Toil with Thanksgiving

As a four-year-old in preschool, our third daughter, Bentley, already believed she could “pass” over the parts of life she hoped to avoid. One day, the PE teacher led the students outside to play soccer when he noticed Bentley sitting against the wall of the school, contentedly watching. He approached her and said, “Bentley, it…

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Are You Raising Sturdy Children?

Recently, I attended a workshop at the national conference of the Association of Classical Christian Schools entitled “Raising Sturdy Children.” The name of the workshop intrigued me, and the speaker, Keith McCurdy, did not disappoint. His workshop inspired me so much that I feel compelled to share the highlights with you here. One hundred years…

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The Struggle is Real

We’ve all seen them. Maybe you’ve even posted a few yourself: memes and hashtags declaring the endless difficulties that plague our modern lives. Out of coffee! The struggle is real. The power went out for a whole hour! The struggle is real. You want a beach body, but you want tacos more? The struggle is…

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Cultivating Oaks of Righteousness

We are all familiar with the curve around the bend of the school entrance drive. Rain, fog, frost, sunshine, and even the occasional white snowflakes adorn the awe-inspiring oak tree we see each day at CCS. Yes, morning and afternoon carpool afford us the opportunity to behold this giant beauty. What strong, sturdy branches stretch…

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No Child Left Behind

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:11). This is the truth we clung to as doctors spat out words like “blind,”  “disabled,” “malignant tumors,” and “developmental delay.” Our first child had been perfectly healthy and easy, but our newest baby girl had not been a normal newborn. She…

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3 Ways to Cultivate a Courageous Young Woman

What makes a woman fearful? Snakes, mice, bats, a potential assault…absolutely! But perhaps the daily, unsuspected assailant that strikes fear in many women is the fear of failing to measure up. If you’re a guy, this may come as a surprise. If you’re a woman you may be breathing a sigh of relief that someone…

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Dealing with Teen Bullying

"Sticks and Stones…"

Webster’s Dictionary defines a bully as someone who is a blustering, browbeating person that is especially and habitually cruel to others who are weaker or perceived to be weaker. It is a person who increases in joy and feels empowered when they cause another person pain and anguish. I bet you are thinking right now…

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Father and Son

Lead Fearlessly and Love Hard

If you are anything like me, being a parent is probably the most humbling part of your life. As a young father, I remember disciplining my children primarily because of how I wanted to be perceived by other parents around me. I felt despair when my children would act out in public, particularly when my…

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Summer Boredom Busters

Summer Fun, Part 1, by Maxine Geil, Kindergarten Teacher “How many more days until summer break?” This question is asked frequently around our house. We love our school and are so thankful for the opportunity to study and to learn new things each school year, but we are ready to embrace summer break and enjoy…

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