In our church the young men work toward an award called The Duty to God. It is quite a challenging project. From the ages 12 to 14 they work on the Deacon Duty to God, from 14 to 16 they work on the Teacher Duty to God and then from 16 to 18 they work on the Priest Duty to God. If they finish all three, they receive a medallion. Some of the projects include, do a service project for someone who is elderly, do two community service projects, visit three job sites you are interested in and see if they fit your career goals, cook your family meals for one week, do your laundry for several months, participate in swimming for three months, save money, teach family home evenings on repentance, forgiveness, or various scripture stories. These are just a few. The boys work on about 32 projects every two years. They end with a final service project that requires over 20 hours of service.
Austin has completed all 3 levels and today he received his award!!! He was the first boy in 4 years in our congregation to receive it and the 3rd boy in 6 years. We were so proud of him! He has worked so hard. The bishop even had him talk for a few minutes in church....without much warning.
Here are some pictures of his award.
The picture of Austin below, shows how sunburned he got on a trip to Lake Powell with some friends. He just got back yesterday, (Saturday). Everything got burned but his eye lids. He looks so funny!
On a serious note, Austin finished his drivers ed about 2 weeks ago. On his last drive the teacher told Austin that out of all the kids he has ever taught, he saw something in Austin that was different. He told him he saw integrity, a plan and a greatness in his eyes that he hadn't seen before in a young man his age. He said he could tell he was mature for his age and that he knew one day he would hear about Austin again and it would be because he had accomplished something great. He went on to ask Austin his faith. Austin told him he was LDS and the man told him he was Lutheran. He asked Austin about his heart (he saw he had issues from his application) and wanted to know how his faith had gotten him through his life. Austin talked to him about prayer and faith. It was an amazing experience. As a parent, I cried. I know he is great, but to hear that from a complete stranger who took the time to really look at my son and notice the spirit he has was probably one of the greatest moments in my life.
Today at church, our bishop told Austin how he watches him in everything he does and he sees how everything is done with integrity. He told Austin he sees in him a great example of Christ. I as a mother am so grateful.
He is a normal boy and does some dumb 17 year old things, but they are very few and far between. For the most part he thinks way beyond his years. He is thoughtful and desires more than anything to be Christlike and good. Last week he met a girl at EFY. She came home with him and stayed the day and then came back the next. She lives 4 and a half hours from us. I asked Austin if he had kissed her and he said no. He also said he wouldn't because he wouldn't give his kisses away freely. He told me this on the first day, so on the second day, I spied on him. Yes it is true. I wanted to watch him say good-bye to her and to see if he would keep his word about kissing her. He did. He kept his word and was nothing but a true gentleman. I talked to him and he said he was saving his kisses for a girl he really knew and loved. He wanted them to mean something. I was so excited! I love my boy.
I wish everyone could or would take the opportunity to know my son. There are a few who have had the opportunity to see what is in his soul. I wish all could see. Sometimes he is overlooked because he doesn't do sports, and he doesn't talk too much, or ride snowmobiles, or party or drive a fancy car (until last week, drive at all) or go to a regular high school, but he is amazing in the things he does. I really wish people could see the amazing boy that hides behind the quietness. I just hope that he meets the expectations I see and that the drivers ed teacher sees. I hope he stays true and endures to the end. If he does, the journey will be amazing to watch.
Austin has completed all 3 levels and today he received his award!!! He was the first boy in 4 years in our congregation to receive it and the 3rd boy in 6 years. We were so proud of him! He has worked so hard. The bishop even had him talk for a few minutes in church....without much warning.
Here are some pictures of his award.
The picture of Austin below, shows how sunburned he got on a trip to Lake Powell with some friends. He just got back yesterday, (Saturday). Everything got burned but his eye lids. He looks so funny!
On a serious note, Austin finished his drivers ed about 2 weeks ago. On his last drive the teacher told Austin that out of all the kids he has ever taught, he saw something in Austin that was different. He told him he saw integrity, a plan and a greatness in his eyes that he hadn't seen before in a young man his age. He said he could tell he was mature for his age and that he knew one day he would hear about Austin again and it would be because he had accomplished something great. He went on to ask Austin his faith. Austin told him he was LDS and the man told him he was Lutheran. He asked Austin about his heart (he saw he had issues from his application) and wanted to know how his faith had gotten him through his life. Austin talked to him about prayer and faith. It was an amazing experience. As a parent, I cried. I know he is great, but to hear that from a complete stranger who took the time to really look at my son and notice the spirit he has was probably one of the greatest moments in my life.
Today at church, our bishop told Austin how he watches him in everything he does and he sees how everything is done with integrity. He told Austin he sees in him a great example of Christ. I as a mother am so grateful.
He is a normal boy and does some dumb 17 year old things, but they are very few and far between. For the most part he thinks way beyond his years. He is thoughtful and desires more than anything to be Christlike and good. Last week he met a girl at EFY. She came home with him and stayed the day and then came back the next. She lives 4 and a half hours from us. I asked Austin if he had kissed her and he said no. He also said he wouldn't because he wouldn't give his kisses away freely. He told me this on the first day, so on the second day, I spied on him. Yes it is true. I wanted to watch him say good-bye to her and to see if he would keep his word about kissing her. He did. He kept his word and was nothing but a true gentleman. I talked to him and he said he was saving his kisses for a girl he really knew and loved. He wanted them to mean something. I was so excited! I love my boy.
I wish everyone could or would take the opportunity to know my son. There are a few who have had the opportunity to see what is in his soul. I wish all could see. Sometimes he is overlooked because he doesn't do sports, and he doesn't talk too much, or ride snowmobiles, or party or drive a fancy car (until last week, drive at all) or go to a regular high school, but he is amazing in the things he does. I really wish people could see the amazing boy that hides behind the quietness. I just hope that he meets the expectations I see and that the drivers ed teacher sees. I hope he stays true and endures to the end. If he does, the journey will be amazing to watch.
Comments
Way to go Austin!!