Walkin' In A Winter Wonderland...On Thanksgiving?! :)

Hey All! :) Greeting from the 0 degree's here in MN! :) Thanksgiving is always something that we can never really know how the weather is going to treat us! So this year, Mother Nature treated us to lovely Winter Storm Advisories, as well as ice, cold winds and SNOW! Off to Grandma & Grandpa's today :) I cannot wait for yummy food, warmth, family and love :) Makes me soo happy!
Plus crazy as it is this is my last Thanksgiving living at home!! AHHH! :)
I will leave you with some pictures from our Winter Wonderland..... The Star, Lilly our Adorable 3 Year old black lab :)
God Bless,
Ashley

My Car = FROZEN

One Frame of my Glasses was fogged up!

Walkin IN a Winter Puppy Land :)

The Pain that Plagues Me..

Sorry i have been gone...life is insane.... between working 2 jobs, school, youth ministry internship, church events, family, friends, babysitting & senior year, im surprised i havent gone insane yet! :)

But tonight I feel that i need to release something to all of you, as a release for myself & my way of asking for help, making this post something that my readers can hold me accountable for-dont worry I will explain...

This blog is meant to coninside with the blog i had written a few months ago.... If you havent read it yet please read it first, it will help things make more sense. Click here to go to the page.

For a good month or so I thought I had defeated the battle within myself... like I was able to deal with the demons that followed me, and I could do it all by myself. No talking about it, No counseling, i just felt it was done and I would be fine. Time heals our wounds right? Now I look back and think...man im an idiot..
Lately I have been having dreams about "him", with him trying to contact me, and going after me. For a few nights I would wake up in tears and was/still am so afraid. Also when i was skyping with an AMAZING guy friend of mine who had no idea about the situation and saw that "he" was online and wanted to make it a 3 way chat & i flipped out at him.... Fighting tears I just repeated.."Alex no i cant, please dont, just dont, just dont." It all came flooding back and he had absolutely no idea what was going on with me and was super worried. Alex felt horrible and i ened up spilling my guts to him about the situation...he was completely taken back and felt horrible that it was something i had to deal with.

During that time and for the rest of the night I was quiet and really withdrawn... my mind just kept replaying all the events that took place over and over in my head. Thats when everything started to spin out of control, I felt like it was my fault & I didnt know what to do. Its like i was back to square one.

Now i have realized that no matter how much the pain hurts, how much failure i feel for not being able to handle this myself, no matter how embarrassed I am.... I need to make my first counseling appt...ASAP...

Please keep me in your prayers as I do this and I need to be held to it. Its hard for me to say all of this but hey, this is my outlet, and I want to thank all of my readers for their support & please keep it up.

God and I have been drifting off and on, but he is the rock i need to cling to and I know that. I just need the will and dicipline. Please keep me in your prayers about that too...

God Bless,
Ashley

Motivation

Hello All,

Sooo I have decided to let my blog followers and reader in on a little aspect of my life.

Ever since I was younger I have always had a negative self image of myself and never thought I was pretty or skinny like "All the other girls". That statement has haunted me my whole life and I have decided to change that.
Since the end of June I have been training with my wonderful trainer Nicky :) She has taught me lots and continues to teach me more and more every time we meet.

Currently its hard for me to stay motivated to work out or do my exercises. I have been struggling with that and wanting my results faster and sooner. Ugh it really sucks to feel the way I do... Soooo im asking for you're prayers as I get back on track with my work outs etc.... The picture of the book I posted at the top is one wonderful book! I just bought it today along with a new food journal and its amazing :)

Hope all is well,
Ashley

The Return...

Hello All!!!
I am saddened to have to write this blog but I feel that is it nessecary for people to be aware so we can all pray, there is strength in numbers!
"When two or more are gathered, there I am, in the midst of them."

On Wednesday my mom recieved some very sad news, a wonderful friend of her's and a wonderful family friend to my dad, brothers and myself had her breast cancer return. Jill had survived breast cancer over 9 years ago, and remained cancer free until the 9th year anniversary of No Cancer. (The whole story is posted on her caringbridge page which i encourage you to read and keep updated on) It seems that the cancer is back, and worse than before.... :( Our hearts are heavy for Jill, her Husband John and two young girls Keaton and Avery....

Posted on my facebook:
For all of you who are praying for Jill and her speedy recovery due to her breast cancer returning, I urge you to visit her caringbridge page to stay up to date on all that is happening :) Kind words in the guestbook on her page are appreciated too :) Thank you all for you're prayers and keep them coming! :)


Psalm 103:...3-4

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.
 
Friends please keep Jill in you're prayers, there is strength in numbers.
May God Bless and Keep you,
Ashley

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jillamundson/createorsignin  Jill's Caringbridge link, just need to sign in and you are in.

Senior Year Update!

Hey all!

I know I have been semi-MIA lately and I apologize! I thought it was about time to update you all on my life, as crazy as it may seem!

So where do I start???

-Senior year has been going great, still coming to terms with my last year of high school! Crazy I know!
-I am doing pretty good in all of my classes, I do still come to a time where i dont want to do anything.... hello senioritis! haha :)
-I run and work out quite often lately-which is a big milestone for me! woohoo! :)
-I am loving my internship with my youth minister at church! Its fabulous! She has also been contracting and is officially having the baby soon, so i have been able to fill in for her as the "fill-in" youth minister! :)

-I have been accepted to Saint Mary's University in Winona :)



-I absolutely love St. Mary's and was able to stop back again to see it with students and it so peaceful! The staff, students and admissions people are sooo wonderful and nice! I can totally picture myself there, I am praying about it still but I feel it is the school for me :) :) I am so excited!
-Homecoming week was fantastic! I loved every min of it and had such a blast! :)

-I made Pop Group at school which is a group of singers who perform together :) I am so happy!
-Life has been good! A few stumbles along the way, but im getting through it, and should be starting counseling soon which is a good thing that i definately need.

Hope all is well with you all!
God Bless,
Ashley

Saint Mary's University

Hey all!!

So much to update you on but how to find the time!? :) Here is a little update for you....
in September I was accepted to Saint Mary's University In Winona, MN :)  This school has proven itself perfect for me, from the beautiful campus, wonderful/genuine/sweet staff, peaceful environment, Youth Ministry Degree & more :) I absolutely am in love with it!
I think i have found my home :) Still praying about it though!

So mom and I stopped to see it again yesterday after my apt in WI so here are some pictures :)

God Bless,
Ashley

Abortion Survivor

A must see! :) Please watch both parts, and pray to END abortion!
God Bless,
Ashley

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ&feature=related

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8B1nKGIAeg&feature=related