Leigh, the girls and I rode down to Santa Barbara for lunch today on news that the USS Ronald Reagan was anchored in the harbor. You may or may not know that we are huge Reagophiles and generally refer to him in hushed tones around the house as Ronaldo Magnus. Apparently I am not alone, since a CNN poll found him to be the top rated president in our history, even in front of Honest Abe and JFK. Anywho, it was an awesome sight to see--a ship almost as long as the Empire State Building is high! And to know that it was named after an incredible leader and gentleman. I understand several sailors from the Reagan were even given a tour of the Reagan Ranch in Goleta. We're working a similar tour for our missile students, but more of an ethics retreat. I came in the Air Force the first time (1983) on the sheer enthusiasm Reagan inspired for America. Man, we miss him.
Well, we're back . . . after 7,000 miles with three chatty little girls in tow. Wow, don't I feel refreshed! Sure sorry I couldn't give an imbedded account of life in the military's Space Available travel system, but I was having computer problems and some fairly significant emotional trauma. Stay tuned over the next few daysand I'll try to give you a glimpse of this adventure on the installment plan.
throttle, and we are speeding down the pre-dawn runway at Travis AFB at what I would estimate to be 100 mph, the right emergency exit door flies open. That's rightfolks, I said OPEN--wide open! I was only one row back, and I could see runway and everything. I'm just a chaplain, so what do I know? Still, that didn't look right to me. Aren't all of the doors supposed to be closed when you are taking off? (See, I did learn something during my time as chaplain of the 305th OG at McGuire!) My first reaction to the fresh C-5 exhaust in my face was, "Hey, I've been awake for about 24 hours trying to negotiate a ride on this bird, so I'm probably just having the beginnings of a really bad dream." The fog of morning (0530 at that time), the scream of the jet engines (which are loud enough without the door open), made it seem like it was all happening in a surreal slow-motion. That thought didn't last long, because my second reaction was to scream like a girl (my best command voice at the time). In a second, I shot up and began yelling at the head loadmaster, who was reading the paper, "ABORT! ABORT THE TAKE-OFF!" (something else I picked up from my AMC days). Of course, he couldn't hear me, nor could he see the problem. So I screamed with my best preacher voice, "ABORT-THE- TAKE-OFF--THE DOOR IS OPEN! PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD!" (OK, I didn't actually say that last part, but I sure was thinking it). So he trots up the aisle (with a speed nowhere near commensurate with my fear) looks at the door, picks it up and resets it in place. And here's the kicker--he then returns to his seat without a word and picks up his newspaper finding the spot where he left off! Leigh, sitting three rows back, leans forward with the understatement of the morning, "Should I be worried?" "No dear," I said, my voice squeaking only a little this time. My mind was racing. Just before take-off, I had made Sarah and Rachel sit behind me. Didn't really think about it, I just did it. Now I know why. You could say a sovereign God made the first of His many inteventions on this trip. Later in the flight, I called the junior loadmaster aside and asked if he had ever seen anything like that before. He said no, and neither had the MSgt (who apparently had kept his newspaper from blowing out the door). I couldn't decide if that was good or bad, so I kept my eye on that little yellow handle that latched the emergency door . . . for the rest of the flight. First impressions are lasting impressions, they say. Thus went our first impression of Space-A, or as we now call it, "Space-AAAUUUGGHH!!!"
mily--19 glorious days in all. Yes, the West coast is nice, but the South coast is home. We'll be taking a Space-A flight (probably a C-17) from Travis AFB in San Francisco to Charleston AFB. ITS FREE! You just have to be ready to go when they call you name for available seats. From Chas, we'll head up to Spartanburg where we'll be 30 July-6 August, then down to Georgetown 7-12 August. Almost all of our families are there, as well as two congregations that Andy pastored for 10 years. A lot of living was done down in that heat and humidity! All of the girls were born there, but only Sarah and Abby will remember much about it. We will have to fill Rachel in on the details (why do I think that will be a futile exer
cise?). Of course, the only real detail they care much for is "where is the beach?!" We will try to keep the blog up if I can successfully get it up and running on my lapto
p. Next post will be from Dixie!
enuine cowboy, he has worked on ranches from Florida to California. In fact, he will be moving to Arizona shortly to work a dude ranch. Ron and Sarah had a great conversation. But when Sarah told him I was in the 
Air Force, he took a special shining to me and wanted to chat with the "Capt'n" all the way up and down the mountain. Thanked me for serving and everything. He also asked me twice to pray for him when he discovered I was a chaplain. I was glad to do it as he seemed to be really reaching out. Sarah's favorite part of the ride was when we trotted. But we paid for it later when we dismounted--we hobbled back to the truck walking like John Wayne himself. Rachel and Abby rode a pony in the corral while Leigh sneezed her head off (horse allergies, you know). We had a big time today, but we really want to thank God for that blessing in our lives who is Sarah. She grows more special to us each day. 
d brokenness over sin as she was alone in her room (Abby informed Leigh that Sarah was crying). In fact, Leigh was next door for a quick visit with a neighbor when all of this occurred. But it happened over an open Bible, where Sarah read, wept over her sin, and was gloriously birthed into the Kingdom of God.
g them drift back into sin, and even being hardened to the gospel), we have some pause. Nothing is worse than thinking you have something you really don't, except finding that out when it is too late. Hopefully, we have faithfully presented that message to this little one. But as it stands now, we rejoice! Ultimately, our faith is not in Sarah's "decision" anyway, but in the Lord's good pleasure to save His elect ones--and to keep them. He who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it unto the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). And so we celebrate, and hope you will too--particulary you family and friends who have imparted gospel influence to Sarah, and prayed for her salvation. We are grateful for all you have done. Now may the ultimate glory and honor go to the pardoning God of heaven and earth . . . to His Son who has translated us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Amen.
