Saturday, June 28, 2008
Home
We went to the Ozarks and got massages and ate fudge and lots of good food and walked around, The bed and breakfast we stayed at also had full cable (we don't), so we were somewhat enamored with the television. I guess it doesn't take much for us to have fun. We did laugh a lot, and we had a great time with each other without having anything else to do. Dustin also insisted that we take one of those old-timey western photos. I think I have Brian and Kim to thank for this sudden inspiration. Unfortunately, the photo place didn't have any smaller dresses that were tasteful. Do all small women have to be trashy??? Also, I look like death because I had massage oil all in my hair and didn't even have mascara on, so I don't look the greatest. I have hope no one might see the picture, but somehow I know it may appear here or on Dustin's facebook account.
Overall though, the massage, the fudge, and the time with Dustin (not in any particular order) made it all worth it!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Takeover
Dustin is now officially a chaplain in the Oklahoma National Guard. Four guys came and did his swearing-in ceremony in our living room. Apparently I was supposed to attend the scheduled ceremony that was set for the day before, but I missed that part in our conversation. Fortunately, they were very understanding.
I guess the only other really new thing for us is that we are in some ways adopting the "green culture". We started our own recycling bins a few months ago. I know it's not really dramatic or anything, but it is a big step because Stillwater doesn't have curbside recycling. We are also the soon-to-be owners of a Honda civic hybrid. Because Dustin has accepted a position as the recruiter for the graduate Bible program at Oklahoma Christian, he will be traveling a lot. We thought this would be an appropriate step, so we have put down our deposit and are searching for a good interest rate loan for when the car actually comes in sometime in mid-July. Yes, Dustin will likely look like he's getting out of a clown car, but I 'm not certain he's had a vehicle in the nearly nine years I've known him that didn't fit that bill.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Updated information about us.
We hope all of you had a great Christmas and pray that God will bless you with a very Happy New Year. I have never blogged before, so don’t expect much. What you can expect are some updates about what is going on in our lives and what we plan to do in the near future.
Rach is still at the radio station. At the beginning of the year she was working as the News Dir. and covering the State Capitol. The station manager retired during the summer and Rach took on additional responsibilities to fill the absence until the station hired a replacement. Her interim performance convinced the powers-that-be that she is capable of a leadership position at the station and they later promoted her to Gen. Manager/Prog Dir. While she no longer covers the Capitol, which she loves to do, she enjoys her new job and the fact that she now has a voice in the direction of the radio station.
I finally graduated from OC in April with my Master’s of Div. My original plans were to continue with school and finish a Ph.D. in philosophical theology, but after a couple of philosophy classes at OSU I realized that I had lost all motivation to continue with academics at this time. So, after praying about it and talking with several friends and family I have decided to go in a different similar direction.
I have decided to reenter the National Guard as a Chaplain. I sent my packet for the ecclesiastical endorsement to the church in Fairfax, once I am endorsed by the Church of Christ, the endorsement will be sent to my recruiter. The only things my recruiter are waiting for is the endorsement and scheduling me for a physical. After the recruiter's packet is complete they will send it to the Pentagon for the Chaplaincy Corps Ascension board's approval. After that, they will send another packet to the State board, where I will be interviewed, and after that I can begin drilling.
This procession of packets could take several months and until then I am on a self-imposed sabbatical, during which I focus on my fitness and nutrition and I started reading several of my ministry books again to better prepare me for this exciting new ministry. I like the fact that I will be able to serve people from different religious backgrounds. One of my goals is to build relationships with soldiers based on what we have in common in Christ, which in my opinion is much more significant that what is different.
That is what we have been doing and we'll let you know more as life develops.
(and if you're lucky, I might actually start posting/editing more than once every six weeks :)