I have discovered...okay I really already knew...that I have not been a very good listener up until this point.  I like to debate...I like to think about what I will say without really listening to what is being said to me first...I like to be right.  That's what being a Type A, perfectionist, high achiever maniac will get you. So this brings me to the beautiful scripture on this amazing picture I took this morning while walking on Folly Beach with my girls.  I need rest...I need to actively listen to the Lord...I need to hear his call for some peace and quiet in my life.  I need to get back to my quiet time with him and making time to really listen to his calling and quite my voice in my own head.  I have been running and running and running until finally something had to give.  So let's be honest...I have to work...I love my many jobs...I love my role as mom and wife and support for the ones I love.  So many big things are happening this year.  It is the beginning of senior year for Madie...Landry is starting 7th grade...Dennie is entering his second year as head football coach and athletic director...I have a challenging and rewarding job that keeps me away from home a lot...we are selling our house...we are building a new one...the list goes on and on.  And then there are the things I haven't made time for...I have hardly gone to church all summer...I have cooked maybe 4 meals for my family all summer...I have been in my war room maybe three times...and to be truthful all three of those times were when I was on my knees crying out to my precious Father to help me figure all of those things listed above out.  It wasn't time spent praising Him.  It wasn't time truly listening to His calling...truly hearing the words He was speaking to my soul.  
Melissa and I started the podcast as a way to connect to one another and provide encouragement and community for women and I really think we did that.  We are proud of what the Lord used us to do...we hope that someone was touched by what the Lord spoke to them through us, but we feel like right now he is calling us to a season of rest.  We know just as with every other season there will be rebirth.  We are hoping for a rebirth through rest.  We are going to take a break and focus on our families for a while...truly pour into the lives that the Lord has blessed us with.  We won't be gone forever...these Two Small Town Girls will be back...we just know right now with the start of school and football and new life adventures we must listen to His calling and hit pause for a little while.  We will continue to post on our social media platforms and maybe even blog here and there, but for right now...for this season...there won't be any new podcasts.  Thank you so much to all of you who supported our crazy idea...and we hope you continue to do so.  We hope when this hiatus is over that we will be back refreshed and better than ever.  We trust in the Lord that His plan is perfect...it is Divine and His calling is always just right.  Thank you sweet supporters for loving us through every season...
LOVE LOVE LOVE....Christina 

Episode 26: Francie Winslow

Episode 26: Francie Winslow

Connect with Francie here

What is rocking Francie's heart:

Theology of the Body

Theology of His/Her Body

Ministering to others

Books for children around sexuality:

 "God Has a Plan for Girls and Boys "

 "Everybody Has Something to Give"

 "Everybody Has Something to Say"

All by Monica Ashour

What's rocking Francie's world:

First Women:  The Grace and Power of America's First Ladies

"Whereever their is a sense of hopelessness, ask God what lies you are believing"

Episode 23: Jess Connolly

Jess Connolly 

Wild and Free book

Cashew Cream:  Raw cashews blended with equal parts water

What God is rocking our hearts for:
Jess:  Being humble enough to say when we don't know everything, having the posture of a learner
Holiness and how we as Christians are called to be set apart
Christina: Perry Noble Leadership book
Taking a step back and counseling with God before making decisions based on passions
Melissa: 2 Corinthians 3:5 --Claiming my sufficiency comes from God

What God is Rocking our World:
Jess: United Pursuit The Simple Gospel
Christina:  Mophie Case
Melissa:  That's It Bar

Episode 21: Karmen Smith

Karmen Smith

Instagram

Facebook

Book:  When You Pray Big Things Happen

#PrayBig

Just Mercy By: Bryan Stevenson

What God is rocking in our hearts:

Karmen: Praying for God to use her where she is with what she has

Christina: Leaning into God's understanding and not her own

Melissa: Surrounding myself with people who challenge my spiritual self and how can I be that challenge for those around me

What is rocking our world:

Karmen:  Longmire on Netflix, Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

Christina: Cannonbourough Honey Basil Lemonade

Melissa: Lauren Daigle's song Trust in You

And Happy we are almost to June!!! MOMS--We suruvived another school year!

REMEMBER:  We would love to chat with you!  Right now we are looking for people who have got a healthy eating and fitness life style that they would like to share their triks and tips!  Especially if you have done the Daniel Plan!

EMAIL US!

Episode 20: Kacie Feeny

Persimmon Prints

The Archibald Project

What's working our world?

Kacie:  Meal planning--PLAN//LIST//SHOP//ENJOY

Favorite Reciepes:  Against all Grain

Barbacoa Pulled Beef

The Daniel Plan

Melissa: Pineapple and Coconut Lip Scrub

Christina: Audible

What God is rocking out hearts for?

Kacie:  Putting everything in the refiner's fire and see what comes out

Intentional Home

Francie Winslow

Episode 18: Bethany Tran

Bethany Tran

Root Collective

Half the Sky book

Lemonade International

Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World

What God is rocking in your heart for?

Bethany: Creating a culture of kindness

"Preach the gospel, use words if necessary"

Christina: Mirroring purchasing with purpose and minimalistic living for her children

What is rocking your world:

Bethany: fresh eggs

Melissa: Fresh Vegetables

Roasting peppers, onions, tomatoes, with olive oil and salt and pepper

Christina: Citron Glace Body spray

Be sure to check out the WILD AND FREE book by Jess Connelly and Hayley Morgan

Episode 17: Sarah Bragg

Sarah Bragg of Surviving Sarah podcast

Body Beauty Boys

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 :  Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,  who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Outift inspriations: J Crew /// Boden 

Planners: Erin Condren /// May Designs /// Passion Planner /// Get to Work Book

What God is Rocking our Hearts for:

Sarah: Weeding out the jealousy in her heart

"I want to celebrate immediately the success of others.  Give a double tap the moment I see it"

Importance of prayer--setting reminders in her phone of scripture to pray over her family

Christina: Minimializing of the "Things"/// Being slection of where I put my money and time/// Seven  by Jen Hatmaker

Melissa: Sarah McMillian King of my Heart

What's Rocking our World:

Sarah: Waze app /// Pinterest /// Albion Fit Swimwear /// Rising Strong By Brene Brown

Christina: Wild and Free Book

Melissa: Butter Me Up White Chocolate Almond Butter

Episode 16: Sarah Ann Rogers

Sarah Ann Online

Shama Women

Writing tips: Read, Keep an open document and write all of the stuff not to be out there but for yourself

Encapsulated Placenta

Gluten Free go to meal: Tostada with chicken, bacon, lettuce and a dijon sauce

True Cost

Fat Sick and Nearly Dead

Forks over Knives

Please be sure to look out for Sarah's podcast "Tell Her Story" coming in May!

What God is Rocking our Heart for:

Sarah: Asking God to make every situation about God's glory and not me. 

Elie Holcomb The Only Hope I've Got

Christina: Your Ego is Not Your Amigo

Melissa: Trusting that God's timing is perfect in every season of life

What is rocking our world:

Sarah: Burt's bees lipstick

Christina:  Izzie D'Orsay shoes from Root Collective

Melissa: Haley Morgan's reference to study the Bible:  You get access when you subscribe to her Blog here and this is the Blue Letter Bible app

Episode 15: Parenting teens and Influence Conference

Episode 15: Parenting Teens and Influence Conference

Landry's You Tube tutorials

Influence Conference
Influence Network

Jess Connolly

Ashley Brooke

Gretchen Saffles

Hayley Morgan

Ashlee Proffitt

Christena Cleveland

Renee Swope

What God is rocking in our hearts:

Christina: Ethen Richardson Foundation -- 3rd Annual Hope Jam on May 7th at the Windjammer on IOP

Melissa: Rach Kincaid -- using the parallels of work and ministry life

What is rocking our world:

Christina: Equate Moisture Wave

Melissa: Perfectly Posh products:  Moisture 911

Don't forget the ROOT COLLECTIVE Truck Show at the Be the Change boutique on April 16th!

Episode 14: Spiritual Gifts

This week we discussed our spiritual gifts and what those mean to us and how they work to impact the body of Christ.

The link we used to access our gifts is:  Spiritual Gifts

Melissa: Exhortation/Faith/Helps/Pastor & Shepherd/Mercy
Christina: Exhortation/Faith/Pastor & Sheperd/Teaching/Intercession

Pastor/Shephard: 1Peter 5:1-3
Faith: Hebrews 11
Helps: 1 Corinthians 12;28
Eph 4: 11-14

Strength Finders


Elevation Church: Sermon series
Book: UnQualified

What God is rocking in our hearts:
Melissa: Triggers
Christina: Francis and Benedict Team--funding raising goals missed but the testimony that will come from that

What is rocking our world:
Melissa: Wild and Free book launch--get your preorder HERE and check out wearewildandfree.com

Christina: Root Collective spring collection and trunk show at Be the Change Boutique on April 16th

Episode 13: Ashley and Ashleigh from Be the Change Boutique

This week we had the great pleasure of hanging out with the awesome ladies at the Be the Change Boutique in Mt. Pleasant, SC.  You can check them out at:

Be the Change Boutique

Follow them on instagram @bethechangeboutique

Al's words of wisdom:  "It's a very hard thing to remind your heart that you don't just have to have something becuase it is cute.  You can have something that is cute that is sustainable and ethical and makes a huge impact.  

Al's boots: Colette Sol James Biker Boot   

If you are in the Charleston area head on over to the boutique anytime BUT be sure to come on April 16th from 12-5 for the Root Collective trunk show.  Your two small town girls will be there!

What God is rocking our hearts for:
Taz: Working on being more patient with God and allow Him to make her path, "We pray for open doors and close doors and sometimes God opens those dorra but we still try to make our own path."

Al:  Patience and giving it back to God.  "At the end of the day, we have realize that no matter what God's will will be done in our lives, in our firnedship, and in our business."

Christina: Praying for family--not just the biological.  "Prayer and very intentional prayer is without a doubt the only thing you can rely on."  --Picking a specific scripture and praying it out every day.

Melissa; Struggling with purpose--want to feel everything that is going on is purposeful.  God has been showing that, it is more of a Melissa focus and not a God focus.  'Through knowing God more, then I will have my purpose"  

What is ROCKING our world:  

Al: Running 30 miles in 30 days through the Nike plus app

Taz: Publix Cookies and Cream Ice Cream and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

Christina: Her Giving Key -- You can get one from Be the Change!!!

Melissa: House of Cards on Netflix -- "Frank Underwood is not for Jesus"--Melissa "No, Frank Underwood just needs more Jesus"--Al

Episode 11: Keri Synder

We were so excited to get to talk to Keri this week about all of the amazing things she does through her blog and all of the organizations she is involved in.  She is a true example of how you can be an impact for God's kingdom no matter what phase of life you are in.  Please make it a point to check out her blog here.

Why Just Survive When You Can Thrive: Tips for Thriving This Summer With Your Kids---Keri's ebook

The Influence Network :  

---East group meet up:  May 14th at Saffron Bakery:  Email the show for details

---Influence Conference April 9th in Charlotte, NC

Sole Hope : Info about the shoe cutting parties

What God is rocking our hearts for?

Keri: Letting go of perfection

Word of wisdom--

"Instead of trying ot have everything be perfect, set things aside and just be present."--Keri

Christina: be present and not get bent out of shape when the house is not in the right order

Words of wisdom:

"If God held me to the same standards that I held myself to and that I hold all my people to, then we would not be doing well."-Chrstina

Melissa:  book--Beyond Ordinary by Justin and Trisha Davis

-Contracts vs Covenants in relationship

Book suggestion: And It was Beautiful by Karen Tippetts

What is rocking our worlds?

Keri:  True Cost movie

           Better Life bag

Christina: Being intentional with her purchases

Melissa: a blazer with everything

Episode 10: Money, Money, Money, Money

Word of Wisdom:

On Startbucks: "It is of the Devil but I'm going to drink it anyway.

Things mentioned this week:

Newspring Series Better Together: Sermon 2

Northpoint Church: What makes you happy?

Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst

What GOD is rocking in our hearts?
Christina: Obedience
Melissa: Dependance on God for my purpose, protection and provision

What's rocking our world?
Christina: Her bed and her favorite pillow (down alternative pillow)
Melissa: Exercise Ball chair

Episode 9: CLEARLY a great episode!

Words of Wisdom from this Episode:

"There is nothing little about him."-Christina regarding Dennie

"No, CLEARLY this women is afraid of me because I have not seen hide or hair of her since I talked about stalking her."-Melissa

"We like to social media stalk people.  It does not mean we are friends in real-life, we can dream and we can pretend that we are friends."-Christina

The blog post we talk about this week

What God is rocking our hearts for?

Christina:  Being a guardian ad litem
Melissa:  "Do I pursue my goals more that God?"

What's working our world?

Christina: Giving Keys and her first tattoo
Melissa:  The Productive App


Melissa//Instagram //Blog

Christina// Instagram//Blog

The PODCAST // Instagram // twosmalltowngirlspodcast@gmail.com

Episode 8

Words of wisdom from this week's show:

 "People like me!"-Christina (to her children)

"If you would only listen to me the first five times, this crazy lady would not come out."-Melissa (to her children)

"There is a chromosomal abnormality that they cannot put clothes in the hamper."-Christina (about the big children)

"What a boring place this would be if we were all the same."-Christina

"The most important thing we can teach our children is they are not limited.  as long as they are glorifying Him that is all that matter."-Christina

"We are never going to please everyone.  The number one focus is to make sure everything is alright with with God." -Melissa

"We need to give our selves grace that we can screw up sometimes."- Melissa

"We will never be perfect.  There is only one perfect and that is God."-Christina

"The apology has completed transformed the whole attitude in our house."-Christina

"We need to show our kids that it is ok to be wrong."-Christina

"Anytime anything happens with our children we turn it inward on us and we cannot do this. GRACE!"-Melissa

"We think we should find balance and be able to do all the things...there is no balance."-Christina

"If we don't pour into our families at night we won't have anything to pour into our jobs, the next day."-Melissa

What God is ROCKING our hearts for:
Christina: Naptimes Diary Lent devotional
Melissa:  Our Family Devotion time

What is ROCKING our world:
Paul's Balls recipe

Episode 6: Kim McFadden

Kim McFadden

We were so blessed to have Kim come on the podcast this week and share her story of mothering her four precious children (Caleb-10, Tyler-4, Lilly-3, and Sklyar-6 months).  

Kim talks about the fundraising and efforts she is making to get her son Tyler a service dog.  You can find more information on what this service dog does and how you can help on their facebook page. 

SERVICE DOG FOR TYLER

In this episode we also mention some things we talked about in episode 4 with Jena Martin, Luke 14 banquet at Seacoast Church , the Early Autism project, 

What God is rocking in our hearts?

Kim: Reform for laws regarding autism

Melissa:  "There is a kinda of unsettled comfort in keeping the messy part of our lives out of the light. There is comfort but not PEACE."  from the Open your Bible study.  

If: Gathering 

Christina: Leading a Seacoast Sisterhood Small Group studying Fervent by Priscilla Shirer 

What is rocking our world?

Kim: Deva Curls

Melissa: Garlic butter on a grilled cheese 

Christina: Not Your Mother's hairspray

We have a BIG surprise for you for our next PODCAST....here is a hint...we have 2 male guests...EEK!

CHOSEN 2016

All the things that got all of our heart eye emojis from Chosen 2016 at Seacoast Church in Mt Pleasant, SC!

TOP 10 (so maybe it's way more than 10)  #sorrynotsorry!!

1.  Francis + Benedict and Katie Walters and Christina's Charleston Maxi Skirt
2.  Pastor Jentzen and his Mrs. Potato Head reference
3.  Pastor Jentzen talking about Proverbs 14:1 "We are the life givers of our homes as women!" If momma ain't happy ain't nobody happy!
4.  The message all weekend being that women are the doorway to life!  You are the daughter of a King!  Wear that crown well!
5.  If you talk to the fool, the fool will stand up...If you talk to the King, the king will stand up!  Give yourself grace and know that the negativity in your head is not from the Lord!  Cast that devil out!
6.  Rizbah--2 Samuel 21--As women we are meant to fight and fight even if there is nothing left!
7.  Rebekah Lyons- Jubilee--When God's mercy pours out and the slaves are set free!
8. If Satan can't take us out he will distract us with some pretty things...aka TARGET! This also true of pretty words...he is so deceptive and knows our weaknesses!
9.  Lisa Surratt-- His power is made known through our stories...your testimony is so powerful because it shows the grace and power of God and what He does through us as imperfect vessels.
10. God saved before social media! -Rebekah Lyons  Be intentional with your time ladies!
11. Lisa Surratt-- Get over yourself because God isn't reliant on our abilities.  He is way bigger and way more capable...follow what He is calling you to do!
12. Rebekah Lyons-- Women we were made to fight and that's why God gave us armor and not a bathrobe!
13. John Gray-- God is not elevating talents, He is elevating HEARTS!!
14. John Gray breaking into ballet dance to Oceans...seriously funniest thing we have ever seen!!
15. John Gray-- Every person you will ever see God loves them as much as He loves you.
16. John Gray-- We need a spirit of desperation for Christ!  We need to be desperate to reach God's people!  Luke 7:36 
17. Spirit of the Living God (song) by Vertical Church Band **Rocking Melissa's world from Chosen
18. Arrow (song) by Seacoast Worship Team **Rocking Christina's world from Chosen

Going away message:
Worship when your words fail you
Worship when the world fights you
Worship when the worry finds you
IN ALL YOU DO HAND IT TO GOD AND WORSHIP!!

Huge shout out to Seacoast Church for an amazing Chosen conference!  Amazing job Seacoast Ministry team and Worship team!!  Y'all ROCKED IT!!

Other things rocking our world right now!
Christina:  LUSH and their amazing mascara
Melissa:  Call the Midwife on Netflix
                Online grocery store ordering

Episode Four: Jena Martin

We hope you love episode four as much as we did. We loved adding something new to the Two Small Town Girls podcast with out interview with Jena Martin. If you know someone that you feel like (or it could be you!) would be a good guest on the show please send us an email.

This week we heard from Jena Martin.  She walks us through her and her husband Brad's struggles with infertility and their journey through foster care and adoption.  Jena shares some great words of wisdom through and really explains how foster care is not about the adults but how we can impact the lives of those precious children.  Jena gives some great advice about how her and Brad strive to put their marriage first.  We loved their "first 5 minutes"  that they use at the end of the work day.

You can find Jena on her tumblr page.  This is where you can also read more about her family's journey.

What is God rocking our hearts for?
Jena:  Believing God to change the state of foster care in SC.  There are around 3,000 children in foster care in South Carolina.  Ending foster care in SC is attainable!

Christina:  Praying for her husband.  God is teaching her that we can't be our husband's holy spirit.  And how awesome it is when God works in our man's lives!

Melissa;  Getting in some worship time on her treadmill.  Pj's and all, praising the Lord in the AM!

What's rocking our world?
Jena: Merle Norman Fat Lash Mascara

Christina:  Nap Time Diaries and Jess Connolly

Melissa:  At home gel manacure:
               Base Coat: Gelous Nail Gel
               Color:  Use a Essie or OPI polish
               Top Coat: Seche Vite 

As always, feel free to reach our to us on instagram:
@twosmalltowngirlspodcast
@melissacherman
@christinamcd1999

Episode One

Two Small Town Girls Episode 1


Hi!  Hope you enjoyed podcast episode 1.  Here is what was talked about today.

Intro:
Christina:  Married to her high school sweetheart.  Two red headed daughters ages 16 and 12.  Her husband is a high school football coach and athletic director.   Christina is a nurse.  Free time spent with family having fun and at sporting events.
Melissa:  Married to 1 and mom to 3.  Two boys, Brayden (8) and Eli (6), and are busy rambunctious firecrackers.  3 year old daughter, Grace, who is a diva!  She runs the house.  Free time is spent at the boys sporting events and keeping the kids active.  Melissa is also a nurse.

Friendship background:
Melissa and Christina met because their husbands played football together in college.  Their friendship developed later as adults over the bond of football loving husbands, kids, and career.  Their friendship really developed over the last several years.  Recently they have been walking through some hard life experiences as friends and support systems for each other.  They are part of an eclectic group of friends who husbands also played football together in college.  They do an annual girls trip together every year and just have a really great time together.  Love living in community together.

Podcast idea birth:
Melissa and Christina LOVE Jamie Ivey Happy Hour podcast and have a pretend best friend in Jen Hatmaker.  These two amazing women live in Austin and are friends.  Melissa called Christina and said that reports are that Charleston is the new Austin.  Christina said then they should definitely be the Charleston Jamie Ivey and Jen Hatmaker.  Christina and Melissa spend a lot of time in their cars for work and love podcast.  They saw the benefits to doing a podcast were to have intentional time together, saw a need for this outlet for women in general, share encouragement and empowerment, and have a really great time!
Melissa and Christina have a great time together and laugh constantly.  They hope the podcast will bless, encourage, and empower others in the same way.

Not always social media perfect:
We want a show that is an honest reflection of what we go through in real life and not always what just shows up in our pretty pictures on social media.  We want to be transparent, real, and authentic in the content that we bring you.

WE WANT FEEDBACK:
We would love to have your feedback.  We want the podcast to bless you and be what you want to hear so please let us know.  You can email us at twosmalltowngirlspodcast@gmail.com.  We would love to hear about what is rocking your world and what God is rocking your heart with.  We want to also have guests so if you have suggestions for guests we would love to hear that too!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE:
Please subscribe to the podcast on iTunes and hopefully soon to be on Stitcher for you android users. We will post a link when Stitcher is available and until then you can listen via the sound bar at the bottom of the show notes.

What's rocking our world:
Christina:  Erase Paste is rocking Christina's world.  Christina says it is Holy Water in a jar developed by Jesus and covers up everything you don't want anyone to see.  It is by Benefit and Christina gets hers at Ulta.
Melissa:  FIA- Females in Action: www.fianation.com
Peer led Christian based exercise group. Boot camp style work out as a group with various ages and fitness levels with a devotion at the end. They give you a fun "FIA" name for working out.

New Year Resolutions:
Melissa:  Melissa is not doing resolutions this year, but picking a word to frame her year around.  Her 2016 word is PEACE.  She wants to be proactive and intentional this year to have more peace.  She wants to have more intentional quiet time with the Lord because of what a huge physical and emotional difference it makes in daily life.
Christina:  Christina is also not doing resolutions this year.  She is picking a scripture to live the year by.  She has felt led to claim this as an Ephesians 3:20 year.  She knows that the Lord is able to accomplish immeasurably more than what she can even imagine and is committed to believing the Lord will accomplish big things this year.  Christina wants this to be a year of physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness and be all in for God.

What is God rocking our hearts for:
Melissa:  She Reads Truth Advent really rocked her heart this holiday season.  It highlighted just the sacrifice that was made for our spiritual freedom.  It also highlighted not getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season and really time to reflect on Jesus birth and what that means for us as Christians.
Christina:  Beth Moore is really being used by God to rock Christina's heart right now.  Beth's bible studies have been giving Christina a peace through God's word through her beautiful writing.  Christina highly recommends Beth's Esther study.

Links:

Email: 
twosmalltowngirlspodcast@gmail.com

Instagram:
@twosmalltowngirlspodcast
@melissacherman
@christinamcd1999

Blog:
Christina:  forloveandfootball.blogspot.com
Melissa:  blog.ouruncommonfamily.com
Podcast:  twosmalltowngirlspodcast.blogspot.com