now back to Paige…she absolutely LOVES the Duke Bluedevils just like her Momma

So the second month of 2013 is almost over and life has been good.  I recently received a promotion at work and set set schedule!  I am super excited about becoming a CT Tech as well as continuing to shoot X-rays.  I absolutely love my co-workers, which is always a plus.

I have had a couple of speaking events this year which have been wonderful, but one in particulate I’d like to share with you all.  On the 8th of this month I traveled to Brentwood Tn where I was blessed to speak to Brentwood Academys student body and their grandparents.  what a blessing that was to me.  Some of my favorite events to speak are to teenagers.  I love telling the, about my life when I was their age and letting them here that my dream and goals were much like theirs, that my family life was much like theirs, but starting away from God and a few bad choices ended up making my life miserable and sometimes unbearable for a long period of time.  Sharing my life away from Jesus and then sharing my life back with Jesus and such rewarding feeling because each time I see so clearly just how much my God loves me!

God has brought me through so many things in my life that I owe Him the rest of my life being His servant.  That being said, I am not perfect, I am a sinner saved by Gods grace, but what an awesome feeling it is to know that the man who made the world and everything in it loves little ole me more than I can ever imagine loving someone! And that’s a lot because I know how much I love my kids and family.  If any of you would ever like for me to come speak please follow the directions on the “booking” link.

Now, for an update on my family.  My hubby is well.  He is such a wonderful father to our children that it makes my heart so happy every time I see him with them.  He is such a dedicated and hard worker (Except when it comes to the “honey do list”)

HELLO AGAIN!!!  Hey Everyone, I am so sorry it’s been a while since I last posted but something has been wrong with my website and today a friend of mine fixed it so I hope to stay up and current now!!  So here is the update…  Life is so great…I am the mother of two beautiful children and one beautiful step child.  My son Cole was born last year and can you believe it, he will be 1 this month!!!  WOW, time flies when your having fun!!  Cole has brought so much joy to this family.  He is such a happy boy who smiles and laughs ALL the time and LOVES to play and be read to.  He is sooo sooo smart and he is the most precious little boy on earth.  Paige (my daughter) is a teenager now(as of last month)!!!   She makes me so proud to be her MOM because she is such an exceptional young lady.  She makes such good grades, is respectful, kind and thoughtful and she is becoming a great basketball player just like her MOMMY!!!  My hubby and I are great as well, just BUSY as bees!!   I am working full time at the hospital taking xrays and he is an electrician.  When I am not working at the hosptial or working at home being wife and mommy I continue to travel around the world sharing my story of Chirst’s Love and redemption in my life.  This year I have been to some pretty amazing events in Dallas, Texas and in Birmingham, Alambama both of which the children went along with me.  I just love showing them off!!  My next event is coming up on June 5th in North Dakota.  I am looking forward to what God is going to do and how He will blessed all involved.

The Lord has truely been so great to me in my life.  He has continued to stay by my side no matter what.  When I am strong, He is there…when I am weak and stumble, He is there.  I know I do not deserve His love but He continues to give it.  I pray that I can give that same unconditional love to others around me.  In todays world I have realized that it is so much easier to conform to the world around you but as I look around and experience life day after day, I realize more and more that the world around me isn’t truely desirable and/or fulfilling.  1 John 1:7 says, But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.  Thank you Father God for loving a wretched old soul like me.  May I make you proud daily as I strive to know you more.

It’s been quite a while since the last time I blogged so let me catch you all up on some things….

I am about 2 weeks away from giving birth to my new son.  I am so excited and ready for him to arrive.  My husband and our girls are excited to have a little boy coming into the family.  He isn’t actually due for another 5 weeks but I am sure he will be arriving in the next two weeks.  We have everything ready at home for his arrival and cannot wait to meet the little man!!!

I have done some amazing speaking engagements this year.  One in particular was in Indiana.  Let me just say it was a totally awesome experience.  My husband was able to come along (which he does’nt do often) and we had the best time together.  We were blessed to meet an amazing couple who showed us so much hospitality and we can now call them friends.  The church was amazing also.  I had not spoken in a few month and when that happens sometimes I feel a litttle nervous BUT as God always does He reminded me that He was in control and that I was not there for any other reason but to be His vessel and tell the story of grace that He has bestowed upon my life.  I am always grateful when I think of just what He did for me.  Not only did He give His life for me on the cross many years ago and give me the opportunity to spend eternity with Him, He gave me a second chance on earth to be a God-fearing Christian woman, a daughter my parents could be proud of, a mother to an amazing daughter and step-daughter (and soon to be son), a wife to a man whom is the smartest man I know, a sister to some special siblings and the list goes on.  It’s so great to be full of grace, God’s grace that is sufficent and nothing else is neeeded.

I had a realization just a few weeks ago that I now have a middle schooler!!  Lord help me!!!   My first born angel “graduated” from elementary school and as I listen to all her achievements for the year, I began to cry as I realized that if it were not for Christ having HIS plan for my life, I may not be witnessing what was before me.  She is such a smart, sweet, special young lady and I am so blessed to still be in her life as her Mommy…well I guess now I am MOM! 

I am still working at the hospital taking xrays.  It has been a little difficult with me being pregnant because I have to take special precautions for the baby and for myself but I still enjoy my job very much.  I am glad to finally be in a career where I enjoy getting up and going to work.  It is very rewarding to know that I am able to help someone in need everytime I step foot in that hospital.  I guess that’s why I enjoy speaking so much as well because I am able to help someone in need through the power of Jesus Christ.

So as you can tell many things are chaging in our little life.  Kids are growing up, new ones are joining the family and life moves forward.  We have been through challenging times and continue to go through them but God never promised our life would be easy or without challenges.  We have peaks where we praise Him and give Him glory and we have vallies where we also praise Him and try to follow His lead.  If there is one thing I have learned in the last few years, It is that God isn’t my co-pilot…He’s my pilot.  He is my Rock and He is my Help in need.  His doesn’t need my help, He needs my obedience.

Thanks for visiting the site today, I hope if you are interested in having me speak you will email me and we can work out the details.  If you’d like to order a book, please follow the instructions on the order page. And…BOLO (that means Be On the Look Out) for the movie based on my story of how God used as a vessel, a lonely, drug addicted, widowed Mom to help end tradegy in a community but more importantly He put the pieces of a broken life back together and made something beautiful of it…More details to follow!!!!

   New Baby Boy

   Me and my Husband

             Paige- My sweet daughter

Our family…yes the little one is in my belly here!

This  new year will bring many changes in our (my family’s) lives.  My husband and I are expecting a baby boy in July and we are soooooo excited!  His name is Cole and from what we see on the ultrasounds, he is just like his mommy…FULL OF ENERGY!!!!  It has been so long since either one of us has done this baby thing so it still feels a little surreal.  I know God will be patient with us and will help us through this as He has everything else in our lives.  We cannot wait to meet him and be his Mommy and Daddy!!!!

I  continue to speak as I get opportunities.  I have a couple of engagements coming up in 2011.  I have one in Baxley, Ga in February, one in April in Augusta, Ga and one in Septemeber in West Virginia.  I am really looking forward to the events.  As many of you know, I lovvveee sharing my life with others and sharing how amazing God is at changing lives!!

We are continuing work on the movie about my story.  It is set to start filming around July and I could not be more excited.  I will keep you all updated as I know more info about it. They are finishing up the script and looking to the cast so it has really been exciting.  I know my little sister is going to get a chance to display her acting abilities in the movie and I know she will do a fantastic job!!!  Go Leah!!!

I am coaching middle school girls basketball this year and it has really been sooooo much fun.  Our team is really great.  As of now we are 5 and 5.  We had a little bit of a rough start trying to “mesh” as a team and work together but I think we have it under control now.  In the games we have lost, it’s been anywhere from 1 to 4 points and the games have been so close!  We have 9 games plus, tournament games left so I am expecting great things from the exceptionally athletic girls!!!  Go LIONS!!!! ROAR!!!  Paige is our manager and she’s doing a great job.  She isn’t old enough to play on the team this year but she will next year.  This year she is playing county recreation ball and doing great.  They haven’t had a game yet but we should start up with those next week.  She is doing well in practice and it’s so great to see that she really enjoys the same sport I did growing up.  As long as I am on the subject of basketball, let me give a shout out to my favorite basketball team the Duke Bluedevils!!!  They are doing  fab even with one of there top players is out with a toe injury.  Paige and I have enjoyed bonding time watching their games!!!

I am working at the hospital in the ER taking xrays as much as I can.  I really enjoy the work I do (yes even when I work from 7pm to 7am….althought that is tough!!!)  It’s really interesting to see the different people that come through the emergency room.  The job never gets boring, that’s for sure!!!

SOOOOOOO, if you can’t tell, my life has been extremely busy but I am enjoying it.  Spiritually, I am expecting great things from the Lord this year.  I am wanting to experience growth as a Christian this year and to show God just how much I love and appreciate Him.  I want to teach Paige and my son just how important Christ is to me and let them know that life is all about Him and His plan for our lives.  One thing is for sure I am nothing without Christ BUT through HIM, I can do all things.  I feel so much better when I am walking close with God so I want to do a better job of not being to busy to spend time with Him.  He is never to busy for me or for you!!!!

If you are interested in having me speak at an event your are holding, please email me and we can work out the details.  If you would like to have an autographed boo,k email me also and we can get one to you.  Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers.  Please continue praying for me and my family this year as we take on new challenges in our lives!!!!  GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!!!

First of all, I graduated from Radiology Tech school and passed my board certification so I am now a Registered Radiology Technologist…YAY!!!!  It’s over and I made it.  I am currently taking an online course to become certified in CT and will soon start a new job as an RT!!!!  I have moved back to my hometown of Augusta, Ga and have been loving every minute of it.  It”s great to be back around my family on a regular basis and I LOVE LOVE LOVE being back at Greenbrier Church!  Speaking of Greenbrier Church, I was honored to speak there this morning and share my testimony and feel God’s amazing presence in that place. 

Paige is doing great.  She is in 5th grade and boy is it difficult!!!  I feel sorry for her b/c she has at least 2 hours of HW every night…IT MAKES ME TIRED JUST THINKING ABOUT IT!!!!  She is about to start basketball in a couple of week and is very much looking forward to it!!!  I am considering coaching a JV team at her school which should be interesting but I think it will be alot of fun!!!

I have been speaking little over the last couple of months and look forward to some upcoming speaking events in November.  The movie is still in the process and FOX is behind it so BOL sometime next year!!! 

Hope you all have a Happy Fall!!!  Check my schedule for some upcoming dates!!!

Ashley

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!!!!