Fall Fun

Oh, what a weekend. It's been a crazy one but so fun and so worth it. It was nice to finally get the ACT out of the way; that's one more thing that's out of my hands and off my schedule :)

But the highlight of my weekend was getting to see and participate in Mary Thompson's confirmation into the Episcopal Church. It was such an amazing reminder of the great friends we have and how important it is to be there for them when you get to celebrate their stories. It always is fun to be around Domain friends; it makes you feel like you're home, even if it's only for a little while. 

Mary's confirmation also reminded me of how dearly I love the Episcopal Church already. I'm still new at this whole thing but even when I came to Trinity this morning, I felt apart of a family that had open arms. I felt apart of something bigger than myself, and I'm so grateful for that.

As each week passes, I get closer and closer to Happening, my Alabama visit and Thanksgiving (aka days off of school, finally!) This semester is getting close to its end so quickly.. I feel like I just started this silly blog a few days ago!

I hope you all have had a wonderful fall weekend and enjoy some company today. 

All my love, Ash

Life and Jelly Beans

I saw one of my favorite bloggers (Monogram Meredith) blog about this video she saw from one of my other friends, Hallie on some social media some other day about jelly beans. Honestly, the only reason I watched this video was because I really love jelly beans.. They're so good. 

But after watching it, I never stopped to realize how much time we spend doing things that, in the long run, will be so insignificant to who we are and who we become, like watching TV, "grooming", and preparing food/eating/drinking (which I know my number is WAY higher.. It's a never ending process). We spend much smaller amounts of time serving others.. 2,676 days spent watching TV compared to 564 days dedicated to serving others.

It put a visual picture to the short amount of time we have here, and how much time we've already used.. Which is scary enough. Sometimes I get so caught up in raising my ACT score 1 point or getting a good grade on my test, that I seem to forget that I have so many more days to worry or stress, and I am only 17 for so long. Senior year is quickly approaching and going our own ways is beginning to seem more and more real. I can't wait to finish out these last two years of high school well and with my best friends at my side. I hope I can invest my days in new ways, ways that impact others and cause others to feel loved and important. 

I hope to use my jelly beans for good :) 

Happy Tuesday!! All my love, Ash

Spread Thin

Shoot, I've let this blog get away from me this month :( 

It's been an insane past few weeks with me constantly going and going with no end in sight. Tests, meetings, babysitting, DYC, anything and everything has been taking up so much space in my planner. 

I've been feeling spread thin, weary, and I find myself more and more bitter towards those I love because of it. 

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 7, 9-10, 23-24)

Sometimes I'm too busy and self-absorbed to realize how much weight my words and actions carry; I forget too easily how important it is to use my words and actions for good, even when I'm tired or lazy. 

I can keep running, but He is always gonna be following close behind me.

Lord: 

Thank you for the opportunity to have a full schedule, to be involved, to be desired and heard by those in my community. Thank you for opportunities to wash someone else's feet in the simplest ways. Push me and convict me to love and serve even when I'm tired or just don't feel like it. I want YOU to shine through ME. 

Amen.  

What A Week

This week was crazy in so many different ways. It was our last full week before our fall break week (PTL!) and I was pushing to get through. But, after school was finally over, I got to walk in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in downtown Lexington yesterday. Walking across the finish line hand in hand with my mom was something I had never imagined possible until yesterday. It was a perfect symbol of her almost 1 year anniversary. She embodies everything that I hope I can one day be to my family, and she doesn't get nearly enough credit for all the things she puts up with on a daily basis from us. There were quite a few times during the race that I couldn't keep the tears back; times when I looked around at the hundreds of people who all have their own stories surrounding breast cancer, when I looked at my mom and dad who are now more in love than ever because of it, when I walked across the finish line holding my 3 year old cousin's hand. It was the most perfect reminder of how thankful I am for my mom and how badly I want to live in a world without breast cancer.

I finished up my week in the best possible way: with Good Shepherd. Father Cole spoke perfectly about our mustard seed sized faith and why it is so important that we set out on the path laid before us now, instead of when we believe we have accumulated enough faith to set out on our journey. Our mustard seed sized faith can uproot trees and move mountains; it is enough.

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20.

All my love, Ash.