Praise the Lord!!

Just wanted to let everyone know quick that my uncle is better now, and almost back to normal. Thank you to everyone for the prayers, and don't stop!!

Praising the Lord,
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Truth indeed

I've been kind of convicted about something lately... After some shocking news I wasn't expecting that sort of upset my world, it made me rethink how real my God is to me.

My uncle has been going through some hard times and has lost a lot of his memory. But even through this time when he can't do anything for himself, and he is confused about so many things, he is still true to his God and is never confused about Him. His God is so real to him, and I wonder about myself?

Am I really trusting in God so thoroughly that nothing that comes up in my life can drive me away? When I lay all my hopes and dreams at His feet, am I doing it with every intention of leaving them there, or am I doing it just for show? Is my God really real to me?

Is what I do so that I can brag about how close I am to God and how much I love Him? Am I really living what I say I am or am I two different people?

Here's a poem that's been in my head the last few days.


A Better Plan


I laid my hopes and dreams at His feet
I told Him I'd do whatever He willed.
But when it came right down to it
I wasn't really sure that I would.


I told Him I'd give Him my all -
I left my heart in His hands.
But I didn't really know if I'd live it out
When the time came I didn't understand.


He took everything that I'd laid at His feet
And told me it wasn't His best.
He said all my plans and hopes were wrong
And my dreams didn't show any trust.


He threw them all out
And gave me something new.
Saying, "You need to learn to trust in Me.
I want to have all of you."


I don't know why He took them away
I don't know why it wasn't His plan.
But I trust that He knows what's best
Even when I don't understand.

Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

I'm finally here... :)

I just wanted to let everyone know before I head for bed that I'm finally in California!! God greeted me with a major emotional shock, but by His grace and strength I'll make it through.

Please continue to pray for my uncle. He's doing better, but its tough for everyone involved.

Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

On my way!!

Just had to post quick while I have an internet connection... We're a third of the way to CA!!

Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Soundtrack of my heart

Here is the song that best describes how I feel today.....


Make today count!!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

A Gratitude Attitude and a Lesson from a Refrigerator

I got a quote from a friend recently. It was:

"What if all you had tomorrow was what you thanked God for today?"


I been thinking about that...... and the fact that we take so much for granted. Here in America we have so much to be thankful for, and I wonder if we ever even realize that. Our refrigerator went out not too long ago, and we've been having to truck things back and forth from downstairs all the time. We think its such a hassle, but honestly, only a small population of the world even has a fridge, let alone two. So, is it really a hassle?


The other thing is, every thing we have, and I do mean everything, is a gift from our Heavenly Father. So do we thank Him for it? Not just the big things like salvation and the miracles He does every day, but the little things too. Like a refrigerator? Like electricity? Running water? Clothes to wear? (or if you're like me, too many clothes....) His Word? a church to attend? what about those things?


Does it ever cross your mind to thank God for those kinds of things? How really thankful are you?

What if all you had tomorrow was what you thanked God for today?


Make today count, and be thankful for it!!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Gracious living..... at home?

I've been noticing lately how I talk to and about my family vs the way I treat my friends. I'm ashamed to say that there are ways that I treat my friends better than my own family... Its been convicting to listen to how I speak at home, and how I conduct myself. Why is so hard for us to be kind to our family, when we love them more than the friends that we are gracious to?


I think the real reason for it rests in the fact that we become careless with how we live, and we don't appreciate the people around us like we should. We become calloused to the things that they do for us, and we cease to really appreciate what we have been given. We see so easily the faults in others, but we are blinded to the real failures in our own lives. 


This has been especially "rammed into my head" these days, because I will soon be leaving my family and I will definitely miss them! Sure, I will still keep in touch and all, but it isn't the same. A friend of mine recently mentioned that he didn't think I would come back home after the first year. I'm sure he is wiser than I am, but I do wonder if that could be true. I know that I'm ready to be on my own, at least for a bit, but I also love my family very much, and I don't know that I'm ready for 100% independence.


Appreciate what your family does for you, even if it doesn't seem like much. Think for a second, where would you be without them?


Make today count!!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

A mission field for me?

Been kind of thinking lately about college.... shocking, I know, since I'm leaving in 8 days to go there ☺. But seriously. Its a big step in my life and sometimes I wonder if I'm ready for it. 

I have surrendered my life to the Lord to go wherever He wants me. Sometimes I feel that He has called me to the mission field, and truly, if He saw fit to send me there, that is one of the highest honors and privileges I can think of. To serve my King somewhere I've never been before, and to be a testimony for Him everywhere I go, even simply by the way I live, is the desire of my heart.

You know what? He has sent me to a mission field! Its somewhere that I've not lived before. Its a new life and a new set of people that I've never reached out to. I will be a living testimony of Him just by being there and definitely by how I carry myself and how I act and treat others. 

This mission field isn't another country. I'm not learning a new language, and I will still have the same "comforts of home" so to speak. But I am leaving my family, my home, my church, my friends and all that is familiar to me. I'm stepping out into a new life that is completely different. A different "family", different friends, a different atmosphere, and many new responsibilities. Its a test of who I really am. And sometimes I wonder if I'm ready for it.

The only thing that will be constant and always the same? My God. And knowing that, I'm literally smiling at the thought ☺. He will always be there for me, and no matter where I go, He will bring the right people along to be there for me, to guide me, and if He knows better than that, He will always be there for me Himself! What an awesome, amazing thought! The God of the universe, that controls everything we know, and so much more that we don't, will always be there for me!!!!!!  He cares enough about me to take time to mold my life and shape me into the person He wants me to be. 

But it also comes with a responsibility. He's taking the time for me, but am I taking the time for Him? Am I letting Him mold my life and shape me? Am I giving Him everything and surrendering to Him day by day? I fall so short of where I should be in my walk with the Lord. So far from what I want to be, and the closeness that I long and yearn for. Its been a huge challenge to me whenever I start thinking about a "special someone" or my "somedays" to turn my thoughts instead on the One that can fill my life right now. He is the only One that can make me truly content and happy, and if I'm not satisfied with Him now, I won't ever be satisfied, no matter what relationship or situation I am in.

So I'm heading to my mission field, and as I think about it, my God has truly given me the desire of my heart. He's made me a missionary for Him. I will give all I have to what He has called me to, knowing that I will be happy there because that is where He has placed me. 

Make today count! It's all you're guaranteed.

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

Making history in Iowa....

Thought I'd give everyone an update on what I've been up to lately... This blog may change somewhat to keeping up with what's going on with me, since I'm leaving for college in a week and a half. But we'll see what happens...


I've been really busy preparing for college shopping, packing, and registering. Its been hectic but fun!! And I still managed to find time this last weekend to go down to Iowa with a bunch of other people to volunteer for Michele Bachmann. She had only been in Iowa for a month vs multiple years for other candidates, but the straw poll was on Saturday and she needed a push. So about 50 of us went down there to do phone banking and help her get ready. 


We surpassed all the goals that the campaign staff had set with things they wanted to have done. Then we all helped out in the actual straw poll on Saturday. 


And she won!! By just a small margin. Apparently, we pushed her over the top. She was the first woman to ever win the Iowa straw poll!! So no matter what her political future holds, we were a part of history! 


It was a valuable experience, and a fun one too. I really enjoyed hanging out with everyone in the down times, and working with them as well. I will never forget it!


Now on to finishing up stuff to get ready to leave. I can hardly believe that the day we leave is almost here!!!!


Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Bury My Heart On The Mission Field, Lord

Found this song the other day, and can't get enough of it now... Speaks to my heart every time. I'll even provide a link you can listen to if you'd like. :) 

Bury My Heart On The Mission Field, Lord

A young girl weeps in a far distant land.

She has no one to show her God's love;

No mother or father to wipe away the tears.

She's cries out in the night alone.


Bury my heart on the mission field, Lord

I'll go to dry that young girl's tears

I'll serve You no matter where the path may lead

Lord, please bury my heart.

A mother grieves for her starving child.

She has no shelter from the cold.

Earthly provisions will ease their suffering

But who will feed their empty souls?

Bury my heart on the mission field, Lord.

I'll give the gospel to these suffering ones.

I'll go wherever You want me to go.

Lord, please bury my heart.

Will you ignore these lost souls in the night?

Can you hear their pleading cries?

They're begging for someone to show them the way.

We must go before another one dies.

Bury my heart on the mission field Lord

These distant voices won't fade away

I'll do Your will no matter the cost

Lord, please bury my heart.

I'll do Your will no matter the cost

Lord, please bury my heart.

Lord, I give You my heart.

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

What are you living for?

You know, sin can certainly be fun. It so often seems exciting and adventurous, and something that will be cool to get away with. Our fleshly, worldly heart loves this kind of fun and seeks to convince us that its ok to do just once, and we won't get caught.


But even though its fun for a while, or exciting, it always ends up hurting us in the end. The smallest things (or so we think) often have large consequences that follow them. One little choice today could change the rest of your life. And the thing is, we don't even know when those choices come!! We don't know what today, could change our future.


Every time we choose to sin, even for a little bit, or just a fun little thing, its gonna hurt us down the road. Oh, the pain may not come for a long time, or it may be immediate. But it will come. I promise you that. The Bible says in Numbers 32:23b: "...be sure your sin will find you out."


Whether the consequences of your pet sin (and we all have them) find you out now, or sometime in the future, be sure that God won't let you get away with it forever. Maybe you'll even make it through your whole life without anyone knowing what you really struggle with. But even if you do, in Heaven you will be found out.


So why choose sin? Why let it ruin your life? Its not going to pay. It may be fun for a time, but it will always catch up to you. What choices will you make today to change your future? Will they be choices to forsake sin and do right, or will you choose the pleasure of sin for a season?


Sin is always fun for a time, but it will always hurt you in the end.


Make today count, but live for tomorrow!!!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Thanks to all

Just wanted to say thank you to all for praying for my cousin that had heart surgery this week. We are going to visit him tomorrow and I can't wait to see him!!! 


It means a lot to have so many friends that I can send a prayer request to and know that they will respond. 


Thanks again and praise the Lord for His mercy and grace and for the friends He has given me :)


Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Weeds

I was weeding the garden today and thinking about how much gardening is like our spiritual life with Christ.

Especially in regards to the weeds. Weeds are a nuisance in a garden and can easily be compared to sins in our lives.


- Weeds in a garden zap the life out of the plants around them. They not only block them from the sun, they take the moisture and goodness intended for the plant and use it for themselves. Just like sins in our lives. They zap the life out of our walk with Christ. They take our time, and use our life and energy for things that are worthless and useless, and then we don't have the time to serve God.


- Weeds also stunt the potential life of the plant. If the plant is deprived of sunlight and nutrients, it takes away what the plant could have been someday. Even if the weeds are taken away, it still is never going to be what it could of been. When our walk with the Lord is deprived, we lose step with God and backslide. The Christian walk never stands still. Its like paddling a canoe up a river. If you stop paddling, you don't just sit there, you go backwards. You have to keep paddling just to stay in place, and paddle even harder to actually go anywhere. If we stop growing, we backslide. Its one or the other. And every time we backslide, we lose ground. Once we lose it, we can never fully regain the ground we've lost. We can never be where we would once have been.


- When the ground around a plant is saturated with water, its not only good for the plant, it also makes the weeds easy to pull up. When we are saturated with the Word of God in our lives, not only is it good for our growth, it makes the weeds and sins in our life easier to get rid of. Things that God wishes us to remove from our lives seem much less important and easy to get rid of when we are close in step with Him.


Don't let the weeds of sin choke your spiritual potential!! Be everything that God wants you to be, today! 


Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Achieve the impossible!

My brother and I were having a discussion about someone we know that seems to be able to accomplish whatever he wants to. He makes up his mind to do something, and he has the drive, the determination, and the work ethic to see it through. It seems there's no limits!! It would be amazing to see such a person on fire for the Lord. Imagine what he could accomplish!


We also talked about the other end of the spectrum. There's people like our friend who can, as I put it "achieve the impossible." They can do anything they put their mind to! But there's others that have to have reachable goals or they get frustrated and discouraged. I am definitely a person like that. If I set a goal too high, it just depresses me and I quit before I ever get close to reaching it. I know that's a character flaw that I need to work on.


I wonder, what kind of person are you? I don't believe that either one is necessarily right or wrong, although I definitely believe the "achieve the impossible" type is much better and more desirable. Are you setting small goals that let you see your progress, or are you reaching for the sky, and determined to succeed?


This applies to our walk with the Lord as well. With His help, we can achieve the impossible, since we know that without Him we are helpless. And in this area of life, I believe that there is only one right attitude. We should always be striving to set not just our affections, but our goals on higher things. Literally, reach for the stars! Set high goals of where you want to be in your Christian walk, and live up to them! Ask God to help you when you struggle and to give you the drive and the determination to reach your goals, even if they seem impossible. He can help you know where your goals are low, and give you the strength to reach your high ones. Don't let yourself be content with just being an average Christian. God didn't call us to be average, He called us to be lights in this world.


Don't think that because I'm writing this that I have it all figured out. The Lord often uses my own blog posts to convict my heart because He knows that I need this as much as anyone. I have so much farther to go before I will ever really know my God. He is so much more than I can fathom!!


I've discovered that there are two kinds of people in this life. Those who set low, reachable goals, and those who can achieve the impossible. Which kind are you?


Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Those times when its hard...

Ever had one of those times when your Bible reading just wasn't what it aught to be? Oh sure, you kept up with it and you read, even maybe a lot. But you weren't really learning anything and God wasn't really speaking to you in a tangible way.


Hard times. I know. Happens to me too. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in the world who has this problem. 


But know whose fault it is that I'm not getting anything out of my devotions? Oh sure, I like blaming the fact that I'm busy or that other people keep interrupting me, or that I'm sleepy....... there's any number of excuses that I could use. But when it comes right down to it, its no one's fault but my own. 


Honestly! 
God is always there for me, and He's always waiting to talk to me. He loves me, and always wants to be with me. Am I treasuring that special time with Him the way I should, or has it become old hat or even dry and boring? Do I need a spiritual revitalization? Is my walk with God fresh and new each day?


I'm going to end with a story that kind of "hit" me not terribly long ago with the fact that God is always waiting for me.


A man was convicted about the fact that he needed to spend more time with his God every day. He decided to set aside a special time and place where he would meet the Lord. Every day he went there, and every time, he found his God waiting to spend that precious time together. But the man got busier, and soon he started to skip a day every now and then. And slowly but surely, it became less of a priority until he dropped it all together. For several weeks he simply did not take the time to meet his God. 
Until finally, he heard a message that convicted him again. He returned to the same place as he had before and as he walked in the door, he found the Lord waiting for him. He blushed in shame and timidly asked the Lord how often He had been coming. And He replied, "I was here, every day, waiting for you."


God is always there, and He always cares to spend time with us. Is that important enough for you?


Make today count! Its all you're guaranteed.
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Others first? Part 2

Another part of this whole putting others first thing came into light the other day. A friend of mine told me that I was insecure because I needed assurance all the time from other people. I never saw myself that way, or thought that I was, but it made me think.........


Am I so worried about what other people think of me, that I am in a way, putting them before even my God? Is their opinion of me what rules my life and changes how I think, or is my life controlled by my Saviour?


I know its something that I def need work on, and I'm glad this person brought it up. I wonder, where do people fit in your life? Who are you really putting first?


(Aren't friends great? ;)


Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

A little rain

We had a little rain today...


Hah!!! Let me try that again.


We had a terrential downpour today.


Hmmmmm..... still not cutting it. One more time....


We had the worst flooding ever in all the years we lived here today.


There!! That is pretty close to the truth :) 


Yup!! It was absolutely POURING for about an hour, and our driveway is underwater. I seriously took some pictures you'd think were in a river. And technically, they are. My younger siblings are going swimming in our front yard. I'm not even kidding!! They literally put on swimsuits and are slip and sliding and diving and splashing all over the place.


Of course, the storm was amazing. I stood out and watched almost the whole thing. Of course, got totally drenched. ;) I've completely soaked two outfits today. Hopefully I can stay dry this time... 


Here's a few pictures, just to give you a little bit of an idea. And remember, this is our front yard..... (forgive the dumb timestamps. I had to use my parent's camera and it does that...They were all taken today.)

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

Its our fault....

I mentioned this somewhat in my first post but it has been something I've been thinking about a lot lately, so its come up again.


Its really been a challenge to me, as my pastor has been preaching on this country, how much of what is wrong with it is our fault! And by "our," I mean God's people. Because we have turned our backs on Him, and no longer trust Him to lead our country and our individual lives, He is turning His back on America.


I love this country so much. It thrills my heart to hear our national anthem or any patriotic song, and it is breathtaking to watch her beautiful flag waving in the breeze. I stand in awe of the privilege to live here, and pray that I never lose that focus. I can never take it for granted, because so many men and women have given their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor that I might be free.


But the responsibility of leading this country, and of returning her heart to her God is falling on the shoulders of my generation. America has been through a lot in the last 100 years, and most of it is not for the better. She is struggling now, and its up to us to get her back on track.


Will you take the challenge? Will you, if you are a child of God, take the responsibility of humbling yourself and turning to God? 


If we don't, who will?

Let Us Stand

The thrill of pride as our flag touches the sky.

The feeling of wonder at a bald eagle's cry.

As proud and strong as the soldiers who fight for us
So still and silent a fallen one's hush.


This country so proud
So brave, strong and free.
Holds liberty for all
For them, you and me.


But we lose our liberties as we lose sight of our God.
The freedom we've fought for and so costly won
Will all be lost unless we submit to His Word.
Because the more we ignore Him, the less He is heard.


Turn back to your God
Oh Christians of this land
So that our flag will not fall
And our freedom will stand.


True freedom and liberty come through bondage to Christ
So from the ashes of this land, let a new standard rise!
Pray for salvation. Be strong! Take the hand
Of America, our country, and fight for this land.

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

Lonely Soldier

This is a poem I wrote quite a while ago. I'm sure some have seen it, but it is very strong, and really kind of gets to you. I like it, and just wanted to share it again.


Remember to thank your soldiers, wherever and whenever you see them. They give it all, to protect your freedom.

Lonely Soldier

A lonely solder

Stands tall, strong, and true.

He's come home from fighting

For me and for you.

There's no crowd to meet him

No thunderous applause.

No one cheers his welcome

As he stops to pause.

He eyes search the room

For a familiar face.

If there's someone he knows

That locks to his gaze.

Then he sees that face

Staring into his eyes.

A face filled with joy!

A face that cries.

He drops his bag

And his strides become fast.

She rushes to his arms, saying -

"You're home! safe at last!!"

Some stop to look

And some eyes start to mist.

They suddenly realize

The hero in their midst.

And now someone claps

And they all start to cheer.

This brave and true soldier

Holding his wife so dear.

The lonely soldier 

Is lonely no more.

So many are glad

He's returned to their shore.

Someone hands him his bag

Another shakes his hand

"Thank you, Soldier

For fighting for our land."

As the soldier and wife

Start to walk to the door

The cheering grows louder

And bags drop to the floor.

This soldier's a hero

Who gave all for our land.

He'd have given his life

On some foreign strand.

Thank your soldiers

For their great sacrifice.

Because for your freedoms

They pay the price.

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

Others first?

Martha was a servant, and was always doing. But she worried about it, and it consumed her life and she didn't have time for the Lord because she was too busy serving. Mary chose to seek the Lord first and learn at His feet. (Luke 10:40-42)


Sometimes I wonder, am I letting service to others get in the way of my relationship with the Lord? Its easy to concentrate on the people around me and neglect my walk with the Lord. Am I helping others with their walk with God while neglecting my own?


Am I a Mary, really living close to the Lord and learning at His feet, or am I too busy with other things? What is my real priority in life? Having others as a priority above oneself is good, but am I letting them take first place, ahead of the Lord?

Just some thoughts...

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥