PCS 2009 "Let The Games Begin"

As we prepare for this transition from Korea to the states I have to look back on this year with some awe.

We came to Korea kicking and screaming. We had no desire or plans to come to Korea. In fact I had worked my career to avoid it. In someways I would have rather been down range in Iraq or Afghanistian than to be in Korea.

As we prepare to leave we leave kicking and screaming a bit. The kicking and screaming is not because we have necessarily enjoyed the country of Korea thought it does have some fine things. The kicking and screaming is because we have met some fine people here.

We have created friends that I think will last a life time. It is a small community here that you get to know everyone well.

None the less the move moves forward. We have begun the process of collecting what little we have to prepare it for the movers to come. Always a fun and challenging. You never know the quality of indivdiuals you get to pack your things up. We have had some that treated the items as if they were their own and than we had some that did not care if they put a heavy item on top of some fragile things.

You know God has a great sense of humor. You may not always be placed where you want to be but if you are looking you will find that it is where He needs you to be. We did not want to come to Korea but God placed us here and the ministry has been great. We had not intentions of ever being stationed at Fort Riley, KS but we find ourselves heading there. We look forward to what God has for us in Riley. We have always found ourselves blessed by the area and or by the people.

When God places you in a place you have a choice, whine or discover what God has for you.

Boys Romp In The Park In Korea

We will daily take the boys out to the play ground behind our house so that they can enjoy the out doors. Their love for the slides began a few years ago when De'Dee found a very small Little Tyke slide on the street in good condition. Beaux loved the slide. 18 months later when we brought Nevada home he too loved playing on the slide.
By the time we came to Korea that little slide was too little and they slowly graduated to bigger slides. A couple of weeks ago they began sliding down the twisty slide out back and now that is even seeming to small for them as they quickly go up and down it.
The video above is of them playing on the slide. Many have found they like it. We get a joy out of watching it over and over again.

Former President George W. Bush

I had the great honor last year to be a part of the audience when President George W. Bush came to Korea and stopped at Yongsan Garrison to visit with Soldiers.

This is my favorite picture of President Bush. Not because it is silly but because you can just see the joy that he has. You can tell he made things fun.

I have been listening to reports on the news and from individuals who have this strong hatred for this president. I am not sure I quite understand their anger. For 7 plus years this president ensured the safety of our country. It seems that individuals forget so quickly what happened on 11 September 2001. Maybe it is because it did not effect them personally.

I just don't understand the anger. We had a pretty good life over the last 8 years. We have lived in safety since 9/11.

I find it intersting that the challenges that the country faced began when there was new leadership in Congress. It was certain individuals in Congress that allowed the situation to go down hill as far as the economy is concerned. It was lenders giving money to people who had no business borrowing money.

One of the greatest issues in this economy is people buying homes at a price that they may qualify for but could not afford. It is people not taking responsibility for their actions and paying their bills. People looking for excuses for their failures and want to blame the governement.

We have become so lazy as a society that we feel that we are owed something instead of working for what we get.

I guess some people needs to have someone to focus their anger and blame on. For me I was honored to call him my Commander and Cheif. Because of President Bush my family and friends continue to live free. Yes, I was deployed and was part of one of the biggest battles in Iraq. I have not stayed safely in the states but have stood up and did what was requested of me.

Thank you President George W. Bush for being a man of God and holding to your values and standards. May God bless you and your family.

25 Random Things About Me

I considered the below a challenge to get to know myself along with letting others get to know me better. It was a challenge because I had to really contemplate who I am and what would be interesting for others to know. I recommend that you put this in to practice and make your own list and post it somewhere like Facebook.

1. My greatest fear is losing my bride.
2. My second greatest fear is losing one of my daughters
3. I used to be a Military Police Sgt. and had God not called me to be a Chaplain I would still be an MP.
4. I knew I was going to be a U.S. Army Chaplain at 10 years old.
5. I am possibly one of the most competitive people you will ever meet. (Ask the officers of 266 QM Bn).
6. I almost started an international incident while deployed to Iraq when a group of soldiers from the Republic of Georgia decided to get into a fight with me. (See #5 and read the book "House to House" to learn more, or ask me about the incident.)
7. The car I have always wanted since I was 17 was a Karma Ghia.
8. I will forgive many things, but the thing that will set me on end is to find out I have been lied to.
9. Though I only weighed between 125 and 135 pounds in high school I played on the line as right guard and nose guard. (Again I refer you to #5)
10. have my masters degree. Masters of Divinity (Theological Masters)
11. I am often amazed that someone as beautiful as my wife saw past all my past and present and wanted a future with me.
12. When I was in the 3rd or 4th grade I rolled out of the back of our Vega hatchback which was going about 45 mph.
13. Of all the ribbons, medals, and other accolades I have received there are three that I cherish the most, 1. A bronzed and mounted drill sgt hat that I received from Delta Co. 1-28 when it was a basic training battalion and I was their chaplain. 2. The Combat Chaplain Cross I carry in my wallet that my infantry Soldiers gave me as I was leaving Iraq. My Soldiers said that since I could not wear the infantry badge I deserved a Combat Chaplains Cross. 3. A ceramic Soldier that Foxtrot Co. 1-28 gave me as a going away gift.
14. Though I am not very good I enjoy playing Chess.
15. I desired to be in the Army so much that at 16 I asked my Dad if there was away he could sign me up. He could not so on my 17th birthday my present to myself was enlisting in the Army National Guard.
16. I am blessed that De'Dee has taught me about the finer things in life.
17. I enjoy doing cross stitching.
18. I own a '66 Mustang Coupe.
19. My goal each morning is to walk humbly after my God.
20. I drove school bus for 7 years while going to school and finishing the requirements to come on active duty.
21. I have not drank a beer, and have only had a sip of wine.
22. I started working at 12 years old at Taco Time and have always held a job since then.
23. I have been to Korea (2x), Hondorus, Japan, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France, Kosovo, Macadonia, Kuwait, Iraq, and China, along with most of the United States.
24. My first time to a Disneyland was Tokyo Disney. I have also been to Euro Disney. I have yet been to a Disneyland/world in the United States.
25. The three things that I love to hear, 1. De'Dee's laugh, 2. My daughters calling me by their own favorite name (Old Man, Dad, Papi, Poppa, Daddy, etc), 3. Being called friend.