Time Flies

Wow!! How time flies!! I wonder if it would seem so if I didn't have something to judge it on. I will never know. Over the last two years things have changed a lot. Two years ago today is the date that I started taking the lessons with the Sister Missionaries. Stake Conference this past weekend was reminiscent for me. 

It was January 13, 2009; I decided to go to Stake Conference alone. What made me make this decision was beyond me at the time but I later learned it was the Spirit. I really enjoyed Stake Conference and was extremely pleased when Nathan's mom suggested I sit with them. I paid close attention to the things that were said during conference but the thing that I remember the most is that a young boy held open a door for me and I remember one of the speakers asking 3 boys at various ages what they would be doing at the age of 19, when they each said serving a mission I was amazed. It was beyond my comprehension that these boys loved and understood Heavenly Father enough that they knew they should go on missions. When Conference was over Sister Price pointed at two young women and told me, "if you decide you would like to know more let me know...those will be the missionaries you will meet with." I at that moment decided I would really like to know what this was all about. I told Sister Price that I would like to meet them and we made a beeline to them. When Sister Price told Sister Keller that we would like to set something up she said, "Okay, We will call you sometime during the week and set something up for maybe Friday!" after we walked away Sister Price and I decided that Friday was definitely too late. Sister Keller called me on Sunday night and set up for the first lesson to be on that Wednesday...only two days earlier than Friday but much better. :) I continued to take the lessons and although the adversary fought it as much as he could I was baptized on February 15, 2009 and confirmed on February 22, 2009. 

This was the best decision I have ever made. As soon as I read The Book of Mormon I knew it was true. I am so glad I followed this prompting and didn't ignore it. Over the last two years there have been so many experiences, good and bad but I have gained a stronger testimony day by day. I must say that even though there have been lots of changes in my life Heavenly Father has pointed me to the correct path each time. 

Thankfulness

So, I am completely behind on the picture thing. I will try to pick up on that after I get my finals completed.

Anyways today while I was driving I thought of some random things that I am thankful for and decided it would be a good blog post.

1. I am thankful that I don't live in a state where smoking is allowed in restaurants and other public places. (When we were in Michigan, no matter where we went we smelled like we had been in a club or bar)
2. I am so thankful for my car. I don't know what I would do without the reliable transportation I have.
3. I am thankful for Heavenly Father and his plan.
4. I am thankful for the great friends I have. They all do so much for me.
5. I am thankful for those who are such great examples for me in the gospel.
6. I am thankful for those who while facing tough situations stay strong and rely on the gospel.
7. I am thankful for my church leaders.
8. I am thankful for my family and the love they have for me.
9. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit which guides me.
10. I am thankful for the trials that I have been through in my life that have helped me to become who I am today.

These are just a few of the things that I am thankful for. :)

Day 2: A picture of someone who has been in your life the longest

Day 2: A picture of someone who has been in your life the longest

My sister Jessica and my best friend Sarah.

I love them both so much. Sarah moved to Tennessee and I miss her but they are definitely the two that have been my friends for the longest. :)

Day 1: A picture of yourself and 15 facts about you

Day 1: A picture of yourself and 15 facts about you
1. My name is Ashley Lynn Hobbs
2. I love to help people who need it.
3. I try my hardest to make everyone happy.
4. I love my friends and family.
5. I have everything a girl could ever ask for.
6. I love the gospel.
7. I am thankful for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
8. I am a college student at BCC for now.
9. I work full time.
10. I live with my grandfather and one of my best friends Kayla.
11. I never know what to write for these things.
12. My favorite color is pink
13. I love a lot of best friends.
14. I love going to YSA activities.
15. I am working on my application for BYU-I in the Spring and I am sooo excited!!

30 Days

I saw this on someone's facebook and thought why not but I'm posting it on my blog.

Day 1: A picture of yourself and 15 facts about you
Day 2: A picture of someone who has been in your life the longest
Day 3: Cast of your favorite show
Day 4: Favorite memory
Day 5: Someone you would trade places with for a day and why
Day 6: Most treasured possesion
Day 7: Someone you have counted on the most
Day 8: Someone you do crazy things with
Day 9: Something you hate
Day 10: Something you love
Day 11: Someone you can't imagine living without
Day 12: Someone who inspires you
Day 13: Something that has changed your life
Day 14: A picture of you and your friends
Day 15: Songs you listen to when you are happy and when you are sad
Day 16: A picture of you and your family
Day 17: Nickname you have and why you have it
Day 18: With ipod on shuffle, what are the first 10 songs that play
Day 19: Another recent picture of yourself
Day 20: Where you want to end up/goal for the future
Day 21: A picture of you then and now, what is different?
Day 22: A picture that always makes you smile
Day 23: A picture of someone you miss
Day 24: A picture of your favorite hobby
Day 25: A picture of something you were sad to give up
Day 26: Someone you always rely on
Day 27: Somewhere you'd love to travel
Day 28: A picture of the new you
Day 29: A picture of your biggest insecurity
Day 30: Who am I??

My life in a blender...

I have felt that over the past two years my life has been thrown into a blender and blended. Many of the pieces I have been able to salvage and on the things that are not salvageable I have made do and started over. As many of you probably already know I changed my major to education. To do this I had to go back to BCC for two semesters to take pre requisite classes. I already had to do this because of requirements with UCF and my academic progress. I started my classes on Monday and I am so much happier. I am so excited about this semester!! I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I really feel like this is where I need to be right now. I absolutely love education. I don't know what field of education I am going to get my degree in, originally I thought elementary education but I can't wait to get in some observation hours and decide. I know that a lot of people think that education is not a good choice but I truly feel like for me it is. I don't plan to be a teacher my whole life and my goal in education is to become a guidance counselor or maybe an administrator. I doubt I will be in a classroom forever but I feel like it is a stepping stone to where I am headed. I have always been amazed with the idea of being a teacher but where I was before I thought I needed to be a career woman. My focus was not on having a family and kids. Now I know that I want to be a wife and mother someday and that this is my ultimate goal in life rather than focus all my attention to my job. With work I really am blessed to have the job I have with bosses that are amazing. They make my day so much better and they are always ready to lend a helping hand when needed. Church I love. I am so grateful for my calling. I sometimes get overwhelmed but then I remember that I will be qualified for what I am called for. I know that being a stake YSA Rep has been a growing experience for me and I know that I have more to learn. I also am so thankful for my family and friends. Every day I learn something from them. I feel like I have become a stronger and more independent person and I hope to be able to grow in this. I don't know where I will be a year from now, a month from now, or even a week from now but I do know that my focus is on Heavenly Father and he will help me to know what I need and where I need to be.

Love Always,

Ashley :)

25 Things

So I posted this on Facebook in January but I wanted to do it again with 25 new things!!

1. I absolutely love lists
2. I have realized a lot of things can change in a year
3. I have the best friends that couldn't even imagine how much I appreciate them
4. I love having all the people at church to be good influences in my life and to look up to
5. I love going out and sharing the gospel with the sister missionaries
6. I am a little bit of a control freak and I hate it when I have no control in a situation

7. I stay soo busy with YSA activities but I absolutely love it
8. I have no clue what I want to do for school
9. I used to be quiet (no one would ever guess)
10. I hate being ignored
11. I love my family
12. I use to hate being outdoors but all of a sudden I want nothing more
13. I love reading books...even more than watching television
14. The only TV I watch is Grey's Anatomy, The Secret Life of an American Teenager, and Drop Dead Diva
15. I actually don't watch the above listed shows on TV I actually watch them on the internet
16. My most dreamed of vacation is an Alaskan Cruise, I want to go on one sooo bad
17. I love looking at wedding pictures
18. I am working on looking towards the future not at the past
19. I worry...A LOT
20. I love coupons but I haven't mastered using them for groceries...only for restaurants
21. I love visiting the Orlando Temple
22. I hate mushrooms and olives
23. I am usually very patient
24. I am really annoyed by people who are stubborn
25. HF and Jesus Christ are the number one people in my life

I could go on for ages but here are 25 random things about me!! :)