by grace

I know what I know, which is increasingly more than I knew and less than I ought to have known. 
Grateful for understanding and wisdom, as any is a gift--
 still, praying for more, and it - with depth.

Moving to TN!

If this blog does, indeed, serve to chronicle my life's standout events and realizations, it'd be silly of me not to highlight the latest notable transition.  In two weeks I leave for West Tennessee in order to continue to grow into my long-term hopes to serve in a Member Care capacity with the good folks of Kontaktmission!
   Our tentative plan stands that I shall work toward paying off school loans before I'm prepared to focus on full-time work with Kontaktmission (KM).  As such, the more involvement I can get with KM as I work now, the better!  This in mind, KMUSA's director, Rob Harris, has worked hard to connect with his community in such a way as to make it possible for me to live and work with them in KM's stateside office's hometown, Humboldt, TN.  Here, I'll have the chance to work about 15 hours a week in the office and to supplement a full-time workweek at the local Café where I'll have the opportunity to once again navigate the adventure-full school-loan waters from the sturdy helms of my good old Barista-ship.
            On a special note, I should mention the significance of my ability to be paid for the work I will do in the office (mostly administrative and a little networking for now); that is - even the Director and his wife raise support to serve as they do in this ministry (this essentially means they connect with those who have a heart for the work and desire to help carry it financially and through prayer, making it possible for those serving to further concentrate their energies on the other efforts-at-hand.)  As I am to be paid for my own work in the office through their funds, my time with them will remain limited, as they must continue to do their best to allocate these funds in ways most sustainable to the organization as a whole.
            For as much as I enjoy the chance to brighten others' days by way of a well-prepared coffee drink, my bigger-picture hope is to inspire, encourage, and learn with them, through God's wisdom and love, to love and serve Him well.  I am excited as I mull over the definition of Member Care to discover the ways it resonates with my own heart and hopes, and the particular ways God has made me to serve His people, and so, Him! 
  Should you have any questions about the work or KM or Europe's current spiritual reality, please feel free to contact me so we can talk more about them!  (You can comment below, give me a call, email GoDioSmiles@gmail.com, send an intuitive pigeon...)  If you'd like to support KM in supporting me towards giving my full-time focus to their work, I'd be happy to talk more about that as well!)
  Grateful for the chance to share this update with you, and hope you're in for a satisfying and well-lived day.
Much peace,
  Ashley :)

Cada día es un viaje,
y el viaje en sí mismo es el hogar.
Basho

"...Every object, every being,

is a jar full of delight.

Be a connoisseur, and taste with caution.

Any wine will get you high.

Judge like a king, and choose the purest,

not the ones adulterated with fear,

or some urgency about 'what's needed.'

Drink the wine that moves you

as a camel moves when its been untied,

and is just ambling about."
Rumi

when a friend hurts

it's a rainy day here.






but the windows are open and the wind keeps breathing the curtains in, back out.

feeling heartbroken, connected, too far away.

Sunday

These are the days of a candle on the mantle and an open front door; the cool air of fall and baking we've not yet done - (this year, because nuts aren't in our budget, and what is carrot cake or oatmeal cookies without nuts?)  These days have flowers on the kitchen table, nearby lightswitch flipped 'off,' the rustle of mom and her paper on the Sunday porch, and an ongoing rumble of clothes in the dryer.  Expectation for tonight's dinner plans, rest, and a delay of the future's inevitable - Mondays, money, moves.  For now it's Sunday, and I have no homework.  I do have tea and a mercifully clean heart.  Life is good.

el atone-yo

Took quite a few double-takes today on the course of my walk home from the farmer's market.  Good looking men?  Noope. (Okay, maybe once.)  Whats really caught my eye lately are the leaves coming to grace the ground, and their c o l o r s !  They look fascinating in their brilliant combinations.  If I wasn't sure about having a favorite season before, I certainly am now.  And it's fall!  Feels silly to claim a favorite (what's the purpose in this, anyway?) but it also feels good, like having a cute crush and divulging the bubbling little secret to your closest girl friend :). 

         I     r   e   a   l   l   y     l   i   k   e     f   a   l   l   l   l   l   l     :   )   !

"Let me fly with you."