What are you going to Give for Christmas? the Message of Jesus!!!

I read a story yesterday in the news about a man getting trampled to death on Black Friday supposedly the best shopping day of the year. I personally experienced this day for the first time in my life this year, it was interesting. Not sure I have the strength to endure that kind of madness because what I hear is that I didn’t really experience all the hard core black Friday shoppers. Which reading this news articles just made me sad. Have we really in this country come so far in our greed, and need to be first that people will trample a man to death to get into a store? Did people even feel bad that they were stepping on someone to get inside to get a deal on a new toy that is absolutely unnecessary? Did anyone stop to try to help him, or was the greed and selfishness so much that they didn’t even notice the man?
I heard a woman call someone a horrible name, and say she wanted to “get her” for buying a few scooters. She was threatening saying there better be some left for me.
What are we teaching our kids? Where did the Christ in Christmas go? I pray that we would show the world around us what Christmas is really about. I pray that believers would give love and service. I pray that the thought of God coming as a man, so that we may be saved brings a spirit of what Christmas is supposed to be- love, joy, hope.

Wed. @ 11:15

Every week at this time my phone goes off to remind me to pray for Turkey. A lot of times it makes me remember sweet friends and times. Sometimes I’m in the middle of something silence my phone and go on. Today, I’m remembering a year ago I lived there, I saw people that I love more than I can say on a regular basis. I prayed for those people like I have never prayed before.
Why was there such an urgency in my prayers everyday there, and here I struggle to get that same urgency. Do I really need to be faced everyday with the call to prayer and seeing all those people to know and really pray like I should. No. I still love my sweet Turkish friends more than I can even imagine explaining. I still want with all of my heart to share with them the reason that I live everyday. I want with all of my heart for them to celebrate Jesus coming to earth with me.
Father bring me to my knees for them. Grip my heart with your Truth, and a passion for Your name to be known.

What's in a name...

For the last few months I have been in the process of changing my last name from Price to Wilhite. I never realized how many things you actually have to change. I also didn’t realize the emotions that come with it. Some people might think I’m weird, or just really incredibly emotional, but it has been an interesting experience for me.
I am very excited to be Allyson Wilhite. I have chosen to stake my name and in a sense my identity (although above all my identity is in Christ) in my husband Shawn. He is a wonderful, amazing man, that loves, and honors the Lord incredibly. I am more thankful for the man God has given me than I can explain. I am very proud to be his wife and to become Mrs. Shawn Wilhite. I am very excited and thankful to see what the Lord will bring with our new family.
I have loved every second of being a Price, my family is a group of incredible people that love the Lord more than anything, and love me more than I can even imagine. They have always been a rock of support, encouragement, and challenge to love and serve the Lord and love His Word more than anything. I know that I will always be a part of the family, and they will always love me as family. It’s just an interesting feeling when someone says, “You are not a Price anymore” not a bad feeling it’s just something that is hard to explain.
I love my husband more than I know how to say, and I am happy, and excited to say I am Mrs. Shawn Wilhite. I am also incredibly thankful to have been Allyson Price for 25 years. I love you all. Thank you for all that you all mean to me, and have been to me. I just wanted you to know I am thankful for my Price family, and I am very thankful for my new Wilhite family. I love family.

Do Not Be Afraid...

I was reading the story of when the angel told Mary she was going to have a baby. That is what he said. Have you ever stopped to think about what might have been going through Mary’s head? Why is that what he said?
Will Joseph still love and trust me? Will my family disown me? Will everyone in my community look on me with disgust? What will happen?
That is not what she did, she said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.”
Would I say that? Whatever it means Lord, let it be done according to Your word. I pray I do everyday.

Holy Cow!!

Milk Cocoa

This is the best cup of Hot Chocolate I have had in a long time. Yep, SPR in the Beijing airport makes a mean cup of milk cocoa. Just add a few packs of sugar and you are set. If you ask me what SPR stands for I couldn’t tell ya, but I can tell you, you know a cup of hot chocolate is going to be good when you pour the sugar in and it doesn’t sink until you stir it. MMMMMMMMMM!!!!

Beijing 2008

I got to see the birds nest, and the water cube. I didn’t get to go inside, I was trying to get into the watercube, but I looked forever where to buy the tickets unfortunately I don’t speak Chinese, and I think that is the criteria for finding tickets inside.
I was so excited, yay it was amazing.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall was amazing. The area was absolutely beautiful, the mountains were full of fall colors. The Wall really is an amazing thing to see.

Where is the Forbidden City?

Does this sign help anyone else, it's the only one around?

Bumbles Smile...

So I found a dragon, that I think I have a bigger mouth and smile than. Is that sad?

This is for you Bess

I found a cat in the Emperial Garden. So I took a picture.

Forbidden City

I went to the Forbidden City today and Tian’anmen Square. It was amazing, absolutely huge, you just keep walking all the way through. It is amazing, how old it is but how beautiful and intricate it is.

Every single building has some kind of heavenly symbol. For centuries these people have been searching for Truth in the wrong place. Let's pray that they find the Truth of Jesus.

You Know you are in Asia when...

So, I'm in Shanghai and I definitely know I'm in Asia. I walked out of the airport to get a taxi to my hotel when a man said taxi! This is not completely abnormal in my experience traveling a lot of time guys like that call the drivers, so I said yes handed him my paper of where I needed to go and started following him. We started to walk not towards the line for all the taxi, where the signs said to go, and he started talking about cheap. First warning sign. He also said about 15min, and cheap. I asked him where he was going and he pointed and walked toward the parking lot, and yes that was away from where I knew the ligit taxi's where, second warning sign. I of course stopped walking, and said there are no taxi's over there. "Yes, cheap" He was not wanting me to turn around, I said where and how much. Then he kept saying American money, Chinese money cheap no matter, about 1 hour probably 380 CNY, 3rd sign it went from being 15 min and cheap to an hour. Now I know that the exchange rate is pretty good for me, but I can also tell when someone is trying to cheat me. So I grabbed my paper out of his hand because he was not giving it back to me when I motioned for it, and turned around to go to the actual taxi line. As I was walking he had already gotten a different customer. Now I'm in my hotel after a wonderful taxi ride that was 150 CNY.

Power in the Name...

“Your Name is a strong and Mighty Tower
Your Name is a shelter like no other
Your Name
Let the nations sing it louder
Cause nothing has the power to save but Your Name”

We sang this song in chapel yesterday. It was the second time I have heard it, and let me tell you. There are things that just get me excited, this song is one of them. Why?

“Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:8-11

There is power in the Name of Jesus. He is a strong and Mighty Tower, and a Shelter like no other. I pray that the nations would sing it louder, starting with our nation.
Most of all the thing that excites me more than anything in all of the universe, nothing has the power to save, but the name of Jesus. He is Almighty, Awesome, Holy, Righteous, Sovereign God, and even in that He is Savior. He died, and rose so that at the Name of Jesus everyone would “sing it louder” as they bow before His throne. We get to sing it!!!!! Why do we not sing it louder, why do we not sing it so loud that all of the earth will hear, and start to sing with us? He is God.

Lessons from Airports

Why do I get frustrated…
Last night I had to spend the night in an airport. The airline people were not very helpful, and I ended up having to find a place to sleep on the floor. I was walking and rambling on in my head about how (sarcastic) wonderful it is when people are helpful and nice. Then I sat down in the wonderfully comfortable airport chair, and started to try to get settled for awhile. A man was sitting there, and he started talking to me. He was very nice and had an interesting life working in Alaska and living in Hawaii. During this conversation I had the wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel with him. I got to talk about what Christ did, and how to turn to Him, and what the Bible says about creation.
Why did the airline make me go outside of the gates where it was quiet on my connecting flight, and sleep where it was colder and loud all night? Why did no one help me find the actual desk I needed to get to? Why was there no other quiet spot to sit and rest? Why was this spot really far from the desk I was going to? Because I serve a sovereign God that planned for a man traveling from Alaska to be sitting in a chair, ready to talk about his adventures, to hear the Truth that Jesus is God and died for sins, and He created the world by His word. To hear the Bible is true, and yes, God does have a plan for everything.
Why do I write about this? I am a sinful woman that gets frustrated easily, and is humbled by a God that saved her and the amazing magnificent grace that is given from that. So, even though I am exhausted and freezing, I am thankful I had to sit up in the ticket area all night. I got to share about the One thing in my life that I absolutely live for. Hopefully next time I will rejoice always and be looking for opportunities to love someone rather than getting upset.

My wonderful Husband!

Here we are

I don't have pictures of my husband and I at the wedding, does anyone have any?

I'll post a picture of them later.

For skinny!

My bridesmaids, I love each one of them more than they know. I was going to tell them how special they are later but I wanted to tell everyone a little about each one. Thank you girls for standing up with me on this special day. If you don’t know them you should. There are 8 so bear with me.
Merea- maid of honor-
She is my older sister, but so much more than that. I cannot tell how many times I have laughed, cried, talked, learned, been challenged, been encouraged, and so many things by her. She is an amazing woman that seeks to honor the Lord in everything she does. She is beautiful, and seriously has the best voice in the world (I am her biggest fan). I can’t imagine life without her, I love her more than I can say. There is never a time she doesn’t make me laugh, and there are so many things that just are not the same without Merea. I love our relationship. She loves everyone around her very deeply. It is a blessing to have you stand right next to me, thank you. I love you Merea.
Jenni-
Also my sister, and so much more. Jenni has a joy that can only be described by the Lord being in her. She is always fun to be around, and encouraging. She challenges me with her faithfulness in so many areas. I always know I can go to Jenni, and she will have a soft word of encouragement or challenge, whatever I need. I am so thankful that I have been able to share so many things with her. I love you Jenni.
Hannah-
Sister and so much more. I am so thankful for Hannah she is one of the most encouraging people I have ever known. I can’t tell how many times I get a note telling me she is praying for me, and encouraging words right at the right time. She has a maturity beyond her years, and a strong desire for His name to be known in her life. I have had the privilege to watch her continually seek the Lord and encourage friends, and everyone around. She is also extremely funny. I love being with her. I love you Han.
Kaitlyn-
New sister and more. I have really enjoyed getting to know Kait. She is one of the sweetest people in the world. She is a wonderful mom, and I love watching her teach and love on my nephew. I also love that I have a nephew. She loves her family in a way that puts a lot of people to shame. I am very thankful how she has welcomed me into that family, and loved me in the same way. Love you girl.
Vanessa-
True friend J. I have had the amazing blessing of growing up with Nessa since we were 2. I could write pages on memories and all the things I have loved doing with her. What I will say is that no matter what happens, or how long it is between times we get to see each other nothing ever diminishes our friendship. Our verse has been true our whole lives and I am so thankful for that, “A friend loves at all times…” My heart smiles when I see her face, or hear her voice. I remember the day you got married watching you walk down the isle remembering all the times growing up we talked about it, I am so thank you are here. Thank you for being my true friend, and loving me still just as I am. I love you so much. I also love Lyla, and I love being her Aunt Ally.
Carrie-
Like a sister. Carrie is one of the most amazing women I have and will ever know. I love her with all my heart, and in my eyes she is a sister to me. It is a special thing to have such a wonderful friend that shares the same hearts desires in so many ways. When I can’t explain what I am thinking or feeling to anyone Carrie knows. She is beautiful and talented, and with that honors the Lord through those talents. She has been there many times catching it when I pour out my heart. With oreos and stars. Thank you. I love you.
Nicole-
Close forever friend. Nicole was my roommate all through college and I am so thankful and glad that she stuck with me all 4 years. I definitely miss seeing her everyday. The week I met her she had a special place in my heart and that never changed it just grew. I have been able to see her grow and challenge me so much. She is such an encouragement to my heart. I love you.
Lanaya-
Amazing wonderful friend. Naya and I have had a very special friendship all through college. We have laughed, cried, talked, and lived life together. She always has a way of encouraging and challenging me at the same time. I am so thankful for her. God has continued to show Himself faithful to us, and through everything she has been right there with me. She is a kindred spirit, someone who knows my heart and I know hers. It is so refreshing just to have her friendship. I love you Ghetto.

Overwhelmed!!!

I am listening to a sermon about what Christ did on the cross. In this sermon he talks about when Christ screams “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me.” Talking about how Christ had not protested, until this time.
That hit me today. Christ went through horrible torture, and persecution but without complaint or cries. When faced with being forsaken by His Father, He could not keep silent. Now I'm not saying Christ was complaining or wanting to stop what was happening. Only that the one thing that made him cry out was being forsaken.
I am overwhelmed with the Truth that because Christ was on that cross, died, and rose I will never ever know the pain, horror, and ultimate aloneness of being forsaken by the Father. Christ took that, and now He is always with me even to the end of the age.
Wow! Thank you Lord, for all that You have delivered us from.

It is well with my soul...

What does this mean? I am listening to this song right now. Thinking about a lot of things. A little over a year ago this time I was sitting in a room full of amazing women singing this song in the midst of a really, really difficult and scary time. I remember singing this song with tears flowing down my face looking around the room singing with women that shared my heart, saying, “Lord we know what it means to follow You in this place and it is well with my soul.”
I will never forget that time in my life, or the lesson I learned in those months. No matter what life throws at me, it is well with my soul. My sin oh the bliss of this glorious thought my sin not in part but the whole was nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord it is well with my soul.
That is what it means. My soul rests in my Savior no matter what life may seem like. Thank you Father for taking my sin, so that I may sing forever.
Oh Lord haste the day that my faith shall be sight!!

God Is Love......

Thoughts from a while ago brought this to my memory…
I was talking to my roommate the other night about God’s love and she showed me a book she was reading. It talked about how God is pursuing a romance with you because He loves you so much, and how special you are because He loves you. I have not read the whole book just a couple pages, but from what she is saying and reflecting on she makes it seem that we were created to be the object of desire and affection of one who is totally and completely in love with us and we are captivating.
This thought, and way of teaching bothers me. Yes, God is love. Yes He is described as the bridegroom. In this particular book she said that a lot of the Scripture that is used is from Hosea and Song of Solomon.
I agree that God loves us more than we can even imagine. He does chose us and deliver us from our bondage to sin. Scripture does speak of Him loving. But… the thing that bothers me is the focus on me. God loves me, I am so special because God loves me, He pursues me, and wants to romance me. I said this to her and she said but God is love, the Bible talks about Him being the bridegroom. Then a thought came to me. I remember awhile ago when Curt was teaching he read scripture that was describing heaven and the throne of God. Then he said, after reading about the magnificence of it when we want to be the center of everything its like we are in the throne room with all of the glory of God saying “look at me, look what I can do.” While talking about this love thing, I had the picture of the throne of God and all of His majestic glory, and someone over in the corner yelling “He loves ME, yeah, that’s right look at me He loves ME, I’m so special that He loves me.” There is no way. If we truly saw God for who He is, and truly saw His love for what it is, wouldn’t it make us “captivated” by Him alone. Wouldn’t we only be shouting His praise. Wouldn’t we say if someone looked at us saying, “why are you looking at me, He is the One that is Worthy, He loves, praise Him.”
When Isaiah saw the Lord, He knew how unworthy he was, he said “Woe is me, I am a man of unclean lips”
We also talked about as women that we have a desire to be loved, and pursued. It was brought up that this was a God given desire. Now I am really just thinking through all of this by typing my first thoughts out. Yeah, we have a desire to be loved, cherished, wanted. Is that given by God to make us feel so special because He loves us, or is it given for something else? We are created for one reason, to bring more glory to the only One that deserves worship. Did that desire come from the fall, part of Eve’s curse was that her desire would be for her husband. What does that mean? In my own experience of life, the only thing that fills me, brings me contentment is who God is. Yeah it amazes me that He loves me, a rotten sinner. But my security and foundation comes in the fact that God is the center of all things.
But, shouldn’t that cause the world to just turn and say wow, that God is awesome, in every sense of the word. He is so Great that He would love an un-special, unlovable, insignificant people so the world would see who He is.
I am the farthest thing from “captivating” that there is. That is what is so amazing about God’s love, not that He loves ME, but that HE loves me an unworthy, dirty, selfish, worthless sinner. He is Holy, and Righteous, and yet He is Gracious and has allowed sinners to be cleansed and washed to bring Him more praise. Like John says, “He must increase, I must decrease.”

Overwhelmed with Thankfulness!!

Last week I had a bridal shower at my church. To say it was a blessing would be an understatement. I am still overwhelmed with the giving of my church family. We have more than we dreamed. I am so thankful for the Body, and family that the Lord has given me for so many years. So thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. When Shawn was looking at everything he said he was overwhelmed. It blessed my heart more than I know how to say. Thank you all so much. Thank you for the love that you all have shown me and my family for 24 years, and continue to show. Thank you so much for loving Shawn in the same way. We love you all. Thank you.

August 1

I have been asked so many times on comments and messages I thought I would put it up here. Our wedding is on August 1!!!! We are very excited. It is going to be in the evening.
So, thats the big day!

Istanbul cok ozliyorum!!!

I was just walking outside and a lady told me she liked my necklace, and asked where I got it. I got it in Turkey. When I was shopping with my sweet wonderful friend Ezgi. Oh how much I miss bazaars, the Boshporus, friends, Goztepe, Kadikoy, Turk Kasi, kavurma, cay, kahve dunyasi, and so many things. Istanbul istiyorum.

A tagged me

Tagged by Andrea

4 Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Lifeguard
2. Pine Summit staff
3. Women’s Project Coordinator GSP
4. Admissions Recruiter

4 Movies I’ve Watched More Than Once
1. Newsies
2. Diary of a Mad Black Woman
3. White Christmas
4. Pirates
4 Places I’ve Lived:
1. Beaumont, Ca
2. Riverside, Ca
3. Gayretepe, Istanbul
4. Goztepe, Istanbul

4 TV Shows I Watch/Watched
1. Alias
2. The Amazing Race
3. Law and Order
4. The A Team

4 Places I have Been:
1. Romania
2. Morocco
3. Germany
4. Austria

4 People who email me regularly
1. Shawn
2. Andrea (thanks A)
3. Mom
4. Basak

4 of my favorite foods
1. Burritos
2. Kavurma
3. In’N’ Out anything
4. Fried chicken

4 Places I Would Like to Visit
1. Italy
2. East Coast/New England in the fall
3. New York City
4. Tahiti

Things I am Looking Forward to in the Coming Year
1. My WEDDING!!!
2. Being Shawn’s wife
3. Seeing my Turkey family that come to the wedding
4. New babies – Jeff & A, Imai’s, Nicole

Love you A. I don't normally do these things. Miss you guys.

The rest of the pictures are on facebook.

I'm Engaged!!!!

I can't really believe it still but yes I am engaged.
The Story- We went up to Oak Glen and had a little picnic, then went on a nature trail. We sat on some rocks in a stream, and Shawn had brought our Bibles with him. We started talking, he was telling me about some verses he had been reading and that he wanted them to be us. They are in Hab. and talk about rejoicing in the Lord and how He is our strength. He said eventually I will fail you, but the Lord will not, and He is always our strength and joy. Then he told me he loved me, which was the first time. So I hugged his neck, and said I love you too. Then I heard, "Hey Al" I pulled back and he was holding the ring and said "Will you be my wife?"
After I said yes, he showed me the front of the Bible he had, and it said Allyson Wilhite. That is going to be my name!!!!haha
We went home and family and friends were waiting for us. When I ran in my Dad was playing the Hallelujah chorus real loud. We had dinner and just enjoyed the night. I loved it all. He is amazing!!

The boy

This is Shawn. He is pretty special to me. I know that a lot of you want to know who he is, especially everyone in Turkey. Well here he is. He is a lot of fun. You guys will love him. Yep, I have a boy. hehe

80's party!!

I went to an 80's party with Shawn and his family. It was so much fun. I am only putting one picture up because I'm pretty sure everyone doesn't want the world to see how absolutely amazingly 80's we all looked. So, thanks for letting me join you guys. This is for you Bess.

Cok iyi arkadasim!

This is my friend Elif. I just wanted to show you, this girl because she is more special to me than I can say. I love her. The last two years, I have spent many wonderful times with her, and I miss her sooooo much. She took me all over Istanbul, helped me in so many things, let me be a part of her family, and is a great friend. Her mom is my Turkish mom. I wish I could just go to her house right now, eat domates and biber, and relax all day. She is in my heart. I love you Elif. Seni Cok Ozliyorum!!!!!! Turk Annem seni ozliyorum ve seviyorum.

My heart is still.

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

I just had dinner with a good friend (love ya Coop). She was asking me some of the things that the Lord has been teaching me the last two years. She told me some things that she has observed about how I am different, and I just loved the conversation. This verse is just one of so many that sums up one of the many things I have been learning. I have been learning this for many, many years, not just in Turkey, but I learned it in ways the last two years that I never did before. The Lord has continually showed me He is God, He is sovereign, He is in control of everything. My soul can rest in this, no matter what happens in my life, no matter if I know what’s going on or not. He will be glorified, and exalted. That is what I live for, and it will happen.
Not only is He the Almighty, Holy, Righteous, Ruler God. He is faithful, and always with me. How incredibly humbling, and exciting that is. I get to enjoy Him forever. Yay!!

Amazing invention!

I just have to say that I love the dryer. Yes, it is possible to do laundry and a little bit later wear the clothes. I forgot how that felt. I used the dryer yesterday, I love it.

I’m a little overwhelmed.
I went to Wal-Mart today. All I could do was walk around for a little bit. There are so many choices and things to buy in America. Anything you could ever need to buy is all in one place.
Last night I started to get a little overwhelmed, and its still here a little today. Things happen fast in America. I’m not used to that. I was only gone for 2 years, but it was such a huge part of my life and it changed me. There are a few things that have been making my mind work like crazy these last few weeks, which is why I started to get overwhelmed. My life is changing really fast, everything is. Am I ready for that? We will see.
I am reading Is. 40 right now. I had to stop at verse 8. “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” Yeah, things in my life might seem overwhelming, and change happens fast, but God’s word stands forever. The very thing that has been my Rock, has not changed and is still my Rock. He doesn’t change, He doesn’t get tired. There is none that is His equal. He is faithful, and will always remain faithful. There is no peace like the peace that comes from serving a sovereign God.

My Girls!!

These are my girls! I miss them already. I'm so proud of what they have done this year. They worked hard, and had fun becoming undefeated!!! A coach couldn't ask for a better team. I love you girls, and I miss you. I wish I could be there for the tournament.

Family breakfast, and all the kids on the stairs. Sorry it's sideways.

The Surprise!!

I know a lot of you have been waiting to hear about this and see pictures. I don't have the pictures of my family reactions yet, but I will post them soon.
Christmas Eve morning my family came up to our friends house for brunch. I had made a video and they were going to show my family because I "sent" it with them home. I was with Koren in the video, we made it while I visited Ukraine for Thanksgiving. I said I came home for Christmas I missed you Merry Christmas, but it was in Turkish. then Koren translated but she translated into Russian. That was the end of the video, my family said "What did she say?!" Then I walked out of the back room, and said "I said, I came home for Christmas!" It was great. My mom just started crying, Merea did a double take and then her mouth dropped open, Jenni jumped up and said "I knew it!", Hannah just jumped up and said Allyson, Art's eyes got huge, and my Dad couldn't talk for 20 min. I loved it. It was so much fun.
Then after breakfast we went around town and surprised other close friends. Carrie screamed and jumped on top of me. There was a lot of screaming, and "what in the world are you doing here's." Grandma and Grandpa Teagarden cried. It was a great day, and it was so wonderful to be home for Christmas. I am so happy that it all worked out and I could come.
I will post the other pictures when I get them.