Psalms of Ascent - into the mountains

The college girls here at KFBC have been working through Beth Moore's Psalms of Ascent study. The Psalms of Ascent are a group of 15 Pslams, starting at 120, and are attributed to the 15 stairs in the temple. At each step, the priests would sing one of the separate 15 psalms until the steps had been fully ascended (or descended symbolizing God coming down to us).

This past weekend we had a "retreat" where while we were learning about the context and treasures in pslams we also journeyed , or as the old testament would say, 'pilgrimaged', to different locations - such as a garden where we went to pray (just as Jesus did in the Garden of Gethsemane) and a very steep mountain which we hiked up that portrayed not only our memory chapter (Psalm 121-"I raise my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from?...") but also symbolized us stepping up in our faith. The climb was hard, but the view from the top was glorious. Being able to have time with the Lord on a mountain top was pretty amazing, especially as we sought to "quiet ourselves like a child" (Pslam 131).

I never knew how amazing the book of Psalms was until i started this study. It's filled with songs of praise, suffering, and of hope. The Three Great Feasts of the Israelites were also key in the context of the Psalms of Ascent (for this is where the pslams were sung), and even in the new testament when Jesus was quoted saying "I am the Light of the world" and "I will give you living water", was said in the context of one of the Great Feasts. Knowing the context of Jesus' words opened my eyes to the depth that He spoke them with....it's so cool!

This weekend really did grow me as a Christ Follower, and i'm excited to be able to praise the Lord with more joy than i had before! I'd like to send a special thank you out to Erin who leads the study and got this group of amazing women together. Also, another thank you to the other Aaren who encouraged me up the mountain and to Jen who rode the shuttle with me back down =).

"I'm with Cobb County Police...MOVE!"

This summer i've been interning with Cobb County Police Department. Between precincts, domestic violence, and tons of case reports, i'm having so much fun. I love the fact that my "work clothes" consist of a bullet-proof vest, flashlight, and a really cute outfit. The only downside is the 40 hour work week that shifts from day shift, to evening shift, to morning shift (aka night watch). I don't mind it that much though, it's when it gets dark that we get the most action. I've decided to compile a Top 5 List of my Favorite Moments so far working with CCPD, Enjoy

Ashleigh's Top 5 Moments

5) Running a search on a man's vehicle tag and driver's license only to discover that he was an illegal immagrant with a couple of warrants (including sexual predator) and then sticking him in our car to take him to jail while listening to his cell phone ring a very obnoxious latino song, trumpets included.

4) Helping plan, and participating in a stakeout in a few parking lots monitoring cars and waiting for our perps to do something stupid so we could hawl them off to jail - while listening to Aerosmith and Green Day.

3) Running around like mad and hiding from airsoft pellets that were being fired between a detective and seargent during a slow night in the office at Domestic Violence. The shell casing hit the other intern, but i ducked just in time. Evening shift does have it's perks (soundtrack this time was the newest hit from Black Eyed Peas)

2) Participating in Officer Training and being used as a Bonnie in a Bonnie and Clyde armed robbery scenario where i was told that if i was given the chance, to use the gun i had stuck in my pants and shoot the officer cadets. Obviously, the cadets did not pay enough attention to Bonnie, and were soon welcomed with a few shots to the head and chest. (They had armor on...but i was shooting one handed!)

TOP MOMENTS SO FAR) Saving Atlanta $18,000 by stopping a burglary in progress of a loaded 18-wheeler trailer and stolen truck. We arrived just as the call went out and a full-on man hunt transpired. I was able to assist by man-ing the radio, montioring a meth-addict, assisting to process the crime scene (fingerprint powder included!), and then gloating at Marietta Diner at 3am to find out we have the perps information already and that it is only a matter of time until he gets caught.

So there you go...now keep in mind these are only my top 5...and i'm only 3 weeks into this blissful job =)

Drayton Hall Photoshoot

Charleston is home to many southern plantations. Drayton Hall is one of these. Dating back the the 1800s, Drayton Hall has the history, and beauty, that a photographer desires to capture. My hall-mate Stephanie is an excellent photographer, and asked if Michael and I would be willing to take a few pictures for her - for the sake of practice. Of course i couldn't resist. The weather today was hot, humid, and bugs were everywhere. Michael started of miserable, but i'm pretty sure after the 50th picture, he started having fun with it. I was really excited when i saw the pictures because Steph was able to capture the real "us". Yes, there are a few that we look serious in, but I would rather our personalities come through just a "little".
The majority of the pictures are on my facebook account, but for those who just want a taste of some fun pics of me and my now battalion staff officer...here ya go =)

A Simple Act of Kindness

I had a very bust morning. Test, Class, grab something quick to eat, check mailbox...I was running around absorbed in my own world when someone past me and said hello. I looked up to find one of the most amazing Christian guys on campus and when i replied to his greeting, he asked about how the ministry team was going. After i informed him that we only got one more weekend to go, he said something that struck me and has kept with me all day, "Your doing an amazing job Ashleigh". I do alot for CSU and I don't see myself as doing my job as something that i volunteer for, but rather it is something i must do because i am called to do it. For some reason i don't expected to be thanked for doing my job, and when i am, it leaves me speechless. I appreciate the moments when people have come up to me and thanked me, it encourages me to keep pressing on. It's also a reminder that a simple act of kindness can mean to world to someone - such as this instance.

It's almost the end!

So as usual, Lifetime is on the tv. I just got back from a DNOW with the CSU Ministry Team to Memorial Baptist in St. George. Although it was really crazy getting ready for it, i was really thankful for the team who did so much. Nichole and Emily especially (thank you for doing so much!). The Driggers were an amazing host home, as well as CSU alumni...yay for the Buc connection! As soon as we got back i headed back to my room to try and finish up this major project, after this week it will unofficially be the begining of the end! After so much stress, i've actually begun to relax a little more and have even made it back to the gym, i've got to get my stamina back up for a summer for chasing bad guys! I know this post is short and sweet, so perhaps i'll end with a few words of wisdom, The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away - Blessed be the name of the Lord!

Life

It's crazy. So many things going on at once it's a wonder they don't all collide. I'm back from spring break and just finished a week back at CSU (6 more until summer vacay!). I'm working on two projects due in the next couple of weeks, as well as trying to prepare for some upcoming tests. I've been given an amazing opportunity to interview for an internship with the Internal Affairs section of the Marietta police depart...hopefully i'll get it...and i've got 4 ministry team weekends in the next 3 weeks. And my sunglasses broke....and i really liked them too...My gawwww what have i gotten myself into?
I'm escaping campus tonight, bound for the Town of Dorchester. Heard of it? I haven't either. So much has been going on that i've decided to take a break. Michael is currently venturing to south Georgia for his spring break - so i should have plenty of time to just chill by myself, and then come back to campus and tackle all of this work.
Every morning i wake up and ask God to give me the strength to make it through the day, and so far...He's been faithful =)

By the time you read this

I will be more than halfway through my 4th semester at CSU. I have just come back from taking my last midterm before spring break, and am feeling pretty good about myself right about now. It's crazy how quickly time passes when you get caught up in doing so much. I've recently taken on another mission - which is helping another local church start a youth worship band. We have auditions for the band tonight where me and a panel of judges (the youth minister and michael) will asked questions concerning spiritual growth, maturity, and leadership qualities. The auditioner then will play/ sing a song selection. Think of it as American Idol meets Johnny Caruso (for those of you who know Johnny). I'm very excited about this and hope enough students step up to where this can work. The Ministry Team is also getting alot of requests recently. I'm going to have 2 weekends back to back, as well as a double weekend. Yay for the oppurtunity to serve! Boo for the work =).

Yesterday i was sitting in my Policing Admin. class taking my midterm. The class meets right after an English/Philosophy class and whats cool is that the professor always writes a quote on the chalk board and then my professor never bothers to erase it. Past quotes have included "If it's stupid, and it works, then it's not stupid" and “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Yesterdays quote was this, "He who knows nothing, doubts nothing." All i can say is - how ironic.