God Is Near

Adventure. What comes to your mind when you hear that word? For me, it's a positive image of trying something new or exploring a new place. The adventures I've taken have always been fun, even if at first I was a little hesitant to try it. 
Well each one of us is on this adventure called life. Sometimes it's fun and sometimes it's just downright hard. But it's not the final destination. The adventure is just part of the journey. Think of a plane ride. When you're on a plane, you cross a lot of land, maybe some ocean. You may have a small idea of where you're at during the flight, but you don't know specifically. And if you're crossing the ocean, there's definitely no landmarks to tell you where you are. All you know is that the plane keeps moving forward. That's similar to our life. The pilot is the Lord, and we might go on what we think are detours, but those detours just may be a part of his plan. We don't know exactly where we are at on our journey, but we know we're moving forward, headed for a better destination. Storms arise but take comfort. They only last for a season. How about drought and desert times? They too only last a little while, though they're hard to endure while stuck in the middle. But God stays faithful. He is with us.

Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
 A preacher noted in a chapel message recently that this verse contains 2 "I AM" statements, 2 "not" statements, and 3 "I will" statements. Consider them. 
Isaiah 41:13 says, "For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." What a precious picture this is. God has a hold of your hand, he's not letting go, and he's walking with you in whatever you're going through.

I am: "I am with thee" and "I am thy God."

Not: "Fear thou not" and "be not dismayed."

I will: "I will strengthen thee," "I will help thee," and "I will uphold thee." 

Psalm 16:8 ~ "I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved."

Psalm 138:7 ~ "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me."

These verses give such comfort that no matter what you go through, good or bad, God is there. I'll close with a song that's come to my mind, "When God is Near."

Make me know your presence Lord, the King of glory here,

You know each thought and action, hope, anxiety and fear,

How can I hide from Thee? Can darkness hide iniquity,

Oh, how can I unfaithful be, when you are very near to me. 

When God is near, all the world seems far away,

When God is near, every fear is set aside,

When God is near, how can I stray, how can I falter?

I'll stay upon the altar; I know my God is near. 

Make me know your presence Lord, when I feel so alone,

You know each trial and testing pain, the hurt that is unknown,

Oh why can I not see, your hand so firmly guiding me? 

Oh how can I untrusting be, when you are very near to me? 

When God is near, all the world seems far away, 

When God is near, every fear is set aside,

When God is near, how can I stray, how can I falter?

I'll stay upon the altar; I know my God is near. 

Dear friend, may you feel the presence of God so very near to you today. 

❤️Ashley 

*Picture taken by Deborah S.

Summer at the Ark Encounter

 This summer I had the awesome opportunity to work in the culinary department at Answers in Genesis's Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. My mom, sister, and I left home on May 22nd, arrived on May 24th, and I started work the following Monday. 

The sunrise the day we left Florida.

Here's a panoramic of the inside of the house I stayed in. Answers in Genesis provides seasonal/ temporary housing for people who live far away and come to work for the ministry. It was a blessing and so much fun to share this space with 45 other ladies. Staying in the housing I met one young lady from South Africa, one from Republic of Georgia, three from Bolivia, and many from around the country. I normally worked 5 days a week with two off days. Every week my schedule varied, but many times my next-door neighbor and I had the same off days, so we explored Kentucky. You'll see pictures from our adventures a little later on. :)

There's a few bird cages stationed on the path outside leading up to the Ark. 

 Silas, a Kookaburra, lives in one.

 CooCoo, a hornbill, lives in the other. If you're interested, the picture below provides information about hornbills.

The skies in Kentucky display such beauty. 

The entrance to the Ark.

A lamb at the petting zoo.

I worked at the Olive Leaf Cafe three days a week and at Emzara's Buffet two days. Here's a panoramic view of the cafe inside the Answers Center. 

Flowers at the Ark.

In May my friend and I drove up to the Creation Museum. I hadn't visited in years, and they've added so many new exhibits. Along the way we stopped at Bigby Coffee. They have some awesome cold brew coffee that I highly recommend trying. :)  

The grounds at the Creation Musuem offer a wide variety of flowers and beautiful scenes to gaze at.

And that's it for now! I hope you are having a joyful week.  :) 

Keep looking up, He's always looking down...

~~Ashley

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.