A lot has happened in 8 months...

...and I'm gonna do my best to include it all.

The main events of the last 8 months was that my ex from last summer came back into my life back in February "all in" and in March, we got engaged. He claimed he was ready and he "knew it was right" and in April, through a letter, he broke our engagement off. Not only did he call it off, he completely broke up with me. In the last year knowing him, the main thing I've learned is that promises are ALWAYS broken when it comes to humans...I'm so glad God never breaks His promises! It was the hardest three months of my life but I always knew that God had me in the palm of His hand and His plan would come to pass for my life.

Two weeks ago, while at the Judah conference in Orlando, Florida with my mom and three of my Spiritual parents, God finally set me free of all the pain, the disappointment, the bitterness and junk that I had been harboring! In those two weeks, the enemy has used a couple of people to try and get me back where I was but I am determined to hold out and do this...with the power of God pushing me along!

Joshua is doing what he feels God wants him to do right now and I am doing what I know God wants me to do right now. In the meantime, I'm so thankful for the friends that have been there for me! Prayers are still needed and appreciated... Only God knows what shall come to pass and I trust His sovereign hand!

The week before Joshua waltzed back into my life, I went and made things right with my Spiritual dad, Blake and the ministry he's a director of here in Gadsden, called The Well! I am so glad I did that because if it hadn't been for The Well the past few months, I don't know if I would've made it. The Lord has used Blake and the other Senior leaders (Stacey, Lane, Randy, Craig and Reed) in such a strong and mighty way. And my fellow Associate leaders will probably never know how they've impacted my life! Last year when we broke up, I eventually left The Well because I allowed outside voices to pull me. I was vulnerable and they knew it. This time, in spite of the embarrassment and pain, I have stayed because I know God has called me to that place!

I recently became the Worship leader alongside my poppa Blake and that's one thing that the Lord used while at Judah to transform me. Just remember the feelings, the way the Lord moved, it makes me want to cry. Who knows...I may when I'm finished writing this! haha. We've also started a worship dance team called Kadesh and it's my baby. Just this past Sunday night, God shifted something within me about it. I can't wait for us to start ministering...God is up to something!

When Joshua left me, I became seriously ill. I lost 15 pounds because I couldn't eat...three weeks that went on. Because of my being sick, I missed more classes at SEBC than I was allowed and so, I pulled out because I was going to flunk. It was a hard decision, but it had to be done. I have since transferred to Lee University and am going to be able to finish my Music degree online! I am very excited...though I am already missing my friends at SEBC more than I thought I would. I actually miss Birmingham! haha.

I transferred to the Family Christian Store in Gadsden (which was a total God thing) and have been working there. I wasn't able to work any camps this year but Judah 2011 was totally worth the sacrifice. I missed my girls and missed the Camp Utopia/Pathway Campground experience but...God transformed me and that obedience was so much better than the sacrifice! Poppa Blake and poppa Lane say that all the time..."Obedience is better than sacrifice" - and it's so true!

I'm going to start using this blog for photography purposes as well as continue to pop in occasionally for personal purposes. I'm beginning to take my photography very serious and hope to be a professional one day!!!

Much love and many blessings,

Amber Nicole Smith

P.S. Make sure to check The Well - Gadsden out! Our website is www.thewellgadsden.org and every Tuesday night at 6:30pm and Saturday night at 6pm you can watch LIVE here - www.ustream.tv/user/wellworship :)

Major News.

Here it is, plain and simple - I will not be graduating from SEBC in May.

I know, Amber's one goal for 2011 and it's already a no-go. And I know, most of you were really wishing my "major news" was something to do with a guy. I'm not even going to make a comment on that...haha!

Once I got my semester sylabi, the fear of possibly failing Geometry became a reality, I realized that if I failed I wouldn't graduate anyway. It wasn't my first choice but after talking with both my mom and dad, the Dean here at SEBC and a Spiritual mom, the decision has been made. I will finish my time at SEBC in December of this year and from there, I am still unsure. I don't want to do anything without being 100% certain it is the Lord's will. I'm very uncomfortable with this decision but, there are times in life when the Lord makes us uncomfortable for His greater plan.

Last semester I had my lowest GPA I've had since being at SEBC and honestly, I don't want to go out with another low GPA. I want to prove my best here at SEBC, not my desperation. Whatever mission God has for me has me at SEBC...still!

So I know, some of you are thinking about how excited I was and all that jazz but the Lord has opened some doors to keep me excited about life :)

He has opened the door for me to help a family friend's church our with their praise and worship and I am very excited about it! Anything to bring glory and honor to His name! Of course, I always have my summer of camp and hopefully, this summer will consist of traveling to camp(s)...again! Also, some girlfriends and I are looking at apartments/houses to possibly move in over the summer/beginning of the fall and so from there, we'll see where the Lord takes it.

No it's not my plan but, God's plan is greater than mine and I'll go wherever He leads me. So I just ask that you pray for me, and my parents; this was a tough decision to make.

Much love and many blessings!
Amber <3

Summer 2010 - the last update.

Once I got back, I got busy with things at my dad's church and of course, Family Christian Store. A Prayer Torch had started in Etowah County and it equaled continual prayer meetings. The week I returned from my long venture away, the torch was at Harmony. I spent the week working in Birmingham but kept feeling the Lord leading me to change my schedule on Friday. It was the last night of the Prayer Torch at Harmony and I just had "a feeling" about it...I was supposed to be there. My spiritual dad, Blake and my spiritual mom, Ronette were bringing a team to lead worship that so the fact that I would have both my spiritual parents in the same room, at the same time, was probably what I thought my "drawing" was. I asked a couple of different people to take the shift that night for me and they couldn't. April, our seasonal help, was my only hope. I text her and she GLADLY switched with me when I told her what was going on with my "spirit woman" - haha.

I got home that afternoon and mom, dad and I ate dinner. I was late getting to the church because, well, who really remembers that? haha. I walk in and sit on the back row. Normally, in prayer meetings, I sit on the stage in the very back corner...that's ALWAYS been my prayer meeting spot but because there was a team on stage, I just sat at the back. Well, Ronette walks by and motions me out, so we go chat about the singing and if I need to sing anything, I can (haha - totally not on my heart or mind AT ALL) and we go back in. Well, I couldn't take it, I had to sit in my spot so on my way back in, I grabbed my stuff and went up to the stage. I sat down in my little spot and started praying. I looked down and noticed this guy...and the rest is history. I met one of the most amazing men of God I have ever met that night and he is truly, a dear friend. In all technicality, we didn't "meet" until a week later, at another prayer meeting but...who is getting technical? =D

Yes, I ended up singing and yes, this mystery man did too. We became instant Facebook friends and began chatting about prayer meetings and music and different things. Joshua Aaron Hommes and I entered each other's lives at very crazy times but I know God sent him for a purpose. He is the person who actually recorded the song I did that I sent out to you guys last week (did you listen? if you did, i wanna know what you thought)! Sure we've had a bump here and there but in the end, God's Will is going to be done...whatever that may be. My July pretty much consisted of time with Joshua and getting to know him before the dreaded "S" word started back...yup...school.

I moved back this past Monday and began Student Leadership Training. In case you don't know, I am the Vice President of our Student Council here at SEBC so that's going to keep me pretty busy...on top of classes, Audience of One (the praise band at school which I am a part of) and church...whew! I'm really excited tho. The last two days of training have been good for me. The last three weeks have been a season of winter" as I call it and I'm just awaiting my spring. I'm in that valley, awaiting my next mountain! So being back at school has really been an encouragement. I love my friends and am so glad to be back. Now if I could only decide 100% on my classes, we'd be doing GREAT!

And I also have a great roommate...Jennifer. She's a cute little Freshman =) hehehe!

As far as the future goes...I look forward to a great semester. I made the Dean's List last semester for the first time and I'd LOVE to do that again. I'm not sure if it'll happen, but I sure wish it would =) and yes, I took a picture of my name on the list! haha.

I actually began praying about my different passions in life and what the Lord would have me do with them and just, what to do with Southeastern. When the music department closed it devastated me because music is my life. It's my number one passion and from then on, I just didn't know what to do. Joshua and I began praying about it, that the Lord would direct me in the way I needed to go and after two days, a friend of mine mentioned the Associates program at Southeastern so, that's what I'm doing. I'm switching from the Bachelors to the Associates so that I can pursue another passion...photography. I have three semesters left at SEBC and am pretty excited about that. After the music department closed, it looked like another three or four years but now, it's three or four semesters! The Lord is good.

Over the summer, the Lord really put some new passions in my life and just rekindled some old ones so...I'm very excited about the future and can't wait to see where God is going to take things. I have a lot of ideas of things I'd like to do and places I'd like to go but if it's not in the Will of God then...it's not important. So I ask that you pray with me about it...that I not step out of the way God has for me.

I have a chance for a mission trip to India next fall. YEAHHHH...I'm DEFINITELY praying about that. If you'd be interested in being a partner with me on that, let me know. I would be TOTALLY dependent on others giving pledges and things of that nature...but ANYWAY.

I hope to do camps again over the summer...and yes...you will all be kept in the loop ;) lol!

Two more things I ask of you...please pray for the Greene family. Our dear English professor at SEBC died suddenly last Thursday - TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. And also pray for the school - our faculty and staff were close with Dr. Greene and of course, the students. Some of us were close and some of us weren't but he loved EVERYONE and everyone loved him in return. It's been a hard thing to process and go through. Also...pray for the Simmons family. My mom's boss, Sharon Simmons, passed away last Saturday after battling cancer for eight months. Also pray for the Etowah Pregnancy Testing Center. I am praying that God's choice becomes Director...not man's choice.

I love you all and will update you as things come up. Thanks so much for praying for me and supporting me over the summer!

Much love and many blessings,

Amber <3

Change the word "girl" and put "boy" or "baby"

Baby, I knew at once that you were meant for me Deep in my soul I know that I'm your destiny Though you're unsure why fight the tide Don't think so much, let your heart decide  Baby, I see your future and it's tied to mine I look in your eyes and see you searching for a sign But you'll never fall till you let go Don't be so scared of what you don't know  (Chorus:) True to your heart You must be true to your heart That's when the heavens will part And baby, shower you with my love Open your eyes Your heart can tell you no lies And when you're true to your heart I know it's goona lead you straight to me  Someone ya know is on your side, can set you free I can do that for you if you believe in my Why second-guess what feels so right Just trust your heart And you'll see the light  (repeat chorus)  Your heart knows what's good for you Let your heart show you the way It'll see you through  Girl, my heart is driving me to where you are You can take both hands off the wheel and still get far Be swept away Enjoy the ride You won't get lost With your heart to guide you  (repeat chorus)  When things are gettin' crazy And you don't know where to start Keep on believin', baby Just be true to your heart When all the world around yu It seems to fall apart Keep on believin', baby Just be true to your heart

Humphrey's Hall :) haha.

Before I tell you guys about all the great people I met in Arkansas, I want to tell you about the amazing people I went on the trip with.

First up, the guy who was the leader of the trip, Tim Reneau. My family has known Tim and his family for around 5 years now...he was the youth pastor at Rainbow City Church of God which is right down the road a little ways from my dad's church in Attalla. We had done some things with them and kept in touch once he went to Northport Church of God as College and Career pastor but last September they booked Eddie James Ministries through my mom and we got reconnected in a way. When he asked me to go on the trip back in March I was ecstatic and I just knew the Lord was going to do something and booyyyyy did He!!!!! Tim is now a Senior Pastor in Sylacauga, Alabama at a church called New Harvest. God is already doing some great things...I ask that you pray for him and his family in this season of their ministry!

Through Tim and Rainbow City COG, I met Katie Marie Akins and so I was really excited to find out that she was going on the Arkansas trip. KM and I have known each other just as long as I've known Tim and his family but we've had camp experiences together and that brings people together...let me tell ya! LOL! Anyway...KM and I had a blast on the trip. It was tough being the only 2 girls but in the end, it was proven best and we came out with new brothers! We learned a lot about guys...that's for sure! KM is an amazing woman of God and I'm glad to call her my sister!

Next up is the lead singer and acoustic guitar player, Tyler Dennis (aka Tennis). Tyler is 23 and is from the Guntersville area and got hooked up with Tim and Northport crew via University of Alabama. Yup, Tyler is a student there. He's a Sports Medicine major if I recall correctly. Tyler is a great guy and he's a lot of fun to sing with. He is also very entertaining...strike that...all four of the guys in Crave (aka Humphrey's Hall [lol]) are entertaining.

Ok, let's see. Eli. Eli Howard. 19-year-old who grew up Nazarene, right? I think so. Anyway, he and his family have been at Northport COG for a while now. He's a great bass player...that's what he plays in the band...bass. He's proving to be a good friend as well. He reminds me a lot of the guy that's always been like my brother, Brandon. Eli is crazy but has a great heart. And he's a girl magnet too...hahaha!!! Oh yeah...he's a Junior at the University of Alabama.

Jeff, the drummer. Jeff Brown is like, 25 and is the dad of the group...not really. Eli acts more like the dad than Jeff. But Jeff has also proven to be a great friend as well. I have talked to him almost every day since we returned from Arkansas and no, I can't say that about any of the others. Jeff is also a student at University of Alabama.

Nathan Gerdau. Let's see...where to begin...LOL! Nathan is 19 and from what I understand is pursuing music at Shelton State. I miss being a music major...I miss my music! LOL. Random. Nathan is our musical genius...that's what I joke about anyway. He plays the electric guitar as well as keyboard. He sings too but just not with the band...which I've questioned "why not" many times. haha. He's an interesting character who is, at times, just as entertaining as Tyler. Tyler and KM joked that they were the opposite sex versions of each other and I kinda joke that Nathan is the opposite sex of me...things he says somtimes I'm just like...really? Creepy.

Another visitor went with us, Chris Massey. He was interesting...if I remember correctly he's a 25-year-old youth pastor who attends church at a COG here in the Birmingham area. He took a lot of the pictures of us on stage and videos...addiction anyone? haha.

Anyway...those are the people I went with. I just noticed I had really been talking about these people and hadn't really "introduced" you all to them.

Much love and many blessings,
Amber ;)

P.S. If you ever need a praise band for an event, give me a buzz. I might can hook you up with this great group I know...haha.