"Forget About Your Worries, Mandie!"

One of my favorite quotes from my nephew, Carson. He's taken to shouting this throughout the house at times and reminds us all of the carefree, worry free life of a child in a good home. It's a great reminder to the adults of the world that our God is bigger than the worries in our lives. The enemy works hard to make this life more difficult than it needs to be. Trust in the one who gave you your life...release your doubt and fear and worry and put absolute trust in the Saviour of the world. Matthew 6:25-33 "Do not be anxious about your life...but seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

We got snow this weekend, and it was Brady's first experience!! Check it out!

Heading North!

I really didn't expect last night to be as hard as it was. We had our end of the season banquet last night, and I said goodbye to all of the girls. They were so bummed to hear that I was leaving...I was so blessed by that. I think I got a little more attached than I realized (I tend to get attached pretty easily).
I think God accomplished much more than I could put into words. I have been praying and desiring the opportunity to minister to those who do not know the Lord, and here in Redding God gave me that chance. I have had some wonderful conversations and know that the Lord has used me in ways I probably will never know. I went down to LA last weekend with one of the players and the Head Coach to watch the state tournament and go to Six Flags, Magic Mountain. We had such a blast! And the best part of the whole weekend was the conversations I was able to have. I so enjoyed talking with Sarah and hearing her dreams and being able to challenge her and love her in that. Last night reminded me how hard it can be to say goodbye, because although I've done it many times before, I've always said goodbye to people I will see in eternity. This was different...I said goodbye to girls that I may not see again.
I've struggled a lot with the decision to move back to Washington and really have no idea how long I will be there. I anticipate it will be for December only, yet I do not know God's plan. I am praying for courage to take steps toward what is next and faithfulness to serve God in the places I find myself. If you would join me in those prayers I would appreciate it.

Volleyball in Redding

Well, we just got our team photos done, so I thought I would post a picture of the team I'm coaching this season! We got there just in time for sunset!

Rain in the Desert!

Well, it happened, it finally rained! It has been sunny and hot for a straight month since I moved back here and today there is the smell of fresh rain outside! I love it. After living on the island, I never thought I would be so happy to see a little bit of rain! It's still quite warm outside, but the fresh, cool rain is wonderful!

We've got a big game tonight and we're down our best hitter. She rolled her ankle two days ago...yikes. We really need her, especially right now. This team has struggled so much and what a bummer to hit another bump in the road. Hopefully we will have all of this craziness out of the way by the time we hit conference. We could use a really good win. It would boost the moral on the team. They are just having such a hard time balancing confidence with cockiness. We either think we're "all that" or nothing at all. They're young, though, and have much to learn.

Blessings,
Amanda

"For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heeights of the earth- the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!" -Amos 4:13

Healed

Many of you remember that I threw out my back this past February and ended up lying on the floor in my apartment for two weeks. God used a chiropractor to get me back on my feet again, and I figured the pain would subside shortly after. Unfortunately, I have struggled with pain in my back that has limited my ability to do pretty much anything. I had a few nights this summer that I could not sleep because I was so uncomfortable from pain. After spending a few weeks, or even a few days with my nephews, I would find myself sore and uncomfortable the following week from carrying them around. Without medical insurance, I really was at a loss for how to heal and wondered if it was just going to take time.
Well, when I took the job coaching volleyball I began to wonder how my back would be factoring in. I played my first two practices and found myself unable to walk around by the end of them. It would take all night and the next morning and afternoon for me to recover enough to get on the court again. I have been stretching every night and feeling a bit better here and there, but the minute I hit the practice floor or lift something heavy, the pain would return. It has made me quite nervous, and in tears the other day I ended up phoning a friend of a friend who is a chiropractor here in Redding. I'm all set for an appointment tomorrow morning actually, and my anxiety began to release, yet I still had to make it to tomorrow and that was Friday. I went to practice in pretty bad shape and very worried that I could injure myself permanently. I put some heat on it before practice and then walked into the gym. As I leaned over to pick up my water bottle, I quietly asked the Lord to give me my back for this practice. God answered and strengthened my back...but He went one step further. My back was not only strong for that practice, but has continued to improve since Friday afternoon. By Saturday night, I had forgotten about the pain that has been lurking in my back for 7 months because it wasn't there. Praise the Lord! Tonight when I realized that I haven't felt pain in almost two days, I reached down for my toes and realized that the uncomfortable pressure was no longer in my lower back as well. My back has been touched by the hand of God! The Lord has a purpose in my being in Redding, and He has touched my back for a reason. Father may this be but a testimony to your design, and may the strength you have given me in my back give me the strength to confront what you have brought me here to do. Amen.

Such a Privilege...

As part of my week up in Canada, I had the great privilege of baptizing two young women. Jaymie, pictured below, was one of my counselors last summer, and I have been able to watch God shape her life over the past couple years. It was such a joy to be a part of this day with her and to do it with a great friend of mine, Kristie (pictured on the other side of Jaymie)!
I also was able to participate in baptizing another one of my counselors, Emma, whose picture I hope to have up here soon...I am constantly moved at how the Lord allows me to be used. I am not worthy of such a privilege, yet so honored to stand with these incredible young women as they commit their lives publicly to our Great God!

Back to California!!!

Well, here I am back in my homeland and so very hot!!! I've discovered that I was more acclimatized to Canada than I thought. It's been a bit of a whirlwind as I left Idaho to spend a week at camp wondering where I would be and what God had in store for this fall. Then, about two days into Youth Camp, I got a phone call from my university volleyball coach who ran into my mom in the grocery store and, discovering I had left Canada, called and offered me the job of Asst. Head Coach at Shasta College. I finished Youth Camp and flew to Idaho, packed in one evening, and drove 13 hours back to my home state. I've come in about 3 weeks after they began, so it's a bit of a shuffle, but I'm already feeling settled in to a routine and even connecting quickly with these girls. I am totally not used to how hot it is here and finding myself easily exhausted, but I'm sure I'll settle in eventually. It's been wonderful to come home from practice and jump into the pool!
Coming back here has brought so much peace as God has confirmed this is the right place in this time. I was waiting for him to point me to what is next and, as it often does, it fell into my lap. I am excited for what He has in store involving these girls. They are rough girls...products of this world and their environment, but they are also impressionable. I am so blessed at how God has drawn me to this place. I sincerely miss Canada and mostly the people that crossed my path up there, yet I do not believe I have seen the last of that beautiful country. My heart is still very much wrapped up in the ministry of Camp Qwanoes and Kaleo and although I know this is an essential break, I look forward to future time spent on the island.
I cannot tell you enough how blessed I am in the Lord's incredible faithfulness. My summer was a time of growth and understanding and discovering a healthy approach to balancing ministry and rest. Although it was often a difficult time, I have come out of that experience with so much wisdom and incredible restoration of my soul.

"Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "God is my refuge and strength; an ever present help in trouble." "He will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on him."

Happy Fourth of July!!

Well, for the first time in 4 years, I spent Independence Day with my family! My grandparents, Dan& Amber and the boys and my parents were all there. Dan and I set off some great fireworks while we blasted I'm Proud To Be An American from the boat on the dock. It was great fun and the boys loved the sparklers and fireworks...it was quite the show! I am a blessed woman to have spent such a special time with my little nephews. I have wanted to be close with them, and never expected God to set aside such a wonderful time to do just that. It has also been a wonderful time of connecting and building relationship with Amber, my sister-in-law, and getting to know my brother more now that we've both changed so much!

I have had some wonderful conversations with family that have really done so much to open doors and heal wounds from time past. Although I have struggled at times, I am doing my best to be content with this time of rest and trust that when God aligns the pieces, I will be ready to sign on and have the patience to wait for that timing. I would never have anticipated such a peace in being away from camp during the summer, but it has allowed for some wonderful time of recognizing to what the Lord has called me. Camp ministry literally fell into my lap, and it was only in leaving, and believing I was leaving for good, that I could realize God is calling me to that ministry. I am doing my best to wait patiently for what is next, but often fall short of that patience.

God told me He would take care of finances during this time...He told me not to work, and He has provided more than I could imagine...I am astounded and now have only to wonder what the money He has provided is for...

Road Trip!

Nicki and I just had way too much fun these past couple weeks driving to Saskatchewan. We stopped at numerous places be it student homes or the Enchanted Forest or a long vacation at Brandon's house. The Lord seemed to bless us with each place we visited and site we saw. Before leaving the beautiful rocky mountains, we decided to spend one crazy night sleeping in the car! Sooo very funny!

Originally I had suspected that this could be a stressful trip as we would be traveling and living out of suitcases for two weeks and then begin to relax as I came back to the states, but in truth, this trip brought so much refreshment. I was pleasantly surprised at the restoration that the Lord brought during this trip and what a blast we had. With each new place we visited, the Lord brought more grace and joy. I was so blessed by the people we visited and felt often that I was being looked after and cared for wherever we went. All of you that we got to visit...thank you, it was such a joy to see you and to spend some in your homes.

Although a very large part of me wished that I could stay in Canada, the Lord gave me peace about returning to the states. The past few days at my brother's place have been wonderful. I had planned to head to Idaho today, but when I started to pack Carson gave me a sad face and little Brady asked me to stay, so here I am! Who could say no to that?

Blessings

Fun Times!!!

Can't help but remember with a smile on my face the last two weeks of Kaleo 5!

A Day at the Beach

It's been a blessing to be back in Washington with my nephews; we had a wonderful and relaxing day at the beach near Seattle on Sunday. It was the perfect afternoon adventure filled with black sand dollars and hikes up the mountain. I can't explain the great joy that comes when a little 6 month old reaches for you smiling ear to ear! I just love these two little boys so much, and what an incredible blessing to be able to spend this wonderful time with them. I can remember often thinking that it was unfortunate I did not get to spend more time with my nephews and now here I am!
I'm excited for some time spent in Idaho this summer...a little nervous for so much time without responsibility but trusting that the Lord will direct the time and bring just what is needed when the time comes.
I'm not gonna lie, I feel a bit numb towards all that is happening, and I'm having trouble discerning whether it is just that or peace. It may be that my heart is so trained for leaving things and people behind that it has thrown up a wall between me and my emotions. Part of it too could be that my heart is exhausted, it needs a break. Either way, I'm looking forward to a good book and some sunny days.

A Pirate and A Princess

Who wouldn't love this face? I am so in love with my nephews...what a joy to be here with them! Brady is laughing and cooing and totally on the move and Carson is the most brilliant 3 year old I've ever met (and that's not Auntie bias, I promise!). These boys are such great medicine for my heart. I was having a rough afternoon about a week ago and Amber handed me a naked baby in a diaper to ease the heartache...who wouldn't love that??!!
My heart is continually moving from contentment to longing. I think what plagues me at the moment is the question of if I had the community that the Lord brought to me in Canada, would I be happy doing something else? I want to do occupational ministry...I guess the question in my head is what ministry I want to do. God opened incredible doors for me in Canada, and I have loved every minute of it, granted it's been difficult at times, but I need to take the time to decide if this is the kind of ministry my heart yearns for. Truthfully, it's the only kind I've known...camp ministry. Before I commit long term, I think I need to know if that's truly my heart. It's hard to make that decision in the midst of that ministry, because I do really love what I've been doing. I'm curious to know if this is a long term desire in my heart or if the Lord has other plans for me...

Wow, it has been way too long! So much has transpired since the beginning of the year that I don't know where to start...I'm leaving Canada. After 3 incredible years up here, the Lord is calling me to a time of rest. I must say I never expected to be doing this and really it came on quite suddenly. In a matter of one week I went from stepping out of Kaleo next year to leaving camp at the end of April. It has been astounding how the Lord has prepared my heart for this transition. Although I lament saying goodbye to this place, He has brought me to such a place of grace and peace that I am ready to go. Anyone that knows me well knows that this could have been an impossible decision for me, but the Lord has been so gracious in making it impossible for me to choose anything else. He has made it so clear that my time here has come to an end...at least for now. It is time for me to experience refreshment and allow the Lord to restore me. I love pouring my whole heart into whatever I am doing and right now I can't do that; I need to be restored...I need to made whole. I want to be an effective minister of the gospel, and I believe that in order to do that God has brought me to this much needed time of rest.

I am so very excited to be heading down to Washington where I will be staying with my brother, sister-in-law and two wonderful nephews! They have so graciously offered for me to live with them and truthfully there's no other place I'd rather be. Although I do believe that moving on from here will be quite difficult at times, I am excited for where the Lord will choose to use me next. I have such an incredible opportunity to pour into my family at this time and look forward to what He will have for me beyond this. I could use your prayers as I make this transition starting this weekend. I will be moving down to Washington this weekend and then returning for the final two weeks of Kaleo in a month.

Truthfully I find it hard to describe the peace I feel at this decision; honestly, I could not have made it unless I felt this incredible peace and God has been so faithful in giving me the grace to have confidence in the decision and readiness to move on.

Love you all

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe another year has come and gone; it is so incredible to think of all that God has accomplished through this year and all that there is to look forward to. We had a wonderful staff retreat here at camp where many from the summer were able to gather together and reminisce over the wonderful work of our Father this past summer.
I took off for Washington a couple weeks ago and spent a bunch of time with Dan & Amber and the boys! Christmas was so much fun with Carson running around and Brady's bright eyes looking on. I enjoyed the break, but in truth I was a little preoccupied with Tim coming in on the 26th...I could not wait to for him to get here! We had such a blast this week going to a hockey game, visiting with summer staff, welcoming the new year, and then finished our week yesterday in Tofino. It was amazing. Thought I would leave you all with a beautiful photo of us on New Years taken by Jordan Nielsen...

Happy 2008 Everyone!