Happy Birthday Abe!

Hi Friends and Family,

Today is Abraham Lincoln's 199th Birthday:

On the stormy morning of Sunday, February 12, 1809, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, wife of Thomas, gave birth to a boy. He was born on a bed of poles covered with corn husks. The baby was named Abraham after his grandfather. The birth took place in the Lincolns' rough-hewn cabin on Nolin Creek near Hodgenville, Kentucky. Thomas Lincoln was an uneducated carpenter and a farmer. Nancy Lincoln had little or no schooling and could not write. From a humble beginning, Abe eventually became the greatest leader our country has ever known. Wish we had someone like you running in 2008!!!

Kids are doing much better and are back to their normal active ways...Allie is talking more everyday and Herbie is growing up too fast! Christina is a beautiful pregnant lady and we continue to count down the days until our little baby is here.

This is day 18 of our 100 day challenge and I have 4 people doing it with me. I'm proud of you team! Keep it up!!!!

I had a great first drill with the 2/135th Aviation BN at Buckley Air Force Base. The commander is a strong Christian and is very supportive of the role of chaplain for his troops and really helped me feel at home. On Saturday I was introduced to my very first chaplain assistants. I've got two nice young men who help me with my ministry to the 400 soldiers. They are both 21 years old and committed to the Lord...(I've been praying for good Chaplain Assistants since I first went to boot camp last summer.) Their names? Private Butkovich and Private Bender...great names huh??? Butkovich is a former Goth who came to Christ through his local youth group and Bender is a big, kind hearted young man with a great sense of humor. Their last chaplain candidate used to order them to do pushups when he was displeased so they were a little gunshy with me at first...I think we'll be fine.

This is an exciting position because I'm working with the pilots and support teams who operate the Blackhawks and Chinook helicopters. Amazing machines! I finally got my dogtags on Sunday and will get to go up in the air soon. (The commander asked me to go along on his flight for war games on Sunday morning but I didn't have my dogtags yet! Bummer!!!)

My first chapel went well...I brought my guitar but was thankful that God put a former church attendee from Green Mountain and musician in my new battalion. Because of him, I had a much better guitarist play for the service. Another officer joined me in leading the soldiers in worship...Thank you Lord!!!!

I helped prepare lunch on Sunday and served cake to the enlisted soldiers in the chow line. (That's the best way to get your face out there with the soldiers) I met my first muslim soldier on Sunday and am excited to show him I love him as much as any soldier I have under my care...





This is a picture of my new friend, SGT Cain. He lost his mother while he was in Iraq last year and still gets teary eyed when thinking/talking about his mom. Keep him in your prayers.



Me in front of a Chinook helicopter




More pictures from our new facility...(It cost $190 million and is beautiful facility that has the room needed to bring all the birds inside and hoist them in the air for maintenance. Unbelievable! If you want a tour someday let me know and I'll try to take you out to Buckley and show you around...)




I'm glad these guys are on our side!




Happy Valentine's Day!

Dave