A Message from Our Principal

Dear Families,

One of the most confusing things about the modern world is the relentless stream of messaging on the whereabouts of happiness. If this were the 1980s, happiness would be a face on the side of a milk carton. The message would be something like this: 

Name- Mr. Happiness

Last Seen- 11/15/88

Attire- Jean jacket, mullet, and the look of someone trying too hard to be happy. Any information? Call 1-800....

If you were manning that call center, the messages might sound like this:

-On Tuesday morning I looked over and swore I saw happiness climbing the ladder of success and struggling to grip the rungs. 

-On Friday evening I'm pretty sure I saw happiness nervously tallying up the number of friends in the circle and dollars in the bank account.

-On Saturday afternoon I thought I recognized happiness twisted into worry while straining to keep up with some family called "The Joneses."

-On Sunday morning I swear I saw happiness still running in the "rat race." I didn't even know they held that race on Sunday...

We all know intuitively that real lasting happiness would never be found in any of these places or postures. 

The insidious thing about modern "happiness messaging" is that it's cloaked as common-sense guidance on where happiness can be located. I think we should have the same reaction to these messages as most of us probably have to restroom signs with multi-step handwashing directions: 

1) I really do not need this information.

2) Why does someone think I do? 

I really do not need to excavate my fingernail beds to achieve proper hygiene and to responsibly reenter the world. Just as I REALLY do not need to be made anxious by the thought that my preferred kind of yogurt only has 5 grams of protein instead of 12, or that I am not getting a good shave because my razor only has 3 blades instead of 6. 

If happiness is lost somewhere, it's only because we, somewhere along the way, closed our eyes to its closeness. We don't need to hunt for happiness as though it were a distant star. It's not the treasure at the end of some retail rainbow. Nor is it the fantasyland where everyone knows who we are and thinks we're awesome.

Happiness is right under our noses, where it's been the whole time. It's with the people who love us...no matter what, and the people we'll always love...no matter what. It's with serving, and being served. It's with working, and resting. It's with being small but beloved in God's big universe. As much as anything, it's in realizing these facts and being thankful, over and over again, always and forever. 

Thanks to God for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. 

Thanks to Jesus for Grace, Mercy, Virtue, and Love.

Thanks to the Holy Spirit for Joy, Delight, Wonder, and Awe. 

Thanks to...

Laura Ash for making the recess calendar.

Heather Beckman for your homey classroom.

Andy Boyd for being a rock.

Michele Campbell for being a person for others.

Lisa Collins for your queenship over recess. (Eve Morgan would be proud.)

Missy Cook for your kindness.

Megan DeAngelo for loving the littles.

Victoria DeLong for how often you begin a sentence with "I'm not gonna lie..."

Noah Emery for being a total giver.

Mary Ann Estridge for making sure I don't lose stuff.

Emily Feldmann for telling funny stories.

Scott Giglio for your pranks.

Ellen Grammel for your professionalism.

Rita Gross for your relentless spirit.

Natalie Harris for being a team player.

Alison Helton for training the altar servers.

Amber Hensley for being a huge idea person.

Kristin Hines for your toughness.

Kevin Hoffman for being The Kevinator.

Katie Horn for your funny voices.

Molli Johnson for good conversations.

Meg Jungkunz for your sixth sense about what is most needed in the moment.

Kelly Korb for always saying yes.

Tonia Latimer for your laughter. 

Ashley Minnick for your clear perspective.

Amber Nebbia for being a planner.

Shannon Nieman for your great wreaths.

Kara Olding for being the leader of Girls on the Run.

Chad Riegert for definitely not wanting me to say anything about him on this list.

Julie Reigert for loving bookmobile so much.

Christy Roberto for your passion.

Joe Robinson for your guitar skills.

Cathy Rodeffer for being the ultimate helper.

Carrie Roell for being the morning greeter.

Allison Rogiers for talking running with me.

Angela Rose for your dependability.

Robyn Schlabach for your savvy insights.

Sarah Seals for your dedication to our mission.

Father Vu for your connection with our students.

Father Walling for your benevolent leadership.

You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you. -St. Augustine

Christ in Self. Christ in Other. 

Sincerely,

Josh

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