We’re back! The school year is officially over (in our neck of the woods), and summer vacation has begun, which means it’s time for a new issue of Pure in Heart!

Whether you’re a kindergartener, an elementary student, a teenager, a parent, a grandparent, a teacher, or just a human being who loves good poetry, stories, and art, you’ll be sure to find something here just for you. In this issue, we have creative examinations of God’s animals, fantastical stories of life on the farm, fun and funny poems, and our first-ever play for you to act out with your friends! We have jokes and comics, and even a riddle for you to ponder. We are also super excited for you to try out our recipe for Haman Hat cookies and for you to literally laugh-out-loud with Pure in Heart Mad-libs. Alongside the fun, however, we also have stories and poems on the more serious side — tales of kindness and hope and letting go of pride, stories about leaving this world behind, and intense searches for God. Throughout Issue #9, our writers and artists display wonderful worlds of imagination, all while reminding us over and over of the hope we have in Jesus.

So, while you go out to enjoy the summer sun, whether it’s going to the beach or lying on a blanket in the grass, we hope you’ll take a minute to look at the beauty of the clouds and the plants and the animals all around you, and think about God. His creations in this world are meant to remind us of Him — of how good, and powerful, and glorious He is. I hope that this latest creation of Pure in Heart — formed through the talents that God gave to these authors and artists of all ages — reminds you of the beauty and wonder of our God, and draws you closer to Him.