51: 3 Steps to Achieving Joy in the Unseen parts of Motherhood

Alright my friend, today the Lord has put something on my heart I’m so eager to share with you. If you’re new here, you may not know this yet, but this show is often an extension of my time with Jesus and all that he’s speaking to my heart in this season. So, I invite you to come alongside me and listen to what the Lord might have for you today. Be expectant my friend, for what the Lord wants to speak to you today. 

Waiting is so hard. And waiting well is even harder. Motherhood has positioned us to learn how to wait well. To have patience. Some of us wait to find the perfect spouse. We long for companionship and relationships. Others of us wait for years to get pregnant and experience a baby growing inside of us. All of us who have given birth before know the 9 months of waiting we journey through as we expectantly anticipate the arrival of our babies. But, before the best gift of new life arrives we walk through labor and test our endurance and fortitude in a way like never before. It makes the waiting worth it. Would we find as much satisfaction in our new baby if we didn’t have to go through labor? If we didn’t have to endure such a challenge before us. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2

Friend, I’m going to give you 3 tangible ways you can wait well in this season: 

1. Praise before the breakthrough: when you’re worried = worship. It’s warfare and it’s how you’re going to tell your brain who’s boss. Your spirit has got to get out in front. Let your spirit worship and your brain will catch up later. 

2. Keep his promises in front of you: journal, write them down. Put them where you will see them often. Keep them out in front of you. 

3. Tell someone about what you are waiting for: Ask this person to encourage you, to remind you of what the Lord has spoken over you. To pray over you when your spirit is weak. It will keep you accountable. You’ve been given the body of christ for a reason. Find that friend who’s going to encourage you to wait well and not lose heart. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
Mama Meals $20 OFF
Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook
My Website

Connect with Alise

 DM me on IG

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:

• HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!

• Send me a DM on IG

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

50: 4 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum

Hi friend! I’ve got a new resource out for you if you’re a pregnant or postpartum mama listening to this episode today. My new free guide Preparing for Postpartum is going to walk you through life immediately postpartum.

I’m super excited to tell y’all my new Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook comes out this week! I poured my heart and soul into this new digital product and I know it’s going to change the lives. Because, if you know me… you know my heart truly desires to change the world. If you’ve been around the show the last couple of years you know that I had a really challenging postpartum season with my third baby who is now almost 2 as I record this. I had a beautiful homebirth, but needed to be transferred to the hospital postpartum after I had a piece of retained placenta. After surgery and blood transitions, I was in much better shape. But, the road to healing was long and slow for me. Birth trauma, having recently moved away from family, and a husband who traveled for work all made my transition to a mama of three really tough. Throw in oral ties, mastitis, thrush, and postnatal depletion and I was a struggle bus. But, friends…. I did heal. I came back. Slowly, but surely my brain and my body came back together again. And I’m leaning into the new mom I was always designed to be. And I learned so much. And it created in me a passion to create a resource for you! I wanted to create a resource that I wished I would have had. To include everything I needed to hear in those hard, challenging, sleepy postpartum days. And I did it. And it’s HERE! And with all of my heart I pray it blesses you! Grab the Preparing for Postpartum Guide now on my website and stay tuned for the launch of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook this week! You’re going to love it! And sweet listener, if you’re not having a baby in this season, but you know someone who is…would you do me a favor right now and text them a link to this episode. Because it just might change their entire postpartum experience.

Today, we are talking about the 4 things you can do to prepare for a positive postpartum transition:

1. Hire a postpartum doula

2. Set appropriate expectations of yourself

3. Prepare meals and food in advance if at all possible

4. Decrease your risk of experiencing postpartum depression

Alright friends, if you’ve found today’s episode encouraging or helpful would you stop right now and share this episode with a friend? Would you take 30 seconds for me and leave a review on apple podcasts? This is the only way for the show to grow! And it lets me know how I can serve you better and brings a huge smile to my heart. Just scroll on down until you see that purple Write A Review Button and leave your review there :) For every person who leaves a review on the show this week I’m giving away a FREE ACCESS to my new postpartum resource the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook! 

Okay friends, if you’re a postpartum mama this is your reminder to go download my FREE Guide Preparing for Postpartum! Head to alisemarsh.com and click on freebies and you’ll find it there waiting for you! 

Have a wonderful day friend, and I will see you back here again soon! 

xo,

Alise

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Mama Meals $20 OFF
Postpartum Support International
Listen to Related Episodes:
38 - Postpartum Life: Being Made Into Something New

Connect with Alise

 DM on IG

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:

• HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!

• Send me a DM on IG

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

49: Life Threatening Allergies & Learning to Trust Jesus with our kids

Welcome back friends! I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for listening. I pray what you hear today encourages and equips you! Today, we are going to talk about ALLERGIES. I’m going to share mine (and really my son’s story with life threatening allergies. So, if you’re an allergy mama, or a mom who has a child with a life threatening health condition this episode is for you!

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
The GAPS Diet
Food Allergy Website
Mama Meals $20 OFF

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

48: What you haven't realized about winter...

It’s by design that the trees lose their leaves and stand bare each winter. It’s by design that certain creatures hibernate. And to think - this process of falling away. Of shedding everything happens EVERY YEAR. Not just once. Just makes me wonder about how the Lord desires for us to be renewed, transformed, and changed each passing season.

Every year it looks like the world around us is dead for a few months. It looks dead…and yet we know the earth is only sleeping. 

And it just makes me wonder how many of us have been called to a season of “wintering” if you will. Have we been called to shed parts of ourselves, of our schedules, of our lives… and peel back the layers of who we think we are. 

Come listen with me as we talk about what the Lord might be up to in your heart this winter. Click play to be encouraged, and explore all that the Lord has for you this season!

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Your Best Birth Course
Code: PODCAST
Water
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Teeth Tamer from Earthly

CHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order.
Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order.

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

47: What you need to be doing in 2024

Happy New Year friends! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week celebrating a new year! Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening! It truly means so much to me, that you would spend a little time with me today. 

I’ll tell you I’m going into this new year more HOPEFUL than I’ve ever been in my entire life. Last year was ANOTHER really challenging year. After MANY, many really challenging years. Our family has walked through so much. As I’m sure you have as well. And for the first time in almost 14 years I can tell you we are in a new place. That the Lord has kept His promises. That He is in fact doing a new thing. 

As a family, we started claiming Isaiah 43:18-19 in 2021. In August of that year we had just moved into a new home. My dream home. The home I thought we would be in for at least the next 5 years. And by October of 2021, it all seemed to come crashing down. Where was the new thing the Lord was doing? I thought, surely, this is some mistake. My life was crumbling in that season. 

And here we are. January of 2024 and I can confidently say the Lord has done it. Is our life perfect? No, far from it. It never will be. But, am I confident in the Lord’s promises to me? Yes. And I want you to be too, my friend. 

It took over a decade for my life to change. To get the breakthrough I had been pleading with the Lord for. It took years of holding onto scripture each year. It took journals and journals filled with tears and pouring out my heart to the Lord. 

And I can say confidently that the Lord saw all of it. He saw every tear. Every desire of my heart. Every longing and broken place I asked him to heal. 

And He’s doing it for me. 

He will do it for you. 

He’s not done with me yet, and I’m believing that I’m going to get just a little more healed and whole and set ablaze with passion for what the Lord is doing in me and for me each year ahead. But, I’m committed to the journey. I hope you will be too. 

Do this for me. I want you to take a walk with Jesus this week, or get some time alone with the Lord and ask him to show you a verse that is yours to hold onto and speak of your life this year. 

Invite him into your year. 

I promise the greatest gift of your life will be learning to follow Jesus with your whole heart. 

And if you’re a mama listening to the sound of my voice today, I want to encourage you to do something with your kids that will change their lives forever. 

Are you teaching your children how to hear the voice of the Lord? 

And my friend, this is where Jesus will show up and blow your mind. Jesus will go into our past experiences and he can heal them. He is the ultimate time traveler. He’s out outside of time.

Sweet listener, our children do not need to wait until they are adults to go to therapy and heal from trauma or scary things. God can heal and restore them TODAY. At 5 years old. At 8 years old. At 15. And You can lead them there. It’s so simple. And more powerful than you could ever imagine.

Can I encourage you lisenter to take the time. Capture these moments, to have slow feet with your kids, even when you’re tired and you’re ready to check out and be off duty for a moment. These everyday, ordinary moments will mark their childhood forever. These are holy moments. 

When I first set out to home educate my children 5.5 years ago I decided that the thing that was most important to me at the end of this journey was seeing my children choose to have a relationship with Jesus. I didn’t really care what they learned academically. Sure, reading, writing, and are our cornerstones. But, most importantly, I wanted them to leave my home knowing how to have a healthy, growing relationship with Jesus into adulthood. And I will always put that first. Because they are my greatest ministry and treasure the Lord has ever given me. 

Okay, let me just take a moment to talk with you about pregnancy and birth. if you’re a pregnant mama listening today, I know you want a smooth, uncomplicated birth experience. The question really is, how does that happen? I’d love to be there with you as you navigate this journey in pregnancy and birth. You can set yourself up for success and rest knowing Jesus is in charge of the rest of your birth experience .I’d love to come along side you on your pregnancy journey! If you’re interested in learning more about my online birth course, head to www.yourbestbirthcourse.com and check it out. Use the promo code: PODCAST at checkout for the special price I offer ONLY to my listeners! If you’re ready to get started on your journey toward a rewarding birth I’ve created a free guide just for you called the 4 Keys to a Positive, Rewarding Birth Experience. Head to alisemarsh.com and click on FREEBIES and you’ll find it there waiting for you! 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Your Best Birth Course
Code: PODCAST
Water
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Teeth Tamer from Earthly

CHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order.
Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order.

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

46: The secret to slowing down this Christmas

Today, on the show I have a sweet special guest. In 2017, I had my 4 year old daughter on the show to talk about Christmas. This year, I thought it would be fun to bring her back on. I hope you enjoy hearing from her!

It’s Christmas season! It’s so easy to rush around and get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season! But, my friend, Jesus was NEVER rushed. As I sat last weekend rocking Wilder for his nap, this reality hit me hard. Jesus was NEVER rushed. Not once in the Bible do we see him RUSHING. NO Where. Not for anything.

And it made me think of Jairus’ daughter from Mark chapter 5. A moment we would think Jesus would RUSH to save her.

But He doesn’t.

Instead he has slow feet. He pauses for the women who bled. He takes time for her. He sees HER too. He sees everyone who has a need. In their moment of need. And he doesn't rush. When everyone wants him to rush. Jairus wants him to rush. Jairus’ wife wants him to rush.

Why doesn’t he rush? 

Well, maybe because He’s the God of the universe who holds all things in his hands. Maybe because he knows the outcome. He also knows with certainty that Jairus’ daughter will be healed, so he can stop for the bleeding woman on the way too. It doesn’t take away from Jairus’ daughter to heal the woman with a need standing before him. 

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Your Best Birth Course
Code: PODCAST
Water
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Teeth Tamer from Earthly

CHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order.
Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order.

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

45: The power of lament

Hi friends! So glad to be back with you today for another devotional podcast episode. I’m honored to be in your ear buds as I talk with you today about what’s been on my heart lately.

We all have this deep desire to BELONG. To be known. And we can’t escape it. It’s how we were created. We were created to be intimately known by the One who made us. By our creator God. But, when that need to BELONG….To feel apart….To feel known for who we were made to be isn’t met, we can get ourselves into deep waters. That’s when insecurity rises like the tide. That’s when we make decisions we wouldn’t normally. When we seek acceptance and approval from the world around us. When we want to be liked. To fit. To be “normal.”

We’ve all felt loss, grief, fear, and despair. And we’ve all cried out, “How long, Lord?” from the dept of our pain. When we’re feeling gutted by sorrow, that feels like it will never end, what do we do. 

We lament. 

We express our grief, sorrow, or regret. 
Lament is a stepping stone. 
It’s a step on the path toward healing and wholeness. 

I don’t think we can fully heal without LAMENT.  Just don’t let your feelings stop. They’ve got to keep on moving. You’ve got to at some point move from your sorrow to worship.  God is looking after you. And he’s looking after me.  Jesus sees your ocean of tears. And He is asking you to trust Him with your tears.  What begins as a problem, must eventually end as a praise.  Ask for the Lord’s help. Call out to him. He will answer you. Share all of your messy emotions with Him. He’s big enough. He can keep track of all your sorrows. 

Main topics from the show:

• The power of lament

• Moving from sorrow to worship

• Surrendering control

• Taking big risks

• Trusting God is working in the unseen places

• Leah Genesis 29-35

• Desire to belong
  

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Your Best Birth Course
Code: PODCAST
Water
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Teeth Tamer from Earthly

CHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order.
Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order.

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!

44: Dare to Dream Again

How do we cope when we feel like our dreams have been taken from us? Dare to dream again with my friend, Hollie Jo Hepler. She’s a mother, a lover of Jesus, ministry leader in the local church, and radically committed to helping women activate their God-given gifts so they can change the world. She’s a speaker, podcaster, and a High Performance Leadership Coach. I’ve known Hollie Jo since I was in high school and I just adore this girl.

Main Topics from the Episode:

• What do you do when you feel like your dreams have died?

• It’s okay to start over

• MRKH syndrome + infertility 

• IVF

• Gestational Surrogacy

• How to turn your pain into powerful for a testimony of hope

• Overcoming a victim mindset

• Divorce

• Trauma + Therapy

• What do you do when God doesn’t answer your prayers?

LINKS FROM THE SHOW

Your Best Birth Course
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Free Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Hollie Jo’s Surrogacy Journey on GMA
Life on Purpose Podcast with Hollie Jo
Hollie Jo’s Instagram
Hollie Jo’s Website

Connect with Alise

 Instagram

Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:

• You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!

• You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!

• You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!

• You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! alise@alisemarsh.com

• Share the love! You can TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!

• Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!