As an Activity Night, all the Young Men and Young Women met, with their leaders, to help make a positive difference in this corner of the world. With shovels, rakes, gloves, lawnmowers, weed-eaters, a pressure washer, great attitudes, and a lot of sweat, the front and back yard was transformed from un-kept and over-grown to well-manicured and clean. A very grateful young mother was helped by the incredible efforts of these Teens and their Adult Leaders
While this Young Mother's yard was transformed and her heart was touched, the lives of these Teens were changed. Many not even realizing a change had occurred. They were blessed to learn service, patience, and hard work in a day when many of their peers will never have such a rewarding experience. This project was not about cleaning a yard, it was about shaping a future generation.
With so many directions to choose, these Teens are focused in a positive direction. If you are a parent or Leader of a Teen, every minute spent with them is priceless. Not a moment is wasted when you are helping shape the future generation.
**It is no secret that too many children at every age are not taught to work and focus on serving others. Many never have the opportunity to feel the satisfaction of setting goals, making positive choices, and learning how to make a difference in the lives of others as well as their own. This makes for a frightening trend with each generation becoming less and less able to work, serve others, and have to ability to think outside their own selfish desires.
With summer vacation dragging on for some, many teens are bored, looking for something to do, looking for excitement. Looking for someone or something to entertain them. This is one reason I am so thankful for programs like Boy Scouts and The Young Women Organization of the LDS Church. If all children and teens were focused on setting and achieving goals, this would be a different world.
How sad for me to experience the following this week:
1) Wellington Mall: Coming out of the Ladies Room near JC Penney (sorry dad, to mention JCPenny associated with this story), I heard a huge commotion coming from the Men's Room. Yelling, bumping around, shoes squeaking, and cries for help. Momentarily, several Security Guards and Sheriffs rushed down the hall and in to the Men's room. I asked another Guard about the commotion. He probably told me more than he should. He said there is a serious Gang Problem at the Mall and these fights happen at least once per day, if not more, in various Men's Rooms in the Mall. He said the Paramedics have to come and several of those involved have been hospitalized as well as arrested. Yikes. Just another reason to be careful about sending your sons in to the Mens Room alone. (I have to tell my Jeffrey Ladies Room Story in a future post)
2) This Morning: Driving back to Binks Forest approaching Wellington Landings Middle School, the Huge Concrete signs on either side of the road designating the Landings area of Wellington were covered with Vulgar, Foul Graffiti. Too much spare time and not enough supervision and focus in the lives of some local teens. To the credit of Wellington Public Works, I called in the offense and when I drove by 2 hours later, it was clean and painted. Impressive considering the large area covered and the amount of Graffiti.
In both cases, Where were parents? What worthwhile activities could these teens be exposed to? This is also one of my arguments, among many, against sleepovers. (That is another post, also)
Again, I am so thankful for the Teens I get to associate with each week who are truly going against the flow of the world to be self absorbed. It is refreshing to be around Teens who know how to work, serve others, and have a positive attitude in the process. This does not happen by accident. Along with Parents, A Village of Caring, Positive Adults will change the course of an entire generation with their guidance and support.
Take Time to Help Change a Life. Your Life will change in the process. Mine is better with every minute I spend with these Teens.
1 comment:
Wow, this makes me look forward to Youth Activity tonight, thanks! That is really scary about the mall bathroom; what is happening to Wellington? Or the rest of the world for that matter!?
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