"I build relationships"

When people ask me what I am doing on my YAV year I usually launch into something that sounds a little like this, "Well, I am placed with the Martha O'Bryan center at Stratford High School. At Stratford I work with students who are applying to college. I help them with their applications, personal statements, and financial aid. Another part of the YAV program is that we live together in intentional Christian community and we are all hosted by a church - in my case this is Trinity Presbyterian." People often ask me what I have been doing at home since I graduated in '09 and I tell them about my work in Friendship House. Anyone who knows me knows how passionate I am about 'my kids' there so I love to talk about it. 

Friendship House, Sandy Row, Belfast.

When reflecting on how I talk about my last job and the volunteer position I am now in, I think my answer to those questions should be "I build relationships". Today has been a great relationship day. It has been a day when I have been reminded of the strength of relationships which span the ocean and experienced the joy of new relationships here in Nashville.

Yesterday and today I called Friendship House for the first time since coming to Nashville. For any of my new American friends, Friendship House is where I had been working before I came to Nashville. The children, young people and adults of Sandy Row will always have a special place in my heart (I know it sounds cheesy but it is true). I got to speak to about 20 of the children and young people I worked with in Belfast over the past two days.  It encouraged me that even though we have not seen or spoken to each other in two months the connection was still there. The relationship was still there. The comments from the children ranged from "When are you coming home" (5 year old), "Have you bought me anything yet?" (5 year old) "I think you need to come home to spend Christmas with your family" (9 year old), "Let me speak to your friend to see if you are having fun" (8 year old), "So you haven't forgotten about us" (11 year old), and "I'll just book you a flight to come home the marra (tomorrow) and my ma will pay for it" (11 year old). Having that contact with those kids really did make my day and bring a few tears to my eyes. 

This afternoon was relatively quiet in the college room so my supervisor (Kelli) and I spent about 20 minutes taking crazy pictures with one of the kids. We were all laughing so hard that there were tears rolling down our cheeks. At another stage this afternoon I spent about half an hour talking with two girls about home - they were asking me about what is different and we got talking about food, so I have to make another batch of fifteens to bring into Stratford for them! They also starting trying to imitate my accent, which was hilarious! The thing is, the kids I worked with in Belfast even made fun of my accent. I am spreading the Larne accent around the world!

Here are some of the photographs we took today...

Some might say that 20 minutes was a waste of time. We did not write a personal statement or fill in a college application. However, by laughing together we build relationships and therefore we built trust. So the next time I sit down with this young person to work on an application I am more than just Miss Ashley, I am someone she has laughed with until she cried. Even if it was only over silly photographs! The Stratford kids are quickly stealing a part of my heart also. 

The relationships I have built in Northern Ireland and continue to build in Nashville will continue to challenge and change me. 

Another reason I am in love with Jesus - he was all about relationships.

Inspired by Lee and another great man...

I am sorry for my lack of blog posts since my arrival in Nashville. This is partly due to my laziness and our unreliable internet. So tonight Susan and I packed up and came to our local coffee shop 'Ugly mugs' to use their internet.

While I was here I thought I would try a video blog post and that is why this post is entitled 'Inspired by Lee...' (you will have to read on to see who the other great man is). Lee has an awesome blog http://throughsunglassedeyes.blogspot.com/ where he posts his videos. Lee is an amazing guy who I love dearly and his idea inspired this blog post. I also thought it would be cool for you guys at home to see my lovely face in case you are missing it. Although I certainly will not be doing this every time as it did mortify me filming myself in a coffee shop.

Something I think is important to write in here that I couldn't talk about in case I cried is the effect of the kids stories on me at work. Today I was working with a girl who started to talk about how her dad walked out of her life. I do not know the whole story and I have to be careful not to pass judgement on her dad (something I probably have already done - I need to work on this!). It made me think of how blessed I have been to have such an amazing set of parents. For this post I will focus on dad, but mum will get one at a later date so don't worry mum!

So my dad...my dad is someone I admire a lot but probably never tell him enough. Working in a dangerous occupation when we were younger he always made time for my brother and I when he was off work. I know he has always put us first and would do anything for us. We are not a family who always tell each other how much we love each other but my dad does not have to verbalise it, the way he has cared for me shows me. I miss my dad everyday, but thankfully he has got the hang of bbm so we can be in touch nearly everyday! Dad's unconditional love and support for me is amazing, and it doesn't matter how far away I am I know it is always there - so thanks dad!

Well enough of my emotional talk (something I don't do well!). By my next blog post I hope I will have purchased a cowboy hat and boots, so you should start getting excited about the photographs!!

Thanks for all your love and support.

Keep Praying.