Teresa Swanstrom Anderson's house is bursting at the seams with the loves of her life - her husband and six children (four of whom were born in Ethiopia). In her "spare" time, she writes, speaks about motherhood, adoption, and following your passions, runs her popular blog, hosts gorgeous dinner parties, trains for half marathons, and infuses beauty into every corner of her Denver home. She believes in celebrating the everyday and instilling the love of God and others in her children's hearts. Her book first book, Beautifully Interrupted released on May 15th. Through it all, Teresa holds white-knuckled to joy amid the craziness of everyday life.
IF YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN TO INVOLVE GOD IN YOUR PLANS, THIS WAS THE EPISODE FOR YOU.
In this episode, Teresa shares how she went from not wanting children in her 20s to having a house full of kids today. She reminds us of the truth that God put each one of us here, in this time and place, for a purpose. You’ll learn about her struggle through a season of waiting for God to reveal His plan for her life and how she figured out that the direction she was headed wasn’t it. She also teaches us what happens when we forget that closed doors are actually an answer to prayer if we’re praying for doors to be opened.
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CONNECT WITH TERESA:
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW:
Kerry Park, Seattle, Washington
Get Teresa’s Bible Nerd 14-day Guide to Studying the Bible
Podcasts:
Have More Fun with Mandy Arioto (President & CEO of MOPS International)
The Going Scared Podcast with Jessica Honegger
Books:
Beautifully Interrupted by Teresa Swanstrom Anderson
Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist
Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist
Savor by Shauna Niequist
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist
Anything by Jennie Allen
SCRIPTURE:
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
~Acts 4:13 (NIV)
'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,
and the two are united into one.'
~ Matthew 19:5
MAIN TAKEAWAYS:
Teresa's plans after college & realizing they weren't God's plans[4:00]
On telling God to "send me" [5:09]
On waiting as a barren, wintery time [6:47]
Praying for open doors and getting frustrated when doors would close [7:39]
How she met her husband [8:09]
The dream of complete surrender, even when people think she and her husband are crazy [10:23]
On her kids coming home from Ethiopia [12:05]
On meeting Ezekiel and realizing he is their son [13:25]
Others may not agree with your choices, but make sure you and your spouse do [23:20]
Teresa's favorite scripture verse [26:42]
Advice: Be in God's Word daily! [28:42]
Take time for silence/stillness in your day in order to hear from God [29:25]
Teresa's favorite books & podcasts [20:31]
On "accidentally" writing her first bible study [32:53]
Knowing what to do when you open your bible [34:43]
How her dream gave her more grit and the willingness to be uncomfortable [37:40]
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