Hello Readers!
Knowing you are probably as busy as we are in these last two weeks before Christmas, we want to forego writing our blog and instead take this opportunity to wish you all a blessed holiday season. In this Holy time of the year, we encourage you to keep in mind the “reason for the season,” and suggest sharing Him with family and friends through activities such as reading the first Christmas story in Luke 1-2, letting children draw birthday cards, letters, or pictures for Jesus, or baking a birthday cake for the Christ-child.
We will be back after the new year and look forward to hearing from you in 2016.
Deidre and Sue

The horrifying events in San Bernardino recently have stirred up more than one controversy. However, the headlines of the New York Daily News last week just added to the turmoil. Pictured below, some people felt the front page was totally out-of-line while others echoed acceptance.

I know more than one person is questioning “WHY” this awful event happened, and feeling that prayers from politicians and others are getting us nowhere. It reminded me of a 2008 interview on CBS’s Morning Show when Jane Clayson asked Billy Graham’s daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, “If God is good, how could He let this happen,” referring to the destruction of the World Trade Towers in 2001.  She calmly replied, “I say God is also angry when he sees something like this. For years we’ve been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government, and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has just quietly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone. We need to make up our mind – do we want God or do we not want Him. We cannot just ask Him in when disaster strikes.”

What do you think? Have we invited the negative events that have continued to happen in this country by neglecting to acknowledge God and follow His word as we live our lives, or are terrorist attacks, crumbling stock markets, and all manner of evil occurrences that we hear about on the news simply random happenings? How many of you are old enough to “remember when” and wish for the “good old days?”

My prayers remain with the grieving families who will have no joy in this time of holiday celebrations because innocent loved ones were taken too soon.

Sue – Voice II

I echo Sue as my prayers remain with families who have lost loved ones this entire year due to the hateful acts of others. This type of tragedy that occurred in San Bernardino is most difficult because the totally innocent have died at the hands of heinous terrorists and diabolical criminals. I have to also agree with Anne Graham Lotz regarding her comments about how we have neglected God as a nation. We simply cannot pick and choose when we will include God or even mention His name as an answer to the current dilemma or situation. It is absurd for a finite man to think he can remove and replace God in a kept place just as he would a box of cereal. God truly does hurt in the face of tragedy because He knows, cares and understands our pain. He already fixed it once and for all when He (the innocent) came and died for our (the guilty) sins. As His disciples, we have been given the power to overcome fear through our faith, prayer, evangelism, and also by taking a united and bold stand for our beliefs. We must witness to a lost and dying world until all whom we contact and connect with are transformed into to “HIS IMAGE.” The proverbial, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me,” still rings true today. It can only be the God in me – the God in each of us that will bring about authentic and necessary changes.

Deidre Hester, Voice I

When Sue and I attended the Old Dominion Association of Church Schools, I had the  privilege and opportunity to speak with Dan Zacharias, Executive Director of ODACS, a few times. On one such occasion he shared with me by stating, “My coach would always tell me not to just run to the finish line, but run all the way through the finish line.” In other words, don’t be satisfied with just completing a task, project, or directive; but go that extra mile by surpassing what is expected or required. So today I pass on those great words of wisdom. As educators for Christ, we must prepare, plan, and execute those daily tasks with excellence. In order to finish well, we can check our motives by continuing to practice doing what we do everyday, as unto God. We must then pass that same baton of excellence on to our students as we encourage them to run all the way through the finish line.

“On your mark, get set, and go pass that anointed baton of excellence, and do it all to the Glory of God!”  When God is glorified, you can rest assured that you have finished it well.

Deidre Hester, Voice I

Finishing a job, assignment, or task can have an entirely different meaning than finishing those things well.  It all depends on each individual’s interpretation of when the job is completed. I would encourage parents, who are their child’s first teachers, to be mindful of the fact that what they accept at home in terms of the work effort from their child, will be modeled outside the home – usually at school and later on the job. The Biblical principle of “finishing well” should be applied everywhere, not only when cleaning a room, washing dishes, or raking leaves, but also in completing assignments, following coaches instructions, and making time for guitar practice. Children learn to give what is expected, so why should we expect less than their best. Parents and teachers are preparing our next generation for their futures. Teach them to work hard and finish well, because ultimately, they will be the ones to benefit.

Sue Whited – Voice II

This week marks a break from the classroom and that in itself is probably enough to make you thankful! I guess the question I’m really asking in the title is: “are you living in a thankful state of mind?” I have come to realize that thankful living is a choice. In the midst of life – which can be demanding, depressing, frustrating, or painful  – there is always something for which to be thankful. During this week of Thanksgiving, I wish for you to be able to find those joys that make you smile, and concentrate on them. Look up and thank Him . . . and let this thankfulness carry into next week.

Sue – Voice II

The question “Are you thankful?” is one of the most important questions we will answer in this life. However, being able to answer with an honest and resounding, “Yes” is even more important because God wants us to maintain a posture of being grateful. The way to do that is to focus on what you do have and practice not complaining about what you don’t have. After all, the Israelites had to wander in a desert and eventually died off in the wilderness for having ungrateful hearts. During this season of giving thanks, I want to encourage you, our readers, to remain grateful beyond a holiday. Wake up and look up everyday and give God praise for another day in which you can serve and continue to discover your purpose in Him. Finally, let us all remain inspired by David and actually proclaim on a regular  basis, “This is the day that the Lord has made, and I will(choose to) rejoice and be glad in it!”

Deidre- Voice I

Good Monday morning to everyone. Deidre and I are resting up from last week’s ODACS conference in Charlottesville, VA. We had a great time meeting other vendors and the convention members who attended. We so appreciate those of you who bought a book, and others who said they would check out our website and blog.

I always enjoy getting together with teachers who are still “in the trenches,” sharing experiences and laughing over the stories only teachers can tell. My prayers are with you all because you have chosen a career that truly makes a difference – you are important in the life of a child! Keep on keeping on!!

Sue – Voice II