Resurrected Back to Life... & I Am Oh So Thankful!

Baptism at Gospel Light 11/7/2021

  Hey Again Fellow Afro.Euro.Americano Followers!!👋 This past week has been quite an eventful time in my life including many people that I know surrounding me. I'll start with a highlight. This past Sunday, I participated in my local church's monthly baptism and renewed my vows in life back to Christ. It was an exciting moment to have my entire church family and natural intermediate family come out to witness and support such an intimate affair. Pastor Capaci started off with my personal testimony and there was some laughter, tears, and joy all wrapped up in one as he delivered my short version of my story and life testimony with such passion. The way he was able to help connect my story with me to full completion was amazing. He has such a gift with his ability to speak and connect with audiences. I am beyond thankful for my local community that I've built over this past year of living back here in Hot Springs, Arkansas.  
 

Project Happiness

I also would like to touch on another fun and crazy event from this past week. As briefly mentioned in my last blog entry, I was hired as an academic specialist (K-12) for a local outreach program/after school program called Higher Impact Movement with Impact Academy. We serve over a hundred students in a variety of ways with access to food/snacks, youth sports, enrichment, small groups, and academic tutoring. It's all new and the daily schedule is a whirlwind for sure. Each day can become tiring but rewarding to connect with students on personal levels when helping them with a multitude of different needs. I was also placed on a schedule rotation to go out into some of our local schools to do guest speaking presentations for classes regarding life essentials covering a wide array of topics from overall health & wellness, drug and alcohol prevention, life coping strategies, healthy relationships and friendships and other subjects. I felt very productive and empowered by students' feedback to stay in this lane because these areas have helped engage many students to think better for themselves and rise above declining morals that can easily happen in our current culture climate throughout our ever-growing school systems.  

Before getting the opportunity with Impact Academy, I had been going through my own personal healing journey from my previous decade long relationship/marriage and past career path as a public school teacher. I've previously written about my experiences with my initial "KingdomofAndersonville" blog with WordPress, and I am beyond relieved to move past some of those trials with both of those areas of my life. Today, I am happy to report that I am so much more free to be my unique self who can look into the rear view mirror reminding myself that I am no longer emotionally or mentally stuck. It feels so great to be able to move forward with my life in the most healthy way into more grand opportunities. Prayer definitely does work so it is one of the reasons as to why I write until this very day.

Be Grateful

Prayer does work, but also spending time with my Heavenly Father has contributed the greatest with building my healthy mindset. The weekend before last, I was able to spend much more time with my natural, biological dad which was good quality time spent catching up and talking about life. We lost my step mother suddenly, and although the circumstances were solemn, we spent a great deal of time talking about her legacy, strengths, values, and humor. She was a great woman who got the blessing of seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren which some of us don't get a chance to see. I pray she rests well until we all meet up again. In the meantime, I'll be spending as much time as possible with my dad. I'm thankful for the opportunity to be able to say and do just that. Quality time is definitely my love language!  

Newman Family at Stepmom (Margie) Home-Going Celebration 2021

The strangest part about funeral services is that it always feels like family reunions. It was beautiful seeing everyone come together and rally around the memories of deceased loved ones. It is my prayer that funerals do not become the only source for family reunions or gatherings. It doesn't help with the current public outcry for covid-19 vaccines. We have family that treat other family members as diseased or infected for opting out of the first trial runs. It's a sad day to see family turn against each other over it and completely isolate from life connections leading to thoughts that maybe the only time they would be willing to connect over funerals when that time comes. I also pray this pandemic lets up with every fiber inside of me! 

I am so proud of the woman that I am becoming today, and I want to do the 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 year old versions of my pure justice by continuing to excel and grow overall spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, occupationally, and in my relationships/friendships. 

Thank you for taking the time to connect and grow with me on my journey to optimal health and wellness. I only want to continue to live out my best life and be the absolute greatest version of myself! ❤ 

Issued a Brand New I.D. (2021)

 Thoughts from some of my past writings definitely have shown how far I've matured with my journey of discovering my own personal identity in Christ..

"Identity Confusion is the number one killer of Kingdom Advancement on “this Earth as it is in Heaven“… Identity Confusion is what I keep hearing over and over again…
Not Knowing WHO you ARE, or WHERE your Strengths ARE, or WHAT your Gifts/Talents ARE, or being AWARE of Your Weaknesses, or WHEN you are Triggered/Tempted, or ACCEPTING of your flawed genetic make-up.. You ARE human.. You WILL make mistakes… You WILL NEVER be 100% of anything on this earth for as long as you have breath in your lungs except certainly 4/4’s dead once you’re long gone unfortunately. However, YOU CAN strive to have qualities of a moral human being that actually tries to bring goodness to this world.. The guilt I feel for my part in contributing anything opposite of love is unreal despite how small it may be…" (Excerpt from Jan 2019)

A double-minded believer is someone who is constantly living in a state of compromise. Half of you lives for God, while the other half lives for your bad habit. Hence, you are "double-minded."

As you consider whether or not that experience describes your current situation, here are 7 characteristics of a double-minded believer:

1. There are two major influences which fuel your thought life.
2. You have a history with both of your major influences.
3. You find yourself compromising your thought life in one primary area.
4. You are led by the Holy Spirit, except when that other issue is driving your thinking.
5. You only experience real peace in your heart when your mind is under God's control.
6. You find yourself giving into old habits very easily.
7. You would love to only be drawn to the things of God.

Inspired by the Book of James

"Being double-minded is to be double-souled or double-hearted, to exist with divided loyalties and allegiances. Double-minded people are easily swayed by doubt or uncertainty, which is the opposite of a follower of God. In the same way that multi-taskers feel more efficient while actually performing more poorly, a double-minded person is not just inefficient with each focus but lacks the fortitude necessary to receive the blessing of wisdom because the pursuit of wisdom requires faith that is whole and undoubting. A double-minded man hedges his bets, attempting to maintain a grip on both independence and dependence, but dependence on God is only dependence when it is complete."

 One reason as to why this topic fascinates me is because so many believers privately struggle with things contrary to God's original intention for us. We're not perfect individuals and are far from it, but we are supposed to strive to be like Jesus regardless of our shortcomings. I can speak for myself that I am not holier than thou and I'm not on a high horse, but I carry myself higher because as a Christian and follower of Jesus, that is what I am supposed to do. It is not a requirement to be lowly in my spirit just because I am to walk with a moral compass regarding God's desires of me. Of course, people will always find a reason to bring you down, but if Jesus was persecuted then we as believers are no exception from experiencing the same.

2005- 15 years of age

 My personal testimony has been shared in my previous blog on WordPress for "KingdomofAndersonville" starting from birth up to the present; however, I first accepted Christ at a super early age. I got baptized at 13 years of age, but I didn't have a whole picture of all that entailed at the time. I remember experiencing a lot of depression early on and I learned what that was around age 11, but I found that my best coping strategy was to press in hard to my academics and focusing on achieving success. I eventually found that even though it made me feel good, academics were also attached to mental stress that would still affect my overall wellness and confidence as a person.

2016- age 26

Believe it or not, mental breakdowns can have a way where it can draw you right near God's presence. Depression, Anxiety, and Grief can definitely humble a person. I know this because it happened to me. I never thought in a million years that would happen because I found so much if my identity with academic success which grew my pride within myself. God definitely humbled me in those moments making me totally reliant on trusting only Him. I am thankful for his grace and for his mercy.

2017/2018- 27 or 28 years of age

Mom, Bonita and I (2021) Age: 32 

 

Hey Y'all, It's Me... Ashley Nicole 👋

• Ashley Anderson

• Born In U.S.A. (Little Rock, AR)

• 32 Years Old (Born In Sept.)

• Studied Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Houston-Victoria. I have worked various jobs in the past from government contracting overseas, teaching, social work, to now working as a specialist for an after school program. Although social work, gave me a glimpse into a different perspective of the background of some of my students and families, I have now moved forward in my career, and I will be going back into the classroom full-time, but I know it will not look exactly the same again.

Day in the Office 

This year has definitely been a year of massive transitions. I am still learning to cope with transitioning out of a decade long relationship/marriage that meant the world to me, but now I have finally reached the state of acceptance that God always knows best. He usually has better plans that fit best for us, and I pray and wish my additional family nothing but peace and success with what the future may have in store for them. 

Pearl (6) During the Snow Storm

 This year has also been a whirlwind for sure. I have not been able to travel like in the past, but God has been showing Himself clearly in my life overall spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, financially, occupationally, and socially. Healthy Relationships and Friendships have been a HUGE blessing! I am beyond grateful to have relocated to such a beautiful city such as Hot Springs, Arkansas because it has been such a natural place of healing, wellness, and happiness. Thank God for life today! 🙏

My Beautiful Girl Pearl

Devin (5) My FURst Born

Babysitting the Fur Clan (Chewy Included)

On this day, I decided to join a fee boot camp training session in my local area. It was hosted through the church's gym and there were some intense routines that were implemented somehow I managed to complete them. Muscle Recovery Drinks are Heaven Sent!!

Green Smoothie Prep

I am beyond thankful for God's grace in allowing me to mature at the pace that was set for me. God never made me feel rushed to change or get out of my old bad habits, but He allowed my mind to get to the place of screaming at my body to clean up my diet and life habits. I no longer feel the need to grab a cup of alcohol or coffee to enhance my mood. I can now thrive in His presence through scripture meditation, worship, journaling, or reading something that feeds my spirit.

I do not condemn or condone the habits of drinking coffee, energy drinks, or getting tipsy, but at one point this was an occasional habit that I had that I eventually felt that nudge from the Holy Spirit to stop and trust God by relying on Him during this season of my life. I can only speak from my experience on this, but you have to do what works best for you and your family.

Scooby Snack Drink

Celsius EnergyDrink

I have also began cleaning up my pantry during this time of my life. I strive to eat and drink healthier options. Some examples are increase my fruits, vegetables, greens, nuts, alternative milks, and so forth. I make habits of following the 5 S-Rule from Harley Pasternack: Smoothies, Salads, Soups, Stir-fry's, Scrambles, and occasional Sandwiches. Some of the fitness leaders I follow on social media are Zuzka Light, Lea Eguwatu (@FitFoodieLea), Jenna DeLeon, Kathy Drayton, Lisa Lanford aka (@Lisafitt) and Qimma Russo. Although they are beasts in the gym, I strive to keep moving because of their nutrition and gym efforts. Below is the starting pint of the groceries I left in my pantry shelf, but I've added a lot my healthy options since then.

Today, I feel much happier and a lot more healthy than in my year's past. I have been discovering who I am as a person, my likes and interests. I'm understanding more about my passions and hobbies and learning about my personal gifts and talents. I have discovered that I am extremely creative, diverse, flexible with my time, a good communicator, effective at work. I'm a natural researcher and I enjoy being resourceful. I definitely am a writer and can probably come across a little whimisical, but most of all I love being me. So Here I am.. I am here to stay.. This is me... Ashley Nicole, the Afro~Euro~Americano Chick! 

If you need to reach me you can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Theses are the only social media accounts I own so if you find any other profiles with my image attached to it then please kindly flag/report it! 

Previous Primary Blog:

KINGDOMOFANDERSONVILLE@WORDPRESS.COM

Current Social Media Accounts:

FACEBOOK.COM/KEYS2THEENGLISHKINGDOM

INSTAGRAM.COM/KINGDOMCLASSUNIVERSITY