"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD." 

This verse from Isaiah the prophet comes in the chapter where God is inviting everyone to enter into his promised blessings.  And yet often even with the universality of God's offer - even with the simpleness of merely seeking God to receive His mercy He is rejected.  Again and again the people were turning instead to the things of the world, to seeking that which they felt was in their best interest.  So Isaiah once more appeals to them; to turn and seek God and receive his salvation, his pardon, his abundance.  Pointing out what we all need to see as well that as the commentator from the ESV Study Bible states "that God, the incomparable Creator, is far above his finite creatures . . . But because God is perfectly wise in all his thoughts and ways, his people can take great comfort amid hardship and when inevitably they are unable to understand the mysteries and tragedies of life." (Kindle version location 90506-12)

As many of you might know by now my plans have been adjusted a bit so to speak.  Last Wednesday I was doing PT with my company when I landed wrong on my ankle and popped it.  Didn't think it wasn't too bad but went to the TMC (troop medical clinic) to get it checked out and to make a long story short . . . I now am in the care of an Orthopedic doctor in Hattiesburg and I have an avulsion fracture in my ankle.  Now that might sound really bad while in fact it's the best case in a bad scenario.  What it means is a small bit of bone chipped off my ankle when I rolled it and I need to stay off the ankle and rehab it. 

What it means for my time here - well I am not in California and will miss the rotation my Battalion is going through at NTC (National Training Center) so I give up NTC but am able to still go in country when we leave sometime in November.  As one of my soldiers said to me before they all left "Well Chaplain, we're willing to give you up for a month as long as you are there in country when it truly matters."  To make sure that happens I am being good - actually using the crutches and following my doctor's advice.

But it means a month here at Camp Shelby while the entire Battalion is in California.  There are 6 of us that were unable to go so we are truly rattling around wondering what to do with our days.  As I've told many of you it's like from Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer when he comes across the land of misfit toys.  Yet the image there is that while we are all broken in some ways we are still all lovable and useful!  Even when we don't understand why!

 I've been in touch with my assistant each day getting updates about the training they are doing and how he is fairing.  Unfortunately come Friday I will be completely out of touch when they enter their two weeks of technology black out.  It's been great talking with Ohloff as I see this as a wonderful opportunity for him to really grow into his role as my assistant, even in his own ministry that God has planned for him outside my shadow.  The neat thing is the care and concern I've received from soldiers not only in my Battalion but within the Brigade as well.  As Ohloff says "see Ma'am you have a ministry and are touching people you don't even realize!" So I sit and wait and try to remember that God is in control in ways I don't see or understand.

Besides it's giving me time to catch up on some movies I've wanted to watch so I'll have new movie quotes for my sermons when I get back next year!!

God bless - Martha+