Sunday, December 23, 2007
Little Lady
All dressed up and ready to go celebrate Christmas Sunday at Grandpa's church in Muskegon...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Snow!!!
The Ashlocks are snowbound...ALL of them! We are under a winter storm warning, and are expected to receive up to 10-17 inches of snow! Not to mention there is the potential of 40 mph wind gusts.
Early this morning Aaron, Emily & I packed up and headed over to my in-laws. Jonathan and Jennifer came over too. We all brought food, video games, books, movies and clothes to stay until Monday morning. Church has already been canceled for Sunday.
I can't begin to tell you how snuggly, cozy and content I feel. It's been delightful. :) I've already eaten way too much and held Emmy while she took a nap. This is seriously way too much fun! This Michigan girl is sooo happy! We have no where to go and nothing to do. We just get to cozy up and be together. I LOVE it! This is the first big snow that Emily will get to go out and play in. She was sick the last time we had a lot of snow. I can't wait to take her out.
In other news, Aaron and I just celebrated 4 years of marriage this week. Our anniversary was the 13th. God has blessed me beyond belief by giving me the husband he has. It's hard to come up with the words to tell you what Aaron means to me. I attempted to convey it to him in a letter this year, but it still feels so inadequate. He understood though...and I know he feels the exact same way. :) 2007 has been the hardest year of my life, but God sent me a soul mate to walk with me through it. Aaron has kept his part of our marriage vows ferverously. He's such gift.
I was treated with a dozen roses this year....awww!!!! We celebrated with a meal at our favorite place to eat...Olive Garden! It was nice to just be together.
I just got a kiss on the cheek from him. Sigh! :)
My Grandfather did pass away a few minutes past mindnight on the 14th. I think I was praying for him right around the time he went. Something felt different during that time of prayer. I'm so glad he's home. He can see again. He's with Mom. Wow.
We're waiting to hear on funeral arrangements, but it will be later in the week.
God is good. 2007 may have been hard, but God has given us many moments to cherish this year. Anniversaries and snow storms are just a few. :) Life moves on, and many special memories are waiting to be made. I have so much to be thankful for.
Love to you all!
Early this morning Aaron, Emily & I packed up and headed over to my in-laws. Jonathan and Jennifer came over too. We all brought food, video games, books, movies and clothes to stay until Monday morning. Church has already been canceled for Sunday.
I can't begin to tell you how snuggly, cozy and content I feel. It's been delightful. :) I've already eaten way too much and held Emmy while she took a nap. This is seriously way too much fun! This Michigan girl is sooo happy! We have no where to go and nothing to do. We just get to cozy up and be together. I LOVE it! This is the first big snow that Emily will get to go out and play in. She was sick the last time we had a lot of snow. I can't wait to take her out.
In other news, Aaron and I just celebrated 4 years of marriage this week. Our anniversary was the 13th. God has blessed me beyond belief by giving me the husband he has. It's hard to come up with the words to tell you what Aaron means to me. I attempted to convey it to him in a letter this year, but it still feels so inadequate. He understood though...and I know he feels the exact same way. :) 2007 has been the hardest year of my life, but God sent me a soul mate to walk with me through it. Aaron has kept his part of our marriage vows ferverously. He's such gift.
I was treated with a dozen roses this year....awww!!!! We celebrated with a meal at our favorite place to eat...Olive Garden! It was nice to just be together.
I just got a kiss on the cheek from him. Sigh! :)
My Grandfather did pass away a few minutes past mindnight on the 14th. I think I was praying for him right around the time he went. Something felt different during that time of prayer. I'm so glad he's home. He can see again. He's with Mom. Wow.
We're waiting to hear on funeral arrangements, but it will be later in the week.
God is good. 2007 may have been hard, but God has given us many moments to cherish this year. Anniversaries and snow storms are just a few. :) Life moves on, and many special memories are waiting to be made. I have so much to be thankful for.
Love to you all!
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
"Soon"
80 years ago today, it was 1927. 80 years ago today, Ruth was VERY pregnant. She was beautiful, but uncomfortable. Excited, but nervous. Tired, but not sleeping well. Restlessness, anciness & nesting consumed her thoughts and actions, I'm sure. She must have been filled with impatient wonderment at the fact that she could go into labor at any moment.
What would this labor be like? This was to be her first baby. Was it really as bad as everyone said it would be? Would she be able to endure it? Sure she could. She was tough. Women in her family had been giving birth for years.
Lester, her husband, was probably just as excited and impatient. He probably watched Ruth's every move to see if she showed any signs of pain or change. He loved her so much. He would be a good father. She was sure of this. They would make a good team. Helpmates they were. Whatever lack of funds or experience they had, they knew there God would make up the difference; their questions quieted by faith.
It was cold outside on this Virginia, December day, but they must have been warm with the excitement of the grand event that lay ahead. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it be healthy. They were due to find out soon.
"Soon" is a very relative term when you are pregnant. A week can seem like an eternity. Despite there excitement, and anticipation, a week is what it would take before Lester & Ruth could meet there baby.
On December 19th, Ruth gave birth to a son...just in time for Christmas. They named him Donald Gene. They were so proud. The love that filled there hearts was intense. Their wait was finally over.
80 years later, Lester & Ruth are probably growing restless again. They are filled with an impatient wonderment that the moment could happen at any time. Looking at each other with the same, intense love that they had in there eyes 80 years ago, they talk about what it will be like. They are so proud. What will he look like? When will he get here? "Soon" is all they've been told. "Soon" still seems like an eternity, but their questions are quieted yet again by faith.
They've been called. They've been summoned. They've been asked to stand ready. A beautiful woman that they have recently enjoyed a delightful visit with joins them. Her excitement can hardly be contained either. She talks about how she can't wait to get one of his famous "love pats". They pass the time by sharing memories and reminiscing about Don. They keep watching...waiting. Jesus wouldn't have asked them to come if it wasn't time yet.
I wish I could be there. I wish I could stand there with them as "soon" comes to pass, but I can't. I wish I could experience the reunion and the hugs. Oh how I want to be apart of those hugs. The laughter, the reminiscing.
It's not God's plan for now, though. Instead, I will stand here, cold on a December day. My heart will ache to where it's hard to breathe...somewhat like the way it did a month and a half ago. I already have questions, but faith is already at work quieting them. When I picture this happy, excited welcoming party, the cold just drifts away.
They are ready for you, Grandpa. Mom, Great Grandpa & Great Grandma are all waiting. You've almost left us twice already, but this time we know it's certain. I'm here just waiting for the call. I'm happy for you, Grandpa. I want you to go. You need to go. I just wish Jesus would come and take us all together. I trust His timing, though. I'll keep living purposefully until that day comes.
Tell Mom I said "hi". Tell her we are making it. Hurting, but trying to make her proud. Tell her that I love her, and I miss her so much. Give each other big hugs for me.
Even though it seems like an eternity away, I'll see you both "soon".
PS. Happy Birthday...one week early
What would this labor be like? This was to be her first baby. Was it really as bad as everyone said it would be? Would she be able to endure it? Sure she could. She was tough. Women in her family had been giving birth for years.
Lester, her husband, was probably just as excited and impatient. He probably watched Ruth's every move to see if she showed any signs of pain or change. He loved her so much. He would be a good father. She was sure of this. They would make a good team. Helpmates they were. Whatever lack of funds or experience they had, they knew there God would make up the difference; their questions quieted by faith.
It was cold outside on this Virginia, December day, but they must have been warm with the excitement of the grand event that lay ahead. Would it be a boy or a girl? Would it be healthy. They were due to find out soon.
"Soon" is a very relative term when you are pregnant. A week can seem like an eternity. Despite there excitement, and anticipation, a week is what it would take before Lester & Ruth could meet there baby.
On December 19th, Ruth gave birth to a son...just in time for Christmas. They named him Donald Gene. They were so proud. The love that filled there hearts was intense. Their wait was finally over.
80 years later, Lester & Ruth are probably growing restless again. They are filled with an impatient wonderment that the moment could happen at any time. Looking at each other with the same, intense love that they had in there eyes 80 years ago, they talk about what it will be like. They are so proud. What will he look like? When will he get here? "Soon" is all they've been told. "Soon" still seems like an eternity, but their questions are quieted yet again by faith.
They've been called. They've been summoned. They've been asked to stand ready. A beautiful woman that they have recently enjoyed a delightful visit with joins them. Her excitement can hardly be contained either. She talks about how she can't wait to get one of his famous "love pats". They pass the time by sharing memories and reminiscing about Don. They keep watching...waiting. Jesus wouldn't have asked them to come if it wasn't time yet.
I wish I could be there. I wish I could stand there with them as "soon" comes to pass, but I can't. I wish I could experience the reunion and the hugs. Oh how I want to be apart of those hugs. The laughter, the reminiscing.
It's not God's plan for now, though. Instead, I will stand here, cold on a December day. My heart will ache to where it's hard to breathe...somewhat like the way it did a month and a half ago. I already have questions, but faith is already at work quieting them. When I picture this happy, excited welcoming party, the cold just drifts away.
They are ready for you, Grandpa. Mom, Great Grandpa & Great Grandma are all waiting. You've almost left us twice already, but this time we know it's certain. I'm here just waiting for the call. I'm happy for you, Grandpa. I want you to go. You need to go. I just wish Jesus would come and take us all together. I trust His timing, though. I'll keep living purposefully until that day comes.
Tell Mom I said "hi". Tell her we are making it. Hurting, but trying to make her proud. Tell her that I love her, and I miss her so much. Give each other big hugs for me.
Even though it seems like an eternity away, I'll see you both "soon".
PS. Happy Birthday...one week early
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