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

Born four days apart in 1977, Travis (aka “Thi’sl”) and I didn’t choose where or to whom we were born. But God did. And He placed us in very different homes and stories. Yet the gospel intersected both of our lives, pulled us forward and continues to pull us.

Granted, Travis’ transformation is a lil more interesting and dramatic than mine. But we both were sinners in need of a Savior. And around our 40th birthdays, our paths crossed with an invitation for a trip to Israel.

After hearing bits & pieces of Travis’ story while on our trip and then hearing him perform and share his testimony at a concert. . .I knew I had to share “Thi’sl” with y’all.

In this episode you’ll gain hope for any loved one or situation you think is “too far gone” for God to redeem. You’ll be reminded that God is in the business of rescuing and making things right. And that God fights for you (which ironically my pastor reminded us of yesterday). You can drop your weapons of control. You can surrender your way and follow God’s way. And believe God is for you and He CAN free you (spoiler alert: just like how He actually freed Travis from prison!!).

(Here’s a little pic with some of my fam and me visiting Thi’sl before his concert)

At the end of the interview Travis shares 3 questions he answers in his book, “Against All Odds”:

What is my identity. What am I living for? Am I too far gone for God to use me?

Here are his answers:

You’re not too far gone. God created you for a purpose. God made you in His image.

Boom.

Connect with Thi’sl:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• Music–iTunes–Levitate Album

Links Mentioned:

• “Against All Odds” by Travis Tyler**
• “Against All Odds : Life Application” by Travis Tyler
• Flame–Clear Sight Music
• HogMob
• Sevin (click on this link and also hear him preach!)
• “Tears” by Thi’sl & Ellie Holcomb  (Ellie on GCM Podcast listen here)

What we chat about:

• How friends can support and love a family whose child has autism.
• What to do when your child doesn’t get invited to birthday parties.
• Facilitating friendships for your child with autism.
• How to help them get through puberty.
• How to talk to your child about their diagnosis.
• How do you know the difference between a symptom of autism and behavior needing discipline.
• What can your expectations be in teaching your child with autism about Jesus?

Biblical Counseling Resources:

• American Association of Christian Counselors
• The Timothy Center (Online Counseling Options)
• Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
• Southlake Christian Counseling (Video Counseling Options)
• Tiffany Ashenfelter (Skype Sessions)
• Spero Therapy Services (Skype Sessions available)

Links Mentioned:

• 10 Ways Loving a Child with Autism has Made our Family Stronger
• An Alphabet of Autism and Grace
• A is for Awe (An Alphabet of Autism and Grace)
• B is for Bridges (An Alphabet of Autism and Grace)
• C is for Collaborate (What to do with your Broken Heart)

Don’t you wish you could chat with an older mom who’s been there? Who knows what its like to care for and deal with the needs of a child with autism? Well, today I’m bringing that person to you!

Terri Conlin is the mom to four grown children. One of her sons (now 23 years old) was diagnosed as a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She’s here to provide her story. The challenges and the triumphs. The places of help and of heartache.

Y’all shared wonderful questions with me via Instagram. Thank you for letting me know what’s been hard for you. Thank you for wanting to help your friends who have children on the spectrum. Once again, my hope is to learn you’re not alone.

(Stay tuned for part two of our conversation, which will go live on Wednesday, Oct 25th).

What we chat about:

• Getting the diagnosis of autism.
• How Terri meditated on the Psalms to put faith back in God when spit at/punched/kicked.
• Recognizing the grief therapy she and her husband needed.
• The impact of autism on the entire family.
• Learning to slow their pace down.
• Helping siblings cope.
• How a mentor encouraged her and eased her loneliness.

Biblical Counseling Resources:

• American Association of Christian Counselors
• The Timothy Center (Online Counseling Options)
• Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
• Southlake Christian Counseling (Video Counseling Options)
• Tiffany Ashenfelter (Skype Sessions)
• Spero Therapy Services (Skype Sessions available)

You may know you “should” keep the Sabbath. And perhaps you then get stuck on “how”. Hopefully this episode will remove the shameful burden of “should” and shift the question from “how” to “who”. Shelly Miller, author of Rhythms of Rest, joins me in helping you develop a rhythm to cease from work and celebrate true rest in Jesus.

But what does sabbath rest look like specifically for young moms and those in ministry? Listen in as Shelly talks through the difference between routines and rhythms, and Jesus’ call to embrace what is easy and light.

What we chat about:

• What does it mean to practice sabbath in 2017?
• Separating the sabbath from rules and regulations, and embracing what is “easy and light.”
• The way we rest is unique to who we are, and may be different from how even our family members find rest.
• Prioritizing rest as a family and coming up with a plan for how each family member can practice sabbath.
• The main goal isn’t a set amount of time or even a day, but setting apart time time to rest
• Discovering the difference between routines and rhythms.
• How planning and preparation impact our ability to rest.
• Advice for the mom whose family is uninterested in implementing the sabbath.
• Finding like-minded community in Shelly’s Sabbath Society.

Links Mentioned:

• Rhythms of Rest by Shelly Miller ** 
• Sabbath Society
• Carey Bailey — Life Coach
• Emily P. Freeman — The Next Right Thing Podcast

Scripture tells us to ‘cast our cares upon the Lord’. But how do we practically obey that command while gripped by the stronghold of anxiety? Today I’m talking with Ashley Willis about battling anxiety, a topic she’s experienced first hand.

Whether you’ve experienced anxiety personally or not, chances are someone in your life will. Listen as Ashley discusses practical ways to get to the root of anxiety, and how to fight fear with the truth of God’s Word.

We’re answering the questions you shared with me over on Instagram. Questions about whether anxiety is a sin, when/if medication should be used, how to help a spouse who is anxious and several other questions. Thank you for being brave in sharing your stories with me. You are not alone.

What we chat about:

• Is a Christian’s struggle with anxiety a form of sin?
• Coping with anxiety by understanding the lies the mind believes and replacing those lies with the truth of God’s Word.
• When to address anxiety with Christian counseling and medication, if necessary.
• How do we practically obey the command of casting our cares upon the Lord?
• Wrestling with the decision to take medication for anxiety and depression.
• The importance of addressing the root of anxiety and not just the symptoms.
• Fighting anxiety by reciting Scripture and praying out loud.
• How to come alongside family members battling anxiety.
• The importance of talking openly about anxiety in safe contexts, especially as moms.
• Keeping the fear of “what-if’s” from overrunning our lives.
• Jesus’ example of spending time alone to commune with His Father.

Biblical Counseling Resources:

• American Association of Christian Counselors
• The Timothy Center (Online Counseling Options)
• Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
• Southlake Christian Counseling (Video Counseling Options)
• Tiffany Ashenfelter (Skype Sessions)
• Spero Therapy Services (Skype Sessions available)

Links Mentioned:

• 31 Verses and Prayers for the Anxious Mind and Heart**
• Emotional Milestones :: Interview with Sissy Goff & David Thomas (Ep 160)
• ADHD :: Sarah Furlich (Ep 165)
• Video of Dave Willis giving Sermon on the Mount (click here to watch if reading via email):

You clearly heard God’s call. But why is obeying Him sometimes so difficult? In today’s interview my longtime friend and renowned author, Tricia Goyer, discusses obeying the Lord even when it isn’t easy, and how He blesses the faithfulness of His children.

Listen as Tricia discusses the unique way the Lord grew her family through unplanned pregnancies, biological children, foster care, and adoption. You’ll love her honesty and transparency as she shares the hard moments that had her questioning decisions, and the way the Lord has blessed her family along the way.

What we chat about:

• Obeying the Lord’s call to adopt (again and again and again) even after feeling “finished”
• Taking a break from speaking and writing to shepherd her daughters as they healed from past trauma.
• The sacrifice of stepping away from public ministry to focus on personal ministry at home.
• Understanding God’s heart and direction for our lives by spending time in His Word and in prayer
• Being called to multiple ministries and projects
• Seeing a need that coincides with God’s commands from His Word
• Trusting God while navigating His direction for our lives
• Obeying God even when it’s hard and you find yourself asking, “why did I do this?”
• Reaching out to our support systems when walking through hard providence
• Finding beauty in the chaos and being thankful for the hard times
• Moses communed with God face to face despite being called to a seemingly impossible
• The importance of steadfast obedience even though we want a quick fix
• The legacy we pass to our children when they see us obey the Lord despite difficulty

Links Mentioned:

• “Night Song” **
• “Daring Escape” (releases Jan 2018) **
• Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby **
• “Walk it Out” **

Mom and entrepreneur Jessica Honegger shares a bit of her story behind starting her business Noonday Collection and a whole lot of truth about partnering with God in both motherhood AND entrepreneurship.

This has definitely been a journey where God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called. I didn’t have a background in fashion or an MBA, but I have always been passionate about bringing justice for the poor and more opportunities to those in our midst who haven’t had as much opportunities.

Jump into her story with me and get ready for real-talk about letting go of cultural norms and superwoman myths and finding freedom in who God says you are.

It’s just the pep talk we need to do the things God has called us to do and not sit any longer in fear, insecurity and comparison. "Get up and go!!"

What we chat about:

• The background story of Noonday Collection.
• How Jessica started her business when her children were small and struggled with the definition of a “good mom”.
• Finding freedom knowing there wasn’t a dichotomy between being a mom and a businesswoman.
• Focusing on what helps your individual family flourish instead of following others’ paths
• Getting clarity from God on who he says you are brings healing and gives us freedom to pursue the work he has for us.
• God has not called us to just sit and pray, but to go and be out in the world doing his work.
• Stopping the superwoman myth and admitting we need help in areas of life, especially in areas we aren’t gifted in or don’t enjoy.
• Creating the spaces and community we need--focusing on what you have. 
• How to support friends who run small businesses.
• Stories of people whose lives have been impacted by Noonday Collection.