amanda is praying boldly

amanda

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Amanda's Profile

amanda (amanda47): 31, Female
TW

Hometown:: texas and taiwan

Relationship Status:: Married

About Me:: I am currently a tentmaker living and serving in Taiwan. I've been here six years now. I enjoy teaching English at a nearby university and telling people about Jesus.

I married an amazing, godly man this summer . . . so many prayers answered in a single moment. God is so kind.

amanda's Groups

Help Get Married: (174 members)
Created by Candice Watters

following an unknown path

apricot chicken delight

repeating conversations

small world

crab crossing

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Will I ever get married?

Added a post Nov 16 2008

First, you are not alone. I thought that question MANY times. Second, give God the feelings too. I got very raw and honest with God. When I was lonely, I'd confess to him my loneliness. When I felt hopeless, I told him things looked impossible from here I was standing. I often had to ask him for hope or peace or comfort. He is always very kind in replying to my raw, honest prayers for help in dealing with emotions. Third, have you read Candice's Get Married book and/or Carolyn McCulley's Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye? Both of these are well worth you time, and I wish they had been available when I was 20. Fourth, begin praying for your future husband now. Even keep a journal of your prayers for and about him. I was always hesitant to do this because what if I never get married then I am just wasting my time. Well, the little I did do this has blessed me and my husband so much (I got married this summer)! He loves to go back and read my journaled prayers for him. This is an exercise of faith and hope. I also TOTALLY agree with SaraJane's advice to pray, ground yourself in the Word, make praise a discipline, and surround yourself with like-minded believers (who value marriage and family . . . and let them know you desire marriage--this is how me and my husband met, a mutual Christian friend played matchmaker after a cry session I had in her home which sounded a lot like your post above). For me, there was no special someone in my life for nearly 12 years. And I moved to a foreign country where Christian woman outnumber the Christian men five to one--at least. I know maybe 20 Americans in all. Things seemed quite bleak, quite helpless. But, I was looking with human eyes. God's ways truly are higher . . . and better. Bree, let the waiting draw you closer to God. You are waiting . . . and waiting . . . and waiting. You are a lady in waiting. Use this time to bless your future husband by using it wisely. Reply »

Tagged: future, marriage

is it wrong to keep asking God for a husband

Added a post Jun 26 2008

Ask and keep asking. Knock and keep knocking!! I do not think it is wrong to keep asking God for a husband, but I do think it is important to acknowledge he is sovereign--to recognize that he is all good and all powerful all the time. And, to be content knowing that if you are not married yet, this is God's good and perfect gift for you at this time. Marriage is a gift. Singleness is a gift. Both are good gifts--one is not better than another . . .. they are equally good. Only our gracious heavenly Father knows what we need and when we need it. Last year, was the first time I actually started asking God to "not tarry" in the giving me of a husband. I'd been asking for about 4 years. The first two were more casual asking, the last two were some serious down on my knees pleading in tears. But, I would always, always rest in the fact that even if God choose not to answer this request, that I knew He knew best. I could trust him with my hopes and dreams. Now, I sit here planning my wedding for the end of August. It seems surreal. God has answered in a way I totally never, ever thought he would. And, he has by far exceeded my wildest dreams. He is a good God. So, no. Never stop telling your Father who loves you what is on your heart and what you long for. You might never see it come to pass . . . or you might . . . . but it will draw you closer, oh so close to His heart. Reply »

Length of Courtship

Added a reply May 29 2008

I'm not sure if I am the first or not. I think I first joined WPB right about the same time that My Guy and I started dating. I've seen a few others who are engaged but I don't know the timeline for their engagements--meaning I don't know if they joined WPB after being engaged or before. I don't want to hijack the thread . . . but . . . .In regards to the physical element . . . waiting nearly two months for him to hold my hand was SO HARD. Especially since touch is my strongest love language. One of the standards he set on our first date was that our first kiss (my first ever and his second ever) will be on our wedding day. But, when he hadn't touched me at all by our third or fourth date, I asked him what the limit was--where was he drawing the line. He said at hand holding. At that time I was relieved. I will post to my blog the story I wrote when he first held my hand. Because he waited so long and because he made it so special . . . it has made it awesome. Now, our goodbyes have gotten much harder. But, both of us are OH SO THANKFUL we aren't hugging. The line is clear and that is so helpful to help us stay true to being pure. If it is this hard with limited physical touch . . . I can only imagine how hard it would be otherwise. And, I can't believe God gave me a man whose desire to be sexually pure was even stronger and more defined than my own. Many times his self-control is/has been much stronger than mine. Once after a tearful misunderstanding, all I wanted to do was for him to hold me. He told me "oh, you do not know how much I long to hold you. But, I can't because I really love you. And, holding you close right now before you are fully mine is not the loving thing to do." Sigh . . . of course that only made me want him more. :) God, the Creator of romance, is still in the business of writing love stories. We CAN trust Him!!! Reply »

Tagged: dating, courtship

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Welcome!!!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, ESV)

Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21, NLT)

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Amanda's Blog

Married!!

Posted by amanda on September 17th, 2008 at 11:25pm
2 Comments (Add a Comment)

On August 31, 2008 I became the wife of a godly man.

It was a wonderful day of joy and celebration I will never forget.

God is kind. Oh, so very kind.

Two weeks before the wedding, I went back to my journal to read to my (at the time) future husband "the list" and "the prayer" I had made the year before for a husband. When we turned to the page in the journal where the prayer and list were . . . we were amazed when we saw the date . . . August 31, 2007.

A year to the date, where I finally reached what seemed to be desperation, where I pleaded with God on my knees, where I bordered on faith on the one hand and hopelessness on the other . . . a year to the date God was answering and changing my life forever.

We call it a providential smile. God reminding us that He, not us, is in control.

Would God still be in control if on August 31, 2008, I didn't marry? YES!
Would He still be kind if on August 31, 2008, he didn't give me husband? YES!

In the last few years of longing for and praying for a husband . . . I've learned to depend on God alone for joy and peace, trusting, firmly trusting, that he is a good God who gives good gifts.

I am thankful for the journey of growing closer to God during my--what seemed like LONG--single years. And, now I look forward to seeing how he is going to now use the lessons I learned while I was waiting for him to provide a husband for me.

an article worth reading

Posted by amanda on March 21st, 2008 at 6:30am
1 Comment (Add a Comment)

Suzanne Hadley, one of the regular Boundless authors, wrote an article recently debunking seven of the myths single women often find themselves believing.

Here are the 7 myths:

1. God will give me a husband when I'm ready.
2. God views me more as a useful tool than a beloved child.
3. When it's the right guy, I'll just know.
4. When I get married, then my life will begin.
5. Marriage will/will not meet my deepest needs.
6. There must be something wrong with me. If I could just figure out what it is, I could fix it and guys would start showing interest.
7. The older I get, the less likely it is that I will find someone.

In the past decade (aka "my twenties"), I have believed or at least pondered all of these at some point. The ones that I have had to fight with the most in the past year are numbers 1, 2, 6 and 7.

If you are single and find yourself believing any of these, I highly recommend checking out Suzanne's article.

i wanna be a mommy

Posted by amanda on March 17th, 2008 at 7:04am
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(I know nothing about Kellie Coffey except for this song.)

Many women in my family (including me) have PCOS, which is the leading cause of infertility in women. 1 in 10 women have it.

The powerful emotion that this song evokes causes tears to stream down my face. I long to have a family, to be a wife, to be a mom . . . this singer has tapped into my heart of hearts, but even she has more than I do. She has a "husband to love."

It would be so easy to be bitter and envious.

But you know . . . in reality--in the nitty-gritty-in-your-face-this-is-life reality--I would still choose to be single and childless if it means God is better glorified in my life. Oh, make no mistake, being a wife and a mother is something I really, really want!!! But glorifying God is something I want even more. (Clarification: Not that he wouldn't be glorified if I became a wife and a mom, but only He who knows how he can best be glorified in my life.)

Tears continue to fall.

He is all-powerful--He can do what he wants when he wants.

He is all-good--He is a gracious, loving Father who gives good gifts and keeps his promises. He has met my greatest need of all and blessed me way beyond I deserve.

What right do I have to be bitter or envious? None whatsoever.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. (Psalm 73:25)

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Two Additional Thoughts
First, you know what else? Even though her song is powerful and brings tears to my eyes each time I watch it, I am not sure I would be willing to die in order to become a wife and a mom. Namely, the pragmatics of it just don't make sense. If I died to become a wife or a mom, well then I can't really be a wife or a mom now can I? I'd be dead.

Second, after I first heard this song . . . I later thought about the One who HAS died for me. . . it is humbling. I am grateful for His tender loving mercy and everlasting grace. How undeserving I am! . . . yes, the tears are falling again.

(originally posted here.)

it's finally here

Posted by amanda on March 6th, 2008 at 7:44am
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It took well over a month, but my copy of Get Married finally made it's way around the world and into my hot little hands.

Can't wait to read it.

please interrupt me.

Posted by amanda on March 3rd, 2008 at 5:59pm
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Solo Femininity's Carolyn McCulley used an AWESOME quote in her blog!!

Courtship reveals how necessary this masculinity is. Many modern young men approach a girl, and they are quite serious as far as their intentions go, but they are afraid of interfering with her life. "You know, she is going to graduate soon, but she wants to go to school at Notre Dame, and I don't really want to go to Notre Dame, and showing interest in her would really disrupt all her plans." But the whole point of courtship is to disrupt a young lady's plans. A godly young woman is not going to stand around waiting for marriage. Rather, she will be preparing herself for marriage. This means she will be heading in some particular direction, and not just marking time. A young man should not be afraid of disrupting, because marriage is by its very nature a disruption of her previous way of life. (Her Hand in Marriage by Douglas Wilson, bolding is mine)

Carolyn adds this in her explanation/commentary on the quote: "So, we are not to just stand around. We are to be making plans for the future--and praying for godly men who know how to risk interrupting us."

I totally agree with her!!! Amen!

Or, as the Message would translate it, "OH YES!!"

(originally posted here in april of 2006)

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At 2:24pm on February 19th, 2009, Melissa said: Thanks, Amanda. I appreciate your insight. I have the time to think about moving, so I wanted to get some perspective on it and this has been helpful.

At 9:22pm on November 17th, 2008, Bree Foster said: Hi Amanda :)
Thank you for your reply and a big congratulations to you and your husband. Your pictures are absolutely beautiful! I will pray that God continues to bless you both. I am in need of a heart to heart with God.. I often pray for my future husband but actually writing those prayers have been a thought more than an action. I am feeling very inspired after reading your blog entry. What is "the prayer" and "the list"? Thank you again for your words. They have truly meant a lot :)
Love & Blessings,
Bree

At 12:38pm on April 25th, 2008, Amy Lynn said: Hi Amanda! I haven't been able to get back on and write. Thinking of you so often as you are "over there". We started discussing a group for our sisters who are in countries where their faith makes it difficult to meet likeminded men. I'm still navigating on this site . . . do you think we would have some joiners on this board with us?

I pray that you are doing well, Amy

At 1:30pm on April 8th, 2008, Amy Lynn said: Hi Amanda! I am thrilled to read of your teaching English in Thailand and of how the Lord has allowed a godly man to cross your path. I taught English in China (only 4 months) and I loved, loved, loved it! Last summer I helped with English camp in Kosovo. I feel a kinship with you. I was thinking to start a group that prays for our sisters in remote lands who are persecuted and will have difficulty marrying godly men because of their faith. What do you think?
Blessings, Amy

At 5:34am on March 2nd, 2008, Jaime said: Thanks Amanda for your post . . . as I was reading it this morning, I was thinking about whichever I decide (stay put or go find some men :) ) probably the most important thing is that I do it in God. . . closely connected to Him, listening for His voice, going where He leads. . . because my relationship with Him is the one that will last forever, and it would do no good to abandon that in search of a marriage relationship. And I imagine once God leads me to a marriage relationship, I'm going to need Him more than ever! :) So, anyhow, thanks for sharing your heart and being so encouraging and getting my thoughts going this morning! :)

At 6:01am on February 28th, 2008, Gina said: Hi Amanda! Thanks for stopping by my page. The title of that song is "Break Me Through." Reading your blogs has encouraged me greatly. Blessings...

At 2:13pm on February 27th, 2008, Alyene said: Congratulations on your new guy! I lived overseas doing missions last year and I'm hoping to go back this summer indefinately. I can't wait, and I hope and pray that it will work out, but one of my worries is that there are much fewer posibilities for relationships. It's encouraging to see your story.