How the Cub Scouts are changing my life....

    It isn't really a secret. The people who know me best, my family for example. Or, rather, my daughters in particular, know this. I can be a Nervous Nelly. I can be a Very Nervous Nelly around children. Not exactly all children, but loud, active, miss behaving, bad mannered, obnoxious children. Just those. I like well behaved children. You know, the ones you don't constantly need to watch and worry over. It also is not a secret that I do not (unless I am required too) ever (ever ever ever) go to events where there are likely to be unrestrained and unwatched and unmonitored children. Yep, I do not go to church Christmas parties or Hallowe'en Parties. I have been seen at an occasional Labor Day church picnic, but that is only because there is unlimited area for me to escape into.  
   Can you even imagine my surprise when I was asked to be the Assistant Pack Leader for our church Cub Scout troop? Hmmm. There was a moment when I looked to the sky, pointed a finger and said,"this is a joke, right? You are just being funny." Nope, no such luck. Rarely do I turn down a Calling for my church. Usually if I am asked to teach classes or head up a department of some kind, I am all on board. Even if it is a challenge and completely foreign to me, it will be accepted. I try my best, and learn so much more than I would have thought possible. Thus, I knew when I was asked, that this was not a joke. It was time for me to s-t-r-e-t-c-h my faith, my confidence, my knowledge, my friendships. Yuck. I'd love to say I just jumped right at the chance, but I didn't. There was no whining, or bad mouthing the opportunity...there was just no enthusiasm. No drive, no interest. And I was nervous. Very very nervous. 
  Blessings come in many ways. For this new Cub Scout opportunity (yes, let's call it that- an opportunity)...there were blessings in the form of incredibly talented, loving, sensible leaders. Our Den Leaders are amazing and truly gifts from God. Their knowledge is tantamount to our Pack being successful. I had not been a part of Cubs for many years. Their information and enthusiasm was a major part of the life line I felt that kept me afloat those first months. Not long before I was called, there was a new (brand new, never been a part of the Cub Scout program at-all. Ever. Never ever) Pack leader. She is truly the driving force that helps all the ends come together in a cohesive way. She is my rock for sure.
   The beginning of this year, we organized and planned our first Pinewood Derby and our first ever Blue and Gold Banquet. Did everything go perfectly? nope, not in the least. But did everyone have fun. Yes, yes they did. More importantly, the boys had fun. Even better, they were proud to be Cub Scouts. 
   There is no guarantee that my Pack Leader or any of our Den Leaders or even I, will be in these positions next year. Any of us could be asked to do some other church assignment. What I do know is that I was put here to stretch and grow and to get over myself a little bit. The boys are amazing. They want to come to Cubs. They want to wear their shirts. They want to earn their belt loops. They want to carry the flag every week. I love hearing them say the Pledge of Allegiance every Tuesday night. They show me they are ready to move forward with their knowledge and skills. I guess I need to remember that too. 
   Funny thing...not long after I started with Cubs, my husband and I were called to teach the 6 Year Old Primary (Sunday School) class. There are 2 students. Both are boys. Yep, I'm learning all right....funny. Really funny....