This year 16 of us gathered around our LOOOOONG table. with another 3 at the counter. Mike confided some memories from his youth...do I dare share? One was using marbles and a slingshot from his bed (you did it too Mark!) and aiming for old outdated homemade canned goods in the cellar. A few minutes later...hmm...was that the smell of pickles?
When he was @ 12 he made a switchboard he could use from his bed to manage his radio, clock, lights, etc. Ingenious eh?
A few years ago Mike decided he didn't want any more store bought gifts, he wanted us to memorize something inspiring, filling our minds with great thoughts and share them together.
The memorizing always makes me nervous...it's hard to do! I tried to quote the words to "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd", dedicating it to all the dads there.... each is a wonderful shepherd in his home as well as in their personal lives.
We heard scout quotes from Mike Jr. and the Sargents. Ted even pulled his underpants out of the back of his pants during their turn. Apparently his legs missed the holes after his trip to the bathroom. ooops! Jamie memorized a long poem, "Captain,Oh Captain" (Walt Whitman). Grandma Darlene memorized all the Presidents of the church and the years they served! Impressive! Kirstin had alot of quotes memorized from the play "A Man for all Seasons". Not only is it one of Mike's favorites but he had quoted from it to her as a teenager in answer to some of her questions. Lots of work and feeling put into this... Natalie memorized "Edelweiss" on the violin...so pretty! One of his favorites for sure! Heidi gave the poem "What is a Dad", dedicating it to him.
Mike treated us by singing 4 verses of his favorite song, "Rise Up Oh Men of God". Then he played the guitar while all of us joined in.
One of the best parts of the night was hearing Colton's closing prayer...I thought to myself, "Out of the mouths of babes."
I might add, Curtis and Kelsie came over and did a lot of repair work on the playhouse out back.
When he was @ 12 he made a switchboard he could use from his bed to manage his radio, clock, lights, etc. Ingenious eh?
A few years ago Mike decided he didn't want any more store bought gifts, he wanted us to memorize something inspiring, filling our minds with great thoughts and share them together.
The memorizing always makes me nervous...it's hard to do! I tried to quote the words to "Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd", dedicating it to all the dads there.... each is a wonderful shepherd in his home as well as in their personal lives.
We heard scout quotes from Mike Jr. and the Sargents. Ted even pulled his underpants out of the back of his pants during their turn. Apparently his legs missed the holes after his trip to the bathroom. ooops! Jamie memorized a long poem, "Captain,Oh Captain" (Walt Whitman). Grandma Darlene memorized all the Presidents of the church and the years they served! Impressive! Kirstin had alot of quotes memorized from the play "A Man for all Seasons". Not only is it one of Mike's favorites but he had quoted from it to her as a teenager in answer to some of her questions. Lots of work and feeling put into this... Natalie memorized "Edelweiss" on the violin...so pretty! One of his favorites for sure! Heidi gave the poem "What is a Dad", dedicating it to him.
Mike treated us by singing 4 verses of his favorite song, "Rise Up Oh Men of God". Then he played the guitar while all of us joined in.
One of the best parts of the night was hearing Colton's closing prayer...I thought to myself, "Out of the mouths of babes."
I might add, Curtis and Kelsie came over and did a lot of repair work on the playhouse out back.
Whew! It is now safe and sound.
Thank you to everyone!
