Stay ConnectedThere’s more than one way to be a spiritually minded woman who wants to make and keep covenants, know her Savior and make it back home. Yes, there are essential CHECKPOINTS on the covenant path, but there are NO CHECKLISTS with a million checkboxes you must check off.
Each week on the Spiritually Minded Women podcast I’ll be sharing insights about how to embrace YOUR journey on the covenant path with CHECKPOINTS instead of CHECKLISTS.
Copyright: © All content is copyrighted to Darla Trendler. Do not use without permission.
Madi Davis started using pornography when she was 13 after coming across images on social media. In this interview, Madi shares her journey of recovery, repentance and accessing the infinite power of Jesus Christ’s atonement.
Episode Links
Join Brooke Snow's The Creation Coach School
Use THIS LINK and get two free bonuses:
Bonus #1 - 5 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Did The Creation Coach School
I’ve gone through The Creation Coach School twice and I’ve learned some great things along the way. These five things will help you stay organized, save you time and get the most out of your participation in The Creation Coach School.
Bonus #2 - Be Part of My Accountability Group
This year Brooke Snow is not offering accountability groups as part of her program, but if you use my link to sign up, you and your buddy can be part of my accountability group for free. I worked for Brooke last year as an accountability coach and meeting with an accountability group is a great way for you to ask questions, connect with other participants and learn how to apply the lessons you are learning from Brooke. My accountability group will meet at least once a month over Zoom and sessions will be recorded and shared with you if you can’t make it live.
In this follow-up episode to the series on the doctrine of Christ, I share why I made a discussion guide for the series, how you can get it and why it is important to gather with others to discuss doctrine.
Links
Listen to the Doctrine of Christ Podcast Series
Hear thoughts, scriptures and quotes about the fifth element of the doctrine of Christ, enduring to the end, and learn why enduring will allow Christ to be the "author and finisher" of our faith.
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks, Podcasts and Other Resources
Hear how the gift of the Holy Ghost equips each of us with the exact spiritual gifts we need in our individual mortal journeys. I also discuss how mental health affects the gift of the Holy Ghost and how we can help those who experience this by truly mourning with them.
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks, Podcasts and Other Resources
This is the third episode in a five part series about the doctrine of Christ. Listen to hear why continuing on from faith in Jesus Christ and repentance to baptism and partaking of the sacrament will give you even more power in your life to change.
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks and Other Resources
This is the second episode in a five part series about the doctrine of Christ. In this episode I’m sharing about repentance. Listen to hear how repentance is turning and how you can go beyond being like Christ to allowing Him to live in you.
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks, Podcasts and Books
Learn about the relationship between doctrine, principles and applications and how understanding doctrine will help you change anything in your life.
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks, Articles and Books
Episode Links
Scriptures
Talks, Articles and Books
In early 2020, Lynnette Sheppard was called to be a Relief Society president. She was already feeling inadequate and then the pandemic hit along with many personal trials including family challenges and business struggles. By January 2021, Lynnette felt she was drowning but received a clear message from God, “Lynnette, it’s not about what you do.” In this interview, Lynnette shares what the prompting meant to her and how it led her to start helping other women of faith. Overall, Lynnette discusses how she came to know that God carries the weight of His work and it doesn’t have to feel heavy to us.
Journal Questions
How can you say “yes” to God? Lynnette shared she has learned she can do more when she involves God in the things she is doing. How have you seen your reliance on your Heavenly Parents increase your capacity to do something you didn’t think you could do? Record how that experience helped you.
I’ve noticed a pattern in my life. The pattern is this: when I feel overwhelmed by anything, it is usually because I am relying on myself instead of God. I have learned to be aware of this and to course correct when overwhelm creeps in. Where are you feeling overwhelmed in your life? How can you look up and allow Him to carry the burden?
What do you need when you feel yourself in a downward spiral? Lynnette shared the practical things she does to help her regain momentum. Her list included taking things one day at a time, writing in her journal, moving her body, sleeping, opening a window and sharing with a friend. What are the things that help you when you feel low? Write your own list of things to do for yourself when you need to remember to look up.
Episode Links
Ceri Payne was very content raising three teen daughters and working from home as a special education teacher, but everything changed when she and her husband were asked to facilitate a self-reliance class. During the class, Ceri realized she had desires for her life she had never uncovered before. In this interview, Ceri shares how a series of promptings helped her make major shifts in her career and learn how paying attention to her desires was a way to co-create with God and see blessings for things she wasn't even aware she needed.
Journal Questions
What do you desire? As Ceri shared, all you have to do is desire. You don't need to know the outcome. What is the next step in pursuing something you desire? Write your next step down.
President Dallin H. Oaks has said, “Revelation to the children of God comes when they are on the move.” What can you do to take action on the next step of your desire? Remember, you don't have to know everything, you just have to know the next step and then listen for the personal revelation for the step after that.
Ceri pointed out that when we listen to our desires and move forward we will not only help ourselves but others. Write down all the people you could potentially help if you pay attention to and act on your desires and develop your talents.
Episode Links
In 2020, Katie Mitchell found herself dealing with personal trials in addition to the pandemic. She knew she needed hope and something to lift her spirits and felt a prompting to start sharing poetry with friends and family on Instagram. In the interview, Katie talks about how sharing her gifts through poetry and seeking to help others opened her own heart to Jesus Christ's healing love.
Journal Questions
In Alma 36:20, the prophet Alma shares these words about the result of his repentance: "My soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!" Katie shared that during a dark time she read Alma's words and knew she needed her joy to be as great as her sorrow, so she prayed for that blessing. Do you need to feel the joy Alma experienced? Take some time to be still and then pray to know how you can have joy that matches your pain.
Katie shared that your efforts to figure out how you hear Jesus are enough, even if they don't look like someone else's. How can you set your intention to learn more fully learn how you uniquely hear Him?
What experiences have you had where the Savior helped you do things you never could have done on your own? Reflect on what you learned during those times and record the feelings so you can recall them when you need them in the future.
Episode Links
Purchase Katie's poetry book: Made For This: Poems to Help You Heal, Raise Up, Be Bold and Have Faith.
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Several years ago Brittany Staker visited the eye doctor for a routine exam and learned she had a rare eye disease that would cause her to lose her vision. She lost her night vision and peripheral vision and then woke up from a nap one day with all vision in one eye gone. In this interview, Brittany shares how she slowly learned that she didn’t have to just endure to the end and wait for the next life to regain her vision. She discusses how she came to know that she could “enjoy to the end” and find joy no matter her circumstances when she focused on her spiritual vision and her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Journal Questions
Brittany said changing her prayers to have more gratitude made huge difference in learning to enjoy instead of just endure. How has expressing gratitude in prayer helped you? Record your thoughts.
Hearing someone else’s story, even if it is not the same as your own, can give you nuggets of wisdom you need for your own life. What is something that inspired you while hearing Brittany’s story? Write down how this impression could help you in your life and then act on it.
I loved Brittany’s story about meeting President Hinckley in the parking garage. What faith-filling moments have you had in your life? How have these moments helped you to “see” God in your life? Share your thoughts with someone close to you.
Episode Links
Listen to Brittany’s podcast: Eyes to See podcast
Follow Brittany on Instagram: @eyestoseepodcast
Follow Brittany on Facebook: Eyes to See
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Listen to hear what I've been learning since deciding to take a break from social media over 6 weeks ago. I'm also sharing a new direction I am taking with podcast which includes a new season focused on the doctrine of Christ and more ways for YOU to be involved with the podcast.
Episode Links
Submit a question about the doctrine of Christ
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
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Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Christi Hibbert, a psychologist, author, wife and mother, describes her two and a half year battle with breast cancer as a roller coaster she couldn’t get off of. Christi discusses in this interview how cancer and other grief-filled experiences in her past have brought her closer to the Savior and helped her experience miracles. She shares her testimony that the Lord can take our hard things and through His enabling power, we can heal and learn to flourish.
Journal Questions
Christi shared how the words to the hymn Abide With Me ‘Tis Eventide have had significance for her. Do you have a hymn, song or musical piece that has spiritual significance to you or helps you feel closer to God? Listen to the music that inspires you and write the thoughts you have while you listen.
“You’re not alone.” Christi said these words are some of the most powerful things we can say to someone experiencing something difficult. Who in your life needs to hear these words? Think about how you can help someone else feel like they are not alone and then act on the promptings you receive.
Christi referenced a portion of 2 Nephi 25:23 which says, “..for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” She shared her thought that the “we” in that verse is referring to what an individual and the Savior can do together. What are your thoughts about this verse? Journal what Christ’s grace means to you.
Episode Links
Listen to Christi’s podcast: Like a Watered Garden
Visit Christi’s websites: drchristinahibbert.com likeawateredgarden.com
Follow Christi on Instagram: @likeawatered.garden @drchristinahibbert
Follow Christi on Facebook: Dr. Christina Hibbert
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
In this interview, Taylor Ricks tells about a 24 hour period when she found out she was pregnant and the newborn she and her husband were fostering and hoping to adopt had down syndrome and might not be adoptable. She was also facing having four children under four, two with disabilities, and a husband leaving soon for military service. Taylor shares how in her overwhelmed state she prayed one night for someone to bring her dinner but instead received a spiritual experience that has sustained her much longer than a casserole would have. Taylor shares how dropping the expectations of how God should show up has taken her from overwhelming fear to overwhelming peace.
Journal Questions
Have you ever had an experience similar to Taylor’s praying for a casserole that didn’t come? What did you learn from this time? How did you see the Savior show up in ways you were expecting? Record your thoughts.
Taylor shared the thought that when love is present you can overcome anything. How have you seen love from God, for yourself or someone else help you through challenging times?
What are the things in your life that are important to you and that you love to do? How can you use these things to find joy and bring praise to God?
Episode Links
Follow Taylor on Instagram: @tocheerandtobless
Follow Taylor on Facebook: To Cheer and to Bless
Read Taylor’s book: Everyday Disciples: Lessons Learned from Unnamed Scripture Heroes
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallmindedwomen.com
Listen to hear the perspectives of 14 different women on what it means to live inside their temple covenants. Each of these women has varied experiences, seasons of life and a unique journey on the covenant path but all testify in their own way of the power of making and striving to keep covenants and the way they have been brought closer to Jesus Christ.
A special thank you to the women who shared their testimonies on this episode:
Books by Anthony Sweat: The Holy Covenants and The Holy Invitation
Talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson: Why the Covenant Path
Podcast interview with Sister Wendy Nelson: The Church News Podcast January 25, 2022 Episode
Talk by President Russell M. Nelson: The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation
Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:31
Scripture: 3 Nephi 29
YouTube video by Darla Trendler: Gospel Library Resources to Learn More About Temple Covenants
Melissa Bunkers realized her dream and goal of becoming a nurse practitioner and then felt God pointing her in a new direction with functional medicine. In this interview, Melissa discusses the ways she felt the Savior guide her by putting the right people in her path and helping her recognize new opportunities. She shares how her own struggles helped her to grow and be prepared for a new journey that gave her a way to help others.
Journal QuestionsWhat signs from God are you receiving that are letting you know the direction He wants you to go? Take some time to be still and ponder and then write the impressions you receive.
How have the hard things you have experienced in the past helped you to grow? How has Christ been beside you through challenges? How can you use your own struggles to help someone else? Journal your answers.
Melissa shared how journaling helped her get through the challenges she faced while trying to change her direction to the way she knew God wanted her to go. One of the things Melissa did was write out the words that described the negative feelings such as anxiety, fear, and doubt, and then replacing them by writing the opposite words like courage, strength and trust. What words describe the feelings inside of you that are holding you back? Write them out and then replace those words with positive words that inspire you to continue on your path.
Episode LinksFollow Melissa on Instagram: @revivefunctionalmed
Visit Melissa’s website: revivefunctionalmed.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: SpirituallyMindedWomen.com
Episode Links Come to the live group episode recording about covenants: Sign up here
Parenting in Real Life podcast episode: 3 Tips for Navigating the Teenage Years
Pebbles of Light podcast episode: Helping Others Recognize Their Divine Potential
President Nelson’s talk: Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives
Five-part series: Five Ways to Become More Spiritually Minded
Spiritually Minded Women podcast episode: Acting on the Prophet’s Invitations at a Hinge Point in Church History
Spiritually Minded Women podcast episode: Blessings of the Prophet’s Invitations || Listener Call-in Show
Spiritually Minded Women podcast Episode: Join a Group Podcast Episode + How We Hear Him Replay
Find all the episode show notes HERE
President Nelson’s talk: The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation
Spiritually Minded Women podcast episode: Why Understanding Christ’s Covenant Promises Gives You a Framework for Resilient Faith
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
This episode is an invitation to join a group podcast recording. Then, you’ll hear a replay of an episode that originally aired on May 6, 2020. That episode came as a result of a very strong and distinct impression to gather a group of women together over Zoom to discuss a question President Nelson had posed–How do you hear Him? The reason I’m replaying this episode is because I’m getting ready to record a similar group episode and I want you to join me. Something that’s been on my mind for months is covenants. I’ve spent a lot of time studying about covenants in the scriptures and in talks. One of the talks I’ve been studying is The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation given by President Russell M. Nelson in the October 2021 general conference. In that talk, President Nelson compared the foundation of the Salt Lake Temple to our spiritual foundation. He said, “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”
What does it mean to live inside your temple covenants?
I think it will be powerful to come together as a group of Latter-day Saint women to discuss this question and share with each other.
The recording will be on Tuesday, February 15th at 7:00 PM MT on Zoom. Anyone who wants to come is welcome, and you’ll have an opportunity to share what living inside your temple covenants means to you. I will record the discussion and then share it as a podcast episode.
If you would like to be part of the group podcast episode about covenants, go to THIS LINK to register. There is a limit on how many people I can have on the Zoom call, so don’t wait.
I am so looking forward to recording this episode and sharing it on the podcast. I hope you will come if it works for you. Enjoy the replay of How We Hear Him.
Episode LinksRegister to attend the group podcast episode recording about covenants: Click here to register
When Becky Mackintosh's son came out to her as gay, the first thing she did was pray and in this interview she shares that the clear answer she received that night and many times since was simple--love him. In this interview, Becky shares what learning to love her son in a Christ-like way has looked like for her. She candidly talks about the mistakes she's made and the struggles she's had but also shows that when life doesn't go as you planned it, you can always trust God and lean into the Savior to know how to love.
Journal Questions
Whether you have had a child come out as gay or not, there are instances in all of our lives when love is the answer to mend a difficult relationship. What parts of Becky's story stood out to you? What did you learn from Becky about love that you can apply to your own relationships? Write down your thoughts and impressions.
One of the things Becky shared that helped her was to read about families in the scriptures. She realized there were no perfect families. Research a family from the scriptures you feel you could learn from. Read their story and then record what you learned about your own family relationships in your journal.
Becky shared throughout the interview that she learned to create a safe space in her home for her children. What do you feel prompted to do to make your home a "safe space" for anyone who enters? Pray and act on the promptings you receive.
Episode Links
Follow Becky on Instagram: @beckymack22
Read Becky's Book: Love Boldly: Embracing Your LGBTQ Loved Ones and Your Faith
Visit Becky's Website: beckymackintosh.com
Watch the video Becky referenced: The Mackintosh's Story
Book Becky referenced: In Quiet Desperation: Understanding the Challenge of Same-Gender Attraction by Ty Mansfield, Fred Matis, Marilyn Matis
Book Becky referenced: No More Goodbyes: Circling the Wagons Around Our Gay Loved Ones by Carol Lynn Pearson
Scripture I referenced from Becky's book: 2 Chronicles 20:12
Scripture Becky shared: D&C 84:88
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Teniesha Williams received strong spiritually promptings to marry her husband, a childhood friend, who had been sober from addiction for four years. Teniesha felt doubt and questioned the promptings when shortly after their marriage and her pregnancy her husband started using again. She describes her journey, which includes her husband’s death three years after their marriage, as a “fairytale that got crushed.” But despite the messiness she felt, Teniesha kept the lines of communication with God open and learned the Savior would meet her in the middle of her messiness. In the interview, Tenisha shares her witness that Christ is always there when we come to Him boldly, even on our imperfect covenant path.
Journal QuestionsWhat does coming boldly to the Savior mean to you? Take a few minutes to pray and ponder and then write the thoughts and impressions you feel.
How do you keep the lines of communication open with the divine when things feel so imperfect around you? Take a few minutes to ponder on specific things you have done in the past and then write down the ways you can stay connected to Them even when it feels everything else is falling apart.
Read Elder Renlund’s talk from the April 2021 general conference called Infuriating Unfairness. Highlight the passages that stand out for you. Read scriptures referenced in the footnotes and record what is significant for you in this talk.
Episode LinksFollow Teniesha on Instagram: @teniesha_williams_hopeinchrist
Visit Teniesha’s website: tenieshawilliams.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: SpirituallyMindedWomen.com
As a young mom, Jessica Brite Peterson realized the light within her was on dim. In this interview, Jessica shares how she got the light back in her life and how you can do the same thing by figuring out what your gifts are, praying, and then simply starting. Jessica shares her testimony that every person has light to share and you will be full of the Spirit when you share your light.
Journal QuestionsJessica shared this quote from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Our loving Heavenly Father has not given us every answer. He expects us to figure out many things for ourselves. He expects us to believe even when it’s difficult. He expects us to straighten our shoulders and develop a little resolve, a little backbone and take another step forward. That is the way we learn and grow. Would you honestly want everything spelled out in detail? Would you honestly want every question answered, every destination mapped out? I believe most of us would tire very quickly of this sort of heavenly micromanagement. We learn the most important lessons of life through experience.” What are you holding back on in your journey because you’re afraid of making a mistake? How can you trust yourself and your Heavenly Parents and move forward in faith?
What are your spiritual gifts? If you aren’t sure, do what Jessica suggested. Get out a piece of paper and start writing out your gifts. What are the things you do without anyone reminding you? What are you good at? You can also ask the people closest to you what they think your gifts are and add their suggestions to your list. Read D&C 46 and your patriarchal blessing for more inspiration. Keep a running list of your own spiritual gifts.
One of the things Jessica shared that I absolutely loved was this: “Breakdown brings the breakthrough.” Jessica shared that Heavenly Father wants to hear the hard stuff. We don’t have to sugar coat our prayers to Him. We can go to Him with anything. Take some time to think about and maybe even journal the hard stuff in your life that’s breaking you down. Then, go to Heavenly Father in prayer about it. Remember, it’s OK for your prayer to feel messy or like a huge breakdown. After, write about the breakthroughs you feel as you pray, read scripture and ponder on your hard things.
Episode LinksFollow Jessica on Instagram: @jessicabritepeterson
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list and get access to my FREE resource library: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
EmyLee McIntyre shares how her personal struggle with depression led her to help other women understand that suffering caused by trials is optional and joy can be found in any circumstance. We also dive into why just being on earth means you are living your purpose, how to show up knowing everything will work out and how connecting with others and constantly repenting will allow for more joy in the journey.
Journal Questions
EmyLee shared that you can think anything you want about anything in your life. What is something hard you face in your journey? How do your thoughts shift about the hard thing when you think about EmyLee's statement, "I'm supposed to struggle 50% of the time." Think and ponder and write your down your impressions.
What if you didn't need to create your purpose because you are already living it? Ponder on EmyLee's insights that you are already living in your purpose because you came to earth and you have a body. How does it make you feel to hear you are already living in your purpose and you already have worth? How does this thought change the way you see the things you are doing in your life? Journal your thoughts.
What keeps you up at night? What do you worry about most? If you knew everything was going to work out, what would you do differently right now?" EmyLee expressed her belief that you can have this assurance because our Heavenly Parents already know it will work out. What can you do in your life to rely on Them, connect with those around you and repent to show up in a way you know everything will work out?
Episode Links
Follow EmyLee on Instagram: @limitlessfemale
Visit EmyLee's website: limitelessfemalecoaching.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
In this interview McArthur Krishna shares about her experience following personal revelation to marry her husband, who is not a member of the church, and what she learned about growth on the covenant path. McArthur also discusses why Heavenly Mother is essential in our journey and is a gospel doctrine for both men and women. If you’ve ever thought you weren’t allowed to talk about Heavenly Mother or connect with her, you will be happy to hear McArthur share that no prophet or apostle has said we shouldn’t mention Her. McArthur declares in a faith-filled way, backed by words of church leaders, why talking of and connecting with our Heavenly Mother is our sacred obligation and divine destiny.
Journal QuestionsMcArthur shared her thoughts about Christ and the woman at well. She discussed how this story tells us who is of “worth” in Jesus’ eyes. The woman at the well was a poor, foreign woman and He asked her to be his mouthpiece. How does this insight impact the way you see and treat others?
President Hinckley has cautioned that we don’t pray to Heavenly Mother, but McArthur pointed out that we don’t pray to Jesus either, but we know we can have a relationship with Him. The same is true for Heavenly Mother. We don’t pray to her, but we can still connect with her. Think about the things you do to feel close to the Savior. How could those things also connect you to Heavenly Mother? Write down your thoughts about how you can build or grow your relationship with Her.
How has your life been blessed by your knowledge of and connection to Heavenly Mother? Who in your life could benefit from your talking to them about Heavenly Mother? Write down the names of people you feel impressed to share the doctrine of Heavenly Mother with. Write how you will share to bless their lives and act on it.
Episode LinksFollow McArthur on Instagram: mcarthurkrishna_creates
Purchase McArthur’s books at Deseret Book or Amazon
Read about what church leaders have taught about Heavenly Mother: BYU Studies Article
Read the Gospel Topics Essay: Mother in Heaven
Read McArthur’s Article for the LDS Women Project: Loving the Other
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Crystal Haitsma struggled as a young mom to be the parent she wanted to be. In this interview, Crystal shares how she turned to God for help and realized that deepening her relationship with Jesus Christ was the way to help bridge the gap in her relationships with her children. Crystal discusses many truths that apply to all relationships to help you love yourself and those around you.
Journal QuestionsHow do you think about yourself? One of the things Crystal said she does with her clients who are struggling in a situation is to ask themselves this question: How would the Savior feel about me in this situation? Think about a situation in your own life that you have negative thoughts about. Ask yourself the question: How would the Savior feel about me in this situation? Journal what you feel His response would be.
Crystal shared how weekly temple attendance and daily scripture study helped her to build a stronger relationship with the Savior. Pray to know what you can do in your life to be closer with Jesus. Record the impressions you receive and then act on them.
Do you have a morning routine that connects you to your Heavenly Parents throughout the day? Crystal talked about how waking up in the morning to study, journal and meditate has helped her to feel God’s love throughout her day and build the muscle of personal revelation. What practices are you already doing in your life that help you to feel Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother’s love? What practices do you feel prompted to add? Pray and ponder and then write out the things you feel prompted to do everyday to be close to them.
Episode LinksFollow Crystal on Instagram: @the.parenting.coach
Visit Crystal’s website: www.coachcrystal.ca
Listen to Crystal’s podcast: The Freedom Moms Podcast
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the Website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Growing up, Susan R. Madsen didn't look at her future beyond getting married and having a family, but after she started having children, Susan realized she was being called by God to get more education. She earned a masters degree and then obtained a doctorate and now works as a professor at Utah State University. Susan is also the founder and director of the Utah Women and Leadership Project and is a global thought leader on women and leadership. In this interview, Susan warmly opens up with insights from her own life, including how she learned to follow personal revelation, despite going against cultural norms. She also discusses her new book, A Future Only God Can See for You: A Guide for Teen and Young Adult Women on Preparing to Lead and how the book can help Latter-day Saint women of all ages lead out by doing what God prompts them to do.
Journal Questions
Susan shared how another women once asked her why she was furthering her education while she had young children. Susan's simple response was, "Because God told me." What has God told you to do? Write about what you have personally learned by following what Heavenly Father has asked you to do, even when others' have judged your choices.
During the interview, Susan pushed back on a question I asked and brought up how we sometimes have a mentality in the church that women's choices have to be "either or." How has this thinking affected your choices? What do you think you can do to change the "either or" culture around women's choices?
By following the Spirit, understanding her strengths and figuring out how her brain works, Susan shared she has learned to trust herself and know God needs her and her unique strengths to do the work that only she can do. What is the Holy Ghost prompting you to do to learn to trust yourself and know that God knows you? What part of God's work is He saving just for you? Take some time to ponder and write your thoughts and feelings.
Episode Links
Read Susan's book: A Future Only God Can See for You
Visit Susan's website susanrmadsen.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
How do I recognize the Holy Ghost when it comes? If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, you’ll want to listen to this episode.
This episode originally aired over two years ago when the name of this podcast was Spiritually Minded Mom. The episode is a solo episode where I share some things I learned about feeling the Holy Ghost.
A lot of what you’ll hear is a recap of what I learned from a Missionary Training Center (MTC) devotional that was given by Elder Bednar in August 2019. You’ll hear me reference that you can find a link to the MTC devotional in the show notes, but this is no longer the case.
I honestly have no idea how I was even able to download and access this talk because MTC devotionals are usually not accessible. I think it was just something that I was meant to see. The talk had a huge impact on me personally.
You won’t be able to watch the exact talk that I’m sharing about in this episode. However, I did find a YouTube video that is a discussion with Elder Bednar. In the video he shares many of the same points he shared in the MTC devotional that I viewed and talked about in this episode. The link is below.
I hope this episode will be a small way for the Holy Ghost to teach you what you need to know.
Episode LinksWatch a YouTube video where Elder David A. Bednar shares a similar message: An Evening with a General Authority—Elder David A. Bednar Discussion
Learn more about my course: 5 Ways to Become More Spiritually Minded
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Jen Mabray is a student of Jewish Studies and Hebrew who is currently pursuing a PhD. In addition to her academic pursuits, Jen is also a wife, mother, author and seminary teacher. In this interview Jen shares about the book she co-authored, God Comes to Women. Jen discusses the strength and connection we, as women, receive when we hear other women’s stories and share our own. Jen also shares her belief that women’s stories are written in our hearts so we can connect heart to heart and experience companionship with Jesus and other women along the covenant path. She testifies the Savior is there for all the ups and downs of the journey.
Journal QuestionsDuring the interview I read this quote from President Nelson that Jen shared in her book, God Comes to Women. “To help each other reach our celestial potential is part of the divine mission of women. In partnership with God, her divine mission is to help spirits live and souls be lifted. This is the measure of her creation. It is ennobling, edifying, and exalting.” When has another woman helped you to live and be lifted? How did her work in your life make you feel? What talents, gifts and abilities were you created with that allow you to help others live and be lifted? Record your experiences and thoughts in your journal.
Jen shared this about stories, “I do think that stories have a fingerprint. They have many fingerprints and they help us to see, as fingerprints do, the nature of the individual and who they are.” Think about the story of a woman you’ve heard on this podcast or in your own life. What did you learn from that woman by hearing her story? How did you see her divine nature? How did hearing her story help you see the divine nature in yourself?
Do you ever feel you are ordinary and there’s nothing special about your story? During the interview Jen shared that we sometimes have blinders on that don’t allow us to see our stories in the midst of our mundane, every day life. How can you take the blinders off and see your story that, as Jen said, is right there in your home and in your heart? One way to begin to see your own story is to pray. Ask Heavenly Father how you can share your story. Write down the thoughts and impressions you receive.
Episode LinksFollow Jen on Instagram: @jenmabray
Get Jen’s Book, God Comes to Women: Amazon, Deseret Book
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Ashlee Ayre is a 20 year old woman who loves acting and playing the piano. She comes from a large family and also became addicted to pornography at age 11 starting with looking up pictures and words in a dictionary she found in her home. In the interview, Ashlee discusses her experiences with quitting pornography several times in her teen years but never really experiencing healing until she turned to the Savior. She shares how we can change the discussion about pornography in the church from shame to emphasizing the beauty of repentance through Christ’s atonement instead. Ashlee acknowledges that the single greatest thing that has helped has been knowing her divine worth as an “amazing daughter of God.”
Journal Questions The Life Help section of the church’s Gospel Library app is a great resource when you need guidance and help with challenges. The section for pornography provides ways you can help yourself, your spouse, your child or others. Open up the Gospel Library app on your phone and click on the Life Help button. Explore the topics you feel guided to to help yourself and those around you. Ashlee shared that a major shift happened in her healing when she started to understand her worth. President Nelson was once asked how to help those struggling with pornography and his response was “Teach them their identity and their purpose.” President Nelson’s counsel can apply to any personal challenge. How can you learn more about your identity and purpose? How can you help those you serve such as your children or youth you know understand their worth and purpose? Satan wants us to feel shame and keep the things we are struggling with to ourselves. But as Ashlee shared, when we are humble and open up, we can get the help we need. Sharing also helps us get out of darkness and shame and step into the light and love of Jesus Christ and the repentance His atonement offers. Is there something you are keeping inside that feels dark and shameful? Who could you share it with to let the Savior’s light in to your journey? Pray for guidance to know how to share your struggle.
Episode Links Follow Ashlee on Instagram (She is open to questions via DM): @ashleeayre Find the quote I referenced from President Nelson in Elder Tad R. Callister’s BYU Devotional, Our Identity and Our Destiny Visit the Life Help section on the Gospel Library App Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/ Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Chanelle Neilson believes most of her growth on the covenant path has not come from huge trials but from choosing daily to follow Jesus and live in her purpose. In this episode, Chanelle shares the practical things she does to increase her faith every day and how she has learned to use personal revelation for both spiritual and temporal aspects of her life. Chanelle expresses how acting on promptings has helped her to trust God and know that He wants more for her than she wants for herself.
Journal QuestionsThe Helen Keller quote Chanelle shared was this, “I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” What small task in your life could you view as great and noble? Write your thoughts on how doing this task daily will increase your faith in Jesus.
Chanelle expressed her belief that God already sees her business as “done” even though she is in the beginning stage. What are you feeling called to do in your life? Is it a business, something with your family or church calling or something else? How can you increase your faith to see this thing as already “done” in the Lord’s eyes. Here’s some ideas to embrace how God sees your calling as done. Ask in prayer for him to bless you with this gift. Visualize or meditate on what you are feeling called to do as “done.” Journal as if you have already accomplished what God has asked you to do.
In Chanelle’s journey, she has learned to live in personal revelation every day. But she wasn’t born fluent in the language of the Spirit. Chanelle has developed this ability over time by choosing daily to follow Christ and live in her purpose. Ponder how you have seen your spiritual fluency grow throughout your life. Record in your journal the growth you have seen in your own journey to know God’s will for you.
Episode LinksScripture Chanelle referenced: 1 Nephi 5:5
Follow Chanelle on Instagram: @chanelleneilsoncoaching
Follow Chanelle on Facebook: Chanelle Neilson Coaching
Follow Chanelle on YouTube: Chanelle Neilson
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website: spirituallymindedwomen.com
After 20 years as an election lawyer, Audrey Perry Martin has definitely seen the negative sides of politics. But despite her own cynicism from the things she has seen in her career, Audrey is sharing in this interview why she is encouraging Latter-day Saint women to jump into the political scene and run for office. She discusses why she created Project Elect, a non-partisan organization to educate, encourage and support Latter-day Saint women to get involved in public service. Audrey also shares how women members of the church are uniquely qualified to bring a different perspective to politics by using Christ-like leadership and love.
Journal QuestionsThink about the leadership skills you have gained through church or community service. How can you use these skills to bless your community? Write down your thoughts of ways you could serve in your neighborhood, school or community.
Audrey shared how following the prompting to start Project Elect wasn’t easy but a support system of other women helped her to move forward through the obstacles. How can you support the women around you who are trying to following promptings? Pray for guidance to know who around you needs support. Write the promptings you receive.
And this isn’t really a journal question but you know I don’t want you to just listen; I want you to act on what you hear on the podcast. So, are you feeling the nudge to be more involved in local government? Act by going to the Project Elect website at projectelectwomen.org and learn how you can get involved.
Episode LinksVisit Project Elect’s website: projectelectwomen.org
Follow Project Elect on Instagram: @projectelectwomen
Follow Project Elect on Facebook: Project Elect: Women in Public Service
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Listen to Laura Cragun, a wife and mom of 3 young kids share about her personal challenges with mental health including depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicidal ideation. Laura discusses how she has sought help through therapy and medication as well as through daily spiritual practices that help her feel connected to God. Laura also talks about how each of us has a hole in our heart and gives her witness of how Christ has been the missing piece to fill the hole in her own heart.
Journal QuestionsLaura described beautiful imagery of how God made each of us with a hole in our heart. She shared how she realized that Christ was the One who could fill the hole in her heart. What part of your life feels like a hole or something is missing? How can you invite the Savior in to be the missing piece to fill your hole?
What are the daily practices you have in your life that help you feel connected to your Heavenly Parents and Jesus? Laura calls the time she spends in the morning in meditation, pondering, prayer and journaling her “holy time.” How can you create your own holy time and space for the divine each day?
Laura expressed that she knows the Savior understands what she is going through. Jesus knows you and He knows how you feel, no matter what struggles you face. I was recently visiting my daughter’s ward and her bishop said something I had to write down. He said, “He knows what it feels like for you to be you.” Ponder on this truth. Jesus knows what it feels like for you to be you. Record the thoughts that come to your mind.
Episode LinksFollow Laura on Instagram: @lauracragun
Visit Laura’s website: lauracragun.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
How do you teach your child to stay on the covenant path and make and keep covenants? That was a question mother and youth leader, Sharla Goettl, heard a lot. Writing a book with help for these questions was never on Sharla’s radar but after repeatedly being compelled by the Spirit, Sharla jumped in and wrote Spiritual Resilience: Leading Our Youth to Go and Do, to add her perspective for parents who want to help their children be spiritually resilient.
In this interview, Sharla shares how she was guided to write about Nephi’s example of building spiritual resilience and what we can learn from him about how to teach our children. She shares how the covenants we make in the temple and the accompanying promises we receive from Christ give parents a framework to teach youth how to have more resilient faith.
Sharla also talks about how Nephi knew Christ had an individual path for him that was leading him to a better place and how each of us can have our own personal assurance of this as well.
To wrap up, Sharla concludes that “All the credit goes to Him.” Her commitment to the Lord and desire to help parents understand covenants and spiritual resilience and in turn teach their children is remarkable. Sharla’s thoughts in this interview are extremely helpful to anyone who wants to understand covenants more fully.
Journal QuestionsOne of the questions Sharla frequently heard from parents was this: Can I trust Christ with the personal details of my life and of my teen’s life? What areas of your life could use a little more trust from Christ? How can you turn these personal details over to Him?
What are the ways you have seen God fulfill his promises to you through your covenants? How can you share how you’ve seen God fulfill promises with your children or others? Act on the ways you feel prompted to share.
Sharla discussed reimagining “symbols of righteousness” such as the iron rod, straight and narrow path, and taking the sacrament. She shared that we can each seek for our own interpretation of what symbols mean. What do you think of when you think of “symbols of righteousness.” When you read scriptures, ponder and journal about these symbols, what do you feel the Spirit telling you they mean? Write your thoughts.
Episode LinksRead Sharla’s book, Spiritual Resilience: Leading Our Youth to Go and Do
Watch the trailer for Sharla’s book
Visit Sharla’s website and get a free goalmaker printable: sharlagoettl.com
Follow Sharla on Instagram: @authorsharlagoettl
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Visit the website for more resources: spirituallymindedwomen.com
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Graciela Moore was raised in the Catholic church in her native Puerto Rico but stopped going to church after high school.
In this interview, you will hear how Grace felt God guiding her throughout her life to find the gospel and be baptized in 2020.
Of her journey on the covenant path, Grace shares, “Waiting for things to happen and to come–that’s my story.”
Grace also says her journey wasn’t conventional but she knows everything she experienced had a purpose in God’s mind which she describes as “incredible.”
Overall, Grace’s journey is about waiting with hope in Christ and clinging to covenants.
Journal QuestionsGrace shared that a common theme in her journey has been waiting. Is there a part of your life where you feel like you are being asked by God to wait? If so, how can you put your trust in Him and wait with hope? Record your thoughts.
I asked Grace this question: How has the covenant of baptism changed your life? What would your answer to this question be?
In the interview, Grace described hope as the “fuel” and the “propeller” that kept her going throughout her journey. In the April 2021 general conference President M. Russell Ballard said this, “When we have hope in Christ, we come to know that as we need to make and keep sacred covenants, our fondest desires and dreams can be fulfilled through Him.” What has having hope in Christ looked like for you in your life? How can you use your hope in Christ to fulfill your desires and dreams?
Episode LinksFollow Grace on Instagram: @songofmyself.ig
Visit Grace’s website: somcoaching.com
Join the Spiritually Minded Women email list: spirituallymindedwomen.com/prayerjournal/
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch the podcast on YouTube: Spiritually Minded Women channel
Surprise! I’m thrilled to be back to podcasting.
This is a solo episode where I tell you how I learned that walking the covenant path with a checklist in one hand and a pen to check off “all the things” in the other hand was not going to get me where God wanted me to be.
Episode Links
Go HERE to sign up for my email list, learn the details about the Beyond the Checklist community and get my free video about prayer journaling.
Natalie Reeve gained a testimony of the gospel at a young age but also experienced a time in her life that left her feeling shattered by abuse, lack of trust and an eating disorder. Natalie describes this period of her life as falling into a hole very quickly and climbing out very slowly.
In the interview you will hear how Natalie relied on the Spirit to rebuild her life by turning to God to not only feel His love but also to see the divine nature within herself.
She shares the miracle she saw in her life of God helping her to recover and forgive. Natalie also discusses how God strengthened her through her covenants, which she realized were still in tact even though her first marriage ended.
Natalie shares her witness that no matter how difficult the trials you face are, all things will work together for your good if you love God and put Him first.
Journal QuestionsMany guests this season have shared how asking God how He feels about them has helped them feel His love. If you haven’t asked God how He feels about you lately, ask Him and then record the answers you feel in the coming weeks and months.
Natalie shared how she asked Heavenly Father how He felt about her but then she took it one step further by using daily meditation and looking at herself in the mirror to see for herself what God sees in her. Who is this person that Heavenly Father sees? Try doing what Natalie did. Look in the mirror. Look at yourself in the eye. Don’t judge yourself and allow negativity to creep in. See the beauty that is not tangible. See yourself as your Heavenly Parents see you.
Natalie shared a scripture found in Romans 8:28: “…all things work together for good to them that love God…” What does loving God mean to you? How have you seen Him take the messes in your life and make them into beautiful things? Record your thoughts in your journal.
Episode LinksFollow Natalie on Instagram: @simplifiedhomeschooling
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
After being married for three months, Alexis Tanner felt a prompting that she and her husband should start their family. Alexis followed the prompting but was disappointed when the pregnancy ended in miscarriage.
In this interview, Alexis, who is now mom to 5 kids ages 10 to 3, shares how she developed the faith to follow the promptings she felt from God about having children. She talks about how she kept her faith in the middle of challenges and turned to God to guide her.
Alexis also shares how frequent visits to the temple strengthened her as a young mother, helped her remain close to the Spirit and showed her how to find peace through her covenants.
No matter what God is calling you to do, Alexis’ story will remind you that when you exercise faith and surround yourself with spiritual things, you will know the next step to take.
Journal QuestionsThink of the faith-building experiences you have had that have helped you to embrace your own journey on the covenant path. Write those experiences down so you can go back and draw on them when you need to remind yourself of your spiritual experiences.
Alexis shared how the temple has been a blessing in her life by helping her be close to the Spirit and her ancestors. What blessings has the temple brought into your life? Ponder your answer and record it.
What do you feel God calling you to do in your life? What do you need to do to have the faith to follow Him?
Episode LinksFollow Alexis on Instagram: @alexistannerlane
Visit Alexis’s website: alexistannerlane.com
Listen to Alexis and her husband on their podcast: Parenting in Real Life
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Niki Olsen, a mental health therapist, coach wife and mother of two, grew up with no spiritual guidance or knowledge in her life. At the age of 19, Niki converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but says she was mostly just going through the motions for many years after her baptism.
Several years ago, Niki decided she wanted to have a closer relationship with her Heavenly Parents, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost, so she started to dive in deeper in her study of the gospel.
Along the way, Niki developed an outline to help her pray with more intention. In this interview, Niki shares her personal pattern for prayer and how it has helped her gain the relationships with the Godhead she was seeking.
Niki’s journey shows how anyone, no matter where they start, can deepen their relationship with the divine and use Christ’s enabling power everyday in their life.
Journal QuestionsNiki’s advice for someone who feels they are just “going through motions” but longs for a more connected relationship with our Heavenly Parents is simple–action. She said this during the interview, “Our Heavenly Parents cannot guide us without us acting. The spirit cannot continue to prompt us and build knowledge and reveal the mysteries of the gospel without us moving.” How are you feeling prompted to act? What can you do right now to take action in your spiritual life?
Have you ever considered writing out a prayer? If not, give it a try. You could write in a notebook or on your computer or just make notes on your phone. Notice if writing your prayer helps you feel more connected to God.
We hear all the time about creating balance in our life. Niki shared the thought that balance is doing the Lord’s will. Where are you feeling out of balance in your life? How could submitting your will to God help you feel more in balance?
Episode LinksGo to Niki’s website: nikiolsencoaching.com
Follow Niki on Instagram: @nikiolsencoaching
Follow Niki on Facebook: Niki Olsen Coaching
Listen to Niki’s podcast: Meaningful Minutes with Niki Olsen
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Abbie Twingstrom’s journey on the covenant path has included both darkness and light. As a young adult missionary and newlywed, Abbie felt troubled by the lack of answers she received and struggled to continue to choose to stay in the church
.
In this interview Abbie shares how she navigated that difficult time and ultimately came to learn how the Savior can be found in the darkness and in the light as well as in all the phases in between.
Overall, Abbie expresses her faith that no matter where you are on the path, there is peace in Jesus Christ and He is there for all of it.
Journal QuestionsAbbie shared that she has discovered 5 different phases of light in her own life. Those phases are: recognize, seek, absorb, reflect and create. Abbie emphasized that these five phases are not steps and that the Savior can be found in all of them. You don’t arrive at one and then move on to the next. You are probably going in out of phases, even in a single day. Take a moment to ponder where you are at right now with feeling light in your life. How can you see the Savior in your current phase?
In the interview, Abbie and I discussed how taking care of yourself physically and emotionally will help you spiritually because they are all tied together. How are you taking care of yourself physically? How are you taking care of yourself emotionally? What do you feel you can do physically or emotionally that will help you spiritually?
Abbie’s testimony is that there is peace in Christ even when you are in darkness. When have you felt His peace in the past? How can you turn to Him now?
Episode LinksFind the quote by Elder David A. Bednar in the talk The Spirit of Revelation
Read Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk Fourth Floor, Last Door
Look up the scripture Darla reference D&C 19:23
Follow Abbie on Instagram: @scattersofsunshine
Follow Abbie on Facebook: Scatters of Sunshine
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Elisabeth Robinson’s father died when she was a baby and she often found herself feeling like a “nobody” in the church because she would never be the bishop’s daughter. She is also half Japanese and half Brazillian and Elisabeth often felt she didn’t fit the “cookie cutter” mold of a Latter-day Saint.
Fortunately, Elisabeth grew up with a strong and faithful mother as well as church leaders who helped her to see that God had a placed for her and her covenants were what made her belong in the church.
In this interview, Elisabeth shares how she learned to ask Heavenly Father how he felt about her and took that infinite worth she felt to “change her story” and truly feel she has a place in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Journal QuestionsEven if you’ve asked before, take some time to be still and asked Heavenly Father how He feels about you. The answer may be something you feel quickly or may come over time. Either way, record your answer in your journal.
Elisabeth shared how other people such as seminary teachers and bishops helped her feel included and not alone. Think of someone you know who may feel different from others. How can you help this person feel cared for and loved? Pray and ponder about ways you can help show her or him they are not alone.
One of the main messages that Elisabeth’s story illustrates is that when you know who you are and you take things one day at a time, you can change your story. What comes to your mind when you think about “changing your story?” How can you let God guide you?
Episode LinksFollow Elisabeth on Instagram: @robinsonelisabeth
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Have you ever thought that you don’t have any talents or wondered how your quirky gifts could possibly help someone else? If so, you’ll totally relate to my guest, Sally Dupaix.
Sally grew up cooking and baking with her mom and developed a love for food. She also learned how to make friends easily with frequent moves in her childhood.
But Sally never thought of these two things she loved and was good at–food and friendship–as something she could use to build God’s kingdom until a few years ago.
Listen to Sally’s interview to hear how she learned food and friendship were gifts that she could use as a part of her own spiritual journey.
Sally also shares her testimony that everyone has gifts that matter and are important in God’s work. She believes when we all use our gifts, it’s like a “patchwork quilt that covers the whole earth, as we each just bring our square. And when all of our work is combined, it’s enough.”
Journal QuestionsSally shared how a friend helped her to see that food and friendship were her gifts by asking her questions. If you aren’t sure what your gifts are, think about and write your answers to these questions. What has been a theme for my whole life? What have I been taught through my experiences? What has God been teaching me throughout my life?
Another way to use your gifts to help build the kingdom is to go to the source, the person who gave you those gifts in the first place. Take some time to ponder or meditate and ask God how you can use your gifts to be a part of His work.
Sally shared the thought that we are not meant to be unseen. What you have to offer matters. Think of one way you can use your gifts and talents to bless someone else. Write that idea down and then go and do it. After, write your thoughts about how sharing your gift made you feel.
Episode LinksFollow Sally on Instagram: @kinship.table
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Nicole Utley is someone who has taken gathering others and self-improvement to a whole new level. She believes gathering is a Christ-like act when you have a purpose and you plan with the needs of those attending the event in mind. She also embraces passion projects, something she does just for pure joy, as a way to improve herself and also focus on others.
In the interview, you’ll hear unique and creative ways Nicole has brought other people together as well as the simple passion projects she has worked on. I promise she will totally inspire you with all the things she has done.
Ultimately, Nicole’s journey is an incredible example of leaning into your gifts and following the Spirit to be a light to those around you.
Journal QuestionsNicole talked about how we spend a lot of our lives gathering but leave so much about gathering up to chance. Think about a gathering you may plan in the future. What is the purpose of the gathering? What are the needs of the people who will attend? How can you use the gathering to meet those needs? How can you focus on those attending instead of worrying how the event will make you look?
What are your unique gifts? List some of the gifts you have been blessed with in your journal. How can your gifts bless someone else? Write out ways you can use the gifts God created you with to help someone else.
Are you waiting for permission to do something for the sole purpose of giving yourself joy? What is something you could make into your very own passion project? Write down one thing you’ve always wanted to do and then act and go do it. Record in your journal how you felt after you did it.
Episode LinksPresident Hinckley story found in the book Worth the Wrestle chapter 1 by Sheri Dew
Book: The Art of Gathering
Book: The Art of Making Memories
Book: The Power of Moments
Podcast Nicole mentioned: Light the Fight Podcast
Follow Nicole on Instagram: @theradicalrendezvous
Listen to Nicole’s podcast: The Radical Rendezvous
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
When Alisse Coil was 16 years old, she visited the Sacred Grove in New York. Alisse was sure this visit would be the defining moment of her testimony. So, she was a little taken aback when the only answer she received that day from God was, “You already know.”
In this interview, Alisse shares how that experience over 30 years ago helped her to realize that God doesn’t usually answer her prayers with periods. He answers with commas.
Alisse explains how the answers with commas have given her the next step to take, helped her gain strength from past answers and shown her how to see the Savior in her life.
Journal QuestionsWhile visiting the Sacred Grove, Alisse received the answer, “You already know,” when she asked about her testimony of the gospel. Alisse shared that after this answer she dug a little deeper and asked herself, “What do I already know?” What are the things you already know? Record the things you know in a place you can go back to often.
Alisse shared this quote from Elder David A. Bednar, “Knowing that the gospel is true is the essence of a testimony. Consistently being true to the gospel is the essence of conversion.” How are you being consistently true to your testimony? What do you need to stop doing to be truly converted? What do you need to start doing in your life to be converted?
Have you ever experienced a time where you just wanted to see the end? You wanted to know how things were going to turn out. Maybe you’re experiencing this right now. How can you embrace the words of the hymn, Lead Kindly Light?
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom;
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home;
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me.
How can you put your trust in Jesus and say to Him, “One step is enough for me?”
Episode LinksTalk and quote Alisse referenced by Elder David A. Bednar: Converted Unto the Lord
Hymn Alisse mentioned: I Know That My Redeemer Lives
Hymn Alisse mentioned: Lead Kindly Light
Book Alisse mentioned: We Were Not Alone by Karola Hilbert Reece and Patricia Reece Roper
Scripture Alisse referenced: D&C 6:22-23
Follow Alisse on Instagram: @we_.rise and @hometown_abundance
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram: @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Anne Maxson grew up in Minnesota going to the Lutheran church. While attending graduate school in Chicago, Anne reached out to friend she had known through a church camp growing up and that friend introduced Anne to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In the interview, you’ll hear Anne’s conversion story as well as the struggles and blessings she has experienced being the only member of the church in her family.
Anne talks about how she gained confidence to move forward with her decision to be baptized and soon after serve a mission. She shares how she handled the shifts in relationships with family and friends.
Anne reminds all of us that you don’t have to be experienced in the gospel to follow the Spirit. She said she often thinks of the words to the hymn, Lead Kindly Light, “One step enough for me” as she moves forward with confidence in the Lord.
Journal QuestionsAnne talked about how she felt comfort from her grandfather beyond the veil about her decision to be baptized. She also felt strength in the temple from other family members who had passed on. How have you felt an ancestor helping you in your journey? How have they strengthened you and your desire to confidently follow your Heavenly Parents and Jesus? Record the experiences that come to your mind in your journal.
Whether you are a lifelong member of the church, a convert or someone who is considering joining the church, Anne shared her advice during the interview that you don’t have to be experienced in the gospel in order to be guided by the Spirit. If you’ve been in the church for a long time, ponder on the traditions or expectations you can let go of to help you receive more personal revelation. And if you’re new to the church, think about how you can embrace promptings with confidence to know what your Heavenly Parents want to have happen in your unique journey.
Where are you lacking in confidence to move forward in your life? Think about one step you can take right now toward moving forward in that area. Take the step and write about how you are trusting God. How are you seeing God lead you to the next step?
Episode LinksRead the words to the hymn Anne mentioned: Lead Kindly Light
Listen to Anne’s Podcast: Pebbles of Light
Follow Anne on Instagram: @pebblesoflight Follow Anne on Facebook: @pebbles.of.light Visit Anne’s website: www.annemaxson.com Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
I have been feeling really weighed down by many things in my life for several months. Recently, I realized the reason I feel weighed down is because I am relying on myself instead of giving my burdens to Jesus.
This week, as I have been working through some of the burdens I feel, I remembered a solo episode I did two years on the podcast called My Yoke is Easy and My Burden is Light where I shared an experience I had learning to give my burdens to the Savior.
Fast forward two years and here I am again trying to do it on my own. Apparently, I need this reminder often. Maybe you are in the same boat feeling weighed down and needing to remember that you can give your burdens to Jesus. I decided to re-air this episode from two years ago as a reminder to me (and you if you need it!) that with Him, the burden is light.
I hope this episode brings you hope. Please share it with anyone you feel it might help.
Laura LaBerteaux has struggled with postpartum depression several times in her motherhood. She especially felt the darkness of depression after her third child was born when she was also facing her husband being called as a bishop, a house fire and her husband’s cancer diagnosis.
In this interview, Laura shares how Jesus Christ was there for her during the darkness in both small, everyday ways as well as in big, miraculous ways.
Laura discusses how she used personal revelation to know the path that was right for her as well as a very specific experience where she learned how to give her heart to Jesus and let Him heal her.
Overall, Laura’s message is about not giving up, even when you feel the darkness is insurmountable. She testifies that we are not alone and there is light and rest in Christ.
Journal QuestionsDuring the interview, Laura shared her perspective that God loves to surprise us and show us that He can do anything? How has God surprised you in the past? How have you seen His power in your life? Take some time to record your experiences, thoughts and impressions.
Laura talked about a guided meditation at a Relief Society meeting that helped her to give her heart to the Savior to heal her from depression. Take some time to think about the struggles you are facing. What do you need the Savior’s healing touch for in your life? How can you hand your heart over to Jesus and allow Him to hand it back transformed and strong?
In the interview, Laura and I discussed how letting others in on our struggles can let light in and illuminate our darkness. How can you open up and let others bring light to the dark places inside of you?
Episode LinksLinks to previous episodes with Melinda Peterson that Laura mentioned helped her:
Spiritually Minded Mom episode 47: Finding Beauty in the Hard of Motherhood
Spiritually Minded Women episode 3: Silence
Follow Laura on Instagram: @lauralaberteaux
Learn more about Laura’s photography business: lauralaberteaux.com
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Heidi Dunkley grew up in the same town her whole life. But that all changed on her 19th birthday when, as a freshly married couple, she and her husband moved to New York. Heidi shares about the experiences she had as she was thrust into a new life that was very different from the way she grew up.
In this interview, Heidi talks about how only having her husband in a new place forced her to be with herself and open up to the Spirit.
Although the move to New York from Utah was meant to be just one year, Heidi, her husband and their growing family ended up staying for 10 years. She shares the lessons she learned about seeing the hand of God in her life and learning how to love others unconditionally.
Overall, Heidi gives her witness that Jesus Christ is accessible to each of us. As she shared during the interview. “The more I’ve been willing to feel, the more I’m able to see.”
Journal QuestionsHeidi talked about how being away from everything she was familiar with helped her to see God more fully in her life. One of the things she said that helped her was to remember past times when God had given her a witness. She mentioned Oliver Cowdrey’s experience with the Lord in D&C 6:22-23. Read and ponder this scripture. Think about times when God has spoken peace to you. Write your thoughts in your journal so you’ll be able to read them when you need them in the future.
Much of Heidi’s experience revolved around learning to love others. How can you get out of your own circle to learn from others? How can you take the time to hear others’ stories and share your own?
Heidi talked about how accessible Christ has been to her when she opened up to feel Him. She shared, “The more I’ve been willing to feel, the more I’m able to see.” What do you feel prompted to feel more deeply? What is the Savior trying to help you see?
Episode LinksScripture Heidi mentioned –D&C 6:22-23
Scripture Darla mentioned – Moroni 6:5
Book Heidi mentioned – Divine Signatures: The Confirming Hand of God by Gerald Lund
Join Darla’s FREE Course Heidi mentioned – Reimagine Prayer with a Prayer Journal
Find out more about what Heidi shares – heididunkley.com
Follow Heidi on Instagram – @heidi.dunkley.coaching.moms
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Although Trish Braunersrither has been a wife and mother for many years, she says her full-time job for most of her life has been trying to shrink her body.
In this interview, Trish shares how disordered eating affected every area of her life for over 30 years. She talks about how she always felt broken in her own body and how she turned to dieting to help her feel whole.
Trish discusses how she was finally able to break the cycle of dieting and turn to God for help. She shares how focusing on the Word of Wisdom, turning to the Savior to understand her infinite worth and expressing gratitude helped her love herself and her body.
Journal QuestionsTrish shared how understanding her infinite worth was the first step to helping her let go of dieting and learn to truly love her body. How do you view your worth in relation to the size of your body? How can you truly embrace that your worth is infinite and does not change with the size of your body?
Your body is amazing. Trish talked about the power of gratitude. How can you show gratitude for your body? Think about what your body allows you to do in your journey. Write down the things you are grateful for.
Trish discussed that when she feels pulled toward Satan’s path of loathing her body, she visualizes herself changing paths and pointing herself towards the Savior. How can you rely on Jesus to help you love your body?
Episode LinksLearn more about what Trish shares – wisdomwithtrish.com
Follow Trish on Instagram – @wisdomwithtrish
Join Trish’s free Facebook group – Wisdom with Trish
Listen to Trish’s podcast – Wisdom with Trish
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
As a child, Denita Bremer attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with her grandparents. She had undeniable experiences where she learned that God wanted to communicate with her. But Denita’s home life with her parents was anything but picture perfect with drug and alcohol abuse and poverty.
As a teenager, Denita stepped a way from the church. In the interview she shares how this part of her journey and other experiences have shown her what she didn’t want and helped her wholeheartedly embrace her unique journey and her relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost.
Denita’s journey gives hope that no matter what your choices have been, the Savior can meet you wherever you are and can help you get back on the path.
Journal QuestionsDenita talked about an experience she had at 7 years old helping her Grandma find something by praying. She said this was an undeniable experience for her that God communicated with her. What experiences have you had that helped you to know God was there and aware of you? Write down the thoughts and memories that come to your mind.
You may not know what your journey will look like going forward, but you can embrace where you’ve been and where you are at now. Think about your own past and present experiences in your journey on the covenant path. How have those experiences, good or bad, shaped you? How can you embrace what you’ve already experienced on the path? How can you look forward with faith to your future journey?
Episode LinksFollow Denita on Instagram – @denitabremercoaching
Check out Denita’s website
Listen to Denita’s podcast – Shame Proof Your Life
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
Karen Krammer is someone who has experienced great trials and tragedy in her life including what she calls “the four Ds”–disease, death, divorce, debt.
In this interview, Karen shares how her 25 year marriage ended in divorce after her husband sexually abused their daughters. In the process, two of her sons tragically passed away. Karen was bankrupt and left to pick up the pieces.
Karen discusses how she learned to forgive and look past the chains others have placed on themselves through sin in this earth life by seeking to see them as God sees them.
Through all of Karen’s trials, she has seen the Savior walking with her and bares a beautiful testimony of His unconditional love no matter what we experience in our journey.
Journal QuestionsWhen I asked Karen the question I ask every guest at the end, “How have you seen and felt the Savior in your journey on the covenant path?” she replied by saying, “He’s ahead of me forging the path. He’s beside me holding my hand. He’s behind me catching me when I fall. Whenever I need Him, He’s either ahead of me, beside me or behind me.” Think about Karen’s words describing her experience. How has the Savior been there for you?
Think about and journal your responses to these questions:
When has Jesus been ahead of you, forging the path?
When has Jesus been beside you, holding your hand?
When has Jesus been behind you, catching your fall?
Episode LinksFind out more about Karen’s Facebook group for women who have experienced the loss of a loved one – Resilient Warriors
Follow Karen on Facebook – Karen Payne Krammer
Book Karen mentioned – Codependent No More
Talk Karen mentioned – Family Crucibles: Finding Peace in Trying Times by Jeffrey R. Hill
Book Karen mentioned – The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
In this interview, you’ll hear Natalie Bogle say the same phrase many times, “Heavenly Father said to do this.” Whether it’s adopting, homeschooling, moving, starting a business or anything else, Natalie Bogle always finds herself saying “Yes” to God.
In the interview, Natalie shares how she has learned to recognize God’s voice in her life and be intentional about following Him even when she doesn’t understand the why behind the prompting. She shares some of the practical things she does to hear and follow promptings such as acting and writing impressions down.
The result for Natalie has been an intentional relationship with God that has helped her to know her purpose and continue to progress to become who He wants her to be.
Quote“I’ve learned that if I can just say yes it will never be easy [because] adoption was hard and continues to be hard and homeschooling was hard… and running a business is hard, but the growth that I’ve learned from all of those things has made me me and has brought me closer to who God created me to be.” – Natalie Bogle
Journal QuestionsNatalie shared how she learned to hear God’s voice in her life by writing. Is writing a way you connect with God? If you’re not sure, try it out. Open up a notebook and start writing what comes to your mind. Share your thoughts, feelings and questions with God by writing them out. Notice if writing helps you connect more. If it does, keep doing it. Maybe writing is a way you connect and maybe it isn’t, but you’ll never know until you try.
Natalie said her closet has become her “sanctuary” as a place she connects with God. Where is your sanctuary? When can you carve out time to build your relationship with your Heavenly Parents?
What has God asked you to do that you haven’t said yes to yet? How can you take the first step and act on what you feel He is prompting you to do?
Episode LinksLearn more about Natalie’s business – anchorplanner.com
Follow Natalie on Instagram – @anchorplanner
Sign up for the Become Anchored Virtual Summit hosted by Natalie on April 23, 2021. I will be speaking with Natalie, Sarah Allred, Becky Squire, Brooke Romney and others about how we can anchor our lives to be who God created us to be.
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram – @spirituallymindedwomen
Watch Spiritually Minded Women podcast episodes on YouTube
After growing up in the church, attending BYU and marrying in the temple, Audra Elkington found herself with serious questions about her membership in the church. At the age of 32, she walked away with the intention of never coming back.
But after five years, through a series of events Audra describes as miraculous, she found herself walking back through the chapel doors.
In this interview, Audra discusses her journey of coming back to the church. She shares how she stays close to the Spirit, navigates her spiritual life with a husband who is not part of the church, and trusts Jesus even when her journey feels messy.
Audra also talks about how she came to realize that she can’t expect her husband’s path to be the same as hers. She gives insights on how she learned to focus on her personal relationship with the Savior and also let Christ do His work in the lives of those around her.
Journal QuestionsAudra shared what the Nephite’s experience with Jesus recorded in 3 Nephi 17:9 means to her about the healing power the Savior has in her life. She discussed how we are all afflicted in some way and the Savior has the power to heal each of us. How have you been “afflicted” in your journey? How have you seen the Savior heal you? One of the things Audra has recognized in her journey is that her experiences can help her connect with and help others in similar situations. She shared some questions you can ask yourself as you reflect on your experiences. Here are the questions Audra invited you to ponder. Who does the Lord need me to help? How is He using this experience to help me understand more about His plan? How does this experience help me be a better person.
A huge lesson for Audra was realizing that she couldn’t make her husband’s path look like her own. She said she has come to understand that all she can do is work on her own relationship with Jesus. What do you need to do in your life to put more focus on your personal relationship with the Savior? How can you let the Savior do His work in the lives of those you love?
Episode LinksFollow Audra on Instagram
Hear Audra’s interview on Spiritually Minded Mom: How to Be in Tune with the Spirit to Help Children with Mental Health Challenges
Read 3 Nephi 17:3, 9
Read Isaiah 52:12
Read more of Audra’s insights in the book You Are Distinct & Different
Have you ever questioned your conversion because you haven’t had a huge, miraculous spiritual experience? If so, then you’ll totally relate to my guest, Courtney Lee. Courtney shares how she has always had a natural trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She talks about how she doesn’t feel like she’s had huge moments where she has seen and felt Them. Instead Courtney says she has seen them in small tender mercies with experiences such as miscarriages and moving.
You’ll also hear how Courtney uses the gifts God gave her to express her love to the Savior. She shares about her artwork and reads a beautiful poem she wrote after her second miscarriage about how God shows up in her life.
Journal QuestionsSpiritual experiences are not always big, miraculous events. How have you seen and felt the Jesus in your journey in small and simple ways? Courtney shared how reaching out to her relief society sisters helped her through a miscarriage. Is there a struggle you are experiencing that you are keeping from others? Is there someone you could share with who could help you bring light to your challenges? Courtney shared how she uses art to express her love to Jesus. What are the gifts you were created with? How can you use your unique gifts and talents to express your love to the Savior?
Episode LinksFollow Courtney on Instagram Checkout Courtney’s art in her Etsy shop
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Three days before Jessica Frew married Steve, he confided in her about his pornography addiction. Jessica prayed and fasted and felt peace and guidance that she should marry Steve. Even though she was sure of the answer she had received, Jessica still had trials and challenges. Eventually, Steve confided in her that he was gay and their marriage ended after infidelity.
In this interview, Jessica shares how she trusted in the answers she had already received from God and moved forward boldly with love for God, Steve, their daughter and now in her new marriage with her husband, Matt. Jessica’s journey illustrates so well that although we may not always know how our journey will turn out, we can embrace the answer we receive and feel love and peace.
Journal QuestionsJessica shared how she felt peace about marrying Steve and she clung to that guidance she had felt previously as she dealt with challenges of Steve’s pornography addiction, infidelity and coming out as gay. She said, “That really took me through a lot of our marriage of knowing that I was in the right place. I was doing the right thing, no matter what happened in my marriage, I was put here for a reason.” When have you felt totally certain that God was guiding you? Record the experiences that come to your mind so you’ll have a place to come back to as a reminder of what you already know. Things may not work out exactly how you think they should, but as Jessica shared, you can trust God and rely on the guidance He has given you.
Jessica said when she was in the middle of divorcing Steve she asked herself, “What is my fear right now? What is my fear that I’m feeling? And how can I change the story around it and, and have more faith?” What are you feeling fear about in your life? How can you change your own journey and move from fear to faith?
Jessica’s main message is to be bold about following the promptings you feel. She said one of the thoughts she has had recently is this, “God, isn’t looking for perfect people to do his work because none of us are. He’s looking for people who are willing to take action when he needs it.” What is God asking you to take action on in your life? How can you be bold and act on what He is prompting you to do?
Episode LinksFollow Jessica on Instagram
Listen to Jessica’s podcast Husband-in-Law
Learn more about Jessica’s Facebook group Bold Action Takers
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In this interview, you’ll hear from Noelle McBride. Noelle shares part of her journey on the covenant path which involves divorce and learning how keeping her covenants helps her truly belong to Jesus.
Journal QuestionsNoelle shared this quote from Elder Gong, during the episode: “When we covenant all we are, we can become more than we are.” What do Elder Gong’s words mean to you?
How have your covenants helped you become more?
How have you seen and felt Jesus Christ knitting your heart back together, as Noelle shared? Write your thoughts and feelings about what that experience meant to you.
Episode LinksLearn more about Noelle’s Book: Beauty for Ashes: Divorce and the Latter-day Saint Woman
Read Elder Gerrit W. Gong’s talk – Covenant Belonging
Follow Noelle on Instagram
Follow Noelle on Facebook
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Watch podcast episodes on YouTube
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about priesthood power. One of the biggest things I’ve personally learned is that understanding priesthood power is about more than studying scriptures, reading conference talks, and attending the temple. For me, understanding priesthood power has been about asking questions and seeking personal revelation to find answers to those questions.
Each of us can know in a very individual way what our Heavenly Parents want us to know about priesthood power. Why? Because God is a personal God. He can give you personal revelation to the questions you seek answers for about priesthood power. I hope listening to this episode will spark your own questions and your own journey to understand priesthood power.
Journal QuestionsWhat does priesthood power mean to me as a woman?
How am I drawing upon this power in ways I didn’t realize before?
What am I doing with my endowment of priesthood power?
How does my priesthood power affect my calling?
What does my priesthood power mean for my most important relationships?
How might I use my priesthood power to help someone else?
Episode LinksPrevious episode on power: Why I am Focusing on Power in 2020
More about the book: You Are Distinct & Different
President Russell M. Nelson’s talk: Spiritual Treasures
Elder Kelly R. Johnson’s talk: Enduring Power
Scripture: D&C 9:7
Barbara Morgan Gardner Book: The Priesthood Power of Women
Barbara Morgan Gardner Article: Connecting Daughters of God with His Priesthood Power
Scripture: D&C 25
Scripture: D&C 84
Scripture: D&C 107
Kate Holbrook’s talk from 2020 BYU Women’s Conference: The Continuing Restoration and Gathering of Israel
My Free email course: 5 Ways to Reimagine Prayer
Church News Article: Why Women in the Church Should Be Following President Nelson’s Invitation to Study about the Priesthood
President Russell M. Nelson’s talk: A Plea to My Sisters
President Russell M. Nelson’s talk: Ministering With Power and Authority of God
President Jean B. Bingham’s talk: United in Accomplishing God’s Work
Follow Spiritually Minded Women on Instagram
Watch podcast episodes on YouTube
Welcome to season 5 of the Spiritually Minded Women Podcast. I am so happy to be back behind the mic!
Listen to this short episode to hear what you can expect in the new season including:
Interviews with women from many different backgrounds sharing how they have journeyed on the covenant path.
Journal questions at the end of each episode to help you apply what you are hearing and learning on the podcast.
An easy way you can share your own journey on the covenant path.
Journal QuestionsHow have you seen and felt the Savior in your journey on the covenant path?
Episode LinksOne of my favorite talks from the April 2020 general conference was by Sister Joy Jones. She shared about the roles of covenant-keeping women in the Restoration. Sister Jones said, “In the final analysis of women’s continuing roles in the Restoration, and for us all, what role is preeminent? I testify that it is to hear Him, to follow Him, to trust Him, and to become an extension of His love.”This season on the podcast we have talked about each of these four roles that Sister Jones called “preeminent.” In episode 10, the final episode in this series, I’m focusing on the last role “to become an extension of His love.”
You’ll hear what happened when I found a teenaged girl wandering on the side of the road in deep snow, what the story of the Nephites and the Anti-Nephi-Lehis in the Book of Mormon teaches us about Christ-like love, and thoughts on how keeping our covenants can help us show up for others with love instead of judgement, gossip and pride. Thank you so much for joining me this season on the Spiritually Minded Women podcast. I hope by listening to these episodes you have come closer to the Savior. I hope you have come to know more fully that your own journey has value and that the things your journey allows you to contribute are unique and important.
You can embrace your journey on the covenant path with checkpoints instead of checklists.
I’m cheering you on!!!
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Can you be guided to know what your purpose is and what your personal journey on the covenant path should look like? Absolutely. Listen to hear how you can shift your thinking to see your flexible, less-defined path as a Latter-day Saint women as evidence your Heavenly Parents have confidence in you.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
When I first started planning episodes for this season, I knew there had to be one on repentance because sin is something every one of us will experience on our journey on the covenant path. You can’t move forward without repentance. Listen to hear the relationship between repentance and change. I share how I learned that repentance isn’t something you save up or only use for the “big stuff” (whatever that is!). Repentance is a beautiful gift from our loving Savior we can use and cherish every day.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Comparison probably comes so naturally to you in your journey on the covenant path, that it almost feels instinctive, but it doesn’t have to be that way. What can you do to overcome comparison? In episode 7, I’m giving you three thoughts to avoid comparison that come from King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon. King Benjamin’s ideas stem from Mosiah 3:19 and include:
Plus, you’ll hear one more thought from me about how to avoid comparison and choose love for yourself and others in your journey–embrace your unique mission. Comparison doesn’t have to be part of your path. Listen in to hear how you can put off this natural tendency and embrace your own journey.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Let’s imagine you and I are going to lunch together. We pick a delicious restaurant, sit down and order our food. Before our food even arrives, I start telling you about my life. I tell you my problems and the things I’m worried about. I throw in some of the things that I’m feeling grateful for into the conversation. Finally, I ask you for some help with some tough questions I am having. But before you can even get a word in, I tell you goodbye. I throw my purse over my shoulder and I am out the door, in my car and on with my day before you even have a chance to say anything back to me.
This scenario sounds a little ridiculous, right? I mean, who does that? But, let’s think of this situation in a little different way. Have you ever had a conversation with God that was a little like our imaginary lunch date? It’s easy to get comfortable with rote prayers, but what if you could take your prayers from routine and one way to truly communing with God in an intimate way? In this episode, I dive in and share thoughts about how to commune with God as well as practical ways you can make your prayers more meaningful.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
In your journey on the covenant path, you’re probably going to experience fear, doubt, lack of hope and uncertainty you’re going the right way. But at the same time, it is also possible to gain confidence and keep moving forward.
In the episode you’ll hear how repentance, remembering, using the Holy Ghost, having charity and looking to Christ will help you. You can use Christ’s power and gain confidence to combat the opposition, weakness and sin you’re encountering in your journey on the covenant path.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
It’s pretty easy to go about your earthly life and forget what is truly important and why you are on your journey on the covenant path in the first place. In this episode, I am talking about how you can avoid “forgetting” and instead “remember” the Savior in your life. The Hebrew word for remember has a deeper meaning than our English version of “to bring to one’s mind an awareness.” In Hebrew the word “remember” conveys action. Remember means you are going to do something, not just think about it. In the episode, you’ll hear three ways you can take action to remember Jesus. First, you can partake of the sacrament each week. Next, you can record the “goodness of Jesus in your life.” Finally, you can look for Jesus in the normal, mundane things you are doing everyday. In the parable of the wise man and the foolish man, Christ taught that we have to do more than just hear His words. We have to hear and then we have to do. Remembering is doing and doing is building your house with Christ as the foundation. I hope this episode will help you to remember the Savior in your journey on the path.
Episode LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Have you ever felt as if God was silent? If you have, you’re not alone. In this episode I share three reasons why you might be experiencing silence from God.
First, silence could mean God trusts you to make decisions and use your agency or he’s giving you experiences to help you grow your faith.
Second, He may have already given you the answer and the silence is there because you already know. Your past experiences when you have heard Him can help sustain you.
Third, there may be something that is part of your human experience that is blocking you from feeling His love and direction. This could include things like mental health challenges, hormone imbalances, chronic pain, side effects from medication or other physical ailments.
If you are or ever have experienced silence from God in your journey, you’re in good company. In the episode, I give you examples of others who have been there to like Sariah, Mother Teresa, Joseph Smith and my friend, Melinda Peterson.
Why would a loving God be silent? I have thought and pondered deeply about this. I certainly don’t claim to have all the answers. But I have dug in and tried to find answers for myself, those I love who struggle and for you. I hope you feel hope and peace by listening to this episode.
LinksGet the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Welcome to episode 2. Today we are talking about desire and specifically about having a desire to believe. I share examples from the Book of Mormon as well as from my own life about how you can use Christ’s power to create a desire to believe.
I’m cheering you on in your journey!!! Links
Get the Full Course – 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Welcome to Spiritually Minded Women. There's more than one way to be a Latter-day Saint woman who knows Jesus, makes and keeps covenants, and endures to the end.
Join me on the podcast to learn how YOU can embrace YOUR journey on the covenant path with CHECKPOINTS instead of CHECKLISTS. In episode 1, you'll get a refresher on what the covenant path is and how Jesus is the way. You'll also hear an overview of what we'll be talking about for the next 10 seasons.
I'm cheering you on in your journey!!!
Links
Get the Full Course - 10 Ways to Embrace Your Journey on the Covenant Path
Episode 100!!! I can’t believe I just typed that. I am thrilled to share with you my interview with Sarah Allred for this episode. Sarah is a wife, a mom to four kids under 10 and an entrepreneur. In the interview, Sarah shares three things you can do to get over mom guilt and be at peace with your personal motherhood journey. Sarah also shares how she has sought to find her Heavenly Parents in every stage of motherhood and why she believes they want us to be richly and abundantly happy.
Related EpisodesSMM 006: Growing into Motherhood + Learning How God Speaks to You || Monica Packer
SMM 041: Only You Can Receive Revelation for Your Motherhood || Michelle Gifford
SMM 053: How to Use Agency + Love to Point Children to the Savior || Becky Proudfit
Follow SarahInstagram: @sarahgracelive Facebook: @sarahgracelive Website: sarahgracelive.com Podcast: Latter-day Ladypreneur
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Kati Ellis, a wife, mom to four and photographer, firmly believes in record keeping. In episode 99, Kati discusses how record keeping has helped her to come closer to Christ and bond with her children. She shares how her own mother’s record of a tragic accident Kati experienced as a child helped her heal. Kati gives tips and resources she has created to help others start documenting in their own families. At the end, Kati relates the beautiful way God taught her about being His partner in motherhood. Kati is a light and you don’t want to miss hearing her story.
Sign Up for the Spiritually Empowering Your Teen CourseDon’t wait!!! The course starts Monday, July 13th and the cart closes on Saturday, July 11th, 2020.
Find out more about my new course, The Latter-day Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen. Learn from experts who have been where you are and help empower your teen spiritually, point them to Christ and view their agency in a positive light.
Become a founding member of the course for just $77 with access to interviews and a workbook PLUS bonus transcripts, extra interviews and resources.
Episode LinksGet the FREE download Kati mentioned to walk you through how to record a spiritual defining moment by subscribing to The Faith Collective.
Get Kati’s free download, The Art of Record Making, on her Instagram account.
Related EpisodesSMM 046: Record Thoughts from God || Part 5 of 5
SMM 057: How to Use Writing + Visualization as a Conduit to God|| Kristin Brown
SMM 091: How We #HearHim || Listener Discussion Show
Follow KatiInstagram: @katiellisphoto Instagram: @thefaithcollective Website: thefaithcollective.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Episode 98 is my interview with Anya Guerra, a wife and mom to four kids ages 22-3. Listen to hear how she came to view motherhood as discipleship as well as how she welcomed a new baby with a house full of teenagers. You’ll also hear how Anya lovingly built a relationship with a child who made choices contrary to what Anya and her husband had taught.
How to ListenListen to the podcast below or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher or Sound Cloud or watch on YouTube. If you like the show, please subscribe and leave a review.
Sign Up for the Spiritually Empowering Your Teen CourseFind out more about my new course, The Latter-day Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen. Learn from experts who have been where you are and help empower your teen spiritually, point them to Christ and view their agency in a positive light.
Become a founding member of the course for just $77 with access to interviews and a workbook PLUS bonus transcripts, extra interviews and resources.
Related EpisodesSMM 083: How to Give Up Overwhelm + Value Connection in Motherhood || Kristen Goodman
SMM 088: How to Listen to the Lessons Your Kids are Teaching You|| Kary Ann Hoopes
SMM 097: How to Teach the Gospel to Teens in a Way that Avoids Lectures and Promotes Connection || Jerry Gerard
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
I’ve been hinting at it forever.
Introducing my brand new course!I’m so happy to give you a sneak peak into my new course, The Latter-day Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen.
Episode 97 is actually module 1 of the course. I am airing the interview for module 1 on the podcast for free, so you can get a taste of what the full course is like.
You will hear my interview with Jerry Gerard, a father of 12 and author of the book Partners with God. Jerry was our family’s bishop when we were starting our own parenting journey. My husband and I have looked to Jerry and his wife, Melanie, many times when we were decided how to parent our children.
You will hear tons of great parenting advice, even if you don’t have a teenager yet. You will hear Jerry share the number 1 reason you need to teach the gospel in your home. Jerry also identifies three methods of teaching the gospel that avoid lectures and actually promote connection with teens.
Get Module 1 Access for FreeI am also giving you access to my members area for the course so you can check out all of module 1 for FREE, including the workbook for module 1.
I wanted this course to be more than just some good information about how to spiritually empower your teen. When you act, you will feel power in your life. That’s why I created a workbook to help you act on what you are learning in the course.
The workbook for each module will help you focus on three things–learn, reflect, apply.
The course officially launches on July 13th and you can purchase it at a founding member price of $77 between now and July 9th.
Are you ready to start helping your teen be spiritually empowered? Learn more about the course now.When Robyn Shelton was young, she imagined a motherhood journey like her own mother’s, filled with lots of kids and easy pregnancies. But from the very beginning, Robyn’s motherhood was nothing like she planned. Robyn and her husband lost their first son a few days after his birth and went on to have three more children. When her own children were all under the age of four, the Sheltons felt prompted to take in a niece and nephew as well. Robyn shares how her unexpected motherhood journey has helped her learn to develop faith in God and her Savior. She shares how following promptings doesn’t mean the path will be easy but that you can still find happiness.
Episode LinksCOMING SOON! – Join the waitlist for my new course, The Latter-day Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen. The waitlist gives you exclusive discounts when the course launches. Learn from experts who have been where you are and help set your teen on their own spiritual path.
Related EpisodesSMM 019: Connection Through Trials + The Power of Vulnerability to Bring Women Together || Danelle Beckstrand
SMM 038: Faith and Trust in God’s Plan for Motherhood || Ashley Williams
SMM 072: Healing + Hope after the Death of a Child|| Erica Kiefer
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
When Rhonda Steed became a mom 17 years ago she quickly learned an important lesson–you need other people to help you mother. In this episode, Rhonda talks about various ways she has brought others into her children’s lives and how these people filled gaps she couldn’t fill herself, which greatly blessed her children. Ultimately, Rhonda shares how to let go of the overwhelm of trying to be everything in motherhood and let others in to make up the difference.
Episode LinksCOMING SOON! – Join the waitlist for my new course, The Latter-day Saint Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen. The waitlist gives you exclusive discounts when the course launches. Learn from experts who have been where you are and help set your teen on their own spiritual path.
Related EpisodesSMM 028: Not Comparing The Way You Love + Owning Your Spiritual Gifts || Tessa Brown
SMM 047: Finding Beauty in the Hard of Motherhood || Melinda Peterson
SMM 080: Why Your Weaknesses are Blessing Your Children|| Kristen Walker Smith
Follow RhondaInstagram: @justrhondalee Instagram: @justrhondaleephotos Website: www.rhondasteed.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Listen to hear how Megan Hillyer, mom to seven, learned to drop expectations in motherhood after her husband’s unexpected health issues. She shares how she knew God was aware of her even when her life wasn’t what she planned. Megan also discusses dropping expectations in family history work and shares an easy place to get started, even if you’re a busy mom.
Episode Links + Quotes“But I think trusting that Heavenly Father is aware of me and having different instances in my life where I’ve seen that and I know that he’s aware of me in that life is okay, that we are still happy even though our life is not perfect or what we had planned out in our head when we first got married.”
“I was kind of forced into having patience. My oldest daughter was born and then when she was two, I had twin boys. And I quickly learned that my expectations of how things were going to go, how my kids were going to behave, how our house was going to look was not going to happen.”
“That’s the point, to get to know our ancestors because when we do that, we can feel connected to them and they can help us in our lives now. And when we do their work, when we do their ordinances and work and we give them the power of the priesthood, they can better help us.”
Join Megan’s course waitlist and learn easy ways to start doing family history.
Get Megan’s free 5 Day Getting Started in FamilySearch Challenge
Join the waitlist for my new course, The Latter-day Saint Mom’s Guide to Spiritually Empowering Your Teen – COMING SOON
Related EpisodesSMM 024: Letting Go of Expectations + Being Intentional in Motherhood || Crystalee Beck
SMM 070: How to be Confident in All Your Decisions as a Mother|| Bonnie Wiscombe
Follow MeganInstagram: @moderngenealogy Facebook: modern genealogy YouTube: modern genealogy Website: moderngenealogy.ca
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
If you listened to episode 91, you might remember Gabrielle Nedzi. On that episode, she shared a small part of her story of leaving her husband and daughter to come to the U.S. from Venezuela as an asylee. Gabrielle’s faith touched me so much. I reached out to her and asked her to come on the podcast for a full interview.
In episode 93, you will hear more of Gabrielle’s story including her conversion to the gospel, meeting her husband and making the difficult decision to immigrate. Gabrielle shares how she keeps her faith being far away from her family and the miracles she has seen in her life. She also discusses how she continues to count her blessings and express gratitude. Over and over, Gabrielle declares her trust in God no matter what.
Episode Links + Quotes“…they were the same principles and values that my parents taught, but now with a foundation in the scriptures.”
“I clean my tears and keep moving.”
“Every single person has their own story, and I’m thankful for mine.”
“If it’s going to turn out good, thank you. If it’s not turning out, that’s good, thank you too because it’s always learning, always learning from the good and bad. And we need the bad too, to learn and not make the same mistake.”
Hymn 241 – Count Your Blessings
Related EpisodesSMM 091: How We #HearHim || Listener Discussion Show
SMM 019: Connection Through Trials + The Power of Vulnerability to Bring Women Together || Danelle Beckstrand
Follow GabrielleInstagram: @gabipache6389
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
My guest for episode 92 is Laura Roberts, a mom who shares how she has learned to connect with her kids by being her authentic self and true to who she is. In the interview, Laura talks about how she has found purpose in the struggles she has faced, including losing a sister to cancer. She addresses how asking questions about why she is doing something in motherhood helps her get to the deeper why. Ultimately, Laura shares how she looks to Heavenly Father as the ultimate example of how to parent.
Episode Links + Quotes“Joy is the most vulnerable emotion we experience.” – Brene Brown
“I just think that there is purpose in our struggle. Going back to the butterfly analogy, … when a butterfly’s in a cocoon, it like literally liquefies itself. Everything that it used to be disintegrates…. It falls apart and it’s for a purpose. It’s so that it can become something even better than it was before. And I think when I look back on going through my sister’s death and all the things that happened afterwards, any other challenges that I have faced, when I choose to see them as an opportunity to become something new and to grow, that it is a process of becoming. I find treasures there that the Lord has helped me to discover and to make my own.” –Episode quote from Laura Roberts
“Do I want her [daughter] to be someone who chooses the right, or do I want her to be someone who chooses what I want for her right now?”–Episode quote from Laura Roberts
Related EpisodesSMM 029: Triumphs + Struggles Mothering a Special Needs Child || Kay West
SMM 083: How to Give Up Overwhelm + Value Connection in Motherhood || Kristen Goodman
SMM 078: Why a Deep Relationship With God is the Best Way to Be a Better Mother||Melissa Buckley
Follow LauraInstagram: @essaieblog Facebook: EssaieBlog Website: essaieblog.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Episode 91 is a listener call-in show with a twist. I wanted to give listeners the opportunity to share about how they #HearHim in their lives, but I also felt prompted to have the sharing be live and more like a discussion. This episode is a recording of a live Zoom call with 13 women. You may want to hop over to YouTube to see the discussion in addition to hearing it on the podcast.
I had no idea if recording live was going to work and I actually had several behind the scenes blunders, like messing up the time and audio issues on my end, but God was in the details. The spirit was present and He made up for all of my deficiencies.
Recording this episode was a beautiful, spirit-filled experience. I was reminded again that when I follow a prompting, Heavenly Father will fill in the gaps and work something that is so much more than I could ever do on my own.
Near the end, one of the guests remarked about how unique each woman’s experiences were with hearing the Savior. She said if there had been 100 women in the call, we would have heard 100 different ways to hear Him. I believe she is right.
I hope this episode reminds you that you can discover for yourself how you hear Him. God is a personal God. He will come to you in a way that makes sense for you. You are entitled to His help and you can figure out how He speaks to you in a personal way.
As Elder Bednar said recently in an email sent by the church, “My experiences may be helpful to some, but yours will be helpful to many more.” I invite you will find ways in your own life to share with others how you #HearHim. Your experiences may be just what someone else needs to hear and sharing will bless you and them together.
Thank you to these women who showed up and shared their experiences, thoughts and insights: Cheryl Cardall, Lizzy Jensen, Jodi Nicholes, Kim Rowley, Sally Dupaix, Lauren Madsen, Denita Bremer, Gabrielle Nedzi, Chelsea Bretzke, Amanda Johnson, Amber Pearce, Rhonda Steed and Kristen Smith.
Related EpisodesSMM 031: How Have YOU Seen + Felt God as Your Partner in Motherhood?
SMM 036: End of Season 1 + Share How Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast Has Helped You || Darla Trendler
SMM 040: How Simple + Consistent Gospel Teaching Can Unleash The Power of Families
SMM 84: A Resource to Help You Learn How You Hear Jesus || Darla Trendler
SMM 086: Blessings of the Prophet’s Invitations || Listener Call-in Show
Sign Up for the Purpose Project SummitThe Purpose Project is bringing together 29 inspiring presenters for an engaging 3-day summit. You will be able to listen and learn about their stories and life experiences on how they have found their own purpose or have overcome struggles in their own life. I will also be presenting and look forward to listening to the other presenters who have a great story to tell as well.
The Summit will start May 14th and end May 16th, and there will be 10 presenters each day. During the summit you can watch the presenters for free.
Please follow this link to reserve your spot for The Purpose Project Summit. I’m looking forward to having you join us!
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
My guest, Chelsea Bretzke, is a mother to seven, including an autistic teenaged son and a three month old baby. She discusses how she learned to let go and discover who she really is in motherhood. Chelsea also shares how personal revelation, drawing on God’s power and identifying spiritually defining moments help her let God support her.
Episode Links + QuotesChelsea attributed this quote to Emily Watts “The product of our parenting isn’t our kids, it’s us.”
“What if a thousand sleepless nights is what it takes to know you’re near?” Hear the song Chelsea mentioned, Blessings by Laura Story.
“Was I sorry that I chose to come by handcart? No. Neither then nor any minute of my life since. The price we paid to become acquainted with God was a privilege to pay, and I am thankful that I was privileged to come in the Martin Handcart Company.” Read more about this story Chelsea mentioned HERE.
Go HERE to read the talk Chelsea mentioned by Sister Linda Reeves.
Quote by President Nelson: “Sisters, you have the right to draw liberally on the Savior’s power to help your family and others you love.”
Scripture Darla mentioned (not in 2 Corinthians) Acts 19:15: “And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?”
Podcast episode Darla mentioned – How to Raise Grown Ups, episode 53
Related EpisodesSMM 015: Balance + Overcoming Feelings of Failure + True Self-Care in Motherhood || Elise Curtis
SMM 041: Only You Can Receive Revelation for Your Motherhood || Michelle Gifford
SMM 066: The Privilege of Personal Revelation|| JoEllen Woods
Follow ChelseaInstagram: @chelseabelleb
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Do you feel disengaged in motherhood and wish you could be “anywhere but here?” Hear how Brittney Smart, a mom of five, went from being apathetic and dispassionate about motherhood to a re-engaged mother her kids actually wanted to confide in and be around. Brittney shares how she changed her motherhood story with charity and five intentional minutes a day.
Episode LinksRead Brittney’s book The Five-Minute Time In
Scripture Brittney shared about charity – 1 Corinthians 13:1
Related EpisodesSMM 047: Finding Beauty in the Hard of Motherhood || Melinda Peterson
SMM 049: How to Pursue What Will Really Make You Happy in Motherhood|| Richard and Linda Eyre
Follow BrittneyFacebook: Brittney Smart, Mother-Author Ordinaire Book: The Five-Minute Time In: Effectively Re-Engaging with Your Child(ren) in Just Five Minutes a Day
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Listen to an interview with Kary Ann Hoopes, a wife, mom, convert, temple lover and photographer. Kary Ann shares her conversion story and the one simple thing she discovered that connects her to God. Kary Ann also discusses her early motherhood experiences as well as life-changing lessons her children have taught her as they have become teenagers and adults.
Related EpisodesSMM 080: Why Your Weaknesses are Blessing Your Children|| Kristen Walker Smith
SMM 083: How to Give Up Overwhelm + Value Connection in Motherhood || Kristen Goodman
SMM 026: Parenting a Strong Willed Child + Showing Children Their Worth || Lynnette Sheppard
Follow Kary AnnInstagram: @karyannhoopes Instagram: @hi5live Instagram: @latterdaysaintstemples Facebook: Kary Ann Hoopes Facebook Hi Five Live Facebook: Latter Day Saint Temples Website: hoopesphotography.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
The past three episodes have been centered around the invitations President Nelson gave in preparation for April 2020 General Conference. Episode 87 is my personal story about how I came to know President Nelson is a prophet. Spoiler alert: My testimony didn't come instantly and it took a lot of time and work.
Episode SummaryIn today's episode I am sharing my experiences of getting to the point where I could say, "I know President Nelson is a prophet of God."
I did not feel an instant connection with President Nelson. I didn’t immediately jump on board the minute he was called as the prophet. Yes, I raised my hand to sustain him and that is what I tried to do with all my heart, but I also had to “wrestle” with the Lord like Enos in Enos 1:2 or Alma in Alma 8:10 describe in the Book of Mormon.
My testimony that Russell M. Nelson is a living prophet came slowly and “line upon line” as we read in Isaiah 28.
I had experienced seeing a prophet die and a new one be called several times in my life and had never struggled with knowing the new prophet was called of God.
In the episode you'll hear the different experiences I had and the answers to prayers I received in gaining my testimony of President Nelson as the prophet.
If you wrestle with something spiritual, please know that other people do too. You may not see it in the little squares of Instagram or just by looking at them in the pew in front of you at church, but everyone struggles.
It’s OK to struggle, to question and even to wrestle with God. There is no harm in that. The harm comes when we give up and think we aren’t worthy or will never know for ourselves.
My hope in sharing my story is it will illustrate to you it’s not always a cut and dried process and if you keep trying, you really can know for yourself.
Thank you for listening. I hope you will feel through the Spirit the message God has for you at this time in your life.
Episode LinksPresident Nelson's first press conference after becoming the prophet President Nelson's October 2018 talk, Sisters Participation in the Gathering of Israel Hope of Israel Worldwide Devotional for Youth: Messages from President and Sister Nelson President Nelson's October 2019 talks, Spiritual Treasures and Closing Remarks President Nelson's biography by Sheri Dew, Insights from a Prophet's Life
Related EpisodesSMM 084: A Resource to Help You Learn How You Hear Jesus || Darla Trendler SMM 085: Acting on the Prophet’s Invitations at a Hinge Point in Church History || Darla Trendler SMM 086: Blessings of the Prophet’s Invitations || Listener Call-in Show
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Listen to hear the responses of 11 women who share their answer to the question, “What blessings have you seen in your life from following the invitations given by President Nelson since the last general conference?”
This week is the 2 year anniversary of the podcast. In March 2018, I hit publish on my first episode. I am so grateful to you for listening, whether this is the first episode you have heard, the 86th or somewhere in between. I do this podcast because of YOU and am so grateful for the ways you have enriched my life.
Today you get to hear from 11 women who called in and shared the blessings they have seen from following President Nelson’s invitations since the last general conference.
I am so grateful to Kristen, Shannon, Michelle, Emma, April, Erin, Sally, Rhonda, Melissa, Antonia and Kati for taking the time to think about their answer and call in to share.
I want you to remember as you hear the stories of these women who called in to share that you have a story to share too. You may not have the opportunity to share it on a podcast or a stage, but your story is still important.
Think about your own answer to the question: What blessings have you seen in your life from following the invitations given by President Nelson since the last general conference?
Find your answer and then act. Write your answer in your journal, share it with a friend through a phone call or a text, write a letter to someone you love and share it, share it on social media. It doesn’t matter how you share it, just do it.
If you don’t feel you have had an experience acting on President Nelson’s invitations, it’s not too late. Do it now. If you need a reminder of the invitations, listen to my last episode, number 85 or go to spirituallymindedmom.com to see the invitations in the show notes.
Thanks for listening and I hope you have an “unforgettable” experience watching and listening to the April 2020 general conference.
Episode LinksBook Kristen mentioned – Women and the Priesthood by Sheri Dew Watch the April 2020 General Conference
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Listen to insights about acting on invitations from the prophet as well as thoughts on what a “hinge point in church history” means.
Be Part of the Next Listener Call-in EpisodeI start the episode with a reminder about how to be on the next listener call-in episode next week. Here are the instructions about how to call in.
Invitations:
“Study prayerfully section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you.”
“Study prayerfully all the truths you can find about priesthood power. You might begin with the Doctrine and Covenants 84 and 107.”
Prepare for April 2020 general conference by “reading afresh Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision as recorded in the Pearl of Great Price.”
“You may wish to ponder important questions such as, ‘How would my life be different if my knowledge gained from the Book of Mormon were suddenly taken away?’ or ‘How have the events that followed the First Vision made a difference for me and my loved ones?”
Incorporate the recent Book of Mormon videos into our study.
“Select your own questions. Design your own plan. Immerse yourself in the glorious light of the Restoration.”
Promise:
“As you do, general conference next April will be not only memorable; it will be unforgettable.”
President Nelson’s Invitations via Social MediaNovember 17, 2019 – Invitation: “Always ask yourself–and prayerfully ask your Father in Heaven–’What can I do to become more like Jesus Christ?’” Promise: Miracles will happen.
November 18, 2019 – Invitation: He had invited young adults in Vietnam to study about the Savior and His atonement in the scriptures. He invited us to do the same. Promise: Enduring joy regardless of present circumstances.
November 20, 2019 – Invitation: “If I had one request to make of you, it would be that you would read the scriptures aloud to your children on a daily basis. Let them take turns when they can when they are able to read. Promise: “It will help them to have the doctrine of Christ embedded in their minds and in their memory banks at an early age.”
November 21, 2019 – Invitation: “I plead with you to draw near to the Lord and follow His teachings. Emulate His example. Love as He loved.” Promise: “He is our Savior, Redeemer and our Advocate with the Father.”
December 24, 2019 – Invitation: “Draw closer to the Savior.” Promise: “The ability to receive and feel the infinite love that our Savior and our Heavenly Father have for you.”
January 1, 2020 – Invitation: “Be a major part of sharing the message of the ongoing restoration of the Savior’s gospel.” He said to start with the invitations he gave at general conference and reminded us of these invitations to read Joseph Smith’s account of the First Vision in the Pearl of Great Price and to ponder important questions. He repeated again to “Select your own questions. Design your own plan” to share the important messages of the ongoing restoration. Promise: Personal preparation will make conference “not only memorable but also unforgettable.”
February 2, 2020 – Invitation: “Pray to the Father in the name of His Son.” Promise: That you and your families may be blessed.”
February 26, 2020 – Invitation: “I invite you to think deeply and often about this key question: How do you hear Him?” Promise: He didn’t list a specific promise but he did say in a later post on March 14th, “I promise that you will receive comfort and peace as you continue to hear Him.”
March 14, 2020 – Invitation: Be comforted by the Savior’s invitation “I the Lord am bound when you do what I say.” Promise: “Joy is always within the reach of everyone who will hear Him and obey His laws.”
A Hinge Point in Church HistoryI shared what I learned from researching what a “hinge point” is.
I talk about a teaching website that shares about hinge-point questions in teaching and how they help a teacher ask questions to students to check if they are ready to move on and in what direction.
I share my thoughts that in the context of President Nelson’s invitations he may be asking us if we are ready to move on and if so, in what direction.
An “Unforgettable” General ConferenceI talk about how the conditions we are living in currently and the changes already announced about conference will make it unforgettable. But I also share my belief that another element may be the bigger reason why conference will be unforgettable. Perhaps it is the condition of our heart from our own spiritual preparation that will make it unforgettable.
I illustrate this by sharing the story of Amulek and Alma contending with Zeezrom. I share Alma 12:9-10 to show that God is offering to let us know his mysteries but we have to prepare our hearts. It is up to us to use our agency to pay heed and diligence to Him.
Act Now + Your Part is VitalAfter giving his invitations, President Nelson said “the time to act is now.” He also said “your part is vital.”
I give my thought that President Nelson doesn’t want to leave anyone behind. We can use our agency to be prepared to move on.
I also share a quote from a talk given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland where he tells about the story of the brother of Jared found in Ether. I shared this quote from the talk:
“And from that command given to the Lord, for it does seem to be something of a command, the brother of Jared and the reader of the Book of Mormon would never be the same again. Ordinary individuals with ordinary challenges could rend the veil of unbelief and enter the realms of eternity. And Christ, who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem His people, would be standing at the edge of that veil to usher the believer through.”
Figure Out the Invitations for YourselfI share that I know everyone can find out for themselves how to act on the invitations of President Nelson for themselves. It’s never too late. You can ask the Holy Ghost to teach you what you need to know.
Episode LinksSpiritual Treasures talk from October 2019 by President Nelson Closing Remarks talk from October 2019 by President Nelson Invitation to #HearHim
Episode 84 is a solo episode with an announcement, thoughts about President Nelson’s invitation to ponder how you hear Jesus and a resource to help you act on the invitation.
Announcement: Be Part of a Listener Call-in ShowAt the beginning of this episode I shared that I am doing another listener call-in show. I’m inviting YOU to call in and share your response to the question: How have you been blessed by following any of the invitations extended by President Nelson since the last general conference?
You can listen to the episode for more details but here are the steps to follow to leave your response to be included on an upcoming episode:
This episode is my way of giving you a resource to help you act on the invitation from President Nelson to “…think deeply and often about this key question: How do you hear Him?”
A Resource To Help You Understand How You Hear JesusAs part of this episode, I’m re-aring episode 44, which was the third part of a five part series I aired last year about how to be more spiritually minded.
All of the episodes in the series are a great resource to help you think about how you #HearHim but the third part, which I am re-airing here, shares an exercise you can do to help you understand how you feel the spirit and hear the Savior in your life.
The resource found in a free printable is adapted from an exercise I found in the Preach My Gospel manual for missionaries.
The printable includes 28 different ways you might feel the spirit. Each way has scriptures you can look up. After reading the scriptures, you can ponder and write how you have felt God guiding you in this way.
It’s OK if you leave some of the boxes blank. You are an individual and God communicates with you in your own unique way. You may not feel God in all 28 ways listed and that is totally OK.
In the episode, I share some of my experiences and how I have learned to use God as a guide in my life.
I also share experiences of two previous podcast guests. You’ll hear a short clip of episode 10 with Ally Hayward and another clip of episode 14 with Michelle Garfield.
I hope the exercise on the printable and hearing other people’s experiences will give you hope and help you realize you can figure out for yourself how you hear Jesus in your life.
Episode LinksDownload the free printable HERE.
President Nelson’s talk Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives
President Nelson’s invitation to “Hear Him!“
Below are links to all five episodes that were part of the series “How to be More Spiritually Minded.”
Website: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube:
Episode 83 is an interview with Kristen Goodman, a mom to four daughters as well as a life coach. Kristen shares how to deal with overwhelm and perfectionism, value connection over control and seek intention to see God’s guidance in motherhood.
Give Up Overwhelm + PerfectionismKristen shares her early experiences in motherhood with everything she thought she “should” be doing.
She talks about an epiphany where she realized the feelings of overwhelm weren’t from the Spirit.
We discuss how overwhelm and perfectionism are tools Satan uses to target mothers.
Kristen also shares how prayer, therapy and finding life coaching helped her to realize she wasn’t responsible for others’ thoughts and feelings.
She reveals how she discovered she could only be responsible for her own thoughts and feelings and recognized that motherhood was a choice. Both of these things helped her let go of overwhelm and perfectionism.
Connection over ControlKristen discusses how once she learned she wasn’t responsible for others’ feelings, she could also let go of trying to control her kids.
She shares how the result of letting go of control also meant she was letting go of conflict.
We talk about the balance of pushing your kids versus allowing them to make their own decisions.
Ultimately, Kristen shared why you have to go with the Spirit and know your child. She shared the belief you are the mom to your kids for a reason and you have to trust yourself.
Through her own journey, Kristen talks about how she has learned to truly connect with her daughters. She offers advice to any parenting wanting to connect and build a better relationship with their child.
Using Intention to See God’s GuidanceKristen’s overall message is that you can see the hand of God in your life every single day. She shares how being intentional is key to seeing your heavenly parents as your partners in motherhood.
Kristen’s QuotesBook Kristen Mentioned: How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen and Listen So Your Kids Will Talkby Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Scripture about overcoming the natural man: Mosiah 3:19
Listen to Related EpisodesSMM 015: Balance + Overcoming Feelings of Failure + True Self-Care in Motherhood || Elise Curtis SMM 037: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better || Lisa Funk SMM 049: How to Pursue What Will Really Make You Happy in Motherhood|| Richard and Linda Eyre SMM 052: How to Really Define Success in Motherhood||Chantel Allen
Follow KristenInstagram: @kristengoodmancoaching Website: kristengoodmancoaching.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Hear how podcaster and mom, Jaime Wilkins, learned to use Christ’s example to be an advocate for her daughter after she was diagnosed with autism.
Episode SummaryIn episode 82, Jaime Wilkins shares how she discovered at a young age that her life’s mission would be to help people.
She talks about the details of how her daughter was diagnosed with Autism. Jaime shares an experience she had with the school district where she said no to what experts were telling her was best for her daughter. She followed the Spirit and through personal revelation knew what was best for her child.
Jaime discusses how she hired an advocate to help her in the process of getting the best outcome for her daughter. She shares how she learned the importance of being the expert, advocate and voice for her child.
You will also hear Jaime’s tips on what you can do when you feel the need to advocate for your child. Jaime said that she relied on prayer, following the Spirit, finding resources and information, documenting and asking others for help.
Jaime and I also discuss the things this experience taught her about how Christ is our advocate with the Father. She shares a scripture found in D&C 45:3-5 and how these words helped her understand more fully the Savior’s role as an advocate.
We also discuss what Jaime has learned about labeling her children. She shares how her daughter receiving the label of “autism” has helped her get resources but she also knows her child is much more than that label. She makes the connection that if you want to be an advocate for your child you have to look beyond the label. You can look to our Heavenly Father who never labels His children.
In the end, Jaime shares how her heavenly parents have been the ultimate example of showing an increase of love to her children.
Jaime’s QuotesSMM 025: Mothering a Child with Mental Illness || Amanda Louder SMM 059: How to Be the Expert +Advocate for Your Child||Cheryl Cardall SMM 077: How To Be In Tune With The Spirit To Help Children with Mental Health Challenges||Audra Elkington
Follow JaimeInstagram: @sincerelysatisfied Facebook: sincerelysatisfied Website: sincerelysatisfied.com Podcast: Sincerely Satisfied Podcast
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Episode 81 is a follow-up from episode 80’s discussion on how a mother’s weakness can bless her children. Listen to hear my personal insights gathered from personal experiences, scriptures and talks about how to view your weaknesses in a positive light.
Episode SummaryIn my last episode, I aired an interview with Kristen Walker Smith. Kristen shared how our weaknesses as mothers can actually bless our children.
I loved Kristen’s thoughts on weakness, so much so, that I decided to do some personal study on the topic of weakness.
In this episode, I share a few stories from my own life about seeing weaknesses in a positive light.
You’ll hear what happened when I polled my own kids about what they thought my weaknesses are. My 18-year-old son’s comments totally surprised me!
I talk about some weak spots in parenting when my kids were little and how my husband and I course corrected.
I also share viewing weakness in a positive light from the perspective of being a daughter.
The scriptures are full of examples of people who learned that weakness is a positive thing. I share scriptures that illustrate how God uses weakness for our benefit.
I found a talk and an article that were very enlightening to me. You’ll hear about a talk I read by Neal A. Maxwell (link below) that helped to remind me that having weakness is totally normal.
I also share an Ensign article that sheds light on how weakness is not a sin and actually draws us closer to God (link below).
Through my interview with Kristen and my study of weakness I have learned that I can view weakness in a positive light. Weakness has a purpose and through the Savior’s grace our weaknesses become strengths.
Episode LinksNotwithstanding My Weakness talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, October 1976 General Conference It Isn’t a Sin to Be Weak article by Wendy Ulrich, Ensign, April 2015 Ether 12:27 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Listen to Related EpisodesSMM 034: Why I Am Grateful For the Hardest Time in My Life || Darla Trendler SMM 080: Why Your Weaknesses are Blessing Your Children|| Kristen Walker Smith
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts YouTube: Spiritually Minded Mom
Listen to episode 80 to hear how my guest, Kristen Walker Smith, has learned to think of weakness as a blessing as she has dealt with OCD and motherhood at the same time.
Episode SummaryKristen experienced a sudden onset of OCD when she got pregnant with her first child. However, it wasn’t until two and a half years later, when her mom asked her about her excessive hand washing, that Kristen was officially diagnosed.
In the episode, Kristen shares how she navigated OCD and motherhood at the same time.
She talks about how she saw God showing up. In addition, she discusses how God didn’t fill in all the gaps but covered the most essential things.
Kristen says she wasn’t very open with others about her struggles. She shares how others saw her needs and helped and supported her even though she wasn’t opening up.
One of the biggest things Kristen has learned from her struggles is how to reframe her thoughts about weakness. Kristen shares how she came to understand that her weaknesses were giving her children exactly what they needed.
Kristen also shares advice for anyone struggling with a weakness (hello, that’s all of us!) to let others in and to list the blessings that weakness is bringing into your life.
Overall, Kristen shares her belief that you can’t have fear and faith at the same time. She chooses faith. Kristen shares her witness of how God helps us through our weaknesses.
Kristen’s QuotesSMM 021: Chasing Your Dreams + Turning to God in Post-Partum Depression || Amanda Anderson SMM 051: Hope in the Arms of the Savior in Mental Health Challenges || Jamie Hutchings SMM 037: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better || Lisa Funk
Follow KristenInstagram: @kristenwalkersmith Website: kristenwalkersmith.com YouTube: Kristen Smith
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts
I am so excited to share my interview with Heather Erickson. Heather is a wife, mom, Bible teacher, author and worship leader. Heather is also a co-founder of The Chara Project, a ministry to help women of all faiths learn to study the Bible. Heather shares her insights on how you can find joy in the Bible as well as lead your children to Christ.
Find Joy in the BibleHeather starts off sharing how her parents’ love of the Bible made it easier for her to want to know the Bible and its teachings for herself.
She candidly discusses how at one point she questioned everything. Eventually, Heather said she read a scripture about loving God with all your heart, soul and mind. She dug in deep and realized when she loved Jesus with everything, she couldn’t turn away.
She said of this experience, “It took me being willing to walk away from what my parents believed, step into faith for myself, and say, ‘Do I believe what they have brought me up to believe?’ I see it embodied. I see it completely lived out. Am I willing to actually back it up? And when I backed it up with my heart, my soul and my mind, that’s when I realized, this is the real deal.”
Lead Children to JesusHer parents love of the Bible and their example of living its teachings set the foundation. As a result, Heather points out how her parents let her spread her wings and also find out for herself.
From her experience with her own parents, Heather shares advice to parents. She says to never give up, do the foundational things and let children navigate for themselves.
Towards the end of the episode, Heather shares what she has learned from teaching her children from the Bible. She agrees that many times the teaching happens in everyday moments.
Heather also talks about how studying the Bible herself has helped the teachings to be anchored deep in her heart. Understanding the why of the Bible and not just a checklist of things to do has helped her go from mom fails to mom wins in teaching spiritual things.
The Chara ProjectHeather has been involved doing Bible studies with women of varying faiths in Utah for many years. She and two of her friends wanted to create a safe place to ask questions and help women learn for themselves. The Chara Project was born
The word “Chara” is a Greek word meaning “joy.” Since Heather and the other co-founders believe joy is what you get when you understand the Bible, the word fit perfectly.
After choosing the word Chara, Heather and her co-founders discovered they could also use the word as an acronym to teach a simple method of studying the Bible.
Listen the episode for all the details of the acronym but here is what each letter stands for:
C – Context H – History A – Author R – Read A – Apply
Using Different Bible TranslationsI really loved the discussion Heather and I had about using different translations of the Bible. Heather explained that reading different translations is like looking words up in a thesaurus. Varied translations open up your understanding and help paint a better picture of what God is teaching.
Partner with GodHeather believes that aligning her heart to God allows her to have a closer relationship with Him. This relationship with God is something she believes she can mirror to the people around her, including her kids. Above all, Heather wants her children to see Christ through her and that journey has started with finding joy in the Bible.
Show NotesFind out more about The Chara Project by visiting their website or following along on Instagram.
Listen to related episodes of the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast:
Instagram: @thecharaproject Facebook: The Chara Project Website: thecharaproject.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomWebsite: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on Apple Podcasts
Today I’m interviewing Melissa Buckley. We talk about her journey of learning that developing a deep relationship with God was the best way for her to learn to be a better mother.
Surrendering Before the MiracleMelissa talks about infertility and a priesthood blessing from her dad that led her husband to declare to her, “Our God is a God of miracles.”
In the blessing, Melissa was promised that her body would heal and she would have the children she desired. After the blessing, Melissa was able to move forward with faith and stop trying to control the situation.
The next month Melissa took a pregnancy test and it was positive. Melissa and her husband were thrilled to be pregnant naturally with twins.
She said of this time, “It was this miraculous moment where I had finally fully given over my will to Heavenly Father and that’s when He stepped in and gave me that miracle.”
Navigating Depression: Anti-Depressants + the Book of MormonAlthough Melissa had the long awaited children she had prayed for, she struggled with postpartum depression. In the interview she shares the shame and guilt she felt because of the depression.
She discusses how getting medical help and studying her patriarchal blessing helped her start to come out of the depression. She also shares the power she felt from accepting President Nelson’s invitation in October 2018 to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.
Melissa gives great advice on how a busy mom can fit in scripture study. She also shares the blessings she has received from reading the Book of Mormon consistently.
Disciple of Jesus Christ First and Mother SecondMelissa’s experiences have taught her that she should be a disciple of Jesus Christ first and a mother second.
She shared, “The way for me to be the best mother for my children is to have a deep relationship with God.”
Melissa also shares how her own relationship with Heavenly Father has helped her learn to be a better mother. “For me, I can have a relationship with my Heavenly Father and He can love me in a Godly way, so I can try to emulate that when I mother my children.”
We discuss how motherhood is ever changing, so it makes sense that the most important thing in our life is a constant.
Meekness Through TrialsMelissa talks about how we are prepared to do the work God calls us to. She also discusses the things she has learned about meekness from her patriarchal blessing, reading conference talks (see links in show notes) and studying D&C 25.
Melissa shares that she has learned to look back on her adversity with fondness because it has helped her to learn to be meek. Her trials have given her opportunities to be taught by the Spirit.
Overall, Melissa shares her testimony that the answer to all questions and struggles is always Jesus Christ.
Show Notes Related episodes of the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast:SMM 010: Being Open About Mental Illness in Motherhood + When You Don’t Know If God is Your Partner || Ally Hayward
SMM 016: Practical Scripture Study for Moms + How to Go In Instead of Out to Find Peace || Courtney Casper
SMM 021: Chasing Your Dreams + Turning to God in Post-Partum Depression || Amanda Anderson
SMM 037: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better || Lisa Funk
SMM 047: Finding Beauty in the Hard of Motherhood || Melinda Peterson
SMM 050: How Promptings From God Can Be Hard + Good At The Same Time||Rachel Nielson
Other resources mentioned by Melissa:Book: You Are the Mother Your Children Need by Christie Gardiner
Conference Talk: Sister’s Participation in the Gathering of Israel by President Russell M. Nelson
Conference Talk: Covenant Women in Partnership with God by President Henry B. Eyring
Conference Talk: Meek and Lowly of Heart by Elder David A. Bednar
BYU Speech: Meek and Lowly by Elder Neal A. Maxwell
Follow MelissaInstagram: @melissarosebuckley22 Website: imlearningtothrive.wordpress.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Being a mother dealing with a child with mental health challenges can be lonely. That’s why I invited today’s guest, Audra Elkington, to share her experiences. In episode 77, Audra shares her journey helping her 9-year-old daughter navigate anxiety.
Advice and HopeWoven throughout Audra’s journey to help her daughter, you’ll hear her advice on researching and reading as well as finding the right type of therapy for your child.
Listen to hear other advice like recording small successes and finding a trusted friend who will listen.
Audra cautions that the path isn’t easy. She also offers hope to not give up. She says to keep trying until you find something that works for your child.
How to Advocate without LabelingIn the interview, Audra also talks about being an advocate for your child. She shared about being prayerful in new situations and about how to advocate without labeling your child.
Audra also believes in not being afraid to stop doing something that isn’t working for your child. Sometimes we don’t have all the answers for our children, she shared. We can just love them.
Spiritual Help with Mental HealthShe has learned to rely on the Lord for help every step of the way. She shared how 1 Nephi 18:2 about doing things “after the manner which the Lord had shown unto me” helped her gain perspective.
You’ll also hear how Audra’s journey mothering Lena has helped her be in tune with the Spirit and her own instincts. She said, “I think as mothers, we need to trust our gut. If we don’t feel like something is right for our child, we’re probably right.”
We discuss how being in tune with the Spirit is work. But Audra also shared that she never regrets time spent with the Lord.
Overall, Audra’s message to other moms helping children who are experiencing mental health challenges is simple–do everything you can to be in tune with the Spirit.
Show NotesListen to other episodes of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast about helping children with mental health challenges:
SMM 001: Welcome to the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast ||Darla Trendler SMM 025: Mothering a Child with Mental Illness || Amanda Louder
During the episode, Audra referenced a quote by President Russell M. Nelson. Read the whole talk by President Nelson called Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives.
Follow AudraInstagram: @audraelkington Website: audraelkington.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Listen to hear my interview with Beth Given. Beth is a wife and mom to four who believes that small and simple things bring great things in the end. In the interview we talk about feeling inadequate, why achieving goals doesn't determine your worth and how to change your perspective on temple attendance.
If you are feeling stuck in the early days of motherhood, Beth will give you hope that the feelings of inadequacy subside and you will find your own style of mothering.
Beth shares her philosophy on goal setting and how she learned to not let her self-worth be tied up in how well she accomplished the goals she set out to do.
She also talks about how reframing her goal to attend the temple changed the experiences she had while inside and how it has rubbed off on her children.
Through all of her experiences, Beth has learned that doing the little things makes a difference. She knows she is a daughter of Heavenly Parents who love her and has a strong testimony of the help she receives from them.
Follow Beth
Instagram: @the.small.and.the.simple
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Facebook: spirituallymindedmom
Website: spirituallymindedmom.com
January is National Human Trafficking Awareness month. I wanted to help shed some light on this huge problem by interviewing a mom who is fighting human trafficking and give you ways to help too.
Listen to hear my interview with Cammy Bowker, a wife, mom, teacher and cancer survivor who heard God tell her she needed to something with the second chance she had been given.
During a beach vacation in Mexico she won on the Price is Right (seriously!), Cammy wrote down thoughts and impressions about how she could make a difference in the world.
She noticed children on the beach selling gum. She felt a prompting to help these children and others like them around the world.
Since she was a teacher, Cammy started with building schools and providing education in under developed areas in the world. Those efforts quickly morphed into Cammy being on the front lines of the fight against human trafficking both at home and abroad.
Cammy shares the statistics and issues associated with trafficking. She is a huge proponent of prevention and gives practical ways parents can help protect their children.
She also talks about how she acted immediately on the prompting she felt to do something. Cammy's story gives a great pattern for anyone who feels called to make a difference in any way. As Cammy said, "Just start."
Below you will find a variety of ways you can help the organization Cammy founded, Global Education Philanthropists, in their mission to educate and fight human trafficking.
Cammy's faith was inspiring to me. Her story illustrates well that you don't need to know how everything will turn out. You just have to follow the promptings you receive one at a time and watch the miracles unfold.
Show NotesHelp fight human trafficking:
Join the 20 in 20 Campaign - Donate $20 in 2020 or contribute $3.99 a month to help Global EP fight human trafficking.
Travel with Global EP and volunteer to teach self-reliance skills at after-care centers around the world.
Get more information about The Cleaner Net filter to protect your family. A portion of The Cleaner Net's sales help support Global EP's efforts.
Listen to related episodes of the podcast:
SMM 035: From Sex Trafficking Victim To Survivor With Life Full of Love || Elizabeth Frazier
SMM 071: How to Parent Fearlessly About the Use of Technology || Emily Jones
Follow CammyInstagram: @globaleducationphilanthropists Instagram: @expedition_global_ Facebook: Global Education Philanthropists Website: globalep.org
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
I’m starting off the new year with a solo episode. In this episode I’m spilling all the reasons for choosing “power” as my word of the year for 2020.
I share my previous experiences with having a “word of the year.” I talk about the things I’ve learned from intentionally focusing on one thing all year, even though I haven’t always chosen a word.
Listen to hear what focusing on power means to me. I also dive in to how I’m using President Nelson’s words from the talk Spiritual Treasures as my starting point.
Show NotesListen to other solo episodes of the podcast:
SMM 020: What I’m Learning About Following the Spirit + Making Connections in Ministering
SMM 034: Why I Am Grateful For the Hardest Time in My Life
SMM 061: How to Eliminate Distractions + Always Have the Spirit
SMM 064: Why You Might Not Know When You are Feeling the Spirit
SMM 069: When You Pray in Faith and It Still Rains
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Valerie Cuevas has maintained her focus on Jesus despite the many ups and downs she has experienced in her life.
After being a pseudo-single mother with a husband going through medical residency, Valerie suddenly found herself facing her husband’s terminal illness and death.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer, her second time battling the disease, just six months after her husband’s passing. Valerie is now remarried and blending a family of six children. She continues to see her role as a mother shifting and changing.
Valerie tells how she has learned to embrace change and let go of expectations.
She talks about how her focus on Jesus helped her as a single mother. Even though she couldn’t always pinpoint the ways He was helping her, she knew He was there.
Valerie is real about the anger and frustration she felt towards God after her husband’s death. She is also candid about the way Christ continued to reach for her in her doubt and struggle. She discusses the many miracles she saw, especially after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Through all of the changes of motherhood, one thing has remained constant for Valerie–Jesus Christ has been there for her. As she shared, “He shows up even when we aren’t asking.”
Show NotesListen to other Spiritually Minded Mom episodes about the death of a spouse or cancer.
SMM 008: Dealing with Cancer + Motherhood by Focusing on What is Most Important || Julie Monroe
SMM 053: How to Use Agency + Love to Point Children to the Savior || Becky Proudfit
SMM 060: Why You Can Have Joy in the Middle of Hard Things || Stephanie Piacitelli
Follow ValerieInstagram: @_valeriecuevas Instagram: @seekinggraceandtruth
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
In 2010, my guest, Erica Kiefer, and her husband experienced the death of their first child, Ty, who was only 4 1/2 months old, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. In the interview, Erica shares how she found healing and hope and turned to God despite the grief.
Personal + Unique Communication with GodErica discusses how she used her talent for writing to feel healing and hope as well as the Spirit after Ty’s death. Her experience illustrates well God is a personal God. He can use our gifts and abilities to communicate with us in a unique way.
At one point, Erica felt abandoned by God. She shared the surprising way God helped her through a friend and a Disney movie. She expresses how Heavenly Father can use anything to help us, even an animated Tarzan movie!
How to be an Intuitive FriendThroughout the interview, Erica mentions “intuitive friends” who were there for her. We discussed what it means to be a nurturing friend to someone who is grieving. Erica noted how helpful friends brought her into their spiritual life.
Healing MiraclesWe discuss how Erica found the courage to have another baby and how becoming a mother again (four times) was both healing and fearful at the same time.
Erica talks about how her perspective on miracles has changed since losing her son. She said, “The miracle is just seeing that God lets you go through that journey and helps you to grow but also doesn’t let you do it without giving you the sustenance and the help along the way and so much love.”
Hope When You’re Grieving the Loss of a ChildErica offers hope to others who are grieving. She knows life can never be the same after losing a child, but she has learned things do get better and healing is possible. “Healing comes in pieces.” It doesn’t happen all at once.
Ultimately, Erica knows God does His part to help her in motherhood. She knows she can turn to Him and He is there.
Show NotesListen to other episodes about grief and loss of a child:
SMM 002: Navigating Loss, Special Needs and Fostering as a Young Mom || Alie Jones
SMM 005: Choosing Happiness in Motherhood Despite Grief and Tragedy || Maralyn Nava
SMM 007: Turning to God Through Infertility, Adoption and Miscarriage || Kay West
SMM 013: Overcoming Anger + Showing Faith When Your Motherhood Plan is Not God’s Plan || Misty Trendler
SMM 058: Why Gratitude for Little Things Will Make Your Life Better || Heather Herbert
SMM 060: Why You Can Have Joy in the Middle of Hard Things || Stephanie Piacitelli
Follow EricaInstagram: @ericakieferbooks Instagram: @borrowedangel09 Facebook: Borrowed Angel Website: ericakieferbooks.com Book: Borrowed Angel
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Listen to my interview with Emily Jones, the co-founder of Family Tech University, a “drivers ed” workshop for wholesome tech use. Emily is also a Deseret Book author, wife, as well as a mother to 5. In addition, she is a passionate believer in the untapped potential of teenagers.
Parent FearlesslyEmily and I start off discussing our love of teenagers. We both share why we shouldn’t be afraid of their questioning. Emily talks about how we can be heroic parents through parenting fearlessly instead of fearfully. She shares, “Parenting out of fear brings paralysis. It shuts off the Spirit.”
Emily believes the key to heroic parenting is to have a plan to parent fearlessly. Understanding how to navigate greatly diminishes fear.
Love or Fear?We both share the benefits of parenting with love instead of fear. Motivating through God’s love creates confidence. Children learn to shine their own light, spread the word of God and lift each other up.
Helping Children Develop an Internal FilterEmily shares how one statement in an April 2014 General Conference talk shaped her perspective on teaching children about tech. The statement by Sister Linda Reeves helped her see the truth of having an internal filter.
Emily discusses how she has studied kids who choose well with technology and the important truth she uncovered through this exercise.
The Benefits of Children Making Mistakes“Don’t be afraid of our children’s errors. In fact, I would say to expect them. Think of the example of our Heavenly Father. He expected our errors. … He knew that they would come and he made a way through His son. … I think as parents we can take that same posture that we expect that they will make mistakes.”
She compares how we treat a toddler learning to walk to the way we sometimes treat our children when they make a mistake. Emily gives her belief that we can partner with our children and remove the shame and fear.
Helping Children See Their PotentialEmily shares her thoughts on how parents can help children discover what they want for their own future. She believes parents can nurture the potential and vision in their children.
Emily’s biggest message to mothers is this, “Knock, even pound, on the doors of heaven and ask Him, ‘Show me this child’s potential.'” Emily firmly believes with God’s help mothers can remind children of who they are.
Show NotesQuote Emily referenced by Sister Linda Reeves: “Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony of our Heavenly Father’s love and our Savior’s atoning sacrifice for each one of us.”
View the CBS News video Brain Hacking.
Find out more about having your family participate in Family Tech University.
Get a free video series from Emily and her husband, David, about parenting and tech.
Listen to other episodes about loving children:
Episode 53: How to Use Agency + Love to Point Children to the Savior with Becky Proudfit Episode 37: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better with Lisa Funk
Follow EmilyInstagram: @familytechuniversity Facebook: FamilyTechUniversity Website: familytechuniversity.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
From babies to teenagers, my guest for episode 70, Bonnie Wiscombe, is currently experiencing it all as a mother to nine children. Listen to hear how she has gained confidence in decisions as a mother.
You’ll hear how mothering a large family has helped Bonnie learn to be flexible, let go of expectations and trust God.
Bonnie expresses how she has learned to have confidence in her decisions as both a mother and a business owner. In regard to deciding to home school as well as start a business, she shared, “I think the biggest blessing to me is as the Lord inspires me to do things He really, really gives me a knowledge without any doubt that this is something He is guiding me in because without that, I would just give up. … You realize you are not going to reach your full potential without doing what He has inspired you to do.”
Bonnie and I also discuss comparison in motherhood. In addition, she shares her number one tip for avoiding comparison and having confidence in motherhood.
Overall, Bonnie’s testimony is God has gently guided her to make the hard decisions she has faced in life. She knows He has helped her learn to love her children unconditionally and see them as He sees them.
Show NotesListen to the Cultivate a Good Life podcast episode 23 we referenced in the interview about why doing B- work is OK.
Listen to another episode of SMM featuring a mother of a large family. Episode 18: Divorce + Blending Families + Coming Back to God in Motherhood || Tarrin Pendergrass
Follow BonnieInstagram: @bonnieandblithe Business: @NovalieClothing Podcast: Outnumbered the Podcast
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Have you ever prayed for something with so much faith and diligence, and then, the exact opposite of what you were praying for happens?
I have.
In episode 69, I’m sharing an experience from my life where I prayed for God to “temper the elements” and then it rained and not just a little drizzle but torrential downpour.
You’ll hear the lessons I learned from this experience and how it increased my faith Heavenly Father does answer my prayers, even if it’s not always in the way I think He should.
Show NotesD&C 90:24 – Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another.
Other Solo EpisodesEpisode 20: What I’m Learning about Following the Spirit + Making Connections in Ministering Episode 61: How to Eliminate Distraction + Always Have the Spirit Episode 64: Why You Might Not Know When You are Feeling the Spirit
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A few months ago, I discovered Miranda Anderson through an interview on another podcast. I loved her positive approach to life and immediately binged episodes from her own podcast, Live Free Creative, and read her book, More Than Enough. I was thrilled when she agreed to be a guest on my podcast.
Living the Life you WantIn the episode, you’ll hear Miranda discuss how she learned to live the life she wanted. She shares key elements she has learned of contentment and gratitude as well as setting aside the message we are lacking in some way.
Miranda shared, “Today is the day that I want. The things that I have right now are the things that I want.”
A Year of No SpendingWhile attending a conference, Miranda heard these words, “You can do more of what you like and less of what you don’t like.” She went home with a new perspective that ultimately led her family to an experiment of no spending for a year.
Miranda realized she was in control of her life and she didn’t have to do what she had always done. She talks about the lessons her family learned from the experiment and how their takeaways were external as well as internal.
Overall, Miranda learned there is always something in your life that is good that you can be grateful for.
Creating SpaceI loved discussing with Miranda how we can be responsible for our own spirituality. Miranda said, “It’s a lot more difficult to take full responsibility for our spirituality but it also makes it a lot more personal.”
Miranda also discusses how she has learned to create space in her life to do as the song says–search, ponder and pray.
She points to the example set by Christ when He took time to be away and “be.” Miranda believes “being” is as important as the “busy” things we do in the Gospel.
No Checklists in SpiritualityI was grateful to get to discuss a topic that has been on my mind a lot lately–there are no checklists with spirituality. Miranda pointed out that the shift in the church to a more home-centered approach is helping us to rely less on the structure and organization and be able to discover for ourselves what we need as spiritual beings.
Partner with God in MotherhoodMiranda talked about knowing who she is and how her divine identity translates to her role as a mother and in her relationship with God. She understands why she doesn’t have to be everything for her children. “My job is to get to know the divine beings that they already are and we learn together.”
Follow MirandaInstagram: @livefreemiranda Website: livefreecreative.co Podcast: Live Free Creative Book: More Than Enough
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In episode 67, I am excited to be interviewing my husband, Tim Trendler. We discuss how we have navigated spiritual differences throughout our 22 year marriage.
You will learn quickly in this episode that Tim is definitely the fun-loving, outgoing partner in our marriage. I am more intense and a deep thinker. We aren’t perfect, but we have learned to help each other develop spiritually and respect our different approaches to gospel living. Looking back, I can see how our differences actually make us a great team.
In the episode, Tim and I both share the spiritual promptings we experienced that led us to marriage. You’ll even find out why Tim didn’t talk to me for 3 weeks after we got engaged!
We also talk about our two very different perspectives on teaching a lesson at church and why both approaches work.
Tim discusses the positive side of having differences. He shares how our children have benefited by seeing two different approaches to spirituality.
In addition, Tim gives his take on the best thing you can do when you differ with your spouse spiritually.
Tim offers his answer to the final question I ask every guest and shares his perspective on how God has been his partner in fatherhood.
I will admit it was harder than I thought to interview my spouse. My goal was for this episode to be more of a conversation than an interview, which means we got off track a few times and I had to do a lot of editing. In the spirit of “keepin’ it real” I left a couple outtakes that you’ll hear if you listen to the end.
Show Notes Listen to other Spiritually Minded Mom episodes about spiritual differences:SMM 065: Hope When You Don’t Live in a Perfect Family Proclamation Home|| Norma Zaugg SMM 063: How to Embrace Agency + Increase Love as a Mother || Shelley Swapp SMM 062: How to Show Unconditional Love When Loved Ones Don’t Share Your Faith SMM 018: Divorce + Blending Families + Coming Back to God in Motherhood || Tarrin Pendergrass
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My guest today is JoEllen Woods, a wife and mom to four who has spent the last few years following a prompting to move overseas and travel the world with her family.
In the interview, you’ll hear how JoEllen and her husband decided to travel full time with their kids and how they felt guided by God in the process.
Their prompting eventually led JoEllen’s family to New Zealand on a 30-month visa and then to full-time travel for 6 months.
After traveling to 17 different countries, The Woods Family was at a crossroads about what was next. Listen to hear the way Heavenly Father guided them to take a leap and seek for dual citizenship in Italy.
The stories JoEllen shares show over ond over you don’t have to have the full picture to follow God. She is a great example of following a prompting, acting and then asking what the next step is and continuing to move forward.
Overall, JoEllen’s experiences have taught her personal revelation is a privilege. She knows He is by her side and that knowledge gives her the courage and confidence she needs in motherhood and in life.
Show NotesListen to other Spiritually Minded Mom episodes about personal revelation
SMM 041: Only You Can Receive Revelation for Your Motherhood || Michelle Gifford
Follow JoEllenInstagram: @iamjoellen Website: iamjoellen.com YouTube: iamjoellen
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Within 2 years of her 19 year marriage, my guest for episode 65, Norma Zaugg, realized her hopes and dreams for her home and family were not going according to plan. Her marriage was rocky and her husband stopped being involved with the Church. Norma was left wondering how to navigate it all.
Guidance from GodIn my interview with Norma, she shares how she didn’t take the thought of bringing children into her dysfunctional marriage lightly. Through heartfelt prayer, she felt guided to know the timing and how to teach her children.
She shares about the promise God made to her early on and how it was fulfilled as each of her boys have been baptized. She knows God is aware of her efforts and that He will keep His promises to her.
Hope if You Don’t Feel Your Home is PerfectNorma’s story offers hope to anyone who feels they don’t live in the perfect “family proclamation” home. Both Norma and I discuss how there isn’t a model or one way to be a righteous, Latter-day Saint mother. We can each figure out what it means for us as individuals.
Her own experiences with a spouse who was not supportive spiritually taught Norma to teach the Gospel to her children through small, everyday moments. She has literally whispered gospel truths in her children’s ears and helped them identify the Holy Ghost.
Helping Others in Difficult MarriagesHow can you help someone you know who is in a hard marriage? Norma’s advice is simple–Don’t make assumptions. Ask questions. Follow the spirit.
After her divorce, self care was the first step Norma took to start to heal. She shared, “In order for me to be able to help my boys, I have to be on top of my game. And if I’m not taking care of myself, I can’t be patient. I can’t be loving. I can’t do homework for hours on end unless I have taken care of me.” Norma says to start small and slowly add in things to do just for you.
God is There Even in the Dark TimesOverall, Norma’s story will remind you that change can happen for each of us. Starting fresh and doing something different is hard, but you will look back and be able to see God everywhere, even in dark times.
Show NotesQuotes from Norma:
“I knew that if my boys were ever going to see something different, it would have to be because I put forth the effort.”
“It’s fascinating that sometimes we almost have to be removed from [the situation] before we can fully see how He intricately was there the entire time planning and helping and putting the pieces together in a much more marvelous way than we could have ever imagined and the gifts He would give through those horrible hardships.”
“If you are feeling lost and you’re feeling empty and you’re feeling hopeless, there is absolutely a way out but it is not magic and there is no quick solution. It is a lot of work and it is a lot of internal work.”
Download Norma’s free guide “Living with a Spouse that No Longer Believes in the Church
Listen to other Spiritually Minded Mom episodes about family members who leave the Church
Episode 063: How to Embrace Agency + Increase Love as a Mother || Shelley Swapp Episode 062: How to Show Unconditional Love When Loved Ones Don’t Share Your Faith
Follow NormaInstagram: @normazaugg Instagram: @sparkpodcast Website: normazaugg.com Podcast: SPARK – the light within
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Welcome to Season 3! I am so excited to be back. In episode 64, I am sharing some new insights I gained about feeling the Spirit. Spoiler Alert: You might not know when you are feeling the Spirit and that is perfectly normal!
If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, “How do I recognize the Holy Ghost when it comes?” you’ll want to listen.
This is a solo episode where I dive into experiences I have had with the Holy Ghost but the bulk of the episode is a recap of a devotional I found from the MTC with Elder Bednar. Elder Bednar shared some amazing stuff in a way we don’t usually hear it.
I hope you will listen and also download Elder Bednar’s MTC devotional to hear it for yourself.
Show NotesGo HERE to get the link to download the MTC devotional. (This is not a direct link but a place to download. Look for the MTC devotional from August 20, 2019 and download it to your device. It may take a while.)
Listen to other episodes about the Holy Ghost:
Episode 20: What I’m Learning About Following the Spirit + Making Connections in Ministering Episode 41: Only You Can Receive Revelation for Your Motherhood || Michelle Gifford Episode 044: Use God as a Guide || Part 3 of 5 Episode 045: Act on Promptings Felt from God || Part 4 of 5 Episode 61: How to Eliminate Distractions + Always Have the Spirit
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Welcome to the final episode of season 2. I am taking a short break from the podcast and will be back in September with more faith-filled interviews for you.
In episode 63, my guest is Shelley Swapp. Shelley shares what she hopes her children will remember about her as a mom.
Motherhood ChallengesShe also gives insights into the challenges her family has faced in the past few years. As a mother, she has watched her children deal with moving, brain injury, physical special needs, mental health challenges and faith crisis.
No Checklist to Perfect KidsShelley shares how she always believed there was a “checklist” of things to do as a mom. If she could just check all of the things on the list off, like family home evening, scripture study, attending church and the temple, etc., all of our children would turn out exactly as she planned. But Shelley shares how she has learned that’s not what the Gospel is about. She gives her insights on agency, something we fought valiantly for before we came to earth.
Instead of a “checklist,” Shelley discusses how “The true test of motherhood is who I become and the true test of fatherhood is who my husband becomes and not who my children become.”
She openly admits she and her husband weren’t perfect parents but can honestly say they have always loved their children.
Preserving RelationshipsShelley shares how she has persevered her relationship with her children, especially as some have chosen to leave the church. She shares how realizing our Heavenly Parents don’t sit in heaven wringing their hands has helped her to avoid worrying as well. She knows her children are on their own journey and it’s not about her.
The Power of ScriptureBoth the Book of Mormon and the Bible have been huge helps to Shelley in her life as a mother. She describes the Book of Mormon as an entire book about families who were fighting valiantly to keep their children in the Gospel. She attributes the stories of Jesus found in the Bible to helping her get to a place where she can love and accept her children where they are.
Her Son’s PerspectiveIn preparation for the interview, Shelley spoke with her son who has recently experienced a faith crisis. She shares the advice he would gives to family members who are struggling to understand why someone would leave.
Why Heaven is CloseUltimately, Shelley shares her testimony that heaven is so close. We can recognize tender mercies and angels here on earth. She acknowledges God’s hand in her life and knows He is helping her and her children.
Show NotesLight the Fight Podcast with Heidi Swapp and David Kozlowski.
Talk by Elder Robert D. Hales, With all the Feeling of a Tender Parent, April 2004 General Conference
Talk by President Henry B. Eyring, A Home Where the Spirit of the Lord Dwells, April 2019 General Conference
This is the quote by President Eyring Shelley referenced in the interview from the talk above.
“Some have tried with full heart for that blessing, yet it has not been granted. My promise to you is one that a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once made to me. I had said to him that because of choices some in our extended family had made, I doubted that we could be together in the world to come. He said, as well as I can remember, ‘You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.'”
Listen to Shelley’s daughter share her story on episode 6 of the podcast, Still Tripin’
Read more about Shelley’s motherhood journey in an article she wrote on the Awaiting Rainbows website.
Listen to a previous episode with similar stories: Episode 62, How to Show Unconditional Love When Loved Ones Don’t Share Your Faith
Follow ShelleyInstagram: @shelleyswapp Facebook: shelleyswappsvintageherbals Website: shelleyswapp.com
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Episode 62 shares the perspectives of 6 different people who have experience with a loved one who doesn’t share their faith. I am so grateful for each of these people who called in to share their thoughts and perspectives on a topic that isn’t always easy to talk about.
In addition to hearing from members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who have had families members who have struggled with their faith, you will also hear the perspective of someone who left the church. She shares her advice for loving unconditionally and preserving the relationship no matter what someone else believes.
All the people who called in shared the overarching message that unconditional love, love like the Savior shared, is the most important thing we can give.
If you are someone who struggles with similar situations I hope you this episode will show you that you are not alone. I also hope you will listen to each of these perspectives and gain what you need from their words.
I am so grateful to the women who called in and were willing to be featured on this episode. Sharing our stories binds us together. I learned so much from each of them.
Show NotesRead or listen to the entire talk by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf from October 2013 General Conference, Come, Join with Us.
Full quote by Gretchen Rubin: “It’s a Secret of Adulthood: I can’t make people change, but when I change, others may change; and when others change, I may change.”
John 11 – Story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead
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Today I am doing a solo episode talking about how to eliminate distractions and always have the Spirit. This content was originally a devotional I wrote and presented at a recent girls camp. Feel free to use this episode as a resource to help you teach your older children or other youth.
Can You Hear the Music of the Spirit?I shared a story told by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf about a violinist dressed in jeans who plays in a busy subway. Elder Uchtdorf uses this story to illustrate how we might miss the spirit in our life. The story shows why it’s important to slow down, eliminate distractions and always have the spirit with us.
What the Still Small Voice Sounds LikeThese three scriptures help paint the picture of what the still small voice sounds like:
I shared 9 possible ways (and there are many more) you might feel the Spirit. You can read the accompanying scriptures and ponder on whether you feel the Spirit in this way.
(This article for youth on the church website that was the source for this list.)
The Constant Influence of the Holy GhostIn coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.
President Russell M. NelsonI talked about a time in my life where I learned the importance of eliminating distractions that were keeping me from the influence of the Holy Ghost.
How to hear the Holy Ghost and Eliminate DistractionsHere are some questions you can ask yourself.
What are the distractions that are keeping me from the still small voice in my life?
How can I eliminate those distractions?
The sacrament prayers give us clues of how we can eliminate distractions in our life.
See the prayers in D&C 20 verses 77 and 79.
“Always” Have His Spirit“Always” is a promise we are given. I looked up the definition in the dictionary and it said this: “at all times, forever, at any rate, in any event.” Then the dictionary listed the synonyms to the word always: consistently, constantly, continually, ever, forever, incessantly, invariably, night and day, perpetually, unfailing.
I shared another quote from President Nelson: “Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!”
Show NotesListen to the BYU Devotional by Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Can You Hear the Music.
See the footage of Joshua Bell playing in the subway.
Go to Episode 44: Use God as a Guide to learn more about how to discover how you feel the spirit.
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Stephanie Piacitelli, my guest for episode 60, is someone who has learned to find joy in the middle of hard things.
In October 2014, Stephanie and her husband, Bryant, were living a normal life with their four children. But near the end of that month, everything changed in an instant. Bryant was on his way to work as a police officer when he was struck on his motorcycle by a driver who ran a red light. Bryant was killed and Stephanie was left a widow with four young children.
Losing Her HusbandIn the interview, Stephanie shares about her life before Bryant passed away and the details of the day he was killed. She talks about how she shared the heartbreaking news with her children that their father had been killed.
One of her first thoughts was forgiveness for the person who hit her husband. Her second thought was that she and her family were loved. She knew they had so many people around them who loved them.
Stephanie shares the tender mercies she received from God prior to her husband’s death that did not lessen the shock but did leave her with the knowledge she was loved. She didn’t know it at the time, but as she looks back, she can see how God was preparing her and giving her what she needed.
Submitting Her Will to GodDuring her grief, Stephanie had a pivotal moment when she was able to turn everything over to God. She said, “This was a test for me. Am I really willing to put my trust in my Heavenly Father, in an all-knowing, all-loving God? Am I able to do that?… These experiences that we go through, are for our own good. We may not see it in the moment, but if we will allow the refiner’s fire to allow Heavenly Father to mold us into the person that He needs us to become, we will be better off than what we may have thought.”
Stephanie used the word “liberating” when talking about surrendering her will to God. We discussed the miracle of giving your will to the One who matters most and how surrendering will change your life.
“God will not forsake me” was on repeat in Stephanie’s mind for months after her husband’s death and is how she ultimately got through the darkest days.
Knowing Her Children’s NeedsStephanie also shares how prayer and relying on the spirit have helped her know the individual needs of her four children who lost their dad. She also talks about how she uses these same skills to help the four step children she is mothering since remarrying.
Joy in the Middle of Hard ThingsOverall, Stephanie’s story illustrates well it is possible to have faith and trust, even during difficult challenges. Stephanie knows “Joy is possible, even in the midst of hard things.” God makes this possible.
Other Episodes Dealing with GriefEpisode 2: Navigating Loss, Special Needs and Fostering as a Young Mom with Alie Jones
Episode 5: Choosing Happiness in Motherhood Despite Grief and Tragedy with Maralyn Nava
Episode 7: Turning to God Through Infertility, Adoption and Miscarriage with Kay West
Episode 58: Why Gratitude for Little Things Will Make Your Life Better with Heather Herbert
Follow StephanieInstagram: @stephaniepiacitelli
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I first interviewed Cheryl Cardall in episode 23 about overcoming weakness and using humor in motherhood. Cheryl is back and we are diving in to talk about what Cheryl has learned in 20 years of motherhood. You’ll also hear why Cheryl believes you should be the expert and advocate for your child.
Cheryl talks about a recent moment when she realized she was doing better as a mom than she thought she was. She shares how motherhood refines us and makes us better. Cheryl believes you can do more than just survive in motherhood. You can thrive.
We also have a discussion about why a mother’s worth isn’t determined by what her kids do. Cheryl has learned to be good with herself no matter what her kids do. “Their behavior has no reflection on me.”
Cheryl also discusses her recent experiences learning how to be an expert and advocate for one of her children struggling with mental health issues.
Recently, both Cheryl and her husband were prompted to get a dog for their family. She talks about how they trusted this prompting and how having a dog has been a huge blessing for their whole family. Her story illustrates so well that God cares about everything in our lives and why you can trust and act on the promptings you get.
Cheryl has seen and felt God the most when she has felt she isn’t enough. She discusses how a common answer from God for her has been to “Love them through it.”
“Motherhood is the perfect way to learn about the atonement. We are not enough on our own but when we use God and our Savior as our partner, somehow we are.”
Show NotesHere is the quote Cheryl shared by Dr. Christina Hibbert: “The fruit of motherhood isn’t how your kids turn out. It’s how you turn out.”
See the Instagram post by @reflectionsofchrist about the parenting advice to repent fast and frequently I mentioned in the episode. (I think I said it was about forgiveness in the episode, but it’s about repentance.)
This is the quote Cheryl shared by Janet Lansbury: “It can be really tough to remember how emotionally immature children are because they can be so impressively intelligent, capable, and aware. When they seem deliberately bratty or downright mean, we’ll need to remind ourselves: These are tiny people with incredibly low impulse control who are very easily overwhelmed. In the moment, it may feel like our kids are out to get us, but it is actually that their impulses have gotten the better of them.”
Books Cheryl recommends: The Whole Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults by Frances E. Jensen
Follow CherylInstagram: @supermamas4real
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Heather Herbert is a wife and a mom to three children ages 19, 15 and 13. She has experienced the heartbreak of having a stillborn daughter. Heather has also had many other crises with her children. Through it all, Heather has learned life-changing lessons about how to get through difficult times.
Listen to hear how Heather learned that practicing gratitude for little things can completely change your life. She also shares how prayer has helped her in moments of crisis to know the needs of her children.
After using gratitude to help her heal from the loss of her daughter, Heather realized gratitude is a strategy that will work for anyone, no matter what loss, trial or struggle they are experiencing.
As a result of her experience, Heather started The Sweet Me Project, a workbook to record gratitude, celebrate life and see the beauty, even in hard times.
Heather and I also discuss the message I share over and over on this podcast. God can give us exactly what we need in the moment we need it. And He knows what our kids need too. He knows them better than we know them.
Heather has learned to show her kids she isn’t perfect. As a result, she knows that humility has also enabled her to learn things from her children.
Overall, Heather’s story offers hope that despite heartache, God is there. We can feel His promptings, peace and reassurance. We can have a beautiful partnership in motherhood with Him.
Show NotesListen to other episodes dealing with the loss of a child:
Episode 2: Navigating Loss, Special Needs and Fostering as a Young Mom with Alie Jones. Episode 5: Choosing Happiness in Motherhood Despite Grief and Tragedy with Maralyn Nava Episode 13: Overcoming Anger + Showing Faith When Your Motherhood Plan is Not God’s with Misty Trendler
Follow HeatherInstagram: @sweetmeproject Website: sweetmeproject.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
My guest today is Kristin Brown. After experiencing 5 years of infertility, Kristin and her husband were excited to welcome boy/girl twins to their home. Kristin and her best friend, Laura, have a podcast called The Progress Project, a personal growth podcast with conversations on how to improve little by little, while giving ourselves plenty of grace.
How Challenges Help UsIn the interview, Kristin shares how she learned through the trial of infertility that challenges help us learn exactly what we need to learn. She talks about how she was able to find peace and contentment even before she became a mother.
Purpose is More Than RolesKristin discusses how she learned her purpose is not totally wrapped up in motherhood and that she has worth whether she is a mother or not.
Writing, Visualization and PrayerYou’ll hear why Kristin turned to writing as a form of prayer and a way to recognize themes in her life. Kristin talks about how writing has became personal scripture just for her and a conduit to God.
Writing also led Kristin to visualization and she shares what she learned and how this practice has evolved for her.
Finally, Kristin and I discussed how hearing how others communicate with God helps us to explore and find our own methods of communications.
Confidence Through GodKristin knows God is her partner in motherhood. She has gained confidence to do what she needs to do as a mom because she knows He is walking beside her.
Show NotesFor more about Kristin’s experiences with visualization, listen to episode 61 of Kristin’s podcast, The Progress Project.
Listen to more episodes of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast about communication with God:
Episode 6: Growing into Motherhood + Learning How God Speaks to You || Monica Packer
Episode 14: How to Recognize God in Simple Ways + Battle Loneliness and Negative Thoughts || Michelle Garfield
Episode 42: Seek a Relationship with God
Episode 44: Use God as a Guide
Follow KristinInstagram: @kristinbrown Instagram: @jointheprogressproject Website: jointheprogressproject.com Podcast: The Progress Project
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My guest in episode 56 is Heidi Tucker. Heidi is a wife, a mom to four adult children and a grandma to 9 grandchildren. She is the author of two books, Finding Hope in the Journey and Servie’s Song. Heidi is known as a great storyteller who believes every story not only teaches a gospel principle but can make you feel it.
In the interview Heidi shares how she knew through a dream she needed to write a book even though she was going through one of the lowest times of her life. We discussed how you don’t have to be in an ideal time in your life to do His work. God can use you if you take a step and act.
She shares how God answered a prayer through a total stranger she encountered on a hike who said just three words to her, “Go get ’em.”
As a mom who has raised her children, Heidi discussed several perspectives and insights she has gained in motherhood. She talked why rescuing children at every turn erases the child’s growth, why lectures aren’t effective and how to pick your battles.
Heidi also shared her perspective on how to deal with children who have struggles and questions about faith and God. She speaks to what she has personally done and learned in these situations and gives practical advice to other mothers struggling with children choosing a different path.
At the end, Heidi shares how a swarm of butterflies taught her God is aware of her. Heidi has seen and felt Him as her partner as she has acted on the quiet thoughts He has given her.
Show Notes Follow HeidiInstagram: @heidi_tucker_ Facebook: Heidi Tucker Website: thepickledsunflower.com
Heidi and I will both be speaking at the Moms Who Stick Together Conference coming up on August 16th and 17th in Mesa, Arizona. You can use the code “StickTogether” for $20 off your ticket. I would love to meet you there and I know Heidi would too!
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: @spirituallymindedmom Facebook: spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
I am happy to welcome Bergen Hyde to the podcast. Bergen is the co-founder and creative director of WOMB, which you’ll more about in the interview. Bergen is married and has 3 children. Her number one passion is women’s issues, especially within the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and she loves helping other women claim their power.
In the interview, Bergen shares three amazing lessons she has learned in motherhood.
Lesson 1: I’m happier and more fulfilled when I am an agent in my own life.Bergen shares about how she came to know that motherhood was a choice she was making and how she realized she could choose something different. I loved her thoughts about how choosing from a whole place and with God’s guidance helps things work out.
Lesson 2: I can engage the Lord in hard questions from a position of faith.If you are struggling or have ever struggled with questions about God, you will want to hear what Bergen has to say. She believes when we ask questions from a position of faith and find answers, we can help to make changes. She asks questions with the assumption she has heavenly parents who love her. Our discussion also addressed dealing with feelings of not receiving answers from God.
Lesson 3: Christ is a champion of women.Bergen shared her own story of letting go of the darkness she felt inside. She talks about how she learned to feel the feelings and let them out but how she still did not feel whole.
She shares her experience of filling the hole she felt inside by turning to Christ.
No matter what wounds we have. No matter how dark. No matter how deep, Christ can heal them. … Christ is the only one who can fully heal those things for us. … His arms were always stretched out to me.
Bergen HydeBergen’s story illustrates so well that learning to come to the Savior is a process. Her story gives hope to anyone who is struggling.
This episode also emphasizes how sharing our stories helps us remember we are not alone and offers hope. Bergen encourages other women to create the conversations they wish were happening.
Ultimately, Bergen shares how she knows the Savior “softens everything and sweetens everything and makes things holy.”
Show NotesWomb Sisters is holding a retreat on June 8th. You can go HERE to find the details.
Bergen and I will both be speaking at the upcoming SALT Gathering in Salt Lake City on September 14th. You can get details and buy your ticket HERE. Use the code “Darla10” for $10 off.
You can go HERE to listen to my interview with the creator of the SALT Gathering, Elise Curtis.
Follow BergenInstagram: @womb_sisters
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Listen to episode 54 and hear about an experience I had recently in my life. I talk about how I learned more about the enabling power of the atonement of Jesus Christ. I also share how the Spirit taught me to give my burdens to the Savior.
Thus the enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity.
David A. Bednar Show NotesListen to the full talk by Elder David A. Bednar called, In the Strength of the Lord,a BYU Speech given October 23, 2001.
You can go to Brooke Snow’s website for more info on her course, Christian Mediation, I mentioned in the episode.
The scripture “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” can be found in Matthew 11:30.
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Today I’m welcoming Becky Proudfit to the podcast for episode 53. You may know her as one half of Becky squared where she cohosts the podcast Cultivate a Good Life with Becky Higgins. She is also a former Disney Princess, a wife and a mom to four, a lover of travel and a cancer survivor.
In this episode you will hear Becky remind moms that motherhood is “not about you.” She shares why she thinks motherhood is not about her but about loving her children and giving them agency.
Becky and I discuss not tying spiritual things to merely being obedient to parents. Rather, Becky believes in teaching children to obey out of love for Heavenly Father and the Savior.
We also talk about teaching children spiritual self-sufficiency so they can rely on the Savior as a perfect friend.
Becky frequently uses opposites, also a pattern found in the scriptures, to teach her children. She doesn’t shy away from talking about Satan and his counterfeits. She views times when Satan is working on you as evidence that you are doing something right.
Becky gives advice to moms whose children have used their agency to choose different paths. She also shares an easy and practical way any mom can know how God feels about her and recognize how He is showing up in her life.
Show NotesThis is the quote by President Russell M. Nelson Becky referenced about spiritual survival. “In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
Go HERE to read Elder Uctdorf’s talk, A Matter of a Few Degrees
Follow BeckyInstagram: @beckyproudfit Podcast: Cultivate a Good Life
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My guest for episode 52 is Chantel Allen. Chantel is a mom, a wife and also a certified life coach. She is passionate about offering encouragement, to others through her coaching and podcast, Find Your Beautiful You. Through her training and personal experiences, Chantel has learned the true definition of success in motherhood.
Listen to hear Chantel’s insights on how you can benefit from changing your thoughts. She gives a great exercise you can use to figure out what is going on inside your brain.
Chantel talks about the lessons she learned from experiencing unexplained seizures as well as having a son dealing with anxiety. Her story illustrates so well how God is aware of us. Chantel’s experiences show how God weaves our experiences together for our good.
Finally, you’ll hear how to really define success in motherhood. Guess what? Success has nothing to do with your kids. Chantel shares how she has learned to show up in motherhood as her best self as well as not tie her worth to her kids’ behavior.
Show NotesFind out more about Jody Moore.
Get a free thought download worksheet to help you do a thought download, and then answer questions on the thought download to help you evaluate your thoughts.
Hear Chantel talk more about thought downloads and the “Marie Kondo Effect” on episode 11 of her podcast, Find Your Beautiful You.
Here more Spiritually Minded Mom episodes that discuss thoughts.
Episode 14: How to How to Recognize God in Simple Ways + Battle Loneliness and Negative Thoughts || Michelle Garfield
Episode 37: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better || Lisa Funk
Episode 47: Finding Beauty in the Hard of Motherhood || Melinda Peterson
Follow ChantelInstagram: instagram.com/chantel_findyourbeautifulyou Podcast: Find Your Beautiful You Website: findyourbeautifulyou.com
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My guest for episode 51 is Jamie Hutchings. Jamie is a wife and mom to three. She is a motivational speaker who frequently shares her story of beating childhood cancer, overcoming survivor’s guilt and dealing with mental health issues, including PTSD and multiple suicide attempts.
In the interview, Jamie shares what she learned from her experiences going through cancer as a young child. She beat cancer but faced mental health struggles in the years following her cure.
At age 17, Jamie nearly took her own life. She talks about that experience and what kept her from following through with her suicide intentions. We discuss how parents can stay close to their children and recognize warning signs of depression.
The second half of the interview is focused on suicide. I didn’t plan for this topic to be a main focus of this episode. However, I felt the Spirit both during the interview and after as I edited the audio. I know the discussion Jamie and I have is a message that is supposed to be shared.
I am not an expert or a professional. I have been touched by suicide in my extended family, but I am the first to admit that I don’t know or understand all that those affected feel. As I share in this episode, I only know and have faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ. He knows all and is the One who can heal.
I hope you feel hope as you listen to Jamie’s story and our discussion about topics that are not always easy to discuss. Jamie’s honesty and faith are inspiring.
Show NotesJamie mentioned a painting of the Savior reaching out called The Hand of God by Yongsung Kim. You can go HERE to see the painting.
Follow JamieInstagram: instagram.com/survivingthebubble/ Website: survivingthebubble.com
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Episode 50! I can’t believe I am even typing that and I am so honored to share my interview with Rachel Nielson for this milestone episode.
Rachel is married to Ryan and they have two children, Noah, who is adopted and Sally, who was conceived through IVF. If you’re not familiar with Rachel, you will immediately see she is both down to earth and relatable.
She is also the host of The 3in30 Podcast for moms. She interviews guests on a variety of motherhood topics and shares 3 doable takeaways every week.
When I edit an interview, I generally jot down notes as I edit and look for themes of the interview.
I looked at the notes I took for Rachel’s interview and realized I had found three main themes. As a nod to Rachel’s amazing podcast, here are three doable takeaways I found from this interview.
Number 1: “Just because God prompts you to continue with something, does not mean it is going to work out the way you want it to.”
Number 2: Whom the Lord calls, he qualifies.
Number 3: All things work together for good to them that love God. (Romans 8:28)
Rachel’s motherhood story illustrates beautifully both the joys and sorrows of motherhood. More importantly, Rachel’s journey teaches how trusting in God’s timing can bring us way more than we ever imagined.
Show Notes Follow RachelInstagram: instagram.com/3in30podcast/ Website: 3in30podcast.com Podcast: 3in30podcast.com/episodes/
Read more about the parable of the currant bush Rachel referenced.
The scripture Rachel referenced about all things working together for good for those who love God can be found in Romans 8:28.
Read Rachel’s own words about her experiences in adoption by going HEREand HERE.
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Today I’m sharing an interview with best-selling authors, Richard and Linda Eyre. The Eyre’s have been married for almost 50 years and have raised 9 children. They have authored numerous books and spoken around the world to very diverse groups about families and parenting as well as balancing work and family with personal needs.
Although they are seen as parenting experts, the Eyre’s were quick to point out in the interview they do not have a perfect family. Both Richard and Linda shared how they work hard to make family and communication a top priority.
You’ll hear the Eyre’s answer to my personal question about how they keep their large family connected. They shared many great ideas including having a monthly family testimony meeting. They talked about how spiritual things can bind families together.
In preparation for this interview, I read Richard’s newest book, The Happiness Paradox. The paradox Richard writes about is pursuing things we think will make us happy but which are actually making us unhappy.
Both Richard and Linda discuss three false concepts that are “joy thieves” and how they relate to parenting.
Richard believes you can’t shun a bad habit. His philosophy is you have to find a replacement for a habit you want to change. So, the second half of his book shares three “joy rescuers” you can use in your life to replace the “joy thieves.”
The interview is a great discussion of both the thieves and rescuers of joy. Both Linda and Richard share how all the concepts apply to motherhood, our relationship with God and the atonement of Jesus Christ.
At the end, I asked the Eyre’s my usual final question about how they have seen and felt God as a partner in parenthood. They both gave answers that gave me new insights on my relationship with both my children and my heavenly parents. You’ll will want to listen to the end to hear this.
Show Notes Book DiscountI loved the book, The Happiness Paradox, and found so many great truths to help me in motherhood and life. If you want to dive deeper into the concepts the Eyre’s discussed in this episode, I highly recommend reading the book. (And no one is paying me to say this!)
And, you can purchase the book (plus others the Eyre’s have written) for 50% off plus free shipping by going HERE and entering “TrendlerFriend” as the access code.
Follow the EyresInstagram: instagram.com/richardlindaeyre/ Website: valuesparenting.com Books: familius.com/eyre-special
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My guest today is Brittany Frank. Brittany is a wife to her husband, Trevor, and mom to a cute one-year-old little boy. When Brittany was a junior in college and competing as a track and cross country athlete, she was involved in a rappelling accident that left her with a spinal cord injury.
In the interview, Brittany shares about her accident and how she dealt with her recovery. She explains how she felt so much hope from God from the very beginning. She also shares how she dealt with the difficult periods when the reality of her injury and the lifelong consequences started to sink in.
She shared a beautiful scripture found in John 14:18: I will not leave you comfortless. Brittany explains that although she felt alone at times, she knows that feeling was necessary for her to understand the atonement of Jesus Christ and begin to heal.
Before having her son, Brittany didn’t know exactly how she would care for him but has learned through trial and error. Brittany talks about the practical ways she has had to modify everyday tasks in motherhood and how she makes it all work. She had a hard time finding resources on mothering with a spinal cord injury and now actively shares her experiences on her instagram account hoping to inspire and help others.
“Being present is being productive” is Brittany’s motherhood philosophy and she shares what this means for her and how she implements it in her life as a mother.
Brittany talks about a beautiful message she hopes to share with her son as he grows up. Overall, she has amazing faith and trust in following the promptings God gives her, even when they don’t make sense in a worldly view.
Show Notes Follow BrittanyInstagram: @brittanyanne278 Website: brittanyannefisher.blogspot.com
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My guest for episode 47 is Melinda Peterson. In the interview, Melinda shares how she has been able to find beauty in the hard parts of motherhood. We talk about how God gave her a “sixth sense” to help her child who struggled with speech and why that is a gift every mom can have.
Melinda is candid about her recent experiences dealing with postpartum depression. She tells how in her darkest moments she was able to “follow the breadcrumbs” God placed before her. Listen to hear how Melinda relates “breadcrumbs” to action and relying on the Savior.
We talk about hope and how to get through dark times when you aren’t sure where the light is.
You’ll hear Melinda’s thoughts on accepting your whole self, even your imperfections. She gives a beautiful definition of the word “beloved” and how that relates to our relationship with the Savior and His atonement.
Overall, I use three words to sum up this interview with Melinda–beauty, love and light. She shares her gift of faith in a hopeful way that will help you recognize God in your own life.
Show Notes Listen to other episodes about dealing with depressionSMM 010: Being Open About Mental Illness in Motherhood + When You Don’t Know If God is Your Partner || Ally Hayward
SMM 015: Balance + Overcoming Feelings of Failure + True Self-Care in Motherhood || Elise Curtis
SMM 021: Chasing Your Dreams + Turning to God in Post-Partum Depression || Amanda Anderson
SMM 037: How to Create Thoughts to Love Your Children Better || Lisa Funk
Follow MelindaInstagram: @melindajoywrites Instagram: @storyworldkids
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Episode 46 is the fifth and final episode in a 5-episode series on becoming more spiritually minded. The purpose of the series is to help you figure out how God speaks to you as well as learn how you receive personal revelation. Today’s topic is: Record Thoughts from God.
If you listened to episodes 42, 43, 44, and 45 you know that each week of this series has a free printable. The episodes are focused on a portion of a quote from President Nelson’s talk from April 2018 General Conference. The talk is called Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives. Here is the part of that talk we are focusing on this week:
Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings.
The printable for this week's episode will give you the chance to ponder on how you have seen and felt God as your partner in motherhood.
The act section of the printable is an invitation to you to start recording spiritual thoughts, impressions, feelings and tender mercies from God.
The printable also includes journal templates to help you get started. There are three different templates but they are basically all the same. You can pick the one you like the best.
There is also a blog post I wrote that you can read about the benefits of journal writing for moms. The post also goes into detail about how to use the journal templates. The blog post is called "Want to be a Better Mom? Write in Your Journal."
In this episode, I shared five blessings you can receive from recording thoughts from God:
I took these topics from an article written by Tad Callister from a Church News article from October 24, 2017 called Record Spiritual Insights to Receive More Revelation in Your Life.
I hope you have enjoyed this five-part series. Hopefully, something you have heard or written onthe printables has helped you come closer to God.
Show NotesDownload the printables for each episode HERE.
Find part 1: Seek a Relationship with God HERE. Find part 2: Build Spiritual Reserves HERE. Find part 3: Use God as a Guide HERE. Find part 4: Act on Promptings Felt from God HERE.
To read more about Alma's experiences writing instructions from God so he "might have them" read Mosiah 26.
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Episode 45 is the fourth episode in a 5-episode series on becoming more spiritually minded. The purpose of the series is to help you figure out how God speaks to you as well as learn how you receive personal revelation. Today’s topic is: Act on promptings felt from God.
If you listened to episodes 42, 43, and 44 you know that each week of this series has a free printable. The episodes are focused on a portion of a quote from President Nelson’s talk from April 2018 General Conference. The talk is called Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives. Here is the part of that talk we are focusing on this week:
…follow through with actions that you are prompted to take.
The printable for this week’s episode will give you the chance to ponder and think about situations and times when you have felt prompted and how you acted on the promptings.
The “Act” section of the printable will help you review the ways you have acted on the topics from the previous three weeks:
In this episode, I share some examples about how acting has helped me spiritually throughout my life. You’ll hear how acting gives you power whereas not acting creates doubt.
I shared this quote by Michelle Gifford of The Women With Fire Podcast
Heavenly Father can’t move an object that is standing still.
I also talked about how sometimes we know “what” God is prompting us to do but we don’t know “why.” Listen to hear why this is totally OK and how we can still act and receive blessings from God even if we don’t know the “why” of a prompting.
Show NotesDownload the printables for each episode HERE.
You can find part 1: Seek a Relationship with God HERE. You can find part 2: Build Spiritual Reserves HERE. You can find part 3: Use God as a Guide HERE.
Listen to the full episode about how acting helped my family change our financial situation in episode 34: Why I am Grateful for the Hardest Time in my Life.
Listen to The Women With Fire episode 52: The Quester: Part 3 of the Quest Series, for more about the quote by Michelle Gifford mentioned above.
Listen to The Women With Fire interview with Lizzy Jensen where she shares how to “Act on the ‘what,’ even if you don’t know the ‘why.'”
The scripture I shared about Nephi acting on the “what” when he didn’t know the “why” can be found in 1 Nephi 9:5-6.
Read the entire talk with the quote I read from Elder David A. Bednar called The Spirit of Revelation.
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Episode 44 continues the 5-episode series on becoming more spiritually minded. The purpose of the series is to help you figure out how God speaks to you as well as learn how you receive personal revelation. Today’s topic is: Use God as a Guide.
If you listened to episodes 42 and 43, you know that each week of this series has a free printable. The episodes are focused on a portion of a quote from President Nelson’s talk from April 2018 General Conference. The talk is called Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives. Here is the part of that talk we are focusing on this week:
Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!
The printable for this week’s episode is a worksheet that will help you recognize different ways God speaks to you. There are 28 different ways you might feel the spirit listed on the sheet. Each way has scriptures you can look up. After reading the scriptures, you can ponder and write how you have felt God guiding you in this way.
It’s OK if you leave some of the boxes blank. You are an individual and God communicates with you in your own unique way. You may not feel God in all 28 ways listed and that is totally OK.
In the episode, I share some of my experiences and how I have learned to use God as a guide in my life.
I also share experiences of two previous podcast guests. You’ll hear a short clip of episode 10 with Ally Hayward and another clip of episode 14 with Michelle Garfield.
I hope the exercise on the printable and hearing other people’s experiences on the podcast will give you hope and help you realize you can figure out for yourself how God speaks to you.
This is the quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley that I included on the printable and also read at the end of the episode.
That’s the test, when all is said and done. Does it persuade one to do good, to rise, to stand tall, to do the right thing, to be kind, to be generous? Then it is of the Spirit of God. … If it invites to do good, it is of God. If it inviteth to do evil, it is of the devil. … And if you are doing the right thing and if you are living the right way, you will know in your heart what the Spirit is saying to you. You recognize the promptings of the Spirit by the fruits of the Spirit—that which enlighteneth, that which buildeth up, that which is positive and affirmative and uplifting and leads us to better thoughts and better words and better deeds is of the Spirit of God.
If you ever feel enlightened, built up, positive, uplifted or led to do better, you are feeling the spirit. I hope this week’s episode and the printable will help you come to know that more fully in your life.
Show NotesDownload the printables for each episode HERE.
You can find part 1: Seek a Relationship with God HERE. You can find part 2: Build Spiritual Reserves HERE.
Listen to the full episode of my interview with Ally Hayward, episode 10, HERE. Hear the full episode of my interview with Michelle Garfield, episode 14, HERE.
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Episode 43 continues the 5-episode series on becoming more spiritually minded. The purpose of the series is to help you figure out how God speaks to you as well as learn how you receive personal revelation. Today’s topic is: build spiritual reserves.
If you listened to last week’s episode, you know that each week of this series has a free printable. The episodes are focused on a portion of a quote from President Nelson’s talk from April 2018 General Conference. The talk is called Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives. Here is the part of that talk we are focusing on this week:
As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation.’
Examples from the ScripturesIn the episode, you’ll hear two examples from the scriptures about building spiritual reserves. The first is from Matthew 25 where Christ tells the parable of the ten virgins. The second example comes from Alma 2. I share how the Nephites were able to build spiritual reserves and use them in times of crisis and hardship.
Examples from Podcast GuestsYou’ll also hear how spiritual reserves helped a previous guest from episode 5, Maralyn Nava, cope with the deaths of two of her children.
Another topic I dive into is finding time to build spiritual reserves into your life. You’ll hear a clip from episode 16 with Courtney Casper. She shares how she has been able to maintain the spiritual habit of scriptures study.
Get the Free PrintableAs with all the episodes in this series, there’s a printable you can download. The printable will help you think about how you can personally build spiritual reserves. The printable includes a section with things to ponder as well as an invitation to act.
I believe acting is an important part of spiritual growth. It’s great to hear these ideas on a podcast and to even think, “Yes, I am going to do it.” But if you don’t act, it probably won’t happen.
This week’s printable also has a quote that I love from President Henry B. Eyring. He said:
Decisions now to exercise faith and be steady in obedience will in time produce great faith and assurance. That is the spiritual preparedness we all will need. And it will qualify us in the moments of crisis to receive the Lord’s promise that ‘if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.
I hope this episode and the printable will help you think about how you can build spiritual reserves. Spiritual habits will help you have faith, a testimony and a relationship with God. Spiritual reserves will help you in a moment of crisis.
Show NotesDownload the printables for each episode HERE.
You can find part 1: Seek a Relationship with God HERE.
Hear episode 6 with Maralyn Nava HERE. Listen to the entire episode 16 with Courtney Casper HERE.
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Today is the first in a five-week series of podcast episodes I will be doing. Each episode will be centered around a different way you can become more spiritually minded. Today’s episode gives you an introduction to the series. I also dive in to the first topic: seek a relationship with God.
Have You Asked These Questions?If you’ve ever asked yourself any of these questions, you will want to listen to this 5 episode series:
Each episode has a printable to help you to ponder and act on the weekly topic. You can download the printable HERE. The download is one document that includes all the printables for the 5 weeks.
Five Ways to Become More Spiritually MindedHere are the topics we will be covering along with the episode number and date:
Episode 42: Seek a Relationship with God – 02/20/19
Episode 43: Build Spiritual Reserves – 02/27/19
Episode 44: Use God as a Guide – 03/06/19
Episode 45: Act on Promptings Felt from God – 03/13/19
Episode 46: Record Thoughts from God – 03/20/19
Each of the topics is based on a portion of this quote from President Russell M. Nelson’s talk in April 2018, Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives.
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will grow into the principle of revelation. Does God really want to speak to you? Yes!
Seek a Relationship with GodToday’s topic is seek a relationship with God and this is the part of the quote by President Nelson I am emphasizing today:
Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses—yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen!
You’ll hear my experiences with learning to listen to God, a short clip from a previous guest, Brooke Snow, sharing how she has learned to reimagine prayer and my thoughts on writing prayers as a way to communicate more fully with God.
I hope you will follow along for this five episode series. Overall, I hope you will learn how God speaks to you and how you can have a deeper relationship with Him.
Show NotesDownload the printables for each episode by going HERE.
Listen to the entire interview with Brooke Snow in episode 32 HERE.
If you’ve been listening for awhile, you may remember I did a challenge similar to this five-week podcast series last summer. To hear an episode about the challenge, listen to episode 12 HERE.
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Welcome to episode 41 of the podcast. I am so excited to be sharing my interview with Michelle Gifford. You may know her as one half of the duo from the Women With Fire podcast. She is also an entrepreneur with many businesses. In addition, Michelle is a mom to 5 kids ages 3-12 and the wife to her handsome husband.
We talk about her experiences with motherhood and she shares the process she has gone through to learn how God speaks to her. Michelle shares what a “quest” is and how to figure out what God is calling you to do.
I love Michelle’s thoughts on personal revelation. She frequently says, “Only you can receive personal revelation for your motherhood.” It blew my mind the first time I heard her say this and it did again when she said it in this interview.
We discussed how everyone must figure out for themselves how God guides and directs them personally. I also shared the overwhelming prompting I feel every time I pray and ask God what the listeners of this podcast need to hear. Listen to the end to hear what that is.
Because of the prompting I mentioned in the episode, I am announcing a 5-week series about how to become more spiritually minded starting next week with episode 42.
I will be sharing a link to download a printable for each episode topic that will help you to ponder and act on ways you can come to know how God speaks to you.
Here are the topics and episode numbers:
If you’ve been following me for a while, you may remember I did a 5-day challenge last summer called “Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom.” This new series is based on that challenge. I am expanding it to 5 weeks instead of 5 days, taking out the “mom” part so anyone (like the men in your life or older children) can do it and putting out an episode focused on each topic.
I will go back to the interview style of this podcast after the 5-week series. I hope using the printable and listening will help you to know more fully how God is there for you in your life.
Show Notes Follow MichelleInstagram: instagram.com/iammichellegifford Website: iammichellegifford.com Instagram: instagram.com/thewomenwithfire Website: thewomenwithfire.com Facebook: facebook.com/thewomenwithfire
Michelle mentioned a video called Wrong Roads about how God helps us make decisions. Go here to see it.
To learn more about “questing” start by listening to episode 48 of The Women With Fire Podcast. Sarah and Michelle have over 20 episodes about “questing.” After you listen to episode 48, listen to additional episodes by looking for episodes with “quest” in the title. The interviews they do are also really great, so just listen to it all!!!
Go here to read President Nelson’s talk: Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives from April 2018
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Episode 40 is an episode where listeners called in to share their insights about how they are using the Come Follow Me curriculum in their homes. The women who called in all share different approaches to using the new curriculum. Ultimately, they all emphasize how simple and consistent gospel teaching is blessing their families.
Do What Works For Your FamilyI love how each person’s response was a little different but all had the same overarching theme of the blessings of teaching their families the gospel. They all are following the promptings they have received and are doing what works for their family.
I hope hearing what others are doing and how they are implementing Come Follow Me will not cause you to compare. Hopefully, this episode will inspire you to listen to the Holy Ghost and then do what you feel prompted to do for your family.
Seek The Holy Ghost as a GuideI love this quote found on the first page of the Come Follow Me manual for individuals and families:
“…in our efforts to live, learn, and teach the gospel, we should first and foremost seek the companionship of the Spirit. This goal should govern our choices and guide our thoughts and actions. We should seek after whatever invites the influence of the Spirit and reject whatever drives that influence away–for we know that if we can be worthy of the presence of the Holy Ghost, we can also be worthy to live in the presence of Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ.”
Conversion is our goal and the way to do that is to use the Holy Ghost as a guide. If you feel an impression to present a lesson or teach something a certain way, do it. Even if it’s not what someone else is doing.
SimplicityThe gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. One person who commented on my post on Instagram about Come Follow Me pointed out the phrase in the hymn Come Follow Me: “Come follow me, a simple phrase.” I love that. Keep it simple and let the Spirit guide you.
ConsistencyConsistency is a key element of teaching in the home. In the episode, I referenced a talk by Elder David A Bednar from October 2009 called More Diligent and Concerned at Home. In this talk Elder Bednar shared the struggles his own family faced to hold family prayer, family home evening and scripture study. I love what he said about consistency:
Sister Bednar and I thought helping our sons understand the content of a particular lesson or a specific scripture was the ultimate outcome. But such a result does not occur each time we study or pray or learn together. The consistency of our intent and work was perhaps the greatest lesson—a lesson we did not fully appreciate at the time.
Listener InsightsHere’s a recap of what the four listeners said:
Sophie“The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining.”
Show Notes Conference talks about Simple + Consistent Gospel TeachingElder David A. Bednar’s talk More Diligent and Concern at Home
President Russel M. Nelson’s Talk Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints
Elder Steven R. Bangerter’s Talk Laying the Foundation of a Great Work
Elder Dieter F. Utchtdorf’s talk It Works Wonderfully!
Spiritually Minded Mom Instagram post about Come Follow Me
#keepcomefollowmesimple
Other Episodes with Listener InsightsSMM 031: How Have YOU Seen + Felt God as Your Partner in Motherhood?
SMM 036: End of Season 1 + Share How Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast Has Helped You
Follow Spiritually Minded MomOn this episode of the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast, I interview a fellow podcaster. Her name is Chanelle Neilson and her podcast is Moms Who Know. We talk about how she has simplified motherhood. Chanelle’s story includes struggles with body image, and she share how God helped her see her body as a gift.
Simplifying MotherhoodChanelle shares her parenting philosophy of letting her kids dictate their own play and creativity. In addition, she talks about her simplified approach to mothering.
At one point, Chanelle felt overly stressed as a mom. She discusses how having a morning routine really changed her outlook. This small change helped Chanelle stay more calm throughout the day.
Seeing Your Body as a GiftChanelle shares her personal struggles with body image and unhealthy eating habits. After years of struggling, she tells about the eye opening moment that helped her put body image struggles behind her. She gives some great advice for anyone who is currently struggling with any long-term issue.
Show Notes Follow ChanelleInstagram: instagram.com/momswhoknowpodcast Facebook: facebook.com/momswhoknowpodcast Website: momswhoknowpodcast.com Podcast: Moms Who Know Podcast
Go here to learn more about Chanelle’s courses for morning routines, body transformation and more.
Chanelle mentioned the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Hear another perspective on body image: Spiritually Minded Mom Episode 30: Choosing Happiness + Embracing that Your Best is Enough in Motherhood || Becca Jackson
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
God's Plan for Motherhood
Today I am sharing my interview with my friend, Ashley Williams. She has an inspiring motherhood story involving fertility issues and a rare medical condition. Ashley's interview also highlights her choices about balancing her talents and passions with motherhood. Through everything, Ashley has had faith and trust in God's plan for motherhood.
Trusting God's TimingAshley shares about the struggles and the years she and her husband spent trying to become parents. Though it was a difficult time, she looks back and sees how God was guiding them. She now sees how the timing was perfect, even if she didn't understand it all at the time.
Receiving GuidanceA big part of Ashley's story is her career as a professional oboist. She talks about how she got started on the path and how she got to the pinnacle of her professional life.
After having her first daughter, Ashley continued to pursue her musical career. She started to wonder how she would balance it all. She gives her insights on how God guided her in an unexpected way through a rare medical condition she developed.
Ashley knows God has directed her path. He guided her in treating her medical condition, making career decisions and ultimately, knowing how to focus on motherhood. As a result, Ashley knows she is never alone in motherhood.
Show Notes Follow AshleyAshley is a talented cake decorator and I can attest to the deliciousness of her cakes! Check out her Instagram account.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/inlovewithdessert/
Other Episodes about InfertilitySMM 007:Turning to God Through Infertility, Adoption and Miscarriage || Kay West
SMM 017:Life as a Military Family + Appreciating Motherhood After Infertility + Trusting God’s Timing || Noralee Jones
SMM 019:Connection Through Trials + The Power of Vulnerability to Bring Women Together || Danelle Beckstrand
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Create Thoughts
In this episode of the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast I interview Lisa Funk. You may know Lisa from her business and Instagram account, Hand Lettered Design. Lisa's business focuses on hand lettering as well as creativity. She also shares about mindfulness. Lisa has learned to change her expectations and create thoughts to love herself and her children better.
Loving and TeachingIn the interview, you'll hear Lisa talk about steering away from trying to control your child and instead, loving and teaching them. She compares this to God and how he does not control us and instead loves and teaches us, and then gives us agency. (See the show notes below for a video of Lisa discussing loving and teaching.)
Sharing About Mental HealthLisa also talks about her struggles with depression and anxiety. She discusses how changing her thoughts and expectations has not only helped her overcome these things but also helped her in her journey through motherhood.
She goes into detail about her hand-lettering business which came at a time when she needed hope while going through challenges. Lisa also shares why she's so open about her mental health struggles.
Lisa is a light. I know you will love her positivity and faith as you listen to her motherhood story.
Show Notes Follow LisaInstagram: www.instagram.com/handlettereddesign/ Website: handlettereddesign.com
Go HEREto watch a short video of Lisa sharing about loving and teaching your children. It's short and you will love it! Other Episodes about Mental HealthEpisode 10:Being Open about Mental Illness in Motherhood + When You Don't Know if God is Your Partner || Ally Hayward
Episode 21:Chasing Your Dreams + Turning to God in Post-Partum Depression || Amanda Anderson
Other Episodes about Creating ThoughtsEpisode 14:How to Recognize God in Simple Ways + Battle Loneliness and Negative Thoughts || Michelle Garfield
Episode 15:Balance + Overcoming Feelings of Failure + True Self-Care in Motherhood || Elise Curtis
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
When I nervously hit publish on episode 1 back in March, I had no idea how much sharing these interviews would bless my life. Producing this podcast has helped me improve as a mother and strengthen my relationship with God. I am so grateful for the connections I have gained with you, the listener. The new relationships have been a huge blessing to me.
End of Season 1Episode 36 is the end of season 1. Thank you so much for all of your support of the podcast.
I will be back in January with season 2. I've already got episodes recorded that I am so excited to share with you.
From the beginning, I have wanted to do this podcast in God's way. I have felt a prompting for many weeks to "be still." Taking a break from putting out new episodes is one way I feel I can heed this prompting.
I am excited to take some time to regroup and figure out more fully what God wants for season 2 of the podcast. I'm looking forward to coming back refreshed with new perspectives.
Hear How the Podcast Has Helped ListenersFor this episode, I asked several listeners to share something they have learned listening to the podcast. I am so grateful for Alexis, Megan, Liz and Kimmy, who called in to share their insights. It filled me up to hear what the podcast has meant to them. I hope their words will also help you to reflect on what the guests on the show in season 1 have taught you.
Fill Out the Listener SurveyDuring the break, I would love to hear from you. Therefore, I created a listener surveyyou can fill out to give me your thoughts and insights on the podcast.
You can find the survey here. It's a Google form that will only take you a few minutes to fill out. If you want to provide your email address at the end of the survey, you will be entered in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Amazon.
What to do Before Season 2 StartsDuring the break between seasons, I hope you will go back and listen to episodes you missed or share episodes that resonated with you with a friend.
If you listen on Apple Podcasts you can also leave a review, which helps more moms find the podcast and learn how God is a partner in motherhood. If you aren't sure how to leave a review, you can find directions in the highlights on my instagram account @spirituallymindedmom.
Thank you so much for listening. See you soon for season 2!
Show NotesTake the listener survey.
The episode Kimmy referenced with Alie Jones is Episode 2: Navigating Loss, Special Needs and Fostering as a Young Mom.
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
On today's episode of the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast I interview Elizabeth Frazier, a wife, mother, sex trafficking victim and survivor and creator of Hero Bands.
Sex Trafficking Victim to Mother and AdvocateElizabeth's story starts with an extremely difficult childhood where she was sexually trafficked by family members starting at the age of four. In the interview, we talk about Elizabeth's upbringing that seemed "charmed" on the outside but was really anything but normal. Despite her traumatic childhood being a sex trafficking victim, Elizabeth became the mother of a beautiful family of 5 children. She is also an advocate for others who have been exploited and abused.
Overcoming TraumaElizabeth talks about the tipping point where she started to realize the disturbing truth about her childhood. She shares some of the experiences with her trials, the self-harm she endured and how she started to deal with the trauma of her past. Although she didn't see it at the time, Elizabeth knows God was aware of her. Looking back, she can see His had helping her during her difficult childhood.
Ultimately, Elizabeth has created a much different life for her children than what she experienced. She readily admits that she still has hard times. Elizabeth shares how she acknowledges those feelings and then seeks to keep moving forward. She also shares why she models kindness to herself to her children.
Inspiration for Hero BandsShe concludes with sharing how her healing led her to start her company, Hero Bands. Elizabeth makes and sells leather bracelets with an inspirational word stamped in metal. In the interview, you'll hear why starting Hero Bands was so important to her.
Elizabeth donates $2 of every product sold at Hero Bands to Operation Underground Railroad, an organization that rescues children from sex trafficking. In addition, she also allows customers to purchase one of her bands for a rescued child. She hopes the bands let survivors know someone cares about them.
Elizabeth's story is a beautiful example of God making "beauty for ashes." (Isaiah 61:3)
How to ListenListen to the podcast below or on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcheror Sound Cloud If you like the show, please subscribe and leave a review.
Show Notes Follow Elizabeth FrazierInstagram: instagram.com/hero_bands/ Website: herobands.com
To donate a Hero Band to a child rescued from sex trafficking, go HERE.
To learn more about Operation Underground Railroad, go HERE.
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Over the past several weeks, I have felt prompted over and over to share more of my own story of growing closer to God and learning how to rely on Him. What I am sharing in this episode is the hardest time I have experienced in my life. It revolves around a lengthy trial that went on for years and hasn't totally ended.
Share Your StoryI always hesitate to share about hardships I have experienced. I know so many who have gone through so much more than I have. However, as I learned from Danelle Beckstrand in episode 19 of the podcast: "Pain is pain and hurt is hurt," and "Humanity is connected through trial."
I am learning there is power in being vulnerable and sharing our story and ultimately, part of ourselves. My trials are not the same as yours, however sharing what we learned and how we were blessed during our hardest times allows us to help each other.
Lessons LearnedIn the episode, I share some of the lessons I learned during this difficult time including:
After I recorded this episode, I found this quote by Orson F. Whitney, an early apostle of the church, that describes what I have experienced.
“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God … and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”
I don't know completely why I have felt prompted to share this. It's probably more for me than anyone else. However, I hope you will find something from this episode that will help . If anything, I hope you will be able to reflect on the the lessons you have learned as well as the blessings you have received from the hardest time in your life.
Show NotesAt the end of the episode I mentioned the workbook you can download called Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom. Get access to the workbook by clicking HERE.
You can also listen to Episode 12to hear more about the challenge.
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Has motherhood been anything but natural for you? How do you mother multiple children who are all so different? Does God really speak to you as an individual? Why isn't your spiritual journey the same as someone else's?
If these are questions you have asked yourself, you are not alone. Today I am airing a replay of an interview I did with Monica Packer of the podcast and website About Progress. In this interview we dive in to how Monica has sought to answer all of these questions and more for herself.
When I decided to replay an episode, I instantly knew it should be this one with Monica. I originally aired this interview as my 6th episode. I was still new and not only learning how to podcast but also what the purpose of my podcast should be.
Talking to Monica opened my eyes to a new perspective about how God communicates. Before, I thought I knew because I knew how he communicated with me, but after talking to Monica I realized I only knew my way of communicating with deity. I realized there are many ways God speaks to us because we are all individuals.
This interview led me to think deeply about how a relationship with God is not "one size fits all." Talking to Monica helped me take a new approach. I didn't need to give mothers a "formula" or "how to" on recognizing and developing a relationship with God. I only needed to encourage them to figure out for themselves how He communicates with them.
Show Notes Follow MonicaBlog: aboutprogress.com Instagram: Instagram.com/aboutprogress Podcast: About Progress on iTunes
The scripture Monica mentioned in the episodes is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121:1.
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Cami DeWitt, my guest for episode 33, has an interesting and powerful perspective on motherhood because she is not a mother herself. Cami has never been married and has no children of her own, however you will relate to the things she shares.
"Hi, I'm Cami and I am light, love and happiness. I bring value everywhere I go." This is how Cami introduces herself. What is not to love about a person who believes these words?!
When Cami was 16, she had her whole life planned out. Many of those goals and dreams haven't happened the way Cami hoped, but she is real and vulnerable about the disappointments she has experienced.
Cami shares how she changed her perspective and has found peace with the path her life has taken. She knows being a "mother" can come in many different forms.
As a life coach, Cami specializes in helping parents. Cami relates the things she has learned from the mothers she's coached. Cami's approach in coaching is to help mothers learn who they are truly meant to be.
Ultimately, Cami knows that God loves her. Because she looks for Him, she sees Him in all the things she is doing to "mother."
Show Notes Follow CamiInstagram: instagram.com/coachingwithcamid/ Website: trueselfnow.com
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
If you've ever wanted to go deeper in your relationship with God, today's episode is for you. In this episode of The Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast, I interview Brooke Snow. Brooke teaches others how to apply spirituality to everyday life. Personally, Brooke views daily repentance and meditation as ways to know God more fully. I have followed Brooke for several years and recently read her new book Living in Your True Identity (which I HIGHLY recommend). She has helped me so much, and I am excited to share this interview with you.
Like most mothers, Brooke has struggled in the past with comparison in motherhood. She gives some practical things she has done to combat those feelings.
Brooke talks a lot about "self-care," how her view on it has recently changed, and what it means for her. She said, "Self care is being nurturing to you, and loving to you, and in a way that helps you to develop into who the Lord created you to be." She gives advice and shares some meaningful analogies to help you visualize how daily self-care is the best way to sustain constant growth.
Next, Brooke shares some questions she brings to the Lord every single day while praying. These questions help her repent and know what the next step the Lord wants her to take is. She shares how asking for the next "step" rather than the whole picture has helped her progress and feel the Lord's guidance.
Finally, she concludes by sharing how she has seen God as her partner in motherhood and how she has come to know him on a deeper level through prayer.
Show NotesBrooke mentioned her online class about prayer and meditation called Christian Meditation. You can go hereto learn more.
She also has a new class that is free called How the Law of Attraction Fits in the Gospel. Go here to register for this class.
Follow BrookePodcast: Brooke Snow Podcast Website: BrookeSnow.com Book: Living in Your True Identity Instagram: www.instagram.com/br00kesn0w/
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
How have you seen and felt God as your partner in motherhood? A while back I asked you, the listeners of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast, to call in and share your answer to this question I ask in every episode. Today, I'm sharing the answers I received. You'll hear six moms talk about their insights and inspiring experiences with this important question. How have you seen and felt God as your partner in motherhood?
Here's a snippet of what you'll hear:
Stacy, California "Motherhood has allowed me to see the plan of salvation, how it works, and how it applies to me as a child of God, and then as their mother." Chelsea, Nevada "I have really been guided in my journey to learn not just how to parent, but how to be a spiritual parent for my kids." Elizabeth, New York "I'm so grateful that he's still there, whether I'm seeking him or not." Megan, Utah "The times that I do my part of being a partner with God, are the times I have definitely seen and felt God as my partner because I know he's always there and always willing to help me." Natalie, Utah "Even though it is hard. . . it is nice to know that the Lord is with me." Cheryl, Utah "There are often times in parenting that I have no idea what to do or say, so often times I have dropped to my knees." How have YOU seen and felt God as your partner in motherhood?At the end of the episode, I invite you to answer this question for yourself and give you a challenge to share your answer in a way that feels right for you.
Show Notes Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
In this episode of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast I interview Becca Jackson. Becca is on Instagramsharing tips on motherhood as well as health and fitness. She shares how she fell into the trap of being the "Pinterest perfect mom." Becca talks about how she is choosing happiness instead of perfection in motherhood.
Choosing HappinessBecca shares some personal struggles she went through after giving birth to her third daughter. She decided to make the choice to look at things differently and change her perspective, despite some negative feelings she was having. She talks about choosing to have a positive and optimistic outlook everyday. Whether things are going good or bad, Becca believes there is always the choice to be positive.
Embracing Your Best SelfYou'll also hear about Becca's weight-loss story and what made her finally decide to never give up. The internal transformation for Becca has been just as important as the physical changes. She talks about body image and how she teaches her daughters confidence and living a healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, Becca tells how all of the physical changes she has made tie into her spiritual life.
Becca describes how God has been her partner in motherhood and how she embraces the truth that doing her best is enough.
Show Notes Follow BeccaInstagram: www.instagram.com/ifthecookiefits/
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Episode 29 of the podcast is my first time having a guest back for a second interview. In episode 7 of the podcast I interviewed Kay West and shared her faith-filled motherhood story of infertility, adoption, and miscarriage. Today, I have Kay back as a guest to discuss both the triumphs and struggles she has faced with her daughter, Eden, who is a special needs child.
Show Recap TriumphsEden was adopted at birth and due to choices made by her birth mother has brain damage, asthma, autism and will someday need a cornea transplant. Kay shares how God revealed to her early in Eden's life that although her body is damaged, her spirit is perfect. Kay also discusses how Eden's condition has affected her other child, Isaac.
StrugglesWhen Eden entered middle school, Kay and her husband started to notice negative changes in Eden. As she started to regress, Kay discovered Eden was being bullied at school. She shares how their family handled this heartbreaking situation and what they did to help Eden.
Kay gives a message of hope to mothers who discover their child is being bullied. She says to help your child feel validated and to know home is a safe place to come for support. Kay also recommends to other mothers to pray and listen to that intuition to know how best to help a child. She shares the process she and her husband go through to know how to help both Eden and Isaac in difficult situations.
Sharing KindnessOne of the good things that has come from Eden's experiences being bullied is Kay and her husband have helped their children start an online shop called Quietly Being Kind. The shop features postcards with Eden's artwork and kindness quote that can be purchased and sent to others as a reminder to be kind. Kay's children share a portion of the proceeds of the shop with an organization that helps children. They also hope to feature other children like Eden to help raise awareness of the importance of showing kindness.
Kay's journey of raising a special needs child has not been easy. Although she doesn't always see it in the moment, Kay can look back and see God's hand guiding her in motherhood. She knows He didn't send any of us here to fail. As long as we keep trusting Him, he will open the path.
Show Notes Follow KayBlog: threetoquesandatiara.com Instagram: Instagram.com/threetoquesandatiara Facebook: Facebook.com/threetoquesandatiara
To purchase postcards and find out more about the mission behind Kay's kids' shop, go to Quietly Being Kind.
Share Your ExperienceAt the beginning of the episode I shared how YOU can be part of a future episode of the podcast. Each month I will be asking listeners to share their answer to a specific question about motherhood and spirituality. If you want to participate in the November episode, here's how to do it:
If you're hearing or reading this after the deadline, call the number anyway to hear the current question and give your answer.
Follow Spiritually Minded MomBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Tessa Brown is my guest today on the podcast. She's a wife and a mom to two boys ages 2 and 4. She's also an artist and has a beautiful Instagram accountwhere she shows her incredible talent of artwork depicting motherhood and Jesus Christ. She has learned to embrace the spiritual gifts God has given her and has found a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ as she pleads for help in becoming the mother He wants her to be.
Show RecapTessa relates the story of Moana facing the lava monster and how this story helped her in motherhood to know who she is and who God wants her to be. Tessa tells how she found painting early in motherhood to give her a place to focus so she could go back to her family and give more.
Growth MindsetTessa has developed a growth mindset about motherhood and shares some doable ways she has developed that mindset in her life.
Her advice to other moms is to figure out what makes you feel love for yourself, for God and for your kids and then to be aware of those things and seek them out. Tessa says to notice the times when you feel love and focus on those things.
LoveFor Tessa, what always speaks the loudest in motherhood to her is to just love her children. She knows the only thing that lasts is love. What motivate is love. "Christ makes me feel that I am more than I am. ... I want my kids to feel that from me."
Tessa shares beautifully how she developed a deeper relationship with the Savior. She used to picture Christ standing over her shaking his head as a disappointed coach. Now she views Him as a cheerleader and friend who encourages her throughout her day, no matter what has happened.
Tessa feels it is important not to compare the way you show love to the way another mother shows love. "You have a divine way to love your kids." Own it.
ArtworkThrough her artwork, Tessa hopes mothers will feel love and that they are enough.
"I would love my art to bring mothers back to those moments when love was really all that matters because I feel that really is all that matters. If you do a lot of things wrong, but you get the love part right, I think you and your kids will have a great relationship. That's what we're striving for."
Spiritual GiftsThroughout the interview, Tessa talked about spiritual gifts and how a mother can use the gifts she's been given in motherhood. We had a great discussion about owning your gifts and not being afraid to claim them. Tessa shares a great insight on using what you've been given and why don't have to be "everything" to your kids.
Show NotesAt the beginning of the episode I shared how YOU can be part of a future episode of the podcast. Each month I will be asking listeners to share their answer to a specific question about motherhood and spirituality. If you want to participate in the November episode, here's how to do it:
If you're hearing or reading this after the deadline, call the number anyway to hear the current question and give your answer.
Follow Tessa:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tessaleeart/ Website: tessaleeart.com
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
A few months ago I posted on Instagramasking for ideas on keeping extended families close. Since I'm entering a new phase of motherhood, I wanted to know how I can keep my family close as children start leaving home. So many people responded. I gathered amazing ideas. One of the people who responded was my friend, Alisse Coil. She had great family traditions to share that resonated. I invited her on the podcast to talk about how she established her family traditions.
Show Recap Lean Into StrengthsAlisse is the mother of 5 and had her first four children in a five-year period. Her four oldest children are now grown and she also has 3 grandchildren. Alisse started her motherhood journey thinking she would be "supermom" but quickly learned that doing everything perfectly wasn't going to work.
Over time, Alisse learned to lean into her own strengths as a mother and not focus on what she wasn't good at. She said, "I am the whole package, just as me."
Let Children Have AgencyWe had a great discussion about how Alisse learned to let go of control. She learned to let her children use their own agency. She and her husband established "silver bullets" like honesty, open communication, modesty and being kind that they weren't going to budge on. They left pretty much everything else up to their children to decide for themselves with guidance.
Alisse has seen that giving children the opportunity to use their agency helps build a lasting parent-child relationship. She also believes it's a big way a mother can show her child love.
Build Lasting Family TraditionsMany of the traditions her family now values started when her kids were very young. They didn't have much money but they always found ways to serve together. They started a Christmas tradition 20 years ago of hanging a stocking for Jesus at the beginning of December. Family members were invited to place slips of paper in the stocking with kindnesses they had seen during the season written down. On Christmas Eve they read what everyone has written. This simple tradition has endured for over 20 years and is now being passed on to Alisse's 3 grandchildren.
You'll want to listen to the end to hear what Alisse feels we can learn as mothers from Noah's wife. She said, "For God to truly be my partner, I have to trust in His process."
Show NotesFollow Alisse:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alissecoil_essentialliving/
Go hereto see the Instagram post where Alisse and many others shared their ideas about keeping extended families close.
Alisse shared this quote during the podcast: "God places a Goliath in our life so we can find our own David."
To read more about the story of Noah and his wife go to the Bible to Genesischapters 6, 7,8 and 9.
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
I'm excited to share with you my interview with my Instagram turned real-life friend, Lynnette Sheppard. She is mostly parenting young adults and teenagers these days, and she has some real life, in the trenches experience parenting a strong willed child. She's on the other side and has learned to rely on God. Her son has gone from a strong willed 6 year old who spit in her face to a capable, independent 20 year old who is thriving in life.
Show RecapA key component of the guidance Lynnette felt from God in raising her strong willed son was learning how God viewed her son, how she needed to view him and ultimately, how she could help him see his own worth. She shares how this perspective changed everything for her and her son.
Lynnette and her husband view their children as "adults in training." She gives a really practical example of a kid throwing a tantrum for ice cream to illustrate how this long-term perspective guides her in the day-to-day decisions she makes as a mother.
Lynnette believes motherhood is "a marathon and not a sprint." She gives advice to young mothers to view the hard, mundane years of motherhood with young children as laying a foundation. You won't see the fruit of your labors until many years down the road, but Lynnette offers hope that all of the effort is worth it.
We also talked about doing what feels right to you in motherhood. "Do what feels right to you, regardless of what everybody else is doing."
Over her 20+ years of motherhood, Lynnette has seen God at work in her life. She knows Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives. Lynette knows He cares about everything, even the simple things we face.
Show NotesFollow Lynnette:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lynnette_simplyforreal/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/simplyforreal/ Website: simplyforreal.com
Sign up for Lynnette's free email course on raising independent kids by going here.
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Today's topic of raising a child with mental illness is one I have wanted to talk more about for a while. I have reached out to a few people to share their experiences, however it hasn't been right for them to tell their stories. Fortunately, Amanda Louderanswered my prayers by reaching out to me to share her experience raising a child with a mental illness.
Show RecapAmanda is a wife of 6 years to her husband and together they are blending a family of five children ranging in age from 19-10. In her years as a mother, she has learned to let go of control and enjoys seeing her children learning who they truly are.
Amanda and I dive in and talk about the challenges she has faced since her 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Bipolar II at the age of 8. She explains what this diagnosis means and how it affects her daughter and her family in their day-to-day life.
Mental illness and especially a child with mental illness can have a negative stigma in our society. Amanda talks about how the specific things she has done to educate people around her, advocate for her daughter and teach her daughter to advocate for herself.
If you are struggling with a child with mental illness, Amanda gives practical first steps you can take to help your child.
Amanda has been able to turn to God to help her with this mothering challenge. She has found that reading the Book of Mormon everyday has brought her peace. Amanda recognizes that reading the scriptures daily hasn't taken the challenges away but rather given her the tools she needs to deal with the trials.
She also shares how she has used the atonement of Jesus Christto help her as a mother. Amanda recognizes the many ways God has guided her, put people in her path and answered her prayers.
At the end of this episode, I have a bonus for you. Amanda talks about what she shares on her own podcast, Live from Love, about marriage, divorce and relationships. Her podcast has great content for anyone but especially for those struggling in marriage.
Show NotesFollow Amanda:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/amandaloudercoaching/ Website: amandalouder.com Podcast: Live From Love
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
More Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast episodes that deal with mental illness:
Episode 1:Welcome to the Spiritually Minded Mom Podcast (My story of helping my son who was diagnosed with anxiety.) Episode 10:Being Open About Mental Illness in Motherhood + When You Don't Know if God is Your Partner || Ally Hayward
If I could use one word to sum up this week's podcast guest, Crystalee Beck's, approach to motherhood it would be "intentional." From starting her day with what she calls her "3 Bs"--body, babies and business to regularly taking her kids on hikes to teach them about God and his creations, Crystalee strives to be intentional about everything she does in motherhood.
Crystalee is happily married, and a mama to two cute kids (and one on the way!). She and her husband just celebrated their 8th anniversary. Crystalee believes in embracing motherhood in her own way. She is passionate about helping moms balance entrepreneurship and motherhood through her business, The Mama Ladder.
Show RecapCrystalee learned early in motherhood to let go of the expectations of others and instead figure out what motherhood looks like for her. The struggle has helped her learn to appreciate the sacred and special role of being a mother.
She tells moms who feel weighed down with worrying about what others' think of their parenting to remember God. She said, "He's got our back, so feel good about yourself."
Crystalee has learned to be intentional and embrace motherhood in her own way by "living at the intersection of motherhood + entrepreneurship." One of the ways she accomplishes this is by creating "systems" not only for her business but also for her life as a mom. She takes anything she does more than once in any area of life and makes it into a documented process.
I loved the simple but profound quote by Russell M. Nelsonthat Crystalee shared: "Love them, lead them and let them go." She is grateful for the relationship she has with God as a mother and appreciates the way He has both "guided and chided" her in being the mother He wants her to be.
Show NotesFollow Crystalee:
Instagram: instagram.com/themamaladder/ Facebook: facebook.com/themamaladder/ Twitter: twitter.com/themamaladder/ Website: themamaladder.com
To read the full talk the quote by Russell M. Nelson is taken from, go here.
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Cheryl Cardall is my guest for episode 23. She has been married to her husband for 22 years and is the mother of 4 boys and 1 girl ranging in age from 8-19. Cheryl dreamed of being a mom since she was a little girl, so she was a little surprised in the beginning by how hard motherhood can be. After 19 years Cheryl has learned to embrace the challenges, hold onto the joys and use humor in motherhood. She is passionate about strengthening homes and encouraging moms through her instagram account @supermamas4real.
Tune into the episode to hear Cheryl's perspectives on letting go of trying to control her kids and utilizing motherhood as a refining process.
You'll hear about Cheryl's "secret weapon" of motherhood. Hint: it involves Cheryl in a bathing suit going down a waterslide!
We also discuss how she parents each of her children as individuals. Cheryl talks about getting through hard days by sticking to simple, daily habits that fill her up, so she can better serve her family. In addition, Cheryl shares the things she has learned from parenting a "spirited child" and also gives some practical resources.
Ultimately, Cheryl views her children as being "on loan" from God. She relies on Him on a daily basis to help her know her childrens' needs as well as how to best love them.
Show NotesFollow Cheryl:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/supermamas4real/
Cheryl talked about this quote by Marjorie Hinckley: “The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.”
Go hereto learn more about the book Cheryl referenced: Raising Your Spirited Childby Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.
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Episode 22 of The Spiritually Minded Mom podcast is my interview with Reagan Ogle. I came across Reagan's podcast, The Luckiest Mom, when I was doing research to start my podcast. Reagan knows about accepting God's plan for her life. She believes one of the greatest challenges of motherhood is overcoming feeling unworthy before God because it keeps mothers from connecting with Him. She is relatable, a full of light and a huge advocate for motherhood. I know you are going to love the things she shares in this interview.
In the interview we dive in and talk about what a perfect mom day would look like for Reagan as well as how she gets through when the hard days hit.
Reagan has a unique way of viewing her children as "scientists." We discuss what this means to her and how it affects the way she interacts with her children.
When Reagan was young, she had her life all planned out, but God had plans that were different from hers. She shares how she learned to accept God's plan by saying, "My plan would have been harder in different ways but God's plan prepared me for what I need to be today."
One of my favorite parts of this interview was when Reagan and I discussed guilt and feeling unworthy before God. Reagan has some great advice for overcoming both.
Finally, we discuss how we can connect with each other, as women, and how we can connect with God by being vulnerable and sharing our lives and our stories.
Show NotesFollow Reagan:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/okreag/ Website: TheLuckiestMom.com
I mentioned in the episode that I met Reagan at the SALT Retreat. You can learn more about SALT by going hereand listen to episode 15 of the podcastto hear my interview with SALT Retreat founder, Elise Curtis.
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My guest for episode 21 is Amanda Anderson. Amanda is an artist and has a business, Sketched and Sealed, painting personalized artwork. She is a wife and mom to three children ages 6, 3 and 10 months. She believes in chasing your dreams and is currently pursuing a degree in architecture. Amanda recently shared on her Instagram accountabout the extreme post-partum depression she experienced after her second child. She has a beautiful story about how an involuntary admission to a mental hospital helped her turn to God as well as reach out to those around her who were also struggling. God helped her come out of the darkness she felt, and I am excited to share part of her motherhood story on the podcast.
Show NotesFollow Amanda:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sketchedandsealed/ Website: www.etsy.com/shop/SketchedandSealed
Amanda mentioned the Personal Progress programas something that helped her during her stay in a mental health hospital. Personal Progress is an achievement program for young women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Go hereto learn more.
We mentioned this quote by Thomas S. Monson, "“The present is here. Live in it.” You can read more by going here.
Amanda highly recommends the book The Mother in Meby Kathryn Soper as a resource for all moms as it helped her greatly during her battle with post-partum depression.
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Welcome to the 20th episode of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast. Today's episode is not the usual interview format. Instead, I recorded a solo episode sharing some of my thoughts about something “spiritually minded” that’s been on my mind a lot lately--ministering.
In the first half of the episode, I share clips of three previous episodes with Alie Jones (episode 2), Julie Monroe (episode 8) and Noralee Jones (episode 17) that illustrate how these guests have received help from those around them. One of the best things all the guests I have interviewed have taught me is how to better serve others.
And that brings us to ministering. The second half of this episode is my real thoughts about the call we received in my churchto step it up in how we serve others and to truly follow the example of Jesus Christ by ministering. I don't sugar coat my feelings and experiences. Learning to minister has been hard for me, so you'll hear my struggles. I have a long way to go, but I also share what I've learned so far.
Ministering is not one-size-fits-all. We can each come to know what ministering looks like for us as individuals as we seek God's Spirit and ask Him for guidance.
Show NotesI mentioned scripture cards I purchased to give away. The cards are from Courtney Casper and you can find them in her shop here.
If you would like to listen to the full episodes of the clips played during this episode, here are the links:
SMM 002: Navigating Loss, Special Needs and Fostering as a Young Mom|| Alie Jones SMM 008: Dealing with Cancer + Motherhood By Focusing on What is Most Important|| Julie Monroe SMM 017: Life as a Military Family + Appreciating Motherhood After Infertility + Trusting God's Timing || Noralee Jones
To learn more about ministering and what members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsare being asked to do, read the following talks:
Ministeringby President Russell M. Nelson Be With and Strengthen Themby Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Ministering as the Savior Doesby Sister Jean B. Bingham
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Today my guest is Danelle Beckstrand. Danelle is married to Tyler and they enjoy traveling and watching movies. Danelle loves connection with others and started a blog called We Call it a Journey as a way to find a support system and open up about her struggles with infertility. She has learned we don't face the same trials, but we have so much in common with each other that connects us together.
Show RecapIf I could use one word to describe what this episode is about, it would be "connection." Danelle shares about her and her husband's 5 1/2 year journey through infertility. Through her own experiences she has learned that "pain is pain and hurt is hurt." We don't all face the same challenges in life, but we are connected a lot more than we think.
We discuss how to avoid feeling like we have no control in a challenge and how we always have a choice. Danelle shares how her trials with infertility are similar to the trials of motherhood and how woman can unite and help each other.
Infertility has brought heartache and loneliness to Danelle, but she knows isolation is not the answer. Danelle believes connection comes from vulnerability and sharing. "Humanity is connected through trial."
I really loved our conversation about how to help someone who is struggling. Danelle said, "Compassion is about being observant." And Danelle completed shifted my perspective on the word "brokenness" and shares how she pictures God molding her and shaping her into the person He wants her to be.
Show NotesFollow Danelle:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/wecallitajourney/ Website: www.wecallitajourney.com
Check out Danelle's shop. All proceeds go to help Danelle and Tyler raise funds for IVF treatments. I have the gold Journey necklace and I love it!
Quote by Sheri Dew: “Motherhood is more than bearing children. … It is the essence of who we are as women.”
Listen to other episodes of the podcast and read interviews with discussions about infertility:
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Tarrin Pendergrass and her husband were recently married and with her marriage, she went from being a mom to three to a mom of 10 as her husband has seven kids in addition to her three. Although the transition to blending families into one hasn’t always been easy, Tarrin feels God has equipped her with the skills, patience and love to be a mom to a large family. She knows what it’s like to not have God in her life and through that contrast has learned to recognize God's hand.
Show RecapI really love interviewing guests for the podcast. We don't all have to have the same experiences in motherhood in order to learn and grow from each other. In my interview with Tarrin, she shares what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom to a large family and why she feels having 10 kids is easier than having three! We talk about how her divorce from her first husband affected her three daughters and how she and her ex-husband have worked together to help shield the children from the adult problems divorce brings.
We also dive into her experiences in the past few months of blending two families together. Tarrin gives advice to others in a similar situation and shares how she has been able to find and prioritize the individual needs of all of her children.
After being away for 16 years, Tarrin made the decision a year ago to come back to church and embrace the Gospel. She talks about how she made this decision. Tarrin also shares the challenges associated with this decision such as relationships with friends and dealing with what people would think of her tattoos.
Tarrin sees a definite contrast in how her life was before and how it is now that she is working on her relationship with God. I loved what she told me during our interview prep, "Being without it for so long, it's incredibly obvious that God wants to be a part of our daily lives and to help us through each and every struggle we may have."
Show NotesFollow Tarrin:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tarrinpendergrass/ Website: www.howlovegrows.com
Tarrin mentioned the book The Five Love Languages during the interview.
Follow Al Caraway on Instagram @22alfox
For instructions on how to leave a review for a podcast on iTunes, go here.
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My guest in episode 17 of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast is Noralee Jones. Her husband is a naval officer, they have three children under the age of 4 and they just moved to a new state. She goes by Mrs. Navy Mama on social media and writes on her blog about motherhood and life as a military family. Her motherhood story includes infertility, parenting on her own while her husband is away, moving frequently and trusting in God's timing.
Show RecapIn this episode, Noralee shares about the six year struggle she and her husband went through to have children and what she learned from that time in her life. She describes what it's like to be a military family, which means moving about every two years and having her husband away more than half of the time.
Noralee gives her top three things for getting through the hard days of overwhelm and loneliness. (Hint: one of them is chocolate!) She also talks about her take on self-care and how it's not selfish for a mom to spend time away doing things she loves.
To combat the loneliness and isolation of motherhood, Noralee recommends "finding your tribe" and "joining the group." To other mothers who struggle and feel alone, Noralee's advice is to not judge what you think people are thinking about you because you don't know what they are thinking.
At the end of this episode, Noralee talks about the "game changer in her testimony on faith" in motherhood. I was surprised to find that it wasn't infertility. Initially, this trial made her feel selfish and terrible but ultimately led her to trust Heavenly Father and His timing.
Noralee see God's hand in her motherhood in the ordinary, everyday things and knows her work as a mother is divine.
Show NotesFollow Noralee: Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrsnavymama/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrsnavymama/ Website: www.mrsnavymama.com
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Courtney Casper is my guest on this week's podcast. Courtney is a mom to three girls, a wife and currently lives about 30 minutes from the nearest stop light, so she spends a lot of time in her car. She thinks of scripture study as a "magic wand" in motherhood and has found practical ways to make scripture study a daily habit in her busy mom life.
I found Courtney's Instagram account last year after hearing her interview on the Women With Fire podcast. I listened to that episode multiple times and felt so inspired by everything Courtney shared. She is a bright spot on social media sharing her hand lettering and and her posts and stories have frequently been exactly what I needed to hear in my life at that moment.
Show RecapCourtney is not afraid to share her spiritual side on social media. She keeps her focus on what is most important by asking herself, "What needs my hands now?"
She is a huge advocate for daily scripture reading and in this episode she not only shares how daily scripture study became a part of her busy mom life but also gives some really practical tips that are totally doable for anyone wanting to incorporate daily scripture study in their life.
In the interview we also talk about how social media affects moms and how to combat the negative effects. Courtney shares her thoughts on how to go "in" instead of "out" to find peace in your life. I also really loved what Courtney had to say about what she has learned from her children about being who you are.
Courtney is the real deal. I loved talking to her. In fact, we had a great conversation after we finished recording. She is genuine and honest and her faith shines through in everything she does. Her mantra about scripture study is "you just need 10 minutes" and her message in this episode offers hope and inspiration to all women who want to learn to walk in faith and trust God more fully.
Show NotesFollow Courtney:Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneycasper.letters/ Website: www.courtneycasper.com
Read a blog post by Courtney, More or Less, about her journey to daily scripture study
The book I mentioned during the episode is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Lessby Greg McKeown (NOT an affiliate link)
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Show Recap
Elise Curtis is a wife, mom to three and an entrepreneur. In addition to a photography and a Maskcara business, Elise is also the founder of SALT, an LDS retreat that offers a place for women to come together to feel the Spirit and connect.
During our conversation Elise and I have a discussion about what "balance" looks like for her as a mom who works from home. In addition to her insights on doing work outside of motherhood, Elise also shares her hopes for what her children will learn by seeing her work and achieve her goals and dreams.
We talked about some of the tools Satan uses to distract mothers. Elise has struggled with the fear of failing and has noticed this fear creeps up when she feels overwhelmed. She shares both the practical and spiritual solutions she uses to combat this.
Elise got the idea for the SALT retreat at a time when she was experiencing depression and majorly doubting her testimony. Her story of how SALT got off the ground is a beautiful reminder that God can use us as we are with all of our imperfections to be an instrument in His hands and accomplish His purposes.
One of the overall messages of this episode is Elise's realization that you have to take care of yourself spiritually before you can help others. As a mother, when you take time to nurture and care for yourself, you can better serve and care for your family and those around you.
Show NotesFollow Elise:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/saltldsretreat/ Facebook: Be the Light Facebook Group Website: www.saltldsretreat.com
I personally attended a SALT event last Spring and had an amazing experience. The next one will be on September 7, 2018, in Salt Lake City. Go HEREif you are interested in learning more about this event.
Elise mentioned an article she read about how Satan doesn't know our thoughts but only knows what we think by our actions. Here are some resources about this topic:
The Miracle Morning book by Hal Elrod (NOT an affiliate link)
Your 10 Minute Meditation Podcasthosted by Adrian Cook (You can also search and find this on iTunes.)
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Recognize God in Simple Ways
"This challenge really was an answer to a prayer for me, which is why I jumped on it the second that I saw it. ... It's changed my life and it was so simple. That's what I loved about this challenge was that it wasn't like I had to be immersed spiritually for eight hours a day. It was just simple little things, recognizing what I need to do to feel the Spirit and feel God in my life more and more importantly to recognize it." --Michelle Garfield
Show RecapToday I am interviewing Michelle Garfield. I met Michelle through Instagram when she participated in the challenge I did,Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom. She shared with me the things she learned from doing the challenge and how it helped her with her relationship with God. I invited her to come on the podcast so we could dive in more.
Michelle loves being a mom and loves how motherhood has helped her to learn and grow and improve herself. She talks about how she deals with the hard days in motherhood and how God laughter her about resiliency. She has learned to recognize angels in her life, both seen and unseen, as communication with God.
Loneliness has been a part of Michelle's motherhood experience, and she has an amazing perspective on how to overcome feeling left out. "If you're not invited to the party, then throw the party yourself." Michelle has great ideas about how to reach out and create a community right where you are.
Michelle is real and candid. She shares how her experience with the Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom challenge changed her perspective on how God communicates with her. Michelle knows her thoughts are directly connected to her relationship with God, so she is working to change her thinking.
Show Notes Follow Michelle:Instagram: www.instagram.com/realblissfullife Website: www.realblissfullife.com
Here is the quote Michelle shared: “No love in mortality comes closer to approximating the pure love of Jesus Christ than the selfless love a devoted mother has for her child.” -Jeffrey R. Holland
Get access to the Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom workbook by clicking HERE. Checkout the story highlights on @spirituallymindedmom on Instagramfor videos.
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When Your Motherhood Plan is Not God's Plan
"I've had good days and bad days and I think that's okay. I think that I am definitely more aware of the good days because I have had the bad days of not believing and the anger, so when I have those good times and I feel that, that he's there, I can build on that. ... I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and what He's blessed me with. And I'm so grateful that I have Him to lean on at times of hardship and good and know that He is there. Not always can you hear Him when you want Him but He will be there at a time that's maybe unexpected if you truly listen and you truly look back and think, 'He was there for me,' and you look at the positive." --Misty Trendler
Show RecapI have never personally known anyone who has faced as much adversity in motherhood as my sister-in-law, Misty Trendler. She has had numerous trials from her first child being stillborn, to being given a choice to abort a baby to enduring struggles in adoption. Misty is no stranger to adversity in motherhood.
In this interview, you'll learn Misty's story of motherhood and her relationship with God has many layers. At times, she's been filled with faith and had the ability to totally turn things over to God and trust Him and yet, in other situations, she has experienced anger and frustration and has questioned God. Her story shows that we don't have a static relationship with our Heavenly Father. We go through ups and downs with Him and that's okay. It's all part of the process to help us grow and become closer to Him.
You'll see how Misty has learned to see the miracles and the blessings through the difficult situations she has endured. Most of all, you'll learn how she has been able to keep her faith and come to know that God's plan for her and her family was not her plan but was exactly what she needed to become the person God wants her to be.
Show NotesGet access to the Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom workbook by clicking HERE. Checkout the story highlights on @spirituallymindedmom on Instagram for videos.
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
Show Recap
In episode 12 I'm sharing why I started the podcast and some of the lessons I have personally learned since becoming a podcaster. Spoiler alert:the best part of podcasting for me has been all of the amazing moms like you whom I have met and connected with.
In the episode I talk about a common topic that keeps coming up for me in social media interactions and in real life conversations I have had since I started Spiritually Minded Mom. The topic is that many moms don't feel like they know how God speaks to them and don't really feel him on a regular basis.
I haven't been able to get these conversations out of my head and I have felt prompted to do something more than the podcast to reach my main goal of helping moms feel hope, joy and God's hand in motherhood. So, I've created a challenge for you called Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom.
The ChallengeHere’s how the challenge will work. Right now you can sign up to be a part of the challenge by going HERE. If you sign up, I will email you a workbook over the weekend. The challenge will start this Monday, June 18th and will go every day until Friday, June 22nd. In the workbook, you will find pages for each day with things to ponder and action to take. Each day will focus on a different way you can be a more spiritually minded mom.
Each day I will also be going on Instagram stories on the Spiritually Minded Mom Instagram accountto talk about the challenge. There will be a post as well where you can share what you are learning and connect with others who are doing the challenge.
What if you are seeing this after the challenge is over but you still want to do it? No problem. The workbook will still be available HEREon the website and I will save the video stories on Instagram.
The challenge is not a checklist or a formula or a one size fits all approach to developing a relationship with God. The challenge is meant to help you learn more about how God speaks to YOU uniquely as an individual. I also hope the challenge will help you to see God's hand in your life in places you may not have recognized before.
To get access to the workbook, you can go HEREto enter your email address. I will email you the workbook to download shortly before the challenge starts. The download will also be available after the challenge so you can click and request it anytime. Feel free to follow along on Instagram or just do it on your own.
I hope the challenge helps you see and feel more fully God as your partner in motherhood.
Show NotesGet access to the Five Ways to Become a More Spiritually Minded Mom workbook by clicking HERE.
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
God's Love
"I like to think of motherhood as a chance for me to understand a little more about how God feels about me. ...So when I think about the way that I love my children, and then I pull it back to think, 'That's how God loves me,' and I just think, 'Wow!' What a privilege,' number 1 to have a father who loves me this much and second, that He gave me the opportunity to feel this kind of love. It's amazing and it's something that I am grateful for every single day." --Lisa Anderson
Show RecapIn this episode, I interview Lisa Anderson, a wife and mom to four who loves encouraging other mothers on Instagram.
We discuss what "positive parenting" looks like for her, and especially, how she has made her home an environment that encourages good choices, building relationships, and giving mutual respect. We also talk about the experiences Lisa's family has had with moving and helping children overcome challenges.
Lisa gives great insight into her own struggles with contentment in motherhood and feeling motherhood wasn't "enough" for her. Lisa shares about a simple list that helped her develop herself and also feel fulfilled in different seasons of motherhood.
Since Lisa uses her Instagram account, @thrivingmotherhood,to connect with, help and encourage other moms, I was excited to dive into how moms can use social media for good and to receive help in motherhood. Lisa gives an easy way you can know if you should keep following someone on social media.
We talk about the "mental game" and how thoughts dictate everything in motherhood. Lisa shares some great resources if you're stuck in negative thought patterns.
My favorite part of interviewing Lisa was when she said, "I've been entrusted by God to help them become the humans they're supposed to become and it's amazing." Lisa has an optimistic spirit that will lift you and help you want to be a better mother.
Show Notes Follow Lisa:Instagram: www.instagram.com/thrivingmotherhood
Learn more about Jody MooreWe talked quite a bit about Jody Moore and the principles she teaches. The model we mentioned is CTFAR: circumstances, thoughts, feelings, actions, results. To find out more about what Jody, listen to her podcast, Better Than Happy, follow her on Instagram at @jodymoorecoachingor visit her website.
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"... I don't know that I really feel like I have that partnership with God...but I think it's good for women to know and to realize and to be told that yes, you do have that partnership with God and He is there. Even though you're going through the motions some days, it does matter. You are making a difference, even though it's hard to see sometimes." --Ally Hayward
Show RecapIn this interview, I talk to Ally Hayward, of Silently Surviving Souls about her diagnosis with anxiety and depression and dealing with mental illness in motherhood. Ally was diagnosed while serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ended up coming home early to deal with her illness.
Motherhood has lessened Ally's depression because her little girls give her a reason to get up and get going. Her anxiety has been harder to deal with as a mother because having children means there are a lot more things to worry about.
Ally has realized that sharing and being open about her struggles helps her deal with them. She offers advice to those who know someone struggling and hope to anyone who has issues with mental illness. Ally's website and Instagram account @silentlysurvivingsouls are her way to be open and share about her illness and offer a place for others to share as well.
This is the 10th episode of the podcast. I'm so grateful for all of the guests who have been willing to share their stories and their faith with me. Over the past few weeks, I have had more than one conversation about how some moms may not always feel like God is their partner in motherhood or may compare themselves to someone else. I have felt the need to share that we are all unique, and we don't need to compare with someone else our relationship and how we feel God.
I was so grateful Ally was willing to share she doesn't always feel Him in the day to day. We had a great conversation about this and Ally expressed so much hope and faith I hope will inspire someone else and help someone else feel they aren't alone. We all have our own journey to find our partnership with God and that is okay.
Show NotesFollow Ally:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/silentlysurvivingsouls Facebook: www.facebook.com/silentlysurvivingsouls Website: silentlysurvivingsouls.com
Ally's blog post about motherhood and mental illness:
Motherhood with a Mental Illness
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On Adoption and Motherhood
"Adoption is about love. Birth mothers place their babies because they love them [and] because they are doing what they think is best for them." --Jori Reid
"Motherhood is the highest calling we could have on earth. It is so sacred just to have these little spirits that we get to raise for a short time. ...And all the help we can get is huge. It really does take a village and that village starts with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ." --Jori Reid
Show RecapAdoption is a common theme in Jori Reid's motherhood story. She has not adopted a child, but Jori herself was adopted at the age of 6 months. Her adoption was closed, and she never knew anything about her birth mother, but because of her birth mother's decision to place her for adoption, Jori enjoyed an amazing childhood filled with love and support.
Many questions about her birth parents were unanswered growing up, but Jori learned a lot about what her birth mother must have gone through when Jori herself was a 20-year-old college student with an unplanned pregnancy.
Adoption is not for everyone, but Jori knew it was the right decision for her and her unborn baby. She tells how she came to this decision and gives advice to those considering placing a baby for adoption.
Jori wholeheartedly believes that "adoption is about love." She shares both the grief and blessings, including finding her birth mother, she felt after placing her baby and how having an open adoption has helped her to heal.
Although Jori is now married and she and her husband have four children of their own (including twins and one baby that came as an unplanned home birth!), Jori knows "being a mother doesn't mean you have to give birth." She is grateful to her own birth mother. Jori knows she has been blessed by her decision to be a birth mother and help someone else become a mother. Her story is a beautiful example of the love, sacrifice, and faith of motherhood.
Show NotesFollow Jori:
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fromtheheart5 Blog: fromtheheart-jori.blogspot.com
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Julie's thoughts on dealing with cancer + motherhood:
"I've realized in times like this when you get some hard news or you're having a tough time, a really hard trial in your life, you can either choose to look toward God for help or you can turn away from God. I really made the choice to put all my faith in God and I realized that He has a plan for me and once I kind of submitted myself to Him and said, 'OK, I'm here. What am I supposed to do?' I felt his guidance along the way in everything." - Julie Monroe
Show RecapTwo years ago, Julie Monroe was a healthy 36-year-old wife and mom to three daughters. Then life threw her a curve ball when she was diagnosed with rectal cancer and everything changed in an instant.
In the interview, Julie talks about her positive approach to parenting and how that perspective helped her tell her daughters about her diagnosis when they were only 10, 6 and 4 years old. She shares how motherhood has shifted from wanting to be the "perfect mom" to just focusing on what is truly important.
If you've ever felt awkward around someone who was recently diagnosed with cancer or something similar, Julie's gives advice on how to offer help. She also shares how to let people help you if you are the one with a diagnosis.
The impact of Julie's cancer has been felt by her entire family. Her family has pulled together to pick up the tasks Julie hasn't been able to perform. This experience has taught her daughters to show more compassion and kindness to others.
As a life-saving measure, Julie underwent surgery and received a colostomy bag 2 months ago. Julie was candid and honest about what this means for her day-to-day life. For Julie, it was not her choice to have a colostomy bag for the rest of her life, but it was her choice to be secure about and to embrace it as something that has given her life and the chance to be here for her girls.
Overall, Julie's positive approach to her diagnosis of cancer has taught her to say no, let go of what isn't important, and turn to God. She knows we aren't alone. God is always with us.
Show NotesFollow Julie:
Blog: wifemomwarrior.com Instagram: instagram.com/wife_mom_warrior
Julie's blog posts about topics discussed in the interview:
Telling Your Kids That You Have Cancer Gifts for Someone Starting Chemo Life with a Colostomy - 2 Months Later
Quote Julie mentioned in the podcast:
"Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us and He has promised that this will never change." --Thomas S. Monson
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
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"When I turned to Him, I found that I am a daughter of God and that is worth so much. Nothing about me is broken. He sent me to this earth at this time with the body that I have for a reason. He put me on my path in life for a reason and whatever that reason is, it's perfect because He wanted me to do something that only I could do." - Kay West
Show RecapI haven't met many mothers who have been through as much as Kay West has on the journey of motherhood. Her story has a happy ending with the adoption of two long-awaited and beautiful children. However, Kay also knows the heartache of infertility, miscarriage and the grief of a third adoption that did not happen. Her story is so heavy and full of trials that I was completely caught off guard by how happy I felt during this interview. Even as she shares the most painful moments of her life, her hope and joy shine through and I walked away feeling so uplifted by her words.
We talk about her expectations of motherhood and the fun way she deals with strangers who ask why her children don't resemble her Asian background. Kay also emotionally shares her anger toward God and her ups and downs in her relationship with Him. During infertility, her husband told her one thing that changed her perspective. He said, "You can either turn away from Heavenly Father or you can turn toward Him." Kay knew she had a choice. It wasn't easy but she chose to turn toward God.
Though her daughter has special needs that are easy to see, Kay has learned we all have something that makes us not whole. She knows her trials of motherhood are not a punishment and that she isn't broken. Kay shares a beautiful message of hope for any mother who feels she is less than another mother in the eyes of God.
Show NotesFollow Kay:
Blog: threetoquesandatiara.com Instagram: Instagram.com/threetoquesandatiara Facebook: Facebook.com/threetoquesandatiara
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
"We women need to remind ourselves a lot of us grow into motherhood. For a lot of us, it might not come so naturally. That was one thing I was probably the most surprised by is that it didn't feel natural for me for a long time, and I really had to cultivate that and build these relationships with my kids just like I would with any other person. For me, I feel like I've had to grow into this role." - Monica Packer
Show RecapIf you've ever felt that motherhood doesn't come naturally to you or you've struggled to understand how God speaks to you, you will want to hear this interview with Monica Packer.
Monica is the blogger and podcaster behind About Progress where she talks about focusing on progress and overcoming perfection. I have been inspired by many of the topics Monica has shared on her podcast, and she's been a great mentor to me in starting my own podcast.
Monica's motherhood experience has been about growing into the role of being a mother. During the interview, Monica shares how remembering that motherhood was a choice she made helps her on hard days. We dive into what a mom can do when she feels "lost" in motherhood. You'll hear many practical tips that have worked for Monica and other moms she has coached to figure out how to find yourself if you're feeling lost in motherhood.
Monica and I discuss how she has dealt with children who have very different needs. She shares her insights on how to know what your child's needs are, how to meet those needs and the difference between experiencing anxiety and trusting your intuition.
I loved Monica's perspective on not comparing your spiritual journey and relationship with God to someone else. She is very honest about her own struggles to understand and feel God's voice. Her thoughts helped me to gain a better understanding that we are all different and unique. The way God communicates with me may not be the same way He communicates with you and that's okay. Sometimes we don't see God's hand in the moment. Sometimes our relationship with God only becomes clear when we look back.
Show NotesFollow Monica:
Blog: aboutprogress.com Instagram: Instagram.com/aboutprogress Podcast: About Progress on iTunes
The scripture Monica mentioned in the episodes is found in Doctrine and Covenants 121:1.
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom Podcast: Spiritually Minded Mom on iTunes
"I need to be here for my other children and my grandchildren. I need to be present and not stuck in the past. I need to be here now and that's a choice. I choose to be happy. I choose to look past all these horrible things that have happened and be OK."
Show RecapI have always admired those who face unimaginable trials and yet can still be happy. At the top of this list of inspiring people is my friend, Maralyn Nava. Over the 12+ years I've known Maralyn, I've seen her go through the grief of losing 2 daughters--one in a very sudden and unexpected way and one who was murdered and missing for five years.
Maralyn is inspiring because she hasn't let the grief she feels on a daily basis overtake her. She believes that happiness is a choice, no matter what you have suffered. She has used the tragedy in her life to bring about good. Maralyn's is a remarkable story of hope and faith.
If you have suffered from any kind of heartache in motherhood you'll want to listen and hear Maralyn's advice on how to deal with the challenges motherhood gives you. Overall, she feels blessed to have a loving Heavenly Father who has sustained her and lifted her through everything she has faced.
Show NotesFollow Spiritually Minded Mom:
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom
"As a mom, the only thing I can hope for any of my children is that they learn to love and they learn to love good because I can dream of them going to university or college, but if they don't have love to give to others I just feel like they don't have much to offer to the world. I'm a big believer in loving others."
Show RecapIn 2013, Jo-Anne Mazurat-Orlesky went on a 1-week mission trip to Haiti that changed her life. She openly admits that she went on the trip just to say she did it, but during her time in Haiti, her heart was changed, and she knew God was calling her and her family to return to Haiti as missionaries. Soon the Mazurat-Orlesky family landed in Haiti with 10 suitcases and no definite plan on when they would return to their comfortable home in Canada.
In this interview, Jo-Anne discusses how she helped her children navigate the poverty, malnutrition, and abandonment they saw everywhere in Haiti. She also shares the way God led her to care for the children around her in Haiti and how she and her family became bonded with three siblings they eventually sought to adopt.
Jo-Anne's story isn't a picture-perfect ending. She spent a lot of time questioning God and his timing and she openly admits her faith is tried on a daily basis. But Jo-Anne has learned to put aside what she thinks is best and do what God wants. Jo-Anne's motherhood story is about love, connection, and a faith in God that has helped her to say, "He has provided so well for us."
Show NotesBlog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirituallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom
Instagram: @joannemazuratorlesky
"We have our strengths and we have our weaknesses but we need to focus on our strengths and realize that Heavenly Father gave us those strengths to serve our kids because that's what they needed." -Becky Squire
This episode is an interview with Becky Squire. Becky is a writer, wife, and mom to four kids, including a brand new teenager. We talk about her definition of what it means to be a "good mom" and if you've ever felt inadequate as a mother because of the choices your kids are making, you'll want to hear Becky's take on this.
Becky shares what it means to her as a mother to "prepare more than punish" and how we are our children's teachers in learning to be adults. We can't make assumptions that our children already know what to do. We have to be specific in our teaching.
A difficult time for Becky in motherhood occurred when one of her children was hospitalized. Becky talks about that experience and how she got through it with the help of God.
You'll also hear how Becky teaches spiritual habits to her children and her sort of "fake" but actually "real" way for her children to see her reading scripture! (This will make you chuckle but the principle behind her reasons are so good.)
We also talk about teaching children in the moment, using your spiritual gifts in motherhood and why YOU are the perfect mother for your children.
Show Notes:
Blog: spirituallymindedmom.com Instagram: Instagram.com/spirityallymindedmom Facebook: facebook.com/spirituallymindedmom
Blog: beckysquire.com Instagram: @beckysquire Facebook: facebook.com/beckysquireblog
Episode 2 of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast is an interview with Alie Jones. When Alie got married, she and her husband had their whole life planned out perfectly, but Alie's motherhood journey has not been easy and has been anything but her perfect plan. Through everything she has gone through, Alie has learned to rely on God. I felt so inspired by everything she shared, especially this quote.
"God sent us the right children at the right time. The pattern that our family has taken with children has been perfect. He's in control and he's in charge. And if I just give that over to Him, it's going to turn out okay. It's going to turn out better than if I would have done it."
Alie gives amazing advice on how to best help someone who is grieving. She shares how she overcame feeling angry at God and why this quote by Neal A. Maxwell is so important to her: "Faith in God includes faith in His timing."
Despite their path not going as planned, Alie and her husband have opened their home to foster babies. Their philosophy is, "If you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence." You'll hear how Alie believes bringing foster children into their home is helping her own children learn to love and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ in action and how it helps her to gain new perspectives on motherhood.
Alie has an amazing determination to thrive despite the trials she has been given in motherhood. If you are struggling, her story will give you practical and spiritual ways to find hope and support.
Show Notes:
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom on @SpirituallyMindedMom and on Facebook at Spiritually Minded Mom.
For more inspiration from Alie, follow her on Instagram @delightedtobe.
I've always thought of myself as a writer (not a speaker) and while I love listening to podcasts, I never thought I would actually be the host of one. But here I am. I won't bore you with all the details of how I got here, but I will say that God has led me every step of the way, and I have no doubt that this is what He wants me to be doing right now.
So, here we go. Episode 1 of the Spiritually Minded Mom podcast is an introduction to me and what this podcast will be about. In a nutshell, I will be interviewing a different mom each week to hear her motherhood story. All of the podcast guests will have a different story because each of us is unique, but they will also have one very important thing in common--they have all seen and felt God as a partner in motherhood.
Episode 1 is also my very personal story about how I saw God partner with me to help one of my children. It's a story I never thought I would share, but I felt prompted to tell this part of my journey and I hope by sharing you will gain something you need in motherhood.
Thanks for joining me! I hope the episodes each week will help you feel hope and joy in motherhood, think about your own motherhood story and recognize how God has been your partner in motherhood.
Show Notes:
Follow Spiritually Minded Mom on Instagram and Facebook.
Go here to read the entire talk by Jeffery R. Holland quoted at the end of the episode.
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