PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Dear Friends,

There is so much sickness (flu and covid) around. I wonder how you are going?

I have just recovered from covid, and thankfully after 7 days of isolation and not being well I was able to emerge free of symptoms.

It’s a bit crazy to think that on New Year’s Day in 2021, because of covid, my husband and I had to officially isolate for 2 weeks. We didn’t have covid; had no symptoms; and, had not been around anyone with covid. Yet the government rules of the day demanded we isolate for 2 weeks.

On New Year’s Eve we flew up to Newcastle (a declared green zone) to go and visit family. As we were disembarking the plane, our State Premier declared that he was shutting the Victorian borders in 24 hours. We couldn’t book a flight to return to Melbourne in time for the curfew. Thankfully, we knew someone who was driving back from their holiday in northern NSW; they picked us up on the Pacific Hwy, squashed us into their car between tents/eskys and Christmas presents and together we drove the next 16 hours midst crazy Victorian refugee traffic to return to Melbourne.

We then had to do a covid test (another 4 hour wait) and even though we tested negative, it was declared that we had to isolate for 14 days.

There is always a positive side to all our circumstances and I will share some of my prayer journal that I kept during that time of isolation.

DAY 1

PRAISE!

I am determined to use my isolation time in a positive way – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. There is not much point in being physically and emotionally healthy without feeding the soul. My soul needs some nourishing and fertiliser and it commences by praising my Lord!

"Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul."

Psalm 146:1

I want to praise you with my whole being, yet I constantly fail to do this. Your love is a gift. A gift of grace. I don’t have to earn it and I don’t deserve your love. You have given it to me through my trust in you.

DAY 2

TRUST!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways submit to him, 

and he will make your paths straight."

Proverbs 3:5-6

This is one of my favourite life verses which I try to live by. It is simple, trust God! The recipe for good living is simple when God is in your core being and you belong to Him.

"Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;    

my body also will rest secure, 

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,    

nor will you let your faithful one see decay. 

You make known to me the path of life;    

you will fill me with joy in your presence,    

with eternal pleasures at your right hand."

Psalm 16:9-11

Joy!e

DAY 3

SECURITY!

"Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;    

you make my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;    

surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;   

even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord.    

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 16:5-8

The Lord is at my right hand. I need not worry or be concerned about anything. I give Him my husband, my family, health concerns of my family; I give Him the College and our community. I give Him my friends and their burdens. I rely on and trust the Lord’s guidance and counsel in all things, because He is wisdom and truth. Most of all He is LOVE and in His love, He is moulding me more like Him – even though it hurts.

Rev. Richard O’Brien wrote: “Spiritual growth in many ways is a slow life-long process especially (as John Musselman says) “where people are committed to the words and ways of Jesus Christ for the purpose of growth in maturity in Christ and being prepared for a life of service in His kingdom.”

That’s why I love Christian Education! We are preparing students for kingdom work. An education that is eternal, not just for the present. Our ministry as Christian educators is a vital one, together with parents and of course the Holy Spirit, moulding our youth to impact the world for CHRIST.

We are to nourish and nurture our children here at St Andrews Christian College and allow them to be who God created them to be.

DAY 4

REFUGE!

"Keep me safe, my God, 

for in you I take refuge."

Psalm 16:1

DAY 5

FAITH is ACTIVE!

"Taste and see that the Lord is good;    

blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."

Psalm 34:8

Taste involves an action and involvement. FAITH is ACTIVE and ALIVE.

DAY 6

THANKFUL!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;    

his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

I have so much to thank God for! I so easily focus on what is wrong or what I lack. But thankfulness redirects my heart and thoughts to the wonderful blessings that I already have. A thankful heart redirects me to Jesus and helps me to concentrate on God, the ‘giver’ and creator of all. Gratitude helps me to focus on God rather than circumstances.

May God’s Word and promises be a special blessing to you all this week!

Shalom,

Catriona Wansbrough

Principal