That’s right folks, my hubby got ordained. June 12, 2009. We were so blessed to have some of our family come out and support our commissioning into ministry. It turned out that Scott was the only ordainee/ordinan (?) in the Texas/ Louisiana district this year...which made for a very special, intimate service directed just to us. Joann Lyon's was the speaker and left us with heartfelt insight. I admire her authenticity. Ryan (Scott's brother) read scripture, Dad Stevenson prayed over us and then Dad Higley (my dad) closed in prayer...having both of our fathers pray over our ministry was such an honor, we are so blessed. Mom Stevenson, my brother Mikey and Lindquist's greeted us with big hugs after the service.
Another fun lil’ ditty…In addition to Scott getting ordained, he was also nominated and voted in as District Youth President. Yep, Scott the DYP. A new role, new responsibility, new adventure and a new challenge…Here we go!
I cannot tell you how proud I am of my husband and what an honor it is to serve alongside him. In the 2 years of ministry I've seen God use him, mold him, teach him and grow him... my heart is changed and humbled because of it. We are young, we have LOTS to learn, but being in the center of God's will for our lives...there is no greater peace!
- Scott and Ashley
- Durham, North Carolina, United States
- We want to stay in touch. So here is our attempt. We won't guarantee daily updates...or even weekly. But we'll update as much as we can. Welcome to our blog...our thoughts...our new world in North Carolina
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Two years and MORE...
Summer of 2001 – JUST finished our sophomore year of high school. Our families were getting together; the very first time we met was at his Grandma Simpsons house during district conference. After spending the weekend and some time at Coronado Beach… I had a crush, Scott made his “that’s wifey declaration” to his close friend and God had his plan.
December 2001- Saw each other at a youth conference. I accepted God’s calling into ministry, not fully knowing what that entailed… as my future husband sat rows behind me and witnessed and God had his plan.
Summer of 2002 – Scott and I started dating. Scott came a visited me in Tucson for a week. However, we decided to break up shortly after his visit due to the complications in “long distant” relationships. God had his plan.
December of 2002 – Distant friends…God had his plan
Summer of 2003- Scott made an unexpected stop in Tucson with his brother. He had the PLEASURE of meeting my boyfriend of the time, little did Scott know this relationship would leave me broken and having lost a piece of my heart. Hard, but I got a glimpse of Scott’s quite strength & sincere honesty. God had his plan.
Summer of 2004- Both Sophomores in college, Scott transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan (the school I had been attending since freshman year) to get his Ministry degree. Our friendship grew, along with Scott’s persistence! Even though I enjoyed his friendship more than any other, my heart was not ready, and my shoulders were heavy. He took each rejection with class and reminded me of his commitment to pray for me daily that started back in the summer of 2002…God had his plan.
Fall 2004- Starting to open up my heart to Scott I began to realize that I had to break my heart to heal my heart. Unsure of how my past would affect the way Scott cared for me, I had to do it, and God was calling me to be transparent with him and my family. After I shared my hidden scars, half way expecting Scott to walk away and throw in the towel, he simply said “I love you.”…really? God had his plan.
Christmas 2004- We are officially dating…as half way / young adults! Many times feeling very unworthy to be dating such great guy, Scott was always quick to tell of his love for me...I got a glimpse of his encouragement as God continually healed my heart. God had his plan.
March 2006- For spring break Scott and I met up with our close friends in San Diego. Our first day out on the beach, as he hugged me tight (I could feel his heart beating!), He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him… “YES!” …I was MORE than surprised. SHOCKED! He gave me the proposal of my dreams, something we hadn’t talked much about. God had his plan.
December 2001- Saw each other at a youth conference. I accepted God’s calling into ministry, not fully knowing what that entailed… as my future husband sat rows behind me and witnessed and God had his plan.
Summer of 2002 – Scott and I started dating. Scott came a visited me in Tucson for a week. However, we decided to break up shortly after his visit due to the complications in “long distant” relationships. God had his plan.
December of 2002 – Distant friends…God had his plan
Summer of 2003- Scott made an unexpected stop in Tucson with his brother. He had the PLEASURE of meeting my boyfriend of the time, little did Scott know this relationship would leave me broken and having lost a piece of my heart. Hard, but I got a glimpse of Scott’s quite strength & sincere honesty. God had his plan.
Summer of 2004- Both Sophomores in college, Scott transferred to Oklahoma Wesleyan (the school I had been attending since freshman year) to get his Ministry degree. Our friendship grew, along with Scott’s persistence! Even though I enjoyed his friendship more than any other, my heart was not ready, and my shoulders were heavy. He took each rejection with class and reminded me of his commitment to pray for me daily that started back in the summer of 2002…God had his plan.
Fall 2004- Starting to open up my heart to Scott I began to realize that I had to break my heart to heal my heart. Unsure of how my past would affect the way Scott cared for me, I had to do it, and God was calling me to be transparent with him and my family. After I shared my hidden scars, half way expecting Scott to walk away and throw in the towel, he simply said “I love you.”…really? God had his plan.
Christmas 2004- We are officially dating…as half way / young adults! Many times feeling very unworthy to be dating such great guy, Scott was always quick to tell of his love for me...I got a glimpse of his encouragement as God continually healed my heart. God had his plan.
March 2006- For spring break Scott and I met up with our close friends in San Diego. Our first day out on the beach, as he hugged me tight (I could feel his heart beating!), He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him… “YES!” …I was MORE than surprised. SHOCKED! He gave me the proposal of my dreams, something we hadn’t talked much about. God had his plan.
June 2007- My prince. My strength. My encourager. My pursuer. My friend....became my husband. With all our friends and family present…we made our commitment to God and to each other. A day I will never forget. God had his plan.
June 2009- two year anniversary…I am so blessed. God has made beauty from my mess and has given me a man who loves me and respects me more than I could have ever imagined. Last night as Scott was preaching at youth group…I couldn’t help but look back at our journey and think God had a perfect plan in our love story and I am so honored to continue to live out God’s plan alongside my friend, my Scott.
I wish I could do my husband justice with my words...but hopefully my little timeline will give you a glimpse of the man he has been to me and continues to be on a daily basis...yes...I am blessed beyond words!
I love you Scott- Happy 2 year Anniversary!!!!
Friday, May 29, 2009
My heart has expanded and experienced a different kind of love... love for my nephews!
Meeting Eli for the first time...and my heart melt.
Scott and Brody...meeting for the first time...and my heart MELT!
Scott and Brody...meeting for the first time...and my heart MELT!
Eli and Scott time...
The whole family...minus Phil.
Having nephews is so much fun...
The whole family...minus Phil.
Having nephews is so much fun...
Monday, April 20, 2009
Crawfish Boil w/ Our Church Family
This is how you get the meat out
Mikey...didn't even try one!
Friends
Scott chose to eat other things
The living crawfish
Marquita :)
This is what you do...
The Hostess...Shari
Not your average meal, but a TON of fun! Our lips were burning, our hands and arms dirty but really we couldn't ask for a better time!
Mikey...didn't even try one!
Friends
Scott chose to eat other things
The living crawfish
Marquita :)
This is what you do...
The Hostess...Shari
Not your average meal, but a TON of fun! Our lips were burning, our hands and arms dirty but really we couldn't ask for a better time!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Easter Fun!
My egg turned out looking like a rock...
Taking his egg dying VERY seriously
Greek tradition, whomevers egg doesn't crack has good luck for the rest of the year
Mikey looses
Casserole
This Easter, since Marie was in town visiting, I decided I'd venture out and make my very first HOLIDAY MEAL! It went well, I THINK. I love love love to cook, so I had a blast.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Can I tell you about someone?
Please note... I’ve never been one to write or journal much, I'm not a person who make a simple sentence sound like a song or even take a story and create imagery with my words...so bare with me!
I am, however, a person who has been deeply touched by friend. And I'd like to share with you why i am so blessed to have such a person in my life...
Throughout my 24 years of life, I’ve had many friends. As a little girl I had friends who would come over and play barbies. I had my church friends and I had softball friends. Then, of course, I had some good friends and some not so good friends. Lots of different interactions with lots of different friends some have stayed and some have gone, but none as true as this friendship I share with you today. None that has been so transparent or so voluntary, none like the friendship I have lived out with my sister.
Here are a few reasons why:
(…If only this list did her justice)
-She has always been a spiritual leader to me. Priority
- She is the person I have looked up to my entire life, and has never let me down. Mentor
-As a young girl, when I forgot my lunch money, she gave me hers and ate nothing. Selflessness
-She has always stood up for me. Courage
-Strength isn't something that seeps out of her when you come in contact, but it's built into her core in the gentlest way. Balance
-She told me to not waste my time on the wrong things, she got her prince. Patience
-She told me life would go on, after I shared my deepest and darkest secrets, she was the first person I told. Support
-She has loved me at the times when I have been unlovable, which was OFTEN. Unconditional
-She listens to my joys and sorrows. Counselor
-She was never too cool for me, even in high school, she let me eat lunch with her and her friends as an annoying freshman. Welcoming
-Many times, she has been and still is my voice of reason. Advisor
-She's yelled at me and put me in my place. Concern
-She has always been true to herself and what she believes in. Christ-Like
-She would always let me have a bite of her ice cream; I always wanted what she would order instead of my own. Kind
-She tried to teach me how to dance, even though I was NOT catching on. Amusing
-Without fail, she will always put others first, even if the person is unworthy. Humility
-She is a teacher, in every facet of her life. Even as kids. Wisdom
-She always let me win. Meek
-She answers her phone, even though I call her everyday. Giving
-She sends me cards, letters & gifts, especially while in college. Encouraging
-She is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a teacher and a friend. Beauty
Desyrae has been or has taught me all of these things and so much MORE. I am so blessed. As I prepare to meet my nephew Eli (he's coming so soon!), I am overwhelmed with grateful thoughts about his precious mommy, my sister. How will I ever tell him how wonderful she is, how will I ever have enough time to share with him how much she means to me and how much she has taught me? How will I put all of this into words? Can I? After writing this blog, I've concluded that I cannot! :) BUT, I am confident that he will learn quickly for himself, he truly has a one of a kind mother, he will be blessed by her love and friendship as much, if not MUCH more, then I have.
My mentor, my friend, my sister...isn't she beautiful?
I am, however, a person who has been deeply touched by friend. And I'd like to share with you why i am so blessed to have such a person in my life...
Throughout my 24 years of life, I’ve had many friends. As a little girl I had friends who would come over and play barbies. I had my church friends and I had softball friends. Then, of course, I had some good friends and some not so good friends. Lots of different interactions with lots of different friends some have stayed and some have gone, but none as true as this friendship I share with you today. None that has been so transparent or so voluntary, none like the friendship I have lived out with my sister.
Here are a few reasons why:
(…If only this list did her justice)
-She has always been a spiritual leader to me. Priority
- She is the person I have looked up to my entire life, and has never let me down. Mentor
-As a young girl, when I forgot my lunch money, she gave me hers and ate nothing. Selflessness
-She has always stood up for me. Courage
-Strength isn't something that seeps out of her when you come in contact, but it's built into her core in the gentlest way. Balance
-She told me to not waste my time on the wrong things, she got her prince. Patience
-She told me life would go on, after I shared my deepest and darkest secrets, she was the first person I told. Support
-She has loved me at the times when I have been unlovable, which was OFTEN. Unconditional
-She listens to my joys and sorrows. Counselor
-She was never too cool for me, even in high school, she let me eat lunch with her and her friends as an annoying freshman. Welcoming
-Many times, she has been and still is my voice of reason. Advisor
-She's yelled at me and put me in my place. Concern
-She has always been true to herself and what she believes in. Christ-Like
-She would always let me have a bite of her ice cream; I always wanted what she would order instead of my own. Kind
-She tried to teach me how to dance, even though I was NOT catching on. Amusing
-Without fail, she will always put others first, even if the person is unworthy. Humility
-She is a teacher, in every facet of her life. Even as kids. Wisdom
-She always let me win. Meek
-She answers her phone, even though I call her everyday. Giving
-She sends me cards, letters & gifts, especially while in college. Encouraging
-She is a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a teacher and a friend. Beauty
Desyrae has been or has taught me all of these things and so much MORE. I am so blessed. As I prepare to meet my nephew Eli (he's coming so soon!), I am overwhelmed with grateful thoughts about his precious mommy, my sister. How will I ever tell him how wonderful she is, how will I ever have enough time to share with him how much she means to me and how much she has taught me? How will I put all of this into words? Can I? After writing this blog, I've concluded that I cannot! :) BUT, I am confident that he will learn quickly for himself, he truly has a one of a kind mother, he will be blessed by her love and friendship as much, if not MUCH more, then I have.
Thanks Des, for your unconditional love, friendship and support.
I am eternally grateful! I love you.
My mentor, my friend, my sister...isn't she beautiful?
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