Asher Daniel Chappell

The Trip to Texas

Before we left Raleigh I was in a bad mood for a few days and I think it was because I knew I had to say goodbye to my beloved home, street, neighbors, and my son's gravesite. That area of town really dug in deep to my soul and has changed me forever. I didn't know so much would ever happen there and that I would be impacted with souls who are kindred and live next door, souls who are lost and blind who would knock on my door and wave at me every day,a soul who would give birth to a soul that is a miracle, and a soul who would never see that street with his eyes but would leave his body nearby while he forever enjoys the face and glories and delights of our Savior.  We said goodbye and it took a good 1000 miles before those sorrows lifted off my heart and mind. Sure to be revisited again and never forgotten and always aware from whose Hands they were given by. I'm left humbled, grateful and full of expectation. 

What a great trip we had. I am very lucky to have a husband who is always looking for adventure especially when we travel and in-laws who were game for new sights!  

*traveling snack of choice. :o) 

We headed to Atlanta and went downtown and saw the Olympic Fountains and sat there a while. I loved seeing all the kids run around getting soaked and can't wait till zoe and her future brothers or sisters will be old enough to run and scream through fountains like that. 

We took the Chappells to the top of the Westin and saw the Atlanta skyline and surrounding areas. Then we stayed the night at My brother John's In laws house. (Sarah's parents) What a welcome and blessing they were to us. They fed us and sent us to bed and fed us a kings breakfast the next morning. Thank you Walkers!! You're such a blessing and I'm so glad we're family! 

Next stop was New Orleans. Can I say I just loved New Orleans. It exceeded my expectations for that city. Such a flare!!! love it. We ate at Emerils and had wonderful food there, it all had the BAM! factor. :o) Except that Judy ordered redfish and ended up with Rabbit. Here we were willing our minds to make this interesting dish Redfish and couldn't put our finger on the flavors that were so unexpected from the dish. Then the tab came and it said Rabbit on it and when we asked them, they said yes, that's what you ordered. Now, if the four of us hadn't been so worn out and tired I would imagine we would have made a big issue over it, but we just laughed and then felt a little queasy after the guys started making peter cotton tail jokes about it.   

We ate at Cafe Du Monde and Oh my starry eye surprise.... I LOVE that place. I could eat a ton of those french donuts... I did actually.  That started day three of the trip and we headed down the last stretch towards Fort Worth. 

We got here and Mom fixed us a great dinner and we crashed for the night. Got up the next morning and unloaded the truck. It's hard to imagine a smaller place than what we were living in Raleigh... but this is it. But it's becoming home and it's allowing us to save some money as well. It's hard to not feel as if this street is empty to me, but I know and trust that God has us exactly where He wants us and for His glory and our joy. There are souls nearby and I hope to be impacted by them soon. My brother lives next door and already he has cared for us well just by his coming over and being here. 

Dan and I are funny, he adjusts to change a lot faster than I do and usually by the time I'm getting adjusted and planting my feet good and deep, he's ready for more change. He's really stretched me and convicted me with his willingness to go where God leads with a joyful heart. And I think I bring encouragement to the table when God lets roots grow somewhere and Dan is wanting some change. So we're perfect for each other!! :o)  Speaking of, the only thing hotter than the temp (which registered 106 in our car today) is my husband!!  

I photographed a wedding the next day after we moved. (don't recommend that to you photographers out there, but God sustained!) and I'll be off to Florida the day after tomorrow to capture another and then back to Raleigh for yet another! It's wedding season full on right now!~  But we're having fun and having great brides and grooms! 

Zoe is starting to take off crawling and sitting up by herself, it's funny those things somehow happen overnight. She is being a lot more verbal and loves all this attention. 

I had to teach her for the first time what No means today. I was sad and proud all at the same time. I mean we've said no before but not with a smack on the hand and a stern look. whew! She didn't know what to think of that. She kept looking at my face and wondering where my adoring smile was. But I know she has to learn that soon for her safety sake. But it's amazing to me how much she wanted that forbidden thing even when put to the test.  She is constantly teaching me about God and His love for His children. I'm so glad God saw fit to give us her when He didn't have to give us anything.  

zoe's father day picture

Both Dan and Mr. Chappell adore Zoe in this red dress so it made sense to get them a framed photo of her in it for Father's Day!  My friend Andrea took these and they are awesome! Thanks girl. 

not long now

Just been seeing friends, cleaning/packing, wrapping up the last Twilight book...finally! *it's so good. :o)  Up to my eyeballs in weddings and editing, you know it's bad when the computer is the very last thing to get packed. missing zoe... it's not too bad being gone from her because I can get so much done with her taken care of but you can but I'll be more than ready to see her by wednesday.  

i miss you blog

I feel so out of touch. I haven't had time or opportunities to write on here and the days and hours are just flying by and filled with so much. 

My trip to texas went wonderful. Zoe did great on the flight and just had a one minute meltdown until I got her bottle ready. But she charms anyone she meets these days. She's a great conversation starter. love it!  She is now in Texas with my parents and 7 of my siblings, 2 dogs and then some! so She's got lots to love on her. And that frees me up to pack and wrap up a lot of work details that I have been really behind on lately. I miss her already yes, but I think after really understanding what it means to give a child back to God forever, I think it's helped me have a lot more open hand to letting others love on and keep Zoe for longer times. I love knowing that she is impacting my family members and that they have so much love to give her. She is blessed. I am blessed to have them in my life. 

I took several times to just go driving in Fort Worth and I now know my way around enough to get to the airport, find target, walmart, starbucks and a host of other shopping. It's really easy layout it seems. Tony (my youngest brother, 13) introduced me to QT his most favorite gas station with tons of slurpie flavors and my family has found a great NY Pizza place. So I feel a little more at home already there. 

I can't wait to write more about my family on here. You will get a kick out of my brothers especially. They are so much fun to be around and such loving kids. Tony and Joel both gave me daily foot rubs. I mean seriously, aren't they awesome! 

So, hopefully I"ll post a few more times on here before we hit the road. We've got a really great road trip planned with Dan's parents to TX. so I'll tell you about that as well.  

Love you all!  

time is flying by too fast

Goodness, I can't believe I'll be leaving on thursday to take zoe down to texas to stay with my parents while we pack and drive a moving truck down. (zoe doesn't travel well as far as keeping formula down so I thought it best to fly her down first since the drive is so long) 

SO much has been going on. We got to say hello and goodbye to so many people this weekend and even met people I didn't even know but after just a few minutes I felt totally at home around. 

We will miss you all so much. But I hope to still keep everyone up to date on this blog! 

April is settling into a restoration house that a lady runs in north raleigh. It has it's difficulties and it is still new to her so she's liking some things and frustrated by a lot of other things. She went to church on sunday and told me all about the skit that someone did about a miracle in the bible. (skits are definitely a memorable way to share the words of the bible!) She met lots of people and remembered so many of your names as she was telling me about you all. Thank you for loving on her this week. From the family get together, church and the going away party she was well loved on and treated so kindly.  

She was the April that I've had the priviledge of getting to know this weekend. I was telling someone that there are two April's in her. One is so sweet and even open to others. She is relaxed and remembers things about others. She has manners and seems to be very grateful for whatever is done for her. Then there is the other April, I call this the april off the streets. She's guarded, defensive, thinks others are out to get her or flirt with her or take her money. She is rude and demanding. She is impatient and unreasonable. And she doesn't focus on you but is always scanning the scene around her I'm not really sure what for. *maybe habit off the street? 

Anyway, I know that it's not about good april vs. bad april. I just can tell the difference when she lets her guard down and when she has it up. And I keep asking God to soften her heart and allow those walls to come down that separate her from Him.  

Some things I've learned though in being her friend and being one that wants to show Christ to her: 

• Be consistent. If I say I'm going to do something she'll hold me to it. She's used to being let down or not thought of so I think she expects it not to happen but hopes I'll come through. This has been big for me because I'm not typically your make it happen girl, I am forgetful and so many things I want to do don't get done. But I'm having to really stretch in that area so that I'm faithful to my word with her as not to paint a bad picture of God's faithfulness. 
• Allow her to be her and not the person I want her to be. She's not a christian. She's not even nessicarily quitting drugs and her previous life because she thinks it was wrong. So I have to understand that if she wants to date a guy who is probably not the best for her then I can't say she can't date him. I can encourage her to be careful. But otherwise we've had to just show kindness to this guy as well. I also keep having to remind her, as she talks trash about someone else's bad habits (like stealing, she thinks it's worse to steal than do what she's done) that she's not any better. I told her that whereas she struggles with one thing someone else may battle another but we're all sinners and do terrible things.  
• Keep reminding her that motherhood is a sacrifice. Sure the streets weren't ideal for her but at least she had her freedom and could go wherever whenever. (we all know she was in bondage and wasn't free but it didn't feel that way to her) SO now that she's having to stay in one place, be totally dependent upon others, and have to worry about where future income will come from, she gets frustrated and feels trapped. I have to keep reminding her that in motherhood we have to do things that we may not want to for the sake of our children and their future.   
• I'm learning that it's a lot more challenging to have nothing (no drivers license, no car, no job, no money) and live outside the downtown area. But thanks to so many of you who are stepping up to help in whatever way God has gifted you in she is getting her needs met slowly but surely. But I guess I'm saying I know maybe why downtowns attract some of the most needy.  And why it's tempting for her to want to go back down here. 
• I've learned that I have to be very clear with what I have to offer her. i.e. If I have to be home by noon then I need to tell her that I can take her to this place and this place but no matter what I have head home at this time. Or I will be very clear with what I can help with, April I can't buy you groceries right now but I'm prepared to get us lunch today.  I don't ever give her money!! This has been our rule of thumb since moving downtown for anyone. I think she needs money but I want to help her choose wisely what she needs to spend it on. i.e walmart gift cards vs. cash. phone card vs. cash, etc. I want her to feel loved but also to feel the weight of not having money to just use on anything she wants. And I think it keeps her from having to be afraid someone might steal it from her.  
• Here are some needs that she has currently that maybe some of you might be able to help with: Please email me if you feel able to help in any way!    caseylynn_78@yahoo.com
• She needs clothes size 14 womens.  
• She needs a job that she can work at several days a week. (she doesn't have a highschool dimploma, but she's great at doing tasks and serving people and cleaning up and even great with kids. *I'm hoping she'll get a job taking care of tables somewhere like golden corral  
• She needs rent paid for. Where she is staying has a cost, not much but still a cost. At the end of this week unless she has a job she won't have any way to pay her rent. She is trying to get a job but we know how that can be in these times. And really until someone gives her a chance to prove herself, she may find it difficult to get a job.      
• She needs rides to church (Open Door Baptist) on sunday morning and sunday night 
• She needs Jesus: Please People of God pray that God opens her heart and brings her to repentance and to see her need of Him. I know God can save her and I don't want to be guilty of thinking He won't or can't. Seriously, we can do all the above and without a relationship with Her Creator all of it doesn't help her ultimately. But I do think that meeting needs is a great way of showing the mercy that God offers to a lost soul. Join me in Praying diligently for her heart. I know that's where true hope for her future and healing from her past will come from. 

You're Invited!

I know many of you haven't met Zoe yet and many of you we haven't seen in a long time. So come by and say Hello and we'll say goodbye as we prepare to move to Fort Worth Texas the end of this month. (Zoe and I actually flying down a week from today!) Yikes that's soon! 
It's a drop in party and feel free to stop in anytime. We'll have desserts and coffee.  We can't wait to see you all ! ! ! ! !  Bring your kids too. :o) 

Date:	Sunday, June 14, 2009
Time:	3:00pm - 6:00pm
Location:	Wakefield Glen Apartment Clubhouse
Street:	2400 Garden Hill Drive, Raleigh, NC 27614
City/Town:	Raleigh, NC
	View Map

Phone:	9197237373
Email:	caseylynn_78@yahoo.com

** WakeField Glen is really in Wake Forest right off of Falls of Nuese Rd. 

changes for april

now if you're new to this blog you may be thinking the month of April is long gone. But I'm talking about my friend April who used to be homeless and walking my street just 6 months ago. selling her body to get her a days worth of numbing drugs so she wouldn't have to think of the growing baby inside her. She had a baby boy who was born a miracle and he's doing great. She has completed the rehab and accomplished the goals the state set before her to have full custody of Altashkith."Tash" The place in Pembrooke was seemingly not challenging her enough and she was having some difficulty with some of the women there. (I would think a house full of women with big troubles and stresses wouldn't be very easy to live in) 

Anyway, She came back to Raleigh this week and we have found her a new home for now at a Place called Restoration Ministeries. Ms. Barbara Y. is the woman who has opened up her home for men and women who are trying to get their life on track after derailment. And she really emphasizes the great need for God in their life in order to gain happiness and peace and purpose. They have devotions and bible study and local church involvement there. 

April was, and probably still is, a little nervous and iffy about this place. I mean even at an urban church like TCC she was like a fish out of water, I think anytime you take her away from the streets she's going to be feeling that way for a while. She battles with being in great need but yet being too prideful to ask for help, sometimes she'll even make unwise financial choices because she's too prideful to verbalize her need. I'm really working with her on that.  But I'm realizing that my time to be near in location to her is limited. It's really hard for me to think of moving far away from her. Her little family and my little family have come to really love each other the past year. (I can't believe she's been in my life almost a whole year) That's where I'm hoping and praying the people of God will come in a water these tiny seeds in her life. 

So, I guess I"m begging you for prayers on her behalf. Pray for Salvation. Pray for Wisdom in living and parenting and in hearing the gospel day in and day out there. Pray for Barbara Y. She's a scrappy woman who loves these people but she needs prayer warriors who are praying for her transitional family week by week.  

April has needs in this home. She is working on a job and childcare but a few things are needed for her and Tash until everything can be worked out. After calling about jobs and childcare at a few places I can really see how frustrating it would be to be in her place and needing a job but needing childcare first but in order to pay for childcare she needs a job. ughhh!! not to mention not having a car through all this. Now, don't hear me saying that she didn't bring this on herself. We all have choices in life and she has definitely made a lot of big ones. But I think that it's at desperate times like these that God's Rescuing Love really shines and can enter into a person's life when all other options have failed. He still remains Faithful and True. He saves. And I really am asking Him to Save her.  Also, other's needs is an area where I think the body of Christ as a whole can really shine no matter where you are financially or location.  Here are some of her immediate needs. 

• It costs $500 a month for her to stay at this amazing place. The local church she'll be involved in will probably be able to help her consistently with different needs and possibly her rent. But I know they will also have more of an opportunity to meet very practical needs that come up each week. Some of you can help who are long distance just by helping sponsor her in part each month. Seriously, a little bit can go a long way.  
• She has a 5 month old so some of you may have some handmedowns (sz 3 mo+) and could also pick up extra baby food jars or diapers/wipes here and there.  
• She needs clothes size 14 pants/shorts and L or XL shirts.  
• She needs encouragement. Maybe a scripture on a card or just some encouraging words or a visit or being able to run her to the store or mall or walk with her and the baby around the neighborhood. 
• Open Door People: She is going to hopefully be coming to church on sundays and Barbara's house is very close by. So any kindness and endurance (because she might not know how to respond to excessive kindness right now) will go a long way to show the gospel to her. There are several ABF classes talking about ways that they can help in different areas. Ask your friends if they want to join in helping April however you are gifted. I love that about the church body... so many gifts and God uses each and every one to accomplish the work of the kingdom.*   

   If you have the opportunity to help in any of these ways please email me and I'll figure out where and how you can get these things to her.  caseylynn_78@yahoo.com   *Open Door Members I know Kevin and Jessica Jones or Wes and Angey Price will know of ways you can help her as well. 

Here are a few photos from Monday!  Mom, April takes the quilt you made Tash Everywhere!! 

Tash is wondering what this crazy black girl is shrieking about next to him. He's way chill. :o)

a little bit of what I've been up to lately.

Funny how I was just saying that I missed alone time and here I am with a few hours of just me and God and my computer time (and a mix of 90's and country music that Dan would never listen to and zoe can't appreciate yet.:o)  And I just wanted to spend a few of these minutes with you. I really love my blog readers! So just to remind all of you... I love you guys.  

Here are some pics from some photo sessions I've done lately. Normally I shoot weddings 90% of the time. ( And I'm right in the middle of a BUSY wedding season. We've had so much fun at each wedding!) But occasionally I find time to squeeze some family life sessions in the mix. These families are each very special to me... 

The Raffertys. Traci and I went to seminary together and she just is a great momma and has really shared in my sorrows this past year. She lost her father this past year and sometimes I can just look in her eyes and I know she is fighting for joy yet embracing the pain. 

The Campbells: Christy and I go WAAAAYY Back. She was a summer missionary at my church when I was 15 I think. She lived with us that summer and she was the most creative person I had ever met. God brought her family and Brittany and I to Seminary the same year and her oldest Abigail was probably one of my first kid photo shoots. She's such a young lady now. 

The Campbells adopted Abe from Ethiopia this year and we had to get a family photo with him in it. I love this family to pieces. I hope God keeps bringing our lives together throughout the years. 

Abigail with Zoe

The Westers: This family has loved me well through the years since coming to North Carolina. They were a family at Wood Baptist where I went to church during college. Sonya and I went on a mission trip together and had an awesome time in Prague! Her girls were very special to me and were both in my wedding 5 years ago. You girls just get more beautiful with every year that goes by. (but I know their daddy and any guy who gets through him will have to be a really good guy)

Here with their cousins. 

6 months old

Zoe turned 6  months old this week and she's weighing in at 14lbs 1oz. (she's still wearing sz 1 diapers!!) She's a tiny girl but she's learning so much each and every day it seems. 

She's a momma's girl through and through and it's so hard to get anything done during the day because she just wants to be talked to all the time. She loves interacting with people and loves little details on stuff like zippers, threads, designs, and colors! She's such a girl. 

The Chappell's have a tradition of celebrating the first half birthday so Mrs. Chappell made her a half b-day cake and a present. So we had fun with her opening her present and she loved it! (We are huge UNC fans so the present was just the first of many UNC toys to enter our home in the coming years.)  It is fun to see how she's grown and document the past six months. I have a feeling the next six months will fly by, but looking back it seems like six months ago were years ago.

 I feel as though last year was like a long restless night and this year feels kinda like the morning fog after that night.(you know that feeling when you're so tired you're talking and just hoping you don't say something that doesn't make sense, like one day after pulling a late night for exams my mouth told Angey Happy Birthday when my brain meant to say Have a good day. Oh did we laugh!)   I get very quiet but also affectionate when I'm tired and for some reason I always accomplish more than I think I can when I'm tired I guess because I'm thinking I"m not going to get much done because I need sleep. That's a little similar to my life right now. So often find myself very tired and yet thankful it's morning. I think to myself A LOT, I tend to feel very needy for affection (which zoe gives me thousands of kisses daily.. or should I say I steal them from her!!:o)  And I am still getting photo shoots, editing, traveling, phone calls, packing, planning, cranked out despite not seeming to have any time to do so.  

 God is good and He daily...moment by moment is sustaining me and giving me more grace than ever. I do miss the alone times that I had to just grieve and be alone,  I cherished those intimate days with God, I really did. But I can't imagine life without zoe girl. God is teaching me so much through her and my caring for her and what I feel for her. She is such a good baby. Happy 1/2 birthday sweetheart!  

Texas... Ready or not here we come!

I've been meaning to write this post for a while now.... 

God has really done so much in our lives the past few years... really the past 10 years as He has changed, strengthened, grown, challenged, humbled, and softened our hearts and put in it a strong desire to be in ministry in urban settings and reaching out to groups of people that might not have churches reaching out to them. Dan has loved teaching and in it has really discovered the gifts God has given him and the love for teaching others the truths of His word.

 For the past few years we have been church members at various churches and even have led in different capacities here and there. But since Dan and I got married we have continually found ourselves in positions of wanting to be in leadership and having big dreams and passions for good works. But time and time again God has pulled us back and shown us that He still was working in us at very base levels that had to be changed and grown in order for us to be able to reach out and truly teach and show the gospel in a worthy way. Now, He is STILL doing that and working in us in very big ways! But for the first time in five years we have felt the freedom to take a step in a new direction and begin to accomplish some things that have been on our hearts for a long time.  

Dan started to get his masters at Southeastern right after we got married and quickly found out that as a new husband and being new at teaching he needed to focus on his family and job for the time being. And he is so glad he did and has loved the past 5 years at North Raleigh Christian Academy. 

Not long ago we found out that we have the opportunity to finish his masters and live near my family at Southwestern Seminary. We will still be able to pay down debt and Dan will continue teaching in a nearby christian high school. So after praying about it and looking at various aspects of what moving would entail we finally decided to step out and do this!!! 

So, all that to say, We are moving to Ft. Worth Texas!! We will be leaving the end of June and moving on campus at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Please pray for us as we prepare for this change and leave family and friends here and that God would pave the way for even greater change in our hearts as He continues to prepare us and use us in the work of His kingdom.... whatever that looks like! ** Fort worth is not only home to SWBTS it is a great city that we can't wait to explore and experience. There is the stockyards, the botanical gardens, and the water gardens (pictured below) and lots more there and in nearby dallas! 

Raleigh: 

*  Raleigh will always be home for my husband and our family to an extent because we have family (i.e a little niece, sorry britt it's already becoming about her!! :o)  and deep friendships here that we will want to visit with at holidays and summer times!  

** Zoe's birthmother is here and that's someone who will be a part of our life for a long long time. She is very dear to Dan and I and to Zoe. So we will be coming back to see her as well. 

*** I am still going to base my photography business out of Raleigh!! I have several weddings this year and next that I'll be coming back for and bringing Zoe girl (Dan's parents are loving that!!) . I'm even hoping to book more weddings both here in North Carolina and in Texas because I have the most awesome team of photographers!! Poiema can really capture weddings like no one else! So Brides-to-be just know that you want to book us ahead of time so we can plan to capture your day that you'll remember forever.