“Let’s start at the very beginning. A very good place to start.” -Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music
For a long while now, I have felt a call on my life to share my story. I have actually been arguing with God about this for a very long time… at least a few years. Then in October of 2025, while visiting my in-laws in TN, my Mother in Law looked at me with a very serious face (after she got home from a knee surgery, so it could have just been the anesthesia, but I digress) and said “I’ve been thinking that you should write a book. Just with everything that you’ve been through with Darcy and with yourself.” I fully believe that God put that thought in my mother in law’s mind for her to share with me and so after a few more months of waiting, I decided to start writing.
I have been deliberating for months on where to start writing. I questioned a lot of things. “Do I even want to write? Should I do a book? A blog? SubStack? Where do I start? Do I talk about myself? My family? My health? Should I just skip the writing altogether and go for videos? Short form? Long form? IG? Facebook? YouTube? TikTok?” Side note: I had never even used TikTok before and actually downloaded it just before Christmas last year and then very quickly ended up deleting it. It was not for me, for sure. I obviously did not ask all of these questions all at once (although, with my highly ADHD brain, it would have been very possible to do so). However, I was asking them constantly and after a conversation with a new homeschooling friend I met through a wonderful organization called Teach Them Diligently, it became clear to me that I just needed to start, and I wanted to start with a blog.
Shortly after the talk with my new friend (literally, within an hour of it), I was driving my daughters to dance and thinking again on some of my questions and I had the sudden realization that I just needed to start at the beginning!! (Why I spent so long in agony over this I will never know, although, it probably has something to do with the raging perfectionism I am still trying to overcome even as I approach my last few years in my thirties). So, let’s start!
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1-not that far back?
Well, when a mommy and daddy love each other… Too much? Sorry!
Let’s just start where most things do. With an introduction.
Hi! My name is Ashley and I am a Christian, bubbly, outgoing, 38 year old mama of six beautiful kiddos with the Simply Southern sweatshirt to prove it. I homeschool them because I despise early mornings (not the only reason, but probably the most relatable), but I do miss having time to myself quite often. We, as a family of 8, have been through quite a lot in our time on this planet and I long for the day when I will be with my Savior and free from the aches and pains of this life. However, while I am still living here, I want to do all I can to bring attention to all that God has taught me in the past and have a place to share as he teaches me new things in the future.
If the introductory quote did not clue you in, I love musical theatre, and music in general, and will probably be sharing quotes from songs that are speaking to me in my current season of life. I find that I feel closest to God, and feel the Holy Spirit’s guidance the most, when I am worshipping through music and movement. One that has been speaking loudly lately is “Magnify” by We Are Messengers. If you have not heard it, go listen to it now. I won’t be offended if you leave off reading my blog in order to do so. The bridge of the song hit me particularly hard this week in the process of composing this passage you are now reading.
“God be greater than the worries in my life
Be stronger than the weakness in my mind
Be louder, let your glory come alive
Be magnified.”
That is my prayer over my work in this small place on the internet. I want to magnify the Name above all names and share with you about Him and the lessons He is teaching me. I plan to start with short summaries of previous lessons and then dive in to what He is showing me now, but isn’t there a quote somewhere about how we make plans and God just laughs? Point is, we will see what happens as time rolls on.
So, if this sounds like something that might interest you, please follow along. I will be sharing from my heart about the most important things in my life, infusing them with humor here and there (and lots of side notes, because… well… ADHD), maybe shedding a few tears, but always pointing back to the One who has saved me from a much smaller life than I ever imagined for myself.
Thank you if you’ve read this far. I am praying for you. I love you (yes, even if I don’t know you) and God does too.
Signed,
Gracefully Chaotic (AKA Ashley)
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