Ashley’s remarkable journey of hope, healing, and faith began after a traumatic accident where the Amtrak train she was riding collided with a semi-truck. In that accident, Ashley lost her mother, two friends, a niece, and her right foot was amputated below the knee. Her story of recovery and healing from this event unfolded as she grew through adolescence and into adulthood, as did her faith journey.

“During this season of my life (from about 8-10 years old), I would not say that I was close to the Lord. You wouldn’t think that, because my script [to others] was, “All the girls are in Heaven,” “The Lord saved me from the accident,” etc. But my relationship with God was pretty distant. I do remember praying, but my faith was kind of a label and something that I heard others around me talking about, so I just repeated what they said. Granted, I was really young.”

And even as she healed physically, Ashley lived with a significant level of anxiety that would later be diagnosed as PTSD. “I heard people say that I was strong and a survivor, so I internalized that my behavior and emotions were in sync with that persona for years.” She persevered in uncovering and facing that pain through therapy and her growing faith as she matured.

“I am thankful for both the good and the bad—but I’m not going to lie, it’s not always easy to be thankful. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard sometimes.”

Growing and Healing with God

“Growing up, I saw the Lord as the healer and the protector—as someone who let me survive an accident. But in college, I started to see my brokenness and my immense need for a savior. I learned that without the Lord’s grace, I wouldn’t even have all of this “strength” that I claimed to possess and that it is not weak to be sad, angry, or frustrated with the circumstances that we go through. It’s okay to mourn, just as Jesus did.”

Ashley’s life and work opened to even more healing and joy after she graduated from college, got married, and began pursuing her dream of becoming a therapist. “What I’ve come to learn over the years is that the Lord is no less good to us in times of immense sorrow than he is in times of intense joy. That is not in His character. He was no less good to me the second that train crashed than he was to me on my wedding day. In reflecting on my life and how the Lord has taught me and grown me in faith in Him, I am thankful for both the good and the bad—but I’m not going to lie, it’s not always easy to be thankful. Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard sometimes.”

This acceptance of her unique journey has led Ashley to a healthy place where gratitude and faith prevail. “I am thankful that I was in an accident that allows me to have a physical representation of the Lord’s goodness. I still want to stress, it’s okay for me to grieve my mom and the other girls dying in the wreck—that’s important psychologically. I am thankful that through this sorrow and pain, people around the country have been able to hear our story and see the goodness of how the Lord cares for his people when they face unfathomable trials.”

Ashley’s Journey with Friends of Bethany

The Friends of Bethany team has been so blessed to build a relationship with Ashley over the years and to witness her continued success since she attended her first Beautifully Flawed Retreat in 2014.

“I learned about Friends of Bethany through Lauren Scruggs Kennedy and Lisa Curlee in 2014. They both attended the first retreat and raved about what an amazing experience it was! I have attended as a retreat leader every year since.”

Ashley has also joined forces with Lauren and Lisa at the Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation where she now serves as the Director. Their mission is to provide funding for girls and women to receive cosmetic silicone coverings for their prostheses, with the hope that they will experience both physical and spiritual restoration and healing. “I continue to be so excited and fulfilled by my work with The Lauren Scruggs Kennedy Foundation,” Ashley shares. “It’s such an honor to serve our recipients and walk in this journey with them.”