Into my 31st year

Happy New Year to all....and blessings for what promises to be a fantastic 2008!

This past weekend I celebrated the 31st anniversary of my day of birth.
One thing about having a January birthday, it allows you to stop and take stock at the beginning of the year at the same time as one is normally already taking stock and making resolutions.

I personally am not a resolution maker. I know myself well enough to know that I am going to break them so instead I set goals for myself that I know that with the right planning I can accomplish and will feel good about accomplishing.

However, I do like to look back at the past year and see what God has done. Last year at this time the Lord was working in my life (to say the least!) In all honesty though my birthday weekend turned out ok, my life was fairly misreable, I had just moved to Dallas to take a job that I thought I really wanted and it turned out to be the job from that really really hot place, I had yet to truly find a church home, I was struggling with faith as a whole, I had not really found a community and did not have that many friends with whom I could live life.

This year on my birthday my life was contrastly different. I found myself sitting on the front row the church I am honored to call home and where I have the pleasure of serving. As my church began to sing the amazing song "Glorious Day" I had a taste of what heaven would be like. I was surrounded by friends, people the love me and people whom I love. People that I have the honor of doing life with! People that stand beside me in the gap to fight the battles of the unseen, friends that laugh and cry and share their lives with me. Best of all we were in adoring worship of the Father and the glorious day that our sweet Lord will return.

I have a job that I love! A boss that is so incredible and co-workers that I respect and with whom I enjoy working! (what a concept huh!)

I have an incredibly family on both sides of the Atlantic that I get to call mine. I am being able to develop relationships with many of my extended family that I have not had the joy of knowing deeply before.

My life is a testimony of God's faithfulness. That He would bless someone so incredibly unworthy with so much is humbling.

31...actually in my 30's. It is going to be a grand adventure...the sky's the limit!!


Blessings!

I am alive and well

Oh my faithful readers, I did not realize that you missed me so much, but I am thankful that you all care enough to email and find out why I am not blogging. Truth be told, it is hard to blog at work and I don't have much computer access at night right now, so it is simply a case of unavoidable delay rather than depression, or avoidance, etc. Thanks to those who took the time to write and find out how I was doing, etc.

COLD....That is what the weather is here in Dallas, TX. For the first time in several years I am experiencing a "true" winter. By that I mean that temperatures have been in the 40's or less for longer than a day and a half, and I am beginning to forget what the sun looks like. I don't even remember the last time I wore my sunglasses and I often wear those even on rainy days if it is glarey. (which I am pretty sure is a word I just made up...definition, when there is a glare it is glarey!)

Now for those of you who have just and are currently experiencing the cold and ice in the Midwest and northeast parts of our country, the above paragraph is in no way a cry for sympathy. I personally am so glad that I am not where you are and I do acknowledge that you would love it to be in the 40's....in fact, you might even break out the light jackets when that temperature hits.

Work is well....an interesting place. I have been reading in my dear friend Lance's blog and have been amused at his latest tales of Auto Magic. One day soon I will begin the tales of Cultural Awareness, and I assure you ladies and gentleman, like Lance says "You just can't make this stuff up." I will give you a sampling with a sentence that was recently told to a co-worker of mine...."Well J. we were going to fire you at the end of last year, but decided to give you a promotion and a raise instead!" I kid you not! Just wait more tales to come. Simply know that I am on the lookout for a more appealing place to earn funds, and Auto Magic looks somewhat attractive at this point.

In other tales, my 30th came and went without too much adieu. I was supposed to have this great birthday bash entitled "30! and the party lives on!!" And then came in the rain and ice and the party had to be postponed. As I am finally moving into my own place on the 5th of next month (praise the LORD!!) I have decided it will be a combined housewarming/late birthday party.

However, though I was indoors all of last weekend....God knew exactly what and who I would need. I had my wonderful family the Kennedy's come up from Abilene to meet their son, Ryan (whose day of birth falls exactly 10 years and and hour and a half later than mine). They stayed with the Done's (my family from Hong Kong who now blessedly live in Keller). And we were iced in! Praise the Lord for that time. We laughed and watched movies, and read books and played games, cooked great food (including my now famous Caramel Popcorn) and really, though they may never realize it, had the best birthday weekend I could possibly imagine. I was blessed beyond measure at "family" that God has given me when mine is not near, and I am forever grateful for the love that they show me whenever I am around....Blessed...I am so incredibly Blessed!!

Ty Pennington did not show up to marry me...but hey there is always next year, right?

With that my friends for now, you are caught up. I will start tales and more saga stories later. Just wait till I tell you about how I discovered the secret project of a local architectural firm! ha!
Loving all of you...blessed you are in my life....

AT WORK BORED TO TEARS

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?Hot Chocolate! It’s the perfect drink to curl up with a good book and a blanket in front of the fire!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?Depends on the present. Usually there are presents from everyone wrapped, then Santa fills the stockings, some wrapped some not, and then if he brings a BIG gift…it is not wrapped.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?I have two trees (both happen to be in storage this year) one has white lights and one has colored.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?There is really no point…I have given up!

5. When do you put your decorations up?When I get to I want them up November 1st, but I try to make myself wait until after the Thanksgiving meal.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?My mom’s hamwiches on Christmas eve…YUMMY!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:Every year that we lived in Kenya my parents hosted a city wide open house party. This was scheduled from noon till whenever we shut down for the evening, everyone from missionaries to Indian businessmen, to members of our church, and friends from the Eldoret club came. I think the first year we had maybe 70 people show up, by my senior year it was tradition in our town and I think at last count we had over 300! J Some of the best memories of my life were centered around those days. All races, tribes and tongues coming together to live, laugh and love.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?You mean that he is real? Um I don’t remember how I found out, but I remember being really angry at all the people trying to tell me he wasn’t. I am almost 30 and I still believe……

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?Yes, it is always an ornament from my mom to add to our collection for our future (or my current) household.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas treeLights (duh), some breakable balls, personal ornaments, homemade ornaments, gifts from friends….every one has its own story of how it ended up on our tree.

11. Snow? Love it or Dread it?Love love love love!

12. Can you ice skate?I have done it a couple of times, would love to do it more often.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?hmm….there are several.
One year, right after we moved to Africa, my mom made matching PJ’s for my cabbage patch babies (one boy and one girl) and I got a cradle to use to put them in. I loved that year.
I got the game of LIFE…I had always wanted it and I remember holding it up and yelling “LIFE!! LIFE!! LIFE!!”
Oh and in the foggiest traces of my memory I remember on year, I was probably 3 or 4, and I got a Strawberry shortcake sleeping bag and strawberry shortcake pillows that my gran had made to match. I remember that the biggest box under the tree was for me…..happy times.

14. What's the most exciting thing about the Holidays for you?Holidays are actually hard for me because no matter where in the world I am I am always far away from someone I love. I guess really the most exciting thing is to hear about and relive in my mind the birth of Christ…he also knew what it was like to be far away from the ones he loved.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?You are kidding me right? There is no way I can pick just one. Cherry pie probably tops the list.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?My dad reading the Christmas story out of both Matthew and Luke on Christmas Eve.

17. What tops your tree?A big bow.
18. Which do you prefer - giving or receiving?Definitely giving….I am like a child opening a gift when I watch someone open what I have taken time and effort to find and wrap for them…I love it!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
I miss you most at Christmas time – Mariah Carey, describes my heart
Light of the World – The Martins, describes the reason.

20. Candy canes?Question or a statement here? Dumb.

Update and stuff like that

Two...yes that is right...only two days till I sign the papers that free me from the Albatross that is my home in Abilene! I am so excited I am almost beside myself. I am making ABSOLUTELY NO PROFIT on it and I don't care! I will be done with it. No more paying the mortgage, no more renter horrors, no more staying awake at night worrying it will burn down, NO MORE!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

On that same day, Friday the wonderful 15th. I will be paying off my car! Yeah!!!!! At 211,000+ miles my little "Franny" is still running strong, she needs a screw tightened her and there, but she proudly takes me where I need to go.

All this money freed up, whatever will I do....well though I would love to use the extra flow to sit tight and pay off some bills, instead I will be finding a place to live and paying rent...joy joy! (readers in the Dallas area, looking for a great place in Los Colinas, or similar let me know if you know of inexpensive there-readers in other parts of the world, please pray that God leads me to exactly the place that I need to live and be.)

My parents have been stateside now for a little over a month and I have only seen them twice. The first was when I drove over to Atlanta to pick them up. And the second was a couple of weeks later the weekened of the 19th. I flew into NC to suprise my mom for her birthday. I was able to very successfully pull this off with the help of my Dad and A. Pam. They simply told her they wanted to go shopping, but they needed to stop by the airport to pick up a package first. My mom, never one to question, said ok. As they pulled up my dad said, "there is the package", and my mom is looking for a box on the ground. Instead I walked up to the car! It was the best look on her face ever! I wish I'd had a camera to capture the moment!

Good news in the brother department. Healthwise, both are doing better though still not totally up to par.

Devin is having a fairly successful transition. I know this in large part to all of you who are praying for him and I am thankful to each one of you. Through a series of wonderful miracles, he is going to be attending Liberty University in the spring on a scholarship that will pay all but his housing! We did not think that this was going to be possible this school year and were prepared for him to go to a community college in Lynchberg for a semester instead. However, God had bigger plans and Devin will be able to live on campus and attend Liberty.

Derek has decided to leave the soccer world for a time and having sold his car, and planning on selling most of his other earthly possessions will hopefully be making his way back to Africa with my parents in February. His purpose there is unknown as of yet, but he hopes to make a bit of a life change and perhaps begin to do some freelance writing which is his passion.

Christmas is quickly approaching and this year time will be spent both in Missouri and in Texas with the respective families there. As long as I am with my parents and brothers I will be happy.

That's all she wrote for now.....

Clarification

Regarding the "Check, Check, Check".

I forgot to add that is the checklist for all of the hypothyroid symptoms. I was diagnosed with it 6 years ago, and my levels have been under control for a while. But now all the symptoms are going on full force!

Thank so much for the notes of concern on the fact that I am an emotional basket case.

Just need new pills! I have a doctor's appointment next Monday to have blood work done....joy joy!

CHECK, CHECK,CHECK

I am gaining weight inappropriately - Check
I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise - Check
I have hypothermia/low body temperature - Check
I feel fatigued, exhausted - Check, check
Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic - Check, check, check
My skin is coarse, dry, scaly - Check
I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face - Check
I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet - CHECK!!
I have female issues no one wants to know about - Check
I feel depressed - Check
I feel restless - Check
My moods change easily CHECK!- check...CH!$#CK!!!
I have feelings of worthlessness -Check!
I have difficulty concentrating - Check!
I have more feelings of sadness - Check!
I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities - Check!
I'm more forgetful lately - Check!

Ok, see this beautiful list? "What is it?" you ask. This the list of every symptom that I have made excuses for in the past 2 months. "Of course, I am tired and discombobulated I just made a major move in 3 days." "My skin is so dry since moving to Dallas." "I am feeling sad because I just moved and am in "transition"." "I must workout more and harder, I cannot lose this weight and I will not buy bigger clothes!!"
Let's not even get into the "feelings of worthlessness" issue.

Yesterday after crying myself to sleep in the middle of the afternoon for the 3rd day in a row, I finally thought....'Wait! I'll bet my meds are off!' So, now to find a new doctor in this land of OZ that I seem to be living in and come back to the Amanda that we all know and - hopefully - love!

Body chemistry is a horrible thing!

Update

Warning...disjointed tired thoughts....

Update on my Astros....done for the year *tears
congratulations to the Barfield family!! Go Padres!!

Update on my College football....off to a raving start!! Woo Hoo! Go Rice!! Hook 'em!! (Yes I do realize those two sayings don't go together...however, for the next four years they will share equal space in my heart)

Update on my Derek...feeling a bit better. Blood pressure still needs to come down.

Update on my Devin...still not feeling well. Dr's still unsure, but currently blaming on the Epstein barr. In the process of transition....4 more weeks till Stateside arrival. Loving you my sweet boy...feeling your pain.

Update on my Ryno....out of commission for at least 4 months....tear on some part of thigh...surgery required.

Update on my mom and dad....4 weeks until Stateside arrival. Pray for smooth transition.

Update on current residence....Done's house. Ralph and Becky gone for the week...Sadie needed a babysitter! :)

Update on my Abilene house....paper work in process...please pray for SPEED!!!

Update on job....loving what I am learning....both the work and the people. Quirks are so fun to figure out!

Update on my life in general....battleing homesickness for Africa, my BRIDGE group, my family and my friends....holding tight to the promise "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Enjoying Dallas....glad to be with friends here.

Update on my love for each of you......same as always and growing.

Please email me how I can pray for you this week.

Peace and Blessings
AW

Waking up in Dallas

One of the things I knew I was going to miss the most within my transition from Houston to Dallas was waking up to "The Morning Show" on KSBJ.

Even in my time of unemployment I chose to have my alarm go off at 5:30 am, just so I would not miss it. I love Mike and Susan. They are funny, they are encouraging, and they just put me in a better mood. The best part of it all is Susan's sign off in the morning....at 9 am every morning she reminds me that my Father dances over me with singing and that "I am Loved." What a way to start a morning!

Wonderfully I am able to get the stream cast or whatever the technical term for "radio over the internet" is....so I am able to enjoy KSBJ at work all day long. However, this did not solve my waking up dilemma.

Now, most of you who know me, see me when I am fully awake - and most of the time, you see me in a good mood. THIS IS NOT HOW I WAKE UP!! I have difficulty sleeping due to complications with my thyroid and am a night owl, so a 5:30 wake up call really should come in the late afternoon...amazingly, places of employment and others seem to frown on this mentality, so I am forced to recognize that 5:30 comes twice a day, and I must be subject to waking up at the 1st one.

Why 5:30, because I must allow myself time to just lay there and be still...awake...but still (and you all thought that I was always a bouncing ball of energy).

So again a conundrum...no KSBJ...hacking "beeps" are not quite the waking up call that allows my meditation time to be sweet. I decided on a CD.

Now here is a fun choice. It must be positive (or I will be angry, depressed or melancholy for the rest of the day), it must be upbeat, but not "workout tempo", so finding a CD that would be perfect for awakening the princess that is myself (ha!) was not the easiest of things to do.

After much thought and deliberation, I came across one of my favorite artists, Jeff Berry. Most of you do not know this fabulous man. I have the honor not only of knowing him, but at one time I was involved in his ministry and I have the joy of calling him friend.

His newest CD, All That's Left of Us, begins with a reved up, and amazing arranged version of "Great is Thy Faithfulness". This song is one of my favorite hymns ever, and what a way to wake up!!

See and you guys thought my energy was natural! Not so! In recent years, I have become a huge subscriber to the phrase "Garbage In, Garbage Out" Waking up being reminded of God's faithfulness every morning is essential for me. Not because I had let go and forgotten it in the night, but because that when you wake up to positive thoughts your life tends to be more centered and focused in the right directions.

"Great is Thy faithfulness" is followed up with other such songs with lyrics such as: "From the mountaintops we cry out, "You are good!" To the ends of the earth we proclaim and say, "You are good!" From the valley deep and in dispair, "YOU ARE GOOD, YOU ARE GOOD!" (oh the encouragement of these words!)

Plus - "I can't contain the Love You have spoken"

Not to mention... "You are covering - Grace releasing", "We give you thanks...for pouring grace upon the earth to bring us near."

OH! and, "Glorious, You are Marvelous" "We need Your love"

And can you really start your day without saying to Him "Let the darkness fade away, till all that's left of us is You." ?

Ok, ok I know...you all think I am crazy. But seriously...I encourage each of you #1 to head over to http://www.jeffberry.org/ and purchase this album. Not only are these songs wonderful, their truth self evident, and original...but most were written (or at least arranged) by people I love and respect. Grace Live is wonderful, as well....and I was there for the recording and the mixing and the prayerful, tediously long wait for the release of that album!

Not only that, but I challenge each one of you to find your own "wake up music". Or at least music that you play consistently when you are getting ready in the morning. Music is powerful!

Thanks Susan, for waking me up for the past 4 years, you are great!

Jeff and band - thank you for your years of friendship, ministry, great music and faithful prayer over my life - and for making my transition to the Dallas area and my new schedule that much more positive!

You are loved!

Change

My life...is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. - Gilda Radner

ditto. -Amanda Workman

This time my adventures are turning me towards the Dallas/Ft.Worth metroplex.

As most of you are aware, my passion lies within the cross cultural world. I was raised in a cross cultural environment, spent time in high school with an expert in this field, and subsequently pursued this area of study in my studies at Hardin-Simmons University.

Since graduation, I have found the field a difficult area to get into and yet have continued to pursue volunteer activity on the side.

I spent my JR/SR year with Ruth VanReken. She is a specialist in transitional studies and a well known author on the subject. We have kept in touch in the years since our Africa adventure. In fact, many of my long time readers will remember “Tigpan’s adventures in Thailand” where I met Ruth and her husband for an adventure filled week.

Now that you have that background information….

Ruth emailed me about a month ago and talked to me about a fellow MK (missionary kid not Mary Kay) in Dallas who was looking for someone to come along side her to do some cross cultural training, but it would probably be more piece meal work. Her name is Nancy.
I met with Nancy about three weeks ago in a whirlwind trip to Dallas. It was there that I found out that she was a MK in The Sudan and she went to boarding school in Ethiopia, and then later on to west Africa. I asked her how old she was; and after her revealing that to me, I asked if she knew the Konnerups. She said that Jackie Konnerup was her roommate in college. Jackie is the sister of my father's best friend Ole, who I consider my uncle. Yep once again my world is tiny.

It gets tinier. In May of last year some of you may remember, I sent an email to a company in Dallas called Cultural Awareness International. I found them on the web, and saw that they did relocation assistance and cross cultural training. I send them an email asking if they had ANYTHING available in their company. They called me and asked me to come up to Dallas for an interview. I drove up and back in the same day. They ended up offering me a position in the relocation department as there was not a lot going on in the cross cultural side of things. I decided at that time to turn down what was seemingly the job of my dreams. I just did not have a peace about taking this job.

When I turned it down, several people who I respected told me that I should have taken it; that I could not live a life where my feelings of peace controlled my actions. No offense to those parties, but they were wrong. That is how I have always made decisions and the Lord has protected me in so many areas. He did again here. In speaking with Nancy I found out that the company that she works for is the EXACT same company. The cross cultural training department has taken off, (which I knew with the right person in charge it would), and the relocation department has had some set backs and has even had some lay offs. Now what if I had taken that job!?!?

Long story…longer…..I went up again last weekend to interview with CAI again, and have been hired on as an admin in their cross cultural training department. It is the ground floor, but with plenty of room for movement! I am so very excited.

So, once again God has brought an opportunity that I really wanted, something I am incredibly passionate about!!, to me in His timing not mine.

In His timing, I have struggled....in His timing, I have learned more about Him than I ever would have before....in His timing, I am now more equipped to do this job....in His timing, I have a business that easy supplements any short comings in salary (one of my reasons to turn down before)....In His timing, I have gone against all things that made sense to everyone else even me and waited on the Lord.....In His timing, I do have peace.

One more time...."That's God!" From my tiny tiny world...I bid you adieu....I will keep you updated as I know more (i.e. my new dwelling place, etc)
Love you all

Amanda News

Quick update for those that are interested.

Well, 1st of all I am not going to Korea. There are some reasons that I have that seem to be controversial to everyone else, but they are not the one whose life it ultimately affects so the decision is made.

One of the reasons is due to my youngest brother's homecoming. Or at least return back to the U.S., this is not really his home. I just sat down and reflected on my 1st year back in the US. It was HORRIBLE. It left deep scars that 11 years later I am still healing from. Derek’s 1st year here was pretty much the same, and I just do not want Devin to go through the same hurt and pain. One’s 1st year back is always hard no matter what, but I want to give him something I never had….someone who cared enough to drop everything and be there when I needed them. I made this decision before going to Mary Kay seminar last week, so I wouldn’t be swept up in the emotion of it all and make my decision then.

The company in Korea I was going to work for (I told them that due to family circumstances I did not feel it wise to pursue the opportunity at this time), completely understood, and asked that in the future should I want to come…even for 6 months that I consider the opportunity open to me. That was nice.

2nd of all, I am getting out of Houston. I do not know what this means, but I know it means I am leaving here. I have had several offers by MK directors in Virginia to come and live with them for a month or so while I find something there. However, I have also have thought about Atlanta. Right now I am just praying about it. My roommate did tell me yesterday that I need to plan on moving by September 1st or helping him with the rent. He has been an amazing blessing and never asked this of me before, and he is really struggling right now, so I said...of course.

As for my MK..I currently have 8 team members 7 active and moving up. On target for my 1st car which I plan on earning by the end of the month.

I wrote a blog a few weeks ago that was a public apology and offer of forgiveness to a specific group of people. Not really realizing it at the time, but I was opening up the communication lines between myself and the Lord again. I could not figure out why all the praying I was doing didn’t seem to go past the ceiling. I prayed for a revelation of sin that might be holding it back, and though that was not a lightning strike revelation, publicly forgiving was something I knew I had to do. After that, miracles have begun to happen in my life again.

I had money for bills I did not know how I was going to pay. I was within 30 minutes and $2300 of not having enough production to stay on target for my MK car and having to start over. My newest team member placed a $2400 order at 11:30 pm on the last day. I am still on target for my car. Yesterday I was frustrated and praying regarding my frustration and lack of funds, and before I could finish the prayer, my phone rang and I have a temp job for the next 2 ½ weeks right here in The Woodlands…with perfect hours that will not cut into my Mary Kay business at all.

I also was trying on a bridesmaid dress for my friend’s wedding in September (which I can now attend), and was able to book a facial and set up an interview with a potential team member.

This is awesome to me. Even in the lowest part of the valley, for the 1st time in my life I kept my eyes focused on the upward not the outward. I am learning to trust when there is no physical thing to which to cling. More awesome than that I crave to spend time with Jesus. I have heard people say that for years and never got it. I thought they were just nuts, faking it in someway. But no, I just wasn’t where I was supposed to be. In the past 7 days, things have happened in my life. I was prophesied over by some woman who had never met me before, I had a prophetic dream (I have not done this in 3 ½ years and after talking to the person the dream was about, know it to be truthful), I have seen God work in my life and in the lives of my friends in EXCITING ways! I have experienced the 1st steps of healing in a friendship I thought for sure was gone forever.

Am I on the mountain top?…no…not yet, but I am climbing. There are struggles yet to come I know, but I finally feel as though I am making my way out of the valley I was in.

That is my news, to God be the Glory.
The End.

Midnight in Tig's world

It is Midnight on Wednesday night/Thursday morning. I went to bed an hour ago and after tossing and turning decided that the best thing to do would be to get up. I mean why try to force sleep when it is obvious it is not coming anytime soon.

So, for boredom's sake (fair warning for all of you currently reading this post.) I am going to detail out my evening....which as it turns out was pretty exciting to me.

Let's use 6 PM for the evening starter.

AT 6PM I was on my way to drop of my Emily. She is the daughter of a friend of mine who has grown into a sister through the years. In fact, our resemblence, mannerisms and general thoughts on life, often put us into the sister category by default.
Miss Emily is on the Varsity Cheer Squad at Oak Ridge High School, and has recently been asked to cheer on the competitive squad at Woodland's Elite. She is a beautiful girl and growing into an amazing young woman. Not anything like the 3rd grader I met 8 years ago!

6:30 PM After dropping her off at practice, I made my way to a facial appointment. I got to get to know a new customer and spend time letting her story enrich my life. Plus I made a sale, but really that is just the fluff.

7:45 PM Onto a conference call with a potential new team member and my hot mama director Brittany Mitchell. The call went well, and I have a new team member! This brings my count to 7!! Praise the Lord! One more and I am officially in DIQ! God is good!

8:30 PM off the conference call, but onto a call with my director, talking about upcoming seminar, plus some goals and plans that I have for myself! My director is such an amazing woman. She is not only one of the most beautiful directors in Mary Kay history...but she is one Godly woman. She encourages me daily in my walk and I cannot imagine my life without her.

**side note** I know that I say the words "I cannot imagine my life without so-so" all the time. Please know that I do not take this phrase lightly. I truely cannot imagine the logistics of my life without the many influences that God has put in it. Go back to my post from earlier this year. Something in that is just for you....you are in my life!

8:55 PM I got to talk to one of my favorite people on the planet. Building on a friendship of 15 years, every conversation brings joy to my heart. Silly?!? Probably, but true nonetheless.

9:15 PM On the couch watching Project Runway. Yes, my current favorite reality series. I watched all of last season and I was having Daniel withdrawls. He was not he winner, but Michael Kors offered him a job on national television....amazing talent!!

Ha...how may hyperlinks can you put in a sentence? Give me a break it is 12:30 and I am in ramble mode ok!

9:30 PM Phone rings and I get to spend talking with one of THE Kennedy's. "THE Kennedy's? You mean the real Kennedy's" Of course they are real...I do not talk to imaginary friends anymore, unless I am bored and lonely! This young man who has introduced me to people as "The sister I never knew I wanted." Called just to chat and to give me a prayer request. He knows that I love his family as my own and that I would of course pray over them. Talking to him I could not believe that he was really my Ryno. I am so proud of who I get the pleasure of watching him become. I am so proud of you Ryno. So glad you stopped "hating" me.

10:00 PM
Friend's episode....cleaning kitchen....pulled out vacuum then decided that was a task for tomorrow.


10:30 PM
Off to bed...but TV still on as well as reading a book.

11:00 PM TV sleep timer turned on....Will and Grace ( I know I know!!) episode running in the back ground.

Toss turn....TV off....toss turn more......KSBJ on....toss turn.

Forget it! up out of bed....and this blog was born!
I leave you with a scene from my sweet friend's backyard. And the words of wisdom of my friend Arnie (aka cricket) always tells me....ALL great things start with" A".
Yes....... as in "Amanda".

Top 10 Reasons to Love me

I had to do this exercise for a book I am reading and was amazed at how difficult it can be to come up with 10. As we are told to be humble all of our lives, sometimes we miss out on the one person that is truely special in our lives....ourselves! God made us! He LOVES us! and here are 10 reasons why we should love us too! I challenge you to make 10 for yourself. You will be laughing at the end.

(BTW, YES I realize there are more than 10....ha ha ha Humility is one of them!)

10. I am a generally happy person and will do anything within reason to make you the same.
9. I am loyal to a fault, will love you back fiercely and never let you down on purpose
8. All great things begin with the letter "A"
7. I see beauty all around me...even when it is hard
6. I cook a mean pan of brownies!
5. I love to cuddle
4. I will be honest with you even if it is going to hurt me
3. I seek to know all the words to your life song and sing them back to you when you lose direction.
2. I believe in helping you find and accomplish your dreams
1. and the number one reason to love me.....well...I am Amanda!

Brooke outdid me

Of course....So I came up with a few more....
I once had all my friends convinced I was addicted to Asprin
I have an entire dance to the song "Have Mercy" by the Judds
I charged my parents to see me in concert.in their OWN living room.
I had a "Hundred Acre Woods" on a 3 acre property
After my 1st kiss I said "Yuck don't ever do that again"
Every time I spend time with my friend Brooke I get a full ab workout from laughing so hard!!

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BTW...these were her 6 things...how could I possibly even try to beat these?!
Once my arm was swallowed by a mad pelican.
My best friend threw up because I was so ugly.
Scott put dog food between the cheese and cracker and then fed it to me.
George W. Bush waved at me Monday morning.
In college, I tried to return laundry detergent for cash.
I went on a blind date for Sarah Underwood once and told him I was her--she didn't know.

Weird things about me

Weird Things About Me
(yes I do realize there are more than 6, but this posting only called for 6.)

1. I love a package of new white ankle socks, so soft and clean. YUM!
2. I have never sucked my thumb or a pacifier or needed a blankie, but I DO suck on the roof of my mouth and twirl my hair.
3. I have to sleep with a pillow under my head and on either side of me.
4. I hate peanuts, but LOVE peanut butter.
5. I cannot handle it when people cut their fingernails in front of me….it is like scraping their nails on a chalkboard, I come unglued!
6. When I am deathly ill, rather than being in bed I would rather sleep outside. I believe the fresh air and sun heals.

Writer's urge

Fresh sheet of paper
Pen in hand.
Can’t resist the urge.
Pen hovers, words suspended
The World awaits.

me

Sometimes I am deep and sometimes I am shallow...either way...I am still me.

I put words up for others to read...if you like them say so...if you don't that is fine too...they are still my words....still my feelings....still me.