Kenya Dig It?

Bye bye blog

amanda — Fri, 22 May 2009 04:16:53 +0000

From now on I will be posting at amandajoparks.blogspot.com. Sam will probably start his own blog soon. I guess it is time for a new blog since we have been back in the U.S. for over a year! Crazy!

And i tell myself, “God is good”

amanda — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:04:15 +0000

So, yesterday I took the GREs, and by the grace of God, they went well. THEN, on the way home, I got in an accident. I was going about 7 miles a hour, yet somehow my whole front end is totaled and the airbag even came out!

But, no one is hurt, I have car insurance and life will go on. I just felt really stupid. I hate feeling stupid and incapable. Sam likes to say, “Women drivers, no survivors.” He may be right that women are not the greatest drivers, but thank the Lord, I survived! God really is good is in just showing me humility and helping me to accept my mistakes, even though I don’t like it. Plus, He protected me and the other women from even a scratch on our bodies!

Now, I am just praying those car insurance rates don’t go up…..

More Pictures, starring “Autumn”

amanda — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:17:47 +0000

International Food and Friendship Night at our House!

amanda — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:03:13 +0000

We hosted an international dinner at our house this fall break, and it was such great fun! It was a stretch for me as hostess (the fire alarm only went off once :)), but I had a lot of help.

We ate an Italian feast together, but also got a chance to have discussion groups about friendship and spirituality.

God was really sweet in just bringing together all the details of food and rides and discussion.

Next time though, I am thinking potluck!

Prayer request answered!

amanda — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 05:16:04 +0000

We got approved for private health insurance! Yippee!!! Thanks for praying guys…..

Prayer Request

amanda — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:50:13 +0000

Quick Prayer request: Sam and I applied for private health insurance, but it suddenly seems as though I will be denied because of my migraine headaches. We really don’t know what to do since we can’t get health insurance through our jobs. So, just prayers that the insurance company will decide to approve us, and wisdom that we will know what to do if they don’t.

Also, we have been having a few health troubles that we have been putting off seeing a doctor about because of the health insurance issue. So, your prayers for healing would also be appreciated.

Thanks everyone for your faithful friendship and prayers!

Women’s Weekend and the whirlwind

amanda — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:33:13 +0000

This month has been a whirlwind of activity it seems, culminating in Woman’s Weekend ‘08. I had forgotten just how unique and powerful woman’s weekend can be. I had attended as a student during my first year at BGSU, and it truly was the beginning of God doing a work in my life.

I think the best way I can describe WW to you is by a comment my friend from the Middle East said to me near the end of our time there. “Is it common for Americans to speak so freely about these things to one another?”

Oh, how I wish it was! How I wish as women we were in each other’s life cheering each other on, weeping with each other for our sorrows, praying over breaking down strongholds together and caring for past wounds, as we journeyed together.

It really was a sweet weekend for so many women. I thank the Lord for the conversations I got to have with girls and a cool seminar I got to speak at (which is not really something I am accustomed to doing, so it was a bit out of my comfort zone). I was inspired by the women on my team who lead me and what gracious godly women they are. Just keep praying that God will be working in these college girls’ hearts and that our staff team will be given wisdom from the Lord as they lead them and follow through what was started this weekend.

Sam got a job!!

amanda — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 01:25:52 +0000

Thank you God for answering prayer in ways we never would have expected.

Autumn in BG

amanda — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:38:59 +0000

Fall has arrived in BG, or maybe it is just Hurricane Ike, but I am loving it! I certainly missed Autumn last year. It was high on my list of “things I missed about America.” As the school semester really gets moving, I feel this real tendency to want to go and go longer hours and do and do more for CRU. I know the Lord’s work doesn’t need me, and it is simply a privilege that I get to be a part of it, so am trying to learn that balance of tending to others and tending to that “inner garden” with the Lord.

On a special prayer request note- Sam has a job interview today!!!! It is with a faith based non-profit in Toledo that works with the homeless, and he thinks it is an organization he could get excited about. Unfortunately, he is curled up in bed with a stomach bug, so he needs prayer for heeling, too.

By the way, have I mentioned that we live with rabid Browns fans……. yeh, luckily, we aren’t homeless after last night

Barn Dance and Global Games

amanda — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:49:00 +0000