Settling In

Last week we got out to the shooting range to hang out with Soldiers before and after they practiced on 240 and 249 machine guns.  One told me he had attended a marriage retreat the previous year, and their marriage was better for a while, but they are now stuck in a rut again.  He said he was thinking of coming to see me.  That scenario is a big part of my hopes for Chaplaincy, and it was exciting to hear him voice that. 

I have met with a number of Soldiers already, I thought it would take longer, and I shouldn't flatter myself that I'm so approachable, etc.  Truth is, there are many with huge problems, and sometimes I have to nod understandably while being really surprised inside. 

I need to learn and practice how to ask permission for sharing, and verbalizing my faith in that setting. And I need to learn the public settings, and how to go about being more of an explicitly Christian Chaplain.  God, grant those opportunities, and grant me courage to take them.  Grant sensitivity to your Holy Spirit to feel your opening up opportunities.  Bless my Chaplain Assistant, and help me to lead and direct her.  Help us with the last 10% of moving in which is always so hard to finish, and may be fully utilize our beautiful home for hospitality, love and the furtherance of your kingdom.

Broken World

I am reminded that we live in a broken world.  Exercising yesterday afternoon, I left my (new) phone on a treadmill and it was gone last night.  Signs in locker rooms should have already let me know, but somehow it is surprising when it happens to you, with a sinking, sick feeling inside.  It could be worse, thank God it was not my wallet, but still...

After 10 days gracious leave to unpack (most) boxes and hang (a few) pictures, I'm back to work tomorrow.  I'm reminded that I was made to work in the image of a working God.  I loved extra time off with my family, but I'm so ready to dive in, roll up my sleeves, and start ministering to soldiers.  Thank you, God, for a fresh start, a new vocation that seems to fit my gifts so well--may it be so.  God, strengthen Lucibeth for the task of homemaking in a not-quite-set up home, and to focus on hearts, faith, and character more than adding, writing and neatness.  Draw our fast-growing kids to yourself, may they influence others around them more than they are influenced themselves.  Help us to boldly shepherd them through a world with such darkness that we couldn't pretend to protect them from.   And may we speak and be salt and light to neighbors and Soldiers around us always.

Salt of the Earth

"You are the salt of the earth," Mt 5:13.  We are in our home, which we love, unpacking boxes, trying to organize the chaos, enjoying 10 days' leave to settle in.  Some had said to us, "Don't live on base, people are right on top of you, and you have no space."  But we love it.  This afternoon probably a dozen couples were out in front of their homes chatting, kids biking up and down the street, or riding scooters, or shooting bows from arrows.   This is one of the things I love most--a lively street.  After all, salt can't be far from what it is supposed to flavor, enhance and preserve.  It is distinct from, but becomes almost a part of the food itself, it is so close.  It is like living in community, diving in, getting dirty in the messiness of life, laughing, playing, talking, eating together. And it will be supporting, crying with, praying for two women across the street whose husbands are deploying in a couple weeks.  This is why we are here, and I love it.  God, help us in our home church decision, help the kids get acclimated and settled in.  Help them to make good friends--some to reach out to, some to be encouraged by.  Please help Lucibeth to have more good days than bad, and keep us close together, and close to you always, Amen.

Ready to Ramp Up

Thus far I have only had a chance to interact with Soldiers on superficial levels, which has still been enjoyable:  Asking them about vehicle maintenance, sighting guns, walking around meeting them, playing volleyball... But I have heard a story from another Chaplain about a couple that wanted to restore their marriage, and his sharing with them the foundation for marriage in Scripture, the effect of the fall on marriage, and how a right relationship with God through Christ is the ultimate solution to moving toward healthy relationships.  I look forward to getting to know Soldiers well enough for them to trust me and come to me for such help.  This week starts my first real week of work, with normal schedule, everyone back from leave, regular weekly staff meetings, and regular training schedules for the troops, where I will get out even more, find out where the Soldiers are, and go to be with them in their work.  Sometimes I can feel like a third wheel, but I'm reminded from training that my very presence can be an encuragement to Soldiers who are discouraged, tired, or cold.

We move into our home this week, bringing our large shipment of household goods up from Florida thanks to professional movers, and a small shipment out of local storage, thanks to new friends yet to be asked.  We are encouaged, settling in, getting to know the base and our way around, finding the skate park, hosting my mother for a couple days' visit, and enjoying visiting local churches.  God is good for giving us such a long break emotionally and relationally and vocationally during this transition.  I know that things at work will pick up significantly this week and beyond, and I feel well rested and ready for the challenge.