Do you feel a little bit frazzled this Christmas season? Are you wondering if you can get it all done? Maybe you don’t have to… or maybe there are options beyond those swirling in your head.
Join us as we talk to Hannah Anderson, author of the Advent book Heaven and Nature Sing. Hannah reminds us to slow down and savor the season. She also offers permission to work by our own rhythm and calendar as opposed to those around us.
If you are needing your soul to breathe a little bit today, this episode is for you.
This will be our last episode in 2022. We’ll see you for the Healthy Way Series in 2023!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR
The Gift Calendar - ORDER HERE
Boundaries give us the protection we need to live out our priorities. They protect our energy for the things that are truly most important to us. If we can remember the benefit of boundaries, we are better able to establish and maintain them. Sounds easy, right? We know it's not. This is why we've invited Dr. Sasha Shillcutt to our series on what we really want for Christmas.
From what freaks us out about setting boundaries (psst... it's our fears of others' responses), to the ways we can even know what we want (this involves consistent alone time), we talk through why it's so hard for us to say "no" even when that is clearly our best response.
Boundaries are not selfish. They are in fact a way to ensure that we are best able to serve where and how God has called us. Jesus himself had some serious boundaries and we talk about those too on this episode.
Don't hesitate, get going on deciding what you really want the next month, and what boundaries might be needed to make those happen, and then rip off the band-aid and have a brief (maybe hard) conversation so that you can be intentional about getting what you actually want this Christmas.
Connect with Sasha
On her website or Instagram
Listen to this episode
On iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned
Sasha's new book: Brave Boundaries: Strategies to Say No, Stand Strong, and Take Control of Your Life: The Key to Living Empowered
Thank you to our sponsor
Start 2023 with a Scriptural foundation to each day. This beautifully illustrated 5x7 Scripture calendar features original paintings from the "Fabric and Soul" series by ThouArtExalted Ministries founder, Annie Pajcic.
Each month features a different Bible verse and artfully designed artwork print on a 5x7 card to set the tone for the month ahead. And when that month is over, simply flip over the card to reveal another month's beautiful illustration. Pair it with the optional bamboo-style, antique gold stand for the perfect complement to your entryway, desk or counter top.
Makes a great gift for a teacher, mother in law, daughter, boss or anyone who loves Scripture and art. Also available is a bamboo-style, antique gold stand for the perfect complement to your entryway, desk or counter top, purchase both together here.
Do you have anyone in your life who is hard to buy for at Christmastime? Do you find yourself saying “I have no idea what to get him / her- they don’t need anything!” If so, this episode is for you.
Krista and Alex begin by talking about why gift giving matters and the spirit that fuels the tradition. We then give you TONS of ideas. From low cost ideas to experiences to subscriptions to tech – we’ve got you covered.
There is no question that the longer we wait to decide what we are giving, the more stress builds, adding to our holiday frenzy. Listen today – decide on your gift – then ENJOY the holiday season!
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
Priya Parker – The Art of Gathering
BUY SERVICES THAT HELP
- housecleaning
- babysitting
- pet sitting
- dinner delivered
- tech support
- personal trainer
THINK LIKE AN AUCTION HOST – PLAN EXPERIENCES
- Trader Joe’s basket
- golf simulator time
- tickets to a show
- fly fishing guided trip
- basketball game tickets
- dinner cooked by a local chef (or you!)
- tea party for 8
- pop up picnic in the park
- red party – everything is red
- a standing date once a month
- classes
- overnight or weekend away
- dueling piano bar
- summer concert
HOMEMADE GIFTS
- art work
- poem
- macrame
- family travel maps
- recipe book
- homemade limoncello or kahlua
- bench made from railroad ties
- advent wreaths
- video of parents or grandparents talking about their lives
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Adventures in Odyssey Club for kids
Olympia Postal Previsions Club
TECH GIFTS
Portable speaker: Wonderboom 2
Portable car battery charger (for anyone who has a car)
Smart Frame: Skylight
Air tags (to find things) – this one is a car keyring
Alex and Krista offer inspiration for prayer and conversation around your Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering. Sprinkled with prayers, and even a historic Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, is a sister-to-sister conversation meant to give you the part practical, part inspirational you need to set your table and event.</p>
Whether you're trying to figure out how to get conversation flowing or you don't know how to do a prayer given the guests in attendance, we offer some ideas that might help get the creative ideas churning. We want you to be able to honor your guests and honor God by setting a spot where people feel comfortable expr essing gratitude.
This is one you might refer to again and again as you consider what it means to gather those you love. We hope you listen as you cook, clean, or drive as part of your Thanksgiving holiday prep. But most of all we hope you know we believe you are world changers for good right where you are, wherever that might be.
Listen to this episode:
You can listen on iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned:
The Lord's Prayer
(Matthew 6:9-13) from The New Living Translation:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Grace After Meals
From To Bless The Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings by John O'Donohue
"We end this meal with grace
For the joy and nourishment of food,
The slowed time away from the world
To come into presence with each other
And sense the subtle lives behind our faces,
The different colors of our voices,
The edges of hungers we keep private,
The circle of love that unites us.
We pray the wise spirit who keeps us
To change the structures that make others hunger
And that after such grace we might now go forth
And impart dignity wherever we partake."
Questions for the table:
1. What’s your favorite Thanksgiving or holiday memory?
2. If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?
3. What’s the best gift you have ever received?
4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
5. What’s the best book you’ve read and what made it so special?
6. Share about a time when you had a need. How was it met?
7. If you could meet your great great grandchildren what wisdom would you pass on
to them? What would you want them to know?
8. If you could spend one day doing a job that you are not currently doing, what would you do?
9. What’s one thing that you would love to do in your lifetime that no one knows?
10. What’s your biggest fear?
11. If you were going to open a restaurant, what would the concept be?
12. What’s the strangest thing you believed as a child?
13. If a movie was made of your life, who would play you?
14. What was your biggest fashion faux pas ever?
15. What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
16. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Prayer cards for the dinner table
Thanksgiving Proclamation of 1789
"Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Psalm 100:
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
Thank you to our sponsor
Beautiful journals for you to have as a keepsake and of course to give as a gift.
15% off your first order with promo code Sisterhood15. If you want to purchase a bulk order for your team, retreat, or women's gathering, you can do so as well. Charlena will also include a bonus Journaling Guide for your attendees. Visit: www.gritandvirtue.com to learn more and to order.
Hygge is trending, but what exactly is it? And why are we putting it in our Holiday series? Yes, today is the start of our Holiday series where we are looking at what we REALLY want for Christmas. And Hygge is one of the things we really want.
Hygge is a Danish practice that centers on slow living, shared moments, and fostered friendships. It nurtures beauty, contentment, and well being. When we cozy up to a fire with a warm drink in a mug, that is hygge. When we light candles, bake fresh bread, or gather around a wooden table for a hearty meal, that is hygge as well. Hygge is cozy. It’s home.
In this episode Jamie Erickson, author of the new book Holy Hygge, unpacks some of the tenets of this Danish practice and marries them with deep theological truths. We hear how Hygge can increase our sense of fulfillment and joy around the holidays and how we can bring this inviting concept into our daily lives.
Join us for this very interesting episode!
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
Holy Hygge: Creating a Place to Gather and the Gospel to Grow by Jamie Erickson
Timothy Keller Christmas Advent book Hidden Christmas
Unwrapping The Names of Jesus (for kids)- Asherita Ciuciu
Unwrapping the Names of Jesus (for adults)
Tsh Oxenreider Shadow and Light – A Journey Into Advent
THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR - PRIMALLY PURE
Primally Pure values your health and gets you results with their line of non-toxic skincare products made with ingredients you don't have to google. In addition to offering an incredible line of products (my favorites are the deodorant and dry shampoo ), Primally Pure takes the guesswork out of creating a skincare routine with their easy-to-use skin quiz found on their website.
The company's Founder, Bethany, is a mom of two and farmer's wife who truly cares about the integrity of the ingredients they use and the products they create. Primally Pure's products are made at their headquarters in Southern California (not in a third party lab) by their team of skincare chefs for maximum freshness and purity.
Primally Pure offers a happiness guarantee and they will give you your money back if you aren't satisfied, but I know you will be - their products are truly transformative for the skin (perhaps touch on personal experience briefly!) and their blogis also full of information and knowledge to empower you in confidently making healthier decisions and becoming the most vibrant version of yourself.
Midlife comes with additional financial challenges. We are often paying bigger bills (think education for our kids, care for our parents, and paying of mortgages) and we are considering our financial future.
Questions like: Do we have enough coming in every month to cover what we need? Will we have enough in the future to last our lifetime? Can we give our kids a four-year college education? Can we address needs we have now while not taking away from retirement?
We bring you financial planner Kate Redden to consult us on all of the stressful questions that money and midlife bring up. She works with clients every day helping them to identify those stress points, understand where they are currently and where they want to head in coming years.
We often don't talk about money stress, but no topic is off limits for the sisterhood. This is a part practical, part inspirational conversation in that we give you both the why and the how of making a financial plan in order to relieve the stress of the unknown.
Connect with Kate
Through her website, Linkedin, or email: kredden@meritfa.com
Listen to this episode
On iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned on the show
“Hot water heaters tend to blow up in mid-life for some reason.”
Thank you to our sponsor
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Some call midlife the “sandwich season” because people in this age group are parenting young adult children while caring for aging parents.
Today we are discussing how to care well for our parents as they age, and the opportunity we have to become more Christ-like in the process.
Jane Daly, author of The Caregiving Season, is joining us to talk about her own experience caring for both of her parents. We explore the difference between “parenting” and “coaching” our parents.
We also discuss how to take away car keys, what happens if their mind fails before their body, what information we need to have on file in case of a death or injury, and how to divide up caregiving duties between siblings.
If you are nearing a caregiving season, or are in one right now, this episode will be a source of encouragement, help, and inspiration.
You can find Jane at her website
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
The Caregiving Season by Jane Daly
If you are in midlife, likely you've walked past the mirror, or tried on a pair of pants, and wondered what in the world? Sister, you're not alone! We are talking about what is going on and how we can faithfully and appropriately respond to how our bodies (ahem...tummies) are changing.
We are bringing Alisa Keeton, Founder of Revelation Wellness, to the conversation. She knows what it is to be fit and as a woman in midlife, she also knows how bodies can change quickly. We cover three areas of change unique to this stage of life: hormones, eating, and movement. (Spoiler: we tend to eat more indulgently and move less these years.)
But there is hope! God has created us to live ALL of our years fruitfully. We can use resistance training, walking, and mindfulness to strengthen our changing bodies while giving them what they need for today. You will both learn and be inspired by this episode (remember the part practical, part inspirational we're always talking about?)
Hear how you too can love your changing body during midlife.
Connect with Alisa
On her website or on Instagram
A few things mentioned
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” -Psalm 92:12-15
Alisa's words
“To really be connected in your body means to be fully present without judgment.”
"83% of women in midlife say that their body image in midlife has to do with their midsection."
"Stop working so hard."
“God has more for us, but it’s new and everyone hates new.”
“Midlife is the time to stop thinking about what you’re eating and ask yourself why you’re eating.”
Perhaps the number one stressor listeners have expressed about the season of midlife is parenting teens and young adults. How do we maneuver these new waters when the consequences to kids' decisions seem so serious? How do we know when to step in and when to back off? And even deeper, how do we deal with our own self image when our kids make decisions we wouldn't make for them?
We are bringing you the best in Evan and Elisa Morgan. With credentials from years in ministry, decades in marriage and parenting, and their share of stressful parenting decisions, they share their wisdom in what it means to parent in midlife. We talk about the differences between parenting teens and young adults, how to move away from parenting promises and center in on parenting principles, and what to do when you are faced with two bad options as a parent.
With honesty like you've never quite heard before, the Morgans speak from experience in walking with God through painful parenting years. If you think a Christian podcast episode on parenting couldn't possibly understand YOUR depth of pain, you might be surprised by what you hear. This isn't an episode about how to get it all right in parenting. Quite the opposite. This is about how to welcome God into our process as we grow in this phase of life.
We’re half way through the “Midlife is No Joke” series and we are pausing to hear from Krista and Alex about their personal experiences in midlife.
We cover stressors, opportunities, sleep issues, trusting God in hard times, the purpose of exercise, resources, and what is saving our mid-lives right now.
Our sister straight talks are always honest, and offer a layered look at our series topic. Join us!
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
Friendships in midlife are sometimes complicated, but they don't have to be. On the podcast today we are diving into how to be a good friend, how to neighbor well, and how to cultivate diverse relationships that add richness and texture to life.
Popular author, Shannan Martin, joins us to share her wisdom on creating community - what worked, and what didn't. You will walk away more equipped for healthy, authentic, and strong relationships after listening.
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW:
Start with Hello – Shannan Martin’s new book
Loving My Actual Neighbor: Seven Practices to Treasure The People In Front Of You – Alexandra Kuykendall’s book
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR
We believe the goal of therapy is to increase both psychological and spiritual wholeness, and this can only be accomplished in an appropriate environment.
We have also seen proven success in the affordability and convenience of online mental counseling. By bringing together a network of professional counselors who are practicing Christians online, we see unprecedented opportunity to help believers access the help they need, when and how they can best receive it.
Sign up for Faithful Counseling HERE.
When we asked you, our podcast listeners, what you'd like to hear about when it comes to midlife, one topic stood above the rest: menopause. Our bodies are changing, often in ways we never knew they could or would, and we don't know what to do. The sisterhood is the perfect place to come for questions you might not want to ask anywhere else. We bring you trusted experts and this conversation is no different.
For this widely requested topic, we couldn't ask just anyone to join us, we needed to find the best. And we did in OB-Gyn Dr. Carol Peters-Tanksley. She has lived through menopause herself and has guided women over decades through "the change." She covers everything from weight gain to mood swings, hot flashes to hormone surges. You will not only learn a ton (we did!) you will be encouraged that what you are going through is a normal part of human development.
If you are experiencing the classic signs of menopause, are wondering what's ahead, or simply want to know what the fuss about estrogen supplements is, this episode is worth your time. We can't change aging, but we can have a better sense of what's actually happening in our bodies. Dr. Carol is a knowledgeable guide who anticipates our questions before we even ask them. Nothing says sisterhood like this.
Connect with Carol
Through her website
Listen to this episode
On iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned:
The Menopause Manifesto by Jennifer Gunter
Gennev online clinic
Dr. Carol's course Navigating Midlife
Dr. Carol's book Dr. Carol's Guide to Women's Health
Dr. Carol's e-book Dr. Carol's Guide to Sex and Menopause
Dr. Carol's Hormone download
Thank you to our sponsor
We believe the goal of therapy is to increase both psychological and spiritual wholeness, and this can only be accomplished in an appropriate environment.
We have also seen proven success in the affordability and convenience of online mental counseling. By bringing together a network of professional counselors who are practicing Christians online, we see unprecedented opportunity to help believers access the help they need, when and how they can best receive it.
Do you find yourself navigating a marriage in midlife? There are unique challenges that couples face in this time of life.
Maybe you’ve been married a long time and are needing a fresh way to navigate old patterns. Or maybe you are struggling to stay married and wonder about your future as a couple. Or maybe you simply desire to bring life and joy back as a couple. Wherever you find yourself, this episode is for you.
Jimmy and Irene Rollins are no strangers to difficulty in marriage. As pastors of a large church, they seemed to have it all together from the outside. But on the inside they were crumbling. Irene was battling alcohol addiction, and Jimmy was struggling with overeating and pornography. They became comfortable with disfunction.
Now healed and whole, as individuals and as a couple, Jimmy and Irene lead a couples ministry to people all over the world. They honestly share about what turned their marriage around and how each one of us can do the same. There is wisdom sprinkled all throughout this episode. Don’t miss this one!
Find out more about Jimmy and Irene at Two=One or join their online community with your spouse! or follow them on Instagram.
Follow The Open Door Sisterhood on Instagram
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
Imago Marriage Therapy – image of familiar love
Here is what I observed…. this is what I made up about that… here is how that impacted me… would you
Quotes from the interview:
“Without affirmation, everything feels like accusation”
“Practice doesn’t make things perfect, it makes things repetitive”
“You can’t be upset about the marriage you refuse to work on”
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: PREP DISH
The Open Door Sisterhood gets two weeks free. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
We are kicking off a new series on the podcast this week! We are calling it Midlife is No Joke.
Because midlife brings responsibilities from many directions. It also brings lots of change. These combined can act as a pressure cooker of stress, or at least an uncharted path as we respond to changing roles, relationships, and responses (ours and others.)
Dr. Kelly Flanagan is a clinical psychologist turned fiction author who explores the big questions of life in both areas of work. His experience "sitting in the chair", as he calls it, along with his own midlife journey, offers the sisterhood insights about the common questions many of us face as we realize we are no longer young and we still have some years of life left.
Who am I as my roles change? Where am I headed? Is there pain involved in this new change? How do I discern God's path for me? These are not light questions and Dr. Kelly gives us some approaches on how to listen to our responses in our heads and bodies as we confront these bigger questions.
We've got a lot to cover about midlife over the next several weeks, and we are diving in headfirst with the big questions because we all have them.
Connect with Kelly
On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
A few things mentioned
The first time Kelly was on the podcast: Episode 58 on Shame, Worthiness, Belonging and Purpose
Kelly's first book, Loveable: Embracing What is Truest About You, So You Can Truly Embrace Your Life
His new book, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell: A Novel
Co-Dependent No More by Melody Beattie
The Busy Mom’s Guide is wrapping up today with a Sister Straight Talk with Krista & Alex. They open with discussing some important areas we didn’t get to yet – like time management and the strategies we’re using to plan our days.
We also talk about add on chores, the benefit of coaching, how to make time for relationships, apps that come in handy, and how God can meet us right in the middle of our stress.
Come join this discussion and let us know your thoughts!
Message us your comments on The Open Door Sisterhood Instagram page!
Follow Krista on her website or Instagram
Follow Alex on her website or Instagram
THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
Morgan Tyree’s 10 Minute Organizing Challenge
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Kelly Minter’s Joseph Study
The Open Door Sisterhood gets two weeks free of Prep Dish. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
She was making deodorant in her kitchen sink because she loved using natural ingredients. Seven years ago Bethany McDaniel had a dream to get natural deodorant and soaps into the hands of others. She had no idea she would soon have a warehouse, a headquarters, and a staff to help her get those products into the world.
We talk with Primally Pure natural products brand owner and founder, Bethany McDaniel, about how she started her company, how she manages motherhood and boss lady roles at the same time, and how she schedules almost everything. She remind us that hard is kind of normal when you're in charge and that instead of seeing obstacles as problems to avoid, they are opportunities to try something new.
Join us for this conversation about how motherhood and an entrepreneurial spirit can work together as we are women who are world changers for good right where we are. Being a mom can mean limitations on our time, resources, energy, and attention. It can also force us to be laser focused as we pursue the dream God has given us. And who are we kidding? He knows that dream, he can help us creatively make it happen.
Connect with Primally Pure
Find their products here and follow them on Instagram
Listen to the show
Always available on iTunes or watch on YouTube.
A few things mentioned
Thank you to our sponsor
2 Free Weeks of Meal Plans HERE~
We know that busy moms need help getting dinner on the table. This is why we've invited Prep Dish to partner with us to bring you The Busy Mom's series.
Their weekly meal plans offer you meals that are
-quick & easy
-delivered straight to your inbox
-adaptable to your family's needs (gluten free and dairy free options available)
-answer the question "What's for dinner?"
And the BEST NEWS: Open Door Sisterhood get two weeks free. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
Are you the kind who has thousands of photos on your phone with little to no organization? Do you get overwhelmed when you look at your camera roll and wonder if these precious memories are safe and backed up? If your answer is yes, you are in good company.
In this episode we break down how to best organize our digital photos, how to delete duplicates, how to safely backup our camera roll, when to use an external hard drive, how to do a better job of printing photos, and how to get those precious vintage photos into a digital form.
This episode is practical and incredibly helpful. Let’s clean up our digital clutter and get organized!
Check out Casey's website for tips, services, and help!
Apple Photo App – Photos Take Out
Amazon Prime Photos – install on phone and it will back up entire icloud
External Hard Drives:
Seagate
Western Digital
Tobisha
Getting Photos from Print to Digital:
Epson Fast Photo – can scan at 300, 600, or 1200 DPI
Sharing Photos We Have:
Chat Books – Monthly Minis
imovie
Songs for Videos
“I often have to tell myself, done is better than perfect.” – Casey Von Stein
FOR LIFE COACHING, VISIT KRISTAGILBERT.COM
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: PREP DISH
The Open Door Sisterhood gets two weeks free. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
Bunmi Laditan hasn't always prayed like she does now. Her faith in recent years has grown and with it she finds herself praying all day long in a constant conversation with God. This episode in The Busy Mom's Guide series is about prayer. Not holy, big word prayer, but gritty, honest prayer that says exactly how we're feeling and what we're thinking.
We are always striving for part practical and part inspirational in our podcast episodes and this conversation hits the perfect balance of both. Bunmi reminds us of the good news of the Gospel. As a relatively returner to faith, her excitement about God's care for us IS inspiring. She also tells us why as a mom she prays for her kids (as her parents prayed for her for many years.) If you are a mom of older kids you will be inspired to pray for them.
Bunmi also shares about HOW she prays. She gets practical. She reads Scripture, journals, anoints her children with oil, and whispers and screams. She goes to God as her father and believes in his gentleness as he receives her. This sense of safety gives her the freedom to be completely honest in her prayers. She knows God won't reject her but will welcome her words.
If you are a mom who has never prayed you will find a friend in Bunmi. If you are a mom who wonders if your prayers matter, you will be reassured they do. If you are a mom who is tired of the fluff, we've got you. This conversation is for you.
Connect to Bunmi
You can find Bunmi on her website and on Instagram and Facebook
Listen to this episode
on iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned in the interview
Bunmi's new book: Help Me God, I'm a Parent: Honest Prayers for Hectic Days and Endless Nights
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." -John 1:5 (NIV)
Thank you to our sponsor: 2 Free Weeks of Meal Plans HERE~
We know that busy moms need help getting dinner on the table. This is why we've invited Prep Dish to partner with us to bring you The Busy Mom's series.
Their weekly meal plans offer you meals that are
-quick & easy
-delivered straight to your inbox
-adaptable to your family's needs (gluten free and dairy free options available)
-answer the question "What's for dinner?"
And the BEST NEWS: Open Door Sisterhood get two weeks free. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
Do you struggle finding time to declutter, pick up the house, or keep systems going? Some women are organized and structured in most everything they do – others, not so much.
Dana White, aka The Slob Comes Clean, joins us to talk about the 5 minute pick up, how to return items to the place that makes the most sense, and what freedom in finding our cleaning style looks like.
If you are desiring to start off your fall on a clean note, tune in!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR: PREP DISH
2 FREE WEEKS OF MEAL PLANS
The Open Door Sisterhood get two weeks free. Just go over to prepdish.com/sisterhood to sign up.
If we know one thing about moms it's that we're busy. And if we know anything about this time of year it's that the busy ramps up. So we are kicking off our back to school series we are calling The Busy Mom's Guide. We're starting by talking about how to engage with Scripture in the middle of parenting chaos. As our guest Hunter Beless says, there is no quiet these days for the "quiet time."
Hunter is the author of the children's book Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It: Knowing and Loving the Bible. Those approaches work for moms too. We can place Scripture where we'll read it. On the steering wheel of our car, next to the kitchen sink, in our pocket. If we can see it, we can read it. We can also listen to it. Often the best approach to engaging Scripture when we never sit down is to have it playing over us and around us. Hunter understands that this is a unique time in a woman's life and it requires unique approaches.
From Scripture memorization to dinner time readings to habit stacking (you'll want to hear this one), we talk about what it means for busy moms to eat from the bread of life. We need to nourish our souls on God's good word and the busier we are, the more we need it. So how are you going to engage with Scripture today?
A Few Things Mentioned:
Hunter’s podcast The Journeywomen Podcast
Hunter’s children’s book, Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It: Knowing and Loving the Bible
"They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” -Deuteronomy 32:47
"Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”Matthew 4:4
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:6
"How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103
Atomic Habits by James Clearr
"The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever." Psalm 23
“Let us consider if we’re not spending time with God, why we’re not.” –Dallas Willard
Things Hunter Said:
“If I really want to know that God is who he says he is, I’m going to open up this book and ask him to show me…to show me who he is.”
“We need the Gospel. And we don’t just need it one time, we need it every day.”
Thank you to our sponsor: 2 Free Weeks of Meal Plans HERE~
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Connect with Victoria
On Instagram or her website
A Few Things Mentioned
Victoria's devotional books
Leave a Review
LET’S GET SOCIAL: LEAVE A REVIEW
Summer opens up some time to get creative and do those projects in our homes we’ve been meaning to get to during the year. Liz Marie Galvan, queen of cozy + cottage, joins the Sisterhood today to talk about how we can tap into our the designer in each of us.
Liz, the owner of The Found Cottage, has a knack for putting a warm, inviting, and highly styled touch on everything she does. In this episode she offers tips on how to overcome paralysis, how to style collections, and how to express our individual personality without fear.
You will walk away inspired to make a fresh mark in your own home.
Connect with Krista Gilbert or The Open Door Sisterhood on Instagram.
You can connect with Liz Marie on her website, Pinterest, or Instagram
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
The great pumpkin shelves we talked about
Elkhorn Antique Show in Wisconsin
Springfield Antique Show in Ohio
Today is the first day of summer! The season often means putting on a swimming suit and facing the fun. Humor writer and comedian Anna Lind Thomas joins the sisterhood to talk about how she is never ready for summer and swimming suits. With a funny and practical twist Anna covers swimsuit shopping (make it an event), finding a suit that flatters (skirts are cute and functional), and harnessing all of the confidence of our good bodies as we enjoy the summer with our people.
Naturally this conversation takes us into deeper topics like how we speak to our bodies, how we honor them, what confidence looks like, and how our mindset about our bodies and aging impacts how we are able to enjoy our reality. There is no turning back the clock, we will never look like we did decades ago, so acceptance is part of the process of loving the bodies we have today.
Whether you're needing a little inspiration to embrace your 2022 body, or you want a reminder that God gives us bodies and we get to use them to do his good work in the world, this episode will be a good start to the summer months. Now get outside and enjoy the world God has made! Happy Summer!
Connect with Anna
On her website or Instagram
A few things mentioned on the show
Anna's new book I'm Not Ready For This: Everybody Just Calm Down and Give Me a Minute
Anna's first book We'll Laugh About This Someday: Essays on Taking Life a Smidge Too Seriously
Episode 38 of The Open Door Sisterhood Fashion: Tips for Telling Your Fasion Story with Megan Cobble
Today we are wrapping up the “This Cultural Moment” series with a sister straight talk with Krista and Alex.
We discuss why it is so hard to honor people with different ideas, how Ephesians 6 holds a secret to living well in this period of time, what grid we can use to filter our decisions, and what it looks like to lean into hope.
Join us for this honest conversation, and let’s “get our joy back” as we lean in to this moment of time in which we get to live.
Arthur Brooks in Conversation with Simon Sinek – a podcast episode about honoring people and differing with their ideas
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. --Ephesians 6:10-16
The Chart we referenced from Authentic Church by Vaughn Roberts
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
Our Sponsor: Simply Be Box
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We've been talking about what it means to live in "this cultural moment" as a follower of Jesus. No wonder the topic of parenting has popped up in this series a number of times. This episode is dedicated to how we as parents navigate decisions and conversations when cultural norms conflict with our own values. Can anybody relate?
We are thrilled to bring you Deborah Porter, the Ultimate Mom Coach, as we talk through social media, expectations of perfection, family non-negotiables, and difficult conversations. Deborah's wisdom soaks through in every word. She reminds us to approach our own views and our kids' opinions with humility, encourages us to ask for forgiveness when we've made mistakes, and to keep offering our children love as they navigate this world.
Our faith is about reconciliation with our heavenly father. Our parenting posture can mirror that spirit of welcoming home over and over. We know you'll find this conversation to be helpful and hopeful as you guide the young people in your life to think through cultural norms, hot topics, and headlines. Deborah reminds us that we can't control what our kids think, but we can teach them how to think as they face the world.
Connect with Deborah
On her website or Instagram
Listen to this episode
On iTunes or watch it here:
A few things mentioned on the show
Maverick City Worship, Wait on you
Things said
“Perfection was never the goal, love is the goal”
“We can’t tell them what to think, but we can teach them how to think.”
“God makes up the difference.”
Thank you to our sponsor
Simply Be Box
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Their goal at Simply Be Box, through the subscription box & community, is to help teen + tween girls grow in their relationship with Jesus, know & love how they are uniquely created and encourage them to live out their faith & be a light in this world.
Simply Be Box has provided a discount code for our The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast listeners! Use Code ODSSummer10 to receive $10 Off Your Subscription Purchase. Head over to their website SimplyBeBox.com and Subscribe Today! You can also follow them on Instagram @SimplyBeBox.