Two Unforgettable Sights....

Check out these bad boys--"The Twins" @ Sequioia Nat'l Park. That's Leigh and the girls standing to the right (left click for a better view). That sort of big sets one to pondering, "What was God thinking when He made this?" If the desired effect was to mess with our heads, He nailed it. These things don't look real, folks. So I think trees are special to the Lord . . . particularly that one that held His Son.

In honor of us leaving California, they shot off a very large bottle rocket, aka, a Delta 4 last night. They said it was to launch a spy satellite, but we like to think of it as a nice gesture to send us off. Seriously though, it is remarkable the knowledgethat the Lord has freely put into the mind of man. These guys with the pocket protectors are definitely recipients of divine wisdom when they can put a rocket into orbit flying 14,000+ mph. A rocket launched from Vandenberg AFB will be over the Falkland Islands within 30 minutes. If you're interested, check out www.spaceflightnow.com for some good pics of last night's launch. Of course, Leigh's look even better, don't you agree? A.T.

T-minus 10 days left for us in California. Man I'm gonna miss the view . . . .

So Long Golden State...

Well, the sun is setting on our time here in the Golden State. Packers come in one week and then a week in lodging on the base. We head out on Saturday, July 8, 2006. We are living out Johnny Cash's song "I've Been Everywhere." Seriously though, we would appreciate your prayers for safety (and sanity- traveling with 3 little girls for 3,000 miles puts James 1 to the test!) We hope to see some of you along the way. We will spend a few days in SC with family, then up to VA to get settled.
Some good news- Leigh got a teaching job at the elementary school in our new neighborhood. She'll be teaching First Grade, while Rachel is in all day Kindergarten and Abigail is in Second Grade there. All the girls are excited about Mommy's new job- Sarah can't wait to help grade papers.

Some things we'll miss about CA- no humidity, cool temps, the Pacific, the beautiful mountains, the sunsets, the strawberries, and In-and-Out Burgers.
Some things we won't miss- the wind, the fog, the LA traffic, and the gas prices!
All in all, we are so blessed to have seen and experienced this beautiful place.
We are also blessed to get to see this country from sea to shining sea! It is truly America, the beautiful. Blessings to you and yours.

My Father Rejoices...

If you live in our house, chances are pretty good that you have many nicknames. Well, June 1st marks a special day for a special little girl, affectionately known as "Abby-girl", "Abby-dinks", "Cutie-gail", and "Sweet Abby".... Abigail Grace is turning seven! "Abigail" means "My Father rejoices" and "Grace" means "unmerited gift." She continues to live up to her precious name. Her birthday is special even though none of us were there the day she came into the world. But God, in His mercy, was there and preserved her until 5 months later when she became our little girl. It seems like she's always been with us. She is made of lots of sugar and a little spice. She's happy, assertive, VERY social, athletic, beautiful and quite oblivious. It's adorable. The Lord continues to show her His grace and continues to bless us to be her family and watch her grow.
We love you!
Happy Birthday, Abigail!

The Woman of My Dreams

Name droppers. You know the type--can't get through a conversation without giving you their resume and listing the important people they know. I don't really care for their company, and you probably don't either. Still, I hope you don't mind me sharing a little story about a 5 second encounter I had with Nancy Reagan a couple of weeks ago.

I make no secret of the fact that I am a Reaganphile (like many of you). I loved the man. Cried when he died. And I still miss him. He was, in no small part, responsible for me joining the Air Force the first time (way back in 1983). I even sent him a letter telling him so, and he wrote back--real White House letterhead, signature, and everything (unlike the stamped post card I received in reply from a letter I sent the 42nd POTUS). Ronald Reagan was a complex, even elusive man. Even his children express that there was a mystery about his innermost thoughts. Close friends said he was very friendly, but they didn't really know him. But one person did. She knew him like no other on earth, and I got to stand by her and shake her hand. Somebody pinch me--I love the Air Force!

As the photo-op broke up, eveyone walked away rather quickly, since the next group was coming up for a shot (and probably because the Secret Service was eyeballing us pretty good). But I was determined to say something to this remarkable little lady who had Ronald Reagan wrapped around her pinky all their married life. So I reached for her hand and said, "Ma'am, I want to thank you for showing America how to love your spouse." She smiled, demurred, and I walked away really believing what I had just said. Say what you will about the Reagans, but only a fool would doubt that those two were google-eyed in love all their days together. Read the love notes they wrote to each other right up till the end of Ronald Reagan's sanity and you will see they weren't faking it for the cameras.

On the eve of the 16th anniversary of sheer bliss with the woman of my dreams, I only hope I can have a tenth of the Reagan passion for my mate. She rates all of my energy and love. She never bores me. She is my life apart from Christ. I pray the Lord keeps me from making an idol of the lady, because its hard not to. I understand they celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, yet that light you see in the western sky Friday is not Mexico, but the glow of a grateful husband's heart in central California, celebrating the time of my life with the lady of my dreams.

It All Started With A Mouse...

Well, we just got back from a trip to the Wonderful World of Disneyland. Wow-
From the flower beds, to every employee we encountered, to the beautifully detailed rides, the parades, the shows, the musicians, the princesses, it was truly unforgettable. There is certainly attention to detail which is evident at every turn. We wondered why it had taken us so long to make it there...until we got in line with the other "one hundred billion" people there the same weekend. Even with the crowds, we had an unbelievably fun time making lots of memories. Sarah is fearless- from the fastest roller coaster to the haunted mansion, she'll do anything! Abigail wants to ride it all until it starts and then the tears begin. When the ride is over and the tears are gone, inevitably she said "Could I ride this again?" We're not sure what Rachel saw as her head was usually buried in one of our arms. She maintains that her favorite was the log ride in which she squealed with glee. We left with the sense that we needed a couple more days to see it all. Oh well, maybe next time. It took Leigh 37 years, but she finally met Minnie!


An answered prayer- the Lord has provided a home to rent in Virginia. We are so thankful that He is always faithful to work out all the details!
Blessings...

Exciting Times

March 7th marks a special day for our family. Our little Rachel will be five years old. On that day five years ago, we sat beside a brave, selfless young woman who handed us the greatest gift anyone could give. She gave us our baby girl. You're busy, smart and the happiest little person I know. Happy Birthday, Rachel! --Love, Mom

Rachie Lou. Wow, you've changed! And for the better. From screaming during your first 6 mos of existence, to smiling almost perpetually, you are a different girl. You are a special girl. Not many people I know can look up into the sky and see Jesus' legs hanging out of a cloud. Blessed child, God's hand of grace is upon you--has been long before we knew you. What a wonder to watch His providence in your life. You've been on this earth only 5 years, but I feel like you've been in my heart forever. Indeed, I know you will be. --Love, Dad

Well, the word is in. We are headed to Washington, D.C. this summer. Andy was selected for an AFIP (Air Force Intern Program) assignment. We are excited to head back east. We are already looking forward to traveling back across this great land. Hope to see some of you along the way and lots of you back in the Promised Land (below the Mason-Dixon). Take care and give your families our love.

That Tears It!

For anyone who thought the US should not be engaged in a war, take a look at this: Ronald McDonald being pummeled! Poor guy . . . just sitting there, minding his own Mcbusiness, and then being attacked (obviously by the kitchen crew from Burger King)! If it were the Hamburgler I could understand--he's unsavory. Or even Mayor McCheese, whose lack of dietary discipline has contributed to American obesity. But Ronald?! This cannot stand! To the barricades . . . or the drive-thrus! The dark side has really done it this time. Its time to take their order and supersize it!!

Hills that is, swimming pools, movie stars...

A December Sunset from our patio- wow! We can't believe it is already February. The holidays came and went. We enjoyed some rest and a visit from Leigh's mom. We took her to historic Solvang and Pismo Beach to see a Monarch butterfly grove. It was good to see her. The girls loved their time with MaMa.

In January we had the rare opportunity for a night away without the children so we chose to spend it in Hollywood. We drove around Beverly Hills and Bel Air oohing and ahhing at mansion after mansion. The one we wanted to see was completely blocked- the Beverly Hillbillies mansion. It is located right next door to the Reagans- not the Dryesdales. Our minds wondered back to days gone by when Lucille Ball lived next door to Jimmy Stewart, etc. What must it have been like? Raquel Welch and Jack Palance seemed to have modest homes by today's standards. Of course, I'm sure they have more than one. The most interesting thing we did was visit several "famous" cemeteries. We saw the tombstones of many a famous folk and were surprised to see the simplicity or complete absence of others. Roy Orbison is buried in an unmarked grave. A small patch of grass marks the spot. Family members never returned to purchase a headstone. George C. Scott is also in an unmarked grave. The grumpy old men (Lemmon and Mattheau) are buried together. Marilyn Monroe's plaque had people's lipstick kisses all over it. Dean Martin had a fresh dozen roses in his vase. Donna Reed was noted with a small plaque on the ground reading "Wife and mother" with a small, withered plant beside it. It was striking that one could have it "all" and still die with nothing. Another cemetery actually backs right up to the Paramount Pictures studios. The irony was too rich. The contrast too stark. Funny, I don't think Hollywood gets it.

Ethics Anyone?

One of the neat things about being the chaplain of a training group is having access to a few hundred young men and women whose morality has been colored by Postmodern principles (an oxymornon?!). The challenge is not to get them to change their morality, but to admit that one can have an objective morality at all. Enter Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the US, who left us with an abiding sense that we must stand against evil as a nation. Vandenberg AFB is only a couple of hours from the Reagan Presidential Library which is filled with exhibits regarding the moral lessons he lived and learned. So we put together a one-day event that begins with an overview of the life and ethics of the 40th POTUS and concludes with a trip down to the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. ICBM missile students (yes, the ones who would launch nuclear weapons) have been our target audience. If anyone needs to hear the message that morality is not relative it is those who could completely change the face of the earth via nuclear war. So here are some pics from our latest trip, which included a walk-through of the newly opened Air Force One.
To view the pictures in a larger view, simply left click on the photo.

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . . ."

The message of the birth of Christ seems to me to be quite simple, and yet it usually gets lost in the noise of the season: Jesus came to save sinners. This is the best possible news we could ever receive, yet most miss it for they have yet to be brought to a "no kidding" awareness of their depravity before holy God. Isaac Watts got it in 1719 when he wrote, Joy To the World, the Lord is Come: No more let sins and sorrow grow, or thorns invest the ground. He comes to make, His blesssings flow, far as the curse is found . . . . So don't believe everything you read in those Christmas letters. If our families were that perfect, we wouldn't need a Savior :-) A blessed Christmas to all of you from us who are eternally grateful to the Father for His indescribable gift!

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; and I am the worst of them." 1 Timothy 1:15

And What Did You Do This Weekend?

There is much to dislike about California, including $450K mortgages (on $150K houses), environmentalists on acid, and LA traffic. On the other hand, its cool to visit some of the places you heard about or saw on TV as a kid growing up. This weekend, we went to Knotts Berry Farm down in Orange County, just below LA (you guessed it, you have to go through LA traffic to get there). Anyway, after 2 hours of bumper to bumper, we arrived and stayed the night at the Knotts Hotel ($59 a night for 5--not too shabby). The amusement park is the oldest theme park in the country, 5 years older than the venerable 5o year-old Disneyland a couple of blocks away. We had a great time. Even ate at the famous Mrs. Knotts Fried Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which was full of locals who raved about the place. A nice place, and I suppose it probably is the best friend chicken in So. Cal. (Southern California, that is). Of course, I'm from South Carolina, so I left thinking they still have a bit to learn from the South about cooking. But many famous folks have signed the register there--Art Linkletter ("and all the Links," as he put it), Michael Landon, Bob Denver, etc. The bill was quite a bit steeper than KFC (who has much better chicken), but hey, I'm a sucker for history.

Sarah has a real problem that all of us should pray about--she cannot resist riding ridiculously fast roller coasters. So guess who got to be her partner for the first ride? The Ghost Rider is one of the tallest and fastet wooden roller coasters in the world, and having ridden it I can attest that it is the bumpiest too. Every joint in my 40 year old body ached as I crawled out of the car down the ramp. Sarah thought it was fun. Like I said, pray for her.

I'll fill you in on the rest of our long weekend, including Camp Snoopy, National Treasure and the Wizard of Oz, and Jesus' feet hanging out of heaven. And all of it will be true!

Thar She Goes!

Wanted to let you see what we got to experience on 19 Oct when the last of the Titans went up into space from Vandenberg. The burn from the rocket is blinding, and the thunder from the engines (which took about 15 seconds to reach us after we saw the liftoff 5 miles away) shook the ground under our feet. Never seen anything like it on this earth.The great thing as that all three girls saw/felt it to. Pretty cool to be 1o years old and watch a rocket blast off into space, eh Sarah?

This is also cool . . . and weird! It seems that James Doohan (Mr Scott on the orginal Star Trek) willed for his ashes (6 oz of them, at least) to be launched into space after he died. Well, Scotty gets his wish in December (probably a little later as the launch schedule has been pushed back) when a Falcon rocket will launch him into the Final Frontier from Vandenberg. Don't believe it? Check it out: http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/13920.html
I just hope Scotty doesn't "fly her apart" over Lompoc and rain down on my house. Sorry folks--I'm a chaplain, not a comedian.

Drinking From the Firehose

We have a saying in the Air Force to the effect that life can sometimes be like trying to take a drink from a firehose. Believe me, after the last six weeks, we know the feeling:

• I went to SOS (Squadron Officer School) and got a sun tan. It was Fall in Alabama. Doesn't matter. It was still 90. How was SOS? Well, you take 475 captains, tell them that their careers could be on the line depending on their performance there, and watch the fratricide. Actually is wasn't that bad, but I was not that impressed with the whole shabang. Made some friends, alienated a few more (who just couldn't understand why the chaplain didn't want to hang out all evening, listen to them carpet "F" bomb, and watch them get smashed). All in all the AF can save money by consolidating that course with the one they send Lts through a couple of years before. Most of you folks couldn't care less about professional military education, so I'll move on.
• Leigh stayed home and got sick. So sick the doc told her to get out of the house . . . like for good. Its a long story as to how our home on base got so moldy, but let's just say housing repair contracting in the military goes to the lowest bidder. They not only fix leaks, they create them! So after a rather lengthy and exasperating row with CE, Bio Enviromental, and the Housing office, we were granted a move off base. Or I should say, Leigh, was granted a move (I was in Alabama, remember). After 15 years of marriage, you think you would know someone pretty well. Well I didn't know she had it in her. Moving rates at the top of the stress meter, just after driving in Jersey and Chinese water torture. But moving w/o your spouse, with 3 little girls in tow, while holding down a part-time teaching job, and dealing with the cretans who seem to populate some of the "support" agencies on a military base is off-the-chart stress. But SHE DID IT! Found an excellent house (1 yr old) where the rent was on sale (yeh, baby) and only 3 blocks from the Home Depot. Is this woman a gem or what?! Seriously, we give God all the glory on this one. Many helped, I prayed and cajoled from afar, but the Lord brought the family through this fire untouched. An awesome God, my friends.

On The Road Again...

Andy is headed to Maxwell AFB TDY, for five weeks. Leigh will be keeping the home fires burning, while chasing three girls. Here's to all the families who kiss their loved ones goodbye for a few days, months or even longer. Say a prayer for them. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." Phil. 1:3

Prayer Request

Please remember Leigh in your prayers. She has had a time with her asthma the last three days. We suspect it is a mold problem in the house (mold is a big problem here on the central coast of California). She is particulary allergic to it, and it creates respiratory distress. And pray for me, as I go to the housing office for a solution. They may be able to fix our problem, move us to another house, or we will have to move off base (which we don't want to do). We are trusting the Lord for wisdom and His provision. Thanks for your prayers!

He Came Back . . . In a Way

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.

Hall of Famers: the Bright Spots of Space-A Travel

I don't want to give the impression that just because of a door flying open on takeoff that we were totally bummed by the Space-A travel experience. We were too numb with fear to be totally bummed (just kidding). Actually, the people surrounding the whole program were uncommonly helpful. Dottie, who works at the PAX at Travis, took us under her wing and gave us personal attention, even before we made the trip to Fairfield. She was working the flights diligently for us. And without exception, every member of the PAX team was cordial and helpful, which is nice at 0200 when y0u and the kiddies are walking around the terminal eating stale ice cream bars from the vending area. And let me tell you about my encounter with a "Marino." Friends and family know I am a rabid Miami Dolphins fan, so I took it as a good sign when I was jogging from long-term parking back to the PAX (1.7 miles!) at 0230 that a MSgt MARINO pulled up and gave me a lift. I took that as a real good sign (until the door thing). Also, the folks at lodging blessed us with a TLF room, in the middle of PCS season no less. In other words, we are very impressed with the people at Travis AFB. Its the C-5 doors and low-energy loadmasters that chafed us. Stay tuned, if you can stand any more of this . . . .

Space-AAAUUGGHH!

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.
EPISODE #1: In-flight Emergency! What would have shut down a normal airliner didn't make the loadmasters on our C-5 cargo plane even blink. Either they are incredibly cool professionals under fire or they are not sufficiently informed as to the dangers of open doors on cargo jets during take-off. About 10 seconds after the pilot gives it full 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!!!"
Stay tuned for our next exciting travelogue episode!

Standby

Well, there is a reason they call this mode of travel "Space Available." First of all, there has to be a plane available. And apparently there won't be one heading to Chas till Saturday morning--hopefully. So we will wait around here till then. I am confident that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, but what about those who wait upon the Air Force? You just wait, I suppose! So if you are looking for prayer requests, how about mentioning a flight for 5 Thornleys to SC on Saturday? Much oblidged.

Gone to Carolina . . . .

"In my mind I'm goin' to Carolina

Can't you see the sunshine

Can't you just feel the moonshine

Ain't it just like a friend of mine

It hit me from behind

Yes I'm gone to Carolina in my mind."

Come Thursday, Deo volente, we will be heading to SC for the first time in a year as a family--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 exercise?). 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 laptop. Next post will be from Dixie!