If someone asks you what the best week of your life was like, many have to stop and ponder, sorting through the millions of memories that sprout in their mind. I’m a little different. I can tell you that the week of July 14-21, 2013 was, by far and away, the best week of my life. I went to Young Life camp in Saranac, New York. This camp was life-changing, breath-taking, and totally fun. I did things I had never done in my life before, I conquered one of my major fears, and I learned about the big guy upstairs who saved me.

One of my biggest fears is heights. I’m okay if I don’t look down, but as soon as I do, I’m sent into a mini panic attack. Unfortunately for me, one of the activities scheduled for us was a ropes course. The staff had lined the tree tops with ropes and harnesses and your goal was to walk on all the ropes without falling, trying to make it to the end.

I looked at my friend who was behind me in line. “Are you nervous at all?”

She looked back at me and smiled. “Heck no! I’m so excited!”

“Well, how strong are those harnesses do you think? Will they break?”

My friend laughed and squeezed my hand for comfort. “I promise Maddi, you’ll be alright. You’re going to love it!” Of course she ended up being right, I loved it! There were multiple steps to the ropes course, starting with a wall of ropes that you had to climb across. After each section of ropes you arrived at a platform where a staff member sat waiting for you.

“You did so well! The first time I did that section I fell and just dangled there while the other staff members laughed at me,” one staff guy had said when I reached his platform, making fun of himself. “I’m so glad you’re here at camp! Are you having fun? What’s been your favorite part so far?” At almost every platform, a staff member would say something along those lines. They would always say that they were happy I was there, that they wanted me there. I had never felt more welcomed. Even though I know they said it to every camper, it was so very sincere and it made me feel happy to be there. It was such a great moment.

At the end of the course, in order to get down, you had to jump from the safe platform up in the tree, free fall, and try and grab on to the bar that was swinging out in the open. If I do say so myself, I was taking the whole ropes course like a champ. I was joking around with the staff and my friends and I was having so much fun. This last jump, however, seemed to be pushing it. Couldn’t they just gently lower me to the ground? Did I have to free fall?

Looking from the edge of the platform to the ground was terrifying. We were so far up! “Okay, what’s your name sweetie?” The guy who was probably a million feet below me (okay maybe I’m being a little bit dramatic) called up to me.

“My name’s Maddi,” I shakily answer, my arms firmly wrapped around the center tree of the platform.

“It’s nice to meet you Maddi! My name’s Jake and I’m going to be belaying you okay? You’re in safe hands, I promise. Lowering you to the ground will be no heavier than a sack of flour because the poIe behind me will be doing all of the work, okay? You will not fall. Now I need you to step forward and put your left foot on the white line in front of you and your right foot slightly behind your left, can you do that for me?”

I did as Jake had asked and looked over the edge at the ground. The edges of my vision seemed a little fuzzy and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I stepped back for a minute and took a deep breathe. “Hey Jake, is it okay if I put my right foot in front instead of my left?”

I heard laughter from Jake, my friends, and my leaders standing below me. “You can stand however is comfortable for you. I have you either way.”

I took another deep breath and stepped up to the line a second time. This time I knew my vision was fuzzy. I couldn’t see the bar in front of me, it was like it had disappeared. Then I made eye contact with Angie, my Young Life leader. She saw the look of panic in my eyes and began encouraging me, shouting out her love and cheering me on. Soon my friends, the staff, and even other campers whom I had never even met were shouting for me. It was a remarkable experience. I drew on the strength they were giving me and I launched myself into the air. It seemed like I was falling for both a nanosecond and an eternity. I finally felt the cool metal bar beneath my hands and I grabbed on for dear life. I had done it. Not only did I jump, but I caught the bar! Cheers erupted from below me and I started laughing as Jake gently lowered me to the ground. I was suddenly engulfed in hugs.

The ropes course was both a conquered fear and a lesson. I conquered my fear of heights, but I soon learned that I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed the help from my friends and more importantly, from God. It was a great reminder that I can’t do anything by myself and if I try I will be overwhelmed with fear, stress, anxiety, and doubts. Giving up not only my troubles but my life to God shows that He is the true conqueror. He conquers my biggest fears and showers me with love and promises. It was hidden lesson that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The lesson in and of itself is pretty simple to grasp, but actually following through with it is much more difficult. There have been many times since then that I have tried to shoulder everything. I wanted to control everything, to be a big girl and handle my own problems. Every single time I do this, I fail. Every. Single. Time.

One such instance happened during one week of the fall semester of college. It was one of the busiest weeks I’ve had so far. I had three exams, two papers due, multiple meetings to attend, different errands to run, bills to pay with money that I didn’t have, and so very little time. During that week, I had pushed God aside. I didn’t attend church, do my devotions, or even pray because I simply felt that it was a waste of time that I could have spent getting work done. Boy, did God get me good.

By the middle of the week, I was running out of steam and positivity. I was exhausted because I had hardly been sleeping and I was grumpy because of it. Eventually I broke down. I cried my little heart out until I could cry no more. I called my best friend then and broke down for a second time within an hour. I told her that I was so stressed and overwhelmed and I simply couldn’t do college anymore. Right away she asked if I had been praying about it.

“Of course!” I lied. “I just don’t think He’s listening right now.” I made up an excuse to cover for the guilty feeling of pushing God aside, which was probably the worst thing I could have done. The plus side about this though, is that I’m the world’s worst liar, and my friend knows it. She called me out on it right away; holding me accountable the way a friend in Chirst is supposed to.

“I know you’re completely drowning in work right now and I know you are so stressed out, but I think this is the time when you really need to bury yourself in God. You’re trying to carry everything yourself and you can’t do it. Give everything to God and He will help you through it.” I felt as if I had lost, I had failed. I wasn’t good enough to succeed in a simple thing such as school. I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and I had nowhere else to turn. I heard my friend’s advice that night and decided to listen to her. I prayed and I read my bible and I prayed some more that night. What did I have to lose?

I’m sure you’re expecting some big miracle to occur after I submerged myself in God’s Word, but that’s not what happened. God works step by step according to His plan, not when it’s convenient for you. I did get something, though: understanding. I realized that I had tried to take on the world and I lost entirely. I didn’t even stand a chance. I was set up for a loss when I had begun without God, and I would continue to lose if I lived my life for myself. This understanding brought on hope. I know that seems like the smallest thing, but it was hope that I so desperately needed. Hope to pass my tests and do well in school. Hope to pay my bills and find the money I needed somewhere. Hope that everything will get better and I can do it.

I did, in fact, survive that horrific week. Over the weekend I received a call from Bursar saying that they had overcharged me and I was going to be refunded some money, solving my money crisis. I also received a letter from my youth leader back home saying she was thinking about me and praying for me. My mom had called me sending her love and I got good test scores back on my exams. Little by little, I gave my worries to God, and little by little He kept proving just what He’s capable of and the things He can overcome. The way of God is a mystery, but boy does He show up when I need Him the most and reminds me just how loved I am! I was transported back to the ropes course over the summer and the lesson I had learned and just how true that was.

It is a struggle every day to trust in God, and by far the hardest thing I have ever done. I still find myself not wanting to give up my control or I’ll find myself putting things in front of Him, like my school work. Each time I do that, I become stressed, frustrated and just low. Being real with myself about what I’m doing and talking it out with a friend is extremely hard, especially when the friend calls you out on the things you do that you shouldn’t be doing. It’s hard to face the reality of a situation, but once you do, new light will shine and your eyes will be opened to the wonders of our God. It’s never easy and it will never be easy, especially in a society that is preaching the exact opposite of following God. I have been persecuted, judged, and laughed at for my beliefs, but the rewards, however, are worth every little bit of the struggle, and I know I’m not in this alone. I have the King of kings, the Prince of peace, my guide, my refuge, my strength, and most importantly, my friend by my side throughout everything.

 

Coming across this advertisement, I was shocked at first. Mainly because, just by glimpsing at the ad, you see a pretty background with a pretty font. I was expecting some cheesy perfume name, but I got the exact opposite. The dead mouse inside the perfume bottle immediately catches the eye. This bold statement combined with the word Torture exemplifies the horrors of animal testing. The organization that sponsors this ad, NOAH, included a website in the bottom right hand corner you can visit to make a donation against animal testing. The combination of the pretty background with a darker message, the dead mouse in the perfume bottle, the simple word Torture, and the website you can visit all made this advertisement effective.

https://sites.psu.edu/stewamad/2014/03/21/77/

If someone asks you what the best week of your life was like, many have to stop and ponder, sorting through the millions of memories that sprout in their mind. I’m a little different. I can tell you that the week of July 14-21, 2013 was, by far and away, the best week of my life. I went to Young Life camp in Saranac, New York. This camp was life-changing, breath-taking, and totally fun. I did things I had never done in my life before, I conquered one of my major fears, and I learned about the big guy upstairs who saved me.

One of my biggest fears is heights. I’m okay if I don’t look down, but as soon as I do, I’m sent into a mini panic attack. Unfortunately for me, one of the activities scheduled for us was a ropes course. The staff had lined the tree tops with ropes and harnesses and your goal was to walk on all the ropes without falling, trying to make it to the end.

I looked at my friend who was behind me in line. “Are you nervous at all?”

She looked back at me and smiled. “Heck no! I’m so excited!”

“Well, how strong are those harnesses do you think? Will they break?”

My friend laughed and squeezed my hand for comfort. “I promise Maddi, you’ll be alright. You’re going to love it!” Of course she ended up being right, I loved it! There were multiple steps to the ropes course, starting with a wall of ropes that you had to climb across. After each section of ropes you arrived at a platform where a staff member sat waiting for you.

“You did so well! The first time I did that section I fell and just dangled there while the other staff members laughed at me,” one staff guy had said when I reached his platform, making fun of himself. “I’m so glad you’re here at camp! Are you having fun? What’s been your favorite part so far?” At almost every platform, a staff member would say something along those lines. They would always say that they were happy I was there, that they wanted me there. I had never felt more welcomed. Even though I know they said it to every camper, it was so very sincere and it made me feel happy to be there. It was such a great moment.

At the end of the course, in order to get down, you had to jump from the safe platform up in the tree, free fall, and try and grab on to the bar that was swinging out in the open. If I do say so myself, I was taking the whole ropes course like a champ. I was joking around with the staff and my friends and I was having so much fun. This last jump, however, seemed to be pushing it. Couldn’t they just gently lower me to the ground? Did I have to free fall?

Looking from the edge of the platform to the ground was terrifying. We were so far up! “Okay, what’s your name sweetie?” The guy who was probably a million feet below me (okay maybe I’m being a little bit dramatic) called up to me.

“My name’s Maddi,” I shakily answer, my arms firmly wrapped around the center tree of the platform.

“It’s nice to meet you Maddi! My name’s Jake and I’m going to be belaying you okay? You’re in safe hands, I promise. Lowering you to the ground will be no heavier than a sack of flour because the poIe behind me will be doing all of the work, okay? You will not fall. Now I need you to step forward and put your left foot on the white line in front of you and your right foot slightly behind your left, can you do that for me?”

I did as Jake had asked and looked over the edge at the ground. The edges of my vision seemed a little fuzzy and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I stepped back for a minute and took a deep breathe. “Hey Jake, is it okay if I put my right foot in front instead of my left?”

I heard laughter from Jake, my friends, and my leaders standing below me. “You can stand however is comfortable for you. I have you either way.”

I took another deep breath and stepped up to the line a second time. This time I knew my vision was fuzzy. I couldn’t see the bar in front of me, it was like it disappeared. Then I made eye contact with Angie, my Young Life leader. She saw the look of panic in my eyes and began encouraging me, shouting out her love and cheering me on. Soon my friends, the staff, and even other campers whom I had never even met were shouting for me. It was a remarkable experience. I drew on the strength they were giving me and I launched myself into the air. It seemed like I was falling for both a nanosecond and an eternity. I finally felt the cool metal bar beneath my hands and I grabbed on for dear life. I had done it. Not only did I jump, but I caught the bar! Cheers erupted from below me and I started laughing as Jake gently lowered me to the ground. I was suddenly engulfed in hugs.

The ropes course was both a conquered fear and a lesson. I conquered my fear of heights, but I soon learned that I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed the help from my friends and more importantly, from God. It was a great reminder that I can’t do anything by myself and if I try I will be overwhelmed with fear, stress, anxiety, and doubts. Giving up not only my troubles but my life to God shows that He is the true conqueror. He conquers my biggest fears and showers me with love and promises. It was hidden lesson that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

The lesson in and of itself is pretty simple to grasp, but actually following through with it is much more difficult. There have been many times since then that I have tried to shoulder everything. I wanted to control everything, to be a big girl and handle my own problems. Every single time I do this, I fail. Every. Single. Time.

One such instance happened during one week of the fall semester of college. It was one of the busiest weeks I’ve had so far. I had three exams, two papers due, multiple meetings to attend, different errands to run, bills to pay with money that I didn’t have, and so very little time. During that week, I had pushed God aside. I didn’t attend church, do my devotions, or even pray because I simply felt that it was a waste of time that I could have spent getting work done. Boy, did God get me good.

By the middle of the week, I was running out of steam and positivity. I was exhausted because I had hardly been sleeping and I was grumpy because of it. Eventually I broke down. I cried my little heart out until I could cry no more. I called my best friend then and broke down for a second time within an hour. I told her that I was so stressed and overwhelmed and I simply couldn’t do college anymore. Right away she asked if I had been praying about it.

“Of course!” I lied. “I just don’t think He’s listening right now.” I made up an excuse to cover for the guilty feeling of pushing God aside, which was probably the worst thing I could have done. The plus side about this though, is that I’m the world’s worst liar, and my friend knows it. She called me out on it right away; holding me accountable the way a friend is supposed to.

“I know you’re completely drowning in work right now and I know you are so stressed out, but I think this is the time when you really need to bury yourself in God. You’re trying to carry everything yourself and you can’t do it. Give everything to God and He will help you through it.” I felt as if I had lost, I had failed. I wasn’t good enough to succeed in a simple thing such as school. I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders and I had nowhere else to turn. I heard my friend’s advice that night and decided to listen to her. I prayed and I read my bible and I prayed some more that night. What did I have to lose?

I’m sure you’re expecting some big miracle to occur after I submerged myself in God’s Word, but that’s not what happened. God works step by step according to His plan, not when it’s convenient for you. I did get something, though: understanding. I realized that I had tried to take on the world and I lost entirely. I didn’t even stand a chance. I was set up for a loss when I had begun without God, and I would continue to lose if I lived my life for myself. This understanding brought on hope. I know that seems like the smallest thing, but it was hope that I so desperately needed. Hope to pass my tests and do well in school. Hope to pay my bills and find the money I needed somewhere. Hope that everything will get better and I can do it.

I did, in fact, survive that horrific week. Over the weekend I received a call from Bursar saying that they had overcharged me and I was going to be refunded some money, solving my money crisis. I also received a letter from my youth leader back home saying she was thinking about me and praying for me. My mom had called me sending her love and I got good test scores back on my exam. The way of God is a mystery, but boy does He show up when I need Him the most and reminds me just how loved I am! I was transported back to the ropes course over the summer and the lesson I had learned and just how true that was.

It is a struggle every day to trust in God, by far the hardest thing I have ever done. The rewards, however, are worth every little bit of struggle, and I know I’m not in this alone. I have the King of kings, the Prince of peace, my guide, my refuge, my strength, and most importantly, my friend by my side throughout everything.

When I was a little girl, I loved going through my mom’s photo album. I loved looking at the pictures of her growing up and listening to the stories that went with the memory. Often times she would make comments on how she had totally forgotten that certain event had occurred, and she would smile lovingly at the picture with a faraway look in her eyes as she reminisced about that day.

I especially loved seeing pictures of my Aunt Diane. She had died in a car crash when she was eighteen and my mom loved telling us stories of how mischievous and full of life she was. My mom would sigh then, wishing she had more pictures to jar her memory of life with her sister. After all, my mom was only thirteen when her sister passed, so her memories without the pictures to jog her mind were limited. Listening to the regret that filled my mom’s voice because she couldn’t remember her sister well both broke my heart and filled me with determination; determination to take pictures of my different adventures, milestones, and experiences so I could one day look back and remember.

Those memories make up your life and the feelings you experienced during those times all play a role in molding you into the person you are today. I don’t want to look back over my life and feel unsatisfied because I don’t remember my past, or feel regret for not taking a picture to treasure forever. I want to be able to show my grandkids my pictures and I want to be able to tell them stories of what life was like “way back when”, and to prove to them that grandma didn’t always have all these wrinkles. I want to look back over a picture and remember the people, the feelings, the emotions, the experience, and share all that with my family and friends.

I believe in capturing the moment. I believe in creating memories and then holding on to those memories forever with a click of your camera. I believe in remembering your life and the great times you had with the people that meant the most to you. Many things will fade over time. Royal blue jeans will fade into a worn out, tired blue, your bright blonde hair will fade, that nice tan you got over summer will fade, and so will your memories. These pictures, however, will last a lifetime.

1. Step 1: Jump in shock at the sound of the alarm going off.

Step 2: Check the time and groan.

Step 3: Hit snooze button.

Step 4: But accidentally turn alarm off.

Step 5: Wake up in a panic, realizing you’re going to be late for class.

Step 6: Move as quickly and quietly as possible so you don’t wake the roommate.

Step 7: Realize that there’s no way you could ever be quiet because you’re the clumsiest person on the face of the earth and trip over everything in sight.

Step 8: Fall down several times in a sleepy stupor.

Step 9: Walk to the bathroom to brush your teeth, squinting at how unnecessarily bright the hallway lights are.

Step 10: Give up on making your hair look good.

Step 11: Give up on making your makeup look good.

Step 12: Throw on a giant sweater and scarf and prepare to be made fun of because you wear this every day.

Step 13: Leave once to go get coffee.

Step 14: Come back when you’re halfway down the hall because you realize you forgot your phone.

Step 15: Leave again.

Step 16: Turn back around once you’re almost out the door because you forgot your wallet.

Step 17: Run to class, it’s now too late to get coffee.

2. Find flow chart here! Flow Chart

3. Maddison Lyn Stewart was born October 12^th, 1994 in Sharon, Pennsylvania and met Jesus Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 19 years of age. She was the daughter of Carolyn Lander Fillard and Michael Stewart. In addition to her parents, she is survived by 3 siblings, Megan Stewart age 20, Zane Stewart age 18, and Kendyl Stewart age 16. Maddison was a freshman at Pennsylvania State University and a Wyldlife leader at Park Forrest middle school in State College. Maddison was a joy to everyone she met and a complete boss because she died running across rooftops and fighting ninjas in Japan. She will be dearly missed. Funeral services are to be held at Corpus Christi Church in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania on March 1^st, 2014.

  

I decided to take a paragraph of my nonfiction writing and expand it, adding more details and dialogue instead of just adding on to wherever I had left off before.

 

If someone asks you what the best week of your life was like, many have to stop and ponder, sorting through the millions of memories that sprout in their mind. I’m a little different. I can tell you that the week of July 14-21, 2013 was, by far and away, the best week of my life. I went to Young Life camp in Saranac, New York. This camp was life-changing, breath-taking, and totally fun. I did things I had never done in my life before, I conquered one of my major fears, and I learned about the big guy upstairs who saved me.

One of my biggest fears is heights. I’m okay if I don’t look down, but as soon as I do, I’m sent into a mini panic attack. Unfortunately for me, one of the activities scheduled for us was a ropes course. The staff had lined the tree tops with ropes and harnesses and your goal was to walk on all the ropes without falling, trying to make it to the end.

I looked at my friend who was behind me in line. “Are you nervous at all?”

She looked back at me and smiled. “Heck no! I’m so excited!”

“Well, how strong are those harnesses do you think? Will they break?”

My friend laughed and squeezed my hand for comfort. “I promise Maddi, you’ll be alright. You’re going to love it!” Of course she ended up being right, I loved it! There were multiple steps to the ropes course, starting with a wall of ropes that you had to climb across. After each section of ropes you arrived at a platform where a staff member sat waiting for you.

“You did so well! The first time I did that section I fell and just dangled there while the other staff members laughed at me,” one staff guy had said when I reached his platform, making fun of himself. “I’m so glad you’re here at camp! Are you having fun? What’s been your favorite part so far?” At almost every platform, a staff member would say something along those lines. They would always say that they were happy I was there, that they wanted me there. I had never felt more welcomed. Even though I know they said it to every camper, it was so very sincere and it made me feel happy to be there. It was such a great moment.

At the end of the course, in order to get down, you had to jump from the safe platform up in the tree, free fall, and try and grab on to the bar that was swinging out in the open. If I do say so myself, I was taking the whole ropes course like a champ. I was joking around with the staff and my friends and I was having so much fun. I had even taken a running start for the zip line. I was killing this course! This last jump, however, seemed to be pushing it. Couldn’t they just gently lower me to the ground? Did I have to free fall?

Looking from the edge of the platform to the ground was terrifying. We were so far up! “Okay, what’s your name sweetie?” The guy who was probably a million feet below me (okay maybe I’m being a little bit dramatic) called up to me.

“My name’s Maddi,” I shakily answer, my arms firmly wrapped around the center tree of the platform.

“It’s nice to meet you Maddi! My name’s Jake and I’m going to be belaying you okay? You’re in safe hands, I promise. Lowering you to the ground will be no heavier than a sack of flour because the pole behind me will be doing all of the work, okay? You will not fall. Now I need you to step forward and put your left foot on the white line in front of you and your right foot slightly behind your left, can you do that for me?”

I did as Jake had asked and looked over the edge at the ground. The edges of my vision seemed a little fuzzy and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I stepped back for a minute and took a deep breathe. “Hey Jake, is it okay if I put my right foot in front instead of my left?”

I heard laughter from Jake, my friends, and my leaders standing below me. “You can stand however is comfortable for you. I have you either way.”

I took another deep breath and stepped up to the line a second time. This time I knew my vision was fuzzy. I couldn’t see the bar in front of me, it was like it had disappeared. Then I made eye contact with Angie, my Young Life leader. She saw the look of panic in my eyes and began encouraging me, shouting out her love and cheering me on. Soon my friends, the staff, and even other campers whom I had never even met were shouting for me. It was a remarkable experience. I drew on the strength they were giving me and I launched myself into the air. It seemed like I was falling for both a nanosecond and an eternity. I finally felt the cool metal bar beneath my hands and I grabbed on for dear life. I had done it. Not only did I jump, but I caught the bar! Cheers erupted from below me and I started laughing as Jake gently lowered me to the ground. I was suddenly engulfed in hugs.

The ropes course was both a conquered fear and a lesson. I conquered my fear of heights, but I soon learned that I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed the help from my friends and more importantly, from God. It was a great reminder that I can’t do anything by myself and if I try I will be overwhelmed with fear, stress, anxiety, and doubts. Giving up not only my troubles but my life to God shows that He is the true conqueror. He conquers my biggest fears and showers me with love and promises. It was hidden lesson that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

 

1.

Dear Dad,

I miss you. I know I just saw you in December, but that’s a long time for a girl to go without seeing her father. I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit this, but I’m kind of jealous of Megan, Zane and Kendyl. I know you live in Virginia and we live in Pennsylvania, but they live at home with cars. They can go see you more often and you can see them. Penn State is out of the way and I don’t have a car so I kind of feel left out when I see pictures of you with all of them except for me. It’s crazy, I know, since I’m at college and have a reason for not being able to see you, but that doesn’t make me miss you any less. Maybe for spring break I can spend the week with you. It’s funny hearing a 19 year old talk about spending spring break with her dad, but I think I would like that more than anything else. Especially because you don’t just live in an ordinary house. Well, I mean, you do, but you know what I mean. You work at a campground with horses and four wheelers and caves and a golf course. I haven’t been spelunking with you and David in months and I think it’s time I scuff my knees up and almost die. I miss that risk. Of course I miss the horses too! Last time I saw Matilda she was still being broken and now Megan tells me that she’s giving trail rides to the little kids at the campground. She’s come a long way! I miss you, Dad, and your crazy, awesome life. You’re the coolest guy I know and I’m so happy you’re my father. I love you!

Love,

Maddison

 

I miss you. I’m actually a little embarrassed to admit this, but I’m kind of jealous of Megan, Zane and Kendyl. Penn State is out of the way and I don’t have a car so I kind of feel left out when I see pictures of you with all of them except for me. It’s crazy, I know, since I’m at college and have a reason for not being able to see you, but that doesn’t make me miss you any less. Maybe for spring break I can spend the week with you. It’s funny hearing a 19 year old talk about spending spring break with her dad, but I think I would like that more than anything else. I haven’t been spelunking with you and David in months and I think it’s time I scuff my knees up and almost die. I miss that risk. I miss you, Dad, and your crazy, awesome life. You’re the coolest guy I know and I’m so happy you’re my father. I love you!

Going back over the letter, it’s obvious what the heart of it is. I miss my dad and just spending time with him and doing the things we both love to do. There’s also jealousy throughout the letter as I realize that my siblings get to spend more time and bond with my dad more than I do. There’s also a lot of love and happiness too. Reminiscing on the good times spent with my dad brings up feelings of joy.

2.  Objective: Katie always showed she cared in one way or another.

Subjective: In high school, softball tryouts were always a big deal. There were always around 80 girls who tried out and only around 22 made the cut. I had been on the softball team from freshman year to senior year, and every year around tryout time, Katie never failed to show encouragement, wish me luck and then ask how the tryouts had went. After every doctor appointment or job interview, she always asked how I was doing or how everything went. Her kindness was always inspiring to me and motivated me to be a better person.

Objective: Katie never played any sports in high school.

Subjective: My friend group in high school was very diverse. We had the nerd, the jock, the theater geek, the drama queen, and the uncoordinated friend. Katie was the uncoordinated one of the group. My friends loved playing tennis or volleyball on warm spring days and Katie was always the one who would send the tennis ball flying out of the court or hit someone in the back of the head with the volleyball. Instead of complaining about having to play yet another sport, however, she laughed off her mistakes and embraced her lack of athleticism. She made playing the different sports fun and always made us laugh. I like to think her optimism and joy that we were all spending time together rubbed off on each of us.

3. An “argument” between my brother and I:

“Maddison go make me a sandwich.”

“Go make yourself one, you have legs.”

“You’re the girl.”

“What does that have anything to do with it?”

“Girls make the best sandwiches. Plus you belong in the kitchen.”

“Are you serious right now?”

“Maddison please just go make me a sandwich.”

“I’m not making you a sandwich.”

*Mom enters the room*

“Zane go make your sister a sandwich.”

“What! Mom why?!”

“Because she’s leaving for college and this is the last opportunity you’ll have to make her a sandwich.”

“That’s the dumbest reason in the world.”

“If you don’t make your sister a sandwich, you’re grounded.”

*Lots of grumbling from Zane*

*A high five is exchanged between my mom and I*

 

 

Personal Voice

1. Dorothy Parker brings talks about a certain type of person, the “good souls”, referring to them as “congenial pariahs” and very well behaved and self-sacrificing.  Parker uses her narration as more of an observation, listing different situations and the actions the good souls take during the situations. By becoming an observer of situations, Parker allows the reader’s mind to understand and fully grasp the characteristics and intentions of good souls. This understanding will help the readers to think about the experiences they’ve had with good souls, giving Parker an authoritative voice.
2. Parker’s use of questions shifts her tone from opinionated to authoritative. By asking the questions, she gives the readers a chance to really relate to the situation. It’s a time for the readers to think of their own experiences and encounters with similar people. “Good souls” then becomes not just a phrase, but an actual person in the minds of the readers.

Dialogue

1. The dialogue in this story helps show the reader who has control over the situation. In the beginning, the woman has the power. Because the woman is constantly asking questions and apologizing in a sarcastic tone, the man becomes frustrated and thinks deeper into his past actions. Once the man realizes why the woman is upset, the power shifts. He compliments her and makes her feel like there is no one else but her, giving him the upper hand by the end.
2. The woman is constantly apologizing for the smallest things and ultimately the things that weren’t her fault. As you read on, it becomes apparent that the apologies are more sarcastic. She says nothing of how she feels and only comments on how the man feels. She seems calm while the man gets more and more upset at her behavior. The man’s constant questions and accusations of her being “sore” towards him give the reader a sense of his frustration and anger.
3. The way the man and the woman bicker without actually bickering shows the closeness of the two. The woman was upset with the man for talking to another woman, while the man, knowing the woman was upset with him but not knowing why, let the thought of the woman angry at him disrupt his day. These reactions demonstrate the strong feelings the man and the woman have for each other.

 

Nonfiction Writing:

If someone asks you what the best week of your life was like, many have stop and ponder, sorting through the millions of memories that sprout in their mind. I’m a little different. I can tell you that the week of July 14-21, 2013 was, by far and away, the best week of my life. I went to YoungLife camp in Saranac, New York. This camp was life-changing, breath-taking, and totally fun. I did things I had never done in my life before, I conquered one of my major fears, and I learned about the big guy who saved me.

Young Life camping involves high adventure, lots of fun, great food and excellent speakers who understand and respect high school kids. YoungLife camp is a summer camp that has locations all over the United States. Your YoungLife group from back home goes on the trip one week every summer to experience the pure excitement that is there. There are no cell phones for the entire week, just adventure and fun!

The very first day of camp, I tried wake boarding for the first time. For those of you who have never wake boarded before, it is not as easy as it looks. I fell more times than I could count. I did manage to stand up on my last try and I stayed up for a while as the driver of the boat took me around the lake. My arms felt like jello afterwards, but it was such an exciting experience! Throughout the week I parasailed, paddle boarded, kayaked, and zip-lined all for the first time in my life. We had volleyball tournaments, a water slide, square dancing, 50’s night, and free time to just relax and tan on the beach.

The one activity we did was the ropes course. The staff had lined the tree tops with ropes and harnesses and your goal was to walk on all the ropes without falling, trying to make it to the end. At the end of the course, in order to get down, you had to jump from the safe platform up in the tree, free fall, and try and grab on to the bar that was swinging out in the open. Now, I am terrified of heights. Looking from the edge of the platform to the ground was terrifying. We were so far up! I did have a mini heart attack, but my friends and leaders were on the ground and were yelling and encouraging me to jump. I (finally) did jump and closed my eyes as I sailed through the air. I felt the bar with my hands and grabbed on for dear life! I did it, and did a pull up on the bar to celebrate, but that’s beside the point. I had conquered my fear of heights and I had a huge smile on my face as the guy belaying me gently lowered me to the ground. It was such a feeling of accomplishment!

At the beginning and end of the day, we always had club. All the kids piled into this room to sing songs, worship, and hear the speaker of the week talk. I cannot tell you enough what an amazing feeling it is to be surrounded by 400 strangers and feel completely unified and in awe as the speaker talks about the love of Christ. The talks and the worship were always eye-opening and never failed to leave me breathless and even sometimes in tears. At the end of the week, if the kids wanted to, they could stand up and tell everyone that they had accepted Jesus into their lives. Over one hundred kids had stood up that day and had been saved by Jesus and I do not have the words to explain what an honor and blessing it was to be a part of that. Seeing so many kids love Christ was one of the best moments of my life and it is a memory I will never forget.

On the bus ride home, we got our phones back. I didn’t even turn mine on because the week away from social media was a blessing. Our group just ended up talking about the amazing week we had and how we had wished it never ended.

Civic Issue Blog:

The lack of clean water across the world

This I Believe:

This I Believe

                When I was a little girl, I loved going through my mom’s photo album. I loved looking at the pictures of her growing up and listening to the stories that went with the picture. Often times she would make comments on how she had totally forgotten that certain event had occurred, and she would smile lovingly at the picture with a faraway look in her eyes as she reminisced on that day.

I especially loved seeing pictures of my Aunt Diane. She had died in a car crash when she was eighteen and my mom loved telling us stories of how mischievous and full of life she was. My mom would sigh then, wishing she had more pictures to jar her memory of life with her sister. After all, she was only thirteen when she had passed, so her memories without the pictures to jog her mind were few and far between. Listening to the regret that filled my mom’s voice because she couldn’t remember her sister well both broke my heart and filled me with determination; determination to take pictures of my different adventures, milestones, and experiences so I could one day look back and remember.

Those memories make up your life and the feelings you experienced during those times all play a role in molding you into the person you are today. I don’t want to look back over my life and feel unsatisfied because I don’t remember my past, or feel regret for not taking a picture to treasure forever. I want to be able to show my grandkids my pictures and I want to be able to tell them stories of what life was like “way back when”, and to prove to them that grandma didn’t always have all these wrinkles. I want to look back over a picture and remember the people, the feelings, the emotions, the experience, and share all that with my family and friends.

I believe in capturing the moment. I believe in creating memories and then holding on to those memories forever with a click of your camera. I believe in remembering your life and the great times you had with the people that meant the most to you. Many things will fade over time. Royal blue jeans will fade into a worn out, tired blue, your bright blonde hair will fade, that nice tan you got over summer will fade, and so will your memories. These pictures, however, will last a lifetime.

This I Believe:

I believe in capturing the moments that mean the most to you. Taking pictures of your first ever trip to the beach, of that one spontaneous adventure that you and some friends decided to take last summer, or of the time when you adopted your family pet. Capturing these special moments are important because your memory may fade over time, but you’ll have those pictures forever.

 

Civic Issue Blog:

1. I was thinking of how college sports and the pressure to receive a scholarship that starts as early as junior high, affects the education of some of those kids and how the status of playing sports is sometimes seen as greater than the importance of doing well in school.

2. I was also thinking of doing the importance of water and how some countries take the availability of clean water for granted. Many people in third world countries have to trek miles for clean water, and millions die every year from unsanitary water.

 

Passion Blog:

1. One thing I could do is write about things that I see people do every week that inspire me, such as random compliments, genuine listeners, or maybe just the way a person’s laugh is so contagious. I think it’s important to look at the positives of everyone, not judging them because they are different than yourself.

2. Another thing I was thinking about was nature. How being outside is so calming, peaceful, and just so beautiful! Hiking, going to the beach, caving, trail rides, they are all amazing ways to get out of the house and just see and appreciate the beauty that is in our backyards!