As Promised

So, I said I would say something about my drive down. I drove all the way to the California border without stopping. No food breaks, no restroom breaks, and most importantly, no stops to get gas. One tank, all the way to Primm, NV (right on the CA border). Pretty cool, huh?

Okay, while that is cool, that's not what I really wanted to say about the drive. I was listening to the CDs of the most recent LDS Chaplains' Seminar (and by the way, Carrie, thanks for you words, I obviously did not hear them when they were delivered) and based on what a few different speakers had said, I felt like I needed to talk to my Heavenly Father and explain my current frustrations and confusions. So I stopped the CD and started praying. I explained that I knew I had been called to the chaplaincy, but was doubting if the details of my call were of my own choosing, or part of the call. I wondered if I should start looking for a primary career and be a chaplain in the reserves instead. I even wondered if I should look into the Army since I know they are still hiring. I got the distinct impression that I should "Stay Navy" (it's a slogan from the Navy Reserve). I also felt like I should pursue an appointment as an active duty chaplain. I almost felt like the Lord was telling me "I have a spot for you." I am still trying to figure out if these are my own thoughts and feelings talking to me, or if this really is inspiration. I really want it to be what the Lord is telling me, but often when we are so attached and emotionally involved in the situation it is easy to confuse our own feelings with what the Lord is telling us. It would take a miracle for me to be headed to school before next March, but all things are possible for God (by definition, that's what a miracle is). President Boyd K. Packer said that he once had a question and President McKay advised him how to proceed. He did not see how to go forward and President (then Elder) Harold B. Lee told him that the problem was that he (President (then Elder) Packer) wanted to see the end from the beginning and he replied that he just wanted to see a few steps ahead. President Lee told him that "you must learn to walk to the edge of the light, and then a few steps into the darkness; then the light will appear and show the way before you." Ether 12:6 concludes "dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." Nephi relates that he "was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do" (1 Nephi 4:6). I apologize for rushing through here and not crafting my thoughts better, but I have to go stand watch soon. I am reminded of one of my favorite hymns, "Lead, Kindly Light." The first verse says basically, I used to like to see the whole thing, but now I am fine with You just showing me one step. That sounds like where President Packer was. Sometimes we don't even get that one step. That makes life hard sometimes. So, even though I have no idea when I will actually be an active duty chaplain, and if I will have to be a reserve chaplain for awhile first, I do know that Heavenly Father knows. And even though I wish He would tell me, I know that it will all work out in the end. Gotta run.

Playing War in San Diego

Well, I nearly forgot I even had this blog. I am in San Diego participating in a Navy exercise called Terminal Fury. Fun stuff. I'm in a pretty nice hotel. I stand watch from 1600 to 2000 (4 pm to 8 pm) so I don't go in until 1100 or 1200. This morning I went golfing before work. It was an executive-type course (nine short holes, all par-3), and I was all over the place. I managed several pars even though I didn't drive the green (land on the green with my first shot). Ironically, the only hole that I did drive the green was a 200+ yard hole, the longest hole on the course. I used my seven iron. Not only did I dive the green, but I was eleven feet from the hole. It was beautiful! Unfortunately I was not able to make the put even after I dropped a second ball after the first missed put. I figured two misses must be legitimate. On one hole, I got a four three times. When my "drive" went off the the left I dropped another one. When my chip flew over the green, I dropped another one. All three went in on the fourth shot. Destiny. On the last hole my "drive" went about thirty feet in the air ... and only thirty feet forward. As was my pattern since there was no one behind me and I was playing by myself, I dropped another ball and drove it right next to the green. Okay, not right next I was several yards off (but had the length). I chipped it into the bunker so I dropped another one, and chipped it into the bunker on the other side of the green. Then I chipped the first bunker ball out of the bunker, across the green and right into that same bunker that had my other ball. Then the ball that had only been in one bunker didn't make it out of the bunker, so now both balls had two shots out of a bunker (plus the drive and the chip into the bunker makes four shots). So now they are both finally on the green in four. Then I went back to the one that had originally gone only thirty feet but then hit right up to the green, and chipped it up a few feet from the cup and putted it in for a four. So the best ball was actually the original ball that only flew thirty feet. Go figure.

After the round of golf I came back and went swimming for a few minutes before showering and heading out for work. The first half of work was a little boring, and the second half was sort of fun (but I can't talk about it). I can say that I sat in a room that looked sort of like a small control room from a shuttle launch or something. There were LOTS of screens up front with various status boards and maps and stuff. Even as cool as it was, the novelty wore off soon and it got boring by the end of my shift.

I had meant to write about my drive down, but I guess that will have to wait, it's late and I need to be in bed.