Let’s Be Real with Jessica Brown

Gina Connor blesses us this week with not only her testimony, but her talented singing as well! We talk real themes such as the unexpected journey of caring for a child with special needs ongoing, heartbreaking divorce later in life, and ultimately healing and the journey forward in her own happiness and faithfulness to God's house no matter the situation. It's sweet and short, just like her and exactly what someone out there needs to hear this week! As always, thank you so much for listening and I pray that you are encouraged.

In this week's episode, Ashley Shirley opens up about her experience of grief as a sibling who lost her brother when she was only 11 years old. Wife to Stephen, and mama to three, she also talks about how God brought her parents out of a life of addiction, and how miraculously God has kept all of her and her siblings. Themes addressed are addiction, transitions, grief, bitterness, rebellion, and ultimately grace and safe-keeping.

Lilian continues her testimony in this episode picking up where she left off last week where her family had just moved to Arkansas. She opens up about how she was groomed from the age of 13 years old until she was 18, we talk the dangers of sexual predators who know just who to pick that is vulnerable. Other themes mentioned are becoming pregnant in highschool, being kept from going to church even after knowing the anointing of the Holy Ghost and having to push on, abusive environments full of chaos and fear, young single mom desperately trying to escape, suicidal thoughts, and ultimately escape and blessings in a godly marriage. You will hear her sweet 1 year old baby in the next room being babysat by her sister, and her other children playing, as she bravely vocalizes years of hurt and ultimately gives forgiveness and God the glory for her blessed life now. God is so good. So many may not relate with this much hurt in their life, but someone may. Others will recognize how good they truly do have it, and overall, my prayer is that scars are healed, Lilian's and others. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Galations 6:2

If this episode blessed you, please let us know by leaving a review wherever you listen. It means more than you know.

Lilian is wife to Carlos, mama to 3, devoted sister and saint to FPCNLR. Today, her testimony takes us through themes such as

-losing a parent at an early age

-physical, mental, sexual, and verbal abuse

-kids being put under so much responsibility at an early age

-raising younger siblings as the oldest sibling

-realities of immigration

-CPS first hand experiences

SO MANY nuggets in this testimony- she was so brave and told me God gave her a boldness that she prayed for to be an overcomer by the word of her testimony, and this is only part 1!

Meet Vanessa Orell. She is a wife to Steven, mama to two, and now Calvary Academy's very own K2 teacher. Our conversation today was such a wonderful mix of first generation testimony plus real life living details that make you truly feel like a fly on a wall for this episode. Themes we talk about are as follows: vascillating biological mother and father relationship, family abandonment, first generation experience, teenagers staying in church no matter what, hilarious proposal story, finding a mentor, womens health, fibroids, menstrual cycles, finding a walk with God for yourself. It's such a good reminder that we need to just STAY in His house, it's where our strength is! Per usual, you never know what you're in for here, but isn't that kind of the fun? Come along, let's be real.

Here is the second part of my mother's testimony. In this episode, themese we talk about are domestic abuse, single motherhood, childhood sickness, cults, separation and divorce, and ultimately, deliverance.

If you know of someone who needs to hear this to be encouraged in their season, please send to them. They are not alone, and their effort to make it to the house of God, will never go unnoticed by God.

Thank you so much for listening, and as always-stay tuned:)

We finally convinced my mom to come on here y'all. We have arrived. She was a shakin, but I think she did absolutely amazing and I can't wait to hear the rest of it along with you all. It was so neat to have this conversation with my mom. You think you know pretty much everything about your parents, when in reality, we know very little. The details will bring you to tears, and the way the Lord guided and kept her as well was such a reminder of how He truly holds each of us in His big hands. He knows the beginning from the end. In this conversation themes discussed are:

divorce

alcohol abuse

fighting

young pregnancy out of wedlock

single mom

receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost for the first time

flu vaccine adverse reaction injury

If you enjoyed this podcast, please reach out and let us know by leaving a review wherever you are listening to it! It means so much that you give this podcast any time of your week, and I can't wait to continue to share God's great works through the testimonies of his saints! And remember, whatever your situation, just keep showing back up to church. You can do it!

It's a new year, and I knew it was time- I had been putting this off-scared to offend anyone in my life, but also knowing there's a way to tell the truth with love that still helps so many. God knows my heart and I pray my heart shone through in this episode. Themes addressed in this episode are as follows:

-divorce, separation

-physical/domestic abuse

-sexual assault

-single parenthood

-backsliding

-search for validation

-forgiveness

-marriage

-post partum in motherhood

and more.

If you received any nuggets from this episode, please tell me so I don't second guess myself into deleting it the first day lol. Thank you all so much for coming back to listen, and as always stay tuned, because THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Becca Halbrook is wife to Levi, sahmama to 4, and gardener/homesteader. She sat down with us this week to tell her testimony. Doing this episode was completely out of her comfort zone, but she did it wonderful justice as she opened up about how God brought her and her husband back to church after backsliding for a time. We talk the road there and back, and the miraculous power of just "slipping into church" here and there, as God worked on their hearts until eventually they are where they are now, a pillar family in the church. Themes we talk are backsliding, 52 day fasts, partying, alcohol and marijuana, encouragement of saints, and more.

Wife to Aaron, momma to 2, sahm/working mama Rachel sits down with us this week and tells her testimony. Only 22 years old, married for 4 years, and pregnant with their third child, she talks the path God brought her down to get where she is today. Themes such as children sexual assault, environment of addiction and demonic behavior, insecurities and eating disorders, unmonitored access to internet via cell phone usage as a child, dangers of relationships online, double standard lifestyle, a beautiful life after trauma.

A song she recommended is Pulling Me Through by Todd Dulaney

If you love this podcast, will you tell one friend about it this week? :) Thank you so much for listening!