From The Director, Kathy Irvin:

April 2008

Sunday, March 16, five days before the official day of Spring, I woke to grey skies, again. Waiting for the energy to push aside the covers on another wintry day, the silence was broken by tweeting and chirping and singing, birds! From somewhere inside of me came "...and my soul wells up with Hallelujahs", the chorus from Kathy Traccoli's song "Hallelujahs." Therer is no doubt that most of the people of Chicagoland understand Easter. We ache for, watch for signs of renewal, rebirth, hope. And it comes when we can't seem to wait another moment. Our eyes strain for awakenings. Walking into church we all gasp at the first grren sprouts pushing through the soil. Entering the playground, the children burst through the gate screaming and running in every direction. Life has returned. We see it in the world around. We fee it pulsing through our bodies. Hallelujah!

Unfortunately, "winter" days dog us even when the weather is fair and the breezes warm. Sunshine certainly lifts the mood, but doesn't change th struggles. Haven't we all wanted at some point to yell, "Enough God"! And, parenting is hard, especially after a long winter. Just keeping track of the snow gear can cause crazy moments. Lask week, the junior kindergartners gave a spontaneous cheer for NO MORE SNOWPANTS. But seriously, the dreams and plans that filled our heads before birth don't always match the realities. There is nothing more precious than our children. They take up residence in our hearts. it is no wonder that we struggle. Parenting is endless hours of loving and disciplining, supporting, and drawing the line, having fun and being the "meany."

As a parent and a woman, I need Spring. This season reminds me in countless ways that we are not alone, are never alone, on this journey.Spring reminds us at every turn that there s a plan, there is hope. Even on the hardest days, in the darkest hours we only need t listen or look for signs of grace, love sent in our direction. Does this change the situation? Maybe not, but is sure might change the attitude, the spirit.

So let's step outside, take a deep breath and take in all that gives testimony to God's presence. "Oh praise Him all his mighty works, there is not language where Yu can't be heard. Your song goes out to all the earth, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!"