When I came to MGCS, it felt like my life was starting over.  I left my old school because I was bullied and needed a new start. I was nervous on my first day of third grade, but I immediately felt loved and felt like I belonged. At this time I didn’t know Jesus, but on the third day of third grade I found him.  The greatest feeling in the world is sitting in class when the teacher is talking about God and realizing how much He loves you and how much your teacher cares about you.

The one thing I missed from my old school was the school store. I decided to talk to my principal about it. I prepared a proposal and the administration agreed to allow me to open the first MGCS store.  Over the next two years, the school store raised over $1000 for the school!

Fifth grade was when I grew the most spiritually mainly because I had a wonderful Bible teacher. I made really strong friendships that year.  In Bible, we did a section on bullying and those lessons brought the class closer together as we told our stories and supported each other.  Kids that have always been at MGCS don’t understand how blessed they are. They have no idea how bad bullies can be, but when you have experienced bullying, you have a whole new appreciation for the environment at MGCS.

Sixth grade is my new challenge. Middle school students have the option of being a member of the school’s worship band, and I am really excited about participating and having a chance to lead worship at chapel. I am also excited to be a part of student government.  I represent the 6^th grade and serve as Sergeant at Arms.  I sometimes wish I had started out at MGCS, but I might not be as thankful for MGCS if I had always been here.  Looking back on when I didn’t know God and was bullied, it makes me think there is always hope. God gave me Myrtle Grove Christian as a gift.

Around Easter we started talking about how to spread God’s word. We also talked and went into more detail about Jesus and the cross and what he did for our sins. It’s too hard for our minds to even imagine why God would give his one and only son for us. On the half day before Easter break I remember our teacher praying for us that the Holy Spirit would come over us; I was sitting with my friend, Jessie, and we were praying together. I truly was focused on God, then I just felt the urge of power rush over me like nothing before. I realized the Holy Spirit was now in me and it was so amazing. Our teacher told us to pray for the person sitting beside you. All I can remember is Jessie and I praying for each other and us crying because we are so happy to have each other. For the first moment in my life I realized I had a best friend, one who cared about me, one who didn’t care about what I looked like, one I could trust. Then we just cried tears of joy and hugged each other. The only thing on my mind was how thankful I was to be at MGCS.

Fifth graders also led a lower school chapel; I was very excited to share my story. I typed it all up and practiced a million times, I felt ready. Leading a chapel is an amazing feeling. When it was time to read my testimony I was nervous but I knew God never left me. I remember reading it and how thankful I was to be there. I remember feeling God’s love pour over me and I just couldn’t hold in the tears of joy.