Sigh of Relief
Thank you so much for your sweet prayers and words of encouragement. It is a very great comfort knowing that you all are praying. What a gift!
I just talked to my mom and it turns out they won't leave for the airport until 5:15 a.m. I don't know how we got so mixed up to think it would be 2:30, but at least it made them excited about 5:15!
Please excuse my emotional outburst earlier. I finished weaning Jackson two days ago and my feelings are kind of exaggerated. Please more Spirit, Lord!
posted by Amanda @ 10:09 PM
40 Comments
40 Comments:
Amanda,
Praying that your weaning of your sweet son will go smoothly and that God will fill you with new excitement for Jackson's next "stage."
K in Oklahoma
Hi Amanda, I just said a prayer for safe travels for your mother and father! And I will say a prayer for you too, as I know how emotional it can be when you finish nursing a precious baby!
I love your mom's teaching and I have now done 7 or 8 of her studies. The Lord has honestly dragged me out of some large pits and He has used Beth's bible studies to point me to His Word to get me out of them. Anyhow, I went to the simulcast on Sat. simply because I cannot get enough of the Lord, His Word, Praise Music, Fellowship, I enjoy hearing your mother teach etc... I honestly do not recognize myself as being in a pit of any shape or size right now. But I went and remembered all of those pits that I have been in and prayed with women there about my "lost" friends. I felt so burdened that day for all of them.
Anyhow, one of those friends that I have been worried about (who does not know the Lord and who consequently has given me a hard time about talking about Him too much) stopped me at the park today and asked me if I could explain where her Christian sister, who is sick, is coming from. The sick sister is trusting in Jesus to provide for her needs, even though she is in multiple pits at the moment and having so many problems. So, I gave my friend some scriptures and talked to her about what I had learned at the simulcast. Now she wants me to email those scriptures to her, and she wants to borrow my copy of "Get Out of that Pit" to help her understand her Christian sister more. She wants to get together for coffee so we can talk about what I "think" the Lord can do for her sister (we all know that He can do it ALL but she doesn't understand this.) This is a miracle! This woman has been offended (hate to use that word!) when I have spoken of our precious Lord and Savior before. And now she wants to know more about who He is? How He works? I feel like I am always planting seeds among my friends. Today was the first day that I got to water them! This simulcast equipped me with exactly what I needed today. Praise Him!!!! And thank you Beth, for being faithful!
Oh, those mixed feelings of motherhood! I remember being so sad to be finished nursing...but oh so glad to finally have my body be mine again!
Enjoy the expanded freedom as you get to explore the world with your very own toddler - they are SO much fun!
Amanda, thanks for being transparent with us-something you've picked up from your Mom?!?
My son was weaned at 18 months and the only thing that did the trick was chocolate milk!!!! He wasn't used to waiting so while I made the chocolate milk I shook the cup(to mix the syrup and milk together) and sang "shake it up baby now shake it up baby, Ah, ah ah ah Baby now!" I really put on a show for him which helped him wait!!! He still remembers it - he's 8 yrs old (soon to be 9)and made his first basket in a basketball game tonight!!!!
I would have done a dance , but I embarassed him with standing up and cheering!!!
It brings back such sweet memories.
Amanda,
I completely can understand girlie:-)
It's hard when someone travels and you are left there.
I was telling my friend the other day that 7 yrs ago I remember my Pastor and his wife was going to Europe, and I was soooo anxious.
I PULLED them both by the arm into the prayer center to pray.
I hate leaving anyone that I care about if even for a couple weeks.
It just drives me nuts!
Amanda, I know how you feel! I'm in the process of weaning my 12mo old son Joshua, he turned 1yrs old on the 23 I have him down to twice a day! It makes me feel sad that these are the last times I will be nursing him. I get choked up when I think about it. It's hard to let go! Oh, Wait until he gets married!What a blessing it is to be his Mother! I want you to know I am praying for your parents!
Phillippians 4:8
I have been there and done that! I will continue to pray for ALL of you! :)
Amanda,
Our God is so perfect! He already knew what I was going to pray before I prayed and He answered. I signed up for the 5:00am prayer time over the next few days and this morning I prayed that your mom would be able to rest this morning. He gave her a few more hours of "breathing" room moving the time of departure to 5:15! If this small request has been answered so quickly I cannot wait to see His power work over the next week! Please keep us posted so that we can see the fruit of our intercessions on your moms behalf.
Carrie
PS- Don't apologize for being emotional, it is who we are!
You sweet one, don't be concerned about emotional outburts. Your candidness reveals your sincerity and we love it.
The relationship you have with your mom is the most precious thing. For those of us who don't have that, do you mind if we just pretend we're your sista? :))
Praying for Beth to be physically 'Energized as Elijah'. :) Can't wait to take this study!
Ohhhhhh,,,weaning!!! Yes, I shall try to make you smile.
I heard the scream of my 13 year old this morning. MOMMMMMMMMMMMM!!! Why is my fish in the bath tub???
Oh, that's because the cable guy was here yesterday and I had to hide the dirty fish bowl because it had pond scum on the top of the water. She was cool with that. Then she called me "blonde"!!!!!!!
Amanda you are allowed emotional outburts. I remember taking the bottle away from my oldest son and it broke my heart. It was harder on me than on him. My second child could have cared less. (they are as different as night and day) I signed up to pray for Beth at 6:00 a.m. and I God woke me up at 5:27, to be exact, (lol) I prayed for them and you and Melissa. I am glad for the extra time Beth got this morning! I am believing they won't have any jet lag. To the flesh that sounds crazy but with God ALL things are possible! Have a blessed and peaceful day!
Love,
Patty
Can I add one more thing? My best friend called me this morning and told me their cat died during the night. They have 3 girls, and all four of them need your prayers. I know we have talked alot about our animals and this was the coolest cat. His name was Sinatra. When we used to watch Beth's studies at her home the cat would come in the room with us and get on top of the t.v. and bend his head down and watch Beth. I have never seen anything like it in my life. He would take his paw and touch the screen. I think he was playing with Beth! Thank you sistas for your prayers.
I had the privilege of praying the 5 0’clock hour this morning, and it was a time of blessing, commissioning, and joy in the Lord for your mother and dad, Amanda, and for you. Last night we talked about living wisely in Proverbs, and the one thing that hit me was sacrificial giving is what the Lord would like to see from me. Ten percent for some doesn’t make you have to cut out any other thing to know you are truly giving to the causes of the Lord’s. YOU, sweet Amanda, know the cost well of sacrificial giving in being a daughter of parents who love you dearly, and know this is your heritage, and are willing to sow seeds for the Lord obediently as they are called. My prayers this morning were for them and the work they will be doing, for safety, and for their health. My prayers today are for you and Melissa, for your comfort and joy in serving the Lord with sacrificial joy. I am going to send a picture to you on your blog from the Holy Land of my daughter riding on a camel. Maybe you can picture yourself overlooking Jerusalem and seeing the mighty work God is doing through your dear parents. Go hug your child, and know His blessing this day.
I'm 24 and still act that way with my mom! Don't you dare apologize! Hopefully you receive encouragement when you come... still praying for you and your parents :)
alicia
Don't apologize for you emotional call for prayer. Any time someone is being used by God to set captive, pit dwellers free---Satan wants to take them out. Who knows but that God put that feeling in your heart so that you would call for prayer and those prayers allowed plans of Satan to be diverted. We will find out when we get to heaven. We know you love your Mom---we do too.
Emotion that comes from deep love is good and was FOR your Mom and Dad...Agape. I had a hard night sleeping, every time I was awake, I was praying for each one going to film...makes me wonder just what God is up to...also makes me think that maybe three cups of coffee after 7pm may be a no-no. Weaning is hard...I will be praying for you. It does makes room for more, though!
Blessings sister,
Holly
I had to go to the website first thing to see if you had heard from your mom. I have been praying off and on since last night, and I can almost feel the Body of Christ praying along with me. I hope you continue to feel His presence with you and know that He is with your mom and dad, too. Peace to you all. Love to you, Sista!
Amanda, I'm sure I speak for all the sistas here when I say -- DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT! We've all been there. (Personally, I had a miscarriage 2 days ago. I'm a bit weepy and emotional myself.) One of my favorite things about this blog is that you and your Mom are very real, just like us women on the other side of the screen. We laugh, we cry, we get weary and frustrated. But, most importantly, we also share Christ, and we walk this path together, as women who desire to live with God filling our every moment. God's grace has you -- and your parents -- covered, sweet one.
Praying for you Amanda, as well as for your parents. I only nursed my last child and I remember feeling so sad. It was such a precious moment we shared each day and it did take a little while to adjust. Hang in there!
Oh, hon! I feel ya! I just weaned my son a few weeks ago and it was a really rough emotional few days. Didn't realize it would hit me as hard as it did. You're permitted a bit of emotional flailing here and there!
((Hugs))
you are precious..
so i guess before that news your parents were praying Please More Sleep!!! :)
I am praying for you and your mother and your whole family. I send a prayer of thanks to God for all of you. For the sacrifices you make so that your mom can teach us. May God watch over you all. May he delight your mothers heart with new revelation and understanding about himself as she teaches. May an awareness of his presence be every before all of you and his delight in your family be a reality in your hearts. May you feel his affection toward you.May he make his face to shine upon you and you feel it. The verse that stuck out while I was praying this morning was Ps 81:10 , I asked him as Beth opens her mouth wide to teach us that he would fill it . I also asked that as she waits upon him in prayer that he would renew her strength and she would come back more refreshed than when she left. I will continue to keep her and all of you in my prayers. God bless you all.
Amanda,
You have as many emotional outbursts with us as you want! It's a GREAT place to have one and many of us know what it's like to wean a baby. That's a REALLY hard thing to do. It's my please more spirit time too! I HATE IT!
Love you sista,
Kristi
Oh, weaning is hard. Hang in there!
And, yes, chocolate milk certainly made the transition easier for my youngest--and for me. There nothing like a little chocolate for breakfast--it just starts the day off right!
I was up early this morning and when I made it to the point of praying for your folks I looked up--exactly 6 o'clock, the time I signed up to pray!
I prayed for time and space to rest and enjoy being together and being still with no place to go. So I guess when it comes to the plane and overly full flights, I'm praying for empty seats around them: "Please more space!"
Amanda, I have had the same feelings that you have had when your mom was leaving, only they were about my sweet daughter leaving for a coupel of mission trips to Romania...Good grief! I have gotten better, thank the good Lord because this year we are moving from where we have been for 25 years and she is staying to attend a state school...more to come on that!! I wanted to comment on the simalcast. Our church hosted over 200 women. The Holy Spirit did an amazing work in that room. I don't think that there was dry eye in the auditorium. The expectations were high and God met them where they were. I know of 3 people coming forward to recieve Jesus. Many came to pray. The weeks leading upto that day were interesting for me...I had been struggling with something that I thought I had put to rest and I cried to God day after day, I had no idea what the book was about, or the steps that were listed to help me. I went to my pastor ( I am in leadership and I was embarrassed that I would have to confesss this "thing") He helped me to understand and he encouraged me...then I went to God again and called it sin, and dealt with it. I realized that this was from the pit of hell, and God was going to help me release it. After we set up for the simalcast and went home, rather late, I had one of your moms books with me so I could look through it in case there were any questions on Saturday...lets just say I got to bed late...I sat in my kitchen and wept...I was free. God was able to use this servant on Saturday. I had had a personal encounter with the pit,and I was out.Please pass this on to her. I know from the tears of following her that she has not always been as transparent...this was the time for it and she was used in a mighty way. God bless you dear one.
Woman!!! ( think Frozone in the Incredibles :)) Don't you dare apologize for letting us have a peek at your heart!:) ( said with a great big smile ) It is that transparency which unites us, banishes FEAR and UNTRUTH hemmed in by facades. It is delightful to read. Really. I LOVE IT! You sound like David. He ranted and raved and wept and cried out all the time and we are better for it. Thanks for your honesty Amanda, it's what makes Jesus shine right out of you. Much love in Him, Julie B Tucson
No apologies necessary! We sistas know what you are going through. It has been 15 yrs. since my youngest weaned himself (earlier than I had planned), I was so sad. Those memories of that time spent with my children are so precious to me.
It is awesome to be praying with hundreds of ladies around the country!
Praying for Kelly
Praying for the precious girls whose kitty died.
Ha! Amanda, you can have all the emotional outbursts you need! If you didn't have us to cry to, you'd probably burst! Weaning really is an exciting thing. Your son is growing, just as he should, and you both are heading for greater adventures in life-like potty training!! :)
Amanda - don't worry about feeling like that for your mom - it just shows how much you care about her. I still want my "Mommy" when I'm sick, and I'm 38! I will pray for their safe travel and for you weaning your son. I've done that 4 times now and it's emotional each time. Enjoy his being a toddler - the "age of exploration" as we all it at my house.
Karen in TX
Dear Amanda,
I totally understand how you are feeling and you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I had the opportunity of visiting the Israel a few years ago, and was struck how at home I felt in Jerusalem! It was indeed a blessing to 'walk where Jesus walked', and the experience will remain with me forever.
Blessings,
Barbara
amanda-praying at 9am. received this Word last night at Bible study & this morning i had a card fall from my Bible not once but twice w/ this same verse written on it. "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Phil 2:13. can't help but pray this Word thru for beth and all this morning. what a relief to remember it is God who works in you- even our will along with our actions according to His good purpose.
apology for expressing weakness? here's a great reminder in 2cor12:9
amanda-oohh let Christ's power rest on you-so you can keep up with that little guy as he'll really start to explore his world this year! :)
bless you-lisa
hey-it's snowing at the beach
As a mom, I love your feelings about your mom!
I find I enjoy reading what you write just as much as your mom's writing on the blog, too.
Girl, don't you dare apologize! I do understand what you mean about emotions. Our sermon Sunday was about not storing up our treasures here on earth but storing them in
heaven. My daughter, Morgan, is 20 months and I felt prompted to clean out the attic in keeping with the sermon...well anyway I cried looking at all of her small clothes and I wanted to save all of them. Sometimes I hate being a girl! I still know why it says that Mary pondering these things in her heart...We sure know it wasn't Joseph pondering and crying over Jesus' baby clothes :)!
-jenny williams, pelham al
Amanda,
I am in the midst of dropping that last feeding as well. My son will be one next week. I am so excited but oh how I wish these emotions would get under control(oh, am I supposed to be apart of that? HAHA). My husband was just asking last night if I was sure it was time to stop nursing.
May the Lord's grace be on all those we encounter for a few weeks. All in all the outbursts are just ways for us to bond with one another through prayer and understanding of what we are going through. You are not alone Amanda because your sister here in the ATL is going through a portion of what you are and I hear you loud and clear!
I signed up to pray for your parents, and God is already answering prayers! My parents were missionaries and went on frequent trips overseas for two weeks at a time. This is before the days of e-mails and cell-phones, which basically makes me "old". Anyway, I remember crying almost every time ( even when I was older). I relate well-
Don't let that fear come a-knocking! I will pray for you also- I love the fact that you are willing to be vulnerable, it just makes you more lovable! Keep stepping into your destiny as a child of the King! God Bless!
Amanda - It was the greatest privilege of my life to go to Israel in March 2000 for the filming of Jesus, the One and Only. I'd made the mistake of showing my (then) 9 year old granddaughter where I was going on a world map. Much like you with your Mom, she had a HARD time seeing her Gran leave to go so far away. Because of her love and tears, my heart was doubly tendered towards the children of the Holy Land. Jewish or Arab - it made no difference - they melted my heart.
One evening on my way to the next taping session I was stopped in my tracks by an adorable Jewish toddler who ran right across my path as she hurried towards her waiting father. Her little arms were upstretched and she was joyfully crying out, "Abba, Abba." This simple little encounter became for me one of the most profoundly holy moments of my life.
My "grandmother's heart" was incredibly drawn to this precious little girl and the Spirit of God used what I had seen in the physical realm to show me what I needed to more fully understand in the spiritual realm. He spoke clearly to my heart of the great tenderness of affection He has for me and how He longs for me to call out to Him and pursue Him the way that little one was pursuing her Abba. It still brings tears to my eyes today. My spirit is indelibly seared with the memory of that scene and God's revelation.
What joy it will be to pray for your mom and dad during this trip!
Beverly Wooley, Tupelo, MS
Dear Amanda.
Do you understand that letting us in was a gift to all of us? How very brave, and very compassionate of you. Thank you, and God bless you!
Just a year ago, I remember nursing my third and last child for the last time as she went to sleep on her first birthday. I'm having a good cry now just thinking about it. It's so precious, but God is opening a door to a new stage for you and Jackson, and he is tenderly holding both of you as you enter into it.
Thanks again for reaching out, Amanda. We love you like we love your mother, and we're praying for both of you.
Chris
Amanda,
Don't feel bad.... I cry everytime I have to throw clothes out because my son has outgrown them. Go figure....!!!
When I weaned my son after a year old... it was because he bit me several times..do you think God was saying something?? LOL
You will so enjoy the next phase of his life....
Cry.... and then you will move on when it's time.. and then you'll cry again...
Love ya in the Lord Sister....
Connie
Rome, Georgia
Hi All,
My sister just told me about a story she just heard on the radio, and I just had to share it with you. I apologize, as I probably don't have all the details correct, but you'll get the gist of it. There was a church recently that decided to take some extra sandwiches left over and feed the homeless. The only thing was that they only had 30 sandwiches. They were afraid that they may get there to find out that they would not have enough to feed those that were hungry. They decided just to put their faith in the Lord and trust that He would take care of it. They thought, well maybe there will only be 30 people who need them. Well, they got to the site and started handing out the sandwiches, and handed out over 200. Over 200 people were fed with those 30 sandwiches! After everyone was fed, they still had leftovers! Does this story sound familiar? Who says that God does not perform miracles today like we saw with the 5 loaves and 2 fish! I got goosebumps when I heard this. I often find myself not trusting God like I should when reality seems that something is just impossible. Isn't it great to know that God is not bound by our "reality" and that ALL THINGS are possible with Him! "To Him who can do IMMEASUREABLY more than all we can ask or imagine" Eph.3:20
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