VANCITY

I stayed at the Ramada Limited on West Pender. It's a slightly sketchy part of town, but right in the middle of everything! I could walk anywhere downtown within 15 minutes. They have a free breakfast and great wifi. Right across the street is Cartems donuts-- the best donuts in the world. Also down the street is Revolver and Bread and Meat - Vancouver favs. 

REVOLVER :D Best coffee in Van... in my opinion. So many different flavor options made fresh right in front of you. The baked goods pictured below are also DELISH! They have free wifi and great tunes too. I'd try and grab the window seat for some great people watching. 

The coffee cake is one of my personal favs. 

nomnomnom. 

Vancouver streets are full of cute stores, cafes and restauraunts-- everything in walking distance of eachother! 

This was one of the coolest spots I discovered. It's the rooftop lounge at the Willow Spa @ the Fairmount Pacific Rim. If you book any service at all you can stay the day and enjoy all the amenities like this amazing salt water hot pool! There are also hot tubs, hydrotherapy showers which you'll see below, relaxing lounges with healthy snacks and drinks, a great gym fully loaded, steam rooms, saunas-- you name it! You are in for a TREAT.

Hot tub views. 

Shower controls.... UNREAL

12 shower heads...

The best part of Vancouver for me is the waterfront-- abosolutely beautiful! 

Welcome to Cafe Medina-- this is the BEST breakfast/brunch food I have had in my life. Make sure you get there early before opening to get a good spot in line. OR if you're feeling confident, go alone and get in first! They often seat singles first! The food is amazing. I had above, poached eggs with homemade salsa and avocado toast. And below.... 

their lavendar latte is UNREAL, and their waffles are only $3.15 and you can choose from so many cool spreads to go with it! 

So if you're looking to get your hair freshened up, be sure to visit BLO blow dry bar. Any of their locations are awesome but I love love love the spot in yaletown, perfect area to explore after looking fiiiine! They do great braids, waves, round brush, you name it, for a great price and a relaxing experience! 

Anywhere and everywhere downtown are beautiful views. 

Welcome to Season in the Park restauraunt! It has to be one of the best locations for a restuaruant I've been. On a hillside cliff it overlooks the entire downtown area of Vancouver. You can sit outside on the deck, or inside has all glass walls for incredible views. And the food is GREAT! Below you'll see what my choice was... 

patio views. 

breakfast pizza.

views.

I don't know about you but I am an icecream FAN! And i have to say Rain or Shine icecream has to be the best icecream I ever did have. There are so many unique homemade flavors. The icecream is thick and heavy cream and SO rich in flavor. I chose "Salted Carmel" and "Breakfast Cereal" -- yay for places that let you choose two flavors in technically one scoop. 

The Spanish Banks beach is beautiful anytime of year, fully dressed or bikini bottoms. Go check it out. 

Okay the TWISTED FORK. Such a cute spot tucked away downtown. Again, this place is so popular it usually has lines so you'll want to get there as early as possible if you don't want to wait! They have a great fixed brunch menu with all options at $15. I had the Vegetable Mash with homemade (fresh that morning) sour dough bread. It was UNREAL -- and the homemade jam, don't even get me started. But the fine fellow next to me also had the frittata and if you are hungry, get that-- it's MASSIVE.

Terra Breads has the BEST homemade breads, baked goods and pizzas. The location in olympic park is beautiful-- all glass walls looking out into the village and waterfront. 

carbs carbs carbs! 

and more carbs!

PIZZA. 

sticky toffee pudding. 

Want a sweet? Check out LUVcravings. 

the icing is the REAL DEAL. 

so yeah, I love vancity. 

Beach Thinkin'

Whenever I go on a real vacation, meaning I actually try not to check emails (but still probably check them once a day... that's good for me) when I don't actually jam pack my schedule full of cool things to do and see, but instead actually just relax, wake up without a plan, not having to do anything and just "be"... I always get inspired. I always feel so refreshed. And that usually leads to me writing about it haha. So here I am... writing. 

When I was about 10 years old, maybe younger, I had my heart set on my cousins and I being the next big group band. If anyone knows Jump5... that's a great gage of where my vision was at. Or say SClub7. So I pretty much forced my cousins into having a band, band practices, choreography, backyard concerts and so on. Haha. They still love me :) By the way this was after our bout' of being a spy kids club. 

My dad was always good at allowing us and encouraging us to really dream big, so whether half jokingly or not, he said that when we put out an album we'd need a label, and he was going to start the label for us. (This never happened) but the label was going to be called... wait for it...

 "Traffic Light Productions" 

I was like... dad why are you going to call your label Traffic Light Productions...

He explained that one key to a beautiful life is having wisdom in timing. Knowing when to "go" (GREEN) "proceed with caution" (YELLOW) and when to completely "stop" (RED). 

So that's what I found myself thinking about this morning as I had a coffee on the beach. Traffic lights, going, proceeding with caution, or stopping. Timing and wisdom. Wisdom in timing. 

Hopefully you can take something away from my beach thinking. <3 Love you all. 

Maturity

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

So this may not be your super classic "new years" theme infused post. I'm actually still reading Judah Smith's book... "How's your soul?" and really wanted to share a super cool thought. And maybe, now as I'm typing this and thinking... it has more to do with New Years than I thought... (I think as I'm typing... haha) Usually when we are approaching a new year, we are thinking about the "Yes's" we want to make, as well as certain "No's" we want to be decisive about in order to bring about the life that we desire. 

For example, it's always popular to say yes to veggies and all natural foods and no to refined sugars and fats. We say yes to the gym, no to the television, yes to positive vibes, no to negative attitudes. And the list goes on. 

In his book,  Judah Smith talks about ... "A necessary no."  

Genesis 2:16-17 

And the Lord God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."

Judah goes on to say this...

"I believe God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil there because when Adam and Eve walked by, the limitation was good for their souls. Their souls felt protected and secure. Their souls felt directed and guarded because they had the ability to say, "I can, but I won't; and that's good for me." 

I can... but I won't... and that's good for me.

You see God gave us free will, to choose good or bad, to choose Him or something or someone else, to choose His way or a different way. That's so we could have genuine, real, chosen, non-forced relationship with Him, true love. And in order to have that, we need to have necessary no's in our lives. 

Judah defines the DEFINITION of maturity as this: Self- imposed restraint. 

I know we all hate it just a little bit when we are referred to doing something immature. Or we are told to be more mature. But I think we can all agree we all find ourselves there and needing to listen. We are all on a journey of maturity. 

Isn't that an interesting definition of maturity? And in my opinion, a powerful one. 

Maturity = Self imposed restraint. 

When you can, and you could, but you don't because you know it's unhealthy. You have the money, the opportunity, the desire, but you are able to say no, because you know it's not what is good, and pure, and right, and best in God's eyes... and what is BEST in God's eyes, is best for us... period. 

What is it that you need to say no to this year? Maybe it's not one thing right in this moment, but moment to moment, decision to decision, maturing and realizing that we should prayerfully consider every yes, and every no. Understanding that self-imposed restraint, being able to not do something that we know we shouldn't (but maybe even want to) and actually being disciplined enough to be dedicated to that no, that restraint is a huge key to staying in step with God's way and will and best. 

"We need to grow in maturity until we can distinguish what restraints are healthy and submit ourselves to those restraints." 

- Ash 

Role versus Responsibility

Merry Christmas everyone! 

I hope you are having an fulfilling and restful holiday. I definitely have been enjoying time with my family home in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Here's a fun picture of us at beautiful local park, Bowering Park. It's my mom, dad, brother and I :) 

While I've been home, I have been reading a new book, one that I received for Christmas :) It's called, "How's Your Soul" by Judah Smith. It is fantastic and thought provoking so far. I want to share with you one of the principals I have been learning about. 

Role versus Responsibility. 

Sometimes we are so focused on our "role" ...  job description, position, specific tasks, career path and so on... 

We get caught up in the ladder of career, jobs and success, thinking that "happiness" and "fulfilment" and "success" is found in surpassing our current role to another role, and then another role until we somehow MAKE IT at the top. We associate our influence and impact with our specific role and rank rather than our responsibility. 

In Judah's book, he says this: "The joy is not in the role. The joy is in the responsibility." 

He goes on to say this... "Don't wait for a certain role to come along. Your souls happiness and health is not dependant upon a role. Your soul was designed to do whatever you do with everything within it. It needs responsibility to be healthy, and there is a good chance that responsibility is right in front of you."

I love how he defines EVERYONES responsibility as this: doing whatever you do with everything within you, as if unto the Lord. Taking that perspective prioritizing our nature of responsibility rather than the popularity of our role, unleashes true influence and impact in our lives. Not to mention joy, contentment, and steadfastness not based on getting the "hot" role. 

I've been on a journey of learning and understanding that the impact that I make and the influence that I may have, is not dependant on my specific job (although thankfully I see that fruit in my job as well...) but first and foremost it is found in the mere responsibility we have (I have) been given as Christians, as Christ followers. To do whatever I am doing with everything within me, as unto the Lord. 

My impact and influence is rooted in my "following Christ"...  in my relationship with Him, in my mere identity of who I am in Christ, the very fact that wherever I go I carry God's presence and can allow the Holy Spirit to work through me.

Influence and impact stem from the core of who we are as God's children, as His followers, as His hands and feet. Wherever we are, whenever we are there-- every moment of our lives. 

That's a lot more of an all encompassing exciting life of impact and influence that is unlimited in avenues, approaches, and people: rather than limited to a certain role. 

Just be--  and embrace the responsibility we have been given as Christ followers-- to know Him and make Him known in every avenue and moment of life. To do everything we do with everything within us, unto God. 

That's exciting. 

Ready or Not

I can't believe I only have 4 days left on tour! It has really been such an incredible life changing experience for me, and I wanted to share another little lesson I learned yesterday. 

You've probably heard the phrase, "Ready or not, here I come!" Maybe in the context of hide and seek. This childhood phrase actually has a lot of depth. Whether we are ready or not, things in life are going to come, happen, and present themselves. When we are ready and prepared, even when we aren't entirely sure of what we are supposed to be ready and prepared for, these things: (opportunities, experiences and even challenge) are a lot more enjoyable to journey through.

Yesterday my flight was delayed out of Colorado Springs and so I landed in Denver with 5 minutes to sprint across the airport... (it's a large airport) and make it for my flight. I have never run so fast in all my life. I was carry bags, I was over dressed and sweaty, my throat was burning, and all I could think was... "I need to go to the gym." 

I was NOT prepared for this moment. 

Maybe earlier you were wondering... "Well how can I be prepared and ready for something that I don't know is coming?"

We stay healthy. Physically, mentally, spiritually... We day in and day out pursue health and growth in these areas so that we are ready when we have to sprint to catch a plane, when we have an amazing once in a life time opportunity present itself, when we meet someone we want to connect with, when we have the opportunity to speak into someone's life... we can be ready. 

What does your day to day look like? Are you looking to growth and pursue health spiritually, mentally, physically-- I guarantee a lifestyle of prioritizing these things will position you ready to fully experience the BEST or endure the may seem the worst. 

Ready or not, life's coming. 

And yes, I did make my flight :) 

Ash 

PLACES & PRESENCE

About a month ago I found myself in an airport, which is not unusual if you know me. I’m not always on vacation, no, but my job actually causes me to travel quite a bit. Not only my "job" causes me to travel but my passion causes me to travel—my passion to share the HOPE of Jesus Christ with as many people as possible.

Anyhow. I was in an airport.

It was mid November and I had just finished something like my 15th flight in like 3 months. I was on the phone with a friend and made the comment, “Well now I get to relax for a month and a half. No more travel.” That same day I found out that I was actually going to be travelling in the states for three weeks alongside For King & Country and Lauren Diagle with our ministry, ShareWord Global. God's plans aren't always what we expect but they're always far better for us than anything we could come up with. 

PLACES & PRESENCE

So It’s day 13 of the tour and I’ve been in a million different states. Florida, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, Iowa, Texas, Missouri, & Nebraska; DIFFERENT places… but with me goes the same presence. The same Holy Spirit. God’s presence and Spirit.

No matter what “place” you are in right now—God is with you. I have been so grateful for the faithfulness of God’s presence. How it is always there, and I’ve learned to make my prayer not, “Holy Spirit please be with me” but because I know He is with me, “Holy Spirit make me AWARE of your presence. Make me aware of your purposes and how you are moving in each moment.”

Wherever you are right now, I challenge you to make that your prayer. Lord, make me aware of your presence. I know you are here, but please make me more aware. More and MORE aware, give me an increasing awareness of your presence. What you are saying, doing and leading, and give me an ever increasing heart of obedience.

God’s presence is faithful, it’s consistent. Despite your place.

 But what about my presence? Is it a faithful and consistent representation of Jesus despite PLACE? Despite being in a car for 14 hours, with three suitcases next to me and very little leg room? Being away from family and friends? Having little choice in what I eat, when I sleep, or get to relax? Being in consistently different places, situations and circumstances that are out of my control? What’s my presence looking like? Despite the EVER changing situations, circumstances and places in our lives, God's presence remains the same with us - steadfast and unchanging. Let us in turn, despite our ever changing situations, circumstances and places-- both good and bad, be steadfast conduits of that sweet life giving presence.

That’s the thought that the Holy Spirit has challenged me with each day. What kind of presence do I bring to those around me? To the situations around me? I want it to be an overflow of GOD’S PRESENCE in me.  

Places change. God’s presence doesn’t—He’s always present, always faithful, loving, steadfast and perfect for every situation, place & person.  And how about my presence? Lord, let my presence be an overflow of your presence in me.

PLACES & PRESENCE.

Journeying

Here's another post from the archives that I enjoy reviewing...

We are all on some sort of pathway going somewhere. 

I happen to be on a God adventure. And so can anyone - you choose it.

I've learned that God adventures often start by setting out to do something that you cannot do based on  your own abilities. You are not enough.

God adventures also begin - a lot of times, out of a place of trust, abiding in Him, hearing His voice just when the next decision needs to be made. You don't exactly have a perfectly written out road map... He does, but we don't see that full picture. He likes us to trust. 

Through my God adventure,  I've also learned that we can't push buttons to make God's timing somehow come about more quickly. He isn't a microwave-type God where we can quickly defrost a chicken that is best to be left out to thaw over night. 

Not sure if that makes sense to anyone else, but the illustration works for me. 

Just like David, we can't jump ahead of God's timing - even when it seems like an opportunity is presenting itself for something NOW and RIGHT AWAY ... doesn't mean it is God's timing. 

In 2 Samuel, David has numerous opportunities to secure his throne by force - but he recognizes that it isn't time yet, it isn't God's timing - and so he does not try and run ahead of God and His plan. 

I admire David's utter refusal to jump ahead of God’s timing in the plan to bring him to the throne.  In a culture where blood feuds were common, where families who were at odds would wipe each other out, David refused to enter into violence against Saul or the members of his family. 

Just because we can maybe pull the strings to make something happen doesn't mean that's God's timing.

A lot of times we are pushy, and impatient. 

What we attain by force we must keep by force. 

That's a lot of work.  Maybe I'll let things unfold in God's timing instead of pushing buttons... 

Good things come to those who wait- those who wait upon the Lord.

Now, waiting doesn't mean do absolutely nothing. 

Delight in Him, everyday greet with the same objective- to fall more in love with God, to know Him more and more, and  make Him known. To love Him and love others. In doing that, everything in His timing will fall into place...

God adventures. Start one today.