One thing I love about a new year is that it brings new beginnings. A chance to reflect on life and changes that need to be made in order to grow and mature.
Dwayne and I are truly in a new phase of life. It's been fun to be on our own and have some us time. This will be our first year alone, if you will. And we are excited. We have plans to go fishing, hunting, camping, skiing and traveling to new and exciting places. It's fun to explore and find new places together. We really are enjoying this new phase of life.
We had been praying for me to get a job and for my schooling to work out so that I can finish up the last few classes I need before applying for the Nursing program. I was offered a job in December but it wasn't a healthy work environment and Dwayne and I both felt that something else would come open. The Lord provided a job yesterday! :) I'll be working on post at the library. It will be a great fit for me since I'll also be going back to school and getting the classes I need to apply for the nursing program. :)
As for the work here at Fort Lewis, this year we hope to see the Lord continue to do amazing things in the life of our Battalion.
Dwayne and I have in just the first 7 days of this new year felt such conformation in what the Lord is calling us to do. It's very exciting to see prayers answered, to see people come to faith, to see others recognize that God is at work.
Yesterday, Dwayne's first day back since our Christmas break, was asked to come up in front of the men he serves. The commander recognized to the Brigade that our brigade was one of the only ones that went through the Dansi without incident. Which means there were no dui's, no arrests, no fights and more importantly no suicides. In November alone at Ft. Lewis there were 3 suicides. It was everyones concern as we went into the Christmas season that we would not have any suicides in our battalion and brigade. We prayed to that end but not just that there would be no incident but that the men and women would recognize that it wasn't just Dwayne's hard work and devotion to the troops but that God was at work in him and that the real praise went to our Lord and Savior.
As Dwayne walked forward in front of his peers he was pinned with an award. This recognized his hard work and dedication to care and minister to the troops had a direct impact on everyone and that it aided the unit to have an incident free break.
Another answer to prayer.... As one of the men passed by Chaplain Hughes, he heard the commander say to Dwayne that he really appreciated Dwayne's hard work and the young man who passed by said, and lots of Prayer! The commander said, Yes and all the prayer!
I can't wait to see what else the Lord does this year. I only look forward with anticipation and excitement to what He has for us in the days, weeks, and months ahead.
Our prayer is that His Truth would be made known to those we serve and love. That the lives of those we serve will be changed and that our battalion will have confidence in Christ rather than their own strength and abilities. We pray that more will come to faith and that the culture and environment will be changed due to Christ being at work in the lives of those we are here to serve and love.
Here's looking forward and praying for God to continue to work ....
