“I don’t understand your ways.
Oh, but I will give you my song,
Give you all of my praise
You hold onto all my pain
With it you are pulling me closer
And, pulling me into your ways
Now around every corner
And up every mountain
I’m not looking for crowns or the waterfront fountains
I’m desperate and seeking
Frantic believing that the sight of your face is all that I needed
I will say to you
It’s gonna be worth it
It’s gonna be worth it
It’s gonna be worth it all
I believe this
It’s gonna be worth it
It’s gonna be worth it
It’s gonna be worth it all
-"Worth it All" by Rita Springer
One of my teammates told me to listen to this song last night, and it has become quite significant when thinking through the meaning of today in my life.
Today is March 6th, in an earlier post I talked about praying for March 7th…that still for a blog yet to come :] Today is quite a significant day for me. This time last year BIG things in my life started shifting. Here’s a little gander down Ashley’s Memory Lane:
I grew up in a Presbyterian church and was baptized by way of sprinkling as a child. When the Lord brought me into a right relationship with Him, soon after I graduated high school and began college, a conviction of being “re-baptized” began to beat heavily over my heart. It took me awhile to respond to it. I thought it would be “silly” to be baptized again. Wasn’t the first time significant enough? And the feelings of “what would other people think” clouded my mind. I realized that since the age of 7, my life had changed drastically. I knew and understood the gospel when I was baptized the first time, but I didn’t understand how to live it out in my every day life. Honestly, not much heart change had occurred. My faith was definitely a part of the “family faith” – my parents were doing this whole “church” thing and I didn’t really have a choice not to, so I went through the motions.
However, convictions as deep as this one, don’t just come and go like the wind. My spirit was convicted to be baptized through submersion. So I began praying deeply about it. And the Lord began giving me numerous visions and dreams. Every time my church performed a baptism, I was overwhelmed and super emotional the whole time. I could feel the presence of the Lord welling up in my soul and I could hear His voice saying, “quit fighting it, this is what I desire of you”.
So, March 6th, this time last year, I was re-baptized. It was beautiful. One of the most significant and most meaningful parts was that my Daddy got to stand in the tub with me – not only was my Heavenly Father present in that moment, but so was my earthly Father. And as I stepped into that pool and made a statement of faith, I entered into a new season of my relationship with the Lord – a deeper, more intimate, more surrendered, hands wide open to the Lord’s desires for my life, type life. A physical baptism happened that day, but a spiritual baptism occurred within my heart. And for that, I’m forever thankful. A life spiritual anew with Jeus is worth it. It is worth it all.
Another significant thing happened this day as well. Earlier that morning my Daddy went out to coffee with quite a significant “guy friend” in my life. Throughout what I’ve heard to be a “nerve-wracking” conversation, this “guy friend” professed his undying love for me…kidding :] He expressed his intentions in wanting to date me and asked my Dad’s permission. Bold right? I think so :] They talked about the difficulty that lay in me being away for a year, but confidence in the Lord’s protection and provision was expressed on both ends. At one point my dad mentioned how beautiful it would be to see how much the Lord blessed the both of us through our obedience in trusting in God’s faithfulness throughout the year. And with that, he gave his blessing.
So, later that night, it became official, Mr. Tyler Herrinton and I started dating – and today we’re celebrating a year!
Now, some of you may be wondering, how is it possible to carry on a relationship for so long without seeing each other? Well, yes it is difficult (PRAISE THE LORD for skype) but we both believe in a BIG God and trust that if this is truly His will for our lives, that He will protect our relationship. Romans 8:25 has become the verse we both find comfort in and cling to greatly, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience”.
Patience in knowing that this "style" of life isn’t forever, and both greatly hoping with anticipation for my return – it’s worth it all. This distance, missing significant days in each others lives, learning how to care for each others hearts from miles away are all apart of the journey, but in the end, it’s worth it all. It’s worth it to sacrifice time with someone that I love and care about so deeply to step into a land like Swaziland where hope is found in few people. It’s worth it to withhold my desires to engulf the “darkness” that radiates throughout China with light of the gospel. It’s worth it to deny what I think I deserve to bring the kingdom to nations all across the world. It’s worth it. It’s worth it all.
I have a lot to celebrate and thank the Lord for today. All in all, it’s worth it all.
I’m so thankful for you Ty :] I'd choose YOU again and again errrr day. You’re a man of great strength, obedience, and humility, for walking through this year along side me. You lead and serve me so well. I can’t wait to exit the terminal in 5 months and see your face! Poppa’s holding us in the palms of his hands. We just have to keep trusting Him. Don’t forget, it’s worth it. Through it all, it’s worth it. Happy One Year :] Love you!
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We’re leaving for Serbia today! Pray for safe travels as we go!
