“I hoped that the trip would be the best of all journeys: a journey into ourselves” -Shirley Maclaine

I can't believe the trip is over. I realize that it was only two days, but it felt like a lifetime of excitement. There was so much that happened that I am not even sure i've processed yet. As for the things I have processed, here they go.

The trip started off well, until we reached a town that smelled like sewer and Jordan and I switched positions. I became the driver and she became the passenger. As we headed into the mountains, I don't think anything could've contained our excitement. When we reached the ridiculous (or some other word that you probably would gasp at) town of Cosby we found that we had somewhat lost our way. Well, when all else fails, go straight. Well, unfortunately any other way would've been better, but whatever. We ended up driving up a random mountain for at least 30 minutes (which ended up being an hour trip all together) and came to the top (where there was no civilization) to see RANDOM construction workers chilling on the mountain. This precious old man knew I was lost, so he proceeded to ask where we were headed and inform us that the road we were on turned into a dead end/dirt road. YAY. He then had me turn around on the mountain. It was narrow, it was rocky, there were no guard rails and if you were to accidentally hit the wrong pedal, you would be flung off into the abyss.

Finally, after deep breaths and barely tapping the gas, I got turned around and started down the winding mountain. Needless to say, I almost had a panic attack, but thank God we made it. We then went toward Gatlinburg, only to realize that we didn't REALLY know where we were going because thanks to Google Maps they left off over HALF of the directions. We decided to call the place we'd reserved and the conversation went a little something like this:

Jordan: "Yes, we're looking for you and we're out near Jellystone park."

Lady: "OH HONEY....YOU'RE WAYYYYY OUT OF THE WAY!"

Jordan (looking distraught explains to the lady how we got where we were.)

Lady: "Oh, you're rite! you're rite! Just keep on a comin and turn at stop light 3!"

After realizing we weren't completely off, we continued on our trip. As we passed drove over the Pigeon Forge line we both looked to our left to see Riveredge Park (our place to stay) flying by on our right. We proceeded to turn around and then around again before we figured out how to get into the place. When we finally did get in, the lady laughed "SO YOU GOT HERE?!" She sent us to our cabin and we threw all of our stuff inside. It was perfect in every sense of the word. Bare (only one room with beds, a fridge and a microwave) Secluded, but near people, safe, but adventurous; it was everything we'd hoped for.

That night was spent in time with the Lord. I'm not going to lie it was the hardest night for me. I began to get super frustrated because I didn't feel like I was getting much of anything. I would get a random line here or there or a verse. I knew they were things from the Lord, but they didn't seem really significant. It was frustrating.

The next day, Jordan and I decided to go on a hike to Laurel Falls. Let me just say that I wasn't exactly pumped about it when the lady at the help center informed us there had been recent bear spottings and fatalities. I pretty much freaked. Wild animals that can tear my face off do not excite me. Despite her startling news, we started on our hike and it was absolutely beautiful. I was still nervous though and began to pray and ask the Lord for protection and that I wouldn't see a bear. To my dismay, he gave me an impression that I wasn't going to get that prayer answered, but that I would be okay. Needless to say, I freaked out.

Anyway, when Jordan and I reached the top it was absolutely beautiful the falls were breathtaking and it was worth the sweat and fear it took to get there. We sat by the falls for quite some time and took it all in. That's when the Lord really began to speak to me...and to my surprise and delight, he tied in the few things he'd given me the night before. Apparently, they had been more significant than I'd thought. The falls were absolutely my favorite part of our trip.

On our hike back down a rather ridiculously enthusiastic lady decided to inform us there was a bear 3/10 of a mile back down the mountain. Oh joy. "He's soooo cute!" she added skipping up to the falls. I wanted to pop her in the mouth. It was a bear for Pete's sake! Of course, I freaked out, but Jordan reminded me that we had to get back down at some point. I walked slowly and cautiously wondering when we would stumble upon Yogi and meet our doom. Well, it wasn't hard to find him because there were about 25 hikers lined across the narrow path of the hike taking pictures and oohing and ahhing. I snapped my pics and decided to get away from a CNN headline waiting to happen. Before I could go, I heard the most ridiculous comments. "He looks like a puppy!!!!!" to which I thought, No..no maam, he doesn't he's a bear. You know what? He could eat you, shoot, he probably would eat you. Better yet, he's a cub so his mother will eat you. Followed by, "Do you think he'll fall?" Hmm, well should we stick around to find out? I couldn't believe how ridiculous people were over a LIVE and DANGEROUS animal. Nevertheless, it was a neat experience to see him in his natural habitat. I loved it, but I would've loved it more for both he and I if people just snapped a few pics and walked away quietly to leave him be. They were disturbing nature and it was somewhat heartbreaking. The revelation that came from that was even greater than I'd expected. After the hike, we spent that night having quiet time as well, this time it was a little easier and Jordan and I got to talk about some cool revelations that we both got.

The next morning, the morning to leave we stopped for breakfast on our way through Cherokee and back to home. We ate at this Log Cabin Pancake place. Unfortunately, we almost experienced death by freezer burned waffles and purple chocolate milk. It was probably the most repulsive experience of my life, but we had a good laugh. We drove through Cherokee and then on to Asheville where we met up with the lovely Jada Parker and had a two hour long dinner with her. It was good to see a friendly face and eat fantastic burritos!

Like I said, I still haven't processed everything. God revealed a lot on this trip about myself, my future, my dreams and the things that he has for me. I'm excited, a little nervous and all together rested and relaxed. It was a needed trip at the perfect time. I think there's definitely a time for all of us to do this, just to get away. Let go of the distractions, noises, technology, worries and just focus in on what the Lord is trying to say and do in our lives. I'm thankful that he gave us a wonderful opportunity, full of laughs, funny people and exciting revelations.

“Adventure must start with running away from home” --William Bolitho

I don't know if you remember, but in my "adventure seeking" post I said: These next few weeks are going to be about adventure for me. I don't know how or what, but I'm going to do SOMETHING adventurous. Dont' worry, I'll post when that happens. :)

Talk about a post of prophecy or perhaps i'm just getting around to fulfilling a desire. Regardless of why, the time has finally come! Tomorrow, Jordan and I are waking up early and embarking on an adventure. We're taking a 5 hour trip up into the mountains and staying in a little camping cabin. We're "roughing it" or at least in our opinions. We are getting away from all the comforts of home. No big ole comfy beds, tvs, computers, radios, ipods or anything. Two girls, two bibles, two journals, some spiritual books and two hearts ready to seek what God has next for our lives. Needless to say we're overly excited and eagerly awaiting the morning to come. We're expecting big things, needed things...we're also excited about relaxing for the first time in a while.

SO, adventure, here we come! We're going to also be doing maybe some hiking and sight seeing. We plan to go look at some waterfalls and stuff too! It's going to be BEAUTIFUL! I cannot wait! I will post stories, revelations and pictures when I return on Wednesday! Love you all!

“We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way.”

books, laziness and blahness.

Hello readers. Forgive my lack in blogging. I guess I could make up some excuse about being super busy and blah blah blah, but all that would just be lies. Yesterday was busy, no doubt about that and full of a lot of stuff, but the rest of this week has been pretty BLAH. In the midst of my blahness, I figured I would blog and say a few things going on in my life/head.

I'm scared. Summer has come quickly and will leave even more quickly. I'm scared out of my mind about what is going to happen and what I need to do, but I'm trusting. Oh, but it's hard, it's so hard.

I'm a little frustrated because things this week are NOT going like I'd planned. I know I'm most likely over-reacting, but nevertheless I guess it's hard when you make and effort and it is not appreciated. Story of my life. Oh well.

LAUREN IS ENGAGED! Lauren, (for those of you who don't know) is my cousin and one of my best friends! I am absolutely SOO excited for her! She and Luke are so precious and are going to have a beautiful wedding and marriage! I'm so so happy for them!

Jordan is cooking for me right now. I greatly appreciate it, she knows that I'm starving to death and I love her for being so motherly to me and making me dinner. Do I have a great sister or what?

A tip for you guys: internet games are addicting, don't start playing them! I've been taking so much time playing games online, this is not healthy.

I need to start reading again. I just finished "Peculiar Treasures" by Robin Jones Gunn and it was great! I really liked the story line! I need to finish "Love Starts With Elle" by Rachel Hauck. I'm also in the middle of "Desire" by John Eldredge and OH MAN, it's AWESOME! I recommend that book to ANYONE and EVERYONE! It will inspire you beyond belief! I may do a little review or something soon! Anyway, hope you are all well!

Love,

Ashlin

thou hast coveted... so now what?

Well, to start off I woke up to realize someone had hacked my e-mail and sent out a strange e-mail to my address book. GREAT. Whatever, I'm just not even going to worry about that.

I also woke up (before the e-mail incident) with several things happening and with tons of thoughts running through my head. These last few days it seems I have been attacked in WEIRD ways. It's kind of things that NEVER happen to me. I haven't understood anything at all. Then I started to think about the root of all evil. The Bible says "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). Obviously, if the Bible says it then it's true. I couldn't help but ask God though "How is it not jealousy and envy?" Isn't that why people love money? Because they are jealousy and envious of things that other people have. Doesn't almost EVERY sin come out of a place of jealousy? Then I saw this verse "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:16) I think I believe that more today than ever before. I think we're so consumed by not having what we want, sometimes we can do things we never even thought. I'm guilty of it myself. We catch ourselves on the "big" sins (murder, adultery, etc.) and say "oh gosh, i'd NEVER do that." But wouldn't we? Wouldn't we cross some pretty big lines to get what we don't have that we SO desperately want? I don't know if all of us would go that far... but some of us go to the lengths of other things. It might be hurting our best friend, rebelling against our parents, stealing, cheating...and plenty more. Didn't the first sins come from jealousy and wanting what we couldn't have? Eve was JEALOUS of God. She wanted to be more like him...so she listened to the serpent. Cain wanted the approval that God gave to Abel. He killed his own brother out of jealousy. Where you have envy and selfish ambition you will find EVERY evil practice. So, how do we move out of this? How do we STOP? How do we refrain from taking it out on people who might have something we want. Can we make ourselves stop wanting it?

I know this, we make our choices. We make our beds, so now we have to lie in them. Some things we don't get a choice about, I know. We can't change our families, our financial situations, or many of our circumstances, but we can change our desire. It's not easy, so don't think I'm saying that it is. Really, take a good look at your desires (the ones that make you SUPER jealous of others...) Why is that happening? Have you done something to make that occur? Is it something you can't change? If it's something you can't change...then realize this: God gave you what he knew you could handle. TRUST him, seek him, love him and he'll make a way. He'll show you how to be content in ALL circumstances. If it's something you've done....deal with it. Get rid of the problem, get rid of the guilt and choose to move forward. You will do none of us any good by living in the slime of guilt.

Also, I think this: Think of the people you've envied, think of the people involved in those situations and take a look at your actions. Have you hurt them? Have your envious words hurt them? Most times you have and maybe without realizing it.

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures (James 4:1-3)

Fighting, quarreling, making snarky comments...it won't get you what you want. Contrary to the lie that the Enemy says it won't get it for you. He tells you "If you want something...take it! They don't deserve it any more than you do! Go get it!" It sounds like pretty much every "inspirational" movie in America. I'm not saying you can't go after things you want....YES, you can. But if it's in the hands of someone else, it's not your RIGHT to touch it. Grabbing it or reaching for it...won't get it for you! You have not, because you do not ask God! He is the one who GIVES ALL. When you do ask, it's with wrong motives (not for his Glory, but for YOURS!). I'm guilty. Throw up the black stone, Judge 'cause I am guilty as charged. I'm telling you to take a look at all the things you think you REALLY want. What makes you want them? How have you tried to get them? Why don't you think you have them? Stop comparing yourselves to your friends, your family, the girl in your dorm or the man next door. Take a step back and ask yourself about what YOU really desire and what YOUR motives have been. Bring THOSE things to the Lord and ask him to help you lay them down. Ask him to place his desires FOR YOU inside of you. Ask him to create pure motives in you. Ask him to make you content with what you have and happy for those who have more or something you'd like. Ask him to change you and your circumstances from the INSIDE OUT. Let him change your heart, your desires, motives, thoughts and plans and then he will begin to change your circumstances and give you HIS ways.

Running Down The Aisle.

Yesterday, Jordan and I went shopping for a bridal shower gift at Target. When this adventure started off we were poking and checking everything on the registry sheet. I was being slow and trying to decide what I thought would be the best gift. About halfway through the list we came across an item that we had no idea what it was. We decided to head over about 10 aisles and figure it out. Once arriving we were picking it up and deciding whether it would be a good purchase.

In the midst of our deciding a cheery blonde lady called out to us, "are you buying for (insert bride's name here)?"

We stopped and looked at each other and then looked to the lady. "Yeah."

She smiled graciously, "Oh, well I've already picked that up, but you can have it if you'd like."

I obviously wasn't about to raid this woman's shopping cart so we refused her offer and decided to move on.

Jordan and I found another item that we thought would be great, but we knew that wrapping it would be a nightmare. There was no way to find a box big enough for this thing! So, then I set off to find something else instead. Walking back through, I spotted a lady from our church who I knew was buying for the same bride.

I called out hello to her in a chippery voice, but wasn't feeling so chippery. This was one more person we had to beat and compete to get a good gift. She smiled and talked about how she was having trouble finding a gift that was easy to wrap. Join the club.

When she walked away to continue her quest, we overheard a young woman with her cute baby in tow talking about her purchase on the phone. "Well, they're registered at Bed Bath and Beyond too."

Jordan and I stopped and turned to each other. As our mouths dropped open, Jordan dramatically squeals, "She's here for them too!!"

I moaned and gripped the handles on my cart. I was determined to get a good gift and one that could be wrapped because Jordan had found PERFECT wrapping paper for $1.00. I swerved the buggy down the next aisle and took off at an impressive speed. On our way, we spotted a couple walking around with a registry in their hand as well, pointing at gifts that we had already seen. At this point we became paranoid and started to wonder if everyone invited to the wedding was shopping in Target at this EXACT moment.

We stopped at another aisle and then another, still in a panic to find something. A few minutes into our search the lady from our church came prancing back through. "OH, I found the perfect gift! This is just what I was looking for." It was big, it was nice, it was expensive.

Jordan and I looked at each other in disbelief. Would we ever find the perfect gift in this ridiculous race? We decided to take off, we couldn't give up just yet!

Finally, after running halfway through the store we arrived at our next destination. The aisle was blocked with carts, so I sprinted to the other end and turned on two wheels at the other end. When I stopped to catch my breath, I looked up to see the first blonde lady smiling and holding the gift I was racing to find. It was the perfect gift and packaged so that it would be super easy to wrap. "Looking for this?" She smiled cunningly, as if she too felt the pressure of this race. I just found myself exploding in laughter. Could this really be happening?

She looked into our cart and then back up. She then approached us, "I just needed something that would fit inside the first gift I picked up."

Jordan moved a little closer. "We were looking for something we could wrap with this perfect wrapping paper." She held up the paper and the woman nodded, "That is perfect."

She sat the gift in my cart. "Here, take this."

I looked up at her, shocked and in awe. "What? Are you sure?"

She nodded, only looking a little disappointed.

Jordan held up the first gift we had considered that was much too large to wrap. "We were going to get this, but it'd be too hard to wrap."

The blonde lady had a twinkle in her eye. "So, you're not getting it now?"

We shook our heads no and all three of us had the same realization. It would fit perfectly inside of the first gift she picked up. She reached down toward it, "Trade?"

I nodded and threw a victorious fist into the air. "Yes, this is perfect! Thank you!"

She smiled and looked just as ecstatic as I felt.

Jordan grabbed my arm. "We have to hurry! Other people could be purchasing this right now! There are about a billion people in here buying for the same people. What if they purchase it before us?"

I couldn't let that happen. So, we took off running and found the shortest line. I threw the gift up there and heaved the registry list at the cashier. I slouched in relief as I heard the "ding" of her scanner. We had gotten it.

Jordan then lifted the perfect wrapping paper. "I don't think this is wide enough for our gift."

It was true. The perfect paper would not be wide enough to wrap this gift. It was one of those rolls that was only about half the width of a normal roll. We decided to put it up and get some at Walmart.

Jordan and I held our heads high as we marched out of Target in victory. We had gotten a great gift and a great price! We had been at least a runner-up in the bizarre bridal buying bonanza!

We spent the next two hours looking for wrapping paper. After about ten stores, we resolved that our luck had come to it's end. There was no good wrapping paper to be found, and the only thing suitable was $4.00! We decided to shrug it off and head home. We will continue our wedding gift adventures another day. Be sure, if anything remotely crazy happens on our next outing like it did at Target, I'll be sure to let you know.

Oh, and don't worry. I'll make sure to top this off with spiritual justification. Even Paul encouraged a little bit of competition with these kinds of things ;)

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.-1 Corinthians 9:24