Humbling Experience

Jack and I were invited to go and meet with the Bishop after church today.  The Bishop first met with me to ask if there was anything he needed to be aware of when visiting with Jack to talk about the priesthood and when conducting the worthiness interview.  I couldn't think of anything that would be different or of concern.  Jack will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood on the 24th as we have Stake Conference next week and will not be meeting as a ward.  Then the Bishop invited me to have my Sunday School Presidency speak on the 24th.  It's going to be a busy day.  Anyway, Jack came in and joined us and the Bishop talked to him about the priesthood and the duties of a deacon.  He talked about some of the young men leaders and had a really nice visit.  Jack got to ask questions and wanted to know about camp outs.  It was a neat visit.  Then I left and Jack had a worthiness interview.  He passed.  Later this evening we went to his priesthood preview and got to hear from Chris Maxwell, one of my old 11 year old scouts who is acting Deacons Quorum President right now.  He did a marvelous job.  We heard from Sean Hiner who is the 2nd Counselor in Young Mens over the deacons and also the scout master.  He was great.  Finally the Bishop spoke and shared some powerful thoughts about the duties of the Aaronic Priesthood.  There are 5 boys that will be moving up this year.  First there is Jack and then he will be joined by Tobler Dotson, Caleb Simmerman, Conner Faye and finally Xander Bishop.  It is exciting to see these boys growing together and I appreciate very much how good they are to Jack.  I have watched both Tobler and Caleb do little things, little acts of kindness towards Jack and I hope he is beginning to see them as friends.  Friends are a bit of a disconnect for Jack, he doesn't recognize those bonds or whatever you would call it, but I see these boys not worrying about that and just trying to be kind, patient and inclusive of Jack and it stirs my heart with profound gratitude.  I have hope that in a quorum Jack will begin to understand friendship and I hope that these young men that surround him will embrace him and just love him as the Savior does and that Jack will do the same in return.

For me this experience is a humbling one.  There are some tender and special feelings that I have as a parent.  There is a lot of joy in my heart for this key event in Jack's life.  I am grateful for the trust that Heavenly Father has placed in me with Jack and with all of my children.  It is a sacred trust and one that I hope to be worthy of.  Anyway, I am excited and I am grateful and look forward to the coming experiences.