For some of you, this is your first Building Faith Families newsletter. Welcome! This installment begins with a short exhortation “Kindred Spirits”, followed by three short sections: I Need Help, Family Camp, and the Bible Reading Competition. I hope you are encouraged by the contents. - Steve   Kindred Spirits      One of our favorite movies is Anne of Green Gables. We were introduced to her in 1987, when one of our sons was making multiple trips to the hospital and we were in survival mode, just putting one foot in front of the other. A dear friend from church brought this new fangled VHS machine to our house and we watched a portion each night.      Anne (spelled with an E) had one great desire, to find a bosom friend. To her joy, she met Diana Berry, her first such friend. Then throughout the series she continued to come in contact with others who she termed as “kindred spirits”.      While I am feeling the rigors of traveling to events almost every weekend, the best part is meeting kindred spirits in every state. It is a privilege to experience meaningful fellowship and develop new relationships with those share a “like precious faith” in the righteousness of our God and the Savior Jesus Christ:” 2 Peter 1:1. Four common threads are found in kindred spirits. • God and Family      We love God and have had our hearts turned to our families. It is refreshing to meet fellow pilgrims who love God with all their heart and are now laying their lives down for their families. Home education is so much more than academics.       It is a lifestyle of family discipleship as we seek to influence our children to develop a vibrant relationship with Jesus. We would like our sons and daughters to be blessed in this life, but the overarching goal is to train them to live forever.   • The Fellowship of His Sufferings      Growing closer to God often happens in the valleys of life. Brokenness is not a curse but a good place to be. Psalms 34:18 The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.      The beatitudes teach is that it is blessed to be poor in spirit and to mourn. I am honored to meet those in a valley, who are walking with the Man of Sorrows. Life is hard. Valleys are normal. God is working deep in the hidden recesses of our heart through tough experiences.  2 Corinthians 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. • Grace Awakening      It is so encouraging to see so many who God is awakening to His grace and unconditional love, affection, and acceptance. Last week I asked the question in one of the sessions, do you believe God loves you and most of the hands were raised. Then I followed that with another query, Do you believe God likes you?       The family of God is experiencing afresh His grace and the good news. He is making us know that He not only loves us, but likes us, just as we are. In the past I know many speakers communicated a message of try harder, including myself. But this new breath of life from the Holy Spirit is encouraging and life giving. God is making us know that He cares about each of us and He is on our team. May He continue to open our eyes to His wonderful love. • Elijah Complex      Like Elijah, we often feel as if we are the only ones still holding to these truths. I am here to affirm that there are many who share your love for God and family. One of the reasons we need real conventions, in my humble opinion, is to meet up face-to-face with others of life precious faith.      Webinars, blogs, facebook, and facetime are nice, but there is something powerful about being with 2 or 3 gathered in Jesus name, and sensing the power and the presence of God’s Spirit. May God help us to not forsake the assembling together of God’s people, especially in these days of lawlessness when we have to ward off the temptation to have our love grow cold (Matthew 24:12).   Previous Newsletters I just found out that many of you who signed up for this newsletter, are just now receiving your first one. If you are interested, click on the titles to be directed to the newsletter.  A New Commandment  Who, not What Lessons from the Exit Row Divine Love  Other letters have been stored here.   Family Camp  The first Homeschool Family Camp being sponsored and directed by Building Faith Families will be this September 3-6 in Northeast Pennsylvania.  http://sprucelake.org/retreats/attendour-event/calendar-of-events/homeschool-family-week/ Here is a two page brochure of the camp. http://www.sprucelake.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Homeschool-Fam-Week-13.pdf   Bible Reading Contest      Our Third Annual Contest is coming to an end June 30. Changes have been made to the website(https://buildingfaithfamilies.org/devotions/) but if you are unable to navigate your way to record your tallies simply send them to me.