Changing

Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There are a lot of different traditions across the globe. Traditions and customs may vary but they all center on Jesus Christ. In this episode we're going to highlight some of those traditions.

Around the globe traditions

• History of the advent calendar. It started in Germany.
• Columbians honor Mary in early December by sharing light. Light in their house, lanterns, etc.
• Jamaicans love to light fireworks to celebrate.
• In Ethiopia they celebrate in January by dressing up as Wise Men.
• Rome launched the Midnight Mass with a dawn gathering in Israel.
• At sunset on December 7th, Guatemalans cleanse by burning the bad.
• United States, caroling on Christmas Eve is popular.
• Many countries throughout the world read the Christmas Story in Luke.

“I’m thankful for the life and mission of Jesus Christ.” – Donald Kelly

Check out: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/christmas-traditions-from-around-the-world

Share your traditions and connect with Donald at [email protected];

Donald’s guest today is Kurt Francom, host of the podcast Leading Saints. A show where he speaks with other leaders about leadership concepts in the context of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

In today’s episode, Kurt talks about how his son’s disease changed his perspective on how he gives it all to the Lord, wholeheartedly, and trusted the Lord with his son’s healing. 

How to change our perspective of “I can fix it” to handing it over to the Lord:

• Giving it all to the Lord, every single day of the week and not just on some days
• Trust in the Lord’s plan for your specifically because his plan is far better than we could ever imagine
• Naturally, once you give it all to God you will be like him, love like him, and accept others like him 

After his son’s continual trial Kurt has learned that it’s okay to hand it all over to Jesus Christ. That's what he wants us to do, and that is why he is inserting himself into our lives. He wants to take the heaviness of it all and be there with you through every step. 

“​​You don't understand how sweet something could be without tasting how bitter things can be.” - Kurt 

Episode resources:

• Visit Kurt’s website www.leadingsaints.org.
• Listen to his podcast Leading Saints.

 If this podcast speaks to you or helps you on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected].

In today’s episode of Changing, Donald speaks to Ashely Winston, an author, and a business advisor. She shares how she was able to change her insecurities into blessings. Sharing her story on how she was overweight and how challenging it was to her mentally. That challenge turned into an unexpected blessing that has forever changed her relationship with God.

God listens to you if we go to him in prayer:

• He helps you deliver yourself from fear 
• He will help you overcome your negative thinking and insecurities

God blesses you when you trust in him:

• You have to do your part and he will open the path for you
• He will empower you in all your challenges

How to grow your relationship with God: 

• Be real and true to yourself
• Journal your true thoughts and feelings on things you need help with
• Be open to listening to God’s voice and spirit for answers

God is always mindful of us no matter the situation. We may be going through a tough time but trusting in God, will help light your path. Having confidence

“​​Don't waste any more time. God has an amazing plan for your life. Even if your life is great, there's more to it than you know. And the only way you can discover it is by surrendering and submitting and developing your relationship with God.” - Ashley 

Episode resources:

• Connect with Ashley via Instagram @theAshleyWinston 
• Visit her website at www.theAshleyWinston.com.

If this podcast speaks to you or helps you on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected].

Giving thanks all year round and not just Thanksgiving will lift you and bring your closer to Jesus Christ.

We can give thanks by

• Give thanks in your prayers more often.
• Recognize all that you have and enjoy.
• Give thanks for something that hasn’t happened yet.
• Think about what you are grateful for throughout the day.

Gratitude Journal

• Day-to-day thankful thoughts.
• Doesn’t have to be long.
• God is good!

Do more service

• Look for individuals or families that you can serve.
• When you lift another person you feel lifted.
• Give back to others around you.

Express gratitude to others

• Reach out to the individuals closest to you and share your gratitude to them and for them.
• Tell your family that you love them.
• Write a note and read it to express your gratitude for that person.

“Give more prayers of gratitude. ” – Elder David R. Bednar 

Check out: www.JustServe.org

Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Commandments can help us draw nearer to Christ. Commandments can feel like they are holding us back. Many of us get discouraged as we try to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Living the commandments can feel lonely.

Flying a kite at the beach

• The wind was strong and lifted the kite.
• Resistance and force are what allow a kite to fly.
• Commandments are like kites.
• God gives us commandments to help us.

Hanging on to the string

• Commandments will keep us from crashing to the ground.
• It is through keeping the commandments that give us strength.
• Commandments are the connection to Heavenly Father.

When you follow Jesus Christ 

• You will experience peace in your life.
• The path will be clear.
• Repentance is a gift to be cherished.
• The consequences bring joy and love.
• You can fulfill your potential.

“Our character is going to be judged when no one is watching. ” – President Henry B. Eyring

Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Have you ever wondered why the apostles have names that sound like they are from European countries? On today’s episode of Changing, our host, Donald Kelly, teaches you why the apostles' names are the way they are. 

Here is why

• The twelve apostles were Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew (Nathanael), Thomas, Matthew (Levi), James, Thaddaeus (Judas), Simon, and Judas Iscariot. (Matthew 10:2-4)
• These names are not their middle eastern names, their names have been changed through many translations. 
• The Roman Empire spread across the Middle East and swallowed the regions where Jesus preached. The New Testament was then written down in the form of Greek, perhaps a blend of Greek and Aramaic.

Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

On today’s episode of Changing, Donald talks with certified health and life coach, Ericka Eller. They discuss her upbringing and how her relationship with God has changed as she has gotten older, had children, gone through a divorce, and remarried. Ericka recounts the difficult moments in her life that made her faith falter and how she overcame them. Ericka also discusses her new calling in life and the advice she has for those who are trying to change. 

If you want to hear more from Ericka connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and check out her website.

Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

What do you do when someone makes false accusations against you? In today’s episode of Changing, Donald shares exactly what you can do and maybe some things you're not supposed to do. 

When there is misunderstanding, there is room for better communication.

• The Savior does not get angry when individuals do not understand Him. People have agency to choose what they do and do not believe.  
• In instances where someone misunderstands you, they don’t mean bad by it, they just had a misunderstanding. 
• Seek first to understand. Try to understand where the other person is coming from. 
• Try to see others as Christ sees them. 

Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter

We’ve all had situations where we feel like we weren’t the best version of ourselves. The beautiful thing is that the Savior can always help us to become better. On today’s episode of Changing, Donald talks with podcaster and BYU-Idaho student, Noah Forero. Noah shares a personal experience about how he has been able to see the Savior through interacting with others. 

Noah’s experience

• Noah and his close friend moved to California together and started selling insulation door to door. 
• Because of the pandemic they moved back to Idaho and he realized that they started to grow apart from each other. 
• Noah felt guilty because he wasn’t being the friend he knew he knew he needed to be. He felt fake, and thought that his friend must have felt the same way about him. 

How did Noah reconcile? 

• Noah heard a quote from a church leader that says “The more people you connect with, the more you see the Savior”. He realized that his own negative thoughts had not allowed him to see his friend for who he truly was.
• Noah noticed he was putting up walls between himself and his friend. Noah eventually was able to put aside his negative thoughts and reconnected with his friend. 
• No matter what we have done in the past, with the Savior, we can always change and move forward. 

What is Noah's advice to others in similar situations?

• He wants to acknowledge that it is really hard. 
• Progress happens with action, faith, and trust. If you are able to trust in the Savior moving forward, He will give you the support you need. 

To connect and contact Noah, find him on LinkedIn, Instagram, and listen to his podcast here. Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.

Similar to the recent hurricane in Donalds home of south Florida, we are often faced with storms in our spiritual lives that turn our world upside down. On today’s episode of Changing, Donald shares a scripture that can bring you reassurance during the storms of your life. 

Luke 8:22-25

• In this scripture, the apostles were in a helpless situation having their boat tossed around the sea. Imagine their terror as they faced the massive storm. 
• They woke the Savior and He arose and rebuked the storm. 
• We are bound to face many storms that make our lives seem unstable and scary.
• The Savior can rebuke our personal storms. 
• The apostles in the scripture had the Savior in their boat, similarly, we always have the Savior on our side. 
• Christ often lets us experience the storm so that we may learn from it.
• When you find yourself in a storm, get to your knees and pray to the Lord for guidance, faith, and aid. 

To read the full passage from Luke, visit here. Above all, first, lead with love. If this podcast speaks to you or helps on your journey to change, let us know by leaving a rating or review. Share your testimony or contact Donald at [email protected], or contact him on Twitter or Instagram.