I found my new favorite city. Maybe Chicago is still at the top... actually, I'm sure it is. But Florence comes in a close second. The streets, the history, the food, the museums, the art, the people. If you've been there you know the magic I'm talking about. 

Because of some lovely people's recommendations (thank you!!), we stayed pretty town center. This was by far the best decision. Once you're in Florence central you can pretty much walk everywhere. And boy did we walk! 

We stayed at a quant BnB called Hotel Monica. The service was friendly, breakfast adequate, and location/price amazing. If you're traveling on a budget you couldn't ask for more. Highly recommend this place!

Few of our favorite things in Florence... FYI I saved the best for last. 

1. The Architecture
Duomo is the center cathedral of Florence. It's quite hard to miss. The great thing about this master piece is it serves as a sign post for you no matter where you are in the city. Lost? Locate the Duomo peaking over the buildings and reorient yourself. Amazing.

You can visit the 4 major churches in Florence - San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, and Basilica of Santo Spirito. Admittedly we didn't make it to all of them but definitely worth visiting a few.

Also, every street is met with more interesting buildings. It was so hard to not snap a picture in every street we walked. 

Also, ALL the mopeds ^^ E v e r y w h e r e !

2. The Uffizi and Acadamia
We are so glad we took the time to visit these museums. So much history and art that influenced the world as we know it. You can enjoy the David, pieces from Rafael, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli and many more. If anything, make sure you see the David. It's in the Academia, which is a smaller museum but the David alone is worth every penny. Jake just stared at it. Eventually he said, "this may be the most amazing thing I have every seen." He gave me a hard time for the rest of the trip because I didn't have quite the same reaction, but it's certainly impressive. Make sure you see it.

Now, I'm not a history nor art buff. I don't consider myself astute in either of these fields. But wow -- there was so much I appreciated about learning from these art pieces. Completely worth a couple hours of our limited time to learn how art has influenced and reflects history.

You can purchase your tickets ahead of time so you can skip a majority of the lines. But be ware -- not all the lines. Also, as a friend informed me, you can simply wake up early and be one of the first in line to purchase your tickets. You should be safe either way.

3. Markets and LEATHER
Did you know Florence is the leather capital of the world? Did you even know there was such a thing as the leather capital of the world? Don't worry, I didn't either. But wow was there leather everywhere! 

The open markets had such great trinkets. It was fun to walk between the markets and then pop into the store fronts. Take your time exploring the markets, but be sure you're getting the real stuff.

Because of another great recommendation (thanks Gina!) we made sure to visit the Florence School of Leather, Scuola del Cuoio. You MUST go there. If you didn't know to look for it, you'd miss it. Hidden behind Santa Croce is this amazing centuries old leather factory. Here thousands of leather artisans have come to hone their craft. To this day, you can see the leather students in the bottom floor of the building. In the store, artisans have space to work on their master pieces. This is the good stuff.

Since leather is for the third year anniversary, and we just hit three years (woot woot!), I bought a leather purse from the Scuola. You can see below where one of the top gilders embossed my initials on the purse. This is a keep sake I can have for many years. And enjoy right now! Make sure you stop by this place. You won't regret it.

4. Piti Palace and Giardino di Boboli
The Medici's. I still don't know much about them... but after visiting Florence and hearing all about their influence, for better or worse, I am excited to read up about their history. And man oh man did they have a flat!

The gardens were also so fun to explore. Probably better when everything is in bloom but it's a nice break frame the hustle and bustle of the city. 

5. Ponte Vecchio 
Who doesn't like pretty rivers and old rustic bridges? This is one of the staple tourist views in Florence. We couldn't help but indulge ourselves here. AND caffeine up with some espresso. ;) 

6. Michelangelo's Plaza
I saved the best for last. So thankful that Natalia (thanks girl!) told us to watch the sun set from this location. We weren't quite ready for how steep the hike would be. But seriously. Put on your best walking shoes - big mistake on my part here - and walk up those steep stairs with the crowds to catch the beautiful views. Just take a look below. 

If you can't tell by now, I love Florence. I couldn't post all 1000 pictures from our three days here but believe me, I wanted to. Do your due diligence to find local restaurants and gelato shops. It makes all the difference. Take in as much of this city as you can, for whatever amount of time you get. It's worth every turn down little nook and cranny.

After some work in Europe, our little socks were blessed off. I had always dreamed of going to Italy with Jake. Didn't actually think it would happen. But then we talked about it enough (or maybe I did?!) and after lots of planning we MET IN ITALY. 

3 weeks later I'm finally going through pictures. We arrived in Florence and stayed at this adorable BnB - Hotel Monica. Highly recommended. We made Florence our home base for a few days. But more on Florence later.

I'll start by posting our first day trip. We took a 2 hour Trenitalia trip from Florence to Venice. So worth paying the money for the high speed train when you have limited time!

Venice was beautiful. The water ways. The winding streets -- where, yes, we got lost multiple times, even with google maps. St. Mark's square & basilica. CARNIVAL was going on, so that was special. Masks every where. We paid to go up in the clock tower. Definitely worth the wait -- you could see all the building tops in 360 degrees. It makes you realize just how crazy those people were stacking this city on 118 islands!

Unfortunately our day in Venice was about 36 degrees and rainy. Let's just say it was beautiful enough to make the trip worth it. Because it was c o l d. And w e t. But, worth it. Probably wouldn't stay there much longer than a day because it's so touristy -- meaning lots of high prices and gifts shops every where. But definitely glad we saw beautiful, romantic city. Even if our umbrella kept breaking -- you might catch the helpless umbrella below. 
​

I'm in Germany. I arrived two days ago after working with an amazing team on an evangelism conference in the UK. They're seeing revival there. Yes, revival. Thousands of people saying "yes" to the love of God right on the street. We just never know what movement of God is going to hit a nation.

So here I sit in Germany. Today we start setting up for the next event. And before we hit full swing, I just need to be reflective for a few minutes. 

Being away from your normal rhythms really makes you look at things differently. You appreciate more. Take in more. Look at light and colors. Take in all the smells and sounds. Even the language barriers become agents of observation. I need to pay more attention to people speaking because I can't trust my ears to interpret all that's being communicated.

I can't help but think maybe this is what God intends for all of life to be. Fully present and aware of his moving and creating. Possibly the world around me really is to be observed like Lucy observed Narnia for the first time. I only pray I can take these acts of being fully present back to my normal rhythms. Surely, I'll need to be reminded soon. But today, for this small reminder, I am grateful.

Here's a few unedited shots of meeting up with Ronja in Germany. The buildings are bright. The kaffee is delicious. And I'm still practicing "Hi, how are you?" in German. 

The following is an excerpt I found from a paper I wrote for Senior Seminar...
​
           "The question of, “so what are you going to do with your life?” did not just begin when I started telling people I was graduating soon. No, it started back in my early teens when conference, after service, after book challenged me to figure out how I was going to change the world for and with Christ. I have, and most certainly others in my generation, been faced with the challenge to “do something big with your life,” or the well known, “go in the name of Jesus! Change the world for his glory!”
            Now that may sound a little charismatic – a little far-fetched or dramatized – but the truth is that those statements rang in my ears for many years. Echoes of those phrases followed me to Moody. After times of confused prayer about my vocational calling, I had a conviction that no matter what I did in this life I am simply called to love people. For many years when someone has asked me what I am going to do with my life that is the response I give, “I want to love people.” Sure, this statement may seem overly simplistic in response to the charge to go change the world. Whether the answer is an extremely simplified response to echoes of extreme charges, my life motto has stayed the same: “love people”.
            That being said, I understand that God has created me to be uniquely me, with giftings and talents that ought to be used to bring him glory. I am not disqualifying the legitimacy of career goals or ambitions. However, I do find it important in my life to make the distinction between being and doing. The value of my life is not dependent on what I do, but on who’s I am..."

It goes on to say a lot of other things about where I hoped I'd go after graduation. But it also says more about that type of person I hope to become. I'm re-posting this because I am so grateful that my senior seminar class made me write something like this. I am finding that it is so valuable to have mission, purpose, and values that guard and guide your life. It's so cool to look back and feel the words strike a chord - one that rings deep and true. One that reminds me, "yes, keep going!" One that challenges me to stay rooted in who I am and to keep discovering that truth in Christ.

I am still just past the starting line of life. But I am forever grateful for mentors, leaders, professors and friends who challenge me to be intentional about my daily living. Make me write it down. Talk it out. Evaluate it and re-evaluate again and again. It's in these moments that life is lived. And where we can fully love and be loved.

​I'm grateful that I stumbled across this today. It's a good reminder of who I am and that I need to find someone to love today. Even if I'm currently bed-ridden due to illness. There's always a way to show someone love. Time to hop to it.

Sometimes, I crave creativity. I crave the longing to make beautiful things, be among beautiful creations, then re-create and reproduce even more. Either through written words or spoken or picture or elements.

There is something about a line crossing another at just the right angle and the light hitting the other line at just the right time of the day, casting a shadow across another. There's something about the way colors intersect and create more colors. There's something about the symmetry of a row of trees. There's even more about the composition of city grid lines, the structure of a fence, the meshing of textures. The breeze picking up nature and laying it down again. The twinkling russet sunset luminating dreams and hopes. Inspiring a peace. A calm. A hug, a stretch of a hand, an apology, a smile, or a whisper from the creator reminding his created that they are the most prized of his creation.

I get lost in these thoughts for just a few seconds then the "ding" of another email startles my wandering mind back to the pixels of my computer screen. Across the top right of my screen is a notification of another request needing a response. Or better yet, a reminder of something that I have yet to initiate. 

I get lost in these thoughts for just a few seconds then the blaring noise of a horn startles me back into reality that the traffic light just turned blaring green. How did you not see it .5 seconds ago? It's time to move again. No time to stop. No time to wander. Keep moving towards your scheduled destination.

I get lost in these thoughts for just a few seconds then my cat jumps on my lap, meowing, reminding me he's hungry. I walk into the kitchen, open the cupboard, feed my darling kitty then look up only to be reminded of responsibility that lays all around. Time to do the dishes, the laundry, and for heaven sakes you haven't vacuumed this week!

I may long for creation and creativity. To be wandering and free. Yet when I'm pulled back to reality, I have to remind myself that I am all those things. I am a part of the beautiful mess of creation. I get to take  part in it with every passing moment. In the recognition and longing for eternal creation and in the present realities. 

C.S. Lewis once said that it's in the present moment that the eternal, the heavenly intersects with reality. 

Even when those longings for beauty and creation come, I cannot succumb to the trained response to stuff those emotions or thoughts. I need to sit. To let my mind wander. To feel hope and longing. To be reminded of the more that is to come. To let myself realize that not only do I long for creation, but I long for eternity. I long for all things to be assumed in glory, in perfection with the perfect One. When those longings realize themselves in my being, I can't ignore them because of the rush of efficiency or productivity. Even if it means a rush of sadness or compassion or so many emotions you can't identify that it brings a tear to your eye.

And then when those strings tug, snapping me out of longings and hopes, reminding me of my current surroundings, I am a little more free. A little more aware of my identity. Of my purpose. Of those things to come and those things that already are. That I am free and will be free. That I am created and am called to continuing creating. When I allow the present to intersect with the eternal, I am re-created once again. Moment by moment, a little more free to live in the reality that I already am free.

Married life thus far has taught me a lot. I'm not only learning about the details of baseball but I'm learning more about myself than I expected. 

For instance: my new name, "Squirtle". 

You're probably wondering what it means just as much as I was. 

Here's how the story goes: We only have one car. This past summer I have been working at a location that requires transportation other than a train - providing for a lot of time together and fun for Jake and I. 

Although you might not believe it, my typical morning routine is not overly rushed. I tell myself that I wake up with "enough time" to get ready. But truthfully I know I should probably bump up my alarm clock if I really think I can fit in a quiet time, work out, breakfast, and actually complete getting ready. Most mornings the minimal make up gets done in the car while Jake drives down the highway. 

Due to many years of habit development, most morning routines happen at a typical pace. I never knew that this pace was so odd until marriage. "How do you get so distracted?" "Please, can't you just move a little faster?" "Ash, seriously. Stop finding things to do." 

ME?! Distracted? Slow? Finding things that need to get done? Never. 

Thanks to my lovely husband, I am now shrining the name "Squirtle" in the morning time around our home. Aka: someone who moves as slow as a turtle but gets as distracted as a squirrel. 

Now I can easily take offense and turn this around on him - I see how marriage conflicts can happen so easily.  Marriage has a way of showing your true colors. You've always known they're there but in marriage you can't deny them. 

So what am I going to do with a mirror-of-a-husband constantly reflecting my true self? I'm learning to embrace who I am, who I've been, who I'm becoming, and who God has created me to be. I have been reading a lot of books on Christian leadership that talk about coming to terms with who you really are. Learn how you are perceived, accept your quirks, don't only grow in your strengths but intimately know your weaknesses. 

So today I am a Squirtle. I may be a squirtle for a long time - but I am okay with that. I'm thankful to have a husband who accepts me as I am yet will never fail to lovingly point out my "squirtle" moments. Because lets face it, I've got quite a few!

Praise be to God for this truth: Learning who I am is a lifelong journey of getting to know the one who created me. 

In Him I find myself. I pray you do as well. 

Squirtle on. 

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image . . . 
--2 Corinthians 3:18
The greatest characteristic a Christian can exhibit is this completely unveiled openness before God, which allows that person’s life to become a mirror for others. When the Spirit fills us, we are transformed, and by beholding God we become mirrors. You can always tell when someone has been beholding the glory of the Lord, because your inner spirit senses that he mirrors the Lord’s own character. Beware of anything that would spot or tarnish that mirror in you. It is almost always something good that will stain it— something good, but not what is best.

-Oswald Chambers



When you look in the mirror, what do you see? What most girls probably don't see is the beautiful reflection of the savior. They probably don't look in the mirror and praise the Living God for the wonderful creation they bestow. 

I write this for the middle school girls I am blessed to work with each week. 

Beautiful daughter, it's okay to cry when that boy calls you a fatty. Precious girl, it's okay to be confused by the messages society screams in your ears about beauty. Innocent girl, they will try to tear you a part in the way you look, dress, think, and act. Darling, yes, people will tell you that you don't measure up. That you're not doing enough, thin enough, smart enough, good enough. 

Dear one, I sit and cry with you because I was told the same things at your age. I dreamt that it might change for you, that something would be different. But since we live in this awfully sinful world, the truth is that the battle will continue on. There will be lies and there will be truth. And its your choice of who you will believe: the truth of Christ, or the lies of the enemy. 

Girls, you are a beautiful reflection of God's glory. Sit with Him and fall in love with His glory, He wants to shine through you. Choose to believe in Him, and reject the lies. Because that's exactly what they are: lies. 

-AMO

Since this is the first thing I’ve written since our wedding day your probably expecting a gooshy post about my husband or me raving about the wedding, but there is something else that I can’t stop thinking about.

Can I speak for for my age group for just a second? We live in a culture that seems to flaunt love, relationships, weddings, and create unrealistic longings. You are bombarded with images and messages telling you what your wedding should look like and even if your not dating someone, you probably already have the whole day planned out. Pinterest board with pin after pin. I know because I’ve experienced it all. But can I tell you something? It’s not about the dress, the flowers, the photos, or even the hottest husband. There is so, so much more. And to those who have rejected the whole marriage thing all together, let me tell you. There is so, so much more.

I don't claim to be an expert, but there is a truth that the Lord has revealed to me. Let me start by talking about our triune God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are loving and communing with the very love that they are (as quoted from my theology prof). As we are created in God’s Image, we incessantly crave intimacy and fellowship. We were designed to have intimacy with others. And our culture has picked up on this and distorted it’s holiness beyond measure. Our culture craves weddings as much as chocolate because it ultimately reflects our longing to know and be known. 

Love searching-purpose searching generation, hear me out: You have love waiting right at your door. You have intimacy, most true and pure, most holy and faithful, right where you are. Christ, the one who loved us and gave himself up for us, wants you. 

Our wedding day? But a reflection of what is to come. A mirroring image of Christ and the Church. And seriously, it only shadows in comparison to the love we have received from Christ. Do you get it? You, the Church, are His Bride. He is purifying us, sanctifying us, making us His righteousness. Only with Christ will you be fully known. It's only in Him that you find life. Even the most perfect pinterest wedding can't change that.

The day after the wedding I awoke to my best friend, another sinner saved by grace, who I can now share life and love with. After a year of wedding planning, it's not about his hair cut or my vintage heels. There is so, so much more than an extravagant day. We may know and be known by the very One who created us and we get to share that with others. What else is greater? My prayer for you is that the longing for fellowship would draw you in to intimacy with the very One in whose image you were created. Praise it. Believe it. Read it. Ephesians 2-3.

-AMO

I guess you could say I have become a pro at "backpacking". No, I do  not mean "backpacking" as in traveling throughout Europe. I mean, backpacking as in this whole summer I seemed to have never stayed in one place for longer than a week at a time. It's made for a lot of quick lessons that I'll pull out my backpack any time I travel. 

This lesson is to travel light. There's no quirky story to go a long with this lesson but there are quite a few reasons and reminders as to why I shouldn't over pack...

5 Reasons for not overpacking:

1. You'll get back problems if you don't travel light. Your body wasn't meant to carry another body around at all times. So don't pack a duffle bag that weighs more than a human -- otherwise you'll be rubbing your neck and shoulder out for a week.

2. You will look like a tourist. Maybe that's what you want. But if you're trying to get somewhere in a timely manner, its best to blend in and walk with the crowd moving in one direction. A big bag doesn't allow you to do that very efficiently without being that tourist hitting everyone a long the way.

3. You will get places faster. Believe me, this one is true. Let's begin with the time saved from not packing so much -- you can spend more time with people before you leave. Now let's talk about the time you save from trying to fit through doors because your bag is so awkwardly overlarge. Lastly lets talk about the time saved from taking escalators and/or elevators because your bag is too heavy to run up stairs with. Not only are you wasting time but you're wasting precious physical activity -- Hello obese epidemic in America! 

4. You will do the world a favor. And by "world" I mean the countless people you run into on public transportation. If you're that one person with the big bag, you become that one person that is taking an old ladies seat. And why? Because the bag is too big to put in your lap. So you take the old ladie's seat. The business man has to get up to let her sit down. He gets grumpy and doesn't care to let people pass him. Then everyone gets backed up. And they're all staring at you. Because of your big bag. Don't be that person. 

5. You never know what's going to change. With carrying too much stuff, you cannot as quickly go if a plan changes or give of yourself if someone calls. If I was too worried about getting my stuff put together or weighed down by my belongings, I wouldn't have been able to meet with a friend in need. I wouldn't have made it to spend extra time with my grandparents when my great-grandfather passed. There wouldn't be room in my car to give a friend a lift to work so she didn't have to walk in the rain. This past summer I've learned that packing light doesn't only have to do with my belongings, but has a lot more to do with a willingness to pack less of myself so that I can go where God calls. My home is in heaven and the treasures are being stored up there. The less things I pack around as I roam this earth, by God's grace alone, the more treasures may be stored for eternity's sake. 


In a world so obsessed with stuff that defines an identity of a person, my prayer is that I may hold virtues that affect eternity more closely than I hold my possessions. My prayer is that I may trust in Him for daily guidance, clothing, and food instead of depending on my own strength.  And the greatest thing of all? I am only beginning to understand how to pack light. 


The Bible will always say it better...
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." 
-Matthew 6:25-33

Due to all the life changes going on, I have found the little things to teach me significant truths. This post is the first of many lessons I've learned while being engaged, attending college, and splitting my life in the city and the suburbs. Some of these lessons may seem pretty musing, but I'm sure most of them will have some significant point. So, may be we begin. Lesson number one: Don't forget about your random college animals. 


1. Feed your fish

        While nannying this past Spring I decided to buy a fish for a few reasons: the beta was purple, the kids thought it was the coolest fish ever, I couldn’t have a kitty, and I wanted to name something "Princess Anna" due to Frozen fever. AKA, a list of unnecessary excuses to want a live thing in a dorm room.
       Any way, a few months went by and every time I went into the grocery store, I mean every grocery store, I found that Chicago only seems to supply cat and dog food. Well, I guess cats are the most important animals after all, ignore the dog part. Due to the importance of cats, feeding my fish got put on the back side. 
       That poor fishy, poor princess Anna. The water level dropped, the tank got dirty, yet princess Anna lived on. I would walk in to my apartment after being gone for four days and cringe as I walked up to the fish tank and tap hoping to see signs of life. Then all of a sudden, there she was. Slightly hard to see through the murky water but she wasn’t floating. That fishy toughed it out every time. 
       Side note: Now don't think I'm an animal killer. In fact, I love animals very much. And my lack of feeding my fish really isn't the point of the story, so don't get horrified by the fish part and keep reading in order to get the point. 
        Thanks to an intelligent mother who told me to go to  Target, (oh yeah! duuuhh), I was able to find some nourishment for Princess Anna. I was so anxious to feed my fishy that instead of what I thought was tapping on the can of food dumped in a pile of red-produced-nourishment-leafy-stuff that cover the whole top of the tank. My mom warned me that the fish would probably kill itself by over eating because it was starved. Heading her warning, I knew I had to get the Princess Anna out of there before she ate herself to obesity which would lead to death. I quickly went to the bathroom for a much over-do water change and life saving procedure.
         Thus unfolded a catastrophic life event for Anna: getting her out of the tank. Honestly, I'm surprised that Princess Anna didn't die from simply the excitement of the water change because she's been sitting there so lifeless for so long. She had probably gotten very used to her circumstances and forgot what life was like, you know, a normal happy life of normal water and regular feeding. The fish was determined to stay in the nastry tank but I forced her into the white cup because I was only doing what was best. I'm pretty sure she thought her life was over after sitting in the white disposable cup for so long while I scrubbed the tank. But I was only doing what was needed to be done. 
         After the tank was entirely clean and her buddy Squirt-the-Statue was put back in place, Anna was able to leave the white surroundings and enter into what seemed like a whole new tank. The fishy that I thought may be dying from lack of food, poor water, and excitement of events all of a sudden began to dance around in clean water, and I imagine, singing beautiful songs. Even more, soon after she was transported to her spot in the living room she was given food. The right amount of food this time. Her dancing stopped and she slowly swam to the top of the tank, starring.  In my mind Anna's reaction was a mini replication of the moment the Israelites received manna -- such bewilderment. She inched closer and closer to the food then mustered up the courage to take the smallest bite, then another, then the dancing began once again coupled by taking dives from the bottom of the tank to the top for another bite of heavenly food. Princess Anna had entered paradise. 
          What's the point of all of this mumble jumble, insignificant life of a fish that I endearingly call Princess Anna? You see, it's the small things that God uses to make Biblical truth's and theology come to life. 
         In the middle of a chaotic life, I have often felt I was sitting in a tank that was engulfed by dirty water just trying to find air. I have felt like I am swimming in the messiness of what I started but may never be able to finish, or at least not finish well. I feel as though wedding planning may never end. That maybe relationships will always be murky and that there is nothing I can do about it. Possibly there is no point to what I am studying at school and God can't really use it to bring him glory - what am I wasting my time for?!
        However the Lord showed me something through this insignificant moment in the life of a fish. As a human trapped in the tank of life I need to react as if I was a fish trapped in the messiness of my tank, like Princess Anna. Although she wasn't really given a choice, Princess Anna trudged on. As far as I know, there was no complaining. That fish didn't kill itself over anxiety. She didn't bang herself against the tank walls trying to get her owners attention. She simply waited with patience trusting that I was going to take care of her. 
        The question begs, is that the way I react when I feel as though life is too disorganized and too messy to understand what God is doing? Do I wait patiently in the murk, knowing that he will see me through? You see, Princess Anna waited and was in turn overjoyed when her tank was clean and was given food. She was blessed beyond what I'm sure was her comprehension (I know its just a fish, but go with me here). 
         And as I washed the insignificant fish's tank and watched her dance, the Lord quietly whispered to my spirit, be patient, my Ashlyn. If I take care of the animals of this earth, how much more do I care for you? Wait on me. Find joy in me. And know that I am right here watching you trying to find life in your murk. Come to me, I will take care of you and your water will be made clean, my son already did that for you on the cross. You are my daughter in this tank of life that I created for you. Trust in me, I will make you full of life with with nourishment each day. 


Thank you Lord, for the life of a fish. You have "...used the foolish things to confound the wise..." 1 Corinthians 1:27. If a fish can trust in me, how much more should I trust in you? Also, as you take care of me, I'll take care of Anna. I'll feed my fish, I promise.