What if the friendships you’re longing for begin with the ones you choose to build? Today we trace a clear path from the church in Acts 2 to everyday life, showing how Scripture, prayer, and small acts of courage can grow a circle that actually strengthens your walk with Jesus. We talk about the friend who simply shows up, why “faithful wounds” are a gift, and how loving God first shapes the way we love each other.

We get practical about finding and becoming that kind of friend. You’ll hear how to pray specifically for a kindred spirit, how to spot women whose lives overflow with a love for God, and what it looks like to take the first step—coffee, a text, a simple prayer. For moms and anyone in a tight season, we share lightweight ways to build community, from play date fellowship to starting a simple Bible study when your church doesn’t have one. We also explore the power of mentorship through Titus 2, the beauty of learning from women one step ahead, and the surprising ways books and podcasts can fill gaps when local mentors are scarce.

This conversation doesn’t stop at the church door. We reflect on being salt and light with friends who don’t share our faith, living lives that naturally invite questions and allow us to answer with gentleness and hope. Anchored by John 15, we rest in the truth that Jesus calls us friends and sends us to bear lasting fruit. If you’ve felt lonely, stuck, or unsure where to begin, you’ll leave with simple steps, biblical wisdom, and fresh courage to pray, initiate, and stay. If this encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so others can find it.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

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Ever feel like January has 47 days? That elastic sense of time can be more than seasonal blues; it can be a holy nudge to stop measuring worth by output and start rooting identity in Christ. We open up about restlessness, rainy days with kids who want action, and the surprising wisdom of not rushing to fix discomfort. Instead of trying to out-hustle the feeling, we explore how receiving winter can strengthen your soul for the work ahead.

Together we unpack why being precedes doing and how anchoring in the Great I Am clarifies what to steward next. You’ll hear a fresh take on the butterfly-in-the-cocoon story and what it teaches about necessary struggle, plus a vivid lesson from pruning an apple tree that looked “ruined” until spring arrived heavy with blossoms. These pictures reframe the urge to keep adding tasks: some branches look lively yet steal strength, and pruning them is the most loving, strategic move you can make.

We get practical about building rhythms that form character without theatrics—unhurried Scripture, honest self-examination, and small boundaries that protect deep work. We also hold space for tension: the harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few, and excellence matters. The difference is starting from rest, not rushing toward approval. If January feels endless, maybe it’s because you’re invited to become someone who can bear the weight of future fruit.

If this speaks to you, share it with a friend who’s sprinting on empty, subscribe for more soul-strengthening conversations, and leave a review with one place you sense God inviting you to slow down this week.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

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What if the most sacred work you do happens at your kitchen sink? In this heartfelt conversation with Anna—a military spouse and mom of eight—we peel back the layers of daily life to uncover how prayer, Scripture, and steady rhythms can transform ordinary chores into holy ground. Anna shares how her mother’s joyful vision of parenting shaped her own calling, and how a simple decision to pray over a sink full of dishes reframed resentment into worship and unexpected joy.

We get practical and honest about excellence versus perfection. Sometimes faithfulness looks like closing the math book to shepherd a child’s heart; other times it’s digging in and finishing the hard task anyway. Anna describes how she discerns the difference through quick prayers and a life rooted in God’s Word, especially John 15’s call to abide in Christ. We also dive into routines that stabilize a large, military family: mealtimes as anchors, predictable snack times, and evening rituals that bring calm. For her own sanity, she leans on small acts of “soul care”—a shower, a quiet cup of tea, two pages of a book—so she can pour out with patience again.

Homeschooling takes center stage as Anna revisits a written why each year, keeping her core purpose clear: point her children to Christ first, then trust the academics to follow. We talk about read-alouds and tea that build warmth, as well as the messy, tearful conversations that plant deeper seeds of character. Galatians 6:9 reminds her not to grow weary, and the promise of a future harvest steadies her in slow seasons when fruit feels far off. For the mom who feels invisible, Anna offers a gentle but firm hope: God sees the hidden work. That unseen faithfulness is precious to Him and will bear fruit in due time.

If you’re tired of the grind and hungry for meaning in the repetitive tasks of home, this episode will give you perspective, Scripture, and practical rhythms to renew your heart. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to tell us where you’re learning to find the sacred in the ordinary.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

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A locked door, a worn Bible, a quiet glow—those childhood snapshots taught me something I couldn’t name yet: time in Scripture changes a person. I build on that memory to explore why studying the Bible is not a checkbox but a lifeline that reveals who God is and, in turn, steadies who we are.

Psalm 19 frames the value of God’s word—reviving the soul, enlightening the eyes—and why reading the whole story reveals our need for Jesus. From the early days of depending on study guides to learning to sit with the text itself, I talk about confusion, dry spells, and the slow growth of desire that comes from simply returning to the page. You’ll hear practical tools drawn from Jen Wilkin’s five P’s—purpose, perspective, patience, process, and prayer—plus a clear approach to application that starts with God’s character before it moves to our response.

Life seasons shape study rhythms, so let's map real options for each one: ten focused minutes with three guiding questions, a single verse carried through the day, an audio Bible on a walk, or deep work with commentaries and notes when margin allows. Along the way, I name the lie that volume equals virtue and replace it with a better truth: faithfulness over time forms a resilient heart. Whether you’re exhausted, overwhelmed, spiritually dry, or ready to dive deep, this conversation will help you begin again with courage and clarity.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a gentle reset, and leave a review to tell us what one small step you’ll take this week.

Recommended Resources:

Sing by The Worship Initiative

Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

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What if a quiet hour with a planner could change the next decade of your life? We open season five with a clear, faith-centered approach to planning that moves beyond hype and hustle. Picture a cozy chair, a warm coffee, and a few honest questions that help you remember where God met you, what rhythms brought life, and which distractions stole your peace. From that posture, we zoom out to ten years and let that future inform today’s choices.

We walk through a simple framework built around three pillars—relationships, energy, and wealth—so you can cast a grounded vision for your family, friendships, and prayer life; your mental, emotional, and physical well-being; and your approach to work, money, and generous giving. You’ll write ages next to names, imagine the kind of connection you want, and name the skills, habits, and investments that will matter most down the road. Along the way, Scripture keeps us anchored: abiding in John 15, numbering our days in Psalm 90, and staying steady in Proverbs.

Then we make it practical. Instead of chasing endless goals, you’ll choose only two intentions for the year and add quarterly check-ins to your calendar to review, adjust, and keep going with grace. We share examples—from mentoring women and studying the New Testament to planning family visits and honoring the Sabbath—that turn lofty hopes into small, repeatable steps. Through it all, we return to prayer for wisdom and direction, trusting God to establish our steps and bring the growth.

Ready to plan with purpose and peace? Hit play, grab your planner, and join us. If this encourages you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help more listeners find the show.

Recommended Resources:

Casey Graham creator of the Decade of Destiny

Overwhelmed Mom by Jamie Erickson

Episode 23: Discovering Freedom in Personal Struggles (Spotify)

Episode 23: Discovering Freedom in Personal Struggles (Apple)

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
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Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.

The week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel like a soft landing: sweatpants, slow mornings, and a rare sense of completion. We lean into that pause and ask a bigger question—how do we finish the year well so we can begin the next aligned with God’s heart? With Scripture as our guide, we explore the joy of ending strong without striving, and the freedom to rest while still preparing our steps for what’s ahead.

We start by reframing the calendar as training for a longer race. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4, we talk about what it means to “keep the faith” when distractions multiply and itching ears chase easy answers. Then we pivot to purpose: we were made to worship and enjoy God, image-bearers restored by Christ’s coming. From there, we offer three practical anchors for the final stretch of December—purpose, praise, and prayer—each grounded in passages like Ephesians 2:10, Psalms 103/145/150, Proverbs 16:3, and Hebrews 12:1–2. You’ll hear simple, honest reflection prompts to assess drift and fruit, and encouragement to let praise become the daily soundtrack that builds trust for the year ahead.

As we close, Psalm 90 gives language for wisdom and work: teach us to number our days, establish the work of our hands. We celebrate the small victory of completion, enjoy the gift of rest, and lace up for the next lap with our eyes fixed on Jesus. If you’re craving a clear, faith-filled roadmap into the new year—one that trades pressure for presence and resolutions for reliance—this conversation will steady your heart and sharpen your focus.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s setting goals, and leave a quick review. Your feedback helps more listeners find gospel-centered encouragement for the year ahead.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
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Red Aspen - Skip the salon appointment and shop here for hands that are hardworking AND elegant.

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.

What if your home became the place where people exhale the moment they walk in? That picture guides our conversation with Deanne, a longtime friend who has spent decades turning ordinary rooms into a refuge—welcoming neighbors, college kids, missionaries, and foster children with a calm, open-handed approach that prioritizes people over performance.

We unpack the real difference between entertaining and hospitality and why it matters most during the holidays. Deanne shares how she moved from a packed December calendar and Pinterest-perfect checklists to a slower, simpler season built around what her family actually loves—favorite foods, nights at home, and unhurried conversations. You’ll hear practical ways to host without stress: paper plates, takeout pizza, game nights, and small, repeatable rhythms that make guests feel seen and safe. We also talk about involving kids so hospitality isn’t a one-woman job—letting them choose traditions, help set the table, play music for neighbors, and own small acts of service that grow into a shared family culture.

Rooted in biblical hospitality, we explore how to create a life-giving space where expectations soften and presence grows. From the Jesse Tree to shared Advent readings, these simple practices keep Jesus at the center and turn the month into a time of spiritual formation rather than frantic activity. Anchored by Psalm 85’s promise of peace and harvest, this episode invites you to reclaim your home as a haven: less noise, more grace, and an open door that people want to walk through again.

If this conversation helps you breathe a little easier, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a review with one simple tradition that centers your season.

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
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Red Aspen - Skip the salon appointment and shop here for hands that are hardworking AND elegant.

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.

What if the most memorable part of December isn’t the packed calendar but the quiet moments at home? We open the bins of decorations and talk about a countercultural Christmas built on simple traditions, secret generosity, and a steady gaze on Jesus. From watercolor afternoons and gingerbread chaos to favorite stories read by the tree, we reframe “holiday magic” as presence over performance.

Together, we push back against the cultural current that glorifies busy. We walk through practical ways to reject the rush—starting with the planner—by choosing one or two aligned events and protecting unhurried evenings. We share our “one thing” daily focus, why Mary’s habit of treasuring and pondering still speaks, and how morning time with Scripture resets the heart. Then we step into giving: a humble wooden manger that fills one straw at a time for unprompted kindness, neighbor cookie deliveries that light up a block, and ideas for quiet service that doesn’t ask for credit. We also rethink kids’ gifts with a simple three-gift approach that calms expectations and elevates gratitude.

At the center is Christ. We reflect on John 1:14 and the joy of Advent practices that trace the story from creation to the cradle, keeping Jesus in view even as we enjoy seasonal fun. Expect Scripture anchors, family-tested rhythms, and gentle challenges to prepare hearts more than homes. If you’re hungry for a slower season, clearer priorities, and a home that feels like peace, this conversation is your starting place.

If this episode helps you breathe easier this December, share it with a friend, subscribe for more, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Recommended Resources:

The Giving Manger

The Wonder of the Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Red Aspen - Skip the salon appointment and shop here for hands that are hardworking AND elegant.

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.

Holiday tables can feel like tightropes: old roles resurface, expectations collide, and the urge to keep the peace can eclipse the call to make peace. We open up about awkward family moments, the pressure to please, and the liberating truth that you’re only responsible for your actions, feelings, and words—not for anyone else’s reaction. From there, we map a clear, grace-filled plan to navigate tense dynamics without losing your center.

We break down biblical boundaries as stewardship, not selfishness, and explore how guarding your heart actually frees you to love better. You’ll hear why pre-decisions reduce stress, how simple scripts like “Yes” and “No” protect your peace, and what it looks like to be both firm and kind. We dig into prayer as preparation, not an afterthought: confessing bitterness, asking for compassion, and receiving the peace of Christ that steadies you when conversations get loud. For heavier situations, we talk about fasting as a way to surrender control and seek wisdom, much like Esther did before a hard moment.

To round it out, we offer practical, memorable steps: cover the gathering in prayer, clarify your limits ahead of time, communicate clearly and with kindness, and compliment generously—even when kindness isn’t returned. Expect some disappointment from others and let that be okay. You can’t engineer outcomes, but you can cultivate a heart posture that honors God and blesses your family. If you’re ready to trade people-pleasing for peacemaking and step into the holidays with calm clarity, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show.

Recommended Reading:

Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Red Aspen - Skip the salon appointment and shop here for hands that are hardworking AND elegant.

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.

A friend’s kitchen-table Bible study turned into a national movement. Brittany Dunn joins us to share how Safe House Project is confronting child trafficking in America with a strategy built on training, survivor support, and evidence-based safe house certification—and why proximity, not sensational headlines, should reshape how we see this crisis. The numbers are sobering, but the path forward is clear, practical, and hopeful.

We talk through the real shockers—like how many victims are first trafficked by family members—and the tools anyone can use to help, including the Simply Report app for learning and reporting, and On-Watch training designed for short, focused learning. Brittany opens up about excellence as stewardship: transparent finances, measurable outcomes, and programs that stand up to scrutiny. Her leadership philosophy is simple and demanding—excellence without perfection, compassion without naivety, and prayer before plans.

If you’ve ever felt torn between meaningful work and being present at home, you’ll find a blueprint here. Brittany rejects the myth of balance and leans into managing energy and seasons, setting clear expectations at work and with her kids, and integrating family into mission so purpose becomes shared, not siloed. She also shares the spiritual rhythms that hold everything together: a 5:30 a.m. prayer call, Scripture, the “full armor” mindset, and physical training to metabolize stress and stay grounded.

Ready to engage? Become a Safe House ambassador, take On-Watch training, share the Simply Report app, or give to fund emergency housing, transportation, and case management for survivors. Subscribe, share this conversation with a friend, and leave a review to help more people learn how to spot, report, and support—because awareness paired with action can save a life.

Recommended Resources:

Simply Report 

OnWatch Training 

Eradicating Human Trafficking by Bill Woolf & Brittany C. Dunn

Safe House Project's Survivor Support Team serves hundreds of survivors every month exiting a trafficking situation and helping them get the services they need. To connect with our Survivor Support Team, please call (507) 769-0819 and select option 1 or start the process here.

Donate to The Safe House Project

Connect with me!
You can find me on Instagram @mrs.leannetuggle or you can email me at [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

Would you like more weekly encouragement? Subscribe to my newsletter Whatever is Lovely and be inspired to open your inbox again.
https://leannetuggle.myflodesk.com/v3r2zwdaik

If this is your first time here and this episode resonated, hit “subscribe” and submit a 5-star rating if you feel genuinely inspired to. Your positive feedback means the world to me!

Episode Sponsors:
Rodan + Fields - Take this brief quiz to find your customized skincare routine!

Red Aspen - Skip the salon appointment and shop here for hands that are hardworking AND elegant.

Whatever is Lovely - Subscribe here to the weekly newsletter designed to encourage you with words of wisdom and relatable content. Be inspired to open your inbox again.