Super Sunday

The unthinkable happened today.  Brandon was released from Scouts.  He walked that green mile, that only other men have had to walk... yes, the mile to Elder's Quorum.

This was in fact, Brandon's first day in Elder's Quorum, because he has always been the Scout Master or the Assistant Scout Master in over a decade.

Even when Brandon was the Young Men's President, he was also the Scout Master. AND even when Brandon was the Cub Scout Master, he was the Assistant Scout Master.  Why?  Because Brandon always asks to be.

Today was Fast Sunday, and it started with the releasing of Ryan and Brandon.  Two of the most wonderful scouters ever and a great team.  Brad was released a few weeks ago, and was one of the greats too.

So it was a sad Brandon who walked to Elders Quorum. I cried!

Really! I did.

I am used to Deacons being grimy little boys who like gross noises, including my own little boys.  But today I watched neatly and crisply dressed, humble, young men, take care of the Sacrament, and then go up one by one, without prompting, to bare their testimonies about how much they were going to miss Brother Call.

Three of my favorite statements were:

1. "My friend went to an organized scout camp and he only got 5 merit badges and I got 12. I'm thankful..."

2. "I am already working on my Eagle Scout, and without Brother Call I am sure I would be on my Tender Foot still...

3. "I am thankful for Brother Call, otherwise I know I would be dead in the wilderness." --- Andy B.

I could tell Brandon was moved, when he got up to bare his testimony to his boys and I saw the look on his face.

Here is a picture of what Scout Camp week looks like with Brandon and Ryan--

When we moved to Utah, I remember when we first met Bishop Goddard.  Brandon introduced us, "We are the Call Family. This is my wife Christina and I am Brandon. I love being a Scout Master. Please throw me in and leave me there."

Once we scooped the Bishops jaw off the ground, we introduced our children.

It is a great blessing to have 2 Eagle Scouts in our family and Caleb working on his Eagle.

 

I am not going to tell Brandoneous that I wrote this story, and have him journal about today, so I can get his feelings while they are still fresh in his mind.

Scouting is such a great program for our young men. I love knowing my man could feed me and save me "in the wilderness" with a pocket knife and some string. I know that one of the things my boys would say they love most about having Brandon as a dad is his love of scouting that he so freely shares.