Cowrie Shells

Meet Katie Amanda – A girl who dreamt of finding love in the arms of a man she could spend life with, Katie didn’t expect divorce to be part of her adult story. So when her marriage tragically unravelled, Katie felt utterly devastated. Wrestling with heartbreak and uncertainty as a single mum of three, she encountered a God who whispered affirmation into all her hurting places, tenderly rebuilding and cherishing her as a sapphire to be treasured.Listen to Katie’s vulnerable account of how she navigated divorce with a God who never forsakes us and be challenged, like her, to change the narrative by throwing out all bitterness and saying thank you for all that life has given.

Meet Tope Forsyth – Nigerian-born but British-bred, Tope has lived in the UK for most of her life. Hers is a story of sensing God pursue her before she even knew Him; initially as an abstract, then increasingly as her rock and comfort when life intensified and her first daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Listen to her story and be inspired by her wholehearted acceptance of her circumstances; choosing to love her family with its uniquely beautiful shape, and what’s more, to empower women everywhere with a reminder that we can choose to put on the armour of God, our ‘IHAMORA’ (meaning armour in the Nigerian language of Yoruba).More information on Tope’s active and leisure wear brand, IHAMORA can be found at: www.ihamora.co.ukShe invites you to take this opportunity to be part of the unique tribe of IHAMORA women and girls – a community of strength, joy and movement.

Meet Kelda Davis – What happens when our plans don’t work out the way we had hoped? Having grown up as a vicar’s daughter, Kelda’s faith was well-established by her teens but it was during her late twenties, while waiting on a husband and children to materialize, that God presented her with a new challenge: Would she simply shoehorn what she wanted from life and ask God to bless it, or would she be content in Him - even when expectations seemed unmet? Listen in to the gems of Kelda’s story and be inspired alongside her to embrace God’s timing, prioritise His Word and keep ‘hustling’ while you wait on His best.

Meet Genevieve Duke – Feeling crushed and silenced as a young woman in the aftermath of an abusive relationship, Gen was taken aback when God revived her dreams and invited her to journey with Him into the prophetic. Despite at times wanting to run in the opposite direction, she has persisted in leaning in to detect His still quiet voice. Tackling the sometimes tricky issues of discernment, the reality of the spiritual realm and what the prophetic can look like, be encouraged by Gen’s frankness and inspired by her desire, above all, to seek God’s heart.

Please note: due to a change in venue this episode features some external traffic noiseMeet Kate Patterson – Having grown up as a vicar’s daughter, Kate followed in her parents’ footsteps, marrying a vicar and co-leading a church with him. She felt that life was at its sweetest spot when sudden tragedy turned everything upside down. Listen in to Kate’s tender story of how, in the reality of her suffering, she encountered a God who cares deeply; one who not only enabled her to navigate grief but equipped her to come alongside others and empowered her to become a speaker and writer whose words are like a warm, compassionate hug. No stranger to suffering, Kate understands what it is to walk through a sense of wilderness and keep eyes fixed on Jesus. Be comforted, encouraged and inspired.For more information and to purchase Kate’s beautiful books visit: giftofblessingtrust.orgPlease note all profits generated from Ashes to Crowns – Grieving with Hope (2025) will go towards gifting the book to those who need it most.

Meet Charlotte Nall – What happens when God gives you a clear dream for something but then circumstances appear to render it impossible? What happens when your husband turns away from God? What happens when God instructs you to leave your job? What happens when miscarriage is preceded by still birth and you are left with an empty womb? Listen in to how Charlotte faced all this and more – consistently choosing to cling to Jesus and embrace His mindset. Join her at the cusp of this new year in saying ‘I’m not budging’ and planting a stake firmly in the ground of faith.For more information on Charlotte's story of Micah and the charity she founded see:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ZBcfaF30Qhttps://littlefingers.org.uk