Monica Swanson knows what it means to be intentional in relationships at home. She makes decisions with the end goal in mind. She wants kids who love God, like each other, and are helpful by default. Those end goals shape their daily rhythms, how they talk to each other, and even their vacations. We dive right into the Lead Your Life series talking about family relationships because if ever there was a place where we need some intention, it's with those right around us.
Monica comes to us from the Aloha state. A mom to four sons who are growing and leaving home, she is able to look back a bit and evaluate what helped their family get where it is today. There was intentional time together, both as a family, but also with siblings. Their family culture didn't just happen, she and her husband Dave made decisions on purpose. Whether you have mental roadblocks to making some changes at home or logistical ones, Monica gives us the pep talk we need to face what might be holding us back from leading our families in the way we want them to go. This is a part practical, part inspirational conversation that you don't want to miss.
Sometimes the things that matter most to us, get our leftover attention. By leftover we mean the time we have left after all of the pressing things are taken care of. The people in our homes deserve our intentional best. Monica gives us some practical next steps to lead our family relationships. And as we say on the episode, we KNOW she lives what she teaches. She gets us. She knows what it's like to lead a family with intention.
Connect with Monica
On her website, on Instagram, or on her podcast
A few things mentioned
Monica's new book Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, And Do The Dishes Without Being Asked
The latest research on girls and anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation
Our 24 Family Ways: A Family Devotional Guide by Clay Clarkson
Foundations: 12 Biblical Truths to Shape a Family by Ruth Chou Simons
Krista's coaching services
We are starting a new series today called LEAD YOUR LIFE! For this first episode, Alex and Krista are diving into WHY leading our lives is better than defaulting to life – which is so easy to do.
In this episode we explore why each day is a new opportunity to lead our lives better than yesterday, how different people respond to change, and some areas we are doing well, and some not so well.
Giving some of our best resources for growth, we focus on how to take next, small steps in our actual lives. We are excited to dive into this new series with you!
SOME THINGS YOU HEARD ON THE SHOW
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth
5 Different Kinds of Fear:
- Fear of failure
- Fear of trading security for the unknown
- Fear of being overextended financially
- Fear of what others will say or think
- Fear that success will alienate peers
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!
We announced last week and that Alex and Krista are available to bring the magic of the Sisterhood retreats to YOUR group!
They are taking their proven strategies and are available for hire to come run a group retreat for your:
- leadership team
- work team
- donors
- executive directors
- ministry groups
- friends
If you are interested, email krista@theopendoorsisterhood.com for more information.
It only happens once a year. It’s not Christmas, but it might feel like it as Alex and Krista give you their best tips, reads, recipes, and fashion items they’ve collected over the last year.
It’s the annual Things We Love episode for the Open Door Sisterhood Podcast!
Yes, we are ready with our favorite lip gloss combo (aka “the triple threat”), our must reads, and the sneakers that make teenagers' heads turn (in a good way!) These are things we love and because we're sisters, we're sharing them with you.
We laugh at ourselves a lot in this one (because, hello, we can be ridiculous). We hope this love vibe shines through the airwaves as you push play this Valentine's Day!
Our favorite things you heard about on the show
BEAUTY
Here’s the triple threat combo from Emily Love’s sister Ashley.
-Charlotte Tilbury Hot Lips Lipstick Kim KW – Nude
-Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner – Iconic Nude
-Fenty Glass Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer – Fussy
Cetaphil daily oil-free facial moisturizer Spf 35
Cerave Skin renewing night cream
GIFTS TO GIVE
30 oz. Stanley Cup in cream $30
Stoneware kitchen sink caddy $15 (can put spray or dish soap and wooden scrub brush )
FAVORITE HOME ITEMS OR DECOR
Smith & Hawken Outdoor black lanterns (I use them inside and outside)
IN THE KITCHEN
Over sink roll up dish drying rack
Magnolia Clear Glass Mixing Bowls
9 x 13 ruffled ceramic baking dish by Crate and Barrel
APPS OR WEBSITES
Gametime (ticket deals for events)
Going.com (formally Scott’s Cheap Flights)
CLOTHING
Nuuly subscription – I’m trying it ($88 for 6 styles)
Costco bras – Bali
FAVORITE TIP
- Put a dash of bleach in your water for flowers to kill bacteria and they’ll last longer
- Make any drink fun with fresh berries, mint, and sparkling something
- Paint and new light fixtures changes any room
FAVORITE NETFLIX OR PRIME
Enola Holmes (Netflix)
The Swimmers (Netflix)
The Rings of Power (Prime)
FAVORITE INSTAGRAM INSPO
hidingintheclosetwithcoffee Amy Betters-Midtvet
MUST READS
The God Shot by Tara Leigh Cobble
The Culture Code: The Secrets of HIghly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
I Guess I Haven’t Learned that Yet by Shauna Niequist
Where’d You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple
MUST MAKE RECIPES
Italian Sausage White Bean Soup – The soup recipe I made up for my friend’s going away party that now everyone loves (Ariana’s Going Away Soup)
Rave Reviews Dip – one of my easiest apps
Almond cherry scones (Easter coming up)
Thank you to our sponsor for this episode
WE'RE ABOUT GOSPEL-CENTERED ENCOURAGEMENT
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
We Create Thoughtful Content, Beautifully Designed.
The Truly Co is a team of women who have purposefully declared where we put our trust as we wrestle with our faith. In a world filled with confusion, chaos, and depression, we choose to walk by faith and be led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is our source. He is our rock. And we share our stories of the things he has done in our lives. We are friends, sisters, mothers, and daughters. We are creatives, writers, business leaders, and human-lovers who are in various life stages. We invite you to join us. We love partnering with amazing women (that’s you!) as we share our voices through writing, photography, and podcasts or video.
What if we could really discover this year what it means to live a blessed, abundant life? And not only discover it, but live it?
Kelly Minter, beloved Bible teacher and speaker, joins us this week to share what she learned about living life to the full through studying Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount. We talk about why we sometimes don’t recognize the counterfeit path to abundance the world offers, how to invest in the eternal, and what it looks like to let go of “fair” and grab on to grace.
Kelly is someone who inspires with her keen insights and deep faith. You will walk away inspired to live more abundantly in the year ahead.
The Blessed Life: A 90 Day Devotional Though The Teachings & Miracles of Jesus
Kelly Minter’s Joseph study – Finding God Faithful
Face to Face Prayer Book with Kenneth Boa
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.