That Which Does Not Kill Us...
postpones the inevitable.

I'm home. I'm back from spending the last few weeks in the wilds of Central California. Literally.

It's hard to describe the last month. I got to work with some incredible people. I got to take care of my soldiers which was incredibly cool, though at some points my heart just broke for them. But I also had to deal with a few things that weren't all that enjoyable, including a boss that was more concerned with his own image than any of us.

Overall, it was a pretty good experience and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. But the worst part is being apart from my wife. I miss her and am glad to be home.

I'm going to be looking for work and feeling out a couple other things, but we'll see. If nothing else, I'm probably going to look at active duty for a couple years. We'll see.

Travels and Stuff
It's been a busy couple weeks and going to get busier. We spent last weekend in San Diego for my sister's graduation. It was a grand time and much fun was had by all. And my sister graduated from college. Yeah!!! Seriously, she is a very intelligent and wonderful young lady and we're very proud of her.

I'm leaving this weekend for a month of training with the military. It should be good, although I am going to miss my wife.

Finally, the biggest news of all is that my wonderful, darling wife is now employed. She is going to be working this next year as a librarian for a school district here in the valley. Now if I could only figure out where I'm supposed to be at, it would all be good...

Training
I was in Dallas for Army training this week. It was good. The chaplain corps was giving us our annual briefings on the state of the chaplain corps and how things are going for us. Also, we were given some training on making sure that we're taking care of ourselves. It was a good reminder and the chance to network with my peers and superiors was nice as well. I just wish more attention would be given on how to do some of the stuff in less than forty days a year...

I'm hoping to be in San Diego later this month, then I leave for annual training. Hopefully I'll have some news on where we are going to be and what we are going to be doing in the next month or two.

Riding the Whirlwind
Life just keeps going. Not much has changed for my wife and I, although things have for others. We are starting to explore options for where we go next and what we do next in our lives.

It looks very clear that God did not want us in Central CA, so I've pretty much given up on that happening. If it does, then He will have to move. Now we are looking at either staying here in AZ or moving back to SoCal. It is going to depend on what jobs and other things are available for us.

Other than that, we are just riding along with life. We were in Camarillo with my family for Easter and had a good time. We're keeping busy, but still waiting for God to move.

Oh, yeah. Some context for the last post which I meant to post the day after. I posted it on the day that the Chief of Chaplains had asked all the Chaplains in the army to fast and pray for our soldiers. So I felt it was an appropriate addition.

Prayer
by Petra

First I want to thank you Lord
For being who you are
For coming to the rescue
Of a man who's drifted far
For calling me to be your son
And calling me to serve
Lord, the way you've touched my life
Is more than I deserve

Keep the ones I love so dearly
Fill their emptiness while I am gone
And fill the loneliness in me

This is my prayer
Lifted to you
Knowing you care
Even more than I do
This is my prayer
Lifted in your name
Your will be done
I humbly pray

Let me be the evidence
Of what your grace can do
To a generation struggling
To find themselves in you
May they come to know the love of God
May their eyes be made to see
Give me the opportunity
To share the truth that sets them free
And may unity in all things
Be the banner of your church
And let revivals fire begin to burn

This is my prayer
Lifted to you
Knowing you care
Even more than I do
This is my prayer
Lifted in your name
Your will be done
I humbly pray

As we face the last and final hours
Turn a wayward country back to you
And keep us from the evil that devours
Keep us on the path and lead us through
Keep us in your light until your kingdom comes
And our work is done

This is my prayer
Lifted to you
Knowing you care
So much more than I do
This is my prayer
In Jesus name
Your will be done
I humbly pray

This is my prayer
This is my prayer

Much (and Not Much) Going On
Life continues to move on, one day at a time. I'm still doing stuff with the army on occasion, but that's about it. Jennifer and I had a great time in LA for a marriage conference a couple weekends ago. It was well worth going, a lot of fun, and gave us stuff to think about as well.

Our relationship is going very well, but as with all couples, we have things that we could do better. It was a good reminder of that and we had fun at Disneyland and with good friends.

The other major thing that has happened is that Jennifer and I ran a 5k yesterday. It was yesterday morning and was to raise money for the Baby Safe Haven program. There were only about a hundred people there to run and walk, so it was a small race and it wasn't a difficult course, pretty much all street, sidewalk, or parking lot, but it was fun. Both Jennifer and I beat our time goals as well, which was good.

Other than that, not much going on. We're looking for work and trying to figure out what to do with our lives, and keeping busy.

California Dreaming
...and visiting. We were in CA this last weekend to see friends and family. My mom's birthday is this week (today actually, Happy Birthday, Mom!) and my wife and I decided to come out to see people. She has a friend that she's been really missing, I've been missing my friends, so we joined my in-laws and drove out to LA.

It was a great trip. We saw our friends and stayed with them. I joined Lemming, Nog, and Hersch for lunch on saturday and got caught up with them, then played a game with Lemming that afternoon. Sunday was spent with my family and we drove home Monday.

It was a whirlwind trip and we didn't get to see a lot of people. Sorry about that. We'll be back out this next weekend, but won't really be able to see many people again. We'll be there on... business, I think. :}

Nothing has really happened in life. I'm clarifying where I am and where I'm supposed to be, I think, but nothing specific has happened. We are still waiting, but the job I was thinking was coming in Central California doesn't look like it's going to pan out. We'll see what happens.