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As we wrap up one of the most interesting school years yet, let’s take a few minutes to appreciate all we have accomplished. We started our year like any other, we purchased school supplies, set bedtimes, and maybe even did a little research on healthy new lunch options for our kids. The first few months of school were packed full of homework, school projects, and yearly traditions like field trips to apple farms and classroom Christmas parties. We watched as our children grew in new ways, academically, physically, and spiritually. Then all of sudden, our lives as we knew them, came to a hault.

We were told school was now going to be taught at home through distance learning, and no one really knew what that meant. Teachers were searching the internet and reaching out to mentors, looking for online teaching strategies, and altering their curriculum to fit their virtual classroom. Though chaotic and stressful, there was something very beautiful happening at SJCS.

There was an unseen, yet very powerful and graceful presence flowing through our community. As our teachers and staff sent out laptops and ipads, created YouTube Channels and scheduled Zoom Meetings, we were also praying. We prayed (and continue to pray) about everything! As a community of believers, we pulled together and looked to God for guidance. We knew that in order to be successful through this time, we needed to give our time to God first, then trust His will with our path. We all wanted answers about what tomorrow looked like. We wanted decisions to be made so we could just get to our new normal. The unknown was tormenting all of us. But as we leaned into our faith, and held on to God’s promises, we grew stronger together, and closer to Him.

It is my prayer for our community, as we enter this summer season, we continue to grow closer to God. The families at SJCS have truly shown their children, our students, what walking in faith looks like. So let’s continue to walk by faith, ‘For we live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7, NIV).’ Let’s use this summer break as a time to reflect and relax, and maybe create some new family traditions. Below is a list of some fun ideas that I hope you can try out.

Creating New Summer Traditions

• Host an End-of-School Awards Dinner at Home (each family member gets an award specific to their talents shown during the year; ex: gets ready for the day fastest, completed chores most creatively, biggest family cheerleader, most empathetic, etc.)

• Family Olympics (organize obstacles, participate in drills, win prizes, etc.)
   
• Create a Summer Vacation Bucket List
   
• Outdoor Movie Night
   
• Create a New Summer Holiday (Special, just for your family)
   
• Be a Tourist in Your Own Town (Take lots of family pictures while out and about - share them with SJCS in your orange crush gear)
   
• Create a Sidewalk Chalk Mural (Bible verses, pictures, etc.)
   
• Build Together (Legos, Treehouses, Anything!)
   
• Start a Family Book Club (Everyone reads the same book, then discuss it.)
   
• Backyard Campout
   
• Start a Garden
   
• Volunteer at an Animal Shelter Walking Dogs

Thank you SJCS families, for doing an excellent job modeling your faith to this next generation. May God bless you all and keep you safe.