Ep. 422 – Gospel in a Shoebox: Raising Girls with a Heart for the World with Izabella McMillon

What if something as simple as a shoebox could change a life forever?  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Patti Garibay shares a powerful and inspiring conversation with Izabella McMillon, whose life was transformed after receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox as a young girl growing up in Romania. What began as a simple gift became a doorway to the Gospel—and ultimately, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Together, Patti and Izabella explore how God uses even the smallest acts of obedience to accomplish His greater purposes around the world. From limited access to the Gospel in certain countries to the challenges children face in places where Christianity is not widely accepted, this episode helps families better understand the global need—and the incredible opportunity to respond.  You'll also hear how American Heritage Girls is making an impact, with Troops packing over 27,000 shoeboxes in 2025 alone. This conversation offers practical and creative ways for families to participate in Operation Christmas Child, while helping girls develop compassion, generosity, and a heart for missions.  Whether you're packing your first shoebox or continuing a family tradition, this episode will remind you that God sees every act of kindness—and He can use it to change a life for eternity.  Because when we give with love, we're not just sending a gift—we're sharing the hope of the Gospel.    Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:  Matthew 28:19–20   Mark 16:15   2 Corinthians 9:7   Proverbs 22:9   Isaiah 6:8   Romans 10:14–15    To learn watch Izabella's Full Circle Story, click HERE.  To participate in the AHG-OCC Shoebox Challenge, click HERE.   Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.        Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.       

Serving others doesn't have to feel like another item on the family to-do list—it can become one of your family's greatest joys. When parents intentionally create opportunities to serve together, they're not only meeting practical needs, they're also building lasting memories, strengthening family bonds, and teaching daughters what it looks like to live with the heart of Christ.  In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore how families can make service a joyful rhythm of everyday life. From hilarious stories of family service projects to practical ideas for engaging children of every age, this conversation encourages parents to see service not as an obligation, but as an act of worship that brings people together and points others to Jesus.  Together, Rachael and Natalie share simple ways to cultivate a servant-hearted family culture, including beginning every service opportunity with prayer, keeping the focus on loving God and loving others, and embracing laughter along the way. They also discuss the lasting impact that serving side by side can have on a girl's confidence, compassion, and lifelong faith.  Whether your family is volunteering at church, serving neighbors, partnering with a local ministry, or participating in American Heritage Girls' National Day of Service, this episode will inspire you to discover that some of life's sweetest memories are made when your family says "yes" to serving together.    Three Things to Consider:  Begin your family's service opportunities with prayer and praise, inviting God to shape your hearts before you begin serving.  Keep the purpose of every act of service centered on loving God and loving others, even when the work becomes challenging.  Create joyful memories by making service a shared family adventure where laughter, teamwork, and Christlike love go hand in hand.    Scriptures Referenced:  Matthew 6:3–4  Matthew 5:16  Matthew 22:37–39  Matthew 25:31–40    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.     

As girls settle into the rhythms of a new school year, one of the greatest gifts parents can give is a heart that delights in serving others. But a servant's heart doesn't develop by accident—it grows as girls learn to see needs, respond with compassion, and understand that every act of kindness can point others to Christ.  In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore how parents can cultivate a lifestyle of service in their daughters from the earliest years through the teen years. Together they discuss practical ways to help girls discover their God-given gifts, serve with humility, and understand that true service isn't about earning praise—it's about reflecting the heart of Jesus.  You'll also hear encouragement to make service a natural part of your family's rhythm, why serving alongside others often deepens both faith and friendships, and how American Heritage Girls continues to equip girls to put their faith into action through meaningful service opportunities in communities across the nation.  Whether your daughter loves organizing, creating, encouraging, leading, or quietly helping behind the scenes, God has uniquely designed her to make an eternal impact. This episode will inspire your family to embrace the simple but powerful truth that one willing "yes" to God can change lives.    Three Things to Consider:  Every girl has unique God-given gifts that can be used to serve others and glorify Christ.  Celebrate your daughter's Christlike heart—not just her helpful actions—so she connects service to her identity in Jesus.  Serving alongside family, church, and Christian community helps girls develop a lifelong love for putting God's love into action.    Scriptures Referenced:  Mark 12:41–44  John 6:3–14  Acts 8:26–39  Galatians 6:10  Matthew 5:16  1 Corinthians 15:57    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.    

Creativity is not accidental—it reflects the very nature of our Creator. But in today's culture, many girls struggle to see how their artistic gifts, entrepreneurial dreams, or creative passions fit into God's bigger story. Is art just a hobby? Can business ownership honor the Lord? And how can young women balance calling, faith, marriage, and motherhood without losing sight of what matters most?  In this inspiring episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Rachael Culpepper sits down with Katie Guiliano, founder of Hosanna Revival, to share her powerful testimony of faith, creativity, and obedience. Katie opens up about her journey from artist to business owner, how the Lord shaped her calling, and what it looks like to build a Christ-centered brand rooted in Scripture and worship.  Together, they encourage Christian parents raising creative daughters to affirm their girls' giftings—whether in art, design, leadership, education, business, or the home—and to help them see their talents as sacred stewardship. Katie also speaks candidly about juggling entrepreneurship, marriage, and motherhood as a Christian woman, offering practical encouragement for living faithfully in every season.  If you're raising a creative girl—or you are one—this conversation will remind you that your gifts are not random. They are entrusted to you by a creative God who delights in beauty, excellence, and purpose.    Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:  Genesis 1:27  Exodus 31:1–5  Colossians 3:23–24  Matthew 5:16  1 Peter 4:10    Learn more about Katie's work at https://hosannarevival.com/   Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

Every girl has been uniquely created by God with gifts that can bless others and bring Him glory. Whether she's a creative thinker, a natural strategist, or someone who simply loves serving people, parents have the incredible opportunity to nurture those God-given strengths while helping their daughters remember that every talent is ultimately a gift from the Lord.  In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose continue their conversation about raising entrepreneurial Christian girls by exploring the role of creativity, imagination, and innovation in God's design. Together, they discuss why childhood is such a valuable season for dreaming, experimenting, and learning through failure—and how parents can encourage girls to develop the confidence and resilience they'll need to faithfully steward their gifts for years to come.  Melissa and Natalie also share practical ideas for helping girls discover how God has uniquely wired them, whether through creative pursuits, strategic leadership, or relationship-building. Along the way, they remind parents that the goal isn't simply raising successful young women—it's raising daughters whose talents point others to Christ and whose identity remains firmly rooted in Him.  Whether your girl is designing handmade creations, organizing family projects, dreaming up new ideas, or simply learning how God has uniquely equipped her, this conversation will encourage you to celebrate her imagination while helping her steward it with wisdom, humility, and purpose.    Three Things to Consider:  Nurture your daughter's God-given creativity and imagination, giving her space to explore, experiment, and grow.  Encourage her unique strengths—whether creative, strategic, or relational—and help her see how God can use each one to serve others.  Keep her identity anchored in Christ so that every talent, opportunity, and success becomes another way to glorify the One who gifted her.    Scriptures Referenced:  1 Corinthians 12  Luke 14:28  Matthew 25:40    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.     To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org. 

What does it look like to raise a girl who is creative, courageous, resilient, and willing to step into the opportunities God places before her? On this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit in Christian girls—and explore how parents can help their daughters discover and steward the gifts, passions, and talents God has uniquely given them.  Entrepreneurship isn't simply about starting a business. For a Christian girl, it can be an opportunity to learn confidence, leadership, problem-solving, perseverance, and faithful stewardship while keeping Christ at the center. Melissa and Natalie discuss the qualities they see in Christian women who blaze new trails, from faith and vision to humility, teachability, diligence, and a willingness to wrestle through the ups and downs of success. They also explore the importance of helping girls pursue God's purpose rather than simply chasing a personal passion.  In a Raising Godly Girls Minute, AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay encourages parents not to hold back young entrepreneurs simply because they are young. Whether a girl loves baking, making jewelry, designing, strategizing, or solving problems, small opportunities can teach her to take healthy risks, learn from failure, and invest her gifts in God's Kingdom. Melissa and Natalie offer practical ways families can give girls room to explore new interests, praise resilience rather than perfection, and keep their identities firmly rooted in Christ rather than in a particular talent or hobby.  The conversation also highlights how American Heritage Girls provides girls ages 5 to 18 with opportunities to explore passions, develop skills, practice Biblical leadership, and grow in resilience. From the Entrepreneurship and Biblical Leadership Badges to the many possibilities within AHG's Badge Frontiers, girls have countless opportunities to discover how God has wired them and consider how their gifts can be used to serve Him and others. Listeners will also hear about Heritage Headlines and the inspiring stories of AHG Alumnae who are following God into new territories.  Whether your daughter is already dreaming up her first business or simply loves creating, solving, leading, or serving, this episode offers encouragement to nurture her gifts while teaching her the most important lesson of all: her identity is not found in what she can accomplish, but in who she is in Christ.    Three Things to Consider:  Give your girl space to explore new hobbies, skills, and passions.  Praise her resilience and willingness to learn through failure—not just her performance or success.  Help her keep her identity rooted in the Lord, because passions may change, but her identity in Christ endures.    Scriptures Referenced:  1 Corinthians 12  Luke 14:28  Matthew 25:40    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.    

Family devotionals often begin with the best of intentions—but somewhere between busy schedules, distracted kids, and the pressures of everyday life, they can quickly feel overwhelming or inconsistent.    In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Melissa Bearden sits down with author, Bible teacher, and The Gospel Coalition leader Melissa Kruger to talk about what it really looks like to build lasting, grace-filled devotional rhythms at home. Together, they offer encouragement for parents who long to disciple their daughters in God's Word but feel stretched thin or unsure where to begin.    Melissa shares both personal and practical insight—from her own experiences growing up with family devotionals to leading them in her own home today. This conversation reminds us that spiritual growth doesn't require perfection or polished routines. In fact, some of the most meaningful moments of discipleship happen in the midst of interruptions, questions, and even the occasional "train wreck" devotional.    You'll also hear how to release the pressure to perform, redefine what success looks like in family discipleship, and create simple, sustainable rhythms that point your daughter to Jesus over time. Whether your family is just starting out or trying to reestablish consistency, this episode offers hope that God is faithfully at work through even the smallest efforts.    Because raising Godly girls isn't about doing everything perfectly—it's about faithfully planting seeds of truth and trusting God for the growth.    Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:    Deuteronomy 6:6–7  Proverbs 22:6  Isaiah 55:10–11  Galatians 6:9  Colossians 3:16  Psalm 119:105     To learn more about Melissa Kruger's work at The Gospel Coalition and to explore her books, visit melissabkruger.com     Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.         Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.      

Family discipleship doesn't stay the same through every season of parenting—and that's a good thing. As children grow from toddlers to teens and eventually into young adulthood, the way families spend time in God's Word naturally changes. The mission, however, never does.  In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose encourage parents to embrace the changing rhythms of family devotions without losing sight of the lifelong calling to disciple their children. From busy schedules and multiple age stages to launching young adults into the world, they explore practical ways to keep Christ at the center of everyday family life.  Together, they discuss how to adapt your approach as your children mature, why discipleship should never fall to just one parent, and how thoughtful, age-appropriate questions can cultivate genuine faith rather than simply checking off religious boxes. You'll also hear encouragement to stay faithful when family devotions feel messy, remembering that it is ultimately the Holy Spirit Who grows the seeds of faith planted through everyday conversations and consistent time in God's Word.  Whether your family includes toddlers, teenagers, or newly launched young adults, this conversation will remind you that faithful discipleship isn't about perfection—it's about consistently pointing your children to Jesus in every season.    Three Things to Consider:  Family discipleship should grow and adapt as your children mature, while remaining centered on God's unchanging truth.  When both parents participate in spiritual leadership, children gain a richer picture of God's design for family discipleship.  Meaningful, age-appropriate questions help girls develop a personal, resilient faith that continues to deepen throughout every stage of life.    Scriptures Referenced:  Deuteronomy 6:4–9  Psalm 78:6–7  Philippians 2:12  1 Corinthians 13:11    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.    

Family devotions often sound wonderful in theory—but in real life, they can feel messy, inconsistent, and anything but peaceful. If you've ever wondered whether you're "doing it right," take heart: God isn't looking for perfection. He's inviting families to faithfully open His Word together, one small step at a time.  In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose encourage parents to rethink what successful family discipleship really looks like. From adapting devotions to fit your children's unique learning styles to choosing Gospel-centered resources that point girls to Jesus rather than simple behavior modification, this conversation offers practical wisdom for every stage of family life.  Together, Rachael and Natalie discuss the growing influence of technology and algorithms on today's children, why parents cannot outsource discipleship, and how small adjustments—like hands-on activities, age-appropriate conversations, and modeling authentic faith—can transform family devotional time from a source of frustration into an opportunity for connection and spiritual growth. Patti Garibay's Raising Godly Girls Minute also reminds families that sometimes the best learning happens when little hands stay busy while hearts remain engaged with God's Word.  Whether you're just beginning family devotions, looking to rebuild consistency, or searching for fresh resources to strengthen your family's faith, this episode will encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on the true goal—not raising "good kids," but raising daughters whose hearts are transformed by the saving grace of Jesus Christ.    Three Things to Consider:  Choose devotional resources that are centered on the Gospel, helping your daughter understand that lasting heart transformation comes through Jesus—not simply good behavior.  Meet your children where they are by using age-appropriate, engaging approaches that encourage them to interact with God's Word.  Remember that your example is one of your greatest discipleship tools. As your daughter watches you live out your faith with humility and repentance, she'll see the Gospel at work in everyday life.    Scriptures Referenced:  Matthew 19:14  Psalm 119:10-11    Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.    

In today's culture, girls are constantly being told who they should be, what success looks like, and how they should define strength. But God offers a very different vision for womanhood—one rooted not in comparison or cultural pressure, but in courage, compassion, wisdom, and faith.    In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Patti Garibay welcomes author, coach, and speaker Kaitlyn Cey for a meaningful conversation about raising girls who are confident in their identity in Christ and bold in their faith. Drawing from her book The Five Ways of a Fierce-Hearted Woman, Kaitlyn shares what it means for middle school girls to develop a "fierce-hearted" faith—one that reflects the character of Christ and equips them to live with purpose in today's world.    Together, Patti and Kaitlyn explore the cultural pressures girls face today and how parents can help their daughters resist the pull of comparison, insecurity, and shifting definitions of strength. Instead, they discuss how families can intentionally cultivate courage, compassion, spiritual wisdom, and servant leadership in their girls through daily discipleship and Gospel-centered conversations.    This encouraging episode also highlights the vital role of parents, mentors, and Christian community in shaping girls who stand firm in their faith. When girls understand who they are in Christ, they are better equipped to navigate peer pressure, cultural expectations, and the challenges of growing up in a rapidly changing world.    If you're raising a daughter and longing to see her grow into a confident young woman who loves the Lord and leads with courage and grace, this conversation will leave you encouraged and equipped.    Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:    Joshua 1:9  Psalm 139:13–14  Proverbs 31:25  Micah 6:8  2 Timothy 1:7  Matthew 5:16    To learn more about Kaitlyn Cey, visit www.kaitlyncey.com      Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.         Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.