Sprinting in a Marathon

June 26^th 2009

Over the past few days I have been reading daily devotionals that talked about running the race. Running a race is usually about endurance and no matter how short you have to have the endurance built up to make it through that race. It made me think about this current tour in Afghanistan and the endurance that it will take to make it to the end successfully. Geri and I have known since I got back last time that I would be deploying in the Spring / Summer of 2009 to Afghanistan so the building of endurance started from the time I got back from Iraq last time. In a way we never recovered from the first race before we had to prepare for the next. Thankfully we have good friends and good support that helped us prepare, whether they knew it or not.

We moved to Colorado in 2006 knowing that I would be gone to Baghdad soon after we arrived, the difference between then and now was that we knew no one. So we fell back on family. Towards the end of that tour Geri moved back to Colorado from NY and got plugged in at CCES (Calvary Chapel Eastside) and soon we had two families. I am thankful that during this tour Geri and the kids have two families watching over them.

But family and friends aren’t always enough in a tough race. Its always nice to have someone there to cheer you on. A familiar face or voice, but in long distance races you need more because your fans aren’t gonna follow you for 26.2 miles and cheer you on the whole way. That’s where GOD comes in. I am thankful that these deployments have taught us even more how we need to not only rely on each other, friends and family, but more under GODs protective arm. When you embark on a long run you have a lot of time to think, reflect, listen, and contemplate. Being apart from my better human half I find I have more time to concentrate on the best part of life and that’s GODs Amazing Grace.

But in reality this race that our family is in is a sprint in the marathon that is life and I know that this experience will only bring us closer to GOD and help us grow in our faith more. So think about the race your running, and who is gonna cheer you on the whole way (not just at the beginning and/or the end). I am thankful that GOD has seen us through all our races up to this point, he will see us through this short sprint, and see us through in the end.

GOD Bless

Jason

A Father Loves

June 21st, 2009 (Fathers Day)

I was woke up this morning bright and early (5am) because I was needed at work. So I went in and stayed even though it was 3 hours prior to my shift starting. During our change over brief they reminded us that it was Fathers Day.....Hooray. So happy Fathers Day Dad (and everyone else whose a dad).

Its already Sunday here so off to service I went. Wasn't to sure what to expect since every place is different and this was our 1st Sunday in J-Bad (Jalalabad, Afghanistan). It was actually really good. Excellent to be honest. You know its been a while since I can remember having tears well up in my eyes but today the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart. Chaplin Brown brought a message and of course it had to do with fathers day. He talked to us from Luke 15, if some of you don't know this is the Story of the Prodigal Son. I was never a perfect child, and like most can relate to this story. And now that I am a Father I hope to one day be able to show the same kind of love and understanding and patience that the Father did here.

I don't know what it was about the message, maybe the Chaplin delivery, maybe the fact that I am away from my family, but I think mostly I just thought back to GODs love and grace. He told a story that was familiar to me, and I am sure to several others, about falling asleep during his prayer time and getting down on himself for it. But before he even finished his story the image popped in my head about what a father would do to/for a child that fell asleep in his arms or in his presence. All a father can do, pull his child in a little closer and smile and express his love. That's the part that got me. GODs love is amazing and the fact that when we need him he will pull us close is a great expression of his unfailing love. No matter what we have done or what situation we are in right now he still loves us.

So fathers do me a favor today, on your way about your day grab a hold of your kids and pull um in for a good hug. Express to them the same love and same example GOD has given us. And Geri (pull those kids in tight for me since I can't be there). Have a great fathers day everyone.

GOD Bless

Jason

Hurry Up and WAIT

June 16 - 18 2009

So here we go again, in typical Army fashion I was told that I would be on a flight to my FOB about 5 different times only to be woke up at 2am and be told we wouldn't fly that day....oh well so is the military.

Finally I arrived today. Internet is not looking good. probably use the MWR facilities because it is free. We are living in a very desolate part of the country so our conditions could be better but I am not to worried about it, GOD is in control.

One step closer

June 14th - 15th 2009

Sunday started off good, we found out that we would be on our way to our next stop so thats always good. I was able to get into contemporary service right before we had to check our bags and that was uplifting. A little bit different than CCES but it was good just to go and be in worship with other believers. What was cool was the fact that there was people there from every branch (Army, AF, Navy, Marines) and they all were wanting the same thing to seek the face of GOD.

Soon after that we made the next step in our journey to our final destination. We are finally in country at a base that serves as a go between for everyone coming and going from here. The only thing significant to talk about is the mountains. Being here is like driving up into the mountains through Hoosier Pass on the way to Breckenridge. There are mountains in every direction, only difference is that these mountains are more in the 24,000 ft range rather than the "small peaks" of Colorado. As soon as I get set up at my final destination I hope to put some pictures up. If it weren't for all the dirt and dust in the air this place might be kind of nice, well at least to look at not to live.

Continue to pray for Geri and the kids as it is hard to stay in contact with them with all this moving around. I am in hopes that once I get settled that everything can get into some state of normal. Okay well that's about all for now thanks all and keep in touch.

GOD Bless

Jason

So here we go

Thursday 11th - Saturday 13th of June

The time finally came. 1pm on Thursday the 11th. I was off again to do what the Army pays me to do, go to combat. That day is never easy, no matter how much you mentally prepare for it. Geri, the kids, and I all sat at the parade field waiting and hanging out with co-workers trying to act like everything was ok and then the 1SG yells for everyone to form up into our company formation for manifest call. With a heavy heart I said goodbye to Geri and the kids, multiple times. We said a prayer, kissed goodbye, and off I went.

My fellow Soldiers and I waited to get on the buses and eventually got off to the Airport with little delay, which is a miracle that the Military could pull off such a smooth operation considering past experiences. We boarded the plane and settled in for what is the beginning of a 1year tour of duty. We made a quick stop in Gulfport, MS to pick up a National Guard unit and continued on. All in all it amounted to about a day and a half of travel, (17+ hours of flying with layovers at each stop of about 2 hours for refuel and cleaning). We have yet to reach our final destination but we are in a transient post in a country just north of where we will be before we take our final jump into country. We will make one more stop for a few days before we make it to our final destination. Keep our family in your prayers as the first few days / weeks are always the toughest to get adjusted until I can get settled in and the family can get settled into their new routine for the next year. Also, pray for me that I will be able to stay strong and be a witness to those who need it. As I am sure some of you know, and the rest of you can imagine, the Army is not the boy scouts and there are plenty of unsaved coworkers that sometimes can drag you down. The situation can weigh heavily on me some days as I have little to no control of my daily duties and who I spend my time with because of the mission. I pray all the time whenever I think of it to stay strong in the LORD.

As Friday came and went I could not help but think about missing Youth Group and the "CORE". Even if you did not meet last night it still doesn't seem like a Friday night is complete without the youth. I will definitely miss Friday nights and being uplifted just by being around all of you.

Tomorrow is service here at 1030 I can't wait to be able to just go and worship and see what GOD has in store for me and this tour. Thanks again for all the help with Geri and the kids and pray for us when ever you can think of it. Thank you in advance for all the prayers, talk to you soon, and GOD Bless.