Ashley wants to make YOU part of what's happening in Atlanta!
I am your youngest North American Board Missionary. I am a full time student at Georgia Perimeter College majoring in Media Journalism. My passion is working with people and that’s exactly what I do at Kensington Station Apartments where I serve as the After School Director.
Hello!
What a great Saturday I had today. Foothills Community Church came out and grilled out at Azalea.
We had fun playing together…
….painting with face paint…
(We got a little out of control. But it was too fun to stop!)
…and making crafts.
Thank you to Foothills for coming out and serving at Azalea!
Click here to see ALL the photos.
Love,
Ashley
Fun day at the mission.
Mo helped us carry in the grills we got from Perimeter.
Sweet ol Shuggie and Miles.
Lynsie and I went for our girls night to Three Blind Mice. She got the catfish which was delisious and I had the toasted Cuban. YUM!
Later we went to Dillon’s to celebrate Brett’s 26th birthday.
Looking forward to the Block Party at Azalea tomorrow!
Love,
Ashley
Yum! Mongolian food for lunch.
Dad got a cool new jacket as a joke today. Doesn’t he look suave?
Worked with the kids at Azalea. Joe and Amy came for their first time. They were a BIG help.
Jesse helped me build my hammock for our camping trip this weekend to Vogel Park in North Georgia.
I could sleep like a baby in that thing. It’s so peaceful outside under the moon with the sound of the crickets as a lullaby.
Jessica came over tonight. We had fun like old time hanging out drinking tea and soda in the kitchen.
Love,
Ashley
Hello!
Jesse and I ate lunch together at Krystals before heading over to Fabric World. We both got some fabric to create out hammocks that we’ll use when we go camping this weekend. I love how hammocks make you feel like a baby rocking in a swing.
We also picked up the groceries. I’m looking forward to cooking (and eating) the pork chops.
Had a great time with the kids at Azalea today. Tutoring them refreshes my own brain.
I had one of these when I was little.
Good ol’ Pablo.
Cleaned my fish tank.See my little fish hinding behind the filter? He’s shy.
Love,
Ash
Worked on homework with the girls today. They were SO jealous that I hadn’t started school yet. This is my last week though. Tear.
Ate at Pollo Norteno with the family. They have the best frioles EVER! At least in my book. I love beans that drip off your plate into your mouth. They have a wonderful garden outside, too.
Love,
Ashley
If you’re interested in a different kind of art make sure to check out society6.com.
It’s well priced and categorized nicely.
There’s something here for everyone and a lot of the prints can be done as iPhone and computer covers, T-shirts and Hoodies..
Love,
Ash
Nothing like a good block party to make for a great Saturday. The Atlanta Community Ministy came out to host three block parties in Roswell.
Shuggie came as the mission dog. She was pooped afterwards.
Lynsie and I had fun at Three Blind Mice. Watch our video.
Love,
Ash
I worked on labeling our gifts to the teams. Wish you were getting one? Send me a date your church can come do missions ashleycummins@gmail.com.
Worked with the boys today. ( I had to sneak and take this of Mikey, he’s always hiding.)
Each one came in right after each other with the same fourth grade math worksheet. I’m good at adding 10,870 + 8546 and drawing trapezoids.
Played Brain Quest with the girls.
Tonight I meet Lynsie at the dance studio or Pilates and Dance. Her Mom and Sister which was fun. I can really feel a difference in my flexibility and balance.
Love,
Ashley
Jesse and I had fun with the kids at Azalea today. Only three kids had homework and even that was easy.
The rest of the time we played Scrabble, Brain Quest and made foam crosses. Jocelyn, Darlene, Mellisa and Barabra were excited to get picked up by the purple bus to go to church.
Milo helped us clean the carpets. Looks a lot better!
I did a deep condititioning treatment on my hair. It feels SO silky.
Got my English Lit and Reporting text books.
Jesse picked me up a new book at the library tonight. A prayer for Owen Meanie by John Irving.
Love,
Ashley
Jessica did my hair today. It looks beautiful. She is a master at color.
Kylie is getting SO big!
I worked on printing out team pictures today.
I looked forward to pilates ALL day today.
Ate a delisious dinner of asparagua, white rice and chicken salad with onion and dried cranberries.
What a fun weekend! Lynsie and I went to eat at Three Blind Mice.
Then on Saturday I hung out with the girls at the pool.
At night we celebrated Lauren’s 22 birthday at Bella’s Dance Club. She LOVED the golden high heels I got her.
They were too cute not to get my own pair.
And today Jesse and I passed out the binders we got from NAMB along with the other school supplies.
Love,
Ashley
After lunch with the family Dad, J and I went into Chamblee to see the kids. They helped us label the envelopes for our mail out.
Then we met the team at Fiesta Plaza. I got Corn in a Cup with mayo, chili powder and lime juice. It may look groody, but it’s so tasty.
Then Jesse dropped me back off at home so I could make it in time for Pilates/Dance with Lynsie. Later in the night, Anna and I went to Desiree’s house with Lauren and Arielka for mud mask facials from Israel. Kinda Scary!
Love,
Ashley
Well, Dad did his last briefing for the summer with the Mobilizing Students team from Oklahoma.
They had a great time at the Farmer’s Market.
But the best part is always the Missions with the kids.
It’s funny because last week Lynsie invited me to a Pilates. I loved everything and could follow along until we did some dance moves. Then I was just flailing around the floor.
Dottie, the teacher laughed and said, “Just keep moving, Ashley.”
So this week when I got to the studio I laughed when Lynsie told me we were doing Modern Dance instead. Hah! A whole 2 hours of dancing. I had a lot of fun trying something new that I’d never done before in my life, and even picked up some of the routine.
Check out the trailer I made of our girls night in last week.
Also, I’m really diggin’ Anjulie right now…
Love,
Ashley
What a great time we had at Huntington Terraces with Foothills community church this Saturday. The pastor even came out to pray with the families.
They cooked hotdogs, painted faces, made hats and gave the community school supplies.
Last team for the summer is in tomorrow!
Love,
Ash
Samosas are a beautiful thing.
And even better with Chutney. The team ate it up! At least three members bought their own jars to take back home.
Madina, the North African market, is so cool. I’m constantly looking for new and interesting things.
After Madina, Dad and I took the team to Global Mall.Watch the video here.
Dad printed out a picture of one of the teams for the priest. He was SO happy he put it up in the front shrine area.
Dad taught me more about Electronic News Gathering (ENG) today and let me practice with the camera. I captured wideshots, up close subject shots and focused on letting my video tell the story.
After we got home we reviewed the tapes together and I learned more about filling the frame and how to better break the scene down into components.
Swam at the pool with Milo and then cooked burgers and burritos at his house.
Got my truck back. Rick, the mechanic, told us the radiator “blew up” and it will cost $950 to get the Expedition running again. Bad news. But Dad says not to worry but to trust in God to provide.
Love,
Ash
Quesadilla day! Dad and I took the team over to CD tower the equivalent of Walmart for all your idol needs.
Then on to see the Chinese Pharmacy. The team bought some Tiger Balm and some kind of ear wax removal thing.
Martin served up some delicious quesadillas today. His lean steak and goat cheese is so good. A lot of the older members on the team enjoyed the real Coke with white lightning sugar not fructose corn syrup.
They really enjoyed the goats milk lollipops.
The kids had a great time at the missions doing crafts, games, sports and a Bible story. Even the Bengali mothers were listening on the sidelines.
This kid’s friend was speaking in Bengali and he turned and said, “Speak English…we’re finally in America.”
Dad picked me up and we visited the other locations. Today he taught me how to shoot news style video of the teams in action.
Later, the kids helped us label the newsletters.
Doughnuts are the best parts. It’s always funny when Dad comes in with the doughnuts, opens the boxes and the kids swarm and yell and fight to get them. Then five seconds later it’s silent…just the sound of chewing can be heard.
Signed up for classes! I’m taking Communications, English Lit, Features Writing and Journalism. LOTS of writing.
I met Lynsie at the Dance Studio for Pilates. I had a lot of fun looking at her old pictures.
It was nice to meet Dottie the teacher. I’m looking forward to going back next week!
Hindu temple tomorrow. Start praying for the people we will meet.
Love,
Ashley
Today started out like all the other days. Briefing with the teams. This week they’re from Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. They look like a great bunch!
Off to the Farmer’s Market to pick out the weirdest stuff we could find. Ghost Chile Peppers. The hottest peppers in the world!
Or the Durian, also known as PooPoo fruit. The Durian Chewing gum was banned on Asian buses because it smelled so bad.
Miles met us at Picadilly with Dad’s video camera.
After lunch was the fun part…MISSIONS! Even though it rained super hard the kids still came out and played.
Jesse and the boys acting silly.
At Highland Gardens I got to pray with a Hindu woman. That’s what I wrote my newsletter about tonight. Send me an email to ashleycummins@gmail.com to get on the mailing list!
Miles and I built his mom a tall, white bookshelf from Ikea today before our swim. We did 20 laps together! It’s a weird feeling to be sweaty and hot in a cool pool.
My car overheated tonight on the way home. Please be praying for that all to work out.
Love,
Ash
Today I woke up earlier than Dad, which is very unusual. And I think it was because today’s SAMOSA DAY!! Oh hot, flaky, buttered pastry filled with spicy beef, you taste so good.
Especially with the chutney. Can’t forget that.
We stopped in a the Botonica first. It’s the best place to buy your Adam and Eve bubble bath.
Mo bought some love perfume.
Looks like it worked.
The teams next safari was to Global Mall and the Norht African store.
I think they learned a lot about Hindu culture visiting the temple.
The Indian food banquet hall below the temple really know how to cook chicken Masala.
Hung out with the teams. It’s the Orangeburgers last day. :(
Registered for classes. In August I’ll be taking Communications, Geology Lab, Math and Creative Writing. As a Junemore I’m finally getting into classes of my major.
Finished my Cocoa Beach with the Kendalls July 2011 documentary.
Wrote a letter to Heather.
Miles and I cooked some Carne Asada tacos! Click here to see the recipe.
Lynsie and Ashley came over. Ash brought her sweet pup, Rori.
Shuggie sure does know how to get comfortable.
Looking forward to taking the first ever group of gringos to Plaza Fiesta. They are going to eat it up! It’s like being transported to Mexico.
Love,
Ash
Dad started off with a briefing as always. Today he explained works religions and grace religions. Christianity is the only grace religion. God is SO good, how could we ever do anything that would measure up? Think about that.
First Mo and I took the Family BC to CD tower. The girls bought fans and chopsticks to stick in their hair and the guys bought num chucks and conical hats. (It’s surprisingly cool under this hat).
When we lived in Kenya, Mama used to go to the market and buy these little clippers and wrap them up for Jesse and I for Christmas. Oh CD Tower, you bring back such good memories.
Then I taught the team to tell the difference between Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese at Italy Optics. This is when I really feel like a tour guide. “Now, if you’ll look to your left you’ll see the first language written is Korean. See how its spaced out and mathematical looking…”
Next to My Dung Videos. (Which really stink…but nobody laughs at that joke.)
And on to the Chinese Pharmacy where Susan opens the drawers filled with mushroom stems, dried seahorses and Ginseng roots.
(Dad, don’t you think it’s funny we have the same taste in photography?)
The quesadillas at Carniceria Numero Uno were delicious today.
I got a new recipe for carne asada tacos so I decided that this Mexica tienda (store) would be great place to shop at. I can’t tell you how fun it was for me to ask for a pound of chopped steak in Spanish. The cook (Francis) asked surprised, “Tu hables Espanol?!” (You speak Spanish?!”)
“Si, pero yo necisito practicar mas …” (Yes, but I need to practice more.) He went on to ask where I lived and how long it took me to drive to his shop.
After I’d picked out my cebolla (onion), cilantro, tomatoe, ajo (garlic) and jalepanos I took my load up to the register.
“Hola sernora!” I acknowledged the young women behind the counter dressed in a black apron. As put my ingredients on the counter I practiced my Spanish.
“Uno cebolla, dos lemones, y come se dice avocado in Espanol? ( how do you say avocado in Spanish?)”
“Oh you’re very smart!” She replied in Spanish. “Este es Aguacate”
She went on to ask in Spanish who I was cooking for. “Oh mi novio.” (My boyfried).
“Oh? What country is he from? Mexico?” She asked in Spanish grinning.
“No, soy de Georgia. El es uno Gringo” (No, he’s from Georgia. He’s a white boy.) I wink at her and we giggle together.
She laughed again and said it’s better to have men from Mexico, they enjoy your cooking more.
I checked out only spending 24 dollars on a whole meal that yields four. (My steak is marinating in cumin powder, lime and red chile powder right now. I can’t wait for supper tomorrow!)
The missions went great today. I love to see the Bengali mothers come and listen to the Bible stories.
And of course the kids love the teams.
This little girl wanted to play “monster tag” so bad! She giggled the whole time Kristy chased her around.
Running down Stone Mountain in the rain after work was one of the top ten best experiences of my life. The hot wind whipping at my feet combined with the cold hard droplets on my body…I felt like I could run forever there was so much Chi in the air.
Love,
Ash
Monday. You know what that means? Briefing with the new teams in town.
And Buford Highway Farmer’s Market. Here are some of my favorites from today.
Chicken feet. Great back scratchers.
Green peas covered in Wasabi. They have a kiss of horseradish.
Fried Chicken drumstick flavored chips. You’d think they were made in America with a description like that, but they’re actually from Japan.
Had a wonderful time with the Family Baptist Church team from Orangeburg, SC. We went to Wynscape (where I bruised my knuckles knocking on so many doors)
And Huntington Terraces (where we had the guided tour with Mr. Bible). We played Tug of War. Mission kids versus Missionaries. One of the moms jumped up and started pulling right along with the kids. They won (with a crash)!
Bible story time at the Mission.
Niche ran up to me before the car was even in park. My favorite part of the day. (Besides eating El T with you and Mo, Dad.)
Ran 2 miles. My feet were painfully hot but I kept telling myself, “It’s surprisingly cool in the shade.”
Milo cooked cheesy rice and noodles for dinner, while I chopped Mexican mangos and Dragon Fruit.
Two of my top favorite beings on the planet.
I’m about to alter my Bengali dress for Wednesday at Global Mall.
Love,
Ashley
Got home yesterday from the beach around 3 PM. We had a GREAT time. Can’t wait to do it again.
Milo and I went to Ashley’s house to see her new pup. What a cutie!
She has done some damage…
This morning Mo and I rode bikes to the graveyard. It was a fun time just the two of us.
Today we tried to start my car and it wouldn’t. J called AAA for me and we got them to come jump it with their huge truck. Milo and I drove it over to Advance AutoParts to get a new battery. It’s running great now! Thank you, Lord!
Jesse taught me how to clean my tank today with the special hose sucker thingy.
It looks great now. I even found a little baby, about the size of my pinky fingernail, that didn’t get eaten.
Looking forward to working with the teams tomorrow.
Love,
Ash
Miles woke me up this morning, “Guess what we got for breakfast,baby! Doughnuts!”
Oh yeah! Nothing gets me out of bed faster than a warm, chocolate covered doughnut. Yeah,baby! Can you said GOOD morning?
After that it was straight to the pool. Then lunch, then more pool and beach surfin’. I think I finally got burned on the last day.
Like my new dress?
We ate the most delicious seafood on the water front for dinner. We saw dolphins coming in with the tug boats.
About to edit some more of the Cocoa Beach Road Trip movie. I got iMovie ’11 today for only $14.99! Can’t beat that with a stick.
Off to pack. Leaving here around 7 AM.
Love,
Ashley
Ate lunch at Florida’s Best Seafood today.
I kissed a manatee and I liked it.
And so did everybody else…
Swam in the ocean and pool. I love this life. After dinner and cards Milo and I went for a walk on the beach.
Found a jelly fish.
We enjoyed watching the girl’s volleyball team play.
Tomorrow’s our last full day :( I think we’ve all had a great time.
A rockets shooting off early tomorrow morning just a few miles from us.
Love,
Ash
Milo and I went to the beach and pool this morning. My face is definitely getting pink. And I love it.
Milo’s Dad, Miles and I went on an airboat ride adventure with Captain Chuck.
We saw alligators and lots of wild birds. My favorite part was when the captain took us to, “a place I haven’t been to in a while.” We speed through tall reeds as white cranes flew up around us and alligators dove in.
Lunch was delicious at BeefOBrady’s. Megamind was playing on the big screen and that made us all laugh as we stuffed our faces with club wraps, Reubens and “Dubliners.”
Milo and I enjoyed watching the Australian Wilfred on the pull out couch.
White pie for dinner from Papa Vito’s on the balcony.
We’re all playing cards right now.
Miles’ Mo’s putting a puzzle together and Milo’s teaching his Dad how to play poker.
Love,
Ashley
Milo and I went out to sun at the beach and pool this morning before eating Philly cheese steaks at Eagle’s Nest.
Dinner at the buffet was delicious.
Beautiful view.
The waves practically stood still.
Love,
Ash
Happy birthday to little momo Cheryl..haaapppy birthday to you!
Miles and his Dad went to the beach earlier this morning while I enjoyed sleeping in.
For Miles’ Mo’s birthday we went to the Dinosaur store and museum.
Then over to Ron Jon’s surf shop. Cocoa Beach is home to this extreme sports store.
I bought some tiny foil postcards to send to friends back home. 
After our adventures, we went back to the condo for the surprise party. Pops surprised her with a great saddle bag from Coach.
Miles and I got her an African mask.
Went out to the Lobster Shanty for a birthday dinner. From the outside it looks like a tiny little shanty…but the inside it quiet an elegant little restaurant.
The gator tail was good with the fried corn fritters and powdered sugar.
Larry the Lobster.
The pier outside was awesome.
My shoes falling apart…boo. I really do look like a beach bum now.
After dinner walk on the beach.
Love,
Ashley
Mama Kendall is calling out roll for all the items in the condo right now….
“4 sets of towels…a rug..a bath mat… 4 glass tumblers…”
Pops Jimi is calling from the other room…”Yes, 4 sets of towels!”
“Crab art on the wall?”
We ate steak dinners and walked on the pier tonight. Loving this Florida life.
Lots o people.
Laid out by the pool.
Love,
Ash
Had fun yesterday with Jessica and Kylie.
This morning we woke up around 5:15. I woke up excited! “Is it time for the beach?”
I’m all packed up!
Drove from Atlanta, Ga to Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Read my Sookie book and slept.
Beautiful hotel room with a view.
This reminds me of home. Sweet ol’ little momo.
Salty, fried seafood dinner. Can’t beat that.
Love that view.
Look at that tiiiiiinnnnyy table…
And that teeny weeny car.
Miles Mo and me…the computer geek girls…
Love,
Ash
P.S. Make sure to check out the sibling road trip documentary here if you missed it.
Lunch with the whole family at our regular Friday spot; Red Robin…YUM!
I can’t wait to be laying in the sun on the white sand on Cocoa Beach, Florida with the new books I picked up after.
Enjoyed sitting in the shade with Niche, Michelle and Briana. Niche sat in my lap as Michelle played with my hair. Her little fingers would sometimes go in my ears as she pulled back my hair.
What’s one of the easiest way to round up kids?
Snow cones!
Packed for the beach vacation with Milo’s mom and dad tomorrow morning.
Finished my Sibling Road Trip Documentary! Take a peek here….
Love,
Ash
Ashley Ann Kendall 