March 2023 - May 2023

Hi friend! 

 Well it's been about six months since the last update post. So much has happened since February. First, a whole semester of college has come and gone, and now I only have one more semester of college left. The summer has come and is almost gone. I enjoyed a different change of pace during these summer months and hope you did too. Here are some pictures from March to May. 

In March the college seniors enjoyed a fun time at the senior party. 

One of the best parts of the party was a food truck that gave out waffles on a stick. 

At Easter break in April, my two friends and I had a painting party while we watched the Sight and Sound production of Jesus. 

The senior supper on the roof at the end of April is a definite highlight. We got to watch the sun set, and it was just fun eating supper outside on the roof. 

The food they served...

At the end of the semester, a teacher took me and a friend to the west campus where we enjoyed several relaxing hours of paddleboarding and kayaking. 

When my mom and two sisters came to pick me up at the close of the semester, Lauren and I had a blast jet skiing and afterwards we all swam in the ocean. On the way back to our hotel, we stopped and enjoyed an awesome dinner at Butch's Bistro & BBQ. The food was the bomb - highly recommend it if you're ever in the Florida/Alabama area. 

On the way back home, we stopped at Falling Waters State Park to look at the tallest waterfall in Florida. 

Walked a few trails at the park and found this interesting bug. . . 

as well as this pretty pond.

Flowers in the park...

Flowers in a field on the side of the road.

The sky at home.

We had a fire one night.

Lake Okeechobee

On May 20th Lauren and I went skydiving. What an awesome experience! Totally recommend it! 😀

Lauren

The plane we rode in. 

That's it for now. I'll post summer adventures next time. 

Hope your August is going well and have an awesome day! 😁

Musings on a Monday Morning

 Proverbs 16:3: Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

The past few weeks this verse has been in my head because I now understand it more fully now that I've seen it worked out practically in a Christian's life. When you find yourself in a situation which you wish you weren't in, or if you have an unlikeable task to do, it is so easy to complain about the circumstance. But instead, focus on looking for the good, looking for the blessings God gives daily, and offering thanksgiving to the Lord. When you commit, give, your actions to the Lord, even if you don't feel good about it at the moment, God will change your heart and your thoughts will eventually be in the right place. I was just reading the other morning in Psalms and came across this verse which I think goes along with Proverbs 16:3. 

Psalm 119:133: "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me." 

What a good prayer. Each one of us as God's child should desire to walk according to God's word and be constantly vigilant lest sin should have power over us. 

I pray you're encouraged to immerse yourself in the truth of Scripture this week, and purpose to commit your actions to the Lord so your thoughts will be correct. 

❤️Ashley

Happy 4th of July!

 Happy Independence Day!!!

America has been a country for 247 years now, and gratefulness floods my heart as I think about how good God has been to bless this country so immensely. I love these verses of "God Bless America."

O beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern impassioned stress,

A thoroughfare for freedom beat, across the wilderness. 

America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw, confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law. 

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life. 

America! America! May God thy gold refine, till all success be noblenss, and ev'ry gain divine. 

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years.

Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears.

America! America! God shed his grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood,

from sea to shining sea. 

Ronald Reagan said, "We're blessed with the opportunity to stand for something - for liberty and freedom and fairness. And these are things worth fighting for, worth devoting our lives to." 

Liberty didn't originate from the founding fathers. It comes from God. Since every person is created in God's image, each one deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and individual freedom is worth fighting for. I like what the psalmist said in Psalm 61:5:  "...thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name." We have been indeed blessed with a strong, great heritage, and I hope you have an awesome day celebrating! 

Do you have any fun plans or traditions you like to do on the 4th? 

Fried Egg & Tomato

Here's yet another recipe for you, friend. Can you tell I really enjoy cooking? 😀

This recipe was first introduced to me by my Chinese roommate from college. It makes for a quick, easy lunch or supper. The following measurements are enough for probably a two-person meal with some leftovers. (I made this for myself and had leftovers for a couple days.) You can of course adjust the recipe to fit your family size. 

Also, if you can't find the Udon noodle, I've heard that egg noodles work, but I haven't tried it. 

Ingredients: 

-2 tomatoes

-1-2 bundles of Japanese Udon noodles 

-3 eggs

-soy sauce

-Ketchup

Here's what the udon noodles look like. 

Instructions: 

Bring water in a pot to a boil and add the Udon noodles. Meanwhile, cut up the tomatoes. Cook and scramble the eggs and add the tomatoes to the eggs. Cook tomatoes slightly and drizzle a little soy sauce and ketchup over the blend. (For this exact recipe I use 2 packets of ketchup.) You don't want to cook the tomatoes too long else they'll become soggy. 

When the noodles are done, strain them. (I also rinse off my noodles.) 

Add the eggs and tomatoes over the noodles in a bowl. You can drizzle a little more soy sauce over everything and mix together if you'd like. Then enjoy! 😋

Variations: I’ve added lettuce to this blend and cooked it slightly with the eggs and tomatoes.  

Shrimp also tastes great in it. 

 If you try this recipe, I would love to know how you liked it!

Memorial Day & Homemade Granola

A cherry hello to you, friend!

I wanted to post yesterday but just didn't get a chance to.  I hope you were able to celebrate Memorial Day yesterday by remembering and thanking the Lord for those patriots who gave their lives in defense of this land. Did you know that in December of 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Act became a law? At 3:00 p.m. wherever you're at on Memorial Day, Americans everywhere are encouraged to pause for one minute of silence to remember the men and women who died in service to our country.   

O beautiful for heroes proved in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.

America! America! May God thy gold refine

Till all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine. 

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years,

Thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. 

America! America! God shed his grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.

Also, Memorial Day marks the official beginning of summer, so happy summer. 😃

Now, I have a new recipe for you to try. If you like granola, I recommend making this. It is much healthier than buying it at the store and it's super easy to make. 

The ingredients you need are: 

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup almonds

Instructions: Add everything together in a bowl and mix except for the raisins. Add a sprinkle of cloves and/or flax seed. If the mixture is still a little wet, add more oats. Grease your pan well so the granola doesn't stick. Spread out the mixture on the pan and bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. Take the pan out, add raisins to the mixture, stir around, and bake again for 15 minutes. Then take it out and let cool completely before putting it in a jar. Scrape it up when you first take it out of the oven while it's still on the pan so it doesn't stick while cooling.   

This recipe is versatile. You can leave out the almonds or the raisins if you don't like them. You could add another nut or chocolate chips, depending on what you like. 

Enjoy! 

If you make this, I'd love to know how you like it. 

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. ~Romans 15:13

Values are a Part of Life

Values. I've been pondering this topic lately since we discussed it in my favorite class. First, here's a couple questions to think about: 

What do you hold most dear? What (or who) is your authority? 

I see more and more Christians living a detached life from the Bible. Do you hold God's word as the dearest thing? Is the Scripture your authority for all decisions you make? 

Lately I've been noticing more and more how vital it is that Christians be constantly in the Word. The devil is out to destroy. This is no time to be passive in your Christian walk. Recently I've heard some young people say, "I don't feel like that was right..." or "I feel like this should be allowed." Why are Christians basing their decisions on their feelings? That is dangerous. Proverbs 28:26 says "He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool." In all kindness, it doesn't really matter what you feel is right. What do you know to be right based on what God has said? He has given us a guidebook for how to live life - it's all in the Bible. Psalm 119:105 ~ "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

Being a Christian is something you should not take lightly. It is not something you can take off one day and put on the next. It is part of who you are. You cannot choose to be a Christian only when it's convenient. Do not back down in those moments when you have to make a difficult decision, when you know people will be angry with you and disagree with what you've chosen. Don't let what other people think rule you. Choose what you know is right biblically and do it, even if it's not popular. You'll always be in the majority because God is on your side. 

You CAN NOT separate your work/life from your values. I know probably most of you are not writing books, but I'm just going to use it as an example since I'm a writer and it's a topic that's near and dear to my heart. 😊 Writers should reflect Christ in their books. Even if the book does not necessarily contain "Christian" themes, it should still be wholesome and good, reflective of your right values that are rooted in Scripture. Words are precious. They're powerful. Especially in writing, they can be used to lift up the name of Christ or they can be used to bring harm to him. No matter a writer's motive for writing, every book a Christian writes should never contain vulgarity, disgusting descriptive scenes, or cursing and blasphemous words. Real life can be depicted without including these things. Hard topics can be discussed in a Christ-honoring way. When a Christian has the vocation of writer, welder, or pilot, he is a Christian writer, a Christian welder, and a Christian pilot. Others are watching and learning from your example. If a Christian acts in a way contrary to principles in Scripture, he may bring more harm to Christ's name. 

Here are some valuable Scriptural reminders:

Proverbs 4:23: "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." 

1 Corinthians 10:31: "Whether therefore ye eat, or dink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

Matthew 12:35: "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things."

Titus 2:7-8: "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you."

Stay faithful.

~Ashley

Communication: Body Language

 Hello friend! 

I'm so thankful it's the weekend...how about you? Do you have any special plans to celebrate Easter? I don't really have anything extra ordinary going on, except that all classes are cancelled through Monday and that gives us a nice break. 

The other day my friend and I were talking about body language, and she told me that body language is 55% of communication, tone is 38%, and actual words are only 7%. It makes sense because we all know the phrase, "actions speak louder than words."

Our conversation made me think of Jesus. This week is Easter, the time when we celebrate Jesus' resurrection. Not only did Christ say he loved the world, he communicated it in the most powerful way through his body language when he took my sins and gave up his life on the cross for me. John 15:13 says "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." It's one thing for a man to die for his friends. But it's something else for a man to die for his enemies. Yet that is exactly what Jesus did. He proved he loved the world. 

How I love to read the book You wrote for me -

You loved the world so much you gave Your Son. 

Written there in crimson, You told me I'm forgiven. 

It is done, it is done!

So if You never speak another word of blessing, 

And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss, 

I'll remember when my heart begins to question,

Any doubt that You loved me, was settled at the cross. 

I would be the first to admit I don't deserve

The kind of favor You have always shown. 

But You don't have to tell me, 

You proved how much You loved me, 

And I know, I'll still know.

That if You never speak another word of blessing,

And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss, 

I'll remember when my heart begins to question, 

Any doubt that You loved me was settled at the cross. 

Every word was mercy, every breath forgave, 

every drop of blood testifies of grace.

If You never speak another word of blessing,

And the silence leaves me with a sense of loss,

I'll remember when my heart begins to question,

Any doubt that You loved me was settled at the cross. 

~"Settled at the Cross"

Here's the music for the song if you'd like to hear it.

If viewing this post on your email, click here to listen. 

Amazing love! How can it be that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." ~ Romans 5:8

Homespun Devotions ~ Volume 2

A cheery hello to you! 

I am thrilled to share a new devotional book with you, written by my friend, Mrs. Smith. 

About the Book:

Christian living is like a quilt—multi-colored scraps of wisdom gleaned and assembled one stitch at a time. We learn as we go, as the common thread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is woven throughout the everyday moments, events, and situations we encounter. Only He can tie the pieces together and create something of beauty that will serve to warm the hearts of others and surround them with His grace.

"Homespun Devotions: Volume One" began a series of books that record the piecing together of many of the stories of my life and the rich spiritual truths God has imparted along the way; this is Volume Two. As you read these homespun narratives of family, love, marriage, motherhood, friendship, and the music that is such a part of my heritage, you will discover glimpses into moments of the soul-searching and intense struggles I have experienced while journeying to a place of complete surrender to the One who bled and died for me.

I point you to no denomination, religious group, or sect—only to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, where redemption, restoration, healing, and peace still freely and lavishly flow. He loves you with a never-ending, unconditional love—I pray you embrace this truth afresh and with a deeper persuasion as you read.

My thoughts: 

 Each devotional contains a small story from Mrs. Smith's life and she gives application to go along with the lesson learned. I truly enjoy them. Whether it's a devotional reminding me to appreciate others and the things they do for me, or sharing a reminder that God is stronger than I am and can bear all my burdens, or giving me encouragement to be faithful in praying, or sharing the sweet truth that God knows me fully and loves me, each one is an encouragement to my heart. And if you read the book, I know they'll encourage you too. 

You can buy the book here on Amazon. And in case you haven't read the first devotional book, here it is.  This would be an awesome resource for any Christian friend who needs encouragement or who just likes to read. :) 

I want to thank Mrs. Smith for allowing me to read and review this book. 

About the author: 

Cheryl Smith is the author of the book “Biblical Minimalism,” the story of her family’s journey from a life of abundance to a more abundant life. She is the author of the blogs Biblical Minimalism, where she writes about minimalism from a Biblical perspective, and Homespun Devotions, where she writes devotionals and conducts “Inner Views.” She loves to spend time with her husband and son in the mountains, sing and play Bluegrass music, and write.

December 2022 - February 2023

Hello Friend!

It's been a while since I've written an update. I had most of December and January off from school, so I got to spend some wonderful time with family. Here's a few pictures from the past couple of months. 

We celebrated Christmas on Saturday since Sarah had to work on Sunday. My aunt and uncle came over for breakfast, and we enjoyed their company for a few hours. Their dog Harry loves my dad's motor bike. He's the cutest pup - he chased it around, and Gracie chased him. 😀

I visited my favorite place - the beach- a few times. The views never get old.

 A random pup walking on the beach with its owner.

Early morning sunrise

At the end of January, my mom, sister and I took a road trip back up to college. We stopped in the city of Marianna, and found a park to walk in. The water flowed from the dam, and though bubbly, it was very clear. We could see the bottom of the stream. 

How I love quiet country roads.

Interesting cafe...I can see why it's closed. 😅

A scene in Pensacola...

I'm thankful for flowers from friends that brighten our lives. 

This week at college, the students are enjoying the Bible conference. It started Wednesday and runs through Friday. It's a concentrated time to focus on God's word. We get to hear a lot of messages by a variety of preachers. Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely time of fellowship and games at the picnic. The theme was Western Roundup. There was ax throwing, bull riding, nerf gun competitions, corn hole, kite-flying, hayrides, and many other activities for the students and guests to enjoy. 

I'm in my second to last semester of college, and it's quite busy. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post, but I hope to pop in once in a while. :)

How is your year going so far? Share in the comments! 

Psalm 119:160

~ Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.