Dear Daughters

Live quietly and work with your hands. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 Happy new year, friend! Here we are … 2023. And I’m so glad you’re here with me. I am excited for the year to come and I wanted to spend the first few episodes of the Dear Daughter’s Podcast celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you think about resolutions and plans and what’s in store for you this year. I’m normally the one to make big plans and resolutions but this year is a little different. This year, I feel like God is pressing pause on my plans. I feel like He is asking me to simply be content. Maybe you’re like me … or maybe you do have big exciting things coming up … or maybe you’re somewhere in between. No matter where you are, we are both in a place to be obedient to whatever God has for us. We all have assignments, we all have roles God has given to us, and we are called to be in constant companionship with God. So that’s what I want to talk about today. Listen in … I think you’ll be happy you did. SHOW NOTES Listen

It is a good thing to observe Christmas, but it is even better to keep Christmas … – Henry Van Dyke It’s Christmas time. Lights, shopping, trees filled with tiny twinkling treasures. I hope you and yours are enjoying the season. To celebrate, I wanted to jump in with one of my favorite stories by one of my favorite authors. Henry Jackson Van Dyke Jr. was an American author, educator, diplomat, and clergyman. He was born on November 10, 1852, in Germantown, Pennsylvania to a strict Presbyterian family of Dutch origin. He graduated from Princeton University and went on to become a professor of English Literature for over twenty years. He entered Princeton Theological Seminary in September 1874 (with no actual desire to become a minister); however, in 1875 at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, he gave his first sermon on “The Voice of God.” Interestingly enough, he penned the lyrics to Beethoven’s famous “Ode to Joy” melody and it became the beloved hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.”  Van Dyke also wrote a short sermo

We are inherently significant. – Rachael Adams I hope that you have enjoyed listening to the stories of incredible women the past several weeks as much as I have. If this is your first time jumping in, I’m so glad you’re here now … welcome to The Story Series! Be sure to catch up on the other episodes, too. This week Rachael Adams joined me on the podcast. Can I just tell you … she is a delight. Rachael lives with her husband, Bryan, two kiddos, Will and Kate, and two Doodles on a farm in small town Kentucky. She hosts her own podcast, The Love Offering Podcast, and just published her first devotional, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life. Rachael wants you to know that you are inherently significant. In the beginning, God created mankind in His image and said they were very good … before we did a thing. We look at everyone around us and think that we aren’t doing enough or that what we are doing isn’t as good. But a little prayer, a little quiet time, a little offering … is good. God can d

He tends his flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. We’re right in the middle of this series all about stories. Because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. I am so excited that Asheritah Ciuciu is joining me on the podcast this week. Asheritah is married to her high school sweetheart, Flaviu, and has three kids: Carissa, Amelia, and Theo. She is a speaker, an author, founder of One Thing Alone Ministries for women. Asheritah met Jesus in the back of her parent’s Subaru when she was a little girl. She grew up as a missionary kid in Romania with her mom, dad, and two brothers. She loved listening to their stories from the mission field and as she joined them in the field she developed her own passion for sharing the Gospel. And she does it thro

Embrace your pain to discover hope and healing. – Toni Collier Toni had to grow up too fast. She went through a verbally abusive relationship with her father and then her first husband. She was saved and then hit rock bottom … and then she went searching for God again. She reconciled with her family. She married the love of her life, Sam, and became a mother of two. Toni is also an author and a speaker, a podcast host and a ministry founder … and she’s a hope coach. Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. This series. all about stories. Because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. This week I was OVERJOYED to invite Toni Collier all the way from Atlanta, Georgia, to my home in Austin, Texas for some Coffee & Conversation. We had a lovely live audience. There were a lot of tears, but a lot of laughter, too. Join us as we listen to Toni tell us her story and talk a

It’s never too late to pursue what you love and start a new season of your story. Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. I love to ask deep questions and listen to people’s stories because when you get to know someone’s story, you can experience the awe of God. Listen in and experience it with me. This week my friend and artist Mary Gregory is joining me on the podcast this week. Mary has always been creative and she is one of the most generous humans I know. Mary learned that it’s never too late to pursue what you love and start a new part of your story. In 2011, when her two daughters were out of the nest, Mary pursued her art career full time with her husband, David, who manages the business and production aspects of Mary Gregory Studio. “When you are an artist and you see something you just have to get it out somehow.” Mary has always been drawn to art and nature. She loves to go on long walks and observe God’s creation … and listens to what God wants her to pa

There’s something in all of us that craves the sanctuary of the Garden of Eden. Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We are deep in the heart of The Story Series and I’m so glad you’re here. Join me as I ask questions and listen to other women’s stories right here on the podcast. It’s one of my favorite things. Because when you get to know someone’s story, you can experience the awe of God. I’ve invited Jamie Erickson to the podcast this week. Jamie and I have a mutual love of vintage books, thrifting home goods, and creating a cozy space for people. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 20 years and they have five kids. Jamie was a teacher in the classroom for many years and now is the founder and lead writer of The Unlikely Homeschool and co-host of the Mom-To-Mom Podcast. She is the author of Homeschool Bravely and released a new book in September called Holy Hygge. I’m so excited to have her on the show! Jamie was inspired by her husband’s Danish roots and the Danish lifestyle practice of h

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We are in the middle of The Story Series here and if you’ve been around the podcast for awhile, you know how much I love to ask questions and listen to other people’s stories. Because you know what? Your story is one of the most unique and beautiful things about you. This week I’ve invited Jolie Helms onto the podcast! Jolie is a wife and mother, married for 23 years with two children, ages 20 and 22. They live in College Station, TX. Jolie is also a creative and an entrepreneur … and a storyteller. I met Jolie at Round Top a few years ago and fell in LOVE with her beautiful, whimsical, blanket coats and the stories behind them. Before moving back to College Station, her family lived in Malaysia for three and a half years. That’s where she grew in her marriage and in her relationship with her kids. It’s also where she learned about kantha quilts, her inspiration for her business, Sapana. Sapana means “dream” in Hindi … and that’s what Jolie did. Listen in as I talk with

Your story will lead you to your purpose. That’s why I love stories. I love to ask deep questions and hear other people’s stories. Because that’s when you encounter the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! This week my daughter Emily Boone is on the Podcast! She takes beautiful photos for a living … helping capture people’s stories in little moments. She has a beautiful perspective on story and so much wisdom to share. I’m so glad you’re here to listen. Emily loves the story of Moses. She loves that, “the beginning of his life didn’t necessarily foreshadow the glory that was coming later in his life.” She says that the scripture itself is evidence that the things that you live through can inform who you’re made to be, what you’re meant to do, and how God is meant to use you. Your story will lead you to your purpose. There’s no universal step-by-step way to find it because everyone’s story is so unique. But Emily has a few tools that can help in that journey. Study your

I love knowing people’s stories. I love to ask questions and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! This week I’m inviting a new friend on the podcast, Crystal Woodman Miller. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids. We have something in common that connects us … but it is something that we would have never chosen for ourselves. Crystal was 16 when she hid in the library during the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her life was marked by tragedy … but she realized that she was also marked by hope. Crystal found her purpose in writing and speaking and advocating for trauma survivors and she’s sharing her purpose with us today. We get to hear pieces of her story and the wisdom she has because of the tragedy and healing she has experienced, including: Pray scripture over your people. Keep your mind focused on God. Remind yourself of God’s truth. Find practical tools to help you feel safe and hea

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! It’s time for a new season and I am so excited about this one. It’s all about stories. I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people’s stories, and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. I am just delighted to introduce you to this week’s guest. She is Missions Pastor at Austin Christian Fellowship, wife to John, mom to Parker and Ben (and new daughter-in-law, Dani) … and dear friend to me! Her name is Michelle Brigance and she has an amazing story.   Listen in as Michelle shares her story from her first impression of God and experiences with the church to teaching at church and sharing Jesus with countless people … and then shares what she discovered to be the most important things to remember when you talk to others about God, like watching your words, not pretending to have all the answers, and expressing your faith in a tangible, down-to-earth, everyday kind of way. I hope that Michelle’s story is encouraging to you. I pray that

We’re wrapping up The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast this week! I hope these conversations have helped bring a little more joy to your everyday life. In this last episode, I’ll be talking about JOY and taking good care of your body with Natalie Betzer, a functional nutritionist and wellness consultant … who also happens to be my niece. :) Natalie lives in Austin with her husband, Drew, and daughter, Davie. She earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Natalie is a functional nutrition and wellness consult … and the founder of Natalie Betzer Wellness. I went through one of Natalie’s coaching sessions and learned so much. With her help I was able to better understand what my body needs, change some not-so-healthy habits, and make healthier choices. Natalie wants to help you to redefine your approach to health. She teaches you how to build your health on a foundation of self-awareness, kindness and gratitude. Instead of focusing on rules and restriction, sh

We’re still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. I am so excited this week because I love my garden and creeks and mountains and a big blue sky and we are talking about joy in nature! Verónica Godoy spent most of her life out in nature, climbing trees and playing on the beach in Argentina where she grew up. God opened her eyes to the biology of His creation when she was just 8 years old and she knew then that it was what she wanted to study (and sure enough, she earned both a B.S. and PhD in biological sciences). She has been a scientist and a teacher, and now works at A Rocha, a national community of Christians working in biodiversity conservation to take care of our environment. God gave us the important assignment to tend to and care for His glorious creation. We must be good stewards of nature, caretakers of the world around us. To be good stewards, first we need to care. To care, first we need to know. Listen in as

We’re still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. This week we’re looking at joy a little differently because a lot is going on in the world … we’re going to talk about the search for joy in the midst of hard things. Meredith McDaniel is an author and counselor at her practice, Milk & Honey Counseling. Meredith is a beautiful soul and she is joining me this week to talk about the desperate plea for all of us … “God, how can I find you?” Joy almost sounds frivolous when there is so much despondency around us. When our world is threatened, we feel our fear and worry and anxiety rise. We’re often trapped inside a false reality of hope, wishing for what was … rather than facing the discomfort and acknowledging that we’re out of control. It’s then that we’re really in a position to release ourselves to joy. Because there is a hope that abides in the middle of where you are, no matter where that is, or what is happening. Wh

We're talking JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to bring a little more joy to your everyday life. We’ve talked about joy at home, joy at the table, and now we’re going to talk about joy in relationships. This week I have my husband, Will, next to me to start this next part of the series about how to find joy in your marriage. Will and I have been married 37 years this week, and we’ve had days that have been really joyful and we’ve had days that have been really difficult. Listen in as we dig deeper into ways to keep the joy in your marriage like these: Practice gratitude. Have a marriage mission. Play together and play apart. Observe Sabbath. Pray. I pray that you are able to find so much JOY in your marriage. I hope that you and your spouse can use your marriage to bring joy to others around you, too. SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES SHOW NOTES Get a copy of Pray Big for Your Marriage by Will Davis Jr. Get a copies of my books, Loving Your Man without Losing Your Mind and Unafraid: Trusting God in an Un

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I’m so glad you’re here. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God. So listen in and enjoy … right now we’re talking about the secrets to joy at the table and I’ve invited my favorite table experts on the show. This week my favorite table expert is Kristin Schell. She lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Tony, and one of their four children—the others have left the nest. She loves loving her neighbors, and she wrote a book and travels all over to encourage others to love their neighbors, too. Kristin is known for her Turquoise Table, which started a movement of Turquoise Tables and Front Yard People (ordinary people who create community right where they live) across the country. I’ll let Kristin tell you more about that herself. Kristin believes that our deepest need is to belong, our deepest desires to feel needed and included. And an invitation

I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God. Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! Right now we’re talking about how to find joy at the table and I've invited some of my table experts to the show.   Jen Schmidt lives in North Carolina with her husband, Gregg, and is a mom of five children and two daughters-in-law. Jen shares her heart for Jesus and hospitality on her blog, Balancing Beauty & Bedlam, and “accidental author” of her book, Just Open the Door. And, she now owns the Becoming Cottage to host ministry events (a lifelong big God dream of hers). Jen loves opening her door to people, engaging in deep conversation filled with truth and grace, and blessing everyone who sits at her table … or stands around her kitchen island. I hope this conversation we have is a blessing and an encouragement to you. We can learn our own kind of table ministry from Jesus. Jesus was always inviting, a

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So this podcast series is all about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy…and now secrets to finding joy at the table. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God. Let’s kick things off with my dear friend, Amy Hannon. Amy is a hospitality cheerleader, author of a beautiful cookbook, and owner of a beautiful storefront in Arkansas called Euna Mae’s, named after her grandmother. She is married with three kids and has a big heart for ministering to others. Amy says that the setting of the hospitality inside your home that is so personal and so real and gives so much delight and joy that it allows us to create deeper relationships with people. I think so, too. We were made in God’s image and our purpose is to reflect His glory. Amy believes that God gave women a heaping dose of te

Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. So this podcast series is all about how to find joy, how to recover joy, how to keep joy…secrets to getting more joy in your everyday life. We just wrapped up the first few episodes of finding joy at home. Now I am so excited to talk about finding joy at the table. I believe that gathering at the table over a simple meal is one of the best ways to love people and invite them to a closer relationship with God. The believers gathered together and ate a meal with gladness and simplicity of heart. Acts 2:46 At the table, you are sitting to enjoy a good meal with the people you love. Most importantly, you can talk about God at the table. You can minister to people at the table. So to kick us off, I want to share tips for hosting a dinner party! It can be intimidating. You many think that you don’t have the space. You may think that you just aren’t cut out for hosting. But here’s the thing. You can

The joy is in creating. Welcome to The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! It’s all about finding joy in the places and things and people closest to you because I want you to have the joy in your life that you are seeking. This week we are wrapping up the first part of the JOY Series, talking all about creating a home you love. This week, I have Kennesha Buycks with me (again!) to get her perspective on creating a beautiful home. Kennesha lives in Seattle with her husband and four kids. She created Restoration House, a home and lifestyle brand that focuses on finding and celebrating the story of each home, and her new online shop where she sells unique and antique things she finds. I love her perspective and creativity and wisdom and can’t wait for you to listen in to our conversation. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the things we don’t like in our home. When that happens, Kennesha asks the question, What can you do? Kennesha believes that the joy is in creating. There’s always something we can add to br