November 30, 2009

The Christmas season is upon us and I think it behooves us as Christians to consider not only what we give to people as presents, but also where those items come from. Read this article from Change.org and please consider it's message.

 

By Gwyeth T. Smith Jr.
 
Parents of high school seniors across the country have hired me as an admissions consultant. They want assurances that their children will be attending top colleges a year from now.
 
Again and again, I say: "I hope not."
 

How many of us struggle with fragmented thoughts because of the interruption, or anticipation, of email, texts, IM's, tweets, etc? I know I do. Read on, for a thoughtful review of a book on the topic...

 

Parents,

Here's an article I ran across today. Granted, it's from 2004 and so the questions about future trends are a little behind the times, but since I still love this kind of music (and so do some of your kids) I think it's still a relevant piece.

Parents,

I love my job. I'm growing to love it more every day. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing people's faces when that 'aha' moment hits, when the synaptic sparks fly and the limitless possibilities of the consequences of God's mission through Jesus by the power of Holy Spirit comes crashing into the their minds. I've seen inklings of this already. I've seen students eyes brighten at the thought of who God is and what he's done through Jesus to, for, and through them.

Parents,

Here's a devotional by Charles Swindoll that I found rather refreshing, if not in places convicting. Even now, as I sit here in my living room, the sunlight just newly breaking through the leaves to dance in revelry on my walls, I find myself strangely unable (or unwilling?) to allow myself the space for leisure. 'There's always something more to do,' my mind tells me. In fact, to illustrate the point. I was asked yesterday afternoon over lunch what I do for fun. My knee-jerk response was, 'what time for fun do I have?' That is a tragic response to a beautiful question.

The web team is setting me up on the new web site so I'll be able to post some new blog entries soon. Keep checking this page for updates.

Welcome home everyone!

Chaperones - THANK YOU! Your service is so appreciated. You are in my prayers as you recover and unwind from this trip.

Students - WELL DONE! Get some rest and see you at Youth Group!

Blessings to you all,

Mrs. C :)

Katie reports that, of the crews she has talked to so far, all have finished their projects! Hooray and great job everyone! Katie said she is dirty and grimy, but feels accomplished. So proud of all of you!

Tonight is the final evening program and devos. They are packing the cars tonight and plan to hit the road around 8:30 Saturday morning (first stop - DD no doubt!). That puts them back in Londonderry at 5:00ish. I'm sure we'll hear from them on the road. ~ Mrs. C :)

Marty is enjoying this trip. His crew is really good and he likes the kids. He is a bit concerned about finishing the job today, especially with thunderstorms in the forecast for Friday. His crew is building a wheelchair ramp. He was telling me how long it takes the students to hammer the nails! They just didn't know how to do that job well at the beginning of the week, but they are coming along! Marty has resisted the temptation to "just take over". He said he could have finished the job himself already!