We finally got rid of it!

I should have taken a picture.

Oh well.

We're officially a one car family! That's right, after 8 long years I finally got rid of the Taurus. After years of some problem or another and some mystery transmission problem lately we tried to take it to CarMax to sell it, but of course it just wouldn't make it the 15 miles there. Instead we donated it to the Purple Heart. It was super easy, we'll get a tax write off, and, most importantly, we don't have to deal with it anymore!

We've basically just been using the Toyota since we moved anyway, so it won't be too big a change. I just hope that we're nearing the end of Nate having to be at work at 5:00. We'll discuss getting another one once we find out where we'll be stationed, but we don't want to get one now just in case we end up going to Japan where we probably wouldn't need it. For now, we'll be saving on car insurance without Geico :)

FEX I

These are pictures from Nate's 1st FEX, which happened in July. I thought he might like to give a narrative so I was going to let him post this, but apparently he's "too busy" (really he had been ridiculously busy...I'm just giving him a hard time). Enjoy the pictures and I'll try to get him to make time to update ya'll. Wish me luck!

Delta Co. Newsletter

Here's the link to the third edition of the Delta Co. newsletter. This one actually opens :)

GAS GAS GAS

No, this is not a post about flatulence. It's a relaying of my experience in the gas chamber. CS gas was no fun, for my eyes, nose, neck, wrists...pretty much anywhere. It burned and it was terrible. Sure, it was nice to have a gas mask on, but when they make you take it off, and the gas is so thick that you can't see the people across the room, it's no fun.

That's Gonzalez on the left, Capasso in the middle, and I'm on the right. We had to go in there and do various exercises where we broke the seals of our masks and then had to regain and clear the mask.

Lt. Jones, a guy I went through OCS with got a bad bloody nose from the gas. One of the women in the company came to his rescue.

After the gas chamber they made us go out to Cannon Field and have a CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) defense class...in full MOPP suits. (Mission Oriented Protective Posture)

Oh, did I mention it was a black flag day? (Black flag = a temperature index of 90 degrees F and above) Those MOPP suits make it feel 10 -30 degrees hotter than it is. So we were pretty warm during our class.

Below are some videos taken at the gas chamber...

Delta Company Newsletter

Here's the link to the second issue of the Delta Co. newsletter.

I haven't been able to get it to load on my computer, but thought I'd post it anyway just in case it's my computer. If you get it open could you e-mail it to me?

"Her existence alone was excuse enough to justify the creation of the entire world."

Confession time.

I have become a Twilight fan.

I know, I know. It's ridiculous. I didn't want to read the books or see the movies or get dragged into the hype. Alas, thanks to my sister I have read the books, seen the movies, fallen in love with the story, and understand the hype.

The title of this post is a quote from Midnight Sun. There is only a draft version of it online and it is not complete, but it is Edward's version of Twilight. (For you non-Twilight fans, Twilight is about Edward and Bella told from Bella's point of view.) My sister reminded me of Midnight Sun the other day and so, of course, I set about reading it. The quote made me world stop spinning.

I said before, I understand the hype. I know why people love this story. They love it because it's an epic love story. They love it because of how deeply Edward loves Bella. His love is unconditional and self-sacrificial. Everyone is seeking for that kind of love and devotion. People were created for that kind of love.

"Her existence alone was excuse enough to justify the creation of the entire world."

That is how Edward views Bella.

That is how God loves you and me.

Imagine my surprise when I came across this sentence. Here I am reading a silly secular love story, only to be stopped dead in my tracks with Truth. The truth of the statement was overwhelming. I often forget just HOW MUCH God loves me. I forget that Jesus would have died on the cross, even if I was the only sinner.

It was refreshing to be reminded. It was like a cold shower on a hot day, being washed with the Truth. I hope it's as refreshing to you.

Your existence alone was reason enough for the Creator to create the entire world.

Your soul alone is precious enough to Jesus that He willingly died for it.

Believe it.

Other Happenings...

We had a busy weekend! Besides the party for JB (see previous entry), we also had a wedding on Saturday and a few get togethers on Sunday.

Saturday, the pastor that married us, Pastor Duane George, got married. It was a beautiful wedding and great to see friends that we don't see often these days. The reception was up near Nate's parents house, so we went to grab coffee/dinner with them afterwards. It was nice to have a relatively quiet evening with them and catch up :)

Congratulations, Pastor & Mrs. George!

Us in our "pretty wedding clothes" after dinner with his parents

Sunday, I had lunch with 2 of the girls from my Bible Study in college. Di has been doing missions work out of the country for the past year and a half and Nadeau just got married! It was so great to see them and catch up about what we've been doing and learning. A very refreshing and uplifting afternoon. Sunday evening Nate and I went to see Jenna Voorhees (my high school bff who now lives in Beverly, MA) play at "The Barn"! It's been a while since we've seen each other and I had never heard her music live, so it was quite the treat that we were able to make it. Like I said, it was a busy weekend, but totally worth being a little tired Monday!

It was so good to see her!