CST Urban Ops Fun!

Here is a picture of me and my teammates preparing to clear a room during urban operations training. Guess which one is me?

Interesting verse . . .

This was the Bible verse on 20 Jan 09, inauguration day for the 44th President of the United States. I'm putting it in this blog for posterity, and so we never forget what should be expected of leaders who lead under the banner of our God.

Psalm 2:10-11

"Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling."

Hannah's 1st Birthday!

She's actually one year old, Everybody! Every time I mention it to someone who's known us for the last year, they are in such disbelief that a year has already gone by. I understand that completely. It has been an extremely full year, but then again, when have David and I had a slow year? It seems we're always packing the most we can into life, sometimes to a fault, but most of the time to God's glory.

Below is the little joy angel eating her cupcake (strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting and a strawberry half on top), and enjoying her presents. My parents and our dear friends the Bergrens came over to celebrate with us.

Chuck E. Cheese

Before last Monday, this was at the way bottom of the list of activities I wanted to do with my children. However, we had a really wonderful time with our dear friends, who took us as their guests as a reward for their just-turned-three-year-old son. "What did he do to earn such an extravagant reward?" you may ask. Well, after months of trepidation, he finally worked up the courage to poop in the potty. Yes, you read that correctly.

So we all went to Chuck E. Cheese that very same night! We almost had the whole place to ourselves and everyone, even little Hannah, had a really great time and I think learned a little and grew up a little, too. Here are a few pictures to attest.

What Have We Been Up To?

What have we been up to? Well, besides Christmas, a wonderful Chick-fil-A bowl party, company the last two weekends, Chuck E. Cheese, Hannah's 1st birthday and just digging in and getting this homeschooling routine down, just the everyday stuff.

No, really, we have just been very blessed. After nearly coming to the end of my homeschooling rope, I have a lot of hope again, and things have been better than ever. I did, at the counsel of my dear husband and several friends, buy a reading/writing/phonics curriculum so I wouldn't have to come up with so much on my own--just making educated guesses as to what to do next for him. I think he's well on target, and behaviorally and maturity-wise, I am seeing much improvement due to God's grace, and a lot of determination and consistency, and did I mention God's grace?

The Hills are Alive

(MP) - I just got back from a quick trip to our family's cabin in the Black Hills and it was terrific. This cabin was the closest thing to a permanent home in our family and it's always nice to go back. It was especially nice to share the Hills with some friends who are deploying with me. I can't wait to get back after the trip.

Longest CST Ever

(MP) - I've been in Combat Skills Training (CST) since the beginning of November. I still won't be deploying (that which I've been training for) for another month. The biggest bit of irony is that a friend of mine at church has already been notified of, prepared for, deployed to, and returned from Iraq in the time since I've been notified of my own upcoming trip (16 Sep 08) - and I still haven't really even left!

"Revelation" - Third Day

Also linked from: Mark Lee's blog here!

The album "Time" set a Christian Rock standard in 1999. Since then, I've handed out several copies to spark interest in the longtime Atlanta-based Third Day to much success. The boys from Georgia have had many successes since including a couple Grammy's and an anthem that helped console this country during Hurricane Katrina ("Cry Out to Jesus"). They put out a two-volume "Best of. . ." set in "Chronology" that could have easily capped off their careers, and yet they pressed on in their unique calling. Then came "Revelation".

Mac answers the question that has been on so many fans' minds of late in the very first track. The writing seemed to be on the wall:
1. Third Day had garnered plenty of hardware and made their impression in Christian music equaled by only a few.
2. Mac Powell started a "side" deal with David Nasser ("Glory Revealed")
3. "Chronology Vols I and II" sufficiently covered their discography from 10 years of rock
4. As though it were a requirement in the Christian music world, Third Day finally released a Christmas album with "Christmas Offerings", though it is awesome and not just another campy holiday music cut like so many offer
5. Brad Avery, one of the lead guitarists, left the band about a year ago

And the question was, "Will Third Day split up for Mac to go do the solo thing?"

And the answer: "This is who I am" Even though they had made plenty of public statements that nothing was going to happen other than more great music, this finally set everyone straight. Third Day is a rock band. A really great rock band. And "Revelation" is a great album.

I'm not going to go so far and say it beats "Time", but it is definitely growing on me more and more every time I listen. There are a few tracks that will surely help sustain my faith through an impending deployment - "Born Again" and "Call My Name". The latter can be heard here in a great live acoustic recording. All in all, this is a "must have" for anyone that likes Southern Rock or needs a lift during a rough day. It was tough to see Brad go, but the band, now just four guys, has been blessed with the privilege of continuing in their mission to provide an atmosphere of worship to anyone who will listen. Oh, and they can really play!

Go Gators!

(MP) - Please come home, though when you're done hanging out "down under"! A truly interesting read on some reptiles that really intrigue me. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7805080.stm

What were you expecting?

The Burgeoning Walker

Well, she's trying pretty hard to get this walking thing down! She'll get up and try most of the time when you ask her to, but she still falls a lot. I hope she'll be toddling pretty well by her 1st birthday, which is in 9 days.

"Popcorn"

Shown here is the last of the "popcorn" given to me by a good friend who knows how much I love homemade chocolate chip cookies. mmmmmmm. . . . . many of them were devoured while waiting in the Kansas City Intl' terminal. The rest were slowly taken these last few days by me and my teammates. They were awesome! Thank you, Colleen!

Back in Kansas

(MP) - I flew into Kansas City Intl' yesterday morning to a massive THUD - hands down the hardest landing I have ever experienced. I seriously thought the landing gear struts were going to punch through the undercarriage of the plane. Praise the Lord nothing serious happened and we all walked away merely a little jolted. This was my welcome back to the midwest after a much needed break in training. Later that evening, we crossed into Kansas. The clouds rolled in, the sky grew dark, and the gentle Missouri breeze turned into a chilling headwind that forced a two hour struggle with the wheel as we drove towards Fort Riley for the last few weeks of training. I'm glad it's almost over and I'm thankful for the training. Mostly though, I can't wait until this place is in my rear-view mirror for the last time. Most of the Kansans I've met are nice folks, but boy has this been a tough trip - mostly for reasons outside their control. God bless us all.

True Love Will Last a Lifetime

There is an interesting article on CNN today (True love can last a lifetime) showing a correlation between the chemical reactions approximately 10% of lifetime lovers have after 20 years that is similar to the reactions experienced by those early in their romance. The scientists conclude from these results that true love can last a lifetime.

I don't like that phrase. I believe instead that true love will last a lifetime. What the article fails to mention and the scientists didn't dare bring up is that those who truly love each other will work daily to nurture and secure that love. Love is not and never has been free. It requires constant communication and a personal sacrifice that apparently 90% of lifelong "lovers" aren't willing to give. That doesn't surprise me much. Honestly, of everything I have had to do or am currently doing, nothing has been a more challenging task than cultivating the relationship with Rachel. Likewise, nothing is more rewarding than the same.

GT 3 - LSU 38

CPJ (Coach Paul Johnson) said it was a sound beating. I can't agree more with the first-year coach. He is a very no-nonsense kind of guy who knows when he's been licked. Yesterday, the Jackets were licked.

In reality, LSU had a lot more to gain out of a CFA Bowl victory than GT. They had a dismal season returning from a national title last year and Les Miles had something to prove. Boy did he. In every aspect, LSU outplayed GT. Everywhere Tech was strong in the beginning, the Tigers turned around and squashed them the rest of the game (there weren't many areas). In every way that Tech was weak, Miles exploited it (special teams, pass defense, pass offense). Tech certainly didn't help themselves - fumbling several times during key moments like a potential TD or punt-return or getting sloppy and drawing costly fouls when they needed to play clean and gain some momentum.

I thought the play-calling was slightly in favor of the Tigers. Several offensive holding penalties could have been made on LSU, though the only ones I saw came at a time when a Tech win would have made the record books for comebacks in bowl history. Additionally a clean fumble recovery for a Tech TD was called back under the incorrect suspicion that the LSU QB had started passing the ball. Still, how much better does 38-10 sound? Not much.

All in all, this was LSU's game. They have dominated at the Dome in 5 appearances for the CFA bowl and they weren't about to let go of their reign, even after the poor season that got them there. Tech ended the season strong, regardless, with big wins this year over UGA, Miami, and FSU (finally after 30+ years) and they shouldn't lose too much recruiting horsepower from yesterday's game. Congratulations LSU and long live CPJ!