Carmex, chocolate cake, and the Little Blue Truck ... 

I'm so excited to introduce you to my guest for today's show. Today you will be hearing from Sarah Bragg of the Surviving Sarah podcast, which I know I've mentioned a time or two before. Today Sarah is sharing her story of her struggle with body image which started when she was just nine years old with an offhand (albeit rude) remark from a girl she barely knew and turned into a ten year struggle over her appearance. I think this episode is going to be such a great resource for young women who might also be battling with body image and for parents of these young girls who are trying to help their daughters through the struggle. But it's also a great resource for any Christian woman who is struggling to be content with who God made her to be, whether it is appearance or personality or stage of life. The truths Sarah shares are sure to help you see that your worth is infinitely tied to the fact that the God of the universe created you and calls you by name for something special in His kingdom.

In today's episode of Heart Lessons you will hear from author, speaker, and podcaster Annie F. Downs. We talk about the books she's written and about her latest book that just released this spring, Looking for Lovely. Annie shares her journey of how she got to be where she is now which included dozens of rejections from publishers, she talks about what it means to cultivate a gentle and quiet spirit and that it has little to do with decibels, and how we can wait well in our waiting seasons. I know you will love hearing from Annie. 

For Episode 24 of Heart Lessons I'm so excited to introduce you to Bonnie Nichols of Moms in Prayer International. Moms in Prayer International has a goal that every school in the world would be covered in prayer and I am just so awestruck that the Lord would orchestrate this interview to air just as so many of us around the country are in back-to-school mode and presented with a new school year for our kiddos. I know that Bonnie's words will challenge you to be more intentional about praying for your children and your child's school. But even if you don't have children in school I think Bonnie's passion for prayer will challenge and encourage you to "step up your game" when it comes to your prayer life. She has so many practical tips for building a great habit of prayer and I know you will come away with something great after listening today.

Essential oils, Justin Timberlake, and a for real blast from the past ... 

In today's episode of the Heart Lessons Podcast you'll hear from Becky McCoy. Becky is a blogger, writer, and fellow podcaster whose mission is to encourage people to live bravely and authentically in life, especially during life's trials. As you listen to her story you'll find that Becky is certainly qualified to speak to this as she has faced her share of adversity. Becky experienced the loss of her husband Keith to cancer when she was eight months pregnant with their daughter. She talks about what life has been like as she rebuilds her new normal after Keith's passing, what her grief journey has been like, and what is has meant for her to live bravely and authentically. If you are going through a difficult time right now I know Becky's words will be a great source of encouragement for you.

My very special guest on today's episode of Heart Lessons is my son, Micah. A few weeks ago I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts in the car and he piped up from the back, "Mom, can I be a guest on your podcast sometime?" How could I say no to such a sweet request? So today I'm chatting with Micah. We answer the questions you all submitted including what he loves about being a big brother, what he's looking forward to about Kindergarten, and what animal he would like to be. True to podcast form, Micah even shares a heart lesson of his own. I hope you enjoy my conversation with my sweet guy and the additional little sound bytes from my other little cutie.

My guest on episode twenty-one of the Heart Lessons podcast is Kami Lingren who blogs at Living Grace: Finding Life in the Desert, where she shares her experience battling chronic illness. On today's podcast Kami shares about her journey with Lyme Disease, from diagnosis, to treatment plans, to what it looks like to live with this disease, and the hardest part of living with Lyme. She also shares practical tips on how to support a loved one struggling with chronic illness. Her heart lesson is taken straight from the life of Jesus when He walked this earth and I know the reality of it will touch your heart just like it did for me. Kami exudes sweetness and grace and I can't wait for you to hear all she has to share.

In this Mini Episode of Heart Lessons I just wanted to share some thoughts on recent events.

My guest on today's episode of Heart Lessons is Kelly Gerken from Sufficient Grace ministries. Kelly shares about her own experience with infant loss – losing two baby daughters to twin to twin transfusion syndrome and a baby son to Potter’s Syndrome. She also talks about the birth of Sufficient Grace Ministries – how it started with her trying to minister to a friend after losing her baby and asking herself the question, “What would I have wanted someone to give to me?” Since then Sufficient Grace has grown to offer not only these “Dreams of You” memory books, but also Comfort Bears, perinatal hospice services, doula services, and even trainings for medical staff to better equip them to support a family walking through infant loss. Kelly’s story personifies the character and hope that develops from persevering through a hard time and has so much truth to speak about God’s daily sufficient grace.