Skating Sarah

Summer 2002

June 10, 2002

Its the first day of Vacation Bible School at my church. The

theme this year is "Faith Mountain". There are about 160 kids enrolled this year....I'm in the 5th grade class. (I can't believe I'm

going in the 5th grade...can you

Last week was also the first week of the summer skating program at our rink. We have stroking, jumps and spins classes. I took the stroking class every day last week....it is so awesome. My legs were really sore by Saturday afternoon. I

also took the jumps class and landed my double salchow and

double toe. I was so happy! I hope I can land it more and more.

I really want to have all my doubles by the end of summer.

Saturday I went to stroking class and then helped in the Learn to Skate program and then skated public. I haven't skated public

for a long time. It was fun and I want to do that this Saturday,

too.

I also had my first day of ballet last week. I really like it alot.

I have never really taken ballet before. I know I'm getting old to

start but I'm just happy mom got me in this class. Mrs. Adams is

the name of the teacher and she is really good. The place where I take it is only for ballet and so it is very strict but good. I hopefully will be able to keep going and even get to take classes more than

once a week. But, I'm also taking the off ice class at Jack's and

you know I LOVE that class plus I want to take some gymnastics

as well. I tried a class last week and it was great! The only thing is

my mom doesn't have the money for me to do all these things. But,

I just love it all and can't help it I like everything so much. I think

all these things will help the skating too.

Since the theatre is over for me for the summer I want to take all these other things. My skating is in the mornings (after vbs) and

the other things are in the evening. So, my summer is going to be

full. I'm also still homeschooling so I can be ready for 5th grade

by August.

I better go so I can get to bed. I have a busy day tomorrow too.

I will get up early for vbs and then go skating in the afternoon.

My friend Kaylie is at vbs and skates too. We are going together.

Thanks for being my friend. Don't forget to email me. I love

hearing from you.

June 12, 2002

Even though I am having fun at vacation Bible school and I love learning about the Lord, I am really missing my time on the ice. And now my mom says I can't skate because we don't have any money. She doesn't have the money

right now for anything and it is getting scary.

(I have to always remember

that.)

You will have to read my prayers on the prayer page. It's so expensive to skate but I love it so much. My mom says for me

to skate what I usually skate it costs over $300.00 per month and could cost over $500.00. And that is just for ice time! I wish

we could figure something out because I don't know what else to

do but pray.

I don't want to write about that though. I want to tell you all that everything is great.

And mostly it is. I have a home and a great family and we are safe and we have food. We

have more than alot of people and when you think of things where

war is happening then you know we are doing great. I am thankful

for so much.

My mom and I watched that old video called "Pollyanna" and

I really liked it.

I liked how she played the

glad game when things were not going good and I am going to

try to do that too. My mom says that the little girl in the movie reminds her of me. Isn't that funny?

Mom says we are just going to hang out tonight and go to bed early. Tomorrow is vbs again and then Jack Carter's off ice class. I just love that class.

I wish it was every day!

Don't forget to email me. I love getting messages.

Love always,

Sarah

Flag Day 2002

Today I just want to say Happy Birthday to our flag. Our flag was born on June 14, 1777 in Philadelphia when the Continental Congress adopted the

stars and stripes as the national flag. Do you know what the colors, the

stripes or the stars represent? The red, white and blue of our flag

represent the patriotism and spiritual qualities of our citizens. The red

stripes stand for the fearless courage and self sacrifice of those who

fought for our freedom and their families. The white stripes stand for

liberty and equality for all. I mean we say these things when we recite the national anthem but does anyone really pay attention to what they are saying? I hope so. Anyway, the blue is for heaven, loyalty and faith.

Our beautiful flag stands for freedom: freedom of speech, religion,

assembly, press and sanctity of the home. Our flag symbolizes the

liberty that was bought with blood. So, please guard our flag and

remember to hold it sacred because if not, we will become open to the

loss of that freedoy dictators and terrorists. So, Happy Birthday to

our flag!

July 28, 2002

Sorry it has been so long since I last wrote....so much has happened

and I don't even know if I can put it all down in this journal. First of

all.....my mom and I went to California for a week and I had the time of my life....it was a life changing event and I hope you all pray for me because

I want to move there and train full time. I don't know how my mom and I

can do it financially but it is what I want more than anything right now.

We went to Simi Valley, Ca and skated at Easy Street and it was so awesome! Beatrisa Liang (BeBe) skates there and she is a wonderful skater. Also, Danielle Kahle is practicing there. I just loved skating there because the rinks are so big and there were so many good skaters. It's just so much

fun to be on the ice with good skaters. I don't even know how to explain it.

I want to be like them and so that is why I want to go

there and train. I know I could do it if just given the chance.

Please pray for me. I have a friend out there whose name is Meagan.

She is 11 years old and a preliminary skater. We had so much fun. She

is just the greatest. I really miss her.

While in California we also went to see "Champions on Ice". It was so cool. My favorite skater of the whole show was Michelle Kwan. She is just the

best. There just isn't anyone better and you can debate with me on that

all you want. At that show there just wasn't any doubt as to who was the

best. Sarah Hughes did not skate that great. I don't know. Maybe she is

just tired. My other favorite skater that day was Alexei Yagudin. He was awesome! Plus, he is cute!

The finale was great too. We all freaked out when the fireworks went off inside. But, it was a great ending!