Latest / The Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast / Women who Write 2022 | Guest April Nicole Scipio Enneagram Three

Transcript

Women who Write 2022 | Guest April Nicole Scipio Enneagram Three · The Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast

0:03
SPEAKER_00: Hi, I'm Amy Wicks, a Jesus and Enneagram enthusiast.
0:07
SPEAKER_00: As a wife, mama of three humans, and a fur baby, I get it.
0:12
SPEAKER_00: Juggling entrepreneurship in a family is challenging.
0:16
SPEAKER_00: But I believe the Lord does want your work to be enjoyable.
0:20
SPEAKER_00: As an Enneagram Type 7, I am all about the fun factor.
0:23
SPEAKER_00: And this podcast is here to help you put the joy back into working mom life.
0:29
SPEAKER_00: So you can see 1 Timothy 6.17 come to pass in your own week.
0:35
SPEAKER_00: It's a verse that says, God has given us all things to enjoy.
0:39
SPEAKER_00: All?
0:40
SPEAKER_00: Well, friends, it means all.
0:42
SPEAKER_00: Motherhood, work from home life, or work out of the home life.
0:46
SPEAKER_00: With the Lord's help, there's truly a way to feel calm, balance, joy, clarity, and peace in any arena of life.
0:56
SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Simply Fullhearted Podcast, where you can expect solo style and interview style episodes that are full of faith-based concepts, simple ideas, Enneagram insights, alongside practical tips to help you put that smile back on your face when it comes to doing life with Jesus.
1:16
SPEAKER_00: Now get your headphones and head to that big pile of dishes in the sink.
1:22
SPEAKER_00: Or maybe that bathroom that needed cleaning two weeks ago.
1:26
SPEAKER_00: And let's get to learning together.
1:48
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you didn't catch week one or week two of the 2022 series edition, head back to listen to the last two episodes on being women in the word and women who worship.
1:59
SPEAKER_00: And today I have another W word for you.
2:02
SPEAKER_00: And it's right.
2:03
SPEAKER_00: April Nicole Scipio joins me today.
2:06
SPEAKER_00: She's a wife, Mama to three, a pastor's wife, and a self-identifying Enneagram 3.
2:13
SPEAKER_00: She is also the founder of Live Love Lead Media.
2:16
SPEAKER_00: It's an amazing organization known for equipping women of faith to live, love, and lead well in both their personal life and business.
2:24
SPEAKER_00: And you know that's my jam.
2:27
SPEAKER_00: April is a fellow coach, author, and podcaster, so she and I have definitely a lot in common when it comes to being businesswomen and loving others who are in the same world.
2:40
SPEAKER_00: April Nicole has the most beautiful and inspiring relationship with writing, and I just know that you're going to love hearing how she and the Lord use this daily practice of writing to chat with each other.
2:51
SPEAKER_00: Now, if God can communicate with April through writing, I promise that he would love to do the same with you.
2:57
SPEAKER_00: And as scripture says, He is no respecter of persons.
3:02
SPEAKER_00: So, aka, he doesn't have favorite kids.
3:11
SPEAKER_00: April, so glad to have you here on the Simply Wholehearted podcast.
3:16
SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much for joining us.
3:18
SPEAKER_00: Yes, I'm so excited to be here.
3:21
SPEAKER_00: It's gonna get me good.
3:22
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna be talking about wholehearted rhythms because it's the new year.
3:28
SPEAKER_00: It's we got this opportunity to have a fresh start and to implement some anchors, I like to call them, anchor rhythms that help us to stay in the flow and you know, to go from like the surviving mentality to thriving mentality.
3:46
SPEAKER_00: Even if the rest of the world doesn't think we're thriving, that's okay.
3:49
SPEAKER_00: It's all about what's going up in our minds.
3:53
SPEAKER_00: So for those of you who haven't gotten yet to meet you, because we've only met on Instagram.
3:57
SPEAKER_00: So I only know what's on Instagram.
4:01
SPEAKER_00: So give us, if we were a little creeper kind of peeking in your window, what would we see going on the Scipio house?
4:09
SPEAKER_00: Like, what is happening there?
4:11
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
4:12
SPEAKER_02: First of all, Amy, thank you so much for having me.
4:15
SPEAKER_02: I'm really excited to be here.
4:17
SPEAKER_02: And if you looked into my house right now, you'd be like, oh man, that girl needs to get in there and do her kitchen.
4:23
SPEAKER_02: Let's do her dishes.
4:24
SPEAKER_02: Oh, you and me both.
4:26
SPEAKER_02: It is bad.
4:28
SPEAKER_02: But on that note, it's because I'm a mom of three.
4:31
SPEAKER_02: Uh, I'm a wife.
4:33
SPEAKER_02: My husband and I, we uh planted a church almost five years ago.
4:37
SPEAKER_02: Wow, and we're super, yeah, we're super involved in our community and our school system, as well as I run a business.
4:44
SPEAKER_02: And so I definitely wear a lot of hats and stay busy.
4:48
SPEAKER_02: Uh, but yeah, you would see that, and you will see a girl that completely loves Jesus, like all of my heart, honestly, and I just want to just do whatever he tells me to do.
4:59
SPEAKER_00: So that's me, the girl who said yes.
5:01
SPEAKER_00: I am the girl who said yes.
5:03
SPEAKER_00: Yes, you did, and that's what attracted me to you.
5:05
SPEAKER_00: I'd have no idea how we got introduced on Instagram.
5:08
SPEAKER_00: I'm always like, How did I end up following this person?
5:11
SPEAKER_00: And I'm like, I want to keep following him.
5:13
SPEAKER_00: Uh, but you know, I if for those of you who haven't checked out April Nicole Scipio's profile, and we'll, you know, I'll have all the tags and all that as usual in the show notes.
5:24
SPEAKER_00: But she is talking about Jesus, proclaiming God's word.
5:27
SPEAKER_00: Um, would you say really, like, I feel like you're speaking to the everyday mama who needs a reminder that she is a child of God?
5:35
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I'm speaking to the everyday mom, the wife, the girl who just literally wants more of what God has for her.
5:45
SPEAKER_02: And that's why I call myself the more coach because I want to help women ask for more, do more to be more.
5:51
SPEAKER_02: Because I think we settle a lot of times.
5:54
SPEAKER_02: We settle so much.
5:55
SPEAKER_02: And one quote that John Maxwell said that has stuck with me, he said, anything worth having is uphill.
6:02
SPEAKER_02: And so it's the truth.
6:04
SPEAKER_02: That is the truth.
6:05
SPEAKER_02: Life can be so hard.
6:07
SPEAKER_02: You know, we want that more, but sometimes it's so hard to go after it.
6:11
SPEAKER_02: So I'm like, hey, let's get in God's word, let's apply it to our life because you can do this, you can get every single thing that God has for you.
6:18
SPEAKER_00: So yes.
6:19
SPEAKER_00: Ah, I love it.
6:20
SPEAKER_00: This is good.
6:21
SPEAKER_00: I want to pivot just a minute because a lot of times I feel like I'm talking to PK's as in pastors' kids.
6:29
SPEAKER_00: And I joke that I a lot of my clients, Enneagram coaching clients, they also are pastors' kids.
6:37
SPEAKER_00: It's, I mean, it's no secret that I have said that I'm a pastor's kid.
6:41
SPEAKER_00: I just think it's funny because I, you know, I don't proclaim it.
6:44
SPEAKER_00: It's not in my bio.
6:45
SPEAKER_00: It's you can't even find that on my website, but I seem to attract them.
6:48
SPEAKER_00: So give us maybe just a little like um what it is like to be a pastor's wife, because it's a whole nother uh it's another level about a hat that you wear or a role that you play because it's it's a big deal and it's also a weighty challenge.
7:09
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, for sure.
7:10
SPEAKER_02: First, I remind myself that I'm called to do this.
7:15
SPEAKER_02: God assigned me to my husband.
7:18
SPEAKER_02: He knew the call that my husband had on his life, and he knew my husband needed a helper.
7:23
SPEAKER_02: And of the billions of people on the planet, God picked me.
7:27
SPEAKER_02: So, first of all, it's a privilege.
7:29
SPEAKER_02: It's a privilege to be his wife, it's a privilege to serve alongside of him.
7:33
SPEAKER_02: One thing I will say is you have to keep the big picture in perspective.
7:39
SPEAKER_00: That's good.
7:40
SPEAKER_02: What I mean by that, every day today, it can be really hard.
7:44
SPEAKER_02: Like I literally live in a fishbowl.
7:46
SPEAKER_02: Everything I do is on display, even if I don't want it to be.
7:51
SPEAKER_02: I don't want it to be, right?
7:52
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, but it's just what I signed up for, right?
7:55
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, but big picture, we are impacting lives for eternity, right?
8:00
SPEAKER_02: I have to share my husband with a lot of people, a lot of people.
8:05
SPEAKER_02: And uh, I don't know if any of your listeners are familiar with uh the five love languages, but mine is quality time.
8:13
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, Lord, yeah, yeah, we need to talk about this for real.
8:20
SPEAKER_02: Like if you made my love language quality time and I'm married to someone whose time, like I have to share my time with him, right?
8:27
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, absolutely.
8:28
SPEAKER_02: So it's a constant reminder of keeping that perspective, it's all about perspective.
8:32
SPEAKER_02: So if any pastors' wives are listening and you just need some encouragement, number one, make sure you know God chose you, it's not a burden, it's not an oh man.
8:42
SPEAKER_02: No, it's like yes and yes of all the people he picked me.
8:47
SPEAKER_02: And secondly, we're getting to do stuff that is for kingdom impact.
8:52
SPEAKER_02: And I'll tell you, the perspective is so important because that's the part that your kids pick up on.
8:58
SPEAKER_02: Your kids don't pick up on what you say, they know, and so my husband has to travel a lot just this month alone.
9:04
SPEAKER_02: He has three trips he's traveling for for ministry stuff, right?
9:09
SPEAKER_02: But what my kids hear me say and see me do is when dad's gone and we pray for dad.
9:16
SPEAKER_02: Thank you, God, that you chose our family to serve you in this capacity.
9:21
SPEAKER_02: Thank you, God, that daddy gets to go and share light and love.
9:24
SPEAKER_02: And we just pray protection over him.
9:26
SPEAKER_02: And God, I thank you that hearts are going to be changed and we get to be a part of that.
9:30
SPEAKER_02: Like my kids, I'm like teaching them that they are a part of life change just as much as their dad who's being sent.
9:38
SPEAKER_02: And so I can get on a soapbox about it because I love it.
9:43
SPEAKER_02: But um, like the the persona, I think that sometimes the enemy wants to put on pastors' wives is like this big burden.
9:50
SPEAKER_02: Like, oh, you gotta like it's this big weight.
9:54
SPEAKER_02: No, it's not like the assignment is weighty, but it's not my weight to carry.
10:00
SPEAKER_02: The assignment is weighty, but God has graced me for this.
10:04
SPEAKER_02: And so that's why I'm excited because he chose me, therefore I'm qualified and called and equipped and all the things.
10:09
SPEAKER_02: So yeah.
10:10
SPEAKER_00: Oh, this is good.
10:11
SPEAKER_00: We're gonna have some church today.
10:13
SPEAKER_00: I'm ready for this.
10:15
SPEAKER_00: Oh, this is great.
10:16
SPEAKER_00: Well, one of the fun things I and maybe why we are paths crossed crossed or something about that is uh Enneagram three.
10:23
SPEAKER_00: You're an Enneagram three, and I what I just really appreciate is I see so much health in you.
10:31
SPEAKER_00: And I think that in the social media space, you probably are going to find a lot of threes or more assertive types and stuff because they're a little bit more willing and ambitious to get out there and do the thing.
10:43
SPEAKER_00: But for threes, it can be a double-edged sword because there is a struggle with comparison, there's a desire for significance.
10:53
SPEAKER_00: And so that takes like really surrendered, you know, Holy Spirit lead me, guidance as you engaged in this medium, because I feel like out of all the things in the today's society for a three, like the social media world can be a huge stumbling block.
11:11
SPEAKER_00: So I just kind of preface all that to say, I see so much health in you representing uh an Enneagram three who can engage in this medium really, really well.
11:20
SPEAKER_00: But let us know a little bit about how did you discover the Enneagram and what was it like to go, oh my word, this is me a hundred percent.
11:30
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
11:31
SPEAKER_02: So actually, one of my best friends introduced me to it.
11:34
SPEAKER_02: Okay, and she's like, Oh, you have to take this test.
11:36
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, Okay, you know, I've taken so many personality tests, the discs, like all the things, right?
11:40
SPEAKER_02: Tell me something I didn't know.
11:42
SPEAKER_02: I took it, right?
11:43
SPEAKER_02: So I was like, okay, I'll just take the test.
11:45
SPEAKER_02: So I took the test, it came out type three, and then I started like researching type three.
11:51
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, why is this me?
11:53
SPEAKER_02: Like it was very accurate.
11:56
SPEAKER_02: Like it's literally the most accurate description of me.
12:00
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, this is crazy.
12:02
SPEAKER_02: Like, and like I read the funny memes about it.
12:05
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, oh my gosh, that is me.
12:07
SPEAKER_02: And we laugh.
12:07
SPEAKER_02: She's a three, also.
12:09
SPEAKER_02: So we sit, she'll send me like memes of type three, and we'll just laugh.
12:12
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, that is so that is me.
12:15
SPEAKER_02: Um, it was so like one of them that stands out was like someone asked to like have lunch with this type three, and she was like, Yeah, sure.
12:23
SPEAKER_02: What about February 3rd, 2024 at 238 p.m.?
12:28
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, that's so me.
12:29
SPEAKER_02: So that's awesome.
12:30
SPEAKER_02: I love it.
12:31
SPEAKER_02: So yeah, I discovered it from a friend, and um, I just think it's so accurate and it helped me.
12:38
SPEAKER_02: I think also because I'm learning about myself through this, yeah, it helps me recognize if I'm going down a path that's unhealthy, right?
12:47
SPEAKER_02: We can't address what we ignore, right?
12:50
SPEAKER_02: Amen.
12:51
SPEAKER_02: So when we're aware of how we're wired, how we may respond to situations, then it helps us respond maybe differently because we're we're processing it instead of it just happening on the fly.
13:03
SPEAKER_02: So yeah.
13:04
SPEAKER_00: Oh, that's good.
13:06
SPEAKER_00: We have to be aware so that way we can try to, and again, it's not behavior modification, but it's the the inner work of the Holy Spirit that is partnered with awareness that we can begin to see transformation and us to do a new thing, then inadvertently because of that.
13:24
SPEAKER_00: And then out of the overflow, we see life-giving streams instead of the dirty water.
13:30
SPEAKER_00: So yes, that's good.
13:33
SPEAKER_00: I I love it.
13:34
SPEAKER_00: Well, I definitely have fun just watching you in your growth and your health and and just uh want to celebrate that.
13:42
SPEAKER_00: And um, if you happen to be a three or you want to know a healthy three, go follow April Nicole Scipio because you can um you can just see that in action in all the best ways.
13:54
SPEAKER_00: Well, what I wanted to, um there's a lot of things that we're actually covering this episode because it's a new year and I have lots of fun questions.
14:01
SPEAKER_00: But every year for the last five years, I think if I have this this right, I think we're on our fifth annual word worship and right.
14:10
SPEAKER_00: And we just do that rhythm preparing us for the year ahead and and just kind of going back to the basics.
14:18
SPEAKER_00: What are some of the anchors?
14:20
SPEAKER_00: What are the what have been the anchors for me that I implement on a daily, regular basis and that I go back to that are just are are the life-giving rhythms that I need to really keep myself growing and in this mindset of thriving and and not just surviving.
14:39
SPEAKER_00: So um for you, as we talk about the rhythm of writing, tell me what that looks like in your life.
14:46
SPEAKER_00: And then we're gonna be talking about some practical steps and then a few fun rapid fire questions for this new year.
14:54
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
14:54
SPEAKER_02: So for me, writing is everything, it's how I process information.
15:00
SPEAKER_02: It's how I honestly, the best way I've found to hear from God.
15:05
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
15:06
SPEAKER_02: Because I love to talk.
15:07
SPEAKER_02: If you get to know me, girl, it's like nonstop.
15:11
SPEAKER_02: This girl talks, right?
15:13
SPEAKER_02: Um, at the time of this recording, even today, you know, if you don't know me, you may not know.
15:18
SPEAKER_02: But those who are used to hearing me talk, my voice is super weak today.
15:23
SPEAKER_02: But I was like, no, I'm still gonna meet with Amy, do all my stuff because I really, Amy, feel like this episode is gonna be life-changing for people.
15:33
SPEAKER_02: And I'll just say that because honestly, this morning I was like, no, I'm not rescheduling this, regardless if my voice is weak or not, because people's lives are in the balance.
15:44
SPEAKER_01: Wow.
15:45
SPEAKER_02: And I bring that up because as I'm writing and I'm getting direction from God, my flesh would say, April, your voice is weak today.
15:53
SPEAKER_02: You don't need to do this or whatever, you don't need to do X, Y, Z.
15:56
SPEAKER_02: You fill in the blank, whatever your day looks like.
15:59
SPEAKER_02: But when you stop to write and pause and really hear from God, He literally directs you how you should really function throughout that day.
16:09
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
16:09
SPEAKER_02: And that's important to me because I never want to finish a day without impacting the lives of people.
16:16
SPEAKER_02: And so I have to write because it's my time.
16:20
SPEAKER_02: Okay, God, what are your marching orders for me today?
16:23
SPEAKER_02: Yes, I'm type three.
16:24
SPEAKER_02: So you guys know I have the whole plan.
16:26
SPEAKER_02: I'm a I'm a planner right here.
16:28
SPEAKER_02: It's all scheduled out, right?
16:29
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
16:30
SPEAKER_02: However, the Lord has full permission to interrupt that plan.
16:35
SPEAKER_02: He has full permission to say, I know you had that plan today, but I need you to pivot.
16:40
SPEAKER_02: I need you to do this.
16:41
SPEAKER_02: Perfect example.
16:42
SPEAKER_02: Last week, I was meeting with a friend and I had a certain amount of time in my little calendar to meet with her.
16:49
SPEAKER_02: Um, and um, she was she was in the process of uh selling a home that her and her husband kind of flipped, and she said, Hey, come over and check it out.
16:58
SPEAKER_02: So I was like, Oh, that's cool.
17:00
SPEAKER_02: That morning, just because I'm writing, I'm hearing from God, God already told me I'm I'm gonna need you to spend some more time with her today.
17:07
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, okay, you know, I didn't know why.
17:09
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, okay.
17:10
SPEAKER_02: So when I'm there talking to her, God's like, I need you to pray for her and pray over this house and pray for the sale of this home.
17:16
SPEAKER_02: Wow.
17:16
SPEAKER_02: So I was like, okay.
17:18
SPEAKER_02: So I was obedient.
17:19
SPEAKER_02: I did that.
17:20
SPEAKER_02: And literally, like a couple of days later, she messaged me, like, man, the someone looked at her house today and they're putting a contract on it today.
17:28
SPEAKER_02: Like, and I'm just rejoicing with her.
17:30
SPEAKER_02: And not that it was me, but because of my obedience, she was able to receive a blessing.
17:37
SPEAKER_02: Like her life was impacted because of my obedience.
17:40
SPEAKER_02: So for me, writing is more than just taking up time on the page, like literally, it's with intention.
17:47
SPEAKER_02: Like, I'm gonna clear my mind, I'm gonna process things, I'm gonna hear from God so that I can make sure that I make the most possible impact that I can this day.
17:56
SPEAKER_02: So, even today, God's like, no, you still do this and still do this episode with Amy.
18:02
SPEAKER_02: There are things that are gonna be said and spoken that's gonna come out.
18:05
SPEAKER_02: People's lives are gonna be changed.
18:07
SPEAKER_02: So, guess what?
18:08
SPEAKER_02: It's not about me, it's not about my voice, it's about what I can do today to be obedient to God to impact the lives of other people.
18:15
SPEAKER_02: That's our role.
18:17
SPEAKER_00: I love it.
18:18
SPEAKER_00: This is so good.
18:19
SPEAKER_00: And I think just that testimony of you investing that time, appointing her to who is your Jehovah Jra, who is going to provide the sale of this home and ultimately reminding her, you know, that you could be the catalyst to help turn her focus on who's going to be the source in this and that part of their story in that chapter.
18:39
SPEAKER_00: So that is really, really good.
18:41
SPEAKER_00: Well, and I'm curious to know for the rhythm of writing for you, I'm guessing wasn't always that way.
18:48
SPEAKER_00: So was there that moment in time where you you've suddenly saw the benefit or was it more gradual?
18:55
SPEAKER_00: What for you have helped you and empowered you to put that rhythm in place?
19:00
SPEAKER_00: Because I know a lot of people have intentions to do it and they know it helps them, but they just really struggle getting into a rhythm of doing it as regularly as they would desire to do it.
19:12
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
19:13
SPEAKER_02: What did a switch for me was when I changed my method.
19:17
SPEAKER_02: So when I first started writing, I would write out my prayers to God.
19:22
SPEAKER_02: Just, you know, writing out my prayers, whatever was on my mind, things like that.
19:28
SPEAKER_02: Then the Lord started speaking to my heart, like April, I love that you pray to me.
19:34
SPEAKER_02: I love it.
19:36
SPEAKER_02: But after you say amen, you start to do your next thing, and you don't give me time to respond.
19:44
SPEAKER_02: That stepped on my toes.
19:46
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, you're right.
19:48
SPEAKER_02: So that made me be more intentional about putting it into rhythm because it's like now it's not just about me talking to God, but it's me documenting what God is saying to me.
20:02
SPEAKER_02: And so now when you look at my journals and you see this beautiful dialogue between me and God, it's like I'm writing, God's talking, I'm speaking, God's speaking.
20:12
SPEAKER_02: And it's just like it's beautiful.
20:14
SPEAKER_02: That's the best way to describe it.
20:16
SPEAKER_02: So for me, the rhythm changed when I've changed kind of why I was doing it, and I changed my method of not just writing down what I want to say, but I'm writing down the words that the Father is speaking over me.
20:29
SPEAKER_02: So now on those days when it's hard, when I want to give up, when I want to quit, guess what?
20:34
SPEAKER_02: I have the scripture, the word of God.
20:36
SPEAKER_02: That's where we should always go first.
20:37
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
20:38
SPEAKER_02: But then I also have my journals of specific words the father has spoken over me that provide comfort, encouragement, peace, reassurance.
20:47
SPEAKER_02: So that's that was my journey of making it a rhythm.
20:50
SPEAKER_00: This is good.
20:51
SPEAKER_00: I think we do.
20:53
SPEAKER_00: That's the invitation in prayer and getting in the word in worship.
20:57
SPEAKER_00: Are we leaving room to hear the response the Lord ultimately wants to give?
21:03
SPEAKER_00: Now, many times I probably I'm guessing you would testify to this.
21:07
SPEAKER_00: We write and it feels silent, but it's later on in the shower or on the walk, or as we're in the minivan with the kids taking him to the next thing, that suddenly boom, like we get that response.
21:20
SPEAKER_00: But I think it's it's almost like making a physical space for anticipating that he's going to answer that prayer.
21:29
SPEAKER_00: And and also, you know, just encouragement.
21:33
SPEAKER_00: Like if you don't know where to begin, even with that prayer, writing scripture gets us in that that remembering who God is and adoring him in that manner.
21:44
SPEAKER_00: And the fruit, fruit will come of that, even if you're not sure where to begin.
21:48
SPEAKER_00: Because yeah, sometimes we might be at a loss for words, or it feels strange and foreign to practice this.
21:56
SPEAKER_00: So I love it.
21:57
SPEAKER_00: I think that's a great tip.
21:59
SPEAKER_02: And if someone Is saying, like, where do I start?
22:02
SPEAKER_02: Start with what he's already told you in scripture.
22:05
SPEAKER_02: That's good.
22:06
SPEAKER_02: Though God has said already so much to you in the 66 books.
22:10
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
22:10
SPEAKER_02: He's told you you're the apple of his eye.
22:13
SPEAKER_02: You're fearfully and wonderfully made.
22:14
SPEAKER_02: He has good plans for you, plans to prosper.
22:17
SPEAKER_02: He desires you to be successful.
22:19
SPEAKER_02: Like he's said so much to us already.
22:21
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
22:22
SPEAKER_02: You can start there, write down what he's told you in the word.
22:25
SPEAKER_02: And as you do that, right?
22:27
SPEAKER_02: So a lot of times people say, you know, how do I know?
22:29
SPEAKER_02: How do I know if God's talking to me?
22:31
SPEAKER_02: Well, right.
22:32
SPEAKER_02: God's not going to say anything that's outside of his word.
22:35
SPEAKER_02: Number one.
22:37
SPEAKER_02: And then number two, the more time we spend with someone, the more we easily it becomes to recognize the voice.
22:44
SPEAKER_02: Absolutely.
22:44
SPEAKER_02: Three kids.
22:46
SPEAKER_02: And right now, if one of my kids yelled from another room, mom, there's no question which one called my name.
22:53
SPEAKER_02: I spent so much time with them from they were born, like tens of thousands of hours.
22:58
SPEAKER_02: So there's no question.
23:00
SPEAKER_02: So the more time we spend with God and looking in scripture about what he said to us already, then it's easier to hear what else he wants to say.
23:09
SPEAKER_02: If we start with what he's already said, spend time with that, pray, write it out, worship him for it, believe God for the things he's already told you, then those other things he wants to say.
23:21
SPEAKER_02: It man, it just becomes so much clearer.
23:24
SPEAKER_00: Oh, yeah.
23:25
SPEAKER_00: Oh man, this is good.
23:26
SPEAKER_00: Okay, we got a couple of steps here.
23:28
SPEAKER_00: If you've been struggling with getting in that writing rhythm, um, this is your encouragement.
23:34
SPEAKER_00: And I do, just for the record, if it wasn't clear, I think this is all coupled together.
23:38
SPEAKER_00: The word, the worship, the right, like it's all intertwined really well.
23:42
SPEAKER_00: And maybe you can't, you know, have an hour sesh to do all of those things.
23:45
SPEAKER_00: It's not the that's not the idea.
23:47
SPEAKER_00: It's just realizing that these all interplay in a way that really brings again the the life-giving rhythms that help you have the relationships you desire, bring clarity, bring purpose to your steps and all of that.
24:02
SPEAKER_00: So, well, I have a couple of fun, what I'm calling quote unquote rapid fire questions.
24:08
SPEAKER_00: They're never really rapid fire because especially for people who like to talk, but um, but what we'll do, we'll do what we can.
24:14
SPEAKER_00: That's what we're doing the best that we can uh this this time around.
24:19
SPEAKER_00: So for you, as we and I can't believe it, like 2022, right?
24:23
SPEAKER_00: I like who knows what's gonna be in store.
24:26
SPEAKER_00: Like the last two years have been like, well, you know, we fad this or that.
24:30
SPEAKER_00: Um, but that's not the point because the the point is like we're going to do like nothing is really in our control.
24:38
SPEAKER_00: So all we can do is like are responsible for ourselves and do the best that we can.
24:42
SPEAKER_00: But for you, is there a new rhythm or habit that you are gonna try out this year that you're excited about implementing or um yeah, just something that you're like, and as a three, there's probably 10, but do you share what you'd like to share?
24:56
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
24:57
SPEAKER_02: So yes, so I'm trying out something new, is that I'm gonna take one verse a year and really dig deep.
25:06
SPEAKER_02: So currently I usually take one verse, even if if I doesn't matter how much I read of scripture on a day on a daily basis, I'm always gonna hone in on one to just really focus on, meditate on all that stuff.
25:19
SPEAKER_02: But this year, I am gonna do one verse.
25:23
SPEAKER_02: No matter what I read throughout the week, there's gonna be one verse that I focus on, along with a worship song that I focus on.
25:30
SPEAKER_02: And I'm gonna be playing that song all week, read that scripture all week, journal that one scripture all week because I feel like as I'm the more coach, people that if you connect with me on social media, you know, I call myself the more coach because I believe that God has more for your life.
25:44
SPEAKER_02: And I feel like God's calling us to more, like He's saying there's more.
25:48
SPEAKER_02: The word of God is alive, and we cannot exhaust the amount of light that's inside of a scripture.
25:54
SPEAKER_02: We just can't.
25:56
SPEAKER_02: So this year I'm just trying that.
25:57
SPEAKER_02: Like, I know that I may have read this verse a thousand times, but God, I believe you have more for me.
26:03
SPEAKER_02: Speak to me.
26:03
SPEAKER_02: So I'm excited about that because scripture is so rich and alive, and I'm excited about verses.
26:09
SPEAKER_02: After I've read them maybe 10 times in that week, God's gonna have even more to say to me.
26:16
SPEAKER_02: And I just want to go deeper with God this year in scripture.
26:20
SPEAKER_02: I'm so excited about it.
26:21
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
26:21
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I'm gonna check in for sure.
26:23
SPEAKER_00: I want to hear how that goes because that's really exciting.
26:26
SPEAKER_00: I love that idea.
26:27
SPEAKER_00: I usually choose a chapter.
26:29
SPEAKER_00: So I like I like the exhortation to even get narrower and more focused.
26:34
SPEAKER_00: So that's good.
26:35
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
26:35
SPEAKER_00: So for you, do you have a worship song or two on repeat right now that is your go-to?
26:41
SPEAKER_00: Um, maybe when things are hard or maybe when things are really good and you just want to kind of belt it at the top of your lungs or or in your mind.
26:50
SPEAKER_00: So I have two.
26:51
SPEAKER_02: I was like, oh, I can say two when you started asking questions.
26:54
SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
26:54
SPEAKER_02: So the first one is The Blessing by Elevation Worship.
26:58
SPEAKER_02: Yes, so that is my jam.
27:00
SPEAKER_02: It is so my jam.
27:02
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, if I'm like filling in a funk, I'm like, that is my go-to.
27:08
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
27:08
SPEAKER_02: And then also here recently, I've been playing a song called My Soul Sings by Mavic City Worship.
27:15
SPEAKER_02: Yes, yes.
27:16
SPEAKER_02: That song is familiar with that one too.
27:19
SPEAKER_02: Yes, goodness, that is my jam.
27:21
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, those are my jams right now.
27:23
SPEAKER_00: Uh, and I'm just gonna interject here, even though this is supposed to be rapid fire, but those two songs have been an anchor point for me.
27:31
SPEAKER_00: This last year has been um an undoing and unraveling and really hard, but that especially the blessing, because it's tied to family and and the hardship.
27:45
SPEAKER_00: And so just to be reminded that I am under God's blessing.
27:48
SPEAKER_00: No wonder, no matter what you know the earthly dynamics are, I'm under God's blessing and to proclaim that promise over myself and my family.
27:58
SPEAKER_00: And so yeah, it's good stuff.
28:01
SPEAKER_02: I need to add this is rough for fire, but I really feel led.
28:03
SPEAKER_02: I need to add just a quick thing to that.
28:05
SPEAKER_02: So when you talk about, you know, being under God's blessing, I think that's so critical for us to remember how much God desires us to experience the blessings He has for us.
28:16
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, you know, when we were little, everything about us, we were taught to strive for it, to be independent.
28:23
SPEAKER_02: Like we we were applauded for doing good things and certain achievements.
28:28
SPEAKER_02: It was like, you know, you were praised for it.
28:32
SPEAKER_02: But the cool thing is with the blessing of God, He just wants to do it despite of what we do or we don't do, and that could be so mind-blowing for us, and it really takes mind renewal because we're so used to being praised for doing good things and then torn down or doing the bad things.
28:50
SPEAKER_02: And God's like, I just want to bless you.
28:52
SPEAKER_02: And if we can just get that mentality that we don't have to earn it, it just makes it just it's so less stressful not having to earn the blessing of our father.
29:02
SPEAKER_02: So when we mess up, it's easy to go to him because us going to him because we messed up doesn't disqualify us from the blessing.
29:10
SPEAKER_02: We go to him for the covering, for the forgiveness, for the grace.
29:15
SPEAKER_02: So I don't know, I don't want to preach, but I love it.
29:17
SPEAKER_02: We're just it's just amazing that blessing is for us, yeah.
29:21
SPEAKER_00: And we can just receive, put our hands open and receive.
29:24
SPEAKER_00: That is good, beloved April.
29:26
SPEAKER_00: Okay, so you talked about a scripture taking it and honing it in, but I'm kind of curious have you ever practiced having a word for the year or something like that?
29:38
SPEAKER_00: And do you have it already?
29:39
SPEAKER_00: Sometimes it takes a few months.
29:41
SPEAKER_00: So for you, what is your thinking behind it or experience, or do you have your word for 2022?
29:48
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I definitely already have it, and it's obedience.
29:53
SPEAKER_02: Ooh, darn it.
29:55
SPEAKER_02: I mean, it I mean, honestly, like right, and God has been and has speaking to me about the obedience is so critical.
30:07
SPEAKER_02: It is obedience is tied to so many things, yeah, things that we don't even know.
30:13
SPEAKER_02: God is very strategic, He never asks us to do anything with it without it being tied to something else.
30:22
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, he never asks us to do something because he couldn't think of something better to tell us.
30:27
SPEAKER_02: You know what I'm saying?
30:28
SPEAKER_00: That's right, that's right.
30:29
SPEAKER_02: So good point.
30:30
SPEAKER_02: Because he's telling us to do something, we have to trust that it's our he has our best interests in mind, even the little things, the little things that we don't think matter.
30:42
SPEAKER_02: So, true story, I had this, I'm a recent recovering seven baskets of laundry needing to folder.
30:54
SPEAKER_02: Well, tell me what the cure is because I will tell you, God liked, and I tried every system, every laundry system.
31:03
SPEAKER_02: Me too.
31:05
SPEAKER_02: God stepped all over my toes on this, Amy.
31:09
SPEAKER_02: Long story short, God's like, I need you to stay on top of the laundry, not because you're gonna feel good because your house is picked up or whatever.
31:22
SPEAKER_02: Like, yes, you'll you'll feel great about it.
31:24
SPEAKER_02: But he was like, April, what I actually do is so much bigger than what you can see.
31:28
SPEAKER_02: You see, one of the things that God put on my heart is I know that I'm called to travel and speak.
31:34
SPEAKER_02: And he's like, April, the systems that I'm having you instill now in your home is because when you travel and speak, your home is gonna have to function without you.
31:45
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
31:46
SPEAKER_02: And that's truth on my toes.
31:49
SPEAKER_02: So I say that to say you may be thinking that he's telling you something so small, like get get on top of the laundry, like, okay, God, my kids have clean clothes.
31:57
SPEAKER_02: Can I just be excited about that?
31:59
SPEAKER_02: Yes, yes, be excited about that, April.
32:02
SPEAKER_02: But and this for me.
32:03
SPEAKER_02: Now, if you're watching this or listening and your laundry is not done, this is no shape.
32:07
SPEAKER_02: Like, yes, this is not a shape.
32:10
SPEAKER_02: I'm just saying for me, and I know the call of my life.
32:14
SPEAKER_02: I have to say yes in these little things, yeah, to prepare me for what's coming next.
32:19
SPEAKER_02: That's so that's why my word is obedience, because the dream that God has put in my heart for my life is so big.
32:26
SPEAKER_02: I'm gonna have to be obedient in these small things to prepare me for what's coming ahead.
32:32
SPEAKER_00: And that is biblical, sister, faithful in the small, like God, nothing goes unseen and He He does desire.
32:40
SPEAKER_00: And I love that you you happen to go in your sermon about not needing to earn the blessing because we're not equating obedience to earning anything, but it is simply showing that we can be trusted with greater things and we have to be faithful in the small things so that way if we desire more very pointed here, we desire more, then we got to be faithful with what we already have.
33:06
SPEAKER_00: And so I love it.
33:08
SPEAKER_00: That is that is so good.
33:09
SPEAKER_00: I, you know, hate it for you that that's the word, but I also love it.
33:15
SPEAKER_00: This is really, really good.
33:16
SPEAKER_00: Man, I think we could be talking all day here.
33:19
SPEAKER_00: Um, I'm looking forward to just continuing to have the conversation on social media and wherever the Lord crosses our paths.
33:28
SPEAKER_00: I just so appreciate what you shared today.
33:30
SPEAKER_00: And I know that it will bless many, many, many.
33:33
SPEAKER_00: So thank you.
33:34
SPEAKER_00: Thank you so much.
33:36
SPEAKER_00: Wasn't that a wonderful conversation?
33:39
SPEAKER_00: If you'd like to connect with April Nicole, there are links in the show notes to do just that.
33:44
SPEAKER_00: And like I said in the episode, she's a very healthy Enneagram 3.
33:48
SPEAKER_00: So if you're looking for one to observe and have as a role model, I think you will appreciate learning from her, especially in the way she approaches social media.
33:57
SPEAKER_00: I do pray that our conversation inspired you to try writing out your prayers.
34:02
SPEAKER_00: And this is the key part.
34:04
SPEAKER_00: Try lingering a while after to see if God has anything to say in response that you can put to paper.
34:11
SPEAKER_00: Prayer is a two-way street, a dialogue, not a monologue.
34:15
SPEAKER_00: And I think we sometimes forget to let God have the floor.
34:18
SPEAKER_00: The practicing of writing can help remind us to let Him have a turn and for us to tune in.
34:24
SPEAKER_00: So last episode I decided to share a podcast review, and I thought that was a lot of fun.
34:31
SPEAKER_00: And this week I get to share a review from a client who lives on the other side of the world.
34:38
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm not kidding.
34:39
SPEAKER_00: That's the beauty of technology and podcasting.
34:42
SPEAKER_00: We can be connected to so many throughout the globe.
34:46
SPEAKER_00: I have loved coaching women not only in the US and in my neck of the woods, but I also have clients in New Zealand, Canada, and Hong Kong.
34:56
SPEAKER_00: Yes, it is very awesome.
34:58
SPEAKER_00: And this client, who has also been a podcast listener, took a little bit of time to share her review with me and gave me permission to share it with you.
35:06
SPEAKER_00: This is what Hazel Wong shared with me in her Voxer chat.
35:10
SPEAKER_00: She said, I've been enjoying the latest season of the podcast.
35:13
SPEAKER_00: I really like the three pillars and I'm thinking about how to incorporate them into my rhythms and my daily practices.
35:20
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for sharing them.
35:21
SPEAKER_00: It's going back to these basics that I'll bring more certainty and roundness into our days and help us make sure that we are growing from the Word of God and reflecting on it and worshiping Him.
35:32
SPEAKER_00: So thank you.
35:33
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you'd like to have your review read, I'd love to hear from you whether it's a direct message on Instagram or an email.
35:41
SPEAKER_00: You can communicate at wholehearted Enneagram, and I would love to hear what episode most resonated with you recently.
35:48
SPEAKER_00: Until next time, remember that your kids need you, and God made you to be their mom on purpose.
35:55
SPEAKER_00: Continue to pursue perspective, purpose, and plans for the wholehearted life you desire.