What is Advent? And how do we celebrate it? Co-hosts Krista and Alex dive into the purpose behind the season and how marking this sacred preparation time as a family can be significant. Whether warm fuzzy childhood feelings come when considering this time of year, or uncertainty about what exactly we're talking about, this episode is for you.
The themes of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace are big concepts and family Advent devotionals can feel overwhelming in an already busy time of year. The simple Advent wreath (or log) can offer a tangible reminder of these ideas and point to why they are significant during Christmas. Alex and Krista offer some other practical applications for families in how to incorporate these larger themes into the weeks ahead. Whether an internal transformation or an external demonstration, let the themes of Advent be a guide for how to spend this holiday season.
Don't let Advent pass you by this year. Make a plan for how to usher in Christmas with a preparation of the heart. We trust this episode will give you a little inspiration and practical help in that direction.
A true Open Door Sisterhood Podcast interview! Co-host Krista Gilbert interviews her partner in the sisterhood, Alexandra Kuykendall, about her new book Loving My Actual Christmas. They talk about the experiment Alex conducted last Christmas season because she wanted to have a less stressful and exhausting holiday. In the midst of her actual life she searched for more hope, love, joy and peace. What she found is that much of her newfound appreciation of the holiday stems from remembering the story that God so loved the world...he sent a baby.
This is the behind the scenes interview where we hear what Alex thinks about the experiment a year later. She shares the stories in the book that have stuck with her, what Christmas means to her now, and how she hopes to extend her celebration through the 12 Days of Christmas. This isn't about beautiful Christmas cards or Pinterest worthy meals. This is about remembering together that Jesus is the hope of the world and his arrival is worth preparing for and celebrating.
You won't want to miss this candid and intimate conversation between our podcast hosts as they talk about grief during the holidays, reconciling the difficult of the world with the hope of Christmas and taking the knowledge of God with us into their everyday Christmas experiences. Here at the sisterhood we want you to love your actual Christmas because God pursued us all when he stepped onto earth all those years ago.
We like to say we are part practical and part inspirational here at The Open Door Sisterhood. For that reason we are tackling the topic of Christmas in the same way. We want the whys and hows of the season to be covered. So we bring you the first of a three-part series on Christmas. Our focus now, before the holiday swoops in and takes over, is preparation. We know a good plan can help us all enjoy the season as we carry out the merrymaking.
Who better to talk holiday organization than Kathi Lipp? We knew she was the sisterhood's go-to woman on managing the Christmas chaos. You will love this fun conversation with one of our favorites as we cover food, budget, and all things in between. We also cover what to keep and what to let go of (hint: you choose) when going through a first Christmas without someone and how to support a friend during a grief filled holiday.
There's no question the plan helps ease the anxiety. Even if there are some hard parts to this Christmas season, it will feel more manageable, and therefore more enjoyable, if some intentional preparation has been implemented. A freedom inducing episode, you will leave with permission to plan a holiday season that includes elements your family enjoys and letting go of the extras. Stay tuned for the next two episodes as we cover more about the Christmas in front of us.
It's safe to say Jess Connolly is a dynamo. She's one of the cofounders of SheReadsTruth, one of the owners of Amen Paper Company, co-author of USA Today Best Seller Wild and Free, and the co-founder of The Influence Conference and Network. We caught up with her in her new office space in Charleston, SC and talked to her about how she manages life with four kids and a big to-do list.
Though her resume is impressive, we focused some of our conversation on her limitations. What she can do within her given work hours, or more importantly, what she can hand over to somebody else. From work projects, to home projects, Jess is a big fan of recruiting help and doing what's need to be a healthy woman. From weekly counseling sessions to workouts with her teammates, we hear how Jess maintains her own health in order to be most effective for the work God has given her.
Jess believes God wants women to move toward holiness. Living under the covering of grace and on mission flow out of that space. Her new book Dance, Stand, Run is for the woman who wants to serve God. This interview is as well. You will feel more able to tackle the day in front of you after hearing Jess' wisdom and practical tips for being a woman on holy ground.
We went on a quest. We wanted to know the world changers in your life. Who takes that next step? Does that hard thing? In order to walk through the doors God is opening. Who is a world changer for good right where she is? Well we got great nominations from you, our listeners, and we are featuring two of the women in this special episode of the podcast.
Meet April Farlow and Becky Jarvis, two women who have felt unique assignments from God. Though one stepped out in her community and one grew her family, they have many themes in common. They both are working toward orphan care. How that plays out in their lives is quite different. Neither one set out to be where she is today, but both surrendered their plans to God's. And in that step by step surrender they've found purpose and God's call to be world changers right where they are.
You will be inspired to walk through the doors God is opening by hearing these two stories. We are sure of it.
#Powertothesisterhood
It’s been a little over a year since we started The Open Door Sisterhood podcast, and today we celebrate 100 episodes! Yes, you read that right, 100! This episode is a look back by our co-hosts, Krista and Alex, at all who have walked through the doors of the sisterhood. We invite you to come in and hear some of the highlights!
All guests and episodes have been a place for growth for guests and listeners alike. At The Open Door Sisterhood we celebrate and encourage one another with our stories and expertise.Though impossible to pick favorites, Krista and Alex talk through some episodes have changed the way they think, live and ask questions. They share the new ideas they’ve taken away, which guests inspired and impacted them in unique ways, and who offered practical ideas and tips they’ve incorporated into their daily routines.
If you are new to The Open Door Sisterhood Podcast, this hour will point you toward specific episodes you won’t want to miss. If you’ve been listening for a while, you’ll be reminded of inspiring guests and engaging conversations. All is meant to remind us that God opens doors for us to walk through and sometimes we need the sisterhood cheering us on. #powertothesisterhood