In this episode, Travis and Jess engage their friend Serena Salmans on a conversation that centers around joy and contentment through tragedy and adversity. Serena suffered a traumatic brain injury in high school and talks about dramatically feeling God's providence and presence in the midst of those hard days.

They also talk about foster care and the difficulties and joys of being foster parents. Uncertainty is a reality for every foster parent and there were many twists and turns in their journey, which finally ended in adoption.

Serena goes on to share about her difficult stillbirth and all the emotions and grief that went with losing a baby. Serena has a really positive life outlook and as an Enneagram 7 often looks for the silver linings in things, however some tragedies are just inescapably painful. She admits that to heal and really grieve her loss she had to sit with the suffering. Again, in this dark chapter of her life she would come to realize and be reminded that she and her husband weren't sitting alone. God was sitting with them and in their grief. Holding them. But it wasn't the end of the story.

Serena is a worship leader in her church. She shares about her recent paradigm shift when it comes to worship. She says, “Worship for me is will I be content in this season?" "Will I find joy in the everyday life of staying home?" Serena’s life outlook has changed and she challenges us to look differently at our lives.

Follow Serena on Instagram:

@senajoysal

Additional resources from Travis and Jess:

Guided Pace website: resources for coaching, soul care, and spiritual retreat offerings

Travis' books:

Shiny Eyes: Seeing Better Through the Lenses of Joy, Tears, Beauty, and Hope

Redemption's Echo: Living in the Reflection of God's Grace