Dear parents,
 

Happy 2016 to you! I am praying this new year has brought renewed excitement for your family regarding school, and that you're getting back into the routine. Our family and several other SCCS families had a hard Christmas break, which included the death of our dear friend and former school member, Kristi Casey, whom many of you have prayed for as she fought a tough battle with cancer for over four years. Thank you for your continued prayers for her husband and three young daughters. Others of you have lost family members as well during this past month. I have prayed so much for our school members, as this season has been a different one for a lot of us.

During times like this, we gratefully cling to the Hope we have in Christ. He gives us strength and enables us to continue in the commitments we have, and the calling He has given each of us, despite grief and pain that are bound to come to us all.

I admit, there are days that I do wonder a bit if we will succeed in completing all the obligations and responsibilities we have on us as parents and teachers. When I read verses like these, they encourage me so. I hope they do the same for you! Both passages are discussing our dependence on Jesus' faithfulness to complete the work in us, before we pass into eternity. I find it interesting that the verses don't say that we are completing anything. We are working in our own areas of responsibility, but it is up to Christ to get the process finished. That should bring such relief and joy to us!

Philippians 1:6 ~ 
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:24 ~
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
 

Also, the focus is on finishing this life well, and being ready for heaven. Sometimes my focus is definitely on this temporary earth, and life here, not on where I'll spend time that never ends. My friend Kristi really understood this. She was focused on the life that was coming after her 34 years on earth ended. She leaned on His faithfulness, and trusted Him completely. While we miss her deeply, we are forever grateful that we know we will see her again, because God did finish the work in her life in a way that still bears fruit and gives Him glory.
 
As you look ahead, we only have a few events this month, but February is BUSY! Go ahead and double check your calendar, and make plans by RSVPing if you still can for the events for which you're interested. I have had some questions lately about attendance, grade reporting, high school transcripts, and more. I am happy to answer those, so please email or call me anytime. Have a great weekend!
 

JANUARY EVENTS

(Click on events to see SCCS website for details)
coming in February! RSVP now on the website
Children's Theater ~ Christenberry Planetarium
Alabama Symphony Orchestra ~ Park Day ~ American Village 
Refresh Homeschool Moms' Retreat
Support Group and Fellowship