Dear Daughters

What does it look like to be a lifelong learner? Recently, my daughter Sara and her five-month-old baby Annie, came to visit us. Annie was in the middle of hitting some development milestones and what a delight to behold. I I loved watching Annie’s little eyes and ears take in all the new sights and sounds at my house. Her infectious smile and laugh made us so joyful. What if we took delight in learning new things? How would that change the way we viewed life? Would a commitment to becoming lifelong learners give us more joy? Join me as we talk about what it looks like to be a lifelong learner and making way for delight in your everyday life. SHOW NOTES  Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

God is the Creator, inherently creative. And he made you in his image. So that means: you are creative. Learning to see yourself as creative is the first step in using creativity as a spiritual practice.  Last week, we talked about the practice of creativity as a way to calm our anxiety and soothe our soul in Dear Daughters Episode 219. This is the second part in a two part series on creativity.  I hope you learn more about how God created you to be creative. And I hope you find practical ways to express your creativity in a way that brings you joy and peace. Listen in to a practical approach to the practice of creativity as spiritual discipline. SHOW NOTES Join me in reading, Whole Brain Living, Beyond Anxiety, and The Anxious Generation Listen to my episode on Joy Journal & Simple Prayers Listen to Liz’s story Living Each Day as Your Last Jaclyn’s story about her anxiety: Finding Joy Amidst Anxiety Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.  Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast. Join us S

In the beginning God created … God is the Creator. He is creative. He made us in his image. So our birthright is creativity. But sometimes we get in our own way and doubt the creative gifts God has given us. As well, we miss all the things God has for us because of the way he created our brains. Yep, that whole right brain/left brain situation. In this first episode this brand new year, we’ll be looking into a practice of creativity and how it’s helps to quiet our anxious thoughts and soothe our spirits. I invite you to pull up a chair and listen in as Jaclyn and I dive into the practice of creativity. SHOW NOTES Join me in reading, Whole Brain Living, Beyond Anxiety, and The Anxious Generation Listen to my episode on Joy Journal & Simple Prayers Listen to Liz’s story Living Each Day as Your Last Jaclyn’s story about her anxiety: Finding Joy Amidst Anxiety Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.  Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fe

How do you live each day like it’s your last?  How can we manage to live each day with delight and gratitude and a big ole thankful heart? And how do we express gratitude and love to those nearest and dearest in a 'last day' kind of way? I will let my friend, Liz, lead the way for us. Liz Benigno is a dear friend, a best friend, a bright light, a woman of wisdom. She is also wildly funny, an adventurer and terrifically fun to be around. How grateful I am for her presence in my life and yours. I’m forever thankful to have her words and thoughts and laugh right here – just a click away on any day I want to be with her. Aren’t you?   I’d love to encourage you to listen to all the episodes with Liz in sequence. Here they are as follows: Dear Daughters 5 Dear Daughters 216 Dear Daughters 217 SHOW NOTES Buy and share Liz’s book, Francine Rasberry Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter. Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship. Stay at T

You’ve probably heard about people that have had a white light kind of pre-death experience. There are some books and even movies out there that recount those kind of experiences but I’ve never talked with anyone who had one, nor did I know before this interview that my friend, Liz Benigno, had one just weeks ago in her hospital room. Liz and I sat down a few weeks back and talked for an hour and a half, which created a trio of thirty minute interviews. This is the second of three. I encourage you to listen to the previous episode (DD 216), because it builds to this one. And of course, I would love for you to come back and visit when I post the final episode in a couple weeks.  Her story today is especially inspiring because she unpacks her story with God as well as letting us know about an intensely personal and one of a kind white light pre-death experience.  What’s your God story? It’s one of my favorite questions to ask. And everybody has a God story, even if you don’t believe in God. That’s a story, too.

I started The Dear Daughters Podcast way back in 2016 as a way to encourage younger women. Especially women in the midst of what I call: the ‘decade of big decisions.’ It’s the time in life when you’re finishing school, deciding on a career, getting married, starting a family. All these kinds of momental decisions that lay a path for the rest of your life.  I wanted to be a voice – and provide voices of wisdom via interviews with people I felt could encourage you in living your one beautiful life before God. That’s why way back in the beginning days of the podcast, I invited my friend Liz Benigno on the show. In that interview (Dear Daughters Episode 5) we talked about a lot of things. In particular, how she had recently finished treatment for breast cancer. At that time of course, we had no idea that her cancer would resurface nor would her fight be complete and that eventually, the cancer would be discovered in different parts of her body. She was re-diagnosed in September 2022. She has now gone through mon

If you know me, you know that one thing I love to collect are vintage copies of books I adore. Around this time each year, I find myself coming to the same worn book that's perched on the bookshelf in my office: Let's Keep Christmas by Peter and Catherine Marshall. In today's podcast, I sit down to give a live reading of this book to you and yours, in hopes that this story that started as a sermon reminds you that "Keeping Christmas" is something we do when we honor Christ all year long— but especially at this time of year. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do! Wishing you and yours the Merriest Christmas and Happiest New Year. SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024. Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. Stay at The Franklin our treas

I can't believe that 2023 is coming to a close already. Can you? Today on the podcast, Tori and I look back over this year and talk about the wonderful things that have happened this year, but also the not-so-wonderful things. I hope that you take time to sit down and ask yourself and your loved ones reflective questions as December comes and goes. What were you grateful for this year? What did you learn about yourself this year? What is something small and something big that you're dreaming of for next year? It's so important to be curious about your own story as well as others. Who's someone that you could ask one of these questions to? SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024. Read about our Acts 2:46 Dinners here. Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian?

Creating whimsy over the holidays is one of my favorite things to do when we have the whole family at home. Today, Tori and I go through the ways that I've incorporated different traditions into my family's Christmas each year. Whether we're making a yummy milk punch, eating at the table, or opening gifts— there are so many ways that you can make this holiday a little more magical. SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things in 2023. See The Davis Girls' Christmas Competition Song here! Listen to the Holiday Blunders Podcast Episode. Milk Punch Recipe to make this season! Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's already here. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Tori and we talk about different questions that you can ask at your table this year— and we even do a few rapid-fire Thanksgiving questions!  I so hope you like it as much as we did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving! SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

How do you stay hopeful during the holiday season? In last week's episode, I had the chance to sit down with my sweet Dad, and talk about all things gratitude. This week on the podcast, I sat down with Tori, and in a similar vein to gratitude - we talk about having hope around the holidays and what that has looked like for me over the years, even in the seasons that have felt less hopeful than others. I hope you like it! SHOW NOTES Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Do you ever wonder how to stay grateful and joyful? Today on the podcast I invited my dad, an expert in staying grateful in all things.  We talked about the last 9 months of his life and all the changes he experienced after his prolonged illness. Our hope is that you listen in and get a few tips on how to maintain an attitude of gratitude during all of life, regardless of circumstances.  Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Psalm 118:24 Grab a copy of Trees and Other Poems Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here. Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here. Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here. Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Our phones, TV’s, tablets – and everything in between are such large parts of our lives – and for a good reason. We’re able to connect with our loved ones, the world, listen to music, and so much more. We are back this week talking about all things NON-tech for The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn and I are discussing ways that technology impacts our lives, the value in unplugging to be present, and different ways we try to put down our phones. From reading to riding horses, we cover it all. And if you’re looking for a wonderful and whimsical way to unplug (maybe next weekend, September 16th in particular!), I would love to take you along with my husband Will and I to see the Texas Painted Churches! SHOW NOTES Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th. Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall. Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person. Lea

Communication opens the door for so many different things: vulnerability, discomfort, uncertainty — but it also offers the opportunity for true connection. The more vulnerable and willing you are – the more opportunities you will have to experience something awesome with the people around you. Even more so, when you decide to be a good communicator – the rich reward is relationship with someone dear. Here’s another episode in The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn is back and we’re talking about things like tips for opening up communication at your table, being mindful of what you say on social media and we talk books and how they can impact communication in your life. I hope that this encourages you to think deeply and ask curious questions or even try out being comfortable with what I call a ‘pregnant pause’ to see what God can do in that space. And oh, I would so love for you to come spend the day with me and see the Texas Painted Churches on September 16th! We only have a couple spots left! SUBSCRIBE I

We’re mixing things up this month on The Dear Daughters Podcast with The Learning Series. I love learning and the thought of all things back to school has inspired this entire series— I’m a true believer that we can never stop learning. This week I have a dear daughter, Jaclyn Byrd, on the podcast with me. It was Jaclyn’s idea to talk about creative writing this week. She started as a journalism major at school and found a deep love for creative writing while in school at the University of Texas. She walks us through how she found this passion from high school and into college, showing us how that love for writing transformed for her is inspiring in so many ways! I think you’re going to just love it.   We discuss things from journaling, to little love notes from my children, writers block, writing on Instagram, and even down into my own personal experiences in writing Unafraid, Dear Daughters, and The Grace Guide. Writing can look different for people in all seasons of life. It can be in a journal, on a post

Welcome to the Dear Daughters Podcast! We’re mixing things up again with a new series as we enter August and, believe it or not, a new school year already. I love learning and the thought of school has inspired my next podcast series: The Learning Series! This week I have my husband, Will, on the podcast with me. Will was a history major at Baylor University … he has always been fascinated by it. So he is going to walk us through a quick history lesson on this week’s episode! But wait! If that sounds a little boring to you, stick around and give it a listen … I promise you won’t be disappointed. Because it is no ordinary history lesson … it is about the magnificent Texas Painted Churches that were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s in our great state. Their history starts in Eastern Europe in the mid-1800s … across the Atlantic Ocean to Galveston Island … and on to to Fayette County. The faith of the people who made that journey to start these churches is humbling and inspiring. Listen in to learn more r

It is a gift to be invited into someone else’s house, to share a meal at their table. Inviting someone to your table says, “you are a part of this family.” I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to The Home Series this summer. I think of it as a little guide to creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home as much as I have loved talking about it. And this week, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about table setting. The table is a safe space to feed people and enjoy deeper conversation. So how do you create that safe space? How do you get people to open up and join in deeper conversation? What food do you serve? What if you only have two chairs at your dining room table? All these questions and more are asked and answered on the podcast. Listen in! I hope that you welcome others into your home, to your table, and include them as your family … and I pray that you and your people experience the Holy Spirit at your table and in your home. SHOW NOTES Get a 5-minute hour glass from my shop to help guide conversation at your table. Liste

“Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes.” – C.S. Lewis This week on the Dear Daughters podcast, as we move through our Home Series, Jaclyn Byrd and I talk about creating an office or workspace you love (even if you don’t have a spare room for an office!). God created us in his image and that includes being creative. But it can be hard without a place that inspires us and draws us to Him. For me, it’s important to have things that light me up in the morning in my workspace. I pray that God gives you a space (even if it’s in a re-utilized closet!) that you feel inspired when it comes time to step into your place of work. SHOW NOTES "Homemaking is surely in reality the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, miners, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes." - C.S. Lewis C

I love looking back on the homes I have been able to create over the years. They have inspired this summer season on the Dear Daughters Podcast: The Home Series. I’ll guide you, room by room, in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God. Last week we talked about God being the original homemaker. He is also the original gardener. Life started in the Garden … and we are given a beautiful world to live in. I love that I can feel the peace of God looking up at the big blue Texas sky or surrounded by the mountains in Colorado or even just tending to my geraniums on the patio. Gardening is a beautiful and important piece of homemaking. Listen in to this week’s episode as we talk about why gardening is important … how to use whatever space is available to you, whether it’s a little pot on the window sill inside or a big garden in your backyard … plus, practical ways to create that garden space at home, like collecting pots at estate

Welcome to the Home Series on the Dear Daughters Podcast! God is the original homemaker. That’s what a listener said to me in an email a few weeks ago, inspiring this series. God made a safe, beautiful home for Adam and Eve in the Garden, and He wants us to have a safe, beautiful home, too. So how do we create that? Listen in to the Home Series this summer as, room by room, I’ll guide you in creating a lovely, cozy, beautiful home … a space for you and your people to grow together and love each other and honor God. I have sweet Jaclyn Byrd on the podcast with me. She just got married, is moving to a new home in San Antonio, TX, and has ALL the questions about how to create a cozy home … starting with the bedroom. Here are a few of those questions, asked and answered on the podcast (along with a few decorating and laundry pro tips). Why is it important to invest in your bedroom? How do you pick a mattress? What kind of sheets are the best? Do you change out the bedding for different seasons? What is the first