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