I’m late to the game here. Also, apparently, I’m entitled and lazy. Awesome! This past year I put into place a new habit of gratitude. In this episode I share the why, the how, the what, and the top 5 things I learned from taking a 30 day challenge of writing down what I was thankful for. What started as a 30 day challenge, became impossible for me stop and was a critical piece in finding joy and healing this past year. While I’ve tried to establish this habit many times before, this time was different, and what I did finally stuck. Here I am a year later, and I’m still counting gifts everyday. Thanks for listening!

We’re only one episode into season two, and I’m already diving headfirst into my “next”! Just a few days after recording episode one, “next” started pushing and nudging its way into my heart. What started as one small step became several small steps, and BOOM! There was “next”. In this episode I share how making one small right next step has led to several next right steps. This new mindset, which is contrary to my “I need to see the whole picture before I make a move” mindset, has been so helpful, not just for some small changes I’ve recently made, but also for the big one…that just so happened to start off small.

There was this point when I was first putting together this podcast that I thought, “I wonder if I’ll ever graduate to having a ‘Season 2’?” Then, this summer, as I took some time to work through a season of busyness and lots of change, I wondered if I’d ever record another episode. Too much had happened, so much had changed in my head and heart, and I couldn’t figure out how to transition smoothly. That’s when it hit me. It’s time for Season 2! I’ll be honest, when I started what’s now known as season 1, I had a list of content ideas and topics I wanted to cover. Season 2? Notsomuch. But I trust that as I work through what I am calling my season 2, it’ll all come. I can’t wait to share with you all that I have been working through, what I’m excited about, and some new changes as I walk into Season 2! Thanks for coming with me!

Who knew my last episode on the Never Alone Widow’s Retreat would need a part 2?! Well, here we are. In Part 2, I get to follow up with all the ways your prayers were answered and so much more. This retreat was one of the best things I have ever done, and I can’t believe I almost didn’t go! I can’t wait to share with you how “seen” I was at this retreat (Genesis 16:13), and the breath of fresh air that has filled my lungs. Thanks for listening!

Let me tell you a little story about a widow who was super excited about attending her first widows retreat. For many months she felt so excited to have a retreat to go to, on the beach no less, where she could work through emotions, learn new strategies, gather resources, and build new friendships with other widows. It felt like the most perfect thing that she could ever do. Until it didn’t. That widow is me. I leave on Thursday, and I’m freaking out. On this episode I explore all the reasons I shouldn’t go on this retreat, and then I ask for prayer because I’m going to go anyway. Here’s the prayer guide I reference: Day 1 - Pray for the caregivers keeping the children Jesus, give them strength and endurance to love these beautiful children and give them the ability to comfort in a way that only you can Jesus. Give them provision and allow them to experience beautiful sleep this week.  Day 2 - Pray for the Never Alone helpers, volunteers, and prayer team  Jesus, touch every person who has helped create beauty, has cooked food, has planned the program, has delivered food and will create a safe space of healing. Let them know you are using their hands to heal in the beauty of your love.  Day 3 - Pray for the homes where the women stay and meet. Jesus, bless the homeowners who have donated their homes. Bless the space with peace and freedom to heal. Bless every family represented and the generations that come behind them to experience your love.  Day 4 - Pray for the speakers Jesus, we pray that each speaker will speak directly to the places that need the most comfort. That their vulnerability will transfer by the power of the Holy Spirit and that their life, stories, training and past will give each widow the power to overcome.  Day 5 - Pray for the travel and renounce fear for each widow  Jesus, we speak to any fear that each widow may feel. We declare that your perfect love will flood their mind and hearts to know that you are shaping their future and their children to receive the blessings you have promised. We pray for traveling mercies and that flights are on time, roads are clear and that your angels surround each woman as she comes.  Day 6 - Pray for the soul and that pain will be unlocked to heal Jesus, we pray that every heart of every widow would be soft. Jesus, take her soul and allow her to feel the deep things of your love to heal the deep wounds of the loss.  Day 7 - Pray for the future of the widow and her identity Jesus, we release your daughters into the world to change the world. We pray that every woman would know whose she is to impact her children in ways she never has. Deeply seal the belief in them for their destiny as a warrior, as a hope dealer for anyone in pain and give them supernatural ability to see you healing them in real time as we minister to them through prayer! Let them FEEL the prayers of the righteous deep in their bones and breathe new life, new hope and new peace. If you want to learn more about this retreat you can visit www.neveralonewidows.com

Short and straight to the point. All the things I want my kids to remember about their dad. This is such a hard day for those without a dad or for dads that are without their kids. Lanie and Pax, I hope this episode sparks memories of who your dad was and how loved you are by him yesterday, today and forever.

It’s a buzz word, for sure! The term “Self Care” has so many types of meanings or definitions. Just ask around! It can be anything from getting your nails done regularly, to starting a diet, or even doing intensive therapy. After losing Scott, I learned I had to redefine the term self care for myself, and then actually start doing it. In fact, I was learning quickly that if I didn’t, I wasn’t going to find healing. Not healing wasn’t an option I was willing to settle for. With the help of the pandemic, and my newly understood definition of self care, I was able to get off the never-ending hamster wheel of life, and reevaluate a handful of habits I thought were important, and insert some new habits that were actually healing. This episode documents my ongoing journey with self care and healing. Thanks for listening!

Yes, I know it’s almost the end of May and I am just now publishing this episode. Yikes!!! Life! In this wrap-up, I talk about feeling ready for new things, a yard clean-up project gone right, Covid in the house, and volleyball. Always volleyball. Plus, I’ll share my good reads, favorite music of the month, my memory verse, and the top 5 things I was thankful for. This episode, posted in May, will wrap up April. Better late than never! I’ll shoot for being on time next month.

Don’t you just love a good foot in your mouth moment? How about when someone you care about is grieving and you learn that something you said, which was intended to helpful and encouraging, was actually not. Ugh!!! Words are so hard! Our hearts intend to do good and our words come out and mess everything up. In this episode we are gonna chat (very gently) about things that can be helpful and encouraging to say and do when someone you love is grieving a loss...and things that aren’t. It’s a super delicate topic and I can feel the tenderness in every bone of my body. However, just because it’s hard to talk about doesn’t mean we shouldn’t. Plus, it was a good time of reflection for me as I thought about just how good my community cared for and loved on me during my darkest days. Books referenced are: Finding Meaning by David Kessler Second Firsts by Christina Rasmussen Winnie the Pooh excerpt by A.A.Milne, E.H.Shepard Credit: I Know, I Need To Stop Talking

It’s time for another monthly wrap up! It was hard to not make this all about Maui, since I spent a third of the month there, but I still had some content left in me! Besides Maui, we had volleyball, Doctor’s appointments, and a birthday thrown in. Additionally, with some time between the trip and recording this episode, I had a couple positive emotional breakthroughs. March was a great month, and I can’t wait to share it with you!