WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life

Ep 51 "Growing is a Process"- Growing Something Besides Old, Part I

One thing we know is that we will all grow old, unless we die first.  Bette Davis said, “Old age is not for sissies.” My mom used to say: “There’s nothing fun about growing old.”  She was mourning the loss of her independence due to macular degeneration. 
God, in His wisdom, made us all start as baby Christians—– but we didn’t stop there, did we? 
One thing is true, we will all grow old, but we may not all grow up. Don't you want to grow something BESIDES old? I sure do.
Be encouraged: Staying in the race IS a sign of maturity.
 
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A BIG sign of our maturity in Christ is peace in turmoil. I can only live peacefully when mindful of God's presence. For a list of 7 brief prayers and Scriptures to pray throughout your day, subscribe here:
Mindfully His: How to Live Attentive to God's Peace and Presence
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Chino Valley Community Church, Chino Hills, CA is hosting a GATHER event this Saturday and you're invited. Here's the info and I'd love to see you there. Outdoors, bring your lunch and sun hat. I'll speak on "Hospitality, Becoming a Woman of Welcome" in the morning and "Pouring Out: Mentoring as a Way of Life" in the afternoon. Register here.
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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 50 Bob Goff, A Man of the Cloth Without the Cloth--The Love Does Legacy: ”The Only Thing That Counts!”

No matter how often I listen to or read Bob Goff, I get inspired, blessed, and closer to who I think Jesus calls me to be. In this interview, you will hear about 17 sermons that preach in about that many minutes.
Get ready. Grab a pen if you like to take notes, and I hope you're not driving because you may need to stop and replay a line or two to make sure you got it. 
I asked Bob if he had a favorite Scripture passage and Galatians 5:6 was right at hand: "...The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."  Making our lives count through love and faith. Love it.
Love does when we ask Jesus to make our lives count for Him day-in-and-day-out.
Bob Goff is the author of the New York Times bestselling Love Does and Everybody, Always and his latest book, Dream Big, released June 23, 2020. He is the Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda, an attorney, and the founder of Love Does—a nonprofit human rights organization operating in Uganda, India, Nepal, Iraq, and Somalia. He's a lover of balloons, cake pops, and helping people pursue their big dreams. Bob's greatest ambitions in life are to love others, do stuff, and, most importantly, to hold hands with his wife, Sweet Maria Goff, and spend time with their amazing kids. For more, check out BobGoff.com and LoveDoes.org.
Bob's goal to be show love by being available. He puts his phone number at the back of his books. I called him. He answered. Here you go: 206-571-9798
 
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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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"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all for the glory of God." I Corinthians 10:31 
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Ep 49 What's Your Mission Statement? Living With God's Intention, Part II

Companies and ministries alike know the significance of creating a great mission statement. I find them in the back of magazines, church bulletins, and online articles. People want others to know what they are about, and in the believer’s case, Who they are about.
A Believer's Manifesto has to do with love and identity.
Why a Mission Statement? It frames our lives with God’s intentions, a framework on which to hang our notions, hopes, dreams, and goals.
I don’t want to live willy-nilly. And when the winds and rain come, as they will, we may get wet but we don’t lose our footing.
Write your Mission Statement. List your signposts. Use them in prayer. Take out the photocopy of Jesus we find in Scripture, and you’ll live life as God intended: for Him, with Him, and eventually, like Him.
 
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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 48 How Kindness Changes Lives, Starting With Your Own, with Nicole Phillips of The Kindness Podcast

Nicole Phillips, a college coach wife, former Miss Wisconsin, writer, and speaker, is all about kindness. Her legacy begins in her home as she's trained her three cherubs to develop a vision for kindness, teaching them to look daily for something kind: 
What someone did
Something they saw
Something kind someone did for them
You will be motivated to present yourself as a "vessel of kindness" on a regular basis, showing off the kindness and grace of God as you do so. I love Nicole and you will, too.
Kindness advocate Nicole J Phillips is a champion for using kindness to overcome life's difficulties. From spending childhood Saturdays in a prison visiting her mom’s husband, to experiencing the joy that comes with forgiveness, to fighting breast cancer with kindness, Nicole shares the transformation that happened in her own life when she made a career out of writing about Kindness– and living life courageously kind! Nicole spreads the message of the healing power of kindness as host of “The Kindness Podcast”, through her weekly column, “Kindness is Contagious”, which runs in newspapers in North Dakota and Minnesota and as a regular guest on the Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family” show. The author of three books, Kindness is Contagious: 100 Stories to Remind You God is Good and So are Most People, Kindness is Courageous: 100 Stories to Remind You People Are Brave + Kind, and The Negativity Remedy, which comes out in September 2020, Nicole’s message of living life courageously kind will inspire, refresh and reinvigorate you both personally and professionally.
 
You can find Nicole on social media @NicoleJPhillips and on her website BraveAndKind.NET. Nicole loves to hear your stories of kindness, so please send them to her at info@nicolejphillips.com.
 I asked Nicole to submit a piece on "hospitality" for my blog and she answered witha resounding "no"! She doesn't cook. I told her I wasn't asking her to write about cooking. Her article was one of my favorites. Here it is in case you missed it:
"Welcome to My Couch!"
 
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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 47 What's Your Mission Statement? (And Do You Need One?) - Part I

Everybody and their mother is writing their "Mission Statements" these days. Why the big deal? How important is it to develop a Mission Statement? For our daughter, Bonnie’s company, it was important enough for her to spend nine months, as well for her company to pour thousands of dollars into manpower, TV ads and in the end, declaring: “This is what we’re about and it’s a great thing!”
I can’t help but wonder: What is the Believer's Manifesto?
Don’t I need a Mission Statement? Something to live my life under like a well-constructed canopy of truth, guiding and guarding my thoughts, words, and actions. If so, where do I start?
As Christians, we have the ultimate marketing team: God, the Father – Founder, Director. Christ, the Son – Brand Authority. And the Holy Spirit – Influencer/Equipper.  Besides the power-packed Trinity, we’re granted 24/7 access to Scripture, a handbook of all wisdom and knowledge breathed from God’s heart to ours.
I have what I need to make my Mission Statement. The real question remains:
Will it make a difference in how I live? A statement means nothing without the will and desire to follow God with all my heart.
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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 46 Building a "No-Regrets" Life with Rhonda Stoppe

Do you want to be a "No-Regrets" woman? Rhonda Stoppe tells us today how to be just that.
None of us like to live with regret, yet we've all done things and said things we've regretted. How do we get beyond ourselves and live a life "worthy of the life to which we are called?"
Paul wrote in Ephesians:
Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.  Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. - Ephesians 4:1,2
Rhonda Stoppe is the NO REGRETS WOMAN with more than 20 years experience of helping women build no-regrets lives. “I could have listened to Rhonda talk all night,” is what women say about Rhonda’s enthusiastic, humorous, transparent teaching, and zeal as an evangelist. She’s committed to fulfilling the Titus 2:4 commission by mentoring, teaching, and writing books that are inspiring, grounded in Scripture, and easy to read––like you’re visiting with a friend over coffee.
Rhonda is the author of six books and she appears on numerous radio programs including FamilyTalk,Focus on the Family, Family Life Today and hosts The No Regrets Hour. She speaks at women’s events, Pastor’s Wives Conferences, MOPs, and homeschool conventions. Sharing the gospel is her sweet spot––she’s an evangelist at heart. Watch this video of Rhonda sharing the gospel.
Rhonda ministers alongside her husband Steve, who pastors the First Baptist Church of Patterson, California. They live out their own Real Life Romance writing books and speaking at their No Regrets Marriage Conferences, but their favorite ministry is their family. They have four grown children and 10 grandchildren. To learn more about Rhonda’s speaking topics, watch her teaching and to book Rhonda for your next event visit: NoRegretsWoman.comBonus: Watch this fun video of Steve & Rhonda sharing their own love story.
Links:
Website:       NoRegretsWoman.com
Facebook:    Rhonda Stoppe No Regrets Woman 
Instagram:  @RhondaStoppe 
Twitter:       @RhondaStoppe
 
Some of Rhonda's Speaking Topics:
Women Who Rock Their World
Mom - You Are Not Alone
Moms Raising Sons to Be Men
Life on Purpose with No Regrets
I Can Build a No Regrets Life
The No Regrets Marriage Conference with Steve & Rhonda Stoppe
Mommy & Marriage - You Can Be Good at Both
 
Stoppe's Simple Shredded Coconut Macaroons
 
1 Can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 Large Bag Shredded Coconut
 
Mix together thoroughly (I use my hand to mush it together)
Spoon onto a cookie sheet 
Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes (until golden)
 
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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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For further thoughts on faith, food, and legacy--follow Sue at WelcomeHeart.com
 
 

Ep 45 Everyone Has a Story with Katie Collins

You may know someone who would give you the shirt off your back - but how about a kidney? (I might give a casserole...) Today I have the honor of hosting my lovely friend, Katie Collins: educator, wife, mother, grandmother, and kidney donor. 
Katie talks of leaving a legacy of "Less judgment -- More prayer" as she's learned to recognize that everyone she meets has a story and we can be part of their story by lifting them to Jesus at any moment of the day.
Wise words from a seasoned believer:
"Although I wouldn't want to continue to live in any of my past gut-wrenching circumstances--I don't long for the grief they bring. But I now know I wouldn't trade them for how I've learned to feel the word FAITH and taste the word TRUST."
A little about Katie Collins in her own words:
Celebrating 40 years with my best friend, mother of four adult children, retired elementary teacher, now full-time Mamie, I am blessed. As a work in progress, I am thankful for every day as an opportunity to draw closer to the Lord and the people He has placed in my life.
Here's Katie's Go-To Recipe: Shrimp Sausage Pasta
Years ago, BK (before kids), Kirt and I went to have dinner with my roommate's parents. Her mother served this savory meal to us and I’ve used it ever since as a people-pleaser and quick go-to. 
 
Sausage and Shrimp Pasta
 
1 pkg frozen wild-caught shrimp
1 pkg Jimmy Dean sausage (I like sage)
Spaghetti noodles (Angel Hair works well, too)
Parmesan cheese
 
Take out bag of frozen shrimp and let defrost. Crumble and cook sausage in pan. While cooking, start water boiling for pasta. Once sausage has cooked, drain, cover and put on simmer. When noodles are boiling, throw shrimp in and continue to cover, stirring here and there to get all the juices blended together. Drain noodles, and then mix everything together in a casserole dish, smother with parmesan cheese and serve. A quick bag of peas, slice of bread, and you’re set! Enjoy! 
 
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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.
Subscribe:
Choose one of these popular free listening services, and subscribe there:
    
For further thoughts on faith, food and legacy--follow Sue at WelcomeHeart.com
 

Ep 44 Cheerleader for Faith and Family, with Tiffiney Holmes

Tiffiney Holmes, wife of 26 years, homeschooling mom of 6, hails from Brooklyn, NY. She's quick to say she doesn't have it all figured out, while at the time she encourages us to cling to Jesus and fight to live every moment as one who can share the Gospel at every chance we get. 
As a woman of color, today Tiffiney shares her perspective on racial tension ("Satan is having a heyday!") and what's she's learning on how to relate as Jesus would so that whoever she meets will feel His welcome to come into His family.
I loved her post on Facebook entitled: "Dear White Friends" presenting her perspective on our nation's current crisis. An excerpt:
I am a black person living in America, so I understand racism. I sometimes cannot breath when I see my young adult sons leave my home late at night, because I know that one wrong encounter could tragically change everything. But if such a thing were to happen (God forbid it!), I wouldn't blame white people, I wouldn't start hating cops (by God's grace). I would blame the responsible party. That party ALONE would stand before God and give an account for their actions. No other person.
Friends, no matter what color you are, you cannot bear the weight of what another person has done, even if they look like you or have the same profession as you do. That is too much of a burden for anyone to bear.
 Read entire post here.
Tiffiney Holmes is self-proclaimed "family-life-junky” who morphed into a family-life-enthusiast, all because of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now she’s on a mission to help other women experience abundant family life. Tiffiney and her husband live in Brooklyn, NY with their six children, two sons-in-love, and three grandchildren - all of whom keep their lives full of adventure! You can follow the adventure on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Follow Tiffiney:
Welcome Home Ministry – Celebrating the Adventure of Family Life!
Pinterest
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Resources from Tiffiney:
Free Online Devotional: Because of Jesus, My Home Is: A free 20-Day Online Devotional which explores the blessings of our union with Christ, and God’s unique relationship to the Christian Home. Click here to learn more. 
Free eBook: The Art of Building a Godly Home: The Art of Building A Godly Home is a beautifully illustrated companion guide for your journey along the path of wisdom. Read it to strengthen your home today!  Click here to learn more.
A word from Tiffiney about a favorite recipe:
My kids request this for special occasions. I slay at making it now. (Slay…that’s slang. LOL! ) I even jazz it up by adding shrimp. 
Favorite Family Recipe: Pasta with Bacon and Mushroom by Ree Drummond. 
Sounds divine - can't wait to try it.
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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.
Subscribe:
Choose one of these popular free listening services, and subscribe there:
    
For further thoughts on faith, food, and legacy--follow Sue at WelcomeHeart.com
 
 
 

Ep 43 Solitude vs Loneliness: Celebrating Friendship

God knows we need each other, at every age and stage. Here are 6 descriptions of a good friend. I hope you can celebrate friendship alongside of me today!
There's a difference between loneliness and solitude. One is debilitating, and the other is necessary.
 “The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”-- Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa saw the worst in poverty yet here she knew deep down in her bones: loneliness is the worst kind.
 
I'm so thankful that Jesus sticks closer than a brother.
Feeling alone today? Text a friend.Invite her for tea and granola.She may need your tea and granola more than you do. I've shared this recipe before - have you made it yet? I got it from my friend, Stephanie at ReadCookDevour.

Ep 42 A Legacy of Your Worth, Rebecca Hastings

I found a kindred spirit in today's podcast with Rebecca Hastings. Rebecca is not only a woman of words, but a woman who knows her worth found in God and His Word. You will love her!
 
A little about Rebecca:
Rebecca Hastings is a writer and speaker encouraging women to find real faith for real life.  A wife and mother of three in Connecticut, she is the author of Worthy: Believe Who God Says You Are and Daily Meditations for Christians. Her work has also been featured at Relevant Magazine, (in)courage and The Washington Post. She can often be found typing words, driving her kids places or wherever there is chocolate.
 
Buy her books here (I just did!) --
 
Worthy: Believe Who God Says You Are
Daily Meditations for Christians
 
Subscribe to her weekly 10-second pause of inspiration and hope at myinkdance.com.
 
 
Rebecca's favorite recipe looks perfect and simple!
   
Tuscan Minestrone Soup
 
1 c. sliced carrots
1/2 c chopped celery
1 c chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
2 T olive oil
15 oz can black beans
15 oz can cannellini beans
32 oz chicken broth
1/2 t. thyme
 
1) heat oil on medium/high heat. Add vegetables and garlic. Cook 4-5 minutes.
2) Stir in remaining ingredients and bring to boil.
3) Turn heat down to medium/low and simmer 10-12 minutes.
4) Serve with crusty bread.
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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.
Subscribe:
Choose one of these popular free listening services, and subscribe there:
    
For further thoughts on faith, food and legacy--follow Sue at WelcomeHeart.com