7.31.2009

If I could see the future and how this plays out....

Last night I worked a five hour shift- although I don't know how you could call it work. We only had two customers pick up kilts from 3-5, and no one else came in from 5-8. It was neat, though, because I was able to chat with my manager about many things. A lot of our conversations at work involve religion, the body, and, surprisingly, birthing. I enjoy talking with her and hearing her world view on things. Even though it's fun when we don't actually have to work, I sincerely hope that it's busy tonight, or at least steady so that the time goes by faster.

I am hoping to study for an exam today-both Jake and I have homework to do, so we're going to try to do it together, and see how that works. I don't usually do homework with people, but at this point, I will try anything to see if it will help.

May God bless you all today!

Love,
Ashleigh

7.30.2009

Brighter than sunshine...

It was so good to see the sunshine streaming into my bedroom this morning as I woke up, realizing that I somehow managed to turn off my alarm clock during my sleep, resulting in oversleeping by almost an hour and a half. Although it was not necessary for me to get up early today, I was slightly annoyed to have slept in yet again, as I wanted to get some things done this morning.

Yesterday I discovered that bellydance classes are starting up again. I am sure I have been driving Jake crazy with constantly talking about my desire to learn how to bellydance, so I am pretty sure I am going to have to take these classes. If I don't, I know I will regret it. Bellydancing is such a great form of exercise, and since I don't enjoy lifting weights or anything else, I think I will really enjoy this.

I was really encouraged during my devotions this morning. I love it when I discover something in my Bible that I have already highlighted from reading before, but it somehow applies to my life right at this very moment. It's like a flashing neon light that catches my attention and burns God's very words into my mind. I know without a doubt that God can give me the strength I need to resist temptation, to be confident in my own convictions, and to be proactive in my pursuit of purity in all areas of my life.

I am so grateful to my family for being so supportive for me. I enjoyed being home and catching up on all I miss when I am away. I feel their love and encouragement so strongly, and I know God has blessed me with such a wonderful and loving security net to fall back on when I need to.

I should go and eat something. Today I plan on making perogies for lunch-they are so delicious!

I hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Ashleigh

7.29.2009

Family love...

Ah, it was so good to go home this week-end. I was able to see some of my grandparents, and visit with my family, and simply enjoy being away. Jake came home with me, and I know he had a grand time. We always have so much fun together. I loved hanging out with my family and just chilling. So awesome!

I am going to work in a half an hour, and honestly, I don't have much to write about, only that I am so happy, and feel very blessed.

Love,
Ashleigh

7.24.2009

No Air...

RANDOM FACT: It's impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. *

I am very excited today, because I get to see my cousins AND go home this week-end. Jake is coming home with me, and I can't wait to show him around my little ghetto tourist town. We shall see what the verdict is, but I already know. I am going to love seeing it new through his eyes. Especially when he finds out that our Opera House used to be a dungeon, and there are rumours of ghosts from dead prisoners.

I have to work tonight, but I am nervous because I have a feeling there are going to be some mean ones coming in, and I won't have patience or kindness to deal with them. They came in last Saturday, and were very rude to us. However, I know that I will be kind because that is what Jesus would do!!!

The sun is actually shining! What a concept!

Oh, the other day I made the best sandwich in the history of sandwiches. I made a grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich. It was delectable, and if I didn't know better, it could have tasted like a dessert!!! Seriously, SO good!

Well I should go and finish packing. I hope everyone has a great day!!!

Love, Ashleigh


*(http://www.faizani.com/news/news_2003/human_body_facts.html)

7.23.2009

Listening to the Rain...

As much as I have been annoyed at the amount of rain and lack of sunshine lately, one of my favourite things in the world is waking up to the sound of rain outside, and its distinct smell wafting into my nostrils as I lie in my bed. It is so comforting. I remember how the rain sounds on the tin roof at my grandparents' house, loud and ever so close.

Today I woke up early. Well, for everyone else not so early. I was told that we were supposed to have people coming to take a look at our desks and furniture situation. But no one has come yet. I don't mind. I am going to see a movie with Missy soon, and the "furniture people" are the least of my concerns right now.

I was trying to get to sleep when I thought I heard a bat somewhere. It scared me so much, and my heart was pounding so incredibly fast. I sometimes hate the fact that we grew up with bats. Perhaps God has some reason for it.

I have decided that in every blog I write, I will include a random fact, merely for interest's sake. Last night I learned that Jake really enjoys them, and so do I.
Random Fact: Birds, proportionate to their size and weight, are 75% stronger than people.(thanks to www.trivia-library.com)

I hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Ash

7.22.2009

Hold me, and heal me, keep my heart in Your hands...

My right shoulder hurts something fierce today. I am not sure why, perhaps I slept on it wrong. I have been having problems with this shoulder for a while now, so I am not surprised it is hurting so.

I am listening to one of my favourite bands, the Benjamin Gate, and smelling the sweet air emanating from the woods outside my window. The song I am listening to right now is one that I love so much, and would love to learn to play on the piano. Here are the words:

"Hands"

Jesus, I feel You near me
Your hands giving life to my body
Your spirit healing life to me
Holding my heart in sweet security

(Chorus:)
God, I need Your grace
Let Your Spirit rescue me
God, I need Your love
Let Your grace shine through me

Jesus, you fill the space in me
Sealing these dreams in shapes of purity
Freeing my heart to deep eternity

(Chorus)

God, I seek Your face
Let Your Spirit rescue me
God, I need Your love
Let Your grace shine through me

I am excited to be going home this week-end. Jake is able to come too, so I will get to show him all around where I grew up :) I can't wait!
Today is our 2 month anniversary of dating. I can't believe it is already two months, although sometimes it seems like we have been dating forever. This makes me smile!

I hope everyone has a great day...

Love, Ashleigh

7.15.2009

Listen to the wind...

As I sit on my bed listening to the rustling of the leaves, I am reminded that it is good to sit in silence.
In contemplation.
Without being distracted by other sounds, such as music, or people talking.
The faint sound of traffic on the highway is like white noise in the background. It is comforting in a way. The raucous cry of a crow intermittently breaks the solitude. There are no other birds gently tweeting songs to each other, only the monotonous call of the crows.

The old trees sway back and forth outside my window, unsure of whether to stand or fall. I wonder how long they have been there, and what sort of decay it is that makes them die from within.

I am glad we never die from within, well, those who believe in Jesus. We were dead from within when we were lost in our sin, but now we are free and made whole. No matter what we go through, no matter what happens to our physical bodies, it is what we have on the inside, our souls, that will continue on into eternity, praising Jesus forever for how He has saved us.


-Leaves continue to rustle in the wind, performing their dance for the glory of our Father in heaven-

Love,
Ashleigh

7.14.2009

Sunny Days....

It looks beautiful outside. I am thinking of going out there and getting a nice burn. Actually, I don't want a burn. They hurt when they start to peel. I am so excited to go swimming on Saturday at a friend's pool party! I haven't gone swimming in so long. It's nice to have something to look forward to.

I am looking forward to a dance party tomorrow night! It's going to be so much fun. I haven't danced in a long time and I miss it so much. It will just be a few friends and me.

I feel like I accomplished something good yesterday. I helped a friend of mine who works for the school lift a heavy door somewhere, but I got paint on the shirt that I just bought a day before. I was kind of upset, expecting to have to live with a white line on my shirt forever. However, I scrubbed my shirt with soap immediately after, and washed it. Now it is totally paint free and still looks brand new :)

Hope everyone has a great day!

Love always,
Ash

7.13.2009

Bug Bites and Work...

My bug bites that I got on Friday night are really "bugging" me. I couldn't resist that ridiculous pun. I'm sorry. I hate the fact that I'm complaining aboutt them. I don't consider myself to be a complainer, so it's really annoying. I still don't feel like spending money on cream to make them feel better. They should be gone soon. I have faith.

I worked for only three hours today, but it was actually really good. Usually, there is not much to do, so I stand around trying to make up new jobs to do. However, many people were returning tuxedos from weddings on the week-end, so I spent all my time returning them in the computer and sorting out the jackets, pants, shirts, vests, ties, suspenders, cufflinks, and shoes into different spots.

This may be a controversial issue for some, but I have been watching Harry Potter lately. I have never watched it before, mostly because I have listened to people who told me it was bad, and Christians shouldn't watch it. However, I decided to come to my own conclusions about the series. I will let you know when I come to the last movie how I feel about it. So far, I don't see any difference between this story and something like Lord of the Rings.

I hope everyone has a great evening-

Love,
Ash

7.12.2009

Sunday, Hallelujah!

Today is Sunday. And God is good.

Let's never forget to praise Him on this glorious day!

Backyard BBQ and crazy thunderstorms...

Last night Missy and Rob hosted a BBQ at Rob's house. It was fun, and a nice way to relax after a somewhat stressful but boring day at work. We had shish kabobs and pork and chicken, as well as fresh pineapple and cherries! I enjoyed hanging out with everyone, although there weren't too many there.

What a beautiful thunderstorm it was this morning! I could not believe my ears, and then thunder felt like it was right over top of us! I looked out the window, and the intensity and brightness of the fork lightening almost seared my retinas. I was once again awed by the sheer power of a storm.

I was going to walk to work, but if I didn't have to actually look nice when I get to work, I probably would have. Thankfully a friend of mine gave me and someone else a ride.

I am looking forward to tomorrow, and I hope everyone else has a lovely day!

God bless!

Love, Ashleigh

7.10.2009

None of us are angels...

Last night I got the urge to make friendship bracelets again. I haven't done it in so long, but it's amazing how quickly it comes back to you. It is rather fun to make something so creative out of something as simple as thread.

I have to work today for five hours, but before then, Caitlyn and I are going to the mall because there is a sidewalk sale happening. My goal is to get tank tops, and only tank tops, because I absolutely need them. Any thing else would be frivolous!

After work, I am going on a triple date with Jake and four of our friends. One couple just got married about two months ago. I am looking forward to it so much! I am not sure what we are doing, but whatever it is, it will be fun! Work is going to go by so slowly.

I hope you all have a great day!

Love, Ashleigh

7.09.2009

Days of Chill...

As much as I hate to admit it, I love my days off. Especially in the summer, when everything is so laid back and relaxing. I am hanging out with Cait, my roommate, and we are just chilling :)

If only we had a pool...I would love to go swimming on a day like today! Even though my home town is really lame sometimes and often old school, it's good for having beaches. I do miss that, just being able to walk down to the beach when you need a refresher.

I hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Ashleigh

7.07.2009

Birthdays, pies, and Dutch Blitz...

Yesterday was Jake's birthday, and I decided to bake him a lemon meringue pie, from scratch. Most of you know that I don't do much baking, if any at all. So it was a pretty long process, but I am pretty pleased with how it turned out, and can't wait to perfect it for the next time! And most importantly, Jake really liked it, so I'm happy about that! We went to Nathaniel's house and hung out with some friends, ate delicious food that Nathaniel cooked, including his world famous bruschetta, and then played Dutch Blitz and Monopoly.

By the time we got back to the school, we were pretty pooped, but it was a great time spending time with some people we haven't seen in a while.

I have been reading this book called "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson. It is about the author, who got lost while trying to climb a mountain in Pakistan. He stumbled across this village, and got to know the people, realizing they didn't have a school. So he returned back to the States, promising them he would return with money for a school. Sure enough he did, and the book progresses with him making lifelong friendships with the people there, and becoming director of an organization that builds schools in different areas of Pakistan. It's very good.

I hope everyone has a great day-

Love,
Ashleigh

7.05.2009

Don't Lose Hold...

Through eyes half open, I see the world, the yellow sun's distorted rays sparkling bright against the blue sky. The grass is green, showing signs of abundance, yearning for some form of life to lie upon it.

I am but a speck on this earth, mere fragments of dust carefully molded together by loving hands, intricately designed to be the person I am. I am not the same as yesterday; I have changed, am growing, am getting there. Little by little I transform into more of the child of that King who so graciously adopted me. I know who I am and I know who I want to be. It's the getting there that is going to take a bit of work.

Perseverance.

Commitment.

Honesty.

It's the getting there that scares me. But I go it not alone. My God is always by my side, cheering me on as I strive to be more obedient. With a humble heart and worship on my lips, I kneel before the King of all Kings, giving to Him my life and devotion.

He alone is worthy.



I watch the ants as they crawl along my skin, their small appendages tickling with every move they make.


Love,
Ash