Amanda’s Update
Hi all! Here’s an update on how things are going for me and my family:
Since your amazing outpouring of love and support, my husband has talked to several companies, but unfortunately these talks haven’t yielded much. He does have another meeting today, so we shall see what God will do. However, although these doors have remained closed, John has finally gotten some work through the company he has worked with for many years. The last six-seven months have been barren for the company, but things seem to be (hopefully) picking up a bit. Of course these blessing rarely come without kickback, and on the first day John was supposed to work his car broke down. After a bit of scrambling he did manage to make it to work, and a friend of ours who owns a mechanic shop towed and fixed his car for free (it turns out it was his battery – for the second time in two months – odd, right?)! Blessing and favor, again!
Through this community, God also connected us with a reader who runs a pediatrics therapy company, and she has been working to get my son some needed speech therapy at no cost! That is amazing and so awesome for Gavin (and the therapist that will be working with Gavin is wonderful)!
The gifts you all gave have allowed us to pay our bills, get groceries, and pay for two emergency room visits (one for each boy – goodness!), along with helping us stay afloat as work is slowly trickling in.
I hope that you don’t mind, but we felt that it was important to tithe on what God blessed us with through you, and we were able to bless another family locally who has been struggling. So, your gifts have also helped them secure a place to live after losing their home in addition to blessing our family and allowing us to pay our bills and buy groceries!
We are so grateful for your support and your prayers. You have been a part of God confirming His love and His provision and His presence, that we (gentiles) are important to him and not second-rate citizens, and that even though we don’t fully understand how all the pieces fit together, he still loves and delights in us. Although this has been a very challenging season so far, I am learning. I hunger for so much more wisdom and understanding of Him and His Word, but I know that His timing is better than mine (although sometimes I am impatient). 🙂 I’ve also looked up many of the resources suggested by various commenters, and they’ve been awesome! Thank you for your suggestions!
We still would love your prayers for God’s will in John’s work (for open doors and/or an increase in the work he’s been doing), as well as for God to do some healing in John’s life (there are old wounds, much anger, and an ongoing struggle to forgive). For me, greater wisdom and revelation so that I may better understand who God is (as Shaul prayed for the Ephesians), and to be able to discern truth. For our children, healing, health and hearts for God. For our family, continued provision (spiritually as well as physically).
Thank you so much for all you’ve done and the part you’ve played in God’s plan for us. I’ll try to update you guys again in a little while. For now we are walking and pressing on, so grateful for provision, thanks to this community.
Shalom and blessings to all!
Amanda Youngblood
And Skip, I’d love to know how things are going for Daniel’s family/granddaughter, Innetta’s daughter, Pam’s need for provision, and Jill’s family and housing situation. These were some of the responses that I read that really touched my heart. Would it be possible to see how things are progressing for them? I know I (and others) are praying for them.
I also heard that your roof was damaged. Is everyone okay? How has your family been doing? Are there things that I can be praying for you and your family?
With all that Amanda and her family has been going through, she is still helping others. Her heart serves as an example for all of us.
Hi Amanda! Thanks for the update. It’s amazing (yet shouldn’t be) how marvelous our Father is! It seems like difficult times are when we truly experience His mercy, grace and love. It’s good to hear your heart through these times. You have a special way of conveying a love for Father through your tender words and I am blessed. Thanks for praying for our daughter. We are on the other side of some tough times and the journey continues, blessed be HIS name! I continue to pray for you and your family. May God continue to do amazing things as you continue to draw closer to Him!
Shalom!
Amanda, good to hear of you and your family!
Read Isaiah 56 and you’ll NEVER feel second-rate citizens! This chapter brought me to tears many times. YHWH is good! HalleluYah!
Thank you! I will read it! 🙂
Amanda, our Anna has a brain cancer that has never been successfully treated. The prognosis is the same.
Within that reality there is good news. The hospice team recently visited her and suggested the she be (temporarily) removed from hospice care because she is doing so well.
Our son and daughter in law have refused the radiation and chemo the docs have asked for, opting instead for quality of life. Right now Anna can run and play with her sisters and that is a gift from God. The medical team told us as far back as June that based on her tests she should be in a coma. Yet, she’s not.
She has many symptoms that are hard to watch. Tremors. Seizures. But, she is an amazing little girl. She doesn’t complain. She doesn’t cry. I find her to be inspirational and a continuing lesson for myself.
The hard part right now is seeing what it is doing to our son and daughter in law. My wife describes our daughter in law as looking like a concentration camp survivor. She is gaunt and her skin has a gray palor. Our son is not much better.
It is a grim reality but they, and everyone around them, acknowledge the goodness of God and enjoy having Anna, not in a coma, one more day.
Thank you for remembering and bless Him for all He is doing in your home.
o/ Amanda!!!! We are still here and celebrating Sukkot with another family. Struggling along day by day by faith like most others. All is well.
Thank you to all of you guys who gave me an update! I appreciate your willingness to be bared. I will continue to pray.
Daniel, your daughter and son and granddaughter are an inspiration. I can’t even begin to fathom the extent of their (and your) struggle. My heart aches. But I will continue to pray for healing and miracles. Thank you for updating us.