Our Time to Rise in Midlife

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Ep. 111: Cultivating Kindness at Christmas & All Year Long Dec 19, 2017

Show notes

Kindness is a virtue we recognize immediately. It warms the soul, refreshes the heart, and provides solace. We love to be on the receiving end of kindness, but it is equally important to be on the giving end. Today Kendra Roehl, Julie Fisk, and Kristin Demery and I discuss why practicing kindness is not only good for our children, but for our own hearts as well. We get very practical on how we can incorporate this virtue into the life we are already living, with the people right in front of us.

Whether you are hosting a big family gathering, serving at church, or simply spending time with your kids at home, Christmas is a perfect time to incorporate intentional acts of kindness into your life. This episode will inspire and encourage as you round the corner toward December 25th.

Ep. 110: Mom Pressure - How To Recognize It & What To Do About It Dec 14, 2017

Show notes

Although mom pressure is not a new concept, our generation of mothers seems to be suffering from it more than our mothers or grandmothers did. We feel responsible for everything: do my kids go to the right schools? Are their friends good influences? Is my food clean and organic enough to not cause cancer? Am I teaching my children enough about faith? Am I doing enough to build my child's self-concept? If they don't make this team will they ever be able to play again? If we can think it up, we'll worry about it.

Jeannie Cunnion, author of Mom Set Free, is on the show today talking about how we can learn to recognize our tendencies and then set ourselves free from anxious thinking, mom-guilt, and the burden of having to do life perfectly for our families. If you've ever been kept awake at night worrying about your children for any reason, this podcast is for you!

Ep.109: Jerusalem Greer Dec 12, 2017

Show notes

Jerusalem, her husband Nathan, and their two boys Wylie and Miles, live in rural Arkansas where they are attempting to live a slower version of modern life. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. From farm life to being outside, to exploring the liturgical calendar, we hear how Jerusalem lives her days.

A girlfriend's conversation about her crazy name (you won't believe the family history on this one!), how she started into blogging, what makes for a good scrambled egg, and how to slow down and enjoy today are all covered. We hear about Jerusalem's Advent wreath, Sabbath bags, and what makes for a good pair of scissors. Part practical, part inspirational, this conversation won't disappoint as we live full swing in the Advent season.

As we talk through what it means to practice faith in our everyday experiences, we pray this episode is an encouragement during a busy time of year. As you do your daily tasks, know that God is present. When we slow down we are able to notice his beauty. That is our prayer for you, a bit of slowing and noticing.

Ep.108: Create a Magical Farm Chicks Christmas with Serena Thompson Dec 07, 2017

Show notes

Serena Thompson is a part farm girl, part entrepreneur, part chef, part decorator. You may know her as the trusted voice and CEO behind the nationally acclaimed Farm Chicks Vintage and Handmade Fair held in Spokane, Washington. People are struck by her artistic talent, but just as equally touched by her childhood story of growing up without electricity or running water in the woods of Northern California, and how that has shaped her signature style.

If you are looking for direction on how to create a down home Christmas, look no further than Serena. From foraging in the woods for evergreen boughs, to homemade pies, to porch decorating tips, to how to make a natural Christmas tree look beautiful, we talk about the elements that create a Farm Chicks' holiday.

Don't miss this insider peek into Serena's life during this special and meaningful time of year. She is full of helpful tips and ideas, including the secret trick to a good fruit pie!

Ep.107: Kate Merrick Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

Kate Merrick's life on a small ranch in California where she home schools and surfs sounds idyllic from the outside. And yet tucked in her story is heart wrenching grief of losing her daughter, Daisy, to cancer. Her journey has led her from bitterness to joy in the midst of her reality.

In this conversation we hear about Kate's journey as a mother with a sick child, how she married into a surfing family, the church she is part of and it's global growth. A true sisterhood interview we cover the practical to the inspirational and back again. Kate is one you want to sit with (preferably on the beach) and cover all the topics. Her combination of intensity and abandon confirm the title of her new book, and Still She Laughs.

This is one Open Door Sisterhood Podcast episode you won't want to miss. This surfer girl turned pastor's wife is genuine and resilient, curious and lovely, wild and free. We welcome her to the sisterhood and we welcome you as well.

Ep.106: Family Advent: How to Focus the Season on Love, Joy, Peace and Hope Nov 30, 2017

Show notes

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.

Ep.105: Loving My Actual Christmas Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

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.

Ep.104: Take the Crazy Out of Christmas with Kathi Lipp Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

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.

Ep.103: The Heart of Thanksgiving - Practical Ideas for Grace & Gratitude Nov 16, 2017

Show notes

Thanksgiving is a holiday that reminds us to live a life saturated with gratitude, overflowing with grace, and aware of our abundance. Let's use this seasonal opportunity to lean into these virtues and create habits that last long after the pumpkin pie and turkey are cleared from the table. Joining Krista today is Courtney DeFeo, a woman who is known for sprinkling virtues and kindness into the daily routine of life. We talk about how to help our kids practice thankfulness, how to carry a sense of dignity and joy to people we interact with, and what it looks like to love when family dynamics are hard (and even when they're not). We also take an honest look at how pride stalls and prevents relationships, why it's OK to look like a fruitcake for Jesus, and why it's important to get outside for a gratitude walk. This episode will inspire you to make the most of your Thanksgiving holiday! Our beloved listeners, we want YOU to know how very thankful we are to have you as a part of the sisterhood! As a thank you, and a "We Love You!" please download a free printable of Colossians 3:15-17 on the website for your Thanksgiving table, or to tape on your refrigerator to remind you to let Jesus have the run of the house while you cook!

Ep.102 Jessica Connolly Nov 14, 2017

Show notes

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.

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