Scouts

Scouts

When I was called to serve in the Primary presidency at church I was thrilled (the primary presidency is a group of ladies that work to manage the programs and classes for children ages 18 months-11 years old). I LOVE PRIMARY! I was excited to learn that I would be serving with some of the most awesome people I know. I was so hopeful of all that I could learn from them, and knew that I would grow more from this calling then I would help anyone else to grow. Nothing could burst my bubble!

Until...

Scouts! I was the primary leader over the scout program. While that didn't burst my bubble, it did poke a hole and allow some happy air to escape from it. Don't get me wrong, I think the scouting program is inspired. I think it is a great tool to help build the leadership and character of young boys across the world. But, I didn't really ever want to be a part of it. I planned on sending my boys to scouts. I was grateful that they would have the program available to them. I thought it was fitting when I learned that Philip was going to be called as a Cubmaster. He would do great in and with the scouts. But, I wanted to let others do all the work of scouts. I was more than content to sit back and let the program do it's work of building character and training leaders WITHOUT me!

My how that has changed!

For any who may be unfamiliar with how scouting works within our church, leaders are not volunteer-based, as they are with other scout units. We are asked by the leaders of our church to fulfill a calling that we believe is from God. If they ask us to be in scouts, it is because they too feel that Heavenly Father wants us to be in the scout program at that time. He is teaching me so much through this program and I am certain that He did indeed want me to be involved in scouts at this time.

And so, we are working hard to make our pack's scout program everything it should be. We are falling short all the time (such as planning our pinewood derby AFTER the district wide derby, thereby disqualifying our boys from going to district). But we are continually learning and growing and things are falling into place.

And we could not do it without our boys, their parents, and the wonderful leaders that have accepted callings into the scouting program. We are incredibly grateful to them. And so, we decided to make our Blue and Gold banquet an event to honor them.

We had a camping theme to go along with the month's value of resourcefulness. I did all that I could to make everything tie into that camping theme. It was a LOT of fun! And it turned out to be a great night!

Our Giant Smore cake

Beginning to hand out awards

I am grateful now, to be in scouts. I am grateful that I get a preview of the program before my boys enter it. I look forward to using the program, and all I have learned about it for my family. Heavenly Father sure does know what He is doing, and I am glad He chose me to be over the scouting program.