Becoming the Oak: Rooted in Christ

Never Too Far Gone | A Story of Addiction, Redemption, and God's relentless love.

What happens when years of doubt, addiction, and walking away from faith collide with God’s grace? In this powerful episode of Becoming the Oak Rooted in Christ, I sit down with Sam Hodges as she shares her deeply personal journey of questioning everything she once believed, walking away from church, struggling with addiction, and unexpectedly finding her way back to Jesus Christ. Sam opens up about asking difficult questions surrounding faith, church history, authority, and doctrine — and how those unanswered questions slowly led her away from God. But even in the middle of rebellion, pain, and spiritual distance, the Spirit never stopped reaching for her. From a life-changing experience at the Rome Temple to serving a mission in Tennessee, Sam’s testimony is a beautiful reminder that no one is ever too far gone for God’s love, healing, and redemption. If you have ever wrestled with doubt, struggled to trust God’s timing, battled addiction, or prayed for someone who has walked away from faith, this episode will remind you that heaven never stops pursuing us. In this Episode we discuss: * How asking hard questions can strengthen your faith * Wrestling with doubt, church history, and personal belief * Addiction, shame, and feeling spiritually disconnected * Recognizing the Spirit even while far from God * Why God understands us individually and personally * The Rome Temple experience that changed everything * Trusting God’s process during difficult seasons * The power of constant prayer and daily connection with God Key Takeaways: * Why no one is beyond Christ’s reach * God is not afraid of your questions * The Spirit does not abandon us when we struggle * Your hardest seasons can become part of your purpose * Prayer creates trust and connection with God * Grace reaches further than we often believe possible Connect with Sam Podcast: One Shepherd Find Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/oneshepherd33/], TikTok [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40oneshepherd33%3F_t%3DZP-909BmkP7CWN%26_r%3D1%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn12wLO3YtxvPxY0XpYpjGBOcx7BsjsunM1lbM8-WvYMGxplCGE5OQPA9hkJ0_aem_mzuA4AFL7_dN_2xMbbD6_Q&e=AUDaKiSv4-WxmwbfDoTKW4nZePPqAQgTPScL8FeQF13SRbcjcdJepRTIa6FEqokoAjBjfIEJol7-zdH6wh2rgpVapApfmZXAXfuCUNRFKr4fQMVc9MH0QbN-NiiQSueosj702AorSUXlOG7PeDZ-N2c], YouTube [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutube.com%2F%4033oneshepherd%3Fsi%3DuzQjlMGzREYkYENQ%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGneEozAf0_-lIJe8hyboEiDYvY0YqDRSl46A6ETOKU01patuC0es654OpyAwU_aem_qdn5b8dMbBpPjCWJfLjmKw&e=AUBXauYawMdQXMePhzFrhwXKfotKn9WzhjAPi8Ur9s12YOAn4C8we2AOHLmu9EU9HCR5XPWOIlZcekVpimvO85VEg1V9JKmm9VtljvM4HSwkUEworGeLxMlnMOO2CsVdSyT2A8fdDi1IkCK-05nLDJY], and Facebook [https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F19g4kNQMQv%2F%3Fmibextid%3DwwXIfr%26utm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio&e=AUC9nGYP5yGoFGs6yfJoqg3H6qaOyCEdGvT9j0lK4EwFgI0PtgW52ExYuhjpR7AFxZkwZu34Gjt0kiL-wybkHXY0aH1DuEm3PrgDFpKAbE6x35kobOIpt5uUtydmA6_UqDB0whkEV0u4Zl45PtmENpE]. Connect with Me: If this episode touched your heart, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need this reminder today. Your support helps us reach more women seeking hope, healing, and deeper faith in Jesus Christ. Until next time, be still, believe, and become. Website [becomingtheoak.com] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578722263831] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becomingtheoak/] Email: kendra@becomingtheoak.com #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #JesusChrist #AddictionRecovery #WomenOfFaith #ChristianWomen #LDSPodcast #SpiritualGrowth #HopeInChrist #Prayer #Healing #TrustGod #PersonalRevelation #FaithOverFear #RedemptionStory #BecomingTheOak #RootedInChrist

A Heart Held Together | Trusting God When Grace Is All You Have Left

What do you do when the miracle you are praying for does not come the way you hoped? In this deeply emotional episode of Becoming the Oak – Rooted in Christ, I sit down with Tracy Van Horn as she shares the story of her granddaughter, Cora, who was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). What began as a devastating pregnancy diagnosis became a sacred journey of faith, heartbreak, surrender, and eternal perspective. Together, we talk about what it means to truly be still, believe, and become while walking through grief and uncertainty. Tracy vulnerably shares how scripture study, prayer, and learning to trust Jesus Christ helped carry her family through one of the hardest seasons of their lives. This episode is for anyone struggling to trust God in suffering, waiting for answers, grieving loss, or trying to find peace when life feels unbearably heavy. Episode Highlights * What “Be Still, Believe, Become” really means * Receiving a devastating fetal diagnosis during pregnancy * Supporting loved ones through trauma and grief * Learning to trust God when prayers feel unanswered * Finding peace through an eternal perspective * How Jesus Christ heals broken hearts * Recognizing God’s tender mercies in suffering * The role of prayer, scripture study, and surrender during trials * Why stillness matters when life feels chaotic * Hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ * Faith does not remove grief, but it anchors us through it * God can hold together the hearts that feel completely broken * We are allowed to honestly tell God the desires of our hearts * Peace often comes through surrender, not control * Eternal perspective changes the way we experience suffering “Cora was born with half a heart, but maybe she was born with a perfect heart. Maybe it’s our hearts that needed healing.” If this episode touched your heart, please share it with someone who may need encouragement today. Be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and share this episode on social media so more women can find hope and healing through Jesus Christ. Until next time… Be still. Believe. Become. Connect with Me @becomingtheoak [https://www.instagram.com/becomingtheoak/] Becomingtheoak.com [https://www.becomingtheoak.com/]

Strength Through Surrender: Learning To Trust God When Life Feels Uncertain

What do you do when life suddenly feels completely out of your control? In this episode of Becoming the Oak, I sit down with Jane Mack as she shares the deeply personal story of walking through her daughter’s stage four cancer diagnosis at just eleven years old. Together, we discuss trusting God during uncertainty, finding strength through surrender, and recognizing the tender mercies of Jesus Christ in life’s hardest moments. Jane opens up about the fear, heartbreak, and faith that carried her family through surgeries, treatments, and the unknown. We also talk about the importance of staying spiritually grounded through prayer, scripture study, temple worship, and community support when trials feel overwhelming. This episode is a reminder that peace is not found in perfect circumstances — it is found through Jesus Christ. If you are struggling with fear, uncertainty, suffering, or surrendering control to God, this conversation will encourage you to keep trusting Him one step at a time. * Trusting God during difficult trials * Walking through a child’s cancer diagnosis * Finding peace through surrender * Recognizing God’s tender mercies * Staying spiritually grounded during hardship * The healing power of Jesus Christ’s atonement * Faith, fear, and learning to let go * Strengthening your relationship with God through suffering * Faith in Jesus Christ * The Atonement of Jesus Christ * Prayer and scripture study * Temple worship * Surrendering to God’s will * Spiritual resilience during trials If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, subscribe to Becoming the Oak, and leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to help more women find hope, peace, and encouragement through Christ. I'd love to hear from you! You can find me at: Becomingtheoak.com [becomingtheoak.com] @becomingtheoak [https://www.instagram.com/becomingtheoak/]

Embracing Your Authentic Self | Walking in Confidence, Purpose, and Grace

Have you ever struggled with imposter syndrome, comparison, or the fear that you're not enough? In this heartfelt episode of Becoming the Oak Rooted in Christ, I share a personal experience of wrestling with self-doubt and learning how to trust God's voice over the lies of inadequacy. When feelings of insecurity and unworthiness threatened to overshadow my calling, the Lord reminded me of an important truth: my worth is not determined by popularity, performance, or worldly success. It is found in Jesus Christ. Together, we'll explore how to: * Recognize and overcome Christian imposter syndrome * Release comparison and unrealistic expectations * Anchor your identity firmly in Christ * Trust God's plan when the path feels uncertain * Embrace the person God uniquely created you to be Drawing from the Parable of the Sower, teachings on sacrifice, and the power of surrender, this episode will encourage you to let go of striving and step fully into your God-given purpose. If you've ever questioned your calling or wondered whether you are enough, this conversation is for you. You are not defined by your doubts—you are defined by the God who created you, loves you, and walks beside you. If this episode encouraged you, I would love to hear from you. Please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who may need this message today. Your support helps this podcast reach more women who are seeking peace, purpose, and a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. I'd also love to connect with you personally. You can find me on social media or visit my website to continue the conversation. Thank you for being here and for being part of this growing community. Until next time, be still, believe, become. @becomingtheoak [https://www.instagram.com/becomingtheoak/] becomingtheoak.com [https://www.becomingtheoak.com/my-podcast]

Secure in His Love | Overcoming Self-Doubt Through Faith

If you've ever struggled with self-doubt, felt lost in a season of change, or wondered if your worth is tied to what you do, this conversation will remind you of an eternal truth: your value is secure in the love of your Heavenly Father. Through personal stories, spiritual insights, and powerful testimony, you'll discover how to rest in God's love, trust His timing, and find joy regardless of your circumstances. In this episode, Lessa Petrini shares her deeply personal journey of leaving behind a life she loved, navigating unexpected change, and learning to anchor her identity in Jesus Christ. What began as a difficult move became a sacred journey of healing, self-discovery, and renewed confidence in God's love. Together, we discuss: * How major life transitions can shake our identity and sense of belonging * Why striving harder doesn't always bring peace or healing * The importance of resting in God's love during seasons of burnout * How understanding divine worth changes the way we see ourselves * Why setting healthy boundaries is an act of faith and self-respect * How Jesus Christ lends us strength when our confidence feels weak * The role of agency in healing, growth, and becoming * How to trust God's guidance when the next step isn't clear * Why joy is possible even in seasons of grief and uncertainty * How to open your heart to truly receive God's love If you've ever wondered whether God's love is really meant for you, this episode is a beautiful reminder that His love is constant, personal, and secure. Remember: your worth is not determined by your productivity, your perfection, or the opinions of others. Your worth has always been, and will always be, found in Him. Connect with me Website [becomingtheoak.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/becomingtheoak/] Email: kendra@becomingtheoak.com Don't forget to rate, review, share and subscribe. It helps me reach more women who could use the support.