A Note of Encouragement from Brian
It is hard to believe that Christmas break is upon us. I am sure your student is excited to be home with you and your family very soon. As a fellow parent, I have a few thoughts that I would like to share with you as you anticipate their time at home.
Give them time to rest and process
I would encourage you to allow your student to take some time to breathe (and sleep). Try not to fill their first couple of days at home with a lot of activities. The schedule at WOLBI keeps them busy, so they need some rest. If you are anything like Lynn and me, whenever your kids return home from a trip or a semester at school, your tendency is to want to drill them with questions immediately. Your student may be great with that, but understand that they may also want some time. Try and let them just be home first, and then gradually start to ask them about the last three months. Be aware of signals they may be sending if you are pressing too much. Â
Talk together about their schedule at home
Your student has gotten used to operating on their own schedule for the last three months and may need an adjustment period when coming back home. Sit down with them and talk about your schedule together. Make sure they know ahead of time about family gatherings and other events you expect them to attend.Â
Be eager to hear about what they are learning
Your student has learned a lot over the last three months, some of which they may be excited to share with you. Show interest in what they are saying and encourage them to continue their pursuit of learning more from God’s Word. This comes not only from the classroom, but also from their daily quiet time in God’s Word. Our prayer is that they would continue this discipline while on break. Ask them what God is teaching them in their quiet time, and then be ready to share what He is showing you in yours. Â
There is a lot more I could say, but hopefully this encourages you to think ahead about the upcoming time with your student. Lynn and I along with the faculty and staff here at Word of Life Bible Institute wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
As always, please let us know if there is anything we can do to serve you or your student.
Reverb in Review
| Reverbs | Attendance (Youth and Staff) | Salvation Decisions |
| Lynchburg, VA | 840 | 11 |
| Cleveland, OH | 752 | 19 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 1,197 | 52 |
| Rochester, NY | 1,660 | 84 |
| Springfield, MA | 1,088 | 47 |
| Binghamton, NY | 1,532 | 28 |
| Glens Falls/Albany, NY | 1,236 | 58 |
| Hershey/Allentown, PA | 1,283 | 22 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 552 | 17 |
| Orlando, FL | 1,433 | 27 |
| Providence, RI | 1,033 | 35 |
| Atlanta, GA | 903 | 28 |
| Total | 13,509 | 428 |
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Please note that this is the final Bridge Update until January 6.
