My name is Amanda. Growing up I was taught the word... But I was also taught dysfunction. I was brought up to love the Lord... But I was shown conditional love as an example of how to love others and myself. At the age of 16 the very foundation of my world crumbled beneath me and every comfort I had was gone. A season of poor decision making, impulsive emotional rationalizations that were deciding factors on my everyday decisions was birthed. I was angry, lonely, unprotected and running away from God and the calling he placed on my life. The hurt kept growing in my life... and so did the unhealthy decisions. At the age of 20, I was a 2 year meth addict, drug dealer, alcoholic, liar, manipulator.... The list is endless. I got pregnant at this time and I remember laying on the floor crying out to God to protect my unborn child from my bad decisions... my poisoned, broken body. I was able to lay down meth and had 2 amazing daughters who were healthy and perfect in every way. I continued with an addiction to alcohol and recreational drugs into my adulthood. If it was my free weekend, I was up for a party. I had to constantly numb my life entirely to create a “safe” space so I could breathe. So I could live. I put myself in no-win situations constantly running further and further from God. When things would get really bad I would cry out to God, praying for protection or love.... I was destroyed inside... unable to understand the thing I was lacking. I was taught early on to fix your own problems and not to make mistakes. I stayed in relationships that hurt me and I hurt others... and I was good at it. I used people and allowed myself to be used by others. By the age of 24, I was a mother of 2 precious daughters and divorced from their father. I continued to fill my love cup with success and addictions. I was a dedicated,functioning and broken woman and it showed in every area of my life. The gifts God gave me were being directed into the world and not to step into the calling God placed in my life. I was young, beautiful, ambitious and completely empty.... And still ignoring God. In my early 30’s God began to really deal with me and my “junk”. I was tired, defeated, overwhelmed and hurt. I finally stopped.. Turned around and surrendered! I simply told God this” Ok, I don't know how... But I'm not going to run anymore”. That was it. I had no idea what God was about to unfold in my life.. All that mattered is that I showed up for it. I made that decision and it changed my life. I decided to lay it all down. God began to immediately put people in my life with different talents and gifts spiritually that created opportunities for me to heal and gain wisdom. He opened and closed doors to protect me, learn me... grow me. I became intentional with my relationship with the Lord and was prepped for the foundation of ministry. God never left me even when I left Him. He not only restored my life in every way possible.. BUT he did it and gave it and poured out a double portion. My flame is hotter. My tongue speaks life. Good favor flows down my path consistently and my cup runs over. Blessed and highly favored, safe and protected. I am ... RESTORED.