Trust

The way each tiny flower reaches up to Heaven with trust,

we too,
should lift our hearts to God and know He cares for us.

-Unknown

Bryce's Trip to the Dominican Republic

While I was in Nebraska... Bryce was in the Dominican Republic. He came back with so many great stories and tales of all the things they did. I defiantly think it was a real eye-opening experience for him. He said his favorite thing was going into the different villages and trying to communicate with the people. The kids would just crowd around them and hug them and do anything they could to be on camera!One of the many things they did was hunt tarantulas! EWWW! They would go out in the jungle with a spear looking stick and when they found one, they stabbed it with the stick and then brought it back and roasted it over a fire. No they didn't eat it, but I guess that is just how you kill a tarantula in the Dominican Republic! :)

Something I thought was cool was the way they gave them water! Bryce brought back the "water pouch" they gave them to drink! Its just a bag of water, and to drink it you had to cut the corner off. He said they had water bottles, but they were expensive, and the water pouches were free.

hmmm did they really work? or did they just spend all their time here!! Looks real tough!!! :) They did get to enjoy a day on the beautiful beaches of the Dominican Republic!

Nebraska!!

It's taken me a few days to sort through all my pictures.. trying to figure out which ones to post! I've been so busy since I got home, but I had the greatest time in Nebraska! Seriously, the time flew too fast! I had so much fun and I can't wait to go back!! (very soon!!) Anyways... Pictures are better then words... so here are lots of pictures from my trip!The 4th of July is always a highlight! This year Bethany, Angela and Mr. Rehm were all in the bubble gum blowing contest! It was so fun to watch them! Mr. Rehm and Angela both were in the finals, but if Bethany and Angela had not been in the same semi-final, I think all 3 of them could have been in the finals!

The day of the 4th was very long, but fun! I didn't run in the race this year, but I still went to cheer on all the runners! So my day started at 7 am! I walked around town a little bit and looked at all the booths--there are so many neat little things! I went to the Water Fight, which is always a "cool"experience! :) And, of course, the Wissmann's concert at the Civic Center! Right after the Wissmann's it was time for the parade! So we all stood on the corner and watched!
The fireworks were at 10, so we played a little ultimate Frisbee until then! The park was beautiful! It was still hot, but there was a nice breeze that made it very enjoyable to watch the fireworks!
Water balloon fights are always a must! And on a hot summer day, the water feels so-o-o good!
This was a trip filled with many "firsts" One day my grandpa took me out to our farm and I got to see the beans get sprayed by a plane! That was so cool!
And while I'm on the subject of beans... I went rouging! That was defiantly something I'd never done! But I actually thought it was fun! :) It was something I'd never done before! (You don't really have theopportunity to ever go rouging in Florida!) Honestly I'd never heard of it! :) But It was fun and I enjoyed the experience ! I also went milking one night! And yes-- I actually helped! Well.. kinda! :) I don't think I was much of a help, but I did do a little bit :)

I got to spend a lot of time with the Wissmanns while I was there! There is always something fun going on when your with the Wissmanns! :) All the "firsts" I experienced were because they forced me to do them! :) NOO I'm just kidding! They didn't force me to do anything! But I got to do those things because they let me tag along! :) Thank you guys!!
Another "first" was going swimming in Lake Pawnee! All the years that I've gone to Nebraska, going swimming in a lake had never crossed my mind! I didn't even know a lake existed in Nebraska! haha It was so much fun, and defiantly different from the lakes here in Florida! There was no sand at the bottom, just mud! haha I was kind of grossed out at first, but I got used to it very quickly and by the end of the day I didn't even notice it! :)

Our last night was a late one! :) Well.. most nights were late, but the last one was really late! (or should I say early?!) We talked for a while on the porch after supper, and then started playing games! We played Ultimate Uno, 4 of a couch, Alaythia and I finally finished our marathon game of Ace--we played the same game almost all day-- and Occupational charades. Occupational charades was the funniest thing ever! My camera died within the first minute and a half of the Sumo Wrestler act! I was so bummed! But just trust me... it was HILARIOUS!!

Kaitlyn loved this picture, so I thought I'd post it! :) This was while playing 4 on a couch! Everyone is in their own little world lol... The last day we got to make jewelry for Bethany's Birthday! :) It was so much fun!


I'd like to say a special 'Thank you' to Kaitlyn for coming up with me this summer! It was so much fun flying with you and I really enjoyed it! I hope you had as much fun as I did! :) And to the Wissmanns for having me over so much and for all the Nebraska things ya'll dragged me into! :) Love ya'll!!

Thank You, God, for quiet places far from life's crowded ways, where our hearts find true contentment and our
souls fill up with praise.

-Emilie Barnes

Off to Nebraska!!!

Kaitlyn and I are ready to go! We're sitting here in the airport waiting to board our plane!