Things are continually changing.  We watch the news, we tune into our social media feeds, and we talk to our friends.  Things are continually shifting.  We experience job loss, a move, a diagnosis, and here we are again.  Change, transition, and movement.  Often times, with change comes doubt, fear, and insecurity.  How should we react when we are faced with changes and how can we have peace in the midst of it all?Today we are discussing how to find peace in the midst of change and trials.  If you are not experiencing it now, it will happen, so it's important to be prepared.  You may wonder how you can be prepared when you have no idea what is ahead.  The truth is, we aren't capable, but He is.  Join us today as we chat about life changes and how God is often just asking us to "get up and walk" through it and in it with Him.

I recently read the book Adventuring Together:  How to Create Connections and Make Lasting Memories with Your Kids and I was so incredibly inspired.  I felt encouraged and with every flip of the page I became more and more motivated to jump up and start creating new adventures with our girls.  I am so excited to have the author, Greta Eskridge, on our podcast today!Greta, a Native Californian and mom of four kids, has such wisdom and experience when it comes to adventuring with her family and friends.  I found myself laughing while reading her book and while listening to her stories during our interview.  Her passion for creating bonds with her children, allowing them to have experiences outside of the norm, and spending quality time with them was contagious.  I know you will enjoy this interview just as much as I did.  This lady is a true joy and shines such a bright light for the Lord!

Today I am excited to share part 2 of our interview with S.D. Smith, author of the Green Ember series.  He is one of my family's favorite authors and we absolutely love this series.  S. D. Smith is the author ofThe Green Ember Series, a bestselling middle-grade adventure saga.The Green Emberhas reached hundreds of thousands of readers and spent time as the number one bestselling audiobook in the world on Audible. Smith’s stories are captivating readers across the globe who are hungry for “new stories with an old soul.” Enthusiastic families can’t get enough of these tales.Vintage adventure. Moral imagination. Classic virtue. Finally, stories we all love. Just one more chapter, please!When he’s not writing adventurous tales of #RabbitsWithSwords in his writing shed, dubbed The Forge, Smith loves to speak to audiences about storytelling, imagination, and seeing yourself as a character in the story.  S. D. Smith lives in West Virginia with his wife and four kids.

Today I am so excited to have S.D. Smith, author of the Green Ember series, on our podcast for part 1 of our interview.  He is truly one of my family's most favorite authors and we love this series.  Join us today as we discuss where he came up with the idea and motivation behind this series that has captured the hearts and minds of young and old alike.  Be sure to check out part 2 to hear the rest of this interview!

It is so easy to get wrapped up in all of the chaos that is swarming around us.  We hear news reports about Covid-19, rioting, politics, killer hornets, and natural disasters and there are days when we just want to throw our hands up in the air in surrender.  I have heard many say, "I can't want until 2020 is just over" and I have been guilty of saying similar things.  However, while diving into the word recently, I came across the story of Esther.  Today, we will be diving into the story of Esther, discussing her purpose during a crucial time in history, and how God used her mightily.  We will be challenging the perspective we often have of "I can't wait for this year to end" and discussing why instead we should be asking, "God, how can you best use me during this time?  I am surrendering to your will.  Show me."  It's by no accident that you are here, alive, during 2020.  God had this designed before the creation of the universe.  Let's take a moment to dive in and discuss how just this shift in perspective can change everything.

Last week we discussed how to find strength while we are waiting.  This week are are diving in deeper, discussing what God could be doing while you are waiting.  We are taking a deeper look into the story of Jonah.  Many of you know the story of Jonah and it may be easy to skim through, but today we will challenge you to examine how God could have been working on Jonah while he was running and even more when he was in a period of waiting.----------This week’s memory verse is Proverbs 3:5-6 where it says:“Trust in the Lord with all your heart    and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,    and he will make your paths straight.Many of you may have heard this verse many times and have the tendency to just skim through it.  Make an effort not to.  I so distinctly remember going to the hospital in labor with my first little girl and saying aloud, “I trust in you Lord with all of my heart.  I will not lean on my own understanding.  In all my ways I will acknowledge you and you will make my path straight.”  Pray and say back the scriptures.  This helps them resonate in your heart and become a part of you and the things you are going through right now.--------Thank you for joining us and be sure to check us out  at be.light.today on Instagram and on Facebook at Be Light Today.  During the week we post encouragement and ideas for your family when it comes to school or just being together.  We hope each of you has a great week!

Right now, especially being in this time of COVID, we are in the midst of waiting.  We feel uncertainty and doubt.  We want to figure it all out and we start to feel unrest.  Today we will be discussing how to find strength when we are waiting.This week’s verse is Psalm 46:10 where it says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  There is so much peace and comfort to be found in this verse.  We don’t need to struggle.  We don’t need to figure things out.  He tells us to be still and to trust Him, knowing that He IS God and He is over it all.  When we are in a waiting period it is easy to want to figure it all out now and to not be patient, but through reflecting and meditating on this verse we are able to find strength that can only be found in Him.

Thank you for joining us today on the Be Light Podcast.  Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook as we post scripture and encouragement along with fun homeschooling tips, photography, fitness and nutrition ideas, along with great books to read.  Really anything and everything that can help you feel a little lighter!  This week’s memory verse is:  "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:12-13This week’s challenge is for you to find specific ways to bring God, his word, and prayer into your home.  Write down the ways in which you are already doing this and pray over them.  Ask God where you can do more and ask Him how you can best minister to each of your children.  After all, He created them and he knows their hearts and minds better than anyone else.We hope you have a great week!

On our last podcast we discussed what it means to renew your mind.  On today’s podcast we are discussing practical ways to actually do this.  You may hear people say, “we are called to renew our minds”, but how can we do that, especially when we are in a time that feels very uncertain?  Join us today as we share some ideas with you on how we can renew our minds on a daily basis. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” -Romans 12:2There are many days when I feel like I need a complete overhaul on my way of thinking.  I get going down the wrong path and everything starts to spiral.  We are called to renew our mind and then we will be transformed, but how do we do this, especially during crazy times?  In today’s podcast we will be discussing the most important things when it  comes too renewing your mind.  Thank you for joining us! Please leave a comment and rating on iTunes! We would love to hear from you!*On a side note, my computer has crashed and Apple stores are closed so we have no intro or closing and editing was limited, but we missed you all so the show must go on!