The Punch Bowl Diaries

Send us a message! Click here! On this episode of The Punch Bowl Diaries, April shares more about her journey into the Catholic Church and the unexpected, beautiful ways that saying yes has impacted not only her faith, but her entire family. Along the way, there have been so many sweet moments, unexpected discoveries, and little reminders that God is always at work. We also talk about something we...

Send us a message! Click here! Pray It With Us: The Litany of Waiting For the first time, we’re inviting you to pray with us. This is an interactive episode of The Punch Bowl Diaries as we pray the Litany of Waiting together. Bring your prayer, your petition, the thing you’ve been waiting on, and say it out loud with us. After each petition, we’ll respond together with prayers of  “Deliver me, Jes...

Send us a message! Click here! Have you ever felt like you’re ready to move, but God hasn’t given you the green light yet? Or maybe you’re comfortable where you are, but you know He’s telling you it’s time to go? In Numbers 9:22–23, the Israelites didn’t get a timeline. The cloud could stay for two days, a month, or even longer. They simply had to watch for God’s direction and follow when He said...

Send us a message! Click here! What if God is bringing something new into your life, but you’re still holding onto the old? In Leviticus 26:9–10, God promises fruitfulness and abundance, but He also tells His people to clear out the old to make room for the new. In this episode, we’re talking about recognizing when a season has served its purpose, letting go of what no longer belongs, and trusting...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode of The Punch Bowl Diaries, we’re diving into the beautiful history and spiritual significance behind this powerful Catholic devotion. The 54 Day Rosary Novena begins on August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and ends on October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. We’ll talk about where the devotion began, the story of F...

Send us a message! Click here! In this shorty episode, April shares a real time example of how the enemy tried to distract and overwhelm her with intrusive thoughts about aging, and how she fought back with the truth of God’s Word. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, April was reminded that the enemy’s lies do not get the final say. God’s truth does.  If this episode blessed you, share it...

Send us a message! Click here! What if the thing you’ve been praying for isn’t delayed at all? What if God is simply giving it to you little by little because He’s preparing you to carry it? In Exodus 23:30, God tells the Israelites that He will drive out their enemies “little by little” until they are ready to possess the land. He could have done it all at once, but He knew they weren’t ready for...

Send us a message! Click here! Life is full of changing seasons. Some are beautiful and full of growth, while others bring storms, uncertainty, and challenges we never saw coming. In this episode of The Punch Bowl Diaries , we talked with Pastor Marla Stroup from Healing Place Church about what it means to be truly rooted in Christ and why where you plant your roots matters. When our roots are anc...

Send us a message! Click here! What happens when God finally answers the prayer you’ve been praying, opens the door you’ve been waiting on, and then leads you somewhere you didn’t expect? In Exodus 12:37–39, the Israelites finally leave Egypt after generations of slavery. They know what they’re leaving behind, but they have no idea what comes next. They don’t have a detailed plan, they don’t know...

Send us a message! Click here! So many of us have Jeremiah 29:11 memorized, but have you ever read the verses around it? In this episode, we’re unpacking Jeremiah 29:10–14 and discovering the incredible hope God gave His people while they were living in exile. If you’re in a season of waiting, wondering why God hasn’t answered your prayers yet, this conversation is a reminder that His promises are...

Send us a message! Click here! There are moments in life when God quietly begins to stir your heart, and before long, you realize He's been leading you somewhere all along. In this very vulnerable episode, April shares a major announcement for her family as they begin the journey of converting to Catholicism. She opens up about the prayers, questions, convictions, and gentle nudges from the L...

Send us a message! Click here! Are you still replaying the past? Wishing things had turned out differently? Struggling to let go of a relationship, a mistake, a season, or the life you used to have? I have been there. In this episode, we’re unpacking the powerful story of Lot’s wife and why one backward glance changed everything. Her story isn’t just about looking over her shoulder. It’s about a h...

Send us a message! Click here! Have you ever felt like you're working harder than everyone else, yet nothing seems to fit? Maybe it's not because you're incapable. Maybe you're simply in the wrong environment. In this episode of The Punch Bowl Diaries , we're talking about the importance of living in alignment with God's purpose for your life. A fish was created to th...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode, we're unpacking one of the simplest yet most challenging instructions found in Scripture: "Do whatever He tells you." At the wedding in Cana, when the wine ran out, Mary turned to the servants and gave them a command that still speaks to us today: "Do whatever He tells you" (John 2:5). What Jesus asked the servants to do next...

Send us a message! Click here! In this shorty episode, I’m sharing a passage on staying rooted in the Lord despite your present circumstances.  Peter is sitting in prison, chained between two guards, with an uncertain future ahead of him. By all appearances, he has every reason to be anxious, afraid, and wide awake. Yet Acts 12 tells us something surprising: Peter was sleeping. How could someone f...

Send us a message! Click here! In this week's episode, we're diving into the powerful story of Elizabeth and Zechariah in Luke 1 as they boldly named their son John despite the confusion, questions, and expectations of those around them. When it came time to name their baby, everyone assumed they would follow tradition. But Elizabeth stood firm and declared, "No, he shall be called...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode, the ladies are doing a deep dive on the awesome ways the Lord has been moving in their lives and the lessons they are learning along the way. It's a great episode and one sure to fill your faith tank as they share some longtime prayers that have been discussed on this podcast have recently come to fruition. Enjoy!  Follow us on Instagram at @Pun...

Send us a message! Click here! This episode is a wake-up call. God is not withholding from you. He’s already placed seeds in your life—ideas, opportunities, nudges, provision. The question is, what are you doing with them? We’re talking about the seeds we leave unplanted because of fear, distraction, disobedience, or simply not paying attention. And the hard truth is this: if we don’t plant, we wo...

Send us a message! Click here! On this episode, the ladies are catching you up on their Springtime adventures and a big praise report from Leigh.  Come to visit the ladies and see the fabulous Ellen Skrmetti at the Kentucky Derby Party in Natchez on May 2nd: https://bontempstix.com/events/kentucky-derby-party-5-2-2026 Follow us on Instagram at @PunchBowlDiaries_Podcast  Watch on YouTube: https://w...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode, Leigh shares a personal look into how she handles a spiritual attack and how she restores her peace in the middle of anxiety. Save this episode and listen to it anytime you're also walking through a similar season. The Lord promises peace in his presence which is why running to his word is so important. Enjoy! Follow us on Instagram at @PunchBow...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode, the ladies had the honor of doing a live podcast recording in The Queens Room at Stanton Hall in Natchez, MS during the Pilgrimage Garden Club's 2026 Spring Pilgrimage with distinguished international interior designer, Holly Holden. Holly is known for creating timeless, traditional interiors for over 35 years and she is the Emmy-nominated host...

Send us a message! Click here! In this episode, Leigh shares Romans 4:20–21 and how she prayed over it on her drive home from Natchez, MS Romans 4:20 ESV “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Ask him again. Don’t stop praying.  Follow us on Instagram at @Punc...

Send us a message! Click here! There is hope to the one who seeks him.  Lamentations: 3:26-30  Waiting on God has such purpose. Is it fun? Absolutely NOT! It’s in the waiting where he refines us for what he is preparing for us. He is our portion,  Follow us on Instagram at @PunchBowlDiaries_Podcast  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PunchBowlDiaries-jb7dq Email Us: punchbowldiaries@gmail....

Send us a message! Click here! In this VOTD short, I (Leigh) am going over Psalm 104:27-28. So much goodness and HOPE in this verse! If this episode helped you today, please share it on social media and share it with a friend.  Psalm 104:27–28 (ESV) “These all look to you, to give them their food in due season. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled w...

Send us a message! Click here! In this shorty episode, Leigh shares about seasons of hardship and how they are often refining seasons . Just like silver is purified in intense heat, God sometimes allows trials to shape our character, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him. Share this with a friend if it helped you today.  Psalm 66:10–12 (ESV) 10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tr...