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Birthday Ponderings... I wasn’t sure what I needed. I’ve been going super fast—mostly spinning honestly....  I knew the best thing for my soul was to unplug and head into nature. Rarely a typical girl, I picked camping for my birthday weekend. The silver lining about pulling into your campsite way after dark is you can wake up to a beautiful surprise.   As I watch my tiny humans’ minds quickly transition into an imaginary world filled with trails to be explored and rocks to be turned  into treasures, I felt all my tense muscles melt. I followed them down to...

From my journal: September, 2018   People usually ask about Africa when I get home. And I always struggle to give a good answer. It is so much to capture and often not fully processed until weeks after I get home. But for this trip, how do I casually share that I went really struggling with some things. Really asking the Lord to clean any cobwebs out of my relationship with Him. To help me understand some truths I have been wrestling to understand.   Overwhelmingly...He did. I had 3 beautiful living examples—bam bam bam play out before my eyes...

  This is the tenth year since we first left home for a two week trip to the great unknown. Brad and I left baby Asher, and headed to Rwanda, Africa completely unaware of how our lives would forever change. For the next few days, I will open my journal and share some of the things I’ve learned from my 10 years of experience as girl who was awakened from my comfort zone and discovered how it feels to be fully alive.     October 3, 2015 This trip has been special because Jean Baptiste and Beatrice have invited us...

Today, Brad and I were asked if one of us would mind reading during big church. I immediately said “not it”. Because I'm a grown-up, and I am most happy working behind the scenes where nobody can see you mess up....   Then we were told what they wanted, and Brad started giggling.  It could not possibly be more Amanda....We were asked to create a modern interpretation of Deuteronomy 6:6-9 based on our family’s lifestyle.   6 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk...

My heart kind of froze a little when she walked in this morning, bedhead, sleepy eyes, carrying the flower girl dress she wore so beautifully this weekend.  Mommy, can I wear it to school today?  I saw Brad's big eyes, but then I saw the light of bravery in hers.  She doesn't always choose to be  brave.  She tends to be more of a quiet observer.  She doesn't love the spotlight, even though you would probably not know it.  She has more confidence than she realizes.  I said "yes, of course you can wear it.  You will look amazing.  Go...