Mennonite Girls in a Modern World

It’s never easy to say goodbye to a good season in your life. A hard season, yes. A boring seasons, adios. But when you have experienced the goodness of God, it can be hard to walk away into the unknown. Today is our last podcast episode. On one hand, we celebrate releasing our 100th episode, and on the other hand, we are sad it's the end of the road. But we are learning it’s okay to experience those emotions at the same time! We want to thank you, our listener, for being a part of this journey. Your support through your prayers and encouragement was a gift, and we were blessed to be a part of your life. We pray God continues to show you his love and kindness. If you would like to stay in touch, you can find us in the places listed below: Maria at When Walls Tumble or on Instagram. Melanie at Only One Thing podcast and Instagram. Deanna at her website and Instagram. Hope you will stay in touch!

Have you ever wondered about the Mennonite connection to Ukraine?  Or where the term Old Colony began? Or the place Catherine the Great plays in Mennonite history? On today’s episode, Maria sits down for the last time to talk with author, Tina Siemens, about the migration to Ukraine, and how we came to settle in this land which wove its way into our history and into our hearts. To learn more about Tina and her book 'Seminole', click here.  

If you grew up in a home or church which didn't teach about the Holy Spirit, you may find yourself struggling to understand the important role He plays in your life. What exactly does the Holy Spirit do? How does it make a difference in our lives? In this episode, Maria and Melanie discuss 8 functions of the Holy Spirit and how living surrendered to His work in our lives leads to a fruit we cannot manufacture on our own. With only 3 more episodes to go, this is the last time Melanie and Maria dive into a theological discussion with Biblical truths which both convict and encourage. Fore more information, you can always find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]

How do Mennonites view life and death? Why have so many Mennonites resisted the mandates, restrictions, and vaccines that were implemented during Covid-19? The pandemic has created a division among families, friends and churches over views on health measures and best practices. How do we bridge the gap and rebuild relationships?  Today on the show, Maria and Deanna explore why so many Mennonites struggle to trust government authorities, and how their view on life, safety, and death have played a role in accepting or rejecting modern medical practices.  For more information, you can always find us on Instagram, Facebook, or by emailing us at [email protected]

It has been a difficult few years with Covid-19 changing our lives as we know it, but is it possible, even in the middle of a pandemic, for God to bring blessings? On today's show, Joyce Ford, shares the unexpected gifts God gave her during covid after the intial disappointment and change of plans. While it may be diffiult to believe that God cares about us in the middle of lost plans and dreams, understanding His heart and recognizing His goodness help us to see beyond the surface and give us hope for a future.  

Today on the show, author and counsellor Jennifer Holmes shares her own journey with mental health after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and how it led to a ministry serving and counselling others who struggle. How do we process difficult truths about ourselves particularly when some within the church do not extend grace or understanding but use the Bible to wound rather than to heal? If you are struggling with your mental health, it's important to reach out to talk to someone safe. There is hope. To find more of Jen, you can visit her on her website or find her on Instagram.  

What is legalism and where does legalism come from? What motivates a heart to embrace legalism? These are just a few of the questions Melanie and Maria answer on today's episode in Part 2 of a series designed to look at the way the Gospel is often divided into truth versus grace rather than viewing them as a equal parts of a larger picture.  You can listen to Part 1: What is Progressive Christianity, Episode 90. How can we follow Jesus in a world that’s constantly pulling at us to embrace the extremes? How do we stay true to the heart of the Gospel? Whether you've grown up in a Mennonite home or in a home that embraced legalism, our hope is you will find the freedom that comes from embracing the hope that is found in Christ Jesus.    

Do you love your body?  Or do you struggle to accept the body God gave you with all its quirks and flaws? On today's episode, Deanna and Maria share the struggles they've faced in accepting their bodies, their journey to being emotionally, physically, and spiritually healthy, and why it matters to our children. You can always find us on Instagram, Facebook. or by emailing us at [email protected]  

Wilderness seasons are a part of every day life, and we can't escape them. So how can we use them to our advantage? What lessons can we glean for our future use? On today's episode, Maria Dyck is joined by guest, Christina Derksen, to talk about how God led her through her own wilderness seasons and provided for her in unexpected ways. If you are experiencing a dry season in your life, we hope you are strengthened and encouraged by this episode. You can visit Christina at her online bookstore here.

Author, Tina Siemens, returns to the podcast to share Part 2 of our Mennonite History Series and discuss what drove the Mennonites to settle in Poland. Mennonites had several important migrations throughout their history, and every migration shaped and formed the culture as we know it today. From persecution, overcoming hardships, Teutonic knights and Gold Vodka, it’s a story of a people determined to move wherever they could to worship freely and live at peace. You can always find us on Facebook, Instagram, or email us at [email protected]