We had a great Christmas. It started with my parents visit the week before. The kids enjoyed spending several days with them and celebrating my dad's 55th birthday. Then we celebrated Christmas day with just the 5 of us. It was really nice to spend that day together after being so far apart last year. The day after Christmas, we went to Six Flags Great Escape Lodge in Lake George, NY. It's a great place that has a huge indoor water park and activities with looney toons characters. After a couple of days there, we came home and were joined by my wife's parents. The kid's were quite happy to participate in a third round of gifts. After a several days of fun with, they left as well and we enjoyed a quiet new years.
After New Years, my unit got back to business as usual. Everyone returned from block leave and we started to work normal Army schedules again. It was a busy week due to our Battalion Change of Command. Our Battalion Commander of almost three years stepped down and our new commander took command. This meant a week of "mandatory fun" stuff like Hail and Farewells and a big ceremony. it has also meant a big change in the staff as many officers and NCOs move on to new jobs and often new posts.
Last weekend we were looking for something to do over our 4 day (the Army adds a day to most 3 day weekends) holiday. We ended up spending one night down in Syracuse at an Embassy Suites and then going to the Science Center in the morning. We had a great time, although I think the kids would have been just as happy to stay at any hotel with a pool.
The past couple of weeks have been fairly typical of life back in Garrison. It might not be as busy as deployment, but it often feels busier because while deployed you don't really concern yourself with getting home at a decent hour. As always, the ministry is a joy and very rewarding. Rarely does a day go by where I don't feel like I made at least some impact on a Soldier's life. Sometimes, it just being a safe listening ear for a Soldier to vent. Other times, I have the privilege of sharing the gospel or helping someone make an important decision. I'm really thankful that I get to work in a job that brings me joy.
Next week, I get preach at the Chapel service we attend. I'm looking forward to it and having a great time preparing. That's pretty much all for now.
-Guardian Angel Out-
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Home for the Holidays
After nearly 2 months, I can say I really feel like I'm home. I mean to say that I feel like I'm out of the reunion/re-integration phase and back into the normal routine of being a husband, dad and chaplain in garrison.
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visiting my family in NJ. I got to go see my high school rivalry football game and the Braves won big! We had a nice dinner with family I haven't seen in over a year and a spend a day at the Jersey Shore. I also got to go to old my old church and preach that Sunday. One of those things I've come to cherish is the lasting relationships I have with so many people from Grace Fellowship. The Army may take us many places in the years to come, but I believe Grace Fellowship will be our church home for a long, long time.
I've been enjoying doing normal husband and dad stuff. I take my oldest daughter to the bus stop on most mornings. I come home for lunch and enjoy that time with my wife and two younger children if they're not at pre-school. I've even been taking my oldest to ballet most weeks. Even simple things like making dinner and doing dishes are enjoyable in a strange way. It's hard to explain, but being away for so long gave me a different appreciation for the "routine." I don't think it's a greater appreciation, just different.
Ministry has been enjoyable as well. A battalion chaplain's ministry doesn't change that much regardless of the location. I'm counseling, visiting and going to meetings just like always. Instead of getting in an MRAP, HMMV or Blackhawk to visit Soldiers though, now I just get in my car and drive across post. Dealing with family members changes the dynamic a bit, but I look at it as a positive. I haven't started preaching in chapel again yet, but I expect to next month.
We'll also find out our next assignment at the end of JAN or beginning of FEB. I've already been selected for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). That means I'll spend a year at one of four locations, training to be an army hospital chaplain and working on a DMIN (Doctor of Ministry) degree. After that, I'll spend three years working at some type of medical facility or unit. I'm really excited about this opportunity to bring the hope of Jesus to wounded and sick Soldiers and trust God will send us to the right location.
We're looking forward to Christmas. Since we've had children, we stay home for Christmas. Most years, we have company from one side or the other, but this year it will just be the five of us for Christmas Eve and Morning. While it will probably seem a bit quiet, it will also probably be nice after having Christmas via skype last year. We're then going to take the kids to one of those hotels with an indoor water park for two nights. That should be a lot fun for all of us. We're looking forward to seeing my parents and my wife's parents just before and after the holiday as well. It should all make for a very Merry Christmas.
Finally, this will be our last Christmas as a family of 5! That's because we'll be a family of six sometime around the end of July 2010! While we were a bit surprised by this new addition, it is indeed a very happy surprise!
Merry Christmas!
-Guardian Angel Out-
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving visiting my family in NJ. I got to go see my high school rivalry football game and the Braves won big! We had a nice dinner with family I haven't seen in over a year and a spend a day at the Jersey Shore. I also got to go to old my old church and preach that Sunday. One of those things I've come to cherish is the lasting relationships I have with so many people from Grace Fellowship. The Army may take us many places in the years to come, but I believe Grace Fellowship will be our church home for a long, long time.
I've been enjoying doing normal husband and dad stuff. I take my oldest daughter to the bus stop on most mornings. I come home for lunch and enjoy that time with my wife and two younger children if they're not at pre-school. I've even been taking my oldest to ballet most weeks. Even simple things like making dinner and doing dishes are enjoyable in a strange way. It's hard to explain, but being away for so long gave me a different appreciation for the "routine." I don't think it's a greater appreciation, just different.
Ministry has been enjoyable as well. A battalion chaplain's ministry doesn't change that much regardless of the location. I'm counseling, visiting and going to meetings just like always. Instead of getting in an MRAP, HMMV or Blackhawk to visit Soldiers though, now I just get in my car and drive across post. Dealing with family members changes the dynamic a bit, but I look at it as a positive. I haven't started preaching in chapel again yet, but I expect to next month.
We'll also find out our next assignment at the end of JAN or beginning of FEB. I've already been selected for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). That means I'll spend a year at one of four locations, training to be an army hospital chaplain and working on a DMIN (Doctor of Ministry) degree. After that, I'll spend three years working at some type of medical facility or unit. I'm really excited about this opportunity to bring the hope of Jesus to wounded and sick Soldiers and trust God will send us to the right location.
We're looking forward to Christmas. Since we've had children, we stay home for Christmas. Most years, we have company from one side or the other, but this year it will just be the five of us for Christmas Eve and Morning. While it will probably seem a bit quiet, it will also probably be nice after having Christmas via skype last year. We're then going to take the kids to one of those hotels with an indoor water park for two nights. That should be a lot fun for all of us. We're looking forward to seeing my parents and my wife's parents just before and after the holiday as well. It should all make for a very Merry Christmas.
Finally, this will be our last Christmas as a family of 5! That's because we'll be a family of six sometime around the end of July 2010! While we were a bit surprised by this new addition, it is indeed a very happy surprise!
Merry Christmas!
-Guardian Angel Out-
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Home
Tomorrow will ark 3 weeks since I returned home. It's impossible to express the feeling that accompany this time of my life with the written word. I'm also not sure I really want to share that much. I can say it has been full of joy and happiness. There are still hard moments like the slightly worried look on the faces of my children when I leave the house in uniform. All in all, though, the transition has been smooth and a very sweet time for us.
The timeline has gone as expected. After our unit finished the RIP/TOA (relief in place/transition of authority) with our replacements, we sat around for a couple of more days in Iraq. This was mostly a time of doing nothing and while relaxing, it was also very boring. We then flew down to Kuwait and spent about 48 hours there before going through the customs process and getting on the most beautiful 747 I've ever seen. After the long fight home, we arrived at Wheeler-Sack airfield on FT Drum. We had to wait around for another 3 hours before going to the gym for the welcome home ceremony. After the ceremony, we were released for about 72 hours. There are some great pictures of our family's reunion on my wife's blog. Since then we've had mostly 4 day weekends and half day schedules. I also led our Strong Bonds Reintegration retreat this past week at Lake Placid.
Thank you for your prayers during this difficult year. I'd also covet your prayers for the next couple of months as we continue the reintegration process. Bob Dole said, "Coming home from war is longer than any plane ride." This is true in many ways and it makes for an especially dangerous time for Soldiers.
-Guardian Angel Out-
The timeline has gone as expected. After our unit finished the RIP/TOA (relief in place/transition of authority) with our replacements, we sat around for a couple of more days in Iraq. This was mostly a time of doing nothing and while relaxing, it was also very boring. We then flew down to Kuwait and spent about 48 hours there before going through the customs process and getting on the most beautiful 747 I've ever seen. After the long fight home, we arrived at Wheeler-Sack airfield on FT Drum. We had to wait around for another 3 hours before going to the gym for the welcome home ceremony. After the ceremony, we were released for about 72 hours. There are some great pictures of our family's reunion on my wife's blog. Since then we've had mostly 4 day weekends and half day schedules. I also led our Strong Bonds Reintegration retreat this past week at Lake Placid.
Thank you for your prayers during this difficult year. I'd also covet your prayers for the next couple of months as we continue the reintegration process. Bob Dole said, "Coming home from war is longer than any plane ride." This is true in many ways and it makes for an especially dangerous time for Soldiers.
-Guardian Angel Out-
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Very Good Sunday
Yesterday was one of those days I don't want to forget, so I thought I'd blog about it. As most of you know, my time here in Iraq is almost finished. Yesterday was the last time I would preach at the chapel service where I have preached since our unit moved back in FEB. There was really never any question in my mind of what I would preach for a final message. I preached a salvation message using Romans 6:23 as my text. There are times when I'm preaching that I swear I can physically feel God's presence. I'm sure there are those out there that would tell me it's just adrenaline or something other totally natural thing. All I can say is I've done enough in my life to know what all those things feel like and this is something altogether different.
While I share the gospel and give invitations often in chapel services, there is rarely a response. I'm convinced this is because most of the chapel services are filled with believers (or at least those who think they are believers) on most occasions. Consequently, I've seen more Soldiers come to trust Jesus as their savior through my counseling ministry than anywhere else. Regardless of those results, I still believe there is something powerful about the proclamation of the gospel in a preaching setting.
Yesterday, after I gave the invitation and was waiting at the front of the chapel, something told me there was someone there who wanted to respond. At one of the pauses in the lyrics, I encouraged a response again. Then it happened. A Soldier made her way down the aisle, tears streaming down her face. We prayed right there at the front of the chapel while the rest of the Soldiers continued to sing "Mighty to Save." I've had the awesome privilege of hearing people pray for salvation on many occasions and I can tell you this was a very sweet and sincere prayer.
The best part about this is I know it had nothing to do with me. God did all the work and deserves all the honor, glory and praise. I am honored to be a witness of what He has done.
In the end, this is why I'm a chaplain. I believe Soldiers need to hear the message of salvation and I believe that God has called me to proclaim that message. Praise God for another United States Army Soldier who will spend forever with Him!
While I share the gospel and give invitations often in chapel services, there is rarely a response. I'm convinced this is because most of the chapel services are filled with believers (or at least those who think they are believers) on most occasions. Consequently, I've seen more Soldiers come to trust Jesus as their savior through my counseling ministry than anywhere else. Regardless of those results, I still believe there is something powerful about the proclamation of the gospel in a preaching setting.
Yesterday, after I gave the invitation and was waiting at the front of the chapel, something told me there was someone there who wanted to respond. At one of the pauses in the lyrics, I encouraged a response again. Then it happened. A Soldier made her way down the aisle, tears streaming down her face. We prayed right there at the front of the chapel while the rest of the Soldiers continued to sing "Mighty to Save." I've had the awesome privilege of hearing people pray for salvation on many occasions and I can tell you this was a very sweet and sincere prayer.
The best part about this is I know it had nothing to do with me. God did all the work and deserves all the honor, glory and praise. I am honored to be a witness of what He has done.
In the end, this is why I'm a chaplain. I believe Soldiers need to hear the message of salvation and I believe that God has called me to proclaim that message. Praise God for another United States Army Soldier who will spend forever with Him!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Some Thoughts
As my time here inches ever closer to the end, I've found myself thoughtful of some of the ways I've changed. I think a lot of it is about the way I now view certain words or ideas. I went to a memorial ceremony today for a Soldier I never knew. I don't even know anyone in his unit. None of that matters though. Before I came here, a Soldiers death was sad. Now it's like losing a family member. I think my idea of family has been altered. Before, I broke my family down into a couple of categories. My immediate family was one. My extended family was another. My close friends were a third. And the family of believers was my final category. Coming here is like being born into another family, a family of Soldiers. It's something I'll never take for granted.
A word I will never use the same way again is hero. Athletes are not heroic. Actors are not heroic. Musicians are not heroic. Heroism, to me, is reserved for those who put their lives on the line for the benefit of others. I'm not saying you have to be a Soldier to be heroic. All I'm saying is that playing a game or, preforming on the stage or singing a song doesn't make you a hero. Giving a bunch of money to a cause or motivating people to do goo doesn't make you a hero. My heroes will probably never attain any fame, but in my opinion, they are the ones who allow others to attain that fame.
I think my idea of commitment has changed too. People think they're committed to all kinds of things like their marriage, their morals, their ethics, their values and their faith. Commitment has nothing to do with an initial decision. People make decisions to 'commit' themselves to stuff all the time. That doesn't mean a thing. Commitment is about seeing those things through in the absolute toughest of circumstances. I think I'm going to have a hard time hearing someone tell me they committed to something without saying, "prove it" in the future.
I could go on and on, but I'll end with one last word: Love. I thought I knew what it meant to love before this year. I found out that being separated from those you love for a long period of time teaches you more about what it means than can ever be learned by many years together. I'm not saying that everyone should experience this. All I'm saying is that my perspective has been broadened considerably by experiencing the pain that can only come from not being with the ones you love.
So, you may be wondering where is all the spiritual insight in this. I don't think I've learned any great theological truth this year. Instead, I really believe God has worked on me as a pastor. Family, heroes, commitment and love all have a huge impact on the daily lives of people. Whether your a believer or not, all these things affect you. I believe God has used this year to teach me about these things so I can better serve him by reaching people.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say as I continue to reflect on this year, but for now...
-Guardian Angel Out-
A word I will never use the same way again is hero. Athletes are not heroic. Actors are not heroic. Musicians are not heroic. Heroism, to me, is reserved for those who put their lives on the line for the benefit of others. I'm not saying you have to be a Soldier to be heroic. All I'm saying is that playing a game or, preforming on the stage or singing a song doesn't make you a hero. Giving a bunch of money to a cause or motivating people to do goo doesn't make you a hero. My heroes will probably never attain any fame, but in my opinion, they are the ones who allow others to attain that fame.
I think my idea of commitment has changed too. People think they're committed to all kinds of things like their marriage, their morals, their ethics, their values and their faith. Commitment has nothing to do with an initial decision. People make decisions to 'commit' themselves to stuff all the time. That doesn't mean a thing. Commitment is about seeing those things through in the absolute toughest of circumstances. I think I'm going to have a hard time hearing someone tell me they committed to something without saying, "prove it" in the future.
I could go on and on, but I'll end with one last word: Love. I thought I knew what it meant to love before this year. I found out that being separated from those you love for a long period of time teaches you more about what it means than can ever be learned by many years together. I'm not saying that everyone should experience this. All I'm saying is that my perspective has been broadened considerably by experiencing the pain that can only come from not being with the ones you love.
So, you may be wondering where is all the spiritual insight in this. I don't think I've learned any great theological truth this year. Instead, I really believe God has worked on me as a pastor. Family, heroes, commitment and love all have a huge impact on the daily lives of people. Whether your a believer or not, all these things affect you. I believe God has used this year to teach me about these things so I can better serve him by reaching people.
I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say as I continue to reflect on this year, but for now...
-Guardian Angel Out-
Friday, October 2, 2009
VERY, VERY GOOD NEWS
I haven't written much of anything in here lately, because there hasn't been much to write about. Ministry has continued to go well as we get ready to leave. In some ways it's sad to see the end, but in many, many more ways it's wonderful. I turned 31 last week which was wierd here, because it was just like any other Friday. Lot's of people remembered though, so that was nice. Anyway, I get on with the good news.
In the span of less than 24 hours two really good things happened. Yesterday, I found out that I have been selected for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This is traning to to be a hospital chaplain. I've wanted this since I found out about the program which was very shortly after I felt called to the chaplaincy. What it means is that in the summer of 2010, I'll start a year of classes and residency at one of the Army's 4 big medical centers. When that's complete, I'll do a follow on assignment of 3 years as a Chaplain in a medical center, hospital, combat support hospital or combat stress clinic. This was very exciting news, because I realy believe there are no Soldiers in the army who need chaplains more than the wounded, sick and those who care for them.
The other piece of good news is that my replacement arrived early this morning. He seems like a really great chaplain and we come from very similiar faith groups, so that makes the transition even easier. This means it won't be long at all till I get to come home and be with my family again.
All of this makes for a very, very happy chaplain.
-Guardian Angel Out-
In the span of less than 24 hours two really good things happened. Yesterday, I found out that I have been selected for Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This is traning to to be a hospital chaplain. I've wanted this since I found out about the program which was very shortly after I felt called to the chaplaincy. What it means is that in the summer of 2010, I'll start a year of classes and residency at one of the Army's 4 big medical centers. When that's complete, I'll do a follow on assignment of 3 years as a Chaplain in a medical center, hospital, combat support hospital or combat stress clinic. This was very exciting news, because I realy believe there are no Soldiers in the army who need chaplains more than the wounded, sick and those who care for them.
The other piece of good news is that my replacement arrived early this morning. He seems like a really great chaplain and we come from very similiar faith groups, so that makes the transition even easier. This means it won't be long at all till I get to come home and be with my family again.
All of this makes for a very, very happy chaplain.
-Guardian Angel Out-
Friday, September 11, 2009
Never forget
I know not everyone is like me, but 9-11 still feels fresh to me. I think about it a lot, not just on the anniversaries. I didn't personally know anyone who died that day, although a significant number were residents of my home town. I wasn't physically close either, since I was still down in SC for school. The only thing I can come up with is that I've always felt like NY was my city. Even though I grew up about an hour away, I root for NY sports teams, I watched NY local news growing up and a lot of my classmates were transplants from NY. I still hate the sight of the skyline without the towers. The first time I remember seeing them was from my grandfather's boat. I still can't believe they're gone. Today, I read a quote from President Bush in the Combat Update Brief and I led the BN in a short ceremony at the time of the first attack. It doesn't seem like enough though. I don't think we can really do "enough" to honor those who died that day. There is always more to be done. I pray we have the resolve to keep doing it.
-Guardian Angel Out-
-Guardian Angel Out-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
