New Blog

So I have decided to start a new blog that is Me and Chase. Since we have combined everything else in life, we might as well combine this too. Feel free to follow that blog at

ChasenAshlee.blogspot.com

Thanks and hope you have a wonderful day! -- Ashlee Annie

Crazy Life

Sorry it has been so long. It has been a very crazy last month. We went out of town for a week and trying to stay on top of school. It has been crazy, but the trip was worth it. We were going to Arizona over the three day weekend to go and visit my grandmommy who is fighting cancer. It was fun. We shared lunch with my grandparents on Valentine's Day and then we were able to make them breakfast the day we left to come back home. We made memories and I am so grateful to have. Other than that, school is consuming much of my life. I have some very labor intensive classes this semester. They are not difficult, just take a lot of time. But it will be good. Chase is doing well in his classes. We both juggle the car, classes and work. It is crazy but fun. I love being married to my best friend in the whole world. I have started my temple calling as the chapel organist, and still working as ward organist. I am loving it and am learning and trying to perfect my skill as I go, but I still have a long way to go. Next weekend I will probably be out of town to my friends bridal shower in Montana. I have been very involved up to this point in helping her with wedding plans and everything and will be making her wedding cake at the end of this semester. It is fun and nerve-racking all at the same time. I hope it turns out well for her. Other than that life is pretty much the exact same. I am excited and looking forward to the end of the semester and a new adventure to Washington State with Chase as he goes out to sell. I love and miss you all. Hope life is treating you well and hope to see you soon -- Ashlee Annie

Summer Plans and Daily Updates

So I realized today that it has been almost a month since my last post. It seems like almost yesterday...ok maybe more like a week or 10 days. But I am amazed at how fast this semester is going. I just wanted to keep everyone updated on our plans for the summer and updates on our daily lives. As for this summer, we are going to be moving to Washington state, near the tri-cities area. I am unfamiliar with that area, but apparently it is near the south-east corner of the state. Chase will be selling for Linx Satellite. He will be a salesman for dish network and direct TV. I will be working as an Office Assistant for his group this summer. Yes, I will be going with him. I am excited. I will maybe be doing about 1-2 independent study classes so I may be able to finish my general education and then I will only have nursing classes left. Chase has quit Brick Oven and will be devoting his time to pre-season sales until then. And I have two more shifts at the hospital and then I will be working as a mother's helper for a family in Orem. We are both busy with school and work. But still loving married life. I am also serving as Ward Organist and have the chance to be a temple organist as well. I am not quite sure how I am going to do everything, but the Lord will help, I have faith of that. Once again, please keep me updated and let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Love you all -- Ashlee Annie

Elder Holland's Devotional

I went to the BYU weekly devotional today given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. It was a great devotional and one that made me think. He spoke about learning from the past while looking to the future. He forcused a lot on not spending too much time looking at what used to be, but enjoying the present and planning and preparing for the future. He encouraged all to not give up on the tasks that are before you even when life seems hard and unbearable. But I think that part that really hit home to me was (this is an excerpt from my notes I took during the devotional): We need to forgive and forget past sins and mistakes of our own and of other people. It is the worst kind of wallowing in the past that there can be. Do not let other people effect my activity or self-worth. Self-worth does not change based on others opinions. The Lord sees my self-worth! And that does not change, never ever! Do not take away Chase’s self-worth. Do not bring up old sins and mistakes. Life moves on and it is not right to go back and open up an old wound that the Son of God atoned and suffered for. Forgive and Forget! If something is buried…leave it buried. Your pearl of Great Price (spouse and family)…cherish it! Do not cast before swine or throw in the mud! The Lord remembers them no more, why should I? Do not do this with loved ones; do not do this with yourself. Remember just enough to never make the same mistake again, and forget the rest. If it comes to mind again, forget it again. We do not need to focus on the past. God does not care about where we have been, He cares about were we are and were we are willing to go with Him as our guide. This is the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The future holds everything for us! Be committed to press forward and catch the prize of God that lay ahead for those who preserver. Have faith. The Lord will provide if we just have faith. Don’t give up. The future is bright ahead, don’t give up hope. Trust in the Lord and in the future. Faith is for the future. Faith is trust that the Lord has great things in store. Have faith! Keep your eyes on your dreams. I know these are pretty sporatic and probably confusing to follow. But my notes consist of quotesand general ideas of what he said (most of the you statements) and of thought I had while he was talking (all of the me evaluations type statements). It was a great talk and would highly recommend you listen to it. You can find it through byubroadcasting.com and search by speaker or date. I am not entirely sure, I know it is not too confusing because I figured it out once upon a time. I dont know why, but this particular subject and talk spoke to me today. It touched my heart and made my spirit within me sing. I hope you would talk the time to listen, and if not that perhaps read it if it is available (but I recommend listening, for it captures the emotion that can not be portraid in quite the same way). I love all of you and hope you have a wonderful day. I hope you know the Lord loves you and will take you by the hand and guide every step of your life if you allow it. I know that Lord is there just waiting for you to ask for help. I join my testimony with Elder Holland, and with all the prophets, seers, and revelators (past and present) and testify that Jesus is the Christ and He lives again! These words, I humbly give to you this day, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

School

The first day of school is always fun. It is great meeting your teachers and classmates. I love seeing what is in store for me this semester as I start my first semester of nursing school. It has been so fun seeing new faces and spending time on campus, despite the snow that seems like it will never stop coming down today. As I have been seeing what is in store, I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. I will definitely be busy this semester, but it will be worth it in three years as I am walking across the stage and have my diploma handed to me. I am so excited that my life long dream finally has a end in sight. It feels good to be back at school. It will be a great, yet busy semester for me. As for Chase, his first day is tomorrow. We will see, he is unsure since he has two rather busy and difficult classes, but I am sure that he will do great as long as he applies himself and does not give up. But I guess that is one responsibility as a wife...to encourage and support your husband when he feels like the tasks before him are overwhelming. However, perhaps I am wrong. This is my first experience being a wife and having my husband in school. But I know this semester will be good. At least for me, I have found that I usually do better in a class if I approach it with the attitude that I am not sure how I am going to do in the class, that way I am more motivated to work hard to do well. As opposed to have a class that I think will be a piece of cake that I then do worse in than I should have just because I knew it was an easy class and did not put the time into it. I think that applies to every student out there, but perhaps I am wrong...either way this semester is the beginning of the end for me. I will graduate in December of 2011. While Chase is just at the starting line. He is now talking about getting a Doctorate degree, which I support, it just means we have much school ahead of us. Once again, I love you all and hope you have a great day and thank you for following my blog, in spite of how boring or irrelevant it may seem at time. I love you always and forever -- Ashlee Annie