Victory Ranch

This was an excellent week for events. In other words, there was a lot going on.

We divided up into platoons and rotated through a number of different curriculum on different days. For my platoon, we started the week going through some of the software and hardware that the Army uses for field communication, and then we did some of our sacred communication labs. Tuesday we had PT and then we studied solution focused counseling and had some more sacred communication labs. Then Wednesday our platoon went to Victory Ranch.

Now let me pause here because this was the part of the week that we wanted to get to. Victory Ranch is a sort of retreat center. It is operated by Cadence International and Ron and Pam (http://www.cadence.org/weinzapfel). Cadence International seeks to reach out especially to the military. We were able to visit with them, learn about their ministry, and spend some time as a platoon developing plans for our own spiritual development and fitness. We also had some time to just relax and have some time to ourselves or as a group.

The great thing is that we have people in our platoon from a variety of faith traditions, and everyone felt welcome and able to use the time to their advantage. It was a very nice day, and very needed by everyone. I am including a picture and video.

Thursday officially began phase 3 of our program. We have entered the final portion. On Thursday we discussed ministry to the wounded and dying, and developed a "battle book." This is kind of your own book or CD or compilation of files of material that you feel that you may need while deployed or out in the field. We also had our official weigh-in and I passed with about 20 pounds to spare. So that night I went and ate a BUNCH of pizza and pasta in order to carb up for our official PT Test the following morning.

So Friday morning we had our OFFICIAL PT test. Our last one, two weeks ago, was a "diagnostic" test. On that one, I passed with 46 pushups, 43 situps, and the two miles in 16:26. That was coming off a couple weeks of tendinitis in my elbow. Friday I passed with 67 pushups, 51 situps, and the two miles in 16:05. Needless to say, I was pretty happy. However, I still need to continue improving for the standards set by the 101st. Also on Friday we studied Islam in the realm of the current conflict, and how we as chaplains will need to serve as religious liaisons. These were both very interesting because it is very easy to offend someone if you do not understand their culture.

So, like I said, this was a busy week for events. This next week stays busy as we head out for Capstone. This is basically a 3 day field (camping) exercise where we put everything we have learned into practice. Should be a lot of fun and challenging. I think it starts and ends with a 5 mile road march.

This is Starting to Get a Little Weird

Ok. So in my last post I mentioned how God had really brought some stuff together that was really neat.

Well, this continues that thought. Here's the story...

While teaching a couple of years ago, I came to know a certain high school senior. He recently joined the National Guard (might be the reserves, but pretty sure it is the Guard).

Turns out that he was sent to Ft. Jackson for basic training. It also turns out that he was sent here now. So I was able to find out which battalion he is with and asked if I was allowed to go visit him there. I was told that this was not allowed, however, if he and I were at his battalion chapel service at the same time, then it would be OK to briefly visit (I'm sure there are different protocol reasons for it all. I just try to follow the rules).

So I have been trying to figure out a Sunday in which I could go to this service, and I have been unable until today. So I went to the battalion building and was told that they were doing a special service at another building. So then I went there and found out that it was a special service for the entire brigade! That meant that there was a whole bunch of basic trainees there.

How in the world was I going to find him there, even if he was there?

Well, I spoke to a couple of the chaplains who were there and found his battalion chaplain. I told him the story and he asked what company the guy was in. Turns out they hadn't come in yet. he then asked his name, and when I told him he said that they had someone with that same last name doing some Scripture reading in the service.

Right after that, the right company walks in, right past me and I spotted him right away. It took him a little while to recognize me, of course I was like 70-80 pounds heavier the last time he saw me. And it turns out that he WAS the guy doing the Scripture reading, and that this was the first chapel service that he had been able to attend since starting basic.

So again, just an amazing series of events that God worked together in order to encourage two of His people.

Never forget that God cares about you and what you are going through even to the smallest detail. Lift it all up to Him. He wants to hear from His children.

Happy Sunday!

God's Little Handywork

I wasn't going to try to post again for a while, but I thought that this was kind of cool and figured that I should share it.

We always tend to think about God when there is something big coming up, but we forget that God is big enough to work in even the littlest things.

I was supposed to do my field service today. This is a program that includes a bulletin, music, and a sermon. However, God had other plans.

Over the weekend we got word that it was going to start getting cold. In fact, they were calling for snow on Sunday night. I assume that out of concern for snow and ice and the inability to call around to make other arrangements with local gyms, our PT for Monday morning was canceled. We got this word on Sunday afternoon so I was able to go get in a run on the treadmill that night so I could sleep in a little bit on Monday.

Well, that did not happen the way that I would like and I ended up awake in bed at 0545. After I thought about what I could be doing instead of just laying there, I spent some time in prayer and then got up and decided to go over my field service. The service is supposed to be a total of 20 minutes, so I went through the whole thing with a timer.

After that, I got moving and began the rest of the day. We ended up at a point later in the morning when we found ourselves as a platoon, needing to fill some time. Our group leader asked if anyone had any suggestions and I mentioned that I could go ahead and do my field service.

Although I did not have all of the paperwork, my classmate and preaching coach did have a copy and another student ran and made copies for everyone else. Therefore, I was able to do my field service on Monday instead of today.

Then, later in the afternoon I got word that I needed to go to a different building today to file some new paperwork. Because of our training schedule the only time I could go was during the field service time. NOW I could do that because I had already done mine.

Later I went for a run on a hill that another student had recommended to me and once I was tired out from running it a bunch of times "I decided" to run around the block to cool down and happened to stumble upon a really nice skate park that I am sure my family going to love.

On my way home last night I actually broke into a smile and a bit of a laugh trying to keep straight everything that had come together to make the day as it was.

We have a great God.