7 Days, Monday

If the figures I see coming in this past weekend are correct, it will be a pleasant surprise to see where we are. I say “if” because before we post a financial number, I first confirm with the treasurer that those funds actually did come in and actually are coming to the school. We have been careful throughout these days to make sure these are actual funds versus funds that have been only pledged. We don’t included pledged funds until those funds have become dollars. Integrity is such a huge issue when dealing with finances. Trust and confidence is significant and we have sought to make sure both have existed throughout. Continue with your prayers and efforts.  KOKO! (Callout to Amy for recognizing what this signoff has meant. Way to go girl.)

8 Days, Sunday

Here is a report which came in today from yesterday’s Yountville fundraiser: “‘We Shall Behold Him” Concert on Sabbath, May 3rd, at Yountville SDA Church was attended with hundreds enjoying the talents of Karl and Max Keller, Trumpets; Elena Kim, Violin; Richard, Jancie, Bill, Ivy, Thomas Clark, vocalists; Linda Marks, Violin; Napa Christian chorus; First and Second Graders; Jim Penkala and Mike Shouse, vocalists; Leroy Petersen, Violin; Jeanine Keller, vocalist; and Meagan Doud, flute.  Then the kitchen crew and church family made it possible to serve a supper of sandwiches and salads, cookies and lemonade that was amazingly sufficient for hundreds upon hundreds!   Thank you for all the participation, the prayers, the giving of so much time, talent, food and love.  All this because of the wonderful God who honored our desire to bring joy to the heart of Jesus!  “Thank You, Father.  We are humbled by Your help and love.”

Check back later for a confirmation of what the amount brought in. Amazing report. Amazing response. The spirit continues. One more week. Let’s make it a great week; let’s finish strong!  KOKO

9 Days, Saturday

I will have the joy beginning tomorrow (for the next 3 full days) to travel with some parents on the 8th Grade Class Trip to Santa Cruz. I am looking forward to the opportunity to spend time with our students and their parents. It will be fun! I will still be able to get our church reports and update the thermometer. When you see the school thermometer now, every drop of red overflowing the thermometer, it will signify $5000 more above our first goal has come in. Do not forget, our ultimate goal (financially speaking during these 60 days) is to be debt free and then to at least begin next year with money in reserve. Of course, finances are not the goal. The well-balanced education of our children is the ultimate goal. Finances are a means to that goal. It is easy to get caught up only on the financial side of education. It is not the goal of education. We must not forget that! So, we keep on keeping on!  

10 Days, Friday

What a great time to see our students jazzed about what they (and God through the community) accomplished. We can all rejoice at what has happened. Keep in mind May 17 for our school community-wide celebration. There are still some activities still set to go forward, including Yountville’s musical extravaganza and a garage sale at the Sonoma Church. Money is still trickling in to the school office from our kids writing campaign. Pressing on, let’s see what is left out there in these last few days. Keep our eyes hight and…KOKO! 

11 Days, Thursday…and Then Some

Unbelievably and undeniably true! We have reached our goal! This morning we celebrated with our student body the reality that God has brought us our portion to meet the generous offer of someone matching to put our school on a stronger position financially. There is so much that can be said right now but I will refrain (difficult for this preacher to do). I just wanted to get that information out to all those who have been tracking. What does this mean? Stay tuned in the near future for information related to that question. Let me say two things however in closing. Keep May 17 open in your calendar. We are going to have a school community wide celebration for this great work of God in our midst. More details will come in over the next week or so. Second, perhaps, if I could suggest, our goal changes. It is no longer about days, but dollars. IOW, those intending to give, give still. Let’s not hit the end of the time period with a whimper but a bang. Explode the tape! Because we have reached the goal doesn’t mean we stop. Lets see this thing through to the end. We reached it in 48 days! Now, what can God continue to do in these next 11 days! Let’s find out…KOKO! PTL!

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