Chaplain Kay

I am having a great weekend. My family finally arrived and our time together has been wonderful. Life just seems right having them here. I have felt more relaxed and peaceful. It’s neat how having those you love the most by your side can set your heart at ease.

My kids have grown like weeds. Little Man is so smart and perceptive, and Baby Doll is one of the most pleasant babies I have ever been around. She smiles and talks ALL THE TIME. It’s great.

On Friday night, My Love and I were able to attend the Regimental Chaplain’s Ball together and we had a blast. It was fun getting to dress up and spend time with one another. I must say, she was the most beautiful person there - and yes I am biased. Here are a couple of pictures of us and Little Man.

Here is a picture of a good friend, Chaplain May, and myself (thanks to CH Mark Olson). I have had the opportunity to lead music during chapel a few times - a great honor to lead people in worship. This was taken prior to the service. My Chaplain friendships are great and I thank the Lord for these mighty men and women of God.

I must apologize for my lack of writing for the past two weeks. There is really no excuse, although there are a few I could use: shortage of time, tired, not much to say. These are all possible reasons but are probably secondary to not wanting to. Oh well.

The past two weeks have been great from a learning standpoint but not so much a blogging one. There has been a lot to take place and I will hit some of the high notes.

New Chief of Chaplains – CH (BG) Douglas Carver

CH Carver came to the school house during week five and gave us an awe-inspiring and realistic view of the chaplaincy. He pointed out that this is a hard time to be in the military and is not for the weak at heart. Deployments are not a possibility but a certainty for those of us that are going active duty. America will more than likely be in this war with terrorists for years to come which might very well mean more multiple deployments for our troops. I for one appreciated his candor. It is too easy to beat around the bush and try to talk about the “fun” of the chaplaincy. The truth of the matter is we are at war and that requires the deployment of troops. CH Carver is definitely a motivated man and impressed me to know end. He is, by the way, the first Southern Baptist Chief of Chaplains in 54 years. Go SBC!

July 4th

With July 4th being a national holiday, we were off last Wednesday. CH-BOLC, therefore, had a voluntary “fun day” out at the lake and we had a ball. We threw the football and Frisbee around, played a little basketball, ate some good hamburgers, had a talent show and hung out with new friends. Amy Maxwell was even there for a visit. It was a great day. There is only one thing that would have made the day better: My Love, Little Man and Baby Doll being present. Oh how I miss them!

Battle at Cowpens

On Thursday the 12th, CH-BOLC went on a staff ride to the site of the Battle of Cowpens. It was there that the Patriots made a valiant stand against the British and won the day. It was one in a series of battles that turned the tide of the American Revolution and got the ball rolling towards victory. This was actually quite an experience. It is a rare occasion that a group of 179 chaplains gets to visit an historical site where a major battle took place and then reenact the battle. I was on the American side and we of course won. To walk on the ground where men lost there lives so we can be this great nation was sobering.

Discussion

Phase 1 was riddled with great briefs and discussion. We went over Just War Theory, Religious Leadership, the Military Decision Making Process, Assessing Religious Needs, Media on the Battlefield. Army Writing, Staff Briefs, Staff Positions and much, much more. The information has been great.

Conclusion

Honestly, I am quite overwhelmed right now. In six weeks I will leave the comfortable setting of CH-BOLC and enter the real world of the Chaplaincy. In six weeks I will be responsible for carrying my Commanders religious program. In six weeks, I will “really” be in the Army. The overwhelming thing is I know that I cannot do it on my own. If God does not show up and do something big in and through my life, I AM LOST.

It is actually a nice position to be in. The Bible says, “Greater is He who is in [me] than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). I am so glad I serve a God that is so much bigger than me or anything else I will ever face. There nothing or no one as awesome as He. Praise the Lord He gives us strength to continue on day by day. And thank God for JESUS!

The Kay family continues to covet your prayers. Thank you for your prayers and petitions made to a most high God on our behalf. They are felt and needed.

My weekly summary posts have probably come to an end. Last week marked the end of CIMT and the learning phases of CH-BOLC have begun. I am not upset CIMT is over, but I did enjoy the first 4 weeks of CHBOLC. Prior to 3 June, I had ZERO experience with the Army. I needed CIMT and am proud of our class for making it through the ruck marches and acclimating into a new society.

Despite the death-by-power-point aspect of Phases 1-3, I am quite excited about the learning part of CHBOLC. For the next two weeks we will focus on the staff position aspect of the Army. This involves learning about the leadership levels of battalions, brigades and so forth. All should be very informative.

My important note about this past week: I GOT TO GO HOME. I have missed my family so much, and it was great to spend a day and a half holding, hugging and kissing them. Little man did great with having his daddy home and baby doll actually seemed to know who I was. She even had a hard time eating when I was in the room talking. She couldn’t take her eyes off me and I was the same with her. She is BEAUTIFUL.

Seeing My Love was priceless. It is safe to say that our relationship and love for one another has grown over the past month and we pray it continues to do so. We hope to see each other again at the end of July. I am counting down the days! God is so good.