My Journey Thus Far

Fw: MAW Chaplain's Billet

2011-09-26T11:57:00.001-05:00

----- Original Message -----
From: Baik LT Johan
To: Woodard LT Gregory S
Sent: Mon Sep 26 09:52:56 2011
Subject: RE: MAW Chaplain's Billet

I think you meant MWSS 373. Anyways, I enjoyed my time with them. I was able to establish very close personal relationships with all the company commanders (although they have all changed now except HQ Company). The new CO is a devout Christian (non-denominational but grew up Presbyterian). He is serious about his faith and was bummed to hear I was leaving and concerned that the Jewish chaps was coming. I spent extra time ensuring him that the Rabbi has the same responsibility to care for all as I did. Anyways, I agree with your previous email about not surprising Neal with your knowledge of his desire not to extend. I would simply say you are interested in his billet and ask if there is a deployment soon. That way, he might suggest you come earlier. Put the ball back in his court, so to speak. Anyways, I'll be glad to help and even speak with Father Foley and Rabbi Elson if that helps. We just lost a billet in 3d MAW (Chris Earley) and not getting a replacement so they may entertain some overlap if the detailer would entertain it. That is, of course, way above my paygrade.

Johan

-----Original Message-----
From: Woodard LT Gregory S
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 14:17
To: Baik LT Johan
Subject: RE: MAW Chaplain's Billet

How is the command with MWSS 273?

Greg

-----Original Message-----
From: Baik LT Johan
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2011 7:46 AM
To: Woodard LT Gregory S
Subject: RE: MAW Chaplain's Billet

Greg,
It was good to see you again yesterday. We arrived safely around 1830 last night.

Rabbi Neil Kreisler just relieved me at MWSS-373. The unit is scheduled to deploy again in Aug/Sep of 2012 to AFG. Rabbi Elson is trying to get him to extend so that he can make the full deployment but he doesn't want to. Right now, we really don't have a chaplain to take his place unless I go back to them (which is unlikely...but then again, anything is possible). I would recommend that you talk to Neil directly so he might even suggest that you come early enough to relieve him and deploy with the unit. By the way, MWSS-373 is out there now at WTI. Neil was sitting next to me yesterday. He may be out there starting next week. I would just get with him, and even spend time with 373 in the event you are given that billet. (But of course, you didn't get this info from me...)

In terms of schooling, I live up in Temecula, closer to Camp Pendleton. In San Diego, Poway is considered one of the top in California.

Even without MWSS 373, your chances of deploying with 3d MAW is significantly better than 2d MAW, I believe. But be sure to come to Miramar; not, Pendleton, 29 Palms, or Yuma. Your chances of deploying from Miramar is significantly better. MWSS-374 in 29 Palms (Ch. Melanie Miller), and Chaplain Bradshaw's first tour, is not deploying any time soon. They are the sole MWSS support for EMV so they are grounded until further notice.

Anyways, I hope that helps. If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I worked with 2d MAW leadership in AFG for about a month before coming back. They are a good bunch of people but they are even more scattered in the east coast than we are. So the unit cohesion seemed to be a bit less than us here in the West Coast. But then again, I may be biased.

v/r
Johan

-----Original Message-----
From: Woodard LT Gregory S
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2011 15:44
To: Baik LT Johan
Subject: MAW Chaplain's Billet

Johan,

Good to see you again this morning. Hope you had a safe trip back to Miramar.

I am due to rotate out of Yuma in November of 2012.
Ch Kreisler is due to rotate out of Miramar in December of 2012 and there is also a 2nd MAW billet in Cherry Point coming open.

My key needs for next billet are operational and I'd like to get a deployment under my belt. What are my chances of deploying out of either 3 MAW or 2 MAW?

What do you think of Miramar? How are the schools around there?

G & P,
Greg

Hard Times

2011-08-20T18:51:00.001-05:00

Marines have a motto: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Or maybe you’ve heard the slogan, “when life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” These slogans sound good. We should face our struggles with faith and just get on with our lives, right?

The very real truth is that life’s trials hurt, and it is not often easy to “just get on with things.” The human experience is full of hardships: sickness and accidents; disappointments, strained and broken relationships. Difficulties in life will come and we must not allow them to keep us down.

A clear understanding of the value of these hardships will make it possible makes it possible to have a positive attitude in the face of struggle. Here are some points for you to consider as you face the troubles that you are either dealing with now or are sure to face in the future: 1) Adversity can both mature us and can bring out the best in us; 2) Suffering and distress can produce perseverance and endurance.

Perseverance is not a passive acceptance of circumstances. Perseverance instead refers to the ability to display steadfastness and constancy in the face of the most formidable difficulty. It is a courageous resolve in the face of suffering. It is continuing on even when times are tough, no matter the circumstances. Hard times can have a purifying quality; they are the arena in which, and the process through which, a tribulation transforms into a blessing.

But to truly learn and grow, we must persevere. Too often, we want to get our difficulties over with quickly. There are times when the best course is to bear up patiently instead of grumbling and complaining. We need to simply endure, and to continue doing well, understanding that perhaps the trial is meant to refine something in our life.

A journalist once wrote, “When nothing seems to help, I go to look at a stonecutter, hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times, without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet after the one hundred and first blow, it will split in two; and I know that it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before.” Letting patience do its perfect work is not easy. If we wish to run the race of life well we need to develop patience. That patience, in turn, will come only through a form of “resistance training,” that consists of doing well in enduring the misfortunes of life.

Our goal should be to turn trials into triumph. Remember that patient endurance of adversity can accomplish much good and spirituality can be a powerful tool in developing the wisdom to help us gain a proper perspective toward our hardships.

Pornography In the Marriage: Where to draw the line?

2011-07-17T19:47:00.001-05:00

I wrote this article for the Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma Desert Warrior (the station newspaper):

In the June 30^th edition of this paper, the Tell Us Your Opinion question was “Pornography in the marriage: Where to draw the line?” This is a topic of discussion that we bring up in our PREP marriage classes and is, I believe, a topic of vital importance to the health of Marine Corps marriages. In responding to issues, it is common to give the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front). BLUF: “Pornography has no place in marriages and is destructive in marital relationships.” Bear with me as I unpack the BLUF (from a male perspective).

Romance, love and sexual pleasure are God’s good gift to us. Lust is the opposite of the purity of romance, love and sex as originally intended. Lust can be defined as deformed sexual desire and as an excessive desire for one’s own sexual pleasure. Lust is self-centered and is focused on one’s own self-gratification. Lust has been rehabilitated in our culture. There is a prevalent belief that the only damaging thing about lust is suppressing it. Society has divorced sex from morality and sees it as just a physical need to satisfy and as long as it is consensual, it is just harmless fun.

Entire books have been written on the topics under discussion in this article, space only allows me to provide a brief summary. Within the marital bond, sex is good, lust, not so much. Pornography creates a warped perception of people, relationships and sex. Pornography teaches unrealistic and inappropriate sexual experiences, it decreases satisfaction with monogamy and lowers family loyalties, it objectifies and degrades women, it encourages promiscuity, and it increases susceptibility to sexually acting out in ways harmful to others. Additionally pornography objectifies men and women, portraying them as sex objects whose worth lies in the size and shape of their body parts. It should be noted that men tend to be very visual, and when they look at a nude woman, they spend more time looking at her body and less time looking at her face – the focus is on her body parts – she is an object to be viewed and consumed.

Pornography leads men to have unhealthy views of women. Women are not valued for who they are as people, they are seen as objects meant to satisfy our desires. The best book that I have read on the issue of pornography is Wired for Intimacy: How Pornography Hijacks the Male Brain by William M. Struthers. In the book, he writes on neural pathways. Like a path is created in the woods with each successive hiker, so do the neural paths become wider as they are repeatedly traveled with each exposure to pornography. They become the automatic pathway through which interactions with women are routed. All women become potential porn stars in their minds. They unknowingly have created a neurological circuit that imprisons their ability to see women rightly – as images created with value as people, not as objects to be used.

Finally I remind the reader of the emotional connection that is supposed to exist only between husband and wife. When we give ourselves over to pornography, we create an emotional connection with an object of illicit desire. We rob our spouse of the oneness that is essential in keeping the relationship mutually fulfilling.

BLUF: “Pornography has no place in marriages and is destructive in marital relationships.”

Sermon Notes

2009-11-21T11:03:00.001-06:00

I will be preaching my first sermon tomorrow (Sunday, November 22, 2009) in the Marine Corps Air Station Chapel as the Station Protestant Chaplain. My text will be Colossians 3:1-11. My sermon title will be Live Holy, No Matter What. Below are my main points:
I. Seek the Heavenly (vv. 1-4)
A. Set your minds on things above
B. Reasons to seek things above
II. Slay the Earthly (5-9)
A. We must "put to death" the sensual sins
B. We must "put off" the social sins
III. Strengthen our Christ-Likeness (vv. 10-11)
A. For we have put on the new man
B. For the goal is "Christ is all and in all"

Born to Run

2009-10-10T17:38:00.000-05:00

Book to read.
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2009-09-28T18:53:00.001-05:00

Just got back from playing three mean games of racquetball. It has been a few years since I have played and things did not turn out the way I wanted. Hopefully I can get my game dialed in and have more success on the court in the future.

2009-09-26T23:10:00.001-05:00

I have much to be grateful for. After a difficult 2008, God has blessed our family with the adventures of active duty Navy Chaplaincy.

Graduation Day

2009-09-18T07:38:00.001-05:00

After five long weeks, my graduation day has arrived. Thanks all for your prayers.
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End of ODS

2009-09-17T11:22:00.001-05:00

We are in the midst of our last day of ODS. This prospective is ready to be graduated & settled in South Carolina. We have our gradation reception tonight, graduation tomorrow at 0900, and then in the evening, I fly out for Columbia. Thanks all for your prayers. Part one almost done, ready to start part two and then on to Yuma and part three.
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Heritage Run & Drill

2009-09-14T12:07:00.002-05:00

Image by Tolka Rover via Flickr

Great last formation run this morning. We called it the Heritage Run and we ran to a pier where two aircraft carriers are docked. We then stepped out individually and shared our knowledge of the Forestall & Saratoga.
Later this morning we did drill practice getting ready for graduation. All the while our chief petty officers barked at us - a sure sign that we are doing OK and almost ready for graduation on Friday, 9/18.
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Newport, RI Cliff Walk - Atlantic Ocean

2009-09-07T11:48:00.003-05:00

Just finished Newport Cliff Walk. Now waiting in line to have lunch at Fl0's Crab Shack in Middleport (update: well worth the wait for fried clam strips!).

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Navy Whites - Getting Ready for a Night Out in Newport, RI

2009-09-06T01:38:00.002-05:00

Finally in whites!
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How Did I Get Here?

2009-09-05T07:23:00.001-05:00

Just finished an early duty and am now sitting enjoying a quiet cup of coffee. I am contemplating how I arrived at this place in my life where I stepped back on to active duty nearly 20 years after leaving the Marine Corps. God moves in mysterious ways. Each morning when I wake up at 3:45, I remind myself that I am here in Newport, RI for the sake of the call to serve the fine men & women who have answered the call to serve their country.
Thanks for all of your continuing prayers during this time of separation from my family.
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Liberty

2009-08-28T15:28:00.001-05:00

Just granted liberty. As the class leader (and a chaplain), I hope everyone returns and that no one screws up.
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Colors

2009-08-28T07:17:00.001-05:00

Just had the privilege of being part of the color detail we raised the graduation flag. It is a large flag that took six of us to raise. All went well and the ensign went up without a hitch.
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Coffee

2009-08-28T05:31:00.001-05:00

Coffee never tasted so good. We passed some test & had coffee privileges restored.
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Early

2009-08-27T20:34:00.001-05:00

There is nothing like waking up at 3:30 in the morning for physical training under the stars - with no coffee. Scary thing is I am waking up before my alarm clock.
We might get liberty this weekend. Depends on Hurricane Danny.
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Uniform

2009-08-22T18:46:00.001-05:00

Here I am in uniform.
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Tired

2009-08-19T20:37:00.001-05:00

Learning what the meaning of sleep deprivation is. I have averaged about 4 hours of sleep. I am excited that I have passed the swim equal.
I was honored to have been selected as the Division Officer. It will be a privilege to lead Echo Company, Class 09100 through the remainder of our time at ODS.
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First Day Done

2009-08-17T18:45:00.001-05:00

First day is in the books. Welcome to hurry up and wait. Tomorrow should be fun with an early wake up courtesy of the senior chief.
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Made it to Newport

2009-08-15T21:25:00.001-05:00

Made it to Newport Naval Station. This & the picture are picture of my half of the room I am staying.
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Newport, Pt. 2

2009-08-15T21:22:00.002-05:00

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Providence

2009-08-15T14:49:00.001-05:00

I have now landed in Providence, RI. Tonight I report for officer training - Monday the fun begins.
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Thanks

2009-08-15T11:08:00.002-05:00

From: greg.woodard@gmail.com

Date: Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:52:59 To: Posterous .com
Subject: Thanks

As I make my way to my gate, I wanted to send a note of thanks to all of you who supported Vicki & I with your thoughts & prayers. I can never adequately repay you. I can promise to be the best Navy chaplain I can be. Blessings to all of you.
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Detroit

2009-08-15T10:20:00.001-05:00

Just landed in Detroit. Pulling into gate now. This journey became real when I walked away from my family & boarded the plane.
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Certificate of Commission

2009-07-23T16:10:00.002-05:00

Here is a picture of my Commissioning certificate. Navy Recruiting District, Minneapolis gave me this certificate already very nicely framed.

Now a Navy Officer!

2009-07-23T16:08:00.001-05:00

Here are a couple of pictures of my swearing in as a Lieutentant Junior Grade, United States Navy Chaplain Corps on Wednesday, July 22. I am honored to have been selected and am looking forward to ministering to the brave men and women (and their families) of the Navy as a chaplain.

Master the Shift Workouts

2009-07-20T21:18:00.001-05:00

I'll have to try this out:
http://www.mastertheshift.com/masters/hall/workouts/index.shtml

One of Those Days

2009-07-07T23:17:00.002-05:00

Below is a link to an important post for anyone who would be a military chaplain. I have enjoyed reading posts from Army Chaplain Brad Lewis who is serving in Afghanistan.
Training for Eternity: One of Those Days

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A Bodyweight Workout for Busy Men

2009-07-07T08:39:00.001-05:00

A good workout without the gym can be found here:
Bodyweight Workout for Busy Men

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Continuing to Believe

2009-06-30T07:45:00.002-05:00

I have been told that a friend whose scroll went out the second week of June has been informed that his scroll and his commissioning documents are back - and that he is in August.
My scroll when in on 18 May, a week later, so hopefully I will hear that mine are back this week. I would really like to speak with the detailer tomorrow (or today)!

Colossians 3:1-11 - Live Holy, No Matter What

2009-06-28T07:33:00.005-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

In a few minutes, I am leaving to go preach at a church up in Isanti County. I am preaching from Colossians 3:1-11 and the title comes from a posting a friend of mine who is a chaplain to the Navy SEAL community.

My three main points are:

Seek the Heavenly
Slay the Earthly
Strengthen the Christ-Likeness

I love to preach, and this morning should be fun!

After service update:
As I thought, it was great fun to present my sermon. The church was a little hard to find (don't always trust Google maps), but I made it in plenty of time, and we had a great time of worship.

Navy PRT

2009-06-27T11:30:00.005-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

I had another Navy PRT on my agenda for today. Not much difference from my last one (linked here).

Curl Ups: 83 (82: Excellent Medium)
Push Ups: 39 (63: Good Low)
1.5 Mile Run: 14:45 (55: Satisfactory High)
Results: 200: Satisfactory High

BTW - the picture here is of an Air Force PFT - I could not find an image of a Navy PFT!!

Countdown

2009-06-24T09:47:00.003-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

According to my Google counter, I have 53 days until the life changing experience of entering the active duty Navy Chaplain's Corps!

(No orders yet - I am speaking 53 days in faith!!)

Waiting, Pt. 2

2009-06-18T14:39:00.003-05:00

And this from my recruiter this afternoon:

Not ruling out August yet, but...

Waiting

2009-06-18T14:15:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine who will likely be in the same chaplain school class as me emailed me this morning. He wrote this:

FYI....I totally believe that you and I will be in the August class. There is plenty of time for this to happen. Two months allows for the scroll list, comm docs, and detailer assignment according to my recruiter. He has not guaranteed me in the class; however, he has said strongly to plan accordingly.

Psalm 37:4

2009-06-17T12:01:00.003-05:00

Image by Steve Webel via Flickr

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Earlier, I wrote the following in my journal:

It does not follow from this verse that the Lord will give me whatever I ask for as long as I desire the Lord. Rather, I believe that this verse means that as I grow in delighting in the Lord, my desires will change and what I ask for will be in alignment with what he wants for me. I think this includes his understanding of the right time for things to happen.

There are stepping stones of faith that are part of the process of trusting in God to give us the desires of our heart in his time.

Waiting

2009-06-15T09:03:00.003-05:00

Times of waiting are never easy. I have a sense of what God would have us to do in the future, but there is a time of waiting that is part of the process. I am trying to ensure that I learn the lesson that God wants for me as I wait for the next move in my journey toward the chaplaincy.

Running Well

2009-06-12T10:28:00.003-05:00

Image by brixton via Flickr

Though I have run off and on for several years, I haven't been a consistent runner in a long time. Now that I am selected to the Navy Chaplain Corps, I have found some consistency. I am able to comfortably run three miles on a mixture of road & trail, and a mixture of decline and incline at a consistent 10 minutes per mile pace, three or four times per week.
I am hoping that when I have to run the shorter distance of 1.5 miles for my PRT, the extra endurance will help me to keep up an acceptable pace. I'll know on the 20th when I have a Navy PRT on my agenda again.

Scroll

2009-06-10T12:11:00.007-05:00

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As of today, I continue to wait for my scroll approval (prospective commissioned officers are listed on a document (often called a scroll) which has to go through congress and then be signed off on by the Secretary of Defense).
I found out today that my DC hotel mate's scroll is back and that he is slated for the August ODS. Also a new friend from Florida whose chaplain application and scroll dates are very similar to mine is being told to continue to plan for a 6/19 commissioning ceremony.
In the words of my processor:

You never know. The scroll approval could come through tomorrow or it could be August. I have seen scroll approved in as little as 4 weeks and as long as 16 weeks (that was a one time deal when the scrolls ended up sitting on someone's desk - hasn't happened since).

The journey has been long and waiting is hard. God has seen us through up to this point, and I know he will in the weeks ahead - even if I have to wait for January before going to ODS.

Navy ODS

2009-06-10T09:55:00.005-05:00

Ah the fun of a journey back into military "basic training." It will be interesting to go through this training with members of several other Navy communities (medical, dental, legal, etc.). And I take comfort knowing that I will not be the oldest student in my ODS class.

Navy ODS Tips and Insights

Navy ODS Tips and Insights

Hey Ya'll! I just got out of Navy ODS and I'm here with some tips for you guys.

Things to bring:
unscented baby wipes (unless you like to smell like baby): you don't always have time to take a proper shower
those facial cleansing clothes that don't require water (see above)

iPod. They never specifially say you can use them, but they're fair game on weekends and evenings (well, evenings after the second week)

computer. Yeah, they say you can bring on on the website. There is PLENTY of storage space in YOUR room, locked up with YOUR lock. Bring it. You won't get internet access unless you're in wing 6, but it comes in handy, nonetheless.

watch. You won't be allowed to wear it until week 4 or 5, but you'll be glad you have it then.

Crappy glasses (if you wear them). You'll need crappy ones.

Contact lenses. At the very least, you'll want them for fire fighting and abaondon ship. They also make PT better. Nobody likes to run/do pushups with their glasses sliding down their noses!

Notebook. Scrap paper comes in very handy, and the last few weeks, you'll be allowed to carry it to class. Taking notes is a handy way to stay awake in power point hell. You'll understand when you get there.

Blanket. If you are in RI during anything except July and August, you'll want a blanket. They turn the heat off in the building because of the smell (remember the lack of proper showers?). The blankets you'll be issued are crap, plus you can't actually use them. You won't be sleeping in your bed. On it, maybe, but not in it. Bring a blanket, or buy a cheap on at the NEX when you get there.

Civilian clothes. Yeah. The website says to bring as few civvies as possible. Ignore that. Figure you'll have three weekends of liberty while you're there. That's Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday for three weekends. Pack accordingly.

Gel insoles. You'll be standing and walking pretty much 18 hours a day the first week or two. Then you'll be drilling for grad practice for HOURS at a time. Bring insoles. They'll save you.

Air freshener. Your room will need it.

Swiffer, and all swiffer-related items. You'll need them to clean your room. They place is ALWAYS dusty. You'll need them. There is a gear locker where you can check out items. These are at a premium, and you won't always have time to go all the way to the gear locker.

Books, if you like to read. I read more at ODS than I had in years. Bring reading material.

Playing cards. You'll have spare time, especially the last two weeks. Playing cards are a GREAT passtime, plus you get to socialize with your division. Use that iPod and the cool thing that turns it into a stereo. Good times.

Okay. I'll post more items to bring as I remember them. Here is the lowdown on what to expect the first few days.

You'll check in Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Enjoy these days. No one will yell at you. Leave the building. Use this opportunity to get to know your division. Go off base. You won't leave base again for three weeks. Enjoy it.

Monday: no one will yell at you this day, either. It's admin day. You'll be bored. Enjoy the boredom. Relish the boredom. You won't be bored again for a while.

Tuesday: it's go-time. They will tell you to be up and ready at 5am. It's really 4am. Be ready to go, IN YOUR ROOM by 0345. You won't regret it.

Make sure the people near the hall doors are comfortable with rank and recognition. Also, make sure somebody is posted there watching to see who's coming through the doors. You'll have to call "attention on deck," "chief on deck," ect all the time. You'll get dropped (pushups, punitive PT, etc) if somebody walks in and nobody calls it.

You'll be issued a water bottle. It will be with you AT ALL TIMES. They will try to trick you with this the first REAL day of training. They'll tell you to ground your bottle. Tell you it goes with you everywhere, then send you to your rooms to get something. TAKE YOUR BOTTLE WITH YOU!!! This is a trick. You may not get YOUR water bottle back if you don't take it to your room with you.

Know your left from your right. This is invaluable.

Learn how to iron.

Know how to do your own laundry.

Practice taking REALLY quick, REALLY cold showers.

Get used to having no privacy. The shower curtains...not large enough to cover most of...anything.

When you check into your room on the day you arrive, you'll notice a little green notebook on your desk. Take this notebook, and write in it:
you chain of command (located on one of the bulletin boards in your hallway)
11 general orders of a sentry
Sailor's creed
Anchor's aweigh (all verses)
Navy/USMC rank and recognition
This is your knowledge. Memorize it. You'll be expected to recite from memory at will ANY and ALL of this. Especially during uniform inspections.

Congratulations

2009-06-06T16:47:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

A letter arrived in the mail today from the Navy Recruiting Command:

Congratulations on your selection to the Chaplain Corps Direct Appointment Program. Competition has been keen and you should be proud of your selection.

I guess that means I am mostly in. All that remains are the commissioning documents and orders to school (hopefully for August).

Navy PRT

2009-06-06T16:43:00.006-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

I had a Navy PRT on my agenda for today. This morning I did the strength portions (curl ups and push ups) in my living room, and this afternoon, I finally decided to brave the rain to go out to do the 1.5 mile run. Here are my results:

Curl Ups: 82 (84: Excellent Medium)
Push Ups: 38 (64: Good Low)
1.5 Mile Run: 14:40 (59: Satisfactory High)
Results: 207: Satisfactory High

Memorize Anything

2009-06-06T12:17:00.000-05:00

How to Memorize Anything

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Memorization

2009-06-06T12:13:00.000-05:00

How to Memorize Verbatim Text : Productivity501

With the volume of information I need to memorize over the coming weeks, this could be a great tool!

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Professionally Recommended

2009-06-03T15:17:00.001-05:00

GW has been "professionally recommended" by the Navy CARE board. This means that I am considered fully qualified to be a chaplain. Now I have to wait for my commissioning documents before everything will be finalized.
We are hoping for a slot in the August school. If we don't make that school, then I would have to wait for January (which would be a difficult journey). I am of the mindset that since I am going to do this, I want to do it sooner rather than later. Please continue to pray with us.

Calisthenics

2009-06-01T14:48:00.002-05:00

Daily 16 The U.S. Marine Corps Daily 16 Program is a comprehensive series of warm-up, conditioning, and cool-down exercises. It replaces the former Daily 7.

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Health & Lifestyle Books daily 16 physical training

To Washington DC and Back

2009-05-28T15:59:00.008-05:00

On Wednesday, May 20, I was informed that I had been invited to Washington D.C. to interview with the Navy CARE (Chaplain Accession Retention & Evaluation) board. This is the final step in the application process for active duty Navy chaplaincy (those that are selected for chaplaincy are generally offered a final selection in the form of a commission).
The interview itself went fine (after getting over a case of the nerves on the first two questions). Not sure where the board will land regarding my application (along with four more that were interviewed). It is now in God's hands (and those of this group of distinguished senior chaplains).

Friday (5/29) addition: From my hotel mate: "He [our chaplain recruiter] told me at the airport that he felt pretty good about the both of us and that when he talked to the board after each of our interviews they seemed very pleased. His impression from them was favorable."

Blessings,
G

Dear Dad

2008-07-11T17:57:00.001-05:00

Dear Dad,

Well, I knew this day would come sometime, but for you to be only 63, and for me to be only 42, it is too soon. Vicki & I had decided to go ahead with our Independence Day plans to spend the weekend in Willmar, MN. We had had a great day, and several of us had gathered to pray, just to say thanks. Along the way, one of us prayed for you. We asked that God would strengthen both you and mom. We knew that you had eaten on Thursday, so we thought things were looking up. And then Liahna said that she heard Vicki’s phone ringing. Vicki hurried over to answer the call.

Suddenly, I knew things weren’t right. She hung up and said to all of us that they had just called a code blue on you, and said something about CPR. I immediately said that we had to go. We needed to drive to Iowa. A few minutes later I was talking to Jeff, and asked him to explain what was happening. He gave us what he knew, and said that he did not think dad was going to make it. Suddenly the driving became all the more urgent. I wanted the car to grow wings so that we could get to the hospital. And then Jeff called with two words that I will never forget. He said, “He’s gone.” I was quiet for a moment and Jeff asked if I was still there. I said yes, and that we would be to Iowa as soon as we could.

At that moment, I knew that my life was forever changed. Dad, you were too young to have passed away. You were always so healthy, I never had a concern that I would lose you this early in my life. But I did know that things weren’t right over the last eight months. Still we thought that the decision to take part of your colon would provide some relief from your recent health issues.

Finally at around 3:30 in the morning, we arrived at the hospital. We hurried up to the floor where you were, I embraced mom, Jeff and Gloria, and then went into your room. I saw a sight that is forever drilled into my head. You were lying there dead. Finally the emotions I had held in so that I could drive safely came flooding out. I bent over to see your closed eyes, your still body. I wanted so much to look down and see your chest rising and falling as you if were in a deep sleep. I reached over and pulled Jeff close and said, “He was a good man.” And I checked again, just to make sure that I did not see you awakening out of your sleep. But no, dad, you were gone. And I had not been able to say goodbye. I had to be satisfied with being able to wish you a happy birthday on June 30.

But enough said about your having passed away. I want to take a moment to tell you what I remember about you over the years. I remember many good times as a child. You were a great dad, who worked hard to provide for his family. And you always took time to pay attention to your boys, and later on your daughter. I remember many camping trips and your joy when we would catch a big fish. I remember when we finally moved up from a tent to a fold down camper.

Along the way, you and mom decided to adopt Gloria. I am forever grateful that you did. She has been the joy of our family. And I remember when you and mom decided to provide for some of my cousins during a difficult time. It was hard for me, but I know that it was the right thing to do.

The years progressed. You walked with me through my teen years, and were there to support me when I made a decision to join the Marine Corps. You always allowed your children to make our decisions. You provided us with wise guidance, and helped us weigh out options, but stepped back and allowed us to make the decisions that we thought were right. And then I was gone from your home. I went off to spend several years serving the country that I know you loved so much.

One day late in my journey through the military, mom called me to tell me that her father had died. I did not know him very well. There were difficult circumstances that caused you and mom to keep us separated over the years. It was when I returned home for his funeral that mom pulled me aside and began to explain to me all that had happened during her childhood.

It was at that time, and in the coming years that I understood for the first time how important you had been to mom. You stepped into a vacuum in her life, in many ways, you rescued mom from the wounds of her past. And you stood by her. I know that you did not always understand what was going on, you did not understand why mom, her siblings and Grandma Naomi dealt with life the way they did. But in all the hard times, you were like a rock for mom. You loved her without reservation, and you took care of and protected her.

Your and my relationship changed over the years. I was the oldest, but I was also the last to get married. You welcomed me back into your home during my time of transition from the military into the next chapter of my life. When I decided to throw caution to the wind and move to Minneapolis, you supported me. You were always available to me when I called and needed your support. The early years in Minnesota were not easy. You encouraged me to continue seeking God’s will for my life, and encouraged me to not give up. Finally, I found the love of my life and you and mom were so happy for me. Not too long after that, Vicki and finally gave you grand daughter. You and mom were so happy with us. You were helpful as we tried to figure out how to be parents. And then you were there for us when David came along. You cried with us as he took a long journey toward recovery.

Then five years ago, you were downsized from a company to which you had devoted 40 years of your life. I was proud of you as I watched you process through that difficult time. You were able to enjoy some extended travel with mom. I never knew you to be bitter. And you decided to embark on a career in real estate, and learned that trade from the ground up.

Dad, you went too soon. I thought I would be in my 60s when you went home. I wanted you to see me continue my journey toward fulfilling God’s will for my life. And I wanted my children to have you in their life as they entered adulthood. I missed out on having a grandfather during my childhood, and I was glad that David and Liahna had both you and Vicki’s father to enjoy and to learn from. And so I am torn up by your going home. I trust in the Lord, but I am not ready for you to be absent from my life. I need your wisdom in my life. Dad, I am going to miss you. There is a hole in my heart. And I am sure that in the coming days, it is finally going to hit me that I am never going to see you again. I am never going to enjoy that smile, that glint in your eye; and I am never again going to see you enjoying your grandchildren.

There is one thing about you that does bring me comfort. I know that you loved Jesus. I think that your death was untimely. Yet I take comfort in the scriptures that remind us that God was not surprised by your death. Job 1:21 says, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Psalm 139:16 says, “…your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” In these recent months you loved Jeremiah 29:11 which reminds says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God’s hope for your future was to bring you home. And now your body is not aching, your heart is not in distress, and you are not gasping for breath.

Dad, it is my prayer that as we consider your death, that all of us will be reminded of the briefness and uncertainty of life. We were all shocked by your death.We thought that the doctors had finally taken an important step in figuring out how to help you get healthy again.Your death reminds us of how fleeting life is. James 4:13-14 “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit’ -- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

Dad, you know that today is my 42nd birthday. For the rest of my life, my birthday will not simply mean that I am one year older. It will always remind me of the day that we released our hold on you. And Dad, I will never again be able to invite you into my home, nor will I ever be able to enjoy your calming presence in my life again. However, I know that you are in the presence of the Lord that you loved so much. Peace to you dad, and may we always hold on to your legacy of love for your family.

Love,

Greg