Home sweet Home.

It is with bittersweet feelings I say, I'm back at home.

I got home last Saturday night about midnight! I must say it's never been better to see my sweet family and Paul! I cried, of course! And then Chris, Jake and Kelsey surprised me by baggage claim. I seriously skipped about 6 escalator steps and jumped on Chris. He's back from Africa too, and boy does it feel good to have him home.

So, I've been trying to come up with the perfect description of my summer. And it's hard. People have asked, "How was Tahoe?" And I respond, "Oh, it was great. I loved the kids so much." And that's completely true, but there's so much more in my heart that I don't even know how to express really.

How can I really even describe my summer?

For 66 days I got to share the love of Christ through songs with kids from all walks of life. Every single day we sang about how amazing our God is, and how life is not about us...It's about Christ. I have such a vivid mental picture of watching those precious 3 yr olds sing "It's not about me, it's all about you Lord." ONLY 3 years old and I got to be (possibly) the first to teach them that life is ultimately about Christ. What a precious gift Christ gave to me this summer.

How can I really even describe my summer?

Everyday this summer I walked out to a playground full of kids who captured my heart in such a short moment in time. My sweet little Kacey ran up to me every single day and said "Miss Ashley, you are my most favorite teacher and I love you!" And everyday I got to watch the 4 year old "Cool Caterpillars" act like every super hero under the sun. From Batman to Spiderman...their imaginations running wild. My precious Talon and Oliver swinging beside each other everyday to see who could swing the highest. Or little 3 yr old Libby asking me to push her in the swings.

How can I really even describe my summer?

I spent every Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon with my speaking part kiddos. 15 kids who I got to spend extra time with learning about the complete story of Joseph. I got to teach them that God can turn bad situations into amazing situations. 15 speaking parts, and would you know there was NEVER a single practice where all 15 were there...In the words of Debbie, my supervisor, "That's Tahoe for you." :) But they did awesome, and I know God was proud!

How can I really even describe my summer?

I served with 12 other girls this summer. Amazing girls. Seriously, God could not have put a better team together. 13 total summer missionaries from all kinds of backgrounds with one purpose...to serve Christ. We were challenged individually, and as a team. We learned to pour and invest into each other this summer. Whether it was bonding over stories from the day or a walk to the beach, we did it. Every night we went to bed exhausted and every morning we woke up tired. We served.

How can I really even describe my summer?

The truth is, I'm still trying to figure it all out. God did a work in my heart this summer. I am blessed to have been apart of something huge. God is working in Tahoe. I can't wait to read email updates about those precious kids accepting Christ in the future.

Of course, when I run out of words...I let pictures do the rest :)


Summer Missionaries with Debbie

Could not have made it without them.

Speaking parts. :)

Kacey and Riley. Loooove!

TEAM! she's awesome!

My little policemen :)

"Look it Libby, Look it"

Jake and Sydney. Precious.

My life just wasn't complete until I met Cole! :)

"Why do you always talk like a cowgirl Miss Ashley?"

my sweeeet Talon. :)

my precious Oli :)

Extreme bike riders. 16 miles.

Until next time.
Love God. Love people.