Memories

1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord."

Yesterday was a hard day for me.  I got to make a trip down memory lane and go back to my last unit, for probably the last time, to receive my end of tour award.  I took my family with me and recounted some of the memories that I had from my travels back and forth to Fort Campbell.  For those of you who didn't know, I drove an hour and 45 minutes one way to work every day for almost a year and a half.  With that being said, let me boast about how good our Lord truly is.

When I purchased my Smart Car, it had 25,000 miles on it.  In a year and a half, I put 60,000 miles on it.  For the first year of my travels I drove by myself everyday back and forth.  Then God allowed me to meet another Soldier who lived two minutes from me and who commuted back and forth to Fort Campbell.  We then started carpooling together for the last 8 months. During my times on the road, I saw where there had been many accidents, however, God in his grace and mercy protected me from getting in any accidents.  In June of this year I paid to get new tires put on my car.  When I did, I got a lifetime warranty on the tires.  In October, I hit a piece of wood and made it all the way to work before my tires went flat.  Thankfully, when I got the tires replaced it only cost $37.00.  God's timing is perfect. 

 When I got to Fort Campbell yesterday, a flood of emotions hit me.  I saw myself still in uniform.  I saw familiar faces and new faces.  The thing that hit me the most was just the emotion of knowing that these were my brothers and sisters in arms that were preparing to go back into harms way.  The 101st Airborne Division is always preparing for the next conflict or peacekeeping mission.  They call it their "Next Rendezvous with Destiny."  When I was giving my farewell speech, I got choked up thinking of them leaving without me.  I have to remember though, that I have a "Rendezvous"  with a plan that God has laid for my life.  He has been training me for this day for a long time and soon the time will come when my wife and I will be moving forward towards that "Rendezvous."  Until that time, I will continue to train and prepare as any good Soldier must do.