Dear HFCS Families & Friends,

This week I am at the NCCE (Northwest Council of Computer Education) Conference in Tacoma with a few of our faculty members. The title is a little misleading – it really should be for Educators using Computers. We will be here through Thursday and if today is any indication of the amazing sessions that they will have, we are in for a great week of inspiration and tools to bring home to our HFCS team. It is wonderful to get the opportunity to collaborate with other educators and administrators that are looking at ways in which we can inspire all of our students to do their very best and achieve their goals – spiritually, academically, and physically. We are able to attend this conference by the generosity of grants the school has received due to the impact of COVID on our schools. We will be back on campus on Friday – ready to share all we’ve learned.

During our lunch break, I took a moment to YouTube today’s Gospel. John 5:1-16. It’s always interesting to see how the scripture is interpreted by various people. The theme for today stood out for all – perseverance. The crippled man at the well, persevering to seek healing for 38 years. And Jesus’ compassion for this man in his hour of need. Perseverance is one of those important life skills that we need to encourage our children to pursue. Life can be hard. But with a strong faith in Christ, He will come to our aid and guide us.

That is why we should humble ourselves and be contrite in our hearts, that we may embrace wholly the love that God has always generously poured down upon us. Let the spring of God’s living water continue to wash over us, encouraging and inspiring us to live our lives in the best way possible, to do what He has wanted us to do.

As we move through the 4th week of Lent, encourage your children to persevere through those difficult moments – a challenging math assignment, a friend – that may be distracting them, an essay they can’t find a way to start, a prayer that feels too difficult to memorize … perseverance will be rewarded. They will find joy in the accomplishment of a job well done.

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.

Pax et bonum,

Sue Styren, M.Ed.

Principal, HFCS