Zero Week

It has been a long but very wonderful week.  I had planned to post a blog once a week but there may be too much happening in this time period to report.  We arrived Sunday and met the school cadre and each other, settled into our rooms and prepared for what is termed 0 week - a week of in processing.  This included a lot of paperwork to cover finance, insurance, personal records; we also did our dental and medical checks.

On Monday, while coming out of the Clothing and Sales store I received my first salute.  A Sergent First Class provided me this opportunity and I handed him my silver dollar - a tradition in the military, stemming from the pay that officers would give to enlisted aids they would hire.  I was happy that it went to an NCO who recognized what it was about.

That afternoon I was interviewed for a leadership position in the class, I was subsequently assigned as the 1st Platoon Platoon Leader - the All American Platoon.  This is a great honor, not only to be in this position but to also represent the 82nd Airborne.  Our Platoon song is "All American Soldier".  I have a great group of Chaplains and Candidates and I have the utmost confidence in them and our ability to perform.

Tuesday was filled with dental and medical processing, I ended up needing a filling but they were able to do that that very morning.  Wednesday was very cold and we completed our medical processing.

On Thursday I received and incredibly honor and an even better surprise.  We were addressed by the school leaders.  CH (Col) Boone, the school commandant, was the first to speak and at the end he called me to the front.  I had no idea what was about to happen, but as I stood at attention facing the class he commended me on my initiative and leadership ability in setting up our class Facebook page, he then presented me with his personal coin.  These are known as challenge coins and are a matter of unit pride, CH (Col) Boone's coin is very unique as it is wooden.

He then surprised me even further by announcing that Denise and Cody were here in the back of the room to see this - needless to say I was shocked, I had spoken to Denise that very morning and she had said nothing of all this!  This was a wonderful surprise and even though they are moving down here at the end of this next week it was great having them here this weekend with me.



Today we attended the post Jewish service.  This was for a number of reasons - first, I am required to attend five different post services and report on them; second, Denise has become good friends with Ms. Stephanie Alexander, a Lay Jewish leader here on post and the person responsible for a number of our blessings here, and there is great opportunity to learn.  After the service we attended some down time with the basic training and AIT soldiers here on post, very young men and women away from home.  It was a blessing to see how I can minister to them, to just talk to them and encourage them.

I am humbled by the Chaplains in class with me, we are what I believe to be the example of Christian leadership - here we are, all from different denominations and backgrounds, we even have three Rabbis with us - yet we have put this all aside to serve God, Country and the men and women who protect us.  I am, and my family is, exactly where God wants us.

A Song of Ascents. I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. The LORD will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.
(Psa 121:1-8)

"Civil Prayer" repost

For a while now I have been wanting to write a post on the controversy of ministering in a pluralistic environment, particularly the subject of prayer and praying in the name of Jesus.

Chaplain Paul Lynn, a brother whom I have come to know through his blog and emails and even though we have not met in person - a good friend, wrote on this very subject on his blog (please visit the link)

worth my salt - civil prayer


Since accepting this call to the Army Chaplaincy (note- a calling by God, not a personal decision) I have met with questions, concerns and even criticism over this subject.  One thing that needs to be clarified - the Army Chaplaincy is a pluralistic environment, not pluralistic religion.  My duty as a chaplain is first and foremost to serve God by serving the soldiers, secondly is to provide for the freedom of religion to all soldiers.  Is this a contradiction?  I believe no; God gave us the freewill to choose to follow or believe in Him because He desires us to come to know Him out of love.  Should we mere humans be any different?

Father Joseph O’Donnell, a retired Vietnam Chaplain describes the chaplain's ministry this way; “he must have the willingness to accept people where they are in their understanding of life and faith, not where the chaplain would like them to be. No matter how firm I am in my approach to God, I cannot have the last word for anyone else.”

This past weekend my home church held an ordination and farewell ceremony for me and my family.  One of the songs that was played during the service was "They will know we are Christians by our Love".  This is how I want to be identified.  I want every soldier in my care; Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Atheist, or whatever their belief, to know that I love them enough that they will feel comfortable in coming to me for help or guidance without the fear of criticism or admonishment - God will take care of the rest.  He put me here in the first place and I trust Him to know what He is doing.

For God and Country

"For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD" Jer 29:11

   Today we had my ordination and farewell ceremony at New Life Authentic Christian Community Church (yes I was ordained a year ago by WCICC, but today was a special occasion as my church laid their hands of approval upon me).  For those who have never seen an ordination; it is a reflection of Acts 13 where Barnabas and Saul are set apart from the church by the Holy Spirit - called to leave them do go and do God's work.  The people prayed and laid hands upon Barnabas and Saul and sent them away.  During the service today the elders, deacons and members of the church laid their hands upon me and my family to pray for us as they sent us away to serve in the Army Chaplaincy.

   It was 6 years ago this month that God called us to this new plan in our life.  I can still remember it clearly, we were seated in the third row back on the right side of the church.  Pastor Steve was preaching on answering God's call, according to Denise - I do not remember this as I was overcome with emotion.  I remember feeling God's presence and there were no words but I knew he was calling me to ministry and at that time I was sure it was to the Army Chaplaincy.  Denise told me later she saw the tears coming down my face and felt nervous, but when we got out to our truck I just broke down and cried, I told her and the kids what was going on and that began it all.
   A few days later Steve came by the house and we spoke, he agreed that this was truly a calling from God.  Three weeks more I was in school -an example of God's incredible ability.

Pastor Steve Clark - My Mentor and Friend

   It has been a long 6 years - a BS in Religion and two Masters Degrees.  Many lessons learned and the experience of discipling our next generation of leaders in a Christian High School.  I have seen the good and the bad of American Christianity and I have seen the love that can only be from God present in friends and family as we have endured the trials and tribulations that have molded us and prepared us for this incredible ministry we are about to enter.

   We will miss Catawba County NC and all the friends we leave behind, thank you for being there for us and for allowing us to grow as we have over these years.

   I read a quote this week by Charles Spurgeon: "The Lord gets His best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction"   What a blessing to read such words and reflect upon where we have been and where we are going.  I pray and ask you to pray that God will continue to lead our lives and we will be able to serve Him as faithfully as He has been with us through these years.

Encouragement

As Jan 10th gets closer and closer I have been asked the best way to stay in touch with us.  Living so far away from family it will be hard for our local family to stay connected.   Knowing that we will be in great need of prayer over the next year with all the changes and separations I wanted to take a moment to share our "social networks" with everyone.  For the most part they are connected

Blog:  chaplainjim.blogspot.com
          chaplainwifearmy.blogspot.com

Facebook:  jjmitchem
                  dmmitchem

twitter: jjmitchem
           dmmitchem

For an update on what is going on.  I took my oath last Saturday so I am now officially in the Army again.  We are also moving up the timeline for our big move this spring.  Knowing that I will be deploying this summer we want the family to be all settled in as fast as possible in Hawaii.  With this, we are scheduling to have our household goods along with one vehicle picked up the last week in Feburary so they will be waiting for us when we arrive.  Denise and Cody will move down to Ft Jackson and we will leave from there.

We are finding homes for our animals, way too expensive and too dangerous for them to go through the long process of getting them to Hawaii.  This is the hardest since they are part of the family.

As I prepare personally for all this I was led to post the following to my future Chaplain School classmates:

ENCOURAGEMENT: The following is what I have come to know as the Ranger Verse: 

"I don't say this out of need. for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content, whe...ther well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who stengthens me." (Php 4:11-13)

We will be taken care of and I am comforted in knowing how many will be praying us through this journey.

"For God and Country"

 

My Published Wife!

Just a quick post here because I am going to provide a link to an article written by my beautiful wife for Army Wife Magazine.  It is on page 18  I am so proud of her!!

www.armywifemagazine.com

Once there, click in the middle where it says "Click Here"

Tropic Lightning

Well, our official orders have finally arrived.  We are being assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

We are very excited about this news and feel incredibly blessed to both have the opportunity to serve in such a front line combat unit as well as to live in Hawaii.  It will be a small consolation to know that Denise and Cody will be in living in paradise when I inevitably deploy, which I was told is now a "high probability"

We have also been blessed with getting to know my fellow classmates through a facebook group page.  I can already see some close and long lasting friendships forming.  It is amazing how most of us have similar views on our calling to this ministry and how we are to serve God in such an environment and still be a witness for Christ.  I know there are many that question our abilities in such a position and even ask how we can subject ourselve to such limitations. But, I believe that evangelism can take place in many forms, especially in living out the life of Christ by loving others the way that we are loved by God.  A chaplain is in the midst of the soldiers, he or she is embedded in their lives, their work and their brotherhood.  By just being there and loving them as God would have us we are evangelizing through the example of living a Christ-like life.

Next on the agenda: taking my oath.  We are still hopeful that we will be able to travel north to do my Oath at the Lincoln Memorial with our good friends, Dave and Michelle from Ft Meade.  They are in the midst of battling a houseful of sick kids -possibly H1N1 so please remember them in your prayers.

Hurry up and wait

It has been almost a month since my last post.  Once again we are in the waiting cycle of the "Hurry up and wait" process so long associated with the military.  I found this today as I was surfing the net looking for inspiration for a paper I am currently writing:

"Hurry up and wait"
"It's an expression long associated with life in the armed forces: the endless lines, the delays while an assignment is being readied, the long night before a major battle, and finally, the anticipation of final orders. For some who serve during war, the sounds of battle remain tantalizingly distant, as they are left waiting stateside for the duration."

We are still awaiting orders, paperwork to tell us where we will be stationed after Chaplain school as well as the paperwork I need to take my oath as an officer of the United States Army.  We are still excited but this anticipation of the unknown is killing us.

Dear Lord, grant me the patience to endure this wait and the comfort knowing You are still in charge and will put us where it is Your desire.  Amen