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I am lucky that the church my family belongs to has an active youth group for middle school and high school students. There are about a dozen high schoolers in the youth group. We do community service projects, learn about our faith, and have fun together. I have known most of these people and their families since I was a baby and consider many of them to be close friends. In youth group, we often talk with one another about things that are really important to our lives and reveal things about ourselves that we wouldn't discuss with other people. This group has helped shape my spirituality and my understanding of who I am as a Christian.

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When I was a baby, I physically wasn't able to do anything by myself. I wasn't able to sit up by myself, stand up, grab objects, pick up small foods and put them into my mouth, etc. My parents took me for physical therapy to help develop my big muscles. I also had occupational therapy to help develop my small motor skills like, picking up small objects with my fingers, feeding myself, etc. My parents signed me up for soccer as soon as I was eligible to help develop my motor skills further. I have been playing soccer ever since then, and have grown up to be strong and very athletic.

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During sixth grade, I needed to apply for middle school. My family and I always expected that I would attend the school that my siblings went to. I wasn't accepted there, and had to make last minute arrangements to attend a different school. I was disappointment and very upset. I attended Clairbourn School and from the very beginning, I was welcomed by the other students as if I had been there ever since kindergarten. I made several really close friends there, and have continued those friendships into high school, even though half of those girls don't attend the same school as me. Those four or five girls really influenced me during the last two years and have helped me to become more confident as a student and an athlete. I think that God chose a different path for me for middle school than what I had expected or wanted because He knew what was best for me, even though I didn't think it was at that time, but now I understand why.

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I was adopted when I was about a year old, and I think that God had a hand in choosing my family. It has been really meaningful to have older siblings. My sister and I have mutual feelings about each other. We both consider one another our best friend even though we are seven years apart. We have always gotten along and supported each other. My two brothers are like giants who act like my guardian. They are always looking out for me no matter what.The circumstances of my birth, could have lead me to be raised without a family at all, or a family where I was an only child. That's why I am so grateful for the family that I have now.