I have so much to update you on...but won't have the time until my thesis is done. In the meantime though - here is a pic of my new WC car!

My parents found out that they got the "second" house. I will be living in this house and renting it from them. It is on Winter Street. Escrow will close just before I move at the end of May. The Lord has provided. I was able to get of my year long lease here in my apartment, and I now have a place to live when I return back to CA. Now only two more obstacles - selling my car here, and finding a job in the Valley. There is a promising lead with Bethany Adoption Agency which I would love - so maybe God has that in the works too. I'll keep you up to date! In any case...here is my new WC home!

Happy first day of Spring! It doesn’t look like it around here – with snow on the ground and temps in the 40’s…but just the thought of today being the first day of Spring makes me feel warm inside – even if it isn’t warm outside.

Here on the EC there is a place called Rita’s. It is a place where one could buy water ice, gelati, etc. (I know, the name “water ice” is a bit redundant, but that’s what its name is. It is basically shaved ice, but it is much yummier then that.) Anyway, they care only open during Spring and Summer, and on the first day of Spring they give out free regular water ices. I was pretty darn excited about that. Chad, Katie (the kids I baby-sit) and I went to get ours, and the line was ginormous when we showed up. When we hopped out of the car I was greeted by several YL kids running up to me and yelling, “Ashley’s here!” It was a good moment for me.

You see, when I came out here to interview my “tour guide” stopped at Rita’s. It was my first water ice (or wuder ice as they pronounce it here) and I remember wondering what the heck all the fuss was about – I mean, we don’t have stuff like that on the WC. Of course that was my first time in Hunterdon County so I knew absolutely nobody. Today, three years later, kids who I have come to know and love greeted me at Rita’s.

While there are many annoying things about New Jersey, there are many wonderful things as well. This is my home. I will be sad to leave it in exactly nine weeks from today.

I have been blessed to have this EC experience.

Snow Day Surveys

1. Favorite country song?
Right now? What hurts the most by Rascal Flatts.

2. Last thing you bought?
Dinner

3. Last time you got flowers?
Valentine’s Day – and they were my fave flowers too!

4. Do you share a toothbrush with your significant other?
no

5. One of your stuffed animals' names as a kid?
Anderson

6. Did you ever own at one time a Barenaked Ladies CD?
I don’t think so.

7. Favorite day of the week?
Friday or Saturday

8. Favorite Sundae topping?
Hot fudge

9. Did you take Piano lessons?
Yes – for 10 years

10. T.V. show you secretly enjoy?
The Hills

11. Date someone older or younger?
Either

12. One place you could travel to right now?
Ireland

13. Do you use umbrellas?
Rarely

14. Do you know all the words to the Canadian national anthem?
No. Only the first two…lol

15. Best job you ever had?
I loved being on work crew in high school. Does that count?

16. What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep every night?
Usually watch Dave Letterman

17. Ever been in a car accident?
Yes, several

18. How would you like to die?
In my sleep

19. When do you think you will get drunk next?
never

20. Were you ever in a school talent show?
yes

21. Allergic to?
nothing that I know of

22. Favorite fruit?
strawberries

24. Do you soap first or shampoo?
Shampoo

26. Do you scream on roller coasters?
Sometimes

27. Who was your first prom date?
Chris Johnson

28. Who was your first roommate?
Courtney

30. What was your 1st job?
For money? I guess that would be babysitting.

31. What was your first car?
Red Toyota Tercel

33. Who was your first grade teacher?
Mrs Pitts

35. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day?
Oh that depends! I have many good friends I can call…

36. What's your favorite store?
Target

37. What's the name of the last restaurant you ate at?
McDonalds

38. What did you do yesterday?

Work, which included a WyldLife club

39.What book are you reading right now?
The Safest Place on Earth by Larry Crabb

40. Why did you fill out this survey?
Stuck in my house due to snow and I’m bored!!!

And yet another survey…

1. 4th grade teacher's name: Mrs. ?? Don’t remember but I can picture her. She wore a wig, bless her heart and everyone made fun of her. She went to my church.

2. Last words you said: “Sure. OK, bye.”

3. Last song you listened to: What hurts the most by Rascal Flatts.

4. Last person you hugged: Linda

5. Last thing you laughed at: Kids are WL club last night

6. Last time you said I love you and meant it: I don’t know…probably in some phone conversation to someone

7. Last time you cried: today while watching QEFTSG. A soldier was leaving his family for Iraq.

8. Do you have a car: Yes. But I am selling it when I move back to CA.

9. What color socks are you wearing: None – I’m wearing slippers.

10.What is under your bed: luggage mostly

11. What time did you wake up: It was a snow day so I got to sleep in!

12. What's you least favorite ice cream: pistachio

13. Current hair: down

14. Are you thinking about someone right now? No

15. Current annoyance: my procrastination habits

16. Current desktop picture? Me, Kristin, and Jerelyn skating on the pond in front of the Capitol in D.C.

18. If you could play any instrument what would it be? guitar

19. Favorite color(s): red

29. How tall are you? 5’ 41/2”

30. Current favorite word/saying: wow! Or soooo good!

31. Favorite Show: The Hills or anything news-y

32. Favorite season: Fall

36. What is your career going to be like: hopefully effective as a therapist!

37. How many kids do you want: as many as God chooses to bless me with

HAVE YOU EVER...

39. Said "I love you": yes

40. Ever get into a fight with your pet: yes

41. Have you ever been to New York: City and Upstate - YES (live near it)

42. Been to Arizona: Yes

43. Been to California: Hello, um, yes

44. Been to Hawaii: no

45. Been to Mexico: Yes

46. Been to Italy: no.

47: Been to Ireland: no

48. Dreamed something really crazy and then it happened the next day? I don’t think so?

52. Do you have a crush on someone? no

53. What book are you reading now? A book for school by Larry Crabb

54. Where is it? on a chair in my living room

55. What is the first thing you think when you wake up in the morning? what time is it?

56. How many rings before you answer your phone? depends

57. Future daughter's names: I have learned that that is dangerous if I think of that because what if I don’t have them? Sad, I know, but I have had to make that rule for myself.

58. Future son's names: Read above.

59. What do you sleep with: I usually fall asleep with my TV remote next to my head

60. What do you wear to sleep: pjs of course!

61. Where are you: stuck at my house

62. Where do you wish you were? somewhere sunny and warm!

63. Piercing: 6

SOME EXTRA STUFF

67. Where are you staying tonight: Home.

70. Who is the last person that you called: My landlord

71. Where do you want to get married: Can’t allow myself to think of that – but of course in a church

72. Have you ever drank: Yes

73. Hate: bad drivers

74. Are you or have you Been In Love: yes

75. Are you timely or always late: depends!

77. Do you like being around people: Yes I do!

78. Best feeling in the world: feeling wanted and loved

80. Are you a health freak? not so much!

82. Are you lonely right now: Not really

86. Do you want kids: It’s not up to me. But if it were, yes.

LAST 48 H0UR'S HAVE Y0U

87. Cried: yes

88. Bought something: yes

89. Gotten Sick: not technically, but I am still recovering from my bronchitis

90. Sang: I don’t think so??

91. Said "I love you": I don’t think so??

92. Wanted To tell someone you loved them: Everyone knows that I love them

94. Moved On: From what?

95. Talked to someone: Yup.

96. Had a serious talk: yes

97. Missed Someone: must say yes!

98. Hugged Someone: yes

99. Kissed someone: yes

100. Yelled at Someone: Not someone, I did yell at something (My lame cell phone!)!

From sixties to snow? Yep! Winter wants to leave with a bang and we are forecasted to have up to seven inches in the next couple of days! Crazy!

I got my new CD in the mail today. My friend Holli recommended it. It is "Cities" by Anberlin. Get it. It will change your life.

Here is a blog post for you all...finally! I apologize for letting my blog go for weeks without posting anything. Unfortunately this is going to be the trend for the next ten weeks. Because, ten weeks from today, I will be moving back to CA! Crazy, huh? I don't think that that reality has sunk in at all yet. To think that I am leaving my beloved EC is very disheartening. At the same time though I am praying that this is indeed what God will have me do next - move back to Kingsburg. Don't get me wrong, there are several things I am looking forward to about CA. And, I can always come back to the EC to visit, right? And, who knows, maybe I will move back here again someday if God allows it.

Once March hit my life became even busier and crazier then normal. As mentioned, this is how my life will be from now on until the move back to the WC. Every weekend is booked, and I am more then occupied with school (a 60 page paper that I haven't even started), work (both jobs), visitors, and hanging out with my EC friends as much as possible. So, I apologize in advance for not being a good blogger in the weeks to come. But, I will try to drop in every once in a while.

I got back from WA yesterday morning. I went for a long weekend to visit Hannah in Tacoma. I had a great time hanging out with her. She seems to be very happy in her new job and new location. I'm so glad for her. We did a lot of fun things. We went to Pike's Place, the first Starbucks ever, got pedicures, went to the Glass Art Museum in Tacoma, watched movies, went to her church, spent a bit of time with her family, went on a ferry, went to Gaswork's park, went to fun WC restaurants, etc. I was sick most of the time I was there, but was able to handle it up until Sunday night when I just knew I had to see a doctor to get on some meds. I had a red-eye back to PA on Monday night and knew that I needed to be feeling better in order to do that. The doctor thought I had walking pneumonia, but after x-rays revealed I didn't (praise the Lord), I was diagnosed with viral bronchitis - which, lucky me, means no meds. However the Lord gave me strength and I felt a bit better on Monday and was able to fly back as planned, and although I am still home sick, I am improving each day. Anyway, the ER trip was quite the adventure. Let's just say that Hannah and I got to mingle with some of Federal Way's finest. And I definitely mean that in a sarcastic way.;-) Ask me for details.

The weekend before that I had a high school friend from the WC come out to visit me for a long weekend. Alena had never been to the EC before and we tried to fit the highlights into her whirlwind trip. We went to D.C. and hung out with Kristin and hit all the major monuments and memorials, and then went into NYC for a couple of days where we also were able to get a lot of "touristy" stuff in. It was good having her here.

See what I mean about being busy? (But you know I love it when it involves friends!) And this weekend Kristin is going to come and stay with me. We are considering going into NYC for the St. Patty's Day parade. Whether we do or not, it will be fun to have her here. She has not been to Jersey since early Fall.

School is good. I am counting down the weeks though! I think I might have a touch of senioritis...or whatever you call that apathetic feeling that comes over a person during her last semester of grad school. I am so ready to be done with homework!! I think I only have seven weeks left... I think I can hang in there!:-) Now on to that massive paper. Yikes!

The weather is warming up a bit and I do believe that Spring is around the corner. Everything in WA was blooming and it made me so excited for that to happen here. I miss my green trees and all the pretty scenery. I also miss my flip-flops! Isn't March 21 the first day of Spring? Yay - it's almost here! Here's to hoping we won't see any more snow!

That's enough updating for now...see ya later alligator!

My weekend in pictures...

Jerelyn came to visit and we had a great time with Kristin. She flew in on Friday morning and I picked her up and we drove down to VA. Here are some of my favorite moments...

At Uno's pizza. Then we went and saw "Music and Lyrics." Super cute!

In the car...with Starbucks of course!

We went to Mount Vernon.

George Washington was home!

Went and said "hello" to another president...

We were friggin freezing!

Washington Monument

Skating on the frozen reflection pond in front of the Capitol.

WWII Memorial

Of course Cluckers tagged along!

Jer in front of Iwo Jima.

On Sunday we went to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.

It was amazing!

Football Stadium - Go Navy!

Sadly we had to say "goodbye" to Kristin and head back to Dirty Jersey on Sunday night. Jerelyn flew out really early on Monday.

Panera = yum.
I am sitting at Panera right now with Holli and Jeremy. We all have our laptops open and are studying, studying, studying, with the occasional break to chat, go online, or eat. (Or post a new blog!) This has become a tradition of ours and I am so grateful for it. It has really helped me to not procrastinate and get stuff done. It’s awesome! I do love Panera. I hope it makes its way out to the WC!

Oh the weather outside is frightful…
They say a big snowstorm is headed our way. Hmmm…maybe the kids around here will finally get a snow day! I know that they are anxious for one.

C’mon People!
It is amazing to me how many people still have their Christmas decorations up. It is almost Valentines Day, right? Please do yourself, and me, a favor and take down your inflatable snowman and your wreaths!

Fjords – Home Sweet Home
Looks like I secured an apartment there for when I move back to Kingsburg. Praise the Lord! I was really hoping to get in there. It is in a great location and are great apartments.

Yay for a mini-vacation!
Jerelyn is coming in to Philly on Friday and I will be picking her up and then we will head down to Kristin’s. I will be there for the weekend with them, returning on Sunday evening. I am really looking forward to it. I love my friends!

YOU make my heart happy…
Speaking of love, Happy Valentine’s Day! I love each and every one of you – I really do!

Oh my goodness…

I thought January was crazy but Feb. is certainly giving it a run for its money.

*Friday I became sick with a sinus infection/sore throat. Was put on meds on Saturday. Felt much better on Sunday.

*On way home from picking up meds and running errands on Saturday, I got rear-ended.

*Monday night I thought I was having a heart attack. Chest pains that shot into my lower jaw and down left arm. I called my insurance’s 24-hour nurse help line to ask her if I should be concerned and she told me I had to call 911 immediately. So, I did, and had the police and medics in my apt. Long story short, it was “just” an anxiety attack. Scary, and weird.

*Tuesday I started getting sick again – this time I think I have a double ear infection and sore throat!

And, to top all of this off, our windchill has been below zero most days this month. Lovely.

I think I need a vacation!:-)

Ugh, and it is only Feb. 7!

One of the kids I nanny for just got his permit. (You have to be 17 here to drive so 16 or so in order to drive with an adult.) Yesterday I was greeted with him sitting in his truck waiting for me. He had received the “ok” and was able to go out practicing yesterday. So, he drove us around and was quite proud of himself. He did a great job, and it got me to thinking about when I first got my permit and how absolutely nervous I was. But he did just fine. It was the first time I had to help teach/guide someone to drive. I felt like such a parent. But that is one of the reasons why I do enjoy nannying, I take care of these kids like a parent would, and I really like that. I do hope that God allows me to have children of my own someday.

Yesterday was also our first YL club of the semester. We are back in full swing now. This is my last semester with these kids. I am beginning to let people know. I have also decided where I will be moving to at the end of May…

California

Yes, that’s right, I’m coming back to the WC. This was a very hard decision to make. I was going to give myself these last few months to decide and apply for jobs in both areas, until God spoke to me on Saturday (or at least I think it was Him) and He told me to go back to CA. I then took a couple of days and wrote out lists about the good and bad of both places (which came out even – that was of no help!), and “pretended” that I was moving to CA, and then DC, to see how I felt about each. The result was that I still feel like God is telling me CA.

But this is just hard for me because I knew for sure, without a doubt, that I was meant to come to NJ. So not having that same assurance this time around makes me question where I am to move. But I really would feel apprehensive about either decision. So, the decision has been made and unless God clearly tells me otherwise, I am going to move forward with moving “home.”

I will miss the EC though in so many ways...truly. My biggest fear is that I will move home and regret leaving here. That is just a risk that I have to take. And maybe God will eventually call me back out here. Who knows? That is one thing I have learned in life – never plan or count on anything, because my plans aren’t the ones that matter.

But speaking of plans, I also think that God is calling me to learn more about going for my doctorate. I have two phone appointments this Saturday with two different Argosy University campuses. I am considering going for my Ed.D. in Pastoral and Community Counseling or my Ed.D. in Counseling Psychology. I could use your prayers on this one. It is a distance learning school so it will work well with living in Kingsburg and my job schedule.

That’s all for now. Back to work!

Hannah’s Visit…

Hannah came back to the EC to visit a couple of weeks ago and we had a wonderful time. She is a very special friend and I love spending time with her! We had a whirlwind visit. We went into NYC for a couple of days. We tried for our usual lotteries and ended up seeing The Apple Tree with Kristin Chenoweth. It was wonderful – I highly recommend it! We also did a bit of shopping and sight seeing. A highlight was going to the new Ground Zero memorial/museum. If you come visit me I will take you there. It is a must see. We also had lots of Starbucks and ate at fun places. Then we went to D.C. for a couple of days and stayed with my friend Kristin. We showed Hannah all the sights and ate at Famous Luigi’s, our tradition. We had so much fun and the weather was phenomenal. It was in the 60’s and we actually turned on the AC for a bit. We laughed a lot and really enjoyed each other’s company. I am so thankful that I have friends who come and visit me, and Kristin, a WC friend who I get to see on a regular basis! There is just something about WC people.:-) Speaking of friends coming to visit, another WC friend, Jerelyn, is coming in 23 days to see Kristin and me. Yay!

What is it with crazy people and me?

If you are a reader of my blog, or if I talk to you on a semi-regular basis, you will remember my stalker story from last winter/spring. Well, I had another scare while at Kristin’s. All three of us had gone upstairs for the night. This was probably around 1 AM. Hannah was in the spare bathroom and Kristin was in her bathroom – both getting ready for bed. I was in Kristin’s spare room lying on the air mattress with the door open. I was fully awake. Then, I heard Kristin’s front door open. Remember, we were all upstairs and I was a little confused. How could it open if we were there? Was I hearing things? Was it her neighbors? Was it Kristin and Hannah upstairs and I just confused the noise? But, I knew it was her front door. I recognized the distinct sound her front door makes. And, I hear it “whoosh” open and I could hear the outside noises when it opened. But, I didn’t hear it close. So then I thought that maybe the wind had pushed it open. Anyway, Hannah came out of the bathroom and I asked her if Kristin was upstairs. She told me that she was and then I told her that I had heard the front door open. Hannah went and got Kristin and I asked her if she could normally hear her neighbors…that maybe it was her neighbors’ door I had heard. But by this time we were all concerned and knew that we had to go check it out. Kristin was brave and the first one downstairs. She discovered that her door was unlocked, but it was closed. I had not heard the door close, but I knew what I heard, and I was positive I heard that door open. Hannah called 911 and soon a sheriff was at the house searching around. Thankfully he found no one. So, the mystery remains. Did someone come in and sneak out when they heard we were still up? Was that God’s way of pointing out to us we needed to lock the door? Was I just imagining things? Who knows!

Last semester…finally!

I finished my Acts winter class (praise the Lord!) and I am in my last semester of grad school. I graduate May 5 and I am counting down the days. I know in a previous blog I mentioned that I was considering going for my licensure. I have now decided against it…at least for now. If I were to get licensed here I would have to make up for the difference with the insane CA requirements (if I move back) and that would just mean more work for me. I only want to get licensed in the state where I will be working, if I do decide to get licensed, and so I will wait and pray for God’s direction in that. For now I will enjoy my last few months at PBU. It really has been a wonderful experience, and God has blessed and grown me so much in it.

Next chapter of my life…

Speaking of school wrapping up, I have an announcement to make. I am leaving Young Life staff. I gave my key committee people and boss my notice. I think I am going to be leaving at the end of May. I have also given my nanny boss notice, since this means that I will be leaving Dirty Jersey, or I mean, New Jersey. I have been thinking about leaving for a while now and really feel confident in my decision. I believe that the Lord has given me peace about it. I have come to love counseling and plan on pursuing a career in that, while volunteering with Young Life. This means that I have two major decisions to make this semester. One is where I will be working. Two is where I will be living. I have narrowed down my list to two places. One is back in the valley on the WC. The other is with/near Kristin in the DC area. A part of me wants to give the EC another chance, while the other half wants to go home. I have no idea how I will choose, so I am planning on applying to both places and simply taking the best job offer. Please pray with me that I will be able to discern God’s call on my life. These next few months are huge for me.

Winter is here…now let’s get it over with!

Our wonderful spring-like weather is gone and has been replaced with freezing weather and snow. But, this winter has been very mild compared to my last two here. I am so glad about that! I do enjoy looking at the snow, just not shoveling or driving in it. Thank goodness we have heaters and electric blankets!

Who to believe?

I took my car in to the Saturn dealership last week for an oil change and 72k tune up. When I was leaving the car mechanic told me that he noticed that my water pump was leaking and that I needed new tires. He quoted me $470 for the water pump and $580 for the tires. I almost started crying then and there. And this is just after I paid $110 for that day’s service. Well, I called my dad and he advised me to get a second opinion. I took my car into a friend’s mechanic and he told me that my tires have a good 3k more miles on them and that my water pump, after running my car for an hour, did not show any signs of leakage. Of course this was wonderful news, but whom do I believe? I certainly don’t want to be stranded somewhere because my water pump went out…but at the same time I don’t want to pay all that money needlessly. Maybe I need a third opinion?

I saw this online…I can’t believe what kind of world our children are growing up in. Check it out.

http://www.truthtellers.org/hatelawsflyermailer.pdf

Sullivan, 4.5. months, wearing the hat Auntie bought her for Christmas.

Hey Everyone!

It has been a while since I wrote a decent blog. I’m sorry about that! So much to catch you up on… I’ll try to do a recap in a nutshell.

I finished my fall semester and got straight A’s. This is my first time I have received straight A’s in my graduate career. I am very proud of myself and hope to keep it up...but we’ll see!

My visit home to CA was great…for the most part. I got to go to a hockey game, shopping, out to eat at some of my favorite places, relax, see movies, visit with lots of family and friends, etc. The time was very nice. Even though there are many things I strongly dislike about the valley, there are many things I love about it too. It will always be home!!

I took the red-eye home on New Years Eve and jumped into my winter course on Acts the very next day. The class just ended yesterday. I am glad to have the lecture part of it done. I have two more assignments for the class and then all my Bible requirements will be met. One Jan. 22 I begin my last semester of grad school. I only have three courses left, and I am so excited about each of them as I think I will be learning a lot! Graduation is less then four months away!

Tomorrow I am going away for a work conference to Ocean City, NJ. This wonderful weather that we have been having will ensure a great time “down the shore.” Here’s hoping the meetings are short and free time plentiful.

On Thursday evening my good friend and former roommate Hannah will be in town to visit. We are planning a short trip to NYC and DC over the weekend. In DC we will of course be hanging out with another good friend, Kristin. I am really looking forward to this time together with these awesome girls!

This semester is going to be a big one for me. I need to discern where God is calling me next…to which job and to which location. It is exciting and scary at the same time. I am also considering, where I had formerly been so adamantly against it, getting licensed as a counselor. I am hoping to talk to my counselor at school to get her opinion. So who knows where I will be this time next year. Please pray for me!

Tonight I am going to Holli’s for dinner and whatever else we decide to do. Should be fun, and I am off to pick up my house a bit before I leave.

Happy 2007 – and here’s hoping for the best year yet!

My kind of winter...I can't believe this! I'm loving it!

high of 66 tomorrow! No snow in sight...

I am in Ca and loving it. Just wanted to say...

Merry Christmas!

Rockefellar Center in the Big Apple. 

We won the lottery...all four of us got in!! 

Anyone up for some chinese food? 

Some of our girls at Lake Champion. 

Fire damage at Champion. 

Fire damage at Champion.