Let’s Be Real with Jessica Brown

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 6:2If this episode blessed you, please let us know by leaving a review wherever you listen. It means more than you know.

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.

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 abusefightingyoung pregnancy out of wedlocksingle momreceiving the gift of the Holy Ghost for the first timeflu vaccine adverse reaction injuryIf 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!

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.

Destiny Minton is a wife to David, mom to 4-almost 5 kids, and was raised in a functional family unit of two of the most precious parents a child could have, Regina and Phillip Matlock. Today Destiny talks growing up, things she remembers her parents did that she feels made the difference, and more personal things she went through as a teenager herself even though she DID have that "perfect" raising with two parents present. Our conversation hits on themes such as rebellion as a teen, good things in a marriage, the importance of purity and your virginity, and absolute miracles she's witnessed with her own two eyes. As they always do, things got real, and it's one not to miss. If you haven't yet, please give us a 5 star review wherever you listen! This helps the podcast go even further and reach others who need to hear this good stuff:)

Tristen Hester is wife to Joey, a mom to two, a property manager, and a real estate agent. Today we talk the beautiful journey God led her on from being in the world "saved" feeling like He was miles away to being SO CLOSE to her daily walking in Truth. We talk themes such as the passing of a parent, being a young teen mom, lines of distinction, revelation of oneness, the devil fighting you, struggle with laying certain sins down, and being in the process of striving daily to overcome.

Kristen Rowland | mama to Raylan-sits down for a real conversation on how God not only brought her back to truth, but how He has kept her. Raised in truth until she was 9 years old, she talks how it was to watch her parents backslide, and the after effects it had on her own life until she made it back. The devil fought her to get back, but he also fought her to stay. She talks the struggles she went through to stay after living out the very public journey of a pregnancy out of wedlock. The shame of sin the devil kept forefront in her mind, the lies he would tell her to leave the church, and the process she went through to overcome and now be the mom she knew she wanted for her baby, no matter what. Her determination is a testament to the strength the Holy Ghost gives us to KEEP COMING BACK.

This week's episode is a first-generation testimony: Mahala Hensley is 22 years old. She came with her father and mother to FPCNLR just over one year ago with a testimony of how they got here that you wont soon forget. Our conversation has themes such as isolation, rebellion, church hurt, first-generation experience, faking it until you make it, crossroad decisions to either stay in or leave the church, major church transitions, heart for missions and MORE.

@kimmied31 | wife to Mansour, mama, step mama, and originally from Kentucky with an accent as sweet as honey- Kimmie tells her first generation experience. Coming from a Trinitarian pastor’s home, God drew her to an Apostolic pew and this is the story. Themes mentioned in this episode are: stories of utter faith, trinity vs oneness revelation, church hurt, trials of a single mom, waiting for God’s will in a spouse, and more. Her realness and humor will leave you laughing, crying, and wanting a part 2.

Event + response = outcome. This conversation with Eva Gee holds many powerful nuggets through self-taught/learned experience. Wife to Luke, mom to 3 girls, Eva talks personal trials, prayer life, infidelity, gossiping, attitude, mindset, purpose, kindness, and the true power of therapy. Having already graduated with her Bachelors in Psychology (with an emphasis on Christian counseling) she is soldiering straight onto her Masters program, all while being a wonderful wife and involved sahm mom. You will be encouraged, and convicted.

Ashley Brunet is wife to Craig, mom to two, southern as they come, and sis looks half her age of 40 years old. She out here with some genes from heaven y'all. Today we hear her testimony- from not knowing anything about Truth or church, to a coworker inviting her to church and God completely changing her life. Themes discussed are adoption, love for animals, is the Holy Ghost real, sexual abuse, anxiety as a new mom, and more.

Lakesia Thames is wife to Patrick, and mama to 6, an artist, and a Bible quizzing champ mom. Today we talk about a lot of things: chatgpt, Bible quizzing, mom hacks of 6, building good work ethics, discipline, feeling like a failure, and the agonizing pain of losing a parent.