A letter from Troy to Paden and Paden's letter back:

Hi Elder Allen,

How was your week?

I am reading a book entitled "Trails to Testimony".  I am reading this book for scouting and round table.  The main point of the book is the importance of bringing young men to Christ.  It talks about the Aaronic Priesthood and scouting and how they can work hand in hand to bring young men to Christ. 

Some points I have highlighted are...

·         Scouting, Varsity, and Venturing weekly activities can be the laboratory for practicing and applying what the young men learn on Sunday.

·         Scouting benefits are... Character, Citizenship, and Fitness building.

·         Monthly camping and hiking can be trails to strengthen testimonies of God, prayer, Christ.  And preparation for life.

·         Reflection, reflect on how the activity or experience relates to the gospel or life values.

- After every activity
- Immediately after an experience
- Ask open ended questions

Toward the end of the book it shares several stories of missionaries and how scouting helped prepare them for the mission field.  So, my question for you is this. 

As you reflect back on your first year as a missionary, have you every had a time when you may have related it to an experience or something you learned as a Scout, Varsity, or Venture?

P.S.  Be warned, I may share your experience with the leaders at round table.

Have a Great day!

Dad :o) 

Dad,

Of course, actually i was just thinking about that yesterday.

There have been several times i have used things i have learned in boyscout this year as a missionary, from helping people paint to tieing as cloths line for an old woman in her front yard, a not that wouldnt come undone again. also i am always applying teachings i learned from scout leaders in teachings that i give. this sunday i helped to teach a class on how to teach where i  related many expiriences as a scout to teaching. If i hadnt been invovled in Boyscouts I would not be a missionary now. from learning self confidence in campouts as a boyscout to helping the others apply what i had learned as a varsity i not only learned how to do many priceless things, obtained many priceless memories, but also has helped me to learn how to express myself in teaching things that i have learned, and that is a priceless lesson as a missionary. When things are hard to do i remember the diligence i had to have to get my swimming and archery merit badges, the 2 most difficult ones that i earned, i started them both 5 years before i finished them, several times in my mission i have thought: ´´If i could do that i can do this.´´

Hopefully that helps with what you needed from me :)

Love you,

Elder Allen