Thank You 4-12-2002
Aloha! What a week it was! On April 3 Bunny (my wife) and I flew out of St. Louis on a non-stop flight to Honolulu. We spent 8 wonderful days and 7 relaxing nights touring the islands of Hawaii. We visited four islands and each had its own special attractions. Our picks were:
Bunny and I were very privileged to be able to get away for this time - alone. It was the first real vacation we have had in over 30 years.
How did I feel?
I felt as I did when I was a child and I went to bed with the possibility of snow and awoke to a snow-covered landscape and the words, "School's Closed!" It was a feeling of unbounded joy and relaxation. That was how I felt for just over a week. No work, no phones, no worries. It was Bunny and me enjoying the splendor of God's creation. Our God is indeed an awesome God. Bunny felt so good that she skipped two of her pain pills.
What a vacation. It wasn't until this time away that I fully understood the scripture's reference to when Jesus would set Himself apart for rest. Yes, we need to do that. We need to take time to be away from the phone, the responsibilities, the worries of this life and just appreciate all that God has done and will do in our lives. Mahalo (thank you) to God for this trip and Much-Much Mahalo to all of you for your prayers, support, and understanding.
He is Risen!
- Best beach - Waikiki
- Best Lighthouse - Kilauea Lighthouse on Kaua'i
- Best WWII Memorial - Arizona (Very somber moment)
- Best Whale Watching - Lahaina on Maui
- Best Submarine Ride - Atlantis
- Best Volcano Park - Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii (The Big Island)
- Best Sunset - North shore of Kaua'i
- Best Drink - Anything with a pineapple sticking to it
Bunny and I were very privileged to be able to get away for this time - alone. It was the first real vacation we have had in over 30 years.
How did I feel?
I felt as I did when I was a child and I went to bed with the possibility of snow and awoke to a snow-covered landscape and the words, "School's Closed!" It was a feeling of unbounded joy and relaxation. That was how I felt for just over a week. No work, no phones, no worries. It was Bunny and me enjoying the splendor of God's creation. Our God is indeed an awesome God. Bunny felt so good that she skipped two of her pain pills.
What a vacation. It wasn't until this time away that I fully understood the scripture's reference to when Jesus would set Himself apart for rest. Yes, we need to do that. We need to take time to be away from the phone, the responsibilities, the worries of this life and just appreciate all that God has done and will do in our lives. Mahalo (thank you) to God for this trip and Much-Much Mahalo to all of you for your prayers, support, and understanding.
He is Risen!
Help One Another 4-18-2002
I am presenting a sectional with Polly Gregali (from our office) - "Maintaining a Positive Image in Negative Situations," and will be presenting a sectional - "Web Page Success." Over 4,000 Lutheran teachers, administrators, and other church professionals are registered to attend this convocation. I have great respect for the professional workers of our synod and look forward to be able to help them in some small measure.
As I was developing the sectional on crisis management, I found the videotape from the news broadcast of September 7, 1992. It was on that day that I was interviewed by all of the networks. I was principal of Immanuel Lutheran School of Sebewaing, MI. I was being interviewed for my response to the vandalism of the school. Three children spent hours in the building the previous evening destroying most of the school's equipment and rooms. It took over five hours just to walk through the building and document damage.
The total cost to the building and contents was about $100,000. That was a bad thing. However, as I look back over the events of that year, it was really a good thing.
That one incident became the focal point for the congregation and community. Church members were moved to action, the community was moved to action, and the church at large was moved to action. More than 100 volunteers came to help in the clean-up, the local work team from the prison came and painted our gym in one day, the public school sent their entire cleaning crews and equipment to help restore the building. The community showed up for clean-up and stayed to offer support. Fundraisers were held to offset financial losses and donations came to us from Lutheran schools across Michigan and across the United States. The outpouring of love and prayers moved me. Even now, as I recall the events of that day, the outpouring of Christian love and concern touches me.
Then I think, why should this surprise me? Is that not what the Body of Christ does? Aren't we, the Family of Christ, there for each other in times of trial and tribulation? Don't we come to the aid of those touched by disaster? Do we not grieve with those who grieve, weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice? This is what we do. What a great thing that is! No matter what our earthly situation - no matter what our earthly family is - no matter where we live - our Christian family is there for us.
I thank God for making me a member of His family! I thank God for you – my brothers and sisters.
As I was developing the sectional on crisis management, I found the videotape from the news broadcast of September 7, 1992. It was on that day that I was interviewed by all of the networks. I was principal of Immanuel Lutheran School of Sebewaing, MI. I was being interviewed for my response to the vandalism of the school. Three children spent hours in the building the previous evening destroying most of the school's equipment and rooms. It took over five hours just to walk through the building and document damage.
The total cost to the building and contents was about $100,000. That was a bad thing. However, as I look back over the events of that year, it was really a good thing.
That one incident became the focal point for the congregation and community. Church members were moved to action, the community was moved to action, and the church at large was moved to action. More than 100 volunteers came to help in the clean-up, the local work team from the prison came and painted our gym in one day, the public school sent their entire cleaning crews and equipment to help restore the building. The community showed up for clean-up and stayed to offer support. Fundraisers were held to offset financial losses and donations came to us from Lutheran schools across Michigan and across the United States. The outpouring of love and prayers moved me. Even now, as I recall the events of that day, the outpouring of Christian love and concern touches me.
Then I think, why should this surprise me? Is that not what the Body of Christ does? Aren't we, the Family of Christ, there for each other in times of trial and tribulation? Don't we come to the aid of those touched by disaster? Do we not grieve with those who grieve, weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice? This is what we do. What a great thing that is! No matter what our earthly situation - no matter what our earthly family is - no matter where we live - our Christian family is there for us.
I thank God for making me a member of His family! I thank God for you – my brothers and sisters.
