Know thy enemy

Just got home from church. Pastor talked about the story of David and Goliath. David was prepared going into the situation and did not back down when everyone else did. Not only did he defeat the giant, David used his enemy's weapons to do it.  If you are not familiar with the story - here is a link to a summary of it.

David and Goliath Summary

Know thy enemy.
These words come to mind when I think about the relationship Satan tries to have with each of us. He knows us; our weaknesses, our faults, our burdens and will use all of these things against us. But it is our job to know our enemy better then he knows us, just as David was prepared for what lie ahead in his journey. Know the word of God, know the strength of God, know your own strengths, gifts, and especially your faults. In fact the more you know about yourself and your shortcomings the better you can prepare for your enemy's attack. If you know where he will attack, than you can be ready and waiting when he does.

We all have weaknesses. Some are greater than others. But the most important thing we need to remember is that with God on our side - we will ALWAYS defeat thy enemy. God is bigger than any burden you have, than any sin you commit, than any problem you cannot solve. God can and if you ask Him he will in His time. You may not always like what God has to say, but he is always right and unchanging.

Satan is sly and cunning, but with unending Faith he is defeated. If we look at the giant problems ad impossible situations from God's perspective, we realize that God will fight for us and with us. There is nothing that you cannot accomplish with Jesus on your side. And the best part about the Lord is that even if we do slip up a little, which is inevitable, he will forgive us, if we only ask and are truly wanting forgiveness in our hearts.

With the Lord at our side, holding our hand, the enemy can be defeated. The question we have to ask ourselves is " Do I have what it takes to stand up and defeat the Giants in my life"
My friends, if you have Jesus you have the means and measure to defeat any giant that comes your way. If poor little David can do it, so can you! But you must have a friend in the Lord, Jesus our God.

I know He has helped me to defeat a few giants in my life, and I know that he will continue to do so as long as I put my trust in Him like David did.

ashley 

Losing a Loved One

Hello all,
Today is Sunday, YAY!

Our family will be losing a loved one today. Aunt Gloria has been sick with brain cancer for some time now and as we speak her closest family members are at her bedside praying over her. She will not make it through the day. But the good news is that by the end of the day she will be at the feet of Jesus, praising him. For this I am NOT sad today. Aunt Gloria's suffering ends today. She will hear the song of a thousand angels and be lifted up to high heaven. Jesus will be there to greet her along with all the other loved ones waiting on her. She will finally be home, in heaven. This is Good news. Granted she will be missed today, tomorrow, and probably every other day for the rest of her loved ones lives, but one day they will all be reunited again.

Death is not something that can be controlled,  but we can control where our lives lead us after death. If you have a true friend in Jesus, then you know where you are going. I know where I am going. I have been saved by his undying love and his sacrifice. For this I will let me light shine.

What about you?

Aunt Gloria,
May your soul find its home today and may you be forever in the kingdom of Heaven in perfect love!
See you later!

Love - Ashley

I just remembered!

2:00 A.M. Cannot sleep! And Then it came to me! OMG I have a blog. I should do that blogging thingy. I certainly have a lot to write about these days. After the year I had last year being so eventful I am positive that this year has even more in store for me. I am so stoked about this blog. I totally forgot about it! I am so going to write about something tomorrow!
For now I will try to get some shut eye.

A little saying I saw the other day:

When you cannot sleep,
Do not count sheep.
Talk to the Shepard. 

Sunday already? Really?

Here I am, I said I would write today, and I am actaully keeping my word!
Even though I really have nothing to say.... lol.

Tonight I am going to The Living Christmas Tree. I am very excited about it. I know it is going to be beautiful. Wish I has a certain someone to go with me, but patience will be greatly rewarded. I am sure of that.

But before tonight, there is a lot to be done. Cleaning, Laundry, Roommate moving in. Oh boy!
Its definately not going to be a restful day.

Oh there is one thing, I have noticed that I am starting to think about God a little more everyday. I talk to Him more, I think about my actions more. I think I am finally starting to go somewhere with this. Good right?

I will elaborate more, but for now I am late for breakfast with my mom. I am going ot drink unsweet tea and eat fruit. I AM!

until later....

It's been awhile......

So it's been awhile, things have been a little crazy in my life, not a whole lot of time to write. Besides I am sure that the whole two people who read this probably already know what is going on in my life.

Adam and I are officially separated. Today he moved out with all of his things. Tomorrow my new roommate moves in. Her name is Samantha, she is 19. Oh boy! Its gonna be an interesting ride, but itwouldn't be any fun if it was boring....this thing called life.

Also I have finally started learning about the bible and the life of Jesus. This is a long time coming for me. I am thoroughly enjoying all of the information my dear Sean is teaching me.

Aiko is now an official resident of Oak Ridge, "the Secret City" where she stays with Bobby and Tabby and Broxden. They very graciously have taken her under their wing as one of there own. Mya is still here with me, thank God, some nights I don't know how I would make it through if not for her snuggling warmth radiating from beneath my blanket.

For now I am taking things one day at a time, mostly focusing on my growing relationship with God. With His help I will get through this very weird and unfamiliar point in my life.

I am also going to try to commit to blogging everyday, how many times have I said this right?
Really I AM! I decided that now is a great time to write down what I am going through, and my progress with my faith, and progress with my new start at this life. I'm separated, 24, have baby fever, and no clue what I am doing. But I am doing it!!! One day at a time with the help of some very important people..


Until tomorrow.....

Halloween Projects

Halloween Is almost here and I am SUPER EXCITED!

I decided to make a few cheap projects; I got the idea from the Women's Day Magazine. The first it the Candy Corn Wreath. The Second is the Candy Corn Tree. Here is a brief tutorial on how to make each one.




Material you will need:

Black duct tape
Styrofoam Wreath - White
Styrofoam block
Hot Glue Gun
Black Ribbon
Brach's Candy Corn
Branches from out side
Vase or Container

(all materials can be purchased at Joann Fabrics)

Wreath:
Wrap Black duct tape completely around the Styrofoam wreath.
Then hot glue candy corns around the wreath.
Do this one row at a time, alternating the direction of the candy corn.
When finished use your black ribbon to make a bow and hang.
If you do not know how to make a bow simply look this up on you tube.
It is simple.

Tree:
Find branches outside.
Glue candy corn with hot glue gun in areas where the branches meet.
(ie. where the leaves would naturally grow)
When finished place branch into Styrofoam Block.
Place block and bottom of container.
Use the rest of the candy corn to fill the container covering up the foam block.
Display out of reach of husbands and dogs who like to eat Candy Corn!!!

So finally here is a pic of the yoga may bag I made, sorry it took so long!

Here it is.....

And i also decided to redo my bedroom here is the before and afters:

Everlasting Love

The word love can mean so many things. It can be demonstrated in almost every situation in life. It can be in the eyes of your child, it can be in the arms of your spouse , or parent. It can also be in the greeting of a friend you may have not seen for many years. No matter how it presents itself, it is there regardless, you just have to look for it.

Some people are so blind to it, and yet others can see it coming from miles away. It is not just present in people, it is also present in a garden, or a piece of jewelry, of a cup of coffee you prepare for someone else. Doing things for others is not just a favor, it is a act of love, no matter how grand or minuscule. I find it interesting that love is present in all things regardless of the circumstances, and that we always have the choice to choose love instead of something else entirely. But at the same time this presents a tough question in my mind.

Why do people have such a hard time figuring out their purpose in life? They ask themselves why they are here, why the have to endure such hard times, what happens if they dont believe in God or a higher being, what is death - is it the end or the beginning?

If amazing that people have such a hard time answering these questions when the answer is clearly right in front of us.


It's the purpose, it's the meaning, it's what is happening, and what it going to happen. It is birth, life, and it is even present in death.

Once I figured this out, the rest just fell into place. I wish the world could catch on already!

Lost Love

I feel like writing about losing my Aunt Linda, which I haven't been able to do since she passed on January 29, 2010. Cancer was her final battle, and she obviously lost to its vicing grip. I, by the grace of God, got to spend time with her and care after her during her final days.

Now the month before, I had visited her in Michigan and she was up walking about and smiling and joking around like her usual self. In a matter of about 4-5 weeks she was no longer walking, barely smiling, barely talking, or eating, or living for that matter. It's funny how we all know we are going to eventually die someday, but we never think the day will come, until something like this happens in your life and you realize time is so limited. She was 62 years young. She meant more to me then I will ever understand. Seeing her in such a frail state, made me love her even more. It was like I couldn't do anything except tell her "I love you", and she would smile slightly and mumble it back. I never thought the daily exchange of those three simple words would one day be the most important thing I can do for a person, was to say them. She was so fragile those last couple of days, so weak and medicated. It was like she was just hanging on by a string, just waiting for Jesus to cut it so she could be free from the pain and suffering, free from the embarrassment of having someone do everything for her, free from the constraints of her weak dying limbs and lungs. The odd thing about the last week of her life was that I had never seen her so beautiful in all her life. Until the day she died, she had this angelic glow about her, it was so breathtaking to see, God had touched her.

Leaving that room the last day we visited was the hardest thing I have ever done. Knowing that it was last the breath I would ever see her take, the last smile I would ever see her smile, the last time I would tell her I loved her...lets just say walking away was like ripping my soul out of my body.

The funeral was not as hard as that week, but seeing her finally in that coffin was when it kicked in, I would never see her alive again. I thought I would be ok during the funeral, but of course I lost it several times. It's amazing how people can just walk up to you and the memories come flooding back to you, and the memories bring the tears, and the tears bring the hugs which bring even more tears. It was painful to say the least.

These recent events have changed my life forever. You think you love people so much and then you lose one of them, and it just makes you love everyone else sooo much more. Lately, I have tried to spend time with my mom as mush as possible. It literally hurts when I am away from her, because I know that one day she will be gone too, and one day I will miss her like I miss Linda; even more I'm sure.

This occurance has also made what I do everyday that much more important to me. Fighting cancer through early detection is the key to survival. I wouldn't trade my job for the world at the breast center. Knowing that we are catching cancer in the begining stages and giving people hope makes me feel like I am serving a greater purpose. For my Aunt, For myself, and for God.

Everyday I miss her, and everyday I cry, and everyday I wish I had spent more time with her. The pain doesn't really ever go away, it just gets pushed back into you behind everything else, bills, work, cleaning, blah blah blah, until you sit and think, then it comes rolling back like a tsunami.

I do know one thing, I am convinced that she is up there watching us, wishing for our pain to go away. I know she is no longer suffering and probably up there drinking hot tea with an angel or something, laughing and saying "too funny";but I just cant help but to cry. This past week was her birthday. I have a picture of her on my fridge and the kiss it everyday, hoping she gets the message. Losing a loved one is such an inward struggle. Sometimes I just want to scream!

But she would say, "Ashley, you can do this!" So, I keep plugging along in hopes that time will heal all.

I love you! I miss you! I wish I could hold your hand again, and tell you that you would be ok.

I wish you could come back.

Until we meet again....all my love and tears...

IS THIS NOT THE MOST AWESOME THING YOU EVER SAW

two completely different species co existing, and to top it off loving each other. I see our LORD when I see this..... it absolutely remarkable.

Just a few tid bits!

So, I know I have been posting a lot of pointless stuff, but its my blog and if you are bored you can hit the road Jack! I have a few other pictures that I wanted to put up of some thing I took with my cell phone camera. I just recently discovered how to upload them from my phone to the verizon wireless site, then copy and paste them to use where ever I want. Which is here! This one is of the first tattoo I ever did. He...he its just a measly little star, but it was so cool learning how it feels to tattoo. By the way that hook looking thingy in the beginning of a heart, just in case you were wondering Captain Hook. I always thought it would be like cutting someone with the knife, turns out it is just really vibratie - yes i made that word up and I don't care! Also this other pic is a really funny story. One day Tabby and I went out to get something for lunch and on our way back to our really crappy old jobs we used to have, we saw this and we about peed ourselves laughing so hard. As you may know we live in Tennessee where it is extremely hilly. Well this "Here's your Sign" driver got his semi-truck stuck while pulling onto a busy road. He actually managed to get his truck stuck on top of the hill in this drive way. What a moron, this totally needs to go on the FAIL website!!! I mean seriously! Then because this happened the whole road going both ways was so backed up. We were late coming back from work, which was good because we didn't want to be there anyways. Crazy place! And we certainly laughed about it for the rest of the day. So thanks driver man who clearly must have been texting while driving. You know Verizon Wireless say text responsibly, and maybe you should not take photos while driving like I apparently do, obviously.

Snow Day!

This past Saturday it snowed in East Tennessee. This is something that rarely happens, especially enough to actually stick to the trees and such. I actually had snow that I had to get off of my car. Come to find out I do not have a scraped for it, duh!!!!! Bad idea to try to wipe it with your bare hand, very painful for future reference. So we woke up on Saturday and looked out and saw snow. Of course I had to get a pic so that my Yankee family and friends would believe me......This is a pic of our front lawn area outside of our condo. I was a really pretty day, one of those days where you just wanna snuggle in with your family and drink hot cocoa in your pj's. All in all I was happy to see the snow come, and even happier when it got warmer and it all melted away.

My First Post!

Ok,

So this is my first blog ever, not really sure what you are really supposed to do here, but I thought I'd give it a try.

Just when you think all is lost, hope finds a way into your life again. Recently I have been struggling to get the bills paid, so much in fact that I had ran out of money completely. Then today I come to work and on my desk is an envelope addressed to me. I immediately am curious. I pick it up and open the little white envelope to find a card and $40.00 inside. Woo Hoo! The gift was from my department lead. It was technically a Christmas gift, but she gave it to me early. I know that she has known that I have been having a harder time than usual. Just when you think all is lost, an angel helps you out!

What a blessing she is...