Summer is finally upon us!!! Time to breathe a huge sigh of relief. :)
But not to worry, high schoolers... you won't be bored out of your minds! We've got plenty lined up for you guys to do.
1. SUMMER READING - (DUE date: August 2) For the month of July, each high schooler has the opportunity to read a book of their own choosing (kind of...). We have 3 very different options from which to select. They are listed below with summaries. If you haven't had a chance to pick a book, please let Ben or Joanna know ASAP! The books are as follows:
- Hard to Believe: The High Cost and Infinite Value of Following Jesus (John MacArthur)
Genre: Practical Living / Christian Life
Summary: This book is an unflinching commentary on the modern tendency to alter the true message of Christianity in order to meet the whims and desires of a culture hoping for non-confrontational messages,easy answers, and superficial commitments. Too many people just want a Madison Avenue Jesus to make them well, make them happy, and make them prosperous. But Jesus Christ isn't a personal genie. He is the Savior. He died in agony to satisfy the wrath of a holy God and to forgive the sins of humankind. Faith in Him demands a willingness to make any sacrifice He asks. The hard truth about Christianity is that the cost is high, but the rewards are abundant and eternal life that comes only from faithfully following Christ.
- Pilgrim's Progress: in today's English (John Bunyan and James Thomas)
Genre: Fiction
Summary: Pilgrim's Progress catalogs the journey of Christian, a man who is seeking his salvation on a pilgrimage to Heaven. Along the way, Christian encounters many obstacles that test his faith as well as many characters that are useful in showing him the difference between right and wrong, from the perspective of Christian religious faith. After Christian attains his heavenly reward, his family completes a pilgrimage to join him. Told as a dream, this seventeenth century religious classic uses Bible verses mixed with allegorical characters to preach its evangelist message.
- Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret (Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor)
Genre: BiographySummary: This book is the story of a man whose life was hidden with Christ. As Dr. and Mrs. Howard Taylor write, “Hudson Taylor had many secrets, yet they were but one – the simple, profound secret of drawing for every need, temporal or spiritual, upon the fathomless wealth of Christ.” Compelled to share the gospel with the unreached people of China, Hudson Taylor devoted his life to this purpose. Landing in China in 1854 and eventually founding the China Inland Mission (now OMF International), Taylor lived his life in complete abandon of all things temporal and dependence on God for his every need.
2. DAY HIKE - Saturday, July 18 (note DAY change!) - We are planning a moderate day hiking trip to Lake Annette on Saturday, July 11. If the weather permits, you can go swimming at the lake! Please meet at SCA @ 9:00am SHARP, and we will return by 5:00. You MUST bring your own: SACK LUNCH, WATER BOTTLE, and towel if you'd like to swim. If any parents/families would like to join, you are more than welcome!
3. CAMPING RETREAT - Thursday - Saturday, August 13-15 - It's time for our annual summer camping adventure! We are returning to a high school favorite hotspot - Salmon Le Sac (exit 80 on I-90) - right next to a beautiful, clear, cool river. Please reserve time in your schedule to attend!!!
4. OTHER ACTIVITIES - tbd - canoeing on Lake Washington, M's game... - if you guys have any other ideas, please do let us know!!!
Please remember to keep up your Bible reading, your personal time with the Lord this summer. Don't miss these precious opportunities to get to know our amazing God even better!!!! It's the perfect chance! Your spiritual life should never be on a summer vacation. :)
Happy Summer everyone! May God bless you all!
A few of the girls... 
