i'm blessed.

During the day, I have a ton of time to think. Tyler works from 8am-5pm and I don't know how to drive a stick-shift 100% yet [I would say I'm at about 75/80%] so I sit and think, reflect, dream... and today I took Haanz on a walk and didn't carry him once... but that's beside the point.

In the past two years plus 3 months, I can't believe where life has taken me. 

I graduated highschool 5 months early, I worked 40-60 hours a week at a full time job answering phones for 5 months, I moved out of the house at 17... 3000 miles away to Maui, Hawai'i,  turned 18 in Hawai'i, my relationship with the person I thought was "the one" came to a dramatic halt, I let the Lord love on me for 4 months straight [and still do!], a guy fell for me in Maui... and I gave him the hardest time, I came home from Maui 6 months early because of a new relationship and a different will from the Lord, soon after the guy left Maui as well, then started a new relationship with a guy 1300 miles away from me, moved to Canada to make 1300 miles only 1.

The Lord has been so gracious, so loving, and so kind to me during this time. He has shown me his love in new ways, he has shown me real love through  and through. He has blessed me with such a man as Tyler... willing to do anything for me on his own, or by my request... although I don't ask for much. I only hope that I can return the willingness he has, and the love he has shown me in the fullest.

I don't really know how to end a post like this, as I could go on, and on, and on about how good God has been to me, how amazing Tyler is and has been, and how excited I am for life.

My God is good. I am blessed.

On a lighter note, some recent pictures of Haanz Diesel!

  

above: Haanz AFTER his first haircut.

above: haanz's puppy fur beginning to shed and grow into adult... called "puppy uglies"

above: Haanz as of today...

update.

Oi oi!
So I know everyone is just catching on to the fact I have a blog I update and whatnot... SO take a look around and check out the pictures in the previous updates, just a li'l about what's going on in my life!

Everything is going swell up here in Canada,just hanging out with Tyler and some friends and working with Haanz on going potty in "his room" lol, so cute. And I do have a new mailing address and will have a new phone # here SOON. So, if you want either of those just email me [beloved-savedbygrace@gmx.us]
OR facebook me, for all you avid facebookers : P and I'll get it to you asap.

Thanks! With love,
Ashley.

HEY GUYS!

So as you all know, I am finally in the great North[Medicine Hat, Alberta-Canada]. It took us forever to drive here because we had to stop every two or three hours to get much needed rest, since Tyler had just done the same 20 hour drive less than 24 hours ago! And we took a detour to pick up Haanz. Then actually had to get out of the car at the border to go inside since I'm staying for such a long visit. They gave me and Tyler an interview together then took me into an office and interviewed me... mainly just asked questions about Tyler and what I knew about him, for like half an hour haha. Then finally they granted me a visitor log for 6 months, even though I only asked for 5 :D

Now I'm all moved into the apartment, and just trying to figure out furniture/budgeting/house traning the li'l poopsie. I should have a phone soon, I will keep you updated. But until then my only means of outside communication is Skype, Facebook, and email. Whoa! 

All in all, everything is going grrrreat! I'm loving it, even though there's not much to do, I can't help but be happy <3

Here are some pictures from last weekend:

^me and my sister^

^me and Tyler <3 ^

^my aunt/uncle/cousins and family after eating out at a chinese place. we met up in Minnesota.

^Haanz Diesel! I love this li'l guy^ [he's a pomeranian]

^Tyler and I... again!^

pictures.

here are some pictures to go with my last post, and from the past week.

me and my sister hanging out.

kenz and ry @ tasty's

lauren's peacin' party.

my li'l brotha from anotha motha.

sup cuz?

me and my sis!

i love pac sun. and zebras,

she's a beaut.

my 5lb girlfriend lol

yummy katsup + chip!

haha @ Kenzie's, yeah I'm weak.

me&ryan's date at Nobbies lol.

tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the day! The day I walk out of my house with no plans on a permenent return... a big step it is! It hit me last night while staying with Kenzie that's I'm really branchin out on my own... as I said "Kenzie, this is really it, I'm leaving. I'm actually getting a li'l nervous!" And this afternoon as I clean up the house, and pack the final remaining things I have, I'm sitting here with butterflies in my stomach knowing Tyler leaves for Iowa in 2 hours... yikes! 

The past week had been packed with goodbyes and hugs and hanging out with my dearest friends, and I thank them all for sticking with me even through my absence over this past year while traveling... NC, Maui-Hawai'i, Cali, Canada... you guys were here for me when I came back! And it fills me with joy to know you guys will always be here for me! Thanks for the grrrreat times: 

omgosh!

Sooo, it's Monday! 

The days are flying by! Tyler will be on his way here in 4 days! It'll be his birthday when he arrives Saturday... so of course I've got a li'l somethin' somethin' planned! I'm getting more and more anxious with every minute that passes. God has been good, everything from May of 2008 until this very moment has been such a journey.

From going to Maui with my serious boyfriend, Ryan, the troubled ending of that relationship, reveling in God's presence for 4 months on the island and finally letting Tyler win me over after trying so hard and me being so stubborn. God first opened me up to his own love, making me cry tears of joy in Maui because of his unconditional love. Now he has opened me up to accept Tyler's love... as unreal as it seems to me, he also has an unconditional love, that I don't think many men have. No one has to believe me, you can think "oh it's just young love", but you wouldn't know, or maybe you do and if so then I'm so happy you have found what I have! I believe that me and Tyler will only argue about 3 things in life. #1. Him wanting to feed me cheeseburgers for breakfast lol. #2. Me wanting to work so he doesn't have to do everything. #3. Me spoiling a dog with clothes and diamond collars.

Ahhhh, well the point of this post was supposed to be about me leaving in a li'l under a week... but yes love is in the air... I don't believe even the strongest winds could blow it away. 

Well folks, that's it for today... I'll write again after I take Tyler out for his bday and whatnot! Also, skype me! mauiwowee74 [everyone needs skype, www.skype.com] <3

first official.

Ok so here's what's up!

I am moving to Canada, the plan is permanent BUT there's a lot of obsticles along the way... like work permits and residency and getting through customs and traveling back and forth the 2600mile round trip here and there.

Tyler is in Canada as we speak getting things ready so that I have a home away from home when he comes to pick me up... figuring out apartment stuff, and whatnot!

He will be in town Saturday, March 14th [his birthday!] and then we are heading out Sunday or Monday for Canada. I've been there for 6 weeks before so I have a few friends there via Tyler and YWAM of course... so it won't be too bad transitioning. [i can't wait to my ywam girls this summer!]

 Also, we're picking up a puppy on the way there... a purebred 2lb pomeranian that we have named Haanz Diesel Hanet : D He's the cutest. He's the puppy on the left in the picture... with the bent ears and devil horn cowlicks haha!

Besides that... I have just been hanging out at home, playing guitar hero, catching up with friends, going to church, attempted to work..., and have been packing suitcases for the move and boxes for storage. It's been pretty surreal, can't believe time is coming up to move so fast.

It's been hard dealing with what my parents think, and what I think and our two different veiws. I just pray that they will just accept what I want to do, and that they will support me. I have learned that I can't always do things just to make them happy 24/7 because then in return I'm going to be completely unhappy. I respect them in the fullest, but for 18 years I have done all I can to fulfill their dreams not mine... now is my time.

Gah... 11 days! Can't believe it.

<3

Ok, so I figured... I am moving 1300 miles from my hometown of DMI, and facebook is cool and whatever, but it's more of a social deal then something I will every really use to blog. So I am going to give blogging on here a chance. 

I'll put up pictures, but more so on facebook, I will let you know how I am doing... physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, as this journey isn't going to be an easy one... I've learned that thus far and I haven't even left yet! But it's crazy what you'll do when you know you are in love with the one God sent for you, and that the Lord has his hand over you... no one really understands, and I don't expect them too. But this will keep you updated on my ever so crazy life.

Enjoy.