I don't think I ever truly understood Heat Index until I've lived it this past week in Mississippi. When you can just stand in the shade and literally drip sweat that is truly when you know it is hot! Then add the battle rattle that soldiers have to wear on top of it and you begin to realize a full Camel back is your best friend.
One full week is gone and the send off ceremony seems like a distant memory. The outpouring of support that I received from St. Luke's means so much to me as I continue to pray for you all in this year of unknown. The good thing we can all hang onto is that God is in control of all things: from this deployment to who the Interim will be.
I'm settling in though with the different training that is happening so far it has been difficult to get a schedule in place. The past three days SPC Ohloff and myself have been in UMT/RST training [Unit Ministry Team/Religious Support Team] Today is the last day and we will be doing Ramp Ceremony's, Memorial Services and the like. Yesterday was survivability teaching basic hand to hand defensive moves. The fun in that was I was able to throw SPC Ohloff to the ground!! Of course he had his opportunity to throw me as well.
As many of you know my much awaited promotion to Captain finally came through. During the formation for the promotion the heaven's decided to open up. As I stood in front of the Commander it was a torrential downpour and they were trying to read the promotion as quickly as possible. My Commander said it reminded him of Noah - I say it was just holy water and God was blessing us mightily!! It certainly is a promotion NO ONE in my company will forget. I've attached a picture but I don't think it depicts just how hard it was raining.
I've also had a few more minutes added to my claim to fame. I've attached a link to an IPR interview I did along with COL Corell the Brigade Commander. Also, the Cedar Rapids reporter did a follow up to the Camp Ripley story from earlier and I get another sound bite. And finally if you were unable to attend the send off ceremony the Des Moines Register has the video of the entire thing and you too can listen to the campaign speeches :-)
I enjoy getting your emails and cards - if I don't respond it's not because I do not appreciate them because I do immensely - it's because I do not have the opportunity or the time to do so. You remain in my prayers and I appreciate all the prayers that you say for me.
God bless.
The IPR interview: http://iowapublicradio.org/single_story.php?storyid=1061
KGAN piece from Cedar Rapids: http://www.kgan.com/shared/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kgan_vid_3156.shtml
Send off ceremony: http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid36249172001?bclid=0&bctid=490928709001
This morning while I was doing the daily office I felt that the prayer associated with the day was appropriate.
Today is the commemoration of John Mason Neale who was a Priest in the Church of England in the mid-1800. As Wikipedia tells us:
Neale was strongly high church in his sympathies, and had to endure a good deal of opposition, including a fourteen years' inhibition by his bishop. Neale translated the Eastern liturgies into English, and wrote a mystical and devotional commentary on the Psalms. However, he is best known as a hymn writer and, especially, translator, having enriched English hymnody with many ancient and medieval hymns translated from Latin and Greek. More than anyone else, he made English-speaking congregations aware of the centuries-old tradition of Latin, Greek, Russian, and Syrian hymns. His translations include:
The prayer in honor of Fr. Neale goes as follows:
Grant unto us, O God, that in all time of our testing we may know your presence and obey your will; that, following the example of your servant John Mason Neale, we may with integrity and courage accomplish what you give us to do, and endure what you give us to bear; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
This would be my prayer not only for myself but for all the soldiers that have been and are being deployed and facing many different types of testing.
The countdown has begun - the days are getting short before I embark on the next adventure.
I've attached a picture of my latest stained glass creation - a copy of the Army Chaplain Seal which includes the motto "Pro Deo et Patria" For God and Country. Perhaps I have more of a creative side then I'd like to admit!!
This seal is now hanging in my office at St. Luke's awaiting my return to take on the challenge of being the next Rector. Yet for now it represents the mission God currently has me on. Serving both Him and my country for Him. My hope is that every time one of you is passing the office and see's this stained glass you might say a prayer for my ministry and for my soldiers (hey you can say one for me too while your at it lol)
While being away from home for 12 months would not be my choice - I am excited about how God will use this time both in the life of my soldiers and in growing me in relationship with Him. The support I have received both near and far has warmed my heart and strengthened my resolve as I leave to encounter the unknown. It doesn't matter what your political views are in terms of this war or even in terms of the military - what does matter is that each person whether a soldier or not and no matter the situation they face is able to be shown that there is a God who desires to walk along side them and to draw them to Himself. So that in this world and especially the next they can know the truth of Salvation through Him. That is my calling, to be a light in the midst of darkness to point others to the one who is hope. And your support enables me to do just that. It's also nice to know that I have a place to come back to and I look forward to the years ahead ministering within Des Moines through St. Luke's.
Many of you have been able to see my 2 more minutes of fame thanks to KCCI yet in case you missed it I'm including the link below.
http://www.kcci.com/news/24500103/detail.html
The next 3 days will consist of more goodbyes, finishing up packing, closing up my house and ultimately getting on a bus to head to the next step. I'll continue to blog as I am able but do not yet know what my internet connectivity will be like.
