Summer.

Just the thought makes me think of swinging in the hot backyard and quickly coming inside for a tall glass of Coke. And kickball on the cul-de-sac. And the ice cream man. Summer has changed since I was a child, but it has not become less meaningful.

We only have two submissions this week, but I think both capture the joy and sweetness of summer. Head on over to A Picturesque Life and enjoy Bethany's post about her seemingly "love-hate" relationship with summer. A snippet:

My mostest favoritest season of all is still summer. To this day, I can’t quite figure it out. It’s hot. It’s humid. It’s miserable….but I love it.

I also muse on the preciousness of summer and my time with my family in my post entitled "Summertime:"

Summer to me is many things, but most importantly, it is the time to reconnect with family and rejuvenate after a season of hard work.

So grab an ice cold Coke (or sweet tea if you prefer) and enjoy!

Summer to me is many things, but most importantly, it is the time to reconnect with family and rejuvenate after a season of hard work.

One of the highlights of my year is the "tour of the Midwest" with my parents and siblings every summer. Now that I live far from home, I cherish this vacation more than ever. This year, we spent two weeks visiting Indianapolis, Northern Michigan, and Chicago. The first few days I spent with my grandparents in Indy, where my grandmother, an amazing seamstress, taught me some sewing tips. It was wonderful to get to spend time with them, since I only see them once a year. Before we left Indy, we had a bridal shower for my sister, who is getting married in 9 days! Here is a picture with me and my sister, Lauren, at Julie's bridal shower.


After the shower, we headed to Julie's place to see the apartment and meet her puppy. Here's the bride-to-be with her amazingly cute puppy, Holden!


After we left Indiana, we headed north to Traverse City, where we spend a week relaxing and seeing the sights. I always savor this time up north, and the chance to spend time with my parents and siblings. This year, it was just Lauren who could go, but it was still wonderful nonetheless. One of my favorite activities in Michigan is touring Mackinac Island, which is located in between the lower and upper peninsulas of Michigan. Here's my dad and me on the island with Lake Huron in the background.



Not only do I love Michigan for the chance to see family, but it is wonderful to take a break from work and refresh in the beautiful north. I got the opportunity to read and reflect much more than usual, even though we were busy with activities.

After leaving Michigan, we headed to Chicago to see the sights of this great city. We also got to enjoy some amazing food while we were there. Here's my mom one day at dinner.


As much as I enjoy seeing the sights around the Midwest, summer would not be complete without seeing my family.

I'm finally back from my wonderful vacation! I'll be posting about that (with pictures!) shortly. I would have had them up last night, but I had a horrific migraine that knocked me out all evening. If these don't subside, I'm going to have to head to the doctor. Please pray that they I don't have another anytime soon!

Also, I will be hosting the Carnival of Beauty this week. I'm very excited to present "The Beauty of Summer." Please have all submissions to me by 9 p.m. central time today, so I can be sure to have the Carnival post up for all the early birds on Friday morning! Thanks so much!

While Paul and I had a long-distance relationship, one of the things we missed most was seeing each other every day. To make things better, I made a website for him called "An Ashley a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!" Every day, I took a picture of myself using my tripod and uploaded it. He got to see what I wore that day, how I did my hair, whether I wore glasses or contacts, and what current state my apartment was in. He loved it and looked forward to his daily picture. I loved trying to come up with fun poses for him.

The pictures helped make the distance geographically seem not so great.

A few years after my dad's parents passed away, he and his siblings got together one Labor Day weekend and went through a bunch of my grandparents' pictures. In the pile they found this one:
I like looking at it and wondering who the people were. They were my ancestors, and that was their store. Here is a piece of their life, a single moment captured in a picture that I can look at today and wonder. Some of the pictures we found were of my grandparents when they were young. Wow, us cousins look a lot like our grandparents! How my father and aunts and uncles looked like their relatives! How we all looked alike!

The pictures helped the distance in time seem not so great.

When I was in high school, I was close friends with two of the Peruvian girls who attended our youth group. Seeing pictures like the one above remind me of them, and of our friendship. We were quite different, culturally. I had my American ways and my English language, while they had their Peruvian customs and Spanish mother tongues. I grew up with hamburgers and apple pie; they dined on lomo saltado and chicha morada. Yet when I look at this picture, taken at the end of a weeklong youth retreat at the beach, I am reminded that they are girls just like me. We giggled and had crushes on boys and enjoyed lollypops just the same, no matter our skin color.

The pictures helped the distance culturally seem not so great.

My grandmother and I have always been really close, and it was hard on her being away from her grandkids the whole time we lived overseas. She always made us feel loved, though. She would send us packages in the mail of anything and everything. She would send us pictures of their house and changes they made, and of their gardens. She would write us each long letters wanting to know all about our lives and our friends and school. This picture is one that was taken during one of our visits to the States:

When I look at pictures like that, I am reminded of the happy and fun times I've had with my grandma. I can laugh with her, and tell her my hopes and fears.

The pictures help the generational distances seem not so great.

A picture is worth 1000 words, they say. And oh so true. That is the beauty of photographs! They can transport you through time and space. They are the bridge between the two cliffs. And for that, I am grateful.

This post is a submission for this week's Carnival of Beauty: The Beauty of Photographs. Please visit the other Carnival Posts on Amanda's blog.

This week's Carnival of Beauty is on the Beauty of Isaiah. Please be sure to check out all the lovely posts on this topic.

• Barbara over at Fuel talks about an experience and a revelation she had of the truth of God's Word at a ladies retreat a few years ago. It was a transformational moment, and something that brings peace to her life. It is also a truth she intends to pass on to her children so they don't need to carry the baggage she carried along for so much of her life. Read more about "Can It Really Be True?"
  

• Jennifer at Wonderful Pages writes about the comfort of salvation that Isaiah promises her. Read more about "The Beauty of Isaiah".

• Keziah at A Woman Who Fears the Lord reflects on Isaiah 58 and the need for true godliness in our lives. Read more about "Beauty of Isaiah: A Day Acceptable to the Lord".

• And finally, Ashley wrote about her experiences running track and how she clung to Isaiah 40 for the strength and encouragement she needed to pursue to the end. Read more about "The Extra Push".

Thank you everyone for submitting your pieces! We hope everyone has a chance to reflect on the Beauty of Isaiah this week. Be sure to join the Carnival next week for the Beauty of Red!

When I was in middle and high school, I ran track. I started as a sprinter, and then moved to long distance. I didn't excel at either - I think my race was more the 400 m - but I stuck with the long distance for a long time. Sometimes it was so hard to keep going... Panting heavily, my chest aching, my muscles screaming for respite. Those races would take a lot out of me, as I pushed myself to make it to the finish line. I would talk to myself to keep me from quitting. One passage from Isaiah kept me going:

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

- Isaiah 40: 28-31

There are two passages of Scripture I always read outloud whenever I am feeling down or discouraged: Psalm 139 and Isaiah 40. I would cling to the latter chapter when I was running. The idea of soaring like an eagle... running and not growing weary! I must admit, as I came panting to the finish line, I rarely felt that I was soaring. That's something I look forward to being able to do in Heaven!

This passage doesn't refer to just physical strength, though. How many times do we feel weary from life? Tired of running... Worn out from whatever trials we may be facing... "Even youths grow tired and weary..." For me, some of the biggest trials have been waiting... Waiting for the time to be right, waiting for the next bend in the road. I've gotten tired of the monotony of daily life during those times.

The beauty of this passage is that it offers hope to those of us who are tired and weary. Have you not heard? The LORD doesn't grow tired. He always has the strength needed to get to the end. And the best news of all - He freely gives it to those who "hope in Him". They will feel strengthened, renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. Wow!

God has blessed me a lot - I haven't had to deal with some of the difficult trials that others have dealt with. In some ways, I don't feel that I can truly speak of the wonderful strength that God has to give us. I can only offer what His word says, through His prophet Isaiah... He knows you don't have the strength to finish on your own. That's why He is standing there right next to you, giving you a water bottle and giving you that extra boost of energy you need to make it to the finish line!

Can I say it again? Our God is so good.

This week's Carnival of Beauty is being hosted here at Onward & Upward! We are going to be exploring the Beauty of Isaiah. If you would like to participate, please send an email to us at onwardupward {at} ashleydesign {dot} org. Please submit them by Tuesday, Feb. 20th. The deadline is technically 3pm (EST), but we will be accepting submissions into the evening (until 8 or 9pm).

We look forward to your submissions! And be sure to check back on Wednesday to read all the posts on the Beauty of Isaiah.

If you would like to know what the Carnival is all about, please check out Sallie's blog.

"He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms
and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
- Isaiah 40:11

The Bible often compares us to sheep, and the Lord is our Shepherd. If that is the case, then lambs are our children - the young, innocent (naive) ones who don't yet know how evil the world can be. Little lambs, with small bleating cries and unsteady legs, keeping close to their mothers who provide safety and security. Little lambs, who were the Jewish symbol of sacrifice and atonement, being the innocent (not guilty) ones who paid the cost of our sin. Christ is called the Lamb of God, showing His innocence and His sacrifice.

But lambs aren't just symbols of sacrifice, but also symbols of the littlest among us. We're flocks of sheep, following our master, looking for the best and most tasty grass. Along the way, lambs join our flock, which delights our Master. Lambs are the most vulnerable of us all, prey to wolves and other predatory animals who watch closely. For this reason, our Shepherd pays special attention to the lambs. He carries them close to His heart, not letting go because He knows the lamb is safer there. He keeps the mothers close to Him so He can keep an eye on them. And aren't we scared sometimes? Do we hear the howling of the wolves from oh the not-so-great distance? Yet a hand comes down to rest on our wooly heads, comforting us. A scarred hand, a broken hand - a symbol of the sacrifice that was paid. Without that, we would be next in line for the altar, because our sinful hearts could not get us into heaven.

The beauty of lambs is that we are not stuck in a sinful rut forever. Because of the Lamb's innocence, we have been given a gift - a wonderful, beautiful gift of eternal life. And as we take care of our husbands and our families, we can be assured that our Shepherd will keep us close to Him, not letting us go. After all, He paid the price so we could live, so He won't let us go.

I have a natural affinity to lambs and sheep. In Spanish, my last name means "lamb". The coat of arms has five dancing sheep on it. (Um... yes...) I am His little lamb. He loves me that much. I like that verse in Isaiah, because it reminds me of how near my Savior keeps me. And because of Christ's sacrifice, our sins are washed away as if we are innocent of any wrong-doing, and we are able to enter heaven.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your sinlessness and being the sacrificial lamb so I can live with You in eternity.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,

He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

- Psalm 23:1-6

This piece was written as a submission for the Carnival of Beauty: The Beauty of Innocence.

Sarah over at To Motherhood and Beyond is hosting this week's Carnival of Beauty: The Beauty of Bread. It's a share-a-recipe week, so be sure to check out all the great recipes other folks have submitted! My previous post about banana bread was my submission for the Carnival.

To learn more about the Carnival of Beauty, click here.

I may not be much of a cook, but I do love to bake. When I was growing up, my mother would always make banana bread and give it to our neighbors or people just moving to town. I remember many a day, wrapping up banana bread in saran-wrap or foil to take to someone. I hope to continue the tradition on my own. This weekend, I made banana bread and brought some with me to visit my dear friends, the Garrisons. I used my new mini loaf pan that I got from Pampered Chef. It makes the cutest little loaves that are perfect for giving away. Here is the banana bread recipe I use:

Banana Bread
1/2 cup shortening or 1/3 cup oil
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1-2 beaten eggs, optional
2-3 bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon of lemon juice, optional
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4-1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine shortening, sugar, and water. Then add eggs, bananas, and lemon juice. Combine separately and add flour, salt, baking soda, spices, and vanilla. Pour into greased loaf pan. Bake at 375 F for 45-60 minutes.

The result is delicious! You can also add chopped nuts, but I usually avoid that since so many people are allergic to nuts.

I think overall, the point is to practice hospitality. Whether you bring banana bread, or just a kind word, it is much appreciated!

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:8-10

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Note: This is a reprint of a post from last August as a submission for the Carnival of Beauty.

Blair over at Scribblings by Blair is hosting this week's Carnival of Beauty: The Beauty of Forgiveness. I encourage everyone to go check out the other great pieces written about this important subject. The previous post I wrote here on Onward and Upward was my submission to the Carnival. I thank God that He has taught me so much about forgiveness, but I know there is so much I still need to learn - including a relationship He is currently convicting me about. Sigh, just when you think you've gotten it all down! :-)

To learn more about what the Carnival of Beauty is all about, please go here.

"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32

Did you ever had one of those years when you were growing up? When everything seems to go wrong? Perhaps you were the target of a class bully, or tormenting by a former best friend. Perhaps it was the year your parents moved to a new town. Whatever the reason, it was the year plagued with loneliness and awkwardness as you moved from childhood to adulthood, not really sure of where you stood or what you really wanted in life.

I had one of those years - 5th grade. Fourth grade was bad too, but not like 5th grade. The year I cried myself to sleep with my mom rubbing my back trying to convince me that someday this would all pass by and everything would be okay.

Usually the tears were thanks to a certain girl named Tina* (*name changed) in my class. Due to the small nature of our mission school, we were the only two in our grade, and Tina felt it her competitive duty to make sure she always came out on top. Being the compliant child I was, I let her push me around, tease me, and hurt me until I was convinced that I was everything she said I was.

I think every girl can understand that confusion when you try so hard to please someone and they just return bitter words. I think everyone knows what it's like to be lonely, to play with your dolls wishing for a real friend. I don't think I have to explain the hurt I felt to anyone. Tina left for the States after 5th grade, and all of 6th grade I dealt with the repercussions of the year of teasing. No longer under her, the hurt turned into anger and bitterness, especially as I realized to what extent her affect had on me.

This story does have a happy ending. In 7th grade, I was assigned a paper on the topic of "forgiveness" for Bible class, and I think that is when I really let the hurt and anger slide away and truly forgave what she did. God taught me a lot as I poured through the Scriptures looking for references to forgiveness. The biggest thing of all: anything that Tina had done to me, had been done to Christ. And Christ not only forgave but He paid the price for those sins. How could I not do the simple act of turning around and forgiving her? It wasn't easy, I don't think - is it ever? But a necessary step. And God wasn't finished with our story yet.

Fast forward about 5 years. Tina and I both returned to Peru, but we went to different schools and rarely saw each other. Again it was a lonely time in my life, but not at the fault of any particular person or persons. I was desperate to know who I was, as a person and as a Christian. At the time I was involved in an active youth group at my church. Each year, we had a weeklong retreat on the beach, and my senior year Tina was in attendance. I remember one evening climbing the steps to a little rooftop area where patio furniture overlooked the beach. It was quiet and peaceful. I saw Tina up there, and as I joined her I noticed a Bible in her lap.

We talked then. We talked about what had happened. We talked about remorse, and forgiveness. We talked about healing. We talking about friendship and moving forward. We talked about where we were today, and how God was working in our lives. I remember Tina sharing things from her heart, showing me some of the Bible passages she had been pouring over and meditating on. I remember telling her about the aching loneliness I felt, and her assurance of God always being there as a friend. There is more to our conversation, and the things God taught me at that time in my life, but they are for another time. What I always love is how God brought things full circle. He took the girl who used to torment me, and seven years later He used her to draw me closer to Him.

To me, that is the beauty of forgiveness.

Allison over at The Autumn Rain is hosting this week's Carnival of Beauty. I encourage you to head on over there to read many other women's thoughts, musings, and reflections on this most glorious of seasons.

Just when the lazy days of summer seem to be very lazy indeed, a crisp breath of air awakened me one morning. Excitement always floods my head, for autumn is just around the corner. In the heat and humidity of the summer, I long for the days of hot apple cider, crackling fires, brilliant leaves, and spicy pumpkin pie. Of hay rides through corn mazes, golden-hued mums, long autumn walks, and toasty marshmallows. And scarecrows. And of course hot chocolate :-).

As I sit here writing, I think about what I miss now that I have moved to Southeast Texas. I so cherish the autumns of my past--it is my favorite season after all. But now, many traditional things are gone. Of course the days are cooling off, but it never really gets cold until November. So that means no more changing leaves, no more snuggling by a fire (at least not until winter!). No more bundling up to protect against the nip in the air. It's still too warm to enjoy a mug of spiced cider or steamy chocolate. I'm learning to appreciate what God has given me here. And to live vicariously through my Northern friends :-). It hasn't been easy, but I'll adjust.

You know what I'm discovering that I love most about autumn? The fellowship with family and friends, the celebration of the bounty and blessings from God, the thanksgiving we share in another year. In other words, the spirit of the season doesn't have to change just because I have moved to a new place. May we continue to praise the Lord for His bountious grace and thank Him for His provisions and care for us.