Ebenezer

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, "Till now the Lord has helped us."

Today marks the last day of our first phase of Army training.  It has been incredibly challenging. There have been times early on that I asked myself, "What have I gotten myself into?"  Now I see the purposes, now I see progress, unity, strengthening, learning.

How often do we get through a tough trial, and rather than praise God, rather than give him thanks, rather than point to him as the source of strength, we immediately go on and start worrying about whatever is next?  Thank you God for your strength to get through this, and many other trials in life, thank you for carrying me, thank you for working in me, often through my trials, to give me the spiritual workout I need to precisely prepare me for your presence one day very soon. 

Another Week

We just finished our third and most physically challenging week.  It included night time land navigation and low-crawling under live and simulated fire. We have had short nights, hours of drill, and death by power-point at the most sleepy part of the day.  Still, it is rewarding, and encouraging when I have a chance to come up for air, like this afternoon.  The class enjoys sweet devotional and prayer time together, albeit brief. 

I preached in class a 12 minute sermon as I would preach in chapel and received positive feedback.  But the experience of the chaplains with prior service tell us that our main activity will be counseling.  As we get to know soldiers and build trust, they will come to us with a myriad of issues.  The numbers and scope I imagine is overwhelming, but I'm looking forward with finishing and diving in nonetheless.

This coming Friday marks the end of the initial phase, which is the most difficult.  Thanks for prayers for endurance, patience, health, and especially for family back 'home' in Charlotte.

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!

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.

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!

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. 

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.