30 Reasons To Love Me

I assume they’re meaning 2010. Can’t speak much for 2011, yet. So far, so good, though.

2010 was a year to be remembered. Here’s a recap.

I rang in the new year with Stephen. We hung out with Amy, Cody, Jason, and Melissa. Enjoyed the evening in Pontotoc, and at Amanda Hayden’s house.

January-May was filled with my last semester on campus at Blue Mountain. I was more than thrilled to leave the dorm room for the last time. I was ready to be home in Tupelo with the people I adored.

In June I started my 2nd year as a Children’s ministry intern at the Orchard. Moved into the “intern house” at the beginning of June. Met the wonderful and sweet Laura Dill.

July I remember as my birthday month. had a rockin’ white trash themed birthday party.

End of July is a time I’d like to forget. The start of a heartbreak occurred.

August-December was the most stressful, and wonderful time ever. I student taught at Pierce Street Elementary with Cathy Enis. “My kids” were a class of 4th graders, and I love them so much. They taught me more than I think that I could ever teach them.

I graduated from school December 10, 2010. :)

Christmas was nice and relaxed. I was excited to be with my family.

I got to see USHER December 29th. Thanks to the amazing Zac Cox. We had a stinkin’ blast. Zac knows how to have a good time, and Usher knows how to put on a fantastic show.

My new year’s eve was spent with some awesome fellas, and Morgan. :)

Well, I love Justin Bieber as much as the next 13 year-old. ;)

Okay, so here’s the thing. I am not going to bash mainstream music, because apparently they’re getting something right. They’re making money, and at the end of the day we have something to dance to (even if it’s only in our bedrooms with the doors closed). And you can’t tell me that you don’t know at least some of the lyrics to “Baby”. Unless, you live under a rock.

I do LOVE finding obscure bands that not many people have heard of, and letting them listen in, and fall in love like I usually do. And then I LOVE when they become popular. It’s like I get to see them grow up!  that was probably too nerdy for me to say…

So, there ya have it.

Ashley

1. Morgan Ricks- morganricks

2. John Mayer- jhnmyr (i think)

3. Abby Condit-dearabby

4. Emily Booth -spuntino (i think. i love her food blogs!)

5. Sara Plunk- dottedchild

I’m not really sure how old I was, (old enough to still be using a bottle), but my earliest memory was my mother laying me down for a nap on our couch that was in the sun room at the time right underneath the window. She laid me down with a bottle of milk, and I stared up at the clouds through the window until I drifted off to sleep. :) 

Sweet memories. 

Ashley

(I’m really not faithful at this. At least I’m only a day late this time)

I’d love to be a world traveler, but that statement is coming from someone who has neither been to another country, or even gotten on an airplane. I hope to change this soon, by going to Honduras for 3 weeks!

I’d love to spend a few years doing art in Italy. I’m not a grand artist, but as long as it provides me enough money to eat and live there, i’d do it. Scratch all of that. I’ll just backpack through Europe. Done? Done.

I just want to explore new parts of God’s creation, and show people His love. Seems pretty simple.

Ashley.

• 8:30- Alarm goes off; Hit snooze
• 8:38- Make my self get out of bed before the snooze sounds, telling myself that I’m being lazy and that I need to go ahead and get up.
• 9:00- Get a text from my mom telling me she was on her way to get me.
• 9:30- Mom arrives; I eat breakfast quickly while she piddles around my house.
• 9:45- Arrive at the church. Proceed to get supplies ready for next Sunday’s small group leaders. Also take care of printing letters for Spring Retreat.
• 10:45- Leave the church with my mother to go to my place of work and pick up my check.
• 11:15- Arrive at the bank where I cash my check.
• 11:30- Arrive at David’s bridal to order my dress for Maddie’s wedding (yay!!!)
• 12:05- Mom and I go to Little Caesar’s for a tasty pizza.
• 12:30- Eat at my parent’s house with my mom, while watching Days of Our Lives (don’t judge. ;))
• 1:15- Lay down for a nap.
• 2:15- Wake up from nap to messages and missed phone calls.
• 2:20- Call them back.
• 3:15- Go with my brother, his friend, and my mom to my house to drop off my mini fridge.
• 3:30- En route to go to work at the bookstore.
• 4:00- 6:00 Work
• 6:15- Arrive home.

The rest of the night is a mystery! Want to be a bullet on my day? Let’s see if we can make that happen!

1. “In The Sun”- She & Him

2. “Stardust” (with Naturally 7)- Michael Buble

3. “Home Life” - John Mayer

4. “Why Georgia (live)”- John Mayer

5. “On the Hotline” - Pretty Ricky (bahahahahaha)

6. “Makes Me Wonder” -Maroon 5

7. “Gone” -Ben Folds

8. “Ignorance” -Paramore

9. “In Repair” - John Mayer

10. “Curbside Prophet” -Jason Mraz

Love is pretty stinking crazy. You always think you have it nailed on the head, and then it goes changin’ on ya. haha. I have found that the only REAL love is the kind that comes from Christ, which is constant.

I thought I knew what real love was at a young age. What I fell in love with was the idea of being love with someone. The idea of being married with 2.5 kids and a dog seemed perfect for me at the time, but I was young. There was a lot of life for me to live, and there’s still a lot of life for me live.

I got a true taste of genuinely loving someone, a sacrificial kind of love. But sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, it can’t be reciprocated. Now, I’m trying to learn how to love and BE loved.

My first kiss was precious. I was 17 and a senior in high school. He was my very first boyfriend, and while watching Anchorman on the couch he leaned me over and kissed me. I was giddy. It was sweet.

Isn’t this question a tad redundant since I’ve already talked about where I want to be in 10 years? Isn’t that future enough? Ha.

Well, I just want my future to be happy. And I want my life to bear fruit. I want people to know the Christ I serve through my life. That’s all I desire.

Yeah, kids and a husband would be nice. Those plans are not, however, going to ruin the greater plan God has for me. He’ll provide those things in due time. Right now, I’m to be single and willing to go where He says.

I’ve been in prayer about spending 3 weeks of my summer in Honduras with the beautiful Emilee Pearce. I feel like this is an awesome experience, and I hope that God allows me to be a part of this beautiful story! Who knows, maybe my future will be me teaching children in Honduras! :)

Yeah, Day Eight in the title is in quotes because I’m five days behind. I can never commit to blogging every day.

The most satisfying moment in my life is when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I can safely say I’ve never felt safer, more peaceful, more in love than that moment. Well, actually it’s been a continual satisfaction since that happened. Life still gets FREAKING HARD. but through it all I have the Peace that surpasses all understanding.

Also, being through with college was a pretty satisfying (yet terrifying) moment. I can’t wait to actually walk across the stage in May. :) (No December ceremony at Blue Mountain. boooo.)

So yeah, so far that’s been it.

Ashley