Podcast appearances and mentions of katie davis majors

In this conversation, Jeff and Laura sit down with Katie Davis Majors, founder of Amazima Ministries, and discuss her journey from Nashville to Uganda, her experiences in orphan care, and the importance of community and education in transforming lives. Katie shares her insights on the realities of family dynamics in Uganda and the mission of her ministry to support children and families. In this conversation, Katie shares her journey of faith, adoption, and global missions, emphasizing the beauty of connecting with others and the challenges faced while serving in Uganda. She talks about the hardships of living in a different culture, and the lessons learned about God's faithfulness and dependence. The discussion encourages believers in the call to serve locally and globally. Additional Resources: - Learn more about Amazima Ministries on Katie's website. - Check out Katie's latest book, Our Faithful God. - Subscribe to our YouTube channel and hit the notification bell to get notified of new episodes.

Life can be unimaginably hard. Author, Katie Davis Majors, shares her practical tips to manage anxiety, find peace, and embrace our faithful God to trust His plan in every circumstance. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Life can be unimaginably hard. Author, Katie Davis Majors, shares her practical tips to manage anxiety, find peace, and embrace our faithful God to trust His plan in every circumstance. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Katie Davis Majors, a mother of 15, shares her journey from fear to unshakable peace. From near-drowning experiences to raising a large family, she reveals how God's faithfulness has guided her through life's storms. Learn practical tips to manage anxiety and find lasting peace in God's love. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Katie Davis Majors, a mother of 15, shares her journey from fear to unshakable peace. From near-drowning experiences to raising a large family, she reveals how God's faithfulness has guided her through life's storms. Learn practical tips to manage anxiety and find lasting peace in God's love. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Discover the inspiring journey of Katie Davis Majors, a young woman who left her comfortable life to serve vulnerable children in Uganda. Through all the challenges and unknowns, Katie learns about God's faithfulness and how He kept her and her family safe all along. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

Discover the inspiring journey of Katie Davis Majors, a young woman who left her comfortable life to serve vulnerable children in Uganda. Through all the challenges and unknowns, Katie learns about God's faithfulness and how He kept her and her family safe all along. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/84/29

What does it look like to answer God's call in our life? How do we step into our calling when there is suffering that we never expected? For author, ministry leader, wife, and mom of 15, Katie Majors Davis, she could have never imagined all the ways in which God would call her into the unexpected places that He has over her life. As a young woman, Katie answered the calling of her life and became a missionary in Uganda. Through that time, God called her to start a ministry called Amazima and adopt 13 girls from Uganda. While many have marveled at her inspiring story of faithfulness, it was often met with unseen difficulties and trials as she cared for the poor, walked her children through their own stories of trauma and suffering, and faced the unrelenting challenges of life and ministry. Her most recent book, Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace, offers readers her own reflections on how to find peace in a world full of fears. In this deep conversation, Davey and Katie talk about how calling looks much different than we anticipate it to, the ways in which wrestling can lead us to more intimacy with God and why pointing our kids to Jesus in their pain is the most loving thing we can do. If you've ever found yourself in the midst of suffering after answering what you thought was God's call, this episode will remind you that even in the middle of God's invitation there can be both pain and joy coexisting as you step out in faith.   Website:https://katiedavismajors.com/ https://amazima.org/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katieinuganda_/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieinUganda Book: Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace https://a.co/d/dblYLji Get the masterclass Healing for Veterans: Navigating the Unseen Scars of Military Service or any of our other masterclasses at: www.nothingiswasted.com/masterclass You asked for it. And we listened! Bring the message of Nothing is Wasted wherever you go with our official Nothing is Wasted Sweatshirts. Get yours today at: nothingiswasted.com/sweatshirt Looking for the perfect gift for someone in pain? The restorbox is a meaningful and intentional curated gift box of some of our favorite Nothing is Wasted products and is a great gift to encourage those who are hurting in your life. Order one today at: nothingiswasted.com/restorbox

Join Stasi today in a conversation with author Katie Davis Majors as they discuss Katie's latest book, 'Safe All Along', and explore the promises of God, the essence of trust, and living out of a place of peace. Katie shares her journey with God from a young age to her years living in Uganda, where she adopted thirteen girls. Now mother to her fifteen favorite people, she also founded Amazima, a ministry fueled by compassion, mercy, and a desire to set others free through the truth of God's word. You'll be encouraged and inspired by Katie's reflections on Jesus' character and the hope of knowing we are always safe in God's unwavering love.…..SHOW NOTES:…..VERSES: Colossians 1:3–14 (NIV) — We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God's people—the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace. You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.John 8:32 (NLT) — And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.The Story of Manna can be found in Exodus 16 – here, Exodus 16:17 (NLT) — …Each family had just what it needed.…..GUESTWebsite: KatieDavisMajors.comAmazima Minsitries: katiedavismajors.com/amazimaInstagram: @KatieInUgandaFacebook: @KatieInUgandaTwitter/X: @KatieInUgandaKATIE DAVIS MAJORS BIOKatie Davis Majors is the bestselling author of Our Faithful God, Kisses from Katie, Daring to Hope, and Safe All Along. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that aims to empower people in Uganda through authentic relationships, education, community strengthening, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. Katie, her husband, Benji, and their children currently live in Tennessee. Visit Katie at Katie Davis Majors.com.Books Mentioned:Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace (now available in paperback) https://amzn.to/3TJlGkGKisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption https://wahe.art/3vwemRDDaring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful  https://wahe.art/3vDpiNhOur Faithful God Devotional: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character  https://amzn.to/4ao9nB8…..Don't Miss Out on the Next Episode – Subscribe for FreeSubscribe using your favorite podcast app:Spotify Podcasts – https://spoti.fi/42SsOipApple Podcasts – https://apple.co/42E0oZ1 Google Podcasts – http://wahe.art/3M81kxLAmazon Music & Audible – https://amzn.to/3M9u6hJ

Leave behind your anxious thoughts and embrace a steady confidence that you are never beyond the reach of God's loving hand. Katie Davis Majors shares from her book “Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace.” She talks about her very personal story of dealing with her own fears and anxieties. *Originally aired May 3, 2023* Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

Katie Davis Majors wrote her first book, Kisses From Katie – and not only was it a NYT Best Seller – but it made a massive impact on my friends and community when we were finishing high school. Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine I would have the opportunity to sit with Katie on my podcast to swap stories of God's goodness, talk about the way the Lord does not change when everything else does, and celebrate the amazing things God is doing through Katie's family, Amazima Ministries in Uganda, and her newest devotional, Our Faithful God: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character. @katieinuganda on Instagram amazima.org Kisses From Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and Beautiful Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties For God's Unshakable Peace Our Faithful God: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character PARTNERSHIPS  The Daily Leader Podcast - as one of the first shows that is a part of the More Podcast Network, The Daily Leader Podcast is driven by curiosity, and exists to foster in-depth discussions about what leadership is, why it's important, and how to more effectively lead in today's world. Hosts Brad McDonald and Taylor Jessup interview leaders across various walks of life and types of work, aiming to learn from each of them how to better lead in our personal lives and work. ⁠⁠Fig & Loom⁠⁠⁠ - Fig & Loom sells stunning Turkish rugs that are each individually named after babies whose life here on earth was far too short, but whose memory and legacy lives on – like our Hosanna. These rugs are hand knotted and designed to be passed down for years to come with stories to be told throughout future generations. My friends and family can get ⁠⁠15% off with the code MOREWITHNIKKI⁠⁠ to find the perfect hope-filled piece to add to your home. ______________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@morewithnikkidutton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nikkidutton.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ I'd love to hear from you! Email me at hello@nikkidutton.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠As always, incredible sound editing by Luke Wilson at Veritas Podcasting

In December 2006, an 18-year-old Katie Davis Majors traveled as a missionary to Uganda. Falling in love with its people, Katie moved to Uganda one year later where she soon founded Amazima Ministries with the mission of empowering the Ugandan people. She made the nationally-known decision to become an adoptive mother to 13 beautiful girls by the time she was 23. Through the years, she has become only more sure of God's unfailing faithfulness and kindness. Lean in and listen to her incredible story. Don't forget to check out her latest book, Our Faithful God Devotional: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character and her New York Times Bestseller, Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and RedemptionConnect with Katie Davis Majors on her website at https://katiedavismajors.comThe Significant Women podcast is full of personal stories, dynamic hope, and sage wisdom from women who have gleaned all that they can from the ordinary days of an uncommon life. They aren't significant because of their fame or success…they are significant because Jesus is in the details of their lives.Connect with Carol McLeod at https://www.carolmcleodministries.com

In December 2006, an 18-year-old Katie Davis Majors traveled as a missionary to Uganda. Falling in love with its people, Katie moved to Uganda one year later where she soon founded Amazima Ministries with the mission of empowering the Ugandan people. She made the nationally-known decision to become an adoptive mother to 13 beautiful girls by the time she was 23. Through the years, she has become only more sure of God's unfailing faithfulness and kindness. Lean in and listen to her incredible story. Don't forget to check out her latest book, Our Faithful God Devotional: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character and her New York Times Bestseller, Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption Connect with Katie Davis Majors on her website at https://katiedavismajors.com The Significant Women podcast is full of personal stories, dynamic hope, and sage wisdom from women who have gleaned all that they can from the ordinary days of an uncommon life. They aren't significant because of their fame or success…they are significant because Jesus is in the details of their lives. Connect with Carol McLeod at https://www.carolmcleodministries.com Email: carolmcleod@carolmcleodministries.comHttps://carolmcleodministries.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/carolmcleodministriesInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/carolmcleod_Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQE6z9U5VR9tjoJB1NAsgMw

Sadie is joined by Christian and her brother John Luke to dive into the best pieces of advice that were shared on the podcast this past year! You'll hear incredible nuggets of wisdom from Nick Vujicic, Jason and Lauren Kennedy, Katie Davis Majors, Donna Stuart, Earl McClellan, Bethany Hamilton, Mia Fieldes, Jackie Hill Perry, and Jase and Mia Robertson. And y'all need to give yourself grace when you see those old Facebook or Instagram posts from 10+ years ago — you've changed! You're not who you were! And Christian has a particularly embarrassing story that even Sadie hadn't heard before. It was a great year of Whoa That's Good and we're so grateful you've joined us for the journey! Looking forward to all that's ahead in 2024!  https://www.reliefband.com — Get 20% off plus free shipping when you use code WHOA at checkout! https://drinkag1.com/whoa — Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3K2 & 5 FREE AG1 travel packs with your first purchase! https://www.hatch.co/whoa — Get $20 off your purchase of a Hatch Restore 2 plus free shipping! https://www.auraframes.com/whoa — Get $30 off Aura's best-selling frames when you use code WHOA at checkout! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  In her recent book "Safe All Along", this week's guest, Katie Davis Majors, offers us practical ways to stay connected to God and His peace in the midst of tumultuous times. As you learn to surrender the illusion of control and lean more fully into God's love, you'll find comfort in knowing that He sees every bend and twist in your life's journey and He will never let you go.

In a world of uncertainty, we can find peace in knowing that the God who carried His people through the desert, the God who calmed the seas, the God who promised His presence, is still our God today. Katie Davis Majors shares from her book "Our Faithful God Devotional: 52 Weeks of Leaning on His Unchanging Character." Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

At the age of 18, Katie Davis Majors embarked on more than just a mission trip to Uganda. The experience struck a chord deep in her soul that led her to do an incredible work for God. On today's edition of Family Talk, Katie shares with Dr. Tim Clinton about how the Lord turned her desire to help kids from an orphanage into the founding of Amazima (pronounced ah-mah-zee-mah) Ministries. They also discuss heartwarming stories from her latest book, Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace. Be inspired as you discover Katie's vision to not only support the physical needs of children, but also to teach them about Jesus Christ, which has effected change in their Ugandan village. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/707/29

The author of "Safe All Along" shares stories to illustrate God's help through her ongoing battle with fear and anxiety. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/619/29

In this episode, our guest Katie Davis Majors shares her personal story of living in Uganda, running a nonprofit, and the challenges of transitioning to life in the US. She discusses the struggles she faced and how her faith in God helped her find peace in difficult times. She also talks about the book "Safe All Along" and the practical steps it offers to live in God's peace and ease anxiety and panic. Katie Davis Majors is an author, speaker, and founder of Amazima Ministries, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower and educate vulnerable communities in Uganda. Majors is a New York Times bestselling author, sharing her powerful story of surrender in "Kisses from Katie" and "Daring to Hope." As a speaker, Majors inspires audiences around the world with her message of hope, love, and faith. Her work with Amazima has impacted the lives of countless children and families, providing education, healthcare, and spiritual development. Key Points: Living abroad and adjusting to a different culture Running a nonprofit and fostering and adopting children in Uganda Moving back to the US and the challenges of transition Finding peace and certainty in uncertain times The book "Safe All Along" and its ten practical steps to live in God's peace Focusing on eternity and trusting in God's plan The importance of relying on God and putting others' needs first Katie's experience of God's gentleness and tenderness in difficult times ____________________________________________________________________________ PSSSSSST! Did you know that Rebecca's debut book, Do the Thing: Gospel-Centered Goals, Gumption, and Grace for the Go-Getter Girl is available wherever books are sold? If you're ready to… See your gifts and talents from a gospel-centered perspective. Prioritize goals related to your calling as you move forward with gumption and grace. Maximize your passions in the work you do every day. Actively partner with God to serve Him and love others. Overcome negative thought patterns so you can brainstorm, develop, and create with the confidence of a go-getter girl! …then order today at the link here! Each chapter includes prayer prompts, Scripture for further study, questions for reflection, action steps to move your goal forward, and accompanying videos (for individuals or small groups). So grab a friend (or 8) and let's use God's Word as our compass to “do the thing”. After all, if not now…when?

You know her from her work with orphans in Africa. Katie Davis Majors will give us a flyover of her story of forgoing college and moving to Uganda. Now, married with a large family, she’s keenly aware of the anxiety about the what-ifs of life. If you’re overwhelmed with your circumstances, don’t miss the honest conversation on Chris Fabry Live.

Today Katie Davis Majors joins me on The Christian Parenting Podcast and she is sharing her amazing story and heart with us. Katie is the author of Kisses From Katie and Daring to Hope. Her newest book is Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace.   Katie and I talk about her time in Uganda and her move back to the United States. We really focus on the challenges of life changes, the crazy pace of the American lifestyle and how it makes us feel pulled in so many different directions and contributes to anxiety, and the importance of surrounding yourself with community. Katie gives us some encouragement for managing anxiety, and gives us some ways to support and love our missionary and overseas friends when they move back to the States. Connect with Katie    Website: https://amazima.org/ Instagram: @katieinuganda_ @amazima   Links Mentioned https://www.amazimastore.org/products/safe-all-along https://www.amazimastore.org/collections/books   The Christian Parenting Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. To find practical and spiritual advice to help you grow into the parent you want to be visit www.ChristianParenting.orgOur Sponsors:* Check out HelloFresh: https://www.hellofresh.com/Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lisa chats with Katie Davis Majors, missionary, wife, author, and mother to 15, about her newest book, “Safe All Along.” They discuss the theme of how the peace of God can carry us, even through life's hardships. Links: Order God Knows   Connect with Lisa: Website Lisa Whittle - Instagram Lisa Whittle - Facebook Jesus Over Everything - Instagram   Connect with Katie Website Katie Davis Majors - Facebook Katie Davis Majors - Instagram Amazima Ministries Order Safe All Along

Leave behind your anxious thoughts and embrace a steady confidence that you are never beyond the reach of God's loving hand. Katie Davis Majors shares from her book "Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace." She talks about her very personal story of dealing with her own fears and anxieties. Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

Katie Davis Majors is a wife, adoptive and bio mom, New York Times Bestselling Author, founder of Amazima Ministries in Uganda, and author of the brand new book, “Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace“. Our prayer is that you would come away from this episode feeling equipped and encouraged to walk in God's peace no matter what chaos life brings. WHAT WE CHAT ABOUT ON THIS EPISODE: ~Katie's newest book, Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace, what led her to write it, and what readers can expect ~What it looks like to live in the peace Jesus promised us in an increasingly chaotic world, when we don't feel it at first ~A powerful story from Katie's own life that taught her that God sees the big picture we can't see and is looking out for us in ways we can't fathom ~How nearsighted our perspective is in this life, and how different God's is ~Going beyond just intellectually knowing that He sees us or will keep us safe to actually walking and living as if we know it is true ~Keeping our eyes on God's unchanging character as opposed to our life circumstances ~Understanding that surrendering every part of our lives to God's loving hands is a safe thing to do ~Attachment parenting and what this practice shows us for our relationship with God ~A helpful practice for when you're beginning to feel anxious ~Refusing to clean things up and fix them on our own before coming to Him with them; bringing all our raw and messy straight to Him for Him to care for them ~Understanding that if we just stuff our worries, they are all still there, they are just hidden (and why that doesn't help!) ~The fact that we cannot see the face of God if we do not sometimes wrestle with Him over things; why it's ok to ask God questions (as the Psalmist does repeatedly!) and how our faith is built when we do ~Remembering that God will not drop anything we give to Him, but instead can be trusted with all of it ~The faith-builder it is to be in hard places and be forced to trust God with them ~God's presence as better in the first place than our understanding the reasons for what it happening in our lives and what is going on behind the scenes ~God Himself as the gift ~Several practical, relevant practices that equip and help us to live in God's peace - rest, lament, being in the Word, prayer, community, service, and more ~The growing, healing power of lament (and why it is ok and good to bring our hurts and laments to God) ~How it is possible and ok for sadness and praise to exist at the same time ~And more!   For full shownotes, head to www.hargraveshomeandhearth.com/podcast

Who read Kisses from Katie all those years ago and was blown away by a teenage girl who left her affluent life in the US to move to Uganda? That was the beginning of an amazing journey for Katie Davis Majors, who was also busy fostering and adopting 13 kids by the time she was 23. Talk about refusing to play it safe in life!   Today Katie is with us, and we're talking about her new book, Safe All Along. She shares how the Lord called her to Uganda all those years ago, and then just recently called her back to the U.S. (and the anxiety and pain of leaving her home in Uganda that has accompanied this move).    Please take my word for it—you do not want to miss today's conversation. Katie's encouragement to let our kids chase after God's plans for their lives is amazing, including her dad's story of hearing from God in the early days as she was preparing to leave for Uganda.    I'm so thankful for Katie's faithfulness to the Lord and how it has encouraged me and my family. I know you will feel the same way!    Resources from today's show:  Safe All Along by Katie Davis Majors  Starved Camp Winshape Every Parent Wants To Know Christian Parenting Event  

Katie shares her incredible testimony of how God has used her to make a difference as a young adult in Uganda. It's a story of the grace and peace of God. After working in the orphanages in Uganda, it became important to not just have the children go through school or have meals provided but to also learn about the truth of their Savior, Jesus. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatieinUgandaInstagram: @katieinuganda_Website: https://katiedavismajors.com/FROM THE PRODUCERThanks for listening to Episode #197 Trading Our Fears for God's Unshakeable Peace and for helping Dr. Meg's parenting revolution reach more than SEVEN MILLION downloads! Please subscribe, rate and leave a review for us on iTunes!Get Social with Dr. Meg on Facebook & Instagram @MegMeekerMDCheck out Dr. Meg's parenting resources and tools! www.meekerparenting.com

Katie Davis Majors shares her story of formation through suffering and explains the message of her book, Safe All Along.

Katie Davis Majors is the bestselling author of Kisses from Katie and Daring to Hope. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that desires to empower people in Uganda through authentic relationships, education, community strengthening, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. Now living in Tennessee with her husband, Benji, and parenting their large crew together, Katie spends her average day folding laundry in her living room with little ones underfoot, chopping pounds of carrots for soup for her hungry crew, and whispering prayers to Jesus, who is still her very best friend. Follow Bob: @bobgoff Follow Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Follow Katie: @katieinuganda_ Learn more about Katie and purchase her latest book: katiedavismajors.com

Katie Davis Majors is the bestselling author of Kisses from Katie and Daring to Hope. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that desires to empower people in Uganda through authentic relationships, education, community strengthening, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. Now living in Tennessee with her husband, Benji, and parenting their large crew together, Katie spends her average day folding laundry in her living room with little ones underfoot, chopping pounds of carrots for soup for her hungry crew, and whispering prayers to Jesus, who is still her very best friend. Follow Bob: @bobgoff Follow Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Follow Katie: @katieinuganda_ Learn more about Katie and purchase her latest book: katiedavismajors.com

Katie Davis Majors is the bestselling author of Kisses from Katie and Daring to Hope. She is the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that desires to empower people in Uganda through authentic relationships, education, community strengthening, vocational training, and spiritual discipleship. Now living in Tennessee with her husband, Benji, and parenting their large crew together, Katie spends her average day folding laundry in her living room with little ones underfoot, chopping pounds of carrots for soup for her hungry crew, and whispering prayers to Jesus, who is still her very best friend. Follow Bob: @bobgoff Follow Kim: @kimberly.stuart.writes Follow Katie: @katieinuganda_ Learn more about Katie and purchase her latest book: katiedavismajors.com

She's a wife. She's a mom to 15. She loves Jesus. While she's currently residing in the USA, her heart remains in Uganda. She's authored two New York Times Best Sellers - Kisses from Katie and Daring to Hope. Her third book, Safe All Along, publishes Tuesday, March 28, 2023! That's TOMORROW! She's the founder of Amazima Ministries.Music by: Irene & the SleepersLogo by: Jill EllisWebsite: brokenbanquetpodcast.comContact Us: brokenbanquetpodcast@gmail.com

Hey, ya'll! Today I'm excited to welcome Katie Davis Majors back to the Happy Hour! Katie was on episode 208 and we always have the best conversations!In today's episode we covered some important topics including her transition to living back in the United States after living in Uganda, dealing with anxiety, and a few practical ways she stays grounded when her anxiety is in full force. Katie also shares all about Amazima Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to providing basic needs and school attendance to the people of Uganda. Katie's latest book Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace, releases on March 28th – make sure to grab a copy!I hope today's episode reminds you that if you struggle with anxiety, you are not alone, and God is with you every step of the way! SHOW LINKS:The Happy Hour Episode 208 with KatieAmazima MinistriesSafe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable PeaceRuthless Elimination of HurryHinds' Feet on High Places Ivey.Media/Partner

What if we could keep a God's-eye view of our lives — that no matter how scary or painful a situation might be, coming up ahead of us is a break and some peace? Sadie's guest, Katie Davis Majors, was reminded of this truth in a particularly harrowing experience she had while swimming in the Nile River. Katie was 18 when she first traveled to Uganda for a mission trip, and she ended up staying for many years, starting a charity, meeting her husband, and adopting 13 girls! Katie and her family — including 2 boys now! — just recently moved back to the United States, a decision that wasn't easy and one that Katie didn't initially understand. Katie encourages anyone wondering what they're going to do with their life that God is way more concerned with who you'll BE than what you'll DO. Start focusing on who God's called you to be! And don't discount the experiences you're having right now, wherever you are in your life — you have no idea what God is preparing you for! Sadie and Katie talk about the importance of sisterhood and how, whether they're biological, adopted, or even best friends, the blessings of sisters are an amazing picture of God's love for us. https://www.reliefband.com — Get 20% off plus FREE shipping with code WHOA! https://liberty.edu/Sadie — Get your application fee WAIVED when you start your future with Liberty University today! https://www.homechef.com/whoa — Get 75% off your first box! - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, meet speaker and educator Chrissy King, psychiatrist Pooja Lakshmin, MD, and missionary Katie Davis Majors. Press play to hear about the ways each of these authors have been able to grow and find confidence, and the hopes that they have for their audiobook listeners. Enjoy! The Body Liberation Project by Chrissy King: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/704696/the-body-liberation-project/ Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/696654/real-self-care/ Safe All Along by Katie Davis Majors: https://www.penguinrandomhouseaudio.com/book/714070/safe-all-along/

We have to identify and fight our hesitation to do anything until we understand everything. That's not a life of faith. We don't have to see the full picture to be confident in our next step. I can't wait for you to hear more from Katie Davis Majors as she shares her story of faithful steps on a path she couldn't always see clearly. The post Faithful Steps When You Can't Clearly See The Path appeared first on .

We're talking about surrender this week, and there is no one who has shaped our view of surrender quite like Katie Davis Majors. In Restless, you will read about Katie surrendering to huge callings from God to uproot and move across the globe. Today, listen as Jennie and Katie talk about surrendering to the seasons that feel quiet, safe, or mundane.Get your copy of RestlessDownload the free Restless Book Club KitPreorder Katie's Book Safe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable PeaceHELPFUL LINKS: Join the newsletter | Sign up for texts from Jennie and team CONNECT ON SOCIALS: Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | PinterestIF:2023 is coming up on March 3-4, and you don't want to miss it! There's still plenty of time to pull together some friends and watch the livestream from home. Head to IF2023.com and use code MFT10 to save $10 on an individual or host pass.

Want to jump around? Use these time codes to visit different segments in today's episode:  1:00 – Abby's book chat pick: Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors; for a secular story about an American living in Africa, try Six Months in Sudan by James Maskalyk  6:03 – EJ's book chat pick: Time is a … Continue reading S.6 E.8 — Don't Mess With My Rubik's Cube →

GREG & STEPHANIE UNPLUGGED: SUMMER STORMS & STORIES Hosts Greg & Stephanie take an episode to go unplugged on culturally-impacting issues today, and share recent "God With Us Stories" from ILoveMyFamily.us (featuring stories by Bill Noltner, Holly Zweifel, Bob Schuchts, and Katie Davis Majors).   If you are interested in helping us extend this message and movement further, find out more and please financially support us. Go to: ILoveMyFamily.us.   JOIN OUR INVIGORATING Belief & Beverages Nights on the 3rd Thursdays of every month. LISTEN NOW! SHARE! JOIN US FOR THE 7 WEEK CHALLENGE!  GO: MISSION ONE We are families united in making our homes places of ever-deepening encounter with Jesus Christ. Join us.   GO: PENTECOST 365 We are igniting men in everyday faith. It's never too late to begin. Join us.   GO: SUPPORT IGNITE Radio Live! is an outreach of Mass Impact | Image Trinity. We're about a way of life in Jesus Christ. 95% of this marriage, family, and culture-transforming movement is free. We depend upon partners united in this mission. Please consider becoming a monthly partner. Veni Sancte Spiritus! (Come, Holy Spirit!)

John the Baptist Exalts Christ From verses 22-36, John continues with the testimony of John the Baptist testifying about Jesus, before John was arrested. John, informs us of the ministry that Jesus had in Jerusalem and in Judea before he began to preach throughout Galilee. Jesus' ministry started becoming known by many. Our website: www.deepbiblestudies.com Our email contact@deepbiblestudies.com Our Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgyPJQE2418rWhnkmvNd9qQ Our Instagram https://www.instagram.com/deepbiblestudies/ Our Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Deep-Bible-Studies-113604080441303 DEEP Bible Studies Gospel Episode open.spotify.com/episode/6w9ydEA62lXghKqu7HpCpl?context=spotify%3Ashow%3A48NVPKFVGa35K1qtvUdrVg&si=27IklTQFQZKPxvBsMT_Exw First 40 minutes of American Gospel (also found in Netflix): https://youtu.be/ocHm18wUAGU John MacArthur ESV Study Bible https://www.gty.org/store/bibles/44ESVCOB/esv-macarthur-study-bible https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2016%3A24-26&version=ESV Ligonier Ministries in Baptism https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-baptism/ John Piper “Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom, Past and Future” https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/jesus-christ-the-bridegroom-past-and-future More on the Great Commission by John Piper https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-the-great-commission-for-every-individual-christian ‘Kisses from Katie' by Katie Davis Majors https://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Katie-Story-Relentless-Redemption/dp/1451612095 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/deep-bible-studies/message

Top 10 From 2019: #2 Sharing God's Love With the World with Katie Davis Majors   Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”    Katie Davis Majors lives in Uganda. She and her husband, Benji, are the parents of 13 adopted daughters and two sons. In 2008, she started Amazima Ministries International, a non-profit organization to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of the people of Uganda (www.amazima.org). Additionally, she is the author of Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption and Daring to Hope, which chronicle her amazing call and obedience to God and to Uganda. Read more of Katie's blog at katiemajors.blog and follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @katieinuganda.    At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.comand affiliated sites.    Amazima Ministries Website Books by Katie Davis Majors: Kisses From Katie Daring to Hope Katie's Blog Connect with Katie on Instagram and Twitter @katieinuganda   Thank You to Our Sponsors: Leman Property Management Company and Clearly Filtered Use Discount Code "SavvyWaterFilters" to get 20% off your first purchase. Limit 1 per customer, please :)   Just for Fun and Highly Recommended by Laura Lara Casey's Product: The Kid's Bundle (Write the Word for kids - have you seen this yet? It is awesome!!!) Lara Casey's 2020 6-months Powersheets...Not exaggerating: these are changing my life!!!    Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Also, check out our Patreon Page to find out how to gain access to additional podcasts and bonus goodies!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

You have to know Katie Davis Majors! Her impact on my life started almost 13 years ago when she moved to Uganda and wrote about her faithful obedience to God on her blog Kisses from Katie (you might recognize it!). Today, we talk about life in Uganda, what it’s like raising her family of 15 overseas, and how God’s plans for us are always greater than our own. Find her books ‘Kisses from Katie’ and ‘Daring to Hope’ online and learn more about Amazima at amazima.orgFind Jennie’s 5-book series for kids here: http://theolaby.com

Other people's lives seem to be perfect on the outside. The truth is, no one is perfect. Lisa Anderson makes a challenge to reconsider your assumptions about how others live, and Katie Davis Majors tells her courtship story.

FamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Thinking Biblically about Mission Guests:                      Dennis and Barbara Rainey                       From the series:       The Art of Parenting: Mission and Releasing (Day 1 of 2)  Bob: Dennis Rainey has a provocative, engaging question for parents to ask their children. Dennis: “If you could do anything in the world and couldn't fail, what would you do and why?” And then maybe toss this one out at the dinner table—it's by A.W. Tozer—“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan to do the things we can only do by ourselves.” Kids need to realize that if God is their God, they need to make their plans large. Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Thursday, February 21st. Our host is Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. Are your children setting big goals? Do they have big dreams about how God might use them in the future? We're going to talk today about how you stir that up in your child's heart. Stay with us. 1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. We have spent a lot of time over the last six/seven months talking about parenting—actually, for the last year. I'm going all the way back to when our movie, Like Arrows, came out in theaters a year ago— Dennis: That's right. Bob: —and then the video series for the Art of Parenting™ came out shortly after that. Your book, The Art of Parenting, was released in September. We've been talking about parenting quite a bit; and of course, this is something you've been studying and reflecting on for decades. Dennis: This is a passion of both Barbara's and mine; and by the way, she joins us again on FamilyLife Today. Welcome back. Barbara: Thank you much; glad to be here. Dennis: For a little while longer, at least, welcome back. Barbara: A little while longer. [Laughter] Bob: A little while longer—yes; we shared with listeners earlier this week about the change that is coming. Dennis: That's right! Dave and Ann Wilson are going to be stepping into our shoes, and they are going to become the hosts of FamilyLife Today.  2:00 We've been at this for almost 26-and-a-half years, not quite. Bob: Yes. Dennis: But we've had the privilege of doing over 6,000 broadcasts that listeners have paid attention to dutifully and have been listening to what we've said here. Hopefully, we have helped you in your most important relationships in life. It's kind of fitting, Bob, I think, that Barbara and I are here talking about this final pillar of raising kids, which is giving your child a mission and releasing them.  Something like FamilyLife Today can't die with my hands or Barbara's hands tightly gripped around the microphone saying: “No, no, no! You can't have someone else lead this!” We're all meant to pass it on—to pass the baton. We're excited to be able to do that. Dave and Ann Wilson have been in ministry for a number of years, and I think our listeners are going to love them. 3:00 I believe, for FamilyLife Today and FamilyLife®, the best is yet to be. Bob Lepine is still going to be at the microphone, so I'm excited. What about you, sweetheart? Barbara: I am too. We've known Dave and Ann for years. We love their enthusiasm; we love their energy. They are both very biblically-anchored, and they will just do a fabulous job. In fact, I think they'll do a better job, in many ways, than we did— Dennis: I think you're right. Barbara: —because they're just—they're great people, and everybody's going to love them. Bob: We've heard from them already this week. We're going to hear from them again next week. It is nice when you can make a handoff to friends and people who you admire and respect; and that's the case with Dave and Ann. Dennis: Kindred spirit friends.  By the way, just a transition to today's broadcast—because I want to get on with that—we've been talking, as you mentioned, Bob, for a number of months about the essence of raising children. We talked about how the Scriptures really break it down into four categories.  4:00 The first one is the Great Commandment, which is teaching your child how to have a relationship with God and with others. The second area of parenting is that of building character into your children—teaching them to be wise and not be a fool; teaching them right from wrong; how to choose what's right; obey God—that's what the Book of Proverbs is about. A little earlier this year, we talked about the third area, which is the issue of identity—emotional, spiritual, and sexual identity. The Bible speaks clearly to all of those areas. This last one that we're talking about today is really something that Barbara and I will probably fight one another for the microphone, because we both feel strongly about this; and that's giving your child a sense of mission—helping them discover why God put them here, on the planet, in the first place. It's really spoken of in one of my favorite verses that I've quoted many, many times, here, on FamilyLife Today—Ephesians, Chapter 2, verse 10:  5:00 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Did you hear what Paul was saying there? He was saying we are God's work of art. Your child is God's work of art. He has prepared that child for an assignment that is unique to him. In doing research for this book, we found out that, way back in the 18th century, there was a doctor who discovered fingerprints. He was the guy who discovered that each person has a unique fingerprint on every one of their fingers and thumbs. I think it's a statement of how God has a unique assignment/a unique ability built into every child. What your assignment is, as a parent—listen to me—your assignment is, as a pair of parents, or as a single parent, or as a blended family— 6:00 —you have to help your child discover who he or she is and cheer them on in the race of life, cheering them on to become all that God called them to be. Bob: When we were working on the Art of Parenting video series and we created the movie, Like Arrows, the reason the movie is called Like Arrows is because of what it says in Psalm 127, verse 4—that children are “like arrows in the hands of a warrior.” You've said many times arrows are meant to be aimed and released. We're going to talk about the aiming part of that today—how we help point our kids in the right direction before we release them. You want to do this in kind of rapid-fire style. Dennis: We did an earlier broadcast, which I call the “Twitter version”— Bob: Yes. Dennis: —real quick, cut-to-the-chase, practical, biblical—but helping you be successful, as parents. Barbara and I are going to tag-team this and go every other one. We're going to give you our best tips on helping your child find his or her mission in their lives. 7:00 Bob: Okay; who's going to—are you going to give us the first tweet, Barbara? Barbara: I will do that with delight. The first one is: “Evaluate your own life.” You know, parenting starts, so often, with us. We have to know what we believe/what's important to us before we can ever pass it on to our kids. So that's what this is about. Evaluate your own life: “Are you a person on mission? How would you describe the mission that God has given you? Are you excited about fulfilling God's mission, and are you talking about it with your children as you do life together?” You can't teach your children how to have a mission if you don't have one yourself. Dennis: Most of the important lessons in life are caught, not taught; so what's your mission? Second one: “Ask God to give you discernment, as you raise your child, to spot his or her gifts, abilities, passions, and burdens.” What we call it is: “What is his or her missional DNA?”  8:00 Ask God, by the Holy Spirit, to teach you, as they emerge from their lives—as you raise them all the way through the toddler years, the elementary years, junior high, high school, and beyond. Just speak truth into your children: “You know, you're pretty good when you're championing this cause.” Help them spot what their mission is, and then speak it into their lives. Let them know you've seen it, multiple times. Barbara: Number three is: “Affirm and encourage your child when you see him or her operating in what appears to be a sweet spot or a gift, and let them know that you see that and recognize it.” There will be really awkward years when you may not see much for awhile. Dennis: Yes! [Laughter] Barbara: But when you do—when you do spot something that they're really good at—then affirm that, and mention it, and help him or her see it too. Dennis: This fourth one is very practical: “Use a date night with your spouse to sharpen your inventory of your child's life.”  9:00 Bob, many, many times, you know, Barbara and I had a date night. We'd go out and we'd talk about our calendar / we'd talk about what we're going to be doing; and we'd also talk about each child. Keep a record of what you're talking about each child and sharpen your inventory of who they are, what they are good at, and how you can better cheer them on. Barbara: Number five is: “As you decide what your mission is, as mom and dad/as parents, talk about that with your kids. If possible, begin to bring them into the process; so, if your mission in life is something you include your kids on, bring them in on it with you. And then, as your kids get older, start reading books to them or with them or give them books to read that will help them think through how to have a mission. Dennis's book, Choosing a Life That Matters, would be a good one; Rick Warren's book, The Purpose-Driven Life; and there are probably others.  10:00 Help your child, especially in the teenage years, read books that help him think through, “What is my purpose?” Bob: And when you're talking about your life on mission, it could be what the two of you are doing together—something that you're involved with—but it can just be how you're living out your faith in whatever arena God's put you in— Barbara: That's right; that's right. Bob: —whether that's the workplace, whether it's clubs or activities, or people you're interacting with—it's helping your kids see how you're integrating faith into the world God's called you into; so that they can understand, “Oh, this is how I do it in my world,”—right? Barbara: Exactly. Dennis: As Barbara was reading that, I was thinking about the time we bought—I don't know how many—packages of hot dogs to host an evangelistic outreach in our home for junior high and high school kids. We were ready for 100 kids. I mean, we had the buns, we had the dogs—and seven kids came. [Laughter] Barbara: Yes. Dennis: We ate those dogs for a long, long time. [Laughter] You know what the kids caught in that? They caught the passion that Mom and Dad wanted to be a part of reaching out to others, spiritually, and helping them find hope and help in Jesus Christ.  11:00 The interesting thing is—by the time we quit, we had over 400 kids coming out to meetings at school—to host kids to find out about Jesus Christ. Number six: “Fan the flames of your child's dreams.” Perhaps consider asking this question: “If you could do anything in the world and couldn't fail, what would you do and why?” Then maybe toss this one out at the dinner table—it's by A.W. Tozer—“God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible. What a pity we plan to do the things we can only do by ourselves.” Kids need to realize that if God is their God, they need to make their plans large. Barbara: Number seven is: “If possible, use testing services as children move into their middle teens and beyond.” This is something that Dennis and I did with some of our kids, not all of them.  12:00 We took them through some different testing things to help them see what their innate strengths were, what their weaknesses were, and what they could develop and potentially become. It sort of expanded their view of themselves; it helped them see themselves objectively. Bob: Some of this was personality and temperament, but some of it was vocational aptitude. Barbara: Aptitude; yes. Dennis: Yes; that's exactly right. Barbara: It was really helpful. Dennis: Number eight: “Encourage and affirm small and big steps of faith for your kids.” I think this is an area, Bob, where a lot of parents miss an opportunity to affirm their children when they step out and take little steps of faith or maybe a big one. Call it to the attention of your other children or, maybe, with adults. Children take steps of faith; be sure to point it out and affirm them as they do it. Barbara: I agree. Number nine is: “Teach your kids how to process failure.” I think this one is really, really important; because what we tend to do with our kids is— 13:00 —we want them to win, especially as moms, I think. We want our kids to succeed; we don't want them to fail. And yet, failure can often be the best teacher, because we learn in life through our failures.  I remember we used to read stories about famous people to our kids. The story of Thomas Edison was one that we read. He failed thousands of times before he finally invented the lightbulb. I think it's helpful, in this pressure-driven world, that our children understand that it's okay to fail and make mistakes. Dennis: Number ten: “Be a person of faith too.” Sometimes, your pushing your kids out on a mission is going to come back and test your own faith. Do you remember, sweetheart, when our son came home and told us he was going to spend his senior year in college on the mission field in a former Soviet state in Estonia, introducing Estonian college students to Jesus Christ? Barbara: Yes; I remember. 14:00 Dennis: He was going into Communist block housing to live and drove this car that was—we went over there, Bob—and it was a joke. They went over there; and in a period of a year, they led one person to Christ. Today, that ministry in Tallinn, at the university there, is student-led by dozens of Estonian college students, in some part due to Benjamin's, our son's, step of faith—and when his parents had to take a step of faith, too, and quench their fears and go, “Okay, God; we're going to trust You with our kids.” Barbara: Amen; we did. Number 11—this one sort of goes along with it—Number 11 is: “Pray with and for your child for the fulfillment of God's mission for his or her life.” We did pray for our son, and we prayed for our other kids too. Oftentimes, at night, when we put them to bed, we prayed that they would know what God had called them to do and that they would see what God's purposes were for their lives. 15:00 Dennis: Number 12: “Read Ephesians 2:10 as a family.” This is a good one; because what you can do is assign this verse to, maybe, an older child, who can dig into the Bible and do a little Bible study and share a few minutes—three to five minutes—of thoughts about what this verse teaches. It's back to the verse that says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”  There are other verses we recommend here: Matthew 6:33, which talks about seeking first the kingdom of God; Matthew 28:19-20, which is the Great Commission. These are all commands of Jesus Christ that the church today needs to take seriously. Our young people, I think, are capable of far more than we're challenging them with. Barbara: Agreed. Number 13 is something else you might discuss at the dinner table, and this isn't a verse.  16:00 This is an Ethiopian proverb, and it goes like this: “The feet take a person where one's heart is.” That would just be an interesting conversation to have—maybe it's not at the dinner table; maybe it's at night before bed, or maybe when you're driving your kids to school. Just talk about: “What does that mean? What does it mean to follow what's in your heart?” because God often puts desires in our hearts that He wants us to fulfill. That's a part of discerning His plan. Dennis: My son, Benjamin, recently called me, the other day. He mentioned number 14—he said, “This book ought to be required reading of every junior high and high school student in America.” He was speaking of Katie Davis Majors' book, Daring to Hope. Number 14 is: “Assign one of your children to read Katie's book, Daring to Hope, and then give a report/a book report to the family.” 17:00 Tighten your seatbelts for this is quite a story of a young lady's faith, who stepped out, as a young college-aged student, and began adopting Ugandan girls. I forget the number she's up to now—is it 13? Bob: I think she's adopted 13, and then I think she and her husband have had their own biological child. They live in Uganda. Katie was working in an orphanage there; in fact, her story is one that we featured on FamilyLife Today. If listeners want to go to our website, they can listen to the podcast and hear her share the story. That may be something for the family to listen to together. Dennis: I would, Bob. I know this—when Benjamin called me, he said, “Dad, this is one of the best books I have ever read.” Katie is in her late 20s/early 30s now? Bob: Yes. Dennis: But it is a compelling story of someone who just took God at His Word and decided to go do something that represented the heart of God for orphans. You know what?— 18:00 —that is pure and undefiled religion. Bob: Let's say, as a parent, you have one child, who wants— Dennis: Now wait a second, Bob—we did it! Bob:  You want me to acknowledge all 14. [Laughter] Dennis: All 14! Bob: By the way, all 14 of these are available on our website at FamilyLifeToday.com— Dennis: —and they're also available in our book, The Art of Parenting. Bob: Yes; and you can order the book, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can download the list if you'd like to. I'm just thinking of the parents, who are going: “We have three kids. One wants to be a veterinarian; one wants to be a professional baseball player; and the third one doesn't know what she wants to do. How do I talk about mission when what my kids are interested in is not particularly spiritual?” Barbara: Well, I think that it's helping them think through mission in a broad viewpoint too. I've always believed that medicine is ministry. We have a son-in-law, who's a doctor. We've been on medical mission trips with doctors and nurses.  19:00 Those fields aren't strictly defined as ministry, but they are. I think that—one of the things that Dennis and I did is that we took our kids on missions trips. It was one of the ways that we wanted to help expose them to the things that God was doing in the world. So, as a family, you might take your kids and go on a week-long mission trip to Guatemala with your church, or wherever your church is doing missions. Even if your child does want to become a veterinarian or whatever, they may change; but you can also come alongside that natural desire and expose them to things that God is doing around the world. Dennis: I think it's very important that we don't create a sense of someone, who is not in vocational Christian ministry—that if you're not doing that, you're a second-class citizen in God's kingdom. Bob: Yes— Barbara: I agree. Bob: —or you're not “on mission.” Dennis: Exactly! Barbara: Right; right. Dennis: I think it's interesting—I think all of our kids are in ministry.  20:00 I wouldn't say that any of them, right now, are in full-time vocational Christian work. Our son, Samuel, is a counselor—that's as close as it gets to full-time vocational work. And yet, we're applauding them as they fulfill God's assignment for who He made them to be. They're raising their families, and they're also taking their kids on mission trips. They're exposing them to God's work and what He's doing around the country and around the world. Bob: When any of us bring biblical thinking and God's love and grace for others into whatever arena we're in, now, all of a sudden, that arena has become a mission field. I think for us, as parents, that's what we have to be helping our kids understand. We're not sure what the unique “good works that God prepared beforehand, that you should walk in” are yet; but whatever they are, you can bring a biblical worldview and you can bring God's love and grace into that arena; and it can be transformative, whatever it is. 21:00 Dennis: That's exactly right. You know, one of the most frequent comments made to Barbara and me, now that we have stepped out of leading FamilyLife, is—people say, “So, what are you doing now that you're retired?” [Laughter] It's kind of like: “Well, you finished that. Now, you're just off— Barbara: —“doing nothing.” Dennis: “—doing nothing”?—“kind of kicked it in neutral”? I have to tell you—this is an exciting time to be alive! Bob: Yes. Dennis: Barbara and I are not going to rust out; we're not going to go away. It may be that we're not heard on 1,000 stations across the country, but the checkout lady at the counter at Kroger may hear from me; and I may give the guy who picks up our garbage a copy of our book, Stepping Up—or the electrician, who does the repair work—I did that the other day. We're all on mission; and we're going to be doing some things, going forward. We'll be talking about that in the coming days ahead on FamilyLife Today.  22:00 But we have an assignment that we're going to complete. We're not retiring in the traditional sense—we're not withdrawing from battle—I don't think God made us to ever retire. Barbara: I agree. Dennis: I think we should be about the battle all the way to the finish line, doing only what God has called you to do, and where God is at work. Frankly, both Barbara and I have been praying this—we don't want to be doing anything where God isn't already there and being at work in people's lives. Bob: Well, and I don't think it's just the checkout lady or the garbage man who are going to be hearing from you in the days ahead. [Laughter] I think the rest of us are going to be hearing from you as well. We do, again, have the list of ways you can help your children think, missionally, as you raise them. That's available, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com. We also have your book, The Art of Parenting, which we are making available today to any listener who can help support the ministry of FamilyLife Today with a donation.  23:00 You know that the whole reason why hundreds of thousands of people are being impacted every day by the help and the hope they hear on this program is because there's a small group of listeners, who say: “This is important. This matters for me, for my family, for our community, for my city, for the world.” Those of you who support the ministry—you have made today's program possible.  Now, we're asking you to help make tomorrow's program possible by going online and making a donation to support FamilyLife Today. When you do, upon your request, we'll send you a copy of Dennis and Barbara Rainey's book, The Art of Parenting. You can donate at FamilyLifeToday.com, or you can call to donate at 1-800-FL-TODAY. Be sure to ask for your copy of the book, The Art of Parenting, when you make a donation. If you'd like more information about the video series—the Art of Parenting—that's available, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com as well. Our movie, Like Arrows—you remember that's a part of the Art of Parenting— 24:00 —the movie is now available for purchase as well. You can order a DVD from us, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or call to order at 1-800-FL-TODAY. Now, tomorrow, we want to talk about letting go—releasing our children to life/to thriving on their own. Dennis and Barbara Rainey will join us again tomorrow. I hope you can be here as well. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru® Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?   Copyright © 2019 FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com  

Daring to Hope (Part 1) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 2) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 3) - Katie Davis MajorsFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Serving the Hurting Guest:                         Katie Davis Majors               From the series:       Daring to Hope (Day 3 of 3)  Bob: As a single mother, a parent to 13 adopted children, Katie Davis Majors was surprised when a young man, also living in Uganda, began pursuing her.  Katie: He asked me out twice; and it was in the middle of, I think, just a hard season for me personally. Both times I said, “No”; and the second time, I really said like, firmly, “No”—like, “Hey,”— Barbara: “Don't ask again now.”   Katie: —“I hope we can still be friends; but if we can't, it's okay. We can't—we can't do that. No. No; thank you.”   Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Wednesday, December 20th. Our host is Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. How Katie Majors went from a firm “No,” to becoming Mrs. Benji Majors—we'll hear that story today. Stay with us.  1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. I want to meet Benji Majors sometime; don't you?   Dennis: I do!   Bob: I mean, I just want to meet the guy who was persistent and met a determined young woman and was determined to win her.  Dennis: I want to hear the story of whether or not he went to Uganda in search of Katie Davis, author of Kisses from Katie. [Laughter]  Bob: I'm just curious about Benji. You told us earlier that there was a guy who was living out in the house behind your house. You called Benji and said, “Would you want to come disciple him?”  Benji said, “Sure.”  I'm thinking: “Yes; Benji wanted to take you out. I would have come and discipled him and say, ‘I'll be there every day to disciple him if it gets me a little closer to you.'”  Do you think that was in the back of his mind?   Katie: At that point, no; I don't think so. [Laughter]   Dennis: Are you sure though?   Katie: No!  [Laughter]   Barbara: Yes; that was a hesitant yes. So, yes; I think that's right.  2:00   Dennis: Well, Katie is the author of a new book, Daring to Hope. She is now married. She is a mom of 14—13 of whom—a baker's dozen of Ugandan little girls, who are becoming, even against Katie's will, young ladies. They are growing up— Katie: Yes. Isn't that true?   Dennis: —growing up on her here.  I want to ask you my favorite question, but I'm going to ask you to wait to answer it— Katie: Okay.  Dennis: —until the end of the broadcast. Here is my question: “What's the most courageous thing you've ever done in all of your life?”  Now, don't answer right now—I'm going to give you a moment to think about it—but courage is doing your duty in the face of fear.  I've got a sneaking suspicion, because of your book, Daring to Hope, that you've got a definition or two that comes from your book that you'd share with our listeners; but to get there, what I want to first have you do is tell us about the woman who had five children, who was dying of TB and HIV, who came to you.  3:00 Her name was Katherine. Tell our listeners that story of how you cared for her.  Katie: Katherine came to live with us when she became very ill. Her five children, under the age of ten, were sponsored by Amazima; so we were paying for their school.  Dennis: Okay; let's just stop here. Amazima is an organization you run in Uganda.  Katie: Yes. We—our goal is really to disciple families and to empower the families to stay together. About 80 percent of children in institutions in East Africa actually have one living parent; and they end up institutionalized just due to financial poverty. Their parents cannot afford to pay for them to go to school, or to pay for their medical care, or to pay for their food; so they send them to these institutions.  That was something that was very shocking to me the first year that I lived in Uganda, and I really desired to try to change the system.  4:00 Through financial sponsorship of school fees, and some food, and some basic medical provision, Amazima works to keep these children with their biological family members; but of course, the heartbeat of our organization is really that, in doing that, we would form a relationship with these families and lead them to Christ.  Dennis: Katherine was one of those moms who had experienced the care of your organization.  Katie: Yes; so we were in relationship with her and had known her for a few years through her children; and she just got sicker and sicker to the point where she wasn't really able to take care of her children very well. She moved over to our house so that I could help her out with her children and, also, because our house is very close to the local hospital, and she needed a little more immediate access to medical care. We were just down the street from the doctor she was seeing.  They lived with us for several months. I truly, really, believed that God was going to heal her of her illness—that she would become healthy and strong again.  5:00 I had imagined it in my head—the happy ending, where she would move out with her children.  We always throw a bit of a celebration for people who have lived with us for a season and get to move out on their own again. We've had many families, especially struggling single mothers, live with us over the years. We always have a big celebration when they become well, or they finally find a job, or their child is finally healthy enough, and they can move out. I really thought that that would be the case with Katherine and her family as well; and she did get better for some time, but then she began to deteriorate very quickly.  Dennis: She passed away.  Katie: She did.  Dennis: You compared your experience to the prophet Habakkuk and how he had to deal with some disappointments as well. You learned through that disappointment that there isn't always a happy ending to the story—but in this case, there was a happy ending to the story because— Katie: Right.  6:00 Dennis: —she went to heaven.  Katie: Yes; absolutely. That's what Habakkuk says—right?—that though the olive crop fails, though the leaves wither, though there are no sheep in the pen—basically, even if I can't see it, still I will hope / still I will rejoice in God my Savior. I felt like that was something God was teaching me in a season where I had really thought we would see it—we would see a happy ending where she stayed alive. God showed me—still I can rejoice, even though things didn't go my way.  Barbara: I remember discovering that verse when our children were teenagers. They were starting to kind of press the limits a little bit and push back on us. I discovered that verse, and I thought, “This is a perfect verse for a mother— Katie: Yes.  Barbara: —“of children of all ages; but especially, teenagers.”  I think the oldest was only 15 at the time; but I remember, when I read that, I just hung on to that because I thought: “Lord, there is no guarantee— 7:00 Katie: Yes.  Barbara: —“that all the best parenting, all the prayer—none of that guarantees that my children will choose You, they will choose to live a good life, they will be responsible / they'll be productive. They're no guarantees. It could all fail. It could all be gone. Will I trust You if You do that?”  It was a real turning point in my life; because I said, “Okay; God, I will. I will choose to believe You even if none of my children flourish / there is no green on the vine.”    Katie: And isn't that the hardest part of parenting— Barbara: Absolutely.  Katie: —is just that moment when you realize, “Even if I do everything perfectly,”—which I'm not— Barbara: Which we're not—none of us do.  Katie: —“but even if I did,— Barbara: Yes.  Katie: —“there is no guarantee— Barbara: None.  Dennis: No.  Katie: —“there is going to be any fruit here. There's no guarantee that these—that they are going to choose Christ in their own lives, and they have to choose it for themselves.”  That's the scariest part of it for sure!   Barbara: Yes; exactly, because it's not something that we can do for them.  Katie: No.  8:00 Bob: Bryan Loritts, who is a pastor in Northern California, who is a part of The Art of Parenting video series that's coming out before long, makes the observation: “God is a perfect Father. God has rebellious children.”   Barbara: Yes; lots of rebellious children. [Laughter]  Katie: Yes.  Bob: So, think about that—here's a perfect Father with rebel kids. Why should we think that we, as imperfect parents, will be spared a little rebellion in our home?—right?   Katie: Right.  Dennis: No doubt about it. Just as Barbara was talking about, we have learned a bunch about God's love for us as we have loved our kids and watched them struggle in their faith, from time to time.  Katie, I know from reading your book that you have learned a lot about the love of God through the 14 children that you have.  Katie: Oh, absolutely; because even—you know, as a parent, you see so clearly that, even when you are disciplining your children, it's not out of this place of anger toward them or hatred toward them— 9:00 —it's out of such this place of love and a desire for good things to come in their lives.  I think I've understood so much more that—when God disciplines me in my own life, when God tells me to go in a direction that I don't really feel like I want to go, or when God even brings me through a difficult time—it is His love that does that to shape me, to change me, to teach me; because He wants good things for me. I think, as parents, when we feel that love for our children, we can see it so much more clearly from God's vantage point.  Dennis: Yes; I really agree.  Katie, before we get too far away from the story of Katherine, who died, and her five children—what happened to those five?  Did you adopt them?   Katie: I didn't. They did stay with us for a little while, immediately following her death.  10:00 Then, we placed them with a biological aunt, who they lived with for some time; but that situation was never really good. The aunt was very young, and she was also struggling. She didn't have any biological children, so she had never parented before; and the children were really suffering there with her. We would provide food, and we would drive out there to visit them; but it just never seemed to be a good situation.  I was just getting desperate, just praying, asking the Lord what I should do. I mean, the idea of having five more children come to my house was a lot. At the same time, I was not clearly seeing another option. They were a sibling set of five—like there aren't many families that are willing to take that on, even in the foster care system.  I had gone to visit my friend, Rose. Before I started talking, she said, “You know, my daughter Helen”—who had been a good friend of my daughters and was in and out of our house a lot—she said:  11:00 “My daughter told me about what happened to the mom of those kids. I'm so sorry. God's just put it on my heart to really pray for them; but also, just to ask you: ‘Is there anything they need?—even, maybe, do they need a place to go?'”   Of course, I like start to weep and just said: “Oh, I can't even tell you—that has been on my heart all week. I've been praying.”  I was even just telling a good friend of mine earlier that same day—like, “I do not know what we're going to do for these children, but I feel like—I told their mom, before she died, that I would make sure they were okay. It feels like a lot of responsibility.”   Rose and I talked for several more hours that day about what it would mean for her to start fostering them. About a month later, we went through all the paperwork process; and social workers visited with both families.  12:00 About a month later, we are able to help move Katherine's five children into Rose's home.  Barbara: Wow.  Dennis: You know, I just marvel at your acts of courage to care for Katherine as she died, to care for her children after she died, and also your courage in developing a relationship with a young man called Benji.  Bob: Yes; you talked about how unusual it is for somebody to take five kids in as foster kids. [Laughter]   Katie: That is a little ironic; isn't it?   Barbara: Yes; it is.  Bob: How unusual is it for a young man to say, “I'm going to be the husband to a mom of 13?!”   Katie: Yes; it's not usual.  Barbara: It's not normal.  Dennis: So, he asked you out twice before you said, “Yes.”   Katie: He did. He asked me out a couple of times; and both times, I said, “No.”  The second time, I really said, like firmly, “No,”—like, “Hey,— Barbara: Like “Don't-ask-again” no?   13:00  Katie: —“I hope we can still be friends; but if we can't, it's okay.”  [Laughter] Dennis: It was a “Dear John.”   Katie: “We can't do that. I'm—no. No; thank you.”   So, then, really, after that, I think I got to watch his heart on display a lot more; because I trusted that he wasn't going to ask me again. He was very respectful in that—he didn't really come over as much after that. He was still discipling the man that lived in the back of our yard, but he would come—he would go straight to Mack. He would spend his time with him, and he would leave. He would not come say, “Hello,” to me / he would not try to make conversation. I mean, I felt very respected in that—that he didn't. He heard what I said, and he didn't push the boundaries.  I got to watch him and his heart for people, and for service, and truly for the gospel through that. He was also attending this large Bible study that we all went to on Wednesday nights.  14:00 He often led worship or even led the teaching at that Bible study. I was just—I was so attracted to his heart for the Lord. I was telling my good friend, like: “Oh my gosh. I think I like him; but now, I can't tell him; because he's never going to ask—he's not going to ask me out again. There is no hope.”  So, I did—I had to call him and ask him if he would come over for coffee; and he said, “No.” [Laughter]  Barbara: He didn't want to risk it again; huh?   Katie: Well, yes!  I mean, I had said so— Barbara: Yes.  Katie: —clearly that I didn't want to date him. What was he going to be doing having coffee with me?  Why would you have coffee with a young, single female that wasn't going to date you?  [Laughter]  So, I had to beg and plead a little bit, you know: “Please, I need to talk to you about something important. Can you come?  Can we just—can we just have a cup of coffee?”  So, he finally said, “Yes.”   Dennis: Oh no!  You've got to say— Barbara: And he said?   Dennis: Yes?—what happened over the cup of coffee?   Katie: Well, then, I was so nervous.  15:00 I made like dumb small talk the whole time; right?  So, after about an hour, he's looking at his watch; and he's like— Barbara: “Okay?”   Katie: —“Okay; well, this was nice. I think I'm going to go.”  So, then, I just kind of blurted out some words that probably didn't even make sense—like: “You know, I was thinking / I was wondering if, maybe—do you want to like—we could spend more time together, you know, intentionally; you know?”   Barbara: Real coherent; right?   Katie: Right; exactly. He's just kind of looking at me; and finally, he said, “Like—like dating?”  I said, “Well, yes.”  He said, “Okay; I'm going to pray about that,” and he left!  [Laughter]   Dennis: He didn't go for the bait!   Katie: What I didn't know, at the time—which is amazingly the Lord's provision and just further confirmation that we both really were trying to seek after Him— 16:00 —was that he had been in conversation, earlier that week, with some of his supporters in the States about whether or not his time in Uganda was coming to a close. He felt like he had pretty effectively discipled these 30 men. They were all kind of going out into the world and starting churches and discipling other young men. He felt like: “Okay; I could kind of take under my wing another group,” or “I could just keep in touch with this group via Skype and internet. Maybe, my time here is coming to a close.”   He had been in conversation with people about whether or not he was moving back when he got my phone call asking him to come to coffee. What I didn't know, when he said he needed to pray about this, was this was a much bigger decision than “Am I going to date this girl?”  This was a decision for him of: “Is there more of life for me in Uganda right now?”   17:00 Dennis: And so, how long did you date?   Katie: Probably, almost a year from that point until we got engaged; and then, we were engaged for about eight months.  Dennis: Time out. How did he propose?   Katie: It was so sweet. He actually—he's such a good dad—he took all the girls out for ice cream earlier in the week. He just said to me like—and he would do this sometimes—he would say: “I'm going to take the girls out to eat,” or “I'm going to take them down to the river to play for a little bit so that you can get some quiet.” He had taken the girls out for ice cream and took them over to his house, actually, and sat them all down and said: “I would like to propose to your mom. What do you think about that?”  They all gave feedback; and then, he let them help him plan how he would propose to me.  Dennis: Wow.  Barbara: That's so sweet!   Katie: He showed them the ring, and he let them— Barbara: So sweet.  Katie: —he let it be a family affair, which I just loved that he knew my heart well enough to know that I would have felt like something was missing if they hadn't been a part of that.  18:00 Actually, our best friends came to babysit the girls; and he took me back over to his place. There was a picnic laid out—his yard is kind of right on the edge of the lake that we live nearby—and he proposed. Then, as soon as I said, “Yes,” all our girls came running out of the bushes. They had watched the whole thing.  Barbara: Oh how sweet!  Oh, I love it.  Katie: They were so excited, and they had picked flowers. They were throwing them on us—it was so sweet.  Barbara: So, did anybody capture any photos of that—I hope?   Katie: No.  Barbara: I'm just thinking, “Oh, I wish I could have seen that.”  It just sounds delightful.  Dennis: Great video.  Katie: I know!   Barbara: Even just a few still photographs.  Katie: It was so dark, but it's like seared in my memory forever!     Barbara: I'm sure it is; yes.  Dennis: So, back to my original question, at the beginning of the broadcast: “Katie Davis Majors, what's the most courageous thing you've ever done in all your life?”   19:00 Katie: That is a hard question, but I think—I think the most courageous thing that I have ever done is to trust God when I can't see what He's doing. I don't think that's a courage that has come from me. I think that God, Himself, has allowed me the grace to continue to trust Him.  I think that that's the most courageous thing that any of us can do—is to continue to put our hope and our trust in God, even when we don't really feel like it. He has shown me that that hope does not disappoint me because, even when I don't get what I want, I get more of Him—I get to know Him more / I get to know sides of Him that I wouldn't have known if I hadn't scooted up next to Him like that.  Bob: So, you're saying, even if the olive tree is barren— Katie: Yes!   Bob: —and the leaves are withering— 20:00 —to say, “I'm still going to trust Him.”  That's where real courage comes from.  Katie: I think that that is real courage.  Dennis: As you were talking, I couldn't help but think of this passage in Romans, Chapter 5.  Katie: I love this one.  Dennis: “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces—  Katie: —“hope.”   Dennis: —“hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”   Katie: Yes!   Dennis: God in you—changing you.  Katie: Yes.  Dennis: Great answer to the question.  Katie: Thanks.  Bob: Well, and there is a lot of courage that shows up in the book that you've written called Daring to Hope. It's a book that tells the story of how God has been with you in the midst of suffering / how you've seen His goodness in the brokenness of where you live and work.  21:00 I would encourage our listeners: Get a copy of Katie's book, Daring to Hope. You can order it from us, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can call to order at 1-800-358-6329—that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.”   You know, one of the things that, Dennis, both you and I love to hear are stories of redemption—people whose lives were broken / headed in the wrong direction—they were in the ditch, as you like to say—and God intervenes and turns them in a new direction and points them in a new direction—turns their whole life around. Recently, we got a chance to meet with a number of listeners, who said FamilyLife Today was a part of their redemption story.   22:00 Some of the stories we heard were just remarkable.  I was sitting there, thinking, “I wish our Legacy Partners / I wish the folks who help support this ministry could be here with us, hearing these stories, because that's what you're giving to when you support the ministry of FamilyLife Today.”  You're helping us reach more people more regularly with practical biblical help and hope.  And here, as 2017 is drawing to a close, I know some of you are thinking about possible yearend donations to ministries like ours. There is a special opportunity for you to give over the next couple of weeks—it's a matching-gift fund that's been established for this ministry. Michelle Hill is here with details on how we're doing with that matching-gift fund. Hi, Michelle!   23:00 Michelle: Hey Bob…well by now many folks have heard that the match fund has more than doubled (it's now 4.3 million dollars) but the real important number is one, as in that one person listening right now and deciding to give…and maybe you're that one? J   I mean really Bob, the match isgoing to be met one gift at a time…and so far over five thousand people have made that decision. So, thanks to each one…like Don from Canton, Ohio? Today we're at NINE HUNDRED SEVENTY ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS...which is great! BUT…if we're going to take full advantage of the match, we'll need a lot of other ones to pray and then give as God leads. Bob: Well, and if you'd like to be a part of helping us take full advantage of the matching gift, you can make a donation today, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or call to donate—1-800-358-6329 is the number—1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY”; or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223.  24:00 And if you haven't sent us a Christmas card yet, send a Christmas card and just tuck something inside; okay?   And I hope you can join us back again tomorrow when we're going to hear a conversation we had, not long ago, with our friends, Don and Sally Meredith. This is a remarkable couple who God used in a significant way to help birth the ministry of FamilyLife all the way back in 1976. I hope you can tune in and meet our friends, Don and Sally Meredith.  I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?   Copyright © 2017 FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com  

Daring to Hope (Part 1) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 2) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 3) - Katie Davis MajorsFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. God Shows Up Guest:                         Katie Davis Majors               From the series:       Daring to Hope (Day 2 of 3)  Bob: Katie Davis Majors says there are certain things that adoptive parents understand that bio parents just can't fully appreciate. Katie: What better way to clearly understand God's heart for us than to bring a child, who is not biologically related to you, into your home and call them your own and believe that they're your own? I now have adopted children and a biological child. I can say, with certainty, that my love for them is the same. Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Tuesday, December 19th. Our host is Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. There's a lot we can learn, as followers of Jesus, when we go near the orphan or those in need. We'll hear more about that today from Katie Davis Majors. Stay with us. 1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. I was coming back from a trip recently—I was grousing about the poor condition of the airplane I was on. It was an older plane—seats were kind of hard and, you know, I was cramped up. I went on Twitter® and I just—[Laughter] Dennis: Oh, you belly-ached on— Katie: —to the whole world!  Barbara: Oh! My goodness! Bob: —belly-ached to the particular airline in question. Dennis: Oh, really? Bob: I called them out and said, “It's time to upgrade your planes.” A friend of mine “tweeted” back at me and he said, “You need to fly to better destinations.” I “tweeted” back to him—I said, “There's no better destination than home.” Dennis: Ooh! Bob: Yes.  Dennis: There you go! Bob: Yes; “Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home”; right? Dennis: Well, I have to ask this; because she was snickering as you were telling that story. It's like you don't have any idea about the condition— Bob: —what a bad airline is? [Laughter] Dennis: Yes. Katie Davis Majors joins us on the broadcast. Katie lives in Uganda.  2:00 Can you tell us a story of a flight on an airplane in Uganda? Barbara: Or even a road, maybe. Driving a car down a road is probably just as bad. Dennis: Oh, exactly. Katie: Yes; the only time that I get in an airplane in Uganda would be to fly overseas, so then the airplane isn't terrible; but the condition of the roads is not great. Dennis: Well, I think there's no question that we're spoiled, here, in America with all of our services. Bob: I think you're right. Dennis: Katie is the author of a new book called Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful. She is a mom to 14; a wife to 1, Benji, which is a great story in and of itself; and they've had a little boy of their own named Noah.  This is a book about, really, finding God through the interruptions of life, what we would call an interruption. Bob was interrupted by the seat in his airplane. You were interrupted, one day, by a guy, who was on your doorstep, by the name of Mack.  3:00 You generally have taken care of girls, but this was a guy who needed help. Katie: Right; yes. Mack was brought to me from one of the communities that we work in, by a social worker on our staff. She had found him, and he had been severely burned. His leg—you could almost see the bone, it had been burned so badly and so deeply.  You know, I thought I knew Mack. He was the village alcoholic. He was the guy who was getting in my way on my way to Bible study—he was the guy who was yelling profanities, and I would cover my children's ears. I had shrugged him off as an annoyance—as that kind of person. So, when she showed up with him—my sweet social worker, Christine—I kind of shook my head at her; but he was badly hurt, so we proceeded to three different hospitals. We were told all three times that his leg would have to be amputated, because it was so badly injured.  4:00 The hospitals in Uganda, where we live, are pretty understaffed and very under-resourced. The doctor explained to me that his leg did have a chance if somebody could bandage it and dress it every single day; but he said, “My nursing staff here, with this many patients, we don't have enough gauze, we don't have strong enough antibiotics; we won't be able to do this every day. If you'd like, I can show you how and you can do it at home.” I said, “Okay,” which is funny to me now. You know, sometimes, you wonder, “Okay; God, what?”—how did I…” / “I did?” Barbara: “How did that come out of my mouth?” [Laughter] Katie: I said, “That was fine”; but I did. We've been privileged, over the last many years, the house that we live in has a really simple guesthouse in the back—it's really just a line of small rooms. So, we do have a place where it is safe to let other people live. They're not inside our home, and so— 5:00 Dennis: Yes; that's one of my first thoughts: “What's a guy like this going to do in a house with so many young ladies?” Katie: Right. So that's why I felt safe about the fact that we had some good separation between our house and the guest home; and I have people like social workers on my staff who are able to come and help out with this sort of thing.  But he stayed—he wasn't actually allowed to come up to the main house—so I would go back there on the porch of his room every day and dress his wound. Slowly, he began to sober up; and this really gentle, genuine side of him came out. He began to tell me his story of all the tragic things that happened in his life that had led him to this point. God really just gave me such a compassion for him.  We don't get to our brokenness just because—you know, really terrible things had happened to him that had led him to this place. As I changed his wound each day for almost an entire year—it was about ten months / maybe closer to eleven that I was changing that dressing.  6:00 Every day, for about an hour, he would tell me little pieces of his story. I would share with him little pieces of the gospel and how I really believed that, not only was God going to make his leg whole, but God was going to make all of us whole.  We had just endured some loss in our family—we had lost a foster daughter that had lived with us for a long time. I really think, as I watched Mack's leg heal, that God was doing a lot of healing in my heart. As I testified to Mack who I had known Jesus to be, God was really having me say some of those things to remind myself of what I believed. Dennis: So, how could you do that? I mean, seriously—bring a total stranger in there? What was the motivation? What was the heart that caused you to care for that guy for 12 months? Katie: It wasn't—I mean, it the first time we had had a stranger in dire need show up and need a place to stay.  7:00 For Mack, I think, I was looking for healing / I was looking for redemption. I had not seen a happy ending in my family's story recently as we had lost of our daughters to the foster care system. I wanted to believe that God would heal this wound, and I wanted to watch it happen. Through that, God did a lot of healing in my own life. He definitely healed Mack's leg. A year later, Mack was up walking around the yard, raking our leaves for us / taking out our trash, just like a dependable, fun uncle for the kids. He had gotten a job at a local dentist—he's a dental assistant now. And actually, my friend Benji—who was just a friend, at the time, and was doing men's ministry in the area—I had reached out to him and said: “Hey, I don't usually have guys around, but there's this man that's ended up living in our guest house. He needs a man to be discipling him. Would you be willing to come do that?”   8:00 Benji began meeting with him multiple times a week for several hours, just studying the Word together. About a year-and-a-half after Mack had moved in with us, he put his trust in Jesus. He walked into my kitchen and he said, “I believe that Jesus is the Son of God,” and then he turned around and walked out. I stood in the kitchen and just cried, and yelled, and, I mean, was so excited. Bob: You know, Katie, I have a picture in my head of the gospel being proclaimed in—I don't know if it's in Uganda, but in parts of Africa—sadly, sometimes a shallow, consumeristic gospel, making promises and then shallow conversions that are momentary. It's like: “We'll try this witch doctor, because the last one wasn't so good.” Talk a little bit about the ministry of the gospel that you're involved with and what you're trying to do to counteract what's going on in lots of places in Africa. 9:00 Katie: You're absolutely right. We see a lot of that—the shallow conversion—everybody's looking for an answer; right?—so: “I might as well try this out. These people say that it can work.” It's difficult, too, to be white in an African country and proclaiming the gospel; because you want people to come to the gospel for the gospel, not because of something that they think you might offer them. So, you know, we've seen two things in ministry that we are both very passionate about—and that Amazima, as a whole, is very passionate about—one is just relational ministry / one on one over a very long period of time, discipleship through studying Scripture together. Another is equipping locals. We have some ex-patriot staff, but we have mostly Ugandan staff.  The goal of the ex-patriot staff is really just to equip the Ugandan staff with good, deep theology and the true Word of God so that the Ugandan staff members can be the ones discipling, especially the children in our program.  10:00 All of the families and children in our programs are assigned a mentor, who's a social worker; and they're all Ugandan. So, as an ex-patriot, we are really kind of behind the scenes, trying to encourage these Ugandan leaders to be the people sharing the gospel; because I feel like it's [better] received.  I say this a lot: “You can pour all the money, and all the resources, and build all the buildings and have all the projects; but in ten years in Uganda, the stories where I see true life change are people who have had a one-on-one relationship with someone who is pointing them to Christ. I think relational ministry is where it's at. Bob: What you're talking about—I remember, a few years ago, reading the book, When Helping Hurts, which I know you've read. Katie: Yes. 11:00 Bob: That's a part of the thesis. We have—in this country, we have a desire to want to help; and yet, we can throw a lot of resources at stuff that's actually counter-productive. Katie: Yes; and let's be serious—helping feels good. You know, it's not just about the person I'm helping; it fills me up as well. I believe that God intended it that way—that giving would be joyful and that acts of mercy would be done cheerfully—but I also think we need to walk with wisdom in that and how to best steward the gospel to a different people. Dennis: Katie, I know you believe this; but one of the things Barbara and I have really attempted to champion is encouraging believers / followers of Christ to get involved in the foster care system of our nation. You've been deeply involved in foster care; and to go back to what Bob said earlier—if you want to help someone, there is a natural way, right now, because there are almost 500,000 children in America—you don't have to go to Uganda to find one of them. 12:00 Katie: Yes; yes; right. Dennis: Many of them are going to age out of the system without a parent.  Barbara, we just had a delightful dinner with a man who has a passion for this as well. Barbara: We did. We had dinner a couple of weeks ago with a pastor whose name is Bishop Martin. He and his wife have adopted a number of young men and women out of the foster care system. He is passionate about us doing that, as a body of Christ, in America. In fact, our oldest daughter has been involved in fostering children for years, and they've had—I don't know how many—23/25 children through their house, and two of them they ended up adopting. It has really opened our eyes. We adopted too—one of our six is adopted—but we didn't do foster care. We have such a passion to see families welcome these children. The complaint that our daughter, Ashley, hears all the time—and I hear it as well—is: “That would be too hard, and it would hurt too much to give them up.”  13:00 I think this book that you've written will really help address that, because I think we shy away because of the pain of entering into someone's life. But when we do back off from entering into someone's life—whether it's a foster child or whether it's helping someone like you did [for] Mack—we don't realize that we're cutting ourselves off from knowing God in a way that we would not apart from that experience.  I love it that you're doing foster care in Uganda, and bringing children into your home, and writing about it so that maybe more American families will address the need that's right under our noses in our own backyards; because there are so many children who need to be touched—who need to be loved / who need to understand what a relationship is like. They've been shuttled around for years, and it's a ripe opportunity that God has in front of us. I hope people will consider it. Katie: I agree. What a tangible way to get involved, right where you are, in your own community. It's certainly as much of a need, here, in the States as it is in Uganda.  14:00 There are children hurting world-over, and so that's one of the things that I really always hope to encourage people in—that you don't have to move to Uganda / you don't have to move anywhere—there are people in need right in front of you.  Barbara: Exactly; right; but you do need to open your heart. Katie: Yes. Barbara: And that, I think, is what most people are afraid of—is opening their heart—because they know that there might be some pain involved. We're so pain-adverse and we're so addicted to comfort that it keeps us from opening our hearts and then, consequently, experiencing God in a way that we wouldn't have otherwise. Dennis: Katie, I've said, for years, that: “When you go near the orphan, you go near the heart of God.” Katie: Yes. Dennis: How have you experienced that personally?—because you've adopted 13 Ugandan young ladies. Katie: Well, what better way to clearly understand God's heart for us than to bring a child, who is not biologically related to you, into your home and call them your own and believe that they're your own?  15:00 I now have adopted children and a biological child. I can say, with certainty, that my love for them is the same.  Because I know that to be true, I can believe God when He says that, through Jesus Christ, I am adopted as His son or daughter, just as Christ is His Son. I mean, really, it's unfathomable; isn't it?—but I believe it's such a clear picture. I desire the world for my adopted daughters, and I believe that that's God's heart towards us—this Father heart—and I don't think I would be able to so clearly understand it had I not experienced the love that I have for my children. Bob: Katie, you've been in Uganda for a decade. Katie: Yes. Bob: You left Nashville to go there as somebody who knew and loved Jesus.  16:00 How is your understanding of what the gospel is different, today, than it was when you got on the plane and said, “I'm going to Uganda”? Katie: It's very different. I think my faith, when I set out—as an 18-year-old, with my suitcase full of construction paper, and crayons, and my heart that was going to change the world for the gospel of Christ—you know, I think my faith was a bit naïve. Definitely— Dennis: You think?—at 18? [Laughter] Katie: Yes. Dennis: I just want to make sure our listeners heard what you just said. Katie: I'm quite sure. [Laughter] Bob: A bit—a bit naïve. Dennis: A bit! I mean, your parents had to let you go, for goodness sakes, at the age of 18, to Uganda. Katie: They did; yes.  Dennis: They had to wonder if you were a bit off at that point; right? Katie: Right! Yes; I think I was very optimistic as well. I think I saw God's goodness to be when things turned out well, or when my prayers were answered, or when things were going my way—then I would say, “Oh, see, God blessed us.”  17:00 And I really—I mean, I do believe that the greatest gift God gives us is Himself / salvation and eternal life with Him—that's what He wants to give us. There's no material thing / there's no earthly blessing—it's Him. I have seen that God has given me more and more of Himself even in the midst of unimaginable hardship. Bob: When you share the gospel today with people in Uganda, how is it different than when you shared the gospel a decade ago? Katie: I mean, I think I definitely am more quick to present the fact that belief in Jesus does not mean that things are going to go well; and belief in Jesus does not mean that your garden is going to grow or that you're not going to live in a dirt house anymore; but belief in Jesus means that you will have someone with you through those circumstances and that those circumstances will just be so temporary in light of eternity. 18:00 There is nothing here that we're putting our hope in. Belief in the gospel doesn't really mean that we have hope in this world now; it means that we have hope for eternity spent with God. Dennis: And in the midst of life, you're going to have these messes that you're talking about—that hurt / that disappoint—because people will disappoint you. Katie: Yes. Dennis: But what you're saying and what you're reminding us of is that God shows up and He desires to be our refuge.  One of the things I found, as I was reading your book, was you were really counseling your own soul. As you stood there in your kitchen—peeling mounds of potatoes, cleaning dishes, cleaning up after the girls—but you were counseling your soul with the Psalms / with the Scripture so that you were responding the way God wanted you to respond, realizing He was there with you. Katie: I love the Psalms because they're so honest.  19:00 I think we're, sometimes, conditioned to think that we can't come to God and tell Him, “I feel so disappointed,” or “I feel so angry”; right? We think we're only supposed to say, “Okay; I'm upset with God, but let me find something that I can thank Him for or something good”; but we see in the Psalms the psalmist cries out to God. He tells Him how he feels.  When I approached God in that way, I felt that God did not become angry with me back. You know, maybe when you approach a human with anger, you expect they're going to yell back at you; right? But God didn't feel angry. He understood what I felt / He already knew that I felt that way, and He was able to comfort me all the more when I was honest with Him.  Dennis: Well, as I was reading your book, I was reflecting back on a psalm—Psalm 43—especially one verse that has been meaningful to me recently. Maybe it will be meaningful to a listener or two.  20:00 It reads, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?” That's honesty, right there—that's admitting where you are. It goes on to say, “Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” God desires to be our refuge. Sometimes, He has to knock the props out from under us, where we're looking for encouragement / where we're looking, as you talk about, Katie, in your book, Daring to Hope, where we're hoping for a good ending to the story, and we don't get that good ending. What God's doing is—He's driving us to Himself. So, if you want to counsel your soul, take a look at all five verses of chapter 43 of the Psalms. 21:00 Bob: And I think for folks to read Katie's book and be reminded of the things she has learned, caring for adopting kids, living in Uganda—I think there's a lot of encouragement / a lot of hope in this book. The book is called Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful. We have copies of the book in our FamilyLife Today Resource Center. You can order from us, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com, or call 1-800-FL-TODAY. Again, our website—FamilyLifeToday.com—the phone number: 1-800-358-6329—that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.” I was with one of our listeners, recently, who said, “I know when FamilyLife Today went on the air.” He said, “It was 25 years ago; and the reason I know that is because that's when we started having children, right about the same time that FamilyLife Today began as a radio broadcast.” And he said, “All along the journey, I have leaned into you guys for counsel, for wisdom, for help, for advice on how we can raise our kids.”  22:00 And he smiled and he said, “And you know, they've turned out okay.” As you know, Dennis, there's no guarantee that kids turn out okay, even when Mom and Dad do the best they know how to do; but it is encouraging to hear from moms and dads / from husbands and wives who tell us, repeatedly, that this program has made a difference in their understanding of marriage and family and in how they're living it out. I wish those of you who support FamilyLife Today—both as Legacy Partners and those of you who will give an occasional donation to support this ministry—I wish you could hear some of these testimonies that we get a chance to hear. These are the people you're supporting when you support this broadcast. You're helping to turn around legacies / you're helping to point families in new directions, and we're grateful for your partnership with us. 23:00 Here, at yearend, we have a unique opportunity for your giving to go farther. Our friend, Michelle Hill, is here again today with an update on FamilyLife's matching-gift fund. Hi, Michelle! Michelle: Hi Bob, yes I reported yesterday how the fund might be doubling? Well the matching fund is 4.3 million dollars! …which is fantastic! But what has to happen next is up to our listeners, because without you, that 4.3 million dollar figure is just a number.  So…please pray about your part in fulfilling the match… ‘cause right now we're at seven hundred twenty nine thousand dollars, and that's quite a gap to fill in just a couple of weeks… so please keep praying, keep giving and to God be the glory!    Bob: And we've tried to make it as easy as possible for you to make a yearend contribution to FamilyLife Today. You can do it, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY to donate.  24:00 Or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; and our zip code is 72223. Now, tomorrow, we want to find out how Katie Davis became Katie Davis Majors and hear about the young man who pursued her in Uganda and ultimately got her to say, “Yes,” to his proposal. I hope you can tune in for that story. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru® Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?   Copyright © 2017 FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com  

Daring to Hope (Part 1) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 2) - Katie Davis MajorsDaring to Hope (Part 3) - Katie Davis MajorsFamilyLife Today® Radio Transcript  References to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete. Leaning on Jesus Guest:                        Katie Davis MajorsFrom the series:       Daring to Hope (Day 1 of 3)  Bob: In the midst of pain and suffering, even those with deep faith find themselves asking questions and wondering, “Why?” Here's Katie Davis Majors. Katie: We know we're supposed to say: “God is in control. God's plan is better,” but what about when we are not feeling that? What about when we are not seeing that? I think another thing God really showed me was that He hurts when I hurt. He desires to comfort me, because He understands my pain. Bob: This is FamilyLife Today for Monday, December 18th. Our host is Dennis Rainey, and I'm Bob Lepine. We'll hear from Katie Davis Majors today about how Jesus becomes real when we walk through the valley of the shadow. Stay with us. 1:00 And welcome to FamilyLife Today. Thanks for joining us. We've got a hero back in the studio with us today. Dennis: We do. I don't think we've ever had a guest introduced by their 14-year-old daughter, but that's what we're going to do here on the broadcast. I, first of all, want to welcome back Katie Davis Majors, married now for how many years? Katie: Almost three! Dennis: Almost three. You'll hear more about that in a moment.  My wife Barbara also joins us on the broadcast. Welcome back, Sweetheart. Barbara: Thanks! It's a delight to be here. Dennis: Katie has written a book called Daring to Hope. Many of you probably heard about Katie, about a decade ago, when she wrote a New York Times best-seller, Kisses from Katie. It's a story about her adopting a few Ugandan young ladies. One of those young ladies wrote the afterword for your book—I'm not going to read it all. Katie: Okay. Dennis: It's really not fair that I don't read it all!  2:00 Her name is Joyce—she's 14. Here's what she said about her mom:  Katie Majors is my mother. No mother is as brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous as my sweet, awesome mother! Barbara: Sweet! Dennis: You have really got her snowed; don't you? [Laughter] That's not what you say in your book—you talk about losing your temper and getting impatient; but somehow, she didn't ever see any of those moments, I guess; huh? Katie: She's gracious! [Laughter] Dennis: She concludes by saying this:  I pray for my mom each day that God would continue to bless her life and use her to do incredible things. I love my mother because she brings glory to God, not only through her gifts, but also by calling out gifts and talents in others, including me. She speaks to us that we, too, can be used by God.  3:00 He works through her to shine His light into the hearts of many. I admire my mother; and I pray that I, too, can live a life like hers, serving others first before myself. No matter what my mother goes through, she will tell you that it is okay; because God has always been with her. She teaches me that I can trust Him to be with me too.                                                      Joyce Liberty Majors, age 14 Bob: And a lot of listeners are going, “How do you get a 14-year-old to say things like that about their mother?” [Laughter] Barbara: Exactly! [Laughter] Katie: Yes; you're going to make me cry at the beginning of this interview! Dennis: Where did you find Joyce? Katie: Joyce came to me when she was about five-and-a-half. She had lost both of her parents in the war in northern Uganda. She had been shuffled around since then in some pretty dangerous situations when she was brought to me.  4:00 Dennis: She is one, now, of how many that you have become “Mom” to? Katie: She's one of 14 kids—13 through adoption and 1 that we just gave birth to about a year-and-a-half ago. Dennis: And there's a new dimension to your life that I hinted at earlier—the second love of your life—God being the first. Katie: Yes; yes! Dennis: Benji—tell us about Benji. Katie: Benji! So Benji moved to Uganda about seven years ago. He was really—he had come on a short-term trip to volunteer at a special needs orphanage; but he was really burdened that there were a lot of ministries pouring into women, and a lot of ministries really helping out children, and not a lot of ministries pouring into men—discipling them and teaching them to be good fathers and good husbands. So, he came back, fulltime, just to disciple men and to encourage them in their roles as husband, father, [and] provider for the family.  5:00 He has been doing that now for about seven years.  We met when he first came to Uganda. Dennis: Okay; I'm going to stop you there, because we're going to tell more of this story on a later broadcast. Katie: Okay; okay! [Laughter] Dennis: Your book begins in your kitchen.  Katie: Yes. Dennis: It's a place where relationships are made / miracles occur. I love it—you must have a little bit of a perfectionist in you—because you talk about mud, and red dirt, and footprints in the first couple of pages of your book that all 14 of these children that you've adopted have to track in there. Katie: Oh, yes! [Laughter] I spend a lot of time in the kitchen, and the kitchen is not very clean a lot of the time. You know, it's amazing how that can happen! It's perfectly pristine before we go to bed; and then, six o'clock in the morning rolls around, and somehow it's in disarray again. Barbara: That sounds like most kitchens for most women! [Laughter] When I started reading that, I thought: “Oh! That sounds like my kitchen!”  6:00It was always sticky on the floor and crumbs everywhere. It's just a part of having a family and having kids. Life does happen in the kitchen. Katie: Yes! Dennis: Your book, Daring to Hope—I told Bob, before you came into the studio—I said, “This is really a book that could be titled Reality Check; because the reality that you have faced in Uganda, over the last decade, has really grown you up in a lot of ways, spiritually.” Comment on that if you would. Katie: Yes; it absolutely has. I mean, I think, in Uganda, suffering is so in your face; but really, that's world-over; right? You can't even turn on the news without seeing some terrible tragedy. I think anybody who can really, truly say that they believe in a good and loving Father has had to ask the question: “Okay; are You really good? And are You really loving? And if You really are good and loving, why is all of this going on around me?” 7:00 Daring to Hope, really, is kind of the chronicle of my journey through some of those questions.  Dennis: Yes; and I would say: “If there's a listener, right now, who's going through a hard time—and you're kind of confused—you're maybe disappointed/discouraged—I think Daring to Hope would be a great book to pick up and read; because it's going to pull you out of your valley and remind you of the truth about God. That's really the message of Katie's book. She just wants people to know the truth about God so, as they face their reality, they will be able to trust Him as well. Bob: Yes. Katie: Thank you. I really did write it to encourage people that, no matter what they're going through—you know, it probably looks a lot different than what I was going through in Uganda—but in the midst of pain and hardship and trial, I knew Jesus in a way that I wouldn't have known Him outside of those circumstances. I believe that's His desire for all of us, no matter what our hardship is— 8:00 —just that we would know His comfort and we would know that we are so deeply loved. Bob: The last time you were with us, you shared about how, as a teenager, God gave you a heart and a vision for Uganda. You went there at 19 to care for orphans; and you started caring for them, and you started bringing them home. You started adopting them. Before you were married, you were already a mother to—how many was it? Katie: Thirteen. Bob: Thirteen kids. So you haven't adopted any new ones since marriage? Katie: No; we had all 13 of our girls before we got married. Bob: And have you thought about expanding since you've been married? You've obviously expanded, because you've got a new baby in the house. Have you thought about additional adoptions, or is 13 where it ends? Katie: Well, I mean, I think we're really open to however the Lord leads. If He would make a need very apparent, then we would definitely be open to it. I think we've seen more and more, over the years, the beauty of empowering local people to adopt.  9:00 We've seen local people become more and more open to the idea of adopting.  My 13 girls were all situations where—through our ministry, we sponsor children—we send them to school; we pay for some of their food; we do a discipleship program with them—all in the hopes of keeping them with their biological family, because most biological families really do want their kids. It's just such a financial burden for them that they give them up. Our ministry is really geared toward empowering the family to care for their own children. My 13 are all groups of siblings that were older and, for whatever reason, either didn't have biological family they could be placed with or it wasn't a safe situation for them. But in the last, probably, seven years, we've had several more instances where that has happened with children that we're in relationship with through ministry—  10:00 —maybe both of their parents have died or maybe they're already staying with a grandparent and the grandparent has died. We've actually had a lot of Ugandan staff in our ministry say, “Oh, I could open my home to that child,”—especially because Amazima is covering the basics like medical care or schooling. The Ugandan culture is beautifully hospitable and relational. We've just seen so much openness from our staff and other Ugandans, we're in relationship with, to adopt. I think, for us, it's really on our hearts that we would first—we would, first, always seek out biological family; but even beyond that, we would seek out if there were a Ugandan family in our community that would desire to adopt that child. Dennis: You've been foster care parents— Katie: Yes. Dennis: —for a lot of kids. Katie: Yes. Dennis: One of the reasons why is the HIV/AIDS virus that has taken out so many people's lives in Uganda. Katie: Yes. 11:00 Dennis: I don't think people in America realize what this disease is doing to the populations of many African countries. Tell about the little girl, by the name of Jane, who came to you because of that disease. Katie: Jane is a child we fostered, but we fostered her long-term. We've had other short-term foster children, in and out of our home over the years, but we've always known that they were a short-term placement and that our goal was reunification with family.  With Jane, we didn't believe that that was our goal. Jane had been abandoned when she was about nine months old and brought to me when she was around one. We searched and we looked for her biological family. We sent out radio and newspaper advertisements; and we didn't find any family that was willing to care for her. I began fostering her and began the process to make her adoption legal as well. We had her for about three years when her biological mom came back in the country from Kenya. 12:00 She tracked us down and, really, just showed up and said that she desired to parent Jane. I mean, my heart was just torn in two; because my life's ministry was about empowering the family and, at the same time, I felt like this was my daughter. I was the only mother she had ever known since I'd had her from the time she was a little baby. She was a sister to my daughters. This was really not something that we had expected or seen coming.  That's kind of one of the first stories in the book, where I begin kind of asking God, “Okay; when I'm praying and I'm praying—and I'm praying for something specific, such as Jane to come back and live with us—and that doesn't happen, ‘Where are you then, God?'” or “If I think I know what's best for me, for my family, [and[ for this child, who is now confused and traumatized— 13:00 —and I think I know what would be good for her—how do I trust that, “No, truly, God knows what's best for each one of us involved'?” Dennis: And Jane's mom was not skilled, as a parent; and you could easily spot that. You knew that you were handing her back over to her biological mom to be raised in, certainly, a less-than-perfect situation. Katie: Yes; it was very scary—her mom didn't have a great track record. She went to live there for a little while, and then they actually ended up coming to stay with us for a while while her mom was between jobs. I feel like we were able to pour into both of them for a while, and then her mom got another job and was able to move out for a while. But since then—they lived near us for a long time—and since then, they have moved away; so we don't even really have a ton of contact with them anymore. Dennis: You know, that question that you found yourself wrestling with is a question that we all wrestle with in life. Katie: Right. 14:00 Bob: I remember back when the shooting in Las Vegas happened in the United States. I wrote an article about: “How do we process this kind of disaster? How do we help our kids understand it?” I said, “You've got to remind yourself of what's true—that God is in control / that He's sovereign.” I kind of rehearsed what we all know is true. Katie: Right. Bob: And I remember somebody commenting at the bottom of the article with, “Yeah, yeah, yeah; blah, blah, blah,” and I get it. Katie: Right. Dennis: Sure. Bob: I get that that is a less-than-satisfying answer in the midst of the pain, but I don't know a better answer to that; do you? Katie: I don't. I know—you know, as I was writing this book, I didn't want it to be a bunch of Christian platitudes; right? Bob: Right; right. 15:00 Katie: We know we're supposed to say: “God is in control. God's plan is better,” but what about when we are not feeling that? What about when we are not seeing that? I think another thing God really showed me was that He hurts when I hurt. He desires to comfort me, because He understands my pain. It's the same, you know, for the shooting in Las Vegas—for people who've lost people—it's not that God looks on and says, “Okay; okay,”—you know? God is devastated by that suffering. He is deeply grieved, and He hurts alongside of us. I think that gave me even more comfort than knowing that God was in control— Bob: Yes. Katie: —and knowing that God had a plan. I was comforted knowing that God saw my hurt. He experienced it with me, and He desired to love me in the midst of it. Bob: In Romans, Chapter 8, where it talks about the reality of our adoption— 16:00 —that God has adopted us / that we are joint-heirs—it goes on to throw this curve ball in the middle of talking about all of this blessing. It says, “Here is what God has given to those He loves—we have His Spirit / we are joint-heirs if we suffer with Him.” Katie: Yes; yes. Bob: It's kind of like: “Why did you have to throw that in there, God? Why couldn't it just be, ‘Here's what you get'?” Dennis: Yes. Bob: But there is a connection between glory and suffering— Katie: Yes. Bob: —that we're adverse to, but that is a part of God's plan for us. Katie: I absolutely believe that. You know, Paul even says that “it has been granted unto me, not just to preach the gospel of Christ, but to suffer with Him.” Bob: Yes. Katie: I always read that and think: “Oh, God! Let that be my perspective on it—that it has been granted unto me—because, through suffering, I might know a part of God's heart that I wouldn't know otherwise.” Dennis: I have a friend, who was in a tragic plane crash. While he was struggling for his life in the hospital, I performed the funeral for his five-year-old son. He made this statement that certainly anyone could make; but a person in his place, having lost a son—it just becomes really profound—he said, “Life wouldn't be so difficult if we didn't expect it to be so easy.” And what your book does—is your book really forces us to realize that there are going to be prayers that appear to be unanswered. Katie: Yes. Dennis: There's going to be brokenness that continues on—in our own lives and in the lives of those we love—but we have to trust the God Who is going to be near us. That's really the message of your book— 18:00 —that, in the process of struggling over these prayers that appear to be unanswered or have an answer that's a “No,”—you've gotten to know Jesus Christ in a way you couldn't have known Him otherwise. Katie: Yes! Absolutely! I think I've learned that God isn't promising us a world without trouble, or without pain, or without heartache; but He's promising us Himself; right? He calls Himself “Emmanuel” / “God with us.” He's promising to be near to us, and that's the greatest gift. Barbara: Well, I couldn't agree more; because I have learned over the decades of my life that the hard times are the times when I have gotten to know Christ more. He knows that about us. He knows that if life is easy—and it's good and everything works out the way we want it to—we're not going to need Him—we won't depend on Him / we won't be forced, on our face, to seek Him. And so, as hard as the hard things are, they're really good things—good that God intends to work in us.  19:00 I was just talking to someone last weekend about this—we were both saying, “We wouldn't wish what we've been through on anyone, but we wouldn't trade it for anything because of what we know of Him now that we wouldn't have known apart from that experience.” That's a part of what I love so much about your book—is that it speaks to that—that everyone experiences. God deals with us, as individuals. What He brings in your life is different than what He brings in my life; but it's all for the purpose of knowing Him and knowing Him as He really is, not as we imagine Him to be. That's such a good thing. Dennis: I can't imagine a 29-year-old writing this book. That's what I told Bob when we came in the studio—I said: “It's because of where Katie's been/— Barbara: Yes. Katie: That's right. Dennis: —“it is what she's seen—the number of people she's prayed over for healing, for God to rescue them from HIV/AIDS, and God said, ‘No,' and took them on to heaven.” Katie: Yes. 20:00 Dennis: But you have a perspective that you're passing on that I think, really—Bob, all of us today in America, where we live with so many comforts and we're removed from the slums, where Katie has taught a Bible study. We're removed from the graveside—we may go to a funeral or two a year—but Katie's been to a bunch of them over the years, and that's where perspective is. Ecclesiastes says, “It is better to go to the house of mourning than it is to go to the house of pleasure; because in the end, the living take it to heart.” Bob: You know, this is a book that reminds us that most of the problems that we're facing are what we call “first world problems.” That doesn't mean they're not real and challenging; it just means we have to keep life in perspective and know what really matters.  Katie, you point us to that in your book, Daring to Hope: Finding God's Goodness in the Broken and the Beautiful.  21:00 We've got copies of the book in our FamilyLife Today Resource Center. You can order it from us, online, at FamilyLifeToday.com; or call 1-800-FL-TODAY to order. Again, the website is FamilyLifeToday.com; or call 1-800-358-6329—that's 1-800-“F” as in family, “L” as in life, and then the word, “TODAY.”  I have to tell you—we just recently had an opportunity to be in a number of cities with listeners to FamilyLife Today and had a chance to hear from many of you how God has used this ministry in your life in some significant ways—and how He is still at work, using the ministry of FamilyLife Today to help you grow in grace / to provide practical biblical help and hope to your marriage / your family. It's always encouraging when we get an opportunity to be face to face with listeners.  22:00  On behalf of the folks we had a chance to meet, I want to thank those of you who are Legacy Partners and those of you who support this ministry financially. You need to know that your investment in the lives of people all across the country and around the world is paying off. God is using FamilyLife Today powerfully in the lives of so many people. It was encouraging for us to see some of that first-hand.  I know some of you are thinking about yearend giving—ministries or organizations where you might like to make a yearend financial contribution. We have a special opportunity for you, here, at FamilyLife to be invested in this ministry. There's a matching-gift fund that's been made available to us; and it means that your donation, here, at yearend will be doubled. Our friend, Michelle Hill, is here with an update on how things are going with the matching-gift fund. Hello, Michelle! 23:00 Michelle: Bob, I have some BIG news about the match fund!...and this is breaking for us, so I'm a little out on a limb here, but Jordan just told me the matching fund is going to double…as in over four million dollars!! (…and we don't know exactly because this is happening almost as I speak) …but more than ever, we'll need every listener to pray, seek God, and give as He directs. You know, four million dollars seems big to me…but Bob? I believe God's generosity is at work here, so I'm asking everyone, please just prayerfully do whatever God calls you to do to, and you know what? While you're at it, praise Him for His amazing generosity! right now we're at seven hundred ninety one thousand dollars!  Bob: And it is easy to make an online donation. You can do that at FamilyLifeToday.com, or you can call 1-800-FL-TODAY. Or you can mail your donation to FamilyLife Today at PO Box 7111, Little Rock, AR; our zip code is 72223.  24:00 We'll look forward to your update again tomorrow, Michelle.  And we hope you'll be back with us again tomorrow when Katie Davis Majors will be here. We're continuing to talk about her life in Africa and her life as a newly-married adoptive mother of 13 children and a bio mom of a baby boy. I hope you can tune in for that. I want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I'm Bob Lepine. We'll see you back next time for another edition of FamilyLife Today.  FamilyLife Today is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas; a Cru® Ministry. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.  We are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you've benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs?   Copyright © 2017 FamilyLife. All rights reserved. www.FamilyLife.com   

Sharing God's Love With the World with Author and Amazima Ministries Founder, Katie Davis Majors   Philippians 1:6 (NIV) “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”    Katie Davis Majors lives in Uganda. She and her husband, Benji, are the parents of 13 adopted daughters and two sons. In 2008, she started Amazima Ministries International, a non-profit organization to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of the people of Uganda (www.amazima.org). Additionally, she is the author of Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption and Daring to Hope, which chronicle her amazing call and obedience to God and to Uganda. Read more of Katie's blog at katiemajors.blog and follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @katieinuganda.    At The Savvy Sauce, we will only recommend resources we believe in! We also want you to be aware: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.comand affiliated sites.    Amazima Ministries Website Books by Katie Davis Majors: Kisses From Katie Daring to Hope Katie's Blog Connect with Katie on Instagram and Twitter @katieinuganda   Thank You to Our Sponsor: FabFitFun#fabfitfunpartner (Enter Code: SAVVY at checkout to receive $10 off your first box)   Connect with The Savvy Sauce on Facebook or Instagram or Our Website   Please help us out by sharing this episode with a friend, leaving a 5-star rating and review, and subscribing to this podcast!   Also, check out our Patreon Page to find out how to gain access to additional podcasts and freebies!   Gospel Scripture: (all NIV)   Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”   Romans 3:24 “and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”   Romans 3:25 (a) “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.”    Hebrews 9:22 (b) “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”    Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”    Romans 5:11 “Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”    John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”   Romans 10:9 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”    Luke 15:10 says “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”   Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”   Ephesians 1:13–14 “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession- to the praise of his glory.”   Ephesians 1:15–23 “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”   Ephesians 2:8–10 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God‘s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.“   Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.“   Philippians 1:6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago when she was just 18 yrs old-with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mom to 13 adopted daughters and 2 sons. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. 

I think we all know that parenting can be hard-- but from what I've heard, step-parenting is even harder. Think about some of the struggles you face with your children-- maybe it's dealing with sassy attitudes or figuring out the rules and technology expectations in your home. Then imagine trying to navigate all of that with children who also have another parent or set of parents and another home they live in part of the time. I can only imagine how complicated that must get and how many big emotions are involved. Today's guest, Amanda Louder--a life coach, podcaster, mother of three, and stepmother of two--gives three takeaways that have helped her navigate and embrace her blended family: 1) Treat your step children as equals to your own children: give them the same amount of love, responsibility, and discipline 2) Understand that he was their dad first 3) Try to find a new family culture Amanda has such a positive outlook as she strives to "live from love" in the relationships she has with all of her children.   Show Notes  Instagram: @amandaloudercoaching Website: www.amandaloudercoaching.com Podcast: Live from Love "To the Mom Who Doesn't Feel Like a Mother, Yet"- blog post by Katie Davis Majors "Parenting After Divorce" online Conference--sign up soon because it ends March 15th! raisingblendedfamilies.com  

Susan and Katie were able to sit and listen to Katie Davis Majors, Found of Amazima, share stories of her beautiful family, Amazima Ministries and her hosting the IF Gathering in Jinja. Her faith will absolutely encourage you. Katie Davis Majors is a deep well of wisdom and authentic faithfulness. You will love her as much as Susan and Katie did.

Susan and Katie were able to sit and listen to Katie Davis Majors, Found of Amazima, share stories of her beautiful family, Amazima Ministries and her hosting the IF Gathering in Jinja. Her faith will absolutely encourage you. Katie Davis Majors is a deep well of wisdom and authentic faithfulness. You will love her as much as Susan and Katie did.

My guest for The Happy Hour # 208 is Katie Davis Majors. Katie is an author, speaker, blogger, and founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda. Katie moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and I start out the show talking about Katie's journey to Uganda and adoption of her 13 girls. When Katie was 18, she made her first trip to Uganda and knew she'd be back. Katie tells us how 80% of East African children are in orphanages not because of lack of family, but due to poverty. Katie learned that in some cases simply paying for school would allow those children to stay with their families. Katie kept sponsoring more kids, and more and more people joined in to support these kids and Amazima Ministries was born! Katie then shares how she came to know and foster 3 girls. When it became clear that there was no family for these children to be reunited with, they became Katie's daughters through adoption. The stories continued and by age 23, Katie was now mom to her 13 beautiful girls. We then talk about the difficult season she walked through facing multiple losses. Katie speaks about the loneliness, pain, and questions she had and describes how near God was to her in that time. She reminds us, "we can bring our hearts to God, He sees them anyway, and He loves us regardless." I also appreciated her honesty in talking about challenges that can happen in adoption with connecting with your children. In the last part of our conversation, we get to hear the story of Katie and her husband Benji and their family of 13 daughters and a son. You guys - it is the sweetest and includes both of them declining dates with each other at one point! I loved my conversation with Katie so much. I was encouraged, inspired, and reminded of how when we say yes, whether it's moving overseas or sponsoring a child's education, God does amazing, incredible things! {You can listen to the show HERE, and make sure you never miss a Happy Hour - subscribe using your favorite podcast app (ie. iTunes, Google Play).  And of course, I would love if you would share with your friends!} Links from the Show Katie's website Amazima Ministries Katie's Books: Daring to Hope and Kisses from Katie What is Katie is reading: The Way of Abundance by Ann Voskamp What Katie is loving: this season of having teenagers all the way down to her 2 year old - so much fun!, taking a break from social media Connect with Katie Katie's Instagram // Amazima's Instagram Connect with Jamie + The Happy Hour Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Stay connected and subscribe to The Happy Hour Newsletter! The Happy Hour Summer Book Club's September Book: If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey - join in the fun and conversation! Do you love The Happy Hour? If so, we'd love if you'd leave a review! If You Only Knew by Jamie Ivey Sponsors Prep Dish - Get one month for just $4! Coffee and Crayons Podcast presented by Slate Studios in partnership with Target Simple Habit - Free 7 Day Trial of Premium Library

Katie Davis Majors is the founder of an organization called Amazima in Uganda. But you might have heard of her because of something else: she’s a 29-year-old mother of 14 kids, who left her comfortable life when she was still a teenager to devote her life to something she never expected. Little did she know her heart would burst into a million pieces when she met her yet-to-be daughters and ultimately start an organization that helps hundreds and hundreds of kids stay with their families and have what they need for school and medical care, instead of being sent to orphanages. Notes: Amazima Amazima on Twitter & Instagram Katie on Instagram Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Women’s Work on Twitter & Instagram

In this episode, we hear from Katie Davis Majors – author, mother of 14, and founder of Amazima Ministries. Katie shares compelling reflections on how difficult, and beautiful, it can be to live extraordinary lives in the midst of ordinary days.

James & Betty Robison w Katie Davis Majors

James & Betty Robison w Katie Davis Majors

James & Betty Robison w Katie Davis Majors

James & Betty Robison w Katie Davis Majors

In this episode we talk with Katie (Davis) Majors about her life and journey in Uganda, having become a young mother, and adopted 13 girls. Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda and the author of the New York Times bestseller Kisses from Katie. Participate with Amazima here: https://amazima.org/ Watch Katie on the Today show: https://www.today.com/video/meet-the-inspiring-young-woman-who-adopted-13-girls-in-uganda-1060737603691 Read Katie's blog here: https://katiemajors.blog/ - Mike Erre Learn more about the VOX Podcast: www.voxpodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes - http://apple.co/1Lla1Nj Music provided by Izzi Ray - http://www.soundcloud.com/izziray Music available on iTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/izzi-ray/id386256769 Support the VOX Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/voxpodcast Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/thevoxpodcast Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/voxpodcast Follow Mike on Twitter www.twitter.com/mikeerre Follow Andy on Twitter www.twitter.com/Andy_lara Mike Erre participates as VOX Team Leader at VOX Community, a church expression of the VOX Podcast. Learn more about VOX Community at www.voxoc.com. Listen to our Sunday teaching from VOX Community: www.soundcloud.com/voxcommunity

In today's episode I share a quote from Katie Davis Majors, "It’s amazing, really, that we can get exactly what we need by walking through what we never wanted." It reminded me of God's promise in Romans 8:28. But... the path to the promise may not always be enjoyable.

In today's episode I share a quote from Katie Davis Majors, "It’s amazing, really, that we can get exactly what we need by walking through what we never wanted." It reminded me of God's promise in Romans 8:28. But... the path to the promise may not always be enjoyable.

This week, we talk with author and activist Katie Davis Majors about moving to Uganda, adopting 14 children and her ministry that cares for families in the country, Amazima. We also talk with the indie band Joseph about what goes into their infectious brand of folk-inspired pop. We also discuss Kendrick Lamar’s recent collaboration with U2 and the Papa John’s-DiGiorno pizza feud, hear a clip from Bon Iver’s one-person concert and

This week, we talk with author and activist Katie Davis Majors about moving to Uganda, adopting 14 children and her ministry that cares for families in the country, Amazima. We also talk with the indie band Joseph about what goes into their infectious brand of folk-inspired pop.We also discuss Kendrick Lamar's recent collaboration with U2 and the Papa John's-DiGiorno pizza feud, hear a clip from Bon Iver's one-person concert and--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/relevant-podcast/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/relevant-podcast/support See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In today's Morning Manna, I share the following quote from "Daring to Hope" by Katie Davis Majors and some accompanying scripture to offer encouragement to those who may be undergoing trials. "Though we would rather be delivered from our suffering and our trials, or never encounter them at all, I have come to long for the tender care of Jesus that feels most tangible in places of pain and desperation."

In today's Morning Manna, I share the following quote from "Daring to Hope" by Katie Davis Majors and some accompanying scripture to offer encouragement to those who may be undergoing trials. "Though we would rather be delivered from our suffering and our trials, or never encounter them at all, I have come to long for the tender care of Jesus that feels most tangible in places of pain and desperation."

Katie Davis Majors discusses Uganda, Life, & Hope with Leaderbyte Host Chester Goad. You won't want to miss this unique episode in following God's lead to live out your purpose.  Learn more about Katie's new project Daring to Hope and Amazima ministries.  Katie Davis Majors BIO:  Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda and the author of the New York Times bestseller Kisses from Katie. Learn more about Katie Davis Majors Learn more about her book, Daring to Hope & Amazima  Follow Katie Davis Majors on Twitter  

Katie Davis Majors shares the story of stepping out in faith as a teenager after a missions trip and then gives a look at her ongoing experiences and lessons learned of faith in Uganda.

Episode #029 with Katie Davis Major Daring to Hope in the Face of Adversity   Head to KristiClover.com/029 to see all the Show Notes & Awesome Quotes that we collected for you!   I’m so excited to have this week’s special guest, Katie Davis Majors. Most of you are familiar with Katie by her maiden name, Katie Davis — the New York Times bestselling author of Kisses from Katie. Her new book, Daring to Hope, is amazing. Katie truly is a gifted writer. For those of you who are not familiar with Katie, she actually moved to Uganda over a decade ago, with no idea that it would be the place that God would call her to build her home and her family. Today, she is the wife of Benji and mom to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives pouring into the people of Uganda through education, medical care and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founded of Amazima Ministries—an organization that cares for the vulnerable children and families of Uganda. They have also recently just opened a new school (which she will talk about in today’s episode). Her first book really inspired us to take a look at our lives and how we are living out the call that God is putting on our hearts. For her that calling was in Uganda. At a very young age she was fostering and adopting children—we’ll get to all of that in this amazing interview. What is interesting that is in the time span from book one to book two, God brought about quite a few tragedies in her life. Her new book really talks through, as it mentions in the title, daring to hope. She talks about how she really questioned God in these really hard times in her life. What I love is she doesn’t simply leave us with “there were hard times and God was there,” she talks about the beautiful intimacy and the character of God that she got to see through these hard times.   I cannot wait for you to hear this episode!   ON A SIMPLY JOYFUL NOTE… Katie says her favorite way to keep things simple is to get rid of unnecessary stuff. She also shares about how she believes it's important to make life more about relationships. Don’t worry about if your house is perfect before you have guests over or don’t worry about cooking elaborate meals. All those things can be beautiful and God-ordained, but it can also be a hindrance. God chose relationship every time.   IN THIS EPISODE… Grab your favorite drink and settle in—you are going to LOVE this episode!    ***Check out the SHOW NOTES to see all the great highlights, quotes, and links!***     BOOKS MENTIONED… Kisses from Katie Daring to Hope Love Does by Bob Goff     HELP SUPPORT THE SIMPLY JOYFUL PODCAST! Anytime you purchase things from my site and my store, it blesses the podcast. The Simply Joyful Podcast is put together not only by me, but my team of amazing and talented assistants! As I prayed about starting this podcast I knew I'd need help to maintain it in order to keep balance in my family life. So after episode #12, I hired three people to help me put all the elements together for this podcast. It's been a tremendous blessing.   When you get your Simply Joyful Podcast mug, be sure to take a picture of it and use #SimplyJoyfulPodcast or #SimplyJoyfulMug. I'd love to see them!   Check out these companies (through my affiliate links): Covenant Eyes **Try it for 30 Days FREE!** Audible **Free Download** Amazon   HELP GET THE WORD OUT… My prayer is that this podcast would be a blessing to all who hear it. If you enjoy this podcast, it would be such a blessing to have you "Subscribe" to this podcast on iTunes or Stitcher and leave me a rating and review. This helps the podcast to rank in iTunes and be more "visible" for people searching for new podcasts to listen to. If you wanted to share this episode with friends or on social media, I've created several great images that are share-worthy.   Thank you so much for helping us get the word out about the Simply Joyful Podcast!   I hope you enjoyed this week's podcast! My prayer is always that you will be blessed and encouraged by each episode.   Live Simply. Be Joyful.     LET’S CONNECT!… My Website Facebook  Instagram YouTube Pinterest Twitter     CONNECT WITH KATIE DAVIS MAJORS… Katie Davis Majors moved to Uganda over a decade ago with no idea that this would be the place that God chose to build her home and her family. Today, she is a wife to Benji and mama to her fourteen favorite people. Katie and her family invest their lives in empowering the people of Uganda with education, medical care, and spiritual discipleship. She is also the founder of Amazima Ministries, an organization that cares for vulnerable children and families in Uganda and the author of the New York Times bestseller Kisses from Katie.   You can check out Kaite's books HERE on Amazon! Be sure to visit her site as well at www.amazima.org.         **This post may contain a few affiliate links, both Amazon & others. Please see my disclosure page if you have any questions

Katie Davis Majors did an extraordinary thing as a young adult. Right after high school she moved from Nashville to Uganda and eventually adopted thirteen girls. Her story was chronicled in the New York Times Best Seller Kisses From Katie. But much has happened in her life since that book came out. She's gotten married, had a son, and the ministry she started to support Ugandan children and families has grown. But she has also experienced great loss. In this interview we pick up where Kisses From Katie left off. In this interview we hear about Katie's life today, how God has shown her to trust him despite prayers not being answered in the way she'd wanted, and what it's like to get close to someone after loss. We learn about the ministry she started when she first moved to Uganda, and how it has grown over the years. You won't want to miss this episode with an amazing woman who does radical things with a humble obedience because she hears God's call. In a culture of comfort it's important for us to hear voices like Katie's. We may not be called to go to the other side of the world or to adopt a number of children, but we are called to a humble obedience. Katie's story is full of next steps, hard things that she tackled in order to be a world changer right where she is. She didn't begin her journey to Uganda at 18 knowing her life would look like it does today, she simply took that next step.

Today's guest has deeply impacted my life, so it is such an honor having her on the show. Katie Davis Majors' book Kisses from Katie had a profound impact on me when I read it years ago, and she now has a brand new book out, Safe All Along.Katie's story of moving to Africa right out of high school, starting a nonprofit (Amazima Ministries), and eventually adopting 13 girls while living in Uganda is incredible and you can't help but be moved in hearing it. And you would think she must have a rock solid faith and never struggle with fear or anxiety. But that's not the case.In this episode, she shares openly about her struggle with anxiety. We talk about what she has learned through it, how even writing this book was a challenge, and what it looks like to entrust our kids to God, even when the world feels so full of unknowns and scary things. I loved how she practically shared what it looked like for her recently to walk through a situation where she found herself spiraling into psychoanalyzing a situation.Katie also gives some helpful advice on how to find time during your day to devote to God and be with Him -- something that I found so helpful because she definitely knows what it's like to have a full house and be pulled in many different directions! Her deep faith -- despite her journey with anxiety and so much upheaval in her life in the past two years -- shines through in this conversation and I love how she pointed us back to Jesus and to the truths of God's Word again and again.In This Episode[00:35] - Today's guest has deeply impacted my life.[01:49] - Katie shares some background information about herself and her family.[07:34] - Learn about Katie's journey struggling with anxiety.[14:43] - The hardest thing that Katie has to trust God with is her children.[17:48] - What it looks like to replace fear with trust in God.[20:28] - Katie emphasizes that her process is not a magical fix-all.[21:41] - How to interrupt her anxious thoughts.[22:50] - Katie has gotten into the habit of asking God questions.[27:04] - How does Katie find time to spend time in God's Word?Links & ResourcesAmazima MinistriesKisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption by Katie Davis MajorsSafe All Along: Trading Our Fears and Anxieties for God's Unshakable Peace by Katie Davis MajorsLove-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine10 Days to Be a Happier MomSign up for the Hot Deals Email ListMoneySavingMom.comMy Instagram account (I'd love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I'm pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.comOur Sponsors:* Check out BiOptimizers and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://bioptimizers.com/* Check out BiOptimizers: https://bioptimizers.com/* Check out ByHeart and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: https://byheart.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands