Thanks so much for visiting my site!  As ALWAYS, it has been a while since I have blogged soooo let me catch you all up on what’s been going on….

First, as of July 8, 2010, I will be beginning my last quarter of Radiology Tech school!  I am so excited and I’m ready to graduate and have a career in something I enjoy doing.   My graduation date is Sept 19, 2010!!!!  YAY!!!  I haven’t been speaking alot lately because I have had some health issues and had to have a couple of surgeries but all that is over now.  I am recovering from my last and final surgery and ready to get back to spreading God’s word of what He has done and continues to do in my life.

My next speaking engagement is in Birmingham Alabama on July 9th.  I am looking forward to sharing and meeting lots of wonderful people.  I did want to share about an amazing event I did back in late April, early May.  I went to Des Moines Iowa and did an amazing event for The Hope House and I was so touched by many of the people I met.  I was able (along side of my daughter) to feed homeless people at a homeless shelter (that was more rewarding than any material gift I’ve ever received), I was able to spend time with women who have and are struggling with many of the same issues I have struggled with and it was incredible to see God at work in their lives.  I was able to speak at a youth conference and see some amazing teenagers on fire for Jesus and I was able to meet people I now consider friends.  If you haven’t heard of this ministry, look it up!!!!  You will be glad you did!

On another subject, my family and I have bought a new home and as soon as I graduate, we will be moving back to my homeotwn of Augusta, Ga.  I have been busy painting and decorating and working my magic on our new home.  My girls just love their new rooms and my room…well…lets just say it’s still “under construction”.  We have been attending our new Church home Greenbrier Church (which is my and Paige’s old Church) and we are so happy to be back!!!!!  There is nothing like a sermon preached by a humble man of God whose passion is to become more like Christ everyday!!!! Go “Pastor” Chuck!

Paige is excited about starting a new school and making new friends.  She has been enjoying the summer with my “Aunt Kim” while I work diligently to finish my degree.  She is such and incredible little girl!  My husband has been so great lately taking care of me through these health issues….sometimes I think maybe I should stay sick, that way he will ALWAYS be at my beck and call!!!!  LOL  Just Kidding y’all!!

We have seen many great movies and been able to hang as a family these last couple of weeks and it has been so wonderful to not be so wrapped up in the rush of life.  I like slowing down sometimes and just enjoying the sunset as well as the sweet family I have been blessed with .

On a spiritual note, God has been working on me in many areas, but one area I’d like to share is the area of priorities.  It’s easy to get lost sometimes in priorities.  Sometimes it’s difficult to determine which ones NEED to come first in the eyes of Jesus!  The world’s standards of our priority list is much different than the list Our Saviour gives us.  Even things we think God would want us to put high on our list are actually thing that don’t need to be on our list at all.  Work is important to take care of our families, but is it so important that our children or spouses never spend quality time with us because we are “too busy working”?  How about housework or hobbies?  They are important, right?  Think again!!! God words says, “  we are to fix our eyes on Him, the Maker of the Universe”.  He takes care of the birds, won’t He take care of us and our “to do list”?  I have seen so many miracles happen in my life.  Things that can only be explained by the “loving touch of Jesus Christ”.  Things that in no way could be humanly possible without coming straight from above.  WAKE UP WORLD….Jesus loves you….He died for you…He’s coming back for you so that you can spend eternity with Him in heaven….Don’t you think HE should be our #1 and ONLY priority!!!  We are His #1 and only priorty!  Psalms 32:10:  Many are the woes(priorities) of the wicked, but the LORD’S unflailing love surrounds the man who trusts in HIM”.  Make Christ your #1 priority…I know I am!

SERVING GOD WITH A RENEWED PASSION!!!!!

Ashley <3

Thanks for visiting my site!  I have just finished my 6th quarter in Radiology Tech school and only have two more to go until I graduate!!!!  How exciting that is!  I am looking forward to graduating in September and moving back closer to my family and working!!!

Speaking has been fantastic.  I have been to Canada, Myrtle Bech, Virginia and Martin, Georgia since the last time I wrote and every one of those places touched my life personally.  In Virginia, my Aunt was able to come along with me and share her testimony and it was great to hear.  My cousin also joined us and we had a great girls weekend.  I spoke at Shephard Hill Farm in Martin, Georgia recently.  It’s a Christian wilderness camp and I was so blessed to see God at work in the life of young teenagers!  Canada was exciting and Myrtle Beach was a quick trip but one I will visit again soon hopefully.

My husband and I became certified scuba divers last weekend.  It was very exciting and we are looking forward to many exotic trips underwater to see God beautiful creation under water!  We have been house hunting and preparing to move as soon as the Lord will have us do so.

I have many speaking engagements coming up so check out my schedule and come join me if you can…it’ll be a great day in the Lord it you do!  God Bless!!!!!

I am exicted about what this year will bring.  It’s bringing me lots of speaking opportunites which are always fun.  I love going to share about how Jesus saved my life and changed it for Him and how He still walks with me daily through my peaks and valley’s (yes I still have those!!!)  I love how He shows up in times I don’t expect and how He supplies me with the hug or push or whatever it may be that I need at that time…HE IS ALWAYS THERE. 

This week I am speaking at Women’s Source in the town I live in Gainesville, GA.  All women are invited, please come out and share a fun lunch with us at Francis Meadows Aquatic Center…lunch starts around 1140am and I will speak around 12pm.  The lunch will end by 100pm which should get all you professional ladies back to work and all you stay at home Mom’s to school in time for kid pick-up.  I look forward to seeing everyone there.  On Feb 1st, I will be sharing my story at my home Church Blackshear Place Baptist Church which is in Flowery Branch, Ga.  Our Church started a Celebrate Recovery program in 2007 and I will be sharing my story there at 7pm.  Two weeks after that, at the same time and place, my husband will share his testimony which is a powerful example of how God truely does change lives.  Please come out and listen, you never know what God may have in store for you. 

There is an Unlikely Angel movie in the works which I am excited about.  It has been a long process to get here but through many years and wise minds of discernment the time is here.  It’s going to be a small feature film, kind like Fireproof.  It will tell my story and glorify Jesus Christ which has been my main goal with everything I do since being held hostage.  I will let you all know more details as things progress, so BOL (that mean be on the lookout!!)

In personal news, school starts back this week :(  Although I am excited about almost being finished, I have been enjoying vactioning and family and DECORATING!!!  I am sure these next 9 months will fly by and I will be graduating before I know it (now that will be an accomplishment…one that I also owe to God!)  I will be coaching my first basketball game this weekend.  I’m so excited…it’s Paige team and it brings back so many great memories….say a prayer we all have fun and maybe win!

Thanks so all for visiting that site…I will try to write more often.  All your prayers for me and my family are blessings from above and vital for our ministry.  God Bless and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have just finished my 5th quarter of Radiology Tech school.  Can you believe I only have 3 more to go????WHOO HOO!  I am so excited to graduate in Sept of 2010.  My little family and I will be moving from Gainesville to a little town called Lincolnton, Ga.  It’s closer to my nig family and closer to where I will work when I graduate. 

Paige is doing fantastic.  She started her first practice of basketball last night where I unexpectly became the coach…funny how that happens.  I have 5 girls on the team that have that same gleem in their eyes that I did when I was their age on that court.   I’m super excited!  My hubby is doing good as well.  We are working hard to sell our house so if anybody is interested to live in Gainesville, Ga  send me and email!!!!

I have several speaking engagements coming up in 2010 so check my shcedule link and check them out.  I would love to meet some of you well wishers!  My family and I were recently on The Today Show for the BUZZIEST STORIES OF THE DECADE…check out this link … http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891#34361293

I had to give ALL the credit of my life change to my JESUS!!!!  I love this time of year because we get to celebrate the birth of OUR KING JESUS….I love putting up lights and wreaths, and trees and decorations  all in rememberance of HIM.  I am so grateful that He was born so that I can be with Him forever in eternity.  There is nowhere else I rather spend it!  Thanks you Jesus…Happy Birthday and I LOVE YOU!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!

Let me catch you all up on some things that happened at my recent speaking events….

Well a few weeks ago, I spent some about 4 days in Canada.  I will be honest and tell you I was a little weary of going because I was going to miss my family and it was during the time I should be studying for finals; however, I obeyed my Jesus and went and I have to tell you it was fantastic.

Thursday night I spoke at a Celebrate Recovery meeting and many people were there, I gave God full reign to speak through me and boy did He….The night was full of laughter and tears because I was able to show those people how Jesus could take a filthy sinner like myself and change me to love Him most and to live my life to the fullest of what He has for me.  Friday, I was surrounded by some beautiful ladies who love Jesus and we were able to get the same message out to people across Canada who were watching the TV show Huntley Street…what a blessing.  Later that day, I experienced the breathtaking site of Niagra Falls and wondered if God was thinking of me when He made it…so I could enjoy it…we then went to Oh Canada eeye (???), which was such a delight that we laughed our heads off the entire night.

Saturday morning I spent brunch with a sweet group of ladies in a book club that had read my book and I let them pick my brain and ask me any question they wanted to know…I know, quite daring BUT it was sooo wonderful.  After that, it was off to the Women’s prison where I was able to share my experience, strength and hope with the women there….my goal was to remind them that know matter why they were there, that God loves them and has a plan for their life.  Many of them believed that and it was unbelievable to see what excitement these women had at the mention of the name Jesus Christ…PRAISE GOD!!!  Saturday evening was a wonderful time as well…we praised the Lord through worship songs and through many testimonies of God’s hand in the lives of people.

To end my trip in Canada on Sunday, I shared my testimony at The Salvation Army Church and once again (like every time I spoke) God spoke through me and the people listening heard from Jesus…not me.  God amazes me when he orchestrates each word He wants me to share and fills my heart and mouth with them.  TO HIME BE ALL THE GLORY!!!  Many lives were touch on that Sunday…thank you Jesus.

I left Canada that Sunday afternoon thinking that maybe, I wasn’t supposed to leave…maybe I should move to Canada, but then I remembered, I’m a Georgia girl at heart and I had to come home !

This past Saturday, I spoke at a women’s evening in Alabama, and it was such a joy.  I was able to take along a sweet friend of mine and enjoy a ladies night out.  And even though I was the speaker, it was still so much fun….I shared my heart with these women and could feel the Spirit of the Lord in that place.  I was blessed to hear a powerful voice sing for Jesus and went away from that place with a few more friends!!!

To end this long update, I have some encouragement for you….sometimes when you don’t feel like obeying God’s will…stand firm and follow through…His plan is something you could never imagine for yourself.  I have found no greater joy (not even with my Child, and that’s BIG) than knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am in the presence of The Holy Spirit…as a matter of fact it brings chills to my body thinking about it….You were made by God for God…He loves you more than anything in the world….That is the greatest feeling of all!!!!  God Bless!  1 John 3:16

It’s always exciting to travel around and see what God is doing all over the World.  In today’s society, it is sometimes easy to forget that we are not in control and that God has an ultimate plan for everything that is going on…..but what a joy it is to know HE is on the throne and HE is in control of all and one day soon, HE is going to fulfill HIS plan and come back to rescue those of us who love HIM from this world and take us HOME to a place where we will forever be with HIM in glory!!!!   When I travel around and take part in ministry work, it reminds me of the real meaning of life….not to get ahead of the next person, or see how many trinckets I can accumulate, it’s to reach out to the lost and hurting people who have no hope.  It’s to show them that there is always hope….Hope died on a cross many years ago BUT 3 days after Hope died….Hope rose again and lives forever in the hearts of those who believe.  THAT HOPE IS JESUS CHRIST, and that HOPE is for everyone to receive…..You don’t have to be good for God, BUT there is know denying that God is and always will be GOOD FOR YOU!

John 3:16-17

FOR HIS GLORY,

Ashley

Please forgive me for not posting in so long….  I just finished my 3rd quarter of Radiology Tech school.  It has been really fun and I am so excited that I have found a career that I will enjoy.  I am about to celebrate my 2nd year anniversary to my husband Daniel.  It’s amazing to me the things the God has in store for those who trust Him.  Paige (my daughter) is great too.  She finished out her 3rd grade year by being accepted into  the gifted program at school.  I am so proud of her.  She is the best little girl I could ever ask for.  She polite, sweet, obedient and just so lovely. Not to mention she’s a knock-out!

Speaking wise things have slowed down a little, as they often do in the summer.  I did speak a few weeks ago at a local Celebrate Recovery.  Its never ceases to amaze me that when God has something for me to say and share…He always uses His words and I gladly give Him all the glory.  My husband was able to share his testimony at our Church’s Celebrate Recovery.  It was nice to be reminded that God saved and changed his life the same way He did mine….Reminds me that He loves everyone and earth the same and that there is nothing we can do to make Him stop loving us.  I have a few speaking engagements coming up in the Fall.  If your intered in being there, check out my schedule link on this site.  Also, I love being able to share my testimony with many diferent groups so if anyone is interested in me coming to speak, check out my contact info and send me and email….

Thanks to all who come to the site!  I appreciate all your support and prayers most of all!

God Bless!! 

 Ashley  

Proverbs 3:5,6

Phil. 4:13

 It’s the first of Feb and the year has been great so far.  God has blessed me with the opportunity to speak in 3 places recently.  I first went to Bonifay Florida for a Women’s Conference.  I was touched by the warmth in the place and the lessons that God taught me.  This event was the first I had done in a couple of months and I always question myself about what God wants me to say.  God proved to me once again that He doesn’t want me to prepare for these events, He just wants me to be available to speak whatever words He put in my mouth and that is what I did.  He blessed the event and it was fabulous!  I was able to get to know a friend of mine a little better on the ride to and from Florida and was blessed by what a neat person she is (and may I say very blessed with a beautiful voice).  The next day I was off to speak in Stone Mountian.  I was able to bring my family with me and I always enjoy having them along.  This particular event was geared toward The Purpose Driven Life b/c the Church was beginning the study.  I was able to share my testimony and what the Lord taught me through the PDL.  God has a purpose for all of us….it may not be the purpose we think it is but that is the hard part of life is getting out of God’s way and letting HIM be in control.  God really blessed that event and got me out of His way and spoke through me.  Thanks Father!!!!  Then just today I went to Habersham to speak at The Torch where they too were going through the Purpose Driven Life.  I shared my testimony and how the PDL changed my life.  God blessed this time BUT I soon realized the real reason I was at the Church.  God led me and my family there to worhsip and experience His presence.  My family and I stayed for the service and really experienced God in the Church, we took communion, had our little sick child prayed over and I was even asked forgiveness from someone I did not know that told me he had judged me to quickly some three years ago!  So just another confermation that My Jesus is on the throne and in control of my life and everything around me.

To catched you up a little on my life….school is GREAT!  I am really enjoying what I am learning and actually becoming decent at applying what I am learning…another blessing from the Lord!  Daniel and I are still working in the Celebrate Recovery ministry at our Church and being blessed weekly by seeing God work in peoples lives.  If anyone is interested in coming to our Celebrate Recovery at Blackshear Place Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia we start at 5:30 with a meal and begin group worship at 6:30…WE LOVED TO SEE YOU !  Altogehter things are good……that doesn’t mean there are not trails and hard times…it just means God is there and I am letting Him help me through.  So now that you have read an update on me, I need to ask you all a favor!  This week would have been my Mom’s 53 birthday and this will be the first birthday of her’s to pass without her here.  It’s gonna be a tough week as I have already begun to miss her but will you all pray that I will get through this week with great memories of her and celebrate her life instead of missing her like crazy.  She is celebrating her first birthday in heaven…isn’t she lucky!  I LOVE YOU MOM!!!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mom, Ash, La

Thanks for visiting….another update later!  God Bless!   2 Peter 1:10-11