Well, a very happy new year and welcome back to the messy table, an ordinary space that connects us and reminds us that God is at work in our mess.

So if we've never had the chance to meet, my name is Jen Jewel. And today I'm also joined by my adorable friend and co-host, Amy Groshell.

And we have the honor of hosting this faith-fueled conversation-style podcast

where we get to highlight an incredible woman and a fresh perspective and how God has shown up

in her life on the first Tuesday of each month. Although, if you can keep a secret, today is technically

the second Tuesday of the month. Because of the new year, we thought we'd give it a little more time for us to all get back to work, back to school, back in the swing of things. But good news.

The second Tuesday of the month is just as good as the first. And we are genuinely glad you're here.

Y'all, we are partnered with women of our church life church, where we are also huge fans of the

U-version Bible app that is literally in our back pockets

for free, whose mission is to encourage and challenge people like us all over the world

to connect with God every day.

But before we jump into this episode, I just personally want to remind you that the God

who made you and made this world around you loves you. And so do not give up on him,

on yourself, on the people you rub shoulders with every day, even when they're being impossible,

even when you'd rather just curl up under a blanket and disappear. Let's pause for a second.

And remember, it's the second week of January, which means some

New Year's resolutions are losing steam and the excitement of the holidays are over, and

it's cold, and most of us are low in vitamin D.

And every year about this time I say, I want to move someplace warm.

But together we can remember Jesus' words that in this world we will have trouble, but we can take heart because

he has overcome the world.

And so whatever it is you're facing, whatever it is you're walking through right now, whether

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