college.

I know that nobody reads this, but I'm writing it for my own personal use. Like, when I'm 30 and want to remember what it was like to be young.

So, first off, I thought that community college would suck. Honestly, I was expecting it to be full of burn outs. Which, some of them are, but sometimes you are pleasantly surprised.
On the first day, which was monday, I got there a little late, of course, so I had to park in lot 6. Yes, there are 6 parking lots. Which made me kinda mad. But then I got to walk on this super awesome path through the woods that had a pond on both sides, which, is actually a really nice way to start your day. Seeing the sun come up like that with the crickets chirping, and the crisp morning air.
So, then I went into school & found my visual arts class without too much difficulty. & to my surprise Natalie from church was in my class, which made me happy.
So then I went to Spanish. And my teacher, or professor, was a really cute middle aged man. He wears one of those artist's hats backwards with glasses and a button up tropical looking shirt. The first thing out of his mouth was "my goal is that none of you have to take the final exam." *gasp* what?! Then he explained that we could volunteer at a Spanish charter school in Richfield for 20 hours instead of taking the final! FUN :)
So, my day was over after those two classes, so I left.
And while I was walking to my car I saw a guy with a south american looking shirt on. So of course I had to ask him where he got it. So I kind of snuck up next to him & asked. He said
"I'm glad you asked, I actually got in Guatemala."
"No way! Where in Guatemala?!"
"Antigua, on a missions trip"
"Oh my gosh no way I went there too!"
"Really?!"
and so on it went. It was cool, he went on a two week missions trip to the same place I did! then we shook hands, his name was Ryan I think, I kinda forgot though. Then we just kinda said bye, and I told him I probably wouldn't recognize him without his Guatemalan shirt, and he said I probly would because he was so tall. So, that was it. I'll probly never see him again, but I hope I do because I think he would be a cool person to be friends with.
Then I went home.
The second day I went to my intro to education class. And my teacher, Candy, made us do some yoga moves because she's a yoga instructor haha. Then we had to say why we were in that class. A girl named Olivia said she volunteered in Africa (specifically Ghana) for 4 months in a school in an orphanage, and that's why she wanted to be a teacher. Then a guy named Matt said he already had his business degree, but while studying abroad in Coast Rica he thought it would be fun to teach english as a second language. And Dominic studied abroad in South Korea and was inspired. So, hopefully I become friends with them :)
Then while I was waiting outside the spanish classroom I over heard two girls talking about missions trips. So I smiled to myself and told God "you are so cool" then I scooted over and joined in.
Emily, a pastors kid from Evergreen just went on a missions trip to El Salvador. And Noel went on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. HOW AWESOME ARE THESE PEOPLE?! I was so excited. So I told them some stories from the missions trips I've experienced. Like the story about God multiplying the pb&j sandwiches in Peru, and the guy who got a knee cap and started walking.
I am so blessed. The people that go to this school are too cool for school. All I have to say.
Then I went to my cousins to ask Spencer if he could help me with e-books for the ipad. which was a fail btw, but oh well. It wasn't his fault, I just couldn't find the books I needed :( but that's besides the point.
So Holly was leaving, and I was like "hey I wanted to hang out with you" but then she invited me to go with her to volunteer at the horse ranch. So I did.
It's called Majestic Hills Ranch, where they have a program for disabled kids. So when we get there, this sweet little girl runs up to me and says
"hi, are you new here?"
"Yea, I'm holly's cousin"
"Oh, nice to meet you. My names Tatiana will you be my new friend?"
(shakes my hand)
"Yes I would love to be your new friend"
"YAY YAY YAY I made a new friend everyone! I'm so happy!" (as she's jumping and running through the stable)
it was so precious, it just made my day :)
Then I walked next to Tatiana while she rode on the horse. Holly led and i walked on the side in case she got nervous or felt like she would fall off.
The second girl we worked with was a little girl probably about 4 years old who could't hardly stay on the horse. She had her tongue out the whole time and couldn't untangle her hands or wrists very well, but when you talked to her in happy tones it was evident that she heard you :)
There were other kids there too, but other people worked with them. It was a worth wile night.
Anyway. I think that's probably enough information about my silly little life at the moment.
adios

The day care in the mountains

So we packed up a bunch of toys and clothes and headed for the mountains, well all the girls did, along with our translator Anita and a pastor. I sat in the middle of the front 2 seats, on a pillow.

When we got there, the country side was beautiful! We entered in through a door with medal bars on the front. I was shocked when we went in. It was a a cement room, the floor was damp, and and the only decorations were some hand made crafts hanging from the dirty window. There were a few book shelves, they were bare except for a few broken toys. The children were all huddled on an old foam mattress. There was probably about 20 some little kids ages 0-5. They were all filthy,not like they had been rolling around in the mud, but like they had been wearing the same clothes for 2 months, and didn't wash their faces. There was dirt caked on them and some of them had horrible sounding coughs. They used plastic bags for diapers for the babies. It broke my heart. We were told that these were the children of farm families. This was where the children would be taken care of until they were old enough to help.

It was a little awkward at first. So I started to hand out beanie babies. The children didn't know what to do. I think that might have actually been the first gift they'd ever received, and they weren't sure how to respond.
but eventually they got the hang of it and were as happy as ever :)
we also handed out clothes, they were so excited. I gave a little girl named Elizabeth a pair of pink over-alls with a striped pink shirt and red tennis shoes, she was so excited that she went in the other room and wanted to put them on right away. so i helped her, and then she had to go show everyone her new outfit. It was so cute! I could hardly believe that a little girl could be so happy over a used pair of clothes that didn't even fit properly!
We are so spoiled. I can't even stand it.
And when I put a little crown on Genesis (age 3) I told her she was a princess, and her face lit up so fast I couldn't hardly believe it.
These children were so happy with just little toys and gifts, and the thing is, they weren't greedy about it either. They loved each other. It's hard to understand, but I wonder whose actually better off, us or them.

ecuador

Tuesday: First of all, I apologize that this post is so delayed.
Ecuador was amazing. Is amazing. I don't think I'm the same person I was when I left. We left for the airport at around 3am. it was ridiculous. And we got to the compound (the place we stayed at in Ambato) at around 11pm.!

Wednsday: The next day we kinda just chilled for a little bit. The men worked on the church building an alter, and the girls packed all the clothes and toys to get ready for the next day. Then the girls got to go to the flower market, where I bought 13 beautiful roses with babys breath for $2!! incredible! We did a little shopping downtown, and then we went to Mi Tambo orphanage, the same one we helped at last year. The kids loved to take pictures with our cameras :) We tried to organize some games with the kids, but it just didn't work too well, haha.

On Wednsday night we went to the mall, in a taxi that was only $1! and bought tea and jam at the super market, ecuadorian tea is absolutely to die for!

getting ready to change the world. almost.

So tomorrow is going to be a good day, actually it's going to be a great day. Because I'm going to Ecuador! Our flight takes off at 6:30 am.
I am SOOOO excited! We are bringing 3 totes full of toys, clothes, shoes and soap to give out.:)
So please pray for the people in Ecuador, and that God will prepare them. And that God would prepare us, and that even though we don't speak the same language that they will still see the love of Jesus. Because that's what it's all about :)
and also, maybe say a little prayer for my dog Buddy, because I really love him alot and he gets really lonely when we're gone. And he knows we're leaving and I can tell he's feeling sad :/
I will try to update my blog while I'm there, but I'm not sure if we will have internet.
remember, me and Jesus love you!
love ash

you are beautiful

"everything has beauty but not everyone sees it."
I read that quote today in Deb's office at church, and I just thought that I should share it. Because even if you don't think so, you are beautiful. In fact, your gorgeous ;) and I just wanted to tell you.

love ash

this wednsday!

so... I am geekin out here. I get to go to california on wednsday to visit shannon and carlee, two girls I met in guatemala and there basically the nicest people I know! ahhh :)
life is an adventure. I'm so excited to live it.