I tend to wander when I ponder. This Covid pandemic has sent me wandering and pondering over all the contradictions we get from our leaders. I don’t know who has the right of it, but I do know how it has affected our students. Children take their cues from adult voices and faces. They share these cues with their peers. We are robbing our children of social skills if we keep up with these mask mandates. I hate to sound callous, but no one is more important than our kids.
They are our future and our caretakers down the road. We must protect our kids from the whims of our politicians. We have already robbed our kids of over a year. In the Northern states they have robbed their kids of two years. That is disgusting. Whatever happens, we must protect and educate our students.
I had a marvelous time in Costa Rica, but the work piles up when you go away. We have a busy week at school. Mrs. Locker’s students went to the Lyric Theatre to watch “The Elf.” She hopes to take other students to watch performances that will improve their skills. Mrs. Perry is busy getting our kids ready for the Christmas program. I love the songs she picks and the sign language she teaches them as they sing. We have carols to sing for the retirement home in San Saba. They are also presenting the adults with lap robes and cards. We also have the Polar Express movie to watch on Friday. Most classes are having their Christmas party on Friday as well. My class is going to do Christmas on Thursday.
We are one of two classes that have 98% attendance. Thank you, parents, for getting your children to school every day. Teachers can’t stress the importance of an education and attendance. That’s a parent’s role. I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas.
Brother Mack tells me the activity on the border is horrendous. Every evening, floods of men cross the border and try to disappear in the darkness. The agents are working to stem the flow, but the illegals just keep coming. I don’t think folks in states away from the border understand the ramifications of tens of thousands of desperate people coming to take advantage of this wonderful country. The issues that I see are the burden they place on local systems for welfare, education, health, and housing. Plus, when you come in illegally or without proper documentation, you put yourself in danger from gangs and coyotes. You can hardly call 911 if you are afraid that you will be deported. Our government needs to become more efficient at processing immigrant requests. Perhaps then we will have less problems with activities on the borders of our southern states.
On a happier note, Christmas is here. Carols are being sung in local churches, and groups are taking time to visit shut-ins and nursing homes. One good thing about this pandemic nonsense is that more people are ordering online or going to local stores. More time is being spent around family. Hopefully, people will spend more time in their Bibles and in church. We have been given such a wonderful gift: the gift of life in heaven. The choice is ours. We are the ones who choose heaven or hell. God will not interfere with our decision. I hope each person takes an honest moment to trust their future to the one who created the universe. Jesus is the reason for the season.
You are all cordially invited to our Christmas program Friday the 17th, at 10:00 a.m. Mrs. Perry has picked out the cutest songs, and the kids are in the swing of the season. There are different secret Santa’s happening. The Nothing but Bundt fundraiser is not going well. Mrs. Danford was hoping to have orders for two hundred of the $6.00 Bundt cakes, but she is quite short of that total. If you are interested in helping her out, please contact her this Tuesday or Wednesday. Thank you to the parents who sent their money for the blankets. Although we will not be able to make the blankets ourselves, we will have cute lap robes for our nursing home residents, and the kids will make Christmas cards and sing their little hearts out. I can assure you the residents will be thrilled to have the kids around.
The fruit and meat orders will be in on Tuesday. If you ordered something, please call the school if you don’t have your order by Thursday. Mr. Dennis had to delegate until he gets back from Vegas. He was saddened to hear of a special Ag teacher’s passing.
I was discussing Christmas carols with Kay and Kristie this morning. It seems that not only are they difficult to play, but most folks in the congregation know their favorites. Still, everyone is familiar with all of them. Case in point, one of my favorites is “Come o Come Immanuel and ransom captive Israel.” I can assure you it was not the best we can do. I realize it may be one of my favorites, but it is not one of the most popular. We will do a better job next week since we will be singing the more traditional carols.
Vera Ralston is doing much better; hopefully she will get to come home soon. Heather Lewis is also doing better. Mrs. Stratton is having major sciatic nerve problems and needs our prayers. Coach Burkhart has been given a plan to help with his health issues. Russ is headed to Marble Falls to have some skin cancers removed. On a side note, all you outdoor people need to keep your skin protected. Gerald McKee needs our prayers. He had areas of improvement, but the doctors are still concerned about other areas. Prayers are needed for both Gerald and Kay.
Please keep our country, our President, and our volatile world in your prayers. I know we say God is in control, and there is no doubt about that. My concern is we need to be making changes that would please God before he will fix this nation’s problems. We need rain; even though winter officially begins next week, there are things that need to keep growing. Thank you to all the generous people who supported the Angel tree project. Have a blessed week. Please don’t let the business of this season make you forget the reason for this season.