12.15.2007

It's Only Just Begun...

I decided that this Christmas I was going to do some fun things, and random things, and just enjoy this time of the year. So, I got home yesterday-one of my friends from school dropped me off on her way home, which was a real blessing(I didn't have to buy a bus ticket). It was really nice of her and her Dad!

I spent time with the fam last night, and then today I woke up around 10:15, and then meandered around the house until my dentist appointment. Ruth-Ann invited me to go to a Christmas dinner with her church(the one I used to go to). I was really happy to go, and mostly because I won't see her for very much longer, as she is going away to Alberta to Bible college. It was a fun night, and after the dinner a bunch of us went to Tim hortons to hang out for a bit, and then I came home. So, it was a great time altogether.

I have so many things planned to do this holiday, and yet with so little time, I don't know how I can accomplish them all. one thing that I know I MUST do is tobagganing at midnight. It should be a blast!!!

Love to all, and don't forget that Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

Love, Ash

12.10.2007

One down, four more to go....

I finished my philosophy exam about one hour ago, and feeling very happy that it is all over. I have another exam in two hours, and then I have 3 more after that. I'm coming home on Thursday, and I cannot wait!

One of my brasilian friends sent me this...I hope that you enjoy it!

First Corinthians 13, the Christmas Version:

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just a decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals and
arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen,
sing carols in the nursing home
and give all that I have to charity,
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties,
and sing in the choir's cantata,
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way,
but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return,
but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.
Love never fails.

Video games will break,
pearl necklasces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust,
but giving the gift of love will endure.


May the peace of the Lord be with you and yours.
Have a very blessed Christmas.

---Author Unknown---

Love to you all...
Ash

12.04.2007

lots of fun...

Have you ever been squished in a shower with 7 other girls before?

Let me tell you, if you haven't, YOU SHOULD, because it was fun. We were hiding on our group leader last night, and we decided to hide in the shower, since it is so small that that would be the LAST place she would think to look. However, one of the girls laughed too loud, so she found us right away, and said, "As if you girls ALL fit in there!!!"...It was incredibly funny.

Today I had to work, and it is my 4th last shift before the new year.

I don't have anything else to write, but I hope that everyone has a great night!

Love, Ash

12.02.2007

Sunday adventures...

I almost didn't go to church this morning-the bus usually leaves at 9:15, and I definitely got out of bed at 9:25AM. However, I raced down the stairs and overheard someone shouting that some more girls were coming and that they had room for me, so I hurriedly shoved some clothes on and raced out the door. I found out then that the bus wasn't coming because of the huge snowstorm we had last night, so one of the guys here who has a huge van took us to church. The roads were awful, but he drove carefully and we arrived safely.

Now it is raining, and if it gets any colder, it is going to be freezing rain. I'm not going to say anything, but I hope that somethings are cancelled tomorrow :).

Last night I went bowling with Katie and the boys, and it was fun. It was glow in the dark bowling!!!! AMAZING! I had such a fun time, and we had pizza and hung out. I loved it.

Well, that's all for today.

I hope everyone is keeping warm and enjoying the snow, because I know that I am, surprisingly enough!!

Love to all...take care
Love, Ash

12.01.2007

The first day of December...

As I sit here contemplating on eating a Lindor chocolate that a secret admirer gave to me and my roommates, I realize that it is December 1, 2007. 2007!!!! My goodness...the years go by so fast.

Because it is this the first of December, it means that 25 days until Christmas, and 13 days until I go home, and only 10 days until my first of five exams!

Mmmmm..this Lindor is impressive. It has milk chocolate on the outside, yet is filled with white chocolate. I'm going to try to savour this one for a while. This too is a sign of the season. Lindor chocolate, eggnog, and candy cane ice cream. Christmas lights, yule logs(cake), and mistletoe.

Every Friday night we have a Pizza Pop, which is where a group of us interested in hearing about missions and stories come together to drink pop and eat pizza. Last night the missionary could not come because of the weather, so we watched a documentary film called "Iraq in Fragments". I was kind of apprehensive to watch it because I find documentaries boring at times, but I stayed, and I'm glad I did. It painted a different of Iraq and all that is going on there. I was very moved, as I realized what the people there have to go through. We, here in Canada, have no idea what it is like to suffer in a war-torn country. Most of us, other than those old enough to remember World War II, have no idea what it is like to suffer, not the kind of suffering that those in the middle east and other parts of the world do. And then to think that most of the young people in this Western culture grow up to think that Christmas time is all about getting presents and having time off school. We have so much. Our society has become so materialistic. In the past year I have come to realize that I don't NEED any more STUFF. Even with this in mind, it is still hard for me to get out of the cultural mind-set. Sure I spend my money on things that I don't need. We all do it. But we could try to do it less. It starts in our minds first, a conscious effort to do away with the THINGS. Because we can't take it with us when we die, and it will serve no purpose in our eternity.

Now, I'm not suggesting that some of the things we want are bad, but we need to remember that we can get by with LESS...

Maybe you don't agree with me...that's fine. I've just been very convicted the past month about things like this. I guess it's because I'm a part of the youth culture, and this "Technoculture" is all about the lastest this, the newest that, and it has made me very aware of what we are doing.

So if you don't agree with something I have said, please tell me. If you don't want me to know who you are, comment anonymously. I am interested in your opinions.

Well, my chocolate is gone now, with only the taste of it in my mouth. I was rambling today, and now I must go.

I hope that everyone has a great week-end...take time to enjoy the snow and the sunshine today!

Love, Ash