Last week, I had the privilege of introducing Emily to you all as a new contributing writer; this week I’m thrilled to be able to introduce you to Ashlie.  I am so excited that Ashlie is going to be sharing her gift of writing with us!  And by gift, I do mean gift!  Ashlie has been blessed with the gift of words.  Every time I visit her blog (One Small Town Girl), I just sit mesmerized and read and read and read. If you’ve never been to her blog, you should definitely go check it out!

I have asked Ashlie to answer the same short little questionnaire so that we could all get to her a little better. I LOVE reading about other people and getting a little glimpse into their life!  It’s so much fun for me to see what I have in common with others and to learn from their lives as well!  So, just for fun, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little conversation time with my friend and new contributor, Ashlie.

1. If health wasn’t a factor, what one thing would you like to indulge in on a regular basis?

I would definitely eat ice cream every night! There’s just something comforting about a late night snack. I’d also have to say that bacon, cheese, and sour cream make everything better!

2. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?  What has that person taught you?

My parents. Both of my parents came from difficult backgrounds, but by God’s grace they allowed Him to make beauty from ashes. I can honestly say that my parents are two of my very best friends. Becoming a parent myself has truly opened my eyes to the amount of sacrifice and love they gave for my four siblings and I to be raised in a loving, Godly home. I have so much respect and appreciation for them.

They taught me to cherish God’s Word, and to do tasks as unto the Lord. They taught me that even though I will make mistakes and struggle with weakness, God’s grace is always sufficient. They taught me to love Jesus, and love others before myself. I still stumble daily, but without them I don’t know where I’d be. I am truly so thankful and blessed!

3. Describe yourself in three words or less.

Sincere, generous, long-winded.

4. If you could pick any time period in history to live, what would it be.

I’m pretty happy with now. I’m a tad bit of a pansy – I’d hate to be without hot showers, coffee makers, and. But not gonna lie…those dresses from the 50′s are pretty cute! 

5. How many kids do you have?  Boy(s)? Girl(s)?

2 sweet little girls, ages 1 and 2. I hope to have more!

6. Describe your cooking style.

Flavorful and often experimental. I have several tried and true recipes that I use often, but I love to try new things. While it hasn’t always proven successful (haha!), I rarely use measurements or follow recipes exactly. I love tweaking them or adding my own twist based on what I have on hand or what I’m in the mood for. During this season of life with little ones, my cooking is generally pretty simple and doesn’t require a lot of unusual ingredients. Also – I am a HUGE Rachael Ray fan! 

7. What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?

Habakkuk 2:3-4 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry; Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith."

There have been several seasons in my life where there was a lot of waiting and the unknown weighed heavily on my heart. Those seasons still come and go, and this verse if often one that I return to. As I wait on the Lord, pray for a solution to an issue, or ask for direction, it has helped to keep things in perspective. During those seasons, it is often difficult to keep my faith strong. I am one of those girls who loves to have a plan, and life doesn’t usually lend itself to that! This verse has always encouraged me that God always shows up, even in the timing isn’t what I would hope for – His plan and His timing is always, always better. My life continues to be a journey to increase humility, surrender to Him, and walk by faith. 

8. Are you a spontaneous person or a planner.

Planner, most of the time. I prefer routines and I love lists…they help me to stay on task and be productive (or at least make me feel like I am!). However, I’m learning that the unexpected things in life are often the best opportunities for me to grow. And, I do love me a spontaneous date night!

9. What was the happiest moment of your life?

I’d have to say the day I married Mr. Small Town – and I’m still pretty crazy about him! Also – the births of both of my sweet girls were beyond amazing. I’ll never forget the first time I held them or when their tiny fingers curled around mine. Love at first sight.

10. City slicker or farm girl?

Definitely a farm girl at heart! I grew up on a small farm in the middle of nowhere, and it was a blast. My sisters, brother, and I would spend our summers fishing, building forts, skipping on hay bales, taking care of our animals, or helping my mom in our enormous garden. As an adult, I love being a girl, dressing up once in a while, and I enjoy the conveniences of living "in town". However, I don’t think I can ever take the love for country life and open sky out of my heart.

11. Growing up, did you enjoy school?

I did! Well, most of the time. I was home schooled from preschool until eighth grade, at which point I enrolled in public high school. I loved academics and extracurricular activities alike…I was a busy girl! I’m very thankful for both homeschool and public school experiences, as it not only gives me the opportunity to relate to those from both sides of the fence, but will help my husband and I to decide which educational paths to take for our children. 

12. What would you like to do with one hour of uninterrupted free time?

Read, write, or sleep.

13. Where did you and your husband meet?  Was it love at first sight?

We were high school sweethearts. I can still remember the first time I saw him, when he walked into my classroom carrying a green duffle bag. And yes, I was immediately attracted! He claims it was the same for him. We became good friends, and when I told him that he had to call my dad for permission to go on a date, he did it! Our first date was the Courtwarming Dance at school. The rest is history.

14. What’s your favorite color?

Pink. It has been as long as I can remember. 

15. Have you ever travelled out of the country?  How was it?

My senior year of high school, I traveled to Mexico for a missions trip with a group from my church. It was amazing and life-changing, and I’d love to go back. I’ve always had a love for the Spanish language, and had always wanted to go on a missions trip, so I went.

It was so much more than I’d expected, and God blew me away with the impact on my heart. He showed me how much I had to be grateful for, but more than that it showed me how much I love ministering to others. I loved being a part of something bigger than myself – a vessel of His to be poured out. Something came alive inside my heart when we were in soup kitchens, in the slums, and at orphanages just pouring God’s love out to others. It stirred in my heart a deep desire to be an encouragement and ambassador of His love and saving grace to others, whether at home or abroad. 

16. What’s your all-time favorite song?  All-time favorite artist?

I love Kari Jobe and nearly all of the worship songs she writes…they speak to my heart. Anytime I need encouragement, I usually flip on her song "You Are For Me." So beautiful, such grace to my soul.

17. What book are you reading right now?

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. Although I have a huge stack on my nightstand and my Kindle is full of books I can’t wait to crack open!! I’m a bookworm in my "spare" time.

18. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

God’s love in action through His people. To me, there is absolutely nothing more beautiful or miraculous than the way that He uses broken vessels for His purpose…His strength made perfect in our weakness. It moves me to tears and utter thankfulness nearly every time.

19. Do you have a hidden talent?

I’m rusty, but I took piano lessons for eight years. So rusty, in fact, I don’t know that you could call it a "talent"…but I love to play! It’s soothing. I’m working on the hubby to buy a piano for me someday….:)

20. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve ever eaten?

This is so hard because I seriously LOVE to eat! I’d have to say Key Lime cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory…mmm….

21. What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Snails. Ugh…I just can’t do slime!

22. Driving style: tortoise or hare?

Hare-ish…but I do buckle up

23. Do you make your bed a.) every day b.) once a week c.) once a month d.) never

I try to make it every day. I got out of the habit when my husband worked night shifts for a long stretch and would sleep during the day. I’m just now getting back into the bed-makin’ groove.

24. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When I’m on the phone, and someone in the room is trying to talk to me. I get confused and frustrated…I can’t comprehend both!

25. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.

I’ve been told by many that I’m a pretty good listener.  Also hospitality. At least I hope I’m good at it…because I love it!

26. Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Sports and staying on task.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A journalist, and eventually a mom & wife. I honestly planned to climb the career ladder before having a family, but God had other plans. I wouldn’t change it for a thing!

28. What is one frivolous thing you own that you wouldn’t want to live without?

My Kindle!

29. What do you think is the best invention of history?

To the person who invented automatic dishwashers, I owe you my life. Oh, and whoever invented coffee!

30. Most hated household task?

Washing dishes (thus the dishwasher love). I put it off until there’s a pile. Sad, I know.

31. Favorite household task?

I actually love to do laundry. The smell is wonderful! The only part that gets me is putting it away…I often have a huge pile of clean folded laundry that just sits.

32. List five random things about yourself.

• I LOVE to make lists.
• I love to redecorate but it rarely happens because I am also indecisive.
• I could eat Mexican food several times a week and never get tired of it.
• I’d love to travel overseas for a missionary trip.
• I have a thing for analogies, and my family loves to tease me for it.

Welcome, Ashlie!  We’re so glad to have you here and can’t wait to start learning from you.  Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself with us!

Ashlie is a wife to her high school sweetheart, mommy of two little girls, dreamer, thinker, thrift store shopper, recovering perfectionist, and sinner saved by grace.

Ashlie’s heart is to encourage fellow sojourners in the midst of her own struggles. Seeing others discover His vast love and grace makes her do a happy dance! She endeavors to seek God’s truth in the journey while finding His grace in the mess, knowing that at the end of the day, it really is all about Him. 

She loves winding gravel roads, muddy romps, and country life, yet Starbucks, skinny jeans, and pedicures hold a special place in her heart, too. This creates a bit of a conundrum that she is still trying to figure out. Lovely word pictures, insane amounts of coffee, silly times with her family, and chocolate make her world go ’round.

Visit her at One Small Town Girl, where writing through her journey gives her a place to breathe. She tweets as @AshlieWrites and can be found on Facebook as well.