When I Get Old

Now, when I get old, I plan to be like these people. Specifically, the lady second to last with the little smirk like, "I have no idea what I'm doing, but we'll just pretend...I am so uncoordinated...why is no one else laughing at this ridiculous exercise?!" I plan to be active and healthy and scooting around town keeping busy and helping others.

But if by some chance I end up in a nursing home, I have my care plan all ready. See, I work in a nursing home. And after spending the past two weeks on the dementia units, I know what I want when I get old.

• If my pills have to be crushed, I want them in ice cream. 
• Speaking of which, I want ice cream for dessert at least once a day.
• Also, if I'm pretty far gone mentally and age-wise, I don't need vitamins every day. Only give me the essential meds.
• I want to sleep til 10am. I'll take my breakfast in bed, please.
• I want a DVD player fully stocked with Gilmore Girls and Doctor Who playing at all times.
• Play the "bedtime" playlist on my iPod every night.
• I don't want showers. I want baths. In those nice whirlpools that are hardly used. I don't like showers now, why would I like them when I'm old?
• Two words: Fuzzy Socks.
• Keep my stuffed animal with me when I'm in bed.
• Also, I like lots of fluffy pillows around me in bed. Key word, fluffy.
• I want a Coke at least once a day. Real Coke, not "cola" or "pepsi". With ice.
• My wheelchair should be pink, with sparkly stuff on the wheels.
• Keep my books around to keep my mind busy. If I can't read for myself, please get me audio books, or better yet, a live person to read to me. 
• If it comes to it, I want to be on hospice. The aide can read to me after she gets me dressed.
• I MUST have my glasses. I'm blind as a bat without them, and after wearing them since fifth grade, their kinda an extension of my face. Even if I am actually blind, I'll probably freak out without them.
• Don't make me eat veggies if I don't wanna. I'm old, who cares if I finish my veggies?!
• Keep my nails painted, even my toes. Now it's always chipping, but I love the look.
• If I'm able, I want to do crafts often. Keep me well stocked.
• I love pictures. I want a shelf for all my scrapbooks.
• I want to smell good. Use pretty body sprays and lotions that I like. 
• Take me to church sometimes. Or at least play some good worship music.
• Take me outside when it's nice out.
• I like blankets (unless it's hot). I've got some favorite memento blankets. Keep them on hand.
• I like to be silly. Sometimes, put my pink wig on (and/or a boa) so I can have fun.

So that's the beginning of my list. How about you? Anything you want when you get old?

Verse of the Year: 2013

Finally had a chance to pick my verse of the year from church! And it's only February 6th...go me! I'm so happy with my verse(s); they couldn't be more perfect!

Background before I share the verses: Just today I was thinking about where my life is heading (and liking it!). That my ministry life has been shifting to a stronger focus on Children's Ministry and Missions (no big surprise). Just today I signed up as a blogger for an organization working to end human trafficking (more on that later), worked on a program for the kids, and did some work for the missions department. So I'm loving life and where I'm heading, excited for what God's got in store and what the vision of my leaders is.

So when I closed my eyes and picked a card from the bin after the first major staff meeting of the year, I picked the perfect one. Not only is it pink(ish), but the two verses are perfect for where my life is headed. The first one I read was Acts 10:35

In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Now, I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of the ol' KJV. The "-eth"s always throw me off. I got the basic gist, and liked it right away, though. How much more perfect does it get for someone in missions?! But I wanted wording I could relate to, so I headed to BibleGateway. (If you don't know about BibleGateway, check it out! They have every version you can imagine, plus Bible studies and commentaries/concordances. They rock!) The easiest-to-understand was the NKJV, but I really like the Amplified.

But in every nation he who venerates and has a reverential fear for God, treating Him with worshipful obedience and living uprightly, is acceptable to Him and sure of being received and welcomed [by Him].

Yes!! Now the other half of my "background info" is that the major thing holding me back in a lot of ways is finances. I make enough to pay my bills, though it sometimes gets tight because I get cancelled for shifts on occasion. Added to this, I am not longer under my dad's insurance, so I need to buy my own, the lowest cost I'm eligible for is nearly $300 a month! Not cool. So when I flipped my card over, I was glad to see Psalm 23:1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Two verses, two perfect words for my life this year! Can't wait to see everything that's in store, and to share with you as it comes to pass! Do you have a verse (or two) for your year? What is it?

Aspiring Ashley

Why Aspiring (because I hope the Ashley part is self-explanatory)? Well, I am aspiring to be and do so much in my life. There are the things I can explain: like I am aspiring to be a nurse, to make beautiful cakes, to be a good example, to try new things. Then there are the things that I yearn for in my spirit but can't really put into words for other people. The best I can do is to say that I want to follow Christ with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, wherever He might lead, without fear or hesitation. But see, that doesn't really take whats inside and express it very well. Oh well. So this blog is simply a place to write and grow and record what I'm learning and doing. Like I said in yesterdays post, I might record a day's events, or what I'm reading...I'm actually really excited for that part. I have a site where I review books (click here to see it) but one of my favorite things in this past year was when I lead a book study with my girls. There are some books I've been meaning to read, so look for some book discussions here soon. So, I guess that will be it for today. Thanks for stopping by and reading :)

**Ashley**