A Good Thing

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22



I have the Woman Thou Art Loosed Bible Edition by T.D. Jakes. I absolutely love it! Throughout the Bible are what Jakes calls Gospel Pearls and articles. Both relate to scriptures. I wanted to share the article that goes along with the verse above (Proverbs 18:22).


"How many single women do you know who are almost consumed by the desire to get married? There are so many women who are longing for a relationship they are not ready to receive. If you are going to walk with God, you must understand something: timing is everything! When the Lord has prepared the right man for you and you for him, and that man shows up at the right time, you must be sure that you are in the right place with the right perspective to receive all that God wants to relase to you.

The Bible says that 'He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.' Often, because of old issues you havent' dealt with or old wounds that haven't healed, you may find yourself wandering around in a stupor somewhere, emotionally unprepared for a healthy relationship. You will not be able to be the 'good thing' you were meant to be in your husband's life. Unless you are healed and whole, your man will not feel that He's enjoying the Lord's favor in his relationship with you.

Ladies, men do not extist to bring the favor of the Lord to your lifes, either. You find favor of the Lord by being the woman He created you to be-by breaking the chains with which the devil had you bound, by knowing the Lord passionately and intimately, by walking in His power and worshiping Him with your life. You must take responsibility for making yourself, with God's help, the good thing He wants you to be.

Notice that the Bible does not say that whoever finds a woman finds a good thing. It says that whoever finds a WIFE finds a good thing. But how can you be a wife before you have a husband? You become a wife in your spirit. Yes, you become a wife in your spirit before you ever get married. That way, you will be prepared, if you do not have the anoiting of the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself dragging your ugly past into what could be the most beautiful relationship of your life.

My sister, do what you need to do in order to be whole. The Lord heals. The Lord mends. The Lord restores. And He will make you a woman of strength and grace and wholeness. When He has done His work in you, you will be such a good thing."


It's amazing how God works. The article above really hit home when I read it a couple weeks ago. I have a past that has left deep wounds. But thanks to God I am healing. I have made positive changes in my life while continuing to ask God for guidance. I'll be honest. It wasn't easy. I'm so used to "if I want something done, I'll take care of it...being in charge...doing it my way or when I'm ready, ya know?!!" I have learned that I alone cannot heal from my past. I'm still working on me but I'm so excited to stand here today and look back and see what God has brought me through! Thank you Lord! And to top it off I know that my future hubby, Scott will be able to "enjoy the Lord's favor!" :)

*Hugs*
Ash

Face Wash

So I went to the grocery today and browsed the aisle that had all different face wash products. Do you realize there are sooooo many to choose from? So where do I start?! I spend quite some time reading all the different products that Meijer carries. Finally I decided..... L'Oreal, Go 360 degrees Clean. It's a new product & I LOVE it! It even comes with it's own scrubby thingie that can be attached to the bottle! My face feels clean and smooth! Also, there's about 4 types of cleansers depending on your skin which is great because some of those products tear my face up because it's not for sensitive skin! So next time you want to change your face wash try L'Oreal, Go 360 degrees Clean!

*Hugs*
Ash

*ICE*

Today I woke up to a sheet of ice covering my driveway, sidewalk, and the snow that's in my yard. My poor Jax has to walk on it when he goes outside to potty! We are getting hit with ice then snow! YIPPIE! Not! I was just thanking God about how wonderful this winter has been b/c I haven't had any ice (last winter was horrible) & now I am getting ice! UGH!!! Thankfully Witt closed today so I have been home staying safe & warm (minus the time I spend outside chipping away at the ice!)

My sidewalk covered w/ a chunk of ice

My driveway covered in ice! To bad I don't have ice skates...lol!

My driveway after about an hour of shoveling my driveway...thank goodness for ice melt! You can see my neighbor's driveway is still covered w/ ice!

Finder Binder

Ok, so today was my 1st day student teaching! Which by the way was totally AWESOME! I absolutely LOVE 2nd grade. This is my first time having experience with this grade level. Having only 1 day under my belt I can tell that this is one of the grade levels that I would enjoy teaching. So on my way home I'm waiting in the turn lane to turn left and a semi is making a wide turn towards me. He is taking his time, which is fine w/ me, but holding up traffic on the opposite side of him. So when my red light turns to a green arrow I can't go b/c I've got a lady sitting in the middle of the intersection waiting for the semi to get outta her way so she can turn then I can go. You following or did I lose ya? Well after the semi made his turn the lovely MAN behind me hits his gas pedal while I'm still on my brake! UGHHHHHHH!!! Are you serious?! I guess he didn't see the lady in the middle of the intersection?! So we pull into a parking lot and of course I call my dad. Why? Honestly b/c I've never been in an accident (behind the wheel or as a passenger). Well actually there was 1 time back in the day when my X & I were visiting home and we got hit at a gas station. Long story short we didn't call the cops and when he tried to file the lady's insurance to fix our damage guess what?! It was no good! LOL Lesson learned=call cops...PERIOD! So I decided after calling my dad to go ahead and call the cops. Just in case, ya know!? I hang up w/ them and step out of my car to tell the male driver that a police officer is on his way. So what does he do? Yup, you're right! He LEAVES!!!! Are you serious?!! (that's what I was saying in my head!) Didn't have time to get his license plate # just make & model. It didn't really matter anyways b/c I was fine & so was my car. She's got a scratch but nothing good ole' Scotty too Hotty can't fix! (You like that one sweetie? :p ) But now I gotta wait for the police officer to show up. 20 minutes later he shows up & I tell him what happend. I didn't file anything since there was no serious damage. Just filled out some paper so he can put it in the system about the man leaving in case he tries anything else!

So that's my excitement for the day! Thank goodness tomorrow is Friday. Saturday I am taking the PLT Praxis. I passed the Praxis II in November...woot woot! 1 down 2 more to go! Wish me Luck :) Have a fabulous weekend!

*Hugs*
Ash

Backflash to 2005...Visiting South Korea

As soon as you walked off base, alleys of shops surround you in every direction. You name it, you can find it in S. Korea and it's dirt cheap!!! I miss shopping there. The Koreans knew when the military got paid so around the pay dates they wouldn't budge on their prices but other times you could always talk them down...I hated doing that!

Bridge of No Return...this is where prisoners were exchanged between North & South Korea.

Another monument

A Monument

Me with 2 RoK soldiers

Propaganda Tower & Village (on N. Korea soil)

N. Korean building. You can see a N. Korean soldier on the front porch. He's standing to the right of the American soldier's hat.

They changed to the smaller flags with the case covering them b/c a North Korean (think it was a soldier) shined his boots with the U.S. flag

38th Parallel (S. Korea on the right, N. Korea on the left)

A RoK soldier standing in front of a door that leads to North Korea.

A U.S. soldier & RoK (Republic of Korea) soldier. This table is where all the Presidents sit when they meet at the DMZ.

If I remember correctly, the S. Koreans wanted to have this train go from S. Korea to N. Korea . Who knows if this will ever happen though!

DMZ

At the DMZ, just got done hiking tunnel 3. Let me tell you that was a hike! Down in the tunnel I saw the walls covered in bullet holes from the war.

Papa Johns in Seoul. Never ate there so not sure if it was any good!

Bus station near Osan AB

"MaMa", the owner of The Apple. A very sweet Korean lady!

At Hard Rock Cafe in Seoul

My friend, Jume & me at The Apple

Said to be the best view of Seoul but unfortunately it was a cloudy day :(

At Lotte World, an amusement park in Seoul.

Namsan Seoul Tower

Eating bulgogi at a Korean restaurant near the main gate at Osan AB

Hope you enjoyed exploring South Korea! If you ever get a chance to go there, go! It's a beautiful country & the people are friendly. It's so cute when you see young Koreans excited to see an American because they practice there English with you. Seoul is like lil' America. They have American restaurants and amusement parks. Some places to check out while at Osan AB; Happy Teriyaki ( a delicious restaurant), I can't remember what it's called but it's an ice cream shop on the main alley on the left side, 2nd floor. Yummy ice cream desserts where they put fruit, ice cream, & frosted flakes in a dish. Sounds a lil' unique but let me tell you...it's WONDERFUL! A must try when stationed/visiting Osan AB! And of course, shop, shop, shop till you drop! If I think of anything else, I'll update this blog!

*hugs*
Ash

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

My 2010 Christmas tree! I didn't notice that she was titled at the top when I bought her but that's ok it gives her character, right?! :p

My Bible Study Girls & Their Hubbies

Christmas 2007

Okinawa, Japan

I can't believe it's that time of year again! These past few Christmas' have been a rollercoaster for me. From going through a divorce to my Grandpa's death last year right before the Holidays. This Christmas I have been able to enjoy time spent with family & baking Christmas cookies! I am so excited b/c this Christmas I will be spending it with my future hubby and step-daughter. Growing up I LOVED Christmas. I remember as a child having to sit at the top of the stairs with my brother Ryan waiting for the approval to come down to see what Santa brought us b/c of course we were on the "nice list." We'd race down the stairs and gasp in excitement as we saw all the toys under the tree! Then I'd go to my dad's and do Christmas with him and the rest of my OH family. Santa was always good to me!!! I could always count on snow being on the ground & freezing my lil' toosh! When I turned 18, I left my mother's house and married my high school sweetheart. He was in the military so we traveled around the world doing Christmas wherever he was stationed. Sometimes we were able to make it home to TX and other times we celebrated the special day with our military family (friends). I enjoyed having everyone over! I got to cook with my best friends (of course we'd kick the guys outta the kitchen) and spend the day fellowshiping with everyone. I'll never forget Christmas 2007. It was a rough time of year for me but thanks to God and my close friends in Okinawa I was able to celebrate Christmas. My Bible study girls & I decided that each of us will host something at each of our houses (there's a term for this but my mind drew a blank right now). I was hosting the desserts. I love to bake!!! That day I woke up in the same house as my husband yet we were getting a divorce so it was awkward for me. Somehow through all the drama that morning brought I was able to get dressed and put a smile on my face to spend the day with my dear girls and their hubbies! Honestly, I was dreading it! I almost called one of the girls to say I am staying home. Who wants to celebrate Christmas when your marriage is falling apart and you will be surrounded by your girlfriends and their hubbies? But I didn't & I am so thankful that I went! That day I didn't think twice about the crap I was going through but soaked in all the fun I was having with my friends. They probably don't know it but they helped me in so many ways and I am very thankful for each of them. They hold a special place in my heart!

I didn't post this so that people could gossip about my life. I shared this because for some reason it has been heavy on my heart so maybe there is someone out there that needed to read about someone else's life and see that they aren't alone. Everyone goes through difficult times! Lean on God and he will pull you through!

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

*My Babies*

I have two "babies" aka animals. I adopted Jax in the summer of 2000 when I lived in Panama City, FL and Angel was adopted in the spring of 2001. They have traveld the world with me from FL, to TX, to Okinawa (Japan), and OH.

Happy Halloween! Of course as soon as the picture was taken he flipped his hat around and started chewing on it as if it was a toy!

Angel snoopin' in the kitchen. She's always checkin' things out!

The 3 of us...Jax, Angel, & I :) They were snuggling together on the chase so of course I had to get in there & snap a pic!


Angel checkin' things out in the pantry.

Angel on her way to the Vet.

Jax on the front porch...Angel in (the left) window looking out!

Jax curled up in bed...he was sleeping under the covers. I took them off of him to take a pic :p