Jansen Gets His Eagle Scout

In a moment of full disclosure, let me just state that Jansen actually got his Eagle well over a year ago. But we his parents, dragged our feet when it came time to put on the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Why? Because I'd never been to one and didn't know what they were like. And James was too busy.

Thanks for being patient with us Jansen. This was a great day...

Jansen shared a little about his Eagle Scout project which was (in a nutshell) spending a day in New Hampshire with 14 other boys and men sanding the graffiti off of cabins in a newly purchased church campsite. They also did some repairs and painting.

We had prepared a poster as well that summarized his project and offered some pictures. He talked about learning how to lead others rather than just do the work. He also talked about how he wasn't the most avid scouter but that he learned how to do things that he originally thought were tedious and has later come to realize that the tasks and the mere act of completing them has -- "I know it's cliche, but they helped make me who I am today."

One theme that Jansen mentioned that came up several times later was that of working together as a "community" to accomplish big things.

Chuck Larsen presents the award to Jansen. To the left of Chuck are all of the attendees who are also Eagle Scouts. This is evidently called the Eagle's Nest. L-R Erik Bassett, Dan Cook, Craig Pack, Mike Rogers, and Bruce Shapiro.

Now that the award has been presented they both posed for a cheesy picture.

Jansen is also awarded a pin for his mom, a pin for his dad, and a pin to give to someone who feels was a mentor for him. Someday I'm going to make a dress, just out of all of the mom pins I've gotten from all of my boys' cub and boy scout advancements.

Jansen's Young men's President, Andrew Hopkin introduced the candidate (that would be Jansen). Andrew shared his impressions of Jansen's determination and character, he was very complimentary. He shared a touching experience of asking the boys in YMs who their heroes were and he got teary as he explained how touched he was when Geoffrey said Jansen was one of his heroes because he was such a good example. Andrew said that Jansen was already a good example and would go on to help others rise.

Jansen was fortunate to have two of his good friends from school join him, Steven and Brian Keeler. Brian conducted the meeting and made some remarks about Jansen that were so nice. "I have been on the front lines with Jansen and I know that he is true to his principles." He commented that today people hold religious morals in low regard or no regard at all. And that it was good to know someone like Jansen who held to his beliefs. He concluded by saying that Jansen had earned his respect for this. Most people say, "Now that you have your Eagle, you have to act like an Eagle scout." But Jansen has always acted like an Eagle scout.

Jansen selected Bishop Makechnie as his mentor. Bishop was still wearing his pin the following Sunday!

The Bishop gave some closing comments. Then we were all dismissed from the front and Bishop Makechnie stayed up to offer some final comments. He offered a long list of ways in which Jansen was surpassing him in various talents, knowledge, and now as an eagle. He picked up on Jansen's comments about needing the support of a community to become an eagle and said that now that Jansen was an eagle he would become part of the community that helped and guided other people. He expressed confidence in Jansen's ability to be a solid part of his community and nation.

Jansen's girl friend, Sarah Coderre drove out to support him.

Geoffrey Rogers presented the Scout Oath and Law. Geoffrey was the one that said that Jansen was his hero. Nice, huh!

Logan said the Benediction. Jansen and Logan have been sharing the tan shirt for some time. As soon as we got home, we took all of Jansen's badges off of it, and gave it Logan.

Janessa said the Invocation and helped with refreshments. Jansen wanted an "all-chocolate" buffet. On the menu were Sara Apke's devilishly delicious brownies, chocolate dipped strawberries, BYU Mint Brownies, and Anne Tardiff brought some eclairs and cream puffs.

J.B. attended and wore his snow boots. We counted nearly 40 people in attendance.

Proud parents with their Eagle Scout son! It was a great way too send Jansen off to college. He'd just received notification earlier in the week about his acceptance to BYU.