Hey guys! I know it has been a while, but the Internet is not so good where I am. Thank God that Nancy has learned how to post for me!
Things are good here, but missing home is common and sometimes downright depressing. I have very good days which go right along with very bad days. November 4th was not such a good day. I'm missing home terribly and I find out our Country has elected someone whose ideas scare me. He looks presidential, sounds presidential (at times) and has the presidential picture perfect family. However, his views are sharply in contrast to my more conservative views. What can I do? Trust God and pray that President Elect Obama does a terrific job. Pray for President elect Obama to have great wisdom and pray for his protection. This is an unprecedented, historical event which will bring out the worst in some, and hopefully the best in others.
November 4th was also the day Kitty Hawk Elementary School elected Emily Hamilton to serve as the 5th Grade Student Body President. Wow! I couldn't be more proud of her. The way I see it we are batting .500 in Presidential races.
This past week my son, Evan, turned 16! I am so proud of him for the young man he has become. He loves the Lord and is very active in Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and hanging out with well grounded young people. He is also an honor student and often takes the opportunity to share his faith in the classroom. Many of you don't know that because the other thing that makes me proud is his humility. He never speaks much of his own accomplishments. He cares deeply for others as Emily does.
Nancy, my wife, also turned....a year older this week! Certainly you didn't expect me to reveal her age? Oh how I wish I could have been there. So, while missing the events in my wife and kids lives is hard I know I am here for a purpose greater than me. I can't claim to know all the reasons I am here, but I am sure that God has a plan for me, just like He does for you, and it does not always involve comfortable surroundings. It may simply be a time of growth. A time to grow closer to Him without all the distracting comforts of life. All I know, is just like with the election, I choose to trust Him. Trust Him with my family, trust Him with our nation, and trust Him with my loneliness . I choose to give it to Him for His purposes and for His glory.
About Me & My Family
- Dale
- I have been blessed with a beautiful family, great place to live and a new adventure after nearly 30 years in law enforcemnt. I have the exciting responsibility of investigating the terrorist that finance, make and place IEDs. I WaS embedded with the US Army 1st Division (The Big Red One), 2 HBCT, 1/63 CAB. I spent 17 months with these outstanding Americans, 12 of those deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The toughest part of the job was leaving behind my wife, & my best friend of nearly 30 years Nancy, my then 15 year old son Evan, and my then 10 year old daughter Emily. I began this chapter in my life on May 4, 2008. I finally returned home, having completed my tour of duty, on September 28, 2009. After two months off I returned to my position. Only this time it was a mere 270 miles away in Northern VA. A far cry from the desert of Iraq some 7,000 miles from the coast of North Carolina.
Captain Omar (center) and I
Sadam's Parade Ground
2 comments:
Hi Dale,
I know that you know that God knows what you need, when you need it - even over there on the big beach. But also know that we pray for you to continue to feel His presense and His peace. Know also that your church family is looking out for your home family. I pray that you will make a difference in some soldier's life or some civilian's life. I pray that you will continue to be obedient, even if you never realize why you are where you are. Just being peaceful in your obedience may be your only reward.
God Bless you and your fellow soldiers.
Juan
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