I had a great day. Went to church, taught Sunday School, and then went with Daniel to pick some great steaks for a Father’s Day cookout at a good friend’s house (Tim Wood). Daniel got me a hilarious card and a book called “99 Questions - God’s Answers for Dads.” Ben got me a book called “No Atheists in Foxholes: Prayers and Reflections from the Front.” Thomas, who is an active duty Combat Medic, called and let me know he still loved me! He’s stationed in Washington, D.C. with the Old Guard (Army’s oldest regiment). Timothy is the only son, my youngest, who was not at home. He’s in Indiana with World Changers working on homes. Ben and his wife Andrea came over and played cards with us for the day at home and also gave us some great news — another baby is on the way. They already have one child Dominic. This will be the second. I’m starting to feel old! It was a wonderful day. I am truly blessed.

Well, Jo Ann’s parents are in town for a 2 week visit. They are visiting us from Topsham, Maine. We picked them up from the airport and Timothy took some great shots using the Canon 20D. I have included the link below to Timothy’s own flickr.com account. Enjoy the pictures. Timothy is doing great learning photography.

Nana and Papa pictures

I was honored to be at my son’s graduation today from Airborne jump school. He completed his 5 jumps and is now airborne qualified. I was even more honored to pin on his wings at the graduation ceremony. We’re here enjoying a weekend with him before he starts RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program). That will be a 4 week course that will get him into a ranger regiment and then eventually ranger school. He will also be attending, after RIP, Special Operations medic training at Fort Bragg, NC, which is above and beyond his basic medic training he’s already received at Fort Sam Houston, TX. He’s been busy and still got a lot more to do. All this and he’s still a teenager at 19 years old. For more pictures, go here.

Thomas didn’t get to jump today — the plane had to be repaired. I guess that’s a good thing. He’s thinking they might do all of the last 3 jumps tomorrow but he’s not sure. I’ll update here as soon as I know.

Thomas has been at Airborne Jump School now for two weeks. He’s completed Ground Week, Tower Week, and is now in Jump Week. Monday, he completed two “Hollywood” jumps (no extra gear). Today, he is going to jump two more times (combat jumps — full combat gear). Tomorrow (Wednesday), he will do one night jump at 9pm to complete his 5 jumps and then be allowed to wear his Airborne Wings. We will be leaving Thursday for Fort Benning, Georgia for the Graduation Ceremony Friday. This father will have the extreme honor of pinning the wings on his uniform. When he completes jump school, it only gets harder. He then has to prepare for RIP (Ranger Indoctrination Program). He has to pass this to be assigned to a Ranger regiment and qualify to go to Ranger School. He’s already finished basic, combat medic school, and by Friday, jump school. All this and he’s only 19. Please keep him in your prayers. I thank God for these young men and women who stand in harm’s way for this country.

Well, it got a little hairy last night. The winds were high, and it rained so hard you couldn’t see five feet in front of you. However, when the hail started, we went to the basement. I was following everything on my radio (amateur radio, call sign N0DBH) and tornadoes were being spotted in numerous locations. Fairview had some damage but it could have just been wind shear. We’re all okay and there’s no apparent damage here at home.

Fairview made the news. Here’s News Channel 5’s report.

I took a few pictures of the hail, but we headed to the basement pretty quickly. Here they are on flickr.

Today’s Podcast

Rich Fools — Cyprian

 

 Rich Fools -- Cyprian [3:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today’s Podcast

Clear Vision — Clement of Alexandria

 

 Clear Vision -- Clement of Alexandria [2:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download