Been a Challenging Few Weeks

These past few months have been very challenging for myself and my family.  Some of them good and some of them not so good.  Some days I have had time to write, but no inspiration or desire to.  Other days, I wanted to write but had to take care of other responsibilities.  Been very frustrating at times.

I have started my new position as Unit Case Worker.  Although I didn’t have a whole of quality ‘on the job training,’ I did get some.  As is often the case, I did a lot of ‘hit the ground running’ kind of training.  But, having been an Acting Case Worker several times before this, I was able to adapt pretty quickly.  For the most part, I have been working either in 3AB or one of the Protective Custody units.  Housing Unit 3 has been pretty smooth for the most part.  Many of the Inmates there have known me for years, so they know what to expect from me.  In fact, many of them seem to prefer me in my new Case Worker role.

The Protective Custody (PC) units that I have worked with have either been pretty good or awful.  Well, one unit in particular houses the ‘more difficult’ Inmates who are PC, and then tend to be the most difficult to deal with.  At least for me.  What’s ironic is that another group that are in a substance abuse program often have similar issues as the other ‘difficult’ PC group.  However, because of the program that they are in and how it can impact their parole, promotion to a lower custody and transfer to another institution, or release, they have a very strong incentive to follow directions.  It is very interesting noting the different dynamics in the different units.

About a week ago I put in my bid for what shift and Housing Unit that I want to work on.  I should find out this week with whether I got my first or second choice.  Considering the fact that both are for the same shift (Afternoon/evening) and same Housing Unit, just different sides, either one is fine with me.

Probably one of my biggest challenges the past few months have been the chronic pain that I deal with on a daily basis.  After 15 years with the Army, three of them with the 82^nd Airborne Division, and during my 4^th deployment, I developed problems with my lower back and both knees.  It turns out that I have arthritis in both knees, though my right usually is worse, and permanent damage to several of the discs in my lower back.  This past winter had been really rough, especially with my knees. 

It hasn’t been all bad.  Our daughter just celebrated a birthday earlier this month and participated in her first dance competition.  Her group did so well that they took all of the top awards for their age group, which was very impressive.  Needless to say, we were all very proud of her for that!

Both kids are doing pretty well in school.  Their third quarter finished recently, and both received a lot of good marks.  And both improved in several catagories since last quarter, which is also awesome.

On the few occasions that weather and my schedule has allowed me, I have been leading an adult Bible Study.  At the beginning of this year, our pastor had our congregation read through the book “All In” by Mark Batterson.  Due to my work load, I was not able to read the book until recently.  And, I have not read too much yet.  However, my wife did read the whole book with the rest of the church.  She thought that it was pretty good, but didn’t really go into the “so what, now what?”  That is, how does one actively apply what has been learned.

So, what I decided to do was ask those that attend the Bible Study to come up with at least one example in the Old Testament and the New Testament that they though really embraced the “all in” that the book talks about.  So, we have talked about Malachi and will be talking about John the Baptist next week.  In the future we will discuss people like Jeremiah, Mary the Mother of Jesus, and several others.  If you are interested, I can put my notes into a blog entry or two in the future.  Just let me know.

Oh, one other significant thing going on in our lives.  I have started the Army Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) for getting medically retired from the Army.  I had hoped that I could get my 20 and earn at least my E7/Sergeant First Class.  But, unfortunately, that is not going to happen.  In fact, I will be attending a retirement brief next month.  I will be retiring with 18+ years in the Army, both Active Duty and with the Nebraska National Guard.  I have had many enjoyable times, and many painful times.  But, I have also learned a lot.  Of all the deployments that I’ve had, probably my third one in 2010 was the most enjoyable and awe-inspiring.  But, that’s a story for another time.

Not a whole lot else is new for us.  Just really busy with all that is going on.  My wife hopes to be teaching within the next few years, so that will be another positive change in our lives.  I will also be going through training with the Nebraska Department of Corrections next week.  With this training, I will not only be assisting with teaching First Aid/CPR (through ASHI), but also facilitating a program geared with helping Inmates change destructive thinking.  At least, that is how I understand it.  More on that another time, too.

Please do not hesitate to let me know what you think of my blog entries.  Or, if you would like me to post my thoughts on a particular topic, let me know.  I have noticed that I do not have a followers.  If you really enjoy what I write, that will be the easiest way to know when I will be posting more.

In Christ,

RC

Prone to Thoughts and Lists

This entry is kind of a summary of things that I have been pondering the last few days. Because my lower back acted up last week and I have been very limited with what I can do physically, I have been doing a lot of pondering. Well, to be honest, I have been doing a lot of movie watching on Netflix as well. But, being a contemplating person at heart…

Over the last several years, I have had intermittent problems with my lower back. When ever that has happened, I usually do what I can to entertain myself and keep my mind off of the pain. This instance is no exception. In the past, I would usually watch movie after movie that I had. Sometimes I would do a particular theme like Star Wars or Star Trek. Other times I would just put in what ever movie was the easiest to get to and sounded decent. Unfortunately, when one's lower back hurts, the more one leans, or even just moves, the more painful it is.

Although I love watching movies, after a while it gets a bit old. Watching one movie after another after another after another… Intermixed with the movie watching has been meals, surfing the Internet, Skyping with my family, etc. But yet, it has almost become boring just watching movies.

While reading various articles on Facebook, I came across a website that had various lists (http://www.listchallenges.com/). Lists of books to read, lists of places to visit, lists of foods to eat, etc. For fun, I have gone through several of the lists to see how my experiences measure up to other people's ideas of what is important. I have high scores with movies, which is no surprise to me. In fact, with the 'geek list' I have seen 60/100 of the 'nerd movies.' That is, Sci-Fi movies. But, when it came to books, I was a bit surprised. Although I have read many books in my life, the books that I have read are not on the lists. Well, most of them. It seems that I am not as well versed in the 'classics' as I though I was. I admit, not all of the books on the lists sound all that appealing to me. However, it isn't always about 'appeal' that one reads a book. Many times, especially when it comes to theological and/or philosophical works, one needs to read challenging things. That way, one can gain a new perspective on how other view life.

Although it can be fun to compare what you can do or have done with someone else, one always needs to remember something. Each and everyone of us is a unique individual. Some people have the right kind of job or enough money to be able to travel the world. Others are able to sit down and read many books throughout their lifetime. Others are able to try various restaurants and try many different foods. Although it would be wonderful to experience all of these different things, not all of us will be able to do so.

But yet, sitting down and deciding the kinds of things that one wants to experience in his or her lifetime can be a good goal to set. For those who love to visit different countries, sitting down and creating a list of places to visit, and the order that he or she wants to visit them, can help create priorities. Some places will be very expensive to visit and may require many different visas or other applications. Figuring out what one needs would be a part of that goal setting processes.

For those who love reading, setting up a goal with the kids of books to read might be worth while. But even with that, one would need to figure out what genre of books they would want to focus on. There are so many different genres out there, one has to narrow it down. For example, although I enjoy watching a good horror movie once in a while, I don't enjoy reading horror novels all that much. But, I do enjoy reading a good mystery, sci-fi novel, or classical literature. Of course, theological writings are something else that I enjoy reading. For others, westerns or romance novels are their favorites. After figuring out a genre, one would then need to develop a list of books to read within that group. Then, the next question is, borrow them from a library, borrow from a friend, or buy them? Books can be expensive. But, if one really enjoys a book, having a copy of it might be good. Again, it will be up to the person.

But yet, if all a person does in life is make lists and think about what they want to do, are they really enjoying life? I have been able to do many things in my life. I have been to seminary, I have been in the Army (Active Duty and National Guard) for over 15 years, I have visited in Europe on several occasions, I have been to the Middle East, and I have visited many places throughout the United States. I have also been an Airborne Paratrooper, a pastor, and have worked in corrections. In fact, those are just some of the things that I have been able to experience.

All of us have experiences that make us who we are. Some of them are happy and joyful experiences. Some of them are painful and/or sad ones. But, each of these experiences contribute to who we are as a whole. Just like the books that we read and the classes that we study and the places that we visit, they all contribute to how we understand life. Some of these choices are ones that we make. But, not all of them. At times, others make choices for us. Be it our parents, the people that we work for, or the acts of a stranger. Each of these can greatly impact who we are and how we understand life.

As I wrap up this entry, I encourage you to think about something. What kind of things have shaped your life? What kind of people have influenced you? Whether you prefer books or movies, or love them both, how have they shaped your world view? With the places that you have visited, how have those experiences changed you? As you make lists, or jusACt think about what you have done, reflect on how you have been challenged and have grown because of these things. Consider, whether they they seem good or bad at the time, how you are different because of them. And with that, think about ways that you can experience new things and become an even better person? Not all things may be possible to experience. But, there are new experiences around each and every one of us. Ask God to open your eyes and experience new things. Especially with Who He is and what He has for you.