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My Blog Story

blog story

I’m going to tell you a story. I’ve actually told you this story in bits and pieces before. But now I’ve got an ending. Ready?

My whole life all I wanted to do was to serve Jesus. I loved working at our local church. My days were filled with puppet performances, Sunday morning skits for kids, missions trips with Youth Groups, dramas and oh yeah, cleaning up! When I went to college, I was involved with theatre, Big Sister programs and other weekly ministry. I always said I had no other skills but to work in the church with kids and families!

When I graduated from college (with a degree in Christian Ministries), my husband and I went on the road. We didn’t own a house. We just lived in hotels, our truck and with our parents when we were back in town. We traveled from church to church, camp to camp and performed. We did puppet shows, magic tricks and concerts. We were using our talents to teach kids about Jesus.

Soon we were invited to start a church in Celebration, FL. In light of my Disney Moms Panel-ness, you can imagine how awesome this was for me. I was serving Jesus in the sunniest, most magical place on earth! But when sin hit our leadership team, my husband and I had to leave. And it hurt. It still hurts.

We went home to lick our wounds and look for a new place to serve. We lived in a duplex that was the size of our current bedroom. In a few short months, we found a new job in Birmingham. It was at a mega church that desperately needed some love in the Children’s department. Maybe we were dazzled by the potential there and didn’t see the glaring red flags. But within two weeks we knew we were in the wrong place. We stayed for almost 3 years. We wanted to show that church what God’s heart was concerning kids. We wanted to help kids grow to love Jesus. We wanted to bring the life-change we experienced as kids to another generation. But it wouldn’t work there. So, we had to leave. And that one hurt worse than the first. It still hurts.

We moved back to Atlanta and were offered a rent-free home in the same neighborhood as my brother and one of my sisterchicks. It was a comfortable cocoon for us–we were able to rest, heal and just be a family.

mooshinindy

photo by moosh in indy

Our first day in that house was Lydia’s 1st birthday party. And a couple of weeks later, I started ohAmanda.com. I remember the day. I was sitting in  our pink room at our Ikea desk looking out at our neighbor’s house because I was hijacking their internet and I wrote a little post that got the whole thing started.

Those first few months of ohAmanda, I wrote about how weird it was to go from full-time in charge of over 600 kids to beyond-full-time of just one. I felt like I was missing God’s call on my life. I thought I was wasting my talents and maybe even displeasing the Lord. And then one day God spoke to me. I still get tears in my eyes reading that post. God showed me that where I was is where He wanted. That somehow, even outside of the big plans I had made and prepared for, I was still doing something God wanted. And his plans could still be accomplished.

my fam. photo by me.

Since that time I have thrown myself into motherhood and blogging. I wave the banner high: I’m a Mommy Blogger! I hope my blog is a gift to my children one day as they see a window into their lives as children and a glimpse of their mother’s heart. I pray Impress Your Kids has influenced other parents to raise their kids for the Lord.

But still. It’s just a blog. It’s just a little invisible spot on the world wide web. It’s not big. Or deep. Or wide.

Then last Christmas I released Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands. It was my first eBook. It called parents to action–to capture December and use it to pull back the curtain on the holidays–to really see the LOVE and LIFE God gave us at Christmas. I wouldn’t even let myself think about how many ebooks I might sell. I have about 2000 subscribers on Impress Your Kids and I quietly, secretly thought that maybe MAYBE I could sell that many. I mean, it would be a stretch–every single person who reads my blog would have to buy one!

By Thanksgiving there were 900 fans on the Facebook Page and I started getting nervous. Maybe this would get big!

On Black Friday I sold an ebook every minute. My pulse was racing. People were buying it! I ended up selling 6400+ copies of the book. (Let’s stop now to pick me up off the floor.)

Just say only HALF of the people who bought the book actually did it. That’s 3200 families! Not 3200 people! 3200 families! Do you know how many pastors would love to have a group of 3200 families in their church doing a family devotional every day for a month?! Do you know how many churches even HAVE 3200 families? (Answer: not many)

photos from the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page

Over 4000 people were involved on the Truth in the Tinsel Facebook page during December. People from all over the world (literally–South America, Ireland, South Africa, Egypt and more!) were reading my words and doing my activities with their kids. Even now my heart feels flattened at the thought of it.

I’ve seen my dreams come full circle. I wanted to influence children and families in the local church environment. Instead, I was moved through two of them and able to give to more families than either of those churches have ever seen. How in the world did I get to be involved with something so awesome? Why does God use broken, unorganized, messy, impatient, selfish me to do something that big for Him?

It’s what God does. He uses the foolish to shame the wise and the invisible to nullify the things that are.

I’m so thankful he took my foolish heart and my invisible blog and ebook to make Him more famous in the lives of kids around the world.

I told you I had to drop Top Ten {Tuesday} so I could devote more time to Impress Your Kids. But I can tell it’s more than that. There is a God-sized dream in my heart with regards to Impress Your Kids. And I have to follow it. Build it. Dream it. Do it.

So, ohAmanda is going into hibernation. It might be back at Asa’s birthday party–in September. It might be back if my husband makes us move to the farm he wants us to buy. But for now, it’s going safely to sleep so I don’t have to worry about it, check on it or get validation from it anymore. I need my (bloggy) heart to be focused in one spot for now.

I’m kind of terrified. I have done Impress Your Kids for years. But not having the crutch of ohAmanda is frightening. I don’t know how to be a niche blogger. I don’t know how to do a “ministry” blog full-time. I don’t know how to accept money (or decline money) for my time there.

I don’t know how to do the hidden things I think God has for me.

Will you pray for me? With me? That God would continue to lead me, just plain old Amanda as I follow His will? Not the plans I thought He had. But the new journey he has?

photo by me.

Thank you for making ohAmanda what it is. Thank you for reading, commenting, sharing and loving. I never thought I’d write this post. In all actuality, ohAmanda has brought me every fun and exciting adventure (outside of my kids!) in the last 5 years! I really believe ohAmanda was the preparation place for where I’m going now. You have been more than readers and blog community. You’ve been real friends, my biggest fans and the pick-me-up I always need. For once, I don’t have enough words to tell you how much I love this place and all you’ve given me here.

Thank you.

 

Comments

  1. Even knowing this was coming … it still makes me cry! I am so proud of you and hope someday I will follow in your footsteps and be half the mother you are to your kids!!!

    Love, Jessie

  2. oh-Amanda … you make me thankful for our friendship and honored to call you a friend. That was a great wrap-up to a wonderful journey. Can’t wait to see all God has in store for the next chapter! Love you!!

  3. Amandaaaaa, waaaa, I’m going to miss your blog showing up in my reader so much! You have been a staple in my Reader for years. But I am so excited to see what God is going to do. You are crazy talented and it’s so exciting to see things blow up for you (GOD!).

    • Thank you, Amy! You know you are one of the only people who I still subscribe to from back in the day. Thank you for your friendship & constant encouragement!

      a

  4. Oh, Amanda! Your blog has inspired me for years. It and your IRL friendship led/pushed me into starting my own blog years ago. I can’t tell you how proud I am of your Godly heart. You are an amazing woman, and I CAN’T WAIT to see what God does next.

  6. Bless you, bless you, bless you as you step out in faithfulness. You have blessed our family so much this past year with Truth in the Tinsel. It took Christmas and refocused it on Christ. For that I am grateful.
    May you continue to move boldly in this journey. You have a lovely and beautiful heart.
    Rachel

  7. I’ve been reading for awhile but I don’t comment much. I am sad to see you leave here but I get it. Good luck with your future endeavors! You’ll be wonderful, I’m certain.

  9. I’m just an occasional reader, who knew you first as part of the Disney mom panel and then discovered your pretty purple blog. And in Dec. I did (part of) Truth in the Tinsel with my youngest daughter. But it’s so exciting to me to see how God uses people and how He uses a little thing like a blog to do a big thing in hearts. Thank you for sharing your story and His story with us.

    • It’s true: “He uses a little thing like a blog to do a big thing in hearts”. I don’t know how He does it, but He does! Thanks for finding me and sticking around, Tiffany! 🙂

      a

  10. Oh my, can I be selfish for a bit and say that I’m sad? I am truly excited for the continuing journey on IYK but I will miss it over here. Blessings, Amanda from a faithful reader :).

  11. Praying for you, sweet friend. I know how hard it can be to lay down something that’s so, well, you. You have my prayers. Always. Love you much.

    • You nailed it, Brandi: it’s hard to lay down something that is ME. (Clearly, I have issues with narcissism: OHAMANDA.)

      Gosh, I miss you.
      a

  12. Amanda, I’ve been a lurker….but, you’ve been a blessing and I am blessed to say I met you and pray I’ll see you again soon!!!

  13. Oh, I’m soo sad, but glad that you will still be at Impress Your Kids! Truth in the Tinsel was AMAZING for me and my kids and I couldn’t throw a single ornament out (and I have four kids) I may purge next year when we make new ones! 🙂
    Anyway, I’m always blessed to hear other people’s journey and it makes me think a little bit more about mine and wondering where God is leading me!!
    Keep following HIM!! (and I’ll keep following Impress Your Kids)

    • Julie Anne! Thank you for such a sweet comment. I can’t throw my kids’ ornaments out either–and we’ve done it for like 4 years! YIKES.

      a

  14. Oh, Amanda. I admire your courage. I love your conviction. I am thankful you went out on such a high (and after putting together your awesome how to blog series for perpetuity). I am excited to see where God takes you!

    • LOL. Yeah, I asked a few friends, “Is it weird I’m gonna end on a blogging series?” 😉 But actually, this is a good example—I do all those things on every post and just can’t put all that energy (creative or otherwise) into this blog AND iyk. So, to write and grow my IYK blog, I have to hibernate this one.

      (Anywhoo, more info than you wanted!) Point being: THANK YOU!!
      a

  15. Amanda,
    I hope this doesn’t sound silly, but I cried when I read this. I cried for joy that you’re pursuing a dream…that’s the loveliest thing that anyone can do! We were born to pursue dreams. God puts dreams & visions in us for a reason. And I also cried cause I’ll miss this. I just made my way back into blogging, and I was really looking forward to Top Ten Tuesday (shows how out of the loop I’ve been, lol.) But I will definitely pray for & with you, so that you make the most out of your new journey. Meanwhile, if I ever make it to Atlanta, I want to have coffee with you. 😉

    • Yay! I was honestly just thinking about you the other day and wondering where you were! 🙂

      Thank you for the sweet words–I have to admit, I cried like a baby writing this post. So, thanks for crying w/me!

      a

    • Thank you, Katie! It was some of that Relevant conversation (and just the whole spirit of the weekend) that firmed up this decision for me!

      a

  17. Reading your story was so encouraging for me. I love that you are taking this step, and I’m super excited to see what comes next! PS. Congrats on the ahhhhhhmazing sales of the Truth in the Tinsel – seriously – amazing! Heading towards what God has planned for you is a super exciting journey, I’ll be praying for you! Go for it Amanda!!

    • Hey Donna! (My narcissistic bloggy sistah!)

      Thank you for the sweet words! (And I’m still in shock at the Truth in the Tinsel sales!) It makes me excited that everyone else is excited, too. I prayed my post would come across as what was in my heart. Anyway, I appreciate your comment AND your prayers!

      a

  18. Unbelievably excited for you – and for what’s next. Loved chatting with you last Oct, and the excitement you had then – can’t wait for what’s around the corner.

    Always praying for you friend. And following IYK like a hawk!

  19. This was a good post! I already told you what I thought earlier today, but you are on your way to exciting new things and I’m looking forward to see where you go. 🙂

  20. Oh honey, I know you said it was coming, and I know it’s hard when something worthwhile and valuable comes to an end. However, I am so proud that you are going after gold rather than settling for bronze. Bronze is good, but gold is…well, gold. I love the fierceness with which you go after ministry whether it be for L and A or for the benefit of moms everywhere as you inspire them to raise their kids for the Lord. I am so blessed at how you continue to use your super-giftedness to the very best of your ability. I love you, Amanda!

  22. Amanda! I am so super excited for you, and so convicted by your obedience, courage, and BOLDNESS! I loved “Truth in the Tinsel”, and I am so looking forward to watching how the Lord continues to use you in ways you’ve never even imagined! You are in my prayers! Love & ((hugs)) from your Disney Moms sis, and your Sister-in-Christ, Tron 🙂

  23. I stumbled upon your blog (years ago!) when you commented about Harry Potter on a kidmin blog! :)…and you introduced me to a new world and community of mommy blogs. Plus the more I read, the more I felt like you were a kindred spirit. I have enjoyed your honesty, humor, perspective and insight so much and I can’t wait to see what is in store over at Impress Your Kids (which is SUCH a great resource!). You are using your gifts to do wonderful things for God’s glory! *hugs*

    • I feel the same way, Courtney! (About being the kindred spirit, that is!) From the first time we commented/chatted online, I knew we’d be friends! 🙂

      a

  24. Amanda, I’m so excited for you my skin is actually tingling. Your post speaks to me on so many levels. Just today I got down thinking about a ministry upheaval at church a year and a half ago, so I get that it still hurts you that some of your other ministries didn’t work out. It’s so inspiring that God is working through you and that your ebook has been such a success! You and your hubby are so talented and I pray many more blessings will be in your lives.

    • Thank you, Holly! I know we’ve talked about those church hurts before. It’s just awesome that God still uses us even when we think we missed it, or got gypped!

      Thank you for the skin tingling! 🙂

      a

  25. Well, yay!!!! I’ve always loved Impress Your Kids and thought it had the potential for SO MUCH MORE, and I’m so glad that you’re going to be there more.

    You know what I hope to see more of? More of your Amanda-ness. More posts about your struggles as a parent and how you deal with specific issues. More of your heart as a Mom rather than just things you’re doing with your kids. So in that way, it would be kind of like IYK is absorbing OhAmanda, not OhAmanda is disappearing. Clear as mud?

    Can’t wait to see what God has for you and how many more lives you touch!

    • OH, Mandi! Thank you!

      I know what you mean about ohAmanda getting absorbed by IYK. There are many things that I don’t post on one blog b/c I have the other one. I think it might take me awhile to navigate what/when to post on each one. (Now who’s being clear?)

      So: “More posts about your struggles as a parent and how you deal with specific issues.” Are you suggesting I struggle as a parent?!! Kidding. I know what you mean and thank you for the insight. I feel like all my MYW posts are about how much of a terrible parent I am! 😉

      {oh, I have much to talk to you about this. expect an email sometime this month!}

      a

  26. I know church hurt. We set out on our own adventure to start a church about 5 years ago after deep deep hurt. I get that part of your story!! God has been good! I’m glad God used you for such good-here and at Impress your Kids! It’s great to read a solid, Bible Believing blogger and I’ve enjoyed reading here for a while now! Thanks for sharing your heart–see you over at Impress Your Kids!

    • Thank YOU, Maren! I appreciate your words–even if they do mirror the church-hurt. Because I so don’t want that for anyone!

      a

  27. You? You bless and inspire and teach me so much. 🙂

    Love to you, and the best and happiest wishes for the awesome things God has planned for you at Impress Your Kids!!

    • Thank you, Jess! I have been wanting to tell you (or maybe I did on twitter?) that so much of this journey of moving away from ohAmanda and to IYK, and Truth in the Tinsel and recognizing the ministry, etc, etc was directly b/c of Relevant. THAT was the push I needed to do this. It was one of the big things God used to make this new season happen.

      So THANK YOU for being obedient to Him in giving up hours of your life to minister to others in that place. Love you, friend!

      a

  28. Oh, Amanda! (hee hee) You are so inspiring! I cannot wait to see what God does in you! I know the feeling of putting the blahg to sleep in order to follow the path God has for you, and it can be terrifying. I will be praying for you!

    • I think we talked about this a little at the airport after Relevant, didn’t we? How we can see God’s finger moving thru people’s lives? It’s so obvious what God did with your blog to lead you to SP.

      Thank you for inspiring ME!
      a

  30. Isn’t our God amazing?!? When you follow after Him, with no compromise, His blessings are there to greet you 🙂 Sister, I am proud of you and the stand you all took over and over again to honor God first. Be blessed.

  31. I have followed both of your blogs and enjoyed them both. I did the Truth in the Tinsel with my girls this December and it was such a blessing. I am currently looking at your Easter ideas and have the ingredients to do the resurrection rolls. I am excited about your focus over there and the great ideas you will be sharing. I appreciate the work you put into your blogs and projects. Thank you,

  32. After reading your blog Impress Your Kids for years I have to say how blessed I have been. How when there is very little out there offering help on how to guide your children towards Christ your blog has been there continously. You will be in my prayers and I know your going to bless so many people!!!!

  33. I just stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago and I adore your quirkiness, wit, and honesty. Thank you for this post, as I feel I am in a boat similar in ministry. I will be delving through the archives of ohAmanda and diving in headfirst with ImpressYourKids!! Much Love!

  34. I will miss this place, since it’s where I met you – but I’m glad that you are letting the Lord use you and your amazing talents for HIM! Love you!!

  35. Amanda,
    I don’t know what you are so worried about. 😉 Impress Your Kids is…just….so….you! I cannot tell you how much I get inspired and encouraged when I see the Impress Your Kids sender AND subject line. It is a reminder, like a memo. “Hey, don’t forget, Impress Your Kids!” So, you go girl! I’m excited to see/hear/read all that God has in store for you and the blog. I wish I had time to do ALL that you suggest, but even if I don’t get a chance to read the posts, I know I AM making an impression on my kid! And others that I have in my life. Thank you for all you have done, what you are doing and what God will do in all your tomorrows! God bless you! (You’ll be fine!)

  36. I have so enjoyed reading your blog and participating in Top Ten Tuesday. I will definitely be stopping by Impress your Kids to “see” you and what’s going on. All the best to you!!

  37. Sounds like a great idea to me. I LOVE impress my kids and have found it so helpful as a parent and as a Children’s Ministry director. The truth in tinsel book was great and I’m so glad that it was an affirmation of the important work you’re doing. Keep it up!

  38. Dear Amanda, if that’s of any comfort I met you through Impress your Kids (you impressed me as well) and had never noticed that “Oh Amanda” existed. Impress your Kids was a life changing experience for me. I did buy the “Tinsel” e book and did most of it, but even more I was motivated to do new things with my kids. You inspired me and lit a spark of creativity in me. Thank you for being an example of a “simple thing” with “great value and impact”. I’ll pray for you.
    (I’m from Greece)

  39. As most have previously said, you are so awesome and I’ve loved reading this blog! 🙂 I’m sad that you won’t be blogging anymore here, but I understand and am looking forward to seeing where Impress Your Kids goes. 🙂

    It was nice to read your story, too. 🙂 Blessings to you!

  40. awww I’m so sad! You will be missed and I subscribed to your blog so I know when you post! =)
    You’re an awesome blogger and very inspirational! I now donate to OCC every year because of your blog post a couple years ago and felt so good when I was told that I inspired someone to donate with my post last year!
    Looking forward to checking out your posts at ImpressYourKids!

    Take care,
    -Samantha
    KreativeKaring.com

  41. I knew this post was coming since we began talking about the Top Ten Tuesday switchover, but it was still sad when it actually came time to read it. But, I have to admit that I felt like a lot of the sadness over not having OhAmanda pop up in my Reader is tempered by the knowledge of why you’re doing it and your desire to follow where God is leading you. I’m so excited for you on that end!

    And, here’s where I admit that although I’ve read IYK, I am not a subscriber. I had to rectify that situation, especially so I’d be able to hear your voice regularly again.

    Blessings to you and your journey, my friend.

  42. Yay! And sad…. But yay! Not surprised in the least that God would move you in this direction… and I don’t even know you! 🙂 Been an IYK reader long before Truth in the Tinsel so just not surprised. You have helped me, just a mom desperately trying to impress her kids for Him, through your work there. Kids and I are getting ready to start Super Hero series (now that it’s all posted – hopelessly type A). And just uber excited to see what’s in store for you, for His glory. Praying!

    • Lisa! What an honor. Thank you!

      (And I’m glad you waited till I was actually done w/the Superhero theme–it was stressing me out knowing someone might be potentially waiting for me to get a post up! Ha!)

      a

  43. Oh Amanda is such a great blog site.. I keep on visiting here because I am always inspire by your post. You are such an inspiration to all moms who happen to visit your blogs or read your books.

  44. What an amazing story. It brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad that this blog has allowed me to reconnect with you and catch a glimpse of all of the inspiring and beautiful ways that God is using you and your family. I’ll keep up with you at impress your kids. Be blessed.

  46. Oh! Your story is very touching. And I am pretty sure you’ve also touched thousands of hearts through this blog. It’s sad that you have to let go of this one. But good luck in everything you do. 🙂

  47. Wow. This was an amazing post. Thank you for sharing your heart. I have started following since I heard of you through 1+1+1=1 back in November. Impress Your Kids has been such a great encouragement to me. I have a daughter who just turned two. I was an elementary school teacher but thankfully I am now able to stay home with my daughter. I LOVED teaching and at times struggle with what kind of difference I’m making at home, although I wouldn’t trade being home for anything. Just today I was struggling with what difference I’m making for the Lord by being at home, but just as I was starting to think this way, the Lord changed my heart and reminded me that I doing what He has called me to do. This blog post really encouraged me in exactly what I was struggling with today. God knew I needed to see this post. I appreciate all of the hard work you do and share on your blog, especially with Truth in the Tinsel. It has inspired me to be more creative during Bible time with my daughter and that is a priceless gift. Sorry my comment is so long. I will be praying for you.

Hi there!


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