Friendship

Friendship is a noun.It isn't an adjective meant to describe something, it is a 

thingthat can be described.An example: The two boys grew up with each other 

and had a good friendship. According to Grace (that's me) the definition of 

friendship is a 

fondness

of another, 

an agreeing 

alliance, a 

bond that is 

formed 

through 

acts of 

kindness 

and love. 

I have had 

many friendships. Some stronger 

than others. Friendships help you 

learn and grow. I would like to thank 

all those 

who have

taken the 

time to 

become 

my friend. 

I love 

you all, 

no matter 

how many 

miles or 

years separate 

us. Without 

you guys I 

would not 

be the girl 

I am.

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Panama #1

Panama is a little country on the south tip of Central America.

This country is where my sister is headed. Panama does not 

have an official Religion; there are Catholics, Christians, and  

Indigenous religions. My sister is headed there as a missionary 

to the unreached villages and islands in Panama. She will be 

there for fifty two days and will live the life of people who's 

lives she wishes to impact. She is traveling and working with

group called, "Global Expeditions"               

My Attempt on a Panama Flag :)

Malinda's Wedding

Walking

down the

aisle to join

her husband

to be.

Faces

smile as

they stand

and turn to see

the beautiful bride.

A wonderful location,

outside in a field near a

pond with singing frogs.

The bride and groom holding

hands and staring intently into

the eyes of the one they love.

 Rings, 'I Dos', and kiss exchanged.

My cousin's last name is no longer the 

same as mine.Congratulations Ryan and

Malinda Gentry. June 1st, 2012

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Some call this day 'The First Day of Summer.'        
Some just know it by the smell of barbecue and      
are in all the parties they our invited to. Memorial    
 Day is so, so much  more. It is a day to remember,
 pray, and be thankful. On  this day we should        
 remember all the veteran soliders and those who    
 gave their lives so willingly, pray for those who are 
currently out fighting for us, and be thankful to all the
 families of soliders past, present, and future. Today 
as we enjoy the warm weather , gather together with 
friends, and enjoy our freedom; remember freedom   
isn't free and is always something worth fighting for   .

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

2011 Recap

So its a new year (Yes I know I'm a little late). 2011 has gone and 2012 has arrived. I am greatly looking forward to this new year, but its also good to look back. I am going to write a summary of 2011, probably just put in major events through out the year. So here I go

JANUARY
Got our family dog Stella. Had been waiting on a house visit and finally on the second someone came, and we got to get her on the third. Didn't know we would end up with her, actually thought we would be getting a floppy ear German Shepherd named Dolly, but Stella was their that day and so glad she was.
The real first month of winter. Sure the school had already had one snow day in December but it was nothing compared to what we would receive at the end of the month, The Blizzard of 2011 (look it up if you don't believe me). So coming from Cali snow is a huge thing. I love it just wish it didn't have to be cold for it to come. School was cancelled for a WHOLE week, which made school in the end last longer. It was so wonderful that my family had moved out here before the rare snowfall.

FEBRUARY
As a freshman it was my first year of high school swimming. For girls who swim high school in MO February is the big month. Conference and state are both in this super short month so you must be ready. I got second in the 100 Back and 100 Free at conference. At state I got 5th in the 50 Free and 8th in the 100 free. This is around the time when we discover that I could be a sprinter.
Another thing that happened in February is that my Grandma passed away. It was my mother's mom so she flew out when I was at state. My little siblings also went out as they were still homeschooled at that time. Glory and I had to stay in Mo as we couldn't miss our classes, but did fly out for a weekend for her funeral.
This is Glory's Birthday Month.

MARCH
Once again able to go to Mexico with E.V Free of Chico, Ca. We spent a week in Mexico building a house for 6. It was a wonderful trip that ended  with a day in Disneyland. Wonderful trip and was so happy we got to go with the some of our Stockton, Ca friends again.

APRIL
I began swimming on the USA swimming team Jasper County Killer Whales. This really has changed my life, for the better of course. I took all of March off from swimming, so was kind of hard to get back into the swing of things. Also the team practices in Webb City and hour away so I could only make it to practices once or twice a week, but love it anyways. JCKW has really become like a another family to me, all my swim teams do.

MAY
Finally school got out, way late because of the snow day. Summer break is here.

JUNE
Helped with summer school. I worked in 1st Grade review. I would help kids write stories and create things. There was a little boy there who fell in love with me. He was a very weird kid and all the other students knew that, so he and I were line buddies. The one day I missed everyone said he cried for me, which is sweet but he was an annoying kid. Everyday asking me to spell the word Turtle, because in everything he wrote their had to somehow be a turtle.

JULY
Got to go out to California. We took a train out which was a lot of fun. Enjoyed Pancake nigh. Spent a week in Mission Springs at Family Camp. Got to see almost all my Ca friends and was a great summer vacation.
Flew back and the next weekend was spent at Summer Sectionals. Did surprisingly well for just taking off 3 weeks. Enjoyed really getting to know Madi, Genny, and Michelle.

AUGUST
Chosen and my birthday month and also the month school began.

SEPTEMBER
Melody had a birthday slumber party which was the first real party we have had in this house. This is her birthday month and we had a picture scavenger hunt sleepover. A very fun and productive party.

OCTOBER
My mom's birthday month and also Breast Cancer awareness month

NOVEMBER
My Dad's birthday month. I really miss him so it was hard. Sent him balloons again.
The High School did their 3 performances of 'Little Shop of Horrors' which I was in. Mainly did it because I love to sing, but had so much fun I want to do the play next year.
High school swimming started up.

DECEMBER
Jesus's birthday month. He is the reason for the season. I love Christmas for many reasons so I really love this month.
Also went to Pro-Am a elite swim meet in OK. Had such a great time, especially getting to know Mercy better.

So that is basically my last year, probably missed a lot but that's okay. Was a good year, might not have been the greatest but really enjoyed it anyways.

Train Trip to Calfornia

My family and I our taking a summer vacation to California. Even though it cost a little more than flying we decided to take a train rather than a plane.

Day 1

7:30 pm
We left for the station. Our pastor and his wife drove us to Kansas City fro evening chuch. On the way we stopped at a Custard place called Sheridian's. I got a Grasshopper, which is vanilla custard mixed with mint, oreos, and chocolate chips.
9:45 pm
Arrive in Kansas City at Union station.in isn't suppose to arrive for a 40 minutes so we wonder around, use the restroom, make a smashed penny. Soon we gather all our luggage up and head to the waiting room.
10:10 pm
Train arrives and we wait as people get off. Suddenly there is a call for us to board and we have to runwn to the platform. My mom, Chosen, and I shared a room. The beds were all own down and it was a tight squeeze as we gt ready for bed.
10:30 pm
The train begins to move. Chosen is excited as it is his first trip on a train (at least the first he can remember.) We call Glory and Melody who are in the next car sharing a room. Their beds are just being put down.
11:15 pm
The lights go off and soon I fall asleep.

Day 2

6:45 am
Wake up and wake Chosen up. Mom has already left so we change and get ready for breakfast.
7:00 am
We are in the dinning car. I ordered french toast. The server's name is Sam and as he says, " Everyone's favorite dinning car server."
8:00 am
Not feeling very good because I get motion sickness so just lay in bed. We are going through Kansas and soon enter Colorado and gain a hour.
10:00 am
We have decided to have lunch at 1:30. Since we gained an hour it sees forever away. I am counting down the hours.
11:30 am
We go through a long tunnel. Can't see the tunnel walls, so Chosen and I pull out our flashlights and use the.
1:00 pm
They call for 1 o'clock luches and y stoach is growling. I have been working summer school and there we eat lunch at 11 am. To My body its already      2 pm.
1:30 pm
Finally its lunc time! I order the Special which is a potato in Chili. Server's name is Andrea.
3:00 pm
In the lounge car with my sisters enjoying the views. Suddenly a boy nae Frank coes up and sits down with us. He was very nice but obviously liked someone. We played cards together and he won every time.
4:00 pm
Stop in Alberque, New Mexico. There are Native American vendors selling handade items. I bought a necklace from a Naveoh women
5:00 pm
Went back to the room to relax until dinner. Ended up in Glory and Melody's car to just chill.
7:26 pm
They call us to dinner a little early. I sit with Glory and Melody at the 'Trouble Table' according to Sam. I had a steak with mashed potatos, salad, mxed vegetables, and a roll. For dessert there is cheesecake. Sam accidently brought us an extra cheesecake so we gave it to a goup of girls sitting at the table across from us.
9:00 pm
Packing all my stuff up so I don't have to in the morning.
9:15 pm
Are car attendant, Angela, comes to put down our beds. As soon as she is done I crawl up to my bunk and fall asleep.

Day 3

6:45
During the night we gain another hour. I am awake but don't want to get up and go to breakfast.
7:15
My mom comes back from breakfast and says I need to go eat. I order Oatmeal, with fruit and toast. I am sitting with a couple from San Jose and a man from the bay area.We talk a lot about why we are riding the train.

Summer School

In Missouri there is a program that Highschool students can join, it's called A+. If you complete all the requierments the state will pay your tuition for your first two years to any community college in the state. To be elligble you must maintain a 2.5 GPA, do 50 hours of tutoring, and be signed up for it for 3 years.

I am in this program so over the summer I A+ tutored a first grade review summer school class. We did a little bit of math but we mainly worked on reading and comprehension with the kids.  I spent about 4 and a half hours four days a week tutoring. There were 2 sessions the first was one and a half hours long and the second was two hours long. The second session always went smoother because we already knew what didn't work well with the first session, so we didn't do it again, and we lunch.

It was a lot of fun and since I need to complete 4 more hours I will probably do it again next year.