Episode 2 Transcription- Alycia
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And now for the next episode of Letters From Home, sending encouragement to your doorstep by capturing the heart beat of God’s people. One story at a time. Today’s guest is Alicia Myers. She and her husband, Josh, have been married for two years. They live in Lynwood, where she is Nanning, and going back to school. And he’s working at a restaurant. They currently attend Work Creek and ever where they help with youth ministries. I’ve known Alicia for six years. She has blossomed from a shy teenager to someone who God is using in a big way to impact many unmarrieds an teens on social media and in her community. Her life inspires me. And I think I will. You too, Alicia. Thank you so much for coming.
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Welcome. I’m glad you’re here.
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You for having me
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tonight. When I think of your wish, I think of what a blessing you are. And when I see you on Instagram, I just see how God’s using you to affect so many teenagers on such important topics. Also, just you share a lot of real things, like with about your husband or just things you’re going through. Or maybe how you’re not feeling well, and it just lifts me up every time I see what you’re doing. So how did your high school years?
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The start of high school was hard for me because I knew about God, but I didn’t know who he was. And I had kind of put him on the back burner because I have been really hurt just by people. And I was seeking love in fulfillment in places where I could never find them. And it really took me hitting rock bottom for me. And, um, before I was like, OK, this isn’t working. I’m never going to find love and boys or material things. Yes, And so it really took me getting to that place where I had Teoh cry out to God to have my heart open. And it was just his perfect timing because, like that same week, I had a friend reach out to me and invite me to go to her youth group. And that was really the start for me. I went to Youth group with her, and even though I had no idea what the pastor
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was saying and the worship
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songs sounded weird, I really grew there and I kept going. And that’s where I learned about who got ISS. I learned about the Bible, and from there that really shakes my relationship with God.
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You know, I
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remember. That’s where I met you because yeah, we were kind of new to the church and you and just CYA. We’re friends. And I just remember being so thankful thinking, Oh, besides about this little core group of friends that are super solid and you know what I also know Life is hard cause we all have things that were going through in high school. I don’t think it’s easy for anyone. Like you said you were, you know, had all these things going on as you progressed along high school, growing, growing in your faith. You know what was meaningful to you, That part of your life?
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The church I went Teoh really taught me how to read the Bible and how to study it. And I’m so thankful for that. I think it was hard for me at first because I was one of the newer believers in the youth group and I felt so, like everyone knows everything and I know nothing, and it was hard not to compare myself. And it was also hard to feel like, Wow, I have so much work to dio People know God this much, and I only know him this much. And so it almost started to become, like reading my Bible and praying, but more like a to do list in a checklist on a relationship
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that is so easy to This is moderate. Yes, I’m also thankful. That’s one of the reasons we went there is because it seems like the kids all enjoyed opening the word of God. Yeah, rating it so No, that’s a great thing. But also, there could be the, you know, like I’m not measuring out,
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right?
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Everyone’s ahead of me.
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Yeah, And
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And you ended up. Didn’t you end up being a leader as a high school student?
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Yeah, I was part of student leadership. And that was huge for me.
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Yeah, I know you were a great leader. I know you were a great leader, Teoh. Eat in and many other girls. I’m so thankful for girls who are willing to reach out to other teams. Such a blessing.
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Thank you. I I enjoy being a leader, but A lot of times I felt like I was striving so much unintentionally. I feel like my faith had become works based because I felt like if I don’t do X Y and see God won’t love me as much. I felt like he was always mad at me. And even though you know, we were taught that goddess forgiving and God loves you and his Grace covers you, it really took me a few years before I fully understood that and for it to become not just something I told myself, but to become a reality and to become heart knowledge.
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Well, it’s pretty good if at your age you have a pretty decent understanding of God’s love and it is managed such a process.
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Yeah. So for a long time, I just felt like God was mad at me and I had to go through these motions to make sure that he still loved me and he hadn’t given up on me. It wasn’t until I left for college and I met my now husband, but I really started to grasp the love of God and what it means for God to look at you and to not see your sins, but to see Jesus Holiness in you and it that became a reality for me when I left. I think because I was away from my family, I was away from my church and I was really experiencing Jesus for myself. One on one. And that’s
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right. So you were raised in the Seattle area and you went to the Biola, right? In California?
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Yes. Only for a semester, but just long enough. You need Ross Ray eyes. God is so good. Yeah. Knows just what you need. Exactly.
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You know, I have actually the same experience with with love with my husband. I don’t know that I didn’t understand that piece about God until I saw being married to my husband. Help patient.
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I mean, he’s a human. I’m sure Drash is a human to have their flaws. But
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one thing likes very strong is just that unconditional love. It took me a couple of years. I think if I would say the greatest thing I’ve learned from my husband is the love of God, I think that’s a pretty good thing. Definitely. We’re blessed to have that because, you know, there’s got my own flaws too. But having might be strong in that department has just been the greatest blessing to me being his Absolutely so you’ve been married two years almost, and that’s been quite a transition for you.
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So Josh and I
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got married when we were 20 and 21 which is very young from the world standard. It was
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kind of a
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whirlwind for me because we when we got married, it was our first time living together. We had been long distance because Josh was still in college in California and I was here in Washington. So for most of our relationship, we were long distance. And so not only where we newly married newly living together, but we were like in person all the
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time for the first time in years. And so it was all
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a really big adjustment.
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Yes, I remember that same thing, Being on honeymoon, it’s like being around so many people for a lot of my life. And that sounds like it’s just us and
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thank right. We enjoy the time,
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but there is kind of an adjustment, and I guess where’s Drash? Is faith out? Are you know, how did how did that play into your relationship and what what drew you to him.
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So I met Josh when I was 17. Actually, I met him when I was just touring Biola.
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So you did. Yeah. I don’t want to Yeah. Wow.
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Yeah, I met him when I was 17 and I was touring and he was a sophomore at the time, and we just we kept in touch on, and what really drew me to him was the way he pursued me. I wasn’t and really like any serious relationship in high school, but I had a couple guys who had kind of pursued me, but I had never really been pursued in a godly way. But I had told Josh from the beginning that it wasn’t a good time for me to be in a relationship and that I needed him to be OK with that. And I had kind of thought like, OK,
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he’s going to give up on me in a day because we had
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only known each other. We met that one day, and then I went back home to Washington and he stayed in California, and I didn’t expect him to actually pursue me. But he did and I told him like I just feel like I can’t even talk to you on a regular basis because I know that God has called me to focus on my relationship with him. And if we keep talking, I’m going toe fall for you. And I know that that’s being disobedient for where I’m hot right now. But he was understanding. And even though I thought he would give up, he didn’t. Instead, he wrote me letters and we Skyped once a month, and we did that for a year.
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Also. I just know that the Lord has really led you to minister to teenagers on and in many on social media, and I was wondering how that came about
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eso I have always loved writing specifically, and my husband works in the evenings, and I worked during the days. So I have a lot of evenings to myself, and I’ve always found writing to be so therapeutic and I’ve always loved
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Is it more like journaling or topics or what? What is your writing look like? I know
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this, Yeah, I just I love to
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share what’s on my heart. I love when other women share what they’re learning because it just reminds you that Oh, hey, someone else is going through that, too. It reminds you that you’re not alone. And so I love writing
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kind of leak
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devotionals almost but more personal. Like I love sharing things about what I’m learning in my faith in marriage, whatever that may be. Because I know that I’m so encouraged on other people. Sure what they’re learning, that I’m sure other people will be encouraged to. And that’s what I have seen.
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Yes, for sure, I see. So I was picturing you writing in, like, a little notebook or something like during, But it’s more you’re saying you right in the evening. So you’ll start, start like a little instagram post about things you’re thinking about through the day or what you’re learning that kind of a thing.
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Yeah, I journal Teoh, and then or I have topics all write
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down the
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things I want to talk about, and then I’ll make them into an instagram post.
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That’s great Mill. And you have I know I’ve written up to you multiple times as I read your reflections. God’s given you such wisdom, whether it’s about marriage and what you’re learning or beauty tips or how you’re feeling. I know your help has been touched. You have health that you struggle with at times. And I love when you post a little something about that.
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Thank you. Yeah, I just like to share us. I’m going because I don’t know everything, and I’m always learning, but I just I think it’s good to share what you’re learning, to encourage others and to let other people know that they’re not alone.
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So what? So you started posting and just writing, like little things that were on your heart and kind of How did that progress or because I know it’s more of a ministry Now, how did it go from Just you sharing what you’re thinking too more of a ministry.
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It really started after we got married. Like I shared writing has always been so therapeutic for me. And so after we got memory, like once a month or a couple times a month, I would just share something I was learning. And I would get so much feedback from other women and other wives. And I realized
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in the comments Personal Diem’s or something.
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Yeah, and the comments and in messages, and I realized that this was something that was bigger than myself, and I realized what an impact it was having on other women. I thought I was just sharing something, and maybe it would reach a couple people. But I’ve realized that it’s so important and it’s so impactful. And iPad women message me saying, Thank you for being so riel. It’s refreshing to see someone talk about these things, and so I just feel such a strong calling from God to continue to share, because I think as women, we can feel so alone. But we’re not alone, Yeah, and so once I realized the impact that it was having, I just continue to share us. The Lord prompts me to, and he’s really blessed me and that and created a community of women and wives
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that’s so great. What are some of the biggest topics that you’ve found response to, or or maybe the things that you’re most passionate about posting about?
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I think I found the biggest response on things about faith, whether that’s about insecurity, trusting the Lord and heart seasons, living life in a joyful way, even when things are hard, like with my health I shared about that recently. I opened up about my chronic illness, and I had a lot of responses from people not just sharing encouraging words, but saying I have a chronic illness to thank you so much for hearing an offering. Hope that’s
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so great. I remember when you posted that. And I just thought how lovely that the Lord is using you just in this way just to share your struggle in a positive I am in a positive way. But it’s not easy. Think I’ve also seen So you do like little, uh, videos.
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Sometimes it s
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so when you do like a little what is it called? Is it like a video clip when you, uh, life part instagram
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It’s gotta worry a story.
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Okay, so the instagram story section That’s something that I’ve seen your your instagram story kind of grow over the last couple months where it was just a little something first. And now you’ll do surveys or, you know, like post like Okay, here’s
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my bad hair day. Yeah, this’d is it. And I feel like,
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awful. This is my third cup of coffee on. You kind of continue I think that has been so encouraging when you post the rial thing. So how does this story part work for you or what?
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That’s something God has actually really been challenging me with. I feel like I’m a much better writer than I am a talker, and I hate
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being on video because I mean, writing
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is one thing, but stories air intimidating and you only get 30 seconds to talk.
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Oh, so you have
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to, like, keep everything in, and sometimes you have to record the same thing, like five times. But it’s something much God has been challenging me with because I’ve had quite a few people tell me that they like when I do videos and talk about these topics, and so
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I try to
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do it. But it’s not easy for me. But when I do make stories, I kind of like to talk about either something that’s on my heart or if I post something I’m I on my instagram. I might do like a sum up of it in a story. So I like to do something I write, and then something short on video. Oh, for a more personal touch.
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Yes, that’s really good and it it takes quite a bit of time, but it’s it’s so worth it. Have you seen it? Impact teenagers, of course. Keeping people’s privacy
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help teenagers.
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So when I first started writing, um, and it started to make an impact, I was challenged by God to not Onley right on Instagram and to not only influence on Instagram, but Teoh, really Just like his word says to go out and preach the gospel and to meet with people because Internet Ministry is great. But I I felt that he was challenging me to go a step further. And so he laid Youth Ministry on my heart, which is something I’ve always loved. And shortly after I started youth Ministry, I realized that it was my youth girls who were really being impacted by what I was sharing on there. That’s
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so great night. Is it Kenyon Park? Or know what? What’s your church? That you
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can create true Canyon
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Creek in every? Yeah, I love how that shifted from you reaching people online and started to meet with them and thinking, Wow, maybe I should meet with people in person. And so you’re also high school leader at your
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church. Yeah, I I love ministering toe high school girls in person. And it’s been amazing to see the impact that I have on them with what I share online to. Really? Yeah. Originally, um, I had hoped that I could write to other young wives and it would be more of a marriage ministry. But I saw that. Or once I saw that what I was sharing really impacted my youth girls. They would come up to me on Wednesdays and be like, thank you so much for sharing that I loved what you said and I founded. So relatable or what you said really helped me with this. I realized that I was having such a big impact on them and not my writing really affected that more than anything,
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that’s so great a bit that also was in your heart to while you’re writing, thinking out your audience. So you kind of shifted from marriage Thio more reaching teens or you still kind of doing all of that.
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I’m kind of doing
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both. But instead of just focusing on marriage, I’m focusing on more general topics, and my heart went from just young wives to women in general. And I think about now when I write what are things I wish I’d me when I was a teenager, but no one told me or what do I wish I knew before I got married or before I went to college or things I wish I knew as a young believer?
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Oh, that’s that’s so great. I would you mind sharing? What are a couple things you wish you knew before you got married?
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Yeah. Um, I wish I knew how important it was to take care of myself. I think true. I think it’s so emphasized to serve others, which is so important. But you can’t pour from an empty cup. You will burn now. And it’s so important to take care of yourself, Not just like you know, when we hear self care, we think bubble
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baths and chocolate. But that’s not
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that. Maybe part of it, but more than anything like taking time each day to read the word, to pray, to meet your physical needs. Because I learned the hard way that if I’m not doing that nine Josh will get my leftovers and he won’t get my very best. And lots what I want to give him, not me at the end of the day, feeling frazzled and empty.
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True, True. That’s a really good perspective. You also said there’s things that you wish you wouldn’t known before being a teenager, and I think one thing I realize is my mom’s like, Well, why
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didn’t you just ask me?
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I just didn’t think of it. Sometimes I’m sure your mom would be great with all
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the radio.
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She’s a good mama. But what do you think you wish you would have known as a teenager? Something
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probably mostly about trusting God, but just believing that even if it doesn’t make sense, that God has a purpose for it and that you may not understand right now but that he really will make it come full circle and everything that happens to you matters and just
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I guess, about
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trusting him in the unknown because especially in high school, you’re going through so much. You have college on the horizon and there’s a lot of uncertainties.
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There’s a lot of uncertainties and I know so many insecurities, right? I’m not good enough in competition and I think a growing thing which you also mentioned earlier is about feeling alone, you know? So I think so many girls and boys are out there feeling alone. Yeah. I really love that you, the Lord, has raised up your ministry to be not only online but also in person as he leaves you with some people on Instagram and with the girls that you have in your circle. Yeah, Thank you so much. I love how God’s using you that way. So what’s
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on the
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horizon for you? Are there other aspirations that you have a Sephora’s reaching people?
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So I’m in a
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place right now where I’m not exactly sure what’s next because I have a lot going on in my personal life. So my first priority right now is definitely on. Um, the Lord, my relationship with him, my health, my marriage, also about building up community for myself. So really, I’m focused on that, But I love writing, and I love this ministry that goddess raising up. Um, but for now, I think I will continue to write and do stories as the lorry prompts me to. Someday I would love to do more speaking. I’m not exactly sure what that looks like maybe a YouTube, maybe a podcast or maybe in person, I’m not sure, but
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that’s kind of
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what’s on my heart right now.
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Well, I think you have some great things to share
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my life first iss Psalm nine to which says I will be filled with joy because of you. And I think that life isn’t easy like we talked about. There’s lots of ups and downs. But that verse always reminds me that no matter what is going on, I can be full of joy because of Jesus. Because I trust in because I know that he has good plans for my life. I don’t have to, you know, live in a constant state of fear. I can live in faith. I can live joyful and just take life as it comes
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absolutely away. Should you inspire me and so many ways. I love hearing what you’re doing, and I love that you pushed through all the hard part’s. Thank you. I just, uh when I think of you, I just think of Proverbs 4 18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dengue, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day. And I know God’s gonna keep using you through hell through marriage trials
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and blessings. Enjoy, as you’re listening to him to guide you along to even greater things. Thank you. Here is your P s. Some extras about our guests ready for some questions. Yeah. What
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is your favorite time of day And what
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I would say mid morning, Waking up
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really much of a struggle, too. I try, but it doesn’t usually happen.
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So I would say mid morning, because I’m waking up and I love reading my Bible and having a big cup of coffee or
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to a journey. That’s
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awesome. What is your most recent beauty fail?
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Definitely. This here can
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getting a Quetta Creek. Great clips. Looks cute in Lebak Both
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They cut it really short, saying
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it was layers, so just looks kind of uneven. One time mechanic out
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her hair cut in middle school for locks of love. Oh, okay. A little school girl and they cut it and it was about it was more higher than a bob in the back. Like it stocks bring out because she has wavy here and she’s like, Oh, well, Mom, I was so proud
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of for just having
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that attitude cause I would have been mortified,
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right? But it looks great.
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A bad habit,
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definitely mindlessly scrolling on social media when I’m stressed or
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don’t want to do something.
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Oh, yes. Hold a bright colors and happy
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faces. Yeah, I make myself busy. Yes.
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Do you have? Ah, beef.
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Um, I really dislike loud
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chewing me to,
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um I don’t like when people are passive aggressive. I like people just telling me how it iss
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I like that your husband appreciates. I wasn’t always direct. He taught me how to be. Did give Definitely
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least favorite chore
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cleaning the bathroom.
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You
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to think that this morning? I know it smelled good. Three beauty secrets. One would
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be safe. Beauty products are essential. Nothing with parabens or chemicals because I can cause all sorts of health problems. Another one would be Oh, always wash your face, take your makeup off and then moisturize every day. Your face, ideally twice a day. And then your body wants a day
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because they’re good tips. You know what? Your skin looks
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amazing. So I’m gonna listen to those steps. I think my mama for that, Your
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favorite season
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so definitely fall.
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Me too. I love the pumpkins. Cool weather. And there’s just something so homey about being inside.
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Yeah, definitely. And we got married, I think, like the fourth day of fall. So every fall now and like believe started turning When it starts to cool down, Lee reminisce about our wedding, and
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that’s 22
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years ago. Yeah, on October 1st, it will be two years. Congratulations. That’s
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coming up. Yeah. Thank you.
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I know that you nanny, what do you love about Manning?
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I love how personal it iss. I love that I can connect with kids in a unique way. And I love just being able to help the mom and be a part of their everyday life, not just their teacher.
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What would you like? Every teenage girl to know?
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I would like them to know that life may feel confusing and it may not make a lot of sense, and it might be hard right now, but that goddess using it all for her purpose, but they’ll understand later like nothing is ever a waste. Like he’s going to use it for a reason. He’s going to use it as a testimony to encourage other believers and to just trust him in the process.
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What could you say to parents who are having a hard time figuring out their teens?
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I would say
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that you may not understand why your teens air acting a certain way or what they’re thinking, but try to be patient and understanding. It’s so important to stick to your biblical values and to make sure that your kids are being respectful. But at the same time, we need to know that you’ll always love them and always be there for them. Because if that’s not clear to them, then they will hide. And they’ll do things that aren’t good for them, even more so. It’s important that I think parents can be a safe place for them.
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If you could buy one item for your house, what would it be?
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A puppy? I can totally. What time
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do we have a dream puppy in our heart?
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A puppy pug? Uh,
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pugs are just a beautiful
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thing. They’re so ugly. They’re Teoh there. So, kid, what is
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something you love about your husband?
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I love that he always can make me smile and laugh, even if I’m having a hard day or even when I’m mad at him, he just
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I can’t help but smile you.
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Yeah, he’s amazing. And he really lives out what it means to have the joy of the Lord as your string.
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What has been your biggest adjustment to being married?
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I think just finding the balance between that all between being newly married, work, life ministry, health, friends just having a healthy balance of all of it. Because when I first got married, it felt like a lot.
spk_1: 30:26
Oh, totally, Yeah, it’s It’s an adjustment for sure. Your current favorite Instagram accounts that you like to follow and why
spk_2: 30:37
I love following Jordan, Lee Dooley and Soul scripts. She’s a writer and a blogger, and she has a ton of great resource is for faith marriage, fitness, food, blogging. Jordan legally is her personal account. And then soul scripts is the community that has all the resource is Oh, interesting, Yeah, and so it’s just been really encouraging and helpful in so many different areas. One is where she shares more so about like what she’s learning and marriage and faith, or she’ll just post fund pictures. But then Soul Scripts has evolved into like a community. So now she has, like a team of stock members and the guest bloggers. And it’s like here is this five day fitness plan. Things like that. So more resource is and she has something called she refined and like sisterhood that you can sign up for to do Bible studies with other girls. That’s interesting. I
spk_1: 31:46
I didn’t know this and dish. So she probably has a team of people running the other one.
spk_3: 31:50
Not so great. Yeah,
spk_1: 31:52
I like to follow some Christian ladies that I’m inspired by Christine Caine. She is a really godly lady who’s my age, who’s just this amazing evangelist. And I just like reading about her.
spk_3: 32:05
And I try and keep in mind that her life isn’t perfect, right? No,
spk_1: 32:08
she runs every day, and
spk_3: 32:10
it’s just crazy. Yeah,
spk_1: 32:13
life. I’m gonna also really like this one. I don’t if I told you about it, but it’s niche. I
spk_3: 32:19
don’t know that
spk_1: 32:20
in I t. C. H. And it just post like old kind of black and white Hollywood pictures or some famous person and quotes quotes that I’ve never read really deep quotes about them, and it’s It’s really inspiring to me like history. Also, you see if I feel like I get put in a different generation for a little bit, and I do like thing. Of course, I have my life for fun stuff, too. But those are things that make me think,
spk_2: 32:46
Yeah, that’s really cool. But
spk_1: 32:48
is one thing you wish you could change about social media.
spk_3: 32:52
Social
spk_2: 32:52
media can be more of like a highlight reel. And so I wish that I don’t mind the highlight reel because it’s nice to post fun photos. But at the same time, it would be nice if people would also post like more riel, thoughtful content as well,
spk_1: 33:09
agreed. And it’s hard to know how to do that. I know is, um, I can’t really post my kid having a bad
spk_3: 33:16
right because I
spk_1: 33:17
don’t think my teenager wants me showing their messy room,
spk_3: 33:20
which I have thought of doing highlighted bright colors. No,
spk_1: 33:25
I wouldn’t want I respect my my kid in the relationship, but it is. It is a challenge.
spk_2: 33:32
It’s easy toe compare, And when you only see like the good moments, then you think, oh well, their life is perfect in my life is a mess.
spk_3: 33:41
Yes, or all those
spk_1: 33:42
girls are best friends, and
spk_3: 33:43
I just
spk_1: 33:44
never be one of the cool kids in that group. I’m just just kind of off on the fringe,
spk_3: 33:48
right? So I don’t
spk_1: 33:49
feel like that.
spk_2: 33:50
Yeah, And so it’s so refreshing when someone posts something that’s not just fun, but they share their heart. That’s so encouraging.
spk_3: 33:58
Yes, or and I do like to post like hair fails days where I’m like OK, I
spk_1: 34:06
just you know, once I was eating breakfast and I just walked down the steps and I dumped my whole bowl
spk_3: 34:12
Oh, no, on the blinds, all the shit, I don’t know and looked like it was 20 cups of you. So you know those kind of things. Yeah, but I love reading about those
spk_1: 34:23
two were laughing about everyone’s foibles.
spk_3: 34:25
Yes, is also cool. Makes you feel human. Exactly.
spk_1: 34:31
What do you love about social media?
spk_2: 34:33
I love how it can access to people literally all over the world. Like I feel like I have instagram friends, even though I’ve never met them before. And I love being able to encouraged and be encouraged by sisters in Christ who I wouldn’t know otherwise.
spk_1: 34:51
That’s great. I don’t have that experience yet. What I like about social media and for me, why I do it is I love stopping to smell the roses and just celebrating the good moments of my day. I just feel like it’s a gift, so I like toe to pause and share that with others. So
spk_3: 35:10
I get so
spk_1: 35:11
blessed by reading everyone else is little moments, especially when I know their life and hard things. And then I think, Oh, look at that beautiful trip. They just had a look at that teenager who they’re having a hard time with that beautiful smile in that picture, it could be super uplifting.
spk_2: 35:27
I love that perspective.
spk_1: 35:29
What do you what characteristic do you love most about God and why
spk_2: 35:34
I love that he’s our father, how faithful he is and how, even if we’re not faithful to him, he’ll always be faithful. Tow us. It’s that unconditional love.
spk_1: 35:44
What are you most looking forward to about heaven,
spk_2: 35:48
most looking forward to no more pain, No more sorrow just being with Jesus and everything being made new
spk_1: 35:56
in Revelation 21. It talks about heaven and verse four says he will wipe away every tear from their eyes And death shall be no more nor crying nor pain anymore for the former
spk_0: 36:10
things have passed away And I I can’t wait to get to Helena’s Yeah, this wraps up another story of our great God is at work You know, hearts and in our world to find out more about Alicia and this podcast follow letters from home on Instagram Second Corinthians 33 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, right? And not with ink but with the spirit of the living god. No, on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts Fill next time, go in peace.