REMINDER!

Just wanted to remind ya'll about my new blog "Livin the Artsy Life". Click here to go to it.
Thanks that is all! Have a nice day! :D

a bitter/sweet announcement

Hi friends! I once again apologize for my lack of posting this summer. (actually...all year) School, life, traveling, blah blah blah. Anyways.... I have some bitter-sweet news. I am no longer going to post on this blog. Live for Today is retiring. But I am not giving up blogging! (and you thought you had gotten rid of me!) I actually started a new blog just a few hours ago. Surprise! It is called Livin the Artsy Life and it is going to be more focused and updated much more often. So followers of Live for Today, please come check out my new blog. I will dearly miss you if you don't. Press this link right HERE. Please! (with a cherry on top and all that jazz)
So with that...I bid Live for Today goodbye. These past three-ish years have been fun. We have been through a lot dear blog, you and I, and I shall remember it always. Farewell.

a new direction in life...

Hello blogger buddies. It's been too long...I know. School is almost over though! I have two more classes this week and then I am finished with Freshman year of college!

I seriously cannot wait until June, like I could skip May entirely.

(i know...i shouldn't wish my life away)

 In June I get to be a leader at a youth camp for a week, get to go to VA for a cousin's graduation,

and get to visit Beth Ann and her family in SC!

 What about my job you ask? Yes, about that. I am actually quitting my job at the bridal shop.

 It was a good job, but it's just not for me.

Plus this summer I am wanting to use my talents and time for things I love to do and I feel like God is calling me to do. I am hoping to really focus on my art and possibly earn some money that way, teach some kids guitar, and help my church design their website

and use powerpoint to create brochures and such.

It's a big scary step, quitting my job and not getting another.

But I really do feel like God wants me to do this, and I will enjoy it alot more!

But change is scary, big or little. So anyways, that is what is going on in my life right now.

Oh! I also have a Tumblr now that I am posting stuff on quite regularly. So check that out and let me know if you have one you want me to follow!

Hopefully I will be on blogger more now that classes are over!

*ash*

what i'm listening to - Nature Boy by Celine Dion

what i'm watching - Korra

what i'm eating - fruit salad

what i'm reading - nothing for once!

what i'm feeling - apprehensive

Testimonies

Here are the testimonies of my sister, dad,

and the other 3 people who went.

Emi is first, then Caleb, then Dad, then Tyler

 (the youth pastor/music minister at our church)

then Mr. Willis.

Warning! They are powerful!

*ash*

Enlist Us Lord

My sister and dad just came back from Haiti a few days ago.

They went with three other people from our church, and a few from another local church.

They shared their testimonies tonight at church.

They were powerful.

They were recorded, so I just might have to share the

link once it is put online.

Tonight we also sang a song that I had never heard before.

At first I wasn't a big fan, the tune wasn't really that impressive and it sounded the same throughout.

But the words, wow.

The last verse especially.

I have listened to this song three more times

 just since I've been home from church this eve,

and everytime those words get me.

Indwell us Lord, and purify
our hands to work for You
Enlist us Lord, to serve nearby
and cross the waters, too
Your image-bearers on the earth
will never know how much they’re worth
unless we love and help them first
and show the way to You.

Just beautiful and oh so powerful.

"Your image-bearers on the earth, will never know how

much they're worth."

How heart breaking is that?

I don't know about you, but it makes me want to jump on

the next plane to anywhere and be His hands and feet.

But wait, we don't have to go anywhere do we?

Heck, we could walk right across the street

and do the exact same thing.

Here is the link to the song called

"Let Justice Roll Like a River"

http://music.sojournchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/live-let-justice-roll1.mp3

While you listen to it, think about how you can serve,

"near by and across the waters too."

God bless.

*ash*

Sunshiny kind of day

I have been sick since Thursday with a nasty flu kind of thing.

What is really weird is how it started out in my lungs,

and then moved to my head.

Wait...isn't that backwards? My body loves to play tricks on me.

So today I decided to take a nice stroll because it was a perfect, hoodie wearing, bird chirping, sunshiny kind of day.

If anything I figured that it would improve my mood,

maybe even my health.

(As you can tell, today was also a no make-up, extremely messy bun kind of day as well.)

Strolling around a near by lake, listening to songs like

Smile, Viva la Vida, and Beautiful Like You turned a

sicky, boring, blah feeling kind of day into

a happy sunshiny kind of day.

It's amazing what God's creation can do to improve your day. :)

*ash*

Wordy Wednesday- Harmonious

Have a happy, wonderful, calm, harmonious rest of your week. <3

*ash*

Not much to it...

Hi ya. So I just thought I would do a little update kind of thing. Just for fun, ya know?

What I've been up to:

• Working at the bridal shop on the weekends, and am all by my lonesome. Let's just say that prom season is in full swing, and that there should have been 3 of me last Saturday!!
• Watched "The Marriage of Figaro" in music appreciation today. We are supposed to write a 4 page essay on it, which is fine, but there is one problem. It was in Italian. I couldn't understand a stinkin thing. This is gonna be fun. Yup.
• I have been asked to flim a wedding in 2 weeks. I feel important. :)
• Beth is coming to visit in exactly 2 weeks and 3 days. Cannot wait!
• I am really needing some new pants... I have one pair of jeans that fit me. All the rest are seriously baggy in all the wrong places. (like you really wanted to know that...tells ya how boring my life is right now!!!)
• Helped throw a bridal shower for the first time Sunday. It turned out really well and the bride to be was really happy.

Words that mean alot:

• "Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different...." C.S. Lewis
• "Someday everything will all make perfect sense. So for now, laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself that everything happens for a reason. "
• "Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together."

Random things I'm lovin:

• My new desk!!!
• Taco Bell. I could seriously eat there everyday.
• Olan Rogers... funniest guy on earth.
• Sperrys. I wear mine every single day.
• Nature Valley Dark Choclate and Oats granola bar. mmmm.....
• American Idol. I keep telling myself I'm not gonna get into this year....too late!
• Sunshine. There is not enough of it lately, but when a ray decides to shine through, it makes my day so much better.

What I'm listening to:

• Sparks Fly- Taylor Swift
• Learning to be the Light- newworldson
• Misery- Maroon 5
• bluebird- Cristina Perry
• Breakeven- The Script

I have been in such a mood to make a slideshow or edit something...so I made this little thing the other day. What can I say? I was bored. :)


Hope you all have a great rest of your week!
*ash*

This Valentines Day...

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am hopeful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it is painful, but patiently I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I'm waiting, I'm waiting on You Lord
And I am peaceful, I'm waiting on You Lord
Though it's not easy no, but faithfully I will wait
Yes, I will wait

And I will move ahead bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race even while I wait

I will move ahead bold and confident
I'll be taking every step in obedience, yeah

While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint

And I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting on You Lord

I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting

For those of you who are single this valentines day.

Don't be discouraged.

Live out this song...these lyrics, and your life will be absolutely incredible.

With love <3

*Ash*

lyrics by John Waller

A little sprinkle of boho to your day....

Before I Die...

What's on your bucket list?

New Art!

I have posted some new drawings on my art blog.

Check it out!

Farewell January

Can you believe that January is practically over already?

The older one gets, the faster time flies!

Well I know I haven't posted much lately....and guess why.

Yup, that's right. College.

That was my excuse last semester too.

But believe me, I would much rather be blogging

than studying for my Psych quiz!

So, here are a few things that I have been up to this month....

***********************

Video chatting with dear Beth Ann and her sisters.

Dressing cute and layering lots.

Snow-tubing with church friends.

Re-decorating my room. Got a new desk! Now I have a cozy nook for my studying!

(good thing...cause I'll be doing alot of it!)

And listening to Mindy Gledhill's happy little album...while dreaming of summer freedom.

*Ours*

Thoughts on Christmas and the New Year

Yes so I know that Christmas has been over for a while now.

But I'm behind...so...feel sorry for me and pretend Christmas just ended, ok?

Thanks, you're the best.

Well I'm just gonna show you a few picks of what I did over the holidays

because nothing exciting has happened since then.

So here goes. :)

I'm sure most of you know Beth, well, she gave me a hand-decorated

shirt with my most favorite quote on it.

She knows me too well.

Beth also gave Emi a colorful sock monkey, which Emi has fallen in love with.

She knows Emi too well too.

One of my favorite gifts that was given this year was the "Manly Mug" that Emi made and gave to Dad. It's pretty epic. We were given several of Leslie Ludy's books for Christmas as well. If you don't know who she is or read any of her books...you need to. They are terrific. You can check out the Set Apart Girl magazine that she publishes HERE. Well now it's time for the cousins. Yes! They were able to come this year! (if you don't recall, last year they couldn't come because of snow. stupid snow.)

We had a great time together being silly, eating too much......

playing tons of games, and catching up on life.

I also got to experiment with my cousin's photoshop and pentablet.

It was so cool and I officially want one.

oh my....gotta love my family.

So as you can see, I had a very nice Christmas.

And after catching up on all of your blogs, looks like you all did as well.

Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of my New Years celebration.

But believe me, they would have been good ones!

I spent the evening with some kids from the college and career group from my church.

We ate a ton and played Quelf.

(In case you aren't familiar with Quelf; it is the most random, humiliating, funnest game ever.

So, go out and play it, like now.

You will love it.)

The year 2011 was full of big events: Some exciting, some not. Some happy, some painfully sad. Some good, some bad. Along with those big events came big changes. Change is not my friend.

It scares me to death.

Whether it's painting my room a different color or flying on a plane to the unknown. Whether it's beginning a new job full of responsibilities and commitment or graduating from highschool and beginning a new phase in life.

Little or not, I tremble and the word change... and God knows that. It seems like He did nothing in 2011 but bring about change

and push me out of my comfort zone.

Because of that, I would not necessarily call 2011 a "happy" year.

Sure there were some wonderful things that occured, but even in those fun times,

He was working on me.

I could constantly feel Him pushing me out of where I felt comfortable,

urging me to do what I didn't want to do.

It was a tough year. But looking back, if I had somehow skipped 2011,

I wouldn't be who I am now without it.

I have grown so much and have learned so many new lessons.

I can honestly say that I took my first steps into adulthood in 2011,

not because I graduated from highschool, but because of what I have learned about responsibility, leadership, and life in general.

2011 was a tough year and I keep finding myself wishing that 2012 would be a bit easier. Deep down inside though,

I just know that 2012 will be just as tough, if not tougher, as 2011.

I can easily worry about what changes are going to take place and what big events (good or bad) are going to happen. But why?

What good does that do? God has gotten me through, not only 2011,

but my whole life; and He will continue to do so. In that case, instead of dreading what 2012 has to offer, I am excited.

Excited to see what changes are coming, what places I am going to go to,

and what people I am going to meet and form a relationship with.

I am ready for the adventure of 2012

Designer Princess

This girl on tumblr is a genius.

She goes by the name "Disney Bound".

She takes characters from movies an books (mostly Disney) and creates outfits inspired by them.

Even male characters or animals. It's amazing how she does it.

But these were my favorite.

It is her "designer" collection of all the different Disney princesses.

My favorites would have to be Belle, Pocahontas, and Ariel.

What are yours?

Something About Christmas time....

"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

~Agnes M. Pahro

I hope you have a blessed Christmas.

*Ashley*

Fearless

I don't know how it gets better than this. You take my hand and drag me head first, fearless. And I don't know why but with you I dance in a storm in my best dress. Fearless.

I now know why the trees change in the fall. I know you were on my side even when I was wrong. And I love you for giving me your eyes, for staying back and watching me shine. And I didn't know if you knew, so I'm taking this chance to say. That I had the best day with you today.

So don't you worry your pretty little mind. People throw rocks at things that shine and life makes love look hard. The stakes are high, the water's rough. But this love is ours.

I like the way you sound in the morning. We're on the phone and without a warning. I realize that your love is the best sound I have ever heard. Every time you smile, I smile. And every time you shine, I'll shine for you.

Can you feel this magic in the air? It must have been the way you kissed me. Fell in love when I saw you standing there. Today was a fairytale.

Then I think about summer, all the beautiful times I watched you laughing from the passenger side. And realized I loved you in the fall.

I remember you driving to my house in the middle of the night. I'm the one who makes you laugh when you know you're bout to cry. I know you favorite songs and you tell me bout your dreams. Think I know where you belong, think I know it's with me.

Drop everything now, meet me in the pouring rain. Kiss me on the sidewalk, take away the pain. Cause I see sparks fly whenever you smile.

Long live the walls we crashed through. While the kingdom's lights shined just for me and you. I was screaming long live all the magic we made. Bring on all the pretenders, I'm not afraid. ******* Long live all the mountains we moved. I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you. I was screaming long live the look on your face. And bring on all the pretenders, one day we will be remembered.