Dear Daughters

What does it look like to be a lifelong learner? Recently, my daughter Sara and her five-month-old baby Annie, came to visit us. Annie was in the middle of hitting some development milestones and what a delight to behold. I I loved watching Annie's little eyes and ears take in all the new sights and sounds at my house. Her infectious smile and laugh made us so joyful. What if we took delight in le...

God is the Creator, inherently creative. And he made you in his image. So that means: you are creative . Learning to see yourself as creative is the first step in using creativity as a spiritual practice.  Last week, we talked about the practice of creativity as a way to calm our anxiety and soothe our soul in  Dear Daughters Episode 219 . This is the second part in a two part series on creativity...

In the beginning God created  … God is the Creator. He is creative. He made us in his image. So our birthright is creativity. But sometimes we get in our own way and doubt the creative gifts God has given us. As well, we miss all the things God has for us because of the way he created our brains. Yep, that whole right brain/left brain situation. In this first episode this brand new year, we'll be...

How do you live each day like it's your last?  How can we manage to live each day with delight and gratitude and a big ole thankful heart? And how do we express gratitude and love to those nearest and dearest in a 'last day' kind of way? I will let my friend, Liz, lead the way for us. Liz Benigno is a dear friend, a best friend, a bright light, a woman of wisdom. She is also wildly funny, an adven...

You've probably heard about people that have had a white light kind of pre-death experience. There are some books and even movies out there that recount those kind of experiences but I've never talked with anyone who had one, nor did I know before this interview that my friend, Liz Benigno , had one just weeks ago in her hospital room. Liz and I sat down a few weeks back and talked for an hour and...

I started The Dear Daughters Podcast way back in 2016 as a way to encourage younger women. Especially women in the midst of what I call: the 'decade of big decisions.' It's the time in life when you're finishing school, deciding on a career, getting married, starting a family. All these kinds of momental decisions that lay a path for the rest of your life.  I wanted to be a voice – and provide voi...

If you know me, you know that one thing I love to collect are vintage copies of books I adore. Around this time each year, I find myself coming to the same worn book that's perched on the bookshelf in my office: Let's Keep Christmas by Peter and Catherine Marshall . In today's podcast, I sit down to give a live reading of this book to you and yours, in hopes that this story that started as a sermo...

I can't believe that 2023 is coming to a close already. Can you? Today on the podcast, Tori and I look back over this year and talk about the wonderful things that have happened this year, but also the not-so-wonderful things. I hope that you take time to sit down and ask yourself and your loved ones reflective questions as December comes and goes. What were you grateful for this year? What did yo...

Creating whimsy over the holidays is one of my favorite things to do when we have the whole family at home. Today, Tori and I go through the ways that I've incorporated different traditions into my family's Christmas each year. Whether we're making a yummy milk punch, eating at the table, or opening gifts— there are so many ways that you can make this holiday a little more magical. SHOW NOTES Beco...

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's already here. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Tori and we talk about different questions that you can ask at your table this year— and we even do a few rapid-fire Thanksgiving questions!  I so hope you like it as much as we did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving! SHOW NOTES Become a  Newsletter Friend  and get weekly-ish encouragement...

How do you stay hopeful during the holiday season? In last week's episode , I had the chance to sit down with my sweet Dad, and talk about all things gratitude. This week on the podcast, I sat down with Tori, and in a similar vein to gratitude - we talk about having hope around the holidays and what that has looked like for me over the years, even in the seasons that have felt less hopeful than ot...

Do you ever wonder how to stay grateful and joyful? Today on the podcast I invited my dad, an expert in staying grateful in all things.  We talked about the last 9 months of his life and all the changes he experienced after his prolonged illness. Our hope is that you listen in and get a few tips on how to maintain an attitude of gratitude during all of life, regardless of circumstances.  Become a ...

Our phones, TV's, tablets – and everything in between are such large parts of our lives – and for a good reason. We're able to connect with our loved ones, the world, listen to music, and so much more. We are back this week talking about all things NON-tech for  The Learning Series  and this week, Jaclyn and I are discussing ways that technology impacts our lives, the value in unplugging to be pre...

Communication opens the door for so many different things: vulnerability, discomfort, uncertainty — but it also offers the opportunity for true connection. The more vulnerable and willing you are – the more opportunities you will have to experience something awesome with the people around you. Even more so, when you decide to be a good communicator – the rich reward is relationship with someone de...

We're mixing things up this month on The Dear Daughters Podcast with  The Learning Series . I love learning and the thought of all things back to school has inspired this entire series— I'm a true believer that we can never stop learning. This week I have a dear daughter, Jaclyn Byrd, on the podcast with me. It was Jaclyn's idea to talk about creative writing this week. She started as a journalism...

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We're mixing things up again with a new series as we enter August and, believe it or not, a new school year already. I love learning and the thought of school has inspired my next podcast series:  The Learning Series! This week I have my husband, Will, on the podcast with me. Will was a history major at Baylor University … he has always been fascinated by it....

It is a gift to be invited into someone else's house, to share a meal at their table. Inviting someone to your table says, "you are a part of this family." I hope you've enjoyed listening to The Home Series this summer. I think of it as a little guide to creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home as much as I have loved talking about it. And this week, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about table setting. The...

"Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes." – C.S. Lewis This week on the Dear Daughters podcast, as we move through our Home Series, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about creating an office or workspace you love (even if you don't have a spare roo...

I love looking back on the homes I have been able to create over the years. They have inspired this summer season on the Dear Daughters Podcast: The Home Series. I'll guide you, room by room, in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God. Last week  we talked about God being the  original homemaker . He is also the ...

Welcome to the Home Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! God is the  original homemaker . That's what a listener said to me in an email a few weeks ago, inspiring this series. God made a safe, beautiful home for Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He wants us to have a safe, beautiful home, too. So how do we create that? Listen in to the Home Series this summer as, room by room, I'll guide you in cre...

Welcome to the 200th episode of the Dear Daughters Podcast! Can you believe it? The very first episode of the Dear Daughters podcast was recorded in 2016 in my home, in Sara's room. I wanted to be a spiritual mother to my daughters and the young women around them who were in and out of this home. And now here we are at the 200th episode and I've been wondering what in the world to talk about for w...

It's March! I am sooo glad it's here because last month was a hard month for our entire family. A little backstory: Shortly after Austin's February freeze, my dad came down with pneumonia and was hospitalized for two weeks. I am so grateful to report that he's home from the hospital and getting better every day. He still has the sparkle in his eye. He still tells me he loves me every time he sees...

We don't have to fear every trial and testing that comes our way … these things can be the making of a beautiful, steadfast spirit. Who inspires you to keep going when things get hard? Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. This week I invited my new friend Katy Rose (that's her real name!) to be my guest and talk about her latest inspiration Katy is a talented artist, ill...

One good friend changes everything. I have a treat for you, friend. It's a final episode from  The Story Series  and feel that it's the perfect time to share it with you. If you missed The Story Series (episodes 185 through 193) I hope that you will go back and  listen here . It's all about stories because I love stories. I love to ask questions, I love knowing people's stories, and I love that wh...

You are on a sacred journey with God. Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast in 2023! Thank you for starting your year with me. I wanted to spend the first few episodes celebrating the new year and offering some encouragement as you set resolutions and make plans and wonder what in the world are you supposed to be doing with your life. To be able to ask the question,  "What am I supposed to do with...