Work and Play with Nancy Ray

Before we dive in today, I just wanted to remind you that my new audio course, An Integrated Life, is still available. An Integrated Life is an 18 lesson audio course, think: this podcast you listen to meets an online course meets an audio book. It's something you can come back to over and over again. Anyway, it's a course that outlines a framework for you to grow deeper in your faith, take authority in your home, and gain clarity in your work, all for the Kingdom of God. And it's available for purchase until July 15. So, if you buy the bundle for $50, you can actually listen to it on your phone like this podcast. So while I'm taking a two month break from this podcast with the new baby, you can keep listening. Head to nancyray.com/integratedlife to learn more and sign up. Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where I'm sharing a book that I'm reading and my top three takeaways from that book. You can join in anytime at nancyray.com/bookclub. Today's book is Parenting by Paul David Tripp. He outlines 14 gospel principles that can radically change your family. This book isn't as much a practical book on how to handle a tantrum or discipline your child or what to feed your kid or how to raise teenagers, instead, it's a book that speaks to the "why" of parenting—the heart of parenting—and really how to view our role of parents as believers.

Today's episode is the last of a three part series, giving you a glimpse into the new course I'm releasing TODAY at noon eastern time. So today is all about work, and my foundational approach to it. To learn more about An Integrated Life and to go ahead and get access today when the doors open, head to nancyray.com/integratedlife.

Today's episode is part two of a three part episode series, giving you a glimpse of this new audio course. Today you'll hear about my outlook on the home and how important home life is. I hope you enjoy it. And the course is almost out! So be sure that you head to nancyray.com/integratedlife to hear more about it and grab it before the doors close on July 13th. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/120. Resources from this episode: Sign up for the email list! The Life-Giving Home, by Sally & Sarah Clarkson An Integrated Life (my newest audio course!) Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Over the last several months, I have been working on a project I haven't told anyone about, but you, my dear work and play podcast listener, are going to be the very first to know about it. Today's episode is part 1 of a three part episode series giving you a glimpse inside this new audio course (I honestly hesitate to call it a course because it's more of a comprehensive way that I look at my life broken down into three categories: faith, home and work). You're going to hear Lesson 1 from the Faith section which includes my testimony and really just the foundational outlook I have on my faith. Learn more about my newest audio course: An Integrated Life.

I'm so grateful that for every baby we've had, we've had the opportunity to get away, just me and my husband for a few days before our new baby arrives. Today's episode is going to cover all of the work and play of going on a babymoon. I'm going to summarize each of the babymoons we've taken; how they've all been different and how we've budgeted for each one. Now, there's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to make it happen, but the play makes it all worth it. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/118. Resources from this episode: Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens Snorkeling mask Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Welcome to the Nancy Ray Book Club, where every month I share a book worth reading and invite you to read it along with me. Today's book is The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. Highly recommending this one, friend. Listen, by now, you know I'm fascinated with the fast pace of our culture and the use of technology in our world and biblical principles for living. But this book was particularly helpful because it felt like it bridged the gap between modern living and the way that Jesus actually lived. It's one of those books that have kind of settled into my spirit and I think about it often. And I can't wait to share more about it with you today. Resources from this episode: Nancy Ray Book Club The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

My mom is the kindest wisest, warmest, funniest woman I know. It is really an honor to have her as a mom. Every time I've needed advice or have felt misunderstood or have been confused, she is the first person I call. She's so trustworthy. She's the best listener in the world, and every time I ask for advice, it seems like she always has the exact words I need to hear. The world needs more people like my mom, and today I get to share her with you. I hope you enjoy the last May is for Mamas episode: an interview with my very own mama. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/116. Resources from this episode: The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah The Four Winds, by Kristin Hannah Beverly Lewis Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Welcome to another episode of May is for Mamas! Today, I'm going to be brief and hopefully encouraging. And I don't say this lightly—I believe the secret to getting the most out of motherhood, and life in general, is to simply lean in to your season. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/115. Resources from this episode: Episode 047 - Book | Seasons of God with Dr. Richard Blackaby Seasons of God, by Dr. Richard Blackaby Affiliate links have been used in this post! I do receive a commission when you choose to purchase through these links, and that helps me keep this podcast up and running—I truly appreciate when you choose to use them!

Welcome to May is for Mamas where every episode this month is dedicated to all the mamas out there. Today is a special one because I'm having my best friends since ninth grade, who also happens to be my sister-in-law—yes, it's crazy—we ended up marrying brothers on my podcast as my guest. Her name is Samantha Ray, and she is a writer, creator, mother, and my dearest friend, living in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, John, daughter, Griffin, and their three kitties. She is a writer in every sense of the word. She writes about slow living, pursuing a whole healthful lifestyle, including relational and emotional health. And she has never been afraid to dig into the deeper grittier issues of life, which is why she's here today. She's also a beautiful songwriter and musician. She's gifted in so many ways. I adore her and she always has this profound belief that there's beauty to be found in the messy, the undone, the less photo-worthy moments of life. And it's always worthwhile to dig for the gold, right where you are. Now, Sam and I have been friends for a long, long time. Today we are diving into one of the most difficult seasons of our friendship, the season of five years where she was walking through infertility and I had three babies. The tension, the heartache, and the hope that we felt was very real and we're sharing that today, and Sam specifically is sharing her story. And as she does, she's very honest, very real. She gives a lot of great practical advice and a huge dose of hope and healing for anyone walking through infertility. I'm just so honored to share today's podcast episode with you, because what it feels like for me is a precious gift that I'm giving to you, that you can hear Sam's heart and her story. And it feels like we are sharing this really vulnerable part of our journey together as friends and sisters with you. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/114. Resources from this episode: Sam's blog Episode 093 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 1 Episode 094 - A Year of Contentment with Reagan Reynolds, Pt. 2

Welcome to May is for Mamas where every episode this month is dedicated to all the mamas out there. Today is a special one because I'm having my best friends since ninth grade, who also happens to be my sister-in-law—yes, it's crazy—we ended up marrying brothers on my podcast as my guest. Her name is Samantha Ray, and she is a writer, creator, mother, and my dearest friend, living in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband, John, daughter, Griffin, and their three kitties. She is a writer in every sense of the word. She writes about slow living, pursuing a whole healthful lifestyle, including relational and emotional health. And she has never been afraid to dig into the deeper grittier issues of life, which is why she's here today. She's also a beautiful songwriter and musician. She's gifted in so many ways. I adore her and she always has this profound belief that there's beauty to be found in the messy, the undone, the less photo-worthy moments of life. And it's always worthwhile to dig for the gold, right where you are. Now, Sam and I have been friends for a long, long time. Today we are diving into one of the most difficult seasons of our friendship, the season of five years where she was walking through infertility and I had three babies. The tension, the heartache, and the hope that we felt was very real and we're sharing that today, and Sam specifically is sharing her story. And as she does, she's very honest, very real. She gives a lot of great practical advice and a huge dose of hope and healing for anyone walking through infertility. I'm just so honored to share today's podcast episode with you, because what it feels like for me is a precious gift that I'm giving to you, that you can hear Sam's heart and her story. And it feels like we are sharing this really vulnerable part of our journey together as friends and sisters with you. For the full show notes, head to nancyray.com/podcast/114.