Meet the Host, Misty Rooks

Why did I start a podcast?

After twenty years in education, I left my career to follow my dream of homeschooling and starting a podcast. Since I was a teenager, I wanted go to into journalism and be a news anchor. However, I was discouraged from pursuing this and went for my second choice, education. I was so glad that I did! I spent many years in the classroom loving on other kids before I had my own. I always wanted to stay home with them, but always had to go back to work. A couple of years ago, I went through 5 surgeries in less than a year. My nervous system was shot. I'd had a silicone breast implant rupture for no telling how long, and I believe I'm still detoxing even now. I felt like I was constantly on the verge of having a nervous breakdown, and I didn't know it was because my body was fighting so hard to protect me. I left my position as worship leader at my church, canceled a community event I was in charge of. I was trying to eliminate stress from my life, but the biggest source of it was my job. And that looked impossible to change. 

My husband never wanted our kids to be homeschooled, and he did not believe we would ever make it on one income. But one day while he was at work, he said he heard from the Lord, "When you move, I'll move." Instantly he knew that meant for me to quit my job and trust that God would take care of us. I turned in my notice, had two more surgeries, and was all out of paid leave so I had not gotten a full paycheck in months. It was the absolute worst time, but perhaps the perfect time, to take such a leap of faith. As soon as my final school year was over, and I walked out of my classroom for the last time, within two weeks my husband got a promotion at work that he'd given up on. "When you move, I'll move." 

Today, I homeschool my daughter and son, along with hosting women's small groups, online groups, selling on TPT, hosting worship nights, baking cheesecakes, and of course, working on the Make Me Better Podcast. I have so many dreams of writing books, speaking at women's conferences, creating calendars and journals, etc. and growing the podcast to whatever God wants it to be. Most importantly, I know He wants me to walk alongside people who have had the wind knocked out of them and now find themselves in a brand new season and need help navigating this strange new land. I know because I've been there. And our job as believers is to share what we've been through, so we can comfort others going through the same thing. 

"...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."  2 Corinthians 1:4

Nothing is more fulfilling than knowing you are walking out God's plan for your life. You may only be able to take one step at a time, but obedience leads to the most overflowing joy you've ever known. 

How did I get the name Make Me Better Podcast?

Remember the dream I had of going into journalism? That dream never left me, even though I followed a different career path. Several years ago, I kept getting the feeling that I was going to start a podcast. I wondered how I would do it without equipment, and I didn't really have time to do it. I didn't know how (I probably still need some training!), but still I would write down ideas in my journal. Names for the show, potential topics, guests, and teaching series. As the time was approaching, I wrote down "Little is Much Podcast" in my journal. I had just about settled on that until I went through the most difficult health challenge of my life. While waiting to be healed, I began to pray differently. I wondered why I couldn't receive a miracle for myself, or even just see one for someone else. I would ask God why. I never asked Him why am I going through this, I just asked, "Why won't you give me a miracle," and "When will my healing come?" Well, you know God. He never answered either of those questions. But I felt something begin to change in me. While I was still waiting on some relief, my prayer changed to something like this: I don't know why I'm going through this, I don't know what I'm supposed to learn, but if there's a purpose in all this I want to see it. God, Make Me Better. Make me a better person, draw me closer to you. Don't let this trial be wasted. Let me learn something from it. Show me what I am supposed to see. Refine me. Accomplish whatever it is in me by going through this. I know you didn't make me sick, but you are the one who can make me well. If I'm not going to be healed instantly the way I want, then help me make it through and Make Me Better.

So, that's how I got the name. It was forged in fire. And let me tell you, I would have thought I was ready to host a podcast in my twenties, and even my thirties, but it would have never been the Make Me Better Podcast. There are some things you can't learn until you experience them. The last 3-5 years, even the last 20 years, have all been preparation for my purpose. For this season. For this moment. My prayer for you is this: while you are right in the middle of your trial, and you are asking why, I hope you turn inwardly and ask God to make you better.