What My Family Means to Me

by Lauren Burns

Many people say how much their family annoys them, however I think that my family is a blessing! Each one of my family members means the world to me. They each impact my life in special way. They all help me learn lessons that will prepare me for life.

First my dad. My dad is the greatest dad I could ask for. He is always willing to help me with school and athletics He always is up for a bike ride, a hiking trip, or a trip to the movies. I always enjoy going to lunch with him and just talking. He also works really hard for us and provides for our family. A year and a half ago, my dad was shot in the leg while working on the police force. This incident grew our family together, more than we could have imagined. It helped me appreciate my dad, and realize how special he is to me. Even through it all my dad kept a good attitude and was a great influence on me.  Like I said he is the best dad ever.

Next, my mom. My mom is the perfect mom for me! She makes delicious food, she helps me with my school, and is always there for me. She loves to shop and I go with her most of the time. However, I usually can’t find anything that fits me, so half of our shopping trips are me constantly asking to go home. But, she still takes me with her. Isn’t she so patient! My mom also puts up with my shenanigans. Believe it or not I’m usually pretty hyper and am always being crazy. My mom is always willing to help me and is the most amazing mom I could ask for.

Okay, my brothers. My house is usually pretty crazy. I mean four younger brothers doesn’t exactly correlate with quiet. However, even with their craziness, my brothers are still pretty fun. They will always jump on the trampoline with me or just mess around with me in the backyard. We also have a fun time spying on our neighbors, from the trampoline of course. And about everyday we will play football.

A month ago, I was playing football with my brothers, uncles, my dad, and my cousins and I broke my arm. My other brother also broke his arm a few months earlier playing soccer. They’re pretty tough, obviously, but I’m pretty tough because of it.  Besides being stared at by everyone in a restaurant because of the craziness at our table. We argue sometimes, but it helps us work our our differences. Without them I wouldn’t be as patient, as social, or as good of an athlete.

Now, I would love to say I have at least one sister, but alas I do not. But I do have two girl cousins who are very close to my age. They are the best cousins ever and we have always have a blast together. We enjoy watching movies, playing sock monkeys, (Yes, it may seem kind of little kid-ish but, we have fun anyway) and doing many arts and crafts. We love to blast music, jump on the trampoline, and yell silly things at their neighbors.

Last year my dad’s family rented a house in the mountains. My cousins and I had a blast playing Just Dance, staying up late and eating Cheez-Its, messing around with our hair, and making crazy obstacle course shows! Even though we live three hours away, I consider them my sisters. They are always willing to do girly things with me, which is something I don’t usually do. They are the best cousins ever and I can almost consider them sisters and they are always there for me.

My family is the perfect family for me! They teach me patience, to always look on the bright side, and to work as hard as I can. They are always willing to support me. If it weren’t for them I wouldn’t be the person I am today.

The Act That Changed It All

By Jaden

There are a lot of different people in this world who do good things, bad things, incredible things, heart warming things, and in my case, something that will change a person’s life forever. That’s exactly what a family did for me. On October 10, 2003 in the Hunan province of Chang De, China, a baby girl was born. Unfortunately, for some reason, her parents were unable to care for her and she was later found abandoned at the police station. It could be because, in China, there was a law that every couple could only have one child, or pay a massive fine or even be arrested. China is known for having the largest population in the world; 7.4  billion people. It is also known for having the biggest adoption program in the world. Since the population is so large, the government put great pressure on parents to keep their families small, which forced many to put their second child up for adoption. Most of the parents couldn’t afford to pay the fine or go to jail. The government monitored the families and enforced the law, meaning parents had no choice but to give up all their children except for one, usually a boy who could work on the farm.

That little girl who came into this situation in 2003 is someone I know very well; me, who had been given the name Chang Shuang Ying. I spent a year and two months in a government run orphanage. Looking back, I can tell that, if I had stayed in the orphanage, I would  have had very little opportunity for a loving family and a happy life.

On December 8, 2004, that all changed. A family from America, known as the Eichers, came to adopt me. Even though the video showed me screaming my head off, this would turn out to be the happiest day of my life. A whole new world was awaiting me. The act that my new family did really changed my life by giving me hope for a bright future.

In the present, I’ve learned a lot about China; such as how there aren’t as many opportunities as we have here in America. Kids our age are working in factories, making toys and other products, and lots of the children at a young age work on farms  instead of going to school, playing with friends , or spending time with family.

I have a beautiful house with my own bedroom. I’m able to take private singing lessons that help me earn amazing roles in theater productions. Also, I’ve studied many different styles of dance, such as ballet and tap. I love traveling to different places, like Florida, where I swim in the clear blue ocean, going under big waves, and boogie boarding on top with my funny loving dad. I probably would not be able to have these opportunities if I wasn’t adopted by an American family who I love so much.

Mission Trip

By Alyssa Weil

    Up until four years ago I portrayed life like a fairy tale; everyone goes to college, gets married, then lives happily ever after. No problem right? When I went on a mission trip to Texas with my youth group when I was ten, I realized that there are kids out there who have more problems than failing a test or not getting what they wanted for Christmas or whatever. (Not that I was ever spoiled)

When we arrived in Texas the first thing I thought was “It’s so hot and humid and I just want to go home now." I found myself having a five minute pity-party, and by the number of bug bites I got during the week, I might as well have been a mosquito magnet! I look back now and I’m so glad I didn’t have the choice of coming back. Our first activity was that we spent a day entertaining a group of unfortunate kids who grew up on the streets and were either neglected and/or abused by their parents. The camp was at a church so they could play sports, games, and be educated in a safe environment. All the kids seemed way too independent and mature for their age, and had all been through a lot, especially some of the really young ones.

Although it was a different experience, I had a lot of fun playing soccer and volleyball, watching movies, and getting to know the kids. I became friends with a bright girl who was a little older than me, and asked “How do you stay positive even though you have been through so much and have so little?” She said “I’ve learned to take nothing for granted and instead of relying on other people for enjoying life, I try to stay optimistic about every opportunity that comes my way.” I let that sink in and felt that I should try to do the same.

    So besides the mosquitos, broken showers, and humidity, this trip was really fun and taught me some incredible life lessons. Our group did a lot more in Texas, including feeding the homeless, cleaning school busses, and at the end we rewarded ourselves with a trip to Six Flags. All of those experiences were amazing, but I learned the most from the girl I met at the camp. So whenever I have a problem come my way, I just think of her and try to see things in a different perspective. No matter where you start in life, you can always end on a good note.

My Secret Talent

By Annika Tuka

“What would you like for Christmas?” my dad asked me one cold winter day. 

“I want a real camera, like you and mom!” my six-year-old self exclaimed.  

With an amused look on his face my dad said ok and walked away.  Little did I know I would not be getting a camera anytime soon.  When I was younger I had always loved photography, and looking at beautiful pictures inspired me to take some of my own.  Sadly, everyone thought I was “too young” so that year I received a plastic, pink, princess camera.  I was sad and angry, “was I not a good enough photographer?” Finally in 2012, I received my first camera for Christmas, I was so happy and excited to start taking many pictures.  Over the years I practiced taking pictures determined to get better.

Photography has made me look at things differently.  I look at the simple things, for example trees, streets, cars passing, and make them look so beautiful in my mind.  I think everything would look beautiful in a picture.  Sometimes I wish that my eyes could take pictures, because sometimes I don’t have a camera on me to take a picture of that moment.  Eyes have a different perspective on things, they see and adjust better than cameras.  

Over a couple years, I practiced taking photos.  Even if they were bad, I would save them to look back on later.  I would search up photography tips and study about how to use a camera right, different perspectives, light and shadow, I practiced, determined to put all I had learned to good use.  Like everyone says, ‘Practice makes perfect,’ this saying is old and cheesy but it is so true.  Being on different social media I have seen many photos, well taken, and not.  Looking at all those photos taken everyday inspired me to do the same.

I am not the best photographer in the world, nor am I the most educated, but photography is something that I love.  Photography has made me look at things differently and has helped me capture memories and moments in my life that I would never want to forget.  I know that every photo that I take I will look back on in the future and remember every moment.  “Photography is the only language that can be understood anywhere in the world.”