Amanda's Story

TALE OF THE FOUR BRIDES

 "How I Met my Husband" 

By Amanda S.

I was born and raised in New England. 

 I was saved at an early age, and as I approached the end of high school, I began to think about going to Bible college.  





I was all set to go to Oklahoma Baptist College and Institute. My plans were to go far away from home, because that sounded like a neat adventure,but God had other plans and He gave me no peace until I finally surrendered everything to Him. 

He led me to NEBC a small Bible College just 40 minutes from my home.  It was there that I met Bruce. He seemed interested in me right from the start, and I was flattered because it was the first time a man had ever seemed to like me.  

As time passed I began to I feel that he was reading too much into our relationship.  He was studying to go to the foreign mission field, and I didn’t feel that call.  So, while I liked him as a friend, I felt there could never be anything more between us, and in the fall of 2009 I told him so, and we “broke up.”

          In the summer of 2010, I had the privilege of going on a missions trip to the Deaf Nation World Expo.  I went because I had always had a strong burden for deaf, and this was a great opportunity to meet and witness to thousands of deaf from around the world.  While I was there, God began to strongly burden my heart for foreign deaf missions.  I struggled with it, but finally the night before I left, I surrendered my life to serve as a missionary.

          Back in college that fall, we had testimony time in chapel one day.  Bruce stood up and testified that during the summer, he began to struggle with the possibility of deaf missions.  He felt called to the people of Gabon, Africa, but wondered if God might be calling him to work specifically with the deaf there.  As he told his story and how God showed him and gave him peace about Deaf Missions in Gabon, I felt tears come to my eyes. 

It seemed as though God whispered to me, “I can take two people, separated by many miles, and give them both the same calling, the same purpose in life.  Won’t you give Bruce a second chance?”

          From that day on, I saw Bruce in a different light.  I began to enjoy talking with him, and although I could tell he still liked me, I felt that he wouldn’t make the move to restore a relationship. 


 After much prayer and counsel from my parents, pastor, and teachers, I wrote him a letter telling him how I had changed, and wondering if he was still interested in a relationship.  Within 4 hours, I received his reply and found out that yes, he was still interested in me.  He had prayed and sought Godly counsel also and had felt that God had told him to “wait, if she wants to, she’ll make the first move.”  Upon hearing that, I experienced great peace, knowing that God had controlled every step of the situation and would surely continue to lead us.  

As unconventional as our “dating” was, God’s hand was evident throughout.  We both had made decisions when we were younger to keep ourselves pure until marriage and I am thankful to say that, by God’s grace, we kept those vows. 





 When we stood at the marriage altar on January 13, 2012, it also marked the first time we had ever kissed.

 It certainly was not easy to hold to such a high standard, but it was well worth it.  God promises to bless those who honor Him, and although I’ve only been married a couple short months, I can definitely say that God has blessed my husband and I.  We are currently living in PA and working to establish a deaf ministry in our local church, Tabernacle Baptist.  We are anxious to start deputation for Africa, but are waiting for the Lord’s timing and direction. 

          Psalm 118:23 says, “This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.”  If I could only have one verse to summarize our relationship, this would be the verse.  Remember, NEBC was not in MY plans, Foreign Missions was not in MY plans, and certainly Bruce Stuart was not in MY plans. 

But when I took the MY out, and replaced it with the LORD, I found a true joy and peace that passes all my understanding.  To some, this may seem like just a wonderful “happy-ever-after” story, but without my Lord’s hand guiding throughout, there would be no story to tell.


To God be All the Glory, 
Mrs. Amanda S. 

Amanda and her husband Bruce are currently living in PA and working together to establish a deaf ministry in their local church, Tabernacle Baptist.  They plan start deputation for their call to Deaf Missions in Africa, but are waiting for the Lord’s timing.

Amanda is a very sweet young lady with an amazing gift for American Sign Language!

Amanda just started blogging! You can visit her at 

To God Be All the Glory

Be sure to leave her a note that you read her story here!!