The biggest news since my last entry is the fact that I was boarded as an USAR Chaplain and got assigned to the 323 MI BN. While I was going to wait till I finished my seminary degree, I felt that God was calling me to get some practical experience under my belt.
(CH Seung Lee - They will accept anyone!)
In May I submitted my packet to the Chaplain Accessions Board. Since I already have a Master’s degree, over 36 completed credit hours of seminary, and the shortage of USAR Chaplains – the Army deemed me fit to be a Chaplain. What were they thinking?
The whole process was fairly smooth and easy, just a lot of paperwork and hoops to jump through. I first got endorsed through the Evangelical Church Alliance (I still intend to get ordained in the PCA, but for now the ECA will do). I then worked with my recruiter to compile all the needed forms. I have to give credit to my recruiter for his extreme patience.
Being a USAR Chaplain takes up more time than I ever thought it would. Thus far, I have only been to one weekend Battle Assembly, but I already got the month of August booked. I just got back from attending a Family Readiness Group (FRG) training. I am then scheduled to attend a Strong Bonds weekend in two weeks. After that, I’m off to the Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training.
It’s a good thing that I got a more fuel efficient car. Oh yeah, I forgot to let you all know that my unit is about three hours from my home. So on Drill weekends, it means that I am gone from my wife and daughter the whole time. On top of all this, I am still finishing up the last three classes and thesis for my seminary degree. I also plan to start studying for my PCA ordination (I estimate a one year ordeal for this one). All this on top of working my full-time job.
(Some pics of my beautiful bride and daughter at the beach while I was giving a suicide prevention brief at the FRG meeting)
I say all this not to complain, for I feel blessed to be given these opportunities to serve and further His Kingdom. I would just humbly ask for your prayers. Please pray for the Spirit’s sustaining grace and that I would bring glory and honor to our Lord Jesus Christ. For in the end, all glory is reserved for the one who saved (and continues to sanctify) a wretched sinner like me. I am truly undeserving!
I close with the Scripture verse that I have been memorizing – “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Jude 24-25
