tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90510391668710367982024-02-07T00:10:33.096-08:00Livin' the Artsy Life*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-65605271643813806442014-03-31T18:00:00.000-07:002014-03-31T18:00:17.583-07:00Desperation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Below are some notes and thoughts I jotted down while listening to the sermon <a href="http://www.radical.net/media/series/view/29/desperation-do-we-need-him/video?filter=series" target="_blank">Desperation: Do We Need Him? by David Platt. </a>It was an excellent sermon about prayer and made me realize how much I truly underestimate the power of praying to the Almighty God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why do we pray?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">1. To express the depth of our need before God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Why is Jesus always praying?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you look at Jesus' ministry in the Gospels, what did he do as a man that was apart from His Father actually doing that through Him? Absolutely nothing. There is not one thing that Jesus did on His own. It was all in dependence on the Father</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, said that He can do nothing by himself, who are we to think that there is anything in our lives that we can do on our own?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our conviction in prayer- We can do NOTHING without God. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">What was fundamental in the early church has become supplemental in the contemporary church. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Is prayer in your life fundamental or supplemental? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">2. To explore the mystery of intimacy with God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">People tend to think that the main purpose of prayer is to ask God for stuff, for help, for protection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">This could be why so many of us have stopped praying as much, because when nothing happens or nothing changes, what's the point in praying or not praying? We try it, unsure if it is going to work or not. How we have learned to pray misses out on what it's really all about. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When praying, we need to be desperate for someone, not something. What if God has fashioned this whole thing called prayer for you to ultimately enjoy Him and to feast on His goodness, grace, and mercy personally. What if there's something mysterious that happens in these moments that transcends anything else that could happen in our lives. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The most important thing in the world is your personal intimate relationship with Jesus. Everything in our lives flows from this one thing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We need to set aside a time. Intimacy just can't happen when we are running from here to there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We need to go to a place. This is why we see Jesus setting aside a time, even going to a solitary place. Going to a place where you can be alone with God, undisturbed, without distraction, will revolutionize your life because there is an award from the Father in that place that can't be found anywhere else.....intimacy with Him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">3. To experience the power of being used by God. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If God knows everything and is in control of everything and if His plan is going to be accomplished....why do we need to pray? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">God's sovereignty also means that He has ordained prayer to be a means through which He shows His power and His glory most clearly to His people. He has designed it to where you and I are apart of His whole plan. He designed it to where we get the help and He gets the glory. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In the end.....if all we take away from this is that we need to pray more.....that we are going to strive to become a woman of prayer, then we are no different from any other religion. We live in a world where everybody prays. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There is no power in prayer. The power of people who connect with the living God almighty is unstoppable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We need to pray like we can do nothing without God's intervention. </span>*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-54329426213656586692013-03-13T19:26:00.000-07:002013-03-13T19:26:47.109-07:00A Picture of Set-Apartness<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"They say there is a young lady...who is beloved of that Great Being who made and rules the world. They say that He fills her mind with exceeding sweet delight, and that she hardly cares for anything except to meditate on Him. If you present the world to her, with the riches of its treasures, she disregards it. She is unmindful of any pain or affliction. She has a singular purity in her affections. You could not persuade her to compromise her true Love even if you would give her all the world. She possesses a wonderful sweetness, calmness, and kindness to those around her. She will sometimes go about from place to place, singing sweetly. She seems to be always full of joy and pleasure, and no one knows exactly why. She loves to be alone, walking in the fields and groves, and seems to have Someone invisible always conversing with her."</i></span><br />
-<span style="font-size: x-small;">Written of Sara Edwards by Jonathan Edwards, her future husband. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(from Marriage to a Difficult Man by Elizabeth Dudd)</span>*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-80491896853679907202013-03-04T22:10:00.001-08:002013-03-04T22:11:05.210-08:00only to be Yours<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Only when self moves out of the way can His spectacular glory come
cascading through your life. When Jesus is in His rightful place, all
insecurity will fade away and His lasting loveliness will become the
mark of your life.”
</span><br />
―
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/41896.Leslie_Ludy">Leslie Ludy</a>,
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/6747208">The Lost Art of True Beauty</a></i><br />
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-83267991886180017902013-02-20T11:32:00.001-08:002013-02-20T11:32:49.779-08:00Let's talk about boys ~part 2~<br />
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So, it has been over a month since I wrote "Let's talk about boys pt.1". I have been meaning to write part 2 for sometime now, but I honestly don't really know how to start. All I know is, you better prepare yourself for some super omega honesty again. Probably even more so than the last one! So yeah, time for round two!<br />
I have been here at IWU for almost two months now and in all honesty when it comes to boys, not nothing has changed. I still find my focus straying and my happiness decreasing, all the while feeling guilty for the way I am behaving. Have you ever felt that way? You know that the way you are thinking and feeling is wrong and not of God, yet you don't know how to fix it. It is almost like a battle going on inside you. The best way I can describe the way this battle feels is like Gollum off of Lord of the Rings; I often feel like I have split personalities. Part of me wants to focus on the things of this world (specifically boys....and how I don't have one) and to be unhappy, but the other part of me knows this is wrong and wants to only focus on the things that are of God and to be perfectly content in Him alone. <br />
Not long after I posted the last "Let's talk about boys" (I think it was actually just two days later), I wrote the post "Being a martyr". Everything I wrote about that invitation at the end of the revival that night was totally true and not dramatized in the least. It was a night that I will never forget. I have to admit though that, although I knew that the decision to die to myself was a decision that would change my life forever and would be a life long process, I never imagined it would be this difficult. Being in this world but not of this world and being completely "set apart" is so incredibly hard. I can't even put into worlds how hard it truly is. I have been feeling like such a failure recently. The reason for that is, although I have given my life totally over to God and have died to myself, I really haven't seen much change in my life, my thoughts, my priorities, and my focus. I still find my thoughts drifting towards things I don't have, things I want, and things that this world says are important.........yet are not. I know I haven't really talked about boys much in this post (considering it is called "Let's talk about boys"), but boys fit right into this. For me, a boyfriend is something I don't have, something I want, and something this world says is important. But it is so much bigger than just boys. That "thing" could be success, friendship, influence, etc. The list could go on and on.<br />
I know in part 1 I said that I would tell you how to change and how to deal with these thoughts, but in all honesty, I don't know if I have all the answers yet. All I know is this- God is working in my life in big ways. I can feel it. Though I feel like a failure and though I am still unhappy, God hasn't given up on me. Becoming "set apart" and completely dying to self doesn't happen overnight. It is a life long process that can only be done through the strength and power of Jesus Christ. As long as you realize this and your heart is in the right place, then you are on the right track. <br />
<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-54869298256955208492013-02-06T18:31:00.000-08:002013-02-06T18:31:20.524-08:00 favorite quotes by amy carmichael <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"Nothing could ever matter to me again but the things that were eternal."</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">“It is a safe thing to trust Him to fulfill the desires which He creates”</span></span></i>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">"'Father, I'm not soaring today. Help me.'</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"> 'Daughter, soaring is not always flying high above the world. Sometimes one is soaring only two feet above the ground, just enough to keep you from getting tangled in the thorns and crashing against the rocks."'</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"We are not here to be overcome; but to rise unvanquished after every knockout blow, and laugh the laugh of faith, not fear."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>~Amy Carmichael~ </i></span></div>
<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-87369575213808826822013-01-28T12:02:00.000-08:002013-01-28T12:03:10.341-08:00enjoying God anew<br />
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I am loving Ruth Myers' book "<i>31 Days of Praise: Enjoying God Anew</i>". It seems that when I open up the book and read the prayer of praise that is for that day, it always applies to how I am feeling or what I am going through. Each and every day of praise uses the perfect words to help you express just how grateful and thankful you are for what God has done and who He is.<br />
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This is the one I read today. It pretty much pulled the thoughts and feelings straight from my heart and put them into words.<br />
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<i>"I choose to thank You for my weaknesses, my infirmities, my inadequacies (physical, mental, emotional, relational)......for the ways I fall short of what people view as ideal...for my feelings of helplessness and inferiority, and even my pain and distresses. What a comfort it is to know that You understand the feeling of my weaknesses!....and that in Your infinite wisdom You have allowed these in my life so that they may contribute to Your high purposes for me. </i><br />
<i> Thank You that many a time my weaknesses cut through my pride and help me walk humbly with You...and then, as You've promised, You give me more grace- You help and bless and strengthen me. Thank You for all the ways I'm inadequate for they prod me to trust in You and not in myself....and I'm grateful that my adequacy comes form You, the all-sufficient God who is enough!</i><br />
<i> Thank You that I can trust You to remove or change any of my weaknesses and handicaps and shortcomings the moment they are no longer needed for Your glory, and for my good, and for the good of other people....and that in the meantime, Your grace is sufficient for me, for Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Amen."</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am <u><i>strong</i></u>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Corinthians 12:10</b></span></div>
<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-54901548895688526202013-01-26T07:15:00.000-08:002013-01-26T07:15:08.455-08:00yay weekends!<br />
Hello friends! How has life been treating you this week? It's been rather crazy for me. The semester is definitely in full swing now and I am officially overwhelmed with homework and such. I have so much drawing I am supposed to do this week for both my Drawing I and Design I classes! I'm pretty sure I'm just gonna have to draw all weekend, and do nothing but! But hey, it beats writing papers right?<br />
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Here is a picture of the first drawing project I did. Yay for circles! haha</div>
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It has been crazy cold up here in Northern Indiana, and it is sooooo windy! All the time! It also seems to snow every other day, which is pretty, but it gets kind of old.<br />
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This is what I woke up to yesterday morning.</div>
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In other news, my sister is headed to Haiti again! She and a group of people from our church and a few other local churches arrived there yesterday. So if you could remember to say a prayer for them, that would be terrific.<br />
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Here is a picture of my sister and two of the best guys I know wearing their Haiti T-shirts. I hope they have a wonderful time and that they are shining lights for all to see.<br />
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I don't know about you, but I am super glad it is the weekend. Yay for sleeping in, getting homework done, and just hanging out with friends.<br />
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Last night a few roommates and I decided to take a last minute excursion to Ivanhoe's for some ice cream and to do some shopping. I love doing spontaneous things. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.thegenuinebeautyblog.com/" target="_blank">Beth Ann</a> showed me this music video the other day and I must say, it one of the best ones I've seen for quite some time. I love all the special effects used that give it a whimsical look, I love how both of their voices sound together, and I am pretty sure I am going to love that movie "Safe Haven".<br />
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and I promise "Let's Talk About Boys part 2" will be up soon. <br />
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-19454942656015700622013-01-17T19:18:00.000-08:002013-01-17T19:18:24.328-08:00becoming a martyr<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Picture this. After an amazing revival, an invitation is held. Down at the front, at the altar, lays a long piece of cloth. On this
cloth, those who are convicted to do so, are to draw a cross and then sign their
name next to it. As you can see, this is not a normal invitation. Not normal at all. Signing your name has consequences. Accepting this invitation will change your life forever. This is an invitation to <b><u>lay down your life</u>.</b> This is an invitation to <b>g<u>ive yourself completely over to God</u></b>: <i><b>mind, soul, and body</b></i>. This is an invitation to <u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>die to yourself</b></span>.</u> The room is completely silent. No music, no singing, no whispering. You are sitting there with your head bowed, knowing what should be done, but realizing the consequences. Tears flood your eyes, your hands clench together, a sob escapes your lips. You know what you have to do. You stand up abruptly and squeeze past everyone else in your row, not really caring who is in your way. You have a mission to accomplish. The aisles are full of fellow students who have made the same decision as you tonight. Some truly mean it, some don't, but that doesn't matter to you. It is between them and God. The room is completely dark except for three lights shining down on the altar and the sacred item that is hanging above it. As you slowly make your way down the aisle to the altar, you are focusing only on that special item. <span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>The cross.</b></u></span> Suddenly drums begin to play. Low bass drums that are so loud, it rumbles deep inside you. The steady beat reminds you of an execution. All of a sudden it gets real, <u><b>really real</b></u>. You are becoming<u><b> <i>a martyr</i></b></u>. You really are <u><i><b>going to your death</b></i></u>. There is <u><i><b>no turning back</b></i></u>. As you slowly walk onward, the band begins to sing the words <i> </i></div>
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<b><i>"Hallelujah, You have won the victory. Hallelujah, You have won it all for me. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Death could not hold You down. You are the risen King. </i></b></div>
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<b><i>Seated in Majesty. You are the risen King."</i> </b></div>
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You and everyone around you repeat it over and over again, each time getting louder and more powerful. As you stare ahead at the cross, realizing what signing your name means, knowing there is no turning back, and singing those powerful words, the tears begin to flow once again. Before you know it, the altar is before you and a pen is thrusted into your hand. <span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>This is it.</b></u></span> The time has come. With bold, slow strokes, you draw the precious cross. When the cross is complete and your hand moves to begin writing your name, you pause. You close your eyes, take a deep breath, whisper one final prayer, and without any more hesitation, you sign your name. <u><b>It is done</b></u>. As if in a daze, you turn around and begin to make your way back up the aisle to your seat. You slowly sit down, pondering what just happened. That night in bed, it hits you all over again. <b><i>"I died tonight. I now know what it it is like to die a martyr's death for Christ. I laid down my life. I am changed forever. There is no turning back. Hallelujah, You have won the victory. Hallelujah, You have won it all for me."</i></b></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-69639625090561256512013-01-15T14:12:00.000-08:002013-01-15T14:12:24.745-08:00let's talk about boys ~part 1~<br />
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So, did the title catch your attention? I must say, it would catch mine. I just want to let you know that I'm going to be completely honest here in this post. I'm just going to be an open book, right here, right now. Yup, let's do this.<br />
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Throughout my life, I have never really been around many boys. I have no brothers, no boy cousins that live close by, and not many guy friends. I blame part of my lack of male interaction on me being homeschooled, but that excuse does not really work because many of my homeschool friends had guy friends (and boyfriends). Another aspect of my life that I sometimes blame is the very tiny amount of young guys at my church. Sure there are some, but they are either a lot older/ younger than me. That excuse is rather lame too though. Ok so, now that I think about it, I really can't put my finger on why I have not had much interaction with the opposite sex. I really don't know! I used to think it was because I was shy, but I am not any more. I used to think it was because I was boring and blended in with everyone surrounding me, but dressing and acting different didn't help either. I also used to think it was because I had so many attractive girlfriends and was just never noticed when I was around them, but I really don't think that is the answer either. So as you can see, I am kind of clueless.<br />
Not knowing "what was wrong with me" used to bother me quite a bit when throughout my middle school years and most of my highschool years. Not being able to get any guy's attention caused many years of intense insecurity, unnecessary worries and anxieties, depression, and a very poor self image. As I entered my senior year of highschool and began looking towards and exploring all of the possibilities there were for my academic future, I began to worry less and less about being around, getting to know, and obtaining attention from guys. So for the past two or three years, I haven't really thought much about boys. Seriously, I haven't. The other day I was asked by a friend if I had a crush on anybody and I didn't even have to think about it. The answer was no and as I got to thinking, I realized that I haven't had a crush on anybody in six years! What is that about?!?<br />
Since I'm being so honest, I am also going to say that since I have transferred to IWU and have begun living on campus, ignoring boys is not as easy as it once was. Even though the ratio of girls vs. boys here is 3 to 1, there still seems to be boys everywhere! As I have mentioned above, I am not used to that! I find my thoughts straying from the "academic focus" and wandering towards the "I want guys to notice me focus". It doesn't help that seriously everyone around here seems to be in a relationship. I knew coming in that with me living on campus, this would probably happen, but I thought I was strong enough for it not to effect me. After all, I haven't struggled with these kind of thoughts for three years now! Well, apparently that is not so and I have noticed those sneaky, discouraging, and anxious thoughts creeping back into my mind ...............and I have only been here a little over a week!<br />
Some of you may be thinking, "Oh, but Ashley! Those thoughts are only natural for a single girl of 20 to be thinking! Why are you making it such a big deal?" I'll tell you why. Ready? Here it is. Because my mind is on me, myself, and I and not on the Lord Jesus Christ. Yup, that about sums it up right there. I am more worried about MY singleness, MY feelings, MY loneliness, MY unhappiness, MY dreams, MY situation, and what I don't have rather than God. How do I change? How do I deal with these thoughts and worries? That my friend, will be in part 2.*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-8788246197906027832013-01-09T06:23:00.001-08:002013-01-09T06:23:30.708-08:00how great is our God<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">May the glory of the Lord endure forever;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">may the Lord rejoice in His works.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He looks at the earth, and it trembles;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He touches the mountains, and they pour out smoke.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will sing to the Lord all my life;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will sing praise to my God while I live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May my <span style="font-size: large;">mediation</span> be pleasing to Him;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I will rejoice in the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">May sinners vanish from the earth </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the wicked be no more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My soul, praise the Lord!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hallelujah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Psalm 104:31-35</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Have you praised our great God today? Have you meditated on Him? Just sit for a minute and ponder on just how powerful, almighty, and great our God is.</span></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-6576998113046793662013-01-06T08:07:00.000-08:002013-01-06T08:07:06.535-08:00sunday morning doodling <br />
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Since I have been just chillin in the dorm this Sunday morning, I decided to do a little drawing. It felt good to draw again because it has been toooooo long since I have had time to draw. As you can tell, I have been watching a lot of period films lately. ;)<br />
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If you are ever not able to go to church one Sunday morning, I recommend you check out Eric Ludy's <a href="http://www.ellerslie.com/sermons/eric-ludy" target="_blank">sermons</a>. Very powerful. *Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-24735494430825390042013-01-05T11:50:00.001-08:002013-01-05T11:50:59.325-08:00IWU!!!<br />
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Well, I officially am a transfer student. I arrived to IWU yesterday and got all moved in. Today I just finished saying my goodbyes and am now hanging out in my dorm room waiting for my room-mates to arrive. Moving away from home is a big step outside my comfort zone, but I know that everyone goes through it and that I can totally handle it. It is just a little awkward, uncomfortable, and emotional at first.<br />
I am excited about finally being able to take some art classes this semester! I am taking drawing I, design I, and a Art History course............along with some other General Studies courses.<br />
This whole living on a college campus thing is going to be very different, but I know that God wants me here at IWU and that He has some great things planned for me here. :)<br />
Blessings!<br />
*Ash**Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-46325803733095974502012-12-27T07:34:00.003-08:002012-12-27T07:34:58.158-08:00christmas, cousins, and college<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, Christmas is over and gone and the new year is approaching quickly. Can you believe it?<br />
I can't. For some reason, it really did not feel like Christmas to me, and I can't really put my finger on why. It began feeling more like Christmas when my cousins from VA came to visit, like they do every year. We all have changed so much and do not have as much in common anymore, but we still enjoy our time together. Yesterday we got a few inches of snow, so we took a nice long walk in it and sledded a bit. It made for some good memories. <br />
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Unfortunately, the cousins leave tomorrow, then the new year will arrive, then I will move to IWU. I have so much to do before I transfer! I have to do laundry, pack, buy my textbooks, and all in a week. I leave next Friday. I am quite nervous about the move, but am excited as well. Change is always scary, but it doesn't mean that it is bad. Truly, I believe that this is a good change and it will improve my life academically, physically, and spiritually. <br />
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<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-54062453844688594082012-12-25T06:21:00.001-08:002012-12-25T06:21:37.173-08:00here with us<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Merry Christmas friends and God bless!</span></b></span></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-46464520088031464432012-12-24T17:23:00.002-08:002012-12-24T17:23:44.558-08:00Christmas eve surprise<br />
Today I made a special Christmas eve lunch for my family. I saw both of the recipes on Pinterest and thought they looked cute and easy! It took me a little while to make everything, but the surprised look in my family's eyes when they sat down to the fancy, fun meal made it all worth it. <br />
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The pancake reindeer I made. The antlers are made out of bacon, and the eyes and nose out of chocolate chips.<br />
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A yummy Christmas parfait I made. The recipe can be found <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettycrockerrecipes/5257750957/in/photostream/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I am not much of a cook and do not enjoy working in the kitchen very much, but I really wanted to help Mom out and make a special surprise for the family. Surprises are so much fun aren't they? I almost think they are more fun to plan and create than they are receiving them........even though I like that too.<br />
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Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas eve! <br />
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<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-11962797284951257642012-12-23T09:32:00.000-08:002012-12-23T09:32:23.917-08:00the confidence of Christ<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="userContent"> "The most beautiful women I've ever observed
are those that have exchanged a self-focused life for a Christ-focused
one. They are confident, but not in themselves. Instead of
self-confidence, they radiate with Christ confidence."<br /> ~Leslie Ludy</span></span></span><br />
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-3025708500912665472012-12-22T08:28:00.001-08:002012-12-22T08:28:25.048-08:00being a witness, gingerbread style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My sister and I went to a gingerbread house making party last night. Before I even arrived, I knew what I wanted to do, a nativity. I have made gingerbread houses before.....really good ones at that, but that's what everybody does ya know? I decided to do something different and to create the manger scene, which is the true reason for the season. Because it was different than the rest, it caught everyone's eye and I got many questions asked about it. Who knows? Out of all of the people there last night, maybe there were some who didn't know about Jesus who came as a baby so that He could become a sacrifice and die for our sins. <br />
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I just think that this song Welcome to Our World by Chris Rice is so meaningful.</div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-34831802947973833952012-12-20T03:22:00.003-08:002012-12-20T03:22:54.287-08:00as long as it takes<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="userContent">"I'm tired, do I have to keep proving myself?</span><br />
<span class="userContent"></span><span class="userContent"> I'm weary and drawing from an empty well<br /> I need You more than I ever have<br /> So Jesus come and shatter my darkness somehow<br /> <br /> I won't speak until You speak<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> I won't move until You move me<br /> I won't sing, sing over me<br /> I will wait as long as it takes<br /> <br /> I'm restless for something significant<br /> But I'm helpless cause I've done all I can<br /> I want You more than I ever have<br /> So Jesus come and hold me, I'm shaking right now<br /> <br /> I won't speak until You speak<br /> I won't move until You move me<br /> I won't sing, sing over me<br /> I will wait as long as it takes<br /> <br /> You are the Comforter so comfort me<br /> You're the Sustainer so be enough for me<br /> You are my Father and Your love for me<br /> Is where I find my rest<br /> <br /> I won't speak until You speak<br /> I won't move until You move me<br /> I won't sing, sing over me<br /> I will wait as long as it takes"</span></span></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-57935504532015926772012-12-18T07:49:00.000-08:002012-12-18T07:50:16.095-08:00be born in meHave you ever thought about what it would have been like to be Mary? We all know the story, seen movies, watched pageants, and have read the account in the Bible more times than we could probably count. But have you ever actually taken a few moments, closed your eyes, and put yourself in Mary's shoes?<br />
She was a simple, young, teenage girl who probably considered herself rather plain and normal. She had just found out, what she thought, was the biggest news of her life........that she was going to marry Joseph. She could have known Joseph her whole life, a few months, or not at all, but either way, she knew that Joseph was a good man and would take care of her no matter what. What came next, though, would test the "no matter what" to the extreme. <br />
Imagine this: one day she is walking down the road to perhaps get some water from the well or maybe returning from working in the fields, when a strange voice calls out her name. She stops dead in her tracks and looks in every direction for the man that is calling her.........but he is not there. She slowly turns back around and prepares to run away when a bright light shines down from heaven. Automatically she collapses to the ground, face down, because she now knows that this voice is not a man's voice, but an angel's.<br />
"Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!"<br />
Mary knew that God was always with her, so that part she understood. But what about the 'O favored one' part? And why was and angel speaking to her, plain, simple, little Mary? As all these thoughts enter her head and the reality of what is happening sets in, she begins to shake uncontrollably. She really can't help it. Suddenly the angel, knowing how frightened Mary is, begins to deliver his message.<br />
"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."<br />
<i>Me? Found favor with God?</i> Mary thinks, confused. <i>What have I done to deserve His favor? I'm nothing special. How could a God so holy find favor on a lowly girl like me?</i><br />
"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."<i> </i><br />
<i>What!? </i>Mary can't believe what she is hearing. It doesn't make sense!<i> "</i>How can this be since I am a virgin?" <br />
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy- the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God."<br />
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Now.......time out. What would you have said if you were Mary?<br />
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<li>Ummm....wow, that all sounds so amazing but.....I just don't think I am cut out for that job. You might want to find someone else.</li>
<li>You see, this is kind of a bad time for all this to happen. I just got betrothed to this really nice man, and since we aren't married yet, me becoming pregnant would be kind of strange and I don't think he would like it very much.</li>
<li>I don't think I'm ready to have a baby just yet, let alone the Son of God! Can this wait a few years?</li>
<li>But what would people think of me? Being pregnant without being married! They will shun me, hate me, even kill me!</li>
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Would you have given any of those excuses? Those were all very true for Mary. She was just a ordinary, young girl. She had a good reputation, but wasn't anything special. She had just been betrothed to a great man. And she knew, that if she became pregnant, that life as she knew it could crumble away. Her family could disown her, her friends could shun her, and her husband to be could even stone her because, after all, who would believe that she became pregnant through the Holy Spirit and that she is carrying the Son of God? Even though those were all true, she gave no excuses and no 'ifs, ands, or buts'. She simply said,<br />
"Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."<br />
No argument. No reasoning. No excuses. Just submission. She knew what could happen. She knew the pain and tribulations that she could suffer. But she also knew that God had a plan, and that she was chosen to bear His son, the Son of God.<br />
The story doesn't end there. The miraculous story of Jesus' birth continues in the book of Luke. If you haven't read the Christmas story yet this year, I recommend you do it. Don't just read it like you have read it a million times though, put yourself in Mary's shoes. Read it like you have never read it before. After reading the Christmas story, I recommend you watch the movie The Nativity. It really brings the birth of Jesus to life.<br />
Mary's submission is amazing, the birth of Jesus is amazing, God's word is amazing..........it is time that we start treating it that way.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UtlK3UgVE30" width="560"></iframe>*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-21297969528726336182012-12-11T14:50:00.000-08:002012-12-11T14:50:04.730-08:00it's christmas!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is finally starting to feel like Christmas time. The temperature has dropped, it snowed a little yesterday, I am almost done with my finals, Christmas music is playing everywhere I go, and the house is all decorated.<br />
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I don't know about you, but I am so ready to start making Christmas treats, watching Christmas movies (I have already seen Elf.........which is my favorite), wrapping gifts, caroling, and attending all the Christmas parties coming up!<br />
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This Saturday is the first Christmas party of the holiday season, Sunday night is our church's Christmas music service, then Tuesday some girlfriends of mine are getting together and having a big sleepover at Clifty Inn. The sleepover is half birthday party for a friend and half good bye party for me. (I'm headed off to IWU in Jan!)<br />
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Sounds like next week is going to be full of holiday fun. What do you all have planned during this holiday season? <br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Qf6OoAZbAQg" width="560"></iframe>*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-57810274494581945472012-12-10T07:19:00.000-08:002012-12-10T07:19:36.393-08:00a Christ-centered friendship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil. 2:3-4)</i><br />
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As I look at the world around me, I am constantly amazed at what the world calls a "friendship". Most friendships today are fickle, self-centered, fake, and emotional roller coasters. Many Christian friendships I know are unfortunately the same way. They are almost worse because they call their friendship "Godly" yet it is no different than the world; they are hypocrites. I believe that a majority of people today, Christian or not, do not understand what true friendship is. True friendship is modeled after Christ and putting the other person first.<br />
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As the verse above indicates, we are to be selfless and focused on the interests of others. "...it is a daily disposition, a constant commitment to purposefully put the other person's needs above your own. When that is our attitude toward our friends, instead of thinking about what we can get out of the friendship, we begin to ask, '<b><i>How can I die to my own agenda for this friendship and be Jesus to her?'</i></b>" Tell me, how many friendships do you see that revolve around THAT mindset? I must admit, I have never seen a friendship like that, not in my life, not in the life of anybody else. Sending little notes of encouragement her, paying for her coffee, surprising her with a memorable gift are all very nice things to do, but it goes beyond that.<br />
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Friendships today are often not truly governed by Christ-like selflessness and because of this there is constantly misunderstanding, moodiness, emotional pain, and drama. Honestly, who really wants that? Yet we all seem to accept it like normalcy and do nothing differently. So, should we not show our feelings and emotions in our friendship? Should we keep it emotion free? Not at all. "...one of the sweetest aspects of a Christ-built friendship is having a shoulder to cry on and someone who will point you to Jesus in both sorrows and struggles." That is the key. Our friendships should not just consist of us running to each other with every single thing that has us upset, filling her ears with our complaints, giving worldly advice, and plotting what should be done about it. It is about us being a friend who points her to Jesus, both in the good times and the bad times.You know what that means though? We as individuals have to be controlled by and looking to Jesus, both in the good times and the bad times. "When two people are controlled and sustained by Christ individually, and then allow that to carry over into the friendship, the natural outflow is a relationship in which emotion, when it is present, only serves to edify and unify." <br />
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We all get on each others nerves at some point. It is bound to happen, we are all human. There is really nothing we can do to stop it, but we can decide how to react to it. When your feelings are hurt by your closest friend, when she takes everything you say the wrong way, when she is selfish, what should your reaction be? Would you lash out and try to get even? Would you give her the silent treatment? Would you cry and put on a big show? Would you gossip about what she did to you? Or would you show her kindness, grace, love, and forgiveness? "The more God shows us our own lack, the more we realize that building a Christ-honoring friendship requires giving the other person as much grace for their mistakes as we want them to give us. (Col 3:12b-13a)" Our reactions as Christians should be totally opposite to how the world would react. We are to follow God's pattern of humbleness and forgiveness. Instead of focusing on your friend's shortcomings, you should really try to see what God is doing in their life, how God is working in their heart. <br />
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How are your friendships? Are they Christ-honoring and Christ-centered? Are you being a Godly and selfless friend? If not, are you willing to be? Perhaps you are willing to be, but none of your friends are want to change. "If any of our close friendships are not pressing us on into a deeper spiritual life and shaping us into selfless, others-focused friends, it may be time for us to ask God what practical things we could do to change them so that He, and not the joy of a kindred spirit, is the prize." It is not going to be easy, but it will most definitely be worth it. It may not happen right away, but God will bless you for your perseverance and your want to change and be more like Him, even in your friendships.<br />
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<b>"A friendship that purposefully makes Him the center and draws both people closer to Him will become a beautiful testimony of patient graciousness, humble servitude, and selfless love- spurring others on toward that same, single-hearted pursuit."</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*All quotes are from the Set Apart Girl article "A Set Apart Friendship" by Tessa Hershberger and Amy Meyers in the <a href="http://www.setapartgirl.com/issue-archives-JAN_FEB2012.html" target="_blank">Jan/Feb 12 edition</a>.</span><br />
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<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-45281874461679169922012-11-21T12:16:00.001-08:002012-11-21T12:16:04.541-08:00beautifully dignified<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">"The
power of Christ upon a woman's life ought to make her different than
any ordinary, emotion-driven woman around her.....A woman who comes to
know Jesus Christ is given the opportunity to live out beautiful
femininity in the fullness of what God intended it to be - radiant, rock
solid, and reigned by the Spirit of God..... We may be women with a
great capacity to feel, but when we look to our Father to be our rock
and fortress, a shelter to whom we continually resort, the One who is
mighty and victorious in and through us, we are also women with a great
capacity to go throughout each day with steadfast joy, unwavering peace,
and a gentle calm that truly makes us different - and yet beautifully
dignified - women of the Almighty God."<br /> ~Tessa Thompson</span></span></span></span></h5>
<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-53742710286924023582012-11-03T10:26:00.000-07:002012-11-03T10:26:47.585-07:00bigger than you will ever know<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO1npqEbTeeqz_vGCWyYq8vrTOmtF7bxY7wEnDP5S_Tuu9WZXq7KyOKtjokPQmKwhnPfI6Tzk5Z3T0x5Y_xB2aEmmzpTMJ5_gDA_qf79QgjvIVLD7rbsIpC0xg0QK1HDs20mvUpAxwnY/s1600/tumblr_l705s4X5ik1qd4aqfo1_500_large%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO1npqEbTeeqz_vGCWyYq8vrTOmtF7bxY7wEnDP5S_Tuu9WZXq7KyOKtjokPQmKwhnPfI6Tzk5Z3T0x5Y_xB2aEmmzpTMJ5_gDA_qf79QgjvIVLD7rbsIpC0xg0QK1HDs20mvUpAxwnY/s640/tumblr_l705s4X5ik1qd4aqfo1_500_large%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJO1npqEbTeeqz_vGCWyYq8vrTOmtF7bxY7wEnDP5S_Tuu9WZXq7KyOKtjokPQmKwhnPfI6Tzk5Z3T0x5Y_xB2aEmmzpTMJ5_gDA_qf79QgjvIVLD7rbsIpC0xg0QK1HDs20mvUpAxwnY/s1600/tumblr_l705s4X5ik1qd4aqfo1_500_large%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="userContent"> </span></div>
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<span class="userContent">Sometimes I get upset that no one seems to
care about what is going on in my life, what problems I'm facing, and
what I need prayer for. But so what, big deal. That only causes me to
think about me more.....which ends up making me more miserable and upset
than before. Though it is extremely difficult, not our natural
tendency, and no one else seems to do it, we need to constantly focus
outwards.....on others. Everyone has a crazy life, everyone has problems, everyone needs prayer. I am not special..... but I should treat others in a way that makes them feel special. I want to be the type of person that I would want to meet. I want to be a someone who makes someone else look forward to tomorrow. Today will never come again; what kind of impact can one word of encouragement, one smile, one act of kindness make on a person? A big one. Bigger than you'll ever know.</span></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-20202626151052355022012-11-02T06:26:00.004-07:002012-11-02T06:26:49.592-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello all! I'm sorry I missed the last Wordless Wednesday. I was gone visiting Cedarville University all day.....and I mean ALL DAY. Was gone from 5:30am-10:00pm. Anyways, yesterday I got to do a bit of doodling. I tried a different style than what I normally do. If you visit my blog <a href="http://bloggycreativity.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Live for Today Art</a>, you can see some of my older drawings in my typical style. I really like this new style. It has a lot of expression and it looks Disney-ish. What do you all think? </div>
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(I'm sorry for the bad quality, I took it with my phone)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalR34duGTeBXogAWLpzN2JQCUdXtkTKugHUOOrketwwt7prfAE-Zza7fnZgRjz4gGulTbq-KnNZkVBsmcs-FOzbn7oWcBNIBAu2Owl5gxhPs5-kVg2xNjDo-H2ycCpvW5UWrFBYgaO24/s1600/Photo-0365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalR34duGTeBXogAWLpzN2JQCUdXtkTKugHUOOrketwwt7prfAE-Zza7fnZgRjz4gGulTbq-KnNZkVBsmcs-FOzbn7oWcBNIBAu2Owl5gxhPs5-kVg2xNjDo-H2ycCpvW5UWrFBYgaO24/s640/Photo-0365.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051039166871036798.post-43951617426007614342012-10-29T08:22:00.000-07:002012-10-29T08:22:06.477-07:00it is well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ0GxW9KBpZQTId8bWuJjP0_mWznvukkmsB_zjt3LDuU8cHj7SsshsRmuZsJWI1H1MLfwDoA26QEzBTS_vqU5rcG45t0Xma-cESgm4oY3SNsEuLGp-dS1qeiH7BPcg4083OOAZpzA75oM/s1600/tumblr_l6quspjs5e1qzgn0io1_500_large%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When peace like a river attendeth my ways.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When sorrows like sea billows roll.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is well, it is well with my soul.</span></div>
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Please read the story of <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="long-title " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="it is well with my soul by Jeremy Riddle and Horatio Spafford">Horatio Spafford, the <span style="font-size: x-small;">man who wrote this wo<span style="font-size: x-small;">nderful hymn.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="long-title " dir="ltr" id="eow-title" title="it is well with my soul by Jeremy Riddle and Horatio Spafford"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">You will never listen to the song the <span style="font-size: x-small;">same way again.</span></span> </span></span></span></span></div>
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*Ashley*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00705761021819395283noreply@blogger.com0