A not so triumphant return to golf

I got up at 0215 this morning.  I got dressed and got in the car and drove four hours to Wiesbaden, Germany to play in the 5th Signal Command Golf Scramble.  My battalion commander and our operations NCOIC are both extremely good golfers.  The CSM and myself just enjoy playing.  I realized tonight that the last time I played golf, I was on R&R from my tour in Iraq.  The last time I consistently played golf was the summer of 2008 (CHBOLC).  With that in mind, I'm fairly proud that I only lost two balls in eighteen holes.  Unfortunately, we finished well behind the leaders.  One of our two ringers had an off day.

I didn't particularly like the course, but it was nice to be playing golf again.  I've got to figure out a way to get a membership at one of the golf clubs in Belgium.  It costs way too much money, but I really enjoyed a day on the course again.

Otherwise, this week has been as busy as I expected.  We've had noon and end of the workday prayer services for Holy Week.  I finally got around to getting my ankle checked.  (Mainly due to threats from Emily).  It's fine.  Emily was over-reacting to pain that wasn't even hers.  (I'm seeing if she actually reads the blog, which I doubt).

Youth Camp

This past week, I went with the SHAPE Club Beyond to a middle school adventure camp.

For those who don't know, Club Beyond is a ministry of Military Community Youth Ministries.  I speak at our chapter occasionally and volunteered to chaperone this camp a few months back.  Youth camp is actually a lot more fun as a small group leader.  All I had to worry about was my four middle school boys.  It was great being able to dump any issues or problems on Megan (center), who is the Club Beyond leader for SHAPE.  The guys in my group had some great questions about who God is and how we relate to him.  It was actually a lot of fun to be with students again.  I still never see myself back in youth ministry, but the opportunity to help support student ministry without leading student ministry last week was great.  The camp facility had rock climbing, caving, moutain biking, etc., so it was a lot of fun on that side of it as well.  I'll post a few pictures online later in the day. 

Looking ahead, this week is going to be hectic.  We have daily prayer services for Holy Week.  I'm supposed to play in a golf scramble in Germany.  We're also getting ready for vacation next week. 

Several people have asked Emily about pictures from the marathon last week.  I'm putting those online as soon as I finish this post.  I'll try to post something before we head out next week.

Training up a child

This picture was a fun one.  On Saturday, we went to a baby shower at a friend's house.  (There is an odd tradition of husbands sitting on the back patio during the baby showers with my current battaslion).  Anyway, there is a 14th century churh half a block from their house.  Isaac and I explored a little while before goign to the shower.  This picture was taken just outside of the church yard.  At one point, this was the village's wall. 

Sunday afternoon, I began the process of preparing Isaac for a very important part of his life as a big brother, preventing any little boy from ever asking his sister out.  Basically, I taught him to say, "No boy is good enough for Claire."  When she's about 12, I'll start a rumor that I have PTSD.  Hopefully, between that and Isaac, we'll push Claire's first date until 3 months after I'm dead.