After having my third child, my friends threw me an impromptu baby shower.  One of the gifts they gave me was a small plaque with a cross and the words “With God All Things are Possible” etched on it.  Right now the plaque sits on the corner of my desk.  It is important to me.  [...]

I’ve always loved the saying “attitude is everything.”  I adopted it as my favorite back in high school, but this week it has become so true for me.  You see, I had “one of those weeks”.  I have them every once in a while, those days when I just can’t seem to shake the blues, [...]

School is starting or maybe it’s already begun where you are.  Either way, there is much to do to prepare for school beginning, whether you homeschool, attend public or private schools, there are supplies to buy, clothes shopping to be done and new routines to get into.  It can be a trying time of year [...]

As a teenager, I’m sure the thought crossed my mind, and probably more than once, but follow through I never did. What thought you’re wondering? “I want to [...]

PORTLAND, OR – Frustrated by the dearth of clothes that are fashionable, without being suggestive, Christa Taylor launched her own clothing company early in 2007. At 20, she is young and passionate about making Christa-Taylor.com her answer to the growing demand for chic and trendy clothes that don’t succumb to the social pressures to be [...]

Tonight one of the teens from my former youth group graduates from high school. This high school senior will throw his cap in the air and most likely does not have a clue what life has in store for him on the other side of this evening.  He may not realize the importance of the [...]

As a woman we juggle many roles, attempt to maintain many relationships and have many responsibilities. Some of the roles a woman may play are wife, mom, friend, co-worker, and so many more. So how do you juggle all those roles? It can be quite the task. Then, there are your relationships, [...]

Many times people don’t understand what it means to be “called by God”. They believe that being called out by God is reserved only for those people who feel called to ministry, such as youth ministers, pastors, music ministers, and missionaries. However, God calls us all out to do something for Him. Yes, [...]

For this upcoming week in my weekly email to my list subscribers, Mom-Daughter Connection, I spoke of the importance of prayer. I truly believe in the power of prayer and believe that you can pray about anything. The Bible tells us we are to “cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares [...]

I am in agreement with what my friend and parenting expert Aurelia Williams has to say on her blog today, Dating does not equal Sex. Read more of her article on teens, dating and sex here.

We are adding a testimonials page to our Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show & Podcast website. I realized today this is overdue has I have had many people to make positive comments about the show and share their thoughts. So, why not create a place to put these thoughts and give you our listener’s [...]

Wow, I am certainly staying busy. It’s hard to imagine that last year at this time, when I took the step of faith to do my ministry full time, and worried that I would be successful. But, now as I look back I know without a shadow of a doubt God was calling [...]

I just returned last night from the GLAM event in Tupelo, MS. I must say the ladies of First Baptist Church Tupelo, MS worked extremely hard on this girl’s event and it was awesome. I loved the theme they chose, Godly Ladies Are (His) Masterpiece. It paired so well with the Christian Charm [...]

God works in even the smallest details in our lives. It’s true, just today I was sharing with some girls at one of my events several stories of God’s working in the tiny details of my life. I love to share these stories. You might call them tiny miracles, but whatever you [...]

Quiet time or time alone with God is so important to all of us. I believe that it is how we as Christians grow in Christ. Becoming a Christian should be more to us than just fire insurance or a way to stay out of hell. I think it is important to emphasize to our [...]

We are running a Happy Easter special on our 30 Day Journaling Guide. Now through March 31, 2008 we will be selling the guide for less than $5, or $4.99 , a $9.97 value. Grab yours up today here.

When I was a teen, a popular contemporary Christian song was Friends are Friends Forever by Michael W. Smith. It talked about having a lifetime of friendship, a tearjerker of a song that was used at many baccalaureate services and other memorable events. This song points out that a friend is a friend [...]

The newest ezine is now available in HTML at the following link. I hope that you will check it out.

At one of my recent events I was blessed to have the event coordinator record the event on video and send me a DVD of it. I used it to create the video you can see here . It was fun to create this video and I think that it will be a [...]

Over at another of my sites today I shared about Showing Your Passion. I hope you’ll take a few minutes to go over, read the post and comment.

4 Keys To Peaceful Communication By: Tami Walsh Areas of Mother-Daughter Conflict Include But Aren’t Limited To: * Independence/Power Struggles * Curfew * Friends you believe are negative influences * Grades/Academic Performance * Choices/Decision Making * Homework/Procrastination * Dating * Drinking/Drugs * Taking personal responsibility for her life/her priorities, etc. * Respect/Attitude/Talking Back * Parties without adult supervision There are also some additional timely conflict areas given the access [...]

This is the final post in a series on Stewardship. You can begin at the first post by clicking here. From there you can follow the links to each of the 5 posts in this series. What else is it important to be a good steward of… what about your belongings, your possessions. [...]

This is the fourth in a series of posts on Stewardship. You can find the first post here. Now, we have spoken about honoring God with our body, our gifts, and our natural talents now what about life’s most precious commodity, our T-I-M-E. Do you know that the word Love is often [...]

This is the third in a series of posts on Stewardship to read the first post click here, and the second is located here. God gives us many gifts, including those of the fruit of the spirit. He also gives us spiritual gifts, a gift that comes to individual believers to supernaturally [...]

Because there is nothing better than sweet tea on the back porch with friends, Cara’s Cafe is sponsoring the Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show Sweet Tea Contest. All you have to to do is leave your comments below on Show #15 and you will be entered to win 2 of Cara’s Cafe Teas in [...]

Read about my confirmation that what I do hear with Beauty by Design Ministries truly matters. Visit my personal blog to find out more. Click here to read today’s blog.

This is the second in a series of posts on stewardship to read the first post click here. Do you have a daily quiet time? If you do not I challenge you to do so. This involves spending time with God daily, in prayer and Bible study. It involves setting aside [...]

I’m very excited to announce that the Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine is now available in HTML. You can see our first HTML copy here. Be sure to check it out and leave me your comments.

Last week my Mom Daughter Connection podcast was about “Taking Care of God’s Money”. I thought I would continue along these lines this week and share with you my view of stewardship, a related money topic. This will begin a series of several posts on stewardship. I had a ton of information [...]

On this week’s Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show and Podcast I share about teaching your daughter about money. You might find it odd that I did a show on this, but I feel that it is something practical that we should all do for the sake of our daughter’s future financial forecast. I mean [...]

Not too many months ago I did an interview with Vickie Courtney author of “Logged on and Tuned Out” about the reality of our tween/teen’s online activity. A series of programs I found today on PBS gives even greater insight into the reality that teens these days are apart of a new culture. [...]

Today the news released a new list of Power Girls found in US Weekly who are most popular and emulated by our tween and teen girls. The list has changed from prior years where Britney Spears and Paris Hilton topped the list. Now spots 1 and 2 are filled by Miley Cyrus aka [...]

I don’t normally do memes here on my ministry blog, which by the way, I guess I need to explain what a meme is, well, click here to find out more. But for the purpose of this post I am joining my friend Marie Ynami of MommyCommunity.com’s meme, Tuesday Toot, where we get to [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Carrollton, MS—February 1, 2008—For a while it seemed like having good manners and proper etiquette was a lost and underappreciated art. Local entrepreneur, Alyssa Avant, is bringing it back with Christian grace and inspiration. “I had the opportunity to learn about the fine details of social etiquette and grace while attending [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Carrollton, MS—February 1, 2008—Beauty is not only in the eyes of the beholder it is driven by divine design. That’s the message of a unique local event for young girls called “The Beauty by Design Fashion Show and Conference.” This event is open to all girls aged 12-18. Mothers [...]

Have you ever given your testimony? You might ask, “What is my testimony?” Dictionary.com defined testimony as a “public declaration of faith.” This morning at my church it was Baptist Men’s Sunday. We are Southern Baptist and the men in my church have a group that they formed called Baptist Men. [...]

I just recently started helping with Acteens at my church, a mission organization for teen girls ages 12-18. I enjoy being a part of this ministry as I was an Acteen myself a few years ago. This month the girls topic is prayer. I know that for teens especially younger teens, but [...]

I knew at the age of 16 that I was passionate about Jesus, and beauty and fashion, but could I turn that into a career. Maybe. My mom and dad thought it would be safer to be a counselor, and began encouraging me to pursue the education necessary to be a licensed counselor. [...]

Many months ago I wrote a blog entry about Why I Journal. It received quite a few comments and many of them expressed an interest in journaling just didn’t know where to start. So, I began the process of creating a tool that would help others to begin the hobby I so much enjoy, [...]

The hiatus if already over and I’m praising God. Read more about it over at Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show.

I wanted let everyone know that I am making some changes in my ministry. I have to do this in order to be most faithful to the Lord in the area of finances. Financially, I have to cut back on expenses. Therefore, I am not going to continue doing the bi-weekly [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 4113, May 28December 31,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Did you as a young girl have a good relationship with your Father? I was blessed with a wonderful earthy daddy. You can read more about my daddy here … http://www.beautybydesignonline.com/2007/12/12/the-father-daughter-relationship/ I really do believe [...]

Are we loosing our legacy of faith? Is the next generation carrying on your legacy of faith as you continued that of your mother’s and father’s. I know that my generation, known as Generation X has definitely gotten a bad rap for leaving our faith behind. I can’t tell you how many [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 4013, May 28December 24,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Merry Christmas Everyone!!! I just wanted to say thank you for being a subscriber and hope that you are sharing a wonderful Christmas with your family celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 39, December 17, 2007© Hello Everyone! This is the time of year when you really begin to count your blessings. If you haven’t, done so already stop and count your blessings. Most likely if you’re receiving this ezine you have children. I’m also sure that you believe that children are [...]

Tonight over dinner at my church with friends I was chatting with a friend of mine who has a young son. She told me that she had recently had a conversation with her son regarding his aunt who had been trying to get pregnant and was. He said in response to her, “how [...]

My dad was one of those dad’s that ruled with an iron fist. It was “his way or no way”. He often used the saying “because I said so and that’s all that matters”. My momma always had to consult him before any decision. In our house when we asked something [...]

Children are a blessing from the Lord. You hear this so many times. However, do you give your children a blessing in return? Do you give the children the blessing of being their cheerleader, their encourager, and giving them your approval even when they don’t always do exactly as you’d like. [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 3813, May 28December 10,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! I am going to begin with a sincere apology to you, my readers. I have been major behind on all my duties with Beauty by Design Ministries and Mom-Daughter Connection Radio show. But, lucky [...]

It has been a few weeks, and you can hear in this week’s show why I have been behind. Go take a listen to this week’s show Show #11 ~ Being Set Apart.

My most recent speaking engagement was this week in French Camp, MS. I spoke to the high school students of French Camp Academy. The school has a late start day every month where the students are allowed to start school later than normal and instead attend a breakfast and a time where a [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 36, November 19, 2007© Hello Everyone! Sorry, for the delay on the newsletter, I have been sick, and I’m still a little sluggish honestly. This is one of my favorite weeks of the year. The week of Thanksgiving, which I am truly Thankful for, because I love Thanksgiving and all it [...]

Memorizing Scripture is something I have done and been encouraged to do since I was a child. I was in Bible drills as a child and into my teen years. I have used this more than I can even tell you throughout my life, so I feel that memorizing Scripture is a must [...]

Ok, so maybe it’s just my idea, but today I began a “cross-blog conversation” with another Christian business woman here online, Regina Baker of Business by Grace, who believes in Christian business owners doing “business by the BOOK without compromise”. She and I are exchanging questions and conversation via one of our blogs. [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 35 13, May 28October 29,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Well, the bug has hit our house. Over the past week and a half to two weeks everyone but my husband has been sick, so you know what that means, he’s next! I [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 34, October 22, 2007© Hello Everyone! Do you have something you do to relax? Last week I talked about getting away for the weekend or at least for a night or so. This week I’m asking you, do you take some time to relax. Maybe you cannot really “get away”, [...]

This is a special sale to encourage all you ladies out there to journal and to get your daughters journaling. Pick up this very special journal set for just $14. You pick the journal you would like, and receive not one but two special gifts with your journal, Alyssa’ Prayer Journal Devotional Guide, [...]

I’d really appreciate your opinion on whether or not we should offer an e-course on how to journal. For those of you who may not be familiar with the term e-course, it would be a series of emails sent to your inbox that were “lessons” on how to journal. Thanks!

Journaling is a pastime I have always enjoyed. From journaling my hopes and dreams as a teenager to journaling my doubts and fears as an adult, journaling has been a part of my life for quite some time. I received my first journal in my Christmas stocking as a young preteen. My [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 33, October 15, 2007© Hello Everyone! Well, I don’t know about you, but I have been in dire need of a “break” and that’s just what I had this weekend. Some girlfriends and I had planned to attend the Extraordinary Women’s Conference at First Baptist Church, Jackson, MS for a while, and [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 32, October 8, 2007© Hello Everyone! I have been busy, busy here adding new content to all of our websites. Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show and Podcast has a new show! It’s a little different this week. I had a “confessional”. Some of you moms had asked about how to [...]

Show #8 “Teen Rebellion” is up at Mom-Daughter Connection. This week I am doing a “confessional” about my time of teen rebellion. I hope it will help you moms as your daughter is in a time or rebellion or will be in the future and you teens and tweens because, I know, I’ve [...]

Are you Singing the Busy Blues? I’m automatically reminded of the Alabama hit, “I’m in a hurry to get things done, I rush and rush until life’s no fun, all I really gotta do is live and die, so I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.” Are you too busy? I think in today’s [...]

Based on my love of scrapbooking I have decided to add a new theme to the mix for the parties and events for girls of all ages, “Scrappily Ever After”. The girls will get a chance to make their own small scrapbook that will be theirs to keep, as well as receive instruction and [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 26, August 27, 2007© Hello Everyone! Do you ever just feel down in the dumps? I have been suffering from that the past week or so. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong for a while, and then it hit me. I was being attacked, spiritually that is by Satan [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 3113, May 28October 1,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Fall has fallen this week here in Mississippi, finally! I was soo ready for some cooler weather and finally it is here. I hope the weather is nice where you are. So, with the change [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 30, September 24, 2007© Hello Everyone! Excitement looms over me like a cloud! I guess you could say I’m just on Cloud 9. God is truly working in my life and in the life of Beauty By Design Ministries. I am excited to say! There is so much happening, [...]

Carrollton, MS – Being a tween or teenager in today’s society can be challenging. Images of what the majority considers to be ideal beauty saturate print, television, online and radio media. Young women gravitate to the flashy and glamorous lifestyles of celebrities and adopt them as standard codes of conduct. Mom and business owner Alyssa [...]

Ok, so I know it hasn’t officially “launched”, but I’m impatient I admit sooo I”m going to give you a Sneak Peek”. My blog especially for girls, tween and teen is up and I have posted my first couple of articles. So, go take a look, tell your teens and tweens, have them [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 2913, May 28September 17,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! The weather here is finally cooling down. It is actually in the 60’s tonight and feels ohhh sooo good. I hope the weather is nice where you are. I myself love fall, it is [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 25, August 20, 2007© Hello Everyone! It’s back to school time… have you listened to last week’s Back to School Podcast? I sure had a great time doing that show. Then I spent some time last week looking up some of the latest fashions and I posted a blog about it at [...]

Carrollton, MS – Being a tween or teenager in today’s society can be challenging. Images of what the majority considers to be ideal beauty saturate print, television, online and radio media. Young women gravitate to the flashy and glamorous lifestyles of celebrities and adopt them as standard codes of conduct. Mom and business owner [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show #6 “Finding God’s Will for Your Life” is now available here.

I am excited beyond words right now everyone, because in just a few weeks I’m going to be interviewing Vicki Courtney for an upcoming episode of Mom Daughter Connection Radio Show & Podcast. The show will air on Tuesday, September 25. In case you’re not familiar with Vicki here is some information I copied from [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 28, September 3, 2007© Hello Everyone! I know I told you all I wouldn’t be sending out an ezine this week, but I have something so exciting to tell you about I just couldn’t wait. If you haven’t read my blog at Mom-Daughter Connection or Beauty By Design Online then you don’t [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 2713, May 28September 3,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Do you lead a simple life? On the other hand, do you run, run, run and never slow down, never stopping to “smell the roses” or in my case, “enjoy the children”. This [...]

I thought it would be neat to share my notes with you that I use when speaking to girls. Recently I spoke to the girls at Holcomb Baptist Church in Holcomb, MS on self-confidence. I then did my Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show #5 on that same topic. I thought I’d share my [...]

I heard recently of a new twist on scrapbooking that I thought I would share with all of you. I was excited to hear about it and am considering starting one myself. The concept is to scrapbook your spiritual journey, the highs and lows, the mountaintop experiences and the valley experiences. They [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 24, August 13, 2007© Hello Everyone! Wow! I can’t believe this is my 24th issue. Next week is issue 25 that should be cause for celebration. Well, I guess I am going to be celebrating a little because next Tuesday, August 21 I am offering a live teleseminar FREE! Yes, [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 23, August 6, 2007© Hello Everyone! Well, my week last week turned out much different than I had expected. We got to New Orleans, got terribly lost and quite rattled with our nerves, my grandmother made herself sick she was so nervous so we ended up coming home early. What a [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 2613, May 28August 27,, 2007© Contents 1.Note from Alyssa 1.Article Free Letter 2.Ad Exchange 3.Tell a Friend 4.About Alyssa Note from Alyssa Hello Everyone! Do you ever just feel down in the dumps? I have been suffering from that the past week or so. I couldn’t figure out what was wrong for a while, and then it hit [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 22, July 30, 2007© Hello Everyone! This week I’ll be out of town taking two workshops at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I’m excited about being with the ladies there. I am really excited about meeting Dr. Rhonda Kelley, Dr. Chuck Kelley, President of the Seminary’s wife, and a [...]

I found this article this morning and since it was on the topic of teens and fashion I thought I’d share… Back To School With a Gang Banger & Common Hooker Alternately titled: “Where did the kids who ARE kids, go?” Did that get your attention? I hope so, because apparently more parents NEED to be [...]

The winner of the Yada Yada Prayer Group Book giveaway is Kerri Hopkins. Congratulations! You will love this book! Send me your address so I can get it out to you!

This week’s podcast was a Back to School Special on Teen and Tween fashion for fall. I was so excited about this podcast and the upcoming Teleseminar that I thought I would do a post showing you all the great back to school fashion for girls that I found as I was researching and [...]

I have created a new email list especially for those out there who are interested in receiving monthly updates from Beauty By Design Ministries regarding my speaking schedule, new topics and themes available for my events, upcoming events, such teleseminars, workshops and conferences hosted by us and special offers for audio and information products to [...]

The Back to School Special on Fashion Trends was so popular I have decided to have a special Q & A Teleseminar for the subscribers of the Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine. The 1 hour Q&A session will be held on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:30 pm EST/ 6:30 pm CST all subscribers to the Mom-Daughter [...]

Peer pressure is something many teens struggle with as they head back to school. It might influence something simple such as what style of shoes that they choose to wear, but it can be more serious as well. Peer pressure has an influence on the lives of teens in many areas, from sexual [...]

The Back to School Special - Fashion Trends Podcast at the Mom Daughter Connection Radio Show & Podcast is up and ready to be heard by all of you. Click here to listen now.

A few months ago as a way to celebrate my Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine hitting 100 subscribers I gave away a FREE special report, “Seven Easy Tips: Encouraging your Daughter to Say “No”. If you missed out on it now is your chance to purchase this report for the low price of $7.95. [...]

I am giving away a copy of The Yada Yada Prayer Group.An awesome book by Neta Jackson. The Yada Yada Prayer Group members meet each other at a weekend women’s conference when they all have the same number on their packets. They come very different walks of life but they are thrown together to [...]

I am currently reading an awesome book/study manual by Dr. Rick Warren who wrote The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Purpose Driven Life). If you haven’t read it you should, but I am now reading his book Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods: Twelve Ways You Can Unlock God’s Word“. [...]

Over at Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show & Podcast we are having a “Back to School Special” on Fashion Trends for tween and teen girls. The show will be available on Tuesday, August 14. You don’t want to miss it. Also if you have comments or questions for the show please email [...]

I recently served at two events. On July 8-9 I spoke at Durant Missionary Baptist Church in Durant, MS on Stewardship. I enjoyed my time with the girls there so much. I want to thank Pastor Nathaniel Christian for the invitation. Then on Saturday, July 28 I did a “Make Me [...]

Mom-Daughter Connection Ezine Issue 22, July 30, 2007© Hello Everyone! This week I’ll be out of town taking two workshops at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. I’m excited about being with the ladies there. I am really excited about meeting Dr. Rhonda Kelley, Dr. Chuck Kelley, President of the Seminary’s wife, and a [...]

Show #3 of Mom-Daughter Connection Radio Show & Podcast is up and ready to listen to… check it out today!

I was excited to do the podcast on Spiritual gifts because they are something that have always fascinated me. I ordered Discover Your God Given Gifts when I was in college. I remember sitting in my dad’s hospital room while he was having eye surgery on Christmas break and studying the book. [...]

If you downloaded last week’s study guide, “How to Have a Quiet Time” you will be wanting the answer key. Download it here. Answer Key

I highly recommend The Prayer of Jabez, a extraordinary, but small and easy read by Dr. Bruce H. Wilkinson. I had read it before several years ago, it isn’t a new book. But this time around has been different. I started reading it again as a part of my Sunday School class. [...]

How to Have a Quiet Time The above link is available to download the study “How to Have a Quiet Time” for your daughter or for the two of you to work through together. I will make the answer key available next week. ENJOY!