A new day!

Well all, I have discovered, not for the first time either, that this blog has been a success! One of several very important people to me has been reading this blog and staying in touch with my life, even though my crazy schedule doesn't always allow me to call. Ok, so that is a poor excuse, I know. I am working on it though. I got in touch with one of my beloved friends on my birthday, so that was wonderful. : ) 

So, I realize that some of my posts have been a bit depressing. God surely has allowed me to see many sorrows in the past couple months, but He always brings me through the rain and wind to see a beautiful meadow with sunshine on the other side. In regards to my last post, God truly allowed me to see a lot of pain last week. It seemed that my character was ever being tried, and alls I could do was run straight into His arms for comfort. I don't know how many times I ended up by my bed crying and praying, but He does. My fish ended up dieing on my birthday, and that was after I was already a little gloomy on my special day. It hurt, but I wasn't about to blame God. I was a little vane though. Yes, I am still childish enough to long for presents on my birthday, and I had concluded that my parents thought I too old for such things. But God looked past my depression, as He always does, and He healed me and sent me a very special friend to talk to on the phone. It made my day! God lifted my eyes up after that and I saw beauty again. 

Later, when we had set up camp in Lake Placid, I was told to sit on the bench in the kitchen of our camper, and I was served a big ice cream cake! (Yes, I bent my vegan convictions a little, and God convicted me about that later as well). I was so excited, and thought that was it, and then my Mom brought out this HUGE bad that said Happy Birthday on it!!!! I was shocked! Inside was the jacket and sweater I had been druling over at L.L. Bean.  : ) Then, to top it all off, my dear Adam surprised me with a new little motorcycle for my Birthday! God is so good! And I have realized that I can really only see so little of what is going on. I really have no reason to complain when things aren't going my way, because God is just using it to work on my character, and He always brings an abundance of blessings afterward. 

Praise God!

Life and Prayers

So all, once again about to fulfill the fact that my best blog posts occur well past my bedtime. It seems that no matter how much my body aches to be in bed before ten, it never happens. Tonight is an especial case since I have been pelted with "hardships," at least my kind, and needed a different set of pace. After all, tomorrow is my birthday. The funny thing is, I am not in my normal excited mode. Somehow life's little kicks, have well taken me off my feet and left me a little shaken on the ground. Hopefully tomorrow my attitude will be different. For my Christian warriors out there, I request prayer that God would not let the Devil have this victory over me. I need a pick me up, and ice cream isn't going to do it this time! This is spiritual warfare we are talking here folks. Did you know the Devil works hard at those little things that annoy during our day? Well he does. Whether he succeeds depends on how we handle the situation. That is the department where I need prayer. Prayer that I will be faithful, and every trust in my God to get me through. 

Well, now that the very most important business, as it should be to everyone, is said, I can talk about the plans for the weekend. Since my birthday falls on a Friday this year, it became very clear tome that a normal celebration of going out to eat wouldn't be an option. So, my outdoor heart was longing for a camping trip, so that is what it is. Lake Placid, here I come! All those familiar spots are calling my name. The Roller Coster, the Dump, the Zelda Trail, the Floom, Whiteface, the waterfall, and of course, Mr. Mikes! Oh, happy memories from my childhood! Only some of you can understand, and you know who you are. ; ) At any rate, I look forward to this part of my weekend and a get-away from all the stresses of the never-ending work/school week. Oh for a blessed Sabbath of true rest! Now do you understand why our Creator gave it to us? I do. 

Sunday mornings

Well all, my usual Sunday morning actives have just about finished. I have checked my discussion board for school, studied, taken a test, and even make a grand ole payment to the cause! What a morning. The sad part was that I woke up this morning and saw my littlest gold fish laying on its side on the bottom of the bowl. He was still alive but, fearing for his life, I put him in a separate bowl to monitor his progress. He was at death's door for quite a while, but I prayed for him vigilantly (yes, i love my fish. I have had them for almost 7 months now), and he seems to be doing a little better. Prayers continue for his speedy recovery. 

The weather has gone from rain, to sun, and back to clouds, so I still don't know what plans for this afternoon will consist of. Not much has happened this week, although I should note I have been reading a very deep book throughout the week which God has been using to speak to me. He certainly knows how to get me. ; ) And I am thankful that He is not done with me yet. So much growing to do...

Well folks, I guess that is it for now. I should also happily report that my golden birthday is this Friday, and I am excitedly looking forward to a camping trip to celebrate it in the Adirondacks.

For now, tootloo.

Comments from the realm of "should be" sleep

Well, it is 10:37 and I am still awake, doing school. I guess if I were at Southern this wouldn't be a horrendously odd occurrence, but I try to avoid this kind of thing being an online student where I supposedly just do it all in my "free time." I guess I can't complain. Last week I entertained myself with myspace for lack of things to do. Oh yeah everyone, I succumbed to myspace and have my own now. If you are interested in being my friend, then leave me a message here and I will give you the info. ; ) Adam was shocked to see my friend list go from 5 or so friends, to 27 in about a week! I am excited. ; ) Anyways, this week I have all the school I can ask for: discussions, readings, seminar, two projects, and a HUGE exam. Can anyone honestly tell me they enjoy learning about the roots of our healthcare system and EVERY single type of health insurance, or lack there of there is and was in this country? I would sure like to meet you. Maybe you can inspire me a little. At any rate, I am surviving. Trying to pace myself by planning a little bit each day. Procrastination is a killer on my stress level, so I am avoiding it...for now. 

Oh, and this should not come as a surprise to anyone, but there are still multiple people on my "to-call" list that I am desperately looking for time to call. Its seems I will never find the proper time of day for the specific person in which I have enough time to talk and am not weighed down by guilt of not doing homework. So, to Sara, Dannia, Janna, Andrea, and others that I really, REALLY need to talk to, I will call. It WILL happen! Time to get some shut eye all. 6:00am comes early, but thank our God for early morning walks in the fresh, cool air of Vermont to get my body in gear! Tootles.

Tribute to a wonderful life

Diane Coulter was an amazing woman. She was incredible example of what Jesus meant by "let your light so shine before men." In everything she did, she did it for God's glory. It didn't matter what kind of stress was in her life at the time, she always put others first, and extended her love to those in need. It goes as no surprise that a void now lies in many hearts as we grieve her loss. The one consolation we have is being reunited with her again in the Day of our Lord. May we all be there for the reunion that day.

Updates from the Sunny South

Hello everyone. I am writing from Florida on an ever changing Sabbath afternoon. On the way back from church it poured rain, and then by the time we were getting back, the blue skies were out. It has since changed from sun to thunder and back to sun again. Gotta love Florida in the summer! 

The update about my Aunt is that she has both good days and bad days, but seems to be having a good one today. She was put back on a medicine that agrees with her better and her nausea is more manageable now. One of the downsides to the medicine is that it knocks her out at times, and others it just make her say some really funny things. But we love her lots anyway! We really just want her to be as comfortable as she can be. She ate some yesterday, which was the first time in a few weeks. She gets a nutrition pack at night though, so no worries, she does get some nutrition. 

I have been able to spend some really good quality time with my cousin Justin. We have had some good talks about what each of us is going through and spiritual things in general. It is amazing to see what God has done and is still doing. God is so amazing! 

My other cousin Andy, and his girlfriend Sarah are up today as well. Andy is an RN so he will be able to take the place of the nurse for the night. It is nice to see Aunt Diane interact with the family. 

Other than that, not much is going on. I will update more when there is more to tell. : ) 

Hope everything is going well with you all. 

Beauty and God's Beneficence

I took these pictures yesterday morning...

and thought it might be nice...

to spread the cheer! : )

Isn't God amazing?!

So, just as I promised, this is the update for what is happening right now. Due to the continued decline in my Aunt Diane's health, my family and I are heading back down to Florida tomorrow morning to spend some time, in what may be her last days. Gallbladder cancer is terrible. She has stopped taking chemo and Hospice is now at her home 24/7. Her pain level has decreased some since they are giving her pain medication, but I would still ask all of you for your prayers. What has given me hope through all of this is the fulfillment of God's promise that "All things work together for good..." Through the grief and thinking this illness brought upon the family members, my cousin Justin has come to the Lord! It has been one of the most wonderful experiences to become closer to him as he was struggling, and support him in his decision to give his life to Jesus. God is so amazing! I knew that God had plans to bring good out of this bad situation right from the very beginning, but I surely wasn't expecting this. Praise God! So, going down to Florida entails spending time with Justin and continuing to walk with him on this new road of faith, as well as spending time with the rest of the family. I am just so thankful for what God has done and what He is still doing. :) 

I would ask all of you to keep us in your prayers as we travel tomorrow (our plane leaves at 6:30am which means we probably have to leave the house at 4:30am!). More importantly, I ask that you would pray for God's wisdom for me that I may be the best support and witness for Him in the situation down there. May God's will be done! 

I thank you all for your prayers and support. All is greatly appreciated! :) Oh, and I will keep everyone posted as to what is happening down there. 

Thanks,

Ashley