CNN has a story about “Chaplain Andrew Shulman, one of just three ordained American rabbis serving hundreds of Jewish-American troops stationed throughout Iraq.” CH Shulman and I attended CHBOLC together almost a year ago.

U.S. troops turn to faith amid realities of war - There’s video of CH Shulman leading a service.

It’s always good to open Google News in the morning and see that my friends are doing well. Pray for Andy and his beautiful family. I’m sure those little girls missed their daddy during Hanukkah.

We safely arrived at my parents’ house in Texas last night after a pleasant ten hour drive. My kids traveled wonderfully. Really, they’re a lot of fun. We started our adventure with milkshakes from Arby’s then sang “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” at the top of our lungs. I know that’s probably not the most ‘Christ Centered’ song for my children to sing, but I do find great joy in them actually knowing the words. Ask my five year old if Jack jumped over the candle stick. “No.” She’ll tell you. “Jack flash sat on the candle stick, cause fire is the devil’s only friend.” That’s my girl. She interpreted the lyrics and advised me that “the day the music died” must have happed because the electricity went out… the music always turns off when that happens.

I don’t think we have any major holiday plans for today. My twin sister and her family aren’t coming back until tonight. I’m not sure if my younger sister is coming over or not. I hope so. Tomorrow we’ll go to my paternal grandmother’s house. The next day we’ll celebrate with my parents and sisters. That’s what I really look forward to.

I miss my husband. Of course I do. And yet, It’s Christmas Eve-n though we’re a part. As Chaplain Iris Dickerson sings Christmas carols in Afghanistan… and Rachel reminds her readers to remember familes like mine… as Joel sings the Holdiay blues and my children incessantly say, “If Daddy were here…” I’ll celeberate Christmas even though my man is gone. Even though my babies miss their Daddy. I think instead of Christmas carols, I’ll sing,

“Say hey, it’s a good day
Even if things aren’t going my way
Jesus is Lord and I am saved
So, say hey, it’s a good day“

-Ffh - It’s a Good Day

Yes, I still breathe. Perhaps some of you started to doubt that I remain among the living. I too have doubted that on occasion. And yet, here I am. Blogging. I have much to catch up on. Most of it is pointless, but you said you miss me so here you go:

School:
The semester is over for most of my cohorts. Not for me. I have a few [10] more assignments to complete over the holiday break. I received my first B of my grad school career. The tarnished GPA stings a bit, but in all reality… I am thankful I even got a B. This has been a difficult semester for me. I’ve greatly enjoyed all of my classes, I’m just tired of doing seminary as a sickly single mom. I’ve spent the last few months tired, ill and missing my husband. That made it difficult to get things done. All whining aside, I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to attend AGTS. I love it, love it, love it.

Car:
The heater on the car wasn’t working a few weeks ago. With the end of the semester crushing upon me, I didn’t have time to get it fixed before the first freezing rain hit… and boy did it hit me. I nearly froze my toes off one Wednesday while waiting to pick my kids up from school. I had frost nip and stage two hypothermia. Brrrr! The next day I had to give a presentation in class. I woke up at 4am to work on it. Still cold from the day before, I shivered in class while wearing my coat and my classmate’s scarf and gloves. After class I went outside to find a thick sheet of ice on my windshield and freezing rain falling from the sky. With no heat or defroster… it took a while to get the windows cleared. I finally made it to Sarah’s preschool craft day… hours late wearing two coats, shivering uncontrollably and looking like I had stood in freezing rain for half an hour. Way to make a first impression.

The next morning, Hillery watched Sarah so that I could drop my car off to get it fixed. Gene Thomlinson [aka "Chief"] picked me up at the shop and dropped me off. A few hours and only thirty dollars later, I had heat in my car! Ahhhh…. my toes finally thawed out.

The recent ice storm killed my passenger side windshield wiper arm. I ordered one at O’Reilly Auto Parts and got it the very next day. I just installed it in the rain a few hours ago and I’m feeling rather Hooah for doing so. I hate overpaying people to do stuff I can do myself. Kind of like Jiffy Lube, I took the car there a couple of days ago. The guy told me I needed a new radiator cap and it would only cost 12.50… um…. No Thank you! I got one at O’Reilly for 4 bucks. No wonder I always feel like they’re trying to take advantage of me… they are.

Christmas:
Today’s weather delayed my trip to Texas. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. On my mom’s birthday. [Happy Birthday Mom!]

I’m looking forward to seeing my family for the holidays but really, I’m not very excited about Christmas this year. I miss my man. I usually avoid most holiday trappings and just enjoy having my husband off work or home from Army training. Now that my favorite thing about Christmas is in Afghanistan… I’m trying extra hard to boost up on holiday cheer. It’s shocking really. I actually bought [and frequently listen to] a Christmas CD. *GASP* And… AND… I bought a Christmas t-shirt. Unbelievable isn’t it? VERY.
Don’t worry, I’ve not completely turned from my scrooge like ways. I still can’t stomach 88.3 The Wind’s Clean Air Christmas. [Just a few more days till I get my favorite radio station back from those pesky reindeer and elves who take it hostage each November and December.]

Bible:
I finally bought a new ESV Bible. Unhappy with Crossway’s sub par publishing, I decided to buy an inexpensive hardback while waiting on someone to do a better publishing job. I got the Hard cover ESV, Single Column Reference Bible Besides the insanely thin pages, I really like it. [Actually the thin pages aren't so bad... I can read twice as fast since I can read several pages at once... argh] Here’s a pdf sample page. I like the layout, I’ve never had anything like this. I think it’ll leave lots of room to write in the margins… without being an actual wide margin Bible.

I’m going to get Mom or Julie to help me make an ACU fabric cover for it… why not?

Conclusion:
Well… I think this concludes my rambling reintroduction into the blogging world.

On October 29, 1944, two weeks after crossing the border into Nazi Germany, Chaplain Sidney Lefkowitz — joined by his Catholic and Protestant Chaplain brothers — led a Jewish prayer service for advancing soldiers close to the front line. NBC broadcast the service to all of America and to the German people.

Live From Nazi Germany - A U.S. Army Jewish Prayer Service

Chaplains Patricia and Jimmy Nichols

I’m so very proud of my battle buddy. Last week she graduated from the Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Jackson, SC. Here she is with her husband. I lifted the photo off of her Facebook profile without asking… Patti, can I tell everyone where you’re going next?

The Christian Science Monitor just ran a six part series on military chaplains. There are several articles and videos you might find interesting.