My Letter to Newbury Park Academy

So I have a friend who is speaking at NPAA for Week of Prayer and he asked me to write a letter to my students and explain what is on my heart for them this year. Here is what I wrote them:

Heelllllllllllooooo to all my Gators!
There is so much I want to say to you all but so little time :(
First off I would like to let you know that I miss and love you all SO SO SO much.
The reason that this silly looking guy is standing in front of you right now is actually my fault. It is not fair that Shane Wallace Anderson (he loves his full name and if I you could see me I would have just rolled my eyes) gets to be in California while I am in corn country but that's life and we'll just make do... I worked at summer camp with him and suggested that Pastor Rossi bring him out to speak for your Week of Prayer. Now, obviously I wouldn't have had Pastor Rossi bring him all the way to California just so you can stare at him, but the real reason is that Shane is someone who loves Jesus with all he has and wants others to be madly and deeply in love with Christ as well. The effect on my spiritual life that Shane had this summer made me want to share him and the way God uses him with you. My prayer is that through him you will all gain a better understanding of God's furious love for you and grow closer to Him.

I must say that I have many hopes, dreams, and prayers for NPAA even though I am thousands of miles away (1,541 to be exact). I pray this school year is a year of commitment to God and growing in Him and His love. Take the time to really talk with God, read your Bible and ask questions about who He is and what He is doing in your lives and the lives of others. I also pray that this is a year for building each other up, supporting one another through the hard times, and celebrating all the joyous occasions that life brings. Your life is an adventure and your life has meaning. James 4:8 says, "Come near to God and He will come near to you..." Now that's a promise to hold on to!

Until we meet again;
Prayers, Love, and Hugs
Courtney