Month: November 2015

Well this weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Ditto with the Philippines team. As probably heard in the news, many Syrian refugees have traveled to West Michigan. One of the Mom’s at ZCS happens to be connected with five of these Syrian families. Sadly, they had to leave on such short notice that they didn’t bring or have things for the winter such as coats, boots, hats, and gloves. On Saturday, all of these families came to Ditto to shop for their families and they’re children. While the Moms were shopping, we as a team had the opportunity to take care of the kids, play with them, and eat with them. There were about twelve of them in total from ages 3-11. The only catch was that none of them could speak any English. Through God, we were able to communicate with them and build relationships with them. I think the best part of the whole day was getting to know Renim and Laina, who were some of the kids we took care of, and bonding with them and the Philippines team. In the end, we had a huge snow ball fight with the kids, because they had never seen snow before. It was so much fun and I can’t wait to see them again.

I have really enjoyed studying Jesus’ crucifixion, and I can’t wait to continue learning about what is was like. I think the last seven words are really cool, and could  be a great inspiration for us. The last words are kind of like Jesus’ last commands for us.

This weekend, I experienced God through Mark Timmer. I go to a very old church, and for the past year and a half, we have been searching for a new pastor. We finally managed to find a suitable candidate, and this was Mark Timmer. Pastor Mark preached on Sunday, and exceeded my expectations. He was funny, relatable, and easy to understand. He talked about how God puts us through hard times, but when we go through these things, he is always with us. I look forward to seeing Pastor Mark in the future.

Leah Cooper

Mrs. Roskamp

LA, 8C

19 October  2015

Theme Writing

The book that I will be writing about is Wonder, written by R.J. Palacio. This book taught me that bullying is a very serious problem and that words can make a huge impact. The book is about a boy named August who looks very different from most of us. His face has a rare problem that makes his face look “deformed.” Because of this deformity, kids usually try to avoid him and are scared by the way he looks. August had been homeschooled until in 6th grade, when the book takes place, that he decides to transfer to one of the local schools. In the book, we learn how August copes and embraces the bullying, new friendships, hard teachers, and academic adventures! August is a great boy, who was born to do even greater things.

This book taught be me that bullying is a very serious problem and that words can make a huge impact. The book shows many of examples of how August was consistently bullied by the students, and even some of the kids whom he thought were his friends. The first scene that comes to mind for me was a day a couple weeks into the school year. One morning, as August had been walking through the hallway at the beginning of the day, he bumped into one of the other students. Naturally, the hallways were filled and it was inevitable that kids would be bumping into each other as they walked to their classes. However, a couple seconds after August had bumped into this person, another student yelled, “You got the touch! Go wash your hands!” At that insant, the kid that August bumped into, ran into the bathroom, washed their hands, and ran back out with relief. In that instant, August’s eyes were opened. He hadn’t noticed that all of the students intentionally didn’t walk near him, and ran away when he touched them. August had ‘the touch’. The moment August realized, he burst into tears and left school to go home. He knew he looked different, but he hadn’t realized that students were scared and grossed out by him. The students had been bullying him. The words of the kids had made a terrible impact on August.

This book taught be me that bullying is a very serious problem and that words can make a huge impact. The second scene of which I saw this theme was when a very sweet girl named Summer sat by August in the lunchroom. During the first couple days of school, August entered the cafeteria and had nobody to sit by. When he would go to sit at a table, the kids sitting there often moved to another table, leaving him sitting alone. Until one day, when a gentle, humble, beautiful, girl named Summer came and sat by him in the lunchroom. At first, August hadn’t spoken to her much, for he was very shy. But everyday she would come back and sit by him. All her friends were opposed to the kind act, and wished for her to go back and sit by them again, but Summer refused. Because of this kind act, her and August slowly became very good friends. She would ask him questions, and he would quietly respond. Summer and August grew close to each other…leading the other students to ask themselves, “Is August really all that bad?” These kind actions changed August and his school experience. He was impacted in such a way that some of the other boys would come and sit by him and Summer.

This book taught be me that bullying is a very serious problem and that words can make a huge impact. Last but most certainly not least was August’s best friend, Jack. Jack appeared to August throughout the whole book. We see him in the beginning as a boy who was asked to be part of a ‘Welcoming Committee’ for August along with some of the other students. Jack quickly becomes part of August’s life. They, along with Summer, get along all very well and become amazing friends. Jack often sat with him at lunch, and stook up for him when the other kids, especially the boys, would bully him. Jack and August, like any friendship, hit some really rough patches. On a Friday of October, all the students dressed up in their halloween costumes for school. August had dressed up as a ghost (I think) which hid his identity. As he walked into his classroom for first period, he heard one of the boys talking about. He was saying how annoying, ugly, and weird August was; and much more. Immediately taken back by the comments, August cried underneath his costume and sat down in his seat. Until he realized that the boy talking about him was Jack. Jack, who August thought was his friend. August didn’t speak to Jack for several weeks, and refused to work with him at school. However, Jack made up for his mistake. Jack told August the truth; that he in fact was only trying to be cool in front of the other boys. August felt better, and slowly but surely, Jack and August became friends all over again. Jack’s words both tore August down, but had the power to lift him back up again.

This book taught be me that bullying is a very serious problem and that words can make a huge impact. In conclusion, this book without a doubt had a lot of powerful lessons to be learned. It was one of my favorite books and I am so happy that I had the opportunity to read it. Although words can be serious problem, that cause a lot of bullying… they are also the most powerful things we have. We can build each other up higher than money, clothes, or popularity ever could. I loved the book, and believe that words can change the world.