As a sophomore in high school, I decided to join the cross country team because I didn’t have to try out! Rejection was more than I could handle during the first year of being at a boarding school that was two states away from my family. I thought I was going to die during my first few practices but by God’s grace, I eventually improved and ended up thoroughly enjoying running long distance.

Track, on the other hand, wasn’t in my wheelhouse. (You’ll have to listen to today’s episode to know why.) That’s why I tip my hat to amazing runners like Chanelle Price. This is a woman who began running in her childhood and never gave up on her dream of competing professionally.

In fact, Chanelle is preparing to compete this week in the 2021 Olympic Trials so she can qualify to represent the United States in Japan. What I love about Chanelle is her honesty and transparency and I believe you will, too. Her authenticity is inspiring and gives hope to so many of us who struggle with remembering where our value lies as well as who we really are.

In this week’s season finale, Chanelle shares with us:

• why she began running competitively,
• how she found God in one of her lowest moments,
• how God worked to debunk a myth about Christianity in her life,
• how God can use our gifts and story for His glory, and more!

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. - 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. - 1 Samuel 17:46 ESV

But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. - Colossians 3:23 ESV

Quotes

“If you chase after Me like you chase after track, just watch what I do in your life.” - Chanelle Price

"Track is what I do; it’s not who I am." - Chanelle Price

Engage with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Find a Christian mentor and church home.

Participate in club sports.

SLUHN Fitness Ambassador Running June 24 to Qualify for Tokyo

Chanelle Price finds peace in struggle

Chanelle Price: “I am tougher because of what I went through”

St. Luke’s University Network

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Be sure to share and subscribe to the Keeping It Centered Podcast. Listen each week on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and many other podcast platforms. Help us spread the word about the podcast by rating and/or writing a review on your favorite podcast platform. We also encourage you to follow the podcast on Instagram and sign up for the  Centered Notes newsletter for devotions and practical tips on how to live a biblically-aligned life as a wife, mom, and difference-maker.

When I was a little girl, my love for words and stories began through trips to our local and school libraries. When my mom was at a hair salon, sometimes, I’d even hit the jackpot and find a book left behind that I could read. I also loved Sunday School and how my teachers shared Bible stories with my peers and me.

Stories have the power to make you feel less lonely and more understood. They can take you to galaxies far away or give you hard truths from your favorite motivational figure.

Editor and Writing Coach, Beth Crosby, knows how powerful storytelling is, too. That’s why she’s on a mission to help entrepreneurial women share their unique qualifications and expertise through sharing stories. Beth believes each of us has a story to tell and with the right support, we can share those stories well.

In today’s episode, Beth shares with us:

• what a writing coach is and how to know if you need one,
• three common writing myths that can sabotage your writing success,
• the various types of editors + how to know which you need—and when,
• tips for improving your writing,
• why your story matters, and more!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. - 1 Corinthians 12:12 ESV

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? - Luke 14:28 ESV

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. - Proverbs 15:22 ESV

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. - Proverbs 19:21 ESV

The Writer's Circle - Facebook group by Beth Crosby

What does an editor do? - article by Beth Crosby

Self-publishing success requires qualified professionals - article by Beth Crosby

NANOWRIMO - National Novel Writing Month (annual competition in November for writers)

Brene Brown

Linda Dunn - helps writers with marketing

Brian Jud - helps writers sell books to corporations

Grammarly - helps you with proofing your work

Fiverr - a database of freelancers that provide various services, including a quick book cover (use with caution)

Bryan Collin’s site, becomeawritertoday.com

Website | LinkedIn

Be sure to share and subscribe to the Keeping It Centered Podcast. Listen each week on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and many other podcast platforms. Help us spread the word about the podcast by rating and/or writing a review on your favorite podcast platform. We also encourage you to follow the podcast on Instagram and sign up for the  Centered Notes newsletter for devotions and practical tips on how to live a biblically-aligned life as a wife, mom, and difference-maker.

I didn't grow up hearing much about adoption. Honestly, I can only pinpoint one time I did as a young girl. That's when my dad (I never call him 'step dad') and mom brought it up briefly. 

As I got older, I saw the commercials about sending money monthly to help take care of children in parts of the globe I'd never heard of before. Then, about 5 years ago, my family started attending the church where we currently worship. There are so many families in our congregation who have chosen to adopt children. Being around these families has truly opened up my eyes to the necessity of finding stable and loving families for not only babies but older children who all too often get overlooked. 

In today's episode, Monique shares with us:

• why she and her husband wanted to adopt,
• what stops many of us from taking action,
• why creating margin is so necessary,
• where our value comes from,
• how you can honor God and still serve others outside your home,
• why mamas must prioritize self-care, and more!

QUOTES (from Monique)

"Adoption is truly a gift from God."

"Find joy in the mundane."

"If you are filled with confidence of who God says you are, it doesn't matter what everyone else says."

"It's okay to say 'no'."

BIBLE REFERENCES

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. - 1 Timothy 5:8 ESV

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. - 1 John 3:17-18 ESV

And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. - Mark 2:27 ESV

For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” - Jeremiah 31:25 ESV

RESOURCES

Project Zero - an organization based in Arkansas that helps find forever homes for children in foster care homes.

Fierce Identity Podcast - by Monique Scrip

Monique Scrip Coaching - helping mamas create home-based businesses so they can honor God by keeping their family a priority and still serve others.

CONNECT WITH MONIQUE

Website | Instagram

Be sure to share and subscribe to the Keeping It Centered Podcast. Listen each week on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and many other podcast platforms. Help us spread the word about the podcast by rating and/or writing a review on your favorite podcast platform. We also encourage you to follow the podcast on Instagram and sign up for the  Centered Notes newsletter for devotions and practical tips on how to live a biblically-aligned life as a wife, mom, and difference-maker.