12 Days, Wednesday

Met with the parent’s group tonight (anyone got an idea for a great name for the group?) and such an enthusiastic response to Sunday’s Spring Fling. Unbelievable and again, thanks to everyone who came and made it such a huge success. The group is already looking at next year and dreaming about what can be done. One great thing would be to increase the number of participants in making it happen. I learned a long time ago the Paretto Principle: 20%/80%. The idea here is that 20% accomplish 80% of the results. What this may mean is that if there is even more participation, less would fall between those 20% left undone cracks. Anyways, stay tuned for our update. I believe we will have one earlier than our normal Friday update. Explode the tape and…KOKO!

13 Days, Tuesday, Explode the Tape

Running isn’t my thing, though it is a great form of exercise. Through the years, having listened to a number of Olympic Track & Field runners, one of the things they always mention is what goes through their mind as they begin to see the tape. There is this battle raging: the temptation is to let up, especially if they are in the lead. They must fight this temptation and press on. Even though the tape increasingly grows in their sights, they cannot stop or let up. In fact, many of the best accelerate even more as the tape gets closer. They don’t want to just reach the tape, they want to explode through the tape. Yes, perhaps now, the tape is in our sights. We can see the possibility that God will complete this race. We may want to let up…just a tincy, wincy, bit. Some who have been waiting to give may decide not to, or to give less. Please, do not do it. There are no guarantees. Your gift makes a difference. Let’s explode through the tape and see this thing done–finished beyond our wildest imaginations!  Updated amount from Spring Fling: $34,887.20.   KOKO 

14 Days, Monday

Well, today I hope those who were able got to rest some. The amount of time and energy to make yesterday a success did not go unnoticed. What happened yesterday was another God-thing, a sign of how powerful a community can be when we are working together. I hope over the next several days to get some pix from our event up so you can see what a blast it was. I want to give a special shout out to the parent group who spent hours upon hours upon hours to make it all work. Also, the teachers who gave much to make such a difference. I especially want to thank those teachers who have been directly effected by the recent decisions for their willingness to work through all this, even though they have had heavy hearts. You all have been an inspiration and demonstrated the quality of our teaching staff. Tomorrow, the normal weekly Tuesday update will be entered. I am sure you will want to check back. Until then….KOKO! 

15 Days, Sunday…Spring Fling Report

Sunshine, scores of people, heat, kindness, a community coming together, rallying together to make a difference. The power of seeing a great group of people doing more than just one person could ever do by themselves–today was the microcosm of what has been going on now for 45 days. There are moments frozen in time. This will be one. Some of you are checking now to see the amount that came in today from the Spring Fling/Yard Sale. So, hang on to your hats. Here is the amount: $34,213.20. Yes! Praise the Lord. The thermometer includes this amount. There are still small, incidental costs that we must deduct from that. However, that figure should not change drastically! What a day! What a community! What a God! Please, stay tune this week. Others will be coming in. This does not include what has come into the churches and school this weekend. So, check back on Tuesday!  Need I say…KOKO

16 Days, Saturday

Alright, here we go. Tomorrow is the big day. Countless volunteers have worked extremely hard to make tomorrow’s Spring Fling a success. The day begins with a bang as we hold our Enormous Yard Sale, beginning at 7am, serving hot Starbucks Coffee (donated). The day picks up even more at 10am when the Spring Fling and it’s 25 booths open. A little while later, the food places will open, along with the Silent Auction. All this fun will close up at 3pm. What will this day bring? How will God work? Let’s participate and see what happens. Until then…KOKO

17 Days, Friday

Here is the incredible story of Sonoma’s Benefit Mexican Dinner a couple weeks back:

Had you walked into the Sonoma church two weeks ago you would have been greeted by eleven big smiles and several firm handshakes.  

“Do you have reservations?”
“Yes, for two.”
“May I show you to your table?”
Two of the eleven smiles, seated us and then served our every every need for the next hour.

The occasion?  After NCCE’s constituency meeting last month, our teen leader came back and shared the school’s needs during Sabbath School prayer request time.  One girl suggested the class could cook a supper to raise money to help the school.  The rest of the teen group thought this a great idea.

So the menu was planned, help enlisted and the supper scheduled.  The night before the meal, the teen group stayed up until 11 PM decorating and doing food prep.  The room was beautiful.

Of the eleven teen helpers, one attends Napa Christian.  But they all came together because they believed they could do something to make a difference in something they see as important.

 

As always, heading into tomorrow…KOKO

18 Days, Thursday

Two numbers…36 & 27. These are the number of checks that have arrived so far this week (as of Wednesday noon) at our school as a result of the students letter writing campaign. Kids (and teachers, of course), your efforts are now beginning to bear fruit. I know in our own family, two checks came in this week. Carol makes a copy of the incoming checks as well as keeping a record of names of those who send in. This will make it easier to say thank you down the line for their assistance in reaching this goal. I passed by the gym this morning to see a team working hard to set the gym up for our Enormous Yard Sale, which begins at 7am Sunday morning. It will be great to see how much comes in from outside our community as a result of our kids writing efforts. As always…KOKO

19 Days, Wednesday

Unbelievable! That is all I will say right now. Just returned from the parent group as they discussed and finalized the minute details of our big Spring Fling (what time? what day? 10am-3pm, Sunday, April 27). As great as that was, it wasn’t what was most unbelievable. Yep, we completed today our WASC Visitation Team and now await their final decision (which will come in August sometime). It was such a relief to know that part is behind us now. However, that is not what is unbelievable. What is? Well, stay tuned over the next two days and you will see. This weekend could be really huge. 19 days, yes, time is flying. All I will say to close is, stayed tuned and stay attuned (praying!). And…KOKO!

One final note: Vallejo Church wants us to announce a fundraiser they are doing: The Annual Spring Concert at Vallejo Central Church (1111 Colusa St., Vallejo 94590) this coming Saturday, April 26, at 6:00pm.  Afterwards is a Mexican Dinner and Bake Sale Auction.  Admission to the concert is free but come hungry for a Wonderful Wholesome Mexican Dinner afterwards.  The prices are $10/plate for adults;  $5.00 for children 12 and under;  and $25.00 for Family Value Meal – 2 adults and 2 children).  And, of course, don’t forget to complete the night with yummy desserts from the Bake Sale Auction starting at 8:00pm. All proceeds go to Napa Christian Matching Fund.

20 Days, Tuesday

Here is another example of our local churches attempting to participate in this grand adventure. BENEFIT VESPERS CONCERT “WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM” FOLLOWED BY A SUPER SPREAD OF SALADS & SANDWICH MAKINGS ON MAY 3RD 5 PM – FREE ADMISSION WITH DONATIONS INVITED at Yountville SDA Church, 1920 Finnell Road, Yountville, benefiting the Church School at Napa. Opportunity for raising matching funds grant of $225,000 if we raise it. Please come. Praising God with the Best of His talent—the Clark Family; Jeanine and Jesse (Keller Family); Meagan Doud, Bargas Family & Friends; Napa Christian Bell Choir and Musicians & Chorus, Laura Nye; Hosting are Pastor Sam and Sue Alexander. Please invite your family and friends. Our Church School is in need. So, those of you around will have an opportunity to enjoy more of what our school offers. Check out the benefit flyer providing more information.

Can you believe what our thermometer reads! Yes, there is no doubt God is moving on the hearts of people during this time.  It is incredible to know we are well over half way there with some of our “bigger events” yet to come!  KOKO 

21 Days, Monday

Well, we had a great time with Arty at “Positively Napa.” Our students and choir did a great job, along with Greg in letting our community know once again that this Sunday is our Spring Fling. It is so cool to see our students involved in this kind of activity. Stay tuned tomorrow for our first update of this week. Yes, we have three weeks left. I am excited to report that the Napa Church Board voted tonight to follow Vallejo’s lead and front pledges that the church will make toward the Match Drive. It will be great to see how the Napa Church responds. Stay tuned! KOKO