change is in the air

This past Friday night I FINALLY got to see Rosie Thomas in concert. I missed her show last year due to poor planning, but this year...second row baby! The concert was opened by Sheila Saputo, Rosie's alter ego. My sis and I about died laughing. Click HERE for inspiring words by Sheila...changed my life...

Here's some culture for ya: Check out Florence and the Machine. Singer from the UK. Big fan of the remixes on her MySpace.

To the topic at hand...

I decided that change is in the air. Not for me personally. I mean, I feel like "change" occurs daily in my life...but this is in regards to a change in culture. More specifically, change within Christian culture. I don't know what it is, but lately I've been sensing that there's a shift taking place. I can't even quite put my finger on it! Maybe this feeling is something weird that I ate (but I honestly doubt it's that), but I sense a stirring of something new. Something different. Innovative. Fresh. That God is raising up a generation, vastly different from anything we've ever seen before.

I see my friends, passionate about their love for Jesus, oozing with potential for greatness. Not greatness achieved for their own self-satisfaction, but rather greatness that glorifies God through unique creativity/originality/to choose the road less travelled...or the road NEVER travelled.

More thoughts to come...

Kuddos to my buds being #loverev wherever they are in the world!

xoxo

home is where i am

If you know me, you understand randomness. Yesterday I had a friend confess that she believes my life will be forever plagued with unexpected twists and turns. Quite frankly, I'm okay with that. I mean, who knows what God has in store...He's always got something up His sleeve to keep me on my toes...

I wrote this a couple weeks ago on my flight to Amsterdam...

Blown to and fro as each journey sifts me through like sand. New day, new love, new adventure. The world -- far too grand to behold from a single perspective. To be fully alive. To savor each breath, each moment. To savor the beauty of the Lord's creation. To point others to Him. How can one not attest that the whole of creation must have been drawn from a single origin? All point to a mind beyond our human comprehension. Oh what creativity, intricacies, details...

That's it. In my moment of introspection, I couldn't help but write of the splendor of God's creation. He continually blows my mind ;)

...and from the 'culture nook' of yours truly: Indulging in my love for minimalist music ("Feel It All Around" by Washed Out)...Reading -- "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Love, love, love this book.

Until next time...

wet nails

The best way to dry nails - update the 'ole blog.

I selected a bluish-grey color for this week. It reminds me of autumn. Rather, it mirrors the color of the sky for the next several months. I don't mind the gloom. Clouds are an introverts friend. Especially after today - cloudy, leaves changing color, rain splattering again the window. It's the mood to feel inspired my friends! ;)

Currently listening to the album "Le Fil" by Camille. Although I'm a few years behind in discovering her, the album has awakened a new love for French pop music! Thanks Aline for the tunes!

This week I'm working on preparing a talk for an upcoming purity conference. Although I am passionate about the seriousness that surrounds purity/self-worth/image/etc - - I chuckle that I now find myself in the position of being the poster-child for purity. I would be mucho blessed for prayers as I prep for these conferences.

This is what I have so far. "Hi. My name is Ashley. I'm 23 years old and a virgin"...

How's that for an attention-getter?? ;)

damien és rosie

you stay there. i'll sit here.

we'll both unzip our hearts.

the american. a hungarian.

words and worlds apart.

a poem for an old friend.

debacle

Loooong day. I've been encamped at a Starbucks in Nowheresville, USA accomplishing a multitude of important tasks all afternoon. Currently closing in on hour #5, I'm curious as to if my backside will be permanently influencing the landscape of this cushion. 

Musical indulgences of the afternoon: Eluvium, Mum, Dustin O'Halloran, Damien Rice, Erin Austin, and the like. 

Quote of the Day: "The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wants me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die"...as penned by Danish thinker, Søren Kierkegaard...

Daily Debacle: Yes, I am using the word "debacle". It's a new fav to toss randomly (yet strategically) into everyday conversation. 

Anywoo, the debacle today is why (oh why) do we choose to get into a tizzy over the most meaningless things? Today, I very snarkily (a derivative of the word "snarky") snapped at the barista in Starbucks. Why? Long story short...because she wouldn't give me the treat receipt discount even though I had already purchased a drink hours earlier (but misplaced the receipt..obviously my fault). After paying full price, I sat myself down and preached myself a little sermon. "Ashley, are you kidding me? That's the battle you're choosing to fight today? Out of all the injustice in the world, you're choosing to argue for 'the treat receipt cause'??" Exemplifying the love of Christ...(insert sarcasm here)...

After a quick heart evaluation, I humbly marched myself back up to the counter and apologized. Simple interpersonal interaction? Yes, yet...coupled with a myriad of underlying lessons to be learned. Goes to show how this journey is continual growing process...

Speaking of legitimate causes. Check out http://mycharitywater.org/jth

Love God, Love People.