David's Telling of the Trip

Our recent tour of America's heartland is over and we racked up some serious miles and lasting memories. I am continually in awe of the great land that we inhabit and of the Americans who keep it great. Some facts from the trip:

States traveled through: Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana.

Friends/Family visited in: Sedalia, MO; Rapid City, SD; Albuequerque, NM; Clovis, NM; and Bossier City, LA.

Interesting detours: Bellevue Bridge over the Missouri River in Nebraska (my Grandfather's A/E firm designed/built that bridge over sixty years ago); Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (my AF Squadron forged the path to turn these facilities over to the National Park Service during my time at Ellsworth in the early 2000s); New Orleans, LA (we followed a driving tour of the significant Katrina event locations - a very sobering glimpse of a very devastating time)

The route we took was 4,000 miles even (by Google standards) and we actually covered a little over 4,700.



Seen throughout New Mexico and Texas, these wind generators dominated many of the horizons during several long drives.



The South Dakota Air and Space Museum at Ellsworth AFB replaced a previously displayed 1/3rd scale B-2 Stealth Bomber model with this full-scale B-1B Bomber, retired when the B-1B consolidation took place.

One of our huge tasks as the cabin was to replace a set of two 12-foot blinds with canvas coverings - the job was a huge one and Rachel was well up to the task to make it happen; we even lugged her sewing machine all the way from Florida specifically for this.

Crazy Horse Memorial, a monument to all Native American tribes still in the making after over fifty years, is an awe-inspiring carving of an entire mountain. The picture doesn't do complete justice to this massive project but to give you an idea of the size - imagine a four-story building fitting inside the hole in the mountain, because it could if they tried it.

The mountains of Southern Wyoming loom high at the end of a long two-lane highway that took us through the quaint town of Lusk.



No, it's not Las Vegas - this is the Memphis Pyramid Arena, aptly designed as a reminder of the town's Egyptian namesake.

Andrew and Hannah rake up leaves at their Great-Grandmother's house in Sedalia, MO.

The massive door, adorned with the art from previous crews, would seal off the missileers during the Cold War alert days at this Launch Control Facility for the Minuteman II Intercontinental Ballistic Missile outisde Rapid City, SD.

I loved the contrast from this picture take on the interior loop of Bandlands National Monument.

Distance signs from Wall Drug have adorned wooden signposts all over the world and here the kids are, riding a Jackelope at the infamous watering hole on I-90.

I took several pictures in the Badlands, but none were as seemingly "set up" as this one - the Bighorn Sheep is framed perfectly by the Badlands and the horizon - all I had to do was take the picture.

The Shrine of Democracy (known as Mount Rushmore) is one of my favorite attractions in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I've been visiting my whole life and it's a wonderful thing to share now with my own children.

Of course, nothing worth sharing is worth sharing without my favorite travel companion of all-time - Rachel. She has put up with my "detours" and crazy mileage days beyond my understanding.

Interestingly enough, it's not over yet - though we are back in Florida, we will leave in one week again to drive to San Antonio where we'll spend a month while I'm on temporary duty at Randolph. The fun never stops!

I am back in Afghanistan

And I have been for almost two weeks.

The last 130 days are slowly ticking away and I am starting to finally get back into the "post-leave swing". I've started several projects lately and I have a few more left to start in the hopes of getting most of the concrete work done before winter sets in.

I am not travelling as far as I was before the break but I am travelling about as often. The air is getting a little clearer as the cold sets in, but it is still a drastic difference in air quality from the North Georgia mountains or the Gold Coast of Florida.

I have been exercising more lately, running almost every other day. I also use the stationary bike and occasionally workout on the rowing machine. In general though, I still feel like I need to lose a few pounds.

Every day I am comforted by my Creator and my life is made perfect by His grace. It is a hard concept, grace; but it gains importance in my life daily. I am constantly reminded that I am saved by grace alone and that anything good that comes from me, actually comes from Him - driven by His grace.

In Him,
David

"They say it's your birthday!"

Wow. I never really expected to have such a great birthday 7,000 miles away from home and yet God provided! He provided in so many ways but more than any other, in the love that was evident in care packages, notes on FaceBook, and messages left on Skype. Rachel sent a half sheet of her freakin'-awesome cookie cake and my mom sent all the trimmings for a rockin' "Transformers" party. Thank you, everyone for making this a special day.

A "Transformers" party in my office, complete with an amazing Confetti/Angel food cake that my mom had shipped from GA! She may have forgotten forks (something that we are definitely not lacking over here) but she made sure to include icing, 32+1 candles, hats, a "Birthday Hero" ribbon, the "Happy Birthday" banner, plates, napkins, and those funny things that roll-out when you blow into the open end. This birthday was definitely more than meets the eye!

My mom also sent several presents, probably the most exciting of which was a copy of The Reagan Diaries". Reagan is quickly growing to become my favorite president and one of my favorite leaders. I can't wait for this semester to be over so I can devote a lot of time to exploring this man and specifically his devotion to God and his wife even more.

Finally, but certainly not least, I received special letters from Rachel and all three kids. I am not sure why this photo uploaded like this, but maybe that's how Hannah Joy really wanted me to view it! Anyway, along with these special letters from each of them, I received framed 5x7s of each of the kids and enough Mentos to open a 7-11!

In a strange twist on the typical birthday fare, at least three folks sent me care packages that also had two-ply toilet paper! I guess there are at least a few folks reading my blog!

In Him,

David

Two of My Many Heroes

Mother's Day is a wonderful time to support worthy causes throughout the country such as FTD, Hallmark, and Russel Stover's. For me, it's a great time to reflect on two heroes in my life who happen to both be mothers.

Rachel

No one on this Earth is capable of filling the void that would otherwise be in my life right now like my wife of eight years and sweetheart of fifteen. Yes, she may go ballistic if I don't put my dishes in the washer, but put her in the toughest of situations and she is calm, cool, collected and a much better decision maker than me! She is everything I could ever imagine or dream of in a wife and mother and I am thankful for the work God did by bringing us together.

Mom

Unlike my wife, I had little choice in who I was stuck with for a mother. Sure, there were times I even questioned my place in her home and made the "run" away only to find myself back on a plaid couch, comforted by Mom. Mine is the quintessetial mom. She may have raised six kids but she made each of us feel (in just the right proportions and at just the right times) like we were her only child. My Mom had a temper! Hooo-ee! But, no matter what, she always demonstrated to us her love for our dad (the best lesson she taught me) and no matter what, she would always find a way (any way) to keep the family moving forward.

I really don't know how either one of them does what they do. Maybe it's really not for me to ask. Rather, I am supposed to just honor them and thank them for being who God called them to be.

A Psalm for me, now.

Psalm 91:14-16

"Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Lying in bed alone far from home, these words comfort me. It will be at least seven months before I see Rachel and the kids again as well as the rest of my family and friends, but I am determined to not shaken by the duration ahead. Soon I will begin a very long journey to my home away from home for the next year and these words (along with many more I hope to devour) must stay on my heart and mind every minute as new and unique challenges present themselves.

I almost must continually remind myself the same thing that Larry Boy had to remind himself in his tussle with the Bad Apple - that I can't do it alone. God has put a support system that is unrivaled to comfort, encourage, bless, and support Rachel and me during this time that He wants us to use. He also wants us to communicate regularly with Him about what we are going through mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and so on.

So yes, the words of that Psalm comfort me - but in reality, I'm not alone tonight. I am surrounded by His presence and the prayers of a countless army of spiritual warriors standing in the gap for me and my family, and I am thankful.

In Him,
David

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.