A good friend and mentor of mine (Carol Timmons) has been helping me hear God’s voice through my journey of “rewiring”. She is amazing and sent me this great article about doing too much.

Give it a read, its quick and insightful. Click here.

I definitely think its applicable to our lives as well as the students we work with.

My favorite line, “…something’s getting buried. And I think it could be our souls.”

Great stuff to think about.

Something that my head knows but it’s often hard to believe with my heart.

God is good all the time.

Many times I end this statement with a question mark instead of a period.

My kids are sick, God is good all the time?

We can’t make ends meet this month, God is good all the time?

I feel alone, God is good all the time?

I don’t feel supported at our church, God is good all the time?

Whatever the circumstance I know it end with a period.

Can’t wait for the day when I? believe it with all of my heart in all of my circumstances.

(probably not her husband)

Post by Destiny

A month ago my husband challenged our teenagers to raise a certain amount of money for missions in one month.? If they were successful he promised to do whatever they wished with his hair.? Well as of last night my husband now has a bright pink mohawk standing up proudly on his head, which will remain there for the next nine weeks.? In which time we have two conferences and a convention to go to plus about a million other things.? Needless to say I have stocked up on hats and beanies for when we are out together and not around the teens.? Here is my question, What are the craziest things your husbands have done to motivate, challenge, or for no real reason just did because they love the youth?

Corrie asked about Bible studies last night and I would love to hear what you all think.

I (Amanda) have attended bible studies at my church with other women from our congregation as well as a few others with friends that do not go to our church. I do love both. But I have to admit (as a pastor’s wife) I feel like I can be a little more vulnerable and transparent with friends and women that do not go to our church or at least women who know what being a pastor’s wife is like.
What are your feelings? Bible studies at you church only? Does it matter?

Where do you get your soul fed?

I haven’t been feeling “plugged” in to the HS ministry this summer, so to kick off the school year I planned a HS staff appreciation dinner. It was so good to be with the team and their spouses. We really appreciated the wives by showering them with praise and gifts. It was super simple, just a swim party together (no kids). It’s amazing how just a few intentional hours together can make such a difference in connecting. I really love our team. And was reminded that together paid, unpaid, volunteer, spouse (seen or unseen)…we all are pouring into the lives of students and make the team what it is, strong and amazing!

Jeff spoke about our craziness in “Big Church” this weekend. I will have to say he was amazing . Feel free to give it a listen.

Click here to see Jeff talk about how God has been working… (click on the message called “Spoonfuls of Life” the message itself is about 20 minutes if you fast forward through the rest of the service).

So we keep moving right along. As much as I would love to sit in the confusion and the injury of my husband, the kids keep us going like it or not.
My 5 year old started kindergarten today. It was so cute to see him walk up to the line this morning with his huge backpack weighing him down. Last night he giggled himself to sleep, he was so excited for school today.
I am currently watching him sit at the counter and sharpen his pencils. I bought him a pack of 8 pencils and his own pencil sharpener. He is sitting like a little man getting ready to “do his homework”. But really only sharpening over and over again ALL the pencils until they are all little tiny nubs. (He has 2 more to go). It’s all such an ironic sight at the moment. Coming off such a dramatic vacation that God was speaking so clearly to both Jeff and I. I feel as if God is “sharpening” me and yet I am twisted down to a “nub” as well.
I know God is going to take all the shavings and make something a-whole-lot-better. Its kinda painful. And I am noticing it requires more action from me than I think I have the energy for.

Here is how our trip went:
*12 hour drive turns into 18 hours…
*Jeff knee swells for unknown reason.
*We stop on Vegas strip to see doctor, exposing our sweet innocent children to awesome nudiness.
*After 2 hours, get back in the car and I get a speeding ticket.
*Make it to Park City, get dropped off at the house. Jeff is in so much pain he goes to the ER.
*2 hours of sleep that night. Wake up take Jeff to the hospital.
*Hospital, schedule SURGERY…3 days in Salt Lake hospital.
*Back to Park City Thursday with a home care nurse, IV antibiotics, suction evacuation back hanging from his body, and a wheelchair.
*Saturday more doctors
*Sunday pack up bags and car.
*Monday a 13 hour drive home.

My brain is mush, I am overwhelmed and exhausted. I have no words for this trip. It was so horrible, yet God worked in some miraculous ways through our brokenness.
I will tell about it when I get my brain cells back.

So, it has taken me 8 hours (no joke) to pack for a 12 hour car ride, for our family vacation. This SOOOO better be worth it, right? Am I outta mind mind? 3 kids under 5 in a car, jam packed for 12 hours? Ladies??
I will keep you posted..
Much love,
amanda

Jeff has been home now for one glorious week. And we are back to our “normal” crazy. And I LOVE IT. Feels like I can breathe again.

I just wanted to let you know how supported I felt by all of your so sweet comments and encouraging words while he was away. I didn’t know just how much I needed this community until last week. I read and re-read those posts everyday.

Thank you. You all truly ministered to me and helped me through a tough week.

Love to you,

Amanda