Christmas Comes Knocking!

This week, Christmas has come close into view!

Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to participate in an outreach project. Our church is establishing a relationship with a nearby lower income housing project. The kids all caroled from apartment to apartment (and it was C.O.L.D.), inviting the kids to come to the community building for games, a story, a snack and a goodie bag. Becca sang, Garrett read the Christmas story aloud, and Hannah planned a game and acted as a shepherd. I was proud of the kids for giving up their afternoon- and they had a great time doing it!

Then, we had the Covenant School Christmas program which was amazing! The children (1st-11th grades) marched in the sanctuary from every direction singing together. Then the senior class walked in singing a song called "Bring a Torch" hand in hand with my Kindergarten class... it was precious... and Garrett led them carrying a light. But every great production has it's "issues". As I was arranging my class on the stage to sing "Go Tell it on the Mountain", I heard someone whisper loudly, "Mrs. Gaunch, Mrs. Gaunch!!!" When I turned around, I saw a 1st grader from my gym class sitting on the risers with his hands full of vomit! Within seconds, the 1st grade teacher was on stage whisking him away and the show went on. My Kindergarteners sang with enthusiasm! Then, Becca played the trumpet in the band and later, Garrett had a solo.

Just as we turned our attention away from the program and toward final exams, we got our first snow of the season!

We missed 3 out of 5 days of school that week... which Becca loved and although Garrett and Hannah loved it, they were nervous because they were supposed to study all week at school. Amazingly, their calculus teacher made a house call Saturday and their classmates came over to get ready for their final! Becca HAD to challenge Garrett to a snowball fight-

Becca won!

The other day, we drove to Charleston to attend the WV Advanced Placement Rising Scholars' Dinner. Garrett was notified several weeks ago that he would be receiving an award, so we all went to celebrate with him. Garrett received the award for getting a certain score on 3 or more AP Tests before his senior year. (Hannah received that certain score already on 2 tests before her junior year) What I think is funny is that Covenant School has chosen not to offer AP classes so that they can teach a Christian curriculum. So actually, Garrett took tests on material he wasn't specifically taught in class. But, he received equivalent knowledge of the material from the Covenant curriculum, which is great! The governor's wife spoke to them, along with a spokesperson from College Board (the people who administer the SAT).

These are the slides they showed...

Showing off his certificate...

To top things off, he got his first college acceptance letter! It was from Marshall University which is my alma mater and the university here in town. He's qualified for and applied for the Yeager Scholarship at Marshall which would pay his entire tuition if he was chosen. We'll see...and he should receive word from Wheaton College, his first choice, by January 1st!

Tonight, as we were getting ready for the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, there was a pounding on our door.

Some kids from our neighborhood, including a few who attend church with us, came caroling at our door. It was so, so cool. It absolutely made my night! Louie and I listened to them and sent them away with chocolate covered peanut butter balls.

I can't wait for tomorrow!