Tag: Personal

Looking Back at 2016…

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
This morning, I just slightly reviewed 2016… meaning, I haven’t gone back into my day-by-day journal to see exactly what 2016 entailed. Just hitting the highlights by memory, 2016 has seriously been a crazy roller-coaster of a ride.
Family
– We moved into our new house
– Daniel (sibling #4) got married
– Christopher (sibling #2) got engaged
– Elizabeth (sibling #6) got a promise ring
– Samuel (sibling #7) gave a promise ring
– Helped with a ladies’ retreat in LA
– Headed up the Louisiana home-school convention’s children program (for the first time)
– Helped with Mississippi church camps
– Helped with LA flood relief
Personal
– Started working with children’s Bible Drills on Wednesday nights
– Read way too many books (something to the tune of 66 books)
– Bought my new laptop (and, in all of that, saw in an amazing way God’s faithful provision in my personal life)
Writing
– Published my first novella (Journey to Love)
– Published my second novella (Befriending the Beast)
– Published my first non-fiction work (Me? Teach Piano?)
– Published one short story (“Letter of Love”)
– Finished rough-draft for one novel (Journey of Choice), one novella (The Secret Slipper), and one short story (to be titled), ready for editing in 2017
Music
– Went from 10 students in January to 30 students in December
– Moved into my (hopefully) permanent music studio
– Published “Surrender” piano book
– Started selling music on Sheet Music Plus
– Published over 30 individual songs on WAJN and SMP
– Recorded over 25 songs and published on YouTube
– Recorded my first Christmas piano album
I know that since this is all coming off my unreliable memory (ask my students how bad it is ;)), I am probably missing something. I realize I didn’t include the random photography and graphics design jobs I had nor the dozens of 3+ hour trips to Louisiana, but I think I hit all the big things.

2016 was an amazing year… but I would be lying if I said it was an easy year. Now, looking back on ALL that happened, I think it makes sense why it was a tough year. 🙂 A lot of changes happened, particularly with my siblings. A lot of work has been done. And through it all, as I reflect, I can see how very faithful my God is; how much He has cared for me and helped me through this year. I have no clue what 2017 holds (Lord willing at least one sibling married and a few books published… ;)), but whatever comes up, I know Who holds tomorrow! Here’s to another exciting year!

What are some of your 2016 highlights?

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday, hands’-down. It is probably a mix of the focus (to be honest, sometimes gifts get in the way of the focus of Christmas), or because I love the way that our family celebrates it — each of us children makes a dish, and we all come together at Dad and Mom’s home to enjoy a feast (okay, so technically only one sibling doesn’t live on our property…). But that isn’t the best part. After we’ve filled ourselves to the point of possibly-sinning-with-gluttony, we all sit around and share our hearts — what we’re thankful for for this year. Wow, it’s amazing! There’s usually some tears and quite a bit of laughter. I’m so, so thankful for my family and that we can be open with each other!
This year, I decided to do “30 Words of Thankfulness” on InstaGram. Since I don’t do so great with keeping up daily posts on my blog, I figured that I’d just wait until Thanksgiving day to share the first fifteen. Then, hopefully I’ll remember at the end of the month to share the other 15.
What are some things you’re thankful for this year?

Open Honesty: About the "Money" Issue

Published on by Amanda Tero7 Comments
 Some days, it’s time to give you a little x-ray vision into my life. Today is one of those days. My life right now is spent teaching piano and violin, running With a Joyful Noise music, writing, and occasionally doing photography or graphics designing. I enjoy it all very much, but then there are days…
If you’ve been in the self-employed business world for any length of time, you know that building a business isn’t a bed of roses (or maybe it is — because you see more thorns than blossoms 😉 ). It takes a lot of work, sometimes with very little monetary gain.
And usually, money is the last thing I think about.
Until my computer basically crashes.
And my website needs to be renewed.
And a room needs to be finished for a piano studio.
And the price to print books increases.
And postal prices increase.
And, and, and…
The list goes on until even the smallest things (“What?! My phone bill is about to be raised $5?!”) are catastrophic.
Then, the brain begins to work.
What can I do to get more followers?
How can I promote my music so more people notice it?
How can I convince people to buy my books?
I need to stop doing giveaways.
I need to spend more time on social media, being interactive.
Don’t people even see my photography work anymore?
HELLO WORLD, I’M OUT HERE!!!!
Okay, so maybe the means aren’t quite that desperate, but you get the picture. The temptation comes to stop viewing my businesses as ministry and instead view them primarily as a money maker (or the desire for them to actually make money).
I was recently reading a passage with which I’m very familiar (in fact, I have it memorized), but I suddenly noticed two verses that connect. You’ll recognize the verses: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” (1 Timothy 6:10-11)
I acknowledge that 1 Timothy was written to a preacher, but as I read these verses, it suddenly struck me as a business owner/manager. My goal should never be money, but that which fades not away, because it is the desire to be rich that leads into a temptation and a snare (1 Timothy 6:9).
These verses beg me to evaluate my heart.
– Am I spending as much time pursuing righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, as I am thinking about better ways to publicize my businesses and gain sales?

– Am I more concerned about the dollar sign attached to my product or whether it leads its consumers to these spiritual truths?
And as I evaluated, I realized some places where I had been tempted to go.
In writing, “genre” is pushed. Non-romantic, Biblically-solid historical fiction is not what’s popular. Dystopian? Romance? Fan-fiction? Oh yeah.
In music, hymns are a dying thing. You’ve got to catch up to the rave of pop, soundtracks, and limited popular modern Christian songs of the day (note: some of these Christian songs are Biblically solid).
My reasoning for doing any of these would be one thing: they will likely get sales.
Which leads me to a third evaluation:
– Am I working to get sales… or to present truth?
Just a few seconds evaluating my heart, and I realize where I’ve slid.
I’m looking at money, not ministry.
I’m looking at popular, not prayer.
I’m looking at cash, not Christ.
And I am reminded of all of the lessons that God taught me these past years in my businesses: my eyes must — at ALL times — be fully fixed on Him.

In my entire life, He has provided for my EVERY need. When I need the money, it’s there. When I need the work, it’s there. And sometimes, He even goes a step further and gives me an extra-special blessing, something that I don’t even need — just because He’s good like that.
Above and beyond that, God has blessed me more times than I can begin to count by the encouraging words of others. Hearts are being reached… and I’m worried about money?!
At the conclusion of this heart-searching and reminders, I am brought back to the place I needed to be the whole time: my knees. I can cast my every care upon Him, for He cares for me.
So my computer’s basically dead.
My website needs renewal.
My piano studio needs to be finished.
Books are more expensive.
Postage is more expensive.
Sure, I have these cares. But am I thinking about these things which will one day fade away? Or am I looking at the things of God:
Righteousness
Godliness
Faith
Love
Patience
Meekness
Because when it’s all said and done, this is what God has promised me: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33, emphasis added)
So yeah, I can work double-time to promote my businesses, but it will be at the expense of my spiritual walk. What is really more important for me? What kind of blessings does God have in store for my businesses — if only I will get my perspective right?
– – – –
What lessons has God been teaching you recently?

A Glimpse of my Life

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Usually on Wednesdays, I try to post a new music video from YouTube… this past week was a little crazy and is continuing on that thread. I don’t usually do personal posts, but today I’ll give you a small glimpse of my life of late.
Last weekend, Mom, Elizabeth, and I trekked over to Texas for one of my friend’s weddings. The trip up there was looooong. So, I contented myself with listening to an audiobook with Mom…
Snapping random pictures…
And starting a book that I got last Christmas…
I was photographer for Courtney’s wedding, but I’ll post more of those pictures later. I’m still editing through them, but here’s a sneak-peek…
And, my cousin actually snapped one of me and Courtney. I almost forgot about it!
We went to the church our cousin pastors, left right after church, and got home late Sunday night. Had a day of relaxing/family day on Monday, then on Tuesday, loaded up the van and Dad, Mom, Timothy, and I headed down to Louisiana. Many of our friends in Mississippi donated cleaners, home-school curriculum, and money for us to help with the flood relief. 
This is how our van looked when we left the house… 
On the way, we stopped by a few stores to pick up tools and snacks at the recommendation of our friends living in LA who are already out there, helping with the flood relief.
Today starts our first day out there helping. We’re not exactly sure what we’ll be doing, besides connecting with our friends who have been actively working since the day the flood hit. I know it will be a busy time (as well as heart-rending), and covet your prayers. Not just for us, but for everyone who is hard at work here.

I’ve seen pictures and videos of Louisiana online, but they do not do it justice. This is barely scratching the surface of Louisiana’s devastation, vaguely showing a picture of the homes destroyed and lives altered. This was a subdivision where several people we know live, and it’s not even one of the hardest-hit areas. Pray for these people.
We finally got to our aunt and uncle’s last afternoon and sat around talking. It is amazing that, though Louisiana is facing so much devastation, we can still clearly see God’s hand at work. Complete strangers are bonding together, helping each other. Victims are being able to see blessing after blessing, and giving God glory. And best of all, souls are being saved. God IS able to use all things to work for His good — even a flood that destroys 11% of a state. 
So, while I was looking forward to entering September, getting back into teach piano and violin regularly, and putting aside time for writing, I have to say, I am not sad to be missing these weeks that I’m living in or the lessons that I’m learning.
What has your life been like, lately?

"Wherever You Lead … but There…."

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
There is something alluring about sharing the Gospel with the heathen in Africa (or Europe or South America, etc.), smuggling Bibles, working in closed countries, boldly standing in courtrooms, translating God’s Word, preaching to thousands, seeing souls changed by hundreds.
But what about washing dishes, praying, loving our family, serving our church, ministering where we cannot be seen? Even as I write this list, I feel my heart deflating a little. Washing dishes? What is that compared to handing a Bible to a hungry soul? Staying with my family? What about being a “mom” to some orphans out there in a remote orphanage?
We say, “Lord, I’ll follow You wherever You lead,” but do we truly mean it?
Africa – “Yes, Lord, I’ll go there.”
Stay home – “Um, I think You got things wrong here. That’s not ministry.”
China – “Ah! Yes, Lord, I’ll go there.”
Pray – “Pray? Really. That’s not doing something for Christ’s kingdom!”
And He said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, 
and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: 
but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 
(Luke 9:23-24)
“Oh yes, Lord, I’ll do that … but the cross must look like ministry in my eyes. If I am to lose my life, it must be burying myself in some foreign country, not in piles of laundry.”
How do we view “taking up our cross?” Does it really mean following Christ — or following our preconceived ideas of “what this cross looks like?”
If the cross leads somewhere exciting … somewhere “going” … somewhere “doing” … yes, we’re willing to go, to follow. But what if that path leads somewhere that looks very un-ministry? Are we submitted to God’s guidance — or the guidance of our ideals?
We can spiritualize the paths we want to take. Desiring to be a missionary, pastor, orphanage worker, or participating in some other visible ministry is not bad — in fact, they are all Scriptural. But just because we want to do it does not mean we’re following God, taking up our cross, and denying selves. For some people, staying home and washing dishes takes more self-denial than the excitement of going out of country for ministry. Following God will not always look like some grand adventure, because God doesn’t measure our service by actions but by obedience and submission.
I am not trying to be anti-missions/ministry here. I am all about mission-work. I love the missionaries and ministries I know and fully support them, whether they be home or abroad. Jesus said to pray for more harvest workers, He said to “go ye therefore.” But He also says simply, “Follow Me.”
If any man serve me, let him follow Me; 
and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve Me, 
him will My Father honour. 
John 12:26
I don’t notice any specific ministries or mission-points mentioned in this verse. For some, “Follow Me” will mean “Go to the Philippines” or “Go to Iraq.” For others, “Follow Me” will mean, “Be an orphanage worker” or “Reach out to those unloved and hurting.” For yet others, “Follow Me” just might mean, “Stay single and serve with your family” or “Get a job and be a light there.”
When Jesus says, “Follow Me,” are we willing to give up our ideals of where the path may lead? Are we really willing to go wherever and do whatever?

When You Run Out…

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
Things are getting busy on this end again with music, writing, and photography, and my little blog has been pushed onto back burner — meaning that scheduled posts are running out.
I don’t want my busy to just be busy. I want my busy to be in line with what GOD would have me to do. So I’m seriously praying and seeking God’s direction for what He would have me say “yes” to and what He would have me say “no” to. Until I decide what that direction is, things just might be a little sketchy here on the blog. I probably won’t keep up with Word Wednesdays but just share random Scriptures throughout the week. Guess we’ll wait and see. 🙂

I greatly appreciate all of my faithful readers and commenters. I’m not saying “goodbye,” I’m just probably not going to be quite as talkative in the near future. 😉

The Week I Came Home

Published on by Amanda Tero5 Comments
By the end of summer, I will have spent over 50 days away from home (if you include some nights I was home enough to sleep). However, the weeks away from home were not what I was thinking of when titling this post. Because there were many times that I was homebut not HOME.
Image from freerangestock.com
The summer progressed. On the days I was home (physically), I had this “feeling” of unrest. Of something that just wasn’t quite right. Not in focus. Amidst the many revival and camp services I attended, no one had that “instant formula” that revealed to me what was wrong.
I prayed about it on and off and slowly, in a faint way, it seemed that the Lord hinted at a step I was to take. It didn’t quite make sense to me and I couldn’t really see how it was the “answer” to my unidentifiable problem.
So, one week, with God’s prompting and my parents’ encouragement, I took that small, insignificant step: a week off texting and internet (other than some things “business” related). How it was connected to my unrest I really didn’t know. The first day passed and I don’t want to admit how much my thoughts went towards “Oh I should text–oh…never mind…” or “Let me check on…oh wait, next week…”
As the days passed I began to realize something: how did I EVER have time to text and be online SO MUCH? I barely had enough time to keep up with everything! The answer is simple: I didn’t have time. I was stealing it from God and from my family. You don’t believe me? Without trying to exaggerate, here are some examples:
*Awakens in morning*
*Opens Bible*
“My devotion time. I need to get it done so I can head outside to help with the house. I wonder if __ replied to my question. What free books are on Amazon today? I should be able to squeeze that in before I head out.”
*skims chapters*
“That was a bummer. Nothing really seemed to stand out to me today. I feel so dry.”
“Has it really been three weeks since I memorized a new verse? I’ll do that on my way to church this evening.”
*Forgets to leave phone (distraction) home*
*Heads to church and back, catching up on texts*
“Aw man! I forgot again! I wasn’t going to bring my phone. I’ll do it tomorrow.”
*Another week passes*
“Amanda, what’s for breakfast?”
“Did I reallyforget about breakfast prep again (for the fourth day in a row)!? How did that happen?”
*Me on device*
Ashlyn: Amanda, look at what I did…and you know what…did you see…can you…and…
Me: Mmhmm…interesting…yeah…okay…no, I don’t have time to…
*Me on device*
*Kitchen getting cluttered*
*Breakfast prep forgotten*
*Irritability at siblings or parents for asking me to do things that I knew I should do anyway but just couldn’t find the time to do*
*No time for projects*
You get the picture.
These are things that sneak in when we don’t realize it  and grab hold of our lives (I say “we” because I have seen many other girls and women realize the same thing in their lives). In the past year, my life has drastically changed. Some of the changes have been subtle. Wifi. Facebook. Goodreads. Pinterest. Texting. Yeah. Those things. All of which I have found to be very encouraging and useful at times. But what was it Paul said? “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”(1 Corinthians 6:12)
The Lord showed me that turning my time (unconsciously) to these “other things” actually turned my focus away from Him and my home. By taking a week’s break there were two things I realized:
~I enjoyed my family. It was amazing how many little things brightened my day! How many fun things I had time for. Like having a “date night” with my youngest brother, teaching my younger sister how to eat an halved orange (“How did you get to be ten without knowing how to do this?!”), and listening to the chatter of one sibling after another. Things which blessed me–and didn’t feel at all like “interruptions” of my day. And you know what? I rarely found myself using the excuse, “No, I’m too busy…”
~After a few days away from distractions (note: it didn’t happen right away), my quiet, devotion life was enriched and my focus again turned to the Lord. No longer was it a “task” to be done, but a time of nourishment and guidance.
I know that I have been wordy and if you have read all the way through this you deserve a high-five at the least. 🙂 Why did I write it all? Obviously not to applaud my failures or even small victories. But as a challenge.
Is there something in your life that you need a break from? Something that is pulling your focus away from God and your family? For me, it was texting and internet. For you, it may be something completely different–only you know. Why not prayerfully consider taking a full seven days’ break (or more!) and use that time to get refocused? Maybe, like me, you will discover that it is a step needed to bring you back home. 

My Life of Late

Published on by Amanda Tero3 Comments
The past few weeks have been crazy busy! It has been fun and wonderful–but busy all the same (Hence, a quieter blog). I am going to have to sit down one day (week? two weeks?) and share more but for today, just a quick update.
June and July have been filled with VBS, camps, revivals, weddings, and trying to stay on top of everything those moments when I am home. It’d be too crazy to try to fill in on all the small details of everything so I’ll just hit those major weeks of activities.
Jr. and Sr. Camps
This is my fourth year to go to Mt. Pisgah’s camps and I love it. Growing up, I had always heard about “camp experiences” and it was just something we didn’t desire. However, from all of the camps we have heard about, there is just something special about these camps (I’m not saying anything against your camps if you happen to like yours). Such a sweet spirit, leaders who are sensitive to the Lord’s leading, and precious fellowship, all by the grace of God. This year was different than past years in that my brother, Daniel, and I were in charge of activities. Which meant less time to sit in on classes, unfortunately. What we didmanage to get in was amazing, though.

Revival
A friend of our pastor, Bro. Roger, came to do our revival services. Our church does both morning and evening services all week long–it’s like a week of Sundays! I was able to go to all but the very last service and every message was great. Some were great in a painful sort of way, but I really needed it (I might try to gather together some of my notes to share on here later). And I love how the Lord worked out the timing–we left from a week of revival services to go minister at Camp Christa.
Camp Christa
This is also my fourth time to help at Camp Christa, a camp for the Navajo Indians (with a few Ute and possibly others). It is a very different mission field and sometimes can be very tough. The devil has a stronghold on the rez so those who are believers have a strong battle to rage against. I can’t express what a blessing it is to be a part of these kids’ lives though! So many precious children, many of which I will probably only see once in my life. How we pray that we can point them to Christ!

Photography
And I shall conclude this cacophony of events with a few images. 🙂 The Lord allowed me to photograph my first wedding (practically dropped it in my lap!)! I plan on posting more about that later, but in short, I had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. Danielle and Deven are not just an adorable couple, they are sweet and you can sense their love for the Lord.

Being in Colorado for several days provides many opportunities to shoot! I practically wear my camera because the scenery is so beautiful up here! It doesn’t matter that I’ve been up here seven times, I love it! There is just something about seeing for miles that helps me appreciate God’s handiwork in a different way than at home. Just being at the camp you can find a lot of beauty. But then, we have also gone out of the way to have a little extra fun and experience–like visiting the San Juan mountains and waterfall (insert: I love water!). By the time our trip is over, I’m hoping to have a few more pics in my gallery and that, too will have to wait for later (I hope no one is counting on how many “later’s” I have in here because no guarantee I’ll have time to put them up soon…).

Now, I’ve shared some of my summer. What has your summer been like?

Recital 2015

Published on by Amanda Tero2 Comments
Has it been two years since my last big spring recital? So many memories flashed through my mind this week as I prepared for my first recital after relocating. I am so very, very thankful that the Lord allowed me to pick up teaching again after moving! While I miss my 30+ students in Louisiana, God has given me such a wonderful, gifted group of students here — it is a joy to work with them! I am so looking forward to where the Lord will lead each of them in their musical talent.

One of my highlights this recital was that each student played at least one piece that they arranged themselves! Of course, I love arranging hymns, but to pass that love onto my students is surreal! They did a fantastic job!

With a music recital, there must be a little more musical flair, right? I did a little more decorating this time than usual (big thank-you to my sisters and others who helped — I’m not a natural decorator!).
My sister, Elizabeth, spent hours on our cake. I didn’t get to see it until after recital and, like every recital, was so happy with it. 🙂

My younger sister and aspiring artist decorated the chalk board (I should’ve gotten a close-up but was snapping pictures quickly).

And then musical centerpieces. Simple. But cute.

And everyone’s favorite — paper chains! I remember spending hours as a kid making paper chains from colorful construction paper. Little did I know that technique would be cute as a recital decoration later!

Special thanks to several sisters for snapping pictures for me during recital!

What have you been up to this week?

~*~*~
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1-2

Lovin’ the Family Life!

Published on by Amanda TeroLeave a comment
I don’t put much personal life on my blog, but here’s a glimpse of my family – at least, us children. 🙂 My oldest sister came to spend Labor Day weekend with us so we decided to snap some casual sibling pics.
Behind fence: Daniel, Rachel, Timothy, me, Samuel, Christopher, Ashlyn
In front of fence: Rebecca, Naomi, Elizabeth, Joanna, Jessica

Sisters!!

{Photos courtesy of Daniel Tero – www.danielterophotography.com}
“Except the LORD build the house, 
they labour in vain that build it: 
except the LORD keep the city, 
the watchman waketh but in vain. 
It is vain for you to rise up early, 
to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: 
for so he giveth his beloved sleep. 
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: 
and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; 
so are children of the youth. 
Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: 
they shall not be ashamed, 
but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”
(Psalms 127:1-5)