Candy wrappers, cross-country PRs, Lotus coffee bribes, and learning how to shake off mid-game errors!

This week, Joni shares how her sister's cross-country coaching mantra ("You can do hard things") led to a 40-second race PR and a saved candy wrapper quote. Plus, a mid-game volleyball breakthrough, why Moses had to put in his reps, and a simple 3-step formula for our faith: research, practice, and repeat.

Key Scripture:

• Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."

  
  

Connect with Joni:📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

First-game nerves, volleyball season kickoffs, and a God who knows exactly what we need before we step onto the court!

In Episode 49, Joni shares a story about praying for her daughter before her first volleyball game, an unexpected moment with a teammate's prayer cards, and why God doesn't always take away our nerves. Join us as we look at Joshua 1:9 and remember that true courage isn't the absence of fear—it's knowing God is walking right beside you wherever you go.

Key Scripture:

• Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

  
  

Connect with Joni:📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

What happens when you’re committed to running every single day and the Minnesota deer flies refuse to cooperate? You put a bucket on your head, keep running, and accidentally go viral!

In Make Monday Matter’s very first guest episode, Joni sits down with her coworker, friend, and fellow runner Emily (@run_emmy_run on Instagram). Emily shares the story behind her 2,000+ day streak of running through every kind of crazy Minnesota weather, how a bucket became her secret weapon against deer flies, and what it’s like when millions of people watch your run.

Together, they chat about staying faithful to the daily work God puts in front of us—even when it looks a little ridiculous to everyone else (just ask Noah!).

Connect with Emily:📸 Instagram: @run_emmy_run

Connect with Joni:📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

Teacher workshops are back, which means testing out the new morning routine! Between curly hair struggles, last-minute water bottle hunting, and pulling into the parking lot at 7:53 AM, Joni reflects on what it actually means to start your day well.

In Episode 47, we look at Matthew 7 and why building your morning on the Rock matters way more than having a picture-perfect schedule. Plus, Joni shares a hilarious near-disaster story from the years-of-service award ceremony!

Key Scripture:

• Matthew 7:24: "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock."

  
  

Connect with Joni:

📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com

✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

What do you do when a simple morning turns into a chain reaction of flat tires, no-gas gas stations, Walmart detours, and the absolute peak of our summer dental saga?

In Episode 46, Joni shares a hilarious and painfully relatable day where she earned an A for effort, but failed at accomplishing anything on her to-do list. Join us as we look at Psalm 29:11 and discover that real peace isn't about having a trouble-free day—it's about recognizing the presence of Jesus right in the middle of the mess (and yes, there's a happy ending involving 50% off shoes!).

Key Scripture:

• Psalm 29:11: "The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

  
  

Connect with Joni: 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

August is here, summer is winding down, and if you thrive on structure, this season can feel like a whirlwind. Between sports tournaments, camping trips, dental visits, and race weekends, Joni reflects on a summer that was anything but slow—and why even "good chaos" can leave us exhausted.

In Episode 45, Joni shares an update on her daughter's wisdom teeth bump in the road, a powerful visual from a friend's Bible study, and the truth of Proverbs 16:9. Join us as we talk about letting go of our need to control the whole map and learning to simply place our foot in the steps God has already prepared for us.

Key Scripture:

• Proverbs 16:9: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps."

  
  

Connect with Joni: 📖 Read the blog: makemondaymatter.com ✨ Follow for weekly encouragement and practical faith.

Nine dental appointments, a 15-year-old missing four wisdom teeth, and a day-after-surgery parallel parking lesson... it has officially been the "Summer of Teeth" in Joni’s house.

In Episode 44, Joni reflects on a chaotic summer schedule and how a busy season of waiting rooms brought her back to 1 Kings 3 and the story of Solomon. Join us as we talk about the difference between knowing the Bible and having the wisdom to actually live it out in the middle of everyday life.

Key Scripture:

• ​1 Kings 3:9: "So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong."

Read this blog & find the link to The Devine Wisdom Plan

Visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

. . . #faith #devotional #trustinggod #parenting #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast

A summer trip to Itasca State Park involved waiting out the rain in the visitor center, a "short" hike that my kids definitely questioned, and a mystery at the Mississippi headwaters. After spotting what looked like a secret proposal setup, we sent the kids in as spies to get the scoop—only to leave without ever finding out how the story ended.

In this episode, we talk about why we get so caught up in wanting to know what happens next in our own lives. We look at Deuteronomy 29:29 and reflect on why it's okay that God doesn't show us the whole map at once.

In this episode:

• A rainy day trip to Itasca State Park.

• Debate over what actually counts as a "short" hike.

• Sending the kids to investigate a headwaters mystery.

• Why we don't need to know every detail of our own story to trust God.

  
  

Visit makemondaymatter.com for more.

#faith #devotional #itascastatepark #deuteronomy2929 #trustinggod #parenting #familytravel #makemondaymatter #christianpodcast