Harvest Festival

The little boy in a tiny polyester Superman suit winds up, gripping the giant neon softball in his tiny paw. Pastor Nate Garn braces himself against the tiny strip of wood separating him from the cold water below. The little Superman releases the ball with unexpected force. Pastor Nate prepares for the worst as the ball sails through the air. The ball connects with the target triggering the bottom to drop right out from the victim. The little Superman squeals with joy as Pastor Nate plummets into the icy tub.

The dunk tank came back strong this year and is a huge success at this year’s Harvest Festival. It is easy to see what is so exhilarating about knocking people into the tub, but what about the brave souls who volunteered to be violently thrown into a vat of water on a blustery October night? We grabbed a few of these daredevils and grilled them on the ins and outs of this seemingly deranged experience.

So, what persuaded you to do this in the first place?
Pastor Nate Garn (NG): “Logan Brinkley yelled at me and said, ‘You will be doing this!’ So I really had no other choice.”
Senior Bryce Ely (BE): “I was just asked the day of, so it was a spur of the moment decision.”

Tell us, was the water as cold as it looked?
NG: “No, it wasn’t, it was actually kind of warm after awhile. But at first it was cold….man, I hated that thing."
BE: “It wasn’t bad at all, I had a wetsuit on so I was pretty warm."

What kind of things would you say to persuade people to knock you down?
NG: “I said, ‘You throw like a girl!’ and ‘I’m not even scared because I KNOW you won’t be able to hit it!’ I even told some kids they could move up if they wanted; I didn’t care because I was so confidant they wouldn’t be able to hit it"
BE: “I said things like ‘I’ve seen better arms on a chair!’ and ‘Prove you’re a man and knock me down!.” I also would call people out like, ‘Hey you in the blue, I know you can’t knock me down!’"

How many times would you estimate that you were dunked?
NG: “Maybe thirty, it was crazy. It was like every other throw I was getting dunked. I think one kid spent like twenty bucks on me!”
BE: “I would estimate twenty-two times, exactly.”

What was going through your mind when the kids were getting ready to throw the ball? NG: “I was thinking about how much I didn’t want to hurt my pinky toe again. I got knocked down on one of the first tries, and I jammed it, and it was hurting the whole time. That thing hurt bad, and that’s coming from a true manly man. “
BE: “Don’t hit the target!”

All that being said, would you ever do it again?
NG: “ Umm…..No. (laughs), But yeah I think I would.”
BE: “Yeah, it’s really fun, as long as I have my wetsuit on!”


By: Ashton Buccola, 12th grade

November- Elementary Corner

End of the Quarter-
After our Thanksgiving Break, there will be only three weeks until the end of the 2nd quarter. The last day for AR reading is Wednesday, December 16th. Friday, the 18th will be a 12:00 noon dismissal. Check with your child's teacher about classroom Christmas parties.

Christmas Plays-
The K-3rd grade Christmas program will be on Tuesday, December 15th at 6:30pm in the church sanctuary. They will perform it again the next day, December 16th, for Elementary Chapel at 2:00pm. The Elementary Choir (comprise of 4th and 5th graders) will perform with our middle and high school choirs on Friday, December 11th at 7:00pm.

Nov/Dec. Secondary News

Dates and events to remember:
· November 1-November 30th is the deadline for University of California applications for all seniors interested in attending one in the fall. This is also the recommended application deadline for the Cal State colleges.
· The PSAT results will be in December for all 9th through 11th graders who took the test in October.
· Report cards will be mailed home after Christmas break – but as the teachers complete grades for the semester; however, you will be able to access them on Edline prior to that time.
· Parents of seniors will want to plan to have their taxes done early this year if at all possible for the filing of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which will have to be completed by March 2nd, 2009. On this form you can estimate your tax information if need be, but it is a smoother process if you have them done. Watch for the FAFSA worksheet that will be sent home this December.
· Senior parents please be sure that your senior has ordered their cap and gown. The prices will all increase at the end of November, so please have all orders completed by our deadline of December 1st.

November-Pastor John

“Blessing” and “Provision," those are the words that I would use to describe what is going on at Apple Valley Christian School. As it is closing in on one full year as the administrator of AVCS, I have been reflecting on this ministry of Apple Valley Baptist Church.

The first is “Blessing," it is a blessing to be a part of AVCS. I am totally blessed to be able to work with the students and staff. It is no secret to anyone that we are in the midst of a challenging economy, and this has had an impact on our budget. In the midst of all of this the staff has been amazing, realizing that they truly are serving the Lord, and it is a blessing to do so. This brings me to my second word, “Provision”. Without a doubt, we have seen God provide faithfully throughout this year. At the present time we are still short of our budgeted number of students, and yet God has been providing. We know full well that the school, as well as the church, is the Lord’s and we are called to be faithful stewards!

As we are in the midst of this holiday season, I encourage you to take time and reflect on how God has blessed you and your family and how he has provided for you this past year. I also encourage you to reflect on how AVCS has been a blessing to your family and in what ways our school has provided for you.

I look forward to many more years of blessing and provision!