A Camp Do-Over
Don't you love it when God gives you a do-over? He has graciously given me MANY do-overs, and my most recent was at camp last week. This camp was for the church I grew up in - where I got saved, where I got married, where I interned in college, and where I served with my husband for our first year of marriage. Last year we kicked off our summer with this very same camp. Curt had been invited to be the camp speaker and we were so honored and excited. Since college, I had been at that camp as a co-counselor and then as a counselor with my eighth grade Sunday School girls. I was used to running around with my middle school girls, getting really muddy on the rec field, enjoying worship and the Word, and getting to witness God's work in the hearts of these kids. Some of my favorite memories happened there. I always left with a new picture of God in my mind and joy in my heart.
When I returned last year as a nursing mom of a three-month-old, it was just a little different! Now my eighth graders were all grown up and old enough to be co-counselors. The baton had been passed. It rained the entire time and Jackson and I were largely confined to our room. It seemed like just when the sun came out or something fun or meaningful started to happen, it was time to go back to my room and feed him or let him nap. I was still very new to motherhood and my insides were still grasping for my old freedoms. That is a frustrating time for new moms. Once that dies it's a lot easier. I was also struggling with being around old friends with my new baby for the first time. I wanted to look like I had this motherhood thing down. Ha! Even if that were true, I was so thrown off by the rhythms of camp that any semblance of having it together was out the window.
Needless to say, camp was a struggle. Isolation and self-pity set in and I became what I hate most in myself...the needy wife. Just what every camp speaker needs, right? Gross! I'd been defeated.
When Curt was invited back this year I was determined not to go with him. I had one of my best friends praying for me because I was having such a hard time with the thought of going back. God worked on my heart and I eventually changed my mind.
I'm so thankful that God gave us the opportunity to go back this year. I still didn't get to play on the rec fields, have meaningful conversations with kids, or experience much of worship and the Word, but my heart was different. I decided to enjoy fellowship with old friends rather than use that time to "prove myself." I decided to let my husband be free and not make him feel guilty for having fun when I had to be in the room. I decided to take advantage of Jackson's nap time and early bed times and catch up on sleep and some good reading. God gave me victory over self-pity, over the desire for old freedoms, over isolation, and over being a needy wife. He redeemed the personal failure that last year was for me. I walked away with joy and not shame. Praise be to our God who loves to redeem, who loves to get glory through second chances.
To our delight, my parents got to swing by camp on their way home from the Life Today taping. The 400-something of you who commented on the PMS post might be relieved to know that they seemed as happy as ever. He must have called. And Mom's probably getting really excited about her own do-over in a few weeks.
posted by Amanda @ 9:10 AM
85 Comments
85 Comments:
Well, praise God, Amanda. What I am learning so much in my life right now is how the Lord is so faithful to teach us, if we would just be willing students. It isn't that this shift into motherhood and the newness of all of this isn't difficult for you still, but that you are willing and open to see God's goodness in this new stage is what the journey with the Lord is all about.
Praising God for your Do-Over!
-Nicole
From a sister that's so thankful for the many do-overs & second,third, fourth, you-get-the-picture chances I've been given. Thanks be to God!
Amanda,
My oldest is now ten (so hard to believe) but I still remember that pull, ok ripping, that took place in me while trying to give up my freedoms. Thank you for expressing that process so sweetly.
I praise God for giving you a do over and for removing that shame, to quote what has become one of my favorite verses, that I first heard from your mom, Is.61:7a Instead of your shame you shall have double honor.. I think God wants to heap honor on us as moms and I praise Him for all the do-overs He has blessed me with!
Have a Blessed day!
How do you get over the wanting your old life back? I have 2 kids and I still struggle with that!
Hooray for second chances, for redemption, for humbled hearts willing to try again!! God is good when we let Him work, no?
I have a baby just a couple of months older than Jackson plus one on the way. I can completely relate to needy wife syndrome. I suffered through that a lot in the beginning, but your right it does pass.
Thank you so much for sharing this, for opening yourself up to the struggles this phase of life has for us young moms!
Glad your weekend was a victorious one!
Love,
Kim
Hey Amanda, welcome back!
I know all about do-overs, and being needy(yuk), and children that will not work with my schedule. LOL But I wouldn't trade the learning experience or the Grace I have learned to receive from it. My children are 22, 15, and 11. They don't need me as much right now, but when they do, they want my world to stop yesterday! Love them dearly, and try to remember at the hardest times to be thankful for the gift of life the Lord has given me.
Glad to hear your parents are doing well and all smiles! I knew they would, I just understood the whole thing all to well. Praying for you all at LPM...and I don't mind vacations and all that..just for crying out loud come back!
God is good...ALL THE TIME!
(PS can't wait to see your mom in RI-traveling from PA for that one!)
Amanda,
I praise God that you are such a lovely, young woman. It took me so much longer to learn some of the lessons you are getting high marks in now! Praise God, He doesn't give up on us slow learners! He has allowed me to take a few tests multiple times....
Thankfully, I am an old(er) dog who can still learn a new trick.
God bless you Little Sister,
Tammy
Amanda- What a blessing you are to all of us young moms out here going through the same struggles. Your words truly speak to my heart and it's like they are coming from my OWN HEAD! I relate completely to everything you said. It's so nice to know that it is "normal" to have these thoughts and struggles. Praise God for all He is teaching us through the transition into motherhood.
Girl, I'm getting a do-over right now! Three years ago I got married and moved to Houston. During that three years I was a bitter mess of not being where I wanted to be, not having friends, and angry at my circumstances. (Well, Tuesday night Bible Study was a plus!) About seven weeks ago my husband was offered a job in Northern Kentucky. I'm being given a do-over. I'm not totally happy about starting over again, but I'm trusting God with my attitude to be better during this move of adjustments than it ever was before.
Excited, perhaps, that she had the forethought to buy two huge economy boxes and won't need to visit THE aisle again for some time! I'd say that it's almost worth the extra cost to mail order them from netgrocer!
Thank you Amanda I needed this today.
Bless Beth and Keith :)
And I love that my God is a God of do-overs...
He CAN make ALL things new. May we cease being defined by our past, and start believing and walking in the newness of creation that He has already deemed us. We ARE His redeemed and chosen ones. He has reached out His nail scarred hand, ready to Repair, Restore, and Revive. You are Life oh Lord!
Amanda,
So glad to hear about your victory. I remember much of those same feelings. My husband and I got a early start and he was a full time college student when we had our first child. I was nine months pregnant with child # 3 when he finished school.Between throwing up for much of each pregnancy, nursing babies and changing diapers I felt like the odd man (siesta) out. My husband was a great help but he also is an adventure addict. I think he was taking classes in school he didn't even need to graduate (like scuba diving!). The Lord was so good to me b/c he turned my job into a joy. He turned burdens into blessings by His great and mighty work of grace. He showed me a mama's love can go even deeper still.
Much love,
Kara
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing your heart with us today. God is so gracious to give us another chance to "get it right". Sometimes I have needed more than a second chance. God has been faithful to give me plenty of chances to learn much needed lessons.
Your candidness truly blessed my heart. As I read your post I was reminded of some of the same lessons you mentioned. Santification is a process. I am so thankful God only gives us one day at a time to learn to walk by faith...one day at a time is all we can handle.(mine)
~HUGS~ :)
Thanks. I'm not a mom, but I've been bummed 'cause I don't have all that (the proverbial biological syndrome). I guess this just showed me there is struggle on both sides, but the Lord has us right where we are.
Many blessings to ya!
Praise God you were defeated enough not to struggle but to pray and what a wonderful defeat you wrought from the enemy...you enjoyed fellowship, your husband and son, and gor to catch up on needed rest and read!!!! What better victory is there? Hoping everyone will wrest that kind of victory from a week at camp!!!!
What a thoughtful post. I too have had times like this. One of the Bible studies your mom did where she did the picture of the empty vase and the living water that is the only thing that fills in all the spaces was a real eye opener. I have asked everybody to fill my needs - instead of allowing God to overflow them with more of Him.
Thanks for this great testimony.
Good for you! Thank you Jesus!
i forgot to finish with"so now i am TOTALLY nosy about the 2-week do-over??????? can you give us a clue??????"
I needed that. I am struggling so much to get along with my husband and it is hard to have any expectations and things not turn out like you think. I was in the hospital yesterday and I have viral meningitis. I feel so needy and isolated. I have to remember that God is El Roi the God who sees me and that He will never leave me or forsake me.
I dont have family near so I it is so hard to take care of my punkin when I am sick.
Good for you! What a great story of VICTORY! And, I am sure you encouraged lots of new moms and wives with your complete honesty.
This post made me sing a few verses of the hymn "Victory in Jesus"...Amen!
Noel
Yuma, AZ
:-)
Amanda,
Thanks for being honest with us. We all as moms have felt (feel) this way.
After I read your comments the first thing I thought of was what a precious example you are to those young girls who are watching you model being a faithful wife and mother. You may never know the impact your obedience has had this past week. We can teach and talk about some things over and over, but for these girls and others to see you model this, will make a huge impact.
Glad to know your mom and dad were all smiles :) and so glad they were able to stop by and see you all. God bless you, Amanda!
Praise God for one do-over in my life after another! And thank you for sharing this -- what a great God to not only give you a do-over but to make you so very aware of it in the process. I'm wondering about all of the do-overs I've had in my life that for whatever reason I may have missed or forgot to thank Him for!
"Oh, Most High God, thank You, thank You, thank You for being rich in love, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy!!"
This is my first attempt at "blogging"! I am a mother of two boys under the age of three and I feel that way quite a bit and it is good to know there are others out there feeling the same way and working on not feeling sorry for ourselves! I just finished Beth's book "Get out of that pit" and that is one pit I have thrown myself into that I am begging God to pull me out of along with many others!! I wanted to let you all know I have been so blessed by all that you do and will continue to do and the encouragement you give to all of us "siestas" out here!!
Thank you all so much and God bless you all each and every day!!
Sacha
How refreshing!! Thank you for sharing, Amanda! I've said it before, but I'll say it again: thank you for taking us along on the journey with you! You're a real inspiration, lady!
I'm in a Do-Over season of my life as well, and it's a breath of the freshest air I've ever tasted!
Be blessed, lady! =)
Amanda,
I can totally relate! I wrote earlier describing our last 3 summers at camp with our 2 kids. We did have a treat that was wonderful, though. My husband's parents came to camp this year on Wed. at lunch, and took our 2 kids to have some fun with Grandma and Grandad. That left me and Andrew to enjoy camp the way we did B.C. (Before Children)Anyhow, it was a blast the last couple of days alone being kids all over again ourselves! We are blessed indeed!
Congrats on your do-over! God is good!
Holly, Georgia
besides a do-over, i would call it maturing and a new season of life. i can literally name the seasons of my life and how the lord worked in each to bring me to a point of needed change and perspective for that time. a time of raising my children, a time of sending them off to college and just as i thot i would have more me-time only discover both parents with cancer, a time of care-giving for l0 years till the Lord called them home, a time of personal set-backs like major surgery right after heavy duty caregiving for them, a time for now delighting in my new 3 grandchildren, and soon within a month i believe the biggest season of all - the retirement of my husband.
the Lord uses each season to teach me new scripture and new maturity in Him, and now for over a year, through prayer of my own and friends on my behalf, the Lord is indeed changing my heart attitude too - so much so that i am actually not looking at the negative, for example -him interferring in my personal space (the house and my home-business)- but rather i am actually excited about what the Lord has in store for me with a new perspective. i am thankful i usually look for alternatives to the negative and the Lord has always been faithful.
i am so glad you too did that and got much needed rest and personal time. i have learned to do that almost every day - alternatives. just rememeber to always always, take personal time each day to sit and rest or read and once in a while a hunk of time even if just a whole day. i wish someone would have taught me way back in first years of marriage to balance all but with the Lords guidance and depth of experience in Him i now feel like i could write a book.
i am praising the Lord for a great experience for you this past week.
Loved this post and LOVE our God of do-overs!
I can totally identify with the feelings you went through your first year there with Jackson. The first three months of my daughter's life were definitely, well, painful. And I wasn't even trying to "show-off" for old friends! ;) I am so glad this year was a time of real rest, retreat, and reflection for you.
Blessings,
Megan
Thank you for your sweet real-ness experiences - as a mother of three - I LOVE the grace of second chances! God is so gracious - I love your humility....thank you for your heart!
I love God and I love second and 500 hundred chances with God. I also thank God for do-overs. It's just like our Mighty, Loving God to bestow on us such love and compassion to let us have another chance to do the (thang) right! I am so thrilled that you had a great time at camp and that you got to have a do-over. Thank you for sharing that with us and how great that your mom and dad got to drop by camp! Have a blessed week!
Love,
Patty
Oddly enough I have a VERY similar re-do story from last week. Last summer was my 4th summer as a counselor at a summer camp and I believed it to be my last one. I ended up having a difficult cabin during for my last week of overnight camp and though I'm a tough cookie, I got really discouraged. It turns out that the Lord's sending me overseas for a month this summer, but last week I got the oppurtunity to go back to camp for just one week since they needed extra staff. I asked the Lord for a do-over last-week-of-camp and BOY did I get it! I had a wonderful week of fellowship, worship, and time with the Lord. My heart was also ready prepared to have an amazing week with my girls as well. I couldn't have asked for a better "do-over"
I had been in Boone with Beth the weekend before camp and asked the Asher Blessing from the Lord each day. I saw Him work and use that very blessing to make that week glorifying to His name!
Thank you Jesus.
Amanda, Thank you so much for your transparent honesty. Motherhood is challenging and sometimes we hate to admit some of that. I know your words are ministering to many right now...God Bless you! Praise God for His persistence in working in our hearts, for His unmerited favor and His gracious, abounding love!! In Christ's love, joyfully, Kim in Pa
What I meant by her do-over is that she'll get to do-over her PMS in a few weeks. That's something we get to do over and over and over!
Hallelu YAH, Amanda. Praising Him for stooping down to feed you this week...you are precious to Him. I think that even if you didn't have one conversation about the Lord...you MODELED Him to those and they noticed. Oh yeah! I know they saw something in you and Jackson that stirred their hearts for God. No doubt about it.
Hi Amanda,
Some of my fondest memories come from the three summers I spent at a residential camp serving as a counselor. I loved every minute of it. As much as I loved working at camp, I think do-overs are even better than that. As for having it all together, every time I think I have it all together, I forget where I put it.
Now - to the anonymous sister who is struggling with wanting her old life back - Amanda, I hope it's okay for me to comment because I think my current struggle might help this sister. I'm sitting in my new den which used to be my newly married son's bedroom. The tears are very close to the surface - a regular occurance these days. I can't come into this room without wondering where the years went. I'm not yet an empty nester as our youngest son is still at home, but he's an adult so technically, my husband and I have our old life back. As a mom who has moved from the hands-on to the prayer-on phase of parenting, I have this to say to new moms. Embrace the role of motherhood cherish every momemt with your little ones, and give thanks to God for them every day. While it is true that this too shall pass, (middle of the night feedings and doctor visits will not last forever)I'm here to tell you that it passed too quickly for me.
I pray for your family and for Living Proof misnistry every day because I too am living proof that God transforms lives.
Love and blessings to all of you,
A Prayer Warrior
I am glad to hear that you had a good time. Do-overs are awesome and worth a hearty amount of praise.
Amanda - Thank you so much for putting on paper how I felt as a new mom! And a nursing new mom at that. I honestly thought I was a new mom failure until I read your post today!!! Why oh why do we refuse to talk about how hard it is to "give up the old freedoms"? HUGS to you!
As a mom of an 8th Grader this next school year. I sure do love women like you who pour themselves into these girls.
Thanks for sharing your true heart. As I moved to another country with my new baby, I remember the same feelings. I was not a person who was used to staying home. But when I got to a country where it was not convenient to go around town, couldn't speak the language, and my baby was a napper, that was all out the door. Your son will be blessed with a mother that is full of joy as her husband is working for the Lord. He was so gracious to reveal the intentions of your heart and you were able to repent. Out of experience, when you don't, the bitter seed of resentment starts to grow and there is no good fruit from it.
Thank you Father for you discipline , Jesus Son of David, have mercy on us mothers as we seek to teach our children, love our husbands, and honor the gospel message.
Your mom has taught me that God is the God of "again". So true! I'm so glad that I've learned that. Although, I'm STILL learning it too. Being a mom of an infant is so hard. Especially your first one. I'm glad you're doing better this year. Probably no post-pardom depression to go along with it this year either. That seems to make it so much worse.
love you sister,
Kristi
Hi Amanda and Beth!
Thank God for Do-Overs!
Thank God for Sistas!!!
-Angie
Amanda, what you described is what I felt 31 years ago when I had my first-born, but I didn't know what was going on with me at the time. It's great to know I was normal, even if 31 years later. Thank God my children survived childhood dispite me! You're a great mom and wife. God bless you.
YEA, GOD! Hoping your view of life is a little sweeter since camp. God is faithful in all things, and His redemption is perfect always. Look how many people you have witnessed to over this blog!!! To God be the glory for His mercy and grace!
God bless you, Curt and Jackson.
How awesome to see that at work in your life, as well as for you to allow the Lord to teach you. I was in that same boat with my now 6 year old when he was born. He was 2 and a half months old when we went to Captiva Island, FL with my family, a yearly tradition.
There I am, in my post-pregnancy body, barely 3 months after having a baby...did I mention we were at the BEACH? Not only with my family, but with all of their country club, perfect-bodied friends. We arrive. My mom went to the grocery store, my husband is with my dad and brother getting the boat situated, and I am INSIDE while my son naps. I sat and cried. Like you, the following year I didn't want to go and wanted to give way to my self-pity. Shaken by the Lord, I went and did the very things you did. Enjoyed nap time, going to bed early, brief times outside, etc. I read my Bible and took time to spend it with God while enjoying the view from the porch. As a word of encouragment to you as you possibly have more children, the second one is easier! :)
Remember that there are seasons Amanda...the infant season, the toddler season, the elementary season. They don't last forever and are all learning times. Don't feel bad about your first year at camp. Those feelings and reactions were normal for a new mom. :-)
Beth...
Off topic, but could you share the stuff you were going to share with us about the Proverbs study you taught. We are dying to know over here!
More importantly...was your "pale" appreciated? Ha ha!
I love the peace in your "voice." Thanks for sharing!
Amanda, it is a joy to begin to read your comments. I feel almost like I have watched (at least read) you grow up; from Things Pondered thorough various Bible studies. Yes, thank God for do overs; I certainly have had lots of failures to try for a "do over" about. Glenda in Mississippi
well, praise the Lord that we get new beginnings or do overs otherwise I would have been in trouble a long time ago...thank goodness God has lots of patience..cause believe me when I come along He needs it. so glad to see how God is working in you amanda.
blessings and hugs
Tammy
Thank you, Amanda, for your honest post.... as the wife of a youth pastor.... as we head into summer scheduling and camping season.... it was such an amazing reminder to me. While I love being the mom of little ones, I feel like I'm constantly battling to surrender my own will (and selfishness!) This post was a great reminder to me to not revert back to my "needy wife" ways! THANK YOU!
Praise God for Do-Overs!
My husband is a collegiate minister and we have 3 little girls...I SO relate! This was good for me to read at the beginning of summer. Hopefully I will apply it!
Kecia in Arkansas
Good for you! I am glad things went better. I like looking back on those sweet times as a new mom with my firstborn...but I remember how tough it could be to adjust at times. It is nice when you get into the groove, so to speak, and realize that you are still the same woman, but now you are a woman and a mother! It just adds a new dimension to us :).
Thanks, Amanda. I recently within the last year received a gracious deliverance from some things I had struggled with since being a pre-teen...mostly a mess of stories and lies the devil led me to believe were true about myself. He has been trying to get me in that place again here recently and I've been fighting it with everything I've got.
Thanks for reminding me of my "do-over" season and for the encouragement I needed to keep pressing forward. You are a treasure. :)
I usually don't comment on here, but I still read these and felt the need to just say, "Thanks" for this great post. Keep it up, Amanda!
Thank God for do-overs! And, as someone who is very much wanting a baby right now (the timing isn't right) it was good to get some more insight into what it will really be like! Helps me appreciate what I do have during this newlywed, pre-baby season.
I think God keeps his finger constantly on the rewind button with me. I can relate to your post because it took me several years and 3 kids to finally get the lesson you learned. With a husband in the ministry I have a feeling you'll have a lot of chances to perfect this lesson.
Amanda,
Thank you for sharing about your week. It turned out to be a lesson for us. A reminder that God is so kind to us and when we fail or struggle with something that He will give us another chance to do it right. A do over. I had forgotten that concept so I was glad for the review. Thank you.
This may be off the subject a little, but I just realized that the teachings I'm listening to are from your Living Proof Live events. What a blessing that, though I've only attended one in person, that I can vicariously attend them all. I have been listening to them all year and am on The Lord God Made Woman. Thank you for making so much teaching available. I use them for my own devotions.
Yes, Thank God for do-overs! A few years ago I accompanied our church youth to Falls Creek near Davis, OK. My two older children were in the youth and my youngest was staying with a friend for the weekend. My oldest daughter had to be home for cheerleading camp in the middle of the week and we were going to have to drive back early. She was so upset she had to miss the latter half of camp that week, but had made the committment to cheer camp months earlier. So... There we were. I was so torn because I was working with an older group of high school girls and so thrilled to see God working in their lives that week. I really wanted to be there. Well, I drove Brittany back on Wednesday and she made haste finding a friend on the cheer squad to stay with. I drove back that night and got to experience the most wonderful things the latter part of that week. I encouraged some of the older youth to do a foot washing for the adult leaders. There was teaching on it and it turned out to be very meaningful. We totally surprised the youth pastor. God was so good that week.
I had two very wonderful moments that week. The first was with one of "my girls" who I knew to be saved and very godly. I had attended an evangelism class for the leaders and was assigned the task of sharing the gospel with three people before the next class. Well, I got my son, my husband and I asked Chelsea. She readily agreed. We talked a little afterward and she was very good at making me feel at ease. After the alter call I came out of the encouragement room I was working in where I led three girls in praying to receive Christ and was almost sent rolling back down the hill I had just climbed up. Chelsea came flying out of the cabin and jumped up to hug me as I topped the hill. She said, "Mrs. Michelle, Mrs. Michelle I received Christ as my Lord and Savior." I was at a loss... "Chelsea, I thought you were already saved?" She laughed and said, "Me, too... Me, too... but lately God has really been talking to me about whether or not I was really saved and when you shared that tract with me tonight I knew. At the end of the service I went down and received Christ." Chelsea graduated from high school last year, she was also a good friend to my son who died the year before. This year she is engaged and next year she will be married. I will never in a million years forget that night.
The second opportunity was quieter, as I was in the cabin laying down for a rest while the kids were at recreation I noticed the sounds of someone in the cabin. It was a middle school girl, she was reading her Bible. She didn't generally hang out with the kids in our youth group but instead she kept to herself. She was reading her Bible about the Hall of Faith. She came over to where I was and shared about what she was reading. I was so excited because my Bible study had just covered a little bit of what was in the passage she had read. I opened my study and began to share with her what we had learned. We made a really good connection that week. Even singing one of the songs acapella in the cabin together. I successfully kept the girls dorm from getting pranked by the guys, and the girls pranked the guys pretty good. The girls who did not participate in the prank hid me and my stuff so that I would not get pranked since I was a target for locking the boys out of their dorm. It was crazy fun. We had a few injuries during pranking and horseplay, but mostly we just had fun! I am going to children's camp with some of the after school kids I work with this year! That, too, is very exciting.
Blessings,
Michelle Bentham
thanks,Amanda, for the "do-over"info..so maybe the best thing for her is to follow your example..no struggle..just pray, enjoy the fellowship of her husband,daughters and GRANDSON, catch up on some rest and READ! God is GOOD!
boy! Anonymous of the bitter seed of resentment line said it all thank you for sharing!!!!! I often am not too thrilled when the Lord is Gracious enough to show me my heart so that i can repent ...You have said it all so PLAINLY!! Praise God!
Amanda,
Thanks so much for being real! I need examples of this in my life desperately and God again provided that in your blog. I am in the same boat as you-except I am about to get my second chance in July. My husband and I are doing college ministry and I had a similar experience at camp last year. I am determined to be okay with where I am positioned because God has ordained it. Motherhood is the best calling. I often forget that. I did not want to go back this year either but my husband wants us too. So I am with a 5 year old and 3 year old. As you read this please lift up a prayer for us. I do want my do over to be a good one like yours. Thanks for sharing!
Much love,
Angela :)
It's always awesome to hear about how my Jesus works in the lives of other believers. For me, it proves time and again that there is no new struggle under the sun, and that HE IS FAITHFUL!!! I just love Him, don't you?
I wrote a post about seasons of life about a week ago; I think He was really dealing with me about expectation and perspective, much like you wrote about here. Thanks for the encouraging reminder of that word!
Amanda,
You're so good at going through and posting the comments quickly. I honestly don't know how you do it with a toddler to watch as well. I just wanted you to know that I think you do a FABULOUS job! Keep up the good work "good and faithful servant".
Love,
Kristi
I know this is way off the subject, but I'm not sure where else to post it. I have an extra ticket to Beth's event this Friday, June 8 at the Women of Faith preconference in Ft. Lauderdale. If anyone is interested, I'd be happy to help. Thanks!!
Amanda and Beth,
When you get a chance send some pictures.
I am so pleased with myself...I think I finally figured out how to put mine and Mike's (my sweetheart) photo on my blog. If you photo shows up on this entry please celebrate with me.
Have a great day my, Siestas!
"A Christian home should be a place of peace, and there can be no peace where there is no self-denial." (Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot, p.250)
T.G.
Amanda, I am so glad you are back. I am also sooo dissapointed in your mom. I am not a Starbucks junkie. I have never been in one until this weekend. As I look over the menu I started feeling so overwhelmed at all the choices. I listened to the drive-up window people & got tickled at their ramblings. The clerk saw i was like a fish out of water & asked if she could help. I said " I will take the Beth Moore special" she didn't know the order! I couldn't believe she did not know what Beth's order was. I thought by now that your mom had taken stock in the company & had her favorite concoction on the menu!She is thier biggest advertisement. Maybe she can strike a deal with them & get free Starbucks for life. Ha Ha we really did miss our moderator! love Dedra @ DFW
Amen to the power of do overs. And the death to self of motherhood is a lesson I keep needing a do over in! :-) Great post!
Young Moms,
Don't feel guilty for 'missing your old life'...just don't do it too much.
Don't feel guilty about having babysitters, sending them to preschool or making them take naps...just don't do it too often.
Love every stage they're in - even when it drives you crazy. Teach them every lesson you know - even if you think they're not listening. Hug them every time you can - even if they squirm.
Those things you can't do too much!
Amanda,
Thank God for do-overs!! I think my whole life is one big do-over! Praise Him for second chances to get it right, and to be able to glorify Him in the process.
I know that you are quite an inspiration to new moms everywhere! You are as darling and precious as your mother!!
Amanda, I just wanted to take a minute to compliment you . You have such a gift for writing. Hey dont tell your Mom but I enjoy your stories as much as hers :) I know she is soooo proud of you . This blog has really been a blessing to me. I dont post often but anytime I am having a "moment" and need encouraging I pop over and take a look at what you guys have posted and then read the comments. It is always a blessing to me. In his name, robin
Yay, Amanda! Yay, God!!
I just found your blog and I am so glad I did. I am going to be having my 4th baby. I recently posted on my blog about how you should be a hermit if you are going to be a mother, even though I know that isn't true I feel like that a lot. And I love do-overs God is so good to us.
Amen to do-overs. Wish they could come sooner sometimes. I just have to reply to Beth's bad day.
Yesterday was my yearly! Ugh! I had decided the night before I had to at least look my best to compsenate for my dread. A pedicure it was. As the dear doctor was putting my feet in those lovely stirrups he in a preplexed asked if I had had foot surgery. Especially preplexed since I had just seen him less than three months ago and at church every week. Then about the same time we both realized it was the imprint from my sandal. So thankful for that pedicure!
Somehow I think Beth would come up with something great from this but not me...just thankful for that pedicure.
Been there Amanda- it's amazing how much sacrifice there is for who we are...for the sake of our kids...God blessed me for all the hard work when my 5 year old son Luke, stood up for a girl at church being laughed at by some other boys...it's an investment in them and their walk with Him everyday-and don't think I don't complain all the while!! Shell
My whole life has been: "I will be happy when..."
Now God is teaching me to be happy NOW and find JOY every day REGARDLESS of my current circumstances.
Blessings to you and your mom.
Great post! I have been there. I spent years enjoying camp and doing all the great things with the kids and then when new motherhood came along I felt so torn. It was difficult watching my husband go and have the fun that we used to share while I stayed home with the baby. I loved my little boy so much and desparately loved being his mommy, but it was a struggle between the old and the new. It's really neat though to see how things come full circle and you will see that as well in time. My two children are now in the youth group and it is a whole new season that they get to come alongside us in this journey with my husband STILL the Student Minister and me as the youth worker. God is so faithful and it's been a joy.... sometimes it isn't easy to spot it when you are in the midst of it though!
Have a great day!
BTW, I never doubted that your mom and dads "disagreement" would last long. When you been in this marriage as long as they have been and you are both sold out to Jesus...it's too hard to make it being mad for long! I speak from experience!
I wish my nephew would go to church camp. He is eleven.
Dear Amanda,
I have been thinking a lot about this post since you wrote it. What you experienced last year was a "rite of passage" so to speak. You will more than likely experience quite a few more in your earthly life, as well as your spiritual life. You will notice when you go to your 10 year class reunion that everyone will be trying to "prove" themselves much like you described. Then, when you get to your 20 year reunion, people have experienced a little of life's surprises and are a wee bit more humble.
Keep your teachable spirit. The Lord has much to teach all of us if we are willing. You have a wonderful heritage that has been laid before you. You have learned so much about how to walk, and how to listen to the Lord. Keep on being willing to learn the lessons that He is trying to teach you. Do not be discouraged or afraid. You very eloquently put to words what many of us "older" women have learned... but it took a lot longer for us to realize it. I pray that many will be encouraged by your post.
Blessings!
Terri in Alabama
Thanks Amanda for your genuine words. My husband and I are considering having our first child. I have had numerous fears but I have not been able put them into words. I serve in an inner city ministry that I will have to walk away from. It is tough but I cannot imagine the joy that will be mine as I train and equip a little prince or princess to live a life that pursues their King! Thanks for an outlet to share!
Amanda, you are such a joy! I have loved your mom for years and it is so nice to get to "know" you. I guess my mom (who "introduced" me to your mom's Bible studies) is about your mom's age and I'm about your age. I cannot wait to get to hang out with all of you for eternity. I'm so thankful I have a heavenly family to look forward to. You don't know me yet, but I am so excited for that day when we can get to know each other and I can tell you how much your family has meant to me over the years. How I wish we were neighbors or cousins or something!
Your sister in Christ,
Jaime
Oh Amanda - As a mother of a 3.5 year old and a 11.5 month old I feel your pain! You put into words exactly how I feel at times. And how true it is - motherhood gets easier as we allow that old part of us that yearns for "freedom" to die and we embrace this blessing of mothering. Thank you for writing about it and praise God for your mulligan!
Amanda,
As a camp wife (husband is a camp director), you have no idea how encouraging your post was. I have felt what you described every summer I have nursed a baby and even after trying to juggle life, keep everyone happy and napped but look for opportunities to minister and encourage my husband as well. The Lord has taught me that there will be more summers (or do-overs) this is where I have been called for a time. It is a season that will be gone before I know it. Right now, I have 3 little "campers" at home and I am their counselor, although I am more of a "counselor in training" or a C.I.T.! Thanks for your post. I know of at least 5 camp wives who have read it and been blessed.
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