Maddie Bowen Hoyt- Christ Centered Motherhood

“Wipe off your feet before coming inside!” was apparently called out in vain on my part as all my little boys came traipsing in, leaving chalky footprints in their wake. After ushering them to the bath and then sending them on their way to play with clean feet, I collapsed onto the couch after what felt like such a long day of messes and tantrums already. I know being a mom is so important to Heavenly Father’s plan, but why does it so often have to be so difficult and exhausting? Thinking this, I looked to see the mess I just wasn’t ready to clean up yet, the sunlight making the footprints look even more pronounced. At that moment, a specific part of ‘Footprints in the Sand’ poem came into my mind. “You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?” The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.” In that moment, I realized that even during my most trying days and moments as a mother, He is the one carrying me, even when I cannot recognize that He is there. I believe He is leaving evidences of this in the everyday messes and things I do as a mom daily. It just requires me to view them in that light.. in His light. Follow Lilies and Manna podcast where I help moms find Jesus Christ in even the messiest moments of motherhood. Link in bio 🕊️

A reintroduction and some exciting news! My name is Maddie, host of Lilies and Manna podcast, and as shared on today’s episode, we are so happy and excited to soon welcome another BOY to our family! I created Lilies and Manna because the day I became a mother was one of the most joyous moments of my entire life. This moment was followed by some of the most difficult, exhausting, and disheartening moments, that can so often come with becoming a new mom.  I knew I had to find meaning and purpose behind the endless diapers, behind the never ending piles of laundry and dishes, and behind the countless sleepless nights in order to overcome those moments and find more constant joy in motherhood. Finally I had realized that I needed to be spending less time searching for answers about motherhood on social media, blogs, and books (as helpful as some were) and instead spend more time with Jesus Christ in the scriptures and in His doctrine.  It was then I began to find meaning in every aspect of motherhood, because I had begun finding Jesus Christ in every aspect of motherhood.  I created this account because I have a firm testimony that we as mothers desperately need to be nourished by true manna, Jesus Christ and His doctrine, first and foremost, in order to not be deceived by the false 'fast food' the world will glady offer through quick and appetizing messages here online. As we fully partake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ daily, we will be ready to effectively feed our children His truths because they will be a part of us. We desperately need to collect manna daily to feed not only ourselves, but our children who also need to spiritually survive in today's ‘wildnerness’ where the adversary seems ever present and ever growing. From my desire to help mothers find meaning in the everyday moments of motherhood, as well as help mothers spiritually feast upon the true manna of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I have created the podcast Lilies and Manna. I hope that this podcast as well as this account will help bring mothers closer to Jesus Christ, who in turn, will bring their entire family to Him. Please share your favorite boy names below! 👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼👦🏼

Lilies and Manna Podcast now streaming on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Audible! (Link in bio) I hope you enjoy finding Jesus Christ in everyday motherhood with me, and I am excited to feast upon the true manna of His doctrine with you!

In this week’s podcast episode, I loved talking with Natalie about one of my favorite pages of her interactive Christ-centered children’s book “My Covenant Path with Jesus.” What other games or activities could you imagine Jesus playing with your kids? How can picturing this help deepen our relationship with Him? Link in bio for full episode on Lilies and Manna podcast, Manna with Natalie 🕊️

Natalie’s beautiful book has helped me in teaching my boys all of these things and more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. New Lilies and Manna podcast episode with author and illustrator, Natalie Jonas, now live… as well as a big Christmas giveaway! Giveaway includes: 🕊️My Covenant Path with Jesus flap and mirror book by @acovenantchild 🕊️Come Follow Me Made Simple- gospel habits digital workbook by @raisinglatterdaychildren 🕊️My go-to favorite things gifts.. Silk pillowcase Moroccan hair oil Poppy and Pout lip balm 🕊️Journey to Bethlehem Nativity Christmas Game printable by @lizadesignco 🕊️ Silhouette Portrait (digital download in any color and size of your choice!) also by @lizadesignco To enter: *LIKE and COMMENT *FOLLOW @liliesandmanna @acovenantchild @lizadesignco @raisinglatterdaychildren That’s it! ***for 2 extra entries SHARE in your story!*** Winner will be randomly selected Friday night! This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Instagram. Good luck! Head to bio for link to Natalie’s episode where we do a read through of her interactive and Christ centered children’s book!

What should we try next? :)

Consider the lost toy… 🚂🧸 What is a lost toy you have found (or have yet to find 😅) for your child?

For my birthday today I want to share a reel using my favorite song.. that to me, encapsulates motherhood. Motherhood is one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. It’s a gift that isn’t perfect, but perfects me.. a gift that requires all of me, and refines all of me.. a gift full of light, love, and devotion that truly never fades.. and just as I hold my babies all day, I know Who is holding me through it all. Lilies and Manna is my way of sharing what this gift means to me, and I’m so happy that you are here. 🤍 What does the gift of motherhood mean to you?

🌲 Free SLC Christ-centered activities for families 🌲 🕊️ Conference Center scavenger hunt. Get the list at the information desk and sister missionaries are scattered throughout to help and also give stickers! At the end of the hunt the kids get the cutest gospel coloring books! 🕊️ Temple Square. The lights are up as well as different nativities from around the world. 🕊️ Temple Construction. Our boys loved looking at the progress of the renovation and all cranes and scaffolding. There are glass panels that allow you to look at the base of the temple and the construction down to the bottom. 🕊️Church History Museum. This is a must. The cutest kids section with so many hands on activities. You could spend hours here! 🕊️ Family History Museum. There is a designated children area, as well as opportunities for kids to participate on the computers to help find ancestors. 🍫 Not free.. and not technically gospel related haha… but if you want to add a sweet treat to your day be sure to go to Hatch Family Chocolates just up the hill. (Hands down our favorite chocolate in Utah) What did I miss?? 👇🏼

A reminder this Thanksgiving and always… as well as an invitation to let your own scale gather dust if you need and want to invite your own personalized reminder of this message :) 👣 Follow Lilies and Manna for more ways to find Him and follow in His footsteps in daily motherhood. Artwork: Walk By Faith by Chris Brazelton

What can Thanksgiving dinner teach us about the Tree of Life and the gospel of Jesus Christ? Find out in today’s episode on Lilies and Manna podcast, link in bio 🍂

My number one advice for all moms? Reach for Him. The woman who was healed with the issue of blood reached for many things to heal her. She spent countless amounts of money to help her. Likewise as moms we reach for many things to help us in motherhood, spending countless amounts of money even to try to help in this stage of our lives. While these things may help us and be great resources, we should remember that most importantly, and before anything else, we should reach for Him. When we reach for Him first, we will be truly healed and empowered to become the best mom we can be and we’re born to become. Follow Lilies and Manna for more ways to reach for and remember Him in the everyday moments of motherhood. Clip from interview on @third.hour podcast, link in bio 🕊️