Oh my goodness, I have still not recovered from our road trip! I am officially OLD! Let me give you a recap!
The trip down there was not as crazy as I expected..although I did have a misfortunate run-in with an umbrella. Thanks alot Marty! Marty got in my car and immediately began reading Crazy Love (which I really want to read by the way!). Well at some point he finished and began to get bored sitting in the back seat. He started going through my seat pockets to see what he could find. He eventually found my umbrella that I keep stashed in there (you never know when you will get caught in the rain here!). Well a couple minutes later it feel like a rock has been thrust into the side of my head....not a rock, but the end of my umbrella quickly thrusting itself just above my hear and behind my temple. Painful headachy feelings immediately rush into my head. At the same time Greg and I both yell "MARTY!" I am okay, I must say thoughts of Natashia Richardson rushed in my head and I wondered where the nearest hospital was knowing you never set your foot into the Shawnee Hospital....its just not safe.
Once we finally got to OBU we headed to Tarrah's apartment which used to be boys apartments that they have turned into girls apartments while they are renovating this year. It was kinda strange, but very nice. It did not smell like gross college boy! PTL!
Saturday morning we all got up and everyone but me headed to the new Rec facility. I was more than happy to sit on the couch and engage myself in the food network. Oh it was heaven! Later that day Greg and I had lunch with Bruce and RuthAnne. It was so wonderful to see them and catch up with them. I am so thankful that God has put them in my lives, He knew what He was doing!
That evening we changed clothes and headed to Spring Affair, OBU's spring talent show. There I ran into several people I hadn't seen in years. Everyone I saw kept telling me how good I looked. (It scares me what vision of me I left them with when I graduated. I was in the midst of the biggest valley of my life the last time they saw me, but God has been more than faithful and built me back up to what He promised me...someone who is stronger and more beautiful...the kind of beauty that comes with a close and intimate relationship with my God.)
OBU has changed in some ways. In some ways it hasn't. It was great to be there and see where the Lord has brought me. OBU will always be a place that reminds me how God brought me through a very large valley in my life. It will remind me of God's promises and His faithfulness to be with me and fulfill the things He had promised me.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
OBU All Hail Thy Name....
This weekend I am going back to OBU for Spring Affair. Yeah for road trips! Yeah for fun with friends.
This is what I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing Bruce and RuthAnne, my college Sunday School teachers. I haven't seen them in 3 years!
2. Being at OBU and being happy to be there. When I graduated I was going through a really hard time in my life. I just want to make some new happy memories there.
3. Hanging out and seeing what is new in Shawnee
4. A road trip with two crazy guys...Greg and Marty. Three hours in a car with them should be insane.
5. Being at OBU with Greg.
Well, I have loaned out my camera this weekend for a wedding. So pics will be from Greg's camera. Let's see what I can do with a point and shoot!
This is what I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing Bruce and RuthAnne, my college Sunday School teachers. I haven't seen them in 3 years!
2. Being at OBU and being happy to be there. When I graduated I was going through a really hard time in my life. I just want to make some new happy memories there.
3. Hanging out and seeing what is new in Shawnee
4. A road trip with two crazy guys...Greg and Marty. Three hours in a car with them should be insane.
5. Being at OBU with Greg.
Well, I have loaned out my camera this weekend for a wedding. So pics will be from Greg's camera. Let's see what I can do with a point and shoot!
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Cross
Last Friday was our cross service at church. Our Pastor does something I have never seen before. He teaches the story of Jesus on the cross while he himself is chopping and putting together a life size cross. He always says he wants to see the cross, feel the cross, and smell the cross.
As I watched him preach a message that I had heard before God spoke to me in a new and amazing way. I don't know about you, but sometimes God just speaks straight to my heart. It is like I can audibly hear his voice in my heart. It is so clear that you just can't miss it. As my pastor was speaking about the cross it was like God carefully and lovingly said to me, "Ashlee that is where we started. The cross is where our relationship began. This is where my son gave up his life we could have the relationship that we have." Then He took it even further. He plainly spoke to me about where He has brought me. He reminded me of the pain I have walked through. He reminded me of my brokenness. When I say broken, I mean utter desperation before God, can't pick yourself up in the morning and get out of bed without God kind of brokenness. Then God sweetly showed me all that He has given me. He has replaced the pain with amazing blessings beyond my imagination. He reminded me of my church home, my job, my ministry within the church where I get to do what I love teach and love on students. He also reminded me that one of those blessings was sitting right next to me (that would be my boyfriend Greg). He showed me how He has led me so closely the past 4 years. He showed me how He walked before me in the battle that has been my life. He showed me the victories that He has won on my behalf. I was humbled before God in this moment and at the same time all I could do was give Him the glory He deserved. I cried and sang at the same time.
This year the cross became something new. Yes, it was the place that my Lord and Savior gave up his life for me, but even more it was the place that enabled me to have the relationship that I have with God the Father. It is where God and I met for the first time and since then He has walked by me through the trials and the joys. He continues to be more than faithful.
All honor and glory be unto You Oh God! You deserve more honor and glory than I am able to give! Thank You for the cross!
As I watched him preach a message that I had heard before God spoke to me in a new and amazing way. I don't know about you, but sometimes God just speaks straight to my heart. It is like I can audibly hear his voice in my heart. It is so clear that you just can't miss it. As my pastor was speaking about the cross it was like God carefully and lovingly said to me, "Ashlee that is where we started. The cross is where our relationship began. This is where my son gave up his life we could have the relationship that we have." Then He took it even further. He plainly spoke to me about where He has brought me. He reminded me of the pain I have walked through. He reminded me of my brokenness. When I say broken, I mean utter desperation before God, can't pick yourself up in the morning and get out of bed without God kind of brokenness. Then God sweetly showed me all that He has given me. He has replaced the pain with amazing blessings beyond my imagination. He reminded me of my church home, my job, my ministry within the church where I get to do what I love teach and love on students. He also reminded me that one of those blessings was sitting right next to me (that would be my boyfriend Greg). He showed me how He has led me so closely the past 4 years. He showed me how He walked before me in the battle that has been my life. He showed me the victories that He has won on my behalf. I was humbled before God in this moment and at the same time all I could do was give Him the glory He deserved. I cried and sang at the same time.
This year the cross became something new. Yes, it was the place that my Lord and Savior gave up his life for me, but even more it was the place that enabled me to have the relationship that I have with God the Father. It is where God and I met for the first time and since then He has walked by me through the trials and the joys. He continues to be more than faithful.
All honor and glory be unto You Oh God! You deserve more honor and glory than I am able to give! Thank You for the cross!
Saturday, April 4, 2009
My Day at the Botanical Gardens
Saturday I did one of my favorite things. I spent and hour or more at the Botanical Gardens. I first found these gardens when I was a poor Seminary student. I had driven past the garden before, but assumed it would cost alot of money to go in. Boy was I wrong, I later found out that it is free to walk around the gardens. Since then I spend at least an hour once every spring, exploring the gardens.
I am sad to say, that I missed the hydrangea blooms, they are my favorite. The roses however were quite beautiful...let me show you some of my favorites from today! Enjoy!
As you can tell it was a busy day. I didn't think I was going to find a parking spot! I saw weddings, brides getting their portraits made, families taking pictures, picnics. I think everyone felt like I did: ready to be outside!
I love the walkway below. I cannot wait to get some family shots underneath. I think it would make for a fabulous pic!
I love the bright color in this one. I also love how full the blossoms are!
The daisy pictures are for my mom. Mom, I was thinking of you when I saw these!
The yellow roses below were the most beautiful in the garden. The blossoms were full. They remind me of my grandma. Mema, I know you would approve of these!
I love the bright colors and the softness of the petals that I was able to capture in this one.
The pink rose below is one of my favorites. I love the depth you see with the leaves and the depth in the petals.
I think one really is my favorite. I wish I could tell you that I used the light in this one on purpose, but I didn't. However, I now love it and wish I had spent more time playing with the light on this one!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Copier Murderer
I murdered the copier. It's ok no one likes it anyway.
I was in the middle of a normal work day, running around the building, putting together 70 books for our Executive Board Meeting the end of April. They are over 120 pages a piece. So I send 70 copies of about five color pages to the beloved Sharpe copier. Okay, so it's not beloved. It fact it is the biggest pain. Everyone gripes about it. After it had made oohh about 6 copies it told me the stapler was jammed. Well it did the same thing yesterday, so I reached down to the front left door, opened it up, pulled out the long drawer like cartridge, and then pulled out the stapler cartridge. I fiddled around with it and stuck it back in. Praying that I fixed it.
You see your have to baby the Sharpe, if you leave it alone it gets mad at you and acts like a hypochondriac. The paper jams, or its out of staples (when it really isn't). It just needs special attention.
So I wait, it tells me that there is still something wrong with the staples, so I fiddle again. Several times. The third time the cartridge thingy got stuck. After I manipulated it enough to finally set it free,...it happened.
All of a sudden there was a loud POP! Plastic went flying. Sheets of staples flew about like confetti on New Year's Eve. Worst of all...I was caught in the act. Several girls in the office were in the workroom and saw my crime. They laughed and said..ugghh I hate that machine.
Emily had mercy on me. She saw that I was about to throw the Sharpe out the window (if there was a window I would have thrown it out). So Emily helps me pick up the pieces of the stapler cartridge. It was like one of those mind puzzles. After an hour of messing with it, we finally called in re-enforcements...Darla. Now Darla can do anything. If anything breaks, she is the woman to call. Darla fiddled with it, and informed me that she was going to have to call the tech people to come out and fix it.
Now you would think I could just keep making my copies and staple them on my own...right? NO the Sharpe doesn't work when the cartridge is missing or empty (it's like an annoying printer that doesn't work in one of the ink cartridges is out...you know like when you just want to print in black and white, but the pink is out so it won't print at all!)
I could feel the disdain from other people. They couldn't make their 5 million copies. They looked at me like I was a murderer...I guess in a way I am.
I murdered the Sharpe today....I've never been a murderer before.
I was in the middle of a normal work day, running around the building, putting together 70 books for our Executive Board Meeting the end of April. They are over 120 pages a piece. So I send 70 copies of about five color pages to the beloved Sharpe copier. Okay, so it's not beloved. It fact it is the biggest pain. Everyone gripes about it. After it had made oohh about 6 copies it told me the stapler was jammed. Well it did the same thing yesterday, so I reached down to the front left door, opened it up, pulled out the long drawer like cartridge, and then pulled out the stapler cartridge. I fiddled around with it and stuck it back in. Praying that I fixed it.
You see your have to baby the Sharpe, if you leave it alone it gets mad at you and acts like a hypochondriac. The paper jams, or its out of staples (when it really isn't). It just needs special attention.
So I wait, it tells me that there is still something wrong with the staples, so I fiddle again. Several times. The third time the cartridge thingy got stuck. After I manipulated it enough to finally set it free,...it happened.
All of a sudden there was a loud POP! Plastic went flying. Sheets of staples flew about like confetti on New Year's Eve. Worst of all...I was caught in the act. Several girls in the office were in the workroom and saw my crime. They laughed and said..ugghh I hate that machine.
Emily had mercy on me. She saw that I was about to throw the Sharpe out the window (if there was a window I would have thrown it out). So Emily helps me pick up the pieces of the stapler cartridge. It was like one of those mind puzzles. After an hour of messing with it, we finally called in re-enforcements...Darla. Now Darla can do anything. If anything breaks, she is the woman to call. Darla fiddled with it, and informed me that she was going to have to call the tech people to come out and fix it.
Now you would think I could just keep making my copies and staple them on my own...right? NO the Sharpe doesn't work when the cartridge is missing or empty (it's like an annoying printer that doesn't work in one of the ink cartridges is out...you know like when you just want to print in black and white, but the pink is out so it won't print at all!)
I could feel the disdain from other people. They couldn't make their 5 million copies. They looked at me like I was a murderer...I guess in a way I am.
I murdered the Sharpe today....I've never been a murderer before.
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