In this 33rd and final episode, each Seasoned Mama shares her current season of motherhood, key takeaways, and cherished Bible verses.

Faith Doerr (Season: Young children/toddlers, expecting third child)
- Takeaway: "Take a breath" and show grace to yourself
- Action Step: Focus on the end goal of each parenting moment
- Verse: Colossians 3:2 - "Set your mind on things above"

Lindsay Haush (Season: Children ages 5-12)
- Takeaway: "Silence is golden"
- Action Step: Teach children to "chew and spit" - engaging with culture while maintaining faith
- Verse: Romans 8:28 - God works all things for good

Michelle Diercks (Season: Adult children 20-23)
- Takeaway: "Silence and savoring" with adult children
- Action Step: Listen more than speak, create safe space for communication
- Closing Song: Isaiah 49-inspired song about God's faithfulness

Deb Burma (Season: Married adult children, new grandmother)
- Takeaway: Adult children still need mom in new, mutually supportive ways
- Action Step: Let adult children know you have their backs, wait for them to ask for advice
- Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart

Michelle concludes our episode with singing a song based on Isaiah 49, reminding mothers that God has carved them in the palm of His hand.

In this episode of Seasoned Mamas, the hosts celebrate the release of Michelle's new book "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" (releasing January 7, 2025). Drawing from Chapter 7 of her book, Michelle leads a discussion about Jesus as our fount of living water, weaving biblical truth with contemporary motherhood challenges.

The conversation centers around the transformative story of the woman at the well (John 4:1-42), revealing how Jesus's longest recorded conversation in scripture was with someone society overlooked. Just as Jesus offered living water to the Samaritan woman, He offers the same grace and hope to weary mothers today. The hosts explore Jeremiah's metaphor of broken cisterns versus living water (Jeremiah 2:13), relating it to how mothers often seek fulfillment in temporary solutions rather than Christ's eternal provision.

Key topics include:
- Finding hope and rest in Jesus during difficult parenting seasons
- Navigating the emotional challenges of children leaving home
- Balancing faith formation and daily life with children
- Dealing with unexpected life changes and health challenges as a mother
- Moving from self-reliance to God-reliance in parenting

This episode features authentic conversations about motherhood struggles, including Lindsay's reflections on intentional faith formation, Deb's journey through empty nesting, Michelle's experience with letting go as children leave for college, and Faith's raw account of handling sick children during the holiday season.

"Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" explores how God's promises sustain us through every season of life. While this episode focuses on motherhood applications, Michelle's book offers broader insights into how Jesus meets us in our daily struggles, just as He met the woman at the well. Through biblical truth and personal insights, the book reveals how God's faithfulness provides hope and peace in every circumstance.

Whether you're a new mom feeling overwhelmed, a seasoned mother navigating transitions, or somewhere in between, this episode and Michelle's new book offer encouragement and biblical wisdom for finding hope in Jesus rather than temporary solutions.

Episode Highlights:
- The significance of Jesus's conversation with the woman at the well (John 4)
- Understanding God's infinite care versus our finite abilities as mothers (Isaiah 40:11)
- Moving from perfectionism to grace in parenting
- Finding identity beyond motherhood while honoring its importance
- Embracing God's timing versus our own plans

Pre-order "Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle, releasing January 7, 2025, to discover how God's promises bring peace and hope in every season of life. While this episode explores its applications to motherhood, the book's message speaks to anyone seeking to exchange their broken cisterns for Christ's living water.

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: "Promise to Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness" by Michelle Diercks
• Available on Amazon
• Free first chapter available at CPH.org/promisedhope

In this special Advent episode, the Seasoned Mamas discuss waiting, hope, and motherhood through the lens of Mary's journey. Michelle, who is preparing to release her new book "Promised Hope" (coming January 7th), leads the discussion about how Mary's story of waiting and trust can encourage mothers in their seasons of waiting.

Scripture Highlights:

• "I am the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said." - Mary's faithful response (Luke 1:38)
• "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy. He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." - Psalm 126:5-6
• Mary's Magnificat theme of pondering and treasuring God's works in her heart (Luke 2:19)
• "It is finished" - Jesus' words from the cross (John 19:30)

Episode Highlights:

• The panel reflects on Mary's extraordinary journey from Gabriel's announcement to the foot of the cross
• Each mama shares their current season of waiting:
  • Lindsay discusses a significant ministry transition
  • Faith courageously shares about loss and new hope
  • Michelle contemplates changes ahead with her son's upcoming wedding
  • Deb reflects on waiting as an empty nester

Key Discussion Points:

• How Mary's response to Gabriel teaches us about waiting in faith
• The concept of "hope roaring" through difficult circumstances
• Personal stories of God's faithfulness during challenging seasons
• The parallel between Mary's waiting and modern motherhood challenges

Powerful Quotes:

"Hope roars, even when your darkest nightmares become reality." - Michelle

"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy." - Psalm 126:5-6

Stories of Hope:

The mamas share powerful testimonies of hope, including:

• Lindsay's journey through a challenging first pregnancy to discovering unexpected joy
• Faith's story of loss and new beginnings
• Deb's reflection on watching her children grow through difficult transitions
• Michelle shares a story of how God helped her through medical uncertainties before, during, and after the birth of her son Matthew.

Biblical Connections:

• Elizabeth and John the Baptist's recognition of Jesus before birth
• The parallel between Mary's waiting and modern mothers' seasons of uncertainty
• The promise that hope does not disappoint us because of Jesus

Resources Mentioned:

• Michelle's upcoming book, "Promised Hope," is available on January 7th. It's available for purchase on Amazon.
• The first chapter is available for free on CPH's website under the picture of the book, you will see a "look inside." If you click there, you can read the first chapter. Please visit: cph.org/promisedhope

The Seasoned Mamas Podcast supports mothers in all seasons of motherhood, sharing wisdom, encouragement, and authentic conversations about the joys and challenges of raising children in faith.