Tuesday November 28/06

So here's the dilemma - what should I do with my hair? Sept 05 = long hair, April 06 = short hair, Dec 06 = weird, ugly growing out stage. So I'm thinking about getting it cut off short again. I've been on the Internet looking at hairstyles, trying to pick which one would look best on me. I would love to start growing it out again, but it wouldn't be long enough to put up at Commissioning (and I don't want to look like a streal). Captain Rick is awesome* So my only option is to keep it mid to short. For any of you who have known me for a long time you know that this is one of my typical "phases" that I go through pretty regularly.

*This is what happens when you leave a computer at CFOT for a minute! Gee - I wonder if Rick is trying to give me subliminal messages so that when I'm the care taker of the SA seniors complex he's living in I'll give him extra cookies! haha! Too funny!

So you can obviously tell that my mind is no where close to the serious issues today! I've been pretty bogged down with work and I think my mind is starting to shut down. Only 3 papers, two exams, kids squad prep and bible study prep to do before December 7th. The good news - my Celebration 125 meeting for tonight is cancelled giving me more time work on my Life & Teachings of Jesus paper! It's cancelled because some people can't make it and because of the weather...the weather? what weather? It's snowing! But I guess when you're from Newfoundland if you cancelled everything because it was snowing you'd never get anything done! These main landers! haha!

Sunday November 26/06

Well another weekend is quickly coming to a close. Friday night we watched the movie "cars" - so I can now understand all of Benjamin's sayings and actions based on this movie! Saturday was a day spent at CFOT doing work. Due to the library being closed (DON'T want to talk about it), I was forced to put off my Life & Teachings of Jesus paper for another day or so. Saturday night we attended Winnipeg East's first Christmas party. I think there were around 120 people sharing in turkey dinner together, singing songs, playing for prizes, and of course waiting for the man in the red suit to arrive. This year's Santa was extra special...hey...I've never thought of myself as Mr. Clause before! haha!

Due to the library being closed I spent the day doing the little things, sermon feedback, field journals etc. Today is an exciting day however as I AM FINISHED ALL HOMILETICS II REQUIREMENTS! WAHOO! Praise the Lord!

Today is also another In-Sunday here in CFOT world. This morning we had our CFOT Brass band play (we sound good!) and tonight I will participate by playing piano for the worship team. Col's G & S Shepherd are spending the day with us and giving the message. The ladies at Booth College cooked up some Chinese food for lunch - and we shared the meal with the Stanley family, and Lynda.

Well i've got to jet to Worship Team practice!

Friday November 24/06

Getting into the Christmas Spirit!

This afternoon we helped decorate CFOT - two Christmas trees, lights, bows, poinsettas...the whole deal! I think it looks pretty good! After we were done we had some pizza and headed home. *note to self* get our Christmas decorations out and up, ASAP! Another week at CFOT is done!

Today we had our Personnel meeting with Major Moore. Nothing too serious, we basically just had a conversation about our training college experience and where we see ourselves in the future. Where do we see ourselves in the future? I see us doing many different things - we do have A LOT of years to give to the SA - and considering how diverse the SA is we want to experience as much as possible! We've experienced a little bit of that diverstiy since being at CFOT. Booth Centre - Bermuda - Trinity Bay South NL - Winnipeg East and in 2 weeks we'll be at 614 Toronto (with a chance to move around to the different corps on Sunday morning). God has certainly blessed us, and we appreciate every experience. There's no better place to experiment and explore!

Today I was asked what I considered to be the most satisfactory experience since entering CFOT. My answer in 4 words was - learning how to celebrate! I've been working with my mentor on this issue, and she has really challenged me over the past year to celebrate who I am, who God has made me to be, and who God is shaping me to become! I've been learning to celebrate my gifts, talents and abilities and I 've got to say...it feels great! The next time someone gives you a compliment - smile, give thanks to God and simply say "thank you!" The next time you see someone using the gifts God has given them, celebrate that gift with them as you sit under their ministry. The next time God whispers in your ear "you are my servant - great job!" say a prayer of thanks and give him praise. God Bless!

Keep prayin' it up!
Ashley

Tuesday November 21/06

Happy 52nd Birthday to my Dad! Hope you enjoyed your day, you gifts, your cake and your night out on the town with Mom.

Well it's 10:52 and I am offically done my Exegetical Paper for tomorrow's class...I know...everyone is so surprised at how late I have this paper done. Not quite sure what happened there - it kind of just snuck up on me. Tomorrow afternoon is the start to my sermon that needs to be passed in on Friday, and then its steady go until December.

Tomorrow Sheldon and I meet with Major Brian about our car! Wahoo! It's my first car and i'm excited. We are looking to get the nice blue color - hopefully that will work out. On Friday we will meet with Major Mona Moore for our Personnel interview, and then that's probably the last we'll hear about moves for quite awhile. Time is passing so quickly!

This past weekend a few of the women cadets went away on a prayer retreat. We travelled out to Portage La Prarie for Friday night and stayed until lunch time on Saturday. We had a good time getting to know one another and praying. We've passed the "torch" to the first year Cadets to get the prayer retreat weekend on the go for next year. Thanks to Anita & Barb for all their hard work!

I'll try to keep this blog up to date...sorry for not keeping in touch!

Saturday November 4/06

Well it's here...November...the month when everything is due...therefore I find myself down at CFOT on a Saturday trying to get a head start on the major papers. I finished my second parable paper which means I'm free to move on to the second sermon and the exegetical paper for Pentateuch class.

But let's forget about all that work and talk about something better! Tonight we are having a girls/guys night for awakening. The girls are hanging out in our apartment and the guys are hanging at Booth College. We're gonna have lots of snacks, play some games, have a laugh, and NOT think about papers! I think tonight will be an awesome chance to build better relationships with the girls. Speaking of fun...last night a bunch of us were invited to celebrate Ben Stanley's 11th birthday, complete with cake and ice cream. What a great beginning to the night - then we moved along to watch the guys play hockey...no comment. haha

I found out a few details about our Christmas assignment this week as well. We will be participating in a tree lighting ceremony, kids pageants, christmas parties for people who have been in the country for less than 1 year, parties for women who live in some of the shelters, participating in Sunday worship....ah...kettles, hampers, visitations and basically anything else that comes up! I'm pretty excited about this assignment and can't wait for December 7th to roll around so we can get on with it!

Well that's a long enough break...gotta get back to work!