By Faith, Not Sight

by 
​Nikki-Lyn Holm

Before

After

​make·o·ver
ˈmākˌōvər/
noun
1. a complete transformation or remodeling of something, especially a person's hairstyle, makeup, or clothes. 

​What I love about Candice Snyder’s story, is how her HEART experienced a transformational makeover when she was just 16 years old.  And suddenly found out she was pregnant. Such a rocky time in her life,  although Candice admits she was doing what many young people become exposed to. Experimenting. She was spiraling down a bad path of drugs and alcohol. In the interview, I appreciated when her honest heart shared this solid truth: Her oldest son Tyler literally saved her.  God knew Candice being a mother would steer her in a different direction. Life would no longer be about her first. She married the father of all of her children very young. Sadly they divorced 15 years later. She is thankful they still having a good relationship as co-parents. 

  Born in Maryland and raised by a single mother too, she is proud of her mom who did the best she could. She can now relate to all her mother went through, and has immense respect the for the mother she was. Candice stated her mom was a big supporter of her, as well as her younger sister.  
  With a very strong and outgoing personality, I can also say,  Candice is one of the most courageous mothers I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.  

  One of the best attributes of Candice, aside from her humor and ability to engage well with others, is how she pours EVERYTHING into her 3 incredible children:

Tyler is now 22. She loves that he still calls her momma. He works at Top Golf and is striving to climb their corporate ladder. 

Noah is 18 and according to this proud, single mom? Has a heart of gold! Noah is a star athlete who is graduating with a full ride scholarship for basketball. 

  Madison is her 16 year old daughter.  This proud momma would describe her as a true  and loyal friend. She played varsity basketball as a sophomore too. Wow. Both of her current high schoolers get A’s and B’s as well.

  I find it amazing in today’s world, where children seem to be less passionate about anything except their technology, how dedicated her athletic children are. 

  Candice said they go early and stay late. They practice.  They do and give more.  How? Why? She told them early on, if they don’t want to end up struggling in life then they should do the extra! 

Everything goes into her kids.  It’s obvious to most who know Candice. She wears a very natural look. She doesn’t buy herself new clothes. Truly a selfless, loving single mom. 

I believe this is a rare quality to find these days.  Over the past year, Candice joined a group called Freedom. Her life verse is “For we live  by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 

  Prior to the makeover, I asked Candice what excited her most about this experience. She said she was looking forward to feeling beautiful again. She confessed to feeling nervous about wearing a dress...and also feared that she may really like the clothes and want to buy more. Hahaha!!! 

  Yes Candice, it can get into your blood. Though knowing her heart, she will continue to put her children before her own wants and needs.  This is simply what good mothers do. She aspires to finish nursing school, after her children graduate. Proudly, she already has her associates degree, and just a few classes left. I have no doubt she will do just that: Become a nurse. She is quite the nurturer, and will love on her future patients, as sweetly as she has her own children.

---