​By Amanda Compton

With September 11 comes a variety of emotions. And for those who witnessed the shocking events unfold 18 years ago, it is difficult to put into words what happened and why as well as the irreversible impact this attack had on America -- especially when speaking to a classroom full of inquisitive second graders.

"Every year on September 11 I struggle with what to do with my students," said Second Grade Teacher Miss Corbin Shelton. "I was in second grade when these attacks took place, so I know what a difficult balance it is to accurately depict the emotions of that day."

Shelton said she could tell some of her students had had wonderful conversations with their parents and came to class ready to talk about historical events, while others had no idea. After fielding a slew of questions, she undoubtedly knew this was something that needed to be covered in class.

"We had a safe and honest discussion about a few heroes of 9/11," said Shelton. "We then put a name with heroic actions and second graders became the illustrators of a beautiful book - The Day Heroes Were Made."
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Second graders are also reading the book September 12, which is a beautiful message of reassuring hope in the midst of evil and tragedy.  

"It felt like a hard balance because I didn't want to invoke fear or scare them, I didn't want to depress them, but I certainly did not want to downplay the tragedies of that day in our history," noted Shelton. "So I decided I wanted to be the one who reminded them of the heroes and the hope that September 11 brought." 

 
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​Eagle Flyer: First, what brought your family to Twin Oaks Christian School?
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We were brought to Twin Oaks because of a challenging couple years at our public school. During that time, when I would drive by Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church I remember wondering if they had a school. Then one day I happened to see something about the school as I drove by. I called shortly thereafter and scheduled a tour.

 
Eagle Flyer: Why did you decide that Twin Oaks was the place for your family?

We were confident in our decision to send the boys to Twin Oaks after we came for the tour. The head of the school read a beautifully written letter from a mother of a student at the school. Her struggles with her own child and their public school sounded so much like ours. She went on to say that her son’s life had completely changed after his first year at Twin Oaks. She saw a heart on fire for God and hope and joy return in her child. We immediately thought of our kids and knew this was the place where God would nurture their spirts, and guide them in their walk with Him. Any doubt slipped away. We are so thankful for Twin Oaks. 

 
Eagle Flyer: How are Grayson & Hudson adapting to their new school? Is there anything in particular they enjoy most about their school days, favorite subjects? If so, please tell.

Gray and Hudson are doing so well. I was a little apprehensive of course, but I feel that God is such a huge part of everything that we do, and He is there with the boys giving them strength and comfort. Both of the boys love that the Bible is now something they get to learn and study at school! We have never had that with public school.

 
Eagle Flyer: What do you and Kyle do for a living?

Right now I stay at home, and Kyle just got a new job as a Manufacturing Engineer at Boeing.

 
Eagle Flyer: We know you volunteer at Hot Lunch. Tell us what you enjoy most about this time at the school?

I really enjoy volunteering for Hot Lunch! I love meeting the teachers and other parents when I’m there. Of course I also love getting to eat lunch with my guys! 


 
Eagle Flyer: Where is your favorite vacationing spot and why?

Our favorite vacation spot is definitely Branson. We love the beautiful scenery, being on the lake, and going on outdoor adventures there!

 
Eagle Flyer: Do you have family pets?

Our family just recently got a puppy! Her name is Ruby and she is a Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and mini poodle)  

 
Eagle Flyer: What is your favorite Bible verse?
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What is our favorite Bible verse?! Well there are quite a few:
- For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
- The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus. Philippians 4:7
- For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone believing in him should not perish, but should have eternal life. John 3:16
- He who dwells in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; my God in Him I will trust. Psalm 91

​By Amanda Compton
Photo Credit: Rebecca Fox


Middle School History Teacher Eric Wildermuth was promoted to Assistant Head of School in July 2019.


Since joining Twin Oaks Christian School three years ago, Wildermuth has served in various leadership roles, including middle school team lead, and has proven himself capable of not only effectively teaching and mentoring middle schoolers but also at leading his fellow colleagues through his collaborative and detail-oriented nature.


As Assistant Head of School, Wildermuth is the point person for facilities and technology issues as well as student discipline. He also works closely with the PIE Committee to ensure school events run smoothly. This frees up time for Head of School Kendall Brewer to serve teachers in their classrooms, build relationships within the school community and develop strategies to promote and grow the school.  


“First and foremost, I want people to know what a fantastic education their children will receive here at Twin Oaks,” said Wildermuth, who also still teaches middle school history. “I also want to help build some structures behind the scenes as resources for our staff to help stabilize the school as we grow into the future.”


Wildermuth said it is humbling to have been given the opportunity to serve God in education where he gets to watch students grow into who God created them to be. In fact, one of his more touching moments was this past spring when he witnessed his first sixth grade class at Twin Oaks graduate to ninth grade.


“TOCS is a dynamic school for children to learn responsibility for themselves as well as for others, to be challenged, and to persevere through moments of failure,” noted Wildermuth, adding, “It is a place where students learn from teachers and staff who want the best for them, modeling Christ in good and bad times.”

Wildermuth first heard of Twin Oaks in a small group he was attending with Middle School Bible Teacher and Chaplain Mr. Matt Pannkuk, who told him of an open middle school position teaching history, which also happens to be his favorite subject.  Eric moved swiftly to apply and after three interviews and teaching a sample lesson, Eric said he could tell that Twin Oaks was a special place.


Wildermuth graduated in 2015 from Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Ill., with a bachelors in Bible Secondary Education. He did his student teaching at Living Word Christian High School in O’Fallon, Mo.  Upon graduation, Eric relocated to St. Louis with his wife, Janel, so she could study counseling at Covenant Theological Seminary. Going forward, Eric hopes to pursue a master’s degree in educational leadership.


Janel works as a counselor at Karis House in South City. They have a cat named Ann Perkins, inspired by a character in the television series Parks and Recreation. Outside of work, Eric enjoys riding bikes and learning how to fix things around the house.


The Wildermuths attend Riverside Presbyterian Church. Eric’s favorite scripture is Psalm 121. “There is an older song that put the words of this psalm to a melody and our church used to sing it,” he said. “I find it comforting and hopeful.”


When asked about his favorite thing about Twin Oaks Christian School, Eric responded, “There are a lot of things I like about Twin Oaks but if I had to pick, I’d say the people. There is a special community here that I have not experienced working anywhere else, Christian or not.”

 
You may reach Mr. Wildermuth at ewildermuth@twinoaksschool.org or call Twin Oaks Christian School at 636-861-1901.​

Twin Oaks Christian School, a ministry of Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church​

​By Amanda Compton


KMOV Chief Meteorologist Steve Templeton visited the Twin Oaks campus today to talk with the middle schoolers about weather as well as the science that drives it.


Templeton, who is the evening forecaster for St. Louis’ News 4,  said he visits area schools in an effort to “demystify” science so that one day students may choose to pursue a career in meteorology. He spoke of how various types of severe weather form including tornadoes and thunderstorms, hurricanes, flash floods and even a squall, a sharp increase in sustained winds.


“Weather doesn’t just tie into science, weather is science,” said Templeton, in response to a student’s question about how science directly correlates to weather. He went on to explain that it takes science to understand the weather and that math is used to affirm science, referring to math as the “language of science.”


He also addressed a student’s question about the theory of Global Warming, explaining that the globe is in fact warming but that more science is needed to determine exactly why. “My question is, ‘Is man able to affect the temperatures of something as complex and vast as our globe?'” said Templeton, who earned a degree in Atmospheric Science from Purdue University in Indiana. “I don’t know. This is something that your generation will definitely have to address.”


In encouraging the students to persevere in their studies, Templeton pointed out that although he went into meteorology, he wasn’t always good at math. In fact, during a semester at college, he said he hired a tutor to help him better understand this particular subject. “You can always catch up in any subject,” noted Templeton. “You just may have to work harder, which is good, especially if you get the job you love.”


Templeton said that by now many of the students know which subjects they like and dislike and this process of elimination will likely continue into high school. “Find the things you like, go to college and get a job you love,” advised Templeton. “If you love what you do the money will follow.”


Templeton was invited to Twin Oaks by Middle School Science Teacher Dr. Kristen Levin, who watches News 4 every evening and has always enjoyed the pictures he shares of himself alongside students he visited earlier in the day.


“I happened to be on the the News 4 website and decided to put in a request for him to visit Twin Oaks and he responded very quickly,” said Dr. Levin. “The kids and I were so excited. He was so entertaining, gracious and genuine.”


Dr. Levin said she hopes Templeton’s visit puts a face to a profession in which science is prevalent and that it encourages some of her students to engage the sciences in the future.


Templeton will share the Twin Oaks pictures this evening after the 7-day forecast at 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.


“I learned a lot about severe weather and how it is formed.” ~Kayden Stokes

“I thought it was interesting how the eye of a hurricane is completely calm, clear and sunny.” ~Jeremy Nguyen

“My favorite part was about lightning.” ~Jack St. John

“I enjoyed how animated Steve was and his sound effects. I think I’d like to minor in astronomy.” ~Yemi Daramola
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“He was so funny and I liked how he explained everything so I could understand it.” ~Hannah Nguyen

By Amanda Compton

Next week at Twin Oaks Christian School students get to donate their spare change to help fund schooling for underprivileged families in Haiti who, like parents in America, desire for their children to have an education and a future.


Launched in 2012, Change for Haiti is a non-profit organization that sponsors Haitian children by paying for their education through the Hope Community Project’s scholarship fund. In turn, money is freed up for food as well as other necessities and, ultimately, keeps families together. More than 80 percent of Haitian children live in orphanages because their families cannot afford to feed them. These families also have access to the charity’s medical clinic for a nominal charge.


Change for Haiti Founder and Coordinator Les Prouty spoke at the Change for Haiti Chapel on Friday, Jan. 18.  Prouty said it costs an average of $480 to send a student to school in Haiti  – as the country does not have access to free public education. Students are held accountable through an annual review process that ensures scholarship expectations are being met.


“Because many families take on caring for nieces and nephews whose parents have died, they literally have too many mouths to feed and often have to choose which children get eat,” explained Prouty. “It is not uncommon for children to get to eat three out of seven days each week as they wait their turn.”


Meanwhile, around the corner, parents see orphanages where children attend school and get two meals a day. This reality weighs heavily on moms, who are often widowed, prompting them to ask the orphanage to take a few of her children.


“These women are extremely sad but feel like there is no other option,” said Prouty. “She does it because she loves her children and wants them to have regular meals and an education. So, out of love, she reluctantly hands one or more of her children over to an institution.”


Change for Haiti has evolved over the past couple of years to address new needs and improve upon programs that are already in place. For instance, Prouty said, they recently purchased a new property to house a medical clinic, soccer field and a small community center where discipleship, Bible studies and Christian counseling will be held.


“We are also in the process of assisting them in creating meaningful work through our micro business program so they can work and make a living for themselves,” said Prouty. “We like to see them on a path to self-sustainability.”


Because the center of Haiti’s economy is agriculture, Les said, HOPE partnered with a Canadian-based organization with many years of experience to help develop an agricultural cooperative in the community they serve. According to the Hope Community Project website, “cooperatives provide a structure that utilizes the gifts and knowledge of the individual members both illiterate laborers and the educated.”


For several years now, Les and his wife, Helen, who is the Hot Lunch coordinator at Twin Oaks Christian School, have led a number of groups from around the United States on Haitian “vision trips.” These Haitian excursions allow team members to see and experience first-hand what the ministry is all about so that they might return to the United States with a passion to help the Haitian people from their hometowns in America.


Next week at Twin Oaks, students will have the opportunity to make a direct impact in the lives of the Haitian people by donating their loose change, which will fund the Hope Scholarship Program. Each day is assigned to a different coin denomination:


Tuesday: pennies and nickels
Wednesday: dimes
Thursday: quarters
Friday: dollars and checks.

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The class that raises the most money gets a pizza party.  “Funds raised this week not only helps send these children to school, but also introduces them to the Savior of mankind, who is the only one who can truly transform lives,” added Prouty.
Donate to the Hope Community Project HERE!

Mr. Matthew Pannkuk – Chaplain, Bible Teacher

What are some examples you know of where God provided a powerful answer to prayer?


One terrific example I can think of is our own Hillary Donnelley and how God answered her prayers to return to Twin Oaks, as well as answering our prayer for a 5th grade teacher.  What a beautiful display of God’s great work! (Re-read about her story here: Part I, Part II).


Another example is in my personal life. When I was seven years old, my family decided St. Louis wasn’t the place for us and we moved back to Iowa.  My parents immediately regretted this decision and decided to move back a few weeks later.  They came to St. Louis to search out housing options.  They searched and prayed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Thursday night they decided to attend a small group at Twin Oaks church where we were members.  During prayer request time, my parents mentioned we needed a place to live on very short notice.
Twin Oaks receptionist Dot Massot was at that meeting.  The next day, she received a call to the church from a new family.  He said the current tenants of the house that they rent were moving out, and before he took out an ad he wondered if the church knew of anyone who needed housing.  Dot mentioned my family.  That day, August 2nd, 1991, my parents saw the house and agreed to live there.  We moved in ten days later, and have lived there ever since!


Of course, God does not always answer prayers in this way.  There are, I believe, three possible answers to prayer: yes right now, yes but later, and no.
Very often the “no” is followed with “but here’s something better.” God gives only what is right and best in answer to prayer. What is the best answer God ever gave to prayer?  Himself!  He sent the Holy Spirit, he unites us with Christ, and through the cross we have full reconciliation with the Father.


Still, unanswered prayers are hard to handle.  When God doesn’t give us the response that we ask for, it’s easy to be discouraged.
If you have experienced God not answering a prayer in the way you wanted, you are not alone.  Two very important Bible characters had the same thing happen to them!


Paul and the thorn in his flesh.  
II Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
Paul begged God to take away this thorn.  We don’t know what it was exactly.  Some think it was a physically ailment, maybe an eye disorder; others think it was a person or group providing trouble or even persecution.  Whatever it was, Paul desired for it to be removed.
If anyone’s request was worthy to be heard, surely it was Paul.  A man of God, missionary extraordinaire, servant of the kingdom.  And yet, God said no.


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9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
God gave something even greater than relief from the thorn: a deep experience of God’s grace and power.
Too often we find whatever substitute God gives us in place of what we ask for rather lacking.  Yet if God sees it as better, we need to pray to have Paul’s attitude and be grateful for the good thing God has given us instead of what we desired.  It’s not easy, but doesn’t it sound nice to speak as Paul spoke?  To be content in weakness, to be strong in the face of troubles?  What a gift indeed!


Paul and going to Macedonia.
Acts 16:6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Have you ever received a no to a request you felt was utterly Godly?  A desire to serve the LORD, to seek his way, to follow him?  Why would Jesus say no to that? Why would God not allow them to go to Asia?  It can be frustrating when a request to do God’s will is not answered as we expect.  After all, we weren’t asking for anything selfish, or something harmful to others, something sinful or dangerous.  We’re doing what’s right, why is it being met with a roadblock?
Yet even then, we must remember that God’s will is different than our will.  We need to go where he wants not just in the final destination, but every step along the way.


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Jesus in Gethsemane.
Luke 22:41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
If there was ever a person who deserved a yes to prayer, it was the sinless and perfect Jesus.  Yet even Christ himself received a no in answer to his prayer.  If God said no to his own Son, do not be insulted if he says no to you as well.  It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.  He has good reason for his answer.
His no to Jesus meant a yes to every prayer ever uttered for salvation, healing, health, life, joy, peace, goodness, justice, righteousness, mercy, grace, love, redemption, restoration, and reconciliation.


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Trust in God’s answer to your prayer.  It might be a yes right now, and cause for praise.  It might be a yes but later, and cause for waiting and further growth as we anticipate his work.  It might be a no, but always look for what greater answer the LORD might be working out.
Let us pray that no matter what the answer we receive, we keep praying and trusting in the LORD God above, who has our best interest in mind, and has all power, all wisdom, and is all loving, and can bring about what is best for us.  Let us pray to keep praying to such a good God.
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By Mr. Matt Pannkuk-Chaplain, Bible Teacher
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Today’s Christmas Chapel was glorious.  Chapel Band led us in my all time favorite Christmas song, “O Come O Come Immanuel”, and then also a newer Christmas tune “He Shall Reign Forevermore.”
2nd grade followed by walking us through the Christmas story in costumes and in song.  They touched on some of the symbols of Christmas and how they can remind us of the true meaning (i.e.-Twinkling lights remind us of the star that lead the wise men to the savior; gifts remind us of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh…etc.)  They sang snippets of several Christmas classics as well, like “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “Go! Tell It On the Mountain.”
Chapel Band closed us with “Joy to the World” and then as background music while exiting they played an instrumental version of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
It was a joyful end to a wonderful semester, and a good reminder of the true meaning of Advent.


Questions:
1) What is your favorite Christmas decoration?
2) How can that decoration help you remember the true meaning of Christmas?


May the joy of the LORD be our strength.

Twin Oaks Christian School’s Celebration 46 Gala was a delightful time of celebration, fellowship and sacrificial giving among God’s people. Held on Thursday, Nov. 8, at Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis, the event kicked off and concluded with the St. Louis jazz ensemble, Trio Monaco.
“There is an unmistakable air of excitement the moment you walk in to Ballpark Village,” said Middle School Language Arts Teacher and Development Coordinator Ms. Heather Sartin. “I love the atmosphere there. It is festive and elegant and the staff are incredibly attentive to all of our needs from technical to aesthetic.”
Sartin said she recalled praying last year, as she set up for the Celebration 45 Gala, that the 2018 keynote speaker would be the new Head of School. “God is faithful in His timing to bring to us exactly what we need,” said Sartin. “Hearing Dave speak reminded me of that very promise.”
That said, this year’s Gala was special in that the new Head of School Dr. Dave Schall gave his personal testimony on how God led him to Twin Oaks Christian School. Having worked at Westminster Christian Academy for 12 years before being called to Twin Oaks, Dr. Schall said he understood the value of Christian education from a teacher/administrator perspective. What he did not fully grasp, however, was the value of Christian education from a parenting perspective.
“I have two kids at this school, a fifth grader and a third grader, and I can tell you that they are being challenged academically more than they ever have before, and we were at a pretty good school,” said Dr. Schall, whose children attended a public school before transferring to Twin Oaks this summer. “Beyond that, though — more than that — when the Holy Spirit lives in the heart of your teachers, it completely changes the game.”
When asked what he hoped the community took away from his testimony, Schall said, “Many people have thanked me for sharing my testimony that night. Outside of that, the only response I can give is that ‘It’s God’s story, so it is easy to tell.'”
Twin Oaks parent and CEO of Keystone Technologies, Mr. Andy Belval, also gave his testimony on why he and his wife, Marci, chose Twin Oaks for their three sons.
“We chose Twin Oaks for its superior academics, and our belief that it would provide our children with an experience that would enable them to discover their place in God’s world and to learn to love Jesus Christ and others with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength,” said Belval.
Andy called to attention the uniqueness of the TOCS community, from the deep friendships his family has forged through the years, to how school families come together to serve each other in times of both celebration and grief. Marci, Andy’s wife, is the administrative assistant to Dr. Schall.
Before opening the evening for donations, Dr. Schall made a point often lost when considering the cost of tuition. He noted the disparity between what families pay for tuition and what it actually costs to educate a student at Twin Oaks.  “It costs anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 more per student,” explained Schall. “We’d like to close that gap.”
Schall went on to announce this year’s fundraising goal of $75,000 and that donations would go to the Annual Fund, which covers a variety of needs including technology upgrades, classroom supplies and the tuition price gap.
“Once again our fundraising goal of $75,000 was exceeded at the Celebration 46 Gala, with a preliminary total of $97,000 coming in through gifts and pledges,” said TOCS Director of Advancement and Admissions Rachel Stain in a follow-up email to the Gala 46 table hosts, adding, “Please join us in thanking God for his continued provision to Twin Oaks Christian School!”
And praise God we will.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” ~Philippians 4: 19-20
View Facebook Live footage HERE.
To view sponsors of the Celebration 46 Gala, click HERE.

By Amanda Compton
Hillary Donnelley was mopping floors at the New York City gym where she worked when her phone rang. Excitement rushed through her, as she was awaiting a call from her husband, Lucas, regarding an interview for a job that would bring them home to St. Louis.
Donnelley had grown weary of the NYC culture. Lucas was rarely home due to a demanding work schedule, Bible-believing churches that expounded upon all of scripture were in slim supply and she worked two part-time jobs – neither of which utilized her teaching gifts.
“Lucas said the interview did not go as expected and that he was not excited about this particular job at all. I was crushed,” said Donnelley, whose desire to be back at Twin Oaks Christian School had dramatically deepened. “It was at this moment that I thought to myself, ‘I cannot do this anymore’ and without thinking twice I texted Rachel Stain to see if there were any job openings at Twin Oaks.”
Donnelley had been following Twin Oaks Christian School on social media and checking the TOCS website periodically for job openings. Rachel Stain, director of advancement and admissions at Twin Oaks, responded to Hillary’s text encouraging her to contact the new Head of School Dr. Dave Schall about the open part-time fifth grade teaching position.
“I wasn’t going to email him at first because I really needed full-time work,” recalled Donnelley. “But there was just something I couldn’t ignore so I went ahead and emailed Dave to see what he said. He did confirm that they were looking for a part-timer and asked me to take a couple of days to think about it before giving him an answer.”
Immediately following that phone call, Donnelley said she typed an email of response to Dr. Schall turning down the part-time position, but quickly decided against sending it, opting instead to wait a couple of days in case she changed her mind.
“An hour later I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and came across one of my sister’s posts, which was Matthew 7:7 with a cute picture,” said Donnelley, adding, “I took a screen shot of the verse and picture. Right after that I received a text from my brother with the exact same picture and verse with the comment, ‘Looks like your style?'”


Donnelley asked her brother if he had captured this image from their sister’s Instagram story. “He didn’t even see it!” she said. “Both Lucas and I knew that this was God and that this meant something. So I started praying asking the Lord to reveal what this meant. After two days of praying, I kept focusing on the word ‘ask.’
Hillary resolved that she should simply ask Dr. Schall if he would consider making the fifth grade teaching position a full-time job and, if so, that she would take it.
“I emailed Dr. Schall and asked what it would look like to make this a full-time job,” said Donnelley. “He said the part-time plan had been put in place before he came on-board and a lot of things would have to fall into place to make this job full-time. He told me not to lose hope and to take another couple of days to figure things out.”
A couple of days later on a Friday afternoon, Donnelley received an unexpected phone call from Dr. Schall.  She said the first words she heard were, “Are you in?” Taken aback, Donnelley questioned what Dave meant by this. “He said that he was making moves to make the fifth grade position full-time, but that he needed to know first that I would for sure take the job,” Hillary explained. “He said he would be working hard for the rest of the day and would hopefully have an answer by Monday.”
An hour later, Dr. Schall called Hillary back to inform her that the deal was done and, as a result, Donnelley would be returning to St. Louis in two weeks as the new fifth grade teacher at Twin Oaks Christian School – a realization that ignited a mixture of emotions.
“This was one of the saddest days because I was leaving my husband in a hard place to feel alone,” acknowledged Donnelley. “But we were trusting the Lord … it can be hard to have faith in a situation like this. I mean, this all happened in a matter of days and we didn’t even know the next time we’d see each other. Lucas didn’t even have any job leads. It is scary not to have any sort of plan.”
Comparing the situation to traveling for work, Donnelley said that while she was thrilled to be back at Twin Oaks, her husband, home and belongings were still in Manhattan. “This whole thing made zero sense, but I had so much peace,” she noted. “I knew that this is where God wanted me and that Lucas would eventually join me in St. Louis.”
In fact, during one of his visits to see Hillary, Lucas reached out to a longtime mentor for advice on finding a job in his field in St. Louis. Donnelley said this mentor had recently launched a small investment company in the area. After a lengthy discussion, the mentor asked Lucas to run his new start-up. Lucas signed the new employment contract on August 27 and plans to relocate to St. Louis in late December or early January.
“Lucas’ dream has always been to get in on a start-up!” said Donnelley. “This is an opportunity he would’ve never pursued if I wouldn’t have taken the job with Twin Oaks. This is almost exactly where we want to be. God worked out all of this for our good in merely four weeks . . . and it all seemed impossible.”
When asked how God used this experience to grow her spiritually,  Donnelley answered, “God used this time to show us that there are more important things in life than our careers and that our decisions should not be based solely on that. I don’t think it was the wrong decision, as we’ve learned a lot, but I do think we elevated the value of our careers a little too much.”
Donnelley went on to say that, during this time, she believes God was answering prayers and calling the people He wanted to Twin Oaks Christian School.  “Twin Oaks is an amazing place and I loved my first year here, but I knew I could always visit,” added Donnelley. “That is how I know God orchestrated all of this. He made it happen in a way I could’ve never done myself. I came back for this school, not necessarily St. Louis. It was this place.”