Happenings in My Life since Graduation

Hey Hey!

WOW! Where to start? I guess we can start with Graduation. :-) 

On May 16th, our homeschool group had it's annual graduation. This year, we had 9 seniors from our group participate in our graduation. This year, First Baptist Church of Pittsburg was kind enough to let us hold our ceremony at their Church. One of the dads, Mr. Mike Schutt, was our guest speaker. Mr. Schutt has taught most of us Literature at least one year throughout Highschool. The many family and friends that attended our graduation, really showed me how much each and everyone of us are loved. I thank God for the people that He has put in my life. 

Back Row: Shane Calverly, Hannah Kingston, and Laura Seabourne
Left to Right: Clint Pegg, Ashley Hall, Jeffery Encino, Jenna Wilcox, Cheyenne Ballard, and Emily Schutt

I believe I had the largest family out of the graduates and I love everyone of them!
Back Row: Papa, Dad, Mom, Joshua, Rebekah,  and Amanda
Middle Row: Granny, Whitney, Rachel, Ashley(Me), Sarah, Courtney(cousin), and Aunt Toni
Front Row: John, and Colt(cousin)

Family Vacation:

This year, family went to Branson, MO for our vacation. When I had first heard that we were going to be going on a FAMILY VACATION, I was shocked because it had been literally years since we had taken one all together. Granny and Papa even came with us. We stayed at the Grand Country Inn on the main strip in Branson. Our days were filled with; comedy shows, shopping, swimming, watching tv, eating YUMMY food, a helicopter ride, meeting two American Idol stars, and tons more! 

My siblings and I with an American Idol star. :-)

Ft. Worth, Texas and Somerset, Pennsylvania: 

The Monday after we came home from vacation, I received a call saying that my best friend's dad had drowned in an accident while trying to save the little girl that they are planning on adopting. That was the hardest thing to ever have to go through. Mr. Richard/R, Diddy is one of my father figures. A few hours after the phone call, My mom and two of my sisters and I arrived at the hospital in Ft. Worth where Erika's mom was at. Along with my older sister Whitney, we stayed at the hospital until Mrs. Sandra was released, on Wednesday. After coming back to the Walker's house, I stayed with them till after the memorial service on Friday, here in Texas. (Friday evening and Saturday I taught a photography class with one of my friends, Amanda Mulder, who is a photographer in the Dallas area.) I joined them again in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Monday was the actual funeral and graveside. I can't find the words to describe the emotions that were present. But, I know that God has a plan for the Walker family and friends. I returned back home on Wednesday evening. Which left one day to rest and get ready to leave on my next trip. 

Erika, Andrew, Jeff Harris, Mrs. Sandra, and Alex Walker
Jeff is a professional bike racer and he is the man
that helped save the little girl and pull Mrs. Sandra out of the river.
God sent him to pull that last little bit. 

Bill Rice Ranch- Murfreesboro, Tennessee:

Two days after I got back from Pennsylvania, I left with my youth group for the Bill Rice Ranch in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This year, we have doubled in size in the amount of people that we took to camp. Thank you God for giving us the opportunity to be a witness with more people. We had a rough time getting started on the road. But all in all, the trip up there was really good. Saturday night, we stayed at Franklin Road Baptist Church, which is about 5-10min from the Ranch. Sunday afternoon around 3ish, we loaded up in the buses to head over to camp. :-) Thankfully the line to checkin wasn't near as long as it was last year. But, the van that I was in, didn't have a/c that worked very well at all, so we were sweating up a storm. Throughout the week, we heard messages from Dr. Bill Rice III, Bro. John Goetch, and Bro. Matt Downs. The Lord worked in many ways through the speakers and camp councilors. Two of the guys from our group accepted Christ as the Lord and Savior. Praise Jesus!!! Neither our girls or guys did too great in the sports tournaments this year. But my cabin did win the Golden Broom award again, for having the cleanest cabin all week. :-) Good job girls!! I pray that God allows for the youth group to return to BRR next year and many years to come. 

Bethel Baptist Youth 2010

This Fall, I will be attending EXCEL for 8 weeks. September 20th-November 12th. I will share more about this in later. I will also post different photos from throughout the summer as well. But for now, I must head to bed so that I can get alot of my studying and packing done tomorrow. 

Have an incredible night and day tomorrow!

Ashley Marie