Hey all! :)
On this poll you all gave me a definate answer on what you wanted to hear! That is..... CHRISTMAS! :)
First of all I cant believe that its already Christmas time! Yet alone the 22nd of December! Crazy! Life just seems to be flying by us isnt it?! This year Christmas in my family is going to be a little different :) Unfortunately i work the 24th, 25th and 27th from 8-4:30pm :( but after that i get to be with my family :) I will be going to Christmas mass with my family on the 24th, then going home to have dinner, just the 6 of us and opening all of our presents :) Then on Christmas day we are hosting my mom's family. So they will be over during the day and then we will eat when i get home :) I CANT WAIT! :)
For me Christmas is more that what it is portrayed. I find myself reaching closer and closer to the true meaning of Christmas instead of all of the gifts. Writing about this makes me think of something that i wrote last year around Christmas time... i sent it in as a letter to the editor and thought nothing of it, until my mom told me that i was in the paper :) Super cool! Here it is.....
I'm not sure what it is but it seems to be something about the holidays that makes me sad. I get so excited for the holidays to come and i cant wait to spend time with my family and i just want everything to be so perfect. But to me it always seem to fall short... and its really tough. Dont get me wrong i love my family dearly, i guess its just sometimes i wish i could have the best Christmas ever.
And I know i sound really selfish because there are people that are really struggling during these times and it just breaks my heart to think that some young child might not be able to feel that joy for what Christmas is. Maybe those families have something to do with the way i am feeling. I try to be the best person i can be and make everyone happy and want to see people smile, but i guess i am setting myself up for failure. Everyone deserves to be happy.
As a person i would really like to see a happy child on Christmas. Someone who has never experienced Christmas before to feel that joy. Jesus Christ is born in a Manger! That is the real miracle of Christmas. I see so many people who only think about the material things of Christmas but really in the end its about 4 people : Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and God. How much of a miracle the conception and the birth were its something i just cant wrap my mind around. So many people have tried to prove this who birth of Jesus wrong but the thing is THEY CANT! Its such a miracle!
I'm sorry i have rambled on and on. I guess its tough feeling this way. I want to feel that joy but it hard for me to just feel it when others don't. And when others don't realize what Christmas actually is. All they see are the presents and materialistic things. Please have a Merry Christmas and please think about what i have to say. You can make a difference in other people's lives, be the one to have them feel that joy.
Please comment i would like to know your thoughts. They comments would really help me. :D
With Hope,
Ashley
Thanks all! :) Hope you enjoy it! :)
God Bless,
Ashley
Please vote on my newest poll!
December 22, 2009
December 18, 2009
Tobies, Stories, Buick, Mad Libs, Pride and Prejudice, Lift Bridge, Sweet Condo... its Graduation weekend :)
Hey all! :)
I'm sitting at a nice black table, surrounded by 3 amazing women. While the wonderful men in my life are on the couch watching sports, I can hear the water trickiling from my sisters bath upstairs. Topics of conversation are changing constantly. I put down Pride and Predjudice and decided that my family is WAY more important (Thank you sparknotes!).
So today....
Right after school we packed up and headed for Duluth, MN for my dad's graduation from St. Scholastica :) Grandma Fran (My dad's mom) rode up with us :) we were pretty shmooshed together but it was cuddly! :) Both Judith and I fell asleep on mom in the middle seat. For dinner we stopped in Hinkley, MN at Tobies. My parents told us stories about how after their wedding they headed for Duluth for their honeymoon and theys stopped at Tobies, so it was really cool :) Then headed on our way to Duluth :)
Judith, Mom and I had fun playing Mad Lib's on my ipod touch :) Heard more stories and then got excited to see all of the lights! :) Took us awhile to find our condo but when we did we were absolutely amazed! :) I will post pictures later, but to give you a visiual visit this web page, these are just the website's pictures i will post ours later when we get home :) http://www.beaconpointecondos.com/rentals-rates-floorplans.php
You walk in to where it says our room number, and you come to 3 more doors, 2 connect to the main aera with a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, 3 flatscreen tv's and a balcony. And the other door leads upstairs where there is a bedroom and a bathroom, couch, tv, and balcony. Grandma Fran gets a room in the main aera and Grandpa and Grandma Theisen get the other room in the main aera. Mom and dad get the bedroom upstairs, and we moved the couch matress along with the other matress upstairs in the "Penthouse". SO BEAUTIFUL! :) Feet away from the bottom of our condo is the shore of lake superior!
So far we are having a great time! :) Grandma and Grandpa Thiesen made it here which is such a blessing! :)
Hoping the weekend can only get better! :) Commencement is tomorrow! :) I am so proud my daddy! :) Cant wait! :) Signing off to go to bed! :)
God Bless,
Ashley :)
Dear Lord-
As I look toward the future
Bright hope conducts this prayer,
For I know the plans You have for me
Were wrought with divine care.
Holy Spirit, lead me.
Let me run at your command,
Yet be still and know that You are God
When trouble's close at hand.
Your Word will be a lamp for me,
A guide to light my way,
A solid place to set my feet,
A compass when I stray.
May I live my life to praise You,
Not for fortune, nor for fame,
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to your name.
May my eyes stay fixed upon You
As I seek the way that's pure,
Tasting your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.
Planted by your living streams
I'll delight in all your ways,
Hidden by your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.
Amen.
I'm sitting at a nice black table, surrounded by 3 amazing women. While the wonderful men in my life are on the couch watching sports, I can hear the water trickiling from my sisters bath upstairs. Topics of conversation are changing constantly. I put down Pride and Predjudice and decided that my family is WAY more important (Thank you sparknotes!).
So today....
Right after school we packed up and headed for Duluth, MN for my dad's graduation from St. Scholastica :) Grandma Fran (My dad's mom) rode up with us :) we were pretty shmooshed together but it was cuddly! :) Both Judith and I fell asleep on mom in the middle seat. For dinner we stopped in Hinkley, MN at Tobies. My parents told us stories about how after their wedding they headed for Duluth for their honeymoon and theys stopped at Tobies, so it was really cool :) Then headed on our way to Duluth :)
Judith, Mom and I had fun playing Mad Lib's on my ipod touch :) Heard more stories and then got excited to see all of the lights! :) Took us awhile to find our condo but when we did we were absolutely amazed! :) I will post pictures later, but to give you a visiual visit this web page, these are just the website's pictures i will post ours later when we get home :) http://www.beaconpointecondos.com/rentals-rates-floorplans.php
You walk in to where it says our room number, and you come to 3 more doors, 2 connect to the main aera with a full kitchen, 2 bedrooms, 2 bath, 3 flatscreen tv's and a balcony. And the other door leads upstairs where there is a bedroom and a bathroom, couch, tv, and balcony. Grandma Fran gets a room in the main aera and Grandpa and Grandma Theisen get the other room in the main aera. Mom and dad get the bedroom upstairs, and we moved the couch matress along with the other matress upstairs in the "Penthouse". SO BEAUTIFUL! :) Feet away from the bottom of our condo is the shore of lake superior!
So far we are having a great time! :) Grandma and Grandpa Thiesen made it here which is such a blessing! :)
Hoping the weekend can only get better! :) Commencement is tomorrow! :) I am so proud my daddy! :) Cant wait! :) Signing off to go to bed! :)
God Bless,
Ashley :)
Dear Lord-
As I look toward the future
Bright hope conducts this prayer,
For I know the plans You have for me
Were wrought with divine care.
Holy Spirit, lead me.
Let me run at your command,
Yet be still and know that You are God
When trouble's close at hand.
Your Word will be a lamp for me,
A guide to light my way,
A solid place to set my feet,
A compass when I stray.
May I live my life to praise You,
Not for fortune, nor for fame,
May everything I say and do
Bring glory to your name.
May my eyes stay fixed upon You
As I seek the way that's pure,
Tasting your love and goodness
Sleeping and rising secure.
Planted by your living streams
I'll delight in all your ways,
Hidden by your sheltering wings
With new mercies for each day.
Even in a dangerous land
When storms threaten to destroy,
At the cross I'll stand upon the Rock
My Strength, my Hope, my Joy.
Dear Lord, show me your favor,
At all times keep me blessed,
May your face ever shine upon me,
With peace and perfect rest.
Amen.
December 16, 2009
Why So Negative?
Hey All! :)
Alright so diving right in here...
We all have our negative moments correct?? Those days where things dont seem to be going our way and everything is just plain horrible right? Im with ya on that one! Man I definately have those days and everyone does.
But there is a point where its excess.....
I have a person who is now constantly texting me about how bad her life is and always being negative. Always having to pull me into things and she is always complaining to me. Nothing can ever be good or good enough. It has been driving me nuts! I cant figure out what to say anymore to her so sometimes I just dont respond. I mean this is constant and its like the world is out to get her by the way she is acting and telling me these things. Now dont get me wrong I do love helping people.. but man this is stretching it!
I understand that life gets hard and tough but petty things week after week? I am not trying to be mean at all I just really need to vent because this really sucks and im frusturated..
Life can be crazy, hectic and stressful, but in times like that (even though its tough) PRAISE GOD! Cry out to him! Be with him! While typing this I am reminded of a Saint that my youth minister Kym was telling me about and I am absolutely in awe of this man! This is Saint Maximillian Kolbe :)
Here is his story.......
"During the Second World War he provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from Nazi persecution in his friary in Niepokalanów. He was also active as a radio amateur, with Polish call letters SP3RN, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports.
On 17 February 1941 he was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison, and on May 28 he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670.
In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's barracks vanished, prompting SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Fritzsch, the deputy camp commander, to pick 10 men from the same barracks to be starved to death in Block 13[9] (notorious for torture), in order to deter further escape attempts[10](the man who had disappeared was later found drowned in the camp latrine). One of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, lamenting his family, and Kolbe volunteered to take his place.
During the time in the cell he led the men in songs and prayer. After three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. He encouraged others that they would soon be with Mary in heaven. Each time the guards checked on him he was standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell and looking calmly at those who entered, while the others lay moaning and complaining, on the ground around him. He was killed with an injection of carbolic acid. Some who were present at the injection say that he raised his left arm and calmly waited for the injection. But he did not die immediately. He gave it to God and he was able to stay alive for a longer period of time while he was praying. Then eventually he died.[11] His remains were cremated on the Assumption of Mary (August, 15)."
Kolbe's life was strongly influenced by a childhood vision of the Virgin Mary that he later described:
What a powerful man of prayer that through all of that torture, agony and pain he praised God and lead others toward him!
So im going to leave you with that.... please dont feel like I am being mean about the person who is always negative. Thats just whats going on right now, and I am taking it as an opportunity to teach through it.
Thanks! Comment and Vote! :) 2 days left!
God Bless,
Ashley
Saint Maxamillion Kolbe :)
Alright so diving right in here...
We all have our negative moments correct?? Those days where things dont seem to be going our way and everything is just plain horrible right? Im with ya on that one! Man I definately have those days and everyone does.
But there is a point where its excess.....
I have a person who is now constantly texting me about how bad her life is and always being negative. Always having to pull me into things and she is always complaining to me. Nothing can ever be good or good enough. It has been driving me nuts! I cant figure out what to say anymore to her so sometimes I just dont respond. I mean this is constant and its like the world is out to get her by the way she is acting and telling me these things. Now dont get me wrong I do love helping people.. but man this is stretching it!
I understand that life gets hard and tough but petty things week after week? I am not trying to be mean at all I just really need to vent because this really sucks and im frusturated..
Life can be crazy, hectic and stressful, but in times like that (even though its tough) PRAISE GOD! Cry out to him! Be with him! While typing this I am reminded of a Saint that my youth minister Kym was telling me about and I am absolutely in awe of this man! This is Saint Maximillian Kolbe :)
Here is his story.......
"During the Second World War he provided shelter to refugees from Greater Poland, including 2,000 Jews whom he hid from Nazi persecution in his friary in Niepokalanów. He was also active as a radio amateur, with Polish call letters SP3RN, vilifying Nazi activities through his reports.
On 17 February 1941 he was arrested by the German Gestapo and imprisoned in the Pawiak prison, and on May 28 he was transferred to Auschwitz as prisoner #16670.
In July 1941 a man from Kolbe's barracks vanished, prompting SS-Hauptsturmführer Karl Fritzsch, the deputy camp commander, to pick 10 men from the same barracks to be starved to death in Block 13[9] (notorious for torture), in order to deter further escape attempts[10](the man who had disappeared was later found drowned in the camp latrine). One of the selected men, Franciszek Gajowniczek, cried out, lamenting his family, and Kolbe volunteered to take his place.
During the time in the cell he led the men in songs and prayer. After three weeks of dehydration and starvation, only Kolbe and three others were still alive. He encouraged others that they would soon be with Mary in heaven. Each time the guards checked on him he was standing or kneeling in the middle of the cell and looking calmly at those who entered, while the others lay moaning and complaining, on the ground around him. He was killed with an injection of carbolic acid. Some who were present at the injection say that he raised his left arm and calmly waited for the injection. But he did not die immediately. He gave it to God and he was able to stay alive for a longer period of time while he was praying. Then eventually he died.[11] His remains were cremated on the Assumption of Mary (August, 15)."
Kolbe's life was strongly influenced by a childhood vision of the Virgin Mary that he later described:
"That night, I asked the Mother of God what was to become of me. Then she came to me holding two crowns, one white, the other red. She asked me if I was willing to accept either of these crowns. The white one meant that I should persevere in purity, and the red that I should become a martyr. I said that I would accept them both."[7]
What a powerful man of prayer that through all of that torture, agony and pain he praised God and lead others toward him!
So im going to leave you with that.... please dont feel like I am being mean about the person who is always negative. Thats just whats going on right now, and I am taking it as an opportunity to teach through it.
Thanks! Comment and Vote! :) 2 days left!
God Bless,
Ashley
Saint Maxamillion Kolbe :)
December 7, 2009
High School
Hey all! :)
On my poll on the left side of this box you guys voted! :) Thanks so much please keep it up! :) Record amounts of voting! :) So by only 2 points the topic.....High School, won.
So here we go!
Ok so I can be the first one to tell you that high school has its perks and its definate downfalls. So to give you a clearer picture on my values, I am going to list the perks and the downfalls of high school for me right here for you....
Perks
-Friends
-Education
-Meeting new people
-Clubs
-Music
-Great role models (Teachers)
-New knowledge
-Homecoming!
-Spirit days
Downfalls
-Cheating
-Swearing
-Drugs
-Alchol
-Sex
-Drama
-Cliques(Not too many but they are still there)
-Non Acceptance
So you can clearly see the difference of the two lists huh?!
A common misconception that is put out there is that "high school is the best time of your life!"-----totally incorrect! It definately has not been the best time of my life. And dont get me wrong, I dont HATE high school. I love having the time with my friends and spending time with them etc I LOVE THAT! Its just the fact that I feel that people define their lives by high school. And if you do that, your not going to go any where!
I know im totally preaching to the choir right here!
Ok moving away from that part of it and into something else about High School.
As a high school student we are SUPER STRESSED! Its insane! I really treasure the nights that I can relax, when that rarely happens. We all have so much going on that I feel that we hardly have any time for the important things in life to be completely honest.
Ok guys im gonna be completely honest right here.... this is SOOO tough for me to write! I have no idea what to say, and how to express my opinions! Ahhh im going to try again with this statement and then leave it at that.....
High school has its good and its bad. For me I do not feel accepted by many people. Thats what High school seems to be about is fitting in or making fun of those who dont. This is why high school is so tough for me to write about.
Honest? YES.
Please comment! Feedback would be great! :)
I will put up a new poll as well about what you would like to hear about next. Please vote, you can vote multiple times :)
God Bless,
Ashley
On my poll on the left side of this box you guys voted! :) Thanks so much please keep it up! :) Record amounts of voting! :) So by only 2 points the topic.....High School, won.
So here we go!
Ok so I can be the first one to tell you that high school has its perks and its definate downfalls. So to give you a clearer picture on my values, I am going to list the perks and the downfalls of high school for me right here for you....
Perks
-Friends
-Education
-Meeting new people
-Clubs
-Music
-Great role models (Teachers)
-New knowledge
-Homecoming!
-Spirit days
Downfalls
-Cheating
-Swearing
-Drugs
-Alchol
-Sex
-Drama
-Cliques(Not too many but they are still there)
-Non Acceptance
So you can clearly see the difference of the two lists huh?!
A common misconception that is put out there is that "high school is the best time of your life!"-----totally incorrect! It definately has not been the best time of my life. And dont get me wrong, I dont HATE high school. I love having the time with my friends and spending time with them etc I LOVE THAT! Its just the fact that I feel that people define their lives by high school. And if you do that, your not going to go any where!
I know im totally preaching to the choir right here!
Ok moving away from that part of it and into something else about High School.
As a high school student we are SUPER STRESSED! Its insane! I really treasure the nights that I can relax, when that rarely happens. We all have so much going on that I feel that we hardly have any time for the important things in life to be completely honest.
Ok guys im gonna be completely honest right here.... this is SOOO tough for me to write! I have no idea what to say, and how to express my opinions! Ahhh im going to try again with this statement and then leave it at that.....
High school has its good and its bad. For me I do not feel accepted by many people. Thats what High school seems to be about is fitting in or making fun of those who dont. This is why high school is so tough for me to write about.
Honest? YES.
Please comment! Feedback would be great! :)
I will put up a new poll as well about what you would like to hear about next. Please vote, you can vote multiple times :)
God Bless,
Ashley
December 2, 2009
Wake Up To God's Word! Social Experiment Chapter 1
Hey all! :)
Alrighty like I told you guys a few blogs back that my youth minister Kym, and I are doing a social experiment! We are both reading the same book, and blogging about our assigned chapters on here :) Its a way to see Kym's take on the book, Kym being a Wife, mother, youth minister, catholic! and so much more! And me being a catholic, being a junior in high school and still learning as I go:) You can visit Kym's blog by clicking -----> KYM alright so here we go! :)
Our first book that we will be blogging about is "Wake Up to God's Word" By Mary H. Reaman :)
Chapter 1 (my job! :))) haha)
So far this book is really interesting and cool to depict and figure out! In Chapter 1 the author is talking about the Israelites being slaves under Pharoah, and their journey to freedom. What I thought about while reading that part is how we are all slaves to the devil and to sin. This was something that was surrounding the Israelites, just like how sin, temptation, evil, greed, lust, dishonesty, and jealousy surround us on a daily basis.
"Though the idea of freedom must have sounded promising to the Israelites, they had to know it would cost something of them to gain it." (6) Does that sound like our lives today?? Now when it said cost I thought... what?? But then once I re-read it I realized that its not the cost that we think of in our lives today, but the "cost" of giving our lives to follow the Lord. That is what will lead us out of that sin, slavery and evil, and into that Freedom that we recieve following the Lord. Like it says in the book, Jesus set off on a journey and invited/told others to follow him on that path. The journey being freedom. This journey that the book talks about is not easy! It is helping us to grow, to learn and to live it out. That takes a lot! What stuck out to me in the beginning of this chapter is the fact that they refered to this journey as a "Transformation". Because turning away from that slavery and running to God, is a transformation, of your heart, mind, soul and whole being! :) This freedom may seem out of reach but, when you decide to take that step, it can only get closer!
Next in the chapter the book references a Cherokee Tradition Story of Two Wolves..
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Isnt that so true!?? The evil wolf being the devil and the beautiful wolf being the Lord. :) How relevant is that!
Some Key Points that I read and noticed were:
-Put on the Mind Of Christ
-For a better understanding of the word, dig deeper into scripture
-Ponder Jesus' call for us to be free
-Acknowledge that inside of us we have the capacity for both good and evil.
-When we are free from our selfish desires we move way from our "Ego"
-Become who God wants us to be
-Ger rid of the "Ego"
-Ego is an emotional response, but dont be locked down by it. Dont see yourself as a victium to it, live up to your full potential and overcome it.
-"The blueprint for dysfunction is something that every human carries within" (11)
- In the story of the Israelites the "ego" is represented by Pharoah, and his control over them.
-The "ego" is the "opponent" trying to distract and sabotage us. Also known as Satan, and Lucifer.
-Unleash Christ's consciousness and be truly free!
-Spread that freedom to the WORLD!
-God's word is within us, spread it! :)
-The living water is within our grasp!
All this "ego" is trying to do is to take us away from God and what we should be following and turn us in a different direction.
At the end of the chapter it gives you four things to do...
1. DEFINE and IDENTIFY what exactly your ego is. Sit quietly for 10 mins observe your thoughts as they come to you and do not resist them. Simply watch them. Do this for 10 to 20 mins in the morning and before you go to bed. This helps you determine what your ego is.
2. CONTEMPLATION-- Memorize this line... "Hear, O Israel, The LORD is our God, the Lord alone" Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Recite this line as often as you can. Contemplate and consider how your life journey is like the Israelites under Pharoh's rule.
3. PRAYER-- Pray that God will open you up to hearing his word in all the ways you can see it. Through people, actions, and so many more! :)
4. ACTION OF LOVING KINDNESS-- Look for someone who you think displays Christ's conciousness, Drop them a note or an email letting them know you noticed their compassion.
This first chapter covers a lot! :) I strongly encourage you to follow along with Kym and I! :) This book is giving great tips to show us how to uncover God's word :)
If you have any questions please comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Dont forget to look for chapter 2 on Kym's blog coming soon!
Please comment here with that you think!:) Feedback would be amazing! :)
Thanks for reading and God Bless,
Ashley
Alrighty like I told you guys a few blogs back that my youth minister Kym, and I are doing a social experiment! We are both reading the same book, and blogging about our assigned chapters on here :) Its a way to see Kym's take on the book, Kym being a Wife, mother, youth minister, catholic! and so much more! And me being a catholic, being a junior in high school and still learning as I go:) You can visit Kym's blog by clicking -----> KYM alright so here we go! :)
Our first book that we will be blogging about is "Wake Up to God's Word" By Mary H. Reaman :)
Chapter 1 (my job! :))) haha)
So far this book is really interesting and cool to depict and figure out! In Chapter 1 the author is talking about the Israelites being slaves under Pharoah, and their journey to freedom. What I thought about while reading that part is how we are all slaves to the devil and to sin. This was something that was surrounding the Israelites, just like how sin, temptation, evil, greed, lust, dishonesty, and jealousy surround us on a daily basis.
"Though the idea of freedom must have sounded promising to the Israelites, they had to know it would cost something of them to gain it." (6) Does that sound like our lives today?? Now when it said cost I thought... what?? But then once I re-read it I realized that its not the cost that we think of in our lives today, but the "cost" of giving our lives to follow the Lord. That is what will lead us out of that sin, slavery and evil, and into that Freedom that we recieve following the Lord. Like it says in the book, Jesus set off on a journey and invited/told others to follow him on that path. The journey being freedom. This journey that the book talks about is not easy! It is helping us to grow, to learn and to live it out. That takes a lot! What stuck out to me in the beginning of this chapter is the fact that they refered to this journey as a "Transformation". Because turning away from that slavery and running to God, is a transformation, of your heart, mind, soul and whole being! :) This freedom may seem out of reach but, when you decide to take that step, it can only get closer!
Next in the chapter the book references a Cherokee Tradition Story of Two Wolves..
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Isnt that so true!?? The evil wolf being the devil and the beautiful wolf being the Lord. :) How relevant is that!
Some Key Points that I read and noticed were:
-Put on the Mind Of Christ
-For a better understanding of the word, dig deeper into scripture
-Ponder Jesus' call for us to be free
-Acknowledge that inside of us we have the capacity for both good and evil.
-When we are free from our selfish desires we move way from our "Ego"
-Become who God wants us to be
-Ger rid of the "Ego"
-Ego is an emotional response, but dont be locked down by it. Dont see yourself as a victium to it, live up to your full potential and overcome it.
-"The blueprint for dysfunction is something that every human carries within" (11)
- In the story of the Israelites the "ego" is represented by Pharoah, and his control over them.
-The "ego" is the "opponent" trying to distract and sabotage us. Also known as Satan, and Lucifer.
-Unleash Christ's consciousness and be truly free!
-Spread that freedom to the WORLD!
-God's word is within us, spread it! :)
-The living water is within our grasp!
All this "ego" is trying to do is to take us away from God and what we should be following and turn us in a different direction.
At the end of the chapter it gives you four things to do...
1. DEFINE and IDENTIFY what exactly your ego is. Sit quietly for 10 mins observe your thoughts as they come to you and do not resist them. Simply watch them. Do this for 10 to 20 mins in the morning and before you go to bed. This helps you determine what your ego is.
2. CONTEMPLATION-- Memorize this line... "Hear, O Israel, The LORD is our God, the Lord alone" Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Recite this line as often as you can. Contemplate and consider how your life journey is like the Israelites under Pharoh's rule.
3. PRAYER-- Pray that God will open you up to hearing his word in all the ways you can see it. Through people, actions, and so many more! :)
4. ACTION OF LOVING KINDNESS-- Look for someone who you think displays Christ's conciousness, Drop them a note or an email letting them know you noticed their compassion.
This first chapter covers a lot! :) I strongly encourage you to follow along with Kym and I! :) This book is giving great tips to show us how to uncover God's word :)
If you have any questions please comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Dont forget to look for chapter 2 on Kym's blog coming soon!
Please comment here with that you think!:) Feedback would be amazing! :)
Thanks for reading and God Bless,
Ashley
November 30, 2009
What do you want to hear next?
Hey All! :)
Just a quick note to let you know that my poll on the left side of this post has 4 days left for you to vote on what you want me to talk about in a blog coming up soon! :) So far "High School" is in the lead, followed closely by "My Faith Journey". If all you readers that want to read about high school, can you please comment here with more specifics on what you would like to hear from me if high school wins?! That would be great! :)
So please VOTE VOTE VOTE! :) Let me know what you wanna hear! :) And remember you CAN vote MULTIPLE times :)
VOTE VOTE VOTE!
On an ending note....
"May the Lord Bless you, may the Lord keep you, may the Lord's face shine apon you"
God Bless,
Ashley
Just a quick note to let you know that my poll on the left side of this post has 4 days left for you to vote on what you want me to talk about in a blog coming up soon! :) So far "High School" is in the lead, followed closely by "My Faith Journey". If all you readers that want to read about high school, can you please comment here with more specifics on what you would like to hear from me if high school wins?! That would be great! :)
So please VOTE VOTE VOTE! :) Let me know what you wanna hear! :) And remember you CAN vote MULTIPLE times :)
VOTE VOTE VOTE!
On an ending note....
"May the Lord Bless you, may the Lord keep you, may the Lord's face shine apon you"
God Bless,
Ashley
November 29, 2009
Future Plans..Oh no...Help!
Wow, do you know how much pressure teenagers are under in this world today?!? Way way too much!
Although we are faced with many things daily, one of the major things that i believe is so tough is our future.
Daily we are bombarded with homework, studying, lectures, speeches, presentations, and teachers preaching to us about college and what are we gonna do with our future??
And sometimes I want to scream at them and say WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DONT KNOW FOR SURE!?!?!
We are under so much pressure to do so many things, and to accomplish so much that multiple times during the year I break down, cry, am beyond sressed and basically loose it!
Ok, now saying that I think about what Im going to do with my life??
Oh no...
For me right now I really want to go into ministry of some sort. More than likely youth ministry, or something with being involved with the church and in that community. I would so LOVE to do that! :) But then the doubts come into my mind...
-What if i cant get into college?
-What if its too much?
-What if I cant understand it?
-What if I loose all my money?
-How am I going to get a job?
-How am I going to live?
And honestly the list could go on and on. And when i look at colleges thats the list that is going through my head and man, it scares me to death.
On a daily basis i work my butt off to do as well as I possibly can in school to get into college, and it is so tough. So much to do in such a short period of time it seems. Its pretty sad.
So right now I now what I want to do in the future, and I know that I really want to attend St. Thomas. But all the details that come with that are no where close to being comprehended by me.. So much to think about, so many concerns and sooooo many fears. Some days I really dont know what to do. I just want to succeed and live life to the fullest and do what I love and what God wants me to do.
But...
GOD is not very forth-coming about what he wants to have me do with my life! :) *Yeah Mr. Up there! :) A little guidance PLEASE!?!**
So im going to pray daily that God directs me into what he wants me to do with my life. For him to show me his way. Because after reading at the top what I had to say about my future plans you can definately tell that I dont have much of a clue..
Its in God's hands.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord,
Please help me to listen to you and your will for my life. Please Guide me, lead me and push me to do what my purpose is in life.
Amen
Love,
Ashley
Although we are faced with many things daily, one of the major things that i believe is so tough is our future.
Daily we are bombarded with homework, studying, lectures, speeches, presentations, and teachers preaching to us about college and what are we gonna do with our future??
And sometimes I want to scream at them and say WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DONT KNOW FOR SURE!?!?!
We are under so much pressure to do so many things, and to accomplish so much that multiple times during the year I break down, cry, am beyond sressed and basically loose it!
Ok, now saying that I think about what Im going to do with my life??
Oh no...
For me right now I really want to go into ministry of some sort. More than likely youth ministry, or something with being involved with the church and in that community. I would so LOVE to do that! :) But then the doubts come into my mind...
-What if i cant get into college?
-What if its too much?
-What if I cant understand it?
-What if I loose all my money?
-How am I going to get a job?
-How am I going to live?
And honestly the list could go on and on. And when i look at colleges thats the list that is going through my head and man, it scares me to death.
On a daily basis i work my butt off to do as well as I possibly can in school to get into college, and it is so tough. So much to do in such a short period of time it seems. Its pretty sad.
So right now I now what I want to do in the future, and I know that I really want to attend St. Thomas. But all the details that come with that are no where close to being comprehended by me.. So much to think about, so many concerns and sooooo many fears. Some days I really dont know what to do. I just want to succeed and live life to the fullest and do what I love and what God wants me to do.
But...
GOD is not very forth-coming about what he wants to have me do with my life! :) *Yeah Mr. Up there! :) A little guidance PLEASE!?!**
So im going to pray daily that God directs me into what he wants me to do with my life. For him to show me his way. Because after reading at the top what I had to say about my future plans you can definately tell that I dont have much of a clue..
Its in God's hands.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight" Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord,
Please help me to listen to you and your will for my life. Please Guide me, lead me and push me to do what my purpose is in life.
Amen
Love,
Ashley
November 27, 2009
The Dignity Of Women
Hey all! :) Im back! :) I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving, and hopefully a not too crazy black friday! :)
Tonight I decided to discuss the topic of "The Dignity Of Women". While you read this please keep in mind that this is my opinion, I do not mean to put anyone down by this post. Thanks for understanding! :)
Well I hope you all can see by my posts that I do value myself, along with respecting myself. As well as I do respect, hope and pray for an improvement of the dignity of women in this society we live in today.
I feel as if though women in today's society are lead to believe that they have to fit so many "criteria" to be "accepted" or "Good Enough" Which I find appauling! Also the fact that society seems to look as women as objects. Basically sexualizing, exploiting, and de-feminizing them. In most of the movies that have been released recently what do you see? Sex, fighting, possibly drugs, cursing, women in outfits that DO NOT fully cover their body or attract a man for the WRONG REASONS!
It seems that lots of women feel that they need to dress provacativly, "sexy", seductive, exploitative, and so much more just to get a man's attention. To get that love, to get that attention, but honestly is that what you want to be known for?? Do you want that random guy to talk to his friend about you and say they ask him "well what is she like??" and he says "she is the really hott blonde, with the short short skirt and really low cut shirt. You know what im saying bro?!" *Insert High five*
HONESTLY!?!? Is that what you want a guy to remember about you is how you dressed?
There are so many things that a girl should be remembered by. Not just her body! (Honestly at the very least her body!) There is sooo much more to a woman than just her body, and thats what a lot of people dont understand. And its partially because of the way society portrays women.
I believe that women are so much more than we are shown or lead to believe about ourselves.
As you can tell I have a passion for empowering women, I truly believe its a gift from God. He helps me to help the ones who need it. And so many people come to me with issues and I feel God telling me what to say. I just feel so strongly about this topic and im sorry if this is rambling on, but it just blows my mind what people consider "ok" or how they see women. Its sooo sad!
So what can we do to help?!?
-Dress Modestly (Or encourage other women to!) And I know when some of you think Modesty you think dumpy and not stylish. UNTRUE! :) There are so many cute outfits that are completely modest.
-Value yourself and other women!
-Dont encourage movies, tv shows, magazines etc that dimean women.
-Dont support things that dimean women.
and so many more things! :)
Guys, this can be changed! :) But we all need to work together to make this issue, no exsistent any longer! :) Start today! :)
Your father up in heaven, and his son value you soo much, why shouldnt the world value you that much?! You are the daughter of a king, show it with grace and modesty. :)
You are so loved! Please dont ever think that you have to do all of those things just because thats what people "accept". Because you are so much better than that!
"God gave each man a job..... The dignity of a woman"-- Pope John Paul II
*Sorry if this rambled on! :( Let me know what you think!*
Love, and Prayers,
Ashley
Tonight I decided to discuss the topic of "The Dignity Of Women". While you read this please keep in mind that this is my opinion, I do not mean to put anyone down by this post. Thanks for understanding! :)
Well I hope you all can see by my posts that I do value myself, along with respecting myself. As well as I do respect, hope and pray for an improvement of the dignity of women in this society we live in today.
I feel as if though women in today's society are lead to believe that they have to fit so many "criteria" to be "accepted" or "Good Enough" Which I find appauling! Also the fact that society seems to look as women as objects. Basically sexualizing, exploiting, and de-feminizing them. In most of the movies that have been released recently what do you see? Sex, fighting, possibly drugs, cursing, women in outfits that DO NOT fully cover their body or attract a man for the WRONG REASONS!
It seems that lots of women feel that they need to dress provacativly, "sexy", seductive, exploitative, and so much more just to get a man's attention. To get that love, to get that attention, but honestly is that what you want to be known for?? Do you want that random guy to talk to his friend about you and say they ask him "well what is she like??" and he says "she is the really hott blonde, with the short short skirt and really low cut shirt. You know what im saying bro?!" *Insert High five*
HONESTLY!?!? Is that what you want a guy to remember about you is how you dressed?
There are so many things that a girl should be remembered by. Not just her body! (Honestly at the very least her body!) There is sooo much more to a woman than just her body, and thats what a lot of people dont understand. And its partially because of the way society portrays women.
I believe that women are so much more than we are shown or lead to believe about ourselves.
As you can tell I have a passion for empowering women, I truly believe its a gift from God. He helps me to help the ones who need it. And so many people come to me with issues and I feel God telling me what to say. I just feel so strongly about this topic and im sorry if this is rambling on, but it just blows my mind what people consider "ok" or how they see women. Its sooo sad!
So what can we do to help?!?
-Dress Modestly (Or encourage other women to!) And I know when some of you think Modesty you think dumpy and not stylish. UNTRUE! :) There are so many cute outfits that are completely modest.
-Value yourself and other women!
-Dont encourage movies, tv shows, magazines etc that dimean women.
-Dont support things that dimean women.
and so many more things! :)
Guys, this can be changed! :) But we all need to work together to make this issue, no exsistent any longer! :) Start today! :)
Your father up in heaven, and his son value you soo much, why shouldnt the world value you that much?! You are the daughter of a king, show it with grace and modesty. :)
You are so loved! Please dont ever think that you have to do all of those things just because thats what people "accept". Because you are so much better than that!
"God gave each man a job..... The dignity of a woman"-- Pope John Paul II
*Sorry if this rambled on! :( Let me know what you think!*
Love, and Prayers,
Ashley
November 25, 2009
What to be Thankful For This Thanksgiving..
Hey all! :)
In the spirit of Thanksgiving (Being tomorrow!) I thought I would post what I am thankful for :)
(These are listed in NO particular order)
-My family, even through the rough times some how we all stick together and get through. They love me unconditionally and I am truly grateful to have them.
-My wonderful friends! :) Where would I be without you guys?!? You all have done wonders in my life and I continue to thank you so much for all of that! :) Through thick and thin, through laughter and tears...man you guys are amazing!
-God. Man what to say?!? God has blessed me so much in so many ways, and still to this day I continue to count the ways. The one who hears my cries, pleas, hopes and dreams. God you are amazing! :) And I am so glad that I turned back to you!
-My Future Husband- Who right now only God knows, but he is getting us ready to be together. I love you with all my heart. :)
-For St. Henry's Youth Group! :) Man, I love it there! :) Even though we are still promoting and in the early stages, i couldnt ask for anything better than what we have and what we will continue to have :)
-My Puppy! Lilly is my love! :) Dogs know how to pick you up when you are down, and make you laugh and have fun with them! :) She is my absolute love, hope, pride, joy and my little girl :) I love her so much!
-My Parents- For putting up with me through so much! :) Thanks for all you do for me and teach me! :) Please continue to do so even if Im not the nicest person about it... haha :)
-My Grandparents- Grandma and Grandpa Theisen are amazing! :) I love having Grandparents sooo close! :) Thanks for all you do for all of us! **I cant wait to come over for thanksgiving tomorrow!** Grandma Fran, you are such an intelegent woman. Full of wisdom and hope. Thank you so much for all that you have taught me!
-For being able to get an education. I know most of the time we all hate school, but to think about it... man we are really really lucky to be able to learn and make the world a better place!
-The Bible. Without God's word I would be lost!
-For all the people who go out and CHOOSE to make a difference!
-MY YTM FAMILY!
-My Job :)
AND SO MUCH MORE! :)
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?! :) Let me know!
My message to all of you....
Since tomorrow is a day of celebration, giving thanks, and together-ness, why not spread that on?? Do anything you can to spread those things on to others who may be less fortunate than you, or are just in need of a little happiness.
God gives us all PLENTY of things to be thankful for! :) So tomorrow when you wake up, or throughout the day tell him what your thankful for. Let him know how much he has changed your life, and made you thankful.
Lord---
Thank you so much for this day. Please bless all of us tomorrow, with our travels and family time. May our time together be memorable. Let tomorrow be a day for us to give thanks for all the blessings you have given us.
In your name we pray,
Amen
God Bless,
LOVE love love,
Ashley :)
In the spirit of Thanksgiving (Being tomorrow!) I thought I would post what I am thankful for :)
(These are listed in NO particular order)
-My family, even through the rough times some how we all stick together and get through. They love me unconditionally and I am truly grateful to have them.
-My wonderful friends! :) Where would I be without you guys?!? You all have done wonders in my life and I continue to thank you so much for all of that! :) Through thick and thin, through laughter and tears...man you guys are amazing!
-God. Man what to say?!? God has blessed me so much in so many ways, and still to this day I continue to count the ways. The one who hears my cries, pleas, hopes and dreams. God you are amazing! :) And I am so glad that I turned back to you!
-My Future Husband- Who right now only God knows, but he is getting us ready to be together. I love you with all my heart. :)
-For St. Henry's Youth Group! :) Man, I love it there! :) Even though we are still promoting and in the early stages, i couldnt ask for anything better than what we have and what we will continue to have :)
-My Puppy! Lilly is my love! :) Dogs know how to pick you up when you are down, and make you laugh and have fun with them! :) She is my absolute love, hope, pride, joy and my little girl :) I love her so much!
-My Parents- For putting up with me through so much! :) Thanks for all you do for me and teach me! :) Please continue to do so even if Im not the nicest person about it... haha :)
-My Grandparents- Grandma and Grandpa Theisen are amazing! :) I love having Grandparents sooo close! :) Thanks for all you do for all of us! **I cant wait to come over for thanksgiving tomorrow!** Grandma Fran, you are such an intelegent woman. Full of wisdom and hope. Thank you so much for all that you have taught me!
-For being able to get an education. I know most of the time we all hate school, but to think about it... man we are really really lucky to be able to learn and make the world a better place!
-The Bible. Without God's word I would be lost!
-For all the people who go out and CHOOSE to make a difference!
-MY YTM FAMILY!
-My Job :)
AND SO MUCH MORE! :)
What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?! :) Let me know!
My message to all of you....
Since tomorrow is a day of celebration, giving thanks, and together-ness, why not spread that on?? Do anything you can to spread those things on to others who may be less fortunate than you, or are just in need of a little happiness.
God gives us all PLENTY of things to be thankful for! :) So tomorrow when you wake up, or throughout the day tell him what your thankful for. Let him know how much he has changed your life, and made you thankful.
Lord---
Thank you so much for this day. Please bless all of us tomorrow, with our travels and family time. May our time together be memorable. Let tomorrow be a day for us to give thanks for all the blessings you have given us.
In your name we pray,
Amen
God Bless,
LOVE love love,
Ashley :)
November 24, 2009
Waiting For My Future Husband
Alright Guys! :) On the side of my blog I had a poll going for a couple of days about topics that you would like to hear me talk about here on my blog. And the winner was "Waiting for My Future Husband". :) Sooo.. here we go!
It all started after I got out of a bad relationship, it was so difficult for me to not have someone there for me. So I continued to cling to boy after boy, thinking that would make me feel loved and accepted. Once I would get close to another guy, my heart would hurt, and my concience would go crazy! Its hard to explain but its just one of those feelings that you know when something just isnt right. Nights would go by and I would be so upset, and I would think these questions to myself...
-Why wont a boy like me?
-Am I ever going to get married??
-Why isnt this working??
And along with those questions came these statements...
-Im too fat for any guy to love me
-Im not pretty enough for someone
-Im too wierd
-No one likes me
And the list could go on and on.... pretty sad huh?! Typing about my past is really hard for me, and now I am realizing it more and more as I get further into this blog.
***Sidenote.... during my bad relationship I turned my back on God, and turned away from the Catholic Faith as well. I thought that if I had sex with my boyfriend at the time that it was ok because he loved me, and God would forgive me. Not a problem! MAN I WAS SO STUPID! Thank God I DID NOT give up my virginity to him. That I am so thankful for!
So slowly after all of those short little "flings" with boys came and went I started going to Youth Group. It wasnt until the first trip to MOA and Lifeline *Teen Mass In St. Paul* that things started to change. A few ladies had an AMAZING talk with our wonderful youth minister Kym in the car on the way down and on the way back. This is one day and talk that I will never forget. It wasnt until I had a min to talk to Kym just one on one that she just talked to me. She didnt talk AT me she talked TO me. Telling me her story, and so much more. And then, it all just came out, I told her what was going on and how I didnt know what to do anymore. I told her my doubts and my fears. And what I was shocked about was that she told me she knew how I felt! Kym made me feel so much better that night and helped me turn back. And to this day I'm not sure if she knows fully how much she changed my life that night, and how much she continues to change it for the better on a daily basis.
Then Kym introduced me to this book titled "When God Writes Your Love Story". Which is written by a married couple. I LOVED THE BOOK! :) It was so amazing to hear that things do happen through God, Faith and patience.
So after I finished the book I made a list of all of the things that I want in my future husband. :) It made me feel different, but in such a good way though. I have always thought that I have to sink down to a guy's level to get him to like me and be with me. But man was I wrong.
So from that day on, I look back at that list and remind myself that God has MY future husband out there for me, and he will bring us together in his time :) I also make sure to pray for him :) which is very important. And when Im sad, happy, excited, and so much more I sit down and write him letters. Telling him how much I love him and miss him. And now I know you are asking "How can you love him and not have even met him yet?!?" And I answer that once I started loving the Lord, I started loving my future husband. Its through that love that i have for my savior, and how much i fall more and more in love with him, that I love my future husband. Because the Lord is the writer of our love story. ***I hope that makes sense! :) Hard to explain***
I have also made another big commitment, that being waiting to have Sex until marriage. And for some odd reason society portrays it that teenagers CANNOT abstain... I find that hurtful and incorrect. I'm abstaining, im waiting :) My future husband deserves that gift that God intended for him :)
BELIEVE ME guys it gets soo hard! Im not going to lie! Some days im like "Ok are you here yet?!?" haha ;) but i know i have to wait which is hard but well worth it. So I plan on sitting and waiting for my Prince Charming to come to me. Im not dating anyone else. I dont care how long it takes. God has a plan for me and him :)
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for you to prosper, not to woe. To give you Hope and a Future"-- Jeremiah 29:11 :)
"There is a love, unabiding love, more than your dreaming of. And all you are is his hearts desire, beloved beautiful."- Jesse Manibusen "Maria"
"Im waiting, Im waiting on you Lord, and I am hopeful. Im waiting on you Lord though it is painful. But patiently I will wait."-- "While Im Waiting" From the movie Fireproof
"Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.
Love,
Your Kind and Lord of perfect timings"
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
Thank you all for taking time to read this blog, and I hope that I fullfilled what you were looking for when you voted on that poll. :)
God Bless!
Ashley
It all started after I got out of a bad relationship, it was so difficult for me to not have someone there for me. So I continued to cling to boy after boy, thinking that would make me feel loved and accepted. Once I would get close to another guy, my heart would hurt, and my concience would go crazy! Its hard to explain but its just one of those feelings that you know when something just isnt right. Nights would go by and I would be so upset, and I would think these questions to myself...
-Why wont a boy like me?
-Am I ever going to get married??
-Why isnt this working??
And along with those questions came these statements...
-Im too fat for any guy to love me
-Im not pretty enough for someone
-Im too wierd
-No one likes me
And the list could go on and on.... pretty sad huh?! Typing about my past is really hard for me, and now I am realizing it more and more as I get further into this blog.
***Sidenote.... during my bad relationship I turned my back on God, and turned away from the Catholic Faith as well. I thought that if I had sex with my boyfriend at the time that it was ok because he loved me, and God would forgive me. Not a problem! MAN I WAS SO STUPID! Thank God I DID NOT give up my virginity to him. That I am so thankful for!
So slowly after all of those short little "flings" with boys came and went I started going to Youth Group. It wasnt until the first trip to MOA and Lifeline *Teen Mass In St. Paul* that things started to change. A few ladies had an AMAZING talk with our wonderful youth minister Kym in the car on the way down and on the way back. This is one day and talk that I will never forget. It wasnt until I had a min to talk to Kym just one on one that she just talked to me. She didnt talk AT me she talked TO me. Telling me her story, and so much more. And then, it all just came out, I told her what was going on and how I didnt know what to do anymore. I told her my doubts and my fears. And what I was shocked about was that she told me she knew how I felt! Kym made me feel so much better that night and helped me turn back. And to this day I'm not sure if she knows fully how much she changed my life that night, and how much she continues to change it for the better on a daily basis.
Then Kym introduced me to this book titled "When God Writes Your Love Story". Which is written by a married couple. I LOVED THE BOOK! :) It was so amazing to hear that things do happen through God, Faith and patience.
So after I finished the book I made a list of all of the things that I want in my future husband. :) It made me feel different, but in such a good way though. I have always thought that I have to sink down to a guy's level to get him to like me and be with me. But man was I wrong.
So from that day on, I look back at that list and remind myself that God has MY future husband out there for me, and he will bring us together in his time :) I also make sure to pray for him :) which is very important. And when Im sad, happy, excited, and so much more I sit down and write him letters. Telling him how much I love him and miss him. And now I know you are asking "How can you love him and not have even met him yet?!?" And I answer that once I started loving the Lord, I started loving my future husband. Its through that love that i have for my savior, and how much i fall more and more in love with him, that I love my future husband. Because the Lord is the writer of our love story. ***I hope that makes sense! :) Hard to explain***
I have also made another big commitment, that being waiting to have Sex until marriage. And for some odd reason society portrays it that teenagers CANNOT abstain... I find that hurtful and incorrect. I'm abstaining, im waiting :) My future husband deserves that gift that God intended for him :)
BELIEVE ME guys it gets soo hard! Im not going to lie! Some days im like "Ok are you here yet?!?" haha ;) but i know i have to wait which is hard but well worth it. So I plan on sitting and waiting for my Prince Charming to come to me. Im not dating anyone else. I dont care how long it takes. God has a plan for me and him :)
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans for you to prosper, not to woe. To give you Hope and a Future"-- Jeremiah 29:11 :)
"There is a love, unabiding love, more than your dreaming of. And all you are is his hearts desire, beloved beautiful."- Jesse Manibusen "Maria"
"Im waiting, Im waiting on you Lord, and I am hopeful. Im waiting on you Lord though it is painful. But patiently I will wait."-- "While Im Waiting" From the movie Fireproof
"Wait on Me, My princess. My timing is always perfect. I know you're anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don't run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of My blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.
Love,
Your Kind and Lord of perfect timings"
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:31
Thank you all for taking time to read this blog, and I hope that I fullfilled what you were looking for when you voted on that poll. :)
God Bless!
Ashley
November 23, 2009
NCYC & Changes
Hey All! :) IM BACK! :)
Sooo many people have been asking me about NCYC and how it went...and man Kym was totally right.. you cannot explain it. But im going to try my best!
-We arrived at about 3:00 pm in Kansas City. Got to the hotel quick to change and drop off our stuff and then headed to the conference center.
- General Session I walked into and seeing everyone and all the music by John Angotti made me cry, along with my jaw dropping... Unbelieveable!
-Went to different workshops, such as A Catholic Comedian who was hillarious!, and to Mark Hart the bible Geek! :) Both amazing!
-General Sessions continued to raise the bar :)
-Jason and Crystalina Evert Spoke on Saturday night which brought me to tears... They are my idols and their message is so powerful and so true! Look up Jason Evert on youtube, you wont regret it!
-Steve Arigsano, and Jesse Manibusan were AMAZING emcee's :)
-I MET JASON AND CRYSTALINA! :) I completely freaked out and was in awe by them! :) I got a picture with them too! Plus Crystalina gave me her email adress and said that they would send me copies of their books to give out at my purity ball, and that i should let them know the dates to speak (If they can fit it in their busy schedule)
- Went to Reconciliation and Adoration
-Heard amazing teen speakers! My Favorite was Philip Ryan, he had an inoperable brain tumor which eventually just went away, along with other miracles from God... Sooo amazing!
-Took part in mass with 21,000 other catholic youth! Communion took 40 mins, and there were 140 clergy men persiding! :)
-HAD AN AMAZING TIME! :)
NCYC was so unbelieveable and so wonderful. I learned so much, the major one being that I am not alone! There are so many other Catholic's just like me! :) Completely blew me away!
Thank you for all who donated time, money and prayers for me and our delegation over the trip! They helped so much! Thank you all for this amazing opportunity!
Here are some pictures.... :)
Now on to the changes aspect of this blog.... Here is a note that I wrote and posted on my facebook, hopefully this gives you the jist of what exactly went on... :
'Hey Everyone!
It has come to my attention that many of my status updates about my faith have been taken the wrong way. To some it was considered "Shoving it down peoples throats". I would like to apologize for those coming off that way. I honestly did not mean for the status' to come off in the wrong was and i am very sorry that people felt that way about it.
To me my faith is SO VERY important, and i just wanted to inspire and help others. I did not mean for it to be taken as me forcing people to be just like me. I know everyone is different that is for sure.
It has also come to my attention that lots of people still really enjoy reading my posts etc... well you people are in luck! :) I am going to continue blogging about more faith oriented things, inspirational things, struggles, life, God, Catholocism, my life, and so much more on my blog! :) I hope that all of you read it, by your own choice. Please visit www.highschoolcatholic.blogspot.com to read all that i have to say.
To me i just want to proclaim God's amazing message to the world, but i dont want to frusturate/irritate or hurt anyone in that process. I sincerly apologize if you were offended or hurt by any of my posts, that was not my intention.
If you choose so please let me know what you think of my blog posts! That would be soo appreciated to see that they are reaching someone and that someone actually gets something out of it. :) Please feel free to comment here, on my blog, message me with any questions/comments/concerns and email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com.
Thanks and God Bless All Of You :)'
So this blog is going to be my life, and i really hope to keep up with it! Sometimes its hard to sit down and take time to type and all of that, but honestly I dont just do it for me, i do it for the people that i can reach, help and hopefully inspire. Thank you so much for your loyalty to reading my blog and all its contents. And i apologize if i have offended anyone of you as my readers.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE!!! Since at NCYC i had a wonderful opportunity to stock up on a few books (6) my youth minister and I are doing a social experiment :) We are both going to read the same book, but we divided it up into chapters. Going every other chapter, so i am the 1st! :) I will post my interpretation of the chapter on my blog here, and then she will post her interpretation of the next chapter on her blog. I am really excited and glad that Kym came up with the idea! :) So please visit Kym's Blog to see her interpretations as well as mine on here. I can definately tell you that you will for sure get lots of things out of Kym's blog, she is an amazing mom, wife, Catholic, youth minister, smart, funny, and truly an inspiration to many. I hope you like our soical experiment! Let us know what you think, comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Lord---
Thank you so much for all you do for me and my family. You truly bless me on a daily basis, and you open up doors for me in all different ways. Thank you for the AMAZING experience at NCYC, let us all be the light in the darkness, shining for all to see. You are an amazing God, who does so much because he loves me and all of you. Please continue to bless my writings here, and the eyes and people who read them.
In your name,
Amen
God Bless,
And please let me know what you think! :)
LOVE!
Ashley
Sooo many people have been asking me about NCYC and how it went...and man Kym was totally right.. you cannot explain it. But im going to try my best!
-We arrived at about 3:00 pm in Kansas City. Got to the hotel quick to change and drop off our stuff and then headed to the conference center.
- General Session I walked into and seeing everyone and all the music by John Angotti made me cry, along with my jaw dropping... Unbelieveable!
-Went to different workshops, such as A Catholic Comedian who was hillarious!, and to Mark Hart the bible Geek! :) Both amazing!
-General Sessions continued to raise the bar :)
-Jason and Crystalina Evert Spoke on Saturday night which brought me to tears... They are my idols and their message is so powerful and so true! Look up Jason Evert on youtube, you wont regret it!
-Steve Arigsano, and Jesse Manibusan were AMAZING emcee's :)
-I MET JASON AND CRYSTALINA! :) I completely freaked out and was in awe by them! :) I got a picture with them too! Plus Crystalina gave me her email adress and said that they would send me copies of their books to give out at my purity ball, and that i should let them know the dates to speak (If they can fit it in their busy schedule)
- Went to Reconciliation and Adoration
-Heard amazing teen speakers! My Favorite was Philip Ryan, he had an inoperable brain tumor which eventually just went away, along with other miracles from God... Sooo amazing!
-Took part in mass with 21,000 other catholic youth! Communion took 40 mins, and there were 140 clergy men persiding! :)
-HAD AN AMAZING TIME! :)
NCYC was so unbelieveable and so wonderful. I learned so much, the major one being that I am not alone! There are so many other Catholic's just like me! :) Completely blew me away!
Thank you for all who donated time, money and prayers for me and our delegation over the trip! They helped so much! Thank you all for this amazing opportunity!
Here are some pictures.... :)
'Hey Everyone!
It has come to my attention that many of my status updates about my faith have been taken the wrong way. To some it was considered "Shoving it down peoples throats". I would like to apologize for those coming off that way. I honestly did not mean for the status' to come off in the wrong was and i am very sorry that people felt that way about it.
To me my faith is SO VERY important, and i just wanted to inspire and help others. I did not mean for it to be taken as me forcing people to be just like me. I know everyone is different that is for sure.
It has also come to my attention that lots of people still really enjoy reading my posts etc... well you people are in luck! :) I am going to continue blogging about more faith oriented things, inspirational things, struggles, life, God, Catholocism, my life, and so much more on my blog! :) I hope that all of you read it, by your own choice. Please visit www.highschoolcatholic.blogspot.com to read all that i have to say.
To me i just want to proclaim God's amazing message to the world, but i dont want to frusturate/irritate or hurt anyone in that process. I sincerly apologize if you were offended or hurt by any of my posts, that was not my intention.
If you choose so please let me know what you think of my blog posts! That would be soo appreciated to see that they are reaching someone and that someone actually gets something out of it. :) Please feel free to comment here, on my blog, message me with any questions/comments/concerns and email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com.
Thanks and God Bless All Of You :)'
So this blog is going to be my life, and i really hope to keep up with it! Sometimes its hard to sit down and take time to type and all of that, but honestly I dont just do it for me, i do it for the people that i can reach, help and hopefully inspire. Thank you so much for your loyalty to reading my blog and all its contents. And i apologize if i have offended anyone of you as my readers.
ON A LIGHTER NOTE!!! Since at NCYC i had a wonderful opportunity to stock up on a few books (6) my youth minister and I are doing a social experiment :) We are both going to read the same book, but we divided it up into chapters. Going every other chapter, so i am the 1st! :) I will post my interpretation of the chapter on my blog here, and then she will post her interpretation of the next chapter on her blog. I am really excited and glad that Kym came up with the idea! :) So please visit Kym's Blog to see her interpretations as well as mine on here. I can definately tell you that you will for sure get lots of things out of Kym's blog, she is an amazing mom, wife, Catholic, youth minister, smart, funny, and truly an inspiration to many. I hope you like our soical experiment! Let us know what you think, comment here or email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com :)
Lord---
Thank you so much for all you do for me and my family. You truly bless me on a daily basis, and you open up doors for me in all different ways. Thank you for the AMAZING experience at NCYC, let us all be the light in the darkness, shining for all to see. You are an amazing God, who does so much because he loves me and all of you. Please continue to bless my writings here, and the eyes and people who read them.
In your name,
Amen
God Bless,
And please let me know what you think! :)
LOVE!
Ashley
November 18, 2009
Missouri Bound...... :)
Good Evening everyone!!! :) This is going to be my last blog post for a couple of days. Because if you havent noted, haha in my past blogs, I am leaving for the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in Kansas City, MO! I am so excited and so blessed!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHzh0nIeJQY <-----NCYC Promo on youtube :) Well worth watching!
Tonight has been all about getting my ducks in a row! :) Getting money, packing, finishing up some make up homework : /, praying, blogging, making lists and still prepping! :) Even though it may seem like its a lot, its pretty well worth it! :)
Right before bed tonight will be my last time praying the NCYC Novena, sad but definately exciting and reasurring :) God has really watched over me and preped me for this trip :)
----So and 9:30 pm, with a candle lit and music playing, please join me in prayer over myself, my family, our delegation, our chaperons, all 21,000 participants, the bands, key note speakers and all of the people who make this possible. And also praise the Lord who makes this all possible, the one that got us to where we are today and is defiantly not finished with us yet ---
All prayers are sooooooo appreciated :) Thanks in advance! :) I know this sounds a lot like my post last night, I guess I am just in awe and really excited to be going :)
I woke up this morning and I thought... TODAY IS MY FRIDAY!!! :) Got ready for school in a wonderful mood, made it through all of my classes anxiously awaiting, got home, went to the bank, packed and all that fun stuff and now I am here :) Updating you all, waiting for Glee to start, then to watch a little blog feature about my amazing friend Kami on the Fox 9 news! :) All I know is that they are featuring her family and her blog :) Cant wait to see her! :) I love you Kami!
AND THEN..... its off to bed for me! :) Hopefully I can sleep! haha I have to be up to church by 4:45am and then we are headed to Eagan, MN and hopping on the coach bus for 6 hr's and 45 mins to Kansas City :) Its gonna be great! :) Man soo excited!!!
Please pray for all of us, and join me from your own homes/places you are at at 9:30pm tonight for prayer :)
May God Bless You All, and May He Keep You Safe :)
Thank you all so much!
God Bless,
LOVE!,
Ashley
"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans for you to prosper, not to woe, plans to give you hope and a future"- Jeremiah 29:11 :)
November 17, 2009
Each and Every One Of Us, Is A Wondrous Work Of Art. Signed By The Hand Of God.
Hey all! :)
How are you?!?! :)
Right now, I am taking a break from my homework (well actually i am pretty much done!) to take some time to blog about whatever tends to be on my heart.
Today is like my thursday! :) Tomorrow is my last day of school for the week and then thursday morning i am off to NCYC :) It is so hard to put into words how I am feeling about taking this trip, but let me tell you every morning and throughout the day I wake up asking myself "Is it thursday YET!?!?" So you can tell I pretty excited :) I am taking this trip with Super amazing people from my church! :) They are such blessings, with such wonderful hearts for God, and a will to follow him and also the Catholic faith. We are all ready to dive head first into what God has planned for us!
This is most of our delegation from St. Henrys! :) More
So above are some pictures of multiple people that are in our delegation! :) Sadly i am missing 2 people :(
We are all really excited and cannot wait to go :)
I cant even begin to process how i feel right now :) Soo wonderful! And i definately want to thank all of the people/famililies/and orginizations that donated money to me and my delegation for this trip! Thank you soo much! :) It cost roughly $450 and my family and i did not have to pay a cent of it due to the generosity of others :) Thank you soo much!
How are you?!?! :)
Right now, I am taking a break from my homework (well actually i am pretty much done!) to take some time to blog about whatever tends to be on my heart.
Today is like my thursday! :) Tomorrow is my last day of school for the week and then thursday morning i am off to NCYC :) It is so hard to put into words how I am feeling about taking this trip, but let me tell you every morning and throughout the day I wake up asking myself "Is it thursday YET!?!?" So you can tell I pretty excited :) I am taking this trip with Super amazing people from my church! :) They are such blessings, with such wonderful hearts for God, and a will to follow him and also the Catholic faith. We are all ready to dive head first into what God has planned for us!
This is most of our delegation from St. Henrys! :) More
So above are some pictures of multiple people that are in our delegation! :) Sadly i am missing 2 people :(
We are all really excited and cannot wait to go :)
''Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.' Prayer, formed by the liturgical life, draws everything into the love by which we are loved in Christ and which enables us to respond to him by loving as he has loved us. Love is the source of prayer; whoever draws from it reaches the summit of prayer.''
NCYC - the largest single gathering of Catholic youth in the country - encompasses a wide variety of opportunities to learn about and experience the Catholic faith.
I cant even begin to process how i feel right now :) Soo wonderful! And i definately want to thank all of the people/famililies/and orginizations that donated money to me and my delegation for this trip! Thank you soo much! :) It cost roughly $450 and my family and i did not have to pay a cent of it due to the generosity of others :) Thank you soo much!
I feel that God truly wants me at this conference, he has made ways for me to get through so many obstacles to get to where i am today, all set to go. He has provided me with so much that i have needed, and i know that with all of the things that God does for me i will be forever thankful :)
God is sooo good!
Each night before i go to bed, i light a candle, turn off the lights, turn on one of my favorite songs "Hope Now"- By Addison Road, and pray the NCYC novena :) Its such an amazing feeling :) Then i go to bed praying my rosary like normal and i just feel at peace.
My wonderful youth minister Kym tells me that she knows God wants her with us at St. Henry's, and me being inquistive i ask
Well how do you know that??
And she answers.... "Its just that peace that you feel when you pray, you can just know once you feel that."
So now every time i go to pray (which is a lot) but i mean the in depth prayer i wait for that peace, that knowing sign from God that this is all part of his plan for me. I have no idea what his plan is for me but whatever it is i cannot wait to find out. Our father up in heaven has great plans for each and everyone of us :) And now that i just said that it reminds me of the responsorial psalm at mass this past sunday sung but the childrens choir....
"Each and every one of us, each and every one of us, is a wondrous work of art, is a wondrous work of art. Signed by the hand of God" :)
I would really appreciate prayers for my trip if you feel called to pray for me and my delegation. :) Right now i just feel completely blessed by all the things that have been done in my life and so thankful. Its so amazing :) Please pray for me and my delegation, also our Chaperones: Kym and Kurt. :)
Your prayers are super appreciated by all! :) I hope to post another blog tomorrow night as a pack and get ready :)
Thanks so much for taking time to read this and time to step into my God filled life :)
YOU ARE SOO LOVED!
God Bless!
LOVE!
November 15, 2009
Prepping For NCYC 2009- "Christ Reigns" Kansas City, MO
NCYC NOVENA
To be prayed for the nine days preceding NCYC, beginning on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
Lord Jesus Christ, Risen Savior, King of Kings, Son of God, Son of Man, I come before you just as I am, acknowledging my sinfulness and my personal weaknesses. I know that without you I am nothing, with you, I am everything. I place myself in your presence. I bring to you my prayers, my wants, my wishes, and my desires.
Lord, I believe in you; increase my faith. I trust in you; strengthen my trust. I love you; let me love you more and more. Guide me by your wisdom, correct me with your justice, comfort me with your mercy, protect me with your power.
Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy. Give me good health in body, soul and spirit.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses, and to continually grow stronger in my faith and belief in you. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, and apathy by fervor and caring. Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others. Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity, and forever attentive to you and your will for me. Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, my life well ordered, and my love for you unending and unwavering. Let your Holy Spirit dwell within my heart. Allow me to experience your Father's love.
With praise and thanksgiving, and with the confidence of knowing that you hear my pleas, I also place before you the following needs.
(Pause to insert your own particular needs and intentions.)
And most especially, I pray for our pilgrimage to the National Catholic Youth Conference. Keep us in your care during our travel, during our stay, during our waking, and during our sleeping. Let our time and efforts be productive; our words and our actions filled with compassion, care, and love.
Allow me to be a bearer of your peace; allow me to be your hands, your feet, and your voice. Teach me to speak your words to those who need to hear you. Teach me to reach out to those that need your touch. Teach me to walk confidently down the paths you have set before me, even though I may have no idea where they lead.
Father, I abandon myself into your hands, not only during this pilgrimage, but for the entirety of my life; do with me what you will. For whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creation... I wish no more than this, Lord. Into your hands I turn over my soul, my mind, my life, and my entire being.
I love you, Lord and I praise you. I shall follow as your disciple every day of my life. Through your Spirit and your church, continue to teach me your ways. I desire to live in you, with you, for you and through you, now and forever.
Amen.
Compiled by Matthew Robaszkiewicz 2009, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NCYC novena :) praying it every night! :) Its so amazing and i cant wait!
LOVE! :)
To be prayed for the nine days preceding NCYC, beginning on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
Lord Jesus Christ, Risen Savior, King of Kings, Son of God, Son of Man, I come before you just as I am, acknowledging my sinfulness and my personal weaknesses. I know that without you I am nothing, with you, I am everything. I place myself in your presence. I bring to you my prayers, my wants, my wishes, and my desires.
Lord, I believe in you; increase my faith. I trust in you; strengthen my trust. I love you; let me love you more and more. Guide me by your wisdom, correct me with your justice, comfort me with your mercy, protect me with your power.
Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy. Give me good health in body, soul and spirit.
Help me to rise above my human weaknesses, and to continually grow stronger in my faith and belief in you. Help me to conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, and apathy by fervor and caring. Help me to forget myself and reach out toward others. Make me prudent in planning, courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering, unassuming in prosperity, and forever attentive to you and your will for me. Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, my life well ordered, and my love for you unending and unwavering. Let your Holy Spirit dwell within my heart. Allow me to experience your Father's love.
With praise and thanksgiving, and with the confidence of knowing that you hear my pleas, I also place before you the following needs.
(Pause to insert your own particular needs and intentions.)
And most especially, I pray for our pilgrimage to the National Catholic Youth Conference. Keep us in your care during our travel, during our stay, during our waking, and during our sleeping. Let our time and efforts be productive; our words and our actions filled with compassion, care, and love.
Allow me to be a bearer of your peace; allow me to be your hands, your feet, and your voice. Teach me to speak your words to those who need to hear you. Teach me to reach out to those that need your touch. Teach me to walk confidently down the paths you have set before me, even though I may have no idea where they lead.
Father, I abandon myself into your hands, not only during this pilgrimage, but for the entirety of my life; do with me what you will. For whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creation... I wish no more than this, Lord. Into your hands I turn over my soul, my mind, my life, and my entire being.
I love you, Lord and I praise you. I shall follow as your disciple every day of my life. Through your Spirit and your church, continue to teach me your ways. I desire to live in you, with you, for you and through you, now and forever.
Amen.
Compiled by Matthew Robaszkiewicz 2009, National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry
NCYC novena :) praying it every night! :) Its so amazing and i cant wait!
LOVE! :)
November 14, 2009
Best Friend's Night Out :)
Hey All! :)
DeDe and i had a great time tonight! :) We went to applebee's and had a nice, and funny dinner! With lots of chatting and commenting on our interesting waitress :) lol good times! :) then we went to culvers to get ice cream and headed over to her house to hang out. We had lots of fun and took hillarious pictures! (More to come at the bottom!)
Overall today was a good day! My mom had a Bagolitas http://www.bagolitas.com/ and Norwex http://www.norwex.com/norwex.php?lng=7&cnt=223 party with lots of wonderful ladies over at our house :) Judith and i helped make lunch and shopped around. I got a super cute purse for 50% off! Regularially $68 and i got it for $33 :) i am sooo happy! I love purses!
Then after that Judith and i were invited over to Sandy and Ashley Suchy's house to watch movies for the afternoon! We watched "Ghost of Girlfriends Past" and "21". Ghost of Girlfriends Past wasnt that great but it was alright i guess, and i got to watch about a hour and it looked really good! So i am hoping to get to watch it someother time :)
Then i headed over to pick up DeDe and we had a great time!
Oh my goodness! I leave for NCYC in 4 days! :) i am so excited! :) Oh yeah! And i went and got a wall charger for my ipod for the trip :) haha im prepared! I cant wait!
Right now i am just cuddling up with Lilly so i can spend some time with her :) She is such a cute puppy!
Life is going good right now :) i am really happy! :) Thank you God for such and amazing life that you ahve set before me! :)
God is Good! :)
Haha Nice Pics huh?!?!? :)
DeDe and i had a great time tonight! :) We went to applebee's and had a nice, and funny dinner! With lots of chatting and commenting on our interesting waitress :) lol good times! :) then we went to culvers to get ice cream and headed over to her house to hang out. We had lots of fun and took hillarious pictures! (More to come at the bottom!)
Overall today was a good day! My mom had a Bagolitas http://www.bagolitas.com/ and Norwex http://www.norwex.com/norwex.php?lng=7&cnt=223 party with lots of wonderful ladies over at our house :) Judith and i helped make lunch and shopped around. I got a super cute purse for 50% off! Regularially $68 and i got it for $33 :) i am sooo happy! I love purses!
Then after that Judith and i were invited over to Sandy and Ashley Suchy's house to watch movies for the afternoon! We watched "Ghost of Girlfriends Past" and "21". Ghost of Girlfriends Past wasnt that great but it was alright i guess, and i got to watch about a hour and it looked really good! So i am hoping to get to watch it someother time :)
Then i headed over to pick up DeDe and we had a great time!
Oh my goodness! I leave for NCYC in 4 days! :) i am so excited! :) Oh yeah! And i went and got a wall charger for my ipod for the trip :) haha im prepared! I cant wait!
Right now i am just cuddling up with Lilly so i can spend some time with her :) She is such a cute puppy!
Life is going good right now :) i am really happy! :) Thank you God for such and amazing life that you ahve set before me! :)
God is Good! :)
Haha Nice Pics huh?!?!? :)
haha :) love these pictures! :)
So as you can see we had a great time! :) I love you DeDe! Your such an amazing friend! :) actually a sister :) love you!
Lord-
Thank you so much for giving me great friends and great times :) You truly bless me day after day and i am so thankful. Help me to continue to do your will, and help me to be open to what you have in store for me at NCYC in 4 days :)
Amen
"I will love you lord with all my heart"
"Bring me joy bring me peace, the chance to be free, bring me everything that brings you glory"
"Everything lies on hope now, everything lies on faith somehow, and when the world has broken me down, you love sets me free"
LOVE!!! :)
November 13, 2009
Friday The 13th....wasnt bad at all! :)
Hey All~! :)
Just wanted to post an update!
Today was an overall good day! Things are looking up for lots of people in my life, including me! :)
Im so glad that school is done for the week and i only have 3 days of school for me next week! :) I leave for NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) on Thursday morning! I am so excited! We leave at 4:45AM from our church (roughly) and have to be to Eagan to get on the nice coach bus with our whole delegation to ride 6 hours and 45 mins to Kansas City, Missouri! :) I am sooo excited! For more information check out http://ncyc.nfcym.org/ 21,000 Catholic Youth! :) Please pray for my delegation, and me too please! I want to be open to God and his plans for me :) I cant wait!! :)
Today after school Judith and I rode up to St. Cloud with Jeff and Ryan Michaelis to pick up dad, and then Judith and i took dads car to Noodles for dinner. A quick stop at Barnes and Noble, then to movie gallery to rent movies :) We had a great time! :) Now we are relaxing and watching What Happens In Vegas, its pretty hillarious! :)
Tomorrow morning my mom is having a bunch of friends over for a Bagolita's and Norweks party, i am excited to get to see my mom's friends and family :) i love them! :)
Then working on homework i bet in the afternoon...not soo fun. We are starting Frankenstein in AP English..not looking forward to that at all! :(
Then.......IM GOING TO DINNER WITH MY BESTEST FRIEND! :) I am so excited! We are going to Applebee's (One of our signatures! haha) I cant wait to spend time with her and chat. We are both so busy and i am so happy to get to talk to her :) yay!!! :)
She is my best friend :)
I love her :)
This is what love looks like :)
Haha :)
Just wanted to post an update!
Today was an overall good day! Things are looking up for lots of people in my life, including me! :)
Im so glad that school is done for the week and i only have 3 days of school for me next week! :) I leave for NCYC (National Catholic Youth Conference) on Thursday morning! I am so excited! We leave at 4:45AM from our church (roughly) and have to be to Eagan to get on the nice coach bus with our whole delegation to ride 6 hours and 45 mins to Kansas City, Missouri! :) I am sooo excited! For more information check out http://ncyc.nfcym.org/ 21,000 Catholic Youth! :) Please pray for my delegation, and me too please! I want to be open to God and his plans for me :) I cant wait!! :)
Today after school Judith and I rode up to St. Cloud with Jeff and Ryan Michaelis to pick up dad, and then Judith and i took dads car to Noodles for dinner. A quick stop at Barnes and Noble, then to movie gallery to rent movies :) We had a great time! :) Now we are relaxing and watching What Happens In Vegas, its pretty hillarious! :)
Tomorrow morning my mom is having a bunch of friends over for a Bagolita's and Norweks party, i am excited to get to see my mom's friends and family :) i love them! :)
Then working on homework i bet in the afternoon...not soo fun. We are starting Frankenstein in AP English..not looking forward to that at all! :(
Then.......IM GOING TO DINNER WITH MY BESTEST FRIEND! :) I am so excited! We are going to Applebee's (One of our signatures! haha) I cant wait to spend time with her and chat. We are both so busy and i am so happy to get to talk to her :) yay!!! :)
She is my best friend :)
I love her :)
This is what love looks like :)
Haha :)Love you DeDe! :)
"Trust In the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And lean not on your own understanding"
"Friendship is one of the ways that God shows us how much he loves us"
LOVE!
November 12, 2009
Long day and mixed emotions...
Im thinking im gonna be using my blog more often. Hopefully it helps me vent...
Today was a long day and it just seemed to drag on. School was boring, and i couldnt seem to focus. My head was in the clouds and it really was horrible. Im struggling with AP English, i have been working so hard and it doesnt seem to be going anywhere. We are starting a new book today and i just couldnt focus on it and it didnt make sense. Ahhh i need prayers! :(
Everything seems to be just stressful and crazy! Im worried about my ACT's and i am afraid of not getting into college. College is so close, and i feel like i have to do sooo well for them to accept me into a college. And then after that comes scholarships, student loans, debt... and its just soo much! :(
Im sorry that this is a post about all sad things i know its not very uplifting, but i dont know what to do. Im trying to be the best person i can be but it doesnt seem to be working. I mean people come to me for advice and i can help them and i feel good about it i just wish that people would be accepting about my views and how i feel about things. YES I KNOW IM DIFFERENT! So what?!?! :(
Please pray for me i really need it. I want to be helpful to others, and i just want to be a good role model. I want to focus, i want to do well, i want to get into college. I know its a lot of i wants but they are goals and things that i really need to accomplish.
Lord please help me..
Love!
P.S.- To all you active bloggers out there would you please post my blog link on your page or spread the word? I would like to get more followers and dont worry blog posts will get more and more inspiring, uplifiting, and God centered :) Please promote! Thanks bunches!
Today was a long day and it just seemed to drag on. School was boring, and i couldnt seem to focus. My head was in the clouds and it really was horrible. Im struggling with AP English, i have been working so hard and it doesnt seem to be going anywhere. We are starting a new book today and i just couldnt focus on it and it didnt make sense. Ahhh i need prayers! :(
Everything seems to be just stressful and crazy! Im worried about my ACT's and i am afraid of not getting into college. College is so close, and i feel like i have to do sooo well for them to accept me into a college. And then after that comes scholarships, student loans, debt... and its just soo much! :(
Im sorry that this is a post about all sad things i know its not very uplifting, but i dont know what to do. Im trying to be the best person i can be but it doesnt seem to be working. I mean people come to me for advice and i can help them and i feel good about it i just wish that people would be accepting about my views and how i feel about things. YES I KNOW IM DIFFERENT! So what?!?! :(
Please pray for me i really need it. I want to be helpful to others, and i just want to be a good role model. I want to focus, i want to do well, i want to get into college. I know its a lot of i wants but they are goals and things that i really need to accomplish.
Lord please help me..
Love!
P.S.- To all you active bloggers out there would you please post my blog link on your page or spread the word? I would like to get more followers and dont worry blog posts will get more and more inspiring, uplifiting, and God centered :) Please promote! Thanks bunches!
October 23, 2009
Peer Leadership! :)
Hey all! :) For those of you who dont have me as a friend on facebook... I have news! :) My youth minister asked me and two of my lovely friends Christene and Liz to be peer leaders on the 10th grade confirmation retreat this weekend :) We leave in a little over 3 hours :) (not that im counting or anything!)
It seems that God realy wants me on this retreat because i prayed soo hard about it and everything with my work worked out! :) I am so excited and i cant wait! :) I am giving a talk on Saturday morning about Priorities- How to keep God in your life when you are super busy. So im going to post it on here :) let me know what you think! :) Email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com for responses i would love to hear them! :)
God Bless,
Ashley
As teenagers are lives a full of things that we choose to do and things that we have to do. Alright so now I want to know what things that you guys choose to do in your life? Okay sounds good! What are something’s that you have to do in your life? (Go off of the things that they chose to do and the things they have to do)
Now off of that list you did (or didn’t mentioned, fit this to what they answered) what is the number one thing that should be shaping our lives today and should be something we do, is making time for God. How many of you feel that making time for God is something that you SHOULD do? (Please be honest!) Okay.. and how many of you are unsure exactly how God is going to fit into your life with how hectic our lives can get? Okay..
Honestly guys I felt that God was there only if I absolutley needed him, or as a last resort, I didn’t feel that I needed to pray to him or even have a prayer life. I thought that my life is totally fine so then why do I need to talk to God? I was busy enough as it is and I basically put God on a shelf and said “I will get to you later God” and knowing me I can tend to be somewhat of a procrastinator, not gonna lie! So for many years God was sitting on that shelf collecting dust. I went to mass, but only because my parents made me, and I thought it was an absolute waste of and hour of my time, but guys I didn’t know what I was missing out on!
Alright so now since I shared a little bit of my story with you I want you guys to know that I have not always been the way I am today, as you most likely noted in my little story. And I bet that some of you can relate to that old Ashley huh?! But here is where my story changed. God was “moving his way” off of the shelf and into my heart, but too bad it so long for me to realize that he was just sitting there waiting!
Gonna be honest with you guys right now, Talking to God and having a relationship with God is soooo AMAZING! But like I said God was sitting there waiting for me and I never realized it. I thought that only the “Good” and “holy” catholics were the ones who prayed, went to mass, and received all of those sacraments. And I definitely felt uncomfortable talking about God, because I didn’t give it a chance. Until one day I realized that we arent alone! God is always there for us, weither you have turned your back on him or maybe he is a casual friend. HE IS STILL THERE!
Now don’t get me wrong guys I am super busy as well, and the way society portrays our world is that we are a go go go generation. Always doing something! But now is the chance to CHANGE that. Think about when was the last time, if ever that you sat down with out and ipod, or a cell phone and just talked and prayed to God? For most of us not too often, because the time we have is limited.
Now I want to take a look at your list of priorities… where does God fall in that list? Im not going to tell you what is good or bad about where God is on that list because truthfully I don’t know what is right and what is wrong! I am not the person to judget at all. I just want you to look at that list and maybe once you have thought about it you will want to change where God falls on that list.
Because when life gets crazy and you just want to give up who are you going to turn to? Think about that, when you are on the brink of falling apart and giving up who is there to comfort you?
God is that shoulder to cry on, that hand to hold and the only person that you can truly rely on to get you through.
Pray to him, talk to him, cry with him, and believe in him. Life gets crazy, but God created this world, he created you and me and everything! If that’s not the person to talk about the things in your life that you are facing than I don’t know who else is better!
So please pray with me,
In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, amen. Good and loving Lord thank you so much for bringing all of us together on this retreat this weekend. I know that you have amazing plans for all of us! Please help everyone in this room to know you Lord and to pray and talk to you. Help them to know that you havent abandoned them and that you are standing right there with your arms wide open ready to take them in. Please open all of our hearts to hear you this weekend Lord, and bring us closer as one community of faith. Life gets hard and we work so hard at so many different things, but help us to know that in the end, you are the prize, the one thing that we should be working towards is to knowing you. In your name we pray, Amen.
It seems that God realy wants me on this retreat because i prayed soo hard about it and everything with my work worked out! :) I am so excited and i cant wait! :) I am giving a talk on Saturday morning about Priorities- How to keep God in your life when you are super busy. So im going to post it on here :) let me know what you think! :) Email me at ashleywalz@gmail.com for responses i would love to hear them! :)
God Bless,
Ashley
Priorities Talk
As teenagers are lives a full of things that we choose to do and things that we have to do. Alright so now I want to know what things that you guys choose to do in your life? Okay sounds good! What are something’s that you have to do in your life? (Go off of the things that they chose to do and the things they have to do)
Now off of that list you did (or didn’t mentioned, fit this to what they answered) what is the number one thing that should be shaping our lives today and should be something we do, is making time for God. How many of you feel that making time for God is something that you SHOULD do? (Please be honest!) Okay.. and how many of you are unsure exactly how God is going to fit into your life with how hectic our lives can get? Okay..
Honestly guys I felt that God was there only if I absolutley needed him, or as a last resort, I didn’t feel that I needed to pray to him or even have a prayer life. I thought that my life is totally fine so then why do I need to talk to God? I was busy enough as it is and I basically put God on a shelf and said “I will get to you later God” and knowing me I can tend to be somewhat of a procrastinator, not gonna lie! So for many years God was sitting on that shelf collecting dust. I went to mass, but only because my parents made me, and I thought it was an absolute waste of and hour of my time, but guys I didn’t know what I was missing out on!
Alright so now since I shared a little bit of my story with you I want you guys to know that I have not always been the way I am today, as you most likely noted in my little story. And I bet that some of you can relate to that old Ashley huh?! But here is where my story changed. God was “moving his way” off of the shelf and into my heart, but too bad it so long for me to realize that he was just sitting there waiting!
Gonna be honest with you guys right now, Talking to God and having a relationship with God is soooo AMAZING! But like I said God was sitting there waiting for me and I never realized it. I thought that only the “Good” and “holy” catholics were the ones who prayed, went to mass, and received all of those sacraments. And I definitely felt uncomfortable talking about God, because I didn’t give it a chance. Until one day I realized that we arent alone! God is always there for us, weither you have turned your back on him or maybe he is a casual friend. HE IS STILL THERE!
Now don’t get me wrong guys I am super busy as well, and the way society portrays our world is that we are a go go go generation. Always doing something! But now is the chance to CHANGE that. Think about when was the last time, if ever that you sat down with out and ipod, or a cell phone and just talked and prayed to God? For most of us not too often, because the time we have is limited.
Now I want to take a look at your list of priorities… where does God fall in that list? Im not going to tell you what is good or bad about where God is on that list because truthfully I don’t know what is right and what is wrong! I am not the person to judget at all. I just want you to look at that list and maybe once you have thought about it you will want to change where God falls on that list.
Because when life gets crazy and you just want to give up who are you going to turn to? Think about that, when you are on the brink of falling apart and giving up who is there to comfort you?
God is that shoulder to cry on, that hand to hold and the only person that you can truly rely on to get you through.
Pray to him, talk to him, cry with him, and believe in him. Life gets crazy, but God created this world, he created you and me and everything! If that’s not the person to talk about the things in your life that you are facing than I don’t know who else is better!
So please pray with me,
In the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit, amen. Good and loving Lord thank you so much for bringing all of us together on this retreat this weekend. I know that you have amazing plans for all of us! Please help everyone in this room to know you Lord and to pray and talk to you. Help them to know that you havent abandoned them and that you are standing right there with your arms wide open ready to take them in. Please open all of our hearts to hear you this weekend Lord, and bring us closer as one community of faith. Life gets hard and we work so hard at so many different things, but help us to know that in the end, you are the prize, the one thing that we should be working towards is to knowing you. In your name we pray, Amen.
October 16, 2009
Family Vacation :)
Good Morning all!!! :)
We are in South Dakota! :) After our long, but enjoyable 13 hour car ride (including rest stops, and lunch and dinner haha)! :) Im just getting ready for the day, today we are headed to a museum about dinosaurs etc, crazy horse and then to Mt. Rushmore! :) I am so excited!!!!! :) Just waiting for everyone else to finish getting ready, lol i have been up since the crack of dawn :(
Yesterday was a long but pretty fun car ride and time with the family :) The badlands are GORGEOUS! :) and we had soo much fun! :)
Some quotes from yesterday:
-"I am a mix of Jesus and Fergie"-Alex talking about his singing
-"I say we go by the kick it rule, before you pick up any rocks you kick it first to see if it moves, if it moves dont touch it!"- Dad at the Badlands
-"Im gonna bring my rubber bands to shoot at mountian lions if they attack us!"- Alex "Alex there arent any mountian lions"-Noah "THEY ARE ROCK LIONS!"-Dad
-"ASHLEY LOOK BUMBIES!!!"(Judith trying to say bambi's refering to deer on the side of the road)
and so many more! :) lots of fun! :)
Cant wait for today! :) Here are a few pictures, and to look at all of them visit my facebook page at.... http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=Alex+Walz&init=quick#/album.php?aid=2039722&id=1349927745
We are in South Dakota! :) After our long, but enjoyable 13 hour car ride (including rest stops, and lunch and dinner haha)! :) Im just getting ready for the day, today we are headed to a museum about dinosaurs etc, crazy horse and then to Mt. Rushmore! :) I am so excited!!!!! :) Just waiting for everyone else to finish getting ready, lol i have been up since the crack of dawn :(
Yesterday was a long but pretty fun car ride and time with the family :) The badlands are GORGEOUS! :) and we had soo much fun! :)
Some quotes from yesterday:
-"I am a mix of Jesus and Fergie"-Alex talking about his singing
-"I say we go by the kick it rule, before you pick up any rocks you kick it first to see if it moves, if it moves dont touch it!"- Dad at the Badlands
-"Im gonna bring my rubber bands to shoot at mountian lions if they attack us!"- Alex "Alex there arent any mountian lions"-Noah "THEY ARE ROCK LIONS!"-Dad
-"ASHLEY LOOK BUMBIES!!!"(Judith trying to say bambi's refering to deer on the side of the road)
and so many more! :) lots of fun! :)
October 6, 2009
How to live in a Sex-Saturated World.
Hey all!!!
Well the title of this blog might of just tied you in! haha kidding
That is the "slogan" along with the new book that i just bought at Barnes and Noble. and So far its pretty good!
The Title caught my attention.... "Every Young Womans Battle... How to live a Christian life in a Sex Saturated world" Pretty amazing huh!??!?!? Fits the world today thats for sure!
The book is really good so far, and its really opening up my eyes.
I mean i thought i was alone, you know the wierd virgin girl kind of thing but in the large scheme of things im not!
To be completely truthful its tough to see all of the things that teenagers in my school are going through and it really breaks my heart and i pray for them daily so i urge you to pray for them as well. We need to get good role models out there for young women especially. So this ties into the fact that me and 2 friends are doing a service project called "White Rose Waltz" its a purity ball!!!! :) Still working out the details but we want it to be elegant, father daughter, dinner and dancing and a covenant with God to abstain from Sex until marriage. So i ask you to please pray for me and my friends and my AMAZING mentor Kym Allex. We need the prayers so God will guide us to inspire, empower and challenge these young ladies :)
Please pray for me tonight as i go to a teen leadership meeting and also present to the CCW (Council of Catholic Women) to ask for funding for our possible speaker.... who im trying so hard to keep to myself but i cant...i will give you a clue... "More Beautiful You" Comment here if you think you know who it is!
Thanks for the prayers!
God Bless,
Ashley
Well the title of this blog might of just tied you in! haha kidding
That is the "slogan" along with the new book that i just bought at Barnes and Noble. and So far its pretty good!
The Title caught my attention.... "Every Young Womans Battle... How to live a Christian life in a Sex Saturated world" Pretty amazing huh!??!?!? Fits the world today thats for sure!
The book is really good so far, and its really opening up my eyes.
I mean i thought i was alone, you know the wierd virgin girl kind of thing but in the large scheme of things im not!
To be completely truthful its tough to see all of the things that teenagers in my school are going through and it really breaks my heart and i pray for them daily so i urge you to pray for them as well. We need to get good role models out there for young women especially. So this ties into the fact that me and 2 friends are doing a service project called "White Rose Waltz" its a purity ball!!!! :) Still working out the details but we want it to be elegant, father daughter, dinner and dancing and a covenant with God to abstain from Sex until marriage. So i ask you to please pray for me and my friends and my AMAZING mentor Kym Allex. We need the prayers so God will guide us to inspire, empower and challenge these young ladies :)
Please pray for me tonight as i go to a teen leadership meeting and also present to the CCW (Council of Catholic Women) to ask for funding for our possible speaker.... who im trying so hard to keep to myself but i cant...i will give you a clue... "More Beautiful You" Comment here if you think you know who it is!
Thanks for the prayers!
God Bless,
Ashley
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