The More I Seek You!

This is one of my favorite songs from Kari Jobe. It is so simple, yet so profound and reflective. The words touch me deep in my core. Can you even imagine what it would be like to be in God's presence? To sit at His feet? To feel his embrace? To hear his voice? I don't think the word overwhelming really even begins to describe it.

Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who look for Me, find me." (MSG)

 It's as simple as that. He loves us and He is easy to find if we just look.

As I go through this Christmas season, I am reminded that I need to stop and remember the real reason I am celebrating, and that is, the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to slow down and seek Him in every Christmas activity I participate in. I want to be intentional with my physical, emotional, and spiritual "presence" in a time that is too often focused on "presents", and I just want to connect with Him in every way that I can find.

Prayer: Lord, Jesus, most gracious, loving, Father, often times I am focused on the things of this world instead of focusing on the real reason for the Christmas season...you! Please help me to be present this year. Help me to seek you at every turn and share you with every breath. We don't deserve your overwhelming love, but we thank you for giving it to us. 

Christmas Program

School Christmas Program

Please join us on December 16th for our Children's Christmas Program. 

Music starts at 6:30 p.m. in the church. Students in the band need to be here at 6:00 p.m.

All other students can sit with their parents until 6:45 p.m. They will then go to their classrooms. 

Our students are so very talented and this is a great opportunity to see them 

display their gifts, talents, and abilities!! 

Christmas Breakfast!

Please join us for a morning of food, fun, and fellowship!! We are in need of volunteers to help prepare and serve food, run games, and help with crafts!

 If you can assist in any way, please let us know ASAP by calling 755-1144. 

Secret Santa Workshop

Again this year, we will be doing the Secret Santa Workshop the week of December 8-11. 

We are in need of parent volunteers to help us set up, take down, and assist our little shoppers. 

Please contact Krystena if you are able to help out any of those four days. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Reminders

Choir I sings this Sunday at 8:00 a.m. Meet in the choir room at 7:45 a.m.

Boar's Head Dress Rehearsal on Sunday, November 22 at 5:00 p.m. (Waits Included)

Bring a Special Friend to School Day-Tuesday, November 24. Chapel starts at 8:10 a.m.

No School-November 25-27 (Thanksgiving Break)

Boar's Head Performances-December 3, 5, and 6

No School-November 7

Christmas Breakfast-December 12 @ 9:00 a.m.

Christmas Program-December 16 @ 6:30 p.m.

Unwavering

Definition: Steady, Resolute; Not wavering

I love words. Especially powerful words that can be used to describe many different things. This word "unwavering" can be used to describe so many concepts in our Christian school. We are teaching our students to have unwavering faith in their Lord and Savior. We encourage them to have unwavering determination in their school work. And most of all, we model what it means to give and receive unwavering love to people around us.

You see, our students are learning what it means to be loyal, steadfast, dedicated, constant, and unshaken.  If you really think about it, these are all attributes of strong relationships.

We are teaching them to be in relationship.

• Relationship with Christ
• Relationship with Self
• Relationship with People.

As we focus on relationships we grow closer to God. We care for people, we pray for people, we help people, and all of these things help us strengthen our relationship with God. We cry out to Him, we call His name, we ask for His healing, blessing, forgiveness. And as we do these things, we see His work, His unwavering love for us.

Ephesians 4:2-3 says "Be humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." 

Join me as we build relationships and model for our children what it means to be unwavering!!

Chapels

Chapels have been so inspiring and filled with the presence of God over the last couple of weeks. Check out the Bethlehem Facebook page to view some of our recent chapel videos.

If you have not been to one this year, please stay tuned for more information about our Thanksgiving chapel on Tuesday, November 24th. We invite you all to worship with us!!

November Chapel Offering

Lutheran Heritage Foundation in Papua New Guinea (PNG)

 This Lutheran mission and RSO of the LCMS publishes and distributes and introduces Lutheran materials for children and adults throughout the world.  Our offerings will go to sharing the book A Child’s Garden of Bible Stories, an easy to read collection of 60 Old and New Testament stories to children in PNG-a country where evil spirits are still feared. Please help us support this mission by bringing your weekly offering to chapel on Wednesdays. 

To read more about this project, go to: http://www.lhfmissions.org/PNG

Good Good Father

I was sitting at my desk working on a few things related to the Transforming Churches Network prescriptions we have been working through in the church. As a part of this process, we have been meeting with community leaders to hear their perspectives on strengths of our community, vision for the next 5, 10, 15 years, challenges still facing our local neighborhood, and ways that we can build relationships to strengthen the place we all call home here in Saginaw.

And no matter if it was a local business leader, city official, or coordinator for a local non-profit organization, a common theme kept surfacing and that was the idea of family. There has been an increase in the breakdown of family units which definitely has an impact on our community.

Then this song came on and I thought about what a gift it is to be God's daughter..to be a part of His family. He is a perfect Father and we are LOVED by HIM. He reminded me through this song that no matter what circumstances we face here on earth, HE is our father. He provides for our needs. He listens to our problems. He answers our prayers. He gives us strength and encouragement. He is everything we need. He is the father to the fatherless.

I couldn't help but think how families would be strengthened with God as the foundation...if He was seen as Father....Good Good Father!!

Join me this week in praying for our community, our neighborhood, our families.

Broken Vessels

I love when old hymns like Amazing Grace are weaved into new songs. The first verse of this song reminds us that because of the great sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we are set free. The chains that bind us make us broken vessels, but because of HIS amazing grace He raises the broken back to life.

I want to be a vessel in which the world can see Jesus through me. Because of this, I have to offer up my heart and ask him for grace and mercy daily. I have to ask for forgiveness and seek His truth constantly. He takes our weaknesses and our failures and put His treasures in jars of clay because He loves us so much. Amazing grace how the sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.

Are you as thankful for this amazing gift as I am?

2 Timothy 2:21 says "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."


Broken

Differentiated Instruction-What is it? Why does it matter?

On Friday, our teachers attended a NWEA Measures of Academic Progress professional development training to learn about reading student test results and deciphering what the reports mean for informing instruction.

The data generated from the MAP tests in Reading, Math, and Language Arts will allow teachers to see exactly where a student's optimum learning opportunities are and adjust instruction accordingly. There is a plethora of information available, so it was important to learn where to find the resources needed to meet our students right where they are in their learning. 

Differentiated instruction is defined as "a process to approach teaching and learning for students of differing abilities in the same class. The intent is to maximize each student's growth and individual success by meeting each student where he or she is . . . rather than expecting students to modify themselves for the curriculum. (Hall, 2002)."

There are many ways to address differentiation in the classroom to include innovative classroom management, varied instructional approaches, student engagement strategies, grouping students according to specific skill sets, and teaching to the students Zone of Proximal Development. Remember the post about productive struggle? 

We are going to be looking at some really effective ways to implement differentiated instruction at Bethlehem and I am excited about the possibilities. 

Ou goal for each and every student = Success! Can't wait to see the results!!

Reminders

Reminder there is no school on Thursday or Friday of this week as our teachers will be attending a professional development conference. Please pray for safe travels for the team. See you on Monday, October 26th.

Trunk or Treat will be this Saturday in the church parking lot starting at 4:00 p.m. The Steel Drum Band will be performing!! Come out for a fun night of fellowship!

The end of the quarter is quickly approaching. Please be sure that you check with your child's teacher if you have any concerns regarding current grades or progress. Conference invitations will be sent home next week.

If I Told You My Story...

If I told you my story, you would undoubtedly see Jesus is my foundation. I shared this song with the staff at devotions today, and I am so energized by the words. I am 100% confident that when I share my story, Jesus is the truth, hope, resilience, joy, and peace. My story would not be what it is today if it were not for Him.

Someone told me the other day that the silence (waiting to hear from God) can be deafening, and I am here to say that it doesn't need to be. Reading scriptures, praying, worshipping, and doing daily devotions is a way to seek out His voice. But I also believe that sharing our stories about how God moves in our lives is a way to break the silence and really see the majestic works of Him in our daily lives.

He is always intimately weaving things together in our lives. Think about that, there is no better artist, creator, writer, sculptor, or author.

The Bible tells us:

Jeremiah 29:11-For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a a future. 

Romans 8:28-And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

So even in the silence, He is at work in our lives. He is writing our story. 

Is Jesus the foundation of your story? Are you ready to share it with someone today?

My Story

Big Daddy Weave

If I told you my story
You would hear hope that wouldn't let go
If I told you my story
You would hear love that never gave up
If I told you my story
You would hear life but it wasn't mine

If I should speak then let it be

Of the grace that is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served and where mercy wins
Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in
To tell you my story is to tell of Him

If I told you my story
You would hear victory over the enemy
If told you my story
You would hear freedom that was won for me
If I told you my story
You would hear life overcome the grave

If I should speak then let it be

This is my story this is my song praising my Savior all the day long

Upcoming Events

Please join us on October 14th at Buffalo Wild Wings for our family fundraiser. Last year we earned over $600 from our Bethlehem Supporters. We are looking to exceed that this year!! So come on out for some great food, fun, and fellowship! Tell all of your family and friends about it! Flyers are in the school office or they can be found on the school website www.bethlehemsaginaw.org.

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NWEA Map Testing

Sample MAP Test Question

We have almost finished the first round of NWEA MAP testing for the fall. The students put forth their very best effort and worked diligently on three tests (Reading, Math, and Language Arts). This was a new testing experience for all of us, and there was definitely a learning curve attached to implementing something of this magnitude. Overall, it ran pretty smooth, so I am excited to see how the next two testing sessions go. 

We will be testing again in January to check mid-year progress and the final testing session will be in May. I really feel the data we are going to generate from these tests will help us greatly improve the overall quality of our educational program here at Bethlehem. Additionally, we will be meeting the individual needs of each student and meeting them right where they are at so that they can get the most out of every instructional minute spent in school.

Thank you to all of the teachers for their patience and flexibility during this new assessment. We will be sharing some insight regarding the initial data during November conferences. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to visit with you!

Office View

Happy Monday!

This is the view from my office this morning. As I look out...I see kids smiling, laughing, running, skipping, and hopping. I watch them encourage each other and challenge each other I watch them support each other and teach other. 

I smile as I watch our family interact with each other in positive ways as they learn and grow here at Bethlehem Lutheran School. To God Be The Glory!

Same Power

"The same Power that rose Jesus from the grave, the same Power that commands the dead to wake, lives in us, lives in us..The same Power that moves mountains when He speaks, the same Power that can calm the raging sea, lives in us, lives in us, He lives in us, lives in us..

Greater is He that is living in me..He has conquered our enemy."

I always find it awe inspiring when God finds multiple ways to remind me that HE is greater than the things of this world. I heard this song recently and it has such a strong connection to our theme this year. Every day we are faced with struggles, worries, temptations, things that turn our attention away from Him... 

 I Peter 5:8-11 reminds us " Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. 

He gets the last word; yes, he does. (MSG)

There is such VICTORY in knowing that GOD has defeated the enemy and that He lives in us. God's POWER is GREATER!! When He promises that we will not be overtaken, I find such hope and peace in those words. Isn't it amazing that he loves us so much that he bears our burdens for us, that he fights our battles and IS victorious. Thank you, Jesus!

Introducing the 2015-2016 School Theme

I John 4:4 

"My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God’s Spirit, who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world."

Song: Greater by Mercy Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU

Productive Struggle is OK in School

What is productive struggle in the classroom and how do teachers know when they have met the optimum learning threshold? This is an important question because appropriate levels of productive struggle increase academic rigor. Providing students with an opportunity to be challenged with concepts and skills just above their current ability level increases deeper learning and critical thinking.

Students who are learning are engaged in activities that require a level of intellectual discipline that takes them to a place right at the brink of what they know and what they do not know. Productive struggle allows students an opportunity to learn to understand in more meaningful, relevant ways. Appropriate levels of frustration actually increase student efficacy and encourage students to feel success. This kind of struggle should ultimately yield positive learning results.

Highly effective teachers use both formative (informal) and summative (formal) assessment techniques to inform their instruction and make appropriate changes to daily lessons, instructional approaches, learning strategies, and content to ensure student learning is taking place for EVERY student. This is called differentiated instruction and is necessary in order for productive struggle to be present in the classroom. 

Differentiated learning is a term we are going to focus on at Bethlehem this year as we move towards individualizing learning and targeting student's specific strengths and areas for improvement in all content areas. In essence, teachers will know right where your student is at and they will adjust instruction accordingly to both challenge and remediate as needed. 

Differentiation requires specific management techniques and also requires support from home to ensure that the goals being set by both teacher and student are being focused on in the classroom and reviewed at home. You may also notice that classroom activities and structures may look different as a result. It's OK!! As teachers and students become more comfortable with differentiated instruction, the results will be powerful. Research shows that differentiated learning approaches have a positive impact on overall student achievement SUCCESS!! This is exciting!!

First

As I sit here this morning looking out at the lake in my quiet time with the Lord, I am reminded of a song that I heard this week for the first time from one of my favorite Christian artists. The song is called FIRST by Lauren Daigle.

During my devotion time, I have spent time listening and reflecting and was once again met with a resounding message. God wants us to seek Him FIRST before ANYTHING else. I know that there are times when I do or say something before being prayerful and seeking His will because I am impatient. Then I have to humble myself before Him (and others in my life) and ask for forgiveness.

Yes, I am a broken sinner.

What I do know though is that I WANT to be intentional with seeking Him FIRST. So, today my prayer will be to ask for strength and perseverance as I walk in Him so that I strive to seek him FIRST...always...above all else.  I have evidence that when I seek Him FIRST, everything else falls into place. My relationship with my girls, my family, and my friends are stronger and healthier because He is the foundation.

Do you understand what I mean, dear friends?

Matthew 6:33 says “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. (MSG)

I know that He promises these things, now all I need to do is be intentional about always seeking him FIRST!!

Dear Jesus, 

Before I bring my need, I will bring my heart. Before I lift my cares, I will lift my arms, I wanna know You, I wanna find You, in every season in every moment, before I speak Your word, I will bring my heart and seek you, FIRST! I love you Lord, thank you for your grace and mercy. Amen

At the Cross

As you know, I love to listen to music and the Holy Spirit ministers to me through song in such powerful ways. It is often that I am driving down the road and I hear a song on the radio that makes me think of all of you. The other day my girls were singing their hearts out to this tune driving back from a late evening ice cream run, and I knew that this would be the focus of my next devotion. You see sometimes it is a line or just one word that speaks to me, and I am inspired to share with you about the amazing love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In this song, the worship leader sings about the most promising place I have ever known-The Cross. He says, "At the cross, I surrender my life, I'm in awe of you. Where your love ran red and my sins washed white. I owe it all to you. Here my hope is found, here on Holy Ground, here I bow down." 

The lines are so meaningful in my life today. The one word that particularly stood out to me was the word "Surrender." Have you ever had a time in your life when you just wanted to surrender it all to God and give Him complete control of a situation or situations? Or even more so, have you had a time in your life when you SHOULD have surrendered it all to Him, but you were not able to hand it over? I find myself in that struggle often and then I am reminded that God's word calls us to humble ourselves before the Lord and that when we do He rejoices! James 4:10 says "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you." Sometimes we are so caught up in what man wants or thinks or with earthly ideals that we are scared to surrender it all. I know that I fear failure and sometimes surrendering can feel as if I have failed myself or those around me.

But God is faithful in reminding me that surrendering to Him is a sign of strength and reflects the faith I have in Him and in His promises. It can be so hard, but I thank Him daily for his mercy and continued presence in my life. I know that because of the cross where His blood ran red, I am loved, cherished, and forgiven. Those promises alone help me to surrender when it is sometimes hard.

 I Peter 5: 6-10 reminds us "Be humble in the presence of God’s mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes. 7 God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.

8 Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. 9 But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord’s followers are suffering just as you are. 10 But God shows undeserved kindness to everyone. That’s why he appointed Christ Jesus to choose you to share in his eternal glory. You will suffer for a while, but God will make you complete, steady, strong, and firm.

Somedays, I know that lion roars LOUDLY. It's then that I stop, quiet myself, and surrender. 

Because His mercy reigns. Thank you Jesus! I love you Lord!

Summer's Here...Touch the Sky

I have to apologize for the lack in posting on my part over the last several months. I promise to be more diligent in updating this page!! :) I want you to see and hear what God is doing in the lives of our Bethlehem family.

The past few weeks have been very busy as I closed out my first year here at Bethlehem. I have to say what a blessing it was to walk through life with each of you as your principal, friend, and sister in Christ.

I witnessed the amazing, outstretched arms of Jesus in each of you as I learned the ins and outs of our school, experienced struggles, and worked towards change as we seek to move from good to great.

For a transitional year, I would have to say it was successful, and looking forward I am confident that God will lead us in the right direction as he promises "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11. I don't know about you, but I find great comfort and peace in those words. 

As we move into the summer months, I wanted to share my new favorite song with you. The words are powerful and so true. "I found my life when I laid it down" and "I touched the sky when my knees hit the ground" reminds me that I must surrender my own ideas, thoughts, and wishes and pray like I have never prayed before. God is always in control and He is BIGGER than anything life presents us with. I hope and pray that you have a restful and joyous summer and that you continue to seek out Jesus in all you do, He desires a real relationship with YOU!


To God Be the Glory!

Love

Mr. Parks read a devotion today about the importance of showing love in all that we do as teachers. There were many examples about the daily operation of a school and classroom, and we were reminded that if the foundation of all we say and do is not love, then we are nothing but the sound of a creaking gate. 

This reminded me of one of my favorite songs by King and Country called the Proof of Your Love. Here are the lyrics to the monologue found in the middle of the song:

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-7, The Message)

As I reflect on these words and the ideas shared in today's devotion, I am in awe at the amazing amount of love the Lord reveals to me every day, every hour, every minute.  He is ALIVE in us! And because of this, we are called to be His hands and feet. Everything we think, say, and do should reflect the power of the Holy Spirit and be rooted in love. Let us not forget: Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

Power of Prayer

I am currently working on a Bible study right now about prayer. I am constantly being reminded of the power of prayer and that prayer brings me right into the presence of the Lord. There is no place I would rather be, and not only do I get to enter into His presence, I get the opportunity to increase in my love for Him and for the people I am praying for. Sometimes I see evidence of answered prayers right away, sometimes I wait for a long time as God makes plans perfect for me, and sometimes I am disappointed when the answer is not one I was looking or hoping for.

The idea that prayer melts away any hardness in my heart through repentance and forgiveness gives me hope. Often times it can be difficult to pray for those who have offended you, hurt you, or disappointed you, but God calls us to pray for those people too. I am often convicted that in order to grow in my own faith and walk with the Lord, I must pray for those people and I must allow God to restore in me a clean heart and right spirit.

The truth is that I feel better when I pray. I feel better about the situation, I feel better about God's timing and plans, and if I am praying for a hurt or hang up, I feel differently about the person. That is God's design. He uses prayer to strengthen our faith in Him. He uses it as a means to show us what we need to do and how we need to change. It gives us strength. Prayer builds love.

I find that when I am praying for people, God uses those moments to not only hear my requests, He uses it as a time to shape and mold me into a new person. Many times I find myself saying, "God, change this situation or person" and he opens my own heart and mind to changes that I need to make. He often reminds me, "First you need to look at yourself, your thoughts, your actions, your words." While it is humbling, I am thankful for my personal relationship with Him because I know that in these moments, I am growing closer to Him and my walk is becoming a witness to my family, friends, and even to those I encounter that I do not know.

Thank you God for loving me, for letting me talk to you so frequently, and for hearing and answering my prayers.

Today, I would encourage you to reflect on the power of prayer in your life. Do you set time aside in your day to come to the Father in prayer? Do you talk with him regularly throughout your day? In what ways and at what times do you come together as a family to pray?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting me to talk with you whenever I want or need. Please help me to set time aside in my schedule to meet with you and share my thoughts, fears, or concerns. Shape me, mold me, strengthen me so that I can be a witness to others. Help me to pray for not only those people that I know and love, but for those people who may have hurt or offended me, and especially help me to pray for those who do not know you yet, that they may have the opportunity to learn about you and your amazing grace. I love you Lord! Amen. 

Overwhelmed??

I usually associate the word overwhelmed with tasks, frustration, grief, busy schedules, expectations, etc...but as I hear this song in this Lenten season, I am reminded of the greatest feeling of being overwhelmed I have ever experienced. Think about these lyrics:

"I delight myself in You..captivated by your beauty, I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You. God I run into Your arms, unashamed because of mercy, I'm overwhelmed, I'm overwhelmed by You. I know the power of Your cross, forgiven and free, forever you will be my God. 

And all that you have done is so overwhelming."

When I think about the great love He has for ME, I am overwhelmed. My heart overflows with joy knowing that He has taken away my sin through His great sacrifice. He carries all of my burdens, all of my frustrations, all of my grief, all of my failed expectations. He is beautiful, He is wonderful, He is glorious. I want to be overwhelmed if it means that I can feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in my midst. Thank you Jesus for loving me and helping me to be unashamed because of Your mercy.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  John 3:16

God's Not Dead

Please join us for a night of fellowship, fun, food, and movies!!

February 21st 

5:00 p.m.

Free dinner (Spaghetti and Garlic Bread)

Adults' and Young Adults' Movie Choice-God's Not Dead

Children's Movie Choice-Frozen

If you are looking for a new church home or school home, representatives will be available to give tours and provide you with important information. 

PTL Chili Cook Off

Our first annual P.T.L. Chili Cook-Off and Family Minute-To-Win-It Game will be held on February 17th starting at 6:00 p.m. If you have a famous chili recipe that you want to make and share, please fill out the form and return to the school office by February 12th.

Schedule of Events

6:00-6:15 Prayer/Devotions

6:15-7:00 Chili Tasting/Judging

7:00-8:00 Minute to Win It Games

8:00-8:15 Closing Devotions/Refreshments

Amazing Things

I was driving down the road the other day and saw a sign in front of a school that said "Amazing Things Are Happening Here." As a principal, this brought a smile to my face because I know that amazing things do happen in schools. Teachers work hard to make learning fun and exciting, they share their passion so that students can become lifelong learners, they peek curiosity, they answer questions, they provide comfort...and the list could go on and on.

My thoughts traveled to the many amazing things happening at Bethlehem Lutheran School. In the past few months our students have ministered to the elderly at Healthsource, they have shared the story of the birth of Jesus Christ with community members through the Boars' Head festival, they have made Christmas cards for veterans, collected toiletries for rehabilitation patients, sang for the Salvation Army, prayed for each other, comforted each other, encouraged each other, and again..the list could go on and on.

Our school is so much more than academics though. Sure, we teach standards, we hold our students to high expectations, and we challenge their thinking...but the most amazing things happen here when we teach them how to live like Christ!! This is a daily occurrence on our campus, in our homes, and around our community. Our students are being shown what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ and they have multiple opportunities to put this into practice. AMAZING THINGS ARE HAPPENING HERE!