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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

New Day

Yesterday was incredibly long, starting with 5 a.m. PT, ending with 4 hours of drill/marching training in the sun. I came back to my room and went right to sleep, maybe before 8 p.m.  Today was not quite so long with not quite so much drill.  And fun team-building exercises in the middle (get the team across this expanse, using only these boards and this piece of rope, etc.).  I'm the platoon song-leader, which is fun, and a road guard for when we cross a road in formation.  That means I need to run ahead, stop traffic, then catch up when the class gets past.  It gets really fun with several roads in quick succession.  The class is bonding and having fun together, despite the physical and emotional challenges.  Part of the strain is to allow us to identify with the soldiers we will soon be supporting.  They go through the gas chamber, so guess what--we're doing that tomorrow.  Thanks for your prayers, and for my family back home!

Monday, September 23, 2013

Health

I'm so thankful for full health and energy starting today!  After a week of mostly briefings, diversity, ear protection, sexual harassment training, we are now fully in the groove. Early morning physical training, now breakfast, then on to IED recognition (improvised explosives).  The class is coming together despite evidence to the contrary in the form of yelling and pushups.   Pray that we would all remember that we are chaplains and ministers still and now, even while in army training. Pray for Lucibeth who is having to do much more around the house without me.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

First Week

The first week has been extremely challenging but good.  It was made tougher by a head cold which mercifully seems to be going away without infection.  And by the news that I can't see the family at all the first month. Pray for Lucibeth and the kids to lean on God and each other in my absence! The days have been jam packed with shots, dental, seminars, picking up gear, haircuts, more seminars, marching, 10 minute meals, 3 minute showers and so on.  But at a few times we have had sweet fellowship with each other, many of the chaplains being believers. Please pray also for my endurance, and that I would not fear man.  Off to Sat a.m. Physical Training and Drill!

Saturday, September 14, 2013

My prayer the last few months has been:

- May I have the privilege of early morning jogs with other soldiers
- May I have the opportunity to sleep in tents with other soldiers
- May I have the joy of sharing the gospel with a soldier going into battle.

I've learned that I will likely be the chaplain for an MP brigade attached to the 82nd Airborne.  Probably not much camping. And not that I want to go to battle, but probably also no foxhole conversions in this assignment.  At least not literally. 

We are very prone to romanticize certain settings, environments, and opportunities, and so often real life does not match up to our ideals.  But if Paul can consider it joy to share Christ in a prison, how much more ought we be thankful to live our our lives for Christ in whatever situation he ordains?  Whate're my God ordains is right his holy will abideth! Our great God and Father sits in heaven and does whatever he pleases. 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Getting Ready

I am settling the family in Charlotte, NC, as I prepare to embark on Army Chaplain training this Sunday in Columbia, SC for 13 weeks.  We had a pleasant, slow drive north, via Deleon Springs, which I last visited as an eight year old.  The move has been harder than I imagined with older children, one now a teenager as of my first day of training.

We have cobbled together a temporary apartment and made it a home.  We are connecting with some old friends.  We are attending what was our home church while in seminary which we dearly love.  The kids are enrolled in a home school co-op and Lucibeth already is reconnecting with old friends.  Still, separation will be tough. She is still sore from surgery, and the kids are struggling behaviorally in large part due to the upheaval in their lives.  They don't have all their things, and toys, and often seem discontent. We are trying to be more intentional about lovingly confronting them with their idols and the gospel, rather than trying to quickly fix their discontent to make parenting easier. 

With all the challenges I still very much look forward to getting started. It is time after a blessed break to dive back into study, ministry, and now physical activity as well.  A friend has trained me well and I am in good shape, with a slightly inflamed knee tendon.

Many thanks for your prayers, especially for my family while we are separated.