Blog

As we began this week of thanking God for our school, we intentionally designed our celebration to start by focusing on our school motto, "Give Me Your Eyes".  To accomplish this goal, we offered a "Family Mission Project" where families could come to school and work together to help those who are in need.
 
As a result, this building was buzzing with excitement last Sunday when 47 families gathered to assemble 400 lunches for the NOAH Project, a warming center for homeless people in Detroit.
 
On Monday, our 8th graders had the opportunity to travel to Central Methodist Church, the host site of the NOAH Project, and help distribute the lunches to its guests.  Once the students arrived NOAH, they were put to work by packing additional snack bags and plating donated baked goods to accompany the lunches that we brought.

When the church opened its doors that morning to the community, our 8th graders had the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus by distributing lunches, serving beverages, and visiting with the guests.

"He who watches over you will not slumber" Psalm 121:3

Do you know someone who can always experience and retell the most hilarious stores?  I have been blessed with a few such entertaining people in my life. When I receive texts from them or there is a knock on my office door, I instantly smile because I know that I am in for a good laugh!
 
A few years ago, one of my very funny friends just happened to appear at my office door and his twinkling eyes were already indicating that he had a great story to share. 

"Whatever you do for the least of these, you've done unto Me."  Matthew 25:40  

Bella Raffin is an eight year old little girl and dear family friend of the Rancour family.  In July, her parents took her to the doctor for what they thought was a lower back injury from gymnastics.  On July 28, 2017, Bella was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, Stage 4 cancer.  Since then, Bella and her family have been in an aggressive battle with this disease, trusting and knowing that the Lord is always with them.

Last week, Bella had surgery to remove the tumor and will continue with her sixth cycle of chemotherapy.  This week,

"Whatever you do for the least of these, you've done unto Me!" Matthew 25:40

"Mrs. Palka... Look at my new shoes!"

This is a very popular request among my younger students...  especially when their new shoes have popular cartoon characters on them, or are bedazzled in rhinestones, or the ultimate show stopper... light up with each step!

As a mom, I have also witnessed my own children express great excitement about new shoes.  Convinced that his new shoes had the ability to make him run faster and jump higher, one of my boys even slept with his new shoes during his first night of ownership.

Sadly, there are many children in our world who have not experienced the joy of owning a new pair of shoes. Soles4Souls is a nonprofit organization that is passionate about putting shoes on impoverished children's feet, allowing them to be safe from contracting diseases, while also permitting them to attend school.