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About Me

My husband James and I have been married for 23 years, and we live in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. We have 4 daughters, Ashley- 23, Briana-20, Marissa-12, and Daniella-8. This is our 16th year of homeschooling. I enjoy scrapbooking, reading, camping, games with my family, and Bible study. My most favorite place on earth is sitting on a white sandy beach with the "sand between my toes", listening to the waves splash on shore. Our family is also passionate about adoption, Guatemala, and missions.


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• November Already????!!!!!!!
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• Ashley's in Kenya Part 2
• Ashley's in Kenya!


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Entry 5 of 221
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You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy;
Aug. 9, 2009
Ashley's in Kenya!

Posted in Missions

Ashley is at 2 1/2 weeks of her 4 week trip to Kenya.  She is having an amazing time so far.  She has worn several hats during this 2 1/2 weeks, but her main job on this trip was to teach praise dance as a form of worship to the young people.  They had a week long camp where she taught them dances, then they shared what they learned at a crusade in a nearby refuge village this past weekend.  She was excited because she said there were several of the girls that she could see in their eyes that they "got it".  She could really tell that they saw how to use the dance to worship the Lord. 

An unexpected and delightful opportunity Ashley has had while she was there was to spend a great deal of time with young teen and preteen girls (her calling), sharing with them, teaching them, and laughing and bonding with them.  She spent 2 hours alone with some of them at the girls orphanage one afternoon, and she had THE best time.  They fixed her hair.....lol.....I can't wait to see the pictures of that......asked her questions about America, asked her to sing and teach them worship songs, sang the ones they know to her, and shared.  She is supposed to be teaching them a 6 day Bible study in the remaining time, and I hope that is worked out. 

I've been blessed to be able to hear from her often enough to keep me from worrying (who me??) and to keep me from missing her so badly!, although, because of the drought, they now do not have electricity from 7-7 each day. We communicate on Facebook every few days, and I've been able to talk to her on the phone 3 times.  I've also been able to get a few pictures, although, not as many lately.  The internet access they have at the missionary's house is vvvveeeerrrryyyyyy slllllloooooowwwww. 

For those of you who haven't seen them on FB, here are a few of the pictures.

At the Amsterdam airport~

Orbit School of the Cross

I've tried to rotate this next picture 3 times, so it's anyone's guess as to whether you'll see it right side up or not!  This is a class at the school singing a welcome song.
Hey!  It's right side up for now!

If you remember me posting a couple of months ago about our sponsor child and her tragic story, this is Ashley meeting Mokoi......her "Kenyan sister." 







The medical clinic at Orbit.  They are trying to raise funds to keep it open more.  Right now it's just one day a week, since Mokoi's baby, Ashley, died.  If the clinic had been able to be open, they probably could have saved baby Ashley's life. 


Orbit Baptist Church


Ashley was able to attend with the missionary an American Women's Conference in Nairobi.  There were women there from several countries, and their goal is to find ways to improve the lives of women in Kenya. 




Esther, in the blue in the center, is our youngest sponsor child~ 12 years old.  She and Ashley have had great bonding time this trip.  So far, I haven't been able to get a photo of our 3rd sponsor child, Faith.  Isn't Esther, and her smile, beautiful?


Ashley and Mokoi








I love this next picture~




One of the newer youngest residents of the little children's orphanage~


Ashley and Mokoi




Ashley's hand is on the bottom....so sweet.


Ashley teaching praise dance.  The girl next to her is the missionary's daughter learning also.  This is also a photo of the inside of the little Orbit Baptist Church.

Teaching Shout to the Lord


Teaching the little ones sign language to Jesus Loves Me~

The group sharing Shout to the Lord at the crusade


Ashley and Esther singing Shine Jesus Shine at the Crusade.  Wow!  Ashley has a gorgeous voice, but I can't believe *anyone* got her on stage to sing in public!  : )  I am so proud of her!



Girls at "The Well", orphanage for young girls

Please pray for rain for Kenya.  They are desperate for it.


Edit.....  I know why the pictures overlap my sidebar, but I don't know why the words are.  Hope you can read it.

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Comments

Aug. 13, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by MamaJ


What an amazing experience for a young woman! I can't imagine how proud you are of Ashley. There is so much tragedy in Africa, it's so wonderful to hear the good things coming! I've been praying for Ashley, and will continue to do so. I'm so glad you're able to share so many photos with us. Thanks! I do hope all is well with everyone else in your family too. God bless.

Mama J.


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Aug. 13, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous


I am finally catching up on blog reading. What wonderful photos! I enjoyed them immensely. You can definitely see the joy. You must be so proud.

We are coming to your area next month for vacation!

Blessings,
Violin Mom in FLA
http://violinkids.blogspot.com


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Aug. 14, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by bbullard


It looks like a glorious time in the Lord. I took time to stop over before our third school day to check in and see what was happening on your side of the world.

I hope that Ashley continues to minister effectively, and that she has time to also enjoy the richness of the Kenyan people, land and culture. God bless you all.


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Aug. 17, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by karen0317


How totally awesome is that!!! I will keep her in my prayers.


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Aug. 20, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Tammy


I truly do understand how difficult it is to kiss our children good-bye as they head to another part of the world. A piece of our heart goes with them, doesn't it? But, ohhhhhh, the pictures tell the story, don't they? Ashley's smile is brilliant in each and every picture! It gives me :::Godbumps::: all over the place! Can there be anything more wonderful than witnessing our children grasp the concept of serving the Lord with all their heart?! {{{Letitia}}}

Blessings,
Tammy ~@~


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Sep. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Robinsnest


What a wonderful trip. I can't wait to hear more once she gets back.


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Sep. 25, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Robinsnest


You have not posted in a while.
Hoping you are just very busy with good things in life.


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Oct. 20, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AcceptanceWithJoy


This came up as a new post on my bloglines today. I am really starting to dislike bloglines...

What wonderful pictures!


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Nov. 19, 2009 - Wow.

Posted by ThreeLittleLadies


Ashley looks so happy doing mission work. Is that a dream of her heart too?

Carol


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