This ended up being very challenging episode for me to record. What started as something that should have been simple, grew into a deeper issue I wanted to bring to our attention. I'll plan a future episode with more specifics, but this is a starting point. I think this episode was hard, becuase I don't want to be that bad influence. I don't want this to be a place that looks christian, but really isn't. My biggest fear is mis-leading someone in their faith. While holding that fear in one hand, not allowing the fear to stop me from sharing the things I do know to be true. I am learning to hold a healthy balance of the two. While I hope you don't leave with more questions than answers, I understand. I'll try to address those questions over future episodes.

"New Year, New Me," right? Until we mess up and quit. What if we started planning for grace when we mess up. Let's be honest we will mess up, we'll miss a day, life will happen and then usually we just quit and try again next year. What if we planned for those mess ups and prepared our hearts and minds for grace. Join me in this episode talking about grace in the goals, and how I already missed a day in my Bible reading goal.

2024 is here and we're back! The end of a year and start of a new one tends to bring out reflection. 2023 did not go the way I anticipated. Join me on a look back how 2023 turned out for me and the steps I am taking to move forward.

Scripture: Isaiah 42:5-9

Resources Mentioned:

Annie F. Downs - @anniefdowns

Let's Read the Gospels - @letsreadthegospels

She Reads Truth - @shereadstruth

Cracking with Lauren Venable - @hopegirlcoaching

Through the crazies of life and the various seasons we find our spiritual walk in, I challenge us this Easter to take a moment to stop and remember why we celebrate. Join Ashley as we walk through the events of Holy Week thinking about the emotions and as the weeks events unfold. Then, challenge yourself on ways to prepare your heart for resurrection Sunday!

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Baptisms, and all things Jesus this time of year can lead to questions from kids. This is an awesome thing, and not something to be afraid of. In this episode, we are going to talk about how to lead your child to Christ and some things to consider in helping them discern their decision. You can find resources to go along with this episode at TheAbidingFamily.org

May 18, 2022 the day our son was born and the words "Down syndrome" were spoken into our lives. Within a week we had a official diagnosis and whole perspective on life shifted. While there are many challenges to being a mom of a son with Down syndrome, I wouldn't trade it for the world. World Down syndrome Day is March 21 (3/21). This is a day of education, awareness, and celebration of those with a little something extra. In this episode I share our story and what it was like finding out our son has Down syndrome as well as what Down syndrome is and how it affects the body.

There is a common misconception in the faith world that if you have mental health issues then you must not have enough faith, OR you could solve your mental health issues with more faith. While I do believe our faith in Jesus most certainly helps us in our mental health battles, I believe those are misconceptions. A person's mental health is not determined by their faith, in the same way, our physical health is not determined by our faith. In this episode, we're talking about holding those two conversations together. God is big enough for our battles, and God equips medical professionals to help us in our mental health journeys. 

A few days ago I got to experience the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis for the first time and it was INCREDIBLE! I am still struggling to put it into words, but I try my best in this episode as I share lessons learned from the lights and the comparison I found between it and our walk with God. From the dark, cold moments of waiting and searching the clear evidence of God.

With various things going on and the start of lent it feels like a spirit of revival or a desire for revival. While big gathers are wonderful, revival starts in our own hearts. Even in the hearts of those of us who are Christians, we can have a revival of our spirits. In this episode, we will look at Psalm 119:25-32 as we ask God to revive our hearts for Him. 

After a delay due to sickness we are excited to dive deeper in to what it means to Abide. John 15:1-11 talks about Jesus' command to abide him like a vine abides in a branch. Without abiding in Him we cannot produce fruit.