Men's Weekend - Growing up but not gone yet!

Most cultures have rites of passage to mark the various stages of life. Driver's licenses and High School graduation are a couple of examples from American culture. For the Leingang family there is a rite of passage that occurs during the fall following their 12th birthday.

This rite is a weekend away with Dad. It is a great opportunity to talk about the changes that they are experiencing and will be experiencing as they transition from child to teen to adult. The weekend is intended to be the beginning of an ongoing conversation that will last the rest of our lives together.



Because men are the way they are we always pair "the talk" with a weekend campout and firewood expedition.

Men always talk better when they are swinging axes or hammers or something that makes them feel "Manly" A good friend (THANKS DON!) has some land he lets us have access to whenever we want so when Andy and I saw the weather was going to be good this past weekend we packed the car and headed out of town.


This particular trip ended with Carrie, Zack and Will joining us so we could bring all the great firewood home. (Thanks Carrie for bringing the van and trailer). When Carrie, Zack and Will arrived we put them to work too.


As you can see, we filled the trailer to the top. It was a great family project, especially the splitting and stacking when we got home.

Andy and I sure worked hard. Of course, if I had remembered my Bar-Chain-Oil for the chainsaw we would have had even more wood cut. We wouldn't have had room to bring it home, but we would have had fun cutting it!

Andy, thanks for a great weekend! I thank God for the priviledge of calling you my son and look forward to watching you develop into the man he is calling you to be.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9)