Podcast - Slices of Life

The dictionary defines fear as "a distressing emotion aroused by an impending pain, danger, evil, etc. or by the illusion of such." Whether your fears are of either a real or an imagined threat they have the power, if we let them, to keep us from fulfilling our destiny. In today’s episode, we will be sharing our experience with fear and a few tips on how to move out of your comfort zone and expand your boundaries.

We all go through our daily lives engaging in many conversations with others. But most of the time, we don’t listen as well as we could or sometimes should. We’re often distracted, We think we’re listening to the other person, but we’re really not giving them our full attention. What does it look like to listen to one another in a way that makes us feel heard and fully seen?

The dictionary defines fear as "a distressing emotion aroused by an impending pain, danger, evil, etc. or by the illusion of such." Whether your fears are of either a real or an imagined threat they have the power, if we let them, to keep us from fulfilling our destiny.In today’s episode, we will be sharing our experience with fear and a few tips on how to move out of your comfort zone and expand your boundaries.

How many time have you felt overwhelmed because you have a too much on our plate? It could be because you’d said yes to too many things. Or you could be wasting your time, energy, or emotion on the wrong thing. Knowing how and when to set boundaries can change all that. In today’s episode, we’ll talk about what boundaries are, why they’re important and the areas of your life they can tame when set in place.

How you ever set a goal only to disappointed when you don't reach it? You know what you want out of life but you just can’t seem to get there? Even if you happen to come close to making a change, you get mediocre results. You're not sure how you got there and you certainly don’t know how to replicate it.   Today we are going to examine why that is and give you some questions you can ask yourself to get you moving in the right direction.

Many of us strive to do good work, raise good children, and take care of our families. We endeavor to achieve perfection yet are frequently consumed with self-doubt and negativity.In today’s episode, we’ll take a look at one thing that will help us break away from the try-hard life and lean into who God Created us to be.

When we were young, proximity made making friends easy. When we became a grown-up, things change. We had more responsibilities, less time, and less opportunity to meet others. Making new friends doesn't have to be hard however it will take some effort on your part. Today we are here to encourage you and equip you to find your squad.

At the end of last season, we did an episode called Summer Dos and Don’ts. The big idea behind it was to help you and ourselves create realistic expectations for summer. Now we’re back to kick off season 3 with this follow up episode to see how each one of us did and discuss what worked and didn’t work for us over the last few months. Plus we’ll share a few of the things we learned about ourselves along the way.

Join us for Part 2 of the conversation we had with Kristin Kill on Selah. We’re talking about giving ourselves permission to rest and participate in those things that refresh us and how it can ultimately point us to Christ. We also touch on the ups and downs of Sabbath and why it’s hard for some people to take a vacation.

Have you ever seen the show Parks and Recreation? It’s a TV comedy that ran from April of 2009 to February of 2015. It stars Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope, a perky, mid-level bureaucrat in the Parks Department of Pawnee, Indiana. She is one of the quirkiest characters on television. She lives life wholeheartedly and inspires us to embrace the every day with passion and purpose.

Over the last year, we have talked a lot about values. In episode 40 we shared with you simple steps that will help you discover your core values. This is a great start in living an intentional life. however, just knowing your values is not enough to make them show up in your everyday. You can say you stand for something, but unless those values are translated into behaviors, you will go about your days continuing with habits that are familiar and comfortable. In episode 48 we discussed how to turn your values into practices that are actionable, repeatable, observable, and measurable.

On this podcast, we talk about our real life every day Faith and what it means to live out our beliefs in a consistent practical way. Each of us come from different backgrounds and denominations but one of the things we have common is our commitment to prayer.

On episode 32 of the podcast called making time for friends, Noelle shared with us how beneficial it is to get away with friends who love Jesus. In fact, she said it was one of the most spiritual things you can do. We used to think that friendships should form organically and would grow if they were meant to, but I was wrong. While a handle of relationships do form naturally, longevity and depth in a relationship are developed by intention.

When we start off as new parents, we think we have all the answers. We reflect on how we grew up and vow to do things differently. We read books and make a plan deciding what our kids will do and not do. Then when we have kids and we discover it's not a straightforward as we thought it would be.

One of my favorite things to do it read by the pool. You don’t have to have be by the pool to enjoy a good book but you do have to have… well, a good book. Join us as we talk about the books we have been reading, why we recommend them, and what’s next on our list.   We have asked our friends of the show to join us and let us know what they are reading and throughout the show, we’ll be hearing from them too.

As women, we spend a lot of our time nurturing others. Sometimes that can leave us worn out and run down. The answer? Self Care. It is not a selfish act but rather the way we steward the life we have been given. When we take care of ourselves, we are ultimately better women, wives, and moms. Both care and comfort are necessary. Today we are discussing the benefits and differences of both and how we incorporate them into our lives.

In today’s culture, when asked how we are doing, we often reply “busy." It’s the excuse we use when we are late or to explain why we haven’t called, emailed, or stayed in touch. The thing is, we are legitimately busy. However, life there is one thing that is missing from our active schedule. And that’s margin. Today we are talking about why it is so important it is, what embracing it will change, and how we can incorporate it into our lives.

Speaking life and positive words over ourselves and others is one of the most powerful things we can do. However, it is not uncommon for us to speak our mind too quickly, make comments we regret, or even leave compliments unsaid.     Today we are talking about why words matter and how we can use them for good.

While we might not like to admit it, but prayer can sometimes feel like a chore. We’re tired, we’re busy and it’s just one more thing to add to our list. If are we are doing it with any kind of consistency it can become boring if we do it the same way, with the same words every day. Let me assure you, you don’t have to feel guilty about this every relationship needs intention and creativity to stay fresh… our prayer life and relationship with God is no different.

On the show today we’re talking with special guest Kristen Kill about selah—the pause, rest, or interlude between the notes in a song. More than merely an empty space, Selah is a holy shift, a pause, and a reorientation. It is a gift from God even in our busiest places. Join us as we dig a little deeper into what it really means to find rest.

When the Creator of the Universe made us in His image He gave us all of us the ability to create. No matter what it is you do with the gifts and talents you have been given creativity takes inspiration, as well as time and intention. Today Kimberly will share with us what she has learned about the art and discipline of writing, plus the five steps she takes to live more creatively.

Back in episode 40 we started the discussion on values. We talked about what they are and why they’re important. We also gave you a simple framework for discovering yours. However, values are meaningless unless they are translated into simple, practical behaviors or steps that you can take every day.

Many of us struggle with body image issues. It doesn't help that our society puts a lot of pressure on how we should look, how we should feel, what we should eat… We tend to concentrate more on what others think than on what really matters for us. Then, if life gets busy we go with the flow, forget ourselves, and disconnect from our bodies altogether. We can break out of that cycle when we begin to explore what activities make us come alive and place value on them.

I absolutely love the summer. And as the days get warmer, I start to build lists and create expectations for what it will bring.  In my mind, I have endless time and resources to do what I want to do. However, my reality is slightly different than what I have conjured up in my head. But that doesn't mean I have to let the next few months be a disappointment. Building on the conversation we have last June on the podcast we have gathered today to talk about what we have learned in summers past and how to make the most of the summer this year.

Join us and special guest, Elisa Pulliam, as we talk about social media, why it’s contributing to miscommunication and misunderstanding among generations. and how we can overcome it. She believes It’s time to be #socialFREE for our own emotional and spiritual sanity, and so we can model healthy usage in our families and relationships. Let’s use it a tool to manage life instead of it managing us.

Around this time last year, Kimberly Coyle wrote a post called One Small Way to Steward Your Life Well. In it, she talks about how easy it is to fall into the trap of now and encourages her readers to dream, plan, and read their ideas into being. All the while reminding us to live in the present... but also to plan well for the future. Her post challenged us to consider what it actually means to steward my ideas, desires, and talents and consider what it takes to start something well.

If you are anything like us, you’ve been a victim of comparison. As women, we have a tendency to size ourselves up, measure someone else by your own standards only to conclude after observation and the collection of just a few facts that we’re inferior or superior to them.   Whether we feel better or worse about ourselves after the comparison, it rarely leads to humility, which pleases God. Comparison robs us of joy and wastes precious energy focusing on ourselves rather than the people who have been put in our lives to serve. We are tackling the ugly game of comparison and sharing some of the ways we have overcome it. Mentioned in the Show: Books: To Be Told: God Invites You to Coauthor Your Future by Dan B. Allender   Podcast: Slices of Life - Episode 20 On Giving Thanks

If you been around the podcast for a while you know we love to talk about relationships and how crucial it is to be intentional in them. For relationships to flourish it’s important to connect. We do that by listening and being heard, giving and receiving love, being concerned for one another, and coming alongside each other in the journey of life. This applies to all relationships. In this episode we will be exploring the Connect Before You Correct concept and how it can be helpful in parenting our children. If you don’t have children, don’t hit the stop button! This principle can be applied in many areas such as the workplace, ministry, and marriage. MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Are You Constantly Correcting Your Kids? Try Connecting Before You Correct… by Elise Daly Parker Susanne Ciancio, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Christian Counselor. She has been serving the Christian community as a professional Christian counselor in Essex county and the surrounding area since 1986. Beyond her private practice in West Orange, NJ she is involved in teaching, consulting, and pastoral supervision in various churches in the area. Click here for Susanne's website. Posts for Circles of Faith by Susanne Ciancio CONNECT BEFORE YOU CORRECT STEPS: STEP 1: EXPRESS UNDERSTANDING. STEP 2: SHOW EMPATHY STEP 3: SHARE YOUR FEELINGS AND PERCEPTIONS STEP 4: BRAINSTORMING STEP 5: IMPLEMENT A PLAN

Back in episode 34 we talked about Why You Should Celebrate Your Friends. Noelle our friendship expert, Elise, our self professed party girl, and me talked about the benefits of celebrating those that matter in our life. Since each of us love a good celebration we thought it would be fun to get together and do a deep dive into what we think makes a good party. We’ll be talking our favorite parties and what we do to get ready for one. Mentioned in the Show: Party Types: Brunch Movie Night in Movie Night out Themed costume party Fancy Dinner out Games Night - pizza, ice cream sundaes Scavenger hunt Craft it up Virtual Party Dinner Party What to consider when hosting a party: People Budget Space you have to work with   Dietary Restrictions Theme   Music and decorations Remember the Why Components of a great Dinner Party outline: Simplicity (Assembled food only) Signature Cocktail Cheese Plate (variety of textures, meat, fruit, bakery bread) Sweets (cookies work!) Favors Podcasts: Episode 010 Hospitality Episode 34 Why You Should Celebrate Your Friends Galentine's Day Friending Podcast Kimberly’s Caterer and Live Band: Ruthie's Bar-B-Q & Pizza  - Montclair, NJ Vin Mott Blues Band TV Show: Parks and Recreation Parties: Murder Mystery Party Dramatic Fanatic Downloadable Mystery Games for Kids Magazines: Magnolia Journal Mingle Games: Timeline - Americana Timeline - Music and Cinema App: Pocketbooth Party : simple DIY event Photo Booth

Back in Episode 36, we talked about Non-negotiables and why there are important in your every day. Naming your non-negotiables is a great start to living an intentional life However in this week's episode we are going to take it a step further and talk about core values. Many of life's decisions are determined by what we value most. Knowing your values and intentionally honoring them in your life will give you a sense of purpose. When you identify your values and intentionally make them a part of your life you will feel confident that your life is not a result of “going with the flow”. Mentioned in the Show: A Simple Example of Values Based Living by Kimberly Amici How to Identify Your Values and Improve Your Life by Kimberly Amici Books: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins Blogger: The Nester Podcast: Episode 009 Self Awareness Bonus Episode: Self Awareness

You heard us say time and time again on the podcast that relationships thrive with intentionality. In previous episodes we’ve talked about making time for our friends, our spouse, now we're talking about how to make time for our kids. We're not talking about the kind of time where you drive your kids where have to be, or time spent watch their sporting events, or band concerts, or even volunteering at their school. We're talking about real relationship and connection. Mentioned in the Show: Books: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts by Gary Chapman The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively by Gary D. Chapman and Ross Campbell TV Shows: This is Us Coaching Challenge Think about each one of your children’s passions and choose something intentional you can do with each in the next month. Remember this can be as simple as a stop at a local coffee shop or for an ice cream cone...or a note or text that lets them know you see them, you love them, you care about them. If you don’t have a child, think about a friend you can do this for.

Have you ever been so burned by a childhood friend that it left you scarred and wounded, and now it is affecting your present friendships? Many of us have. What has happened to us in our childhood friendships can affect our current friendships. It can make us fearful of getting close to others and it can cause us to become distrusting and anxious about their approval. But we don’t have to stay hurt or bound by our past experiences. There is healing available in God’s Word and His truth that He wants to speak to our hearts. Noelle is here today to walk us through what childhood friendship trauma is and what we can do about it. Mentioned in the Show: Post: How To Get Over Childhood Friendship PTSD by Noelle Rhodes Download: LETTERS TO AND FROM MYSELF: HEALING FROM FRIENDSHIP HURT" KIT Books: Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding & Keeping Lasting Friendships by Lisa-Jo Baker

In Episode 014 we talked about the many things It’s Never Too Late to do. Some of them included starting a new career, giving your finances a makeover, and going back to school. Kimberly has experience with the last one. In August of 2015, she decided to get a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. As a wife and mother, there were many things she had to consider before making such a big decision. She’s here to share with us what those were and how she managed her family’s new normal over the last 2 years.

Last week we talked on the show with Kimberly Coyle about Practical Tips for Coming Back to Center. Knowing and participating a handful of actions that ground us works wonders when life feels like it is spinning out of control. Another thing that I have found helpful over the last few years is knowing and applying my non-negotiables to my everyday. My co-hosts and I have gathered today to talk about what non-negotiables are, our experience with them as well as get some wisdom from our resident life coach Elise Daly Parker on why they are so important. Mentioned in the Show: Products: evian Facial Spray Mineral Water Facial Spray Neutrogena Clear Face Break-Out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunscreen SPF 55 iBloom Calendar Post: How Everyday Non-Negotiables Can Change Your Outlook on Life by Kimberly Amici Life Coach: Carey Bailey E-Course: Make Over Your Morning - Crystal Paine Devotional: First 5 app from Proverbs 31 Ministries Program: Max Fit Website: 16 Personalities

Do you ever feel like life is spinning out of control? It’s easy to lose focus and get overwhelmed. However, it’s not hopeless, I promise you. The key to making to the other side is understanding what centers you when navigating through a busy life. Kimberly Coyle is here to share with us a few touch points she uses throughout her day to help her remember that she is a human being, not a human doing. Mentioned in the Show: Podcast: Episode 003 Starting Your Day with God Post: DAWG - Day Alone with God by Elise Daly Parker Books: Wonderstruck: Awaken to the Nearness of God by Margaret Feinberg To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue

Making time for friends is important! The most rewarding friendships are the ones we are intentional about nurturing. as we mentioned in Episode 32, we can do this by  participating in a book club, collaborating on a project or volunteering together, or even connecting with each other with technology such as FaceTime, Skype, or Voxer. What we didn't mention was celebrations. Noelle, our resident friendship expert, says whether it be done through brunch, mimosas, Karaoke, spa pedicures, or dinner with the besties... it must be done. And, when we forget to celebrate our friends, we communicate disinterest in their pursuits and purpose. She’s here to share with us the 10 reasons why we should celebrate a friend. Elise and I, enthusiastic party goers, are here to add a few more. Mentioned in the Show: 31 Day Writing Challenge http://write31days.com/ iBloom Planner Podcast: Slices of Life Episode 32 Making Time for your Friends Friending Podcast Website: http://www.godsizeddreams.com/ Post: BE A PARTY ANIMAL: The Secret to Being an Awesome Friend by Noelle Rhodes

Deep friendships are often marked by common interests and sometimes common passions, such as faith or politics. But what happens when you and that friend you adore just don’t see eye to eye? As Christians, we are called to live in peace, unity, and love. But in this political climate, it feels like that is getting harder and harder to do. Whether inside the church or out, people are passionate about their differing beliefs. There seem to be no gray areas anymore just black or white, your way or my way, holy or unholy. We are here today talk about how you can navigate friendships and politics, especially when you disagree. Mentioned in the Show: “Tolerance isn't about not having beliefs. It's about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” ― Timothy J. Keller Books: Bush at War by Bob Woodward Columbine by Dave Cullen Speak: How Your Story Can Change the World by Nish Weiseth Posts: What To Do When You Can’t Agree With the People You Love by Jennifer Dukes Lee President Trump's Refugee Order: 5 Things to Know by Preemptive Love

In episode 29 we talked about making time for our spouse and now in today's episode, we are talking about making time for your friends. I used to think that friendships should form organically and would grow if they were meant to, but I was wrong. While a handful of relationships do form naturally, longevity and depth are marked by intention. But what does that really mean? We are here today to discuss ways to incorporate intentional friendship into your everyday. Mentioned in the Show: Practical ideas to foster friendship Schedule it! Club or group: Book Club, Cooking Club, Moms in Prayer Sabbath Connections Once a month “grown-up” playdates Collaborate on a Project or Volunteer together Be spontaneous Facetime Lunch, Virtual Tea Voxer - A messaging app for your smartphone with live voice, text, photo and location sharing. Yearly retreat Podcast: Friending Podcast - Every episode is a collaboration of essays, stories, and conversations from voices who have something to say about Friendship. Book: Friendships Don't Just Happen! by Shasta Nelson The Lifegiving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming by Sally Clarkson Ministry: Moms in Prayer  - Moms in Prayer International impacts children and schools worldwide for Christ by gathering mothers to pray. Post: Are You Too Tired, Too Comfortable to Make New Friends? by Elise Daly Parker (Circles of Faith) Elisa Pulliam:   www.Moretobe.com Life coaching training www.kaleoagency.net

In Episode 7 Life Transitions, our In Your words question was, What surprised you the most about motherhood? Today we are diving deeper into the topic of motherhood and talk about what surprised us about the mothers we have become. We are not just talking about motherhood, but about the expectations of we have of ourselves that get shattered as we try to be someone we weren’t meant to be. Mentioned in the Show: Posts: On Motherhood and Expectations by Kimberly Amici for Faith Gateway Podcast: Episode 7 Life Transitions - Slices of Life Music by Bensound

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get organized, you're in the right place. In Episode 28 my co-hosts and I talked about what worked and what didn’t work for us in 2016. We found out that one of the things that worked for was Bullet Journaling. Elise has an interest in giving a try so we thought it would be fun to have a tutorial with her right here on the podcast. What is a bullet journal? The Bullet Journal is an analog system of organization, created by Ryder Carroll, a Designer based in New York. In his words, the Bullet Journal is meant “to help you track the past, organize the present, and plan for the future.” Need: a notebook and a pen Made up of: Index Collections such as Future Log, Monthly Log, and Daily Log, and list of things that matter to you. Rapid Logging which includes: Tasks, Events, Notes which use signifiers to differentiate them. Migration - the cornerstone of the Bullet Journal. The act of reviewing, essentially the act of moving over undone Tasks over to another Collection For more information head over to http://bulletjournal.com/ Mentioned in the Show: Apps: Trello Products: iBloom Planner Moleskine Journal Posts: The Lazy Genius - How to Bullet Journal and Hashtags: #bujo #bulletjournaljunkies

Between the 3 of us we have over 60 years of experience in marriage. We’ve weathered our relationships in various locations, different seasons of parenthood, and financial ups and downs. Although our experiences are not the same, the one thing we can all agree on is how important it is to make time for our spouse. It’s not always easy, but it is possible with intention and a plan. Mentioned in the Show: Facebook community group for Slices of Life listeners Alec Baldwin’s Podcast Here’s the Thing La La Land Posts Marriage Tool - The Gift Of Dialoguing by Elise Daly Parker

In Episode 27 we talked about the many different ways to prepare for the New Year. Whether you are making resolutions, choosing One Word for the New Year, or setting SMART goals, reflecting on the previous year makes the road ahead of you more meaningful. It allows you to celebrate your success, mourn your losses, and learn lessons from it all. Today my co-hosts and I have gotten together to look back on 2016 and share what worked for us and what didn’t. Mentioned in the Show: Websites: The Better Mom Programs: Make Over Your Morning e-course - Crystal Paine Maxfit Books: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Products: Lightbox Membership Sites: hope*writers is a members only community who write about hope, who value encouragement and practical advice about writing as craft, business, and calling. Membership includes access to a the Facebook group and the Writer’s Library full of resources on writing, plus video interviews with authors and several publishing professionals. Audible is audio entertainment that entertains, educates, and inspires. Enjoy this with your free trial: 30 days of membership free, plus two free audiobooks that are yours forever. 1 credit a month after trial, good for any book regardless of price. Exclusive members savings. Get 30% off any additional audiobooks. Easy exchanges. Don't love a book? Swap it for free, anytime. Seriously. YouTube: Yoga with Adrian Pinterest Bullet Journal Pinterest Board

In part 1 we talked with author Elisa Pulliam about her books Meet the New You and Impact Together. We discussed why everyone calls her Lisa, mentoring myths, and ways we can cross the generational gap. If you missed it, we highly recommend you go back and listen. Mentioned in the Show: Books: Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry T. Blackaby Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe by Sarah Mae, Sally Clarkson Meet the New You: A 21-Day Plan for Embracing Fresh Attitudes and Focused Habits for Real Life Change by Elisa Pulliam Impact Together - Biblical Mentoring Simplified by Elisa Pulliam Websites: www.Moretobe.com Life coaching training www.kaleoagency.net

In episode 12 we talked about the creative ways we teach our kids about money management. Plus, Elise shared with us the wisdom she gained over the years raising her now adult children. She also told us about her and her husband’s journey to financial freedom. In this mini episode, we’ll hear a bit more about her story and the sacrifices she made to get to where she is now.

In this extra episode we talk how introversion and extroversion affect marriage and parenting. Also, Elise shares some tools she uses as a life coach to help her clients with self awareness.

This time of year everyone seems to be talking about the New Year and their resolutions. It’s an exciting time, but let’s face it, things don’t always go as we’d hope the January before. Some of you may God-given dreams yet to be realized or good intentions that have failed to produce results. The pounds you vowed to shed last year still linger and books you wanted to read are left untouched on the nightstand. Resolutions are nice but rarely produce success because they are vague. Today we are here to help you leave behind your good intentions and talk about a few ways to approach the New Year that won’t leave you discouraged. Mentioned in the Show: Bible Study: Breaking Free Bible Study by Beth Moore Websites: #One Word 365 My One Word One Word That Will Change Your Life Posts: What's Your One Word for the New Year? by Elise Daly Parker for Circles of Faith My One Word for the New Year Update and LinkUp by Elise Daly Parker for Circles of Faith Don’t Make Resolutions - Get SMART by Kimberly Amici for Circles of Faith Books: My One Word: Change Your Life with Just One Word by Mike Ashcroft and Rachel Olsen

Are you tired and weary and looking for rest? The answer is Sabbath. It may seem impossible in our busy culture but it isn’t! Join us as we talk to Shelly Miller about #SabbathSociety and making rest a priority. Shelly Miller is ministry leader, blogger and author. She created the Sabbath Society, an online community of people who make rest a priority and has recently released her first book called Rhythms of Rest - Finding the Spirit of Sabbath in a Busy World. Mentioned in the Show: Felt Flower Tutorial Shelly Miller Book: Rhythms of Rest Website: http://shellymillerwriter.com/ Instagram #Sabbath Society Facebook Twitter

The Christmas season is here and most of us are already busy trying to make this year perfect. We want to give the perfect gifts, make Pinterest worthy food, and create as many Instagramable moments as possible. Sometimes our good intentions can drive us to the brink of crazy. For the sake of our friends and family, my co-hosts and I have gathered to talk about the times we’ve been difficult during the holiday season, how we are planning to change that, and what you can do if you know people like us. Mentioned in the Show: Recipes SPICED BRISKET WITH CARROTS 3 to 4 pounds fresh beef brisket or boneless beef chuck pot roast 1 teaspoon whole cloves 1 teaspoon whole allspice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cinnamon 1 tablespoon instant minced onion 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup catsup 2 tablespoons vinegar 8 medium carrots, peeled and bias sliced into 2-inch pieces 1/4 cup all-purpose flour Trim fat from meat; discard fat. Coarsely crush cloves and allspice. Combine cracked cloves and allspice, salt, pepper and nutmeg or cinnamon. Rub over the surface of the meat. Place an extra large plastic bag in a large bowl. Place meat in bag. Stir together instant minced onion, brown sugar, catsup, vinegar and 1/2 cup water. Pour over meat in bag. Close bag. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally to redistribute marinade. Place meat and marinade in a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cover and roast in a 325° oven for 2 hours. Add carrots and roast 1 hour longer or until meat is very tender and carrots are done. Remove meat to a serving platter. Cover to keep warm. Strain JELLO FLUFF also known as Strawberry Fluff 2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry flavored Jell-O® 1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese 1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained In a mixing bowl, combine the gelatin mix, cottage cheese, whipped topping and pineapple. Mix together well, refrigerate until chilled and serve. List: Gretchen Rubin’s list on 8 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Relatives During the Holidays Blog Posts: Have You Ever Had The Christmas Crankies? by Elise Daly Parker This Journey Called Marriage – The Way We Do the Things We Do by Elise Daly Parker When “Getting the Job Done” Defines Your Value by Noelle Rhodes for Circles of Faith

Advent is a period of spiritual preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday prior to Christmas Day and lasts through Christmas Eve, or December 24. It’s a great way to keep Christ at the center of the season. There are so many different variations and interpretations of Advent customs that exist today. My co-hosts and I are here to share the ways we have celebrated advent in the past and things we would like to try in the future. MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: PRODUCTS: Truth in Tinsel Each day there is a passage of scripture with a corresponding ornament for your kids to create. Joy Cards Advent Calendar - Set of 25 advent cards are with hand-drawn graphics, bible verses, & daily application questions ADVENTures in Odyssey from Focus on the Family STUDY: She Reads Truth Advent study - Beginning Sunday, 11/27, we’ll spend the Advent season exploring the Old Testament roles of prophet, priest and king, and the ways in which Christ came to perfectly fill each of them, as well as a week in Luke’s beloved narrative of Christ’s birth. BOOKS: Light Upon Light compiled by Sarah Arthur The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas by Ann Voskamp Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp The Greatest Gift Jesse Tree Ornament Set The Twenty-four Days Before Christmas by Madeleine L'Engle MUSIC: Once Upon A Christmas by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers WEBSITE: Hearts and Minds Books 12 NEW ADVENT BOOKS for 2016 - - AND 5 MUST-READ HEARTS & MINDS FAVORITES On Sale Now from Hearts and Minds Books POSTS: Advent (Second Wednesday) by Kimberly Coyle for Christie Purifoy’s blog.

Carey Bailey is a life coach, speaker and retreat organizer she’s committed to supporting women with a desire to satisfy their cravings for an abundant life. She is here with us to talk about how we can go from Juggling to Joy, especially during this busy holiday season. Mentioned in the Show: Refreshing Your Mind - God made vs. man made What are we juggling? What you we want to accept, what do we want to simplify? How do we choose JOY everyday. How do we map that out? Post: Remembering Jesus This Christmas Despite the Mess by Kimberly Amici for Faith Gateway Recipe: Russian Tea Music: Once Upon A Christmas by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Carey’s Spotify Playlist - From Juggling to Joy Where to find our guest: Carey Bailey Blog - www.CareyBailey.com Twitter - @CareyCBailey Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/carey.c.bailey Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/careycbailey

Noelle’s son Silas is hearing impaired and, as a result, has experienced some developmental delays. While it’s been both hard and heartbreaking, it has also turned out to be a great adventure that has changed her life forever. It has deepened her faith and has taught her huge life lessons. In this podcast she shares her story and talks about the gifts friends and family have given her along the way. Mentioned in the Show: 5 Gifts You Can Give A Parent Of A Child With Special Needs by Noelle Rhodes for Circles of Faith