My name is Mari Smigal and I am the daughter of John and Nancy Smigal. My faith began with my parents and my elementary school. I have been going to church since I was born and I attended a Christian school for seven years. I have grown up around people who believe in God and I accepted Jesus as my savior when I was in third grade. From these two places my faith began to grow. With this foundation I began to learn more and more about Christ. From my Christian background I have come to understand the meaning of my baptism. I now believe that my baptism has washed away my sins and made me a part of God’s family. I also believe that it saves me from my sins if I repent and ask Jesus for his forgiveness.

The cross is a symbol for me of the fact  that Jesus loved me enough to die for me and save me from my sins. It means that even though I am a sinner Jesus thought that I was  important enough and he loved me enough that he would die for me. It also means that no matter what happens to me, I can always return to the cross and Jesus will be there for me. Also, when I became a Christian even though I was still sinful, I was saved. Some challenges about being a Christian are that God sometimes sends difficulties into my life to test my faith and cause me to draw closer to Him.  Through all the challenges I know that God still loves me and He has a special plan just for me.

What I like about being a Lutheran is that it is grace that saves me and not my works. I like that God’s grace is the only way we can get into Heaven, because without it I would not be able to make it there, because I am a sinner. That is one reason why I chose the Bible verse that I did. The verse that I chose was John chapter fifteen verse five, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This verse is an example of God’s grace and it shows that if I remain close to Him, He  will help me do anything He calls me to do. It also says that if I turn away from him and try to do things my own way by my own strength I will not accomplish anything.

Communion is a reminder to me of the sacrifice Jesus made for me because of my sins. The bread and wine symbolize His body and blood that were shed for me. I also believe that by communing together it helps to show that we are all sinners and we can gather together to receive God’s grace.  Jesus sacrificed His life for me and for everyone who accepts Him as their savior. It also reminds me that no matter how much I mess up Jesus will always be there to save me and offer forgiveness.

Five years from now I see myself graduating from high school and going on to attend a college somewhere. I also plan to have a job by then to help pay for my college. To stay connected to the church I will find a church that is close by to attend on Sundays. I will also try to join a Christian club at the college if it offers one. I would like to thank my elementary teachers and my parents for leading me to Jesus. I would like to thank Community Lutheran Church for helping to grow my faith. I would also like to thank everyone else who has helped me with my faith so that I that I am able to get confirmed today including Pastor Vogelsang and Mrs. Vogelsang.