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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| 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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