Sunshine in the Middle

When Elder Kyle S. McKay of the Seventy invited us to "strive to be as sharp as you can," the phrase lodged in my heart. In this episode, I talk about what that means for me in my spiritual life, in my family, and in my work. I share how I'm trying to: Lean into personal revelation Stay consistent in my scripture study Embrace sacrifice as a tool for sharpening Being spiritually sharp isn't about being perfect. It's about becoming the kind of instrument the Lord can use. Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome to Sunshine in the Middle 00:36 A Memorable Stake Conference 01:01 The Importance of Being Sharp 02:01 Spiritual Sharpness and Personal Revelation 09:48 Consistency in Scripture Study 13:57 The Role of Sacrifice in Spiritual Sharpness 15:29 Practical Steps to Sharpen Your Spiritual Life 19:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement   Scriptures I Share: Helaman 10:4–5 – Nephi's unwary declaration and blessing Doctrine & Covenants 11:21 – Seeking to obtain God's word before declaring it 2 Nephi 32:3 – Feasting upon the words of Christ Quotes I Share from Church Leaders: Elder Kyle S. McKay: "Strive to be as sharp as you can. The sharper the instrument, the more efficient the work." President Russell M. Nelson: "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Becoming more like the Savior is not about doing more, it's about doing what matters most." Elder David A. Bednar: "Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son love us, are aware of us, and will bless us as we strive to become more spiritually refined." I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the five lessons discussed in this episode! Share your reflections on the Instagram post or message me directly. And if you haven't already, I invite you to subscribe for future episodes and to share this episode with your friends and family who might benefit from its message. Connect with Us Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle Disclaimer This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or BYU. Thank you for tuning in!

Have you ever loved Jesus…but struggled with church? I have, too. After moving into a new ward and feeling out of place, I went straight to the Lord with my questions. What came back was clarity, comfort, and a few simple truths that changed everything for me. In this episode, we talk about what shifted my heart, how I found joy again on the Sabbath, and why gathering, even imperfectly, still matters. I hope my story helps you feel less alone and a little more encouraged in your own journey. Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome to Sunshine in the Middle 00:36 A Family's Journey to a New Home 02:21 Struggles and Reflections on Church Attendance 04:05 The Importance of Worship and Community 07:41 Scriptural Foundations for Church Attendance 19:41 The Power of the Sacrament 23:31 Serving and Supporting Each Other 28:05 The Joy of Worshiping Together 33:27 Final Thoughts and Testimony 34:01 Closing Remarks and Call to Action Connect with Us Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle Disclaimer This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or BYU. If this episode brings a little more sunshine into your week, please share it with a friend. Subscribing, rating, and reviewing helps this message reach more people who may need it. For more faith-filled inspiration, visit sunshineinthemiddle.com. Thanks for listening.   

In this episode of Sunshine in the Middle, I share some reflections on Camille Johnson's talk Spiritually Whole in Him. I've been pondering how I can be spiritually whole, even when I am not physically or emotionally whole. I talk about the power of choosing faith, how integrity connects with wholeness, and why covenant confidence matters so much as we prepare for the Savior's return. I also share stories of women who have strengthened my testimony of what it looks like to remain spiritually whole in the middle of hard challenges. My hope is that this conversation helps you find strength, hope, and joy in Christ as you walk your own path of discipleship. Time Stamps:   00:36 Exploring Spiritual Wholeness 02:27 Choosing Wholeness Through Faith 07:06 The Power of Integrity 08:58 The Parable of the Ten Virgins 11:53 Covenant Confidence and Spiritual Wholeness 14:19 Finding Joy Amidst Challenges 18:55 Final Thoughts and Testimonies 20:21 Closing Remarks and Call to Action   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to "Sunshine in the Middle" and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring uplifting and meaningful content. Join our community and share your thoughts on today's topic—how do you strive to continually become like Jesus Christ? Connect with Us Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle  This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thank you for tuning in!   

Have you ever felt like life suddenly hit pause and left you wondering what's next? In this episode of Sunshine in the Middle, I share a story from Paris where a random stoplight reminded me that sometimes God's delays are really His protection. I open up about some of the hardest seasons of my life—divorce, infertility, loss, NICU challenges, and the unexpected trials of 2020—and how learning to trust God's timing has helped me find peace and joy, even when heaven felt silent. In this episode, you'll hear: How God uses "red lights" to protect and prepare us Why joy and trust go hand in hand Scriptures and quotes from prophets and apostles that anchor me in faith How trusting Him, even when I don't understand, has made my life richer If you've ever felt stuck at a stoplight in life, I hope this conversation encourages you to lean into trust and see how God is working in your favor—even in the waiting. 00:36 Travel Tales: From Paris to the French Countryside 02:20 Life's Unexpected Stoplights 04:11 Trusting in Heavenly Father's Plan 06:32 Personal Stories of Trust and Faith 07:40 Finding Sunshine in Challenges 08:52 A Call to Trust and Pray   If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to "Sunshine in the Middle" and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring uplifting and meaningful content. Join our community and share your thoughts on today's topic—how do you strive to continually become like Jesus Christ? Connect with Us Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Thank you for tuning in! I hope this episode brings you closer to finding the peace and relief that Jesus Christ offers.

Have you ever felt like heaven was quiet? I have too. In this episode of Sunshine in the Middle, I open up about what it means to make room for personal revelation—especially in a world that constantly pulls at our time and attention. From a playroom full of toys to a kitchen chair where I work and study, I've learned that any space can become holy when we dedicate it to connecting with God. I talk about how the Spirit led me to study spiritual gifts for an entire year, how laundry time became sacred for a friend, and how acting on even the smallest promptings can change everything. I also share quotes from President Nelson and other leaders that inspire me to stay faithful, especially when answers don't come right away. If you've ever felt stretched thin or unsure how to receive divine direction, I hope this episode helps you pause, reflect, and ask: Where can I find God in my life right now? Time Stamps: 01:45 – Why Revelation Matters Now More Than Ever 03:55 – Sheri Dew's Revelation Room 06:20 – Space and Time Over Perfection 08:35 – My 2019 Word of the Year: Spiritual Gifts 12:35 – Sticky Notes in the Playroom 15:48 – Sacred Spaces in Everyday Rooms 18:42 – How to Claim Space for Revelation 21:10 – Revelation Over Laundry 23:15 – Why I Started Recording Revelation 26:18 – Remembering What God Has Done 28:40 – Busyness Blocks Revelation 30:25 – Making Time, Even Without Immediate Answers 32:10 – Letting Go to Hear Him Better 34:50 – The Effort Revelation Requires 37:40 – Mopping Floors and Small Promptings 39:30 – Building Trust with God Through Action 41:05 – Living in Daily Revelation 42:50 – My Testimony on Revelation 44:10 – Final Challenge & Reflection If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to "Sunshine in the Middle" and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring uplifting and meaningful content. CONNECT WITH US Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle Disclaimer This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or BYU. Thank you for tuning in!