Jessica shares the story of how she came to write her first book The Fringe Hours, although never dreaming of writing one.  She then shares the importance of self-care so we're able to live out the call to love your neighbor as yourself.

Mary Carver shares her story of writing her first book Choose Joy, looking back at the stops along the way and seeing how they weren't detours, but times of preparation. We then discuss her book Choose Joy and Sara Frankl's story of choosing joy admist severe pain.

In a conversation after the show, Joy and I laugh over our brain's not remembering words, my tie to Joy's home country South Africa, and Joy shares more about her story and the roots of why her journey went the direction it did.

In this episode, I share what God has been doing in my life this year. He gave me the word "focus" for the year, called me to step away from writing and asked me to speak. We see how God first taught me to abide with him and then how to share his goodness wherever he led me.

Elizabeth Maxon shares the story of God calling her to the quiet to hear his direction. In the quiet, He asked her to leave her job, although it was in the church and she had no next steps or reasons to leave. She shares how God immediately began to increase her influence and move her family.

Wendy Blight shares the story of the fear she battled for years after a rape by a masked, knife-wielding man and how with Scripture, God freed her from her fears.

In Part II of her story, Elise Hurd shares the ways in which God began bringing about positive change in her heart as she obeyed His word and leading. She talks about rage episodes, panic attacks, wanting to quit, and forgiving her daughter's abuser.

TRIGGER WARNING: sexual abuse. In Part I of her story, Elise Hurd shares the story of finding out her young daughter had been sexually abused. She shares her response and the ways in which God began bringing about positive change in her heart as she obeyed His word and leading.

Shannan Martin, author of the blog Flower Path Farmgirl, shares her story of moving her family from a comfortable life on a farm into the city on the wrong side of the tracks. She shares the struggles and joys of learning to obey the command to love your neighbor as yourself.