FReeper Canteen ~ Guest Military Chaplain ~ MAR 14 2004

Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Welcome to
The FReeper Canteen

Today's Spiritual Journey takes us to the

234th Signal Battalion Iowa National Guard

Chaplain Padgett was assigned to the unit in the
Kentucky National Guard that FReeper Old Sarge is.
When the 234th Signal Battalion
of the Iowa National Guard was sent to Iraq
he was assigned to them because they had no Chaplain.
He was due home this month but has been extended until Aug 2004.

Chaplain Padgett’s Comments for 12 March 2004 Last Saturday, March 6, I went with 40 Alpha and Charlie Company soldiers to a village about 30 minutes south of Mosul. Our military convoy included nine vehicles, my assistant, an interpreter, two print journalists and one broadcast journalist from the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment from the Task Force Olympia Public Affairs Office and 63 boxes of donations and supplies. The Buwayr Village is named for a nearby well that is no longer in use. The sheik was not at home, but his son graciously welcomed us. According to Ahmed Ali Akob, the sheik’s cousin, the land, owned and inhabited by 100 villagers and lots of animals, is used mostly for growing barley and wheat and was purchased from the Ottoman government nearly 300 years ago. As we entered the village, the mud huts that made up the majority of homes instantly intrigued me. I asked how long these structures would typically last and was surprised by the answer: 30 to 40 years. Captain Dan Smith (Alpha company commander), Sergeant First Class Doug Johnson, Specialist Zach Thein and myself were invited to have tea with seven men of the village. They had left their sandals and shoes at the front door; we wore our combat boots and were assured that we were not being disrespectful. There was no furniture in the front room except for a small couch and two chairs that were pushed against a wall. We sat on a large beautiful Persian rug that covered nearly all the floor space. For comfort, vibrant colorful pillows lined the walls in which we could rest and recline. Overhead, just below the ceiling and lining the four walls, hung photographs - all were men. Most were black and white photos of ancestral leaders, including the sheik’s grandfather, all looked to me very stereotypically Arabic - with either mustaches or beards and wearing traditional head coverings. As I gazed around the room looking at the portraits, I couldn’t help but think that I was sitting in a place of honor. Maybe I was reading too much into the experience. Specialist Thein brought clarity to the moment by asking, “Would you have ever thought in a million years that we would sitting in a place like this drinking tea?” The answer was no, I couldn’t have even imagined an experience like this last year. One of the younger men poured hot tea into small clear glass cups and distributed them with the help of the others. We chatted, with the help of our interpreter Mohammed; they shared with us about the history of the area and voiced village concerns related to issues such as water and electricity. Finally, Captain Smith and I agreed that our legs were going to sleep and gratefully the session ended and we went outside. There were two soldiers from the Public Affairs office waiting to speak to the Akob; ironically, he had just left a room full of men to be interviewed and video taped by two female journalists. He told them he was very appreciative of our service and emphasized the village was friends of the U.S. Before we left, I had my picture taken with him. He grabbed my hand and held it; it was a nice personal touch that I appreciated. The visit to the Buwayr Village to meet and interact with its leaders and children worth was the trip to Iraq. And now, a week later after the successful humanitarian mission to the Buwayr Village, I think of the eleven men in the room: seven representing the village, four representing the 234th Signal Battalion; seven representing Iraq, four representing the United States of America. But most importantly, there were eleven men representing cooperation and hope. I am grateful to my God and Nation that I had the opportunity to be one of the eleven. For God and Country, Chaplain Jay Padgett from Mosul, Iraq - Psalm 23:4

[Fawnn]

I've always known this song as "The Three Bells." (Whatever we call it, it's a wonderful poignant song!)

[StarCMC]

Good SUnday morning EGC!! (HUGS!)

[knighthawk]

Yes we do, it's really getting spring now. Next week will bring great weather.

[StarCMC]

Congrats Mr. & Mrs. HiJinx on 29 years! Woo-hoo!

[StarCMC]

Thank you, Hope, for posting the pledge each day! (HUGS!)

[StarCMC]

Thank for for playing her song, Ms. Kathy! (HUGS!)

[StarCMC]

I have caught up to me!! WOO-HOO!! The kids spent the night last night with my mom. It's been so long since i got ready for church alone, i had no idea how long it would take - I am soooo early! LOL!!

[StarCMC]

Woo-hoo! TOnight "War Stories" will be about Flying Aces! Looks AWESOME!!! :o)

[Fawnn]

It's been so long since i got ready for church alone,...

My daughter occasionally plays piano at church. Because you have young kids, I thought you might enjoy hearing about this:

My daughter had just finished practicing piano when she overheard a discussion between the MBABGDITW#1 and a friend who was there for a sleepover.

Friend: "Wow! Your mom can really plays piano good!"

MBABGDITW#1: "You wouldn't think so if YOU HAD TO LISTEN TO HER PRACTICE EVERYDAY."

;)

[The Mayor]

You have not kept the commandment of the Lord . . . . Now your kingdom shall not continue. —1 Samuel 13:13-14

The way of obedience is the only way of blessing.

[The Mayor]

March 14, 2004

Costly Consequences

Read: 1 Samuel 13:1-15

You have not kept the commandment of the Lord . . . . Now your kingdom shall not continue. —1 Samuel 13:13-14

Bible In One Year: Deuteronomy 23-25; Mark 14:1-26

---

I always knew that disobedience has consequences, but it came home to me forcibly in basic training during World War II. I had traveled beyond the distance allowed on my weekend pass to be with my wife Ginny, and I returned to camp late because the train had broken down. I paid for my rule-breaking—20 hours of extra duty washing pots and pans!

King Saul also learned the high cost of disobedience. He faced the prospect of fighting a huge well-equipped Philistine army with his small band of frightened and untrained followers. While waiting for Samuel to come and offer a sacrifice before going to battle, Saul became impatient and offered the sacrifice himself, even though he knew that God had given that right only to the priests. It was a costly mistake.

Saul had begun his reign with humility and compassion, and he gave God the credit (1 Samuel 11). And the prophet Samuel told him that God would have kept the kingship in his family if he had obeyed God's command (13:13-14). But that one act of disobedience changed the course of his life. From that point on, it was a sad downhill journey.

Never forget that disobedience has consequences. And some of them may be very costly. —Herb Vander Lugt

O help me, Lord, to be afraid
Of disobedient ways;
And may I seek what pleases You,
What gives You highest praise. —Sper

The way of obedience is the only way of blessing.

[StarCMC]

Too funny Fawnn!! I play piano too -- not great, but I can bang out the hymns! LOL!!

[StarCMC]

Thank you for the reminder TM! Happy Sunday!

[Fawnn]

When I was in 5th grade, my mom offered me a quarter if I'd learn how to play a hymn. I chose "Bringing in the Sheaves." I can still play it! (I guess I've always worked cheap.) LOL

Right now my daughter is working on a special arrangement for "Power in the Blood." It's beautiful -- and far more complex than the arrangements found in the hymnals. ;)

[StarCMC]

Well, Auntie, I am off to church! HUGS!! Hope you have a great day!!

[Fawnn]

Thank you! (I'll be inside -- and close to my computer -- still recovering from my day outside Friday.) I hope you enjoy your day, too!!!

[Radix]

Where is TomKow6?

I am just curious!

[Radix]

What are you doing?

I am just curious!

[Radix]

Hello me.

[Radix]

Hello me.