We are on a four-week school break, and when you have 450 children out of school, you need to have a crazy schedule that includes free time, chores, exercise, fun, talent show rehearsals, and field trips!
Our AMAZING activities department, supported by our incredible staff, has everyone hopping! The six kids who made the National Swim Team are practicing in frigid water. The puzzlers are busy in my office every day working on the latest challenge.
The grade 5 class went to our local grocery store and learned how to bake bread and ice cupcakes.
Our golf team is competing in the club championship this weekend, which we won last year 😊.
One child is working down at the Lusito shop and, over the weekend, learned how to get rid of termite hills in the fields.
Mixed throughout, we have the “normal” life things like birthdays, cut lips, scraped knees, and the odd broken bone. Kids will be kids. Gymnastics classes are held for everyone over the age of 3, and it’s SO CUTE TO WATCH!
The thing I love most about school break is sitting in my office upstairs, where a lot of the activities happen, and getting to watch the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly of kids living together. Overall, our children are very respectful, but sometimes they have to be reminded to “play nicely” and that “shut up” is not an acceptable thing to say.
Then there is the creative side of our kids. One day, I saw a couple of our girls knitting. They didn’t have knitting needles, so they used two sticks that were once surrounded by sugar in the form of a lollipop. It made for a small scarf, but they said they were just practicing anyway. I think we need knitting needles, yarn, and a few teachers!
While we see joy every day, we have been going through a very hard season that has kept us on our knees. Yesterday, I received a much-needed reminder, and maybe you need this reminder today. It was from Sarah Young’s Jesus Calling:
“Be prepared to suffer for Me, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely—even thanking Me for them—is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles. When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up to Me for My purposes. Thus, your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust in thankfulness.”
Blessings to everyone today.
Janine
PS – We’ve created an Amazon Canada Registry filled with school supplies needed to support our 300+ students and all of our teachers at PCA. Shop today and help equip our school with everything necessary to provide them with the best education. Thank you for your generosity!