Whispers & Wonders

Today's guest, Melissa Ernst, owns a few businesses, is an outdoor enthusiast, a great friend to many, and a servant-hearted woman who is devoted to God and others. Mel talks about many things from a need for a Sabbath to not glorifying busy-ness, from body image to all the various ways that promptings from the Holy Spirit have changed her faith and her life.  Melissa talks about a book in this episode. It is "Loving Your Body" by Dr. Deborah Newman.

Today's guest, Jenni Davis, shares stories of when her life was changed in profound ways by a moment long about that she believes was from God. She is witty, generous, humble and incredibly wise. I hope you are as inspired by Jenni as I am. 

Amber Janssen, a teacher and awesome human, joins us for this episode. She shares how she has listened to whispers that have helped her find her way to a very intentional purpose and then sat in awe at how God worked it all out for her. She is the teacher we all wish we had! 

Grace Ellickson is a second year college student. For someone so young, her willingness to open her hands and trust God with life's decisions is remarkably mature. Her hopeful spirit is infectious and she causes others to think beyond themselves. We oldER folks can learn many things from Grace. 

Myra McNair is a force of nature. After feeling nudges for years, she opened up her own family therapy clinic in Madison, WI to provide underserved communities of color with needed mental health care. It is a good thing she took risks and faced some self doubt and made this clinic happen because today she is the CEO of a large clinic that serves the BIPOC community in ways it would never have had without her tenacity and belief in God's purpose for her life. 

Jon Anderson, founder and Executive Director or Collaboration Project, joins us today. He shares stories about times in his life when a whisper, or what fits better for him, experienced moments of peace and assurance, changed the trajectory of his life. If you would like more info about Jon's non-profit you can find it here: https://www.collaborationproject.us/ 

Rachel Metzger is a mom, pastor's wife, organizational pro, and all around beautiful human. She shares with us that she is not like many of my guests in that she doesn't think she hears whispers or feels nudges. Instead she trusts that God is guiding and leading her in all things. 

Beth Hornung joins us today on the podcast. She is a retired reading teacher, mom of 2 daughters, Ami to two grandchildren, loving wife, friend to many and a woman of deep faith. Beth shares stories of hearing from God on walks, in little church alcoves, and more. Beth talks briefly about her brother's suicide so if that is triggering to you please either fast forward or choose a different episode. 

Ashley Mellenthin has been on a path of discovering wonder in her every day life for over 9 years. She shares sweet stories of how she started this journey and what kinds of whispers were involved in sparking her curiosity to see more wonders. 

Joanne Cecil shares that she has lived her whole life affected by alcoholism. She shares how God has shown up in sunsets, a conversation with her father and so much more. Her strength is extraordinary! Trigger warning*** if talking about alcoholism is hard for you please choose not to listen to this episode today.

Meet Jessica Selleck, my sister who I didn't really have a relationship until we were adults. Jessica shares with us how watching Netflix during a hard time of her life led her experience her first whisper. Tune in to hear about that story and more! 

This week we welcome Jimmy Bero. Jimmy is the Associate Direction of Student Ministries at one of Blackhawk Church's sites in Fitchburg, Wi. Jimmy and Sarah are co-workers. Jimmy shares how God has continually used creativity to whisper or nudge him.  

Season 2 kicks off with my friend, Hannah Busse. Hannah is the Worship Arts Director at Blackhawk Church in Madison, WI. She exudes grace and creativity! Hannah shares with us stories of hearing God's gentle and tender voice in the midst of anxiety or self criticism and what a gift that has been for her. 

Becky Dolson has spent most of her adult life serving and pastoring churches with her husband, Chris. She shares stories of their early years of marriage and talks about how pivoting from a plan that had been set ended up being a huge blessing. She is wise, incredibly funny, and challenging. 

Meet Linda! She is a dear friend who continually amazes me with her steadfast faith and well-honed ability to listen to the Holy Spirit. She has launched 3 awesome children, helped to plant a new church site, and beat cancer. She is someone you will learn so much from! In this episode, Linda talks about using the Centering Prayer App for some of her quiet times. You can find it here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/centering-prayer/id844280857 

***TRIGGER warning: Loss of a child, suicide.***  Amy Davis is a gracious, kind soul who bravely shares about loss of her child. She talks about some of the "winks" she gets daily that sustain her until she has another moment of closeness that she longs for from her son who has passed away. If you are someone who is struggling after losing someone you love, Amy's story will resonate with you and you will most certainly be inspired by her. If things are still too raw and hard for you we recommend waiting to listen to this episode another day, or never. Please be kind to yourself!

Christie Wolfe is a delight! She shares about her life with anxiety, her son's diabetes diagnosis, and how God has walked through it all with her. Her vulnerability and wisdom will be a gift to all who hear her. 

Jen Doucette is a favorite teacher at a local high school. Students love her because she makes them feel like they are seen, known, heard, and loved. She helps them to believe in themselves and have compassion for others. She shares with us some wonderful moments where she feels awestruck in wonder while experiences nature and wind whispers. She is inspiring to her student, me, and I for you as well. 

Meet Christi Connelly! Since we have known each other since we were teens. We are forever friends. Christi shares some stories of when she heard a holy whisper, talks about how it has helped her, especially in her cancer journey, and what she is hoping to be awestruck in wonder by. She is a positive-thinking, hopeful, faithful woman who will be an inspiration to many. 

Are you wondering what in the world I am talking about when I say "holy whisper" or "awestruck wonder"? Great! I experienced both of these one day in my mom van. I share that story with you in this episode.

Join artist, writer, gratitude lover, and business owner of Cellar Designs, Sarah Stevens, as she and guests share stories from their lives of Holy whispers and awestruck moments of wonder that have been life changing. These stories will serve to inspire and lift up the spirits of us all as we learn to better recognize the whispers and wonders in our every day lives that can lead us to profound, powerful changes.