Want To End Your Life?

By: Ethan Bublitz 

8th grade

Why do you want to end your life? Is it because of school? Or is it because you can’t handle depression anymore? Suicide is a tragedy that keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. Over 50,000 people die from suicide every year, which is one death every 11 minutes! (Mind 1) Some of the reasons why we choose suicide is because of depression, drugs, alcohol, or bullying. (Wisconsin Department of Health Service 1)

Depression is one of the most common reasons for suicide. We get so lonely and sad and we don’t talk about it to anyone. Then we don’t know what to do with our lives so we just take the easy way out of it instead of talking about it. God made us Fearfully and wonderfully made. Every single one of us is special. Psalms 139:13-14 says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” There is always a reason why god put you in this world. Don’t ever feel that you don't belong in this world because you do. Pick up a bible and just flip to a random page and just read. Find love and joy in reading God's word. 

Drugs and alcohol can mess with your brain and make you do stuff that you won’t remember.  Certain subscriptions that you take can make you feel suicidal and change who you are. Alcohol can make you feel good until you drink too much and you get addicted. Addictions can change who you are and your mood. It can make you feel suicidal. 

Bullying is another big reason for suicide especially for middle schoolers and high schoolers. You get bullied for so long that you can’t take it anymore so you just take the easy way out. Instead of talking to someone about it or just telling them how you feel. You should never judge a book by its cover no matter what. 

We end our life because we can’t take it anymore and we just don’t know what to do with our lives. There is not just one answer to the reason why we commit suicide. But if you ever feel that way contact the 988 helpline. God will always be with you.

“Suicide Prevention” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 19 Aug. 2019, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/prevent-suicide/index.htm.  Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.  

“Just a moment...” www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/suicidal-feelings/causes-of-suicidal-feelings/.  Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

Why be Suicidal?

By:Jordy Hiller

8th Grade

Why do people want to kill themselves? God made every person for a reason, he cares for you and me. Today I’m going to be talking about the Lutherans For Life program. This program can help those in need of medical attention, counseling, and even funding for school. You just have to sign up on their website and they can try to help you with your needs. (“Home” 1)

A lot of people kill themselves because of depression, anxiety, feeling like they’re not enough, and because they’re hated. Around forty-nine thousand kill themselves a year in the United States, and thirteen million people think about killing themselves. About one and a half million people attempted suicide this past year. Suicide is a bad thing to do to yourself. Your life matters to your community and your family. (“Suicide Data and Statistics” 1)

You should be impacted by the people who have lost loved ones. They had to go through a hard time in life, and they struggled. Most believers probably found God’s word and trusted that he knew what to do, he is our Savior. “Everyone is fearful and wonderfully made.” God made everyone different from everyone else, there are some characteristics that others don't know about. Others may find yours weird, which brings you down into a low spot in life. The leading cause of suicide is bullying, people cannot take it anymore so they commit suicide. Please think about what you say to others and always care for one another. (“Suicide Prevention” 1) 

People who are in need should seek guidance immediately, this is where the bible verse comes into play. The verse is Psalm 139:13-14, this verse states that he made each one of us unique, with his own time and care for us. We worship our Lord because he died for us and shed his blood for all. God will lead us down the right path and know what is best for us. People invite others to church, ask them to bible study, or even a bible group. I hope that you know that you can help a loved one. (“Suicide” 1)

I know I covered a lot of information in this letter, but I want you to remember a few things. You matter to God, family, and friends, don’t even give up on life. Believe in yourself in the lows and try to pull yourself back up. You should try your best and try to be good at everything you do! I hope you understood my essay and are persuaded. Praise God, and love one another!

Citations

“Home” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Search Results” search.cdc.gov/search/?query=suicide&dpage=1. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Suicide Prevention” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 19 Aug. 2019, www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/prevent-suicide/index.htm. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Suicide” Wikipedia, 6 Sept. 2001, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suicide. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Benefits Of Foster Care

Owen Pokorny, 8th Grade

“Every child deserves a champion — an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best they can possibly be,” - Rita F. Pierson (FosterVA 1). Foster care can save lives, preserve families, and lead to adoption (Salemink 1). This is why foster care is so valuable. 

There are many ways that foster care can save lives. For example, if parents are abusive, putting the child into foster care creates a place where they can feel safe and protected (Bhandari 1). God wants this for His people because in Psalm 139:13-14 He said, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Foster care can provide a home for children with parents who cannot provide for them (Bhandari 1). This includes not having safe living conditions or not providing enough food (Bhandari 1). Some kids have been abandoned by their parents and taken into foster care. This is how foster care can save lives.

Foster care can preserve families. Foster care can assist families or parents who are going through a crisis (Salemink 1). The children can be properly cared for and returned to their families (Salemink 1). This can keep families together by giving the parents time to recover. Everyone should be allowed to keep their family together. This can also minimize the trauma that children go through due to family separation (Recruiting and Retaining Families for Children and Youth in Foster Care 1). This is how foster care can preserve families that God gave to them.

Foster care leads to adoption for some kids, who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected (About Adoption from Foster Care 1). Each child is fearfully and wonderfully made and deserves to live a good life with someone they can admire. The state takes custody of these children until their parents can take care of them (About Adoption from Foster Care 1). Over half of children in foster care return to their original families (About Adoption from Foster Care 1). To encourage people to adopt kids from foster care, it costs very little money (About Adoption from Foster Care 1). When adopting, you can pick kids ranging in age from toddlers to 21-year-olds (About Adoption from Foster Care 1). Adoption from foster care allows kids to have a parent or family if they can’t be returned to their own.

As you can see, foster care can help many people. It can save lives, preserve families, and can lead to adoption. Everyone should be able to live out the life that God gave them.

Work Cited

“About adoption from foster care” AdoptUSKids, adoptuskids.org/adoption-and-foster-care/overview/adoption-from-foster-care. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“10 Blessings of Foster Care” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/10-blessings-of-foster-care/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

connectionshomes.org/what-are-the-benefits-of-foster-care-for-children/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“21 Inspiring Foster Care Quotes” FosterVA, www.fosterva.org/blog/21-inspiring-foster-care-quotes. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“Recruiting and Retaining Families for Children and Youth in Foster Care” Child Welfare Information Gateway, 

www.childwelfare.gov/topics/casework-practice/recruiting-and-retaining-families-children-and-youth-foster-care/?top=283. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Why Mental Health Needs to be Taken More Seriously

                                         By: Paige Putnam, 8th grade

Mental Health problems increase every year. In 2019, about 970 million people had struggled with a mental disorder. Mental disorders can make life hard such as disturbances in thinking, emotional regulation, and behavior. Anxiety and Depression have been the most common disorders. Having a mental health condition can lead to risks of suicide. Even though there are many negatives about mental health. There are some positives. A study that was done, showed how most depressed people constantly see the world around them as more realistic than mentally healthy people. It makes a depressed person more empathetic and makes them more creative. 

  Mental health can have many different types of illnesses such as mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Bipolar can run through family genes. People who have bipolar can have other mental illnesses or conditions with bipolar such as anxiety, ADHD, misuse of drugs and alcohol, or can cause an eating disorder. Bipolar can be treated with medications and psychotherapy. With Medication, it helps control symptoms of bipolar disorder. 

Depression occurs when a person experiences a very stressful life event. A few things that can trigger depression are grief or the loss of a loved one, divorce, etc. Other things that can cause depression are a lack of exercise, poor diet, and some medications such as sleeping pills. With the right treatment, depression can be treated right within a couple of weeks. If not given treatment depression can last weeks, months, and years.

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health disorders. Anxiety can occur because of childhood trauma, negative life events, social isolation, or stress relating to work or education. Anxiety disorders can run in families. Some things that help with anxiety are medication.  Telling a doctor about how you are feeling is good so that they can prescribe you medication, and talking therapy is good when you speak to someone to help you feel less anxious about situations. 

In conclusion, everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made according to Psalm 139.  Our struggles can cause us to despair or we can use them to draw near God and put greater trust in Him.  He gives us things like medication and therapy to help us.  Mental health problems don’t have to be a death sentence.  With God’s help and with the help of others around us, people can experience healing. 

“Attention Required!” Cloudflare, macleans.ca/culture/books/the-benefits-of-mental-illness-and-why-perfectly-normal-leaders-are-the-wrong-people-for-a-crisis/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Causes - Depression in adults” 15 Feb. 2021, www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/depression-in-adults/causes/. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

“What causes anxiety?” Mental Health Foundation, www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week/anxiety-report/what-causes-anxiety. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

“Bipolar disorder - Symptoms and causes” Mayo Clinic, 16 Feb. 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

How We Can Prevent Suicide

Elizabeth Torres 8th

In 2022, 49,476 Americans died by suicide compared to 40,600 in 2012. What caused the rise in suicides? How can we help prevent suicide? There are many reasons why people commit, with the main cause being depression and other mental health disorders. Or perhaps another reason is that people are tired of the impossible standards set up for everyday people.

As mentioned previously, the leading cause of suicide is depression. What causes depression? There are many causes for depression, such as medication, stress, or trauma. Or simply because of genetics. Bipolar disorder is a disease linked to depression. Most people with bipolar disorder experience depression or mania. This may lead to suicidal thoughts. 

Depression can be cured by antidepressants, therapy, or even just changing your everyday lifestyle. Eating healthy, working out regularly, or even going outside more can help with depression. Anxiety can also cause depression. Anxiety is a mental health disorder that causes you to worry or stress more than an average person. Anxiety can be caused by heart issues, brain changes, and trauma. Anxiety can also be generational. It can also be caused through genetics. 

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 God made you perfect. People in my family have attempted, but I can say that I wouldn’t be the same person I am today if it weren’t for my family. If you are struggling, someone will miss you. Even somebody who sits behind you in class will miss you. Your pets, your cats, your dogs, or any other animal will miss you.

Jeremiah 29:11- 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” God gave us life, he has a plan for us, even if it doesn’t seem apparent. If you know anyone struggling, according to Suicide Prevention, you can support them and make them feel wanted and needed. Help them in their time of need, because you never know when someone will be gone forever.

Works Cited

“Anxiety disorders - Symptoms and causes.” Mayo Clinic, 4 May 2018, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961. Accessed 12 February 2025.

“Depression - treatment and management.” Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/depression-treatment-and-management. Accessed 13 February 2025.

The Importance of Adoption

Alyvia Wenthold 8th

“Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child”  - Vinod Kapri. Adoption is very common with families who want children but can't bring a child into this world. Adopted children have been through a lot, if they were infants, preteens or older. I personally think it is important to adopt if you can't physically have children. An adopted child is still a gift from God, waiting to be delivered to you at the perfect moment. God has a plan intended for you, and your future. 

 Adopted children have been through a lot. Adults that may have been adopted at a younger age may remember the pain and sorrow they experienced in losing their family. According to “Orphan Lifeline” most orphans occur due to abandonment, parents can't take care of them, feed them or don't want to put effort or money into their child. Life can be hard for parents, which could be a reason for not wanting a child. Children need a family that knows how to care for them. I personally think if you can't have children, you should adopt one. 

Not being able to have children is a sad truth for some women. Some women can't have children, or they have a miscarriage early on in their pregnancy. According to “Mayo Clinic” almost 10% to 20% of pregnancies end in a misscarriage. Some other reasons women can't have children may be due to their age, cancer treatments, and eating disorders. This is why adoption is a great thing for some women, if they can't have children for themselves. God created humans to bring joy into this world. 

 All children deserve a home, education, and family that loves them. God has a plan for them. Psalm 139:13-14, also shows how God created his children in His image.  Having and creating a heartwarming atmosphere for your children, making sure they are safe and comfortable is important to make sure they feel at home. Building a strong bond between you and your child after adoption.  Showing love and affection, along with eye contact, and starting family traditions. According to “Adoption and Beyond” , showing affection is one of the best ways to bond with your adopted child. 

  Adoption is a great way to build your family. Adoption is great for the child, giving them a new life and building trust with them. Adoption is also important for women who can't have children. God created all children to be loved, so they all deserve a home and a second chance. 

Citations 

“Orphan and Child Poverty Fact Sheet — Orphans Lifeline” Orphans Lifeline, 28 Feb. 2010, www.orphanslifeline.org/orphan-fact-sheet.  Accessed 28 Jan. 2025. 

Citation - Mitra, Shilajit. “Every child deserves a parent, but not every parent deserves a child: Pihu director Vinod Kapri” 15 Nov. 2018, www.newindianexpress.com/enter   

“10 Tips for Bonding With Your Adopted Baby” Adoption & Beyond, 15 Aug. 2019, adoption-beyond.org/10-tips-for-bonding-with-your-adopted-baby/ . Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“The Benefits of Adoption & Parenthood | Children's Bureau” All For Kids, 15 Mar. 2024, www.allforkids.org/news/blog/the-benefits-of-adopting-a-child/ . Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

God Made Everyone for a Purpose

By, Skyler Wiley, 8th grade

Abortion ended 45.1 million lives in 2024. While some women feel they have no choice, there are alternatives. God makes everyone, choose adoption, not abortion, as it is a form of murder.

God made you, and He is making your child. A quote from a rape victim states, “Abortion does not help or solve a problem—it only compounds trauma by taking away what can create joy.” Every child is fearfully and wonderfully made by God, who has a purpose for them that is lost through abortion. Psalm 139:13-14 goes, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” this reminds us that God forms each of us in the womb, and His love for your child remains unchanged, regardless of the circumstances.

You might feel unready for a child, but if that’s the case, consider adoption or foster care. This gives a child a chance to know their identity. Some people face infertility and can’t have kids; why choose abortion when you could help a family that can’t conceive? Even if you believe you’ll have kids later, prior choices of abortion might affect that. No one is ever fully prepared for pregnancy, but that shouldn’t justify ending a life when adoption offers a loving option.

Some argue that a fetus is not important and that abortion doesn't matter, but this is incorrect; the unborn are alive and growing. There is a poem by Austin Crew, that goes, “A trip to the doctor, the END of a life. This baby never had a chance to live. A beginning, ended, a book never written. All because it’s a mother’s choice to ‘erase’ a mistake.” This shows everyone has a purpose, and you shouldn’t take that just because you don’t want a child. If you’re not prepared for a kid that doesn’t mean you can take their life. The baby has a life, which can be taken by one trip to the doctor. Would you put down a dog you didn't want anymore? That’s essentially what abortion does.

Abortion is a choice against the life of a child. Instead of abortion, consider adoption if you don't want the child that God blessed you with. Think about the child's life before making a decision.

“Abortion - A Poem by Austin Crew” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/abortion-a-poem-by-austin-crew/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025. 

“Adoption vs Abortion: Comparing Your Options” Adoption Network, 7 Oct. 2020, adoptionnetwork.com/birth-mothers/understanding-adoption/benefits-of-adoption/adoption-vs-abortion-comparing-your-options/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

“Is Abortion Allowed In Cases Of Rape Or Incest?” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/is-abortion-allowed-in-cases-of-rape-or-incest/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Frampton, Daniel. “Abortion the leading cause of death worldwide in 2024, killing more people than World War One – SPUC” 9 Jan. 2025, spuc.org.uk/abortion-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide-in-2024-killing-more-people-than-world-war-one/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

“Write your best with Grammarly.” app.grammarly.com/. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Christian Responsibility

Lily Bibo

8th grade

We are fearfully and wonderfully made. We are called as Christians to go and spread the word and represent Jesus. We are not perfect Christians, but we can grow our faith and obedience. We are Christians so we are called to follow the right paths that Jesus has paved for us. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Simply put our Christian responsibility is to live a consistent Christian life.

Jesus wants us to share his loving glory with others. It is very  important to preach about our Lord Jesus because he sacrificed his life for us and deserves to be noticed. Not only are we sharing the word of the Lord because Jesus wanted us to, but we are also sharing the word of the Lord to fulfill our imperfect hearts with his immaculate grace. In conclusion, preaching the word of the Lord is one of our Christian responsibilities.

One of the hardest parts of Christian responsibilities is following the right paths and not falling into temptation. As followers of God, we are all sinners; therefore, we have temptation. One way we can prevent temptation is by doing the right things, like fulfilling our Christian responsibilities. 1 Corinthians 10:13 states that no temptation has overtaken us, we have the power of God with us. Well said. Even though we have temptation, it has not overtaken us because we are followers of God. 

Lastly, as followers of Jesus, we must grow our obedience and faith to develop our abilities to fulfill Christian responsibilities. There are multiple ways for us to grow our faith in God could be we could make time for prayers each day to grow a closer relationship with God. Every day when I pray I feel this tighter connection with the Lord. Another to grow our obedience could be going to church every Sunday. Growing our faith and obedience to the Lord is a big Christian responsibility. 

We are called as Christians to go and spread the word and represent Jesus Christ. We are not perfect Christians, but we can grow our faith and obedience. We are Christians so we are called to follow the right paths that Jesus has paved for us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. 

“Christian Responsibility” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

“What does the Bible say about a Christian’s responsibility?” GotQuestions.org, www.gotquestions.org/Bible-responsibility.html. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Adoption

Elsa Frarck 8th grade

“Adoption is all about letting go because it’s not about me at all; it’s about this kid and their story.”- Sutton Foster. There are many thoughts to consider about adoption including the benefits and disadvantages of adoption for the birth mother/father, the child, and the adoptive family.

Adoption has many benefits but also disadvantages for the birth parents. The birth mother/father doesn’t have to deal with the financial, emotional, physical, and mental strain of having a child they can’t care for which includes putting their education or career on hold. They also have strong reassurance that their kid will be in a safe, stable environment. Their child has a better chance of getting professional medical advice that their adoptive family can pay for, unlike the birth family. Then again, you are also giving away your child for the rest of their life. This can cause depression, anxiety, and many other disorders. However, adoption also benefits the child.

The child can get many more benefits. According to Adoption Choice Inc., studies show that adopted children have better health, receive more one-on-one attention from a parent, are more involved in extracurricular activities, and are more easily adjusted as peers. However, there are some cons to these pros. The children have more of a risk of mental or emotional trauma, low self-esteem, identity issues, difficulty forming emotional attachments, lack of medical history of birth family, and emotional stress. Adoption also helps the adoptive family.

The adoptive family can just be happier in general. Adopting a child gives the adoptive family the blessing of joy and adding someone to their family, providing a great home for someone who needs it, and they can experience aspects of pregnancy that could not be possible before. Although there are a lot of positive perspectives on adoption, there are also some cons. You have to consider finances, emotional challenges, unknown medical history, and the legal process. 

In summary, there are many pros and cons to adoption for the birth family, the child, and the adoptive family. Psalm 139:13-14 states, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and  wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” Children who are in adoptive centers deserve the same opportunities others have. We were all made the same despite our differences.

Works Cited

https://adoptionchoiceinc.org/im-pregnant/benefits-of-adoption/.

https://americanpregnancy.org/child-adoption/benefits-of-adoption/.

“Long-Term Effects of Adoption on Adoptees.” Considering Adoption, https://consideringadoption.com/adopted/impact-of-adoption/long-term-effects-of-adoption/. Accessed 7 January 2025.

Rodriguez, Melissa. “Pros And Cons Of Adoption: A Simple Guide.” Therapeutic Family Life, 14 February 2024, https://tflife.org/pros-and-cons-of-adoption/. Accessed 7 January 2025.

Shark Fin Soup

 Ryleigh Gehweiler, 8th grade

Have you ever heard of or even had shark fin soup? Do you know how it’s  made? I will explain that later. What you need to know for now are what my reasonings are for Shark Fin soup and why it's horrible. I will be going over how the first step is made,what the history behind shark finning, and how it affects the world.  

How the first step to make shark fin soup. There are many steps to making shark fin soup, and the first step is the worst step. Most of the time they fish for sharks and when they catch one they cut off the shark's fins and they put the shark back into the water. But now the shark cant move and it will soon die. They don’t even use the whole shark, just the fins, in doing this people are killing sharks and letting them die from starvation or being eaten by others. It's like if you were to cut off a human's arms and legs and leave them to bleed out. It's murder sure it might not be manslaughter, but it's essentially the same thing. But you should know the history behind shark finning and why the soup is even made.

The history of shark finning. Shark fin soup has been a Chinese practice for years. Most of the time it means celebration. According to scaquarium.org “shark fin soup is a luxury item”. Lots of people in Asian cultures believe that shark fin soup can combat age, and get rid of diseases, but that's just not true. Many medical professionals have said that there is no scientific evidence that shark fin soup can help with medical conditions and aging. Now shark fin soup has become popular in more countries. It has lost its meaning and that it's no longer rich, but now that it’s more popular more sharks are dying. So I feel it’s only right for you to know the effects it’s having for the world. 

The effects of shark fin soup has on the world. It’s said about 73 to 100 million sharks per year die due to shark finning which is used for shark fin soup. A life without sharks would make the waters horrible. Without sharks to eat diseased fish, bull sharks from eating trash that has entered the water, helping sucker fish, and even helping with the over amount of algae in the waters. What I'm trying to say is that the rivers,lakes, and  oceans wouldn’t be the same without sharks. With people mass killing them it's making less reproduction rates meaning less sharks to clean our waters. That's all I have to say about this.

Now that you know what shark fin soup, and how it’s made, how do you feel about it? I don’t feel good about this problem and neither should you. But now you know the history behind shark finning, the effects it has to the waters, and the first step to making a shark. But what does a 13 year old girl have to say about this problem? Well, I have a lot to say now. Let's make it a reality and fix this problem. 

Works Cited

Dorson, Edward. “Massacre for Soup.” Shark Research Institute, www.sharks.org/massacre-for-soup.

McGuire, David. “Shark Finning and Fin Facts.” Shark Stewards, 2016, sharkstewards.org/shark-finning/shark-finning-fin-facts/.

Mignon, Vanessa. “Shark Finning - Humane Society International.” Humane Society International, Humane Society International, 2018, www.hsi.org/issues/shark-finning/.

South Carolina Aquarium. “The Scoop on Shark Fin Soup - South Carolina Aquarium.” South Carolina Aquarium, 21 July 2016, scaquarium.org/shark-fin-soup/.

Creation

Audrey Grows

8th Grade

How was life created? The Bible explains how the Earth and life were created. People often ask, how were we created? God fearfully and wonderfully made us. However, people also tend to wonder how the earth was created. The answer is the Bible, it explains everything that happened in the beginning. So, what does the Bible say?

God created us, but many people don’t believe that. God created Adam from the dirt on the planet that He made. However, Eve was created differently, God took one of Adam’s ribs to create Eve. Humans were never meant to be sinful or be punished. Eve took a fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden, which led humans to have a sinful nature. The Garden of Eden was supposed to be our home but humans are selfish, so we were punished.

How did God create Earth? God needed 6 days to create earth and a day for rest. The first day was light and darkness, and the second day there was sky and water. On the third day, God created plants, the stars were created on the fourth day to bring light into the darkness. The fifth day of creation was when animals first started to roam the earth. The sixth day was when mankind was made in God’s image. God saw that it was good and rested on the seventh day that we would learn to call the Sabbath. The Bible says how Earth was created and so much more, it is full of miracles and the truth.

The Bible is the explanation of the world. Jesus was sent to earth when God realized how sinful humans had become. He was the savior of humanity, he saved us from our sins by dying on the cross. Jesus performed miracles throughout life, but he is a miracle himself. It is a miracle that God created us and the earth. The Bible is the truth of the world, and don’t let anyone tell you any different.

The Earth and life were created by God, the Bible makes that clear. The earth and life were created in God’s image. The Bible makes that clear, but why were we punished? The answer is that God loves us and never wants us to be sinful. He made us fearfully and wonderfully

Works Cited

“BibleGateway - Keyword Search: Genesis.” Www.biblegateway.com,    

www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=Genesis&version=NIV.

“Luke 23 NIV - - Bible Gateway.” Www.biblegateway.com, 

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023&version=NIV.

Abortion

By: Adrian Guglielmi, 8th Grade

Do you know what the leading cause of death is? Most people think it is heart disease. According to the Center for Disease Control, there are 702,880 deaths per year from heart disease. Actually, the leading cause of death is Abortion at 73,000,000 deaths according to the World Health Organization. That is mind-boggling! I believe abortion is wrong for many reasons. The first reason I believe abortion is wrong is because it is unbiblical in many ways. Also, it is murder and it is no different than killing someone who is older. Finally, abortion is selfish. And now I will be arguing on how abortion is wrong. 

Abortion is against the laws of God and the Bible in many ways. In Psalm 139:13-16, God says, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when there was none of them.” God shows that we were made for a reason and we were not meant to be murdered. 

Speaking of murder, murder is against the law in America, and is against the law almost everywhere you go in the world. The reason why murder is wrong is that taking the life of someone making it so they can’t have their life on earth. Another reason why murder is wrong is because we would not be given the chance to praise the lord and fulfill your goal or purpose in life while we are on earth. The last reason why murder is wrong is because the person who died could become someone who can change the world. Or even make the world better in many ways. So by aborting a child can possibly prevent the reasons that were listed above and that is objectively wrong, evil, and selfish. 

Abortion Should be Illegal

Patricia Pesce 

8th grade

Accordingly, 15,600 unborn babies die each year, that's one every second. Lots of women suffer from depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, flashbacks, and substance abuse. This increases the chances of abortion or suicide. In cases when women think they should abort the baby they feel stressed and most women don’t want to go through labor so they think it's better to have an abortion. 

Abortion means the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drugs, or any other substance, device, or means intending to terminate the pregnancy of a woman with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of The Unborn Child. Such use, prescriptions, or means is not an abortion if done with the intent to remove a dead or unborn child caused by or induced delivery of the child.

The decision to abort an unborn child is important, and often a stressful one, and it is desirable and important that it be made with full knowledge of its nature and consequences, it is also important that the mother is made aware of her decision. The protection of an unborn child from a woman's informed decision to have an abortion. It can reduce the risk that a woman may elect an abortion only to discover later, with devastating physical consequences that her decision was not fully informed. 

Abortion is banned in certain countries, for example, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It’s only allowed in certain restricted circumstances in most other Latin American nations. The Supreme Court upheld the First Federal legislation to criminalize abortion, allowing Congress to ban certain trimester abortion products which are sometimes the safest and best way to protect a patient's health. To this day, abortion is protected by state law in 21 states and the District of Columbia, and its risk of being severely limited or prohibited in 26 States and three territories.

 Overall abortion should be illegal based on the reasons that I provided. Because women who grew up in poor households have a higher chance of having a problem with substance abuse. When thinking about getting an abortion it’s important to learn what the consequences can be because if not discussed with a doctor a woman’s health could be in danger. Abortion should be banned in bigger countries because every life is important and every child should have a chance to live.       

“Abortion” 25 Nov. 2021, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion. Accessed 15 Jan. 2025.  

Abortion

Beckett Shuster, Grade 8

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). The world today has prioritized convenience over love for one another. Pregnancy is a gift that should be cherished. The responsibility of being a mother and a father might be hard, but God will lead you through the tough times. All life is a blessing from God in every circumstance. 

There are other options than abortion. Adoption is a great option for people who are not ready yet to have kids. Adoption is a great source for giving children amazing homes. Jesus bestowed upon us his love and grace. Loving one another is what we should do, even in little acts. Giving a child a new Christian home can help them develop and live to have the opportunities ahead. 

Pregnancy might be difficult for mothers but is still a blessing that should be cherished. Pregnancy can be seen as a new life. Christ had to go through many troubles and pain to give us new life in him (Rev. Chandler 1). The blessing of Christ dying on the cross for us saved everyone from eternal destruction. No one deserves heaven but because of how perfect the sacrifice of Jesus is, we are blessed with eternal life. Pregnancy might come with many troubles including sickness, aching, and fatigue in some circumstances (Rev. Chandler 1). There will be trouble and pain as a mother, but God brings life out of the hard times and gives blessings to come (Rev. Chandler).

God will protect you because you are his children. God unconditionally loves us all and wants us to live lives following him. God knows all of us even from the womb. “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). God knows everything about us even before we are born. Everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made.

All life is a blessing from God in every circumstance. Other options than abortion can give life to God’s creation. It might be hard but life is a gift given even after the pain. God knows everyone and everything and will help you when times are tough. 

Citations

“The Blessing of Pregnancy – Providing a Positive Argument against Abortion” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/the-blessing-of-pregnancy-providing-a-positive-argument-against-abortion/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Bible Gateway passage: John 13:34 - English Standard Version” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013%3A34&version=ESV. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Hospice Care

Jael Speck, 8th grade

"You matter because you are you, and you matter to the end of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully but also to live until you die." — Dame Cicely Saunders. My great-aunt Sherin died last year but family surrounded her in hospice care. Hospice care is a beautiful thing and my great-aunt died happy because of it. I believe everyone gets to die happy but that is not the reality. We are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

I wasn’t there to see my great-aunt before she passed, but I did get to go to her funeral. She was an amazing woman. She fostered my second cousins, who, if she hadn't fostered them, would have gone into adoption. My cousins were so lucky to have had Sherin foster them. Sherin had been suffering from cancer for some years. She was in hospice care for the last week of her life. I am so grateful that she didn't have to spend her last moments in the hospital but in the comfort of her house.

Hospice care is, without question, such a caring thing. While you are breathing your last breaths, you can be in your house surrounded by family and friends. You get to die in the comfort and peace of your house, not in a busy, loud hospital. Even if you don’t have family or friends, there is a nurse that you can talk to and enjoy being around. Everyone deserves to be happy when they die, and that's why Hospice care is perfect.

Everyone should die happy but that's not reality. So many people have died in pain and alone but that is the sad reality of it. The world is full of unfairness and depressing thoughts but that is why God came. God can bring our world of sin and death out of the ashes and forgive so we can live new happy lives. We don’t have to die sad and alone but happy that we get to be with God in heaven. 

I am going to miss my great aunt Sherin but I am happy that I will get to see her again in heaven. Everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made, crafted by the hands of God. Hospice care is meant to bring happiness to people who are at the end of their lives.

“Life Project: Issues as We Age” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/life-project-issues-as-we-age/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Abortion

Tyler Wilmot, Grade 8

Abortion is wrong. God allows people to have children. They are not personal endeavors for people to have the ability to back out in the starting process; they are gifts from God. I don’t know how people can abort their children considering that they are, in fact, living human beings.

My first reason is the bioethics of abortion. By the logic of those who support abortion, infanticide should also be okay. That’s because a newborn, like a fetus, can’t give a personal preference. This is just another reason why abortion is wrong. I still can’t believe anyone would even think to do this. As for abortion itself, the church could have a say in it.

My second topic is abortion and the church and how the church could help prevent this heinous crime. As Christians, we are told to treat ALL human life as our neighbor; meaning we are supposed to treat even an unborn human as our tiniest neighbor. “Bearing suffering is undeniably a part of living in Christian community. And there are certainly times when pregnancy involves suffering. To the secular world steeped in self-idolatry, suffering for one’s neighbor seems nonsensical. They often see pregnancy as a disease and abortion as its cure. However, we suffer as part of the love we show to our neighbor. God has given each mother a little neighbor, chosen specifically for her, formed from her body. The suffering involved in loving this neighbor is part of God’s good and gracious will for our lives.” Says Dr. Donna Harrison. In short, they are still people and should be respected as such.

My third and final topic is the end of life. First, a quote from Rev. Dr, Eugene Boe. “Life is not ours to give nor is it ours to take … Indeed the cross of Jesus Christ makes the difference in facing and living through our end-of-life issues. Thanks be to God!” As he stated, God is the only one who can decide life and death. Meaning that children are a blessing given to us by Him as a living being. We do not have the right to end the life of His amazing blessing.

That is why abortion is wrong entirely. It is ethically wrong. The church can have a say in preventing it and avoid ending another life.

Citations:

“Bioethics” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/bioethics/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“Abortion and the Church” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/abortion-and-the-church/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Harrison, Donna. “Compassionate Abortion?” The Lutheran Witness, 1 Jan. 2023, witness.lcms.org/2023/compassionate-abortion/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

“End of Life” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/end-of-life/. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.

Adoption

By: Rune Zitzer

8th grade

Have you ever heard of adoption? Have you ever adopted? Well, today is your lucky day.  I will tell you about adoption and how it works. Adoption is very important to know about and learn about.

There has always been a need for people to adopt kids of all ages. Adoption plays a huge part in people's lives and can change many lives including the person who adopts. But that need has grown since abortion was legalized. The killing of unborn boys and girls is substantial and it's tragic. Only 1% of surprised pregnancies go to getting adopted. You can go out there and make a difference if you want to adopt a kid and trust me it will mean a lot to them.  

Tons of families have given their children to adoption. You don't have to feel left out because there are tons of people who have also done that but you can be good by giving the child at least a chance. Adoption is a chance for all people and can always turn out good. Always worship God and trust God because he will help you through all your hard times and always seek him when you need help. 

Adoption is a great thing and people just kill the baby for no reason when they are the ones who made a mistake. If someone makes a mistake it shouldn't just be blamed on someone else. If you are smart you should just have the baby and at least give it to the adoption center. Adoption gives the kid at least a choice and the kid could grow up to be something good and that could make you happy instead of just killing it in the beginning before he's even born. You can go to church to help you and a ton of churches have programs for adoption and they are really great.

Right there I taught you about adoption and how you can go really far with a child you don't want. Those three points I gave you are really important. Always remember God will be with you. Adopting children is great too if you want your own. Hope you enjoyed it and Remember God is with you. 

Citations

“You searched for adoption” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/?s=adoption. Accessed 13 Jan. 2025.