Here she is…

January 18, 2008 – Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, Maryland

7 lbs, 13 oz

19.4 inches long

The PHONE Call!

I received an exciting phone call this afternoon…all I heard was “congratulations for being selected to serve as an Active Duty Chaplain.” It has been a LONG process to say the least.  I was left speechless…when those words landed on my ears! I am looking forward to what God has in store. The chaplaincy journey has been interesting.  I can finally breathe…

Another Step!!

I received my endorsement today!!!  I survived the interview, but it was intense.  I called my wife and she was excited!! I have a few more things to line up before the boards in November.  We will see what the Lord has in store for us.

A little news…

It’s been a busy summer with my students – very little time for myself to blog.  I passed MEPS, and physical clearance was granted for military service.  In six weeks (but who is counting!) I will be flying out to Kansas City to be interviewed by my endorser..September 17-19.  I have been working out with a retired army chaplain for the last 4 weeks.  I have enjoyed our time together as he has been teaching me about the chaplaincy. That’s it on the chaplaincy front…for now. 

 We continue to pray for God’s will, and direction!

Answers are a good thing!!!

I like having answers whether I agree with them or not!  We learned last week my wife is pregnant! PRAISE THE LORD.  We saw the heartbeat this morning….so if anyone would like to begin contributing to his/her college fund..now would be a great time to start! 

I heard from my endorser this week; we will be flown out to Kansas City in September for an interview. I am off to MEPS tomorrow! After MEPS we are heading to FLORIDA for VACATION!!! 

I HATE WAITING!!!!!!

I FINALLY realized the information technology age has influenced my thinking! I hate waiting, and realized today (for the first time) that I assume it is possible to have answers to any of life questions in a matter of  minutes…NOT So!  My wife and I are  waiting for two things in life: 1) her blood tests.  There is something going on, not sure, but sure, could be, may be not be….that sort of thing….so anxiety levels are a little high 2) waiting to hear back from the Army if I clear the medical prescreening without needing physical waivers!

The Lord has a sense of humor and creative ways to remind His people to pray and to wait upon Him. So we continue to trust and follow, though we have lots of questions up in the air.  “Trust and Obey for there’s no other way..” 

Graduation!

Graduation was a blast; and made receiving my Master’s Degree more official.  It will be another 8 weeks before the degree actually arrives, not so sure why it takes so long.  I also received word all my paperwork for the ecclesiastical endorsement is in! All reference forms and transcripts have made it!  Now its a waiting game.   I am seeing physical progress being made each day. I am able to do 35 push-ups, then another 35 after a 1 minute break. I want to hit 50 push ups, and 50 sits ups – should give me a solid foundation to build upon. 

I continue to pray for the desires of my heart to be a Military Chaplain. 

What a day!!!

I spent the day running around gathering medical records for my appointment at Fort Meade.  I want to be “overly” prepared.  In the process, I had the opportunity to stay at one hospital with one of the families of our church.  A young boy broke his elbow and it had to be surgerically operated on.  Parents were concerned that I would not see their little boy before surgery. I reassured them I would see him….and I did.  Prayer always brings reassurance to parents dealing with their little ones.  Then I received a phone call regarding the death of Dr. Falwell. What an awesome man, but he is dancing with all the saints in glory.  Graduation this weekend should be interesting. Knowing Dr. Falwell..he would want it to continue. His heart and passion for ministry, training and equipping of young ministers was ubelievable.

 May 24 is getting closer!  I continue to pray…I am so looking forward to the possibility of serving God and Country.  There has been a desire to serve for over 11 years! I long to give back to the men and women who serve our country. As a military child, I am indebted to all those who invested in my life while I followed my father around the world!

 Praying without ceasing these days. 

No Pain, No Gain

The exercise routine has begun.  I am starting to feel my age! In my 20’s I could do 50 sit ups, and 30 push ups with no problem.  WOW…those days are gone.  I am well within the military weight limit…but definitely not in shape. My wife is a great coach, and it great to have my 2 1/2 year old daughter exercise with me.  We purchased a bike trailer for me to pull around our toddler…it is a work out pulling 50 plus pounds…especially biking uphill.  The knees are getting a worked out.  However,  I a praying that I am not doing all this for nothing!  I have a medical screening on May 24; I am a little nervous with the Dr’s find a disqualifying physical issue with me.  We will see….I continue to pray for a smooth process. God is in control and its all in His hands. Time for me to let go….and not fret.

Let the fun Begin!

The ecclesistical endorsement process is underway.  I anticipate flying out to Kansas City in September to interview with the chaplaincy advisory council and Board of General Superintendents. I am excited and nervous; I would like for the process to speed up just a little. So many things can happen during the Chaplaincy Process. It’s in God’s hands.  Next week its off to Liberty University for Graduation week! Following Graduation I have an appointment at Fort Meade to begin processing the abyss of paperwork.  Physical training has begun! Wow…feel the burn; feel the pain!  So the journey to be a military chaplain continues…only God knows, and time will tell!