The Father Of The Church

Going to school online, you have more convenience in sitting in front of an computer in your living room. You can work at your own pace, and stop and take a break when ever you need to. You don’t have to worry about having to commute back and forth to school. What I like most is that I’m able

Throughout my life, I have been taken by music. However, it was not until my 8th grade year in middle school that I realized that I could be a musician for the rest of my life. Before that, music just seemed like something to keep me out of trouble. I wasn’t the best player at that time, and I still knew very little about it all. How could something like that ever support someone? Still, it was the only talent that I could find any success in, and it was still very enjoyable, so I wanted to still give it a shot.

Music has always been integral in my life. During my childhood, when I was four years old, I pressed my fingers on an oven handle like a piano. Throughout my childhood years I listened to my mom’s old-school mix CD’s, along with the Pandora music app on my old Kindle. In fifth grade, I picked up the piano. My alto saxophone studies began in seventh grade. When high school arrived, I turned my focus to guitar and voice. The more knowledge I absorbed, the more knowledge I craved. My decision to pursue music was also influenced by the inspirations I’ve encountered on my journey so far.

I can remember the moment when I decided that I would become a musician. I was at a summer music program that I didn’t really want to be at, sitting in a room that was filled with the scent of insulation. I was sitting on one of the many blue cushioned chairs in the room/. The instructors went around the hall, asking other children how old they were and what instrument they played. Everyone seemed to know each other already, chewing at the bit to be let on the stage to grab their preferred instrument and play the little music that they already knew with their friends. I felt left out, as I didn’t have an instrument that I could call my own. When the instructor finally got to me, he asked my age, name, and what I played, just like he had to

In 1992, a woman gave birth to my sister and I. Due to unknown reasons, at some point during the first year, she left her twins at the doorsteps of a local police station. My sister and I were eventually placed in an orphanage in Addis Ababa, where we would then go on to be adopted and brought to the US. We grew up in a loving home with loving parents, and all of our needs met. Our childhood was ideal in many ways and I grew feeling up very blessed. Our adopted mother loved us so deeply, and our father was always a provider, stable, loving father.

During high school I also took community college courses. This program I attended was at Gateway Community College. This program has impacted my life academically and personally. High school was not much of a challenge anymore. This experience to be more knowledgeable than my peers. The opportunity I got gave the chance to view education from a different perspective. It also guided me through my first year of college. I believe that education is a important role in every child's life. I'm currently taking classes

In the second grade, I told my mom I wanted to play guitar. Watching School of Rock may or may not have affected that decision. A couple weeks later, my mom brought home… a violin – Guitar Center had run out of guitars, she claimed. And though it wasn’t exactly what I had asked for, I ended up liking the violin, and came to appreciate classical music. But my other musical tastes stuck with me, and quickly expanded – my iPod soon contained rock, jazz, alternative, heavy metal, hip-hop, rap, country, and everything in between. As I listened to various musical styles, I gradually picked up more instruments – electric guitar, bass, classical guitar, and so forth.

Music has been a part of my life since the beginning. My Grandma Hammond, a music teacher, had me start right off into piano when I turned 7 years old. She has been my music teacher since then. I was taught all genres of music starting from classical to what is popular now. My favorite genres to learn were Jazz and Rock music pieces. I remember when I was the age of 12, I begged her to let me learn and play the song Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen for one of my music festivals. My Grandma disagreed at once about my idea because it was required of the piano students to play a classical piano piece. I was a good student and learned that festival piece, but little did she know I would also teach myself Bohemian Rhapsody and play it after my classical

Imagine a couple flying millions of miles to adopt two children who have been abandoned by their parents. They gave me a second chance at a better life in the US. It all started in 2001, Saint Petersburg Russia, Carrie and Brendan flew over the seas. Traveled to a tiny town called Luga to pick up my brother and I. I was dressed in a child's dress and two hot pink bows. I was too young to remember most of these events but I’ve been told many times how it went. I was very curious when my parents came to meet me in the orphanage that I stayed in.

I was born in November 2000 in Mena, Arkansas, the first child and only daughter of Tommy and Sonya Kyle. I was a fast learner right from the get-go; I began speaking and walking before I was a year old. I was also very curious, and I was constantly asking questions. I spent the days of my childhood at my grandparent’s house, watching PBS TV shows and playing with puzzles and legos, while my parents were at work. When I was three years old my brother Braxton was born, and he joined our grandparents and I during our days.

I was born November 3, 1960, as Susan Ann Hlavacek, with my identical twin sister Sandra Marie Hlavacek. I am the older sister by eight minutes. According to my Dad, they didn’t know that they were expecting twins. They were very surprised when Sandy was born, not only did they have one little girl; now they have two little girls coming home. Forty-nine years later, one of their little girls would be diagnosed with Breast Cancer, a disease that would change my life forever.

When I started middle school I was so eager to pick up an instrument and make a sound. Unfortunately, to my despise, it wasn’t that easy. First, we had to actually learn the basics of music, like how to read music notes and rhythms. When we were finally allowed to take our

The amount of time you put into school benefits you. Online school is harder, in my opinion, because you have to teach yourself the material. For the past 4 years of my high school career, I must admit that I've had some of the most dedicating, hardworking, passionate, as well as knowledgeable teachers. Most of them made themselves available at any time and I felt honored being in extra curricular activites, as well, as it enabled me to do other things. I was President for the 2016-2017 school year for both Student Government, as well as, National Honors Society. We've all put in the hard work in because we wouldn't be sitting here! All of us have people to thank for getting us here. I would like to take the time to thank my family but most importantly my mother. If I had to describe my mom in one word, it would be my "best friend." She is the strongest person I know and has a heart of gold, and puts others before herself. I am forever greatful to have a mother like her because she has told me to never give up and follow my dreams. I'm also positive that all of you have a special person that has inspired you to be the person you have become. Guys, we took the step of online, but we also have had people who helped us to where we are

I began the research for this sermon differently than any sermon I had previously done. This was the first time I would be approaching a dialogue sermon and while we largely agreed we would craft our own sermons and combine them from there, everything was done in awareness that what I created would have to be something that could be added to or bounced back and forth with another topic from this text. It was also the first Advent sermon I would be giving so there were special considerations for that as well. The text was Matthew 3:1-12 and my first reading did not provide much encouragement. I typically associate Advent with a season of joy and happiness but after I read the text the only thing that stood out for me was John the Baptist

Virtual High school is becoming more and more popular. But is it really the best option for your child? My parents are planning on sending me to a virtual high school. But I totally disagree with that Idea. Here's why. There's no doubt that online schooling can’t get you the proper education that you need, But if your alwaysways on the computer, surrounded by no one but yourself and maybe a parent. Then how is it possible that you will be able to learn any social skills. When you first think of this it may not seem like a bad thing, but when really, it’s a huge issue that will shape your lifestyle.