Month: November 2015

Posted in PREGNANCY/MOTHERHOOD, Uncategorized

Featured Guest: Jasmine’s Story

Posted on by ashleymw88

Where to begin?

I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior at 4 years old. I was baptized at 9 years old. I enjoyed reading the Word, sharing the Good News, fellowship with other believers, and praise and worship. During this time I did experience a series of traumatic events, but my faith in God and my youth, helped me to just push on forward.

Then when I was 15 I experienced a traumatic event that changed me. My view of God was completely altered, my view of the world changed, and my feelings of self-worth were diminished. I put on a brave face and almost no one even knew the inner turmoil and pain I experienced. Fortunately God allowed me to continue on even when I had no desire to. I continued going to church regularly as not going was not an option in our household. But something was missing. The zeal I had for the Lord had been extinguished.

Fast forward a little over a year. During my entire senior year of high school, I was pregnant with my first son. Considering the “purity” classes and ceremony I had in which been forced to participate, this was definitely perceived as a bad thing. But I held on to Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

Despite the hurt I encountered, I always knew God was there. The considerable ostracism I experienced on numerous fronts caused me to draw as close to the Lord as possible, and refuse to let go. My son is now 16 years old, a gentle giant who loves the Lord. He excels academically, athletically, and possesses a compassionate spirit.

Having my son 2 weeks before completing high school was challenging. It was certainly not part of my master life plan. However I am thankful for him, and his commitment to the Lord. He was recently baptized, and as I hugged my soaking wet son after being immersed I was grateful to the Lord. If not for having my son, I would not be where I am today. I likely would not have served in the Navy, met my husband, or had my other 3 sons (ages 13, 8, and 4). Additionally my son has been an amazing older brother to his siblings, all 3 who live with different degrees of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Posted in MISSIONS

Destiny Walk

Posted on by ashleymw88

Wow, so it has been an interesting and eyeopening 6 months. If you look back at our previous posts about being commissioned out you will see the journey my husband and I have embarked on. Through ups and downs we have felt God’s presence and peace over us. As time was going my husband and I , continued to notice things that we were not too keen on so we continued to pray about whether  we were to stay or leave because in all things we wanted God’s will to be done and as leaders we wanted to make sure we showed the right representation . We didn’t move until we felt the peace  of the Lord to do so and the blessing  from our mentors. God moves right on time not a day early or a day late, timing is everything  and we were getting the okay that the timing was now. We completed the tasks God called us to do and we so feel his favor upon because we were obedient to the call. With that said , my husband and I have resigned from our positions with the organization we were at and his last day is Friday and mines is in about two weeks. We have great peace about this decision, as stated previously ,  a lot factors played into us making this decision but until we heard the Lord’s voice to depart , we would stand firm.

Let’s now discuss the beauty  of God’s divine appointments though. Jason and I were sent here for a reason and season and it surpass those assignments . We have met so many amazing people within the region and they have shown us love and support in so many ways!! As this transition  was coming upon us our prayer was ” God do you want us to stay in this area or go back to Lancaster?” We love Lancaster and all of our friends that are like family to us there but God was starting to pull us in a different  direction. Confirmation after  confirmation  showed we are to start putting down some roots within this region. This is so God because never in a million years would we have thought this is where God would eventually  send us and plant us. We will be moving to a different  area within the region and joiNing a ministry near by. My husband’s been blessed with two new jobs and God continues to send people in our circle  that have great hearts.

So here we go again to another new chapter but what I have learned in these seasons is that running after God is an adventure and when you open  your life to him to have full control  and direction he can do great things  with your life. Sure it can be crazy  and frustrating too  at times but when you are on the right path God truly gives a peace that passes all understanding  🙂 . Stay tuned for updates  in this new journey, we are excited!!!  Continue reading “Destiny Walk” →