A Word to the High School Graduate

There are about a million perks to working with youth. You get to hold their hands through some of the most dramatic and tear-filled moments of their teenage years, you get to watch them take giant leaps toward the man or woman they were created to become, and you get to give away tiny pieces of your heart to be scattered and carried everywhere that any of them may go in life. Ultimately you get to feel a huge sense of pride and a tiny twinge of letting go when they graduate and move forward. I am blessed to know and love many young men and women who will all too soon “walk the line” and step into a world that is waiting for them, ready or not.

Eight year throwback to my own high school graduation, with my two BFFs, Amber and Heather!

To the wonderful kiddos that I’ve come to love,  

Whether I’ve gotten to know you in the classroom, on the ball court or field, through Church or missions – listen up one more time. This is my best advice.

    1. Get grounded in your faith and stand firm in what YOU believe. Opposition won’t just come from obvious places; even people you love and trust will work to persuade you to believe the way that they do. God gave YOU a heart and a mind. Use them both and figure things out for yourself.

    2. Watch your mouth. Gentlemen, when you’re in the presence of ANY lady – any age – act as if you’re with your grandma. If Granny would smack you for saying it, choke that word back down. Ladies, just don’t. You are intelligent and have remarkable beauty, and both will only be impugned by use of language that is unnecessary and tastes almost as bad as it sounds.

    3. Own your mistakes. You’ll have plenty of them, and that is perfectly acceptable, but know this: If you mess up and receive an applicable punishment for that infraction, Sweetheart, you are NOT a victim. Please don’t walk through life as though someone constantly owes you something. The truest sign of adulthood is recognizing your own responsibilities and living up to them.

    4. Never underestimate the value of a “Thank You” card. Fortunately, there are still people in the world who will do nice things for you. At the very least, they deserve your recognition. At times, “Thank You” will not seem like enough, but the fact that you took time to say it will be.

    5. Put down the phone! I recently watched a Prom couple on their dinner date before the dance. They walked into the restaurant, gave the attendant their name, and within 30 seconds both of them were actively engaged in the virtual world behind their cell phone screens. She looked stunning and he was handsome; I’m not sure either of them ever noticed. Your phone is a tool for enhancing your life; don’t let it become your life. Live in the moment and be present for the people you’re with, right then!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Each of you was created with a purpose. Never doubt that FACT.

You are valuable. You are lovable. You are teachable.

You are ready!

Congratulations! I’m proud of you and I love you,

Ashlee

The Wild, Wild West

It’s been a while... over a month in fact. A month filled with long road trips (619 miles, one way, according to MapQuest), annual allergy battles, sun-up to well-past-sun-down days, SNOW!, basketball games, hamburgers, etc. On the surface, it had the makings of a very run-of-the-mill March, but it seems I am ever learning that in a life with God, no moment, day, month or year is ever run-of-the-mill.

By now, I’m well trained in the notion of having “no expectations,” so I left for Oklahoma with very few. I did expect to have a great time. Expectation exceeded! I did expect God to teach me something new. Expectation ALWAYS surpassed. And, I did (tentatively) expect God to give me some direction about where/how I’m supposed to be serving Him in this new season. He did, but more on that later! Within my first 48 hours “on the job” I’d attended a high school Area Championship basketball game and helped “herd” sheep in preparation for lambing. Combine sports and farming with ministry and I’m a happy girl.

What's better than a newborn lamb? Four newborn lambs!

In an interesting “From the Field to the Fork” twist, (don’t worry, we weren’t eating baby lambs) I also got to try my hand as a short-order cook. A big chunk of my days were spent helping out at The Rock Community Center, where lots of Red Rock locals come everyday to grab a burger and fries, or a grilled chicken sandwich, or -most everyone's favorite- cheese tots! My dad and I have not-so-jokingly dreamed for years about one day opening a 50's Diner, so I was extraordinarily excited for my first delve into the world of food service! 

"The Rock" is so much more than a restaurant, though. It's a place where customers, or even folks who just come by to hang out, know that they are guaranteed just a little bit of love. Whether a man stops by needing a couple of canned goods to get him through the next few days, a lady drops in to sift through the clothes racks, or a kid comes in after school to spend some time in the game room, everyone is assured that they matter. They are important. They are worthy of love. 

For me, this aspect of ministry became an ultimate lesson in servitude. I'm human. So even in the short span of a month, there were days when my excitement over taking orders, cleaning dirty tables, stocking shelves, refereeing in the game room or, worst-of-all, washing dishes was definitely less than Christian. But every seemingly tedious or menial task should be done with a much greater goal in mind - displaying the love of Christ. 

That lesson definitely carried over into time spent at Otoe Baptist Church, and particularly in the Wednesday night youth program! I love children, and God has given me a passion for leadership development in teens that He's been honing for several years, so the opportunity to work with this crew was one I could easily get pumped up for! Still, 90 kids with less than 10 adults around to guide them can sometimes seem a little daunting. So why do it?

• For the bear hug and giant smile from a shy little girl who gets individual attention!
• For the middle school boy who learns to trust the power of prayer over his life-threatening illness!
• For the high schooler who begins to understands that worship doesn't have to be rigid or ritualistic, but that using her talents for sports, writing, or art are all ways of worshipping God.
• For the parent who likes the change they see in their child, and curiously seeks to know more!   

Imagine this tiny sanctuary filled to the brim with kids of all ages, singing, dancing and worshiping The King! 

It was after one of these Wednesday night services that I felt God nudging me. Three van loads had headed out to take kids home, and I was hauling off the night's trash (you'd be blown away by how much garbage accumulates in just one night!) when out of nowhere my eyes pooled with tears. Overcome with a sense of belonging and a desire unlike any I've ever experienced, I knew God was confirming what I had suspected for a while.

Because I'm somewhat afraid of commitment, I kept praying for a few more weeks (even after I'd returned to Kentucky,) imploring God to double, triple and quadruple confirm His calling on my life. Despite my ridiculousness, He obliged. Through songs, sermons, conversations and a million other mediums, He made it clear:

Oklahoma is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

If God hadn't drawn me to Oklahoma, the sunsets might have.

That said, I'm in full on preparation mode, once again. On May 27, I'll be making a permanent move to Oklahoma, where I'll take part in the ongoing ministries of Camp Crossway, The Rock Community Center and Otoe Baptist Church. I can't wait! And, I'm also a teensy bit nervous. There are a million questions still unanswered. Exactly what will I be doing? How long will this last? What car am I going to drive? How does this fit into a retirement plan? Etc. Fortunately, I know that I don't have to have everything figured out, because I know The God who does! To this point, His plans have been pretty spectacular!

Stay tuned for updates, and by all means, keep those prayers coming! I sincerely appreciate every one!  

From the Desk of a Substitute Teacher

Once upon a time, I thought I’d love to be a teacher. For years, I debated between pursuing degrees in English or Agriculture – my two favorite subjects throughout high school – and I knew that no matter which option I chose, I’d without-a-doubt become that ONE teacher that everyone always loved and remembered, not for simply teaching my subject matter, but for teaching great life lessons, as well.

My high school graduation, with Mrs. Kadi Ralston, one of those kinds of teachers I always hoped I would be!

Fast forward almost five years since I decided that education was NOT the career path for me, and where do I find myself today? In a high school classroom…

Since returning from the World Race, I’ve been blessed to spend numerous days as a substitute teacher in my alma mater school district, and boy have I gotten quite the education! Everyday, no matter if I’m teaching agriculture, humanities, algebra, world civilization or band, I’m learning things like:

1. Things are vastly different!

It’s been barely seven years since I walked these high school halls, but sometimes I hardly recognize the place. There are only six teachers still in the building that were teaching when I graduated, and only one that I actually had in class. Emphasis is placed on entirely new curricula, discipline is carried out in whole new facets, and the stereotypes that once dominated – band kid, ag kid, cheerleader, athlete, etc. – have all somehow blended into one unidentifiable blob known as “teenager.” In short, I’ve gotten old.

2. I was an insanely sheltered student!

From 6th-12th grade, I stayed on the Honors/AP track, which essentially means that I was with the same group of people for almost every class. We were relentlessly competitive, but we were definitely bonded in a unique way. We pushed one another to be above average, and over the years we developed our own semblance of societal norms – be a jerk to one, and hear about it from all of us; fail to take care of business, and get very little sympathy from those that put in their effort. If there was ever a case of someone refusing to do an assignment, I never heard about it. That is not so much the case these days. The only unified front I regularly see is unified defiance – I’m routinely told by students that they have no intention of completing assignments, and generally it makes no difference whether the person next to them diligently does theirs, either. Until now, I hardly realized how big of a blessing it was to have this kind of camaraderie with my classmates and friends, as well as how much it meant to have supportive parents who cared enough to make sure I cared, too!

Collectively, this group of people spent more time together than we did with our own families.

3. Every day holds pleasant surprises.

In their defense, high school students catch a very bad wrap, and often times it isn’t entirely accurate. They are people. Undeveloped, hungry, attention-seeking, awkward, undecided people. So often I believe that they have adult expectations placed on them without the benefit of having much (if any) adult experience. Most of them want the exact same thing you and I want – someone to care about them. Maybe that explains the rampant dating cycles or the incessant codependent tendencies (trust me – guys go to the bathroom in hoards just as often as the girls.) Given the chance, though, they will impress you. There are kids who pray longer than the allotted moment of silence, and their peers respect that time. There are students who get excited when given the chance to use lab equipment they otherwise rarely see. There are students who go all out on simple assignments, students who respectfully comply when they would clearly rather not, students who stand up for underdogs and students who take pride in everything they do.

For those students, sometimes I feel sorry. Truthfully, they fight a daily battle of crowded, chaotic hallways filled with peers who assure them that disrespect for authority is cool, that someone else will pay consequences for their actions, that they already know everything necessary to survive life and that from realities of a world full of hurt, they are immune. And who is fighting for all these kids?

Seniors ℅ 2007 in New York City! 

Sometimes it’s like I never left the mission field…

Don’t we all live in a world that seems more chaotic by the day, where truth or honor have almost no weight, where those around us advocate for “easy” and where the ultimate goal is to answer to no one but ourselves? Maybe Bowling for Soup said it best… “High School Never Ends.”

So how do we fix this? Unfortunately, I’m not sure my six-month tenure as a substitute qualifies me to give that answer… but I do have a few suggestions.

1. Prove that you care!

One morning on my way to work, I saw one of my students standing in the cold, waiting for his running-late-ride. I knew he had to be miserable, so I pulled into the driveway and offered him a lift. Granted, it’s probably an inadvisable move in the professional realm, but it seems more imperative to me that we exhibit human decency. People matter – even high school people – and they should know that.

2. Challenge them!

As people, we are wired to meet the level of expectation set for us. Expect nothing and that is what you will get. Give kids the chance to impress you, and then watch them do it!

3. Stop bailing them out!

My parents are great people, and I love them both, but no college professor or job supervisor has ever been interested in what my mom or dad thought. The best lessons I learned in high school were how to accept responsibility for my own actions, live with my results, and generally figure out how to manage by myself. There is no sense complaining about a failing society dependent on government aid if we’re teaching its citizens to be dependent from an early age. Push for some critical thinking and problem solving skills!

4. Be real!

Most of the students I’ve had can tell you a lot about me – mistakes included. I was a high school kid once, and I made a lot of dumb decisions, some of them at a price. I still mess up. It doesn’t hurt them to know that. If you want students to be open and honest with you, then practice what you preach.

Realistically, the world won’t change overnight. Neither will high school. But my prayer each morning I am here is that for at least one student I’ll make the day better, because for many of them the fact that they are even here at all is already a victory!

How are you promoting positive change for the youth in your life?

I Can't Sit Still

The older I get, the shorter my attention span becomes. Not so much with watching a television show, reading a book or sticking with something designated – for the most part, I’ve always been able to stay the course with a specific task. I’m learning, though, that with my life, in general, this isn’t quite the case.

The World Race was an extremely good fit for me in that the setup allowed me to focus on a particular ministry, or way of life, for approximately one month, and then I would get to move on to something new. Something exciting. Something equally as worthwhile. Don’t get me wrong. Prying sticky hands from their bear-hug lock around my legs or giving one, indefinite, last kiss to a dirt-caked cheek was NEVER easy – I’m not all that good at “goodbye.” But I’m really good at anticipation! After a few months of The Lord routinely delivering one incredible adventure after another, I grew quite accustomed to, and fond of, a lifestyle of such.

Saying "Goodbye" to this Cambodian cutie, Pauleon, was one of the toughest separations I experienced all along! (Photo courtesy of Karen Thyer)

I knew before I ever arrived back at home that such an inclination could cause some difficulty for me. As excited as I’ve been about seeing long-lost family and friends, catching up on how diverse, but similar, our lives have been over the past year or so, spending some “down-time” and enjoying the blessings of the wonderful community I grew up in, old habits die hard. Every few weeks or so, I start to get “the itch.” My eyes wander to the ever-growing pile of clothes in my bedroom floor and I mentally assess the most efficient way to pack them all in my suitcase. I experience overwhelming longings to peruse transportation schedules – websites for airlines, buses and trains are some of my top visited. I keep a consistent count of exactly how much money I might need to get from point A to point B, accounting for travel, food and lodging expenses, and I skimp on every penny necessary.

More than anything, though, I feel an immense draw to simply, “Go!”

Someone recently told me that at least for this time in my life, they could sense that it would be difficult for me to be satisfied staying in any place for very long. “It’s like you have Missionary ADD,” they joked, and maybe they weren’t far off. In the six months that I’ve been “off the mission field,” I’ve been presented multiple opportunities to head right back out, giving me tastes of desire and desperation unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

“God, I want to go!” I’ve often whined. “Send me anywhere! I’m bored, and I feel useless.” Alas, He has repeatedly soothed my groaning, sometimes gently and sometimes not so much, with reminders that He has had me exactly where I was supposed to be, all along.

This season at home has certainly had purpose. It’s easily been the loneliest I have ever felt in my life, but in that, I’ve begun to lean on Him to fill the voids that people, no matter how hard they try or how desperately I may want them to, can simply never fill. There have been days when He’s been frustratingly quiet, but in that, I’m learning to be patient and to wait upon Him. I’ve been forced to trust that He has a plan and that it’s for my benefit. These are daily lessons, for sure, and I’ve by no means mastered any of them, but I’m thankful to be learning.

And I am admittedly thankful to FINALLY be headed into a new season of adventure with The Lord!

Exciting news! I am thrilled to say that I will be spending the month of March in Pawnee, Oklahoma, working with Pastor Jimmy and Penny Kenner, at Camp Crossway. I’ve prayed for this chance for several years, and at last the Lord has opened the door for me to go. In truth, I’m not sure what my time there will look like, but I have high hopes of building lasting relationships with some of the local youth, doing as much manual labor as they will let me get my hands on, maybe even herding the recently added flocks of sheep and goats, and most of all, seeking more of The Father’s heart for what He has in store for me!

My best friends, Jess, Becky and me standing atop The Hill of Hope at Camp Crossway, January 2014. This was moments after the Lord began to confirm that He was calling me back there!

Your prayers for this endeavor are invaluable to me. Pray that God will use this time to speak clearly to me about my future as a missionary. Pray that I will hear His voice. Pray that He will enable me to reach the communities there, to make an impact, and to trust His hand at work. Pray that He will provide adequate budgeting for a car, gas, food, the ability to help others, etc. I’m sure Jimmy and Penny would appreciate prayers, as well. They may not yet know what they’re getting themselves into! Most of all, pray that during a time that I trust will be filled with plenty of work to do, that I will discipline myself and make time to simply “sit still” before the Lord, to be reminded of the lessons He has been teaching me at home, and to continually apply those in my walk with Him.

If you would like to hear more about Camp Crossway and what I will be doing, if you feel led to help The Lord provide for my time there, or if you would like to partner with me on some specific prayer needs, please email me at ashleebcastle@gmail.com or leave a note in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

I would also love to hear about the season you are currently in with The Lord. Where’s He taking you? What’s He teaching you? Is it easy or difficult? How can I be praying for you?

Fueled By the Word

Anyone who knows me is likely well aware of my love of structure. Even though I try to throw spontaneous adventures into my routine, I’m a much more content and happy camper when I can make and follow a plan. Give me a Table of Contents, an Itinerary, or a To-Do List, and I will happily occupy myself for hours, prioritizing, scheduling, organizing… You get the idea.

Disclaimer: That whole “organized, planner” mindset is essentially only that – a mindset. My mom will assure you that it rarely carries over into the maintenance of my room. Or my car. Or my storage bins currently cluttering up her garage.

In any case, I like a plan on paper. So you can probably assess my level of excitement when just before the New Year, I was issued a reading challenge, complete with daily guide to help keep me on track! The challenge?

Read the entire New Testament in 90 Days!

Lifeway Research recently released study findings that only 19% of Protestant churchgoers personally read their Bible everyday. PONCE Foundation research adds that out of over 2 billion Christians worldwide, only about 30% will read the entire Bible over the course of a lifetime.

Missionary? Yes. Super saint? Nope! Statistics like these hit me hard. It’s like Paul says in Romans 7:15. “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” (New Living Translation) Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe that if I fail to read my Bible daily that God will love me any less or that it will keep me out of Heaven. A commitment like this, for any Christian, is more about demonstrating our love for Him. Our most basic and direct links to God are through prayer and reading His Word. So wouldn’t it make sense that we should be actively pursuing both activities on, at least, a daily basis?

Challenge accepted! In true New Year’s Resolution fashion, I started off fired up – I even gave myself a “head start” and began the reading schedule on Dec. 28 instead of waiting until the issued start date of Jan. 1. All too soon, though, my zeal tapered off. Travel, birthdays, life-in-general, and most notably, laziness were prioritized over my daily readings, and before I knew what had happened, I found myself almost an entire book behind where my once beloved schedule said I should have been!

Bible reading wasn’t the only commitment I’d been slacking in. Since being home from The World Race, I’ve longed to drop several extra pounds earned from excess rice, milk tea, Chapati, etc., and carry only fond memories instead. Despite good intentions, I’ve made lackluster efforts. I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t have the greatest attention span. Hitting the treadmill is the proven best way for me to workout, but I all-too-often quit early, not because my legs give out or my lungs won’t last, but because I am sincerely bored with the task.

I’m not entirely sure when or where the thought of combining the two activities struck me, but just over a week ago, I decided to try reading while walking. Admittedly it took a little getting used to, but once I got into a rhythm I found that reading my Bible while I walked made the time pass considerably quicker. The longer I walked, the deeper into the Gospels I went, and soon after that I realized that I was making mental notes about things to check into or things to pray about. And I even began feeling like the Lord was using the verses I read to highlight aspects of my own life and relationship with Him.

As the week progressed, I tried mixing up my walk/run/read routine, pushing myself physically to go farther, faster, but recognizing the higher priority of reading and understanding. True story – the one day that I attempted to run/walk without my Bible in front of me, my body literally began to shut down after 1.5 miles, when every other day I’d been averaging close to 4 miles, no problem! If that’s not “a God thing,” I’m not sure what is.

As of today, I’m back on track with the reading schedule, and while I watch the muscles in my body begin to tone and strengthen, I realize that God is paralleling this with the growth of my Spiritual muscles! He is truly fueling me with His Word.

How are you challenging yourself to pour more into your relationship with God this year?

(Click here for your own personal reading guide.)

I Am A Quarter Horse...

Of late, my blogging is being done via www.ashleecastle.theworldrace.org


Why? Because, I'm leaving in September for an 11-month long mission trip! I'll be serving in 11 different countries around the globe with constant intent to spread God's love and share the message of Salvation. 


I definitely miss Writer's Block, so I'll do my best to keep a few posts going up here periodically, but for now, it's much easier to keep up with me via the World Race blog… click the link below to read the latest! ;-) 


I Am A Quarter Horse…


Be Blessed!
-Ashlee

Lessons Learned from Willie G

This one is LIVE… straight from Central Park. What started out as a rainy walk from Times Square to the park’s outer edge has turned into a gorgeous, sun-shiny day, leaving me free to enjoy an afternoon of people, dog and bird watching from a million different rocks, benches, nooks and crannies of my favorite NYC location. I am totally in love with this place. Kudos to whomever was the 1800’s genius who thought up the concept (as much as I love to be here, you’d think I’d do a little research on the history). Something about nature, the laid-back, smiling, happy attitudes, vibrant colors, and the meshing of good parts of so many different lives smack in the middle of a city bustling with life, business, and productivity represents life as I think it should be. J That whole “stop and smell the roses” (or in today’s case, the begonias...) idea is wholeheartedly worth the hourly, daily,weekly, annual break we should each allow ourselves.

The highlight of my day, although my hot dog and spicy mustard was fantastic, was a five-minute conversation with a man (presumably) named Willie G. As I rested and waited out the rain in front of The Dairy (now a gift shop and visitor’s center for Central Park) a skinny black man approached, extended a brightly colored piece of paper and asked if I’d like to buy one of his poems. I’ve become quite adept at dismissing this sort; as my Sunday School teacher once said, “a fella could empty his bank account pretty quickly giving a dollar to everyone who begged for one.” In NYC, it wouldn’t take more than a block or two’s meander. Alas, something about Willie made me ask, “Whaddya got?” He sat down beside me and began to tell me his story…

My name’s Willie G. I’m a poet. I used to be homeless, but now I got a room in Brooklyn. $160 a month.

Not bad, Willie. My name’s Ashlee.

How you doin’ Miss Ashlee? Where you from, Brooklyn?

Nah, I’m from Kentucky.

Really? I used to work in Kentucky… Fried Chicken.

Side note: (Is KFC really all we are known for?)

KFC is some pretty good stuff, eh?

Yeah, it is. Guess what, yesterday I had on my white hoodie and my Kentucky Wildcats cap.

Oh yeah? They’re going to be playing again Saturday.

Yup, playing against Louisville.

Who’re you pulling for?

I’m a Kentucky fan.

I knew I liked you, Willie.

Haha. Thanks. You know what, no matter who wins

, your state definitely has something to be proud of. Either way, someone is going to the big game.

That’s true. So how much will one of your poetry books cost me?

I’m really just trying to get something to eat. Sometimes I get five dollars, sometimes $10. Just depends. How long are you in town for?

A few weeks.

Cool. You’ll have to come back here. This is my spot.

Oh yeah? You’re always here?

Well, I’m all over. Sometimes at Penn Station. I got kicked out of Grand Central, even though I told them I’m just an old man selling poems. What do you do?

I’m looking to get into some Mission work.

Like the people from… Utah? (I had to laugh.)

No, no, I’m Baptist. I’d just like to travel around and help people.

That’s good. People always need that. I met some of the Utah folks; they’re good people.

Yep. We’ve all got a right to believe how we choose. I just think Christianity is best.

Me too, me too.

The rest of the conversation left me with a few less dollars and a couple new poems, but more importantly, Willie G reminded me how important it is to give every person their due opportunity in your life. I’m reminded all the time that one of the first things I ever noticed about my best friend was that she made conscious effort to speak to or make conversation with anyone helping her (cashiers, wait staff, etc.) I’ve often tried to model this, but like a lot of habits, I sometimes let it get away from me. Remembering to value every existing and potential relationship leads to a lot more “Willie G” moments. And I certainly could use as many more of those as God will allow. I’ll close with one of the poems Willie G gave me, and if he’s still hanging at Central Park, I hope he found a hot dog as good as mine!

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

Think

Think before you speak your mind or let your temper loose.

Think before dismissing duty with a weak excuse.

Think before you let a true relationship go under.

Think before you risk a job or make a senseless blunder.

Think before you give your word, then let another down.

Think before you turn a stable moment upside down.

Think before you treat your body’s health with disrespect.

Think before you let your future fall into neglect.

Think before you hurt someone, ignore another’s feelings.

Think how simply selfishness can motivate your dealings.

Think before your self-respect subsides and keeps on shrinking.

Think before you get into a habit of not thinking.

With love from Willie G, The Poet of New York City

My Day with FRIENDS

I must give credit where credit is due… thanks to constant reference and quotation of the series, first in high school from Julie D. then during State Officer year with Q.P., somewhere along the way I developed quite the affinity for F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Lately I've taken advantage of every opportunity to catch TBS and MTV provided reruns, and link me to the bandwagon all you

want, this is some seriously great TV! (Granted, save Grey's Anatomy and a few other occasional views, I'm far more partial to 90's/early 2000 sitcoms than I am toward anything airing these days.) Alas, spurred by my recent heightened interest in the series that swept the nation, I thought it would be fun during this extended NY adventure to checkout Greenwich Village, where the series was largely set.

Gotta hand it to him, Q.P. knew right away exactly where I was just by looking at this pic. :-)

Along the walk from 42nd St. to approximately 8th St. (where I was officially in Greenwich Village) and then while mulling in Washington Square Park, I had some time to let my imagination roam. I couldn't help thinking how cool it would be to live somewhere like this, have five of my closest friends living with or near me, spend time in our routine "haunts," have a "usual" at a local eatery (if you're ever in Greenwich Village, I highly recommend Two Boots Pizza - be sure to try a Fizzy Lizzy!) I digress…

The longer I thought on this concept, the easier it became to see that a) there is no way I could limit myself to merely five close friends that I would want nearby, and b) I am blessed with one really eclectic group of folks to call my best pals!

For instance: some of my best friends have traveled the world, others barely step out of the county. There are farm kids with huge FFA backgrounds, sports gurus who've played at impressive levels, skilled culinary masters. Security guards, stay-at-home-parents, mad scientists, fitness lovers… Seriously this list could last all night.

I, for one, find that I am all the better for the diversity that this wide realm of camaraderie brings to my life. Though I am devout in my own beliefs and convictions, I consider myself open-minded, tolerant and able to co-exist with nearly all walks of life. I understand and respect that while we are each unique individuals, every life has something to offer another, and as my relationships both grow and multiply, I am ever happy to keep expanding my mind (and Facebook friends list) to include the gains to be made.

As blessed as I feel, there's no way I could fit my crew into a Greenwich Village apartment… but in the meantime, if anyone wants to buy me the compete season set of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., feel free. :o)

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

Walkin' On Sunshine

On days like today, I feel like this oldie-but-goodie, Katrina and the Waves hit was written especially for me! :-)

From the top, my day has consisted of: an early AM, heck-a-funny episode of Family Matters; a delicious Waffle House breakfast with my mom and grandparents; no hassle at Nashville airport, including a window seat on flight #1; two culinary scores at Baltimore/Washington airport - Strawberry Nirvana Jamba Juice and Almond Rice Stix (which my gluten-intolerant best friend can thank me for discovering!); an unbelievable phone call just moments after stepping off flight #2; multiple opportunities to be a good Samaritan; and now, clearly just a bit road weary (please overlook the FLAT hair) hanging out in front of an adorable train station turned Starbucks waiting on the VBFF, officially kicking off two weeks of no-planning-allowed adventure!!!

With every breath I take, it is reiterated that when God closes one door, he swings others WIDE OPEN! Talking with a friend earlier today, he suggested that he sometimes has difficulty waiting patiently for God to speak; I am much the opposite. It often takes all but a billboard smacking me in the forehead before I realize I'm being directed. Luckily, billboards seem to be cropping up left and right!

Stay tuned over the next few weeks - I'll have (undoubtedly) plenty of stories about my adventures in New York, an announcement worth checking out, maybe a realization or 1,000,000, and hopefully I'll just be able to ad a bright spot to your day!

VBFF should be arriving momentarily… I'm thinking adventure starts with dinner!

Be Blessed,

Ashlee

God found me at the SEC...

It never fails to leave me awestricken when God shows up in the most unexpected places…

March 7, 2012 - With our minds set on little else than a nine-hour drive and four days of basketball, Kentucky Wildcats ultimately prevailing - of course, my grandparents and I set out for New Orleans and the 2012 Men's SEC Basketball tournament.

Anyone who know's my grandparents knows that their passions are not limited to, but generally focus on: Family, Church, UK Basketball, and Gospel music!

My Grandparents outside our hotel in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

In keeping with my status of "favorite grandkid" (j/k C, P, M and M,) I've introduced them to the wonderful worlds of Pandora and YouTube, and namely the plethora of gospel songs we've been able to jam to while rolling down approximately 600 miles of interstate!

----> I must interject; we switched over to my Oak Ridge Boys station for a bit, and since then Pa has been walking around singing, "…you walk by and you shake that thang and you know I'm not that strong…" concerning Ma. I guess we'll classify this as sweet.

Back on the highway, I had them calling out requests of songs and Southern Gospel artists that they particularly enjoy, and via YouTube, we had any and everything imaginable at-the-ready. Alas, when my grandpa called out his all-time-favorite song, I inwardly groaned. I'm a fairly avid Gospel music fan myself, but like everyone, I have my preferences, and typically, I like to "keep it peppy!" (Just ask my choir director at Church - most Sundays I tell him to "get em' rockin'!") Not to let him down, I pulled up this video for Pa:

"God On the Mountain - The McKameys"

Barely through the first verse, I was hardly able to hold back tears. When I've been literally trying to get away from everything and practically everyone for the past week, God chose the farthest away point I'd reached to remind me that when I think I've shaken everyone else, He's still going to be there with me. More applicably, the friend He is during life's grandest highs is the same friend He is during our tremors and falls. As the song says, "You talk of faith when you're up on the mountain, but talk comes so easy when life's at it's best. But it's down in the valley of trial and temptation, that's when faith is really put to the test."

Trust that I am heeding my own advice; no matter how low you feel or how miserable a circumstance may seem, Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." His love for us never changes. His plan for our lives never falters, and his ability to bring us through any situation is unwavering. Keep praising and thanking Him for what He can and will do in your life, then wait expectantly for your mountaintop to come again. :-)

(If any of the UK Basketball players should read this, let's pray extra hard that your valley against LSU has converted to a mountaintop over Florida!)

Be Blessed,

-Ashlee

Happily… Just

After yet another incredible lapse in blogging dedication, I'm baa-aacckk! ;-) Truth be known, I've been missing the rush of a pen in hand (or keys under fingers) for far too long. As someone who wholeheartedly believes and incessantly preaches, "everything happens for a reason," I suddenly find myself with a fair bit of free time and a passion with which to fill it.

About a month ago, I was challenged to intricately consider and design my next five years of life. Nerdy, albeit, but I sink my teeth into any method of personal development, so when presented with "Where Will You Be 5 Years From Today," by Dan Zadra, I was eight shades of giddy. What is difficult to convey is how in depth I've been able to analyze my values, my goals and my actions through dedicating time to working through and applying what this book has to offer. Please don't misunderstand; I'm in no way plugging for the book or the author. I simply want to share the concepts that have hit home for me.

1. If you're not happy, Be Happy!
What on Earth is the point of dragging your feet through the muck of a life you aren't in love with? Though I know it may seem easier said than done to overhaul your life, it's far more feasible to pinpoint what you believe is holding you back or would spring you forward, and then target that individual aspect of life for the change that it can make.

2. Give thanks.
Within about five minutes of being challenged to do so, I'd filled two pages with names of people who have made incredible impacts on my life. Just as I have not managed to make it to nearly 23 years old without accruing a fair few important relationships, I would guess the same is true for you. Commit to appreciating those impacts; drop a card in the mail, send flowers, call to ask what you can do to help them. Say thank you.

3. Pep it up!
Walk a mile a day. Go camping with friends. Plan a weekend stay-cation adventure. Bungee jump. Commit to P90X. SWEAT! I'm proud to announce that since Thanksgiving 2011, I've lost 25 lbs! Those who know me well know that confidence has never been an issue, especially in regard to self image, so I'm certainly not advocating that every person go out and lose weight. However, if the whole world could feel as physically and mentally amazing as I do, the challenge to get up and do SOMETHING would be no challenge at all. Embrace endorphins; they are not a myth!

None of these concepts are earth-shattering, rocket science equivalent or even… NEW. They are simply a call to commit, and moreover a call to recognize that YOU should be worth the effort to make your next five years the best five years you've ever had!

Until next time, Be Happy!
-Ashlee

A Calling to Agvocate

6,000,000,000+ people in the world = 6,000,000,000+ reasons for living.

Callings come in every variety. It seems that some people are born knowing that they'll be an Olympic athlete. Others figure out that science miraculously makes sense to them and one day decide to search for a major medical cure. And still, once in a while, someone just hands an unsuspecting stranger a guitar and from the first melodic strum, they're hooked.

I am currently hanging out with ~100 people who via whatever path have accepted the calling to advocate for American Agriculture through use of Social Media. (Check out http://agchat.org/) Some are dedicated Twitter-fanatics who essentially express every thought and feeling in 140 characters or less. Others manage multiple Facebook pages, allowing a multitude equivalent to a fair-sized country access to valuable and much-needed insights regarding true, fair and safe practices of the Agricultural Industry. Still, more creatively invite dedicated readers (and more importantly, an uninformed public) into their everyday lives as they blog about the ins, outs, ups, downs and cartwheels of life for the "farmers and ranchers" the entire world loves, and the "farming and ranching" the entire world challenges.

Barely 24 hours into this venture, and one thing is vividly clear - I'm out of my league. I've "Facebooked" avidly for a long, long time. I enjoy the occasional "Tweet". There are even the rare, but colorful blog posts about whatever random bit of life I choose to exploit. But I wholeheartedly and admittedly fail in comparison to these dedicated individuals who spend constant and consistent time explaining, enhancing and encouraging those who spend their lives feeding, clothing and energizing the world.

At 22, a recent college graduate and even more-recent "out-on-my-own" transplant, I'm probably supposed to have figured out my "calling" by now. Somedays, I'm certain I have. And yet, a friend and I recently determined that we are ultimately called to live in the moment, to rise to the occasion of each day and be who and what we are when we need to be them. Life changes; we adapt, and so, I believe, do our callings.

Today, and for a time, it is my calling to best serve those who tend the land, care for the creatures and provide for the multitudes. I am proud to have a non-traditional Ag background, yet a very traditional love for those within the industry that is truly the backbone of our existence. My belief that "agriculture can and will hold true to the best traditions of our national life" (see - The FFA Creed) developed because someone took time to explain, enhance and encourage the need for agriculture in my life. Because of this, I know that I have a calling to Agvocate.

I'm A Big Kid.... Now?

Perhaps my 11th Commandment is, "When life is too crazy for comfort, fore go blogging," as clearly for the past seven months, I've followed this mantra without relent. Quick recap of life since the Kentucky State Fair = logged ootles of hours in MSU's Pullen Farm Greenhouse, stayed up all night with Bellview Baptist Youth Group, swam in the sea of Blue Jackets in Indy, survived a ridiculously cold and adventurous November four wheeler ride, jettsetted north for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, rocked out at the Judd's Christmas Concert, got stranded in Atlanta's freak ICE STORM!, line danced at The Wildhorse... That's a close enough summation. Alas, I'm back, with a vengeance! With less than two months to go as an Undergrad, exactly two months until I'm a bridesmaid for one of my best friends (with repeat of the same later in the year - similar concept, different bride) and barely two and a half months until I become a Yankee transplant, ideals of adulthood are fast approaching. Ready or not, here it comes! Find a job, buy a car, own a home, pay ALL my own bills, cook ALL my own meals... Peace. Of. Cake. Granted, this said as I laze at the college casa between classes, watching ESPN (GO KENTUCKY!) with the guys, debating on what to microwave next... Jests aside, with emphatic fervor I'm beyond excited about any and all that my life holds in store. I hear so many of my friends and classmates express anxiety over the "toils" of life to come, and I'll admit that with some of the leaps and bounds I take toward independence, there is a small voice inside me that sometimes wants to cry, "Mom!", but overall, I can't wait to "do it myself." A wise friend once helped me realize that while high school was a blast and college has been fun, God wouldn't have allowed us these incredibly long lifespans if the best years were meant to come in the first quarter. With that mindset, I've seen every year truly surpass the one before it, and if 2010 was any indication, the next 3/4 of 2011 is going to be my favorite adventure yet!

And it all comes down to this...

A few weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that my bloggin' was slackin'. To that I say, MY life is flying by faster than I can type (which is pretty darn fast when I get on a roll!) and I dare YOU to TRY AND KEEP UP!


Summer 2010 has been a whirlwind of greatness! Last night I calculated that over my 3+ months in Louisville, I've put somewhere in the 15,000 mile range on the "little, black Monte Carlo," and I'm proud to say I don't regret a mile!


Working with KSF YAP has been a spectacular experience and is an opportunity that I'm beyond thankful to have had! This program has so much potential and I'm confident that the YOUth of Kentuckiana will continue to grow this awesome entity. (Obviously there are still four days left of the 2010 Kentucky State Fair) and YAP's biggest event - Battle of the Bands - is yet to come! If you have time, definitely stop by the tent, ask about FREE T-shirts and buttons, the Ultimate Photo Booth and the ALL NEW KSF Fan Bandz (our custom silly bands!) I'm currently sporting my green rabbit! YAP truly does offer something for everyone, and I'd love to see as many people as possible take advantage! Shameless plugging... who, me?


In addition to 37.5 hours per week hanging out at the KEC, I've managed to fill my "free-time" -what's that?- with more than my fair share of adventure and memory making with the best family and friends anyone could ever ask for! From celebrating my grandparents' 50th Anniversary (I hope I get to see that milestone in my own life!), to fearlessly (or at least with a lot less fear than I had six months ago) rapalling in Red River Gorge, to savoring memories of a very special "gone-home" Saint of God who's impact on my life, and many others, will never be forgotten, to sleeping in just about ANY desperate setting imaginable (including, on occasion, my car), to reconnecting with a million old friends (and even family - you should meet my Aunt Thumb!) and making dozens of wonderful new ones... it's definitely been a ride worth taking. A good friend recently noted that every year somehow manages to be better than the last. She's right. I remember thinking that my high school summers of traveling softball teams and memorized TV schedules would always be my favorite, and then a summer spent traveling the state/eastern continent with 10 of my favorite people topped the charts followed by months of life changing work at KY FFA camp, and yet somehow I'm continually blessed to live a life of never-ceasing awesomeness!

Alas... in true word-obsessed Me fashion, enjoy some of my favorite quotes from Summer 2010:


1. Why are you mean muggin'? You're the one looking like a Golden Retriever!
2. It'll eat.
3. THAT IS A FORD FOCUS! (and numerous other Katt Williams classics!)
4. Something in the basement growled at me!
5. You like pickled eggs?
6. Are you wearing underwear? (just realized that this quote has occurred on multiple occasion)
7. Here Am I... Send Me.
8. Do you wanna be exclusive?
9. Hey buddy... you want some Doritos?
10. Kacie just donated me a mirror...


...there are far too many more to list!



The remainder of 2010 already proves to have me constantly on the go, and I can't imagine living and loving my life in any more fitting fashion. Though I can hardly fathom that my senior year of college has ALREADY begun, I'm chomping at the bit to relish every last taste of Murray State University - of 100s (or hopefully more) new friends, out-of-my-comfort-zone experiences and jam-packed days before embarking on a lifetime of whatever fantastic journey God has in store! Thus far it's been remarkable...


P.S. 5 Things I've Learned from the Kentucky State Fair


1. (2) Krispy Kreme Donut + (1) Hamburger + (X) Bacon Slices = FABULOUS IDEA!
2. Even the quickest jaunt through the hog barn leaves a lingering odor on your clothes...
3. Be nice to Security. They know people.
4. Don't share a remote trailer with an elephant. (And no... that's not a fat joke.)
5. WATCH YOUR STEP!



Peace, Love and Nachos (B/C They are my Favorite Fair Food!)

-Ashlee

"That there is an R.V."

For anyone who's kept up with my blog to this point, you're fairly well versed on some of the ?eccentric? occasions/conventions/people that I've "awe-strickenly" noted throughout my summer spent in the gray/brown NAILE office at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center... With something like 20 graduations in one week, millions of square dancers young and old during another, livestock shows left and right, Walking Dinosaurs and even a ?fun-filled? night of WWE, I do believe that after this summer I'll truly be more.... "cultured." :-) Alas, pulling onto the grounds each morning of this week, my now INCREDIBLY HIGH expectations have NOT been disappointed. Rather, I've been cheerfully greeted by ridiculous amounts of security and a colorful explosion of the ultimate family vacation mobile. Until this week, I was unaware that a National Annual Recreational Vehicle (RV) Convention (I think that's what they're calling this mass of moving hotels) even existed... much less was I aware that Louisville, KY is home to it! Guess it literally goes to show, today's world truly offers SOMETHING for EVERYONE!

Personally, I'm quite enthused by this particular venture. Not so much because I'm itching to jump in one and take off across the country (doesn't sound too bad, actually,) but more so because each morning I've nearly doubled over in laughter as I'm reminded of the quote in this edition's title, and more specifically of the movie that brought the quote's fame (well, it's famous in my family, anyway.) Know the movie???

If you said "Christmas Vacation," award yourself 5,000,000 points and a pat on the back. And smile because you, too, are well acquainted with Clark, Ellen, Buzz, Audrey, Snotz, Cousin Eddie and the rest of the gang! The phrases, "Squirrel!"; "He's just yackin' on a bone."; and "Oh, Dear, did I break wind?" are likely to spark a twinge of Christmas cheer at any given moment. And if you're like my family, you've sat around the dinner table after many-a-Thanksgiving meal and quoted the entire movie in preparation for the marathon of viewings that will ensue between then and Dec. 25th! Sigh.... Gotta love a little taste of Christmas in July.

Before I can move onto Christmas, however, I have to finish what to this point has been the most fantastic summer I have ever had! Between a gazillion late night convos/adventures with the bestie, numerous first encounters (i.e. The Movie Tavern, Pickled Eggs, Mom's Music, and Goodwill!), a fabulous "re"-connection, a rocking photo shoot with a very talented young lady, hanging out with numerous long-lost friends, celebrating my grandparents 50th anniversary, re-taking up slow pitch softball and a thousand other memories that currently escape me, 2010 will surely go down in the record books! And it's no where near done!

This adventurer can't wait for an upcoming weekend of camping and rock climbing with some of my favorite people! Then there's a fantastic Church ladies trip to the Galilean Home in Casey County, KY! Somewhere in there, I have to manage to spend time with my college roomie before she rides off to Oklahoma for a semester! And PLEASE don't tell me I've run out of opportunities to lay by the pool! With no vacay this summer, that 3.5 ft deep vhat of chlorine has been my haven!

But, THIS summer, all roads ultimately lead to one off-the-charts culminating event - the 2010 Kentucky State Fair! I couldn't possibly be more ooberly excited about mounds upon mounds of fattening, fried goodness, piled atop 11 days of non-stop FUN (and almost ZERO sleep), topped off with YAPtastical awesomeness in the all new YAP Tent! I'm blown away with the talent of Kentucky's (and Southern Indiana's) YOUth - Battle of the Bands, Songwriters Contest and Discovery Farm Video Contest applications have flooded my office for weeks! The YAP Advisory Council is non-stop with fresh ideas to make KSF as YOUth oriented as possible! And I'm having the time of my life watching (and helping) it all come together! It literally doesn't get any better!

It may not be time to bust out my Christmas Vacation DVD (had to buy the DVD last year when the 15+ year old VHS finally bit the dust) and enjoy my absolute favorite time of year, full of holiday food, snuggly clothes and all-around good tidings... but if Summer 2010 is any indication, I may convert to a fan of the heat before long! In any season, it's clear that I am unbelievably blessed with a wonderful family, inspiring friends, growing faith and a passion for fun that promises a lifetime of smiles, no matter where my RV may take me...

What ever happened to those blue robes, anyway?

Valiant in my ongoing battle for creative stimulation amid walls of plastic gray and panel brown (a man OBVIOUSLY designed this office!), much of today's computer/paper work has been done alongside one of the greatest distractions to ever challenge the college student: YouTube! Before you accuse me of shirking my YAP duties and wasting valuable State dollars on downtime leisure, let me assure you that thanks to two things: 1) Observing and learning from the incessant work ethic of my mom and grandpa; and 2) the fact that my job pretty well rocks-my-socks; this is not the case! Lucky for me, those blessed creators of the YouTube site instituted "Auto Play" - look into it if you don't know what I'm talking about. (Maybe YouTube will give me a fat check for directing ALL MY MANY READERS to their site...) Alas, I digress... A LOT! In short, YouTube lets you continually play videos without having to constantly revisit the site and click on a new one. Handy little tool!!! Especially when you spend the day like I have - revisiting my childhood, and specifically reliving my introductory years into the world of Gospel music! Let me tell you about..... Melody Makers!


Melody Makers = the 1990's Children's Choir of Bellview Baptist Church. We're talking somewhere between 30-50 kiddos from ages 3-14ish, fully decked out in blue robes with white monogrammed ?stoles? (I really don't know what else to call the overgrown handkerchief that Velcroed around my neck - one girl really did blow her nose on it during a performance once...) all fully armed with an impressive track list and prepared to belt out tunes choir style or solo at a moments notice! This was no small fete for the two ladies who so bravely conducted our motley crew (and even hosted one MASSIVE camp-out that probably left several of us in trouble for any number of things...)


For a bunch of Baptist boys and girls (with a few Methodists added to our harmony), I must admit that we weren't half bad. Sunday and Wednesday nights while our parents attended preaching/prayer groups/Bible Study, we practiced hard! No pizza or playground until every note had reached perfection (try doing that with a bunch of puberty-stricken preteens). Somehow though, we managed to learn more songs than I could possibly remember and most of us picked up a love for Southern Gospel music that you don't find among too many - now 17-25 - year-olds.


I'm willing to bet any fellow Melody Maker could hear any of the following phrases, and pick up right where we left off some... ?TEN? years ago. (For those of you who can't, utilize YouTube and you, too, can (re)learn some awesome tunes!)


"Out of His great love, he picked me up..."

"I need you like flowers need the sunshine..."

"Everybody outta know..."

"Who can do, who can do, who can do anything..."

"Soon and very soon..."

Bottom line: at the mere age of 7, I was perhaps the best performer I've ever been. Backed by a multitude of friends (some participants more willing than others), confident in my instructors' preparations, and assured by the words in the songs I sung, I never thought twice about standing in front of the masses -err... 250 people in a BBC Homecoming service- and being proud of my passion.

So what happened? Somewhere on our road to rivaling the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Melody Makers lost it's luster. Other extra-curriculars somehow replaced nights spent practicing vocal solos and on-beat hand claps, and by the time I hit middle school, our robes were hitting most of us at the knees. For whatever reasons, the group disbanded. There really isn't a sob story attached. We don't all hate each other and most of us are still active in Church (probably largely thanks to those early influences). Some of us take the occasional opportunity to sing on our own or with a few buds. Alls well that ends well. Just a bunch of kids who grew up in an era of a pretty good thing.

I, not realizing it so much until... well, now, owe a great bit to Melody Makers. Among the most lasting of those impressions:

1.) An avid love for Pizza!

2.) Respect for any woman (and particularly THE WOMAN) who can hem (and re-hem) THAT MANY blue robes and never complain once!

3.)The realization that coming in on the wrong cue happens... rather frequently... and at the end of the "show," you still get lots of hugs and candy.

4.) Knowledge that when you absolutely go blank on your words, MAKING THEM UP is not always the best option.

5.) Gaining the ability to Stand/Speak/Sing before a crowd and not be the kid with wet pants...

6.) And, all jokes aside, maintaining an avid love for and becoming a PROUD-to-be fan of Southern Gospel Music, and an EVEN MORE PROUD-to-be Christian.

We're all grown up. Some are married, a few have kids, one or two are now serving our country, the youngest are just graduating high school, we're all fighting to get and keep jobs, and whatever path each of us have chosen, there is little doubt in my mind that we aren't all thankful for this part of our history. If you were a Melody Maker, you knew how to have fun, you knew how to sing (slightly) on cue, you know that your faith is the most important decision you could ever make, and you sure as heck know that you'd better not EVER blow your nose on that darned white thing!