The Red Rover

With the new year approaching, our team has some exciting news about the new year and what it holds for all things Hooks2Crook Ministries, including the Red Rover Podcast. Today I invited my friend Marime Maya on the show to help me share the news by interviewing me. Crazy, right for the host to give control to someone else. Well, I knew I could count on Mariem to help me out by the two of us talking shop, knowing you guys would be listening in to our conversation.

I also want to take a moment to thank each of you for listening to the Red Rover Podcast this year. It has been phenomenal to see the different countries appear and the number of people who keep tuning in, writing reviews and spreading the word. You guys are making an impact in the world as you continue to be salt and light as an everyday child of The King. Our team is grateful to each of you. We wish you all a blessed New Year may 2023 be brighter than ever.

Today we have a special show for you. Christmas is in a few days, and we thought what a great way to celebrate by bringing someone on who specializes in Israel and leads trips or pilgrimages through the Holy Land and talk about the little town of Bethlehem. I invited my friend Brain Haynes on the show today to help me unpack some of the really neat aspects of Bethlehem and the importance of why God chose this location for the Prince of Peace, God’s One and Only Son, to be born here.

Brian Haynes serves as lead pastor of Bay Area Church and Christian School in League City, Texas. He graduated from Baylor University, Southwestern Seminary, and Liberty Theological Seminary, where he earned a D.Min for his work in discipleship and family ministry.

Pastor Brian is an author and influencer having written Relentless Parenting: The Crucial Pursuit of Your Teen’s Heart (co-authored by his wife Angela), Shift: What it Takes to Finally Reach Families Today, and The Legacy Path: Discover Intentional Spiritual Parenting. He is a contributing author for Recalibrate: A New Measure for Family Ministry and Family Ministry and the Church. His newest book, War in the Wilderness: Fight for Your Family When Life Isn’t as it Should Be, is set to release in the spring of 2023.

To find out more about Brian or read about his books:

With the NEW YEAR coming soon, are you thinking about New Goals or Habits you want to start in 2023? Our guest today is Mike Brennan, who created a Daily Creative Habit. When he started small, he focused more on the process than the product. He gives us tips on how to find Joy when we start a Daily Creative Habit.

Mike Brennan, a Creator & Communicator, tells stories on pages & stages. His childhood dream was to be a cartoon. (Zoinks!) When he realized that wasn’t possible, he became the next best thing – an Artist. Mike loves sharing experiences and making connections through his art, and helping fellow frustrated artists and creatives establish a daily creative habit of their own.

Today we talk about how God is Bigger than our fear, and Amy Debrucque speaks about her own journey with fear.

Amy is a wife, mother, survivor, encourager, and believer. Amy is also a published author and host of the Life On Purpose Podcast. Her faith in God gives her the courage to be intentional in all areas of her life. Surrendering to Him has changed her in a profound way, and she is grateful that she'll never be the same.

Amy shares, “Don't let fear blind you from trusting God's plan for your life. Set aside any pride or shame and remember that His love never fails, but we need to be willing and focused to receive it and feel it.”

If you would like to follow Amy and become one of her peeps, check out her website: 

Have you ever felt like running into a closest because of fear or anxiety over a situation? Today’s guest sure has, and she told me as the enemy led her to her closet, the Lord met her in the closest. Amen.

Melinda Patrick is a speaker, writer, and host of The Even While Podcast. Through the heartache of a fractured family, broken dreams, and hard parenting days, God birthed a passion in her to come alongside and encourage other women in their own waiting season.  She finds joy in equipping and emboldening others to step out in faith and discover the hidden treasures God has for them even while they wait.

In this season, our show has focused on how God is bigger than our excuses. I can claim this as truth because, in my own life, I have seen the power of God eliminate the hold my excuse had on me. So if there is something causing you to pause in the direction God is prompting you, may I encourage you to keep listening to today’s show because our guest has a powerful message designed for you.

Today’s guest is Tracey Mitchel. As one of the nation’s leading Bible teacher and conference speaker, Tracey travels 40-plus weeks a year, speaking to diverse and cross-cultural groups. She is a published author with Harper Collins and Thomas Nelson: Downside Up, Becoming Brave and The Invitation, Executive producer, and co-host of Life From DFW. As Founder & CEO of the THRIVE Conference – Dallas, Tx

Tracey’s Bi-Annual Conference trains and equips leaders and entrepreneurs.

We have a fun episode designed with you in mind. All session long, I have invited a friend to join me and share how God is Bigger than our excuses. Today I invited a personal friend who is also on the Hooks2Crook Ministries Advisory Counsel, who I consider to have remarkable wisdom.

I had so much fun chatting with Equalla Foster about a time in her life when she wrestled with God because of fear but saw How God was Bigger than her excuse, so she stepped out in boldness. Her obedience to God is fleshed out in her daily life, and it's one of the reasons I was drawn to her. I couldn't wait to have her on the show.

Equalla Foster is the Co-founder of Inspire To Hope and a Certified Coach specializing in emotional intelligence (health, management, & resiliency). She is the podcast host for the Good Day Leader Show, where topics of discussion range from Christian faith, emotional intelligence, and leadership in the home, workplace, or ministry. Though she functions in many other capacities, nothing trumps the blessing of her being a wife and mother. One of her life mottoes, in the words of Maya Angelou, is "when you learn, teach when you get, give."

Today we talk about fear, which we all face. So grab some paper and pen with your favorite cup, and let’s dive into my chat with Equalla Foster.

This season is about how God is Bigger than our excuses. And if you’re new to the show, our listeners have inspired my conversation. I invite a friend to join me on a coffee chat about excuses or fears we own. You are not the only one with excuses or even fear to battle. But in my chat, we unpack how we found a way to push through. Sometimes we just have to do it afraid. Have you ever been there? Me too.

Jennifer Vandermeulen is excited to serve as a Development Officer at Mission India, helping share the Gospel with unreached people of India since 2009. Prior to that, she served in inner-city ministry roles for 15 years. Her first love is Jesus-- and following Him into adventures to share His love and Kingdom with others-- whether it's at the grocery store or speaking at church. She is the single mom of two red-headed fun-loving boys, Gideon and Nathan.

Jennifer shares the story of her journey with all its twists and turns. I can’t wait for you to hear how there was a time when she was homeless. And God was so faithful. Friend, I can’t wait for you to meet Jennifer, so grab some paper and a pen with your favorite cup and let's dive into my chat with Jennifer Vandermeulen.

Today my guest Quinnise shared that stepping outside of her comfort zone illuminated how Big her God truly is. 

Quinnise Pettway is an author, blogger, facilitator, Licensed Professional Counselor, wife, and mother whose mission is to help Christians shift their perspective of God, to strengthen their relationship with Him, and clarify their identity in Christ so they can be all He created them to be. She endeavors to live a life of and on purpose and bring glory to God in every area, assignment, and ministry she has been called. Quinnise recently wrote a book titled A Glimpse of Our Father: Lessons Parenthood Reveals for All of God’s Children and hosts a weekly small group called Gathering for a Glimpse, where she journeys with participants through the book to dive deeper into the heart of our heavenly Father.

My guest today is not only joining me on today’s show, but she is also coming with me to Palestine, TX, for the More Than a Mom’s Conference. This conference is for women who have experienced Unexpected Pregnancies. Becoming a mom is hard and scary because you realize another life is counting on you and your choices. We want you to know that you are not alone. The ladies speaking at this event have all been in similar shoes. We see you, want to love on you, and remind you that you are more than a mom you are a daughter of the King. Come join us on Oct 8th at Southside Baptist Church. For more information, check out hooks2crook.com/morethanamom. All our links for this show will be in the show notes so that you can access these sites easily.

I’m thrilled to introduce you to one of those ladies speaking at the More than a Mom Conference: Doris Swift. Doris is an author, speaker, and host of the Fierce Calling Podcast. In ministry for over 30 years, Doris is passionate about equipping women to walk deeper in God's word, walk out of their doubt and into their calling, and use their God-given gifts to impact the world for Christ. She resides in Florida with her amazing hubby Brian is mom to two extraordinary grown-ups and Gammy to six beautiful grandkids.

We have been talking all season long about how God is Bigger than Our Excuses. A couple of weeks ago, I traveled to see a friend in the Conroe area. I plugged my coordinates into my GPS on my phone and set out. As I was driving, the road got complicated. Several splits were ahead, and I couldn’t figure out which one the GPS wanted me to take. I decided and thought I aced that challenge until I heard the GPS say exit and make a U-turn. Ug… I went down the wrong path. I was so frustrated with myself because this was going to cause me to be late for the event with my friend. Have you ever done that?

My guest Nicole Clark and I talked about a time she realized she was on a path she didn’t want to be on and how fear of making that u-turn impacted her life. A creative at heart, Nicole has spent the last 20 years as a dancer, choreographer, dance instructor, and studio manager, learning the importance of hard work and perseverance. After returning home from world tours as a backup dancer, the Lord began to slowly soften her heart for Him and opened the door into ministry.

Nicole now uses her unique and well-rounded experiences to serve others in a meaningful way. She is passionate about creating and encouraging women (and a few men) to find hope and fulfill their purpose. Nicole founded a local nonprofit women’s ministry called Twelve 12 Ministries. Inspired by Romans 12:12, the organization helps women and families through tough seasons of infertility and loss. She also holds space for her friends, co-workers, associates, ministry partners, and influencers to shine bright on her podcast, Purpose Beyond Motherhood.

Hooks2Crook Ministries provides Bibles and an Awake My Soul resource that ignites a personal relationship with God in multiple dream languages. Recently, we provided 1000 Bibles and 1000 copies of Awake My Soul in Bengali to our missional partner in India. We are jump-starting a new translation project for a pastor friend in Uganda. At the pastor's request, he needs 370 Bibles and 300 copies of Awake My Soul. If you're interested in contributing to this Translation project, check out the unique way we hope to raise funds. My husband, Elias Reyes, sketched and painted landscapes of the Holy Land. These paintings show the beauty and rich colors of this land. For a limited time, we are selling 8X8 prints of these paintings. 

Today’s guest and I had so much fun talking about the lie she listened to for so long that caused her to pause when God called her into action. Friend, I would like to introduce you to my friend Trudy Lonesky. Trudy is a dear friend who has a heart for young girls and their mamas. Trudy and I meet at Spark which is a podcaster's conference and hit it off right away. Trudy is a God girl. Wife. Mom of 4. Trudy Lonesky is the author of Reclaim Her Heart, a 30-day devotional for moms raising teen girls, and host of the "Kingdom Mamas" podcast. She tackles subjects few are willing to discuss and is passionate about cultivating authentic faith in the next generation.

And for the month of May, we have been celebrating moms by offering different gifts.

Friend, are you ready to move from "Fear Stops to Faith Steps?" That's the question my guest Jennifer Hand, Executive Director of Coming Alive Ministries, would like to ask you.  

Jennifer wishes she could sit down and have a strong cup of coffee with each of you and ask you what makes you come alive? Jenn founded Coming Alive Ministries in 2012 and loves the honor of traveling nationally and internationally, providing the invitation to come alive in Christ through conferences, retreats, written resources, and counseling. Jenn has had the joy of serving in over 30 countries and speaking at around 40 events a year. With her Master's degree in trauma counseling, God has opened a unique door for Jenn to respond after natural disasters around the world, providing trauma counseling and the hope of Christ on the holy ground of suffering.

Jenn would love to connect with you. Here is how you can stay connected with Jennifer:

Friend, I spoke with Beth Guckenberger about How God is Bigger Than our Excuses. Beth recently published the book Throw the First Punch. Friend, I couldn’t put it down. Beth talks about how we can be on the offense instead of defense when it comes to Spiritual Warfare with the enemy. I have been wrestling with God on a couple of personal things lately but as I was reading Throw the First Punch her story triggered a thought that brought me peace about the whole thing. Beth defines several Hebrew words in this book that I feel equip us even more for those battles.

Beth and her husband, Todd, live with their family in Cincinnati, Ohio where they serve as Co-Executive Directors of Back2Back Ministries. After graduating from Indiana University, the Guckenbergers moved to Monterrey, Mexico where they lived for 15 years. Between biological, foster, and adopted children, they have raised eleven children.

Friend, our guest is a wife and a mom, living in Colorado, Andrea Lende host an online ministry focused on prayer and devotionals called Believing Him. Andrea Lende's Believing Him provides daily devotions, prayers, and meditations to help us connect with Him to continue the never-ending journey toward a deeper walk with the Lord.

Being different we either welcome the difference or try our best to hide it. Today my guest knows too well what it’s like to look different, act different, and even share differently than others expect. With a lifetime of sitting in church, my guest LaCinda Halls thought she had this whole Jesus thing figured out. But then came the words that blew apart her carefully controlled and crafted facade of achievement-oriented Christian perfection, "Your son has autism." Nothing would ever be the same.

And that turned out to be exactly where God needed LaCinda to be.

She shook out who she THOUGHT God was and discovered He was so much more.

LaCinda understands the desire to want to hide. She shared with me, during our chat how God opened her eyes to see if she really believes we are "fearfully & wonderfully made ", image-bearers of God, how does hiding (in my case) Thomas, show others that is true? How do I show Thomas that it's true if I'm hiding him?

We go deep in this conversation, so grab some paper with a pen and your favorite cup as we dive into my chat with LaCinda Halls.

This season is all about God is Bigger than Our Excuses. Have you ever attended a Bible Study and said something that made the other ladies look at you like you were crazy? I have, and so has my friend Shelby Hohsfield. Shelby shares her experience of leaving the Morman Church to now sharing the love of Jesus with those who have questions and are not sure where to turn. Shelby opens up about her own challenges with, "Why would God call me to do this?" A question a lot of us ask. Hear her response in today's episode. 

Shelby Hohsfield is a podcaster, artist, motivational speaker, and unstoppable enthusiast of living out God's purpose after religion. Her faith journey has been a winding road, from praying to God as an eight-year-old for truth, leaving the Mormon church at 18, walking without God, getting curious, making so many mistakes, and finally finding the true love of our Amazing Creator.  Her goal is to help ladies who find themselves lost after leaving religion to learn to pray, find truth and gain trust in the Lord.

Today we unpack another excuse for why some hesitate to say yes to God's calling in their life. Rachael Gilbert and I discuss the feeling of being unqualified and how it can cause us to pause. Rachael identified feeling unqualified but shares how she was able to resist it and step out into her purpose. 

In our series, God is Bigger than Our Excuses, Nikki unpacks how she relates to speaking about how uncomfortable it can feel when we share our pain points. Can you relate? 

Nikki Evanson is a wife, mother of two beautiful children, and—first and foremost—a grateful believer in Jesus Christ. She strives to encourage women to strengthen their relationships with Jesus, pointing them always to him.

Did you know March 21 is known as World Down Syndrome Day? Today's episode celebrates Down Syndrome Day with our guest Stephanie Thompson.  Stephanie has been with the National Down Syndrome Adoption Network (NDSAN) for 11 years, providing grief counseling, Down Syndrome education, and Down Syndrome parent counseling to new and expectant parents whose child received a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. She also walks with adoptive families, from the time they hear "YES" in their hearts to adopt a child with Down Syndrome, to joining the NDSAN registry, to being matched with a child. Stephanie has been married to her best friend and husband, JT, for over 30 years. They have two sons, Chris, who has Down Syndrome, and Cody, who proudly serves his country in the military. In her free time, she likes to run, cycle, and travel with JT. 

How can you reach out to Stephanie?

Meet our guest Jodi Howe. Jodi has a heart for Jesus! Although she studied & performed music & acting (onscreen & off) for the majority of her life when her anxiety took a drastic turn, she found Jesus Christ, and that's where the real living began.

Jodi is passionate about sharing hope through God's word encouraging all to build a relationship with Jesus!  She speaks to those who suffer from anxiety who desire to learn how to live through the mental storms of life. In 2020, she started a faith-based Podcast called "The Air That I Breathe," which speaks to the subject of anxiety, including tried-and-true tips, stories, scriptures, and prayers that Jodi uses every day as an overcomer of anxiety.

Jodi enjoys serving in her ministry speaking career, and she also serves as a worship leader on her church's worship team. Jodi lives in North Carolina, but her hometown will always be Syracuse, New York!  Go CUSE! Jodi shares her life with her husband, 2 daughters, a German Shepherd, and a Sassy cat.

Are you curious about criminal investigations? Do you enjoy TV shows inspired by them like "Law & Order" or my family's favorite "NCIS?"  Today, I talk with my friend Lori Morrison a PI. Lori never set out to be a private investigator or a podcaster, but life is funny like that. After many years as a paralegal, her life-long interest in the true crime genre led her to where she is today. Because her faith is the most important part of who she is, Lori couldn’t help but find a way to combine the two in service and encourage others to do the same.

Get connected with Lori Morrison: 

This new session is all about how God is BIGGER than our excuses. On the show today Amy Carol and I unpack one of these excuses and give practical tips and Scriptures to cling to when faced with this excuse.  If you don't know Amy, friend, she is a hoot! Amy Carrol delights in gathering a community of women with tender hearts and strong voices.  She’s a speaker and writer for Proverbs 31 ministries, a speaker coach at Next Step Coaching Services, and the author of Breaking Up with Perfect and Exhale.  As a woman who adores a great story and a challenging idea, co-hosting the Grit’n’Grace the Podcast has become one of her favorite things.

Amy and her husband live in the lovely Holly Springs, NC where you can find her on any given day texting her adult kids, typing away at her computer, or trying to figure out one more alternative to cooking dinner.

God is BIGGER than our Excuses...

We polled Social Media asking "What has stopped you in the past from saying YES to the calling on your life?"  We received so many relatable responses that I thought it would be good to unpack them. Today on the show I invited my friend Michelle Watson from The Pantry Podcast to help me with one of those excuses, which are why we are calling this series "God is Bigger than Our Excuses."

Michelle is an east coast millennial wife and mama all about the Word of God determining her opinion and not the other way around. Often spotted where matcha lattes are served—helping Busy Christian Creatives maximize their digital reach in minimal time and serving Jesus, not junk food, as co-host to her husband on The Pantry Podcast.

Would you like to follow Michelle?

We are called to step out in FAITH, but this can be intimidating. I know when God called me to speak and write nine years ago, I resisted for 7 years. WHY? Because a lot of time, the uncertainty is scary, but our God is BIGGER than our excuses. This is our new season's theme; God is BIGGER than our excuses. We polled our social media, asking, "What has stopped you in the past from saying YES to the calling on your life?" and received several responses. Our guests this season will be unpacking one of those responses. Our goal is to help you embrace your YES to God's calling for you. So keep in mind your YES is your success, and then give God the rest. 

Today's guest inspired that little saying, "Let your YES be your success and give God the rest."  Meet my friend Natalia Drumm. Natalia is a woman passionate about helping women become students of God’s Word. She’s a wife, mama to 3 boys who spends her time homeschooling her kids, teaching women in small groups, writing, and studying at Dallas Theological Seminary, where she is getting her Masters of Arts in Christian Studies. 

Natalia has several ways you can connect with her and be friends:

Woooohoooo we made it to the top played episode in 2021!  Meet Lacey Stewart, mom of three. She has been married to her husband for 17 years. They live in Texas for the time being and have been in ministry for all of their married lives. Lacey loves to have deep, real, life-changing conversations about Jesus, how our theology affects our lives, and how those things collide to help us find healing, freedom, and joy!

If you would like to follow or friend Lacey Stewart here is a couple of places you will find her:

WOOOOHOOOO... Our second most listed to episode from 2021 is Nick and Rachel Rosenbaum.  Learn about Nick and Rachel's passion for uniquely serving mothers and their children through foster care.  Nick shares how God has moved in mighty ways. The most recent shift happened this past year, and their family needed to pivot. God enriched this time for the Rosenbaum family by expanding their ministry in a new way by starting their non-profit Bridge Families and growing their beautiful family. Hear Nick and Rachel's God story on trusting God even when plans don't go exactly how we intended. 

Meet my friend Jennifer Looft. We met at the 2020 She Speaks conference and developed a priceless friendship. Jennifer is an upcoming author, Youtube Channel host, and so much more. Jennifer learned how to juggle her busy schedule, family, and social media time in a unique way that I plan on implementing. She offers wisdom for those of us who feel we will never be enough to do the "thing" God has placed on our hearts. Join me today as I sit down with my friend, Jennifer Looft, as she unpacks the courageous steps she took to be obedient to God and ventured out into her calling.

Find out more about Jennifer Looft:

You have a testimony; we have met some amazing people who share their testimony about how they live a life on a mission. I chose the word testimony intentionally because a story focuses on "me."

Each person shares with one purpose... to give proof of God's existence in their life. Testimony focuses on the evidence proving one's existence. Today's episode was so much fun! I got to chat with a new friend, Amanda Schaefer, from A Cup of Gratitude Podcast. 

Her life's goal is to be an arrow pointing others to Jesus Christ. She shares how God takes the unexpected and makes something GRAND! Amanda became a podcast host thanks to the pandemic. She never dreamed God would use her in such a way to reach so many people worldwide.   I am grateful for her choice to step out in faith, problem-solve through technology, and find her voice. I enjoy listing to her podcast, and I think you will too. Find out more about Amanda on acupofgratitude.org, footbridgepublishinghouse.com, or instagram.com/acupof_gratitude. 

Since this will be our last episode for the year I had to invite our closer for the Red Rover Women's Conference, Mary R. Snyder. Mary R Snyder is a mash-up of a speaker, coach, and event planner. Over the past 20 years, Mary has been on the stage, behind the stage, and booked some of the most influential speakers of our time onto the stage.  She is the host of Take the Stage Podcast, the founder of Activate Your Speaker Career, and works with influencers, speakers, and podcasters for Compassion International.

Elisha Dorsett and I go way back. I’ve had the privilege to call her my friend since 9th grade. We have weathered some storms together as teen moms in high school. Recently, her family endured the difficult circumstances of fighting alongside their amazing, bright, beautiful daughter KK, who has Down syndrome and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Elisha is a mom of four: two boys, one biological daughter, and her daughter-in-law.  Elisha has been married to her high school sweetheart of 23 years. For 14 years now, Elisha has been a Worship leader and Conference speaker and Loves Jesus more and more every day.

Meet Kelsey Engel. Kelsey, first and foremost, is a follower of Jesus Christ which overflows into everything her life is about. She is the Missionary Care Director at Houston’s First Baptist Church and has a heart for the nations and to care for the global worker. She has her Bachelors of Biology from Houston Baptist University and her Masters of Science in Global Health from the University of Notre Dame. Kelsey has traveled to 15+ countries with each place holding a special place in her heart. In her downtime, she loves to have coffee with friends and watch cheesy Hallmark movies.

She understands what it's like to be a single Global Missionary. Right now more and more Global Missionaries are Women. Can you believe it?  God continues to equip women to step out in Faith to use their talents and gifts for His glory and proclaim the Gospel. Hear my chat with Kelsey as we unpack the reasons and ways we can support our Global Missions this upcoming NEW YEAR.

If you would like more information on helping Global Workers or you want to know more about Kelsey's ministry follow her here:

Rachel G. Scott is a wife, mother, and Ohio native. As a writer, speaker, and entrepreneur, she has been featured on television, podcast, radio, devotionals, and blogs. Rachel is the Founder of the I Can't Come Down movement, an organization dedicated to helping women walk in their purpose and assignment with focus. She is a former Huffington Post contributor and current YouVersion and Moody Radio Cleveland Partner.

To find out more about Rachel Scott or take the Quiz:

Today's guest is Rebecca the founder and visionary of Radical Radiance™ - a podcast community where listeners are equipped to blend what they love with the Jesus who makes them shine. She is a speaker, writer, certified career coach, and podcast interview coach whose greatest joy in life is discipling others to pursue their passions in a way that builds the Kingdom. In her free time, you can find her running outside, writing, or trying a new recipe with Garth Brooks playing in the background. 

Forgiveness is hard to give, but when received, we are grateful for the gift. Luke 7:47 (NIV) Jesus says, "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."

Today, my guest has been forgiven for much and has offered forgiveness to others for much, mirroring the love she found in Christ. B. J. Garrett is a fun and energetic speaker and award-winning author for her book Unwanted No More: From Exploited to Embraced by God. She holds an associate of divinity degree, and she has served in church ministries as a youth director, singles director, missions director, and women's ministry team leader. She previously served as the executive director for The Christ-centered Abortion Recovery & Education. BJ and her husband, Jay, live in East Texas and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Find out more information about BJ Garret: 

Find Joy during Mental Illness

Mental Illness is on the rise since COVID. We want to speak words of encouragement to those who struggle with mental illness or have a loved one who is suffering from mental illness.

Carole Leathem was a Hollywood commercial actress and pastor’s wife. When her husband developed anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, Carole began sharing the chaos and messiness that comes when caring for someone with a mental illness. Through her ministry, Carole’s Journey, she encourages and uplifts hundreds of women all over the country with her flair for storytelling and raw transparency. Carole and her husband, Bill, live in Bakersfield, California, and are the parents to two grown miracle children and grandparents to seven grandchildren.

What is Operation Christmas Child all about? Meet Doddie Messick, who started as a volunteer but is now the Area Coordinator of the Independence area Team for Operation Christmas Child.