Our trip to Shotwell Stadium resulted in success! The Coyotes are State Champions once again. I won’t say it was the warmest day to play football, nor will I say it was the best game we ever played, but it had the best result. I feel for those other young athletes and parents, who worked so hard and persevered, only to lose the final game. Still, having been in those shoes before; I’m glad we were the ones who accepted the trophy. When you think of this winning streak, you have to give credit where credit is due, and that is to our coaches first, then our players. I listened to some men behind us who were just astounded by the winning record of Jerry Burkhart. They were totally amazed by our coaches and players, and went on to talk about the fact that some kids never get a "state ring" and here our boys are with four! Kudos to Coach Burkhart, Coach Rogers and Coach Brand for all their hard work, and double kudos to our young men who toughed it out, and followed coach’s orders. Congratulations to all who were involved in this momentous victory! We don’t want to forget Cubby Pearce, Maxine Robbins and all of our statisticians who diligently keep things moving while the game proceeds.

This is the week before the end of the first semester. Upper level students will be taking semester finals, while lower elementary students will be taking benchmarks. It will be hard to keep the kids focused, but we’ll get it done. Like most schools, we have our strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully we will have the weaknesses improved and build on our strengths. For my self, the last few weeks have been a bit of a struggle. My accidental concussion was followed by a severe bout of digestive tract problems. The UIL scramble drained what little reserve I had left, so I’m glad I’ll have a little time to recoup. I know the kids are worn out as well. Mr. Fowler will be sending out a report with results. Awards will be given out this Friday at 10:00am. Parents are welcomed to attend. It will be a fairly easy day for all involved. Letters went home Monday about parties and gift exchanges, so I hope everyone has a schedule. A number of parents are planning on early check out, so please let the office know if you plan to head out early. It’s a great time of the year!

I’ve said it before, I love Christmas. I love to see happy little faces when gifts are opened. I have this moment of anxiety right before a gift is opened. As my grandkids get older, it becomes harder to find that perfect gift that makes them give you an extra big hug. I really don’t like to give a gift card, even when I know that would be the best gift. It just seems so impersonal and uncaring. It isn’t, but I don’t feel as if I have "hunted" out the perfect gift. I’m just a big kid who believes in Jesus and enjoys the spirit of Santa bringing joy to the world. I am daily reminded of the love Jesus had for children. Sometimes I wish I didn’t care quite so much. There are limits to what a teacher can pass to the next generation. I want them to succeed in all that they do and I want them to discover the richness of life in Christ Jesus. The way things are going we will not be speaking the name of Jesus at any time of the year, much less at Christmas. I’m going down fighting the good fight no matter what.

I am a little down because my babies are all so far away. Shane is like Russell in that he thinks everyone, especially me, overdoes the Christmas thing. Scott on the other hand is a huge kid and gets into the whole spirit of Christmas. They may not be close, but at least I can get up and go see my kids if I get too lonesome for them. I feel the pain of the families who will be missing loved ones at their festivities. It’s been a while since both my parents passed, but I remember the emptiness that I felt at the time. The McPherson’s will be missing John Earl, the Wyatt’s will be missing Jim, and the Alston’s will be missing their son, as will several other families be missing loved ones this year. We have had rash of deaths in the community. When you think of the hundreds of thousands of military families who will not have complete families this Christmas; it’s overwhelming. When you flip the coin, you see the Patino family rejoicing that Sarah will be here to celebrate with them. That could so easily have been another tragedy. We have at least 12 military families in the area. Khalid KatibWyatt and his brother are both in the Navy, Katie Bates, Robert Nieto, Michael L. Bass, Patrick Wayne Bush, Donald Cohn, Jacob Gibson, Justin Bass, Dustin Feffe, Casey Cohn, Billy Bass and Scott and Heather Ransom. There may be others, but I don’t have their names. Please remember their families in prayer. If they are close, you might see if perhaps they need a little help at Christmas.

The last Monday church of the year has passed. I know the kids enjoyed those chilly dogs. It was a great day for hot food! I hope all the kids appreciate the loving hands that have cared for them this year. Debbie and Mike Phelan have handled the Bible studies, Beverly Cohn and Louise Hyman have prepared the food every Monday and a number of others have stepped in to assist with crafts and other needed chores. There will be no more Monday church until January 10

th, 2011. Have a great vacation everyone.

We must remember our shut-ins as well. Annette Newby needs our prayers, as does Charlotte Conley. Both ladies did not receive good reports from their doctors. Bonnie and Junior have their good and bad days. Woody Carroll is doing better, so I’m told, and June Gossett received a good report from her doctors. Joey Soto is in the hospital, Marilyn Suber is recovering from surgery, and Maxine Robbins is headed to Temple for surgery on Thursday. Our thoughts and prayers go with all of you.

I hope to see many of you at the awards ceremony on Friday. We are proud of our academics as well as our sports. I’ll miss my students, but I won’t miss my heater. Perhaps by the time we get back the cold weather will be gone? I guess if I couldn’t complain about the temperature in my room, I wouldn’t have anything to complain about. God has certainly blessed my living. I am in a good place. I believe the psalmist wrote, "He leads me to green pastures. He restores my soul." Rejoice for unto us a son is given, unto us a child is born." Merry Christmas everyone. May God keep and prosper you, and give you peace.