"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."