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