Posts Tagged ‘dad’
New ZCS Preschool Director
Alicia Zandstra is the new preschool director for Zeeland Christian School. She graduated from Holland Christian High School and then received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from Calvin University. She is a lifelong learner and took classes in early childhood education during her time as the Lakeshore Little People’s Place Providence Site Director the past…
Read MoreTeacher Spotlight: Cindy Arendsen
After 30 years of teaching, Cindy Arendsen continues to build a legacy of loving God, loving kids, and loving learning. In her time at Zeeland Christian, Cindy has taught preschool and kindergarten, and is currently teaching first grade. When asked what she looks forward to most about coming to work each day, she shares, “I…
Read MoreZCS Family Spotlight: The Hamilton Family
When Kevin and Kristen Hamilton relocated to West Michigan with their family in the fall of 2020, they did so with their hopes set high on Zeeland Christian. Previously, they’d called central New Jersey home for 14 years, but Michigan drew their attention as they searched for a better educational opportunity for their children. The…
Read More“It’s Different Here”
Five years ago, my family and I were visiting Zeeland Christian shortly after I had accepted the position here. It was Good Friday, and the enduring memory of that day is the worship during all-school chapel. As chapel ended, longtime ZCS facility manager Paul Meeuwsen walked up and took the microphone, tearfully telling the students…
Read MoreLove Rescued Me
Love Rescued Me. On December 2, 2003, Love rescued me when my daughter Lily was carried off the elevator in a hotel conference room in China and into our waiting arms, making me “Daddy.” Looking back on that day, I didn’t know I needed to be rescued. To be honest, I thought I was doing…
Read MoreWhat Are You Waiting For?
Recently on a morning run that turned into more of a walk, I found myself walking around the outside of our school. I said aloud, “Who should I pray for, Lord?” Very clearly He said, “Pray for those who are waiting.” I prayed for families waiting for medical treatments to bring results, wayward family members…
Read MoreDo Your Children and Grandchildren Know…
When my Grandma McAboy came to visit, she would often stay for a few days at a time. One night as I was falling asleep, I heard her in her room talking. After a minute or two I realized she was praying, and after another moment I realized she was praying for me. Grandma McAboy…
Read MoreSeasons of Parenting
Parents, Andy Stanley says that if we parent now the way God would have us to parent, there may be times when our children don’t like us very much. But they will like us later, and “later is longer.” His parenting series “Future Family” helped me to see raising my children in seasons: …
Read MoreUnkind Behavior in Students
This morning, Caryn Navis, our school counselor, met with teachers to discuss ways to address unkind behavior in students. While bullying receives a lot of attention (and rightly so), smaller instances of unkind behavior often go unaddressed. Karyn’s instruction to us, and my advice to you is that we address every single instance of unkind…
Read More“….right next to Dad’s.”
I’ve been teaching my son Joey to mow the lawn. One day after he finished, my wife brought his grass-stained shoes into our mudroom where his shoes go. Joey very sternly said, “Mom, my lawn-mowing shoes go in the garage, right next to dad’s.” These kids of ours, they are watching us. We have…
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