Raising Christian Kids Lee Ann Mancini

“And my hope and prayer is that through Special Grace, we might be able to feel a little bit less alone. In the prayers, I deliberately wrote them all saying our child, not my child. – Elrena Evans.
Elrena Evans is the author of When I Go to Church, I Belong and Special Grace: Prayers and Reflections for Families with Special Needs. She is a mother of five and lives in Pennsylvania. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, dancing, reading, trying to learn how to garden, and making spreadsheets.
During this episode, Elrena Evans shares her journey of raising a child with special needs and her inspiration behind writing her book, Special Grace: Prayers and Reflections for Families with Special Needs. Elena's candid account of navigating the challenges of parenting a neuroatypical child during the pandemic offers hope and reassurance to parents in similar situations.
She also discusses her heartwarming children's book, When I Go to Church, I Belong, which emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and meeting the diverse needs of children within the church community.
Key Takeaways:


Seeking prayers for specific situations not found in existing prayer books.
Addressing the increase in families dealing with special needs children.
Encouragement for stressed-out moms and where to find strength and the importance of feeling supported and not alone in the journey.
Emotional involvement in the prayers due to personal experiences.
Reading certain prayers for when parents feel like they're failing in different aspects.
The hope that all children feel welcome, loved, and that they belong in church.

“ That's my hope and prayer for all children everywhere, that when they show up at church, they will see the hands and feet of Jesus, and they will feel loved, and they will know that they belong.” – Elrena Evans.

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"I want to be vibrant in every season of life. I want to continue to serve you. I want to show them a way, a framework of saying this is how you continue to allow your life to be used by God in every season, even the second half." – Dawn Damon.
Dawn Damon is a best-selling, award-winning author, national speaker, podcast host, life coach, and CEO of BraveHearted Woman. There, she offers coaching, online training, and other resources to help awaken and cultivate the vision of women dreamers. Her latest book, The Making of a BraveHearted Woman, hit number one on the best-seller list.
During this episode, Dawn, mother of five, grandmother of 12, and great-grandmother of two, shares valuable insights on how women can pursue their dreams and grow in faith while navigating the journey of motherhood. From finding purpose in midlife to empowering young moms to prepare for the future, Dawn's wisdom is a beacon of encouragement and empowerment for all women.

Key Takeaways:

Dawn's observations of women transitioning into midlife and the common desire to remain vibrant and purposeful in the second half of life.
Becoming a role model for the younger generation and to continue serving God in every season of life.
Embracing the significance of every season of life and not allowing it to be wasted.
Leveraging wisdom and experience to influence and impact the world.
Encouragement for young mothers to recognize and cultivate their individual passions and talents.
Emphasizing the importance of self-care, rest, and time for personal development while raising children.
Tips for maintaining health, socialization, and engagement in activities to keep moving forward.
The BRAVE acronym: Bold vision, Real identity, Able mindset, Virtuous speech, and Execute action habits are the five fortitudes, or inner strengths, required for success in the second half of life.

 “Keep being faithful with the little things and the little people, and eventually you will be ushered into the next season of your life that's just filled with so many other great opportunities." – Dawn Damon

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“If you look at how our behaviors are built, it starts with our relationships, experiences, and genetics. From those three, you get these beliefs that influence your thoughts and your emotions that are automatic throughout the day, which influence your behaviors. So, if you want to truly change your behaviors, you begin with gratitude because it changes your perception, changes your belief about something, and changes your thoughts and emotions.” – Dr. Danny Huerta.
Dr. Danny Huerta oversees Focus on the Family’s initiatives that equip mothers and fathers with biblical principles and counsel for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith. He is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, and author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting. Dr. Huerta has maintained a private practice in Colorado Springs since 2003 and has served families through Focus on the Family since 2004.
During this episode, Danny shares his insight and practical advice for raising healthy, resilient children rooted in a thriving faith. Dr. Huerta discusses the reasons for writing 7 Traits of Effective Parenting, including the need for practical steps for parents and the lack of a roadmap incorporating important principles for effective parenting. Danny also outlines the assessment, What Are Your Parenting Strengths? and how it provides a means for parents to determine their top strengths, possible strengths, and areas of growth as parents.
The 7 traits of effective parenting:


Adaptability: Be open to adjusting to your child's changing needs and behaviors. Show them flexibility while establishing consistency in routines and rules.
2. Respect: See your child clearly with love and care. Recognize their unique personalities and affirm their value and worth consistently.
Intentionality: Be purposeful in your interactions with your child. Take deliberate steps to spend quality time together, engage in meaningful conversations, and foster a strong bond.
Steadfast Love: Demonstrate unconditional love, support, and presence for your child, especially during challenging moments. Your consistent love provides a secure foundation for their growth.
Boundaries and Limits: Establish and communicate clear boundaries guided by love and respect. Provide the necessary guidance and correction to shape your child's behavior and character.
Grace and Forgiveness: Embrace a culture of forgiveness and grace within your family. Teach your child the importance of acknowledging mistakes, seeking forgiveness, and extending grace to others.
Gratitude: Cultivate an attitude of gratitude in your family. Encourage expressions of thankfulness, foster a spirit of appreciation, and model gratitude in daily interactions.

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“We've been so exposed the last few years to cancel culture. It's, "If I don't agree with you, I'm going to get louder and more dominant, and I'm going to tear you apart." And how do we model to our kids that we are called to love through that process?” – Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield.
Three women of Christ on a mission, Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield, Rhonda Stoppe, and Lee Ann Mancini, have joined together to share empowering Godly advice, information, and encouragement for everyone who is raising the next generation of warriors for Christ. Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield is a national speaker, author, podcaster, and a licensed professional counselor of 27 years. Rhonda Stoppe is a best-selling author, speaker, and podcaster who has helped countless women build “no regrets lives”!
During this episode, all three ladies tackle the question of how parents can help kids stand up and stand strong in their convictions in a world filled with peer pressure and differing ideologies. They discuss practical strategies for navigating disagreements within the family, facing pushback in public schools, and dealing with friends and family members who may challenge their faith.
Key Takeaways:


Encouraging kids to live out their convictions in the face of disagreement from family members.
Acknowledging the challenges of having family members who reject faith and teaching kids not to be judgmental but to instead live out their faith in front of them.
Emphasizing the importance of modeling peaceful and accepting behavior within the family.
Praying over kids and encouraging them to walk in a manner worthy of their calling while at school.
Teaching critical thinking and the ability to engage in intelligent conversation about faith.
Encouraging kids not to worry about negative opinions from peers, as it's only for a short period of time.
Encouraging an unoffendable attitude and gracious response to differing beliefs.
Modeling curiosity and showing genuine interest in understanding others' viewpoints.

“What we always taught our kids is don't be angry with a blind person for being blind. If they don't have the mind of Christ, then they don't see life with a biblical worldview. So rather than being self-righteous, pharisee, and judgmental, live your faith in front of them.” – Rhonda Stoppe.
Resources: Rhonda Stoppe’s books & Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield’s books.

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“Honestly, if there's one thing that I pray for daily, I pray for the Lord to give America solid Christian families where husbands love their wives and children are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Alex McFarland.
Alex McFarland is the leader of Alex McFarland Ministries and a religion, youth, and culture expert. He is also the creator of Viral Truth Clubs, and has authored or co-authored more than 20 books, including The Assault on America: How to Defend our Nation Before It’s Too Late!, 10 Issues that Divide Christians, The God You Thought You Knew, and more. He is the Director of Worldview and teaches in the School of Practical Government for Charis Bible College. Alex currently co-hosts Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network and the Truth and Liberty TV broadcast and is the host of The Alex McFarland Show.
During this episode, Alex shares his expert knowledge about the vital role of Christian families, the impact of his latest book 100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families, and the importance of equipping and empowering young people.
Key Takeaways:


Content from his newest book, focusing on parenting and addressing difficult topics with children.
The book's influence on families, particularly children's interest in biblical discussions.
Emphasis on the importance of godly men in families and a call for men to be committed to their role as the priest of the home.
Acknowledgment of the need for both Christian husbands and fathers to raise counterculture Christians.
The vital need for more strong Christian churches.
Anticipation of revival and a call to action to protect children from negative influences.
Background and growth of the Equip Retreat Camps:

The approach concerning discipleship and apologetics at the camps.
Children's capacity to understand deep truths and their appreciation for substantial teachings.
Aim to provide a meaningful and impactful learning experience for youth.


Encouragement for multi-church events to rally Christians and spread the message of Christ.

Alex McFarland’s Website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, & YouTube.

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“But to make our home a reflection of heaven on earth, we also need to be thinking about God's characteristics, who he is, and how we can demonstrate that in our homes. How can we ultimately have a sense of security, a sense of peace and protection, a sense of order?” – Lori Wildenberg.
Once a month, Lori and Lee Ann will discuss complex topics regarding parenting and disciplining. Lori Wildenberg is a national speaker, a licensed parent-family educator of over 25 years, and an award-winning author of six Christian parenting books. Lori also leads the popular Moms Together Facebook Community Page and Group.
During this episode of MOMents with Lori and LeeAnn, both ladies discuss how you can make your home a reflection of heaven on earth. They explore spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects, emphasizing the importance of prayer, meditation, and modeling virtuous behavior for our children.
Key Takeaways:


Demonstrating God's characteristics and encouraging the Fruits of the Spirit.
Modeling a close relationship with God and including children in spiritual practices like singing praise and praying.
Being able to manage fear, anger, and sadness.
Reflecting God's holiness in emotional responses.
Building trust in God during challenging situations.
Physically, room by room, anointing oil and praying over each room.
Incorporating scripture and crosses in the home.
Placing plaques and Bible verses throughout the home to create visual reminders of Jesus.
Emphasizing the importance of forgiveness in the home environment.

“I do believe the reason that God has given us the emotion of anger is so that we can understand what perhaps injustice looks like for someone else, see that we can stand up to that bully. Things like that, those are good things. That's a good way to express anger. That's a holy way.” – Lori Wildenberg.
Lori’s Website, Facebook, Moms Together Facebook, Moms Together Facebook Group, and Instagram.

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