A Gem to Remember

In this final episode of A Gem To Remember, Julia wraps up the year by recapping special episodes and admiring the many gems revealed throughout the first season. She reminds us of beautiful truths brought to light through the stories and testimonies of featured guests. Join her as she shares her newfound understanding of hope for the future. How finding old journals in her room prompted a recent personal reflection of what God has done in her life over the past year. She talks about looking back at moments she remembered as restless and even painful, but now fills her with peace and hope. Join in as Julia describes giving up her endless chase for a pre-planned life for one that extends a trust in Jesus into the future. He knows where we are going, we have only to say yes to each little step he calls us to take. Come reflect on your year and prepare for the next. Receive encouragement on how to avoid busying yourself with resolutions or checklists, but rather to prayerfully invite God into the areas where you can grow. Believe that you are His beloved and that He has immense love to pour out over you and your life this next year! Happy New Year, friends! 

Two of the Trainer brothers, Sam and Gabe, join us for this week’s episode about faith in the family. They talk about what it’s like being involved in faith at college with brothers (including their younger brother Joey) and how that helps them keep each other accountable and have someone in their corner. Sam and Gabe share specific ways their dad and mom have implemented faith as the foundation of their family and how valuable it has been to have “here’s the deal” moments. They reflect on the importance of loving & supporting your family, leading by example, and knowing that whatever you do on God’s behalf will be good. Come be reminded that each time we go back home to our families we have the chance to share what God has been doing in our lives to give Him glory. Lifehack: #1 - give the Panchero’s worker a Hershey pie from Burger King if you want extra queso and a bigger burrito!!! #2- Put a damp washcloth in the dryer with wrinkly clothes to get wrinkles out!!!

Whitney Klym, a third-year FOCUS missionary and team director, joins us for this week’s episode of A Gem to Remember to show us the heart of a missionary. She talks about what FOCUS is and what it meant to her while at the University of North Dakota. During some of her first small groups in college, she had spiritual conversations with ladies which taught her that Jesus is a friend. She shares the impact of one person who invested in her and sparked her desire to say “yes“ to helping others encounter and know the Lord. Whitney speaks into the sacrifices worth making while living mission as well as the misconception that one must have the title of a missionary to live it. Tune in to hear how Jesus humbly teaches us “the little way” so we can reach souls and make disciples of all nations. Lifehack: Buy your letters/cards & stationery at TJ Max or the Dollar store to snag some good deals!

This week we are joined by entrepreneur and retired business teacher, Diane Goudy, to talk about how trusting getting comfortable with being uncomfortable moments can help you fully embrace your purpose. She tells of how God made a shift in her life as she was teaching and gave her a desire to connect with students and invest in them. She learned that the best growth happens when we challenge ourselves to do new things and be the best we can be. Tune in as we talk about doing God’s work even when we can’t see the outcome, being willing to walk with others, and trusting God above all things because He will allow good to come. Lifehack: Turtle rock - slow and steady wins the race

Matthew 7:24-27. Life is fast-paced... full of things to do, people to see, and places to go. Even the good things in life can start to become overwhelming. Then out of nowhere, there is loss, sickness, failure, and pain. When everything is stripped away, what are you left with? What makes you say, "If all else fails, if I don't have anything else, at least I have this"? We have to pause and ask ourselves what our foundation is. We have to consider what we've built ourselves on: rock or sand? No title, relationship, test, or accomplishment was made to hold you. Those things are merely sand, made to wash away and come out from under you. Jesus is our own true foundation. Solid. Lasting. Unwavering. If all else fails, crumbles, is destroyed, taken away, ruined...He will remain. 

This week Julia and her mom Lori Fritz have a heart-to-heart about being pulled out of exile, a cycle of sin. Lori shares a story from a time in her life when everything seemed to be in place but then started to crumble. We hear about how God brought her to her knees and used the gifts of knowledge and understanding to restore her brokenness. After a unique encounter with the Lord of ALL, she talks about how easy it is to become complacent again. We talk about our heart's desire to be loved and how that is placed there by God, meant to be filled by God. Only by knowing love Himself can we enter into human relationship. Join us as we recognize the need to attend to our hearts daily, be in relationship with Jesus, and give our ALL to Him.  Lifehack: Listen to a podcast to help you manage and/or pass time (or watch Little People) 

Joining us for this week’s episode is Michael Rimathe, who is known by many for his humble character. We get to talk about who has inspired his own personal humility and how he lives that out. Listen as we reflect on the ways culture puts too much emphasis on achievement, how humility is different than self-deprecation, how Jesus is the greatest example of humility and service, and how we can find ways to use our gifts and talents to serve the Lord.  Lifehack: If you struggle to remember people's names, associate their name with someone you already know as soon as you meet them! 

Julia welcomes Jenna Becker onto the podcast to talk about the ongoing battle with comparison. Jenna shares the initial struggle and fear of stepping into her faith because of comparing herself to others in the church. She learned to ask questions and recognize the beauty of where she was at. We reflect on how easy it is to fall into the trap of comparison and believe lies that lead to feeling unworthy or prideful. Tune in as we talk about being created uniquely, opening up to the Lord about struggles with comparison, thanking God for someone rather than being jealous of them, recognizing the value of one person has nothing to do with that of another, and choosing to give up our lives to Jesus to be like Him and no one else. Believe us when we say, you are incredibly wonderful in your own way. Lifehack: Before you walk out the door in the morning: find a mirror, smile big, and give yourself a thumbs up. “What if you woke up tomorrow and all you had was what you thanked God for yesterday.”

Second-year FOCUS Missionary, Dan Sasala, joins us for an episode about why you’re not missing out on “the college experience” when you choose Jesus in college. Dan gives insight into the way our society portrays the college experience and the outside pressure we feel to pack those years with empty pleasures. We talk about not waiting to make faith a priority, how a relationship with Jesus helps us love people around us best, and the ways we can be a witness to our friends. Know that you can choose a life of faith and friendship with Jesus and not miss out on anything, but rather be filled with joy and satisfaction in the most real way. Lifehack: Sacos: Chacos + Socks — still the feeling of being barefoot but with the nice warm hug of socks. It’s comfy and functional.

We are joined by Halle Kilburg for a heart-to-heart episode about trying to earn God’s love. She looks back on a moment when she thought failure made her unworthy but discovered it has little to do with our performance and more to do with how much God loves us for who we are. We talk about wanting to make people proud, convincing ourselves we’re loved but struggling to believe it, the pursuit of excellence — not perfectionism, asking ourselves “why?”, being honest with God in prayer, and placing our identity in God. Come find rest in knowing that you are already enough for Him. Lifehack: put your phone away from your bed so when the alarm goes off you have to get up & out of bed to turn it off. And when you DO get out of bed, jump! Jumping into the day can be a fun way to get it started!

Kate Greenwood joins us for this week’s episode and speaks vulnerably about a personal battle with mental health. She opens up about how being alone when she was younger caused sporadic and chaotic behavior which she later identified as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). After years of being consumed by her thoughts and relying on her own strength and distractions, Kate tells of how the Lord responded to her cry for help and gave her mental and physical peace. Tune in as we reflect on the power of prayer, the way God finds us at our lowest, how we’re brought closer to Jesus through struggles, and how He is always listening to us and waiting for us to run to Him. Lifehack: you don’t NEED to wash your hair if you stop and allow it to get used to its natural oils (like people did before shampoo was a thing)

In this week's episode, we get to hear in-depth knowledge and understanding of the foundations and history of the Catholic Church from Father Jon Seda, the priest at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center. A conversation about the sacrament of Baptism turns into a closer look at scripture and tradition, and how they work together. Fr. Jon tells stories of his Irish heritage that help us understand oral tradition from a new perspective. We look at how over time, the same Holy Spirit has guided the practices and beliefs of a 2,000-year-old Church, helping us serve a vast God. Lifehack: turn your toothpaste upside down during the day so you don’t have to squeeze it as much AND pray each morning before you walk out the door.

This week we get to hear from Thomas Digmann and talk about the importance of fellowship in building your faith. He shares how meeting a group of guys who made Jesus the center of their life not only created lasting friendships but challenged him to grow his own relationship with the Lord as well. We elaborate on our Catholic faith and talk about where to look for fellowship opportunities, examining the friendships we currently have, discerning who we should welcome into the deeper places of our life, and how we can reflect on the ways we’ve encountered Christ in others and have faith that He is present in them. Lifehack: Change your alarm tone to “Jump” by Van Halen to get ya goin’ in the AM

We are joined by Camrin Moore for this week's episode to talk about relationships and loving the way God intended. Cam talks about a past relationship she was in where she felt drawn deeper into her faith but got caught up in people-pleasing and faced unexpected pressure and spiritual anxiety. Join us as we open up about faith being a personal choice, what it means to be equally yoked, the “talking phase”, intentions, and how the world’s portrayal of unrealistic relationships can shift by looking to Jesus’ greatest act of love to learn what love truly looks like. Lifehack: (for the ladies) for a natural glow/sun-kissed look, use a shade of lipstick and lightly rub it into your cheeks as blush! Why do we say that men are meant to lead the relationship...? (Ephesians 5:22-24) "What it Means to Submit to Your Husband" - Jackie Angel

Christina Brinning joins Julia for an emotionally personal episode to vulnerably talk about her struggles with anxiety and depression. She shares her testimony of a life battle that almost crippled her with shame, but then lifted her up and led her to endure the pain and grief of losing her father. Join us as we acknowledge the way God fights for our lives and gives us a purpose. Witness an overwhelming peace that God grants when we hand our lives over to Him and take on an eternal perspective. Lifehack: If your hair gets greasy & you don’t have dry shampoo, use baby powder and pat it around. It instantly drys it up!

Check out this bonus episode where Julia answers some of your questions about dry seasons of faith, being Catholic, relationships, devotionals, and more!  "Less Like Me" by Zach Williams

This week Anna Venenga opens up about 16 years of pain and hardship that brought her to surrender to God and live her life for His plan. She found by learning to forgive the one who hurt her, she started to see God’s glory in everything. We hear about an injury that redirected her entire summer for a very specific reason. Join us as we hand every moment over to God, find blessings in brokenness, and respond to nudges from God to be transformed by His majesty. Lifehack: If you put baking soda in your boiling water while you make boiled eggs, they are easier to peel afterward!

Julia and her best friend, Tori Brush, sit down and reflect on how God brought them together to lead summer book studies. Tori opens up about what forgiveness looks like in her life after a painful breakup. She refers to scripture and references Lisa Terkeurst’s book Forgiving What You Can’t Forget to speak deeply about surrendering brokenness, how to handle impacts and triggers from pain, not being led by emotions, and forgiving yourself. Join us as we reveal truths about healing in relationships and the reason forgiveness is possible.    Lifehack: Sticking garlic up your nose will clear your sinuses out! Warning: It may cause trauma to the lining of your nose

In this week's episode, we are joined by Julia’s older brother, Michael Fritz. Listen as he talks about an encounter his freshman year of college where he discovered when he is closest to God. He reflects on how important it is to stay in the present moment, find your own personal faith, step outside of your comfort zone, and not be imprisoned by the guilt of your past mistakes. Join us as we look for God in the highs and lows of life, trusting that He is always with us. Lifehack: Domino's Pizza is open until 2 am!!

In this introduction episode of "A Gem To Remember", get to know your host, Julia Christine, and what inspired this podcast! Tune in as she discusses how we can take life stories from our past and mine for gems that reflect God's goodness into the present.