Speaker 1: 0:01

It's time now to get the hell out of your life. A weekly broadcast with real people sharing real struggles and offering real hope. Today's show will encourage, inspire and empower you to face life's challenges with a bold confidence and renewed hope. Now let's join our host, ron Myers, the Provoder.

Ron Meyers: 0:21

Hello my friends, I'm Ron Myers and I want to welcome you. To Get the Hell Out of your Life. Here we share real stories, real struggles and real hope. Each week, we highlight a story of God's limitless grace for listeners around the world. My goal is to provide you with a spark of hope, a dash of encouragement and plenty of inspiration. Have you ever felt behind in life, trying to desperately catch up with others who seem further along? Well, my guest today, donna DeSalvo, knows that feeling all too well. After losing her husband of nearly 30 years and finding herself the sole provider for her family in her 50s, she faced the daunting question what now? Well, the answer came through her personal journals, pages filled with raw reflections, spiritual insights and hard-won wisdom collected through life's highest peaks and lowest valleys. When she heard the clear prompting other women need to hear this she went to work writing a devotional book. What if this is your Lydia moment? So, donna, tell the listeners your story.

Donna C DiSalvo: 1:31

Well, first off, thank you for having me and allowing me to bring the book to everyone. My story oh wow, so being able to. I could go way, way back, but the whole story with me when writing the book was this was my journals. I could go way, way back, but the whole story with me in writing the book was this was my journals. This was notes inside of my journal that I used during highs and lows in my life, different things I had went through, and one day I heard the Lord say other women need to hear this. You need to share this.

Ron Meyers: 1:57

You know I hear about journaling quite a bit, so tell the listeners that aren't familiar with journaling. Why do you journal?

Donna C DiSalvo: 2:03

That's my release. It's my way of getting along with the Lord, especially when I'm inside of study. If I am doing a scripture study, then my journal is out because there's all kinds of different things that the Lord's going to reveal to me. But for me it is nothing fancy. I've seen those fancy journals where they got the beautiful leathering and the gorgeous colors. That's not me, that. Mine is simply just words that the Lord gives to me, and a lot of times they have no rhyme or reason to anyone other than me. But it is my way of just putting thoughts that I can either use to teach in Sunday school one day or to share with another lady, or just to put down my thoughts that the Lord's given me.

Ron Meyers: 2:38

Were there a lot of circumstances in your life, the ups and downs that really made this book come to life when you were putting it together.

Donna C DiSalvo: 2:50

Absolutely One of the biggest things in my life was I lost the love of my life two years ago, my husband. Of almost 30 years he passed away and that was some very hard times, very hard times. It was something I was prepared for but not prepared for, if that actually makes sense. So that was one of the big things was the journaling. The last part of the journaling and stuff come from that. But absolutely each devotion hits on different points.

Donna C DiSalvo: 3:11

There's times I felt stuck in my life. There were times that I was angry at things in my life, confused on some things, wondering if I was behind. Here I am starting a business in my 50s. I'm not a social media influencer, I don't have this great, big, huge following, but yet I knew I needed something for myself. But then I felt behind. So then I tried to catch up. There's the moments of comparison to other women, of what she's doing and how I want that and I want to be that and I need this, and lots of different ups and downs. There were some things that went on in my Christian walk to where I walked away. Lots of ups and downs happened to bring this book together.

Ron Meyers: 3:47

So God takes our messes and turns them into a message.

Donna C DiSalvo: 3:52

Exactly how many times I told someone that my life was a wreck in my own sense, but God turned it into something absolutely beautiful To hear the women now come up and tell me how day number two touched them. Or I'm on day number six and this is what it meant to me. I have to actually go back and remember what day number six was, because it's like, oh, I do. Over the weekend, I was able to share a devotion with a group of ladies I was with because we all forgot our devotionals, and it's like well, I have one in my pocket here.

Donna C DiSalvo: 4:20

I just happen to have one, so I pulled it out and read it and then to go back through and live back through the memories of where I was at when that devotion came alive. So this book was written for other women, but it's also written for me.

Ron Meyers: 4:32

Is there one that's your favorite? Maybe you want to just kind of elaborate or share them with us.

Donna C DiSalvo: 4:36

So one of my biggest ones is just feeling like I'm behind.

Speaker 1: 4:40

What do you mean? Feeling like you're behind?

Donna C DiSalvo: 4:42

So when you're my age and I will gladly let everyone know on Saturday I will be 56. But when my husband got sick, we knew it was terminal. I knew that he could no longer work. So we were losing an income and I was going to be the only provider in the home. So at that point I had to make a decision on am I staying with my job? Will I be able to stay with my job that I love and have had all my career, all my life there? Would I be able to stay? Would I have to come home and take care of him? All the what ifs started happening in my head. So I decided then that it was time to look for something I could do At home for myself but still yet take care of my family and keep my full-time job, because we needed that.

Donna C DiSalvo: 5:22

And when I looked at what other ladies were doing and the businesses they had built and they had been doing it for years I felt behind. I needed to catch up. But not only that portion of it is. I watched other ladies in their Christian walk and I was behind. As much as I have studied all my life and grown up in church, grown up, taught the word of God how to study it. I felt behind it. They knew so much more than I did and it was. I was getting it for the wrong. I had all the wrong reasons there.

Ron Meyers: 5:50

I'm going to say something that I've said many times over quite a few years is that, with God, he can take what it might take us 10 years to do when we fall in line with what he wants us to do. He can do it in days, he can do it in weeks.

Ron Meyers: 6:05

He can do it in months, in seconds, absolutely so did you find, when you were writing your book, your devotional, that you just couldn't slow down and the writing just kept coming and coming and coming. And you realized, boy, I'm not behind, I'm getting ahead.

Donna C DiSalvo: 6:17

Yeah, it's funny that you say that, because what actually even brought about the title of the book is I began to study different ladies in the Bible. It started with the study of Titus 2, verses 1-5. I thought the Lord would never let me out of Titus 2, verses 1-5. So much is packed in there. But then I began to look at other ladies in the Bible and I came upon Lydia and the words in my head after I watched or I read I actually did watch it in my mind, I guess, but after I read the scriptures and really dug into Lydia and who she was and how she didn't wait.

Ron Meyers: 6:52

Tell us a little bit about Lydia, because I don't really know that much.

Donna C DiSalvo: 6:56

With Lydia. There's only a very short blip in the book of Acts about her, and so we do know that she was probably a woman of wealth just because of the business that she had, and I think that's why she resonated with me is because she's a businesswoman and so am I. But she probably had a higher clientele, you know, because she was a seller of purples, of the rich colors of purple and things, and we know that was. You had to be pretty wealthy to have that color back then in your garments and different things. But she was a seeker, she was looking for more, she was looking for the Lord's what she was looking for, because the scripture talks about her and the women are at the river and they're praying. They're not in a synagogue, they're not at church, they're at the river together, they have gathered together and Paul comes into town and he comes to the river and he finds them there and no sooner than Paul had spoke God's word, lydia was like if you find me worthy, then come to my home. She didn't wait. She did not wait and this is where it is. I heard the words this is your Lydia moment. Don't wait, put this book together.

Donna C DiSalvo: 7:56

So, as I started to write. Every day kept happening. Every day I would find myself at night still up writing, going through the journals and going. This would be a good one to put in, because what if she feels stuck? This would be a good one to put in, because what if this is her time to say yes? This is a good one because maybe she's grieving the way I was grieving when I wrote this. So many different devotions started to come alive and it just felt like talking to my friend across from a table. So the writing kept happening. So, yeah, Wow.

Donna C DiSalvo: 8:23

Yeah.

Ron Meyers: 8:24

Listeners. If you could just see her face. She is just a glowing young lady in here speaking about her book. As a matter of fact, I'm going to give away one of her books at the end of today's broadcast, so stay tuned. I'll tell you how you could get a copy of this book, whether you win it or if you want to purchase it. So there's some ladies listening right now that relate to you. They haven't got your journal. They are afraid to go to church. They just feel like God's not going to use them. They've just messed up too much in life. The kids are grown and they don't know what to do in life. What advice would you give them?

Donna C DiSalvo: 8:57

So a lot of us are going through that transition. I'm at the point in my life where my daughter will probably soon marry. She's still at home with me now, but I know that day is coming. So I'm transitioning into a new season in my life and that's something that the Lord and I have actually talked about. Is, Lord, what do I do now? She's grown. You give her to me for 18 years and I got to help grow her with you, Lord, what do I do now? There's a new season for all of us. God has given me a room full of fourth and fifth graders that I get to pour into every Sunday. I get to pour into on Wednesdays, any time with that, so I still have children that I'm helping to raise. There's the time now that I'm starting to think for the first time about retirement. That's a whole new time in my life. So it's like what am I going to do after retirement? What am I not going to do?

Ron Meyers: 9:42

Wow, Donna DeSalvo. What a book. Well, donna, right now in this world, when you turn on the news and all this negativity out there, how do you stay motivated in this world? That just are encouraged when this world it seems like it's falling apart.

Donna C DiSalvo: 9:57

Well, number one I only turned the news on very briefly to catch the local little bit of the national that's going on, just enough to keep me going, and then I turn it off because there is so much negativity. I just don't allow myself to go into that and I think that probably comes from all the years with my husband, because the news stayed on 24-7. So I try and avoid that. I really, truly do, but as far as I find I have to be around my Christian brothers and sisters.

Ron Meyers: 10:24

That's me.

Donna C DiSalvo: 10:25

I look forward to the middle of the week because I know I'm going to meet with them on Wednesday and I'm going to be refreshed for this world. And then I look forward to Sundays and Sunday nights and any other time that we can absolutely get together.

Ron Meyers: 10:41

But it's stay in the Word, stay in.

Donna C DiSalvo: 10:41

God's Word. Well, let's give a plug for your church. Where do you go? So I'm at Campground Baptist Church. We're out on Highway 53 here in Gulfport. We started there when my daughter was four years old and still never forget the day that a beautiful lady met me in the parking lot, took me to Sunday school, my daughter to Sunday school, walked me into church, did not let go of me until it was after church services. And then we get in the car and my daughter says Mommy, please, let's don't go anywhere else. This is where we need to go to church. And it was to say that's where we're still at all these years later.

Ron Meyers: 11:08

So the book has been out for what? Almost a month?

Donna C DiSalvo: 11:11

It is almost a month. We released on July 1.

Ron Meyers: 11:13

So what's the feedback you're getting?

Donna C DiSalvo: 11:15

Every, even over the weekend, in Texas, I had ladies coming up to me in Texas. We were in Mississippi and in Texas, coming up to me telling me how much the book has already meant to them. Almost the few days after it launched and people had it in their hands, I had ladies messaging me how day number two affected them this way or how they, you know, on day number six. And this was this is what it spoke to them. So, just knowing that the Lord has blessed it the way it was meant to be and that it touches women in every season, a lot of people thought I wrote this book strictly out of grief and that was the newest period of my life. You know, losing my husband has been a very difficult thing, but there's more in the book than that season. So I had a whole plan of putting it together. Actually, god had the plan I just followed that plan of touch women in every season of their lives.

Ron Meyers: 12:02

I try to encourage listeners each week through the show that God created them on purpose, with a purpose. That is never too late for a new beginning. You might be encouraging someone right now that has been thinking about writing a book, maybe singing a song, or doing an artist, maybe doing a picture. So encourage those people, those dreamers out there that just don't have the courage or they're just kind of afraid to take that step.

Donna C DiSalvo: 12:28

God did not put us here without dreams. He did not. That would be such a dull and boring life. Take those dreams, no matter how small they may be. I would have never thought that writing inside of a notebook several notebooks actually, but writing inside of a notebook would ever come together into the pages of one book that could just go out to women everywhere. There's women all over the United States that have already gotten the book, and it was to know that just that little bit goes out and touches one life. You never know. I'll give all of you a bit of encouragement. I watch other ladies and a lady that encouraged me. Her simple thing was making bookmarks for your Bible or a book, whatever you want it to be, and she has built that into a box of encouragement that she now sends out to women. So that kind of inspiration I got. Take your inspiration. Look around, there's people doing things right now that the Lord's put on their hearts. You have a purpose.

Ron Meyers: 13:21

I tell people the fountain of youth is doing what God needs you to do. Love what you do, do what you love. And if you're stuck at a point in life now and you don't know what to do, spend some time with Jesus.

Donna C DiSalvo: 13:30

I always tell them too. We're each in a season so, and what I mean by that in some examples of it is is I watch the ladies at my church. We call them the kitchen crew. They're in a season of their lives to where that's where they serve. But those ladies one time served in Sunday schools teachers, they served as camp administrators, they served in the nursery. They served in different capacities along their lives.

Donna C DiSalvo: 13:53

In church I hear new moms a lot of times will tell me I can't serve here because I have littles. Okay, that's fine. But then serve here because I have littles. Okay, that's fine, but then serve here. Maybe you're not serving here because you have littles, but once they grow up then you know you've got a purpose here. So we're each in a different season.

Donna C DiSalvo: 14:07

I happen to be in a time of my life where there are no children at home to raise. My daughter is raised, it's grown, you know. I get to now be her friend. I love that portion of our lives I'm not raising a baby. Portion of our lives I'm not raising a baby. I'm not raising one that's in school. I don't want this to come across and sound bad, but I also don't have a husband that I go home and have to take care of anymore. It's a new season and I think that's what's helped me through the grief is to know take where I'm at and serve to the best of my ability, because God's going to have me in another season soon and there'll be a different way to serve. So you're right, it is the fountain of youth, it's what keeps us going.

Ron Meyers: 14:42

It is, and you know you're so energetic. If somebody listening says, wow, you know I live around this area, I might want to head up to her church. Could they look for you?

Donna C DiSalvo: 14:54

Could you get your?

Ron Meyers: 14:55

church, Campground Baptist.

Donna C DiSalvo: 14:56

Campground Baptist. There's a seat sitting right next to me and it's empty. Come on. I would love to have you in that seat with me, absolutely.

Ron Meyers: 15:02

Wow, it sounds like you've got a great church family I do.

Donna C DiSalvo: 15:08

I have a very supportive family, a great group of ladies there. Our ladies ministry is just continually growing and being able to focus around on the ladies and helping them grow. Of course we have other ministries there too, but those are the ones I'm involved in and it's just a heart for the Lord.

Ron Meyers: 15:20

You know, I believe that every day is a new day when God gives us some fresh things. And what is happening in the world, Anything that's on your heart now, what you see going on. Is there something that you just want people to know? That maybe God placed something new on your heart, a new thought?

Donna C DiSalvo: 15:36

Just realize that God's timing is not yours and God's plan is not yours. If I went back and told you complete history and all, just very briefly, I grew up believing I was going to be a missionary. I had the entire dreams of being overseas, going to be trained as soon as I was 18 years old Didn't know where I was going to be going, but that's where I was going. That wasn't God's plan. God's plan was for me to be a missionary. Yes, because I do believe that is what I do here right now in my local area. I have a mission to do for the Lord right here. So while I didn't go off to train at age 18 and go overseas and serve overseas, the Lord's brought me around full circle and I get to do a mission for him right here in my local area.

Ron Meyers: 16:18

Yeah, but listen, you are doing mission work in Texas. Last week you said you've got books that have been out of the country.

Donna C DiSalvo: 16:25

So God is? It's just different. It's a different plan.

Ron Meyers: 16:27

It's a different.

Donna C DiSalvo: 16:27

I just didn't go put my foot in a country overseas.

Ron Meyers: 16:30

Amen, what God has for us. Yes, I believe this, that if we really knew what God had for us, we wouldn't believe it. No, we would not, that's why he can't reveal it to us, because we'd say there's no way I could do that.

Donna C DiSalvo: 16:44

Yeah because, if you think about it, yes, what I've gotten to step foot on foreign soil and teach and minister there and just teach and pour in. Yeah, but look now what he's given us here. How many people are going to be touched just today by listening to the podcast. That is an amazing thing. So, yeah, God's timing and God's plan, they're not yours.

Ron Meyers: 17:06

Follow His. You're the perfect one to answer this. I like to ask my guests. The title of the show is called Get the Hell Out of your Life. So, donna, how do you get the hell out of your life?

Donna C DiSalvo: 17:16

You know I stay, I try and stay totally grounded in God's word. It's all make every day about him. It's not about me, it's about the Lord, it's. What can I do to shine forth the glory of God and what he's done in my life? He doesn't ask us to do any more than share what he's done in our lives.

Ron Meyers: 17:35

That's it.

Donna C DiSalvo: 17:36

Share what he's done in our lives, and that's the witness that we're supposed to be for him.

Ron Meyers: 17:47

He does the rest. He does the rest so beautifully put. Wow. I'm so glad you came by and chatted with us and the listeners. So, donna, somebody wants to buy your book. Where do they get a copy of it?

Donna C DiSalvo: 17:53

So if you're in the local area in Gulfport, you can certainly find me on Facebook or on Instagram. I have them there and can get them to you local, but what's your?

Ron Meyers: 18:01

handle on Facebook.

Donna C DiSalvo: 18:02

So on Facebook it's under Donna C. It's actually DC DeSalvo. Just look up Donna DeSalvo, you'll be able to find it there. Same thing on Instagram it's Donna C DeSalvo, but then it is on Amazon also, so I have published there, so it's very easy to get on Amazon.

Ron Meyers: 18:15

So you. So, I just have a feeling that you're probably throwing some inspiration out on that page quite a bit, huh.

Donna C DiSalvo: 18:22

That page. My Instagram sees a lot more of that inspiration. But yes, on my page there is a lot of inspiration that happens out there.

Ron Meyers: 18:27

Well, that's excellent. So people can if somebody says, well, I want that seat you're talking about in church so they can find you on Facebook to send you a message.

Donna C DiSalvo: 18:36

Yep, get in my Facebook Messenger. I actually answer those a lot quicker than I do comments only because I see them faster. But yeah, message me on there, I'll save a seat next to me.

Ron Meyers: 18:44

Well, what a blessing, blessing. You're always so kind. I've known you through some events over the years and you're just always such a bright light in this dark world. And the book is called what If this Is your Lydia Moment? By Donna Carroll yes, that is my pen name. That's your pen name. A 30-day devotional for every woman in every season. I highly recommend it and I'm going to give one away in just a minute Before we go. Will you pray for the listeners that are listening now?

Donna C DiSalvo: 19:13

I would be honored to Heavenly Father. I thank you so much today, just for the opportunity for those that are listening, for the opportunity for me to be able to speak today, lord, and just to show your glory, father, and to do and honor you in everything. Father, I ask that if there is someone that is listening today that does not know Jesus as their Savior, father, that today be that day, because ultimately, that is the ultimate thing, father, I thank you. I thank you for just everything that you've given to me, father, and those things that I don't even know that are still coming. Father, I pray for blessings on those that are listening. I pray that you touch their lives in mighty ways, that, father, when it happens, they know beyond a shadow of a doubt it's all God. It's all God. So, father, as we close out today, just thank you. Thank you for the blessings and thank you for everything in our lives, father, and may we honor and glorify you in all that we do In Jesus' name amen.

Ron Meyers: 20:09

Thank you, donna. What a beautiful story. If you would like a copy of her book, I have two copies to give away Go to my Facebook page, thepromoterorg, look for this interview and then post on the comment section and I will be in touch with the first two people that request that book. But now I have a question for you. Have you ever felt like life is working against you, that everyone else seems to be on a clear path, while you're struggling to find your footing? Well, I've got some news that might change your perspective. To find your footing, well, I've got some news that might change your perspective. It's rigged. That's right, friends. I believe it's rigged, not in a negative way we often think about rigging systems but in the most beautiful, life affirming way possible.

Ron Meyers: 20:52

God has a plan for each of us that is carefully crafted, and once we surrender to it, everything begins to fall into place. Even our setbacks become stepping stones In our lives. We often have to hit rock bottom before we look up. It's at these lowest moments that many of us finally call out to Jesus, and that's when the divine rigging begins. The transformation is profound, forgiveness washes over us, our hearts and spirits are renewed and we receive a fresh start in life, a new beginning. Now, this doesn't mean life suddenly becomes problem free. We all experience setbacks, but there's a profound truth here. These challenges often redirect us back to the path we were meant to follow. It's not that God causes these hardship, but he uses them to shape our stories into something even more powerful when we stay connected to Jesus. Let's be honest Many well-meaning Christians try to share their faith by repeatedly inviting people to church or quoting scripture, but I believe this approach often misses the mark.

Ron Meyers: 22:11

What people really need, what they're really hungry for, isn't a history lesson about Jesus. They want to know what Jesus has done for you, you personally, your authentic testimony, the real, the raw story of how Jesus has transformed your life. That has more power to reach hearts than any theological argument or church invitation. And if you can't articulate what Jesus has done in your life in a personal, relatable way, well, perhaps it's time to deepen your relationship with him before attempting to witness to others. Friends, you see the news, you see the headlines. We are living in increasingly uncertain times and I believe it's going to get worse. People are afraid. They're worried, searching for stability. What they need isn't just a building to visit on Sundays or inspirational content to consume. There weren't any buildings to go to during COVID. They shut down. They need a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus that travels with them 24-7. This relationship with Jesus becomes their church. This relationship becomes their worship, their prayer life, their protection and their destiny.

Ron Meyers: 23:27

If we could earn our way to God through knowledge and religious works, that wouldn't be grace. It would be legalism. True transformation comes not through our own efforts, but through surrender to Jesus, acknowledging our limitations and allowing him to work through us. The beautiful truth about giving your heart to Jesus is that it initiates a profound transformation. Old desires fade away and new aspirations emerge, and you experience the freedom of becoming you, the person you were created to become Authentic, unique and not an imitator or a phony. When we truly surrender with Lord I'm yours the journey begins.

Ron Meyers: 24:12

Yes, we might stumble along the way, not because God causes us to fall or punishing us, but because we live in a world full of challenges and sometimes we make poor choices. But these missteps don't derail God's plan for us Again, it's rigged. In fact, they often strengthen our testimony. So today, I encourage you to ask yourself do you have religion or do you have a relationship. Can you speak personally about what Jesus has done for you? Well, if not, perhaps it's time to draw closer to him. After all, it's rigged in your favor. How do you get the hell?

Donna C DiSalvo: 24:55

out of your life. Get on your knees and cry out to the Lord. He hears you, right where you are.

Speaker 1: 24:59

How do you get the hell out of your life.

Ron Meyers: 25:01

Well, you replace it with Jesus.

Speaker 1: 25:02

We got to be born again, born of the Spirit, and that's by trusting Jesus Christ, turning from our sins and trusting Jesus, it's a one-step program and you find out about this man by the name of Jesus, who went to the cross and gave his life so that we will have a life more abundantly. And if you can receive that love, he will love that. Hell out of you.

Donna C DiSalvo: 25:23

How do you get the hell out of your life? You trust in Him and you let Him love the hell right out of you.

Ron Meyers: 25:27

How do you get the hell out of your life? Oh gosh, jesus, jesus, jesus, jesus, jesus, jesus, jesus, jesus, to receive Him and abide in Him. Yes, Turn to Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

Donna C DiSalvo: 25:39

No one comes to the Father except through him.

Ron Meyers: 25:43

Well, friends, as we close this chapter today, I encourage you this week to meditate on this. It's rigged. And then wrap it up with a prayer Jesus, I'm all yours. Inspire, encourage and empower me each day to become the person you created me to become. Thank you, wow. That's powerful, friends. And then make it a habit to have coffee with Jesus every day. Have a heart healing conversation. Be open, honest and tell him what's on your mind. Don't hold back. I can testify that everything is going to be all right. He is working all things for your good. It's rigged, so go rest in Jesus today and every day, and I promise you will see the beauty of life with Jesus.

Ron Meyers: 26:32

I will be back next week with another inspiring episode of Get the Hell Out of your Life, available on your favorite podcast platform. Until then, this is Ron Myers, reminding you that I love you, jesus loves you, and when you give your heart to Jesus, you not only get the hell out of your life, but life gets good. Now go share with someone what Jesus has done for you. Get the hell out. Get the hell out. Get the hell out of your life on for you.

Speaker 1: 27:09

Today's show is proudly underwritten by the Christmas City Gift Show. Mark your calendars for November 7th through the 9th and experience the magic inside the Christmas City Gift Show inside the Mississippi Coast Convention Center located on the beach in Biloxi, mississippi. For more information, visit christmascitygiftshowcom. If you would like to be a guest and share your story of God's amazing grace, visit our website, thepromoterorg, and click the Share your Story tab button. Thanks for listening. Join us next week for another edition of Get the Hell Out of your Life real stories, real struggles and real hope.