Challenge and happiness can coexist when you're looking for sunshine in the middle of life's dark places. Join me as we have conversations about joy, faith, and so much more! There's a lot going on in the world! Come refill your cup so that you can be the light that God needs you to be!
PS Sunshine is my middle name.
30. Spiritual Sharpness: Small Daily Practices That Bring Us Closer to Christ
When Elder Kyle S. McKay of the Seventy invited us to "strive to be as sharp as you can," the phrase lodged in my heart.
In this episode, I talk about what that means for me in my spiritual life, in my family, and in my work. I share how I'm trying to:
Lean into personal revelation
Stay consistent in my scripture study
Embrace sacrifice as a tool for sharpening
Being spiritually sharp isn't about being perfect. It's about becoming the kind of instrument the Lord can use.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Welcome to Sunshine in the Middle
00:36 A Memorable Stake Conference
01:01 The Importance of Being Sharp
02:01 Spiritual Sharpness and Personal Revelation
09:48 Consistency in Scripture Study
13:57 The Role of Sacrifice in Spiritual Sharpness
15:29 Practical Steps to Sharpen Your Spiritual Life
19:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Scriptures I Share:
Helaman 10:4–5 – Nephi's unwary declaration and blessing
Doctrine & Covenants 11:21 – Seeking to obtain God's word before declaring it
2 Nephi 32:3 – Feasting upon the words of Christ
Quotes I Share from Church Leaders:
Elder Kyle S. McKay: "Strive to be as sharp as you can. The sharper the instrument, the more efficient the work."
President Russell M. Nelson: "In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost."
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: "Becoming more like the Savior is not about doing more, it's about doing what matters most."
Elder David A. Bednar: "Our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son love us, are aware of us, and will bless us as we strive to become more spiritually refined."
I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the five lessons discussed in this episode! Share your reflections on the Instagram post or message me directly.
And if you haven't already, I invite you to subscribe for future episodes and to share this episode with your friends and family who might benefit from its message.
Connect with Us
Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com
Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle
Disclaimer
This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or BYU.
Thank you for tuning in!
19 Feb 2026
29. Why I Go to Church (Even When It's Hard)
Have you ever loved Jesus…but struggled with church? I have, too. After moving into a new ward and feeling out of place, I went straight to the Lord with my questions. What came back was clarity, comfort, and a few simple truths that changed everything for me.
In this episode, we talk about what shifted my heart, how I found joy again on the Sabbath, and why gathering, even imperfectly, still matters. I hope my story helps you feel less alone and a little more encouraged in your own journey.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Welcome to Sunshine in the Middle
00:36 A Family's Journey to a New Home
02:21 Struggles and Reflections on Church Attendance
04:05 The Importance of Worship and Community
07:41 Scriptural Foundations for Church Attendance
19:41 The Power of the Sacrament
23:31 Serving and Supporting Each Other
28:05 The Joy of Worshiping Together
33:27 Final Thoughts and Testimony
34:01 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Connect with Us
Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com
Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle
Disclaimer
This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or BYU.
If this episode brings a little more sunshine into your week, please share it with a friend. Subscribing, rating, and reviewing helps this message reach more people who may need it. For more faith-filled inspiration, visit sunshineinthemiddle.com.
Thanks for listening.
22 Dec 2025
28. Choosing Covenant Confidence & Wholeness in Hard Seasons
Episode Summary
In this episode of Sunshine in the Middle, I share some reflections on Camille Johnson's talk Spiritually Whole in Him. I've been pondering how I can be spiritually whole, even when I am not physically or emotionally whole.
I talk about the power of choosing faith, how integrity connects with wholeness, and why covenant confidence matters so much as we prepare for the Savior's return. I also share stories of women who have strengthened my testimony of what it looks like to remain spiritually whole in the middle of hard challenges.
My hope is that this conversation helps you find strength, hope, and joy in Christ as you walk your own path of discipleship.
00:00 Welcome to Sunshine in the Middle
00:36 Exploring Spiritual Wholeness
02:27 Choosing Wholeness Through Faith
07:06 The Power of Integrity
08:58 The Parable of the Ten Virgins
11:53 Covenant Confidence and Spiritual Wholeness
14:19 Finding Joy Amidst Challenges
18:55 Final Thoughts and Testimonies
20:21 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to "Sunshine in the Middle" and leave a review. Your feedback helps us continue to bring uplifting and meaningful content. Join our community and share your thoughts on today's topic—how do you strive to continually become like Jesus Christ?
Connect with Us
Website: sunshineinthemiddle.com (http://sunshineinthemiddle.com/)
Instagram: @sunshineinthemiddle (https://www.instagram.com/sunshineinthemiddle)
This podcast episode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thank you for tuning in!
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