Abiding Together

In this episode, we begin a 4 part series on the identity of women as mother. We talk about the power of motherhood at this time in history and how we are called to cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity. This call is innate in every woman whether they are a biological mother or not. We discuss the power and need for community where we can receive and be received by others and experience deeper healing. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts! Sister Miriam's one thing - Restore (also available on Amazon)

Heather's one thing - Faith of My Father album by Steffany Gretzinger

Michelle's one thing - Sheltered Within Her Heart: 33 Days to Deeper Entrustment to Mary

Other Books Mentioned:

Essays on Women (Edith Stein) — also available on Amazon

Living from the Heart (E James Wilder)

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's episode?
2. What are some ways that women can cultivate, guard, and develop true humanity?
3. What ways do you long to be mothered, nurtured, and guarded?
4. What ways do you desire to experience healing in the area of motherhood either in how you are called to offer it or in how you have received it?

Journal Questions:

1. What did the episode stir within your heart?
2. Where do I not feel safe to myself?
3. What are my desires in the area of motherhood? Take time to talk to the Lord about this.
4. What disappointments do you need to offer to the Lord?

Quotes to Ponder: "To be a mother innately means to cultivate, to guard, and to develop true humanity." Edith Stein

Scripture for Lectio Divina - "The word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew ] you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:4-5

In this episode, we declare and claim this new year as a year of God's favor! We discuss the power of repentance and blessing and the beautiful exchange that God wants to bestow on us as his beloved children. We continue our discussion on becoming a new creation in Christ through repentance, claiming God's blessings, and destroying areas of idolatry in our life. We pray this week each of you would allow yourself to be found and renewed by the God of restoration!

Sister Miriam's one thing - The King of Love My Shepherd Is - Sarah Kroger

Heather's one thing - Hail O Queen - Damascus Worship

Michelle's one thing - Rhythm - Lisa Keeven

Michelle's other one thing - Crowned for Ashes. You can read more about this ministry through the following interview.

Other Books Mentioned:

Deliverance Prayers for the Laity

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's episode?
2. Where does God want to bestow a beautiful exchange in your life (a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, a garment of praise instead of the spirit of despair)?
3. How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of repentance and renouncing? How can you cultivate the spiritual practices of claiming blessing and calling forth goodness?

Journal Questions:

1. What part of Isaiah 61 is God inviting you to be rooted in, in this new year?
2. Michelle shared a quote from Andy Couch, "Idols promise everything and deliver nothing." What areas of idolatry is God asking you to repent as you move into a new year?
3. Are there areas of dysfunction, sin, or idolatry you would like to renounce especially for the sake of restoration in your family and future generations?

Quotes to Ponder: "… in this new year that God is giving us to sanctify us and unite us more closely to Himself, let us make Him grow in our souls, let us keep alone and set apart; may He be truly King." - St. Elizabeth of the Trinity

Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2

This episode is sponsored by OSV Challenge.

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Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study

This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we reconnect after an extended winter break to continue our annual tradition, sharing our Word of the Year! Each year we each ask God to give us a theme to focus on for the new year and invite you to do the same. After personal prayer and reflection, we share our words for 2022 and how our words of the year have been connected. We discuss the importance of claiming this year for Christ and invite you to join us on the journey again!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Christmas Cards

Heather's one thing - Peace Vol. II - Bethel Music

Michelle's one thing - Word on Fire Bible Volume 2

Michelle's other one thing - Born of Wonder Podcast

Michelle's other other one thing - Revelations 19 - Maverick City Music

Discussion Questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's episode?
2. Who's word - Heather: Increase, Michelle: Jubilee, Sister Miriam: Secure - resonated most with you and why?
3. After prayer and reflection, what's your word of the year?
4. How can you see your spiritual progress through the evolution of your words of the year over the past few years? How have these words or themes built upon each other?

Journal Questions:

1. Take some time to reflect on what God desires to reveal to you as your word of the year. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal this to you. Make sure to write it down and memorialize it in a way that will keep it at the forefront of your mind throughout the year.
2. What would it look like to "live a different life, closer to God" this year ?
3. Are there specific scriptures, saints, or quotes that will serve as a guide or reminder of your word during the year?

Quotes to Ponder: "During this new year I resolve to begin a new life. I do not know what will happen to me during this year. But I abandon myself entirely to you, my God. And my aspirations and all my affections will be for You. I feel so weak, dear Jesus, but with Your help I hope and resolve to live a different life, that is, a life closer to You." - Saint Gemma Galgani

Scripture for Lectio Divina - "...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor… " - Isaiah 61:2

This episode is sponsored by Pink Salt Riot.

To keep your Word of the Year top of mind all year long, we encourage you to check out the custom word of the year pieces from Pink Salt Riot. They offer a variety of pieces, from jewelry to keychains, that are totally customizable - not only with your word, but your personal style as well. But hurry! They only make their custom word of the year pieces through February 15, so order ASAP. Abiding Together listeners can get an exclusive 15% discount on all regularly priced items in their order with the code abide15.

Announcing our 2022 Lenten Study!

This year we will be journeying through the season of Lent with a six-part series based on Restore: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation written by our very own Sister Miriam James Heidland. You can pre-order your copy from Ave Maria Press here or pre-order from Amazon here. We look forward to journeying with you this Lent!

In this episode, we conclude our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on peace through the life of St. Teresa of Avila. We discuss the key to peace as abiding in the love of Christ despite the storms of life. We chat about peace that comes from rightly ordered relationships and the need to cultivate peace through daily acts of trust, rest, and surrender. We pray that as we near Christmas, you would experience the peace of Christ in a new way! For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Oh Come Let us Adore Him - Maverick City Music

Michelle's one thing - All of our Abiding Together Podcast Staff - Lizzie, Emily, Katie, Kristina - and the staff at Spirit Juice Studios

Heather's one thing - All of our Patrons

Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from today's episode?
2. How do you find, cultivate, and maintain peace in your life? What role has 'abiding' played in creating a life of peace?
3. What does it look like to embody Shalom - peace that radiates wholeness, completeness, and order?
4. How do you make time throughout the day to breathe and intentionally open your heart up to Jesus and his peace?

Journal Questions:

1. Take a moment to pray "Jesus, teach me to find peace in the storms of life."
2. How will you 'abide' with Jesus over the next few days as we enter into Christmas?
3. Imagine yourself in the boat with Jesus and the disciples in the storm. What is your posture and expression and why? How does this reveal Christ as the king of peace or not?
4. Take a moment to pray, reflect and prepare for Christ's birth through a brief examination of conscience. In the areas we have discussed this Advent - faith, hope, joy and peace - where have you gone astray? Where do you need God's mercy? If you haven't yet, commit to making space for the sacrament of confession before Christmas.

Quote to Ponder:

"Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices."- St. Teresa of Avila

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5

This episode is sponsored by Walking With Purpose.

Are you ready to discover not only what matters most in life but also how to prioritize those things? Are you ready to build a life that you don't want to escape? Another glass of wine, just one more episode on Netflix, a little more scrolling on Instagram…Women are numbing out at ever-increasing rates. Why? What is it about our lives that make us feel so overwhelmed? What might change if we figured out how to build lives that we like?

Ordering Your Priorities is the latest Bible study from Walking with Purpose, a women's ministry whose mission is to help every Catholic woman and girl in America encounter Jesus through scripture. Ordering Your Priorities is an immensely practical Bible study that will help you put the most important things first. We'll begin by paying attention to the One who made us because He can best tell us what we need for our lives to run well. AT podcast listeners can receive 15% Ordering Your Priorities study with the code ABIDING15 (thru 1/31/22).

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on joy through the life of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. We discuss trust, simplicity and self surrender as the keys to experiencing the beauty of Christmas and the miracle of Christ's birth. We share our own personal stories of God bringing radical transformation in our lives, doing things for us and in us that we could not do ourselves. We pray that this Advent you would be able to joyfully accept the gifts God desires to give to you. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women Doctors of the Church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - The National Shrine and Museum of Saint Thérèse - Darien, Illinois

Michelle's one thing - Behold: The Luminous Mysteries Visio Divina Book

Heather's one thing - Forever, Amen - Steffany Gretzinger

Other Books Mentioned - The Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from today's episode?
2. What kind of miracle are you desiring this Christmas season? What do you hope Jesus will transform into something new?
3. Where is God inviting you to greater self surrender this Advent? What situations/relationships is He inviting you to ask "How can I surrender it?" instead of asking "How can I fix it?"
4. How is Mary inviting you to embrace and accept your hiddenness, littleness and poverty this Advent?

Journal Questions:

1. Take some time to reflect on your own 'Christmas miracles'. Ask the Lord to call to mind a time when He did something for you, that you could not do for yourself.
2. Do you entrust your hiddenness and littleness to God like St. Therese? Why or why not?
3. Where have you over-complicated your spiritual life, vocation, and relationship with God? How can you reintroduce simplicity this Advent?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be and becoming that person." - St. Therese

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3

This episode is sponsored by Reform Wellness.

This week's episode is sponsored by Reform, a functional medicine and holistic wellness practice rooted in Christ. Reform redefines health as the state of your body and soul, and their mission is to empower others to find well-being in Christ, thrive in whole-person health, and become the best versions of themselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually. We highly recommend Reform Online, a twelve-week course that walks you through Reform's nine Wellness Pillars to help you reclaim your identity in Christ, optimize nutrition and sleep, manage stress, and much more. We invite you to say "yes" to Christ-centered wellness and begin your journey to wholiness™ today with discount code ABIDE10 for the next Reform Online class beginning in January. Learn more at reformwellness.co and on Instagram: @reform_wellness.

In this episode, we continue our four part Advent series revisiting the women Doctors of the Church with a discussion on praise through the life of St. Hildegard of Bingen. We discuss the value of praise: speaking the truth about who God is and who we are and reflect on how all creation was made to praise the Creator. We chat about Advent as a particular time to create space to hear God's voice and the unique ways each of us enter into praise of God. We pray this week you would hear the voice of God over you and join in the joyful praise of all creation.

For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women doctors of the church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - The Litany of Self-Love - Micole Amalu

Michelle's one thing - Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant

Heather's one thing - Deliverance Prayers: For Use by the Laity - Fr. Chad A Ripperger PhD

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from today's episode?
2. What are some ways you enter into praise of God? How has this changed throughout different seasons in your life?
3. How have you seen praise of God change the atmosphere, relationships, or situations? Take a moment to share these stories.
4. How can we continue to cultivate the "inner place" for God to speak to us and for us to praise God this Advent?

Journal Questions:

1. Do you believe you were created to praise? How can you begin to live out this calling in practical ways and particularly during this Advent season?
2. Many times we cannot hear God because something else is overshadowing his voice? Ask the Lord "Tell me what I am not hearing?"
3. Take a moment to imagine yourself with Mary singing praises over the child Jesus in her womb or as an infant. What words of praise do you want to speak to Jesus? What does he want to say back to you?

Quotes to Ponder:

"Sometimes when we hear a song we breathe deeply and sigh. This reminds the prophet that the soul arises from heavenly harmony. In thinking about this, he was aware that the soul itself has something in itself of this music..." - St. Hildegard of Bingen

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and without Him, not one thing came into being. What has come into being in Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. - John 1:1-5

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In this episode, we begin our four part Advent series revisiting the women doctors of the church with a discussion on hope through the life of St. Catherine of Siena. We discuss the virtue of hope, receiving and sharing Christ's light in the darkness, and tips for making room for Christ this Advent season. We pray that you would receive the deep love of God as we begin this time of preparation for the birth of our Savior. For further listening, check out Restore the Beauty, a five part series on the women doctors of the church from Season 4 and be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Be Restored: Healing Our Sexual Wounds through Jesus' Merciful Love - Dr. Bob Schuchts

Michelle's one thing - Seeing Christmas - Karen Stacy

Heather's one thing - Advent Playlist on Spotify

Other Books Mentioned - Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas - Ann Voskamp

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from today's episode?
2. Does your life, your marriage, your family, your church, or your small group proclaim good news to the world? And if not, why? What needs to be redeemed or restored?
3. Are you living a life rooted in hope? Where can you be light in the darkness for others?
4. How can you make room for Christ this Advent season?

Journal Questions:

1. How do you need "the Madman" to love you madly in the season of Advent this year?
2. Are there any particular fasts the Lord may be calling you to this Advent to create room for him in your heart?
3. What does the Holy Spirit want to birth or make new in you during this season of Advent?

Quotes to Ponder:

"The love of Christ embraces all without exception. Fire of love, crazy over what You have made. Oh, divine Madman." - Saint Catherine of Siena

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

The spirit of the sovereign Lord is on me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of beauty, instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise, instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. - Isaiah 61:1-3

This episode is sponsored by Kingdom Builders. Our sponsor for today's episode is Kingdom Builders. If you have always felt welcome in church or never felt welcome in church. If you've never had a child, have many children or you long for a child. Single, married, divorced, or widowed. Young, old, rich or poor. A believing Christian or an atheist. If your life is a sinful mess or full of purity or anywhere in between, Kingdom Builders has something for you. Kingdom Builders creates opportunities for holy encounters for women. To learn more about Kingdom Builders and their latest project My Father's Garden, go to BuildingThroughHim.com

In this episode, we speak with Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow and hear the story of his amazing ministry Mary's Meals. Magnus shares how a personal conversion at Medjugorje led him to helping refugees in Bosnia, and how meeting a child named Edward in Malawi was the beginning of feeding 2 million children a day. Find out more about Mary's Meals on youtube in the video Love Reaches Everywhere and watch as they celebrate the amazing milestone of feeding 2 million children a day! We invite you to follow Mary's Meals online at https://www.marysmeals.org and on Instagram @marysmeals.

Sister Miriam's one thing - Through the Heart of St. Joseph - Fr. Boniface Hicks

Michelle's one thing - Sweet Cross - Laura Phelps

Heather's one thing - Heather's road trip with her youngest daughter Eva

Magnus's one thing - His Acorn Tree

Other Books Mentioned -

The Shed That Fed a Million Children: The Mary's Meals Story - Magnus MacFarlane- Barrow

Give: Charity and the Art of Living Generously- Magnus MacFarlane- Barrow

In this episode, we conclude our four part series on the identity of sisterhood. This episode is now offered in video on youtube! We discuss the idea of celebrating and championing other women to live out their unique God given call and purpose. Sister Miriam ends this series with a powerful meditation inviting us each to forgive and receive forgiveness in relationships that have wounded our understanding of true sisterhood. We pray this week would bring an opportunity for you to forgive, receive forgiveness and create a place for others at the table of sisterhood. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Ashes to Skies - Shaylee Simeone

Michelle's one thing - A Sisterhood Movie Night List

Heather's one thing - Steady Love Playlist on Spotify

Other Books Mentioned - Priestly Fatherhood - Fr. Jacques Philippe

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's episode?
2. Take some to allow each person to answer the following questions in relation to your small group: What are you needing right now in this season of life and how can we bless you? How can we come alongside you? How can we champion you? What are you needing from anyone here specifically? What Holy Spirit dreams can we help midwife in you?
3. If you could be any age, what age would you be?
4. What stood out to you from Sister Miriam's meditation at the end of today's episode?

Journal Questions:

1. How have other women championed what the Lord has done in your life? How have you championed other women in what the Lord is doing in their lives?
2. Who is one woman in your life who you can ask: "What's on your heart? How can I come alongside you to help bring about the Holy Spirit's work in your life?"
3. What images, relationships, or forgiveness came about through the prayer meditation at the end of today's episode? What is God stirring in your heart as we conclude the series on sisterhood?

Quotes to Ponder: "Helping one another is part of the religion of our sisterhood." - Jo March, 'Little Women'

Scripture for Lectio Divina: At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

And Mary proclaimed: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. - Luke 1:39-56

In this episode, we continue our four part series on the identity of sister. This episode is now offered in video on youtube! We discuss the unique wounds that women often inflict on one another and our own experiences of jealousy, rivalry, and competition. We look at how assumptions can damage relationships and the role of intentional communication and transparency in repairing these wounds. We pray this week God would give you courage to behold women in your heart and be a gift to others through your femininity. Be sure to subscribe to the Abiding Together Podcast on YouTube to watch our video podcasts!

Sister Miriam's one thing - Tiny Hands

Michelle's one thing - Day Planner from Blessed Is She

Heather's one thing - Heather's Steak Pie recipe

Discussion questions:

1. What stood out to you from this week's episode?
2. What makes you feel safe in relationships so that you're able to trust the other?
3. What vows or agreements - such as "I will never trust women" or "I can't trust women like I can men" - have you made because of the ways you were hurt by other women? Have you given Jesus permission to break these bonds?
4. Is there a relationship or situation where you have made assumptions about another woman's behavior or beliefs? How can you bring healing to this relationship through transparency and communication?

Journal Questions:

1. Re-read the story of Hagar and Sarah in Genesis 16. What does God want to speak to your heart through this story.
2. What jealousy, fears, or comparisons cause you to assume the worst of other women? What would it look like to 'fill that gap with trust?"
3. Take a moment to reflect on any memories that are brought to the surface during this episode. Where do you need healing from wounds caused by other women? Where do you need to repent or ask forgiveness for the ways in which you have wounded other women?

Quotes to Ponder:

"None of us is completely free of this fierce tendency to grasp and control. Every woman has something in herself inherited from Eve, and she must search for the way from Eve to Mary. There is a bit of defiance in each woman which does not want to humble itself under any sovereignty. In each, there is something of that desire which reaches for forbidden fruit." - St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross

Scripture for Lectio Divina:

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

And Mary proclaimed: My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm ;He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. - Luke 1:39-56

This episode is sponsored by Monk Manual.

This week's episode is sponsored by the Monk Manual 90-Day Planner. If you are looking for a great gift this holiday season, the Monk Manual has you covered. The Monk Manual is a daily system designed to help individuals intentionally focus on the things that matter most. Each planner comes with monthly, weekly, and daily pages to support and encourage a life that beautifully integrates a busy schedule with personal growth, room for play, and time for relationships, quiet reflection and spiritual growth. Each monthly, weekly, and daily page of the planner utilizes the PAR method (Prepare-Act-Reflect) so that you can begin each period with calm intentionality, prioritize what is most important as you live a full(er) life, and end contemplating life's beauties and challenges. Monk Manual also just released The Sprout Journal for children, ages 8–12. Abiding Together listeners receive 10% off their purchase at checkout with the discount code: ABIDE10. Visit them online at monkmanual.com and https://monkmanual.com/pages/sprout-journal