sweet 16

16 days.

2 months ago god presented this amazing opportunity to me and now i'm just down to DAYS??!! unreal.

every morning i wake up to this MOUNTAIN growing in front of my bed-- no, it's not laundry ;) (i don't live with amber bryan anymore-- haha love you amber, don't let me fool you i miss our room) this is a different kind of mountain...one that contains medical supplies, coloring books, school supplies, clothes, vitamins, beanie babies, and an iphone :) b/c of your generous hearts- through donations, prayers,and support financially- i get to bless the ppl of uganda!! you and i get to be a part of something that will touch lives for generations :)

this past week has been draining in all ways.
studio 187 photography (where i work) moved it's location and let me just tell you, over the past year i have gotten really good at packing up a room but moving a whole studio in 5 days...who does that?! i felt like i was on an episode for extreme studio makeover haha. long nights, paint stains, and sore musceles later we are a brand new studio :)
just taking the time to slow down has been a feat in itself. i really want to be mentally and spiritually prepared for this trip and how god wants to use me.
i really don't find it a coincidence that the season of lent is falling around my trip. i have really been searching my heart for what god wants to do in this time, how he will reveal his love, and show me his strength where i am human and weak. to sacrifice, to give up something that you give your time, energy, devotion, cravings to... for 40 days. allowing god to refresh you, to move in you in a real way, to meet you right where you are at.
this wednesday is ash wednesday- it marks the first day of lent.
for 40 days you can give up anything.
video games? facebook? dare i say texting/twitter??? ok. breathe. did ppl even communicate ten years ago?? ;)
short story- i will never forget discussing what i should give up for lent with travis keller (a friend of mine and then resident dir. at mvnu), i was pretty set on giving up t.v. but the new season of the bachelor was about to start up again... haha i know i know- and travis said, yeah ash i guess jesus didn't have to have 2 nails in his hands. wow. - i don't tell you this story to put you on a guilt trip, and travis didn't mean this in a rude way- but it has truth to it.
allow god to stretch you!! be challenged!!

thanks for reading :)
please continue to pray for the preparation of my team (of 6) and i.

lots of love