It's my life...

It's been quite some time since I've posted and feel its time to jump back on the blogging bandwagon. Life is ridiculously busy these days. Work, school and church consume all of my time. I've grown by leaps and bounds in the past months.
Last July, I was very blessed to spend a week in the amazing country of Peru. The people are so amazingly sweet and hungry for God like I've never seen before. It was beautiful to spend time so far from home and see how the same God that is here is in fact moving and working over there. I saw things that changed my viewpoint on life. As cliche as this sounds, that experience changed my life forever. I know now more than ever before that I am very blessed and fortunate to live where I do and to have the life that I have. I saw young children living on the banks of a river in small huts/shacks living off the generosity of travelers and people passing by. We were passing by train and my heart sank as I saw a young boy, maybe 7 or 8 holding the hand of a young girl, who was maybe 5 or 6 (possibly his sister). They were both wearing tattered and dirty clothes. They were running alongside the train as we went by, we slowed and stopped. They ran up to a window a few seats behind me and I looked out at them. I couldn't help it. I reached into my bag and pulled out two bags of animal crackers I had. I called to him, "Mijo, mira..." He looked up and I tossed the bags out to him. The smile on his face was mind boggeling. How something so small could bring such happiness to a young boy was heart-wrenching. As the train started to pull away, the young boy ran to keep up as long as possible, waving and smiling. As I watched him disappear, the emotions that I felt cannot be described.
On a much different note, I am still plugging away in college, trying to get those units under my belt. Anyone who knows about school knows that its a marathon, not a sprint.
I have an incredible job working with kids. As unpredictable as children are, they can bring a happiness to your day that's so very special. They have a perspective on life that is so innocent and simple. They help me enjoy things that are most important. I am blessed to have fantastic management. They are so supportive and pull the best out of me. They are constantly challenging me and showing me just how much I am capable of.
Church is indescribable! God is doing some amazing things and I am so proud of my Pastor, the ministry, and the departments that I am involved in. I couldn't ask for a better group of brothers and sister to walk in faith with! As I have unloaded much of my thoughts this evening, I will leave you to yours.

As my Great Grandmother always says, God be with you!!!
~Elizabeth Ashley~