What happens when a young woman says "yes" to God's call to missions? Paisley Jackson's extraordinary journey from her hometown to the shores of Lake Tanganyika reveals the beautiful chaos, divine appointments, and life-changing lessons that await those willing to step out in radical faith.

Fresh from her first major mission trip to Africa and preparing to depart for Mongolia, Paisley shares stunning testimonies that would challenge even seasoned missionaries. On her very first day in Burundi, she witnessed twenty people give their lives to Christ during fishermen ministry and personally baptized a young convert—a powerful beginning that set the stage for weeks of ministry across both Burundi and Congo.

The adventures ranged from comical cultural adjustments (eating whole fish despite her aversion) to genuinely dangerous situations (a 24-hour boat journey where men repeatedly tried to separate female team members from the group). But the most profound moments came through unexpected divine redirections. When planning to minister at a local brothel, God clearly instructed Paisley to stay behind and pray instead. While interceding, she received a specific name—Deborah—only to discover later that her teammates had ministered to a woman by that exact name, confirming her prayers had direct impact.

Physical hardships proved unavoidable when Paisley and her entire team contracted malaria despite taking preventative medication. Through extreme weakness, IV treatments, and weeks of illness, she discovered God's faithful provision for medical care and developed a deeper trust in divine protection. Now she's heading to Mongolia with enough faith to go but not yet enough funds for a return ticket—a testament to her core lesson from Africa: "God doesn't care about the results of what he asks us to do, he just wants our simple yes."

Have you been waiting for a clear call before stepping out in faith? Paisley's story reminds us that God speaks clearly when we simply ask and listen. Follow her journey and consider what your next step of obedience might be, whether across the ocean or across the street.

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What happens when everything you've meticulously planned begins to unravel? For this successful tech executive, the illusion of control was dramatically dismantled through a series of profound losses and challenges spanning five years.

The conversation opens with her early formative loss—her father's death from cancer during her teenage years—which established her pattern of seeking control as protection against future pain. For nearly two decades, this strategy seemed effective. She built an impressive career alongside her husband in the tech industry, climbing corporate ladders while maintaining the appearance of having everything figured out.

Her awakening began with her beloved dog's cancer diagnosis—an especially painful irony since she had researched extensively to ensure he came from healthy genetic stock. Despite pursuing every possible treatment, including experimental options and amputation, she confronted the humbling reality that some outcomes remain beyond our control.

As she began genuinely seeking spiritual growth, challenges multiplied rather than diminished. Her daughter received a neurodivergent diagnosis. A difficult move to Texas brought unexpected complications. Her husband lost his job after twelve years with the same company, leading to a year-long period of unemployment despite his qualifications.

The turning point came through surrender rather than strategy. Despite financial uncertainties, the family participated in a mission trip to Mexico—a decision requiring complete relinquishment of control over schedules, accommodations, and daily activities. This counterintuitive choice became transformative, fostering deeper community connections and spiritual growth.

Her husband's breakthrough illustrates the podcast's core message: after struggling to find employment for a year, his job offer came days after a spiritual moment of forgiveness rather than through more aggressive job searching techniques.

For listeners navigating their own uncontrollable circumstances, this conversation offers a powerful alternative to anxiety and micromanagement. Through authentic community, vulnerability, and spiritual surrender, we discover that true strength often emerges precisely when we stop trying to control everything.

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Finding joy amidst grief, we explore the journey of motherhood across generations and the legacy we leave behind. This Mother's Day conversation shifts from processing loss to embracing the continuing purpose of a mother's heart.

• Processing grief after losing a mother differs from other losses – less desperate grief but a lingering heaviness
• Distance and life circumstances can strain mother-child relationships, but compassion and understanding often come with age
• The perfectionist pressure of motherhood can be released through recognizing that fierce love matters more than perfection
• Motherhood feels endless when children are young, but looking back reveals how quickly the seasons pass
• The "empty nest" isn't the end of purpose – God transitions women into new seasons of meaningful work
• Mother's Day isn't about receiving accolades but continuing to bless children and grandchildren
• Each child is divinely formed, and each mother is perfectly designed to raise her specific children

Remember that your motherhood journey is supposed to be a little wild. God formed you perfectly to raise your children exactly as they're meant to be. Trust Him with each season.

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Nancy Williams shares her journey of trusting God after losing her counseling internship for standing by her beliefs, leading to an unexpected blessing when she immediately found her own office space. 

• Facing multiple family deaths and an unwanted move in her early 40s created a challenging season of grief
• Pursued a master's degree in counseling to better equip herself for speaking at women's conferences
• Lost her internship when she refused to compromise her beliefs on a work assignment
• Signed a lease on an empty office the same day without consulting anyone
• Husband immediately offered furniture from their home to help set up her practice
• Ministers in the community started referring clients within days of opening
• Parenting adult children requires transparency about our own struggles while maintaining healthy boundaries
• Taking care of ourselves spiritually, physically and emotionally allows us to be better supports for our children
• Through life's challenges, God sometimes shows the whole path and sometimes just the next step
• Trusting God doesn't guarantee a trouble-free life but ensures His presence through every circumstance

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6

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Welcome to Rooted & Rising: Growth from the Greenhouse. This is season one of my new podcast! I am so thrilled to be able to help share stories of women, just like you, who are going through tough seasons, or have been through difficulty, and who God has been mighty on their behalf. 

My prayer is you find hope! Because if God has done it for someone else, He can do it for you too. He loves you. He will not give up on you. He will keep striving to make your world better, and give you ability to complete all that He's begun in your life. So, don't miss the next episode of Rooted in Rising with me, Denise Jackson, and lots of my friends!

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