Embrace The Chaos

Continue on our journey with special guests Hector and Valerie Olivares from the transformative podcast "Graves into Gardens 562." In this two-part series, we delve into stories of resilience, renewal, and the blossoming of hope. Join us as we explore how life's trials can become the fertile soil for personal and spiritual growth. Through shared experiences and insights, Hector and Valerie guide us toward cultivating gardens of healing and redemption. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that unveils the beauty that emerges from life's most challenging moments.

Join us on a journey with special guests Hector and Valerie Olivares from the transformative podcast "Graves into Gardens 562." In this two-part series, we delve into stories of resilience, renewal, and the blossoming of hope. Join us as we explore how life's trials can become the fertile soil for personal and spiritual growth. Through shared experiences and insights, Hector and Valerie guide us toward cultivating gardens of healing and redemption. Get ready for an inspiring conversation that unveils the beauty that emerges from life's most challenging moments.

In this episode of Embrace The Chaos, Ruben and Marina explore the transformative journey of growing emotionally and spiritually throughout their marriage and unraveling the depths of prioritizing your spouse in the chaos of life. They also start the conversation about finding profound peace in the realm of singleness. Join us for an insightful conversation and practical tips on navigating the beautiful complexities of relationships and self-discovery.   Show Notes Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Book Emotionally Healthy Discipleship Website With by Skye Jethani    

Welcome to another episode of Embrace the Chaos. Today, we're privileged to have Dick and Anna Gee join us as we explore the significant impact of recreational companionship in fostering emotional intimacy within marriages. Drawing from their rich 33-year marital journey, Dick and Anna unveil the power of shared activities like football, marathons, and spiritual practices in fortifying their bond. Through candid discussions, they shed light on how these experiences have not only strengthened their connection but also served as pillars during challenging phases in their relationship. Regardless of your relationship status, whether single or married, join us for invaluable insights into building enduring connections and nurturing meaningful relationships. Tune in for an enriching conversation!

Welcome to the second installment of our two-part series, "Unplugged: A Journey of Renewal." In this transformative episode, we continue our exploration of the sacred Sabbatical journey and the divine discoveries it unfolds. In "Unplugged: A Journey of Renewal – Part 2," we venture deeper into the stories and testimonies of Ruben and Marina De Anda who've embarked on this remarkable path. As we journey through their experiences, we'll witness profound spiritual transformations and newfound purpose, all intricately interwoven with the presence of God. Discover how the Sabbatical experience not only rejuvenates the soul but also ignites fresh beginnings. We'll delve into the realizations, insights, and spiritual encounters that propel individuals to take bold, faith-driven steps toward new chapters in their lives. Whether you're seeking inspiration for your own journey or simply exploring the miraculous power of divine guidance, this episode invites you to open your heart to the endless possibilities that await when we allow God to lead us into uncharted territories. Tune in to "Unplugged: A Journey of Renewal – Part 2" to embrace the beauty of transformation and the beginnings that arise from moments of divine connection.   Resource Links: The Dark Night of the Soul” by St John of the Cross “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” by Peter Scazzero   “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World” by John Mark Comer Practicing the Way “Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation (Transforming Resources)” by M. Robert Mulholland Jr. “The Way of the Heart” by Henri Nouwen “The Deeply Formed Life” by Rich Villodas  “With” by Skye Jethani  “Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry” by Ruth Haley Barton “Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation” by Ruth Haley Barton Abide App

Welcome to "Unplugged: A Journey of Renewal – Part 1," a special two-part episode that delves into the transformative experience of a Sabbatical, guided by the grace of God. In this episode, we embark on a profound journey of renewal, reflection, and growth. Join us as we explore the stories and insights of Ruben and Marina De Anda who have taken the courageous step of disconnecting from the daily grind to reconnect with their true selves and God's purpose. We'll uncover the challenges faced, the transformative moments experienced, and the wisdom gained along the way, all while recognizing the divine guidance of God. Whether you're considering taking a Sabbatical yourself or simply curious about the profound impact it can have on one's life, "Unplugged: A Journey of Renewal – Part 1" will inspire and inform, offering you a glimpse into a world where self-discovery, adventure, and mindfulness converge under the loving watch of God. Prepare to unplug from the ordinary and plug into the extraordinary as we navigate the uncharted waters of the Sabbatical experience, guided by faith.

This is a special episode for us as we interview our dear friends Johnny and Rochelle Koch. We are so grateful for their vulnerability in sharing their story of loss and grief. Johnny is the Media Director for GLB Church and Rochelle is a social worker, photographer and owner of EdenK Photography. We understand this is a difficult topic to talk about and listen to and our thoughts and prayers are with all families who have lost their precious little ones. 

Checking in with everyone during the holiday season. We also have some great episodes coming up that we share a little about. 

We are so excited we get to interview and talk to our good friend David Bruce LMFT and addiction specialist. He shares great insight and wisdom on relationships and especially how we can embrace the new chaos we are all living in in a healthy and spiritual way. here are some quotes her mentions and resources he shares:" If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it—usually to those closest to us: our family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and, invariably, the most vulnerable, our children." Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM"Discomfort is growth trying to happen." Harville Hendrix Book " Making Marriage Simple:Ten Relationship Sharing Truths" by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt

This part 2 of our "Back to School" series. We are so grateful to be able to interview Roland Santos, and educator with LAUSD. Roland has helped the district transition to online learning and has some great insight and tips for us as we navigate the "New Norm." We hope everyone is doing well in the first couple weeks of school. Our experience has been all the feels! Exciting, fun, funny, interesting, stressful, and exhausting. We are grateful for God and his grace that keeps us grounded and sane. Enjoy.

We are so excited to be back after the summer break. Life is definitely different than what we thought it would be as our kids head back to school. Here in Long Beach CA we are doing all virtual online schooling! Yikes. We are so grateful to be able to talk with our dear friend Tiffany Curry who has been homeschooling her two very smart and handsome boys for a couple years. Also we share a helpful tip about self care for parents. We like the app "Abide,"  it's a bible based meditation app that has great features to calm your mind and body down after a long day. Stay tuned for part 2 of our Back to School series where we talk to Roland Santo who is a teacher for LAUSD and has been vital for them as they transition their teachers, curriculum, and students to full time online school. Enjoy!

Our special guest is none other than Ruben's amazing sister Bianca De Anda who is an L.C.S.W. Mental health was and is an important part of our overall health especially now more than ever. Bianca share's some great insight and practicals on how we can achieve or at least strive for mental wellness during the quarantine. A resource that she shares is NAMI.org for mental health resources. 

We recorded this interview a month ago but wanted to share it. We interview our good friends William and Chelsea Thorne who are ministers in Sydney Australia and have two little beautiful kiddos. Listen to their faith and joy despite getting COVID and having to quarantine for close to a month.

Checking in on how we are doing after a couple of weeks of "Safer at home,' due to COVID-19. Resources provided in Q&A time are: "The Well Behaved Child,' by Dr. John Rosemond, "Rasing awesome Kids,"  and "The Essential 8(Principles of a strong family," by Sam and Geri Laing, "Tender Years," by Geri Laing and Elizabeth Laing Thompson, Podcast "Connected Parenting with Jennifer Kolari."

This episode we discuss the ups and downs of disciplining our children and what has worked for us. We recorded this before California went on a mandatory "Stay at Home," lockdown. We will be back with a new episode next week where we can download our "New Normal."

We are back after the holidays and a crazy season of sick children and sick mommy and daddy. In this episode, we dive into family dynamics and realistic rhythms. Thanks for tuning in! Leave us a comment and give us a Like.

We are back after getting all the kids back to school. In this episode we share another quick helpful tip and discuss prioritizing marriage in the midst of all the chaos. 

Thanks so much for listening to our first two episodes. We will be putting our an episode a month. Please subscribe.

Continue on with us as we finish the 10 Commandments of fighting fairly. Special thanks to Al and Gloria Baird for sharing these tools with us in our 1st year of marriage. It has saved us and Gloria's legacy will live on through our family and many more. 

We are Ruben and Marina De Anda, married for 14 years with 4 children. We strive to live a life of love rather than a life of craziness, but it doesn't always go according to our plan.