The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

My guest for The Happy Hour # 275 is Becky Kiser. Becky is committed to seeing women fall in love with God’s Word, then feel equipped and empowered to live it out—both in the holidays and all the ordinary days in between. Becky is an author, speaks at women’s events and prisons, and in 2020 she will begin hosting her own events and launch a podcast! Becky and her husband, Chris, live in The Woodlands, Texas, with their three girls. I love talking with my friend Becky because she always points me to Jesus no matter if we’re talking about the craziness of the holiday season or the comparison trap! Today, Becky and I chat about so many things including the important message that it isn't about getting it perfect, it's about connecting with Jesus. We also talk about the fight to let go of thinking and feeling like your life must look like someone else's, and instead living in freedom to do what God's called you to.  Friends, I hope you hear Becky's message when she says "you don't all of a sudden become qualified....you're qualified right where you are." It's about starting and taking those small, faithful steps led by the Lord. Becky offers so much wisdom and truth today (including advice on if its ok to read your daughter's journal, which I may or may not have done!). I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Rattlesnake Ranch Pecans - use code HAPPYHOUR for 15% off your purchase Molekule - use code JAMIE10 for 10% off your first air purifier order ThredUP - get 30% off your first order  GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 274 is Elisabeth Jordan. Elisabeth grew up in Dallas, TX where she now works on the streets with the homeless. It was never a future she imagined for herself, having grown up in an affluent community on the other side of town from the homeless. Starting as a volunteer, she observed a gap in the homeless care system and founded an organization called The Human Impact to bridge that gap: loving the homeless through friendship. You guys, one of the best parts of my job is that I get to listen in on how God is moving in women's lives, and I can't wait for you to hear the incredible ways God is working in Elisabeth's life. Elisabeth shares how she went from working at her dream job in entertainment, to unemployed and at a point where she felt her marriage was dead. Feeling aimless and lost, Elisabeth prayed a prayer of surrender, and God answered. Elisabeth explains that God called her to pray for the poorest in Dallas, and those prayers took her to the homeless. I loved hearing how the relationships she made changed her faith "from head knowledge to experience", as well as challenged her view on how she defined success. Friends, Elisabeth reminds us that relationships matter and that when we recognize the humanity in someone and take time to hear their story, walls break down and doors can open up. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Rattlesnake Ranch Pecans - use code HAPPYHOUR for 15% off your purchase Compassion International - text HAPPYHOUR to 83393 Stamps.com - click on the microphone at the top of the homepage and enter code HAPPYHOUR  to get a 4-week trial plus free postage and digital scale Rothy's  GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 273 is Susie Davis. Susie is an author, speaker, podcaster, and in all things she is an encourager and mentor. Susie has a passion for writing and her hope is to encourage you to love God more and live your one beautiful life. Susie is often called a spiritual mama because of her God-given desire to reach out to the 'dear daughters' around her. Susie and her husband and high school sweetheart Will have been married and in ministry for over thirty years. Friends, I am so thankful to have Susie back on The Happy Hour! Susie has a gift for making you feel seen, celebrated, and encouraged and I know you will hear that throughout our conversation today. Susie and I talk about how our roles change over time, the losses we may feel in these transitions, and the importance of healing so that we can embrace our next role. I hope you will be inspired to find a mentor and be a mentor as you hear Susie demystify what mentoring looks like. It's not about a special curriculum or meeting spot, but instead it's about being present and "asking questions and listening for God."  I could sit and talk with Susie all day and I know you'll feel like you just had a virtual hug from this spiritual mama after listening to the show! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Rattlesnake Ranch Pecans: use code HAPPYHOUR for 15% off your purchase Compassion International or Text HAPPYHOUR to 83393 ThredUP - get 30% off your first order Flamingo - get the Flamingo Shave Set for $16 + free shipping GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

The 2019 Holiday Gift Guide is here! This is seriously the most fun episode to record each year! I can't wait for you to hear my friend Ruth Chou Simons and I fill you in on some amazing gift ideas from great companies. I'll just say it now - I'm pretty sure you'll be able to knock out a few gifts of your list from this show!  On the show today we feature thirteen companies that offer gifts from beautiful handcrafted jewelry, delicious snacks (including snack-tivities!), brilliant products based on Scripture, inspired art, and so much more! So go grab your favorite fall beverage, and cozy up to listen to this special episode! Also, be sure to go follow me on Instagram where I'll be showing you these products plus, we will have 12 days of giveaways! I know, Christmas is coming early and I am here for it. I can't wait for you to know more about these incredible businesses! Click here for all the links and discount codes included on the gift guide.

My guest for The Happy Hour # 272 is Whitney Capps. Whitney is a speaker, author, wife, Mom and friend. Her favorite assignment is wife to Chad, and mom to Cooper, Dylan, Ryder and Tate. Her book, Sick of Me, and her bible study curriculum, We Over Me were released in early 2019. Additionally, Whitney is the founder of Simple Seminary and speaks with Proverbs 31 Ministries. Alright you guys, get ready to be fired up and excited after the show today, and maybe grab a pen and notebook too because Whitney shares so many words of wisdom! Whitney and I dive right in and talk about finding and using your spiritual gifts, whether that's for 4 people or 4,000. We discuss the often overlooked spiritual discipline of silence and solitude and listening for the Holy Spirit. I loved our discussion on what biblical community is supposed to be. "The end game is to help me live and look and love like Jesus" - yes, friend, yes! We also chat about how self-help can leave us feeling frustrated instead of sanctified and bearing fruit. At the end of the show we get to hear more about Simple Seminary, which I am so excited about! Go check it out and The Happy Hour Listeners get early access to the Winter 2020 class, plus a bonus teaching, and Christmas lock screen for your phone! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors The Happy Hour Shop Third Love - get 15% off your first order! Rothy's GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 271 is Laurie Crouch. Laurie is the host of TBN’s Better Together and leads Trinity Broadcasting Network alongside her husband, Matt. She is the mother of two sons and patiently waiting for her next title of Grandmother.  You guys, during my conversaton with Laurie today, I felt like I was watching a movie as Laurie described different milestones in her life and the ways only God could orchestrate it. Laurie and I start off talking about how she and Matt met and got married, and I'm telling you now, it's incredible - I was pretty much on the edge of my seat while listening. Laurie shares how she and Matt began working at TBN after they were married, created their own production company, and then returned to TBN to carry on the legacy and start the next chapter of the network. You'll also hear how Laurie's show Better Together came to be, and friends, once again, the story is just amazing. I loved talking with Laurie today and be sure to check out Better Together - you will be inspired and encouraged by these women's conversations! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Prep Dish - Text MEALPREP to 33777 and get a free meal plan! LOLA - get 30% off your first month's subscription with code: HAPPYHOUR30 Sips By - get 50% off your first box with code HAPPYHOUR ZipRecruiter - Try it for free!  GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 270 is Rachel Proctor. Rachel is a Texas-bred entrepreneur who has a goal to revolutionize the way women lead in business, ministry and public service. Rachel previously served as the Mayor Pro Tem for the City of DeSoto, Texas. Rachel is also the co-owner of an Early Childhood Learning Center, an author, and the creator of the eMErge Online Devotional App. Friends, through my conversation today with Rachel, I hope you hear that you do have a voice, and God can show you how to use it. Rachel and I start off the show talking about her time in public service as Mayor Pro Tem as well as what it was like running for Mayor. Rachel describes how each step and transition in her life has served as ways God helped her discover her own voice, and uncover the gifts and passions that were always in her. Listen in as Rachel speaks truth that ministry is not confined to the traditional roles we may think about. If you have a dream or passion but feel too overwhelmed to start, Rachel has practical advice for you! In the last part of the show, Rachel shares her perspective on being single, and how she's learning to live out her calling while also making room and preparing for what she hopes to see. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Abingdon Press: I'm Waiting, God: Finding Blessing in God's Delays - Sample Week 1 of this study and video sessions AWAY -  get $20 off a suitcase with code HAPPYHOUR Rothy's   GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 269 is Ashley McCrary. Ashley who goes by "Mac", is a teacher and recipe creator and developer of Healthy Little Peach, a health and lifestyle blog. Ashley and her husband Joel live in Missouri and have 2 beautiful little girls, Eloise and Eleanor. Friends, I just loved talking with Mac today, and I hope you are as encouraged as I was by her story. Mac shares how childhood wounds from verbal abuse made her believe she was unworthy and unlovable. Mac describes how this led to a dysfunctional relationship with food and feeling like she had to achieve so that maybe then, she could be loved. Mac vulnerably shares the moment when the Lord met her, opened her eyes to His love for her, and set her free. Mac also tells us about the challenging road of navigating PCOS, including how hard it can be to get a diagnosis. You'll also hear how changing the way she saw food grew into not only improvements in her PCOS symptoms, but also to the creation of Healthy Little Peach!  Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Joybird - use code HAPPYHOUR25 for 25% off your first order ThirdLove - get 15% off your first order  STUNN Collective - use code HAPPY to receive 20% off your first order ZipRecruiter - Try for free! GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 268 is Dr. Lina AbuJamra. Lina is a Pediatric ER doctor, Bible teacher, author, podcaster, and founder of Living with Power Ministries. Her vision is to bring hope to the world by connecting biblical answers to everyday life.  You guys, get ready because Lina’s excitement and energy are contagious, and I know you’re going to be so inspired by our conversation. Lina and I start off talking about the moment she knew she would be living her life for God. Lina shares stories of doors closing and doors opening as she said yes to God, and how He used all of it to lead her on the path of He's called her to. Lina tells us the amazing story of how she began working with Syrian refugees, and how God has grown this ministry in incredible ways. I appreciated Lina’s honesty about her prayers of heartache and questioning God’s plan, and was so encouraged hearing how she continues to say yes to God. Lina says, “hope is my currency” and when we tell God yes, He will lead and provide every time. Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Rothy's ThredUp - get 30% off your first order! GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE

My guest for The Happy Hour # 267 is Mercedes Cotchery. Mercedes is wife to Jerricho, momma to 5, home stylist and furniture shop owner, and loves sharing about adoption, homeschooling, and marriage. Mercedes is passionate about encouraging women to discover and celebrate the gifts God's given them and families growing phenomenally in Christ.  Mercedes and I start off the show talking about rejecting the pressure to achieve perfection and becoming comfortable recognizing we are flawed people pursuing God. Mercedes shares with us how she was born without a uterus, and how she's come to view her being born barren as God saving her. In seeking to grow her family, she paused and thought, "maybe God made me this way for a purpose." Mercedes says that pause changed her life in how she seeks God and her relationship with Him - and she now has 5 kids through adoption! Mercedes also opens up about her faith journey and how God revealed to her that she must make a paradigm shift from idolizing her husband above all else to putting Jesus above all else. I loved so many things about my conversation with Mercedes and I hope you're as encouraged as I was! Connect with Jamie Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // YouTube Sponsors Greenlight Molekule - get 10% off your first air purifier order with code JAMIE10 Stamps.com - get a 4-week free trial, plus free postage and digital scale with code HAPPYHOUR (click on the microphone at the top of the page) Stories from the Austin Stone Podcast - Expectant Series GET ALL THE LINKS FROM THE SHOW HERE