Amanda's Story

Growing up on a farm in New York, Amanda remembers a normal childhood. Her family went to church and Amanda believed in the Lord.

Deep down, Amanda always desired to explore, to adventure, and to pursue an independent life. Unfortunately, Amanda’s dream to be on her own came as a result of her parents’ divorce.

Her mom moved away and her father worked all the time, so Amanda and her two younger siblings were left without supervision. It didn’t take long before Amanda started to push the boundaries and try new things, including drinking and smoking marijuana.

Amanda remembers getting into so much trouble, she ended up in foster care for a period of time. But she got kicked out of there, too! With no guardrails around her life, Amanda plummeted into addiction as a teenager.

Becoming a mom began to give Amanda clarity, but she didn’t know how to stop her drug use. After two DUIs, Amanda’s girls went to live with their dad and Amanda went to rehab.

While she was in rehab, a pastor gave Amanda a Bible. “I really couldn’t stop reading it,” Amanda remembers.

For five years, Amanda teetered between recovery and relapsing. She wanted to get well, but the stronghold of addiction was so tight.

God answered Amanda’s prayers through a memory her aunt had of Hoving Home’s choir visiting her church twenty years ago!

Amanda called and the door Jesus opened led to her freedom!

Amanda finally had the structure her life desperately needed. She was able to look back on her childhood and mourn her losses and also acknowledge her mistakes.

Most important for Amanda, she began to work on healing her relationship with her daughters.

“Every phone call I got, I would call them,” Amanda shares. “I would write them every week just to tell them I love them.”

During a chapel service, Amanda received a jar with a mustard seed in in and began to write down things she thought would be impossible. Amanda wrote down that she wanted a full-time job and for both of her daughters to live with her in a house.

Of course, with God, all things are possible! And in time, Amanda saw those impossible prayers answered!

Within a year of writing down those “only-by-faith” requests, Amanda became an intern at Hoving Home. Then, we hired her as a business office manager!

Next, Amanda moved to her own home and both of her daughters came to live with her. She knows she can’t ever get back the time she lost with them, but she is determined to make the most of the time she has now.

Today, Amanda is not only there for her daughters. She’s also back to being a big sister and daughter who can be counted on for support, guidance, laughter and hugs! As Amanda’s own mother shares: “Since [Amanda] came to the Hoving Home, I watched her grow so much … It’s a true testimony to the grace of God and what He can do for you … [Amanda] has a charisma that lights up the room, and I’m so happy to see it back!”

Amanda stands on the promises of Romans 8:28, that “God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

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