Merry Christmas, Friends!

The Christ Candle

It stirs my soul to peek in and watch children participating in the ritual of advent. We do the same with our children at home. At home we've been using a devotional writing by the pastoral staff at our church. I'd like to share an excerpt from this devotional for Monday, Christmas Eve.

"On this Christmas Eve, the day that marks the end of the Advent season, we light the Christ candle, the candle that all the other Advent candles have foreshadowed and pointed to. The Christ candle signifies that the fullness of God's light has come into our world. It reminds us that God has not forgotten his promises to us. Even though we wait in the "darkness," even though the darkness may feel overwhelming at time, God's light shines in the darkness. "The darkness has not overcome it". The darkness will not overcome God's light. The Christ candle offers a reminder of this hope. We light the Christ candle on Christmas Eve when the amount of daylight we receive is at its lowest point in the year. In the midst of darkness that almost seems to overwhelm, God's light still shines.

As you extinguish the Christ candle and go to bed (please extinguish all candles before going to bed), take time to remember that just as your house will suddenly be at its darkest, God's light will continue to shine. Thank God that you will wake to house full of light in the morning. Thank God that even when the world seemed to be at its darkest, when Jesus' life was extinguished, there was still hope. God's light would shine once again in Jesus' resurrection, and God's light will shine again when Jesus returns. Even if the world feels at its darkest for you right now, God's light will shine. You can rest in God just as you rest in your bed at night. You can do so with the assurance that Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Where's Miska? 
I hope after the new year the admin side of life at HC will slow and settle a bit. You have all been so gracious about my coming and going so much. I look forward to being able to be much more present in classrooms and learning space. Each of you contribute to South Side/Forest School life in amazing, impactful ways. On a corner of the white board in the staff center I have put a little "Where's Miska" note. Each day I will write when and where I'm going if I'm leaving the building. My hope is not that I think you're interested in what I'm doing and where! 😅 Rather, if you are looking to catch me in person, this will help you know how and where to get in touch with me.

Winter MAP Testing window from January 14-25

Makers Week
Our week for Makers Week will be the week of February 4. If you haven't already, please spin your wheels a bit in what STEM experience you would be willing to offer to our students. We will hold make sessions M-Th. Friday will be our culminating celebration from 11:00-11:30. Let me know if you want a little help kicking around ideas.

Have a blessed and Merry Christmas! See you in 2019! 

A Season of Waiting

Like you, I'm so grateful for the news Karen VM was able to share about Bob's results after surgery. But, at the same time, they continue to find themselves waiting for further results. We have other staff members who are quietly in a season of waiting for results or signs of hope in their personal lives as well. Many of the families who we love and serve also find themselves in a period of unknowns waiting to hear and receive God's voice and comfort in life. The candles we light at advent are a poignant reminder that God is not far. God is near. He hears our prayers, even the ones we don't know how to put to words. May each of you find true hope and comfort in our God who is with us. May God give strong feet for the path that can be a challenging road. Remember that road leads to the manger. In that manger is the truth that God is with us and always will be. As you step away from the classroom this weekend to celebrate the third week of advent: joy! May your hearts be filled with JOY in overflowing abundance. 

Kids Food Basket
Teachers, please sign up for our Kids Food Basket Packing Event on Wednesday, December 19 using this link. 

Parent Team Tea
You are invited to attend a lunch gifted to each of you beloved staff members by the parent team. This will take place on Thursday, December 20 over the lunch hour. Please put out the 'all call' for parent coverage in your classroom over the lunch hour.


Moody Bible College Visitor
This one is not a party. Emma, a student from Moody Bible College has asked to shadow and observe elementary teachers all day long on Monday, December 17. Please let me know if you would prefer that she does not visit your classroom on that day.

Poinsettia Sales
We have the dollars and cents calculated. Thank you for promoting this sale. Thank you to our Poinsettia Dream Team for putting in the additional hours and stress to pull this off. I have taken the total and allocated 100% of the profits so that full time teachers receive a 100% cut of the profit to spend on instruction/student learning. Part-time teacher receive a 50% cut of the profit. As you might imagine, this line doesn't cut neatly. Please don't hesitate at all to talk with me if this feels inequitable to you. It's much healthier for all of us if you would be courageous enough to ask me to reexamine this allotment rather than have hurt feelings or feel under-valued. By all means, these dollars are meant to be an expression of appreciation for your hard work and allow you to dream a bit about your instruction/lessons/spaces with some real dollars and cents. Thank you ALL for everything you do to equip minds and nurture hearts to transform the world for Jesus Christ! 

In an effort to be transparent, here is the allocation of funds which totaled $1,280:

Sarah Becksfort: $51.20
Michelle Dreyer: $51.20
Michelle Engbers: $102.40
Ron Harig: $102.40
Sheri Hunderman: $51.20
Jenna Ritsema: $102.40
Karen Strikwerda: $102.40
Karina Schebor: $102.40
Karen VanMeeteren: $102.40
Christy Haig: $102.40
Michelle Maldonado: $51.20
Dawn Baker: $51.20
Tammy Grassmid: $51.20
Jamie Lanser/Lisa VanKampen: $51.20
Leanne VanRees: $51.20
Shelly Boer: $51.20
Helena Hoogland/Tina Meckley: $51.20
Mary Hofman: $51.20
Gerrit VanKlaveren: $51.20
Febe Gomez: $51.20

In Prayer

Thank you for your continued prayers for the VanMeeterens. What a journey this has been and you each have been a true broom tree for them in this difficult and emotional journey. I am happy to share an update about Bob. Yesterday's procedure was successful. Karen reports that Bob is looking better today than he did yesterday. They hope he can come home and rest in his own space soon. Please continue to pray over them. The recovery road can be an arduous one particularly at the beginning. They will have a follow up appointment on Monday or Tuesday to hear the next steps in this recovery. Bring Bob Home effort we hope and pray will be underway soon.

Stan Koster
On the table in the staff center is a section of white poster board. Former superintendent of Holland Christian Schools, Stan Koster, is battling ALS disease. If you feel comfortable and called, please sign this card with a note of encouragement before Friday. This will be gifted to him with the hopes he knows he is remembered and appreciated.

Parent Team Tea
You are invited to attend a lunch gifted to each of you beloved staff members by the parent team. This will take place on Thursday, December 20 over the lunch hour. Please put out the 'all call' for parent coverage in your classroom over the lunch hour.

Board of Trustees/Staff Christmas Celebration
Pile on the love! The board has invited all beloved staff to a Christmas Social Celebration on Wednesday, December 12 at 3:45 in the cafeteria.

South Side Christmas Festivities
Secret Snowman begins next week Monday. The fun will be Tami Schippers' house, 6177 Terra Vita Way, on Thursday, December 13 beginning at 4:00.

Moody Bible College Visitor
This one is not a party. Emma, a student from Moody Bible College has asked to shadow and observe elementary teachers all day long on Monday, December 17. Please let me know if you would prefer that she does not visit your classroom on that day.