14 December
I just finished watching the students practice the Christmas service for Friday night. The kids are moving to their places, singing with joy and happiness and standing proud. The faculty and staff are very excited about the opportunity for the students to lead worship for our newborn King.
There is one area the middle school needs to perfect, that is their speaking parts. It isn't that they do not know their parts, or what to do, it’s that they are speaking too quickly and not speaking loudly. There are students who are saying their parts in a voice that is quieter than their normal voice. I understand that nerves often interfere with their confidence. Mr. Maas and Mrs. Haase spent extra time working with them.
This reminds me of myself at times, and maybe you too. We are in an environment where the common response used to be “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” has changed to “happy holidays.” Where “Christmas blessings” has turned into, well “happy holidays.” What used to be a bold proclamation of the true meaning of the season has turned into a quiet response in public. I am looking forward to Friday night because God always goes to work on the hearts and bodies of the students. Areas they have struggled with, since day one, will be completed with great confidence the night of the service. The quiet voices are no longer quiet, but they are boldly proclaiming the love of our one True God! Like our children, go into the world proclaiming with joy and delight, that “Jesus is the reason for the season!” and “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Scrip
Scrip is easy to use. Remember we purchase gift cards at a reduced priced and then sell them at the normal retail price. Did you know that you can order your Scrip online and have it shipped to the school?
First, go to shopwithscrip.com and register. You will create an account and input MLA’s enrollment code. The Enrollment Code is: 5L4ECL6A15658. Once you have created an account, you can log in and create your own shopping list.
You can select Scrip from over 700 vendors nationwide including restaurants, retail, travel, most major airlines and hotels. If you are going on a vacation, check scrip first and order scrip for your airline ticket, car rental, gas cards, and hotels. While you are on vacation, you will be supporting MLA. “But my family is on the Dave Ramsey plan for budgeting.” That works perfectly, because you know how much money you are spending on budgeted items, you know how much to buy, and you are being a great steward with your money, supporting MLA.