Sunshine in My Nest

Latest Episodes:

Find Joy in Your Work + Calling with Karen Swallow Prior Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

The Secret Joy in Your Work

I wish we were in the same room and everyone of us could share what the word calling means to us, and what you feel called to do. Maybe you've known that with burning clarity from the time you were tiny. Maybe thinking about your calling is confusing and gives you anxiety just thinking about it. Maybe you felt like your calling was one thing, but others or life circumstances have changed that for you...

I hope you leave this episode with a renewed sense of clarity and encouragement as you step into what God is calling you into.

-What in the world got you interested and excited about the topic of calling?

-I love how you pointed out that not all callings are paid work and the word "work" has been saddled with a bad reputation. Can you talk us through that?

-How does it change our understanding of work to know that we worship a God who works?

-Did all ancient gods work, or was that unique?

-How did the fall affect our work? How does a culture of forward-facing and instant/microwave results show up as a barrier for young people pursuing challenging goals?

-How do we learn to find joy in the process of work, not just the results?

⁠More info about Around the Ancient World HERE!!⁠

You can find⁠ ⁠Karen Swallow Prior and her book "⁠⁠You Have a Calling"

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Finding Rhythms for Overwhelming School Days with Jamie Erikson Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Back to school can be challenging for families. I find that many moms I talk to are more susceptible to the "Am I doing enough?" question this time of year. Add to that, we are all starting all our routines from scratch again, and kids are being required to do more structured time. All that gives a full recipe for meltdown (and not just for the kids). Let's talk to veteran mom Jamie Erickson about navigating back to school with grace!

-Why do you think we still struggle with overwhelm as moms?

-Was back-to-school overwhelming for you as a mom?

-What are some things you did to help with your start-of-year rhythm?

-If someone wants to start off strong, what can they do?

More info about Around the Ancient World HERE!!

You can find ⁠Jamie Erikson and her book "⁠Overwhelmed Mom⁠"

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Peek Into the Faith-Shift That Changed My Life This Summer Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

I’m so excited to launch into a new season with you this fall! We wrapped up our Legacy of Faith series, and I felt led to take a little break for the first time since starting the podcast. I mean, I’ve taken time off at Christmas in the past, but as a mom to three little boys, we all know Christmas isn’t a break.

I did this as part of practicing what I preach. In my real life, I’ve said 100 times, it doesn’t matter how hard you run, if you’re running the wrong direction, you’re not going to get anywhere. I realized at the end of 2024 that I was running hard without knowing the direction. I was just jumping from topic to topic… they were all great topics, but I wanted to be more intentional to grow your faith deeper (let’s be honest, my faith too, because my faith has grown so much from these conversations with mentors).

⁠More info about Around the Ancient World HERE!!⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Finishing Well: A Day in the Life with Sally Clarkson Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Many of us have heard Sally's encouragement to mothers, but today we are doing something a little different. Many life advice books encourage us to "begin with the end in mind."

When I was thinking about how I wanted to close out the Legacy of Faith series, I sat down with a pen and asked "Who do I see finishing the race well?" Immediately, Sally Clarkson came to mind.

She hasn't just mothered well and retired to leisure, but has spent all her retirement energy on encouraging other mothers and trekking back and forth over the Atlantic to serve her grandchildren in the UK.

As humans, it's easy to get stuck in the here and now and overlook who we want to become, but today let's chat with Sally about what it looks like to "Put on new tires and keep rolling for the Lord," instead of retiring from life.

What does a "day in the life" look like for you right now?

Sarah has shared in her book that she left home later in life. That meant you were empty nesters later in life... What made you decide to keep serving rather than settling down into mountain life?

What are some things that strengthened your character at my age that have carried you into the next season?

What do you wish you had learned sooner?

Was there ever a time that things felt so hard you thought you might not keep serving?

How has Jesus met uniquely in this chapter?

What is the greatest joy you have discovered as you've reached grandmotherhood?

You can find Sally Clarkson here and her book "Well Lived."

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

The Role of Faithful Grandparents with Courtney Doctor Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

Hey don't stop listening! Based on stats, a lot of you who listen are under 40. I'm excited this means we are in the territory of getting out of echo chambers, because if I had to guess, most of you aren't grandparents yet. We are getting close to the end of our series about what it looks like to live a Legacy of Faith.

Grandparents have a unique role in modern culture. In times past, it seems like the role was a bit more defined, but with as much as well all move now, it makes things a little more complicated.

This week, we are talking about the Biblical role of grandparents and the way they can point grandkids to faith.

The Bible encourages us to learn from people in the faith who are ahead of us, and I've talked to Courtney enough to know that any time she speaks, I'll always be encouraged.

If you want to apply the scripture we discussed today, I’m creating a download with a verse to meditate on, a passage to study, and questions to dig in deeper. You can find a link to that in the show notes.

Does the Bible talk about grandparenthood?

What do you think is the calling placed on Grandparents? How do you see your role in their life?

I see all over reels right now people talking about the way a lot of the grandparent generation has said, "I already raised my kids, I don't want to parent yours." What keeps you from feeling that way?

What is one way someone my age can start preparing for what it means to be a grandparent?

You can find Courtney Doctor here or her Bible study called "Titus".

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

"Jesus Be Enough for Me" in Life After Loss with Clarissa Moll Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

We would never dream of waking up one morning and just going to run a marathon. Yet, we often do that with Christian life. Then we hit that wall at the 18th mile and want to drop out.

A phase of my own life that nearly took my faith out at the knees was when we lost our baby to miscarriage. Death is something that doesn’t neatly fit into our boxes and leaves us asking a lot of questions about our faith. But the Christian faith in resurrection holds a path of hope through the valley of the shadow of death.

What has led you to write about death and loss in families?

Your husband died while your family was exploring in a national park, have you guys always loved the outdoor world? Do you still love it or is that something you left behind?

What did God show you about Himself during grief? What hope did you hold on to?

How did you help your kids come to grips with what happened?

How is it you’ve become so compassionate in your loss to help coach others in grief?

You can find "⁠Hope Comes to Stay" here and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Clarissa Moll on Instagram⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Living Life With the End in Mind with Jen Wilkin May 27, 2025

Show notes

As Christians, we want to be formed by wisdom. Biblically, we know that wisdom comes with age, but we live in a culture obsessed with youth rather than one formed by gospel truth. I’m of the age that I have friends turning both 30 and 40, and for so many women, those milestones are greeted with grief.

Creams and fillers to disguise our age are in our social media feeds constantly. When you open the comment sections on so many things, the term “Okay, Boomer” has revealed how far we’ve moved culturally from respect of elders to derision of them.

Most of us know Jen from her Bible studies, but recently she wrote an article for Christianity Today "At My Mother’s Deathbed, I Discovered the Symmetry of a Long Life" about what it was like caring for her mother as she aged and eventually passed. I would love for us to take a look together at what a “Legacy of Faith” looks like when caring for elderly parents.

What was it like moving into the stage of life caring for your parents?

You’ve talked about the arc of life and the way it reflects Biblical literature. Can you tell us about that?

How has watching your parents and older saints helped give you a path to exit a current season with grace and submission to the passing of time?

Being in midlife, you said you noticed that you repeat so many of the same life experiences, but level up the quality in how you handle them… Can you tell us about that?

How have you noticed the gaining of wisdom and shift in the internal life as we age?

What did you learn about cherishing all of your days in this process?

What does it look like to find value in older women, and not just to see them as having equal value, but rather increasing value?

You can find Jen Wilkin's latest Bible study on "⁠⁠Revelation" here. ⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

The Call of Ministry and Motherhood with Ashley Hales May 20, 2025

Show notes

For many people, God calls them to serve in the middle of full-time work or parenthood. For other's he calls them to work in ministry. Each comes with its own unique challenges.

When did you step into vocational service, and how did God work in you specifically to help you know you were called?

What does being a woman in ministry look like functionally for you?

What have been some unique challenges you have run into as a woman in ministry?

What keeps you going in ministry?

You can find "⁠A Fruitful Life" here and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ashley Hales on Instagram ⁠

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Creating Space for Singles in the Church with Annie F Downs May 13, 2025

Show notes

Throughout the history of the church, there has been a tendency to fall into different ditches of emphasis. During the medieval times, singleness was celebrated, and religious movements were dedicated to convents and monasteries. But those days are far in the past of the church. Our current services and church social events are set up to cater to married couples and parents. So much so that I’ve heard from several single friends that they don’t feel like there is space made for them in the church!

What has made the church a notoriously difficult place to be single? Have we made marriage a cultural idol?

What are some proactive things you’ve learned to do to make space for yourself in a body of faith?

What is dating like for Christian singles in 2025?

How do people hold on to the fun and hope in dating?

What inspired you to start “Single Purpose League?”

What would you like to say to encourage other Single Christians today?

What would you encourage married people to do or change in order to be more inviting?

You can find "Single Purpose League" here and ⁠⁠⁠Annie F Downs on Instagram

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest

Creating a Positive Marriage with Bob Flayhart May 06, 2025

Show notes

Culturally, we’ve been conditioned to believe that the pointof marriage is to make us happy. Now, no one has made me happier than my husband, but even more importantly (as in any of our relationships), marriage has been teaching me to love more like Christ. Sometimes, I watch myhusband’s positive example, and at other times I have to give up what I want for what someone else needs.

The wild thing I’ve noticed is the way God’s upside-downkingdom shows up in my marriage. I’m not less happy when I am serving; in fact often, after one has taken the first step, the other matches in kind, and it provides an opportunity to like it says in Romans 10: “Out do one another in love and good works!” This week, Pastor Bob and I are going to talk about how not to just quit fighting in marriage, but how to move into a truly joyful relationship!

These may be good episodes to listen to as a couple, or if this is something you want to work on alone, I’m going to put some extra study prompts below!

You can find "⁠Gospel Waltz⁠" here and ⁠⁠Pastor Bob Flayhart HERE⁠

You can find Elizabeth writing helpful hints ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on the blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Helping you love Jesus and disciple your kids ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or get access to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Additional study resources here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Original Music written and recorded by Jonathan Camenisch

*affiliate links are used when appropriate. Thank you for supporting Sunshine in My Nest