I wish I had an awesome encouragement or some fabulous Biblical insights to share, especially since it’s been over a week since I blogged last. Alas, after the week I’ve had, there is just nothing of the sort coming to mind. Instead, I just want to brag on God and thank Him for the wonderful friends, family and life that He’s blessed me with! As of now, it’s officially been 23 years and 12 hours of spectacular and as far as I’m concerned, that’s worth bragging about!
Never doubt that God works in our lives. Constantly. And His plan is awe striking. Monday night, fresh off a suh-weet weekend with the Georgia family, I was hanging at home doing some late night word-spreading about World Race; in response to a Facebook message I sent out, I was offered the opportunity to speak Tuesday at a local Youth worship service regarding the program and why I felt called to this type of ministry. Shazzam! As some of my fellow racers rapidly found out, I was a bit nerve wracked about what to say, but per their advice I just said, “God, you’ve got this. I’ll talk, you speak.” I had such an awesome time sharing with this amazing group of high school students! Many of them were fresh off a mission trip to Haiti and they were quick to offer plenty of travel tips that I was excited to snag! How inspiring to see youths full of fire for spreading God’s word and loving on His people! I’m so blessed to have them supporting me and I can’t wait to keep in contact with them while on the World Race! God is definitely using them to fuel my fire!!!
Fast-forward a couple days… My mom treated me to my first ever, professional spa day – including facial, pedicure and massage. Cha-ching! Maybe they tell everyone this, but I believed the ladies wholeheartedly when they told me how tense I seemed. Life is great lately, but there is always plenty of stress to go ‘round and Mom rocks for helping me to chillax and redirect my focus toward what is really important. This treatment was a great precursor to the rest of my weekend!
After Thursday night supper with my parents, I jetted to Nashville to pick up my VBFF Charlee. She may not have flown home JUST for my birthday, but I choose to feel pretty special all the same. Came home to a fabulous birthday care package from my bestie, Megan! Road tripped to Louisville on Friday with intention to go to The Oaks race, but per some nasty weather detoured to a free O.A.R. concert and a night out with friends to celebrate my inaugural hours of age 23! Breakfast food at 3 AM… who doesn’t love that?!?! Jeremy, Megan (different Megan from the care package Megan), Seth and a plethora of new friends helped Charlee give me one heck of a birthday celebration! And somewhere around 171 Facebook well wishes didn’t hurt my self-esteem! I am seriously blessed with a wealth of friends!!
Saturday (May 5, 2012) may have been Derby Day, but even though in my family that is basically in the top three most important annual holidays, everyone still managed to make it to my family b-day dinner! Pizza, wings, sweet tea, kick ball, corn hole, presents and singing?!?!?! If it sounds like a good time, I assure you, it rocked! I know we’re all biased, but I sincerely have the greatest family. EVER!
Hanging with my little cousins (Madison, Morgan, Cameron and Preston) at bday supper!
I spent a huge chunk of late Saturday night “de-briefing” – trying to process how on Earth I’m going to stomach giving up all the wonderfully blessed relationships I cherish for an entire year! I have no clue where I will be when I turn 24. There won’t be any of Ma’s famous Strawberry Danish Dessert (my annual request.) My best friends won’t be right there to spoil me for the day. I won’t get my dollar from Lonnie, an awesome guy at my church who’s given me one every year on my birthday! I have to admit, sometimes thoughts like those aren’t easy to entertain.
God knows when to show up, though. He’s been hardcore today, starting out with a great Sunday School discussion about choosing my relationship with Him above all others, no matter the cost, followed by a sermon on how Daniel’s diligence in serving God set the example Nebuchadnezzar needed so that he, too, would turn to God. Topping it all off, He’s provided THREE new financial supports that just reiterate that I am in His will. My jaw is almost literally on the floor at this point… I’m not naïve enough to think that everyday we’ll be promised a rose garden, but seriously, if living in God’s will means life is as spectacular as my past week (and let’s be for real… as my past 23 years), there is no place else I ever want to be!
Be Blessed,
Ashlee
