Greetings

The weatherman said 1 to 4 inches. I never believe him. I went to bed and when I left the house to walk the dogs, I found myself between the layers of a 1 to 4 inch snow fall. More than an inch was on the ground and the remainder was in thick gray clouds that carried a pinkish tint in the predawn sky. It had snowed early in the morning, and Gus and I were in absolutely fresh fallen snow. We created the tracks!

Shortly after Gus was taken in and Nellie took her trip, the path was already established. Minutes later the sidewalk in front of my house was scuffed up, and the fresh impressions I had made were gone.

Walking the dogs in the snow gives us a glimpse of the two sides of life that are open to each of us. There are times when we are the ones to cut the path. I am the first in my family to go to college. You may be the first to travel abroad, the first to marry, the first to provide your parents with a grandchild. It is more likely that we will be the ones following the well worn paths that provide none of the character of those who first traveled these paths. Too often we walk down the paths that form a circle around an obstacle or wander through the woods.

In both cases there is risk and reward. And such is the challenge of the Christian life. We are called on to lead and to follow. It is our job to show others the way to salvation, and the only realistic chance we have to get that job done is if we lean on the guides that God sends into our lives.

But the key is for us to take the walk. Our lives are about getting out in the snow and not hiding in the house frightened by the weather reports or intimidated by those who have learned to expect the worst of people in all situations. Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth and followed in the footsteps of humans since the beginning of time. Then He blazed a trail and lived a life without sin. We should be more like Him! We should glory in the roles we have been assigned. We should lead when we can and follow those who walk in God’s light.

School News

The Private School League is about to undergo a major change. Wheaton Academy, Chicago Christian and Aurora Christian will soon announce that they are leaving the conference. A meeting is scheduled for February 1, 2008 to set a new direction. We will keep you posted.

Former Walther teacher Pastor Mark Bussert was in chapel on Wednesday, January 24. He brought a message highlighting the need that the developmentally disabled have to hear the Word and an invitation for our students to be the ones who carry that Word to people in need. Walther students will provide more than 10,000 hours of service to church and community this school year. If you know of ministries in need of student labor, give us a call.

In the past two weeks two powerful groups of people have invested many hours in charting the future of Walther. Our Board of Directors and the newly formed Walther Educational Foundation Board held workshops to strengthen their structures. You can be a part of Walther’s future sharing your time, talents and treasures. If you would like to know how you can serve give us a call. It takes 100s of volunteers to run our programs and to help the Walther Family reach our best possible future.

We are finding a great openness to our Monday night Bible class on parenting; the class has 3 more sessions. If you want to join in, the group gathers at 7 p.m. in the library.

The Walther Class of 2012 is coming together. We have tested 175 students; the test results will be distributed this Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 9 a.m. We will test again in February and March.

Rev. Robert Clausen and Genesis Educational Resources, Inc. visited Walther a year ago to film footage for the just released DVD title “Martin Luther Speaks on Christian Education.” The producer, David Barth, just notified us that Rev. Clausen, actor and pastor is gravely ill. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. Watch eNews for more on the DVD and how you can order it.

Alumni News

Congratulations to Allison Grube ’98, a second grade teacher at Concord Lutheran School in Bensenville, who has announced her engagement to fellow faculty member Paul Golz.

Thank God that Jill Goodwin Zempel ‘83 escaped without serious injury when her car was totaled in an ice induced collision with another vehicle.

This is a big weekend for Walther Grads. We will host a Winter All Alumni gathering on Saturday starting around 8:30 p.m. The day is full of basketball. The girls take on Illiana in three games beginning at 11:30 a.m. The boys face off against Immaculate Conception in three games beginning at 4:30 p.m., and the party is in the multipurpose room after the last game. A post card was sent out that will serve as your admission ticket, or show them this email with your address at the top of the page! Come see us and bring a fellow graduate.

God’s blessings

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