Welcome to the Simply Joyful Podcast Episode #009 with Lea Ann Garfias   Being Real & “Rocking” Your Ordinary Life! Show Notes: KristiClover.com/009     You have to love it when God lines things up just perfectly! Last week we talked with Wendy Speake about finding ways to use our creative gifts to bless our family — and the world. As women and moms we can easily allow the busyness of life to consume us and snuff out those passions and dreams that we once had. I hope you were encouraged to realize that God gave you your gifts and talents — and you can and should still use them — it might just look a little differently than you originally thought. However, we also talked about how it starts at home. Well, today God worked it out that this new interview with Lea Ann comes on the heels of Wendy's podcast. That wasn't what I had planned. I had these two ladies scheduled weeks apart. However, due to several different factors, they are back-to-back. And get this…today we a going to look at how to “rock your ordinary” life. So, we're talking about starting at home and pouring your heart into living out an extraordinary life…right in the middle of your “ordinary” day! Yep! God is good!   On a “Simply” & “Joyful” side note…   This is always one of my favorite parts of the podcast. I ask my guests to either share about how they are finding joy or how they are adding simplicity to their lives. Well, Lea Ann has a tip for you that made me laugh out loud! It's great! I hadn't thought of it!   In This Episode   In this episode Lea Ann and I talk about how to “rock” life even in the ordinary moments. We aren't called to make our lives look like other people's. Our callings are all different. Our gifting is all different, too. This really is such an amazing conversation to have right after Wendy's episode! They fit so perfectly together! I love how God ended up working out the details for these two episodes to be back-to-back. I can't wait for you to listen in on my encouraging conversation with Lea Ann!   Highlights from This Show   Lea Ann and I talk about how our lives can have an impact in other people's lives. When we stop striving for perfection and just “open the door” and be real with each other, we have the ability to bless others in a great way. Lea Ann gives the encouragement that we need to be happy and and thankful for our own unique calling in life and not to be envious of others’ callings. God is calling us to rock the ordinary!   “God not only didn’t call me to that life, He didn’t even give me a desire for that life…my burden, my calling, isn’t to have the cutest house on the block and my calling isn’t to be even a podcaster.” — Lea Ann Garfias   “I think we as women allow Satan to...discourage us and make us feel like we’re less than or not as effective in the ministry because we’re not ministering the same way as the lady across the aisle from us. And that is a terrible lie.” --Lea Ann Garfias     Lea Ann shares the story of a trial in her life when her marriage was at stake and gives advice to listeners who have or are going through similar issues.   “We need to be honest, and that is a huge part of our commitment to one another. [We also need to be] able to share…the truth with our close friends who are supporting us. Finally, we each have to be willing to be honest with the Lord and tell God what is the real issue.” –Lea Ann Garfias   “…when we’re brave and when we’re honest, that’s when God can heal us and sanctify us and grow us more to be like Him; not only individually but together as a couple.” –Lea Ann Garfias   Lea Ann also talks about the importance of vulnerability and asking our friends for prayer and advice and gives examples from her life.   “I don’t have to pretend in front of her, I can ask her for prayer and she will pray for me. I can tell her that I have a sin that I’m wrestling with and she won’t judge me, because she’s a sinner too.” –Lea Ann Garfias   “When we are being real with people and