Standing in Your Truth With Yanni
The podcast "Standing in Your Truth" will feature Yanni and a group of friends engaging in profound and intimate discussions on subjects such as mental health, finances, faith, and strategies for finding motivation during difficult periods. In this space, guests will be invited to share their life journeys, including the challenges they've faced and the obstacles they've overcome. This podcast aims to provide a platform for individuals to share their stories, ensuring that everyone's experiences are acknowledged, valued, and celebrated.
Standing in Your Truth With Yanni
Faith, Resilience and Intergenerational Wisdom: The Mariah DeArmond Story
Meet the dynamic Mariah DeArmond, a young entrepreneur with a unique fusion of baking and painting in her dreams. We dive deep into her aspirations, and venture into her views on generational differences, the importance of resilience, and the role perspective plays when facing rejection. The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Mariah shares a season of life that profoundly impacted her spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We unpack the transformative power of her faith, the role of music in shaping lives, and the desire to inspire the next generation.
Our conversation travels through a variety of chapters, from discussing Mariah's entrepreneurial drive and her passion for baking, to the challenges faced by her generation in bridging the gap with older generations. We also broach the subject of personal growth through challenging life experiences. Mariah shares the transformative effect her baptism and faith has had on her life, and the profound impact of music on her faith journey. We also delve into her drive to help her peers and bridge the generational divide, and the power of sharing experiences.
Closing on a profound note, Mariah and I converse about the power of prayer and the importance of a strong relationship with God. We emphasize the significance of sharing experiences, providing guidance, and the need for adults to remember their own youth when guiding younger generations. Join us on this thought-provoking journey as Mariah's story unfolds - a powerful narration of faith, resilience, ambition, and the beauty of intergenerational wisdom. Listen in, feel inspired, and perhaps, start your own journey.
Hello everyone, welcome to season two of standing your truth podcast. I'm your host, Yanni. On this podcast, you will hear myself, family and friends having open ended discussions on anything from faith, finances, relationships and how to stay motivated during life trying times. Make sure you follow me on all my social media. Click within the bio, sit back and get ready to enjoy. Hello, hello everyone, welcome to another episode of standing your truth. I almost forgot name my own podcast. That's how long it's been since I recorded, and actually I think it's been like two weeks. But how's everyone doing? Summer's coming to an end. Kids are back in school. For those who don't know, a little short life update for me.
Speaker 1:I started a new job.
Speaker 2:I don't know if I mentioned that last episode and I'm doing 75 heart again. I'm doing it different this time I am attending CrossFit 432. It's kicking my butt, but it's okay. If you haven't been following me on social media, I put on there that this time in my life is like the time where I'm having to get uncomfortable to grow. So uncomfortable conversations, uncomfortable experiences, but not in a bad way just for me to grow. But other than that, life is good, just learning and growing.
Speaker 1:That's that.
Speaker 2:No, moving along. I have another guest with me, so I'm going to let her introduce herself first.
Speaker 1:Hi I'm Mariah.
Speaker 3:I'm Mariah DeArmond. I'm 16 years old, I just turned 16 and I'm a junior. Where do you go, permian? I got a perm in here, oh okay.
Speaker 2:I wonder what. Well, maybe not bringing that up. And I moved out here. I was so confused on what the whole rivalry thing was between permian and wations.
Speaker 3:Yeah well, it's just like a little not so friendly rivalry.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because you're going to say little and I was like.
Speaker 2:I don't know the people. I know they take that stuff very seriously.
Speaker 3:But on Twitter they go crazy. It's crazy Like there's our quarterback no, he's not our quarterback, one of them, he's like super, you know, he's got a scholarship and everything and they found him with like a gun in his hand and smoking in a truck, and so they posted that and then tagged the college that recruited him. And then they said that he was with freshman and he was a senior. Oh no, yeah. But like they got it all cleared up, like you know, like it was all like a joke, the freshman thing, but I mean the picture was real. Like there's no way they could have photoshopped that. That was crazy.
Speaker 2:I'm just like. I'm like what is happening.
Speaker 3:This poor guy because he hasn't done nothing. They just like to come after him like out of nowhere, like the one with the pic. The picture was like at the end of the year and the football season it's at the beginning of the year. Like it makes no sense to me. I'm telling you I'm all of it is a worry and it's crazy, and OHS is crazy too, and so, like crazy and crazy, don't go to it.
Speaker 2:No, it is. It's just what it's adding feel to the fire, or something like that. Well, I have this beautiful young lady here today because technically I, we do attend the same church, go figure. But I always see her out and about and have a positive attitude and I was like I had something. I just I don't know why, but I was like I need her on my podcast and I feel like we've had this initial conversation like at least like three, four, five, six, maybe months ago, but our schedules and then our schedules were not matching. And then summer for you you had summer trips and youth camp.
Speaker 2:So I was like, hey, we're not going to rush you. Whenever the time is right, the time is right and it will fit. So, praise God, here we are today. So we're going to start with our house questions and then we'll just kind of, you know, see where the conversation goes from there. So Ruth's going to call this episode If I have like the thing with some cool music. But I don't have that, that was that cool music. All things, mariah, all right. So first things first, what motivates you?
Speaker 3:Um, like, um, I I don't know. I think it's my future.
Speaker 1:Really.
Speaker 3:Yeah, like I'm really excited.
Speaker 2:What are my future? Like what is there? Like a certain thing about your future. Like what about your future?
Speaker 3:Well, um, I want to open my own business, Okay.
Speaker 2:Do you know what? Are we putting that out there?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we can Um, it's a I've done it before it's my cookies and canvases, okay, and it's like a little. Um, I want to have like a bakery and then we have like a little spot to do paint, and so what they'll do is they'll come in, they'll get cookies and you get a paint, like a painting lesson or something like that, and then we can have like parties and then like date nights and stuff like that. That's what I want to do, or I want to do like something, like a little bit of everything like have everything you know like, just like little businesses everywhere, and so just to like grow.
Speaker 2:So you have the entrepreneur mindset.
Speaker 3:Yes, it's really runs in my family. Yeah.
Speaker 2:You're saying baking in my head I'm thinking okay in your mother makes really good cakes. You did not know, her mom makes bomb cakes.
Speaker 3:I've always wanted to have like a bakery, always, yeah. And she wants to open up a bakery just to like, make her cakes out of somewhere, you know, and I feel like that'd be really cool, like we can sell cakes to make cookies. Like I think that's so much fun, so do you do cookies and canvases now. So I used to, and then I just like I don't do it anymore because I got busy with school and I life just got busy and so I just don't have time for it right now but, hopefully soon, because they were so fun.
Speaker 3:I think it's just I got very uncomfortable because of like having like people, because it was at my house, you know, and so, and then there was people at my house and then I hadn't talked to them and I was like inside you know what I mean and so like it's just hard to talk to people.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, especially like because, like my dad would post it, like post the little flyer on his Facebook and then like people that I didn't even I like I haven't even known they would come and do it and I'm just like okay, and so like it's easier for people that you know. But obviously I have to grow up.
Speaker 2:That's the uncomfortable part.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I think I'm better, though I think I'm better at talking to more people Hopefully.
Speaker 2:You may have to. I can think of a couple of organizations that may be interested in a cookie at campus.
Speaker 3:Oh, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:We may have spiked the cookies or something, but yeah, I think you need to spiked the cookies, I think you need to. Anyway, how do you protect your mental health?
Speaker 3:I go to the gym with my parents, and I go to the gym with my parents and then I do like I have time to myself. I read the Bible every day At least I'm trying to, because it gets kind of hard, but I read the Bible and right now I'm reading during my room yes, and I feel like that's just.
Speaker 3:It just kind of cleanses my mind and then when I'm, when I'm getting ready, I try to either keep it quiet or have some music in the background, because that really calms me down and like just mental health is so important and I feel like working out is a big thing too, because I have noticed that I've been a lot happier since I started working out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't know why I'm not the scientific terms behind it, but it releases, like certain endorphins and I do agree, because I like sometimes I go into working out and I'll be like, oh, here we go again. But when leaving out of it, I feel like I have like all this energy and I'm like, where does this even?
Speaker 3:come from, Because coming into it I didn't have it. I didn't have it when I was working out. When I left, I was like, let's go.
Speaker 2:Like where was when I was like not as kid and like I mean I had that budget? She good, that is sure. I feel like working out in mental health definitely go hand in hand with it, for sure. So this question I was writing it out for you and I was like it's kind of weird to say like you just turned 16. So it's like what advice would?
Speaker 1:you give your younger self Is there anything that you would give yourself?
Speaker 2:I kind of also do you have advice for young?
Speaker 3:yourselves.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:I would say just enjoy the time that you're in and like, because when I was younger I'd be like I want to grow up already, like I don't want to be this age because people think that I'm just too young to do everything, and like like they would kind of put like a limit on me and then, but I kind of wish I had those limits because I feel like I grew up way too fast.
Speaker 3:And like I mean just like with certain like trials or like seasons that I've been through in my life, it's kind of hard to like I had I had. I felt like I had to grow up and so I wish that I could have just stayed young for a little longer, just to take your time, like, don't rush things.
Speaker 2:That's, that's a. Bitcoin Because.
Speaker 1:I would take it another time. Adola is good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's for the birds. It's not as good as it looks. There's times where if I get some nice, but then it's also times I leave it on. So over this, Right. But she brought up a good point when you said sometimes I feel like maybe kids have the need to want to rush to grow Because they feel like there's some adults in their life that don't. I'm going to say it Respect them as as just you.
Speaker 2:I think we tend to, I think you guys will have opinions and and that your opinions don't matter, and they do Right. Which is another reason why I was like hey, you know, I want to sit down with you because I feel like you. The youth are the future, right? So if no one's pouring into them, no one's stopping to talk to them, no one's loving on them, no one's encouraging them, no one's uplifting them, yeah, what do you expect your future to really look?
Speaker 3:like Right, like this, like my generation, and they're the future, like you said they're the future and I feel like, like the future, it's going to be very bright, but it's going to be very different.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And so I feel like if adults were just kind of stopping listening, they could understand. But some people just don't like to listen to those because they think all of our opinions are like trash, yeah, and I just think they're like that doesn't even make any sense. You don't know what she's talking about. But, like, help me understand what we're talking about you know what I mean and so then we can grow, but I feel like adults don't really do that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think that's the challenge I was saying for my age group is because technically we're not that young but yet we're not that old. So we're there in the middle and I think you can get the proof of just seeing a little bit of both sides. So I know for myself. Anyway, I take the challenge of to sit down and have a conversation with both and let's see if I can help merge the two.
Speaker 2:So sit down and talk to your younger generation and figure out where their mind is, what they're thinking, how they see it, because at the end of the day, the older generation does have the wisdom to point us, but at the same time, with that wisdom, they're going to have to have the patience to be able to get passed down the wisdom, because we can have a conversation and you can really follow the challenge.
Speaker 3:Also, I think it's like I just had it in my head and I lost it. Oh my gosh, that happens all the time. What was I going to say? I don't know.
Speaker 2:Okay, if it comes back, let me know. It's important for those conversations for sure to happen and to be in the room when they happen, and I'm realizing you got it.
Speaker 3:It's like I feel like they kind of just silence the disgeneration, I guess, but also they have some good reasons, because this generation is kind of dumb, but some people have a good opinion, but adults don't listen. Just because you don't have any part in this. But this is what we're going to grow up into and so I feel like we have a big part of it and I wish that people would kind of listen to us a lot better.
Speaker 2:The kind of goes back to the whole lumping everyone is one, or putting everyone in a box Just because someone your age is doing something doesn't mean that that's what you're trying to do as well.
Speaker 3:Right, right, that's a big thing, Especially with parents. I know my parents are like, well, this person is doing that, so I know you're going to do it, but that's different. They're bad and I'm not bad, and it's not my mom all the time. Your kids are bad. I'm the only good one.
Speaker 1:Oh no, that is hilarious.
Speaker 3:But I mean, you know it's. It may be true, I guess we just have to find out.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it goes back to the idea of at the end of the day, everyone is different. I mean, each of us is different. Each of us has different talents, each of us have different passions. We're just different. And, yes, you may look similar, meaning you guys may all be siblings, right? You may have some similarities at the end of the day.
Speaker 1:We're all different people.
Speaker 2:Right For sure, I'm going to write my other one down to the end. Then, is there a moment You'll skip that one to last? Okay, because I know that I'm going to leave that one to you. What is your mindset when you're told no?
Speaker 3:At first I'm kind of like nah, because like it's not that I get everything that I want, that's just it's so bad to say. But like I don't, I'm just like okay, and then I kind of feel bad for asking. You know, it's like different things, I guess that's. I mean, I don't know other ways to answer that.
Speaker 2:So if your mom told you no on something.
Speaker 1:Or do you?
Speaker 2:just Just maybe creating a rebel. I'm so sorry. But do you just take the no and go okay, what mom said no. Or do you say well, do you challenge it with like a why?
Speaker 3:Oh, no, no, no, that's psychotic. I don't challenge it with that, that's probably good Actually, if you're listening to this.
Speaker 2:Guys. I'm so sorry you might ask for that question, but like it works for like two, I feel like sometimes and it may you may have not gotten to that stage in life yet for you, but there'll be a time where they're going to tell you no or the door's going to shut. But that doesn't mean like, for instance, like with your baby or something you have to stop. Yes, you just have to find another way around it.
Speaker 3:It's not in a way, go challenge your parents or the authorities or whatever it may be Just like the people that are trying to take advantage.
Speaker 2:Right, right. So just keep that in mind. Like I said, you made it, which is good, but it definitely come. So just remember that sometimes a no doesn't always mean no. It may just mean that I find another way around. Another way around, yes, right. So my next question for you Is there a moment in your life that has shaped your life thus far, or something?
Speaker 3:that's changed you Like spiritually or in general. Well, for me, like spiritually and I kind of like I guess, like mentally, you know, I had like this season in my in 2018. And then my dad had to leave the house and it was only for three months, but it was like a big thing and it wasn't between me. It was like I wasn't the cause of it, like I wasn't like in the middle, but it was my brother and my dad, and so they, they couldn't see each other for three months, but like I would like I said, like I grew up fast. That's when I grew up fast and I just kind of pushed myself to help my mom and help my family out, because my mom was sad. Obviously, my mom was sad.
Speaker 3:Chase, my little brother, didn't understand, and my oldest brother, he just like he was, like he just he was trying to help too. You know what I mean, but he was already grown and so I felt like I had to grow up and help out. And so I think, like ever since then, I've been like I've been. I've been trying to be this person that always does good, because, like I don't want anything bad to happen. You know what I mean, and so that's. That's really then. And then also during that, I kind of lost faith in God because, like I mean, I knew God, like I knew of God, but I didn't know him for myself. And I tell people this all the time, like I've known God since I was a kid but I haven't known him. Does that make sense?
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 3:And so I really had to find myself in God. You know what I mean, Because I lost faith in God. That was from 2018 to 2021. And I remember in 2021, we had a West Texas worship conference in Midland and Chandler freaking Moore was there and he was performing. He was performing.
Speaker 2:That was good.
Speaker 3:It was so good, but I was sitting in the back like sleeping on the church because I did not care, like I did not want to be there, I wanted to go home. I like I didn't care about going to church Every Sunday, every Wednesday, but it's not like like I, it just went to church, I didn't go to church and so, um, I wasn't happy to go to church. So, but that changed in like 2022. I started growing my faith back.
Speaker 3:It was hard, like that was probably the hardest thing I remember having. Like it was like 12 o'clock at night and I started freaking out and my mom was in the living room and I was going to the bathroom because I was crying in my room and she was like what's wrong? I was like I feel like he doesn't hear me because I've been praying. I said I feel like he doesn't hear me when I pray and I feel like he just doesn't care about me because I forgot who he was and she, like I, was crying on the couch and my dad got up and he came to the living room. They were both talking to me. It was like 12 o'clock at night. We stayed up for like an hour and they were trying to call me down and like just reassure me, because that was like the lowest of the low for me at least, in that time.
Speaker 3:And then it just went all up from there. Like I went to youth camp for the first time and I feel like that was really good. But like it was really good and it definitely helped my faith grow because I was, I was helping other people. Like I said, like I'm the biggest people pleaser and that's so sad because like I'm only 16 and I was people pleasing at in sixth grade.
Speaker 3:And so, like it was hard for me, but like during camp, I remember this Like I was, I was praying for other people, I was helping other people and I was just helping other people until I got prayed for. It was like the last night and my friend prayed for me. She was like you're such a comforter and she just kept telling me you're such a comforter and you always just want to comfort people and help people because of the things that they're going through, but you don't help yourself. And then this camp came around this year and and that, like I made it my mission to only focus on myself and I felt like at first I was like is this selfish? Like I don't want to be selfish and like like I didn't want it to be, like just all about me.
Speaker 3:And so I like prayed about it for like a few days and God was like yeah focus on yourself, because you need to focus on yourself and my dad always uses this metaphor and I've told people this before but you're going to have your cup full before you pour it to others, and so I think it was very good for me to focus on myself because I feel like I've, ever since camp this year, I've grown so much and it's only been a month Like.
Speaker 3:I feel like it's been like amazing growth and I mean, like some people when they come back from youth camp they're on fire right, until maybe like two weeks later, and then they're just like not on fire or like it's starting to die down, you know, and um sorry, and um like, but I feel like it's going to keep going and I'm really trying to keep that alive because I feel like that's just so important to me and like things have happened like I've gotten prophesied over, like the Holy Spirit has talked through me ever since camp this year, and I feel like it's really because I focused on myself, like I finally did it and I haven't done it before. So I think that's really good. I don't think that answered the question.
Speaker 2:I just kind of went off track, but no you answered it and then you gave oh, it changed your life, kind of how it changed. And then this part and then how you came out of it, right?
Speaker 3:So you gave us the whole story, okay good, I do that for you all the time. Like they'll ask like, um, like they did ask this one. They were like have you ever felt like God doesn't hear you or like God doesn't pay attention to you? Yeah, and then I was like yeah, I do. And then I told that whole story, like going up and down, and then I was at the end. I was like so yeah, and then everyone was kind of just staring at me. I was like I feel like I didn't answer the question.
Speaker 2:No, you definitely did, but it's you give the details of the story and I just wanted to say, even for you, to listening to you, I can hear the wisdom already Dang Because it's listening to you and I'm like whoa, because to some degree this, some similarities here. But mine just took longer. So I had to grow up, I would say fast. I had a stepdad that went to jail when I was in ooh, that was in high school, so maybe like 10th or 11th grade something around there, but he was gone for a couple of years and I'm not the oldest sibling, but I'm my mom's oldest Okay.
Speaker 2:So I have two that are younger than me, like 10 years younger than me, so like I had to help them with homework, feed them, all that, and then, yeah, so that grew up fast and then, like I would go to church with my grandparents and I guess, like you were saying, I completely relate to the fact of like, yeah, I was in church, but I was also that kid that was like trying to make us late so we can miss Sunday school.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And like the kid that was sleeping on the pew, like that was definitely me growing up. And then I moved to Louisiana when I was 18 with my other set of grandparents, got married at 22. And it's kind of went in there and then I got baptized when I was 21, right before I got married. I got baptized early because everyone else was saying I need to be baptized and, being completely honest, yeah. During that time I was a member of a church of Christ, so they do their own things way different.
Speaker 3:Right, it's a lot.
Speaker 2:Yeah. And I would, in it, guns down. Working with the kids love the kids, so do you, and I just did it. And I didn't really it was nothing to really to do with me personally and my personal relationship with God, but it was more so of I got baptized. They told me I had to get baptized. You know, have anyone work with the kids or kids just did it type of thing, got divorced, moved out here and really we started my faith over again when I went to miss cities.
Speaker 1:Oh, wow.
Speaker 2:And that was maybe two or three years ago. Right, like towards the end of COVID.
Speaker 3:Oh, wow, okay.
Speaker 2:Is when I kind of like I was like what is happening and at that point where I was like I don't even know, what I'm doing. Yeah Right, I'm not a point when we kind of question everything.
Speaker 1:Yes, like what is really happening, like I don't even know yeah.
Speaker 2:So I started going to the cities, got rebaptized that time for myself, and I think that's where I learned the difference between religion and relationship.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:So I feel like I'm on the journey now where I'm building that relationship with him, and it's not so much about the religion and the human traditions and doing things because past your soul, and so we've been doing it for 25,000 years. Those days are gone for me, right. So it's when I, when I hear you, it just it makes my heart happy because it's like you figured it out at a younger age how important it is to have that relationship versus that, the religion part of it, right. And a lot of times we don't realize how important it is for us to worry about us and you know, that does come from the spiritual aspect as well as just like health wise, making sure that you know when you're hurting, like don't ignore it, like especially I feel like as women, then we get into the life of like having kids and that and all that, and we put ourselves to the side and we don't worry about us.
Speaker 2:And if we're not worried about us, then what? So it's like I really think your dad said this bus, where he said it in a different way. It wasn't him, it was somebody at the church, but it was like if you don't eat, how do you expect to feed? Which is the same thing it's similar.
Speaker 3:You said I don't know if it was him or somebody else. Yeah, it was probably he has a lot of metaphors.
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, probably was, but when he said it I was like I don't know, because me I'm just like, I'm just, I'm a giver and the best advice I would give for you is slowly the people, please, are as good when it ain't good at the same time.
Speaker 3:Actually, it's just not good at all yeah.
Speaker 2:I think I have to fit her. Yeah, cause, like you want to be, you want to be the giver and you want to help and you want to please, but at the same time it's like Like you're doing too much and you just don't.
Speaker 3:That's like you have to know your boundaries and your limit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, now I don't know Nah.
Speaker 2:I'm doing it yeah.
Speaker 3:I really I think what really started, like that spark is. My dad would always say he's like. He says, as for me and my family, we're going to heaven. When those trumpets blow and I'm like, am I going to heaven? Like that was my biggest question. Because, like, like, I like I said like I knew God but I didn't know God, and so it was kind of like a question for me because I was always helping in in kids ministry with my mom and so I never got that for myself because I was always a part of the church. I was never in the church.
Speaker 1:Does that make sense? You're done.
Speaker 3:And so, like I told this to my parents, like every time we go to a church, we're always like a big part of that church. We went to a church in Midland and my dad was the. He was a pastor. He was like a pastor that would preach like off and on every Sunday and then at Latter A he was he was a worship leader and so I would have to be there. My mom was a kids pastor, so I would have to help with that stuff and so I've never gone to church for myself until recently, and that's when I started that walk with faith.
Speaker 3:You know, walk of faith, god you know, but it's just like, like I didn't want to be left behind. I was like bad.
Speaker 3:FOMO when it comes to being left behind and all my families in heaven. I didn't want that to be me. I knew it. Probably it probably wasn't going to be me, but I just wanted to make sure, for sure, because I didn't want to have that question like am I going to go to heaven and then be scared of that happening Now I'm so excited for it to happen. But, like, after I get married, please thanks God this one get married first.
Speaker 2:I think it's wrong with that man. It's a beautiful thing for sure. One day I hope for that to be for me again. But anyway, that's here, now there. So let's talk about recently. So, if I'm correct, recently just got baptized, right? Yes, okay, talk about that decision. What that decision?
Speaker 3:Yes. So I wanted to do it for a while, but I didn't want to do it until, like I wanted to do it because a lot of people were doing it. I was like I want to do that, but I felt like it was because like I wanted that. I wanted like kind of like the attention you know what I mean Because like everyone would have the attention and I, for me, like I'm not the biggest attention person, like I don't know why I wanted to do it so bad, but I didn't want to do it for me, I just wanted to do it, but I wanted to make sure it was real, you know.
Speaker 3:And then, finally, like I went to seven or actually, and I made three big decisions in that day. I joined the worship team and then I got a job application, and then I got I signed up to be baptized, yeah, and so it was like a big thing for me, and actually I think the worship team was a little after that, but it was definitely in that Anyways, but I made that big decision and those three big decisions, and I don't know why, but it was after the first service and we went to go get a drink from seven, or I was like I should probably do this, like I really want to right now, and so I signed up for the worship team. I signed up to get baptized. I don't know why, like what sparked it, but like I felt, like I had to. Like there's something telling me. It was the Holy Spirit telling me like get baptized.
Speaker 3:It's time, yeah, and so I think that's like the biggest thing, like that sparked it and why I got baptized. And then, when I got baptized, when I got baptized, like I was like so nervous I was shaking, like I was standing there shaking, and then I took one step to go get baptized and I started bawling and I was wearing makeup and but they got really a really good picture of me you can't even see my makeup, so I'm just anyways. But like I started bawling, like I was crying, like I was, I was like like you know, like when you're just shaking, like you're just you know, it's like it was probably the Holy Spirit telling me like this is right, you know what I mean. Like don't be scared. I think I was more excited than I was scared.
Speaker 2:You're probably was the idea of. I think sometimes we do certain stuff and we're obedient with that. It's kind of like the tears probably came from the release. You're not holding on to it anymore. You're letting it go Like you're starting that walk with him, you're starting that relationship with him. It's like here I am, lord, take me, take a thing. I'm going to assume it's probably with the tears. Yeah, it's probably with the ones.
Speaker 3:You're probably right. But like when I was sitting in the baths to get baptized, all I could do was close my eyes. I was crying and smiling at the same time and I was just kind of holding myself like this, like I was smiling, like all I could do was smile and then after all I could do was smile, like it was like the happiest thing for me. I thought it was just so beautiful for me and for my life and for my face.
Speaker 3:Definitely was, definitely was and it's definitely changed me a lot, like I stopped listening to, like such secular music Like it was the hardest thing because I love music, but I feel like I would always run to music when I was anxious or like when I was tired, when I was mad, and it would just make me hide it or like ball it up, and then it would just release one day, and so I think that was my biggest thing because, like, I need to focus on that when it is, and so, and I feel like it was always secular music that was doing that to me, like sadly, it was like this SZA and the weekend and Drake, like I had to stop listening like to all of them and like those are really the main three because I would listen to Kendrick Moore, but anyways, I would listen to like all of them and and they would I don't know why, but they would make me angry when I listen to them.
Speaker 3:And notice this, because I would like listen to it on the speaker. I don't know if it was because of how loud it was, but it was definitely something because I would start like getting mad. Like Chase would ask me, my little brother would ask me a question, and I would just be like no, chase, like I would yell at him and I'm just like it's the music, because if I turned off the music I would be calm right now, and I don't know why it like it just did something to me, and so I stopped listening to such secular music. Like it really changed me and opened my eyes, because that is something that this generation and really everyone is going through right now.
Speaker 3:Because I tell this to my Bible study group is like the devil. Before he was the devil, he was the angel of worship music. You know he made music and so now that he's the devil, I feel like he's trying to get to this generation through music and I feel like you can really see that now because of all of the concerts and it's just opening up your eyes like that one concert, what was it called?
Speaker 2:Which one? What happened?
Speaker 3:It was the one where the Tremor Star yes.
Speaker 3:When anybody was fighting and stopping it yes, and like they brought up the red, like all the red lights, like there was weird little signs on the screen, like that was the biggest thing that opened up my eyes, like it's music that's getting to people.
Speaker 3:And then, like in certain music, like in one of SZA's songs of this new album that she just dropped, she said that she'd rather be in hell. And so I was like I don't know, like I'm not gonna listen anymore, which was so hard because I love her so much, but, you know, praying for her every day. And then and I think it's like a lot of people to me, I feel like they've sold their soul Without even realizing it, without even realizing it, like they just want that fame and they want it now. But if they stuck with God, like, and they just stuck with him through those times that maybe your music isn't doing so good, or something like that, I feel like that could have changed their life. They could have been a lot more famous how they are. But I feel like fame isn't the big thing, like you need to have, like fame isn't everything.
Speaker 3:You know what I mean. I feel like a lot of famous people think that and so that's why they are doing such bad things. Like the little nausex guy, like his little, his shoes that he like he dropped a while ago. It had like a scripture on it and it was like something not hell, and I was like maybe we should not do this. You know what I mean.
Speaker 1:It's like you lost the alarm, yeah.
Speaker 3:Like it's just like a big thing to me, like music is something that it's getting to everybody and they don't know that it's getting to them and that's why everyone's so angry all the time, and I think it's because of music. And that's my biggest thing, because a lot of people add a lot of music and they go to music whenever they're, like I said, like they have anxiety, they're feeling it certain type of way, and then they just ball it up and kick it, you know, to the side.
Speaker 1:And then eventually they're going to trip over it.
Speaker 3:You know what I mean. Like it's it's going to be hard to deal with it, but like if you just deal with it, then it won't be as hard, when you know it's not going to be hard because it's behind you. That makes it.
Speaker 2:It does. But it's so crazy because I think, with I don't know, it's so crazy With my life right now listening to you talk about music and I'm like whoa, wait, hold on. Because I really, for the most part, I kind of stepped away from listening to a lot of suckling music.
Speaker 1:But there are times, yes, there are times.
Speaker 2:There are times I do turn it on and then sometimes I'm behind I turn it on and after the first two songs I guess they're irritating me. Let's go back to the praise and worship.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:Let's just go back because I can't and I realize I, I don't know. I feel like, even when I'm like working throughout the day and I usually have on Spotify and I have the praise and worship station on, turn it on, go, draw on, I can hear it. I just felt like I'm able to navigate the day and I'm not even always completely, 100% tuned into the song. But I think it kind of goes back to the idea of inviting. I feel like it's like inviting the Lord into my work day my workspace.
Speaker 2:Like it's like be here with me and I feel like with that and the days that I've done that for the most part, like it's, he's been there to where I don't know. But they look up and it's five o'clock and seven o'clock and I'm like, oh, thank you, jesus, right, Thanks, time to go. He did that for us. So I'm listening to you and I'm processing it for my life and I'm like, oh, I didn't even realize that because you're right.
Speaker 2:So I'm just like listen to it. It does make you just want to go slap some money upside down.
Speaker 3:Yes, like, it's just like, like, even when you're like singing it to yourself and you're like I do this a lot, but I will sing it to myself in a mirror and I I feel myself like using my hands a lot more and, like I know, like it's just like, like it, just I feel like it just opened up my eyes to the things of the world and not the things of heaven.
Speaker 3:Like I mean it, just like it's like oh, and I open it and it's not and it's not the same for everybody when they get baptized, because some people get baptized and they feel the same, but me, like me, and for myself, like I felt completely different, like they, like they say, I literally felt reborn, and I know that's kind of weird to say, but like I didn't.
Speaker 2:I get it Like I get it's so weird and you say you got us in the details. Yeah, you telling me to sit down with you, sit down with you, record a podcast. I was like, okay, why don't you get through it?
Speaker 1:And they were sitting here now and I'm like dude, we have so much in common. So when I got baptized, that's what I think.
Speaker 2:I'm just on a podcast. It was so like way in the beginning, but when I got baptized girl, I swear to you, I felt like, like when I lifted, like coming out of the water. I felt like all my burdens were like. I like that.
Speaker 3:Like they left it to us. Yes, yes, yes.
Speaker 1:And.
Speaker 3:I feel like you can't really explain that feeling until you try it yourself. But you have to want to try it.
Speaker 2:And I feel like when you're doing it, it's like when you're to get I don't know, I would think it was experiencing you really have to go into it wholehearted. Lord, I'm yours here, I am here, I am surrender, yes, which I think we kind of both were definitely that. So that moment to this day, that's when I'm like that was. I said it was weird, but it wasn't weird, but it definitely was like, okay, yeah, Like all that is definitely gone. I felt like I felt it come off of my shoulders in the water, Right. I remember the guy was like are you okay? And I'm like, yeah, no.
Speaker 3:I'm not sure what just happened, but yeah, like I don't understand what just happened, but I'm just gonna go, yeah, so that was like, that was like bananas, yeah, wow, okay.
Speaker 2:So, with you being at this stage so you're still so young and really just devoting your life to God, like how do you think you might already ask this question, but how do you think making that transition, how has that really affected you? Like now, like really just giving it your all and saying you know what? I'm gone, yeah.
Speaker 3:Like, what you're saying is like how has that benefited me? I don't. I mean, I don't really know how else to explain it, but it's totally different than how.
Speaker 3:I was before, like some people. I know some people are like oh my gosh, she's like, she's like always this person that's always talking to somebody, To somebody. She's always like having fun and like not in the battle area, but like like she's always that kind of person. But I feel like that's just amplified for me, like I've I've ever since I've been like I don't know. I feel like I've been more out there.
Speaker 1:And that makes sense.
Speaker 3:Like. I've been talking to more people, like in my youth group and my heart is for young women, like, like. I have the biggest like heart for them because as a young woman in that age it was kind of it was really hard for me. These I said like I was growing up fast, I was going through all these feelings but I kept them in because I was growing up fast and I had to help other people.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 3:And so I feel like some women don't have okay. So I grew up with only brothers and so I didn't have anyone other than my mom, and so I could talk to my mom about some stuff, but like not everything, and so I never had that big sister, and so I feel like it's really important for even girls that have a big sister is to have a good big sister, like in church. You know what I mean. And even if they are the big sister like that, I feel like that's going to be even harder for them, because they have to be that person and grow up for their little sister. And so they're growing up for their little sister because their little sister wants, like they want their little sister to stay young, but I want to be there for them to help them through things. So my, it's really young women and I told my mom this before before like I've gotten prophesied over helping young women twice, which is crazy to me because two weeks before I got prophesied over by my dad.
Speaker 3:I told my mom or it was a few weeks before I was talking to my dad, my dad was like if you ever have a calling, I want you to tell me and I want to help you achieve that calling. Like you feel like you need to do it and you feel like you have a heart for it. And I was like okay, and then I started thinking about it, like I couldn't stop thinking about that question that my dad said and one Wednesday I was telling my mom, I was like I think I have the biggest heart for young women and she wasn't really listening and I don't I don't blame her, it was a Wednesday night you know.
Speaker 3:She was just unwinding from church that night and two weeks later my dad I was working in the back with kids and my dad called me to the front and I was like where's Mariah? Where's Mariah? And I went up to the front and she he called up all of them, like all of the young women in our church, like everyone under the age of 18. And even like the baby babies, the toddlers, you know everybody because and he said that I have a heart for young women and I never told my dad about that conversation that I had with my mom and I thought that was the coolest thing to me, like.
Speaker 3:And then I didn't realize until like after church and I told my dad I was like you remember? Or I was telling my mom I was like, do you remember when I told you that I had that, like I felt like I had a calling towards young women? She's like, no, would you tell me that? I was like two weeks ago, girl. And she was like she's like you told me that, like I don't remember that. And I was like, and she's like that's just so cool how God spoke through my dad, you know. And then recently, and like I think it was like in July, like in the beginning of July, maybe like the 12th or something, I went to a youth conference in Midland at Goodwill Baptist and um, and this, I don't remember his name, this is really bad, but I remember his name, but he prophesied over me and I was standing there and like I just remember like I was shaking, like I felt the Holy Spirit and I was shaking.
Speaker 3:And then he said you, what's your name?
Speaker 3:And I was like I'm Mariah the Ironman. He was like, who are you and? And I was like I'm Pastor Cliff's daughter and him and my dad knew each other but he didn't know that I was Pastor Cliff's daughter and so he was telling me how he sees me sitting at a table around young women. And I was like wait a second. But he sees me sitting around a table of young women and like like helping them.
Speaker 3:Wow, yeah, and two maybe, like three weeks before that, I had had my first girls night from the youth, like on my own, not through the youth, but like people from it, from my youth group, and I had my first girls night and we sat around the table and I was talking to them and we had like a whole girls night.
Speaker 3:Like it was like like it was obviously about God, like I was getting nasty but you know, and like I had been on my heart for a long time to do it.
Speaker 3:And then that night he was telling me that he sits, he sees me sitting around a table and all I could do of young women and all I could do was break down and like I started crying, like I started crying a lot, and then he said that he sees me like just being like a role model, you know, and he sees me writing a journal, like doing like a daily journal for like young women to fill out, like how was your day today? And my mom has always told me like, if you're ever feeling like with anxiety, or if you have like like if you're just feeling sad or something, if you're angry, if you're crying, you know anything, write it down. And so when you write it down you can have it in the future and see how far you've came you know, and I feel like that's really good for young women to have not just young women like everybody.
Speaker 3:It's really good for some, for people to have, because you're seeing how much you've grown in your faith.
Speaker 3:You know, and so I feel like that's a really big thing. And so those were the two times I got bronx hydro for young women. And then at camp this is another thing at camp I was told I'm a princess, like I let they see me wearing a crown and like in heaven, like they see me wearing a crown like five times at camp, like by different people every time, like I would go down to get prayed for. So I'm your princess and I would just, I would just start bawling even more than I already was. And then one time at church, this guy came up to me and he was like you're, I saw you walk by and you smiled at me and he said I just see a crown on your head, a rose gold crown on your head, and it's like you're just a princess. And I was like that is so sweet.
Speaker 3:And then I went to camp and I got that like five more times and I was just like God, what are you trying to say? Like, okay, I'm in it, you know I'm in it. You know what I mean. Like it's just like I just, it's definitely been a big change ever since I've gotten baptized, ever since I've started this big rock of a faith and it's. It's unexplainable, like until you do it, like I said, like I feel, like for me at least, like I can't put it into words how good you feel, like, how happy you feel, and there's also there's also going to be those times that you're like this sucks, like I can't, this can't happen to me, like why is this happening to me? And then you know, and it's just like a completely different feeling, is that the sense? It does? Okay, it does. I just thought it was the sense. I feel like I'm rambling.
Speaker 2:No, I feel like it's like you're starting. It might have been, I don't know, girl. It makes sense to make sure I'm high by myself. I'm already saying that I'm in Because it's it's wild, because it's funny when you say something about you know building your relationship up with relationship, up with the parents, I can talk and then realizing that you know there's still going to be the bad days that come with it. I think that's when the joy comes in.
Speaker 1:What do you?
Speaker 2:realize Life is going to happen. Right so it's like you, just you know you don't really you can't really stop it.
Speaker 3:No you just you can't stop it. You're like, oh well, okay, you do your best to keep it going and keep that fire rolling, Because if it's not just going to be way worse than you think, way worse.
Speaker 2:You're sitting up there worrying about the wrong things, for sure. Yeah, I have a question for a, let's just say so. You have to. You know your, your calling is for the younger women, so for those that are young, that you either, you know, make sure this episode with or they may get ahold of it. What advice would you give them? You know for the steps towards, you know either, building a relationship, like you know, from scratching. They don't know nothing about the Lord or maybe the ones that you know.
Speaker 2:I come in the church by sitting on that back pew.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:What advice would you give them? What would you tell them?
Speaker 3:I would tell them just to stay faith, stay loyal to it, stay faithful to it and actually I think it's all in the heart, like in your posture, because if you don't want to have that relationship with God, you won't try.
Speaker 3:Sure, I think it's a big thing, like, if you want to have that, I'll help you through it. And if you like, if you want to have that, I, like I just said, I will help you through it and I will try my best and I will give you all of the advice and I will tell you what I did and it went south for me and so I can help you get through that and not do what I did, you know. And so I think it's just the advice I would give them is make sure your posture's right and make sure that's what you want in your heart, because I've told this to people that I know like they're struggling with their family and then wanting to have a relationship with God, but if they don't want to, if your family member doesn't want to have a relationship with God, then they won't try to have that relationship with God Because that's just not what they want, and so they just won't try at all. They will give up. They'll just be like.
Speaker 3:I tried once and I'm not going to try again because it didn't work. But was your posture right?
Speaker 3:And so I think it's all about like the what's your heart is feeling and what your mind is at, because I feel like that's the most important things and to starting that relationship with God because, like I just said, you don't want it, you won't get it.
Speaker 1:That's true.
Speaker 2:That is great advice. I can say something about that as a. It hurts my soul to say this, but I'm going to say it coming from you. Know the older generation. How can, oh, are we speaking? I know it hurts my spirit to say too how can we better support this generation?
Speaker 3:Hearing this generation out I think is the biggest is one of the biggest things.
Speaker 3:That's just like the first thing that popped up in my head is hearing them out, because, like I said earlier, they do have some valid points, like they're they're actually good, and if they're wrong, tell us why they're wrong. And so just kind of explain it, because I know some people like for me. How I learn is if someone explains to me if I'm doing something wrong, what I did wrong and how I can fix it, and so I feel like that's the biggest thing, is how can I, how can I fix it?
Speaker 3:And, if you like, share shared experiences, like if you've been through something that someone else is going through, tell them what not to do so they don't go through the same thing and it can be easier for them. And that's my biggest thing is like trying to help people not go through the same thing. They're going to go. Everyone eventually goes through it. You know, like all those trials and stuff, maybe they're not the same, but they're similar, you know. And so like if you, if I went through something and I did something very wrong, but there's another person that went through it, like I'm going to tell them what I did wrong and I'm going to help them get through it, because I feel like just helping each other is the most important thing.
Speaker 2:It's funny is that, because I was talking to Erin and I were doing a morning walk one day and we both kind of agreed. I think sometimes adults forget that they were kids at one point, that they made stupid mistakes, right, and they don't, they don't, they haven't owned up to that.
Speaker 1:So therefore they can't.
Speaker 2:They can't share the experience or give you the advice, because they're not even owned up to the true version of them, right? So two weekends ago we as in me, erin, some of the professionals volunteered at Midlands ISD I don't know some school back in school Bash and we were volunteering with kids that were, I guess, protecting us. I guess participating in team court. I mean they had gotten to some trouble. So there was about four kids that we were volunteering with I personally at the time of my life.
Speaker 2:The kids were hilarious, yeah, but when we first got in there with them, they were very quiet. They didn't have too much to say. Kind of the mislead. Here we go again. They're probably thinking here's another set of adults that are probably going to judge us, but that's just not us. By the end of it, we were being told, especially the one that he was volunteering with. It's like thank you, thank you for listening to me, thank you for hearing me out. Mine were telling me all their business.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean from not talking to me at all to telling me all of their business.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it happens.
Speaker 2:And it's just crazy to me because I think sometimes as adults we're just telling you guys because, like you said, we're not listening.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And if we are listening, we're listening to correct Listening, to listening, to listening and to encourage and to uplift. That's what I took away from that weekend. It was like dang, like we don't know how, I don't know. I just I feel like it's just the, you've need us.
Speaker 3:Right.
Speaker 2:And I guess I can speak for myself and maybe Erin I don't know who else I can speak for her. I think that's too, but I know we've taken the challenge to try to just make time to pour into you guys.
Speaker 3:Right, because it's important.
Speaker 2:So today I just want to just tell you, young lady, because you're definitely special and I don't mean that and like, ride the short bus way. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry.
Speaker 2:I had to say it.
Speaker 1:Okay, I was like quite back serious, but I had to say it, like it was like right there.
Speaker 2:But it's. I'm listening to you and I'm like, did you realize beyond your years? Like don't stop Even the days. But it doesn't make sense. Keep going. Those young girls that you are um Pouring into our ready and that will come in the future, then they need you, right?
Speaker 1:it's funny because I always tell people we don't realize that.
Speaker 2:I think a lot of times, trauma With trauma, we turn into a version, a version of ourselves that we needed when we were hurt the most right. So it's crazy listening to you and I'm like that's exactly what you're doing. You're like hold on, wait. I went through this I.
Speaker 2:Don't want them to go through that you know, so let me figure out how I can help you right and it's important, yeah, and it's needed. And for the girls who haven't said it yet Thank you. Yeah, um, I don't know how I could support you, but let me know if you need something for me, I would definitely make my time available for you. I don't know what you need for me, just let me know down the line. They don't have to be right now. I don't like you say, hey, I need you, just let me know I'm there. But Just keep being you and it's about you know the Lord to the Lord and the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Speaker 2:Do that and what that looks like, because I mean it, I think, especially obviously, just being 16 year, you're gonna learn more about yourself, learn more about the Lord, learn more about your calling and you'll tweak it.
Speaker 2:Yeah and that's okay too. You know, it may be young women now and I don't want to be something different. Yeah, that's okay too. And do you Handle your calling how the the Holy Spirit guides you to handle it? Mm-hmm, so how you talk to young women and how you you know your cookies and canvases Conversations may look different from how, especially maybe the older generation may think it needs to be done. Right, and that's okay, as long as you listen to your tune in. You're in the Bible, you're you're in it and you're listening to the Holy Spirit. Let it guide you right and don't worry.
Speaker 2:Yeah, being you yes in the day and Lord work out everything else that I do believe. So I have one more task for you. Okay so Taking class should have pretty one to before you recorded, but I did not, so we always end out the episodes with the prayer Okay, and I like for traditionally for the guests that come on to close it out with the first, so are you up for that?
Speaker 3:Um, I can't Assure you. It's gonna be like pretty or long girl.
Speaker 2:I think you can whatever you pray whatever your prayer is what it's gonna be girl egg on the side of it.
Speaker 3:Okay, yeah, all right, dear heavenly father, I thank you for this day. I pray for yawning and I, and I thank you for the things that you've done in her life in the way that you're gonna move her in Her life and they're gonna continue to move her. And, lord, I pray for these listeners. I pray for them to just To grow closer to you, god, because you're never too close, you're never finished with them, and so, whatever you have for these listeners, jesus, I pray that you help them through it and you guide them through it. Um, what?
Speaker 1:peace, jesus name me a man.
Speaker 2:Well, once again, thank you, mariah, for those that are listening. Just remember that you're loved, you're unique, god does not make mistakes and those of you who may be listening and like, man what? Yeah, I need to learn more about God and I would say reach out to me if you're an Odessa hope a lot of churches we need to be at.
Speaker 2:Um, this comes in next to me, 12 o'clock service, though not 10, and I would just say start with the prayer. Yeah, just start with the prayer and remember that your prayer is your prayer. So it, you know, may sound different from mine, it may sound different from Mariah's it's making to run and have the intimate conversation with him. Right, it's my advice for you. But have a great week and peace out.