Comfort My People

As we sprint through the next week so filled with Christmas goodness, I know your shoulders are carrying a heavy load even as jingle bell earrings rattle next to your ears all day (we do a lot for the sake of children's smiles, don't we? Ron! Don't start wearing jingle bell earrings!) Jodi Gillmore graciously shared this devotional written by a friend of hers. I found these words so relevant given all that teachers are trying to balance through Christmas while schooling in a pandemic. These truths brought comfort and a deep joy to my heart. Enough to drown out the rattling of the jingly bells in the ears! My prayer is your heart will find God's peace this Christmas season as well. You have done GOOD work, my friends. Through it ALL, you have brought the JOY of Christ entering into our sinful world to offer redemption from the pain that seems, at times, oh so heavy! Merry Christmas to each and every one of you! 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4–7

“... but in everything… ” and “... do not be anxious about anything… ” Beautiful words that are easy to hear when we are not in the middle of the death of a child or of a parent. These admonitions seem effortless when we are not amidst social strife that separates friend from friend and breaks apart families, or facing uncertainty at work that makes people question their perceived value and security. Spurning anxiousness happens naturally absent loss of employment that leaves families in economic stress that pushes them to the brink.  The last two years have been filled with anxiety-inducing experiences at personal and corporate levels. The wounds for many are deep and the losses seem insurmountable. The wounds of the last few years, for me personally, are deep. The experiences of the recent past have left figurative and literal scars. My heart will never be the same. The losses were large and the lessons came at steep prices.  Yet our good God, a Father who gives perfect gifts to us, His children, promises that our tears are not wasted (Psalm 56:8). The cost has a perfect gift for those who receive it. We can live in hope and without anxiousness. We can live in peace that surpasses circumstances and understanding (Ephesians 3:20–21). Christ came to earth, lived, taught, died and rose to conquer the power of anxiety, hopelessness, despair and grief.  We can rejoice because the truth will win and has already won. We take comfort in the midst of the storms of life knowing that the peace of God can be ours, as a salve on our wounds and a hedge of protection around our hearts.  This peace is available even as the chaos rages when we rejoice through our tears, knowing our God is good. We find this peace when we turn to God, talk to God, dwell in our Father’s presence, telling Him what fills our hearts. When we still ourselves with God and spill out all the tears, the hurts, the fears, the betrayals, the brokenness, He promises we will find peace. Just as Jesus prepared to do His Father’s will by often stealing away to be in His Father’s presence (Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42; Mark 6:46; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18, 28; Matthew 26:36–45; Mark 14:32–41; Luke 22:39–46), we prepare for the realities of living in this fallen world by being with Him, talking with Him, listening to and meditating on His Word (Hebrews 4:12; Proverbs 30:5–6; John 8:31–32). The storm may rage, but as Jesus pulled Peter out of the water when his hope faltered, we will not drown (Matthew 14:22–33). He will grab our hands and give us peace in all situations when we turn to Him. In His strength and truth, we can display this hope… this peace… to others as we walk with Him. The Lord is at hand! Peace on earth! Rejoice!

Dr. Virginia Beard is an associate professor of political science at Hope College.

Move to the Main Kitchen After Break

Due in part to the food we are provided with thanks to the government funding, our auditing must be completed in greater detail and accuracy. That means our big kids will need to walk a bit farther to get their lunch. Our kitchen staff has requested, in order to comply with our audit requirements, that all students receive lunch at the main kitchen window after Christmas break. While we certainly have enjoyed the convenience of the secondary window for the 'big kid' hallway, our count is less accurate with two windows. 

Welcome Dawn Hogue

Guess what! Help is coming to the media center! For many Fridays throughout the rest of  this school year, Dawn Hogue will be officially a Rose Parker! She'll be working to support the needs in the media center so that our beautiful book collection can continue to be the engine that supplies your classroom with relevant resources and your students with exciting stories! Welcome, Dawn!! 

Welcome Libby

Libby VanWolde is our new permanent guest teacher. She will be our new first go-to for all vacancies in the elementary setting! For the month of January, Libby will start each day reporting to Rose Park unless she is called elsewhere. For this week and next, she'll be teaching in our Forest School second grade classroom! Welcome, Libby! 

Welcome Hannah 

Our dear Susan Urbytes has been relocated within the West Ottawa School System. We have TREASURED the work she does with our children and families. What a gem! She will be missed but this move will allow her to focus on students with less travel hither and yon. Please join me in welcoming Hannah Groendyk. Hannah is a graduate of Rose Park and Holland Christian High School. She is thrilled to be back at Rose Park, this time as a staff member. Hannah will be a great fit for Rose Park. She is caring and conscientious and she has a heart for children.

Night Before Christmas

Well, let's talk the afternoon before Christmas break! Julie Raak and I are starting a raak band! Our first concert is going to be December 17 from 2:30-3:00. You can only attend this concert if you are fifth grade and younger! Your students are invited! That means, teachers, please bring your students to the WELL at 2:30 on the 17th. Julie and I will RAAK their Christmas socks off and have them ready for their return to you at 3:00! You can't stay EVEN if curiosity got the best of you and you wanted to! Please go back to your rooms, clean up, nap, snack, laugh, stare quietly at the silent wall, say Merry Christmas to one another....whatever it is that you do so that right after carpool, you can ZIP home to Christmas time with family and dear ones! 

Merry Christmas all y'all!!!