Chaplain's Banquet

Josh completed 90 days of Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Training this summer at Fort Jackson. It was a long summer, but he did so great! I was honored to be able to attend the Chaplain's banquet with him during his last week of training. Josh was in his element! I had such a great time meeting his new friends, hearing about his summer training and seeing more military traditions. We had a wonderful meal with classmates and enjoyed skits preformed by each platoon. Josh obviously made a name for himself during his training. Everyone I met told me stories about how Josh "saved" the class multiple times by giving an answer to the teachers before the class would be punished for not doing the assignments. One of the other platoons included him in their jokes, saying Josh must have made up about 50 words in his speech to the Ethics professor. It is clear that Josh had the respect of his classmates as well as the leadership.

Words cannot describe how proud I was of him that night. Josh's dreams are coming true. He was so comfortable with the military customs and he looked so refined in his suit. I am so glad I was able to go with him!

Visiting Daddy!

At the end of June, Hunter and I got on a plane to go visit daddy! It had been 5 weeks since we had seen him and we were both ready. I was nervous that Hunter would cling to me and not go to his daddy. But the second we saw Josh Hunter said "DADDY!" and ran to him! They began running around the airport chasing each other and picked up right where they left off. It was wonderful to be with him again!

We stayed with Josh in his room at the Fort Jackson Inn and enjoyed dinner with him every night. There was one day he had off while we were there and that day we took Hunter to the movie Cars 2 and a Water Park. Hunter still talks about the water park!


It was such a great break in our looooooong summer. Since we went to South Carolina Hunter has done much better with the separation. He has been much happier talking to Josh online and he regularly asks to see him.

10 days!

We are so excited to go see Daddy and be done with this separation! Here is a video of Hunter counting down the days & explaining where his daddy has been. Hunter's vocabulary has increased so much this summer!

Skype with Daddy

This video is guaranteed to make you smile all over! This was part of our Skype time with daddy tonight. Hunter is getting more used to talking to daddy this way.

Daddy Bear

In preparation for Josh being away this summer, we took Hunter to Build-A-Bear to make a bear that could remind him of his daddy. We found an army uniform to dress the bear in and Josh was able to record his voice which we placed inside the bear. Hunter was still a little young to understand the process, but this bear will be cherished by both of us this summer!

I love my Officer

Josh is an Officer now! The ceremony was short and simple, yet held a lot of meaning for all who were involved. Several of our friends attended and made the event extra special. A retired chaplain works on campus and he did the opening prayer. A fellow student who moved here at the same time as us just retired from the Air Force. He did Josh's commissioning. I am so proud of Josh!

What this means is now, while we are in seminary, Josh will shadow a Chaplain for the United States Army Reserves one weekend a month. He will also spend one summer, probably 2011, in training and Officer's School. Hopefully this will help Josh & I to know if becoming a Chaplain is right for him.

Goodbye Air Force and hello Army!

Josh with Randy Nelson & Jim Pakala

Josh's closing words (I wish I would have recorded them, he did so great!)

Charlie Gibson & Jeremy Ruckstetter: friends from Virginia!

Wimm & Josh

Josh's study buddy for Greek: Jameson



Here is a video of the prayer and the oath:

Vacation Officially Over

Today officially ends Josh's vacation. Not that he has really been on vacation in the past month. He has been very busy with classes, transition, and getting our household settled. But his sabbatical from the military is officially cut short.

Literally.

Here is the "I've been on vacation for the past 3 months look":


Here is step one: hair gone

Step two: beard gone


We have been joking and wondering all morning if people will recognize him today?