Wait and See ~ by Brandon Heath

I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive
I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right

Chorus
There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet

I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright
I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth

Chorus
Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something

So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight
Chorus

Latest Doings

We got home last night very tired and very laden with shopping bags. :) Yesterday was our family trip to St. Louis for clothing shopping! It went quite well, and everyone found things they like.
The thing is, I'm going to the mall again on Friday! That time, however, will be with my lovely aunt and two best girl cousins!! We decided that it has been way too long since we three girls (Alyssa, Clara, and I) went on a big shopping trip together, and Aunt Livia graciously offered to come along and drive. :) We'll definitely take pictures, and they shall get posted.
I promise. If they don't then,... then, I guess I'll officially be a bad blogger. But they will ~ you'll see.
And... tonight's the big night! It's time for the annual cousin New Year's Eve sleepover at Jeannie and Papa's!! Only this time, it's not actually the night before the new year. But we're doing it that way so the older kids can go to parties with their friends on the real big night! Pretty smart of the grandparents to plan it that way, I think. :) Pictures will be taken, for sure, and a post done to detail the fun times!
Love to you all in our wonderful LORD,
ashley louise

Longing for...

... Camp! I can't wait!! Summer just won't come fast enough.
Yes, I'm happy with the present (and I'm loving the snow!), but the future is so fun to anticipate!
Camp David is where I want to spend a good part of my summer this coming year. I just have to figure out my work schedule and see if I can get time off to be out there.
Please, anyone, if you are interested in working at CDO this summer, don't hesitate to comment and let me know! I'd be glad to send you a volunteer form. :) It's a chance to experience lives changed...
God's work is awesome to see!

Merry Christmas!!!
Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Let it Snow!! :)

Farm Girl

This is what Jeannie looked like while her family was living in the farmhouse. She would walk to the one-room schoolhouse (which is also on our property) each day for lessons, and then come home to help with the chores. One of her jobs was to feed their chickens; the old coop still stands right where it always did, and Alyssa's flock lives in it now.

Sleepovers and Sore Throats

I just got home from my dear friend, Susanne's house. We had a sleepover last night with another dear friend, Rachel! It was nice to get out of the house for a while and just have girl time. :) We talked pretty much the whole time, except for watching The Nativity Story. (That's an excellent movie, by the way! It makes me cry.)
And I have a sore throat, and a nasty-sounding cough. Bummer! Three days before Christmas, and I'm still kind of sick. I will be better by Christmas morning.... I will. We'll see if positive thinking helps or not.
In the meantime, we're off to town for more shopping!

Wishing to go back...

... and experience all over again,
friends i don't see too often.


becky girl.

family gatherings.

pancake day.

sledriding.

church picnics.

the guys.

girls' Bible study group.

junior girls week, CDO.

staff training.

studying at hazell's.

volleyball at hall's.

branson with my sisters.

the hike 2.

being kidnapped on my birthday.

rollerblading with my best friend.

the landmark formal.

plays.

basketball games on hickle's driveway.

birthday parties.

fishing with my big brother.

youth group float trips.

Christmas programs.

dissection party at welshymer's.

The Lord has blessed me with so many friends, and an amazing family! The years have been full of good times, as well as struggles, and through it all He remains faithful. I can't believe that 2009 is almost at an end! Looking forward to what He will bring in the new year...

RBC Christmas Program

Oh goodness! Remember this group? That was probably one of the best Christmas plays ever put on by the RBC youth... in my opinion. ;) That was a very fun year, and we made lots of memories together.
This year's program is full of new faces! Lots of kids moved on to college, and the younger siblings have taken their places. They've had fun working on this play, and it's going to be a great night!
It's this evening at Rolla Bible Church on 10th Street, starting at 6:oopm. All are invited!!
Merry Christmas ~ a few days early. :)

Hello There

Well, I do not yet have pictures of the farmhouse. Terribly sorry... my humblest apologies.
But, I do have a decent excuse! I've been sick. So sick, in fact, that I went to the doctor's office. And for those of you who don't know, I almost never go to the doctor! In fact, when we got there, they had to update all my information because it had been so long since I'd been "seen".
It's nothing serious, and Lord willing I will be up and around again before Christmas! That was very good news. :)
But there was a bit of disappointing news as well. I hurt by back by lifting heavy buckets at work on Monday, and the pain didn't go away like it usually does. The doctor said that my back muscles were spasming, and she sent me home with pills to help relax all my muscles and relieve the pain. Thankfully, it has helped with the pain, but the relaxing part might have been a little too strong! It's hard to get up and walk around and stretch (which I've really wanted to do!) when you're whole body feels limp. *You may laugh; it has been kind of a funny experience!*
Anyway, today I'm feeling quite a bit better, and I'm grateful to the friends who've been keeping me in their prayers!
Hope to see you all again soon!
Love in Christ,
ashley louise

Big News!!!

I am moving into the farmhouse with my cousin, Alyssa, next month!! We are super excited; a new adventure is about to begin. ;)

The farmhouse is where our Grandma Jeannie (Mom's mom) grew up here on the farm. Last year it was moved to a new foundation and is being completely renovated! We have kept the original layout, though, and the upstairs still has the wood that Jeannie's dad used to build the house years ago. There is still some cleaning and installing left to do before it's all set for us to move in, but the goal is to have it done by the end of January!

I'm hoping to go down there later this week and take some pictures of the house without all out stuff in it. :) And then I'll also post some pictures later on when we've set up house and it's ready for cozy living.

The Lord is ever-faithful, and His care is never-ending!

Jags

The Landmark Jaguar teams are playing home games tomorrow evening at Mark Twain elementary school, starting at 6:oopm.
Everyone's invited!

p.s. Above picture, LtoR: Josh, Chris, Ryan, and Zack.

Today

I get to go spend part of my day with Alida! It's a happy day. :)
She's so nice...
Maybe I'll bring home some pictures? Maybe not. We'll see.

Psalm 119:32

"I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free."

I just wanted to say how very grateful I am for my wonderful mom! She is my special friend and most faithful encourager. The Lord has blessed my life incredibly through Mama.

p.s. She took the above picture. You can't really tell, but it was very cold and windy that day! :)

My Day

Today was incredibly busy! It began with heading into town with Daddy, and going straight to work decking out the Level Paths office for Christmas. Then I was off to Something Special to begin the work day. It was crazy in the shop all day! My favorite thing that I accomplished this afternoon was a vased arrangement to celebrate the birth of a baby boy! :) I do love my job - it is such a blessing. And I got to enjoy some good conversation with a sweet friend, Jess. God is oh so good!
And now I am into the evening, which is filled up with homework, computer work, and decorating the family Christmas tree.
I will praise the name of my Lord forever; He is faithful!

My Thoughts

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. For your Maker is your husband - the Lord Almighty is His name - the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth. The Lord will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit... 'with deep compassion I will bring you back... with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord your Redeemer."
~Isaiah 54:2, 4-8 (parts)

I don't feel the need to elaborate with details, but the courtship between David and me has been broken off. I am hurting a lot right now, but the Lord is near, and I have such a peace that He is in control of my life. Nothing takes Him by surprise; He knows my end from my beginning! And His love never fails.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find me when you seek Me with all your heart."
~Jeremiah 29:11-13

"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes."
- Psalm 118:8,9

Out to Eat...

... with Alyssa and Matthew!
They're quite the pair, I must say. ;)

Because she said so.

A wonderful, sweet girlfriend of mine sent me this picture and said it really needed to be put on the blog. :)
It was taken at a Friday school meeting at the Hazell's house, I think last year or the year before. Those were great times, and I definitely miss everyone a lot!

Ally, remember the fish dissection?? ... and what we named it? ;)

Girls

Lovely...

... yes,

... lovely.

John was in the ladies' restroom with Meg and Jen at the Wendy's restaraunt the other day. (They were taking him off Mama's hands for a few minutes.)
A sweet old lady said, "Well hi there, Honey! What's you're name?"
The little guy swiftly replied, "I'm Mitchel, and [pointing to the girls] this is Sally and Dorcas."

Neither of the girls bothered to correct it.
And, later, we all laughed a lot.

For the Moments I Feel Faint

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What of the death I still dwell in?
I try to excel, but I feel no movement.
Can I be free of this unreleasable sin?
Never underestimate my Jesus.
You're telling me that there's no hope.
I'm telling you, you're wrong.
Never underestimate my Jesus.
When the world around you crumbles,
He will be strong.
He will be strong.

I throw up my hands.
"Oh the impossibilities."
Frustrated and tired,
where do I go from here?
Now I'm searching for the confidence I've lost so willingly.
Overcoming these obstacles is overcoming my fears.
I think I can't, I think I can't.
But, I think You can, I think You can.
I think I can't, I think I can't.
But, I think You can, I think You can.
Gather my insufficiencies and place them in Your hands.
Place them in Your hands.
Place them in Your hands.

I know You can.

From Years Past. pic #2 (and 3ish)

It's Alyssa Jean! The life of the party. :)

These were taken last Thanksgiving! Wow... what do you think? Have we changed that much?

From Years Past. pic #1

Oh my goodness.
You know who these people are? They would be me, Colin, and Sherry. (Alida took the picture.)We're doing school ~ a crawdad dissection, to be exact. Good times, for sure.

Happy Birthday!

Today is my daddy's birthday! I don't need to tell you how old he is, because it really doesn't matter all that much. It's a day to celebrate what an amazing husband, father, son, son-in-law, and friend he is!
"Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?"
My daddy is faithful, and I love him so very much!

He also makes us laugh a lot.

Costumes!

The Pirate King.
Pirates of Penzance still gets listened to at least once a week at our house, and Johnny pretty much has the whole thing memorized!

The (real life) basketball player.

Sprout, nephew of the Jolly Green Giant.

The beautiful Senorita.

The Chiquita Banana Lady.

And the sweet Prairie Girl.