Last week, I had the privilege of introducing Emily to you all as a new contributing writer; this week I’m thrilled to be able to introduce you to Ashlie.  I am so excited that Ashlie is going to be sharing her gift of writing with us!  And by gift, I do mean gift!  Ashlie has been blessed with the gift of words.  Every time I visit her blog (One Small Town Girl), I just sit mesmerized and read and read and read. If you’ve never been to her blog, you should definitely go check it out!

I have asked Ashlie to answer the same short little questionnaire so that we could all get to her a little better. I LOVE reading about other people and getting a little glimpse into their life!  It’s so much fun for me to see what I have in common with others and to learn from their lives as well!  So, just for fun, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little conversation time with my friend and new contributor, Ashlie.

1. If health wasn’t a factor, what one thing would you like to indulge in on a regular basis?

I would definitely eat ice cream every night! There’s just something comforting about a late night snack. I’d also have to say that bacon, cheese, and sour cream make everything better!

2. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?  What has that person taught you?

My parents. Both of my parents came from difficult backgrounds, but by God’s grace they allowed Him to make beauty from ashes. I can honestly say that my parents are two of my very best friends. Becoming a parent myself has truly opened my eyes to the amount of sacrifice and love they gave for my four siblings and I to be raised in a loving, Godly home. I have so much respect and appreciation for them.

They taught me to cherish God’s Word, and to do tasks as unto the Lord. They taught me that even though I will make mistakes and struggle with weakness, God’s grace is always sufficient. They taught me to love Jesus, and love others before myself. I still stumble daily, but without them I don’t know where I’d be. I am truly so thankful and blessed!

3. Describe yourself in three words or less.

Sincere, generous, long-winded.

4. If you could pick any time period in history to live, what would it be.

I’m pretty happy with now. I’m a tad bit of a pansy – I’d hate to be without hot showers, coffee makers, and. But not gonna lie…those dresses from the 50′s are pretty cute! 

5. How many kids do you have?  Boy(s)? Girl(s)?

2 sweet little girls, ages 1 and 2. I hope to have more!

6. Describe your cooking style.

Flavorful and often experimental. I have several tried and true recipes that I use often, but I love to try new things. While it hasn’t always proven successful (haha!), I rarely use measurements or follow recipes exactly. I love tweaking them or adding my own twist based on what I have on hand or what I’m in the mood for. During this season of life with little ones, my cooking is generally pretty simple and doesn’t require a lot of unusual ingredients. Also – I am a HUGE Rachael Ray fan! 

7. What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?

Habakkuk 2:3-4 "For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.  Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry; Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith."

There have been several seasons in my life where there was a lot of waiting and the unknown weighed heavily on my heart. Those seasons still come and go, and this verse if often one that I return to. As I wait on the Lord, pray for a solution to an issue, or ask for direction, it has helped to keep things in perspective. During those seasons, it is often difficult to keep my faith strong. I am one of those girls who loves to have a plan, and life doesn’t usually lend itself to that! This verse has always encouraged me that God always shows up, even in the timing isn’t what I would hope for – His plan and His timing is always, always better. My life continues to be a journey to increase humility, surrender to Him, and walk by faith. 

8. Are you a spontaneous person or a planner.

Planner, most of the time. I prefer routines and I love lists…they help me to stay on task and be productive (or at least make me feel like I am!). However, I’m learning that the unexpected things in life are often the best opportunities for me to grow. And, I do love me a spontaneous date night!

9. What was the happiest moment of your life?

I’d have to say the day I married Mr. Small Town – and I’m still pretty crazy about him! Also – the births of both of my sweet girls were beyond amazing. I’ll never forget the first time I held them or when their tiny fingers curled around mine. Love at first sight.

10. City slicker or farm girl?

Definitely a farm girl at heart! I grew up on a small farm in the middle of nowhere, and it was a blast. My sisters, brother, and I would spend our summers fishing, building forts, skipping on hay bales, taking care of our animals, or helping my mom in our enormous garden. As an adult, I love being a girl, dressing up once in a while, and I enjoy the conveniences of living "in town". However, I don’t think I can ever take the love for country life and open sky out of my heart.

11. Growing up, did you enjoy school?

I did! Well, most of the time. I was home schooled from preschool until eighth grade, at which point I enrolled in public high school. I loved academics and extracurricular activities alike…I was a busy girl! I’m very thankful for both homeschool and public school experiences, as it not only gives me the opportunity to relate to those from both sides of the fence, but will help my husband and I to decide which educational paths to take for our children. 

12. What would you like to do with one hour of uninterrupted free time?

Read, write, or sleep.

13. Where did you and your husband meet?  Was it love at first sight?

We were high school sweethearts. I can still remember the first time I saw him, when he walked into my classroom carrying a green duffle bag. And yes, I was immediately attracted! He claims it was the same for him. We became good friends, and when I told him that he had to call my dad for permission to go on a date, he did it! Our first date was the Courtwarming Dance at school. The rest is history.

14. What’s your favorite color?

Pink. It has been as long as I can remember. 

15. Have you ever travelled out of the country?  How was it?

My senior year of high school, I traveled to Mexico for a missions trip with a group from my church. It was amazing and life-changing, and I’d love to go back. I’ve always had a love for the Spanish language, and had always wanted to go on a missions trip, so I went.

It was so much more than I’d expected, and God blew me away with the impact on my heart. He showed me how much I had to be grateful for, but more than that it showed me how much I love ministering to others. I loved being a part of something bigger than myself – a vessel of His to be poured out. Something came alive inside my heart when we were in soup kitchens, in the slums, and at orphanages just pouring God’s love out to others. It stirred in my heart a deep desire to be an encouragement and ambassador of His love and saving grace to others, whether at home or abroad. 

16. What’s your all-time favorite song?  All-time favorite artist?

I love Kari Jobe and nearly all of the worship songs she writes…they speak to my heart. Anytime I need encouragement, I usually flip on her song "You Are For Me." So beautiful, such grace to my soul.

17. What book are you reading right now?

Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman. Although I have a huge stack on my nightstand and my Kindle is full of books I can’t wait to crack open!! I’m a bookworm in my "spare" time.

18. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

God’s love in action through His people. To me, there is absolutely nothing more beautiful or miraculous than the way that He uses broken vessels for His purpose…His strength made perfect in our weakness. It moves me to tears and utter thankfulness nearly every time.

19. Do you have a hidden talent?

I’m rusty, but I took piano lessons for eight years. So rusty, in fact, I don’t know that you could call it a "talent"…but I love to play! It’s soothing. I’m working on the hubby to buy a piano for me someday….:)

20. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve ever eaten?

This is so hard because I seriously LOVE to eat! I’d have to say Key Lime cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory…mmm….

21. What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Snails. Ugh…I just can’t do slime!

22. Driving style: tortoise or hare?

Hare-ish…but I do buckle up

23. Do you make your bed a.) every day b.) once a week c.) once a month d.) never

I try to make it every day. I got out of the habit when my husband worked night shifts for a long stretch and would sleep during the day. I’m just now getting back into the bed-makin’ groove.

24. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When I’m on the phone, and someone in the room is trying to talk to me. I get confused and frustrated…I can’t comprehend both!

25. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.

I’ve been told by many that I’m a pretty good listener.  Also hospitality. At least I hope I’m good at it…because I love it!

26. Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Sports and staying on task.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A journalist, and eventually a mom & wife. I honestly planned to climb the career ladder before having a family, but God had other plans. I wouldn’t change it for a thing!

28. What is one frivolous thing you own that you wouldn’t want to live without?

My Kindle!

29. What do you think is the best invention of history?

To the person who invented automatic dishwashers, I owe you my life. Oh, and whoever invented coffee!

30. Most hated household task?

Washing dishes (thus the dishwasher love). I put it off until there’s a pile. Sad, I know.

31. Favorite household task?

I actually love to do laundry. The smell is wonderful! The only part that gets me is putting it away…I often have a huge pile of clean folded laundry that just sits.

32. List five random things about yourself.

• I LOVE to make lists.
• I love to redecorate but it rarely happens because I am also indecisive.
• I could eat Mexican food several times a week and never get tired of it.
• I’d love to travel overseas for a missionary trip.
• I have a thing for analogies, and my family loves to tease me for it.

Welcome, Ashlie!  We’re so glad to have you here and can’t wait to start learning from you.  Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself with us!

Ashlie is a wife to her high school sweetheart, mommy of two little girls, dreamer, thinker, thrift store shopper, recovering perfectionist, and sinner saved by grace.

Ashlie’s heart is to encourage fellow sojourners in the midst of her own struggles. Seeing others discover His vast love and grace makes her do a happy dance! She endeavors to seek God’s truth in the journey while finding His grace in the mess, knowing that at the end of the day, it really is all about Him. 

She loves winding gravel roads, muddy romps, and country life, yet Starbucks, skinny jeans, and pedicures hold a special place in her heart, too. This creates a bit of a conundrum that she is still trying to figure out. Lovely word pictures, insane amounts of coffee, silly times with her family, and chocolate make her world go ’round.

Visit her at One Small Town Girl, where writing through her journey gives her a place to breathe. She tweets as @AshlieWrites and can be found on Facebook as well.

As I mentioned yesterday, I am beyond excited to introduce you to the new contributing writers that will be joining me here at The Purposed Heart.  These ladies are sure to bless us, teach us, and encourage us.

Today, I would like to start off by introducing you to Emily.  She is such a sweetheart and has been a reader here almost from the beginning.  She has encouraged me personally many times, and I am so thankful that she will be able to do the same thing for you now as well!

I have asked each of my new contributors to answer a short little questionnaire so that we could all get to know them a little better. I LOVE reading about other people, and reading this Q&A from Emily was no exception.  So, just for fun, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little conversation time with my friend and new contributor, Emily.

1. If health wasn’t a factor, what one thing would you like to indulge in on a regular basis?

I love chips! Corn chips with dip are my favourite. The dips can be not too bad if you make them yourself; homemade salsa, guacamole, bean dip, hummus – none of those are bad for you, but it’s the large bag of chips I want to eat along with them that is the problem!

2. Who has been the biggest influence in your life?  What has that person taught you?

My mom has definitely been the biggest influence on my life. She homeschooled me at a time and in a place where virtually no one else was homeschooling. It wasn’t easy for her, and I didn’t make it very easy at times, but I know that keeping me close to home and in her company was hands down the best thing she could have done for me – for my education, my spiritual growth, and my relationship with her and my sisters. 

She taught me to love reading and learning, to be interested in current events and to question the status quo when appropriate. She taught me how to cook (though she protests that I am now a much better cook than she is), how to sew (that one didn’t really stick, I still bring my mending to her), how to clean, and – through her quiet example – how to love my husband and children. She showed me how to graciously endure poor health and other trials, how to manage a home and how to get along with the rest of the family. Most importantly, she taught me what it means to have a relationship with Christ and what that looks like on a day-to-day basis. She is one of my dearest friends and she still teaches me something every time we talk.

3. Describe yourself in three words or less.

Christian, Wife, Mommy.

4. If you could pick any time period in history to live, what would it be.

Probably the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Recent enough for lots of good books to read, far enough to eliminate a lot of the clutter and convenience of modern living.

5. How many kids do you have?  Boy(s)? Girl(s)?

Two sweet little boys so far, and hoping that God blesses us with many more! Our Eli is 2 years old, Theo is 7 months.

6. Describe your cooking style.

My cooking mantra would probably be “from scratch.” My goal in cooking is to use virtually nothing that came in a box or a can – unless I canned it myself. I like to start with basic, fresh ingredients and go from there, but beyond that I try to keep things pretty simple. No fancy techniques or overly expensive ingredients.

7. What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?

One that I quote a lot is Isaiah 43:2-3 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.”

This is the verse that springs to my mind and lips whenever I face a trial or a challenge of any kind. It comforts me to cling to God’s promise of help and his declaration of his power.

8. Are you a spontaneous person or a planner.

A bit of both, but I lean toward planning. However, I have a tendency to over-plan and talk myself out of things too. My husband is a perfect balance for me in this respect. 

9. What was the happiest moment of your life?

The births of both of my children were pretty phenomenal, especially my second (unmedicated) birth.

10. City slicker or farm girl?

A little of both? I grew up in a subdivision in a village who’s slogan was “Shopping Capital of the Valley,” so it was hardly rural, but not a city either. Now I live in a rural community but drive into a city to do all my errands. I enjoy the benefits of both.

11. Growing up, did you enjoy school?

It depends on the year and the subject, but as a general rule yes, I did. Now that I’m no longer studying, I miss it.

12. What would you like to do with one hour of uninterrupted free time?

Some days all I would want would be a nap, but a lot of the time I take advantage of my young children’s naptime to go to the kitchen and get a head start on supper or any other cooking needs our family has. I love spending time in the kitchen creating, it’s very relaxing.

13. Where did you and your husband meet?  Was it love at first sight?

We met at a Baptist Convention we were both volunteering at. I wouldn’t call it love at first sight, but he did come and sit next to me and introduce himself as soon as he arrived in the room. My interest was immediately piqued by this handsome man I perceived as being so much older than myself. Three years is a lot when you’re a wide-eyed girl fresh out of high school! We got to know each other a few months later attending the same university, and love didn’t take very long to blossom.

14. What’s your favorite color?

Blue, usually, but it all depends on what it is that I’m choosing a colour for!

15. Have you ever travelled out of the country?  How was it?

At the end of my first year of university I went on a short study tour in El Salvador with a group of other women. It was an interesting experience to learn all about another part of the world and the problems that it faces, as well as how the churches there were attempting to address those problems. 

16. What’s your all-time favorite song?  All-time favorite artist?

I’m really not sure I can pick because it changes every 15 minutes or so, but my favourite hymn is “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” I especially love Chris Rice’s version. But aside from that I could never choose a favourite artist. I might go from listen to Christ Tomlin to Justin Bieber to Mozart all in the same hour!

17. What book are you reading right now?

A few different e-books I purchased recently, Blog Design on a Dime by Jacinda Vandenberg and One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider. I also read the Bible every morning, the latest issue of Time Magazine, and I’m slowly plowing my way through Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Oh, and my husband and I are reading Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll together. 

18. What is the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?

One summer after university I worked at a tourist destination called Cape Enrage. The whole Fundy coast of New Brunswick is beautiful, but Cape Enrage particularly so. Waking up every morning and eating breakfast on the deck overlooking the beautiful Chignecto Bay… I still miss it.

19. Do you have a hidden talent?

In high school I loved acting and did a few plays, but I don’t think anyone who knows me now would believe it!

20. What’s the yummiest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I LOVE food, and I think I discover at least once a week a new yummiest thing I’ve ever eaten. Lately though, I had a pretty fabulous roasted beet and goat cheese salad at a local restaurant that made me want to return every day for the rest of my life.

21. What’s the grossest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Bananas. I loathe them.

22. Driving style: tortoise or hare?

Hare if I’m not paying attention! I’m usually pretty careful though.

23. Do you make your bed a.) every day b.) once a week c.) once a month d.) never

Every day! Don’t ask me how often I vacuum the floor though…

24. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Bad grammar and misspelled or misused words. Just recently I read a news article that used the phrase “shredded in mystery” and I wanted to cry.

25. Name two things you consider yourself to be very good at.

I do think I’m a pretty good cook, or I suppose I wouldn’t presume to have a cooking blog.

I read fast.

26. Name two things you consider yourself to be very bad at.

Decorating. I’m not in the least artistic and have a very hard time figuring out what I like.

Fixing things that are broken. Somehow I always think I’ll be able to fix it and then end up calling my husband and acting pathetic.

27. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

It varied: a speech therapist, a math teacher. The one constant was that I wanted to get married and have children someday and I’m so grateful to be able to live that dream every day. 

28. What is one frivolous thing you own that you wouldn’t want to live without?

My Kindle e-reader. I really didn’t need it, and when my husband surprised me with one last year out of the blue I was beyond  excited. I use it constantly.

29. What do you think is the best invention of history?

I don’t know about best invention, but the Internet has certainly affected our lives more, I think, than any other invention.

30. Most hated household task?

Floors. Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, it’s always the thing I put off until the very end.

31. Favorite household task?

Cooking! Mindlessly chopping vegetables is very relaxing.

32. List five random things about yourself.

• I wear glasses.
• I dread making phone calls.
• I’m addicted to club soda.
• My first word was “shoes.”
• I love exercise videos.

Welcome, Emily!  We’re so glad to have you here and can’t wait to start learning from you.  Thanks for sharing a little bit about yourself with us!

Emily is a young wife and stay at home mother who blogs at Gourmet Mommy about life, food and kids. She was married to her wonderful husband Cory in October of 2008.  Their first son, Eli, joined their family on September 13, 2009 and they welcomed their second son, Theophilus [Theo], on May 25, 2011.

Emily is passionate about her faith in God, being a homemaker, living a healthy lifestyle, cooking (and eating!) healthy and delicious food, homeschooling and lots of other things!  You can follow Emily on Facebook and Twitter, and don’t forget to check out her lovely blog as well!