Dear Daughters

Embrace your pain to discover hope and healing. – Toni Collier

Toni had to grow up too fast. She went through a verbally abusive relationship with her father and then her first husband. She was saved and then hit rock bottom … and then she went searching for God again. She reconciled with her family. She married the love of her life, Sam, and became a mother of two. Toni is also an author and a speaker, a podcast host and a ministry founder … and she's a hope coach.

Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. 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.

This week I was OVERJOYED to invite Toni Collier all the way from Atlanta, Georgia, to my home in Austin, Texas for some Coffee & Conversation. We had a lovely live audience. There were a lot of tears, but a lot of laughter, too.

Join us as we listen to Toni tell us her story and talk about her road to hope and healing and redemption. Her story and her ability and willingness to open up to us is sacred. We talk about our shared brokenness … that there is no shame in brokenness … and how in it we can experience the unconditional love of God. She reminds us that healing isn't linear and that it gets painful before it gets better. She talks about practical steps we can take toward healing. Most of all, Toni wants us to know is that we have the freedom to be broken and that there is always hope.

Oh, gracious. I just love Toni, don't you? Join me in praying protection and wholeness over her as she continues her ministry and her own healing journey. I pray that over you, too. I hope that you can, as Toni would say, "be brave enough to be broken." I hope that you seek God wholeheartedly, whether you feel whole or broken, and that you feel His unconditional love, grace, and healing. And I pray that you have hope.

• Order Toni's book, Brave Enough to Be Broken.
• Visit Toni's website.
• Listen in to the Still Coloring Podcast.
• Follow Toni on Instagram and Facebook.
• Learn more about Toni and Sam's Atlanta-based church, Story Church.
• 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. :)

It's never too late to pursue what you love and start a new season of your story.

Welcome to the Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. I love to ask deep questions and listen to people's stories because when you get to know someone's story, you can experience the awe of God. Listen in and experience it with me.

This week my friend and artist Mary Gregory is joining me on the podcast this week. Mary has always been creative and she is one of the most generous humans I know. Mary learned that it's never too late to pursue what you love and start a new part of your story. In 2011, when her two daughters were out of the nest, Mary pursued her art career full time with her husband, David, who manages the business and production aspects of Mary Gregory Studio.

"When you are an artist and you see something you just have to get it out somehow."

Mary has always been drawn to art and nature. She loves to go on long walks and observe God's creation … and listens to what God wants her to paint. Mary hopes to always honor God in her art no matter what she is painting. She wants to send beauty and joy into the world. Listen in as she talks about things like her painting process, Round Top, and how she balances art as a business and art as a passion.

Are you as inspired by Mary as I am? I hope that you look for God in the world around you. I hope you find ways to be creative in your own way. And I hope that you never give up on those big God dreams.

• Check out Mary Gregory Studio online.
• Find Mary's art for sale year-round at the Cottonseed Trading Co in Round Top Village!
• Get details about Round Top!
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

There's something in all of us that craves the sanctuary of the Garden of Eden.

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We are deep in the heart of The Story Series and I'm so glad you're here. Join me as I ask questions and listen to other women's stories right here on the podcast. It's one of my favorite things. Because when you get to know someone's story, you can experience the awe of God.

I've invited Jamie Erickson to the podcast this week. Jamie and I have a mutual love of vintage books, thrifting home goods, and creating a cozy space for people. She has been married to her college sweetheart for 20 years and they have five kids. Jamie was a teacher in the classroom for many years and now is the founder and lead writer of The Unlikely Homeschool and co-host of the Mom-To-Mom Podcast. She is the author of Homeschool Bravely and released a new book in September called Holy Hygge. I'm so excited to have her on the show!

Jamie was inspired by her husband's Danish roots and the Danish lifestyle practice of hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh). To sum it up, hygge embodies comfort and coziness and contentment. Julie embraces hygge through the lens of the Gospel to make home a place where people feel God. Listen in as Jamie and I dive into the principles of hygge and the importance of each:

1. Hospitality
2. Relationships
3. Well-Being
4. Atmosphere
5. Comfort
6. Contentment
7. Rest

I hope that you can create the hygge you desire in your own home … that your home is a place filled with the comfort, coziness, and contentment that can only come from Jesus. And I pray that you share that comfort and coziness and contentment with other people.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

• Get a copy of Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence.
• Get a copy of Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow.
• Check out Jamie's book recommendation: The Residence.
• Follow Jamie and the Unlikely Homeschool on Instagram and Facebook.
• Listen to the Mom-To-Mom Podcast and follow on Instagram.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• 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 Dear Daughters Podcast! We are in the middle of The Story Series here and if you've been around the podcast for awhile, you know how much I love to ask questions and listen to other people's stories. Because you know what? Your story is one of the most unique and beautiful things about you.

This week I've invited Jolie Helms onto the podcast! Jolie is a wife and mother, married for 23 years with two children, ages 20 and 22. They live in College Station, TX. Jolie is also a creative and an entrepreneur … and a storyteller.

I met Jolie at Round Top a few years ago and fell in LOVE with her beautiful, whimsical, blanket coats and the stories behind them. Before moving back to College Station, her family lived in Malaysia for three and a half years. That's where she grew in her marriage and in her relationship with her kids. It's also where she learned about kantha quilts, her inspiration for her business, Sapana. Sapana means "dream" in Hindi … and that's what Jolie did.

Listen in as I talk with Jolie about her story … her love of travel and experience in Malaysia, her dream of starting Sapana and how it became a reality, her heart for other women and how she's impacting their stories, and how she's sharing the rich stories of every handmade item sold in her shop.

Are you encouraged and inspired by Jolie? I hope that you are. I pray that you are able to realize your dreams and find ways to make them a reality, whether in big ways or small. I hope that you pray big and ask for God's favor … and that you can see it all over your story.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

• Visit Sapana's online storefront.
• Follow Sapana on Instagram and Facebook.
• Get more info about The Round Top Antiques Show!
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

Your story will lead you to your purpose.

That's why I love stories. I love to ask deep questions and hear other people's stories. Because that's when you encounter the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast!

This week my daughter Emily Boone is on the Podcast! She takes beautiful photos for a living … helping capture people's stories in little moments. She has a beautiful perspective on story and so much wisdom to share. I'm so glad you're here to listen.

Emily loves the story of Moses. She loves that, "the beginning of his life didn't necessarily foreshadow the glory that was coming later in his life." She says that the scripture itself is evidence that the things that you live through can inform who you're made to be, what you're meant to do, and how God is meant to use you.

Your story will lead you to your purpose. There's no universal step-by-step way to find it because everyone's story is so unique. But Emily has a few tools that can help in that journey.

1. Study your story. Look at the highlights and pain points in your life and find themes.
2. Take inventory of you. What are your passions, desires, gifts?
3. Look at what you have, what's in your hands. What opportunities or tools do you already have?
4. Pray. God wants to do this with you.

It's OK if you don't fully know your purpose … but I hope you know that there is always purpose right where you are.

I hope that you are able to trace the dots from Moses' story to your story … that maybe you can see pieces of what God did in his life in your own life. I pray you know that where you are right now is important … but I hope that share your story and look for what God has for you.

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

• Visit Emily's website.
• Get the details and register for Soul Care Supper at The Franklin!
• Get a copy of my book, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

I love knowing people's stories. I love to ask questions and I love that when you dig deeper it leads to the awe of God. Welcome back to The Story Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast!

This week I'm inviting a new friend on the podcast, Crystal Woodman Miller. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids. We have something in common that connects us … but it is something that we would have never chosen for ourselves. Crystal was 16 when she hid in the library during the shooting at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. Her life was marked by tragedy … but she realized that she was also marked by hope.

Crystal found her purpose in writing and speaking and advocating for trauma survivors and she's sharing her purpose with us today. We get to hear pieces of her story and the wisdom she has because of the tragedy and healing she has experienced, including:

• Pray scripture over your people.
• Keep your mind focused on God.
• Remind yourself of God's truth.
• Find practical tools to help you feel safe and heal.

Pray with me for hope and healing for those whose stories are marked by tragedy. I hope that you know your story is important and that you share your story with others. And I pray that you see God as you connect all the dots.

• Visit Crystal's website.
• Get copies of Crystal's books: Marked for Life and A Kid's Book About School Shootings.
• Learn more about Triumph Over Tragedy.
• Check out Red Rocks Church.
• Get a copy of my book, Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World.
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• 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 Dear Daughters Podcast! It's time for a new season and I am so excited about this one. It's all about stories. 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 just delighted to introduce you to this week's guest. She is Missions Pastor at Austin Christian Fellowship, wife to John, mom to Parker and Ben (and new daughter-in-law, Dani) … and dear friend to me! Her name is Michelle Brigance and she has an amazing story.

Listen in as Michelle shares her story from her first impression of God and experiences with the church to teaching at church and sharing Jesus with countless people … and then shares what she discovered to be the most important things to remember when you talk to others about God, like watching your words, not pretending to have all the answers, and expressing your faith in a tangible, down-to-earth, everyday kind of way.

I hope that Michelle's story is encouraging to you. I pray that you are loving those who don't believe that same things as you, asking questions, listening to what's on their heart, and being with them as their story unfolds. I pray that you see the awe of God in other people's stories … and in your own.

• Listen to Michelle's message at ACF, "How to Talk to People About Jesus"
• Learn more about ACF's Ministry Partners here.
• 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.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

We're wrapping up The JOY Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast this week! I hope these conversations have helped bring a little more joy to your everyday life. In this last episode, I'll be talking about JOY and taking good care of your body with Natalie Betzer, a functional nutritionist and wellness consultant … who also happens to be my niece. :)

Natalie lives in Austin with her husband, Drew, and daughter, Davie. She earned a Master's degree in Clinical Nutrition and is a Certified Nutrition Specialist. Natalie is a functional nutrition and wellness consult … and the founder of Natalie Betzer Wellness. I went through one of Natalie's coaching sessions and learned so much. With her help I was able to better understand what my body needs, change some not-so-healthy habits, and make healthier choices.

Natalie wants to help you to redefine your approach to health. She teaches you how to build your health on a foundation of self-awareness, kindness and gratitude. Instead of focusing on rules and restriction, she teaches you to eat intuitively in the moment, dropping good and bad beliefs about food. The ripple effect of these shifts can make a profound difference in all areas of your life. Your health stops being a chore, and instead becomes a sustainable lifestyle that is satisfying, energizing and actually fun! THIS is a joyful approach to health!

Our bodies are the home of our soul. They enable us to love our people and do the things we need to do in a way that glorifies God in this one beautiful life he has given us. That's why it's so important that we take care of our bodies. Listen in as Natalie walks us through some of the key things and offers some tips for a healthier lifestyle, from what a balanced meal is made of to sustainable meal prep.

I pray that you take care of yourself and find JOY in the body that God created for you. I hope that

SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

• Visit Natalie's website.
• Follow Natalie on Instagram.
• Get your own bento box here and Decor Tellfresh storage containers here.
• Check out the Nutribullet I use for all my smoothies here. :)
• 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. :)

We're still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. I am so excited this week because I love my garden and creeks and mountains and a big blue sky and we are talking about joy in nature!

Verónica Godoy spent most of her life out in nature, climbing trees and playing on the beach in Argentina where she grew up. God opened her eyes to the biology of His creation when she was just 8 years old and she knew then that it was what she wanted to study (and sure enough, she earned both a B.S. and PhD in biological sciences). She has been a scientist and a teacher, and now works at A Rocha, a national community of Christians working in biodiversity conservation to take care of our environment.

God gave us the important assignment to tend to and care for His glorious creation. We must be good stewards of nature, caretakers of the world around us. To be good stewards, first we need to care. To care, first we need to know. Listen in as Verónica and I talk about our JOY-filled responsibility of caring for our non-human neighbors … and how we develop the eyes to see their needs and a heart for that mission. Veronica invites us so warmly and graciously to take care of God's creation and in turn receive so much joy from nature … I can't wait for you to hear all she has to say.

There is so much we can learn about God in nature. I hope that you take the time to enjoy God's creation and I pray that you become a good steward of the trees and flowers and birds and all the wonderful things God has made.

• Learn more about A Rocha USA.
• Join the Love Your Place online community to take courses, join events, and connect with others who want to take care of the environment.
• Learn more about Picnics En El Arroyo.
• 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.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

We're still talking all things JOY on the Dear Daughters Podcast because I want to help you bring a little more joy to your everyday life. This week we're looking at joy a little differently because a lot is going on in the world … we're going to talk about the search for joy in the midst of hard things.

Meredith McDaniel is an author and counselor at her practice, Milk & Honey Counseling. Meredith is a beautiful soul and she is joining me this week to talk about the desperate plea for all of us … "God, how can I find you?"

Joy almost sounds frivolous when there is so much despondency around us. When our world is threatened, we feel our fear and worry and anxiety rise. We're often trapped inside a false reality of hope, wishing for what was … rather than facing the discomfort and acknowledging that we're out of control. It's then that we're really in a position to release ourselves to joy. Because there is a hope that abides in the middle of where you are, no matter where that is, or what is happening. When we rest in knowing it doesn't all hinge on us … that's where freedom and joy start to enter the picture.

• Check out Meredith's website.
• Learn more about Milk & Honey Counseling.
• Sign up for Meredith's newsletter and get a free Narrative Journal.
• Get a copy of Meredith's book, In Want + Plenty.
• Get a copy of Unafraid: Trusting God in an Unsafe World.
• Read Susan Cain's books, Bittersweet and Quiet.
• Read the Texas Monthly article here.
• Listen to DD Podcast Episode 118: Finding God in the Hard Times with my friend and 8th grade classmate, John Ray.
• 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.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan's music. :)

I hope that you open your eyes to the love notes that God is leaving just for you and know that you are not alone. I pray so many things for you … that you rest in knowing it does not all hinge on you, that you see the hope in the middle of it all, and that you can hold the joy next to the hard things.