CHOBC – T minus 8 days

Saturday: I spent another 6 hours on Caleb’s project today and finally got to a point where it is ready for paint. I fear that Darcy may have to start up that phase of the project because I am running out of time.

We went to dinner with my family.  It was a send-off and brought about by the generosity of my brothers Giang and Viet.  They have shown such generosity for so many years especially while I was in seminary and I am indebted to them for teaching me much in the area of humility.  Thank you, my brothers.

I also dicsovered a marriage communication conference that may be a great resource for Darcy and I called Love & Respect.  I pray that this is so since after 18 years of marriage, there’s still some strain in our communciation.  Additionally, if the program works out it may be a great resource for the Army.  I wrote to the speaker (Emerson) and asked him if I could use their DVD conference tape and workbook distantly – wife in one location and husband in another, sounds like the Army, huh?  With the Army-wide divorce rate at 70%, perhaps…  I look forward to hearing from him soon.

P.S. I did not enough time to post this until now.

CHOBC – T minus 9 days

Friday: This morning, my son was honored with leading his school in saying the Pledge of Allegiance.  He was loud and clear and did a great job as I knew he would.  There’s a future for drill sargeant there but mommy may have a different opinion.

Cosette is came home with lots of homework this weekend which is unsual.  I don’t remember this much homework when I was her age.  She is so much better at doing homework than I ever was.  I am proud of her.

I also started on Caleb’s AWANA’s (actually SPARKS) cardboard box project.  It’s a night of movie watching as they sit in their creation.  This year, I decided to build something with wheels so that he can can move it around himself so I started the framing so it could support wheels.  The framing then can take whatever shape we decided to build.  My son chose an airplane.

What started out as a “simple” project that should have lasted a couple of hours but ended up incomplete at 7 pm.  Chalk it up to inexperience…  The caveat is that next time, it should be much better.  Ha, ha.

P.S. I couln’t post this yesterday due to some problems so had to recreate this.

CHOBC – T minus 10 days

Finally, I took Caleb and my bikes when I went to pick him up from school so that we could practice while we waited to pick up sissy. What a joy it was to see his confidence soar as he was able to start and stop by himself! He cannot stop talking about it and told me that biking is his “new” favorite passtime activity. Ahh… great validation for Daddy!

As I was sitting there watching him ride all around, I could not help but think about the time I first rode the bike… I taught myself by watching my older brother and other kids. I don’t remember where my Dad was nor whether or not he felt any inclination to teach his children. My memories of my childhood are often like this: I remember the event but don’t know where Dad was. At least in the teaching-your-kid-how-to-ride-a-bike category, with Caleb and Cosette, my experience has me improving on the daddy’s role of the To family.

My feelings of elation from watching my children led me to think of how God feels when I finally “get it” in an area He has been trying to teach me. It humbles me to think of His never waning patience waiting for me to come around. I barely have enough patience when my children don’t get it the first time around and this convicts me thoroughly. How precious and necessary then that I should die to myself and let Him have it all. Unfortunately, God is still waiting for this to happen…

Only three more whole days of spending time with the family before I depart for Fort Jackson. The pain of misssing them is already present.

First Post Greetings!

This is my second attempt at blogging with the first one not very succesful due to lack of consistency.  It is my prayer that with the commencement of US Army Chaplain school (2007FEB04), I will be more motivated to keep it going to keep my friend and family updated with my daily thoughts.  I would appreciate it if you will keep me in your prayers.  Shalom!

Khoi