Cache's Final Court of Honor

I had asked to be given a few minutes to give public thanks tonight at the court of honor where Cache was awarded his final 6 merit badges but somehow I got missed (I certainly didn't mind not having to speak!). However, I still feel thanks are in order so I am posting these comments here.

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When Cache was 11 years old I informed him that I was getting remarried and that we were moving from Preston, Idaho to American Fork. This news was not welcome. He was comfortable, popular and excelling in his current situation. Leaving that behind was almost incomprehensible for him and was met with great resistance. I asked my dad to give him a blessing. In that blessing Cache was promised that this new surrounding would be a blessing for him. He was also blessed that he would have opportunities he could not have without this move and that he would excel and gain more than otherwise would be possible. That blessing didn't make things easier, but it expanded our vision so we knew to look for and take advantages of opportunities.

When we first moved into this ward, Cache was just turning 12 and still struggling with the move we had made 10 months earlier. While he was readily accepted, it took him quite a while to start to feel comfortable. Since scouting was so big in this ward we really encouraged him to take every advantage of it. As you can see, he has done that. It was through scouting that he slowly became comfortable with this new life. While much of this accomplishment has to do with his diligence, much of it is because of you. The monthly scout camps as a deacon, the merit badge nights, the consistent board of reviews and the overall emphasis on scouting in this ward has made all the difference and a life-long impact to at least 1 boy.

President Monson said, “Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead.” Almost five years ago at a scout camp, Brother McKenna, asked Cache in a casual conversation if he had ever considered earning all of the merit badges. At the time, Cache had 37 merit badges, so he could have easily been finished earning badges. Whether Brother McKenna was serious or not, I do not know, but he planted a seed. I believe that comment was a turning point for Cache in acceptance of his new life. That small conversation has changed our lives and our posterity’s lives forever. Because of it, our family has experienced and learned things we wouldn't have otherwise. Cache’s children and grandchildren will be forever influenced because of his experiences and growth through earning merit badges.The power of Brother McKenna's comment is immeasurable. We will be forever indebted to his influence on our family.

I want to publicly thank all of you for being an answer to a blessing that Cache received as a frightened 11 year old when his world seemed to be crashing in. Thank you for your examples, influence and help in the fulfillment of this blessing for Cache. You are all wonderful and I thank you.

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Cache ended up getting the robotics merit badge so his grand total was 130 badges. He ended up with 16 palms. A post will come later with the award the scout committee gave him.