She Speaks Stories

Today we have the pleasure of hearing from Lou Minichini! He was chatting with the lovely Katie Hawkins at their Sunday School get-together and shared his conversion story. Katie's response was “you HAVE to be on our podcast!” and we are SO thankful Lou agreed!  His story walks us through how a New Jersey Italian Catholic found Jesus. How his upbringing grew from a traditional awareness of God to a life changing relationship with his Savoir.  And after he found Christ, he talked about the importance of sharing the good news! The discussion that follows that: unpacking preferences vs principles in our faith, was so interesting and fun!

Our host Julia Sifers is head over heels in love with today's guest, and that's a good thing because he's her husband!  Yup, Nik Sifers', Julia's other-half, joins us today to share some perspective of the trust that develops for those of us “stuck on hard-mode.” Nik in his own sarcastic and thoughtful way walks us through a few examples of God's specific care and direction in ways he was not expecting. This episode helps us see that God will always provide, and it's always good, but it's rarely what we were expecting!

Are you tired? Just worn out? In this episode Tom breaks down the simple beauty of intimacy with God. It seems like a big feat, but it starts with desire and grows into something wonderful.  Tom, Katie's brother, has been on our podcast a few times before because he's a great teacher, one of Katie's best favorite brothers and he genuinely enjoys our podcast! So that works out nicely! In this episode shares dreams he's had and the transformation that came when the meaning of the dreams were revealed.  It's such a good perspective on the power of valuing the presence of God.  Let's get the ark back, let's eat the spinach, let's rest in the awesome power of his presence!

SUSAN IS BACK for today's episode!! And it's so good! God has blown Susan away with all that he has shown her over this year! He has rekindled her love for the local church when it's partnered with the gospel and shown her the power of community. In her new role in her church, God has showered her with goodness and perspective and this space has fueled the finishing touches on her new book (get excited! We are!)  If you've missed Susan, as we have, join us for quality connection as we hear all that God is doing in her life!

Those of you who have been long-time listeners know Portia and the goodness she brings, and though God called her to step down as host of She Speaks Stories, he called her towards some other great changes. And in this episode, Portia shares with us what she's been up to this past year.  Jesus has held her, through changes, in her identity and quieted her fast pace with deep renewal. Her organization Imago Dei is growing as they learn exactly what it looks like to come alongside the church and help organize conversations about diversity. Their goal is to help leaders see what Jesus taught. That it's not about the outcome, but about opportunities and looking around to see what is needed in the church's community. Imago Dei is a much needed perspective. Not just sweeping these hard questions under the rug but really coming alongside the confusion to bridge the gaps and guide them through so Jesus can be seen in all cultures and corners! As they say, “Diversity is a garden to grow, not a problem to solve.”  To learn more about Imago Dei: Website:www.weareimagodei.co Instagram: @weareiagodei.co Our Heart We'd love to be a part of your (all who hear this podcast) church staff development through our recorded 5 session course to help rediscover diversity through a biblical perspective. The Foundations Course is available through the website. Not sure where to begin? We'd love to hop on a free call with you. Click here.

Kim joins us today to share the steps she took to find Jesus. Even though she was raised to know there was a God, she didn't see beyond him as a structured God of Wrath. Through some hard times and with many seeds planted over time, she found what she'd been missing! Life is hard, and it can be confusing! Questions and uncertainties come and it really is hard to see any hope in the middle of some of the hard. Kim's story is a clear message of salvation. In her story we can see grace exemplified. When we have a life with holes, God comes in and fills in the gaps! Check out the episode we did with Kim's daughter, Episode #181 Finding Healing in Marriage with Dane and Brooke Lopez.

Sarah was a military spouse who was slammed with hard times, affairs, financial difficulties and so much unknown. But God knew her and did not leave her. Every step of the way he provided for her in the most personal ways with scraggly old strangers, kind judges, supportive churches and friendly empowering bosses.  This is a story of redemption. Her life exemplifies how God is always there, no matter where you are!

Doris is the kind of gal you want at your table. In this episode we're getting a good introduction of the quippy Doris Lama! She's so fun and filled with a confetti of eclectic and mosaic stories all centered around God's answering her question: “What would you have me do?” With the Holy Spirit's help she “moves from less than to more than” and encourages anyone who has the pleasure of her company! This is really a part one, because we're going to have her back after hearing (too many!) teasers of some of the stories from her past, including how she met her husband. So get cozy and join us in chatting with Doris!

Normally we have a lot of SHE's on She Speaks Stories (it's in the name!) but we love it when we can have a HE come join in on the fun. Today's episode we have a HE and a SHE! Chris and Julie Bennett join us to share their story when they said yes to God before they knew what they were getting into, saw Him use bad for good and were enveloped in a community that allowed them to find permission for authenticity while Julie battled cancer. They have the specific struggles in their story, but even if you can't relate to all the variants, their story is one worth listening to because it's jam-packed with such applicable truths that will leave you not only encouraged but motivated. And just in case that description wasn't enough, here's a few teaser-quotes from our time with this incredible couple– If you've ever gone through something hard: “God doesn't waste our hard.” If you've ever had to step out on faith: “Faith doesn't feel heroic in the moment.” There were many many more. We hope you'll take the time to listen and that you are encouraged!

Life in the Congo was wonderful for our guest, Bijou Mushengezi, for the first 16 years of her life. But in 1996 everything changed when civil war shattered her beautiful country with evil.  This is our Bonus Episode, specifically released on International Women's Day with the intent to inform more people about the horrific tragedies that are destroying a country full of beautiful resources and innocent lives. Caitlin Sturgis and Bijou Mushengezi have a nonprofit that aids in mending the brokenness in the DRC, called: Moseka Action Project. We want this story to break your heart, as it did ours, in order for us to stop and really ask God how we can help. At the very least we need to pray for these people and for those who are doing something to offer a choice to rebuild lives that have been ripped apart.  This is big. This is heavy. But our God is bigger and stronger. There is hardship but also joy! Listen in as we hear about the GOOD work he is doing! Learn more about the Moseka Action Project: https://www.mosekaactionproject.org/

We're so excited that Sarah joined us this week to share her conversion story.  Sarah was raised in the Catholic Church but when it came time for her confirmation she stopped, not in a rebellious stance, but just not sure. Fast forward a few years, to meeting a very important person, the man who would take her hand and introduce her to the most important person: Jesus. Sarah's story is so sweet, and we couldn't help but grin as she shares that in meeting Jesus she's no longer alone, it's given her a place, and allowed her to really belong.

Chesed is back! This time she's sharing some of her story of singlehood and how she fell in-love. Who doesn't love a good love story? But this one isn't butterflies and chocolates, in this love story we see how much God showed HIS love by introducing Chesed and Matt. God really gives us what we need. And though Chesed saw “Neither has God chosen this one,” over and over, she learned the truth of “The Lord sees not as man sees.” She really could understand the beauty of the man God had placed in her life and the love that came as they began loving Jesus, and promised to love each other for the rest of their lives. Join us in listening to this story of God affirming his love.

Once you've sat down with dear Roberta Damon, you can't help but want to tap into her wisdom and hear what God has shown her in her adventures. Today's episode Roberta shares a story she heard while she was overseas, one that affirms just who God is and how he truly is the Author of our story. Join us for the Part 2 of Roberta Damon's Faith Stories. (See Episode 194 for Part 1)

Well as we said earlier, we are gathering with family to bring you stories about Christmas that are centered around the theme or emotions of Advent. And this week, Katie and Julia chat a bit about a deeper kind of love at Christmastime, and then we get to hear from Katie's daughter-in-law, Jill Hawkins! Katie went to visit Jill and they're sharing a convo they had about God demonstrating his love during the Christmas season, even when things don't go as planned!

Who better to talk about joy than with children?! So today we have four very special guests: Julia's kids! She sat down with Wes, Molly, Drew and LE and chatted about what they think of Christmas Joy.  So join us this week to share some stories of joy in this season of Advent!

Our Advent series continues with the topic of Peace, and boy oh boy does Tom bring us to a new understanding of what peace looks like, why we need it and the key to having it. We don't know about you, but we could use some more peace in our lives and in this season of Christmas, the Prince of Peace wants to give you the real deal kind of peace: HIS peace.  We hope you will join us in this conversation about Jesus that brings conviction, hope, understanding and so so much peace!

Our first week of Advent starts off with the theme of HOPE. And as you can tell when you listen in, both Katie and Julia were giddy to have Betty Gagnon join the fun! Betty is Julia's mom and Katie's mentor (who is mentioned in her book!) Betty brings us back to Hebrews and where our Hope comes from. She shares that Jesus is our anchor in the hard, challenging or uncomfortable. When storms hit, we know: There is a God. He loves us.  We may be helpless, but God is our Hope!

We are taking a break from our Faith Stories for the month of December so we can focus in on Advent. And to get us all ready for what the season of Advent means, we have one of our favorites back: Chesed! In this episode, Chesed explains the difference between Advent and Christmastime, the beauty of the ache of waiting and gives us all Advent Permission to hold onto that unseen hope. It's such a great way to start off this season!

Chesed is back with one of her faith stories, the story of the start of her faith, her conversion story! Chesed has the gift of sharing stories, and though her faith is described more as a progressive knowledge of Jesus, she reminds of that the dramatic part of everyone's conversion story is the salvation part! This story is centered around Jesus, and how he calls us to him and that every story of his calling is worth sharing… because stories change lives!

The littlest seed can still grow to become a strong- even if it takes 50 years. This is so true with our guest, Rebecca Wilson. She didn't have God on her radar, but she was definitely on His and through the years He slowly brought her to him. Through ups and downs her faith has grown and spurred on a ministry that practically helps those who desperately need not a "handout but a hand up!" Compassion Restoration Ministries: http://www.compassionrestoration.org/

We are delighted to have Roberta Damon rejoin us for another episode. Roberta was a missionary to Brazil for years and today shares with us some personal experiences with what happens when you share your conversion story. Spoiler: Sharing conversion stories opens up opportunities for conversion!

As we start up a new season of She Speaks Stories, we're excited to dig into Faith Stories, what they are, who tells them and why we should know our own. If you have faith, you have a story. So lean to our second part in this Faith Stories Intro, where Katie and Julia chat about three different kinds of Faith Stories, how they are different, and why they matter!

As we start up a new season of She Speaks Stories, we're excited to dig into Faith Stories—what they are, who tells them, and why we should know our own. If you have faith, you have a story. So lean to our first part in this Faith Stories Intro, where Katie and Julia chat about three different kinds of Faith Stories, how they are different, and why they matter!

We wrapped up our Women of the Bible series a few weeks ago, well, we thought so, until Katie had a fantastic visit with her brother, Tom Flaherty! When they got chatting, a sermon Tom had preached was brought up and Katie knew it fit TOO perfectly with our series to ignore. So today, we're bringing you a BONUS episode where Tom shares about widows, but this episode is really about stories, and Jesus' influence on them. Listen in to the perspective Tom shows us and the encouragement it brings!  God sees our pain and he cares.  He knows.  He sees all the levels of hard.  He is close to the brokenhearted!

This episode is bittersweet. All four hosts got together to reminisce and laugh through all the incredible memories and stories they've shared together because of this podcast. Listen in to hear the changes for our podcast as we end a chapter with some sadness, but turn the page with anticipation as we continue to see what God has for the podcast. We still have so many stories to share! This isn't goodbye, this is just see you later!

It's incredible how much we've learned through our Women of the Bible series! Portia wraps up our series teaching us about Naaman's Wife's servant girl (2 Kings chapter 5). And although her name is not recorded in the Bible her story is because there is so much we can learn from it! Portia, as usual, shares so much perspective! In her teaching she brings to light so many simple and applicable truths from such a small section of the Old Testament, proving that God's Word is living and active and that each part is intentionally placed for us to glean knowledge and grow closer to our Father. SO good! Lean in, and join the fun as Julia & Portia chat about a little girl full of faith.

Each time we release an episode we're learning something new about Women of the Bible. This week, Julia steps up to share some of the things she has learned about Rahab. Every story in the Bible is there for a reason. There are layers of truth and understanding, so the more we read the more we understand. Join us as we peel back another layer to the story of Rahab!

Roberta Damon is an author, teacher and a gal after our own heart because she loves a good story, especially those she's read in the Bible. In this episode she shares her wisdom and perspective on the story of Penninah. She especially loves those uncommon or less known women in the Bible and wrote two books helping us see the purpose they had in being mentioned in the Bible, even the ones who are unnamed. Lean in and enjoy the truth and stories Roberta has to share!   Quote: I think God works in spite of it all.    

Most of you know and love one of our podcast's founders and co-host, the one with the iconic laugh and passionate truth giver, Susan Wanderer. But for those of you who are new to the podcast, get ready, you're going to love hearing Susan preach. She knows how to bring it!    But before we hear from her, a little background. Susan is married to Ed. After five years of marriage they crossed an ocean to adopt their three courageous kids Josh, Ruth and Dibora. Today she's a Family Minister, Coach, Communicator and author. She is a gal full of ideas, and vision and firmly believes people were created on purpose, for a purpose and truly delights in cheering them on. Plus she's fun. We love having her in our lives, and know you do too!   Connect with Susan at one of the following places:   www.letswanderon.com Facebook: Wander On Instagram: @Susanwanderer

Well, if any of you are familiar with this podcast you're familiar with one of our co-hosts and leading ladies: Katie Hawkins! She has a heart for Jesus and the gift of teaching, so naturally Katie is outstanding at hosting this podcast where she can teach about Jesus and we are SO thankful for her!  A little bit about Katie, for those who might not know her, she's a wife to Big Mike who is a retired Marine, she's mother to four and grandmother to 5 (almost 6) grandbabies. She adores her family. When she isn't playing bridge with her siblings she's involved in as many bible teaching scenarios she can plug into! She is also an author to a memoir-type of book that tells her story of how Jesus swooped in, saved her, and then continued to meet her throughout her life. We highly recommend this book entitled: She Speaks Stories: Finding Hope, Help and Healing in a Hard World because it's full of relatable life moments that truly encourage you as you read.  We're so happy to have her here today not just to host but to teach us!    Places to find Katie: Facebook: Katie Hawkins IG: @Katiehawkins Shespeaksstories.com   Quotes: I was new to the idea that Scripture can change me.    Prayer became an actual heart felt way to bring before the Lord people I loved.   Tags: #Mary #Bible #womenofthebible #motherofJesus

The first time Chesed was here, she wow'd us with her bible knowledge and storytelling skills that are wrapped in perspective and truth, so we obviously had to have her on again!  And when we decided to do a series on Women of the Bible, after two incredibly fun chats with her, it was a no-brainer to ask Chesed back!  In case you missed her last episodes, Chesed, who is the Director of Global Studies Internships at Liberty University, brought her teaching skills to the table when she shared parts of her story with us. She tells us how we can have security in our purpose, and about the strength we can find in uncertain times. Chesed is a traveler. She spent her formative years in other countries, and this created a very unique global world view that impacts her perspective, and that perspective enables her to enlighten her listeners.    Quotes: "I'm obsessed with God's Big Story." "God has done a kindness in my life by showing me I am not strong."

Jennie Lusko is a mother of five, and she pastors Fresh Life Church alongside her husband, Levi. She is also a best-selling author of The Fight to Flourish, a book written to show her readers that there is the ability to thrive in this life, even after traumatic experiences or hard seasons. There is grace, and with grace and hard work you can flourish!   She is also a podcast host of the Hey It's the Luskos podcast, which is an incredibly fun peek into the real, unfiltered life of Jennie & Levi's marriage, ministry, faith, grief, and growth! Listening to this couple chat about both the silly and hard elements in their life, is both lighthearted and encouraging!  It's clear that her message to the world is encouragement and hope. She loves to empower the world, reminding them they are beautiful, they are made for a purpose, and they are deeply loved by God.    #Author #thefighttoflourish #mom #podcast #pastor #wife #womenoffaith #eugenepeterson #themessage #flourishing #empowering #loss #deathofachild #hope   Where can people find you?  jennielusko.com Instagram: @jennielusko  

Jada is an author, speaker and fellow podcaster! She is passionate about God as well as studying and teaching the Bible. This passion led to her writing books that include bible studies, books on marriage and leadership.    It's not at all surprising that Jada has written these books, she excels at communicating clear, helpful, realistic steps that motivate and encourage! All of these aspects are helpful as we study the Bible, work on our marriage and develop leadership. She clearly knows the book she loves: The Bible, because her wisdom is all based on its Truths!   She takes this gift of communication and shares it with everyone and anyone! And though she goes and does frequently, she is happy to be planted at her local church that she and her husband started in 2008. She is very active in serving her church, using her abilities and blessing all those around her.   We are SO glad she's here with us and cannot wait to hear some of her story!     Where can people find you?  Instagram: jada_edwards Website: jadaedwards.org   #Author #speaker #podcast #writer #biblestudy #leadership #marriage #church #truth #challenges #encouragement #hope

Quotes * I couldn't live up or live out this fantasy.-Dane * Facts are not feelings.- Brooke * When we each started doing our own work, God started to align our journeys. * The best thing we found outside the grave was Jesus.   Bio Dane and Brooke have been married for 12 years and throughout those years have experienced very desperate and dark days in their faith and in their marriage. They learned so much about what marriage is and who God is to them. They seemed to be the perfect church couple, but they successfully hid deep brokenness. Brokenness that seemed to be some of the ‘unforgivable sins' in the church.  When everything fell apart, outwardly they pretended to be fine but in reality, they were alone, frustrated, confused, angry, hurt and in hiding. They found ways to cope that only temporarily numbed the truths they were hiding and the hopelessness they felt.  Unbeknownst to them, throughout all of this God saw them even though they didn't feel like it. Slowly but surely, He led them to himself-- towards redemption, in ways they weren't expecting.  He took their pain and turned it into hope. He healed the holes in their hearts with an unshakable identity and relationship with Christ.  And because of that healing they were able to experience true healing and redemption in their marriage! They are here to share this story of how they discovered who God is and how He took them on a journey from hopeless to healed…   Tags #Purity #marriage #sexual addictions #porn #openmarriage #marines #samesexattraction #shame #fear #guilt #separation #counseling #journey #Love Like You Mean It Cruise #healing #hope #Godsperfecttiming #journey Where can people find you?  Email- lopezbrooke@yahoo.com or lopezdne@yahoo.con Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/brooke.c.lopez.3 

Katie was raised on the East Coast in a good American family. When she went to college it was confirmed in her heart that she needed more than just that “goodness.” As she pursued her faith, she grew spiritually and discovered a calling to Russian orphanages. Little did she know that this time was preparing her for a non-stop life God had planned for her. When she moved to California, met her husband and started her family, God brought her close to Himself with a chaotic newness that emptied her self-defined identity with healing.

Rachel Faulkner Brown is a returning guest to our podcast! If you didn't have a chance to listen to her past episode (Episode #22) give it a listen, but without giving too much away, Rachel's story is full of heartbreak and hope. She has lived through the passing of two husbands and in the past episode she walks us through these tragedies showing how God showed up and carried her through. She has since been remarried, and has thrived as a wife, mother, author and founder of ministries. Be Still is a ministry created to encourage and equip women through gatherings, a podcast and online resources! It's impossible not to get excited as she cultivates a space for women with such depth and fun! She also has a specific ministry created for widows called Never Alone. Here she has similar elements available (gatherings, conferences and online connection) but with specific topics and support for those who have lost their husbands. Needless to say her work is dynamic, her impact is evident and we're just thrilled to have her with us today!   Quotes: We are in union with Jesus. You cannot get out of union.   What you activate your mind to, you will see.   The more you can behold [Jesus], the more you become [like him]. #Returning Guest #Author #speaker #podcaster #blogger #Christian writer #womensconferences #videos #healing #widow #grief #hope #joy #Never Alone, Be Still Where can people find you? rachelfaulknerbrown.net neveralonewidows.com bestillministries.net Instagram: rachelfaulknerbrown Books: Father's House: The Path that Leads Home His Name: Our Hope in Grief

The world needs more true and vulnerable stories of loss and struggle woven through with healing and hope, so that those who have gone through tribulation can then see the suffering of others and express the truth of God to the world. In this episode, Mikayla Munn and Linda Znachko share how, even through their own personal hardships, God is using them as instruments of healing for others.

Katie and Portia have a conversation about healing which can be misunderstood and mysterious.  God provides healing for his children and in comes in many forms. These next several episodes are sure to encourage your heart as we dive into "Finding Healing".

Jennifer Codner is a committed servant leader with a passion for rehabilitating young people for Christ.  She firmly believes that the Spirit of the Lord has appointed her to “heal the brokenhearted and to preach deliverance to those who are captive” (Isaiah 61:1). While working in the United States, she had the opportunity to hear and respond to the cries of hurting mothers, parents, and guardians, who were desperately seeking help and a healing option for their children. These cries moved her to wrestle with God to expand the ministry by creating more opportunities to help more young people. In 2010, Jennifer founded a group home/residential program (Ebenezer Home) in the Caribbean for troubled girls. In 2018 she partnered with Noel Reid in opening a branch for boys. In 2020, Youth of Vision Academy was started to serve both boys and girls. She is committed to empowering lives not just for service in this world but for the kingdom. Jennifer Codner is bringing help to so many lives and families.  https://youthofvisionacademy.org/profile/jennifer-alexis-codner/   #cleaneating #empower #healthebrokenhearted #brainbasedbehavior #YOVA #Youthofvisionacademy   Donate to YOVA https://youthofvisionacademy.org/donate-now/

Parenting...it can be the most amazing and awful experience interchangeably. God wants to help you in all of the parenting things. Whether your children are adopted, foster, or biological, parenting requires help. This one is for the mothers and fathers out there.  Join us as we discuss the very present help of God that is available to YOU to parent well.    #parenting #foster #adoption #godshelp #community #help #kristianstanfill #weneedpeople #findinghopehelpandhealinginahardworld #shespeaksstories    Link to Kristian Stanfill's song "We Need People" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCtKW3zpRM

You heard her miraculous story here in Season 1, episode 130; she has also been highlighted on the Today Show, Discovery Channel's Shark Week and numerous other news outlets. Tiffany Johnson is a shark attack survivor, speaker, author, wife, mother to three and a Kingdom builder. Listen in as she tells you how she has experienced help from God through it all and learned how to shift her perspective.

Adria is a pastor's kid who grew up in Kentucky, she found her voice as a cheerleader and as she tells people “That's when I started talking and haven't stopped since!” She met her husband in college, they married, and started their family. While living in Texas, her son, Blake, was born with health issues. For three years they spent a lot of their time in hospitals, being stretched and grown but were delighted to provide him with a normal toddler life, until he passed away.  God surrounded her steps as they moved one more time to Virginia, where He had a plan for Adria to share her story. Through Adria's Gideon-like story of an accountant turned speaker, she agreed to step out of her comfort zone to follow God's calling. He has blessed her as she continues to share her challenge: to find joy!   Connect with Adria: Website: Adriawilkins.com Facebook: Adria Wilkins TikTok: Adria Wilkins Email: adria@adriawilkins.com #findingjoy #spinabifida #fostercare #fostertoadopt #socialworkers #joy #findinghelp

We all have times when we have needed help. Sometimes we don't know what to do or where to start. Psalm 46:1 tells us God is our refuge and strength, and ever present help in trouble. Join us in this episode, as we talk about times when God has demonstrated that he knows us, he loves us and he truly is the help we need in exactly the big and small ways we need.

Lisa was born and raised in Texas. Even though her physical location didn't change much, she experienced change in almost every other aspect of her life. She endured hardships in her childhood that were carried into her married life. She found herself asking God for a way out. He answered her, over and over and over again, and showed her just how well He loves. Lisa has been refined and with great hope anchors her day with sharing the unconditional love Jesus has brought to her.

Nate and Abby Hoff met at Dallas Theological Seminary and sparks flew. They've been married for 15 years and have four boys. They stayed put in the Dallas area to raise their family where Nate has been a professor at his alma mater for the last four years. In the summer of 2015, their family was slammed with hard challenges, and through them it brought to light a hard truth. As they walked forward in the discomfort, unknown and recalibrating, God never let go of these two. Even though it was hard, hope grew and this enabled them to minister to other people going through similar hardships. God daily brings them closer to Him and hope continues to grow as He reveals how much He loves and cares.

Tom Flaherty, besides being Katie's younger brother, number 5 in a family of 6 siblings, is the beloved lead pastor of City Church, in Madison, WI. He is one of Katie's favorite storytellers of all time and the author of nine books: some fiction, some on serious subjects like Calvinism and the end times, and a devotional that is 365 readings for daily doses of wisdom. He and his wife Alice lived in Minnesota for years and pastored several churches there before moving to Wisconsin in 2010.They have four adult children, all married, and four grandchildren. Tom knows first-hand what it means to rely on the Lord for hope in desperate situations. He's handled all kinds of grief both big and small. Tom exemplifies the kind of person that takes heart in the face of tribulations because he knows that Jesus is real and sends hope, help and healing to his people. Lean in as Tom shares just a few of these first hand stories.  

Carole is a mom, grandma, pastor's wife, author, speaker and former Hollywood commercial actress. She works to tell others about depression and how it has affected her and her husband's life together. Depression can be lonely and is still often considered taboo. Carole knows it is her calling to break the silence and give others hope and joy in the mess of mental illness. This podcast believes “stories change lives”. Carole's story will not only change your life but can also save you or someone you know. Do you live with depression or care about someone who does? Listen in as Carole gives practical hope for those caring for someone with mental illness.

Athena is a gal with a heart for the Lord, even though her story didn't start that way. She wanted to be successful in business, just like her dad, and so did just that. She was quickly promoted and established, but God brought her to Him when her life started to crumble. Christianity brought her the hope she needed to strengthen her marriage, until she was hit with a Job-like season and stripped of everything she held dear. But God wasn't done writing her story. Her restoration through some difficult times has brought her a new understanding, passion and energy to bring help, support, and healing to the world around her. 

Susan, Katie and Portia review the most recent season of Meet the Team and look forward to Finding Hope in the next season. Go to the website, shespeaksstories.com to get tickets for the live event, Songs and Stories, on June 10th, or sign up to watch from home!  Make sure to go back and Meet the Team if you missed any of those episodes! "The people walking in darkness have a seen a great light..."  Isaiah 9:2 Follow us on Social Media #TheGrounds #FindingHope #Songs&Stories #WomenofGod #SeasonOnHope #SeasonOnHelp #SeasonOnHealing

It only takes 30 seconds of chatting with Lauren to learn that she is bright, energetic and loves the Lord. Like (or unlike?) many of us, she is a planner. From the time she was a little girl she knew she wanted to be an elementary school teacher, a wife and a mom to 2.5 kids by her mid 20's. As He often does, God had other plans. Lauren allowed herself to grieve the idea she had for her life and let Jesus take the wheel.   If you are a single adult or know someone who is, you are going to want to listen in as Lauren describes her struggles and doubts. Absorb her words of wisdom as she has transformed her vision about what her life should look like. 

Ashley Harrell is stunning both inside and out despite the fact that life has handed her a hard blow these past three years.  When Katie first met Ashley and her charming husband, they had just started coming to our church and were so eager to know Christ better, have a strong marriage, and have another child. They already had Emma who was seven at the time, and cute as a bug.   What a bright and sunny future ahead for the Harrell's …..until the dark cloud of underlying, unresolved issues moved in and the storm began.