Let's Give a Big Newlywed Welcome to Nick and Ashley Fleury!

I always knew I was going to marry Nick Fleury. Well, sorta…

I look back to almost two years ago... when God first spoke to me. I’ll never forget where I was… I was sitting on my computer at my internship at The Clarion News in Clarion, Pa. It was August 2006. I had just finished college, my internship was ending and I was praying about where I should go, what I should do. I really didn’t want to move back to the Lehigh Valley. I had never much enjoyed it and was ready to move on with my life. But, for some reason, sitting at that computer it just hit me. “Move home, you’ll find your husband there.” I can’t really explain how God talks to me. Its in so many different ways… He gives me answers in scripture I read and He gives me these moments of clarity. That day it was a moment of clarity. I can’t say my immediate answer was “Okay, God! Sounds great.” I was really kind of just put it off as no big deal - that wasn’t really God. So, without anywhere else to go, I moved home.

If I remember correctly it was the first weekend in September of 2007. It was my first Sunday back to Christian Life Community Church after moving home and moving back in with my parents. There hadn’t been anyone at the church my age… just a few older and a few younger. So there’s this guy I see, and he’s my age, and he’s a guy! My ears perked up… I won’t lie. Nothing materialized though.

I started dating someone in November 2006. After a few weeks, it was apparent he wasn’t “the one” God had told me about. However, I had this calm over me. I wasn’t devastated like I had been over the numerous break ups I went thru in college. There was just this feeling. I knew I was going to be a wife. I remember this ex saying to me (and I don’t remember how this came up, I just remember exactly where we were) “So you really think God had a husband for you. That perfect guy that’s just going to show up in your life?” and I said matter-o-factly (and maybe a little arrogantly). “Yup.” An answer as simple as yup. I just knew. His reply, “Well good luck with that.” I didn’t waste my time to reply. I just thought to myself, I don’t need luck. I got God.

Nick and I got acquainted in February of 2007. We went to the same small group Bible study and from there just started hanging out. We were friends first, and while we found each other to be great people and there was attraction, neither of us were convinced that we wanted it to be any more than friendship. Well, God had another plan for us. We started officially dating on April 8, 2007 (on Easter), were engaged on July 3, 2007 (my 23rd birthday) and married on March 1, 2008.

Not a day goes by that I don’t stop and realize how blessed I am. Every time I look at Nick it reminds me of how much God loves me… how much He loves US. Nick and I are blessed beyond belief. I don’t know if anyone can really describe what their relationship with their spouse is like. It just something so special, so personal… kind of like the relationship you have with God. Its just so rewarding to love someone so much. And all the silly things you do together make life so much better… like getting excited about finding the grapefruit flavored Vitamin C drop. And it’s the heavier stuff… having some there to vent to about your personal struggles or if you have a bad day at work. Marriage, when it is ordained by God, is such a rewarding experience.

I think back to other guys I’ve dated, and I dated a lot. I don’t even remember how many boyfriends I had., and that’s mainly because it doesn’t matter anymore. I guess, what I’m getting at, is that if I could give single people any advice… it would be wait. Not only physically, but also emotionally. Bad relationships take so much out of you and leave so many regrets. I guess I always thought that I was “cool” because I had boyfriends and I had guys paying attention to me. Sometimes I have such a hurt in my heart thinking about all the experiences I had with other guys who aren’t my husband. I wish everything would have been new with my husband. That’s the awesome thing about God though. You asked to be forgiven and you are. Man, with all the mistakes I made it dating, if God wasn’t forgiving, He wouldn’t have given me Nick. But I’m human and it still hurts sometimes. I gave too much of my heart to the wrong people. I looked for love and acceptance in so many of the wrong places… and once I found it in the right place (with God), things just turned out.

I’m Mrs. Nicholas Fleury, how freakin’ cool is that?

The Road to Becoming a Fleury...

The future Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Adriel Fleury (aren't we cute?!)

So, I've been a bridesmaid four times over now. I love being a bridesmaid... getting my hair done, walking up and down the aisle, helping the bride with whatever she needs, dancing like crazy at the reception...

Well now the tables have turned. This past weekend I finished my last stint has a bridesmaid. Now it is my turn to be the bride.

I have been engaged nearly a month now and since then I've learned that planning a wedding is possibly the most stressful thing I will ever do in my life. There's figuring out the budget, getting a guest list, finding a reception hall... AHHHH!!!

I think about the moment when I walk down to aisle to Nick and we become husband and wife.

But there is sooooooo much to do in order to get to that moment...

My three best friends, Laura, Jen and Janine have all advised me to elope. They all hated the planning process too. I thought it was only me...

But do I take their advice? Do I ever take anyone's advice? NO!

So the road to becoming a Fleury although I am going to be speeding down it (we're doing it in 7 months!) is going to be long, bumpy and have some tricky turns.

But I just try to keep in mind what the most important thing is... I'M BECOMING A FLEURY!!!

The Ultimate Match Maker

Congratulations Janine and Zach...

June 9, 2007

I love you guys...

"MEET YOUR SOUL MATE TODAY!"

"FIND LOVE FAST!"

"TRUE LOVE IN YOUR TOWN!"

We, as an American society, are bombared with these claims and lucrative offers on a daily basis. Its when you open a website or flick on the tv. Love... its sad to say, but it has become a multi-million dollar industry. From match making websites to best selling books, even to the very drastic mail-order brides, corporations and individuals alike are banking off of our greatest emotion - love.

I was checking my e-mail one day and I find this article on yahoo.com ... "5 Secrets You Should Never Tell Your Partner." HUH?! I'm sorry, but I don't think you should keep any secrets from you partner. Wouldn't that just lead to trouble? I've never seen keeping secrets benefit any relationship. This is when I started to realize what a sham all these books and talk shows that offer relationship advice are. Those books and tv relationship gurus are only there to screw you up more. Duh! How would they make their money if you didn't keep coming back from more advice?

Its so sad where people look these days for love... websites, match making services, bars... We have to remember who the ultimate match maker is ... GOD. If you are highly against this idea I suggest you read no further. But, if you do believe in it or are just interested in what this 22-year old, head-over-heels in love Christian has to say, read on my friend, read on...

I truely believe God makes one person for everyone. That's not the question. Its just a question of when he will bring that person into your life. I can tell you in my life... it didn't happen when I wanted it too, but it def. did end up happening... when God wanted it to and when I least expected it... God made us to love Him and to love each other. He made Eve for Adam so he wouldn't be lonely. God knows our hearts desires... and if one of your desires is to find someone to love (like mine was) as long as we are living for God - he's gunna provide... no doubt ;) .

Ok, so you don't believe in God? So let's look at the facts ... STATISTICAL FACTS, scientific evidence. I was listening to The Word FM (103.5 out of Center Valley, Pa), listening to Reverend Schuller (of Laguna Beach, Ca.) and here's what he presented ... 50% of all marriages end in divorce. ONE IN TWO. For couples who attend church regularly its 1 in 50. For couples with an active prayer life the number drops down to 1 in 1,000. Ok, so don't want to take a pastor's found statistical data? Check out the June issue of Women's Health magazine (published by Rodale, Inc.). Flip to page 125 ... "Find God. Having a religious affliation decreases your odds of divorce by up to 19 percent."

Chew on that one for awhile...

So in a crazy world just trying to bank off of your relationship problems... look to someone who knows it all and who already has your love story written.



NAF+AEA

Congratulation to the new Mr. and Mrs. Coble... two of my friends who love Jesus with all their hearts...

When He talks, I listen.

God is def. talking to me today... and its so awesome.
Its freakin phenomenal to have someone to tell that to who totally gets it.

My God Given ...

The past month as been PHENOMENAL ...

I Love ...

my back...

The CLCC kids love Nick Fleury!

I love making a big deal out of my boyfriend. This was such a fun night! 14 members of our church family (including our pastor, his wife and kids [how cool is that?!]), hot chocolate, junk food and watching Nick play hockey ... one heck of a good time. God has given me soooooo much!

I stand in awe ...

There's this worship song and part of the lyrics go, "and I stand in awe of you..."
I really do stand in awe of God. He is so amazingly wonderful.
I met and am dating the man of my dreams... its so funny how I prayed for certain things and it was just given to me as Nick.
We booked my flight to Michigan last night. June 30-July 3... going to meet the family and friends.
I'm a work and he's bringing me lunch today ... I can't wait to see his smilin' face walk thru that door...
My esbee...