joyful tidings 2022
Niece #3 Chloe Jew was born on January 29, 2022. She is slowly working her way to join her older sisters. This photo was taken in Palos Verdes at my cousin’s wedding. This year after 2 years of no air travel, I took 3 trips to Chicago, attended TGCW in Indianapolis, and chaperoned our 8th graders to Washington, D.C.
Presenting my final capstone project in Chicago to complete Principal 360!
I get a lot of questions about what it’s like to be a principal. It’s a life under a constant spotlight, and one in which I readily acknowledge that He (Jesus) must increase as I decrease (John 3:30).
When I wrote last year’s update, I didn’t know that I would have to step into as interim principal at my school right as the Christmas break ended. I had about a day to take in the news, only to enter into a stressful beginning of the year - not only searching for solid footing for how to lead the school, but also dealing with the first COVID surge of the school year. It was difficult knowing left from right, up from down in those early months. It exposed in me a deep need for God - and a very uncomfortable one at that.
In God’s providence, I had the opportunity to begin an 11-month leadership development program for principals sponsored by the Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation (CLEF). Although it was strenuous completing coursework and attending classes on top of the demands of the school day, I was connected with a strong cohort of Lutheran principals committed to bringing the hope of the gospel to their schools and a coach who provided clarity, affirmation, and encouragement as I struggled with fear and self-doubt.
Jesus came to save a needy world, and I am so grateful in this Christmas season to pull back and remind myself of the hope of our redemption that will see its final culmination in Christ’s return. A dependence on God asks that I faithfully surrender as it is He who establishes the work of our hands (wonder of all wonders that He chooses broken vessels such as ourselves for His purposes!).
In the Christmas hymn, “O Come All Ye Faithful,” we are asked to come, behold, and adore. This is my prayer as we celebrate our Savior’s birth and enter the new year 2023.
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant
O come ye, o come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him, born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee, born this happy morning
Jesus, to Thee be glory given
Word of the Father
Now in flesh appearing
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord!