The Eagle Has Landed. . . Again

I'm happy to report that our family has its third Eagle, four if you count Andrew, but we can't take credit for that.  Adam received his Eagle Scout Award a week ago Wednesday.  Way to go, Ads!  This is the culmination of many years in scouting, beginning as an eager Cub Scout and progressing all the way up to the BSA's highest earned rank.  I'm proud of this wonderful accomplishment, and I'm particularly pleased with the way he earned it.  He was thorough in his work and very intent on learning to organize and lead so that he could successfully carry out his Eagle project.



When asked to give the oath, the slogan, and the law,
he nailed all three without a pause.  Strong work!

Those who know me well know that I struggle a bit with the scouting program.  I think when it is run well, it has the potential to help a boy mature into a young man.  A boy can really learn a lot if he honestly fulfills the requirements for every merit badge and rank advancement.  Unfortunately, I've seen a few cases where the parents are more focused than the boy on earning the coveted award.  Case in point:  Mike and the boys were in a priesthood meeting in another ward a while ago.  The person who was conducting announced that a boy needed help with his Eagle project.  When the man asked the Scout for more details, the kid replied, "Well, I don't really know exactly what we're doing and where we're meeting and stuff.  You'll have to ask my mom."  Okay. . .

I've also sat at Courts of Honor after scout camp where boys have been awarded 15+ merit badges that they earned in five days at camp.  Really?  I wonder if the young men really learned anything or took the time to gain the skills connected with each merit badge.  However, I'll jump down from my soapbox now and just enjoy Adam's accomplishment.  I know he did his best.  (He even once turned down a merit badge that his scout leader said he had earned, but Adam felt like he hadn't completed it to the degree he wanted to.  I thought that took some guts.)

The Court of Honor was cause for celebration, and we were honored to be joined by my parents and Karen, Andrew, and Emily.  My parents were in Bulgaria on a mission when Matt got his Eagle, so we were super glad they could attend.  We put them to work by having Dad speak and Mom give one of the prayers. 

It was fun to see my mom kidding around.  I didn't know she had it in her.

Dad, on the other hand, has long been known as
"silly Grandpa."  He loves to joke around with his grandkids.

We were particularly pleased that Karen, Andrew, and Emily would come
 up from Brigham City.  It was Emily's first trip to Nana and Granddad's house.
 Her shirt says, "I love my uncle."  Wonder who got that for her. . .

I thought this was a cool picture of the Eagle's Nest because
you can see Mike, Adam, and Andrew all at once.

Good job, Ad-Man!!

We missed our missionaries that night, but we certainly wouldn't wish them home.  Rachel is doing great in Buford, Georgia.  Her new companion is named Sister Hinckley, and the local ward members call them the prophet sisters.  Meanwhile, Matt is working hard to learn Spanish and how to be a missionary in the MTC.  He should leave for Honduras in two or three weeks.  Mike's dad is still serving as the Hermosillo Temple president, so he and Mom Young earned a pass as well.  We know they all would've come if they could've.