January/February 2017
Volume 7 • Issue 3
Happy Valentine’s Day!
The Sword
Powerful Chapel Service!
Editor
The academy’s weekly chapel service, led by
our science teacher and World Revival Church
youth group leader, Mrs. Koppang, is a wonderful
opportunity for our students to learn how to draw
on, “pull down,” and flow with the presence of
God.
One of our more recent chapel services was
especially fruitful: It found a number of our
students weeping profusely as they allowed God
to pour out His love not only on them but also
through them as they prayed for others.
To say that it was indeed a priceless moment
would be a grossly pathetic minimization.
(additional photos and more on page 2)
Contents
Pennies for
Patients
Box Tops
Book Fair
Calendar
Birthdays
3
3
3
4
4
McKenzey Bonds (Photo by Carole Hawkins)
Do Unicorns Exist?
by McKenzey Bonds, freshman
Editor:
Carole Hawkins
Graphics :
Google
Contact Us
816.399.2026
[email protected]
601 NW Libby Lane
Lee’s Summit, MO 64063
Do unicorns really exist?
This is a question that some
people, including myself, ask
themselves. A unicorn is said
to be a majestic creature with
a horn in the middle of its
forehead. Most people say
that unicorns are nonexistent.
I, however, disagree.
The unicorn is Scotland’s
national animal because of
its
majestic
features.
Although I do believe that
unicorns exist, I do not think
they
are
the
magical
creatures some are making
them out to be.
(continued on page 3)
Above (right): Ally King (junior) pours her heart out to the
Lord as she prays for a fellow student (Photo: Carole
Hawkins)
Powerful Chapel Service! (continued from cover)
Photos by Carole Hawkins
God Can Use Me to Deflect the Enemy’s Attacks on Others
by Ally King, junior
Chapel is an amazing
opportunity that most
students do not get to
enjoy. I am more than
grateful to have grown up
in a community where
students' spiritual health is
just as important as their
knowledge of math or
science.
Contrary to anything Disney tells you, there are few
things in life that you can get by your longing; however,
all the Presence needs to come down is to find hearts full
of faith that are acting on it. It was an easy choice. I know
God is good, so I decided that I would lay my heart on the
chopping block, whether or not He decided to come down
and meet me.
There’s a power in setting everything aside and
opening your mouth. Praying by yourself is far less
powerful than a roomful of disciples praying, letting their
I see all these kids
guts hang out. Our school is blessed enough to have that
whom God could use who kind of disciples: not just teachers armed with red pens,
have such potential and
but also kids who are willing to pray for each other and
such heart, but they see
give their all. I can never be thankful enough for this type
Above: Freshman Natalie Vierra
things
—
and
voices
come
of place.
(right) prays with 7th-grade Diamond
Smith
after them — voices that
proclaim things like “Wait
My decision to lay my
until you’re older.” There is no waiting in the Kingdom of heart out there began to
God, though.
evolve into a bigger one.
Someone who puts his/her
The Lord had put on my heart to use what I have been heart on the line isn’t
given to my fullest potential. If you have spent even a few going to hold anything
months at World Revival Church or Libby Lane Academy, back. A person giving
the knowledge of your heritage is as palpable as the wind
his/her all will dance like
that chaps your face. People have laid down their lives for David danced.
you to be able to experience God.
The tears began to fall
Last week was life changing for me as an upper
and the waterproof
Above: Ally King (right) prays with
classman: As I looked around the room during chapel, my mascara didn’t last. (They sincerity of heart for another student
heart broke as I remembered the struggles of being a
have yet to make a churchmiddle schooler who tried to fight for what is righteous.
proof model.) It was then that I felt the heaviness lift off
You don’t forget the type of flaming arrows the enemy
me and the loving fire of God consume my heart with its
uses against you.
everlasting frame. The righteous anger of seeing young
children robbed of their destinies seemed to be the theme
It began to hit me that, in spite of my frailty and
of that moment. Part of me wanted the world to stop
imperfection, God can use me to deflect the enemy’s
turning; nothing could be better than sitting there with the
attacks on others. Slowly, the idea of speaking or praying Presence cascading over me.
didn’t make me a “nervous Nelly”: It filled me with the
need to use whatever I have and pour it out onto others.
Then, Mrs. Jill Koppang flipped a switch in me: No
one knew what I was praying for or what I felt like
In my years at World Revival Church, I have learned
fighting for, but here she was, asking me/us to pray for
the power of my community and how fast Jesus will come those same girls I was fighting for. When you know
down when I am willing to fight for others.
God is present, you let Him take the wheel.
A few minutes into the small service, I decided it was
all or nothing. The longing in me was painful, knowing
that He was right in front of me with all of His splendor.
All I had to do was reach through the veil and grasp His
Presence.
Editor’s Note: There’s no junior Holy Spirit.
The Lord will use whomever is willing, regardless
of his/her age, etc. We’re so proud of you, Ally.
Do Unicorns Really Exist? (continued from cover page)
I think that rhinos are unicorns. I also think rhinos would show us their cool tricks if we appreciated
them more.
People always overlook rhinos, so maybe they’re insecure about themselves. So, if we show
rhinos how much we care, they will show us that they have wonderful, majestic features.
So to answer the big question . . . yes, unicorns are real.
Pennies for Patients Campaign (by Lisa Renfrow)
Students of Libby Lane Academy will be collecting loose change (money) for Pennies for Patients, a
campaign to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The campaign runs from February 6
through February 24. The mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is to cure leukemia, lymphoma,
Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Please help us
meet our goal of $500.
Got Box Tops? (by Lisa Renfrow)
Libby Lane Academy collects Box Tops for Education throughout the school year. You can send your
Box Tops to the academy at any time. Simply clip them off your grocery/paper products, put them in a little
baggie, and send them to school with your child in a little baggy marked “Box Tops.”
For the months of March and April there will be a contest to see who can bring in the most Box Tops.
Prizes will be awarded to top collectors. Help your child to become a top collector while helping the school to
earn money through this great program.
Coming Scholastic Book Fair (by Lisa Renfrow)
Libby Lane Academy will be hosting another great Scholastic Book Fair the week before Easter.
The book fair will be open during the day on April 11 through April 13.
We certainly could use your helping hands at the Book Fair! Please contact Lisa Renfrow at
816-237-9399 to volunteer to help.
Above (left to right): Meghan Gilpin, senior Zion Vierra,
Taylor Sorenson, Isaac Koppang, Tamara Elliston
Above (left to right): Nathan Heredia, Lucy Harvey, Hallie Wood,
Calen Otto, AJ Tagler, Kyle Thompson
Taylor Sorenson
Tamara Elliston
Isaac Koppang
Meghan Gilpin
Zion Vierra
Mrs. Bobbie King
Nathan Heredia
Calen Otto
Hallie Wood
Ajhana Tagler
Kyle Thompson
Bella Harvey (not pictured)
Mrs. Anita Charczenko
Calendar: Coming up!
No school on Monday,
February 20
March 9 marks the end
of the 3rd quarter.
No school on Friday,
April 14
No School on March
20 through 24: It’s
Spring Break!
Iowa Test of Basic Skills
April 25 through 27