Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Saying Goodbye Again

Today is the much anticipated day for a select group of Utah Venture Scouts and leaders to leave for the World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. Caleb was one of those lucky enough to be chosen.

Saying goodbye to Caleb wasn’t too hard as this seems to be something we are becoming quite familiar with. It’s also easier considering we completely trust the leaders responsible for looking after our boys. Clint thinks it’s funny when I tell people I would trust Caleb to go to the moon with Brother Hall, but I am totally serious. Totally!

I think what struck me this time is that our boys have an opportunity and a responsibility to be examples of our church and nation in a setting unlike any of them have ever experienced. For two weeks they will be living amongst their peers from almost every country in the world. It will be a time of learning, playing, and socializing.

In seven short months this group has organized, earned money, outfitted, planned, bonded, and prepared for this day and the next two weeks to come.

After having a family lunch with the crew, visiting, and taking photos, the leaders asked for some private time with the young men before leaving for the airport. It was when I saw the crew kneeling together in prayer that I got a lump in my throat. These are such good boys and they have wonderful examples to look up to and learn from in their leaders.

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Önskar ni alla säkra rese-och en fantastisk tid i Sverige.

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The photo above is of the committee (8 young men and Brother Hall). The photo below is of the crew (36 young men and 4 leaders). Caleb is the president of his crew and there are a total of four crews representing Utah.

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Lunch and leaving for the airport (finally!). They have a chartered flight that will arrive in Denmark tomorrow morning. They will then take a train (or bus) to the Jamboree in Sweden.

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1 comment:

Kathryn said...

Darling daughter, I can see why you got a lump in your throat watching those young men and their leaders kneel in prayer! Very touching...