Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

History

          My name is Ashley Jean. I’m twenty years old and live in St. Augustine, Fl (nation’s oldest city).  I grew up hanging around on our historical downtown streets, listening to the street performers.  I loved simple live music.  In high school I had the opportunity to take a classical guitar class.  I couldn’t understand why everyone wasn’t signed up.  I learned all the basics there, but realized it took time to practice and I needed a guitar of my own.  So, I didn’t really start playing until I moved to Lake Charles, La.  I met a friend, Hannah.  I would get chills when I listened to her.  Her playing inspired me to pick it back up.  Within a few months my parents bought me a guitar for my birthday..  
          I loved to sing and play.  The only problem was that not everyone liked to listen.  I wasn’t really good.  From the beginning I was trying to express myself through it.  I prayed, "oh Lord, if You let me play music, I’ll play it for you!"  I promised Him.  And honestly, I really started to begin getting better after that.  I learned lots of praise and worship stuff, but really only played for God and me.. 
          When I was seventeen I turned my back to God in a big way.  I tried to push Him out of my life.  And for about a year I really didn’t play too much.   That was a rough time for me. My faith went through a complete overhaul.  I didn’t know anything for sure.  I gave up God, the only thing that really meant anything to me.  Once I finally gave God a chance again, I was broken, bruised., on the inside I mean.  I hurt, and I cried out to God through my pain.  He lifted me up and kissed my wounds.  He continues to heal me, daily proving to me that I can trust Him.  
          Awe.  That’s the best word I know.  The first song I wrote on the journey home was "Outpour".  I know it was a complete blessing from Our Father.  I sat down and just started writing, and then picked up my guitar and started singing.  There wasn’t a whole lot of effort on my part.  
          I went to bible school for a year in Canada, and there I really got over a lot of fears.  I learned I could lead people in worship through music.  And that people could actually "like" to listen to me.  It was a weird new experience for me. But I praise God because I know He guided me.  After bible school I went on a traveling youth ministry team called "Behold the Lamb".  That was totally a rockin time in my life!  I had awesome brothers and sisters in Christ.  These people loved Jesus with all their hearts and desired to follow Him. Plus, we were all so musical; it was really amazing!  We would have awesome praise times, just us.   I am so thankful!  We did lots of dramas and skits on the team.  I was able to get up and give talks, all these things teaching me that God did give me a voice, and I could use it.  I began writing music while I was in Canada, but mostly started after moving back home to Florida, while learning to live each day for Him in an even deeper way.  
          I think my music has a theme of surrender, of trust, of my complete amazement at His love!  I wrote all these songs as prayers (besides "breakdown" and "trusting"), and even those are me trying to express myself honestly before God.  These songs were just for God and me until many people started saying to me that I should look into sharing them.  I lead praise and worship for the college age group I am involved in, and that is more of a blessing than I can say!  I also go back to the streets where I grew up listening to live music and play.  It’s really a neat atmosphere, open, sharing.  People really open up to me.  It’s so awesome!  
          So now, here I am, wondering what God has in store.  Only time will tell.  If all gifts of music were taken away from me tomorrow, I would still be completely astounded at all He has allowed to happen up until now.  I know I don’t have to search, or strive;  He will guide me.  I can’t complain.  I am so blessed! I just desire to daily listen to His voice and follow close behind.  Take Jesus my everything!  Be glorified Lord!