I spent much of the sermon last night spacing out with a thousand yard stare as my wife constantly reminded me. I am trying to be present. The stress, anticipation, and anxiety of knowing I will have to be separated from my wife and family…and not knowing when or where or how long.
One analogy that comes to mind is the soldier in the foxhole in the Battle of the Bulge as portrayed in Band of Brothers. I might not know when or where or how but it’s coming.
Year long deployments or unaccompanied tours overseas are common in the military such that marriages and families become stronger or break apart because of the separation.
I fear that a sentence of multiple years might be too much for my wife. My goal at the present moment is to demonstrate I am a candidate for leniency in consideration of necessary punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation.
I began volunteering for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance center (VITA) to not only learn taxes but learn how to interact with tax clients (pro bono). I realize how much joy comes from providing a necessary, valuable service. The “clients”, or families in need of a pro bono tax return preparation, are generally grateful and patient for the assistance.
Interesantemente, yo puedo ayudar a los hispanohablantes porque estudiaba español por 7 años en la escuela secundaria.
The VITA Supervisor, Mr. Sing Lee, generally sends any Spanish speaking clients over to me. One irony is that tax preparation skills can be taught in 20-30 hours while Spanish requires months or years. VITA has become a wonderful opportunity to practice Spanish right here at home with native speakers.
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Today at Davison Army Airfield, the LTs and CPTs joined the Battalion Commander for rappelling off a tower as well as a tour of the 911th Technical Rescue Engineering Company which conducts rescue operations in the National Capital Region.
This evening I am eyeing a Narcotic’s Anonymous meeting at the suggestion of my mentor in order to test another approach to “psychedelic use” beyond Chaplain Counseling and church groups.
