Have A Little Faith in We

One of my favorite things about being a blog follower is how the experience goes from just following along to eventually feeling like you are taking advice from a friend. As a result of my love for blogs, I have purchased clothes, tried hair styles, decorated mantles, read books, organized my office, discovered health tricks, and become inspired in countless ways! Reading about a solution that an everyday person, just like me, finds enriching to their lives has been really helpful – so here on HALF I thought I would get in on the info sharing action and include a weekly favorites post! Each week I will share one of my favorites things! The topic areas will range from favorite clothes to organizing solutions to health tricks. Really anything that I feel we just can’t live without – or would really not want to – at the Bessette home and maybe you can find something you love too!

Before heading into full weekend mode – I have a quick favorite things post! Today’s is probably something everyone else has known about and loved for quite some time: podcasts! Over the years I have dabbled in this form of entertainment, like jumping on The Serial bandwagon, but it was not until 2016 when my love was truly discovered. In many ways I am still in the exploring phase, but I have found myself turning to them even more this time of year and so it is today’s favorite thing!

As I said, my first introduction to podcasts was The Serial podcast that Danny and I enjoyed over Christmas break one year, but my true allegiance came when a favorite blogger of mine, Shay Shull, was interviewed on Jamie Ivey’s Happy Hour and suddenly I was hooked! Now when I am commuting…. when I am working on a house project… when I am in the garden… I am listening to a podcast! I love a good jam session with my favorite tunes, but listening to podcasts addresses my blog reading obsession, but I am still getting things done. Suddenly cleaning up the kitchen or weeding the yard doesn’t feel like such a chore…. it’s podcast time!

Listening to podcasts hasn’t just been about passing the time of a mundane task. Through this medium, I have found some incredible stories of survival, amazing examples of faith, and awesome new entertainment leads: blogs, books, movies. Driving home from many a long visit at Hopkins, I have turned to blogs to quiet my mind and they end of speaking to my heart. There are moments when these interviews or reliving of stories leaves tears staining my cheeks, as these folks share their journeys. A good podcast is often one with someone who has made it though a difficult time and now are able to share the the triumph, while having a better understanding on why of it ever happening. I would cling to these messages, reply these stories over and over again, and breath a sigh of relief to know that we humans not only survive this messy life, but can use the pain for good.

My favorite is The Happy Hour by Jamie Ivey. The hostess is full of incredible energy for her mission of sharing the many unique ways women who love the Lord lead their lives. All of the stories are so different, yet the message remains the same: incredible things can happen if you just keep going and trust in the Lord. Ya’ll- this podcast series somehow always provides me with the message of strength and hope that I seem to need right in that moment.

A brand new podcast by Rachel Hollis: Dais – is quickly become another obsession. This series also interviews interesting women with unique stories and thought provoking messages, but this podcast also focuses on career. Often this is why will what accompany my run and Rachel’s interviews have helped me to address some career questions floating around my head. When I finish an episode I am left motivated about what the future can hold, instead of fearful.

There are a few others that I am planning to try out soon: How I Built This, Come for Pancakes (my brothers!), For the Love of Girlfriends…and I would love to hear what ones you are enjoying – so please leave recommendations in the comments!

Thank you so much for reading and remember to make it a great day!
Jackie