Episode 11 - Faith and Food

Faith and Food | Churro Rice Krispie Treats & Real Conversations

In this episode of Between Batches, we're talking about two things that have shaped who we are: faith and food.

While making a batch of delicious churro Rice Krispie treats, we open up about our lives as Christian women, moms, wives, and friends trying to faithfully navigate a culture that often feels complicated and divided. As Evangelical Christians and LCMS Lutheran, we share our perspectives on parenting in today's world, raising children in the faith, and what it's like to be a Christian conservative woman both online and in everyday life.

Some parts of this conversation are serious. Some are challenging. And, as always, some are downright hilarious. We don't claim to have all the answers, but we believe honest conversations matter.

So pull up a chair, grab a treat, and join us as we talk about faith, family, culture, and the grace that carries us through it all.

Because life happens Between Batches.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

Welcome to Between Batches, where life happens between batches.

SPEAKER_00 0:05

We're two friends figuring out life in what we lovingly call our queenager era.

SPEAKER_01 0:10

I'm Ashley.

SPEAKER_00 0:10

And I'm Danielle. So while something is coming together in the kitchen, we're talking about everything else.

SPEAKER_01 0:15

So let's get to what we're batching.

SPEAKER_00 0:17

What are we batching today?

SPEAKER_01 0:19

We are making a Chiro Iced Krispy Treat. We are. Yes.

SPEAKER_00 0:24

These are a favorite at our church, my church. I make them there sometimes for Wednesday night dinners. And this recipe is courtesy of Disney on the dime. And we will share this recipe and tag them when this show airs. So first to start off, we've got butter in the pot on the stove. Apparently, Ashley told me I could do this in the microwave, but I've never done it in the microwave, so that's what we're doing.

SPEAKER_01 0:49

Yeah, I was like, I do them in the microwave all the time.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Yeah. So we are melting 12 tablespoons of butter.

unknown 0:56

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 0:56

And then we've buttered or greased our 9 by 13. If you're feeling not like messing with that, you can just spray it, which is what I did. And then we've got our two bags of mini marshmallows that we are going to add to the pot as soon as my butter finishes melting, which is almost done.

SPEAKER_01 1:13

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 1:13

And then Ashley, what do you have there?

SPEAKER_01 1:15

I have, we made our own little cinnamon sugar um concoction. It's just cinnamon and sugar.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

For the turbo part?

SPEAKER_01 1:24

Yes, for the turbo part. In today's episode, we're going to be talking about faith. So it's faith and food, and we are feeding you the rice crispy treats that she makes for church.

SPEAKER_00 1:33

So pretty um appropriate. Appropriate, yes. Faith and food do seem to go together quite a bit.

SPEAKER_01 1:38

They really do.

SPEAKER_00 1:39

We do love to feed people, that's for sure. Absolutely. While we okay, our marshmallows and our butter are completely melted and combined, and there are no more lumpy bumpies. So I am going to cut the heat and pour in the crispy.

SPEAKER_01 1:53

And then I've measured out a quarter cup of cinnamon sugar.

SPEAKER_00 1:57

Yep, dump it all in. And then dump that in there. Yep, and we're gonna stir these up.

unknown 2:03

Stir.

SPEAKER_00 2:06

Yes. And then we are going to actually do want to take that pan over to the other, over to the island. And then over here.

SPEAKER_01 2:15

And then sorry, that was kind of loud, friends.

SPEAKER_00 2:19

Oh, we should have saved a butter wrapper to smash these down.

SPEAKER_01 2:22

Oh yeah. That is always the tricky part with Rice Krispie treats. I feel like it's getting them adequately pressed in. Yeah. I always lather my hands in butter.

SPEAKER_00 2:32

Um, I just save the butter wrappers. That's a great idea. And then you can just use the butter wrappers to like swoosh it down.

SPEAKER_01 2:43

So, you guys, I know we've talked about this on different episodes, like we need smell-vision, but these smell so good. I mean butter and marshmallows, but then you add in the cinnamon and sugar.

unknown 2:54

I know.

SPEAKER_01 2:54

It's really fun.

SPEAKER_00 2:55

Alright, so now we are just going, oh my gosh, it smells so good. Okay, we are just gonna push these down. And then as soon as I get these semi-wet level, we'll have Ashley sprinkle the tops with cinnamon sugar. Um, I didn't do it for this pan, but sometimes if you want, if you're feeling froggy or want something a little different, you can add um nutmeg. Oh, that's nice. Just a little bit. It's really good. And then also another thing that you can do, for some reason, this flavor lends itself really well to white chocolate. So you can either drizzle white chocolate or dunk them after you cut them if you want something like a little fancier.

SPEAKER_01 3:33

Yeah, I'll cut them into little squares then. Oh, it smells so good.

unknown 3:36

I want to like the spatula.

SPEAKER_01 3:39

No judgment here.

SPEAKER_00 3:40

I don't know about you guys, but there is marshmallows and butter and sugar and cinnamon. I mean, what could be bad about that?

SPEAKER_01 3:47

What where could you go wrong?

SPEAKER_00 3:49

I mean, we measured that almost perfect considering we eyeballed it.

SPEAKER_01 3:52

So I never measure my cinnamon sugar. I just know what color it should be.

SPEAKER_00 3:56

Yeah. What color do you like your cinnamon sugar? Is this color? This color. Okay, so this is what she looks like, and we're gonna just set her over here and let her chill out and come to a more solid consistency, and then we're gonna cut them and try them. Sounds great. We'll meet you at the table. See you at the table. Welcome to the table. Yes, welcome to the table. And what is our topic today?

SPEAKER_01 4:19

Our topic today is faith. Yes. So we are just gonna dive in and we are just having a little side conversation about how this is kind of a big girl topic. Yep.

SPEAKER_00 4:27

Um big girl panties on.

SPEAKER_01 4:29

Yep, they're on. And remember, this is all our opinion. Absolutely. And I I don't think that it comes as a surprise, probably to any of you, given some of our past episodes that we are both evangelical Christians. Yep. And um, yeah, so we're just gonna dive in.

SPEAKER_00 4:48

If you want to get super specific, we both happen to be Lutheran evangelical Christians. LCMS. LCMS, you know what that means. Lutheran Church Missouri Senate. So yes. Um, okay, so let's just get right in to the big one. Is it hard right now? Or what do you feel? How is it to navigate today's world as a Christian, uh conservative Christian, wife, mom, all the things. I mean, we're ripping the band-aid off. Just rip it off.

SPEAKER_01 5:19

Um is it hard? I think that hard is like nuanced. I definitely think that um the way that our world is with social media and um just the political climate, like I'm just gonna say that like a lot of it, I think it does make it difficult. Um, but I also think that we are not, or we are all a lot more similar than the society would like us to think we are. Um the media, yeah, specifically would like us to think that we are, and so I think it is navigating the nuances um carefully. I mean, it is definitely um sometimes I see things or hear things that have happened, whether it's in my kids' schools or in the world, and it does like you start to like get upset, and then I'm like, just have to release it. Um we have to pick our battles.

SPEAKER_00 6:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 6:21

What do you think?

SPEAKER_00 6:22

I think it is currently more difficult to be a conservative Christian than it has been in the past. Yeah, I agree. I think that there is I I don't know where it's coming from, but I don't know who is behind it. I am not gonna get into that debate or argument, but I think that there is definitely kind of this active pressure to divide. I agree. Um and specifically, I feel like it used to just be kind of like divide us politically, and now it is trying to divide us on every aspect of life, whether that's faith or politics or family or friendships. Friendships, like just actively trying to put division anywhere I can. And so I do think an easy place for them to try to accomplish that, whoever these people are that like the division, is is in faith. Um even within the Christian faith, there is trying to be divisiveness and division. And I think we are in a current time period where it is just a little bit more difficult to navigate, and I think you really have to be careful what you believe and who you listen to, yeah, and what you repeat, and um my repost. I mean I'm gonna say my personal belief is that is the arguments that people are having on social media platforms are just a bad idea.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

Yeah, I don't think that's the place for it. And I I think that we as a society know um that text messages and emails can be misconstrued. Um so trying to convince people of something online when it's in written format or even video format, like you're probably you're gonna have a tough time. Right.

SPEAKER_00 8:14

So and it's really easy to be a keyboard warrior and say a lot of things that you probably wouldn't say to somebody's face because it's harder when there is a human being looking you in the eyes and sitting across from you. Um, it's a lot harder to be cruel, at least I would. Would hope so I hope so. Yeah. Um, than to just a screen that is a a thing that can be turned off.

SPEAKER_01 8:41

And it takes the humanness out of it. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 8:45

So I do think it's a little bit harder. I think it's harder to help our kids navigate it. I think so too. Um they're just exposed, I think, so much more than we were.

SPEAKER_01 8:53

I agree.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

Um, and I think even as a wife, I'm it's kind of funny if you look back on culture, right? Growing up, there was always very like specific lanes for you as a female, right? Like you go way, way, way, way back when your only job was to get married and have children. And then you go back a little bit further, and it was like, well, some of the rebels would take up the vote or whatever. And then, you know, every kind of so many decades or centuries, not centuries, but you know what I mean. Decades. Yeah, decades. There's like this new arena. And so I know it was really popular when I was little, it was the 80s, and it was the working woman and the powerful woman and breaking the glass ceiling. And I know from my mom in the 60s, it was burning your bra and women's rights. And I think there's all pieces of value in there. Um, but this is the first time I can really like, I think we're in an area now where it's like we have been in a place where it was like, well, you shouldn't want to have a family and be a stay-at-home mom. You should want to have a career, and don't you want to be fulfilled, and don't you want this? To now where it's like women are finding fulfillment in that because you should. I mean, there is zero things wrong with being a stay-at-home mom, and that is a whole skill set, and it's worthy, and it's what God created us to do is to have babies and raise families and all the things.

SPEAKER_01 10:21

Um, but now there's this thing of like I think we're finally, I almost think it's starting to balance out. Like the pendulum like swings in one direction, goes in the other extreme. I think we're getting less extreme, and I think people um my age and a little bit younger than me are recognizing there is a way to have both. Um, kids are um kids are really impactful to that process.

SPEAKER_00 10:50

I kind of disagree.

SPEAKER_01 10:51

Okay, well, I feel like I've done a pretty good job.

SPEAKER_00 10:53

I think you have, but I do think, well, okay, so when I grew up, there was this whole like you can have it all. You can be the CEO and a full-time mommy that does all of the projects and goes to all of the class things. That's not what I meant. You cannot. No, it's a lie. They wanted everyone to believe that, and but everything is a trade-off, right? Yes. So can you have a career and a family? 1000%. Are you going to be the perfect look at like a stay-at-home room mom while being the CEO? No, because we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and that's just not a realistic expectation.

SPEAKER_01 11:29

Yes, I agree with that completely. Yeah. But I there is a way to do both. And um, you can have a family and have a career. Absolutely. Um, you can but at some point you do have to make choices. Absolutely. And you're you can also choose to stay home, and there's nothing wrong with that. But that's a great choice, too.

SPEAKER_00 11:47

I think that's harder almost than going to an office. I mean, think about it. If you're a stay-at-home mom with a bunch of kids, you don't get a date off, you don't get paid vacation, you don't get sick days, you don't get holidays, you don't have built-in co-workers to be friends with. Like you actively have to work to have yeah, like friendships. And I have all the respect in the world for stay-at-home moms. I do too.

SPEAKER_01 12:13

It's a hard job. It is a hard job. Yeah. So that being said, we knew we were gonna go down some rabbit holes on this one, and it's tough in this world. Um, how do you navigate um friendships, friendships with those from, you know, your church life, but also those that are not Christians, or maybe you don't know if they're a Christian. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:38

Um, so I think the one thing, and Hubby and I have had a lot of conversations about this. And I think we have friends that are Christians, obviously. We have lovely church family friends, we have other Christian friends that we don't necessarily go to the same church with. Um, and we have friends that do not practice a faith currently. Um I think the one thing that has just always been important to us is that no matter if the other person is a believer in Jesus or not, or if we know that they are or not, it does not change how we behave. It does not change how we talk to them, it does not change how we behave around them. Um Yeah, I mean, I would tell them if they're going through a hard time that you know, oh my goodness, I will when I'm praying today, I will add that to my prayers just like I would tell you. And if they are like, whatever, well, okay, fine, but I'm still gonna do it because I believe. I believe. And so I think that's just been our big thing is like it doesn't really matter to us, um, either way. Would our preference be that they love Jesus?

SPEAKER_01 13:46

Of course. Well, and I think here's the thing, because I'm with you. Like, we've had very similar conversations. We treat everybody, we love them, like we love people, and um, we're gonna love on you and bring you into our home. And um, I'm gonna pray for you. And the fact of the matter is, bottom line up front, I want to see you in heaven. Like, I want you to be there with me. And so I am gonna prefer that you are, but if you're not like then I'm just gonna keep praying about it, yes.

SPEAKER_00 14:20

Um ultimately that's I mean, I'm not Jesus, right? I'm not God, I don't get to make those decisions, absolutely, yeah. Yeah, I think we all just do our best, and I yeah, I think we just don't treat them any, it's not any I don't act any differently around my non-Christian friends than I do around my Christian friends, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:40

And I bring you all along for the same ride.

SPEAKER_00 14:43

100%. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 14:45

Um, how does God play a role in your marriage? I know during our marriage comp our marriage episode, we did talk a bit about this, so we probably don't need to dive too deep too deeply, but no.

SPEAKER_00 14:57

If you want the deeper dive, go back and watch Marriage and Margaritas. That was a fun episode. Um, it's it's part of our everyday life. So I don't, it's not at least not anymore. It's not a conscious thought of yeah, how do we put God in today in our marriage? Um, it just is what it is, right? If there's a hard time, we pray about it. If we're having trouble making this making a decision, we pray about it. If it's um more of a real-time heart issue that we need some active help with, we go to our pastor. Um, I go to my Bible a lot for guidance.

SPEAKER_01 15:30

I mean, it's just well, and I know one of the things in our house is have you prayed about it as much as you've talked about it? That's a good one. Because if there's a I don't even want to say problem, like it could be anything like that we're having a conversation about um that I can see like conflict is maybe gonna come out. It's like, okay, are we talking who are we talking to about this? Um, because I think the conversation between me and my spouse is great. Right. Um, are we gossiping with other people or are we taking it up to God? And well, yeah. That's not only with our like with my spouse, that's probably even more with my kids than it is.

SPEAKER_00 16:12

Well, and our friends, right? So I will say that is one area where we are very protective in our marriage where there might be a slight difference in our Christian friends and our non-Christian friends. If there is something that comes up and I do need to talk to somebody about a heart issue or a marriage issue, something like that, I am more likely to discuss that if I have to discuss it outside of my husband and I with one of my strong Christian married actively seeking the Lord friends than with somebody who maybe doesn't, because it's important to me that they respond to me and advise me in a way that I know is Christ-centered.

SPEAKER_01 16:55

I agree completely with that for sure. I'm seeking counsel from someone. Um, there's a great saying that I know we both know that like you become like the five people you spend the most time with. And so I want those people to be someone who is grounded in yeah, faith and um yeah, yeah. So I know. How does God show up in your kids' lives and friendships?

SPEAKER_00 17:22

Um wow, I that's hard to separate from just who they are. I agree. Um, I will say I am very grateful that we have raised two really strong, faithful Christian young people who love the Lord and love their friends and love their family and um use the Bible and God as their baseline in life. And um, that doesn't come without its own.

SPEAKER_01 17:59

Oh, for sure. There's still there's still one kid and two human. Like, and we know that we are all sinners, and I guess I I'll just like say that from the get-go in case you're not familiar with our particular like evangelical Christian, like we acknowledge that we are all sinners, and oh uh if we were not sinners, we wouldn't need God, right? And every day we sin and every day we ask for forgiveness, we ask for forgiveness, and try to do better. So just know that in no way, like as we are saying these things are am I perfect? I don't think we know it claim to be either. Oh my gosh, no, farthest from. Yeah, and it's a work in we're ever working progress in progress, and so is our kids.

SPEAKER_00 18:41

I mean, a thousand percent. But I think when you have that base, yes, you always have a spot to go back to and a and a place to start over from. Um, but I just love when my kids will say, Mom, I prayed, I prayed for this, or I prayed to that, or my friend's going through a hard time. Can we pray for them?

SPEAKER_01 18:59

Or um well, and I love like kind of along the lines of the you're like the five people you spend the most time with. My daughter has attracted, I guess is the way that I will say it, just some really awesome people. And um they've had great conversations about faith too. Yeah. And I think it's awesome that they have the confidence in who they be and who God is, um, to be willing as a teenager to have those conversations because sometimes as a 40-something year old woman, like I have reservations about having those conversations. And um I don't think anyone navigates it perfectly, but I just love that I and she'll come to me and say, Hey, we had this conversation, and um, seeing the kind of childlike faith, I guess, um, and my son has been is just I don't know, it's really cool. Like I um I love these who these four little I say little people, you're not little people anymore.

SPEAKER_00 20:06

I know they're but old and grown and adult.

SPEAKER_01 20:09

Two adults. I guess they're both adults, aren't they?

SPEAKER_00 20:12

Two adult children. Um, but it is just to watch them still walk in that faith and to see my son still go to church, even though he doesn't have to. He's a full grown man. Um, and my daughter, you know, not only go but love it. And and she is, we've talked about this before, the the ultimate extrovert. And so the moment she sees someone at church she hasn't seen before, she is the first person over there saying hello. And um, I just know that that is her gift from the Lord. And um just to see my son interact, you know, with some of the people at his work and the way he talks with them, um is is his gift and from the Lord. And I think to see them do the little things to draw themselves closer to the Lord that you didn't tell them to do. Yes, is always such it is an amazing thing. It really is. It's really cool. It is really cool. It's like my favorite part of mothering little adult humans.

SPEAKER_01 21:13

Yes, and I know like I've loved to see um my daughter's had a chance to go to like a couple of different camps in the summertime, and um, she's brought a friend with her who um, you know, was admittedly like, I don't really know what I'm doing. I don't really know what this stuff is all about. And her mom and I had a great conversation about um, you know, is she gonna feel left behind because it was a Christian camp? Is she gonna feel like she doesn't know what's going on? And I was like, no, it's it'll be wonderful. And I think um it was so great for her and for their friendship to get to do that together. Um pretty cool. And then to watch them um serve, um, my daughter teaches Sunday school at our church, and it's so fun. Friendships that she's made with like the little people and the ones that look up to her. Um, we saw one of those friends just recently, and um her mom was like, um, so she came up to me and said, Mom, I'm really sad that you're that my daughter is gonna be a senior next year. Like, I don't want her to graduate and leave. And like, it's just so cute. Like, I love that friendship that they've built. Um, yeah, yeah, and the other um influences that you know they're having in like um people that are looking up to them.

SPEAKER_00 22:33

Yeah, it's pretty cool, it's wonderful. I love it. Me too. Oh, our babies that aren't such babies anymore. I love them so much. Um, okay, so how is it being a faithful Christian and how does that impact like your daily life decisions?

SPEAKER_01 22:51

Um, I think for me, my daily life decisions, um, the little decisions, you probably don't see me like pause so much and have a deep conversation with God. But um I think I heard it on a podcast once. I think it was Candace Cameron Bray's podcast. It was about prayer, and um, she was talking about how like people you can pray throughout the day. Like it doesn't have to be this like big event, no, like in the morning and in the night. And I was like, I do that all the time. Like I feel like my day is a constant, like woven prayer. And um, whether it's conscious or subconsciously that I'm doing it, um, but it impacts, I mean, every decision probably that I make, whether it's a conscious, like I know that the Lord is impacting this or not. Um, it is definitely from um, you know, how am I going to dress and what are my um what's my kid eating for breakfast, I suppose. I mean, there's that rare before we eat. Um, but yeah, like and then like making sure like it's nourishing for them, right? Yeah. And then like, and my serving others, because as you guys have probably gathered as we've done these podcasts, that is a big um value for me is um serving others and helping and watching things nourish and grow. Yeah, what about you?

SPEAKER_00 24:21

I think I am getting better at praying throughout my day. Um, one thing that I'm really focusing on right now is praying, not just when I need something, but more when I don't need anything, and just kind of like that prayer of thankfulness. Um but I do, it does affect literally everything. Clothing, financial decisions, um what we give our money to, what businesses we give our money to, where we eat, shop, purchase things, what we watch on television. Now, don't get me wrong, we're not like this isn't Christian, I'm not watching it. Absolutely. Um, but there are some times where you feel very convicted, usually negatively, by something that a company has done. And so then you maybe choose to not spend your money there anymore. And we all have that right, and that is a wonderful thing. And um I think you know, there are times where, again, because we're imperfect humans and we sin all the time, that you make a decision that maybe isn't based in God as much. And it's that's where it's helpful to have a faithful spouse or a faithful friend that's like really like think that's the best choice right now. And they can find a nice way to say it, but a lot of times my husband will be like, Hey Danny, are we maybe gossiping? And I'm like, Yeah, I probably, you know, like shouldn't shouldn't talk about that or you know, whatever. Yeah, um, and not that you're not allowed to have opinions about things that people do, but you need to make sure that it's coming from a point of it happens specifically to you so that you have a right to talk about it.

SPEAKER_01 25:59

And I think like I have a kind of philosophy that I'm not great at. Don't get me wrong. But like, if I'm not willing to have this conversation with the person, should I be having the conversation about the person? Correct.

SPEAKER_00 26:14

And I will a lot of times, like if I'm talking with somebody and I say something about somebody else, I will make sure I say, hey, I have already had this conversation with them. They know this is my feeling on this, and they're okay with me sharing. Yeah. Um, because that is an area I feel like the devil, if you want to go there, um, really finds his inlet, especially with Christians, in the little everyday sins that we don't think about and not the big ones, right? Like we're not running around murdering people or committing adultery or you know, those massive Ten Commandment sins. Um, but the little Ten Commandment sins, like gossip and honoring your mother and father, and coveting your neighbor's things, and you know, those are where he really likes to get his little paws in. And so that is where it's helpful to have a spouse that will be like, or a best friend that will be like, maybe we should back that up a little bit, and you're like, okay, yeah, let's change the topic, or yeah, you're right, or you know, those things. But I do think, and I'm glad for it, that it becomes part of your everyday process almost subconsciously, like you were saying, it starts to just affect everything that you do. Um, and the older I get, honestly, you think about your days are numbered, and when I leave, will people say that they knew I was a Christian? Whether I told them on a podcast or just had a run in them at the grocery store. And I am not perfect. Listen, the parking lot road rage at Costco is real. I am not always the perfect picture. I have actually prayed for forgiveness a lot coming out of the Costco parking lot. I'm not gonna lie.

SPEAKER_01 28:03

Yeah, I mean, in no way am I perfect either. And I just am very grateful that we have a savior who died because I was sinful. Like, and saved us.

SPEAKER_00 28:16

So yeah, praise Jesus, literally. For real, it's a real thing.

SPEAKER_01 28:21

We are here with our little rice crispy trees. And our churro rice crispy trees are still kind of um gooey. They're not quite cooled yet, but that's okay. We like things and they're still warm. Cheers, cheers with our stringy crispy trees. Maybe that too. Okay, these are really fun.

SPEAKER_00 28:54

I recommend letting them set up all the way, but they're delicious.

SPEAKER_01 28:59

I love cinnamon and sugar. And these are like that a great, they're not like in your face, but they're that's really good. Okay, so as you lick your fingers.

SPEAKER_00 29:11

Yes, as that's what everybody needs to see, is what are you currently craving, Danielle? Okay, well, I figured so here's our rule with our current cravings. It has to be something that you are currently loving, yes, and that is making your life easier or better in some way. Yes, and if you watched episode one, we described that. So, in keeping with our theme of faith and something that makes my life better, and that I use every day, I have brought my Bible, and I love my Bible because it is this really pretty pink leather, and it is getting darker and patinaed over time, and as I use it, and you can see the pages are getting worn and it's all kind of marked up and bookmarked and beautiful and bookmarked, and there's coffee stains and all kinds of things, but there's a really beautiful story behind my Bible, and if you don't mind, I'll take a minute. It was after church one Sunday, and Hubby was like, Hey, I want to run into the used book store, I want to look for a book. I was like, Okay, great. So we go, and I thought, I'm just gonna go like see if they have a Bible. And they had this Bible. Not only did they have a Bible, but they had a pretty Bible that was my favorite color, pink, and it was still in the package, and it was brand new, and it was even the version that I wanted. I don't know if you know, but there's like different translations, different translations of the Bible, and so it was the EESV, the English Standard Version, and it was like very, very, very, very, very cheap, and it was brand new. And I was like, God sent me a Bible! So I got to get my Bible, and I was so excited, and so yeah, it's been with me through all the things now. I love that. Thanks. What's your current craving?

SPEAKER_01 30:55

So my current craving is not as deep, um, but it is something that I literally use every day and makes my life happier. So they're sparkly pens, and you guys here. I'm gonna write on my paper while I talk to you. Um, but they have just a little bit of shimmer. Oh, that's so pretty. I don't know if you can see.

SPEAKER_00 31:18

Can you see it? It's like almost iridescent, it's so pretty.

SPEAKER_01 31:22

Um, and they come in a pack of like eight different colors. I just brought three colors, but um, they work great on white paper, colored paper, black paper, all the things because they're shimmery. And as I'm writing, I work from home and as I'm like writing notes to myself or to my kids or whatever I might be writing, they just make me smile because they're sparkly.

SPEAKER_00 31:43

They are sparkly and pretty. Those would be a great gift.

SPEAKER_01 31:45

They would be, and in fact, there is a little story that I'll make it really quick. But I was in a course um last year in May, and one of the other girls in the course with me, she had a blue one and she was writing with it, and I was like, I love your pen. And she actually had just got a new pack, and so she brought me the blue one later that week.

SPEAKER_00 32:09

So yeah, it was really sweet. I love that. Me too. Oh kind, all right. So, switching to our final segment of this episode, our question on the table, which is our question to you, our lovely audience.

SPEAKER_01 32:24

Yes. Do you feel like this season or era of life has brought you closer to God or further away from your relationship with the Lord?

SPEAKER_00 32:33

So I can answer that one very easily, definitely closer. Um, I feel like I just strive every day to be as close to him as possible and make the choices for my life and my kids' lives and my husband's life that he would want me to make. And I feel like I turn to him more than ever, um, not only for myself, but for family and friends. And I think especially going back to the rip the band-aid off topic at the beginning in the political climate, there's just that feeling of uneasiness, and I just really try every day to give that to him.

SPEAKER_01 33:06

Yeah, I agree. It has brought me closer as well. Um, I think that a lot of that is just maturing in my relationship and in myself. But I think that as I, you know, parent and as you said, with your spouse and just all of the things, I know that I can't do it on my own. No, and I like just thinking about trying to do it on my own, just like, and I'm so grateful that I can lay it at the foot of the cross, and yeah, you don't have to do it by yourself. Yeah, all right, friends. So tell them in the comment in the comment section. Um, do you feel like this season or era of life has brought you closer to or farther away? And there's no right answer.

SPEAKER_00 33:52

No, there's no right or wrong answer. Just whatever you're feeling, we want to hear from you and start a dialogue. And so if you felt like this particular episode spoke to you or would speak to a friend, we hope that you will like and subscribe and share with that friend. And until then, we will see you on the next episode.