Levi's world is a-changing

This year is a big one for Levi. He started middle school a few weeks ago, for starters. I guess we'll finally see if I know anything about ministry to middle schoolers! His birthday is this week--12 years old! He's playing football, involved in a music/drama group in town, and plays the sax in the school band.

But the change that is the most interesting (this week) is that he wants to hunt this fall. He took the PA Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Safety Course last Friday/Saturday, and aced the exam. I was a little nervous for him, as the test is pretty comprehensive. I wasn't sure that he was paying attention to all the details. But he answered every question correctly! Woohoo!

We've spent the past few days planning and pouring over eBay, looking for some hunting gear for the coming snowy hunts. We're thinking about buying a good used Woolrich hunting coat for him! I've got enough warm-weather gear to take care of the early season small game and archery seasons. I don't think he'll be ready to hunt with the bow, but I may take him out to sit with me, just to get him out in the woods. He's pretty excited to get out to the shooting range and try his hand at some practice shooting. I've got to find a firearm that will fit his soon-to-be 12 year old body. And we get to make our first trip to Walmart to purchase his hunting license.

I have repeatedly told Levi that I don't care if he hunts (or plays baseball, or music, or whatever) as long as he finds something that he enjoys, and pursues it. He's a very talented young man, and I enjoy spending time with him. I've pared down my schedule this year so that we can do more father-son stuff. That's the big win for me!