I'm home from D.C.!!!!  I left on the plane at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning and flew in at 1:10 Sun. afternoon.  What an amazing week I experienced.  I was challenged all week to look at myself, others and how I can change the world.  Yes I've read about it, dreamed about it, hoped for it and even planned for it, but now, I'm going to TAKE ACTION!  Anyway....here are a few monuments of my week!  I did journal, so here they are!

7-20-10 3:45 p.m.
So this morning I took off for an adventure, yeah another one.  I woke up at 3:30 @ my grandparent's home, ate a quick bowl of cereal, then drove to the Grand Rapids airport.  There I got on a flight leaving @ 6:00 a.m. for Cleveland OH.  I arrived around 7 and had a one hour layover.  Then I got on a plane for D.C.  I arrived around 9:00.  Instead of waiting for WLC (Washington Leadership Conference) staff, I found my luggage and got a taxi and headed for the hotel I was staying at.  When I arrived I found just one FFA person....Tino.  We were both rather happy to see someone in FFA (even though we'd never met :D).  After being told that check in wasn't until 1:00, he and I walked around a while and found a place to eat.  It ended up being only 10:00 a.m. but we were both starved.  After grabbing a bite to eat, we went back to the hotel and chatted for a while and met other members as they started coming in.  I am now check in and just chillin' in my room.  I've met one of my roomates.....can't remember her name.  She's from Florida, seems pretty nice.  Signin' off for now....
~Bethany~ 

P.S.  There are many military personnel here.  I walked up to one guy, shook his hand, and thanked him or his service.  After I left, I looked back and he had a smile on his face.  Thank God for our Military men and women.

Iwo Jima memorial

Lincoln memorial from a distance

WWII memorial.  Each star stands for 100 soldiers who died.  There are over 4000 stars.

Washington Memorial

 Roosevelt Memorial

 Lincoln Memorial

7-22-10 
4:30 P.M.
Wow, day 3 already at WLC!  I didn't write yesterday as the biggest activity was at night and we didn't get bac to the hotel until after 11:00.  Quick recap on yesterday.....we went into town early and visited a few monuments.  Then later in the evening we took a guided tour and saw nearly all of them.  Very cool!  But...I'll let the pictures tell the story. :)  Today we were in OD (official dress) all morning.  We took pics early and then went to the Capitol.  Several people had congressional visits lined up but unfortunantly I did not.  I toured the Livrary of Congress.  I wanted to tour the Capitol, but I think I'll do that later if I have more time.  We are back at the hotel now taking and hour break.  Tonight we don't have too much....just dinner, one more community ground session, reflections, then bed!  My roomies are pretty cool.  One girl is from Nebraska.....Briana.  She's awesome!  Anyway, kinda just chillin' for now.

I'll try to keep updating!  This is a very memorable experience. :)

~Bethany~

7-22-10
9:50 P.M.
I though the rest of the today was going to be kinda lame.  I was wrong.  The main theme of this week is...Our Purpose.  Yesterday was focused on myself.  Today...others and the people around me.  It's amazing the changes that have happened over the last two days.  This conference has made me step up to the plate and remember what I am called to do.  Though it may not always be the easiest thing to do, it's what my purpose is.  May God help me fulfill it.

 Arlington Cemetary

7-23-10
11:56 A.M.
The day I have longed for many years has finally happened!  This morning we visited Arlington Cemetery.  Amazing that so many men and women have died for our country.  How can I ever thank them enough?  We witnessed the changing of the guards for Unknown Soldier.   We had two kids pass out because of the heat, kinda scary.  Anyway, it was an amazing experience and I took TONS of pics.  Anyway, now I've got a few min. before our next session.  I'll close here.
~B~

Natural History Museum!

American History Museum

 Briana and I in our room. :)

7-24-10
11:40 P.M.
My last day of WLC is coming to a close.  Probably of the best, most wonderful, saddest days here.  We went to a service project early in the morning and spent over an hour picking Kale, collard greens and pulling weeds.  What a great thing to see so many teens working and excitedly serving the community even though it was over 100*F with the heat index. 
We spent loads of time touring today.  I made it to the Smithsonian and saw the American History and Natural History Museums.  Very neat!

I've now said goodbye to all the friends I've made here hover hte last few days (except for my roomies).  Hopefully I'll be able to stay in contact with them.  Gotta git to bed now, flying home tomorrow morning!  Flight leaves @ 8:00 A.M.

 Over Chicago

11-25-10
I left the hotel at 6:00 a.m.  My flight was scheduled to leave at 8:00 and I got check in with nearly an hour to spare.  The flight however was delayed when the pilot didn't make it in on time.  We finally pulled out around 9:30.  With the time change of 1 hour, we landed in Chicago at 10:15.   (hour and 45 min. flight)  My flight from Chicago to Grand Rapids left at 11:30 and again with a 1 hour time change came in at 1:10.   (40 min. flight).  My awesome grandparents picked me up at the airport and brought me home.  We got home around 4:00, had dinner and then did chores.  I was so tired!



I am now all settled back in at home.  Looking back at my experiences and remembering the great times I had there. 

I'm going to settle in for a short nap here.  I'm so exhausted from everything!  Have a great day everyone!

~Bethany~