#anchoredinGod Series Archive

#anchored in God: The heart of Lindsey Andrews

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? I am an attorney that took a year off to write a book and pray about the next direction in my life. I practiced divorce law for 12 years and knew I was not living fully in what God wants me to be contributing to life. While waiting on my next book to launch, I am developing an online course for women to seek out more joy in their daily lives.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? My mother threw away every law school application that was outside of Oklahoma because she knew I would never come home. So I live in Oklahoma City. I have lived in various parts of Oklahoma but as soon as our kids are grown, hubs and I are hitting the road in an RV and changing our address every night.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? I have 5 minutes between the coffee pot kicking on and the kids waking up. I use those 5 minutes to stand in front of the coffee pot and pray about the upcoming day.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Isaiah 46:4: “I have made you. I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” This verse reminds me that He is in control and no matter what the circumstances, He is always coming for me.

What is your best organizational/planning tip? Forget to plan everything out once in awhile. Jump in the car with your crew and just drive. Stop when you want. Eat when you need and explore something new.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? It’s a soup recipe that you can make in no time. Brown ground beef or chicken, then add 4 cups of a medley of your favorite veggies. Stir in garlic and add 2 large cans of vegetable stock. Season to taste. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Cut cornbread and place in bowl. Top with soup and grated cheese.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? Growing up, we went to the beach every spring break. The summer I turned 13, the water was too cold to go in so we spent the days picking up seashells and playing in the sand. Almost all of the sea shells we found were broken and jagged. One afternoon, I was walking with my feet in the water and I prayed that one day God would let me see a sand dollar that was intact. I looked down after I was done praying and a tiny, whole sand dollar was stuck to the top of my foot. I love that story because my life is taught with heartache and some hard moments, but God cares about it all . . . especially the little things.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? Love Does by Bob Goff (I give this book as a gift to at least 1 person every year), A Million Miles In A Thousand Years by Donald Miller (I try to read this book every year. Such profound, beautiful words), Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls (I read it when I was 12 and it was the 1st book I cried at the ending).

 

#anchoredinGod: The Heart of Sonja Waltman

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? I am one of those quiet leaders with a great big fire in her heart. My deep passion for people and desire to see them rise up and succeed plays out in most arenas in my life whether it’s in my role within a large church organization, at home, on the soccer field or serving women in our local community.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? Most of our motley crew still lives in Lancaster, PA. Our oldest daughter is currently in Richmond, VA where she teaches inner city High School students. I was born in Pittsburgh, moved to York, PA then landed in NC and MD for a few of my College years. One day you may find me living in the south!

How do you carve out time with God everyday? If I am honest, sitting still is not super easy for me. My best days truly are when I make space and start the day by focusing on a verse or by digging into a reading plan on the Bible app and pray. Through out the day I always have an ongoing dialog going on with Jesus. SO grateful that he gets me.

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Share with us why you love it so much. 1 Timothy 4:12. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” It is the theme verse I gave to a ministry we call kidWorship over 14 years ago. Kids as young as Kindergarten, have a unique opportunity to serve by leading their peers by singing and doing motions on stage each week. We equip and empower these kids to shine their light and lead by example. Watching those kids who started so long ago who are now serving the local church in big ways- gives me RIDICULOUS joy and hope!

What is your best organizational/planning tip (other than your Anchored Press Planner, of course)? I fully believe that I thrive in organized chaos filled with lists, sticky notes and 3X5 note cards. I am currently giving Evernote a go and am finding that I love it.

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Good creamy soup when it’s chilly outside and chicken cheesesteaks (steak for some) or Chinese food at the end of a crazy full week.

Tell us your favorite God story (in your own life)? My best story is one of redemption and how Jesus took my junk, failures and messes and knit them into something beautiful giving me opportunities to share, connect and move others in such a way that truly only Jesus could pull off.

What are your 3 favorite books, other than the Bible of course? Oh, gosh, I have so many! The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni Catron, BonHoeffer by Eric Metaxas, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.

We are dying to know . . . when you feel fearful, what is the one verse you find the most comfort in? 2 Timothy 1:7. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self- discipline.”

Sonja Waltman is the Executive Pastor at LCBC Church in Manheim, PA. She is wife to Scott and mom to 3 kids: Sara, McKinley and Rollins. She lvoes leading people of all ages and inspiring them to have courage to be all that God designed them to be in life. You can connect with her more at lcbcchurch.com.

#anchoredinGod: The heart of Kelly Rucker

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what God has called you to do? I live in Austin, Texas with my husband of almost 10 years and our two daughters, 3 years and 6 months old. I am a photographer at Kelly Rucker Photography, and the Co-Founder of The Well Studio. In this season of life, I feel called to slow down a bit, be intentional, and simply enjoy time with my kids. Slowing down is hard for me because I love dreaming and doing. I always have ideas and am always making to-do lists. In this season with young kids, I feel God refining me once again and reminding me to put all my trust in Him.

Where do you live and have you lived anywhere else? I have lived in Texas my whole life, so far. I'm currently in Austin, but originally from Dallas.

How do you carve out time with God everyday? Every way I can! I've had to change my perspective on "quiet time" with God. My life is rarely quiet! I pray in the car and in the shower, and I read the Bible on my phone. I talk with my kids about God, and make it an open conversation in our home. I also write Scripture as often as I can. It's one thing to read God's Word, but I find that writing it lets His Words sink in a little deeper.

What is your best organizational/planning tip, other than your Anchored Press Planner, of course? I'm a list maker and have a list for everything. I use Google Docs and I like it because I can access it from my phone if needed. I use list categories and it has worked great for me! For example, I have a "household list" for things I need to get done at home (i.e. organize the craft closet!) and a "photography business" list for all my work to-dos, etc. This method helps break it up and I can focus on one area at a time, instead of having one list a mile long. I also love using the YNAB budgeting app on my phone! Budgeting on the go has totally changed the way I spend and save money. 

What is your family’s favorite go-to easy meal? Tacos or Stir-fry. We have both every week!

What is your favorite Bible Verse? Colossians 3:1-3. "Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." I love these words. I struggle with anxiety sometimes and this Scripture reminds me to think about all that is good and true, not the "what if's" and negative things my mind creates. Focus on God, what He has done and continues to do.