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!