Do you feel like summer breezed by? For some reason, this summer went by in a flash for me. I do remember years when both Justin and Caden were still quite small and the summer seemed to last forever - especially when we had the blazing hot weather that made me melt in my house.

How did it feel for you this year? What were your highlights or lowlights?

Despite the speed at which this summer has gone, it's been a fulfilling time with Union Kids. I've been personally been blessed by digging into Psalm 34 with Sayuko and all the kids and this complex Psalm has provided us with multiple themes that we could communicate to the kids:

-Praise God at all times
-God is our rescuer
-God is good
-Seek the Lord and you'll thrive
-God is our friend
-He is always right there, we don't have to fear

As the summer winds down, we are finishing up with our last lesson this week. The theme of verses 20-22 is a bit challenging (see verses below), so we are summarizing it as the promise that "God protects us." I think this is a very fitting promise to send with our kids into the new school year. What is to come, good or bad, is unknown. But we know that God asks us to take refuge in him and he will not let us down. What an amazing promise to bless our kids:Remember you are not forgotten or alone. You are rescued and protected.

As part of our activities this week, we will create a framed version of Psalm 34. I hope that you'll put in a place where everyone in your home can see it and be encouraged. Maybe your kids will sing Jeff's song, "Taste and See" and above all, I pray that you and your family will know that God is good and he is close.

Onward to a new school year!

Psalm 34:20-22 (NIV)
20 "he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
    the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The Lord will rescue his servants;
    no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned."