Thomas planned to work as a CIT (counselor in training) at Camp Manatoc for 2 weeks this summer and then to serve on staff at Zion's Camp (Camp Ditmer) for a week. After his first week as a CIT he was asked if he would be willing to stay all summer. The Camp Director was so impressed with Thomas and said he needed him. He is not 16 yet so he cannot be paid; however, he is guaranteed a job next summer.
Thomas jumped at the opportunity. He spent 7 weeks at scout camp. He would come home Saturday afternoon, go to church Sunday morning, and then head back to scout camp. I sure missed him as did the rest of the family, but it was exactly what he needed this summer.
He worked in Scoutcraft, the pool, the climbing tower, and the kitchen. His favorite area is scout craft. He loved teaching wilderness survival, pioneering, and camping merit badges. He even earned the Lifesaving Merit Badge. This is amazing to me because as an 11 year old we thought he would never make it to 1st Class because he was so scared to swim that he couldn't pass the BSA Swimmer test. Scouting teaches amazing things and helps them become more than they ever thought they could be. He had so many amazing spiritual experiences over the summer. There were a couple times during Wilderness Survival where they couldn't find a couple boys. The miraculous way in which they were found strengthened his testimony of a loving Father in Heaven that speaks to us through the Holy Ghost.
Thomas would call me each evening. Sometimes it was close to midnight by the time he had a chance to call and I could hear exhaustion in his voice, but he said he just wanted to call and chat. I will forever be grateful for these calls each night. I looked forward to them, probably more than he will ever know. Some nights he was so high with great experiences or funny stories. Other nights he would share some frustrations or difficulties. Often he would follow that with the solution he found to the difficulty, yet sometimes he would ask me for counsel. Other nights it was simply an "I love you Mom, and wanted to touch base before I pass out for the night!"
Thomas never hesitated to call regardless of how late it was. He wasn't calling because I told him he had to. He wasn't calling out of obligation. He wanted to check in and wanted to share with me about his day...good, bad, mundane, anything. Sometimes he was seeking counsel or comfort and other times he was sharing his testimony with me. All 7 weeks, he didn't miss a night. I looked forward to these calls and waited each evening for his call.
As I reflected on this I realized I need to follow his example with my Heavenly Father. He is waiting for me to call and check in each day with him. He wants to hear the good, the bad, the seemingly mundane. He will offer comfort, counsel, or a listening ear as I share testimony building experiences. And, he wants me to pray to him because I love Him and I want to share my life with him. I have tried to improve my prayers and follow the example of Thomas in my relationship with my Heavenly Father.
Thomas called one evening so excited. He was helping to teach the Lifesaving Merit Badge. There was one young man that was really struggling with the requirement to bring up a 15 pound weight from the bottom of the pool. Thomas said he worked with this young scout for a good 3 hours, one on one. He would encourage him, give him suggestions, demonstrate, and encourage him some more. Thomas said as they were nearing the end of the day this young scout made another attempt to get the weight and bring it up. As Thomas stood on the pool edge watching he saw him coming to the surface of the water with the weight in his hands. As the scout's head emerged from the water, Thomas leaned over and pulled the scout out of the water and celebrated with him. This scout, wrapped his arms around Thomas and they stood poolside embracing with tears running down both of their smiling faces. As Thomas related this story to me he was in tears and said, "Mom, I feel like I have finally given back to someone else what Duncan gave to me." Duncan was an amazing merit badge counselor that stayed poolside by Thomas at scout camp a few years ago encouraging and helping him earn his swimming merit badge.
The scouting program blesses lives of young men. It helps them become men that love their fellowmen, serve willingly, love God, and that know they can accomplish hard things!
While serving at Camp Dittmer in NY for Zion's Camp, Thomas was asked to conduct a campwide fireside at which Brother Brough, General YM 2nd Counselor, was presiding. After the fireside he was asked to take Brother Brough across the lake to the wilderness survival area for another devotional with those scouts. As they were in the canoe on a dark, quiet lake Thomas had some very special experiences with Brother Brough. Brother Brough told him that as a Mission President he always told his missionaries he wanted them to struggle. When we really struggle we learn to turn to our Father in Heaven and to gain a deeper love and relationship with the Savior. He told Thomas he could tell that he had struggled and he has a love and relationship of the Savior that most return missionaries are still trying to develop. He told Thomas he is being prepared for great things and he will work wonders for the Kingdom of God. He told Thomas that when things get hard to remember that it was not a mistake that the 2 of them were at this camp together and in the canoe alone together.
My heart was at peace when Thomas shared this and a few other sacred experiences he had during scout camp this week. They were able to have a morning side devotional on Hill Cumorah as the sun was rising and then time in the Sacred Grove to pray and reflect. Our Father in Heaven knows each of us INDIVIDUALLY! This is where Thomas was supposed to be this week this summer. Prayers are answered. Blessings come to those that wait patiently on the Lord!
The kids loved going to pick Thomas up each Saturday from camp and we relished in the few hours we had with him on the weekends. I am so grateful for the summer he had. And, I am grateful he came home. About halfway through the summer all the kids were talking at dinner one night during the week and Spring said, "You know, this is kinda what it will be like when Thomas is on his mission. I'm not ready for that!" Tears filled my eyes as I said, "Neither am I!"
