Davis Joins the Order of the Arrow

Davis was elected into the Order of the Arrow for his scouting troop.  This is like the honor society within Boy Scouts, and the boys are elected by the members of their own troop, based on character and participation in the troop activities.  While he did not have the bare chested indian tapping ceremony at Summer Camp (as in 2021, anything associated with native americans may be considered offensive), that was super OK with Davis.  Haha, Sam and I still laugh about it when he was tapped in 3 years back.  I have heard some details of the "Ordeal" that allows them entry into the OA brotherhood, but it is a process that other young grandkid scouters may read one day, so I will just let them know Davis said it was very tough.  He made it through the weekend, but it was a hard weekend of service.  And thankful for our scouting friends able to take him and bring him home from camp Comer.  

What is the OA?  For over 100 years, the Order of the Arrow (OA) has recognized Scouts and Scouters who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. This recognition provides encouragement for others to live these ideals as well. Arrowmen are known for maintaining camping traditions and spirit, promoting year-round and long term resident camping, and providing cheerful service to others. 

Church Youth Back to School Gathering

Well, we had a lot of girls for this event, but only three boys.  We had not had a back to school meeting in a little while, and I thought we could have some fun with it.  Those ladies (Sonja, Linda, Denise and Magan) in the selfie below did an amazing job preparing a full day of activities for the girls to be "Made in God's Image", with presents, and activities.  And well, Me and Brandon talked one night for about 30 minutes for a plan for the boys.  Ha, I think all had a good time, but I know these ladies out prepped us by a long shot.  Brandon and Caleb Norman taught a session on leading singing, and I taught a session on preparing lessons.  Terry gave all of us a challenge to put Faith number 1 in our life when we share with others.  

 

AHG Christmas in July...in August

 Well, the event was originally planned for July, but it turned out to be the week that Magan had COVID and was being quarantined, so Christmas in July became Christmas in August.  I was able to make it towards the end of this event arriving back from Georgia.  It is always a fun event where the girls make crafts that will be included in the Operation Christmas Child boxes they will be packing soon.  After the crafts, there are yard games and volleyball, and always fun to watch a movie on the big screen at night.  

Back to School

 It seems like every year at this time, I am always out of town.  So I always miss these first days back.  This year we have two in High School, driving away each morning...One on the middle school bus...and one by herself on the Elementary Bus.  For some reason we did not get the traditional holding up the fingers to designate the year of school you were in, but Sam is at 11, Davis 9, Belle 6, and Ruby 2.  Ruby was excited because she gets to be in Anabelle's teacher's class, Mrs. Cespedes, but sad that she didn't get with all her friends in Mrs. Harper's class.  Sam is in his first year of Career Tech (CTEC) where he is able to go to Columbiana each day to learn Automation and Robotics training.  Davis is learning Spanish, and has joined the HS Robotics team with Sam.  Anabelle is taking the wheel class and learning the random assortment of skills for school. And with a fun name like cespedes, me and Ruby are trying to write a song for her...

We love our Mrs. Cespedes
Our teacher Mrs. Cespedes
Don’t forget about your reading every night
We’re all a great big family
In a classroom made for you and me
Learning the reading, writing, rithmatic of life

2021 Church Mentor Games

Let the 2021 Mentor Games Begin!  This is our 3rd year of these mentor activities, and always fun for one last get together for the mentors and their mentees from church.  The games test both their physical skills of basketball, darts and cornhole, with biblical knowledge of bible characters and bible periods.  

Sam was mentored by Eric Pruitt this year, and they were able to learn more about each other.  Eric was able to teach the High School class back in 2020, and Sam selected him as as a mentor.  Eric and Sam had gotten together several times to go to Riverchase and play volleyball with their church group.  

Davis was mentored by Flynn Gerald this year, and they were not able to connect as well due to some of the COVID restrictions still keeping Flynn away.  But Davis got to go up to Flynn's to shoot guns and talk fishing, which was perfect for him.  

Some of our mentors were not able to come on this day, so we had some fill-ins, and this year had Katie with us, who also was thrown in as a fill in mentor.  Katie got to be the mentor for Lauren Rawls.  And Lauren's dad Brandon was their with Davis.  Davis had won last year with Scott Vinsant, and based on Brandon calling them out as number 1 early in the day, they were the Vegas favorites.  

After some hot dogs, cheese dip, and the mentor games olympic theme being played, we were off.  And just as it was called earlier in the day.  Davis and Brandon again brought home the Bowling Pin trophy.  Sam and Eric were not far behind.  Then Rinoa and Elizabeth won the prize for the top girls team.  As is tradition, Davis and Brandon had to sing "We are the Champions" after being awarded the trophy.  Another fun year, as just tonight as writing this, I am getting ready for the 2021/2022 mentor selections.