Back to Work

It's been a very long week.  I'm still trying to process through everything I saw at Rome last week.  There's really nothing on my list that I didn't get to do.  I take that back.  I didn't see the inside of St Peter's.  We arrived to see it, and they'd closed it b/c the Pope had a public audience.  Instead, I saw the Pope.  I didn't stick around for the blessing he was giving out.  (Protestant kicked in I suppose)  Overall, I saw and learned far more than I would have with almost any other guide.  The picture is Chris Broddle and myself in front of the Spanish steps.  Chris organized and led this trip.  He's the British padre at SHAPE.  His knowledge of Rome was astounding.  I had to include a picture with him b/c he made such an issue of being in pictures.

On the more personal side, the week was a great opportunity to get a couple of hours alone each day.  It's been a while since I've had so many days in a row with that opportunity.  It's a huge opportunity to spiritually catch my breath.

Since I know my Mother really only checks this for stories and pictures of my children, I'll mention bringing Isaac's gift home.  I'd bought a horribly cheap and tacky Roman soldier outfit for him.  It had a breastplate (Neither of us could figure out how to get it on him for several days), sword, shield, and helmet.  He's currently trying to stab Emily with the sword.  He insisted we sword fight each day I've been back.  He uses the cheap sword and gives me the nice, carved, wooden sword I also brought him.

I should get a few picture posted in the next few days.  I'm still sorting through them. 

A Little Time Off

I just realized something.  This week is the first time I've taken leave without Emily being on vacation with me since I became a chaplain.  I'm hoping to get a little bit of solitude at some point.  Part of the week will be spent in Rome, with a group of British chaplains.  We're actually getting to stay in the Vatican.  I couldn't really pass on that opportunity when it was offered.  I'm hoping that during the evenings, I'll have a chance to read and pray some.  Uninterupted time alone is becoming pretty rare.  It's actually been a while since I've reached the point of needed a break this bad.  Deployment actually allowed me more of an opportunity to withdraw for time alone with God.  Part of that is probably that we now have two kids and a house that is much smaller than what we had in Texas.  Part of it is just this particular season of ministry.

Since I know most of the people who read this are far more interested in the kids than they are in my rambling, I'll give you the outline of what's going on with them.

• Isaac and I are watching "Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin" for the 12th time this week.
• Claire's hair is now getting long enough to put a bow on her head without using a headband.  (Yes, she's about to turn 1 and her hair is just now that long).
• Isaac's French has now passed mine.  He knows more than 5 words.  (No one is surprised that this has only taken a month).

Otherwise, things are still pretty routine.  I'll try to put some pictures from September in my web albums this afternoon.

Every Child Needs a Dog

My biggest complaint with coming to Belgium is still probably that I had to give away Ox, my weimereiner.  Every little boy should grow up playing with a dog.  This past weekend, we kept Charlie for some friends.  Claire thought he was great.  Charlie handled her much better than Isaac.  He would get excited and jump up and down as he moved toward Charlie.  The dog backed away, unsure what to think of Isaac.  I have nothing worth putting online, but I did think this picture was pretty good.

Getting Isaac (or me) a dog will be the first priority when we do eventually get moved back to the States...maybe before we find a house.

This week, I have thought a good bit about a comment I heard a few weeks ago.  A senior chaplain made a comment about the chaplain corp "eating it's own."  Just watching how chaplains and chaplain assistants function, I think the statement is more and more accurate. 

Seeing Old Friends Again

 

Last week, I had to attend Chaplaincy Annual Sustainment Training in Garmisch, Germany.  As with most army training of this nature, the actual training was less than exciting.  There were a couple of bright points.  A couple of friends I went through the Chaplain's basic course with were there.  Brian (left side) managed to get a coin from the Chief of Chaplains for his karyoke rendition of "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."  That song takes on a whole new deminsion when an Orthodox priest is calling for the crowd to stand up and dance with him.

Our Small Group Leader from the basic course also was at the training.  He's now on a garrison chaplain's staff in Germany.  I've not met another senior chaplain for whom I have half as much respect.  He's very much the epitome of what a chaplain should be.  Dinner with these guys was the highlight of the week.

Isaac's birthday was this weekend, which was funny.  Emily said he was horrified this morning when he came into the living room and his slide was gone.  Apparently he sat in the middle of the rug and cried until Emily realized what he was looking for and told him it was in the play room.

Pictures.

I'm posting now b/c I doubt I'll have a chance for a week or so.  Most people who will see this post quickly are probably looking for pictures.  The stuff from the awards/promotion ceremony is at the link on the right of this page.  I'm only going to leave them online for about a week, as I'm running out of space in my album.

Otherwise, this weekend should be a lot of fun.  SHAPE Fest is this weekend, which is just the large festival that the entire community at SHAPE participates in.  I get to sit in the dunk tank at some point tomorrow in weather entirely too cold for dunk tanks.  Sunday, we have a 9.11 K run on Sunday morning and a memorial service for 9/11 that evening at the chapel.

Next week is what I've been dreading for months...CAST-E.  This is a week of mandatory training for chaplains.  I have actually prayed that funding would fall through the budget problems this year (seriously).  My attitude is in serious need of help.  This will be 4 days of information overload on things that will change or be irrelevent in a matter of three months.  The only redeeming part of this conference is that it takes place in Garmisch, Germany.  That means I'll wake up to a view of the Alps each morning.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get a little hiking in at some point.