about change. Although the change she made had to do with the food she eats, our conversation does not end there. We talk about fears, past experiences, and Scriptural treasures. Carolyn Hillyer is a biologist and nature lover but has spent most of her life baking. She started at an early age and has been doing it ever since. When she became gluten-free she realized she couldn't bake the quality of treats she wanted to and so she figured out how to revise recipes to make them taste good again. She is a wife and mom of two grown kids. To connect with Carolyn: Website: https://www.chillybakesglutenfree.com/ IG: @chillybakesgf Podcast: Chilly Bakes Gluten-free

Have you had questions about how exercise and nutrition play a role in reducing anxiety? If you have, I'd like to encourage you to listen to this episode. Christy is the founder of fitme. She is an NCI Certified Nutrition Coach, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, and ISSA Certified Personal Trainer and a USAW Advanced Sports Performance Coach. She is a Navy veteran, Navy spouse and mom of two boys and a baby girl. Christy created fitme because she believes the solution to weight gain and negative body image is a fundamentally different style of healthy habits. Christy is the author of the Advanced Connection and Communication Certification for coaches and the host of fitme coffee talk podcast. Links: Connect with her on instagram at https://www.instagram.com/christymaecampbell/ Tune into the fitme coffee talk podcast at https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fit-me-coffee-talk/id1498322104

Shannon is a homeschooling mom of four kiddos, two of which are on the autism spectrum, and another has a rare genetic disorder. She is a chaos-manager of the household and loves spending time with her family and friends. She has been married to her best friend and love of her life, Evan, since 2010 and is thankful for the people that God has brought into her life. Shannon is ALSO a survivor of abuse in all its forms, an advocate for women that are hurting, and a super passionate Christian. According to her words, “Because let's be real y'all, without Jesus there wouldn't even be a Shannon in the first place.” She has a community on Facebook called Mamas Need Love - a place where mamas from every stage and every way can come together and just let their hair down; a place where they can be authentic and find a friend and a village. https://www.facebook.com/groups/mamasneedlove And if you are interested in a closer relationship with Jesus, Shannon also has a free downloadable PDF that will rock your relationship for 5 days with Jesus – it can be found here https://www.nestingwiththeearleybirds.com/about-5

What do you do when you can't see?  Stay tuned to my conversation with my guest, Elizabeth Susan Vista-Suarez, Ph.D. who shares her experiences of not being able to see and what helped her through that period of darkness.  Susan or Tutti as I fondly call her has an extensive Curriculum Vitae. She is a full professor for the College of Performing and Visual Arts in the internationally distinguished, Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines. She is the founder of "Ating Pamana" (Our Heritage)--a performing group composed of a choir and rondalla. Aside from teaching, she is a speaker, conductor, pianist, accompanist, choral trainer, artistic director, curriculum developer, a visual artist, solo performer, and author. Her works include a children's picture book, "Julia and the Music of the Light," "Susan's Symphony" (a painting), "Practice Before Theory: An Alternative Approach to Piano Pedagogy" and several other published works. 

Miracles. Do you believe in them? Do you believe there are still miracles happening to this day? My guest today is Shala W. Graham and you will find answers to these questions as you listen to this episode. Shala is an uncompromised voice for change, challenging people to live a life that courageously chases their calling. She's the president and lead minister of Calling Qualified Ministries, which is activating God's women to answer their calling to Jesus. A former youth pastor, Shala loves traveling across the country in the summer, preaching the gospel at youth conferences and inspiring the next generation in their walks with Christ. She also writes for Proverbs 31 Ministries' Encouragement for Today devotions. Based in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, Shala enjoys spending time with her husband of 15 years, whom she met while playing ultimate Frisbee on the National Mall. To connect with Shala: IG/FB: @shalawgraham @callingqualified YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/CallingQualified Website: www.callingqualified.org So how do miracles bring peace in our lives? Listen in!

This is a quick episode to let you, my listeners, know that I am taking a short hiatus from social media to observe the Lenten season. I know that consistency is one of the crucial elements in building a platform. Seeing that I am still in the initial stages of my podcast, not showing up consistently to publish an episode for so many weeks might not be a clever idea. However, it was God who gave me the idea of this podcast and it is God who will make everything work out. I need to let Him lead me. As much as I enjoy and love being on social media every day, I need to make sure that what it offers does not have a firmer grip on me than my love for God. For those of you who are following this podcast, thank you! I hope you will share it with others and leave a rating and review. May God bless you as you observe the Lenten season as well. God willing, let's reconnect after Easter!

Validation according to the dictionary is the recognition or affirmation that a person or their feelings or opinions are valid or worthwhile. When someone tells me, “I know you are fearful and anxious. I don't really know how it feels but I am here if you need me,” meant a lot to me. There is power in validation. It makes us feel understood. While reading on the topic of validation, I found that there is a thing called Validation Therapy which is being used in the patients with dementia or Alzheimer. It helps lessen their agitation and anxiety. On this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, my guest Michelle and I talk about our experiences with fears and anxieties and what helped us to overcome or cope with them. This included getting validation from others. Michelle Martino is a Christian writer who inspires others to discover God's perfect joy in all seasons. To connect with Michelle: Blog: considerthejoy.wordpress.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shel713/ considerthejoy.wordpress.com So how do we validate someone? Here are 5 Simple Tips to validate someone according to Mahsa A. Lindeman, a Marriage and Family Therapist in Walnut Creek, CA. 1. Recognize common feelings in yourself and others. 2. Reflect what you see 3. You are not agreeing or disagreeing 4. The Impact of Being Understood 5. Practice it Disclaimer: ***Like every episode in Digging Deep for Treasures Podcast, I'd like to add a legal disclaimer here. Everything that is said by my guest and myself is based on our experiences and should not be taken as professional advice. Our conversations serve to encourage and inspire you and to let you know that there is hope and help available for you. Please do seek professional help.

In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, my special guest Kelly Kirby Worley, and I talk about the topic of surrender. I don't know about you, but I find that word difficult to swallow. The dictionary defines surrender as to “cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority. For me, thinking of the word surrender brings to mind the words, “losing face, swallowing my pride, and accepting defeat.” So how could surrender mean freedom? You might think-- isn't surrender and freedom paradoxical? So how can that be? Well, you'll have to find the answer to that when you listen to this episode of Digging Deep for Treasure. Kelly Kirby Worley is an artist, writer, and Bible teacher passionate about helping women discover that the secret to living a happy life is ever-increasing intimacy with Christ. A passion, she says, is birthed from an overflow of gratitude for what God has done and continues to do in her own heart and life: "Hearing His voice before the noise of the world and its people profoundly affected me. Today, my Breakfast with God, a/k/a, BWG, is my favorite past-time, and it's from this place of ever-increasing intimacy with Jesus, a writer was born." Kelly is an active member, volunteer leader, and Blog contributor for COMPEL Training, a faith-based online training community for writers founded by Lysa TerKeurst, President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. Kelly's 30-day online Bible study designed to help women cultivate intimacy with Jesus and a love for God's Word had to be rescheduled due to Covid. To receive further information on it and to keep you posted on the new schedule of this Bible Study, click the subscribe button in Kelly's Instagram profile, @kellykirbyworley

We all face difficult things in life. Sometimes it may be making our money stretch to the end of the month, or a tough day at work, a fight with our loved one, or going through a chronic illness. Whatever you are tackling right now, hope is what will keep you going. But where do you find that hope? Psalm 119: 49-50 says, “Remember Your Word to Your servant, for You have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Our hope is in God and His Word. In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, my guest, Cecile Bibawy, the author of Loving Her Mind, takes us through some difficulties she had to go through in her life and shares where and how she found hope that helped her persevere. Cecile Bibawy spreads truth about mental illness, inspires people to tell their story, and promotes health of mind, body, and spirit. She homeschools her four children with her husband in Sunbury, Ohio, and teaches fitness classes. Cecile is a speaker, teacher, and author. Connect with her at cecilebibawy.com, Facebook, Instagram (@sincerelycecile) and her favorite coffee shops.

Merriam Webster defines Tools of the Trade as “a set of tools or skills that are necessary for a particular kind of job or work.” An article I read included the words also the “training and knowledge one needs to accomplish a task. Doctors have stethoscopes, otoscopes, and ophthalmoscopes, carpenters have hammers and nails, hairstylists have shears, curling irons, and combs, teachers have whiteboards, markers, and computers. To effectively do what you need to do, you need to be equipped with the right tools. Like all these professionals, we need the right tools for our journey in life as well. We are told in John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Trials and tribulations are a part of life. Jesus not only told us we are going to go through trials but He also told us that we can take heart because we have peace in Him and that He has overcome the world. Besides this reassurance, He also gave us His Holy Spirit to help us through life. In this episode, my friend and fellow author, Karen Jurgens talks about the Tools she uses which she calls “keys” to help her through trials. About Karen Jurgens: Karen Jurgens, a Cincinnati native, is blessed to claim Texas as home for thirty-seven years. Since retiring from teaching, she encourages others as an author, blogger, editor, and speaker. Her mission is to apply God's truths to life's trials at her ministry blog, Touched by Him. Karen has authored a contemporary fiction novella, A Perfect Fit, which underscores putting God at the center of marriage. She has written and led a weekly online Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit, as well as serving as a contributor and editor for several published devotionals. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA), Compel, and Word Weavers. Karen's Books and Writings: Love Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendship, Devotional Contributor, 2020 “Front Porch” Bible Study Series, Heart”wings” Ministry, 2019 Heart”wings” Devotional, 2018 Contributor A Perfect Fit, 2017 Desire's Promise, 2016 A Christmas Mosaic, 2015 To connect with Karen: Touched by Him Ministries Follow her on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Jurgens/e/B016CXTOOG/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures by Cecille Valoria, you will hear my guest, Leslie McLeod, talk about how to achieve peace and harmony when you are suddenly presented with the task of taking care of your elderly parents. Leslie is a writer, artist, mom, and co-owner of a tech company with her husband. She has a passion for building up relationships, especially among families with aging parents. She and her siblings rallied together several years ago to care for both their mother and father simultaneously. They handled some things well and others not so well, with repercussions that took years to resolve. Based on her hard-won experience, she is writing a blog, articles, and a book to help families navigate their season of caring without the added burden of preventable relationship damage. The working title of her upcoming book is: “Different Pages: How to Keep Your Family Together When Your Aging Parents Fall Apart”. Leslie has interviewed dozens of men and women, offering their stories along with her own to help fellow caregivers know that they aren't alone and giving them tools to traverse the sometimes-turbulent waters of this journey with compassion and grace. She can be reached at: www.LAMcLeod.com https://www.facebook.com/leslie.mcleod.790 https://www.instagram.com/mcleod_leslie

Do your current circumstances disturb you? Are troubles overwhelming you? Do you wish you could just have a momentary break from all the negativities? Let me encourage you, you are not alone. Even during our chaotic world and the troubles or challenges we face; we can find peace in God's Presence. This is the reassurance Jesus gave His disciples in John 16: 32-33 “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures, I am inviting you to listen in on my conversation with two of my good friends, Ingrid and Gladys. You will hear how they find peace during the challenges daily life can bring or when fear, worries, and anxieties bother them. You will also discover the importance of friendship.

An article by the Mayo Clinic Staff stated that "Good friends are good for your health." I find this to be true in my life. I would be amiss if I did not acknowledge that having a strong network of friends has helped me in my fight against my Fear Giants. (Cecille Valoria, p. 88, Slaying Your Fear Giants) For the next two episodes, you will be hearing a conversation I have with a few of my friends about how they deal with anxiety, worries, and fears in their life. In this episode, you will be listening to Nicole, an elementary school teacher, and Grace, a case worker, business owner, and podcaster. To connect with Grace Rehman: IG: https://www.instagram.com/organizewithgrace/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/organizewithgracefb website: https://www.organizewithgrace.com/

On Halloween night, a small, six-year-old boy came to my doorstep for trick-or-treating. Instead of leaving right after I gave him candy, he looked at me and said, “You look weird. You have short legs.” He entered our house and motioned with his hands, “Your top body is big.” “Oh, okay,” was all I could muster. I didn't know if I should let out a “ha,ha,ha” or a “huh” accompanied with a crease on my brow and a frown. This scenario is a perfect illustration of how viewpoint works. This small boy was looking up at me dressed in a long skirt with a little leg showing, flat flip-flops, and a poufy blouse that added bulkiness to my upper body. Although I am vertically challenged, I know I am well-proportioned. However, he saw me differently because of his vantage point. (Cecille Valoria, Slaying Your Fear Giants, p. 57-58) In today's episode, my guest, John Chao, and I explore the importance of perspective, how it ushers peace, and why we need perspective maintenance. John Chao is a perspective coach who loves fashion, entrepreneurship, and deconstructing social norms. Having worked both as a corporate recruiter and the co-founder of a startup, John's love of people drove him to help people get unstuck from their situations through perspective maintenance. You can connect with John or follow him on the following urls: https://www.instagram.com/thejohncollective/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perspective-maintenance/id1591944679

So much trepidation, confusion, and anxiety have entered our lives in the past two years. We worried about our families, and our physical, mental, emotional, psychological, social, financial, and spiritual health and wellbeing. Like an earthquake, the pandemic rocked our world in enormous proportions. But we need to pause and think. Even from the very beginning of time, God knew we were prone to fear. Throughout the entire Bible, from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, God counsels us—“Do not fear,” “Do not be anxious,” “Do not worry.” In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures with Cecille Valoria, we will listen to a conversation I have with my guest, Tabitha Deller, as she shares “the difference between bravery the world teaches and the bravery God's Word preaches.” It is time to take our B.R.A.V.E. into Twenty Twenty-Two! Tabitha Deller is a wife, mom, teacher, and author. She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband, Steve. They have four sons, Joshua, Caleb, Nathan, and Isaac. Tabitha loves words--written or spoken and is passionate about God's Word and the life-changing truths found in it. She love reading it, writing about it, and challenging others to do the same. She has authored and taught Bible Studies for large groups, small groups, and online groups. She also loves encouraging ladies of all ages and life stages through speaking at conferences, events, and retreats. You can find out more about Tabitha, her Bible Studies, and her speaking schedule at www.tabithadeller.com. Additional links to connect with Tabitha: https://www.instagram.com/tabdeller/ https://www.facebook.com/tabitha.deller/ https://www.pinterest.com/tabithadeller/

Can you find what is common between a paper towel and a restaurant server? In this episode of Digging Deep for Treasures by Cecille Valoria, you will be listening to two stories, one about a paper towel and the other about a restaurant server. These two stories segue to our unearthing the third step to saying "Yes" to rest and peace. I'd like to thank my fellow writer Leslie McLeod for giving me permission to share excerpts from her blog post. To read the entire post, please click on this link: https://www.lamcleod.com/blog/eyes-to-see-the-difference. I am looking forward to also sharing with you my upcoming interview episode with Leslie. It's super! Subscribe so you won't miss any episodes.

We put so much value on independence, self-sufficiency, and self-reliance. We nurture and teach our children to grow up to be such. And when we are used to being in control, letting go becomes such a foreign concept. But how does letting go and saying "Yes" to rest and peace go together? On this week's episode, we look at the second step to saying "Yes" to peace and rest.

Are you feeling weary or tired? Do you wish you had a break and just have a sense of peace as you navigate through your current circumstance? Then the next three episodes in this podcast are for you. We will be looking at the "How to" of saying "Yes" to peace and rest. We will dig deep into Matthew 11 and especially focusing on verses 28-30.  Matthew 11:28 -30 shows us three steps to take to say "Yes" to peace and rest.  In this episode we will be looking at the first step. 

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas coming up, do you find yourself wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of the season and needing an extra dose of peace? Do you wish you could have more moments of being still and getting a chance to reflect on the true essence of Christmas? In this first episode, my guest, Nichole Suvar, and I converse on how to prepare our hearts for Advent and living a life of purpose. To connect with Nichole you can visit her on her: Blog: https://startlivingintentional.blogspot.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_nichole_suvar/ E-mail: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/60a9b6a7f58a0086530f4ed1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/startlivingintentional/?ref=pages_you_manage To purchase her book: https://www.amazon.com/Prepare-Him-Room-Intentional-Devotional/dp/B08NR9TMD2/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=prepare+him+room+intentional+advent&qid=1637014129&sr=8-1 To connect with me: Website: cecillevaloria.com Instagram: @valoriacecille Blog: Musingsofahummingbird.com

Welcome to Digging Deep for Treasures with Cecille Valoria! This weekly podcast is to encourage women to unearth Biblical treasures to live a peace-filled life in a fear-prone world.