The Crawfinski Clan

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2008-06-28T18:35:00.000-07:00

We are back from vacation, and it is so nice to be home. I know we went away to get away from life and to relax, but I think I always relax a little more when I get home. We went to Eureka Springs, a place I said I would never go because it always seemed like older people went there to get married a second time or young people for quick weddings that seemed a little distasteful. However, we only had three days notice before we went after Dustin finally found out he wouldn't have drill (I think he was stalling for effect), so our options were somewhat limited.

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!

Takeover

2008-06-22T20:21:00.000-07:00

Okay, because Dustin obviously never writes on this blog and everyone else seems to have a blog (that I secretly read obsessively), I have decided to take over the one he has already established. Besides, I have time this week because I am on vacation. It's the first one I remember taking in quite some time. Later this week we are going to stay at a bed and breakfast for a few days to truly get away from it all, but for the next few days I need to decide which home projects I would most like to get accomplished. I have some sad furniture I have collected from various garage sales and flea markets because I like the shape, but it is in sad need of paint. I also need to clean out our flower bed.

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.

Updated information about us.

2008-01-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

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 :)