I can hardly believe that Cooper turned 12 over the weekend! 12 years ago, we were living in Stillwater, OK and in April of 1997 I was 10 days overdue with Cooper when my water broke while talking to my friend Tamyra on the phone! She was at my house in a hurry to stay with Kory who was taking a nap, and Robert and I headed to the hospital. After an emergency c-section, Cooper came into the world!
And turning 12 means that it is time for Cooper’s Quest….a series of challenges to complete before he turns 13. To kick off his special year, we invited some young men from our church over to encourage and exhort Cooper in specific areas as he enters manhood. They spoke to him on topics such as integrity, faith, love, industry, and creativity. They did a wonderful job and even included stories from their own growing up years. Cooper took notes on the things they said, and then they all prayed for him. I was so blessed to watch these godly young men, whom Cooper sees at least once a week at church, pour into him so earnestly and generously. We took a break halfway through the evening for some birthday cake and gifts. The big gift was a new and quite fancy electric guitar amplifier. He could not believe all the things it could do and was totally excited!Mind
Books to Read:
More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell
The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
Don’t Check Your Brain at the Door by Josh McDowell
The Pursuit of Holiness byJerry Bridges
I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Josh Harris
The Master Plan of Evangelism
2 Books on the creative process
Nav Press Bible Study Workbooks
Memory Work:
Apostle’s Creed
Lord’s Prayer
1 Scripture passage per month (correlating to NavPress Wkbks)
Body
Hike to Summit House, Holyoke, MA
Northampton Hot Chocolate Run 5K in December
Skills
Woodworking project:Bookshelf
Sewing Project: Pajama Pants
Teaching/Leading: Choose topic and lead one week of family devotions
Art/Music Show: Surrounding a chosen theme, Cooper will create music, stories, poetry, drawing/paintings, etc and will present them to invited guests in our home near his 13th birthday
Special Trip
Upon completion of all challenges, Cooper will take a special camping/hiking/biking trip with Robert to Acadia National Park in Maine next summer
Happy Birthday, Coop!
How inspirational and cool. I love the idea. I may steal that in a couple of years. I can’t belive how time flies. I remember when yall were expecting your first one.
What an amazing idea! My boys are still too young, but this is something for us to consider.
Betsy stole my words! This is something we are definitely going to do! Love the idea and the fruit it is producing!! Both in your kids and the young men asked to help and mentor!! Love it, love it, love it!!
Wow, I have never heard of a quest like this before! How awesome that the other young men were able to provide such guidance!
Cooper looks ready to accept the challenge. Happy birthday, Cooper! 🙂
Shirley
I remembered seeing this last year, and I was actually JUST talking about it with Jerod. I love love LOVE this idea and will definitely steal it for the future 🙂
Will you do something similar with Kayla as well?
Thanks, ladies! I feel so blessed to have a husband and many other godly men who will pour into my boys – and I already see the fruit in their lives. And yes, Erin…we will definitely do this for Kayla! 🙂 She already wants to start training for her 5K! 🙂