For our daughter, Amanda Ann Liston

Where do I even begin? Our daughter passed away Saturday night in a tragic car accident while being chased by a horrible man with a gun. She was a daughter, a sister and a mother to 5 beautiful children. She ran off the road and hit a tree head on. I never believed I would be having to write any of this, but here I am. Mandy, as we called her, was a beautiful person inside and out who had a huge heart & knew Jesus from an early age. She had a very dark & tragic upbringing until her Father and I adopted her. We stepped in when she was 12 years old to put a stop to all the tragedy, giving her a new life. Her stepfather is serving life without parole for capital rape to this day. She struggled with what happened to her as any victim of capital rape would, even after she had counseling. Mandy had a laugh that was so contagious and she loved life and cared deeply for others. She thrived in her new life as a member of our family and we had such high hopes of what God would be doing with her as an adult. That’s how we will always remember her! Sadly, that dark world that we pulled her out of called her back into it when she was 21. She went back with the best of intentions but she slowly let her guard down, forgetting to “guard her heart and mind” as scriptures had taught her. She wanted to be there for her younger brother and sister and hoped to turn her birth mother’s life around and lead her out of the drugs and alcohol, but as I said, she forgot to protect her heart and mind as scripture had told her. She ‘s been our “prodigal daughter” for 20 years now but we’ve never stopped loving her and dreaming of the day of when God would bring her back home to us. We’ve prayed for her everyday and there’s never been a day without her in our hearts and minds. I look at it as God told her, “Enough my child. I am bringing you home.” You see, I struggle with feelings of failure, both failing her & God somehow. I didn’t understand why she would choose to go back inside of that world, but she did. During my struggle at that time, God spoke to me, “She’s mine. Just let me have her. You have done your job well, but now I will deal with her.” I know He’s given her many opportunities to turn back to Him and His ways over these last 20 years, but I guess He said, “Enough my child. Come home.” She leaves behind 5 beautiful children, 2 sisters, and 3 brothers. She will never be forgotten ever and her Father & I, along with her siblings, will always make sure that her memory will be a part of their lives. God works in many ways, such as putting us in Mandy’s life years ago when she needed a real mother and father to show her His love, and He will be there for all 5 of her children as well. It’s been 20 years, but my baby girl is finally coming home, where she belongs. We will rejoice, as the prodigal son’s father did, when his son returned. We would have loved for it to be in a different way but we will accept God’s way. I am asking for help in paying for her cremation and final arrangements. Anything over that will be set up to be used for her children. Our hearts are breaking for each of them, but God will be there for each of them as He was for Mandy. I do ask that before you decide to donate, please pray about it first because we only want what God wants in this tragedy, especially for her children. Please share this as well and thank each of you for taking time out to read our story, and please remember to keep our family in your prayers during this time. *We will have a Celebration/Home Going but it is still in preplan stages at this time.