Van Lunen in the West

As I write this post, the sun has already gone down in Scottsdale Arizona, which is where I currently sit. The picture above is of one of the red and pink rock hills found in this part of Scottsdale, as viewed from the courtyard of the retreat center where we are staying. This area is desert, but it still has a beauty all its own.

I am here, again, as a Van Lunen Fellow for a week of study with 15 other heads of Christian schools. It has been a wonderful week as we have covered topics like facilities, budgets, compensation and professional development. We have heard wonderful things from our instructors, but the most valuable part of this whole process may just be the friendships and the networks formed in our midst.

We have been given time to talk and learn from each other. The insight given and advice provided by others who have had to manage and deal with like-situations as been priceless. It has been a wonderful week, but tomorrow we all go our separate ways once again, and I am ready. Ready to see my loving wife and my sweet children, ready to take all these great ideas back to my wonderful faculty and staff, ready to see my wonderful students and yes, ready to sleep in my own bed.

The Van Lunen Center of Calvin College is a wonderful organization designed to equip Christian school administrators to weather all the storms that come their way. If you are an administrator in a Christian school, I encourage to go to their website (you can find it on my side bar), check it out and apply for this program. You will not regret it. Blessings!