Teaching, Shaping, Equipping, and Synthesis

I had a chance yesterday (and will again next week) with my buddy the local Highway Patrol officer to sit with our local kids all day, session after session, and teach them about a very narrow aspect of public safety, the local 911 system.



These kids are smart. They largely accept most of the things we tell them, but there are a few little skeptics and questioners out there. I must confess a certain special affection for those who want to know a little more or who are prepared with some sort of sensible (by juvenile standards) challenge to something I've got to share. Maybe it's because I've had a few of those kids in my own family. Maybe it's because my best relationships have involved somewhat contrasting views on some issues. The woman with whom I plan on spending the rest of my life and I talk for hours, and I learn the most when I'm required to articulate my position in the context of her intelligent examination.

We're not brainwashing anyone in these classes, and our future looks bright when I see these smart little stinkers smiling back at me. Especially when I see the edges of a question form on a face, a question that links something given with something already possessed.

"Be Pretty"

I went into Randolph, Utah today to do a little traffic control for our high school kids and their homecoming game parade. The homecoming royalty - kids who've been elected by their classmates for a distinguished position for the festivities - were in the back of this truck. I've known some of these kids most of their lives. I pulled up with my iPhone in camera mode as they milled about. I said "be pretty," snapped, and this is what I got.

It was more than I'd hoped for.