Matthew 25:34-40

"Then then King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.
35. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36. I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me,
I was in prison and you came to visit me.

37. "Then the righteous will answer him,
'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in,
or needing clothes and clothe you?
39. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40. "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

Whatever you do for the least of these....

We are currently reading about all the effort put into the areas hit by the earthquake and tsunamis. Many people have reached out and done what they can to help the people affected. Some have donated supplies, some have donated money, and some are right there, in the thick of things, helping where they can.

I know God is crying over the lost lives, but I also know He is rejoicing over the efforts everyone is putting in to help those who have survived.

Not everyone is in a position to donate money, or to send supplies, or to work in the areas. But everyone is able to pray. I ask that we all take a moment or two out of our days to say a prayer for the people who are suffering so many losses, who lost homes, family members, livelihoods. For the people who are searching continually for more survivors and missing people. And for the people who are working with those who have been found, who are in need of medical care, who are unable to care for themselves now.

I can't even begin to imagine losing my family, or my friends, to something like this. But that earthquake could have just as easily hit off our coastline.

Whatever you do for the least of these, you have done unto Me.

Something to think about.

Monday Morning Musings

Hi Folks! Beautiful day, isnt it?

I am sitting here at my computer with my mocha-chino on one side of me, and my little sister on the other side of me, with her "do-do" (cocoa).

Today it feels like late March outside... The snow is mostly melted, and the sleet we got last night has made everything wet and smell like it just rained. I can't see the thermometer from where I am sitting, but at 10:30, it was 45* outside. I'm considering taking a walk to the mailbox because it's so nice out there! (A walk to the mailbox is an excursion. We have a long driveway.) We'll see!

I leave for Florida in 4 days. Yay!!! Just checked the weather for Orlando. We're looking at 80's for the first half of the week! Wahoo!!! I get to go swimming, wear shorts, and FLIP-FLOPS!! This is going to be a fun week. :-) And the "Complimentary high-speed wireless internet access" that the hotel sweetly supplies means I will be able to keep in touch with everyone from Florida!! I'll have my camera with me, as well as my webcam, so you all may be able to join in the fun now and then... but no promises.:-)

While the trip will be fun, this week before is going to be busy! I have too much to do! Ack!

I can see the bottom of my mug, so that tells me it's time for me to get up and get moving and refill!
Much love and hugs!

For the girls. (but guys can read too)

"I was so unique
Now I feel skin deep
Count on the makeup to cover it all
Crying myself to sleep
'Cause I cannot keep their attention
Thought I could be strong
But it's killing me
Someone hear my cry
I'm dying for new life

I wanna be beautiful
Make you stand in awe
Look inside my heart
And be amazed
I want to hear you say
Who I am is quite enough
Just wanna be worthy of love
And beautiful

Sometimes I wish I was someone
Other than me
Fighting to make the mirror happy
Trying to find
Whatever is missing
Won't you help me back to glory"

The song is called "Beautiful", sung by Bethany Dillon.

How many times have we, as girls, wanted to be beautiful, feel beautiful, be told we are beautiful? We look for worldly acceptance. We see some star or model surrounded by guys and wonder, why can't I have that? Maybe if we use a little more makeup, or lose a little more weight, or wear clothes a little bit tighter, maybe then we'll be "beautiful". Maybe then people will stand in awe of us. Maybe then we'll be worthy of love.

But after we try all that, how many times to we just feel like it isnt enough? Like we STILL are lacking something? Like we STILL aren't complete? Like we are still not beautiful?

We all have our moments, now matter how secure we are in our own skin, when we wonder, "what if?" I've had times where I wonder if I'll catch that guy's eye if I wear that shirt tugged a little lower. Or maybe some other guy will notice if I wear more makeup then usual. But in the end, I just feel silly.

The point is, we girls are so much more beautiful when we are ourselves, and not just cut from the cookie cutter. And on top of that, when we have a healthy relationship with Christ, we just glow, and can't help it!

The last chorus of that song says it all:
"You make me beautiful
You make me stand in awe
You step inside my heart
And I am amazed
I love to hear You say
Who I am is quite enough
You make me worthy of love
And beautiful!"

I know that who I am IS enough. I dont have to be someone else. If someone doesnt love me for me, then they aren't worth my time.

When I got serious about God, I stood in awe. It was like I was standing outside of a bubble, watching myself grow up and change, and I saw where I started, and where I am now. You wouldn't believe the change that took place. And is still taking place!

When Christ is a part of your life you are beautiful. And no one can tell you otherwise!

Thats all for now, folks.
(Greetings to Judd. giggle)
Goodnight!

Hmm...

You know, I was just thinking about stuff.... funny that.... anyways, I was just thinking...
Why is it we have more patience when we are waiting for a red light to turn green, then we do waiting at a stop sign for traffic to ease up? Normally we wait just as long, so what's the difference?
And why is it that there are traffic lights at intersections that really dont need them, and there aren't lights where there should be?

Hmmm.......

My Child...

My child, I love you
I'll show you how much
With all I can do
Or with one simple touch
I'll show you I care
In small quiet ways
Like bright, sweet sunbeams
To lighten your day.
I'll show you in bright ways
With many colors
In every sunset
Each one like no other.
I'll show you My love
With blessings so sweet
Every smile that you see
Every person you meet.
I'll show you My love
In every way.
Every sight, every sound
Is Me trying to say
I love you, My child
With all that I am
I'll continue to show you
Every way that I can.

What if...

What if we never grew up. What if we were perpetually 10?

Life would be simpler. We wouldnt have to worry about work or paychecks or bills. Cars would be obsolete, our bikes could take us to the ends of the earth. Getting through fourth grade would be the biggest of our worries, no SATs, or getting accepted into the college of our choice. There would be a lot fewer broken hearts, because boys would still have cooties. Sundays wouldnt be full of chores, but watching cartoons at 6am, in no hurry for anything. Snowdays wouldnt be spent finishing up late homework, but sledding down the tallest hill we could find. Arguments would consist of who got the Legos out first, and who should be responsible for putting them away. Siblings would be our best friends, and our worst enemies. Parents would still know everything. Bed time would be 9pm, no questions asked. We would be energetic without the need for caffiene, and would wonder why our parents drank so much coffee. World events would be insignificant compared to the Green Army Men vs. Polly Pocket battle raging in our bedroom. Barbie would still date Ken.


Or what if we lived like a cat?

Our daily routine would be sleep, sleep, eat, sleep. We could come and go as we pleased, get whatever we wanted by crying. Get our food served to us at every meal. We would rule the house. We would be free to walk wherever we wanted, and not always on the floor. We wouldnt have to do anything unless we wanted to. I could get used to that...

What if? Any other ideas? :-)

ttfn

Good Morning!

*yawn* Hello!

I am sitting here, up and ready for the day, but hardly what some would consider "Awake". I was up late last night, and was woken up earlier then I would have liked this morning.... But it's all good... I now have my coffee sitting beside me... if it can be called a cup of coffee, it has a similar consistancy with tar. It is the bottom of the pot, sat there so long it's cold, no milk in the fridge, hazelnut flavored, TAR. (with sugar!) But! It will do the job! Good thing I'm not picky about my coffee, huh?

Hmm, I guess I wasnt to aware of the dribbling coffeepot, was just informed that there is a mess on the counter from my coffee... So I suppose I should go clean that up.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, my friends!
ttfn!

Can you picture it?

I want to paint a picture for you of something I saw recently that just stuck out so vividly in my mind... I want to share it.



Picture yourself in the driver's seat of a car. You are on a freeway shortly after rush hour. The sun has set recently, the natural light is just dark enough to need headlights, but just light enough for them to not do much good. You are in the middle of a city, so there are street lights shining their orange glow down on the road infront of you. It's raining slightly, just enough to need your wipers. You signal to turn off the freeway and head home. As you drive away from the city, the light from the streetlights fade, but the light from the tail lights infront of you begins to brighten. The headlights coming at you become more visible. Your own headlights have turned into beams, and not light clouds of light. The closer you drive towards home, the fewer cars you meet. You turn off of the main road, and onto a smaller road. Once again you turn, and soon you are the only car on the road. It's dark now. The rain has stopped, you remember to turn off your wipers. You flick on your highbeams. Looking out of the window, you see whisps of cloud overhead, and beyond them, you see the first stars twinkling far, far away. The moon is rising to your left now. It's half-way there. The craters that make up it's face are clear and dark. Watching the road ahead of you, you see the flick of animal eyes cross the road aways ahead of you. It was mid-height, could have been a small deer, or a large dog. By the time you come up to the place, there is no sign of the animal. The air is still except for a small breeze how and then that blows dead leaves across your path. It's very quiet except for the sound of your breathing and the hum of the car. You make your last turn onto a dirt road, the final leg of your trek home. The bright headlights illuminate all the leaves along the side of the road, and every pebble and pothole in the road. Finally you come to your own driveway, turning in, over the knoll, and around the bend, you see the light in the yard, welcoming you home. You turn off the highbeam lights, and pull into your parking slot between the truck and the van. Turning off your lights and the engine, you sit and listen to the silence for a minute. Gathering your things, you climb out of the car and into the chrisp, cool night air. Above you the stars are shining brightly, you feel like you could be swallowed up into their brilliance. The moon winks from behind the trees at the edge of the yard. There are rustlings in the woods far to your right, probably a lone squirrel or owl. You walk to the door, turn the key, and there you are. Home.

Did you see it?

Late night thoughts...

Good evening.
It is 11:49 pm as I am beginning this, on a Tuesday night.
My computer is sitting in front of me on my bed, my water bottle is beside me, half empty. I have only one light on, and the glow of the screen.

And I'm thinking. I know what you are thinking. "Ashley, you know thinking can be dangerous..." But this time, it's ok. :-)

A lot has happened to me in the last month or two. It makes me stop and think, why? What did I do to deserve all this, both the good and the bad? What made me so special?

Over a month ago I pretty much lost two people I considered to be my best friends. I dont know what happened, they just decided to not talk to me. That really hurt.

Another friend seemed to be ignoring me for a reason I couldn't figure out at first. I was afraid I was losing her too. We've since talked about it, and everything is squared away. I've kept that friend, so far.

One of my closest guy friends has been a steady confidant through a lot lately. He listens to all my troubles, and gives me advice from a guy's point of view. He has recently told me that he also has feelings for me. I am flattered, but I just can't return his feelings. Right now, I am trying my hardest to keep things as they used to be with him, but it's hard. (If you're reading this, I am so sorry. I'm still trying.)

And I know I'm losing another friend right now. He and I have been through you-know-what and back, and somehow kept a friendship going. But it is seriously slipping right now. We've shared some harsh words, we both have hurt feelings, we both are angry, and we both are not trying as hard as we could be to see things from the other's point of view. I've done my part, the perverbial ball is in his court now to do with as he pleases. I know things will work out for the best, I'm just afraid of what the best will be.

On a brighter note, last night my youngest sister decided, as I was heading to bed, that I was THE person that she wanted to spend time with. If I tried to set her down, she's cry. If I tried to give her to Mom, she'd cry. All she wanted was to be held by me. She would wrap her little baby arms around my neck, and cry into my shoulder. If I got her distracted with something else and snuck into my room, she would follow me crying "Ash! Ash! Ash!" It made my heart melt! I finally had to put her down and go to bed, at 11:30 at night. It made my heart break to hear her crying, but it felt SO GOOD to know she loved me and wanted me. There's just something about little kids... They call it "the terrible twos" but she's not that terrible... just two!

And today, I talked to the subject of my affection, and once again, he surprised me! He is planning to go with ADRA to help the people affected by the tsunamis and the earthquake. That really meant something to me. And then he proceeded to make me blush and grin as he tends to do sometimes. :-) (Yes, you, I am still grinning.)

Speaking of the earthquake and following tsunamis, it breaks my heart to hear the rising death toll. All those innocent people, their lives snuffed out in an instant, their homes no longer standing, some not even exsisting anymore. I am so blessed to be where I am right now, in a warm room, on a soft bed, with heat and electricity; those people have nothing now. Parents have lost their children, children have lost their parents. Homes, resorts, whole islands have been leveled. Many people had friends or relatives in the area, and dont even know if they are still alive. The agony those people must be going through. I have no right to complain about my life. Right now, my life is easy.

Say a prayer as you read this, or as you go about your day, for the people in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, and all the other countries affected by the quake. And say a prayer for all the workers who are helping search for loved ones in the mess. None of their lives will ever be the same.

late night thoughts...

Christmas Preperation!!

'Twas the day before Christmas

and all through the house

every creature was cleaning,

right down to the mouse!

The shelves and the mantle were dusted with care,

For in a few hours, the relatives would be there!

I in my sneakers

And Mom in her jeans

Had just settled in

to the cleaning routine.

When at the front door there arose such a clatter.

I jumped and ran to see what was the matter.

And there on the stoop stood the relatives, oh my!

My mother set down her broom with a sigh.

Everyone was here, and the house was a fright.

But we all settled in to enjoy the night.


Merry Christmas!!

Blizzard Update 2.0

Well, the snow has stopped. But over the course of the flurries, we accumulated 3-4 inches of white stuff!! Yay!!!! Now, if we can only get it to last through Christmas...

Blizzard Update

The plan is working!!! It has been snowing here since about 7:30 last night!!!

Finally, there are no bare, brown spots on our lawn, or under the trees even. Everything is white!!!

Must go, it feels like Christmas at last, so I must go wrap presents.

Tootles!

Operation Blizzard Commences.

Hello my dear, snowless friends!!
It is now 5 days before Christmas, and I still see very little, if any, snow. Problem!! "It's beginning to look a lot like...." Springtime!! Where's the snow?

Traditional Christmas songs are irrelevant this year, it seems... A very sad, sad thing. Christmas just isn't Christmas without snow! (No matter what you may say, Jordan.)

So, I hereby declare "Operation Blizzard" to be kicked in, FULL THROTTLE!! For the next 5 days, I say we should think SNOW, dream SNOW, and SING SNOW!

"It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas"
"I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas"
"Let It Snow"

And any other snowy songs you can come up with.

It's coming down to the wire folks... Let's see if sheer willpower can turn this weather pattern around!!!

Hugs and love to all this holiday season!

The Inimitable Has Returned!!

Hey Folks! Sorry I haven't posted in a while... life got away from me and I was trying to catch up!

You know, there are a few things in my life that just make me so happy..... One is completely and totally pulling the wool over the eyes of my entire family and extended family, and then surprizing them when they least expect me.

This past weekend, December 12th to be exact, my family was having Christmas with my Mom's family. The party was being held in Freeport Maine, at my Aunt's house. When planning started for this get-together, I told everyone from the start that I wouldnt be able to make it, I had a birthday party that weekend that I had promised to attend. (Love you Adah!) A week before the scheduled event, I confided in my Dad and my brother that I still wanted to attend, and would work it out so I could. But they couldnt tell ANYBODY. And they didnt.

The day before the party, Saturday, as I was getting ready to head to Adah's, my Mom told me she REALLY wished I could come. I told her I did too, but that I would see her Sunday night when they got home. Quite a good performance, if I do say so myself. I tried not to giggle as I gave my Dad a hug and headed about my merry way.

Sunday I headed out from Adah's, giving myself enough time to get to Aunt Shelley's just in time to make a grand entrance. Everyone knew I was busy that weekend, no one was expecting me. I pulled in, walked up to the door, and as soon as I stepped in the house, a chorus of "ASHLEY!!" rang up. My Mom and my aunt were in shock that I was there, my sisters were ecstatic, Sam, the baby, gave me a big hug and a sweet smile.

I got just the reaction I was going for. It made me happy. :-)

The second thing that really makes me happy happened just a couple days ago. I was home watching the three little girls, Hannah, Leah, and Sam. Sam was grumpy. So H and L gave her a bath, got completely soaked, and had fun doing it. When Sam got out, I put her in her fuzzy jammies (the kind that is SO CUTE on little kids) and the big girls put on Lady And The Tramp. Sam climbed up in my arms, settled her little head down on my shoulder, and watched the movie until she just couldnt stay awake any longer. She fell asleep, right there, on my shoulder. I had been in a not-so-great mood myself that day, but having Sam fall asleep on me like that just made everything that was bugging me fade away. It's funny how little kids can do that...

So yeah, it's just little things like that that light up my life. Surprizes and sleeping 2-yr olds...
Life is good. :-)

New Favorite CD

Go look this one up.

www.bethanydillon.com

Her music is wonderful! And she is only 15!!

I highly recomment the songs "For My Love" for the girls and "All I Need" for anyone.

Check it out!!

TURKEY DAY!

Hey everyone! I know it's the day BEFORE the stuffing, but since I wont be here tomorrow, I'm saying HI now!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Ok, now that I have that out of my system...

Gotta run! Hugs to all.

Book Recommendation!

Hi to all my favorite people! (You know who you are)

And a hello to everyone else as well!

As most of you know, I read voraciously. The latest book to pass through my hands was one called "When Dreams Come True" written by Eric and Leslie Ludy.

It's the story of their romance, from beginning to end. The beginning doesn't start when they met, it began when they were growing up. And it didn't end when they got married, it still continues. It's a wonderful story and an inspiration. It proves that there can be true romance still in today's society, and that there really IS someone made especially for each one of us. If you are in a dating relationship, or even if you're not, I recommend reading this book.

Thats all!
Tootles!

Still Listening?

"There was a time when I thought that I had You
figured out
I told You before and I'll say once more
Now and then I have my doubts
I'll never pretend to know what You are doing
It's true that You move in mysterious ways

I looked for You in
The fire and the wind
But You weren't there as far as I could see
I thought I'd hear You shout
But then I figured it out
That all along You're whispering to me"
Still Listening ~ Third Day


How many times do we ask God to show himself in a big way, just so we can know He is there? How many times to we ask for some sign that He cares for us, something out of the ordinary? And how many times do we get dissapointed when we dont get that big, miraculous sign? All too often. You know why? Because God doesn't need to shout to be heard by us, as much as we think He should. He whispers His love to us every day. Don't believe me? Think about it. You woke up this morning, didn't you? You saw someone smile at you, didn't you? You felt a breeze blow by, or saw the sun come out or felt the rain fall on your face. You felt love for someone, or felt the love someone has for you. You saw a rainbow, a flower bloom, a baby born. These are all little miracles that wouldn't happen at all if God did not exsist, or didn't love us. All too often these little "whisperings" get over looked when all we want is a lightning flash or an audible voice. It's the little things that we take for granted that really show how God cares.

So next time you feel like you need a "sign" that God cares at all, stop and ask yourself, "Did I wake up this morning?" Without a doubt, you'll have your answer.

Concert update

Hello my friends!
The concert has come and gone, and it was AWESOME! Between my brother and I, we have well over 200 pictures. As soon as we can, we will go through them all and pick out the best ones and compile them all into a web album. Once we do that, I'll post the link here for you all to see.
Unfortunatly, I can't stay long tonight, I think I am coming down with a cold, and I need to make up some lost sleep. As I said, I'll post when I have the album up, or maybe sooner!

Take care everyone.
ttfn

Off to the concert!

Ok, I am off to the concert! I'll be gone until sometime tomorrow. When I get home, I'll post some pics from the concert, and I'll tell how it was.

Gotta run, my brother is pushing me out the door.

Cheers!
Ash