New Adventures Ahead

I think we have been out-of-pocket every night this week. At least the weather has been beautiful -- unbelievable actually. March didn't live up to the old adage this year. It came in as a lamb, was a lamb all the way through, and went out as a lamb. Absolutely no sign of a lion.

A NEW BOY SCOUT. Ben has completed his Cub Scout trail. He and the other boys in his den were awarded the Arrow of Light in a crossing over ceremony on Monday.

This ceremony is very cool. A few of the older Boy Scouts come dressed as Native Americans to tell the story of the Arrow of Light -- how a young Indian boy considered too small to go on a hunting party wound up saving the party who were canoeing in a dense fog from choosing a fork in the river that would take them over a waterfall by shooting a flaming arrow to point the way. This established a new trail to train all young warriors. These boys, having completed this trail, can move on to the Path of the Eagle (Eagle Scout, that is). After the story is told the boys cross over a wooden bridge to join Boy Scouts.

Ben was then eligible to attend his first Boy Scout meeting Tuesday night but he had signed up to perform in a PTO program at school with many of his 5th grade classmates. However, he was invited to the troop campout last weekend. He was one of two Webelos to go, and we camped out last Friday night. I think he really enjoyed it. The Scouts built a 15 foot signal tower from fresh cut sapling poles and rope.

I had a very special moment with Ben on that trip. It actually came when I was leaving. We were camping on a local farm and were close enough for me to leave after breakfast to mow all the yards. As I was driving out of the field I saw Ben chasing me in the rearview mirror. I stopped to see what might be wrong only to get a quick hug from my son through the window. This was from the boy who holds his feelings very close and rarely displays affection. That hug came at a very good time for me. I am happy I can still be part of the adventures that lie ahead.

TENNIS. One thing that keeps us running every night is tennis. So far Jenna has played in one doubles match and then in a singles match. She was pitted against a talented played in her singles match and we were just proud to see her out there trying, after all, she is the only 8th grader on the team. She played far better than I ever did when I took tennis in college (I was a disaster on two feet).

HUNTING EGGS. We held our annual Easter Egg Hunts yesterday. This was a big year for Nate as he has moved up to the flashlight hunt with the older kids. He was pretty miffed at being stuck in the morning hunt with the little kids last year and really enjoyed having arrived last night.

We did have a good turnout yesterday morning with over 50 kids attending. We certainly had pleasant weather for it. Attendance was a little low last night, but that just meant more eggs to find for those present. It's pretty neat to see about 20 flashlights roving all over the field where the eggs were hidden.

MONSTER DREAMS. I think every kid has monsters in their dreams from time to time. Nate woke up this morning telling Vicki about a blue monster he was fighting in his dream. This monster was turning people to stone and the only way to change them back was to give them juice boxes. So, in his dream he had been searching for juice boxes to unfreeze the poor victims.

By this time Vicki had totally lost it, and Nate, in defense of his dream said, "But it was a really BIG monster!"

30 YEARS OF MINISTRY. I want to pass my congratulations along to our pastor, Bill Owen. As of this coming Wednesday, Bro. Bill and his wife, Cindy, have served our church for 30 years. Their ministry has touched our entire community. We recognized Bro. Bill at church this morning. As he pointed out, it is pretty incredible that the first couple he married, the first person he baptized, and the first baby he dedicated are all still actively attending Mt. Carmel.

Bill and Cindy, thank you for all your work in our community, and most of all, for your friendship.

Joe