Holy Cross has been a big part of my life and has affected me in many ways. My siblings and I have attended Holy Cross Lutheran School since we were two years old. Many things have happened in my life that have changed me in many ways today. I have a brother (Leo), and a sister (Dounia) and we are triplets. When Dounia was about four, she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. I didn't understand much of what was going on back then and it was hard. I specifically remember not being able to see her or my mom for months and not knowing exactly why. This was a hard period of my life and the support I got from my classmates and teachers was indescribable. Matthew 22:37 states "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."During this time, I got to build and grow on my faith. I knew that I wasn't alone and that I had Jesus with me the whole time.
In second grade, things began to worsen and Dounia's cancer was spreading uncontrollably. She later died that year and I was devastated. It took me awhile to accept the death of her. I felt guilty because of the lack of time I got to spend with her before her passing. One thing I know for sure is that Dounia was a strong Christian. She always had a strong relationship with God and it showed. She would receive many journals and would write "I love God" in all of them. At this point, Dounia's death was the first death I had experienced, and it was horrible. I remember all the endless crying and mourning. Holy Cross was a blessing. All the teachers, staff, and especially, my classmates were the best support I could ask for at this time. My brother and I received scrapbooks made by our class and reading them reassured me that I had people who loved and cared for me. Jesus is the
way, the truth, and the life. I knew that Dounia was a
believer and know she is in heaven with him. Dounia taught me to always trust in God to stay strong in my faith. She never doubted a bit, after all she went through, that God didn't love or care for her. This helps me today by reminding me that I am not alone and God is there for me when I need a shoulder to lay on. Matthew 5:4 states "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Mourning takes place in the bible.
believer and know she is in heaven with him. Dounia taught me to always trust in God to stay strong in my faith. She never doubted a bit, after all she went through, that God didn't love or care for her. This helps me today by reminding me that I am not alone and God is there for me when I need a shoulder to lay on. Matthew 5:4 states "blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Mourning takes place in the bible.
As King David writes in Psalm 119:136 "Tears stream down from my eyes, because they do not keep your law." In this, you see that he is mourning over the sins of God's people. As I was dealing with my grief, I came across John 11:35-36. Jesus wept. 36 Thus the people who had come to mourn said, “Look how much he loved him!” Jesus’ was at Lazarus’ grave mourning his death. This made me change the way I looked at death. Our all-mighty righteous God was found mourning over a death, just like I am. This was a great example of Jesus being man, and dealing with the pain of loss. It also shows his love for his people. Finding Bible verses that I can relate to is a great comfort to me greatly. It is like finding an answer to my problems. In religion, we’re learning about Jesus’ cornerstone: The Bible. I am blessed to have experienced the Word of God affecting me in the most positive way possible, and molding me into the person I am today. My second major place of comfort, other than the Bible and God, was my family. Holy Cross Lutheran School is considered a family to me. They have helped and watched me grow into the Christian I am today, and have guided me on the path of Jesus.
