"Hurry up and Wait"

Ah yes, what should be the Army motto; "Hurry up and Wait". LOL  The scramble to get everything in order over the past year or so has been interesting to say the least.  Paperwork to be filled out and sent in, interviews to do, more paperwork and then waiting for the word to come saying, "YES" welcome Chaplain Mitchem to the United States Army. Not to mention the trials and tribulations we've endured over the past year in our lives.

Since my last blog Jim got his "official" email stating when to report to Ft Jackson which will be on January 10, 2010.  The Chaplain school will finish on April 9th and we will leave for our first duty station.  We are now waiting on Jim's orders to arrive which we assume will come via Fedex.  The Chaplain recruiter told him several weeks ago to expect this in the next 3 weeks.  Last week, which was week 3, Jim got a call from Chaplain Meeker in DC.  She said that orders have been delayed not only for Jim but for others as well.  It seems that the HRC office is in the process of moving.  She told Jim to expect the orders in a week or two.  So, we "hurry up and wait" again. :)  We are really ok with this since we know everything is done and it's just a matter of Jim getting sworn in but at the same time we're anxious to have orders in hand.  

Which brings me to another amazing story.  We lost touch with our good friends Dave and Michele about 10 years ago.  Dave and Jim served together at Ft Bragg with the 319th MI.  We've moved so many times over these past years that it's no wonder we lost touch.  We searched many times for our friends but never could find them.  Well, about a month and a half ago I got an email message stating that Michele was requesting me as her facebook friend!!  I was so excited!   This all happened when we first got the word that the board of Chaplains in DC approved Jim for Chaplaincy.  So the next step is for Jim to be sworn in.  We were told that Jim would need to find an officer, a Captain or higher to do this.  As it turns out, Dave and Michele had been on a waiting list for 2 1/2 years for a bigger house on post.  That housing came through for them about 3 weeks ago.  Low and behold, their new next door neighbor is a post Chaplain at Ft Mead.  Dave asked him if he'd be willing to swear Jim in and he said sure!  He then suggested that we go to Washington, DC and have the swearing on the Mall. Wow, I'm really excited about that.  We are praying that this trip will work out.  We haven't seen our friends in over 10 years and we are looking forward to seeing them again.
Jim wants to have Dave and I do his pinning.  How perfect it will be to have Dave take part in this.....sooooo, we "hurry up and wait again". LOL

I don't know if I've ever mentioned this before so forgive me if I have.  Jim was ordained and endorsed last year by the World  Council of Independent Churches (WCICC). We have yet to have a ceremony for this.  Jim and I both have divorces in our past.  We are members of a Baptist Church and have been for the past 6 + years.  The church we were members of last year refused to allow a ceremony because of the divorces.  We are now back at our "home church" where Jim had his calling and have been back for almost a year.  We love our church and our Pastors.  I think we've been afraid to ask about the ceremony since it is also a Baptist Church.  Well, I asked yesterday via email to our pastor.  I haven't heard anything yet so I'm praying that he'll allow it.  I'm not too sure how I'll feel about it if the request is refused.  I guess we'll just have to find another way to hold a ceremony for Jim.  It would be so great to have the blessing of the church where the calling of this ministry began.

Our journey on the Long and Winding Road continues.  I'll post again later as soon as we hear something.  I also need to share about some of our trials that we've been through.  God always gets you to the point He wants you at.  This is where he can mold and shape us into what He wants for His Glory!

Blessings,
Denise

Jeremiah 29:11

Reality Setting In

We found out a few days ago that Jim is to report to Ft Jackson on January 10, 2010 to begin 3 months of Chaplain School.  He will finish on April 9th and then we will be leaving this area and moving to our first duty station.  I do wish we knew where that was.  I worry about everything and this would give me one less thing to think about.  

A New Adventure

5 years ago in a church service our journey began.  My husband Jim had a calling from God to become an Army Chaplain.  Jim is prior military and this calling is a perfect fit.  However, we sure didn't "absolutely" believe it would happen at the time. It would be a long road ahead since Jim would have to earn his masters degree before he would be able to enter into the Army Chaplaincy.  There was a minor change in this career path for a couple of years but the track was set straight soon after.

So here we are now about to embark on this new adventure. School is about finished for Jim and he is completing his second master's degree.  I'm sure I'm not alone when I say that I wonder why God would call "us" to this ministry.  We are very ordinary people living ordinary lives.  5 years ago I never would have dreamed that we would get to this point.

Jim and I both grew up Catholic.  We went to several different churches of different denominations over the years since we've been married (13 years, 14 in Feb.).  I suppose we were trying to find the right fit or the "meaning of life". Really it was a learning experience of what we feel God wants for us.  We've had lots of life lessons along the way.  Looking back at it now we can both see that this was part of God's plan to grow us.  The story would be much too long if I were to go into too much detail.  Lets just say that we have, over the years, met up with some people who were not what they appeared to be.  We have great faith in God and what He has in store for us.

After the months of working with the Army, getting an endorser and getting physicals done, we are ready.  Jim's packet made it up to Washington, DC for the September board.  The Board of Chaplains approved him for active duty.  Jim will leave soon for Ft Jackson to begin Chaplain School.  After 3 months we will move to our first duty station.  We haven't been told where that will be just yet.  We are both hoping for a "warm" climate but we really don't care.  We are excited about the opportunity to serve our country.  I pray that God will help me to be the kind of "Chaplain's wife" that He wants me to be.  I believe that because of my diverse background; growing up a Catholic and learning about many different religions, that I will be able to relate to many of the soldier's wives and families.  I am not a judgmental person or a person that lives a "holier than thou" life.   
Jim and I have always worked with youth in our "many" churches.  What better youth ministry than that of the United States Army.  So many of the men and woman coming into the Army are 18 to 21 years old.  We believe that God has been preparing us for this all along!!  I just hope I don't let Him down :)

And so, until then next blog, I will say goodbye and HOOAH!!

Jeremiah 29:11