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.

The hair is gone. Well, at least most of it anyway. On Sunday afternoon, after church, I went out on the back porch with mirror and clippers in hand and had at the head. It really wasn’t that big of a change seeing that I’d already begun the shortening process. I will say, it is easy to upkeep. When washing my hair, I must remind myself that I don’t have much of it to wash. It would be interesting,however, to see how long a bottle of shampoo might last.

Anyway . . . Friday continues to approach rather quickly. Today I spent the morning with my two-year-old and we played golf together for the last time for a long time. It was priceless. I believe the hardest thing about the morning is that he doesn’t realize what’s about to happen. He will want me to be there, but I won’t be able to. I continue to pray that the God that knows all will somehow help my little man understand a little.

This morning, as my son and I were playing outside – baseball, tennis and golf – he looked at me and asked if I wanted to watch the birds. Now, this was quite startling since he isn’t known for his strong ability to sit without squirming. However, I thought I would give it a shot. I pulled my lawn chair and then pulled up his and we sat together looking at and listening to the birds.

While listening to the birds (there wasn’t much watching to do) my precious boy’S attention was drawn to the rocks on beneath our feet, and we began to inspect the various shapes and colors of these fine inanimate objects. Consequently, the examining of the rocks led to the throwing of the rocks. All of this was great fun.

Now, to the average reader, these events would not seem that big at all, but let me tell you this morning was priceless. Since leaving the pastorate to prepare for the Chaplaincy and help my family transition to their new home, I have been blessed with the opportunity to spend 6 glorious weeks with my wife and kids before “shipping” out (actually, I will be driving). During this period of retirement (ha, ha), I have been able to be apart of every second of their lives.

This morning I was able to spend uninterrupted time with my first born. He has brought me joy every step of his life and I am honored to be known as his daddy. This morning was a great morning because my little boy had my undivided attention and I had his. I thank the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob for BIRDS and ROCKS for today we were able to enjoy both.

2007 is already shaping out to be a monumental year for our family. In March, my wife and I expect our baby girl to make her way into this crazy world. Words cannot begin to express our excitement and apprehension. Our family is about to grow from 3 to 4 and should stop growing at that point (though one can never tell what God has in store). About two months after her arrival, too short to conceive, I will move my family from our comfortable church to an unfamiliar community where I will then leave them to attend CHOBC. This single solitary event is possibly the grandest undertaking our household has ever participated in. I am leaving the security of the pastorate and embarking into the world of missions, pastoring, preaching and counseling all rolled into one. In September, upon completion of CHOBC (prayerfully), the family will again move to Fort Hood, which is where the Army has currently designated as my first Duty Station.

Pretty much, this is shaping out to be a big year, could get even bigger (possible deployment), and we’ve only just begun. That being said . . . I am so thankful that the Lord continues to use sinners in His plan. There is no way I could ever be deemed worthy enough to participate in the spreading of the gospel on my own merit, yet He continues to allow, request and require my participation. As we prepare for this “big year” there are some major things we must do. We must pack up our house and move to a new location (we live in a parsonage and will leave upon resigning) before the Army packs up our house and move us to a new location (I know it sound redundant . . . and it is). We will be packing with a one month old and 2 ½ year old so this could be stressful, although we have already started packing in an attempt to relieve some of the stress. In preparation for CHOBC I continue to “workout” hoping to arrive at Fort Jackson not sucking wind after a quarter of a mile of running, 3 push-ups and 5 sit-ups. I also continue to strive to lose a little weight and get to the point where I don’t need to take a tape test.

2007 will be a busy one but a great one. I read today where a Chaplain attending CHOBC in January will leave for Fort Jackson this week. My heart and prayers are with these families that prepare for this journey. We, too, are excited about the journey because God has been the planner and perfector of the path.

Once I felt God’s calling on my life to enter the Chaplaincy, I became what my wife might call obsessed. “Obsessed with what?” you might ask. The answer is simple: obsessed with information. I have rummaged around the internet for information concerning the Chaplaincy. What are the requirements? What is involved? What am I going to do during training? What am I getting myself into? The list of questions continues endlessly and grows with each passing day.

During my pursuit, I have happened upon some outstanding blogs that have helped me tremendously. You will find some of them in my Blogroll section at the right of this page and I plan for that section to continue to grow. These “sites” enable those interested in the Chaplaincy a unique view into the life and call of chaplains. Since my pursuit of information began, I feel that I have since gotten to know these people quite well.

If you, too, read these blogs you have learned recently that some of these dear saints are preparing to descend upon Fort Jackson and attend CHOBC. I just wanted to say to all these people that my wife and I will be praying for you and your families come January. Actually, I am committing to pray for you daily as I know the training will be tough and the time spent apart from your families, nearly unbearable. The journey these wonderful chaplains and chaplain candidates are beginning in January becomes my journey in June.

My prayer for you today is a simple one: “God speed. May you continue to lean hard on the Lord.”

For God and Country!