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"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds
and praise your Father in heaven."
Matthew 5:16
Dear Harding Family, I want to thank you for your patience, support, and encouragement as we have worked to "change the face of Harding Academy." The finishing touches are nearly complete, and we will open Cherry Road's new front entrance when we return from fall break. We are very pleased with the finished product and with the message that it sends to our community. Our beautiful new entrance not only illustrates the kind of excellence we are striving for in everything that we do, but also gives a glimpse into a future that includes many more facility upgrades. If you have not had the opportunity to drive by our new entrance at night, please do. It is a shining representation of the kind of light that we want to share in our community. I hope that it will illuminate not only our name, but also the many great things going on every day in our school. It is our sincere prayer that many will come through our doors to see the good deeds of our faculty, staff, and students - and then praise our Father in heaven. The light shines not only for our community at large but also for our students on other campuses. Our lower school students enjoy the improved Cherry Road campus when they come for fine arts and athletic events or after-school programs, of course. But they will be students on this campus before very long and will reap the benefits of the work that is being done now. Parents and friends of Harding are invited to attend our upcoming grand opening and dedication ceremony on Friday, October 12, at 9:00 a.m. After the dedication ceremony of the front entrance, we will be giving tours of our strength training facility. Join us on October 12 as we celebrate the new face of Harding Academy. If you are unable to attend on October 12, please feel free to stop by another time and see the many exciting things happening. While I am very excited about the completion of these projects, I am extremely humbled by the Spirit of God at work in our school. Yesterday members of our Power of Prayer (POP) group covered our school in prayer with a continuous twelve-hour prayer vigil. From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. parents prayed in thirty-minute intervals for every student and every teacher and for specific requests submitted. Far more important than any capital improvement or worldly measure of success is our commitment to prayer as we seek God's will in everything that we do. Thank you to everyone who participated in the prayer vigil. It was another powerful example of letting our light shine in our city. I pray that you have a wonderful fall break next week. When we return on October 9, upper school students will head into Homecoming Week 2012: Beyond the Blueprint. Early childhood and lower school campuses will be sharing their programs with the community by hosting Preview Days. And all of us will be in training for the Harding 5K on November 3. I hope to see you on October 12 either at the dedication ceremony or at the Homecoming game later that evening. In Christ, Mr. Williamson President | 
