The Quest

Happy Monday to all! I am so excited about sharing the results of my Farmer’s Market search with you. As most of you all know, as of late I have been on a quest for local grown organic produce. I am making it my priority to eat and feed my family more nutrient dense foods.

I will take a few moments to recap the events that led up to this search. So the Lord has been leading me to do more research about what I am putting in my body so that I can feed my family better and help others lead healthier lifestyles. Well, in my research I found out that most of our produce has traveled a MINIMUM of 1500 miles before reaching our grocery stores and it’s lost at least 60 percent of its nutrient value before we consume it! I assumed that my produce was locally grown because I have shopped at a local organic co-op for several years now. Boy was I wrong! I did some intense question asking and found out that most of my produce had been coming from SOUTH AMERICA! I couldn’t believe it.

Slight side-bar; I also found out that at least 51 percent of the food that we consume in a day should be raw. Did you know that our bodies actually go into automatic defense mode when we eat cooked foods? Therefore, I have been beefing up on the crunchy stuff! You won’t believe what changes my body has experienced. I will expound upon that funny story at a later date. So back to the quest for “The Real McCoy.”

Well, I found out that the best way to purchase organic locally grown is to shop at a local Farmers Market (FM). The FM concept is as follows: farmers and vendors from nearby come out one day a week, usually at an outdoor venue, and set up their tents to sell their products. Over the last couple of weeks my family and I have visited two of these venues and found that there is quite a nice assortment of healthy foods for the taking (cash only of course). There were farmers/vendors selling fruits, veggies, all-natural meats, fresh breads and muffins, free range eggs, natural oils, natural dressings and sauces, natural baked goods, and the list goes on and on.

My favorite was the Sandy Springs Farmers Market (http://www.sandyspringsfarmersmarket.com/), which is located about 30 minutes away from my home. They set up every Saturday from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm, April through December. When I found out that I can’t purchase from the market year-round I was totally bummed. Then I realized that these markets are normally not opened year-round because they can only sell when the harvest is producing. That makes perfect sense, but now I have to figure out what to do during off-peak months. I could a) starve myself for 3 months, b) fast for 3 months (can’t go wrong with that one), c) purchase enough during peak months to freeze and live off of like our ancestors did, or d) go back to eating the nutrient lacking fruits and veggies (I think I would rather starve before doing this). Well, I haven’t made a decision yet, but I will keep you all posted.

Back to the FM experience; as soon as I walked into the “tent circle” I felt like I was totally in my element. It was like an out of body experience for me. I felt like Dorothy in her red shoes once she reached home again. My husband was like, “Wow, look at the people here! You will fit right into this atmosphere.” There were families with their pets in tow. The feel was so loving and free. I felt a little closer to heaven while shopping at the market. I was thinking to myself, “This is how it should be. We should be able to talk to the people that produce the foods we eat and ask the questions that only they can answer.”

For those of you that are wandering about the price, it lines up with that of Whole Foods or a little bit cheaper, but it’s worth every penny! It’s worth sacrificing some of the material possessions if you must so that your holy temple can receive the best possible fuel. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Let me know if you find any FM’s near you that you like. I would love to share your story with our readers.

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Mentoring on Purpose

Happy Monday to all! So last week came and passed and hubby and I were faced with the realization that vacation was over and we are back to reality as we know it. Although, “back to reality” isn’t bad at all, but vacation was absolutely amazing!

On Saturday my husband and the young man that he mentors spent time going over school work, playing pool and enjoying some friendly video game competition. It really warmed my heart to see their interaction with one another. It was so fulfilling to see just how much this young man looks up to my husband. Often times we don’t realize how much of an impact a few hours of mentoring can have on an individual.

I have been mentoring off and on for the last 10 years now and I have found so much joy in doing so. I wish more people would take time to touch the lives of our young people. There are so many young boys and girls that grow up in broken homes and never have a role model to spend time with them on a consistent basis. I know many people may feel that they are too busy to mentor someone, but it really only takes a few hours of your time every month.

A mentoring relationship is not only rewarding to the mentee, but it is also rewarding to the mentor. There’s so much that we can learn from these young people and it’s great parenting practice as well! When you have been blessed it’s important to give back and pass those blessings on to others. While mentoring these children you can also share the love of God with them. The Word tells us, “…I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23).

You can find young people to mentor via your church, your children’s school, or mentoring organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters. Why don’t we all take a few hours away from our TV time and mentor a young child in need, while setting a great example for our children as well.

Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at Savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature Saved M.O.M.’s. There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am delighted to say that this Feature Friday post is dedicated to Charleah. This beautiful woman is a devoted wife and the mother of three amazing sons. She is currently working alongside her husband in his medical practice and leading a Christian book club. When asked what her passion is, Charleah simply stated, “I absolutely love being a mom. If I could turn back the hands of time I would’ve had more children and enjoyed motherhood all over again.” She also enjoys quilting and other forms of arts and crafts. This creates a strong sense of peace for her and has allowed her the opportunity to fellowship with other mothers who enjoy finding solace in quilting as well.

When I asked Charleah how and when she came to know the Lord she shared, “I can remember that my husband received salvation and kept bugging me and getting on my nerves about getting saved. I went to church with him on a regular basis, but the day that I received salvation he wasn’t present.” She went on to talk about how she knew that it was truly God that moved inside of her on this day. She recalled, “It was September of 1999 and my middle child did not go to children’s church on this day because he had a fever and wasn’t feeling well. At the time of alter call I jumped up and left my sick son in the pulpit to answer the call.” She knew that it was a move of God because she would not have left her sick son under any other circumstance. Her oldest son received salvation on that same day as well and they were both baptized together a few weeks later!

I asked Charleah what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her and she said, “It gives you direction and a peace about life. In being a mom, it helps me to get through. Being a Saved M.O.M. gives you patience and peace and helps you give your children the right direction.” Her favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Charleah wanted to leave some words of advice to all of our mothers. For all of our married mothers she said, “Love your husband for who he is and not for who you want him to be.” She went on to say, “Always love your kids no matter what and pray over them everyday. You can never give up on your children. Also, you must tithe, it’s a commandment and it will come back to you. Tithing is so important!”

I know Charleah very well and she is truly living out her Mommie Mission! I am so blessed to have her in my life. Thanks Charleah for simply being you! Until our next appointed meeting time. Stay tuned for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment). If you would like to submit prayer requests send them to info@savedmom.com. Thanks for your continued support!

Mommie Blessings,

Saved M.O.M.

Something in the Atmosphere

I pray that each and every one of you had something awesome happen to you over the weekend! As I sit here at the computer, there are so many thoughts going through my mind. I sense that there is a shifting about to take place in the atmosphere for some reason. Does anyone else feel the same?

It seems as though there is something great on the horizon, if we can just hold on a little while longer. It’s time for us to start doing things on a level that we haven’t before. Let’s elevate our minds, our spirits, our bodies, and our hearts. My pastor has been speaking on the following phrase for a few weeks now… “When is the last time you did something for the first time?” You see, the magnitude of this question didn’t hit me until about 30 seconds ago. So, I am seriously asking myself, “Shonte’, when is the last time you did something for the first time?” Now, I don’t mean something simple, like preparing a meal that you never cooked before, but something that can really make a difference in your life or in the lives of those around you.

Life is too short for us to just sit back and let life happen to us, how about we happen to the lives around us? God has planted something special on the inside of each and every one of us. We all have something great to offer. That special gift or talent that you have is there to bring glory to God and His Kingdom. How are you using your gifts and talents? Although, our gifts are different, they are all from the same spirit. For the word explains, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).

I am making a decision to start off everyday asking myself, “Self, what can I do for the first time today?” In other words, I want to think of new ways to please God and be a blessing to those around me. It’s time to elevate ourselves like never before. It’s time to reach higher, think better and make a mark that can’t be erased!

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.

Monday’s passage read, “I ask our holy Father to guard you as you pursue His life that He conferred as a gift through Jesus. I thank Him for posting a night watch about you this evening.” I am so thankful that God sent Jesus so that we may have everlasting and abundant life. I realize that as a Christian mother it is my duty to make sure that my children understand that they were bought at a price. They must understand that we are living temples of the Holy Spirit and we belong to God. For the word tells us, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price…” (1 Corinthians 6:20). On the day that I gave my life to the Lord I made a choice to live for God and to let His word direct my path. At that moment I made a decision to stop letting my flesh rule me and instead to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide me the rest of the way.

Salvation is truly serious business and it is not to be looked upon lightly. As parents we have to make every effort to teach our children the importance of salvation because there will come a point in time that they must willingly choose salvation for themselves. I wish that I could ask the Lord to give my son salvation for the rest of his life and that be the end of it, but it doesn’t work that way. We are born with free will and salvation is available to all of us, but we must ask for it. God never intended for us to suffer but to have abundant life. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). So let's continue to rise above our fleshly ways and desires and let the Holy Spirit within us prevail in all that we do.

Be sure to tune in on tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Gifts and Talents

Good day to all!!! What a refreshing weekend it was. Once again I am so excited at the start of yet another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.. Okay, okay, I will explain the source of my present excitement, but of course you have to get the back story first. Well, years ago when I was in college, I used to wear my hair in two-strand twists. There was a young lady that did them for me and she was very talented in natural hair styling. Well, after I graduated she moved out of town. Since that time I haven’t been able to find anyone that could twist my hair as good as she could. She and I have a mutual friend and I would often ask him about her through the years. I made him promise me that if she ever came back to Atlanta he would immediately let me know. So I received a phone call from him two weeks ago and guess who he put on the phone? Yup, you guessed it. My favorite stylist is back in the ATL!!!

On yesterday after church she styled my hair and it is even better than I remembered. I was so giddy sitting in her chair on yesterday. I felt like a kid in a candy store. As I talked to her she was telling me that she hadn’t done hair professionally in a while and she’s been considering reviving her styling career. I told her that she should seriously consider it because it is a true and natural talent for her. She could perfectly style my hair with her eyes closed and not miss a beat!

This led me to think about all of the gifts and talents that the Lord has placed on the inside of us. Each and every one of us has been blessed with special gifts from God. We all have different gifts, but we should use these gifts in accordance with one another to fulfill the will of the Lord. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).” As long and we walk in our gifts and help our children to discover and walk in their gifts this world will be a much better place. What gifts has God placed on the inside of you? Are you walking in those gifts or just letting them sit idle?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Showing Appreciation

Wow! We made it through to see another week that is destined to be filled with joy and love. I am so revved up right now! Joyce Meyer Ministries was in Atlanta this past weekend and it was such a blessing to be able to attend the conference. I received so much good word and reading/study material during the event. Pastor Joyce Meyer is truly anointed and brings the word in such a powerful and profound way. You can check her ministry out at www.joycemeyer.org.

Well, I stayed out in Duluth, GA for a couple of days for the conference which caused me to get a bit behind on some business and house work. So, I came back home Saturday afternoon refreshed and rejuvenated only to find that there were so many things that I needed to get done. Although, I couldn’t get to everything right away because I had promised my mentee several weeks ago that I would take her bowling for her birthday. I finished as much as I could in the few hours that I had and then took her bowling. It was late when I got home and of course there was church on Sunday morning.

Well I scrambled to get caught up on things last night. I was so exhausted, but I wanted to catch things up so that I could get off to a fresh start today. I was so thankful when hubby took time away from his football watching (which he thoroughly enjoys) to help me with my “punch list.” I am so blessed to have a husband that looks at our marriage as a team of two instead of a one sided give-take relationship. We all know that team work makes the dream work! It felt so good to wake up knowing that most things on the "punch list" had been taken care. I made sure before I went to bed last night that I let hubby know just how much I appreciated him.

We really must make it a point to let our friends and family know that we appreciate them. We are all members in the body of Christ and we all need each other so that the body can function properly. “... But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 12-26). We weren’t sent here to do it all alone. We need God and we need one another.

I can’t stress this to mothers enough. We often feel that we have to be superwomen and never ask for help so that our weaknesses won’t be exposed or so we don’t impose upon someone else. I don’t know about you, but my mother always told me that it never hurts to ask. I mean what’s the worst that can happen? Either you are in the same place where you started or you just might receive what you ask for. Just remember when someone is willing to help you in your time of need to show them the appreciation that they deserve.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. At night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.

Yesterday’s passage read, “I ask our heavenly Father to give me wisdom to monitor what you hear and see. I believe that you will grow up to be a godly man (or woman), and out of the good treasure of your heart you will bring forth good. Out of the abundance of the heart your mouth will speak.” As soon as I read this passage I sat back and reflected on the part that stated, “monitor what you hear and see.” I have come to realize that so many parents are not aware of the “mess” that their children hear and see on a day to day basis. Whether it’s on the television, radio, or computer, our children have access way too much. We can’t monitor everything that they hear and see, but we can definitely limit their access.

I can remember watching and listening to things that I shouldn’t have when I was a teenager. We don’t realize how much of an affect these things have on us mentally and spiritually. Thoughts and ideas are planted and manifested based on what we open our selves up to. Even as parents we have to be careful and conscious of what we see and hear on a daily basis. Our bodies are our temples and we should guard our temples against things that could corrupt our thoughts. “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

We must also consider what we say and do in front of our children. They look to us as their guidance, so we must be sure to model good behavior in front of them. Just think about how many bad habits you may have picked up from your parents. This is one of the many reasons that we should live right at all times and not just put on a good face in front of certain people. We are here to please God, not man.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Feature Friday

Congratulations, you made it through another week in the life of a Saved M.O.M.! Here at Savedmom.com we take time out on Fridays to feature Saved M.O.M.’s . There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am proud to say that this week’s Feature Friday is dedicated to Esther Hawkins. She currently resides in Springfield, MO. Esther is a vibrant mother and a Naturopathic Doctor. She uses her blog to offer natural health advice to families (www.hawkinshealth.com).

Ester grew up in a Christian home and knew the Lord at a young age. She said, “My Mum and Dad were saved in college so I grew up in a Christian home.” She didn’t remember the very moment that she received salvation, but she remembers a personal encounter. She explained, “I don’t remember a specific salvation date, but I do remember feeling convicted of my sin when I was about six, and then when I was nine I moved schools and found it very difficult. During that struggle, I had a personal encounter with God that set the foundation for a dynamic and ongoing relationship with Him.”

When I asked Esther what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her she said, “My foundation, walk and goal is an intimate relationship with God – to love Him and be loved by Him. I have given Him my life and it is my privilege and joy to walk in obedience to Him. I’ve been amazed at the places God has taken me and the opportunities He has given me to do the things I love, whenever I have surrendered everything to Him. I seem to be more effective and to accomplish more when I lay down my own plans and agendas and simply listen and obey on a day to day basis.”

Her favorite scripture is currently 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” She explained, “I picture God like an excited parent who has just bought an incredible surprise for his child, something he knows they will absolutely love. He can’t wait to give it to them and see the look on their face when they open their gift.” She went on to say, “Everyday of our life can be like that – an exciting discovery of hope and joy. God is also very practical, He knows our needs and desires and I believe it delights Him to fulfill them.”

Esther wanted to leave our mothers with these words…”There’s no doubt that motherhood can be a challenging and often daunting task. God is available to us in every moment and decision no matter how small. These children, while being such a blessing to us, were not given to us for our benefit. God has a purpose for us as women and a purpose for our children.”

Be sure to tune in Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Word Wednesday

Today is officially “Word Wednesday” otherwise known as “Hump Day.” We’ve made it half way through yet another week on the wonderful, exciting and bumpy road of motherhood. Therefore, some of us are looking for some encouraging words to make it through the rest of the week with Joy and Peace. Every night before my son goes to bed, in addition to reading bible stories, I read him a passage out of “Prayers That Avail Much, First Blessings for Your Child” by Germaine Copeland. Mommies we have to keep our children prayed up and constantly put Gods word in their hearts.

The passages for this month have been focused on character building. I was taken aback by last night’s passage because it was so mature in nature. At first read I thought, “This is going be a difficult one to write on because it so adult.” Then I considered that it could actually minister to some of the Saved M.O.M.’s that may be dealing with this issue. The passage that I am referring to read, “I pray that you will be blessed with the rewards of fidelity, and that you will rejoice in the spouse of your youth.” It is so unfortunate that in today’s society so many children grow up in broken homes and see their parents’ marriages and relationships fail. My parents were divorced when I was a young child and so were my husbands’ parents. However, my husband and I have vowed that our children will not see their parents divorced. It is vitally important that we make every effort possible to show our children examples of healthy Godly relationships.

There is no doubt about it; marriage takes lots of work, true love and patience. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Corinthians 13:4). One thing that we should always consider is that when we are married, we enter into a covenant not only with our spouse, but with God. This is not to be taken lightly. We should strive to be faithful to our spouses and God on a daily basis. We should also ENJOY our spouses and be happy in our decision to spend the rest of our lives with this person, for better or for worse. To all of the married women out there that may be struggling in your marriage, please don’t give up and remember that with God all things are possible. To the single mothers out there, be patient and wait for God to send you your Boaz. Stay in His word and His will, and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4).

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Please share this blog with as many people as you know (www.savedmom.com), we have so many lives to touch. Feel free to post a comment and/or subscribe (if you are reading this from your inbox visit the site address referenced above to post a comment).

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press