There are times something like a smell, taste, or picture takes you back to a previous time in your life. I recently found this picture of me pole-v
aulting in high school. The mullet/Bill Clinton hair with the short-shorts was just a bonus to the real story of my pole vaulting journey but it can be summed up like this: 7th grade through 10th grade was trying to vault right handed (I am left handed) and it was really bad. My coach finally figured out the problem and I finished my carrier holding the school ready for 10-years.
In high school and since people would ask, “Why do you pole vault” the answer for most vaulters – “it is one awesome fall.” There is really no other feeling in the world like throwing your arms back and just letting go! Letting go and just letting the mat catch you underneath. * Seriously even right now my heart rate is raising thinking about the power, the air, and the fall.
People ask “what’s it like to be Christ-follower?” There are churchy answers I can give but to me it is jumping and throwing my arms back. The same freedom I felt in the air in high school is the same freedom I feel when I trust Him with every step because He knows best anyway. My life has had its ups and downs, right and wrong decisions, but after almost 42 years I am confident that when I let go instead of holding on He works it out.
Trusting God and the Pole Vault – it is one awesome fall!
*Note I did miss the mats completely once while attempting 13 feet my junior year, put a hole in my foot because I almost missed them, and have countless times smacked by body with a pole but those are for another time.
Botany & others if interested
When we look at Photosynthesis what is your favorite part of the whole process and why? (at least 3 good sentences and then respond to 2 classmates)
Tales From A Poopsmith 
#1 by streubel on October 30, 2015 - 5:49 AM
I personally like the specifics of the differences between chlorophylls. The light spectrum is so narrow yet they get the job done. In the end it breathes purpose rather than randomness.
#2 by Kale Brannon on October 31, 2015 - 9:26 AM
The most interesting part of photosynthesis to me is when carbon dioxide and water are combined and hit with light it produces something completely different to provide the plant energy. I think it is very cool that there must be all three of these things to produce what the plant needs. It creates glucose and oxygen. The beginning of the equation is just rearranged when it is hit with light and produces the exact same stuff but in different form.
#3 by Cody Holzer on November 1, 2015 - 5:08 PM
The fact that the sunlight has such a power to be able to break the combination of carbon dioxide and water to be able to create something that both the plant can use and that a human can also use is something that is very astonishing to me. Then once this is all done the process starts all over.
#4 by Jordan Cochran on November 1, 2015 - 6:55 PM
I agree that is is crazy when light hits it that there is so much change that occurs. The light completely changes the form that the beginning of the equation shows. It is also interesting how specific everything has to been in order to get the necessary result.
#5 by Kinge-Ann Marcelin on November 1, 2015 - 9:18 PM
It really amazes me that the way God has created every organism is so purposeful and intentional. The combination of all three aspects are perfectly timed and ordained by God. Photosynthesis is this innate feature that plants are able to do on their own and that is so amazing.
#6 by Megan Kaminski on November 1, 2015 - 9:28 PM
It amazes me that none of thus can happen if all 3 aren’t present. When you think of it on a small scale it doesn’t seem like much. But imagine if for one point in time there wasn’t 1 of these 3 things. We strive off plants. And not just humans but really the entire world.
#7 by Kinge-Ann Marcelin on October 31, 2015 - 1:04 PM
My favorite part of the whole process of Photosynthesis is the fact that energy (light) is required to make sugar (glucose). Knowing that plants have an innate function to turn solar energy into chemical is so fascinating. The whole process is constantly happening so quick and is very accurate in providing energy to the plant as well as food.
#8 by Richelle Peart-Saulsbury on October 31, 2015 - 9:55 PM
It amazes me that complex reactions and behaviors such as photosynthesis occur in nature especially with plants that do not even have a brain but yet know what to do to survive.
#9 by Cody Holzer on November 1, 2015 - 5:05 PM
I agree with what Richelle says. The fact that they can do all of these things that they do without having the “intelligence” that humans do is something that absolutely amazes me.
#10 by Kinge-Ann Marcelin on October 31, 2015 - 1:05 PM
My favorite part of the whole process of Photosynthesis is the fact that energy (light) is required to make sugar (glucose). Knowing that plants have an innate knowledge to turn solar energy into chemical is so fascinating. The whole process is constantly happening so quick and is very accurate in providing energy to the plant as well as food.
#11 by Abby Rea on November 1, 2015 - 6:30 PM
I agree with Gigi, the fact that this process happens constantly and is very accurate is so amazing. It really does remind me of the fact that just like trusting God with the pole vault even plants can trust God for “food”.
#12 by Richelle Peart-Saulsbury on October 31, 2015 - 9:44 PM
My favorite part of photosynthesis is the Calvin Cycle which converts carbon dioxide into glucose using the ATP formed in the light reaction. This is my favorite because this reaction does not involve sunlight. When people think of photosynthesis, they usually think about the sun. In this case, the sun does not directly make glucose; it provides the energy needed to form glucose.
#13 by Jordan Cochran on November 1, 2015 - 6:58 PM
It is interesting to see how many steps are involved in the Calvin Cycle and how intricate each step is. It is cool how this step is independent of light when all of this starts from light.
#14 by Anna Valentine on November 3, 2015 - 7:08 AM
It is so true that most everyone thinks about sun when they think about photosynthesis. The Calvin Cycle is really impressive and is vital to the plants survival. The plants that are C4 and take in light during the day and go through the cycle at night are very similar to the cycle without light being present.
#15 by Jordan Cochran on November 1, 2015 - 2:03 PM
My favorite part of photosynthesis is the chloroplasts. It is crazy that one organelle is responsible for the creation of energy from sunlight. Without that organelle the plants would not be capable of producing energy that so many other organisms depend on. Something else that is crazy is how all of the chemical reactions that take place in photosynthesis occur in one small organelle.
#16 by Kale Brannon on November 1, 2015 - 6:20 PM
I agree with you, Jordan. It is amazing how one small organelle is responsible for such a big task. It also amazes me that everything thrives from the sun on some aspect. This one organelle provides energy for the plant and the plant provides energy for other animals and so on.
#17 by Megan Kaminski on November 1, 2015 - 4:49 PM
My favorite part about photosynthesis is what occurs during the light reactions. There is a conversion of solar energy to chemical energy that the organism will then use to drive the transfer of the electrons and hydrogen ions. We think of the sun as just another part of the universe, but for plants its the whole reason they carry out photosynthesis in the first place.
#18 by Abby Rea on November 1, 2015 - 6:34 PM
So true, humans have tried to effectively convert solar energy into chemical energy and it has taken us awhile. The sun is such an important part of our universe, earth and even for humans.
#19 by Kinge-Ann Marcelin on November 1, 2015 - 9:22 PM
The sun has major benefits for plants and for the way they carry out each process. Photosynthesis is a prime example to show that conversion from solar energy to chemical energy, like you mentioned. The light reactions truly amaze me in how they are able to use all of the available resources to sustain the plant.
#20 by Anna Valentine on November 3, 2015 - 7:03 AM
Its cool to think that the sun plays such a huge part in our lives. They give the plants the energy to carry out photosynthesis and create food for the plant. Plants do something with the sun that no one else can do.
#21 by Cody Holzer on November 1, 2015 - 5:02 PM
My favorite part of photosynthesis is the process itself. The fact that a plant can take carbon dioxide in the air and sunlight and turn it into sugar and oxygen. This process gives a plant its nutrients that it needs and also gives off O2 for humans to breathe. The process benefits both humans with the oxygen that we breathe and also help both species survive.
#22 by Kale Brannon on November 1, 2015 - 6:06 PM
We have very similar views on photosynthesis Cody. I think the process itself is my favorite part as well. I think it is extremely interesting how sunlight creates exactly what the plant needs. The sun is so cool to me because everything thrives from the sun somehow.
#23 by Richelle Peart-Saulsbury on November 1, 2015 - 11:04 PM
It interesting to think about how plants aid in our survival. We do not just depend on plants for food, but we also need them to breathe. Even though we are a very complex species, we rely on plants that are not as complex as we are.
#24 by Abby Rea on November 1, 2015 - 6:27 PM
I am amazed by the fact that photosynthesis allows for plants to split oxygen and hydrogen. This process occurs in the thylakoids through sunlight which also affects sugar and oxygen production. I love the fact that the thylakoids which are so small are responsible for such a great task.
#25 by Megan Kaminski on November 1, 2015 - 9:24 PM
Abby, there are so many tiny parts of the plants that are responsible for some of the most important parts of photosynthesis. We don’t give plants enough credit!!
#26 by Anna Valentine on November 2, 2015 - 7:24 PM
I love the fact that photosynthesis is necessary for all human life. The energy that is created, ATP, is passed down from plant to animal and I ultimately rely on photosynthesis. Not only for energy do I need plants but for the production of oxygen. Without plants and photosynthesis any further life would not be able to sustain itself. It amazes me that one of the smallest process has control over the entire world.