Good Friday...

He died for me.

Sometimes it's hard for me to fathom this. Why would Jesus, God's son, die for someone like me?

But God shows me. Daily. It's all worth it. 

So on this Good Friday...I pray that everyone sees how much God loves them...

That He sent his Son...His only...to die for us.  And all of the sin in our lives. 

And it's so worth it.

    And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

 ⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and^[e] went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

 ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” Matthew 27:50-54

So hard...

Sometimes you forget how hard things can be.

I am an optimist, but I also am a worrier. Not the best combination.
I can take things that don't even really need to be worried about, and start worrying about them!
It's so easy to try and control...to not let go...and to think we can fix whatever is going on.

But then, God reminds us, that He's got it. And he's in charge.
I think he sometimes has to beat me over the head with this. I don't always remember.
He could do it daily.

I have to repeat to myself this verse...often.
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil 4:8

Miles and Years...

So, I started reading Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years (I like to invert the words and someone thinks I am crazy), and I absolutely love it!
I love the way that he makes me remember, that God's been up there, writing our stories, preparing us for what is ahead.  I love thinking about what he has written next for me, and the exciting things I know he has written down.  And I want to make my story exciting. I don't want it to be me, sitting around, being boring. I want to be up, active, doing something that will bring Him joy and help those around me.  

So many thoughts pop into my head of what God has in store for me...and I am excited for the next chapters...

Oh Donald Miller. You have a way with the words.

A Few Favorites...

So, this being here for the week wasn't what I had initially planned...but I will take it. And run with it!
I honestly can't believe that the week is pretty much over.  Wow!  But, I have done a few of my favorite things this week...so I can't complain.

I have gotten to spend some great time in quiet time with God.  Getting up at 5:30, it doesn't always lend itself to a super awake, super functioning quiet time.  I have got to work on that!  Anyway, this week...I have gotten to spend some time reading, writing, and just praying more, and that's been a pretty great feeling.  If only I had a porch swing to do all this on!

Yesterday, I got to take maternity shots of a couple of my close friends.  They are due in May, and so it was just fun to get out in the beautiful morning sunshine and just shoot.  We had a great time, and we got some great shots.  At least I hope that we did! :)  I forget how much I love to take pictures, until I really get a chance to spend time doing that, editing, and just seeing what moments were captured.

I have gotten a chance to spend some time with some of my kids from downtown.  That has been a definite 'thank you God' moment!  We took a few of them to the park the other day...and what a great time we had!  Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, soccer ball, bubbles, football, and kites...these were just a few of the things that we used to make our day pretty complete.

My lovely boyfriend and I have also gotten to spend some great times together this week.  That has been a blessing as well.  He's pretty great...so without getting all 'girly', I have enjoyed all of our time together!! :)

So, while Spring Break may have not been what I thought it would be, it did let me enjoy some time with some of my favorite things!

I got this...

Sometimes, I don't listen.  I know, I know, a lot of times...we don't like to listen.
But then, I notice, that when I don't listen, it's because I don't want to hear what someone is telling me.
Or because, I think I have got this on my own.
That seems to be my biggest problem. I think it's a problem for a lot of people.
Why should I listen to (enter name here), I have got this!  I don't need their help!
And I say this with certainty, because, I say it often to myself.

And then God breaks me.

A few weeks ago, there was a lot on my plate.  I had feelings that I hadn't felt before because of a boy, I was busy with the yearbook at work, we had a big accreditation visit coming up that I had to be interviewed for, and I was just tired.  Throughout the week, I kept feeling these emotions bubbling inside of me, and I just pushed them down and said I was fine.  But I wasn't.
I was anxious.
I was nervous.
I was worried.
I was scared.

And then, I spent a weekend with some high school kids. And with God. And that's what I needed.
God broke me. He reminded me through His word, His songs, and just His love, that "Hey Ashley, I've got this".  And he reminded me of that all weekend long.  And then the next week. And the week after. And so on.  God continues to remind me that "He's got this" and I just need to lean back, relax, and enjoy the life that He has blessed me with.  Yes, there have been hiccups along the way, but why wouldn't there be? Life isn't easy...but with Him, He makes it pretty bearable.

Weekends, I prefer the weekends...

So this sinus infection has just been so much fun (sarcasm inserted here), but I have gotten a chance to do some things that I haven't had time, or made time to do this weekend.
I got to pick up 2 of my favorite boys from downtown, and we went to a local yogurt shop and hung out. My boyfriend brought his 'little brother', and the three boys and the two of us ate yogurt, went to the park, and just played.  Of course, I wasn't allowed to play basketball (there are only 2 on a team Ashley...you just stand over there and watch), but I of course was the 'prisoner' and had to be saved when they played on the playground.  Oh, the joys of being a girl. :)
And of course...a group of us got together to watch the UK game.  And even through the CATS cheers that one of my friends led a few times (even on the front porch!), we didn't win. But the company was great! :)
I also got to spend some time with someone who is quickly becoming one of my favorites...okay, he is one. :) And we had a great time, just hanging out this weekend.  I have been all 'sicky' pants this week, so to get outside and enjoy some time (amid my coughs and nose blowing), was a lot of fun.
Although part of my heart wishes I was in Haiti with my loves and my friends, the other part of my heart is full and happy from the time I got to spend with some great ones this weekend.

Things Aren't As They Seem...

Sometimes things aren't as they seem they should be.
Today, I should be at the airport, getting ready to board the plane to my beloved Haiti.
But here I sit, on my couch, surrounded by medicine and Kleenex.

Of course, I am the one who gets a bad sinus infection with some ear pain, and was told it would be better not to fly with all of this. And a fever to boot?? Of course! Sounds like a fun time to me.  Who wouldn't want to be sitting at home in cold KY rather than in Haiti seeing my kids and friends?

But, I have peace.
I know that God has a reason for this...even if its just to take some time to rest.
Thank goodness I can go and visit Haiti anytime. :)

Happiness...

I have become quite the blog reader/enthusiast over the past few months.  I find myself checking my friends' blogs daily just to see what they have written. And the blogs of people I don't know but love?? I do the same thing!
One blog that I have become a bit obsessed with...had a post of things that make her happy.  I liked it...so I am going to borrow this from her! :)

Happiness is...
-waking up to a beautiful warm sunrise
-emails from some of my favorite friends
-the extra 15 minutes that sometimes I have to stop at Starbucks on my way to work
-seeing someone's name pop up on my phone...and feeling that giddy/happy feeling
-sweet kids in Haiti

-the anticipation of warm weather...and the beach!

-dates with my friends and my high school girls

-skyping with friends in other countries

-laughing with my students...they are pretty funny!

-bouquets of newly sharpened pencils (yes...one of my favorite movies...You've Got Mail)

-taking pictures. lots of them.

-being with my friends and family

-feeling loved.

-knowing God has a plan for my life...and He's not finished with me yet!

I could go on and on, but who would truly want to hear it all?? :)  

Serve...

Tuesday nights are some of my favorite nights.
I get to go downtown in my city...hang out with some pretty awesome people...and serve a group of people who are near to my heart.

The very first time I went downtown, this sweet boy came running at me and jumped in my arms. He told me his name and we decided we were best friends.
When the winter came, this boy and his brother stayed inside. I never got to see them...even though each Tuesday I would stare at their house and hope they would come out!

This past Tuesday...we were walking to another house...and I heard this tiny little voice yelling..."Ashley! Ashley!" I turned around...and there was my boy.  I ran towards him and he came as well, in his sock feet, and jumped in my arms!

I love how God uses those moments to remind us how much He loves us.

Roses are red...

Beautiful. I love flowers. Especially when they are specially delivered.

Letting Me in on Secrets...

God always surprises me with the big things he has in store.
Here are just a few that he has let me in on...

-Haiti. I will be there in 2 weeks. Seriously.
-Serve the City.  I absolutely love my street and my people.
-Friends. Lots of fun and exciting things are going on in many of my friends' lives.
-School. I am ALMOST finished with grad school.

I think the list could continue...but the cool thing about God is He seems to let you in on those secrets as the time is right.  I am excited for what God has next... :)

Smile Worthy...

I have had one of those weekends. Very smile worthy.
Lots of good things have happened this weekend, and I am thankful.

Les Miserables..The Cheesecake Factory...fun with a certain exciting boy...
A sweet baby being born in Thailand...emails with wonderful friends...talking about the Haiti trip...
Meeting new people...

Very smile worthy.
A great weekend.

Missing...

It's Mardi Gras break in Haiti, and all of my friends there have been having a great couple of days.  I have been keeping up with emails, reading blog posts, and looking at pictures of their week.
I have also been starting to think more about my trip, and what exactly God has in store for us that week.  I am excited. I am ready.
I wake up some mornings and just miss it. I miss the smells. I miss walking out of my door and being greeted by a rush of heat. I miss hearing my name as I walk down the street and having little hands touch my arms, legs, and hands.  I miss the cheek kisses from some of my very favorite kids.  I miss it.

Jeremiah 29:13

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

So thankful for those verses that pop out and grab you...Thank you God!

A Sue-prize for Mme Islande!

When I went to visit in October...Cady kept my coming a secret from my former students, and my assistants! Here is my sue-prize (this is what one of my kids called it) visit to Mme Islande!

I have become addicted...

I have become addicted to reading a few blogs, and then I remembered, that I too, once had a blog! So, let's see what this is like all over again!
Just an update...I am still teaching, still enjoying the time I work with my students, and my amazing coworkers.  I am very blessed in my job!  I started working with a few ministries from my church...one where we go downtown and work with families that are in a poorer area of town, and the other is being a high school life group leader.  I have always liked high school students...and I am LOVING my group of girls!  More than our relationships with each other, they truly remind me and teach me more about God.  I am blessed by those girls!

And...I am helping to lead a trip to Haiti in 1 month!  We leave on April 1st, and I am so excited!  I went on my Fall Break in October for a few days, and it was absolutely fabulous.  Seeing my old students, staying with Cady...it was a great time! :)  

So...I am going to try to keep this up...whether its with randomness, what God is teaching me, or even exciting updates in my life!  Crossing my fingers that this will work! :)