The Principal's Blog

2008-11-20T07:06:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is next week! It is my favorite holiday. Don't get me wrong celebrating the birth of Christ is awesome, but it has become too commercialized . The focus on thanksgiving for me has always been on family and and giving thanks to God's richest blessings. I am continually amazed at what God for all that I have, knowing that I do not deserve any of it.

Giving and saying thanks seems easy for some people and difficult for others. It is difficult because many times we cannot find the right words to say. If you are one who finds it difficult, here are 10 ways to actively share your appreciation fopr others:

1. "Thank you for _____________."
2. "I appreciate it that __________."
3. "That saved me a half hour of my day. Thanks."
4. "Your efforts made things easier for me."
5. "I really needed your help. Thanks for being there for me."
6. "That put a big smile on my face."
7. "You really helped our family when ____________."
8. "We all benefited from your efforts with __________."
9. "I'm feelin really loved right now."
10. "I feel honored that you _________________."

Have a great Thanksgiving.
Aaron

Faculty and staff

2008-09-30T15:58:00.000-07:00

We just celebrated Day School Sunday. We had 75-100 children plus the adult choir singing at the same time. what a sight it was. The services were filled with the congregation praising God for Immanuel Lutheran School throughout the years.
I was pleased that we could celebrate such an occasion, 130 years, around 25,000 students coming closer to Christ. I think back at how simple life was 130 years ago to how complicated it is now and I praise God that we are still here teaching His Word.
I thank all the past teachers, administrators, children and parents for their commitment to the Immanuel community. But mostly I thank the parishioners and alumni who continue to support the school even without having children in the school. I told a story of my father still paying my tuition every Sunday when he attends his church. In essence, that is what we are all doing when we give our offerings, we support the mission of the church which in some cases such as immanuel is the school.
I want to thank the wonderful faculty and staff who serve here presently. I especially want to thank Pastor Tom who has become a great friend and colleague for his service. They perform their duties with commitment and professionalism always staying centered on Christ. These servants of Christ are a wonderful group of Christians that I say are awesome to work with.
I invite you to visit even if you haven't visited us or haven't visited us for a while. I guarantee you will see the work of God's hands present.

God Bless - - hope to see you in church,
Aaron

Love

2008-09-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

The theme for the month of September is Love. Love is the first "Fruit of the Spirit" mentioned in Galatians 5. The topic of love has been brought up many times in the Bible, but yet it seems to be thrown around on television and the radio.
The 3rd chapter of the 1st John speaks volumes about the life changing love that God gives us on a daily basis. Verse 16 of this chapter states: This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. Knowing Christ died for me has changed my life, I know He died for you too and I hope you have had that same life changing feeling.
Verse 11 speaks of loving one another. This would be the same love that Christ has for us. The Greek word Agape is used to describe this kind of love. Agape love is unconditional. Christ loves us even though we are sinners and fall far of what He expects of us. We should love others, and not expect any back. By doing so we may turn a non believer to a believer.
1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the Chapter of Love. Verse 4: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Verse 8 Love never fails. This chapter not only speaks of the depth of love but it also involves many of the Fruits of the Spirit that Christ asks us to live.
John 3:16 says it all though: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." That is the way God loves us, not lightly or just when He felt like it, He died while we were yet sinners. AND His love is unconditional!!!
God asks us to love everyone. Since God asks us to do good and please Him, we should do it! Loving others is the right thing to do, even if it doesn't always feel right.
So if you haven't told anyone latley how you love them go ahead it won't hurt, and it might not feel right, but I do know you and the person you said it to would feel great.

By the way - - - I LOVE YOU!

2008-08-25T11:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

The Start of School We have just finished our second day of school! Mrs. Kinyon and Mrs. Mayyou said that the two days went well - - and they should know since they have been in the office a number of years.
The students seem to be excited about school starting. That is a great sign! Kids wanting to be in school!!!! OK I have to admit not all were excited to start. Some were nervous because they have a new teacher, some have their first male teacher, some do not want to do work, some are nervous about the new scary principal who says he will hold the children responsible for their actions. But I do know God will be guiding us to help them learn and they will come around. But each child is different.
This reminds me of my garden at home. Some plants and flowers need my assistance on a daily basis, as an example the Day Lilies. Others however, need to be nourished every once in awhile, like my boxwoods. The grass needs to be treated the same way at the same time. All bushes need to be trimmed, trees need to be pruned, and the Lilacs need to be cut back so they do not know grow the wrong way. That is what we intend to do with each child. Tend to their needs to the best of our abilities.
We will feed, water, prune, cut back and do whatever it takes to help our children grow into the Christian adults we want them to be. While we are at it, we hope do the same with ourselves, afterall God wants us all to grow in our faith. How about yourself? Does your faith need some pruning?
I hope to see you in church on Sunday!

God Bless,
Aaron
draft

Back to School

2008-08-14T07:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

I am sitting at my desk preparing for a new school year at a new school. Tomorrow the faculty arrive for an all day meeting. I am sure they are saying the same thing I have said all week, "Boy, the summer went really fast!" They are probably more excited about a new class than they might let on, after all it is in their blood.

The theme for this year is taken from the book of Galatians chapter 5. In this chapter we find that we have freedom in Christ and how to use that freedom to live by the Spirit. The theme "Fruits of the Spirit" actually can be found in verses 22 and 23. These verses read:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.

As you read the 9 topics of living by the Spirit you must ask yourself, "How am I doing?" Are you patient when it comes to traffic jams? Are you the type that when changing lanes you realize the lane that you just moved out of is actually moving faster? Do you show kindness at all times? Including the time when someone cuts in front of you in a very long line at the store? Do you show self-control when your child tells you something they did wrong?

If you find yourself not doing so well in these nine areas it is a great time to begin. It will take practice, prayer and more prayer.

The key to the whole verse is the last sentence - - Against such there is no law. There is NO LAW against loving others, being joyful at all times, finding peace in this world of chaos, being patient in all circumstances, being kind to everyone - not just those who will be kind back, showing goodness, being faithful to the Lord, your spouse, your family, your school, being gentle with others when they have wronged you, and showing self-control in your life.

This is what we will be teaching your children throughout the year. We will use each of the fruit of the spirit every month. We will start the month of Aug/Sept with Love.

I ask each person who reads my blog to begin living by the fruits of the Spirit. While living by all of them, concentrate on the "fruit" of LOVE for the next month. I think you will find it very rewarding and fulfilling.

Blessings,
Aaron M. Landgrave

Vacations

2008-07-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

I want to start off my first ever blog by thanking the members, faculty, staff and parents of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School for your prayers for me and my family. I feel my transition here to Immanuel has been smooth mainly because of the school and church office staff and I want to send a special thank you to them.

I do feel blessed to be serving with you here. God has great things in store for my ministry and the ministry of Immanuel and I look forward to the challenges and the oppotunities ahead of us.

I will be out of the office for the next two weeks as my wife and I had a vacation planned prior to arriving at Immanuel. However, I would like to share with you some of the results of the parent surveys.

The following are the area's of strength:
-The people who work in the school office are friendly and helpful.
-My child feels safe in this school.
-My child's teacher(s) is a positive Christian role model.
-Students show respect for school property.
-My child's teacher(s) know my child and focus on him/her as an individual.
-Staff at the school care about my child's progress.
-Teachers and staff are caring and supportive of one another.
-My child's school is a place where a Christian atmosphere is evident.

The above were some of the reasons I decided (with God's grace) to serve as Immauel's principal.

I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and ideas in further blogs.

God Bless,

Aaron