I hope everyone enjoyed a meaningful Fourth of July with special people in your life.  It might have included fireworks, or boats on the water, or a gathering of family and friends around a campfire or picnic table. In whatever way  it was spent, it was likely manifested by joy, hopefully laughter, and remembrance that we celebrated because we had gained independence as a nation, signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.  

God is so good to give us these moments of remembrance and celebration.  They can  lift us, encourage us, and renew our spirits again.  Sustaining that same optimism can be challenging, however, when circumstances do not appear so optimistic.  We are a great nation, one that chose God, yet, we witness freedoms being chipped away, security diminished, and justice evaded. It would be easy to throw our hands up and say, “what can we do?” or worse still, “what will be, will be.” 

In moments of doubt and frustration I have often turned to Ezekiel 37:1-14, the Valley of Dry Bones. The story is likely familiar to you and I’d encourage you to read again. Essentially, the Lord showed Ezekiel an impossible situation: a valley of dry bones. Then the Lord chose to pose a question to Ezekiel. He asks him in verse 3, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I find his reply to the Lord fascinating because it reminds me of what our own reply often is to a situation. Ezekiel says, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” It’s not a wrong response, but I do wonder if the Lord was hoping for a “yes.” 

What I find to be the most important part is verse 4 where the Lord responds gently to Ezekiel’s human response. He said, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” It’s beautiful. He doesn’t correct Ezekiel. He doesn’t chastise him for any doubts. He doesn’t even say in this account, “don’t you know me?” Instead, He reaffirms His Sovereign name by what He does. He required Ezekiel to speak. He required Ezekiel to use his own voice and breath to speak over a situation what the Lord Himself had commanded.  

This passage moves me each time I read it. I pray for a blessing on America. I ask that similarly to the Valley of Dry Bones, that we would see tendons attach to flesh and bones come together again.  I want to be careful of the words that I speak and hold my expectations high. And I want to do this with our VCS family over our nation. 

Kathy Thompson 

Math Teacher

We are very excited to welcome Mrs. KariMae Faulkner to our VCS team!  She has taken the Math teacher position and we could not be happier. Let her introduce herself: 

Hello! My name is KariMae Faulkner, and I am excited to teach secondary math at VCS beginning in the fall! Our family recently moved to Osceola from Cambridge, MN as we are building a home in St Croix Falls.  I have a background in finance and accounting and a bachelor’s degree from New York University.  Math has always been my favorite subject, and I am grateful to be able to help students understand, and hopefully enjoy, math as much as I do.

School Supply List

Our school supply list has been added to the website for your convenience!  It’s exciting to think of the new year and prepare our students for success! For those of you who like to get a head start, this is a great time to shop and prepare. We will also be putting copies in Walmart by the school supplies later in the month.
Click Here for Supply List

Summer Reading Program 

Cascade Nutrition in Osceola is hosting a summer reading program for kids. They are promoting good nutrition with literacy! Happy reading! 

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