Life after Christmas

So Christmas has come and gone with its wonderful times and traditions, and now I am back to work, and soon to be back in school. I technically don't have to start school again til next Sunday, but considering they gave the same amount of work to do in 3 days that they would for a whole week, I start tomorrow. So, I guess a 6 day break is better than none. ; ) This would have to be the first year that I was back to a normal the day after Christmas. Life never stops for the plumber! 

As for notable Christmas gifts: snow shoes, for which I can only hope and pray for more snow so that I can use them, a nice soft fleece from my beloved Adam, and wonderful gift cards, most of which I spent yesterday during a big after-Christmas sale shopping spree. ; ) Every girls dream.     ; ) 

Well, I guess that is about it for now. I hope and trust that all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well. Lots of Love! ~Ashley

Merry Christmas

It is hard to believe that it is really almost Christmas! The go go go-ness has not stopped yet, as many people commented about me working on Christmas Eve. I was asked to play at the Episcopal (Yes! I finally learned how to spell that!) church for their Christmas Eve service at 4:00pm. It will be simple for me as it is only a few Christmas hymns, which is nice. After that begins my relaxation and the traditional night before Christmas activities: watching White Christmas and It's a Wonderful life, while eating soy cheese and crackers and soy nog (ok, so my traditions are a little different this year : ) ). Then its off to bed to wait for the joys of Christmas day! 

For all of you who read this blog, have a Merry Christmas and wonderful Holiday season! 

Signs of Winter

Here are a few Christmas pics of us...

Before the big storm
During the big storm

Winter is Here!

Life, and Miracles!

Life is busy as always, but I have a few spare moments so I thought it time to update everyone. Practice continues for the Arlington High school and Middle school Christmas programs. I met with the director, Patty Cody, and the group on Monday afternoon to go over the first and last song, which is all I get. The principle will not allow them to have a full rehearsal, so the rest of the songs we are going to have to wing! Yikes!!! Lots of prayers are going to be said by a certain pianist tomorrow night as I depend on God for even the page turns to go smoothly. Doing these musical things has really proved to me how completely dependent I am on God for even the smallest things. I know that if it wasn't for Him, I would have flubbed previous concerts many times. So after tomorrow night there is another concert the following Thursday, two actually, with the same group during the day. Then in two more days we will have the Christmas program at our church. God is good, though, and I know He will get me through. 

Now to a much more important update:

Last Sabbath we held one of the most exciting events our church has seen.......... 11 Baptisms! But even more excitingly for me, one of them was my Dad! Praise God for the incredible miracles He is doing! God is wonderful, and I am seeing now that He is readying His people in many ways for the days to come. I know this doesn't mean smooth sailing from here. In fact, it probably means just the opposite, but just the same we have the assurance that God will be with us through it all, and some day we are all going to be united in the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! May we all be there on that day!