I answered my daughter’s FaceTime call a few weeks ago and was greeted with the opening statement: “I’ve got something to show you and don’t try to change my mind because I’ve already paid for it.”

I find it amazing when a mother is greeted with that type of announcement, how quickly one million terrifying thoughts can race through your mind in a matter of seconds.

As she panned the camera away from the close up of her face, she zoomed in to reveal… a large dog crate!

As a result, I can now add “Shiloh” to my list of grand-dogs.

Shiloh is an adorable mini Aussie who has two speeds: energetic or comatose. As Kristine experiences the joys of being a new dog mom, she has also quickly learned that puppies don’t sleep in, they can get stuck under couches, and their teeth are strong enough to chew off the corner of a laptop!

Wanting to bring him with her last week, as she needed to travel home for a medical appointment, concerns regarding his containment and contentment riding in an airplane carrier for 2 1/2 hours started to escalate. In addition, the day before their scheduled departure, poor Shiloh experienced his first episode of an upset digestive system. Fortunately, there was time for a quick veterinarian visit before the plane departed, and with the assistance of a sedative, probiotics, and a doggie diaper, Shiloh successfully flew through the friendly skies of Delta airlines.

I have to admit, it was a lot of fun having a puppy back in our house; however, I’m certain that my sixteen-year-old dog would disagree with this statement. Moreover, it was so endearing watching how attentive Shiloh was regarding following and listening to my daughter. When she left the room, he would immediately follow her. When she returned from taking a shower, he greeted her like she had been gone for months. When she sat down, he would lay right next to her, and when she called his name, he would drop everything and come running to her. It was very apparent that Shiloh had fallen in love and was extremely loyal to his new master.

There is so much that we can learn from dogs, especially in comparison to our spiritual lives! In a similar fashion, it is our hope that our students will fall madly in love and become extremely loyal to our Heavenly Master Jesus Christ and attentively follow Him throughout their lives. As parents and teachers, we encourage the children entrusted into our care to spend time with Him by reading His Word and talking to Him through prayer. When God calls them to do something, it is our hope that our young disciples will come running and be willing to serve in any capacity that will help others and populate Heaven in the process.

Most importantly, we want our students/children to seek and listen to His voice! In this world, there are so many harmful distractions and Satan would love to lure our children down ungodly paths. That is why it is imperative that we lay a strong Biblical foundation for our children and teach them how to discern and follow God’s voice in all that they do.

As we prepare to conclude this school year, we thank you for your support in partnering with us and the Holy Spirit, as we strive to always point these children to our Heavenly Master, Jesus.

Have a wonderful week following Him!

In Jesus’ Love,

Mrs. Palka

Hot Lunch Option: Lasagna with Meat Sauce

NO SCHOOL

NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day

Kindergarten Graduation 6:00 p.m.

8th Grade Graduation 7:00 p.m.

8th Grade Class Trip to Mackinaw

End of the Year Picnic

Closing Chapel at 8:40

8th grade Clap Out at 11:25 a.m.

Dismissal at 11:30 a.m.

This has been a wonderful, yet demanding year! Our students and teachers have done an amazing job implementing and following all necessary COVID protocols that have assisted in keeping us in-person throughout a majority of the school year, and we realize this endeavor has been exhausting for everyone!

However, of all the years, we did not need to utilize any of the SNOW DAYS that were already built into our school calendar. As a result, our School Board voted to cancel school on Friday, May 28th, so that everyone can relax and enjoy an extended Memorial Day Weekend.

We hope that you have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

We are very excited that the Lord has opened an opportunity for our 8th graders to still participate in their annual Class Trip and yet do it safely through outdoor activities. This year, they will travel Up North to hike the Tahquamenon Falls as well as visit Mackinaw Island. As a result, we are moving both Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation to Tuesday, June 1st.

Due to Covid safety guidelines, these worship services will be designed for just the graduates and their families.

Details include:

Kindergarten Service at 6:00 p.m. in the church - students arrive by 5:45 p.m.

8th Grade Service at 7:00 p.m. in the church - students arrive by 6:45 p.m.

We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of both of these milestones!

This is the year of “how do we still do this but in a COVID-safe manner?” As a result, our traditional “School Picnic” will still occur, just in a different way!

On June 8, our cooks and Mr. Welte will grill hot dogs, but instead of eating all together as a school, we will keep our original lunch schedule. As a special treat, the Detroit Donut truck will return, but serve gourmet popsicles!

If your child would like to participate, this lunch will just be regular hot lunch

purchase.