Each Precious Life 

Grace Buestrin

Grade: 8

Did you know that 100,000 babies die per year due to abortion? Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy before the baby can survive outside the uterus. Abortion has to deal with risks, adoption, and seeking help.

There can be many risks to an abortion. Infection to the uterus when any medical instruments are placed inside of the uterus. Having heavy bleeding can lead to you losing too much blood. It can cause trauma to the cervix and make it tear when doing an abortion. There also can be an incomplete abortion if you decide to do a non-surgical procedure to get rid of the child. Scaring the uterine lining. If you get scarring to the uterine lining it could damage your internal organs which would lead to death. While it is very uncommon, death can happen if you choose to have an abortion. With organ failure, bleeding, infection, and reaction to anesthesia. going into septic shock which is a sign of an incomplete pregnancy could lead to death. The last risk of having an abortion is depression. It is common in most women to have depression for many years after having the adoration done. 

Some women choose not to have their babies because they are not ready. Others have been sexually assaulted and don’t want to have the grief of the child forever. If someone doesn’t want to have their baby they should look at adoption. They would carry the baby for 9 months and once the baby is born it is given to a family that might not be able to have children. About 150,000 babies are adopted per year which helps save each life. 

If someone isn’t sure if they want to have an abortion there can be many places to seek help. You can talk with your loved ones to see if this is the right choice and if there are any other options. You could talk to your doctor about choices and how you are going to go through with the baby. You can call an emergency helpline if unsure about abortion and if it is the right choice for you. 

Abortion is an awful thing that women and their baby should not have to go through. It has to deal with risks, finding adoption, and seeking help. If you know a loved that needs help with pregnancy .

“Abortion Information | Information About Your Options” www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/abortion. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Abortion Risks and Side Effects” CompassCare, www.compasscare.info/health-information/abortion/abortion-risks-and-side-effects/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

This is Death

Cadence Eurich 8th Grade

Their eyes open for the first time taking in the light around them. Their lungs take their first breath. Their hearts continue to beat in a soft rhythm. This is life. Held in the arms of their mother, they begin to cry. Their mother makes a life-changing decision before their first steps. This is death. 

“the crime of killing a child within a year of its birth (in some legal jurisdiction, specifically by the mother” (Oxford Languages). Infanticide is an act of homicide that is degrading and inhumane. Many lives are lost, and it can lead to even more deaths or issues. Each child that dies from infanticide is fearfully and wonderfully created, and deserving of a life. The killing of a child, by choice or assistance, is immoral and takes away from God’s wonderful creation.

Strangling, battering, drowning, and smothering. These are some of the most common ways of committing infanticide. The idea of a parent killing their own child is deveasting and horrifying. Whether their an infant or months old, awareness should be brought up over this topic. Committing murder of your own child due to mental issues, or various other problems should be able to have help. (All information from Flicide in the United States.)

Infanticide results in not only the death of the child but may also result in the parent's death or mental health issues. The parent cannot undo their child’s death nor the impact that it’s made, which may lead to their own death. Parnets who commit infanticide are at a higher risk for suicide due to blaming themselves, depression, PTSD, and so on. (All information from Filicide in the United States.)

Every person on this planet is fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:13-14, talks about how God has created every single body, “For you created my inmost being you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Is the word of God not enough to prove how horrible the act of infanticide is? As stated previously before it takes away from creation and goes against everything God is for. Is a seedling considered life? Then how come a child isn’t? (All information from the Bible.)

Infanticide truly is death and destruction. Infanticide is the murder of a child with or without medical assistance, their parent is at a higher risk of suicide and other mental health issues, and it is degrading from God’s word and his fearfully and wonderfully made creations. 

Citations:

“Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 139:13-14 - New International Version” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139%3A13-14&version=NIV. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Filicide in the United States” PMC , pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5282617/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Infanticide” Oxford English Dictionary, www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?scope=Entries&q=infanticide. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

All Kids Deserve a Family

By: Sophia Irish, grade 8

Did you know that children older than age nine are less likely to get adopted than younger kids? In 2022, approximately 115,353 kids were adopted in the US. Did you know 58% of foster care kids spend two to five years in a foster home before getting adopted? I will be talking about how most kids start in foster care and then get adopted, the struggles for kids when they get adopted, and why to choose adoption over abortion. 

Did you know that 53% of children who went into foster care were reunited with their parents and 25% were adopted (“U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Statistics” 1)? Before a child is adopted, most children spend an average of 22 months in foster care (1). Some kids get to live with families, but others live in group homes or institutions. This can be hard for kids because they don’t get the one-on-one attention they would if they lived in a family. All kids in foster care are fearfully and wonderfully made so they deserve to have a family too. 

Getting adopted can affect children mentally. They might get angry easily or feel sad at times because they miss their parents, but that shouldn’t stop someone from adopting them. Children who get adopted also have to adjust to their new environment which can take a while. Also, they might feel weird at school at first because some kids haven’t gone to an actual school or they might not like talking about their parents because they put them up for adoption. A child might also think their real parents didn’t care about them because they put them up for adoption. 

If you choose adoption, you are saving your kid and giving them a chance to live in a family. Instead of killing them even though they did nothing wrong, you can give them a chance to live in a different family. Psalm 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”.

Adopting a kid changes their life forever. They have to adjust to the struggles of living with a new family. Adoption can be a hard process, but with God, they will have a new great family. 

Citations

adoptionnetwork.com/adoption-myths-facts/domestic-us-statistics/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

Caldwell, Mardie. “Adoption Fun Facts: 6 Things You Might Not Know About Adoption” 20 Apr. 2024, lifetimeadoption.com/adoptivefamilies-adoption-fun-facts/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

“Fact Sheets” www.ccainstitute.org/resources/fact-sheets. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

“What Are the Top Benefits of Adoption?” McDowell Chartered | Putting Children First, 5 May 2023, tommcdowell.com/what-are-the-top-benefits-of-adoption/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

You have a Value

Hannah Kelley, 8th

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) Even through the darkest times God is working through you and has a plan for you. You have a value and the Lord created you to be different for everyone. So you should think about how precious you are to Him and how he is your creator and took time to create you. 

In the year of 2022, suicide reached its highest rate with more than 49,500 lives taken. Each year the number increases. “Suicide is never the anwser. God is” (Clark 1). Lots of people end up with depression, sadness, feeling empty, and feel like nothing matters. When people feel like this, some tend to get these suicidal thoughts and forget about their value to life. It is also very hard to go through these thoughts, especially if you have no one to turn to for help (Clark 1). People who can’t find help can’t help themselves and get weaker and weaker until they've had enough and take their own life. 

In times of despair we should turn to God because God always is the answer to everything especially when we may be down and struggling. “Praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14) We are made in the image of Him, according to scriptures. So we should be thankful and appreciate that God made us the way we are. 

All lives matter no matter who you are, what you look like, or how you act. God will always love us no matter what and that is the best gift ever. So if you ever feel down, or feel like you don’t matter. Remember that people do care and you do matter. God especially will care for you. All things happen for a reason and we have to trust that God’s plan will work. 

If you know anyone who is going through a hard time make sure to check on them and make sure that they are ok. If they need help, share God's word with them and let them know that you care and love them just like God does too. No one should ever go through suicidal thoughts so show you care for everyone. You are wanted. You matter. You are perfect. 

Citations

“Suicide Is Never the Answer” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/suicide-is-never-the-answer/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Suicide statistics” AFSP, 15 Nov. 2019, afsp.org/suicide-statistics/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025

Adoption Is Needed

By: Johann Meyer 8th

DId you know that there are around 117,000 children waiting to be adopted at this very moment and 20,000 kids never get adopted throughout their entire life (AdoptUSkids)? Adopting children and putting children is better than abortion. There are many other good reasons to raise your child.

If anyone is worried about the price or cost of adoption they don’t need to be because there are many good options out there. The most common way to afford adoption is budget tightening which depending on how much they make can be a really good option (Creatingafamily.org). Another amazing option is applying for an adoption grant which’s hidden gem, they can fund all the money needed for the adoption process (Creatingafamily.org). There are many other ways to fund for adoption like taking loans from family and friends, banks, and employee benefits (Creatingafamily.org). People shouldn’t have to fear adoption because God and help through others to make sure it is a nice and easy process.

People need to start adopting more. Around 1 in 35 children in the USA is adopted which is actually very good considering the current number of kids in adoption (lifelongadoptions.com). There are many good reasons to adopt like giving a child a home, extending family, and giving your child a sibling (lifelongadoptions.com). Adoption can provide comfort and bring families together as well. So there are many reasons to adopt a child.

Psalm 139: 13-14 says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”. Every single child was made in God’s image and if you get an abortion you destroy a part of God but a part of yourself as well. Putting children up for adoption may be bad but killing a baby is even worse. In the USA, 2021 one in every five children were aborted (usafacts.org) which is a tragedy and I know that if someone considered abortion they should just put their child up for adoption. You may want nothing to do with your child but God has made and planned out a future for that and every child.

Children are fearfully and wonderfully made in God's eyes. If you consider abortion please reconsider and give your child a chance. Adoption is needed for a good future.

Citations

“Adoption Statistics” Adopt a Baby, www.lifelongadoptions.com/adoption-statistics. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 139:13-14 - New International Version” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139%3A13-14&version=NIV. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“How many abortions occur in the US?” USAFacts, 26 Jan. 2024, usafacts.org/articles/how-many-abortions-occur-in-the-us/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Whitney, Tracy. “How Does an Average Joe (or Jo) Afford Adoption?” Creating a Family, 25 July 2024, creatingafamily.org/adoption-category/adoption-blog/how-does-an-average-joe-or-jo-afford-adoption/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Live for Tomorrow

Abby Michels 8th grade

“In just 2021, over 48,000 people died from suicide. Each year, the rate increases. Just for young kids alone, there are at least 100 suicide attempts and over 14% are due to bullying.” (Suicide 1) The amount of family suicide has broken alone is insane. The number of bullies unknowingly pushing people to suicide. It even almost took my sister.

It’s heartbreaking to hear a mother cry when they find out their child has died. Father’s seen crying for the first time. Families are broken in ways that can never be fixed. All because of suicide. Assisted suicide or not it breaks families. We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God suicide takes God’s plan away so the plan can’t be carried out. Sin causes bullies and hard times and suicide is often caused by bullies or just hard times in the person’s life. 

Bullies are everywhere, online, in person, and even in your mind. They can often leave you feeling useless, unwanted, and mostly alone. This pushes so many people to think no one will miss them and they are better off dead. People think their words have no effect but they can leave a lasting impression. If someone crumpled up a paper and uncrumpled it, the wrinkles remain. It’s the same with words, they are still there even when you try to take them back.

Suicide is no joke, and it hits families hard. My sister went through it: during her freshman year, and part of her sophomore year. I was 8 years old, so I don’t remember much, but I remember some things.  She shut everyone out. She even had to stay in the hospital. She went to rehab for around a year. My parents gave her all of their attention. It changed the way my parents parented. I am beyond lucky that my sister is alive. Some people aren’t as fortunate.

Don’t let the number of suicide deaths go up. Suicide isn’t worth breaking your family. The world needs to hear your story. “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 every hair on your body maybe you don’t feel like people care but there is at least 1, God. 

Citation

“Suicide” National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 139:13-14 - New International Version” Bible Gateway, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalms%20139%3A%2013-14&version=NIV. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Death- It’s not meant to be our choice

Delaney Nohr, 14

Last year, my grandmother went to rest in Christ. She had a beautiful, peaceful end of life, thanks to a team of wonderful people working together to give her that. By the end, she was ready to meet her savior, but that didn’t mean that she had the right to decide when. It’s not our place to end any life. Suicide will always be wrong., and it’s a fine line, but it’s also murder.

Sin has unfortunately created the ability for humans to end the lives of others and themselves. God never intended for us to die. My uncle used to say “You had to pick the right day to die” Many people begin to realize this as the end of their life approaches, and they choose a premature death for fear of pain or “dying on the wrong day”. Instead, we must trust God to provide us with the right day to die.

However, there’s a difference between refusing certain treatments and euthanasia, Euthanasia is “a deliberate action taken for the purpose of causing or hastening death. This may include direct action (e.g., administering a lethal injection) or withholding of basic medical care or standard medical treatment (e.g., denying life-saving medical care to a disabled child that would be provided to a “normal” child”-(“Euthanasia and the Christian” -1) That does NOT include refusing treatment or being taken off life support if there is no cure to the illness.  However, as stated before, when you INTENTIONALLY end a life with a direct action, that IS suicide-(“Euthanasia and the Christian” -1.

.  Murder is defined as “to kill (a person) unlawfully and unjustifiably with premeditated malice”-(definition of murder,1) Unfortunately, it isn’t always unlawful. By God’s laws, it most certainly is.“ The act of murder is an assault on God himself.” (Ziafat,-1) God values all life, and death breaks his heart. According to God, suicide is murder, and most other murders are illegal in America.

Euthanasia is a sin, but it’s a specific procedure that must be treated as it is: Murder. God alone has the right to take us home. We are all Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” Psalm 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.”

Bibliography

“Definition of MURDER” Merriam-Webster, 17 Jan. 2025, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/murder. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Dillehay, Tilly. “Murder for the Rest of Us: How We Break the Sixth Commandment” Desiring God , 26 Apr. 2021, www.desiringgod.org/articles/murder-for-the-rest-of-us. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

“Euthanasia and the Christian” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/article/euthanasia-and-the-christian/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

Schadenberg, Alex. “Belgium euthanasia: Study finds that nearly half of all euthanasia deaths are unreported.” 21 Feb. 2011, alexschadenberg.blogspot.com/2010/12/belgium-euthanasia-study-finds-that.html. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

 Every Child Deserves a Life

   By: Elsie Pipkorn, Grade 8

Big Abortion made a total amount of $485,600,000, killing babies in just 2022 alone (Reed 1). Abortion is a terrible thing that needs to stop because, just like you, the babies you are killing are human, too. Think about where you would be right now if your mother had had an abortion. Not here, that’s for sure, you wouldn’t even be alive. The abortion would have ended your life before it even started. People are put in jail for murder, but if you think about it, you are murdering if you choose abortion. 

It is heartbreaking to look at the statistics of abortions, the high numbers, and the amount of people who choose to kill their children. Looking at the abortion numbers for 2022 alone has been beyond terrible. The abortion rate was 11.2 abortions for every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 to 44 years old (Reed 1). There were 199 abortions per 1,000 live births (Reed 1). The number of abortions in 2022 hit a high number of 613,383 (Reed 1).

Everybody was a child at one point in their life. When your mom was pregnant, the only reason you’re still here and alive is because your mom gave you a chance to live. Anyone considering abortion may just need God and scripture to lead them down the right path. God will always lead you down the right path. God loves you no matter what. 

People say it’s ok to have an abortion if you didn’t want or mean to have a child. If you think about it, your actions will have landed you in the position to have a baby. Just because you “didn’t mean to” doesn’t mean it’s ok to kill your baby. No matter how big or small we are, we are all made in God’s image, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Having an abortion is taking an innocent child’s life and not giving them a chance to make a life of their own. Children may be a lot of work and money to feed and pay for, but they are a God-given blessing. 

Abortion is a terrible thing that needs to stop. God loves all of us and that includes babies, they are still people and no less than us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made us all in his image. Every child deserves a life!

Bibliography

11 Feb. 2022, www.lifenews.com/2024/12/06/big-abortion-made-485-6-million-killing-babies-in-2022/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

ADOPTION IS COOL

Brady Russell 8th

Many people are familiar with the idea of adoption. I think adoption is the best way of going about “not wanting your child”. Adoption is the safest way of not wanting a child for the kid. It allows the child to at least live and grow up somewhere. It gives the child more opportunities. 

Adoption is very safe for the kids who get put up for adoption. Adoption has been around since 1850 which shows its been a safe option for many years (legacyas). Over 81 million American families have considered adoption in some way which shows there have been many people that have realized that adoption is the smartest option (legacyas). There are 135,000 children adopted annually within the United States which tells us that putting a kid up for adoption won’t make the kid homeless because there’s a good chance they get adopted (legacyas). Adoption is a very safe way for kids to find homes.

Some kids grow up with no home or don't get to grow up at all but adoption finds people for the kids to live with. Some people can't have children so adoption allows them to adopt children so that they can get the experience of having children (American Adoptions). Some people just want to give children a loving home (American Adoptions). Adoption could be successful for the kid and adopter, the kid gets a home which would likely be better than not being put up for adoption and the adopter gets a child (American Adoptions). There are many benefits to adopting a child that would result in better outcomes for the child.

The child gets many opportunities when being adopted. The child will have a better mental health if raised in a firm household (Adoptionchoices). The child will have better behavior and won't be as angry of a person when they grow up (Adoptionchoices). The child will be more educated because they’ll be able to get help from a parent because the parent won't be too busy (Adoptionchoices). Adoption gives many opportunities to the child.

Many kids don't get the fortune of growing up which is why adoption is a good idea. It's a safe way to deal with “not wanting a child.” It will give the child a supportive household to live in. It gives the child more opportunities to do something when adopted. God created every human in their mothers womb equally and he wants them all to live a life (Psalm 139:13-14).

“10 little-Known Facts About the Adoption Process” Legacy Adoption Services, 13 Dec. 2016, legacyas.com/10-little-known-facts-adoption-process/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.

www.adoptionchoices.org/adoptions-positive-impacts/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“Adoption” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/adoption/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025. 

“American Adoptions” Why People Adopt, www.americanadoptions.com/adopt/why-people-adopt. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“Life Issues Archive - Page 3 of 3” Lutherans For Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/page/3/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

“Suicide can be Prevented”

Easton Surridge

8th Grade 

Did you know that over 49,000 people died of suicide in 2022 (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)? Let me bring that into a better perspective, that is 1 death every 11 minutes on Earth (AFSP). Suicide can be prevented we just need the right people. There are many reasons for suicide but I will be talking about 3, Depression, substance problems, and prolonged stress (AFSP). It is a massive problem around the world especially for men (AFSP). Men's suicide rate is 4 times that of women. Suicide is ranked 11th in the US for most common causes of death (National Center for Health Statistics).

 “The main cause of suicide is depression” (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). Although there is no cause for depression it usually happens after a stressful life event (National Health Services). “The reason people kill themselves with depression is because they don't ask for help” (NHS). As people on this Earth, we need to be more accepting of others so they are not afraid to discuss their problems. Those who do have depression, don’t be afraid, reach out to others and talk about your problems. God has made you fearfully and wonderfully, don't waste it.

Over 100,000 people have died of drug overdoses, some intentional, some not, we will never know (Trust for America’s Health). Drugs have become a huge problem in the U.S. for years now (TAH).  Although drugs might not be a leading cause of suicide, they are still a huge problem in today’s society.

“Prolonged stress otherwise known as chronic stress can mean many things such as depression, substance use, mood disorders, etc.” (Yale Medicine) “Chronic stress is usually treated at its specific symptom” (YM). But sometimes this is not enough. “It’s very hard to understand why somebody would do such a thing to themselves” (YM).  This is why we need a change: to understand those who are hurt or want to do something to themselves. Bullying plays a huge role in depression and is a leading cause of suicide. And to those who want to hurt themselves just remember that God has fearfully and wonderfully made as stated in Psalms 139: 13-14. 

In the time that it took you to read this another life was taken by suicide. Although I only talked about how Depression, substance problems, and prolonged stress can cause suicide, many other factors play a big part in suicide (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention). This needs to stop. Make a change to prevent suicide.

Citations

“About AFSP” AFSP, afsp.org/about-afsp/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“Causes - Depression in adults” 15 Feb. 2021, www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/depression-in-adults/causes/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“FastStats” www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

“U.S. Death Rate Due to Alcohol, Drugs, and Suicide Increased by 11 Percent in 2021” TFAH, www.tfah.org/article/u-s-death-rate-due-to-alcohol-drugs-and-suicide-increased-by-11-percent-in-2021/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/stress-disorder. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

How to Save a Life

By: Katie Weeden, 8th

“Suicide doesn’t take away the pain, it gives it to someone else.”-unknown. This quote describes in all why suicide is never the answer. It shows how all it does is cause more destruction and hurt other people. “When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long.”-Haley Williams. Don’t ever give up when you have already come so far, and worked so hard to get here.

Jesus has a plan for everyone, and he promises to stick with us through the highs and the lows. God wouldn’t put you through something he knew you couldn't get through. Your life is precious and you have a purpose to serve. By committing you will never know what God had in store for you; and I know it is greater than your plan. You should never feel like you have to cut your time short just because life is hard now.

“Don’t make a permanent solution for a temporary problem.”-unknown. It is sad how many people think that this is the best way out. Many people commit suicide on New Years Day. Suicide is the eleventh leading cause of death in America. In 2022 there was an estemated 1.6M suicide attempts and 49,476 suicide deaths.

 10.0% of youth grades 9-12 said they have had at leat one suicide attempt one in the last twelve months; most of which being females. In 2022 rates were highest for adults 85+ and 75+ years and older. On February 10th and 9:48 am 2025 there are already 118,707 suicides this year. The numbers go up almost every minute. It always gets better. You can always talk to someone if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or self harm.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children ages 10-14. This should not even be on the charts for kids this young but sadly it is, and it’s common. This can be prevented all you need to do is reach out for help. All it takes is asking are you okay? You never know what silent battles people are fighting, or what people go through that they don’t talk about. Someone can look and act completely fine on the outside but be hurting on the inside. Always be kind; you never know what a little bit of kindness could do to save a life. 

CITATIONS

“Suicide” National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/suicide. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Population” Worldometer, www.worldometers.info/population/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

“Suicide statistics” AFSP, 15 Nov. 2019, afsp.org/suicide-statistics/. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Disabilities

Luke Benter, 13

In the United States, 1 in 5 people have a disability which is about 42.5 million people with disabilities in the US. The definition of disability is a person who has a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. We should still treat people with disabilities with kindness.

Psalm 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.” God made everyone for a reason even if they have a disability because everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made. People with disabilities are still people, so we should treat them that way.  These people can be some of the nicest people you will meet if you take the time to know them.

Some people think it's right to kill a child with disabilities when they are born but that is not right as I stated before they are still fearfully and wonderfully made by God. We should not take their life away because they have disabilities. Parents should embrace it and love their children as much as God loves us.

It is important to understand disabilities. The most common disabilities are Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. Disabilities are often caused by problems during pregnancy or birth, genetics, and some other things that we don't know. The most common types of disabilities are difficulties with walking, cognitive thinking, or independent living. 7% of Americans have this kind of disability. It is also important to keep in mind that Americans with disabilities earn less than someone without a disability. This adds to the struggle of someone with a disability so it is aanother reason of why we shoud still be kind to them just like other people.

It is important to remember that God created everyone with a purpose. No matter what someone is going through we should always be supportive and try to help. I hope you will think about this the next time you are interacting with a person with disabilities so you avoid being mean to them and take the time to get to know them. I hope you also remember that people with disabilities just have different perspective than us.

Work Cited

Lutherans For Life: Home, https://lutheransforlife.org/. Accessed 13 January 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.

Foster Care

Reagan Bruess, 8th grade

“With shekels come shackles,” says John Eidsmoe. With the love we spread through others the love those will receive. Foster care is the love we show to those who need it most. Foster care allows many children to live a life in which they know they will be protected. With God on our side, we must protect anyone who needs it.

Foster care gives the chance to have a protected life. Many who live in this world experience a bad home or an unprotected space they feel uncomfortable with. Foster parents play an important role in our country in meeting the needs of children either temporarily or permanently. Foster parents give these children a protected home in which to live. We need to give thanks to those who give these children a space to live. When foster parents foster a child they feel the joy of the impact they have made on that child in a short amount of time.

To foster is life-changing. It gives the children a chance to be in a family who loves them. In the United States, there are around 391,000 children who are in foster care, which is life-changing (“Foster Care Statistics” 1). The life-changing part of it all is the Hope these children might have. These children might be nervous also, but they know God has something in store for them. These children are given the greatest thing of foster care.

Foster Care is a life-changing part of a child's life.  Psalm 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.” This bible verse is so strong and truly God knitted us together. The children in foster care are knitted together and they are protected by their foster parents and most importantly God. We need to thank God every day for the opportunities he has given us.

“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 be.” – Rita F. Pierson. With love, we give the love we will receive. Foster care gives children the chance to feel safe and protected. Foster care is the greatest thing you could give a child who needs it.

Work Cited Page

Lutherans For Life: Home, https://lutheransforlife.org/. Accessed 7 January 2025.

“US Foster Care Statistics 2024: Data & Trends [Updated].” Christian Alliance for Orphans, 15 August 2024, https://cafo.org/foster-care-statistics/. Accessed 7 January 2025.

                                                                                                   Adoption 

                                                                       Matthew Demski 

                                                                              8th grade

What is adoption? Adoption is when a kid's parents can't raise them so they give them away in a shelter. Adoption is bad, Why is adoption so hard, Why is adoption so expensive? These are all the thoughts that go through my head, and I'll be answering them today.

There should be more adoptions in the world because you have kids in a shelter without their parents around them. The kids are sitting in there thinking about who will protect them and who will buy them toys to play with. They should have a good life with food and clothes and what they want and not sit in a shelter because their parents could not handle them.  Most kids in the shelter do not know who Jesus is and they have never been to church.? Everybody should feel bad for these kids because they have nothing to do and they can't even go to church.

Why is adoption so hard? Adoption is hard because you have to gain trust with the kid.  Also, the kid has to gain trust with you. Adoption is so hard because people don't want to have a kid who is not there because of trust issues. You have to fill all this paperwork out and the kid has to meet everyone you know. People might look at you weirdly and this may cause stress to you and the kid. You and the bond to the kid you adopted because it's not your kid. 

Why adoption should cost less money. Why are you putting kids up for adoption for a lot of money if you want them to have a home?  Parents don't want to spend a lot of money on a kid that's not there. I also see why they make adoption so expensive to make sure the kids are going to a good family. This can also be good or bad because if they don't have the money to buy a kid does it mean their family is going to be bad? 

Overall you should help a kid out. I listed why adoption is so expensive, why adoption is so hard, and why there should be more adoptions. I think these are all great reasons to adopt a kid or if you do want to at least help a kid out.

Adoption. (2021, December 16). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/adoption

Adoption | Child Welfare Information Gateway. (n.d.). https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/permanency/adoption

Abortion

By: Abbey Dobson, grade 8

“Abortion was the leading cause of death in 2024” (Ertelt 1). As a Christian, I know that abortion is murder. Even if you’re not a Christian, you should believe that abortion is murder. People have learned so much more about abortion this past year with the election happening. Abortion is wrong because of what the Bible says, what the law says, and because of what the science behind a pregnancy says.

Abortion is wrong because of what the Bible says. The sixth commandment says “You shall not murder”. Some people say that abortion is not murder because it is an unborn life. A baby is a human. They don’t even know what is happening to them. God created them for a reason, and people just give them up for no reason. That is like if someone told you that you had to die and you didn’t even give them a choice. Psalm 139:13-14 says, “For I am fearfully and wonderfully made”. God gave everyone life for a reason, people should not take innocent lives away because they don’t want them.

Even the law says that murder is wrong. Those who are guilty of murder could face prison sentences or even the death penalty. Everyone knows that, but they still take unborn babies' lives away. Some people do not have the choice to have an abortion. Some doctors give abortions to people who they think might need one, even if their life or the baby’s life isn’t in danger. If murderers have to go to prison, then why don’t people who give and intentionally have abortions go to prison or get the death penalty? 

Science proves that abortion is murder. People try to say that an unborn baby is not a living human being. “During 9-12 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is a recognizable human being” (Pitzer 1). The word fetus means “young being” (Pitzer 1). The word embryo means “The unborn human offspring” (Pitzer 1). All of the words are what people call the unborn baby inside the mother. Guess what? All of those words mean human. Abortion is murder.

I hope that now that you read this essay, you will know that abortion is murder. Abortion is wrong because of what the Bible says, what the law says, and because of what the science behind a pregnancy says. Why is abortion still allowed?

Works Cited

“Abortion Was the Leading Cause of Death Worldwide in 2024, Killing 73 Million People.” LifeNews.com, 2 January 2025, https://www.lifenews.com/2025/01/02/abortion-was-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide-in-2024-killing-73-million-people/. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Diamant, Jeff, et al. “What the data says about abortion in the U.S.” Pew Research Center, 25 March 2024, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/03/25/what-the-data-says-about-abortion-in-the-us/. Accessed 14 January 2025.

“18 USC Ch. 51: HOMICIDE.” United States Code, https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title18/part1/chapter51&edition=prelim. Accessed 14 January 2025.

Sander, Tara, and Mia Steupert. “When Does a Fetus Become a Baby?” Focus on the Family, http://focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/when-does-a-fetus-become-a-baby/. Accessed 14 January 2025

Am I Important?

June Fassbender,

8th Grade

“So whatever you wish the others that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law of the Prophets.” Mathew 7:12. Many people have heard this before to treat others kindly as they would like to be treated. But what about how people are for Abortion? Would they want their mom to have an abortion on them? As if their life never happened? That is how they treated others so is that how they would like to be treated? 

  Am I important? If I wasn’t important in the womb, am I not important now? So if I died now then why should you care? You wouldn’t have cared if I died in the womb from abortion. If I was murdered now the murderer would be arrested and people would hate them. However, if I were murdered in the womb because of abortion people would rejoice and cheer for more. There is no difference. You are still putting an end to a life which is classified as murder. Therefore you are for murder. So do I not matter? If I died right now would you even care?

God says I matter. He is the overall judge. God gave us the 10 commandments. The fifth commandment is,” Thou shall not kill.” About 98,980 abortions averaged worldwide per month in 2024. That's about 1,197,760 this year. Thou killed. That’s how many more lives could’ve lived yet they didn’t because they weren’t important to you. That’s about 0.000125 percent of the population. That’s very small, you say. So did that 0.000125 percent not matter to you? If that percent of the population dropped dead right now would you not care?

It is comforting to hope that those souls are in heaven right now with God. Hopefully, they are safe and away from such an evil world. Maybe God told them how much they are worth despite the way their own mothers treated them.

We can only hope that those for abortion can come to know the truth. That we are all important in and out of the womb. In the hope that one day they may find the right path. That God may find them in the hope of the end of abortion.

     Works Cited

Bennett, Mike. “10 Commandments List.” Life, Hope & Truth, 2019, lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/10-commandments/the-ten-commandments/10-commandments-list/.

McPhillips, Deidre. “Monthly Abortions Continue to Trend up in the US in 2024, New Report Shows.” CNN, CNN, 7 Aug. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/health/monthly-abortions-us-increase-telehealth-wecount-report/index.html.

End Of Life

Lanie Helm

8th Grade

Life is not ours to give nor to take. It is not right to take your life because the body that you are in is not yours, its Gods. It's his creation and you should admire that. He made everyone of us different for a reason. It's hard to see one suffer in pain but God has a reason for it. 

If you were in pain and you were suffering would you take your life? There were a little more than 49,300 suicidal deaths in 2023. I do not agree with any suicidal deaths because it is not your creation. You did not create your body, God did. Even though it's basically the same, I do agree with putting animals down. I have gone through so many animal deaths and in my perspective I think it's harder to lose a pet. It is sadder to me because they express more in their emotions than their words like humans.

Jesus died on the cross for all of us. I find it hard to sometimes admire his creation because there are things in the world that I don’t particularly like but I remind myself that God created it for us not for himself. He is the reason we are still here and that we can love one another like we love ourselves. He has everlasting love. He believes in us even when we don’t believe in ourselves. Will you let God change your life for the good?

We are all made uniquely by God's own creation. He has made each and everyone of us different. It's so hard to see people who hate themselves or something that doesn’t even matter in life because God has created us to be like this no matter the characteristics. He has made us this way for a reason and we have to adore that because all of us are unique. He knitted you in your mothers womb before you even knew you existed.

This world is created for us but that doesn't mean it's ours to keep or to take. God created each one of us uniquely because we can have our own personalities and that is beautiful, he has created the world for us to love, he loves all of us like his own son. God wants us to live a good life then come see him not harm ourselves to end our lives.

“End of Life.” Lutherans for Life, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/end-of-life/.

Hengeveld, Nick. “Psalm 139:13-14 NIV - - Bible Gateway.” Www.biblegateway.com, 1993, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20139%3A13-14&version=NIV.

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-suicides-in-2023-still-at-highest-level-in-nation-s-history-says-data/7802649.html

Hospice Care 

Grant Melichar 8th

Imagine if you were the one who was about to die. Would you rather be in your house or some room in a hospital? God made all of the caretakers and they are wonderfully made to do what they like. God also knit you together in your mother's womb. I will talk about the family and friends you can be with. The care that you still get. The nicer place and a bigger space. 

If you are at your house there is a lot more space for all of your family and friends to gather around you and tell stories. My Grandpa was in hospice care and during that time there were always people there. There were always stories that I would never forget, I probably would never have known if I had not been there. I will never forget those nights. 

Do you think you will not have good care? A lot of people might think that there are better people in hospitals but they are wrong. If I had cancer I would take advantage of this because I can be in my house and I still can get cared for by people who are professionals. It is not my choice if others have cancer to do what I want but it is definitely an opportunity that you should look at. That is why I think there is good care and you should do it.  

You will have a way bigger space and have more freedom. There is a better chance that your room or where you would stay is bigger than a hospital room. For my Grandpa when he was still able to walk we got him a golf cart so he could see the farm and other things. He loved it there were a lot of times that he was far away from the farm and my dad would get calls from friends. We ended up having to put a strobe light on the golf cart so he 

Would you choose hospice care? God made everyone how he wanted them. We are all wonderfully made. I talked about having more time with family and friends, still getting care, and more space and freedom. I would take advantage of this opportunity and hope you would consider it. 

“Life Issues Archive - Page 2 of 3 - Lutherans for Life.” Lutherans for Life, 2020, lutheransforlife.org/life-issues/page/2/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.

Abortion Is Murder

Jeana Petri

Grade:8

Abortion has led to the death of 73 million lives in 2024 alone—the act of which is legal, practiced in medical schools, and not punishable (Lifenews). Abortion is seen as a practice that does not indicate murder to the child and is pushed into the pile of paper. Abortion is murder, the baby is alive while the procedure is ongoing, and every child of God deserves a life. Children have a future ahead of them that is constantly being taken away as we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

Abortion has killed many of God’s children that could have had a future and so it is a form of murder that is punishable since it was the leading cause of death in 2024(Lifenews).

Psalm 139:13-14 “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.” A child was knit in the womb for the reason to be taken. Women fought to kill their kids by choice and think it’s a right to be protected. Abortion is a disgrace to God.

Many people believe that abortion is ok since the baby is not alive but that is not the case either. A heartbeat begins at 5 1/2 - 6 weeks, has all their senses at 7 weeks, and a brain develops after 6 weeks (Smith 1, Flohealth, Mustela). Abortion tends to fall at 13 weeks which means the child is fully aware. The procedure includes the fetus being sucked out of the mother and killing the child in the process (Better Health Channel). This method is inhuman and sick in the eyes of God. Abortion is not the only option and shouldn’t be an option either.

Every child on God's beautiful earth should have the chance to live. The joyful, faithful, and humble life is under God, as there are other options than death for the child. New life is given to the hopeless and hurt. Regret follows such an act and carries down God in doing so. Every child deserves a life with God. 

In the end, abortion steals lives and steals love from God. As He said we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in Psalm 139:13-14. As abortion leads to the highest rate of angels entering into heaven. Abortion doesn’t save lives, it kills lives.

Works Cited

2 Jan. 2024, www.lifenews.com/2025/01/02/abortion-was-the-leading-cause-of-death-worldwide-in-2024-killing-73-million-people/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

“A History of Key Abortion Rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court” Pew Research Center, 16 Jan. 2013, www.pewresearch.org/religion/2013/01/16/a-history-of-key-abortion-rulings-of-the-us-supreme-court/. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

“Abortion procedures - surgical” Better Health Channel, 14 Apr. 2023, www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/abortion-procedures-surgical. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Haghighi, Anna Smith. “When does a fetus have a heartbeat? Timing and more” 9 June 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/when-does-a-fetus-have-a-heartbeat. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

“Fetal Brain Development Stages: When Does a Fetus Develop a Brain?” 14 Apr. 2020, flo.health/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/fetal-development/fetal-brain-development. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

USA, Mustela. “Stimulating Your Baby's Senses In The Womb” Mustela USA, 6 Sept. 2017, www.mustelausa.com/blogs/mustela-mag/stimulating-your-baby-s-senses-in-the-womb. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.