Letting the Light In

Well, this little podcast has been around for 2 years. I wanted to take a minute to thank you, yes YOU, for listening. Whether this is your first listen or you've heard every one, the words thank you don't suffice. I am extremely humbled that you take time to listen, and I continue to pray that it is Light.

As I've always tried to do, I want to be honest with y'all and share where I have been. I wrote a letter to myself 3 days ago, not only to worship, but also to chronicle a time I know I will want to remember. I hope that some part of this resonates with you; I've found that in every season of my life, my heart finds something to yearn for and forgets where my contentment lies. I pray that when you listen to my letter, you can find parts of yourself in it, and be comforted by knowing you aren't alone.

Rob Scheer: where to begin? I thankfully picked up Rob's book "A Forever Family: Fostering Change One Child at a Time" at the library in January, and immediately messaged him upon finishing. Reading his story, as you'll hear today, was so impactful, especially since he chose to directly invest right back into a system that can cause devastating hurt. In this episode, we talk about both Rob's birth and foster families, why birth families are not the villains, adopting 4 children of color as a white male, and little things we can do to make change. Rob is passionate about changing the system, because the statistics around it are mind boggling. In response to seeing so many children (including himself) carry around their belongings in trash bags (think about the message that sends kids about their value and worth), Rob started a non-profit called Comfort Cases that gives kids a backpack filled with toiletries and other necessities to help kids in care maintain dignity. It was an honor to talk to Rob and I truly pray this conversation spurs you on to get involved in some way!

A great list of eight for y'all this week! A mix of books, podcasts, South Korean words, and an old man getting down in Turbo Kick. I hope these resonate with the light all around you.

8. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

7. Turbo Kick

6. Creative baking

5. Front door happys

4. Basketball: A Love Story (Documentary)

3. The Teacher's Pet (podcast)

2. Teaching Fossy "nunchi"

1. Awakening by Amanda Lindsey Cook

My guest for today is a new friend, but if our conversation is any indicator, she's a good one. Ashley started her company, Love Everywhere, almost 10 years ago, and hearing her talk about its simple yet powerful mission was beautiful. I'm always extremely encouraged watching women give a simple yes of obedience towards the giftings He has given. Her goal is simple; leave notes of encouragement hidden in plain sight for peoples days to be altered. In this episode, we talk all things about her company, but we also talk about living in NYC, being a creative, motherhood, getting engaged after dating for 3 months, miscarriage, and working in the corporate world. Ashley was introduced by a mutual friend in the hopes of getting her message out before International Women's Day, where her company is partnering with Reebok. You could find a card in their shoeboxes! I am so proud of her, and am excited to see all that He continues to do through simple words.

I absolutely love when a podcast guest comes highly recommended (and when we have tons of mutual friends), and Hannah lived up to every hope and dream I had for this conversation. She is PRECIOUS; truly, I kept thinking that over and over when I was talking to you. The way she talks about her husband, family, and friends is how I hope I sound when describing the people I love most. Hannah and I chat marriage, being a working woman (she's a realtor!) cheerleading in college, and the moment she found out her mama was pregnant with her (MUCH) younger brother. Hannah is all things joy, and I know you'll walk away from this conversation with some! Happy listening!

Happy Tuesday!

7 light filled things this week, and my prayer, as always, is that this list opens your eyes, ears, and hearts to the light around you. Thank you for being here with me this week!

7. Veggie Frittata's (from Costco)

6. Raise a Hallelujah by Bethel Music

5. Teaching Sunday School

4. Almond Butter stuffed Dates

3. Broken Harts podcast

2. Panera

1. Watching and cheering on someone as they thrive in an area you don't

Y'all.

I don't remember how I found Molly, but it was one of the best discoveries of 2018. You all probably know her from her "Sunday Bakes" on instagram, which are one of the greatest things on the internet right now. I mean, she dresses up as Paula Dean, Julia Child, Ree Drummond (The Pioneer Woman) and Guy Fieri, ALL IN ONE DAY. ACCENTS INCLUDED! What you might not know about Molly, however, is that she has spent her life in the music industry, writing songs I bet all of you have heard on your radio or on TV. I was FLOORED when she told me one of the songs she wrote! She's a wife, mama, friend, daughter, but I was most in awe of her faith, constantly bringing every good and hard thing in her life back to Jesus. Molly exceeds all the hype - Happy listening!

Happy Tuesday!

A shorter list this time, and, as usual, I hope it inspires you to start you own lists of light.

8. Rainbow Carrots

7. Ear Hustle (podcast)

6. White Kids: Growing up with Privilege in a Racially Divided America by Margaret A. Hagerman

5. On To the Light by Kings Kaleidoscope

4. Testimony

3. Pasta e Fagioli (recipe from NYT cooking: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016031-pasta-e-fagioli )

2. Staying up late

1. My Young Life and Trinity girls and their parents

Its here!!

The episode all of my book lovers have been waiting on. This was SO fun to record, and I have a feeling this will become a yearly tradition :) We talk library strategies, bible reading plans, and goals for 2019!

Here is to hoping 2019 is full of the wonder that is reading for you.

Nan's List:

Beach Read: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Faith Non-Fiction: Seven Women by Eric Metaxas and 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke

Non-Fiction: Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter

Historical Fiction: Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

Fiction: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Best Overall: Educated by Tara Westover

Kam's List:

Beach Read: Class Mom by Laurie Gelman

Faith Non-Fiction: Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas

Non-Fiction - Gorilla and the Bird by Zack McDermott

Historical Non-Fiction - Mudbound by Hillary Jordan and The Mercy Seat by Elizabeth H. Winthrop

Fiction - The Great Alone by Kristin Hanna and Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Overall: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Happy 2019!

It feels so good to be back with y'all, sharing the light I've seen and experienced over the past month. This episode is the first of its kind - it holds an introduction from a very special person! Happy listening :)

9. Private Life (movie on Netflix)

8. Gladiator (podcast)

7. In the Dark (podcast, season 2)

6. "He Loves Us" by Ellie Holcomb

5. Markus Phox

4. Answering the phone

3. Single parenting

2. An adoption conversation with a woman at Edgemoor Park

1. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat - a docuseries and cookbook