Why Should We Be Thankful?

At the beginning of the school year the Lutheran Sentinel invited the students of the ELS Lutheran Elementary Schools to participate in an essay-writing contest on the topic, “Why Should We Be Thankful.” The essays came from Our Savior Lutheran School, Lake Havasu, Arizona; Mt. Olive Lutheran School, Mankato, Minnesota; Trinity Lutheran School, West Bend, Wisconsin; Bethany Lutheran School, Port Orchard, Washington; and Parkland Lutheran School, Washington. The essays were judged by nine elementary education students who are attending Bethany Lutheran College. —Editor

Grade 1

I am thankful for Jesus and how he died on the cross and for all of the promises he gave us. I also thank my Lord for dying on the cross and sending His Son Jesus to die.

Micah Pittenger

Bethany Lutheran Elementary School

Port Orchard, Washington

Grade 2

I am thankful for school because I learn God's Word. And I have a home but other people don't have a home. I am thankful for that. I have friends who play with you and help.

Savannah Jones

Our Savior's Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Grade 3

I am thankful for a good Christian education. I love to learn about Jesus and how he died and took away the sins of the world. I also like all the teachers here at Mt. Olive. I am thankful for all of my other 24 classmates. I almost made two of my best friends here, Wynter and Taylor. I love the school and everything in it. Both my brother Eric and I love every moment at this school.

Megan Westphal

Mt. Olive Lutheran School

Mankato, Minnesota

I am thankful for Mt. Olive Lutheran School because every time I go to school I learn about God. I also learn math, grammar, reading, science, spelling, and all the other things I need to know. But mostly because I learn to share, be kind to other, treat others as you would treat yourself and all of that kind of learning. That is why I am thankful for Mt. Olive Lutheran School.

Emma Begalka

Mt. Olive Lutheran School

Mankato, Minnesota

My Blessings From God

God has blessed me with a good teacher that teaches me more about Jesus, so I will have a stronger faith. God has blessed me with good parents that take good care of me, and that they bless me with food so I stay strong. God blesses me with my family that loves me and takes good care of me. God has blessed me with a good church that teaches me more about God so I love him more. God blesses me with friends that play with me. God blesses me with school that I can get good grades that I don't have too much homework.

Adam Schweinert

Trinity Lutheran School

West Bend, Wisconsin

Grade 4

Dear God,

Thank you for my parents who care for me and who gave me life. Thank you for the world you made, without it mankind would not exist. Thank you for giving us our school and church. The Bible, without it we wouldn't even know about you. But thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to bring us faith. Thank you for food to feed us and friends to also care for us, like Maddie for always being there for me and Kendra too! Jasmynn for making me feel better when I'm sad. Joseph for making me laugh! Those are just a few to name in my 4^th grade class at Parkland Lutheran School. Thank you for our nation to live in. Amen.

Jennifer Power

Parkland Lutheran School

Tacoma, Washington

Thank you Jesus

I am thankful that Jesus came to die on the cross for us and I am thankful that I can come to Trinity and learn more about Him. I am thankful for my family and friends. Also, I am thankful for my horses and cat, Sadie. I'm thankful for beautiful beta fish, Rainbow Spirit. He is so colorful and cheers me up whenever I look at him. I also feel very happy to have food to eat, nice clothes to wear, and a safe place to live. There are many poor countries where people can't afford these things, and that makes me very sad. Thank you, Jesus, for such wonderful gifts you give to me each day!

Amber Herbst

Trinity Lutheran School

West Bend, Wisconsin

Grade 5

Dear God,

Thank you fro everything you have given me. I also thank you for me being born into the family I am in. Thank you also for the talents you have given me and my faith in you. I am also thankful for my relatives and the places you have allowed me to go to, especially Disney World and Washington, D.C. God, also thank you for all the tings like the bible, other books, electrical devices, and everything else. In your name I pray. Amen.

Levi Schubkegel

Our Savior Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Grade 6

I am thankful for God giving me my parents. They are so wonderful. They take me on the best journeys, they love me so much, and they send me to a great Christian school. They also support me in everything I do. I also thank God for giving me such a wonderful little sister. I also thank God for giving me such great athletic ability. I love playing sports so I thank God because I can love sports and do very well too. I thank God for giving me such a smart brain! I thank God for all these blessings in his name. Amen.

Zachary Michael Davis

Our Savior Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Grade 7

I am thankful because without his blessings it would be hard to live life because we need clothes, food and all those things we need to live and God gives us that. We also need him to look up to if we're in danger or in trouble. We need his blessings to get jobs for money to lead a strong, healthy, and God-fearing family. We need also good education for our children to help them when they're confused or in trouble and that comes from God. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1Peter 5:7)

Tyanna R. Wilson

Our Savior Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

I am thankful for God's blessing because [I] have a family that cares for me and loves me no matter what happens to me in life or to them. All I know is that they will love me forever, because that's what families do. They stick together no matter what goes on or what happens. Another thing I am thankful for is my brother that I have that can't really do much stuff like I can, like hang out with my friends and other stuff that regular teenagers do. And sometimes I feel really bad for my brother because he can't do stuff like I can or whenever he would get in trouble I would feel bad but it's his mistake that he made. And if anyone would hurt my brother or say something about the way he is or make fun of him, I would stick up for him like he has done for me in the past. And I am really grateful to have a brother that cares and loves me for who I am and will always be there for me no matter what happens. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." And another thing why I am thankful for God's blessings for one of my uncles who is in Iraq right now and I know the Lord is watching over him to make sure he is safe.

Kelsey Curry

Our Savior Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Grade 8

I am thankful for everything I have because I don't deserve anything. God already gave me eternal life, which I don't deserve, and now he's giving me more! My sinful nature is always craving for more stuff, but I don't need 99% of the stuff I ask for. He has given me many good things I don't ask for and don't realize it when he gives them to me. I've realized how greedy I have been recently, even when he gives all that I can ask for; at the time I still find something to complain about. I'm very thankful.

Tyler Schubkegel

Our Savior Lutheran School

Lake Havasu City, Arizona