The Day Has Finally Arrived...

Dear Friends,

The day HAS finally arrived as I sit here at Bangor International Airport in Maine. I'm awaiting the flight that will take me across the great Atlantic into Ireland and then beyond. It's funny because I've anticipated this moment for more than 7 years since I first started ROTC at Wheaton College and the war was just ramping up. However, I have almost no anxiety about the situation. True, I have been pleasantly distracted for the past month not allowing my usual self to get anxious, but that's not the entire story. God has given me a strange peace about the whole situation that has allowed me to actually be excited about rather than nervous about my changing situation. God is going to be doing amazing things this next year, and I get to be a part of it.

As I close this post I can't help but think of a story that Luke told me about his return from his last deployment. He tells about how beautiful the Maine landscape looked as his flight touched down- blue skies, green trees, and gorgeous lakes. It was pretty emotional for him since he had spent the previous 3 months deployed. I too look forward to returning in a year...but a year of service and hard work will make it all the more enjoyable. Pray for me...these are my 4 main prayer requests right now.

(1) To stay in the Word and Prayer daily as part of a personal discipline.
(2) To find fellowship quickly and stay connected with other Christians in my unit.
(3) To be bold in sharing my faith in Jesus whenever possible.
(4) Protection for my guys.