2 More Years...

On August 6th, 2007 I went off to boot camp. I, to be honest, had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had done a little bit of research, but ultimately I was just depending on the Lord that He was going to get me through it. After going through the worst two months of my life, I became a United States Navy Sailor. I would have to say that Boot Camp graduation day was probably one of the proudest days of my life. I had made it, by God's grace I had made it! I learned so much too. I learned discipline, I learned how to push myself past my limit, to do what I would have thought impossible. I also learned how to "pray without ceasing. I would have to say that those two months in boot camp was a time in my life where every spare minute was spent in prayer to the Lord. I think boot camp was probably the time in my life where I relied on the Lord the most.

If you would have told me before I went to boot camp, that I would be in Japan right now...I probably wouldn't have believed you. I mean I thought, before I joined, that being stationed overseas was very unlikely. I thought that that was for people who requested it, that it didn't just happen to anybody. Well, of course I was wrong. Here I am stationed in Japan. God has brought me sooooo far! Way farther than I ever would have imagined! God has truly been good to me!

Now if you haven't noticed by looking at the date that I went to boot camp in the first paragraph, that was exactly 2 years ago. Do you know how long my contract is? It's four years! Do you know what that means? I have exactly two years left with my navy career! How do I feel about this? Well, I must say that in spite of all the blessings that the Navy has bestowed on my life, I would be lying if I were to tell you it has all been fine and dandy times. I have to admit there were times where I wanted to desert because the stress was overwhelming. That is of course where the Lord comes in. Without the Lord, I probably would have gone nuts already. In spite of the difficulty...I know that the Navy is just where God wants me right now. Do I have to admit that I'm happy that I'm half way through? Yes, I do admit that being halfway through, is very exciting! Especially since these last two years seem to have flown by.

I'm looking forward to getting out in two years, moving to Wisconsin, and buying that little Log Cabin I've been drooling over on the Internet, and of course going to Northland to get my degree. Of course hopefully some wedding bells somewhere in there.

As I reflect on these last two years, and these two years ahead of me, I would like to ask everyone to pray...pray for me...and for the other men fighting on the front lines for our country. The ones on the front lines definitely need the most prayer! The most dangerous thing in my life is the risk of being shocked (Sorry Hannah, I couldn't help it...). But those men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan are the ones that really need prayer. Don't forget to pray for them, and for their families who are waiting for them at home!