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.