Dear Daughters

Welcome to the Home Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! God is the original homemaker. That's what a listener said to me in an email a few weeks ago, inspiring this series. God made a safe, beautiful home for Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He wants us to have a safe, beautiful home, too. So how do we create that?

Listen in to the Home Series this summer as, room by room, I'll guide you in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God.

I have sweet Jaclyn Byrd on the podcast with me. She just got married, is moving to a new home in San Antonio, TX, and has ALL the questions about how to create a cozy home … starting with the bedroom. Here are a few of those questions, asked and answered on the podcast (along with a few decorating and laundry pro tips).

1. Why is it important to invest in your bedroom?
2. How do you pick a mattress?
3. What kind of sheets are the best? Do you change out the bedding for different seasons?
4. What is the first thing you think of when building a bedroom?
5. Does "less is more" apply to decorating a bedroom?
6. What are the must-have pieces in a bedroom?
7. TV in the bedroom … yea or nay?
8. Do you have a signature touch?

I'm praying that Jac can create a lovely bedroom for her and her husband in their new home. I hope that you, too, can create a bedroom that is a refuge where you can find rest and respite so that you can fully live your one beautiful life. And most of all, I pray that we would all be grateful for the honor of building the home that God has gifted us and that we would be found faithful where we are.

• Listen to DD Podcast Episode 173: Joy at Home with Whitney Walker.
• Learn more about Elisabeth Elliot on DD Podcast Episode 144.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

Welcome to the 200th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast! Can you believe it? The very first episode of the Dear Daughters podcast was recorded in 2016 in my home, in Sara's room. I wanted to be a spiritual mother to my daughters and the young women around them who were in and out of this home. And now here we are at the 200th episode and I've been wondering what in the world to talk about for weeks.

I realized the theme of home has been weaving its way in and out all this time. Even now, my daughters Emily and Sara are here, cozied up on the sofa, to join me on the podcast and I'm just thinking of all the times they've been cozied up on the sofa together in this home.

Together we reminisce on past seasons and talk about how meaningful home is and what makes a home special. Sara and Emily share their favorite things about home, what they have brought into their homes from childhood to now, and what big dreams they have for their homes. There are a few tears (on my end) and a LOT of laughter. I'm so glad they're here and I'm so glad you're here listening, too.

I pray that you are able to find delight in building your home. My prayer for my daughters and for me and for you is that our homes are full of comfort and beauty … that in it we and anyone who walks through the doors feel safe and seen and heard.

• Listen to "Send Me the Moon" by Sara Bareilles here on Spotify.
• Listen to Episode 187 with Emily here.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

It's March! I am sooo glad it's here because last month was a hard month for our entire family.

A little backstory: Shortly after Austin's February freeze, my dad came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized for two weeks. I am so grateful to report that he's home from the hospital and getting better every day. He still has the sparkle in his eye. He still tells me he loves me every time he sees me. He still is making everyone laugh. And he still believes with all his heart and soul that "this is the day the Lord has made … I will rejoice and be glad in it." His faith is inspiring.

So this week, listen to Episode 199 … a re-issued, from-the-archives, dad and daughter conversation that's filled with all the wisdom and all the tears and all the joy. But the best part might be when Papa signs off with Mimi … so listen to the end. :)

If you haven't already, meet my dad, Bob Gerrie. He is an inspiration to all who come in contact with him. People often joke about 'getting Bob-ed' by his enthusiastic, warm welcome. At the time we recorded this in 2019, it was Father's Day, and I asked my dad to come on the podcast this particular week, for a Dad/Daughter conversation. We talk about family legacy, about what real wealth means to him! I'm so deeply grateful to have a father like Bob Gerrie.

• Here's the video: Don't Let the Old Man In
• Download Real Wealth by Jay W Gerrie
• Listen to the episode with my mother here.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

We don't have to fear every trial and testing that comes our way … these things can be the making of a beautiful, steadfast spirit.

Who inspires you to keep going when things get hard? Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. This week I invited my new friend Katy Rose (that's her real name!) to be my guest and talk about her latest inspiration

Katy is a talented artist, illustrator, and author. She lives in Texas with her husband of 18 years (her high school sweetheart) and their four children, who spark her creativity and greatly influence her art.

Queen Elizabeth II experienced many difficult and unexpected things in her life … but she kept going. Her "steadfast spirit" inspired Katy to live her own steadfast life and write her new children's book, Lilibet the Brave: The Unusual Childhood of an Unlikely Queen. Listen is as Katy and I dig a little deeper into what we can learn from the Queen's childhood and what we can gain from Katy's book (children and adults alike).

I pray that we can find our light and bravery so we can do the things God calls us to do, right where we are … and cultivate a beautiful, steadfast spirit.

• Get a copy of Lilibet the Brave: The Unusual Childhood of an Unlikely Queen, written and illustrated by Katy Rose.
• Learn more about Katy Rose, her book, and her artwork on her website.
• Follow Katy on Instagram.
• Get your own copy of A Diary of Private Prayer by John Baillie.
• Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

One good friend changes everything.

I have a treat for you, friend. It's a final episode from The Story Series and feel that it's the perfect time to share it with you. If you missed The Story Series (episodes 185 through 193) I hope that you will go back and listen here. It's 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, those stories always leads to an awe of God and his goodness. My guest for this episode is Bailey Hurley, and her story is no different.

Bailey Hurley is a treasure. She lives in Denver with her husband, Tim, and their two children, Hunter and Liv. She has a M.A. in Leadership from Denver Seminary which she uses to build meaningful community and ministry along with all the things God has taught her through her own friendships. Bailey also offers friendship events, coaching calls, and more to help women all over navigate their friendships. And she used all of that experience to write her first book, Together is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends.

Bailey and I talk about how to make friends, how to deepen those friendships, how culture has affected our view of what friendship is and how to adjust expectations. We also talk about how to evaluate a friendship and recognize when it's time to part ways, how to have hard conversations, and the importance of reconciliation. I think that you will be encouraged and learn so much from Bailey … so listen in!

I pray that you find meaningful community where you are. I hope that you you have the courage to be vulnerable and to have the hard conversations and to give grace and to do the work to build a healthy, beautiful friendship.

• Get a copy of Bailey's book, Together is a Beautiful Place: Finding, Keeping, and Loving Our Friends.
• Visit Bailey's website and read Bailey's blog to get more encouragement and community-building resources.
• Listen to my husband's (Pastor Will Davis) message about "Garden Friends" at our church, ACF.
• Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF to help you navigate your role as a friend.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

You are on a sacred journey with God.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2023! Thank you for starting your year with me. I wanted to spend the first few episodes celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you set resolutions and make plans and wonder what in the world are you supposed to be doing with your life.

To be able to ask the question, "What am I supposed to do with my life?" … to have the opportunity to wonder … is a gift from God. I understand feeling anxious not knowing what's next but you don't need to feel anxious. It's a time to have faith and be content, knowing you're right where God wants you. I want to talk to you about how you can lean into this time of ambiguity. Let's talk about three things:

1. Why you are here.
2. Who you will be.
3. What you will do.

We all have roles and goals even as we wonder what we're supposed to do in life. I want to help you discover those roles and goals. So listen in … I hope this helps give you a little direction and encouragement on your sacred journey with God.

We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts. — A.W. Tozer.

• Download the 2023 Role Goals worksheet PDF.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

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.

• Listen to DD Podcast Episode 142: The Art of Divine Contentment | Thomas Watson.
• Get a copy of The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson.
• Get a copy of The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

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 sermon entitled, "The Spirit of Christmas" which is beautiful, timely and I'm sharing it here with you today.

It inspired Peter Marshall who wrote Let's Keep Christmas. This charming book is one that I am constantly on hunt for at estate sales. And I just happen to have a few copies in my shop. Take a look here.

• To check out the Christmas books I referenced, take a peek at 'Christmas Reading' in my Amazon Shop.
• To buy a copy of Let's Keep Christmas, visit my shop on my site here.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up in 2023.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

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 do anything with just a little. Listen in as Rachael talks about significance and contentment, valuing that work you are already doing, and seeing what God has for you in everyday encounters. She shares practical ways to make the little things you do go a long way.

I hope that you see significance in all the little and big things in life. I pray that you feel significant no matter what you're doing or where you are in your story … because you are significant for just being you. I pray you know how much God loves you.

• Get a copy of Rachael's book, A Little Goes a Long Way: 52 Days to a Significant Life
• Visit Rachael's website.
• Listen in to The Love Offering Podcast.
• Follow Rachael on Instagram and Facebook.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

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 through the power of stories.

Listen in as Asheritah talks about a few of the things that are so important in her life: stories, quiet time with Jesus, and the Word of God.

She shares parts of her own story … how God called her to Himself … the moments she can look back on and say, "oh that's when He was present with me." How God used her desires, even as a 17-year old girl, to impact so many women now.

She talks about the importance of reading Scripture and spending time alone with God … and shares resources for how to practically do that in our busy lives.

She believes in the power of story. Especially telling children stories—the stories of Jesus in the Bible and our own stories of Jesus—so they can know "He will be faithful and present and good toward them all the days of their lives as well." Her new children's book, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids, encourages us to share both kinds of stories with the children in our lives (and I'm so excited to talk about that, too!).

I hope that you are encouraged to share your stories of Jesus with the people in your life. And I hope that you'll seek out Jesus and the understanding of who He is. Because my prayer for you and for me is that we will get to know more and more of who Jesus is every day of our one beautiful life.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

• Visit Asheritah's website.
• Learn more about One Thing Alone Ministries.
• Follow Asheritah on Instagram.
• Get a copy of Asheritah's new children's book, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus for Kids.
• Get a copy of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)