As we begin our second month it has become important to find those moments away - to create some space or time that reconnects you to home - to family - to the civilian world.

With the Iowa/Iowa State game coming up this weekend I find soldiers using it as a lifeline to our other reality (that which has nothing to do with saluting or having a uniform looking right)  As you can see by the attached picture - some go to extremes to make sure their allegiance is made known!! We are trying to get the game shown here with some success and some failures so please pray our efforts become fruitful.

While a month (or as my XO states the end of our second consecutive Annual Training) is a long time when we are facing 2 more months before we go overseas it can seem like time has begun to stand still and morale is drained.  I have come to the conclusion that 'they' make pre-mob station so bad that you actually look forward to going to Afghanistan!

My 'official' counseling have been averaging 15 a week and can get draining as I hear about some sad situations - see marriages failing - watch people lose sight of why we are here and I begin to feel helpless to do anything.  As I tell my soldiers I have requisitioned a magic wand but because I can't find a NSN number (National Stock number used to order supplies) the supply SGT can get it!

When I get frustrated at my inability to solve these soldiers problems I remember that it's not my place to save them that's God's job! And to remember also He has stated that what's impossible for man is possible for God. Then the other day as I was feeling particularly ineffective I had the opportunity to pray with two different soldiers that came in for various reasons and I was reminded that He continues to use me.  The Sunday night chapel services I've been holding have been going well and we've started a Thursday night bible study looking at the book of Joshua. In fact a new crew came to one of my chapel's and filmed the whole thing which some of you might have seen on the news so at this point I am so over my 15mins!! http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Military-Women-Serve-Side-by-Side-with-Men-101435419.html

SPC Ohloff and I also have begun to do prayer walks - where we walk around the blocks that surround our AO (area of operation) praying for situations, for soldiers and for each other. We feel too the prayers that you all continue to lift up. 

I must say the soldiers appreciate the care packages as my office has become the place that care packages go to get eaten!!

God bless!

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:

• All Glory, Laud, and Honour
• Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle
• To Thee Before the Close of Day
• O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
• Of the Father's Heart Begotten

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.

On my way down to Branson, MO on Monday to attend CAST (Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training) we stopped at Wendy's for lunch.  Now that probably seems like a logical thing to do when you are on the road for seven hours.  Well as we stood in line the four of us were talking about this weeks training and the upcoming deployment (3 of the 4 are deploying)  As I waited to order the gentleman behind me asked if we were National Guard and I replied yes that we were Chaplains from Iowa and deploying this summer.  He told me his grandson is in the Air Guard and heading to Afghanistan as well in August.  I placed my order and this same gentleman asked if he could have the honor of paying for my meal!

What a humbling experience - he said he was just so grateful for all we did and thanked me.  When I got to the table and told my friends they too were grateful for his attitude - - though they wondered why I didn't tell him I had three friends LOL I told them that's what they got for ordering first! 

I often struggle with receiving as I see my life and my purpose as giving to others - to helping others not only spiritually but also physically when I can.  Yet here was a man who I have no idea what his faith beliefs are; that was willing to give in a small way to support someone else.  In a way I believe he saw an opportunity to do his part for his grandson where he was otherwise powerless to do anything.

How often do we miss those opportunities to bless another person because we are too consumed in our own worlds - our own problems and issues.  Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive - how true! 

Take the time as you are standing in line - instead of getting frustrated or irritated because it's taking so long and you are on a tight schedule - instead of thinking about all the problems, stresses in your life - LOOK UP - LISTEN.  Perhaps God has placed someone in your path he wants you to bless in some way.  It might not be monetarily - perhaps it could just be a smile - or to strike up a conversation. 

As we come to Trinity Sunday this week allow the Spirit of God to work and to nudge you into the situations where you can be of use to Him.  Or as we said last Sunday - Let the Wild Goose Loose and you might be amazed.

I am writing this as I work on a Staff-Ex with my unit at Camp Dodge. I have now been full-time with the Guard for a week and it’s been an interesting week. What we have been doing is battle drilling possible scenarios so that when we are in the actual ‘fight’ so to speak we know how to react. On Monday we were giving an OPORD (operations order) telling us what our mission is within the Brigade.

On Tuesday April 20th I was invited by the Bishop to celebrate Eucharist with the Diocesan staff at Mills House. 

Unbeknown to me Vince Carter and the members of St. Luke's EFM had an ulterior motive!  During the service Vince read an awesome letter explaining that they had gotten me an Anglican Rosary that the Bishop was going to bless for me.  The letter will be printed in the upcoming Horizons and I've attempted to attach a picture to this blog entry. (key word attempted!)

This rosary was for me to take with me as I head to a place where prayer will be even more imperative than it is right now.  And the colors & stones each have meaning that will continue to remind me not only of God's presence but the spiritual presence of all the amazing individuals from St. Luke's. They also got me a pouch with the ACU pattern that I will attach to my body armor so that the rosary will be in constant reach.

One website when talking about the Anglican practice of Rosary states:

The use of the rosary or prayer beads helps to bring us into contemplative prayer, really thinking about and being mindful of praying, of being in the presence of God by use of mind, body, and spirit. The touching of the fingers on each successive bead is an aid in keeping our mind from wandering, and the rhythm of the prayers leads us more readily into stillness.

Next year in Afghanistan will force me to draw on the strength Jesus has given me through prayer and I am deeply grateful for this special gift!  It will give me a tangible reminder even when times are tough that there is a God bigger than whatever situation I am facing.  Prayer is vital when facing the dangers of going into battle yet it is even more important to develop the practice of prayer in the mundane moments of life.  Because if prayer is your habit - when you need God the most your natural inclination will be to call upon the One who is always there.

So as you pray for me - I will pray for you. God bless.

As my time at St. Luke's comes nearer and nearer to an end (for now!) It's hard not to become sad at having to leave and worried about how things will go on in my absence.

While I know that this is most definitely God's calling and to be honest His timing; I do feel a bit at a loss to make sure everything is covered.  I think change is two-fold - a letting go and an embracing.

A letting go of my desires, my fears, my thoughts of how things should be done and embracing the excitement of what might be in store.  So much can happen in a year - who knows all the amazing things God has in store to draw each of you and St. Luke's as a whole into a deeper more meaningful relationship with Himself - who knows all the amazing things God has in store for me to grow me into a more effective minister of His gospel.

I will attempt to write something on a regular basis though I have no idea what kind of access I will have once we are in country.  Know that as these next 15 months go on that you are in my thoughts and prayers.  The comments, the cards, the small & large ways that you support me and the call that God has is placed on me is appreciated beyond measure. 

You are in the Lord's care! 

In the book of Isaiah 43:1-2 God is talking to His people reassuring them that no matter what they face He will be there to watch over and protect them.

"But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob,he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."

Remember that you are called - and that this is an opportunity to step up in more ways than one and find where and how God is leading you into ministry at St. Luke's and beyond.