by Amanda Barnard | Jan 13, 2022 | Family
Today you are four years old. The “Wild One”, I have called you. To the beat of a different drum, are all the ways you dance.
You may not remember turning four today, but I will. I adore the posts of memories that remind me of your growth. You are precious and I enjoy watching you learn about all of the things!
Curiosity rules you. The intricate parts, you want to explore them all! The flickering lightbulb is your fixation.
Praying is one of your favorite things! You’re little heart is already learning to worship. You already know that Jesus is the answer and no one will ever change your mind!
Those drum beats are truly your own. But I love the way you think! A world changer! Thats what you are!
To my second little princess, I love you more than there are words!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY SWEET BRENLEE!
by Amanda Barnard | Jan 6, 2022 | Everything Else, Faith, Family
Today is my son, Dalton’s birthday! In my quest of being intentional, Brad and I are going to take him to lunch! I would love for you to meet him!
What can I say about Dalton, from “mom’s perspective”? So many things! Dalton is a handsome guy and single (wink, wink)! He is extremely responsible. A self taught, Graphic Designer, at the top of his field!
If you are looking for funny and always enthusiastic, look no further. I like to think he has taken some ques from his momma in the projection of positivity! If there is a choice, the glass is always half full!
Creativity oozes from every fiber of his being. Need action? This is your guy! Definitely a problem-solver!
He is a sports car enthusiast, has moved into the realm of motorcycles, and owns his home. Now, I am working on pulling him into the wonderful world of Jeeps! This momma wasn’t too excited about the motorcycle, but he proved his maturity. Safety class, prior to purchase? CHECK!
I could go on and on, BUT today I am anticipating our lunch date! So I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite pics.
by Amanda Barnard | Jan 3, 2022 | Faith, Family, Motivation
Yesterday, I met with frustration. This meeting was completely unpleasant. Of course, I’m not sure who would enjoy such an encounter.
It happened on my pursuit of being intentional with family. Defining expectations can be a daunting feat, unless nipped in the beginning. A wise person once told me that it was much easier to tighten reins than it is to loosen them.
LIKE A SHIP WITHOUT A SAIL…..
What a profound statement?! If the requirements are known ahead of time, boundaries have a place. With the unknown, chaos rules.
There is no God in chaos. The Bible tells us that God isn’t part of disorder, but he is all about peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33) Additionally, Proverbs 11:14 says, “People lose their way without wise leadership.”
So today, prayer thrives. Growing up, I was always intrigued with the story of Solomon. This man that asked God for wisdom. God granted his request and gave him riches untold.
I don’t need the riches untold, but I sure need the wisdom!
So pray and agree with me, that I will handle all things well and with much wisdom. What can I agree in prayer for you about? Let me know!
by Amanda Barnard | Sep 25, 2021 | Family
As our precious ones were slipping away and as hard as that time was, I kept reminding the kids of the amazing gift we were being given to be able to say our “goodbyes” or “see you later”.
Our daughter, Brande, took those words and penned them so beautifully!
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There are things in life that are hard, but ultimately are blessings in disguise.
I’ve had people taken from me that I was never able to say goodbye to, and I’ve had people taken from me where I was granted the opportunity to be able to say goodbye. I will forever cherish the gift of goodbye, no matter how hard it is for me. Saying goodbye to your loved ones is incredibly difficult. But never being able to say goodbye? That is much harder.
It’s been a little over a week since I lost both my grandparents on the same day. And I will tell you that day was hell on earth for my family. Most of us were operating on very little (if any at all) sleep. We were all stressed and full of grief from the weight of loved ones slipping away from us. We sat at each of their bedsides for hours on end as their breaths slowly got farther and farther apart, before they slipped entirely into heaven and away from us. There were thousands of tears cried, probably hundreds of hugs, and a family walking out of the hospital with 2 less members that day. It was hell for sure. A hell I would wish on no person.
But do you know what else that day held for us? Laughs, smiles, and memories shared around bedsides as we all reminisced about the joy they had brought to us all. There were prayers, singing worship songs, and just a family being together. Hands being held for hours, as we cherished the ability to sit with each of them as they faded on to heaven.
The gift of goodbye may not feel like a gift in that moment, but I can assure you that as the days go on and the grief fades and makes way for cherished memories, goodbye will be a gift then. Being able to sit there and usher them from our side of the world into heaven is a gift I will be forever grateful for. The grief will fade, but we will always have the gift of our goodbyes. We will always have our last moments knowing they left from earth in a room full of family and love, to be greeted by our sweet Jesus into another realm of love.
I grew up with them. I will always miss them. But wishing they were here with me? That’s selfish. They are up in heaven where Grandpa is working on his garden and some puzzles, breathing the fresh air of heaven and enjoying renewed energy. And Grandma is up there singing, dancing, and walking with Jesus. To wish them back here with me where they couldn’t walk or breathe would be selfish of me. So I will miss them, but I will push that aside and be joyful that my Jesus is taking so much better care of them then we ever could. I will rejoice in their freedom from pain, and find comfort in knowing they are watching us from heaven and smiling down at us all.
I love you Granny and Mort, give Jesus a hug for me, and I’ll see you again one day. ♥️
by Amanda Barnard | Mar 30, 2020 | Faith, Family, Motivation
Today is March 30th and we are in the middle of a pandemic. Everywhere you turn, someone is talking about the Coronavirus. The real tragedy to me, is the fear that has gripped the world.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!!
But a better festival for today is to celebrate Ryan’s birthday! In 2009, when he was 16yrs old, he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. We were surprised to find a mass located behind his nose.
The treatment instructions included surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Ryan decided he would have the surgery, but said, “NO” to chemo or radiation. His grandmother went through adverse effects, during her treatments. He didn’t want any part of that.
The team of doctors did not agree with Ryan’s choices of no chemo or radiation, fearing for his life. With extreme, sternness the doctor pointed his finger in Ryan’s face and said, “if you do not have chemo and radiation, you will be dead within 2 year!” I was shocked at the boldness of this doctor.
FEAR IS A KILLER
I was angry at his brashness, but never once succumbed to fear. We walked out of the room and Ryan said, “don’t worry, Mom. He obviously doesn’t know God.” At his words, my annoyance immediately faded. I replied, “well Ryan, you are absolutely correct.”
The meeting that day encouraged me to do my own research. It is always important to be an informed patient and it helps to make the best possible decisions for one’s self and care. I found that no matter the treatment options, the prognosis was approximately 2yrs and that was being generous.
The Lord whispered in my spirit ever so sweetly, HE asked me, “who’s report will you believe?” The passage of scripture from Isaiah 53, that I memorized at 10 years old, welled up inside me. From deep within my spirit, I said out loud, “Your report, Lord and it says Ryan is healed!” There was no other alternative.
That day, I made a large banner to put up in our home. It flowed around the living room and was bold enough to be the first thing noticed upon walking through the front door. The headline read:
I SHALL NOT DIE, BUT LIVE, AND DECLARE THE WORKS OF THE LORD! —– PSALM 118:17
I refused to give in to fear! I told Brad that I wanted him to help me police our home! There was to be NOTHING negative in regards to this diagnosis and giving up was NEVER an option.
Ryan did have the surgery and there were a couple of hurdles to overcome regarding the surgical procedure. The team of doctors continued to voice their concerns, but chemo and radiation remained out of the question. After my exploration of the prognosis, I decided that Ryan was capable of making an adult choice for himself and I would stand by his preferences.
Fast forward to today, 11 years later and in the middle of a pandemic, we are still celebrating the goodness of God! We are passionate that HE is still the healer! The Bible says that “the thief (the devil) comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But I (Jesus) have come to give life more abundantly and filled to the full!” (John 10:10)
The words FEAR NOT are mentioned in the Bible over 90 times. Jesus knew that fear was real, but wanted to keep reminding us to put our trust in Him. Jesus heals cancer and coronavirus!
by Amanda Barnard | Mar 9, 2020 | Family
Whenever my mom walked into her house, she would always say, “home again, home again, jiggity, jig, jig!” She enjoyed her home. It didn’t matter how far she might wander, this was her safe haven.
I have come to appreciate the same. We returned a few days ago from our annual family vacation. As many of you may already know, we take a yearly excursion to the ONE MARRIAGE CONFERENCE at FreeChapel, in Gainesville, Georgia.
Our family takes this time to reconnect with one another. This year we had 11 adults, 2 toddlers, and one 3-month old all under one roof! Y’all may call it chaos, we call it family (and FUN).
It comes complete with it’s challenges, but tell me another tribe that doesn’t.
I adore my clan AND I cherish the time we spend together! But just like Dorothy said, in The Wizard of Oz, “there’s no place like home!”
