On a snowy day, I sit at the computer to write. The kids are quietly playing after a morning of sleeping in. The brightness from the snow defeats the overcast sky, and I feel perfectly cozy in my sweats on the couch. In these moments I can do some quiet thinking, continual praying, and flush out a few ideas roaming in my head. I’m very thankful God gives us moments like this to just sit still and catch our breath.
I had a
visit with family over the break. A question caught me a bit off-guard as I
forgot a new year, even a new decade, was sneaking up on me. I was just
enjoying the Christmas season, making it through each event without a
catastrophe, and aiming for a joyful spirit despite some challenges. But there
the question was, and I had not yet solidified my answer.
https://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/Door.png16772000Renee Doylehttp://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/genesis-classical-academy-logo-128.jpgRenee Doyle2019-12-30 14:24:462019-12-30 14:29:42Thoughtfully Entering the New Year
Last Thursday evening our Genesis Classical Academy students presented their Christmas concert, “O Come, Let Us Adore.” The final number in the program was a rousing rendition of “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” complete with the nativity scene presented by the kindergarten class.
One of our parents captured this heartwarming (and hilarious) photo of the manger scene. This photo was not staged, folks. It represents “real life” in the world of kindergartners.
Mary was covering her ears, trying to block out the noise
and chaos of the stable. Joseph was exhausted after the long trip to Bethlehem. The shepherds
dutifully kept watch over their sheep, while the wise men searched for the
star.
And the angels – oh, those angels! They were rockin’ it out
above the manger. Dancing. For. Joy.
Consider this photo our Christmas card to all of you,
because it represents so many of our wishes for you during this blessed season.
We pray that you will find rest in the midst of the busyness
of the season, and that you will be able to block out the noise and keep your focus
on the One who is the true gift, Jesus.
We hope that you will keep careful watch over the hearts and
minds of those whom God has entrusted to your care, and that you will continue
to search for the Guiding Light, in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
And we wish you joy! We pray that you will take time to
dance for joy.
“And the angel said to them,
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for
all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who
is Christ the Lord.” Luke
2:10-11
Merry Christmas from Genesis Classical Academy! May God
shower you with His richest blessings today, and throughout the coming year.
https://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/Christmas-Lantern.png15761880Renee Doylehttp://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/genesis-classical-academy-logo-128.jpgRenee Doyle2019-12-20 12:25:482019-12-20 19:49:43O Come, Let Us Adore
Awhile ago, I was disheartened by many issues going on around me. I was frustrated and overwhelmed. I felt torn and divided, not knowing which battles to fight and understood that I can’t fight them all. I backed away a bit from the things I had been working on, realizing that I felt like my wheels were spinning, I was out of the fiery enthusiasm that I had started with, and felt at a loss for the role I am to play. I was burdened by the thought that I have to do more, but questioned what I can really do that would make a bit of difference. The joy had seemingly been stolen from me. And with a wonderful holiday season approaching, I did not want that heaviness to linger much longer.
It always feels like time is speeding up, especially this time of year. I admit, the early winter-like temperatures had me anticipating the holidays a bit sooner than I normally do. What I consider the busiest time of year is already upon us. We have solidified our Thanksgiving plans, starting our gift-giving lists (and shopping already!), and have debated with our friends and family when is too early to decorate for Christmas. We join in on all the festivities we can, wanting to fully take in the magical feeling of the season. We anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior and don’t want a second to go by where we miss a chance to enhance this experience. And, in the process of doing, we can still end up missing living out this amazing gift.
https://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/Embracing-the-Season.png15761880Renee Doylehttp://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/genesis-classical-academy-logo-128.jpgRenee Doyle2019-11-25 13:24:042019-11-25 13:24:05Embracing the Season
I asked our students
what I should write in our Matching Challenge letter for 2019, and they said,
“Why don’t you tell them the pumpkin story?” I thought it was an excellent
idea…
Genesis Classical Academy has
been gifted pumpkins each year by a local couple, one per child, to be
decorated at our annual harvest party. But they retired, and it was looking
like there might not be 85 pumpkins for this year. One of our GCA moms had been
trying for several years to grow pumpkins to carry on the tradition, but her
attempts had been mostly futile.
The leaves are nearly gone, the air is crisp, and we have even had a bit of snow—fall is passing quickly! Here at Genesis Classical Academy we have completed the first quarter of our fifth school year, and 21 new students are settling nicely into the rhythm of a classical education.
We also are blessed with the talents of several new teachers
who, along with our veteran staff, are working hard each day to guide the minds
and hearts of our 84 students.
The students at Genesis
Classical Academy
have been diligently preparing for the upcoming Veteran’s Day celebration,
hosted by Winnebago American Legion Post 82. This year, the students in Grades
4-8 will be singing America the Beautiful.
The words to this song, written by poet Katharine Lee Bates
in 1893, are slightly out of sync with our modern use of the English language
and require a bit of deciphering. We have been studying the lyrics, attempting
to understand the message, rather
than just mindlessly repeating the words.
The halls at Genesis Classical
Academy are abuzz with
excitement! It is election season, and the campaigns have begun. Very soon,
students in grades 2 – 8 at GCA will be electing their very first Student
Council.
The students had many good
questions as the concepts of student government and elections were explained
last week at opening convocation. Who can run for elected office? What are the
job duties of the President, Vice President, and Secretary? Who gets to vote?
If I run for office, can I vote for myself?
I love
little lessons that pop up in my day and interrupt my thoughts. I would even
say that I tend to look for these examples to bring light to the more
complicated issues in life. A recent enlightenment came with a bag of potatoes.
Music is an
important part of a classical education, and the hymn “Praise God from Whom All
Blessings Flow” is embedded in the fiber of Genesis Classical
Academy. We sing it in
the morning at our opening gathering, we sing it in the classrooms, and we sing
it in music class. This 17th century hymn (also known as the
Doxology) is nearly universally sung in Christian denominations and helps us
(the created) to rightly order our thoughts and affections toward the Creator. It
helps us to remember that all of our blessings are given to us by our Heavenly
Father, who loves us beyond measure.
https://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/Doxology-Edited.png16772000Renee Doylehttp://genesisclassical.com/content/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/genesis-classical-academy-logo-128.jpgRenee Doyle2019-10-01 12:04:212019-10-01 12:04:23Convocation: Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
