Tuned to His Frequency

Last semester I had the chance to be a part of a drama production at Golden State Baptist College. It was an absolutely incredible experience and I loved it. Part of my job in the evening performance was to be the backstage manager of sorts. I had a headset and walkie talkie set. I was in communication with the sound booth, and the lighting crew the entire time. Yes, I talked to the actors backstage, and did other things. But I was still wearing the headset and I could talk to them and hear everything they were saying.

It reminded me of how prayer should be in our lives. Prayer isn't necessarily always talking to God. Sometimes it is just being there to listen. To keep tabs on His thoughts, even if when we aren't specifically focused on Him.

I wasn't with the other crew members. I couldn't see them, and I wasn't in the same place. But I could always hear them, no matter what I was doing. I was constantly in touch with what they needed from me, and what was going on where they were. And my radio was always tuned to their frequency.

We may not be able to pray 24/7, but that does not mean that we can't always hear God. When we are truly surrendered and right with Him, He sends us "messages" throughout the day to help us and guide our steps.

Prayer is so much more than just praying. It is living with the knowledge that God is always there, and listening for Him all the time. Like a radio, it's always being tuned to His frequency.

Make today count!
Always,
Amanda

Two posts in one day!!!!

Quit laughing... it isn't funny! Yes, I haven't been seen in a month and now I'm on the second post of the day. But I'm pretty sure you wanted to hear this poem. And if you didn't... well, kudos to you! Go ahead and just stop reading this and do your laundry or whatever else is so vitally important and fascinating... :P

Here you go :) Its my latest one, and also one of three I've written since I've been at college.

The Note

I opened up my mailbox.

It was just like any other day.

There were some clouds, some happy times

And often, I didn’t know what to say.

I gave a heavy sigh

And looked down deep inside.

There was a small white envelope

With my name on one side.

It was a very simple note

Plain printed in bold, strong hand.

There was a smudge in one corner

That I don’t think was planned.

I wondered who in the world

Would leave this note for me?

I didn’t know who it could be from

And I wondered, “What could it be?”

So I broke the seal and tore it open

And a card fell from inside.

On the front was a simple flower

But it was my favorite kind.

 I thought “It must have been someone

Who knows me pretty well.”

How they would know to pick my favorite flower

Was more than I could tell.

I picked up the card

And set the envelope aside.

The emotion and nervousness

Was more than I could hide.

I looked both ways

To make sure that no one could see.

But there was not a soul

And I was as alone as I could be.

I opened the card

And I read the first line.

It held my own name

So I was sure it was mine.

I recognized the handwriting

And my heart started to race.

I could hardly sit still

In the same place.

My eyes whizzed through the letter

And this is what I read:

“I know you wouldn’t expect this from me

But it just had to be said.

You are one of my best friends

And I hope that will always be the same.

You brighten a room by walking in,

And I smile when I hear your name.

Please don’t ever change

And I know that I like you.

Will you be my friend forever?”

And there was a signature too…

It was yours!

And my heart was touched.

No one else’s words

Could ever mean so much.

It was just a simple note

But it thrilled my heart.

I knew that a special friendship

Had just had its start.

Make today count!

Always,

~ Amanda ♥

*cringe*

*peeks around the corner to see if anyone is watching her*

*gulps*

*steps out from the long-time shadows*

Voila! I am back! Lol, I'm sure you are wondering where in the world I went. And I'm not going to give you the same old excuse that every college student keeps under their hat about being insanely busy. Sure, its true, but who really wants to here that AGAIN!?!?! So yah, let's just say I have a life and this hasn't been a huge part of it lately.

So what to actually tell you.... There really isn't a whole lot of news that is well..... newsy! I'm not in a relationship, and NO I don't want to be, and NO there is not anyone that I'm interested in. So there, now that we've got everyone's biggest question answered we can move on to more important things.

Like........... umm.......... yah............ well...................

Wow. My life is so busy and yet its boring? Certainly not. God is working in amazing ways on this campus, and this is certainly (and more certainly than ever) where God wants me. Its so amazing every day in chapel because I've never been so convicted by every single message that I hear. In the past, not every message I heard would move me, and in my heart I kind of made fun of those who went forward or applied every message to their life. But I know now how wrong I was to think that way. Every time the Lord speaks through any of the godly men who speak here, it is exactly what He knows I need to work on, and it is something He has specially prepared for me to hear.

Isn't it amazing how God can speak to everyone at the same time, and yet it is exactly what each one needs to hear? Isn't He an Amazing God we serve?

And He is soooooooooooooooooo good to me and in reality, to everyone and in everything. He is in control of every part of our lives, and it is our mistakes or unhappiness with His plan that cause problems in our lives. One thing that He has really been convicting my heart about lately is the fact that I need to be thankful in all things.

Thanksgiving was not too long ago, and I had a really nice time with my family. It was fun and a huge blessing just to spend time and gain wisdom from my uncle and aunt. But it taught me something more. God places things in our lives that we see as bad things, or as trials, as something going wrong. However, He has prepared each one specially for us, and knows that that trial will bring us to Himself. When we come to the end of ourselves, we find Him waiting with open arms and willing to help us whenever we ask.

And He is always there. He never forsakes us.... Isn't that incredible? We can know that no matter what we are going through, and no matter what He has brought in our lives, we are being better prepared for Heaven someday, and to serve Him here on this earth now.

God is so good, and a close walk with Him is truly the sweetest thing on earth. A Christian's heart should and will suffer when he loses fellowship with His Savior. Our God is everything we need, and oh, how much we forget that, and how often we try to do things our way.

So yes, my life has been busy, but through it all, my God is there, and He is taking me through whatever He has for me. I am content to walk with Him, and truly, more than content, because for me it is a privilege to serve the King who loves me and gave His Son for me.

I hope that through the busyness of the Christmas season, you still walk in step with your Lord. He takes the time to love you and guide your life, but any relationship will die if it is only one-sided.

Give God the glory and thanks for everything in your life, even what may seem like bad things. And always, live life on purpose. It isn't an accident that we are here. :)

Make today count!
Always,
~ Amanda ♥

Finally understanding

I came to college knowing that it was the Lord's will for me to be here. There was no doubt in my mind that this was where He wanted me, and I would only be happy right here, right now.

But I still couldn't help wondering why He wanted me here. I knew that He did want me here, I just didn't know why.... I was trusting Him, and I knew that He would take care of all the details involved.

But now I know. ☺ In a service during Pastors' Conference, He spoke to my heart. The speaker said that for a lot of kids that come to Bible college, they go from being a big fish in a small pond to a small fish in a large pond. And sometimes, He is just trying to humble us so that He can use us. I know that is true for me, and it is a lesson I needed to learn.

I'm so thankful for the grace of God and how He is leading me in school here. I am happy here, as much as I miss everyone back home.

Please keep praying for me, and thank you for the blessing you are!

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 ♥

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 ♥