Moving along on that long and winding road.

I have sat myself down so many times to write and have not been able to find the exact words that I want to say.  My last entry was on 3 December and so much has happened during that time.  As I sat down today to begin typing I was listening to the radio.  The Beatles, Long and Winding Road began to play....how ironic since this is what I first named my blog page.  This was also the title of the story that I wrote which was published in Army Wife Magazine.

Our pastor held the ordination and farewell ceremony for Jim on 3 January that I mentioned in my last blog and it was wonderful!!  Leaving our home church, family and friends is a bitter-sweet time. We will miss everyone but know that this is the path that God has chosen for us.

Since last spring when we first knew that the Army Chaplaincy was going to be a reality, it seemed that time moved so slowly.  Suddenly, as December came along, everything went into high speed and life flashed before our eyes.  We started to organize and clean out the house.  We "purged" so much junk it was amazing.  We didn't think we had accumulated so much over the years. Then Christmas came and went.  Now the serious cleaning began.  We went through the house from top to bottom.  Every time we thought we were done, we discovered another closet or cubby to clean.

Jim left on 10 January for school which left me to take care of our move.  It then seemed like I didn't have time to do anything and I wouldn't be ready for the movers to come.  

I got a call from someone at the school on 13 January to tell me that Jim was to receive a leadership initiative award.  They asked if Cody and I could come down the next day for it to surprise Jim.  I panicked at first thinking, "how can I do this?  I have to get things packed up to move."......but of course I can come down.  This was such a great honor and I didn't want to miss it.
Cody and I arrived at Ft Jackson the next morning and met the lady that called me.  She brought us into the back of the classroom after everyone has assembled.  The Commandant of the school was up in front and he began to speak.  He talked about leadership and the roles of Chaplains and soldiers.  He then called Jim up front.  Jim still didn't see Cody and I in the back of the class.  The Commandant presented his personal coin to Jim.  I could tell that Jim was very humbled by this.  Then the Commandant told Jim that he may also be surprised that Cody and I were in the back of the class.  I thought Jim was going to drop.  It was so sweet. :)

Jim received an exception to policy from the school.  He was given an apartment on post that has enough room for Cody and I.  This was a huge blessing for us.  We had moved our moving date up so it wouldn't be at the last minute before leaving for Hawaii. (that would have been very difficult) I was looking for an apartment off post to live in while Jim was in school but now we were able to stay with him. 

So then came the move....arghhh.  I was totally stressed about it all but it went perfectly.  Of course our things still need to get to Hawaii in one piece so we'll see if truly is a "perfect" move.
The movers came in on the 19th and were scheduled to do pack out that day and the next.  The move was to be on the 21st but it all went so well they were ready by the morning of the 20th to move us out....so we did.

Cody and I are now at Ft Jackson.  I can't remember when I have ever been so tired.  It took me a couple of days to unwind and settle in.  So now, here we are.  We are back to our homeschooling routine and my stress level seems to have calmed down.  The only thing that would make this better would be if Nicole had decided to come along.  It is so difficult for us to leave her behind.  I'm praying that she'll change her mind before we leave and come along to Hawaii.  She'll come this summer for a few weeks but I would much prefer it if she would live with us.

Jim fell right back into his military mode as I knew he would.  He's like a pea in a pod with this new career.  He was interviewed for a leadership position by the Cadre at the school when he first arrived and was selected as 1st Platoon leader.  Their platoon is the All American Platoon which represents the 82nd Airborne.  Ironic again....Ft Bragg, home of the 82nd, was where Jim spent the majority of his time in the Army when he was an NCO back in the day.

As I reflect on the last 6 years since Jim was first called to this ministry, I can now see some of the "whys" of the trials we endured to get here.  God has a plan for each of us.  All we have to do is have faith and trust in Him alone.  We Praise God that He has led us down this road.  We are humbled that He would choose us to serve Him in the United States Army Chaplaincy....HOOAH!!

Jeremiah 29:11