Ashley

There is this girl, man, oh man, do I love this girl. If I could have any daughter besides my perfect (HA) Phyllis (I only laugh because no one is perfect, but my little Phyllis, she's pretty awesome)... it would be this girl. I love this girl. She's got a heart of gold.

I met her one day at the building, when we were putting it together. I worked with her for a little while, she needed direction, a lot of it, and a lot of reminding to keep focused. But she wanted to serve. I remember that day... then she asked me if I would give her a ride home. She didn't even know me. I met her that day, and she didn't even know Phyllis, I was pretty new to the church. I don't know why on God's green earth she would have gotten in a car with someone she didn't know, but at least with me, she was safe (and she better NEVER do that again!). I took her home. She told her a few stories about her family, I must have prayed unceasingly for this beautiful wide eyed child. She didn't come from the best of backgrounds.

I've watched her in the last 10 months become... there's no word. But God has done amazing things in her life. Her and another kid organized 30 kids, yes, 30 kids to go to Grace Centers of Hope on Friday to serve where they are needed. Can I tell you, I am so proud!!! I did help out a little with some of the details, because it's the first one they ever organized, but they totally took the iniative.

If you know me, and most of you do, I may love big, but I am a little short on patience... I find it hard to have people other than Phyllis and a few others live with us because I am kind of particular about some things... This girl, we always joke that at 5PM "tomorrow" she will be moving in. I would take her in a minute. Maybe 30 seconds. God not only planted this girl in my heart, He rooted her deep in there.

I look at this beautiful young girl, who has been forced to eat more than her fair share of crap, and it's the really smelly kind, but NEVER once have I heard her make an excuse, she's the queen at overcoming obstacles, with a smile, she probably reaches up to God more times than we know. She praises through happy times.

I love this kid. Ashley, my darling, you are wonderful and I love you. There will always be a place for you to lay your head in our home.

John 1:12-13 “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”

Comments

Heather Smith said…
It is amazing to me to see how God can give grace to those who are going through such hard times! It is such a testimony about what a change He can make in our lives if we let Him! Just amazing! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Jada's Gigi said…
I met a kid like that once...I told my husband that we might just have to adopt him.....he married my little sister...:)
still love that guy!!
Pat said…
She sounds amazing....I always get excited and anxious to see the great things God has planned for beautiful young people like her! I heard about the Friday trip to Grace Centers of Hope....Grandson Mac asked to borrow my vehicle so he could take more then the amount of people his truck holds. My black Trailblazer will be there too!
Sara said…
i love that ashley kid too!
Becky said…
SHE IS A PRETTY SWEET KID!
Sounds like a great kid with someone great to love her!!!