I decided a few months ago that since I'm traveling for 3 months by myself that I wanted a way to incorporate my community somehow, to find a way to take them with me.
The solution- a challenge a day written by my community. My friends and family wrote challenges for me to do for the next 90 days. Every day I wake up I will read a new challenge and have to do it that day. The challenges will help me during times I am missing my community and will help me to get out of my comfort zone. Some require me to visit specific places, others challenge me to think about certain things, and the list goes on. I am so excited to have this journal and challenges because so many of the people I love have written in it and i cant wait to connect with them when i get home and tell them about their challenge and how i completed it!
As I blog about my trip and my thoughts at times i will also write about some of the challenges I have done so you can enjoy them with me as well.
The book you see above is actually my journal and i love the title- for me to live.
I was thinking about those words last night...what does it take for me to live? Every day I wake up I think of 3 things- the Lord, my family, and my friends. Those are my staples. It's not my house, my possessions, my activities for the day, but those relationships and the love that exists between them.
For me to Live fits perfectly for my pilgrimage around Europe because this journal is my connection to my friends and family and the trip itself is my time with the Lord. To be by myself, to rely on him, to feel his love in a variety of ways, to be guided by Him, and to just Be.
I leave for England tomorrow and when I think about those words and what they mean to me...i have peace because i know I am loved, I know i am being prayed for, and i know that my life is such a gift from the Lord..to even be breathing is a gift. So as i sit here and think about the next 3 months i feel at peace and excited.
You are Loved! Until next time.
3 comments:
You are loved like crazy Ashley by me and countless others. Everytime I think of you I smile and think to myself, "I love that girl." I hope you have an amazing trip. Remain open to God and let him finish the amazing work He's started in you. I'll be thinking and praying for you often. Happy travel!
Love you, Mandi
Have a great time - I hope England is nice to you!!! I love the journal idea, so creative. Blessings to you as you travel.
Ash,
Thanks for your words. Keep thinking, keep writing, keep doing theology.
I wrote a paper, on the nature of theology according Eberhard Jungel (an amazing German theologian). He defines theology as theology thinks faith.
Before reading your writing, I agreed with him for the most part.
Now, I am not so sure. Maybe, it would be better articulated as theology thinks life through an in faith.
Hmm..
In either case, thanks sharing you challenges with us, and in turn challenging us.
I have swapped my my priorities, and need them to get back in order.
I am praying for you.
Cheers,
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