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| it's been a while... yes, sad to say it has been a year since my last entry. excuses...none that really make up for my complete lack of wanting to write. well, i take the back. perhaps it's my 4 months at ranger school that make up for it. so how do i make up over a year...explain it in a way that won't lose your interest and still manage to be consice and detailed...hmm... .....got married!!! .....moved to fort bragg, north carolina .....play guitar more....well, not as much as I'd hoped .....became a platoon leader .....and that's about it (jlyn if you can think of anything and I'll gladly add it to the page) yes, married!! kind of hard to believe that it came, but "the day"..."my day" came and went on july 21st, 2007. and now i have a beautiful bride, jlyn, who will be one of the best doctors fayetteville, nc has ever seen. now that i think about it, this blog has contributed a lot to my relationship with jlyn. it's through here, this very site, that she and i would talk about each other and then read about each other in kind of an elementary "pass this note to jlyn and have her write me one back and tell me her reaction when she reads it" sort of way. you know? maybe not, but at least i tried to tell you how it felt. as for my relationship with the lord, i find more and more that doing and abiding by his will is an unending challenge. who else do you know that is so passionate about your very existence that he forgives the very sins that separate you from his presence. not anybody i can see if that answers your question. so i embark on this quest to fulfill my purpse and his will, simultaneously improving my life here in north carolina and strengthening the relationship i have with him. better buckle your seat belts, because this is bound to be a crazy and bumpy ride....
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| quiet...
Here i am, sitting at my computer and wondering what to do with myself. Of course I know the right thing to do right now, which is study for an exam I have on monday (which I am semi prepared for). However, procrastonation has set in and I just don't want to do anything. After a 10 mile ruck march with 65 lbs strapped to my back this morning, I was kinda tired and my mind was on rest rather than "data fundamentals and the Department of Defense standard Datum (which is WGS 84 if you ever wanted to know).
This temporary assignment @ Ft Leonard Wood is a little over half way over. I don't see the end in sight, however, I know I can make it through no problem. The real issue on my mind is if I have what it takes to get a Ranger Slot and GRADUATE!! I am constantly reminded that it will be a mental and physical all out, no joke, war...if I go! I pray now that God's will is fulfilled for me as I continue on my journey here.
Jlyn was here to visit several weeks ago (yeah...i know...weeks...I'm a terrible person for not writing...) A COMPLETELY UPLIFTING experience to have her here and visit the middle of nowhere. It was surreal having her here and spending time with her person to person rather than on the phone. She totally brightened my day, week, month...WHOLE TIME HERE!!! it was a blessing to see her and I pray God will open more doors for J and I to spend time together.
Like I said, I'm half way done here and I never expected the war on my soul to be so brutal and painstaking. It is has been a little difficult trying to connect with other christians here, however, God hasn't thrown too many in my lap lately. This is a time, I believe, that he wants to see what I've got...if I have what it takes...if my faith can prevail. A bible study starts up soon, which I hope to get involved in and am looking forward to meeting other christian officers.
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| one month...many changes...
It has been one month. Yeah, ONE MONTH since my last entry. I have really been slacking in the blogging department. It is most likely due to the fact that my life the last 4 weeks have been incredible and full of change and challenges. Lets start off with the first week.
Week 1
I graduated from college several days before this week and Jlyn went to Hawaii for some R & R. I was glad she went, but I missed her all the same. With J absence, I was able to get totally packed up for Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for my Officer Basic Course. Many days were filled with packing, storing, sorting, and coordinating my efforts to make sure my move went smoothly.
Week 2
Jlyn returned (WOO HOO) and I was able to go to Richland and visit her for 8 days. 8 DAYS!!! It was incredible getting to spend more time with her family, and most of all, her! J, I know you are reading this and it was such a blessing to visit you! I will remember that trip forever!!
Week 3
I had to leave Spokane, WA on June 13th to drive to Missouri. I had never experienced fully leaving my parents and expecting to live life on my own. I always pictured that if I left home, I would always return...my bed made...mom expecting me home for dinner. But not any more. Leaving home was one the the most surreal, gut-wrenching, and courageous moments of my life. I tried hard to not get choked up, but when I gave my dad one last hug and heard "you have what it takes" that was the water the spilled over the dam. I cried and cried, trying to hold back with everything I had, but it was no use. As I got in my car to leave I opened my window. My dad reached out his hand to shake mine...looked me in the eye and said "Good Luck Lieutenant!" That was it! I was now on my own. Many times I had thought how the moment of my departure would be like. Even as a child I thought of the day I had to leave my parents and dreaded it the more I thought about it!
I drove out of Spokane on a stormy day and into Idaho, through Montana (in which I got to see my lil sis, Eileen Babon!!! Exciting) and to Buffalo, WY. 10 Hours down, 22 to go. The next day took Dan Robledo (a fellow LT in my GU class and EOBC class) and I to Buena Vista, CO where I spend some time relaxing at a Christian Resort I used to work at for many summers. It was great to see familiar faces and the beauty of God's creation again. Colorado will always hold a place in my heart! After a day of rest, the journey continued to Topeka, KS. THERE IS NOTHING IN KANSAS!!!!! The whole state was one gigantic storm and I thought the rain was going to smash through my windshield as it pounded its way onto my car. Don't get me wrong, I love rain!!! ;), but it was POURING!!! and kind of annoying. Finally, the day came to my arrival at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Week 4
I didn't know what to expect to be perfectly honest. I am an officer now and am expect to uphold the standard. The thought "can I really do this?" entered my mind frequently, however, I think back to the words my dad told me in the driveway as I was about to leave. I am getting to know other LTs as well as the Cadre and let me tell you, non commissioned officers have my complete respect! They are incredible people with so much experience and knowledge just waiting to show me what to do. After hours of inprocessing, 8 shots, and before 4 AM wake ups, I got to sign up to compete for a slot to Ranger and Sapper School. I have a PT test on Tuesday morning which determines if I can join the program to compete, so keep me in your prayers and that God's will will be done in my life, not my own.
I went to church this morning and am discovering a new relationship with the Lord. A relationship I have to fight for even harder, now that I am on my own. Not only to a I have to be a leader of soldiers, but a leader for Christ. I want and NEED to grow closer to Him. Pray that I can be a witness to my fellow LTs and enjoy my Army experience...
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| battle...
everyday seems to be a struggle in becoming a stronger christian. ground is gained and taken. victories are won and sometimes lost. you know...like telling a small lie...don't worry...doesn't hurt. or breaking a rule here and there...no problem. each of these battles rages on within all of us, whether we choose to admit it or not...i mean come on...who hasn't debated about lying about something...if you say you haven't well then...you're lying. yesterday i found myself emersed in a deeper battle. an enormous spiritual battle that is being waged across our country.
as a firm believer in the death and resurrection of JESUS CHRIST and that he his GOD'S son, i found the da vinci code to be quite troublesome. what do i mean...it's just a movie right...painfully wrong. i know dan brown claims this movie as fiction and ebert and roper classified it as fantasy on their show, however i cannot get over the accussations that dan wrote about in his book. the mixed reviews and curious question of "what is the da vince code" begin to linger deeper and deeper into my brain. so inevitably...i saw the movie last night.
i was astonished that the concept of mary magdaline and JESUS were not only married, but gave birth to a daughter, sarah, was extremely hard to think about. the movie mentions JESUS' love for mary, constantine's wreckless rule over the roman empire, and the travesties and mockery of unrecognized gospels such as judas and mary magdaline were appauling to me. imagine if a questioning christian watched that movie...worse yet...imagine what a non-believer ponders with the concept of jesus as a husband...an earthly father...she/he might think the accussations are true. "what if" is a dangerous question.
pray for the those who watch this movie and that the lord protects his people and fights this tool the enemy is using against christians.
on a lighter note...my day is going well today. worked out super hard today and met with a trainer at 24-hour fitness to try to get into better shape & prepare me for obc.
pray for my brother as he is in afghanistand and that the lord would turn down the tempurature at least down to 90!!!
post script.
miss you so much j. can't wait to see you in a few days.
thanks tayte for the awesome suprise today. i look forward to seeing you and the rest of your family as well.
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| 22 Days Late!!!
Nuf Said! Haven't written in a few...weeks! Bummer! TONS has happened since I wrote last. First of...I GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE! <SIGH> and I became and Officer <double sigh> It is crazy and quite amazing to see the changes that the Lord is making in my life...the new lessons being learned...new battles to fight...new people to adjust to...new circumstances and challenges. But you know what...it's all worth it!
J is in Hawaii (undoubtley reading this) and I am looking forward to her return! I hope she knows she has several suprises waiting here for her when she gets back. Can't quite spill the beans on what they are, so she just has to wait ;) I miss you TONS!!!!!!!....(imagine about a thousand more of "!" after that, k) But...patience is a virtue and all good things are worth waiting for...especially someone I think is pretty darn tootin' amazing!!
Talked with my brother 2 days ago! I miss that guy too. He's doing ok it seems. Got heat exhaustion in afghanistan, but holding in there after 3 IVs. Keep him definitley in your prayers and that God keeps using him as His instrument over seas!
Just got back from Cirque Du Soleil!!!! AMAZING!!! I never knew the human body could be contorted, twisted, stretched, and flung in so many different ways. I definitley don't have the gift of flexibility...so I'm glad the people in the cast do! It was Varekai! My first Cirque! Haden was freaking out and totally will sell everything now in order to make it into the next cast auditions...what can I say...the man is driven!
All in all...I'm a little tired and need some quality sleep! I'll write soon....THAT'S A PROMISE!!!!
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