Hello everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged much lately, but to tell you the truth the closer we get to leaving this place the busier I seem to get. I have thought about blogging many times, but something always gets in the way. However, tonight I make a special effort to pass on something I heard in Church this morning that may actually have applications to everyday living, but certainly applies to those of us far away and longing to be home.
I have been counting down the days until I come home. I have 15 before I leave on my next vacation and roughly 75 days, after I return from vacation, before I leave this country to be reunited with my family after a long 16 months away. I thought nothing of it until this morning when the Pastor said he too was counting the days until he leaves, which is in the next two weeks. "But, he said, I can hear my commander saying "Don't count the days until you are no longer here, but rather make everyday that you are here count."
I long to be home, but I also long to do what God has for me to do. Let's all make everyday in this earth count.
By the way, this morning before Church on the Mike Huckabee Show Kathy Lee Gifford said that "if you have a pulse you have a purpose". We all have a God given purpose. Let's not waste the time God has given us here looking so far in the future we miss the moment.
As always, pray for our troops and their families and God bless you all.
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:
Glad to know you are purpose driven, Dale! Looking forward to your upcoming R&R.
I realized last week that when I am looking for sea glass while walking on the beach, I am so intent on finding a piece of it that I miss the beautiful waves, the moods of the sky, the pelicans flying overhead, and even the dolphins. Thanks for the reminder to focus on what is important every day- the purposes for which we exist- rather than dwelling on the future and missing the blessings along the way.
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