14

 Man of the Woods,

You've grown four shoe sizes and at least that many inches since I last wrote to you. Your voice has deepened and you're about to spend the summer as a CIT at camp. While everybody has noticed your physical changes I'm most impressed with how your character has begun standing out. 

A lot has happened this year. None of us thought we'd move the day after Christmas and if we did we all thought it would be just a town or two over, not three states away. You didn’t have much time to adjust to all the changes. In your chill Man of the Woods way you rolled with it and even conquered. You could have used this move to allow yourself to become bitter and resentful, but you didn’t. Instead you talked with us and listened. You saw that this was hard on all of us, you showed compassion and helped build us up as a family, understanding we were in this together. 

You kept working towards your scouting goals despite the fact that we still haven’t found a troop here. You took on a position that you said you would never do because of the writing involved, but with the move you did it anyway. By becoming the historian which has allowed you to stay active and connected to your troop. In a new place with zero connections you found a way to serve-strangers-taking the first step to building connections and completing your 6 hour service requirement for your rank. You earned Star rank in four months. I’m proud of you.

In mid June we’ll drop you off in Maine and we’ll pick up in mid August. Part of me wants to keep you here with me just as it’s always been. The other part of me knows that this time away will grow you, bringing you another step closer to being ready for the day you’ll step out on your own as a man. My prayer for you this year is that  you lean deep into the whispering guidance of the Holy Spirit.

An interview with your 14 year old self:

Where is your favorite place to eat? 

Buffalo Wild Wings

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

I’m debating between a computer engineer and an electrician.

What’s your favorite memory from this past year?

Scout camp was a lot of fun with all my friends.

What’s your favorite book or book series?

Percy Jackson and the Olympians. 

Who is your favorite super hero?

The Hacksmith

What is your favorite thing to do?

Scouting and computer programming.

What is your favorite color?

Blue

What is something that is special to you?

Family and friends.

What is your favorite word or saying?

I’m going to go code.

My favorite memory of you this year was how you gave up an entire week of scouting so you could be baptized. A decision you came to all on your own without any guidance from us. Just another glimpse into your good character in my opinion.

Love you man! 

-Ma