It’s painful when our dreams fall apart. Stephanie Giddens shares how although her family’s dream to move to Africa didn’t work out, God gave her an even bigger dream for the refugee community in her own city. The God assigned her the privilege of building Vickery Trading Company. A company that provides for families, empowers refugee women and bridges cultural divides. 

The GREAT news is you can be a part of empowering women by purchasing any of the sewn items! The BEST news is, they not only have adorable dresses for little girls, for a limited time they have holiday lounge pants for men, women and children!!! (Check them out here)

What we chat about:

• The surprising twists and turns in Stephanie’s family’s story.
• Grieving over the death a dream and not understanding the “why” behind bad circumstances.
• We as believers get the privilege of being a part of God’s story.
• How Stephanie is helping refugees in Dallas with her children’s clothing company, Vickery Trading Co.
• The struggle that refugees face when they come to America.
• Stories of hope God has orchestrated with the refugees Stephanie works with
• Building community among people of different cultures by focusing on the commonalities we all have as people.
• English is one of the biggest barriers for refugees.
• How focusing on what is going well and on encouragement can make a big difference in your outlook on life.

Links Mentioned:

• Vickery Trading Company  –special coupon code for GCM listeners: GCM15 for 15% off!!

Jump into this special episode from the God Centered Mom “Live” event held November 3 to celebrate four years of the GCM podcast. Guests, Kat Lee & Wynter Pitts share about mentorship, friendship and dealing with fear and insecurity in motherhood.

What we chat about:

• Kat Lee and Wynter Pitts’ motherhood stories
• Dealing with insecurities in motherhood
• The importance of having mentors and deep friends in the motherhood journey
• Mentors don’t have to be older than you or available weekly. Find a way to make mentorship work for you.
• Think of areas you are struggling with and look for someone who excels in that area to mentor you, no matter their age
• Start or join a GCM podcast club as a way to connect with other women
• You can be a mentor too! Look for younger moms who need encouragement.
• We are never alone because God is with us, but it’s hard to remember that when life gets crazy. Kat and Wynter share what helps them remember God in the midst of life.
• “Should is not a sustainable why.” Don’t just do things you SHOULD do if you don’t have a good reason for WHY.
• Helping your kids develop healthy friendships and community
• Not trying to over control your children’s lives and praying through how involved you should be in their friendships
• Hope for dealing with irrational fears and grief
• Giving yourself permission to be honest with God when you aren’t coping well and realizing that he is good despite your circumstances

• Links for the above sponsors:
  • Katie Orr–Focused15 studies (Ep 101)
  • Light Em Up Gifts by Courtney DeFeo (Ep 50 & Ep 131)
  • Write the Word Journals by Cultivate What Matters Shop (Ep 146)
  • Revell and Baker Books
• Thank you to Giveaway Sponsors:
  • Birds & Bees (Ep 25 & 153)
  • Star from Afar (Ep 142)
  • Waterloo Style
  • Anchor of Hope Box
  • Thomas Lettering Company
  • Rad Joy (surrender cross & prayer cards)
• Music sung by Elena Pitts—“Even when it hurts” by Hillsong UNITED
• “HelloMornings” Book* by Kat Lee
• Start a GCM Podcast Club
• Paul David Tripp’s devotional, New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional **
• Barefoot Dreams Bamboo Lite Wrap** (aka “The Blardigan”)  
• She Is Yours: Trusting God As You Raise the Girl He Gave You **  by Wynter Pitts
•  

Remember THAT viral video? You know, the one where the mom wears the Chewbacca mask? Her contagious laugh was heard all over the interwebs. Today my friend and vodcast host, Kay Wyma, and I are thrilled to chat with the one and only Chewbacca Mom, Candace Payne.

Listen in as Candace gives us a glimpse into more of her story.  And talks about finding satisfying joy in all of life’s circumstances.

Happiness brings instant gratification based on things that happen to us… Joy’s that thing that satisfies and lasts beyond [circumstances].

What we chat about:

• How joy informs who we are “behind the mask.”
• Finding joy in the little things… like a Chewbacca mask in the clearance aisle of Kohl’s.
• Overcoming adversity by choosing positivity.
• The two types of joy and where we can find true satisfaction.
• Changing a “never” list to an “always” list.
• Choosing hope over fear, and thriving even when the worst-case happens.
• What can happen when you stop living in anxiety.
• Fighting comparison, the frenemy of joy.

Links Mentioned:

• “Laugh It Up!” by Candace Payne**
•  When Your Wounded Soul Needs a Smiling God with Lisa Harper
• Kay Wyma and the SaySomething Show