Doyl is just about through the process of becoming a Navy Chaplain. He is waiting on 1 signature to complete his packet before it is reviewed by the head of chaplain recruiting in this district and forwarded on to the Chief of Chaplains in D.C. Once that is done, he will interview with the CARE Advisory Board in D.C., hopefully next month. Then he'll have to wait on the recommendation, final selection, and commissioning papers. We are still hopeful that he will go to ODS in January.
In the meantime, we are reading what we can about military chaplaincy and military family life. Doyl is faithfully working out 3-4 times a week and is really starting to see progress in how much he can do. On Saturday, just for the heck of it, he tried on a pair of 31" jeans and they fit! I'm glad he'll be wearing uniforms. If we had to get ALL of his clothes altered, we'd go broke.
Whitley is really excited. She asks us at least twice a day to tell her about Daddy's new job. I hope she adjusts well. She's excited now, but feels things so passionately we can never really tell how she will adjust to change.
Once we know when Doyl's interview in D.C. will be, I'll let you know. Thanks for the prayers.
Monday, September 28, 2009
A Catch-up on Pictures
Whitley's favorite birthday gifts
Watching 2 Trees Come Down with Poppa
Of course, trees that come down must be cleaned away...
Anna's Favorite "New" Show is Tom & Jerry
Whitley and Robin started a little homeschooling in preparation for Kindergarten next fall. Whitley worked on writing "A" and "W", started learning 2 new songs (The Ants Go Marching and I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee), and practiced cutting lines, shapes and letters.
Whitley also received some make-up for her birthday. This past Friday, she finally got to put some on. Can you tell why I wanted to wait?
The girls like to "help" their daddy with his PT. Anna's turning into a little DI...watch out USMC...here she comes! If she'd just keep it up in front of the camera, you'd get a good laugh. She can do 3-4 push-ups, but will not do them for the camera. Whitley will though...
Watching 2 Trees Come Down with Poppa
Of course, trees that come down must be cleaned away...
Anna's Favorite "New" Show is Tom & Jerry
Whitley and Robin started a little homeschooling in preparation for Kindergarten next fall. Whitley worked on writing "A" and "W", started learning 2 new songs (The Ants Go Marching and I'm Bringing Home a Baby Bumble Bee), and practiced cutting lines, shapes and letters.
Whitley also received some make-up for her birthday. This past Friday, she finally got to put some on. Can you tell why I wanted to wait?
The girls like to "help" their daddy with his PT. Anna's turning into a little DI...watch out USMC...here she comes! If she'd just keep it up in front of the camera, you'd get a good laugh. She can do 3-4 push-ups, but will not do them for the camera. Whitley will though...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Navy update
Hi there! I wanted to let y'all know where we are in the process of Doyl pursuing Naval Chaplaincy.
All of his applications, references, and background checks are finished. He has interviewed with a Navy Chaplain on base at Millington and is scheduled for MEPS (physical) on Monday, the 31st. He heard from N.A.M.B. today and was told that his file with them for the required ecclesiastical endorsement is complete. It will be reviewed and voted on by the Chaplains Commission at their September 8 meeting. Once that is done, his application (scroll) will be sent to the DoD in Washington. He will interview before a board there and then (pending final select) receive his commission in time to report to training in January.
In the meantime, Doyl is learning to appreciate working out...not so much the process as the results. He is back to the size he was when we were dating only in better shape. I've been taking video of some of his workouts to track his progress. In a few more weeks, I should be ready to edit them together to post here...He'll love that ;)
I promise to keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.
All of his applications, references, and background checks are finished. He has interviewed with a Navy Chaplain on base at Millington and is scheduled for MEPS (physical) on Monday, the 31st. He heard from N.A.M.B. today and was told that his file with them for the required ecclesiastical endorsement is complete. It will be reviewed and voted on by the Chaplains Commission at their September 8 meeting. Once that is done, his application (scroll) will be sent to the DoD in Washington. He will interview before a board there and then (pending final select) receive his commission in time to report to training in January.
In the meantime, Doyl is learning to appreciate working out...not so much the process as the results. He is back to the size he was when we were dating only in better shape. I've been taking video of some of his workouts to track his progress. In a few more weeks, I should be ready to edit them together to post here...He'll love that ;)
I promise to keep you posted on the progress. Thanks for the prayers and encouragement.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Little Brown Children
This was not the time for my camera's SD card to get permanently stuck in the "lock" position. When I was lifeguarding, my goal each summer was to go from "ghostly white" to "pale". Apparently, my daughters have inherited my desire for a tan. Whitley and Anna came down the hall this evening covered in chocolate ice cream! Whitley had her emptied bowl of ice cream in the back den. (I had taken Anna's bowl to the kitchen and assumed that when Whitley followed, she had brought her bowl too.) They had used the melted ice cream to "paint" themselves. After I calmed down to see the humor in the situation (Mama and Daddy thought it was hilarious), I asked Whitley "what were you thinking?" Her answer, "I wanted to be brown." It was that simple. What was the big deal? She wanted to have brown skin, the ice cream was handy and the right color, and it would wash off. A picture is worth 1000 words. I wish I had a picture because I don't have 1000 words to adequately describe the scene. We've got to get another SD card!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Man + Uniform = Mmmmmm
You remember the old adage, "There's just something about a man in uniform"? Well, I happen to agree...to a point. There's just something about a man in a military/fire/police uniform when he is in shape enough to wear it well. You know, the hero type. When Doyl and I married, I knew I'd married my hero. No, he didn't come with shoulder boards or military cover. He came with a Bible, faith, love for God and his fellow man. He still has those things. He is passionate about living out his faith before a world that so desperately needs Jesus. He strives to be obedient to his Lord and honor Him in both the little things and the big things. His walk with Christ challenges me daily. Regardless of what he is wearing, Doyl is my hero. HOWEVER, him getting to wear a uniform wouldn't be so bad either...
Over the last 6 years, to a very slight degree, Doyl and I have discussed what it would be like to be a military chaplain. The wonderings were hypothetical. Originally, we didn't really consider it because he had been told as a child he had scoliosis and that it was a disqualifier for military service. When we found out that he does not have scoliosis (actually his back is in better shape than it is suppose to be), we were on staff at a church. Doyl was the only staff member. Since we had only ever considered Reserves, chaplaincy was not an option. Then we moved to South Carolina. The timing was still not right. Well, now we are at a place where we can consider the possibility more seriously.
When we first began to talk about this possibility, we were still just thinking Reserves. However, the more praying, research, and talking we have done, the more we believe Active military is the path we need to consider. We've looked into each branch of service and, for one reason or another, we have decided to pursue the Navy. We have been in touch with Navy recruiters (general officer and chaplain). Doyl has spoken with a gentleman at NAMB to start the process for obtaining ecclesiastical endorsement. We've gotten a checklist of everything he must do to apply to become a Navy chaplain.
Now, don't start singing "Anchors Aweigh" just yet. This is a long and tedious process. There is a lot of paperwork to be done. There are interviews. There are committees. Like every job interview, just being qualified on paper and applying doesn't not mean you get the job. All of this is not to say, "This is God's will" or "We're not looking elsewhere". God is still welcome to do whatever He wants with us. We are willing to do whatever and go anywhere. However, we do have a peace about pursuing this. The type of ministry Doyl would get to do is so very much in line with his giftings and his passion. I mean, here is a man who CANNOT pass a serviceman or woman and not say "thank you" for their sacrifices. As a couple, we pray for our military and throw our support behind them. We just seem to be drawn to military families and their unique challenges.
Please pray. We truly want to hear God's heart. This is in reality an unexpected pursuit for us though the IDEA of it has come up several times. We don't want to sign our family's lives over to the Navy out of impatience. We have a peace like none we've had with any other position we've ever sought as a couple, but we don't want to rush it. Pray, too, for our families. They did NOT see this coming and have mixed feelings about it. I think our parents' biggest concern is that we will be stationed overseas and they will go a year or more without seeing their grandchildren.
I'll post updates on Facebook and here as we go along this path. Until then...
Over the last 6 years, to a very slight degree, Doyl and I have discussed what it would be like to be a military chaplain. The wonderings were hypothetical. Originally, we didn't really consider it because he had been told as a child he had scoliosis and that it was a disqualifier for military service. When we found out that he does not have scoliosis (actually his back is in better shape than it is suppose to be), we were on staff at a church. Doyl was the only staff member. Since we had only ever considered Reserves, chaplaincy was not an option. Then we moved to South Carolina. The timing was still not right. Well, now we are at a place where we can consider the possibility more seriously.
When we first began to talk about this possibility, we were still just thinking Reserves. However, the more praying, research, and talking we have done, the more we believe Active military is the path we need to consider. We've looked into each branch of service and, for one reason or another, we have decided to pursue the Navy. We have been in touch with Navy recruiters (general officer and chaplain). Doyl has spoken with a gentleman at NAMB to start the process for obtaining ecclesiastical endorsement. We've gotten a checklist of everything he must do to apply to become a Navy chaplain.
Now, don't start singing "Anchors Aweigh" just yet. This is a long and tedious process. There is a lot of paperwork to be done. There are interviews. There are committees. Like every job interview, just being qualified on paper and applying doesn't not mean you get the job. All of this is not to say, "This is God's will" or "We're not looking elsewhere". God is still welcome to do whatever He wants with us. We are willing to do whatever and go anywhere. However, we do have a peace about pursuing this. The type of ministry Doyl would get to do is so very much in line with his giftings and his passion. I mean, here is a man who CANNOT pass a serviceman or woman and not say "thank you" for their sacrifices. As a couple, we pray for our military and throw our support behind them. We just seem to be drawn to military families and their unique challenges.
Please pray. We truly want to hear God's heart. This is in reality an unexpected pursuit for us though the IDEA of it has come up several times. We don't want to sign our family's lives over to the Navy out of impatience. We have a peace like none we've had with any other position we've ever sought as a couple, but we don't want to rush it. Pray, too, for our families. They did NOT see this coming and have mixed feelings about it. I think our parents' biggest concern is that we will be stationed overseas and they will go a year or more without seeing their grandchildren.
I'll post updates on Facebook and here as we go along this path. Until then...
Monday, June 8, 2009
First Swim Outing of the Summer
It was cold...very cold! As a lifeguard, I would have made the kids get out of the water every 15 minutes to warm up. As a mommy, I'm a sucker. They were having so much fun, especially Anna. Whitley mostly stayed on the step (because it was cold). Anna wanted to be out in the water with Mommy and Daddy. We did make her get out, dry off a bit, and warm up in a towel and the sun for a while, but before we knew it, she was jumping off the side of the pool to me. Whitley did "swim" a bit with us, but still had sense enough to know it was COLD. The temperatures this week are suppose to be in the 90s, so maybe our next outing will be more pleasant. In a few weeks, we'll be swimming in bath water. More video then...
Friday, June 5, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Have I mentioned that Anna is a handful?
If a picture is worth a thousand words, here is a novelette. First, pay close attention to Anna's clothes.
Do you see it? The shorts are on backwards. The shirt is inside out and backwards, and the shoes (which are not in the picture) are on the wrong feet. BUT, she did it herself!
Next, I really should have taken an "after" picture. It's not gone, but did fade a good bit after a bath. Anna found a Sharpie in my parents' room.
'Nough said.
Do you see it? The shorts are on backwards. The shirt is inside out and backwards, and the shoes (which are not in the picture) are on the wrong feet. BUT, she did it herself!
Next, I really should have taken an "after" picture. It's not gone, but did fade a good bit after a bath. Anna found a Sharpie in my parents' room.
'Nough said.
Just a cute picture!
All hitting, pinching, biting and screaming aside, they really do LOVE each other!
Friday, May 29, 2009
Journaling
I've just been reading some of the entries in my journal. It's been 3 years since I started writing in this particular book. Back then, we were still living in Joy, TX. Whitley was 9 months old and Anna was just a glimmer in my eye as I looked to the future. Isn't it wonderful to look back and see what God has done? If you're like me, the day-to-day living easily becomes all consuming and the pressure of NOW seems to be the most important thing in the world. How GREAT is our God that He will press the "pause button" on our lives (if we'll let Him) and grant us a glimpse of the bigger picture to refocus our perception, refresh and encourage us, and, of course, challenge us. (That seems like a lot of commas. Will one of you English teacher types assure me I still know grammar?) That's what reading these entries is like for me. Those profound spiritual truths He revealed to me, what have I done with them? The prayers I prayed, how has He answered them? If I'm still waiting, am I still praying? The joys He showed me in my day-to-day life, am I still enjoying them? The hurts I experienced, have I forgiven "the guilty" or are they still "guilty"? I don't know if anyone ever actually reads my ramblings, but I'm going to act like someone does and share some of my favorite entries over the last 3 years. Perhaps God will use them to encourage you as He has me. If so, let me know.
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