Missions trip update...

Hello all!

I'm not sure how relevant this is to any of you who are reading, but I know some people had expressed interest in helping me out financially for my missions trip. I got an e-mail from my team leader, and she told me if you don't mind not getting a tax receipt, you can send a cheque to me. However, if you would like a tax receipt, you can send the support to:

Wycliffe Bible Translators of Canada
Receipts Department
4316 10 St. NE
Calgary, AB
T2E 6K3

Here are Jessica's instructions:
The cheque is made payable to Wycliffe Bible Translators. Make sure that they clearly indicate the check is for Vision Trip, South Asia May 2008 and designated for Ashleigh Winder. They need to provide a separate note indicating this. They will promptly receive a tax-deductible receipt. Because it is going through Wycliffe, there will be 10% taken off for administration.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions, please contact me at:
ashl5570@rogers.com

Thank you all so much for your prayers also!
You can continue to pray:
1.) That I will trust God continually for everything
2.) That God will keep teaching me through his Word
3.) That God will help the team to grow spiritually
4.) That God will prepare our hearts for anything



Love, Ash

Immunizations...

Yesterday I got my shot for my trip to South Asia. I drove down to Barrie ALL by myself(I was sooo excited to be driving again!) and got it done. My arm hurts today, but that's ok.

Sometimes I despise being at home alone, but today I am really enjoying the quietness of it all. It is not too quiet. I hear the hum of the computers, the ticking of a nearby clock, the clanging of clothes in the dryer, the swish of cars driving by outside, and the clicking of the keyboard as I type. Sometimes I wish I could go somewhere where it is truly...absolutely...quiet. Then again, that might drive me crazy, being in silence. It's something we forget about in our society, because we never stop long enough to be quiet. That just means we have to make the extra effort to find silence!

I should go and get some homework done...

I hope you all have a great afternoon!

Love, Ash

My Testimony...

Good morning!

As I promised yesterday, I am going to type out my testimony that I read at my baptism yesterday for those who couldn't make it to my baptism with my sisters!

Here it is...

My Testimony

Hi, my name is Ashleigh Winder, and I am so excited to be getting baptized today(FINALLY!). I just want to thank my family and friends for coming today, to celebrate with my sisters and I as we step out in obedience to Christ!

I grew up in a Christian home, and when I was about 4 or 5 years old I asked Jesus into my life, with a little encouragement from my mom. Then when I was 12 years old, I rededicated my life to Christ. I realized that I was too young to fully understand the significance of my decision, so I wanted to take responsibility of my faith.

All through my childhood and adolescence, both my dad and mom were encouraging to me, and they were influential in teaching me about things of God. They always taught me that it is important to spend time with God in prayer and reading the Bible every day.

Even though my parents were wonderful teachers, there were obviously times where I would go through that I would never spend time with God. My teenage years were definitely a struggle for my parents and I, as I was very stubbourn and unteachable. I think that is one reason why I haven't been baptized until now. I was stubbourn and didn't want to move forward in obedience to God.

Today I am willing to be obedient to Christ and to be baptized here in front of my church and family and friends. Since I have been at Bible college, I have learned so much about Christ and what it means to be his follower. I must surrender myself to Him.

As I'm in my second year of college, God has been teaching me to be "teachable". He has been softening my heart, showing me that as a Christian I need to show the fruits of the Spirit.

Since I have been spending more time with Him, I have been praying that He will grow me into a mature, godly woman, and that I can turn my back on the things that I regret doing in the past.

I want to thank my parents for guiding me in the right direction, and although they're not perfect, God has used them in a significant way in my life. I love you both!

I also thank my grandparents for showing love to me, and for always being there for me. You are all wonderful encouragement!

To Mrs. gale, who is my mentor and friend, God has used you in my life to be my advice, and for giving me words of wisdom. You are a wonderful woman. Thank you for everything!

And to my family and friends, thank you for your encouragement and for loving me even when I don't deserve it.

I want to praise our Lord for His love, how He is always there for me. I am unworthy, yet Christ died for my sins. He has shown me a grace that goes beyond my human understanding, and I want to show my gratitude by serving Him in this life.

God has given me a gift to learn languages and connect with those of other cultures. This May I have a chance to go to South Asia for 2 1/2 wks with Wycliffe Bible Translators to see what Bible translation is all about. I am looking forward to this opportunity, and I pray that God will use me.

As I finish out my degree in Intercultural Studies over the next 2 years, I pray that god will show me how he wants to use me in service to Him, and that I will be willing to do whatever, wherever, whenever for Him! To God be the glory!!

Love, Ash

Baptism...

It was Dad's birthday today, as well as the baptisms for Vanessa, Melissa, and I. What a wonderful day! Most of Dad's side of the family came, as well as nana and Poppa. It was so nice to see everyone, and I'm glad they could come and support us three as we made our professions of faith!

It was such a wonderful experience being baptized, and I give God all the glory! I read my testimony without hardly crying(which is a first! ha) and the joy I felt after the pastor brought me out of the water I cannot express!

After the service, my family and I(and Katie and Andrew) went out for Brunch, and it was delicious. It was a wonderful time of celebration and happiness, and I enjoyed every moment!

katie and Andrew drove back to Cambridge after I took them on a little tour of my humble town, and tonight me and the fam just hung out at home.

I love days like this. They are so wonderful and full of excitement, I can hardly contain it!

Tomorrow I will try to get on here and type out my testimony for those who would like to read it.

I hope you all have a wonderful evening!

Love, Ash

Home Again...

It's my first night home after being gone for a month, and I am so happy to be here again! Katie came with me, and it was nice having company on the ride up.

I missed all my family, and I still haven't seen Dad yet! I love coming home once a month, because it makes the time with family even more special. I definitely don't take it for granted.

Tonight we went to a talent show at the kids' school, and poor Vanessa was so discouraged as she felt it was not the best one they've ever had. I had to laugh, as in a sense she was right, but there are some talented kids that go to the school!

This week-end is going to go entirely too fast, I just know it. I am so excited to be getting baptized. I hope that this will be the start of my renewal in Christ, as I solidfy the commitment I made to Him to follow him forever.

I hope that you all have a wonderful evening.

Love, Ash

One more day...

My choice of title today reminds me of a country song which is very beautiful. It actually reminds me of my Dad, when he used to listen to country. It's kind of nostalgiac for me, and makes me miss home. I shall post the lyrics at the end!

ok, so tonight we had a coffee house, which was pretty good. I must say, we have some talented people at my school. Some of them are very impressive. I love the atmosphere at our "talent nights", because they're so casual, and lots of fun.

I only have one more day and then I can go home for reading week. Katie is coming home with me, which I am very excited about! I have so much homework to do in that time, so I will have to do it in the mornings when no one is home!

And now for the song...I realize it is kind of melancholy, however it is not picked with any particular person in mind. I just think it is a beautiful song.

One More Day

Last night I had a crazy dream
A wish was granted just for me
It could be for anything
I didn't ask for money
Or a mansion in Malibu
I simply wished, for one more day with you

One more day
One more time
One more sunset, maybe I'd be satisfied
But then again
I know what it would do
Leave me wishing still, for one more day with you

First thing I'd do, is pray for time to crawl
Then I'd unplug the telephone
And keep the TV off
I'd hold you every second
Say a million I love you's
That's what I'd do, with one more day with you

Leave me wishing still, for one more day
Leave me wishing still, for one more day

By: Diamond Rio

Here is a link if you want to listen to the song: http://www.ladaisey.com/onemore.html

Love, Ash

Ice-filled Sundays...

This morning I woke up earlier than normal, because I didn't want to be in a rush to get out the door for church. When the time came for us to leave, we looked out the window, and the bus still hadn't come to pick us up. Then we went outside, and as soon as we stepped out onto the sidewalk, we started sliding around. It was icy, and we weren't surprised that the bus hadn't come. Since many of us normally take the bus to go to another church, we decided to walk up the street to a different one. It was an interesting walk, and by that time it was raining. By the time we got to church, we were cold and soaked, but it was worth it. I enjoyed singing older hymns, songs that I haven't sung in a while. The pastor gave a great sermon, talking about how we need to pray for others. Thankfully we got a ride back to the school as it was still raining.

I enjoyed going to a different church. It's always neat to experience how other Christians worship. It also made me appreciate the church that I normally attend!

I am frustrated about Family Day tomorrow. I don't understand the point of the holiday. They are encouraging people to spend time with their family, but what about the students who are in college and can't get home? It really doesn't make sense to put a holiday in February. I don't know. I'm going home on Friday anyways, so I guess it doesn't matter. I will just have to spend time with my friends here, and do lots of homework!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. May God bless you all in whatever you choose to do.

Love, Ash xoxo

Happy Valentine's Day!

I remember how I felt about Valentine's Day when I was in highschool. I vaguely remember filling out schoolwide "matchmaker" surveys, and getting the results back that said, "You would be 90% compatible with so-and-so", or "You would be 100% incompatible with so-and-so". I remember the carnations that we could pre-order, and getting 1 or 2 from some of the girls I hung out with(including Melissa). I remember that we could buy Valentine's cards from the Latin club for "$0.25 each, or 4 for $1.00...what a deal!" and have them delivered to the person we wanted to show love or interest to on that wonderful day of February
14th. I remember always getting little Valentine's from my friends, some of them heartfelt and genuine, most of them goofy. I remember never having a boyfriend and always wishing that a boy would send me a carnation. Yet, in this small tragedy of a young teen's heart, I knew that one day I would have a Valentine.

And so enter college. It is once again Valentine's Day, and once again, I don't have a boyfriend, thus, I don't have a Valentine.

This is not a tragedy, folks. I absolutely LOVE Valentine's Day. It is a wonderful time of the year that we can celebrate love, whether it be the love between a boyfriend and girlfriend, the love between a husband and wife, or the love that family shares and friends have for one another. It is a beautiful, glorious day.

It is not "Single-ness Awareness Day" that I have heard so many of my single friends call it. It is not "cry-my-eyes-off-because-I-have-to-work-tonight-instead-of-go-on-a-date" day.

It is a day to CELEBRATE LOVE!!! God is love. And because we are made in his image, we too can love, albeit in a capacity MUCH lower than his love. But the love that fills us from Him we can use in turn to love others, and to show them that love.

So, if you are single, like me, show your love to your friends. Go out and have a get-together with your single girl-friends, have a chocolate fondue, give each other goofy Valentine's, and watch a chick flick, or an Audrey Hepburn love story. Show love to your family. Make sure you tell them you love them all, and that you mean it with all your heart!

If you are dating, married, or engaged, WHAT ARE YOU STILL HANGING AROUND THE HOUSE FOR??!! Go out and have a romantic dinner, with candlelight, and chocolate and flowers, and make today special, because this day was meant for you to celebrate YOUR LOVE! If a romantic dinner is not your cup of tea, use your imagination and do something else that will still have meaning to you both.

I think we sometimes take love too lightly in this society, we use it flippantly and say "I love you" when we don't actually mean it. I have been guilty of this myself. We also take it for granted. Don't take love for granted today! Show it to those you love, admire, and respect, and don't forget to thank the ONE who created this love for giving you people who surround you with it.

I want to include this poem that Nana sent to me yesterday. I thought it was cute, and I dedicate it to all of my family and friends. I especially thank our Lord for giving me people to love, and want you to know that I'm thinking of all of you today.

A Valentine Prayer

I said a Valentine prayer for you,
And asked the Lord above,
To fill your heart and bless your soul,
With the precious gift of love.

I asked Him for sincere love,
The kind that's meant to stay.
Just like the generous love,
You give to those you touch each day.

I prayed for love from family,
And from every cherished friend.
Then I asked the Lord to give you,
His love that knows no end.

Love is patient,
Love is kind.

It bears all things,
Believes all things,

Hopes all things,
Endures all things.

Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4,7,8

I hope you all have a wonderful, love-filled day!

Happy Valentine's!

Love, Ash xoxo

Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday...

Today I was very moved in chapel. We had a pastor from one of the local churches come in to speak, and he was talking about 2 Timothy 1:8-13, and how we are not to be ashamed of Christ. He also said that we should live every day to its fullest, because who I am to know that I will live until tomorrow? Of course we have to plan for the future, but we always need to try our best EVERY DAY, because it could be our last.

I realized how negative I can be, and how that can rub off on others. I want to be more positive, so that others will be attracted to the light of Christ in me.

These are just some of the things that I've been thinking about.

I hope you all have a great evening!

Love, Ash

Baptism...

I am very happy to say that I am finally getting baptized! After many years of debating when to do this, I have made the decision to be obedient to what God asks Christians to do.

I am also happy that I will be getting baptized with Melissa and Vanessa also!! This is such an amazing thing, and I can't wait! The date is on February 24, my dad's birthday.

It is snowing quite heavily right now, and I have class soon. I tried to do homework this afternoon, but I was so distracted. However, I did do some already today, so that's better than nothing. I also did homework yesterday and Saturday, which is very encouraging. Please pray for me, I have had a huge lack of motivation lately.

I hope that you all have a wonderful night!

Love, Ash