Gleaning Along the Way

For years, I believed the Christian life meant being suspicious of my desires. After all, the Bible is filled with stories of desire gone wrong—Eve in the garden, David on the rooftop, and countless reminders to deny ourselves and follow Christ.

But what if we've misunderstood desire?

In this episode, I explore a question I've been wrestling with during my cancer journey: Am I allowed to want? From our move from New Jersey to South Carolina to the dreams, longings, and hopes I've often dismissed as selfish, I'm wondering if many of us have confused holiness with disappearing.

What if the problem isn't desire itself, but desire disconnected from God? What if some of the things we've spent years trying to silence are actually invitations to come alive?

Join me as we talk about faith, motherhood, self-denial, hope, and the possibility that delighting ourselves in the Lord doesn't teach us to desire less—it teaches us how to desire rightly.

Have you ever been afraid to hope?

Not because you don't believe God can do something good, but because you're afraid of being disappointed if He doesn't?

In this deeply personal episode, I share what surfaced during my second PET scan since being diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma—a fear I didn't realize was still living beneath the surface. A fear that if I hoped too much, trusted too much, or spoke too confidently about healing, God might somehow take it away.

Together, we'll explore how old beliefs about God can quietly shape the way we face uncertainty, why learning to trust God's character matters more than controlling outcomes, and how this cancer journey is teaching me to pay attention to the gentle nudges I've spent years ignoring.

From waiting on scan results to London Fog tea lattes, green tea experiments, and the surprising lessons hidden in everyday decisions, this conversation is really about one thing:

Learning to trust what we already know.

If you've ever found yourself waiting for answers, wrestling with fear, or wondering how to hear God's voice in the middle of uncertainty, this episode is for you.

A few months ago, I recorded an episode about Jonah and the whale. At the time, I reflected on how the whale wasn't sent to destroy Jonah, it was sent to save him. It was a season of slowing down, listening, and surrendering to God's invitation.

I had no idea what was coming next.

Just one week after reopening my business, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 nodular melanoma. In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of discovering a small bump on my scalp, the phone call that changed everything, the terrifying wait for answers, and the surprising lessons God has been teaching me in the middle of uncertainty.

This isn't a story about having all the answers. It's a story about finding God in the waiting, learning to care for the body He's given me, and wrestling with a whisper I keep hearing: Use your voice.

If you've ever felt stuck in a season you didn't choose, if God seems to be repeating the same invitation in your life, or if you're waiting for certainty before taking your next step of obedience, this conversation is for you.

Scripture: Jonah 1–3, Jonah 3:1

Have you ever faced a big decision and wondered, “Is this really God’s will… or just me trying my best?” In this episode, I’m sharing a vulnerable look at the seasons in my life when God’s leading felt crystal clear—and the seasons when it didn’t.

From the miracle God provided after our 2008 short sale, to the move that brought unexpected blessings and unexpected strain, to eventually finding peace in a tiny home closer to my husband’s work… each chapter taught me something new about how God guides us.

We all want to follow the Lord wholeheartedly, but sometimes His direction feels loud and unmistakable—and other times it feels quiet, foggy, or confusing. So what do we do when we’re not sure? How can we trust God in the uncertainty? And is it even possible to “miss” His will?

In this gentle, faith-filled conversation, we’ll explore:

• The pressure we put on ourselves to make the “perfect” decision

• Why God is faithful even in our imperfect choices

If you’re standing at a crossroads, second-guessing a decision, or longing for God to speak more clearly—this episode is for you. Our journeys with the Lord are intimate, personal, and full of grace. You don’t have to get it right for God to guide you lovingly.

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind one of the most meaningful practices in our home: our jar of “stones of remembrance.” Inspired by Joshua 3–4, this tradition has become a way for our family to clearly see God’s faithfulness—one stone at a time. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our move from New Jersey to South Carolina, the unexpected short sale we walked through back in 2008, and the quiet miracles God stacked along the way to guide our steps.

If you’re in a season of transition, waiting, uncertainty, or wondering where God is in the middle of your story, this episode will help you slow down and notice the stones in your own life—the small, ordinary reminders that He is still providing, still leading, and still writing a good story.

We’ll talk about:
– The biblical story of the Jordan River crossing (Joshua 3–4)
– What it means to collect “stones of remembrance”
– How our family uses a stone jar to track God’s provision
– The miracle inside our 2008 short sale
– How we went from New Jersey to South Carolina one quiet step at a time
– Gentle prompts to help you recognize God’s faithfulness in your own life

If you need encouragement today, this one is for you.

In this episode, I share what it’s been like preparing to host a Friendsgiving before I even have a dining room table. It’s a story about saying yes before I felt ready, and about how God has been teaching me that hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about love, connection, and grace. I talk about my grandmother’s beautiful gift of hosting, how her table shaped my heart, and what it looks like to open our homes and hearts again. If you’ve ever felt “not ready” but sensed God calling you to step out anyway, this episode will speak to you. 🕯️
#ChristianPodcast #FaithForWomen #Hospitality #ChristianMotherhood #BiblicalEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInEverydayLife

In this first episode, I share the story of my own “whale season”—a time when God interrupted my plans, slowed me down, and used exhaustion, surrender, and unexpected change to reshape my obedience. If you’re walking through a season that feels confusing, heavy, or against your plans, this is for you. Sometimes the whale isn’t punishment. It’s preparation.

Check out: www.gleaningalongtheway.com for more - not quite finished but I'd love for you to take a look - xoxo

faith podcast, christian motherhood podcast, obedience, God’s timing, waiting seasons, Jonah story, spiritual surrender, trusting God, Christian encouragement, foster care journey, faith in hard seasons, podcast for Christian women

In this episode of Gleaning Along the Way, I dive into the concept of less but better—a principle that has shaped my life as a mom of five. Inspired by quotes from Bruce Lee and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, as well as Greg McKeown’s Essentialism, I share how shifting my focus to what truly matters has transformed my faith, family, and work.

I reflect on how our culture pushes us toward more—more commitments, more achievements, more distractions—and how we can break free by intentionally choosing less but better. I discuss my personal journey of eliminating non-essentials, from saying no to good opportunities to prioritizing financial freedom and work that aligns with my season of motherhood. I also unpack the power of focus, the importance of tuning out cultural noise, and the biblical example of Jesus prioritizing rest and connection with the Father.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many obligations or struggled with people-pleasing, this episode will help you identify your top priorities and make intentional choices. Tune in for practical insights on how to simplify your life, align with your God-given purpose, and embrace the peace that comes from focusing on what truly matters.

Gleaning Along the Way is a podcast for moms who love personal development but feel like most advice out there doesn’t fit the reality of motherhood. In this episode, I dive into a common challenge: so much of the personal growth space is dominated by men, and while their advice is valuable, it often assumes a level of control over time and energy that moms just don’t have.

I share my own journey of trying to implement popular productivity strategies—like waking up at 5 AM—only to realize they weren’t sustainable in my season of life. Through trial and error, I’ve learned how to tweak personal development principles to actually work for moms, factoring in the mental load, sleepless nights, and shifting seasons of motherhood.

We’ll talk about the difference betweenyearly rhythms andlife-stage seasons, how to set realistic growth goals, and why self-compassion is key. If you’ve ever felt like you’re failing at personal development because your life doesn’t look like the advice in books, this episode is for you.

Let’s redefine personal growth for moms—one season at a time.

Pay attention to the season you’re in. What rhythms naturally fit your life right now? What expectations do you need to release?

Be kind to yourself. Personal growth doesn’t mean pushing harder; sometimes, it means surrendering to where God has you and trusting that He is growing you in ways you can’t yet see.

God is developing a fighter spirit within me. I look back at my life over the last fifteen years and share how I'm uncovering this spirit. God is developing something within you too. I think when we look back at our past with compassion, there is so much wisdom to glean. The key is looking with curiosity and compassion, not harsh judgement. We did the best we could with what we had at the time. God often doesn't rescue us from our trials because of His compassion. Just like we don't rescue our children sometimes because we know they have to walk through the hard parts of their lives to develop the character strength needed for their futures. I needed to wake up to my own life. I needed to learn how to live fully alive. I'm still learning and I'd be honored if you joined me.

Here's a link to the song I referenced by Nichole Nordeman Dear Me