Joyfully Overloaded

I have had the opportunity this summer to teach Introduction to Leadership Skills to the youth at Camp Roosevelt. The very first thing we talk about in this course is casting vision, not just for yourself but for those you lead. Man of the Woods, how many hours in the car have we counted corn fields and dreamed of this vision that you set for yourself? In kindergarten we knew you learned differently from your peers, but we thought it was a focus issue so rather than holding you back we decided to homeschool allowing you one on one time and less distraction from your classmates. By second grade it was clear you worked hard and focus wasn’t the problem, that’s when we received the diagnosis of dyslexia. It was around this same time that we went to the Sportsman show on the UMaine campus and came across a group of scouts from Troop 76 making and selling paracord bracelets to fund their epic scouting adventures. They suggested you continue walking around for a few minutes while they worked...

 Man of the Woods, 18 years old. I remember the day you were born. I was exhausted after 29 hours of labor and you were the biggest baby on the floor at 8 lbs. 9 oz. You were born the night before mothers day. It was that morning that I feel like I really had the chance to count your toes, and inspect the shape of your ears I know a weird Ma thing to do, but I can still see your tiny ears in that hospital room as you contentedly slept in my arms. For years you hated the church nursery, I wasn't sure how you were going to make it in Kindergarten, but when the day came from across the room you signed I love you with a big smile on your face. Just before you turned to run into the classroom your hand explode into imaginary fireworks. Off you went full of confidence, ready to conquer the world. When the time finally came to pick you up, you excitedly hopped into the car with a million and one stories to share about your day. You are the first born, constantly birthing me into parenthoo...

To my Laughter, Fourteen, in high school, and marching to the beat of your own drum, just as you always have. I love it.   As it is every year, it's cool to watch you grow. You have this amazing gift to s ee and meet the needs of others. So often though you are working quietly behind the scene, but this year you have taken on my direct leadership roles. You lead a group of Cub Scouts and their families during Spooktacular, which you enjoyed enough to decide to be a CIT at Camp Roosevelt this coming summer. And minutes before the Distinguished Citizens Award Dinner you volunteered to do the invocation when there was an unexpected need. You got up in front of a couple hundred people, something you have said you would never do. I love that you step into challenges and you don't let fear control you. (Except maybe when it comes to spiders. Ha!)  My prayer for you this year is that you would continue learn to wait quietly before the Lord as David says in Psalm 62 because He alone i...