Holy Cow today came fast and now it's gone! Emilee and I put on the kids' and our matching pajamas (made by Emilee) and put the kids to bed after showing them the Night Before Christmas that my mom had bought for them last year (and recorded her voice reading it for them).
We had a Christmas Eve service tonight that had all sorts of technical difficulties at the high school auditorium, but we made it through by the Grace of God. I delivered 4 containers of fudge today (chocolate and peanut butter). People seemed to enjoy it.
Emilee and I are now sitting here watching A Christmas Carol (Jim Carey version) after eating some of her homemade Oreo & coffee truffles (deeeeelicious, but really hard to eat more than 2 in one sitting... I had 3. haha).
May God bless you all and Merry Christmas!!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Decor
We have our Christmas tree up and some gifts already beneath it!! Just received 3 big boxes and 1 small box from my parents and they were JAM-PACKED with gifts (mainly for the kids, but some for us as well haha). Came as quite a shock to us, but a very welcomed one! Emilee goes to pick up the layaway that we got for the kids on Thursday!! Looking forward to a great Christmas w/ family and friends! Always remember: JESUS is the reason for the season!
NEW JOB
Starting on 12/06, I was officially released to DOX (Plans, Programs, and Exercises) as the new Requirements Specialist and ADPE program manager for our squadron! I'm loving the job, working 0730 to 1630 Mon-Fri, and I get wkends off as well as family days and holidays. Everything is going SOOO well!! Praise God!! Just wanted to update everyone on the job!
MOVING!!
So as always is, moving is quite painful.. Our moving experience from off base (Lotte Castle) to on base (Seoraksan) went like this...
We had TMO scheduled to come in the morning on the 6th while we had our new house inspection on base at 0800 and our old house inspection at 4pm, ALL on December 6th.. But to give us more time, we decided to schedule our old house inspection on 12/06 at 1000, and have our new house inspection and TMO appointments on 12/04. Before we could get anything scheduled though, we received a call stating there might be a change to the unit they were offering us on base....
...So of course trying not to assume the worst, we went to housing... long story short, they took us to another tower (Seoraksan) and showed us an even bigger unit, still 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom, that they wanted to offer us.. It was basically due to them wanting to go ahead and segregate the towers by ranks. So we decided to take it...
Move in date stayed 12/06.. Scheduled TMO... they decided that they wanted to come and pack one day and then move us the next (though we had already packed a lot of stuff up and moved the breakables to emilee's office)..
Long story short... through the fights and frustrations with each other and base agencies, we are FINALLY on base and LOVING IT!! We are decorated for Christmas, tree's up w/ presents below, and we are getting unpacked and organized sooo much faster than anticipated! Just gotta stay on top of it.. Should be done in about a week!
We had TMO scheduled to come in the morning on the 6th while we had our new house inspection on base at 0800 and our old house inspection at 4pm, ALL on December 6th.. But to give us more time, we decided to schedule our old house inspection on 12/06 at 1000, and have our new house inspection and TMO appointments on 12/04. Before we could get anything scheduled though, we received a call stating there might be a change to the unit they were offering us on base....
...So of course trying not to assume the worst, we went to housing... long story short, they took us to another tower (Seoraksan) and showed us an even bigger unit, still 3 bedroom and 2 bathroom, that they wanted to offer us.. It was basically due to them wanting to go ahead and segregate the towers by ranks. So we decided to take it...
Move in date stayed 12/06.. Scheduled TMO... they decided that they wanted to come and pack one day and then move us the next (though we had already packed a lot of stuff up and moved the breakables to emilee's office)..
Long story short... through the fights and frustrations with each other and base agencies, we are FINALLY on base and LOVING IT!! We are decorated for Christmas, tree's up w/ presents below, and we are getting unpacked and organized sooo much faster than anticipated! Just gotta stay on top of it.. Should be done in about a week!
Thanksgiving!!!
Hi all!!! Sorry it's been a while since I last blogged (about a month and 5 days to be exact..?).. A LOT has happened, so I'll be catching everybody up..
First, let's talk Thanksgiving... we ended up having a 19.8 lb turkey and a 9.9 lb spiral ham. Emilee cooked the turkey inside our newly ordered GE roaster and it turned out FANTASTIC!!! We also had 13 people over from base to eat with us and just enjoy fellowshipping! Our guests included:
Thomas and Jaala Best
Kim Yong nan and son
Jason Stromberg
Coleman and Haley Wescott
Tina Wood
Nathan Hoback
Andrew Henness
Daniel Arevalo
Megan Bender
Ryan Miller
Our foods included:
Turkey, Ham, Green Beans, homemade baked beans, corn, rolls, turkey gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, cranberry relish, green bean casserole, and as appetizers, deviled eggs, artichoke dip, and veggie platter.
For desserts: BTS Cake (better than s_ _ cake), peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, mocha hazelnut cream-filled cake, Tiramasu bites, and mini cheese cakes..
Movies included: Mickey's Christmas Carol; A Muppet Christmas Carol
Keep reading next time!
First, let's talk Thanksgiving... we ended up having a 19.8 lb turkey and a 9.9 lb spiral ham. Emilee cooked the turkey inside our newly ordered GE roaster and it turned out FANTASTIC!!! We also had 13 people over from base to eat with us and just enjoy fellowshipping! Our guests included:
Thomas and Jaala Best
Kim Yong nan and son
Jason Stromberg
Coleman and Haley Wescott
Tina Wood
Nathan Hoback
Andrew Henness
Daniel Arevalo
Megan Bender
Ryan Miller
Our foods included:
Turkey, Ham, Green Beans, homemade baked beans, corn, rolls, turkey gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, cranberry relish, green bean casserole, and as appetizers, deviled eggs, artichoke dip, and veggie platter.
For desserts: BTS Cake (better than s_ _ cake), peanut butter fudge, chocolate fudge, mocha hazelnut cream-filled cake, Tiramasu bites, and mini cheese cakes..
Movies included: Mickey's Christmas Carol; A Muppet Christmas Carol
Keep reading next time!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
BACK TO SCHOOL!!
That's right.. I'm working with my Education Office right now on going back to school and taking some courses right now so I can apply for a commissioning program in 2012! Here are the courses I plan on taking this year:
Foundation of Online Learning
College Trigonometry
Analytical Geometry
Calculus I
Calculus II
Chemistry w/Lab
Physics w/Lab
Once I'm done with these classes, I will be able to start putting together my package so I can go back to school and pursue ANOTHER bachelor's, a B.S. in Computer Engineering, and then go to BOT and get my commission! Please pray everything works out! God bless!
Foundation of Online Learning
College Trigonometry
Analytical Geometry
Calculus I
Calculus II
Chemistry w/Lab
Physics w/Lab
Once I'm done with these classes, I will be able to start putting together my package so I can go back to school and pursue ANOTHER bachelor's, a B.S. in Computer Engineering, and then go to BOT and get my commission! Please pray everything works out! God bless!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
2 PRAISES!!
Hi everyone!!!
SO I have 2 praise reports since I last blogged (sorry it's taken me so long to get back here to blog.. gonna try to do better in the future).
1). I GOT MY NEW JOB!!! SO I'LL BE WORKING MONDAY THRU FRIDAYS AND HAVE REGULAR WEEKENDS OFF STARTING THE MONDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!! THANK YOU LORD!
2). WE GOT OFFERED ON-BASE HOUSING!! NOT 2-BEDROOM.. BUT 3!!! SO I'M GOING BY TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT TODAY!!!
Lately, I've been thinking more and more about commissioning opportunities as well. This upcoming year, I will have to re-enlist, and I don't want to stay on the enlisted side of the house for much longer. I've been looking at 3 different options:
a). The Chaplain Corps (getting my MDiv and becoming a Chaplain)
b). Airman Enlisted Commissioning Program (applying for AECP and going back to college to gain a 2nd bachelor's degree and then go to OTS to commission)
c). OTS (applying to go to Officer Training School for 90 days, then getting my commission)
Please keep us in your prayers as we decide on what path would be best for us to take! God bless!
SO I have 2 praise reports since I last blogged (sorry it's taken me so long to get back here to blog.. gonna try to do better in the future).
1). I GOT MY NEW JOB!!! SO I'LL BE WORKING MONDAY THRU FRIDAYS AND HAVE REGULAR WEEKENDS OFF STARTING THE MONDAY AFTER THANKSGIVING!! THANK YOU LORD!
2). WE GOT OFFERED ON-BASE HOUSING!! NOT 2-BEDROOM.. BUT 3!!! SO I'M GOING BY TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT TODAY!!!
Lately, I've been thinking more and more about commissioning opportunities as well. This upcoming year, I will have to re-enlist, and I don't want to stay on the enlisted side of the house for much longer. I've been looking at 3 different options:
a). The Chaplain Corps (getting my MDiv and becoming a Chaplain)
b). Airman Enlisted Commissioning Program (applying for AECP and going back to college to gain a 2nd bachelor's degree and then go to OTS to commission)
c). OTS (applying to go to Officer Training School for 90 days, then getting my commission)
Please keep us in your prayers as we decide on what path would be best for us to take! God bless!
Monday, October 25, 2010
Our new vacuum!!!
We have this NEW DIRT DEVIL electric vacuum cleaner!!! It's the tiniest thing, but it sure does clean up everything in its path! It used to take me an hour just to sweep up and scrub the living room floor, but now, it takes me less than 30 minutes to vacuum the whole house!! It's a FANTASTIC feeling sucking up all the dust bunnies and crumbs in this floor.. sheesh, it's like our kids attract nastiness!!! Anyways, NOT FOR MUCH LONGER!!! woohoo!! We also plan on getting one of the skinny steam vacs too.
OH, we also bought this huge set of cubbies (15 made of wood... 3 X 5) to help us organize.. it was less than $100 but it is fantastic!! not gotten everything organized just yet, but soon.. we're preparing for thanksgiving and getting everything rearranged, put up, cleaned up, and organized so we can feel comfortable having people over for Thanksgiving! It's great to actually see progress on the house!!!
OH, we also bought this huge set of cubbies (15 made of wood... 3 X 5) to help us organize.. it was less than $100 but it is fantastic!! not gotten everything organized just yet, but soon.. we're preparing for thanksgiving and getting everything rearranged, put up, cleaned up, and organized so we can feel comfortable having people over for Thanksgiving! It's great to actually see progress on the house!!!
VA training
Last week, Monday thru Friday, 18 - 22 October, I went through Victim's Advocate Training conducted by our SARC (Sexual Assault Response Coordinator). It was definitely a hard week to go through, but I went through it with some really great people ranging from a one-striped Airman to a Senior Master Sergeant. I even made peanut butter fudge and chocolate fudge on Wednesday for the class (lots of people took stuff to snack on)...
On Friday night, we met at the main gate of Osan AB at 11pm wearing our SART t-shirts (Sexual Assault Response Team) and went on town patrol. I was teamed up with 3 females (all other groups had 2 males). We ventured into around 10 bars and clubs just to make our presence known and put our faces out there so people could know what our purpose is and know that there are opportunities for justice should they fall into bad situations. Needless to say, it was a pretty rough night. We were ridiculed, called names, made fun of, and one of our VA's was even spit upon (she's a staff sergeant). The drunk guy who spat on her kept asking her if we were the ones who could tell him how to "do it and get away with it". He was arrested for assault.
I also had my first encounter with "juicy girls". These girls are mostly trafficked in from other countries (Russia, Philippines, etc), they are led to believe they are getting job opportunities in the hotel industry, tourism, and restaurant businesses, and when they arrive, their passports are taken, given to bar owners, and they have to work in order to buy their passports back. Their "job" entails dancing with the men (or women) who come into the bar, buy them drinks, dress scandalously, dance around a pole, etc. 80-90% of their profit each night goes into the owner's pockets and the rest, IF they have behaved and done well, can go to buying back their passports (which usually costs anywhere from $5,000-$10,000.00.
I couldn't believe the amount of married men who were dancing with these girls. I also could not believe that,after our higher-ups have told us time and time again not to venture to these places and support human trafficking, they were right there in the middle of it all, sitting at the bars and having the girls buy them drinks.
...so happy to be a part of this amazing Air Force... (please, enjoy the sarcasm in that statement)...
On Friday night, we met at the main gate of Osan AB at 11pm wearing our SART t-shirts (Sexual Assault Response Team) and went on town patrol. I was teamed up with 3 females (all other groups had 2 males). We ventured into around 10 bars and clubs just to make our presence known and put our faces out there so people could know what our purpose is and know that there are opportunities for justice should they fall into bad situations. Needless to say, it was a pretty rough night. We were ridiculed, called names, made fun of, and one of our VA's was even spit upon (she's a staff sergeant). The drunk guy who spat on her kept asking her if we were the ones who could tell him how to "do it and get away with it". He was arrested for assault.
I also had my first encounter with "juicy girls". These girls are mostly trafficked in from other countries (Russia, Philippines, etc), they are led to believe they are getting job opportunities in the hotel industry, tourism, and restaurant businesses, and when they arrive, their passports are taken, given to bar owners, and they have to work in order to buy their passports back. Their "job" entails dancing with the men (or women) who come into the bar, buy them drinks, dress scandalously, dance around a pole, etc. 80-90% of their profit each night goes into the owner's pockets and the rest, IF they have behaved and done well, can go to buying back their passports (which usually costs anywhere from $5,000-$10,000.00.
I couldn't believe the amount of married men who were dancing with these girls. I also could not believe that,after our higher-ups have told us time and time again not to venture to these places and support human trafficking, they were right there in the middle of it all, sitting at the bars and having the girls buy them drinks.
...so happy to be a part of this amazing Air Force... (please, enjoy the sarcasm in that statement)...
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Revival week!
Just an update from this past week since my last post...
Elijah is definitely talking more... I went into his room a few minutes ago and he told me just as plain as day: "I wanna dit up." hahaha.. Then he went straight to the kitchen and started reaching for stuff on the counter (and yes, our SON can reach stuff on the kitchen counters now.. yikes!). I asked him if he wanted a cup and he said "Mm, Cup!" He's doing soo good..
Revival went great!! We only missed Thursday night (we needed a night to rest).
Today, I got tired of the sunshine creating a glare on our computers and our tv coming through the window, soooo i took 7 black garbage bags, scissors, and some boxing tape and fixed that problem!!
Also, we went to the airshow today!! It was fantastic, BUUT it was also extremely hot today, so we grabbed 4 pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, 1 lemonade, and 2 sweet teas and took off to the bx. Now we're just sitting here at home waiting to go to worship practice! God bless!
Oh, and I get to start speaking at church every few weeks with some other awesome brothers in Christ! Pray for us that we'll say the right things and that it will be Truth and not our opinions!
God bless!
Elijah is definitely talking more... I went into his room a few minutes ago and he told me just as plain as day: "I wanna dit up." hahaha.. Then he went straight to the kitchen and started reaching for stuff on the counter (and yes, our SON can reach stuff on the kitchen counters now.. yikes!). I asked him if he wanted a cup and he said "Mm, Cup!" He's doing soo good..
Revival went great!! We only missed Thursday night (we needed a night to rest).
Today, I got tired of the sunshine creating a glare on our computers and our tv coming through the window, soooo i took 7 black garbage bags, scissors, and some boxing tape and fixed that problem!!
Also, we went to the airshow today!! It was fantastic, BUUT it was also extremely hot today, so we grabbed 4 pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, 2 bags of chips, 1 lemonade, and 2 sweet teas and took off to the bx. Now we're just sitting here at home waiting to go to worship practice! God bless!
Oh, and I get to start speaking at church every few weeks with some other awesome brothers in Christ! Pray for us that we'll say the right things and that it will be Truth and not our opinions!
God bless!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Revival, Our Garmin, Special Detail!!!!
Okay, so I notice that I have a crazy title for this, but it's really to help me stay on point of what to blog about this time around...
Tonight was our first night of revival at the base chapel and it was FANTASTIC!!!! Our youth worship team opened up the service and did a fantastic job doing "Blessed Be Your Name"!! Emilee and I are soooo proud of how far these guys and girls have come in such a short time! Then our contemporary group sung and Ch Richey preached a terrific message. We even had people come to the altar tonight!!! This was also Emilee's first revival as well!! She enjoyed it a lot!
Our Garmin GPS arrived in the mail this week and Emilee picked it up today!! We are so excited about it.. all we need now are the Korean maps to go on it and we'll be set!!
So this week, I got tasked with "Fuels escort"... basically, I meet up with these Koreans driving a gas truck, get them on base, take them around filling up gas tanks, and then escorting them off base after we finish... and we finish around 11 or 12!!!! SO I GOT HALF THE DAY!!! woohoo!!!
That's the update for now!! Later!!!
Tonight was our first night of revival at the base chapel and it was FANTASTIC!!!! Our youth worship team opened up the service and did a fantastic job doing "Blessed Be Your Name"!! Emilee and I are soooo proud of how far these guys and girls have come in such a short time! Then our contemporary group sung and Ch Richey preached a terrific message. We even had people come to the altar tonight!!! This was also Emilee's first revival as well!! She enjoyed it a lot!
Our Garmin GPS arrived in the mail this week and Emilee picked it up today!! We are so excited about it.. all we need now are the Korean maps to go on it and we'll be set!!
So this week, I got tasked with "Fuels escort"... basically, I meet up with these Koreans driving a gas truck, get them on base, take them around filling up gas tanks, and then escorting them off base after we finish... and we finish around 11 or 12!!!! SO I GOT HALF THE DAY!!! woohoo!!!
That's the update for now!! Later!!!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
29 September 2010
Woohoo Cooler weather is finally here!! It actually feels like FALL here, BUT sad to say, it will only last for a few weeks before it gets REALLLLY cold here.
Since my last post on the 22nd, I have applied for a different job in a different flight working more with computers and managing and maintaining them, so we'll see how that goes. Should hear who got the job on Monday, October 4th.
Riley is doing great in Sure Start and loves riding the bus to and from school. She has lots of fun, and Emilee and i love it because it's like having free childcare!!! woohoo!! We did get the adoption papers in the mail this past week, so we can now start working on changing Riley's last name...
Elijah is jibber jabbering even more now. Emilee took him today to the ER because he woke up with some REALLLLY bad congestion and wheezing. They said it was either viral, or not, or the crupe, or maybe the beginnings of pneumonia, but they weren't for sure.. SOOOO they put him on Zythromycin and said it should help... or maybe not...
The youth worship team Emilee and I are over is supposed to play for their first time at church on Monday night to open up the first night of revival. They are going to be singing "Blessed Be Your Name" and then our worship team will do the rest of the music.
I had three days off in a row, and it was TERRRRIFIC!!! I still miss the Monday-Friday work schedule though (which is the schedule I'll be working IF I get this new job, so PLEASE PRAY!!).
OOOOH, and last but DEFINITELY FUNNIEST thing that's happened so far this week:
Emilee dropped Lilly off at the groomer's today and thought she did a pretty good job of explaining to the Korean lady what she wanted... UNTIL she went to pick Lilly up... and SAW her!!!! Suffice to say that the only parts of her body with ANY hair on them now are her head and her tail!!! HAHAHA we'll put up pictures soon..
Alright, that's it for now.. will keep you guys updated on the stuff going on in our lives..
Since my last post on the 22nd, I have applied for a different job in a different flight working more with computers and managing and maintaining them, so we'll see how that goes. Should hear who got the job on Monday, October 4th.
Riley is doing great in Sure Start and loves riding the bus to and from school. She has lots of fun, and Emilee and i love it because it's like having free childcare!!! woohoo!! We did get the adoption papers in the mail this past week, so we can now start working on changing Riley's last name...
Elijah is jibber jabbering even more now. Emilee took him today to the ER because he woke up with some REALLLLY bad congestion and wheezing. They said it was either viral, or not, or the crupe, or maybe the beginnings of pneumonia, but they weren't for sure.. SOOOO they put him on Zythromycin and said it should help... or maybe not...
The youth worship team Emilee and I are over is supposed to play for their first time at church on Monday night to open up the first night of revival. They are going to be singing "Blessed Be Your Name" and then our worship team will do the rest of the music.
I had three days off in a row, and it was TERRRRIFIC!!! I still miss the Monday-Friday work schedule though (which is the schedule I'll be working IF I get this new job, so PLEASE PRAY!!).
OOOOH, and last but DEFINITELY FUNNIEST thing that's happened so far this week:
Emilee dropped Lilly off at the groomer's today and thought she did a pretty good job of explaining to the Korean lady what she wanted... UNTIL she went to pick Lilly up... and SAW her!!!! Suffice to say that the only parts of her body with ANY hair on them now are her head and her tail!!! HAHAHA we'll put up pictures soon..
Alright, that's it for now.. will keep you guys updated on the stuff going on in our lives..
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
22 September 2010
Just wanted to update everyone since last week's blog... Got an email today from our attorney stating our adoption papers are on their way!! YAYYY!!!
Sunday's worship service was fantastic and we got a lot of great feedback regarding the songs and the worship team!!
Emilee ordered us our Garmin GPS so we can download Korean maps and be able to get around better while in Korea.
Youth worship team is going terrific!! The kids did both "Blessed Be Your Name" and "Mighty to Save" tonight and once again blew Emilee and me away with how well they are coming together. Daniel, our contemporary service violinist came by and helped us out with our violinist. All of the youth are doing fantastic! We also had a brother from church come and start teaching them sign language to a Christian song. Can't wait to debut these kids. They're great! They bring their "A" game every single Tuesday night!
Oh, one last thing... I'm thinking about taking some martial arts.. not decided on which one yet...
Thanks for reading!!!
Sunday's worship service was fantastic and we got a lot of great feedback regarding the songs and the worship team!!
Emilee ordered us our Garmin GPS so we can download Korean maps and be able to get around better while in Korea.
Youth worship team is going terrific!! The kids did both "Blessed Be Your Name" and "Mighty to Save" tonight and once again blew Emilee and me away with how well they are coming together. Daniel, our contemporary service violinist came by and helped us out with our violinist. All of the youth are doing fantastic! We also had a brother from church come and start teaching them sign language to a Christian song. Can't wait to debut these kids. They're great! They bring their "A" game every single Tuesday night!
Oh, one last thing... I'm thinking about taking some martial arts.. not decided on which one yet...
Thanks for reading!!!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Adoption and Sure Start
So to kick off the morning, we received a phone call at 3:30 am today from our attorney stating the judge signed the adoption papers and they will be sent to Buncombe County Courts for processing so we can get Riley's new birth certificate and social security card, and then change her last name on all military documents and at her school. So YAYYYY, the adoption is OVER and PRAISE GOD FOR THE VICTORY!!
Today was also Riley's first day of Sure Start (Head start). Emilee took some fun pictures of her and I am planning on putting them into "Brad's Photos", so keep a lookout.
That's it for now. Emilee and I have date night tomorrow night (happens once a month)!! WOOHOO! God bless and good night!
Today was also Riley's first day of Sure Start (Head start). Emilee took some fun pictures of her and I am planning on putting them into "Brad's Photos", so keep a lookout.
That's it for now. Emilee and I have date night tomorrow night (happens once a month)!! WOOHOO! God bless and good night!
Youth band 14 Sept 2010
Tonight's youth band rehearsal was awesome! The youth really got into practicing "Blessed Be Your Name", so next week we are planning on starting "Mighty to Save" and "Heart of Worship". Some of the youth asked us if we could even meet more than once a week because they look forward to us meeting for the rest of the week. Glad to see the youth are having a blast! Can't wait for their debut!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Family Update
Since last Wednesday (my last blog), nothing too much has happened. I worked Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then we went to worship practice on Saturday night, ate at Checkertails afterwards, then put the kids to bed. Since the other pianist came back from leave, I was able to sleep in on Sunday morning until 10:45 (it was GREAT). We went looking around the BX until time to practice before church. We had a great service. The chaplain preached on Marriage and Divorce. Basically, God's plan for you if you are married is this: STAY MARRIED. Do everything in your power to make it work. Then, if you are divorced against your will, and your ex-spouse marries another, they have committed adultery on you and you are freed to marry again. Adultery and death are the only two ways to be freed to remarry. It was a great message, and a great service, but a tough sermon to deliver, no doubt. The thing about Truth is, sometimes it's going to hurt.
After church, Emilee and I took the worship band out to eat since it was Phillip's last Sunday with us and he's leaving for Japan this week. We all ate at the Mexican restaurant downtown, then we bought us some movies on the strip, and watched The Expendables once we got home and put the kids to bed.
Today, since I have the day off, we went and ran some errands around base, turned in Riley's registration for school, shopped around the BX, ate lunch, walked around the BX again, then came home to rest before we had Riley's open house at the school at 5pm and then Emilee's PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) meeting at 7pm. I'm sitting here on the couch watching Transporter 2 while Emilee and the kids nap.
Catch ya later!
After church, Emilee and I took the worship band out to eat since it was Phillip's last Sunday with us and he's leaving for Japan this week. We all ate at the Mexican restaurant downtown, then we bought us some movies on the strip, and watched The Expendables once we got home and put the kids to bed.
Today, since I have the day off, we went and ran some errands around base, turned in Riley's registration for school, shopped around the BX, ate lunch, walked around the BX again, then came home to rest before we had Riley's open house at the school at 5pm and then Emilee's PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) meeting at 7pm. I'm sitting here on the couch watching Transporter 2 while Emilee and the kids nap.
Catch ya later!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Riley and School
Emilee got the phone call today from the elementary school saying that Riley has been accepted into Sure Start (their pre-K program) and she starts next Thursday, September 16th!! We are so excited and so is Riley! It's like free daycare for Emilee.. well, for at least one of the kids.. she'll still have Elijah, but she'll be able to get out and do more stuff since Riley will be in school.
Riley can do her ABC's and can already count from 0 to 20 all by herself, then can count up to 100 as long as Emilee and I help her figure out what all the 10's are.
We'll keep you all posted on how she's doing in school. Keep her in your prayers. Riley loved childcare in Monterey, California and I'm sure she'll love getting back into a group of kids her own age from day to day.
Riley can do her ABC's and can already count from 0 to 20 all by herself, then can count up to 100 as long as Emilee and I help her figure out what all the 10's are.
We'll keep you all posted on how she's doing in school. Keep her in your prayers. Riley loved childcare in Monterey, California and I'm sure she'll love getting back into a group of kids her own age from day to day.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The past few days (Sept 3 - 7)
Friday evening - After Typhoon Kompasu was over, we were finally able to come out of our homes. Emilee, me and the kids went to eat at the Mexican restaurant. When we went to park on base, we saw lots of damage, trees uprooted, branches fallen, cleanup crews everywhere.
Monday - Emilee, Riley, Elijah, myself, and the Dickenson's (Tiffany, Allison, and Thomas) all went to the zoo. Sunday night, Elijah kept us up late all night long crying and screaming, so we didn't get a lot of sleep, but the zoo was still lots of fun. We went to the Seoul Zoo, the largest zoo in Asia also the 10th largest zoo in the world. Tiffany spent her day running from bees which were constantly attracted to her and her stroller. She'd scream, then yell for me to come and get rid of the bees. (For lots of pictures, check out my Photobucket, "Brad's photos", link is located on right side of page).
Monday night - Before we put Elijah in the bathtub, we are working on getting him in a routine of sitting on the potty. Last night, he stood up off his little potty, and he had peepee-ed in his potty for the first time!! We were so proud of him and he was excited too! We're hoping that this will form a foundation for him to start potty training at some point soon.
Today - Today I woke up and went to work, then realized that it was a down-day (holiday), so I came back home and went back to bed. After we woke up, Emilee decided she would go to the commissary around 1pm. About 1:14pm she called me. She was in a car accident (no one was hurt). While she was turning right out of the parking garage, a Korean man rammed her in the driver's side door. The door looks pretty rough, worse than the front of his van. We called the military police and they came and got a report on everything that happened. After the report was filed, the cops left and Emilee went on to the commissary. We decided to cancel youth worship band tonight and stay home and rest in light of the afternoon's incident.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PICS OF THE ZOO!!!
Monday - Emilee, Riley, Elijah, myself, and the Dickenson's (Tiffany, Allison, and Thomas) all went to the zoo. Sunday night, Elijah kept us up late all night long crying and screaming, so we didn't get a lot of sleep, but the zoo was still lots of fun. We went to the Seoul Zoo, the largest zoo in Asia also the 10th largest zoo in the world. Tiffany spent her day running from bees which were constantly attracted to her and her stroller. She'd scream, then yell for me to come and get rid of the bees. (For lots of pictures, check out my Photobucket, "Brad's photos", link is located on right side of page).
Monday night - Before we put Elijah in the bathtub, we are working on getting him in a routine of sitting on the potty. Last night, he stood up off his little potty, and he had peepee-ed in his potty for the first time!! We were so proud of him and he was excited too! We're hoping that this will form a foundation for him to start potty training at some point soon.
Today - Today I woke up and went to work, then realized that it was a down-day (holiday), so I came back home and went back to bed. After we woke up, Emilee decided she would go to the commissary around 1pm. About 1:14pm she called me. She was in a car accident (no one was hurt). While she was turning right out of the parking garage, a Korean man rammed her in the driver's side door. The door looks pretty rough, worse than the front of his van. We called the military police and they came and got a report on everything that happened. After the report was filed, the cops left and Emilee went on to the commissary. We decided to cancel youth worship band tonight and stay home and rest in light of the afternoon's incident.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT PICS OF THE ZOO!!!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Typhoon Kompasu came and went
So Typhoon Kompasu came last night and Emilee said the winds were pretty bad.. 60 to 70 mph winds. I didn't even wake up. Slept like a baby. The typhoon, though, has restricted us ALL to quarters and gotten us the day off!! So no work today, and HOPEFULLY we will all be able to come out of our caves sometime this evening. Will keep you updated!
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Typhoon!!!
According to the weather, we are expecting a typhoon called Kompasu to hit sometime throughout today (Emilee says it's supposed to make landfall around 3pm today). Well, she lived through a cyclone in Monterey, CA, so I guess we will see what a typhoon is like this evening. Hope everyone is doing well! Keep in touch! Let us know what you think of our blogs!
the Adoption!
Today I received an email from our attorney's paralegal stating the adoption hearing is going to be held on September 15th, 2010 at 8:30am in California. She also sent us a copy of the court investigator's report showing their recommendation for my adoption of Riley and showing that they recommend that her name be known as Riley Davis. Keep praying and we'll see what happens on September 15th!
Officer's Club Lunch
30 August 2010
Today was Child's Day at the O' Club, so we met the Dickenson's on base and took the kids to eat lunch and play with Thomas and Allie. It was DELICIOUS!! For the kids, they had corns, macaroni and cheese, pizza, fruits, rolls, and then brownies and ice cream for snack. For the adults, we had the same vegetables, lasagna, MEATBALLS with sauce, steamed vegetables, and then lemonade to drink. Riley, Elijah, Allie and Thomas all got to bounce in the bouncey house. We were going to let Riley get her face painted, but we ran out of time and had to make a stop at the BX and then go downtown to Peace Music to check out the instruments they had! That was our trip to The Officer's Club!
Today was Child's Day at the O' Club, so we met the Dickenson's on base and took the kids to eat lunch and play with Thomas and Allie. It was DELICIOUS!! For the kids, they had corns, macaroni and cheese, pizza, fruits, rolls, and then brownies and ice cream for snack. For the adults, we had the same vegetables, lasagna, MEATBALLS with sauce, steamed vegetables, and then lemonade to drink. Riley, Elijah, Allie and Thomas all got to bounce in the bouncey house. We were going to let Riley get her face painted, but we ran out of time and had to make a stop at the BX and then go downtown to Peace Music to check out the instruments they had! That was our trip to The Officer's Club!
Trip to DMZ
Saturday, 28th August, Emilee and I took the kids to eat breakfast at Checkertail's, dropped them off with Tiffany Dickenson, then parked the car and got on our bus to go on our trip (KID-FREE) to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)!! For those of you who do not know, the DMZ is the borderline between North (communist) and South Korea (free).
On our way, our first stop was Imjingak Train Station, the place they are hoping to someday be able to build a railway that goes from the South to the North and back. Here are a few pictures of our visit there:
From here, we traveled to Odusan (Mt. Odu) Observatory, where you can actually see North Korea (who is only 3200 meters away from the observatory), and look through binoculars to see their Propaganda Village (a fake village they use to try to show that they are a "rich, wealthy, and happy" country).
From the observatory, we ventured to Dorasan Train Station, where a train STILL runs to and from North Korea, and the hope of this train station is that it becomes a TransEuropean Railway someday. Emilee and I bought tickets to North Korea and got them stamped!!!
Any guesses to the next stop?? Here we go to the JSA (Joint Security Area)! For those who do not know, the JSA is located on Camp Bonifas, a camp named for a captain murdered along with a lieutenant while trying to chop down a tree to increase visibility between checkpoints 2 and 3. These murders are better known as the Axe Murders due to the victims being chopped with their own axes.
The climb down to the tunnel and back up through it was definitely an experience (ask Emilee haha). Altogether, it was truly a great, eye-opening experience, one which Emilee and I got to experience together, just us, and one that will not be easily forgotten!
On our way, our first stop was Imjingak Train Station, the place they are hoping to someday be able to build a railway that goes from the South to the North and back. Here are a few pictures of our visit there:
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| Add caption |
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| South Korean guard post |
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| Train shot up by North Koreans |
From here, we traveled to Odusan (Mt. Odu) Observatory, where you can actually see North Korea (who is only 3200 meters away from the observatory), and look through binoculars to see their Propaganda Village (a fake village they use to try to show that they are a "rich, wealthy, and happy" country).
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| North Korea right across the Han River |
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| We got SOAKED at the Dorasan Station!! |
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| World's most dangerous golf course (second only to Iraq) |
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| The Peace House |
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| North Korea is right across the line |
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| North Korean soldier |
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| Inside conference building where SK and NK hold meetings |
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| The tree which caused the Axe Murders |
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| The Bridge of No Return This Bridge is so-named because, after the war, POW's and Koreans on either side of the bridge were given one opportunity and one only to cross the bridge to either the North or South, never to return again to the side which they left. |
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| The entrance to the Third Tunnel NK almost succeeded in infiltrating Seoul, South Korea via underground tunnel. |
Thursday, August 26, 2010
25 August 2010 supper
So last night, Emilee made one of my favorite dinners, but she went above and beyond! She made me Turkey Burgers, homemade baked beans, fried squash (squash is seasonal here, so it's hard to come by),and cheese-stuffed celery.
Tonight, she made chicken parmesan with spaghetti! DEEEEELICIOUS!!! I love having my wife here to cook for me each day! Not only that, but she made me some brownie bites that I get to snack on when I'm home.
Tomorrow we go to the hospitality house to eat with some church friends, and then Saturday, we are going to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). We'll be sure to put up some pictures as soon as we have them! In the meantime, keep visiting our blogs!
Tonight, she made chicken parmesan with spaghetti! DEEEEELICIOUS!!! I love having my wife here to cook for me each day! Not only that, but she made me some brownie bites that I get to snack on when I'm home.
Tomorrow we go to the hospitality house to eat with some church friends, and then Saturday, we are going to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). We'll be sure to put up some pictures as soon as we have them! In the meantime, keep visiting our blogs!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Today was August 24th, 2010
Today was 24th August, 2010... which means August is almost over, we should be hearing back about Riley and Sure Start (if she has school in the Fall, and if so, who her homeroom teacher is), we should be hearing about the completion of the adoption, I have my Spanish DLPT in September, I also need to schedule 2 Management CLEPS and 1 Public Speaking CLEP in September and pass them to finish my CCAF (Community College of the Air Force) degree, and then I should be able to start some Master's degree classes for my Master's in Divinity.. Needless to say, military life is JUUUUUST a little busy.
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas time and just celebrating as Emilee, myself and the kids (our first time doing Christmas by ourselves).. We are definitely looking forward to going home in July 2011 (sometime next summer) to visit family and friends, and go on a couple vacations with each of our families (I cannot WAIT!). I also asked my father-in-law if he could possibly teach me how to ride the motorcycle, sooo I need to look into a motorcycle safety course here as well before I go in next year.
Also prior to going home next summer, we want to make sure we have a Tanneau cover for the truck.. It's ALWAYS a challenge for us when we have luggage we have to throw on the back of the truck and travel back and forth, especially if there's a chance of rain, snow, or thunderstorms. We ran into rain last Christmas while traveling, but we had a tarp to throw on top of all the presents and luggage.
Emilee and I are also planning on working on a 3rd child in September, so we'll see what God has in store. We are also planning on starting a youth praise and worship band on August 31! We have a bunch of excited youth too, so please pray we don't let God or them down. This will be an interesting adventure for both Emilee and myself.
Last but not least, I have my eyes set on a mandolin case, a banjo case, new banjo strings, and a Cello!! Yeeeeeah, we love our music.
Well, guess that's it for now. Hope you guys and girls are blessed, keep the Faith, and remember, God is still God, He's still on the throne, and He's still in control!! Amen and Amen!!
We are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas time and just celebrating as Emilee, myself and the kids (our first time doing Christmas by ourselves).. We are definitely looking forward to going home in July 2011 (sometime next summer) to visit family and friends, and go on a couple vacations with each of our families (I cannot WAIT!). I also asked my father-in-law if he could possibly teach me how to ride the motorcycle, sooo I need to look into a motorcycle safety course here as well before I go in next year.
Also prior to going home next summer, we want to make sure we have a Tanneau cover for the truck.. It's ALWAYS a challenge for us when we have luggage we have to throw on the back of the truck and travel back and forth, especially if there's a chance of rain, snow, or thunderstorms. We ran into rain last Christmas while traveling, but we had a tarp to throw on top of all the presents and luggage.
Emilee and I are also planning on working on a 3rd child in September, so we'll see what God has in store. We are also planning on starting a youth praise and worship band on August 31! We have a bunch of excited youth too, so please pray we don't let God or them down. This will be an interesting adventure for both Emilee and myself.
Last but not least, I have my eyes set on a mandolin case, a banjo case, new banjo strings, and a Cello!! Yeeeeeah, we love our music.
Well, guess that's it for now. Hope you guys and girls are blessed, keep the Faith, and remember, God is still God, He's still on the throne, and He's still in control!! Amen and Amen!!
Friday, August 20, 2010
DATE NIGHT!!
I don't know what it's like in the civilian life when it comes to finding time to take a date night with your spouse, especially when there are children, BUT in the military, it's TOUGH STUFF!!! That's why they have Parent's Getaway Night once a month through the Child Development Center and Youth Center once a month so parents can drop kids off from 630pm to 1030pm and go have a date night.. So tonight was our night!!!
Here's a list of things we did:
1). We went to the Enlisted/Challenger's Club and ate steak, rice, baked potato, rolls, salad, and cake, and had lemonade to drink (all this was free since we are Club members and it was Club member night)
2). We went and played pool at the community center (a very family friendly environment and it was really quiet and not a lot of people there, so we were able to laugh and play some pool together.. We played 9 ball, Emilee won 1 game and I won the other, and then we played 8 ball, we each won a game)
3). We took a stroll downtown and went a little window shopping. We went into this one Korean store and found Emilee a real pretty bracelet and also two owl bookends (if you know my wife at all, you know she loves owls.. snow owls particularly). As we continued walking, we found her a bouquet of flowers. Then we walked into the music store and priced banjo strings and cellos (since that will be the next instrument to add to my collection). After that, we went on a venture to our favorite little corner bakery and bought a few snacks. After that, we returned back to the main gate.
4). At main gate, we got in our car and went to Chili's on base to have dessert.. yes, JUST dessert.. we shared a chocolate molten lava cake.. DEEEEELICIOUS!!!
5). We went, picked up the kids, went home, put them in bed, and here we sit blogging.. together.. on our blogs.. back to real life. .lol
That was our date night! God bless and, for all those married with kids, we hope you guys get a date night again soon too!!
Here's a list of things we did:
1). We went to the Enlisted/Challenger's Club and ate steak, rice, baked potato, rolls, salad, and cake, and had lemonade to drink (all this was free since we are Club members and it was Club member night)
2). We went and played pool at the community center (a very family friendly environment and it was really quiet and not a lot of people there, so we were able to laugh and play some pool together.. We played 9 ball, Emilee won 1 game and I won the other, and then we played 8 ball, we each won a game)
3). We took a stroll downtown and went a little window shopping. We went into this one Korean store and found Emilee a real pretty bracelet and also two owl bookends (if you know my wife at all, you know she loves owls.. snow owls particularly). As we continued walking, we found her a bouquet of flowers. Then we walked into the music store and priced banjo strings and cellos (since that will be the next instrument to add to my collection). After that, we went on a venture to our favorite little corner bakery and bought a few snacks. After that, we returned back to the main gate.
4). At main gate, we got in our car and went to Chili's on base to have dessert.. yes, JUST dessert.. we shared a chocolate molten lava cake.. DEEEEELICIOUS!!!
5). We went, picked up the kids, went home, put them in bed, and here we sit blogging.. together.. on our blogs.. back to real life. .lol
That was our date night! God bless and, for all those married with kids, we hope you guys get a date night again soon too!!
I PASSED!
One of the greatest feelings in the military is when you make rank.. and I just found out last night that I passed my Staff Sergeant test and my line number is 12532 (which means I'll probably be sewing stripes on sometime next year, BUT i'm still sewing on!!). Emilee and I were so excited we had to call and tell some people.. some of which included her parents, my parents, and my uncle Skip (who was the first person I ever spoke with when I first started thinking about joining the Air Force).
So yes, I am one of the newest Staff Sergeant Selects in the Air Force and am looking forward to seeing where God takes us from here!
Some other cool updates:
August 31 - Emilee and I are going to try to start a youth Praise and Worship band here at Osan AB (between grades 6 and 12) and try to get them geared up for serving in their futures to come.
August 28 - Emilee and I are venturing to the DMZ (we will take pictures). For those who do not know, the DMZ is a line that divides the Korean peninsula since 1950's (after the war and the armistice agreement was signed). It is now a site for many to go see what was caused by the Korean war and to see the division that still exists between the North and the South.
So yes, I am one of the newest Staff Sergeant Selects in the Air Force and am looking forward to seeing where God takes us from here!
Some other cool updates:
August 31 - Emilee and I are going to try to start a youth Praise and Worship band here at Osan AB (between grades 6 and 12) and try to get them geared up for serving in their futures to come.
August 28 - Emilee and I are venturing to the DMZ (we will take pictures). For those who do not know, the DMZ is a line that divides the Korean peninsula since 1950's (after the war and the armistice agreement was signed). It is now a site for many to go see what was caused by the Korean war and to see the division that still exists between the North and the South.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Reading List
Emilee and I are both HUGE fans of reading. Unfortunately, I do not get as much time as I'd like to read anymore, but here are some books I find that you might enjoy reading. Please keep in mind, this list is a collection of books I have read (or have in possession and am working on reading in the near future) ranging from the time I had bought my first one in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at a small Christian bookstore next to Papa John's (first book was No Wonder They Call Him the Savior by Max Lucado) to the present books where I am now. Here is my list:
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior - Max Lucado
He Chose the Nails - Max Lucado
The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren
God Will Make A Way - Cloud and Townsend
Left Behind Series - Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (they are fiction, but make you think)
He Still Moves Stones - Max Lucado
3:16 The Number of Hope - Max Lucado
Living On The Edge - Chip Ingram
Every Man's Battle - John & Stasi Eldredge
Every Woman's Battle - John & Stasi Eldredge
A Gentle Thunder - Max Lucado
Captivating - John & Stasi Eldredge
Wild At Heart - John & Stasi Eldredge
Six Hours One Friday - Max Lucado
God Came Near - Max Lucado
Twelve Ordinary Men - John MacArthur
Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan
The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology - Ed Bulkley, Ph.D.
Raising Dad - Thom S. Rainer and Art Rainer
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
Non-Christian books:
America Alone - Mark Steyn
The Twilight Series - Stephenie Meyer
The Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling
Night - Elie Wiesel
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
No Wonder They Call Him the Savior - Max Lucado
He Chose the Nails - Max Lucado
The Purpose Driven Life - Rick Warren
God Will Make A Way - Cloud and Townsend
Left Behind Series - Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins (they are fiction, but make you think)
He Still Moves Stones - Max Lucado
3:16 The Number of Hope - Max Lucado
Living On The Edge - Chip Ingram
Every Man's Battle - John & Stasi Eldredge
Every Woman's Battle - John & Stasi Eldredge
A Gentle Thunder - Max Lucado
Captivating - John & Stasi Eldredge
Wild At Heart - John & Stasi Eldredge
Six Hours One Friday - Max Lucado
God Came Near - Max Lucado
Twelve Ordinary Men - John MacArthur
Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan
The Chronicles of Narnia - C.S. Lewis
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology - Ed Bulkley, Ph.D.
Raising Dad - Thom S. Rainer and Art Rainer
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
Non-Christian books:
America Alone - Mark Steyn
The Twilight Series - Stephenie Meyer
The Harry Potter Series - J.K. Rowling
Night - Elie Wiesel
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl
Monday, August 16, 2010
Home with the family
Today I'm at home sick hanging out with Emilee and the kids. Elijah and Riley are beating on his new drum we bought him (since he broke his last one). This one has the sticks attached by a small rope to each side so he can't lose them. I bought Emilee a snuggy yesterday to surprise her and she seems to like it pretty well. She'll get lots of use out of it when winter hits. It's light blue with monkey faces on it.
I also found two recipes on line for yeast rolls: Golden Corral rolls and Quincy rolls. We'll let you know how they turn out and Emilee will probably post the recipes on her blog.
Emilee and I have a parents' night out this Friday, and then right after, we have a youth lock-in that we are planning on going and doing music for. We are planning on going to the DMZ on Saturday, 28 August (just me and Emilee). Our youth band kicks off on August 31st at the chapel. We are also planning on going to the zoo in Seoul on Labor Day. No worries. We WILL put up pictures either on here or on our facebooks (facebook would be quicker since it has a batch uploader).
Worship team has been going well at the chapel. This past week we had a great service except that we were told by several people afterwards that the mics were turned down too low and they couldn't hear us very well when we spoke or sung.
I'm reading a book right now entitled "Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology" by Ed Bulkley, Ph.D. I encourage ALL pastors, preachers, missionaries, evangelists and church leaders who play a counseling role in the church to read this book. In a few words, God's Word IS enough and IS still relevant to the problems ALL people face today. His Word has the answers, there is no need to look to other places for answers. His Word is ENOUGH.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading.
God bless!
I also found two recipes on line for yeast rolls: Golden Corral rolls and Quincy rolls. We'll let you know how they turn out and Emilee will probably post the recipes on her blog.
Emilee and I have a parents' night out this Friday, and then right after, we have a youth lock-in that we are planning on going and doing music for. We are planning on going to the DMZ on Saturday, 28 August (just me and Emilee). Our youth band kicks off on August 31st at the chapel. We are also planning on going to the zoo in Seoul on Labor Day. No worries. We WILL put up pictures either on here or on our facebooks (facebook would be quicker since it has a batch uploader).
Worship team has been going well at the chapel. This past week we had a great service except that we were told by several people afterwards that the mics were turned down too low and they couldn't hear us very well when we spoke or sung.
I'm reading a book right now entitled "Why Christians Can't Trust Psychology" by Ed Bulkley, Ph.D. I encourage ALL pastors, preachers, missionaries, evangelists and church leaders who play a counseling role in the church to read this book. In a few words, God's Word IS enough and IS still relevant to the problems ALL people face today. His Word has the answers, there is no need to look to other places for answers. His Word is ENOUGH.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading.
God bless!
Introduction to My Blog
Hi everyone,
Welcome to my blogspot! My wife, Emilee, has introduced me to this, and since I'm really missing being able to preach/speak/teach other Christians, and I'm really missing hearing how they are growing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I decided to give this project my best attempt and hopefully I can keep it up to date and relevant. I also feel this will be good writing practice for me as I hope someday that God will allow me to become an author of at least one book that is filled so much with His Spirit and His love that people will feel pulled to be reconciled to the God we have become so far a part from. I hope this blog blesses you, makes you laugh, cry, be frustrated, broken, filled with joy, peace, and helps to lead you to question what so many Christians take from their church leaders at face value. In finishing, Paul spoke of his mission trip to Berea and he said there were two things that impressed him, and made them more noble in his view than all the other places he had visited: (1) They accepted the preaching of the Word with an open heart and open mind.. simply put, they listened, they heard... they paid attention! (2) They didn't stop there. After church, they went home to study the scriptures themselves to see if the preacher's message was true or not! I challenge you to not take what you hear as ultimate Truth JUST because a "preacher" or "pastor" says it.. No matter what a person's title, they are equally capable of being as right or as wrong as any of us. I challenge you to LISTEN to their messages fully, but then STUDY the Word, ASK questions, TRULY PRAY about it, and THEN when the Spirit leads you to the Truth, you will KNOW then and only then what AUTHENTIC TRUTH is.. May God bless you along this journey if you should choose to take it with me...
Welcome to my blogspot! My wife, Emilee, has introduced me to this, and since I'm really missing being able to preach/speak/teach other Christians, and I'm really missing hearing how they are growing in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I decided to give this project my best attempt and hopefully I can keep it up to date and relevant. I also feel this will be good writing practice for me as I hope someday that God will allow me to become an author of at least one book that is filled so much with His Spirit and His love that people will feel pulled to be reconciled to the God we have become so far a part from. I hope this blog blesses you, makes you laugh, cry, be frustrated, broken, filled with joy, peace, and helps to lead you to question what so many Christians take from their church leaders at face value. In finishing, Paul spoke of his mission trip to Berea and he said there were two things that impressed him, and made them more noble in his view than all the other places he had visited: (1) They accepted the preaching of the Word with an open heart and open mind.. simply put, they listened, they heard... they paid attention! (2) They didn't stop there. After church, they went home to study the scriptures themselves to see if the preacher's message was true or not! I challenge you to not take what you hear as ultimate Truth JUST because a "preacher" or "pastor" says it.. No matter what a person's title, they are equally capable of being as right or as wrong as any of us. I challenge you to LISTEN to their messages fully, but then STUDY the Word, ASK questions, TRULY PRAY about it, and THEN when the Spirit leads you to the Truth, you will KNOW then and only then what AUTHENTIC TRUTH is.. May God bless you along this journey if you should choose to take it with me...
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