What if the thing you thought would change your life for the worse became one of God’s greatest gifts?

In this deeply personal conversation, I sit down with my friend Misty Coy Snyder, newly published author of Happiness Is Down Syndrome, to talk about motherhood, disability, advocacy, faith, and the surprising ways God can completely rewrite the story we thought we were living.

Misty shares what went through her mind when she first received her son Jed’s Down syndrome diagnosis—including the painful thoughts she was afraid to say out loud. She opens up about the dreams she thought she was losing, the shame she wrestled with, and how becoming Jed’s mother forced her to confront parts of herself she had never seen so clearly before.

But then everything changed.

Misty tells the beautiful story of meeting Jed face-to-face and realizing that the baby she had been afraid of was not a diagnosis—he was her son. From there, a completely unexpected calling began to unfold: Happiness Is Down Syndrome, a platform that has grown from a small Instagram page into a powerful voice for the Down syndrome community.

We talk about:

• Receiving a Down syndrome diagnosis and the emotions nobody prepares you for

And perhaps most beautifully, we talk about what happens when God takes the thing we feared most and somehow reveals a gift we never could have imagined.

This episode is dedicated to our incredible sons, James and Jed, two boys who remind us that every human life is immeasurably valuable, deeply loved, and beautifully made in the image of God.

Come back next week for Part 2, where Misty and I dive even deeper into Happiness Is Down Syndrome and the message she hopes every family—and every person—will take away from this book.

Connect with Misty:

Get the book:

Misty's Page 

Get Book on Amazon

For copies purchased through RODS Hero, 100% of the profits go toward RODS and its mission to uncover the superpowers of individuals with Down syndrome.

Rods Heros

Songs by Misty 

What if the life with God you’ve been longing for doesn’t come from trying harder—but from learning to actually live differently with God?

The Formed Life Fall Cohort is a 10-week immersive experience for followers of Jesus who are ready to move beyond consuming more Christian content and begin cultivating a life that is deeply rooted in relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You’ll practice spiritual rhythms, create space for God, and learn how to become more like Jesus—not through striving, but through a life intentionally rearranged around Him.

We begin September 17.

🗓 Thursdays

If you’ve been thinking, “I know there has to be more than this,” this may be the next step.

Save $300 with early-bird code EARLY through August 28.

👉 Join the Fall Cohort: Apply Here

What does your money have to do with your spiritual formation?

More than you might think.

In this episode of The Formed Life Podcast, Virginia sits down with longtime friends Hilgardt and Janice Lamprecht, founders and leaders of The LifeWealth Group, for a deeply personal conversation about faith, finances, stewardship, generosity, marriage, leadership, success, dreams, and what it actually means to live a life of significance.

Hilgardt and Janice share the story of how God led them from South Africa to the United States, how their faith shaped the growth of their business, and why they intentionally built their company around the phrase “For the Glory of God.”

We talk about the subtle ways money, achievement, success, and performance can become sources of identity and security—and how God invites us into something better.

Janice shares candidly about reaching the end of herself through burnout and discovering the freedom of finding her security in God's grace and love rather than accomplishment.

We also explore what happens when a husband and wife build a business together, how different strengths can become complementary rather than competitive, and why learning to honor the way God has uniquely created another person can transform both marriage and leadership.

And perhaps most importantly, we ask:

What if stewardship isn't just a financial issue—but a spiritual formation issue?

Hilgardt and Janice unpack the difference between ownership and stewardship, the connection between money and the condition of our hearts, and why our worth can never be measured by our net worth.

If you've ever felt anxious about money, retirement, success, your future, or whether you're doing enough with the life God has given you, this conversation is for you.

There is wisdom in planning.

But there is also freedom in learning to place tomorrow back into God's hands.

How Hilgardt and Janice followed God's leading from South Africa to America

Building a business for the glory of God

Why financial stewardship is ultimately a matter of the heart

The difference between ownership and stewardship

How money can become intertwined with identity, fear, and security

Generosity as an ongoing journey of spiritual formation

Marriage, business, and learning to embrace each other's strengths

The visionary and integrator dynamic

Leadership through encouragement and servant-heartedness

Burnout, performance, achievement, and discovering God's grace

How to pursue dreams without allowing achievement to become your identity

Why your worth is not your net worth

Planning for the future without being consumed by anxiety

What it means to live tomorrow in God's hands

Pursuing a life of purpose, impact, legacy, and true wealth

Hilgardt Lamprecht, CFP®, CKA®, CExP™ is President and CEO of The LifeWealth Group, with nearly three decades of experience in wealth management, private wealth planning, retirement planning, and multi-generational wealth preservation. He is also the author of Plan to Succeed With Your LifeWealth: Helping Dreams Become Reality.

Janice Lamprecht is Chief Operating Officer and Integrator of The LifeWealth Group, where she focuses on operational excellence, servant leadership, and helping turn vision into execution.

🌐 The LifeWealth Group: THE LIFEWEALTH GROUP

📖 Hilgardt's book — Plan to Succeed With Your LifeWealth: Buy book here

If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear that their worth is so much bigger than what they earn, own, or accomplish.

And remember:

You don't just have a financial life and a spiritual life. You have one life—and God cares about all of it.

Follow The Formed Life Podcast with Virginia Wear Kujabi for more conversations about becoming like Jesus in the ordinary places of everyday life.

One year ago, The Formed Life Podcast began with a microphone, a dream, and a simple desire: to help people follow Jesus into a life of deeper relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Today, that little dream has reached listeners across 37+ countries.

In this special one-year birthday episode, Virginia is joined by her dear friend Jen Jones for the podcast's first-ever live audience celebration. Instead of interviewing a guest, Jen turns the microphone around and interviews Virginia about the story behind The Formed Life Podcast—the dreams that took years to become reality, the challenges behind the scenes, the conversations that have changed her, and what God has been teaching her along the way.

And underneath it all is a bigger story:

What happens when we simply say yes to God?

Virginia shares how a dream that began as early as 2019 sat dormant for years while microphones gathered dust, life unfolded, marriage and motherhood took center stage, and technical obstacles seemed to delay the dream.

But what looked like delay wasn't necessarily denial.

In 2025, the right relationship and mentorship helped Virginia finally launch The Formed Life Podcast. One year later, she is reflecting on God's surprising faithfulness—and the privilege of being able to share the message of spiritual formation with listeners around the world without ever leaving her home office.

In this episode, Virginia and Jen talk about:

The unexpected global reach

When The Formed Life Podcast launched, listeners were already tuning in from multiple countries. One year later, Virginia knows of listeners in more than 37 countries—including the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, Vietnam, Australia, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, Brazil, France, India, South Korea, South Africa, The Gambia, and many more.

What began in a home office became a small window through which the message of spiritual formation could travel around the world.

And Virginia's response is simple:

To God be the glory. Great things He has done.

A word for the spiritually weary

One of the most beautiful moments of the conversation comes near the end, when Jen asks Virginia what she would say to someone who feels spiritually weary, stuck, or hungry for a deeper life with God.

Virginia points to Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28–30: come to Him, walk with Him, learn from Him, and receive His rest.

The Christian life is not ultimately about performing enough spiritual activities to become acceptable to God.

It is about keeping company with Jesus.

Spiritual disciplines and rhythms can be beautiful means through which we abide in Christ, but they are not meant to become burdens that replace relationship with Him. The invitation is to walk with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit and to become increasingly formed into His likeness.

One year later, the invitation remains

Whether you've listened to every episode or you're discovering The Formed Life for the first time, this episode is an invitation to consider your own "yes."

What has God placed in your heart?

What have you been postponing because you don't feel qualified, ready, or equipped?

What if faithfulness begins with one small act of obedience?

And what if the goal isn't to accomplish something impressive—but simply to walk with God faithfully and allow Him to form you along the way?

Go deeper with The Formed Life

If you're longing for more than information about spiritual formation and want to practice a deeper life with God in community, The Formed Life's Fall Spiritual Formation Cohort launches September 10.

This is a 10-week immersive spiritual formation experience designed to help you cultivate rhythms of abiding, renewal, relationship, and surrender as you journey with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Early enrollment offer: Use code EARLY for $300 off.

Offer expires August 22, 2026.

Learn more at 

Connect with Virginia

Follow Virginia on Instagram: @VirginiaKujabi

Follow The Formed Life: @TheFormedLife

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs the reminder that they don't have to do more—they can simply come to Jesus.

Scripture referenced

Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary to come to Him, receive His rest, and learn His way of life.

Psalm 2:8 — "Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession."

John 15 — Abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through relationship with Him.

The Formed Life Podcast exists to equip followers of Jesus cultivate a life rooted in relationship with the Trinity, gratitude, and community—empowering transformation through the Holy Spirit and spiritual rhythms to become formed more like Jesus.

The truth is you are loved. You are loved. You are loved-- more deeply and completely than you could ever imagine! 

What if it's that you've forgotten—or perhaps never truly believed—how deeply you are loved by God?

Many followers of Jesus know God loves them. They can quote the verses, explain the gospel, and affirm the truth intellectually. Yet countless believers still live as though they must earn God's approval through performance, productivity, or striving.

In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia explores one of the most transformative truths in the Christian life: belovedness.

Drawing from Scripture and insights from Francis Chan's Beloved, this conversation invites listeners beyond simply knowing about God's love and into experiencing it. Together, we'll explore how the Father's love precedes our obedience, how Jesus reveals the heart of God, and how the Holy Spirit pours God's love into our hearts in a deeply personal way.

Friend, spiritual formation does not begin with striving. It begins with belovedness.

As Virginia reminds us, the starting place of becoming more like Jesus is not becoming more lovable—it's learning to live from the reality that you already are loved.

"The starting place for you to be formed more like Jesus is this place of awareness that you are His beloved."

"The love of God is not an abstract concept. The love of God has a face, and it's our Savior, Jesus."

"The Holy Spirit makes the love of God experiential."

After this episode talk to God about His love for you.  Where are you at with His love? Is it only in your head or are you experiencing it in your soul?  Ask the Holy Spirit to experience God's love right now. 

Read slowly.

Read prayerfully.

Then simply sit before the Father and pray:

"Father, help me experience Your love."

Would you take a moment to leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify?

Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community pursuing life with God through spiritual formation, gratitude, and communion with the Trinity.

And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with them.

The Christian life isn't striving to become loved. It's learning to live from the reality that you already are.

What if God isn't merely inviting you to endure your life faithfully?

What if He's also inviting you to delight in Him?

Many of us have learned how to strive. We've learned how to serve, sacrifice, and pursue spiritual growth. Yet somewhere along the way, we've forgotten that one of the fruits of the Spirit is joy and that every good and perfect gift comes from our loving Father.

In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia reflects on the unexpected delight found in thirty-nine days of the FIFA World Cup—shared laughter around the television, inside jokes with family, smoothies lovingly nicknamed "FIFI," and the beauty of watching the nations gather together. Through these ordinary moments, she offers a gentle reminder that delight is not opposed to spiritual formation. In fact, it may be one of the beautiful ways God forms us into people of gratitude, joy, and love.

Jesus didn't merely invite us into faithful endurance. He invited us into abundant life.

Friend, perhaps you've been carrying a faith that feels heavy lately. Perhaps you've unknowingly believed that holiness means becoming less joyful or that enjoyment must somehow be earned. Scripture tells a different story.

The God who created sunsets, laughter, wedding feasts, friendship, and beauty delights in giving good gifts to His children.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, savor God's goodness, and joyfully receive His gifts with gratitude.

Watch the sunset.

Buy the flowers.

Take the walk.

Laugh with your children.

Call the friend.

Eat the ice cream.

Watch the match.

Take the nap.

And don't rush through it.

Delight isn't a distraction from becoming more like Jesus. Sometimes, it is one of the beautiful ways He forms us.

Follow Virginia on Instagram:

Would you take just thirty seconds to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community seeking to become more like Jesus through gratitude, community, and spiritual formation.

And if someone came to mind while listening, would you share this episode with them?

Sometimes the most transformational invitations are also the simplest ones.

"Becoming more like Jesus isn't only about learning how to suffer faithfully. It's also learning how to receive joyfully."

What if we've made hospitality far more complicated than God intended?

Somewhere along the way, we've confused hospitality with entertaining. We've begun to believe we need the perfect tablescape, a spotless home, or an elaborate menu before we can welcome others in. Yet Scripture paints a far more beautiful—and freeing—picture.

Biblical hospitality has never been primarily about our homes. It's always been about our hearts.

In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia shares two recent experiences of opening her home imperfectly and discovering afresh that simplicity and generosity are not opposites. In fact, simplicity may be what makes generosity sustainable.

From paper plates and pizza to children running through the house and sacred conversations around ordinary tables, this conversation is an invitation to rediscover the beauty of simple, generous hospitality.

The Gospel itself is a story of welcome. We practice hospitality not because we are gifted hostesses, but because we have first been welcomed by Jesus.

Friend, there is room for you here. And perhaps there is more room in your life than you realize to make space for others, too.

Follow Virginia on Instagram: @virginiakujabi @theformedlife 

Would you consider leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? And write a review on Apple. Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community of believers seeking to become more like Jesus.

And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with a friend. Some of life's sweetest conversations begin with a simple invitation.

Can God truly renew not only our hearts—but even the way we think?

In Part 2 of Virginia's conversation with author, speaker, and founder of Milk & Velvet Pearls, Sarah Faulkner shares what happened after doctors discovered her brain aneurysm had returned.

Facing another high-risk surgery during the uncertainty of COVID, Sarah came to a place of complete surrender. Through prayer, Scripture, and the abiding presence of God, she discovered a peace that surpassed her circumstances—and experienced a miraculous recovery that forever changed the trajectory of her life.

Together, Virginia and Sarah explore the beautiful intersection of spiritual formation, biblical truth, and neuroscience. They discuss how Scripture shapes our minds, how gratitude and prayer influence the way we live, and why becoming more like Jesus is both a spiritual and daily practice.

This conversation is a hopeful reminder that God is not only interested in changing our circumstances—He desires to transform us from the inside out.

• How surrender became the turning point in Sarah's healing journey

📖 Romans 12:2

"It is beautiful here. I would walk through the suffering again to know God the way I know Him now."

"God is far more interested in forming us into the image of Christ than simply making our lives comfortable."

Connect with Sarah Faulkner and learn more about Milk & Velvet Pearls @mypearrlgirl on Instagram 

If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share it with someone who needs hope today?

Your support helps more people discover biblical teaching, spiritual formation, and the life-changing invitation to become more like Jesus through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.

Follow Virginia Wear Kujabi @virginiakujabi and @theformedlife for weekly encouragement, practical spiritual rhythms, and conversations that help you cultivate a life rooted in relationship with the Trinity.

What happens when faith is no longer theoretical—but all you have left to hold onto?

In this deeply moving first installment of a two-part conversation, Virginia sits down with author, speaker, and founder of Milk & Velvet Pearls, Sarah Faulkner, to explore a story marked by profound suffering, miraculous survival, and the sustaining presence of God.

Sarah shares her journey from a difficult and painful past marked by addiction, anxiety, brokenness, and despair to discovering the life-changing reality of Jesus Christ. Through the beautiful symbolism of the pearl, she reveals how God often forms beauty through hardship, shaping us layer by layer into the people He created us to become.

But this episode goes even deeper.

After years of spiritual growth, Sarah experienced a catastrophic brain aneurysm rupture that left doctors stunned she survived. As she endured unimaginable pain, emergency surgery, and a long road of recovery, she discovered something that would transform her life forever: the tangible presence of God in suffering.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that God is not absent in our pain. He meets us there.

• The inspiring story behind Milk & Velvet Pearls

📖 Romans 12:2

"Pearls are like people. Bad things make them prettier on the inside."

Find Sarah on Instagram 

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover biblical truth, spiritual formation, and life with God.

Follow @vwear and @theformedlife on Instagram for weekly encouragement, practical spiritual rhythms, and conversations that help you become more formed into the image of Jesus.

✨ Don't miss Part 2 next week as Sarah shares how God met her in complete surrender and what happened after doctors discovered her aneurysm had returned.

What if the greatest threat to your spiritual life isn't sin in the way you typically think about it—but hurry?

In a culture that celebrates packed calendars, endless productivity, and constant activity, many of us have unknowingly embraced a pace of life that is shaping our souls. Yet when we look at the life of Jesus, we see something radically different. His days were full, but He was never hurried. His life was marked by attentiveness to the Father, presence with people, and an unshakable peace that flowed from communion with God.

In this episode of The Formed Life, Virginia invites listeners to examine the hidden costs of hurry and consider how the pace of our lives is influencing our formation. Through the stories of Mary and Martha, the example of Jesus, and His beautiful invitation to "come and rest," you'll discover why the Kingdom of God is built on abiding rather than striving.

This gentle yet challenging conversation will encourage you to slow down, pay attention, and embrace the unforced rhythms of grace that Jesus offers.

📖 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

Follow along on Instagram:

Would you take a moment to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify? And on Apple will you please take that extra step and WRITE A REVIEW!? Reviews help more people discover The Formed Life and join this growing community of incredible followers of Jesus who are on the narrow road and want to be formed more like Jesus.

And if someone came to mind while listening, share this episode with a friend. You never know how God might use a simple conversation to encourage a weary soul.

What determines the value of a human life?

Is it intelligence? Productivity? Ability? Independence? Or is human dignity rooted in something far deeper?

In one of the most personal episodes ever shared on The Formed Life, Virginia opens her heart and invites listeners into a sacred part of her story as the mother of an amazing son who happens to have Down Syndrome. Prompted by a recent cultural conversation and moved by the Holy Spirit, she explores the doctrine of Imago Dei—the biblical truth that every human being is created in the image of God.

With tenderness, conviction, and theological clarity, Virginia examines the dangerous ideology of eugenics, the Christian understanding of human worth, and why the Gospel offers a radically different vision of dignity than the one often presented by modern culture.

This is not merely a conversation about disability. It is a conversation about what it means to be human.

Raw, heartfelt, and deeply rooted in Scripture, this episode reminds us that our value is not something we achieve—it is something bestowed by our Creator.

"Human worth is not based on intelligence, productivity, ability, or independence. Our worth is rooted in the fact that we were created by God and bear His image."

If this episode encouraged you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover spiritual formation, biblical truth, and life with God.

Follow @theformedlife and @vwear on Instagram for content that nourishes your soul