Home, Sweet Home!

It's not often I (Emily) post on the blog, but since I'm the one with pictures of our new home, this time I get the honors. The top picture is taken from in front of our neighbors' house. Yes, lots are somewhat cramped in Killeen, as with any city. Next, Justin's mother and I are standing on our back porch, where Justin and I will do a good bit of grilling. In this picture, you can also see the wooden fence which goes all the way around our back yard, making a nice place for Ox and Isaac to play. The third picture is of our master bath. If you look in the mirror above the double vanity, you can see the separate shower and jacuzzi tub behind me. In the fourth picture, I'm leaning on our kitchen bar. The tiled room behind me to my left is our breakfast nook. The carpeted room in front of me is our living room/den. The formal dining room is on the other side of the breakfast nook, to your left when you come in the front door. To your right when you come in the front door is the sitting room, which you can't see. The last picture is a shot of our pantry and gives you an idea of what our kitchen looks like. I'm really excited about the quartz countertops, dark cabinets, and stainless-steel appliances. I do not have pictures of our guest bathroom or three extra bedrooms, though the bedrooms all look the same. One will be an office, one the nursery, and one a guest room. We can't wait to move in and make it our home!

The Pain has begun

I'd not really intended to post anything tonight, but I actually got ahead on some of my assignments yesterday. PT (Physical Training) is finally kicking off full spead ahead. This morning's festivities kicked of at 0515. At least, I think it was 515. All times before 6 am are basically the same to me at this point. Today's PT focused on building strength. We did a massive variety of pushups and situps. This is after a brief PT session last night.

Tonight, I'm exhausted. Tomorrow is a march with body armor in our rucksack. I have heard that we will do the obstacle course (confidence course, team-buildling course, or whatever it is called) once we arrive wherever the destination. I don't know and this may very well be incorrect. One of the funny things I'm learning about the military is the vast number of rumors that float around. This division will be deployed. This person did get promoted because of something. Its really kind of funny.

What I do know is that on Wednesday we will get tear gassed. I'll try to make sure I have some disgusting pictures of the results.

For those who wanted to see...

OK, so here's what I look like in a uniform, minus the patrol cap. It is what Cole refers to as that "ugly camo." I think that may be the technical term.

Today was Victory Tower, which is repelling, crossing ropes and the like. All in all, a great way to spend a morning. I got paid to do a pretty good ropes course basically. This afternoon, not such a great thing. I was on a detail that had to set up tents for our class to sleep in when we are in the field. We managed to make this a much more difficult job than it had to be. We didn't get back to quarters until after 3. We should have been back before 1.
Regardless, I've had a good dinner. I'm in quarters early, with intentions of going to bed early. Not a bad day.

For those who are curious, Emily has found a house to rent in TX. She has put in an application, and she'll find out Monday if we get the house. She mentioned putting some pictures on this blog so people (including myself) could see where we were going to be living, but I don't think that will happen until she has actually signed a lease. (You never know.)

I should be ashamed, but I'm not...

Yes, my shameless ploy to get cookies from Jayne (see my June 7 post) worked. The tubs you see in the pictures arrived today. I got a really odd look from the Sgt when I laughed at the package. If you can read the notes, you'll see why I'll always miss the Christmas Party and Kentucky Derby party.

Anyway, a few of you knew that I had my Physical Training assessment today. This is the pushup, situp, and running test the army uses. This test doesn't go on my record, but the instructors use it to assign extra PT, determine your running group, etc. I'll have to pass an official version before finishing up here. I passed everything on todays "diagnostic test". I was slower running than I wanted, but did better on pushups and situps than expected.

Keep Em in your prayers. She leaves tomorrow to look at rentals in TX.

As a side note, I received a letter and package today. Neither of which came from my wife or any member of my family. (I get much braver when I am out of Emily's reach, don't I?) I have talked to Emily plenty this week, just so no one actually feels sorry for me.

Just a little different

OK, here's been the last couple of days...waiting in line. Moving to another line...waiting in that line. At least I had been warned to expect this. I've taken drug tests, had my teeth checked, received vaccinations, been issued equipment, listened to briefings, and filled out a large tree worth of paperwork.

For the most part, my chaplain class is looking forward to getting out of the classroom. I'm sure by this time next week, we'll want to be back in the air conditioning.

For the last two years, I've kept a cell phone, Bible, business card, with me. My supplies for ministry look a little different now. In addition to the gas mask, there's a kevlar helmet and body armor. I've had some friends in the pastorate that might have needed all of the above for deacons meetings in their churches.