Home Away From Home
Friday, June 18, 2010
Growing up in Upstate New York, my family during the summer months would annually make the trek to the Appalachian mountains to go camping. We went to such places as: Nick's Lake, Lake Placid, and Watkins Glen among others. We always went with three other families and had wonderful memories of swimming in mountain lakes, singing around the campfire, eating delicious hot schmoes, I mean s'mores, constructing forts in the woods, and of course making various weapons out of the fallen tree branches. Good guy stuff. Fast forward about 15 years...
I am in the mountains again, in a bigger fort called a FOB (Forward Operating Base), sleeping in a tent, and I have my M4 Carbine with a 40mm grenade launcher attached to it, with me at all times. It all feels vaguely familiar...minus the s'mores. It seems funny how God can orchestrate things in your life together. Things you enjoy in one season of your life can set the platform for another season later on.
Speaking of enjoying things, mountains are kind of my thing. Just looking at them, not climbing them...just wanted to make that clear. I am in awe of God's handiwork. Being able to see the Appalachians growing up and the beautiful Cascade mountains in Seattle was an amazing priviledge. The glimpses of Mt. Rainier on a sunny day are breathtaking. Now I am smack dab in the middle of my own little mountain getaway. And as a 240B gunner I get to sit up in the turret of the vehicle and visually take in the mountain landscape, the villages, and the Afghan people...while I am scanning for Taliban fighters of course.
So anyway, for now the mountains are my home. My home away from home. Far, far away from where I want to be, but where I need to be nonetheless.
3 comments:
Jordan, It was so great to see/talk to you on skype this week. How strange that you are so far away and yet so close. I think of you when I see your resemblance in the precious faces of your sweet girls and when I spend time with your amazing wife and witness her strength and grace as she navigates this new season. I am more and more at peace with this phase of life for you guys. Funny, how I need to find peace about "your" life - I guess that's a good measure of friendship. Enjoy your mountain view:)
Carrie and I just love hiking the mountains. We went to the start of the Appalachian Mountains in Ga for a get a way. Great place.
I am sure those mountains sing songs as well, maybe in a soft familiar praise song or old hymn. You're on my heart and in my prayers...
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