I'd like to introduce myself.

My name is Ashley Michelle Gardner.
Some people call me Ashley "can't-say-no" Gardner. (I need to be more headstrong)
Some call me Ashley "aw, she's quiet and sweet" Gardner. (have i got them fooled!)
Some even call me Ashley "she's a big jerk" Gardner. (There's probably more truth to that name that i'd like to admit)

But what I'd really like to be called?
Ashley "little Christ" Gardner.

This blog will include a lot about me. Some things funny. Some things sad. Some things that have been revealed to me. But most importantly, I want those who read this to gather that I'm a growing, changing person in Christ. I don't want to be the person I was yesterday. I want to be stronger and wiser.

I hope that I will make you smile a little, and I hope that I can get to know all of you out there! I'd like to know your hearts, as well.

Today, as I was sitting in New Testament class in between the state of being attentive and being utterly exhausted, God struck me with such a burden and heartache for my lost friends. Friends who say they are "Christians", because they once walked an aisle, but now are living as if they don't believe....or even worse, that they believe every philosophy is okay.

I don't know which is worse, someone who is blinded by the world's view, or someone who thinks they have it all right?


I'm going to miss Dr. Meeks' classes a lot when I leave New Testament class. He's taught me so much this past year. He left me with one quote that he was once given when he was a college student. It struck me HARD.

"You practice daily what you really believe. The rest is just religious talk."

Wow. punch in the face!! Am I "practicing what I'm preaching"? Certainly not completely. I guess that it's going to take some work and diligence. What really stuck in my mind was this question. Do people see Ashley "little Christ" Gardner? And even if people see me as such, am I living it out? I've got so much to learn. So much to work toward.

That's my little thing. Love!
Ashley