January 24 Home Communicator – Last week Thursday we had the privilege of having our Early Childhood Exploration Night Open House. It was a night where current and new families learned about our early childhood programs, toured classrooms, and met teachers. The best part of the night, though, was hearing the ways God is at work at HCS through staff members, families, and students!
Jodie DeBoer, a current HCS parent, shared her family’s experience at HCS. She began by describing the busy season of life they were in when it all began. Their daughter was starting 3 School, they were navigating childhood meltdowns, trying to bond with their newly adopted son, beginning potty training, and working on teaching him English–it was a lot! She explained:
One day, I opened my daughter’s 3 School locker and found a loaf of fresh baked bread and an encouraging note from her teacher –I cried. In that preschool hallway, I felt noticed and loved not only by her teacher, but also by a God who sees and loves me enough to nudge her to do that. That summer, my daughter had to have a small surgery, and who showed up at our door with a stuffed animal and balloon? That same teacher. God was answering our prayers of discernment through a teacher who showed up in some of our most vulnerable moments.
Jodie went on to explain how they continued to see God at work at HCS in the years to come. Her son cried the first month of 3 School, but his teacher patiently waited for him and was unfazed by his strong emotions. This teacher’s calming presence allowed Jodie’s son to grow and flourish, and she said we wouldn’t recognize him as the confident 2nd grader he is today.
What a privilege we have as teachers, staff, and administrators to walk alongside families as they raise little ones. So much growth and learning happens in these early years. Our prayer continues to be that God will work through us to help train these children in the Lord!
There were few dry eyes in the gym as we heard stories of God at work through the teachers and staff in early childhood. We know there are countless stories yet to be told as God continues His work at HCS!
Julie Moes, Early Childhood Director
The full Home Communicator can be found at this link January 24 Home Communicator .
