Comforty Things...

What's better than a warm, savoury fish chowder accompanied by a thick piece of homemade whole wheat bread smothered in butter?

Nothing.

Even if you don't believe me, it must be true, because both Jake and I answered our standard nightly question of "What was the best part of your day?" with "Fish chowder and bread".  We almost fought over who was going to get the leftover bowl today.

I won :)

I often sigh at how much time I spend preparing food every day, but then I make most things from scratch, and nutritious foodstuffs take time and energy.

It's the comforty things like a good fish chowder that make being healthy worth it.

Love,
Ashleigh

This Is Me...

This is a survey taken from my friend Krystle's blog.

Age: 26
Bed Size: Queen
Chore I Hate: Doing laundry
Dogs: None
Essential to start my day: Breakfast and checking my emails
Favourite Color: Purple
Gold or Silver: Silver
Height: 5' 8"
Instrument I play: Piano, Guitar, French Horn (If I had one T-T)
Job Title: Housewife (and trust me, I am desperate...for a job!)
Kids: None, but a cute little nephew :) does that count?
Live: A 1 bedroom apartment above a restaurant in the downtown. Does that sound sketchy or what?
Mother’s Name: Andrea
Nicknames: Ash, Ashy, Avi, Asher, Sis
Overnight hospital stays: 2, that I can remember. 
Pet Peeves: Loud breathing, loud ticking clocks
Quote from a favourite movie: There are too many..."Where is that from?" "MY BRAIN!!" ~Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Right or Left Handed: Right
Siblings: Melissa, Graham, Vanessa, Karl
Time it takes me to get ready: Short version: 10 minutes, 5 in a pinch   Long version: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Ultimate Vacation: Italy, Greece, somewhere in the Mediterranean
Vegetable I hate: None. I'm in love with vegetables.  That's a lie. I really don't hate celery, just strongly dislike it without a good dollop of peanut butter on top!
What makes me run late: Usually it's that one little thing...or making poor decisions while getting ready, such as "Oh ya, I've got lots of time to straighten my hair!" NOT!
X-rays I’ve had: Lots for chiropractic purposes, a couple for bronchial reasons, many for dental 
Yummy food that I make: Well. Jake always teases me because I never seem to make the same thing twice, since I love variety.  However, he tells me I make good banana muffins.   I also make delicious chicken parmigiana and guacamole.
Zoo animal: Snake

Accomplishing...

Yesterday I had the chance to run a 5K race in Burlington, ON, in celebration of Valentine's Day.  When I signed up for the race over a month ago, I asked Jake if he would like to race with me, since there was the option of running as a single or couples.  He declined, so I signed up as a 'married single'.

This was my first race ever, and I had no idea what to expect.  Jake and I left around 7:45am so we could be there for registration at 8:30.  The morning was absolutely beautiful!

I was happy to see the sun, and was praying that it would get a little warmer when the race started.

When we got to the venue, I felt like such an amateur, and I saw all these people around me dressed in fancy running gear and sporting heart rate monitors and other gadgets.

I went to register, and was completely caught off guard with having to pin on a running number and a shoe chip (to track my time in the race).

We stashed everything in the car, and, since we had a bit of time left before the race, we headed off to a nearby McDonald's so that I could have my decaf coffee and try to calm my nerves a little bit.  I was in high spirits, eager to start and excited for what was to come!

We got back and I suited up, tied on my shoe chip, pinned on my running bib, and had a last drink of water. All of the runners were waiting in the front foyer of the health club, and all of a sudden people started moving outside to get in the queue and wait for the race to start.

Do you see me cueing up my music?

I'm pretty sure I smiled like this the whole run!

When the horn started, I had to wait a little bit for all the people running in front of me.  Also, since it was a Valentine's Day run, all the ones who entered as couples had to be attached together with a ribbon, which left enough room for them to run, but they had to work together to keep an even pace.

I was off, and as I ran, I looked for the people who were going just a little bit faster than me, so that I could push myself.  I really wanted to win in my age category, since the prize was dinner for two at a fancy Burlington restaurant. 

I had told Jake to wait inside, then come out around the 35-40 minute mark, since that was the time I estimated I would get to the finish line.

I can see the finish line!!

Well, I came through, pushing hard at the end, and ran through the finish line.  There was someone taking off our shoe chips, then a woman handed me a rose, and another lady put a heart-shaped medal around my neck!

Jake said he almost missed seeing me go through the finish line, but he heard the air horn and came outside, and then he saw me, and I could barely believe it when he said it was 28-ish minutes when I finished! True enough, I saw the final time sheets, and my chip time was 28:53!!! That is the fastest I've ever run a 5K, and I am so happy!

I didn't receive a prize, but as we sat eating pizza and listening to the awards being given out after, I realized that there are many many talented runners, including a woman in the 60-65 age category who ran it in 26 minutes!  That's what I want to be like! 

We couldn't have asked for a better day.  The sun was shining, everyone was pumped up and excited, and I'm hooked on races!

Love,
Ashleigh

To-do Lists...

In theory, they're great.  They really are.  They help keep you focused, they let your brain relax a little bit, and they're handy.

I have tried going without them.  I have tried using them.  It's much better if I use them, since I'm the type who has so much going on in my head that I might forget to eat breakfast or something-which is highly unlikely.

Since I can't go without them, I now have a guilt complex, especially when I see the same three tasks carry over, day. after day. after stinkin' day.  Some people say it's better to start with the hardest tasks first, so that everything else seems easy.  But this procrastination-loving girl would rather waste a whole day doing something that's NOT on her list rather than rip off the proverbial hard-tasks Band-Aid.  I like to do the easy things, just to see my list get smaller.  Here is a sample of the easy tasks I like to give myself:

• Do devos
• Read book
• Make bed
• Eat breakfast

See what I mean? By 8AM I could already have four things scratched off my list, and I hardly had to do anything.  It really helps soothe that guilt.

Today, I completed one VERY important task, and I feel like partying.  I mean, is it enough to scratch a line through it, add a check mark, and say, "See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya?"

Because, that baby has been hanging around my to-do list for a month or more, and it feels a little blase to just move on to the next task.

I feel so free...amazing.

Now, to finish those other two that have been there for the same amount of time...

Love,
Ashleigh

Jesus Encounters...

**This is an excerpt taken from my journal on February 3

Yesterday I went to a seminary in Toronto with Dayna & Corrina- it was on building bridges with Muslims [in order] to share the Gospel.  I was very convicted, and my point of view was challenged.  Many of the reasons I had been nervous about sharing the Gospel to them, [rather, people in general], were explained away.  

1. For starters, remembering that we are merely ambassadors for Christ, and stepping back to let the Holy Spirit do His work was HUGE for me.  I, Ashleigh, am not the one who converts or changes hearts.  God is.  I can aid with understanding, giving resources, and alleviating fears of certain topics.  But I need to let Jesus do His work.  That knowledge was super freeing for me.  As a believer, I can merely talk about my Saviour, His qualities, and my beliefs, without worrying that I have to sway it [make it sound/look good] in a way that they will accept the Saviour.

2. Prayer: this is an essential part of reaching out to others and sharing the Gospel.  I mean, at this point, I don't even know many Muslims personally, but I do know [other friends who need to know Jesus].  But it's like this.  Without prayer, nothing gets done.  I need to be more consistent in prayer, where God will strengthen me. 

3. Ministry: This should be merely a tool you use to get to know people, but it shouldn't hinder you from sharing about Jesus and talking about faith.  I was convicted in this area, because I want to teach ESL, but I don't want to become so consumed with being the teacher that I forget to be the ambassador.

4. It's a lifestyle, not an event: Praise God for Fouad Masri, the speaker from Crescent Project. This was a much needed reminder for me, since sharing my faith becomes so daunting.  The closer I become to God, the more I know about Jesus, the more natural it should be to let His life pour out of me, so it won't seem unnatural to talk about it.

A Brazilian Christmas...

Can you believe this rain we're having? I mean, it's the end of January, and I don't think the weather has made up it's mind about winter yet.

I'm not complaining! I will take rain any day over -25 degrees, thank you very much!

Speaking of weather, let's talk a little bit about our warm Brazilian Christmas.  It's been over a month, I know, but I'm looking through pictures today and working on our update letter, and decided it's time to regale you with the tales of South America at Christmas-time.

Christmas Eve

Gabi and her codfish appetizers! YUM

I know that we have mentioned the Lopes family a lot, because three of them were our students and we started to spend much time together, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and the like.  So why should Christmas be any different?  We were so grateful to them for their hospitality, friendship, and wonderful food!

There's my pumpkin pie! Also, the turkey decorated with tropical fruits, brazilian style stuffing, and rice

Salad, ham, rice, and a codfish casserole

From Left to Right: Friends of the Lopes family, Jake and I, the Lopes

On Christmas Eve, usually the family stays up until midnight and then ushers in Christmas Day with this feast.  We didn't make it quite to midnight, but dug in around 11:30pm.  Before that we enjoyed the codfish appetizers, and the Lopes family exchanged gifts (they gave Jake and I the shirts we're wearing in the picture above!).  We visited and listened to music and talked and told stories.  Jake and I didn't last much past 1am, and asked if they could take us home.  As much as we had gotten used to the late night culture of Brazil, eating a full meal that late made us both very sleepy.  Valeria sent us home with leftovers, which we were happy to share with the Evans' as well!

Christmas Day

Waiting for Polly and Igor to pick us up

The couple we met at the Presbyterian church, Polly and Igor, invited us to their big family get-together and BBQ on Christmas day.  They picked us up at the seminary and drove us to Polly's aunt's house, which is absolutely stunning and large.  Polly has 5 aunts, so there were quite a few more people there than the night before!

Laying out food in the spacious courtyard

The BBQ area

 Polly told me that all the women prepared the main meal and the desserts the day before, cooking altogether and enjoying each other's companies, while the men prepared the BBQ.  When we arrived there, all the women were gathered inside around a big table chatting and snacking on pieces of meat and drinking Coke, while the guys were outside around the BBQ, cooking and doing what guys do best-eating.

Meat-which they snack on even before the main meal begins.  Whenever new pieces are ready, they put it on  plates and pass it around for family members to whet their appetites.

Jake's favourite part...he ate so much meat before the meal!

A typical Brazilian BBQ consists of-deliciously salted steak,
a bean dish of some sort, rice, potatoes or manioc, and a fresh green salad

Just when I thought I'd die of hunger, it was time to eat, and man, it was a good meal! Everyone was loud, boisterous, and it reminded me of the big family get-togethers that our own extended families would have been having back home in Canada. 

The whole family! 

Jake and I with our friends Polly and Igor

We were happy they invited us to join them, and that we could see the contrast between a smaller, evening gathering and a much larger, midday big family celebration.  Even though it wasn't too similar to what our Christmas here in Canada would have been like, we were still grateful to experience Christmas in another culture, to see how others celebrate the birth of our Saviour and Lord.

Love,
Ashleigh

When In Brazil...

Caption, anyone??

Good For the Soul...

I've been looking through the over 700 pictures our lovely photographer took on our wedding day, and came across this interesting series of pictures among siblings:

Josh finally breaks, staring Miah down with the stink eye, while Jocie
gives an impish grin and Jake pretends he had no involvement in the matter

Parents aren't immune to the silliness....

We'll behave, if we have to...

Oh, the hilarity! I love this family, and I'm so happy to be a part of the love and laughter.

Love,

Ashleigh

Uma Lembranca De Mim...

That little phrase, uma lembranca de mim, is one that I heard often while we were overseas.  It means, literally, "a remembrance from me".  Brazilians don't just say, "Don't forget me!".  They don't just say, "I will never forget you!" or "I will miss you!".  They give something tangible for you to remember them by, so that, as the years go by, and you get busy and distracted, you are reminded of them whenever you see that item.  

I will never forget when I was in Brazil back in 2006.  I was just hanging out with one of my friends, and happened to notice how pretty her earrings were.  I told her so, and she just took them right out of her ears and gave them to me.  I still have them, and I do remember her and that evening every time I wear them. 

One of our students, Raquel (Rachel), made an effort to connect with us right away, and we became friends on Facebook.  She was always very eager to learn, and showed up at every class, even when many started dwindling off towards the end.  Her bright smile and loving nature always left an impression on me.  

Jake and I with Raquel

One day after class, she came up to me and asked me which one of my wedding photos was my favourite.  She had mentioned previously that she loved all the photos I had put up on Facebook.  As it got closer to Christmas, and on the last day of class, she told me she wanted to come see us before we left.  We hadn't really made a plan, and, on the Tuesday before we left, as we were packing, she happened to come by our house.  She was carrying this big package, and said she had been working on it for a couple of days, and was happy it was finally finished.  As I was opening it, she was beaming, and, obviously proud of her work, said she knew I would like it.  I had no idea what to expect, but I didn't expect this:

A beautiful photo box that she had modpodged with pictures of Jake and I on our wedding day!  She got the pics from my Facebook, and said that it had taken her so long because she had to wait for everything to dry at different stages.  I was speechless, and so blown away by such a beautiful gift, indeed a most precious lembranca!

Inside the box, she had written a message and stuck another photo, along with a cute little bundle of flowers to decorate it.  I have been proudly showing it off to everyone we've had over, and tell them about our wonderful, hospitable, generous friends in Brazil, for there were many.

Thank you for such a wonderful gift, Raquel.  Eu nunca vou esquecer de voce!

Love,
Ashleigh

The Coffee Jitters...

Last night I experienced those jittery and anxious feelings that accompany coffee drinkers far and wide.  Coffee doesn't normally affect me at all, so I was surprised when, after two cups of the brewed goodness, I started to feel shaky before bed.  

I woke up at 1:30am and couldn't get back to sleep- went online for a bit, and all of a sudden it felt like I couldn't breathe, as my heart rate started to beat faster and faster.  It was a bit scary at first, but Jake was able to calm me down.  I looked up coffee effects online, and some people were saying that it's common to have those symptoms if you haven't been drinking coffee regularly.  

That about sums it up for me!  I haven't been having my daily java for about a week or so, and have resorted to brewing copious amounts of tea to take the chill off these winter days.  I think I'll be sticking with my tea for a good long while after this!



Love,
Ashleigh