Go. Be. Love..

Today is the day!!! Our flight leaves around 3:50 out of Tampa into Miami. We have a short lay over and then fly through the night into London. Our initial flight from London to Nairobi, Kenya was cancelled leaving us with a 12 hour layover. We are going to be adventurous and head into London. Our hope is to be able to see Olympic Park, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben! Hopefully we will be able to grab some fish and chips and soak up the culture. Our flight tomorrow night out of London is at 8:00pm. We then fly through the night again to finally arrive in Nairobi. Once we get through customs and find our baggage we will load up on a van and head straight to Haven of Hope and Grace Children's Center. By Monday afternoon I will be loving on orphans!!! (Granted that will be day 2 of no shower. Oh well! It's Africa!)

So above is a picture of our itinerary. Will you join me in praying for our team? We want to make a HUGE impact on the lives of orphans. We want them to know that their Heavenly Father has sent us to temporarily care for them. We want to be able to meet any needs that we see in the orphanages and baby cottages. We are prepared to purchase beds, shoes, food, diapers, whatever the need is!!
Additionally, please pray for our ability to share the gospel with nonbelievers. We have an amazing ministry called the Wordless Book. We have 700 beaded bracelets and over 100 packages of face paint. We are ready to share our ministry with all of the children that we meet.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me financially and emotionally.  My photography clients raised over $2000 for this mission. Additionally, many friends and family made contributions online. These donations will enable us to meet needs of orphans. I personally will miss my boys (Easton, Preston and Ryan) terribly. Ryan has a spreadsheet set up for activities and meals for the boys. I know that he will be "Super Daddy" while I'm away.  I am praying that God gives me the strength to fight the sadness and loneliness. My focus is that Easton was once an orphan. He was simply one of the babies that I will be holding and feeding. I am doing this trip for him. I am doing it because I want Easton and Preston to grow up with a passion to SERVE others! I am doing it because we are commanded in James 1:27 to visit orphans in their distress. Here I am Lord, Send me! (Isaiah 6:8)

I am hopeful to have limited internet access. I will text Ryan whenever possible and he will update my Facebook for me. Not being able to communicate will be difficult for me. I will make due and focus on the task that God has entrusted to me.
And with that, I'm out! xo
Go. Be. Love.

Happy 2 year Meetcha Day Easton! Here is a video of Ryan meeting Easton for the 1st time!

And just because I haven't shared it in awhile, here is our Adoption Video~ From the very beginning through my stay in Ethiopia, to bringing Easton home and finally Preston's birth in November of 2010. Enjoy the "Fulmer Story"

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

I've missed you!

It's been way too long. I'm sorry. Well, let me do a little "What we've been up to" checklist to catch you up to speed:
1. It's summer time and we pretty much go swimming three times a week in Nina and Papa's pool (my parents).
 

2. Easton is talking. So, so cute! He comes up with the craziest things. He has something to say about everything. I'm just going to say it, "Easton has a musical GIFT!" He amazes me with all of the songs he can sing, tunes he can hum, and his contentment with listening to the same song over and over again! I'm telling you friends, he's on to something BIG!! Piano classes at 3? I'm thinking so!
  Learning to play ball!
 1st Summer Popsicle!He LOVES the water! Grandma and Easton at Grady's baptism~

 3. Preston is a sweetheart! He will give a hug or kiss on command 95% of the time. Additionally, he always has a bruise or cut somewhere on his little body! He's ALL boy! He loves to read books, play with balls, and be outside.
   He loves Papa's swing!

 4. Father's Day is tomorrow and we will celebrate with steak and kabobs. I made Ryan a schedule for the day that involves alot of R&R and NO changing of diapers. He is seriously an AMAZING father and deserves a special day like tomorrow.

 5. I have applied for a middle school job, teaching Reading or Language Arts for 6th or 7th grade. I believe I will have a job offer within a week or two. It might be shocking information for some of you but I have a goal and passion to be a school administer within a couple of years. I have absolutely LOVED every second of my "stay-at-home Mommy" gig. It's been a dream come true and I will cherish it forever. However, I would like to apply for the Assistant Principal pool in about 3 years. To do so, I need to get back into the classroom. By going to middle school I'm growing my teaching experience and opening the possibility of being a Middle School AP or Elementary School AP.

Man, I really must better start paying attention to my grammar. speeling, and vocabulery. (I joke. I joke)

 6. The boys will start preschool at our church in August. I am a little nervous but mainly just about missing them terribly. I know that they will flourish in the learning environment that Woodland creates. They have an outdoor classroom, music time, arts and crafts daily and most importantly TLC provided by an amazing staff. I keep telling myself that the boys are only going to school for 180 days out of the year! This is the main reason I chose a teaching career. I'm praying that the transition goes smoothly. Stay tuned...

7. What my MIND and HEART are focused on right now: I am heading to Africa on July 28th! We will spend 7 days in Nairobi, Kenya and then 7 days in Jinja and Kampala, Uganda. We will work with 10 orphanages and over 2,000 orphans. 2,000 Eastons. 2,000 Prestons....WAY too many children. Two of the places we are going are baby cottages. I will be cuddling, feeding, and loving on babies ALL day long. Cannot wait.
I am leading a team, with my father, of 29 people from around the country. Eight are from my hometown. The team is preparing to leave in about 40 days. We are collecting donations, personal packing items, and praying that God uses us in a mighty way to impact the lives of orphans. I have saved funds from my photography, bunco night, and babysitting to take with me. If you would like to contribute to my trip please follow the link below. ALL (Seriously 100%) of the donations given to me are going with me in-country. My plan is to spend the money wherever I see a need. Maybe food, clothing, shoes, bedding...I had a vision of buying pineapple for an orphanage. Most of the time children are feed porridge and beans two times a day. I would love to bless them by buying, cutting, and feeding them dozens of pineapple! Doesn't that sound wonderful and delicious? Your tax deductible gift can be given by clicking the link, then choosing "Kenya/Uganda Aug/July 2012" and then entering my name "Ashlie Fulmer":
https://www.visitingorphans.org/cgi-bin/donate.cgi 
 Easton and I in Ethiopia in 2010My Dad Ernie enjoying every moment! Love this picture!



8. Ryan and I had an amazing vacation to the Turks and Caicos with my best friend Kevin. It was breathtakingly beautiful and we honestly had the time of our lives. A few months ago I blogged about my best friend's diagnosis of ALS. This vacation was for him and we enjoyed all of the things he loved such as; relaxation, great conversations, and delicious food paired with exquisite wine.  Out for dinner at the Coco Bistro. Our view!  (awe.)Group picture time!Getting ready for our catamaran ride~favorite picture!Silly group!Snuba dividing! I love this!! (obviously)

9. We are heading to the mountains of Georgia with Ryan's parents to spend 4th of July with them. Really looking forward to hiking and playing in the creek with the boys.

10. In April I turned 30 and celebrated with a surprise party, weekend at the beach, and a family dinner! Life is good. God has overwhelmed me with His blessings lately.
   Yep, I'm guilty of photoshopping my wrinkles. (Go ahead and judge away!!)
 We did a whole lot of this! And a little bit of this! =)

Through and through I am reminded that everything about me should bring Glory to my Heavenly Father. I am striving daily to do this better.

Hopefully, you are saying, "Welcome Back Ashlie" we've missed you1
 I hope to blog more but then again, I always say that!!

Wedding Photography

I had the opportunity to photograph Keela and Ian's Wedding last weekend. She was a stunning bride and their love was so evident. Longboat Key provided amazing scenery with one of the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen. Before the wedding I had the groomsmen and bridesmaids help me arrange the picture below. Ian came over to the bungalow that Keela was getting ready in. I had them hold hands without seeing each other. Then Keela asked Ian to pray for their wedding day and their marriage. It was an emotional moment, filled with the Holy Spirit. It was simply beautiful and I am so thankful I captured this moment.

March Fun!!

2012 St Patrick's Day


One Year Ago on St. Patrick's Day:


My Cuties: