Spelling Masters and Impact Makers

I knew early on that reading was a great passion for me and spelling was never going to be one of my strengths.  Not sure why my love of reading never overhauled my spelling challenges—but it never has.  My spelling skill, or the lack thereof, was confirmed post-college.  When I became a teacher, Sarah Smith, a sixth grader, gently corrected a word I misspelled on the chalkboard.  Yes it was embarrassing.  But we poor spellers can develop a pretty intact self-esteem.  Last week Sonshine took ten of our brightest spellers to the ACSI spelling bee.  I was nervous and all I had to do was be a judge.  Imagine that I, a wonderfully challenged speller, was now judging a spelling bee.  I laughed.  I was proud of our ten students; six of the ten placed in the top four of their age groups.  Sonshine Christian School was strong and we were proud.  I had another proud moment.  I received this note from a parent not too long ago.  I will share it with you so that you can join with me in thanking God for the impact our school makes on many families.  “Sonshine has truly blessed my family in ways I cannot even begin to thank everyone for. My kids aren’t just in a private school, but an environment that I know because of their actions, is pointing them to Christ. That is a testament to the school, but even more so to the teachers and staff who are interacting with them on a day-to-day basis. Teaching them the things that I was scared they wouldn’t learn when I went to work. My heart is broken that I can’t spend more time with them and be the ‘stay at home mom’ I always dreamed of, but there could not be a better place for my children in our situation. So, thank you! Thank you for your guidance, thank you to those who financially help so we could have a scholarship, thank you to the teachers and staff who love my children with open arms and point them to the cross. I could not ask for more. Sonshine School has blessed this mom’s heart in more ways than everyone will ever know!” I add my thanks to the faithful saints at SFB who pray for and support Sonshine Christian School.  You are the best and you make a difference.  For the past four years I have attended our Sonshine Christian School Auction.  We have a blast.  We auction off a large number of items in the silent auction.  And then in the oral auction we will usually auction off 30 items.  Last year we raised over $25,000 at our auction.  It is our largest fundraiser and every year helps us to make a difference in the lives of families about whom you just read.  I hope you will join us this year for the dinner and auction on April 11.  More information will be coming.  A thankful pastor, Pastor Mark _____________ SOUND THE TRUMPET:  ASSEMBLING THE TROOPS FOR PRAYER The Bible says that we are stronger together.  That is nowhere more true than when it comes to prayer.  When we unite together in prayer God uniquely responds because He loves unity (Ps. 133:1-2).  So for the next seven weeks we are inviting you to unite in prayer.  On our website will be our own Prayer Wall.  We will be collecting your prayers and celebrations of God’s answers.  You can visit the prayer wall daily as a family or at the office and join our entire family as we Sound the Trumpet and assemble the troops for prayer. How do you get your prayer or praise to us?  prayer@fbcsalem.org or text to 62953 (put sfb in the message and then your request).                               First Baptist website: www.fbcsalem.org go to SFB prayer wall     For past Focus stories go to.. http://fbcsalem.blogspot.com/