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 a Saved M.O.M.. 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 Christian Mommy Writer (CMW). CMW is a military wife, stay at home mom, aspiring freelance writer and a dedicated volunteer.

CMW came to know the Lord at the age of 15. She had some friends in high school that were living for God and she wanted to experience the happiness and peace that they had. She was going to church at that time, but didn’t know what it meant to be saved. CMW explains, “So on one Sunday morning at church, I went to the altar call and asked what I needed to do to be saved. The Pastor immediately got excited and prayed the Sinner’s Prayer with me. I felt brand new and I was happy that I was guaranteed a trip to heaven.”

Like so many of us she eventually backslid as she grew into young adulthood and college. She says, “I wanted to live life according to my own terms, but I always felt convicted when I did wrong.” Her sophomore year in college, she met an ordained minister. He was a blessing to her in many ways. He helped her to get her life back on track with God and introduced her to the man that would later become her husband.

After several years of working as a Public Health professional, the Lord called her from the workplace to the ministry of being a stay at home mommy. CMW shared, “It has been one of the most rewarding, but challenging things I have ever done. Being a Saved M.O.M. gives me a different perspective with parenting. When I get stressed or overwhelmed, I know that God can give me peace and answers on how to handle different situations with my toddler. He created my son and it gives me peace to know that I can go straight to the Creator for answers.”

As a Saved M.O.M, she understands that she can never underestimate the impact that her life will have, not only on others, but to her own child as well. She explained, “It’s time out for the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” The bible tells us in Matthew 5:16 to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Because of the light that was shining from my high school classmates and college friends, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I learned that it was possible to live saved. I also learned that with God, life has more meaning and purpose. I plan to spend the rest of my life fulfilling the plan that God has designed for my life.”

Christian Mommy Writer plans to publish books on Christian Living. She currently uses her gift of writing through a blog called Reflections from a Christian Mommy Writer. She blogs about mommy hood, Christian living, military life and health issues. She closed by stating, “I really enjoy blogging and it gives me a chance to meet and be a blessing to many people that I would have never otherwise met.” Check out Christian Mommy Writer at www.christianmommywriter.blogspot.com.

Be sure to tune in on 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,

Saved M.O.M.

Was I Wrong?

Okay ladies, Saved M.O.M. needs your help. I had a situation over the weekend and I am not so sure that I handled it properly. Please help me to understand if I was wrong. So here goes… well, I have to make sure that I provide the pertinent information so that you can make an informed decision…

My husband went out of town last week on a fishing trip with his grandfather and his uncles. They came back on Saturday and he drove most of the way back home. Therefore, he was very tired upon his return. That evening I had a gig that would last about four hours, so I needed him to watch our son while I was gone. Before leaving for this trip I checked with him to make sure that this plan was okay and he said that he didn’t foresee it being a problem. He was tired, but held up his end of the bargain. The next morning I went to church. He was still tired from the day before so he stayed home. Our son stayed home with him as well, which prevented him from getting much rest on Sunday morning.

About a month or so ago I scheduled a family photo shoot and it was to take place on this particular Sunday at 3 pm. When I returned home there was so much that needed to be done in preparation for the shoot. I called the photographer to push the appointment to 4 pm. I didn’t want to reschedule to another weekend because the photographer stays pretty booked (he is one of the best in Atlanta www.pixelegant.com) and I had just gotten my hair done.

So the photographer arrived around 4 pm and the session was soon under way. We did family photos, a solo shoot for my son and a solo shoot for me. My husband was getting a bit agitated that my personal shoot was taking so long. He was very ready to depart for a private Bar-B-Que that we were invited to. I really wanted to get as many looks in as possible to update my modeling and acting portfolio. You must understand that this was my first shoot in a very long time. So was I wrong to continue considering that my husband was ready to go? I make every effort to be the best wife that I can be, but I feel that he should have understood that this was something that I needed to do to for the advancement of my career. Please help me… let me know what you think by leaving a comment below (if you are reading this from your inbox visit www.savedmom.com to post a comment). Good advice is always appreciated. “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.” (Proverbs 12:15).

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.

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

Time Out

Today Saved M.O.M. has to take a blogging time out to get some much needed work and family things accomplished. We all need time to "get caught up," so why don't you use today as a "time out" as well. You could do some things around the house, spend some time with your family, run some errands or all of the above for the Super Mommies like me! Until next time...

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

Memorial Day Tribute

To God be the Glory, another weekend has come and gone and we are still here! Good day to all of the Saved M.O.M.’s out there. In wake of Memorial Day, we would like to use this blog entry to take a moment of silence and reflect on all of the fallen soldiers that lost their lives while protecting us and our country. I would like for each and every one of you to take a few moments today to reflect and pay homage to our hero’s and shero’s that have come and gone.

Although, many of us may not like or agree with the wars that so many of our soldiers have fallen in, we must understand that there is a time and season for everything. “…a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). If you have friends, family or loved ones that lost their lives in war please feel free to leave a message of tribute by leaving a comment below.

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 every Friday to feature a Saved M.O.M.. There are so many wonderful mothers that don’t get the recognition they deserve. I am happy to say that this week’s Feature Friday is dedicated to Victoria Jenkins. She currently resides in Thomasville, NC. Victoria is a mother, writer, photographer, and an evangelist for our dear Lord and Savior.

Victoria came to know Christ at a very early age but became lost to the world during her teen years. She explained, “I was saved at 10, baptized at 12…and totally lost to the world because I had never learned that to know Christ is to have a relationship with Him…” Like so many of us Victoria experienced a really rough patch during her teen years. She shared, “They were filled with rebellion against myself and against all that the world expected me to be. Those years were the desert of my life. I can still recall the loneliness that accompanied me as I wandered aimlessly, wondering where I fit into God's plan.”

She practiced witchcraft and lived in a constant state of rebellion. She even created her own religion which she referred to as “Christwicca.” She explained, “I began to yearn for a bigger role in my spiritual life. I turned to Wicca for the ritual to it all and I invented my own religion. "Christwicca" was my own brand of praying to God and loving Jesus while taking matters into my own hands through the use of magic.”

Victoria later hit a bottom in her life. The world as she knew it began to crumble around her. She said, “My marriage and my most intimate friendships as well as my sense of self-worth, lie shattered in more pieces than I care to admit. It wasn’t obedience that brought me to that point; my anger drove me to the Lord.” She lost her closest friends because of deceit and wickedness. Furthermore, she experienced failed friendship after failed friendship. Victoria didn’t know where to turn and then the Lord spoke to her through his word. She found comfort in His Good Book and life has never been the same. Dealing with the pain and despair that came from her experiences, the Lord has led her to write a book about Biblical friendships. She is in the midst of allowing God to speak to her and guide her in her writing.

She also writes devotionals to keep her close and accountable to God. You can follow these writings at www.letthesonshine.org. Victoria is thankful for all of her trials because they brought her closer to God. She shared, “The greatest gift has been learning firsthand that our Sovereign Lord is our Faithful Father and Closest Confidant. When we follow where He leads, He will lead us Home.”

She wanted to leave our readers with these closing words, “Are you being called to something bigger than yourself? Well, God is bigger, my sister! We, as daughters of the King, must stand firm in our God-given destinies no matter how overwhelming they may seem. Every time I feel too small for the role God has called me to play, I cling to the God-breathed Words that Mordecai spoke to Esther, “...Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

****Saved M.O.M. will be featured on “An Evening with Jesus” on MAGIC 98.1 FM on Sunday May 24, 2009 at 10 pm. If you are near the Atlanta, GA area you can listen via radio. If you aren’t able to tune in via radio go to http://www.magic981.com/main.html and click on “listen live.” This is our very first interview. It’s only been a month and a half and look at God!****

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

The Art of Procrastination

Ok, I must admit it, I have a procrastination issue. I am sure that there are other mothers out there that suffer from this painstaking disease! I strive everyday to be the very best me that I can be in the eyes of God; it is my will to please Him daily. As I sat down to write this post I realized that, yet again, I let procrastination get the best of me. My mother and grandmother asked me to book airline tickets for them about two months ago, and guess what? I just got around to booking them last night! Now why would I do something that would ultimately frustrate and irritate my sweet little mother? The good book tells us that we should honor our fathers and mothers. “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12). Please forgive me Mom.

Okay, I can try to make myself feel better by explaining that my reason for waiting was an attempt to find cheaper tickets. Yes, this leads to yet another one of my issues… cheap, cheaper, and cheapest (that’s me). I like to consider myself “fiscally responsible,” but at the end of the day, I am REALLY cheap! The Lord has been slowly showing me that if I continue to tithe and stand on His word that my family and I will always have more than enough. “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:10). I don’t have to take 3 months to make a purchase just because I want to get the best price. I don’t have to drive my husband and all of my loved ones insane because I am always looking for the cheapest buy. And I don’t have to miss out on the finer things in life because I am hoarding our money. Now, don’t get me wrong, we must all stay fiscally wise, but we must also enjoy life while we can.

Both of these issues bring me back to the fact that there must be balance in all things. How can we be the examples that our children need to see if we are not displaying the proper behavior. We have to take time everyday to look at the woman in the mirror and take inventory. Let’s make a serious effort to make the necessary changes needed to be molded into His image.

****Saved M.O.M. will be featured on “An Evening with Jesus” on MAGIC 98.1 FM on Sunday May 24, 2009 at 10 pm. If you are near the Atlanta, GA area you can listen via radio. If you have any problems tuning in on the radio go to http://www.magic981.com/main.html and click on “listen live.” This is our very first interview. It’s only been a month and a half and look at God!****

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. 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.

Monday’s passage read, “I thank God for declaring our home blessed—joyful and favored with blessings. May I be a blessing to you, our baby, as I nurture you in the way of the Lord.” This passage prompted me to think about the fact that our homes must to be covered with Gods spirit and peace. We pray over our children and our loved ones, but how often do we pray over our homes? This is the place in which we experience most of our most precious and intimate moments, so how can we neglect covering this place of abode?

It’s so interesting when you think about this… Have you ever gone to someone’s home and felt total peace and comfort? Now, is this the way visitors feel when they enter your home for the first time? Or do they feel as though they just walked into a jungle of instability and negativity? Ladies, we have to pray over our homes and maintain a Godly presence within those four walls, especially considering that this is where our children spend most of their time. Our children need to feel at peace when they are home and when they are resting. The Lord wants our home to be a peaceful dwelling place. “My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” (Isaiah 32:18). Take a few moments to anoint and bless your home with the Holy Spirit tonight. I pray that you rest with peace like never before.

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

Testimony Tuesday

Today is Testimony Tuesday and I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to share a healing testimony with you. Please feel free to share your testimony with us at anytime. To submit your testimony, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “submit” button or leave a comment with a contact email address below. Enjoy this story about the way in which God healed.

Eight years ago this was a woman that was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a partial mastectomy and they scheduled her for 8 rounds of chemo therapy and 36 treatments of radiation. The chemo continually made her very sick. On her fourth round of chemo, it was so bad that she became sick before she left the oncologist office. They had to stop treatment several times for her to regurgitate. She said, “It was as if my body was saying, "That’s enough, no more."”

She was scheduled to have the 5th treatment at the hospital because of the danger it could cause to her heart. Her and her family decided to meet together and call upon the power of the Lord. As they joined hands in a circle they began to pray. As one of her brothers was praying she felt a great touch from God from the top of her head to her toes. After the family gathering she and her husband returned home and she knew that she was healed. She received a call from the oncologist's office. They were canceling the final 4 chemo treatments! The doctor said that they were not necessary. She said, “I know this was God sparing me from damage to my heart or further sickness. He is so good to me.”

She still had to have the 36 radiation treatments, she experienced some discomfort from them but she knew that God was helping her through and giving her the strength to endure. She went on to say, “It has been eight years now and God is still showing me he cares for me and loves me. How can I do anything but praise him.” This goes to show that God is the ultimate healer. If you need healing put your trust and cares in him and watch what happens.

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

It’s Only a Test

Happy Monday to all of you blessed and beautiful Saved M.O.M.’s out there! It is my prayer that each of you had a wonderful and fulfilling weekend. Today I want to talk about the tests that we all experience as we live out our “Mommie Mission”. I am sure that over the weekend some of you allowed your children to get you aggravated, irritated or frustrated. I know I did!

I am really ashamed to admit that I let my son to get me extremely frustrated on Saturday. Here I am “Mrs. Saved M.O.M.” and I allowed my joy to be taken for a moment by an innocent little child. Motherhood can sometimes get the best of us. It’s a daunting and sometimes unrewarding task that we so often take for granted. When I sit back and think, I realize just how BLESSED we truly are to have children. I know so many women that long to have the opportunity to have someone call them Mom, and here we are complaining about the blessing that has been placed before us.

I have to use my moments of frustration and transform them into moments of edification. It’s only a test ladies; a test of our faith, our strength and our love. We have to use these moments for growth and development. Maybe this is a time in which God wants to test our faith and develop us. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4).

So the next time that little angel attempts to “take you there” I want you to smile and ask God to open your spiritual eyes so that you can see the opportunity for growth and development. Then hug your child and show him or her the unyielding love that God gives us everyday. We must remember to “count it all joy” because there is someone out there praying that they could be blessed to have a “Mommie Mission” such as yours.

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 a Saved M.O.M.. 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 Virginia Teresa Robles Belizaire. She currently resides in Smyrna, GA. Virginia has a very active lifestyle serving as wife, mother of four, entrepreneur, medical esthetician/wellness coordinator, doula, certified childbirth educator, and assistant faith group leader (for a married couples fellowship group).

Virginia knew the Lord as a young child. During our interview she explained, “I grew up around my grandmother; she was saved, Holy Ghost filled and fire baptized. She was my first spiritual influence but it wasn’t until I lived with my sister that I really made a true commitment to God.” During this time Virginia would often see her sister attending church. She noticed that her sister really made a lifestyle change once she started going to church and this inspired her to seek God more. Virginia started watching TBN and other spiritual television shows. She said, “My sister busted me out about not going to church and just watching the word on TV. I later decided to join her at church. I experienced the true and living God during service and became filled with the Holy Ghost on that day in May of 1999.” Virginia shared that life hasn’t been the same since that moment.

When I asked Virginia what being a Saved M.O.M. means to her, she said, “It’s a higher priority and obligation to walk in the fruit of the spirit. We shouldn’t neglect God because we are tired, tending to crying babies, cooking or cleaning. It’s so not about us anymore, it’s about the kids that the Lord has entrusted us to raise.”

Virginia has a strong belief that we must take care of ourselves spiritually and physically. Health is very important to her. She believes 110% in her Juice Plus business. She said, “Moms who want better nutrition for themselves before, during and after pregnancy should be on a regular Juice Plus regiment. It’s even great for toddlers and children.” Virginia has an awesome testimony that her Juice Plus regiment along with her faith in God allowed her to have twins earlier this year with no health problems during her pregnancy. Her twins were born in perfect health weighing in at over six pounds each! To learn more about Juice Plus you can go to www.juiceplus.com/+vr21139. She advises that you listen to Dr. William Sears (a prominent Pediatric doctor) on her home page as he explains the importance of vitamins and nutrition for your children. Virginia said, “Juice Plus is a great way to stay healthy and make money.” She is a strong proponent of chiropractic health as well. She works alongside her husband at Agape Chiropractic in Smyrna, GA (www.agapechirospa.com).

Virginia closed the interview by sharing, “As a parent of an adult, forgiveness, if it has not yet been learned, needs to be learned and practiced daily. We must always walk in forgiveness and definitely remember to forgive ourselves.” Her favorite scriptures are Proverbs 3:5-6 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.

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

Breaking News

We warmly introduce to you Kennisha Hill; Christian Author, Speaker, and Entrepreneur. God has equipped Kennisha with the ability to present to people words of exhortation that stems from biblical wisdom- as well as her personal experiences. After going through rejection in various forms, Kennisha decided to use her testimony to deliver a message of hope and inspiration to those who are seeking to fulfill God’s purpose. She does this in her new release, Simply Wisdom: Tidbits of Inspiration for Your Journey. Kennisha is happily married and a stay-at-home mom to her one year old son and soon coming daughter. They reside in Dallas, Texas.

Simply Wisdom is a great read that is designed to help stimulate you to press forward in what God has for you to do. If you suffer with the fear of failure, overcoming rejection or objections, and are unsure about your God-given purpose, this book is for you. Simply Wisdom is a book of encouragement that is sure to help you walk in your divine purpose!

Learn More about Kennisha & Simply Wisdom! Below are interview questions and answers.

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

I am originally from New Orleans, Louisiana. I moved to Atlanta, Georgia when I was 19 years old but then relocated back to New Orleans a few years later. Shortly after, I relocated to Dallas- evacuating from Hurricane Katrina. There, my husband and I got married and we have been growing well together as husband and wife ever since.

When did you come to know that writing was your calling...

I have been creative writing since I was a young girl. I wrote for my high school and college paper. I majored in Journalism, so I always knew I’d do some sort of writing. Since then, I’ve been blessed to be able to bless others with words of inspiration for their daily journey.


Tell us about Simply Wisdom: Tidbits of Inspiration for Your Journey...

This is my very first release! I am ecstatic to finally deliver the message God has given me to deliver. The chapters in Simply Wisdom all have one thing in common: exhortation for those who seek to walk in their purpose.


What’s next inline for your writing career...

I’m currently working on the 2nd book in the Simply Wisdom series titled, “Simply Wisdom: Tidbits of Inspiration for Newlyweds. Besides that, I am also anticipating my first novel Awakened to be published and released soon.


If you could share one word to readers who are seeking their purpose, what would you say...

Trust God! It doesn’t matter if you’ve faced rejection in the past or if you are just terrified to move forward because of your fear of failure. God does have amazing things in-store for you. Faithfully seek His will and purpose and watch how God moves mightily in your life!

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.

Yesterdays passage read, “May you always listen for God’s voice in everything you do and everywhere you go. I trust the Lord to keep you on track.” I thought this was a remarkable prayer to pray over our kids. Boy oh boy, if I had started listening to God’s voice at an early age, life would have been a lot different for me. Please don’t misunderstand me; I am so very grateful for the ways in which God has blessed me. Although, I do sometimes wonder how much pain and heartache would have been spared if I had listened to God’s voice in everything and everywhere starting as a young child. See we must teach our children to KNOW the voice of God. There are so many deceptive “voices” that will come their way and if they don’t know how to rightly discern what’s God and what’s not, that could be very dangerous. The knowledge that they will need to succeed in all things can be received through Godly discernment. “The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none, but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.” (Proverbs 14:6). So let’s make sure that we are not only teaching our kids to listen, but we must teach them how to listen to Him and only Him.

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

Here by popular demand, today is officially testimony Tuesday! The readers call and Saved M.O.M. answers. Get ready to hear testimonies of a lifetime here on every Tuesday. Please feel free to share your testimony with us at anytime. To submit your testimony, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “submit” button. So I thought it would be apropos to share my testimony for the first official Testimony Tuesday. Hold on to your seats, you are in for the ride of your life!

People often say that you can’t judge a book by its cover; well at least that’s what they tell me when I share my testimony. I have to give God ALL of the glory for turning my test into a testimony and bringing me out of a very dark place. Here goes…

As a child and teenager I was bound by spirits of sexual perversion, depression and addiction. I lost my virginity in my early teens and things just went downhill from there. I often went on drug runs with so called friends, smoked marijuana, and constantly lied to my mother. I attempted suicide by way of a prescription drug overdose at the tender age of 14 and had to be rushed to the hospital to have my stomach pumped. This resulted in a stay in the psychiatric ward for what seemed like forever. I drank and smoke to fit in and feel “good”. I was in a continuous state of depression which led to anorexia and an unfulfilling lesbian relationship. This further drove a wedge into an already strained relationship between my mother and I. Shonte’ was basically doing everything that she was big enough and bad enough to do. This continued into my college years. When I think back, I see that the love of God was always right there. “Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:2). In the midst of all of this hell, I was able to maintain an A/B average in school, earn scholarships for college, gain acceptance into the University of GA (Go Dawgs!), maintain employment in a co-op program with the Federal Government and sustain membership in several honor societies. The Lord also protected me from teenage pregnancy, STD’s, and excessive drug abuse. It’s absolute insanity when I consider that when my mother told me that she wanted me to receive salvation, I said, “If I die in my sin it’s just meant for me to go to hell.” The devil is a liar! Thank God for his saving grace and mercy. “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.” (2 John 1:3).

During my junior year of college I was in such a bad place and didn’t know where to turn, so I turned to God. I received salvation on Easter Sunday of that year and haven’t looked back since. I can’t lie and say that I changed over night, but I can say that I am not the person that I used to be. I understand that my test is a testimony for so many other young women. Will you be brave enough to share your test with us; you never know what life you might save in the process.

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

Daily Recognition

Wow, what an awesome Mother’s Day!!! I have to take some time to give my hubby his due recognition. Baby thanks for such a wonderful and relaxing day. I really enjoyed having a “Day Off.” I love you more than words can ever express! Okay, back to my faithful and amazing readers… I hope that all of you had a delightful and restful Mother’s Day :-)

On Sunday I really had a chance to sit back and think for a moment. Having a day off will actually give you an opportunity to THINK. Who knew? Wouldn’t it be so lovely to have Mother’s Day everyday! I mean, when you really consider things for what they are, you realize that mothers celebrate their children everyday. So why can’t Mom’s be celebrated everyday? I am officially taking a stance to make everyday Mother’s Day. I hope that you all will stand with me on this. Check out the action plan below.

First off, we must take a few moments out of everyday to call, send a text message, send an email or tweet a mother just to say, “You are loved and appreciated.” Although, I must say that an old fashioned phone call is the preferred method. In addition, we must also spend an hour each week doing something for another mother. Whether it be running an errand, cleaning up, taking them grocery shopping or whatever it is that they may need. Last, but certainly not least, I want each of you to take at least 10 minutes out of everyday to close the door and have some quiet time. During this time visualize something really positive and take lots of deep breaths. This will give your mind, body, and spirit a much needed moment of relaxation. As a matter of fact, I want to take this a step further. If you are a Facebook member, go to my profile on the side of this page and join my Saved M.O.M. Group. Even if you are not a Facebook member, you can become one. We will all be accountable to one another in doing these things via the group page. We will also mix the Mommies in the group into our personal weekly “do something for another mother” rotation. I know that you may be thinking “I just can’t add another thing to my plate,” but we are only talking an extra hour to an hour and a half per week. Ladies, lets give this a try and see how paying it forward will bless us and other mothers. We need to get busy doing the work of the Lord by loving and honoring one another. “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10). We are making everyday Mother’s Day!

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 a Saved M.O.M.. 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 Kennisha Nyree Hill. She currently resides in Lewisville, Texas serving as wife, mother, very active church member and writer.

Kennisha came to know the Lord at the young age of 12. In our interview she said, “I was practically “born” in the church. Both of my parents are saved and live the lifestyle. They raised us in a Christian home. By the time I was 12 years old, I knew for myself that I wanted Christ as Lord of my life. Years later, at the age of 18, I rededicated my life to the Lord and from that point sought to grow closer to Him.” She feels that being a Saved M.O.M. is more than the title. In her eyes, a Saved Mommie on a Mission is, “one who walks in her purpose- the purpose that God has designed women to be.” She explains, “He created us with such unique abilities. We were equipped to feed, nurture and love in a way that no one else can. As a Saved M.O.M., we ensure our children and the children around us know who God is. We train them up by being Godly examples. God has built in us the power of influence- and a real Saved M.O.M. uses her influence to steer her children in the right direction.”

Kennisha often refers back to where the scripture tells us in Proverbs 31:28 “Her children arise and call her blessed…” She looks to her mother as the ultimate Saved M.O.M.. Kennisha says emphatically, “Brothers, sisters and I do arise and call her blessed! She is the perfect example of virtuosity, strength and commitment to her family. By her example, I learned how to be the best mother I can be for my children!”

She believes that part of being a Saved M.O.M. means faithfully serving in the gifts the Lord has given us. With this in mind, she prays daily to be who God needs her to be for her husband, son and ministry. By His grace, she just released her first book, “Simply Wisdom: Tidbits of Inspiration for Your Journey.” This book exemplifies her passion to send words of exhortation that will encourage people to seek their calling in the Lord. “God has blessed us all with a gift,” Kennisha says. “We should be obedient in using them for the kingdom.” To purchase a copy, please visit her website www.kennisha-hill.com. We must support our brothers and sisters in the Kingdom.

Be sure to tune in on Monday for more words of encouragement and inspiration for M.O.M.’s near and far! Enjoy your Mother’s Day!!! 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).

***We are GIVING away FREE MOTHERS DAY GIFTS to all subscribers! Everyone that has subscribed by Saturday, May 9 will receive a Mother’s Day gift compliments of Saved M.O.M.!***

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Happy Mother’s Day

With Mother’s Day just a few days away, I want to use this entry to give honor to all of the Saved M.O.M.’s out there. I know that motherhood can sometimes feel like one of the most thankless jobs, but understand that it is one of the most important jobs you will ever do. Even if you don’t feel as though you are rewarded in this earthly realm, you will be rewarded in heaven. “Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” (Proverbs 31:31). Please accept the poem below, for I wrote it to say thanks. From one Saved M.O.M. to another…

You have been given a task like none other,
you have been blessed to be called Mother.
Your yoke is easy and your burden is light,
the Lord has blessed you with strength and might.
May your days be filled with peace and rest,
for God has molded you as one of His best.
Love is patient and love is kind,
please remember to always keep this in mind.
The challenges of life will come and go,
for the bible tells us so.
But remember these words dear saint…
“But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”(Isaiah 40:31).
Put your faith and hope in the Lord,
and always remember to stay in His Word!

Happy Mothers Day to each and every one of you, pass this link on to other Mother's to share the poem (www.savedmom.com). 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, 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).

***We are GIVING away FREE MOTHERS DAY GIFTS to all subscribers! Everyone that has subscribed by Saturday, May 9 will receive a Mother’s Day gift compliments of Saved M.O.M.!***

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.

Yesterdays passages read, “May God bless you to apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” and “I pray that you will have a heart to commit to the Lord whatever you do, and then your plans will succeed.” Both of these passages were inspired by scriptures from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs provides us with practical advice for everyday living. Reading Proverbs to your children will provide them with sensible and Godly wisdom that they will need to carry them into successful and blessed lives.

As mothers we need to guide our children to apply their hearts to instruction and their ears to the words of knowledge. There is an order to everything; therefore, our kids must understand the importance of following instruction in all that they do. In addition, we must teach them to be sensitive to hearing words of knowledge. We do so by showing them how to sift through the nonsense that they will be approached with as they operate in this sinful world. Moving on to the second passage we should constantly pray that they have the heart to commit to the Lord. We need to prepare them at an early age to do this so that when they grow older they will have a committed relationship to God in which their steps can be ordered to do great things. “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12). As often as you can please expose your children to the teachings of Proverbs as to prepare them to walk in God’s blessings and favor.

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).

***We are GIVING away FREE MOTHERS DAY GIFTS to all subscribers! Everyone that has subscribed by Saturday, May 9 will receive a Mother’s Day gift compliments of Saved M.O.M.!***

Mommie Blessings,

Shonte’ Press

Let the Church Say Amen

So how many of you all take your kids to church on a regular basis? Okay, don’t answer that question. I just wanted to make you think for a minute. As mothers, it’s so important that we keep our kids around as much positive energy as possible. We have to renew their minds and spirits as often as we can. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2). There are so many negative images and words that enter our children’s sphere on a daily basis and we have to create balance for them.

We all know that as children so many of us didn’t want to go to church, but we did not have much of a choice. Despite the fact that we didn’t necessarily want to go every week, we learned something anyway. The word was getting in whether we realized it or not. Just being in that kind of environment for a few hours every week can make all the difference.

We also must recognize that taking the kids to church is not enough. We have to maintain Godly households, Godly relationships and Godly habits. What good will it do if you are taking your kids to church every week, but coming home and acting like a straight up FOOL! Come on now, can the church say amen? Seriously M.O.M.’s, if you think the cursing, drinking, fighting, and fornicating isn’t affecting your kids, what rock has your brain been hiding under? We have to set the right examples for our kids. If we don’t, who will? I know that none of us are perfect and we all fall short of His glory. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). I’m just asking that you be careful as to what you allow to enter the eyes, ears, and minds of your kids.

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 (http://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).

***We are GIVING away FREE MOTHERS DAY GIFTS to all subscribers! Everyone that has subscribed by Saturday, May 9 will receive a Mother’s Day gift compliments of Saved M.O.M.!***

Mommie Blessings,


Shonte’ Press

April Showers

Considering that the month of April just ended, I thought it may be a good time to reflect upon the “April Showers” of life. It seems that in this natural realm we live in, we sometimes allow April showers to depress and dispirit us. Why do we let a little bit of God’s fertilizing rain affect us this way? For if it were not for the natural rain, flowers wouldn’t bloom, trees wouldn’t grow and crops would not produce a harvest. “I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees of the field their fruit.” (Leviticus 26:4). When you compare and contrast the natural rain to the spiritual rain something similar occurs. We must experience spiritual rain showers to grow and mature in the Lord. The experiences that life has given us are the sum of who we are. For instance, if it were not for my husbands’ persistence in us starting our family at the time that we did, I probably would not be writing the words that are written on this page. To God be the Glory!

As children of God we often pray for God to bless us and give us the desires of our hearts. So why is it that when we experience a storm that will eventually lead to awesome fruit and harvest, we ask God to make it stop. How silly is that? We want our blessing, but we don’t want to endure the April showers that we need to grow our blessings.

As parents we are so quick to want to fight our children’s battles for them. Have you ever taken the time to consider that maybe this is a fight that they must conquer in order to receive their May flowers? Now, let’s not take this to the extreme. There are some instances where we must step in as parents and protect our children, but we must know when to step in and when to sit back and watch God work.

I want each of you to take notice and remember this the next time you are in a season of April showers. Instead of taking cover and running from the rain, take off your shoes, raise your hands and dance in the rain like never before. Open your mouth and taste God’s blessing as it flows into your life. “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8).

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

***We are GIVING away FREEE MOTHERS DAY GIFTS to all subscribers! Everyone that has subscribed by Saturday, May 9 will receive a Mother’s Day gift compliments of this ministry!***

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 a Saved M.O.M.. 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 my First Lady, Mrs. Ilka Torres Murray. She is such an amazing individual and it gives me joy and pleasure to honor her today. Mrs. Ilka T. Murray is a resident of Douglasville, GA and serves as First Lady to Pastor Roderick Murray at Victory Family Life Church in Lithia Springs, GA.

Mrs. Murray loves being a saved M.O.M.! In our interview she stated, “As mothers we try so hard to emulate the epitome of motherhood, or what television, movies and magazines depict motherhood to be. But as we all know, motherhood doesn’t always fit into the perfect image of what society makes it.” She shared with me that so many of the mothers that she ministers to try to imitate Carol Brady. First Lady said, “She’s always smiling, clothes never wrinkled, never tired, she always has each of her perfect kids and her perfect family on schedule and serves dinner on time, and that’s ok, but for most women that’s not reality. Although, the one thing that we do have in common with Mrs. Brady is that we all have a “Mommie Mission”.” Mrs. Murray explains that in the midst of it all, as mothers, we must figure out our “Mommie Mission”.

First Lady Ilka Murray initially gave her life to the Lord at the tender age of eight. Although, it wasn’t until the age of 16, when she was able to understand the significance of that decision, she accepted God as her “friend”. I love the fact that she refers to God as her friend. “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” (Romans 5:11). When she had her first child, like many, she was overwhelmed with so many questions about motherhood. After a few months of searching for the answers she realized that there had to be an easier and more fulfilling way. She established focus for her and her son and discovered her purpose as a mother. This is the moment in which she became a Mommie On a Mission.

Her missions are as follows…

Mission #1- Teaching her child that life is a blank canvas in which he can paint it with the colors of LIFE and display his experiences with GOD.

Mission #2- FAITH, FAITH, and more FAITH. Considering that after she delivered her first child the doctors told her that she would not be able to conceive again, her second mission was to have faith in God and place her trust in him. With much prayer and faith, she conceived 3 months later! Soon thereafter she received news that her body was preparing to abort. God told her to remember her mission. She kept pushing through with her Faith in him. After several visits to the doctor the report was that IF her body kept the baby that the child would either be still born, abort within the first month of pregnancy, or if the baby lived s/he would not be normal. But she was a Mommie On a Mission and continued to trust in the report of God and not the report of man. Today she is the proud mother of 2 year old Riley Christina Murray, and I can attest the fact that little Riley is normal, happy, beautiful, and full of joy just like her Saved M.O.M.!

Mission #3: Helping other women become ALIVE in every area of there lives. God helped her become alive as a woman of faith, as a mother to her children and as a mother figure to many women. She wants to encourage all M.O.M.’s to find their mission, use life’s experiences to inspire that mission and push until the mission is complete. She concluded the interview by saying, “Whatever your mission is, it’s important. You have more to give this world than just milk bottles, pampers, snotty noses, and heartaches of teenage love. You have love, joy, peace, friendship, and LIFE to bring to the whole world. God has empowered you to take control of your future! Become a Mommie On a Mission.”

If you are looking for a church home in the Atlanta area visit www.victoryfamilylife.com. Be sure to tune in on 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