Memorial Day- Small Town Style

Our small community remembered the sacrifices of our service men that have given their lives for our freedoms.  My husband, who leaves in a few days for basic (Chaplain Basic, US Army) was asked to give the Invocation and Benediction for the memorial.  Moving.

Loving Too Much?

Ever wondered if you love TOO much? We hear that if we hold an infant too much we will spoil them, but I'm not sure I agree with that concept. If they need love, we should give it to them.

Is is possible to love your wife or children too much? I will be leaving Thursday morning for Chaplain Basic (CH-BOLC) so I won't see my wife and kids for 3 months. Oh, comparatively speaking 3 months is short compared to a year or even several years while deployed, but still...I am going to miss them; especially my beloved wife.

I know she believes meeting me saved her life, from whatever sort of life she lived before we met, but I beg to differ. She saved MY life. The reality is, if it weren't for this special woman, my soul would continue to be lost through unbelief in a Savior. She led me to the greatest gift I could have ever received...salvation in Jesus alone! She gave me...LOVE; true, deep and limitless love.


So, again can you love too much? We can have misdirected love as for example when we love the gift more than the giver of the gift. We can have improper love as when we love something God tells us not to love. But we can't love TOO much! After all God is love and His limitless love is demonstrated by His Son dying for us, His friends (John 15:13-14). If anything, God loves us too much because we are so undeserving of His love, but that's exactly why we CAN'T love too much. We don't have that capability.


I love my wife and kids and will miss them, but I know that love endures and actually strengthens through trials and tribulations. Thank you Shawn for loving me and walking beside me these 19 years. Let's see what Love has in store for us in the future!

I Am An American Soldier!

Work begins!

I have begun reading 'Army Officer's Guide' by LTC Keith E. Bonn.
Admittedly I purchased this book a week before I got 'the call', believing it was God's call and having faith He would continue to open the doors to the Army Chaplaincy. And He did. It's an interesting book and since I am SO excited about Army tradition and values, I enjoy the read.

But there is more work to be done. In addition to the numerous emails from CH-BOLC staff and requests for information from them, I was notified we must memorize the Soldier's Creed.



I AM (becoming) An American Soldier. Hooah!

Reality of farewell

Sunday our churches celebrated my husband's Call to them by hosting a farewell dinner.  The beautiful  flowers, tons of food and tears streaming down faces was a sight to behold!  We thank Our Redeemer Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church for the years of hospitality in the U.P of Michigan!  Later that day we hosted a farewell cook-out/graduation party for my 17 year old daughter at the parsonage... huge success!  120+ people celebrated with us and we even had three seminary friends (and families) travel to be a part of the festivities.

Then reality hits.  Quiet.  We are leaving. 

My heart is breaking.  Three months away from my sweet husband.  I just want to touch him.  Remember every detail of his face.  Three months.  Reality.  

Sacrifices for My Country!!!

Well, the Army has called and I have responded. I will take one for the team. I have been assigned to the 4th Platoon and since this is the LARGEST CH-BOLC class in over 20 years, there are not enough rooms on post to house all of us. Some of us MUST sacrifice and give up plush living on post for this...
Oh, how much I LOVE the Army!!! I hope post housing at Fort Bliss is like this...I'm sure it will be.

While my Sweetheart is away...

My daughter will turn 18 while her daddy is in training to be a chaplain.  My middle child will turn 15 as well...We will be living with family in Texas, and they are asking for a "fun" summer... planned so far is 

1.  Cousin's wedding in South Padre' Island... BEACH!

2.  Working out at the Base gym (we will be by an Air Force Base)

3.  Lots of sun... praying for tan lines instead of burn marks

4.  A visit from an Uncle and Aunt that we have not seen in years.

5.  SHOPPING at a MALL!  ( we live 2 1/2 hours from the closest mall!)

6.  A trip to see dad during the fourth of July (unlikely, but praying for it)

7.  A concert at the SIX FLAGS over TEXAS to see Boys like Girls and Never Shout Never 

Sound Fun?!

I only wish my sweet man would be able to be with us, but am hoping that if we have weekly plans the time will go by faster.  Please keep us in your prayers as the time gets closer to our time apart.  He is my very best friend, and I know my heart will yearn for his sweet face.

Travel plans

The days are ticking by.  We made flight plans for our me and the children to travel to Ablilene to live with my family while Chaplain is in CH-BOLC in South Carolina, seemed all was well.  Then, we received an email stating that our orders had to be amended to say Abilene or we fly to El Paso... goodness I hope this isn't a hard thing to do, I really don't want to have to get a hotel in El Paso and rent a car to drive to Abilene.  I have faith that God knows our every single need, even this glitch, Chaplain says not to worry about it, it will "come together".  I am thankful for how smoothly all has been moving along so far.  

Matthew 6:27 (New International Version)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

Army hair... or lack of

We traveled to Wausau, Wisconsin to a Pass and I.D. office this week to get our family enrolled in DEERS (the system that allows our family to be a part of the medical benefits) and to get our identification cards.  My husband is ordered to show up to Chaplain Basic with NO hair on his head... and it says, "yes we mean that, no hair".  We thought it would be funny to shave off his eyebrows and lashes, but that would just be wrong! 

So he is sporting a new "do" or "un-do"... teeheeheee

I think he has the perfect brain structure for this cut, I love the look, he is so adorable and my heart beats faster when I see him... even after the 19 years!

Cardboard Soldier

We thought this was hilarious... the guy in the background is actually cardboard, life sized and armed.  We all posed with the prop, and he looks so real... kinda scary with the weapon and all.  Goofing around as a family, memories.