Episode 39: Keep Learning, Mama!

Episode Summary:We usually picture our dreams—especially the ones built around horses, land, and a life in the barn—as highlight reels full of ease and endless joy. So when reality brings grueling seasons, deep discomfort, or the devastating loss of a horse, it is tempting to think those trials mean we should walk away.In this episode, we’re unpacking the myth of the "painless dream." Through the lens of loving and losing a horse, we explore how God often uses discomfort, hardship, and even grief to refine us for the very mission He placed on our hearts. We talk about grieving and missing the real bond, daily routines, and partnership you shared with your horse, and why sorrow is never a stop sign from God—it is proof of deep love and a call to keep pressing forward in faith.In This Episode, We Cover:The Highlight-Reel Trap: Why we romanticize our goals before we live them, and the shock that happens when the reality feels heavy instead of effortless.Grieving and Missing What You Had: Honoring the depth of the real bond, trust, and shared moments with a horse you’ve lost—and thanking God for the gift of what you built together even as you mourn its end.Discomfort Is How God Shapes Us: Why stretching toward a meaningful, God-given life goal always demands grit, perseverance, and a willingness to trust Him in the hard stuff.Hardship Is Not a Stop Sign: How to stop interpreting grief, setbacks, and fear as signs to quit, and start seeing them as the exact refining fire required to fulfill your mission.Pressing On When the Barn Feels Quiet: Practical, faith-anchored ways to carry your horse's memory with you while refusing to let heartbreak take you off the course God has set before you.Connect and Subscribe: Leave a review: If this episode encouraged you, share it with a fellow horse lover or friend who needs a reminder to keep pressing on through a hard season.Find me on my website: stabletruths.comFind all my books, including Mama in the Saddle, here: https://stabletruths.com/books/Subscribe to my email list for a weekly newsletter : https://stabletruths.com/contact/

EPISODE SUMMARYIn this episode, we explore the profound, heartbreaking, and deeply transformative space of slowing down after losing a horse. When a horse leaves us, they leave behind an empty stall, a quiet pasture, and a massive void in our daily rhythm. But they also leave us with one final, powerful lesson: the necessity of slowing down to honor our grief, process the silence, and find the strength to dream again.Whether you are walking through the acute pain of a recent loss or navigating the quiet transition that follows, this episode is a gentle reminder that healing cannot be rushed. Grab a warm cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s navigate this valley together.KEY TAKEAWAYSGrief as a Teacher: How the lessons our horses taught us in life continue to guide us through the healing process.Permission to Pause: Shifting your focus away from constant productivity—the blogs, the podcasts, the endless to-do lists—to simply be present with your heart.Joy comes on the other side: Through my grief journey in losing my horse, I've learned that I can also embrace the blessings I still have in front of me. LINKS: Listen to This Episode: Episode by Cristin Conner, where she speaks about how horses have big shoulders to cry on.Visit my Website: Find more resources, blog posts, and community support at Stable Truths.Read the Books: Deepen your journey of healing, life lessons from the barn, and chasing your purpose by grabbing copies of Mama in the Saddle, Fruits of the Spirit, or Resting in the Waiting at the Stable Truths Books Page.Connect with Me: If this episode spoke to you, leave a review or reach out directly through our contact page—I’d love to hear your story

In this episode, I catch everyone up to speed on the events of the last few months in my life, and how I've experienced loss like I could have never fathomed .I discuss:*Losing my precious horse, Pilot*Grief *Joy in grief*What I've done practically to process it all*Moving forward, not moving on from a tragic eventThis has definitely been a challenging season, living life out of the saddle, and processing the loss of my horse has been harder than I could have ever dreamed. Yet I want to be open with my story through this journey in the hopes that I can encourage you as you might be walking through a season of loss and grief. Links:My books: https://stabletruths.com/books/ My website: www.stabletruths.com

Do you ever feel curiosity about something, but don't know how to keep growing and learning as a mom?I've been there.But I've also discovered the importance of putting myself in the position of student as well as teacher, especially as a homeschooling mom. It helps me understand my kids (and my horses!) as well as giving me a ton of awesome information about anything I am fascinated about at that given season of life.Currently, I am fascinated by life coaching and women's health, and so I am signed up for a course on women's health and fertility and also I'm doing life coaching with an amazing homeschooling life coach, Teresa Wiedrick. This has already given me so much to think about and I'm eager to learn more. In this episode ,I also discuss the why behind learning as a mom, and practical tools to do it, no matter your season.If you have something you want to learn about, feel free to send me an email and share! My email is [email protected]. I'd love to hear from you, and hear what you are interested in.You can also visit me at my website: www.stabletruths.comCheck out any of my books:“Mama in the Saddle” a book dedicated to encouraging moms to pursue horses while being mothers. It is on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/02BM7yk3“Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit” a devotional that uses horses to encourage women in their faith. It can be found on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/05RjJG1R“Stable Truths: Resting in the Waiting” is another devotional that uses horses to encourage women in their faith. It can also be found on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/087xYWIs

Have you ever been told, "Just go with your gut!" I have. And at first, I had no idea what that even meant, or how to understand it. But recently as I've been studying belief, especially as it applies to horses and motherhood, I've come to realize that sometimes, and maybe even oftentimes, belief is instinctual and it is possible to have a gut feeling about something. It is important for us to listen to that gut instinct, and even if in the end we don't follow our gut exactly, it's important to write it down or speak to someone about it, instead of shoving it aside. I talk about all this and more in today's episode .If you'd like to read the transcript of this episode, check out my blog here.I am the author of three books! They are for your encouragement and joy:"Mama in the Saddle""Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit""Stable Truths: Resting in the Waiting"Check them out also on Amazon, or at my website here.

In today's episode, I share a really impactful lesson I learned during one of my recent trail rides, and how a cornstalk changed my life, and how I now view fear and doubt. This episode is linked with my current theme, which is the topic of Belief. I began this theme last week when I introduced my new website, and now I am continuing it because I have so much to share, as I am learning so much myself!If you'd like to read the story instead of listening, check out my blog here. I am the author of three books! They are for your encouragement and joy:"Mama in the Saddle""Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit""Stable Truths: Resting in the Waiting"Check them out also on Amazon, or at my website here.

Big reveal in today's episode, my new website!!! You can find it at www.stabletruths.com.It is a one stop shop for all my content. It has all three of my books there in one space, as well as a podcast page, a blog, and a lot more!! You also can sign up for my biweekly email newsletter on my website as well, which I encourage you to go do! In these emails I plan to share blog posts, exclusive email-list only stories from my life, and a round-up of all the content I've produced between newsletters so you don't miss anything .I also have a contact page on my website so you can email me directly about anything. I'm so excited to keep in touch with you all.Stay tuned til the end of the episode, because I discuss what I've been learning on the subject of doubt and belief, and how belief itself can be a feeling, and how doubt is a thief of joy. Links mentioned: My books: “Mama in the Saddle” a book dedicated to encouraging moms to pursue horses while being mothers. It is on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/02BM7yk3“Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit” a devotional that uses horses to encourage women in their faith. It can be found on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/05RjJG1R“Stable Truths: Resting in the Waiting” is another devotional that uses horses to encourage women in their faith. It can also be found on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/087xYWIs https://www.plusartgraphics.com - my father-in-law Marcus Do Carmo who designed and created my websiteMy book, "Mama in the Saddle" is available in print at St. Croix Saddlery! Check out their website here: https://stcroixsaddlery.com

In this episode, Elizabeth talks about how Hobbits, wizards, sparkling bananas and horse training go together and blend into a reality that teaches us so much of how we are to walk with the Lord. I mention specifically, Psalm 32:9, "Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you."Key themes: Be like a horse that has understanding. Choose to stay close to the Rider.Magic in the mundaneWonder momentsFocus on the "meat and potatoes" of life and let the "jalapeños" be sporadic. And much, much more. She also shares her most recent life updates and her vision going into summer. Elizabeth has three books available now!Mama in the Saddle: https://a.co/d/02BM7yk3 Mama in the Saddle on Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mama-in-the-saddle-elizabeth-do-carmo/1149441594?ean=9798279654499Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit:  https://a.co/d/05RjJG1RStable Truths: Resting in the Waiting: https://a.co/d/087xYWIs Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550859150459¬if_id=1778012422844639¬if_t=page_user_activity&ref=notifPinterest: https://pin.it/3LL4WMnfMYoutube: https://youtube.com/@stabletruths1328?si=iZ0YMA2uo4OlRKVL

Do you think that your emotions are based off circumstances, or can you actually control how you might feel in a given situation? In this episode, I discuss how I think we can choose how we feel in given situations, and how that plays out in our lives as moms and horsewomen.I also discuss how negative emotions like humility can have positive side effects and results that I like. I also discuss how to not shove other emotions down, but recognize them, before pressing into the emotion you want. I talk about how this idea is supported in scripture, in taking our thoughts captive and having self-control, and I go through some scripture that backs this up.Also! Have you seen my new book, Mama in the Saddle? It's available on Amazon here. I also have a devotional called "Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit." It's available on Amazon here.

By the time this episode goes live, it will be my birthday! And it's a milestone birthday, which is a neat opportunity to look back on all that has happened, and look ahead into all that could be. It feels a lot like a New Year celebration, when I reflect on the past year, and into the new one. In this episode, I talk about nostalgia and the brevity of life and how to handle those emotions, giving them their proper place, while also celebrating the amazing wonder moments in the past and all the Lord has done. I also talk about looking ahead into the future and dreaming, as well as encouragement not to use age as a limitation, but as a bonus towards future dreams!God has been so faithful and He will continue to be so. Have you heard? I recently published a book! It is called "Mama in the Saddle" and is available on Amazon here. I also have written a devotional for equestrians called "Stable Truths: Fruits of the Spirit." It is available on Amazon here.