tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post424997795414142429..comments2023-05-03T05:33:33.099-04:00Comments on Julia's Journal: {The Singleness Adventure} IntroductionJuliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-20110425235983587932015-06-10T22:21:21.604-04:002015-06-10T22:21:21.604-04:00Dear Ashley,
Don't apologize for the length o...Dear Ashley,<br /><br />Don't apologize for the length of your extremely encouraging comment - I was blown away to see it in my inbox, and very honored! I know how much time it takes to comment and I highly appreciate yours, being of such size! ;) <br /><br />THANK YOU for sharing your story, it resonates so perfectly with what I'm learning and the season I'm in. "Letting life happen to me" was exactly what I was doing, but not anymore!<br /><br />Ooh, this part: "I am SO thankful I did everything I could and stopped limiting myself to familiar things because if I hadn't done that the guy I am now dating very seriously wouldn't have been interested in me, and yes, he's a guy who lives nearby all along and never noticed me before." ........... chills. I have chills. I fear for so many girls (Myself included!!) who might have missed out on God's best due to not taking initiative in preparing their own hearts, skills, and "well-rounded" individuality.<br /><br />Now I have a million more thoughts I need to share!! Future blog posts ahead! :)<br />Again, thanks so, so much for taking the time to write to me!<br />Love & Hugs,<br />JuliaJuliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-11754998258887953822015-06-10T16:09:02.106-04:002015-06-10T16:09:02.106-04:00Hi Julia!
I just came to your blog while looking ...Hi Julia! <br />I just came to your blog while looking online at singleness posts and I wanna say super fantastic thoughts!<br />You're only 24 years old right now. It seemed old to me at the time too! I had to tell myself "Ashley, that is okay. You won't be single a minute longer than God has ordained in his perfect will." It took me a long time to accept that- like realize it like you realized things you talked about in your post. I slowly got out of my "shell" and preconceived ideas of what I wanted in marriage, love, a guy, etc. I remember thinking "Am I a woman of worth?" after a conference at my church. I realized that I believed a lot of things right, but emotionally, action-wise, and hobbies-wise I didn't have much to offer a guy. I was saying but not doing. Guys don't want someone who just believes things, they want someone who DOES it in real life. I just kind of expected some guy to fit my qualities list, like/agree to my beliefs, and called it "love". My pastor's wife talked with me for about 3 hours one day and I knew then and there I needed to grow. We studied James together for about a year and it helped me reach my next steps of singleness. I am 29 now, I was 23 then when I realized I need to offer something and just enjoy life and develop interests, skills, etc I liked. I sought out new friendships with people on purpose and got out more often. I tried new things and tried to find things that I, as a daughter of the King liked and could adopt as part of my life instead of just "believing" or hoping something would happen to me. I needed to be intentional and actively seeking out new things instead of passively saying I believed in "purity and waiting for true love" and letting life happen to me. I didn't have the money (hahaha) to go to college but instead I pursued a certificate in cake decorating and eventually got a life coach certification so I help my clients figure out their lives and reach their God-given potential. I got a couple jobs and invested time in people. It stretched me out so thin at times but I grew SO much. I learned how relating to people worked which wasn't something I considered when I was waiting around, spending time with good friends in my comfy little "shell" & hoping for a nice guy to show up at church & ask my dad to get to know me. I made some money and travelled out West one Summer (I live in Ohio and hadn't been away from home longer than 2 weeks on my own so it was a big deal) The world really opened up for me when I looked past the limits I was placing on myself. I am SO thankful I did everything I could and stopped limiting myself to familiar things because if I hadn't done that the guy I am now dating very seriously wouldn't have been interested in me, and yes, he's a guy who lives nearby all along and never noticed me before. He wasn't my original ideal or some dashing guy from far away but a down to earth guy who loves Jesus and has a passion for sports management and cake decorating. Do I like sports and was it on my "list of qualities"? Naaah, but I like my boyfriend and I have learned to appreciate his interests because I love him. As I grew up as a person, my desires and ideals changed too. And I'm okay with that because I think it's better this way. I think back and see that I wouldn't have had anything to offer him in regards to ME as a well developed, well rounded, JOYFUL person worth knowing and able to encourage/support a guy in day to day life and emotionally. I am so glad that you are sharing your story here as it was a great encouragement to me and others and I hope you will pursue many avenues in which to glory in our Savior. I want to encourage you to keep setting goals, trying new things and following Jesus! Oh and this woman's blog is a real encouragement too: http://phyliciadelta.com/<br />Cheering you on!<br />Sorry this is SO LONG. But I just had to share!!<br />Ashley RoseAshleynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-24479148639534074302015-06-04T11:57:18.887-04:002015-06-04T11:57:18.887-04:00Hi Abby! TELL me about it - It's so easy to ge...Hi Abby! TELL me about it - It's so easy to get stuck in a rut and become complacent and sluggish. I'm excited about the upcoming posts! ;)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-16711165580593037972015-06-04T11:56:26.822-04:002015-06-04T11:56:26.822-04:00Hi Allison! Thanks for taking the time to comment ...Hi Allison! Thanks for taking the time to comment - it always blesses me to hear from readers! I think singleness is a topic on many hearts these days. Looking forward to sharing more!Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-8044266405472775122015-06-04T11:54:58.387-04:002015-06-04T11:54:58.387-04:00You're welcome, Bethany! And thanks. :)You're welcome, Bethany! And thanks. :)Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-2369305996430466962015-06-03T21:20:23.903-04:002015-06-03T21:20:23.903-04:00How lovely! I know what you mean about not really ...How lovely! I know what you mean about not really having much ambition in your life. I think it happens to a lot of people... me too! Can't wait to hear what else you have to say about this. :)Abbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09055419617967592383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-41439340076965614372015-06-03T14:07:24.507-04:002015-06-03T14:07:24.507-04:00I missed that post! Thanks for the heads up--look...I missed that post! Thanks for the heads up--looks like a lot of awesome photos!Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-32307963799189914972015-06-03T12:23:58.020-04:002015-06-03T12:23:58.020-04:00Hi Julia! So happy to see this in my feed this mor...Hi Julia! So happy to see this in my feed this morning as this topic has been on my heart as well. :)Alliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16985399068615910374noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-12032406668319465062015-06-03T10:23:28.328-04:002015-06-03T10:23:28.328-04:00Hi Bethany! Awww! Glad you were happy to hear from...Hi Bethany! Awww! Glad you were happy to hear from me! :) I posted another one before this as well, with pictures from my trip to see McKenzie. :) All the best back! <3<br />Juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18266076830751102809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2254373641563839601.post-31135492640877587732015-06-03T07:28:03.871-04:002015-06-03T07:28:03.871-04:00Ohhh! A post from Julia--was so happy to see it i...Ohhh! A post from Julia--was so happy to see it in my news feed this morning! All the best to you! Bethany Carsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06583914285773271009noreply@blogger.com