Fight the Good Fight of the Faith

Here I am, apologizing, yet again, for letting this blog get away from me.. It's a hard thing to keep up with when life starts to get out of hand (and when you have a super uninteresting life and can't really find anything earth-shattering to write about).

It has been a crazy couple weeks though; everything that has happened has put everything in perspective in the best kinds of ways. 

A week ago today, I had some really bad health issues at school and had to be taken to this hospital by EMS - boy, am I not used to that! The tests took all day and I was exhausted. But, at the end of the day, I was thrilled to know I was on the right track to feeling like myself again. On Halloween, I was very thankful for my health and the EMS teams, nurses and doctors that took care of me so wonderfully that day. 

I've also gotten wrapped up in finishing out the last 6 weeks of this semester (I'm so not ready for finals yet..) and all the busy, but exciting things I get to do in the next couple weeks. 

I've really been thinking about 1 Timothy 6:12 lately and it's really starting to hit home.

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Wow. I have been called by my Creator to fight this battle against those who call me by my sin. I have been called to confess my testimony over and over again to those around me. I have been called to take hold of the eternal life to which I have been called to.

As I continue to grow and learn through the Episcopal Church, I understand this calling more and more and feel more equipped and empowered to take it on, day by day. Although it may seem looming, scary and a heavy burden, I understand that the Lord is working through me. And that is one exciting thing. 

All my love, Ashleigh 

I also had a little bit of fun hanging out with some TriDelts at UK last weekend!

And celebrating one of my favorite's 17th birthday, Siobhan/Chevron/Sio!

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

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. 

God. Is. So. Good.

I've spent the past year church-hopping, trying to find the best fit for me in this ever-changing part of my life. I've spent all this time hoping I find a church I didn't mind going to or that I could bear; I never expected it to feel like home.

 I met Matt & April Elliot through the Domain, and they have taken over the Youth program at Good Shepherd Episcopal in Lexington. I got pushed into trying out their youth group - and fell in love. I loved the easy going, small atmosphere it provided with kids my own age. So this Sunday, I tried their 9AM Eucharist.

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, it feels like home. The small congregation, style of service and clergy welcomed me in the second I stepped inside. I've spent all this time hoping to find a force-fit when I never needed to have one in the first place; Good Shepherd fits like a glove :)
It felt like  the longest day of my life (as I'm sitting here writing this post about to fall asleep at 7:27PM..) but it was so worth it. I'm excited to see where the rest of this chapter takes me as a newbie-Episcopalian but I know this has been the "what's in store for me" for so long. I've found home. I've found where I'm supposed to be. 

I'm so thankful for everyone in my life who's had a hand in this step in my life. It's a new chapter, but an exciting one. 

All my love for a safe and wonderful week. Ash.