First Beach Outing - Summer 2011

I love the beach. Someday I'll get time to say the same about the mountains, but for now, we get to indulge in the beach.

This summer will be a bit different for me. Instead of playing in the surf and running along the shore, I'll spend most of my time in a comfy chair, under an umbrella, with the cooler close by. All in all, not a bad spot. And I'll do some walking and sea shell hunting with the family. Once I find a couple of maturnity swimsuits, I even plan on making it in the water...At least until I get big enough to possibly be mistaken for a whale.

As much joy as I get from watching my husband and daughters play, my favorite part of a beach trip is it's grandeur. I love the moods of the beach. Today it was serene...easy, lapping waves; water just as clear as I've ever seen it; easy breeze; lazy seagulls soaring above. The last time Doyl and I went it was during this past winter. Then it was wild. I've seen it playful, mysterious and down right angry. Still I am struck with the same sense of awe. Our fabulous Creator put a glimpse of Himself in His creation. Combining the people I love with the beautiful backdrop of the Atlantic allows me to bask in the joy of His presence all the more.

I'm Lousey at this...

Apparently a Blog is something I will get around to only about 1-2 times a year. Again, a picture can do more than words, but I do want to highlight a few things.

• In January, Anna began taking gymnastics. She is a natural! Hopefully, I have some video to share soon.



• In February, we were surprised to learn we are expecting another baby! He is due at the end of September. His name is Jackson Emory. Jackson after my grandfather and uncle. Emory after Doyl, his Pappa, and his cousin.



• Also, in February, Doyl promoted from LTjg to LT!



• In March, Whitley prayed and asked Jesus to forgive her sins and be "her boss". Doyl and I had the blessed privilege to talk to her on several occassions answering her questions about what that means and pray with her.



• Also in March, Whitley began playing T-ball. She's on the Padres.



• In April, we made the trip to Mississippi to visit some family and friends over Spring Break. We loved being able to celebrate Easter at our home church. Even more, we loved having our friends and family present as Doyl got to baptize Whitley at Longview Point.



• In May, we learned that we are having a little boy! (If we include the dog, Doyl's no longer outnumbered!)

Now, in no particular order, for the pictures...

Update by Pictures

Since a picture is worth 1000 words (and I've fallen so behind) here is a quick glimpse into what we've been up to. Here's a brief summary:
*Moved to Camp Lejeune MCB, Jacksonville, NC
*Doyl got off to a great start as a Naval Chaplain (I wish I could expound on that, but it would take 1000 words)
*Spent a large part of the summer at the beach
*Anna turned 3; Whitley turned 5
*Momma Dean and Poppa visited
*Aunt Tay came too!
*Whitley started Kindergarten and learned to ride a bike.
*Adopted a Golden Retriever. His name Ensign Indiana Rosscommon McMurry
*Anna potty-trained!
*Robin gets involved with Chaplain Spouses Association and Protestant Women of the Chapel. Waiting to get approved to volunteer with Doyl's battalion.

Now, here's the pics:

"The Love of God"

We went to the beach tonight. A nice long walk. The girls running on the beach, getting excited over each sea shell. The calming crash of the ocean waves. Watching the sunset reflect off the clouds over the water. Looking out to the horizon and realizing that the vastness can't be fathomed from shore. The lyrics of the hymn "The Love of God" came to mind:
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

I don't typically think about God's love. I trust in it. I can teach on it, but I don't meditate on it. That requires one to stop...be still and quiet and then pay attention to what God has revealed. I can quote Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth." It's just so hard to not get so engrossed in my own little world that I remember to pay attention to His. Maybe the next time we take a family walk, we can go through the woods.

New Beginning...

I've missed this place. This was my place to put my thoughts in order, update family and friends on McMurry happenings, and post pictures/videos of my beautiful family. Life didn't get much crazier, but for some reason, taking time to blog seemed too hard. Well, it's time to change that. So, here I am. We've had a lot happen since January. Perhaps journaling them here will help the whirlwind feeling calm. I'll post pics soon. For now, here's the nutshell:
January through March - Doyl was away at ODS and Chaplain School for the Navy.
April 1 - Doyl checked in with his battalion here at Camp Lejeune (Marines) and we lived in on base hotels for 6 weeks. While Doyl went to work, the girls and I explored the base and surrounding towns. There are lots of playgrounds and beaches around here as well as the library and ice cream shops.
May 7 - we moved into our house here on base and have spent the last week and a half getting settled.
The girls and I are watching Berenstain Bears and I promised Whitley that we will play with the dollhouse when it's over. So, I need to go do the lunch dishes. I'll be back though.

Now a Navy family...

This whirlwind we're living in these days is starting to become routine. It's amazing how quickly that has happened yet "routine" does not truly capture my thoughts. It is not routine for Doyl NOT to be HERE! Yet, it is. A contridiction, yes, but also our reality. I'm so blessed to have the influence and friendship of other military wives as Doyl, Whitley, Anna and I begin this new life. Knowing that we're not alone and that the adjustments just come helps.

The girls really are being troopers! They miss their Daddy, don't miss understand, but they have their little moments of missing him and then get on with their day. Daddy is away at Navy school and as soon as it is over, we'll all be together again. I enrolled them in Parents' Day Out at our church 2 days a week. That really helps break up the monotony and speeds the week along. While they are playing and learning, I (Robin) get to go to Bible study and the gym. We're only a week into this routine, but I believe already that we three girls are going to thrive in it.

As for Doyl, I'm going to let him tell you about his experience in his own words. I received my first letter from him today (We have gotten to talk on the phone a few times). I can hear his voice as I read it. Just a note...he was chosen for the Color Guard for his ability. He was chosen to assist with the remedial swim because of his ability. I'm proud of him. One of Doyl's greatest strengths is that he will do his job and help out in anyway he can and do it quietly. If no one notices, he will do it anyway. I am just so glad that someone is taking notice. Here are his words:

I am writing whenever I have a few minutes. Right now we are waiting for class to start. I know that everyone will be fighting to stay awake when it starts. We just got out of lunch, but I really don't know what time it is.

You said you wanted me to tell you about my day, so as I have a little time, I'll tell you what is going on.

This morning we woke up at 0400 (that's 4 AM for civilians) and were practicing drill for graduation by 0500. I will be carrying the Navy flag in the Color Guard. I volunteered to carry the Marine Corps flag, but that would have caused issues because of the heights of others.

After drill we went to breakfast and then sat in class all morning. We were briefed by JAG officers, and then lunch.

Now we've been back in the same classroom since 1230 and it is almost 1530 (3:30 pm) and our third briefing is about to start. After this we'll go back for chow and then to the hall where we're staying.

Tomorrow we'll start the day with a remedial swim. I am one of the ones who helps the students who didn't pass the third class swim quall. That consists of jumping off a 3 meter platform, floating for 5 minutes, swimming 50 meters and using a uniform to float.

The two Sundays I've been here I've been able to go to chapel. The chaplain is a Southern Baptist. He is a good man. There are 17 chaplains in my class. Eight are endorsed through NAMB. Last Sunday I went to a Bible Study led by a Commander...It was really good. I'm planning on going back. The overall topic is leadership, but he integrates both the Navy side and what Scripture says.

(2 days later)
Yesterday was nuts! We didn't seem to stop for very long. I went to the dentist and medical for a second round of immunizations (They have stuck me with 7 injections, drawn blood, and given me an immunization to sniff).

Now we're waiting for another brief. Here is goes...
We actually watched a movie. We may have to purchase this one. It is the story of an actual Marine Lt Colonel who volunteers to escort the remains of a young PFC. It is called "Taking Chance". The honor this movie does to our servicemen...there really are not words to express it. I just had to tell you about it. It really shows why all of us are here at ODS.

(The rest is for me)

Longview Point Baptist Church Preschool Choir

A Commissioning Celebration

Even though Doyl had already been officially sworn in as a chaplain in the Navy, we asked our friend Lt. Matt Lovelace to participate in Doyl's commissioning service at church. We've known Matt and Mary since our days in Fort Worth and Wedgwood Baptist Church. We respect and love them so. When we found out that we could have any commissioned officer do Doyl's swearing in, Matt was the obvious choice. The service was also the time when Doyl was commissioned as a SBC Chaplain by our local church. We love our Longview Point family. No matter where we go, Longview Point is our "home" church. It meant a lot that our dear friend and pastor, Wade Humphries was the one to commission our family on behalf of the gospel of Christ.
Thank you to our family that came especially for Doyl's commissioning. We know there were others who would have been there if possible. Your love and support through all of this has meant more to us that we know how to express.

LTJG Doyl E. McMurry

It has happened. On Tuesday, November 24, Doyl officially joined the U.S. Navy and received his commission as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy's Chaplain Corps. It's hard to believe it has only been 4 1/2 months since Doyl and I first had our "what if" conversation that led to contacting a recruiter. This process has been so all-consuming that it seems like it has been much longer. The prayers and support of our family and friends have been so evident to us.

As I said, this process has only lasted 4 months. As we understand it, it can take that long to receive the ecclesiastical endorsement or security clearance. For many the process for becoming a Naval Chaplain takes close to a year. The peace we have sensed has been incredible. God's hand is clearly leading. He has put us in contact with three Navy Chaplain mentor couples. One we are getting to know thanks to a connection through our pastor and his wife. The Adams are one year ahead of us in this process. Kristy especially has been such a blessing to me already. I can't wait to join them in April in North Carolina. Another couple we met via friends of a friend. He is a retired Chaplain with more than 20 years in the Navy. The third is due to Doyl's interview and endorsement with the North American Mission Board. Facebook has even helped. We've had resources for questions, encouragement, advice, etc. At no time have we felt alone or uncertain. And I'm guessing that if all of this has meant so much to us during the application and commissioning process, it is only going to be more important as Doyl heads to training and as we move to our first duty station (which is Camp Lejeune by the way) and as we seek to minister to Sailors and Marines and as we are far from family...You get the idea.

The next step in this adventure comes in just a few weeks. Doyl will leave January 2 or 3 to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI for 5 weeks with follow on to Chaplain School at Ft. Jackson outside of Columbia, SC for 7. It will be our first experience with military separation. I am grateful that the girls and I will still be here with my family for that time. After Doyl graduates, we will join him at Camp Lejeune where Doyl will serve as a Base Chaplain for Marines.

Below is the video I took of Doyl's official commissioning. His recruiter, CWO4 Kilpatrick, has been so helpful. I have heard recruiter horror stories all my life, but saw no evidence to support them with him. Warrant, if you see this, thank you again for your help. We were blessed to be able to have a formal service with our church later, but this one is where Doyl officially entered the Navy. It may appear simple, but it was as much evidence of God's leading as the one with our family and friends.



Go Navy! Beat Army!

Doyl's workout progression

I'm so proud of Doyl. He has shown much discipline over the last few months with his physical training. My fun-loving husband has always preferred to get his exercise through play...volleyball, ultimate frisbee. The only conventional exercise he's enjoyed is lap-swim. In July, his only motivation for running, curl-ups, and push-ups was the Navy. Now, nearly 5 months later, he is finding his workouts to be rejuvinating. While I am sure the Marine Gunnery Sergent Doyl will meet in a few weeks will pull more results from him, I am proud of the progress he has made.