Tonight and the rest of my life....

Just wanted to give an update about Vanguard and my classes. But first, let me start off with a story. Since I am a novelist and all ;)

Maybe some of you have heard it. I'm not sure who wrote it, I'll try and find out.

Once upon a time, a little girl went to the store with her father. At the store, she found a plastic beaded necklace. Costume jewelry. She begged her father, "May I please have these beads?!" And he said yes, and bought them for her.

She ADORED the cheap little beads. She wore them around her neck everywhere, even to bed.

Every night, her father would come to tuck her in. He'd say "Do you love me?"

And she said "Daddy, of course I love you."

And he said "Can I have your beads?"

The little girl began to cry. She said "Daddy I love you but no, please, don't take my beads."

And he said "Okay. Goodnight. I love you," and kissed her goodnight."

The next night, and the night after that and the night after that, he asked her for her beads again. And each night she'd cry, conflicted. "Daddy, I love you, but I can't give you my beads. I love my beads."

And each night he said "Okay. That's okay. Goodnight. I love you."

Then one night he asked her again.

After being asked for so long, the little girl finally gave in. She was crying as she handed over her most prized possession.

Her father took the plastic necklace, and then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a string of gorgeous, real pearls, and placed them around her neck.

That story gets to me on so many levels, especially right now.

I have always loved God, and told him so. But giving certain things over to him has been something I just cannot do.

Namely, I can't trust him with my family. The idea of leaving for college always felt selfish to me. I can't leave. I need to take care of my siblings. I need to help my parents. I have never had an adventurous spirit about me. I am just responsible.

So I went to community college my first year and lived at home.

Then I went only an hour away my sophomore year and came home each weekend.

Going away and not being able to be the big sister who is always there was so difficult. I begged God. I could NOT let them go.

Finally, I went. I came here.

The thing about that story is that the father never forced his little girl to give him the beads. He waited until she was ready. But how she must have felt! Like she'd wasted so much time hanging on to something that really wasn't as good as what he had to offer her.

Since I've come here, God has taken out a string of pearls from his pocket. And I've had to humbly accept it.

I only wish I had come to Vanguard sooner. I know this is God's timing, but I see what I have been missing.

Stuff is....amazing.

I am meeting the most amazing girls.

In little moments when we hang out, and someone says "I just LOVE you, Ashley. You're so funny!" I can tell we're going to be friends for life.

I haven't met or seen any guys that seem worth my while (which is probably a good thing) but in my classes, I am confident that my amazing professors are equipping these guys to be amazing men of God, which is a comfort.

The other night at the Survivor party, a cute guy walked up to me, touched my hair, and said, "Wow...your hair is SO pretty!" and then walked away (probably never to be seen again. ha)

But let me brief you on my classes

Spanish

It's a beginning spanish class. I have to take it for my major. And I've taken spanish 6th-12th grade. Other than being out of practice, I am basically fluent. To say I'm bored in that class is an understatement. It's also an hour and 50 minutes long.

Every class, I get the "One Semester of Spanish Love Song" stuck in my head because we learn such basic stuff. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngRq82c8Baw)

What's keeping me from trying to test out of the class?

His name is Andrew, he sits on my right, wears Underoath shirts, and looks like the lead singer of Anberlin.

World Civilizations

Cool class, cool professor. I like that he shows us the problems with what the world says about the beginning of civilization vs. what the bible says. Should make for some interesting discussions and learning.

Foundations of a Christian Life

Great class. My professor is a therapist as well, so he is just a really nice, smooth guy who genuinely cares about us. The basis of the class is learning that Christianity is not a hobby, but part of our identity. And we talk about how our worldview needs to shape everything in our life.

New Testament

Best professor ever. He's this older guy who tells amazing stories. He's like a grandpa you see on TV- so sweet and warm. But he's also a brilliant theologian.

He said that years ago, in one of his previous classes, no one was taking any notes. He asked the class why and one kid said, "Because you scare us."

And he said "Why do I scare you?"

And the kid said, "Because you know enough to destroy our faith."

His response was "I have better things to do than destroy your faith. And if I wanted to destroy someone's faith, I assure you it wouldn't be my students'."

Fitness and Wellness

Eh, it's okay, just a lecture class about nutrition and exercise. We have a couple of labs too. It's a requirement. But I have the class with my roommate and it's pretty easy.

I just wish all of you could spend a day with me and see what it's like out here! I wish everyone could have an opportunity like this. I am so blessed.

Continue to pray for me--especially in the area of finding a job or volunteer position to keep me occupied.

More updates to come!