Author: Amanda Tero

Music has always been a part of Amanda Tero’s life–from her mom singing Steve Green specials to her dad honking out the rhythm of “Jingle Bells” in the driveway. She began teaching in 2007 and fell in love with sharing music. Amanda started arranging hymns for herself in her teens, with fast and furious advanced hymn settings. Then, as her students began requesting hymns at their levels, she branched out to hymn arranging for pedagogical reasons. Because of Amanda’s interest in various genres, in her shop, you will find hymn arrangements of various levels embracing classical elements, light jazz style, Southern Gospel flair, and more.

Word Wednesday #98

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 
Romans 8:12-13
It’s easy to read verse 12 and say, “Now I don’t need to live after the flesh” then by the flesh try to accomplish it. The key is in verse 13: we must conquer the flesh through the Spirit.


~*~*~

Share a verse that God has given you today or copy the button if you’d like to join in Word Wednesdays with your blog! Did you post on your blog? I’d love to see — share your link in a comment!

 
 

Street Team Winner

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
First off, let me say a HUGE thank-you to my friends on my street teams (both on FB and my website). You were all amazing in helping out with promoting and praying for JTL!
 
So…I drew a name and the winner of the print copy of Journey to Love is Rebekah M! I’ll be in touch with you!

Scripture Memory – the Process

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Last week, I mentioned the three pillars for the foundation of memorizing Scripture.

This week, I’m eager to share some of the things that help me memorize Scripture.

Read
Read the Scripture 10 times out loud.
Memorize Portions
Break up the verse into phrases and work on one phrase at a time.
Repeat and Repeat
Whether its a full verse or portions, say it over and over. I usually say a portion fifteen times. Then, I’ll say the next portion fifteen times. Then those two portions together fifteen times.
Pattern of Six
My sister recently discovered that saying six words together (even if they do not create a full phrase) helps induce memory.
Memorize While Working
Copy the verse on an index card or prop up your phone with the Scripture verse on it where you’re working. Instead of letting your mind idly wander, purposefully memorize Scripture.
Place in Easily Seen Places
Copy the verse onto index cards and put it out in areas that you frequent. Each time you see it, say it.
Sing it
Create a song to sing for your verse.
Put it to rhythm
Instead of saying the verse in monotone, accent some words, say some words faster, some slower. (No, I’m not saying create a rap out of your Scripture verses…but if that helps… ;))
First Letters
Write down just the first letters of the verse and say it using only the first letters as your aid (John 3:16 would begin, “F G S L T W…”).
As You Go to Sleep
Those minutes when your mind is winding down? Quote your verse.
When You Wake Up
And…those minutes when you’re groggily trying to convince your body to get out of bed, quote your verse.
Listen to It
Either record yourself or listen to an audio Bible of the verse(s) you are memorizing.
Have an Accountability Partner
A friend and I were discussing the trouble we were having with faithfully memorizing God’s Word, so we decided to keep each other accountable. Sometimes, she’ll text as soon as I pick up a book to read and I have that reminder, “Have you worked on memory yet today?” Amazing how God works out the timing like that!
What are some ways you’ve found helpful in memorizing Scripture?


It’s Here!

Published on by Amanda Tero22 Comments

 Journey to Love is now ready for you! Find it on Amazon!

About the Book

Now orphaned, Marie is swept miles away from the only life she knew to be sheltered by unknown guardians. Caught in the challenges of a new life, she cannot prevent changes from happening, but she can keep the Bowles and their friends at arm’s length. Or can she? 

While things appear to transition smoothly on the outside, Marie struggles against the turmoil she faces on the inside. She sees something in the Bowles and her new friends that she had never experienced before…but should she trust what the preacher is teaching when it goes against everything she had accepted as truth? Is God really a God of love? If He is, then is Marie willing to accept it? 

Follow Marie as she begins the journey to love.

About the Series

Imagine yourself as an orphan, struggling for survival on the filthy New York streets, where disease and crime run rampant. Journey from these wretched streets to a temporary lodging in an overcrowded orphanage and then to the train station. After riding the train for hours, picture yourself lining up with other children, waiting as adults look you over. Would you be chosen—or would you have to hold onto the hope that maybe, at the next station, someone would want to bring you home? Minister Charles Loring Brace had a vision for New York orphans that brought them through this journey from streets to homes. He began his orphan work in 1853, then in 1854, because of lack of orphanage space, Brace sent the first orphans, by train, to Dowagiac, Michigan, where the children could be sheltered by local families. The “orphan train” continued until 1929, bringing at least 150,000 children to new homes where they were fostered and, occasionally, adopted. Brace desired to place children in good, Protestant homes. Many orphans experienced Brace’s desire, but some orphans had different stories: siblings were separated, and some couples took orphans to use for cheap labor. Though many orphans ended up as successful men and women, not all of them turned out to be trustworthy citizens. Orphan Journeysis a fictional novella series based on the American Orphan Train saga. Each story follows orphans not only as they adjust to a new life, but also as they embark upon a spiritual journey.


Blog Tour Schedule
Be sure to check out these sweet people who are featuring Journey to Love on their blogs:
3/14 – http://apinchoffaith.com/
3/14 – https://thewindowfriend.wordpress.com/
3/14 – http://willowywhisper.com/
3/15 – http://www.honeyrockhills.com/
3/17 – https://faithblum.wordpress.com/
3/19 – http://meagandavenport.com/
3/21 – http://hisprincesswarrior.blogspot.com/
3/22 – http://kelseysnotebookblog.blogspot.com/
3/22 – http://inthebookcase.blogspot.com/
3/22 – http://thetruthinseaglass.blogspot.com/
3/24 – http://www.abrighterdestiny.blogspot.com/
3/28 – http://www.alishainprogress.blogspot.com
3/ 29 http://elishapress.com/
Do you want to connect with me elsewhere?
Email: amandaterobooks@gmail.com
Website: http://www.amandatero.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandaterobooks
Instagram: amandateroauthor
Pinterest: truthpicsart
Blog: www.withajoyfulnoise.blogspot.com
Goodreads: AmandaTero

Create a Couple With Me

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment

What comes to mind when you envision a strict, hard-to-please couple? Is it a wife who constantly fusses over her clean house? A husband who is harsh?

I’m working on developing characters for my next Orphan Journeys book, Journey of Choice. I have a good idea of how Mr. Strict needs to be, but I’m not quite sure about Mrs. Strict and am open to ideas. So, comment and help me! What characteristics stand out to you? And what would you have their names be? If I use your idea, I’ll think of something special to do for you. 🙂

Street Team Giveaway 3/12/16

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
ENTRY 3/12 – SHARE
 
A few different options for this one:
1) Share a post from my author page: https://www.facebook.com/amandaterobooks
 
2) Share about “Journey to Love” on your blog, Goodreads update, or email a few friends (feel free to visit my author page and snatch a graphics if you’d like)
 
3) Have a better idea? Go for it! 🙂
Enter your points here:https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/483ac2ab10/
(NOTE: This is probably the last entry I’ll be putting up, as the giveaway ends Monday)

Posing Problems | Photography

Published on by Amanda Tero6 Comments
When I started to seriously photograph people, I got on Pinterest (since then, I have found its usefulness for writers as well). There are tons of cute posing ideas on Pinterest! But I quickly found two problems with it: 1) I am not good at replicating a shot (not do I want to mimic someone else), 2) Not all subjects pose like Pinterest pins.
I discovered both of these points when experimenting with my sister. I loved some cute hand-poses. It did not take long to see that those poses just did not look like my sister’s normal self. It was forced. Unnatural. So then we did some things with her hands that she always does and you know what? Those pictures captured her personality splendidly! “Read” your subject. Ask them if a pose feels comfortable. Get them to pose themselves–“Just sit next to the wall”–and see how they naturally set themselves. You may need to tweak their pose a little, but try to capture their pictures–not shaping them to a Pinterest idea mold.

 From my Camera Bag:
(or my card ;))
Here are the pictures of my sister that I ended up taking.


Are you on Pinterest? Connect with me here.
Please comment and leave your Pinterest name–I don’t follow back everyone who follows me unless I know them. 😉

Street Team Giveaway 3/11/16

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
ENTRY 3/11 – PRAY
 
Yes, this has already been an entry, but one cannot pray enough. Please, bathe Journey to Love and its readers in prayer today! There are just three days until release then it’s going to be in the hands of others. Pray that my focus would be on Christ as I do the release party and various bloggers participate in the blog tour. THANK YOU!
Enter your points here:https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/483ac2ab10/