How do you live each day like it’s your last? 

How can we manage to live each day with delight and gratitude and a big ole thankful heart? And how do we express gratitude and love to those nearest and dearest in a 'last day' kind of way? I will let my friend, Liz, lead the way for us.

Liz Benigno is a dear friend, a best friend, a bright light, a woman of wisdom. She is also wildly funny, an adventurer and terrifically fun to be around. How grateful I am for her presence in my life and yours. I’m forever thankful to have her words and thoughts and laugh right here – just a click away on any day I want to be with her. Aren’t you?  

I’d love to encourage you to listen to all the episodes with Liz in sequence. Here they are as follows:

• Dear Daughters 5
• Dear Daughters 216
• Dear Daughters 217

SHOW NOTES

• Buy and share Liz’s book, Francine Rasberry
• Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter.
• Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

You’ve probably heard about people that have had a white light kind of pre-death experience. There are some books and even movies out there that recount those kind of experiences but I’ve never talked with anyone who had one, nor did I know before this interview that my friend, Liz Benigno, had one just weeks ago in her hospital room.

Liz and I sat down a few weeks back and talked for an hour and a half, which created a trio of thirty minute interviews. This is the second of three. I encourage you to listen to the previous episode (DD 216), because it builds to this one. And of course, I would love for you to come back and visit when I post the final episode in a couple weeks. 

Her story today is especially inspiring because she unpacks her story with God as well as letting us know about an intensely personal and one of a kind white light pre-death experience. 

What’s your God story? It’s one of my favorite questions to ask. And everybody has a God story, even if you don’t believe in God. That’s a story, too. And there’s nothing like verbalizing where you are spiritually and where you think God is to better understand that story.

SHOW NOTES

• Check out my shop for some goodies! Little loveys show up there all the time. 
• My FAVORITES on Amazon. 
• Sign up for my weekly-ish newsletter. 
• Discover How to Share Your God Story.
• Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music

I started The Dear Daughters Podcast way back in 2016 as a way to encourage younger women. Especially women in the midst of what I call: the ‘decade of big decisions.’ It’s the time in life when you’re finishing school, deciding on a career, getting married, starting a family. All these kinds of momental decisions that lay a path for the rest of your life. 

I wanted to be a voice – and provide voices of wisdom via interviews with people I felt could encourage you in living your one beautiful life before God. That’s why way back in the beginning days of the podcast, I invited my friend Liz Benigno on the show.

In that interview (Dear Daughters Episode 5) we talked about a lot of things. In particular, how she had recently finished treatment for breast cancer. At that time of course, we had no idea that her cancer would resurface nor would her fight be complete and that eventually, the cancer would be discovered in different parts of her body. She was re-diagnosed in September 2022. She has now gone through months of treatment. She's rode the roller coaster feeling good and not good at all, been in and out of the hospital, grieved her prognosis, and even planned her funeral. 

Right now she uses this analogy to describe her life: She’s at the airport but her flight is delayed – and she’s waiting. She says, while she’s waiting, she’s attentive to God’s voice. She wants to do all the things he has planned for her. One of those things is recording her thoughts in this interview. I offered a couple weeks ago. She accepted. Here we are. Without further ado – my dear friend, Liz Benigno. 

SHOW NOTES

• Check out my shop for some goodies! Little loveys show up there all the time. 
• My FAVORITES on Amazon. 
• Sign up for my weekly newsletter. 
• Listen to my second podcast, The Simple Prayers Podcast.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music.

If you know me, you know that one thing I love to collect are vintage copies of books I adore. Around this time each year, I find myself coming to the same worn book that's perched on the bookshelf in my office: Let's Keep Christmas by Peter and Catherine Marshall.

In today's podcast, I sit down to give a live reading of this book to you and yours, in hopes that this story that started as a sermon reminds you that "Keeping Christmas" is something we do when we honor Christ all year long— but especially at this time of year. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

Wishing you and yours the Merriest Christmas and Happiest New Year.

SHOW NOTES

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024.
• Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

I can't believe that 2023 is coming to a close already. Can you? Today on the podcast, Tori and I look back over this year and talk about the wonderful things that have happened this year, but also the not-so-wonderful things. I hope that you take time to sit down and ask yourself and your loved ones reflective questions as December comes and goes.

• What were you grateful for this year?
• What did you learn about yourself this year?
• What is something small and something big that you're dreaming of for next year?

It's so important to be curious about your own story as well as others. Who's someone that you could ask one of these questions to?

SHOW NOTES

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming in 2024.
• Read about our Acts 2:46 Dinners here.
• Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Creating whimsy over the holidays is one of my favorite things to do when we have the whole family at home. Today, Tori and I go through the ways that I've incorporated different traditions into my family's Christmas each year.

Whether we're making a yummy milk punch, eating at the table, or opening gifts— there are so many ways that you can make this holiday a little more magical.

SHOW NOTES

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things in 2023.
• See The Davis Girls' Christmas Competition Song here!
• Listen to the Holiday Blunders Podcast Episode.
• Milk Punch Recipe to make this season!
• Join us Sundays (or this Christmas Eve!) at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's already here. This week on the podcast, I sit down with Tori and we talk about different questions that you can ask at your table this year— and we even do a few rapid-fire Thanksgiving questions! 

I so hope you like it as much as we did. Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving!

SHOW NOTES

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

How do you stay hopeful during the holiday season?

In last week's episode, I had the chance to sit down with my sweet Dad, and talk about all things gratitude. This week on the podcast, I sat down with Tori, and in a similar vein to gratitude - we talk about having hope around the holidays and what that has looked like for me over the years, even in the seasons that have felt less hopeful than others.

I hope you like it!

SHOW NOTES

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Do you ever wonder how to stay grateful and joyful? Today on the podcast I invited my dad, an expert in staying grateful in all things. 

We talked about the last 9 months of his life and all the changes he experienced after his prolonged illness. Our hope is that you listen in and get a few tips on how to maintain an attitude of gratitude during all of life, regardless of circumstances. 

• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Psalm 118:24
• Grab a copy of Trees and Other Poems
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Our phones, TV’s, tablets – and everything in between are such large parts of our lives – and for a good reason. We’re able to connect with our loved ones, the world, listen to music, and so much more.

We are back this week talking about all things NON-tech for The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn and I are discussing ways that technology impacts our lives, the value in unplugging to be present, and different ways we try to put down our phones. From reading to riding horses, we cover it all.

And if you’re looking for a wonderful and whimsical way to unplug (maybe next weekend, September 16th in particular!), I would love to take you along with my husband Will and I to see the Texas Painted Churches!

SHOW NOTES

• Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Learn more about Community First here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)

Communication opens the door for so many different things: vulnerability, discomfort, uncertainty — but it also offers the opportunity for true connection. The more vulnerable and willing you are – the more opportunities you will have to experience something awesome with the people around you. Even more so, when you decide to be a good communicator – the rich reward is relationship with someone dear.

Here’s another episode in The Learning Series and this week, Jaclyn is back and we’re talking about things like tips for opening up communication at your table, being mindful of what you say on social media and we talk books and how they can impact communication in your life.

I hope that this encourages you to think deeply and ask curious questions or even try out being comfortable with what I call a ‘pregnant pause’ to see what God can do in that space.

And oh, I would so love for you to come spend the day with me and see the Texas Painted Churches on September 16th! We only have a couple spots left!

SHOW NOTES

• Learn how you can experience the Texas Painted Churches with Will and Susie on September 16th.
• Become a Newsletter Friend and get weekly-ish encouragement and know about all the fun things coming up this fall.
• Join us Sundays at my home church, Austin Christian Fellowship, online or in-person.
• Learn more about ACF’s Ministry Partners here.
• Learn more about Community First here.
• Want to learn more about becoming a Christian? Email here.
• Stay at The Franklin our treasure in small town, Texas! Airbnb link here.
• Listen to more of Sara Davis Regan’s music. :)