Hi Ryder,
Thanks for letting me come with you to camp this summer. I know you didn't want me to be next to you the whole time, I'm good with that, but it was a special time to be with you for an entire week straight.
God has gifted you in big...important ways. I saw boldness in you during our week away. You just attacked new opportunities. Going down the huge 30 foot slide, shooting bows and arrows, getting bounced off the blob, just killing those big long hikes...you wanted to do everything...Giant swing, Nature class, belly flop contest, the Polar Bear club... you did it and you did it well.
Your adventuresome spirit, bold desire for the epic, it is no accident. God made you for those things. Embrace it, just as you are now. Be bold.
Your boldness was also evident in your mind, in your intellect. During our "teepee time" you were memorizing verses, discussing with your 7 and 8 year old friends--really contemplating the meaning-- of His word.
I think Micah 6:8 became especially tangible to you, particularly as it related to the idea of acting justly... something else you were made to do. You made connections to treating your brother kindly, navigating justice in friend relationships... tears came to my eyes on more than one occasion when you would sense the leadership rise up in you, then calling your friends to higher places; to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.
And that is the point Ryder--this is why mom and I put a priority on things like camp. So that at the deepest core level of who you are, you would hear the call of God in Christ Jesus for yourself and YOU would walk humbly with YOUR God.
Thanks for letting me come Ryder D.
I can't wait until next summer.
Love, Dad
***
P.S. Hi Ry...it's me, Mom :)
Even though your sisters and I missed you and Daddy SO much while you were gone, I think your brother felt YOUR loss the most. He loves you. REALLY loves you. I know the letters we sent you during the week couldn't quite capture how we all felt in paper and ink, but just know...you. were. missed. And when Cole goes with you in a couple years...show him the ropes :) Who knows? He may even break your polar bearing record in the creek! If anyone in the world could, you know it's him! I love you, son, and I'm so proud of the man you are becoming.
