9 days.
That’s it. 9 days until my 19th birthday and the first day of training camp. It’s crazy how fast this year has flown by. It feels like I am still trying to grasp the fact that I am 18 and that this season is almost over.
A new year, a new season, could only mean one thing: new dreams and expectations. I dream of all my fears falling away. I dream of working through my flaws and coming out as a new creation. I dream of finally knowing which direction I should take for college. I dream of knowing God in a whole, new way.
And yet…
These dreams, these goals: they put God in a box. I’m essentially telling God, “That’s it. This is all I want. Nothing more, nothing less. Got it?” The truth is, His plans and dreams for me are bigger than I could ever dream of or imagine. He is too great, too magnificent, and too holy, to put into the box of my dreams, desires, and expectations.
I wonder what would happen if I took God out of my boxes and let Him do whatever He dreams of doing for me? It may look scary, probably like I’m riding down a rollercoaster in the dark, but I believe there is treasure at the end of this crazy ride.
I am in no way saying that I am going to stop dreaming-that would be tragic-but that I want to take my dreams to the Author of the world and let Him shape them, discard them, or expand them. I want to be willing to receive a new or different dream from Him. This way, my dreams will be His dreams too, and maybe, just maybe, they will look a lot less like a box and more like eternity.
May the King of kings bless you!
~Ashlyn
T-shirt update!!
The t-shirt fundraiser went so well that I’m doing it again!
If you would like info about it, please click here:
Here’s the financial details of the previous fundraiser for those of you who want to know:
T-shirts sold:33 Cost of Shirts: $302 My profit: $352 This does not include extra money that some of you paid simply to be awesome! Thank you to everyone who bought a shirt!
Fundraising Update!!
I have currently raised $7,235!!! This means that I am more than 50% funded!! A big, big thank you is due to all of my donors: known and anonymous! You guys are amazing!
I would love to be fully funded by my birthday. If 88 people donate $75, I will be fully funded!! This may seem like a lot, but I know that it is a tiny amount to God. The best part is that He uses you! Every time someone partners with me, they are enabling me to be the hands and feet of Jesus. So, thank you for bringing about His Kingdom by donating!
Prayer update!
Thank you so much to everyone who has prayed for me! Starting in August, I will be releasing a monthly prayer letter until I come home next June. If you would like to be a part of my prayer team, please email me at: [email protected] so I can receive your email address. Thanks!
Prayer requests:
I would be fully funded by my birthday.
God would prepare my heart for training camp.
I would savor and be present in these last months with my family.
God would be glorified through my blog and my everyday life.
