Julian's Coming of Age Party - June 8th

On Tuesday, June 8th, Julian turned 13. We had a "coming of age" celebration for him.

Let me give some context for Julian's "coming of age" celebration.

A number of years ago I attended a "coming of age" party for Joshua Jackson hosted by his dad, Blake (members of our church in Indianapolis). A few of Joshua's friends as well as some adult men in his life went swimming, waterskiing, and racing around Jet skis at a lake near Bloomington. After this, we barbequed, then sat around the fire. Each person took some time to read a letter they had prepared for Joshua on what it meant for him to be "coming of age", stepping into the cares, calling and responsibility of manhood (he was turning 14 years of age, I believe). I was especially moved by Blake's letter to his son. He spoke to him in words of earnest, fatherly love, and challenged him, among other things to be a godly man who "rejects passivity and accepts responsibility."

So...

As we planned our sabbatical trip to Scotland, Jenny and I realized that this was a perfect opportunity to celebrate Julian's "coming of age."

First, it was a great big adventure.

Second, Jenny's maiden name is Wallace; she can trace her lineage back to a brother of William Wallace, the guardian of Scotland. What would be more cool than to celebrate Julian's "coming of age" than in his homeland, his ancestral seat :).

COMING OF AGE CELEBRATION: Part One

The first activity was the boys and I, as well as Joshua van Eyk, spending the night at the "Bathy" (beach house). After everyone left (see the previous blog), we sat around the campfire on the beach and talked about what it means for Julian to be a godly man and follow Christ.

Around 11pm we went into the beach house, lit candles and lanterns, and played "Bop It" and had a fun time hanging out. Close to midnight we climbed the stairs and lay down on the floor of the loft in our sleeping bags.

That's when things started to happen...

I thought I heard noises that sounded like people outside but I said to myself "there is no one on this deserted beach...go to sleep."

But, again, I head the noises of footsteps, maybe muffled talking. I said to myself, "this can't be happening...what's going on? Who could be out there?"

All of a sudden there was a loud commotion. Yelling, shouting. People ran up the stairs and jumped on us in our sleeping bags...It turned out to be Peter Mackenzie (Rachel Round's brother) and his friend Anthony. They had met our departing families and JENNY had encouraged them to go have some fun with us.

After the shock we sat up, gathered ourselves, sang "Happy Birthday" to Julian, and asked ourselves, "well, what do we do now."

I suggested that we make Julian run naked around the Bathy. But he didn't feel quit up to that. However, it suggested a crazy line of thought to Peter, who suggested we jump into the Ocean. At this point I realized that my night was not going to be over for quite some time. Rachel had told me that her brothers like to do wild and crazy things and I wasn't going to let some Scottish lad outdo me for courage...craziness...

"Well, are you in or is it just talk?" Peter asked. I said I was in. My boys pretended like they were asleep.

So Peter, Anthony and I walked out to the rocks. Stripped out of our clothes. Waded into the frigid Atlantic and went under.

I we stumbled back to the Beach House I told them that skinny dipping in the Ocean in the middle of the night somewhere in Scotland was NOT something I had planned to do. We warmed ourselves by the fire and with a wee bit of Whiskey that Peter had brought. We spent the next hour talking about life, calling, urban ministry. Around 1:30 Peter and Anthony climbed back up the hill and I went to sleep.

We woke at 7:00am, started the fire, had tea, cleaned up and hiked up the hill. John met us and drove us back to their house to shower and eat breakfast.

COMING OF AGE CELEBRATION: Part Two

The Second Part of our celebration was visiting the William Wallace Memorial in Stirling.

From Train we took the train to Inverness, then on to Stirling. We rode the Bus to the William Wallace Memorial. This was an awe-inspiring tribute to Wallace who is seen as a national hero, a Guardian of Scotland. I climbed up through the three floors of the Monument with Julian; and we bought some things from the gift store.

I also gave Julian a letter that communicates my heart to him.

I'm very thankful for my son Julian, and look forward to seeing what God has in store for him in the years ahead.