Day 174: Relax

I have officially been in theater for 3 months! The last couple of weeks have been a blur. I've been so busy balancing so many tasks at once not even realizing that I have barely given myself enough room to simply breathe and relax. As a leader, I have made it a point to give my own medics at least 1 full day off a week, but for me I always seem to find something to work on or someone to take care of. Well today, I kept things low key...here are couple of relaxing moments to help us all release some of that tension...aaahhh!

Check out the winter scenery!


Digging in our stash of shoes and prepping for our next local national clinic day

During my rare moments of relaxation, I sometimes find time to daydream about the things that I miss from home. Things that I will probably never see or experience until I set foot back on US soil such as...

Spicy Tuna Rolls...


The Beach...


...or the Cheesecake Factory

I think the images of relaxation are enough to get me through the next 3 months. Time for me to get back to work!

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalms 46:10 NIV

Day 2: What, Me Worry?

Sitting yet again through another painful flogging by PowerPoint, I had no choice but to start taking notes just to stay awake! The most notable presentation was given by the Fleet & Family Support Center (FFSC) on the topic of stress.

Here are some sobering statistics...

Approximately 60% of active duty service members' marriages end up in divorce. Research has shown that multiple deployments increases the risk of divorce.

1 in 5 deployed service members will have signs/symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

The 2nd leading cause of death in the US Navy is suicide.

There is no doubt that being in the military is STRESSFUL, but often times the stress can be addressed if one is willing to admit that he/she is in need of help. One of the coolest things about Christianity is our faith in a God who is truly looking out for us, who knows our needs, and will meet them if we admit our need for Him. I am reminded of His provision through my experience with the FFSC on Guam, and how helpful the counselors were in taking Gemma and I through the process of preparing us for deployment...by the way...not an easy thing.


In Jeremiah 29:11 it says that He has "...thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." King David in Psalms 62 prays to God saying, "...when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." If you are ever stressed out take the time to reflect on just how God has taken you through life...you just might find a few things to be thankful for!