On today’s episode of the Journeywomen podcast, I chatted with Valerie Woerner of Val Marie Paper Company. We talked about everything from the purpose of prayer to how it works in conjunction with the other spiritual disciples. I confessed that prayer is one of the most humbling aspects of my walk with the Lord, and ya’ll, our conversation got me excited! I walked away encouraged to take advantage of the real privilege we have to grow in intimacy with God through prayer. Val said, “Jesus had to die on the cross so that we could be in communication with God. Without the cross, sin would separate us from God. There is no other way to have communication with God apart from the cross.” I am so thankful that Christ came so that we can be in true fellowship with God by the power of the Holy Spirit. What a gift to get to converse with him because of what Christ has done for us!  So you’ll know her a little better, Valerie does life every day with her husband, Tyler, who is the owner of Pixelbrush Studios by day and a gourmet chef by night. She is momma to Vivi Mae and Vana. Her best friend was sort of built in but she wouldn’t trade her for any other, her twin sister Natalie! They live in Woerner Bungalow and are passionate about minimalistic living and finding margin in this busy-loving world. They live in Lafayette, Louisiana (also known as Cajun Country). She loves her life and where God has taken her, but He is far from done with her. Valerie doesn’t pretend to have it all figured out, but she’s happy to share her journey with us all! Her recent book, The Finishing School, is her journey and what she’d share with us if we were sitting on her porch drinking iced tea. I’m so excited for ya’ll to hear from her today!   VAL’S RESOURCES Praying out loud in different tempos (loud and powerful, or quiet and restful) The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer: Experience the Wonders of God through Prayer by E. M. Bounds Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels The Power of a Praying Woman by Stormie Omartian The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian The Power of a Praying Mom by Stormie Omartian Put prayer alerts in your calendar on your phone   VAL’S SIMPLE JOYS Walking barefoot around her neighborhood Dark chocolate with toffee Screened in porch   OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED Val Marie Paper Prayer Journals 66 Love Letters: A Conversation with God That Invites You into His Story by Larry Crabb The One Year Book of Discovering Jesus in the Old Testament by Nancy Guthrie 23 | The Big Story of the Bible with Caroline Cobb   CONNECT WITH VAL Website Facebook Instagram Twitter   SPONSORSHIP DETAILS You know that building community is good for both people and business. But many apartment residents are completely disconnected from their neighbors. Apartment Life places CARES Teams to live onsite in apartments to welcome new residents, plan social events, and look for ways to love their neighbors as themselves. Because of our CARES Teams, apartment owners see improved resident satisfaction, retention, and online reputation. It also changes lives. www.apartmentlife.org   SPONSORSHIP DETAILS Summer camp is more than a place to get away. It's a sanctuary for personal growth. T Bar M loves to give campers and families the experience of their lives. In a setting separate from your daily routine, there is an opportunity to shed the expectations and pressures of others, allowing campers to be freed up to truly be themselves, to live above artificial limitations, and blossom into who they were created to be. T Bar M Camps is a place where each of our kids feel comfortable, confident, stretched and loved. Camp has created a culture children grow and thrive in. It is in T Bar M's mission, and we see the fruit of it every year on closing day. T Bar M has Day Camps in New Braunfels Texas, overnight camps for campers 1st – 11th grade, and even incredible Family Camps. How you spend your summer is important. Make camp a priority today! Go check them ou