Thanksgiving Joy by Kristen Okabayashi
My family lives in a typical small older West Seattle house which we moved into in 2000 with our little newborn baby and 2 year old and non-existent twins, who have now grown up to be four pre-teen and teen boys with the size and appetites to match. After much discussion, this past July we embarked on a big remodeling project, down-sizing into about 35% of our current home while the rest was demolished and then slowly rebuilt again.
At one point towards the beginning of our project, I carefully picked my way down our basement stairs that were covered in debris and carpet tacks, to start up a load of laundry, only to realize too late that unbeknownst to me, the washer had been unattached and as a result dirty laundry water flooded our basement, including the lumber that had just been dropped off. With other similar incidents as well as cooking on a hot plate for a family of six for 4 months, this project was incredibly stressful to go through, and I think only someone who lives through a major remodel can fully understand what it’s like!
We moved back into our remodeled space last weekend, and while we are still missing a few pieces such as all the trim around our hallways and we still have some painting to do, we decided to just go for it and host Thanksgiving dinner this year! Even despite the unfinished work, we decided we wanted to invite our family in to spend the day together eating, playing games, and watching our beloved Seahawks play football! I’m sure there is a rich connection there about inviting people into your home and heart despite the unfinished pieces but from me to you, I wish you much happiness and love on Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for!
Calendar of Events
Today 11/25: Deadline for Believe Fundraiser
Wed. 11/26: 8:40 AM Chapel w/ 7th Grade / Noon Dismissal / ESC Closes at 3:00 PM / Spirit Dress Day
Thurs. 11/27 & 11/28: No School & ESC Closed – Thanksgiving Break
Wed. 12/3: 8:40 AM Chapel w/2nd Grade
Fri. 12/5: Free Dress Day
Reminder – Extended School Care & Sand Dollar Club
Please remember that our Extended School Care and Sand Dollar Club will be closing at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, 11/26 and closed Thursday & Friday 11/27 & 11/28 in observance of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Eve Church Service – Wednesday, November 26th, 7:00 P.M.
Hope Lutheran Church will offer a service for all ages with a blend of contemporary and traditional music along with a special children’s message. (Please note: there is no Thanksgiving Day service this year.)
Food Drive Results
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.” Matthew 25:35
Congratulations to all Hope students. We collected 1825 items to be donated to our Hope Food Closet! We averaged 19 items per student with our 8th grade class collecting the most items which earn them a free dress pass.
Santa-grams
Student council will be selling candy cane Santa-grams from December 8-15 to raise money to support our school. Each candy cane comes with a Christmas greeting and they will cost 50 cents. Look for the table in the entryway of the school in the morning. Buy one for all your friends and teachers. Student council will deliver on Dec. 19.
Hope Honor Roll
Middle school students who achieved a grade point average of 3.3 or higher were recognized last week at Wednesday’s chapel for their achievement in Quarter 1.
At Hope, we have three categories of Honor Roll recognition: Scholastic Merit, which is a GPA of 3.3 to 3.4; Honor Roll, which is a GPA of 3.5 to 3.9; and Principal’s List, which is a 4.0 GPA.
We would like to recognize the following students for their achievements:
Grade 6A:
Honor Roll: Spencer B., Melina M., Max M., Ben O., Azlin P.
Principal’s List: Carsen B., Jack C., Josie C., Hannah H., Hope K., Mia P., Lucas R., Eva T.
Grade 6K:
Scholastic Merit: Audrey M.
Honor Roll: Neil B., Tatyana G., Emily H., Riley L., David O.
Principal’s List: Lydia C., Alex D., Maddie G., Ellen L., Reece M., Bryce M.
Grade 7:
Scholastic Merit: Spencer H.
Honor Roll: Kylie B., Simon C., Hudson H., Olivia H., Sarah J., Troy M., Brendan R.
Principal’s List: Natalie G., Moselle H., Michael L., Luke M., Nicky S., Camryn Y.
Grade 8:
Scholastic Merit: Kaleb I.
Honor Roll: Guillermo C., Owen H., Andrew K., David L., Logan P.
Principal’s List: Sofie C., Gavin D., Callie G., Madison J., Mikayla M., Hannah M., Dea S.
Hope School Christmas Performances
Get in the spirit of Christmas by attending one or more of Hope School’s Christmas performances this December! First is our Christmas musical performed by students in grades 1-5 on Tuesday, December 9 at 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM, followed by Hope’s early childhood program (preschool and kindergarten) who will perform “C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S is Coming!” on Friday, December 12 at 6:30 PM.
Hope’s middle school musicians will perform in our annual “Sounds of Christmas” concert coming up on Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 PM. The concert will feature our middle school chapel band and choir, handbell choir, and glee club performing with the Seattle Lutheran High School band. We hope you can join us for at least one of these festive events, all of which will be held in the Hope Church sanctuary. Merry Christmas!
Additional Christmas Events at Hope Lutheran Church
Mark your calendars now for these special dates in December!
Saturday, Dec. 6 8:00 a.m. HCM Shopping for the Giving Tree
Sunday, Dec. 7 1:00 p.m. Gift Wrapping Party in the Fellowship Hall
Week of Dec. 8 – 17 9am – 10pm Gift Wrapping all week in the Fellowship Hall
Saturday, Dec. 13 5:10 p.m. Christmas Ship Event at Alki Bathhouse
Sunday, Dec. 21 10:30 a.m. Sunday School Christmas Program
Wed., Dec. 24 4:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service
6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Contemporary Service
11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight and Communion Service
Thurs., Dec. 25 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day Traditional Worship
Afterschool Activities – Click Here
Parent Involvement Program Opportunities – Click Here
Lunch Recess Help Still Needed!
Volunteers needed at our Pacific Science Center Van – Thursday, Jan. 15
