Thursday, July 26, 2007

EnviroCamp

Zach, Bekah, and I went to EnviroCamp on July 9th through 13th. Zach and I were volunteers, while Bekah participated in the camp. It was held at the Geneva Wilderness Area near Oviedo. The kids that attend have the opportunity to be field biologists for the week. They learn to take wildlife samples by using Sherman mammal traps (metal boxes that have a door which closes when an animal steps inside) in the woods, and minnow traps (wire mesh traps that have funnels which allow fish to swim in but not out) in the lakes.

We're on the way into the scrub to check our mammal traps.

Every time the kids found a trap that had caught something, they had to dump the animal into a ziplock bag so they could weigh and measure it.

Whenever we came across a Gopher Tortoise the kids had to take down all the data on it.

Along with the field work, we also had some class time. Everybody was glad to come back to the air conditioned room. : ) The two people who ran the camp were Amanda and Steve (they are the ones standing). We've known Steve for years. He works at the Central Florida Zoo, and we have done community service there since I was about 9 years old. I met Amanda when I helped with EnviroCamp last year. They did a great job, and they're a lot of fun to work with!

Zach, with a real smile!

Bekah, Amanda, Devin, and Cassidy

Bekah, Karis, and Amanda

Checking the minnow traps.

A Golden Silk Orbweaver

Elijah and I. Elijah was a trouble maker for most of the camp, but the last day he started opening up. He and I had a long talk about what it means to be saved, what it would have been like to live during Jesus' time, and what struggles we have. At one point he said to me "I don't let people pull me down, because if they do, they will walk all over you. So if I'm telling the truth, I'll stick to the truth; and if I'm telling a lie, I will stick to my lie." I had to smile, because I had seen the evidence of that all week. We got all of our problems settled and he gave me a hug before he left.

Kittens

A few months ago our dog found two kittens under our shed. We got the kittens out from under it and have raised them. They are really cute and a lot of fun to play with!

At first they were so little that we had to bottle feed them.

This is Benny. He was really scared when we first pulled him out from under the shed, but now he is the most curious little cat. He has something to say about everything. : )

Shadow is my favorite! He is adorable and really sweet!! His coat is so gray, its almost blue.

Bekah loves Benny!

Aren't they cute!


Jesse and Shadow.

Bekah and Benny. : )

Thursday, July 19, 2007

High School Graduation

I graduated from Circle Christian School on May 19th, 2007. There were over 70 graduates. When I was called up to the stage, Mom and Dad came up too. Dad handed me my diploma and Mom moved my tassle. While that was happening, a recording was playing through the speakers. Mom and Dad had pre-recorded a poem that Mom wrote. It was modeled after one of my favorite books by Dr. Seuss.

Oh. the Places You'll Go!

Congratulations Hannah!
Today is your day
You're off to great places.
You're off and away.

Where will you go?
What will you do?
Please don't ask us.
We don't have a clue!

But we know One Who does,
Who has authored your days
And planned in advance
Your best for His praise.

On a cloudy, misty mountain
The world half-way around,
The Tobo shared their lives with you
And made your heart their own.

It wasn't hard, you understand
Because your heart is soft.
You choose to love the least of all
The weak, the poor, the lost.

As a wee little girl you trusted in Christ
And you share Him with those you love best.
You walk in His way and love with His love
And let Him take care of the rest.

So follow your dreams,
Hold tight to your Lord.
Go where He leads
And you'll never be bored!

Life is always an adventure;
Sometimes it's a test.
We have confidence you'll succeed
'cause Hannah, you're the best!!



I couldn't believe that they wrote that for me! I love my parents!!! They are so cool!!!!



Circle Community Church graduates (L to R) Stephen, Shane, Me, Tyler, Haylee


Tuesday, July 17, 2007

My First Attempt....

Well, this is my first attempt at having a blog, so I'll give it my best shot!

First of all, I am a Christian. I love God and want to serve Him in everything that I do! Every day is an adventure when you live for Christ!!!

I love to travel, which is one reason for the title of this blog. I've been on trips around the country with my family many times, but my first big trip was in the spring of 2006. I went to Papua New Guinea with a group of people from my church, to visit some missionaries that we support. It was amazing!!! That trip completely changed me!!!! The main lesson for me on that trip was TRUST. I learned that I need to trust God completely and that He will provide for me.

And just this summer I went to Mexico on a mission trip with my youth group. Again, I had a wonderful trip!!! I learned a lot about how God works through prayer and how He can use people even if they can't speak Spanish or don't have a lot of construction knowledge or aren't great at being leaders. : )

I will try to post more on the Mexico trip as soon as possible.