“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” -Jeremiah 29:11
A note from Martin Luther’s new interim principal (November 30, 2023)
God often works in mysterious ways, and often His plan is not our own. However, God’s plan is always good. In Jeremiah 29, God promises a future and a hope to the people of Israel. This message comes to the Israelites after they have been uprooted from their homeland – a land promised to Abraham; a land rich with their heritage. The Assyrians and Babylonians had taken this land for their own and scattered the people of Israel. Things seemed beyond hope. However, God had a plan.
While we are not hopeless as the Israelites were, our best laid plans do not always go as we intend. Having my undergraduate degrees in K-12 music and piano performance, I had planned to teach high school choir; God sent me to teach preschool. I had planned to stay home full time with my children when we moved to Nebraska. God called me to be Contemporary Music Director and PTA President. I had then planned to get my master's degree in choral conducting. God sent me to study PK-8 School Administration.
Here in Joplin, we had planned for Dr. Coltharp to lead Martin Luther School as the interim principal throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Unfortunately, Dr. Coltharp’s health demands that he steps back from these responsibilities at Christmas break, so he will not be able to finish the year in this role. I know I will personally miss seeing his welcoming smile each morning as I drop off my children.
Because of this, the Martin Luther School Board has asked that l finish the school year as the interim principal. I will also be finishing my last semester of my administration degree during this time. Dr. Coltharp has graciously agreed to continue to mentor me throughout the school year. I am thankful for Dr. Coltharp’s wisdom and guidance in this transition.
While taking on this role mid-year was not in my plan, I am thankful for God’s plan in preparing me for this task. With an educational degree, Lutheran teacher’s diploma, master’s in administration, leadership experience, and guidance from Dr. Coltharp, God has prepared me to serve. I am honored to fulfill this role for the remainder of the school year. I have enjoyed greeting each of you in the morning these past few days and I look forward to getting to know each of your little blessings as they learn and grow. As I lead Martin Luther School, I pray that I am grounded in Christ, our hope.
With joy,
Mollie Ramstad
Martin Luther School Interim Principal