Glider Gazette

JULY 19 - JULY 25

Joy

Hey Lightgliders! 

How do you make an octopus laugh?  With ten-tickles! 

If you thought that joke was funny, then please know that it was mine. If you didn’t, then it was Marlon’s!

Hey everybody! I am Santiago! I try to bring life to the Lightglider Academy party! I cannot tell you HOW MUCH FUN it is to be alive today. And I cannot tell you how great it is to be a Lightglider. You know what our goals are, right? RESPECT. RESCUE. RESTORE.

I believe that to RESTORE includes bringing joy to people who need it. Sometimes through laughter. Sometimes through music. Sometimes through just hanging out and being friendly. Everyone is totally unique, so it can be difficult to know what will bring joy to another. I make it my goal to find out. Do you know what brings you joy? I would love to know!

I grew up in Honduras in a large house with a bunch of other boys. None of us were related but they are my brothers. We’ve been through a lot together. Do you know what brings me joy? People. Having people to talk to, hang out with, and care for is the greatest. I hope you find that here at Lightglider Academy. 

Ok, one more joke. Did you hear about the famous pickle? He was a big dill!

Ah, pickle jokes. I relish these opportunities.  

Glide on!

Santiago

Things to Think About This Week: 

Take some time this week to focus on Joy - how you can experience joy and spread it to others! Here are some reflection questions that will help.

• Read Nehemiah 8:10 in the Bible. According to these verses, what is our strength?

• What brings you joy?

• How do you spread joy?

• Who could you give some joy to this week?

• How can your unique personality honor God and impact others?

Things to Do This Week:

• Play the BRAND NEW Game of the Week, Blight Fight, and get on the leaderboard! The top 5 Lightgliders on Saturday morning get some gold added to their inventory to use in Glider Gear!

Blight Fight

• Watch the Sparks and Prayers on the FrontPage

Santiago’s Story

The Lord Has Done Great Things

• Decorate Santiago’s sticker page!

Santiago: Joy 

• Use this week’s Mystery Code - SANTIAGO - to receive 4 Green Emeralds!

Lightglider Academy Events This Week:

• Monday: Jokes with Norman in Mission Control at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST! Today’s hangout with be led by Viola. Don’t miss this hilarious hang!‍

• Tuesday: Come to the Spotlight Celebration at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST in the Courtyard to congratulate this week’s Lightglider RES head recipients!‍

• Wednesday: Come to the Courtyard at 4pm EST / 3pm CST for a game of Sardines Hide & Seek!‍

• Thursday: Hang out with Pen in the Courtyard today at 12pm EST / 11am EST for Midday Madness with Penelope! ‍

• Friday: Meet game designer, Corrigan Hickory Sage, in the Innovation Lab at 5pm EST / 4pm CST to share game ideas!‍

• Saturday: Connect with the Ambassadors in the Courtyard at 3pm EST / 2pm CST for some fun and games.

It's time to spotlight some Lightgliders who have been shining brightly in the Academy.  Congratulations, Victor Fearless Adventurer and Omega Ninja Mastermind: You are in the Spotlight and will receive a Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to use this week!

Keep those shades on because you are SHINY!

Victor Fearless Adventurer was asking great questions about how to upgrade decks, rescue Gliddles, collect and share boosts, and was complimenting others' gliders! What a top notch Lightglider, Victor!

And Omega Ninja Mastermind made it to the top of the leaderboard for Fruit Fling last week!

And you too can be in the Spotlight and receive the Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to wear. Keep shining in all you do in Lightglider Academy -- join the community events, show respect to other Lightgliders, create amazing postcards, rescue Gliddles, restore blight, lead other Lightgliders in a game you made up, or just be a positive influence to others. There are lots of ways to shine!

Bible Code Breaker

Marlon here! Part of my job at Lightglider Academy is to unlock the secrets of the Far Greater Story. You can help me uncover the hidden messages from the Bible by solving the code! My advice is to start small. Figuring out small words like “the,” “and,” “I,” “a,” and “an” will help you on the larger words. Remember, the code is always different from puzzle to puzzle! 

Glide on!

JULY 12 - JULY 18

Care

Hey Lightgliders! 

My name is Tova. I was one of the first leaders here at Lightglider Academy. Why? I saw the Gliddles in trouble and I wanted to help. My heart was burdened and I had to come. It really didn’t take a lot of thought or planning. Before I knew it, Bryce sent me on a mission to the Yonders.  

I was born and raised in the United Kingdom. Growing up, I always enjoyed meeting new people and striking up conversations. I realized that many people are hurting, so I made it my mission to be a source of healing and encouragement. I care deeply for the poor, for orphans, and for those who are lonely. Who do you care deeply for?

I like to think of each day as a new opportunity for a purposeful adventure. You never know what new friend or significant moment awaits you! So be on the lookout, and care for those you encounter. 

Glide On!

Tova

Things to Think About This Week: 

Take some time this week to focus on Care and how you can serve people around you with care and compassion! Here are some reflection questions that will help.

• Read Matthew 22:37-39 in the Bible. According to these verses, how are we to love God? How are we to love others?

• What does it mean to go on a purposeful adventure?

• Have you ever been helped by someone you didn’t know very well?

• Think of three hurting people or situations. How can you bring care to them?

Things to Do This Week:

• Play the Game of the Week, Fruit Fling, and get on the leaderboard! The top 5 Lightgliders on Saturday morning get a surprise in their inventory! Look for a message from Gertrude Pumpkin Satchel when you log in this weekend!

Fruit Fling

• Watch the Sparks and Prayers on the FrontPage

Tova’s Story

A New Commandment

• There’s a BRAND NEW Gliddle Game Gab featuring one of our monthly parties! Be sure to check it out on the front page!

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• Use this week’s Mystery Code - TOVA - to receive 6 Yellow Gems!

Lightglider Academy Events This Week:

• Monday: Jokes with Norman Snowman Cook in Mission Control at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST! Don’t miss this hilarious hang!

• Tuesday: Come to the Spotlight Celebration at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST in the Courtyard to congratulate this week’s Lightglider RES head recipients!

• Wednesday: Come to the Courtyard at 4pm EST / 3pm CST for a game of 20 Questions!

• Thursday: Hang out with Pen in the Courtyard today at 12pm EST / 11am CST for Midday Madness with Penelope! Also, join us in the Library at 6pm EST / 5pm CST for a Bible Chat to discuss this week’s theme and verse! 

• Friday: Meet game designer, Corrigan Hickory Sage, in the Innovation Lab at 5pm EST / 4pm CST to share game ideas!

• Saturday: Connect with the Ambassadors in the Courtyard at 3pm EST / 2pm CST for some fun and games.

It's time to spotlight some Lightgliders who have been shining brightly in the Academy.  Congratulations, Zane Jumping Marvel and Faith Kind Strider: You are in the Spotlight and will receive a Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to use this week!

SO BRIGHT!!

Zane Jumping Marvel was super a great participant in Game Design with Corrigan! He really brought that hangout to life and was so fun playing pretend and chatting it up with other Lightgliders! Way to go, Zane!

And Faith Kind Strider is such a great friend to everyone inside the Academy. Moderator Pen said, “She has been with us for a couple of weeks and we LOVE playing with her all the time!” It’s great to have you, Faith!

And you too can be in the Spotlight and receive the Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to wear. Keep shining in all you do in Lightglider Academy -- join the community events, show respect to other Lightgliders, create amazing postcards, rescue Gliddles, restore blight, lead other Lightgliders in a game you made up, or just be a positive influence to others. There are lots of ways to shine!

Timberlands Treetops

Hey, Lightglider! It’s Bryce. Our next mission is to head back to the Timberlands and explore the treetops! There are lots of dangerous Machines up there, but I know you’ll battle them with ease!

A great tactic to deal with faster Machines is to “kite!” When a Machine charges you, start slowly backing away, firing behind you as you go. The Machine will try to chase you, but they won’t be able to catch you. It’s like you’re stringing along a kite behind you!

Use this tactic on many of the smaller Machines. You’ll come out on top! Glide on!

Glide on!

JULY 5 - JULY 11

Wisdom

Hey Lightgliders! 

My name is Marlon. You’ll usually find me hanging out in the Library at Lightglider Academy. I am from the United States and I love doing two things - reading books and working out. It’s important to exercise the mind and the body. I am often considered the more “brainy” of the Academy leaders. I investigate any new idea before believing it or acting on it. That’s why I was the last to join the Academy leaders. I had to make sure that rescuing Gliddles and clearing blight were the right things to do. Usually when we are thinking of others before ourselves, it is the right thing to do. But I had to make sure that the consequences of these actions were good, and not just their intention.  

I am passionate about discovering truth. We are in a world filled with many ideas competing for our attention. Ideas are either helpful or hurtful to others, ourselves, or the world around us. My dream for you is that you learn to tell the difference between a good idea and a bad one. This understanding is where wisdom is found. 

I encourage all Lightgliders--search hard for truth. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. And focus on the most important questions, the ones that have the greatest impact on your life and the world around you. Two thousand years ago a man named Jesus claimed to be God and said that whoever believes in him would receive eternal life. People believed him at the time and still do to this day. I encourage you to investigate the truth about Jesus. In Matthew 16:15, Jesus asks the most important question ever. He says, “Who do you say that I am?” Take time to answer this question. After I investigated Jesus, I found the key to wisdom. 

Glide On!

Marlon

Things to Think About This Week: 

Take some time this week to focus on Wisdom and what it looks like for you to investigate truth! Here are some reflection questions that will help.

• Read Luke 2:52 in the Bible. What are ways to grow in wisdom and in stature?

• Why can we trust the Bible?

• Who do you go to when you have questions?

• What is your favorite Bible story or verse?

• What decisions in your life require God’s wisdom?

Things to Do This Week:

• Play the BRAND NEW Game of the Week, Mission:Ring of Fire, and get on the leaderboard! The top 5 Lightgliders on Saturday morning get a surprise in their inventory!

Mission:Ring of Fire

• Watch the Sparks and Prayers on the FrontPage

Marlon’s Story

Prayer for Wisdom

• Decorate Marlon’s sticker page!

Marlon: Wisdom 

• Use this week’s Mystery Code - MARLON - to receive some gold to use in Glider Gear!

Lightglider Academy Events This Week:

• Tuesday: Come to the Spotlight Celebration at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST in the Courtyard to congratulate this week’s Lightglider RES head recipients!

• Wednesday: Come to the Courtyard at 4pm EST / 3pm CST for a game of Duck Duck Boost!

• Thursday: Hang out with Pen in the Courtyard today at 12pm EST / 11am EST for a new event called Midday Madness with Penelope! Also, join us in the Library at 6pm EST / 5pm CST for a Bible Chat to discuss this week’s theme and verse! 

• Friday: Meet game designer, Corrigan Hickory Sage, in the Innovation Lab at 5pm EST / 4pm CST to share game ideas!

• Saturday: Connect with the Ambassadors in the Courtyard at 3pm EST / 2pm CST for some fun and games.

It's time to spotlight some Lightgliders who have been shining brightly in the Academy.  Congratulations, Snowdrop Summer Clementine and Hazel Courageous Periwinkle: You are in the Spotlight and will receive a Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to use this week!

SO BRIGHT!!

Snowdrop Summer Clementine has been nominated for the Spotlight this week by her fellow Lightgliders! She is a GREAT Lightglider, is a very good friend, is super kind, and always makes sure every Lightglider is included in Academy activities! Way to go, Snowdrop!

Hazel Courageous Periwinkle went CRAZY on Color Craze and made it to the top of the leaderboard for the game of the week! Nice work, Hazel!

And you too can be in the Spotlight and receive the Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to wear. Keep shining in all you do in Lightglider Academy -- join the community events, show respect to other Lightgliders, create amazing postcards, rescue Gliddles, restore blight, lead other Lightgliders in a game you made up, or just be a positive influence to others. There are lots of ways to shine!

Ring of Fire

Hey, it’s Tambika! If you’ve completed all of the missions I’ve given you, I’ll give you some of my secret missions. It’s time to thank you for being such a great Lightglider! The first bonus mission is Ring of Fire. We’ve received info that there is Machine activity in the Volcano area, and we need you to help scout it out! Watch out, though--there could be a trap!

When Machines are destroyed, they sometimes leave behind Materials and Gliddles they’ve stolen from the Yonders! The Gliddles will wait for you to rescue them, but the Materials will disappear after a short time. Once you’ve defeated a Machine, try to get to their rewards quickly! Clear blight, defeat other nearby Machines, and solve puzzles to get to Materials fast!

Make sure you have a strategy to battle the Machines. Try to target Machines that are on their own first, and work in one direction at a time. You’ll maximize your Materials and minimize your bruises!

Glide on!

JUNE 28 - JULY 4

Service

Hey Lightgliders! 

My name is Nisha. I am one of the “quieter” Lightgliders. You may not notice me and I don’t mind that at all. You can make a powerful impact on the world without anyone ever knowing your name!

I was born and raised in India. Being the oldest of seven kids, I had a lot of responsibility with my brothers and sisters. They needed me to be consistent and caring. Do you have siblings? Having little brothers and sisters has taught me a lot about what it means to give without expecting much in return. I came to Lightglider Academy a bit nervous. There were so many big personalities and talented people here. Bryce is courageous. Tambika leads the Academy. Marlon is a genius. I didn’t know what I had to offer, so I just looked for ways to serve. I helped Bryce plan out Yonders missions in Mission Control. I assisted Kwan as he created new tech in the Innovation Lab. I worked with Tambika to organize new Treehouses for the Gliddles. One day Tova thanked me for doing the little things that seemed to go unnoticed. She said, “Nisha, you are so effective at making others effective! You increase the positive impact of those around you. And, for that, I say thank you!” 

I guess I am learning that the little things make a big difference. It brings me joy to serve. Putting the needs of others before my own helps me to be humble and encourage others all at the same time!

Glide On!

Nisha

Things to Think About This Week: 

Take some time this week to focus on Service and what it looks like for you to work behind the scenes to help others! Here are some reflection questions that will help.

• Read Mark 10:43 in the Bible. According to this verse, what makes the people of God different?

• Who do you know that is quiet and wise?

• What does it mean to show hospitality?

• In what ways might you serve those around you today?

Things to Do This Week:

• Play the Game of the Week, Color Craze, and get on the leaderboard! The top 5 Lightgliders on Saturday morning get a special surprise added to their inventory!

Color Craze

• Watch the Sparks and Prayers on the FrontPage

Nisha’s Story

Love is Patient & Kind

• Decorate Nisha’s sticker page!

Nisha: Service 

• Use this week’s Mystery Code - NISHA - to receive some gold to use in Glider Gear!

Lightglider Academy Events This Week:

• Monday: Jokes with Norman Snowman Cook in Mission Control at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST! Don’t miss this hilarious hang!

• Tuesday: Come to the Spotlight Celebration at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST in the Courtyard to congratulate this week’s Lightglider RES head recipients!

• Wednesday: Come to the Courtyard at 4pm EST / 3pm CST for a Crazy Outfit Show!

• Thursday: Hang out with Pen in the Courtyard today at 12pm EST / 11am EST for a new event called Midday Madness with Penelope! Also, join us in the Library at 6pm EST / 5pm CST for a Bible Chat to discuss this week’s theme and verse! 

• Friday: Meet game designer, Corrigan Hickory Sage, in the Innovation Lab at 5pm EST / 4pm CST to share game ideas!

• Saturday: Connect with the Ambassadors in the Courtyard at 3pm EST / 2pm CST for some fun and games.

‍

It's time to spotlight some Lightgliders who have been shining brightly in the Academy.  Congratulations, Storm Skillful Strider and Roderick Mysterious Champion: You are in the Spotlight and will receive a Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to use this week!

SO BRIGHT!!

Storm Skillful Strider AND Roderick Mysterious Champion are both in the Spotlight for the great ways they participate in Lightglider community events!! Storm always brings awesome jokes to Jokes with Norman on Mondays. He shared a super fun Spy Hunter game idea for all to play at the party on Friday too! 

Roderick crushed some AMAZING jokes AND did an incredible job including others and waiting patiently so everyone could crack each other up! What amazing Lightglider friends we have!!

And you too can be in the Spotlight and receive the Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to wear. Keep shining in all you do in Lightglider Academy -- join the community events, show respect to other Lightgliders, create amazing postcards, rescue Gliddles, restore blight, lead other Lightgliders in a game you made up, or just be a positive influence to others. There are lots of ways to shine!

Keep Out!

It’s Kwan again! I wanted to give you some tips for taking on this mission. We’re sending you back into the abandoned building where lots of Machines have taken up residence. There’s a defense jammer installed there, so if you don’t have a Gliddle with you, you won’t be able to battle Machines! You have to use your wits and careful gliding to get you out of some sticky situations!

There’s a powerful Machine at the end of the mission. Concentrate on avoiding its blasts and let the Gliddles you find do their work!

Don’t forget to check for secret areas; the overgrowth in the building might have opened up new pathways!

Glide on!

JUNE 21 - JUNE 27

Friendship

Hey Lightgliders! 

Hi, I’m Kwan. I was born and raised in South Korea. I have always been curious and inventive. And I like to work behind the scenes. My biggest passion at Lightglider Academy is to figure out the blight problem. That dark ooze is destroying the land and taking away its beauty and purpose. Have you seen it yet on one of your missions? Thankfully, we can use our light to clear the blight. But, I want to find a permanent solution. That is my goal.

I usually hang out in the Innovation Lab. Feel free to come visit me there. I work closely with the Gliddles to invent things that can help -- better gliders, new technologies, stuff like that. To solve problems, we need to be creative and we need to work together!

I don’t like to be the center of attention but that doesn’t mean I can’t make a powerful impact on the world. I work behind the scenes to help Tambika run the Academy, assist Bryce on missions, and support each Lightglider in the mission to Respect, Rescue and Restore. I have discovered ways to use my unique gifts to help others. I’ve learned that a great way to develop friendships is to be a friend to others and to look for ways to serve them. When we work with our friends, using each of our unique gifts, we can accomplish our goals!

Glide On!

Kwan

Things to Think About This Week: 

Take some time this week to focus on Friendship and what it means to serve each other using your unique gifts! Here are some reflection questions that will help.

• Read Galatians 5:13 in the Bible. How should we use the freedom that God has given us?

• What does it mean to “work behind the scenes?”

• Who is a good example of someone who leads with humility?

• Who needs your support and encouragement today?

Things to Do This Week:

• Play the BRAND NEW Game of the Week, Battle Buddies, and get on the leaderboard! The top 5 Lightgliders on Saturday morning get some gold added to their inventory!

Battle Buddies

• Watch the Sparks and Prayers on the FrontPage

Kwan’s Story

Fruit of the Spirit

• JOIN THE SUPER SPY PARTY on Friday in the Academy at 5pm EST / 4pm CST! Every Lightgliders gets some fun new gear!

• Use this week’s Mystery Code - KWAN - to receive a surprise in your inventory!

Lightglider Academy Events This Week:

• Monday: Jokes with Norman Snowman Cook in Mission Control at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST! Don’t miss this hilarious hang!

• Tuesday: Come to the Spotlight Celebration at 5:30pm EST / 4:30pm CST in the Courtyard to congratulate this week’s Lightglider RES head recipients!

• Wednesday: Come to the Courtyard at 4pm EST / 3pm CST for a game of Rock/Paper/Scissors!

• Thursday: Hang out with Pen in the Courtyard today at 12pm EST / 11am CST for a new event called Midday Madness with Penelope! Also, join us in the Library at 6pm EST / 5pm CST for a Bible Chat to discuss this week’s theme and verse! 

• Friday: PARTY DAY! Join Lightglider Moderators and friends in the Academy at 5pm EST / 4pm CST for the Super Spy Party!

• Saturday: Connect with the Ambassadors in the Courtyard at 3pm EST / 2pm CST for some fun and games.

‍

It's time to spotlight some Lightgliders who have been shining brightly in the Academy.  Congratulations, Blaze Risky Champion and Norman Fearless Jelly: You are in the Spotlight and will receive a Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to use this week!

SO BRIGHT!!

Blaze Risky Champion helped run races around the Academy, and did an incredible job being patient and including others! We love it when Lightgliders encourage others and help each other out!

And Norman Fearless Jelly CRUSHED the leaderboard last week for Rescue Roundup! Way to go, Norman!

And you too can be in the Spotlight and receive the Shining Spotlight Glider and RES Head to wear. Keep shining in all you do in Lightglider Academy -- join the community events, show respect to other Lightgliders, create amazing postcards, rescue Gliddles, restore blight, lead other Lightgliders in a game you made up, or just be a positive influence to others. There are lots of ways to shine!

Ring of Fire

Hey, it’s Tambika! If you’ve completed all of the missions I’ve given you, I’ll give you some of my secret missions. It’s time to thank you for being such a great Lightglider! The first bonus mission is Ring of Fire. We’ve received info that there is Machine activity in the Volcano area, and we need you to help scout it out! Watch out, though--there could be a trap!

When Machines are destroyed, they sometimes leave behind Materials and Gliddles they’ve stolen from the Yonders! The Gliddles will wait for you to rescue them, but the Materials will disappear after a short time. Once you’ve defeated a Machine, try to get to their rewards quickly! Clear blight, defeat other nearby Machines, and solve puzzles to get to Materials fast!

Make sure you have a strategy to battle the Machines. Try to target Machines that are on their own first, and work in one direction at a time. You’ll maximize your Materials and minimize your bruises!

Glide on!