2011 July :: Putting God First Place

Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream, God’s Plan

By Ashley Wells, on July 28th, 2011

I now consider myself a writer (or at least an aspiring writer). I’ve been blogging now for over 3 years. I’ve written my first e-book. I have developed this passion for writing.

But yet, I do not want to write for myself. I write for Him. I want my words to pour out of my heart onto the keys of my laptop and then make their way to your computer screen. I want my words to come from my heart and I want to find my inspiration in Him.

I knew as soon as I saw the title for Brooke McGlothlin‘s newest ebook, Notes to Aspiring Writers: Your Dream, God’s Plan, that it would touch my heart.

Boy, was I right! This book is bound to touch your heart. Whether you like to write for fun, or hope to (or do) write professionally, Brooke helps to focus your heart on Who your audience ultimately is.

It’s very easy to be distracted in this world of blogging, e-books, and everything else! Brooke’s message is timeless and simple, seek to honor the One who has plans for You.

Through living, we are all going to experience this Truth. We have dreams. We make plans. Those dreams and those plans, though, often times live unfulfilled.

However, the beauty of it all is that God’s plans are greater than ours.

This book is about so much more than writing, it’s about life.

Highly Recommended.

I want to thank Brooke for sending me a copy of Notes to Aspiring Writers to read and review!

I’m a Simply Real {Soon-to-Be} Mom

By Ashley Wells, on July 25th, 2011

While most expectant moms are preparing a nursery and watching their mid-section expand with life, I’m experiencing things differently.

You see, I’m not a “normal” soon-to-be mom. I’m a soon-to-be adoptive mom.

Instead of preparing a nursery, I am gathering all I can for up to four children 8 years old and younger (Note: Yes, that is a huge age range and a larger quantity than most decide to adopt at one time. My husband and I feel led to adopt a sibling group from the foster care system.).

Instead of my mid-section expanding, my heart is expanding with hope, love, and anticipation!

Read the rest of my post over at Simply Mel’s blog.

How My Soul Yearns Review & Giveaway!

By Ashley Wells, on July 22nd, 2011

Today over at TeriLynneU.com, Teri Lynne is sharing her review of my ebook How My Soul Yearns. Her words are so sweet and I praise God that my story is touching the hearts of women! She writes,

“I cannot recommend Ashley’s book highly enough. I believe every woman will be encouraged and challenged by “How My Soul Yearns” … and that we can learn how to offer compassion to one another at a new level.”

She is also hosting a giveaway for TWO COPIES of the book!

Make sure to stop by and enter!

Thoughts While Sweeping My Walls…

By Ashley Wells, on July 19th, 2011

We live on the first floor of an old house…like really old!

I always wanted to live in an old house. This house has changed my mind. I didn’t realize how hard it is to keep an old house clean. I find dust all over the place, constantly! As soon as I am done cleaning, it seems there is dust again!

I am constantly finding dust all over my walls. The problem is that we live in an old house (remember?). Guess what? Our walls are really tall. So, you know how I clean the walls? With my broom!

Yep, you read that right. I sweep my walls.

It takes a lot of work to keep the walls (let alone everything else) clean.

Last week as I was sweeping my walls, I started thinking about how my heart is a lot like this cleaning task.

The walls inside my heart get dirty too…

a disrespectful tone with my husband that turns into a habit

making other things a higher priority than spending time in the Word

being judgmental when I need to instead show compassion

I am constantly trying to “clean” my heart, rid it of sin, sweep it out!

It is hard work keeping this heart clean, trying to live a life with a higher purpose, an eternal aim.

Sin grows in my heart so easily. It starts forming before I even take notice.

I need to sweep out my heart as often as I sweep these walls in my old house!

Have you swept out your heart lately?

I’m Looking for Amazon Book Reviewers!

By Ashley Wells, on July 14th, 2011

It has been two weeks since the launch of my e-book, How My Soul Yearns. While this blog will not be turning into a blog solely about infertility or shameless self-promotion, I do want to share an opportunity with you - my readers!