It feels like it has been a long while since I've sat down and written an article for the church. We are still busy here with 12 hour days and one day off. We are on call 24/7 for our units as well. Jared and I have had almost too many "God moments" to really recall and share at this point. I'm sure there will be an opportunity when we are back and things slow down where he and I can reminisce about some of the events that have happened over here. Some pretty easy ones to see are:
Our entire trip started back in December when I met a lady in the elevator at our quarantine location. I asked how she was and where she was headed. Turns out that on our opportunities to head to the shopette Jared ran into here and they would talk. We found out right before we arrived she is one of the First Sergeants we work with almost daily over here. The initial connection made all of the ministry we do a lot easier.
I originally had a roommate that was a lead in one of my units. A neat guy from my wing back home. He got up for work around 0400 so when my duty phone would ring at 0200 every other night it was not a good situation for him. I prayed that God would move me to a room by myself so I wouldn't be a bother to him and I could deal with the emergencies easier. God knew better. At about the same time as me recognizing this need, God opened a spot in a room with another chaplain. Chaplain Q and I have become great friends talking about theology and family almost every night. Growing in our love for Christ and staying motivated to do what we are called to do.
One final moment to share is our emergency contacts. Jared and I share the emergency phone, which is part of his training. To my knowledge we were the only team doing this. The other teams just had the chaplain on the phone which we decided early on if I'm to preach on Sunday I can't be woken up in the middle of the night the preceding two nights. Because of this move, Jared was in the position to save a life. I won't say much more than that, but the reality is, he was better equipped to deal with the situation than I would have been. That event set both of us up to be readily accepted into our units (which are pretty rough and tumble guys who wouldn't often turn to the chaplain as a first line of help).
God has consistently shown up and moved pieces at just the right time. Much of our days are really spent seeing where God is at work and jumping in to join Him. I encourage each of you to do the same. Certainly there are schedules to keep, but what if you let God guide your steps as you consult Him for your schedule?
God Moments
It feels like it has been a long while since I've sat down and written an article for the church. We are still busy here with 12 hour days and one day off. We are on call 24/7 for our units as well. Jared and I have had almost too many "God moments" to really recall and share at this point. I'm sure there will be an opportunity when we are back and things slow down where he and I can reminisce about some of the events that have happened over here. Some pretty easy ones to see are:
Our entire trip started back in December when I met a lady in the elevator at our quarantine location. I asked how she was and where she was headed. Turns out that on our opportunities to head to the shopette Jared ran into here and they would talk. We found out right before we arrived she is one of the First Sergeants we work with almost daily over here. The initial connection made all of the ministry we do a lot easier.
I originally had a roommate that was a lead in one of my units. A neat guy from my wing back home. He got up for work around 0400 so when my duty phone would ring at 0200 every other night it was not a good situation for him. I prayed that God would move me to a room by myself so I wouldn't be a bother to him and I could deal with the emergencies easier. God knew better. At about the same time as me recognizing this need, God opened a spot in a room with another chaplain. Chaplain Q and I have become great friends talking about theology and family almost every night. Growing in our love for Christ and staying motivated to do what we are called to do.
One final moment to share is our emergency contacts. Jared and I share the emergency phone, which is part of his training. To my knowledge we were the only team doing this. The other teams just had the chaplain on the phone which we decided early on if I'm to preach on Sunday I can't be woken up in the middle of the night the preceding two nights. Because of this move, Jared was in the position to save a life. I won't say much more than that, but the reality is, he was better equipped to deal with the situation than I would have been. That event set both of us up to be readily accepted into our units (which are pretty rough and tumble guys who wouldn't often turn to the chaplain as a first line of help).
God has consistently shown up and moved pieces at just the right time. Much of our days are really spent seeing where God is at work and jumping in to join Him. I encourage each of you to do the same. Certainly there are schedules to keep, but what if you let God guide your steps as you consult Him for your schedule?
Blessings,
Steve