After sixteen hours of driving, we passed through the gates of Fort Benning, GA. No, I’ve never been here before, yes it felt like coming home. Of course it did. So I’ll spare you the redundancy and get on to the rest of this post.
We’ve spent the last few days at Patti Nichols house. Patti’s husband Jimmy is an Army Chaplain, Patti is a chaplain candidate. It’s refreshing to see my battle buddy again. We met online one year ago. We went to CHBOLC together six months ago. I can’t begin to describe my thankfulness that God would bring me a friend who has had a husband deployed, understands the challenges of being a dual military family, has similar beliefs, and shares my passion for both the chaplaincy and parenting. How could I possibly find someone who has so much in common with me? I couldn’t. He did. That’s why I’m so thankful today.
On Monday we went to the Fryar Drop Zone and watched soldiers jumping out of airplanes as part of their Airborne training. Jer got a big kick out of that. I don’t think that’s why Patti took us though… she’s trying to convince me to go Airborne with her next year. Which of course, is very tempting. I just need to get in shape. We asked Jeremiah what he thought about us going to the Airborne school together. He said, “It’s hardy hardy hard but you can handle it.. easily.” That boy has a lot of confidence in his mamma. I asked my mom if I should do it and she said, “Sure, why not?” Joel gave a similar response. Why is it that none of my family seems slightly concerned or surprised that I want to go jump out of perfectly good airplanes?
Jeremiah and Sarah have gotten along with Patti’s kids wonderfully. On our first day here Sarah asked, “can we please stay one more day?” Later I heard Patti’s youngest say of Jeremiah, “I like him as a friend.” It’s nice to know they get along so well. I only wish we lived a lot closer. 16 hours is a long, long drive.
We’re leaving in a few hours. We’ll be seeing Tamara tonight then going to Joel’s mom’s house tomorrow night. Then we’ll head to Rachel’s house on the 3rd. That’s when things get interesting… Rachel’s husband invited us to go on vacation to Florida with them! Oh yeh, we’re going to the beach. How cool is that? {hint: very}
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Be blessed my friend and come home safe.
Comment by Debbie — 7/31/2007 @ 2:25 pm
Well, I think if you want to jump out of perfectly good airplanes, you should expect our support! Notice we aren’t (or at least I’m not) offering to jump *with* you. That would be a different critter altogether!
I think it is very sweet indeed that Jer is all for his Momma doing something that exciting
Comment by Barb — 7/31/2007 @ 3:08 pm
“Why is it that none of my family seems slightly concerned or surprised that I want to go jump out of perfectly good airplanes?”
Maybe because they know how completely “hooah” you are.
Comment by Rachel — 7/31/2007 @ 4:00 pm
I think that it is totally cool. I want to try sky diving, but I can’t get Chad to even fly, much less jump. I hope you do it.
Comment by Julieann — 7/31/2007 @ 11:53 pm
There is a family member that is concerned. Jumping out of a plane sounds exciting—as long as it is not you. Love you, MeMe.
Comment by MeMe Bell — 8/1/2007 @ 6:11 pm
Wow! That’s cool…all of it! Miss you and praying for you and your family! Glad to hear you are all doing well. Enjoy the rest of the trip and the beach!
Laura
Comment by Laura — 8/1/2007 @ 10:05 pm
Hi Amy,
I was wondering if you could update my blog on your list. I changed the title from stability in a world of relativity to Chaplain Dave. I also changed the web address to http://chdave.blogspot.com/.
Thanks,
Dave
Comment by Dave — 8/2/2007 @ 9:44 am
I think Airborne school sounds awesome…you should definitely do it if you have the opportunity!
Comment by stayathomemotherdom — 8/5/2007 @ 11:29 am
So glad you came. Hope to see you again soon–perhaps here and in January! Hooah!
Comment by Patti N — 8/10/2007 @ 3:37 pm
AIRBORNE!
I did my sit-ups this morning. I’ll start running when I get back to Springfield.
Comment by Amy — 8/10/2007 @ 9:44 pm
They run FAST, Amy. I know fast is relative, but for me it was FAST. I started to be discouraged and Jimmy said, “Don’t be. Be thankful–now you know what you’re working toward. You know what you have to do.” So. . .
just wanted to tell you so that you can join me in stepping it up a bit. We’ll really have to be able to run.
Comment by Patti N — 9/11/2007 @ 4:09 pm
AIRBORNE!
Comment by Patti N — 9/11/2007 @ 4:10 pm