Ever made a decision and immediately second guess yourself? Or feel like God might want you to do something that seems too hard or too crazy? In this episode, we chat about the reality of making significant decisions in your life, and what it even means when Christians talk about finding their "calling." Val exudes a joy and peace not of this world!

Follow the pod on Instagram @itstoowonderfulpod

This whole show is based around the idea that knowing ourselves fully is too wonderful to understand, BUT we can’t forget the importance of knowing ourselves in part. Lauren gracefully shares how she has learned to know herself and others in the past four years. This understanding has led to places of scary vulnerability, risk, and trust in God-given identity. We talk about the difference between transparency and vulnerability, receiving your identity from people versus God, and how loving people also means letting them love you. 

Life of the Beloved by Henri Nouwen

How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks

Follow the pod on Instagram @itstoowonderfulpod

We're back!! After a bit of a break, I wanted to take a moment to catch up with you all and fill you in on how the Lord is leading me in this season of life. I talk about how post-grad feels, getting rid of my iPhone for a month, and read a story I wrote that is an illustration of how it feels like for me to follow Jesus right now. Cannot wait for everything in store for It's Too Wonderful this year, and as always am so thankful for each one of you apart of this community.

~

Keep up with me & join the community @itstoowonderfulpod on Instagram!

Music by Judson Gay

Julia is overjoyed to share how the Lord has completely changed her life! Her story tells of how family and friends have been pursuing her for years, and the moment when her eyes were opened to how God loves her. It was a beautiful reminder for me of how we can love people! We also talk about what it means as a creative person to work from a new identity and the freedom that comes from not needing to become the best.

What does it look like to live like Jesus after feelings fade from a “spiritual high?” When life is mundane, even depressing… how does God continue to work? After serving with YWAM in Hawaii and Mexico and Young Life as a mountain guide in Canada, Sophie knows what it’s like coming from a “mountaintop” to the sometimes painful reality of normal life. In this episode, she shares the many forms faith has taken in her life, and what she has learned from resting in the consistency of our God. 

Bible Verses Referenced:

Mark 4:1-9 ESV

Follow the pod on instagram @itstoowonderfulpod !

My dad visited me in Nashville this past weekend, and I thought it was only fitting to have him on the podcast! We talk about what it was like for me to grow up as a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult), his perspective on his own deafness, and how that has shaped us both in beautiful ways. From starting his own graphic design company to competitive skimboarding and mountain biking, my dad is one of the coolest guys I know. What amazes me the most is his contentment in how the Lord has made him, and I think we can all have a little more of that!

Give the pod a follow on instagram @itstoowonderfulpod

God is scheming all the time, from little glimpses of love in the day to big picture dreams and retrospect of answered prayer and kept promises! Abby's life motto is "God Schemes," and in this episode she speaks to how that has shaped the way she views life. As a designer and small business owner, Abby's drive to bring beauty into the world is contagious. She talks about how she views vision, and what listening to and obeying the will of God looks like in her own life. Listen to this episode to feel inspired, a child-like faith renewed, and fresh vision on your life!

Follow the pod on insta - @itstoowonderfulpod

Abby's instagram - @abbyconnolly_

Do you feel empty? Tired? Like you’re trying so hard but have nothing to give? Striving can feel like that, and takes many shapes and forms in life. We can strive in school, work, even in our relationships… and in doing so, forget grace. In this episode Maelyn and I talk about how pride and performance-based worth can masquerade as responsibility and hard work, but the Lord calls us to live operating under a radical grace that ceases our striving.

References:

Book: When Strivings Cease: Replacing the Myth of Self-Improvement with the Good News of Life-Transforming Grace by Ruth Chou Simons

Matthew 7: 7-11

Follow the pod on instagram @itstoowonderfulpod

Brooke shares how her struggles with speaking and songwriting have kept her trapped in cycles of shame, and what God has done to free her and equip her with the boldness to share her story. We have a real chat about anxiety, the way our bodies process trauma slower than our minds, and what it looks like to be patient with God's timing.

follow the podcast on Instagram: @itstoowonderfulpod

Calah Mikal is a singer/songwriter and a mental health therapist, and has just released one of my favorite albums, “As You Come Back Home.” In this episode, we chat about the kind of faith it takes to pray scary prayers, her songwriting process in conjunction with this faith, and the multidimensional love story that is woven into this album. Calah describes it as honest resilience and hopeful nostalgia, and hopes the listener feels like they are coming home when they listen to her music. This conversation was a beautiful glimpse of that intention for me, and I am hopeful for all who listen to feel the same.