Last year we were family camp newbies. But after a week of refreshment, bonding and spiritual encouragement, we were hooked on the concept. In fact, before we left camp we had signed up come back again this year.

I could literally talk to you for hours about all the reasons Pine Cove is a gift to our family. (In fact, our time riding horses last year, inspired the most popular post I’ve ever written.–>read it here)

With such a high bar, I worried how this year would measure up. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. (well, ok, I didn’t ride horses this year. . .which was disappointing at first. . .but I’m saving that story for another post).

The director of Pine Cove Bluffs is Chris Sherrod. He is a gifted teacher and invaluable source of Spiritual mentoring to the husbands who attend camp. His lovely wife, Katie, also a superstar, spends one lunch with all the moms spurring us on with Truth and love.

When I started my podcast, one person I wanted to interview was Katie Sherrod. So, along with our bags of clothes and some flashlights and lots of swimsuits, I grabbed my mic. She and I sat on the floor in my cabin one afternoon and recorded this podcast.

I hope her words remind you of your value as a wife and mom. Most importantly, that you accept God’s rest, relish His grace and seek His wisdom.

What we chat about:

• How she and her husband followed their hearts for families and found a place to serve, even if that included a season of unemployment.
• How their adopted daughter was delivered to their door Christmas Eve & God’s protection of this baby from disease and addiction.
• How they were given a vision of how God accepts us in our broken state, no questions, for the long haul, to rescue us.
• When you fear you won’t be able to love more people, realizing you are standing in a river of God’s love, never-ending, inviting others to join you.
• How Katie grabs time with Jesus anytime and every time. . .not just a “first in the morning” quiet time.
• Her advice to expect hard things to happen, not getting upset when they do.
• Allowing your kids to see Jesus in your reactions, even when you make mistakes, asking for forgiveness.
• How little ones reveal and remind you all your brokenness and need for God.
• Advice she would give her young self, to allow herself rest & accept God’s grace.
• To cry out: “Give me wisdom to rule these people that you’ve put under me.” and He will give it to us.
• How there is no recipe for motherhood–which keeps you on your knees.
• First picture of the gospel is how you love your husband.
• Don’t have to pray for a calling when you have young children.
• Everything  you do for your children is your spiritual act of worship.

A mother’s prayer:

“God, give me wisdom in this situation for this child for today in this moment.”

Show Notes:

• Pine Cove Christian Camps
• “Let not our longing slay the appetite of our living” – Elisabeth Elliot

If you are reading via email, click here to listen to the podcast. If you are reading email, on your phone, click here. 

As you heard on my last podcast with OhAmanda (Amanda White), she and I love movies. We also LOVE to use movies to help talk to our children about God.

On today’s podcast, she and I chat about the newly released, “How to Train a Dragon 2”. We answer the question, “Is it okay for my kids to see?” We let you know what we did not like in this flick.

We also share what we loved. For those of you who’ve already seen it, we discuss our favorite overriding themes and conversations you can have with your kids. A few examples:

• Stoick, Hiccup’s dad–his role as a protector and his unfailing, redeeming love for Hiccup’s mom.
• Drago’s tragedy turned angry aggression–how bad things happen, but if we go to God for healing and restoration, it can be used for good. But in Drago’s case, “Hurt people hurt people”.
• Dragon training as an analogy of parenting styles–harsh/domineering vs. gentle/caring. And the loyalty which results from one over the other.
• Toothless’ challenge to tune out the alpha dragon and trust Hiccup–when temptations come we need to often close our eyes, cover our ears and trust God to deliver us, overcoming evil.

At the end of the week Amanda will be posting her discussion guide and possibly a link-up where you can add your own family movie guide. Choose a film you’ve enjoyed watching as a family and type up some ideas for discussion topics/questions stemming from the movie.

Show Notes:

• OhAmanda.com
• IMDb Film summary
• The one line in the film that caused controversy–plugged in
• Susanna Wesley’s separation from her husband over politics (for 5 months, not a year like I mentioned in the podcast).

Join the Family Movie Mom discussion.

What themes, questions, and/or conversations did you come up with after seeing this film?

You know people in your life who light up a room when they walk in? That’s my friend Melissa Jenkins.

After spending hours chatting with her in the Tae Kwon Do waiting room, I gained an even deeper appreciation for who God made her to be and the light she is shining for His glory.

And I can’t wait to share her with y’all!

Melissa is married to Kyle and they have FIVE boys (the oldest is 9!). Together they started a nonprofit called, Vickery Meadows Ministry, which you can read more about over on their site LovingAllPeoples.com 

In today’s podcast, Melissa shares her ministry story and so. much. more. Make sure you listen all the way to the end and don’t miss how they apply their ministry approach to parenting and discipling their children.

Anyone is qualified to talk to God.–Melissa Jenkins

Based on this interview, I’m going to give you a challenge.

• Open your Bible (or the closest devotional) and read one verse.
• Pray and asked God how He is leading you to apply what it says to your life.
• Let me know at end of today how it went (can even use #applyTruth)

Were you able to mediate on the verse throughout the day? Did you get a chance to apply and obey what God had showed you?

Through obedience, God can change our hearts.–Melissa Jenkins

In this episode we also chat about:

• Where Melissa & her husband Kyle decided to spend their first year of marriage.
• How they became involved with a family from Afghanistan.
• How watching a documentary moved their ministry to a new area of need.
• How they love people on the fringes, who may not walk into a church building.
• How Melissa entered a strip club by offering to wash the girls’ feet. . .and it worked (read one of their team members’ story here “so I went into 10 brothels last night“)
• How a ministry can be derailed by spiritual warfare . . . learning to protect your family & marriage.
• How they re-grouped and re-focused on the initial ministry purpose–> not a job but a call to care for others because of their love for Him.
• How we can all struggle with content, even if we see those living with less.
• How she uses their ministry approach–any one is qualified to talk to God–to help train her children how to connect with God.
• How they have a creative time of worship. . .superhero costumes and all.
• Lastly. . . you must hear what Kyle and Melissa carry around town to start conversations.

Connect with Melissa:

Blog :: Instagram :: Facebook 

Show Notes:

• International Rescue Committee
• Lost Boys of Sudan 
• Resettlement Agency
• Seed Family Worship

Ok. I won’t tell you how many minutes hours I scrolled through Facebook & Instagram yesterday reading about all the wonderful men in my friends’ lives.

But I came away from social media feeling all warm & cozy. Because I’m raising future fathers (hopefully a role for all four boys).

When I see the difference an honorable man makes in a family, I pay extra close attention. Noticing all the adjectives that mattered: encouraging, strong, caring, protective, loving, joyful, and amazing.

One friend posted that her dad had “grit”. This stood out from among the rest because it’s a word you don’t hear often enough. And because it was a topic fresh on my mind…

Today’s podcast guest, Laura Hale, defines “grit” as:

The courage to show up and do something that matters in your own way. To be OK with failing and trying again. Learning and growing.

Of course, I want this for my boys.

But I think moms show grit. We courageously keep showing up. Even when we feel like we failed, we jump back in and try again.

Laura has grit. She is launching a new line of toys for young boys, Generation Grit. Her desire is to offer an option for boys which allows for hours of reading and imaginative play.

Her solution is to create a line of boys’ action figures and accompanying story books based on fictitious characters from different historical eras (picture a boy’s version of “American Girl”). The first of these characters is Mac Mason, a 14-year-old boy living in California in 1943.

At Generation Grit, we model characters who struggle. People are wired to struggle. It’s how a baby learns to walk, and it’s how a child learns to read. As a mom, one of the most heartbreaking things I see is when a child chooses to stay on the sidelines because they are afraid to risk failure. In our stories, Generation Grit is committed to celebrating the willingness to face hard things, to fail sometimes, and to get back up. -Laura Hale

During the podcast we chatted about:

• How we went to the same church at the same time and didn’t know it
• What motivated her to create a new toy product for boys
• How Laura demonstrated grit in pursuing toy maker connections
• How boys in the 8-12 age range don’t have a lot of “non-screen” toy options
• How quickly children grow from 8 years to mid-teens.
• How we can support Laura to accomplishing her dream, through Kickstarter

Side notes:

*My boys watched the Kickstarter video and asked if we could get a Mac action figure. Seemed like a no-brainer to me and a perfect Christmas present option. 

**AND saw this article yesterday with fabulous book options for helping shape our kids “moral imagination”, not to be confused with “moralism”. Must read.

***Speaking of boy toys. . . don’t forget to enter to win subscriptions to Pley or a Lego set! I added a new way to enter, by following God Centered Mom posts via email.

Connect with Laura:

• Website – generationgrit.com
• Kickstarter – Generation Grit
• Twitter – @generationgrit
• Facebook – Generation Grit

Show Notes:

Relationships are tricky (major understatement).

I think today’s podcast with my pastor’s wife, Vela Tomba, will give us words & imagery to help alleviate some of the trickiness.

Vela has been married to Neil for 30 years, is the mom to three grown girls and grandmother to one adorable granddaughter. She served with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) before staying home full-time.

Last summer Vela guest posted a 3-part series on the concept of “Hula Hoop-o-logy” (read the series here)

Honestly? Her thoughts on this topic have helped all (absolutely all) my relationships.

In this episode we discuss:

• What it means to stay in your “hula hoop”
• Why we need to stay out of others’ hoops
• How to transition our children from our hoop (birth) to their own (jr. high-college)
• Physical hoop issues vs emotional hoop issues
• Whether or not it is a mom’s job to make her kids happy
• Interacting with husband in light of “hula hoop-o-logy”–reflective listening
• Handling a variety of relationships with this mindset–>adult children & their spouses; grandchildren; extended family
• Difference between hula-hoops and “Boundaries”
• A Christian’s responsibility to non-believers in relation to hoops

Show Notes:

• Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru)
• “Boundaries” by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
• “Father of the Bride” 

Do you struggle with staying out of others’ hoops? Which relationship challenges you the most?

Movies.

I really like them.

And according to the billions of dollars Hollywood spends each year to make movies, I’m guessing a lot of you like movies, too.

In fact, if you are a mom reading,  you may even look forward to the gathering of your little ones each week for “family movie night”.

But do you struggle, like I do to find movies everyone wants to watch? Or even a movie that will help you think more than lose brain cells?

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could relax, enjoy a movie with your family AND teach your children more about God’s great big story?

Well, my good friend, Amanda White (OhAmanda.com)…who also likes movies and loves Jesus…and I want to help your family do just that.

In today’s episode entitled, “Family Movie Moms” we share a lot of our theories/philosophies about movies and… a new vision.

Our goal is to 1)write frequent family movie discussion guides 2) broadcast a regular feature on the GCM podcast, called “Family Movie Moms”. Each show will include current movies reviews and ideas/questions to help teach your kiddos how to see truth and gain discernment as they view entertainment.

In today’s episode we chat about (quite a few things):

• personal family screen time limits
• the effects of video games on our kids
• how much t.v. we watched when we were kids
• recording movies on our VCR & renting Beta tapes
• why we write family movie discussion guides
• thoughts on “The Lego Movie” & “Disney’s Pirate Fairy”
• being counter-cultural and yet engaging culture
• teaching our children discretion when watching shows (not to emulate everything they watch).
• thoughts on “How to Train your Dragon 2” & “Frozen”
• difference between watching a movie once & meditating on a movie
• this quote:

Connect with Amanda:

Twitter :: Instagram :: Facebook :: Blog

Show Notes:

• “Pirates of Penzance”
• “Wizard of Oz”
• Phil Vischer Podcast
• “The Lego Movie” Family Discussion Guide (GCM)
• “Disney’s Pirate Fairy” Movie Discussion Guide (OhAmanda)
• “How to Train your Dragon 2” 
• “Frozen” 

Help out the “family movie moms” by letting us know what movies would you like us to review?

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

Heather MacFadyen, mother of four boys, interviews guests discussing the topic of staying God-centered...both replacing "me" with "He" and remembering we are centered in Him. /

I don’t know about you, but how I rate myself in the “mom department” varies greatly day by day, minute by minute. A wave of feeling pretty awesome can be quickly followed by feelings of failure. When I’m at a low point, it is nice to call a mom with older children and get encouragement, perspective and wisdom.

Because sometimes my feelings are based on a true problem and I need a little guidance on how to approach my boys differently.

Sometimes my feelings are based on lies and I need a little truth-telling to get my eyes refocused.

For today’s podcast I’ve invited Leslie Johnson (SurseeGal.com) back for a group pep talk. Leslie is the lovely mom to four grown boys. She speaks life and truth. I’m so thankful for her consistent investment in my mothering.

I wanted y’all to listen in on one of our typical conversations. Get a taste of what a phone call would sound like (except in this case we know you are listening and may even refer to you as “listeners”…besides that). And just like a real phone call with Leslie, I’m all over the board asking a variety of questions.

Today we cover three main topics (with the occasional rabbit trail…):

• Tips for the mom who gets angry with her kids (amen.)
• Ideas for reading aloud books–the “when”, “where”, “how”, and “what”
• How to handle the feeling of everyone needing you at once

Show Notes:

• September McCarthy-Hope for the Struggling Mom Podcast
• Kat Lee’s interview with Chrystal Evans Hurst
• Life in a Medieval Castle and Village Coloring Book (Dover History Coloring Book)(after our talk about Dover coloring books, I realized I’ve bought lots of these from Whole Earth Provision. I’m sure they are at your local book store. Or click the link and check some out on Amazon).
• Colossians 3

Leslie’s suggested read-aloud books *:

• Anne of Green Gables, A Little Princess, The Secret Garden (yes, for boys, too!)
• Caddie Woodlawn
   
• Usborne picture books-The Usborne Book of Knowledge (Children’s World), The Usborne Book of World History (Picture World), The Usborne Science Encyclopedia
  
• Lloyd Alexander The Chronicles of Prydain Boxed Set
  

   
  –High King, Black Cauldron, Castle of Llyr
• Gone-Away Lake (Gone-Away Lake Booksby Elizabeth Enright (we’ve read The Saturdays by E. Enright & it was wonderful!).
• Read Aloud Bible Stories: Volume 1
  by E. Lindvell
• Billy And Blaze
  by C.W. Anderson (there is a series of these books)

*If reading via email, click to blog post to get book links (amazon affiliate).

**For those of you who struggle with anger/yelling and want to focus on getting it under control, the MOB Society just launched a new private FB group called “No More Angry MOB”. It’s a place for moms to gather and know they are not alone and for strategies to change habits, be encouraged, etc. Within the first 24 hours of launching, 1,000 moms had signed up. You are not alone. You can find me there!

Also, last week September McCarthy wrote a couple of great posts on the topic of anger. Find them here:

• The Crazy Lunatic Yeller Mom
• There is Hope for the Yelling Mom

If you could talk to Leslie on the phone, what would you ask her?

(may even be used on a future podcast. . . wink wink).

God kinda rocks my world. In a good way.

Here’s where I get bossy . . . –> Do. not. miss. today’s podcast seriously.

To back up a second. . . I first met Julie in college. We weren’t besties, but at a small Christian school, ya kinda “know” everyone. Especially since we graduated the same year and had a common friend.

Fast forward to last November (2013) when I saw Julie’s face in my Instagram feed and I asked the question, “Did you go to Taylor University?” That simple comment was one stone in the path God took Julie, releasing her from the spiritual desert she found herself.

Only God.

In this episode listen to:

• Julie share about serving in a church for over a decade eventually leading to burn out.
• How she cried out, “God, I don’t know what you’re doing? Have you forgotten about me?”
• How God used a creative season & a craft show to connect she and I
• How Julie found godly, authentic community via social media
• What happened when she waited for God to reveal His perfect plan to use her gifts
• The exciting creative discipleship retreats Julie is facilitating for young women

Connect with Julie:

Twitter :: Instagram :: Facebook

Check out Julie’s amazing Breathe Retreat (and register) –> Click Here 

Check out Julie’s awesome Etsy shop (paper flowers) :: Julie Lynn Design –> Click Here

Check out the incredible Creative Discipleship Kits :: $20/each :: Ephesians Devotional (Identity in Christ), creative swag & instructions :: Follow Julie on social media for more details or Email her at julielynndesign@gmail.com .

Show Notes:

• Taylor University (servant leadership)
• Mike Romero Music
• “Spiritual Depression” by David Martyn Lloyd-Jones 
• “When Darkness will not lift” by John Piper
• “A million little ways” by Emily Freeman
• Lara Casey  :: Power Sheets

Questions to consider:

Have you ever been burnt out from ministry? Had a “desert” experience?

What activities bring you joy?

Have you considered using those gifts/talents/joys in a unique way to minister to others?

Please share your story of discovering joy through a ministry sweet spot in the comments below!

(for real)

“I can almost hear your question. The . . . what idol? Love Idol? How can love be an idol? Love was God’s idea. We were created in God’s image, and God is love!

Paul wrote to the Corinthians: ‘These three remain: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.’ Yet we take God’s ‘greatest’ and contort it into an idol. We twist our desire for approval into a false god. . .

This book is for any of us who want to live content in God’s perfect love, freed up from the wearying demands of the Love Idol.”

–Jennifer Dukes Lee

 Moving from an award-winning news reporter to farmer’s wife, Jennifer found her need for other’s approval followed her like a parasite.

She chronicles her journey of (continued) healing in her new book, “Love Idol: Letting go of your need for approval–and seeing yourself through God’s eyes”, which released last week  (Get a copy here).  

Can you relate to craving love so greatly it becomes the driving force to all your decisions and actions?

I definitely can. People pleasing consumes my thoughts, my time, and my energy.  So, I’m forever grateful to Jennifer for writing this fabulous book and for taking the time to chat about it on this week’s GCM podcast.

On this podcast episode we discuss:

• What is a love idol?
• Whose love are you seeking? And Who has given it to you already?
• How do you admit you need help and accept healing?
• What is the process of tending to the garden of your heart?
• How does the love idol show up in our mothering?

• “No Other Gods” by Kelly Minter
• “10 Signs You Might Have a Need for Approval”
• Love Idol Movement Facebook Page
• Preapproved printables (print one off, place it in your trouble area, take a picture, post it on Love Idol Movement FB page with hashtag #preapproved).
• Get the book here–> Love Idol book page

Connect with Jennifer Dukes Lee:

Twitter :: Facebook :: Blog 

More God Centered Mom posts on the topic of seeking people’s approval:

–“When I want to please people” (guest post at DoNotDepart.com)

–Servant of God: alternative to People Pleaser

Today I have my first return guest to the God Centered Mom Podcast. . . Amanda White from OhAmanda.com (throwing virtual confetti).

One of the many (thousand) reasons I love Amanda is her commitment to help parents know it’s easy to impress God’s Word on their kids’ hearts.

Since we cherished & raved about her “Truth in the Tinsel” Christmas curriculum, y’all better hold on to your horses and get excited because she has just released a new Easter Family guide, “Sense of the Resurrection: an Easter Experience for Families” (click here to get your copy) *affiliate link.

“What I want is a simmering in your heart and in your family meditating on Christ’s story”-Amanda

In this podcast, learn:

-the story behind the name

-the reasoning behind the 12 lessons

-how many activities to do each week

-how the curriculum is organized

-tips for how to personally prepare before teaching your children

Amanda shares why she waited a year to release this program, her current hesitations and her desires.

“I want to lead your kids to the Lord with you.” -Amanda

SHOW NOTES:

• Matthew 10:19-20 “do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,  for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.”
• Isaiah 55:10-11 “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”
• Ezekiel 36:26 “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
• What’s in the Bible-#10 Jesus is the Good News

• Super AWESOME unEaster Basket Alternative

 Since Amanda and I are such. big. fans of this Christ-centered approach to Easter baskets (in my version there is a superhero cape involved. . .click here to learn more).

We decided to join together and giveaway some fabulous products for your Easter basket this year. Items that go deeper than a cadbury egg ever could (although throwing one of those in the basket wouldn’t hurt. . . ahem).

One super-duper-blessed winner will receive ALL  of the following products (see entry form at the end of this post…contest ends March 31, 2014) Even if you don’t win, now you have lots of ideas of things to put in your kiddos unEaster baskets:

Scripture Stickies ::: Exactly what it sounds like–stickable Scripture verses. Kinda like a fun and meaningful post-it note. Scripture Stickies is giving away the Cross Scriptures and Jesus is Risen. PLUS 10% off + free shipping with code UNEASTER for everyone!

God Gave Us Easter by Lisa Tawn Bergren ::: a sweet picture book for kids

Yancy ::: Her newest pre-teen devotional, Jesus Music Box Devotional + a Yancy tshirt (boy or girl version!)

Seeds Family Worship ::: Get the whole set, all 7 albums of this modern, awesome-for-the-whole family CDs.

You Can Draw Bible Stories by Sandy Silverthorne ::: A fun book for your little artists. (my boys LOVE to use this book to draw pictures when they attend “big church” with us).

Willow of Wonder ::: Choose any 8×10 from this gorgeous shop. PLUS choose a print of her Easter subway art (which is free to download!). PLUS PLUS 20% off code with EASTER.

Muncle Fred Art ::: $30 bouquet from this beautiful felt florist

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What are your family Easter traditions?

For more “Easter” focused posts…click on this God-centered mom resource page.

Heather interviews Rachel Anne Ridge. 

Heather interviews NYTimes Best Selling Author, Melanie Shankle. They discuss Melanie's new book, "The Antelope in the Living Room". Melanie tells the story of one of her humbling marriage moments. At the end of the podcast, Melanie shares how she stays God-centered and how she chooses what to read from the Bible. 

Heather interviews her mentor's mentor, Nancy William. A grandma to 10 and great-grandma to 4, Nancy provides wisdom and great perspective. She also shares a family gratitude tradition dating back 40 years. Also discussed: mom guilt, best parenting resource, praying with your kids, and husbands who work a lot. 

Heather interviews Crystal Stine, mother to two-year old Maddie. Crystal shares her story of reluctantly walking into motherhood. The humbling process of experiencing a miscarriage. The joy of having her daughter. She also gives ideas for ways she makes time to spend in God's word throughout a busy day of juggling a full-time (outside the home) job and being a mom.  

Heather interviews her mom, Cathy Price. They discuss the what, how, who, and why of discipleship. If you've ever been curious about what it means to be a discple or to disciple others, this episode is for you. 

Heather interviews a long time friend, Rebekah Greer. In this episode Rebekah shares her story of marriage at a young age, her husband's infidelity, multiple attempts at reconciliation and their eventual divorce. She also vulnerably shares the challenges of being a single mom with 5 kids and how the church supported her through that time. Make sure you listen to the whole episode to hear how without any plan to find another husband, the Lord graciously provided a wonderful man whom she married several years ago. Rebekah wonderfully communicates the hope in connecting with God over any other relationship and the beauty of redeeming love. 

Heather interviews Tricia Goyer, an experienced author and mother of 6 children (ages 3 to 24). They discuss balancing working at home with family life. In addition, they encourage the listener to see where God is working and join Him. The conversation also includes ideas on how to select activities for your family and how to include children in your ministries. 

Heather interviews her father discussing ideas to be intentional in teaching children God's Word and in spending quality time with them. Her dad, John Price, shares how he grew up in a "Christian" culture but never really grasped salvation until adulthood. Listen to how he decided to study the Bible with his kids and his method of doing so. Resources mentioned in the podcast can be found at GodCenteredMom.com. 

Heather interviews her husband Bruce MacFadyen. He shares his experience taking short-term mission trips with his family. Through exposure to other cultures, children gain appreciation, perspective and gratitude for all they have been given. He also found the trips gave him opportunities to try out new skill sets and learn his giftedness. The biggest benefit being how his family bonded through a common purpose. 

Heather interviews Francie Winslow, author of the blog, "Up, In and Out". They discuss the topic of spiritual health. Is there something blocking a deeper relationship with God? A brokenness or past hurt in need of healing? Francie guides the listener through the process of restoration and freedom. She also gives ideas on how to help our children process their own feelings and lies they believe, directing them to the truth in God's Word. 

Heather interviews Amanda White about ministering to families while staying home with kids. Finding God's big dream while serving those right in front of you. They also discuss Amanda's Christmas Advent curriculum, "Truth in the Tinsel"...daily devotional and ornament crafts for little hands leading up to Christmas. 

Heather MacFadyen interviews Hayley Morgan (from the Tiny Twig and author of "No Brainer Wardrobe"). These young moms share thoughts on the hardest part of motherhood. How having more than the social norm of children has made them both more introverted. What it means to "mother openhandedly". They each share personal stories of times they felt distant from God and how He brought them close. 

Heather MacFadyen interviews Leslie Johnson (from www.surseegal.com), fellow mother of 4 boys. Leslie offers wisdom, encouragement and pratical tips she has gained from growing boys into men. Through this interview the listener will be encouraged on how to replace "me" with "He".