It's Just Easier Being Overweight

Since my last post there hasn't been much change in my status. I have turned in all the documents/forms asked of or given to me thus far from the National Guard recruiter here in Jackson. The first form was for security clearance, and it was 30 pages long. The second was for the application to the Chaplain Candidate program which was shorter - 25 pages. Third was the application for becoming and officer, and it was only 6 pages long. The other documents were personal essays and such as to why I want to become a Chaplain in the National Guard. At my initial visit with the recruiter I filled out the forms needed to request my physical. So now I am waiting to hear back as to when my physical is scheduled. I've been told that once the physical is done the remainder of the process goes fairly quickly and smoothly. Right now the only thing that I can imagine that would hold me up in this process is my weight. To be accepted without any problem I need to weigh 195 according to my height and age. Currently I'm 225 so I have some pounds to lose, but I know that I can do it. It's just easier being overweight. I now that's not the best outlook to have on life but if you take a serious look at being healthy versus being overweight, being overweight is easier AND cheaper. For the past few weeks I've been trying to watch what I eat, how much I eat, and trying to walk at least a mile everyday. Going to eat something "healthy" or whatever for lunch at some places is almost $1-$2 more in price. No wonder MS is the largest state in the Union. I guess eating healthy at a restaurant will help stimulate the economy, but so far all it has stimulated is my appetite for a couple of combo meals at Taco Bell. Anyway, enough of my soapbox rambling. To help the weight loss process I have joined a local gym and have been faithful in working out. Maybe in a week or so I will see some results! So for now I ask for your prayers to continue losing weight and that all will go well with my physical, whenever that might be.

I do want to say thanks to a new friend, John Branning. He's pastor at Crystal Springs UMC and is the process of becoming a Chaplain. He's already completed seminary so all he has to do is complete Chaplain training and then he will be bonafide Chaplain in the MS National Guard. He's been the greatest blessing in helping me with this process of joining the Guard. Thanks LT for all the help and support and for always answering my questions! Now if he'd just give me my National Guard coffee mug we'll be all square...

Until the next time. Stay strong and focused in God and what God gives you to do!

One Year?!?

I can't believe it's been a whole year since I last posted on my blog. I've gotten into reading more blogs here lately, but neglected to update mine. I'd love to say that throngs of people hang on to the words I post here, but the reality is only about 3 people know that this blog even exists. So to the three people who have been missing out on this thing I apologize.

A great deal of stuff has happened since last post, but there is certainly not enough time or space to tell it all. I'll just highlight the most exciting thing at this time is that I am in the process of joining the Mississippi National Guard as a Chaplain Candidate. The military is something that I wanted to do when I was in high school. It was my desire to be a pilot in the Air Force. However I found out that my genetic defect (a.k.a. color blindness) would not allow me to fulfill this dream. Little did I know that God would use the military setting to get my attention. In college I had the opportunity to serve the Protestant Chapel community at Columbus Air Force Base as the Choir Director and Accompanist (1996-2002). This was where I was introduced to the awesome ministry that takes place with the men, women, and families serving in the military. I then had a desire to serve as a Chaplain but was not sure if the opportunity would ever come. Speed forward almost 10 years and now I have the chance to serve God by serving soldiers in the MS National Guard. The Air Force will always have a special place in my heart since my dad was an airman and I had the privilege of serving in the Protestant Community, but the MS National Guard has a Chaplain Candidate program. What this program allows is for me to get a direct officer's commission and start earning points toward promotion and retirement while I attend seminary and complete requirements for ordination in the UMC. I covet your prayers while I complete all of the required paperwork and attempt to lose several pounds before my physical is scheduled. Hopefully by this time next year I will have one year of seminary completed, part of my Chaplain training completed, and you can address me as Lt. Porter, Chaplain Candidate.