As an educator, I know that we are not supposed to play favorites.\u00a0 And while I understand the premise, I totally find myself having a favorite Senior this year \u2013 and that senior is my daughter, Allison.\u00a0 Allison is our middle child, and she definitely suffers from \u201cmiddle child syndrome\u201d.\u00a0 Growing up, we used to tell the nursery workers \u2013 \u201cDon\u2019t talk to her; don\u2019t look at her; just put her in the rocking chair, leave her alone, and everything will work out fine\u201d.\u00a0 Many times, well meaning nursery workers would refuse our counsel and try to nurture and cuddle with her.\u00a0 As we were walking away we would hear Allison wailing away, and my wife and I would just smile at each other.\u00a0 Generally, we would come back after a couple of hours to find Allison rocking away by herself with a perplexed looking nursery worker stating, \u201cYou were right!\u201d<\/p>\n
I\u2019m sure that most parents wonder what their children will be like when they grow up, and it\u2019s likely that they are truly surprised to see the path that God leads them on.\u00a0 God created each one of our children very different, and I am so thankful for each of their unique qualities.<\/p>\n
From my perspective, Allison has had a great jr. and sr. high experience.\u00a0 Not everything has necessarily gone exactly the way she has wanted it to go, but along the way I could see God directing her path and her future.\u00a0 In juggling my position as a school superintendent with my responsibilities as a father, I have seen many students, like Allison, use the opportunities afforded them at Faith Christian School to further their walk with Christ, as well as develop key qualities to help them be effective in God\u2019s world.<\/p>\n
I believe many of Allison\u2019s experiences at Faith Christian School have molded and developed her life path.\u00a0 She has participated in volleyball and basketball where being a part of a team and juggling responsibilities have given her the work ethic and friendships to accomplish common goals and have encouraged Allison to set aside personal accomplishments for the good of the team.\u00a0 Allison has also been involved with the Faith Ministry Team along with playing in the band and singing in the choir.\u00a0 Seeing her use her talents and abilities to serve others has demonstrated to me her desire to put others first and seek out their interests instead of her own.\u00a0 When we realize and understand that God has given us talents and that we are responsible to use them for His honor and glory, God is the one who ultimately receives the praise that He deserves.<\/p>\n
Allison has also been a team leader for our school\u2019s Eagle Fair.\u00a0 Leading peers, making schedules, and communicating expectations have allowed her to develop key leadership qualities for her future vocational goals.\u00a0 Allison has also been stretched academically at Faith.\u00a0 She has had to learn to balance her time and work very hard for her grades.\u00a0 I believe, through some of these trials, Allison has developed a compassionate heart for struggling students as well as a desire to see students succeed even while having high standards.\u00a0 Jesus Christ modeled for us what it looks like to serve others.\u00a0 He laid aside His crown; He looked for the needs of others; He picked up a towel and washed dirty feet; and He set out to ultimately do the will of His Father, until it was finished.<\/p>\n
Over the past 18 years, I have seen Allison develop a true love for children and for helping others.\u00a0 One of my favorite opportunities that Allison and I have shared was our trip to Hope Christian School in Masaka, Uganda, Africa, last summer.\u00a0 We spent 10 days in Africa serving in\u00a0a variety of capacities, but our favorite aspect of the trip was serving specifically at Hope Christian School.\u00a0 We helped build a playground for the students.\u00a0 Allison and another student presented a Bible lesson for the students and simply looked for practical ways to minister to the children at Hope Christian School.\u00a0 This mission trip impacted Allison enough to guide her and direct her to someday return to Africa as an elementary teacher and possibly as a\u00a0missionary.\u00a0 I believe that the students at Faith Christian School are given so many unique and exciting opportunities in which to participate.\u00a0 I appreciate seeing students take advantage of the activities, classes, programs, and trips that they\u00a0are able to be a part of.\u00a0 Using these opportunities can truly direct their path into many effective avenues of future service.<\/p>\n
As the superintendent at FCS, I am very proud of each of our seniors.\u00a0 Many of these seniors will leave FCS very well prepared and with a wonderful Biblical worldview that will serve as a tremendous foundation for their future.\u00a0 My pastor often says that \u201cthe proof is in the pudding\u201d \u2013 meaning that people will view the success or lack of success of our school through the lives and testimonies of our graduates.\u00a0 I want our seniors to be prepared to live effectively in God\u2019s world, and I also want our students to walk across that stage and receive their diploma, all the while having a deeper and more meaningful relationship with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
Allison \u2013 I\u2019m so proud of you!\u00a0 You\u2019re almost there.\u00a0 I hope that your life will be an offering and sacrifice to the Lord where one day you will hear Him say, \u201cWell done, My good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your rest\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
As an educator, I know that we are not supposed to play favorites.\u00a0 And while I understand the premise, I totally find myself having a favorite Senior this year \u2013 and that senior is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":923,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n