Vacations

My wife and I have just returned from vacation in Maine. It was wonderful to sit back and relax away from stress related activities such as traffic and work. We met some friends from the past, but mostly it was just the two of us, which is what we both needed.

While in Maine (Acadia National Park) we did many activities. We have visited the park so many times that we hiked the last mountain on the island, now we just need to concentrate on the trails we haven't completed. We also kayak out in the bay. While kayaking we have porpoise swim by, a plethora of curious harbor seals playing around the kayak, bald eagles, loons and many other wildlife come right up to us. God has created many wonderful creatures for us to observe. We also bicycle the many trails in Acadia. So as you can tell we sleep very well when we return.

If you like seafood, Maine is the place to be! We did not miss one day where we did not have somekind of seafood for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snack. What kind of snack would have seafood in it you might say? Well, if you like lobster, you would enjoy the lobster ice cream! I know it might not sound delicious, but it is made of butter ice cream with tiny lobster pieces in it and it is quite good.

As we were riding our bicylces through the park with its winding trails and many hills it occured to me that it is much like life. Riding up hill is slow and arduous yet we know once we reach the top there is a reward, the reward of rest and some speed of the down hill part. Yet, as we are traveling really fast going down we must prepare ourselves for the long arduous uphill climb.

As it is with our lives.

As the children are at home relaxing for the summer are they preparing for the uphill climb of the next school year? Are they reading? Are they keeping a journal of their vacation? Are they tracking the miles that they traveled on their vacation and try to find a shorter way? Ae your children doing their share of the work in the house? This last one I think is important for their growth once they are out on there own!

Now that is July 31st, we might want to start preparing our children for the upcoming school year. A school year with different and exciting challenges. A school year with growth opportunities.

How about you the parent? Are you prepared? Prepared to support your child to become the best they can be? Being supportive of the school and the church with your time, talent and your treasures? Parents set the example for their children.

I have met many wonderful, committed parents in my short summer here at Immanuel and I look forward to working with all parents and their children.

Just a reminder that registration is this Monday, August 4th and the following Monday, August 11th. Hopefully we can have everyone registered during these dates so the teachers will have an opporunity to be prepared for all of their children.

Blessings,

Aaron M. Landgrave