Thank you for prayers

I am writing for Mary Mason who is on medical leave.  She has a serious enough thyroid condition that her doctors felt it prudent to place her on immediate medical leave and they are currently looking at how to best treat Mrs. Mason.  Your prayers are so much appreciated. If you wish to send her a card, please do so at Concordia Preschool, 1695 Discovery Falls Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915 and we will be happy to forward it to her.

Mrs. Leesa Juneau will be serving as interim director with Mr. Aaron Partch as assistant director during this time to ensure the preschool runs smoothly.  If you have any questions, please speak to either Mrs. Juneau or Mr. Partch or your classroom teacher.  Pastor Schmidt also is available for any assistance you might need and can be found at pastor@concordiachurch.com    For any billing or tuition matters, please contact Ms. Rosie Pena, Concordia’s Business Administrator (office@concordiachurch.com)

Thank you.  We have the greatest families at Concordia and we have been grateful for all the extra assistance given by parents also during this time.

– Melissa Salomon, Community Life Coordinator (melissa@concordiachurch.com)

A peek into the classrooms…..

I love going into the classrooms to help teachers because of the
contact I have with the kids in their world and on their terms.    The
children like me to join them in their activities and play with
them.  The two’s often come to me saying “mommy be back”, since they
associate me with their moms when I help them and their moms get
situated in the first few days of school.

One pre-K child asked me to “stay and be their partner.”   That made my day!!

Enjoying visiting with family this week!

I am so enjoying spending time in Nebraska with my daughter and her family this week.  My mission this week?  Spoiling my grandchildren!!  I will be back in the office on Monday. Meanwhile, if you need any assistance please speak with your child’s teacher.  Mrs. Rosie Pena is also on hand to help with anything you might need in my absence.  See you soon!

The Prodigal God

Have you heard any of Pastor’s sermons on this new series “The Prodigal God”?  Sunday Pastor had a wonderful message that really made start thinking.  I know that God loves me and made me who I am but when I really think about my life and everything that has happened in my family ( immediate and extended) I am truly amazed!  God wants us to be part of His family so how can I reach out and help my family and others.  How can we reach others and share God’s word and love?  I am open for suggestions!  Pleaase let me know your thoughts.

Growing closer to God’s heart…

I was just thinking of how amazing it is that our school is helping children grow closer to God’s heart.  This effort has taken a new dimension with the opening of the new church here at Windingwalk at the Concordia Preschool! I am humbled by what lengths the church is going to in their service to Concordia Preschool children and their families.  The Fam Jam service (10:45am Sundays HERE) is actually structured with a four year old in mind!  What do I mean?  Pastor Schmidt has put together a worship experience that is engaging for a family with young children, specifically designed for a four year old attention span!  Through a fast moving mix of music, drama, and a message that is divided into chunks, the WHOLE family is led to learn a BIG TRUTH about GOD in a way that engages even the youngest members of the family.  It is hard to explain but must be experienced.  It is highly experimental, born of a unique desire to serve families in this particular community and in our Concordia Preschool community.  After a series of “previews” I think the team has gotten this down to a flow that really works.  I am marveling at how this has all come together over the last few months.

THIS SUNDAY is the GRAND OPENING!  I can’t believe that six months have gone by since we opened the preschool and that the day of the launching of the NEW CHURCH is actually here!  If you are a preschool family, come and check out this worship experience DESIGNED FOR YOU!  It is not an accident that you are here, that you have chosen this school for your child…….you are helping your child grow closer to God’s heart.  That is happening during the week and now you have an opportunity to help the whole family grow closer to God’s heart on Sunday morning.  

Come, check it out.  You will experience something quite unique and because it is our GRAND OPENING, it is not only unique but historic.  Be a part of it. 

See you here……during the week and on Sunday.  If you have any questions, my door is always open.

Helping Little Ones Grow – Heart to Heart

One of the privileges and joys of my life is serving as director of Concordia Preschool and helping children grow and learn.  I get to see how it’s possible to make a big impact on a child and family with sometimes a little time and lots of love.

Last week a student was having a particularly hard day.  He had always been happy to come to school but this day…..his grandpa wasn’t able to bring him to school and he was going to voice his disappointment!  He screamed loud and hard.  His poor mom had to get to work and she left, although I am sure she did so with a pit in her stomach as well as with the tears in her eyes that I saw.  His teacher talked with him and often this works with a student.  Not this time.  I went into his classroom and asked if we could go for a little walk.  We walked around the school and had a heart to heart talk.  I shared with him that I was a grandma too and when I visit my grandchildren and have to leave them I cry too!  His eyes got wide and he said, “Really?”  I think he was afraid his grandpa would forget about him when they were apart.  I explained how special grandchildren are to their grandparents and their love is strong and never forgets.  He became intrigued with the fact that I had grandchildren and asked me their names, their ages and if I had a picture of them.  Wow!  I was stumped there and I realized I didn’t have a photo of my dear grandchildren in my office.  I promised this little guy I would bring in a photo and show him. Then my little friend talked with his mom on the phone. I am sure this did her heart good too.

Sometimes those heart to heart talks do wonders.  Who do you need to have a heart to heart talk with today.  Make time for it.  It will do wonders for both of you.  I know that my day was a little brighter after my heart to heart talk with this special student.

Love and Friendship

I am looking forward to the Valentine’s Day celebration on Thursday and Friday.  We are excited to celebrate love and friendship.  The children will be passing out their friendship valentines.  The classrooms have planned some wonderful goodies too!  They range from friendship pizza (with fruit), yoghurt parfait to…… chicken nuggets!

It made me think about how I have seen the children grow and develop their skills at caring for each other and forming friendships here at school.  It warms my heart when I go into the classroom and see children welcome new friends, console those who are sad and tell each other: “you are my friend.”  Even the two year olds show care and compassion with pats on the back.  It is so sweet.

It is wonderful to see not only children develop care and friendships with each other but also to see staff connect with parents and each other. We have wonderful and caring parents who are also connecting with each other.  Having friendships with other moms who are experiencing the same season of life is a great thing. I am happy that Concordia is a place where that is happening!

The Wonders of God

I just received a disk with pictures from the Living Nativity this week. There is one picture that really stood out to me. The picture is showing the Bethlehem star. It really is the light post with the reflection of the light from the flash of the camera but it looks like the Bethlehem star. I wonder if God was trying to show us something with the light that night? The night of the Living Nativity was beautiful and the children did an awesome job! I hope you saw and felt the love of Jesus through the children that night.

The Lame Man…..

First a diagnosis of hyper thyroidism, then medication, a bad allergic reaction to medication, then a new medication to help get rid of the hives, next a reaction to this medication, next off to the hospital with no feeling in my legs or feet.

I can identify with the lame man (Mark 2 – text below) who had to be lowered through the roof to be healed by Jesus.  What a wonderful lesson not only of God’s power but of the gift of friends.  Thank you friends for your prayers on my behalf.

They were heard and God is merciful and gave me back the feeling and use of my legs and feet. The doctors  still do not know what the cause was and more so why the feeling came back as quickly as it did.

After 4 MRIs they still have no clue what is going on. I am doing better everyday and getting stronger,  still some concerns with one leg going to sleep.

Thank you for all of yours prayes and concerns during my illness. I am very glad to be back to work and with the children.

-Mary Mason

Mark 2 (The Message)

Mark 2

A Paraplegic

^1-5 After a few days, Jesus returned to Capernaum, and word got around that he was back home. A crowd gathered, jamming the entrance so no one could get in or out. He was teaching the Word. They brought a paraplegic to him, carried by four men. When they weren’t able to get in because of the crowd, they removed part of the roof and lowered the paraplegic on his stretcher. Impressed by their bold belief, Jesus said to the paraplegic, “Son, I forgive your sins.”

^6-7Some religion scholars sitting there started whispering among themselves, “He can’t talk that way! That’s blasphemy! God and only God can forgive sins.”

^8-12Jesus knew right away what they were thinking, and said, “Why are you so skeptical? Which is simpler: to say to the paraplegic, ‘I forgive your sins,’ or say, ‘Get up, take your stretcher, and start walking’? Well, just so it’s clear that I’m the Son of Man and authorized to do either, or both . . .” (he looked now at the paraplegic), “Get up. Pick up your stretcher and go home.” And the man did it—got up, grabbed his stretcher, and walked out, with everyone there watching him. They rubbed their eyes, incredulous—and then praised God, saying, “We’ve never seen anything like this!”

Reflections

As I look back over the last 2 1/2 months, since Concordia Preschool has been opened, I have observed many changes and yet many things that have remained the same.  The school is growing quickly, we are adding new staff, and our last classroom will be opening soon!  The children are learning many new things.  For example, the two’s have learned a new routine, new words and now have friends at school; the three’s have all learned how to line up and are learning how to snip and cut with scissors.  The Pre-K classes are learning how to write their letters and recognize some of the letters in their name.

Through my reflections I am recognizing how God is using me and my talents.  I know He is building my creative energy, my enthusiasm and excitement for what He is doing here.  The fact that I am given the privilege of guiding the lives of children and staff and building curriculum goals that will help children grow their brainpower, balance their emotions, assure their spirit and develop their physical bodies is such an awesome honor!  God is giving me the endurance and I am so grateful to be used by Him in this important task. I look forward — and pray every day — to be a blessing to children, staff, and parents.  I deeply appreciate your prayers and encouragement as I lead.  Let me know how I can pray for you!  Just leave me a comment here or email me at mary@concordiachurch.com

Mary Mason

Director