Tennessee Christmas Begins....

We made it in to Tennessee at about 3 pm last monday! I hope it doesn't seem longer on the drive back next Tuesday! It actually didn't seem like it took 12 hours :). We have been running here and there trying to spend time with everyone but, isn't that what Christmas is always like in our family! It is so hard to try to split up the time evenly...so we have kinda given up...

I spent a few days with mom at the beginning of the week. We went one day and I had my hair cut off and dyed.
Friday night we had a girls night with Josh's family. We spent the afternoon and evening shopping and playing in Jackson.
We have been to my dads dad for Christmas in Olive Branch. That was on Saturday.

The last couple of days we have tried to rest up a litle for the end of the week...CHAOS!
I pray all of you are enjoying the season too!

3 years ago...

Wednesday was our 3rd anniversary and we spent the whole day looking at the clock and telling each other what we were doing at that moment. For example, our wedding was at 2pm, at 1:15 we happened to look at the clock and Josh said "I was starting to get really nervous" Me however..."I was trying not to get sick" If you don't know this stiry...it is a sad but funny one. I was so sick on our wedding day...I had brionchitis the week before and had so many antibiotics that I couldn't keep anything in me. So, it was a splendid day. There were many of these moments throughout the day. I can't believe it has already been that long.
Thursday...We left about lunch and headed to Lubbock to see TSO! Josh had surprised me with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast. Everything was so wonderful, I couldn't thank him enough for it all! The concert was AMAZING! It lasted 3 hours, but you would have never known it!
Friday...This morning when we got up one of the inn keepers came to the door with breakfast! It was so yummy! This was an anniversary I hope I never forget. THey have gotten better every year! I am so thankful for my christian husband!

P.S. videos of the concert are posted in Facebook! :)

These Ladies Have My Heart!

The longer we work with the people here at The 9th and Main congregation the more I fall in love! I feel we definately made the right decision in moving to Texas. I was very hesitant in the beginning...it is so far from our families and friends. But, I can honestly say that this is the most loving, working, caring and thoughtful congregation we have ever worked with...maybe even attended. People are always checking on one another and visiting. There are these two ladies in the congregation (a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law) that go out every Thursday to the nursing homes and always take some kind of snack for the shut-ins. If you are wondering how someone may be doing after surgery or illness...you can call one of about 50 people in the congregation and they will know because they have checked on them. There are no cliques or special groups...it is wonderful!
Yesterday as I was fixing to begin Ladies Bible Class, Josh walked in the door with 3 HUGE bags. He said "Ashley, on behalf of the Ladies Class I would like to present you with this gift" I opened 6 packages of Fiesta ware! There was only 1 lady I had talked with about this. I had told her, as we looked over her beautiful china, that I had always loved the fiesta ware but would never start my own collection becuase it would cost so much to get started. They had picked out 6 differnet place setting each of a different color and a salt and pepper shaker that was a different color also. If I hadn't had about 15 ladies staring at me I would have cried like a baby.
These ladies are Proverbs 31 Ladies who are always working, thinking of each other and what they can do to help someone and brighten their day! These women have taught me so much over the course of the class. They all hold a very special place in my heart. They inspire me to do so much more and work so much harder. God bless the women in the Ladies Bible Class at 9th and Main!

On another note (as I wipe my tears) today is our 3rd Anniversary! I cannot believe it has flown by so fast! Most days I still can't believe we are finally married...much less believe that it has been for 3 years! Josh woke me up with a card and a gift card to Hobby Lobby this morning and then tomorrow we are headed to Lubbock to see TSO. He also surprised me with a stay at a Bed and Breakfast since the concert would last so long and it is a 3 hour drive home! I am so excited! I know we will love it!
Well, we leave for home on Monday! We are so excited to be going to TN! We will be able to spend much needed quality time with family! This is my favorite time of the year! Please keep us in your prayers as we travel!

Let it snow!

So, I got 2 txt messages this morning at 7:15. One asking if it was snowing and one telling me it was snowing! It is so beautiful outside! We have been waiting for this all week!
Enjoy!

New Book!

So, I am in the process of reading quite a few book...and today I added another to the list! I am not a pleasure reader who can sit and read for hours about a fantasy world or anything like that. I want a book with practical points that will benefit me.
So, I am currently reading Love and Respect, The power of a praying wife, Women of troubled times, Showing Thyself a Pattern and now I have a new one..yay! I have been looking for this book for some time and nobody had it...so I took Amber's advice and got an Amazon account and bought it. It is titled "Created to be his Help Meet" I am in chapter five and am very encouraged by this book. There were a few ladies at ICYC this year who said that they had read it and loved it and that it really helped their marriage blossom. It is writeen by Debi Pearl (she isn't a Christian writer) so use descretion when reading. I like to underline error and write truth beside it just in case I happen to let someone borrow the book. (thanks Erika) So, I thought I would let you all know as I go along if the book was worth the purchase...so far...yes!