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!”

by Amanda Barnard | Sep 30, 2019 | Faith
Many years ago, my life took a chaotic turn. One night I went to bed happily married and the next morning I woke up to a world in shambles. Through vast circumstances, I was now a single mom with 2 small children and one on the way.
Multitudes of sleepless nights would pass with concern of the future and the anticipation of what the future might behold. I had to focus and take charge of what the road less traveled might be.
With very little education to this point in my life, the options weren’t plentiful. I had obtained my GED for better opportunities, and had even taken one college class; but the memories of schooling were in the distance of days gone by.
In my twenties, I got solid with my faith. I knew that this would be the foundation of growth, during this climb. Since I deemed this point in my life, to be rock bottom, there certainly was no other way to go but up.
After some intense soul searching and concentrated planning, there was a new-found determination to succeed. Deep inside, I knew that God would always make a way, even when it seemed none would exist.
WHEN ALL HOPE IS GONE
My only hope, was trust in God and HIS Word and to recognize that HIS Word is truth. Isaiah 43:19 says God is about to do something new! It has already begun! Do you see it? Open your eyes! God said HE WILL make a path in the wilderness and rivers in the desert!
That day, I chose NOT to be a victim of my circumstances! I would move up higher! I would become more than I ever knew I could!
You may find yourself at a crossroad in life, not knowing which way to turn; feeling like every decision you make could be the wrong one. I’ll have to quote a Disney movie here and say that all you need is a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, but seriously, you really just need faith and trust.
What are your crossroads? Do you feel like you have hit rock bottom? HE (God) is waiting and is just a breath away……
Cover Photo by Victor Lozano on Unsplash
by Amanda Barnard | Jan 11, 2019 | Everything Else
Do you ever feel like you have a whirlwind of a day? Pick a chaotic moment to insert somewhere in the span of the day and BAM! No need to look! It is just lurking around every corner.
Then the day comes to a close and every bit of disorder dissipates into the vast abyss, for only one reason – a little girl wanted to rock with her Mimi!
In the midst of turmoil, I hope your day ended as beautifully as mine.