"I can do hard things!'

As a group of Deacons, the boys decided to go backpacking up Grove Creek Canyon.  This was an overnight 8-mile hike with the first 3 miles pretty much straight up for about 2,000 feet of elevation gain up the canyon.  At the conclusion of the first 3 miles, we made it up to the campsite for the evening  This was a neat experience for the boys.  It was a true backpacking trek in which they would have to carry everything they needed in their backpacks.  Half way up the canyon, one of Brad's best friends, Mitchell York, made the comment that "this may be the hardest thing that I have ever done."  Little did Mitchell know, that this was the point of the expedition.  Lewis Barton, Trent Jarrett and August Spangler, the Deacons leaders, wanted the boys to experience something difficult.  

The Group

Liam Byrne, Brad, Josh Taylor, James Hanna

Standing left to right - Trent Jarrett, Mitchell York, Taylor Strongo, Josh Strongo, Lewis Barton,
Sitting left to right - Braden Christiansen, Liam Byrne, James Hanna, Brad
Not pictured - August Spangler with his son, Caleb

 Beautiful nature

The Waterfall up Grove Creek Canyon

This is what it's all about!

At the end of the evening, we sat down together around the campfire.  Lewis Barton soon began to share a spiritual thought with the boys.  He taught the boys something pretty cool, and the boys seemed pretty engaged with it.  Lewis recounted to the group what Mitchell had commented half way up the mountain and then recalled a personal experience similar to that of Mitchell's.  He subsequently told the boys that "they can do hard things!  No matter what life throws at you, you can rise above the challenge."  The spirit was strong and bore witness to his testimony.  Lewis is a good man and I am grateful as a dad to have him as my son's leader and confidante.