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
Raising Children in Faith: A Mother's Journey to Creating a Family Bible Study
Taylor Turner, a ninth-grade science teacher and mother of three, shares her transformative journey from struggling with family Bible reading to creating a comprehensive family Bible study. What began as a simple tradition of reading a chapter of Luke daily during December evolved into something much more profound when Taylor realized her family was merely going through the motions without meaningful engagement.
"We'd read the Bible and it felt like we got nothing out of it," Taylor explains, describing how her young daughter would focus more on the advent calendar reward than the scripture itself. This disconnect prompted Taylor to develop a resource that transforms Bible reading into genuine family conversations about faith.
Her Bible study stands apart through its accessibility and practical design. Understanding the intimidation many parents feel about leading spiritual discussions, Taylor incorporated parent tips, conversation starters, and background information using simple Bible translations. "I try to come about it in a perspective of a parent who doesn't really read the Bible as much," she shares. Each chapter includes fill-in-the-blank summaries, memory verses, and family activities—from themed snacks to games that reinforce biblical concepts.
Beyond scripture comprehension, Taylor's study teaches families how to pray meaningfully, moving beyond formulaic approaches to develop authentic communication with God. "I think there's so much hate in this world that if I could choose anything to stand for, it would be love in every situation," Taylor reflects, explaining how her own faith journey informs her approach to teaching children about God's love.
The Bible study represents more than just a published work—it embodies Taylor's passion for breaking generational curses through intentional faith development. As she powerfully states, "We have to train up our kids in the way of the Lord, and it's nobody else's job." Whether you're looking to strengthen your family's faith conversations or begin a new tradition this Christmas season, Taylor's Bible study offers a fresh approach to experiencing scripture together as a family.
Standing In Your Truth Podcast with Yanni Thomas
Hello everyone, welcome to Standing In your Truth podcast with your host, yanni. On this podcast you'll hear Yanni, family and friends having open-ended discussions on anything from faith, finances, relationships and how to stay motivated during life's trying times. Make sure to follow on all social media platforms. The social media link is in the bio.
Speaker 2:Sit back and get ready to enjoy Hello everyone, welcome to another episode of the Daily In your Truth Podcast. I am your host, yanni. Y'all had a writing thought as I was thinking of the intro. I need, like a nickname. I really don't have one. I don't think there's no such thing as a nickname for Yanni. I lied, I have one of my sisters-in-law call me Yannicka, okay, which is a little interesting. But anyway, how are you guys doing? Happy September, yay, we're almost to the 12th month, which I'm a little scared because I feel like it hasn't been that hot this summer out here. So does that mean it won't be that cold in the winter, or it will be colder in the winter? I have no clue how that works, but anyway, well, I'm very excited about the year. I say that for every guest, which I am excited for every guest, but this looks different, like this is an authentic. Well, anyway, I'm going to let her introduce herself.
Speaker 3:Hi, I'm Taylor Turner. I'm a mom, a try to begreat Christian, not always all the time and a ninth grade science teacher, and I've been teaching for 12 years. You're a ninth grade science teacher Ninth grade science teacher.
Speaker 2:yes, how did you know?
Speaker 3:that I love it.
Speaker 2:Really. Yes, erin teaches seventh grade. You do math this year.
Speaker 3:I did eighth grade for 10 years and I loved it. 7th graders I do not like and 9th graders I like. Yes 7th grade is too immature. I can't handle it?
Speaker 2:It definitely is. I slept behind a bunch of them at a football game recently and I really wanted to turn on.
Speaker 3:Yeah, they just say weird things. You can, you can, you can tell them oh.
Speaker 2:I didn't. I felt like we were in a public place. They were after game, they were having a good time. I just suffered there, blinking my eyes and still melting away Hearing 6-7.
Speaker 3:Did you hear that? Oh yeah.
Speaker 2:All the food shoes, as I was like. That makes absolutely no sense, but if y'all believe her, sure? Anyway, before we get into our topic, let's get to know you a little bit. So what motivates?
Speaker 3:you, my kids and my family. Just I feel like my kids. Of course, you know that is my purpose in life and my husband. I have two and a stepdaughter, so three in total. So a 20-year-old stepdaughter and then a five-year-old and a two-year-old. So they are my why on everything. And my husband, he's amazing and awesome. So everything I do is because of them. Okay.
Speaker 2:How do you protect your mental health?
Speaker 3:Well, I recently started seeing a therapist. Yes, I, I definitely needed that. Um, and I just take days for myself, even if it's like in the middle of the week I'll take a half day and go get a massage. Um, I try. I have a sauna and that's like my quiet time for when I talk to God and it's weird because it's like hot and I'm like struggling, but I'm like, okay, god, this when I like focus on him, it's great because I found just sitting in there doing nothing is awful, so that I love doing my sauna and I love cold plunging.
Speaker 3:I know it's yes, so I bought a chiller and I try to do it every morning and so I feel like that, every like, all the mixture of the two and you know, spending time with God, and I feel like the closest time I have with him is in the sauna. It's weird. That's like my secret place. I can see that.
Speaker 2:So we have like an indoor sauna. Yeah, from Amazon. Yeah, the dogs shoot it up, but we once had it, do it shoot it up, but we once had it, do it, get it back.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't know we have to put it somewhere else, but I do feel like when we had it, we will put like praise and worship music. Yes, but for me, I felt like that was the time for me to talk to god, because, also, I don't know, I'm not really claustrophobic, but I felt like when I was sitting in that, yeah, I'm like if I talk to god, then I won't, I'll forget the fact that I'm sitting in these four walls, yeah, or four whatever walls, little pieces of plastic, yeah, um, and I can kind of breathe. The first time I did I was like, oh my gosh, yeah, it's awful because it's it's a little tough. So they said have benefits, yes, what does cold plunging do for your body?
Speaker 3:so it's supposed to like put your body in shock and like boost your metabolism, and then it's supposed to have all these health benefits in the morning. It's supposed to like wake you up, I don't know. Interesting, I'm trying. Yeah, gary brucca, I like listening to him.
Speaker 2:So yeah, so I mean the follow-up question, for that was what's your self-care routine? But it seems like it's cold. Plunging sauna is anything else maybe?
Speaker 3:no no, that's pretty much it yeah, because I don't eat the best.
Speaker 2:So I understand I have burp today, but anyway, what advice would you give your younger?
Speaker 3:self. Um, I think it would be. This is tough because I don't know if I would change anything, but I definitely like, I guess maybe actually have a relationship with God instead of just using him, you know, and like as a genie type deal, that would be my, because I feel like I took for granted everything and I see these young kids in church and really have a relationship and I'm like, wow, I wish I had that like just to kind of help me through different things. Because I feel like when, yeah, and as trials hit as a teenager, I just was always so broken and I feel like if I would have actually had a relationship with God that I wouldn't have been.
Speaker 2:So that's what I would say you know people come on here and say different answers. You're never wrong, but that, that's that's what I would say. You know people come on here and say different answers are never wrong, but that's a good one. Yeah, can you imagine how some of the choices as a team might have changed? Yeah, you know, if you have a stripper or if we have a stripper now.
Speaker 3:Hence the book. Yeah, okay, okay, okay Okay.
Speaker 2:What is one moment in your life that has really helped shaped?
Speaker 3:you or made a huge impact in your life. So Legends, dad, who was very important to me like love of my life you know I've been blessed with two um. His passing really shapes the mom I am today, the person, the wife, you know, I think I thank God, I mean every day, because even though it was so hard, I know that it was all, you know, for a reason and for a purpose and I know without that I would not be the person I am today. Going through that, going through like actually, you know, going being with him in the hospital, you know that was really tough. And then, like his passing was super tough, and then realizing, okay, you're going to be a single mom, I think like all of it just kind of trickled down and really made me depend on God and really started my faith, because until then I thought I had a relationship with God and I realized I didn't, I realized that I just crumbled under you know, trials and so that was like the moment where everything changed and it was like, okay, I cannot do this by myself, like I have to depend on him, on God, because without him I'm not going to make it. So that really shaped, you know the way.
Speaker 3:I think, the way I teach, even because I was, yeah, like the way I interacted with kids, is completely different. So I would say that and even, just, you know, being loved by him he was. I had never been loved like that before, and so he taught me how to be loved and, you know, be in a relationship, and so when another good man like TJ came into my life, I knew how to accept that, because before, you know, I didn't. So I think being with him and his passing, you know, really shaped who I am today.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I definitely thought you were gonna say your book, no. You're like yeah, no, um. I said, oh okay, what is your mindset when you're 12?
Speaker 3:no, or the door shuts honestly, I'm one of those I think now, since I've had a huge door shut in my face, you know I'm very like resilient, like okay, then, obviously this isn't it.
Speaker 3:So, my mindset is okay, what's next? Like, obviously you didn't want me to do this, god, and before I would be like gosh, why did you say no? Or you know. So I'm pretty flexible and and knows. I think I'm thankful for the no's, even like I said, you know, when Alvin passed and God gave me a big no, I didn't know how to handle that and so I didn't understand. And now I do, and so I think with that it's easy to say okay, god, I know that you have a different path or a different way, you know.
Speaker 2:Based off of that, so well, let's get to our topic. The reason I invited her on. Uh say we made an announcement about maybe a week yeah, it's been two weeks. It's been a week, yeah, a week, yeah, that she, um, is getting ready to. I think she's all right weeks. I think it's been a week, yeah, a week, yeah, that she is getting ready to. I think it's poetry. Is that the right way of saying that?
Speaker 3:Because you already wrote it. Yeah, publish a book. We'll have a date, hopefully in about a week or two, with exactly when it'll be out.
Speaker 2:Yes, a Bible study. And when I saw that I was like, first of all, how cool is that? That someone you know has sat down to do the work to put together a Bible study to be able to share with people all over the world, yeah, then I was like, hey, let's invite her on to figure out what was her process on? You know how you chose the topic from you know the start to the finish, so I have a couple of questions for you and then, whatever I leave out, feel free to, you know, fill in the blanks. Ok, I'm going to start with what inspired you to write a Bible devotion.
Speaker 3:So for me, I think after I had kids. You know we go through the Christmas season and we're like, oh my gosh, we're going to make it about Jesus you know, you always want to do better.
Speaker 3:You know, not that my parents did bad or anything, but I really wanted it to be focused on God. And so, as she was little, I started reading the book of Luke, a chapter every day. It was 24 chapters and I was like you know what we're going to read the Bible and it's going to be about Jesus and you know all that good stuff. And so when she was little, I would read it and it was fine. And then, as she got older, I continued to read it and when I met my husband and his daughter was a teenager at the time I was like, hey, this is like a tradition that I really want to start in my home. You know, this is what I do. And he was like, okay, you know, he was on board with it.
Speaker 3:So we would read the Bible and I just felt like God was really like tugging at my heart because afterwards we'd read it and it felt like we got nothing out of it. So we'd read it and then my kids would be like where's my advent? Like where's my gifts? Because we do an advent calendar and we did like a rubber ducky or something. So in order for them to get the ducky, they had to read the bible, so it was like they were. It was kind of like a bribe and I was like I don't think this is how it should be so I feel like that age well, even for adults sometimes.
Speaker 2:Well, getting her to sit down was tough, so I was like like okay.
Speaker 3:And then even, like with my teenage daughter, her walk with Christ was new, and so I just felt like it wasn't even helping her, I don't know, it just felt like we read it and it was over.
Speaker 3:And so I really started sitting down, god started putting on my heart, like okay, like maybe you should ask some questions, you know. After, and so I did, I started writing, like just a question here and there, and I'd asked my daughter and her responses, at three years old, was pretty wild, like I was like, oh, wow, so she is listening, you know, but we're just not talking about it. And so at the time, cause I I've been writing another book for a year and a half, so at the time I was like, okay, like I have, I know how to start this process of writing one. And so I kind of just started writing, writing it, um, and it just started off with simple questions and like at one point, you know, in Luke, one Jesus is, I think it's like one or three, I might be, I might be lying, but he um gets lost for three days or his parents can't find it, and you, know and I remember asking my daughter um, you know, how would you feel if you were gone for three days?
Speaker 3:She was like, oh my gosh, mom, I would be, cause she's sassy. She's like I would be so scared. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I would be so scared too. Like can you imagine what Mary and Joseph were thinking? She's like I bet they were scared, I bet they were crying, and so we were talking. I'm like why do you think Jesus wasn't scared? And she's Like I would be scared. And I'm like, well, he was God, he's God. And she's like, oh yeah, you know, we just started talking.
Speaker 3:I was like, okay, god, like I'm listening, I'm going to do it because I'm a procrastinator. So I really started sitting down and just kind of breaking up like main points and questions, and that's how it started off, with just simple questions for each chapter. That's how it started off with just simple questions for each chapter. And then, as the next year came around, we asked those questions and I just felt like it still wasn't like good enough. And so I was like, ok, if I was a parent that didn't really read the Bible and, you know, wasn't close to God. But I wanted to start like how would I go about this, like what would I want to see? And so I was like, okay, I'm going to start adding in some like parent tips and kind of go over like guiding questions to lead you to like the main question. And that's what I did. I just started, you know, putting this thing together and God really like just started pouring it out and I listened.
Speaker 2:I mean, that's really, really. I think the first time I ever just listened, because I I never do so.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yes.
Speaker 2:I know you mentioned you do it every year, but Luke, but is there a certain reason why the book of Luke?
Speaker 3:because it has 24 chapters, so it's an ad so.
Speaker 3:I wanted it to be like a Christmas, advent, and so just something to do every day. I feel like, you know, in December it's all about Santa and the gifts and stuff, and I really, you know and I'm sure your husband can, you know, attest to this as well Like we work with kids every day, that you can see that they're missing, that you know we just want to take them home and we want to, you know, bring them to church. You know we can't, you know, say everything we want to say at school. And it's just like you know what, if I could help, like one family and I know, I know God has a purpose for this because it's been hard writing it, but I think it's so important for families to just talk in general, not even about the Bible, and I feel like that's missing today. Like I feel like kids don't talk to their parents about how their day is. I feel like it's just like, oh, today was good, or, you know, and I feel like if we really added in, you know, talking about Jesus and His life and how, you know, it could affect ours and how we should live like Him, based off of, you know, his word, I think it would make such an impact in these kids' lives and how they deal with different things. Because, like we said earlier, like if I could tell my younger self have a relationship with him, like cause I would just crumble. And that's what I want. I want better for my kids. I want them to know God's word and his love and his voice, you know. And so when they are in trials because they're going to have trials, I know that and you know telling my kid that like, hey, it's going to be tough one day, but whatever you do, you turn to God first, you know.
Speaker 3:And so this was a big part of this book. Like I want to equip families, you know, and help them grow together in his word. Because I feel like parents too, like even when I was reading this and asking questions, and in the in the Bible study it says parents ask, answer all these questions first, like be vulnerable. And like you know, like there's the parables of the soil. Like be vulnerable and be like, okay, hey, like, maybe I'm not good soil. Like you know I've been cursing a lot, I've been drinking. Like maybe I need to do better too. You know I've been cursing a lot, I've been drinking. Like maybe I need to do better too and just really as a family, like you know, kind of call each other out because you're reading the word, it's there, the truth, you know, and so just like, how can we grow together? You know? That's why I wrote this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's so funny. You said something you're saying right now before you got here. Like that, usually when someone's coming to the court, I set the new light, a candle, clean up all the dog stuff, um, and take time to pray. It's funny, but one of the things I I'm sure with all these spirits I don't even know why I said it, but now I'm seeing it um that those who are reading, going through your bible study, are breaking generational curses. Yeah, that it's new soil being built for their like coming up for their family.
Speaker 3:Yeah, for my family I'm trying to break many you know generational curses and it's like Even the ones that are rereading them. Yes, no, absolutely Like that's. You know, of course, my family, but again this, I know God put this on my heart for a reason and for other families and I know, like again your husband can attest to this there's so many families needing, you know this even just a conversation starter, you know, and the cool thing is there's opening prayers.
Speaker 3:So you know the goal is for them to pray on their own, but they have opening and closing prayers and then even a, a memory verse, you know, for every seven days and kind of like a challenge, and there's even challenges throughout. You know the study, like, who can we pray for in our family? This, you know, this week, or um, is there somebody at school that you know maybe sits by themselves? Is there somebody that you can go talk to? Just depending on what you know the word is saying.
Speaker 3:And then even at the end of the book, I've added in um snacks that go with each day. So, and then nothing, crazy Cause I hate when they're like, give you this recipe, that's like ridiculous. So it's like, buy pills, very dope, yeah, like don't even. Or, you know, buy those powerhouse smoothies because it talks about God's power and you know, as you're drinking your smoothie, talk about, you know, the strength that we get from God. Or even, like, with the first day, the Bethlehem Star, like you know, make sugar cookies and decorate them and talk about, you know, with stars. And so I try to do like that just to kind of bring families together and it could be for young or old and then also activities.
Speaker 3:So you know, with Zachariah not being able to speak, there's a quiet game, you know, and just like different cute little things, I really put a lot and yeah, and so even um at the end, when um like just there's I don't remember which part this is, but there's a dance party, you know, let's have a praise and worship. My husband bought my daughter a dance floor and it's so funny, her and Saint, they bought a strip like two for their room and they'll put on praise and worship music and it's so cute and they're in there just dancing and just different things or like you know, those mini Jesuses, so like like hiding them around the house and you know, and so there's also Bible trivia for every six chapters, kind of set up like family feud thing. So this also could be used like in church, like if you want it to, but I really want it to be for families, cause I think church is important. I love, you know, pastor Andy and everything he does for our youth and everybody there. But I feel like it's not going to be as effective if it's not coming from you, like you're not going to make a difference in your family.
Speaker 3:You know, and I and I felt that because my mom, she took us to church, you know, and it was fine, you know, and she's like make sure you pray. So I prayed and you know, I said the same prayer for every day for like 20 years, like I just it was a repeated prayer, you know. Know, I didn't have a relationship.
Speaker 3:It was like a one-way line that you know, when I was drunk or something I'd be like, please forgive me you know yeah and you know, there I was like, oh well, he already forgave me, so I can do it again, or you know, and I really just I feel like this generation just needs that. They need to know God's word, their, his love, and it needs to be from their parents. Because I think we all need to grow, like, even me, like every time I read this, like, and try to do different questions with my daughter, it's, it's a different reaction with her and for me I'm like, oh, like something new will come up, and like forgiveness is a big, you know, topic that pops up in the book of Luke. So there are some questions that are repeated, but on purpose, like I want the families to know, like hey, like unforgiveness is important, like you need to forgive, like even, you know, even if you don't want to.
Speaker 2:So Wow, I'm interested to see what these activities are in the trivia. I'm not that competitive. When we are the other two nephew and my brother, they're competitive.
Speaker 3:I'm competitive.
Speaker 2:I'm not.
Speaker 3:See, and I'll make my kids like. I won't let them win. I'm like no See, you know your brother's better than mine. And I'm like you got it and we do push-ups. Losers do push-ups, so yeah.
Speaker 2:See, that wouldn't work out for me. First of See, that wouldn't work out for me. Second of all, I'll just be like, look, it is what it is. At this point Y'all are stressing me out. So what was, I guess, the most challenging part about writing this letter?
Speaker 3:My book, I think, really just confidence and sometimes like pride. Sometimes I wouldn't ask God for help and I could tell like, okay, this is not how I want it to go. So really just relying on God and not letting the enemy get in my head, because right now my kids they're in their terrible twos, you know, and my five-year-old is sassy and for a good chunk, like I was like, okay, maybe I should even write this, maybe I just need to stop Like I'm not even a good mom, you know, you have those thoughts that start going through your head. And I even told who did? I tell I think it was Stephanie.
Speaker 3:I was like I'm over here writing this book, yelling at my kids in the middle. I'm like, okay, look, you're family, please pray, you know, and I'm, you know. So I think for me it was the enemy just kind of trying and like trying to just get in my head and tell me that this is not OK, like you're not even perfect, which I know I don't have to be, you know. And so I think once I really like started getting back into my word and really like because I think we all go through these ups and downs with God, like you know, we're like thank you, god for this idea. And then we try to take over and we're like, ok, god, no, I need you back again.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and don't pray about anything else. Thank you for the idea, and I'm figuring how to do it on my own.
Speaker 3:And then it was like yes, and so that was the hardest part really, just like mentally, you know, being able to like tell myself, like no, like God loves you and he wants you to write this for a reason, for a purpose, and make sure, like you're telling others to know their word, so you need to know your word, you need to know what the Bible says about you, and so that was definitely challenging and funny, because that's really how most of this book went, like it's life?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it just sounds wrong to me. So what was the best part of already?
Speaker 3:I think actually having the conversations with my daughter Saints Too Little and you know, doing some of the activities and just seeing it really come to life, that was the best part, because I was like, okay, this is me and my daughter is just so talkative anyways, and she just made it so easy. Okay, this is me and my daughter's just so talkative anyways, and she just made it so easy. But just having those conversations and like what she knows about God, I didn't know, you know at her age, and it's like wow, like I, I just I want it to impact other families like that, like I want them to grow. So that was the best part. Just kind of sharing it with her and her being my little helper with it, without her even knowing it, that's sweet.
Speaker 2:Those are memories that she'll keep for life.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and we're going to do it every year, so she might get annoyed by it.
Speaker 2:At this point she'll be like okay, I know what happened to that. What makes your Bible study different from others?
Speaker 3:Your Bible study is different from others. I think I try to come about it in a perspective of like a parent who doesn't really read the Bible as much. So I try to make it very simple and put it like in CEV version and Good News Bible version, because for me, I think King James is super intimidating. I can't read it, me neither. And even New King James, I'm like no, I'm like what was that? Yeah, so I was like you know, I really want it to be simple. I don't want parents to be intimidated and I don't want them to. Just because when I started off, like I said, it was just simple questions and I still was like I don't think this is going like I don't know, as a parent, I wanted to make sure, you know, I knew exactly what I was talking about and I was going to read one of them real quick. So, um, and one of the questions it's what does mary's response to the angel teach us about trusting god? How can we have courage like mary did when the angels appeared? And so then it has a parent or adult tip. So it says Mary was likely a teenager, just like some of your kids, when she was given a huge, life-changing message. She could have been overwhelmed, scared or full of questions, but she chose faith over fear. Talk to your children about times when they felt nervous, scared or unsure, and how choosing trust helped or could help them move forward. This helps kids of all ages see that bravery doesn't mean you're not scared. It means that you trust God more than your fear, and so I really wanted to put something in there to lead them or like, maybe they don't know the answer, you know so yeah, and so I really wanted to give them some background knowledge. And then it has an ask. So I know there there's already a question, but these ask questions really get the conversation started.
Speaker 3:So it's like how do you think mary felt when the angel showed up? Legend was like oh my gosh, I would be so scared. She's like I would have ran to your room. And they're like no, get out. Like get out of my room, you know. So it's and it's funny to hear what they said I'm like well, I would have. I would have been terrified too. Like you know, it's just like you would have been scared. Yeah, like she's like yeah, yeah, me too. And then how would you feel? What makes someone brave? And that's like a different question, like I don't know, like maybe they're strong Legend's, like I think you have to be strong, you have to be and be brave, you know, and have you ever done something hard or scary, but you did it anyways? And hers is probably like riding a carnival ride or something, but you know to a little kid that yeah you know she's being brave or making a new friend.
Speaker 3:It's like, yeah, because I'm nervous. And she's like you get nervous, you know, and just really being vulnerable and just opening up these conversations and what are some things we can do when we feel scared or nervous? And so she's like we could pray. And I'm like, yes, we could pray, you know, and so we do. Isaiah 41 to you know, do not be afraid, for God is with you. I'm like you know we could put that, you know we could talk to someone, you could talk to me, you could talk to your teacher, your grandma, or just remembering God's promises, and so those are all in there. But just, really, those are conversation starters with some background knowledge, and I feel like I honestly don't know a lot about other family Bible studies. I feel like they're either just for children or just for adults. So I really wanted to make one that incorporated both, because I think that is super important, especially at these young ages, and I feel like if we could just imprint God on them now, then we would have a whole different generation as we grew up.
Speaker 2:I think the difference to what I'm hearing from what's in the book for the kids is you're teaching them about having a relationship with God.
Speaker 2:Versus what I feel like. When I grew up, it was more like the religion and the tradition that was somebody's pastor from 20 years ago that everyone somehow respected, and that's why we do it. It has nothing to do with what's in the Bible. So I think that's what I'm getting out of it, and I love the fact that she ask the parents a question and then provide their information just in case they don't know. Yeah, because it's it's creating a space for um also, I feel like the parent to dive independently in their relationship with that, like you're you're getting, you're making them feel comfortable to be like I don't know, but wait, you know, while reading it, without having to say hold on, let me go, you know, flip the page of the bible to figure it out. You know, hold on, it's right here, yeah, and then maybe you know they will go back and kind of read or figure out, you know, whatever they don't know.
Speaker 2:But I think it's beautiful that you're setting it up to where um it challenges both the parent and the child. Yeah, and they come back and challenge them as a whole, yeah, and then you're making some of the questions to questions to where it's dives deeper and it's like real life. What do you do when you're scared? What does courage mean to you as a parent? That's a chance for you also. I would think not that I have kids. I'm around them, but I don't have them For you to figure out how they're thinking it?
Speaker 3:Yeah, because they're going through stuff every day that we don't think about Even legend out like, yeah, even legend. Like you know, it's kindergarten drama is hilarious. You know she's like uh, charlotte didn't want to be my friend and I'm like, well, did she say that?
Speaker 3:no, but she hung out with so-and-so and I'm like hey, like it's okay, you know, and so just really under knowing what they're going through, but also like hayley, you can have more than one friend. Like just having you know that background of it too, and also like when they're reading it. These chapters are pretty long so I try to break it up and like, after so many verses there's like fill in the blanks of this, like the summarization, so you can kind of pause and like regroup. Okay, like what did we read? And so that way it's not just because sometimes reading comprehension is hard, like you know I'm not gonna'm not going to lie.
Speaker 2:I started reading I think it was the Bible for a year. They just give you so many chapters to read and a lot of days I was like, but this is like 12 chapters.
Speaker 3:Well, you read it, and then the next day you're like I'm like I know I read that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you have to go back and listen to the summary. Yeah, oh yeah, that's right. Okay, oh, yeah, that's right. So, yeah, good on, steve, care for breaking that up. Some of us the it's like that thing I posted on Facebook where it was like in elementary school, you spent time reading your own paragraph.
Speaker 3:Oh, my gosh Preparing to the sentence is coming up and on the text.
Speaker 2:You filled everything but your one paragraph and I'm going to text you. I failed everything but your one paragraph. I'm like that's real life, some of us. I feel like you kind of touched on this already, but actually I'm not going to answer that because you definitely did. Oh, I'm sorry. What was your favorite part? I guess about the kid-friendly part. Is there something particular relative to activities?
Speaker 3:Is there a special part or your favorite part about it being kid-friendly? Um, I think I don't know if maybe, yeah, kind of. I think the way I'm taking it is like my favorite kid-friendly part is when the chapter that where jesus teaches the disciples to pray, I've added in um, I love pastor mitchell, oh my gosh, I love. And so he did this sermon. Um, um, he's in atlanta, I believe. When he's like that 24, 18, or pastor anthony mitchell yes, oh my gosh, so good. And uh, he did this whole sermon about how to pray. And I was right. As I was writing this book, I actually changed the way I started praying based off of it and even like with my kids, you know when they're talking about he talks about, like when he prays, you know they go over the lord's prayer and I've added in like, quote for quote, words, but he's like this is like an example of how you should pray and it's like, oh my gosh, why isn't help me out the Lord's Prayer? Why am I blanking Girl?
Speaker 2:Well, we're not going to do the fact Hold on.
Speaker 1:I literally I know, this let's Google it.
Speaker 2:Why can't I? Do this, I don't know, but you're like look at the spot.
Speaker 3:Because the way I would jack it up, I know I'm doing I literally cannot think right now they're gonna be like we're not reading it.
Speaker 2:I'm talking about both of us. Whenever he sees us, all right, here we go well, this is our father lord in heaven.
Speaker 3:Okay, I was like hallowed be thy name, our kingdom come. That would be done on earth as it is in heaven. You know, give us this day, our daily bread, all that good stuff, stuff. But he really breaks up like, hey, like it's okay to repeat this, but like this is how you should pray. And he's like you know, when you sit down to talk to God, think about who you're talking to. And it's like, okay, like I'm talking about, he's like no, think about where he's at, what he's doing right now. Who you're like when you're talking to him and it's like, oh, wow, like you know, king of the universe, heavenly father sitting on the throne, like in heaven, you know, and you're just like you know. And as you're saying this, you're like, okay, god, you know.
Speaker 3:And he just really breaks up like, okay, our father lord in heaven, hallowed be thy name, you know, our kingdom come. That will be done. And he's like you know, stop being so selfish, start, start praying. You know about others, about the things happening in this world, and you know, and you know bringing heaven to earth and and connecting it. And so for me I'm I used to be very selfish prayer like, okay, god, you know, heavenly father, you know, help me with this. And it's like no start off with like selfless things, like you know, prayer for our country, prayer for our schools, lord, and like, for me, I have a soft spot for, like you know, kids that have been sexually assaulted. I don't know that, just it's on my prayer list every night.
Speaker 2:I'm like, please, you know, yes, I want to work with them. I know they need it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, like protect them, you know, guide them, and so he's just it just breaks up exactly like how to pray, how to set it up and like how to do an effective prayer. And I think for me that was like my favorite part. And even just like starting off right now, like with legend, I'm just like just think about who you're talking to, you know, and so that was like a different, like a different approach, cause she's like I'm talking to God. I'm like no, but where is God? Who is he? Like like what has he done for you? Like how would you talk? And she's just like, oh well, he gave me breath this morning.
Speaker 3:I'm like how do I? Okay, why do I not know this right now? But I pray that it really just impacts, you know, families and changes the way that they pray and just even approach God. And like that's my favorite part, because I feel like that's important for kids, like knowing how to pray. Because I didn't know how to pray. My mom was like you know, just pray, talk to him. And I'm like okay, hey guys wait, yeah, which can work too.
Speaker 3:But like when you sit down and you posture your heart to him in that way, even as a kid, legend's like okay, like you know, okay, god, like let me let me get myself ready, or you know, insane, when I tell him to pray, he says his food prayer every time. So you know there's.
Speaker 2:It's a prayer, so I mean I'm not mad at it. Oh so did you see yourself writing more books, but you mentioned you're writing another one, so is it a Bible for their book.
Speaker 3:So I have a couple of projects in mind. So right now, for a year and a half I've been writing my testimonial book and I'm more than halfway done. I just really want it to be great, you know. So I'm taking my time, no-transcript way that I parented and I didn't even realize I hadn't dealt with some of those things, and and so I really want to make sure that it's not just about Alvin's death as well, like that. It's about God, like my faith journey with him and so, and just how he's been there for me and hopefully it can help others.
Speaker 3:And then I'm also started writing a toddler version of this, like a children's activity book same thing, but more towards like two and three year olds, um and so like we talked about Zechariah, right, not talking, or so it starts off like you know Zechariah, right, not talking, or so it starts off like you know Zechariah.
Speaker 3:An angel came to Zechariah and actually like, have some drawings and stuff done already for that one? But it's like, and then, uh, the angel told him you know, because you doubted you're gonna play the longest, you know, uh, quiet game until your son is born, and so so it's very kid-like and I'm trying to shorten it in that way because I mean it is a lot of pressure to do this every day for 24 days because I it's hard for me to keep up with it, you know. And then you add in these activities and you're like, oh my gosh, it's overwhelming, so that's another project. And then when I told my publishing company, like when we first had our first meeting about the book because I was about halfway done with it they were like, oh my gosh, we need an Easter series. You know we need this. And I'm like, yes, this is like, this is my goal.
Speaker 3:I really want to make these studies, like not just for Christmas but for all year round, because I don't think Jesus is only for Christmas you know, so that's the goal is to make more family Bible studies, you know, for the different seasons, and honestly I want to do one over Proverbs with kids, like more for teenagers I think that's important for them to know that and over the Passover, easter, and yeah. So that's the goal. Those are a couple of the testimonial book. It's in the process right now. And then I had to pause on the children's book because my husband was like you're doing too much. Yeah, like sit down yeah, what you doing yeah, because I was like you know.
Speaker 3:So, yes, there's a couple of things and I'm excited to see. How will you?
Speaker 2:possibly do a devotional and go with your book? I don't know.
Speaker 3:I haven't thought of that, maybe.
Speaker 2:I just know there's some. Actually, do I have it up here? No, no, this book, but it's like a. It has a devotional that goes with it, like a writing journal, oh.
Speaker 3:Well, there's writing pieces on it.
Speaker 2:Okay, okay.
Speaker 3:Then maybe it could stand yeah. So I don't know, who knows, maybe I'm going to write it down.
Speaker 2:Okay, something to think about. Wow, I think that's really cool. So have you always been like a writer?
Speaker 3:No, Really no, what, no?
Speaker 3:But honestly, after Alvin's death I had really like God really was like you know, because I had, and what sucked is when he was in the hospital I had talked to other burn victims' wives and they're like, you know, you need to write a journal and so for when he makes it out, you know, and that way he can know exactly what you were going through in these moments.
Speaker 3:And so I started writing a journal and then it was like God was kind of preparing me for it and then I got so angry I like ripped it up and threw it away. So now that I'm like going back trying to remember everything it's, I'm like, dang, I wish I would have kept that journal, but I he really has placed this, like for a while on my heart. Like, okay, I know other people have gone through this and like maybe they just need help navigating through, because I did, you know, and I had, uh, minister pam, sister pam, that you know that cliff knows she was my saving grace. God put her in my life and really just kicked me up and, you know, walked me through all of this. So, you know, I feel like we don't know what people go through no, and I think that's one thing I've learned.
Speaker 2:When I first started this podcast, it kind of exposed me to it, um, and then the more I just started volunteering the community, I'm like, bro, this person, you think you know something, yeah, and so you really sit down and talk to them yeah, you have no idea. You're like what like, yeah, yeah, no like no idea like right now I mentor um teenagers, 10 to 17 boys and girls. Oh wow, um every tuesday and some of the things.
Speaker 3:It's sad, it's scary and it's wild very sad.
Speaker 2:Like one of them, I was like what did I you? He kept asking random questions like how old is your grandfather, what year did you graduate high school? I mean, it just kept going. It kept going and, like I, never. Nothing was always fair. Because I was like what is happening? But never once did I. Because, hey, you know we're doing mental health. And I was like, hey, ron, let me know how you're feeling. And he didn't do it and I found out. I said you have to answer this question, what is going on? But he's like well, ma'am, I'm just lonely. Now that's starting to make sense why he kept answering the question. He just didn't have the attention. Yeah, and then you know, ron was saying why he was lonely and and all that.
Speaker 3:But if you just don't know, sometimes we just try to judge people off of their reaction, but then it'll take the time to figure out you know what is causing that well, that's all teaching is because there's some kids that are like my gosh not doing their work, and then I find out they're homeless and then you know they have an eight. I'm like you know, and you're just like, okay, it's very humbling and, like you know, you have more empathy and it's things that you don't expect. Like there's one you know student who was like hey, like what's going on? Like you know, I found out his mom died and I was just like, okay, like this, you're not worried about ipc science right now, don't care. Yeah, you know. And with I get it like yeah, I wouldn. Yeah, you know, and with I get it Like I wouldn't either, you know. So it was one of those. Until you talk to them, you know, you don't know.
Speaker 2:And I didn't realize how much food like I guess how many kids are going around.
Speaker 3:Oh my gosh, that's so sad.
Speaker 2:No, it really is so, like even for this. Basically, I work with Big Brothers and Big Sisters and they're providing snacks. I think that's the majority of it. They inked them, girls, some trail mix. I said I need no harm. I don't know if it's correct, because there's kids that eat trail mix. Give them some of this now.
Speaker 2:I thought I'd tell them to make some cakes, but one day I saw the kid and they kept eating, eating and I was like, ah, neat. So now I talk to the staff and we're going to be providing meals. Along, yeah, along the snacks. We just don't know what's happening.
Speaker 3:Yeah, um, I remember alamo. There were kids, you know, over the weekend that would take, like the food bags.
Speaker 2:Yes, and it's yes, and then you know the sad thing is I'm like no, I think at first I used to have the mindset of like why can't that parent feed? But you know their kid, they don't have to realize something.
Speaker 3:Some of the parents have two jobs paying rent, paying bills like they can't, like they don't have to realize something.
Speaker 2:Some of the parents have two jobs paying rent, paying bills like they can't, like they just or have eight kids.
Speaker 3:They're assembling of eight and you're just like wow, it's not.
Speaker 2:It's not always what it seems. No, it's what I've definitely learned and, um, I'm thankful that I learned that it allows me to when I do that young man, yeah, um, I think that's what allows me to have that in the holy spirit, to have the patience to be there and to get in there and kind of get my hands dirty and, you know, try to plant some seeds to break generational partnerships and challenge these young people, yeah, to be who god has called them to be um, that's kind of funny.
Speaker 2:But working with the organization, um, I don't really like. We don't really talk about God so much, but like I pray, going in pray after um, pray for them when you know I'm laying in my bed, yeah, um, same. So they don't, they don't realize the seeds being planted, you know, behind the scenes, which I think it's a beautiful thing, yeah.
Speaker 3:Well, my kids call me it's my neighbor here. By the end of the year I'm the Christian teacher. I play like Boris Frank, you know, and just different depending on what we're doing, but it's like all, or I do 70s disco too, but it's mostly Christian and they're like, oh my God, oh yeah, because don't cuss, because this is a Christian classroom. I'm like you're right it is. So you know those students that don't believe in.
Speaker 3:God and they're like I have one right now. You know, uh, I don't believe in God, I'm like that's okay. Yeah, you know, and I think they want this reaction.
Speaker 2:They're like well, you know, I'm like that's not yeah, yeah, and I'm just like that's okay.
Speaker 3:and then it's they just kind of I don't know, they think they're gonna get a reaction out of me, and then it doesn happen, and they're just kind of like okay.
Speaker 2:They're definitely confused.
Speaker 3:Yes, and I love that yeah.
Speaker 2:They're definitely confused. Yeah, yeah, I've seen that before and I'm like I don't know what. Adults have been arguing with you, but I'm going to show you God's love and kindness and grace instead. So, yeah, it's, it's, it's a thing for sure, but wow, we're going to create something this, or is there anything that we did not touch on? Oh, I do have one more question for you. How did you grow personally from this project, and that can be physically, emotionally, spiritually.
Speaker 3:I think I missed well my pant size definitely grew from sitting down. So much right? No, uh, I think for me spiritually too. And the cool thing about this is I was, as I was finishing up the book um, I'm in the armor group and we did the book of blue, so it was like I was. I was writing off of how I understood it and then adding that on top of it. I was like, oh God, I got to go back and I got to change this and I got to change that, you know, and it just, really, like I don't know, opened up my eyes because I don't know if, are you in art? Are you in art? I'm not, erin is Erin is yes, and it's just. Then he's like no, no, no, like this is what he said, and you're like he did say that.
Speaker 2:Why didn't I think of that?
Speaker 3:And so, um, yeah, I'm like he's so smart, I love it.
Speaker 3:Um, I think spiritually it's helped me grow too and just help me see like you're not perfect but when you are planted in God, you are a completely different mom and I could see that, you know, going through this book, because there was so many ups and downs and and impatient moments where I was so impatient because I needed this to be done, I know God was like, okay, hey, like, have some grace with your family, or you know, or I would get mad at my husband because I'm like, hey, like I need to write this, like why aren't you, you know, and and so I think for me it's helped me grow spiritually, emotionally, helped me be a better mom, helped me be a better wife.
Speaker 3:I have so much more to grow Like. I'm excited to officially do the full book with my daughter this year, so, and even with my husband, because he participates in it too, so it's, it's fun and and have our stepdaughter come down, cause she, you know she came down and maybe see what she's going through. You know, as a 20 year old and, um, yeah, but definitely pant size grew. Spiritually, I grew, yes, I gained 30 pounds.
Speaker 2:I'm right there with you, but I have not been right. I don't know what I've been doing, but I gave you about the same amount, so it must be in the air. But you can definitely go though. I'm just saying yeah.
Speaker 3:For sure. No, yeah, emotionally too, I feel like I was just so, I think you know kind of cliffhitted on the head today, like I was depending on so many other things for my happiness and as I'm writing this, I'm like, ok, god is supposed to be my source, like not my husband, my husband, shouldn't? You know? That's hard when you're like, you know, make me happy, or your kids, and you're like, why are you doing this? And it's like, hey, they're humans, like you know. So I definitely learn and just really diving deep into Luke, like learn grace, and really trying to live my life like Jesus, even though I fell, you know, every day, but, yeah, definitely grown in that and just teaching too. Like I feel like the way I approach these kids is again different and you know I do have more empathy and it's made me a better person through it, through everything I've gone through and writing this, you know wow, do you think to ever do like, uh, anything with the names?
Speaker 2:or collaborating with your husband on another book? Oh, I don't know, that may be interesting. Yeah, do you like a marriage?
Speaker 3:I think I need, I think for marriage. I'm like we're we're hitting one year, so I think I need to get uh. June 29 2024.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes okay, so we're november 2nd, okay they're like this is awesome, but anyway, that's really cool, though. I like that.
Speaker 3:I'm like I need to get it together.
Speaker 2:Let me hit five years, but I'm needing like a co-ed Bible study for the baby to do with their husband. I like that. It's actually like made for husband. I like that. It's actually like made for husband and wife. It's not just like a bible study.
Speaker 3:I choose to do it together I know we bought so many and it's like they just sit there and we'll do like one or two days and it's like, okay, yeah, something to think about though yeah, because I have one right now that I'm supposed to do.
Speaker 2:I'm gonna keep what it's supposed to be, yeah, but it's like the names of God, what's the word it is. I love that. It's like three pages, though, brittany.
Speaker 3:No, it's crazy how many names.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that threw me off too. I was like, hmm.
Speaker 3:Yeah, my husband's in a coach's one. I wonder if Aaron has it's like made for coaches. It's a coach's Bible made for coaches.
Speaker 2:it's a coaches bible study and it's like a playbook really yeah, I don't even have to talk about it, so he's not in it, but it may be good for me where's he cultured?
Speaker 3:it's um midland freshman, but it's called the minors. Oh, that's the name of the bible study book and it's made specifically for coaches and their coaching staff. They do it like on thursdays.
Speaker 2:It's really neat, yeah well, he hasn't mentioned it. I, like I said he does armor for sure. Yeah, because sometimes I hear or I sit in the room like they're having y'all know me. Yeah, four videos where I'm going to y'all be watching.
Speaker 2:Y'all getting fed for real. Anyway, thank you, ma. Okay, two more questions. One is what do you stand for? Yeah, thank you, ma. Okay, two more questions. One is what do you stand for? So the purpose of that is the name of the podcast is Standing in your Truth. So it's what do you stand for?
Speaker 3:I think love you do, yeah, I think without it, everything falls apart. So I think if you don't have love or you don't stand for this, it's stand on love I'm standing on love. Yeah, oh God, yeah, I think stand on love, standing on love, yeah, yeah. I think that I think there's so much hate in this world that if I could choose anything, it would be love in every situation.
Speaker 2:I have to realize once, getting married this time instead of the other is my second marriage. Okay, that love is a verb, yeah it's an action. Yeah, like I feel like sometimes we just say I love you and we just you know, it gives a feeling like it's good you have a little work today.
Speaker 3:No, a lot of work and I'm needy. So my husband's like, yeah, a lot of work.
Speaker 2:He goes to me like mm-hmm, shake his head. Yeah, I know about that, but it's just funny when you smell that. All right, and then, lastly, there's two options here for this question. Okay, you can either give us like some closing remarks, advice, kind of motivating whoever's listening, or you can close us out with the book.
Speaker 3:Well, I do have a scripture that I wanted to read Okay, come on.
Speaker 3:It says train up your child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22, 6. This is kind of like the whole basis of my Bible study. Like I feel like if we train up our kids, you know they'll have these seats planted and that we're going to set them up for success and set them up, you know, to break those generational curses and just do better than we ever have. And just you know, and that way their kids are, you know, blessed, and their kids and their kids and just maybe it's something they want to do with their family, you know, when they get older. And so that's the whole main idea of my book.
Speaker 3:You know, as a family we got to. We have to, not the church. We have to train up our kids in the way of the Lord and it's nobody else's job, and if you don't, you're going to be trained up in something else by some other people that you don't want, and then you're going to be shocked. So the world is a hook of a teacher, yes, so that's all well, thank you again.
Speaker 2:Thank you for having me coming and, um, giving us a little bit backstory on how you got to your bible study. I'm very, I'm really interested to see you know what this bible study, but also what else. Yes, um, your book. You have a title for your book by chance, or is it like no title?
Speaker 3:yeah, it's uh, not, not your bible study, but your book. Oh yeah, it is.
Speaker 2:It's um god's uh, my story, god's glory you need people more interested yeah so you need to go home and create yeah, sorry, y'all go right.
Speaker 2:Right now. I will patiently wait, yeah, but thank you again for coming on. For those that are listening, this is your reminder that you are loved, seen, heard, needed and wanted. Please do not think that you have to navigate this alone. God is always with you and if you need to talk to someone, feel free. Please feel free. Please feel free. I can talk To reach out to me and we can. I can see how I can help you navigate life. Will I have all the answers? No, well, we can pray together and I'll hold your hand and introduce you to some people that may be able to help you with whatever you have going on, and I'm just going to say I love you and bye.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to another episode of Standing In your Truth with Yanni. And if no one told you today, you are loved, you are beautiful, you are needed and you matter. Be sure to follow on Facebook at Standing In your Truth Podcast with Yanni. Also on Instagram Talks With Yanni.
