Hi there! Iโm Amanda.
One of my social media bios reads, “Coffee is my love language. Jesus is my everything.” And honestly, that pretty much sums me up.
I’ve loved words for as long as I can remember. Telling stories has always been a favorite pastime of mine, and writing has always been my soul’s art form.
As a young child, I met Jesus, and I began to understand who God was and decided I wanted to know Him for myself. As I entered my teen years, I began to explore what faith really meant, as I navigated the harder things of life and got a taste of the brokenness of the world. And to this day, I say without hesitation that His joy fills my soul and He is the only reason I am who I am and I do what I do.
I’m a college student and a coffee connoisseur. I’m passionate about writing and speaking, traveling and meeting new people, playing music and scribbling thoughts on index cards and having passionate discussions on living room floors late into the night. I embarrass myself on a daily basis and delight in making people laugh.
As you read the articles on this blog, you’ll get to know me better — and I pray that every word here would inspire you to dig deeper into knowing Jesus for yourself. I pray that you’d read these stories and reflections and understand how God fits into the intricacies of our lives and brings true hope and joy in the midst of the mess.
Welcome to Scattered Journal Pages. I hope you’ll stick around.
Great first entry, Amanda! May God continue to bless you with insight in His Word and opportunities to share the good news with many others…Blessings in Christ, Dennis Clough
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Thank you! ๐
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I missed the first comment by 1 hour and 34 minutes.
I have failed in my duties as a cousin.
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Great Job Amanda! This is wonderful and I look forward to following your blog. Keep up the positive good work!
God Bless You!
Deirdre
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Thank you so much, Deirdre! Thanks for checking out my blog! ๐
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Amanda
We all can relate to your writings …they’re good and honest and from the heart.
Love,
Granka Bill
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Thanks ๐
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So where do you live if you can go surfing? (Just a state, not an address lol!) I live in Ohio so . . . yup. ๐
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I live in Massachusetts. The surfing isn’t the best, but it’s good for me & I absolutely LOVE IT.
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Keep it up. You never know who reads your posts! Have a blissful day
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Hey Amanda,
Love your blog and even more so your heart in sharing your faith. You are the present and future church. In a couple of months I’ll be at the Cape speaking this message… “Your Walk is Your Witness.” In your case it is in fact a powerful witness. Not to mention your witness has [eternal consequences].
Be a Blessing As You are a Blessing, Tom
Tom Lovig
PTL Speaker
“Your walk is your witness… to a world in need of Jesus.โ
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Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! Praise the Lord.
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By the way if you ever want to talk to someone who writes professionally for churches and pastors you just let me know. She can take a sermon series and turn it into a book and or workshop. Then promote it all over the country. She’s my daughter, Mindy, and in the world of writing, she has worked for some of the biggest ministries and names in Christian evangelism. Including the White House,,, but not the current administration as they have issues with Christianity.
Be good… and always remember, “Your walk is your witness.”
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Wow! Thank you. I may take you up on that at some point.
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PLEASE DO. And you would like love little Lexie. She’s 11 and like you… loves the Lord. By the way there is something heading your way in the mail. ๐
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Hey Amanda,
This is a really random question but I was wondering if you take all the photos you put up on your blog?
Kate
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Hi Kate! I wish I could say that I take them all. Some of them (5, maybe?) I’ve taken, but most of them I find on stock image websites like bossfight.co and pexels.com.
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Yay, I’ve found ANOTHER Christian teen blogger. This just gets better and better. I think I saw you like to play and write songs. Do you play guitar, or what instrument?
also I have a friend from church who runs a surf shop on the beach near where I live ๐ How long have you been surfing?
It’s so cool to find this blog *follows*
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That’s awesome! Are you a Christian teen blogger too?
Yep, I play guitar, piano, and ukulele, and sing.
I’ve been surfing for…hmm. 3 or 4 years now? I love it. It’s absolutely exhilarating.
How did you find my blog? Just curious.
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I am so sorry I never replied, for some reason it never notified me ๐ฆ
I am a Christian teen blogger, but I post more poetry than anything else, unlike this blog. I’ve got to say, this blog has continued to be amazing more and more with each post. God is certainly working through you, and we really need more teens like that in this confusing and very secular world.
That’s cool, how long have you been playing guitar? I am learning how to play classical, which is so beautiful sounding. Surfing is fun (When I can actually do it, which I really can’t) but my sister’s friend loves it a lot. ๐
I found your blog through Emily’s at forthebookish.com. I saw your reply to one of her posts, and of course I had to click to see what your blog was about! I’ve decided to call all of us Christian Teen Bloggers: The Christian Homeschooled Writers Web (unless you’re not homeschooled I have no clue haha but most of us are xD)
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It’s okay!
That’s fun. Blogging is a joy. Thanks so much for your encouragement!
I’m self-taught on guitar and started playing, oh, three years ago? It’s more of a hobby than anything. Wow! Classical guitar really is beautiful. ๐
That’s so cool! Emily’s blog is great. And yep, I’m homeschooled too. Have been my whole life. ๐ Thanks for coming back by my blog again!
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Awesome! What’s your favorite song to play? often I enjoy playing Oceans on guitar–very peaceful. And you’re welcome, your blog is absolutely wonderful ๐
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I don’t usually stick with one song for long – but Oceans is a really fun song to play!
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I am speechless…please just keep loving and serving Jesus. Challenges will come in life but stay true to Him. He NEVER fails.
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Thanks so much, Timi.
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You’re welcome Amanda
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Another Christian blogger!!! Yay! ๐ Wow — you surf? Just wondering (you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to), what state do you live in? I used to live in California, so surfing was pretty commonplace at most beaches.
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Yes!! ๐
I’m from Massachusetts. There aren’t too many surfers here, because the water is FREEZING, but hey, it’s exhilarating. Do you surf?
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Oh wow — Massachusetts? That’s so cool! And nah, I don’t surf, but I knew lots of people back in Cali who did! ๐
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Fun! May I ask, how did you find my blog?
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I think you were mentioned on another blog (I don’t remember which one). So I clicked the link and here I am! ๐
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Oh, awesome!
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I am so happy to find this blog!! This is the first one that I came by that is a christian blog!!! ๐
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Welcome! Thanks for stopping by, I’m so glad you did! How did you find me? ๐
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I found you on Goodreads! I just joined the Rebelution group, and you replied to Leah Sinnamon’s comment. Do you know Leah Sinnamon? I am her friend! And I think you know Leah E. Good…I don’t know her personally, but I have friends who know Leah Good really well!
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Oh, cool! I know of Leah, but I know Tamara better. ๐ And yes, I know Leah Good very well! She’s great. ๐
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Oh!!! That is so awesome!! And do you know Melody? ๐
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Hm, I’m not sure. What’s her last name?
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Melody van Achterberg. She’s the oldest of ten children in her family. ๐
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Oh yes! I met her in April. ๐
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It is SO cool to see that people know each other!!!! It is soooo awesome!!!!
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Yes it is! Are you from the east coast, or just know these friends from the internet (or both)?
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I am from Connecticut! I am homeschooled, and I used to go to the same church as the Sinnamons! I knew the van Achterbergs through a homeschool co-op! Are you from Maine? ๐
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Oh, that’s cool! I’m from Massachusetts, so not too far.
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Oh!! That is awesome!!! ๐
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Hi Amanda! I’m pretty sure that you’ve already done this… but if you want to do it again, I’ve volunteered you! ๐
https://writinganyone.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/infinity-dreams-award-2/
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Hey Alyssa! Thanks for nominating me. ๐ I usually don’t do tags, because I’m so busy, but I may at some point. So thanks!
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I understand being busy! Well, if you have time, I’ll look forward to reading it! ๐
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I just read this again and…this paragraph:
“Iโm an introvert, but one with passion. I care about people, even if it seems Iโm only on the sidelines. I donโt want to talk about nothing in order to fill time, I want to get to know you. I want to have real conversations, and be able to talk about faith and theology, and your dreams and desires. I want to know what makes you tick, not what the latest trends are.”
YES YES YES. Me too! ๐
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That’s good to hear! Sometimes, it’s hard to pinpoint my personality, but this–this is it. ๐
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Yes indeed. ๐
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Amanda, your blog has been such an encouragement. Your posts are always so insightful and wise. It was such a blessing to find you; I can’t wait to read more! ๐
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HI Emily! Thank you for your sweet comment! I’m so blessed by your words. How did you find my blog?
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I’m not actually sure . . . I think that it was through Tricia Mingerink’s author blog. She had listed some blogs she liked and yours was one of them. ๐
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Oh! I love JJ Heller and Twenty One Pilots too!
Have you heard of Mindy Gledhill? SHE IS AWESOME! And I also love Lauren Daigle!
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*High fives* They’re awesome, yes?
I haven’t; I’ll have to look her up, but Lauren Daigle is amazing. ๐
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Ah! Yes!! They are so awesome!!
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Hi; I also love reading, wtiting, chocolate and beaches and forests
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That’s so great! ๐
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Heyy Amanda, I’ve tagged you for the By the Book tag on my blog! I hope you can participate. ๐
http://forthebookish.com/by-the-book-tag/
(Also I hope you see this since I’m commenting on your about page.)
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Hey Emily! Yep, I got a notification for the new comment. ๐
Oh, that looks fun! I don’t usually do tags, but if I’m free next week, I’ll look into doing it! Books are amazing.
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I love your ‘about me’ page! It’s very you ๐ I followed you a while back but I’m just now taking the time to really look around. I see I have missed some good stuff! Time to catch up ๐
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Hey Abi! ๐ Aw, thank you! ๐
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Wow, AJ! Beautiful smile and spirit. Never lose it because it is a wondrous inspiration to generate more smiles =)
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Thank you, Astrid! Your words are very sweet; thanks for the encouragement!
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Hey there Amanda! You may or may not recognize me from your Camp NaNo cabin, but I thought I’d drop by and say “hello”! You have a beautiful blog, and beautiful spirit, and a beautiful mind! Praise God for being willing to stand up for what you believe is right in a world that doesn’t like His will. I’m definitely going to hang around and read your posts!
I’m planning on doing the Purposeful Pages link-up, but my post won’t be published until this next Monday. Have a wonderful day! Probably talk to you at the cabin soon. ๐
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Hey Rebekah! Of course I recognize you! ๐ Aww, thank you so much, girl! That means so much to me.
EEK, that sounds awesome. ๐ Monday is a good day, that’s totally fine. Thanks for taking the time to stop by & comment! Can’t wait to talk to you more soon. ๐
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Hello… ๐ My name is Olivia and my brother told me I should check out your blog so here I am. I can so relate to not being or feeling normal. Reading theology, thinking about theology, and writing about theology is what I love to do most. I’m also homeschooled. I don’t know anything about martial arts though. Me and sports do not go well together… I’m much better at music.
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Hi Olivia! Welcome to Scattered Journal Pages. ๐ It’s wonderful to hear that you’re so much like me – and I love music as well. (I’m not the sportiest person ever, haha.) Thanks for stopping by! Who’s your brother, by the way?
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Hi! My name’s Abigail,
I am new to this blog, I found it by following a link on my friends blog – It looks amazing!!!
I am so looking forward to reading all of the posts and enjoying the Christian influence it has!!!
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Hi, Abigail! Welcome to Scattered Journal Pages! Well, thank you for stopping by – your kind words mean a lot! Hope to see you around here again soon. ๐
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Hi, Amanda! It is so great to find fellow Christian-teen writers. I am SOO excited to start reading more posts. (Ps, I also LOVE chocolate) what’s your favorite kind of chocolate? (Mine is dark chocolate! ๐
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Hi Katy! Welcome to Scattered Journal Pages, and I’m so happy to meet you!
Wow, you’re super encouraging, so thank you! I love dark chocolate as well, isn’t it the best? ๐
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You’re so welcome! And, Yes it is! ๐
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Hi Amanda! And yes, It is indeed! ;D
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Awesome!
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Welcome to Scattered Journal Pages!
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Hi Amanda! I know I’m really late (the first comment dates back to 2015), but your words carry the same impact today, in 2017, as they did two years ago, when you first posted this. I think this thing that you’re doing is amazing. The world needs more people like you (and me)…who want to bring people joy and inspiration through the Hope that we carry.
I’m glad I stumbled across your blog…I look forward to reading more of your posts! ๐
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Welcome, Beatrice! It’s great to meet you! Thank you so much for your kind comment – I really appreciate it. โค Thanks for stopping by!
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Aw, my pleasure, Amanda! ๐
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Hi! I’ve nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award ๐
https://beatricedelrowblog.wordpress.com/2017/02/01/my-first-grammy-nom/
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Thanks for the nomination! ๐
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You got it! ๐
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cool
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