Holy Week

Tonight at Roots we watched The Passion of the Christ. I have seen bits and pieces of here and there, but never sat down and watched it from start to finish. It was so intense. My body was tense the whole movie, I closed my eyes tight, jumped a few times, shuttered, cringed, ext. during the movie. After the movie was over, I sat up and looked at Missy, and couldn't say anything. We sat on the floor for a while just looking at each other saying, wow. I left like I needed to journal, or sit and talk about it all.

It's hard to watch all of the beatings, and whipping, being sit on, and carrying that heavy cross barley able to hold up his own body weight, and think, he did that for me! FOR ME! That is crazy love! That is deep love! That is powerful! I felt sick to my stomach watching them whip Jesus with even the sticks they had, but then the "tool" or weapon they had with the sharp pieces on it, it was horrific what Jesus took.

I couldn't imagine knowing that I was sharing my last meal with my "friends" or the disciples in Jesus case. Luke 22:15 "Jesus said, "I have been very eager to eat this Passover meal with you before my suffering begins." What?! I just hear a calm gentle voice when I read that. I on the other hand would be freaking out knowing that I was going to be beat and suffer greatly! That is why he is Jesus and I am not, or really we are not, because we couldn't handle it.

After taking in the movie and re-reading the scripture, I am feeling very loved, and that I don't do deserve what Jesus did for me. I am so thankful for his love, that he would be beat nearly to death, just left alive enough to feel the awful pain of being hung on the cross. I couldn't watch that part of the movie. The sound of the hammer was enough for me.

The most amazing part about all of this is, Jesus loves us so incredibly much that he suffered on our behalf. That we are forgiven of our sins, white as snow, a clean slate. And that is so amazing. I don't know about you, but I know that I have screwed up a lot in my life, and being of human nature, I am going to continue to sin even if that isn't truly my intent. But I have this amazing, beautiful, loving Jesus who wipes my slate clean. And that's is just incredible!

Michael and I are participating in both Lake Harbor and Church of the Dunes prayer vigil's tomorrow and Saturday, and I am really looking forward to that time, and reflect more on the holy week events. We serve such and amazing God, and are so lucky for him sending his son Jesus to die on our behalf! Going to bed thankful for him suffering for me, and feeling very loved............what a sacrifice!

- Ashley

So blessed!

I'm sitting in my office listening to music...you know all music all the time! It's just the rules of life! :) Singing loud with the door open...oops! The sun is shinning in the windows and I continue to think incredibly blessed I am. I am surrounded by amazing friends who are all family to me. I am so thankful for them!

This past weekend Niki and Jimmy opened their home up for us to come over and celebrate Michael's 28th birthday! I brought dinner over and every else brought a piece to complete the puzzel of dinner and dessert! We had such a great night. We had fun eatting with the kiddos, then they played and watched a movie and we played dominos. We just had great laughs sharing in fellowship. Molly and Camden love to take pictures on cell phones of themselves, so Missy, Michael and I took funny pictures with the kids, we just laughed. Molly kept posing saying, "take a picture of me like this!" It was sweet.

Michael blowing out his "birthday candle" We had yummy cupcakes and ice cream!

Preston loves sitting on Camden's lap to watch the movie. So sweet!

Crazies! Love them!

 
 Molly posing for the camera

Wrigley, Missy, Cammy snuggle time!

 

Sunday we had youth group and that was great. We chatted about ways to be like the Samaritan woman in our everyday lives. We played a FANTASTIC game! They kids played hot potato with jars of baby food and whoever the music stopped on had to eat a spoonful of the flavor they had...some good....some bad! It was a good laugh for all! 

 

Yesterday, I came to work, did some work in my office then headed to our staff meeting. When I came back to my office Laura and I had four gentle peaceful visitors outside our window! 

 

After I left work yesterday I headed to GR with Michael. We went to pick up a keyboard for Wolf Lake. We had a great drive, just spending time together visiting singing along with the music. We don't get that time often and I surly cherished every second of it!

 

I had bible study last night with seven other young women, and we had just a barrel of laughs! We learned, we shared, and laughted A LOT! It was just such a blessing to be able to connect with other women and share life together. It was such a blessing.

 

Today, has just been marvelous! I got up, the sun was out! That right there is such a blessing! It's March...gray and blah...but today the sun has been shinning all day! I made laundry soap this morning and am very excited to try it! I have a friend who uses it and says it just great!

 

 

After soap making, I headed to Grand Haven and had lunch with the love of my life! It was just great! I love spending time with him and sharing theis journey of life with him. We are so perfect for each other and continue to learn from each other every day! God sure knew what he was doing when he crossed our paths and connected our hearts!



Tonight with the kids at church we did an Easter Egg hunt! It was fun! Laura and I went outside and hid the eggs in the dunes! So colorful and fun!

                                                     

God is just moving in my life daily! I have been thinking a lot today of just how blessed I am by all of the different things that are happening in my life! I am thankful, very thankful!

 

I know this was a long one, but I just wanted to share all of these excited blessings!

 

Much love! 





Rest

I find myself sitting at the table in my office eating lunch and looking our the window, it's just peaceful. There is a little bit of snow falling. If I look closely I can see it.

 

This past week Wednesday night at bible study at Lake Harbor our study was on rest. And just how important it is. At Hackley we can log points for taking part in healthy activities: spiritual, emotional, and physical. One of the items on the list is taking 30 minutes for just yourself. Examples being: reading, taking a bath, going to a walk, just resting in the silence, doing devotions ect. And I have started to do this, and it makes a big difference in everyday things. My attitude and my mind set are much more positive when I take this time. Just time to clear my mind and rest.

I found myself this weekend with time to rest. And it was amazing. Michael and I were dog/cat sitting for friends of ours and Saturday Michael went to Kalamazoo with his parents to see his brother and I stayed back with the animals. I had nothing of urgency to complete. So Jada and I watched Harry Potter and Sisterhood of the traveling pants. I did get some work done but with a completely rested and positive attitude.

Here is Jada, wanting ALL of my attention :) She kept nudging my paperwork off of my lap.

Take some time to rest in God, and let him recharge you!

Matthew 11: 28-30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”


Much love! <3 span="">

Joyful!

God has just filled my cup, to the point of overflowing with joy! I cannot even make it make since....I feel like it's bursting out of my finger tips! It's amazing!

As I said in my last blog, I met my youth on Sunday night. Here are a few pictures from that:

 Candle light prayer at the end of the youth group

Group picture from our first meeting together!

Today I just had a totally amazing day. It started off with staff meeting at the church. It was great meeting the other staff and just really a great time to communicate with one another. After our staff meeting, I was hanging out with my "office mate" and director of children's ministry, Laura. And we just clicked! Like two peas in a pod. We chatted for a long time and seem to have common goals, to love these kids and learn about God and grow in our relationships with God as a group!

Tonight I finished my day with a 20's and 30's Young Women Bible Study. It was our first night gathering. I chose a study on the book of Ruth. We had just a great time. We learned a lot, shared with each other, laughed, cried, and prayed! It was just great. We (or at least I) had a marvelous time! It was such a blessing.

I will leave you with these thoughts to ponder from our bible study tonight, first being: "Escaping to easier terrain is all too tempting when we're weary in hardship." and secondly: "The people had a history of turning to God during the seasons of punishment but forgetting Him during the seasons of prosperity."

Much love!




Both quotes were taken from the book: The Living room Series: Ruth by Kelly Minter pages 13 & 14

Blessed!

This morning was just wonderful! My alarm went off, and I could hear the rain outside, it was so peaceful. A few minutes later I got a text from Melissa, and saw text messages from Laura from the night before and just smiled, and was filled with joy! God has blessed me so so much. My heart is just joyful all of the time. It is such an amazing feeling! I was still smiling about last night when I woke up this morning, wondering what God had in store for me today! I knew it was going to be great!

I left for Lake Harbor, I was greeter there this morning. It's always so nice to get to go back home once and a while and visit and catch up with people I don't see on Wednesday nights at bible study. Michael was able to join me for worship which was just wonderful.

We have a time to offer prayers that are on our hearts and minds, and it's such a special time to get to share with everyone and hear what is going on in their lives. It's nice to be able to be reminded of them during the week and be in prayer for them.

Molly decided she didn't want her hair bows in anymore, so of course, her wonderful father wore them for her! :) I think he did them justice....they even matched his hair!

Michael and I spend time together today just relaxing. I really cherish the time we get to spend together because it's been so busy with us working different shifts that sometimes that time is hard to find.

I headed to Grand Haven tonight to meet my students. We had fun. We ate pizza together and laughed. We shared answer's to different fun and random questions while we ate. It was a great night. I saw my office...it's real! My dreams are coming to real life! So excited for what God has in store for me!

Super Silly Saturday!

So...It's Saturday! What a great day! Got up did a little laundry, then went to the gym with Michael. We had a lot of fun! Then the most awesome part of Saturday began.....we went to the Dean's house! God has truly blessed us with two new great friends in Brad and Laura! They fit right in and are just a barrel of laughs! Our stomachs hurt so bad by the time we leave because we've been laughing for so long. This is our third Saturday in a row going to their house for dinner. This time there were a few new people. Two of their good friends and Ryan was finally able to join us! We all just had a great time!

Here's is silly little monkey Preston! He was standing on the couch with me, we were looking out the window! He is so cute!

Yummy dessert that Jamie made! They matched Laura's shirt! Fun night with friends! Beyond blessed!

Chocolate Milk with whipped cream with the bestie! Love her!

We ended the night with Ryan squeezing himself into Missy's tiny north face.....he did it and it didn't split open either! I was impressed!

We just had such a great night per usual! God sure blesses us so much. It is just awesome that he put these friends in our lives to grow together with and laugh and share with!

New Adventures!

So, I'm coming back to blogging. I originally just created this blog for a fundraiser I was doing a could of years ago, but I'm coming back to blog on a more regular basis!

I'm excited to share new adventures that I'm starting and going on! Michael and I have been together for just over two years, and this September we are getting married! AHH! I'm going to be his wife! I can't wait! He is such a blessing in my life, and I love growing deeper in our relationships with Christ together. Each bringing different things to the table. Sharing in devotions together and reading the bible together is just so amazing.

Michael recently took a full time job with benefits at Grand Transformer Inc. He is apart of a work cell that makes different transformers of all different sizes depending on the order. This job has been a real adjustment for us. We don't see each other nearly as much not living together right now. So that has been hard, but in the long run, it is worth it. The time we are together is so valuable and treasured, much much more!

I have been working for Mercy Health Partners, Hackley campus for eight months. I am a Sterile Processing Technician. I enjoy my job. I love that part of science. I just took a second job as Director of Youth Ministries at United Methodist Church of the Dunes in Grand Haven! I am so joyful! I am so excited to work with the youth and share Christ's love with them. There is so much more than this world has to offer in Christ.   He is my rock! I couldn't be where I am today in my life if it hadn't been for my relationship with Christ. It hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows, but I've learned so much about myself and God getting over the bumps in the road! And for that I'm thankful!

Michael and I just joined the gym. I'm excited to get health. I know this body is only temporary while I'm on this earth, but it's God's body, and I need to take care of it so I can serve Him to the best of my ability while I'm here! I don't have crazy unrealistic goals, just to be more healthy and stay moving!

Here's to new adventures and what God has ahead for Michael and I as we are on this journey together! I am so blessed and am just so full of joy it's hard to explain!

Blessings and love to you all! www.facebook.com/ashley.miller.05