tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-141149202024-03-13T01:23:02.832-06:00Notes From the Journey...The Army Years...Welcome to the life and times of Terri King, lover of Jesus and His mission around the world.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-35395428852845630842010-05-04T19:56:00.003-06:002010-05-04T20:00:43.334-06:00LONG awaited update!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuUdKACWdM-NaDTdivEBdT-8l8FKyeW5Qxn9q6F20kvoSFMpJKr5oD7ENIhGvx8enVffFZ0m3-iYr5V_3rlKWfmrGjBaGV7UijKepiW_gxmcnZl9u7ZMs1zA5wrI512xMgFyARQ/s1600/IMG_0045.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNuUdKACWdM-NaDTdivEBdT-8l8FKyeW5Qxn9q6F20kvoSFMpJKr5oD7ENIhGvx8enVffFZ0m3-iYr5V_3rlKWfmrGjBaGV7UijKepiW_gxmcnZl9u7ZMs1zA5wrI512xMgFyARQ/s320/IMG_0045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467599134922537298" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Family Around the World,</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Greetings in the Love and Grace of Jesus!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I know it has been many months since my last missal; as always, thanks for your patience!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>One of you wrote me today an jarred me to write...I am grateful!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Friends and fellow journeymen, there has been too much that has happened since the last posting in August to tell it all here, but let me try to pick the threads as best I can…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The theme for the last year and nearly two for me has been Grace.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Grace for everything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Grace for me and for all God’s creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It has frustrated me to tears, angered me at times, terrified me but it has held me, deeply, closely and unconditionally close to the heart of my beloved Jesus.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Let me tell the tale…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I was about 26 I realized one day that I absolutely HATED grace.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I wanted nothing to do with it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was a shocking thought as I was leading a campus ministry at the time and preached and taught regularly – I was keenly aware that a Christian should NOT HATE grace!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I spent some weeks meditating and praying about it asking God to tell me why this was true (and I knew in my soul that it was).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God was faithful and gave it to me – he told me I hated Grace because it implied I messed up SO incredibly badly that there was no cure for it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If God did not give his grace whatever the endeavor or life (mine or someone else’s) would be lost or permanently broken.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It deftly hit all my perfectionist buttons and would not let me go.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I couldn’t change this about myself (hummm… imagine, not being able to give God’s grace from yourself to yourself…inconceivable! ;) ) so I asked God to teach me what Grace is and to help me to learn to love it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was the beginning of now a 10 year discussion that was carried forward and deepened greatly by my time in Middle-East (ME) and continues to carry forward in these last few months I’ve been home.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When last we spoke I had just gotten to my first post in AFG – FOB Lightning and I was transitioning in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Well, the transitions never ended.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I went to 16 different FOBs COPs or Camps during my short 5 months there.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I went from being a parish pastor in KU to being a Circuit Rider (anyone remember John Wesley?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Replace the horse with a helicopter…that’s the idea).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Of those 16 I was able to get back to a handful of them several times.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am really good with Blackhawk helios now. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Many of you have asked or hinted at asking how much danger I was in.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was in some, I did get shot at and blown up occasionally, but there were many I ministered to who were (AND STILL ARE) in constant danger and have to bear that daily.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I say this, because the grace it evoked in me was sheer ministry of the moment and ministry of presence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I both loved it and was completely wiped out emotionally, mentally and spiritually by it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I got used to speaking truth as deeply and graciously as the person I was talking to would allow… and I finally really started to own that darned ‘gift’ of prophecy God gave me years ago…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">God gave me divine appointments EVERY day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes I would be sitting in the chow hall and someone would just sit near me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We’d strike up a conversation (either by their gesture or word or mine) and I would find something God was doing in their lives – not like a ‘hard core’ evangelical discussion where I was pushing an agenda, but a Gracious discovery – it came to me, I did not need to look for it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sometimes I got to speak the words of God’s love for them directly using scripture or other ‘God language’ but many times it was just the sheer grace of being in each other’s company and fellowship… it was enough to communicate the life, love and presence of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I was always every bit as blessed as I think/hope I blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God also blessed me with a few precious friends while I was there who ministered to me intentionally and unintentionally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This too was just a jaw-dropping experience of feeling the Grace of God enfold and love me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ll be honest, there were times when I became so overwhelmed with EVERY kind of battle that I was surrounded by – spiritual, emotional and LASTLY physical – that about ½ way though I really felt much of my faith and hope that God could break through all this was really quite broken.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I still had love.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I still absolutely LOVED Jesus in spite of being furious with him and terrified of his plans, I could still love and receive love from him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So, work with what ya got!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I kept loving people.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I kept preaching.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I kept showing up to the places and times God invited me to.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I realized a funny thing; I really did still have faith and hope… they just were absolutely no longer dependent on me in any way, shape or form.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They belonged to and came entirely from Christ himself.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What humbling grace… And it was humbling… I am often arrogant enough to believe I am the agent of my own healing by the choices I make or don’t make.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While I do think I have a role to play, the overwhelming evidence for me now is that Christ fights much harder and much more consistently that I can even imagine…and I have nothing to do with it; he will love me till the end of time because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">it is in HIS nature to do so</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is still something in this (my still raging perfectionism, I’m sure) that makes me very anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I still have many days where I feel the need to ‘get it together’ and make myself trust God… it does make me laugh a lot more that it used to… but the journey continues and really is unendingly gracious to me in it… I am a bit stunted, but as the song says ‘He’s not finished with me yet.’</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Since I’ve been home, I’ve not done much compared to my ‘other life.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And I have been so blessed by it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I first got back, since I’m a reservist, not active duty, folks REALLY didn’t understand my life – they kept asking me where I was stationed or what job I was doing now… I’d JUST got off the plane and folks were asking me this… I love the American culture of busyness… *sigh* I’ll admit, I wasn’t always as patient or gracious as I could have been.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But that was a really frustrating question for me- I need space to be purely Terri, purely human for a minute and to detox from all the roles and emotional enmeshments I’d gotten myself into … so I would fluff folks off (sorry if you are one of them!).</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What surprised me the most was how fractured my thinking had become.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Most of you know my famous wit and sarcasm and ability to fire off a funny and almost (!) inappropriate comment in almost in circumstance for the sake (hopefully!) of bridging an awkward moment or building a community.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This was REALLY out of sync when I got back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’d think of something like 10 minutes after the moment happened or even DAYS after… I came to realize this was the mental fatigue most of us (redeploying military and civilians) experience when we transition back.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When I got to AFG I was probably at about 50% of my normal capacities; when I left, I think I was around 10.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I continue to not realize how depleted I get; so continued prayers there… This is part of why it took so long to write y’all – just haven’t had it in me…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But I’ve spent the last few months hanging out with friends, running a lot, working out – passed my Army Physical Fitness test for this 6 months quite well and enjoyed meeting some fellow reservist here in the Denver area – a wonderful bunch of engineers who were awesome in helping me get this done.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I also started talking to the MOB (mobilization) desk about a new assignment.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Turns out FT Hood didn’t need the help, but Germany does… So, in God’s timing (A LONG fun God story here, too), I was offered the position of Reserve Rear Detachment Chaplain for Reserve units that are deployed forward (IQ or AFG); which means I'll be looking after the families and Soldiers who stay behind while the rest of the unit goes forward (sort of the opposite job I did from KU/AFG- also very pastoral and I'm looking forward to it!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ll be back in Bamberg (for those of you who remember that story – perhaps THIS now is why I went then?!) and I’ll be there for a year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I leave 31 MAY.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So that’s the scoop, dear ones – thanks for hanging in here with me and praying/encouraging me… I really can’t tell you how deeply you all touch my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And because you do, you free me to touch others.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am a blessed and rich woman.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ll post my address when I’m sure I have it right – usually Army rigmarole to go through!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I will say, this MOB is SOOOOO much easier than the last and the guys (chaplains) over there are being SUPER helpful and welcoming – I even still know a few folks from when I was there last time!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please pray for me for transitions – always tough – the usual travel details and setting up a new life stuff; pray that God would bless me with great friends and help me to continue to maintain the ones he’s given already; pray for the mission – that I would see God and know my role and step into it unafraid.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As always, write to me – tell me of your lives and times!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I do pray for you guys and LOVE it when you ‘drop in.’ Thanks again for being my friends and fellow travelers…</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-6563727991127866982009-09-18T12:59:00.000-06:002009-09-18T13:00:22.773-06:00Winds of Transition...<p class="MsoNormal">Dear Ones</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Well, I’ve been in Afghanistan for nearly 2 months now and my experience continues to bear out the Army mantra: hurry up and wait. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Only, this is the steroids version.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Allow me to elaborate (i.e.: vent)…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">When I first arrived on 4 AUG I was told I might be out to my unit in a week – this was meant to impress me, I now realize… Initially I was told one unit, then there was a second thought that emerged from …? But no, the original thought ended up prevailing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>All that took nearly 3 weeks. Then I was told I could get a heilo out to my new unit… that took 2 more days…And all of this, I’m told actually took place in record time…*sigh* </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, in the meantime, while I was trapped at what we call a ‘flagpole’ (flagpole= place where great amounts of scary level rank hang out creating a gravitational pull that causes everyone in the immediate vicinity to completely lose their minds…) I joined a band, did some opening prayers for services, got my runtime to fairly fantastic (for me), met a bunch of folks, and built my first piece of ‘furniture.’<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The last item was especially fun as there was a fellow chaplain there who was equally stuck as I was – he also is a master cabinet craftsman…so he taught me the very cool/fun and interesting basics of cabinet and, in this case, table making…I can’t wait to have a garage to experiment in…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally, after all that drama (including a very cool divine appointment where a young man asked me to lead him to Christ), I finally met my new unit – the 1-121 IN (infantry) BN (Battalion).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’ve never worked closely with an IN BN before and in some ways it’s everything I’ve heard of but in a lot of ways it’s not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s very unusual as a female to assigned to an IN unit as they are one of the few still exclusively male units.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think I got the assignment in large part because the unit’s located on a JTF (joint task force) post which has folks from every branch of service (except Coast Guard – sorry my Guardian/Coastie brethren) and there were already 2 other male chaplains assigned to the unit.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It seems like a strange set up to me, hey, who am I to blow against the wind?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>If I get the group of folks I will be working with consistently, I’m happy.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">So, the first 2 weeks were basically ‘get acclimated’ to FOB (forward operating bases- wartime posts) Lightning in Gardez (Norther, and East near the Pakistan border)– in some ways, literally – I’m now at 7,800ft in altitude (and yes, my run time immediately tanked…again…*sigh* but I can look forward to being AMAZING when I get back to 1 mile high!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have found that most of the camp services are lay led which leaves me time to do sermon prep and do ministry of presence – a luxury I never felt I had enough of in Kuwait.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s also freed up some reading time – I’m reading several things right now: Afghanistan by Rasheed (painfully dry in places, but incredible informative); Grace in Practice by Zahl (I can’t say I’m really enjoing this…I am finding it strangely graceless in it’s systemization); Surprised by Hope, Write(INFINITY valuable stuff as I minister to and with folks who have to live out their theology of the resurrection every day) <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and Tuesdays with Morrie by Ablom…interesting stuff.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve also begun to join my fellow chaplains in rotating out to visit other FOBs and I am currently at Camp Clark – a lovely (really, it’s very nice) little post that is very well laid out and organized.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This is very different from the ministry I was doing in KU, so in a lot of ways I am re-learning my job; difficult for me right now.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is an interesting thing, ministering in a warzone.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In many ways, it’s like ministering at home – amorpic and somewhat boundariless. Though in all my wanderings in ministry back home I don’t recall ever being jarred out of a lunch conversation by the ringing blast of a cannon going off WAY too close to my dinning facility (that was yesterday…I was informed they were practicing…I later went out and found the Battery crew doing the firing – they told me the same.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>These guys will bring down very accurate fire when called upon by our troops when they come under attack by the enemy out on the roads.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In many ways, this has been a great adventure and I’ve really enjoyed some of the stuff I’ve been privilidged to be a part of.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In other ways, this has been an incredibly lonely time for me personally.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I find I miss my friends and family very much – the first time for this deployment – and I’m finding the culture shock exceptionally difficult to breach this time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In many ways, it is difficult for me as a single woman to minister here, both because the AF people are so segregated from women, they just don’t know what to do with us when they see/meet us – they are either way too forward or mean…I’m grateful that I can’t understand what many of them have said to me in passing… so, that’s complex.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Then there’s just the normal difficulties of getting to know a new group and find one’s place/voice.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The Lord blessed me w/ my first 3 week sermon series – I did it on faith, hope and love; topics the Lord has been hammering me with lately.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All told, this is a phenomenal place and opportunity for ministry, but one must look for it and stay engaged when everything around you cries for disengagement (a survival tactic).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I lead my first bible study out here tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>3 guys came.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We talked about Mat 8 and the storms of Life and where Jesus is when we cry out to him in our terror…the guys really loved it. Jesus is answering our prayers in the mist of our storm of war. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Friends, I am tired.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not of people or even ministry (which is life affirming – I have not slid back into burnout/compassion fatigue) but of transitions.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I realize I left my home in Denver CO on 18 JUN 2008 and have only been home 25 days in the time since… I’ve never been overseas this long and while it is my hearts home, I am finding I long for time to pull back and re-evaluate all that I’ve been through.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>To this end, I’m pretty sure I’m going to take a job offer to help train the next generation of MOB (mobilizing) soldiers at FT Hood in TX for the next year.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This will help me ‘pay back’ my owed time to the Reserves before going active duty and it will also give me a guaranteed year in the states; time to rest, refresh and restore.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I would appreciate your prayers for my last 2 months here in country – I unexpectedly<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>found out I need to be home and ‘deMOBed’ just before Christmas, which will mean I have to start my great migration around the 1<sup>st</sup> of DEC.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Please pray I am able to pour out all of my love and compassion on the men and women I am surrounded by; pray I am not timid at all. Please pray for my transition home…this will be complex for me for a variety of reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Please pray for my troopers – they/we really are in harm’s way every day.</p>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-40899483966811145392009-08-03T11:23:00.001-06:002009-08-03T11:28:14.039-06:00The Quirkiness of Life...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">I’ve been thinking about what’s ironic in my life lately… I’m quickly coming to my end of this chapter (at least so far) of my time in Kuwait as a post Chaplain. Some things have been ‘strikin’ me funna’ ‘– when we got here no one could wait to leave (they still can’t…we have to contain the stampede) yet now there is a fondness of this place and especially the people here that I know each, in their own way, will miss and some brave few who dare to think of it, realize will never happen this way again; we truly created a unique and beautiful community here. For all the complaining, I’ve been listening to the types of things people are passing along to the ‘next generation’ – things like, ‘yeah, it’s REALLY dull here, but it’s SUCH a great place – you’re going to love it!’ and there’s still such a spirit of generosity –which so characterized us – folks have given TONS of stuff to our TCN (third Country Nationals- the workers from around the world who serve us in the camp) Drive and to each other – rich and precious store-houses of knowledge and insight into not only surviving being here, but growing and thriving… it’s been really beautiful to watch from ‘around corners.’<br /><br />This place has deepened my love and experience of Jesus. It’s ironic that when I left RI 4 years ago, I was begging God to send me to the deepest desert because I wanted to die – I wanted my physical life to reflect the deadness I felt in my soul – something poetic and integrity-laden for me (having my insides and outsides match). But the Lord sent me to Denver – a desert, but not the deadest desert, not like where I am now. And I began to breathe again; began to hope, began to wish, began to dream, began to heal… again…in the high desert… from those tender shoots of fresh, renewed life God then sent me into the deepest desert – the deserts of the Middle-East – some of the most conflict-ridden, soul eating places on earth – and I found those tender shoots growing and solidifying and becoming mature and beautiful… And so, I find myself reflecting on the mysteries of God and the souls of the Desert Fathers –how God has used deserts to cleans, heal, restore and grow his people for all eternity, and now my footprints are added to the sands... que bella…<br /><br />In the desert I have found a tapestry of the richest cloth I have seen to date – people and faces from EVERY place on the face of God’s multi-colored Earth – Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Hawaiian, Philippines, New Zealanders, English, American, Micronesia, Samoa, Australia, all manner of African Nations, Papua New Guinea, Kuwait, Egypt, Saudi, UAE, Qatar, Iraq and places I can’t even find on maps without Google! Many don’t speak English – but it does still seem to hold that ‘human’ still speaks to ‘human’ and a kind act or smile or tone of voice carries the weight of love any and all ways…There is a beautiful and tiny woman who cleans our living area – whenever she sees me she shyly comes up to me and gives me a hug – I haven’t seen her do this with anyone else – she speaks just a shade of English – I’ve gathered that she has a grown son who is in college or school and I think she’s from Bangladesh – I so honored and humbled that she would show me so much love…<br /><br />In the desert there is a life most unusual and stunning… as in many harsh environments (be it because of economics or environment) what quickly becomes important are your relationships – you simply cannot ever afford to have enemies in your neighbors – you must make amends if you offend. You must. Your life and livelihood depend on it. This place is no different in spite of become a 1st world nation over night due to the oil; folks still spend months of their years out in tents in the desert so they won’t forget – they spend their nights in fellowship with one another over tea, coffee, hookah, and (as my Hawaiians would say) ‘talking story.’ What is beautiful here is often not what you see with the naked eye – the desert stretches on forever with very little interrupting it except for a town or power lines – what is beautiful is a soul – how one listens, the attention one gives to their host and visa versa. The quality of the interaction and even (I think) to some degree the quantity of the interaction – how much raw time is one willing to give to a friendship or new relationship? It makes me feel both anxious and inspired.<br /><br />My heart is full as I go on to my next assignment. God has grown, matured and inspired me here. The death I felt as I left RI has been healed and the roots and been addressed and given over (even here more roots were taken). I have several new dear friends, one in particular has become very close and dear to my heart…so many unexpected gifts…There was a vision I had in Africa a few years ago where God was standing with joyful glee and filling my arms with gifts and he had more he wanted to give, but my arms were so full, there was no way to even balance one more, so it would have to wait. And wait it has – when I came here my arms were finally empty and open. He has placed extravagance in my arms once more…hallelujah!!<br /><br />Please pray for me as I transition over the next few weeks to finish the last 6 months of my tour in Afghanistan. This will be a challenging time of change but an amazing and humbling opportunity to serve our nation’s finest in their darkest hours and one of the more scary places in the world; pray I am strong and courageous in the Lord and not afraid in any circumstance. Pray I preach the Gospel of Life and Love. Pray I reach out in the strength and hope of Jesus and not my own power. Pray Jesus is seen…</span>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-9508595330447786992009-03-24T05:37:00.003-06:002009-03-24T05:38:25.703-06:00The Ides of March...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTd7-aeUHM5vOUv9yioD8P-U29rWPoYz1n5jSIavTR4IXrhOom6Rj8IneQTn6qH0e73-o2fIHYzoe5ZQ9neFcQR75w7zt4NPc_m7TCyZKifJYfneUAklfCzDEZmWUSVUuT4UZsQ/s1600-h/Chapel+Thanks1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316717224666105778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTd7-aeUHM5vOUv9yioD8P-U29rWPoYz1n5jSIavTR4IXrhOom6Rj8IneQTn6qH0e73-o2fIHYzoe5ZQ9neFcQR75w7zt4NPc_m7TCyZKifJYfneUAklfCzDEZmWUSVUuT4UZsQ/s320/Chapel+Thanks1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This can be a very daunting task writing the monthly updates. For me, time is a fickle thing – moving faster than can be borne some days and so slow I wonder if I’m in trouble for missing something… but none the less, I enjoy writing them as it gives me an impromptu opportunity to ‘download’ some the events of the month.<br /><br />I’ve been feeling better about my schedule lately – I sort of had an emotional, internal ‘crash and burn’ last month when the pressures of going almost non-stop for 6 months caught up with me after a particular vicious string of weeks without a full day off. It was very disturbing because the last time I did this was when I was on staff with IV and I just felt that that was catastrophic – it took going away for 3 years to seminary to get repair the damage I had caused then. So when I was feeling that depleted again and so quickly – it was very depressing and I spent a few weeks feeling rather depressed.<br /><br />Now, here’s where the new tools and plans I got in seminary paid off. I’ve been meeting with my Spiritual Director in the states on the phone weekly and she’s been an enormous help and encouragement. Also, when the Lord did present me with a series of days where there was not much going on, so I took advantage of the lull and crashed – just laid low for a few days. Normally I feel very guilty about not being at work when I think I should be. But I had an epiphany that week – I realized I’m working every conscious hour I’m awake – my command has mandated I’m only supposed to be working 8-10hr days (it’s been more like 12-14hr days for me) – so I realized I didn’t need to be coming in at 0830 every morning and staying until 9 or 10 at night. I could come in later on those days I know will be late and I can work out in the morning instead. This was hugely freeing for me and it’s helped me develop a better work rhythm here.<br /><br />Counseling continues to be a heavy load, though I have found it’s dropped of significantly now that we’re well past the holidays. I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but I’ve been blessed to have a new Navy E6 (MA1 –for those who understand that!) join my UMT (unit ministry team – me and Sanders). It was really difficult having my assist away on block leave for most of FEB, but Chappell (yes, that really is his name) really made it not only bearable, but also doable- between him and a ‘loaner’ from the unit, we actually not only kept the boat afloat, but got some critical supply issues resolved. But I was VERY glad to have Sanders back. I am shocked to realize I can actually keep several assistant employed at any one given time; this was also an epiphany to realize I’m working to much.<br /><br />The soldiers, sailors and marines here are doing basically very well. We’re all looking forward to Easter and coming home just a few months there after. I got to watch some of the Kuwaiti Air Assault teams practice doing Helicopter jumps onto a parking lot on my run this morning – I never tire of my job…<br /><br />I am enormously looking forward to coming home for my block leave in June. I am in the final stages of preparing my paper for my final ordination interview. God willing, I should be ordained in Portland on my block leave. The Lord is faithful – he told me when I was 17 he would make me a pastor and that it wouldn’t be until I was in my mid thirties – I’m 35 and schedule to be ordained in June…God is good.<br /><br />I’ve been thinking about time lately. We spend so much time wishing the time would pass quickly here. We’re basically locked down much of the time here on post, so there can be an oppressive feel to how time runs here. But I’ve been thinking about it – I can never get this year back. If I spend the whole time wishing I were somewhere else or that the time would just hurry up and get on with it – what will I be missing in the here and now? What work of God, beauty of nature or wonder in the growth of a human being (me or someone else) will or even am I missing out on? The need to speed things up must never subjugate the need to be as fully present to the wonder of the moment.<br /><br />Another thing – I’ve struggled for years in a mild sort of way wondering if I am more of a leader or a shepherd. Well, since I’ve been here I’ve seen a number of people come and go. Recently, I’ve had occasion to see 2 sailors I became very fond of visit our camp for just a few weeks, then go – I was not sure I’d see them again and was sad at their leaving. In the last 2 weeks I’ve had occasion to have them both back for a few days each and it was a joy to see them and minister with them again. I think this settles the debate – I am a shepherd more than a leader (in the sense that a leader looks more at the big picture and is not necessarily concerned with WHO is performing what function so much as what function needs to be performed and what quality/kinds of people he or she has to do them).<br /><br />Finally – we’ve begun wrapping up things here (I know, it feel early – but you try to coordinate and move several hundred people and equipment internationally and see how long it takes you!) – awards are beginning to be processed, promotions granted, projects looking to their completion. I’ve been writing Sander’s award recommendation and I’ve been asked to submit my to 5 things I’m most proud of. It was a little embarrassing once I’d written it, but fun nonetheless. So, I’ll end by sharing my list with y’all – after all, you’ve been supporting me to do it!<br /><br />OER accomplishments:<br />- Trainings (as of 3/09): co-conducted 6 Strong Bonds classes (marriage and relational wellness classes); trained the trainers and assisted in 8 suicide prevention classes (Beyond the Front); assisted in 6 Newcomers Welcome Briefings; and attended 5 UMT trainings by ASG-KU chaplains.<br /><br />- Conducted (current and projected): 32 Sunday morning worship services; 32 Bible Studies; 20 Praise and Worship Nights; 8 special Holiday services; 5 Movie and a Message events; 5 invocations; 3 hospital visitations; and 45 guitar/music lessons. Provided for the needs of Muslim, LDS and Jewish SMs throughout the deployment by driving them to events, coordinating regular access to services and providing materials (books, prayer rugs, etc.) as requested.<br /><br />- Counseling (as of 3/09): 24 Red Cross messages; 23 Duty calls; 136 counseling sessions of varying types.<br /><br />- Facilitated Host Nation relations within the Christian community (as of 3/09): brought 16 SMs to local protestant churches; 60 members of the Catholic community to Mass in the downtown Cathedral; and coordinated a post-wide Benefit drive, raising: non-perishable food, bedding, shoes and clothing for distribution our TCN community<br /><br />- Improved Chapel supplies and equipment (current and projected): ordered: ACU Bibles; Scholars and Pastor’s electronic libraries for the Chapel (there were NO pastoral reference materials here before); crosses, medals, stars of David, Muslim Chaplain Field Kit; 2 new microphones; I personally serviced and made useable 4 guitars that were in storage; and facilitated and coordinated with the Fire Department to get the Chapel up to current fire code. </div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-9267137805615181922009-02-19T04:48:00.006-07:002009-02-21T08:20:06.461-07:00Feburary Happenings....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcypNO3dHR5RyYIKnSoURaSJHGGbbnDsq99zFs88D0DYU9I5CC5Pu_eS0JGsjSROn8j3HIGaR-Jya-_Waz_AOCcVq1004MefTxthKjKvI-WRFtoyFWCjpEFmXzbwX_WhXVk5bcdA/s1600-h/Camel+ride+DEC09.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304475867125512098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcypNO3dHR5RyYIKnSoURaSJHGGbbnDsq99zFs88D0DYU9I5CC5Pu_eS0JGsjSROn8j3HIGaR-Jya-_Waz_AOCcVq1004MefTxthKjKvI-WRFtoyFWCjpEFmXzbwX_WhXVk5bcdA/s320/Camel+ride+DEC09.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9VLA8SmjymXE68N1wLVaoXchKVrxWzNMfTFz4_OX6WkWyFbfN8WSi3Y_DcY7O50j32vPLnpxICO3bPPTsXC2NyqFVl121lrT3fEF38Nsk_iZ3WCokC5y9c3k9ckplV-xmWdtiA/s1600-h/Hovercraft.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304474350862113714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk9VLA8SmjymXE68N1wLVaoXchKVrxWzNMfTFz4_OX6WkWyFbfN8WSi3Y_DcY7O50j32vPLnpxICO3bPPTsXC2NyqFVl121lrT3fEF38Nsk_iZ3WCokC5y9c3k9ckplV-xmWdtiA/s320/Hovercraft.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Dear Ones,<br />Hard to believe yet another month has passed us by – lent is fast upon us and I prepare for yet another round of ‘firsts’ for the holidays. It’s been another month of great blessings and great trials.<br /><br />We were blessed to have an evangelist Chaplain out visiting from Virginia last week. He’s the rear-detachment chaplain for the group here and was out to do a sort visit to catch up with his folks. He’s a very fervent and warm hearted brother in the Lord and it was a blessing to have him out for the week. I saw him led at least one person to the Lord! (Pic = I got to go for a ride on an LCAC (hovercraf)- I know, I look a little punchy; the other was a camel ride sponsored by the MWR (rec center)).<br /><br />I was also blessed to tag along with him to downtown Kuwait city to meet some of the local protestant pastors there – what a blessing to be in the middle of brothers and sisters from all over the world worshiping God together in several different languages – this always impresses me as a foretaste of heaven!<br /><br />I also got to led a small group of 26 out to KU city to the Catholic Cathedral. It was a rich time of fellowship and worship for my Catholic community and I was blessed to fellowship with them.<br /><br />I’ve been enjoying several good books lately: The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning and Surprised by Hope by NT Write – these are helping to continue to shape my pastoral identity and thinking – good stuff if you get the time!</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I’ve been thinking a lot about the concepts of balance lately – the last two weeks while full of blessings have not been pain-free. It feels like for every blessing I’ve received I had to fight hard in the Spirit to keep and not get torn down in other areas as I continue to learn the different nuances and demands of my job as an officer. Balance to me is looking more and more to Jesus and just asking Him to be enough for each moment as I am sometimes stretched to my limit and beyond. This continues to be a lesson of pruning for me (see John 15) as I continue to grow in my ability to trust God in the ‘deep end of the pool.’<br /><br />A good friend recently pointed out that I am in a very similar situation to when I was on IV staff just before I left – I am the sole minister to a campus of several hundred souls. And I find I need to fight to keep another chaplain preaching here on a regular basis for our Sunday evening service. She reminded me that growth is always painful but it is something we greatly desire. I’ve been meditating on that the last day or so and while I acknowledge the truth of it, I confess I still don’t like it when I’m in a growing season. She also suggested that God is redeeming some of the negative lessons I learned during my time on staff and giving me a new experience of Him in the middle of what looks like the same situation. I find each week as I prepare to preach I go though a series of anxieties over it, but each week God shows up and an aspect of His Kingdom is revealed, people hear God’s word and lives are touched. And I’m pleased to report I think I have very little to do with it. This has been going on for months now and each week I don’t die, God is actually glorified and the community grows. I hope and pray I am beginning to trust the Lord a little bit more with my life and heart as I publicly declare the goodness of God in the land of the living. I just hope I can learn this sufficiently well so God can return me to the team-based ministry that I love so deeply.<br /><br />Please do keep me and my little team here in prayer – the battles are sudden and fierce:<br />- Pray for Sanders as he’s home in HI right now on leave<br />- Pray for my new assistants MA1 Chappell (a new part time addition to the team courtesy of the Navy – I do LOVE joint forces work! It’s so cool!) and SPC Medeiros who will be covering down during Sanders absence – please pray we jell quickly and work efficiently<br />- Pray for continued opportunity to fellowship with our fellow Christians in the downtown area</div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-8484808366883114262009-01-07T06:14:00.001-07:002009-01-07T06:15:15.025-07:00New Years thoughts...Hi Gang – hope the holidays were terrific for you! I am doing well here. The weather turned sharply on New Year’s Day – it was a cold, windy and rainy day. It has since gotten a little warmer, but I am beginning to wear my fall weather gear fairly regularly. It still remains sunny and bright during the days and I have no fear of snow (sorry my CO & RI contingents!). <br /><br />This has been another intense month of looking for God, following his lead and trusting Him alone as my daily bread. This was the first time I lead a congregation through a Christmas season of services… it scared me to death, but through the encouragement of friends near and far, I was able to keep turning this ministry and myself over to His leadership; my daily prayer has been “Lord, this is YOUR ministry, these are YOUR people – help me to not get in your way; let me be an instrument of your peace.”<br /><br />The services went well, I thought – there were things I learned from it – some I would do again, some, not so much…but in it all, God was faithful and I know there was space in the services for folks to meet with God, so I felt like I did what I was called to do…<br /><br />I have been finding it intimidating to be preaching every week, but the Lord is so good – this has become a point of stretching me in my faith and continuing God’s long-term work of pulling my perfectionistic tendencies out of me. I am learning to be content with who I am and not demanding I be someone I am not. An old, but continuingly important lesson I do keep having to re-learn. *sigh*<br /><br />I am pleased to report on the friend-front that I do have a couple of good friend possibilities and I am hopeful to see how the Lord will develop these relationships. One of my new friends even came out to KNB from another camp and kept me company for the entire Christmas Eve/Christmas Day services cycle – I felt sooo supported by the Lord through her friendship!<br /><br />Now that the holidays are behind us, I feel the mood in the camp lightening some. Christmas time in a deployed setting was incredibly difficult for most of my soldiers and sailors. Thank you for your prayers for us during that season; it made a HUGE difference.<br /><br />Email continues to be an on-again/off-again affair, so if I don’t get right back to you, that’s why – I am able to consistently get on my army account, so please do write me there if you want to communicate. (<a href="mailto:terri.king1@us.army.mil">terri.king1@us.army.mil</a>) I hope y’all have a blessed New Years – below are my PRs for JAN…<br /><br />Prayer Reqs:<br />- God would continue to fill me with his confidence and presence as I preach and teach each week.<br />- Continued friend development<br />- Daily grace for the politics I find myself in<br />- Wisdom on whether to extend my time here at the end or go home with the unit in July<br />- Continued protection from attacks of the EnemyTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-76183742818251533012008-12-17T02:02:00.002-07:002008-12-17T02:02:51.240-07:00Christmas Rambling from KNB...Greetings from sunny Kuwait! I hope each of you is keeping very well during this Christmas season! May the light of Christ dwell richly in you as we wait together!<br /><br />Things here are going well, I think. I’m settling into a weekly routine of sorts where I have meetings, hold services, counsel soldiers do visitation. There is a sense of security that I get from having a routine, but it’s a double edged sword most of the time – on the one hand, I like knowing what I’m doing on a consistent basis, but on the other, I get board very quickly and the routine can grate on me.<br /><br />The Lord is stretching me in a number of ways, primarily in the ways I am present to people in different venues. Preaching every week is a challenge I haven’t had to do this in a while and it’s forcing me to rely on Jesus as my only source of affirmation. Now, this doesn’t mean people don’t give me affirmation, it just means, I know people are fickle and so have learned not to rely or ‘feed’ on their praise. My classic problem is that I want to do everything at once; the good things that I know take time to develop, I long to see already established. It is hard for me to wait patiently and work slowly, allowing this community to unfold and become what Christ has for it. I want to just be there now. *sigh*<br /><br /><br />The holidays in a military (I say ‘military’ because we’re Army, Navy and Marines) camp are a strange thing. On the one hand folks are not generally in the festive mood. They feel most keenly the absence of family, friends and holiday traditions at home. And unfortunately, we’ve arrived at just the time of year to catch all the holidays during our stay. So, this is where I see my role as a priest of God and how God has made me intersect with this group. I don’t generally love the holidays when I’m at home. I love being single all the rest of the year, except at the holidays – then it becomes very difficult for me. However, here everyone is feeling like a fish out of water, so –strangely- I don’t feel that way; I love the holidays here! And it enables me to speak words of encouragement, peace and hope into this community. And that is such an encouragement to me, too.<br /><br />Emotionally, it is a roller-coaster for me. I can be rejoicing with a group of people over promotions or whatnot one minute, the next diving the depths of fresh grief with someone who just lost a loved one. Now, when I’m doing well and am at peace with myself and Jesus, I find this to be one of the best aspects of my job – you never know what you’re going to get and the Lord literally lines the streets with divine appointments. However, when I’m feeling drained and overwhelmed, this is difficult and I feel I have nothing useful to give. Again, the lessons are present: 1st- a constant reminder that this is Jesus’ ministry and love for this folks, not just mine; 2nd – I need to be vigilant about my self-care. (For those of you tracking this – I have managed to get my ‘day off’ mostly nailed down and am now working to get a routine that will actually refresh me established – this is still very hit or miss.)<br /><br />On the friend front, this continues to be a struggle, but the Lord has provided a few tentative life-lines. I feel like I’ve learned so much about starting a new life from my move to Denver and these lessons are paying off now. I know the Lord has friends for me here, but it takes time to find them and who I start off with may not be who I end up with. So, patience is again the watch-word. It is also complicated making friends here as I am the post chaplain, so it requires someone of fairly significant maturity to be able to see me as a human and a pastor and not have a melt down about either. I have one real possibility for a friend, but she just got moved to another camp, so I’m not sure if we’ll be able to stay in touch. This is a pretty serious need I have, so if y’all could pray for that, I’d sure appreciate it. Right now my major source of support are my fantastic friends back in Denver (I’m SO grateful for y’all!!!), but obviously, I need some fellowship here as well.<br /><br />Well, thanks for hanging in on this Christmas ramble…do stay in touch – I’m on em regularly at <a href="mailto:tkin5787@hotmail.com">tkin5787@hotmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:terri.king1@us.army.mil">terri.king1@us.army.mil</a>. <br /><br />Prayer Reqs:<br />- Friends for me<br />- Connections and community here at KNB for everyone<br />- Holiday mercies for all<br />- God’s comfort for the grieving (there are a lot)Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-8128769083165917692008-11-06T04:10:00.002-07:002008-11-06T04:18:58.622-07:00Initial Impressions...This is a neat place. We have Navy, Coast Guard and Army here and we're right on the Persian Gulf. The post itself is rather industrial, but the beauty of the water more than makes up for it right now. I like the contrast of so many worlds in one place - Middle East, American; various military; etc. This post is rather small, so I think it will be possible to build social networks very quickly. The bad flip side to that will be that it will take a short period of time for folks to get board and start doing stupid stuff. It looks like I will be able to get out some and visit my units at a Camp Arifjon which is only a few minutes away by car. I was able to go there yesterday and do a little scouting and meet some of my fellow chaplains - a good networking opportunity for me... SPC Sanders (my chaplain assistant) and I are excited and looking forward to getting to work here. We're setting into our various living quarters- he's in the open bay barracks and I'm in a scary little room in a building of scary little rooms... It'll be fine soon, I just need to get used to it and tweak it a bit... I'm really looking forward to doing ministry of presence here - already had a talk with an american civilian working here about God and family...interesting place/ cross-roads of people...Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-16440916653844129982008-11-04T19:28:00.001-07:002008-11-04T19:29:29.122-07:00ArrivedHey Gang - just a line to let you know I've made it here safely to Kuwait Naval Base, Kuwait...jet lagging, but happy to be here... - more soon - so many thoughts...Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-13396153651466035852008-11-02T16:20:00.002-07:002008-11-02T16:24:09.972-07:00Well, I'm within a few hours of leaving the US for the longest 'mission's trip' yet...10 months. I find myself waxing nostalgic as of late, but I won't bore you with it... I'm really excited and can't wait... - here's my snail mail addy for the duration:<br /><br />Terri King (NO RANK)<br />HHB 1st BN 487th FA<br />Camp Patriot, KNB<br />KUWAIT, APO, AE 09337Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-34370546176239899162008-10-25T14:31:00.001-06:002008-10-25T14:38:06.368-06:00Reflections on life as of late...Dear Friends and Family<br />Well, it’s been about a month since I wrote and things are starting to settle in some, so I thought I’d take a moment to write. It’s been quite an adjustment coming here, as was expected.<br /><br />When I arrived here at Ft Hood, TX I immediately received yet 2 more vaccines...one of which was the Flu Mist and yes…it really does give you the flat out flu…I’m not impress w/this so-called vaccine – I think I stood a better shot without it. Anyway, the fall out of that was that the day I met my unit, I was feverish and feeling completely crummy. Were it not for my overwhelming enthusiasm, I think it might have been a disaster.<br /><br />In the last 3 weeks, I’ve been desperately trying to catch up with trainings, online and off, meeting folks, preaching, leading worship (now that I have my voice back), meeting my unit, FINDING my unit amongst all the others of this 3-Brigade taskforce we’re a part of, trying to heal, doing PT, passing a ‘pop’ PT test (!), counseling soldiers, and team building with the other chaplains in the task force…oh, and I went to Schuyler, NE to do my regional ordination interview…I think that about catches the breadth…<br /><br />So, its been busy, but with the constant help of the Lord (I kept finding myself in the right places at the right time or saying the right thing to the right person, etc) and a lot of support from my Team back in CO – I’ve managed to stay sane, sort out some of my role and gain some footing in this strange environment.<br /><br />I’ve found myself reflecting on 2 things lately – what is ‘normal’ and where is ‘home’ (I know, here we are again). Normal for me now means being on-call 24-7, but so far not being called at ridiculous hours. Normal is eating with 50+ other soldiers in a DFAC (dining facility) with some REALLY high fat foods (working on getting around this). Normal, is getting a random call from a soldier in crisis and finding time to meet them and just spend some time pouring into their hearts as they tell their tale. Normal is a daily thirst for God’s word and finding my quiet time is the most critical point of my day. Normal, is calling my friends every few days, trying to remember the last time I talked to them – each day has felt like several, so I can end up calling more frequently than I realize(or what used to be ‘normal’). Normal is wearing the same thing every day, just with different under garments. Normal is living in a one room cell that I think would give a Monk a run for his money. Normal is expecting the Lord to give me what I need when I need it and not a moment before. Normal is looking for an embracing the mercy and grace that surround me as I get to know these people. Normal is looking for opportunities to love people whether it’s by getting them a snack, listening to them or just smiling and give them a decent human being greeting. <br /><br />I had an epiphany this summer on the subject of home, that I am continuing to live into/test its validity. This summer I was at Ft Jackson. It was a wonderful time of training and fellowship with other new chaplains. However, when I left there, I reported to Training Center McCrady. This was a very difficult place to be in even though it was only for a week. The hardest part was not the accommodations or food or training, but in the know that this was not the place I was supposed to be. Knowing that everything I was doing I would have to do again when I met up with my unit. That place felt useless and pointless in the scheme of my overall mission. That place could not feel like home no matter what I did. And this was the impression I walked away with – this place more than any other in my adult life, was not and could not be home. This hit me on the drive back to CO once I was finally released on a 10 day pass. I often feel at home wherever I am. No matter what the living conditions, I have usually been able to find a sense of equilibrium and thereby home. Not so there. This really helped me to discover that home is not a place. It is not the stuff you have with you, not entirely the people surrounding you. Home is being in the place you know you belong. Home is knowing you are doing and being what you need to do and be and find the space to do it. Interesting…<br />On a final note, I’ve been reflecting on my ordination interview a few days ago. I had such a good time with them. It was a little stressful, but the gift of not having time to freak out and read everything you can get your hands on to cram, is that you have the chance to sit back a little and watch God come through. It was a delight to sit with the panel and discuss a range of topics together. I never thought such a thing would ever happen to me. What a life I have!<br /><br />Prayer requests:<br />- A sense of peace for all of us as we transfer over in the next week or so<br />- Quick and good communications with the States re-established<br />- A solid sense of ‘the job’ upon arrival<br />- A good reestablishment of a healthy life rhythm<br />- Good use of the time between ‘now and there’Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-69036859532210211132008-10-08T10:46:00.002-06:002008-10-08T10:54:16.662-06:00Notes from Jess<div>Terri is doing OK!!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is here snail mail address through 10/28</div><div>Ch Terri King</div><div>1-487th HHB</div><div>BLDG 56413</div><div>Ft Hood, TX 76544</div><div><br /></div>Access to civilian accounts is sparse:<div> therefore please email her at <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">both</span> her email accounts every time you contact her:</div><div>tking5787@hotmail.com <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> terri.king1@us.army.mil<br /><div><br /></div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-11855352589052742182008-09-26T09:08:00.000-06:002008-09-26T09:09:41.512-06:00Transitions...Again...I’m sitting in the Denver Airport USO lounge. It’s gorgeous. There’s a little sleeping area, nice homey chairs around round tables, big, squashy chairs, all the snacks, entertainment and internet access one could possibly wish for. I may never leave! I hear this is one of the nicest one around.<br /><br />Last night I met with most of my Team; a group of incredibly gifted, talent, and fun pastors and friends who will be helping look after my life and me while I embark on this incredible journey. It was a very rich time of fellowship, community, and joy. <br /><br />When I was 17 and just figuring out I really was a Christian, the Lord spoke to me in joy and said that He would make me a pastor. I was very excited (had NO idea of the women in the pastorate issue in the Church), but then he told me it wouldn’t be until my mid-30s, so chill. Today, I am 35, hold my first pastoral credentials and am embarking on my first assignment as a specifically called pastor. God is good, faithful and true.<br /><br />Everyone keeps asking me how I’m feeling. In some ways, I don’t know what I’m feeling right now. I know that I’m not feeling bad, but other than that, I think there are too many things pulling in too many directions to choose any one feeling. As much as it is sad – a point of grief and grieving – that I’m leaving Denver and my friends in the US, knowing that all those relationships will be changed as I will be changed when I get back – I’m also captured by the 18 year calling and wooing of God to be out in his fields- chasing, playing, dancing, resting, working with Him in all He’s doing. And that sense of comradery with Him so fills and fulfills me. <br /><br />I have worked very hard to stay here and be present to my friends and communities as I’ve waited to begin this leg of the journey; I want to be careful to honor the friends, mentors and teachers (formal and informal) who the Lord has used to bring me here, yet my heart is every looking forward to what is to be done. Thus, I have a mixed reaction to going. In many ways I’m in a great place – I love where I’m going, and I love where I’ve been. I suppose the overriding feeling is perhaps Hopeful.<br /><br />I will be in SC tonight, then TX joining my unit tomorrow morning. Pray for us!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-16574649350729807982008-09-10T19:14:00.000-06:002008-09-10T19:15:27.537-06:00Reflections on Big Army In-Processing…Now…I need to qualify everything I’m about to whine about. Compared to what Vets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam went through, my life is a dream…<br /><br />In processing in the Army is A THING. Thus far, my life in the Army has been carefully sheltered, managed and judiciously exposed to the larger, person-eating processes of the Big Army…. All bets are off now, baby…<br /><br />So, on Sunday, 7 September, 2008 I officially began to engage my career as a soldier… I reported to Training Center McCrady, right next to sunny Ft. Jackson, SC. This is a Mobilization station for IRR (which I am) and N. Guards (which I’m going to be working with). This is a confused and confusing place with a VERY dedicated staff of NCOs and civilians (and the occasional officer) working EXTREMELY hard to get us through this experience as quickly as possible, while still keeping us basically intact as human beings…this is a hard job…<br />We start off by knowing absolutely nothing before arriving here – most with absolutely NO IDEA (like me) WHAT we will be doing or WHY we are here and not training with the unit our orders mention we are assigned . Now, I say ‘mention’ because the unit to which we are assigned is really no more than a footnote in single spaced full page type – it’s barely a bi-line. You have to work to find it. I had to call a Major Chaplain I know to interpret the orders for me…and it took him a bit to get it figured out, too. What chance did I have as a buck LT and baby Chaplain?! *dear in headlights*<br /><br />But, in spite of all that, I’m just bouncing up and down because it looks like God really means it; He really does want me to care for soldiers in harms way…I’m stoked!<br /><br />Then I arrived here…<br /><br />Now, all ‘bouncing’ must cease (or at least be stuffed in a duffel bag temporarily) as the mood here is VERY TENSE. The staff are great and working hard to ‘humanize’ this potentially VERY dehumanizing process. But we new soldiers aren’t staff… we’re tense – ready for whatever might pop up out of the woodwork – a cranky Drill SGT ready to drop us (do push-ups), an officer disguised as a civilian who might be offended by humor revolving around criticizing the higher-ups for the organization we now find ourselves in, the occasional ‘turkey’ of a fellow soldier who just ‘won’t get with the program’ and play well with others…we ready. We can do it. We can handle it. We think…<br /><br />So we’re tense…it’s taken until today for that to ease off and us to realize this too will pass, we are all human beings, we all have good intentions at heart and are actually an AMAZINGLY cool bunch of people. And the Drills are not that cranky and are absolutely not dropping any of us. And the officers are cool – great stories and leading well by example (at least in attitude if not in barracks hygiene…for at least one of them, it’s been 30 years since he’s been living in a barracks) and I have yet to find a genuine turkey yet…<br /><br />So..you ask, dear friend…what HAVE we been doing? Paperwork. Forms. Receiving 7 immunization shots…in 2 days… Hearing tests. Vision tests. Physicals. Briefings. Paperwork. Finance (gettin’ paid…). New ID cards. Paperwork. Waiting in line to do…you got it, more paperwork… The last 3 days have been an overwhelming blur of waking between 4- 5am, rushing to get to the site where all our stuff is being processed, waiting, rushing, waiting, getting back to the barracks between 6-9pm, crashing, trying to work out (I have managed to get in 2 days!!!) and trying to not let the stress and weird pace make us all sick (I’ve been religious about my vitamins…)<br /><br />I’m bruised, exhausted, starting to come out of being completely overwhelmed and totally blessed. The other thing that’s been happening these last few days is that I’ve been getting to know and encourage the soldiers surrounding me. We’re all very anxious – we know we could be going to places where we or someone we’re going to know could get seriously hurt or killed. We all have people we love back home who we’re fearful of how the time and events that happen while we’re apart will change us and our relationships. We fear the potential of many losses. Yet, we’re here. Some will stay and do what they can, coping as best they can. Some cannot stay for a variety of reasons and will go back to difficulties already in progress. I have had such unique and amazing opportunities to love on the folks around me and be the presence of Christ among them. It’s been humbling and awe-inspiring for me, in the moments I have had to reflect. I’m getting my ‘bounce’ back out of the duffel…please keep us in prayer.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-9157429959382697262008-09-05T18:07:00.003-06:002008-09-05T18:16:07.508-06:00Here We Go Kids...****For those of you looking for more pictures - I am posting ALBUMS on Facebook - it's a faster load time than here - so most pics in the future will be there***<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoZ4LF_UTVfOiMOeG072tb-BTJ173pP1MgJuLZn5cHQburmwVjTgWIMrsnmRGA3rtcjOX1nQUvLwZrUasgSmLkZsi7nOxbiC54PgXo3tCoby7Z1_BEGeMqQQmFtDRG7yKZOV6aQ/s1600-h/King+Battle+Rattle.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242693605840759506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCoZ4LF_UTVfOiMOeG072tb-BTJ173pP1MgJuLZn5cHQburmwVjTgWIMrsnmRGA3rtcjOX1nQUvLwZrUasgSmLkZsi7nOxbiC54PgXo3tCoby7Z1_BEGeMqQQmFtDRG7yKZOV6aQ/s320/King+Battle+Rattle.jpg" border="0" /></a> Dear Friends<br />Well, I have finished my training here at Ft. Jackson and have officially graduated from the officer basic course. It’s been a stressful last few days and lots has been happening in general the last few weeks. I suppose the biggest news is that I will be deploying with a Hawaiian National Guard Battalion to Kuwait for a year! I am very excited about my first mission with the Army and am going though many of the feelings and preparations I have gone through in the past as I’ve prepared myself to be in foreign counties.<br /><br />This assignment came up about 2 weeks ago and the details have been in the process of working out ever since, with details and plans radically changing daily; it has stretched even my flexibility. While my unit is from the great islands of HI, our training will be held here on the mainland, so alas, I STILL don’t get to go to HI. *sigh* It sounds like they’re a great bunch of guys and I’m enormously looking forward to meeting them. It looks like we’ll be in the US for a few months training up on the details of our mission then head ‘down range’ together in late OCT, early NOV.<br /><br />I’m experiencing a mix of emotions right now and feel very aware of the transitions I’m in. Mostly I feel glad and affirmed. The Lord has guided my steps all these 17 years of following him right up to this moment. I feel very aware of how each step lead to the ones that bring me here today; how beginning to think about how my youth group was run after just being a Christian for a few months, to taking my first tentative steps to lead and care for others in my college fellowship, to my first overseas mission project, to becoming and IV staff person, to joining the Covenant, to delivering my first sermon in an African church, to leading my first mission project, to moving to Denver, to taking my 1st Oath of Office, to graduating from seminary, and now, to graduating from an Army Officer basic course…wow. In some ways, I feel like I'm going through a type of 'ordiantion' from each memeber of the Trinity - Seminary was from the Father, this school was from the Son and the one from my denomination will be from the Holy Spirit...<br /><br />One of my classmates asked me the other day if I felt prepared to be going down range. I just laughed and told him, ‘no.’ I have learned enough to understand that we never know what we think we need to know before embarking on a great journey with the Lord; there are reasons why he asked his disciples to take nothing with them on the road. I told him that in following the Lord one must learn to trust more and more and that it’s not about what you bring – no matter how great or valuable it may be – but it is about what the Lord will bestow on you as his beloved child and faithful servant as you look to him on the road he has asked you to walk.<br /><br />I feel very blessed. I have an amazing contingent of colleges in the Chaplain Corps; I really do grieve leaving here because they made such a great community even in just the short time we were here. I’ve also been reflecting on my training. I feel like I’ve done nothing but train for the last 4 solid years. The other thing I have been feeling is… sick of training – how much more can I do before I become no earthly good? This is also a good sign to me that I’ve healed a lot from my last time in ministry and am indeed ready to get out there again and see what the Lord will use me for.<br /><br />I don’t have an address yet, but I’ll post it ASAP. In the meantime – here are the PRs for the month:<br />- The biggest PR I have is that I’ll get to attend (and be prepared for) my Ordination interview 20OCT-22OCT; there is a slim possibility I can make it. This would open the possibility of being ordained next summer in the Evangelical Covenant.<br />- In conjunction with that, please pray that I am able to get leave 21-28 JUNE 2009 to come back and be ordained – again a huge leap, but God can do whatever he wants!<br />- I would love prayer for my time right now – I’m stuck at Ft Jackson for 3-25 days doing I-don’t-know-what. Pray that I get out of here quickly so I can start meeting and working with my unit at Ft Hood.<br />- I need about a 10 day window before I go down range so I can sell my truck and meet with some folks back in Denver to get my life the rest of the way arranged. Please pray for the timing on that and that I DO get the time.<br />- Pray for my unit – they are going through the normal pains of remembering how w deployment works and could use all the prayers and encouragement they can get – safety and health.<br />- Pray for me that I would be able to get done all they need ASAP and bond well with my folks.Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-57591472695259516712008-07-30T09:31:00.000-06:002008-07-30T09:32:39.801-06:00Settled in...Dear Family- Around – The – World:<br /><br />Greetings from sunny, stormy, humid Ft. Jackson, SC! Well, I’ve been here nearly 2 weeks now and am happily settling into a routine of working out, Death By Power Point (this is what we call all the classroom instruction – there is no army presenter who can present without pp…). I have really been settling in this time and am much more able to look around and be genuinely present (for the most part) to get to know my classmates and instructors better. This really is a much more laid back environment this time.<br /><br />Surprises:<br />- There are 2 instructors here from last time – wonderful, approachable, pastoral types – one is PCSing (permanent change of duty-Station) and the other is the course manager.<br />- There are *GASP* 4 (!!) Covenant Chaplains here!! I think this must be a Bermuda triangle of some sort – I don’t think I’ve seen this many even at our annual conferences! 2 are instructors, I am a student, though a full chaplain) and one is a North Park student who ALMOST went to Denver Seminary (turns out I met him and his wife when they did a visit…hummm…perhaps this why he didn’t come to DS…*insecure!*)<br />- The PT is not as stressful as last time. I feel very used to the workout schedule and it’s not such a shock to my body or mind as it was last time. <br />- I did officially pass my PT test! I heard they ‘jacked up’ (messed up) the taping for body fat for folks, so that score did not come through right – they told us this test would count as a diagnostic and not the ‘real’ thing. But I have decided to do Special Populations (sp. Pops) anyway as I feel that I do probably deserve to be there and it just is nicer doing afternoon workouts with others…<br /><br />This week has been a lot of classroom instruction on a WIDE range of topics from the bean counters (how we get/appropriate and use money in our units) to more helpful stuff for direct ministry, like how to do an annual training cycle around a deployment and all the different area of respoinsibility we will have. There has also been some good stuff on professional ethics, morality in war and practical learning as we perform Field Services in our platoons.<br />We did a live fire exercise yesterday where they paired us up with AIT (Advanced Infantry Training) soldiers and had us (and them) practice how to work with/protect a chaplain in a hostile environment. I am pleased to say our soldiers were up to the task and all the chaplains lived! I did sustain an injury in the field, however – I was ruthlessly attacked by a Yellow-Jacket Bee while standing by a bush listening to instruction….needless to say, my hand is very puffy right now and I am looking forward to the swelling to go down…<br /><br />Do continue to keep me in your prays and do keep up the correspondence – I have LOVED the little note (thanks Susie and Robin!) I’ve gotten here and the emails just give me such joy!<br /><br />Prayer Reqs:<br />- Continued good weight-loss<br />- More speed on my run time (I’d LOVE to be able to do it in 19.30 – I’m at 20.53 right now)<br />- Healing for my hand from the bee sting<br />- The presence and peace of God as I lead a practice Field Service on FridayTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-45525714693326509922008-07-21T15:07:00.002-06:002008-07-21T15:11:40.323-06:00Hey Gang - just a quick update as things get rolling here...<br /><br />I love it here. It's so much different than the last time I was here - I'm so much more confident and just know the Army so much more - I feel like I have a much better grid for knowing what's what and don't just have to take everything in. Folks here seem more laid back than last time as well...could just be me though. But there are a lot of folks from 2 years ago - instant pals! More soon - here's my mailing addy for while I'm here:<br /><br />CH (1LT) Terri King<br />USACHCS<br />CH-BOLOC Class# 08-002<br />10100 Lee Rd<br />Ft. Jackson, SC 29207-7090<br /><br />and do please pray I do ok on my APFT (fit test) this friday!!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-65265238586148956462008-07-16T15:49:00.004-06:002008-07-16T15:55:16.131-06:00Hey Gang - well in a few short hours I will start the drive back to Ft. Jackson, SC to complete my Chaplain training - YEA!! I'm totally excited this time - not at all terrified (like last time!). I'm looking forward to a nice road trip, time with friends along the way and getting into the routine at the Ft. Please keep these items in prayer - and STAY IN TOUCH! ;)<br /><br />- safe travels (Fred (my truck) is on the older side now (195k miles))<br />- good fellowship with God and f<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">riends</span> I meet along the way<br />- good establishment/integration to the routine at Jackson<br />-favor on my PT test next <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Friday</span> (25<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span>)<br />- quickly build rapport with the other chaplains/make good friends this summer<br /><br />For those of you on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Facebook</span> - check out my photo albums for some of my recent adventures. For those of you not on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">facebook</span>, it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ok</span>- I'll still post some pics here - it's just much more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">expedient</span> to post them there...<br /><br />I'll send my address again on here when I get it - I expect cards and fan mail! ;)) - love, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ter</span>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-59511970805581712172008-07-06T19:42:00.002-06:002008-07-06T20:25:50.453-06:00Reflections on Becoming Swedish...Hey Gang! I am currently in Chicago for a week-long course on the History of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Of course I procrastinated the readings for this course (about 1000 pages...really, perhaps more) until last weekend, but have managed to get it down to about 200 remaining. Now, what I hate about that is that for the last 4 or 5 days I have had relatively little I could do besides read....what I love is that now that I'm here, I am literally staring at and interacting with the buildings and streets that I've just been reading about.<br /><br />The short version is this: ok, so we've all heard of Martin Luther (famous catholic Monk and academian who posted his 95 thesis (suggestions for reform in the Catholic church) on a cathedral door on the campus he was working on in 1517 in Germany), well LONG story short -Luther's ideas change the world and every European country over the course of the next several centuries. Sweden (birth place of the ECC) is no different and by the early 1800s the Lutheran State Church is the officially sanctioned church of the people. The thing is, after several hundred years, even a good idea gets stale and people began to look again for a fresh movement of God in their lives. Pietism started in Sweden c.1800 as a movement of individuals and small groups of Christians started to gather together to read the Word and discuss how they can more deeply and fully live out the Scriptures. This is so common for us now that we instantly think - 'yeah, and?' - BUT this was revolutionary stuff 'back in the day' - at that time you were considered 'saved' if you went to church; birth an baptism into the Lutheran church = salvation, NOT personal relationship with Christ. So folks were not generally encouraged to read scripture for themselves; it was frowned on...after all how could the laity properly interpret scripture... I guess they put a little more faith in education (a good and useful thing) and not as much is the Holy Spirit (when He’s not being abused!)…So we think of someone as being 'Pious' as a really negative thing, but when it started out these cats were basically the original Charismatics -very lively and fully engaged in each other and the work of God in their lives and work...VERY COOL. <br /><br />Well, even longer story shortened, there was more and more tension between the State church and these new pious movements (these people were called lasare (readers) and later banded together in groups called Mission Friends – NOT intent on separating from the Church at all, but again seeking a more vibrant spiritual life) until eventually the Church gave them less and less recourse to splitting off and forming new groups. Out of these groups the Swedish Covenant was eventually formed. Now (we’re up to about 1880 now), there was a really grievous famine happening in Sweden, causing about 1 million Swedes to immigrate to America. There had been a fair amount of immigration happening for various reasons before this, but the famine put it over the top. Many of the immigrants settled in the mid-western states and just did what they did in Sweden – set up Mission Friend societies and made contact with their local Lutheran church (I won’t go into the whole Synod’s thing here…). Well, this was ok for a bit, but eventually what the Mission Friends wanted out of life and fellowship could not be found in the Lutheran ranks and so they split (or were booted out, as the case may be) and formally founded the (now) ECC in 1885 in Chicago.<br /><br />So it’s this interesting movement that started out with deep concern for the will of God, God moved some of them from Sweden to America where they experienced freedom to grow and become more of who God has for them to be. They’ve established a hospital, a seminary and undergrad school and a whole bunch of outreached and missions to the poor, disenfranchised and lost across the world…that’s how far I’ve gotten so far.<br /><br />NOW, here I am, little English-Hungarian girl, in the middle of what used to be a predominantly Swedish and Jewish immigrant neighborhood. I’ve spent about a solid week reading all about Swedish history and immigration history and I’m wondering…Did I sign up to become Swedish when I joined this group? Lol! I don’t know yet – I’ll keep you posted on that – but even if I did, I’m thinking that might not be a bad thing!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-53294159882339526002008-06-06T15:33:00.007-06:002008-06-06T16:25:48.047-06:00pics!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC4uTP2obdToIhDZOE4xiPTAHMLboEPfydxNdCgrBlDjNIH-o9ZU71Cx_Ur5XrM1Uw3YIuDBlpsGc0rR0f6O3Ue-JyLcUOACh5alnfAflYX0cwXI-DYlfSC7yfSoY8EkJfadpag/s1600-h/retreat.grad+072.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208896725961811778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuC4uTP2obdToIhDZOE4xiPTAHMLboEPfydxNdCgrBlDjNIH-o9ZU71Cx_Ur5XrM1Uw3YIuDBlpsGc0rR0f6O3Ue-JyLcUOACh5alnfAflYX0cwXI-DYlfSC7yfSoY8EkJfadpag/s320/retreat.grad+072.JPG" border="0" /></a> These sunset pics are from St. Benedict's Monestary in Snowmass, CO - I took them during spring break (March) when I was there on a personal retreat (GREAT time w/God!)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OL-1tA1Z89vN24C1-NrulpWOZeY4xZYU2dM-8uMxkItydIf9KOJgxVC9VWmYGwFEJS8g35GSSNuBCflLw-NoG-hKEjRvnY7i6UNpQcycMmldqVI53Q4kVbG4OUPLgXMASiHxw/s1600-h/retreat.grad+070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208895955856224994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE5OL-1tA1Z89vN24C1-NrulpWOZeY4xZYU2dM-8uMxkItydIf9KOJgxVC9VWmYGwFEJS8g35GSSNuBCflLw-NoG-hKEjRvnY7i6UNpQcycMmldqVI53Q4kVbG4OUPLgXMASiHxw/s320/retreat.grad+070.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyzbTtZB1a_q05r6h8epnzbEtvbpOPYbop-x2fSE9j4e8jjMxlODqV8mfIMo5qP1oqzGwd3hx2BFr_nkvI_MLUUy8PW6_yoZIhc1w5kCCO9u7T-tVlqvENbaSKDuCB5V6HXiww/s1600-h/DSC_0024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208894458882696130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbyzbTtZB1a_q05r6h8epnzbEtvbpOPYbop-x2fSE9j4e8jjMxlODqV8mfIMo5qP1oqzGwd3hx2BFr_nkvI_MLUUy8PW6_yoZIhc1w5kCCO9u7T-tVlqvENbaSKDuCB5V6HXiww/s320/DSC_0024.JPG" border="0" /></a> Graduation!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNS4qNzlRn0Qwm8C1IzfRb-U2VbIt4aWgcf75gKrZkR7JMmHo_awdnqVoiPAKq3qrvzeqt4NSi1qbaIgWMPZbCwe6EFqbIusT5uh2OEmivI6467Sbtkl8YoHkRQ-9R2LL1akANg/s1600-h/DSC_0049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208892106924054946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNS4qNzlRn0Qwm8C1IzfRb-U2VbIt4aWgcf75gKrZkR7JMmHo_awdnqVoiPAKq3qrvzeqt4NSi1qbaIgWMPZbCwe6EFqbIusT5uh2OEmivI6467Sbtkl8YoHkRQ-9R2LL1akANg/s320/DSC_0049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhhn7M29tJj1v8qEfif6RPfjtQlPwP8aKCzwMNCjIG0GhLR5B3KUO8yqUi9E5h5hunybhqptMgibXGLqcATm3gtVX84ITEbw8XVHyS__H36TSoA2JMxkVQyLPQysHmD6pv4eARw/s1600-h/retreat.grad+112.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208889899030298978" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhhn7M29tJj1v8qEfif6RPfjtQlPwP8aKCzwMNCjIG0GhLR5B3KUO8yqUi9E5h5hunybhqptMgibXGLqcATm3gtVX84ITEbw8XVHyS__H36TSoA2JMxkVQyLPQysHmD6pv4eARw/s320/retreat.grad+112.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is my family: L-R: Dad (Leo), Me (duhh), Christianne (Dad's wife), Scott (brother), and Mom (Hilda).<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXS_xq2Vv0yMWQcRaf4znnA9tiydv27MXG2MyhQbiRS2NBjl3BJfDj5G_VxVhcYCoY9EKlB29In_TnKro8qxqKeD6eBAoCR-W4CM4njCs6eUkOho7uW9I2xJVgt3VayVw8KRh2w/s1600-h/retreat.grad+111.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYBRpuXMRfHc0sGYIBZclenrhYNYzSgcchCACFEQOysL4uur1YtmhPJvKbSrxNjdD9oWw54TgH5HCAIEOTZdcV6_oKqHH8mWp-Iet2Fj_6Km_-Sor3kxorh-al7r6yHhe3hn2NQ/s1600-h/retreat.grad+101.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208887910139059650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYBRpuXMRfHc0sGYIBZclenrhYNYzSgcchCACFEQOysL4uur1YtmhPJvKbSrxNjdD9oWw54TgH5HCAIEOTZdcV6_oKqHH8mWp-Iet2Fj_6Km_-Sor3kxorh-al7r6yHhe3hn2NQ/s320/retreat.grad+101.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of my best buddies since I moved out here - Susan - she has been such a support to me as I wrestled through these last few years!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1r9wUMzJGFm4HjBBt0vNsD2WLDeJ3sPVGwJLwrU-b3tPZohIWjRT3BCufo1nAMgYZYejaB8i_P3_oBPN_HuGyQze9uiN7mlAbCl3ddtF5T08XOlmZEroJiT80-SZ1zxssknf9g/s1600-h/retreat.grad+098.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208886970627081394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1r9wUMzJGFm4HjBBt0vNsD2WLDeJ3sPVGwJLwrU-b3tPZohIWjRT3BCufo1nAMgYZYejaB8i_P3_oBPN_HuGyQze9uiN7mlAbCl3ddtF5T08XOlmZEroJiT80-SZ1zxssknf9g/s320/retreat.grad+098.JPG" border="0" /></a>These are two of my favorite professors: Professor Emig and Dr. Dallaire - both are lanugage teachers! (The languages were among the class I learned the most in, but had the hardest time).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l4Ax-8LMOSb45FrtAqp-4hga2vkwxGzFD7Q0BGFC3mmn_lTktaRKk6y3rVt25_1obKrKdlpRVL4z07N8XQM-o5dHQSGc52p70KNoi8282NA95odOAxl55KdxJlMSL96rsbvjeA/s1600-h/retreat.grad+109.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208885953708858130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9l4Ax-8LMOSb45FrtAqp-4hga2vkwxGzFD7Q0BGFC3mmn_lTktaRKk6y3rVt25_1obKrKdlpRVL4z07N8XQM-o5dHQSGc52p70KNoi8282NA95odOAxl55KdxJlMSL96rsbvjeA/s320/retreat.grad+109.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />This is a goofy pic of another of my closest friends - Nancee and Jess (middle) - LOVE these guys!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-60094423371203786792008-06-04T18:44:00.001-06:002008-06-04T18:46:51.231-06:00Life ...of late...Dear Ones!<br />I know, it’s been FOREVER since I updated this thing – I finally got smart and pre-wrote my thoughts on Word, so this blog would stop eating my entries. So much has happened in the last few months: finishing in Germany; getting re-commissioned into the Reserves; graduating from seminary; running in my first official race!<br /><br /><strong><u>Germany</u></strong><br />First of all – thanks so much to all of you who prayed, emailed and were available for me to bugg when I got the chance to call- you love and support meant (and means) the world to me. Germany went extremely well. I had the opportunity to see and participate in a vast array of ministry stuff while there. I was able to serve 200 hundred soldiers by doing ‘spot-check’ pastoral care as they processed their paperwork for deployment (these soldiers are all down-range now), participate in and partially lead a singles retreat and spend about five days in a field training exercise (FTX) with a group that deployed about two weeks after I left. I was privileged to work with some really soft-hearted, humble chaplains who gave me ample opportunities to serve and learn; I am so grateful for their ministry to me during that time.<br />Additionally, I was able to spend some time as a tourist. I got to see some of the cities of Nuremberg, Garmicsh (ski town), Bamberg and brief glimpses of several others en route to other destinations. (And yes, Dad, I did ride the train!) I think the absolute highlight as a tourist was seeing a live performance of Carmina Baranah (130 person choir – men’s, women’s AND children’s) and a Mozart piano duet performance at a Nuremberg concert hall – it was truly spectacular! (Susie – you would have DIED for the organ in that hall!!)<br /><br /><strong><u>Re-commissioning<br /></u></strong>So, it’s funny what was hectic and what was not this last semester. One would expect that the last semester in seminary would be one of frenetic finishing. Far from it. This was the most tame semester perhaps of my higher education career. Some of this was planned; I save easier classes for the end and did the scarier stuff early to give myself ‘fail’ room (I did not fail…so I had more time than I anticipated). But what was hectic were the other 2 ‘legs’ of the 3-legged stool that are the Army, ECC (church) and Seminary. This semester I ended up taking two trips to continue along the ‘ordination trail’ in the ECC process. I took a week-long class in KS on Vocational Excellence (VocEx) and a three day trip about a month later to Omaha to do the interview for my pastoral license.<br /><br />The VocEx class was TERRIFIC. They had us do a battery of psychological tests prior to coming out and then formatted the week to be a really cool hybrid of class and retreat. It turns out that I am actually sane (wheew!), but that I suck at self-care (what a shock). This was, in a weird way, good to hear as this was something that I had been thinking/praying about for a while before this retreat – so I took it as a confirmation that this is something God is speaking into my life. I spend much of the rest of the semester talking and praying about things gleaned from this retreat; what a great growth time.<br /><br />The trip to Omaha, while completely nerve-wracking, went very well. I think I had emed y’all some about that one, so I’ll spare you some of the details now. It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to meet other Covenant pastors and let them get to know me some. And in the end, they decided that I could be a pastor, too ;). Now, for those of you who are unfamiliar with this process – this was NOT ordination – that is scheduled to be next summer…but more on that later. For now, I am a licensed pastor, under the authority of other ordained pastors.<br />The other thing that kept me hopping this semester was putting together a ‘packet’ for the Army to be re-commissioned into the Reserves. And, no, I have no idea why they do this – I keep my same rank (1LT), and my time in service/grade counts from the time I first commissioned, not this new one. But the one real difference is that I am now considered a full chaplain (as opposed to a candidate), but they have asked me to wait to take a local position or wear the cross on the uniform (Christian chaplains wear this in addition to rank) until I finish Chaplain School this summer…but more on that later… Needless to say, we got the packet done and I was accepted…but it did take quite a bit of attention to details that I did not feel I had the energy for… (PLT)<br /><br /><strong><u>Graduation</u></strong><br />Well, I officially have a Masters degree now (yea!*and there was much rejoicing*). I received my MDiv w/a concentration in Chaplaincy on 17 MAY. This was one of those truly spectacular weekends for me. It will live in my heart and memory as one of the personal greats for a long time to come. There were many wonderful surprises God had for me: many of you sent cards and well wishes on em (SO COOL!) and many came out to my graduation party that afternoon (SO FUN!!); my entire immediate family was able to come out (dad, Christianne (dad’s wife), mom and brother) and celebrate – it was SO AWESOME to have them meet my Colorado family and visa versa; and an additional surprise was that I was co-awarded the Chaplaincy award for my class. This is given to the students (2) who the school believes have demonstrated excellence in and great potential for chaplain work in the future. It was a VERY unexpected honor (I heard I turned grey when they called my name).<br /><br />The rest of the day was devoted to picture taking, catching up w/folks during the open-house at my apartment and an EXCELLENT dinner at a local Italian restaurant. The next day I saw family off to the airport and had a wonderful breakfast with my dad and his wife before they left in the early afternoon. It was truly a weekend of blessings for me.<br /><br /><strong><u>What’s happened since graduation?</u></strong><br />I have been enjoying some absolutely EXCELLENT down time. I have kicked my work out routine into high-gear (lose the ‘stress pounds’ gained at the end of the semester) and recently ran the Boulder-Boulder, a 10K (6.2mi) fun race in the city of Boulder, CO. It was SO FUN. My time was miserable (1.27), but it was a hoot to see people in costumes, local garage bands out on the sidewalks, and the literally thousands of people who came out to run and encourage. My friends Jess and PJ were in the race with me and my friend Susan was our ‘pit crew,’ carrying extra clothes/bags to the finish line for us. I heard there were 53,000 (yes, thousand) who participated in the race this year – the biggest in its 30 year history! <br /><br />Additionally, I have joined a local soft-ball mixed adult league; we’re 3 and 1 now (not too shabby!). I’ve also recently read the book “The Shack” – an interesting fictional interpretation of the Trinity in a so-so story format. I was blessed with some gift certificates to a book store and have started to read Mother Teresa’s story (the controversial one that includes clips from her diary) – it is SO COOL to read about a modern mystic… and I have also picked up Great Expectations by Dickens (wanted to read it for a long time). My days have been filled with good work outs, excellent people time – catching up with friends old and new – some reading, some emailing, some prepping the rest of the summer, teaching a guitar student (who is AWESOME!), contemplating playing guitar more myself, vegging and generally enjoying the grace God has poured out on my life currently.<br /><br /><strong><u>What’s Next?</u></strong><br />The June looks pretty much the same as above. Starting July 7th I will be in Chicago at North Park Theological Seminary for a week long history of the Covenant class (another step in the ordination process- and a very interesting topic (I love history)), then I will have about a week to get the paper for that class done and pack up for about 2 months of Army training back at Ft. Jackson, SC. I will be finishing the Chaplain office basic course which will qualify me to deploy (war zone) or mobilize (non-war zone). I have one more event to attend for my ordination qualification in late October, but I am looking for and hoping the Army will send me off somewhere in the world sometime starting in November. At this point it does not look like I will need to move anytime soon, so I expect I’ll be back in CO in early September – though I will have my celly on me, so DO CALL ME ANYTIME!<br /><br /><strong><u>Prayer reqs.<br /></u></strong>I love what I’m doing and finally preparing to do. Please pray God would open a door for me to ‘get crackin’’ in November. The timing on this will be somewhat critical for me as student loans will come knocking very shortly thereafter, and I would really like to honor my obligations!<br />Ok, so that’s CERTAINLY enough for now…I have some reflections on life as of late I’ve been pondering, but I’ll spare you for the moment until I can get this and some pics loaded…<br />Thanks for being here for me – I appreciate and love you guys to death!Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-45511493438151509032008-01-13T04:28:00.000-07:002008-01-13T04:44:21.533-07:00The Middle...Hey Gang - sorry it's been so long since I wrote - more mess with computers and timing. This has been a very good and eventful week for me. I was able to work with 200 soldiers who were preparing to deploy over the next few months at something called a PDP (pre-depolyment somthing...) The first day I worked with another chaplain who treined me in what the event was and what our role in it was to be - mainly checking ID tags, signing paperwork and checking in with them on their basic emotional health as they prepare for this deployment to Iraq or Afganistan. It was a real blessing to be the pastor caring these men and women as they went through this event.<br /><br />I was also blessed to be able to be a part of something called a CRC meeting (Case Review Commitee) which tries to intevene in soliders, dependants and civilians' lives when they get complicated on base - this is a stop gap measure desigend to help families before there needs to be more judicial/leagal involvment with the families. It was good to learn how the commitee (comprised of social workers, an MP, a Lawyer, a Doctor and the comander of the base as well as the chaplain) works and the types of things I can expect to get involved with once I'm doing this full-time. It's pretty mesy, but the light never shines so bright as when it's darkest.<br /><br />I will be going on a field excercise this week (FTX) and have managed to get some gear together to prepare for it. It's a time of practicing how a unit (or batallion or brigade - different sized groups) will work when they are in a deployed situation. The group I will be going with will deploy in the next year, so this training, while in some moments will be fun, in many moments will be fairly serious learning as they prepare for real life stuff.<br /><br />Personally, I find myslef again in between two worlds - not quite a civilain not quite a solider, though more one than the other (not sure which). I have manged to make some good connections with people here, so it feels a little saddening to leave, though I do miss friends in the states - thus, the two worlds thing. Please pray for me and my troups this week as we 'play' in the field - that we stay safe as we practice. Pray for me, too as I prepare to come back to CO for my semester of seminary. I return on the 24th. - love, TerTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-56259450876194660752007-12-21T03:39:00.000-07:002007-12-21T05:37:10.347-07:00Acclimating...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo1pu2WQGIYi2U-ltf4bwFcJuaL4noRWVemJiFLKs_kFIbzDLOHYsMyfxFFFsqlOZllpiRqsrAy5nlatz5DEO_xO1saQba3mv19legHoBdOB0BcrrV7TVd4W9408yC2MgVCM2Kw/s1600-h/PC170044.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146403802971766946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo1pu2WQGIYi2U-ltf4bwFcJuaL4noRWVemJiFLKs_kFIbzDLOHYsMyfxFFFsqlOZllpiRqsrAy5nlatz5DEO_xO1saQba3mv19legHoBdOB0BcrrV7TVd4W9408yC2MgVCM2Kw/s320/PC170044.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYpRxeZwPPp6cQyUvWtP_PpEvDirhJc9_nXsQspUZ73u3T88-_ZSv-gackX0sNE-JUr-yAEStE0VZicG5XhEGCmR9EMbPw-WBjg06UcesQNkqgQlUfnDsUuH6hyMdRkDr2gRfIw/s1600-h/PC190048.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5146400461487210642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOYpRxeZwPPp6cQyUvWtP_PpEvDirhJc9_nXsQspUZ73u3T88-_ZSv-gackX0sNE-JUr-yAEStE0VZicG5XhEGCmR9EMbPw-WBjg06UcesQNkqgQlUfnDsUuH6hyMdRkDr2gRfIw/s320/PC190048.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Greetings Friends!! Well I've been here a week now and am fairly well over the jet lag. It is bloody cold here, though not really more than CO or even RI this time of year - consistantly in the 30s - I've just been on foot for everything, so I'm much more aware of it. I have managed to get my American-in- Germany drivers license (there are lots of nifty road signs I had to learn...).<br /><br />You know you're on an Army base when you say this sentence: "Oh, Sergent - do you have a minute to take a picture of me in front of that tank?"...that was one of my more favorite things to have had the opportunity to say since I've been here...<br /><br />So far, a 'typical' day is shaping up to be: 0630 workout, breakfast/reset, go to the post chapel, meet folks, do in-processing stuff and try to jump on anything I see the other chaplains doing. It looks like I will get to see/particiapate in a singles solider's retreat in two week - this will be fun, since I've only atteneded a couples retreat so far! (and yes, I was sinlge for that, too! *lol*) I hope to do some ride-alongs with the local MPs and perhaps some range time with one of the batallions that will be deploying later this year.<br /><br />Personally, I've been doing very well with the exception of some confusion on my housing that has come up. Some of the SGTs around here are telling me my orders will not cover the place I'm staying in, though it is the typical place I stay on these stints - so, not sure if there's some European thing my command/I am not aware of. Do pray for me that this will be favorably resolved as it could mean a thousand dollars out of my own pocket if it goes badly.<br /><br />Other than that, I've been enjoying meeting new people, exploring my neighborhood, on and off post and checking out downtown Bamberg's Christmas Market. I'm thinking I'll head down to Nurenberg over the weekend and see what's happening there. Brats are perhaps the worlds most perfect food here...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm still working through buggs on gettings pics uploaded...so...the above was the only one I could get today... more to come! - ter</div></div>Terrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-68419846351521185692007-12-16T10:54:00.000-07:002007-12-16T10:57:39.712-07:00Greetings From Bamberg!Hi Friends! I have safely arrived at Bamber USA Garrison! I only have a few minutes to write before this place closes, so I'll be brief:<br />you can snail mail me at :<br />Bamberg Inn Lodging<br />USAG Bamberg<br />1LT Terri King<br />CMR 459<br />APO AE 09139<br /><br />I'm working on a cell/skype, just sent off my addy to the Geeksquad folks who have my laptop, so that'll still be a while...<br /><br />I'm doing terrific, despite jetlagging out of my skull...have jumped in with both feet, as usual - more to come - thanks for all the GREAT encourgaments/notes/ prayers - SOOO appriciated - keep up the good work! - love, TerTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14114920.post-11206746207713154862007-12-13T14:54:00.000-07:002007-12-13T14:57:27.210-07:00Traveling!Hey Guys - Do pray for me today - I am traveling and it looks like I will not have my laptop for a few days? Weeks? Best Buy/ Geek Squad has it and won't let it go... they tell me they'll mail it to me IN GERAMNY... pray that that happens qucikly - I dont' think I can get skype/firgure out skype w/o it... - so, prayers too that I will adjust well w/o close friends at hand. I'm doing very well - finshed calsses last night (!) and am stoked to be going!! Stay in touch (I will find termainls along the way) - love TerTerrihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16972411376566560477noreply@blogger.com5