April 25, 2012

blessed (by you).

when i was a little girl, i used to love making new friends.

i was a dancer then. not a real dancer, but a wear tappy dress shoes everywhere and pretend i knew how to tap-dance dancer. i danced everywhere. especially up and down the grocery store isles. after my performances, i would bask in the applause of random old women. then, i would turn to my mother and say,
mommy, all my friends love me.
i wasn't full of myself (though i really did think i was a fantastic dancer). i just honestly thought i had made new friends. & that they loved me. & i loved them.

fast forward 25+ years.

i have been overwhelmed by the love & care shown to our little family during the past few years of sickness & hardship. by the community of friends & fellow believers that has helped sustain us. encourage us. edify us. for them, i am so very thankful.

because of them, i have learned even more deeply what it means to be, and have, friends.

and now, there's you. the countless friends & readers that have reached into my life & touched me in such a profound way. you have encouraged me. you have prayed for us.

you have become a part of my life.

for that, i want to say thank you. for listening to my ramblings & my heart. without judgement, instead with love & encouragement. it has blessed me immensely, knowing that you care enough to read about all the lord is doing in our lives.

well, friends. now it's my turn. i want to know who you are. i want to be able to spend time in prayer for you. i want to thank God for each of you. for your time spent caring for & thinking of me. of our family that has been through so much. that has been held up by the prayers of the saints.

so please, take a minute. leave a comment. tell me who you are. 

whether i have heard from you or not (some of you are so very faithful to comment--thank you!), i want to hear from you now. whether you are new here, or have been with me since the beginning (when i constantly forgot about you). whether you are family, old friends, new friends, or could-be friends. i want you to know how thankful i am for you.

i want to return the favor, ever so much.


much, much love.

22 comments:

  1. umm, i don't know if you remember me, but we had a few classes together in college. i sat next to you. and stalked you...

    anyways, i adore you and love reading about all that is going on with you. keep it up and keep pestering me to write right along with you.

    <3.

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    1. i think i remember you? haha.

      & don't worry, i'll definitely keep pestering you to write. ♥

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  2. We are each others blog stalkers...lol. And of course friends, family and support systems.

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  3. I was all good until I saw your beautiful face, and then, of course, the tears flowed.

    I will never be able to express how proud I am of you and the life that you've made for yourself and your family.

    I would be honored if you'd say a little prayer for me <3

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    1. man. i love you.

      & you totally made my cry. ♥

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  4. We met at a law school conference a few years ago. We're FB friends and your posts lead me over to your blog from time to time. I've prayed for you, your husband, and your family over the past few years and I'm sad I moved away from Durham right about the time you moved there. I think we would have become good in-person friends had we lived there at the same time. Keep up the writing; you certainly have a gift.

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    1. hello! i remember you. :) thank you so much for your thoughts & prayers. & it would have been great to get to know each other. let's keep in touch then, shall we?

      i hope you're doing well! ♥

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  5. You're so sweet. I'm so glad I found your blog!

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  6. Unfortunately we never got to know each other too well in person but I spent four years in design school with your hubs and was blessed to be at your beautiful wedding! I wish we could've hung out more in person, especially since you're also a writer and poetry fan...I don't know very many! Your blog is one of my favorites--I love your honesty, realness, and faithful voice. It's definitely an inspiration to me. Also lovelovelove your thoughts on marriage and motherhood. You have a wonderful perspective. I hope you keep writing for many years to come!

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    1. oh man, thank you. so much. i wish we could have hung out more too, i think we would have been fast & good friends. i hope you guys are doing well. if you ever have time when you come for a visit, let's get together?

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  7. Aw. You are a doll!
    Truly.
    After reading this post, I could just give you the biggest hug.
    I like hugs. Its a thing ... or just my thing, I dunno. ;)
    It is such a blessing to read your posts.
    They encourage me every time ... and bring a smile to my face.
    I am hoping to become fast friends, dear.
    Happy Wednesday!
    much love.
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. i love hugs! :) & i'm so glad we found each other. i think we are definitely on our way to being good, good friends.

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  8. Love you Ash...you guys are always in my thoughts and prayers!!!

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    1. i love you. your in ours, too. miss you so much!! ♥

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  9. Hi Ashley,

    It's me! I've been enjoying your writing and loving that I know some of what's going on with you three these days (when I'm so bad at reaching out and calling or writing!) I've been praying for you through all the icky stuff and rejoicing and giving thanks to know you are being cared for so well!

    We love you!
    Lisa & family

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    1. hello you! :)

      thank you so much for your prayers. we miss you guys! hope your sweet family is doing well. hopefully we can see each other soon.

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  10. We love hearing what is going on :) And miss you. And we pray alot for you guys even though we've been bad about visiting (it's been a busy season for us!).

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    1. we miss you too! & hope you're all doing well.

      but, we will see you at the wedding! ♥

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  11. Hi, it's Gina from C.B! What a sweet post, it's been a honor to pray for you and see where you've been and where you've come...faith is like that, and it never stops... i'm glad you're getting a break though now!

    I am from St.Paul MN and I have a 17 year old daughter and a little pooch named Nells, and I've been married for 10 years. I've had my fair share of health issues and am still recovering from it, so I'm able to blog while I can't work outside the home and it's been a huge blessing, ...I've gotten to meet women like you!!!

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    1. i am so glad to have met you! you were definitely one of the women that came to mind while i was writing this--you have been such an encouragement!

      i'm praying for you as you continue your recovery. & your walk of faith. ♥

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hey, friend! thanks for your comment--so glad you're here!