Welcome back to Fierce Calling! In today’s episode, I welcome a very special duo: mother-daughter team Donna and Charity Amidon. Donna—an accomplished author, speaker, and Bible teacher—returns to the show to talk about her impactful book, Tracing His Promise: Understanding the Bigger Story of Jesus and What That Means for Us. But this time, there’s a creative twist: Donna’s daughter, Charity, an exceptional artist and illustrator, joins the conversation to share her unique role in bringing this project to life.

Together, Donna and Charity reveal how a simple Advent family tradition grew into a beloved Bible study—one that seamlessly connects Old Testament Scriptures to the promises fulfilled in Jesus. We’ll hear behind-the-scenes stories about how illustrations that started as small doodles at the kitchen table grew into the artwork that now graces the pages of Donna’s book, as well as full-color Christmas ornaments, inviting families to create meaningful Advent traditions.

You’ll also get practical ideas for using the book at home, in small groups, or as part of your church community, plus inspiration on how to use your own gifts to impact others for Christ.

Whether you’re looking for hope in God’s timing, new ways to engage with Scripture, or encouragement to pursue your calling, this episode is sure to uplift you. Let’s dive into this heartwarming conversation about faith, creativity, advent, and God’s faithfulness across generations!

We’re Talking About This Amazing Book and More! P.S. Planning your fall Bible study or Christmas Advent? Now’s the perfect time to explore Tracing His Promise! And if you do, be sure to share your experience with us. We’d love to hear—and maybe feature your story, too! Episode Highlights

00:00 “Book Discussion with Charity”

07:31 Divine Preparation and Small Beginnings

11:46 Art, Passion, and Impact

14:00 Mother-Daughter Art Collaboration

18:04 “Illustrations Enhanced with Color PDF”

20:51 Bible Study Book’s Progression

23:19 Exploring the Old Testament Together

27:10 “Fulfilled Prophecies: Hidden Treasures”

30:17 Empowering Youth Through Faith Sharing

34:37 “Passover’s Symbolic Link to Jesus”

37:49 Faith’s Universality Through Art

40:24 Trusting God’s Perfect Timing

43:19 Trust God’s Timing

47:30 Gratitude and Future Invitations

Connect with Donna!

You can connect with Donna at donnaamidon.org, where you’ll find out more about the book, her blog, and speaking.

Follow & connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnaamidon_/

Follow & connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ignitetheheart/

A graduate of Southern Evangelical Seminary, Donna is an author, speaker, musician, and lover of all things Bible. For over two decades, Donna has been helping women engage with the rich truths of Scripture and apply them to everyday life.
 

With a heart for the local church, Donna has served as a Bible teacher, worship leader, radio broadcaster, small groups director, and pastor’s wife. Donna brings Scripture to life with clarity, heart, and just the right touch of humor, leaving her audience both challenged and refreshed.
 

Donna regularly shares at women’s conferences, retreats, and church gatherings. She also serves as a Spiritual Fitness Coach with Back to the Bible, where she hosts short video messages to encourage Christians in their spiritual journey.
 

Her first book, Tracing His Promise, invites readers to see Jesus throughout the Old Testament and discover God’s faithfulness from creation to the cradle.

Donna and her husband, Ryan, live in Virginia with their adult daughter and teenage son.

Connect with Charity!

You can connect with Charity and find her amazing art at https://www.luckydogart.com/

Follow & connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amidonartstudio/

Follow & connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckydogart/

Link to view more about the book and see Charity’s art and ornaments:

https://www.donnaamidon.org/tracinghispromise

You can find the downloadable PDFs with the ornaments at the back of the book (pg. 297) via a special QR code!

My Endorsement Written for Tracing His Promise:

“Tracing His Promise is a powerful, biblically grounded study that reveals profound connections between Old Testament Scripture and the coming Messiah who was born in Bethlehem and is undeniably Jesus. Throughout the study, Amidon illuminates for the reader the significance of events, prophecies, and people of Old Testament times, and not only how they connect directly to Jesus’s birth, but also how Jesus was present from the beginning of it all. Amidon engages readers through thought-provoking questions, impactful illustrations, and deep insight. She invites families to incorporate the Jesse Tree into their Christmas traditions and provides creative ideas and downloadable ornaments to help them assemble their own Jesse Tree. Amidon’s passion is evident at every turn of the page, while she helps her readers make golden-nugget connections hidden in plain sight. This study is unique and impactful! Don’t miss it!” —Doris Swift, host of the Fierce Calling Podcast and author of Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

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Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let’s have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect …

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

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