Rock Hill

 The first time I talked to Daniel Wells he captured me with his vision. Through our friendship, courtship, engagement, and now in our marriage it has always been a constant that has attracted me to him. Not every person knows so concretely their calling in life at such a young age.

But it wasn't just the vision ... not the fact that he had one, I mean. Because lots of young men have vision. Lots of women, too. It was his particular vision that also captivated me.

To reach the lost for Christ, and particularly, to reach a generation who no longer knows the basics about God, Jesus and the Bible.

While I certainly didn't marry him because of this, in my mind, it has always been difficult for me to separate Daniel from it. If he were to give up this vision, he would be giving up part of himself.

Figuring out how to live out this vision has been a journey. Daniel has felt called to church planting for years - I remember him talking about it from the very beginning of our relationship. The areas that he was drawn to needed churches (areas in the US that don't have an evangelical presence). He saw a void, and desired to fill it. 

Last April when we went to the Gospel Coalition, God really confirmed for me that this vision (to reach the lost who don't know Christ, by planting a church within a city) wasn't just his, but ours.  I wanted to be a church planter's wife, as much as my husband wanted to church plant!

We were soaring above cloud nine after that conference. We were ready for anything. So, Daniel sought out opportunities to get involved with a church plant. In God's providence those opportunities closed, but another opened.

That's where we've spent the last year, and though we knew it would only be temporary, we fell in love with the people, and especially with the pastor and his family.

In the fall (of 2011) we participated in a church planter's assessment seminar, which further confirmed our call to church planting, and we began cautiously praying about the "next step." I say cautiously, because it is always difficult to leave a place and people you've grown to love. One of my favorite pastor's wives once told me that you are not only called to go but also called to leave. While we certainly felt called to go, we were still pondering and praying over whether or not we were called to leave. Perhaps it wasn't time yet, we were opened to that.

I always pray for rainbows in the sky. When I ask God for things I like him to reveal them to me loud and clear. No vagueness, no ambiguity. God did that for us when we chose our last step of ministry, and he did it for us again this time. Praise Him!

In late January three options stood in front of us. Baby was due in two months (but came in one :)), and Daniel was eagerly searching for full time work so that I could stay home permanently. The first option was to senior pastor a local church not far from Charlotte. Although it wasn't a church plant, it could provide needed ministry experience for us. The second was to continue where we were and hopefully get full time pay/salary from the church - we weren't sure if that pay could be provided. The third was to join Hill City's church plant and work alongside its pastor and people to gain church planting experience. When all three options lay before us we didn't know where the money for living would come from if we joined the church plant. Daniel thought he may work a full time secular job.

Then, one week I got my rainbow.

Tuesday, an elder on the search committee at the church Daniel had been candidating for called to say that, while they really enjoyed him and his preaching, they had decided to post pone extending a call to any pastor until the church was more financially prepared to support him. Door #1 closed.

Thursday, the pastor/planter at the church plant here in Rock Hill called and told Daniel he really, really hoped he could come down to Rock Hill and help, and wanted to meet with him the following week to figure out how he could work with the church plant and support his family. Door #2 ... open-ish.

Friday, we met with our pastor and his wife for fellowship, but also to talk about where we were headed in ministry. Over the course of the conversation two things became clear: Full time pay was not available for us if we stayed where we were, and as much as they loved us it was time to move on and do what we really were called to do. Nathan, our pastor, said to Daniel a dozen times, "Find what your calling is and do it. Just do it!"

We talked late into the evening that Friday, processing everything that had happened that week, and our conversation with Nathan and Sara. Daniel went to bed a bit overwhelmed, but woke the next morning confident and determined. "We're going to do it. If God provides the money somehow, we're going to move to Rock Hill and help with this church plant."

Monday, Daniel and Andy (church planter in Rock Hill) met and discussed ideas for income for us. They decided concretely that they were going to fund-raise the support needed to bring Daniel on as a church planter's intern.

It's been almost two months since, and already God has provided over half the money necessary, and Daniel hasn't even officially begun to work! We are so thankful for the friends and family who have partnered with us in this ministry.

I tell this story, because I said I'd share my thoughts. I realize it may seem like I did not do a whole lot of that. But actually, this is my perspective. I look at our lives and see God's purposes being worked out day by day. This is not a biography of our lives, but a testimony of God's faithfulness. Knowing that He has provided for this calling gives me complete confidence that this is where we need to be - and it makes me nearly bust with excitement.

So, that's it. That's where we "are."

Memories

I love memories. I love pictures. I love that pictures can capture memories for us.

When I made our wedding album over a year ago, I took it to church to show some of our friends, so they could see our wedding pictures. Within a couple weeks two separate women came to me and asked if I could do albums for them, and how much would I charge?

When I finished the first album the recipient was so happy that she insisted I make business cards she could share with her friends.

And my entrepreneur juices started to flow. 

Well, let's just say I'm not a very good business woman, and the whole idea didn't take flight. 

But in the last three months or so my husband and I have been talking.... I want to stay home, but want to stay busy. We don't "need" me to work to live comfortably, but as long as our family can function healthily and happily, why shouldn't I find a little something to bring in some extra dough - even something for me to do and to enjoy? "Tent making," "home business," call it whatever you want.

A lot of it is still in the works. We have lots of transitions quickly approaching us, and this is one of the ideas we will be working on over the course of this year.

A home-based, family-operated business with a theme revolving around photographs and memories. Something to help one cherish the days gone by, if you will.

We have lots of different ideas. Lots of different avenues we want to venture down. We know we shouldn't bite off more than we can chew, so we want to start slow and small.... 

But back to the albums.

I enjoy every minute spent creatively piecing together picture after picture -  organizing and styling, choosing themes and colors. The albums are beautiful keepsakes once printed, and the finished results have always exceeded our expectations.

So, my request for you, friends, is to spread the word! 

Who do you know that has a stack (or box) of pictures to be organized and displayed in a beautiful album? Who has recently been married and wants something to do with her favorite wedding photos - all 800 of them? Who likes to give especially sentimental gifts? Who likes to brag about their grandkids? 

Do you know anyone who might want an album? Maybe you're a photographer who hands your clients a cd of their photos - why not suggest a beautiful album as well? 

The pictures can be digital or hard copy prints. Old or as recent as last weekend's skiing trip. My last project I used pictures that were dated back to 1917!

Like I said earlier, this venture will be slow-moving. We're getting ready for a baby, and other transitions we'll tell you about later. But even baby steps can get us somewhere.

If you're interested, or know anyone who might be, will you send them over this way? They can contact me through email here.

Here is a virtual preview of my latest album, so that you have an idea of what I'm talking about, as well.

Alice L. Hixon by Ashlee Wells | Make Your Own Book

Blessings and Love,
Ashlee

Maura and Michael

This is my first week of the last month of work. Strange to ponder. In just 31 days I'll be saying good-bye to the "day job" I've had for the last year and a half.

 It's been fun.

It was hard at first, most definitely. Emotionally connecting with Maura was difficult, and learning to balance being their friend, while still maintaining respect and obedience was even more difficult. But we made it through.

Really, it's been a blessing. Not everyone gets to have a job they love. And not everyone gets to work for people they love, either.

It's a beautiful feeling to say goodbye and know that the work I have done, and the effort I have put forth over the last year and a half have been noticed, and appreciated.

The good meals were remembered, the bad ones never mentioned. The fun times talked about, the rough days long forgotten.

We trekked all over Charlotte, those two kiddos and me. At first we could hardly get anywhere without having to stop and reprogram the GPS, or do a U-Turn because I'd missed the street, and consequently, they held onto their seats, and were late almost always. Now, they don't even bat an eye lash when we head out, and we're always ten minutes early to every activity. :)

I've watched Maura bud from a shy, nervous perfectionist, to a happy, confident not-so-little girl. She's come out of her shell, reveled more in her individuality, and doesn't worry so much about what everyone - even Michael -  thinks about her. She sings happily along to Taylor Swift, practices her splits and back bends 24/7 and gets straight A's on every report card. Every Monday she asks, "How big is your baby this week?" and is sweetly interested of all the little changes that Baby has been going through. 

Michael has grown, too. When I met him he was a chubby little kindergartener who asked a million questions a minute, and was always trying to say something funny. All the pants I hemmed August 2010 have been let out again, and still, he's growing out of them at lightening speed. He still cracks us all up with his jokes and antics. A couple weeks ago he told me he definitely didn't want to be a lawyer. Being a lawyer is boring. "But I'd like to do what Dad does. He gets to sit and play on the computer all day long!" He loves sports, and being active. It's been hard to keep up with him, and I've had to tell him more often that I can't go jump on the tramp, or play kick ball or ride scooters. He doesn't like it, I know, but he puts up with it. He hates homework, because it interferes with play time, but he's still super smart for a 1st grader. Half of the million questions he asks I can't even answer. His mom told me he adores me, though he'd be horrified if he knew she said that. 

This is the famous Jack D. When Michael first talked about him in the beginning days of kindergarten we were all a little skeptical. But since then Jack has proved his worth. He and Michael are best buds, and I love having this kiddo join our gang occasionally.

I've learned the value of picking battles. I've learned that kids are happiest with a balance of structure and freedom - too much structure and they fight you constantly, too much freedom and you have chaos. 

Our best moments now are in the car, listening to music and talking about their day, or lives, or answering Michaels one million questions. Funny, when I started, the car was the bane of my work day. Don't really know how we got through that one... Adventures and Odyssey, and lots and lots of days of lost privileges, I guess.

It'll be fun to come back a visit occasionally. I think they'll like to see the baby. It's been a good run. I'm thankful that I'm leaving on a good note, with so many positive memories. My welcome is not worn out, but I am so ready for this next season of life to begin.... It's bittersweet, moving on. But move on we must.

These summer days...

... are days I don't want to forget.

Petri Dish Experiments

What you need:

4 Petri Dishes

Gelatin

Q-tips

dirty objects

The kids and I had a fun time recently doing some petri dish experiments. We filled four petri dishes with gelatin mix and let it get firm. About two hours later we took Q-tips and swiped objects we thought would have bacteria growing on them.

Michael picked his own mouth and dirt. Maura picked the dog's mouth and the toaster. We saw growth in about four days, but after two weeks the thing were so nasty we didn't even want to look at them!

We learned that mold grows in feathery clusters, but bacteria grows more in dots.Isabelle's mouth was all bacteria, but much less than Michael's. Both the dirt and the toaster had red mold and some bacteria spots.

Neat little scientist projects! Next: hear how we made flatulence with a zip lock bag, soggy bread and yeast! :-P

What Next?

Remember being a senior in high school (or imagine, for those of you yet to experience it)? What's the one question every adult will inevitably ask?

"What are you doing next?" right? They want to know: College? Where? When? What will you study, etc, etc.

And you get to smile and share the same exciting details over and over and over again. Until you're sick of it.

Well, college is the same way (I've heard), and Grad school is too (I'm experiencing). Unless you're settled down with a couple of kids there is always going to be someone asking you, "What are you doing next?" 


Finishing seminary is a difficult task. I am so proud of my husband! He tries to say, "O, it's just seminary, it's not like becoming a lawyer," which is certainly true. But it is still a challenge and takes a great amount of diligence and perseverance. I particularly admire how he re-organized his first and second years when I came on the scene. So confident was he that I was God's choice for his wife, that he  loaded up on virtual classes, and never took J-term off, so that the year we would be married - this year -  he would have more time to be home and a be a husband. I am so very thankful for that! Yet, even this year has been tough: Juggling several part time jobs, a full class load, and a directed study course is not easy. But he's nearly done! Classes are over, a couple more exams to finish, a paper or two more to turn in,  graduation commencement, and his academic career will be complete (maybe?).

So, here we are - Daniel and I, that is - approaching the end of one journey and the beginning of another, and at least every day "What are we doing next?" crosses our minds. We think we know, and then we don't. We are blessed to at least have opportunities.

This summer we will be in Charlotte still, working with another church on evangelism and outreach stuff. Daniel is going to try his hand at organizing and running a Vacation Bible School, and I'll help as much as I am able. Daniel is especially excited to work at this church because their pastor considers it a revitalization church plant. Unfortunately, like many churches in the United States, this church has grown older without growing larger, and now the average member is at least 70 years old. Their new pastor is excited for the challenge to get this church going again, and Daniel is nearly thrilled to help him.

I'll be working full time with the kids, going to the zoos and Carowinds and swimming at the YMCA. I better have a serious tan by the end of July!

For the fall there are several opportunities that we are pursuing. What is incredible is the obvious ways God has shown us "I'm going to lead you." Which really is a blessing and an answer to prayer. When your "plan" changes within an hour, you know God is doing something!

So, at this point, we're still uncertain, but are proactively seeking opportunities to see where God would have us go.

It's exciting. We both struggled this year with the temptation to think of our lives as not begun - to think we could really be the people we wanted to be after seminary, when we were living how we wanted. But we both, in turn, had to correct the other. Our lives have already begun, each day we're responsible for how we live, whether we're where we want to be, or not. But even with that mindset cast aside, we are still anxiously anticipating the next season of our lives, and are excited to see where God would have us go, and what he would have us do for His glory.

Swimming

This week has been Spring Break for Maura and Michael, so that's meant ten hour days for me, and lots of fun things to do! Yesterday we went to the YMCA and swam (indoor... though it's warm enough for outdoor, here). I don't have any pictures or anything really interesting, but Michael's little friend Jack came with us to the pool, and he was so funny. I thought I'd share what he said when he first started trying to swim after a dry winter. He wasn't the strongest swimmer, but made up for it with effort. I told him to kick his legs harder, and blow bubbles into the water when his face was under. He tried. Then stood up and exclaimed, "I just can't even breathe under there!"

The lifeguard and I chuckled a bit. :) No, buddy, you can't breathe underwater.

Creatures of Nature

Maura and Michael's first day of Spring Break was Wednesday, so we took the opportunity to do the long-awaited "whole Greenway" bike ride. They have been bugging me to do this since I first took them to the Greenway, but I knew that it would be more than an after school activity, so I promised we'd do it for Spring Break. 

Wednesday was a perfect day to ride 10 miles. It was warm (80) but uncharacteristically cloudy, so we didn't sweat, or get dehydrated. :) Spring is in full swing down here in the Carolinas. In fact, it feels more like summer to me. The trees are already heavy with green leaves, the daffodils are long gone, and the birds sing before 6 am. Pollen is still everywhere though.

We saw SO MANY lil creatures today. We took our time, and were quick to stop anytime any of us spotted something extraordinary. My personal favorite:

This little turtle, only about as round as a golf ball, I spotted while we were going over one of the bridges. I don't know how my eye caught him. He is so small. I did find it fascinating to compare the careful oversight Mother Duck gave to her three little ones, and the total independence of this tiny turtle. Interesting how the different species were designed.

Not So Cute Mr. Frog. There was a time, believe it or not, when I was completely engrossed with frogs. There was a small swamp near our house, and the summer I was ten, I spent my days capturing and releasing frogs of all sizes.

Can you count all the turtles? 7 in all!

See the pretty Green Heron?

Caterpillar on Michael's Cheetos-covered fingers

Dragonfly

Favorite picture from the day

Does anyone know what these flowers are called? They are absolutely stunning.

Wild Strawberries

There were also some neat things to see on the Greenway, like the tree roots that grow right through the asphalt:

We treated ourselves to Yoforia after our long bike ride. Yum-O. It just gets better every time I have it.

FUN DAY!