Blog Post # 8: Suffering

1. In what ways did the people you learned about during this unit suffer? What was their reaction to their suffering?

The apostles suffered because they were followers of God. They went around spreading the word of 

God. Most people were against this and thought that the apostles were bad people. The apostles were in constant danger and most of them died because of their faith. The way that the apostles were martyred was gruesome. Some where skinned alive and beheaded, etc. I would believe that they were in constant fear that they were next. Their reaction to the suffering was the most remarkable. In their times of suffering, they turned to God and prayed. They didn't run away or stop preaching, they prayed more and asked for protection. 

2. Which story from the Acts of the Apostles did you find most inspiring and why?

I find the Apostle Paul the most inspiring. In the projects we did, he was the one that showed up the most in the stories. It seems like he was the one that took part in most of the stories that were significant. He also gave us good lessons to learn form. I find him inspiring because he was involved in many disasters that were probably terrifying at the time. He was strong and depended on his faith.

3. How have you experienced challenges in your own life and how have you dealt with them?

I have experienced many challenges throughout my life. When I was younger, my parents got a divorce. My mother was a single mother raising me on her own. At that same time, she was going through nursing school. I barely got to see my mom because she was always studying or at school. I spent most of my time at my grandparents house. Then when my mom started her first job in nursing, she would work night shifts and sleep during the day. This was very hard for me because I saw my mom for only a couple hours during the day. I am thankful for this, though, because I got to really bond with my grandparents and I believe this is the cause that my mom and I are so close today. She is my best friend and so are my grandparents. This is a picture of my mom and I this past summer. (My own picture)

4. Who are people that you can turn to in times of need and why?

I can always turn to my family in the worst times. They are the most supportive and loving people you will ever meet. When I have an awful day or something is bothering me, I know I can always talk to them and rely on them to help me through it. It has been this way my whole life. I can also rely on some of my friends. I have made some awesome friends at Notre Dame and from different schools. I have the most kind and caring friends that I have ever had. They are always there to listen to me and I am always there for them.