On Roots and Holy Ground

Photo Credit

I once heard a tale of a redwood tree.

People from all over the world would come to observe this tall giant. They would stand and look straight up into the sky trying to find the treetop. Tourists would take pictures standing next to the tree, attempting to capture the greatness of God and the smallness of man.

One day the great tree fell.

The cause of this fall wasn't from a storm, a lumberjack, or old age. The tree toppled from overexposure: too many people had walked, trampled on the ground where it's roots were.

Take off your sandals for the place where you stand is holy ground.

The tree fell from lack of space.

We all need space--sacred, holy ground.

One might think the stronger the relationship, the more it could be exposed, looked at, and withstand being trampled upon.

The more intimate the relationship, the wider the roots spread, the greater the need for space is.

Intimacy creates sacred--the need for pure and undefiled space.


This girl is craving a real and healthy relationship with God--the God that we celebrate during this season as God-become-man, Immanuel--God WITH us. I want to know Him as WITH me!

I desire a relationship with God that is unseen just as much as it is seen. I once lived thinking my relationship with God could be sustained by all that I did--by all the above ground stuff. I lived waiting for the rain of the Spirit (and, dare I even admit, the rain of affirmation) to touch my leaves. I began to whither because my roots didn't go down deep. And if I am honest, I came very close to a spiritual death.

And now... God and I are becoming intimate. I am getting to really know Him, spending time with Him, putting Him first in my life. And He is beginning to flow through everything. My roots are going down deep into living water. And when your roots are in living water, it can't help but flow through everything and change everything. Oh, it is so good friends! How I crave this for each of you!

Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7



Would you be so brave as to share: how is the health of your spiritual roots?? Maybe we can encourage one another? I am also pondering this bit of deepness: what are the boundaries you can put in place to keep your sacred ground from getting trampled and still be a disciple-maker (you know, letting people look into your life and encouraging them by how you live)?? I would love to hear your thoughts.



By Grace,

Amanda


Just a quick little note: I did want you all to know that I am finding that I need to be quiet this season and lean into my Savior-become-friend. There may not be too many posts around here this month. Do know I am here, and I keep you in my thoughts and prayers. You are always welcome leave me a note in my email box, on Twitter or on Facebook--in fact, it kinda makes my day :)

Poor (Pt. 2)

I think of Peter and John—men who had given their all to follow Christ, men who lived on the day-to-day provision of God.

As they walk by the Beautiful Gate, a lame beggar—in rags and shame—calls out for money, for something, anything to ease his suffering.

Peter says, “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto you.”

Such as I have.

They had no money. No extra food. No extra clothes.

But they had the Spirit of the Living God dwelling in them--a well of springing water that does not run dry.

They gave what they had. And what they had was pretty amazing: God’s Healing, His Grace, His Forgiveness.

I think of myself. My such as I have? Do I give it?

I scrape to give scarves and gloves and toothbrushes and food and toys to those in need this holiday season.

I even look for excuses to not give what I barely have, and I wonder what do I really have?

Am I poor?

Do I really have grace and forgiveness and the very Spirit of the Living God and the gifts that comes with that?

Because if I did, wouldn’t that be my such as I have? Wouldn’t it be my response in this season?

I think of churches. Food giveaways, conferences, soup lines, toy drives… and I wonder in this tight economic season where churches are foreclosing… where is the such as I have? Shouldn’t the Hope of the world be in abundance? Overflowing? Shouldn’t we see miracles here?

Okay, and I am totally not saying that all that aforementioned stuff is bad. It’s good! The Bible is clear about giving to the orphan, widow, and those in need. I guess I just recognize that I barely have anything of monetary value to give, and I let that be my excuse. I don’t give the one thing I should have in abundance.

And the cry of my heart this holiday season?

I am praying a crazy prayer. I want more God. I want my such as I have to be the abundance of grace, mercy, and the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to shake off fear and anything else that might hold me back. I want to relentlessly pursue the God of the whole universe. I want to live like I really know Him. I want to see God move in such a way I can’t take an ounce of credit.

I don't want to just do good. I want to do God-changing-lives.

And the craziest part of this:

For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Matt 7:8)

You didn't choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to You. (John 15:16)

So I ask you, what is your “such as I have?” And are you willing to give it this holiday season? And if you don't have it... are you willing to ask for it? 

I'd love to hear from you. If you don't want the "whole world" to see your response, maybe send it to me in an email? Just click the link in the top right hand corner of the page, reply to your email (if you subscribe by email), or email me at conqueringhousewife{at}the-cadence{dot}com. I have been working on a series about crazy obedience... it's a little terrifying but I SO want God and to see Him move. I'd love to know if anyone is right there with me.



By Grace,

Amanda



P.S. Email subscribers: big thank you for sticking with me through a season of my RSS email not working... and then my embarrassing little blunder. Your friendship (because truly I count readers as friends) is something I am so grateful for. Thanks for being on the journey with me. xo


Scripture Reference: Acts 3:1-10

Poor (Pt 1)

“Poor people are those who only work to try to keep an expensive lifestyle, and always want more and more.”

I read this article and those words have been bouncing around my brain. 

Bouncing around in my little world where my husband toils to make ends meet and there is always more month than money. Bouncing around where I struggle with embracing the tiny budget that allows for one Christmas gift per child under that tree… where I have to be thankful for the parents that will keep my children from disappointment… where my resourcefulness grows thin for free creative gifts… where my apartment grows smaller as my children grow larger and faster… where my daughter has it in her head that she needs a Dreamlights for Christmas and reminds me daily—

Reminds me daily that we don’t have enough. 

And this idea—“Poor people are those who… always want more and more”—bounces until it collides with this: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33).

I think of the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus heartbroken because he couldn’t give up his stuff.

I think of Zacchaeus who upon discovering that God wanted him, loved him, was preparing a place for him in the Kingdom of Heaven, gave up everything he had to follow Christ.

I think of how I may not have much when I live in this American world of rich young rulers—of commercials and consumerism and credit cards. And yet how much do I have when there are people in Haiti, Uganda, and Togo whose monthly income is less than the price of my one Christmas gift for my daughter—and I struggle with not giving her more??

And I think maybe I am actually poor, because I seek and long for things... for more Christmas presents under the tree, for a larger house, for newer and trendier clothes.

I am poor because I think I lack.

But if I sought His Kingdom, I would not lack. For in Jesus is the well from which one drinks and never thirsts again. If I seek satisfaction in this world, I find a well in which toys are outgrown, clothes wear thin, and trends always change.

And I think, perhaps I could be rich… if I sought God. Because He promises whatever you seek, you will find.

I want to want God.

This culture screams at me, especially during the holidays, when mothers cry for lack and fight for more. When Black Friday promises deals and if you just wake up early enough, run fast enough, search hard enough, you could win the prize of more. 

God is quiet. He does not scream. He has no ad campaigns or sales. 

Yet He calls, whispers: seek Me first.

Seek Me first.

Drink Living Water.

Eat the Bread of Life.

Pick up your cross and follow me.

And it is a mystery. Foolishness, really. Upside down. The last are first, and first are last. The richest are the poorest, and the poorest are the richest. Those with the least can actually have the most. And the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but it’s the power of salvation to those who believe. 

And I wonder: this holiday season will I seek Him first? Will I lead my children to Him… to the place where I am on my knees, where I am full and content and satisfied in something no sale or bonus can provide me? 

Will I live poor or rich?

I should have the second part for you Monday. And in the meantime, can I just wish you the fullest and most joyful Thanksgiving?! 

Seriously and totally, happy day full of much thanks-giving to YOU!

By Grace,

Amanda

What I'm Into... November Edition

In this issue:

The Thanksgiving Tree
The Laptop Bag
Homemade Parfaits
The Easiest-Ever Salsa Chicken
Operation Christmas Child

The Thanksgiving Tree

Ann Voskamp put up this project for November on her blog. I thought it was beautiful, it looked easy to do, and it looked like a wonderful way to bring the act of thanksgiving into our home.

I grabbed the kids and took them on a nature hike to find sticks on the ground (and what kid doesn't want to be given the mission of finding good sticks?!).

 We put the sticks in the only large vase I had and cut out the leaves from the print out. Addy helped.

Can you tell we are just learning how to use scissors? :)

I used ribbon and glue dots to stick the leaves on.

Every night when we gather around the table, Addy picks a leaf, Michael reads it, and then one of us offers up something we are thankful for. We record it on the back of that leaf.

Precious, right?! I am so glad we did this.

Want to do it too? Go here!

The Laptop Bag

I really wanted a bag just the right size for my little netbook. So I made one. Before you go thinking I am this amazing crafter or asking me to make you one, know this: it is full of mistakes. I am learning through this whole blogging process that I am not actually all that into crafting. I suppose sometimes I just need a tangible way to deal with stress and making some kind of something just helps. This was right before I went to the Allume conference... I was nervous... So I sewed a bag. There's just something therapeutic about sewing in straight lines. Does anyone else relate?? 

Cheesin' it in front of some city art while in Harrisburg. I think the bag suits me :)

That said, somethings about it turn out pretty awesome if I do say so myself. :) I used scrap fabric: fleece leftover from this project from last year and a retro-print cotton. I used two pieces of thick ribbon that I sewed together to make it double strong. So, besides needing to buy the ginorous button that I simply had to have, the bag was FREE.

Want to know how I made it cushioned and sturdy enough for a laptop?

I hacked into an extra one of these plastic boxes... I just cut the plastic pieces to size and added a piece of craft felt to either side. 

I'd show you the inside, but let's just say it's already full of my mess stuff. I also use it as a purse. It is lined in the retro-print and fits my laptop, a composition notebook and my wallet--things this writer-girl needs to have on her person at almost all times. :)

Homemade Parfaits

(Warning this paragraph contains just a minor bit of "mom-talk") So I wanted to wean my son and finally get him sleeping through the night. He was not doing either very easily. At 15 months old, I was having trouble getting him to drop lower than 4 feedings, and he was still waking up 2 times a night. The doctor suggested trying yogurt instead of milk. Yogurt is heartier than cow's milk but still contains all the wholesome dairy nutrition a growing boy needs. I tried giving him yogurt for breakfast and yogurt before bedtime. I won't say it worked like a charm... it still took a whole lot of foot-down determination to get him to wean and sleep through the night... but it definitely helped.

I have this great annoyance with store bought yogurt. Fruit and yogurt is great, but why,why, why do they need to add extra sugar on top of the fruit?? Fruit has natural sweetness!

So, I buy a tub of plain yogurt (32 oz), add a tsp. of vanilla and a tbsp. of maple syrup to the whole tub and stir. I now have hardly sweet, vanilla yogurt. A perfect backdrop for fruit and granola!

I add some frozen strawberries slightly thawed, cut them into the yogurt with a spoon, and sprinkle a tbsp of granola on top.

Delicious. And the Jed-man LOVES it.

The Easiest-Ever Salsa Chicken.

I found this here. Easiest. Yummiest. Dinner. Ever.

Place 4-6 Chicken Breasts (Boneless and Thawed) and 1 Jar of Salsa into your Crockpot... and let the magic happen. 6-8 hours later, pull super tender chicken apart with a fork, use for tacos, burritos, taco salad... the leftovers in your saturday morning egg scramble, in quesdillas for the kids lunch the next day... whatever, however.

Easy.

By the way, I use extra mild picante sauce and my kids like it. It's not too spicy for their young taste buds. (I spoon the "good" salsa on top of my taco because I like some spicy).

This is PERFECT if you have a large amount of people coming over. Two words: TACO BAR. :)

Operation Christmas Child

What's the best way to teach your child how blessed she is and how much we have to be thankful for??

By giving to someone else in need.

We packed our first OCC shoebox this year. I let Addy pick the gender and age for the box recipient. So naturally, the box was packed for a 4 year old girl (who hopefully loves pink and princesses).

By signing up online (just click the picture), we were able to pay for the box's shipping and get a special label so we can find out what country our box ends up in.  I am looking forward to teaching her about that country during our preschool time.

Addy was super excited to drop this box off. This mom heart is feels all warmed-up knowing I am teaching my daughter how to be a giver and how to love. Now I just gotta deal with the whole "Christmas is tomarlow, Mom?" "No, Baby. That present is going really far so we had to drop it off now. Christmas is still a ways off." I have a feeling this is going to be a frequently recurring conversation for the next, oh, 40 days. :)


What are you up to? Any cool Thanksgivingish projects to share? Or super duper easy crock pot recipes? Leave 'em the comments.


By Grace,

Amanda

On Chewing Gum & Trust

I offered him a piece of gum.

It’s my intentional way of starting a conversation on a plane. I sorta stink at small talk.

I told him, “I am a firm believer in gum during take-off and landing.” He chuckled. I added, “And seriously, if you want or need more, just ask. I’d be happy to share.”

He smiled, acknowledging my offer.

We begin to share little bits of our life. He's retired with a long list of really cool hobbies like photography and brewing his own beer. I tell him how I write and have two kids and a husband I can’t wait to get home to. We talk about my husband and where his job may take him. We talk about faith and Christianity, of the problem of “putting people in boxes” and failing to really love them. He told me of his friend’s journey to find a denomination where he felt free to worship.

After a few minutes of small talk that was actually really big talk (I told you I stink at small talk), we rested. I wrote; he read. I journaled; he napped.

Two hours into the flight, we hit some turbulence and the plane ascended (or descended I am not really sure) without warning. My ears felt the change in altitude.

I looked to the seat next to me where my new friend is pulling out a familiar wrapper and taking out half a piece of gum and placing it in his mouth.

I sit stunned. He kept back half of a piece of gum from the gum I freely gave him… from which I had plenty and would have gladly given him more.

He didn’t want to ask for more. He didn’t take me at my word that I would give him more. He wanted to be in control.

{Which, by the way, I do realize I was two notches up from a perfect stranger, and, who knows, I could have been sleeping when he needed gum again. That part is really not the point.}

I wanted to tell him, you could have had more gum if you had but asked. 

2, 3, 4 pieces and you settled for two mediocre gum-chewing experiences because either you didn’t take me at my word or you didn’t want to ask?

And I wondered… do I ever do that with God?

Do I ever stop short of giving my all because I don’t want to run out—of money, of time, of strength? Do I lack because I just simply do not want to take the time to commune with God and ask for what I have need of? Do I attempt to be in control of my life rather than trusting God and His promises? Do I choose to ration the little bit I have rather than living expecting God to make good on His promises?

Do I stop short of fully living for God because I don’t really trust Him?

The verse that’s been on my heart:

“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day: And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

Pour out and you will be filled.

I think of the Israelites in the wilderness and the mystery of the manna. Sweet little wafers on the ground each morning—God’s provision. Don’t go out and collect it in the morning and go hungry. Hold back too much in case God doesn’t provide it the next day and it spoils (Worms! Gross!). Don’t set back extra on Friday for the Sabbath Rest and go hungry that day. 

Trust. But not just trust. Obedience too. And I think perhaps trust and obedience go hand in hand.

Trust God with each and every gift.

Seek His Daily provision.

Draw out from myself to those in need.

Obey God’s leading.

God WILL daily provide.

What God gives, He means to be used.

And do set aside for intentional rest.

Hmmm… I am thinking on this. I want to see God continue to move through this woman like He did in Pennsylvania. I know He shook me up and I can’t go back to being the same. And I know I want to hold back even now because of fear. I see all kinds of shortcomings in myself… failing to seek His daily provision by spending time in prayer and His Word daily, failing to obey His voice, failing to pour out because I am afraid I won’t have anything left, failing to take intentional rest. I want to trust and obey.

Care to think on this with me?? I would love you to chime in with your thoughts. :)

By Grace,

Amanda
 

Because Sometimes I'm Just a Big Sissy-La-La Girl

I thought I was starting to get the rhythm of this whole walking with God, day by day. Listening for His voice.

It is not easy.

Thing is, I grow weary so fast. I am one big sissy-la-la girl when it comes to trials. And change? Yeah, I kind of hate it… especially when I have no control over it. I think it is safe to admit that right now I am in the midst of a little freak-out. Trials and Change.

I think of the Hebrews—Jesus-loving Jews. Hated by Romans. Hated by Jews. Persecuted on all sides. The book of Hebrews talks about how they were persecuted, endured great trials, and did it with rejoicing.  They went through imprisonments, living day to day for provision, mockery… but their rejoicing only lasted so long. When more trials came their way, they began to waver and complain. Hebrews 10:36 points out what they were lacking:

“For you have need of endurance.”

This is the verse that is currently staring at me—gently tapping me on the shoulder. This verse is the two hands firmly cupping my cheeks during my little freak-out looking me square in the eye and telling me to focus. Perhaps, this is terrible to admit, but I kind of want to tell my Bible to shut up. I don’t want endurance. I don’t want to suffer. Rejoice in trials?! Pass!

“For you have need of endurance.”

Do I? Do I really need it, God?

{insert deep sigh}

“For you have need of endurance, SO THAT when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised… BUT we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:36,39).

We—followers of Christ, lovers of God—We are of those who left their country for one yet unknown because God said so, who stared lions in the face because we would rather please God than a king, who built a huge boat for something strange and yet to be seen (rain), who chose to be counted with suffering people rather than enjoy the pleasures of Pharaoh’s court, who circled a city for seven days and believed walking by faith and praising God could give them the victory.

We are not of those who shrink back.

And yet, don’t we?! Shrink back?

I see the hint of a trial and I want to grab my big comforter and a hide under it. I imagine the worst. I get angry. I stop rejoicing. I stop walking by faith because there is no way I am taking another step without know where I am going. I want to solve the problem. I want to know the outcome. I lose sleep. I lose energy. I fail to trust.

I want all the pieces to the puzzle so that I can put it all together. It’s as though deep down I am thinking, Thanks God for the mess you made of my life—I got it from here, thanks. 

 Oh, Amanda!

You have need of endurance!

And doesn’t slow and steady win the race?

So, I am slowing. Doing what doesn’t come natural… I am leaning in close to God. Instead of praying up a storm things like: Do this! Do that! And now, God! I am **trying** to be still. To know that He is God--Faithful--Sovereign. I am listening. Opening my hands to the things I am clinging to, that maybe He wants me to trust Him with.

I am learning that I do not need to know it all now. God provides what I need for each day. And the next day? Well, He’ll provide for that then.

I am walking one step at a time in the direction God is leading me, even if I don’t know the outcome, and even if I don’t particularly like the uncertainty of where I am currently at. I am remembering that a soldier doesn’t change their direction until the Sergeant changes their marches orders.

It’s time to stop the emotional and reactionary freak out when I smell a trial or a change coming. It’s time to lean in close to Jesus. It’s time to learn endurance.

And, perhaps, endurance is found not so much by pressing harder when it gets tough... but by pressing into the gentle arms of One Very Tough Dude--the Savior who endured and endured and endured for us.

How do you handle trials and change? Do you need endurance? Maybe we can pray for one another?

By Grace,

Amanda

10 Takeaways from Allume and 1 Big Highlight

So, I wanted to reflect on Allume, the writing/blogging conference I got to attend in Harrisburg, PA.

Can I start by saying Harrisburg is a beautiful city?!

Hills and trees and old churches and brownstones and white farmhouses… beautiful! Fall and all its glory were in full effect when we arrived. I got to see the East Coast dressed for Fall! (Yay!) My travel buddy, Allume roomie, new friend and definitely a kindred spirit went exploring with me on foot before the conference started.

I was pretty excited to be in the capitol city right next to the capitol building. (We got some crazy looks when we asked if it was the capitol building. Um... what else would it be?? Yeah. Okay. I guess it's a little obvious.)

10 Takeaways from Allume:

1. “Real life friends don’t learn anything new from my blog.” <--that was from Annie Downs session. I need to treasure my real life family and friends more even if it means waiting a week to post something.
2. I not just a little introverted... I am super introverted. At a conference that was all about networking and meeting new friends, I discovered that I am not actually shy and can be quite loud. But I also discovered that I wear out quickly and require large quantities of re-charge time (by myself—just me, God, my Bible, and my journal). By the last day of the conference, I sat by myself and let other people sit next to me and start conversations. I just didn’t have any small talk left in me. Perhaps it makes me lame, but I seriously met some of the neatest people that way. (Big shout out to those willing to sit by the quiet loner and start conversations with her!)
3. "Where you feel like you don’t fit, where you are the most uncomfortable… that’s your writing voice. “ <-- Denise Eide’s workshop. (Pssst… if you have children learning to read or struggle with reading or if you’ve ever wanted to understand things like why we have a silent “e”, check out her book Logic of English.) There are some places where I have been hurt, where I so haven’t wanted to write… but I can sense God calling me there. This blog might just get a little more controversial… but I think that’s a good thing. How do we bridge gaps, if there is no one willing to stand in the uncomfortable places??
4. I am a jelly fish! <--from Phil Vischer’s talk (the creator of Veggie Tales). He shared his testimony and how jelly fish can float around, swim up or down but the only way they go anywhere is when they get in the current. Stop trying to go places, Amanda, and just simply get in God's current and let Him take you where He will.
5. "Your Impact: The size of the heart of God for your audience.” <--Kat Lee. God loves YOU so Big! And He is the One that makes the impact. If I can just touch but a piece of the passion God has for who God wants me writing to, God can impact the world!
6. Writing benefits my family. <--from TriciaGoyer’s talk. She listed off so many positive ways me being a writer can benefit my family. She talked about structuring our days better so that writing can be a positive thing for my family. I was struggling with mom-guilt over the way writing kept creeping into my life (or more like the social media side of blogging). Tricia gave some great tips on how to structure one’s day and made me realize being a writer is a gift that can bless my family.
7. My Small is Big Enough <--Darren Rowse and this theme carried through many other speakers like Trina Holden. I don't need to be big for God to use me. Just love Him. Love His. And be listening and obedient to His voice. 
8. “Why would God give you a map, when He has given you Himself?” <-- Ann Voskamp “God didn’t give Abraham a map, he gave him a RELATIONSHIP.” “A calling listens to the One Who calls.” “God’s calling isn’t that you would do more FOR him, but that you would do more WITH Him.” “Lean in close to God’s Word and listen”<-- SOOO many great takeaways from AnnVoskamp’s talk. If you have 55 minutes, this is a great way to spend them! (All the other key-notes are here too).
9. The gift of community. I got to meet some AMAZING women at this conference. And what made each woman amazing wasn’t the size of their readership, their niche, their denomination, their age, their number or age of children, their relationship status, their experience… it was the love of Jesus and a heart of compassion. This conference had everyone from whole-food-loving Catholics, green charismatics, faith-writing fundamentalists and mommy-encouraging Methodists… and the differences between us all just didn't matter. It only added to the beauty of a diverse community of women. I loved it!!
10. The heart-felt talks I got to have with these women: Jacqui, Melanie, Becky, Jesenia, Nellie, Karen, Anna, Sarah, Karis. (and I know I missed a few). Dear kindred spirits. Instant new best friends. And seriously if you get tired of reading my stuff or want to add more to your reading list… their blogs! What a treasure these women are!

One SUPER big highlight:

Yep. I got to hug Ann Voskamp. Author of the book, 1000 Gifts—the book that totally changed the way I view my relationship with God and how I worship Him. Of course, as you may also notice from my red face, I fell apart when I met her (lots of tears people!). I got to tell her my very cool story I told you about yesterday, told her how wrecked I felt, and she so encouraged me.

Melanie, Nellie, Jacqui and Me in the Smilebooth. LOVE these dear sisters!!

I definitely have more un-packing to do (like mental and spiritual content from the conference... I did get all my clothes cleaned and put away... for the most part! Ha!) I am so SO thankful God opened the door for me to go. A seriously BIG thank you to Granma and Gramps for sponsoring my trip, my mom and sister who helped with my munchkins, my husband's support and belief in me, Jacqui for being willing to travel with this non-flyer and terrible decipherer of PA signs, the beautiful Allume team that worked to lavish on us and make the conference incredible, and all the prayers and support I got from all of you!

T H A N K  Y O U ! ! !

By Grace,
Amanda

PS-yesterday my comment moderator bugged on me yet again (on the Wrecked. post). I had responded to all of the comments, but I have no idea if you got my responses. Do know I am working on fixing this (and it may take a while because I am technologically clueless), I did not delete your comment on purpose, and I cherished each one of your sweet words! I am sorry and a big thank you for your grace. I suppose it's good to be kept humble and in need of grace. ha! xo