The End...

Today I completed the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series.  I started the series in the middle of August, and with the exception of a three-book hiatus, I've been picking away at these books a little each day. It feels surreal to be finished, but I love that the ending is so hopeful when the other books were looking somewhat bleak.

It reminds me of how life on earth can feel hopeless, and yet we have a conquering Saviour who is coming to vanquish us, and do away with evil forever.

Amen! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Love,
Ashleigh

Swim Like a Fishy...

A month ago I wrote about how I was going to test out a gym membership.  It was quite a successful month; I went to the gym about 5 times a week.  Jake and I decided that it would be a good idea for me to renew my membership for this month.

One of the workouts that I am enjoying the most is swimming laps.  Ever since I was 17 years old, I have stopped and started with this particular form of exercise.  Trying to get back into it this time seemed to be a little more difficult than when I did it for two months in 2010.  My form was terrible.  My lungs were gasping for air.  My arms felt like dead-weights.

I happen to know the lifeguard who works there, and she has been in the habit of giving me some tips on how to improve.  This morning she gave me a pleasant surprise when she asked me, "Do you feel yourself getting better?"  I thought for a moment, and realized that, why yes, I do feel like I have been getting more comfortable in the water as I can focus more on the motions than just trying to breathe.  She confirmed that by saying that she's started to notice the difference in my technique.  I was both encouraged and pleased to hear this.

Love,
Ashleigh

Casein Free: Week 1...

Today marks Week 1 on my dairy elimination diet.  In the past week I have tried my best to read labels, to avoid chocolate (which has been very hard), and to not complain when ice cream seems to appear out of thin air.  On the week-end, I had a sip of my sister's bubble tea, forgetting that there was milk in it.  An hour later, I had an itchy neck (which usually happens when I have an allergic reaction to something).  That being said, I don't think I could cut out dairy from my life after I am finished this 3-week hiatus.  I will merely have to suffer the consequences- and perhaps stop drinking two glasses of milk everyday.

Something I am grateful for is that I haven't been bloated or feeling gaseous, so I'm pretty sure it was the dairy that was fueling that uncomfortable body ailment.  However, we shall see what happens in a couple of weeks.

The part I am frustrated about is that I have been overcompensating with foods that I can eat, like eating cups of marshmallows, or over-eating at dinner.  I notice that I am now eating more meat than usual (which, from Jake's point-of-view, isn't so terrible).  However, there is only so much protein that is needed, and I am exceeding that amount in bounds and leaps.  I am determined to start eating better, like I was before, and truly watching my portion sizes.

On another note, please keep praying for Jake and I in our desire to do missions overseas next year.  We are still in the process, and still waiting for references; it has been somewhat discouraging, but we know that the Lord has everything under control, and we will go when His timing is perfect.

Love,
Ashleigh

Drink Milk Love Life...

I have often felt sorry for the people around me who are on random elimination diets due to certain health problems i.e. allergies, weight, etc.  Now I am on a dairy elimination diet, due to some uncomfortable gas and bloating.  The purpose of this 3 week torture is to find out if I have a sensitivity to dairy, and thereby determine the cause of said excess gas.

Easier said than done.  It is hard to think about what to make that doesn't involve dairy.  There are so many possibilities, don't get me wrong, but dairy is in EVERYTHING, my friend.  Reading labels is now a part of my daily life.

I also made up a Healthy Fiber Mix that can be added to anything for an added boost (and to make you regular).
Add equal parts of lecithin granules, ground flax seed, and psyillium husks, (all found at the Bulk Barn) stir them together, and add two tablespoons as part of a regular, healthy diet.  Don't forget to drink a lot of water to balance out that extra fiber.  (This mix can be stored in the fridge).

I added it to my oatmeal this morning, and it took me about twenty minutes to finish one bowl, just because it was so filling.

Well, to all those dairy fans out there, cut some cheese for me today :)

Love,
Ashleigh

Life Stressors...

Being married has shown me how our emotions affect those around us.  When I was single, no one noticed if I was having a bad day, because I'd be alone in my room having my own pathetic pity party.

Those parties don't seem to be as enjoyable anymore.  Jake certainly doesn't like them.  In fact, they make him just as flustered or melancholy as I am.

Being married has taught me that I need to talk about the things that make me worried or upset.  Whining will get me nowhere in life.  But spilling my heart and crying will get me a compassionate shoulder to lean on, strong arms around my waist, and kisses from the man who pledged his life to me.

God has blessed us this past year, and even when things seemed to have no resolution, He got us through.

Because of Him, we can have hope for life stressors run amok.

Love,
Ashleigh

Worrywart...

This week I learned the reason for why some people get warts and coldsores.  It's because they have a strain of the HPV virus in their bodies, and it will be there for the rest of their lives.  The only time you notice it is if you get a wart or a coldsore.  

Interesting?  I think so.  It kinda reminds me of something else we have to deal with...our secret sins that we thought were taken care of already. We often go through life thinking they left, until we encounter a situation where they rear their ugly heads from somewhere deep within us, unbidden and certainly unwelcome.

And yet this is the hope we have : "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

Instead of pretending they aren't there, let's just take some time to confess those forgotten and even unknown sins to our Father, so that we can let freedom reign once more, and experience true forgiveness.

Love,

Ashleigh

Crackin' Backs...

Jake and I finally have a chiropractor. We just went for the initial tests, so we haven't actually been adjusted yet.  I am dying to get back in there on Monday morning.  Thank the Lord for benefits, but honestly, at only $37 an appointment, I don't know why I wasn't going at least once a month.  Both Jake and I have been suffering needlessly.  I am so grateful for this country, and for people who care enough about the health of others to study and learn how to help us.

It was hard to decide which doctor to go with, since we were referred to about five.  However, we chose the one that was nearest to us, and I'm not disappointed!

Love,
Ashleigh

Some New Music...

In the summer I bought some new music from HMV online, and just downloaded it onto my MP3 player.  It's actually quite convenient for me.  I don't have an iPod, so this system works pretty well.  Yesterday I decided it was time to buy some more new music.  Lights recently came out with a new CD; in the store it was $12.99, and I bought it online for $9.99.  I love savings like that.  The only downside I can possibly see is that I don't have a hard copy.  To remedy that, I just have to burn a CD.

It feels good to get some new tunes going.  Jake and I have been going through all of our old school Christian music, which isn't a bad thing.  I need some new songs now! 

Also, got my hair updated :) As much as I love long hair, short hair is so freeing, and much easier to take care of.  It's still taking a bit to get used to, but I am enjoying it. 

Hope everyone has a great day!

Love,
Ashleigh

A Warm Bowl of Oatmeal...

Clue #2 of a True Snacker- You get more excited about finding a random bag of dried cranberries in your cupboard than knowing your freezer is stocked with four different kinds of meat.

I got a gym membership this morning, and worked out on the stationary bike.  The doctor told me yesterday that I do indeed have plantar fasciitis in my left foot, which means that not running for 3 weeks has been a good thing.  I have been walking to work every day, and eating smaller portions, and am encouraged to see some headway with the scale.  Jake and I have been talking about the idea of me getting a gym membership for a while, and one of our main concerns has been that I won't use it (or that I can just work out at home).  Duly noted, so we are going to try this out for a month to see if I actually stick with it.  Apparently I burned 323 calories this morning, and biked 16 km. WOW! I was pretty happy walking out of there.

I came home and made myself some mushy oatmeal with cinnamon, honey, raisins, and flax seed.  Yay for healthy eating! It's time to purge myself of all that ice cream birthday cake.

Speaking of that, thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes and the gifts.  I feel very loved, and am excited for what God is going to do in this, my 25th, year.

Love,
Ashleigh

A True Snacker...

Jake often tells me that I have taught him how to be a snacker over the course of our relationship.  I had never thought of myself as much of a snack-eating fiend until I found some clues that tell me that I am, without a doubt, a true snacker.  Find out if you are too!

Clue #1: When your window ledge sports a cracker box (or other such snackish material) where a book should be

More to come.

Love,
Ashleigh