Blog Post #10: "Growth"

Blog Post #10: "Growth"

Which event that you learned about from the Church History textbook presentations did you find most interesting and why?

The most interesting event that I learned about from the Church History textbook presentations were the Crusades. The Crusades were a constant battle for the land of Jerusalem. In the first Crusade, they decided that they needed to help the Byzantine Church and take back Jerusalem. The second Crusade was when the Muslims had taken Jerusalem and all the lands taken by the lights in the First Crusade. The Third Crusade was when they failed to get back to Jerusalem but gained the right for Christians to visit the City. Jerusalem and Asia Minor were still in Muslim hands, but they learned advances in astronomy, mathematics, and science. I found this event the most interesting because it shows how there is a constant conflict between Muslims and Christians and how they can work together in order to resolve that conflict.

I chose this picture because it shows how the Crusades affected everyone.

Which person whom you learned about from the Church History textbook presentations did you find most interesting and why?

The most interesting person that I learned about from the Church History textbook presentations was Pope John Paul II. He was most known for the impact he made at the time of the Holocaust and WW2. He organized a movement against this and helped a lot of Jews escape the "death camps". He made it his mission to spread God's word, which resulted in over 100 papal visits to almost every continent. He served 26 years as Pope and had 2 Doctorates acquired. In his last days, he said: "I have searched for you, and now that you have come to me, and I thank you." I found him the most interesting because right now in my history class, we are learning about the Holocaust. Even though it was such a terrible event that happened, it was nice to make the connection between class.

I chose this picture because it shows how dedicated Pope John Paul II
was to everyone and how he tried to help everyone he could. 

If you end up being known as an influential figure in history, what do you want to be remembered for?

If I was known for being as an influential figure in history, I would want to be known for making a change that affected however many people. Even now, I always try to live my life in the moment and try to make at least one person smile that day. Because even a smile might turn someone's day bright when its dark. For example, I went to my brother's soccer game yesterday. Just being there for him, while he was playing in the burning hot weather, I like to think that it made his day and maybe even helped him play better because he knew that he had someone there supporting him. If everyone is just a little bit kinder to someone, imagine how many people's days would improve.

I chose this picture because it shows how just one smile can make someone's day. 

How have you personally experienced growth (either mentally, emotionally or spiritually) after your own challenges in life?

Coming to a new school for Freshman was a major growth experience. My old school was small and I practically was friends with everyone in that class. But coming to this school, even though it isn't that much bigger, was a big jump. I went from being everyone's best friend to not knowing anyone but one person. I grew emotionally because I got to do things for myself and not have my friends do them for me. I had to make my own friends and be my own person. By also coming to a new school, I grew mentally. When I was at my other school, I always helped my parents for help with assignments. But, by coming to a new school and being older, I had to grow to learn to figure things out for myself.

Works Cited:

1. Fanpop, Inc. “KEEP SMILING Wallpaper: Smile Wallpaper.” Fanpop, www.fanpop.com/clubs/keep-smiling/images/8317564/title/smile-wallpaper-wallpaper.

2. Memmott, Mark. “Pope John Paul II Will Be Made A Saint.” NPR, NPR, 5 July 2013, www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/07/05/198993166/pope-john-paul-ii-will-be-made-a-saint.

3. “The Crusades: Urban Legends and Truth.” Strange Notions, 27 Feb. 2017, strangenotions.com/the-crusdades-urban-legends-and-truth/.