Dear John,

So I have finished the Wednesday Letters earlier this week.
I have now finished Dear John, By Nicholas Sparks. Oddly enough (by total accident) I have read 2 books in the past two seeks that are about writing letters... I did not make that connection until this morning.
I would have taken this as a sign-to start writing to my loved one AND if i DID have one, I would be doing just that. lol
But for right now, I am just looking at it as a good choice in books. Ha!


Today is Friday and I could not be happier! I have worked a lot this week, and I am working tonight at Things Remembered. So today's work hours are 8am to 930pm. uggggg, but it's good money. This weekend though, is going to be my last real weekend off. I will be starting Starbucks soon, and that means No weekends for me. But that's okay too!

Grandpa says, " It's a good thing your working so hard, you're making a lot of money and your too busy to spend it." (All about saving :)...

But he is right! I can't wait to get my new car.
Well, today's blog is short...
But there is always more to come....

The Andrea Weekend!!!

Andrea Short, my angel; is going to be in her last play at the local Auburn theatre this weekend.
She is going to be in OZ (The Wizard of OZ). She has 4 parts and I am so stoked to see her one more time under the big lights!

She is quit the little show stopper! She not only memorized her lines (perfectly might I add), but she remembered the whole script! Every one's lines and the stage placements! Gosh I love this kid! (A girl after my own heart) She is amazing at everything she does!
I will miss that whole family so much, but if I have to share them with their family, then I guess I'll do so. ;)


My next book I will be reading is the one Amanda got me for Christmas, "Sister Salty, Sister Sweet." A memoir of sibling rivalry. I don't know why this was my gift, but I will read on!!

Bring it on Amanda! ;)
(I'm the Mary and you're the Rhoda) hee hee.


Mom is still with Amanda on vacation. They will be hitting the casino's soon!
Win big momma!!!
I cant wait to see the pictures and hear all the stories. PLUS, mom keeps talking about the wii she played at the family reunion and I want her to get one. (I can dream).


*** STARBUCKS*****

Yes, that's right- Starbucks called!
The interview is next week, but the manager already told me I am the shoe in for the job.
It will be from 5:45pm to close during the week (yes, after I my full time job at the firm from 8-5) and then any time they need me on weekends.
I was "promised" 25 hours a week (on top of my regular 40)
I am sooo excited to start this job because I will be able to get my new car (my dream car) within 5 months, then have it TOTALLY paid off within 2 years of the purchase date!
I will be 25 and I Will have a brand new car paid off!
It's totally worth the work for me!

***** ****



I can't wait to see mom on Monday night, I miss her so much.
I was reading today and found my new favorite verse (which is hard to do)

Philippians 4:6 - 7

‎"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."


Makes me soooo happy.
Always more to come.......
Ashley

The wednesday letters

I have joined a book club with a few ladies from the church and we have all agreed to read The Wednesday Letters, by Jason F. Wright (the writer of The Christmas Jars).

This book took me lass than a week to read! I would read it on my lunch at work, when ever I had a free few minutes here and there at work and when I got home! It was great. I was blown away by the forgiveness that this family has. It makes me want to review a few grudges I have been holding. It was so special to see a mom and dad's love for each other and having the children being able to see (read) it first hand.

As cheesy as it sounds, I will TOTALLY be writing Wednesday letters.... actually, I would love for my husband to do so.... When ever that happens. ;)


The funny thing is, the girls in the book club and I have chosen the book, but we have yet to assign a date to talk about the book. I have read the entire book- and we have not even met yet!
But I couldn't help myself.


Next,

I have netflix now (like stated before) and I have set myself a schedule on when to watch what movie... and I have been following it (as much to my own amazement).... the thing is, I watch them "on time" but I am failing to return them "on time"! So now I am behind schedule and have to work around this new dalima (sp).
I have a feeling everything will be okay. ha ha!


Mom is now at Amanda's house with my brother- in-law (Dan the Fire Man) hee hee.
They had fun at the casino their first night (shocking, I know)....
Don't know what they won/or lost, but I know they had fun.
I miss them all so much, but I'm happy they get their "me time" together.
The more I miss all of the ladies,, the more excited I get about our cruise that is next summer!
yayy!!

That's all from Washington today, (though it is only 11:00am)....

A busy few weeks

So, the past couple of weeks have been very busy. But I loved it!

I have been spending a lot more time with mom since she now lives 1.3 miles from my house. :)
She is becoming my best fried! And I am sooo happy.
Her house is looking great! The unpacking is done and the decorating is, well...... its mom- so it will never be done hee hee (she always moves stuff around).

I took my girls (Andrea and Sarah) to see TOY STORY 3 in 3-D. They loved it!!! I loved watching their faces and seeing them smile with the big glasses on and hearing their little giggles. It was a great afternoon. (I wish you could take pictures in the movie theatre) lol.

I HAVE NETFLIX!!
It is an amazing treat to my life! I get home, and there is a movie waiting for me! How awesome is that?! I have them scheduled for funny, romantic, or tv series during the week. Then, on the weekends- I have all the girls over and we watch scary movies all weekend!!! I officially now (due to the scary movies, and my friends making fun of me) do NOT like owls anymore. Yes, they are scary to me. The are added to my "scary things" list.
It is as follows:

1. Spiders (ALL sizes AND ALL legs!!)
2. Clowns (yes)
3. umpa lumpas ( from Charlie and the Chocolate factory) -the are freaky! they all look alike, they all sing really weird, and they match all the time!! who does that?!
4. Spiders (I don't care if I already said it) ;)
5. OWLS!!!!! their eyes feel like they are looking into your soul (and NOT in the good way).....


Rachael and I went to the Zoo last weekend!
It was soo much fun, I have figured out- when you are at the zoo, you are are totally allowed to act a few years younger than you actually are... AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID!

We made fishy faces at dory (from Finding Nemo) and sang the song, "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming swimming swimming." And we "danced" with the otters, (awesome!).
I got to see the pretty little penguins! I love them! they look so happy, and they are always well dressed (lol).


That has been my last couple of weeks, right now I'm not too busy.
Mom is out of town at a family reunion and Amanda is there too! They are having a blast! They have called me every night since they have been there and they are ALWAYS laughing or have funny stories to tell. I cant wait to see the pictures and put faces to the names of the people they have been talking about :)

Dolly is staying with grandma and grandpa while mom is gone, I want to go visit her... (I miss her too)....


That's all fortoday, but I will be updating everyone tomorrow as well!

Happy July!

It;s July 1st today! I am so excited for this month!
A lot of stuff happened to me around this time last year and I am so happy to realize where I was, and where i am bless to be now!

Anywho-
I went over to grandpa's house last night and watched AVATAR with them and Bill and Saundra.
I enjoyed the movie, it was a very... pretty movie. I loved the colors. (I totally want one of those birds)! It was fun being with the family. It's weird, going from living with them, to not seeing them unless I see them at church. I have to get this "time" thing figured out!


So, mom is officially moving!
She and grandma already took a load there last night, and we are moving more stiff tonight (just the necessities (i.e.- plants, food, dog food, laundry stuff..etc.)
she is so excited! She text me this morning "I have my garage door opener clipped to my visor!" she is sooo funny!

what a few months it has been!

It has been so crazy the past couple of months for me.

**I got my own place!**

that's right! NO roommates, no kids, NO ONE BUT ME! I love the space. Thanks to my wonderful family and financial planning (Grandpa), I have everything I need> well, almost- I am in need of a vacuum cleaner. I will be researching for a good one and get what I want. I also have been promoted at my job! I am so stoked! I want to take some classes soon to be more knowledgeable about my business, but I have to find time to do that. HA!

Time has been one of the huge factors in my life right now. Where does the day go? How does a weekend fly by SO FAST?! I'm working full time now I have a house to clean, Dinner to make Laundry to do.... and I have to have a social life? yeah, right! I'm working on it.... Plus, honestly- now that I have my own place, I want to be there. I don't want it to be just this place where I come home at 2am and crash then wake up and go to work; this is my home.


Also, Mom has now gotten a condo! My mother now owns her own property! She is so excited and I am so happy for her! she has wanted this forever! I haven't seen it yet, I will actually get to see it tomorrow when we move some stuff in. She has a garage and everything! (she has wanted one of those forever too).
TO TOP IT OFF- I moved to Fife from Federal Way ( about 10 minutes south of federal Way) and Federal Way is where mom is...well, WAS!.... Now we will be neighbors :) kinda.
She moved about 1 mile away from me. I think it's hilariously awesome!


What else to add?.....

Well, I am trying to put together a benefit for my mentor (Matt Tibbles) and his wife and 2 girls. They will be moving to Africa by next year and I want to help them with funding. I Really have no idea as to what to do (entertainment, food, etc.) I just have the general idea of wanting to do it as for now. So, I will keep you all posted so that you can attend or contribute! (hee hee).


That's all for now.
I will be trying to update this more often, but I got cable over Internet at my house (ha!) BUT, now that mom will be living right down the street... I feel that this could work....

see what the blind see

See what the blind see
Hear what the deaf hear
Feel what the paralyzed feel. They may not have these “senses”
But do they not:
Still hear God, still see God, still feel God?

Why are we not as LUCKY as they?
To really know the sound of our God’s voice
To truly see Him and see what He sees
T honestly feel the love of the Lord

Or is it that we are as lucky, we are ALL as lucky,
We just take advantage of what he has given us to start with?

Have amnesia of the world.
Awake alone and lost!
There you will find you, find peace, find oneness .

Die to self
Strip your senses
YOUR eyes, YOUR ears, YOUR grasp on the so called reality.

Give God: One more pair of eyes, one more set of ears, one more body,
To show true and real love.
Mind, body, soul. Give all away to God-then
And only then, will you really be living.
You will really see
You will really hear
And truly feel.

Die to self? –misspoke- DIE FOR SELF.
Selflessness is Christlikeness

Overdose on Christ
Get spiritually sick.
Creating God Passion as the only anecdote
God Passion as the only cure.
Have a Christ transfusion inside of you!!

DAY 2 :)

last night I found myself looking back at where I was this time last year.

A lot has happened since then and I am so happy where I am at now. But I also now understand why I went through what I did, its my story-my testimony. I have a lot more of like to live and I am SO blessed to have found this out so early on in life.

I am 23 and on a spiritual mission for God. How lucky am I?! I see where I have been, and where I am now. My key phrase for my life has always been: God will NEVER give YOU more than YOU can handle. That statement shows that God not only created you-but has faith in YOU!!! Why would he create something if he did not want it,or want to use it?? He does not make mistakes. He is working so hard in my life, I just have to choose if you want to see it or not. And my answer is YES!



"Blinders off

what a world there is,

so many scoff

but don't know the power,

the love

the purpose.



Armor on

strength, knowledge, courage

prepared for battle

all angles they will come

my protector will shelter me.
With all the layers
they can try to break me
but like the sun
I will rise and fall,
but there is always a new day to shine.

The dew in the morning,
the stars at night
they all have purposes
mine is to strive and fight.

how many the rounds we will go,
who will win God only knows
but I am confident in myself
all I have to do is let his love show!"

prayers wanted.

lent day 1!

Last night was the first lent meeting. I entered the meeting with an open mind and a willing heart.
It was a wonderful experience and shared with God center people. It was a good night for me last night, no TV and all God. The "funny" thing is-that the no TV thing did not bother me. Yes, I do know it's only the first day, but it was good to recognize the time.

As I was meditating I wrote this poem:

"Today is day 1
cannot wait to see what he wants done.
My heart is softened,
My mind is open-
Show me God
what I miss so often.
My soul is his,
FOREVER his
he will take it all,
and guard me from every fall.
Oh how will I return to you what you do every day for me?...
All I need to do, is get down on bended knee."

This is already an amazing experience, God will show and teach me more.
Pray for a constant open mind.
prayers wanted.

monday oh monday

Wednesday is the first day of lent. I am so excited and ready to see what God wants for me. But I can already feel temptation brewing. I have been able to withhold from them but I have a HUGE feeling that they will be coming on more often and much harder. I am asking for prayer and support, I want this time to be SPENT with God and not FOCUSED on how tempted I am or will be. My life has changed dramatically in the past 3 months and I have a lot of people to thank. People who have been my prayer warriors, my shoulder to cry on, and all those who did not turn their backs on me when I turned mine to them many times over.



I have realised that the people who actually love you, are there for you through thick and thin, Sin and grace, and honor and betrayal. These people are one and a million and all of them are my brothers and sisters. Once you hit your rock bottom-or have reached your breaking point..THEN you will see who is the light in your darkness, the ones helping you up when you fall and not pushing you down further. THEN you will see Christ, in them- for you. Amazingly enough, the gifts they have and share they give "freely". Time and love are free but completely priceless.

These next 3 months are not going to be a challenge but they will be an uphill battle which I am preparing for. Wednesday will be the first day of many, and I cant wait.
prayers wanted.

its been so long....

So I know it has been forever since I have updated my blog, but that is all about to change.
I will be blogging every day for 40 days starting feb 17th. I will be celebrating lent and documenting all 40 days. This will be an amazing time in my life where I will be focusing on God more than anything else in the day. I will be giving up television for the full 40 days and I will be going through scripture, and studies. It will be a great eye opener to me and show me who I really am and most importantly-who God has made me to be.
I am happy, anxious, optimistic, scared (a good scared) and all the emotions I can be. But it will be awesome!
Hope you will follow along through this journey.