29 Comments
Jun 24, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

hello! My name is Lynette and you know you are one of my dearest friends, Ashley! I'm here because I love doing life with you, learning with you, and hearing everything you have to share. Dead in a ditch without you, really. And now that I'm a mom, I'm bringing something store bought for sure - chips, drinks, fruit, or sweets.... and lots of toddler snacks. lol! Pre-kid I'd make an artichoke dip, homemade lasagna, or party potatoes! Love you xo

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Jun 24, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Hi there. My name is Jennifer from northern Ohio. I heard the podcast with Alison Cook and thoroughly enjoyed it! I’m here to glean whatever help I can to pursue my goal of wholeness. Life can be so hard and journeying together lightens the load and keeps isolation from consuming me. As far as the picnic...I would either bring something fresh like broccoli slaw or something decadent like my mom’s brownie recipe with a delightful oatmeal bottom crust. Looking forward to neighboring 😀

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Jun 24, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

My name is Mim and I’m from the U.K. I’m here to learn and grow towards healthiness. We don’t have cookouts in the U.K., is this like a bbq?! If so, I’m on the salads 😂

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Aug 1, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Hey hey! Alexis here from a tiny town in southeastern North Carolina! I happened upon a Zoom Ashley participated in with Natasha Miller; two of my sister-friends and I all watched together during the height of Covid-19. We all loved Ashley's down-to-earth heart for Jesus and character, and started following her on various platforms.

This season of life is difficult for me. After graduating from physical therapy school, I ended up back in my parents' house struggling to pass my board exam. A year later, I still haven't passed, but I am realizing that this isn't just about the exam. It is about me. Learning to live in the freedom of who I was created to be and truly living. Letting go of the "supposed to be's" and "should be's" and just being. Might sound a bit illusive or woo woo or not make much sense at all. But, when you feel stuck in every area of life making what feels like no progress, you search for meaning, and I'm holding onto the idea that this season of life will have some divine purpose.

My family does not grill hamburgers for the cookout unless I make them, and gettin' personal with hamburger meat is a labor of love, lemme just say, haha! I'm also always pinned for dessert because I love baking, especially from scratch. Plus, I can't end a meal without a little sweet cap!

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Jul 15, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Hi Ashley…and thanks for creating this “neighborhood.” I’m also in SoCal…and I (I may have shared this with you in a different platform, if so forgive me) actually worked with your precious mama years ago at a community hospital here in SoCal. She was one of those people that left a mark on your heart that you just don’t forget. Through social media I started following your musings, and writings, and eventually books. Initially my goal was to be supportive to the daughter of a beloved nursing colleague, but the truth is, I’ve enjoyed your work so much. You are an anointed writer.

So, why am I here? Well, for the recipe swaps, of course!

Actually, I’m here for the “real.” It’s refreshing to hear people of Christian faith speak from a place less high than a throne. I, too, grew up in the Bible Belt. Sweet home, Mississippi. Small town where there was an annual tobacco spit tin’ contest over the chicken house, and of course…a watermelon festival. It’s great to have roots there…and wings to leave. There’s a church on every corner and nobody is having premarital sex, but the teen pregnancy rate of the state leads the nation. And although I’m pro-life, and most things pro-Christian, I’m concerned with the recent legislation regarding abortion…

I hate politics. I also hate money (or the division it causes…I hate white coats in medicine for the same reason). I am also not ignorant of the fact that both are necessary, and are not always evil. I’m not formally educated in political science; but, I hold myself accountable to research and learn enough to be an informed voter, and contributing member of the political society.

I’m also a daughter, of a dying father. The slowest of deaths. The road of dementia. I did everything in my power to save my precious daddy…and despite my efforts, he his mind succumbed to his disease. I’m angry. With God…with life. I use my anger to fuel good…mostly. I try to be a good person, help people, anything I can to share the Love of Jesus Christ that my daddy shared with me. I guess Kylie Morgan was the singer of…I love Jesus, but I cuss a little. There ya go; that’s me! lol

Thank you for having me in the community. I look forward to meaningful conversations, and I love supporting your mission…especially the one where we are all just trying to survive this crazy place called Earth!

Kim

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Jul 7, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Hello From North Texas! My name is Michelle and I discovered you listening to a Podcast you did with Dr. Allison Cook. Your story really resonated with me and I want more. I have been on a wild ride this past year dealing with alcohol addiction to numb and starting to work with a counselor to help work through past trauma. I am looking for connection from others that understand. It is comforting to know that I am not alone.

I smile as I type this, but I always bring moonshine, yes moonshine. It sounds so hick...hahahaha. Something my husband and I have made just for fun and it is something that is always requested. Not your typical cookout food...LOL.

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Jul 7, 2022·edited Jul 7, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Greetings, I'm a little late to the party but-- hey I just moved cross country from California to Tennessee...so I need grace, friends!! (I'm told I get to use the cross country move excuse for AT LEAST 6 months- wink, wink.) Anyway~ I had the privilege of being part of the faith and volunteer community Ashley lead in Los Angeles about a decade ago. I've watched her throughout the years and she's the real deal-- so wise and honest and hilarious, too! Like Lorraine wrote, I value Ashley's way of giving vocabulary to the jumble of thoughts and feelings in my mind, spirit and heart. Ashley has also been helpful in sharing other inspirational writers, speakers and thinkers~ which has pushed me to grow in my faith, learn and think more deeply about HARD things. I hope to feel ALOT less alone here, too!

For the cookout I'd bring Mikki's Molasses Cookies, because they are chewy and perfect...made from my childhood friend's mother's recipe with butter, cinnamon, ginger and cloves!!!

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Jun 30, 2022Liked by Ashley Abercrombie

Hi! I'm Caneeka in the Rocket City and I'm here for the community. I believe deeply, especially during these times, that we need each other. I too also miss the internet feeling like a neighborhood (Facebook 2004 when it only allowed college students) so any opportunity to come into virtual community I'm going to leap to join. I always bring Hawaiian rolls or make a special punch from a recipe I found on Pinterest. lol!

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My name is Leticia and from Central California. I'm here to hang out and see what is happening. I'm here to learn, but more importantly I bring the baked beans and salsa to the cookout!

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Hi, I am Judy, originally from Buffalo and Syracuse N.Y. Living in SW Florida, since the beginning of my 33 yr career and where my 3 daughters were born and raised. I have resisted counseling because any of my experiences with that form of help, hasn't led me to solutions. I found you because, I am a book (audible and written) solution driven person. When I have a problem, I research, the title of my problem and hope to come up with the book and author, whom I can embrace , and then, I listen over and over again, until their words, become mine. Recently the book Unoffendable by Brant Hansen, has been working great... however, me being Unoffendable, has my husband upset, that I don't care when he is upset!!! So now my search is..how to have a Healthy disagreement. (the book, Love is the Resistance) is what came up. Divorced from my daughters dad, I am with another man, whom I "thought" God sent to me, because, I met him in church. UGH... I LOVE Jesus and am Devoted to being a follower. I am at a funny time in my life, My daughters are grown, one has 3 children, I haven't met because her husband is so easily offended by anything I say or do, I just know I would cause her MORE pain than happiness, if I tried to directly be in their lives. Another just got married and wants to spend time with her husband, the other lives very far away and just began a new and what appears to be (Thank you Jesus) a Very Happy relationship with a Great guy. I don't need to WIN, I want to be heard. This man I am with is 18 yrs older than me and is always looking for his ego to be stroked. At this time in my life, I am finished with stroking....... If I don't agree with him, he reminds me of how "negative" I am . I honestly am over this relationship, however, I want God to be in control, not me. So I am wanting to learn How to happily, in a more positive tone, disagree and not be lectured or cornered into a hour long conversation, without losing my "self".

For the picnic, I will bring Toby Keith music on spodify, with my cordless speaker, Freshly cut, bite-sized, watermelon and freshly made salsa with cilantro and Beanitos !

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Hi! My name is Peter and I’m from Northern Virginia. I’m a long time listener of Why Tho’ and really appreciate the insights you and Tiffany share. You have been a real encouragement. At the moment, I’m working through living with a son going thru his Prodigal Son phase. Cook out go to: Ina Gartin’s potato salad. Although the last two times I made focaccia (like so many others folks, I got on the pandemic bread baking train)

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Crissy from NYC!! I’m here because you are a true example of Jesus and I love listening to what you have to say. It’s calming in a time much needed.

A cookout… I can’t remember the last time I went to one!! City life. Does bringing wine to a restaurant count? Ubereats?

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