New Book

Well, after a really, really, really, really long day at work, I was looking forward to reading a new book I received in the mail the other day only to realize I left the book at work. I was going to talk about it, but now I can't. However, thanks in the wonderful Internet, I will tell you the title and leave it for tomorrow night to discuss what I thought about the first couple of chapters. The title of the book is 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase, who is a United Methodist Bishop from the Missouri Conference. The church I am going to now will start discussing the book come next year some time, but since I won't be here, I am going to read it now and just blog about it, I guess.

For some reason....

I just love quotes. I don't know what it is. And, of course, those cute little pictures Google comes up with on special occasions. I wonder whose job it is to figure out the google picture of the day. For example, today is Veteran's Day, and I have attached their picture of day to the left.

President Lincoln’s words in the Gettysburg Address are perhaps the most appropriate, albeit in a larger context than originally intended:
“But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Today, I think we should remember those who have gone before us and given the highest sacrifice to their country, but also remember those still living who are putting their lives on the line for their country.

Shalom!

Happy Birthday

Today is one of the most important days in the history of the US Marine Corps. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to the Marines stationed around the world and the ones at home. God Bless!

Stars

Once of the best things about my job is I get to look at the stars at night. Over the last couple of months, this job has got very stressful, and I realized sometimes it is the simple stuff in life that makes our job worth while, and for me, it is looking up at the stars at night with no lights around.

Change

I was at Borders in Mission Valley the other night killing some time before a movie started. And, I came across a book that predicted what someone would be like given their birthday. Mine said as a Gemini, I would like change. And, I think that is very true. I am happy that Senator Obama will be the next President of the United States. I think the country needs some changing, and this is one of them.

However, I am sad that California managed to pass Prop 8 yesterday. The state was looking pretty good in that area accepting the right for gays and lesbians the right to marry. I still get into arguements with people onboard here who question the right for gays and lesbian to marry. If you have any questions, please go here. This is 8 reasons why my Pastor oppses Prop 8, and I agree with all of them.

On another note, I managed to bring my camera with me this time, and I will try to either get some pictures on this, or at some other sight.

Shalom!

Underway

I wish I brought my camera along and I am now kicking myself. I saw some cool things that I could have shared, but oh, well. Next time hopefully.

Shalom!

Well....

While I am waiting for Wayne to make some buffalo/sausage burgers for tonight, I might as well give an update of what is going on in my world.

We just got back from a week long underway where some group came out and tested the ship out and see if we could survive with a number of problems thrown at us. It was pretty fun to see what kind of damage this group could throw at us and how the ship could fight the problem. The main inspector noted that he was impressed with the ship during one drill because he didn't think we could make something happen with in the time allotted. After that, we went and shot some missiles that really not a lot of ships get a chance to do, and then we went and shot our guns at some targets.

Next week, we will get underway for around two weeks to integrate with the strike group that the ship is deploying with in January. It should be a lot of fun with a number of things going on. After that, we have to pull back into Seal Beach because they loaded us with the wrong amount of ammo and no one noticed. Oh, well. Hopefully, this time, we won't get thrown out of the liberty port and we can actually enjoy some time out in town. We will see what happens.

I am still leaving at the end of December. I am excited about doing something new, but I am also sad about leaving my good friends I have made over the past three years. People like Molly and Matt, Karen, Sheri, Carl and Lisa, Wayne and Marian, the Water's Edge Crew, Tom, Jim, Demmie, Mary, Lea, Becky, Randy, Elbert, and many others. But, I think this is the better for my career in the Navy. An,d I keep telling myself the "ends justify the means." I will be trying to come back on leave and see everyone hopefully around once a year or so. And, before you know it, I will be back in San Diego in 2012. Anyway, I don't want to get too mushy around here.

Go Broncos!

Shalom!