This weekend we went to a park gathering hosted by the church our friends belong to. It was designed as an activity for families, as well as a benefit for a young woman in the community who is seriously ill.

I’m not sure what I was expecting, but the event was far better organized and fun than I assumed it would be.

The kids thoroughly enjoyed the Velcro wall and booth games where Craig filled his pockets with candy.

But what struck me was the feeling that this must have all been done before. How else could such a large gathering, with a band, food booth, dunk tank and carnival games result in such a successful turnout?

And then I watched who was doing the work. I knew that while the organizers of the event got together to plan, Darla’s friend babysat their kids. I knew this church family had created a community, where members depended on each other.

But there was another thing. I saw one mother giving out the free tickets for carnival games — her young child at her side. I saw another mother managing a game booth. Her teenage daughter managed the one next to her. I saw a Dad helping kids into the Velcro booth. Craig’s 10-year-old friend stood in line for his turn to get dunked in the dunking booth. I saw Darla’s friend collecting money at the food booth, with her mother next to her - and her married sister sat with her new husband selling raffle tickets.

Of course these events are successful. During the planning, execution and enjoyment of the events, families are doing the work together. They’re learning together. And they’re having fun while they do something wonderful for everyone who attends — in addition to the young woman who’ll benefit from the dollars raised.

What an inspirational system they have for event-planning: Growing a servant’s heart.

What a remarkable way to pass the torch.

Other torch-passers:
Looking Toward Heaven - That’s my girl
We are THAT Family - Who will I be?

What does passing the torch mean to you? Is it teaching? Passing traditions? Or good news about youth? Join us each week for Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

This week the Wall Street Journal features a volunteer from Texas who is definitely passing the torch to the young people she works with. Pat Rosenburg is one of the inspirational asset-builders I had the opportunity to interview for my book.

After her two daughters left for college, this longtime volunteer in the Houston public schools found new purpose in mentoring a teenager who was on his way to a life of crime in his tough inner-city neighborhood. This five-minute video is a perfect illustration of an adult passing the torch in a big way, and is well-worth the watch.

Click here to read the article.

Other torch-passers:
That’s My Boy — Holly’s Corner
Helper-Chart Experiment - Life with Two Little Vikings

Do you have a story about kids that make you proud, or adults who are passing the torch? Please let me know and I’ll spread the word on Pass the Torch Tuesday.Former PTT posts.

The editor for our county-wide Family First newspaper asked to to do a feature article on Darla’s BookWorm Wednesday. The paper comes out in May, so I’ll update you after it’s published. It was so fun to listen to my 11-year-old respond to the editor’s interview questions. She’s so confident and knowledgeable about it — truly in her element.

Between 9-15 children have continued to meet on a regular basis all year long, despite the fact that initially, neither my husband nor I thought it was a viable project. She fully plans to continue the weekly gatherings next fall after summer vacation, and she even hopes to create a curriculum of sorts, while she’s on summer break.

She could be the poster child for my book. Maybe she could do a book tour for me?

Thank you to those of you who have used our Amazon searchbox and other links to support Darla’s efforts! This small, but steady budget has allowed her to be creative with crafts that reinforce the book themes she’s chosen.

BookWorm Wednesday Series:

A Teacher in the Making
A BookWorm Wednesday Halloween
BookWorm Wednesday Potion Recipe
Buy with Amazon and Donate to BookWorm Wednesday
BookWorm Wednesday Gets Some Press

You can join me each week by sharing a time kids make you proud, or a way adults are teaching, sharing — passing the torch. Blog your story or share it in comments.Former PTT posts.

When my son’s third-grade classroom did the Flat Stanley project (create a little person out of paper and send him on an adventure through the mail), I wondered who we should send him to. We’re fortunate that we have friends and family all over the globe, but we only had a month for him to complete his adventures.
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This month, Robin challenged us with the cinquain form of poetry. She asked us to write within the theme of “celebration.” It’s so easy and fun to write this form, Darla didn’t hesitate to write three poems for her guest post this week.

****FIFTH GRADE GUEST BLOGGER****

CHRISTMAS
Bright, sparkly
Caroling, decorating, partying
Full of happiness
Joy

SANTA
Red, fat
Eating, flying, giving
Jolly old elf
St. Nicholas

PITA
Mean beautiful calico
Hissing, purring, meowing
Very pretty kitty
Baby

The last poem she wrote in secret and gave as a gift to me — even with a bow. What a schmoozer. I think I should give her a raise;)

KELLY
Pretty, smart
Smiling, laughing, whistling
Loves her family
Mom

After the day I’d had, I was thinking more along the lines of:

MOM
Grumpy, frazzled
Scowling, scurrying, screaming
Needs a nap
Medusa

I guess our kids forgive us our trespasses. Selective memory may prove useful:)

Former PTT posts. Complete Guidelines.

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