Mimsy & Us Books

10/27/2024

Parents... I encourage you... help your child develop the love to read. I will be checking on the park book box soon. I have several books to put there. I encourage you all to take a stop by. Reading can be most difficult for children with disabilities. But one-by-one, we can help them succeed.

Do not place total responsibility on yourselves, your child, or their teachers. This is a unified triangulated effort. It takes everyone involved. Let's do this for our children!

10/14/2024

Being a Mimsy is hard...

I have two grandsons mad at me for telling their mama they had school today when she thought they were off for a fall break day. (Guess which two - Clem and Emm)
I have one grandson who cried his little heart out when Mimsy turned at Tucker Farm, instead of going straight to go to her house. (He did not want to be at school either - Ramsey wanted to go to Mimsy's house, not school!)
I have one grandson who is sick and needs a divine touch in his little body this morning. (Rhett is currently being checked out for all his congestion - Please whisper a prayer for him.)

The hardest thing for me is to not be able to protect them from all the hurts in life, this sickness of this life, the evil people in this world... I can't protect them from everything, but I pray for the Lord to love them and protect them like he does Israel, "Lord, would you bless the people who bless my babies, and Lord you also know how to handle the rest of them..."

10/04/2024

I was on a Zoom meeting last evening with the South College DMin Director and other colleagues. As his guest, he had author Anne Kim, who wrote Abandoned. I've not read the book, and the first time I ever her of her was last evening. But in light of a few posts I've seen, and how I felt when I listened to her message, I think it may be a book I need to read.

https://anneskim.com/forthcoming/

Our youth need people who will invest in them.
Our youth need people who will intern them.
Our youth need people who will inspire them.

My heart literally breaks for our youth in America. I have to do better.

07/24/2024

July 24, 1988 - The day God blessed Ray and me with the most beautiful soul. This child brought light into our world. He was our light for 16 months before his brother, Gideon Odom, came along. Then together we raised them. They were almost like twins. Andrew was the talkative one; Gideon was the shy one. But these boys loved life so very, very much. Together they made forts, chased rabbits, found so many rocks, set up cities of cars and trucks, drove their mother almost crazy on a daily basis, and so much more. Oh, how I loved these two boys.

Andrew and Gideon were inseparable... Until that fateful day... The day "time was stolen" from us... April 2, 1998. Andrew wasn't even 10 years old yet - I have looked at Clem each day this year he's been with us and can't help but think "this is how old Andrew was the last time I saw him." My child was taken in an instant. And the pain of that day pierces my very soul even on this day, some 26+ years later.

Ray, Gideon, and I have shared a loss I do not wish on any human for so many years. It is deep for all of us. We were a close little family. By the grace of God, Ray, Gideon, and I are still a close little family. And we never allow Andrew to go forgotten.

Today is Andrew's 36th Birthday. We will not have cake for him. We will not have a party. The boys will not call each other and talk of their day. Andrew will not get to spend time with his nephews who would love him. Death is truly cruel.

But someday, someday it will be our eternity together. Time will not even exist. All things will be made new. And it is my heart's desire to share eternity with my boys and Ray forever. We will not need time anymore. For God will give us eternity to share and heavens to explore and such newness I cannot even begin to imagine.

Until time is gone for me, I will mourn the loss of my child. I will wish a 1000 wishes each day I could see him once more, hold him, smell the little boy smell of life and happiness. Today, I should be planning a party, instead I have a day of memories and wishes to think of.

I love you, Andrew Ray Odom!
I forever miss you!
I forever love you!
I shall hold you again one day!

Love your mama!
SBO

07/19/2024

Tomorrow Night is the Night!
6:30PM-8:30PM
If you love Almeida’s Mexican Restaurant and you want to support the ARTS in Washington County, then here's your opportunity.

THIS IS A KID FRIENDLY EVENT! So Bring Your Children!

The Washington County Art Society is providing the music, poetry, and art presentations.
Almeida's will be happy for you to order from their menu.
I would love to see you and your children.

05/07/2024

I was searching for something, and I came across this video Ted Talk. If you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, or anyone who works with children, WATCH this Ted Talk! JUST DO IT!

"What if I was to tell you that a game of peek-a-boo could change the world?" asks seven-year-old Molly Wright, one of the youngest-ever TED speakers. Breaki...

03/12/2024

Thank you to all the family and friends who made my "Double Nickel" day a whole lot brighter! My goal for my next year is to live my life, making every moment count for good! My prayer is for all my family and friends to proper in their health and happiness. I fully commit my life to God! I realize the probability that I have lived over half my life is great!

I am thankful for those who cheer me on...
I am thankful for those who sharpen me...
I am thankful for those who inspire me...
I am thankful for those who light a fire in me...
I am thankful for each of you in my life!

03/02/2024

I had so much fun on this stormy day at Millry High School reading to such great students. I really enjoyed their characters and ideas for stories. A special thanks to Mrs. Stacy and all the teachers who allowed me to read to their children! (Mrs. LaSondra, Mrs. Sandra, Mrs. Lydia, and Mrs. Ashtyn)

What did the kids think about it? Well, one little girl (who I will not name) told me I was late and I didn't dress up. And then Emmitt let me know I didn't read the book he brought for me to read to them. So... I guess Mimsy is slipping! :)

02/26/2024

Cleo looked around at all her boys and her beloved daughters, then her eyes met with Eugene Sr.’s. They both sent each other a special twinkle that only they understood. God had blessed them richly. When she was twenty four, God sent them John Wesley, then three years later Jessie James, and the next year, Eugene Jr., then Aldridge and Vella. She was blessed with Ollie, when she was thirty four years old. Annie’s birth completed the Bennett household. In her heart, Cleo knew she had little time left with her children in her home. Soon, they would all take flight. Her eyes teared with saltiness as she thought about John Wesley’s dream to have his own place. Could he really be old enough? Cleo felt her heart squeeze tightly in her chest. Perhaps she would hold him a little tighter the next time she hugged her child man. “What would you all like for supper tonight,” Cleo asked as she wiped her face with her apron as if to wipe away sweat from her brow. She hoped the tears had gone unnoticed by her Bennett Clan, but Eugene Sr. knew. And his heart tightened along with hers. They sure did love their children.

"Mama, it will be good no matter what you cook,” John Wesley said, and the rest agreed with him.

“Then, I’m thinking a good bream fry for tonight with fresh potatoes and a little slaw if I can find a cabbage,” Cleo said as she left the kitchen to go check her supplies for supper. “Boys, get to the creek and catch us supper,” She called back from the cellar.

“Yes, mam,” they echoed as they got up from the table. Vella sighed; looks like she and Annie would be doing the dishes again.

(Chapter 2, Pg. 8, It Began At Healing Springs, Elizabeth Vann)

I really know so little about my grandfather Bennett and his family. I do know my great Aunt Vella (Bennett-Whigham) Bradley loved me. She talked to me often in the community when she saw me. But she is really the only other sibling of my grandfather's that I actually knew or met.

I had a lot of fun dreaming this story in my head. For all who have purchased it, I hope you have enjoyed it to. If you think you might like to read it (very short novella), here's the link on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV62HGWM

02/19/2024

Mimsy and the Twinsies' All-nighter!
2024
Episode 1

Mimsy decided it was time for the twins to get to spend the night with her. She even took a nap Sunday evening in preparation (and that was a very wise decision). Mimsy eagerly anticipated the best sleepover ever with them. Mommy and Daddy brought them over after Mimsy got home from church. Ramsey was already asleep. Rhett was getting sleepy. Mimsy thought, "Wow, this is going to be an easy night."

Fast forward to 11:30pm. Mimsy woke up in her recliner and decided she would go ahead and get in bed with the Twinsies. (She should have known better!) By this time, the heater came on... Mimsy had shut the door to make sure the Twinsies wouldn't wander off during the night. Both had to have their soft blankies, in addition to the other blanket already on the bed. Mimsy thought it would be easy to go to sleep.... Oh how wrong she would be.

As Mimsy lets out a little sigh trying to get comfortable, she looks over to check on Ramsey. She is met with a grin and two wide-opened eyeballs. But Ramsey does the sweetest thing and grabs Mimsy's hand and pulls it to his face. For almost an hour he holds her hand to his face. Mimsy thinks he will fall back asleep and all will be good. Mimsy makes another fatal mistake. She rolls over. Ramsey sees this as an opportunity to escape the bed and run barreling to the door. By now it's almost 12:30am.

Ramsey gets mad at Mimsy for putting him back in the bed, and he lets out his "Why won't you let me do what I want to do - battle cry." This wakes Rhett up. He is scared, waking up in a strange room. He gives blood curdling screams for almost an hour. Mimsy is sure all of Copeland is awake by now. Ramsey is on the floor by now playing quietly, looking at Mimsy and grinning in the dark. Mimsy does not grin back, although she wants to.

Mimsy decides not to fight fate. She turns on a movie and sits with the boys in the dark, building things from their building thingies she's bought them. Rhett decides to join Mimsy back on the bed about 3:00am. He snuggles up to her and takes her hand in his. Mimsy thinks she can hear him say, "Tickle-tickle" as he starts drifting back to sleep. He's calm now and goes back to sleep at 3:30am.

Ramsey... Oh he has no intention of getting back on that bed. No, he's going to fight it. By this time, I've texted Gideon to tell him of my adventures with the Twinsies. He says, "Mama all you have to do is give Ramsey your phone and turn it on YouTube with trucks. He'll go right back to sleep."

Really? Why didn't I think of that at 11:30pm. And you know what? It worked like a charm. Ramsey was back asleep before 5:00am. But never fear... Mimsy did not get to go into blissful sleep. No... Poppa Ray was up, going through the house, flipping on lights and television, gathering garbage, going out the door, and all Mimsy could think was, "If he wakes those youngin's up..."

Mimsy now hoped Poppa Ray made the coffee a little strong today, for she fears she will need it.

02/17/2024

I've had a couple people recently contact me about Sunday School or Kids' Ministry materials. I've written many lessons and published several books for Sunday School/Kids' Ministry. I have several lessons that I developed for LOLF, but I used photos/graphics that were not mine. So I cannot sell those. However, I will share. I'll work on setting up a place on Odom Ministries to share those.

However, there are several books on Amazon, and a few of them are on sale right now. They are all in color, and it would be a great time to purchase them if you are looking for something for your kids.

Here's a list, and the current price on Amazon. I'll also post my link on Odom Ministries so you can go there and click straight to the Amazon page if you are interested. Your purchases are appreciated. It allows me to be able to give back more to the ministry.

Who is Jesus?: Student Edition Paperback – March 18, 2020
$13.15

Jesus' Ministry (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – April 4, 2022
$10.92

Sunday School: Patriarchs and Matriarchs of the Bible (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – May 27, 2022
$10.95 - Currently on sale for $5.41 from Amazon.

Sunday School: Fruit of the Spirit (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – July 27, 2022
$11.10

David's Life & Psalms (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – April 8, 2022
$11.12 - Currently on sale for $6.48 from Amazon.

Sunday School: Kids of the Kingdom (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – August 26, 2022
$10.95 - Currently on sale for $5.02 from Amazon.

Sunday School: In the Beginning (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – October 4, 2022
$10.95

Sunday School: God's Harvest (Odom Ministries Sunday School Lessons) Paperback – February 3, 2023
$10.95

https://www.odomministries.org/mimsy.php
This link has all the books linked to Amazon. You can use it to easily get there.

Dr. Sarah Odom has spent a lifetime writing her innermost feelings in the form of songs, poetry, and inspirational writing. Finally she has started putting all of these in printed form to share with others.

01/02/2024

I will be continuing our "Reading Club" for kids starting back January 10th (Wednesday) at 4:30pm. If your child needs help with phonics, reading, and writing, you are welcome to bring them. The cost is $10 per session. We cover various sounds each week, along with read alouds, plays, silent reading, quiz taking, and more. The typical ages are K - 3 grade, although I am willing to help all ages. It is a group session. It is not private tutoring. We would love to have your child join us.