Decompression

I'm back from Israel, though I left a Hansel and Gretel-like trail of pieces of my heart throughout the Galilean region. I'm still sorting through everything...it'll be a long process and I hope to be better about including you in that journey.

I will have my journal ready to post soon. I also ask simply that you include me in your prayers. I feel an adventure approaching.

-a

18 days!

In 18 days I will be boarding a plane to Israel! We've been planning and meeting about this trip since April and it's surreal to think that we're heading out in just over two weeks. We're going to be touring historical sights and doing some SERVE work.

Our church decided to send a pastor and his wife to Nazareth ahead of the rest of us and I've been reading their blog (trinacarter.wordpress.com). The glimpses into the culture have been really helpful in preparing me for the trip. Patience and flexibility seem to be key words for this adventure. Or any adventure, really.

I hope to update the blog while I'm there. Check back for updates!

The Job Situation

I realized I haven't updated you on my job situation. People have been asking how the job search is going and I'm a little embarrassed to tell them that I found a great job a little over two months ago.

After an unfortunate stint at a hair salon, I was hired by Brickhouse Entertainment, an management company. I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades here; I handle administrative and office duties, contracts and offers, some personal stuff for the owner, etc. I started the job right before all of the artists started tours and two of them released albums...you could say I hit the ground sprinting and am just now able to slow to a run. I've been super busy but I'm really enjoying it.

Thank you for all of your prayers! This job is a huge blessing!

My animals like each other. Actually, 'tolerate' is probably more suitable.

Hallelujah

Leonard Cohen's version of 'Hallelujah' has several verses Jeff Buckley left out, including this one:

"There's a blaze of light in every word,
It doesnt matter which you heard,
The holy or the broken Hallelujah"

In my low moment yesterday, this meant a lot to me.

The Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Minimalism

Earlier this week I wrote this long blog, musing on and on about the past couple of weeks and what Life has thrown at me.

It was trite.

And I deleted it.

The truth is, God is so so so good. I know that's cliche but it's simple and there is really no other way to describe it.

When I want to get in my car and drive and drive until I'm away from everything I've ever known, I get to spend four days lost in music and surrounded by the perfect group of friends. When I'm feeling the most restless I've ever been, He brings rad new people into my life; people with amazing stories I'm so blessed to sit and listen to. When I just want to let go...I do.

It's all incredibly humbling while also a huge blessing. I'm no longer unemployed and while being a hair salon receptionist is not my dream job, it's super chill and great for the time being. I've met more than a few well-connected people and it's only been two weeks. Patience is a virtue, one I'm constantly chasing after.

I love you.
Ashley

p/s. If you need an escape, Mars Volta's 'Octahedron' is blowing my mind.