WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Ep 69 Seven Prayers For Quarantine—How's Your Prayer Life These Days?

Early on in the shutdown of 2020, I began writing prayers for quarantine. They aren't necessarily only for quarantine, in case you no longer are! And I could've added many (many) more, as it continues on longer than anyone thought it would.
Maybe the children of Israel felt that waiting angst as they wandered 40 long years. 
I include only seven prayers—maybe the eighth should be: "Lord, may this not last 40 years!"—one prayer for each day of the week. 
To receive a one-page printable of all seven prayers, click here.
I'd love to hear what you've been praying. Feel free to leave your prayer in comments or email me at: sue@welcomeheart.com. 
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As things begin to open up, I am ready to speak at your next Christian Women's Event. Check out my 8 Retreat Series and 15 keynotes. Scheduling for 2021-22 now. Email me for queries and questions. sue@welcomeheart.com
 

Ep 68 A Legacy of Being Peacefully Imperfect, with Mitzi Neely

To know Mitzi is to love her and to be encouraged. Her greatest desire is to instill confidence in people of all generations. Though she desires daily to be more like Jesus, she knows she falls far short, and she's learned to be content in her imperfection. Joy comes from thanking God at the beginning of every day as well as recognizing that no matter what that day brings, He is in it and ahead of it. 
We will be giving away Mitzi's latest book collaborative: Praying for Revival -Soul Inspired Prayer
Leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway. And a review on the podcast to receive 5 extra entries. I will be using this book for Lent which is around the corner.
Mitzi Neely is an inspiring motivational speaker, Bible teacher and author, who encourages women of all ages through her experiences and shortcomings. Mitzi’s heart is to lighten your load, while conveying the message that nobody’s perfect. Whatever your struggle or need, you will find encouragement through her words as she refreshes your heart and renews your joy.
Mitzi has been an educator for 38 years serving as a high school teacher, elementary principal, high school principal, curriculum director and currently the assistant superintendent at White Oak ISD.
Mitzi is a wife, mother, and grandmother. She loves sweet tea and hails from the Lone Star State. Aside from her position as a central office administrator in an East Texas school district, she enjoys spending time with her family, writing, speaking, cooking, and sewing.
Follow Mitzi at www.peacefullyimperfect.net
More publications by Mitzi:
1. Joy for Everyday Life: Living Joy Filled Despite Our Circumstances Not Always Being Joyful https://amzn.to/3afPLld
2. A Thankful Heart: 30 Days to the Grateful LIfe  https://amzn.to/3t9vx5r
 
3. Dwell in the Psalms - https://amzn.to/3r2Qzkj
 
4. Girl, You Better Get Your Jesus On Journal - The Girl, You Better Get Your Jesus On Journal is a 5.5" x 8.5" 100+ page lined notebook.
 
 
 
 
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Read about Sue’s topics and testimonials at womenspeakers.com
 
How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
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Ep 67 Doubting Christianity: Dare We Talk About It?

I like to say that I was "surprised by doubt" much like CS Lewis was "surprised by joy" only the opposite. He was thrilled with God's plan of salvation. I woke up one day and doubted that there was a plan or a God. 
Today's episode is my testimony of doubt in my 20's and how God drew me back. The hero of the story, as always, is God—His graceful wooing and utmost patience. You may never have doubted your faith. But you may know someone who's in the midst of a dark valley and wondering if and when she or he may come through it. Share this podcast with them and pray while doing so. God loves for us to seek Him, and as it says in Jeremiah 29:13—
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
That's a promise with a condition. 
Listen today for three steps back to faith. I dared to talk about it today. Be encouraged. 

Ep 66 Silver Living in Suffering: Resilience, with Kathy Vick, Run Like a Girl.org

Kathy is one of my favorite people. She's encouraging, wise and practical and the best coach you would ever want to have. She's been in a season of suffering the past 5 years and she shares today how God changed her through the suffering and the benefits to offering each day to God for His leading and care.
We all experience suffering, trials, disappointments in one form or another. What we do with it and how we respond could be the biggest and best legacy we leave for those we love and serve. 
Find Kathy at:
kathy@runlikeagirl.org
www.runlikeagirl.org
Kathy’s Bio:
For fifteen years, Kathy Vick has been a Certified Life Coach, Author, and Speaker.
As a coach, her mission is to ignite the spark for your next great adventure! Her desire is to see women fully embrace the mission and calling on their lives.  She says, “It is the dream you had at ten and still have at fifty that you need to pay attention to.”
Kathy has worked in Christian Publishing since 1981 on multiple projects including magazines, radio, websites, and seminars.  In her career, she has been an art director, marketing director, freelance designer and writer, speaker and life coach. Her life motto is “If it’s not fun, I’m not doing it.”
She has written and published articles, essays and sidebars for women since 1995.  She is the author of “Lessons in Buoyancy” Letting go of the Perfect Proverbs 31 woman, published in 2004 by Revel.  She is the co-creator of the MOM2MOM gift book series and author of  “7 Reasons To Be Grateful You Are The Mother of a Blended Family” This was published by New Leaf Press, 2007.  Kathy’s gift book, “Run Like a Girl” was published by Howard Books/Simon & Schuster and released in Spring 2009.
She and her husband enjoy live theater, concerts, road trips, and good BBQ! 
 
Kathy’s coaching clients will tell you:
 
“I literally felt like celebrating after our calls. She gave me confidence and direction through some confusing and troubling times. Thank you so much, Kathy.”
Margaret Puckett, Oregon
 
“Kathy is an anointed life coach, she makes me want to quit everything and just fly!” Julie, Ohio
“Kathy has an incredible gift for getting to the root of a matter in amazingly short order. She was my compass for the journey.” Karen, Oregon
 
 “If you're not sure about "life coaching,' just give her a shot!! I don't believe anyone can ever come away with an encounter with Kathy unchanged!! She is The Real Deal!!! Jenny Steffins Remsberg, Lousiana
 
“The growth I have experienced in the last year has largely been because of Kathy and her easy laughter, genuine concern, and spirit-filled sharpening.” Chanel, Colorado
 
Kathy loves this recipe for Summer Rolls from Sally'sBakingAddiction - sounds addicting! 
 
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How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
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Ep 65 Did You Choose a Word for the Year? Make Sure It Inspires You!

Claire Diaz Ortiz says she chooses a word for the year because it "serves as a guidepost for what you want in the year to come." I began choosing a WOTY in 2016 and it's been an inspiration and often a conviction. Who I want to be and how I want to behave is not who I am now, and when I choose a word, I'm inspired to keep moving forward. 
As Crystal Hurst said, "We are both a masterpiece and a work-in-progress!" Isn't that the truth! 
A good word helps me focus on what God wants to work into my life. Listen today to get some ideas how how choosing our word can help us continue that "work-in-progress" all for God's glory. 
You can read the rest of Claire's article here.
After you choose your word,  check out Marva’s encouraging post: 3 best steps after choosing your Word.
Here is one of my favorites. Listen to find out why.
 
Blessings on your new year. May it be filled with words of grace and love from the great Lover of your soul. 
 

Ep 64 Transform Your Mind, For Heaven's Sake and Yours with Sarah Geringer

Sarah knows from experience how our mind can control and run our lives, but not always in the way God intends. Her latest book, Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus, teaches  how to engage with Scripture in 17 different thought-life problem areas. Today you'll get to hear about 3 of those problem areas and you will be encouraged.
We will be offering a free copy of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus - leave a comment to be entered!
In Sarah's words: 
I grew up as a child of divorce with deep fears of abandonment, and I faced several seasons of depression. I also married another child of divorce, and neither of us was emotionally healthy when we met. I have also suffered from passivity and codependency as a victim of emotional abuse. When I began reading the One Year Bible in 2003, God began changing my thoughts through the powerful truths of his Word. I began to see how God loved me and valued me, which boosted my self-worth. This newfound identity in Christ helped me set boundaries against toxic behaviors. Though it was a difficult struggle that continues today, I have learned the power of overcoming trials where they begin - in your mind.
Sarah Geringer is a speaker, artist, and author of Transforming Your Thought Life: Christian Meditation in Focus and three self-published books. She is currently writing a teen girl version of Transforming Your Thought Life, to be published in fall 2021.
She is on the devotional writing teams for Proverbs 31 Ministries, A Wife Like Me, Devotable, Hope-Full Living, Kingdom Edge Magazine and Woman 2 Woman Ministries.
When she’s not reading over 100 books per year, Sarah enjoys painting, baking, gardening and playing the flute.
Her daily must-haves are hot tea, dark chocolate, and fresh flowers.
She lives in southeast Missouri with her husband and three children.
Sarah writes about finding peace in God’s Word at sarahgeringer.com.
Follow Sarah on:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
LinkedIn
Goodreads
Sarah's go-to recipe for cold weather is:
Ultimate Baked Potato Soup (and doubles as an appetizer)
6 large Russet potatoes, or 3 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes (your choice)
1 T vegetable oil
1 T kosher salt
3 T butter
3 T flour
1 t. seasoned salt (I like Penzeys Seasoned Salt)
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
2-3 cups milk (I use skim)
1 14-oz. can fat-free evaporated milk
Pinch of ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
Additional salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings:  shredded cheddar or Colby cheese, sour cream, crumbled bacon, sliced green onions
Scrub baking potatoes.  Wipe dry with clean towel.  Rub with vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt.  Place on baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees until tender when knife is inserted, about 1 hour.  Cool until able to handle.
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise.  Scoop out insides and set aside. Reserve the skins for other use (great for potato skin appetizers, and they freeze well in resealable bags).
In a large stock pan or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-low heat.  Whisk in flour, seasoned salt, and pepper.  When roux is light brown, slowly whisk in 2 cups milk, about 1/2 cup at a time, until mixture is incorporated.  Pour in one can of fat-free evaporated milk, which gives the soup wonderful body and richness.  Season with nutmeg and cayenne pepper.  Heat through on medium-low heat, stirring often with whisk.
Place potatoes in milk mixture.  Heat through and emulsify with an immersion blender, or put batches in a blender and pulse until mixture is smooth, adding more milk as needed.  Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
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How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
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Ep 63 A Legacy of Fortified Faith, with Author, Speaker Nylse Esahc

What better testimonial than a daughter asking her mother for marriage advice right before getting married?
Who wouldn't love that kind of request?  
Nylse Esahc (nee' Andree Miller) speaks on today's podcast about living an authentic faith in front of her children which resulted in her ebook My Best Marriage Advice.
Nylse is a Christian wife and a mother of four who currently resides in Los Angeles, CA. Originally from the Bahamas, she lived in New York before relocating to the West Coast.
 
She is a Christian blogger who writes to encourage others from a Godly perspective at www.lifenotesencouragement.com.
 
Nylse recently published her second book, The Comfort of Night-How Jesus Makes Your Dark Times Alright. You can purchase it here.
About The Comfort of Night: "When darkness envelopes us we are often frightened. Following one of the more poignant phrases in the Bible, at the end of John 13:30 - and it was night, Jesus begins to speak, illuminating His presence."
Connect with Nylse online: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email.
Nylse's website:
http://www.lifenotesencouragement.com/
A place for encouragement along life's path
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifenotesencouragement/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nylse_esahc
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nylse1222/
Like Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifenotesencouragement/
Check out my book at www.mybestmarriageadvice.com
 
A word from Andree about Jerk Chicken! (YUM!)
Jerk Chicken
Some background -  if you come to my house you will be fed and usually, it will be a meal. Here's a quick recipe for Jerk Chicken. Jerk is a method for seasoning your chicken. The secret is the spice mix which must include pimento (aka allspice). The jerk spice mix is usually salt, pepper, pimento, garlic, onion, pimento, thyme, scallion, ginger, scotch bonnet or habenero peppers (there must be heat). Season a whole chicken or parts with this mixture, then let it sit for at least an hour. The longer it sits the better. In a pinch a bottled jerk seasoning will do. But here's a link for making your own spice mix - https://www.myforkinglife.com/jamaican-jerk-seasoning/
Then bake...I like to broil initially for 5 minutes to get a good char then complete on 350 until cooked - approximately 30 - 40 minutes. Serve with white rice and salad. That's a hearty meal that will have your guest begging for more.
 
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Sue's Conversation Starters now on Amazon! Buy one for yourself and one for a friend.
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Read about Sue’s topics and testimonials at womenspeakers.com
 
How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
Subscribe:
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OR
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Ep 62 Living Like a Straw--”Choose Jesus,” with Marnie Swedberg

Marnie Swedberg, author, speaker, musician, women's speakers' advocate - and all-around energizer bunny--encourages us today to choose Jesus, now and forever, and He will make your day perfect in the long run. Marnie says she likes to pray for perfection because that's who God is, but how things turn out—in the long run—is what God deems as perfect, and that's all she really wants. For information on how to join her speaker network, see womenspeakers.com.
Get a pencil and paper - you'll want to take notes!​
About Marnie:
Godly women worldwide look to Marnie Swedberg for coaching, connections, and collaboration. As a keynote speaker at Christian Women Conferences, Marnie circumnavigates the globe online and in-person, bringing perspective transformation, deep spiritual healing, and hope, helping women reach women for Christ.  She is the author of 13 books, host of a #1 ranked and featured Blog Talk Radio Show and the founder/director of www.WomenSpeakers.com.
Books include:
The Heaven Trilogy: The Truth About God, Heaven and Hell (Kindle)
Flow-Through Vessel: How to Master the Habit of Letting God Flow Through You
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Make a stranger into a friend with Sue's Conversation Starters now on Amazon!
Buy one for yourself and one for a friend.
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Read about Sue’s topics and testimonials at womenspeakers.com
 
How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
Subscribe:
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OR
Subscribe to Welcome Heart's weekly email newsletter, blog updates, and podcast notes, here!
 
 

Ep 61 Does "Peace on Earth" Apply To Me This Year? God's Gift is My Gift to Others

Probably the best-known Bible verse in the world is also the best Christmas verse—and it’s about giving:
John 3:16 states:  “For God so loved the world that He gave—“
“For God so loved the world, that He gave…”  And, because He gave, we want to give, too.
The heart of Christmas is giving because it began with God giving us His Son; the verse goes on:   “…that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
God chose the best gift and the perfect gift for each of us; He didn’t need help from Nordstrom or Amazon.
To be honest, I find there are so many things one can do during the month of December, many of them church-related—I can imagine there are those of you who may already feel up to your necks in Christmas-obligation, expectations, special events to attend and prepare for –that you already wish it were January 1st
Let's make "Peace on Earth" permeate our kitchen, living room and shopping aisle (maybe even the car—maybe especially the car) this wild and crazy season!
We can get so overwhelmed that we lose the spirit of love and joy and giving like God gave—even the good things can be counter productive to what God really wants to accomplish in and through us. That’s why it helps me to ask God what He wants. To clear the way to do the one or two things that would show His love best to those around me.
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Have you ever shied away from doing hospitality because you thought: ‘What will be talk about? Or you wonder, “What if no one talks – it will be so awkward?!” Then this is what you’ve been waiting for: Say Something Special: 252 Conversation Starters – The Ultimate Guide to Stimulating Table Talk –
It provides 252 prompts to get the conversation flowing and the friendships growing. Each of the fifteen categories will inspire you to do hospitality with joy, purpose, and ease. When you know your guests are going to have fun and make friends, you can feel relaxed and confident about inviting company over on a regular basis. Asking the right question can make all the difference and you will have 252 to choose from!
Printable digital version here: 202 questions
Print book version here: 252 questions

Ep 60 Is Experiencing Joy Out of the Question? Keeping Joy with Suzie Eller

You can't write a legit book on JOY unless you've known pain. Author, speaker, podcaster and Bible Study teacher, Suzie Eller has known pain, and her latest book: Joykeeper: 6 Truths That Change Everything You Thought You Knew About Joy is more than legit. I loved how Suzie shares her struggle to find joy while still experiencing fear, grief and potential loss. She allows us to feel all the feels while reminding us that God does the same, in fact, He invites us in to deeper intimacy as we are honest with our feelings. 
Some excerpts to whet your appetite:
"Joy is more than a feeling--it's a knowing." 
"When we understand that God cares about our feelings, we are not required to control, hide, or mask those emotions."
"Instead of trying to be something you are not, you allow Him to be Who He is."
Biblical, transparent, with practical encouragement, Suzie's provided a great gift to all of us this Christmas season. Buy Joykeeper for yourself so you can write in it (like I did!) and one for a friend. 
Suzanne (Suzie) Eller is a bestselling author, Bible teacher and speaker, and co-host of the popular More Than Small Talk podcast. Suzie has been featured on hundreds of TB and radio programs. When she's not writing, you'll find her kayaking, hanging out with her "littles," finding the best food truck, or hiking.
More Than Small Talk podcast:
Learn more at tsuzanneller.com/joykeeper.
Suzie's recipe for Dessert Pizzas. She says, "These are gorgeous and always a hit. They are easy to make and assemble, but look like you've worked for hours."
I like a recipe that makes me look good.
Fruit Pizza Tarts
 
Pillsbury Sugar Cookie squares (or you can make sugar cookie dough from scratch)
Strawberry glaze (found in the produce section)
Marshmallow cream (two small tubs)
Cream cheese
Sliced strawberries, blueberries, sliced kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, sliced bananas (don't slice bananas until it's time to serve)
 
Cook the sugar cookie squares in a muffin or cupcake pan (as directed)
This creates a small tart or cup to hold the ingredients.
While the cookies are cooling, mix together the marshmallow cream and cream cheese (with an electric blender)
Spread the mixture over each cookie
Next top that with the strawberry glaze
Then, begin to top it with fruit. I might put a half a kiwi slice, two blueberries, a raspberry and blackberry, and a sliver of a strawberry on top. When it's time to serve, I add the freshly sliced banana (so it won't brown).
 
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Sue's Conversation Starters now on Amazon! Buy one for yourself and one for a friend.
::::::::::
Read about Sue’s topics and testimonials at womenspeakers.com
 
How to invest in what matters beyond ourselves. We have one life - let’s make the most of it for God, others, and eternity.
Subscribe:
Choose one of these popular free listening services, and subscribe there:
    
OR
Subscribe to Welcome Heart's weekly email newsletter, blog updates, and podcast notes, here!