How to Find Work-Life Balance

Our guest has faced so many obstacles...but her stories of overcoming show the power of relying on God's strength. Becky and Sarah talk with Lori Vober, a stroke survivor (at age twenty-nine). She is a walking miracle and we guarantee that her journey of faith and perseverance will encourage you. 

Find Lori's Book:
Choices: When You Are Faced with a Challenge, What Choice Will You Make?
Life rarely turns out exactly as you pictured it, and we all face challenges along the way. God always has a plan. But He leaves it up to you whether you follow His plan or not. Life is about choices.

I have chosen to depend on God's faithfulness through all our challenges.

• Everyone has doubts about their own abilities, but God has a plan for each of us. So believe in Him, and don't give up.
• Sometimes your attitude, drive, and enthusiasm can take you further than your talents or abilities. Attitude can make all the difference.
• Find your happiness in whom God says you are. Don't let someone else define your happiness.

Connect with Lori:
Website

We all know that there are extroverts and introverts. But how do we help our children who are more introverted? How do we help them feel affirmed in their design? Today we talk with Holley Gerth. Holley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author of many books. She is a counselor and life coach, with a masters of science degree in mental health. Holley is the host of More Thank Small Talk podcast and is the co-owner of The Potentialist Agency. She is also a mother and grandmother and we’re excited to talk with her today about helping our kids who are introverted by design.

Learn more about Holley.

Order Holley's Book:
The Powerful Purpose of Introverts: Why the World Needs You to Be You
In this transformative book, Holley Gerth dives into the brain science behind introversion to help you understand the psychological, relational, and spiritual aspects of being an introvert. She explores how introverts can make meaningful connections, experience quiet confidence, cultivate soul-filling solitude, exercise unexpected influence, and much more.

If you're an introvert, or if you love, lead, or share life with an introvert, you need this empowering, insightful book!

It seems so many need hope right now. That’s what we’re talking about today with Becky's good friend, Michelle Cox. She's authored a book "Hope That Endures" which is Michelle's gift to God...offering hope to everyone who reads it. The stories are special because they're true, relatable, and show God's faithfulness. By the end of this podcast, you'll feel like you have a new friend...and new encouragement.

Connect with Michelle on Facebook

Get Michelle's Book: Hope That Endures
In the powerful Hope That Endures Blue Faux Leather Devotional, Michelle Cox shares lessons and truths she has learned about God's faithfulness. These insights come from both her friends' difficulties and her own tragic experiences. She needed God's hope to bear numerous challenges: her father's suicide, a car wreck, her son's life-threatening illness, financial difficulties, and the loss of part of her hearing and eyesight. Michelle sometimes felt overwhelmed, barely able to take another breath. Yet, even as her world was shattered and rocked, she discovered that the Rock of Ages — Jesus — was all she needed. 

Boy...parenting can sure be "inconvenient" right? As a busy mom, you know that everything shifts when you become a parent. But let this conversation encourage you to embrace--and activate--the opportunities that come along with parenting your children. This conversation will help you think about the unique traits that God gave your kiddos. Our dear guest, Melissa Hannigan, shares the heart behind her book "Inconvenient Parenting: Activate Your Child's God-Given Traits." You're sure to glean some gems from her honesty and practical encouragement.

CONNECT WITH MELISSA

BUY MELISSA'S BOOK
Inconvenient Parenting: Activate Your Child's God-Given Traits 

Hope and help for shaping Christ-honoring future generations.

Families are like little churches. They are meant to be places of discipleship, worship, and rest—places where we can fine tune the gifts God’s given us so we can bless the world. They can be full of surprises and joy. But family life can also be heartbreaking and downright discouraging. Trained counselor and mother Melissa Hannigan knows how hard it is to cast and keep a vision of rich family life. How do we cultivate a family culture that’s vibrant and encouraging—a refuge amidst life’s storms?

Melissa is passionate about helping families build healthy, strong, God-honoring homes. In Inconvenient Parenting, she shares twelve qualities that are the key ingredients to that desired end:

Wisdom — Wonder — Vitality — Sensitivity — Flexibility ­­—Curiosity —

Creativity — Imagination — Inventiveness — Playfulness — Humor — Joy

Melissa shows us why, though inconvenient at times, it’s necessary to encourage and infuse these traits in our children and reveals how we can unknowingly discourage these qualities. Each chapter concludes with practical activities, book recommendations, and discussion questions to help parents immediately apply the principles discussed.

It's a topic that is hard to talk through...but even harder to walk through. But our guest shares her story so that others can cling to hope. On this episode, Becky and Sarah talk with Candy McVicar, the co-author of the book 'Holding On to Love After You've Lost a Baby.' Candy shares her personal story of losing her babies and how she started the Missing Grace Foundation to support families who have experienced similar losses. She discusses the importance of validation and support for grieving parents and offers advice on dealing with faith struggles. The conversation also touches on maintaining connection in marriage and ministering to other children in the family.

Get Candy's Book: Holding On To Love After You've Lost a Baby by Gary Chapman & Candy McVicar
Missing Grace Ministry Link
Candy McVicar's Website

Have you ever thought about how your personality impacts how you pray? So interesting! In this episode, Becky and Sarah discuss the topic of prayer with guest Janet McHenry. They explore the concept of praying personalities and how each person is wired differently when it comes to prayer. This is a NO judgement zone and meant to encourage you! Listen in and think about how your personality impacts how/where/when you pray.

• Connect with our guest, Janet McHenry
• Order Janet's book Praying Personalities: Finding Your Natural Prayer Style
• Take the Praying Personalities QUIZ

Such a sweet episode! Daughter-Mom team, Calyn and Blythe Daniel, join us to talk about friendships...specifically with tween girls. Tween relationships can be a little sticky--yikes--so listen in! Together they wrote a book "Let's Be Friends: A Tween Devotional on Finding and Keeping Friendships." We enjoy conversation around being brave to make new friends, standing up for ourselves in friendships, knowing one's worth, reaching out to new people, and being a light in friendships. They also discuss the qualities of good friends and the lessons learned from writing the book.

Order their devotional book here:
Let's Be Friends: A Tween Devotional on Finding and Keeping Friendships

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

01:14
The Impact of Loneliness on Kids

02:38
Introducing the Guest and the Book

03:25
Challenges for Tween Girls in Friendships

07:08
Standing Up for Who You Are in Friendships

09:05
Importance of Knowing Your Worth in Friendships

11:23
Challenges in Friendships and Identity

13:44
Reaching Out to New People

16:28
Involvement in Activities and Making Friends

18:46
Sharing Faith and Being a Light in Friendships

20:27
Qualities of Good Friends

22:10
Loyalty in Friendships

24:46
Advice for Shy and Introverted Girls

27:31
Supporting Daughters in Friendships

29:00
Lessons Learned from Writing the Book

31:42
Closing Prayer

Need some fresh ideas on how to best pray for your child? Listen in! Becky and Sarah talk with Sharon Jaynes about "Praying for Your Child from Head to Toe"--a book Sharon wrote that is a 30-day guide to "powerful and effective Scripture-based prayers." Sharon shares insights on praying for different areas of a child's life, starting with the mind and going down to the feet. She also encourages moms to pray for other children and reminds them that God is always at work, even when it seems like evil is winning. The episode concludes with a prayer for encouragement and a reminder to trust in God's love and provision.

Get Sharon's book.

Learn more about Sharon.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Welcome

00:26
The Importance of Prayer for Moms

01:18
Introduction of Guest and Book

03:20
The Power of Praying for Your Child

07:31
The Pattern of Prayer

10:49
Praying for the Mind and Neck

13:42
The Importance of Letting Go of Control

15:28
The Landmarks of the Lord's Prayer

19:28
Releasing Control to God

22:16
The Power of Prayer in Interception and Provision

25:28
Encouragement for Moms in Prayer

28:16
The Role of Struggle in Prayer

31:24
Praying for Other Children

32:02
Closing Prayer

33:12
Conclusion and Invitation

In this episode, we discuss some heavy topics that affected mom, Keri Spring, and her teenage son. We discuss the impact of bullying, loss of a child, and the importance of forgiveness and faith in her healing journey. Keri also shares how her family has testablished a scholarship fund in her son's memory. The conversation highlights the need for open discussions about mental health and the importance of supportive, connected friendships. Becky's new book "Tethered Trust" is dedicated to Keri. 

Give to Keri's scholarship fund:
Gregory D Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund

Find out more about Keri Spring

If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States. Text 988.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

01:20
The Importance of Discussing Teenage Depression, Anxiety, and Suicide

03:10
Introducing Guest Carrie Spring

04:09
Involvement with Buffalo Bills and Sabres

05:37
Tragic Loss of Carrie's Son, Greg

07:41
Dealing with Tourette's and Bullying

10:22
Finding Faith and Forgiveness

12:47
Establishing the Gregory Deep Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund

20:41
Addressing Bullying and Advocating for Change

28:36
The Importance of Supportive Friendships

31:49
How to Support Those Who Have Experienced Suicide

Gregory D Spring Perseverance Scholarship Fund

https://cattfoundation.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3442

Mom burnout. Weariness in parenting. Can you relate?

In this episode, we interview Julie Lavender, author of the book ''Strength for All Seasons." We discuss the challenges of motherhood and the importance of relying on God's strength. Julie shares her personal experiences of burnout and how she learned to lean on God in different seasons of motherhood. She also emphasizes the need for a support system and the power of prayer. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing warning signs and asking for help when needed. Be encouraged to rely on God's strength in every season of life.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:
Julie Lavender is the award-winning author of several books, including 365 Days of Celebration and Praise and Creative Sleepovers for Kids!, and coauthor of Come and Behold Him. Her work has appeared in several anthologies and curricula, as well as many magazines, such as The Upper Room, Guideposts, Homeschooling Today, ParentLife, Clubhouse, Today's Christian Woman, and Focus on the Family. Julie has a master's degree in early childhood education, taught public school in three states, and delighted in homeschooling her four children in six states during her husband's Navy career. She writes faith-based articles for her local newspaper and is a regular contributor to several websites and blogs on parenting topics. Julie lives with her husband, David, in South Georgia, not far from the charming city of Savannah. Find her online here.

Today, we’re talking about her book, Strength for All Seasons: A Mom's Devotional of Powerful Verses and Prayers

Chapters

00:00
Introduction

01:23
Introducing Julie Lavender and her new book

04:01
Understanding Mom Burnout

08:06
Relying on God's Strength

12:05
Recognizing Warning Signs

15:08
Relying on God's Strength in Different Seasons of Motherhood

21:23
Relying on God's Strength in the Empty Nest Season

30:53
Conclusion