And it begins.....

So I've been at training now for something like three weeks (I think). Working 7 days a week you kind of loose track of time. So far it's been nothing but death by power point. I've meet my Command team as well as my Public Affairs Officer that I'll be working hand in hand with.

I'd have to say so far my biggest struggle has been the physical training. This is nothing new though as I've struggled with this since the day I enlisted in the Air Force. However this is a bit different as we have the Army leading our PT sessions. They are truly a different breed of individuals and it's taking some getting used to. However it will be good for me in the long run.

Living conditions are not the most desirable. I live in a open bay with 19 other guys, which is connected to three other bays. In total I'm living with about 90-100 guys. This keeps things very interesting to say the least.

Well I guess that's all for this post. I'll post again as I get time and have something to add.

Trusting in Him

As I sit here in my living room the morning before boarding a plane I reflect on all God has done for me over the last few months and how I've had to learn to trust in Him!

After moving to Virginia I admit I worried for a little while about making friends and finding a place to live. I knew that it would happen but maybe not as fast as I would like. So I prayed and asked God to be in control as he always is. The result was we found a home within 2 days of starting to walk through them (and now we are living in Our first home), and we have meet two amazing couples that I know will be friends for a long time to come!

This brings me to NOW! It seems unreal that in approx. 24 hours I will be boarding a plane and leaving my family behind for approx. a year. I knew this day would come but I just didn't think it would be this soon. Then I start to think about what will happen to me while I'm over there? How will I change? What things will I encounter? Then I think of the song "Trust in the Lord" by Point of Grace that says:

"Trust, trust in the Lord
Lean not on your own understanding
In all, all of your ways
Acknowledge Him
He'll make your path straight"

This brings comfort to my heart. I know that by trusting in God just as I did when we first moved here that everything will be taken care of. I know that Heather will have good God friends that will be here for her if needed. I know that she and Savannah will have a roof over their heads that won't fall down. I know that God is in control of my situation and that He won't give me anything I can't handle while I'm deployed. (lyrics: http://www.metrolyrics.com/trust-in-the-lord-lyrics-point-of-grace.html)

With all this in mind I'm now 'looking forward' to my deployment. I'm looking forward to meeting all the different people that I'll be deployed with, and getting to see a part of the world that I've only heard about. I'll get to experience a new culture that so different than the one what I'm used to. I'm looking forward to the chance to grow not only physically (as I plan to workout a lot) but also spiritually as I learn to trust in the Lord like I've never had to before. For once in my life I won't have any control over what happen at home and I have to trust in Him for everything, and pray that he provides, directs, and protects my family.

Where did the time go?

Wow it's amazing how time can just fly by you without much thought. It seems like just yesterday I was holding Savannah in my arms for the first time at the hospital. Yet tonight I looked at her and couldn't believe how big she is. To see her smile up at me when I walk into the room just makes me melt inside.

Finally speaking of time flying by, this weekend I leave for my deployment. I'm hoping the time fly's by fast so I can return to my waiting family! 

For those interested keep checking the blog often as I'm hoping to upload photos, stories, and of course my thoughts throughout this great adventure.

Deploying

Recently I found out that I was going to be deploying in just a couple weeks time. This news came as a bit of a shock as I wasn't expecting it to happen quite this soon. All I can remember thinking when my shop superintendent told me was, "how am I going to tell Heather? How is she going to take it?" Don't get me wrong Heather is a VERY strong individual and I knew that she would be able to handle the challenge. But we had just bought a house and on top of that we have a 4 month old daughter. This is a lot to change. Not only will I be here to help get the house completely situated but I won't be around to support her over the next year in regards to Savannah.

As the time of my deployment gets closer I can't help but let my mind wander and think about all the things I'm going to miss. I'll miss my daughters first steps, first words, first of many other things. I know that Heather will try do her best to capture these special events with her cell phone video and our camera, but it's not the same. 

On the bright side of all of this (if there is one), being deployed has gotten me a lot of clothing and gear that I would not have gotten otherwise! When I first went to buy all my military gear and clothing I would need for my deployment it felt almost like Christmas and I was on a shopping spree!

Well I guess that's all for my first post. I'll update this blog as I'm able. Thanks for reading!