McAlder Blog

I was recently in a meeting in my office when, without warning, Mrs. Kyllo, our amazing school counselor, appeared in the doorway with one of our students. With a big smile she exclaimed, “Mrs. Blocher, we just found the first sign of spring! There’s a little bud in the garden boxes where we planted the tulip bulbs last fall!”

Those words stayed with me long after the meeting ended.

Months ago, those bulbs were carefully planted in rich soil, prayed over, and buried deep beneath the surface. They were a tangible symbol of the seeds we, as a staff, desired to plant in our students, classrooms, and community this year—seeds of faith, character, curiosity, and growth. Then summer faded into fall, fall into winter, and the long, dark, rainy days set in. The bulbs were out of sight and, honestly, out of mind.

Until they weren’t.

Without fanfare or attention, something had been happening underneath the surface. Roots were forming. Growth was taking place. And at just the right time, life pushed its way up into the light.

Isn’t that so often how God works?

Paul reminds us that God is always at work, even when we cannot see or feel it: “...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 1:6). Growth doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it happens quietly, faithfully, slowly, and hidden beneath the soil of obedience and faith in Him. Yet God is moving, directing, and orchestrating details in His perfect timing, bringing what He has planted to life.  

This month, as we continue our journey through Ephesians, we turn our focus to chapter five and the call to walk in light and love. Paul reminds us that “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,” (Ephesians 5:8). Our faith is not only something we believe—it is something we live out daily through our words, our choices, and the way we love and care for one another.

We were able to see this lived out recently during Honors Chapel as we celebrated students for Academic Excellence, Spiritual Formation, Leadership Development, and Personal Character Development. These moments are always deeply meaningful as we gather with families to celebrate the hard work, growth, and accomplishments of our students. They are reminders that God is at work in hearts and minds, often long before the fruit is visible.

As we notice the first signs of spring on campus and look ahead to midwinter break on February 16 and 17, may we be encouraged by the truth that God is always working beneath the surface. The seeds planted in faith, in learning, and in love are growing! And in His perfect time, they will bloom. 

When choosing this show during the last school year, we (student directors Matt Dewey and Joeli Kramer) knew it stood out among the rest. This was mostly because it reminded us of a show we were part of in the past. When we were freshmen, we performed The Play That Goes Wrong. Both plays are over-the-top comedy/murder mysteries that don’t take themselves too seriously. As seniors, we thought it would be fun to have an experience like that again, this time as directors working with an amazing cast of junior high students. It also feels like a full circle moment to have both of these shows open and close our time as a part of this spectacular program.

The cast of this show has worked hard over the past two months. We truly could not have had a better group of actors and actresses to do this show with. We are glad to know that after we have both graduated, the CCS Theatre program will be in good hands with these students.

From released convicts to secret passageways and… dancing ghosts? Murder At Aunt Agatha’s, by Teresa and David Hockman, is a hilarious murder comedy that you will love. After the death of Aunt Agatha, all her nieces and nephews come together one last time for the reading of the will. But Aunt Agatha has one last laugh by forcing her relatives to compete for her inheritance in a game that lasts through the night. However, when people start dying left and right, no one knows who will still be alive by morning.

—Matthew Dewey, Student Director

In choosing this show, Matt Dewey and I (Joeli Kramer) fell in love with how over-the-top Murder at Aunt Agatha’s is. Every exaggerated moment of the play provides both laughs and an opportunity to think deeper. While it is a comedy, this play depicts how detrimental greed can be. Due to greed, many characters make choices that lead them into very unfortunate circumstances.  

Thankfully, Christians have a different way to walk, as modeled by Jesus. We are called to, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God,” (Ephesians 5:1–2). We hope Murder at Aunt Agatha’s is a show that will cause you to think deeply and laugh even harder.

—Joeli Kramer, Student Director