the life of ashleyoh.

Virginia Gubernatorial candidates Bob McDonnell, and Creigh Deeds, pledge that they will reopen the "shuttered highway stops." GOP candidate McDonnell states that he would get the job done within 90 days of his election. "Shutting down Virginia's rest stops will negatively impact motorists, impair public safety, weaken our tourism industry, and slap a "Closed" sign on the Commonwealth," McDonnell said. Inside NOVA.com, reports that McDonnell, a former state attorney general proposed initiatives such as an "Adopt-a-Safety-Rest-Stop" program modeled after the "Adopt-a-Highway" initiative, and having criminal offenders sentenced to community service perform landscape and clean-up work at rest areas. Republicans Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Frank R. Wolf, also criticized the closures Monday. The fellow republicans stated their issue with Transportation Secretary Pierce R. Homer, addressing his tie-breaking vote to move $9 Million out of the VDOT paving budget. "I understand the financial pressures that VDOT is trying to relieve, but this is not the right way to bring your budget into balance," Bolling wrote to Homer, who formerly worked in Prince William County's government.

The rest-stops were closed at the beginning of this month, effective July 1st. While no definite decisions have been made to re-open the facilities, as mentioned, both Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling have taken strides to put the voices and opinions of the citizens of VA into action. McDonnell’s promise to re-open the facilities within 90 days of his election, coupled with Bolling’s outspoken stand against the mea culpa propagated by Governor Kaine and Transportation Secretary Homer, the republicans are ready to fight for the rights of the citizens of VA, and ensure the prosperity of the Commonwealth for years to come.

Brace yourselves--this may be intense.

This is likely enough for those inquiring, to digest for a while. I could probably write more, but why? Information overload is not necessary. Church in a few hours, I should probably sleep.

Love and Blessings to you all.

Phil 4:6-8

                                       Office of the Chancellor

Liberty University is a distinctly Christian university with a stated mission of training Champions for Christ. It is the largest and fastest growing evangelical University in the world. Students and parents appreciate and support the values of the University.

 Officially recognized student clubs and organizations that bear the name of Liberty University are expected to uphold the standards and principles of the University and act in a manner consistent with its mission. For nearly two years the University has been evaluating how best to advance its mission and to support student organizations. In order to avoid the problems encountered by other faith-based educational institutions involving student organizations, Liberty University has adopted a policy that governs such groups.

 The policy states, in part: “No student club or organization shall be approved, recognized or permitted to meet on campus, advertise, distribute or post materials, or use University facilities if the statements, positions, doctrines, policies, constitutions, bylaws, platforms, activities or events of such club or organization, its parent, affiliate, chapter or similarly named group are inconsistent or in conflict with the distinctly Christian mission of the University.”

 Among other things, Liberty University stands for the sanctity of human life. The loss of human life through abortion is a great tragedy and we cannot remain silent when the political policies or politicians promote the destruction of innocent human life. While students may meet on campus, debate, and discuss important and controversial issues of the day, Liberty University will not lend its name or fund organizations whose stated purpose is to promote and advance issues that are contrary to its Christian mission.

 Over the last several decades, Democratic clubs have existed at Liberty University as unofficial student clubs not endorsed by the school. Last Fall, the College Democrats asked that the university officially recognize their club. They promised to support only pro-life candidates and their charter provides that the club supports the right to life.  Unfortunately, the club supported candidates over the last 8 months that support abortion rights. As a result, Liberty University converted the club’s status back to that of an unrecognized club. It was not banned as so many press outlets irresponsibly reported.  The club can continue to exist and meet on campus like other clubs and student groups that are not officially recognized by the university. They cannot use Liberty University’s name, will not receive the small financial subsidy that officially recognized clubs receive (about $500 per year on average) and they cannot hold public events on campus. There will be no other restrictions on their activities. Liberty University encourages free speech and open debate on its campus and free speech will not be restricted.

 Liberty University is not singling out the Democratic Party in this action. If a Republican club supporting abortion sought endorsement from the University, it would be denied.  The sanctity of life is one of Liberty University’s non-negotiable core values and it simply cannot lend its name or financial support to any group that actively works against Liberty’s core values.

 A student club of Democrats who are pro-life and pro-family, and who are seriously intent on bringing positive change to the Democratic Party, would be refreshing. But the rhetoric must match the actions, meaning that such a club seeking official recognition would not want to endorse policies or candidates contrary to Liberty’s mission. Such a group should state in its’ name its’ distinctive mission to immediately tell the world that this club stands for the core values of Liberty University.

 We hope that our students bring positive change to all political parties, not just Democrats, but also Republicans and Independents. These groups could debate many topics, but agree on Liberty’s core values. Liberty will not lend its name and financial support to any club or organization that actively seeks to undermine the mission of the University and its core values. 

First off, let me say that I am no one to judge anyone else, nor is that my intention. And, neither, am I any sort of perfect person. 

But it is kind of disheartening to see the way so many of my friends have turned out, even after only a year of being apart. I'm not really sure what I expected really, but we all went to Christian school, right? So that must have given us some sort of similar intention or at least a commonly expected goal and turnout. 

I guess I was wrong. 

Many are leading lives of promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, and seemingly, a complete disregard for Christ in their lives. Some, even completely denouncing their Christianity altogether. I wonder why it turned out this way. Is it maybe just that time of "experimentation" and eventually they will come back to Christ, and raise Christian "church-bred" families? Or is it something deeper? Were they ever truly saved, or did they ever have that personal relationship with Christ, Who guided their every move, as so many of them put on?

Attending Christian school, I'm convinced does one of two things to you. On one hand, it can be an incredible experience, edifying Christ and establishing Him as Lord of your life in every aspect. It can increase your Biblical knowledge to the point where you want to share the Gospel in as many exciting and effective ways as possible. On the other hand, the complete indoctrination of the Christian school curriculum, can be an immediate turn-off. It sometimes makes you wonder, if you had the chance to explore other religions (or in the case of high school Apologetics, when you do) if all of the "fallacies" pointed out in your Theology classes, are really that, or if there is more to it, and we're being fed only one side. Intellectually, you have to do some research yourself, and realize that your teachers have an agenda. You have to look at both sides equally, rather than accepting your spoon-fed answers, and deduce your own opinion about your convictions and beliefs. (Which I have personally decided, is Biblical Theism.) 

The surrounding environment also has a significant affect on your psyche and maturation. Some unbelievers who attend Christian high school, look around and realize that "if this is the way Christians act, I don't want to be one of them," or "I see no difference in the way they behave, versus the way I do, why do I need anything additional?" All too frequently, unbelievers, and believers alike in Christian school are disheartened because of the way fellow believers treat each other. Judgment, I would venture to state, is far more prevalent throughout the realm of Christian high school, than public school. Before you jump to conclusions, let me state that I have attended both Christian high school, and public high school, and felt judgment throughout the halls at both. However the judgment initiated and felt at Christian school seems to be on a much more personal level or hierarchy, rather than the "you're in my way freshman" sort of bullying at public high school. 

In the South, it is all about who you know, and what family name you're associated with. Anyone who has been in a small fundamental Baptist church, or small private school, knows that this is the case. If you're a Perrell, a Reed, a Link, a Beard or a Berrier, you're safe. Your family runs the place, and you've got nothing to worry about. You're great grandfather funded the school, the church, the road, and you assume the "ownership" title...though the "untitled" around you realize you're only living it vicariously, and the city owns everything now. But that title, or relation means something to you, and everyone around you is just an ant who you've allowed to live in your farm. 

The ones (myself included),who have no "name" to associate themselves with, are treated differently, unless some sort of "post" within the hierarchy is established. (e.g. Class president, boyfriend of a "name", longtime church member etc., --and those are usually attained by knowing someone) For the others, there is no hope for any sort of inclusion. I'm not sure if anyone else sees it, but I'm assuming that's why many once Christian school attendees have left for their secular counterparts, thus helping form them into the Christian abandonment phase they are reveling in today. 

When Christian schools hire teachers who are unqualified, just because they are the son, daughter, sister-in-law, etc. of the principal or fellow teachers, they are doing a disservice for the attendees of the school, and squelching the education of those they "wish to train up to be soldiers for Christ." ...It happens more frequently than one would like to believe. When administrators don't check into the backgrounds of the teachers they hire, and they end up molesting, or abusing students--hiding it until they are found out, in which case they "ask for forgiveness", and the administration brushes it off as misunderstanding in order to avoid admitting negligence on their part, and avoiding a controversy within the school and community, there is a serious problem.

The only thing I can pray for is legitimate Christian education institutions that create focus on excellent academics and Christ, in a nurturing, consistent Christian environment, that fosters personal growth and edifying of each other in a Biblical sense. My high school was not like this, and I pray that those still attending will open their eyes and see the significance of what is going on around them. It isn't real life. I will be the first to admit, that while faced daily with the "cult-like" camaraderie or exclusion of your surroundings, it is a natural reaction to look for affirmation and believe whole heartedly that what your teachers, or the Berriers, or what the administration thinks about what happened, and what you wish you could explain to them is all that matters, ...it's not, and class of '09 when you step outside those red brick walls, you will soon realize it. 

The only thing I regret, is that during my time at Christian high school, I was all too frequently caught up in the preservation of my reputation, and while usually this would be a noble venture, in the surroundings of which I was in, it wasn't. I was too concerned making sure the teachers (who I now look back and realize, were extraordinarily hypocritical in their Christian doctrine) were pleased with me, and that I attained the affirmation of all of those of "importance." The kids who were bullied, couldn't even approach the teachers for help, because they would non-verbally side with the abuser and tell the abused, "well, just don't talk to them. It will work out better for you both." 

Is this what Christ would have done? I think not. And while I wasn't ever one to "abuse", I feel as though instead of  nervously laughing along with the teachers and bullies behind the abused back, and then coddling them when they were alienated, I too was hypocritical. Christ wouldn't have done that either.

I guess, if anything, my Christian school taught me how not to be. I don't want to be a hypocritical, exclusive, judgmental follower of Christ, because I think in reality, the aforementioned doesn't truly exist.

I would like to extend a prayer to those still attending, the graduating class of  '09 (congratulations on graduating tonight) or those who have left for other learning establishments, and pray that they will see that life doesn't revolve around the Reed's or the administration, or anything of the sort. The main focus needs to be Christ, and everything else will fall in to place. While all too frequently, "I will pray for you" is intended as some sort of Christian "jab", I am being fully sincere, and non condescending, and wish nothing but happiness in Christ and success to all of you. I wish I had known this while attending, and if not only known, had put in to practice. 

But everyone has to start somewhere.

(Apparently my edited version of this didn't post, and the rough draft did. So let's try again, shall we?)

I haven't really legitimately written in a while, and for all of you loyal friends who continuously inquire as to what I'm up to, here is your answer.

I haven't written since David and I broke up...which I just now realized. So let me fill you in...
We're not together anymore, and the right decision was made.

I've been "working" at a local radio station, until just recently when we decided to take a bit of a hiatus. We'll be starting back this Friday morning. I am the "Get Up and Go Show" Morning Show DJ throughout the week, and a "guest" on the Friday editions of the show, run by our station manager. I quit Olive Garden about 2 weeks ago, after being with the company for about a year. It was great money, and a pleasant atmosphere, but I can only handle monotony for so long.

I just wrapped up my first full semester of college, and passed all my classes with a current 3.9 GPA (not all of my grades have been posted yet.) I am proud of this grade, considering I MAYBE went to 20 classes all semester. I am taking 4 classes over the summer to attain a Sophomore status my the fall semester. My transfer credits from Lee would only transfer in as pass/fail, and apparently LU needs a letter grade in order to count them as full credit, (I'm still working on that.) so I have to make up the credits  that won't transfer. I will be taking HIUS 221-US History. CJUS 230 Criminal Justice Research and Writing (which is apparently a level 10 difficulty class) PSYC 310 - Developmental Psychology, and PHIL 201-Philosophy. I'm excited about the CJUS class, and that's about it, but at least i'll be on track once they are completed.

My beloved laptop gracefully flew off my truck, and on to the road. It is in the ICU (also known as Eric's hands) until further notice. I am very unhappy about this, and  will leave it at that.

I like Lynchburg and Liberty. I wasn't sure when I first came here if I would like Liberty, especially after the stigma my high school attached to it's name. However, after revisiting my high school this past Winter, and recalling the years I spent there, as well as the people I was surrounded by, I have realized there is no absolutely no room  for them to pass judgment on any sort of Christian learning establishment being "lesser-than." While Liberty, like any organization, has its flaws, it has shown thus far to be a great university.
We three are happy here.

I have made many great friends in Lynchburg. Reba, Brittany, Jaci and all of the girls in 33-6, have become my "dormmates". I more or less vicariously live on campus through their dorm. The boys in 25-1, have acted as my "brother dorm", and Tim, Matt, and Jason, fulfill the insanity I feel as though I would be missing, since I'm not on campus.

Then there is this kid named Micah.

I first met him at one of the weekly Convocation services, through my then boyfriend, David. I had heard that he was insane, kind of nerdy, but hilarious, and apparently a genius who refused to apply his intelligence to good use. He was well known throughout the brother dorm (25-1) as well as the sister dorm. (33-6)  I didn't have a whole lot of interaction with him, except for maybe the occasional shared lunch at the "Rot" (the LU cafeteria), or a brother dorm planned activity. The times that I did ever encounter him, were less than pleasant. He was a staunch New Yorker, who was seemingly pompous, condescending, and quick to judge or call out anyone's wrongdoing. In fact, when David and I broke up, he was the one who was glad we did, because he stated that we were both immature. This didn't really make me want to be his acquaintance, let alone his friend. The few times I had previously encountered him, that weren't quite as unenjoyable, were quickly cut down by David while we were dating, saying "I know you're not interested in him", ...and I wasn't.

Nor was he in me-we had both apparently said we would NEVER date the other, stating our various reasons for disapproval.

God has a funny sense of humor.

Matt, Micah's roommate, finally decided to date my good friend Brittany, the aforementioned girl in the sister dorm. After David, I was in no way looking for any sort of relationship, especially after the things I found out after the relationship ended. I was content being my busybodied self, organizing events, working with LUCR, the radio station, cadets, volleyball etc. Not only was I disinterested in dating, I didn't have available time. One Friday, I was helping to organize a campus wide fundraiser, for the child sex slave trade in Thailand. It was called the RED event, and we were putting on a concert, as well as establishing areas for information on the importance of raising awareness of our cause. After I came from recording some voiceover at the station, I was to help orchestrate the event in the courtyard. However, once I arrived, it was freezing and already a booming success. I received a call from Reba, who informed me that Brittany's party was going on (which I had subsequently forgotten due to my schedule) and asked if I would be in attendance. After establishing the grounds were covered, I made my way to her swaree.

I'm not really sure how it happened, but after the party, his ride was full, and he ended up riding with me back to campus...and then to a movie. Sophie, another girl from 33-6, rode with us, perching herself in the backseat of my truck. With her head stuck between the bucket seats, she looked at each of us and started giggling. As we asked her what she was laughing at, Micah got out to get the tickets for the movie which we were running late for. I pressed for more info pertaining to her bout of chuckles, and she said that she was just thinking about what a cute couple Micah and I would make. I laughed in her face. I stated that neither he liked me, nor I liked him. End of story. She claimed she was ALWAYS right.
And by some Divine Intervention, she was.

That night after the movie, we got separated from the group, and ended up spending the night walking around campus playing the "question game."

We still have no idea how it ended up this way, I doubt we ever will.

He is my best friend, and boyfriend, and I can't think of a better combination.

I just completed my "run" in the LU/Transformation Theater Company production of Runaway Cinderella. It was an allegory, written by a senior drama ministry major, Matt Downey, who also served as the producer. The entire process was hard fought, but well worth it, especially after all of the work God did through the show. We had several rededicate their lives to Christ, at least one new convert, and we raised over $1000 for Freedom 4/24. This organization was the beneficiary of the productions profits, and is one that helps release women in Thailand from the sex slave, and helps educate them about other ways to survive on the streets without having to sell themselves. Both of these awesome occurrences made the entire process well worth it! God was definitely working throughout the entire process!

For the Summer, I will likely be working at the capitol of VA (Richmond) aiding the GOP in it's upcoming elections. I was recently voted in as Director of Communications for the LU College Republicans. I also have been selected as the delegate for my county, to serve at the VA State GOP Convention at the end of May. This basically means, I will be casting the allotted number of votes for our county at the convention, in order to get our state Republican representatives elected. I'm excited to have this responsibility, as well as represent my county statewide.

I'm probably forgetting something epic going on in my life right now, and I will update as necessary, but it is now 4am, and I must depart.


שלום  (oh, I'm also studying Hebrew.)