Giving Thanks

66. A sweet and encouraging phone date with my mentor and friend Regina.
67. Hearing the sweet little voices of her two children in the background while we talked.
68. Thankful for grace when I run a bit late for work.
69. I love when kids are excited to learn to sign! I was blessed today by 26 kids practicing a Christmas song in sign language at performing arts club.
70. Thankful for the treat of a less demanding work day today and time to serve other teachers.
71. Leftovers in the fridge!
72. The Truth of God's grace, and that He constantly sanctifies me into the image of His Son.
73. I am thankful for text messaging. Sounds a bit petty? I really am thankful that I can be in contact with more friends across the world because of it.

IBC Women's Fellowship

Yesterday was the first ever Immanuel Amazing Race, planned by the women's ministry team. There was a great turn out. We all met in a parking lot on Seminary's campus and divided into car loads. There were maybe 9 or 10 teams of about 5 ladies per team.

Celia accompanied me and we were on the lovely Heather and Baylee Young's team, along with a young lady named Lynette (spelling?) who I met last night. There were various tasks at different stops along the way. I didn't get pics of all of them, but here are a few....

Our first stop was at the Hanson's house. Three team members had to score 5 goals each in a hockey net. Baylee went, then Heather, then me. Notice the teams just arriving :) We thought we were doing pretty good!
Also at the same stop, one team member had to open starburst candy with thick gloves on. Something typical to Canada, I guess?? Celia rocked it!

Build a pyramid with a Seneca Park sign visible in the photo. Ask a stranger to take it. Check.

Whole group photo in a Target shopping cart. Check. (notice we found one with two extra seats!)


Also had to recite a very interesting poem at a church member's house and then....

The whole group had to rap part of a Flame song to several of the husbands of women's ministry team leaders. sigh. Rapping is not my forte. Fun, nonetheless!

The night ended with (after coming in next to last, when we thought for sure we were first!) hot chocolate and homemade goodies and visiting with everyone together. A fun, fall night!

Fall Break in Pictures

Praise the Lord for a school district that sees fit to give us a week off in October! I thoroughly enjoyed each day, filling in the big happenings of each day with skype dates with friends, writing letters, taking Piper for walks, laundry, cooking, and journaling.

A few pics from the week:


Mom, Bethany and I searching "for color" in the trees as we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway. "Color" was the word of the day. I sat in the back seat and counted while Bethany and Mom said the word "color" 32 times in one day.

Mom and I did a spontaneous stop on our way home at Cumberland Falls. Neither of us had been there before- It is beautiful!

We had the blessing of getting to go to a U of L Football game with Celia and Felix last night. All of us had free tickets given to us by various people, which was great :) It was perfect football weather, a little nippy but not too bad. I cheered for the Band and learned lots of Portuguese phrases. Sunergos coffee (chai for me!) and Mark's Feed Store made the night complete!

Also, yesterday during the day I got to visit my old school and see the students I worked with the past two years. Unfortunately, I can't put pics of them on my blog, but they are adorable. It brings great joy to my heart to share in some big hugs with these kidos, although each time I visit I have to answer the question, (all caps means signed) "MS. ASHLEY- WHY YOU GO DIFFERENT SCHOOL?" "YOU COME BACK MONDAY?" :( No, sweet friends, I won't be back monday, but I love visiting you whenever I get the chance!

Fall Break Summary

Well I know I haven't posted in forever. My goal was to post more over Fall Break but really I haven't posted at all and now my break is basically over! Longer post and pics to come later, for any friends reading this from far away, this is what the Gardners have been up to:

• I went to Asheville to visit my sister with my mom. We went to a Titanic Museum, went to Dixie Stampede, went shopping in Pigeon Forge, ate some awesome food, drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway, saw Footloose, and visited Bethany's school.
  
• On the way back to KY, mom and I stopped at Cumberland Falls- beautiful!
  
• Took mom to 32 degrees for the first time- she loved it!
  
• Spent a whole day emptying out closets and trying to organize them. Trying is the key word there.
  
• Visited my cousin who is due to have twins in the next few weeks. Had the joy of opening the Word with her and talking of the glorious Gospel!
  
• Cooked food and visited a coworker after a surgery
• Cooked my husband some meals
• Went to chapel, Spiritual Disciplines class, and Systematic Theology class with Cody. What a great privilege to hear from these professors for even one day! I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a glimpse into my husband's day.
  
• Visited with my friends from South Korea.
  
• Seminary Wives Institute class- a Thursday night norm
• organized random other places around the house
• lots of nights of goofing off and being silly with husband. Seriously- we've been in a silly mood lately, I guess something about not working ever day does that to me?
  
• This weekend- U of L Game, Woman's fellowship at church, and church on Sunday! Can't wait!
  

A family whirlwind weekend!

Echo and Jake loving on Piper

Cody and I went to Illinois last weekend and had an awesome time! We got to visit a lot of family, a lot more than are usually in Illinois when we go home.

We drove Friday right after work. We got stuck in the bridge detour/rush hour traffic which was a bummer, and added time onto our drive, but it was okay.
When we finally got there, we went straight to Carterville (Cody's hometown and where his grandparents, Nani and Pop, still live). Staying at Nani and Pop's house for several weeks were Cody's Mom, brother, sister, Aunt, and 6 cousins. So, in this house (with one bathroom, mind you) were 4 adults and 8 kids! What fun! I love walking into this! Hugs and kisses abound- scampering feet running to greet us, kids being picked up and squeezed and Piper was running around it all, having never been around so much excitement before!

After hanging out some there Friday night, we went back to my parents' house in Johnston City, my hometown. We ate Mom's delicious Apple Cake and headed to bed.
Saturday morning, my mom made us one of her famous, awesome meals. That morning it was super good french toast and sausage-apple balls. My grandma Pat came to eat with us and we got to visit with her for a few hours.
Then we headed out to be with Cody's fam for the day. (note, his mom, siblings, aunt and cousins live in northern Wisconsin and we only see them about twice a year- so this weekend visit was extra special!) We played frisbee and other games and then had a taco lunch (big kids eat first, clean off the table, then little kids, then moms and grandparents! Three rounds around the table!) After ice cream cake to celebrate two birthdays, we went to Castle Park.

Cody with his brother exploring the Castle

Castle Park is this amazing wooden castle-playground that a man built in memory of his son. It is filled with swinging bridges and ladders, dark crawl-through-only tunnels and throne rooms, turrets and dungeons. Its really amazing and a favorite for this group of kids. They go to it a few times with each visit to Nani and Pops.

Echo and I in a tower at the Castle

So we went on this gorgeous Saturday afternoon- and so did everyone else in Southern Illinois! There were HUNDREDS of people there- birthday parties, the whole shebang. Usually, the park is empty, and the castle makes for a terrific game of hide and seek or tag, especially with 10 kids (counting me and Cody). But today we had to use the buddy system, one big kid to each of the little ones (Daniel-4, Jake-6, David-6, Echo-8). It wasn't nearly as fun being crammed in all these mysterious passageways with 15 other grimy kids. So we didn't stick around long.

Whole group picture at Castle Park

Saturday afternoon- brief shopping trip with my mom, I got dropped back off at Nani and Pop's. The afternoon consisted of homerun derby, frisbee, watching the little boys catch bugs, chatting with Cody's Mom and Aunt, and ended with spaghetti dinner, all the kids getting something from an ice cream truck (it was his lucky day!), and watching "Megamind".

Cody batting during "homerun derby" with cousins, Abraham and Gideon

Sunday= church, chicken and dumplings at Nani and Pop's for lunch, playing with kids, talking with cousins, reading with Echo (my sister-in-law), and getting enough hugs and kisses to last until the next wonderful time we see them all.

Jake and Daniel looking at their bugs

After leaving Carterville, we had another awesome meal by my momma and got on the road to Louisville. We stopped at my other grandma's nursing home on the way out of town, but she was already asleep. We woke her up to talk but she was so tired she couldn't keep her eyes open! It was good to see her anyway.

Drove back, listened to music, sang Christmas songs, Piper and I napped, and made it to Louisville at midnight. Cody and I counted- since last August, 2010, this makes our 18th trip out of Louisville! 18 trips, 14 months, some as close as Indianapolis, some as far at London, all wonderful memories!

Arise My Soul

Have you ever found yourself asking, "Why do I feel this way? When I step back and really evaluate my life, I am uber-blessed, and yet too often I am pouty and ungrateful."

Okay, so maybe you don't talk to yourself exactly like that, but really, do you ever come along those lines?

'Cause I do. I did this morning. Though pouty wasn't big deal this morning- it was listening to lies from Satan. Lies that I'm not good enough, that I don't "have it all together enough". (BTW, PRAISE THE LORD that I don't have it all together, this is the very reason why Christ came to die and did so, and saved me, and now stands as my righteousness... )

And so I found myself searching on my phone (while at a stop light, is that illegal...?) for the lyrics to a song we sing in church. It is similar to what the Psalmist says in Psalm 42:11

"Why are you cast down, O my soul,
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God."

In this song, lyrics written by Charles Wesley, set to a modern tune by Kevin Twit, (piano and guitar music found here) the worshiper tells him/herself " come on, soul, don't listen to fear, doubt, past sins plaguing you! Trust in Christ- in His work on the cross! It's powerful! So rise up and believe it!"

Arise, My Soul, Arise

1. Arise, my soul, arise,
shake off your guilty fears;
The bleeding sacrifice,
in my behalf appears;
Before the throne my Surety stands,
Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

Chorus: Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Arise (arise), arise (arise), arise
Arise, my soul, arise.
Shake off your guilty fears and rise

2. He ever lives above,
for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood, to plead;
His blood atoned for every race,
His blood atoned for every race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

3. Five bleeding wounds He bears;
received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers;
they strongly plead for me:
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Forgive him, O forgive," they cry,
"Nor let that ransomed sinner die!"

4. The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away
the presence of His Son;
The Spirit answers to the blood,
The Spirit answers to the blood
And tells me I am born of God.

5. My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And "Father, Abba, Father," cry.

A Visual Thanksgiving- people and experiences (part 2)

59. My beloved D Group- my mentor Regina and all the girls

60. Pic taken: in a place of many memories, my college apartment: 1530 S 2nd Street, Apt 2

61: Sarah: a friend whose heart is connected to mine in so many ways

62. pic taken: at my last Derby, May 2009- in celebration of many marching band memories with Sarah!

63. Kathleen- my dear friend across many miles

64. pic taken: two nights before my wedding at about 1 am, when I couldn't wait until the wedding day to show her my dress...

65: My bosom friends, my roommates! Oh how the Lord has blessed me through these ladies!

66. Pic taken: on our Colorado road trip after college graduation, May 2009


(more to come, I promise! I couldn't overload my blog with more pics!)

A Visual Thanksgiving- people and experiences (part 1)

Thankful For:

51:My handsome, Godly, humble, precious husband!
52:pic taken: Thankful for our 2 year anniversary spent in Milwaukee, WI

53:My sweet and selfless Mom
54:pic taken: trip to Williamsburg and Jamestown with Mom, spring 2010

55: My loving Dad
56: pic taken: dancing with my daddy to "My Girl" on my wedding day!

57: My fun, caring, and thoughtful sister58: pic taken: in Rome on our backpacking trip through Europe, 2007

D Now weekend

Well I've just got the lasagna in the oven and dishes washed up so I thought I'd write a quick life update. It is a BEAUTIFUL October day. The skies are that awesome shade of blue that I picked for my bridesmaid dresses. Can't picture the blue I'm talking about? Here's a visual...



There- now, the sky comes no where near to being as beautiful as my lovely maidens :) but the color is the same.
On with my post... The sky is gorgeous, I came home from work to a husband refreshed from his Fall break and mowing the yard. I got to lay in our own little backyard sanctuary and read in our hammock for a few chapters. After a game of fetch with a Piper whose new trick is dropping the ball on command (finally!), and after dinner in the oven, I get to reflect a bit on the weekend.

This past weekend, Cody and I got the privilege of teaching the Word to a youth group in Greenfield, Indiana. The youth minister and pastor of the church (wife and husband) met Cody at Union Fuge in 2010. They contacted us a while back and invited us to do this weekend with them.
It was GREAT to get to teach the Word again. If anyone knows me, they know that I love teaching the Word but don't practice that gift as much as I should. They provided materials for us, and with quite a bit of added topics, Scripture, and insight from the Lord I set out to teach as much as humanly possible in 5 short teaching sessions packed into one and a half busy days!

Now, let me tell you, I think I've forgotten what middle school girls are like :) They are delightful, for sure, but I hadn't reminded myself of two things, the immense amount of energy (even after midnight!) and that the main topic of discussion chosen would always be "boys!".

The main topic of MY choosing (and the youth minister's!) was holiness, studying from Daniel, and talking about how to be set apart from our culture for Christ. From there we talked about purity, modesty, salvation (of course!) through grace alone and not through works, sanctification (far too little on this topic, ran out of time), picking your close friends wisely, prayer, their time in the Word, ect. Looking back now, I know that I probably talked way too fast and would have been helpful to them had I typed up an outline of my notes, when I strayed from their book. But I trust in the promise of God that "His Word does not depart from His mouth void, but accomplished what He wills." (Isaiah 55)

The Lord also sustained me greatly through sickness during the weekend. I had just a bad cold with terrible congestion and throat gunk (sorry for that description) that impaired my speaking- the very thing I would be doing the most of! But His grace was sufficient and I pray that my sickness and terrible sounding voice didn't cause too much of a distraction.

The best part of the weekend I think was having a short one-on-one with each girl. Some girls didn't care for this time, I could tell. Like they had an image to uphold, they couldn't be "real" with me and wanted out of there as quick as possible. But others, I was able to see a quick glimpse into their heart and got the blessing of praying with each one of them. What a great opportunity!

Of course the weekend had "youth group brand fun" also- a video scavenger hunt and late night games of "murder in the dark" and talking about boys. Cody and I are too old for this kind of staying up late and after my sweet husband safely drove us home (while I slept) we both crashed at 6 pm!

Praise the Lord for a fun/tiring/great weekend of teaching and getting to know some fun teenagers!