Welcome to Episode 17 of the In the Name of Service Podcast with host and psychologist, Dr. Barb Thompson. Here, she broadcast stories of everyday men and women who’ve answered a call to serve others in hopes of inspiring and catalyzing the rest of us to follow suit in our own way. Today’s interview is with Ashley Wilson, counseling psychology graduate student at Liberty University. You’ll quickly realize that Ashley’s interview is a bit different from those previous to hers. Ashley’s story is exceptional not because she can reflect on a long career of service she’s already endured, but because she embodies the incredible character necessary to serve others well even at a young age. Barb knew Ashley from a distance when Ashley was in High School because they attended the same church. Since then, she’s had the privilege of watching Ashley grow these last few years and admire how courageously she faces life's twists, turns, and even tragedies with grace and wisdom beyond her years. Whether it’s facing the fact that her life-long dream of being in Vet medicine wasn’t going to happen, or the loss of her brother to suicide, Ashley may be young, but has no less experience in loss. Today Ashley speaks about how early in life she felt an additional responsibility to serve others, her journey in learning the difference between interests and giftings, the importance of gaining perspective through mission trips to Honduras, Costa Rica, and Uganda, and the lesson that through the toils of life, we become stronger. I hope this episode encourages you to keep taking that next right step in your own story and that it also highlights the importance of nourishing the lives of the young people in your life. Thank you for listening!