Happiness in Marriage

Marriages would be more successful if each would try to make his partner happy rather than good. But making our spouse good is a great temptation. We don’t live with anyone very long before we see their faults. We trip over their inefficiencies and sloppiness, suffer for their moments of selfishness; we are stung by outbursts of anger and things left undone. It doesn’t take a genius to see how they could improve our lives if they would only change.
So we make our lists, create improvement programs and remind our partners frequently of their faults. Oh, others may nag, but we gently suggest and see ourselves as virtuous, all the while telling them what is wrong. After all, our efforts are only for their good. Sound familiar? Perhaps! Well, there is nothing that does less good in a marriage than vowing to change the other. Marriage ought to be a sanctuary from a painful world, a place to sooth our feelings and gain the strength to run another day. But it can’t be done if one partner is always trying to make the other. Then, instead, there is a discomfort, a feeling that home is a briar patch full of thorns, that one does not quite measure up. Worse, the improvement program we designed for someone else rarely works. Growth is self-initiated; it must come from within. It is an inner striving to be more. We can’t make someone kind or thoughtful. Fat people don’t lose weight because someone told them to do so. We can no more mold someone that we can tell a flower when to bloom. So we have to give up the futile idea of making our partners good and concentrate instead on making them happy. That starts by accepting our helpmate’s faults and all with unconditional love. It means noticing the thousand good things our loved one does every day and offering praise for them. No one lives with a perfect person, so let’s not be surprised that we don’t. For every change we make in our partner they could make a list just as long that they would like us to change. SO when we feel the urge to make somebody good we can start with ourselves. And when we want to make somebody happy, then let’s look at our partners. And ironically, if we make them happy we go a long way toward making them good.

Roadtrip to...?

Hey everyone,

I've had it on my mind that Ben and I are going to take a road trip this summer. It will be a graduation present to myself, plus a fun vacation for the both of us. I really would love to go to New York since I've never been there. I think it would be fun to visit all the history that is in the area. Yet, after watching a special on Yellowstone National Park, I began to rethink my decision. I always have chances to see the city. So, Ben and I might go to Yellowstone. I'm not sure yet. Anyway, do any of you have suggestions for where I should go? What I should visit?

Blizzard Blessings

The buzz around Milwaukee, WI is "THE GREAT BLIZZARD OF 2011." Apparently, it was pretty bad. I didn't get to appreciate the grand snow storm because I was bundled up inside with the flu. I know it was a blessing because I got not one, but two snow days to get better. Another "blessing" our car broke down Thursday morning. Ben was able to get that fixed. But you see, this all could have happened when I needed to be at school for student teaching. That would have been horrific. I didn't have to miss three days of student teaching either, only one. (I"m still sick unfortunately).

I did walk outside Wednesday, after the blizzard, despite being ill. I had to see what it was like outside. The front end of my car was covered. The snow on the passengers side went up to the passenger's side windows. Of course that was a drift, but still! We received 18"-21". My in-laws actually witnessed a glass enclosure (which sits at bus stops) get picked up and thrown to the ground. Yes, all the glass shattered. That didn't happen by some incredible hulk, it was WIND. That's pretty amazing.

And since the snow is extending all the way to Dallas, I know there are people who aren't going to be able to make it to the Superbowl. I tried to convince Ben to drive to Texas to see if we could score two tickets, but he won't go for it :) hehe. Besides he said tickets can go for like $1,000? Is that true? That's CRAZY.

That's all for now, I'm sick of looking at computers and tvs for three days. I will say this though - The Blizzard of 2011 was a little blessing to Ben and I :) Sometimes there is good that comes with the bad.

(PS - Our car is fixed now :) Well, mostly. The drivers side door handle is still snapped off from last winter...hah)

Student Teacher

I have officially started my student teaching this semester. I have loved every minute of it so far. There was some anxiety at first, but everything went fine. I'm in a fourth grade classroom in Milwaukee. The school is probably the best school I have been at. My teacher is definitely great at her job too. I am learning tons of classroom management tools. Within a couple of weeks I have to be the main teacher for at least half the day, then I will progress to teaching the entire day.

In between planning lessons, I'm trying to plan my job hunt. It's so odd to be at this point in my life! I"m moving into an entire new part of my life. In some ways, I'd even say it's the biggest change in my life. I wouldn't say marriage because that wasn't nerve wracking like this is!

One sad thing that has happened this semester is my one class that correlates with mys student teaching meets on a Wednesday night. Which means, I have had to give up teaching my junior high youth group. I hated doing this. I miss them so much. However, I have a feeling God is going to use this semester as a time of rejuvenation in Him. Plus, God is making me step up in other ways in the church which is exciting. I'm leading communion for both services this Sunday. I'm a little nervous for that because first service is packed! I normally only go to second service, which is much smaller. I'm not as nervous getting up and talking in front of that group!

Well, that's about it for now I suppose! OH, Ben did get his first story published. He is an official published author now :) I'm reading his third novel right now, which so far is great!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Well Belcher Cousins, today is my Mom's 50th birthday. If you think of it - send her a message or give her a call. I know she would get a kick out of it. Especially since she never reads these blogs! I'm excited for the day. I am taking her out to get a manicure or a pedicure, she gets to decide. I also got her a funny birthday card that says: "You know what's wonderful about being 50? You are two HOT 25 year old's wrapped into ONE!" haha. I think it is cute. I still have to sneak out of the house to go buy her the balloons. Instead of getting one 50 year old over the hill balloon, I am going to get two balloons that say 25, to go along with the card!

I pray everyone has a wonderful Christmas! I love you all!

Inconsiderate Professors

I know God says to love your enemies, but today I realized how extremely difficult it is to love someone who has wronged you. I have a professor who never emails you back, does not do her job, and leaves you hanging with no clue what to do for assignments. This professor, did not answer my three emails all in which had some connection to do with Grandma, until a week later. I had explained that I had to go to Grandma's funeral, which with traveling, would be difficult to work on an end of the semester project. She refused to give me an extension. That was the first reason that made me not like her. The second is she did not respond to any of my questions in the emails. Then, today, I go to campus for my evening class. I waited around until 4:20, but became suspicious when no one else had showed up for class yet. I text a few people and sure enough there was no class. It really frustrated me because I had emailed her so many times yet she does not have the decency to communicate with me. I guess on top of my stress and still grieving over Grandma, I was extremely upset. The fact that she knows what I have been going through, it would have been considerate of her to communicate that there was no class. Driving to campus and back took out 30-40 minutes of my day. Plus, I grabbed dinner at Jimmy Johns, because I was so hungry! I knew I wouldn't have time to eat before class. So she cost me money and my time. I just cannot even fathom showing love to this woman.

Love and Grandma

Hello everyone. I thought I would try writing about the funeral and everything. It really isn't so much as to write a blog entry as it is for me to get my feelings down. I'm sure you all are struggling with this just as much if not more as I am.

I have made it home from the long trip to and from Missouri. I think I am actually doing worse now that I am away from the funeral. It really hurts, almost to the point of physical pain. On the way home, I kept feeling like this whole weekend has been a dream. I am still in denial. I think to myself, there is no possible way that both Grandma and Grandpa have left this Earth. All I want to do right now is to call them at their home to tell them how much I love them both. I have resisted the temptation to call Grandma's cell phone right now. I just wanted to be able to hear her voice. I don't think her voice is actually on the voicemail recording, otherwise I probably would have called her.

I brought home flowers from the funeral. I thought they would somehow make me feel better. I love and am proud of my two plants I was able to bring home from Grandpa's funeral. I think I despise the flowers I took this time. I just want to throw them away.

I know Grandma has been in pain for years. Yet, through it all, she has always overcame. And I know, that while she has suffered, she has brought many people, probably even complete strangers, a glimpse of joy. But that is the thing, through it all, she has never given up. I remember about two maybe three years ago around fourth of July when I thought she wasn't going to make it. The doctors told us she probably wouldn't make it through the night. I remember praying with Josh at the hospital's chapel. God gave me a peace that she would make it through the night, and she did. So why now? Why did it have to take so long? I know we cannot live forever, but it is so unreal to think that death finally took Grandma. I guess I should think of it as God bringing her home.

And while God has given me the peace that she is truly at home with Him, it still hurts. It may continue like this forever. I can honestly say that there is no other person like Grandma Tena in the world. There is no other Grandpa in the world either. Together, they were amazing. They could bring us laughter, joy, comfort . . .

I do not know how the two of them made it through life. I almost feel ashamed at how well off I am. I have never felt the pain and suffering Grandma and Grandpa went through in life both together and individually.

Grandma - Grandpa: I dedicate my life to living a lifestyle that you two showed me how to live. One where I truly love my neighbor as the Scripture encourages. One where I can love a stranger as if they were my own family. One where I do not give up because I am tired. One where I put God and my family above everything else in my life. One where I pass on the legacy that has been passed down to me.

One more thing - I honestly feel like Grandma personified love. She did not need to preach God's word because she acted it out.

I love you all.

Fast Quick Healthy Food

Anyone have suggestions for fast, quick, healthy food? I barely have time to cook. As a result, I have been eating a lot of unhealthy stuff. Also, cheap would be nice! :)

Here's to Monday

I recently read an article by Jon Swanson. He is great. I receive all my daily devotions from him. Every now and then I get one that I'm just like, oh that was nice. Today's devotion was right on the head. Perfect. It was about how sometimes you don't want to pray with the "Dear God" or "My heavenly father" that I know I was taught with. You just want to mumble, complain, be like hey God. Which, when you think about it, I don't think Jesus' disciples talked to Him by saying "Dear Jesus."

Anyway - Here's to Mondays: the feeling of not wanting to start another week, the exhaustion you feel waking up, the headache of knowing you have 5 full days to get through until the weekend.

What is amazing is that by the time Friday rolls around, I know I will feel confidant in the week and what it has produced. It is just these Mondays that are so difficult to get through. Then again, it could have just been today.

Life is Life

I love watching the show Parenthood. There are so many real life issues presented. It is interesting seeing how the characters work through them all. One family has a son with aspergers,another couple is trying to make it work rather than get divorced, and another one is dealing with unemployment (wife works husband parents). Of course there are the family issues revolving around the kids with boyfriends, drugs, friendships, etc. In a way, I find the show encouraging. Through everything that happens, they all stay together as a family. They can lean on one another for support. Sometimes it can be frustrating, but in the end, they always come back together.

The show demonstrates that life is life, you might as well just take it and move on. We all have our struggles, they just vary from person to person. It doesn't make the struggle any less real for the people going through it.

For Ben and I, we have been going through some struggles this summer, well, this past year. He had been stuck at a job he hated, Brooks Brothers. He started out loving it, but began to despise selling thousand dollar suits to rich people who didn't need it. He needed more meaning in his life. So, he left (taking a significant pay cut) to become a re-sale shop manager for Teen Challenge, a non-profit Christian drug rehabilitation center. Here, Ben was able to pour his self into the students enrolled in the program. It combined his passion for people and ministry with his skill set of selling.

Well, that position didn't last long for a variety of reasons. In the end, they decided to terminate his position. The shop wasn't making much money. So, Ben was/is unemployed. Luckily, I decided to not to do summer classes in order to work full time as a summer camp teacher. We were able to have a nice steady income throughout the summer months.

When school began in the fall, Ben still had not found a new job. I began to get anxious wondering how we were going to get by. I was taking 18 extremely heavy courses in school, plus working 20 hours (sometimes more), as well as leading youth group with Ben and our friends Ben and Brooke. I was getting closer and closer to my breaking limit. This fact put a strain on our relationship. I became snippy, nagging, etc. out of my stress.

Ben began to work for his Dad, who is the Vice President of a telecommunications company called Business Fitness. They work to save companies money on phone or internet services. In return, the company gets a certain cut of the money saved. While this is great for Ben (provides a challenge, flexible hours, works with his Dad, etc) it does not bring in money right away. It will take some time before he gets the connections with companies that he needs. He has to spend time going over bills, expenses, etc. before he can write a savings offer to companies.

In the midst of this, Ben was offered a management training position with a company called Allen Edmonds. This is similar to Brooks Brothers because it is a high end retail company specializing in shoes. It would have provided stability in income and benefits. While Ben and I prayed, we both came to the realization that this would be another dead end road for Ben. He may enjoy it for a few months, but would quickly grow to hate it. Plus, he would have to work 40 + hours, then may have to relocate after a year. In the end, he'd still be looking for a different job.

After a very difficult discussion, I decided to support Ben in his decision to decline the position. I had to completely put my faith in God. I also had to not turn on Ben for not taking the position later on when I became stressed. After all, I had given him my support.

Now, perhaps God is taking us in the direction He wants us. Ben has acquired some new clients for his father's company. I am beginning orientation tomorrow for a new tutoring job that pays a very high hourly wage. This will allow me to free up time in my schedule to focus on school.

I just have to keep putting my faith in God. We have a lot of good things ahead of us in our future. Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in all the small technicalities of life that seem to go wrong. For instance - our car that would cost more than $1,000 to fix. Now, we are in the process of looking for a new used car. Oh - our other car needs a $400 repair before winter time too.

In the end of it all - I have a lot of optimism towards the future. Everyday I grow more passionate about educating students. I am beginning what I hope to be a weekly venture of visiting schools in the area. Next Friday, I start with Ozaukee Christian School, the week after Glen Hills just a few blocks away from my house. My college life is coming to the end. It has been enjoyable but difficult.

I am looking forward to the new segment of Ben and I's lives that will begin shortly. He has many publishers interested in his novel The Dreamer, and we both believe his second novel, Unlucky, will be an even bigger hit.

Everyone can view Ben's blog at: http://fidzo.wordpress.com/

Here's to putting our faith in God!

2010 Sinkhole in Milwaukee

Well, it seems disaster does seem to follow me to an extent.

In 2007 the Interstate Bridge 35W collapse. This was approximately 2-3 minutes away from my college campus in Minneapolis, MN. All of us college students took this bridge all the time to go get groceries and food! Below you will see pictures of this devastation. God's hand had to be in there because it was amazing how low the death toll was for how horrific it appears.

Now, we have a large sinkhole in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Once again, minutes away from my college campus. Luckily, Ben and I live north of Milwaukee in a town called Glendale in a third floor condo. We had horrible flooding that stranded cars, as the car seen in the sinkhole. It occurred last night. As of this morning, the car was still running with the lights on and wheels turning. When the sinkhole collapsed, there was a man in the SUV. He managed to get out with minimal injuries. I don't know how he got out because at the time it fell, there was water gushing into the hole as well.

I'll stop talking and just let you look at the pictures. The first one is the sinkhole in Milwaukee. The three pictures after are the bridge collapse in MInneapolis.

Jury Duty Calls

Well, my Mom is about to turn the big 5-0 this December and she still has yet to be called for jury duty. Here I am, 22, only lived in this city for almost 2 years, and I get the call for jury duty!!! Granted, I live in the big city of Milwaukee. I am positive there is much more crime here than in the little dinky towns of Janesville, Lee's Summit, Cameron, and even Kearney. (Okay, I do not mean dinky in a disrespectful manner, I love ALL those places I just listed). I just think it is a little ironic. I've been here since 9:15 am, it is now 1 pm. I've yet to be called for a court case. I'm starting to get a little bit bored. I have to be here until 5pm, and all day tomorrow! The good thing is this forces me to work on homework that I otherwise would have been putting off. So thank you everyone for having blogs to entertain me when I am sick of reading about symmetries, transformations, constructivism, cooperative learning and all the other stuff I'm learning right now.

I guess I might as well fill you in with my life. Forgive me if I have said this in a previous blog. Ben now has a new job, thank the Lord. He is still LOVING it! :) He works for Teen Challenge. It's a faith based non-profit organization that provides support to people of any age that have life-altering addictions. Specifically, he works in their re-sale shop where all proceeds go to support their cause. He is able to do something he knows very well, retail, while also ministering to the people who work with him. He's the only paid employee, everyone else are "students" enrolled in the Teen Challenge program. I've recently begun volunteering their as well. I love all the women at the store. They have amazing stories and great hearts. I pray the best for them always. I may become a women's supervisor during the summer.

As for me, I'm still in school right now. I'm finishing up the semester with the huge portfolio and presentation I have to do. It is hard work. I also applied for student teaching next year. I can't believe I will be applying for GRADUATION next!! It is so invigorating knowing I will be done soon. I'm also a little afraid, knowing that I could be teaching my own wild 5th grade class of over 30 kids myself pushes me to learn as much as I can now! Speaking of 5th grade, that is the grade I have been in this semester for a day and a half a week plus two full weeks. It will be hard to say good-bye to those kids! :( I love them so much despite the pain in the neck they can be! lol! :) I'll say this - THANK YOU TO PARENTS WHO TEACH THEIR KIDS RESPECT! A lot of elementary/middle school kids do not have this concept modeled for them at home :( It definitely shows its toll when you try to teach.

Well, I guess that is all I will write for now. I'm starting to get sick of looking at the computer. I may just go wonder around this little room I'm stuck in. Hopefully I will be called for a case soon. I think it would be an interesting experience to be on the actual jury panel.

-Ashley-


PS

Interesting Things I've learned lately:

5 of the 1st US Presidents authorized federal funds for evangelism & church planting.

The 1st Continental Congress paid to publish & distribute the BIBLE during the American Revolution.



And on the not so random...

If you are faithful in your relationship to God and with God, He will be faithful to you!!!

Sickness & Loud Junior High Girls

Well, I don't know what it is but Ben and I both seem to get sick all the time! Apparently I need a lesson on being healthy! Geeeesh! I think I should even go get the H1N1 shot, although now I don't know if it will do anything for me. Although, Ben did have pink eye and I didn't get that. Thank you God! I'm about to leave on a weekend retreat with a bunch of loud, crazy, hyper junior high girls. I'm still getting over what apparently was not Strep Throat. I think I actually have strep throat, but they did a rapid test, which isn't as accurate. My throat hurts even when I don't talk! I can't swallow or do anything. How am I supposed to be loud and giggly with all the girls?? I don't want them to think I'm boring! haha. Anyway, regardless it should be fun. Alright, that's all for now. I'm watching a scary movie and it is getting intense! It's called State of Play. Russel Crowe, Ben Affleck (if I spelled those right)

So long amigos!

Tribute to Cindy (kinda)

Hey everyone,

First of all, let me clarify. This is not actually a tribute to Cindy. She simply put up her little poem, because she was sad not many people comment or blog. So, I decided that I would blog. For the first time in what seems forever, I actually have a lot to say.

Thanks to everyone who commented on colors for my condo. I did paint it finally. It is a beautiful tan color. The pictures do not do it justice (scroll down). I even bought some new decorations to put up. Now I just need to paint my bedroom and the bathroom. I finally decided on a color for the bedroom. It's going to be a light blue. I want to eventually get new curtains that will lighten the room up a bit. Maybe that will make me get out of bed a little earlier. Ben has been a bad influence on me in that department. I sleep a lot later now than I ever have.

Anyway, on to the new news. God has finally started opening up doors, the right ones too in our life. We stepped down with helping to start a new church this summer. Things were not lining up. As soon as we did that, we found a great new church that I am proud to call home. We're meeting new people all the time! Ben and I both help lead the junior high group that meets every Wednesday nights. Ben also began a new job! He's working for Teen Challenge (no it isn't something just for teenagers). I'll have to look into how the program got its name. Anyway, it is a faith based rehabilitation program for life's addictions (drugs, alcohol, etc.)It is open to people of any age. Not only do they help people get rid of their addictions, they help them get back on their feet. They offer job coaching, schooling, etc. Teen Challenge recently opened a re-sale shop which Ben is now the head guy for! All the store's profits go towards supporting the program. It is also a place for students enrolled in the program to get clothes. There are many people who arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

So far, Ben loves his new job. I will even have the opportunity to work side by side with my hubby. I have to do community service hours for school. Luckily, I can do it with Teen Challenge! Speaking of, yes, I am still in school. I graduate next May. I'm very anxious for that date. Until then, I still work part-time at Le Club, the fitness club. I love it their. Always new and interesting people to meet. Tonight, I just met a couple who just moved to Milwaukee from ITALY! How EXCITING! They had WONDERFUL accents and were so cute together! Sometimes I cannot believe how diverse that place is! We have people from everywhere! Russia, Italy, India, China, everywhere!



Well, I guess for now I will stop! That is the thing with blogs, you can't write tooo much because then people get bored of reading. See, I'm not good at blogs. I'll just write and write when I finally sit down to do it!

Love you all!

Help! Paint Advice Needed!

Hey Everyone!!

I think I've posted pictures of my condo previously on here before. When we first moved in I enjoyed our green walls. However I am now beginning to get sick of the icky green all over the place. Since I know so many of you are great at decorating I need advice with what color I should paint my walls, or if I should just paint one, etc. I know it is hard to go off of just pictures but do your best!!


Here is a picture of our condo before we got our rug, it shows off our beautiful floors.






And here is a picture of our condo with our new rug :) I love it!!!!









This is our entry way. Don't let the white & purple candle throw you off. It's not there anymore :)


Alright all you interior designers! Show me what you got!


-Ashley-

Seat me next to the irritating talker, please

Well, I don't mind talking. I guess it depends on what the "irritating" thing of the "talking" is though, you know? I mean, if someone is just super talkative and hyper that isn't so bad. If it is someone who is drooling while they talk and lean really close, then I would rather have the quiet starer. But, considering I would be more freaked out by someone staring at me, I will choose the talker!

I want a kitten!!

Well, I am obviously no good at this whole blogging business! There just isn't that much exciting stuff happening in Ben and I's life!!! I'm still in school. I find out in a couple of weeks if I was finally accepted into the school of education. I am very confident about it. I had an interview and it went great! So, I'm just keeping my fingers tied for the next couple of weeks!

I'm still a receptionist at a fitness club and I love it! The people are so great there! It is like its own little community within the health club! Ben finally got a membership (it is really cheap for me because I get a HUGE discount!). He has a work-out buddy who he meets with every Wednesday. Then every Monday & Friday Ben and I work out in the club together. My spring break is this coming week so I am SUPER excited to be able to try all the group classes! I normally can go to any of them because they do not fit in with my school schedule! Bummer!

Anyway, other than that...Ben has a weekly Poker Night he has going! It's great fun! We don't play with actual money (that's bad...lol). Ben is trying to use it as a ministry. It's a time for him and his guy friends to get together and hopefully talk religion :) (Although, a couple of my girlfriends and I have joined in on the fun). We're also in the process of starting up a weekly bible study at our small little condo.

Oh, my friend has a kitten that she needs to get rid of too. I'm going to try to convince my condo association to let me keep a kitten in our place. Sadly, we are in the building that does not allow pets. I just would love a small cute little kitten so much though!!!


Well, that is all for tonight. I am tired. Oh, if anyone is interested, I'm keeping another blog as well. It's mainly filled with my thoughts on what I've read in the bible for the night.

www.ashleysbelovedsavior.blogspot.com


Love you all!


Oh, and Cindy, Lars is adorable! Congratulations on a new addition to your beautiful family!!!!

You Should've Seen It In Color.... The Song about Grandpa

Well, I don't know if any of you have heard this song before or not. It's a country song by Johnson Jamey, it is a great song to listen to. I'll admit, I do get a little sad when I listen to it. Every single word sung in this song makes me think of Grandpa Belcher. I wish I could make a trip down to Missouri to see him. It's been awhile since I've seen him. I just thought you all might see it too if you read the lyrics.

Love you all.
-Ashley-

Jamey Johnson, In Color Lyrics

Looking for Jamey Johnson tabs and chords? Browse alphabet (above).

Artist: Johnson Jamey Song: In Color Album: That Lonesome Song

Jamey Johnson Sheet Music Jamey Johnson CDs

Send “In Color” Ringtone to Cell Phone

I said, Grandpa what’s this picture here
It’s all black and white and ain’t real clear
Is that you there, he said, yeah I was eleven
Times were tough back in thirty-five
That’s me and Uncle Joe just tryin’ to survive
A cotton farm in the Great Depression

And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color

This one here was taken overseas
In the middle of hell in nineteen forty-three
In the winter time you can almost see my breath
That was my tail gunner ole’ Johnny McGee
He was a high school teacher from New Orleans
And he had my back right through the day we left

And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color

A picture’s worth a thousand words
But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered
You should have seen it in color

This one is my favorite one
It’s me and grandma in the summer sun
All dressed up the day we said our vows
You can’t tell it here but it was hot that June
That rose was red and her eyes were blue
And just look at that smile I was so proud

That’s the story of my life
Right there in black and white

And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color

A picture’s worth a thousand words
But you can’t see what those shades of gray keep covered
You should have seen it in color

You should have seen it in color

My 10 Quirks

We're all a bunch of Quirks!!

I don't remember who tagged me, but I think it may have been Ronda and Cherie. Anyway, here are my quirks a little late, but nonetheless here they are.

My 10 QUIRKS....that I could think of.....

1. I, like Alaina, do not wash my hair everyday. I generally do it every other day though. I can't stand to go that long without washing it because my hair is thin and it would start to get greasy otherwise.

2. I absolutely love hairspray. I'm a bit of a fanatic about it. My way of styling my hair is to simply dry it, then hairspray it to make it look messy. Sometimes I don't even brush it.

3. I can get extremely excited about songs that I like. Even if I have heard it over and over and over again. Oh, and I LOVE to sing songs, even though I'm not the best. I will sing mumble jumble words if I don't know the words, but I still have to sing.

4. I can get very giddy and talk in a high pitch voice when I get hyper. It's even more fun when I'm like that with my sister-in-law because she's crazy too when she has energy.

5. I can have a little bit of ADD when I clean. I'll start washing dishes, then notice that the floor is dirty so I'll start sweeping the floor. After that, I may notice that the closet needs to be rearranged. The morale of the story, I never seem to finish something before I start another task.

6. I don't know if this is to be considered a quirk or not, but I call my mom almost every single day. Even if it is just to call and say that I heard my favorite song on the radio. I can call with some very random things.

7. I have developed a love for the new Star Wars game for the Wii. I've never loved a video game up until this one. It is AMAZING!!!!!! Afterwords, I dream about what it'd be like to have force powers. It's pretty cool.

8. I make random noises. A lot of times Ben says it sounds like a baby dinosaur. My sister-in-law does it too. I tell you, she is great! We do it mainly when we're hyper and bored.

9. I desperately want to be a professional dancer. I want to be an amazing salsa, swing, jazz, every kind of dance you can imagine. I lovvvvvve to dance. I often dance when I'm cleaning the house to make it fun and interesting.

10. I think my last quirk has to also go along with Alaina's, I have to get ready in a certain order. I wash my hair, leave it up in a towel, put my make-up on, then I blow dry my hair, and then I put my clothes on, and the final step is putting on my eye shadow.

I'm not tagging anyone because everyone that I know on here has already been tagged!

-Ashley-

I'm going to be a Pastor's Wife!!!!

I first of all want to say that I had a great Christmas!! I was able to spend a couple days with my parents, Josh, and my grandparents. Then, Ben and I headed to his parents for Christmas Day. We got some great gifts like a blow up air mattress! Now if anyone ever visits us they will have something to sleep on! Finding room to put it is another matter. I guess I'd just have to move the dining room table. I am looking forward to the next season of my life. I seem to be going through a bunch of transitions and I am about to enter into the next major change in my life. Ben is going to be an associate pastor!!!!!!! He had been trying to start a church in Mequon, WI but was told he needed more time and experience. Well, a couple we met at the church plant assessment was looking to plant a church in Oconomowoc, WI which is 45 minutes away from us. They found out that we were denied and decided to ask Ben to be their associate pastor!!! The couple, Don and Nicole are extremely sweet. They are around 35 I believe and just got married a couple months ago. We have a lot in common with them. Don promises to give Ben regular time preaching, so he can get the experience he needs. Plus, we are now able to help in a church plant from scratch! Our hope is that in two years the church in Oconomowoc will be doing well enough to send Ben and I off to start up a church in Mequon. I am now officially a pastor's wife!!!! Of course, I don't fit the stereotypical mold of a piano playing, gospel singing woman. I think I can find a way to work it out though. I do like to sing, but I am not the best at it. So, you can all be praying for Ben and I!!! We're going to run into some tight financial places very quickly. Ben will eventually leave his job to work full time for the church. We have to figure out some way for us to keep our benefits. I'm not worried about it though. I know God will handle everything! I just have to stay focused on my education still. I will be a senior next year, finally!!! Although I still have an extra year to go through.

That is all the updating I am going to do for now! I'm going to go eat pizza and watch Chuck with my wonderful hubby!!!

I love you all and hope you had a Merry Christmas! By the way, there is a present for you all waiting in Kearney.

Love,
Ashley