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God is Good!!

Sun, 4 Oct 2009 13:58:00 -0500

Hello again everyone!
I just wanted to share a really neat story.
Sometime last year, the son and daughter-in-law of a lady at my church had their second child, their first daughter. A few weeks or maybe months later, the baby died. I didn't know the baby's parents, only the grandma, but I prayed for the grieving couple.
This morning at church, that same couple was baptized. Husband and wife entered the baptistry together. Both were crying and couldn't stop smiling, and they were baptized together while their little son watched. It was precious to watch them stand there in the water and hug after they had been baptized. What a wonderful testimony of how God has redeemed the lives of two young adults, even after going through such tragedy as losing a child. Our God is an awesome God!! Wow!!

I also want to share that I have been blessed this past week with a part-time job that I'm super excited about! The job is with the same Christian camp that I work at as a counselor in the summer -- but now I will be year-round staff, working in the office, helping with retreats, promotion, etc. Since I have a passion for camp ministry and want to work in it long-term, this is a great start and will give me some great experience!! I'm very excited and thankful for the opportunity.

I hope God blesses you all with a wonderful week. Remember to look for His love and goodness in the big AND little things!
~Ashley

I've seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn't ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I've seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That's what faith can do
-- "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless

Kenya Mission Report

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:45:00 -0500

Wow, I haven't blogged in over 2 months. Of course, I was in Kenya one of those months, so I do have an excuse! ..sort of...
I don't know if anyone is reading my blog anymore, but just in case, I'd like to share a report on the Kenya trip. Thank you so much to those who prayed for us.

To put it simply, the 4 weeks I spent in Kenya were, overall, amazing!! I was challenged and blessed, and I learned so much. Definitely left a chunk of my heart over there. :-)
I shared before that one of our goals was to have a camp for the orphans to teach them praise and worship dance. That went very well -- we had about 4 days of camp, in which the orphans (ages 3 through 22) learned several songs and dances, plus a skit for the boys. After the camp, they got to take what they learned and use it to lead worship at an evangelistic crusade at a big slum in Nairobi. What a great experience for them!

Here are the high school kids from the orphanage doing their song/dance.

Being put in the position of leading the camp was a big, challenging experience for me. It definitely worked on my boldness and leadership skills!

Another aspect of the trip that was at some times challenging and at other times a great blessing was living with the mission team for 4 weeks. There were six of us there the whole time, with four others who were each there for parts of the 4 weeks. We all had very different personalities, different tastes, different backgrounds. It was a great group to be a part of, and definitely a group that God put together. It was a good experience living together, learning from and loving one another.

In reality, I met so many wonderful people in Kenya. Just the people in the village we worked in were great people, especially the kids! I'll get to that in a minute. But in addition to them... We met a beautiful, sweet lady who had been suffering with cancer for 3 months -- she has since passed away, but it was an honor to have the opportunity to meet her and pray with her before she died. We also met the members of a new Kenyan Christian band called "Broken Acoustic." They are a brother-sister team. We got to meet their family, as well, and let me tell you, they all are some of the sweetest people I've met, and love the Lord like crazy! :-) Check out Broken Acoustic here.

I have to say probably one of the best parts of the trip, for me -- although it was all GREAT -- was hanging out with the kids in the orphanage, especially the girls. What a great group of kids! Like I said, they range from 3 to 22 years old. We (the other girl on the trip and myself) spent quite a bit of time just hanging out with them at their dorm, talking, playing games, having Bible study, taking pictures (they loved to use our cameras), and letting them fix our hair. They just need some attention and love... and they were very curious about our lives in America. :-) I was very blessed and changed by the time I spent with the girls. I really fell in love with one particular little one -- the youngest in the orphanage at 3 years old. Wish I could bring her home with me! :-)

We got to go on a 3-day safari while we were in Kenya. We went to Ol Pejeta Conservancy -- what an experience!! We saw too many animals to list, including all of the "Big Five" except the lion. It was so neat to be out in the midst of God's creation in wild Africa, seeing all the animals in their natural habitat.

God is good -- He really took care of us throughout our trip. There were times we were in dangerous or potentially-dangerous situations, but He kept us safe. I didn't even get sick the whole time, even after coming home, which is a big deal for me, because I always get sick coming home from international trips. Jet lag wasn't even too bad. God gave me an amazing opportunity, and I'm SO thankful for it.
I do hope to go back someday. Many people have asked me that, and I say, "Yep - I'd go tomorrow!"

Here's a slideshow of just a few of the MANY pictures from the trip. Enjoy!

Thanks for reading! Please leave a comment if you visit my blog and read this, so I'll know if anyone is still reading. :-)
God bless!
~Ashley

"There are no strangers,
there are no outcasts,
there are no orphans of God."

Going to Kenya!

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:53:00 -0500

Well, the time has come - tomorrow is the big day! Our team flies out tomorrow, and will arrive in Kenya on Thursday after noon (eastern time). That's a lot of flying and layover-ing!!

Please be praying for our safety and health as we travel over the next two days, and that jet lag won't slow us down too much when we get there. Pray that we will be available and ready to learn whatever God wants to teach us and be used in whatever way He wants, throughout this adventure.
Some of the projects/activities we will be a part of over the next month in Kenya - please pray for these as the Lord leads you! -
* Reading to and interacting with children at school
* A "worship camp" teaching children and youth praise dance, songs, and drama as means of worship
* Evangelistic crusade
* Hanging out with the teen girls at the orphanage
* Counseling

THANK YOU for your prayers!
I've been so blessed by all the people who have donated financially toward the trip -- my plane ticket AND most of the food/transportation cost have been paid for by the donations! When I sent out my fundraiser letters, I was not expecting to get that much, but it just shows what God can do, and I'm definitely blessed and thankful for it! I'm also thankful for all the wonderful encouragement and prayer support that my family, friends, and even strangers have given me. The small group Bible study I"m part of prayed over me this week, and they also put together a beautiful book for me, with a message of encouragement for each day of the trip. I"m excited to read that starting tomorrow! :-)

We are supposed to have internet access during most of our time in Kenya, but I don't know if I'll have time to get on HSB or not. We'll see! I really appreciate your prayers. God bless you all, and if I don't get to update while I"m there, then I'll "see" you all in a month!
~Ashley

"Faith steps onto seeming void, and finds the rock beneath."
"Trust in the Lord forever, for in God the Lord we have an everlasting Rock." Isaiah 26:4

Camp 2009!

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:28:00 -0500

I got back from camp yesterday afternoon. It was a great week!! I'm really tired today -- I think as long as I'm there and HAVE to keep going and walking up all those hills, I can make it, but as soon as I get home and all the activity ends, I crash.

Anyway, it was a great week of camp. I was the counselor of cabin #16 out of 18, and I had five middle-school-age girls in my group. At first I thought it was going to be a really long week, because my girls came in two "sets" of best friends and didn't mix very well to begin with. But by halfway through the week, they were starting to talk with each other more and to "unite" as a cabin group. It was great to see that happening. I laughed as I listened to them talking on Thursday afternoon:
"When I first saw you, I thought you were a cheerleader or something."
"I thought you were a lot older than you are at first."
"Really? What did you think about me?"
The power of first impressions.. haha. Anyway, we ended up having a good week together. Making hobo stew on the campout was a lot of fun (and very yummy, of course!) and we had a great time putting together our performance for the camp-wide talent show! Here we are working on our hobo stew:

And here I am on the 20-minute, straight-uphill hike to the campout -- love the face paint, haha

On Wednesday night, I got the opportunity to talk and pray with one of my girls who decided to recommit her life to God. She had been convicted of putting other things before God and wanted to change that. She and I prayed together. It's always such a blessing to get to be a part of God's working in these young lives!!!

The elective classes I got to teach this week were crafts and interpretive movement. Those were fun. I had never taught the crafts class before -- it got a little crazy/stressful, trying to help 10 little girls with craft projects! haha. But I enjoyed it. One day in crafts, the girls painted ceramics, and when they finished, they painted the paper on the tables:

Hanging out with the other counselors was great, too. There were four of us counselors (with our girls) staying in the lodge, and all four of us had the same off-hours, which was pretty neat. During our morning off-hour, we all took our showers, had our own devotions, etc., and then during our afternoon off-hour, we had a short devotion and prayer time together. Here are the four of us:

(I'm second from the right) I'm gonna miss those girls! :-)
And here's me and Alisha, another counselor and friend:

Things were different, without our old director there -- he was definitely missed. But I do really admire the assistant director (now director) because I know it was hard for him to step up into Lloyd's shoes.
So anyway, all in all, it was a great week, and I thank you all for your prayers! God was working, not only in the campers' lives, but also in mine -- He taught me some stuff this week, too. So I thank Him for that, for a blessed week, a good group of girls, answered prayers, and the decisions that were made, including the two girls who accepted Christ!!!

One last picture, taken at sunset the first night at camp, after it had been raining:

God bless,
Ashley

And I'm on my knees, crying,
May I be an offering
In all I am and all I do
Make me pleasing to You.

Going to Camp

Sat, 4 Jul 2009 13:50:00 -0500

Hello Blog Friends!

I am writing to let you know that I'm leaving for camp soon, and to ask you to pray for me! Of course I am really excited -- I love camp and love being a camp counselor. Like I wrote in my last post, this may be my last week working there, at least for a year or two or three -- I don't know yet what God has in store for the next few summers -- and I'm hoping and praying that it will be an amazing week and that God will help me to be the best counselor I can be!
I haven't been feeling very well the past few days. Had a little stomach bug on Thursday and Friday... I'm *mostly* better from that now, but my throat is feeling kinda yucky this afternoon. If you would, please pray that God will heal me and that I'll feel good for camp. Some of the other staff need that prayer too -- I've heard that several of them aren't feeling well. I just read this morning, God says that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. I believe that and am thankful for it, but I'm still praying to get well, too! :-)

Other prayer requests for camp... if you are compelled to pray for any one or more of these:
* safety all around
* me and the other counselors to be godly examples and mentors to the campers
* wisdom in talking/counseling with the kids
* the love of Christ to be shown all around
* adjustment as we all get used to Lloyd being gone and the new director being in charge
* children's lives to be touched and changed - and God to receive the glory for all things!

Thank you in advance for your prayers! Be looking for a post about camp in about a week or so! I hope you're all having a good 4th of July and have a great week!
God bless you,
Ashley

My grace is sufficient for you,
For My strength is perfected in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Ready for Summer!!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:33:00 -0500

I can finally see the light at the end of the U.S. History tunnel.... two or three more days and I'll be FREE!!! Yes, I know it's summer already, and I've been enjoying the warm weather, sunshine, etc. But when this class is over I'll feel like summer has REALLY started. :-) Next week is camp, and a couple weeks after that is the Kenya trip. I'm totally excited about both, although Kenya still seems kind of surreal.

I still have a LOT to do before the Kenya trip, and a few things left to do before camp, too, like finishing up planning devotions, packing, stuff like that. I don't know if this may be my last summer working at camp - at least for a while - so I am really excited, hoping and praying that this will be just an amazing camp week. I want to be the best counselor I have ever been, for God and for the girls. :-)

Prayer request : Will you all please pray for my really good friend's mom? The mom's name is Ruth and she was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. They are supposed to be doing surgery ASAP, followed by radiation, but hopefully will not have to do chemo. The tumor is still small right now. Please pray for God to heal her, to provide the money they need, and to strengthen this family as they've had a lot of health issues lately. Thank you!!

I hope you're all enjoying summer.. have a great day!!
~Ashley

Are You not the closest when it's hardest to stand?
I know that You will finish what You began....
Here I am, Lord, send me!
-- "Here I Am" by DownHere

Photo-Filled Post!

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:43:00 -0500

Well, it's time for another over-due post, and this one's going to be filled with photos -- photos of my summer so far!!
First, VBS at our church. Our church has what we call "VBS done different." :-) It all takes place outside in a Bible-time village set-up. All of the children and leaders are dressed up in Bible-time costumes, and there is a marketplace with bakery, a story-teller, etc. It's a lot of fun!! This year was the 2nd year I have helped lead the music & dance time, and I really enjoy that. Here are some pics:

Myself (in the pink) and 2 other members of the music team leading singing at the opening assembly

My sisters in their costumes :-)

music & dance time!

My friend Shannon and me - she helped lead music too.

The day after VBS was over, my family headed over to my grandparents' house to spend a week with my sister Briana. My mom and I went to see the closing night show of Shenandoah, the musical Briana has been in at the theater there. Shenandoah was her first big musical at a professional theater, and she had a blast doing it. It was a great show too! A couple of pictures of Briana in the musical (taken back at dress rehearsal a couple months ago!)--

And... Briana with the "special someone" that Shenandoah introduced her to :-)

We had a nice week visiting there.. it was my mom's birthday while we were there, and we had a cookout with the family and Troy (the guy in the picture above). It was a lot of fun.

And, spent a lot of time playing Wii - haha - and just hanging out by the lake that my grandparents live on. Sitting out on the dock by the lake is so relaxing! :-)

Now, I'm slowly tackling my mile-long list of things I need to do before camp in a couple of weeks and the Kenya trip after that. It's a lot of stuff... plus finishing up my summer US History class. I could be really stressed, but I'm trying not to be. The Scripture verse I'm holding onto right now is Isaiah 26:3, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You."
So, trusting in Him, I'm off to go finish my paper on the Compromise of 1850, then hopefully cross a couple more things off that to-do list.

God bless!
~Ashley

Summer plans...

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 15:35:00 -0500

Sorry it has been so long since I've written anything.... again!
It is a rainy day here in Tennessee today. We were under a severe thunderstorm warning for a little while earlier, but now it's just sprinkling. I bet it smells nice out there. :-)

I really should be studying right now. But I'm not. haha. I'm taking a summer college class - US History - and it requires a LOT of reading! This class will be over the first week of July, just in time for all my exciting summer activities to start. First, working at camp, and then, a mission trip to Kenya!! :-) I'm really excited about both!! This will be my 5th summer as a camp counselor, but my first time going to Africa. AND the first time flying/going out of the country without any members of my family with me. So.. it'll be interesting. I'm a little nervous, but excited. I have been wanting to go to Kenya since about 4th grade. Now, I'm getting to go, AND I get to teach praise dance to some of the young people there! What a blessing - I'm so thankful for this opportunity!

Yesterday, a friend sent me a Facebook comment that said, "I hope God is blessing you, even in the small ways." That was really sweet, and you know what, it was really a good reminder for me to open my eyes and look for those small blessings. They're all around us every day, but most of the time we don't pay attention. Little things that make us smile, answered prayers... they're all little reminders of how much God loves us. He is crazy about us. So that in itself was a blessing to me yesterday, to open "the eyes of my heart" to see God's little everyday gifts.

Talk to you later!
Ashley

Goodbye to a Special Man

Thu, 7 May 2009 15:42:00 -0500

Camp - my summer employer - has lost a special man who can never be replaced.

The head director of the summer camp my sister and I work at passed away on Tuesday night -- I found out about it Wednesday morning and went to my room and bawled. Lloyd has had a lot of health issues for a long time, and has just been going downhill in the last year or so since he's had cancer for the second time. But it was still unexpected to hear of his death.

Camp certainly will not be the same without Lloyd. He was so funny, respected and loved by everyone at camp (kids and staff), and a great encourager. I can't tell you how many times during my weeks at camp that he has just given me a hug and asked how I was doing... and once when I was having a really tough week and ready to just give up and go home, he and I sat in his golf cart while I cried and he gave me some encouragement and advice.
I'm thankful for Lloyd's love for God, his love for camp and children, and his passion to see children come to know Jesus. He was serious when it was time to be serious, and when it wasn't, he kept us laughing. I will miss him so much at camp this summer... we all will.

Please pray for Lloyd's family -- his sweet wife Patsy and their children and grandchildren. And if you would, please also lift up all of us "camp people" and the assistant director, who I'm guessing will be taking over as director this summer. It will be an adjustment for all. But especially lift up the family.

Hey

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:56:00 -0500

Hi there!
This will be short, just to say hello and catch up real quick. I've been out of town visiting Briana for the past few days. We had a great time! She was busy with a lot of shows and rehearsals, but during her free time we talked and laughed a LOT, played Wii, and just hung out. It was a great week.

Today is my youngest sister Daniella's 8th birthday! I know she would love to get some birthday comments on her blog, so if you have a minute, go and wish her a happy birthday. :-) We also celebrated Daniella's adoption day last week... April is a special month for her! She is growing up so fast. :-)

Well, that's it for today. I'm working on writing something up (in my free time!) about something I've been learning about in college.. so hopefully I will be able to finish that and post it soon.

Here's one more pic of me and my two youngest sisters on Easter Sunday after church.

Love,
Ashley