After being baptized and confirmed into the Catholic Church on March 30th, 2024, something even more profound began to unfold rapidly in my life. Experiencing the true depth and power of the Sacraments firsthand was absolutely incredible.

While the night of my baptism and confirmation was a profound encounter with the outward signs of God’s grace, what followed was something deeply personal—an undeniable encounter with the Holy Spirit that transformed the way I live, pray, perceive my faith, discern truth, walk in obedience, intercede for others, and experience His peace, joy, and boldness. For decades, I had believed the Holy Spirit was guiding me—and while that was true, I was unaware of the fullness I was missing.

This fullness is often referred to as being “baptized by the Holy Spirit”—a moment when the power of the Holy Spirit becomes fully alive within us, equipping us to walk in boldness and authority for the Kingdom of God.

“We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For he who has died is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6–7).

Growing up in a Protestant environment, I often heard about being “baptized by the Holy Spirit,” but without the sacramental context, it was presented as something more abstract. After my confirmation, I came to understand it differently. Being baptized by the Holy Spirit wasn’t about emotional highs or fleeting inspiration—it was about dying to myself and receiving the strength to take up my cross and genuinely follow Him. It was a Spirit-given empowerment, not for comfort or self-assurance, but for surrender, sacrifice, and obedience to Christ—no matter the cost.

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).

That verse came alive for me. Water baptism brought cleansing and new life; confirmation sealed me with the Holy Spirit. But this “baptism by fire” ignited something deeper—an authority that wasn’t my own, but God’s. It was the authority to pray with boldness, to stand firm in truth, and to intercede with confidence.

Up until that point, I now realize I had been living with a lukewarm faith—trying to follow Jesus while still clinging to my own control. I was still making decisions in my own strength, at least part of the time. But the fire of the Holy Spirit burned away that divided loyalty, calling me into full surrender.

Even more miraculously, the enemy’s stronghold creating a “fear of man,” which had enslaved me for four decades, was finally broken.

The fear of man is the spiritual trap of being overly concerned with the opinions, approval, or rejection of others. It breeds worry, anxiety, and insecurity about how we are perceived—and often leads us into cycles of people-pleasing, self-comparison, criticism, and judgment of others. Instead of living freely in the fear of the Lord, we become trapped in a loop of striving, performing, and reacting to human opinion rather than God’s truth.

Since that moment, my walk with the Lord has been radically transformed—just ask anyone who spends time with me! One might assume this transformation would lead to a life filled with constant joy and praise, but the reality is more complex. Jesus calls us to “deny [ourselves], take up [our] cross daily, and follow [Him]” (Matthew 16:24, RSV-CE)—and that is exactly what happened to me. This has been hard breaking bondage that traces back generations. Yet despite the challenges, redemptive suffering—though difficult—is utterly glorious.

I am no longer simply navigating my faith; I am being led by the Holy Spirit in ways that surprise and humble me. This baptism by the Holy Spirit fuels every part of my mission. Whether in marriage, motherhood, functional medicine, or stewarding the land, I feel guided, strengthened, and equipped by the Jesus every single day. 

When we finally decide to breakup with a lukewrm faith, we step out of darkness and into His marvelous light. But sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ—is lifelong. It is the Holy Spirit’s daily work of refining our hearts, convicting us of sin, comforting us in our weakness, and shaping us into vessels of His glory. It’s a continual filling that happens as we surrender more and more of ourselves to God, dying to ourselves daily.

We are all called to boldness—but not the kind the world offers. Not the kind built on personality, performance, or discipline. Boldness in the Holy Spirit is different. It is born of surrender, fueled by grace, and rooted in the power of God working within us. This is the kind of boldness that equips us to stand firm in every battle we face—whether in our marriage, our home, our work, or our communities.

We are also called to raise up the next generation with conviction and clarity. If you are a parent, grandparent, teacher, or mentor, the Holy Spirit is ready to equip you to guide those entrusted to you. Raising children in a world hostile to holiness is no small task—but it is possible through the strength of the Spirit. Teach them how to walk in faith. Show them what it means to pray without ceasing. Help them test everything against the light of Sacred Scripture and clothe themselves daily in the full armor of God.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

This is more than a spiritual suggestion—it’s a way of life. And we must pass it on to our children so they remain deeply rooted in Christ, resilient against the lies of the world.

We are also called to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our marriages. Your relationship with your spouse is meant to reflect Christ and His Church. Whether your marriage feels strong or strained, the Holy Spirit desires to bring deeper discernment, unity, healing, and joy. He can end all enemy attacks, refine your communication, soften your hearts, and strengthen your shared commitment to God’s design. When a husband leads spiritually and a wife walks beside him in grace and reverence, the fruit is undeniable. Who wouldn’t long for that kind of restoration and intimacy?

We are also called to allow the Holy Spirit to heal our relationships with family, friends, and the broader community. When we begin to see Christ in all people, something shifts—we activate the servant’s heart within us and no longer tolerate toxic, exclusive, or drama-filled relationships. Jesus leads us to forgive, to reconcile, and to let go of bitterness and division. We must be intentional about cultivating healthy friendships that strengthen our walk with the Lord—relationships rooted in truth, grace, and accountability, not sin or spiritual compromise. And we are not called to stay isolated in holy circles—we are called to step out and serve. The poor, the lonely, the marginalized, the hurting—they are Christ in disguise. A Spirit-filled life is not self-contained; it overflows into love for others, especially those who can never repay us.

We are called to invite the Holy Spirit into our vocations as well. Whether you work in ministry, medicine, business, homemaking, education, or farming—Jesus wants to lead you there too. For me, the Holy Spirit reshaped the way I practice functional medicine and nurture the community. I’ve learned to lean not on my own understanding, but on His wisdom—to discern with clarity, to speak truth with gentleness, and to walk each day under His guidance.

Whatever your calling is, He is the one who equips you. Jesus gifted us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to be our Helper, our Comforter, and our guide into all truth (John 14:16–17; John 16:13)—so that we might invite Him into every decision, every conversation, every mission. You do not have to carry the weight alone.

Being baptized by the Holy Spirit is not about chasing emotional highs. It’s about a lifelong journey of surrender, sanctification, and Spirit-led mission. It means living as a disciple in every part of life—whether in worship or work, in the quiet or the chaos. It’s about being continually filled so that you can walk out your unique calling with courage, authority, and deep, abiding joy.

We are all called to this.

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, RSV-CE).
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind… and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).

This is the mission—to love boldly, serve humbly, and live faithfully. And it is not mine alone—it belongs to all of us who bear the name of Christ.

So what’s next?
This is my first official blog article—written not by me, but through me, by Thee. It is an offering of obedience to the Lord, who has clearly called me to step forward into the gifts of healing and teaching within ministry. I’m not stepping forward because I feel fully ready—I’m stepping forward because He said it's time.

Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit—and this past year of surrender in the wilderness—I’ve come to understand that Christianity is not a passive belief system; it is active obedience. It means being willing to go wherever He sends, to speak truth in love, and to live boldly as a witness to His authority, His grace, and His goodness. As Scripture says, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves" (James 1:22), and "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1).

And for this gift, I am forever grateful.

My invitation to you is this: open your heart fully to the Holy Spirit. Don’t go decades like I did, living partially full. Say yes—completely. Let Him lead, fill, and transform your life.

Thank you for reading my heart on paper.

I love you.

~Farmer Ashley