Good examples around us.

As I have said, our household is a crazy place to be. We are constantly busy, it seems. We have Church activities, Boys Scouts, mom's on the school board, homework...well, you get the picture. My mom gets to be just as busy with having the boys all day while John and I are at work and/or school, and we are grateful for all that she, my dad, and my Mimi do for our children and for us. While I do believe it is, first and foremost, the responsibility of John and I to teach our children and to raise them to be responsible adults, I also recognize the need for good examples all around. I am grateful to know many such people. Our kids are blessed with an extended family that many others do not have. They have wonderful teachers and support staff at both Scotia elementary and Prime Montessori. And, we have a great Church family. That is what I want to hit upon in this post.
Some of you, who read my blog, may not know that the LDS church is the largest group supporter of the Boy Scouts of America organization. Now you know. This year marks the 100th birthday of the Boy Scouts of America. Our boys start Boy Scouts at the age of 8, when they begin Cub Scouts, and we hope that they continue all the way through to become Eagle Scouts. We hope that each of our boys will do so. In fact, in order to get a driver's license in our house, our boys have to first achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. (nothing wrong with a little incentive, right?) So, Tuesday is Scout night. Connor started scouting almost 2 years ago now. He loves it. He looks adorably handsome in his Scout uniform. This past Tuesday was a very special Boy Scout meeting, our ward had an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for a young man in our ward, Cooper. What an experience!
Becoming an Eagle Scout is not easy. It requires hard work, dedication, sacrifice, service, integrity and trust worthiness exemplified, plus much more. As I watched the celebration of 100 years of Scouting and of Cooper's accomplishment, I could visualize my future. We had several special visitors that evening. Our Stake President, our Bishop, our Scout leaders, Fortuna City Mayor and Humboldt County 2nd district Supervisor all attended this Court of Honor to recognize Cooper. What a wonderful outpouring of love and support! I looked around the room and looked to the row of Cub Scouts sitting reverently in a row along the back wall. At that moment, I could see how impressionable those boys are. And I thought, how beautiful it is that they are seeing this great accomplishment recognized. How awesome that they have such an example as Cooper, in their lives! I looked around again, at all who showed up to honor Cooper. And you know what? I saw so many great examples of the Lord's chosen followers that reminded me just how blessed my boys really are. If they but follow the great examples they have surrounding them, they will be successful. I know that John and I cannot do it alone. I know that Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to. I am grateful for so many great examples.
Thank you, Cooper, and good job!