Really Cute Nativity Scene

Today was the Journey to Christ Lunch. I've really enjoyed doing that every Monday night. I'm definitely going to miss it. Tonight was also Live Nativity at the church and our youth did wonderful as always. I saw this video last week and still can't get over the cute-ness of these children.

Costa Rica Update + Fun Things

I'm here on one of my last nights in Costa Rica trying to process that this whole thing is over. Well, I say I'm processing, but I'm really waiting to leave for our Mother's Day Church Party. Tomorrow, here in Costa Rica, is Mother's Day. I will wake up and say goodbye to my Costa Rican Mom, Gracie, and return in Houston to say hello to my Mom. It's so strange to think about and draws tears to my eyes, so I try not to.

I did break down last night. Cristina and Angie spent the night last night with me. We had the big room with all the bunk beds to ourselves. With 4 bunk beds, we decided to crawl (all 3 of us!) into one bed to spend our last night shedding tears and laughter together. I wouldn't have changed my last night with them for anything. Before bedtime, we had a bunch of the families over for some games, dinner and goodbyes. It was wonderful. This morning, we trekked around the neighborhood for a bit, cleaned up the house and had lunch at Alejandro and Yendri's before heading back to San Jose. I still can't believe that I'll be in Houston this time in two days and not waiting to head back to Rio Frio.

So, to not think about it, let's talk about something less well, SAD!
I read blogs late into the night a few weeks before I came to Costa Rica delving into photography, design, typography, fashion, etc. etc. Here are some fun things I found through those readings:
=========================================================

First off, my heart longs to canoe. Second, how great would it be to see through the canoe?

I hate to see things like cassette tapes fade into the past. Making it into a MP3 player? Yes, please!

Icebreaker games can be so hit or miss. Icebreaker nametags though make me actually kind of want to wear a nametag.

Who knew your face could be a blank canvas? Mustaches and beards as art is cool.

How cute is the kid in the rocket ship? Adorable? Yes, that's what I thought.

Sticky notes, you have become so fun. Floppy disks, apples, tweets? Fabulous!

I love traveling. Clyde does too. I'm sure he's too big for this, but he does need an airstream.

This cracks me up! Guess no one will be stealing my sandwiches anytime soon...

Who says knowledge can't be mapped out? Especially by nerdy kitties that make everything better?

USB Drives either seem to be the ugliest computer accessories or the most interesting. A roll of film USB makes me smile.

Sometimes cheesy things are, well, cheesy. Sometimes I love them. Have a ball this summer!

Last summer, I transformed a lions tail into a leopards tail. These could have come in so handy.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's 2:27AM. I still have nothing in a suitcase. I'm not worried though.

I'm working on getting some electronic issues in order before I leave such as getting my resume off of my laptop desktop. I'm also getting some books downloaded onto my Kindle such as the ESV Study Bible, which weighs approximately 99.9% lighter than the hard copy. I'm also getting some fun books and speaker notes from Kathy. Incredibly excited to put this Kindle to use!

I still can't believe I'll be leaving tomorrow for Costa Rica for 10 weeks. I haven't really mentioned this on the blog much but this summer I am an intern with Greater Commission Ministries with Ted and Gracie Quiocho. I'm super excited.

I've been getting asked one question more than anything else: Are you nervous?

Am I nervous? I'm essentially moving to another country to live with friends of a friend that I barely know for 10 weeks of my life working in a community of people I have never met while being the translator for several teams that will be visiting us. What's to worry about?
NOTHING really.

My biggest concern is that I'm going to lose something on the way down.
Other than that, I'm excited to see what God has prepared for me in Costa Rica.

Guess I should go get something in a suitcase now...

fiftyone. fiftytwo. [53]. fifty4. fifty5. fifty6. fifty7. fifty8. [59]. 60! sixtyone. sixty2. sixty3. sixty4. 65! sixty6. sixty7. sixty8. [69]. 70!

fiftyone. unseenbeauty: learningtocookviacellulardevice.
fiftytwo. unseenbeauty: organization.

fiftythree. Sad no photo day.

fiftyfour. unseenbeauty: helpfulroommate.

fiftyfive. unseenbeauty: ASClove.
fiftysix. unseenbeauty: trickbasketballshots.
fiftyseven. unseenbeauty: stoppingtosmelltheflowers.
fiftysevencontinued. unseenbeauty: God'screation.
fiftysevencontinuedagain. unseenbeauty: thepowerofketchup.

fiftyeight. unseenbeauty: bookcoverillustrations.
fiftynine. Sad no photo day.

sixty. unseenbeauty: the12thman+Bible.
sixtyone. stressful weeks.

sixtytwo. unseenbeauty: thepoweroflaughter.
sixtythree. unseenbeauty: paperstacks.
sixtyfour. unseenbeauty: favoriteverse+awesomedisplay.
sixtyfourcontinued. unseenbeauty: freedominChrist.
sixtyfive. unseenbeauty: wonderfulfriendfilledweekends.
sixtysix. unseenbeauty: comfyspots.
sixtyseven. unseenbeauty: sweetartskills.
sixtyeight. unseenbeauty: dailychoices.
sixtynine. Sad no photo day.

seventy. unseenbeauty: packing.

Winter Break

The school semester is over. That's pretty much all I care about right now. I've been enjoying some blog reading. It's been great to just relax, watch some TV and look at some pretty and unique things online.

I've run away back home for the break.

I wish my pancakes looked a bit more prehistoric.

Sometimes, I wish I had a mustache and a beard. Now I can!

This semester has come with lots of engagements and this ring is simply precious.

New store discovery: Madewell with a scarf I love and a jacket to die for!

It may be my love of travel, but globes have captured my heart.

twentysomethings.

A prison testimony a friend of mine sent me earlier this semester.

Officially obsessed with this super cute and fun wedding!

What a great use of space with this little "igloo" bookcase/room.

Bike thieves? No problem. Here's one way to keep your bike from being stolen.

That's enough for now. Heading out for some lunch and to wrap some presents.

Adventure, Plan B & Being Deadline Oriented

This summer has been crazy in ways that I never would have thought of when I was between study abroad, summer school and looking for a job. God's taken my scraggly plans and made them blossom into something that I would have never expected or deserved even. This summer, I've been on the go between cities and even countries as I've traveled with two different youth groups as a volunteer counselor. In addition to that, I've been doing summer school. (It was a success by the way!) The following is a journey through part of my July facebook status updates that I just think are really funny and indicative of what's been going on.

AK would gladly start hardcore training for a marathon or triathlon if she just never had to think about summer school again. She's talking about the real deal complete with the diet and getting up at 5AM to run.

AK To be responsible... or not? Ashley Karlen is on her way to a mystery location with a bag packed full of mystery items. L-O-V-E it's a mystery.

AK ‎"You have 4(.5) years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember tme you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay (up) late. (Go to UM ARMY) with your friends when you have (3) papers due (Monday and a test). Spend (time) you don't have. (Have fun) 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but (online classes do)..." UM ARMY for the week? Yes.

AK Dear summer school, we only have a short while left together. Not so sad. & You will not defeat me. Thank you and never come back. Ashley Karlen is very conflicted over whether she wants to study and take a math test today or if she wants to write a research paper. She'd rather go camping.

AK ‎"It's not procrastination, I'm just deadline oriented." Truth. Math class? 1 week? 94! What? What? Now... 24 hours to write 3 papers. Bring it, summer school, bring it.

AK does not think anything could motivate her to write these papers. 2 more papers. 9 hours. & Still no sense of urgency...

AK ‎3 math tests in one day? Check. 3 papers written in one day? Check. Running on coffee, tea and little sleep? Of course.


And before all of those statuses (plus a few that didn't make it over to the blog) this was put up:
AK thinks this summer is all about the Plan B's of being in transit or repacking a suitcase to be in transit to a new adventure. This just may be the best summer of my life.
Now that my friends, is the truth.

1, 2, 3, Throw!

The next time I get on an airplane, this is what I want to happen.

Photoshoots, Design, Music & Cute Things

I'm in the process of back reading blogs. I unintentionally gave up blogging, or at least reading, during the hoopla of finals, UTXA formal, Stephamiah's wedding and Hanna's graduation. In catching up, there's some awesome things I've missed over the past couple of weeks. I am in no way through reading as I can only read so much when I'm down at Grandmom's between working and pretending to work. Here are some of the finds I thought I'd share (but beware! they're mainly photoshoots, design, music and cute things):

My friend, Calli, alerted me to this photoshoot which I fell in love with because I do love the movie UP!

I'm thinking if I randomly decide to do a themed birthday party, Where the Wild Things Party might be an option.

This photoshoot is from a long time ago, but it is precious. My favorite photographer + little kids + the wild wild west = fantastic!

I don't know if I'd wear this as a wedding dress, but how fun would this be for a '40s themed party? Since we're on the subject for dresses. I somehow fell in love with lace and this dress.

My friend, Kathy, alerted me to Straight No Chaser. This is an acapella mens' group and I love their sitcom medley.



I'm not really sure how I found out about Johnny Stimson, but I sure do like his '60s feel.

I must be in a music-y mood today but I can't not share with you my love for Miracle by the Robbie Seay Band. I'm pretty sure that I just sit for hours with them on repeat.

If you've ever had fast food with me, you know I'm not a McDonald's fan to say the least. I'd pretty much rather not eat than have to put one of their cheeseburgers in my mouth. Want to know why?

Some things in life are just ridiculous. Bumper stickers are sometimes one of the most ridiculous, but these may take the cake.


I'm not sure what to say, but I really do like videos shot in black and white, although both of the ones being on here just happen to be shot in black and white. That wasn't planned.

There's something about trailers that I love. It may be the traveling aspect they make me think of, but who knows? I also really enjoy food. The combination? Awesome.

Not that I'm in need of planning a wedding anytime soon, but this is a really cute backyard wedding photoshoot that I am in love with.

Neck ties versus bow ties is not an argument I usually get into, however this neck tie wins.

Finally, dreams can be achieved.

& In other news, I'm in the process of ordering my Aggie Ring! :)

World Travellin'

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. - Proverbs 19:21
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28

I feel kind of bad writing on here before calling home and giving the news in. I'll be calling my mom via cellular device once I push publish. Actually, it's close to midnight. I'll call first thing in the morning.

I found out that today I was accepted to the 5 week Global Media Argentina Program that I hoped on for this summer. This means, I'll spend part of my summer in Argentina for sure. Planned? Check. Everything ready to go? Not yet, but it will be.

Perfection, right? Mostly. I need to spend 10 weeks minimum abroad. This means that for the remainder of summer I'll have to be somewhere else. I've chosen a program in Costa Rica that's just classes and I'll be working with a missionary family down there in my free time and in the week before my program starts. I found out today while waiting in one of many offices on campus that it might not happen. No way around it. Over and out.

Right before that though, I'd gone to one of my advisor's offices and the forms I had couldn't be signed by her first which is actually how I ended up in the other office. I ended up hanging out in the office for a bit and in passing asked my advisor a question about if it was probable to be interning a missionary for credit. I ended up telling her a bit about the mission organization and the missionaries I'd be working with. Guess what? It doesn't matter if the program passes through the system. I'll have myself a missionary internship in Costa Rica.

I'm not sure if you're supposed to necessarily pray for wrecked plans with how you'd really like God to wreck your plans, but if this is what God's going to wreck them for, well, BRING ON THE WRECKED PLANS LORD! (whatever they may be!)

Need Inspiration? Look No Further.

This posting of links that have impacted me in some way are chock full of the Compassion International bloggers trip to Kenya this past week or so. It's something that I could have easily skipped over and not thought about. I didn't and I hope you won't either.

You can't microwave spiritual formation. That line alone is something I think we all need to hear.

Kenyan for soccer ball. I absolutely loved the Third World Dictionary series from Shaun Groves.

Good Neighbors Don't Pray.

Music of the Masai.

A Father to the Fatherless.

Sight for the Blind.

The parable of the zebra.

Photoshoot on traveling, photography and fun? Yes!

Hobo Living Room. I like pranks. It's a problem.

Wishing the snakes would stop biting. Amen.

& Jeremiah told me to look this up earlier in the week. One of the blogs I follow posted to it as well saying that it was "Stupid Awesome". Agreed.

& Why not share two quotes that have been sitting in a window on my computer all week?

"Maybe the soul is a suitcase that holds the backup plan - a collection of keys and the patience we need to start again. Maybe it’s the thresholds that swallow us whole as we learn to let go, in spite of the dirt on our clothes." - Ryan O’Neal of Sleeping at Last

"If you have a beautiful story, it has to have conflict in it. It has to. We’ve lost touch with that. We are a conflict avoiding culture. One of the things I love about our source text as Christians, the Bible, is that it teaches us not to avoid conflict. It also teaches us that conflict existed before the fall of man, that in paradise there was conflict. It’s not wrong. God wants there to be conflict in your own life." - Donald Miller

Get Excited!

Y'all may remember something awhile back about Shaun Groves and Compassion International doing something excited for Haiti, well this is it! Get excited!

Compassion is also heading to Kenya this week and one of the bloggers that I follow, Brad Ruggles, will be heading to Kenya with the crew and blogging about it. You should go read his stuff. I'm definitely excited about following the trip to Kenya.

Praying for Haiti

In 2005, I went on my first overseas mission trip (not including Mexico). I went to the Dominican Republic with FUMC Houston. During this time, we were working in Jimini, which is located on the border and is a site for Haitian refugees who have come to the DR searching for a better life among the natives who reside there. I can't remember right now if it was an earthquake or monsoon which had devastated that area years earlier. The team decided to cross into Haiti right at the border with our missionaries to hold a prayer walk through the marketplace as we got to see Haiti for the few minutes we were there. I can't begin to describe the heaviness which filled the air. It seemed as if the air held the Haitians inner thoughts of depression, failure, pessimism and overall darkness. It was a hard prayer walk to say the least.

During the past 2 weeks, there have been 2 massive earthquakes that have devastated Haiti. I'm not going to let you know about the statistics because with the constant communication in the world today, the stats are everywhere. There are things following this and previous national disasters that are overlooked. One of my friends posted a link to an article in The Atlantic called Island of Lost Children. Please go read it. It's necessary the world knows of what's really going on with those children who are separated from their loved ones and may be forced into a horrendous situation of slavery. It broke my heart this morning.

I didn't think I'd post about this up this quick, but here's a heads up on more Haiti related talk we'll be having soon. Shaun Groves, a Christian music artist who is a representative of Compassion International, is working with them to headline a one day event in three major U.S. cities in support of Haiti. There will be more about this as information comes about, but please be in prayer for Haiti as well as this event.

I'm Quitting College and Becoming a Trucker.

I've gone on four road trips in the last 10 days. That number is quite ridiculous, but way worth it. I went to Houston twice, Austin and Brenham. I got to see my family, UTXA and old high school friends, Jeremiah's family and our crew of friends for Halloween and the Williamsons. It was a glorious 10 days even though it was mingled with some crazy school.

One of my favorite things is just being on a road trip in general. Anyone can be in the car with me or no one at all. It's just amazing to watch the open road and have all that time for thoughts to mix and mingle in your mind as music is blasting, the sound of the tires hitting the road travel to your ears or a sermon is slicing through your heart with convictions and praises. Being on the road is one of my favorite things.

I've noticed a few things about my trips. I definitely have a preferred time frame in the day to hit the road. I am enjoying the fall season with the light that radiates from the sun. It casts such a beautiful light that hits the leaves as they have begun to transform from their ordinary shades of green to vibrant hues of reds, oranges and my favorite, gold. It's fabulous and captivates me every time I see it. That is very characteristic of my morning drives. In the evenings, I enjoy driving away from the sunset so when I glance at the car behind me in my rearview mirror, I see a variety of colors dancing across the sky as they flutter down beyond the horizon. Beautiful.

I've definitely pondered becoming a truck driver more than once in my life. They do have the best coffee, but more than that, there's something special about road trips. Something distinct about them that cause friendships to grow and thoughts to be layed on our hearts by our Lord.

In a podcast that I listened to on the way home from CS this summer, Ben Stuart talked about road trips and how Jesus took them with his disciples. I'm hoping to relisten to it this weekend on yet another roadtrip. (If I can figure out a safe way to take notes and drive, I'll try to post some notes on here when I get back. I'm just not sure how safe that really is...)

God really used my last roadtrip to Houston to speak to my heart about something specific. I'm not ready to share about it yet although I have a feeling that if God has a say (which He does!) it will be a for sure plan.

Apparently my heart is able to be won in under an hour.

It's been 11 days since I have posted which is way not okay. It's been hectic around here though. In that time, I believe I've been to two retreats, told a group of junior high girls who my crush is even though it's super light as far as crushes go and almost bought the sweetest adorable dog ever. Which of those do you think I'll be talking about?

CLYDE! The world's cutest and sweetest dog. We are perfect for each other and I'm not joking. He's got the exact same temperament as me and it's amazing. I wish he was with me right now sitting on my couch instead of my backpack, which is just not quite as adorable. I met him at Petco while trying to help Zara look for her pet rat she wants. We instantly meshed during the time that didn't even amount to an hour that we were together and now I can't get him off my mind. After a bunch of thought though, I just can't take on the responsibity of him. It makes my heart hurt. I wish my Dad would adopt him, but there doesn't seem to be a great chance with that. I would go pick him up right now, but it's just not feasible for me right now. It's exactly like Catherine said to me last night, "I wish we were older so we could do stuff like this." Amen. I'd love Clyde in my life, but it just wouldn't be fair to either of us as I don't know where God is taking me in life yet.

Ironically, that's been one of the main things on my mind lately other than some greatly unsettling things that were settled, but I won't be writing about that tonight. I've got some Wilson time to catch up on plus my professors feel like I should be writing papers, doing projects and taking tests. What a silly idea! Oh college...

Before I go though, I think Jared Anderson must love me or maybe Integrity Music emails do. Either way, he's releasing a new live cd and I want it. If you haven't listened to him you need to go check him out as he's one of my personal favorites. Also, if you're in the DC area, check this amazing event out that the Spy Museum is hosting. I wish I could buy the new Jared Anderson and listen to it on a plane ride next to my dog, Clyde, while heading to the Spy Museum.

Instead I'll listen to Jared Anderson's old music, while enjoying my yerba mate and writing in Wilson before settling down to read some Dante's Inferno. Somehow, it just doesn't seem the same...

"Packing"

I'm as done packing before moving tomorrow as I plan to be.
I'm completely and utterly sickened by even the word "packing".
Yet, if I was told to grab my suitcase and pack it for travel, I'd be packed in 30.

When I get back here on Tuesday, there will be no bed; there will be no couch. I'm hoping to set up a tent and literally camp out in my room for the rest of the summer. I'm actually quite looking forward to it.

Time for some shut eye. I'm getting up in a few hours for coffee with my parents before the movers get here at 8:30. Early mornings...

Photography is a magnificent treasure from God.

The events, faces, smiles and more of Nicaragua are marinating in my mind. I haven't exactly narrowed down what I want to share of that experience yet.

As my mind has been marinating, I've finalized a layout for this site. I went back to a past facebook note which I thought was fun. I'm posting the Rules just in case you want to do it too or you just want to see the results you would get:

a. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search (http://www.flickr.com/).
b. Using ONLY the first page, pick an image.
c. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into Mosaic Maker. Change rows to 3 and columns to 3 (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/mosaic.php).
d. Save the image and post it on this note!

The Questions:
1. What is your name? Ashley
2. What is your favorite food? empanadas
3. What is your favorite color? tie dye
4. Favorite drink? Green Tea
5. Dream vacation? Around the world
6. Favorite hobby? travelling
7. What you want to be when you grow up? a helping hand
8. What's one thing you call valuable on this earth? friendship
9. One word to describe you? creative

& That's how the photography collage at the top came into existence.