Moving On Up

If you are as old as I am, you probably have the Jefferson's theme song playing in your head. We did not move to a high-rise apartment when we moved last month, instead the title references my impending change of units. At the end of this month I will be leaving 1-7 CAV and going to 1-227 Air Cavalry Brigade (ACB). Yes, I will no longer be in a ground unit. The next time I deploy, my main means of transport will be by air, that will be different. My new soldiers will be helicopter pilots, mechanics, fuelers, etc. (everything to do with helicopters) It is going to be a very different world from what I have known thus far in my Army career, but I am looking forward to it. When I was in basic and I knew I was going to the 1st Cavalry Division I asked for the ACB. So, I am getting my wish a little delayed. :-)

Before leaving 1-7 though, I have the opportunity to earn silver spurs. If you are interested in finding out more you can follow this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_the_Spur. It is going to be a grueling couple of days, but I will continually quote Scripture reminding myself that through Christ all things are possible and that I do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. These verses got me through other events and I do not expect things to be different this time. It is such a honor to participate in such a great tradition of the Cavalry with such a historic unit. I have loved my time with 1-7 "Garryowen" and I cannot think of a better way to end my time there than with a spur ride. I will have to make sure to have medication waiting for me when I get home from the event, LOL!!

On a little different note, Laura and Victoria are doing really well. School is going really well and Victoria is nailing her classes. We are so proud of her!! Victoria is also involved with the youth group on post and we are so thankful for that ministry and that she has the opportunity to be around other people that love the Lord like she does. Laura is staying busy with teaching and getting everything set in our new house. We love our new place and Laura is turning our house into a home. I am loving what she is doing with it. When we get finished we will have to take some pictures and post them on here for you all to see.

Well, I better get off of here because it is getting late and I need some sleep before my fun PT session in the morning.

Until next time...I pray that you are aware of God's presence with you.

Ceremony of Remembrance

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege to participate in a Ceremony of Remembrance. Our Brigade hosted this ceremony so that we could remember our past and look toward our future. We had a local reporter there and this is the article written. I hope you enjoy!! Thank a public servant today!!

http://www.kdhnews.com/news/story.aspx?s=44295

God's Goodness

God is AWESOME!! I am not telling you anything that you do not already know. Some of you may already know that our family will be moving from Harker Heights to Killeen next week. Since we are going to be staying at Hood and our current lease is about up, we started looking for a house that is less expensive. Laura tirelessly looked at properties all over the Hood area. She found a house that she loved. I thought it was okay but over time it grew on me. Some of the greatest attributes of the new house is that it is about 60 square feet more than our current house, it will take 20 minutes to cut the grass instead of an hour and a half, it is closer to post, and $155 less a month!!

Yesterday, we had a yard sale. We downsized when we moved to TX and it was time to go through our things again and get rid of things that we had not used since we moved here. We had so many things that we put out at the yard sale. We were amazed at how much stuff we sold yesterday. We praise the good Lord for sending the people to buy the things we had for sale. There were many people that got some great deals. We raised $500, thank you Lord!!! Less to move and money in the pocket is a great combination.

If you need our new mailing address send me or Laura an email or give us a call and we can give that to you. If you want to be one of the first to see our new house you are welcome to help us move. :-)

God continues to provide opportunities for ministry in my unit. I spend most of my time helping soldiers and their families as they go through difficult days. I praise God that I get to help in a time of need. Since I have been in my unit for almost two years, I have built many great relationships. It is through these relationships that ministry opportunities abound. Thank you for your prayers for my family, my soldiers and me.

Until next time...I pray you will be witness to God's Goodness also!!!

Hangin' Around the Hood

Well, we will be hanging around Fort Hood a little longer. We asked to stay at Hood so Victoria could finish up high school here in TX. She has really connected with other homeschool youth from the Fort Hood Youth Group, Bob's Diner.

Things are going well here. I have been very busy!! We have been home from our deployment six months. I am not sure where all the time has gone but we are beginning our training phase. I was in the field last night until about 0100. Over the next couple of weeks I will have many of my soldiers in the field. I will be bouncing around to see them all at the different training events. With long days and packed schedules the next six months will go as fast as the last six have gone.

Recently, we got to see our families!! It was great to see them all. We went and spent time with Laura's family in AL and then we spent time with my family in PCB at my folks house there. We soaked up some rays, some good food and a lot of great fellowship.

Well, I guess that is all for now. Just wanted to give you all an update since it has been a while since I have written. I pray that God blesses you richly with His love and presence.

Until next time...

Two Years

It is hard to believe that I have been in the Army for two years. Where has the time gone? Well, three months at CH-BOLC, one month at Fort Hood, one month at the National Training Center (NTC), three and a half months back at Fort Hood, eleven and a half months in Iraq, and five months back at Fort Hood. One of the things that I have learned is that Army life is different.

In the church world I kind of knew what to expect and what was right around the corner. In the Army that is not the case. You have to be so fluid in the Army and ready to change course in an instant. Something that was certain just a moment ago is not so certain now. It is good to remember that even when plans shift, God is in control.

As I think about the past two years, I am reminded of how different Memorial Day was for me this last month . Memorial Day normally is a day in which we "say" that we remember those who have given their lives for our freedoms. We normally top off our remembrance with some kind of cook out or some other form of hanging out with the family. This Memorial Day was different because I was remember two of my own soldiers who gave their lives for our country. On August 23, 2009 our unit lost LT Joseph Fortin and on January 5, 2010 our unit lost SGT David Croft. Now, I truly have someone to remember. On Memorial Day not only did I remember these brave soldiers, I remembered their families.

Being in the Army has given me a greater appreciation and grasp on honoring and remembering those who fight for our freedoms when their country calls upon them. I am honored and blessed to serve with men and women who put their lives on the line for their fellow Americans.

As I now reflect on two years of ministry to our service members, I would not change a thing. There are difficult days for different reasons, but those difficult days are worth enduring. I often miss church life and the people at Menokin, but I love that I have the opportunity to provide encouragement and help when a soldier needs it. What a great honor.

I would like to thank all of you who have prayed for me and my family as we have been on this great God Adventure. Please pray for our soldiers and their families!! They pay a price that ninety-nine percent of the American people will never understand.

God Bless America and the American Soldier!!