Our Final Full Day in DC
Dear 8th Grade Parents,

It is only 2:00 and we have already been to two memorials, walked around Capitol Hill, visited the Library of Congress, and toured the Capitol building. From here we will go directly to the Holocaust Memorial Museum then dinner and on to a few more memorials. In addition, ACTS (our tour company) is planning a sweet surprise for our students as an appreciation for how they handled the "detour" on Sunday. It's also our last night and it is important we end well with intentional time for devotions, prayer, and worship. It is a very packed day indeed!

Our hope is for the students to call home tonight but please know those chances are slim. However, also know that they are having an amazing time and all is well. Hopefully you're receiving daily updates from their DC mom or dad and are also checking out the daily posts on Instagram. Should we not be able to fit in a phone call home, your understanding is greatly appreciated! Students will have their phones back tomorrow before we get on the plane and we will encourage them to check in with you.

Thank you for all your prayers during this trip. And thank you for providing this opportunity for your child to attend. It has truly been an impactful trip for the students individually and as a class! Prepare to hear great stories!

Blessings,

Heather Harrison


October 23, 2018



Dear 8th Grade Parents,

We are nearing the end of our second full day in DC and it has definitely been full! Full of fun, full of learning, full of emotion, and full of divine appointments.

Yesterday, we began our day at Arlington National Cemetery. We had the honor of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After the ceremony, we walked to section 60, the current burial section. Students were able to connect to the weight and gravity of the sacrifice made not just by those buried there, but by their families too. It was a powerful time of reflection. From there, we explored Old Town Alexandria then headed to Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington. Our day ended at the World War II memorial making the bookends of our first day in DC time to honor veterans and those who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

This morning, we prayed that God would bless us with the opportunity to meet veterans. Our first stop was the Vietnam Memorial and God answered our prayer in phenomenal ways. Our students were able to meet veterans from all wars, including one veteran who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Meeting these men and women had a powerful impact on the students. Make sure you ask them about it when they get home. From there, we visited the African American History Museum and the Smithsonians. Later tonight, we will visit a few more memorials ending our day at the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial.

Tomorrow will be another full day with visits to Capitol Hill, the White House, Holocaust Memorial and Museum, and the remaining memorials.

The students are fully soaking it in, embracing every opportunity to the fullest. They are being present, learning and growing through every experience God has placed in their path. It's been amazing to watch them grow in their understanding of the foundation of our country, grow in knowledge of those who have paved the way and changed this country in powerful ways, and grow in a deepened gratitude and appreciation for those who have sacrificed so much for us. They are seeing how our history, both good and bad, has shaped this nation to be what it is today. And they are not wasting one moment!

If all goes according to plan, we will have the students call home again tomorrow. We ask again for your prayers to cover our last couple of days. May God fill it with more!

Blessings,

Heather Harrison 






October 20th, 2018



Dear 8th Grade Parents:

What an amazing beginning we have had to this momentous experience. It's not even the end of the second day (really, the first full day) and we have already met Betsy Ross, some loyal Red Coats, and a few brave patriots who are stirring up trouble in the colonies. We have been in the room where the Declaration of Independence was secretly written and then courageously signed, sat in the seats that the first Congress of the United States sat, and journeyed through the camp of a revolutionary soldier. And, we can't forget that many of us enjoyed a delicious Philly cheesesteak as well (cheese wiz is the best)! 

Tonight we will run the steps Rocky Balboa ran (cue theme song). Tomorrow we head out to Valley Forge-hopefully we'll meet General George Washington- and then we will fast forward time to the Civil War as we tour the battlefields at Gettysburg ending the day in DC. 

It's been a packed couple of days but we are having an amazing time. This group of students has been nothing short of amazing as well. Everywhere we go, we hear compliments about how polite and respectful, how curious and intelligent, and how fun they all are. We have to agree. Before we left, we reminded the students to "remember whose name they bear" as they explore the beginning of a nation that, at its very beginning, determined to bear His name. And they are doing that beautifully! 

This is just the beginning of what God has in store for this week. Thank you for praying for us and with us! 

Depending on the timing of our arrival to the DC hotel tomorrow night, it is our goal to carve out some time to have the students call home. In the meantime, check out our Instagram page for great pics and updates! 

Blessings, 

Heather Harrison