Amanda's Journey: Protecting Her Children

Seriously, why now? GOD literally only knows. After years of following the Holy Spirit in my heart, I feel my next calling is to be more transparent with loved ones. Here I am Jesus, take the wheel; praying always for Your wisdom and for Your words to flow through my fingers as I share our family story with loved ones. Amen.

Respectfully, please understand that as certain details may seem foggy; this is an active situation and the goal of my testimony is to share as much as I can legally while also respecting the privacy of our family. The internet is forever and someday my children will likely read this. They are so smart and are already interested in learning about their heritage and life at their young ages. Children are curious, but my babies are more curious than a typical child. I’m their mom so of course I would say great things but my babies truly amaze me everyday. I am amazed and grateful to witness the level of intelligence in every area of their lives.

This has been an ongoing situation for 4+ years. Naturally there are many versions of our story that have left loved ones wondering, making assumptions and speculating on the details. No judgement here, Jesus loves all! Love like Jesus! The truth is in my heart and I do not need anyone or anything to validate that. I love you all. Sincerely and coming straight from the source, Amanda.

As privacy is critical, the details below are only a brief summary and if there are any ethical or legal questions, within reason, I will absolutely address them and update our loved ones who choose to be a part of our platform. Any updates will be sent via this platform. Be on the lookout for an update about hundreds of methods previously approached and asking if there may be anyone who has further wisdom to share. Encouraging suggestions that are truly outside of the box.

Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. I am not typically an avoidant person, unless it comes to asking for help. I love being the helper, the friend you can depend on and showing up to be the best human and Mother I can be, for my children. This is not a plea for money. My request is to please keep our family in your prayers; your positive vibes or however you may positively connect. I would love to encourage loved ones to drop kind words or scripture. A financial donation is obviously what this platform is primarily for but your priceless words, the positivity is what helps me show up for myself everyday. May this positively impact someone in your life as well. My loved ones who have chosen to read thus far, please extend our family grace as this feels like the last effort imaginable. However, I will not settle for any less than my children deserve, their Mother. Truly there never will be a last resort, only trying to be as transparent as I feel led to be.

A wise woman and mentor of mine once explained to me the benefit of understanding time. We often used this verbiage while together and it will continue to be in my heart forever. In my own words; there are 2 critical forms of communication that you should always consider. The goal is to feel heard, to comprehend, and to successfully work together as two brains are better than one.

Did you know that saying comes from the bible? Many common sayings are. It’s a pretty interesting book, you should check it out! After forming a relationship with Jesus, I felt called to be fully water baptized in February of 2020 and my life was forever changed. When I emerged from the water, the Holy Spirit took over my heart and led me through every challenge and triumph since that moment.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV

If you personally know me, this will come as no surprise. I am a person who needs to “build the clock” to be able to “tell the time.” I have found that most people need to know the time before the clock is built. My detailed, visual brain imagines an old grandfather clock; being repeatedly disassembled and reassembled by each gear and every screw of this timeless invention of the late 1600’s.

This is my version of communicating the “time” in how it affects our family.

- 2020 • Became a single mom of 4 beautiful children and our unimaginable journey intensified. A series of notable events brought us from Indiana to Vermont where we started the school year.

- 2021 • Another series of very private, traumatic events happened causing my children to be relocated multiple times across state lines; often without an available connection to their Mother. After 5 long months of little contact granted, my children were returned full-time to myself in high spirits; looking forward to the upcoming school year and excitement for all of their extracurricular activities and spending time with friends and family.

In August of 2021 my divorce was final and our custody agreement and decree became legally binding. Never again could my children be held without contact with their Mother and lifelong primary caregiver. So I thought. Turns out that the justice system can be used against you when you are subjected to deception and psychological abuse.

- 2022 • Surprise, life happens and welcome to this episode! My children and I were thriving, living in Vermont where I was raised and had built a lifelong support system so large, it brings tears to my eyes. Over time, those tough moments felt easier being comforted by such a positive network. Jesus. Family. Friends. School. Community. Health. Providers. Anyone. Everyone. Our lives were still complicated, confusing and the future was unknown. Sound familiar? Everyone has their own testimony and ours is no more important that anyone else.

- 2023 • Fast forward through the ebbs and flows of life. Myself and 4 children thriving, being raised in Vermont; enjoying the fresh mountain air and endless nature adventures. In a future update I plan to open up more about things we do as a family, it will come in time.

- 2024 • Summer break was fun and exciting; as it should be for 4 children under the age of 10. My children splashed and played the summer away in Indiana with their small network of family and friends. As fall came and went, our struggles became heavy and our burdens were never light. Mental health became a dark space in our world. As my passion has always been children, family law and justice; things are not ever what they seem to be. Everyday is bran-new. Blessed are the days that feel better than the day before.

- 2025 • Projecting into the future; always continuing to pray our situation improves and becomes less heavy on our souls. Praying for healing of relationships and everything else held dear in life. Feelings of gratefulness for the love and support of all of the great things of our world but especially those who have chosen to support us with words of wisdom, scripture or any loving connections.

Here comes my awkward humor. I accidentally built the clock. I guess I had to do so because that is how my brain works. There are so many cliche thoughts in my head right now. Starting this platform the week of Thanksgiving? I promise, timing has never been my thing. Here I am, being transparent.

The “actual time”? Praying for a Christmas Miracle.

It seems like this version of “time” isn’t quite what you were imagining, me either. As I pray for God’s guidance, please join me in any kind of positive vibe or feelings within.

Thank you so much for reading the first detailed communication of my heart becoming more comfortable with transparency. Please follow along for updates. Starting this platform is opening a door to an infinite community on the world-wide-web. Do they still call it that? Thank you for being part of it.

There are no words that can express the gratefulness I feel and someday when my children come across this; their hearts will be filled with love. I love you babes and pray this testimony strengthens your heart from within and you are proud of your life story.

The below are facts that cannot be refuted.

- This is going to be very controversial.

- By contributing your heart and funds to this campaign you are changing the lives of 4 amazing children ages 6, 7, 9, 10. As I send updates to our platform community here, I will elaborate more on the details of our situation and family. The privacy of my children is of the upmost importance.

- While raising my children with an amazing, large support network in Vermont for the last 4 years, I personally have endured the darkest financial times imaginable. My kids still participated in every activity desired and as a family we engaged in many hobbies surrounding the outdoors and nature.

- My job has been to do everything in my power to locate and utilize any kinds of personal, community and essential resources where money could be saved. And many personal sacrifices. I never would have fought for any less.

- Pro Se is a latin phrase that means “on one’s own behalf”. In legal terms, it refers to representing themselves instead of hiring an attorney.

- My representation has been Pro Se since 2021 and I have knocked it out of the park. My determination for justice is endless.

- There was no child support order in my 2021 final divorce settlement and decree. Big mistake.

- Nearly any physical, emotional or financial support for my children was provided by another parent. I budgeted our life with the limited incoming funds, resources and a large support network that we are blessed to have.

- In 2022 I started the process of transferring our custody arrangement to the State of Vermont where myself and children are residents. This proved to be a lot more complicated than ever imagined.

- Taking someone’s word is not always the wisest choice.

- In fall of 2023 the State of Indiana was set to legally transfer the case to Vermont in early December.

- In November 2023 I was served with a custody modification petition filed in the State of Indiana.

- If this petition was filed only a few weeks later, the legal custody of my children would have ultimately been ruled on in the State of Vermont, where they have been residents for 4 years.

- At this time I was also requesting a child support order to be put in place once transferred to the State of Vermont.

- I felt it would be unethical to use the little amount of financial resources available on legal representation when I was doing a superb job advocating for my children in every other way.

- While representing myself, Pro Se, repeated attempts for state and private legal and financial assistance resources were denied. I had no choice but to solely continue to fight for justice.

- I have signed an intent to retain contract with a well-educated and knowledgeable attorney in the State of Indiana. Later I found out that in another lifetime she was a Vermont resident and one of her favorite stores is Farm-Way — if you know, you know. If you don’t, it’s a world-wide cherished, family owned retail store and so much more. Located in our beautiful hometown in Vermont. The world is so much smaller than ever imagined. I foresee her and I making a great team as we fight for what is in the best interest of my children.

- She cannot officially start working on our case until a $4,000 retainer is paid. After the retainer, the payment will be $500 per month until the bill is paid in full.

- Any funds contributed to this campaign will be directly allotted to the Attorney.

- My heart knows a Christmas miracle is on its way.

As I spent hours yesterday pouring my heart into this message, I still was not yet comfortable posting it. I wanted to sleep on it and pray through the morning before I really clicked the Submit button. My last words feel like the start of a Christmas Miracle to me. Thank you so much for anyone and everyone who has made it through all of my long and drawn out words here. Bless you.

Praying through my morning, I did not feel as convicted to submit this campaign as I did yesterday. I needed reassurance. With a podcast playing in the background, I am making the most vulnerable decision of my life by sharing this. Thank you for reading.

The following life moment lasted less than 10 seconds. I knew I had to end this message with what gave me the courage to submit this today.

My brain was distracted processing joy of overcoming a thought of self-shame that I may share more about later. I was only half listening when the speaker said “Jesus, take the wheel”. My body froze with chills and I rewinded the podcast that just caught my attention. I re-winded the podcast again to hear what was discussed leading up to that statement and this is what I heard: “you really need representation in a criminal matter like this… Jesus, take the wheel”. (Spoken by Ashley Flowers, Crime Junkie Podcast). As the words entered my ears, I could visualize previously hearing the podcast in the background while I was distracted; being proud of myself. I immediately pressed pause and decided to finish writing this message and actually submit this campaign. As I sit here in amazement, feeling the most vulnerable that I ever have in my life, here we go… Jesus, take the wheel.

“He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.”

John 19:30 NIV