At one point in our lives we feel alone. We feel we have not been treated fairly as others do, we do not see things as others do, and we are completely different than everybody else around us. This state of mind causes a terrible feeling of depression, a feeling of worthlessness. The question then arises in our heads, what is the point of waking up today? Is today not going to be different than any other day? Will i not be treated the same, or feel the same about everything? The author Edgar Allan Poe of the poem "Alone", suffers from this mindset. As well as Poe, many other people today share the same feeling with him. Whether it be in school, or work, or anywhere else, people everywhere feel this way about their lives. Some people try to hide this feeling, yet there is no hiding it; it is shown through their acts and words.
In my opinion good or bad is based on your judgment of the situation. You can either look at it good, or you can look at it bad. The cure to depression is the positive mindset of the world around you. Thinking of good things, instead of the bad things, keeps your mind free of the thoughts of being alone, or left out. Being depressed, I believe, is something that you can help. It is not a sickness that you can't do anything about, it is a way you feel about things. They way you look at things will determine what kind of day you will have, or how school will go, or how work will go. If you look at all the things bad, you are blinded and unable to see all the things that are good in your life. It is truly harder to find the good in things rather than the bad, this is just the nature of people, but having a positive view of the world around you will change your day and the way you look at things. Finding the good things in every situation will keep you from feeling alone, or left out.
- Cody
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
My First Cat
Back in the days when goldfish were the only form of pet I knew, I was content to spend my days staring into a fishbowl, coming back every hour on the hour to feed the fish, lest it go hungry. I don’t remember the day that I realized there were bigger and better things in this world… the day that I discovered cats. But once I got the idea in my head, I didn’t let my parents forget it for one minute. One morning in particular, I woke up determined it would be the day I would get my new pet. For a complete ten minutes on the way to church, I whined and begged and pleaded from the backseat for a cat.
“Please, Daddy, PLEASE. You don’t understand. I neeeeeeeeeed a cat. PLEASE, Daddy. We HAVE to get a cat. But I am your ONLY kid. I am your little girl. I want a cat. I NEED IT DADDY!”
Though he tried to remain firm and in charge, I could feel him giving in as I wrapped myself tighter and tighter around his little finger. Exasperated, he said, “Fine. If you want a cat that bad, pray for it. If God wants you to have a cat, you will get a cat.” Excitedly, I assumed this meant that if I prayed for a cat in Sunday school then we would go to the pet store the next day. Well that didn’t exactly happen, but I sure wasn’t expecting what came next.
Over the next week, the cat continued to come back. Every day, I would pet him, brush him with my baby doll brushes, and give him milk in a bowl and any extra food my four year old hands could come across. And every night I would pray that he would be there again when I woke up. I also would consistently ask my dad if we could keep him, to which he always replied, “Maybe if he stays a couple more days. We don’t know who he belongs to, but he’s not ours.”
After several more days, I was thoroughly convinced that the cat was not leaving. And much to my father’s dismay, I could tell he was too. So one morning, for the millionth time I asked if we could keep the cat, and for the first time my dad said, “Yes.” I named him Colby, after the cute boy who sat across from me at snack time.
-Katy
“Please, Daddy, PLEASE. You don’t understand. I neeeeeeeeeed a cat. PLEASE, Daddy. We HAVE to get a cat. But I am your ONLY kid. I am your little girl. I want a cat. I NEED IT DADDY!”
Though he tried to remain firm and in charge, I could feel him giving in as I wrapped myself tighter and tighter around his little finger. Exasperated, he said, “Fine. If you want a cat that bad, pray for it. If God wants you to have a cat, you will get a cat.” Excitedly, I assumed this meant that if I prayed for a cat in Sunday school then we would go to the pet store the next day. Well that didn’t exactly happen, but I sure wasn’t expecting what came next.
One bright sunny morning just three days later, I walked outside, ready to leave for Mrs. Brenda’s daycare. I opened the car door and out from under it crawled a limping, but otherwise healthy, white, thick haired cat. It was beautiful and I could not believe my eyes. I’d never been so close to a real live cat before, just seen them on Aristocats and heard the stories my friends had told me. I bent down and extended my hand towards it and bravely it let me pet it for a long time. When my dad came out and saw the cat, he looked a little surprised, but then again not really. I always thought him and God might have also had a talk in Sunday school.
Over the next week, the cat continued to come back. Every day, I would pet him, brush him with my baby doll brushes, and give him milk in a bowl and any extra food my four year old hands could come across. And every night I would pray that he would be there again when I woke up. I also would consistently ask my dad if we could keep him, to which he always replied, “Maybe if he stays a couple more days. We don’t know who he belongs to, but he’s not ours.”
After several more days, I was thoroughly convinced that the cat was not leaving. And much to my father’s dismay, I could tell he was too. So one morning, for the millionth time I asked if we could keep the cat, and for the first time my dad said, “Yes.” I named him Colby, after the cute boy who sat across from me at snack time.
-Katy
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Yeah! I'm Adopted!!
Well everyone here knows my name; it’s Kellie! I was born in Missouri and was soon taken home to Tennessee. My birth mother is one of the strongest people I know. She was 17 years old when she got pregnant with me. I’m sure this came as a shock to her. She knew she was not ready to be a mom and my birth father was not ready to become a father of two children. Her whole family was against her choice of putting me up for adoption, but she knew it was her best option. I am so very lucky that she chose to put me into the arms of a loving family with both a mother and a father. I can’t imagine being faced with the choice to give up one of your own or to tough it out and hope you make it okay without a husband.
Adoption is not a bad thing! The way I look at it is I am loved by two families now. Throughout my life, they have all written me letters and made sure I knew that they still love me. My birth mother is now married to a youth pastor with three children of their own, and my birth father is happy with his family and children as well. I can’t wait to see them all when I turn 21. It’s kind of weird because they are complete strangers, but they also had me … I don’t know it’s weird to me.
Because of my story I will always say that abortion is wrong no matter what. There are families out there who want children but can’t have them, and I am full proof of that.
Kellie
Adoption is not a bad thing! The way I look at it is I am loved by two families now. Throughout my life, they have all written me letters and made sure I knew that they still love me. My birth mother is now married to a youth pastor with three children of their own, and my birth father is happy with his family and children as well. I can’t wait to see them all when I turn 21. It’s kind of weird because they are complete strangers, but they also had me … I don’t know it’s weird to me.
Because of my story I will always say that abortion is wrong no matter what. There are families out there who want children but can’t have them, and I am full proof of that.
Kellie
Monday, January 18, 2010
Resolution for 2010... What are yours?
It seems people every year try to make New Years’ resolutions that they intend to keep. While it is a goal for the resolution to be kept, 99.9% of the time, it does not happen. When I think about all the different kinds of resolutions, all I can think about is people trying to find ways to improve their character or appearance. People try to stop smoking. People try to stop drinking sodas, and my favorite is to lose weight. Most people are never happy with the way they look or feel. This results in those common resolutions to benefit ourselves. All of these resolutions can be very important, and I give credit to every single person who keeps their resolution, but at the same time, it is also good to do more for others rather than yourself.
My question is why aren’t people making a resolution to help others. There are so many things we could do to help. We can help feed the homeless; visit those in the hospital, whether it be young or old. Just a single visit can help people have a better day. We can give to those that are less fortunate. Send money to countries that are in distress (Haiti), etc. These are only just a few ways to help others, rather than yourself. I think a good resolution for me is not only to be a better Christian, but to look for opportunities that benefit others and help boost my self esteem at the same time.
So this year, make a new kind of resolution. Make a resolution that pulls you out of your comfort zone and tests your faith. Be different and change someone’s life.
-Kenzie
My question is why aren’t people making a resolution to help others. There are so many things we could do to help. We can help feed the homeless; visit those in the hospital, whether it be young or old. Just a single visit can help people have a better day. We can give to those that are less fortunate. Send money to countries that are in distress (Haiti), etc. These are only just a few ways to help others, rather than yourself. I think a good resolution for me is not only to be a better Christian, but to look for opportunities that benefit others and help boost my self esteem at the same time.
So this year, make a new kind of resolution. Make a resolution that pulls you out of your comfort zone and tests your faith. Be different and change someone’s life.
-Kenzie
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
War on the Horizon
Before World War II began, German leader, Adolf Hitler, had a vision of one major German empire that covered all of Europe. Hitler began pursuing his dream on September 1, 1939 when he invaded Poland and started the war. Two days later, Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany. On April 9, 1940, German forces invaded Norway and Denmark. By May 10, Germany had begun invading the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. All three, along with France and the United States, had taken a neutral stance in the war. On June 10, 1940, Italy joined the war, allied with Germany.
The United States involvement, up until Pearl Harbor, had been solely neutral. America did not have the desire to join in the affairs of the Eastern Hemisphere. Content to sit back and watch, America never dreamed on the tragedy that was lurking in the future, waiting to pull her into the war. On December 7, 1941, AN American base in Hawaii was bombed by Japan, killing thousands and wounding thousands more. As a result, President Roosevelt declared war on the Axis Countries.
As I sit and think about World War II, and Pearl Harbor, and the effects they had on our country, I can’t help but think about the war waging in my own family. As armies invade on my quiet little country and things begin to fall apart, I realize that my time to enter this war is drawing near. I can no longer remain neutral in the battle. But when? When will I be pulled in? What will be my Pearl Harbor?
-Holly
The United States involvement, up until Pearl Harbor, had been solely neutral. America did not have the desire to join in the affairs of the Eastern Hemisphere. Content to sit back and watch, America never dreamed on the tragedy that was lurking in the future, waiting to pull her into the war. On December 7, 1941, AN American base in Hawaii was bombed by Japan, killing thousands and wounding thousands more. As a result, President Roosevelt declared war on the Axis Countries.
As I sit and think about World War II, and Pearl Harbor, and the effects they had on our country, I can’t help but think about the war waging in my own family. As armies invade on my quiet little country and things begin to fall apart, I realize that my time to enter this war is drawing near. I can no longer remain neutral in the battle. But when? When will I be pulled in? What will be my Pearl Harbor?
-Holly
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Land of Garcia!
I thought that you should know what is going to happen in the future because this may affect you. I don't know if you've heard, but I'm taking over the country, and you can't stop me. It will be called the Land of Garcia! (exclamation point included) The national land animal is the bear, because "Garcia" means "bear." The national bird is the flamingo; the national flower is the Venus flytrap. The national tree is the banana tree, and the national colors are purple and creme. (You may not like the colors, but you can get over it, because there is no flag known to man that is either purple or creme, and my country is going to be unique.)
The Land of Garcia! has many sports; like ice skating, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, and tennis. There is absolutely no golf, because it's boring and I don't understand it.
Education is important. You can't graduate from high school unless you take all core classes along with mixed martial arts classes and cooking classes. Gym is required every every year in every school. For college, scholarships and financial aid is available.
For every country there has to be laws, and my country is no exception. There aren't that many. You've heard that people who go to jail just have a happy time watching television and sitting around playing cards or whatever. In the Land of Garcia!, if you go to jail, you only get three meals a day, and if you have good behavior, you're permitted to go outside for three hours. That's it; no television or whatever it is they do jail. If you have killed someone, you will be killed the same way. Homosexuality is not tolerated. Abortion is illegal. If found out, you will be kicked out. Ridiculous laws, like the laws mentioned in Mr. Turner's government class, will not be passed. Men who weigh more than 400 pounds and women who weigh more than 200 pounds will be forced to lose weight. My country will be healthy. There is no work on Sunday. No divorce is allowed unless there is abuse or infidelity. Single parents will receive financial help, but to qualify for this, they must have a job.
There's only one leader with two others in command. The current leader appoints a worthy person with a clear mind that will not become too ambitious, and want to annihilate the Land of Garcia! If this ever occurs, there are hidden assassins and spies in place from around the world who will exterminate the leader, and then the people will get a chance to vote on who the next leader will be.
I don't know about you, but I like my future country. You may like it as well, or maybe you think it's horrible and gruesome, whatever. If you don't like it, you can leave.
-Hannah G.
The Land of Garcia! has many sports; like ice skating, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, swimming, and tennis. There is absolutely no golf, because it's boring and I don't understand it.
Education is important. You can't graduate from high school unless you take all core classes along with mixed martial arts classes and cooking classes. Gym is required every every year in every school. For college, scholarships and financial aid is available.
For every country there has to be laws, and my country is no exception. There aren't that many. You've heard that people who go to jail just have a happy time watching television and sitting around playing cards or whatever. In the Land of Garcia!, if you go to jail, you only get three meals a day, and if you have good behavior, you're permitted to go outside for three hours. That's it; no television or whatever it is they do jail. If you have killed someone, you will be killed the same way. Homosexuality is not tolerated. Abortion is illegal. If found out, you will be kicked out. Ridiculous laws, like the laws mentioned in Mr. Turner's government class, will not be passed. Men who weigh more than 400 pounds and women who weigh more than 200 pounds will be forced to lose weight. My country will be healthy. There is no work on Sunday. No divorce is allowed unless there is abuse or infidelity. Single parents will receive financial help, but to qualify for this, they must have a job.
There's only one leader with two others in command. The current leader appoints a worthy person with a clear mind that will not become too ambitious, and want to annihilate the Land of Garcia! If this ever occurs, there are hidden assassins and spies in place from around the world who will exterminate the leader, and then the people will get a chance to vote on who the next leader will be.
I don't know about you, but I like my future country. You may like it as well, or maybe you think it's horrible and gruesome, whatever. If you don't like it, you can leave.
-Hannah G.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Am I Truly Thankful?
Every year, we gather around a table with friends and family and enjoy a large lunch or dinner. We talk about what we are thankful for for ten minutes at most. When we are done, we eat and talk about what happened to each of us since the last time we saw one another. We laugh together around a table in fellowship for a few hours. However, we unfortunately go our separate ways at the end of the day.
Every year, I promise myself that I will keep up with Rian, my step-cousin, and every year, I fail at just that. I have to ask myself, how can I be truly thankful for my family if I don't even keep up with them? Today has been a great day with my family and friends, but I don't want that fun time to be a rarity.
In the same way, every day, I promise myself that I will become closer in my walk with God, and every day, I fail at just that. If I am to be truly honest with myself, I must ask myself, how can I be truly thankful for a God who gave up his son for me if I do not take the time to talk to Him? I want to want to take time, but I find myself living down to the expectations of many other people. I am then daily disappointed in myself.
However, I learned durring Horton Haven that we cannot be challenged, but rather that we must be changed. This year, I will strive to show my thankfulness to God by coming to Him with a sincere heart of thanksgiving, praising Him for everything that He has done for me. Only then can I show even part of my thanks to Him for his providncial grace.
- Ashley Reed
Every year, I promise myself that I will keep up with Rian, my step-cousin, and every year, I fail at just that. I have to ask myself, how can I be truly thankful for my family if I don't even keep up with them? Today has been a great day with my family and friends, but I don't want that fun time to be a rarity.
In the same way, every day, I promise myself that I will become closer in my walk with God, and every day, I fail at just that. If I am to be truly honest with myself, I must ask myself, how can I be truly thankful for a God who gave up his son for me if I do not take the time to talk to Him? I want to want to take time, but I find myself living down to the expectations of many other people. I am then daily disappointed in myself.
However, I learned durring Horton Haven that we cannot be challenged, but rather that we must be changed. This year, I will strive to show my thankfulness to God by coming to Him with a sincere heart of thanksgiving, praising Him for everything that He has done for me. Only then can I show even part of my thanks to Him for his providncial grace.
- Ashley Reed
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