Thankfulness should continue...

As we end the Thanksgiving weekend, I've been reminded over and over again how many people and things have blessed my life, and my families lives. This year Michael and I hosted both of our families at our house. My mom, step mom, sister, his mom, dad, and brother all joined us. It was such a wonderful day. I am so blessed to have families that can get together and enjoy one another. I was visiting with some other people Saturday night, who say that their families cannot get together peacefully and enjoy each other. We had so much fun gathered closely around our kitchen table. We shared stories, and lots of laughter. It was beautiful. Coming from a divorced family that did not get along at all, where everything was a fight and working against each other, it is so amazing and such a blessing to be able to share a holiday meal together!

I am so thankful to continue to receive things from my step mom that were from my dad, or were my dads. My dad has been gone for almost five years now, and it has been a real struggle this year without him. My dad missed out on one of the biggest days of my life this year as I married my best friend. I was so sad that he wasn't physically there with us. I know Michael would get along with my dad so well. On Thursday, my step mom gave me a gift when she got to our house. When I opened it, it contained our "Turkey Family" that my dad, brother, and I had before he re-married. My dad's hand writing is on the bottom of all of the turkey's. I am so thankful to still have things that have his distinctive handwriting on them.

I am so thankful for the new family members I gained this year. We had a big scare just before the wedding when my father-in-law fainted and fell off of his bike. He was in the ICU for about five days, his memory wasn't good, and he busted the tip of his elbow off, which required surgery with plates and screws. Thankfully, his elbow is gaining strength well, and his memory continues to get better and better everyday. But most of all I am thankful for his life! I'm so thankful he wears a helmet! That saved his life!

I am so thankful for my mom! She helps me with so much, but this year she helped so much with getting things ready for the wedding. She has supported us so much. I had the most amazing wedding ever and couldn't have without my mom! I had so much fun braving the crazy black Friday shopping with her! We had great success with the angel tree kids and other family members! :)

I am thankful for the love of my step mom, brother, his girlfriend, and my sister! I love them dearly and am thankful for the time I get to spend with them!

I am thankful for my brother and sister-in-law! I am thankful for the tiny baby that is growing in my sister-in-laws belly! I cannot wait for Michael and I to be an aunt and uncle in June!

Today at church the sermon was about time...when is our end here? We don't know. I've experienced that a lot in my life: my grandparents died when I was growing up starting when I was six until I was seventeen, a friend of mine died when I was 20 in a snowmobile crash, my dad died when I was 21, my friends son died when he was seven, and we had a big scare with my father in-law this year. I love everything I have been seeing on facebook with people posting things they are thankful for every day during November. However, I've really been thinking how life is short, and we don't know when it's going to end. We, myself included, need to slow down, not rush things, and be thankful and give praise and thanks to God for everything he has blessed us with! Our thankfulness shouldn't just last in November, our thankfulness should continue everyday, all year long!

I hope you were blessed Thanksgiving!

Peace and love!
A

Snowflakes

Today I was walking to the bus stop to pick my friends two children up. It was snowing. Now I don't really care for snow, but as I walked out of the garage their giant tree looked so beautiful with the fresh snow on it. As I was walking down the road snow hitting my face, as I was looking at the ground covered with millions of snowflakes I couldn't help but think of our youth group lesson from last night.

Now we talked about the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. Which then lead to to talking about gifts and things we have to offer. Five loaves and two fish were offered...and it fed 5000 people. Jesus took something small and ordinary and turned it into a miracle.

We shared gifts one another have, that may be different from someone else. For example, Tracee (one of my youth group volunteers) is an amazing cook and baker. She  provides dinner for us on Wednesday nights so that we can all come together share in a meal with each other and fellowship. My student Madalyn, she is very nurturing. She is wonderful not only with children, but with everyone. She is positive and encouraging. Gary (youth volunteer) he has the gift of humor. I don't know if there is anyone Gary can't make laugh. Mason (student) he has the gift of being inclusive. He has a very relaxed and chill attitude, he creates an inviting environment. God doesn't need us to do extraordinary things, he wants us to give what we have. We are like snow flakes. Everyone of us is different, we have different things to offer. No snow flake is alike all different. When all the snowflakes fall and come together they are make such a beautiful picture....we can do the same thing. When we call come together to offer our all, the gifts God has given us we too can make a beautiful picture.

Much love, 

Ashley 

Whoa! Busy and very blessed summer! Time to catch up! Part 2...August

So here we are in August….so crazy! Time has gone by so incredibly fast! The first weekend in August was my bridal shower and bachelorette party. Everyone has asked why I didn’t my bachelorette party so far away from the wedding, but it just made since to me to do it the same day that everyone who was here from out of town didn’t have to come back a second time. My shower was held at Fricono’s Pizza! We had great food! I couldn’t believe my eyes with all of the gifts I received! Such a blessing! I had fun opening listening to my friends and family comment on the gifts. One very cool gift I received was all of my dad's recipes! That was a cool addition to all of the recipes I got! Following that week was Unity. It was amazing! I wasn’t super excited for anyone coming expect David Crowder. BUT…what I was excited for was the amazing worship time we would have that weekend with all the artists that were coming. Another thing that I was totally stoked about was that MAM (morning after ministries) was coming. I made very good friends with them last year and was so excited to know they were coming back! MAM is founded by the beautiful Christy Brooks. They talk about dangerous habits that we fall into…..eating disorders, self harm, addiction, and sex. They share educational packets, with information to resources that you can go to for help. But, one of the coolest things they do is build relationships, listen and pray for people who come up and share with them. I was so blessed to be a part of that for most of the weekend. It was awesome to share my story of abuse, assault, and destructive to behavior, and how Jesus saved my life. I know my worth is not in what I look like; it’s not in what society says that I should like….my worth is in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for ME! And the totally amazing thing is…..Jesus died on the cross for YOU too! He wants to be the focus of your life, not what you or society thinks you should look like. You are made beautiful in Christ! Take a look at this documentary that is made by MAM (http://www.morningafterministries.com/documentary/) . It features a 16 year, the beautiful and lovely Jenna who I spent time with at Unity this year, and a 21 year old. It talks honestly about their struggles in life, and how God changed that. They are just a group of amazing people and I’m so blessed to know them and call them friends! God was really working through us this summer! On Saturday morning we headed to the beach. It was so peaceful when we go there. The water was still there weren't many people there. We sat and did devotions and it was amazingly peaceful. I was so thankful to spend that time with them! A while later Niki Jimmy and the kiddos came down to play. Great way to start our last day off! This past weekend we had a lock with the youth group at church. It was awesome! I had 19 students there. We played games, experience prayer stations, at pizza in the late night and went to church on Sunday morning! It was a lot of fun!