Shonnie Calina (Miss Shonnie)

It has been such a huge blessing to have a wonderful group/team of haumāna that came to serve on the Ministry Team this year.  We had a total of 48 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders volunteer their time to serve at our monthly chapel services or to attend one of our many meetings to learn more about God and their pilina with Him.

Today we had our end-of-the-year lunch with Kahu Ruth.  Students had pizza, cake and lemonade, and shared what they learned this year.  Some responses included, “How much God loves me”, “How wisdom is not the same as being smart”, “Not just say you love someone, but show it”, and “How to make pono choices”.  Overall, there was lots of great mana’o being shared.

Mahalo to all of the students on the Ministry Team!  I am thankful for each of you and I pray that you continue to serve others as Jesus did!  Mahalo to all the mākua who allowed their keiki to be a part of a great team!

Psalm 100:2 “Serve the Lord with gladness…”

Please listen carefully to the Voki on the right, then leave your comments below.  What do you think it might mean?  What connections do you have?  Are you wondering about anything?  Does it sound familiar to something you already know?  Be sure to think carefully and reflect upon what you learned this past school year in Christian Education.

Students from 4B demonstrate, with a water balloon, how our angry actions, once out, cannot be put back.

Anger is an emotion that many, if not all, people feel from time to time. The 4th graders learned that although God knows that we will feel angry sometimes, He is very clear about managing our anger so we do not sin.  Students shared how anger can affect the people we love, those around us, ourselves and even property or belongings in very negative ways.  One haumana shared how our pono’ole actions, when we are angry, can affect things or people for a very long time too.  We discussed the latest current events in our world and how some of the stories directly related to someone committing a crime because of his anger.  Also, when we act out in anger, we cannot take that action back!  God teaches us through scripture how to manage anger and also to trust in Him and in His ways to deal with things that upset us.

We learned to pray, take deep breaths, count, walk away, or talk to someone when we feel angry.  All these techniques work when we are diligent and willing to be ha’aha’a and follow through with them, not allowing anger to control us, but being able to control ourselves.  That is called self-control, a Fruit of the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”

Aloha mai no, aloha aku; o ka huhū ka mea e ola `ole ai- When love is given, love should be returned; anger is the thing that gives no life.

This past Sunday, our former kahu, Wendell Davis, was the guest kahu at Haili Church, and he also shared the message that morning.  Amongst the many visitors that day, were our very own kula’s, Mrs. Rosehill, Mrs. Debus, Aunty Dannielle Iuta, and Mrs. Chaidez!  Kahu Gaymond Apaka was also there, as well as, many of the Haili ‘ohana.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship.

Kahu Davis’ message caused us to think about the type of “applause” we may be getting, and to ask ourselves these questions.  Is it more important, or valuable to get applause or praise from others or is it more valuable to get it from God?  In other words, do our actions please God, or are they just pleasing others or even just ourselves? When we get to know God better, and learn, believe and trust in His Word more, we realize that His approval is all that is necessary, because what the Lord approves of is pono.

2 Timothy 2:15                                                                                                                                Do your best to please God. Be a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed. Teach the message of truth correctly.

Our K-8 Easter Chapel was held on Wednesday, March 29.  Students learned what Palm Sunday is about, when Jesus entered into Jerusalem, days before He died and rose again. It was a blessed service, with students playing the piano, speaking, praying, sharing scripture, and praising the Lord through music!

To view the beautiful pictures taken by Mr. Kerry Kamisato, please click on the link below!

http://hawaii.ksbe.edu/middle/gallery/easterconvocation2013/

For grades 2, 3 4, and 5…please listen to the voki to the right.  Jesus is saying something important.  Think about what He is saying and leave a comment about what you think He might mean.  It doesn’t have to be a long comment. 

 ”I have come so they can have life.  I want them to have it in the fullest possible way.  I am the way, the truth and the life.”

At the beginning of the new year, 2013, students of the ES Deputation Team, made resolutions.  The kind of resolutions they made were “heart” resolutions.  They made a commitment to improve a part of their behavior and their behavior towards others.  Some students said they will be nicer, more respectful, more patient with siblings, or to even choose a better attitude.  Now that it is March and the season of Lent, we are checking to see if we really kept that commitment to our heart resolutions!  How are you doing?

We may have challenges every day that tempt us to react in a pono’ole way, and God knows that it’s not always easy to make the best choices.  Thankfully, He is full of grace!  Although at times it seems hard to keep God’s ways, He reassures us that His way is best and best for us, even if we cannot see it.  So be encouraged; don’t give up; and ho’omau (persevere)!

Come check out the “hearts” on my office windows and get inspired!

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  Galatians 6:9

IMG 2585 from Shonnie Calina on Vimeo.

IMG 2587 from Shonnie Calina on Vimeo.

February Chapel was blessed!  Kahu Ruth shared about the season of Lent and read a wonderful story about a fox named Ruthie who didn’t make the best choices at first, but soon came to realize that confessing the truth was what needed to be done.  The Praise and Wroship Team did the motions to a song called, “Create In Me”, which comes from the scripture Psalm 51:10, also our scripture for Chapel.  Members of the Elementary Deputation Team also participated in scripture reading and the Call to Worship as well as pule.

In this time of Lent, let us ask God to cleanse our hearts, ask for forgiveness and confess what is true, all the while strengthening and making pa’a our pilina with the One that loves us without condition.

(Mahalo nui to Kumu Crabbe, Ms. Richardson, and Mrs. Chang)

Below are the pictures of a wonderful and blessed Christmas Convocation.  Students participated in a Nativity that portrayed the events of Jesus’ birth, the reason for Christmas celebrations around the globe!  Mahalo, Mr. Kamisato, for always providing these fabulous photos that capture so many of our school memories!

Click here for photos: http://hawaii.ksbe.edu/middle/gallery/Christmas-Convocation2012/

It is a brand new year, 2013!  Wow, time sure does fly!  In this new year, while everyone usually makes resolutions for better health, I’d like to encourage all of us to also make a resolution or a commitment to having a better heart!  It is God’s desire for us to love.  Deeply loving is an action that often requires sacrifice.  But, it does not require for anyone to love us first, although God did love us first!  Let us be more loving, kind, patient, forgiving, thankful, honest, giving and humble even if we don’t feel like it or think the other person deserves it.  Love is truly the brightest light and the blessing and reward will be eternal!

What will be your “HEART” resolution this year?