This Sunday we drove three hours to the town of Blythe, California, to lead worship and sing at Calvary Chapel Blythe. We love our quick weekend trips in the southwest and had a blast getting acquainted with pastor Mick and Jan Catron!

Allen Rigg, Miranda, Jan, and Mick.

Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley also had us lead worship for their three Sunday morning services. Thank you so much John and Robin Milhouse for having Allen Rigg and I out!

Allen Rigg, Miranda Landers, Robin and John Milhouse

Reconnecting with old friends-the Bowmans!

It was so sweet to be back at my home church of Calvary Chapel Moreno Valley this past weekend! They do an amazing job with their women’s ministry and had 330 women in attendance for their Ladies Tea Friday night. Between the beautiful decor and fellowship-the Christmas spirit was palpable.

Sharing Christmas songs at the Ladies Tea!

Leading worship at the ladies Tea

Miranda sharing her testimony of escaping domestic violence

Robin Milhouse bringing a message of hope!

Making new friends!

Ten years ago my daughter and I escaped #domesticviolence and found ourselves homeless. Literally homeless. After several years of living with family and in rentals, a new and wonderful man, Allen Rigg, came into our lives. Since then this sweet little camper has become our safe haven! The money and things we had before pale in comparison to the fun and laughter that fills this 300 square foot house on wheels. Besides having traveled the nation from shore to shore-sharing our survivor story at stops all along the way-my daughter has had the quality time she needed to bond with the new daddy in her life…who officially adopted her January 2019! This little home represents freedom, love, hope, redemption, safety, security, joy, and adventure.

It’s been four years of living in our “Big Rigg” and we are just now beginning to feel the growing pains-much like ones felt in their ninth month of pregnancy! Haha! What once was a huge bunk for an eight year old-is now cramped and stifling. These next few months will be our last for this season of tiny living as we prepare to launch a new church in Los Angeles. A rental of some sort will follow and a new school for our tween! I have to admit I will miss our little haven and our first “home” as a family, but this next season of ‘bigger living’ will be a new and exciting adventure for us. In the meantime-here is a look at our casa…

I had the opportunity to teach a vocal workshop for my good friend, and former ‘Sparklepop’ band mate, Richie Sanchez. Richie teaches the Worship Leader class at Calvary Chapel Murrieta Bible College and is an amazing drummer and musician. He had me take the singers for a class and help them with vocal technique, harmony, and a Q & A time.

Teaching vocal exercises and technique to students at Calvary Chapel Bible College in Murrieta, CA.

Allen Rigg accompanied me on guitar and Adessa came along to watch Mommy look silly doing vocal exercises! Thank you Richie for inviting me back to teach your students!!!

I went back to my alma mater today and did their chapel service. When I attended this conservative Baptist school women weren’t allowed to speak in Chapel. It was a bit surreal to be standing on that stage today, leading worship, and sharing my story of escaping domestic violence. I’m glad that women are beginning to have a voice in the church. I’m glad for the men who value us enough to listen. And I’m hopeful that the future will bring many opportunities for our daughters to use their giftings.

It was a great morning with Allen Rigg at Calvary Chapel Temecula Valley last Sunday. Thank you Chris McPike and Chanda Fornelli McPike for having us back! #pastorpics

I came across this memory from January 2013 and was reminded of just how far God has brought me.  As I read the words I felt tears well up, so grateful for the provisions God provided during my darkest hours, including my sweet little girl with whom I could not have made it through.   For those of you who are struggling with unwanted change or tough life issues-know that God is with you and He will see you through.  Adessa and I are living proof.

Here is our New Year’s Letter from 2013…

“Greetings from two freezing Californians who are muddling through another Iowa winter! It has been an eventful few years for Adessa and I, and as I look back on what we’ve been through I am reminded of something Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…because it is the quality which guarantees all others”.

Courage is a quality I never really had to exercise before, but these past 4 years have stretched, contorted, and painfully forced me to use every courageous muscle in my body. I cannot say I managed it alone, much of the credit goes to the 3 1/2 foot tall bundle of pure effervescence that I live with. When the days came that brought me to a place of surrender her sweet little face and imaginative outlook kept me going…and in the end, the struggle worked out in our favor.

In July a judge in Iowa ruled to terminate the parental rights of Adessa’s Father, cutting him off forever. It was an outcome that rarely is achieved and can only be attributed to the team of detectives, social workers, therapists, and attorneys that fought so hard on Adessa’s behalf. A month later we finalized the divorce and after almost 4 years of uncertainty, Adessa and I found ourselves completely emancipated from the shackles of our perpetrator. Truly a gift.

Unfortunately, along with the victory’s have come great losses, one of which was the home-going of our dear Uncle Ned, my Dad’s twin brother. I have so many lovely memories of him and I’m certain that he is with his Savior now, playing his trumpet, throwing a baseball, or as Adessa would say, “he is flying alongside the birds that he loved Mama!” I am so fortunate to have called him my Uncle.

Looking back at the events Adessa and I have navigated through together, it’s hard for me to imagine that my baby is now about to turn 6. She started kindergarten this year and is excelling. In our free time we spend countless hours at the local library, playing at neighborhood parks, walking by the Mississippi, or exploring the many shops downtown. We see my parents frequently and their support and encouragement has filled the gaps for Adessa and I in so many ways. Our lively little church has also been a source of refuge and growth.

As we slowly begin to enter normal life again, the first order of business has been deciding on a new middle name for Adessa since her last name will be changing to my maiden name. I wanted something meaningful and thought I had decided on “Christie”, my Mother’s middle name, which means ‘beautiful Christian woman’. Then one day Adessa walked into the room and said to me, “Mommy, my new name should be Liberty!” I asked her if she knew what that word meant and she replied, “Yes Mama…It means we’re free, we’re free!”

In her 5 year old wisdom she realized the impact of our liberation, and as I looked at the two names together I was reminded of the freedom we find in Christ. A beautiful and meaningful name for a precious little girl~

“Adessa Liberty Christie Landers”

We hope this new year will bring much joy, hope, and courage to you all!”

All our Love, Miranda & Adessa

#TBT to two years ago at Calvary Aurora! We absolutely love Pastor Ed Taylor and the beautiful Denver area!