Stupid vs. Faith

Being set on going to Liberty in the Spring, I have really had a hard time checking my motives. I have never stepped out in faith in such a big way, or at least that's what I hope I'm doing. I have questioned myself many times about whether or not I'm just being selfish and trying to get an experience I thought I would never get, being as I have a baby, or if I truly believe this is what God wants me to do for myself and for Mya. I have thought about many different reasons I may REALLY be doing this and here are a few:

• I want to finally be on my own & support myself and Mya
• I want to find more Christian friends that will uplift myself and Mya
• I want a Christian atmosphere for Mya to grow up in & become used to.
• I believe it will help me to grow my relationship with God
• I will get my education done faster & in turn be able to take care of myself and Mya (... and not waiting around for Mr. Right)
• I will be away from influences I have become so used to and find out who I am
• I will feel more like a mom to Mya rather than counting on other people for help all the time (granted I couldn't do it without the help that I get... so that may be the hardest part!)

...Those are probably my biggest reasons. And although, realistically, it looks like I won't be able to do it, I really do believe in the long run, I will be so glad that I did! It's going to be hard, no doubt. And I may feel a little left out when everyone else can go out and have fun... but I have faith that it's going to be so good for both of us!

Financially, its just plain dumb to even try. I honestly don't know where I will have an income from, but I need one. I will still have car payments, phone & internet bills, daycare, etc. But I am not worried. I feel peace about it, and I have no hard knots in my stomach...yet.

So, all in all, I believe I am making the right decision. But if not, my pride won't keep me from coming home :)

Mya Remedy

Lotion heals everything- she told me she "broke her tummy" today

and cried for lotion to make it feel better.

Lotion also heals things like bug bites and bruises.

Oh, and she also squirts lotion in a bowl to make "cheesecake."

Delicious medicine, who knew?

If your pillow is ever "too hot"...

just turn it to the other side.

Makes it ALL better!

She wakes up just to tell me her pillow is hot

and the only right answer I can give is for her to turn it over-

then she is fine

Testimony Tuesday Is Back!

I know I haven't done my "Testimony Tuesday" in a while and truthfully I have just been so busy! Summer is probably not the best time to try this because so much is going on! But anyways- I have struggled a little bit as to what I am going to write about but I think finances is pretty fitting. As much as I feel like I have been scraping pennies for the past few months, I really shouldn't complain about my finances. Although I don't have much money left over to play around with, I do have enough to do just the important things. This isn't much of a "testimony" I guess.. besides the fact that God has been faithful to me and Mya. I know so many more people that are honestly struggling with finances and one day I may look back and just wish I have then what I do now (no rent, no REAL bills like power, gas, etc.).





So as of today, I am not going to complain about my finances, even when it comes to going to school... I am going to trust that God will get us through it and even through these times right now. As a test to myself and to see where my treasure truly lies, I am going to vow to not spend any "extra" money for the next 2 weeks. (I would say month, but we are going on vacation in August and well, I just can't not spend there.)

Not too much on the testimony side, but maybe it will be soon :) God is faithful and He will get us through school and through daily life!!

Freedom!

This week I have decided to take a break from the famous Facebook! I have deactivated my account since under no circumstances would I be able to resist the temptation to just easily type Facebook in my web browser as I do every single time I get on my computer no matter what my real goal is! It's amazing how much time I spend of my life on Facebook. So I have decided to get rid of that for one week and believe it or not, I already feel some type of freedom! Not having to check it every so often to get the latest news or "check my wall." :) Yaaay! Little step of sacrifice for me which will hopefully pay off!

Hebrews 11:1

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see."

This is a verse we focused on this past Sunday in Sunday School and our job was to make a list of things we have faith about... things we want to see come to pass. Here are a few things on my list:

1. Find an amazing Godly husband (...of course!)
2. See family members get saved & reunited.
3. Go to school financially stable & stay financially stable.
4. Everything would work out with Liberty for Mya & myself (daycare, job, finances, etc.)
5. Do something bigger than myself.
6. Mya to be set-apart & save herself for her Godly husband.
7. Become a true woman of God.

An Ashley Ultimatium

I have been letting my hair grow for the past 2 years (actually since I got it cut after High School in order to look more like a mom) and I came up with an idea! I am going to let my hair grow until I get married! Hopefully it won't be so long that it goes below my waist (that's my stopping point if it gets there) but I want it to be long for my wedding!

This is a picture of how long it is now:

So ready, set, grow! :)

Almost Exciting News!

Well, it kinda IS exciting news. I had to take my ACT Test in order to get accepted into Liberty... so I took it last month and just got my score in TODAY!! :) I don't think I did great but I did good enough. The minimum ACT score for Liberty is a 17 and I got a 21! I'm sooo excited! I am hoping this is just the beginning :)

Surprise!

Just when I think I have got it down and that I'm doing a great job raising Mya, I have a day like today. Granted its not my fault (all the way) but it makes me feel like an awful mom whenever Mya gives me a hard time.

First, I picked her up from the babysitter and she was in a "why?" mood the whole way home.
Patience = 7

Then, we got home to eat dinner & Mya didn't want to eat.
Patience = 6

She sat at the table and kept telling us how she didn't want to eat. So I took her to her room gave her a talk and brought her back. Still... she didn't touch her food.
Patience = 5.5; Nice, gentle voice = 3

10 minutes later, she is still not eating while we are almost done. I put her plate in another room by herself and tell her to eat. She still refuses to eat.
Patience = 4; Nice, gentle voice = 0

Finally I take her from that table, give her a few "love taps" (so to speak) and she ate half of the food on her plate.
Patience = 5

Through out the entire evening, she was just not happy. I can honestly say this has been one of the worst days we have had together. But I say that in hopes that we won't have another one for a VERY long time :)

I mean, what are good days without the bad.....right?

Video of Camp

I have become a Video Queen! I am in love with making videos! So this is a 6 1/2 minute video of our time at camp! :)

Space Camp

This past week I was at Space Camp in Roanoke, VA with my "Church of God" friends. :) It was SO much fun! Between intense worship services and hiking up a mountain, there was never a dull moment! This was my first year being a cabin leader and my girls were amazing. I had a lot of different personalities in my room, but we all blended together very well! We had teams that would play games for points, and our team got second place every night! We were called "The Buzz CHRISTyears."

When I got back home today- Mya did not leave my side. She is in bed now but she told me a few times that "she loved me so much." :)

Here are a few pics to recap!

On top of the mountain

Goofy Speakers

My team

My cabin

Had a great great week!! Can't wait until next year! :)