A Fresh New Start

You will begin seeing changes about my life on Facebook, email, etc.  I wanted to explain why.  I have ended my marriage.  It happened last August, when I discovered that my husband had a relationship outside of our 11 year marriage, and decided to move out.  Over the past year we have seen counselors and tried to repair things, but decided it’s the healthiest for us and the kids to move on and begin our separate lives.

So, this Easter has meant much more for my little family than just a celebration of the end of winter. It’s actually the celebration of an end to a very dark period of our life, and embracing the promise of new life and new possibilities.

The main thing I want you to know….I am okay!  In fact, I am stronger and better than ever.  The kids are doing great.  Although this may come as a surprise to you, I have been dealing with this for quite some time and have healed. Which is why I’m now talking about it and moving forward.   I feel strong and confident in pursuing my new life on my own with the kids.  I am fine financially and am getting plenty of support.  I’m not going to make a ton of changes.  We are living our normal lives.

You will probably begin to see changes on Facebook, my blog, email, on air, etc.  I plan on writing more and starting to tell my story of how I have found meaning during this time of suffering and how God is now turning what was once a pile of ashes into a thing of beauty.

I have discovered that there is a whole new dimension of life that God created for me…that I haven’t imagined or tapped into yet.  I have been settling for less of what God has intended for me.  No more!   I want to help others live the abundant life that God has planned for us.

Although parenting 3 young children on my own wasn’t exactly my plan, it’s actually not as hard as it sounds. To some it may seem like “no task for a mere mortal.”  But, I’m not one of those “mere mortals.”  I believe strongly in the risen power of Jesus Christ, and his ability to transform lives.  I am a living example that it is real.

Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, “Christ is risen,” but “I shall rise.” – Phillips Brooks

So on this Easter, I am breaking the silence and the chains of shame and secrets that were binding me.  I am saying it outloud…I am a Single Mom of 3…and I am rising!

Thanks for your love and support.  I don’t want pity, I don’t need a ton of help or anything, just your friendship, prayers, acceptance, and positive encouragement!

Love,

Amanda, Emily, Andy, and Zoe

Live with Reckless Abandon

I don’t know about you, but I’m taking life too seriously lately.  I want to go back to preschool.

Yesterday I visited my son, Andy’s, preschool class.  As I parked my minivan and walked across the street to his little school my mind was distracted with some serious worries that are going on in my life right now, until I heard the screams of joy.

My mind was awakened from it’s state of worry when I heard YAY!!!!  WOOHOO!!! and I looked up to see a class of 4 year olds running out to the playground with reckless abandon.  Those kids had no cares in the world.  They were thrilled beyond compare that they had the chance to go outside for 20 minutes to swing, jump, and spin around on the merry go round until they got dizzy.

Life can get to a serious pace as an adult that can made you dizzy.  From work responsibilities, kid activities, and financial burdens…it can really get me stressed out.  You can let it get to you or change your attitude and treat life it as an adventure.  Maya Angelou once said “Life is pure adventure…the sooner we realize that we can treat life as art.”

I dare you today as you walk outside of your home or office to let out a little YIPPEE!!!  Skip, Jump, do a little Irish jig  Start painting your canvas of life with some brighter colors…

Live Without Religion?

There’s a new billboard around the Washington DC Area that’s getting a lot of attention.  It’s an athiest group that is encouraging people to “Life Without Religion.”  This is going to sound shocking, I’m just warning you.  But, don’t stop reading yet.   They are right.

Sure you can live your life without God, but you can lead a better life with God.

Live Without Religion?  That’s what Jesus taught us to do.  He taught us that all these silly rules we put around faith and God….don’t matter.  Jesus taught that the greatest of all commandments was to love and that he came so that we longer have to be slaves to the law.

“Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.” Galations 4:7

They are right, but missing the meaning to life.  It’s one thing “to hope…to care…to love…to live” when everything is going well in your life, but what happens when it comes crashing down?

Man will always fail you, but God is always fighting for you and working for the best for you.  Creating HOPE…a confidant expectation of good things from God.  ”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for hope and a future…”

The only way you can continue to as the billboard says “to hope, to care, to love, and to live” in the midst of tragedy is because of a strong faith and the realization that God is on your side, he’s not counting up your sins, he knows it’s impossible to follow a religious set of rules and be perfect, that’s why Jesus walked this earth and taught us it’s not about religion, it’s about relationship.

Because of Jesus we have forgiveness when we fail, there is Grace (unmerited favor…an ability to do in us what we cannot do on our own) upon our lives. 

Sure, you can choose to live your life without God, but you can lead a better life with God.

I choose to lead a rich life that has meaning and inspires other people WITH God.

A Little Daily Note from God

Maybe you’ve done this…as you face a big decision in life, maybe a crossroads, you collect every bit of information you can to help you make the best decision. Maybe you’ve even resorted to reading your horoscope.  Admit it we all have at least once.

But, if you’ve ever read your horoscope in the newspaper you’ve probably read the wrong sign.  Astrologists now say that the signs are one month off.  The Star Tribune reported“The ancient Babylonians based zodiac signs on the constellation the sun was “in” on the day a person was born. During the ensuing millenniums, the moon’s gravitational pull has made the Earth “wobble” around its axis, creating about a one-month bump in the stars’ alignment”.

Wouldn’t we all love a little glimpse of our future.   Sometimes maybe even cried out to God asking if he could just tell you what your future holds.  I think that’s why people sometimes read their horoscope.  It gives a moment of clarity for your future in this most uncertain life.  Wouldn’t it be cool if you could open up the newspaper and there was a little personal note to you from God?

Something like, “Good morning…just wanted to let you know that there is nothing that’s going to happen to you today that you and I can’t handle together…have a good day…talk to you soon.”

What kind of daily note would you like to receive from God?

Speak Life and Possibility

Sometimes the only way to deal with such tragedy is to find a way to learn from it and become better.

That’s what I got out of President Obama’s speech yesterday at The Memorial Service honoring those that lost their lives in the Tuscon, Arizona shooting.  In his speech he said…it is time to talk with each other “in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds…We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us.”

My co-host Brennan says his goal is to speak life and possibility into people’s lives.  I love that.  I think it starts at home.

Every night as a part of the bedtime routine with the kids I tell my kids what I am “most proud of them for” that day. Maybe it’s playing nicely with their siblings, or helping Mommy put away the groceries.  I try to find something that involves helping others.  It’s something my husband says his mother used to do with him every night.

It trickled down to our family.  I think that’s the whole idea.  Once we speak life and possibility into the lives of our children, they speak it into the lives of their friends, and the lives of their children, and their Grandchildren…and just maybe the world around you will become a better place when more people hear the words, “I believe in you.” instead of “You’re not good enough.”

Tell me you speak life and possibility into the lives of your family by commenting to this blog.

 

Bald and a Beauty Queen

Bad Hair Days, Good Hair Days, what about no hair days? As a woman hair can be so defining, but what if you lost it all?  What if you were bald at 22 years old?  Would you still feel beautiful?

Kayla Martell does.  She’s 22 years old, and competing this week for the Miss America title.  She’s Miss Delaware.  She’s been bald since she was 11 years old.  She has alopecia areata, a rare condition that results in unexplained hair loss. But that’s not stopping her from competing for her lifelong dream.

She wears a wig in competition, but not at home.  “When I’m home with my family, I’m always without my wig — that’s who I am,” She told Today.com.

Maybe it’s that confidence that gives her  True Beauty.  Her story reminds me that no matter what problems you have, what mistakes you have made, they only limit your future if you let it.

Tell me about the most beautiful person in your life…

Click here for her full story

Love in Action Overcoming Hate

So much hate this weekend.  Yet so much love in action.  Just by holding someone’s hand.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I see an older couple walking and holding hands together I think I hope that’s me someday…I hope I will be loved like that when the kids are gone, when the wrinkle cream doesn’t matter anymore, and everything has sagged.

There’s a couple like that folks are talking about this morning that had that deep love throughout their life.  The  Stoddard’s were known as the “lifeblood” of their church. They had been married for 56 years. They put their hearts into helping others and have changed many lives.

It just so happens they were standing in line at a Safeway in Tuscan, Arizona on Saturday to meet their Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, when a gunman opened fire. Mr. Stoddard laid on top of his wife to tried to shield her.  He died, but Mrs. Stoddard survived even though she was shot in the leg.  He made the ultimate sacrifice for his wife.  What an amazing love story.

Fast Acting Intern

He was the new guy – the intern – Daniel Hernandez starting working with Rep. Giffords just 5 days ago.  He’s a poli sci major and his job was to sign in people and control traffic at Giffords’ event on Saturday at the Safeway in Tuscan, Arizona.  Turns out he also had studied nursing.

When the shooting started, he was more than 30 feet away around a corner, but he rushed to her side.  He started checking the pulses of those hurt…he noticed she had been shot in the head, and he rushed to help her.  He was able to shut off all emotions and get to work.  He lifted her head, because he feared she might choke on her own blood and used smocks from the grocery store’s meat department as makeshift bandages for her and other victims. He asked her questions and although she couldn’t respond she was squeezing his hand.  He saved her life.

I find it fascinating that in each of these moments someone was holding another’s hand.  Studies have shown that just by the simple act of holding a loved ones hand can lessen the amount of physical pain you feel.

The intern holding his boss’s hand. The husband embracing his wife.  Love in Action.  Overcoming Hate.  Just by holding hands…

 

 

From Homeless to Household Name

If you’ve ever doubted that God can change your life…just look at the story of Homeless former radio announcer, Ted Williams.

Just a couple days ago he made his living by standing on the side of a road in Ohio holding up a piece of cardboard that said, “I have a God given gift of voice and have fallen on hard times…”

He had a drug and alcohol problem and lost his family and his job.  He lost everything, but someone cared anyway.  A newspaper reporter that passed by him decided to document Ted’s story.  He took a video, put it on the local newspaper’s website ,and it went viral.

Now he has job offers from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the NFL!  He credits his new found relationship with God for the turnaround.  All because someone stopped to care and this homeless man dared to believe in a God you can’t see.

It’s a modern day Good Samaritan Story.   A real story of redemption.  Second Chances.

It reminds me that no matter how bad things get, God is still able to turn it around.  And that everyday people like you and me can be used God to give those second chances away.

What second chances has God given you?  Tell me about it by commenting on this blog…

Makes you think twice next time you drive pass someone holding up a cardboard sign.

Dream a Little Dream with Me

My Mom sends me the “Daily Word” devotional book every month. It’s just a little book with a page of inspiration every day. Yesterday’s really made an impact.

“What do I truly love to do? What makes my spirit soar? Maybe it’s dancing, singing or playing the guitar. Perhaps it’s drawing, painting, or woodworking. Whatever the activity, I set the intention to add it to my daily or weekly routine. Creative expression lifts my spirit and energizes my life. As I allow my creativity to shine, I have a renewed zest for life. My mind and body are recharged and fully engaged as I tune in to the creative power of Spirit. I let this power radiate through me in new ways. I enjoy rich and abundant living as I open to the continual flow of divine ideas that spring forth from within me.”

I love to write and I LOVE to talk…that’s why I host a Morning Show.  I also think that Motherhood has taken over my life sometimes.  There’s only so much “Stinky poo poo” that I can handle.  I have thought many times “what if I would have gone for the career route?”  Where would I be now?  Would I have a TV gig?  Would I be happier or not?  I can’t let myself go there.

I have realized that their are seasons in my life.  I don’t have to have all of those things right now.  I’m a mom.  I feel confident in that role right now.  I also co-host a Morning Show.  I’m done by 9:30am and that allows me to be creative…and be a mom.  It also makes me exhausted.  Sleep is over rated.

But, after reading this, I thought I’d take one more step forward.  I WILL write something everyday.  Maybe it’s a blog entry, maybe a personal one for my journal with an actual real pen and paper, or maybe it’s the beginning to a book I dream of having published one day.  Every night before I go to bed.  I will write something.  That makes me so happy.

I will also not shy away from crazy big ideas and dreams. If “talking” is something I love to do.  Why not try to do it on TV!  Since I was a child, my dream has been to host the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! I know it’s kind of silly, but I love it.  I love the tradition of it.  The co-anchors, and side line reporters wearing fun winter hats and beautiful coats, the big balloons, and marching bands.  If Betty White can get on SNL through Facebook why can’t Amanda? So, I created a Facebook Group and you can join the “Help Amanda emcee the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” !  I’m serious!

Join the cause to “Help Amanda emcee the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” here!

What creative things do you love to do?  Could you resolve this year to make them a regular part of your routine?

Finding Meaning during Suffering

There is a theme weaving through what I’m reading and praying and learning about.  It’s finding meaning during suffering.

It’s very strange.  So much of my belief over the past 10 years has centered around the fact that God doesn’t cause bad things to happen….everything has been perfect so it was easy to believe that….and than WHAMO…a really bad thing happened, it smacked me in the face and made me realize that life is not a fairy tale.  I can’t help but ask why?  What did i do to deserve this?

Nothing.

Through the book “Man’s Search for Meaning” and the latest sermon series at my church called “Grounded”, I’ve learned that despite God’s GOOD plans for us…bad things happens.  It’s how you deal with the bad that matters.

“Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional”

For example, weight lifting.  When you lift weights you’re getting stronger even though your muscles feel weaker.  After the 3rd set your muscles feel like limp noodles hardly able to lift a pencil, but you know that it’s only temporary.  You do it purposely to get stronger.  Literally as your muscles rip and tear they rebuild themselves stronger.

My brokeness and suffering is producing perserverence and hope.  Someday I will be able to write all about this.  Right now I must be vague.

I’ve never experienced such suffering before.  I thought I had, but I never have been through anything like this.  Suffering will change you.  If you allow it to.  If I allow hope to seep in during this time of suffering and not dwell on the negative, the reasons why I should give up, if I persevere, I wil be better.  My heart muscles are repairing themselves stronger than they were before.

There is hope that lies beyond our suffering. I will not be caught by bitterness and misery, but hang on to the glory that will be revealed in us.  Something so much better awaits…