WELCOME HEART: Living a Legacy Life Sue Donaldson

Bret Lott knows how to make a woman cry. Possibly a man, too, but I'm not sure. I know he's cried (sobbed, he admitted) when reading Leif Enger's book, Peace Like a River. I already liked Bret Lott but that made me like him even more. 
Bret Lott, award-winning author of now 16 books (both fiction and non-fiction) didn't start out to become a writer and, in fact, met obstacles along the way. I'm glad he persevered; if you've read Jewel, one of Oprah's Book Club selections, then I'm sure you're glad as well. He wanted to ride a horse and be a Park Ranger. Grateful that didn't pan out. 
Fun sidenote: Since I'm also from Southern California, it was a delight to find out that Bret used to work at Knott's Berry Farm at the candy apple booth and once-a-month he made waffles for Mr. Knott. 
 

Bret is giving away a signed copy of his latest book out this month entitled: GATHER THE OLIVES, On Food and Hope and the Holy Land  - comment below or on social media to be entered!

Born in Los Angeles in 1958, Lott grew up in Buena Park, CA and Phoenix, AZ before returning to California to live in Huntington Beach, CA. He met and married his wife of 40 years, Melanie Swank Lott, at First Baptist Church of Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley. A graduate of Cal State, Long Beach(1981), Lott headed to Massachusetts for graduate school at UMass Amhurst. He received his MFA in 1984 and landed his first teaching position at Ohio State Univ. In 1986, Lott joined the English Department at the College of Charleston, where he is now a tenured professor and director of the new MFA program and leads writers retreats to Italy.
Find out more about his writing retreats here: https://bretlottwriting.com
Be sure to comment below to be entered to win: Gather the Olives.
Some gems:
The difference between a good writer and a bad writer: the bad writer says, "Here I am, I have something to say." The good writer writes a good story and you're not aware he or she even exists.
I write to try and understand things, why people do what they do and what happened to their lives.
I shared a short story with a girl I liked. She wasn't impressed. I knew right then that I loved her. 
Jewel was based on my grandmother's life. She had 6 kids and the 6th, my aunt, was Down Syndrome. 
You're given what you're given in life; the writer's job and joy is to write the pages torn from that life and try to understand it better.
The best art fills us with wonder and glory and mystery and beauty which are all manifestations of God. 
 

Connie Lawson, wife and mother of three little girls has suffered more than most. When asked, "Do you ever wonder why you went through so many trials?" she replied, "Not anymore. When you really push into Jesus and decide that He's enough, you find out that He really is enough." 
Misdiagnosed at age 11 with a mental illness that didn't get changed around until her late 20's, Connie could be bitter over all those lost years. Instead, she's turned her pain into an opportunity to help others trust the God that she's come to know and love, even in and in spite of the darkness. Hear more of Connie's story on her podcast, Weeds, Seeds and Beautiful Things. 

Some gems: 
I don't understand the why behind my trials, but I do know that God is good, no matter what.
If you aren't anchored to the truth, you'll drown, and the truth is that God is loves you and is present in your suffering. 
My mission is to help others come to know the God I've learned to trust. 
When you pray for more faith in God rather than praying for a changed outcome—it changes you.
My suffering is a doorway to see the face of God. 
An entitled anger says, "I don't deserve this pain" and keeps me from seeing God's hand. 
For more encouragment, follow Connie at WeedsSeedsandBeautifulThings.com.

My friend and fellow podcaster, Mary Hess of The Back 40, invited me and 3 other gals (from the back 40!) to chat on her podcast.

Here's what Mary had to say about all of us crazy and fun ladies:
Ever found yourself in a predicament because your body is going through changes you don't quite understand? Or perhaps you're struggling to find your identity amidst the pressures of social media, comparison, and the expectation to constantly achieve? Well, ladies, you're not alone. I'm accompanied by four incredibly inspiring women - Sue Donaldson, Ruthie Gray, Susan Macias, and Carol Feil - who have each navigated their unique journeys and have come to share their wisdom on these common, yet often overlooked subjects.Our conversation doesn't shy away from the personal, the profound, or the downright hilarious. We candidly tackle the often-ignored topic of menopause and each share our own experiences with hormone replacement and our strategies for coping with life's inevitable transitions. I think you'll find comfort and camaraderie in our tales of overcoming fears, breaking free from societal timelines, and taking action, no matter what stage of life you're in. But that's not all. We dive deep into the challenges of finding your true identity in a world that demands comparison. We discuss the power of authentic communication, and the importance of being true to yourself. Wherever you are in your faith journey, whether you feel you're just starting out or you've been walking the path for decades, this episode is for you. So, get comfortable, grab a cuppa, and join us for a conversation that will have you nodding in agreement, laughing out loud, and maybe even shedding a tear or two. You won't want to miss it.Connect with Sue Donaldson: https://welcomeheart.com/Connect with Susan Macias: https://www.susankmacias.com/Connect with Ruthie Gray: https://authenticonlinemarketing.com/Connect with Carol Feil: https://carolfeil.com/
Find our host, Mary here at The Back 40

Some gems (we do think we are funny...)
I had to make a choice, to say this is my new season, and I'm going to assume that God didn't make me faulty. It's not bad. Hot flashes are never fun.
I just want to be so in sync with what the Lord is doing in my life, so that, if I snap at someone, that I can do short accounts—to get our relationship back on track as soon as possible—like with God and my children and my husband.
Because we can now walk around with, you know, computers in our back pockets, I think we have to really really guard our hearts and minds to what we allow to settle in and take up that space.
I think sometimes it's easy for me even to get into the mindset of oh my gosh, I'm in my 50s now and what do I have to show for it? What do I have to show that I've been doing ministry or I'm successful in some arena or some way?
I don't know that comparison ever really goes away and I kind of thought it would.
To be surrounded by people who inspire you is is self-serving sanctification. To go into community on a regular basis and say have someone say, "You're not late, Susan, you're blessed. You're doing what God wants you to do today."
When we start feeling lonely or down about what we're doing or anything to do with our second half of life, the worst thing we can do is stay to ourselves.
 

Scott Savage, pastor, husband of a judge and father of 3, realized one day in a church meeting that he was in the wilderness of burnout. What followed was 9 months of finding and knowing God on a deeper level and he's here today to share with us part of what he learned. You may not be in a wilderness yourself right now, but you may know someone who could use Scott's encouragement. He's offering a free resource which you can access here: Don't Give Up When It's Time To Change: 10 Things You Need to Hear When You're Ready to Quit.
Scott and his wife, Danalyn often say, "Everyone has a story if we stop long enough to listen." Perhaps that's the main thing you need today: someone to listen to your story. You can connect with Scott here. 
Some gems from today:
 
What if you started looking for God's kindness in your wilderness where He leads you tenderly closer to Himself.
We can wake up and discover that we are somewhere where we never intended to be and find we are in a wilderness. 
Friendships forged in the hard places can be our deepest and most life-giving relationships. 
I knew I was burned out from focusing on my public life more than tending to my private life with God.
Burnout is something we have more control over; wilderness can often be the result of outside circumstances. 
My prayer is that people will connect to me in my stories so that they will connect with God. 
When feeling burned out we can claim the promise we are not alone: God hasn't left and He can provide others to accompany us in the hardest of times. 

Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker with the best last name ever! As a seasoned Millennial pastor, Scott has served churches for nearly 20 years. He currently leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. His writing has been read by over a million people in places like Our Daily Bread, RELEVANT Magazine, Air1 Radio, and the YouVersion Bible App: here's a sample.
Through his writing and speaking, Scott loves helping people who are navigating difficult situations to find hope and healing. He is married to Danalyn, aka Judge Savage, and they’re raising three brilliant children. You can learn more about Scott at ScottSavageLive.com or follow him on social media (@scottsavagelive).
 
 

Kristen Hallinan knew she needed to make some changes. How she responded to situations was threatening the peace in her family and costing her precious relationships. Once she figured out that much of her over-reactions were based in deep-seated early life trauma, she was able to begin to move forward: for her sake and for the sake of the next generation. 
As a result of what Kristen learned, she's put together a resource that is her legacy and will be of help for many who feel stuck in the pain of their past. That may not be you but you may know someone who needs to hear her story and how to get beyond small-t trauma and live in the freedom and wholeness that Christ provides.
A copy of her newly-released book will be part of a giveaway all week long. Be sure to comment to be entered:
Legacy Changer: Heal the Hurt, Redeem Your Story, Create Hope for Your Family

Some gems from our conversation:
It took me many years to resource all the tools to help me heal. 
We are forgiven completely when we come to faith in Christ, but not always fully healed.
I love seeing women walk in freedom when God redeems their past pain.
As a child, I felt unwanted, unseen, and that I was simply annoying to others. 
It took courage to speak up about my needs and face the fact that many were not met as a child.
To quiet the lies in my head, I list them out and contrast them with the truths of who God says I am. 
I am teaching our children that it's okay not to be enough because God is enough.
I've learned that I am in charge of my emotions—they are not in charge of me.
Kristen Hallinan is a sought-after writer and speaker, passionate about helping women redeem the pain of their past and move towards a healthier and more hopeful future. On mission to equip women and support families, Kristen previously worked as Director of Development for MOPS International. She enjoys working with teen moms, crisis pregnancy centers, and serving as a pre-marital mentor with her husband Shawn in Dallas, TX. Legacy Changer is Kristen’s debut book, and you can find her other writings in publications like Relevant Magazine and The Joyful Life. Laughing with and chasing after her four children helps burn off the calories she consumes of her favorite treat—homemade gluten free churros. 

 
 

Pam Fields of The Mom Next Door Podcast shares with us today her desire to come alongside other moms and throw out the anchor of God's truth, hope and love, encouraging them in their parenting and their walk with the Lord. She came from a difficult place in her own childhood and didn't really understand what it was all about but she met the Lord at 15 and knew right then that God loved her and that she was His favorite. I wanted to argue that I was His favorite, but as we know, God loves us all. 
Pam, a recent resident of Tennesee after living in Oregon for many years, is a mom of 9 and grandma to 4. She hosts the free Facebook group called: Tending Fields Moms Group and interviews moms from all walks of life on her podcast. 

 
Some gems:
I want to throw out the life preserver and provide an anchor for moms who are needing support and encouragement. 
An online community is a starting place for sharing hope and practical resources.
I know that there is so much power in prayer and when we can't make a casserole for someone, we can still pray.
I always knew that God loved me and that I was His favorite.
Because of the dark places in my past, I know that I kept myself from fully experiencing my emotions until I met with a counselor and recognized my childhood trauma.
To get beyond a painful past, we must surround ourselves with people who point us to God and His healing truth.
We aren't meant to grow on our own.
I  want a home where my people feel comfortable and supported whether or not things are going well or not so great.
 
 

 
As a mom of 9, Pam has learned how to incorporate prayer into the busy moments of mothering life. She would love to share this resource with you! In this guide, you will find prayer prompts as well as step-by-step instructions for crafting a prayer bracelet which will be a great reminder to pray for any concerns that you are carrying. She writes about the bracelet HERE.
 
 

 


Prayer Bracelets: A Practical Idea to Remind You to Pray



 
 
Here is the link: https://subscribepage.io/3e30w2
 
Follow Pam:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tendingfields/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/TendingFields
Website: https://tendingfields.net/