MIXTAPE: Songs for Ashley, Far Away

She was only 12 when we first met her.

My husband and I had recently adopted our first child, and we were looking for a babysitter.

My friend Wendy recommended one of the girls in her middle school bible study.

And so we entrusted our tiny newborn to Ashley for a few hours so we could go out on a date.

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Ashley, beautiful inside and out

Fast forward 9 years.

Our kids are 9, 7, and 5. And Ashley, who’s now putting herself through college, is like a family member to us after all the hours she’s watched our kids. Loved on our kids is actually a better way to describe it.

Sitters like Ashley don’t come around often. We are so grateful to have her in our lives!

She’s been a great role model for our kids. I love her curiosity and her depth of character, and I’m inspired by her passion. I learned about Invisible Children through her, as she tirelessly labored to establish a local chapter at her high school when she was a teenager.

Now she’s embarking on her biggest adventure (yet.) This morning she boarded a plane headed for Cambodia, where she will spend her summer as part of a program called Projects Abroad.

Cambodian kids
Photo credit: Projects Abroad

Specifically, she’ll be working for a local group called the Vocational Training and Development Organization, which works with children who come from poorer families, orphans from families living with HIV/AIDS, and children who work in garbage collection. The program gives special attention to kids who have previously been unable to continue their public education as a result of poverty.

One request she made for her trip was for her friends to make playlists for her. It’s been a long time since I’ve put together a new mixtape, so I thought this would be the perfect occasion to do so.

Another request she’s made is to collect donations so she can buy the Cambodian kids school supplies, shoes, or whatever needs become apparent as she works with them. If you’d like to contribute to this cause, you can click here to give through ChipIn/Paypal. I know she would be grateful for even $5 or $10.

Two days before Ashley left, she posted the following quote from B.M. Trevelayan on her FB page:

“Never tell a young person that anything cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for someone ignorant enough of the impossible to do that very thing.”

I think that encapsulates Ashley’s spirit so well.

So Ashley, this mixtape is for you. We love you and are so proud of you!

Songs for Ashley, Far Away

1. Song For You Far Away – James Taylor
2. The House You’re Building – Audrey Assad
3. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
4. With My Own Two Hands – Jack Johnson & Ben Harper
5. When the Saints – Sara Groves
6. Vienna – Billy Joel
7. Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
8. O Love That Will Not Let Me Go – Chris Rice
9. SMS [Shine] – David Crowder Band
10. Best Days – Graham Colton
11. Grace – U2
12. How the Day Sounds – Greg Laswell
13. Shine Like It Does – INXS
14. Faithful God – Laura Story
15. Shelter – Lone Justice
16. Deliver Me – Michele Wagner
17. Viva la Vida – Coldplay
18. Psalm 51 – Charlie Peacock
19. What a Wonderful World – Beth Orton
20. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
21. Shaking the Tree – Peter Gabriel
22. You Move Me – Susan Ashton
23. Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
24. Up to the Mountain (MLK Song) – Patty Griffin