Hey friends and welcome to the happy hour with Jamie Ivy podcasts. I'm your host Jamie and I'm so glad you're here.

Each week on this show, I invite a friend to join me and we chat about the big things in life, the little things in life, and everything in between.

Happy happy Friday you guys. I am so happy that you're here today for this happy hour conversation with Melissa Zaldevar. I first met Melissa years ago at the if gathering when she was one of their interns, helping to make sure that all the things came together for the event. And since then, Melissa has moved back to the New England area.

Release the book and she started a podcast called cheer her on today on the show. Melissa and I chat about her love for theology and women in the church.

Melissa shares how in the last several years she's become well acquainted with loss and what it has meant to navigate the pain of walking closely with a friend battling till death from cancer.

No matter the specifics of our circumstances, this conversation today is going to encourage you whenever you might face difficult times ahead.

One of the things that Melissa has a passion for is cheering on others. And if you have been around me for a while, you know that's one of my passions as well.

Melissa shares a memory from childhood today about a woman from church that was showing up and living out her gifts right where she was.

Melissa remembers this woman. She is still impacted influence by her today from the way that she served others and lived out her gifts.

Get this right where she was. You guys this woman that she talks about. She does have a book, a podcast, a platform, a blue check on her Instagram. But here's what she was.

She was faithful right where God had her living loving and serving her community impacting a young girl named Melissa through the seemingly small acts her service her giftings they mattered.

And I want to tell you that yours matter as well friends. We are one week away from my newest book you be you entering the world.

I would love for you to grab a copy of the book today pre order wherever you get your books and it's going to show up on your doorstep next week on October 1st.

And if you pre order we have great goodies for you. That's one of the things we as authors love to do to encourage you to order the book ahead of time.

And one of those things that we have is a virtual happy hour book party next Wednesday on September 30th. I hope you can join us.

If you just want to get more information text you be you all one word no spaces to 3 3 7 7 7 that will give you all of the details of the upcoming release.

All right friends here is my conversation with Melissa.

Hey Melissa welcome to the happy hour. Thank you. I am glad to be here.

I'm honored to have you we have met in real life sometimes I have people on the show that I've actually never met until I see him on the screen but we have met and I am excited to chat with you today.

And so I'm really looking forward to it introduce yourself to our listeners.

Yeah so my name is Melissa I live just north of Boston Massachusetts in New England. You know this town is a small town much like Gilmore girls so there's always some weird antics courses in the road whatever it is.

And I'm a writer I'm a podcast host and author and all around self proclaimed little women fan girl I give tours at the house where it was written.

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