“Richmond can’t get you in by Wednesday,” he said and I felt a little deflated.
First thing that came to mind when my Chaplain recruiter told us my medical exam in Richmond was a no go was “Where’s the next best place I can get it done?” The second thought was, “I hope its not in Santa Fe—although Santa Fe would be a cool place to visit.”
“So, Chaplain Berghaus,” I asked, “What’s next?”
‘Next’ was the options. We discussed sending me to Santa Fe, El Paso and [drum roll] the big ‘D’ and I do mean Dallas.
Kim and I talked off line and calling back, I said yes to Dallas. It was on our way and that made it the best thing since sliced bread.
The only problem: ~36 hours to show up at MEPS. That’s right, not 36 hours to arrive in Dallas, have a coffee and get some sleep. 36 hours to stand in line outside the MEPS.
Dun-dun-dun!
The long drive:
We started Tuesday waving goodbye to friends and our old neighborhood. We said goodbye to our house and left town.
Leaving was hard and we didn’t get out of town until after around 4PM. Still, we knew our task and after some debate decided to see how far we could get. Driving all night for Hunter's sake sounded like a good idea at 5PM, but could we do it?
He fell asleep around 8pm and after doing a sanity check we decided: drive till dawn was on.
We went until Kim was slapping herself around 530am and found a motel, hitting the sack around 6am in Alabama. Hunter was still asleep.
Four hours later we were on the road again.
We got to Dallas around 8pm Wednesday night.
We were tired, we were ready to sleep and we were really thankful to arrive. Additionally, God put nice people in our way at each juncture, from the guy with MEPS who was understanding and treated my family and I like adults, the fellow at the front desk who offered to help Kim load the car in the morning when I wasn’t around and the night manager who let us park our car in the company parking.
It was a long drive, but we did it in 28 hours. With an infant.
Go team Hammans.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Update
Kim, Hunter and I are on a long road trip and the first week is coming to a close.
Tomorrow will make a full week on the road and so far, it’s been a lot of fun.
The last few days we’ve been visiting with family in Carlsbad NM. Its been very nice and relaxing. My watch battery ran out and I didn’t get a new one. Not even carrying my cell around much these days.
I’m on vacation.
Ya.
More to come.
Tomorrow will make a full week on the road and so far, it’s been a lot of fun.
The last few days we’ve been visiting with family in Carlsbad NM. Its been very nice and relaxing. My watch battery ran out and I didn’t get a new one. Not even carrying my cell around much these days.
I’m on vacation.
Ya.
More to come.
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Last Night
Last night was really hard. It was our last night at beautiful 2223 Sedgewick. Virginia Beach has been a great place for Kim and I. Leaving is bitter sweet.
This was the town we came home to from our Honey Moon.
We had our first child here.
We made lots of quality friends.
It's been a good ride.
We won't forget Va Beach or her people.
In a sentimental moment I took some sea shells with me to have a bit of the beach in St. Louis for little Hunter. Kim and I will use them to add some decorations to his new room.
:-)
God is good.
He brought us here and now he is taking us away.
The 'day' is finally "tomorrow" and that reality feels sureal.
Lord willing, we will be rolling down the road come tomorrow evening, a new chapter to write as we make that "first step" of a thousand mile journey.
How often do you get to say you're making a first step to a thousand mile journey?!
[~1894 miles]
This was the town we came home to from our Honey Moon.
We had our first child here.
We made lots of quality friends.
It's been a good ride.
We won't forget Va Beach or her people.
In a sentimental moment I took some sea shells with me to have a bit of the beach in St. Louis for little Hunter. Kim and I will use them to add some decorations to his new room.
:-)
God is good.
He brought us here and now he is taking us away.
The 'day' is finally "tomorrow" and that reality feels sureal.
Lord willing, we will be rolling down the road come tomorrow evening, a new chapter to write as we make that "first step" of a thousand mile journey.
How often do you get to say you're making a first step to a thousand mile journey?!
[~1894 miles]
Friday, November 13, 2009
The Margins of Life
Being a procrastinator, I wisely saved everything dealing with the car till the last two days before we would turn it over to a friend. This friend had graciously volunteered to drive it cross country for us.
Naturally, Kim and I wanted it to be without issue. The Storm conspired with my procrastination otherwise.
After a day of rain the auto shop I brought the car to for some minor repairs was out of power.
God's good grace got the car back into my possession. It could've been up on a lift when the car shop lost power during the storm. But it wasn't.
I was out the repairs I needed and had little money to go to the dealership, but that was my only option.
I avoid dealerships like the den of thieves they sometimes are. Do you? I find most dealerships obnoxious places and expect to have my wallet fleeced just for stepping on site.
However, my most needed repair couldn't be avoided and I didn't want to take the car apart in the rain, so there it was. But first things first, I had to get my car.
When I showed up to get my car from the shop w/o power, the owner gave me fifty dollars to help toward Kim and I going to school. He'd heard our story and wanted to help out. I was surprised but happily and thanked him for his generosity.
My bill at the dealer was $49 and enough change to let there be a little jingle in my pocket.
Just enough.
I think God likes drawing things in the margins of life.
Naturally, Kim and I wanted it to be without issue. The Storm conspired with my procrastination otherwise.
After a day of rain the auto shop I brought the car to for some minor repairs was out of power.
God's good grace got the car back into my possession. It could've been up on a lift when the car shop lost power during the storm. But it wasn't.
I was out the repairs I needed and had little money to go to the dealership, but that was my only option.
I avoid dealerships like the den of thieves they sometimes are. Do you? I find most dealerships obnoxious places and expect to have my wallet fleeced just for stepping on site.
However, my most needed repair couldn't be avoided and I didn't want to take the car apart in the rain, so there it was. But first things first, I had to get my car.
When I showed up to get my car from the shop w/o power, the owner gave me fifty dollars to help toward Kim and I going to school. He'd heard our story and wanted to help out. I was surprised but happily and thanked him for his generosity.
My bill at the dealer was $49 and enough change to let there be a little jingle in my pocket.
Just enough.
I think God likes drawing things in the margins of life.
My Brain on Rain
I was staring out the car window as Kim and I drove somewhere today and I had this thought:
Asia’s rainy season must suck.
A few minutes later I considered Noah and realized how 72 hours of non-stop rain has given me a better appreciation for Genesis 7:12
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day…
Bye-bye Rain! You have gone away.
Yay.
Asia’s rainy season must suck.
A few minutes later I considered Noah and realized how 72 hours of non-stop rain has given me a better appreciation for Genesis 7:12
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day…
Bye-bye Rain! You have gone away.
Yay.
Students w/ Used Cars
So, for those of you who didn’t know, my family and I are moving.
We are starting a new chapter in our lives, as seminarians.
There are lots of moving pieces to this but one was my beat up ol’ beetle.
It’s a nice enough car, and having nearl paid it off we opted to keep it as the “school car.”
No payments while being broke seemed better than a sleeker newer car w/ payments.
Problem is, the mileage being over 80K meaning the dreaded timing belt needs replacing along with several other major parts or we are forced to court disaster.
Got the price quote here and then got a second opinion from the family’s local auto shop back in Iowa.
The Iowa price was so much cheaper it was actually a savings to pay to drive it there, pay for lodging, pay for a plane ticket back to VA Beach, then get the repairs done.
The only problem was the time. I have terminal leave but didn’t look forward to driving the distance alone and the fact would remain leaving Kim alone would be hard on both of us.
Hunter’s teething, there’s lots to do, etc…
A few weeks back someone from our church offered to drive the car out there for us. We were shocked and didn’t say anything to his offer at first due to our own credulity. Who volunteers to drive 1200 miles for you?
Well, thank you Clint for doing such a lovely act of service for our family. You walked out Christ’s love in the flesh today with your long road trip.
We all thank you and your family for doing without you for three days.
We are starting a new chapter in our lives, as seminarians.
There are lots of moving pieces to this but one was my beat up ol’ beetle.
It’s a nice enough car, and having nearl paid it off we opted to keep it as the “school car.”
No payments while being broke seemed better than a sleeker newer car w/ payments.
Problem is, the mileage being over 80K meaning the dreaded timing belt needs replacing along with several other major parts or we are forced to court disaster.
Got the price quote here and then got a second opinion from the family’s local auto shop back in Iowa.
The Iowa price was so much cheaper it was actually a savings to pay to drive it there, pay for lodging, pay for a plane ticket back to VA Beach, then get the repairs done.
The only problem was the time. I have terminal leave but didn’t look forward to driving the distance alone and the fact would remain leaving Kim alone would be hard on both of us.
Hunter’s teething, there’s lots to do, etc…
A few weeks back someone from our church offered to drive the car out there for us. We were shocked and didn’t say anything to his offer at first due to our own credulity. Who volunteers to drive 1200 miles for you?
Well, thank you Clint for doing such a lovely act of service for our family. You walked out Christ’s love in the flesh today with your long road trip.
We all thank you and your family for doing without you for three days.
The Storm of 2009
Yesterday the storm hit in the proper sense. It has to be the worst storm of the year.
The rain began Wednesday and didn’t stop until tonight. Who knows if it’s finished for good or just taking a coffee break.
I have to say, the weather people were on the money this time. I wanted to ignore them after their last portents of doom regarding a storm. Anyone remember the Blizzard of 2008?
Right.
Well, this time, the weather showed up.
Did I mention I’m not a big fan of the rain?
Things I don’t like doing in the rain:
- Moving
- Walking
- Talking
- Chewing gum
- Working on cars
- Packing luggage into cars
- Washing the dog three times
After this I’m glad I missed out on Hurricanes during my 3.5 years in Va Beach.
The rain poured for over 72 hours and the ground around here—the stuff not under water—is soggy like a marsh.
They called it a Nor’easter.
Whatever.
Tell that to the Lynnhaven fishing pier. I bet the pier agrees it was a class 1 hurricane.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Moving: Cathartic or Masochistic?
MOVING!
Over the last two weeks Kim and I have worked hard to prepare: we are moving.
The date is nearly upon us, literally nipping at our heals as I type. The evidence is everywhere, boxes, bins, piles of papers tossed here and there. My office looks like a team of summer interns hit it.
Survey Fail: My Fault
The moving company did their inspection of our household goods today and the prognosis was an estimated 10300lbs.
That's close to our limit of 9K lbs and it is an estimate, however, I am the problem.
What's more, the man doing the inspection was very clear.
Thanks Captain obvious.
Yes...I know, 'A lot' is an apt description.
That exchange left me wrestling with guilt over my contribution toward our too-high weight amount.
My own Gauntlet: Books
So far I've given away or disposed of more than 200 books. Maybe reached the 300 or 400 mark. However, when that is less than 50% of your original total, I guess that's just not enough.
It's come to the point where I don't know what to keep and what to eliminate. Do I drop all the fiction, which I love? I'm a writer. I crave creative works. My brain needs the 5 basic food groups: Fiction, Theology, Accurate History, Good Science, and Laughable Comedy. I've gotten rid of the fluff, even if it was nice. Now I start making choices between quality Christian works and classic literature.
Our friend Elizabeth came over to help us today. She was great, succeeding in making the chaos orderly. I wonder if the survey took place tomorrow if we'd have a smaller number. As she stood in our study looking for the first time at how many books I actually had she mentioned her concern.
"Why so many," she wondered. "What does that mean?"
Certainly I have many more than is average. But what does that mean?
Am I just a collector?
I do enjoy having them around; they are my decor. While I used to spend money on buying new books regularly, I've stopped that for the most part.
However, I am also concerned because when faced with the requirement to rid myself of "enough" [whatever that is] any attempt to do so feels like I am cutting off my leg.
Why do I find myself standing on books, i.e. how is it that the task of cutting back is so hard that I need them to feel whole?
That is messed up.
When did my books become some kind of idol for me? Are they an adult's security blanket?
Is it part escapism, or the need to guarantee I can provide that enjoyment for myself when 'needed?'
Or is there more...
There's a control factor there for me. I want to have the knowledge I need at my fingertips.
Kim keeps saying "google" when I hold up a book and attempt to sell its worth. Google rocks but it's not a book.
Even if my collection wasn't showing signs of being personally problematic, could it become one?
Elizabeth also asked that question. Having so many right now would likely rob me of the enjoyment of getting new books. As seminary requires the getting of new books quite regularly, that's likely to be a problem.
I am convicted that I have to purge more books even if it hurts like hell. The very thought leaves me low, my stomach leaden, my heart hollowed out.
Yeah, sounds like I have a problem.
I really hate that giving away my material possession stresses me out.
For whatever reason, physical things have significant memory associations for me. Consequently, getting rid of them feels akin to throwing away my life--as if a chip of my past just got tossed in the dustbin.
However, an odd twist goes with it: if I give 'it' to a friend, the purging hurts less. A lot. For example, I'm giving away my 8-stage reloader to a friend tomorrow. I'm sad to loose a prized possession, but [shrug] he can use it and that's great. I'll probably be happy about it by tomorrow.
Weird, eh?
So....if you want free stuff, come knocking--I'm moving.
Over the last two weeks Kim and I have worked hard to prepare: we are moving.
The date is nearly upon us, literally nipping at our heals as I type. The evidence is everywhere, boxes, bins, piles of papers tossed here and there. My office looks like a team of summer interns hit it.
Survey Fail: My Fault
The moving company did their inspection of our household goods today and the prognosis was an estimated 10300lbs.
That's close to our limit of 9K lbs and it is an estimate, however, I am the problem.
What's more, the man doing the inspection was very clear.
"You were doing well until we got to the book room [my study]," he said with a chuckle.
I grimaced.
"Really?" I asked, fishing in a rhetoric manner for some salvific data piece, one which didn't involve cutting off more books.
"Yeah," he continued with a shake of his head, "Books are heavy and you've got a lot. A Lot," he stressed.
I grimaced.
"Really?" I asked, fishing in a rhetoric manner for some salvific data piece, one which didn't involve cutting off more books.
"Yeah," he continued with a shake of his head, "Books are heavy and you've got a lot. A Lot," he stressed.
Thanks Captain obvious.
Yes...I know, 'A lot' is an apt description.
That exchange left me wrestling with guilt over my contribution toward our too-high weight amount.
My own Gauntlet: Books
So far I've given away or disposed of more than 200 books. Maybe reached the 300 or 400 mark. However, when that is less than 50% of your original total, I guess that's just not enough.
It's come to the point where I don't know what to keep and what to eliminate. Do I drop all the fiction, which I love? I'm a writer. I crave creative works. My brain needs the 5 basic food groups: Fiction, Theology, Accurate History, Good Science, and Laughable Comedy. I've gotten rid of the fluff, even if it was nice. Now I start making choices between quality Christian works and classic literature.
Our friend Elizabeth came over to help us today. She was great, succeeding in making the chaos orderly. I wonder if the survey took place tomorrow if we'd have a smaller number. As she stood in our study looking for the first time at how many books I actually had she mentioned her concern.
"Why so many," she wondered. "What does that mean?"
Certainly I have many more than is average. But what does that mean?
Am I just a collector?
I do enjoy having them around; they are my decor. While I used to spend money on buying new books regularly, I've stopped that for the most part.
However, I am also concerned because when faced with the requirement to rid myself of "enough" [whatever that is] any attempt to do so feels like I am cutting off my leg.
Why do I find myself standing on books, i.e. how is it that the task of cutting back is so hard that I need them to feel whole?
That is messed up.
When did my books become some kind of idol for me? Are they an adult's security blanket?
Is it part escapism, or the need to guarantee I can provide that enjoyment for myself when 'needed?'
Or is there more...
There's a control factor there for me. I want to have the knowledge I need at my fingertips.
Kim keeps saying "google" when I hold up a book and attempt to sell its worth. Google rocks but it's not a book.
Even if my collection wasn't showing signs of being personally problematic, could it become one?
Elizabeth also asked that question. Having so many right now would likely rob me of the enjoyment of getting new books. As seminary requires the getting of new books quite regularly, that's likely to be a problem.
I am convicted that I have to purge more books even if it hurts like hell. The very thought leaves me low, my stomach leaden, my heart hollowed out.
Yeah, sounds like I have a problem.
I really hate that giving away my material possession stresses me out.
For whatever reason, physical things have significant memory associations for me. Consequently, getting rid of them feels akin to throwing away my life--as if a chip of my past just got tossed in the dustbin.
However, an odd twist goes with it: if I give 'it' to a friend, the purging hurts less. A lot. For example, I'm giving away my 8-stage reloader to a friend tomorrow. I'm sad to loose a prized possession, but [shrug] he can use it and that's great. I'll probably be happy about it by tomorrow.
Weird, eh?
So....if you want free stuff, come knocking--I'm moving.
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