The Little Girl All Grown Up, Ashley

Ashley Turner was born in Charleston, SC where she lived for one year before her father was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND. When she was six years old, her family was invited to our church and first came to New Testament Baptist Church with several other families now affectionately known to us as “the Aspen Avenue” folks. They later moved into Larimore and she has resided here ever since.

She was a cute little red-head who grew up in our church (has been here for a total of 21 years so far) and spent all of her school years at our Christian school. Her parents taught her and her younger brother and sister to work hard and try to do things as well as they could at home and at school. That translated into the excellent work ethic that she now has.

I remember how her family used to clean the church building nearly every day after a school day. What a wonderful job they all did! After graduating from high school, she worked at several local businesses including The Scoop, Tesoro, and Bremer Bank. She is recognized in our community and continues to desire to have a good testimony around our town. She knows that “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” (Proverbs 22:1) She remains involved in the community as the librarian at the Edna Ralston Library here in Larimore.

Ashley also teaches home economics at our Christian school. And, she sells Pampered Chef products, does some work for an insurance agent, and has a cleaning business. She is a prime example of one who “worketh willingly with her hands.” (Proverbs 31:13) (Ahhh, youth!) She admires, and to some extent, patterns her life after, Ruth, in the Old Testament, who worked hard and was devoted to her family when things were going terribly bad.

At home Ashley spends her time making a wonderful place to live in, love in, and learn in, for herself and her husband Chad (whom she has known since she was in second grade), and their two children, Kami (age 4) and Caleb (age 1). She loves to cook and entertain guests.

Having her family all sit down together for dinner is important to her, providing for them a time to talk and enjoy each other’s company. It is her pleasure to cook for both her parents and siblings, and Chad’s. She is an astute shopper who enjoys saving with coupons.

She knows how to pinch a penny wisely! She wants her children to learn to take care of their possessions, for Kami to become a good keeper at home, and for Caleb to respect women and care for his eventual family, and for both of them to put God first in every area of their lives, Most of all, she desires that her family seek to serve the Lord.

She has often visited her relatives down south in Charleston. She loves spending time with them, and really likes the city of Charleston with its southern charm, friendly people with soft accents, seafood, okra, harbors, carriage rides , and a ‘step back into time’ atmosphere.

A very organized lady, Ashley lives a pretty scheduled daily life. She sends Chad off to work with his homemade lunch, exercises, feeds her children, reads her Bible, surfs her favorite internet blogs, cleans house, plays with the children, runs errands, puts the kids down for nap, cooks and eats dinner with her family, and spends the evening with them.

She communicates very well, has a flair for the dramatic, loves birthdays, pink things, owls, fresh flowers, kitchen gadgets, and new recipes...just a few of her favorite things.

Ashley is by nature a take charge, self sufficient, get-it-done-now person who strives to remember that God, not Ashley, is the One who is in perfect control. His ways are higher than ours. She was saved in 2005 when she rejected her false profession of salvation and received the Truth. She regrets times as a high school student when she disregarded Biblical council, and appreciates the council she receives from our Pastor’s wife. She feels that God has given her a great victory over trying to please people. “The fear of man bringeth a snare...” She has learned that God’s timing is always perfect and that He will supply all of her needs, and sometimes her desires too. Her life is so much better because she chose that God’s way is the best way. Her heart breaks for her unsaved loved ones. Will you pray with her for their salvation?

It is such a blessing to see her at church with her immaculately groomed family. I love watching her sing with the extended Turner family. She is blessed to have both her parents and Chad’s parents in our church. In addition, she helps teach in children’s church and assists in the Kids For Christ group. She loves her church and it shows..

She reveres God’s Word and has a favorite verse, Ps. 119:165--“Great peace have they which love thy law and nothing shall offend them.” Ashley says, “This verse means a lot to me because in a world of anger and hatred, I as a Christian do not have to let anything offend me, for God has given me peace.”

Listen to Ashley’s parting words to me when we spoke via Email, “I am but clay in God’s hands, still being molded for His use.”

We are so glad you are a part of our church family and there are things we can all learn from you Ashley.