All for the love of Jesus

It's no secret as to how much I absolutely and positively love music!
Ever since I was really little, I have been so passionate about music and started piano lessons in the 1st grade. My fascination and love for music just kept growing over the years. In 5th grade I participated in my first musical "Annie" as Annie. The experience is one that I still let me mind wander back to and my love for musical theatre started there. All through middle school and high school I filled my schedule with drama club, choirs, voice lessons, piano lessons and even a few dance lessons here and there. I knew at a young age exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I loved being in the spotlight and my dream for Broadway began.
Living only a 45 minute drive away from New York City was a dream! My parents took me to see countless of Broadway shows and completely supported my dream on wanting to become a Broadway actress.
When I was accepted into the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan, I KNEW that my dreams were so close. I was SO certain that I had my future completely planned out and ready to go. I was beginning to see everything I wanted for my life begin to unfold. It was all centered over what I wanted to see happen.
Then, life happened.
I dropped out of AMDA and let me dream slowly disappear for, what I thought, was love at the time. My passion and love for music became a distant memory, the piano in my living room started to collect dust and there were moments when I didn't really care if I ever sang again
Fast forward 4 years. Eric and I started to attend Newspring church and every week I would watch the Worship Band in awe. My soul started to stir and my love for music began to flood my heart again. I prayed and waited for an opportunity to audition or find a way to become part of that team. I wanted, no, NEEDED, to be up there.
But Jesus knew I wasn't ready. He knew that I wasn't going to be up there for the right reasons. Every week this twing in my heart grew. I was on Jesus' time though and in the end, I was ok with that. By that point I became pregnant and knew it wasn't the right time. So for the next 9 months, I just sat back and allowed myself to be led by the Worship band every Sunday. I allowed them to lead Jesus into my heart even more. I started to sing again. I would sing at home, in the mirror, in the car and as loud as I could. It was like years of built emotions just poured out when I would sing. Throughout my entire pregnancy I could see both Eric and I just growing closer and closer with Jesus, as a couple and as individuals! I started to slowly allow Him to take over my future. A future that has already been planned out for me.
When Makenna was born, the thought of being a part of that team slipped my mind until one day day on Facebook, I saw a picture on the Newspring page advertising auditions at all campuses for the Worship band. It was ME this time around that thought it was the wrong time. I was a new mom and didn't know how it could all work.
But Jesus knew. He knew it was time. He pushed it on my heart to audition but I ignored it. I ignored that push until one day He used my husband to push me to audition. I agreed to see what would happen, submitted a video and waited.
I love that it all turned out exactly how and when The Lord wanted it to because last Sunday was my first time up there singing with the Worship band. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt His presence with every note I sung. I know that His timing is just perfect! He in no way shape or form wanted me to be up there for, well, me! He wanted me to use what I'm called to do to glorify Him and Him only. To lead people to worship Him and grow closer to Him, just as I was led.  And I wouldn't want it any other way. To have that view, on the stage, to watch others have such an intimate time with Jesus was breathtaking.
My dreams of music has never gone away, it's just changed. Jesus is using my calling and gift of music for something much better then I could have ever planned for myself.
I am so thankful for the plans of mine that He has changed for my good and for His glory.
I am loving all these new experiences He's been putting in my life and I am willing to go and do whatever it is He calls of me. I know that being a part of this team that I can only keep growing; vocally and, most importantly, spiritually.
What plans do you feel have been altered, in a good way? What gifts have you been given that you feel you can use in your life?
Never give up on your dreams! Just because the timeline of events in your life may be different than you imagined doesn't mean your dreams cannot become a reality. Put your trust in the One who can and wants to help you :)
I would love to hear thoughts, comments or if you need an ear, I'm here: gfmamaj@gmail.com.
And seriously, thank you to all who follow this blog. Putting myself out there as been surprisingly easy and rewarding and I have all of you to thank!

*One more thing. I posted a picture of Makenna on Instagram yesterday (amandaljanson if you want to find me!) of her in her new Zipade Zip sleeper. Let me tell you..it's amazing! She only woke up once last night, which is a miracle since she wasn't swaddled. I just put her down for a nap before writing this post and she fell asleep, BY HERSELF and with NO PACI, in less than 5 minutes.
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C-C-C-Changes!

Happy Spring!
I came even begin to express how fast the time is going. It's freaking me out!
I know some of you still have snow on the ground and I am so sorry. South Carolina weather has been so up and down that I'm not quite sure what to except these days! I'm just happy to be in the season of spring.
This has always been my favorite time of year! And, no, not just because my birthday is in May. I see spring as a time when dead things come to life; much like the reason we celebrate Easter! Since last year, I view Easter completely different then all the cute bunnies and pretty baskets in the store. I see how painfully beautiful it is to celebrate the reason we have the cross in the first place. Without His death there'd be no salvation. To think that Jesus died for me...well that would take a whole different blog post! :)
With Easter coming up and starting to watch the flowers bloom, I get that warm, happy feeling inside. A feeling in my gut that tells me changes are about to take place. I've been getting pretty good at noticing when one season in my life and another one is about to begin. And I'll tell you what- that warm, happy feeling hasn't always been there.
CHANGE.
I have NEVER been good with change. This word has always scared me, even if I know the change is going to be good. My mindset has been like this for a while, until about a month or so ago. I was at my church in the room where all the volunteers meet before the service and was listening to our campus pastor give us, what you can call, a pep talk. He used a verse from the bible, that even with all my studying of the bible, never came across. Or maybe I just overlooked it. It's a verse that our church believes in whole heartily.

I'll be honest, as much as I loved this verse when I first heard it, I haven't thought it about since that evening. But I didn't forget about it. I like the verses that come across my path that I tuck away for the times when I need comfort. Last night was one of those nights.

It was late, I was already upset and was thinking of change. How much our lives have changed since Makenna has come along, how much I long for us to become homeowners, our physical health, our future...I was overwhelmed. I was doubtful to God and His plan. I couldn't lay in bed anymore just thinking so I pulled out my last journal that still had some blank pages in it, grabbed a bible and a blanket and had quiet time. I said a quick prayer, before picking up the pen to write, that God would let this conversation be productive and peaceful. I opened up the bible to a random page and immediately saw Isaiah 43:19 underlined.

The best hasn't even happened yet. 

God is already 20 million steps ahead of me. 

He's already putting all the pieces together of everything that has been on my mind. 

Change doesn't have to be scary because God, Himself, is telling me of how good it can be. 

I'm ready for this new season in my life. I can't even imagine how God is going to use us and bless us for His glory. I can't even express grow thankful I am to have a Father that has something new and exciting waiting for me at the end of every trial. And I can walk away stronger, growing more in my faith and look forward to all He has planned for me. 

So as the flowers start to bloom and the sun begins to warm the air, let's embrace the change; together!

Life is so beautiful friends :)

Much love to you all! 

Any thoughts, comments? Let me hear! ❤️

"Do to others...

...as you would have them do to you."
-Luke 6:31

I've been hearing this from my mom, dad, teachers and all other grown-up-like authority, all my life. I question if they know that this "saying" is straight from the bible; I know that I didn't know!
I was thinking the other night of what I would say to Makenna when she came home from school for the first time and tells me she was picked on at school. This thought stemmed from a report on the news about two,6 year old girls getting into a fist fight because one girl picked on the others girl outfit. OY!!! It really got me thinking...
That saying, verse, whatever you'd like to call it, is so overused but screams so much truth. We all want to be treated with respect and our feelings get hurt when we are not..right?? So then why is it so hard to give it? When someone is negative with us, we as humans automatically put our guard up, get defensive and defend. We get mean in return with no care in the world of how our retaliation might affect that person.
Yes I know, it sucks when we get talked about behind our backs or a comment is made about us under someone's breath. I've been through that all my life and let me tell you it doesn't get easier! The meanness becomes less about what cell phone you're using or college you're going to and turns into what kind of mother you are or what house you live in.
But I'd like to think that when my children start to go through this kind of thing that I can, not,only point them in the direction that Jesus would want me to point them in, but that I can show an honest and genuine example. That even know we want to throw our fists up at the first mean thing that's said to us, we need to take a different route.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
-John 13:34
Jesus was pretty straight forward when He said this. He said we must love one another. He didn't say anything but loving each other except for this or except for that.
LOVE. Just love. Even when we don't want to. Even when someone picks on us or is mean. Treat others how WE want to be treated; with love, kindness and respect. This is not an easy. I struggle with my kindness toward others every time I'm driving on these SC roads! Lately, whenever I feel judgement start to creep into my heart when I'm around others, I really take just 2 seconds and think of a possible story they could have behind their actions that I am looking down upon. I remember the fact that we all have or are going through something. I remember that I fall short of Gods glory every single day yet He still showers me with love, kindness and respect. And if He can do that for me then I can do that for others. Nobody is above or below grace, nobody is above or below mercy and nobody is above or below love!
So while this saying may be overused and passed around a lot, I couldn't agree with it anymore now them I did when I was first being taught it. And I'm super thankful that I have a God who lives this verse out every single day in my life!
So spread some love today. If there is any negative fire in your day, smother it with kindness and love and always remember that YOU are loved :)
Need prayer or just some conversation? You know where to find me: gfmamaj@gmail.com.
MUCH love!! :)


So Eric and I had a fantastic weekend. Church was just fantastic and this series we are doing has my heart on fire! It had been a while since we really got to spend some family time together since he's been working 6 days a week for a while. Well this Saturday he finally had off, the weather was perfect and we took total advantage of the day! Makenna growing is bittersweet. I want her to stay small but golly this is such a fun age! Her personality is really starting to come out and we can do a lot more family outings :)
Makenna and Eric spent some time together Saturday morning while I went out and got grocery shopping done. Then the three of us took Makenna to the park. She then went to hang out with my parents while Eric and I had a day date!

Here's some pictures from our day:

Makennas first time playing at the park! I mean, seriously can she get any cuter?!

Eric finally had a chance to push Makenna in the swing for the first time! 

I love being her mommy! 

I adore these two so much. Watching my husband be a father to my child has been the most beautiful thing. I am so lucky and blessed to be married to such an amazing man. I love them both so much that my heart is close to bursting! 

Eric and I grabbed lunch downtown at a place called Cantina, which aha the worlds best tacos! We were craving something sweet after so we went to Cupcakes Down South. They have gluten free cupcakes every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They are heavenly delicious :)