BONJOUR! 

My first official post to my blog! What a cool way to have friends and family follow me on my summer adventures, as well as expressing myself and my thoughts via text. Writing is such a passion of mine, and I am happy to share random things inside my pensive, analytical brain with ya'll :)

I wanted to first start with explaining the meaning behind the title of my blog, "Call Me Captivating." It took a lot of thought as I considered many words reflecting my life. I almost made the name in French (as you will soon find out, I LOVE the French language and the culture), and I also considered doing something with "A Beautiful Meadow," which means "Ashley." However, I wanted to incorporate a title that both reflected who I am, what I'm striving to accomplish, who I aspire to be, and awe-inspiring adventures and scenery lies ahead of me. So... It means multiple things:

1. I aspire to be a CAPTIVATING woman. First and foremost, I strive to be a strong woman of Christ: a Proverbs 31 woman. "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value...She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family...She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised..." Because my soul is first CAPTIVATED by my Father in Heaven, my prayer is that those around me (family and friends), and eventually my husband and children, will look to me and CALL ME CAPTIVATING because of what actions and words overflow from my love of the Lord. It will simply be in my nature.

2. It also plays off the meaning that the "me" can refer to the world and all its beauty: natural, breathtaking scenery, beautiful cities, and the very life that exists in nature. These things are CAPTIVATING to the soul of the observer who awe in all the beauty and wonders of this earth, treasures that the Lord created for us to marvel at, yet only a mere glimpse at what the real promised treasure will be like: Heaven. Therefore, since my blog will primarily be dedicated to my study abroad travels to Europe for the next month, I know I will be CAPTIVATED by so many sights, people, and cultures both for this trip and hopefully just the beginning of a beautiful, purposeful, adventurous life full of travels and wonders to be CAPTIVATED by in the future. 

Simply, a CAPTIVATING life and nature is what my heart desires.