Bring on the fall weather!

Oooooh how desperately I want fall to be here! Well, according to the calendar, fall IS here, but the weather is up and down. I love the changing of the seasons because it always feels like a fresh beginning. Of course, fall is by far my favorite season, as I love jeans and hoodies, so I'm especially anxious for the weather to turn more fall-like. Tonight I went on a walk with Spike and thought to myself "it's an absolutely perfect last afternoon". I wish every day was just like this day! If someone knows of a place where it is perpetually fall, please let me know. I'm thinking 60 degrees, beautiful leaves, blue skies, puffy white clouds. Let me know if you have a place in mind!

Last week Andy and I and headed down to Kentucky for Andy's friend's wedding. I headed over to Frankfort on Thursday and stayed until Saturday morning. I had a chance to spend time with Aubrei, Mom, and Trent and it was so fantastic! I miss everyone so much :-(.

Next week, Andy and I are going to St. Louis to see our friends Lacy and Jason, and their daughter Madelyn. We haven't seen them since last Christmas, so it will be so good to see them again! And, we get to go to a baseball game, so of course Andy is very excited (and I am too!)!

I'm currently reading a few really good books. At this actual moment, I'm listening to the audiobook Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I'm also reading his new book Outliers as a part of professional development for work. Both books are really interesting and are refreshing in the ways they're making me think! I'm also really enjoying our women's ministry Bible study book Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone, as it's seriously challenging me to reveal the idols I have in my own life. After making a list in my journal this evening, I realize that I have MANY! Luckily, God is working on my heart to give me strength to remove these idols from my life. The work is going to be slow, but it's going to be oh so good!

God also continues to work on my heart in terms of allowing me to place my burdens on him and know that he will provide for all of our needs. While I have a tendency to worry about everything imaginable, I've been blessed lately in such ways that I'm truly amazed. While Andy and I may be dealing with a heavier burden than we'd like, in the last few days I've been feeling more at peace than I have in months. I was even able to praise God tonight for EVERYTHING that has happened, as I know that it's all part of his divine plan. It was a huge moment for me, as I realized more than I ever have before that God is so powerful. Praise Him!

I also praise God for simply being able to write this blog, as I know that some of my friends and family who read it don't understand how much I've changed over the last few years, with the last year being the most significant. Sometimes it's difficult for me to actually write so openly about praising God and including Scripture on my posts, because I'm terrified of what some of my closest friends will think. But, I keep going, because I feel compelled by God to do so. I desperately want everything I say and everything I do go to the glory of God. It's not always an easy road, but it feels good to be traveling down this path.

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

5K Madness

Andy and I did a 5K along with many of our friends this Saturday! It's the second year I've completed the race and the first year for Andy! We both walked it and had a fabulous time. I had planned to run the race but came down with two ear infections on Thursday evening. For fear of tumbling over or just passing out, I opted out of the running option. That left me with a great chance to complete the race with another rookie 5Ker, my great friend Amanda. It was a lovely way to start the weekend.

Andy's doing well at the Cedar Falls Arby's, although that store presents some issues that doesn't always make for a great work environment. Luckily for Andy, he's doing really great and is enjoying the work (for the most part...).

We're heading home later this week for Andy's best friend's wedding. We're both excited to see family, especially since I haven't been to Andy's hometown since last Christmas! I also get to spend time with my mom, stepdad, and sister, so I'm REALLY looking forward to the trip.

I'm beginning a women's Bible study this week over the book Idols of the Heart. I'm really looking forward to that twelve week study and the chance to connect with women of Cedar Heights Baptist Church! Andy and I continue to get involved with our church and we're delighted to see God growing us in such great ways! We also recently joined the Hospitality Ministry and are still teaching 7th and 8th grade Sunday School. We're also getting ready to start another year of Acts 2:42 home groups, where we meet twice a month with other members in homes to pray for and encourage one another. When I look back at all we're doing, it's truly amazing to me; I wouldn't have guessed in a million years that we would ever be so involved in a church. But, it's really helping us to not only grow in our faith but form friendships outside of work, which is nice and refreshing, given the tendency residence life has to isolate folks.

Overall, life is good.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11

Time...where does it go?!

I can't believe it's been since July that I've posted! Nothing too exciting has happened, but it's a little freaky to think that more than a month has passed without me even noticing! Okay...I've noticed, but wow.

RLC and RA training went well and this weekend is opening weekend! We have nearly all of our students in already and classes begin Monday. It's nice to have the building buzzing again! This has definitely been the best year as far as my attitude and excitement and I'm really looking forward to a great year!

Andy's doing wonderfully as well. He's getting ready to complete the last week of training in Evansdale and then moves to "his" store in Cedar Falls in two weeks. Monday he begins classes for what will be his LAST YEAR! I couldn't be more excited for him! It's been a really long road and I'm so proud of him for sticking with it. I'm going to be overwhelmed when he walks across the stage in May :-).

As I look back at the preparations I made for opening and the joy I experienced as I went through training (yes, you heard right; I said "joy" and training in the same sentence) I have to attribute it to God's amazing grace. Throughout the last several weeks I've prayed for strength, wisdom, comfort, patience, and confidence. And God granted me every single thing I requested. I just couldn't help but take a minute to praise Him for allowing me such blessings!

And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His will, He hears us: and if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. 1 John 5:14 & 15

Cake Decorating!

My first cake ever! This is the first cake from Course 1. I'm taking the class with a friend in Hobby Lobby. I'll keep posting as I create more cakes!

Ashleigh

Storm Damage July 2009

A crazy storm rolled in on 7.10.09 at about 4AM. I had seen lightening around 3AM and at 3:50AM hail hitting the ground to ceiling windows in our apartment woke both Andy and me up. Lots of people are speculating that it may have been a tornado, but nothing has been said for sure. Thankfully, it looks as though most of the damage was trees, with some property damage. I haven't heard anything about people getting hurt. The winds were so strong that they blew over a semi (the driver was sleeping at the time) and moved 9,000 lb helicopters at the airport. For more pictures, click the link "Storm Damage July 2009". 

Storm Damage July 2009

We're really thankful to be safe and inspired yet again by how much the community has come together. CF is really a great place to live!

In love,

Ashleigh and Andy

The Lord will keep you from all harm -- He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forever more. - Psalm 121

A great weekend!

Last weekend Andy and I had the opportunity to go to Bloomington, MN to celebrate our first anniversary! We had a great time at the Mall of America and really enjoyed getting away for a few days. It's amazing how much of an attitude shift a short vacation can produce! For a look at our entire album of the weekend, check out the link below (just scroll over "1st Anniversary Celebration! below)!

1st Anniversary Celebration!

This week Vacation Bible School begins at Cedar Heights Baptist Church. Andy took on the responsibility of Director, so he's been working very hard for months to put everything together. Luckily, we're working with two great women, Becky and Lynn from Follow Hard Ministries. These women are so energetic, enthusiastic, and inspiring! I'm so glad to have them facilitating VBS at CHBC again this year! The first night was a success and we're both really looking forward to the rest of the week. 

We received yet another blessing from God the Friday we left for MN; Andy got a job! He starts his training Tuesday to be the new assistant manager for the Arby's in Cedar Falls. We are so thankful for this blessing and are praising the Lord for it! Andy's excited to get working (as he finishes up his last year in college!!!!) and is confident Arby's will be a good fit. Plus, who doesn't love roast beef sandwiches?! haha. 

The last few weeks have been really great and we want to make sure to praise our God for all of the blessings he's bringing our way. 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! -- Psalm 105: 1-2

Summer!

Well the summer is off to a great start! I had the opportunity to go to Arizona with my mom to see my grandfather, Gops. It was a lovely visit and I fell even MORE in love with Arizona! As soon as I got back home, I told Andy, "we need to start saving now; we're retiring to Arizona!". It was such a different experience and felt like a true vacation. We slept in, swam, and just took it easy. Plus, it was nice to see Gops, as I hadn't seen him since May of 2005. I'm really anxious to take Andy out to Arizona, to show him the sights and have him meet Gops. Hopefully that's in our near future.

Gops!

The view from Gops' house!

Last weekend, my "bestest" friend Stephanie got married. It was a beautiful ceremony and really really fun reception. They just returned from their honeymoon to Playa del Carmen and Steph said it was absolutely gorgeous. We're already planning a joint trip back in five years!

This picture cracks me up!

Next weekend Andy and I are heading up to Minneapolis, MN to enjoy a late anniversary celebration weekend. We plan to explore the Mall of America (which, when I saw the map, blew my mind!) and check out Underwater Adventures, an aquarium inside MOA. We were in downtown Minneapolis last October and really had a great time, so we're looking forward to going back again!

Summer work is going well for me, as the pace is much more manageable and I get to really focus on projects I enjoy. Andy's work is going well too; he's been umpiring a lot of softball and baseball games and just finished his second interview for an assitant manager position at a restaurant. He'll know more about that job opportunity next week. We're praying that something comes through!

I'll try to post pictures of our trips so far this summer, with more to come after our weekend in Minneapolis.