Avery -It's been 2 and a half weeks now since my dad left and it's going pretty good but I think it is going to get more sad as March and April get here. Right now it feels like he is just on a business trip and will be back soon. I having been thinking 'Man, I don't really want to do the whole yard by myself this summer' but right now it's good because there is not grass to mow. However, I accept the fact that I have to step up to some "manly" stuff and greater responsibilities while dad is gone. Besides....Shelby is surely going to have to help with the yard! The bright side is that I will know how to do all this when I get married someday. Oh yea......I got my very own new weed eater (sized just for me) before dad left!
I am trying to be positive about this journey so here are some other things I think are positive about it: Dad should be back before Thanksgiving and Christmas (hopefully!), sometimes we get to eat cereal for supper-woohoo!(don't worry dad-we aren't starving-mom still cooks some), hopefully dad is supposed to be back in time for hunting season, sometimes I get to sleep in mom's bed, my bedtime is a little later--like midnight--just kidding dad!!!
On the down side, dad will miss my birthday, Easter, and 4th of July. Also, I am the ONLY boy in the house now....even our 2 dogs are girls....that means I have to watch Platinum weddings and What Not to Wear...ugh!! (mom had mercy on me though and we got the military and outdoor channel right before dad left). The worst part is that I just miss my dad.
God has blessed us with great friends like our Chad & Faith Stilwell. Thanks to Chad for taking me to Bass Pro, Dick's, playing video games with me, and looking at airsoft guns with me. Thanks to him and Ms. Faith for also taking me over to their house for pizza, american idol, and guitar hero. Ya'll are the best! Thanks to Evan, Blake, and Mr. Mike McCarn for taking me squirrel hunting. Also, thanks to everyone for their prayers and for asking about us. We are doing good. I am proud of my dad and I can truly say that he is a hero! Gotta go for now.
29 January 2009
Training
Training, training, and more training! I am amazed I get paid to do this, but hey somebody has to do it. It started out with SERT school, this is a course that contains several topics within one class. Basic combat, field medical, land navigation, weapons, and a whole host of other topics. This was accomplished and it was off to the next exercise, Chemical Biological warfare, this is when we get to enjoy the love of the gas chamber! The instructors wanted us to sing the SEA BEE song, I was to a little busy trying to get my nose and eyes to stop running, but was not having any luck! Needless to say I did not sing. Once the gas chamber exercise was completed we went into the next topic one I truly enjoyed! Bring on the gun range. For those who know me and those that don't I love the Lord, my wife, kids, friends, church, even work, but I really like to go shoot some guns. The first day was spent in the classroom, we covered topics like safety, ballistics, techniques, and procedures on the range. Day two and three we were sending rounds down range! I hate to say it, but there are those that need to (1) practice or (2) hope they never need to use there weapon! YES I did qualify, and NO I am not one of the few who hope they don't have to rely on there weapons skills to bail them out of a bad situation. There is still plenty of training yet to do this will be a ongoing evolution till we deploy.
Along with hands on training there has been allot of seminar style classes we have to attend, these are usually done in the evenings either in the building we are staying in or at the theater on base, just depends on the size of the audience. These classes cover a host of topics like sexual harassment, hazing, equal rights and lord only knows what else. There have been some topics that really do catch your attention like rules of engagement and escalation of force! Of course these topics were covered by our Commanding Officer.
As time passes I will be sure to keep every one up to date on the ongoing training. There are several evolutions yet to come but I won't let the cat out of the bag yet.
Along with hands on training there has been allot of seminar style classes we have to attend, these are usually done in the evenings either in the building we are staying in or at the theater on base, just depends on the size of the audience. These classes cover a host of topics like sexual harassment, hazing, equal rights and lord only knows what else. There have been some topics that really do catch your attention like rules of engagement and escalation of force! Of course these topics were covered by our Commanding Officer.
As time passes I will be sure to keep every one up to date on the ongoing training. There are several evolutions yet to come but I won't let the cat out of the bag yet.
23 January 2009
A Daughter's Perspective.....
By Shelby- On October 4, 2008 my mom and dad told me and Avery the news of the deployment. In that moment many different emotions went through my mind. The first emotion was complete and total shock. I always knew the possibility of him becoming active duty but never thought that it would happen to my dad. The first weekend we knew, everything felt like a blur. I didn't know what to think or what to feel for those first few days. As we adjusted to the reality that our daddy was going to war the only thing I could to was pray and ask God to help us through it. As people found out the news, the encouragement they had for me and my family was AMAZING! I couldn't have asked for better friends and people in my life to help us through the situation. I want to say thank you to all the people who have been praying for me and my family and will be praying for my family in the months to come.
In the weeks leading up to dads departure day we all kept busy with school, work, and the holidays. We had an amazing Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family. As new years passed by the reality sunk in that we only had a week left with my dad. All I wanted was for dad to hurry up and leave so we could anticipate his return rather than his departure. As Sunday, January 11 rolled around, I couldn't believe dad was leaving today. We went to church that morning and Pastor Kelvin prayed for us, along with our homegroup. As we were leaving church a man stopped my parents and asked if he could speak to me. He said he had a word for me. The man told me that he sensed a spirit of fear all over me and he said that fear is not of the Lord. He gave me a passage from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The moment he told me I began to be at total peace with God. The most amazing thing was that I struggle SO much with having a spirit of fear and that man rebuked it in the name of Jesus Christ. We dropped dad off and said goodbye but in my soul it not goodbye forever it's goodbye for a little amount of time.
It's now been two weeks since daddy left and i have been doing great. Our lives have adjusted back into a normal routine with school, church, and friends and it's been going very well. Everyday I have talked to dad on the phone and it has made the separation so much easier. I miss my daddy very much but I know what he is doing is helping our great nation and the nation of Iraq. I thank my heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with the most amazing earthly father I could have ever wished for. Every kid has a hero and my daddy is one of mine!
In the weeks leading up to dads departure day we all kept busy with school, work, and the holidays. We had an amazing Christmas and enjoyed spending time together as a family. As new years passed by the reality sunk in that we only had a week left with my dad. All I wanted was for dad to hurry up and leave so we could anticipate his return rather than his departure. As Sunday, January 11 rolled around, I couldn't believe dad was leaving today. We went to church that morning and Pastor Kelvin prayed for us, along with our homegroup. As we were leaving church a man stopped my parents and asked if he could speak to me. He said he had a word for me. The man told me that he sensed a spirit of fear all over me and he said that fear is not of the Lord. He gave me a passage from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. The moment he told me I began to be at total peace with God. The most amazing thing was that I struggle SO much with having a spirit of fear and that man rebuked it in the name of Jesus Christ. We dropped dad off and said goodbye but in my soul it not goodbye forever it's goodbye for a little amount of time.
It's now been two weeks since daddy left and i have been doing great. Our lives have adjusted back into a normal routine with school, church, and friends and it's been going very well. Everyday I have talked to dad on the phone and it has made the separation so much easier. I miss my daddy very much but I know what he is doing is helping our great nation and the nation of Iraq. I thank my heavenly Father everyday for blessing me with the most amazing earthly father I could have ever wished for. Every kid has a hero and my daddy is one of mine!
22Jan09
The call or should I say e-mail came in September with mixed emotions as I read it, ( You have been called to ACTIVE DUTY ) This was always a possibility, as a reservist this is what you train for, but needless to say it's still a shock when you read the words. There were a whole host of feelings that I was trying to deal with and not doing a very good job of it. All I could think about was leaving a wife, two kids, family and work. All of the issue's that you have to deal with was a little overwhelming. The little things in life that you normally don't pay any attention too all of a sudden become major issue's, like making sure my son knew how to mix oil and gas for the weed eater to how to reprime the well after a power failure, not to mention get a Will prepared turn in a leased car and accomplish lord only knows how much online training for the Navy.
Not until it dawned on me that this was a little much for myself, did I give it to God and let him work out all the issues on his time. ( not sure why I didn't do this first ) It is awesome to stand back and watch the Lord prepair the way, all I have to do now is hold on and ride.
The goodbye's were still hard leaving all that I loved behind me but what a neat adventure to be going on. God has a plan and if for some reason your not sure of it for your self just ask and he will reveal it to you.
Arrived in Port Heuneme CA. on 11JAN09 around midnight after one lay over and missed flight in Atlanta ( Delta rocks ) and a sweet bus ride to the base from LAX that took forever. Found my little piece of of heaven in a bottom bunk in a room full of other guys, at least it had my name on it and it was spelled correctly.
The first week was fairly uneventful, this is the check in phase. Every doctor dentist and lord only knows who else had to "check me out" thankfully "I'm good". this is a process that has sent several people home for some reason or another. I have made it trough all that and now I can get focused on training for what ever mission we are tasked with.
The next few weeks will see the tempo increase and the training increase as well. The cool part is that I have had time in the evenings to spend with the Lord in my quiet time before I go to sleep, and I have found that he has met my every need throughout this whole evolution, he gives me the strength every day no matter the situation.
Not until it dawned on me that this was a little much for myself, did I give it to God and let him work out all the issues on his time. ( not sure why I didn't do this first ) It is awesome to stand back and watch the Lord prepair the way, all I have to do now is hold on and ride.
The goodbye's were still hard leaving all that I loved behind me but what a neat adventure to be going on. God has a plan and if for some reason your not sure of it for your self just ask and he will reveal it to you.
Arrived in Port Heuneme CA. on 11JAN09 around midnight after one lay over and missed flight in Atlanta ( Delta rocks ) and a sweet bus ride to the base from LAX that took forever. Found my little piece of of heaven in a bottom bunk in a room full of other guys, at least it had my name on it and it was spelled correctly.
The first week was fairly uneventful, this is the check in phase. Every doctor dentist and lord only knows who else had to "check me out" thankfully "I'm good". this is a process that has sent several people home for some reason or another. I have made it trough all that and now I can get focused on training for what ever mission we are tasked with.
The next few weeks will see the tempo increase and the training increase as well. The cool part is that I have had time in the evenings to spend with the Lord in my quiet time before I go to sleep, and I have found that he has met my every need throughout this whole evolution, he gives me the strength every day no matter the situation.
11 January 2009
Departure day.....
Today was the dreaded day. We were ready for it to be behind us. It was an emotional morning from the time we woke up. We went to the 8:30 service at church on the way to the airport. His flight left at 11:36. (picture: Eric brought me flowers yesterday-sweet!)
Several had come early to pray for Eric and send him off. Pastor Kelvin prayed over him and spoke a great word of encouragement. Many tears. A man we had never seen gave Shelby a word from 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 as we were on our way out the door. It says "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.." She needed to let go of the spirit of fear she was holding onto. Wow! Once again......the Lord was speaking.
We took him to the airport, said our final goodbyes (I hate goodbyes!), and knew the worst of it was over. I am so proud of Shelby and Avery for their courage. I'm proud of Eric for being so brave! I thank Almighty God for His unexplainable peace. Let's start the countdown to homecoming!
10 January 2009
A Word from the Lord
We received an email from a friend....it happened to be her day to pray and fast for us. This is what she just "happened" upon that day in her scheduled Bible reading:
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them because the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say, "hear O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
I love it when the Lord speaks clearly!!
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them because the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say, "hear O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
I love it when the Lord speaks clearly!!
09 January 2009
Call to duty......
Sheila - It was one of those things I kept tucked away in the back of my mind.......the possibility of Eric being called to active duty. It seemed less of chance to me since it hadn't happened before now.....wishful thinking! Late September we got the word. After I recovered from the initial shock my mind went to the kids. I knew I could handle it (I had done this before) but I wasn't sure how the kids were going to take it. Of course, we had talked of the possibility that daddy might be activated someday but we didn't know someday would be now. There were a few tears but they seemed to understand. Only time would tell.
I moved forward the only way I knew how......in prayer. God gave me an ovewhelming sense of peace. Being mission-minded, I could only see this as another mission. How was this different than me going to Brazil, Cuba, etc. for a mission trip? People need to be free from cruel dictatorships and oppression just as they need to be free from the bonds of sin. Are we so selfish as to think that we are the only people in the world that deserve freedom and democracy? May it never be so. We saw this as an opportunity to make a difference....in some way......however God chose to use us. I also remembered that my husband volunteered to serve his country many years ago. So when the call comes.....he goes.
As I reflect back on the last year, God has prepared us every step of the way. We have had many changes this year but God has been in the middle of it all. The support and love of so many has been incredible. A dear friend coordinated a prayer/fasting chain that began December 1st and will continue every day Eric is gone. What more could we ask for?! I would like to personally thank everyone that agreed to pray and/or fast. It means everthing! Thank you also to Steele Creek youth and youth leaders that have reached out to my kids (especially being new!) with friendship, tears, prayer, and encouragment. Thanks to the Martin Home Fellowship group that has truly modeled the Acts 2 church. There are countless others I could name..........thank you all!
We are honored to serve God and our country. We do not take lightly the freedoms that we have undeservedly been blessed with. There are things worth living for, dying for, and fighting for. So we move forward in faith knowing that our future is uncertain but we are certain of the ONE who holds it. Keep praying!
I moved forward the only way I knew how......in prayer. God gave me an ovewhelming sense of peace. Being mission-minded, I could only see this as another mission. How was this different than me going to Brazil, Cuba, etc. for a mission trip? People need to be free from cruel dictatorships and oppression just as they need to be free from the bonds of sin. Are we so selfish as to think that we are the only people in the world that deserve freedom and democracy? May it never be so. We saw this as an opportunity to make a difference....in some way......however God chose to use us. I also remembered that my husband volunteered to serve his country many years ago. So when the call comes.....he goes.
As I reflect back on the last year, God has prepared us every step of the way. We have had many changes this year but God has been in the middle of it all. The support and love of so many has been incredible. A dear friend coordinated a prayer/fasting chain that began December 1st and will continue every day Eric is gone. What more could we ask for?! I would like to personally thank everyone that agreed to pray and/or fast. It means everthing! Thank you also to Steele Creek youth and youth leaders that have reached out to my kids (especially being new!) with friendship, tears, prayer, and encouragment. Thanks to the Martin Home Fellowship group that has truly modeled the Acts 2 church. There are countless others I could name..........thank you all!
We are honored to serve God and our country. We do not take lightly the freedoms that we have undeservedly been blessed with. There are things worth living for, dying for, and fighting for. So we move forward in faith knowing that our future is uncertain but we are certain of the ONE who holds it. Keep praying!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
