Prayer, Love, & Chaos!

So, as many of you know, I am in a pivotal semester of college.  I've been playing the professional student for a while now, and I've been serious about this degree business (or the becoming a Nurse part) for a while now.  I am currently enrolled in 13 hours, of which I just finished three today, with an A! I am eager to learn my remaining three grades for this repeat semester.  Sounds negative, but it is not.  I am not a failure in my classes, just didn't get A's the first go-round. Anyway... I'll know my grades next week, and hear about the Nursing program on May 21st!  It can't come soon enough!  Rejection is always on the back of my mind, because of what happened last year.  That's another story for another day (cliche', but so true).   I am humbly stating this next sentence...  If all things go as planned, I will be starting the Nursing program on May 29th; which is a short time frame to prepare for classes after I find out.  Another option that I applied for is the Fall semester at NWACC which starts in August, and I won't know about that program until mid-June.  God has a plan, and I'm optimistic, and filled with grace in this situation. 

Time has flown by because of everything that has been going on. Everyday is filled with something different, challenging, and fun, thank the Lord, because I honestly don't know what I would do, except worry about the above mentioned situation! 

In the midst of all the chaos, I want to brag on my AMAZING husband that has put up with this tired, hateful, short attituded person.  He's been so helpful and patient.  I know I haven't thanked him enough for all he's done to be flexible with his schedule to do a little more for me while I've been consumed with school-school-school!  I know the next two years will be hectic, but fast, and I know he'll be there to cheer me on, and help in any way possible!  He's been a life saver!  I love him so much!  I'm so blessed!

Here's a few pictures of my #1 fans!

Eventful Weekend!!

So... I've been missing in action, and there is an explanation!  School has sort of consumed me the past couple months, and I've pushed other things (people) that are important to me on the back-burner.  Sorry to those of you who are a part of the above described. It seems as if my dream of being a Nurse has superceded what really matters (Jesus, family, and all the other special people in my life), but I know this season in my life will move on quickly. This go around, in attempting to get into Nursing school, has kept me focused, and not on the prize of "getting in", but rather being mindful of what God has planned for me, and in his timing.  For that, I am grateful.  My flesh is so weak, oh Lord! 

Good Friday:  Awesome church service and worship at the Metro.  I'm always so ashamed of myself because of my flesh, but look to the cross, and know that it's FINISHED.  PAID FOR. GOD'S WRATH HAS BEEN APPEASED.   It's such a beautiful, holy, and perfect picture of love, sacrifice, and grace!  Words aren't enough to describe what took place that day on the cross! 

Easter Sunday: Look past the bunnies and candy, and focus on the picture of life that was painted that day!  HE IS RISEN!

Here is the fluff what the world thinks about Easter... yup, easter eggs, bunnies, and candy...

With that said... I've managed to squeeze in a few outings that I've been longing to take part in.  My wonderful friend, Teresa and her sister-in-law Shawna, invited me and Hale to Crystal Bridges!  Although I thoroughly enjoyed it, I want to go back without my curious and talkative three year old.  He was very good, but got restless towards the end.  We'll make a double date out of it next time!  It was sooo beautiful, and the art and history was mind blowing!  I can't wait to go again.  We finished our trip off with a much needed lunch break to Panera Bread where we inhaled our soup, sandwiches, salads, and bakery goods!!  Scrumptious! It was perfect!  Thanks girls for your patience and fun! 
Here are a few pictures....

The End...

Ashley

Growth

A few weeks ago we, as a church, were called to write what Metro means to us, individually.  I'm a very private person, and don't wear my emotions on my sleve at all, but I can say when writing this blurp of inspiration, I broke down in tears. I know that I became a follower of Jesus when I was twelve years old, but had never been discipled by another more mature Christian to grow in my crawl with Jesus. I can remember the expectations rose, and I felt like I inherited a larger list of do's and dont's, that of which my strict mother made sure I adhered to.  Programs were implemented (the Roman's road, and the FAITH program), which lead to shallow Christianity of strangers I came in contact with, and not a deep meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ, which I was subject to as well.  It wasn't until about 5 years ago that I really started to grow spiritually and really understood God's grace and sovereignty. 


Here is what I sent as my short response to a HUGE part of my growth as a Christian:

At Metro Church I feel at home.  Truth is spoken and honesty resonates whenever I enter this place of worship.  It's not about the building, or the people, or me, but it's entirely about Jesus, and that reins supreme.  Since the beginning of the Metro, growth has been evident in our leadership as well as in me personally.  I grew up in church since I was eleven, and have never been challenged in my walk with Jesus to seek him and desire his will for my life.  Jesus has become more real to me, and His glory has been revealed to me in many ways through the ministries of Metro, on so many levels.  Jesus, Worship, Bible study, and Community have molded me over the past few years, and I give glory to God for the humble spirits and dedication of the people of Metro that invested in me, and have made Jesus famous! 

There is definitely room for MORE growth, of course, but this is it for now!


~Check out metronwa.com for more information... we are about to launch a new website soon, so look for a change.

Hale is not a baby anymore.

         Fast, is definitely an understatement when describing how my cute, cuddly, baby boy has turned into a still cute, but intelligent, young boy.  He turned three last November, but his demeanor and mind have matured even more just in the two short months from his last birthday.  I've been able to have a full conversation with him since he was barely two.  I don't know if I am bias, and I don't want to brag, but the wheels in his head are always turning with step-by-step processes and explanations to EVERYTHING. 

Hale-
You have brighten all of my days since the day we found out you were in my belly, even the bad days.  Challenges continue to arise in your mind, and you conquer some at this young of age.  I can see you thinking. You are so fun to be around, and you melt my heart every time you say, "Mom, can you do me a favor?... I love you!"  You catch on quickly to any word or action that Mommy and Daddy say or do, which keeps us on our toes.  

You already are so smart: you say your ABC's, you can spell your name, spell poop (he's a boy, and it was an easy word to teach him), count to 20, count to 10 in spanish, know most of your colors (blue, orange, pink, black, brown, green, and red), and can work my iPhone with ease.You are very polite, so sweet, and strong willed at times.  I won't say where you get that!  I can't hug you enough, or tell you how much you mean to me...


Before I know it you'll be all grown with a family of your own, but until then, I will cherish the time I have with you, and teach you as much as I can about life, Jesus' love, and how to be a real man (of course I'll leave all the NON-mushy gushy stuff to Heath).  


We love you Hale Fischer, and couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier baby boy! Ok, big boy, as you inform me!!

Uncertainties.

      Lately, I've been trying to consciously make myself aware of what I'm thinking about.   My thoughts, I know, are selfish, and I repent of that daily. 
I recently started reading the book "Desiring God", by John Piper (It was mentioned several times in sermons by my pastor, not naming any names).  The first ninety pages of the book have really opened my eyes to what digging deep in a relationship with God looks like, having the JOY of the Lord, and "tasting to see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).   He's not some genie in a bottle, and I/we should pray to Him even when good things in our lives are happening. I know that Joy is essential in my worship of our King, and not an option in my walk.

     Last year was a very trying year, and full of trials in the life of my family, yet Joy was overflowing from answered prayers, and realization of faith in Jesus.  Like I stated in the last post, I quite my job at the bank to pursue a career in the healthcare field.  I applied to the Nursing program really expecting to get in, but didn't.  My thoughts, and my pride took over my relationship with God. I thought I could do it on my own because I had the grades, and I knew the right people (so I thought).  I definitely got knocked on my tush, to say the least, and have dived deep in the Word that God laid out in front of us.  Why must we be so ignorant??  Why?

     Somehow, in prayer and submission to quit my job, we managed to pay our bills, bless those who have blessed us, and help those who needed help. God showed up, and with the submission and faith he's called us to have; He delivered.

I have such a strong passion for helping others, and I want to use that gift he's given me.

     Needless to say with all the uncertainties of school, work, money, and everything else, it panned out with trust, faith, and joy in what God has planned for our lives.  I look forward to the many more chapters I have to read in this inspiring book, and exploring the Bible for direction from God.

Prayers accepted,
Ashley

Finished Paint Project... 4 months later.

Ok, so here are a few pictures from my iPhone, which don't do the room justice at all. We had a lot of fun painting, and if you don't remember from last August (blog posted earlier), I scraped the popcorn ceiling from this room, and we painted it grey as well.  By the way, the scraping process took about three hours.  We borrowed this awesome black furniture from Heath's cousin, and it looks GREAT against these light grey walls.  I removed the trim back in August as well, and we painted them white.  I think it makes the room look very clean and put together.  I have few items to decorate the wall with and I think we are going to do some chalkboard paint somewhere.  I'm not sure where at this point.  So here are a few pictures, and I might add some more later from my real camera.

Enjoy, and I'll keep you posted on new and exciting things in the Stamps household.
-Ashley-

A New Year

OMG.  Ok, I never really use text lingo on a regular basis, but that is what happened to 2011. I can't believe it's gone, yet I praise God for the trials and triumphs that occured last year, 2011.  Some were epic, and some were epic FALLS.  Yike! 

In a nutshell, here are a few highlights:

• I quit my 9-5 job (cliche) at FSB after 4.5 years, making decent money.  That's hard to come by these days.
• I started working back at the Nursing home, which I worked before the bank. For about a 40% pay cut.  God led me to do so, and it's been a reward since, why I ever doubted I don't know.
• I felt as though I should quit my job expecting, by my own accord, to get into Nursing School.  This is the epic fall I talked about earlier. 
• We won an AWESOME trip to Mexico in October, which we have yet to plan.  God's guidance, yet again.
• I got into the LPN school that was back up for the RN program I didn't get into, but declined the offer.  I know, doesn't make sense right?  God's guidance, I pray everyday.
• In all of this God got the glory, and I got to spend a lot of time with my wonderful son, Hale, that God has so graciously bestowed upon Heath and I.  

I know, doesn't seem like much happened, but a lot did, and it flew by.  I'm sure since I'm older now, with a husband and a child this year will fly by as well.

May God bless this year ahead and we seek his guidance and grow our relationship with Him, daily.

I confess, I have several New Year's Resolutions, or whatever you want to call them.

Here they are:

• Lose 15 or so pounds.  I know everyone has these, but I'm going about it a different way than the past.
• Pray daily and make time for reading God's word, and studying.
• Make all A's this semester in my 4 classes.  
• Reapply to the RN program at NWACC, and get in.  3rd time's a charm!
• Go on our Mexico vacation that we won!  Woo Hoo
• Go to at least 3 Razorback football games.
• Be more patient with Heath and Hale.
• Send cards for B-days, and holidays to my family.
• Be more hospitable.

That's all that I can think of for now... until next time... look forward to my post about my room update that I posted about back in August.

God Bless ya'll!!
-Ashley-