Let's go!

Mark it on your calendars…September 30^th the day Ashley Floyd began her life.

 

 What has life consisted of for the past 26 years? Was I breathing, was I living, was I striving? I feel so much drive and energy knowing I’m moving into this new chapter and the rest of my life in comparison feels null and void. However, I know every waking moment has prepared me for this time. Every minute, hour, day, week, month and year was a preparation time for me. Not a minute was wasted in my life. Relationships were built, connections were made and lessons were taught all to bring me to this point. And this morning as I contemplated getting out of my comfy bed, knowing it will be 3 months before I lay in it again, I just began to weep uncontrollably and my heart couldn’t process all the love and gratitude I was feeling. My heart is so full knowing I have so many people who have pushed me, challenged me, taught me and loved me to where I am now and I know once I arrive I will never be the same. Life as I know…the Ashley I’ve always known will not be recognizable. All I’ve known will be transformed. This trip is the beginning of the rest of my life.

 

This is my jumping off point, my launch pad and this is what is setting my destiny in motion and like Alice in wonderland said, “I can’t go back to yesterday I was a different person then.” I cry tears of joy knowing what’s ahead and yet I’m crying tears of sorrow as I watch the last bit of me be crucified. That’s all I had left, who I used to be but that chapter is written and closed and it’s time to walk in the true destiny and call for my life and from this point on I can’t turn back. Things will be unlocked in me that will forever change and shape me. Relationships will be made that will challenge me. Life as I know it will be no more.

 

I’m ready now. I never thought I was say that and when I get there I may think differently but I’m ready for the unknown. I’m ready to walk in blind faith. I’m ready to be in a place where I have to depend solely on him. I’m ready for him to be my only focus. I’m ready to see His face in the faces of the people of Mozambique. I’m ready to share the love he’s shown me with them.

 

So thank YOU! You helped make this happen. You believed in the call and you pushed me forward into this! Your words soothed my doubts and fears, your prayers gave me peace when my mind was battling my heart. Your gifts provided a way for me to go when I had nothing. Your love ignited my heart. And now I will go carrying all you’ve given me and I will share it with those people. I will show them how gracious, loving and merciful God is because I’ve seen Him moving and working in and through each and every one of you. I was your mission field. I wouldn’t have made it there without you. I want you to know your significant and know that this is only the beginning for you as well. OUR lives begin today. We make the choice to get up and let him set our destinies in motions. We choose to lay down all we’ve held on to and let him take the reins. We break ourselves that He may be exalted because in reality, we have nothing to offer the world but to Him we have everything… because all He wants is our hearts!

 

So go and do. Ask for the nations and they are yours. Ask for your workplace, your home, it’s yours. Go and spread His love. Go and encourage those in your mission field. You never know what may come out of it. I’m a living testimony of what encouraging words and love can do. It can take a shy, wallflower and catapult her into the nations as a voice. You made that happen!

So today I leave at 3:30, I know when my feet hit the soil of Africa all those who have poured into me will be released, and all gifts will be returned 100 fold as I fulfill the work of the Lord you will be blessed!

 

So I willingly and excitedly lay my life down that I may be used so that you may walk in the fullness of His goodness and love. So let’s go, let’s run straight into what he has for us. No fear, no regrets, no hesitations. Be brave. Be strong and be courageous! Now is the time!