This summer has been so amazing and I am constantly thanking God for all of the blessings he has showered on us. I was so sad to leave everyone up here last August when I went down to Florida, and I prayed for you all so much while I was in gone. And, not that I doubted God’s power to work in the lives of everyone up here, but I have been completely blown away by the extent to which God has answered my prayers (and the prayers of everyone else!).

I don’t know that this area of the Northeast has ever seen so many kids all striving to serve the Lord. I have been so impressed with the changes I have seen in the way that some of you think about God and what you focus your time on. You are a huge encouragement to me and I am anxious to see what other good things can be accomplished for the Lord’s sake.

Now, I know that its been summer time… and everyone has been out of school so its been easier to focus our time on God and studying His word. But, summers can’t last forever, and before we know it school is going to be back in full swing. My challenge to you is to not let that detract from your spiritual focus. Keep your eyes on God, and even if you can’t go to as many Bible studies with your friends or be around Christians as much, don’t let that cause you to stumble. Pursue God wholeheartedly. I have been so encouraged by you guys who have taken the initiative to read your Bibles on your own… keep up with that! Set goals for yourself to read and pray everyday.

Also, when you are back at school, don’t forget who you are. We have had so many people put on the name of Christ this summer… Don’t be afraid to let other people know who you are! (Lk 9:26) Your standards and the way that you serve God should not change depending on your environment - whether you are at home, school, church, with Christian/non-Christian friends, or at a Bible study.

I know that it can be tough… and it can be frightening. One verse that helps me is Revelation 21:6-8 where it says, “He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” It is SO easy to be cowardly… or to be fearful… I think we often dismiss that and think its okay to be that way, but its really a tool of Satan. So, be on guard! Don’t let him distract you from serving God because your friends at school are intimidating or because you have people that discourage you and make obeying God difficult.

Anyway, keep up with the good work guys!!! I love you all sooo much and as I thess 1:2 would say, I always thank my God for all of you, remembering you in my prayers. =)