A Day of Silence

   Last Tuesday, on the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, people all over the world gave up their voices for one day for those babies who have never had a voice.  I was one of those people.  We, just a few students from our little high school in Northeast Missouri, took a stand.  We made a difference.  This is us:

 

 

 

silentday.org

P.S. There were more participants than this, but I couldn't get a picture with everyone. Many thanks to all you amazing people!

So Fake

   I look around me and I see them playing pretend.  Fake hair color, fake happiness, and fake confidence.  Make-up to cover blemishes.  Smiles to cover pain and problems.  Friends to cover insecurity.
   I see them adjusting their disguise at every turn.  They adapt to each situation and each group of people.  They do their best to impress everyone.  They try to fill the gaps in their performance. 
   I see them going to church, being good on Sunday no matter what the rest of the week will look like.  They think it's enough.  They try to impress God.
   I see them acting like they've got it all together.  They put on an "I'm-doing-just-fine-and-I-don't-need-your-help" attitude.  They pretend that they're obviously confident. They are breaking on the inside, falling apart, crying.
   They are so fake.
  

On Bullying

I sent this to my local newspaper as a letter to the editor and it was published past month.

To the adults - parents, teachers, administrators, board members:

   School is about to start.  What's on your mind?  Are you thinking about bullying?  It was such a hot topic last year.  You talked a lot and tried to do a lot.  Bullying was a big deal.  Will it be any different this time around?
   You see, that's the problem.  All your discussions and committees and educational videos and policies and talks aren't getting the results you're looking for.  It's wonderful that you are working for change, but your efforts really aren't getting you anywhere.
   I'm fourteen.  I go to public school.  You can consider me your insider.  I've sat through the movies that will change the way we look at life, and I've heard the talking and laughing while they play.  I've heard what the counselor has to say and I've been a part of the group discussions where we all talk about the bullying problem at our school.  I've listened to kids spout the right answers and share solutions, and I've seen the teasing, the exclusion, and the rude comments ten minutes later.
   You have taught our heads well, but it's our hearts that need an education.  What if instead of going to the meeting where they talk about us, our parents stayed home and talked with us?  What if our teachers would call out another teacher's kid for treating others like less?  What if our parents taught us the value of others, and what it is to be a hero?  What if instead of creating more rules and policies took make it look like they did something,our administrators took real action?  Can you imagine if the adults in our community displayed for us the respect, equality, and honor they so wish we had?
   Talk with us, be an example for us, and expect more of us.  Be the change, to help us make a heart change.

Where Are the Heroes?

A meeting with parents, teachers, and administrators.  Talk about bullying.  No solution.  Silence.  

"We need some heroes."  

Their noiseless stares betray their thoughts:  Where can we find some of those?  Surely not at our school.  There are no heroes among us.

   No heroes?  Are there none courageous and admirable?  No one is brave or strong enough?  This is what the adults seem to think.  Are they right?  Could no teenager be a hero?

   But we know that is what it will take.  The teachers can lecture, the administrators can make new rules and policies, and the adult world can bemoan our situation, but none of it really makes a difference.  We have to realize that there is a problem, and that we can fix it.  We have to stop deceiving ourselves.  We have to stop thinking that it's not our problem, that someone else will take care of it, that we can't really make a difference.  We have to be the heroes.

   Will you take a stand?  Will you be strong and courageous?  Are you worthy to be admired?  Will you defend the weak and confront evil?  Will you be a teen with character?  Will you stand up for what is right, even if you stand alone?  Will you risk it all to gain everything?

   Will you be a hero?

Say It

   I had to ride the bus today.  On the way home, with my knees propped up on the next seat, I thought, People really to expand their vocabularies to include words that don't start with "f."  And then I thought, So why don't you tell them? I've struggled with that question the rest of the day.
   It may surprise you amazing blog-readers, but I can't share my heart and tell it like it is.  I may seem confident and outspoken here in bloggy land, but my lips can't form the words when I'm face-to-face.  I hold it all in and hide it beneath my quiet, nice, good-girl rep.  There is so much I want them to know, to understand, but I can't just say it.  I contain my feelings and pour them out on paper.  I can share it with the whole world on the web, but not with the one person I need to tell.
   Why is it so hard?  Why can't I let it out, show them the truth?  Why can't I say the words running through my head?  Why can't I show them what God is telling me?  Why do I hide my true self?

   I need to make a change.

To the Students of America

   Have you heard the talk about how our country has taken God out of our schools?  Kids don't say the pledge of allegiance anymore, much less pray as a class.  Teachers aren't allowed to share their Christian beliefs with students.  We learn about the big bang theory, and that evolution is the only way things could've happened.  You've probably heard your parents or other adults complain about all this.  They say their kids deserve better, that school is a bad environment.  They claim America is speeding downhill.
   And maybe all this is true -  it probably is.  Maybe we have a real problem in the US.  Maybe God is absent from public schools, maybe He's been kicked out.  But what's being done about it?  Is it being changed, is the problem being fixed? 
   Maybe the grown-ups can't fix it.  Maybe legislation, government, and politics won't change this.  Maybe this isn't about the adults. Who's problem is it, anyway?
   What about us?  We the young people of the United States are the ones really affected by this - and in turn, so is the world.  We are the ones who can, should, and will change this.
   We can take a stand.  We can be different.  We can share the truth.  We can bring the Lord, the Creator, back into our schools, back into our lives, back into our nation.  We - you - can make the change.
   We are not just kids, we are the future.  What is America without us?  The world is headed nowhere without the youth.  The adults may recognize the problem, they may see that it needs fixed, but they can't do it without us. 
   The revolution must start with us.  We make a change in our own lives, and our friends see it.  Our friends change, and our class notices.  Our grade is changed, and our school wonders what happened.  Before we know it, all the kids in our school know God.  We share Him with our teachers, principals, and coaches.  Our school has been transformed, and it wasn't because of rules, regulations, it wasn't forced upon us.
   The shift has to start inside our schools, with the students, with us, with you. The change will spread, but it has to start somewhere - with the kids of America.  Together, we will change the world.

   What will you do?

This Was Not My Idea

   It's eighth grade Langueage Arts class, and the announcement has just been made that we are writing a research paper.  After the the initial groaning and complaining from the class are over, it's time to pick our topics. The teacher has a list to choose from, including a few that she calls "higher level thinking."  Those are the persuasive topics, where you can share your opinion, and I know I want of those.  But which one? 
   The teacher is going through her list, sharing what each subject includes.  When we get to stem cell research, most of the class has no idea what that is.  As she explains that there is conflict concerning the use of aborted babies' cells, tears come to my eyes and I almost start bawling right there in class.  I know it's God getting my attention.  Father, what are you trying to tell me? I pray silently, and then the answer comes.
   I know in my heart exactly what I'm supposed to do, but I try to convince myself that I don't really have to do that, that God knows that's too hard for me.  God, you've given me a strong passion to end this, but is this really what you want me to do? I struggle within myself the whole time the rest of the class is choosing their research topics, until finally my turn comes.  I take a deep, shaky breath. "Can I talk to you after class?"
~~~
   The bell finally rings, ending 3rd hour, and I approach the teacher at her desk.  "Well," I begin, "I'm not sure how you would feel about this, but stem cell research was on your list, so...." "Oh, no. You're not going to say what I think you're going to say are you?"  My teacher interrupts with a sigh.  "Yes, I think I am," I reply, gaining confidence the more I talk.  "Are sure there's nothing else you could write about?  Would your parents be OK with this?" She seems to be trying hard to change my mind, but I know now what I have to do.  "I'm sure they will be fine with it, and I want to write this paper.  I feel very strongly about abortion, but I will present both sides of the story, and I'll be careful to keep it appropriate."  My teacher finally agrees with, "Well, if that's really what you want to do, I trust you to do a good job of it."  The deal is sealed.
~~~
   We work on our papers for more than a whole quarter, with me gone for a week.  I work especially hard to make my paper the best it could possibly be.  There is a lot a research to sort through.  My parents are very supportive, and extremely helpful through this whole process. I want to vary my sources, but only use the most reliable.  I want my paper to be full of good information, but not overwhelmingly long and boring.  I want to expose both pro-life and pro-choice arguments, but make sure the truth is known.  I am determined to impress my teacher after she was so reluctant to give me this project.  Even more so, I desire to please God, since this was His idea in the first place.
~~~
   My job is almost complete.  My teacher is editing my second draft, and this is when I find out that whoever wants to can present their paper to the class for ten extra.  I don't need the extra credit, and I am telling myself that I don't have to do that, but at the same time I feel an urge to take the extra step.
   I tell my mom about it that night.  "Do you know what you're going to do?"  "Not really," I say, sounding unsure of myself.  I am scared of what people will think.  "Oh. Really..." Mom's tone tells me she knows I'll read my paper to the class.
   I am stressing way to much over this decision, and I turn to God.  Has He ever told you to shut up?  I learn that's what happens when you won't listen.  He tells me to be courageous, that if I share the truth, and live the truth, others will follow.  God asks me, "Why did you think I wanted you to write this paper in the first place?"  "OK, God, I get the picture.  I'll present the paper."
~~~
   Now it's the last day of the semester, and I am the 3rd person to read their paper to the class.  I feel confident, but I'm shaking at the same time.  I go to the front and present my paper.  I can tell I'm nervous because I stumble several times, and normally I am a very good reader.  I cast a few glances towards the class, but never make eye contact.  I am bolder for the last paragraph, my voice becoming stronger as I present my opinion about the horror of abortion.  I return to my seat amidst the claps and "Good job!"s of my classmates.  Several tell me my teacher was wiping tears from her eyes as she listened.  "She was? Wow."  I smile, but send a quick prayer heavenward for my teacher.  I thank God for how well it went, and for using me even through my fear.  I pray that He will use the words of my paper to show my peers the truth about abortion, and to change hearts.  I know He can do it.

This what really happened.  The whole thing was God's idea, and He carried it out.  I don't know why I ever doubted Him.
If you want to read the actual paper - apparently it's pretty good ;) - leave a comment and I will post it on here as soon as possible.

We've Started

   Now that the weekend has begun, I have time to tell you about my first two days of school as an eighth grader.  Overall they went really well. 
   I don't have a very long bus ride, which is really nice, and I have some time at school before the first bell.  I share a locker with one of my besties, which is where I go first to get my stuff together for my first class.  Then I mostly just hang out until school starts.
   We are on an eight block schedule at my school, with A days and B days.  On A days I have Reading, Science, Language Arts, and Choir.   B days include P.E., Algebra 1A, Health, and Social Studies.  I think Science is going to be fun, the teacher seems really good and I have friends in there.  We have the best Health teacher ever, I had him last year, so I know I will like that class.  I always enjoy Gym, and I'm looking forward to that.  Algebra will be the class I will have to work the hardest in, but the teacher is my next-door neighbor, and I really like her.  My S.S. teacher is my dad's defensive coordinator, so I we already know each other, and I will be seeing outside of the classroom - and at my house. 
   I plan on this year going really well, and I can't wait to see what's in store for me!

New Pledge of Allegiance

The New Pledge of Allegiance

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.
We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!

Amen

   This poem was written by a 15-year-old in Arizona a few years ago.  It is, blunt, touching, and sadly, true.  I would say that our nation is no longer anymore God-honoring than others. But I do have to say that we are still under God. Whether we admit or not -or whether it's in our pledge or not- we will forever and always be under Him. We will never be better, more powerful, or have more authority than Yahweh.