Monday, January 12, 2009

Who am I

My parents had divorced when I was about 5 and soon after that we moved to Ft. Worth with my grandparents. In the early 80’s my mom met and married a man whom was in the oil business. They packed us (my sister and I) up in the car and moved us to the small West Texas town of Abilene.
Abilene is known for the 3 faith based universities and therefore referred to as the “Bible Belt of Texas.” My parents occasionally attended a local Baptist church on Sunday mornings, but not on a regular bases. This particular church still carries the same southern values, everyone still dresses in their Sunday best and is very social, since we were a small lower middle class family, I never really felt like I “fit in.” I still remember going to Sunday school class and having to read the bible story in front of my peers, and being embarrassed because I was never a strong reader. This really did not help to develop my relationship with God.
By the time I turned 13, my life had gone down a different path. My Mother and Step Father divorced, my grandmother, whom I was very close to died and I began to spiral out of control. My teenage years were not good ones and it is truly by the Grace of God that I even survived.
At 19 I became pregnant with my daughter Morgan and at 20 I was a single mother on food stamps, trying to survive. I remember returning to the same church I had attended as a child, just after I had Morgan. I just sat there in the church pew with tears in my eyes threw the service, once again lost and ashamed.
I later met my husband Adam and we married over a year later. We will be celebrating our 9th year together this Friday. I truly believe leaving Abilene was the best thing for me, in a since leaving the past behind you.
You might be asking yourself, why is she sharing all of this very personal information on her blog, at this time? Well, I believe that your past doesn’t define who you are, but are “Gods little obstacles“ that help you become who you are, these life lessons have laid the foundation for the person that I have become today.
I am truly a “work in process,” I am learning things as I go. I am trying to be the best woman, wife, and parent that I can be by learning from my own mistakes. I must admit I truly have to stop and laugh at myself from time to time though, because I do seem to handle little things differently that some of my friends, which you might see in the weeks to come. But hopefully still learning as I go.
-Cheers, Amy

11 comments:

Kristen, pajama mama said...

Amy,

Thanks for sharing...I, too, left Abilene (ha!) after graduating from ACU. And I needed a fresh start. That's where I sought God's grace and when I met my husband, too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Glad to meet you.
-kristen

Twice as Nice said...

Everyone has a past and for most of us it wasn't rosey. I'm not sure I ever felt like I "FIT IN" either. We didn't grow up having the "LATEST". My dad was an alcoholic so we didn't bring friends home. But all in all I know I was loved and what I learned made me a better parent. I was determined that my child would not be raised in a disfuntioned family. I would love to have my son's childhood so I guess me and hubby have done alright :o) Thanks so much for sharing and even tho I was not young and pregnant I could feel a bit of what it must of been like sitting in that pew. God has blessed you with a wonderful husband and children and a lot of knowledge to be able to relate to others who maybe going down that same road.

Anonymous said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I cannot begin to imagine the road that you have traveled in your life, but it seems you have made a life well worth living. It is difficult to look back, but a glorious moment when we see our success. I agree that your past doesn't define you. Maybe it just REfines us. All of us handle things differently and cheers to you for accepting who you are!

Thank you for sharing a bit about yourself. Have a wonderful week!
Jennifer

Jerri Lynn @ Southern Sassyness said...

Fabulous post, Amy! I enjoyed reading about your past and what you have definitely done to overcome it! You are so right - we are not our past!

I, too have been through some things...some good choices, some definitely not-so-good, but I am thankful for them all, because of who I am today!

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

So honored to get to read about you and see the journey you have been on (and continue to be on!) as you pursue your beautiful life!

Blessings in 09!

Melissa

Unknown said...

Amy, thanks for sharing the difficulty you had growing up and also of being a very young single mom. From your blogging and the pictures you have posted I can see that you've made a wonderful life for yourself and your family.
I bet almost every woman reading this post will agree that their teen years would be better off forgotten.
Your hubby and kids are VERY lucky to have you!

Vern ~ Inspired said...

Amy,

Thanks for sharing your heart...it is evidence of the work and provision of the Lord!
I see His finger prints all over you as He obviously has been guarding and guiding you along the way!
I am so glad you are in my life and that we are getting to know each other better!

Love ya!
Vern

PS That is a great picture of you!

Kristi~The Slipcover Girl said...

thanks for sharing from the heart...i had a similar childhood. it'd be great to chat over coffee..hmmm.

Mocha with Linda said...

Thanks for sharing and letting God use you to encourage others. You have blessed many by this today.

Debbie said...

Amy,

I did not see your email address on your profile so I'm leaving this comment. Thanks for visiting my blog. I've added you to my favorites so now I will be visiting you. The color in the dining room is a Sherwin Williams color, Praline.

Hope that helps you.

Deb

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Nice to learn more about you. :) Sounds like you have learned A LOT -- that is what our past is for.


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